Wild Goddess Magick
Witchology Magazine History & Magick of the First Harvest
Lugnasadh
The Beginning of the Harvest Season
4MEDITATIONS
Magick Under the
Magickal Practices for your Spiritual
Honoring the Goddess
TO MANAGE MENTAL ILLNESS
& Physical Health
Corn Moon
Demeter
Lughnasadh is a time to begin reaping what
you've sown throughout the past few months in preparation for winter.
EDITORIAL Ambrosia Hawthorn, Editor Maya LeMaitre, Copy Editor WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Stefanina Baker, Miss Wondersmith, Monica Crosson, Jamie Della, Mike Sexton, Jennie Sharples, Jessica Marie Baumgartner, Karla Freeling, Lightworker Astrology, . ART & PHOTOS Cover: Lightworker Astrology Illustrations: Tiffansosa.art stock.adobe.com All other photos are from free stock sources or from contributors. SALES & SUBMISSIONS admin@wildgoddessmagick.com www.wildgoddessmagick.com/ magazine/advertising
W
elcome!
“These words herein are from me to you, each picture, thought, and quote we imbue. This issue reflects the knowledge I have to share, use each spell, ritual, and work with care.” August brings us the perfect time to connect with the harvest season. It’s
a time to recognize how much we depend on the earth to sustain us. We
see this in markets, grocery stores, and farm stalls every single day. It’s a great time to show gratitude for what the earth provides.
Within these pages, you’ll find what’s new this season, interviews with
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the creators of the Herbcraft Tarot and author of Making Magic, Corn
Copyright © 2019 by Wild Goddess Magick. All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Magazine is intended for ages 18 and up.
But that’s not all! This is also the season to focus on spiritual and
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Please also note, we cannot guarantee any outcomes from the content of
The opinions expressed in our published works are those of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of Witchology Magazine or Wild Goddess Magick. Wild Goddess Magick assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
Moon magick, fire ritual, and Lughnasadh magick- happenings, crafts, creations, and recipes to elevate your practice.
physical health, so we have some very special articles and meditations on this topic.
this magazine, but please don't give up on the magick within you! Blessed be witches,
Ambrosia Hawthorn
Wild Goddess Magick
Witchology Magazine
Cover by Lightworker Astrology
Our Writers & Contributors Ambrosia Hawthorn Editor Ambrosia is a writer, card slinger, and an eclectic witch. She found her practice at a young age and still balances being a witch and being discreet. She also has a witchcraft blog. Her goal is to provide modern content to every kind of witch! www.witchologymagazine.com @witchologymag @witchologymag @wgmagick admin@wildgoddessmagick.com
Miss Wondersmith Spreading wonder through writing about everyday magick to enhance our connections to ourselves, our community, and the glorious natural world of the Holly Charles Pacific Northwest. Tarot Spread Creator www.thewondersmith.com @misswondersmith Holly is a modern day mystic, a holistic and Ayurvedic therapist, an eclectic @thewondersmith patreon: thewondersmith witch, medium, and spiritual development specialist. She helps people on a misswondersmith@gmail.com spiritual path to find balance and restore harmony in order to become the truest and brightest version of themselves. Monica Crosson www.hollysholistichealing.co.uk @holistic_holly Monica is a contributing writer for Llewellyn Worldwide and Faerie Magazine, @hollysholistichealing @holisticholly weaving magick in beautiful Pacific Northwest Washington. She is the author of holistichollymoderndaymystic@gmail.com The Magickal Family: Pagan Living in Harmony with Nature. Published by Llewellyn Worldwide. www.monicacrosson.com @monicacrosson @themagickalfamily @monicacrosson1 tangle-wood@hotmail.com
Mike Sexton Mike is an eclectic solitary Wiccan practitioner with strong knowledge in kitchen and hedge witchery as well as crystals and many other areas. Mike has been practicing for many years and is also an author of On Your Wiccan Way: Learning to Build Your Wiccan Path www.mikesextonstudio.com/bitomagick.html @mike.sexton.547 @mwsstudio mwsexton77@gmail.com @artistmikes
Stefanina Baker Stefanina is a psychic, Tarot reader, and eclectic witch based out of Wilmington, Nicole Dunn Delaware. She has been a practicing witch since she received her first Tarot deck Contributing Writer at 13. She practices folk magick, enjoys performing fire rituals, and mixing Nicole has been a practicing witch her entire life. She loves all things natural potions and elixirs. and www.readingsandrituals.com believes in the ways of the universe. She owns and operates a shop online @readingsandrituals for all things witchy. @readingsandrituals readingsandrituals@gmail.com www.etsy.com/shop/thewitcheshaven @thewitcheshaven @thewitcheshavenn @havenwitches mimstheword.91@gmail.com
Our Writers & Contributors Jessica Marie Baumgartner Jessica is a Wiccan mother of three, whose Pagan children’s books about diversity and acceptance have received critical acclaim and multiple awards. She has written for, The St. Louis Post Dispatch, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Circle Magazine, The Witches’ Voice, and has placed an article in an upcoming issue of SageWoman. Amazon @jessicamariebaumgartner @jessicamariebaumgartner @jessmbaum jessicamariebaumgartner@protonmail.com
Holly Charles Tarot Spread Creator
Jennie Sharples
Jennie has been a witchy writer, and psychic for many years.and Spirituality, Hollyhealer, is a modern day mystic, a holistic Ayurvedic therapist, an eclectic medium, and spiritual specialist. love, nature, animals, sex, witch, food, emotions, poetry, herbs,development stories, energy, spells, She helps people on a spiritual pathand to all findthings balance and restore in order to become the truest her familiar Gizmo, healing are herharmony inspiration. and brightest version of themselves. www.etsy.com/shop/AutumnEnchantments Magicalthings11.blogspot.com/ @jenniferksharples www.hollysholistichealing.co.uk @holistic_holly jensharples11@gmail.com @jensharples @hollysholistichealing @holisticholly @JenSharples11 holistichollymoderndaymystic@gmail.com
Karla Freeling Karla is a devout Pagan witch and a working mother in the military. Her passion is to create one of a kind florals and crystals that pay homage to the Gods. www.wiccanology.etsy.com @wiccanology wiccanology@yahoo.com
Jamie Della Jamie is a hearth witch, potter, Priestess, sacred hostess, and author of nine books including The Wicca Cookbook, The Teen Spell Book, and forthcoming The Book of Spells: The Magick of Witchcraft on sale October 1. Nicole Dunn www.jamiedella.com Contributing Writer @Jamiedella1223 @Jamiedellawrites Nicole has been a practicing witch her entire life. She loves all things natural jamiedella1223@gmail.com @bksideofwind and believes in the ways of the universe. She owns and operates a shop online for all things witchy. www.etsy.com/shop/thewitcheshaven @thewitcheshaven @thewitcheshavenn @havenwitches mimstheword.91@gmail.com
AUGUST 8 What’s New in the Witchy Community 9 August Magickal Workings 10 August Must-haves 14 Interview the Creators of the Herbcraft Tarot 17 Corn Moon Tarot Spread 32 August Astrology Forecast 34 Interview with Author of Making Magic 55 Witchy Shops Directory
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ARTICLES & LORE
12 Lughnasadh- Time for the First Harvest 18 Creating an Altar for Lughnasadh 20 Spiritual and Physical Health 30 The Corn Moon 44 Honoring Demeter During the Harvest Season
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CORRESPONDENCES 11 41 43 45
Lughnasadh Herb: Wild Bergamot Crystal: Yellow Topaz Goddess Demeter
MAGICK LEARNING
23 Meditations to Manage Mental Illness 36 Spellcrafting with Intention 39 Fire Ritual for Lammas 53 51
30 34
CRAFTS
27 Celebrating the First Fruits with a Corn Dolly 47 Magickal Wheat Weaving
FEASTING
49 A Cup of Autumn Magick 51 Basic Harvest Bread 53 Goldenrod Cornbread
What’s New in the
Witchy Community
Want to know what’s happening in the Pagan community? Well, we’ve searched high and low to bring you the latest products, books, and more.
Fairytale Gatherings
Making Magic: Weaving Together the Everyday and the Extraordinary By Brianna Suassy With Making Magic, expert teacher Briana Saussy invites you to discover a practice of magic that will bring a new depth and power to each moment, act, and choice of your life. Through teaching stories, wisdom from a wide variety of world traditions, and no-nonsense practices you can easily weave into your daily routine, Briana will help you reconnect with the wild and creative force of magic that is always around and within you, waiting for you to remember. Now available on Brianasaussy.com
By Miss Wondersmith Part sketchbook and part portfolio, you’ll feel as if you’re peering over her shoulder to watch all of the components come together before your eyes. This would be a great resource for party planners or event coordinators of any faith background as her approach is not tied to any specific spiritual or religious traditions. It’s an especially helpful resource when considering the need to plan for an a typical event such as a non-traditional wedding ceremony, pet memorial, or full moon celebration. Finally, it’s a fun dive into the imagination of a woman who thinks decidedly outside the box. 60+ pages of magic await you. Now available on Amazon and Thewondersmith.com
Wicca:A Modern Practitioner’s Guide By Arin Murphy-Hiscock
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Wicca:A Modern Practitioner’s Guide takes you beyond the trendy witchy basics to the deeper roots the practice, with explanations of the traditions, beliefs, and rituals that make up the wiccan religion. Learn about Solitary Wicca, which teaches you how to practice wicca and goes beyond the “how” of different practices to explore the “why”: for example, when should you create a sacred space rather than cast a circle? How and why do you purify yourself before a ritual? For those who seek them, Wicca has all the answers. Released on August 13, 2019 on Amazon.
AUGUST MAGICKAL WORKINGS August, called initially, Sextilis by the Romans, was
later named Augustus in honor of Augustus Caesar. This was the season of celebrating the harvest across the world. August 1st is the Pagan celebration and the first feast of
the season, Lughnasadh (pronounced LOO-nah-sah) or Old
English, Lammas meaning “Loaf Mass.� Some may choose to celebrate Old Lammas on the 5th or 6th or even
astrologically when the Sun reaches 15 degrees in Leo.
This falls on Wednesday, August 7th at 19:13 UTC. August is an excellent time to focus on magick of abundance, growth, protection, and gratitude.
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Lithasblót- Natural Perfume $24.23 ValasEnchanted
Lammas Herbal Blend $10.99 TheShabbyWitch
AUGUST Must-haves
Lughnasadh Altar Set
CrimsonSageApoth
Our favorites for this month!
Lammas Corn Doll $16.99 FoxHuffDesigns
Lughnasadh Decor $32.38 EsuLaume
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$44.95
Lughnasadh August 1-2
Focus: Gratitude, abundance, blessings, harvest, and reflection. Magickal Workings: Spells for prosperity, gratitude, abundance, strength, growth, and protection. Deities: Lugh, Corn Mother, Vulcan, Dagon, Ceres/Demeter, Isis, Dana, Tammuz, Seelu, and Tailltiu. Colors: Yellow, gold, orange, light brown, bronze, and green. Herbs: Lavender, marigold, heather, peony, sunflower, poppies, rose, aster, goldenrod, clover, yarrow, vervain, myrtle, basil, apple blossoms, hops, grape vine, ivy, rosemary, reships, and blackthorn. Trees: Apple, hazelnut, holly, and oak. Crystals: Yellow aventurine, peridot, citrine, tiger’s eye, golden topaz, moss agate, obsidian, marble, and loadstone. Metals: Gold and brass. Animals: Lion, stag, eagle, dog, and squirrel. Oils and Incense: Cinnamon, apple, blackberry, marigold, and patchouli. Symbols: Corn dolly, rowan cross, cornucopia, pentacle, wheat stalks, sickle, scythe, barley, oats, candles, gourds, sun wheels, and cauldrons.
LughnasadhTime for the First Harvest By Mike Sexton We’ve reached the beginning of my favorite time of year. Lughnasadh holds a very special place in my heart because this was the first sabbat I officially celebrated when I finally, after years of going back and forth with myself on what was right for my path. This was also the day I decided to use for my self-dedication ceremony. Lugh, whom the sabbat is named after, is also my main God and so it’s an important time for me. This is also when you start seeing some autumn items showing up at stores, which brings lovely memories of crisp nights and mornings. Lughnasadh is also considered the first of three harvest festivals which includes this sabbat along with Mabon and of course, Samhain. Lughnasadh is a wonderful time to start giving thanks for the first harvest from your garden or to perhaps celebrate a less literal harvest of goals you planted earlier this year. Are your goals coming to fruition? Do you still need to do some work to make those goals you planted, a reality? This is the time to start taking stock of that so you can continue to work at reaching those goals and harvesting the benefits you will reap when those goals are met. Maybe you need a creative spark to get you to the finish line. Or perhaps you need a bit more water and sun to get those lovely vegetables, herbs, and fruits to keep growing, so you have enough to get you through the coming colder months. I like to consider Lughnasadh as a time to stop, sit back, and take in what I’ve done and what I still need to do.
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LughnasadhTime for the First Harvest By Mike Sexton
This is also an excellent time to perform rituals and spells to help with your career, finances, and connecting to a deity. The God Lugh is terrific to reach out to during this time of the year. I often take a moment during this sabbat to give thanks to Lugh for all he’s blessed me with throughout the year and the aid he’s given to me in my creative endeavors- including writing these articles that I’m blessed to have you all read monthly. I do a yearly ritual on Lughnasadh to have Lugh continue helping me with my creative endeavors because, as a professional artist, if those dry up, I’m sunk. I also thank him for the protection he’s provided because he is also associated with storm/ rain even though he also has solar connections. To honor Lugh, I like to create a vase full of colored rice because of the importance of the crop to the harvest. I dye a fraction of the rice in two different colors- red and orange to symbolize Lugh’s role in my life. I also make a lovely sunflower wreath that I hang in my living room for this festive time. There are many things you can do to celebrate Lughnasadh, including having a delicious meal with your loved ones with things that you’ve grown yourself. But if you don’t have your garden, an offering that you can do is to purchase items that are common during this time of the year and make a small plate for Lugh to enjoy. This offering shows him you care. I wish all of you a most blessed Lughnasadh. -Mike
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Interview with The Creators of The Herbcraft Tarot Deck
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Joanna and Latisha are joint creators in the published Herbcraft Tarot available on Amazon.
Can you tell us a little about your backgrounds? Joanna: I've been walking the path of Goddess Spirituality since the early 1980s, and am an artist, teacher, retreat host, and convener of circles. I teach e-courses and workshops around the country on earthcentered spirituality, seasonal practices, creativity as a devotional path, and using Tarot as a tool for inner guidance and self-exploration. I was honored to be named by SageWoman magazine as one of the Wisdom Keepers of the Goddess Spirituality Movement. I picked up my first Tarot deck in 1970 and started studying in earnest in the early 1980s. It has been a faithful tool for guidance and inner exploration ever since. Over nine years in the early 2000s, I devoted myself to developing the concept, art, and writing for the Gaian Tarot.
This deck combines my love of symbolic, archetypal art with the mysteries of the natural world. More recently, I spent three years quietly working on the Herbcrafter's Tarot with my co-creator Latisha. It is very much a daughter deck to the Gaian Tarot. It was published by US Games in June 2019 and is now making its way in the world. I live happily on the edge of woods and village near the shores of the Salish Sea in the Pacific Northwest, where you will often find me riding my bicycle and foraging for wild roses. Latisha: I was born a natural child of earth, and my parents fostered a deep love of nature since I was a girl. I learned about plant healing and small magics in the kitchen and the dirt from my grandmother, mother, and many tias before I knew what herbalism was.
Theirs was a casual kind of medicine mixed with everyday life: steaming teas, vinegar rose facials, olive oil on scrapes and ouchies. When my aunt Carrie decided to take a formal herbalism course, she took me along for the ride coming to my house and sharing her books and lessons with me. When I became pregnant, I found my people in the natural birth community and started teaching folk herbalism to the mamas in my area. Now my days are spent homeschooling and homesteading. My family and I currently live on a small property where we are building an enchanted food forest and herb'n learning sanctuary. I look forward to teaching herbcraft again when life becomes more spacious, but for now, I am happy harvesting tomatoes and examining owl pellets with my girls.
Interview with The Creators of The Herbcraft Tarot Deck
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What inspired you two to create The Herbcrafters Tarot? Joanna: I spent nine years creating my first deck, the Gaian Tarot. It's a naturebased deck, and while I was creating it, I realized that I also longed to create a deck centered solely on the magic and medicine of plants. I tended an herb garden but knew I did not have the expertise to develop an herbal deck all on my own. I kept my ears and eyes open for years, looking for the just-right person to be my partner. I met Latisha when I was invited to a Fire Cider Making party on her land, and we ended up becoming great friends. The idea for an herb-centered deck continued to grow in my heart, and one day in the spring of 2014, I just knew that Latisha would be the perfect collaborator. So I asked her, and she said yes! Creating the deck together was a truly enjoyable experience. We married her herbal wisdom to my tarot knowledge, and we are very pleased with the result. Who is this Tarot created for? The HerbCrafter's Tarot will appeal to people walking an 16
earth-centered path, from witchy-types who practice mystical magic to gardeners who make kitchen magic. Herbalists, wildcrafters, community healers, nutritionists, naturalists, homesteaders, mothers, and folks interested in a natural lifestyle will be drawn to the HerbCrafter's Tarot, as well as Tarot readers who love Joanna's Gaian Tarot. Is there anything else you would like share? Latisha: The Herbcrafter's Tarot is an apothecary of simples: easy and accessible remedies that build connection and community. Medicine comes in many forms; observing, making, gifting, resting. Plants open our sensory awareness, increase our capacity for generosity, and connect us to the greater
web. Tarot gives us a framework to ground these experiences in stories and ancient symbolism our body deeply knows. At the crossroads of Tarot and herbcraft is a synergy that supports a generative, creative, reciprocal approach to life. The Herbcrafter's Tarot is just one companion on this journey of the soul. My greatest hope for the deck is that it acts as an invitation to meet your own magic. How can our readers connect with you both? Herbcrafterstarot.com Joanna: Gaiansoul.com IG: @joannapcolbert FB: @joannapowellcolbertartist Latisha: Herbmother.com IG: @herbmother
Interview with The Creators of The Herbcraft Tarot Deck
Corn Moon Tarot Spread Working alongside the Moon cycles by setting intentions at the new moon and releasing and
letting go at the Full Moon is such a powerful way to align with the Universe and your goals. The Corn Moon is perfect for evaluating and focusing on what you have in your life
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3
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1. What is ripe and abundant in my life right now? 2. What needs nurturing for growth in my life? 3. What needs more time to flourish? 4. How might I share my abundance with others? 5. What seeds do I need to sow for a later harvest?
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Creating an Altar for Lughnasadh By Karla Freeling
One of my favorite books about earth-centered religions is Paganism by Joyce and River Higginbotham. This book talks about the interconnectedness and blessedness that Paganism and most spiritual faiths teach. It discusses the interconnectedness of all parts of the universe and the inherent rightness or blessedness of the universe and human nature. It is with this concept that I create my altars for my three favorite sabbats; Lughnasadh, Mabon, and Samhain. Every year, as I create my altars for these three harvest festivals, I create them in a way that keeps them all connected. This could be by continuing using the same crystals, decorations, or arrangements for all three. In the past, I have used my mosaic quartz tower as a connector. This tower brings joy and harmony to the environment. It is also used to increase the energy of other crystals and stones, making it the 18
perfect addition to any altar. So how can you create your own Lughnasadh altar? First, please keep in mind that altar styles vary from person to person and that no one concept of what an altar should be is right or wrong. Everyone has their own views, and as such, they should all be respected. With that being said, below are some of the things I personally like to use on my altar. Crystals: There are a lot of crystals that are usually associated with Lughnasadh. I personally use citrine (to enhance creativity), moss agate (for abundance and selfesteem), peridot (for understanding and cleansing), and of course clear quartz (to amplify the properties of its surrounding crystals). Arrangement: One of my favorite things to do is to create my own arrangements. This year I will be displaying my version of the midsummer bonfires arrangement I
created last month. Bonfires were once known to ward off evil spirits and were believed to have special healing properties (this will work wonders when I transition to my Samhain altar). In the past, I have also displayed sunflowers and dried wheat. Fresh Fruit/Grains: I usually use these as an offering to the goddess, Demeter. Since there are a lot of crops that are perfect for the picking this time of year, I use this time to pray for a good and bountiful harvest by sending good energy to all the farms and their workers. Candles: Ceremonial candles are a must in any of my altars. I usually have candles that have been hand-poured by me or those I trust. I don’t have a specific way I set things. But I know that if you follow your heart, spirit, and mind while doing whatever feels natural, you will create the perfect sacred space for you and your family.
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Spiritual and Physical Health As a witch, taking care of your spiritual as well as your physical health are both essential undertakings that should not be neglected.
All too often, we push our own health and wellbeing to the side in favor of being there for other people - as mothers/fathers, sisters/brothers, children, coven members, etc. However, it can be extremely dangerous on both levels to let yourself be drained down. Below are a few easy ways to monitor both of these facets of your whole that can be incorporated into your life immediately. One of the best places to combine caring for both your spiritual and physical health is in the kitchen. Being fully aware of the impact of the things you choose to put into your body is extremely important, as we all become what we eat in the end.
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foods grown in your garden, or locally from people you trust. Minimize the amount of meat you consume, and make sure what you do consume is from ethical sources. Another way to combine caring for all facets of your health is in the bathroom. Taking regular, cleansing baths are a great way to wash free of both your spiritual and physical debris.
Eating a healthy diet made mostly from simple, organic products, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, is essential.
Simply add salt to your bath water to purify and cleanse yourself and soak your aches away at the same time. You can easily turn this into a regular ritual, performing these cleansing baths once a week. They can also be easily changed to focus on certain things you hope to attractlove, money, happiness, health - with the addition of different oils and herbs.
Turn cooking into its own magickal time, focusing on the ingredients both on their own and how they make a single dish. Eat
A more modern way to take care of your health is to monitor the way that you approach social media.
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With the abundance of ways that social media can insert itself into your life, it is important to be aware of its impact on your mind (which, in turn, affects your body). We are all connected nearly constantly, and many of those websites can become very toxic. Remind yourself to not engage with the negativity and, if possible, take regular social media breaks to rest and rejuvenate your body and spirit.
Taking care of both your spiritual and your physical health doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking. Making small changes - being more aware of what you’re putting into your body (both physically and spiritually), taking regular cleansing baths, and monitoring the way you connect with the world - can keep you happy and healthy for many years to come! Blessed be! Cunningham, Scott. The Magical Household
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Meditations to manage mental illness By Jessica Marie Baumgartner Depression. Bipolar. Schizophrenia. These are common ailments that many people suffer from. I was diagnosed with bipolar at sixteen years old. The quick fix was said to be a lithium prescription, but I had just survived trying to kill myself by swallowing a bottle of pills, and so that was not the right remedy for me.
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No matter how a person is dosed, diagnosed, or seeks out help for their mental issues, there are simple meditations that can offer aid. Everyone is different, and their regiments must suit their individual needs. But what if a simple fiveminute ritual could help a person through their day? Meditation is the ultimate ritual. It is an art. It allows us to take time to be in our own head and sort through everything cluttering the mind. There is no one-way
fix-all elixir, but this ancient practice offers easy techniques to help people better manage their mental state. Breathing Meditation “Take a deep breath.” Is there anything more annoying than when someone says that to a person who is having a mental breakdown? It's like: Thanks, I had no idea it was that easy. Insert sarcasm here. But getting oxygen to the brain does help us control ourselves. Instead of waiting until a full episode to erupt, starting a breathing meditation routine will offer the stability and comfort needed to maintain emotional health. Step 1: Get comfortable. Sit, stand, or lay down on the floor. This is best down when waking and before bed. Step two: Place hands on the stomach to really feel the movement.
Step Three: Breath in slow and deep enough to push hands up as far as possible. Step four: Exhale, slow and easy. Step five: With each breath, imagine breathing in positivity and pushing out negativity. Focus on the good things wanted in life when inhaling. Visualize banishing the things that aren’t wanted when breathing out. How does this aid mental health? It gives people with bipolar more balance. It softens the blow of depression by setting realistic expectations and acknowledging the good along with the bad of life. It helps people with PTSD and schizophrenia more control over their lives and their situations. Mirror Meditation “Mirror, Mirror, on the wall.” It’s never a good idea to use mirror magick to harm others, but despite the storybook connotations 23
it can be a source of light and love. We often walk through life, comparing ourselves to others. We spend more time looking at what we don’t have than what we do. Mirror meditations gift us with the power to change that. Step 1: Find a mirror. Whether the plain old bathroom mirror or a fancy looking glass found at an antique store, finding a favorite place to look is important. Step 2: Get used to praise. Stand before the image. Look for at least three things to like outside and in. We often rush before mirrors scrutinizing ourselves. This is not the time for that. It is time to stop criticizing and be proud. Step 3: Say something nice. Even just a simple, “Have a good day,” or “Go get ‘em,” can have more of an influence that anyone thinks. Step 4: Keep the best image in mind. How does this aid mental health? 24
This shows bipolar people that even when they have down days, they are still valuable to this world. It will help individuals suffering from depression to see that even through their pain, they can live a healthy life. People with schizophrenia may find it challenging, but it addresses them directly so they can feel whole even if for a moment. Most importantly, this practice gifts patients of PTSD courage. The courage to rebuild trust with the outside world, however long that takes. Daily Affirmation Sleep is essential to all of us. Without it, we become jittery, frustrated, more impulsive (and not usually in a good way). An untended brain leads to anxiety and insomnia. My favorite way to combat this is by talking about the worst part of my day, to get it out, and then discuss the best part of my day. This can be a solitary practice or one shared with close friends or family members. No matter how
Meditations to manage mental illness
it is done, it reminds us that even though we struggle sometimes, there are also moments of joy waiting for us. Step 1: Get tucked into bed. Step 2: Breathed deep and think about all the experiences of the day. Step 3: Bring up the worst part and don’t be afraid to talk about its effects: thoughts, hopes, fears. Express them all. Step 4: Give time to cry, scream, laugh, or cope as needed. Step 5: When ready, breathe deep and talk about the best part of the day. Even the worst 24 hours of our lives hold at least one right moment, no matter how small it is. Grab onto its memory and talk about it. Discuss why it’s important, what made it so good. Step 6: Let this new positive memory stay. Don’t be afraid to let it blossom into hope for the future.
Step 7: Try to sleep with the sensation of happiness. How does this aid mental health? Exploring both the rough patches and good times appeals to the nature of bipolar. It defines the ups and downs of our life without condemning us. This also gives anyone with depression and anxiety a moment to relax. It may not last forever, but even just a minute or five, or twenty, will lower blood pressure and offer peaceof-mind. People with schizophrenia will still need other care, but this helps them to try and distinguish reality and see it as it is. People living with PTSD may regain a sense of relief knowing that they made it through another day with even a high point. Nature Meditation Taking a break from modern society is sometimes the best medicine. It’s easy to get caught up in our overpopulated world, especially when faced continuously with technology, the internet,
and numerous media images displayed everywhere. There are countless parks across the globe where anyone can escape the pressure. Just a short trip to a state park or a local public forest hosts enough serenity to ward off imbalances. Step 1: Explore the area. Go online and search for good places to visit, call around, or even just drive to a community center that will have information. Step 2: Plan the trip as much as needed. Some of us like to wing it; others prefer detailed itineraries. Going for an hour or a weekend is optional. Step 3: Prepare for the excursion. Bring water and snacks or meals as needed. Make sure to dress for the occasion. Step 4: Go on the adventure. Get away and have some fun. Step 5: Be careful, but don’t hesitate to try new things. Walk different paths. Explore the wilderness as far as you want.
Step 6: Record it if possible. Whether in memory, on paper, through photography, or however, try to catalog the experience so it can be revisited. How does this aid mental health? Mood swings lessen for among the trees. It has been proven that just being near wooded areas lower’s blood pressure and clears the mind. Many people forget to think about being depressed, anxious, angry, or scared when gazing at the endless expanses of life. Forests, beaches, and parks always host a larger picture. Filled with life and vigor, it reconnects us to our instincts. These meditations offer simple rules that even the least developed minds can understand; that is what makes them so powerful. They provide a greater sense of purpose and help people to find comfort in their existence and let them feel whole as they are.
Meditations to manage mental illness
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Celebrating the First Fruits With a Corn Dolly By Monica Crosson
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As we celebrate this sabbat, we must remember the earth goddess in her guise as Demeter. She is the harvest queen and corn mother.
For our European ancestors, the word "corn" was synonymous with the word "grain," and grain is life. The extreme importance of grain (or corn) is seen in the folk customs and ballads connected to harvest time. The first cuttings were often made into bread, beer, or saved for seed, to ensure the continuance of life. The last sheaf was typically made into a corn dolly. The corn dolly (roughly meaning grain idol) represented the spirit of vegetation and was ritually placed above the hearth or the entrance as a symbol of protection and abundance. It was then returned to the land when the first furrows were plowed into the still-cool spring soil- a symbol to remind us- that which dies is reborn. This is also illustrated through the ballad of "John
Barleycorn." A somewhat violent song (might be too scary to read to very young children) of English origin which tells the regenerative story of barley.
used as a badge of trade at hiring fairs. If you were a shepherd, you would plait wool into your dolly or a carpenter, a bit of wood would be added.
I have to say, I've always loved this old ballad and read it freely to my boys at Lughnasadh who thought the cutting and thrashing of poor old John Barleycorn was pretty cool.
They were also given to friends and neighbors as gifts around the harvest to ensure luck for the community and as love tokens from potential suitors.
Their favorite line, "John Barleycorn must die!" In the end, John Barleycorn does not die, of course. He is harrowed in again spring after spring, where he grows thick and strong continuing his yearly sacrifice for our nourishment. Corn Dolly Corn dollies represented the spirit of vegetation and were often hung above the hearth or entrance for protection and abundance. Later, they were
Corn dollies are made from sheaves of wheat, barley, rye, or oat straw plaited (braided) into intricate shapes. Many of the examples we have now are British in origin, and that is reflected in the names of the designs. Some of the most beautiful include The Stafford Knot, Essex Terret, and the Yorkshire Spiral. I have included directions for a corn dolly that is a little more kid-friendly, but, hopefully, keeps the essence of the art alive.
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To create a corn dolly, you will need: A package of raffia 3-5 stalks of grain (wheat, rye, barley or oats) per dolly Note: Stalks can be obtained from a farmer's field or bought at a craft store or online. If we are unable to acquire wheat stalks from a neighbor, we typically use stalks of field grass that have a nice seed head. Because it's not cool to plow field grass or grain into your vegetable or flower garden bed in the spring, we bury ours in the compost at Ostara.
Second: Use more raffia to create a head and the top layer of the skirt. You will do this by looping raffia over your bundle of straw and tying it securely. Leave a nice loop at the top. This creates the head and allows the remaining raffia to hang freely over the stalks of grain. Third: Braid pieces of raffia and tie around your dolly for arms. You could also braid raffia for hair. There you go! You can hang her up for protection and abundance, or put her to bed until spring.
First: The seed heads of grain will comprise the bottom of the skirt, so take the stalks and bundle them in a way as the seed heads lay attractively. Trim to the desired length and tie off at the top with a piece of raffia.
Celebrating the First Fruits With a Corn Dolly
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August’s Moon IS THE CORN MOON
The CORN Moon August’s Full Moon is also called the Barley Moon, Sturgeon Moon, Blueberry Moon, and Harvest Moon. The energies flowing through this month are gathering, appreciating, health, friendships, and vitality. The Corn Moon carries on the associations of grain and rebirth similarly to Lughnasadh. If you have a garden, it’s probably blooming with tomatoes, onions, and herbs just waiting to be picked. Focus on what you have in your life, that can be gathered, collected, and stored for later. This month marks the first harvest of the season. It’s the perfect time to begin baking, cooking, crafting, and blessing magick. Spells for this full moon should focus on sharing and wishing for abundance. For the northern hemisphere, the nights are beginning to grow longer, but it’s still warm out, so get outside when you can, and take advantage of the growing darkness of the seasons. Take time during this month to focus on your spiritual and physical health. It’s the time to harvest what you can now to put aside for later use.
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August Astrology Forecast By Lightworker Astrology
August starts with Mercury having just ended the retrograde July 31st and triggering the July Lunar Eclipse, so we begin the month reeling from these events. On the 7th, we have a First Quarter Moon in Scorpio. The Moon is waxing from the darkness of the New to the light of the Full- it is a quarter of the way around the Earth. This is an actionoriented phase in the transformative sign of Scorpio. Mercury goes back into Leo August 11th, causing your creativity to soar. On the same day, Jupiter retrograde ends in Sagittarius and Uranus retrograde begins in Taurus. So that’s a jampacked day filled with change and maybe even confusion. Transiting Jupiter retrograde is a time of philosophical or spiritual introspection and reflection. So, once Jupiter stations direct, you should have come to terms with the relevant issues and be ready to leap ahead toward success and happiness. A Uranus retrograde, however, is a time of inner change in response to external changes in your life. What are you coming to terms with that now you need to fully change in response to? Don’t worry about making these changes now. Their planetary energy is so slow.
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August Let’s connect!
IG: @lightworkerastrology
The Full Moon on August 15th occurs in Aquarius so that we may be feeling a little rebellious around then, and the Full Moon is opposite Venus, so we may have to work a lot harder to get along and avoid overindulgence and unnecessary luxuries. The Last Quarter Moon in Gemini wanes towards the darkness of the New Moon. During this time, the Moon is halfway between Full and New and often points to a time of completing a journey. It is a time to empty yourself, release, and reflect on what you have learned from your experience in the lunar cycle. Then Virgo energy kicks in big later in the month with Mars entering on the 18th, Venus entering on the 21st, the Sun on the 23rd, and Mercury on the 29th, plus a new moon in Virgo on the 30th. Hello, #Virgoseason! It’s time to shake off this month’s earlier wonky energy and get back to business. We can be more practical, more detailed, and more hard-working. Throw aside anything that doesn’t fit and move forward.
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Interview with Briana Saussy
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Briana Saussy is a writer, teacher, spiritual counselor, and ritualist dedicated to the restoration and remembering of the sacred arts. She combines a practical and creative approach to spirituality that includes the riches of the perennial world religions, the contributions of modern psychology to the search for meaning, and the often overlooked bodies of wisdom contained in folk magic, divination, and storytelling practices. How did your practice begin? I was born into a family that is, as I like to say, half Catholic, half Baptist and all magical. So I was really born into a bunch of sacred arts practices including prayer and contemplation, making offerings for Holy Helpers, divination, dream interpretation, astrology, tarot, and active imagination work. These practices have grown and changed as I have, but they have always been with me. Your book is called Making Magic: Weaving Together the Everyday and the Extraordinary. Can you explain the book's title? One of the key points of my book is that magic is not something that we passively consume - it is something that we actively create - we make it. And the question then naturally becomes about what you need in order to make magic. We often think that we need exotic ingredients or a special outfit or a teacher who lives on the top of a sacred mountain somewhere - and while all of those things might be good and useful, none of them are necessary when it comes to making magic. This is because the extraordinary is not in some far off place but right here within and throughout our ordinary experiences. We are often taught that the realms of the extraordinary and every day are forever separated and mutually exclusive to one another. Ancient and far more durable teachings tell us that these two worlds are actually in constant communication with one another and that we belong to both worlds. When we make magic, we are weaving together these two worlds and mending ourselves and our own sense of brokenness in the process. 34
How is the book laid out? The book contains 14 chapters, and each chapter has two ritual practices as well as a series of "Stepping Stones." These are like little rituals that take very little time to do and work to get our creative and magical juices flowing. The chapters begin with some of the first magical acts that most people already have experience of - paying attention to doors and the way we enter and exit them. Discovering little treasures and talismans that hold special meaning for us and then move to considerations around working with natural allies, discovering our spirit guides and guardians (whom I refer to as Holy Helpers). Also, finding what magic is already present and living in your cupboards, your kitchen, and your closet.
Can you explain what being a Witch that means to you? For a long time in my practice, I did not refer to myself as a witch because I have worked and do work with clients who come from other cultures and countries where magic is very much believed in and worked with, but "witch" has a decidedly negative connotation.
Who did you write this book for? I wrote this book for my ancestors who, due to their ethnicity and economic standing (or lack thereof) as well as lack of educational and professional opportunities were not able to share their voices and their wisdom. I wrote this book for my descendants, most notably my two sons whom I hope will inherit a world that is more magical and mended. And I wrote this book for all of my clients and students who have taught me again and again and given me firsthand knowledge of something I long suspected- that magic really is present and available to every single person regardless of where you come from, how you talk, what you look like, what you call yourself or what others call you.
That changed several years ago when I returned to my own educational roots and met back up with Hekate, who was the ancient Greek patron Goddess of Witches. Hekate is a Goddess of the Crossroads, a guide to Persephone when she is taken into the Underworld, and a midwife. So for me, being a witch means that I work at the crossroads - all kinds of crossroads - the intersection between life and death, between magical and non-magical, between reason and revelation, and the ordinary and the extraordinary. It means that I am here to serve and guide those who are entering their own underworld journeys, and it means that I serve as a midwife to the new possibilities, new creations, the new lives that members of my community are constantly gracing our world with.
It was lovely to get to know you and share your story. Where can Witchology readers connect with you? You can connect at: Website: Brianasaussy.com/making-magic Email: bri@brianasaussy.com
I wanted to write a book about magic that my devout grandmother and my witchy mother could both read and appreciate and get something out of.
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Spellcrafting with Intention By Jamie Della
The power of creativity is on our side during the Lughnasadh season. This is the time of year to put aside false modesty and be the light you came to share with the world. You don’t need to be a third-generation witch to be a faithful follower of the Path. To me, being a witch means looking to nature for guidance on how to ride the ebb and flow of life. It means turning inward during the winter, nurturing ideas in spring, shining bright in summer, and releasing what doesn’t serve you in fall. The month of August marks the first harvest of grains and corn, which is why its alternate name is Lammas (Anglo-Saxon word meaning loaf-mass), or Festival of Breads. We honor the hard work, the sacrifice. In etymology, “sacri” means sacred or holy and “fice” derives its meaning from offer. We collect the first sheaves of 36
corn and form a man, symbolizing the seed, and place it in the womb of the Mother as part of the cycle of life; the sacrifice is not lost. It is a sacred offering, a payment for the rewards you will reap with time. Now is the time to gather with friends and loved ones and break bread in harmony and friendship. Now is the time to share your talents, as a blessed child of the Universe. Lughnasadh is named after the Celtic sun god Lugh, the Long Arm for the long rays of the sun during August. He is also known as Samildanach, the Many Skilled. He was a poet, harper, smithy, carpenter, scientist, physician, a master of artistic, and medicinal fields. According to myth, the God Lugh could pass between the worlds and often dwelt in the Land of
Faery. When we honor Lugh, we are celebrating the many talents we possess. Gods and Goddesses are the spiritual mirror of the attributes you can call upon. In August, nature is showing up in fecund hedonistic delight with an abundant harvest, as an example of how we need to be living. It is incumbent that you share your talents with the world, as proof of your faith in universal abundance and the gifts you were bestowed within this lifetime. Share your fruits and never compare your gifts with others. All are needed. One of my favorite talents to share is spell crafting. I see spells as 3-D prayers, using visual tools and Universal magick to
activate our power to manifest the life of our dreams. I believe we all hold the paintbrushes to the canvas of our lives. Spellcrafting begins with grounding and centering, by slowing down my breathing and bringing my awareness to my solar plexus. Scientists have recently discovered that our gut is essentially our second brain. Witches knew that a long time ago. This is the seat of our power, the birthplace of our fire, and the hearth of our passion. Once I have tapped into the core of my being, I imagine a lotus flower opening at my third eye and the crown of my head. I seek the feeling of my desire that matches the kind of longing that a child holds for a particular wish from Santa Claus. The feeling should be clear, pure, and strong. It’s important to hold onto this feeling for as long as possible. Perhaps even days of just feeling into
the image before you begin your spellwork. Look for symbols that resonate with the same feeling. For example, if you are working with mystery, you might work with the color black. I ask my spirit guides for assistance and welcome goddesses or gods who could help me with this wish. If a particular color shimmers in my environment or my mind, I make a note of it. Billboards, magazine ads, and even eavesdropping are some of the many paths I use to look for numbers, herbs, crystals, archetypes, days of the week, animals, moon phases, planets, seasons of the year, and elemental energy that will help me manifest my desire. Once, I have identified my allies (typically choose at least four) for a particular spell, I quiet my mind and focus on what it will feel like when my desire is met.
Research has shown that our brain does not know the difference between what is physically real and what we perceive as reality. I tell my mind this desire is a reality that is on its way to manifestation. I drop into a trance with the help of meditative breathing, drumming, or rattling. From this relaxed state, I create a rhyme using the feeling of my desire, plus my chosen deity, universal influences, or symbols. I typically don’t use more than one deity per spell, unless the spell is two-fold and I need focused energy in two different directions.
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Everyone on earth has a unique talent or gift. This is not just a mantra repeated by exceptional people taking pity on others. It may be obvious what gifts your friends, family, and co-workers were given, but you might need a little help uncovering yours.
Spellcrafting with Intention
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It is important to remember that all spells should also be of benefit for all sentient beings. Perform this spell for three consecutive nights of a waxing moon.
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Shake the jar to activate the herbal medicine. Anoint and light a black candle and chant three times:
Three is the ideal number for creativity, and waxing energy of the moon will add to the spirit of manifesting and growing.
Oh, Lugh, righteous, powerful and true, Help me see the gift that is my due. Empower me to use it with good intent, So that all may benefit from my talent.
You will call upon Lugh, who knows how to help you discover, cultivate, and use your gift well. Place half a cup of dried mugwort (for dreams and clairvoyance) in a jar and cover with almond oil (because it is a hardwood).
Visualize a warrior, shining bright like the sun, handing you a wrapped present. Hold the gift but do not unwrap it, feel into it. Take three deep breaths, douse the flame, and
Spellcrafting with Intention
Three is the ideal number for creativity, and waxing energy of the moon will add to the spirit of manifesting and growing.
return to your altar the next night. Shake the jar, anoint and light the candle, imagine the wrapped gift in your hand, and repeat the chant. On the third night, shake the jar, anoint and light the candle, and repeat the chant. See yourself opening the gift from Lugh. Journal about your experience and any wisdom that you receive from Lugh about your special gift or talent.
Fire Ritual for Lammas By Stefanina Baker Lammas is the celebration of the early harvest; the bread and bounty that can be produced with the grain, fruits, and vegetables of the season. It is also the prime season of the sun, represented by fire during this Leo season. This is a ritual to honor the local wildlife sun and the harvest. It can easily be performed in your backyard over a fire or in an oven instead. Gather the following items: ·Dried leaves from any plants on your property (house plants work too) ·Herbs you’ve grown, or herbs you’ve purchased ·Bread dough – you may make your own, or use a canned raw dough found in all grocery stores. ·Fire – Firepit, campfire, charcoal grill or oven for this purpose Build and light a fire in a fire pit, all the while, giving thanks for the sun and the bounty he provides. Throw the leaves and herbs in the fire as an offering for the sun, and any deities with whom you like to work magically.
Be sure to thank the items for their service and their use. Prepare your bread dough by forming a ball and tossing it in oil. As it tosses, visualize the ample harvest and the peace and joy it brings to hungry people and animals. Then, make three bread loaves and place them near the coals of the fire to bake. Check them frequently; this is like cooking with a brick oven; it runs very hot. If you are preparing the bread loaves in the oven, place them on a cookie sheet and prepare according to your bread directions in the recipe, usually 375 degrees for 15-25 minutes. When the loaves have finished and cooled on wire racks, take them one outside to scatter around your property for the Fae and wildlife in your area. What better way to give thanks for the early harvest than by sharing the abundance? Please feel free to invite any deities with whom you work into your ritual. It is your practice, and you may do what feels right to you. Witchcraft is already in you!
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W
ild Bergamot
Other names: Monarda, bergamot mint, bee balm, Eau De Cologne Mint, horsemint. Plant family: Lamiaceae. This member of the mint family got its name because of the similarity of its scent to bergamot, which is used to flavor Earl Grey tea. Wild Bergamot can have lavender, pink, or white flowers. It’s commonly called bee balm since the bees love it; bergamot due to its aroma, which is reminiscent of the bergamot orange; Oswego tea because Native American people in the Oswego, NY region used it for teas.
Monarda fistulosa
Magickal properties: Protection, success, clarity, fertility, and strengthening psychic abilities.
Magickal workings: Wild Bergamot can be used to bring clarity and good working order to the surface of any situation. Wild Bergamot a good addition to spells or rituals concerning peace, happiness, contentment, restfulness, and ridding oneself of negative energies or hexes.
Scent profile: Rich, flowery, mint-like. Wild Bergamot is not the source of the commonly used Bergamot Essential oil. Actions: Antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic and stimulant. Correspondences: Mercury, Air.
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Y
ellow Topaz Yellow Topaz is a great stone to manifest your intentions.
Its energy, harnessed from the sun, transcends both time and space, and is one of the most loving, beneficial crystals. It’s also associated with Scorpio.
The name Topaz likely comes from topazos, a word
meaning “to seek� and the name given to the unique gems
discovered on the ancient and obscure Topazios Island in the Red Sea, now called Zabargad. However, the island never produced Topaz, but was a main source of Peridot which was named Topaz in the distant past.
Magickal properties: Manifestation, money, healing, protection, and love.
Magickal workings: It was worn to relieve depression, anger, fear, greed, frenzies, and all disturbing emotions. This makes it good to place under your pillow to fight away
nightmares. Topaz is highly effective for affirmations and visualization, meditation and
projection. When Topaz is placed in the home, it is a charm against accidents. The Greeks believed that wearing topaz in battle could make one invisible to the enemy. Correspondences: Sun, Fire.
Honoring Demeter During the Harvest Season Demeter, the ancient Greek Goddess of the harvest, is considered one of the original gods and goddesses that lived in Olympia. As part of the original Olympic pantheon of twelve, Demeter was one of the most important and frequently worshipped deities in Greece (as was her Roman counterpart, Ceres). Demeter came from Cronus and Rhea and had five siblings (Hestla, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus). She had multiple relationships that resulted in five children. The most well known of her children was Persephone, and it was her abduction to the Underworld by her own brother Hades that caused Demeter to spend a year grieving her; ultimately neglecting her duties as the goddess of the harvest. When people start to starve and die, Persephone was brought back from the Underworld. Although their reunion was joyous, it was quickly discovered that, as Persephone had eaten a single pomegranate during
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her abduction, she was bound to spending at least a portion of the year in the Underworld. It was decided that she would be allowed to return aboveground for two-thirds of the year, but be required to spend the other third in the Underground. This was what led to the establishment of the seasons - the barren, cold winter when Persephone returns to the Underground, and the warmer, fertile months when she is allowed to return. For obvious reasons, Demeter became associated with the pagan harvest celebration of Lughnasadh (also known as Lammas). Lughnasadh occurs typically in August when it is time to harvest the grain for the year. There are many different ways to bring Demeter into your celebrations. Demeter is associated with the cornucopia, so place one on your altar and fill it with beautiful, harvest colored plants and foods, as
well as stones like garnet, topaz, and citrine. She is also closely associated with bread, so either includes a loaf with your cornucopia or use it as an offering during your own personal harvest celebration. You can also include shafts of wheat in your ritual space, and burn some myrrh or frankincense. No matter how to choose to honor her, make sure you do everything with the utmost love and respect. Demeter is an incredibly powerful goddess, and she should always be approached in a way that honors that. May your harvest be abundant! https://www.greekmythology.com/ Other_Gods/Demeter/demeter.html https://www.learnreligions.com/ lammas-prayers-andblessings-4057769
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D
emeter
Demeter is the Greek goddess of the harvest and agriculture. Her Roman counterpart is Ceres
who’s name translates to “create”. She presides the fertility of the earth and the cycle of life and death. She is often linked to the changing of the seasons and is often connected to the image of
the Dark Mother in late fall and early winter. When her daughter Persephone was abducted by Hades, Demeter's grief caused the earth to die for six months, until Persephone's return. Their legend has persisted for millennia as a way of
explaining the changing of the seasons and the death of the
earth each fall. Through darkness, there is always light and hope on the other side.
To work with Demeter, think of her growing energy. It’s a great time to blessing all that you have and honor the earth.
You can also call on Demeter when working with the waning darkness of the year to
honor the changing seasons or even the cycles of life and death.
Symbols: Grain, corn, poppies, bread.
Magickal Wheat Weaving Wheat weaving is an ancient art form that mainly revolves around the harvest season. The first documented accounts of wheat weaving trace their roots back to the 1500s. There are a variety of different techniques that are used to weave the wheat, but the most common is known as plaiting. There are hundreds of different ways that wheat can be plaited, but the most important factor in wheat weaving is paying full attention to what you are doing. This not only helps you focus your magickal intentions but also can help potentially stop injuries and frustration. Before starting, make sure to gather up all of your tools. For the majority of wheat weaving patterns, you’ll need yellow thread and sharp scissors. You’ll also need a hollow stemmed variety of wheat, which is often available at local craft stores as well as online. In addition, gather up any ribbon that you’d like to use for decoration (if using your pattern for any spell work, pay specific attention to
the color of ribbon you use red for love, purple for courage, green for money, etc.). Identify the topmost joint on the stalk, and use your scissors to clip it just above that joint. Discard the lower part of the stalk. Take the remaining upper part of the stalks and divide them out into size by width - you’ll want a pile of small, medium, and large. You’ll then want to soak the stalks in warm water for around 30 minutes; this will soften them up enough to make them pliable and easier to weave. Once it’s done soaking, place it on a damp towel to keep them from firming back up. Today, we’re going to focus on one of the most common patterns for wheat weaving : the three-straw plait (also known as circles of power or countryman’s favors). This type of pattern is used for protection, and it is important to focus your intentions on the safety of your home and the rejection of negative energy. You’ll need just three wheat
straws. Take all three straws and tie them together, just below their heads. Hold them in your non-dominant hand and take the middle straw, pulling it into the right while continuing to hold all three firmly. Then take the straw closest to you and wind it once around the straw on the right before bringing it back to the left. Continue to weave with this pattern all the way up the stalk, keeping the straws tight. Tie the end together with the thread, and then tie both ends together while focusing on creating a protective knot and energy. Do the same with two other circles, tying them on the inside of the other circles so that they all hang together. Let them dry before adding any ribbon, then seal your craft with another firm intention. National Association of Wheat Weavers, nawwstraw.org/about-straw-art/. Cunningham, Scott, and David Harrington. Spell Crafts: Creating Magical Objects. Llewellyn Publications, 2007.
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Wheat weaving is an ancient folk art made to celebrate a successful harvest.
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A Cup of Autumn Magick
By Jennie Sharples
The crisp, orange, and red leaves crinkle under your feet. Jesters, wenches, and warlocks walk by speaking, “good morrow” as the cool breeze wisps through your hair. The scent of turkey legs and mead fill the air as the Jousting tournament begins. And after several fun-filled hours, laughter and cheers leave your cheeks sore as you begin to make your way home. The sun shines, and children run by as you pick an apple from a branch. You turn and spy the pumpkin patch thinking of how two or three would look great on your porch. After your visit, you can feel the weight of the bag hanging from your arm as you walk to the car, but you don’t mind. Pumpkins, apples, and baking, oh my! You gleefully think about what you can create from all that you’ve gathered. Once in the kitchen, you set everything aside and open your cabinets. A quick glance at the container of cocoa has you wanting to curl up on the couch in front of a warm fire. Baking will wait for another day. You can hear the power swirling in the wind outside the window, and you can feel it building up inside you. Tonight you will use a bit of that power to create a blend of comfort, love, and some good old’ fashioned healing together. Tonight, you will create a delicious cup of Autumn Magick. 49
This recipe is a wonderful way to bring your love of cocoa, spices, and magic together. And it is perfect for the Autumn season – the season of the witch! It makes about 4 cups, so make sure to share the wealth!
INGREDIENTS: ¼ c cacao or unsweetened cocoa powder (for self-love, grounding, and prosperity) ¼ c granulated sugar (for granting wishes and attracting more love) ¼ c brown sugar (for granting wishes and attraction) 1/3 c hot water (for cleansing) 4 c almond milk (for success. If you’re allergic to nuts, substitute with your choice of milk) ¼ tsp salt (for cleansing and protection) 1 tsp vanilla extract (for love and serenity) 1 tsp orange zest (for abundance, happiness, and boosting your immunity) A pinch of ground nutmeg (for good luck, prosperity, and a good nights’ sleep) A pinch of cinnamon (for abundance and strength) A pinch of allspice (for warmth and healing)
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A Cup of Autumn Magick
By Jennie Sharples
DIRECTIONS: - Combine the cacao/cocoa, sugars, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice with the water in a pot on medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture begins to boil, continuing to stir for an additional minute. - Lower to a simmer and stir in the milk. Continue stirring for a couple of minutes, but try not to let it boil. - Remove from heat and add the vanilla and orange zest. - Give it one last stir, setting your intention for those about to drink it, and then serve.
Basic Harvest Bread 51
Lughnasadh is the perfect time to bake your own bread. This recipe is perfect to accompany the Fire Ritual for Lammas or to share with loved ones during a celebration.
INGREDIENTS: 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast 2-1/4 c warm water 3 TBSP sugar plus 1/2 tsp sugar 1 TBSP salt 2 TBSP canola oil 6-1/4 to 6-3/4 c bread flour
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Basic Harvest Bread
DIRECTIONS: - In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1/2 teaspoon sugar in warm water; let stand until bubbles form on surface. - Whisk together remaining 1/2 cup sugar, salt, and 3 cups flour. Stir oil into yeast mixture; pour into flour mixture and beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a soft dough. - Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 8-10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 to 2 hours. - Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half. Shape each into a loaf. Place in 2 greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 to 1-1/2 hours. - Bake at 375°F until golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped or has reached an internal temperature of 200°, 30-35 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
Goldenrod Cornbread By Miss Wondersmith
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This slightly-sweet gluten free cornbread has a nutty, slightly herbaceous flavor thanks to the addition of fresh goldenrod flowers and a surprising orange color with the addition of turmeric (which also adds some anti-inflammatory properties to the mix.) The addition of seeds and nuts fill it with more nutrition and a gorgeous design baked into the top makes a stunning presentation! This recipe makes a wonderful breakfast or side dish.
Goldenrod Cornbread
By Miss Wondersmith
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS
1/2 c butter, at room temperature 1 tsp salt 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 c white rice flour 1/2 c tapioca starch 1/4 tsp xantham gum 1 1/2 c ground yellow cornmeal 2 tsp turmeric powder 1/4 c honey 1 1/4 c milk 1 egg 1/2 c fresh goldenrod flowers, plucked from their stem 2 Tbsp chopped sunflower seeds 1/4 c finely-chopped pecans To decorate: an assortment of seeds, nuts, and/or dried fruit
- Preheat oven to 425F. Grease your cast-iron skillet. - Mix the salt, baking powder, baking soda, rice flour, tapioca flour, xantham gum, cornmeal, and turmeric powder into a medium bowl. - Cream the butter with the honey, then add the egg, and mix until smooth. - Next, add the dry mix and the milk and beat until smooth. Beat in the sunflower seeds, pecans, and goldenrod flowers. - Pour the batter into the skillet, then carefully decorate with seeds, nuts, or dried fruit. - Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden on top, and a clean toothpick can be removed from the middle. - Enjoy warm or at room temperature, with butter and honey!
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