Moon Goddess Hekate ( The Dark Goddess)

The 'Dark' Hekate

"...For, by the sacred radiance of the sun, The mysteries of Hekate, and the nights; By all the operation of the orbs..."

'King Lear' by William Shakespeare

Hi to all, This is the last entry on the Moon Goddess Luna. I find this aspect of the Goddess very controversial, and interesting to say the least..

Blessed B.
Bee

The Roman Goddess Hekate; The Dark Goddess

( third aspect of the Goddess Luna)

"Hekate is a goddess like no other. Some describe her as a witch goddess who rises up from the dark depths of the underworld, while others tell of a bright shining goddess who holds her torches of illumination high, revealing the path through the mysteries, but only for those with the wisdom to follow her. Some say that she is the "Axis Mundi", the "Chaldean World Soul" and that that she brings soul fire, and light to humanity. Others tell of a powerful goddess who is crowned with the coils of wild serpents, and oak leaves. Appearing with three heads, often with three bodies, sometimes in forms which are part-human and part-beast. It is said that she holds sway in many worlds, bearing the keys to the thresholds between, guarding ,and blessing those who make suitable offerings to her, but feared by those who let injustice come upon the world. "

Ancient Greek deities had several roles, most of which were not unique to any particular God or Goddess, and which changed over time. More confusingly for us, these roles sometimes appear contradictory. Throughout Hellenistic and Roman times Hekate was worshipped as the regional mother goddess at her main Carian sanctuary at Lagina near Stratonicea. In Classical Greece (500 to 300 BCE), Hekate not only reigned over witchcraft, magic, and death, but also birth and renewal. She was a guardian against evil, and invoked in curses; She was a protective guide and light bringer, but also 'Dread Goddess of the Underworld'.

The Ancient Greeks understood that a deity can give as well as withhold: Hekate can protect you from evil spirits if She so chooses, but can also visit them upon you. There is evidence for an Archaic 'irrational' mode of thought which does not strive for one precise conclusion, but offers a medley of possibilities. But perhaps there is no contradiction here, for death inevitably goes hand in hand with fertility as a power of the earth.

Hekate not only had a role in the mysteries of Eleuis; mystery cults of Hekate existed on Aegina and Samothace. Beyond that, little is known, but my research shows intriguing clues remain: The tombstone of a Thracian woman initiate claims that she has been immortalized in death as the 'goddess Hekate'.

Goddess Diana ( 2nd Aspect )

The Roman Goddess Diana

(The Huntress)

The Roman goddess Diana was the equivalent of the Greek goddess Artemis. She was the daughter of Jupiter and Latona and Apollo’s sister. Initially, she was a goddess of nature. She was later identified with the Greek goddess Artemis, under the influence of the Greek colonies established in Southern Italy, that’s how she also became the goddess of hunt. She was considered a protector of the weak and the slaves turned to her for help.
The most important temples of the Roman goddess Diana were in Capua and in Aricia, near Lake Nemi, where she was also called Diana Nemorensis (Diana of the woods). There was a festival held in her honour on the 13th August (the Ides of August).

The priest in the Temple of the Roman goddess Diana Nemorensis was said to be, in the beginning, a runaway slave. If somebody else wanted to take his place, he should have killed the priest with a wooden branch.

One of the stories says that Artemis (or the Roman goddess Diana) took Hippolytus, son of Theseus, after he was brought to life again by Asclepios, and brought it to Italy, at her temple in Aricia, where he became her priest, under the name Virbius (he who lived twice). And a curious fact: in the Romanian language, the Latin name of the Roman goddess Diana became the word “zana”, which means “fairy”. In folk tales, the fairies would usually wander through the woods, in large groups. In many tales, a young man sees the fairies bathing and steals some clothes. When they discover someone is watching, they get out of the water, get dressed and fly away. The fairy whose clothes were stolen can’t go away, so she hides behind a bush, promising to marry him if he gives her back her clothes (which have magical powers). The young man refuses and gives her other clothes, they marry and they live happily for a while, until, one day, she manages to find her fairy clothes. When she does, she can fly back to her sisters, leaving her son and her husband, who will be forever sad. Because, when someone was married to a fairy, the other women mean nothing to him any more. The man who saw the fairies naked is punished for this, with an eternal sadness.

The Roman Goddess Luna

Diana, or Luna, Roman goddess of the Moon, animals, and hunting

Hi to all you Moon lovers. I decided to so a series of short blogs on the three aspects of the Moon Goddess Luna. I also added some specific info on the relationship between the sun, moon and the earth , and a brief explanation of the Wicca perspective on the Goddess.

The Romans recognized three aspects of her( also called the triad)--as the Moon-goddess, they called her Luna; as an underworld deity of magic Hekate; and as the huntress-goddess, Diana.

Luna gives us “lunar” from Latin lucere, to shine.

Symbol: a crescent Moon.

Luna is a Roman Goddess of the moon. Together with Diana and Hekate, she formed a triad with Luna as the Goddess in Heaven, Diana as the Goddess on Earth, and Hekate as the Goddess in the Underworld.

She is often depicted as a pale woman riding in a silver chariot, and was thus also a patroness of charioteers. Her temple on the Aventine Hill in Rome was destroyed by the Great Fire of Rome in the year 64 C.E.

Called Luna by the Romans, Selene and Artemis by the Greeks, and many other names in other mythologies.

Diana is described as guiding her silvery chariot over the sky at night.

Diana: Roman Goddess of Light, Moon Goddess, Queen of Heaven, Lunar Virgin (note that to the Romans, “virgin” meant a woman who had never been married or pregnant, not a woman who had never had sex), Goddess of Wildwood, Divine Huntress, Protector of Animals, Lady of Beasts.

The Wicca Perspective

(This is just a brief explanation of my knowledge)

The Triple Goddess is a symbol representing the feminine polarity as well as the three phases of a womankind: maiden, mother and crone. It is similar to the Trinity in Christianity in that it is an embodiment of 3 in one; however it is different in that the triple aspect in the Goddess comes in phases. She is not all three things at the same time but rather goes through these phases throughout her existence.
The number three itself has great significance in Wicca and Paganism in that it is a powerful number. There is the "Rule of Three" in which it states that what you do to a person comes back three-fold, which generally is a code for practicing Pagans to not do harm to others. Certain spells involving Witch Bottles and Charm Bags also require an uneven number of objects to be placed inside such as 3, 5, 7 or 9 objects. It is no wonder that the Goddess is represented in 3 phases. The moon itself has many phases and is a powerful element in Paganism and Wicca. The Goddess is represented by the moon whereas the God (the male entity in Wicca) is represented by the sun.

The Triple Goddess is represented by 3 moons, the waxing crescent moon, the full moon, and the waning crescent. The symbol below is often found in tattoos, jewelry, T-shirts, artwork, other adornments or decorations and even store logos.

)O(

The Waxing Moon is a symbol of the maiden. This is the first aspect of womankind. A woman is a maiden up until the time that she marries and/or bears children. It is but a sliver, a part of a whole. This is very much like a young woman who has not yet matured or gone through puberty. They are still child and not yet woman, although still female. They are part of a whole.

The Full Moon is a symbol of the mother. Often this phase starts when a woman marries or bears children.The Full Moon is used because this represents the fulfillment of being a woman. A woman in this phase has married, had children, and has matured and they are wiser than in their youth.

The Waning Moon is a symbol of the crone. Despite the stereotype of an "old crone" being a haggard, scraggly and grumpy old woman, the crone is simply the final phase of the woman.This phase is represented by the Waning Moon because a woman in this phase is "on her way out." She is has accomplished what is expected for women to do in life (in the baser more intrinsic needs). She is also a part of a whole much like the maiden and the Waxing Moon because she is no longer of child-bearing years. For many women it is a sad time and leaves them feeling that they are no longer a woman. But in Wicca practice this is not so, it is a time to celebrate. Imagine reaching the final leg of a race, you feel elated, excited, and accomplished. A woman is powerful in this time because she has reached full maturity, and is filled with wisdom that she can share with mothers and maidens. She has "done her duty" to mankind in that she provided a home, provided a mate for another, or raised her children. There is a sense of accomplishment here and self-gratified, self-fulfilling feelings. This phase also signifies death, repose and endings.

)O(

"A few scientific facts about the Moon and the Earth"

Moon and Earth, tied together by gravitational attraction, revolve as a double planet.
Total eclipses occur when the Moon and Earth line up perfectly with the Sun.
During a solar eclipse, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, hiding the Sun on a small area of Earth.
During a lunar eclipse, the full Moon moves into Earth’s shadow and is blacked out.
Because Earth spins faster than the Moon revolves, the Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night.
During the new phase, Moon and Sun rise and set at the same time; but, from then on, the Moon appears in different parts of the sky: in the west as it waxes larger towards gibbous, in the east as it wanes smaller.
The gravitational force of the Moon, and to a lesser extent the Sun, raises the ocean tides on Earth.
A great bulge of water is pulled up on the side of the Earth facing the Moon and held there.
As Earth rotates beneath the bulge, high tides occur and then because of Earth’s rotation, the tide seems to move from east to west.
None of the other planets has a moon like the Earth. Mercury and Venus have no moons at all, and Mars is orbited only by two tiny chunks of rock, each just one ten-millionth the size of Earth’s moon.
Because the Moon rotates on its axis in exactly the time it takes to orbit the Earth, it always presents the same side to us.
The Moon does not emit light. What we see is sunlight reflected from the Moon’s surface as the Moon goes through its familiar phases.

Spring Equinox & the Full Moon

I had my bon fire on the full moon(3/21/08)... It was a clear and nice that evening. We had our weenie roast, made spring wishs, and a few marshmellows as well.

For my Sunny and Kayla, this was their first bon fire.. They were very intrigued and excited when we broke out the hot dogs!!!

It was a perfect moon. The bon fire was also a gift, as the full moon brought a pretty good frost that night. The fire burnt till very late . We had built it in the area of my newley bloomed apricot tree so it keept the air warmer and saved my blooms.. So the luck was with me. It was a wonderful moon!!!

A Very magical night...

Sparkles

Bee

My Eggs

Hi To all this Easter Day,

This is my attempt this year to do Ostara /Easter eggs with natural dyes.. Shown here in my favorite Fenton art glass Easter basket on my dinning table.. I used onion skins, alder bark, & paprika for the colors... I used rubber bands, and stickers, to make designs that I then colored in with gel pens..

I loved doing them...

Hope you had a wonderful day.

Bee

Its all about Easter

From bonnets to bunnies, Easter lore traces back to pre-Christian societies as well as church-decreed customs, including variations developed by local villages and their people. The egg, for instance, universally symbolizes new life and fertility. Long before Christ was born, the ancient Egyptians, Persians, Greeks and other cultures habitually colored eggs in the springtime, offering them as gifts to reflect the rebirth of the earth. In fact, Middle Eastern cultures believed the earth itself was hatched from a single magnificent egg.

I've gathered some good recipes for using up Easter's hard-cooked eggs, along with some Easter lore to entertain you while you peel and eat.
You call them hard-boiled eggs, but in the food world, a "hard boiled" egg is now politically incorrect. The preferred term is now "hard cooked."

What's the difference,

Experts no longer recommend boiling (or even simmering) an egg for 15 minutes to cook it Instead, one should merely heat the water with the egg in it. Then, just as the water begins to boil, turn off the heat and let the egg stand in the hot water for several minutes.

Why shouldn't you boil an egg anymore? Because boiling results in a hard, dry yolk, instead of a creamy, soft one, and the white becomes rubbery.

Recipe for Hard Cooked Eggs:

Place eggs in single layer in large pot. Fill pot with cold water to cover eggs by one-inch. Set over medium-high heat and bring the water just to a boil. Turn off the heat and let eggs remain in the water for 12 minutes. Plunge eggs into ice cold water. When cool, drain and refrigerate until ready to peel.

Easter Egg Recipes

Chili con Queso Eggs on Muffins

Serves 4

4 sliced English Muffins, split8 hard cooked eggs, shelled4 Roma tomatoes, chopped (about 3/4 to 1 pound)4 green onions, chopped1/4 cup mild salsa, or to taste 1/4 cup cream,2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, Tabasco Sauce (optional)3 tablespoons chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)

Heat the broiler. Place the English Muffins on a broiling pan and set aside.
Slice the shelled hard cooked eggs into quarters lengthwise and set aside.
In a small saucepan over medium flame, heat the tomatoes, salsa and green onions. Cover and cook until the tomatoes have released their juices and are partially liquid, about 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low.
Remove the pan from the heat and slowly stir in the cream, to prevent curdling. Stir in the cheese and return the pan to the stove over low heat. Stir constantly until the cheese melts and forms a sauce. Add a dash of Tabasco Sauce, to taste. (Don't overcook the cheese sauce or cook it on too high a heat—the cheese will separate.)
While the tomatoes and cheese cook, toast the muffins in the broiler until golden brown.
For each serving, place two halves of a muffin on a plate. Arrange 4 quarters of hard cooked egg (1 egg) on top of each muffin half. Finish by pouring some of the tomato-cheese sauce over each half. Serve immediately, garnished with a few sprigs of fresh cilantro.

The Devil's Best Eggs

Makes 24 pieces

12 hard cooked eggs,

3 tablespoons mayonnaise,2 tablespoons mustard, preferably Dijon, or one with intense flavor,2 tablespoons lemon juice,2 tablespoons finely minced green onion,black pepper,paprika,capers,parsley, or celery leaves for garnish.

Mix the mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice and green onion together in a large bowl. After shelling the eggs, cut them in half, and, using a fork, mix the yolks in with the mustard mixture till smooth. Season with black pepper to taste. It should have a very strongly pronounced lemon and mustard flavor, so add more if you feel it needs more zing.
Fill the cavity in each egg white half with the yolk mixture. Top with a sprinkle of paprika. Place a parsley or other leaf on top, and finish by placing three capers at the stem end of the leaf. Chill till ready to serve.


The Easter Parade in History

In the early days of the church, the newly baptized wore white robes for the baptismal ceremony and during Easter week. Others wore new clothes at Easter to represent their participation in Christ's new life. After Easter mass, medieval worshippers, dressed in their new clothes, formed a procession through the streets, lead by a crucifix. Later, the custom of walking to or from church on Easter Sunday, bedecked in new clothes and Easter bonnets, evolved into the Easter parade. Begun in 1860, New Jersey's Atlantic City Easter Parade featured finely clothed citizens strolling along the boardwalk, and New York City soon sported its now famous Fifth Avenue Easter Parade. Similar parades sprung up across the country, many with prizes for best dress and bonnets, and the frillier the bonnet, the better. Few Easter parades still exist in modern times, and the Easter bonnet is largely a fashion relic of the past.

The Easter Parade in Movies

The Easter Parade starring Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, and co-starring Peter Lawford and Ann Miller (MGM, 1948), was the second highest grossing film of the year, and won the Oscar for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture. In this Irving Berlin spectacular, Astaire plays a dancer whose partner abandons the act. In a Pygmalian type of effort, he takes on a new partner: Judy Garland. This is the only picture in which the two superstars worked together. Gene Kelly was originally cast in the lead but broke his ankle prior to filming. Similarly, Ann Miller won her part when Cyd Charisse injured her knee and had to be taken off the picture.

Sweden's Easter Hags

In Sweden, witches or "Easter hags" were once believed to be especially powerful and active in the week prior to Easter— flying around on broomsticks, getting caught in chimneys, congregating in church towers and such. Today, on Easter eve, youngsters dress up as Easter hags and leave decorated letters for their neighbors, in hopes of getting a treat or coin in return.

Pussy Willows

Eastern Europeans follow the tradition of placing olive branches at Easter ceremonies, but with a slight twist: they use readily available willow branches instead of the impossible to find olive branches. Willows are the first flower to bloom in the spring, and as such represent rebirth. In Poland, boys lightly swat the girls with willow switches on Switching Day, celebrating the end of Lent, and the girls return the custom on Easter Tuesday.

Easter Lily

White and pure, the lily was the medieval symbol of purity and the Virgin Mary. Blooming in spring and being so pristine, the lily became the flowering representation of Easter and the resurrection of Christ. Earlier Greek mythology, though, relates the lily as milk which fell to the earth from Juno, queen of the Greek gods, as she nursed her son Hercules; the Milky Way galaxy was believed to be the milk that spilled but did not fall to earth. The prim and prudish Victorians adorned their churches with lilies, but not without removing the suggestive stamens and pistols from them first.

Easter and Spring Celebrations in Mexico

Easter is a hugely celebrated affair in Mexico. Baptisms, passion plays, and solemn processions mingle with fireworks, dances, music and feasts. As is typical in Mexico, Indian rituals are woven into the culture as strongly as Catholic ones. In the San Cristobal de las Casas area, town elders race around with ribboned hats and staffs, deterring demons away from the resurrection. In Chichen Itza, the famed Mayan pyramid El Castillo puts on its own natural display: the feathered snake god appears to slither down the pyramid—but on one day only, the vernal equinox, when the sun's light precisely hits the balustrade in a remarkable example of Mayan architectural accuracy.

Say Farewell to the Darkness

Ostara, or the Spring Equinox, is an enchanted borderland time outside of time where a magical seam joins dark and light. From this moment on, the Sun God begins his seminal journey across the sky. His light and warmth overtake the darkness of Winter until his power peaks at Summer Solstice in June.
Ostara is a time of new fire. The light and dark are in perfect balance, but the light is growing and the Sun is about to burst forth with new energy. It is a season of fertility and growth.

Eostre or Ostara, is the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring to whom offerings of cakes and colored eggs were made at the Vernal Equinox. Rabbits were sacred to her, especially white rabbits, and she was believed to take the form of a rabbit.

"At this time, witches cast spells for careers, relationships, and love. It's a time for planting new ideas. Seek harmony and balance in the incredible energy of the season, and project good health, good fortune, and confidence in achieving goals."

For the Ostara Table:

-- Candles should be light green.
-- Incense may be jasmine.
-- Decorate the circle with spring wildflowers.
-- Place an earthenware or wooden bowl containing soil or a large seed of some kind on the table.

HERBS, to use in your magic at Ostara: lily of the valley, tansy, lavender, marjoram, thyme, tarragon, lovage, lilac, violets, lemon balm, dogwood, honeysuckle, oak moss, orris root, sunflower seeds, rose hips, oak, elder, willow, crocus, daffodil, jonquil, tulip, broom (Scotch or Iris), meadowsweet, acorn, trefoil (purple clover), vervain.

STONES: Clear quartz crystal, rose quartz, agate, lapis lazuli, amazonite, garnet.

ACTIVITIES :

"Have a traditional breakfast of; buns, ham, and eggs."

Make natural egg dyes from herbs.

( See blog entry)

Color hard boiled eggs and add symbols for the Fertility God, the Goddess, the Sun God, unity, fire, water, agriculture, prosperity and growth, strength and wisdom, spring, love and affection, and protection.

"It is important at this time of renewed life to plan a walk (or a ride) through
gardens, a park, woodlands, forest and other green places. This is not simply
exercise, and you should be on no other mission. It isn't even just an
appreciation of nature. Make your walk celebratory, a ritual for nature itself. "

A traditional Vernal Equinox pastime: Go to a field and randomly collect wildflowers.

Toss crushed eggshells into the garden and say:

"For fairy, for flowers, for herbs in the bowers, The shells pass fertility with springtime flowers."

Wear green clothing.

On Ostara Eve, light a purple or violet candle and burn patchouli incense. Carry them both through the house, and say: Farewell to wintry spirits and friends; On morrow we greet the spirits of spring. Our blessings to thee as your way we wend; And merry we'll meet next winter again. Blow out the candle and say: Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.

FOOD: Eggs! Spring lamb, cream, and milk, bake bread with a decorated egg inside, spring salad, hot cross buns.Foods in tune with this day (linking your meals with the seasons is a fine way of attuning with nature) include those made of seeds, such as sunflower,
pumpkin and sesame seeds, as well as pine nuts.

Eat an egg you have empowered with a quality you desire.

Sprouts are equally appropriate, as are leafy, green vegetables. Flower dishes
such as stuffed nasturtiums or carnation cupcakes also find their place here.
"Find a book of flower cooking or simply make spice cupcakes. Ice with pink
frosting and place a fresh carnation petal on each cupcake. Stuff nasturtium
blossoms with a mixture made with cream cheese, chopped nuts, chives and
watercress. "

(This ones for you Enchantress)

Decorate for Ostara

The joy of this Sabbat is quite apparent in its pastel colors and soft grace. Ostara, or Eostre, is very much the same sort of celebration that Christians practice. We have the same symbols, and rebirth is heavily present in both of our minds, albeit for different reasons. Rabbits, chicks, soft pinks and pale blues, eggs and crosses are symbols of the Pagan celebration of the Vernal Equinox. The ideals are ones we are very familiar with, joy at new life… the rebirth of the earth itself.

It’s the best reason to celebrate, so let’s begin! Lets start with a tale --->





An Ostara Tale







It was long ago, and it was the time of winter. Snow covered the ground and the chill in the air made this a harsh and unforgiving time to be about. Whiteness everywhere. The world slept.....A little girl had strayed from her home (a very bad thing, but such as children are wont to do) and she found herself wandering about in the woods; alone. She was cold and tired, and afraid. In despair, she dropped down in the snow and began to cry. She cried for her home. She cried for her mother and father. She cried for her life.Then she saw it - a bird - a frozen bird - lying, dying in the snow. She jumped up and rushed to take the bird into her arms. She held it close to herself; wrapping it tightly in her arms. She tried to warm the bird and thaw it's frozen wings, but it was too cold and life was quickly leaving the bird's body along with its warmth. She was beside herself! She thought only of the bird now, not seeing that she, herself would soon be in the same situation that this small bird was in now.She cried out for help! "Help! Help, this bird to live", she cried. "Goddess Eostara, please help this bird!".Now, Eostara was one busy Being about this time. Under normal circumstances the Goddess of Spring and Warmth would have dismissed this cry for help and continued about Her more important business. But it piqued Her interest that this girl was calling on Her to help a bird instead of herself. She decided to investigate and perhaps lend a helping hand.Eostara came to the girl. She floated over the snowy landscape. In Her wake flowers bloomed and sweet-scented blossoms burst open as colors blazed into view. Spring followed in Her path and the sound of laughter and gentle breezes could be heard on Her breath. She was glorious to behold. Rebirth and new life radiated about Her. The girl was astounded.She jumped up and thrust the bird at Eostara. "Save it!", she cried. "Make it well!". Using the demanding tone that only a child would have the nerve to use in the presence of a Goddess.Eostara took no mind of the girl's inappropriate behavior. She knew of her intent and her motives. The girl was sincere... the girl was unselfish.... the girl was so very young.....Eostara reached out Her hand and touched the bird with one delicate finger. Light flowed through Her, warming the bird. It's eyes opened suddenly. It's foot twitched. It hopped out of the girl's hand and began to flop about madly in the snow. The girl squealed with delight. "You saved it! You saved it!", as she danced about in the snow, overjoyed. But wait --"Hey....." the girl said after watching the bird for a while. "Its wings are still frozen to its body. It can't fly! You didn't do it right!!".Oh my. Now, Eostara surely wasn't used to this kind of response when She had just performed a minor miracle. But with Her infinite patience (which by now was wearing thin) intact, She gave the bird one last effort, another chance at survival. She reached over to the hopping bird and touched it again gently with Her hand, turning it into a bunny. "There!", she said to the girl, "Now it has no need of its wings".And as the now totally confused bunny hopped off into the brush, Eostara drifted away to perform other tasks of sunshine and light (as far away as possible from this girl). The girl was delighted at the sight of the bunny scrambling into the snow-covered brush. "All better", she smiled. She suddenly knew the way home...Now, all this was fine for Eostara and the girl, but what of the bunny? Well, now, this is one totally confused little animal here. This rabbit still has a habit of laying eggs! And to this day, when the snow begins to melt, and the flowers begin to bloom, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of blossoms and warmth, the bunny begins to lay its eggs. Oh, and these aren't ordinary eggs either. These eggs tell of color! Of Spring! Of Eostara and her gift of renewed life and release from winter's chill. They are tokens of recognition and gratitude to the Goddess Eostara for the gift of Spring.Note: Some children today maintain the tradition of building nests in the fields for the Spring bunny to lay its eggs into. Twigs and grass make an inviting nest for such a creature to deposit its brightly colored eggs.


Author: ScoutGhst



Lets create a;


Star of Spring Wreath


The star, in its familiar shape as the pentagram, is the much beloved symbol of our religion. In ancient times, stars were used as guides for the seafaring peoples. I like to think that they still guide us now…especially during the dark time of the winter months! Let us use this familiar form of blessing and guidance and incorporate the fresh spring flowers and colors of the season as we joyfully fade from winter and create our Star of Spring! You will need: - 1 vine wreath - pale pink ribbon - pale green ribbon - bunch of silk spring flowers - glue gun - light purple paint - wooden star - paintbrush 1. Wind the pink ribbon around the wreath, then the green ribbon, in a candy cane-like pattern. 2. Pick the heads of the spring flowers and some of the leaves off of the bunch. 3. Glue the blossoms and leaves around the wreath itself. Allow time to dry. 4. Paint the wooden star. Allow time to dry. 5. My wooden star already came with a hook to hang it with. If yours does not, glue a piece of ribbon in a loop behind the wreath and tie it to the top part of the vines. If it did come with a hook, tie the star to the wreath with a piece of ribbon. 6. Your Star of Spring Wreath is now ready to hang!





The world is awakening all around us, and the star – a constant symbol – has shone steady and true. As you stand before your door, raise the wreath above your head and say:





“Deep within the winter dark,


I found my everlasting spark,


This gentle star has played its part


Come, spring, and blossom in my heart.”





As you place the wreath upon your door, visualize the star that took you through the winter months fade from your heart onto the door of your home. It is now a guiding light for all who enter!

Lets make A;

Small Blessings Flower Bottle





Ostara is the perfect time of year when all of the flowers begin coming back to the world. We missed them and their sweet beauty! Flowers mean so many things to so many different people. Let us honor their arrival with the showcasing of a single blossom.

You will need:

- One small bottle (corked bottles work very well!)


- wire


- pink ribbon


- one silk flower for decoration





1. Wrap the wire around the neck of the bottle and form a loop to hang the bottle with. Don’t be daunted by using wire. Bending it is simple.


2. Tie the pink ribbon around the neck of the bottle.


3. Affix the silk flower on the side of the bottle.


4. Your bottle is ready for a blossom!





These sweet little bottles can be hung from a suction cup in your window, from your rear-view mirror, or even from a ceiling fan! The possibilities are endless, along with the choices of blossoms you could use! Find a small blossom that calls to you, and as you place it in the bottle with gratitude, say: “Child of the Mother Earth, You grace our world with your birth.”





Ostara is a beautiful Sabbat full of new life and wonder. Please celebrate it with compassion and joy, and fill your homes with more of the same!





To everyone may you be blessed on this Ostara -- and always!





Sparkling Bee

4th Moon of the Celtic Year

ALDER LORE

4th Moon of the Celtic Year - (March 18 - April 14)
Latin name: Smooth Alder - alnus serrulata.
Celtic name: Fearn (pronounced: fair un).
Folk or Common names: Alder, Gummy/Gluey (European), Rugose/wrinkly (Tag), Tree of the Fairies.
Parts Used: Parts Used: Branches, wood, bark, leaves.

Herbal usage:

Alder is in the hazelnut family and was used by Native Americans as a medicinal plant. Tea can be made from bark and is useful in treating diarrhea, coughs, toothaches and the discomfort of childbirth. A potion made from the bark can also be used externally as an eye wash or for a wash for poison ivy, swellings and sprains.

Magical History & Associations:

The birds associated with this month are the raven, the crow and the gull; the colors are crimson, green-brown and royal purple; the day is Saturday; and the gemstone is fire-garnet. The Alder, a Masculine herb, is associated with the element of fire, and the planet of Venus. The Alder is sacred to Bran the Blessed and Cronos (Saturn). Alder is also sacred to Faery kings and elf kings - from the word Alder comes elder (not the tree) as in 'elder' kings. The Fey of the Alder have been described as water spirits or as "Dark Faeries". They are very protective of the tree and when they leave their trees, this Faerie will take the form of a Raven. In tree Folk-lore, the Alder is known as the tree of fire - In the battle of the trees, the Alder fought in the very front line. It is described as the very "battle witch" of all woods, the tree that is hottest in the fight.

Magical usage:

The month of Alder is a good time to do magic designed to celebrate the connection and tie between all women, and the mother-daughter bond.

The Alder has applications in magic done for spiritual decisions, duty, prophecy, oracular strength, intelligence, mental prowess, resurrection, air magic, water magic, strength, spirituality, teaching, weather magic, and protection from outside forces.

Alder leaves or twigs can be carried in a pouch to act as a protection charm and as a powerful force in psychic battles.

The Alder is known as the "fairy's tree" in Celtic lore, so is good for fairy magic. The faeries are said to like to dance under the trees when they are flowering. Carrying Alder twigs or flowers acts as a charm for communicating with the fey.

Alder is often used in resurrection magic and also used in building/construction magic.

Alder wood is often called the "wood of the witches". Whistles may be made of out of young shoots to entice Air elemental spirits. This gives a Witch the ability to summon, control and banish elementals or the four winds. It is also the ideal wood for making the magical pipes and flutes for use in magical ceremonies. Alder produces a red dye from the bark, a green dye from the flowers and a brown dye from its twigs. Some Witches use these dyes in coloring ritual garb with the red dye signifying fire, the green dye: water, and the brown dye: earth.

When harvesting bark or leaves from the Alder, remember to ask the tree if it will allow you to take the parts and be sure to leave the tree an offering of thanks when you are done. To prepare Alder wood for use, beat the bark away with a willow stick while projecting your wishes into it.

Dying eggs for Ostara

Natural Ostara Eggs, Natural egg-dying is like recycling. It takes a li'l bit longer to do, but gives you a most wonderful feeling. Cover your plant material with about 3 inches of water, bring to a boil, and simmer until the color looks good. You'll probably have to let the eggs sit in the dye overnight, so if you're planning more than one color per egg, start this a few days before Ostara. Experimenting is half the fun, but here are some hints to get you started: Yellows- daffodil petals, saffron, turmeric, onion skins Blues- blueberries, red cabbage leaves & vinegar Greens-broccoli, coltsfoot Pinks- cochineal, madder root Browns - walnut shells, tea, coffee--> Wanna get fancy? Gather some small leaves, ferns, flowers and grasses. Dip them in water (to help them stick) and press them onto your eggs. Wrap each egg in a piece of cut up pantyhose and secure it with a twist tie before dyeing. When you remove the flower or leaf, it's design will appear (either in white or in your first dye-color). Rub your finished eggs with a tiny bit of vegetable or olive oil on a soft cloth to shine them.
Now, plan a fertility ritual for your garden.
Bury an Ostara egg in the east corner of your garden, or one egg for each direction, or dig an entire circle for them (depends on how much you hate egg-salad-- for me -->not my favorite).

Here are some traditional symbols used on eggs.

Geometrical
Circles: Protection, everlasting life, continuity, completeness. The Sun, and cycles of life.
Suns: The life-giving, all embracing nature of God, especially as the Sun is seen as the God. Fire and warmth, enchantment, prosperity, good fortune. It is the most ancient and significant symbol, appearing on almost every Ukrainian egg, from a small circle or dot to an elaborate many-rayed affair.
Dots: Usually represent stars or the Tears of Mary. Also can be the Sun.
Curls: Protection.Spirals: Mystery of life and death, divinity and immortality.
Crosses: These are usually equal-armed crosses, though not always. Represents the four directions, the four ages of man, the four elements, rebirth and eternal life.

Plants
Plants: Rebirth and nature. Very popular symbols.
Trees: Strength, renewal, creation, organic unity, growth, eternal life.
Leaves: Immortality, eternal or pure love, strength, persistence.
Flowers: Beauty, children, female principles of wisdom and elegance.
Fruit: Continuity, good fellowship, strong and loyal love, love of the Divine.
Sunflowers: Motherhood, life, love of the Divine.
Wheat: Bountiful harvest.
Stars and Roses: Popular symbols for purity, life, giver of light, the eye of God, the God's love for humanity. Also success, knowledge, beauty, elegance, and perfection.

Animals
Stags: Leadership, victory, joy, masculinity.Horses: Wealth, prosperity, endurance, speed and the motion of the Sun.
Rams: Leadership, strength, dignity, perseverance. Ram's horns symbolize strong leadership, dignity, and perseverance.
Horns: Mobility, wisdom, triumph over problems, and implies manhood and leadership.
Bear paws: A guardian spirit, bravery, wisdom, strength, endurance, the coming of spring.
Birds: All kinds, are messengers of the Sun and heavens, pushing away evil, fertility, fulfillment of wishes, good harvest.
Butterflies: Ascent of the soul, pleasure and frivolity of childhood.
Spiders: Patience, artistry, industry, healing and good fortune.

Colors
White: Purity, birth, virginity, and ignorance. Historically, a young child would receive eggs with lots of white.
Yellow: Youth, light, purity, happiness, and wisdom.
Red: The most widely used color, for passion, love, enthusiasm.
Orange: Endurance, strength, power.
Green: Renewal, freshness, hope, victory of life over death.
Brown: Earth.
Blue: Sky, good health derived from air.
Purple: Patience, trust, power.
Black: Remembrance, eternity, constancy, death.
A black and white combination indicates protection from evil and respect for the dead.
Black with red connotes ignorance arising from passion.

Céad Míle Fáilte

One hundred thousand welcomes

("Happy St. Patrick's Day!")

Fun Beer Facts

• 
  About 4000 years ago, it was the accepted practice in Babylonia that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer, and because their calender was lunar based, this period was called the "honey month" or what we know to day as the "Honey moon"




• 
  
  
  
  Before invention of the thermometer, brewers used to check the temperature by dipping their thumb, to find whether appropriate for adding Yeast. Too hot, the yeast would die. This is where we get the phrase " The Rule of the Thumb"




• 
  
  
  
  In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts. So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender used to yell at them to mind their own pints and quarts and settle down. From where we get "mind your own P's and Q's".




• 
  
  
  
  After consuming a vibrant brew called Aul or Ale, the Vikings would go fearlessly to the battlefield, without their armour, or even their shirts. The "Berserk" means "bear shirt" in norse, and eventually to the meaning of wild battles.




• 
  
  
  
  Way down in 1740, the Admiral Veron of the British fleet decided to water down the navy's rum, which naturally, the sailors weren't pleased with. They nicknamed the Admiral Old Grog, after the still stiff grogram coats he used to wear. The term grog soon began to mean the watered down drink itself. When you are drunk on this this grog, you are "groggy", a word still in use.




• 
  
  
  
  Long ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim of their beer mugs or ceremic/glass cups. The whistle was used to order services. Thus we get the phrase, "wet your whistle".
  
  

Traditional irish Recipe's

Irish Roast Pork with Potato Stuffing

Serves 6 Preparation Time: 20 minutesCooking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients : 2 pounds pork tenderloin, or 6 to 8 boneless lean pork chops2 tablespoons butter2 tablespoons hard cider (apple wine) or waterstuffing (see below)salt and pepper
Preparation :
Make stuffing. Rub meat with salt, pepper and butter. Pour cider or water into 3 -quart casserole dish. Place meat along edges of dish. Place stuffing in center of pan. Cover loosely with foil and bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Stuffing
Ingredients : 4 1/2 cups Gold Potatoes or Butter Red Potatoes, coarsely mashed1/4 cup butter1 onion2 large cooking apples, chopped1 handful chopped fresh sage and thyme Salt and pepper
Preparation :
To potatoes, add butter, onion, apples, herbs, salt and pepper.Mix well.

Corned-Beef Dinner, Irish Style Ingredients :

3-4 lbs corned beef brisket 2 onions, sliced 2 garlic cloves,minced, 2 bay leaves, 6 whole cloves, 6 medium potatoes, pared 5 small carrots, pared 1 medium head of cabbage cut in 6 wedges.

Preparation :

Place corned beef in Dutch oven, and barely cover with hot water; add onion, garlic, cloves, and bay leaves. Cover and simmer (do not let boil) 1 hour per pound of meat, or till fork tender. Remove meat from liquid; add potatoes and carrots. . Cover; bring to boiling and cook 10 minutes. Then add cabbage wedges; continue cooking 20 minutes longer or till vegetables are done.

Spice Glaze: If you like, glaze the corned beef while vegetables cook. Spread fat side of meat lightly with prepared mustard. Then sprinkle with mixture of 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves. Place in shallow pan. Bake in moderate oven 350 degrees 15 to 20 minutes or till nicely glazed.

Irish Coffee
1 shot Irish Whiskey 1 tbsp Sugar 6 oz. Coffee Whipped Cream for garnish
Pre-warm a stemmed glass. Add the whiskey.Add the sugar and stir in the coffee.Float the whipped cream on top.Drink the coffee through the cream. Do not stir after adding the cream.

Poems

The Jig's Up

The leprechauns are laughing For their day is finally here
The legends and the folklore Seep through the atmosphere
The dancers are all ready An Irish jig is in the air
The walls of the pubs are bursting
There is not an empty chair
As the night becomes the morning,
The barman leads the song From Danny Boy to Irish Eyes The serenade goes on.
Then a husky voice is heard to sayMake this your final stein
For St. Patrick's day is over
At it's time Gentlemen it's time.


The Leprechaun

By Robert Dwyer Joyce (1830-83)

In a shady nook one moonlit night,A leprahaun I spied In scarlet coat and cap of green, A cruiskeen by his side.'Twas tick, tack, tick, his hammer went,

Upon a weeny shoe,And I laughed to think of a purse of gold, But the fairy was laughing too.With tip-toe step and beating heart, Quite softly I drew night.There was mischief in his merry face, A twinkle in his eye;He hammered and sang with tiny voice,And sipped the mountain dew; Oh! I laughed to think he was caught at last,

But the fairy was laughing, too.As quick as thought I grasped the elf,"Your fairy purse," I cried,"My purse?" said he, "'tis in her hand,That lady by your side."I turned to look, the elf was off, And what was I to do? Oh! I laughed to think what a fool I'd been, And, the fairy was laughing too.

What is a -->Leprechaun

Leprechauns are little make-believe fairies from Ireland.They are the little old men who are shoemakers for the fairies. They usually stand about 2 feet tall. Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker's hammer. The legend is that if you catch one you can force him to tell you where he hides his gold.

Puppy Update

Hi to all, Well believe it or not my puppies are six months old this month.. My gosh times flies! They are both very different, but very much the same... :-) Sunny he has taken on his role of the guardian--> herding his mom in and out of the house, and ever so watchful when I am outside.. He also likes reprimanding Kayla as she has a memory of convenience when it comes to --> the No NO things.. Sunny takes it upon himself to discipline her when he sees her misbehaving~~ :-) Really Funny to watch!!

Leash broke, potty trained, catching balls, and learning all the boundary's. Doing well with all that considering their age. Well that's the update.. They are loving the spring weather, and seeing all the birds ect.. Very intriguing to them especially the Canadian geese..

Sparkling spring raindrops

Bee

Irish Toasts

Beannachtam na Femle Padraig"(Happy St. Patrick's Day!)"

*~*

May the frost never afflict your spuds. May the leaves of your cabbage always be free from worms. May the crows never pick your haystack. If you inherit a donkey, may she be in foal.

*~*

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night

*~*

May the blessing of the rain be on you— the soft sweet rain. May it fall upon your spirit so that all the little flowers may spring up, and shed their sweetness on the air.
May the blessing of the great rains be on you, may they beat upon your spirit and wash it fair and clean, and leave there many a shining pool where the blue of heaven shines, and sometimes a star.

411 on Deathly Hallows Movie

Hi to all you Potter fans...

I just saw today the last Harry Potter ( Deathly Hallows) film is being made into a two part Movie .. First part comes out in 2010 the last 2011.. The filming started last September. I can not wait!! Just thought I would give you all the 411 on that!!!

Sparkling potions!!!

May all your wishs come true!!

Bee

Fae Folk

Hi to all, I love this history / Lore??

ENJOY!!

Bee

The Faery and the Celts - from hostility to mutual love

The subtitle for this topic is misleading, for the Faan (also called the Fae) in what is now France do not seem to have opposed the Celts. The Faan were a Mesopotamian people who had settled in the area during the fifth millennium, and the Celts were Caucasians from Scythia (see 'Origin of the Celts'). Evidence in the Marne valley shows that integration occurred at an early date, and Wales is still peopled by a Faan/Celtic mix, descendants of central European Celts who had moved north from what is now France around 500 B.C. The integrated people of Britain took the old Faan name of 'Prydaan', but they had many Celtic attributes.

*~*

The Gaels were looking at Ireland as early as 800 B.C. These people had not arrived via central Europe like their cousins in France, but had taken a Mediterranean route, picking up an Egyptian princess on their travels. They included among them descendants of a man named 'Black Mil', whose black hair must have been noticeable among his predominantly red haired neighbours. Mil's brother Ith travelled to the island on a reconnaissance mission. It had been settled by Athenians from Greece who were relatives of the Faan. The dominant people of their kind upon the island, they had adopted the Faan religion and (like the British Faan) called themselves 'extra Fae' or 'Fae Rhy' (Faery). However, they retained a Mediterranean aggression in defending their land. They killed Ith, thereby absolving the Gaels of any obligation to approach them diplomatically.

*~*

Incensed, the Gaels invaded. The Bronze Age Athenians were no match for Iron Age Caucasians in open battle. But during the carnage, something happened that filled the Gaels with remorse. A Faery queen named Eire, the only one of her kind to welcome Ith, had been killed. Sadly the conquerors named their new home 'Ileann Eireaan', the Island of Eire, and the Island of Eire it has been ever since.

*~*

Their rage against her people was unaffected, however, and the Gaels began to hunt down their vanquished foe. Fortunately, this savagery was halted when the fugitives dried up their cattle and ruined their land. A truce was declared. Some of the Faery who were part Briton decided to leave. They are called 'Lleuanaan', perhaps because of their Lleuaaniaid ancestry (see 'Arthur'). But the full blooded Athenians decided to stay. The Gaels promised to leave them alone if they lived as refugees in their chamber tombs. They must have lived more or less in hiding (or at least in avoidance of the Gaels) for fully eight centuries, because a peace was not made between the two peoples until around the time of Christ. Pookha rebels of the Faery preyed upon the Gaels at night. There must have been problems with Celts in Britain too, for the guerrilla war was fought on both islands.

*~*

The man who changed everything in Ireland was Cuchulainn. A descendant of the Faery king Lleu (see 'The United Kingdom') and son of a Gaelic princess who lived with the Faery, he was 'given' to the Gaels of Uillaid in the sense that it was it his geise (duty imposed by another's mention of the word) to defend them at any cost. Because he was a man of war, he forged a peace that will never end and a love that will never die. Because he was a Gael, he brought the Faery back into their own and created what Ireland is today.

*~*

In the north of Britain the last migration of Gaels arrived via Ireland, where they had taken wives from among the Scots, descendants of the aforementioned Egyptian princess. Some of this last migration (the Miathians) integrated with the Prydaan, while in the farthest northern reaches others (the Caledonians) integrated with the Atecotti ('very old ones'), the original inhabitants who had long ago been Volsungrs from Scandinavia. The combined people were called 'Picts' by the Romans and 'Cruithne' by the Scots. Both words mean 'painted', but a Roman account says that the paint was under the skin, i.e. tattooing.

*~*

Not long before the Roman empire occupied Britain, Belgic Celts (part Germanic and part central European Celt) invaded in the southeast, forcing the Faan/Celtic people westward, where they built fortresses on man made islands. The unintegrated Faan probably retreated into the forest and were saved when the Romans wiped out the Belgic Celts. The invaders reached Ireland, however, where they have been confused with the Fir Bolg (see 'The United Kingdom').

*~*

In the second century A.D. the Romans planned to invade Ireland. By this time the Ui Niall dynasty had become High Kings on the island, and the Scots of Dalriada in Ireland had journeyed to what is now called Scotland, to unite with the Picts and eventually take them over. The Romans were prevented from invading Ireland by the High King's personal army, led by the Volsungr hero Finn McCuill.

*~*

The Ui Nialls, who took over much of Ireland, swore in their High King with a ceremony that symbolized the peace between the Caucasians and the little people. During this ceremony, the High King stood with one foot upon the hide of a red bull and the other upon the Faery coronation stone, standing as a bridge uniting the two. The Gaels acknowledged the stone's geissidh to the king of Ireland, i.e. its significance as an expression of his geise to rule well, and it stood as a reminder to him, calling out to him in spirit. By this time the Faery were asking the Gaels for help with their own conflicts, and many people were of mixed descent. Amid all the advantages of peace, the Caucasians discovered that the two cultures were incompatible regarding one issue, and that was the institution of the geise. The Faery controlled themselves, not each other, and refused to be bound by this extreme measure, which had been necessitated by Caucasian warfare. For the first time the Gaels had to make a concession.

*~*

Converts from the wizards of the Faan were among the earliest Christians, and their Church dates from as early as 37 A.D. The teachings of Jesus greatly resembled those of the Zoroastrian magi; the wizards were the magi of the north, and may have been joined by some of the Ephraimite magi, who were Zoroastrians. The wizards' high council made the revolutionary decision to convert to Christianity. The entire organization of the wizardry became the administration of their Church, which was associated with the Coptic Church.

*~*

From its inception, the administrative network of the Roman Church was modelled upon that of the wizards, who had been influential in northern Italy, and this became powerful after the reign of Constantine. The Romans had never been coercive unless their political rule was opposed, at which time they slaughtered all rebels. They made a famous exception of Christianity, which they persecuted until they finally succumbed to its persuasion. I can only assume that the ex-wizards dominating the early Church were both discreet and tenacious. When the Roman Church triumphed after the death of Constantine, it did not adopt a rivalrous attitude toward the Coptics, for the two organizations genuinely shared a common cause in those days, which would not be corroded until the Roman Church was taken over by Goths in the fourth century A.D.

*~*

When the Celtic Druids opposed Christianity, monks of the wizard tradition became missionaries to the Celts. The most famous were St. Columba, St. Patrick and St. David. Their courage and dedication earned them undying love in the nations which they converted. When the Roman Church became Gothic, the wizards' network was adopted in Germanic nations where Faan society had been broken down. But when Franks took over the Roman Church, the inheritors of the wizard tradition would be replaced as the new rulers rejected Coptic influences.

Imagine Something Wonderful !!

Happy Words...

I Thought I would share a method I use sometimes to inspire myself and create.. I always light my favorite scented candle, and surround myself with the things I love the most. When I partake in my imagination exercises.. <---LOL

I do not know what else to call it???

Sparkles

Bee

Copy & paste this to your computer then print out this page and cut apart the words.

" I have put the words in short sentence form only to save space on this blog entry. The words are meant to be cut " individually" from each each sentence.." (It is easier to print this way to..)

Separate them by color.

Pick one pink, one blue, one yellow and one purple.

Make a sentence.

Close your eyes and imagine how it would look. How it would move? What colors it would be? Which is the biggest part? What do you like best?Add anything you like to the picture.

What happens next? Once you can see it clearly in your mind...the rest is easy.

Use it as inspiration for a story. Or a picture.

*~* What if pink friends dreamed wings

*~* What if bubbling places sent celebrations

*~* What if striped dreams caught stars

*~* What if happy friends floated love

*~* What if magical doors imagined rainbows

*~* What if glittering hearts wished love

*~* What if friendly magic wands smiled ladybugs

*~* What if pink days loved friends

*~* What if lucky doors opened treasures

*~* What if sparkling skies became nests

*~* What if happy songs treasured moons

*~* What if enchanted teacups sparkled glitter

*~* What if wishful love bubbled friends

*~* What if cozy porches painted laughs

*~* What if merry chairs sweetened trees

*~* What if shining ladies smiled wishes

*~* What if tiny thoughts made flowers

*~* What if wavy tables warmed thoughts

*~* What if small hearts became flowerbeds

*~* What if butterfly hearts dreamed teaparties

*~* What if blooming hands giggled wildflowers

*~* What if fuzzy dreams caught roses

*~* What if bubbly parasols loved doves

*~* What if purple wings lit night skies

*~* What if sweet stones hummed sparkles

*~* What if fuzzy blossoms hid hearts

*~* What if sparkling hearts dreamed butterflies

*~* What if lucky wishes painted rainbows

*~* What if wishing eyes treasured hearts

*~* What if little clocks cheered thoughts

*~* What if small gardens sprouted days

*~* What if friendly wildflowers guided friends

*~* What if laughing homes c olored pansies

*~* What if merry ladybugs imagined wings

*~* What if secret dreams became songs

*~* What if blooming times believed gardens

*~* What if wavy hearts sang friendship

Seeing Fairies in the Fairy garden

"No fairies", said my mother "There are no fairies, dear!" But, oh, I wish my mother Would stop with me to hear, The lily bells in evening chime, And see the dew drops gleam, And notice how the mosses bend With green weight near a stream. I wish she'd watch the grasses dance And see the flowers nod, And look at places tiny feet Have worn away in sod, And then, though she'd not seen them, I think she'd change her mind. It doesn't mean "no fairies" Because they're hard to find. "

HUMmmmmmm? I agree~

Yet myths and legends still endure in secretive corners of our society. One such vestige is found in our gardens. Legends of garden magic have been around for centuries, and still persist today despite the exponential knowledge we have gained. Perhaps it’s because our gardens are one of the last aspects of our lives that remain close to nature itself, relatively untouched by technology and science (or so we like to believe). It’s as though we want to believe there’s still some magic at work in our gardens.
For millennia there have been garden legends of malevolent and benevolent spirits that influence a garden's productivity, and even the health and welfare of the gardeners themselves. Ancient Slavic garden legends speak of Kikomora and Polodnuci who, if not appeased, would wreak havoc in the garden or on the fields. The Aztecs and Mayans feared the wrath of the garden gods and offered human sacrifices to appease them. On a more positive side, in Findhorn, Scotland, a community was established in the early 1960's (and still exists today) with the belief that the area was ripe with spirits called 'Deva'. If you did what the 'Deva' asked you would be blessed with gigantic produce. Pictures of these products actually exist, including 40 pound cabbages and the like. But was it supernatural assistance or good gardening practices that resulted in these phenomena?

So with that said .. Here is a fairy call to try;

Sit where the cat sits.
Cross your toes.
Close your eyes.
And smell a rose.

Then say under your breath:
"I believe in Fairies, sure as death.
Gadflykins! Gladtrypins!
Gutterpuss and Cass!
Come to me fairily
Each lad and lass!"
*~*

Much Sparkles

BEE

Lavender Lore

"Plant rosemary by the garden gate, plant lavender for luck"

Well Bee will adds a new saying;

"Were rosemary thrives women rule the roost!"

Lavender
· Where there is lavender there is great faerie activity. These faeries bring healing, protection and help to overcome emotional blocks.

In Ireland
· English lavender is a traditional herb often used in the bouquet. Also, it is common for the bride to braid her hair; this is considered a sacred way to retain female power and luck.

Irish Lavender
· Is a striking plant forming colorful purple patches on the landscape of the Irish countryside.

England's oldest lavender farm
· Has nearly 100 acres of lavender, an essential oil distillery, fragrant, herb and riverside gardens, gift and plant shops and tearoom. Admission is free. Minibus trips to see harvest in July/August.

· Possibly because of its mentions in the Bible, lavender was said to be a charm against the devil. Lavender flowers bound into the shape of a cross were hung on doorways to deter evil spirits and in Ireland, brides wore lavender garters to protect them from witchcraft.

· It was also thought that rubbing yourself with lavender oil would attract a suitor, although, ironically, anointing oneself with lavender was also supposed to protect one's chastity and deter a suitor with dishonorable intentions. Perhaps only the right sort of person is attracted by the scent of lavender!

· Lavender is indigenous to the mountainous regions of the western Mediterranean but was thought to be first domesticated by the Arabians, then spread across Europe from Greece and was probably taken to England by the Romans.

· Lavender was a familiar plant in English gardens in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In 1653, Nicholas Culpeper (The Compleat Herbal) went so far as to write, "Being an inhabitant almost in every garden, it is so well known, that it needs no description." Fifty-six years earlier, John Gerard had described three "Lavander Spikes" and three "French Lavanders" or "Stickeadoves" in The Herbal.

· Stickeadove or Sticadove was the Middle English common name for French lavender (Lavandula stoechas Linnaeus). The Romans used many kinds of lavender including a particular lavender growing in the Stoechades [ste ka' des], islands now known as Îles d'Hyères. The French lavenders were called by Gerard, Stoechas, but the Roman name of the islands, and hence the herb, remained among the "simple people" as stickeadove.

· According to Mrs. Grieve (1931), by the Middle Ages, the plants were associated with St. John and branches were tossed onto bonfires on St. John's day (June 24th) to drive away "evil spirits" that may be abroad. Sprigs of lavender were a strewing herb in churches and in homes. It was sold in bunches by street vendors and placed in linen closets. Lavender was burned in sick rooms to clean the air; the powerful fragrance covered a multitude of 'sins'. Strangely, no one is certain when lavender cultivation began in England; the plants cannot survive in cold, damp climates without human intervention.

· Lavender changed our language; the roots go back to the Romans, particularly the Roman habit of washing, lavare, bathing, lavatio, and a Roman bath, lavabrum. Lavender, originally called spica for the flower spikes, was so generally associated with bathing that it became lavandula, the name retained in New Latin for the generic designation.

· According to the 1889 Century Unabridged Dictionary, in Middle English (12th to 15th centuries), washer women were called lavanders or lavenders; to lavender meant to launder, and lavatories were stone-floored rooms for washing clothes. Lavender, the plant, went along to keep the fabrics fresh-smelling (and probably to keep insects out). Gerard, living at the end of the Middle Ages, actually spelled lavender as lauander.

· Sometime after the Romans invaded Britannia (England) in 54 BCE, they discovered a hot spring and in succeeding years built a temple and bath complex with the sacred spring at its heart. There is no archaeological evidence the Romans ever cultivated lavender there, but as they imported olive oil, they may have also imported lavender.

Folklore
· Plant lavender around your house to keep away bad luck/evil spirits.Spouses who place lavender flowers between their bed sheets will never quarrel.
· Lavender will help you sleep.
· Lavender is an embalming fluid and a remedy for the plague…
· Lavender will cure insanity, an aching back, is an antiseptic, and heals wounds more quickly…
· Lavender is an aphrodisiac!
· Lavender will keep the moths away.