Hearthkeeper November, 2010

With the Holidays coming on fast..this time of year is overloaded with food recipes.. So what I have done is put together some meal blessings and a Blessed Home recipe.. And I wish you all a Blessed Home and Hearth…

Blessed Home recipe

3 cups of Love
4 spoonfuls of Hope
2 cups of Warmth
2 spoonfuls of Tenderness
1 cup of Forgiveness
1 cup of Friends
1 barrel of Laughter

Combine Love & warmth,
Mix thoroughly with tenderness.
Add Forgiveness and Blend with friends & Hope.
Sprinkle in all remaining tenderness.
Stir in a generous amount of  laughter.
Bake with Forgiveness, Say God/dess’s blessings over it.

Gather up a handful of friendship,
Squeeze in a mixture of love ,
Mix in an open line of communication.
Throw in a lot of understanding and patience,
Blend in a lot of laughter, Whip up the time to be together,
Put all in a bowl — Mix it together,
And – OH YES!!!  now you have
A Recipe for a Blessed Home!!
serve daily in generous helpings

Before you sit down and enjoy your Holiday meal; be it Thanksgiving or Yule or Lammas.. or any other Sabbat/Holiday throughout the year, Honor The Deities by simply pouring or cutting off a portion and set it aside for God/dess. You will need a bowl or plate set at the table to do this. It is customary to empty the dish outside under a tree once the meal is complete, but if you live in the city or have someone who could use it.. You may offer it to an elderly friend or neighbor, thus passing the blessing of your meal along. . If you choose to give thanks to a particular deity, simply choose a food sacred to that god and place it outdoors.

** BLESSING THE FOOD **

This is a two part Blessings, the Mom and Dad or the High Priest and Priestess.. Whoever presides over the meal.

God: Mine is the ripening sun.

Goddess: Mine is the nurturing soil.

God: Mine is the fruit of the vine.

Goddess: Mine is the chalice of life.

Both: We are the blessing of wine!

And the wine nourishes us.

God: Mine is the planted seed.

Goddess: Mine is the fertile earth.

God: Mine is the mower’s blade.

Goddess: Mine is the oven of making.

Both: We are the blessing of bread!

And the bread nurishes us.

We bless this bread, drink and food
This table and all that is good.

Here is another that is quick and simple.

Made with love, Blessed with love, Shared with love
We are one with the earth and all that is on it..
Blessed be

I like these.. they seems more formal

Mother Earth who gives to us this food,
Father Sun who makes it ripe and good,
Blessed Earth, Blessed Sun,
We’ll not forget what you have done.

Lord and Lady so divine.
Bless this food and Bless this wine
Bring health, wealth, wisdom,
to all that sit here
and as your will so mote it be.”

Mother Earth and Father Sun we thank you so,
for the food and beverage you bestow.
For your protection and your love,
and everything you do for us.
We offer you Thanks, Love, and Mirth,
as we eat your bounty, Father Sun and Mother Earth.

These Holidays/Sabbats, take the time to truly give thanks to your God and Mother Earth for all you have been blessed with

Until next month

Merry Cooking and Blessed Eating

The Hearthkeeper

PS. If there is anything you would like to see here.. please email me at  thehearthkeeper@gmail.com

Tags: blessing, home, house

• Articles , Recipes

Hearthkeeper November, 2010

Merry Meet and Blessings to you all… It is that time again… time to either be canning up all of our blessed harvest in the northern Hemi or if you live in the Southern Hemi fertilizing and weeding to take care or prepare for your tender shoots.

Jams, jellies, and canned vegetables are canned or frozen for winter use. Or you are looking into the pantry to see what you need to plant for next winter stash. Extra necessities are also stockpiled in case of severe weather. For both Winter or Summer.

Now is a good time in either Hemi to take just a moment to bless your own
kitchen. With a drop of olive oil, trace whatever symbol brings you peace  such as a spiral to represent the Goddess or the Pentacle to represent all of the elements that come together there. Do this on a cupboard or pantry door. You can use the following Blessing that I found and modified to suit my life… I believe the original version was by Gerina Dunwich…but don’t hold me to that

Kitchen Witch’s Blessing

Blessed be this Kitchen of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth.
May all who enter be warmed by the sacred light of the God/dess.
May all that I create here by means both magical and mundane
bring nourishment, and healing, and cause harm to none.
With love and peace, Hug or feast, be now and always filled.
So mote it be!

You may also wish to create a hearth God/dess . Take a piece of fimo clay(or clay you need to dry in the oven) I used white as it means purity to me. Shape into whatever male or female form you feel presides over YOUR kitchen. I used a sitting pregnant Goddess .. But you NEED to make this however YOU see it.. what FEELS right to you. I left mine to dry on the back of my stove so it would soak up a full weeks worth of my kitchen energy. Then after it was dry I anointed it with oil. Dipped it in some dried powered herbs( ones I use all the time) and let her sit on the shelf above my stove protecting all I cook and serve and tend there.

Spend time focusing on your Kitchen’s energy. Slowly go through it, the cabinets, the fridge , your Kitchen Altar, seeing them with the clear eyes. Think about changes you would like to make to refresh the room and create a better flow of energy.

Find a good sage or lavender incense or create your own. Get it smoking and walk clockwise around the room saying something like this…

Smoke of earth and fire and air,
spin round my kitchen and make it clear.
Drive away all harm and fear,
so only good may dwell in here.
Lady Hestia, Bless my space,
let no one leave without peace.
Be welcome here and always feel right

And those who would harm us  feel thy might
Protect me and mine as we create within,
and keep us safe as we journey about.”

As I will it so mote it be..

Some Witchy Kitchen tips.

1. As a beginning ritual, light a candle and sprinkle some fresh water around the kitchen. Cleaning your workspace, both physically and spiritually, is a good habit.
2. A pot of basil herb grown in your kitchen keeps the area safe from negative spirits.

3. Always use fresh ingredients. Even if you live in an urban area, try to buy food which is in season and from your country. Goods that are out of seasons are grown in greenhouses or shipped long distances and have lost much of their magickal qualities (and taste).
4. Do not cook when you are angry it spoils the taste of the food..
5. An aloe Vera plant should be kept in the kitchen, as its juices are an instant cure for minor kitchen burns.
6. Candles keep their shape better and burn longer when chilled thoroughly in the refrigerator.
7. Before casting spells or preparing potions, always keep in mind to HARM NONE!
8. Anoint utensils and appliances with olive oil to bless and charge them . You can infuse the oil with herbs to strengthen it. Please use only edible herbs…
9. Smudge your kitchen with sage if you feel any negativity.

Remember that even though it does not seem like it the whole house revolves around the Kitchen and what you do in it.. the day starts there with breakfast and your first cuppa coffee ( or tea) and end there with the cleaning up and washing the dishes to your last cuppa tea( or whatever) . It is where you bring your hurt child to mend the owie. And where you get a hug for the yummy snack you snuck in the luchbox. It is where you create everything from the morning toast to the grand holiday dinners. But without YOUR kitchen your home would be in turmoil. So treat it with as much importance as it deserves, and be mindful of what you create there.

Until next time

Blessed Home and Hearth

The Hearthkeeper

PS. If there is anything you would like to see here.. please email me at  thehearthkeeper@gmail.com

Tags: blessing, home, house

• Articles

Ivy Sapphire July, 2010

A.  Naming your home and giving it purpose.

I know some will find this silly but we are going to give our home a name.  This is a very old practice,  it makes your

home more them just a place it becomes a entity all its own .  King arthur named his castle and lands Camelot.  Elvis

names his Graceland.   We all live in towns and cities, that the founders took time to name and give purpose too.  Later in

this course you will write and perform a naming ceremony for your home.

The reason our homes need purpose are the same as the reasons we need purpose.  Each homes purpose will be different.  Each homes purpose will change as you, yourself grow older.  Your home will go through different phases and changes, as time

goes on.  A family will have different ideas of what a home should do, then a single man or women.  Each home owner will

have different needs.  I perform a ritual every year, giving my home it’s purposes for that year.  You will learn more

about that ritual later.

*For those of you without a home all your own, name your space, like your bedroom.*

***Assignment***

Question to answer when thinking of a name for your home.  Keep your answers to one word.
(example:  How should your home feel to others?  Peaceful, relaxed, uplifting, and inspiring.)

1.  What does your home feel like at this time?
2.  What do you want your home to feel like?
3.  What purpose should your home serve?
4.  Where is your home located?
5.  How do you see your home?
6.  What inspires you about your home?
7.  Make a list of words, colors, or any other things you relate to home?

Now take all the words you have written down and begin to look for your homes name, it’s there some where.  Be creative!

B.  Deities

There are thousands and thousands of deities around the world.  By this time I am sure you know that in witchcraft we

recognize different ones for different works we are doing.  I would like for you to find a patron god or goddess for your

home.  By no means do you have to stick with the one you choose forever, but for the sake of this class I would like you to

have one to refer to.  In my home we use Hestia the Greek goddess of the hearth and home.   Take some time do a little

research.

***Assignment***

1.  Make a list of 5, hearth and home deities.
2.  Choose one deity for this class.
3.  Why did you choose this deity.

As always…..Don’t forget to be creative!!!

C.  Altars

I am sure you have all gone to a church at some point in your life.  It’s wonderful that some religions have place to go to

worship and pray.  Unfortunately, in witchcraft that isn’t always the case.  So we build altars in our homes, but did you

know that this was a very old practice.  In the past, people would build altars in there home because they could not travel

to places of worship as easily as we do now.

You can build an altar out of anything.  I have seen altars on table tops, on dressers, on shelf’s, and even some in a

corner on the floor.  Do what works for you in your space.  I use an old table I found at a flea market as my working

altar.  I do not believe there is any right way or wrong way to construct an altar, there are books out there that say to

do it this way or that way.  I say do what feels right to you, it is after all your altar and your place to worship.

***Assignment***

Your going to build an altar for your home.

Questions to help you with the building process.

1.  Where is a good space for my altar?
2.  What will I use to represent the deity I have chosen for my home?
3.  What do I wish to add to the altar?
4.  Will I have something to represent the elements?

Don’t worry I your altar is a little “naked” at this time we will add to it as we learn.
Don’t forget always be creative.
D.  Decorating

A lot of people don’t think about decorating as a tool for magick, but it really is.  We decorate are homes for holidays

too celebrate.  We decorate are altars to worship and pray.  I think we can use decorating to bring magick into each room

of our homes.  As we cover each room I will show how things like rugs and furniture can be used.  I want to show how to

decorate for magick on a budget.

***Assignment***

1.  Look at what you already have.  List 5 things in your home that could be used for magickal decorating.
2.  Go to your local Dollar Store or even Walmart.  Some kind of shopping center.  List 5 things you can buy there for

under $20 that could be used for magickal decorating.

p.s.  Candles don’t count!!!!  Don’t worry your don’t have to buy anything just look.

Be creative!!!!

Tags: home, house, magic, magick

• Classes

Boudicca Andarta November, 2009

Guardian Statue Household Protector Spell

The Roman festival of Compitalia honored the Lares for their help. The Lares are household hearth deities said to reside with each family as a type of protection. The story began with two children born from a liaison between the god Mercury and a mute Naiad named Laura, whose tongue had been cut out by the god Jupiter. The Lares became widely revered by Romans as house guardians and were depicted as monkeys covered in dog skins with a barking dog at their feet.

Another Roman deity associated with the hearth and fire is the goddess Vesta. She too, became a popular household guardian, depicted as a woman of great beauty holding a lighted torch and a votive bowl. Her mortal attendants were the Vestal Virgins, who were selected for office of guardians of the sacred flame from the age of six for a minimum of 30 years, during which they were expected to maintain a vow of chastity on penalty of live burial. The Vestals dressed in white gowns trimmed in purple and were highly respected members of roman society, enjoying many privileges. During the Vestalia festivals, donkeys were decked with wreaths. Vesta worship was abolished by Emperor Theodosius in 380 AD.

SUPPLIES: Guardian statue (or symbol) to become your household protector, incense, candle, water, salt, wand

First, clean the statue from any dust or dirt. Light the incense; pass the statue through the smoke three times (or if the statue is too large to lift, pass the smoke three times around the statue) and say:

“By the power of Air and incense,

My Lare guardian statue is blessed.”

Light the candle and pass the statue three times through the flame and say:

“By the power of Fire and flame,

My Lare guardian protects me from maim.”

Sprinkle the statue with three drops of water and say:

“By the power of Water and Sea,

Of danger my Lare will warn me.”

Finally, sprinkle your statue with three grains of salt and say:

“By the power of salt and Earth,

My Lare guardian now is birthed!”

Pick up your wand and circle above the top of the statue three times and say:

“By the power of Spirit and light,

Negative entities my Lare will fight.”

Now ask for the blessings from the goddess Vesta. Hold you statue up and say:

“Vesta of the Hearth and Fire

Your blessings now I acquire

Of my Lare Guardian

Let not negativity in.

Beautiful Vesta with Your torch,

Negativity can’t make it past my porch.

Lares and Vesta, please protect me,

As my will, so mote it be!”

Place the guardian statue in a place perfect to keep you property or house protected.

Tags: blessings, house, protector, Spell, statue

• Articles

Willow Winterborne September, 2009

*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.

September 2009
Harvest Time!!!

It is that profoundly magical season of harvest here in the hedge, and the abundance has amazed me beyond my wildest dreams.
My garden has been a constant source of joy and lessons learned.
The watermelon and cantaloupes, unsown by me, came to life on their own, because we left the seedlings where they sprouted.

It was a teetering balance of my way, and Nature’s way.
In the end, I caved completely and allowed the weeds and plants to grow side by side.
The weeds provided a soft landing spot for the pumpkins and melons, and they had perfect skin as a result.

And as I render these gifts of Nature into usable food products, whole and natural, I am reminded of the lessons of Mabon, and the feasts of Thanksgiving.
My ancestors worked diligently, nearly year round to ensure the food supplies would continue through the long months of winter.
They toiled in their gardens, hung hand-washed clothes on a line, chopped, split and stacked wood for the ever present fires, and canned and dried fresh foods.
As I engage in these activities, even as a modern witch, I am reminded in a deep down cell-remembering way, of these industrious people who came before me. It makes my spirit rejoice to repeat the actions of my foremothers and to feel the satisfaction of having accomplished so vital a task.

In this season of harvest, I am grateful. I am reminded of all I have been blessed with, and all I anticipate to come.
The very act of growing food, harvesting and preserving it is hopeful, and spawns fresh hope when the food is consumed.
It is an opportunity to bless the stores that they might last until the next harvest, and bring needed blessings in the months to come.

Mabon is often referred to as Witch’s Thanksgiving, and for me, that is exactly how I celebrate it. I prepare a feast to celebrate the coming of the dark months of the year, the warmth of our home and the abundance of blessings contained therein.

As well as a time of joy, there is an undeniable sadness associated with this time of year, for me.
When I see a bright yellow school bus, or smell a freshly sharpened number two Ticonderoga pencil I am overcome with a wave of bittersweet nostalgia. A falling leaf; a mud puddle; a ripe orange pumpkin…these things hold a sort of wistful sadness for me.

But again, I am reminded of the time of year. The dying back. Things being cleaned, dismantled, stored for the year. Bright green things turning crisp and brown.
Of course there is sadness. It is Nature at work, and we can feel it stir in us, even before the first leaf falls.

Each year on my path, as I observe and fall into deeper rhythm with the cycles, I have a deeper appreciation for the Natural occurrences that mirror a metaphorical reality. Not a circle, for I never return to the same place again, but a spiral, which allows me to see the places I have visited before, again, with the fresh eyes of new experience.

As we raise our chalices in celebration of the season, and remember the sacrifices which were made in order to bring about not only this harvest, but those to come, may we join together to commit to care for one another. To use our abundance to bless those less fortunate.
To make humanity our business, and to care for those we find along our way.
To simplify our lives so that we have time and energy for the truly important blessings in them; the people we love and who love us.

Happy Witch’s Thanksgiving, and Happy Harvest Season to all!

May your table be heaping;
Your larder quite full;
The blessings you’re reaping,
as Autumn now pulls,
be stacked to your rafters
with plenty to share.
~May the mission we’re after
be one of Care.

Brightest Blessings of the Season

Tags: hedge, home, house, kitchen, nature, witch

• 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