CricketSong March, 2012

In Love and Light

The phrase “in love and light” is a New Age sentiment common within the modern pagan community. I’m sure you’ve read it and if you interact with individuals within the community then you’ve heard it more than once but, really, what does it mean? What does this phrase convey? I found that when I asked numerous individuals I received as many different responses as people I questioned.  For some ‘in love and light’ means; “with love and positivity”,  “sending energy through love”, “being wrapped in love and light from the Universe”, “unconditional love and light of The Goddess and God”, “peace and love” as well as, “sending joyful blessings”.

I’m guilty of using the phrase myself on occasion so it has been important for me to define the meaning of the phrase especially when addressing my own students. Here is what I’ve gleaned:

“In love”

The word love, in the phrase, is defined as divine love or agape. It is righteous, good and non-sexual. It is the love of The Goddess and The God; the love for the sacred being that each of us hold within us and that is connected to all beings including deity. It is unconditional and understands what lies beyond our physical human manifestation and within our Sacred Self. So “in love” means being within unconditional love.

“In light”

The word light addresses the concept of energy, specifically positive energy. So being “in light” means being “in positive energy”,

We are, were created from, and will return to, The Divine Source. While we are manifested on Earth and within our current society we are constantly dealing with both positive (light) and negative (dark) energies that also reside on this physical plane. Many of us are also affected by the energies (both negative and positive) that dwell on the spiritual plane however, it is vitally important that we don’t forget that regardless of these energetic influences, we are co-creators and are continually manifesting our own reality. It is the reality that we create for ourselves that gives us our perception of each and every experience we have. We can choose to focus on the positive experiences or the negative, to dwell in the light or the darkness.

It is important to acknowledge and understand that both the light (positive) and the dark (negative) energies originate from The Divine Source. The religion of Wicca acknowledges and honors this concept of polarity. It is the tenet of my spirituality and is beautifully illustrated in the belief of The Goddess and God. They are the prime example of balance that I strive to maintain. Now just because I strive for balance that I ignore the negative (dark) feelings or energies that may invade my life, it means that I don’t continuously indulge them. I don’t believe that Indulgence encourages balance. To feel and express my emotions – all of them – isn’t a “bad” thing however, what I do with the emotions that is what matters most.

Remember you are a manifestation of unconditional love and a co-creator. You, hand in hand with The Goddess and God, and all the energies (both light and dark) of the Unseen realm create your reality, your life experience. The question for you is this …

Will you dare to do so “in love and light”?

Tags: light, love

• Articles

Miss Dana February, 2012

The twelve months of Virtues continues.

Our second month on our journey is centered on the word love. There is a lot of power in that four letter word. We use it without thinking about it most of the time and for me it usually involves ice cream or shoes. Many times the word love is spoken to convey a deep connection with another person. There is cynicism at times as well.

In January we looked at Simplicity as the foundational building block for the year of virtues. The power inherent in love gives depth and meaning to all we pursue, in our interactions with each other and in our personal interactions with the deities in which we draw strength. For of all the possible intent we may have, the teaching of Harm None is another way of saying Love All. Good, bad and ugly.

In the Christian New Testament, the power of love is front and center.  The Jesus story is all about love walking among humanity and being an example. In literature through out the ages the lessons of love are explored. Shakespeare was the master at showing the consequences of love forsaken as well as embraced.  These are just two examples. There are as many more as there are people on this planet.

So, where does that leave us as Pagans? How does Love fit in with our view of the world? There has been a lot of hate hurled toward us throughout the ages. For me, the Burning Times brings up all kinds of negative thoughts with Love nowhere to be found.  But I do believe that the power of intent is real and all comes back to me magnified. I work at releasing my own sense of hate in order to walk my talk and bring blessings to me and mine.

My walk with the Goddess has allowed me to fully sense the meaning of love in a very organic way. The quiet I feel during meditations opens my whole being to a sense of unconditional peace and love; An acceptance for who I am at my core – every molecule – past, present and future.  In the quiet of that moment, I hold all that is dear to me in love. Surrounded by pink light and released to the higher good of all concerned. Love at it’s most basic. The Simplicity of love.

As February unfolds, and commercials and card companies are everywhere extolling the virtue of love, let it remind us to turn within and find the power and depth of that word. Love.

Tags: 12 virtues, love

• Articles

MoraRavenCall August, 2011

“Love Potion No. 10”

This recipe is strictly for fun.  You will be using the “tea” you create to make a simple syrup, designed to put you, or, anyone who happens to swallow a teaspoon or 2, “in the mood.”

You will need 2 tablespoons for each of the following herbs: rose (preferably the petals), honeysuckle flowers, spearmint leaves, jasmine flowers, and lavender.

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and remove it from the water.  Add herbs and steep for approximately 10 minutes, to allow the aphrodisiac qualities to be completely released in the water.  Strain the tea back into the pot and add 2 cups of sugar.  Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring to dissolve the sugar.  Once the sugar is completely dissolved, remove the pot from the heat and allow the syrup to cool. Store in the refrigerator to keep the syrup for about 2 weeks.

Administer 1-2 teaspoons of the syrup, when you feel the need for a boost, for yourself, or that someone special.

Madame Mora’s herbal

This class is designed to show the practical application of herbs to assist with everyday needs.  The lessons printed will not outline “magical” uses for the herbs, but, if questions on this topic rise, please feel free to ask.

Also, please remember, the information in this class is a look at herbal therapies that may show promise as adjunctive treatments to conventional medical approaches, and is not meant to give specific recommendations or advise for the treatment of a specific illness, nor is it intended to be a replacement for good medical diagnosis and treatment.

Tags: love, potion

• Classes

Rose Embyrs July, 2011

A Spell for Litha & Summer

My favorite spell during Litha and Summer is that which grants the wishes of women for a husband. Litha is known as Midsummer, Midsummer’s Eve, St. John’s Eve, and Alban Hefin. There are many correspondences for this time of the Witch’s wheel, but here are the one to use with the spell below.

correspondences

Symbols: Spear, cauldron, St. John’s Wort, Sun images, faerie images, fire

Foods: Fresh fruits and vegetables, pumpernickel bread, ale, mead

Plants: Rose, lavender, orchid, yarrow, oak, vervain, St. John’s Wort

Incense and oils: Rose, Lily of the valley, lavender, lemon

Candle Colors: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue

Stones: Topaz, agate, alexandrite, flourite, moonstone, pearl, emerald, jade

Animals: Butterfly, frog, toad, wren, robin, peacock

Mythical creatures: Satyrs, faeries, firebirds, dragons, sylphs

Goddesses: Aestas (Roman), Aine of Knockaine (Irish), Anu (Irish), Aphrodite (Greek), Astarte (Canaanite), Bast (Egyptian), Elat (Semitic), Eos (Greek), Flora (Roman), Freya (Norse), Gaia (Greek), Gerd (Teutonic), Grianne (Irish), Hathor (Egyptian), Hera (Greek), Ishtar (Assyro-Babylonian), Isis (Egyptian), Juno (Roman), The Muses (Greek), Nut (Egyptian), Olwyn (Welsh), Venus (Roman), Vesta (Roman)

Gods: Any sun God, fire God or fertility God.  Apollo (Greek), Baal (Phoenician), Baldur (Scandinavian), El (Semitic), Hadad (Babylonian), Helios (Greek), Hephaestus (Greek), Jupiter (Roman), Lugh (Irish), Osiris (Egyptian), Prometheus (Greek), Ra (Egyptian), Sol (Roman), Zeus (Greek)

Activities: Family and friends picnic, leave food in the garden for faeries, jump or walk between bonfires, and gather herbs.

Rose Embyrs SPELL:

I call the Goddess Anu and the God Lugh

Bring me a lover, honest and true.

With this peacock feather and red candle

I burn St. John’s Wort and hold an emerald.

Let the Faeries dance, and bring me romance

I invoke the Lord and Lady for their glance

A bride I wish to be on this summer’s eve

So bring me a lover, for in you, I believe

St. John’s wort is honored by women who picked St. John’s Wort in hope to divine a lover.

A   M I D S U M M E R ‘ S   CELEBRATION

by Mike Nichols

The young maid stole through the cottage door,

And blushed as she sought the Plant of pow’r;–

‘Thou silver glow-worm, O lend me thy light,

I must gather the mystic St. John’s wort tonight,

The wonderful herb, whose leaf will decide

If the coming year shall make me a bride.

And the glow-worm came

With its silvery flame,

And sparkled and shone

Through the night of St. John,

And soon has the young maid, her love-knot tied.

Tags: love

• Spells & Rituals

Hoi Sum June, 2011

My Heart is a Temple and My Religion is Love

“My heart has become capable of every form; it is a pasture for gazelles and a convent for Christian monks, and a temple for idols and the pilgrim’s Ka’ba, and the tablets of the Torah and the book of the Koran. I follow the religion of Love: whatever way Love’s camels take, that is my religion and my faith.” – Ibn Al-Arabi

Wow right? That is what I said when I first read this quote recently. I was so inspired by the imagery and message in this Al-Arabi quote! How much more peace and happiness would we have in the world if everyone followed the religion of love instead of religions of hate, intolerance, segregation? I think this quote is great food for thought and an opportunity for us Pagans to take a look at ourselves and our religious community. Are we a religion of love? Are we offering up ourselves and our services to all people and to all religions?

I was reading through a list of Pagan jokes yesterday and one of them was a list of “you might be giving Pagans a bad name if…” things. The surprising thing about that list is that a lot of Pagans I know do the things on that list and the things listed are things that could potentially really turn people off to Paganism. Ironically many of the traits listed are things that other (meaning non-Pagan) religious people also do, and they are the same things that the Pagan community often complains about. It always makes me sad when I see some of the things I disliked about Christianity creeping into the Pagan community. We need to be careful that we do not allow our religion to become as closed minded and closed off as some of the other religions have!

When people think of words like intolerance, hate, or segregation I would hope that they do not immediately think of Pagans or Paganism! I have seen many a Pagan who think that just because they are open to the GBLT community that means they are tolerant and loving people. Are those same Pagans as tolerant and loving towards Christians or Muslims though? Would a Christian feel as welcomed at a Pagan event as a gay person would? Are Pagans separating themselves from the “mainstream”, just like so many Christians claim to do? Or are Pagans a part of this world, integrated with the many diverse people and religions of this planet? We are not separate from the mainstream because the mainstream is made up of people, just like Paganism is made up of people! We are all living on this planet earth together. We may worship the Divine in different ways, but we are all still Divinely created!  Let us work towards making sure our Pagan community is a community of love, tolerance, and unity! I think it would be beautiful if one day we could all claim the religion of love. A day when people not only associate Pagans with the word love, but that they associate all people and religions with the word love! It is time for us Pagans to offer our hearts up as temples for all and to live out a religion of love!

Tags: love, peace, religion

• Articles

Rose Embyrs November, 2010

“To Bind A Love” Spell

Many witches are in disagreement about the fairness of using a binding spell for love. Some feel this may take away your lover’s free will. I would caution that the love be mutual if you decide to proceed with this potent spell. You’ll need your partners strands of hair that you can get from a brush or their clothing. Do the same with your own hair. Cut two pieces of cotton string to approximately 12 inches or use centimeters…your choice. Now separate and tie each string around the hair or the hair around the strings to secure when working this magick.

What you need:

• Strands of hair, both party’s

• Cotton String, 12 inches long

• Favorite scented oils you’ve shared

• Red candle

Light the red candle. Anoint the string and hair with your scented oil. His aftershave on his, your perfume or massage oil will do on yours. With two strings, both anointed and hair attached, hold with one hand and repeat.

“I bind (their name) to me

In perfect love and perfect trust.

I bind myself to thee

In perfect love and perfect trust.

So mote it be.”

Tie the two ends together at the top and repeat.

“I bind our love with a sacred knot

That you know our love is true

You’ve found the lover you sought

You will love me as I love you.

So mote it be.”

Tie knots all the way to the bottom as you chant his name and yours. Think about each quality you admire and desire from your lover. When you finish with the last knot, pour the wax over both ends to seal them. Place your knotted braid in a plastic bag and keep in cool dry place until you wish to end the binding spell. If you need to reverse, burn the knotted braid in a safe area outside and bury repeating.

“I release you from the binding love

You are free to seek another

By the Goddess and God above

I burn and bury all claim to my lover

So mote it be.”

Bind Someone to Keep Them from Harm

When you’ve exhausted all your resources to prevent someone from harming themselves or another, a binding spell can be cast. Although this white magick is used as a last resort, the conjuring is tricky and permanent until you release the person. You must be sure and accurate with your desire–strong emotions will skew your results. Always remember, “First ye do no harm, do what ye will.”

What you will need:

1. A white candle

2. A small rag doll representing the person to be bound.

3. A nail clipping, hair from a brush, toothbrush or something that made contact with the receiver’s body.

4. Salt

5. A container that will seal filled with clean spring water.

6. A grey ribbon. (This neutral color is useful when pondering complex issues during meditation; in magic, this color can spark confusion; it can negate or neutralize a negative influence useful in binding spells.)

You must use a good representation of the individual you are binding. A photograph cut to show only the person to be bound is useful, or write the person’s name on white fabric and pin to the doll. The hair, nail clippings or other article of their person should be attached to the rag doll or whatever you have collected. Keep this all together with tape or glue.

Cast a circle and call the four elements of water, fire, earth and wind. You may also stand at your altar and pray that you wish no one to be harmed, then meditate to clear your mind. When you’re ready, light the white candle and offer your desire for the person’s recovery. “I shine my love and light on and around (person’s name) so they may find their true path.” Focus on why you found the binding necessary to do a lasting binding spell.

Wrap a gray ribbon around the doll or bundle you’ve created to represent the person you’re binding, nine times. Chant and focus on raising energy within yourself. You could say, “I bind you (person’s name) from harming yourself or others, so mote it be.” Repeat until you feel the energy drain into the grey ribbon that binds the person’s future actions. Now LOOSELY tie a knot three times.

Visualize in your mind the person with light, peace of mine and clarity, with white light. Drip the hot wax from the white candle onto the knot to seal it. Re-affirm your intentions with, “(person’s name), you are now bound by magic and will do no harm to yourself or anyone else.”

Sprinkle salt three times into the spring water of the seal-able container and place the bound objects of the person into the container, saying, “Be cleansed of negative thoughts and purpose, be safe from harm and from harming others. So mote it be.”

Seal the container and open your circle or end in prayer. Place the container in a freezer right away to finish the binding spell. If and when you release the person from the binding spell, thaw the ice, undo the knots of the ribbon and say, “I release you, (person’s name). So mote it be.”

Tags: binding, love, magic, magick, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Anne Baird August, 2010

“April is the cruelest month…” This famous opening line of T.S.Eliot’s revolutionary poem, The Wasteland, published in 1922, fits the ancient myth of the birth and life of Aphrodite to a T.

“Foam-risen” Aphrodite, (the Greek name for foam is “aphros”), was the product of a highly dysfunctional family. Her mother, Gaia, the generative Greek Earth Mother, tired of the constant attentions and cruelty of her husband, Uranus, who was both God of the Sky, and her first-born son. She asked one of their sons, Cronus, to castrate his father, so he would be unable to father any more children with her. (Uranus feared that their children would overthrow him one day. Because of this fear, he tried to prevent their being born. He did this by burying their babies deep within their mother, causing her untold anguish.)

Cronus was glad to oblige. He launched a murderous attack upon Uranus, and cast his severed genitals into the sea, where they dissolved into foam. From this potent and sexually charged brew, the fully-grown Goddess of Love was formed. She was never a child, raised to respect the rules and regulations of her elders. Instead, she emerged in full glory, her hair dripping with pearls, and greeted by ecstatic doves. Riding on a seashell, she was blown ashore to the island of Cyprus by the West Wind ~ the embodiment of love, beauty, and untrammeled sexuality. Her arrival caused a sensation in Olympus! Every god desired her. Every goddess was jealous. The world was turned upside down…

Zeus, King of the Gods, quickly realized he had a disaster on his hands. To avoid fighting amongst the gods for her favors, and to nail her down, he married her off to Hephaestus, the crippled master craftsman of Olympus. Hephaestus couldn’t believe his luck! Besotted with love, he created exquisite jewelry for his lovely bride, including the cestus, a magic girdle or belt, which made the wearer irresistible to men. This was another terrible mistake. Aphrodite was already irresistible, and had no intention of being faithful to a dull husband.

She carried on with dozens of lovers, including her half-brother, Ares, the impetuous God of War. She bore many children to her paramours, including Eros (Cupid), the son of Ares, who helped her to promote love and sensual delight. In vain, Hephaestus tried to control her. When he trapped Ares and Aphrodite in a golden net, and exposed their illicit affair to Zeus and the gods for judgment, he failed. Zeus, recognizing the futility of trying to discipline the goddess, refused to condemn her. She went on her merry way.

Aphrodite was impulsive and thoughtless as well as sexually self-indulgent. Wanting to defeat Hera and Athena in a three-way contest to be crowned Most Beautiful of all the goddesses, she shamelessly bribed the judge, Prince Paris of Troy. Hera and Athena also tried to bribe Paris. They offered him power and wisdom. Aphrodite, knowing what moves the hearts of men, promised him the most beautiful woman in the world for his wife. Paris awarded her the Golden Apple. Unfortunately for him, and for the ancient world, the woman, Helen of Sparta, was already married, to Agamemnon, King of Sparta.

Aphrodite’s scheme worked. Paris and Helen fell in love, and eloped. The tragic meddling of the goddess in affairs of the heart soon morphed into affairs of state, leading to the devastating 10-year long Trojan War, in which thousands of Greek heroes and citizens perished. Enraged, Zeus commanded Aphrodite to return to her appointed role as goddess of love, sensual delight, and fertility, where she could do less harm.

Aphrodite continued to take lovers. She even fell in love with a mortal ~ Adonis, the Hunter. This time, however, she was destined to suffer as well. Fearing that a wild animal might kill Adonis, she ordered him to give up hunting. Adonis refused, and was gored to death by a wild boar. The devastated goddess transformed her dying lover’s drops of blood into anemones. These lovely, short-lived blossoms remind us that she knew sorrow as well as passion.

A cult sprang up around the worship of Aphrodite. The month of April was consecrated to Venus, her Roman equivalent. Her festival, the Aphrodisia, (from which we derive the word aphrodisiac) was celebrated all over Greece on the first day of Aprilis, or April ~ especially at her temples in Athens and Corinth. Intercourse with her priestesses, called hierodules, or “sacred servants,” was considered a sacred act ~ a way of worshiping the goddess to ensure fertility and good fortune in love.

This custom originated in rituals practiced by worshippers of Aphrodite’s Near Eastern predecessors, such as the Sumerian goddess, Inanna, and the Akkadian goddess, Ishtar. These Eastern goddesses, forbears of both Greek Aphrodite and Roman Venus, also employed temple prostitutes. The practice was well documented in Babylon, Syria, Palestine, Phoenicia, and Carthage. Not surprisingly, Aphrodite is the patroness of courtesans, and of all who love or seek to be loved. She is also the protectress of sailors.

She has modern counterparts in contemporary “Sex Goddesses,” such as Madonna or Britney Spears. These adored celebrities seem to break all the rules in their search for happiness ~ though their behavior does not appear to reflect the goddess’s sense of sacred mission and delight.

Aphrodite’s power over love may seem narrow and frivolous, especially when compared to the impressive powers of Zeus, King of the Gods; Ares, God of War; or Athena, Goddess of Wisdom. The capacity to wage war, to lead nations, to sway mobs, to amass fortunes, or to display intellectual brilliance, are often more highly prized than the simple ability to move the human heart.

Yet the lesson of Aphrodite is that love reigns supreme. Zeus himself could not suppress her search for love. And the history of the Trojan War demonstrates the power of an ill-conceived passion to destroy nations. The goddess drives us into each other’s arms, breaks our hearts, and brings us back for more. She plants the seeds of attraction that lead to the birth of babies. She ensures the continuity of the human race.

While her willful quest for pleasure may lead to grief, she never gives up on love, or ceases to pursue it. She is fruitful, bears many children, and cherishes them. She rewards those who honor love: punishes those who deny it. She is a good friend, a bad enemy, and an ardent lover.

Above all, she is beautiful, fearless in her determination to live her life with passion and joy. Because of this, she has inspired generations of artists, poets, and writers to create immortal works of art in her honor.

Check out a few of their images on this You Tube video.

Enjoy the many faces of Aphrodite. They’re as varied as the human race! Beauty comes in many guises. Love is prompted by our unique perception of Beauty in the Other.

Love makes the world turn.

(URL OF YOU TUBE VIDEO ON APHRODITE)

http://video.google.ca/videosearch?q=aphrodite+the+greek+goddess&www_google_domain=www.google.ca&hl=en&emb=0&aq=2&oq=Aphrodite+the+#

Tags: aphrodite, beauty, goddess, love

• Articles

Kerry Morgan June, 2010

Scents for your Sensibilities: Aphrodisiacs

Happy Mid Spring;

This time we are going to concentrate scents that can put you in the mood, or put a partner into a romantic frame of mind. There are a whole host of scents and different ways you can use them, but we will concentrate on the most easy. Of course, you can always plan to double up on “affect” by using food support, a meal of differing tastes and sensations, while burning a ritualized candle, (red for power and sexuality, runes or images that court to your intuition that will aid the intent.)

With of without anything else, there are oils that you can burn, rub into a candle or object, or place on the actual skin, depending of course on what scent you are using. To burn, I personally have always found Patchouli to be extremely affective in bringing a romantic mood into a room.  Other simple incenses to use might include, and new incense to burn called “Sensual”, (created by “Nu Incense), there is also an incense powder called “Love Honey”, and you can easily go through the stacks of packaged incense and grab ones titled “Love, Sensuality, Attraction, Seduction, at a local store to help create the mood.

Recipes

• Airmid’s Cauldron

that you could put together for yourself might include, any type of “love” or “Venus inspired” scent you could create. Below are some recipes you could try to see which one affects you and your partner the most.

#1) (a) Flowery Love Bath (this is an oil you would bathe in to attract your lover’s attentions.

3 parts Palmarosa

2 parts Lavender

1 drop of Rose (burn a pink candle while in the bath

#2) Sexual Energy Oil

2 drops Ginger

2 drops Patchouli

1 drop Cardamom

1 drop Sandalwood

#3) Fire Oil (Elemental for passion)

3 drops Ginger

2 drops Rosemary

1 drop Clove

1 Drop Petitgrain

As you can see from some of the ingredients above, many of the same scents are used. If you really wanted to be inspired, you could try burning one of each scent in different rooms, to see what affect you might be able to generate, saving the most potent to you for the “event room (s) so to speak.

Enjoy, and don’t be afraid to experiment, but do remain cautious with how oils might react to bare skin.

Tags: love, oil, scents

• Articles

IndigoRainbow February, 2009

We come to that time of year when many lonely souls come to us and ask us to do our magik and a spell to bring love into their lives. Most only need a ‘charm’ or ‘crutch’ in order to help their own self esteems and to bring them out of their shells. There have been times I have been so caught up with helping others bring love into their lives that I have forgotten and neglected my own. Forgotten to even do the little things for those I love.

This month in The Witch’s Cupboard, I want to explore a few of the herbs that have historically been used for love. I want to share ideas to help, enhance, and nurture the loves in our lives, not help others to find it. This column is geared to make our Valentine’s and February a little more special for the ones we love.

There are many, many herbs that have been used throughout time to bring love, enhance sexuality, and woo others. I could write a book on the oddities and spells alone. We are going to go to the cupboard and pull out just a few that are common which can strengthen your love and also bring lasting health benefits. So come into the kitchen, open your cupboard, turn on the stove, and bake some magik with love.

We begin with a very common yet under rated herb, Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum, synonym C. zeylanicum).  In Chinese Herbology, it is said Cinnamon are twigs and bark from large tropical trees that warm the body, invigorate the circulation, goes to all 12 channels (meridians) of the body, and harmonizes the energy of the upper and lower body. Cinnamon also reduces allergy reactions. The herb is usually cooked together with other herbs to make tea that regulates the circulation of blood. Cinnamon has also been used for appetite loss, bronchitis, colds, cough, fever, indigestion and other digestive problems, sore throat, diarrhea, and some cancerous tumors. Eastern herbal remedies suggest Cinnamon for heart problems, dental pain, and urinary problems. For those you who use and enjoy medical and therapeutic grade essential oils, cinnamon oil can be used as a sexual stimulate, beneficial for colds, coughs, flu, rheumatism, and circulation. I have also heard it can aid in controlling sugar and certain types of diabetes. But in our magical world, Cinnamon is highly recommended as purification incense prior to sacred work, and increases focus and concentration, while enabling a peaceful mindset for ritual work or divination. With our theme for Valentine’s, Cinnamon is known as an aphrodisiac. When used in spells of sexuality and passion it deepens any meditations on love.

Another common herb in our cupboards is Ginger. Since ancient times, Ginger has been used to help treat arthritis, colic, diarrhea, and heart conditions.  Ginger may decrease joint pain from arthritis, and may have blood thinning and cholesterol lowering properties that may make it useful for treating heart disease. Ginger is mostly known for its properties to help treat upset stomach and nausea. It is also believed to help the common cold, flu-like symptoms, headaches, and even painful menstrual periods. Magically Ginger is known as a powerful herb/spice. Ginger essential oil is useful in sexuality; love; courage; and money. Eating Ginger before performing spells will lend them power, since you have been “heated up” by the Ginger; this is especially true of love spells.

Since we are in our kitchens and at our cupboards, Something simple that can be done using the herbs/spices above to bring a smile to your loved ones faces is to bake cookies. You can make these simple recipes by adding your own special magical spells that are dear to you while you prepare the dough.

Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 4 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a mixing bowl, beat the butter on medium speed for 30 seconds.  Add the 1 cup sugar, baking soda, and cream of tartar.  Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.  Beat in the egg and vanilla until well blended.  Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer, and stir in remaining flour.  Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.

Combine the 4 tablespoons sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon.  Shape the dough into 1 inch balls and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.  Place balls of dough 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake for 10 to 11 minutes or until edges are beautifully golden.  Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.

Soft Ginger Cookies
Ingredients

* 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons ground ginger
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup margarine, softened
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1 egg
* 1 tablespoon water
* 1/4 cup molasses
* 2 tablespoons white sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, and then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Next month’s edition of the Witch’s Cupboard will fall upon the Ostara/Spring Equinox rituals and will introduce you to preparing growing your own herbs for the coming Spring/Summer seasons. One I would like to follow along with is lavender because of the many health benefits of its oil. Until next time, happy baking to a healthier you.

Blessed Be,

Namaste Iammu,

Indigo Rainbow

Disclaimer:

Please note that we are not advocating that people stop using their normal medication, but would like to make people aware that some alternative therapies can be very effective to help treat problems and create a healthier, younger and more vital you. Also, it is not recommended to use most herbal supplements during pregnancy, or during breast feeding, or for small children. But then again, although these warnings must be provided, we must ask if the warnings come from experiences using herbs or from a medical community which is afraid we will cure ourselves.

Tags: herbs, love, magic, magick, Recipes, spells

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