Carly Griffith November, 2011

Hearth Heiress: Hestia

She is said to be the warmth that spreads throughout our houses, leaving a calming state of mind.  She watches over ritual and cooking within the homes across the world.  She is the very flame that burns with an ethereal brightness in our fire pits.  Hestia, the Greek Goddess of the hearth, is not only a domestic women, but a protective motherly Goddess.  Even though Hestia promised to never marry and have children, she served as a mother figure for many Gods and Goddesses.  Hestia choose this because she felt it was true to her nature.  She wanted to choose her own path with no influenced of outsiders.  She did what felt right to her, which was being of service to her family and friends.  Think of her as a loving, down to earth, mother figure brewing you tea in the kitchen for your head cold.  Hestia did little things like that for people, but also things of greater meaning.
When Zeus heard that Hestia choose to remain a virgin, he was overly delighted, considering her decision repelled the option of war between her suitors.  So being as happy as he was, Zeus gave Hestia the keys to their family home on Mount Olympus.  There, Hestia was to watch over the home, and the other Gods and Goddesses roaming about the earth.  She was comfortable keeping to herself and her home, and felt right in protecting it and the people she loved.  Being such a loving individual, Hestia was never involved in any conflict with other Gods or Goddesses, and managed to stay out of trouble.  This resulted in her lacking a grand story like the rest of the Goddesses, but Hestia doesn’t need a story…she’s all that is, and continues to be a burning flame within the walls of houses across the universe.  She is the embodiment of peace and centeredness not only within our homes and the earth, but within ourselves.

CONNECTING WITH HESTIA
Remember: Hestia does exactly what she wants, because it feels true to her and makes her happy.  That’s very common behavior among Goddesses, but Hestia really never let her ego get in the way.  When you feel your ego creeping up on you, yell for Hestia and she’ll gladly help you out.  She’s also great to evoke for house blessing or protection rituals.  If you want to keep burglars away, Hestia’s your girl.
You could also do some baking for your loved ones!  Plus with Samhain just around the corner this recipe is perfect.

Pumpkin Cranberry Cookies
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 cup solid pack pumpkin puree
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla, egg and pumpkin. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; stir into mixture until well blended. Cut the cranberries in half and stir into mixture along with the orange zest and walnuts. Drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheets.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

SYMBOLS AND THINGS TO PUT ON YOUR ALTER
Fire, bowls, keys, purple coneflower, angelica, iris, lavender, gold, silver, amethyst, architecture

Tags: goddess, hearth, hestia

• Articles

Wendy B. August, 2011

Space – Not the Final Frontier
Being a Military family, we are often sent to places we might not necessarily want to go, sometimes with not a lot of notice, our worldly belongings are packed up into boxes by men who sweep through the house like a whirlwind, they are then shunted into containers and shipped thousands of kilometres, to be unloaded by yet another set of removalists often into a house we may not even like.  A home, so recently vacated by another family doing the very same thing, it can feel like crawling into a stranger’s empty bed, while it is still warm from their bodies.
No matter how well it is all orchestrated, it is often a very stressful time for the family, time spent in temporary accommodation waiting for the ‘belongings’ to catch up, kids moving schools, making new friends. However, as an empath and home maker it can be emotionally and spiritually traumatic – if I am not careful.
I always thought it would be wonderful, if I could have a day in the empty place before we moved in to ‘clean house’ but that is rarely possible, so it is up to me to cleanse and claim as best I can amidst the boxes and chaos..

It is important to me, to make my family a home as quickly as possible. A warm environment, where they feel safe and cosy, as well as a welcoming and comfortable spiritual space as well. The latter is hugely important to me. One of the first things I do armed with sage, cedar and sweet grass, is smudge the house… I clean the floors with a herbal wash, drains and sinks are cleaned with salt and lemon… the doors and window sills are sprinkled with salt. I ask the deities I work with to bless and protect… I cleanse out space. As our household and personal items are often handled by packers who see items in boxes as nothing more than a reason for a pay check, it is often good that our belongings are shown some love with a good cleansing as well.

The next most important thing for me is to set up “sacred space” – I have done this in every house and there are little areas, dedicated to different deities about the place… a wee love altar in our bedroom dedicated to Aphrodite, in my kitchen Hestia is guardian of my hearth and Hecate resides in a main living area.

I have always had a place set up in our home, where I can go and sit and recoup, a place where a table is dedicated to the elements, incense is burnt here, candles are lit here, hands are clapped to music here, drumming happens here. This is my space; this is the area of the home from where energy flows to every corner. It is a place of grounding. That one place I can just look at, or walk past and feel the closeness to and the blessings of the God and Goddess.

There are so many stressors in life these days, work, school, deadlines, even a trip to the grocery store can be like running a gauntlet. It is so beneficial to us to have a place within our homes or gardens where we can get in touch with that still small voice inside. It matters not the path you walk – to set up a small place that becomes your power place is a very easy thing to do. Let yourself be guided to the place, you will ‘feel’ the right one, it could be a shelf with a few personal treasures, a corner where perhaps you can set up with a comfy chair and a wee table, adding things that are have meaning to you.  Spend some quiet time there, make it yours… I know for myself having sacred space within the home has helped me through things that have felt insurmountable… With the somewhat transient life we lead, I have managed to make space – my first frontier.

Tags: hearth, home, space

• Articles

Tansy Firedragon May, 2011

The Kitchen Altar

The kitchen in most houses is the centre of the home, a place of power.

Having an altar in your kitchen gives you a focal point to connect with, it is a reminder that your kitchen is a sacred and powerful place.  It says that you have an ability to nourish yourself, your family and also connects you to the divine.

And I never need an excuse to create a new altar in my house!

Each and every altar will be different and will be tailored to your own personality and the space and money you have available.  It doesn’t need to be large, costly or grand.  Have fun with it, make it your own, allow your inner child to come out and play with it.

So what do you put on it?

Well, a good starting place is a statue or representation of a goddess or god, one that connects as a kitchen deity would work well.   If no one particular kitchen deity springs to mind, do some research or meditation and see what comes up.  Your kitchen will become a place to honour that deity and they in turn will honour you and your kitchen creations!

Once you decide upon the deity, find a statue or something that represents her/him.  It can be a likeness or you could make your own if you are handy with clay or papier mache, or even something created out of natural items – twigs or fabric.  The other alternative is to find a picture on the internet and print it off, although you might like to laminate it to keep it clean or pop it in a photo frame.

It also doesn’t have to be a human representation, it could be  a dragon or an animal, the choice is yours!

Placement of your altar is up to you, but will ultimately be where you have the space and a safe place away from direct flames, and where it won’t be knocked over or bumped into.

My own kitchen altar is a small green man that has a flat top making it into a small shelf so he hangs on the wall above the sink.  I have representations of the four elements on it and a tiny vase that I put fresh flowers in.

The other items you put on it are your choice, I chose to represent the elements but it is entirely up to you.  It could include items that represent you, it can also have seasonal decorations, pentacles, herbs and pictures.

Candles are good, they represent air and reminds us of the hearth.  Food works too, I sometimes put a couple of nuts on my altar for prosperity, if you use perishable items remember to replace them regularly.   Items from nature work too – shells for water, pebbles for earth, crystals (I have a piece of goldstone to represent fire).  Seasonal flowers and herbs also look good.

To keep with the kitchen witch theme you could also put a tiny cauldron on your altar, and even tiny household utensils, dolls house furniture is excellent for this.

I have an incense holder in my kitchen that not only works to put me in a particular mood but also works as an air freshener after I have been cooking.

Don’t forget to bless and consecrate your items as you place them on the altar, to add to sacred space you have created.

Tags: altar, hearth

• Articles

Hearthkeeper March, 2009

This month I wanted to focus of Deity. Since this is such a touchy subject for many of us as well as a subject that will start flaming wars, I will be looking at different kitchen/hearth Gods and goddesses. For no other reason than there have been so many different ones throughout history. I do not wish to annoy, anger or irritate anyone… so please read this for only the informational purposes that it was intended for.

I do not mean to seem like I am attacking before I am attacked. But recently I have been getting involved, without meaning to or having the desire to, in arguments about God, Goddess, and Deity. I personally have fairly simple views of Deity and why it is seen so many differing ways.

I see Deity as a jewel/gem. A beautiful and many faceted Jewel. If you look at this graphic you will be able to see the many different ways a stone can be faceted…

BUT no matter how you facet it, it will always be a gem. If I see the top of the gem… and someone else sees the side of that same gem it may look like a completely different stone. If you take 1 large stone and divide it into many different many faceted stones… it will ultimately remain 1 large stone in many pieces.

THAT is how I see deity.  It may have broken itself down into male and female faceted gems. Then broken itself even further into smaller versions so that you and I may find the stone we need for that moment in our lives…or the face of Deity that someone needed to cope with whatever was in their life. BUT in the end…Deity is Deity and no matter how many times we break it down to be more manageable and easier to understand or what faceted face we see… it remains the one being in many parts.

The problems start when the human element is brought into play. When My God/dess becomes bigger, better, more, than your God/dess… once we start doing that … we draw the lines in the sand that make other want to prove to you that Their God/dess is better than Yours…so many issues could be and would be avoided if people just saw that the face (facet ) of God/dess they see is the perfect one for THEM…and no one else but them. My God/dess is awesome and amazing and all I need…but I do not want to impose my Deity on anyone else…and I try really hard not to get into a situation that others try to impose THEIR God/dess on me.

So I wanted to show that there are many different facets of Deity that many races needed for their hearths and homes…I hope that you get as much out of this as I did researching and writing it…

TSAO WANG: God of the hearth. Every household has its own Tsao Wang. Every year the hearth god reports on the family to the Jade Emperor, and the family has good or bad luck during the coming year according to his report. The hearth god’s wife records every word spoken by every member of the family. A paper image represents the hearth god and his wife, and incense is burned to them daily. When the time came to make his report to the Jade Emperor, sweetmeats were placed in his mouth, the paper was burned, and firecrackers were lit to speed him on his way. (Chinese)

GENIUS: A guardian who protects both individuals and homes. (Roman)

LAR: God of the house, a cheerful and beautiful youth.(Roman)

HESTIA: Every home had a hearth that was dedicated to the goddess, and each day began and ended with a ritual requesting that she protect and nurture the family within.
As the Goddess of Architecture, Hestia intended that homes should be built from the center out, with the center being a hearth that contained her sacred flame.  As part of the naming ritual, all infants were carried in a circle around the altar of Hestia to secure her blessings. There was an altar to Hestia in the center of every home…it was the fireplace, the hearth, where the family gathered.  Hestia’s vision of a house was that it should truly be a home, a place where one’s body, spirit, and relationships would be nurtured and replenished… a place to “come home to” after exposure to the cold and chaos of the external world.  Hestia is associated with the warmth and comfort of the welcoming fireplace. Just as the flames glowing from the hearth soothe us with their warmth and glowing light, the goddess Hestia gives us security, peace, and comfort and helps us accept the truth of our lives with inner grace (greek)

BOKAM: is the feminized hearth-flame worshipped by the shamanic Ket tribe of Siberia; they dominate the lower basin of the holy Yenisei River in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk Krai district (Siberia)

FUCHI or HUCHI: (Huchi-Fuchi (Unchi-Ahchi): (“Grandmother Hearth”) I apologies if my spelling is wrong. Japanese Goddess of the stove and thus the Goddess that heats the tea. The intricate Japanese Tea Ceremony is in part to honor her. Another one of her jobs is to intercede with the Gods on behalf of mortals. The hearth is considered the heart of a home, the vital element that keeps life flowing probably means “Fire”.
She is also a kamui [goddess] of the hearth worshipped by the Ainu aborigines of Japan; and according to one account of her mythic origins she was borne from the spark kindled by a fire drill.(Japanese)

FUJI / FUJIYAMA / SENGN-SAMA: The Japanese hearth-goddess of the native Ainu people, and personification of Mt. Fuji (an extinct volcano), the apex on which her sanctuary was constructed. Due to the predisposition of the Ainu people towards an indigenous form of shamanism, this mountain may have been regarded as an axis mundi serving to unite the “heavenly” world of the gods with the “Underworld” presided over by one’s ancestors.[Japanese)

GHOLUMTA EKE ["Hearth-Mother"]: is another identity of the Mongolian hearth-goddess.

HINUKAN: is a hearth-goddess worshipped throughout Okinawa, Japan; she ensures the safety of each household. Her rites are conducted by the eldest female residing in the home. However, it is not deemed customary for men to pray at her hearth, probably because males have never been associated with religious authority in this region of Japan. Hinukan is esteemed as the mediator between the gods and mankind. (Japanese)

HWEI-LU or WEI: was originally a Chinese fire-goddess, but gradually came to be recognized as the spirit of the hearth (or Tsao shin) during the end of the seventh-century BCE. The caretaker of an ancestral temple at Lu is thought to have first worshipped her in this guise, sacrificing to the goddess with firewood that he had set ablaze. Her cult assumed a role of only marginal importance within native folk-religion for the next five-hundred years, until the early second-century, when an Emperor from the Han dynasty officially adopted Hwei-lu as a member of the imperial-cult; hitherto the late nineteenth-century CE, however, the presiding spirit of the hearth has come to be regarded as one of the most preeminent deities of China.( Chinese)

Bes: God of Domestic Protection, Childbirth and Family; Protection for Children, Pregnant Women and Families

Beset: Goddess of Domestic Protection and Home Security (Egyptian)

Until next time

Blessed Home and Hearth

Tags: god, goddess, hearth, home, kitchen, magic, magick, witch

• Articles

Willow Winterborne December, 2008

*The Hedgewitch lives in the space between the Village and the Forest. Between the mundane and the magical. S/He lives with a foot in both worlds.
This column is dedicated to the Hedgewitches of the planet earth.

The New Hearth

Less is more: Moving Hedge

I know this column is a bit off-topic for those who are knee-deep in holiday revelry. But for those of us who have recently moved, are in the process of moving or are contemplating a move, it is a relevant piece.

My household has just completed the process of moving from the New Mexico high desert, where we have lived for the past 4 years, to the fertile Sacramento river valley of northern California.
This move came with about 2 weeks worth of notice, so it wasn’t a fly-by-night operation, but it was a bit rushed.

In the 2 weeks leading up to the actual drive across country I had occasion to touch, wash and pack every item I own and possess in the world.
I am not an uber-materialistic person, so I don’t have a lot of valuable items. But I have been a collector for several years. Entirely unimpeded by space  constraints for the past 4.
And in that 2 weeks of washing and touching and blessing, I really had to determine the value of every single item I owned.
I knew space was a factor. I knew that there would be things on their way to the flea market after I was gone. So being mindful of the items I have and their value to me was at the forefront of my thinking.
We had rented a 12×6 trailer and arranged for my brother in law to drive down to tow it with his hemi truck- I don’t really know what that means, but he seemed very confident and my husband was sufficiently impressed by it.

As I carefully wrapped jar after jar, bearing labels such as Graveyard Dust and Feathers and Dried Moths I weighed my choices carefully. I remembered having gathered or being gifted each item.
I wrapped countless snowflakes fashioned from various materials, and thought of the person who gave them to me, knowing my absolute fetish for snow, and winter.
I labeled one box simply “Witches” which contained 6 different ladies who have brightened my home.
I packed 9 boxes of books and another staggering 12 boxes of photos .

As I watched my life go from its normal spread-out state, I assessed the importance of all my things, and separated out many, many items which were just not that important to me.
In some cases they were worn out, and in others, I knew just who needed it more than I did.

The thing that became so clear to me, as I packed, was the concept of owning possessions versus being owned by them, and how often I buy things I would never take with me if I had to pack quickly. In short, things that do not matter.
If I were to evacuate my home, in the event of an emergency, I wouldn’t even consider taking so many things with me that had seemed so important before.

This thought has stayed with me, now, as I unpack, and have had to replace things I gave away. As I stand in the shops, I think to myself “does this really matter? Would I take it along in the event of, say, a flood?”.
More often than not, the answer is No, and I put it back on the shelf.

Now, the things I own don’t own me. I have things I enjoy and the less of them there are, the less I have to clean and maintain, leaving me more time to enjoy my family and my friends.

And in this time of tightening belts and cutting back, buying less means more resources for things that are really important.
My blessing of this holiday season has been the knowledge that less is more.
I have had the opportunity to get completely organized, and for probably the first time in my life, I know where everything is!

If you feel compelled to simplify this season, there are plenty of needy folks who would be happy to have those old coats from the closet or bedding from the linen cupboard.
Less stuff means more room.
You get blessed, they get blessed.
Try it, simplifying might just grow on you!

Brightest Blessings of the Holiday Season (whatever holiday(s) you celebrate)!!!
Willow

Tags: hearth, hedge witch, home, moving

• Articles

Hearthkeeper November, 2008

Sharing for the Upcoming Holidays

Merry Meet and Blessed Autumn to you all… As there are no major Sabbats or other holidays this month I am just going to send out some recipes for general interests…

With Yule right around the corner you may want to start thinking of some healthy more natural gifts to give the ones you love… so look at some of these recipes and see if you would like to make them for your friends and Families…

Charming Lavender Tea Gift
You will need:
1/3 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
4 teaspoons orange pekoe tea
New or vintage tea cup and saucer
small plastic bag, or plastic wrap
Tea Ball
Ribbon

Mix the herbs and tea then place in a piece of plastic wrap or a small bag and tie tightly with a ribbon. Place in the clean dry tea cup, with the tea ball (they are very inexpensive and can be found in most store kitchen sections) Include a note that this should steep for five minutes in boiled water. Wrap in tissue paper and place in a gift bag for a great gift for teachers and co-workers.

Here are some Bath Tea’s… not to drink but to soak in… Such a relaxing way to pass some time…

You can make a variety of the herbal tea bath bags, all you need are:

Thread & Needle

Coffee Filters

Herbs of choice

Mix the herbs as according to your preference, place a handful in the center of a coffee filter, carefully flatten and fold the edges of the coffee filter over so that it is rectangular shaped, now fold the top down and the bottom up and sew the flaps shut so that the herbs wont fall out when placed in the bath.

Calming Tea Bath

Equal parts of

Chamomile

Hops

Passion Flower

Stimulating Tea Bath

Equal parts of

Peppermint

Eucalyptus

Lavender

Stress-Relief Bath Tea

1.5 cup Epsom salt

1cup sea SALT

1cup lavender

1cup camomila

30 drops lavender EO

(Or you can add chamomile EO as well if you wish)

Mix in large bowl. Makes about 14 ¼ cup baths- you can put them in jars with small muslin bags (look in the dollar store or big lots, etc.  Or, several toiletries suppliers carry large iron-close tea bags- those are nice when you don’t want to dump out a muslin bag after every bath…

Stress-Relief Bath Tea 2

Spearmint

Peppermint

Rosemary

Sage

Lemon Verbena

Thyme

Lavender Buds

Calendula Petals

Lavender

Crushed & mixed all in plastic bag then added stress relief EO to boost scent (let sit overnight) WOW they looked and smelled GREAT! Packaged in small cello bags .5 oz per bag rolled top and taped it closed to keep freshness in…Then put an oval take on bag with small piece of tape saying Stress Relief Bath Tea….folded over muslin bag with GG ribbon tied into loose knot and small tag tucked under ribbon…..tag said

To Use Bath Tea Bag

For a relaxing bath fill bag half full with herbal mix. Let bag hang under hot running water, soak and enjoy your herbal bath. Simply throw herbs away after use and rinse bag and reuse.

Then put this in back of the herbal tea bag hiding folded taped end…the oval label was on other side…slid into another bag of same size tied with gold twist tie….

And here are a few Bath Salts…

Bath Salts

Granny’s Cold Oil Bath Salts

Combine equal parts Lavender, Wintergreen, and Rosemary oils to make about a quarter of an ounce. Stir this into a handful of kosher salt and add to a bath that is as warm as you can take it.  Be sure there is no draft in the room.  If there is a shower curtain you can draw around the tub, and then pull it tight shut to keep the scent and heat in.  Immerse yourself in the water up to your chin and just relax and breathe.  In about 10 minutes you will suddenly feel quite warm.  At this point, hop out, dry off, bundle up so you don’t get chilled and pack yourself off to bed.

HOMEMADE BATH SALTS

Bath salts are so easy to make and there are SO many variations once you start making them yourself.

The basic recipe is as follows:

You will need:

1 cup Epsom salts

5 or more drops of essential oil

Mix together and keep in a covered jar. Allow the salts to sit for a few hours or overnight. Add about 1/2 cup to running bath water.

VARIATIONS:

Add 1 cup baking soda which is a skin soother. Add 2-3 Tsp. honey for a moisturizing. Add 1/4-1/2 cup of a

Healing salt such as Dead Sea salts Squeeze in 3-4 caplets of Vitamin E oil to moisturize. Add 2 cups of baking soda, and 1 cup of citric acid for fizzies.

You can use any type of essential oil that is soothing. Nice choices are lavender, rose, and calendula or patchouli oils

Now I cannot end this without some great recipes for food.. and with it being Thanksgiving time in North America I will include something for this great holiday..

Thanksgiving Turkey

20 lb Young Turkey

Sausage Stuffing (recipe to follow)

Bread Stuffing (recipe to follow)

¼ stick softened butter

Poultry seasoning

Rinse Turkey inside and out with cold water.. pulling off any pin feathers or yucky bits.

Mix Poultry seasoning and Butter and place under the skin of the turkey breast

Stuff inside with stuffing of your choice (I use sausage stuffing inside the large cavity)

Stuff neck skin with bread stuffing (if desired)

Cook 20-25 minutes a pound or until the Turkey leg moves without resistance (or pulls out of the cooked meat)

Sausage Stuffing

1 lb Jones (or other) breakfast sausage roll

2 large loaves white bread broken into small pieces

3 large pinches dried Thyme

1/2 to 1 cup water

salt and pepper to taste

Cook sausage in large skillet … Browning and breaking into small bits

Add thyme and finish browning

When browned drain off 1/2 the oil (all if you wish)

Add 1/2 cup water simmer gently 2 minutes

Pour over broken bread

Mix thoroughly

Add more water if stuffing seems too dry( want a very sticky stuffing)

Place into Turkey cavity and cook until turkey is done(4-5 hours )

Bread Stuffing

1 large onion cut in half and sliced very thin

2 stalks of celery washed and sliced very thin

1 stick of butter or margarine ( I use butter)

3 large pinched of poultry seasoning

1 cup chicken stock

2 bags of white bread broken into small bits

Sautee onion and celery in butter until translucent

Add poultry seasoning and water and soft simmer for 5 minutes

Pour over broken bread (adding more chicken stock if too dry… more bread if too wet)

Place into turkey cavity and cook 4-5 hours

Place extra stuffing in a baking dish with chicken neck and butt flap( tail piece) and cook separately for additional stuffing (or eat as you go along with your day..LOL)

Acorn squash

2 medium acorn squash

½ tsp cinnamon

½ stick butter

2-4 tbs   brown sugar

Cut squash in half

Place cut side down in a microwaveable dish with ¼ cup water

Microwave 20 minutes or until fork tender

Place cut side up in baking dish place ¼ of the butter into each half

Place 1 tbs brown sugar in each half

Sprinkle with cinnamon

Bake in a 350 degree oven until everything is melty and bubbly

Serve as a half or scoop out and place all the “meat” into a bowl

Yukon Gold & Sweet Potato Mash

1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
1/2 cup low-fat milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Steps:

1: Place potatoes and sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and add
enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until
very tender when pierced with a fork, 20 to 25 minutes.

2: Drain the potatoes, and then mash them in the pot to the desired
consistency. Place milk and butter in a small bowl and microwave on
High until the butter is mostly melted and the milk is warm, 30 to 40
seconds. (Alternatively, place in a small saucepan and heat over
medium until the milk is warm.) Stir the milk mixture, sugar, salt and
pepper into the mashed potatoes until combined.

Apple Crisp

5 medium tart apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup water
whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Arrange sliced apples in a buttered 8-inch square baking dish. In a bowl, combine the sugars, flour, and oats; stir in melted butter. Spread mixture over the apples. Pour water evenly over top. Bake in a 375° oven for 30 minutes, until apples are tender and top is nicely browned. Serve warm or cooled with ice cream or whipped cream.

So here I end this, I could go on and on.. as I love to share recipes almost as much as I love to make then and eat them(or use them) So until Yule….

Merry Cooking and Blessed Eating

The Hearthkeeper

Tags: cookiing, Crafts, hearth, home, house, kitchen, Recipes

• Recipes

Hearthkeeper November, 2008

Tags: correspondence, green cleaning, hearth, herbs, kitchen

• Articles

Hearthkeeper October, 2008

Bewitchin’ your Kitchen

It does not take a lot of work, time, or money to transform an ordinary kitchen into a magical workplace. To begin with a sunny kitchen windowsill filled with pots of magical plants not only looks good, but releases magical energies into the room.
Even common culinary herbs that are found in the cabinets or nearly every kitchen possess strong magical properties. For instance, basil is traditionally used for exorcism, love, protection, and purification. Parsley is used for fertility, passion, and protection. Sage is used for healing, protection, and prosperity; and thyme is used for clairvoyance, courage, and love.

Hang a “kitchen Witch” doll for good luck, and add magic to your cooking by drawing an invisible pentagram inside your pots and pans with a wand or athame. (A wooden spoon, fork, or knife can also be used.) , other  simple, yet effective, charms (such as a rope of garlic, a sun-catcher, or pentagram symbols) that can be placed in the kitchen for protection.

A well-stocked Witch’s kitchen has all it needs in it, from pots as cauldrons, wooden spoons for wands, and cleavers for athames/bolines.

Smudge your kitchen with a sage bundle if you sense negativity.
Anoint utensils and appliances with cooking oils saturated with herbs to bless and charge them with powerful vibrations.
Note: never use essential oils on things which will touch food.
Always stir food in a clockwise direction, and be sure to invite the Goddess and God into your new magical workplace.

A WITCH’S KITCHEN BLESSING
Blessed be this Kitchen of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth.
Be warmed by the sacred light of Deity (God/dess).
May all that is created here by means both magical and mundane,
Bring nourishment, healing, and sustenance, and cause harm to none.
So mote it be!

Tools of A Kitchen Witch
BLENDER: Mingling with others, stirring up energy
COOKBOOK: Book of Shadows, Excellence, Virtue
FORK: Piercing, Penetrating, Perception
FUNNEL: Flow, Unhindered order, coaxing energy along
KNIFE: Cutting away, Sharpness of mind, Separation
MEASURING CUP: Evaluation, Allotment, Caution
PITCHER: Abundance, Invigoration, Refreshment
ROLLING PIN: Discipline, Moderation, Control
SIFTER: Sorting out confusion, Organization, Filtering negativity
SPATULA: Sensibility, Recycling, Changing directions
STEAMER: Slow processes, Even temperament
TEA KETTLE: , Alertness, Kinship, Health
WHISK: Excitement, Increasing bounty
borrowed from and modified from “A Kitchen Witch’s Cookbook”

MORE KITCHEN TIPS
Take time each morning to reflect on the blessings of the new day before you. Even if it’s only for a few minutes this reflection is a way to draw positive energy around you and send out gratitude.
When you go about your daily household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, weeding the garden, etc., be aware of the ways that these everyday tasks connect you to life and recognize the sacred in these actions.
As a beginning ritual, light a candle or sprinkle some fresh water around the kitchen. Cleaning your workspace, both physically and spiritually, is a good habit. Say a small prayer. Like .. “with my will and my desire and I cleanse this kitchen and make it my own.”

A quartz crystal placed on or near the stove when cooking makes food taste better.

A pot of basil herb grown in your kitchen keeps the area safe from negativity.

Always try to grow your herbs yourself and concentrate on their magickal purpose while tending to them. This will increase their energy – and add a lovely smell to your kitchen!

A witch’s kitchen should be aware of the lunar cycle and have on hand a lunar calendar or chart showing the phases of the moon .

Negativity should be kept away from the kitchen when cooking or preparing magickal recipes,       It is absorbed into it and then served to others.

An aloe Vera plant should be kept in the kitchen, as its juices are an instant cure for minor kitchen burns. Be careful as some may be allergic.. test small area before using on your skin.

Candles keep their shape better and burn longer when chilled thoroughly in the refrigerator.

Homemade incense always should be stored in tightly capped or corked jars.
Keep your life full of the freshest ingredients and at least once a week explore something completely new: A new recipe…a new book…an unfamiliar song…a new quote for your journal…dance outdoors…take a walk somewhere you have never been before…kiss a baby…write to someone you admire and include a favorite recipe
. Before casting spells or preparing potions, always keep in mind the Wiccan Rede!

Here is an idea, a Kitchen Altar. Not always workable in every Kitchen.. but A great Idea.. and something to plan for.
A Kitchen Altar

Kitchen magick has simple tools. If you think of it in terms of your
Normal altar you’ll see that they all have about the same role. All
that’s needed are some bowls, spoons, a mortar and pestle, and a tea
Kettle or cooking pot. The first step is to choose which cupboard
you will dedicate as your altar. Just don’t choose the one above as the
Refrigerator as it makes getting to your altar hard to do..

Now on the back of the cupboard, you could place a picture of your
Deity, a pentacle, or what ever reminds you of Divine Energy. Charge
the object in whatever way feels best for you. Next your altar Cloth,
You can use any type of cloth here but be sure that its
washable. This is where you will keep your tools.

Once you have chosen your altar spot and dedicated it its time to
dedicate which tools you use most in your kitchen magicks. Now you
can purchase new tools, or just cleanse and consecrate some that you
already have. Below are a few kitchen tools and what correspondences
they resemble on a regular altar.

Wooden Spoon = Wand.
Remember that most wooden spoons are made of balsa wood or pine.

Bowl = Cauldron, Cup, or Bowl.
Glass is easy to clean, and it won’t absorb any of the oils, water,
Or whatever you are working with. Glass also comes in many different
Colors. If you don’t want glass, there are also several inexpensive
Ceramic / porcelain mixing bowls.

Tea Kettle = Cauldron.
While copper kettles are the best you can also use I have read that
Porcelain coated steel. Copper kettles can get expensive and are a
High maintenance item.

Mortar and Pestle:
They represent the joining of the cup and wand. These come in all
sorts of materials. Choose a set that meets both your physical and
spiritual needs.

Cooking Pot = Cauldron.
The nice thing about this correspondence is that, with a little
Effort, you can find full sets of cast iron cookware.

Cutting board = Altar tile.
If you are skilled enough, or know someone who is, you could have a
Pentacle carved or etched into a wooden board. You could also put
your creativity to work with paint and paint a pentacle on a cutting
Board.

For a broom, you may want to use a small whisk broom, or basting
Brush. If you can wait until Halloween, you will be able to find
Miniature besoms for sale in the craft stores and departments of
Larger stores.

~author unknown

And here I end this. I hope to see you all back here next month.
Blessed Kitchen and Balanced life

Tags: hearth, kitchen, witch

• Articles

Hearthkeeper October, 2008

Merry Meet .

Blessings of the season to you all, it is my favorite time of year. Samhain, the witches New Year, Halloween, it means so many different things to different people. For Wiccans, Witches and Pagans .. it is one of the most involved Sabbats we have.. We celebrate the death of the year.. we also celebrate and respect our dead, our ancestors. For many of us the veil between the worlds is so much thinner now.. and we have a much easier time talking to and connecting with our ancestors. Many of us have a Dumb Supper. A meal that we prepare with much respect and caring, and then we invite our beloved ancestor to come and join our meal. We then eat in a respectful silence.. to allow the Dead to talk to us and enjoy their time with us.  In this article I will include a short Dumb supper ritual as well as some recipes to use. I will also be sending some fun Halloweeny foods you can share with your friends while they party.

Here are some correspondences for Samhain

Oct. 31st – Samhain (All Hallow’s Eve)

Altar Decorations: Pumpkins, gourds, seasonal fruits and flowers, a statue of the Triple Goddess in her Crone phase, broom, acorns.

Herbs: dittany, flax, heather, mandrake, mullein, oak leaves, sage and straw, mugwort.

Spices: Thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper,  poultry seasoning

Incense: sage, apple, mint, nutmeg

Gods & Goddess’: The Crone, Hecate (fertility, moon-magic, protectress of all Witches), Morrigan (Celtic Goddess of death), Cernunnos (Celtic fertility God) and Osiris (Egyptian God who represents death and rebirth).

Colors: Black, Orange, Red, White

Gemstones: onyx, obsidian, hematite

Food: Apples, Pumpkin pie, nuts, cranberry(scones or muffins), ale, cider, mugwort tea, mead and meat

Tree: Birch, oak, alder and walnut

Lore: Pronounced “Sow-inn”, meaning ‘summer’s end’, it is the beginning and the end of the Celtic year. The Celebration starts on the eve of October 31 and continues through November 1st. On the 31st, animals would have be chosen from the herds to be slaughtered, and thanks given for their sacrifice. The meat was preserved and any late harvests would be completed. It is also the time of the hunt, when meat is sought for the coming year.
Samhain is the fold between the new and old, the time between life and rebirth. Samhain is the time to honor those who have passed and to acknowledge their return.. The veil that divides the earthly world from the otherworld is thinnest at this time and those who have died in the year past can make the journey most easily now. The time when spirits can cross between and humans are able to see them. New spirits join the otherworld while ones who have already passed through may return to communicate. All those who have passed are honored with gifts and communications of love and thanks. At this time we sacrifice of ourselves and that which comes from deep introspection of what has transpired in the year past. We give thanks to those who have passed for all the inner aspects of ourselves, and for their knowledge passed down, and for everything that they have given and sacrificed for us.
November 1st would bring great feasting and joy, for a new year and a new cycle. At the first of the new year each person is given mead and a toast is made. Often children are only given a spoonful. The toast is Bliadhna mhath ur dhuit “A good New Year to you.” The response is Mar sin duit fhein is moran diu “The same to you, and many of them.” “First-footing” is treated very seriously. The very first person to enter the house on New Year’s Day should be a dark-haired man bearing gifts of a piece of coal or peat, and/or salt and bread. Many households will not allow anyone to enter the house until the appropriate first-footer has come.

This is the time to protect the house with good luck.

Dumb Supper… What you are going for here is a Feast of remembrance, a very special Meal of honor. You should pick a meal that was important to the person you are inviting to join you.. I usually make an elaborate Roast pork dinner. With acorn squash, Rutabagas, Mashed potatoes, either Corn or mixed vegetables, Gravy and a dessert. Apple juice, mead or wine goes with the meal as well. You should make sure to include your cooking into your Ritual.. as the preparation of this meal is as important as the eating.

To Start you need to ritually sweep your home. If you have a front and back door… sweep from the front to the back with the intention of removing all the past years negativity and anything else you may want removed from the home(not your husband or kids though). When you get to the back door…. Open it wide.. and very strongly and meaningfully sweep all the dust and dirt and negativity right out the door( you can go back after with a dust pan and clean it up and remove it to a bin.)

Next you should cleanse your home. You can do with simply. Take a bowl of water and a ½ tsp of salt. Mix them together and either use your finger..or a spray bottle from the dollar store(one you would spray the plants with) go around the house the same way you swept.. and with the intent to clean the home of all negativity. Then you can bless you home.. with simple incense stick.. walk the same way you swept and cleanse.. and bless your home .
If you cast circle for your rituals, you should cast a circle around your entire home. Remembering to leave it open to the spirits you are inviting to dinner. You will be moving all around the house.. so it makes it easier than having to cut in and out of your circle to move about. You need not go outside to cast.. just see your circle as all around you house while you cast it.

Quarter calls are up to you. I do not use them for the Dumb Supper..but you can if you choose.. once you start it is YOUR ritual. And you can do it whatever way works for you.

Keep in your thoughts and in your heart those that you have invited. While you are cooking you may even feel the need to talk to them.. Remember all the good time you had in the past cooking this same meal. Incorporate your welcome to them and your love of them and your need to talk to them into the meal.

While the meal is cooking you may want to shower and prepare yourself. Make this as elaborate as you would if you were inviting a live person to your house for a holiday meal. Get dressed up. Set the table in all it’s holiday finery. Decorate in the colors of the season. Make sure to set a place for the one you have invited as well as put a small portion on the plate for them as well. You will probably not want to include small children or children who may have trouble staying silent, or ones that may test YOUR ability to stay silent. Maybe make this a meal you have very late in the night (often this will be a midnight meal)

Once your meal is cooked.. start the time of silence. Everything you will say now will be said in your heart and your mind. Lay the table with all the foods you have cooked. And allow each person to serve him/herself. Meditate and reflect on the person you have invited. Smile, cry, ..this is a time to bring all the good that you every had with this person. With each bite, honor and respect your ancestors and ask them to pass on to you  all the wisdom and the learning that they have acquired during their lives as well as what they feel they need to share of what the have learned since they have died. Spend as much time as you need with you guest. When the meal is done..clear all the plates except the guest. Take a moment to savor the evening then out loud(your voice may be crackly) Thank your guest for coming and invite them to watch over you and guide you in the future. The remind them that there place is not here and that they need to move on home before the veil starts to thicken, thus making it harder for them to get home.
Take your guests plate outside and scrap it either onto a ritual dish or even onto the  ground. Thank Deity for the blessing of the food and the ability to visit with you beloved guest at this time.

Roast Pork

1 pork roast( as big or small as you need for your meal)

½ tsp Rosemary

½  tsp Garlic powder

½ Onion powder

Three strings to tie it with one for each phase of deity

Wash roast with water

Sprinkle generously with spices (to taste)

Place in oven and cook for the required time(usually 20- 30 min per pound)

Acorn squash

Cut 1 acorn squash in ½ place cut side down  in a microwave safe dish

Add ¼ cup water

Place in microwave for 25 minutes on high

When fork tender remove and turn over

place 1 tbp butter and 2 tbs brown sugar ¼ tsp cinnamon inside

place in the oven with your roast for 15 min

Mashed potatoes

5 lb bag Yukon gold potatoes

½ tsp salt

½ stick butter

Light cream

Peel and boil potatoes with salt in large pot of water

When fork tender

Drain and place back in the pan

Add butter and start to mash( I use an electric mixer as I dislike lumpy mashed potatoes)

Add light cream as you go to get the consistency you desire (I like mine smooth and kind of loose)

Salt and pepper to taste

I used mixed Veggies because of the harvest theme.. with corn, peas, carrots, lima beans  and string beans.,.. you cover all the bases…I steam them in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave for 5-9 minutes.. sometimes with season salt to pep them up a bit.. Mrs Dash or Montreal chicken seasoning also work very very well

Remembrance cookies

These cookies are made on Samhain. They can be shaped like people and the herb rosemary is added to the dough as a symbol of remembrance. Some of the cookies are eaten while telling stories or attributes of special ancestors, reminding us that we still have access to their strengths–or perhaps a predisposition to their weaknesses. The rest of the cookies are left outside by a bonfire as an offering. This can be a solemn ritual, but it need not be.
Ingredients for the cookies:
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. butter or margarine (softened)
1 egg
2 t. vanilla
1 t. almond extract
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cream of tartar
1 1/2 T. chopped rosemary
Heat oven 375 degrees. In a large bowl, beat sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, almond extract, and rosemary until creamy. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Fold flour mixture into sugar mixture. Beat until dough forms and refrigerate for three hours. Divide dough into halves. Roll out one portion to 3/16 of an inch on a floured surface. Cut out with gingerbread women or men cutters and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat rolling and cutting with second portion. Bake for 5-7 minutes.

Now for the fun recipes to share with your Non pagan friends

Bat Cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) chocolate cake mix
1 can (16 ounces) chocolate frosting
24 fudge-striped cookies, halved
24 milk chocolate kisses
Red decorating icing

Directions:
Prepare and bake cake batter according to package directions for cupcakes; cool completely.
Set aside 2 tablespoons chocolate frosting.
Frost cupcakes with remaining frosting. For bat wings, cut cookies in half and add scalloped edges if desired. Insert two cookie halves into each cupcake. Gently press chocolate kisses into frosting for heads. Pipe ears with reserved frosting; add eyes with decorating icing. Yield: 2 dozen.

Yummy Mummy with Veggie Dip

Ingredients:
1 loaf (1 pound) frozen bread dough, thawed
3 pieces string cheese
2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
1 envelope fiesta ranch dip mix
1 pitted ripe olive
Assorted crackers and fresh vegetables

Directions:
Let dough rise according to package directions. Place dough on a greased baking sheet. For mummy, roll out dough into a 12-in. oval that is narrower at the bottom. For the head, make an indentation about 1 in. from the top. Let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.
Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Arrange strips of string cheese over bread; bake 1-2 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine sour cream and dip mix. Chill until serving.
Cut mummy in half horizontally. Hollow out bottom half, leaving a 3/4-in. shell. Cut removed bread into cubes; set aside. Place bread bottom on a serving plate. Spoon dip into shell, Replace top. For eyes, cut olive and position on head. Serve with crackers, vegetables and reserved bread. Yield: 16 servings (2 cups dip).

Here’s an easy main dish that doubles as a Halloween table centerpiece.

Chili-Filled Coffin

Ingredients:
2 packages (8-1/2 ounces each) corn bread/muffin mix
2/3 cup milk
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon black paste food coloring
1 medium sweet red pepper, sliced
1 Serrano pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cans (15 ounces each) fat-free vegetarian chili
1 tablespoon process cheese sauce
1 tablespoon ketchup

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the corn bread mix, milk, eggs and food coloring just until moistened. Pour into a greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pan. Bake at 400° for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cut top fourth off loaf of bread; carefully hollow out bottom, leaving a 1-in. shell (discard removed bread or save for another use).
In a large skillet, sauté peppers and onion in oil until tender. Set aside 1/4 cup pepper mixture. Stir chili into remaining pepper mixture; heat through. Spoon 2-1/2 to 3 cups chili mixture into bread coffin; arrange reserved pepper mixture over chili. Replace bread top. Transfer remaining chili to a serving bowl.
Place cheese sauce in a heavy-duty reseal-able plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of bag. Write “RIP” with cheese sauce, and then repeat with ketchup. Serve immediately. Yield: 6 servings.

Bloodshot Eyeballs

Keep your eyes peeled for fun with these deviled eggs full of flavor and crowd appeal. They make the perfect appetizer for a kids’ party. Serve within two hours of making for the best ‘vein’ effect,

Ingredients:
6 eggs
3 cups hot water
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped green onions
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
12 sliced ripe olives
1 teaspoon ketchup

Directions:
Place eggs in a single layer in a large saucepan; add enough cold water to cover by 1 in. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Place in ice water until completely cooled. Gently crack eggs (do not peel).
In a large bowl, combine 3 cups hot water, food coloring and vinegar. Add eggs. (If eggs are not completely covered by colored water, add more hot water.) Let stand for 30 minutes. Remove eggs with a slotted spoon; peel.
Cut eggs in half widthwise. Place yolks in a small bowl; set whites aside. Mash yolks with a fork; stir in the mayonnaise, onions, cilantro and mustard.
To level egg white halves, cut a small slice from the bottom of each; place on a serving platter, pipe or stuff yolk mixture into center of whites. Place an olive slice on each; fill olives with ketchup. Refrigerate until serving. This recipe is best eaten the day it is prepared. Yield: 1 dozen.

And with that I will stop.. as I could probably fill page after page with Great information and good, fun recipes… I Look forward to sharing some great stuff with you next month for thanksgiving .

Blessed eating

Tags: cooking, hearth, Recipes, samhain

• Recipes