October 2012

October 2012 Issue 3

ELEMENTAL Did You KNOW???

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Articles/Contents: Samhain

1

Thoughts

2

Hecate

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Samhain Ritual

4

For Sell or Trade 5 Incense

5

Recipe’s

5

Dumb Supper

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Gem / Month

7

Dear Gertude

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Herb / Month

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Notices

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What is Samhain?

Samhain is known by most folks as Halloween, but for Wiccans and Pagans it's considered a Sabbat to honor the ancestors who came before us. It's a good time to contact the spirit world with a séance, because it's the time when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest.

Myths and Misconceptions: Contrary to a popular Internet-based rumor, Samhain was not the name of some ancient Celtic god of death, or of anything else, for that matter. Religious scholars agree that the word Samhain (pronounced "sow-en") comes from the Gaelic “Samhuin,” but they’re divided on whether it means the end or beginning of summer.

After all, when summer is ending here on earth, it’s just beginning in the Underworld. Samhain actually refers to the daylight portion of the holiday, on November 1st.

All Hallow Mass: Around the eighth century or so, the Catholic Church decided to use November 1st as All Saints Day. This was actually a pretty smart move on their part – the local pagans were

already celebrating that day anyway, so it made sense to use it as a church holiday. All Saints’ became the festival to honor any saint who didn’t already have a day of his or her own. The mass which was said on All Saints’ was called Allhallowmas – the mass of all those who are hallowed. The night before naturally became known as All Hallows Eve, and eventually morphed into what we call Halloween.

The Witch's New Year: Sunset on Samhain is the beginning of the Celtic New Year. The old year has passed, the harvest has been gathered, cattle and sheep have been brought in from the fields, and the leaves have fallen from the trees. The earth slowly begins to die around us.

This is a good time for us to look at wrapping up the old and preparing for the new in our lives.

Think about the things you did in the last twelve months. Have you left anything unresolved? If so, now is the time to wrap things up. Once you’ve gotten all that unfinished stuff cleared away, and out of your life, then you can begin looking towards the next year.

Honoring the Ancestors: For some of us, Samhain is when we honor our ancestors who came before us. If you’ve ever done genealogy research, or if you’ve had a loved one die in the past year, this is the perfect night to celebrate their memory.

If we’re fortunate, they will return to communicate with us from beyond the veil, and offer advice, protection and guidance for the upcoming year.

If you want to celebrate Samhain in the Celtic tradition, spread the festivities out over three consecutive days. You can hold a ritual and feast each night. Be flexible, though, so you can work around trick-or-treating schedules!

Samhain History

By Patti Wigington, About.com Guide

ELEMENTAL

Just Some Thoughts Jack-o-lanterns… candy corn… tricks and treats… door bells ringing incessantly…

Sound familiar? Halloween, AKA: All Hallows Eve, Day of the Dead, Samhain has become a commercial bonanza. Like “Christmas”, Halloween has become a big selling opportunity. Most people in this country “celebrate” Halloween as a fun children’s festival with no real meaning other than dressing up, and getting lots of candy from mostly strangers. The real meaning of the “night” lost in antiquity, or ignored by those who don’t want to acknowledge Halloween’s Pagan roots and deeper meaning.

Samhain is arguably one of Pagandom’s favorite holidays, also known as the Festival of Life and Death, the Final Harvest (animal); for some – the New Year, and for others – the last Turn of the Wheel of Life. Time for honoring life, for honoring and remembering our ancestors, and for collecting seeds for the next spring.

Life and Death… two halves of the same whole.

While all the hoopla is a lot of fun, what does Samhain really mean to us? Do we FEEL the shift in seasonal energy? Do we acknowledge the sacrifice of the Year King in the animals whose flesh we eat every day (vegetarians not withstanding)? Do we FEEL the veil between the worlds thin to the barest wisp? Can we see, feel or hear the ethereal essences of our dearly departed? Or are we afraid of those ghostly beings? Do we fear death?

It’s hard not to fear death. The world today is filled with fear…fear of living, dying, and war, terror attacks...on and on. But what is there really to fear about death. All life dies. Nothing and no one lives forever, we all have to die… sometime. So, do we fear not living (absence of life), do we fear being non-corporeal, or the possibility of “nothingness”? Or do we fear the actual process of dying? Do we put off really LIVING our lives in order to avoid dying?

Most of us were taught from a very early age, that we only get this one life, so we better not “waste” it, abuse it, or spent it doing bad or evil things (hell and all). Many people fear death and dying so much, they refuse to “live” their lives in favor of “existing” or “surviving”. A rock exists. A human should “live”, experience

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All life has to offer. If we let fear hold us back, we accomplish nothing; we take up space and contribute little or nothing to the greater whole of life. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the Will to take appropriate action in the face of fear.

Avoiding life does not qualify as “living” life.

I am not advocating “anything goes”. By living, I do not mean try anything, do anything, no consequences. There are consequences to every action and an equal reaction to every action. While I do believe we reap what we sow... If we plant corn, we harvest corn; we don’t harvest tomatoes. However, by avoiding living our lives to our fullest potential, we are not living at all, but rather, existing…biding our time until the end and “judgment" day, hoping we “pass the test” and can get into “heaven”. What a waste of a perfectly good life. Life is the greatest gift, and avoiding living it, is an insult to the powers (Gods, etc.) that gave us this wonderful gift.

Samhain honors both the gift of life, and the understanding that the gift is temporary, and must be “lived” in order to be experienced and appreciated. The best way to show the Powers that be, the Gods, that we appreciate the gift, is to really “live” to our fullest potential. To experience all the good, bright and magically wonderful things these lives have to offer us, both, the little everyday things of small consequences and the great majestic wonders of unfathomable mystery. To overcome the hardships without allowing them to overcome us, to learn the lessons our lives bring us and to grow and evolve into yet higher beings, who will repeat the same process on a higher plain.

Samhain is our opportunity to show our appreciation for the gifts we receive in our lives, and give thanks for those who came before us; our parents, grandparents, ancestors; and acknowledge the sacrifices made by others and those made by the plants and animals that sustain our lives.

So this Samhain, party with joy and gratitude. As it says in the Charge of the Goddess: “…let there be mirth and reverence…”. Let Samhain be a time of mirth and reverence. Play tricks and treats, give out sweets in gratitude; and share remembrances of those that came before us, honor the Year King by

Acknowledging the sacrifices of the plant and animal kingdoms that we otherwise take for granted. Play like a child, dress up and be someone/something else. But stop for a moment, and notice how thin the veil between the worlds is. Look to see who’s standing just on the other side, observing the festivities. Raise a glass of cider to them and leave a small feast just for them, with gratitude and respect. And above all, LIVE your life as if it was the most wonderful, though temporary, gift of all.

Harvest Blessings!

The Veil is Getting Thinner I heard this whisper and I wondered, I heard this laugh and then I knew.

The time is getting near my friends, The time that I hold dear my friends, The veil is getting thin my friends, And strange things will soon pass through!

ELEMENTAL On Dark Moon Night, The owl takes flight.

Crossroads are best, To begin your quest.

By candle flame, We chant Her name.

With incense smoke, Hecate we invoke.

Her howling black dog, And Her sacred frog.

With knife and cords, And magick words, Her snake sheds skin, To end and begin.

She holds the key, To unlock mystery.

With willow and yew, Magick comes through.

She takes us down, To the underground.

Recover and rest, Did we do best?

Her Cauldron bubbles, She soothes our troubles.

With cord and blade, Our memory will fade.

She brings us back, In her magick sac.

By

Rowan Morgana 2011

Hecate; Goddess of the Month Hecate, Hequit, Heket, Hekat, Goddess of Midwives, the Threefold Goddess, the SilverFooted Queen of the Night and Moon, the Dark Mother, the Crone!

Known by all these names and many more. Known by the very ancient Egyptians and in preGreek period myths. Dearest Goddess Hecate, you have always been with us.

One of the most written about Goddesses and attributed to a vast array of powers and energy.

As Hequit, Heket and Hekat, the Egyptians knew her to be the midwife Goddess, the Hag, attending births in pre-dynastic Egypt as the wise woman to assist in the birth of new life and the passing of unfortunate mothers. She was the Goddess who participated every morning in the birth of the Sun and, at planting, time when grain was planted.

Very early Greeks recognized Hecate because of her dominion over the Sky, Earth and the Underground - the Threefold Goddess who was honored by Zeus who recognized her power over these three realms as far older and stronger than his own.

She was skilled in the arts of divination and foretelling the future and provided vision dreams to humans and teaching them to interpret dreams wisely and clearly. Because of her guidance of Persephone, Hecate became connected to death and regeneration. Her presence in the underworld allowed the preHellenic and other early Greeks to hope for re-birth after the inevitability of death. Early, early tradition shows Hecate as a primal Goddess’s, possibly the daughter of Erebus and Nyx (Night). Later Hecate was said to be the daughter of the Titan Perses and Titaness Asteria, a shining star Goddess and a cousin to Artemis and Apollo. An even later history says she was the daughter of

Zuse and Hera and states that she remained a virgin by choice while other stories have her married to Hades.

In Europe the Catholic authorities of the Middle Ages named Hecate as the Queen of Witches and recognized the people who followed her to be most dangerous to the Catholic faith. Because it was the simple, poor peasants of that time who practiced folk religion, the Church called it "devil worship", Hecate was portrayed as an ugly Hag leading covens of witches in the practices of deadly midwifery, baby consumption, evil healers and wicked seers. What did they know. Under the Name of Hecate these followers saved women and children from sure death, blessed the unluck men, women and children after death when the Church refused to and insured they were properly buried, healed the sick, and were able through knowledge of divination, lead the peasants through the continuing wars and plagues of the middle ages when the Church was deeply involved in land grabbing, power grabbing and fortune building while their flock due to illness and battles. She is often depicted as Beautiful Hecate of the Three Ways, her image standing at the crossroads, where offerings of dogs, honey and black lambs were left on Full Moon Nights; a place where Divination and communication with the dead was and still is performed.

Hecate has been known in so many different forms from angel and light, illumination of consciousness, multi-headed, many armed and, sometimes, merely a pillar called Hecterion.

She's often shown holding three torches (the illumination of darkness and the unknown), a key (to unlock deep mysteries), a rope (symbol of the umbilical cord) and a dagger (which had become the witch's athame that cuts through

illusion to true power). A statue from the 8th century BCE shows Hecate in all her full beautiful with wings, holding a snake. Glorious Hecate offers us her gifts of prophecy, clear vision, and her knowledge of magickal and occult arts.

Standing at the crossroads, she looks into the past, the present and the future.

Probably one of the most worshipped of all the ancient goddesses because of her age and many depictions, Hecate continues to be worshipped around in all her faces but most often as the Night Goddess, the Crone with elements of the Maiden and Mother blended into her persona making her love and attention attainable for the common worshipper, more like a human mother than a Goddess.

Covering all parts of birth, life and death, of being alive and passing, Hecate is there for those who turn to her. She is loving mother, protective patron, healing doctor, cradling arms at the end of life's trials.

Hail Hecate, Goddess of the Moon! ~ Lazy Witch REFFERENCES: Magick Made Easy; Charms, Spells, Potions, & Power: Patricia Telesco: Harper San Francisco, 1999 The Mask of God; Occidental Mythology: Joseph Campbell: Penguin Campass, 1964 Power Spellcraft for Life; The Art of Crafting and Casting for Positive Change: Arin Murphy-Hiscock: Provenance Press, 2005 Hecate - Greek Mythology: www.maicar.com/GML/Hecate Hecate, Greek Goddess of the Crossroads: www.goddessgift.com/goddessmyths/greek Encyclopedia Mythica; Hecate: www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hecate Hekate: www.theoi.com/khothonios/Hekate Hecate: www.wikipedia/Hecate Hecate and Her History: http://www.hecatescauldron.org/

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Samhain Ritual Tools: In addition to your magickal tools, you will need:  Cauldron or fire proof container  2 Black Taper God/dess Candles  1 Black Votive Candle  1 White Pillar Candle  1 Apple  A Bolline  A Plate of Fruit, Vegetables and Breads  Pictures or Mementos of Departed Loved Ones  Samhain Incense (Mint, Nutmeg, Apple)

Step back from the altar and concentrate on the Goddess candle's flame. Should it rise and flicker, proceed. If not, silently project your wish to commune with your loved ones that have passed on. When you feel that your wish has been acknowledged, invoke the God by lighting the black taper God candle and saying: "Dark Father, aged Consort of the Crone, Lord of the Underworld, Hear and behold Your child this night as I honor Thee and Thy realm. I stand between Thee and Thy Lady, asking for blessing and favor. As this time-out-of-time approaches, stand ever guard as the Veil lifts, Keep safe my ancestors, and all of my loved Preparation: ones As they journey to the Sweep area, moving in a deosil Summerlands" manner. Outline your circle with a Step back from the altar and black cord, fresh turned earth, or salt. Place the black taper Goddess concentrate on the God candle's Candle to the top left on altar. Place flame. If it rises and flickers, the black taper God candle to the top proceed. If not, silently project your right on altar. Place the black votive wishes that your loved ones be kept candle in the cauldron, positioned on safe on their journey. When you feel that your request has been floor in front of the altar. Plate of acknowledged, step back up to the Fruit, Vegetables, and Breads alter and pick up the apple, saying: should be put in-between Goddess "Tonight as the barrier between and God candles at top center of the two realms grows thin, altar. Apple and Bolline should be Spirits walk amongst us, once placed in center of altar, on a again.

Pentacle if possible. Arrange the rest They be family, friends and foes, of your tools and props according to Pets and wildlife, fishes and personal preference. If you have crows. magickal jewelry or jewelry passed But be we still mindful of the Wee on to you by departed loved ones, Folk at play, this is the ritual to wear it all. Sit and Elves, fey, brownies, and sidhe." meditate to ground and center.

When ready to begin, play some Cut the apple crosswise with the appropriate soothing music for Bolline to reveal the symbolic ambiance.

Cast the circle and call Quarters...... pentagram at the core. Take a bite of one half of the apple and set it back invoke the Crone aspect of the Goddess by lighting the black taper on the Pentacle. (This apple and others will be buried outside later, Goddess candle and saying: after the ritual is done) Continue: "Some to trick, some to treat, "Dark Mother, ruler of the night, Some to purposely misguide our Goddess of death and rebirth, feet.

Hear and behold Your child this Stay we on the paths we know night as I honor Thee and Thy As planting sacred apples we go." realm. I stand humbly before Thee, asking for Thy blessing and Now take your wand in your favor. Lift, now, the Veil between projective hand to bless the "Feast of the Dead". Wave it over the plate of the worlds, as this time-out-oftime begins, That I may commune fruits, vegetables, and breads, with my ancestors as they journey saying: "This Feast I shall leave on my to the Summerlands." doorstep all night.

In my window one candle shall

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burn bright, To help my loved ones find their way As they travel this eve, and this night, until day.

Bless my offering, both Lady and Lord Of breads and fruits, greens and gourd."

Replace the wand on the altar,.

Stay silent for a minute or two as the blessing is given. Proceed by lighting the black votive candle and saying: "Dark Mother Your cauldron is a well of death and rebirth, Dark Father Your sword both protects and annihilates.

Hear me now as the past year slowly dies, only to be reborn again.

This symbolic harvest is of my thought-seeds, Planted and nurtured throughout this past year.

May the good come to pass and the bad be cast aside.

With Your divine guidance and protection, I step into the New Year, May I have good health, prosperity, and happiness."

With the flame of the black votive candle light the white pillar candle, saying: "As the New Year is born, we are all reborn With new hopes and dreams.

Guide me in the future as in the past.

Give me strength and courage, Knowledge and fulfillment, Assist me as I attempt to achieve my goals."

Stare in to the flames and think about the goals that you are setting for the upcoming year.

When done, say: "Every beginning has an ending, And every ending is a new beginning.

In Life is Death, and in Death is Life.

Watch over me, my loved ones, and all of my Brothers and Sisters, here and departed, Who, tonight are joined together again for Fellowship and celebration.

Bless us all as we light our bonfires, our hearth fires, And the eternal fires in our hearts.

Guide us and protect us, Tonight and throughout the

our bonfires, our hearth fires, And the eternal fires in our hearts.

Guide us and protect us, Tonight and throughout the coming year.

Blessed Be! Blessed Be” As you say "Blessed Be!" stretch out your arms over your alter as if to embrace all of your ancestors, your departed loved ones, and everyone on Earth. As you say "Blessed Be" again, embrace yourself with a reborn love and pride.

It is now time for meditation and spellworking.

Associated spellworkings would include those for protection, self-confidence, and dissuading harm. If there is no spellworking, celebrate with Cakes and Ale, then release the Circle.

Clean up. You are done.

Leave the white pillar candle burning somewhere it won't be disturbed. Some use it as the single candle in their window, but I leave it on my altar and use an electric candle in the window to dissuade a fire!

As the New Year is born, we are all reborn

ELEMENTAL

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Spirits in the Smoke By the time Samhain rolls around, your herb garden is probably looking pretty sad.

Now's the time to take all those goodies you harvested and dried in September, and put them to good use. This incense blend is perfect for a Samhain séance, divination session, or for any other autumn working.

This recipe is for loose incense, but you can adapt it for stick or cone recipes. As you mix and blend your incense, focus on the goal of your work. Do you wish to contact the spirit of a longdead ancestor? Are you hoping to bring some visions your way in a dream? Or are you maybe looking to enhance your own meditative abilities? Focus your intent as you blend your ingredients.

You’ll need: 2 parts Cinnamon 1 part ground cloves 1 part Dragon's Blood resin 1 part Hyssop 1 part Patchouli 2 parts Rosemary 1 part Sage A dash of sea salt Add your ingredients to your mixing bowl one at a time.

Measure carefully, and if the leaves or blossoms need to be crushed, use your mortar and pestle to do so. As you blend the herbs together, state your intent.

You may find it helpful to charge your incense with an incantation.

For example, if you were going to use your incense during a séance, you could use this:

The veil has thinned, the moon is bright and I blend this magic on Samhain night.

Celebrating life and death and rebirth with these herbs I've harvested from the earth.

I send my intent by smoke in the air and call on those whose blood I share.

I ask my ancestors to guide and watch over me, As I will, so it shall be.

Store your incense in a tightly sealed jar. Make sure you label it with its intent and name, as well as the date you created it. Use within three months, so that it remains charged and fresh.

Recipes for the Sabbat TIESSENNAU MEL (Welsh Honey Cakes) 4 oz. Honey 1 teaspoon Cinnamon 4 oz. Brown sugar Egg 1/2 LB Flour 1/2 teaspoon Bicarbonate of soda 4 oz. Butter or margarine Caster sugar A little milk Sieve together flour, cinnamon and bicarbonate of soda. Cream butter and sugar.

Separate the egg yolk from the white. Beat the yolk into sugar and butter, then add the honey, gradually. Stir in the flour with a little milk as required and mix all together lightly.

Whisk the egg white into a stiff froth and fold into mixture. Half fill small patty tins with the mixture; dredge the top of each with caster sugar. Bake in a hot oven (425 degrees)

MEADE 3 pounds honey 2 egg whites 1 ounce of yeast 1 lemon 1 gallon of cold water Put honey and grated rind from the lemon in a large saucepan or preserving pan with the gallon of cold water. Beat the two egg whites until frothy and add to the other ingredients in the pan. Place the pan over heat and stir as mixture comes to boil.

Simmer gently for one hour. Pour liquid into large bowl and leave until lukewarm, then stir in the yeast. Cover bowl and leave in a warm place for three days. Stir daily. Then strain through muslin and bottle. Cork loosely. Push corks down gradually as fermentation ceases. Store bottles in a cool, dark place. The mead will be ready to drink in one year.

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The Dumb Supper In some Pagan and Wiccan traditions, it

has become popular to hold a Dumb Supper in honor of the dead. In this case, the word "dumb" refers to being silent. The origins of this tradition have been fairly well debated -- some claim it goes back to ancient cultures, others believe it's a relatively new idea.

Regardless, it's one that's observed by many people around the world.

When holding a Dumb Supper, there are a few simple guidelines to follow.

First of all, make your dining area sacred, either by casting a circle, smudging, or some other method. Turn off phones and televisions, eliminating outside distractions.

Secondly, remember that this is a solemn and silent occasion, not a carnival. It's a time of silence, as the name reminds us. You may wish to leave younger children out of this ceremony. Ask each adult guest to bring a note to the dinner. The note's contents will be kept private, and should contain what they wish to say to their deceased friends or relatives.

Set a place at the table for each guest, and reserve the head of the table for the place of the Spirits. Although it's nice to have a place setting for each individual you wish to honor, sometimes it's just not feasible.

Instead, use a tea light candle at the Spirit setting to represent each of the deceased. Shroud the Spirit chair in black or white cloth.

No one may speak from the time they enter the dining room. As each guest enters the room, they should take a moment to stop at the Spirit chair and offer a silent prayer to the dead. Once everyone is seated, join hands and take a moment to silently bless the meal. The host or hostess, who should be seated directly across from the Spirit chair, serves the meal to guests in order of age, from the oldest to youngest. No one should eat until all guests -- including Spirit -- are served.

When everyone has finished eating, each guest should get out the note to the dead that they brought. Go to the head of the table where Spirit sits, and find the candle for your deceased loved one. Focus on the note, and then burn it in the candle's flame (you may wish to have a plate or small cauldron on hand to catch burning bits of paper) and then return to their seat. When everyone has had their turn, join hands once again and offer a silent prayer to the dead.

Everyone leaves the room in silence.

Stop at the Spirit chair on your way out the door, and say goodbye one more time.

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By Patti Wigington, About.com Guide

 "My tidings for you: the stag bells, Winter snows, Summer is gone.

Wind high and cold, low the sun, Short his course, sea running high.

Deep-red the bracken, its shape all gone, The wild goose has raised his wonted cry.

Cold has caught the wings of birds.

Season of ice – these are my tidings."

- Irish Poem, Translated

by Caitlin Matthews



ELEMENTAL

Stone of the Month ~ Obsidian I don't remember the name of the poem. It could have been one that was written by a student in my high school but I remember the visual image I got when I heard the line that went something like, "The glorious, gleaming white orb shined down from its place in the velvet black sky and danced across the heavily frozen water which, in reflecting the sky, resembled an irregular slice of Obsidian."

This was so graphic to me and I always told myself that someday I would have such a beautiful piece of earth.

Obsidian is often called "Earth Glass" and comes in very dark shades of blue, green, red and, for course, black. There are also other variations including peacock, bullseye, golden or galaxy and snowflake. It is indeed glass, formed by the melting of sands and earth creating a molten flow within a volcano. When cooked and hardened, it hits the Mohs hardness scale between 5 and 6 and is, like glass, translucent. It is said to be in tune with Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto.

Back to my story. It took several years and much hunting but I found my black slice of Pali, Hawaiian Goddess of Volcanos. I'm not sure where my Obsidian comes from as it is found pretty much the world round where volcanos are found.

Actually, I have three good sized pieces I use quite regularly: one is a beautiful flat slice, a little larger than my open hand, highly polished, that I use as a scrying mirror, marvelous and powerful;

the second is a little smaller, not polished as highly and is used when I read tarot for the public, to pull the individual client's negative energy out of the cards between readings; and the third is a chipped mass about the size of my closed fist, placed close to my front door to absorb all negativity that come through it as well as a "touch stone" for when I come in from shopping or being in public. I'm very happy to say they all work beautifully and what's even better is Obsidian is "self-cleaning", in other words, I don't have to worry about washing it, salting it or placing it in moonlight to clean out the absorbed negative energy!! HOW GREAT IS THAT!!!!

Because Obsidian is found in so many locations it's not surprising that it has been used for tools, jewelry and statues. Relatively easy to work once you have the tools and skill, some of the early uses were for arrowheads, Neolithic pottery and jewelry.

The Egyptians use Obsidian in their magnificent god and goddess statues (many of the statues of Baste were made of it). It was plentiful enough that small statues of the god/desses used in the homes were also made of Obsidian.

The black stones in those elaborate Egyptian Collar necklaces worn by the Pharos were often Obsidian, shiny and glistening. The large stone Head Statues of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) were carved using Obsidian as well as large pieces of the glass being used as the pupils of their eyes.

Obsidian has long since been viewed as the stone of the Great Earth Mother and the stone of the Crone. It shields against negativity. Snowflake Obsidian is particularly good for the protection of women.

It's often used in Reiki and other Chakra work usually to absorb negativity and pain.

The stone is said to protect the Barer from the Evil Eye and other mischiefs brought on by others. For protection against psychic attacks, wear Obsidian, which will also guard against other forms of abuse.

Physical benefits include aid to stomach and intestines, muscle tissue soreness, and rid the body of bacterial and viral infections. It sharpens the internal focus and external vision, helping to get in touch buried issues before they explode.

Though not considered a gem stone, Obsidian is truly worth its weight in gold!! From Mother Earth into our hands, this stone protects us and heals us as no other. ~ LazyWitch

References: New Tarot.com/Obsidian Wikipedia.org/Obsidian Jewels-empire.com/Obsidian The Complete Idiot's Guide to Spells and Spellcraft: Aurora Greenbough and Cathy Jewell; Penguin Group; 2004 Green Witchcraft - Folk Magic, Fairy Lore and Herbal Craft: Ann Moura (Aoumiel); Llewellyn Publications; 2008

Obsidian connects the mind and emotions by grounding the spiritual energy in the physical plane.

It absorbs and destroys negative energies, thus clearing subconscious blockages and reducing stress.

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Dear Gertrude Moon Dear Gertrude, I was raised Catholic. My BFF is Pagan and what she says about her Wiccan Path make so much sense to me. I know in my heart that what the Catholic Church pumped into me about witches being evil is not true. They want you to believe that every other religion is evil and you will suffer torments for all eternity if you leave their church, and how God only loves those who worship the right way.

Even though I KNOW that isn't true, years of brainwashing have left me almost feeling guilty when I do ritual. How can I convince my subconscious what I know in my heart is true.

HELP!!! ……….Worried in Washington Dear "Worried" I understand your problem and I'll do my best to give you an answer that will help you.

First of all, the hardest lessons of life to break are the ones we learn as a child. Guilt is one of those lessons. It's unfair, but for some reason religious leaders think it is necessary to scare and guilt followers into submission. The "voices" you are hearing are NOT those of the Deity but of human leaders who they themselves have been guilted into following other misguided human voices.

Wicca is a religion based on reverence of the Lady and Lord instead of a faith in them thus making belief unnecessary. The Craft, with magick spells, charms and use of herbal knowledge allows practioners a personal connection to Nature depending upon themselves not someone else.

The focus in Wicca is within you not a humanmade religious community which tells you what is right and wrong. Wicca and Paganism in general recognizes that you are a living, thinking being that already knows right from wrong, good from bad. No one needs to tell you, make you do penance, or belittle you in front of others to make you do things correctly.

I would finding out just what it is you like about how your friend performs her rituals and lives her life. What is it that makes you feel comfortable?

Begin to incorporate these things into your life.

When I knowingly began to follow the Goddess, I would take few moments every day to Welcome Nature and the God/Goddess into my life which quieted any voices I heard I heard from my childhood. I began to feel more secure and happy. It didn't happen overnight but it did happen. I read a lot on anything and everything about Wicca that interested me. I still read and I find that the more I read the more I KNOW I've made the right choice for me.

Just a word, NEVER EVER do or say anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. This is YOUR path. It will be different from every other person you meet. Your "Catholic Voices" will change to those of Nature, of the God/dess and you will be a peace with what they have to see.

I hope I have helped you. Thank you for writing.

Many Blessings Gertrude Moon

Easy Yummy Pumpkin Soup There are many easy recipes out for this soup but this is so simple, even I can do it!!

This soup is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner; the group of football fanatics along with a tray of grilled cheese sandwiches; OR that Gaggle of Witches at that Pumpkin Carving Party at your house!!

(It's best to cook this slowly so it won't burn! Don't use a slow cooker though, that's toooooo slow!)

One can of pumpkin puree (NOT PIE FILLING) per person At least 4-6 slices of bacon, cut down into small pieces (not too small) (good for 2-3 people) One medium onion, chopped (good for 2-3 people) One cup of heavy cream or half and half per person (for thicker soup, use 1/2 cup cream per person) Sour Cream or Crème Fresh Croutons (I like the garlic ones but cheesy ones will do nicely) Depending on how many cans of Pumpkin Puree you are using, use a heavy bottom sauce pan.

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Slowly brown the bacon until it is crispy. Pull out the bacon, drain and set aside.

In the bacon grease, slowly brown onion. DO NOT OVER BROWN as it will become bitter.

Into the browned onion and bacon grease gently place Pumpkin puree and stir very well.

Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring often so it doesn't burn.

Let it simmer for a few minutes. This will give the mixture a nutty taste.

Add cream and stir. Keep heat low stirring often!!!

When well warmed and thickened, place into bowls.

Add a tablespoon or Sour Cream or Crème Fresh to the middle of soup.

Add Bacon crumbles and Croutons around the bowl.

Taste and everyone add their own salt and pepper to taste.

NOTE: You can use roasted pumpkin if you really want to or even roasted pumpkin that's been frozen.

You will need to run the inside pumpkin meat through a food processor or blender. JUST DON'T USE SPICED PUMPKIN PIE FILLING!!

And so it is, we gather again, The feast of our dead to begin.

Our Ancients, our Ancestors we invite, Come!

And follow the setting of the sun.

Whom do we call?

We call them by name (Name your ancestor that you wish want to welcome.)

The Ancients have come! Here with us stand Where ever the country, where ever the land They leave us not, to travel alone; Flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone!

Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Great be their Power!

Past ones and present-at this very hour!

Welcome within are the dead who are kin, Feast here with us and rest here within Our hearth is your hearth and welcome to thee; Old tales to tell and new visions to see!

ELEMENTAL

Herb of the Month ~ Pumpkin Healing Love Pumpkin To send healing love to someone over Samhain, try this little spell.

1 small pumpkin 1 small piece white parchment 1 red pen 3 red roses 3 drops rose oil 1 green candle 1 green ribbon Write the person’s name on a piece of paper with red pen.

Roll into a little tube & place in the bottom of the pumpkin. Fill the pumpkin with rose petals and rose oil.

Hold the green candle in your hand and say: Samhain night, holy night, Sending loving energy from the dawn of tomorrow To the sunset of forever.

So mote it be.

Light the candle and wave it around the pumpkin docile seven times, repeating the charm. Set the candle behind the pumpkin. Place the top on the pumpkin, tie the green ribbon around the stem.

Leave candle to burn out. Give the pumpkin as a get-well Halloween gift.

by Silver Ravenwolf

Okay, I know that pumpkin isn't an herb but at this time of the year, what else would a Witch write about!!

The oldest evidence of pumpkins are found in Mexico between 7000 and 5500 BCE. Because pumpkins are a New World plant, little magick is found around them in Europe.

The name "pumpkin" seems to have come from Europe AFTER the pumpkin reached its shores sometime after the middle to late 16th century, probably taken back to Italy and Portugal by explorers from Mexico and then into England by the returning Pilgrims from the new colonies.

The name seems to originate from the Greek word "pepon" meaning "large melon". It was adapted by the French to "pompon" and then into English as "pumpion". At some point the Colonists began calling it "pumpkin". Highly nutritious, containing more than 15 vitamins and minerals along with carbohydrates, natural sugars, fiber and fats, it aided in the settlers to the New World in surviving the long, hard winters. Young green pumpkins can be used in the same ways as squash and zucchini. Long lasting when stored properly, nearly all parts of the pumpkin are edible (the skin, flesh, seeds, leaves and flowers) and can be prepared by baking, boiling, steaming, roasting and batterdipped and fried. Roasted seeds (pepita) are greats

snacks when removed from their white shells and are ground and pressed for their oil which is rich for cooking and salad dressings.

Canned pumpkin can be used as a dietary supplement for dogs and cats for problems with digestive ailments.

Rabbits benefit from pumpkin seeds for much the same reason. Poultry fed pumpkin into the winter month’s product eggs longer as well as getting exercise from pushing and rolling them around, keeping them entertained when bugs are few.

Enough of the scientific stuff let's talk about how and why pumpkins are so identified with Samhain and Witches.

Before pumpkins, gourds, beets, turnips, potatoes and even radishes were carved out to carry candles that were carried to light a person's way at night. The Autumn is harvest time and night harvesting was often necessary. There were many festivals needing protected lighting. Often these "candle holders" were hung from string from staves or limbs, carried through the streets to light the revelers' way!

The carving of faces on gourds, beets, turnips and later pumpkins, was to frighten wicked spirits away from the parties. Little by little, pumpkins became favored as the vegetable of choice and today we have our Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns. Though carved pumpkins are

Associated with the stories of Washington Irving, it wasn't until articles published in the 1900s that "Jacks" really caught on.

Magically, we can look at the color of the pumpkin to help us. Though now pumpkins come in shades from a pale, pink-orange, through to deep rich red oranges, they can also be found in whites, ivory’s and various shades of green (yes, ripe green pumpkins). They can also be found in speckled and spotted forms and more colors and shades are produced every year.

I've chosen to use the color orange for our correspondences. Orange brings abundance, fights anxiety, increases faithfulness, increases happiness, love and purity. It not only brightens a room but increases the activity level within it.

Its element is Fire and Yang energy.

The deities of rule are Hera and Zeus (the ruling Greek couple).

Use Orange Pumpkins to decorate your Altar and dinner table for this season of Harvest to increase abundance and bounty to your home.

Pumpkin is a wonderful plant and vegetable. Decorate with it. Eat it. Use it in spells where you want or need the wonderful energies it brings! ~ LazyWitch

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Notices; EM CALENDAR Oct 6th and 7th - Spokane Renaissance Fair - Green Bluffs Oct 10th - Gathering, Q'emlin Park, Post Falls, Id, weather permitting. 12 Noon until about 3 pm. bring a lunch dish to share. More details on our Facebook Wall.

Oct 14th - OCTOBER DARK OF THE MOON Oct 15th - OCTOBER NEW MOON Oct 15th OR Oct 16th OR Oct 17th Samhain Luncheon. Still waiting on confirmation from Restaurant. Caps and Hats requested but not mandatory! More details on our Facebook Wall.

Oct 20th - Spokane Metaphysical Research Society Autumn Fair - Unity Church, South Hill on Bernard St, Spokane. 10 am to 4 pm. $20 admission, readings and body work free, tables of interesting things for sale!

Oct 24th - SAMHAIN CELEBRATION GATHERING in Spirit Lake, start Gathering around 5:30 pm. Regalia requested by not necessary. We will be going outside if weather permits. PLEASE contact Janie for directions to location.

Oct 29th - OCTOBER FULL MOON

EM OUTREACH PROGRAM Wiccans and Witches sometimes feel isolated, wanting to become part of a community but can't because of personal or family circumstances.

Elemental Magick offers an Outreach Program to help those individuals ages 18 and over who are unable to join in regular Gatherings or are just getting started and still a little shy about the whole business. If you'd like to find out more about this FREE service, please contact LazyWitch at 208-9644396 or janie_bass@yahoo.com. We will keep your information Private."

DECEMBER YULE PARTY PLANNED Every year local EM members participate in a Yule Party. We aren’t certain the date for it yet BUT it is time to begin thinking (and possibly making) that special Yule Gift for another group member!! We draw numbers to decide what order we select gifts in and THEN the individual pulling the next number has the choice whether to select a gift already chosen OR select from the gifts left in the middle.

Suggested Gift cost should be no more than $15 (that's either purchased or made). We are still looking for a location for the party which will probably be either the 2nd OR 3rd Wednesday of December. We are hoping for an evening party this year BUT that will depend upon the location.

So get started on that Yule Gift and we'll see you in December!!!

‘Twas The Night Before Samhain

...by Edain McCoy

Often, when we think of those who have passed on we are over-come with grief. This following spell for condolence can help ease the pain. On the stove top or in a potpourri burner, place three parts lemon balm, two parts lavender, one part sage, one-half part rosemary, and one-quarter part allspice. You may also add sweet peas, elder bark, fennel seed, or willow leaves if you have them. Allow the mixture to simmer while you visualize it sending a healing hug.

ELEMENTAL

'Twas the Night of Samhain and all through the house, Every creature was stirring, yes, even the mouse; The Jack O'Lanterns were hung about with great care, In hopes the Fall Fairies soon would be there; The children were dressed in their spookiest wear, For in search of sweet treats on Samhain is fair; It's All Hallows Night, so I leapt from my bed, With thoughts of enchantment running through my head; When across the Moon's face a wonder I spied, A witch on her broom stick way up in the sky; The Moon's silver beams on the leaves as the fell, Gave a feeling of spirits in the trees oh so tall;

When what to my wondering eyes should appear, But Witches and Wizards coming ever so near; So I grab up my boots and my black cloak quick, For I know in a moment this house they would pick; More rapid than bats 'round a graveyard they came, They whistled, and shouted, and called me by name; To the top of the porch! To the top of the Wall!

To this house they did come for the Annual Samhain Ball!

As dried leaves that before a wild hurricane fly, We danced and we chanted underneath the dark sky; Let us gather as friends, carve the pumpkins set near, This old Haunted House gave nobody fear;

We were dressed all in black, from our heads to our foot, No tarnish on these clothes, no ashes nor soot; Our eyes how they twinkled! Our hearts filled with delight, As we called forth the spirits on this Samhain night!

When we finally finished our magickal spells, 'Round the cauldron ancient stories we did tell; But soon, as with all things, time had quickly rushed by, Our party was ending and home the witches did fly.

But I heard them exclaim, 'ere they flew out of sight, "Samhain Blessings to All and To All a Good Night!" ~ Author Unknown

ELEMENTAL

Dressing Up For The HOLIDAYS Are you tired of wearing the same old Black Hat and Black Cape to that Halloween Party or Samhain Celebration, well here are a few ideas for you to try!!

HAT Grab an inexpensive costume feather boa and wrap it around the crown. Pin it on with a Pumpkin or Spider brooch.

Grab a perfectly wicked scarf (one with pumpkins, spiders, swirls, etc) and pin it to the back of your favorite hat with a wonderfully witchy brooch.

The hobby stores have large statement autumn flower and feather clips that can be easily attached to the brim of your hat or at the crease.

Don't forget to grab something WONDERFUL for that hat to dress it up for Yule!!

A garland of peppermints or holly leaves with a stick or two of cinnamon stuck on with a touch of hot glue.

There are all kinds of beautiful sparkly things that you can add as well.

Don't forget all the ribbons and bows!

Even a sparkly necklace to reflect all the holiday lights.

CAPE Buy an inexpensive spider web cape to sew/tack over the top of your old cape.

I'm putting a black spider cape over my red velvet cape this year!!

If you can't find a spider cape, there are several different sheer spider and swirly cloth table clothes you can use. Check the 50% Off Card Shop in CdA or your closest city for interesting drapy things like table clothes.

Instead of tying the strings on your cape, use a brooch to keep it closed OR taking a long satin ribbon cut in half and sewing the ends where the old strings were.

If you haven't got a cape, go to your favorite local thrift store and look at their selection of curtains.

They usually have lots. Find a long, wide curtain you really like, clean it (be careful because it may need dry cleaning). Sheer curtains are really good for this.

You will need a long wide ribbon that corresponds with the curtain color and gently thread it through the end side seam.

You'll probably have to clip the threads on either end a bit but using a large safety pin you can move the ribbon through the side hem and out. Bunch the curtain-now-cape into the middle of the ribbon, put around your shoulders and ease around your neck into a cape, tying in the front. This is really easy and you can find all kinds of sheer curtains to turn into capes.

If you are wanting a cape hood and don't have one, use a really, really long scarf draped around your head like a sari scarf. ~ LazyWitch

Connect With The Spirit WORLD Get a white candle, matches and mirror for this spell. At dusk, go to a haunted area or a place you feel the spirits are especially powerful. Make contact by walking about and allowing your mind to roam. Light your white candle and star into it saying: Clear as midnight, the spirits are bright.

Ghostly curiosity brings you to me.

As a form takes shape, I am not asleep.

Spirit awake, take your shape.

Let the candle flicker. Glance into the mirror and look past your shoulder. Do you see mists or lighted balls in the reflection? This is how ghosts typically appear. Return to the area on the next three nights. Take some pictures. At home, place your mirror face down. Mirrors trap spirits. Some spirits will track you as you search for their reflections. If you want your guests to leave, just say so. Follow this up by putting a broom over your transom and burning sage. .. ~ By Susan Sheppard

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ELEMENTAL Samhain for FAMILIES ~ Aleana Orrison “Trick or treat!” The familiar saying rings through the Halloween night as children go from door to door, dressed in fanciful costumes. Parents look on fondly as their little ones laugh and exclaim over decorations on the houses, their bags getting heavier by the minute with candy.

This is probably the first image that comes to mind when you think of Halloween. Halloween, however, goes much deeper. As a Pagan Parent, you can teach your child the history of costumes, trick-or-treating and Jack-olanterns. You can be as simple or detailed as you like. You can create your own traditions from what you learn. For instance, instead of going trick-or-treating (okay, maybe in addition to), set out a plate of food for the ancient spirits as they wander through. As you carve your Jack-olanterns, tell the story of Stingy Jack or try carving a potato or turnip instead.

There are endless possibilities! The key to teaching children is to make it fun for them to learn.

Create a family altar, if you don’t have one already. It should be in a place that’s accessible to everyone and not have anything breakable on it (especially if you have small children or cats who think the altar is their throne).

Allow your children to place items on it after they have explained why they think that item goes with the holiday or season. For fall, things like colorful fallen leaves, pinecones and pretty stones end up on our family altar.

Sometimes I have to limit what they add to it or it gets too full. This is a perfect teaching time, however, as I can ask my children which item they think holds more meaning and why.

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Another tradition we have for Samhain is an Ancestor Tree on our family altar.

Our Ancestor Tree is currently a wire construction covered in black felt purchased from a store. I will be creating a larger Tree this year as the one we have is getting too small for all our ancestors.

Your Ancestor Tree can be construction paper taped to the wall with a tree drawn on it. Or, as in Circle Round, use the roots of a tree as your ancestors are your roots. On our Ancestor Tree, the children help me place photos of our relatives and pets that have passed on.

As we place the photos, we tell stories about them. My children and I have both found healing in this ritual as we remember our family. They also get to learn about people they never got to meet or don’t remember well. This is similar to the way the ancients used to pass down their history - through storytelling.

Since the veil between worlds is thin on Samhain, divination before trick-ortreating could be a new tradition in your home. You can teach your children how to scry in a bowl of water or mirror, make your own runes by drawing with permanent markers on flat rocks (give them a print out of the runes to follow), or even practice using Tarot cards.

Speaking of, there is a new tarot deck made especially for children that will be released on September 28th called Elemental Tarot for Kids by Rayne Storm (recommended for children ages 9+). It will be available through

www.themagickalcauldron.com and Amazon.com, as well as the publisher Schiffer Books www.schifferbooks.com. You can tell I’ll be buying at least one deck for my kids!

Whatever you choose to do with or teach your children, make it meaningful and memorable.

Some good resources that can be helpful when you’re trying to teach your children about your path, besides your internet search engine, are:  www.history.com: You can get some in-depth and accurate information. A lot of it will be more for older kids, but you can adapt it to the younger crowd.  Pooka Pages (www.pookapages.com): A website & e-zine (published each Sabbat) that’s chalk full of information & activities for preschool aged children all the way to teenagers.  Pagan Moonbeams (www.paganmoonbeams.co m): Another e-zine, published a few times a year that is geared for school-aged children.  Circle Round, Raising Children in Goddess Traditions by Starhawk, Diane Baker and Anne Hill: A book that is all about how you can teach your children including rituals, recipes, music and stories.