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October's Moon -- Random thoughts.

Still your mind,
and still your soul,
heed the words that make you grow,
listen to the winds of the sages,
learn the wisdom of the mages,
handed down to us from the ages.
-- R.A. Melos, 
"A Witch's Words to Her Familiar On Samhain" (Fragg)

From A Collection of Samhain Poetry

Samhain is almost here... you can sense its presence in the air you breathe, the leaves that fall, the moon that peeks out through the sky. There has always been something magical about this time of year, and you cannot grasp the exact thing that is magical about it. All you know is that you have the need to go out, dance under the moonlight, ride your broom, and boil something in the cauldron. It electrifies us in a way no other sabbath does. As the spirits prepare to return to the land of the living for a few short hours, we should also prepare to relish with them the joys of their return. True is, with their passing a void has been left, but also true is that with their return, a gleeful showers suddenly comes forth.


Times of renewal are upon us, and we should make note of it. What have we done this year that can be renewed, what have we done that has to be mended. Meditation is key to offer the Goddess and God our spirit to be cleansed in the underworld, cleansed from those negative influences only to be reborn again come Yule time. 


What can I do to be closer to this universe? What part of my spirit must be released from negativity so that my spellwork is clear? How can I welcome this change in my life, how can I embrace it without feeling like I am leaving an important part of me behind? What voice will I hear this year, coming from the past? What are my ancestors trying to show me through the veil? Important questions we raise and need to ask. Important conversations we need to have with our inner self. 


Samhain is here, my dear witches.


Embrace it! 


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A Spell to Ask for Courage

From the Book
The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Spells
by Michael Johnstone


Tuesdays are best for this spell that brings boldness to the faint-hearted. Cast this spell on a Tuesday in Aries, when the moon is waxing or full. Dress in red clothes and cover your altar with a red cloth to add potency to your magic.

You will need:

One white altar candle
One red taper candle
Some sprigs of holly or honeysuckle
An essential oil burner
Lavender essential oil
Black pepper

When the fumes of the lavender oil are filling the air, sprinkle the pepper onto the burner. Now light the white candle and kneel down, focusing on the flame while silently asking for the courage to face whatever challenges lie ahead. Visualize yourself triumphant in any situation and then light the red candle. Now stand to your full height in front of the altar and, with hands held high above your head, say aloud:

Strength and courage may I possess,
That what I fear, I may face.
In winning through to the other side,
On to victory I will ride.
And let it be done, that it harm no one.

The spell is cast. You can face the future with boldness.
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Mabon Spells

Mabon corresponds to the autumnal equinox, the day when the hours of daylight are equal to the hours of darkness. Also known as the Winter Finding, this holiday is a celebration of harmony and balance. Wiccans celebrate the Goddess in her transition from Mother to Crone. Offerings of apples, cider and herbs are gladly given at this time. Start a self-transformation by planting seeds of balance through thoughts and gifts of harvest with baked treats and handmade gifts. Begin with the three harmony spells below.

Easy family harmony spell

Chose an area in the west side of the home. Place several small candles in a circle with picture of yourself in the center, ask the Goddess of Love to bring harmony and peace to all members in the circle and extended family. Thank the Goddess and each day for the next ten days, be creative and do something kind, for each family member. Write a poem, extend a compliment, lend a hand. Notice the harmony building among everyone.

Harmony treats for co-workers

In the early evening bake delicious treats, cut into shapes and stack in a pyramid. Light an Autumn colored candle sprinkled lightly with cinnamon or nutmeg. Place hands over the goodies, imagining a beautiful orange light coming from the sun through the hands and into the pyramid. Ask this light to bring peace and harmony to all. Present treats to everyone at work. The good will return ten fold.

Harmony for Mother Earth

Sit in a quiet place and light a blue candle. Relax and take a few deep breaths. Imagine the Earth as many different colors of light. See the colors getting larger and larger, melting into each other, each two becoming one new color. Let the mind choose the colors. Keep this meditation until all the colors have blended into a single light. See that one light becoming brighter and brighter and brighter. Let the light grow and fill the Universe. Notice that each ray of light contains all the original colors.


SOURCE
http://www.examiner.com/wiccan-pagan-in-new-york/wicca-101-harmony-spells-for-mabon
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Mabon Recepies (MORE!)

Mabon Celebration Recipes


Sea Turtle Wisdom Bread

2 tsp. active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
2 tsp. sugar or honey
3/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vegetable oil
2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
Raisins
1 egg
Water
Green food coloring

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Whisk in sugar/honey, salt, and oil. Slowly fold in flour, as it becomes harder to stir, turn the dough onto a lightly floured countertop and dust the dough with flour. Knead the dough by folding it in half and pressing it with the palm of your hand until it springs back when you poke it lightly with a finger. Form into ball and place in lightly greased bowl. Dust dough with flour and cover it with a clean cloth towel. Let it rise for 30 minutes. (Shouldn't spring back, now)

After the dough has risen once, punch it down and form balls for the shell (6in. diameter), head (3in.) , and legs (2in.), and assemble on a greased cookie sheet. Etch a crisscross pattern on top of shell with a knife. Use 2 raisins for eyes. Let rise for 30 more minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush lightly with egg wash ( 1 egg whisked with 1 tbs. water and couple drops green food coloring) and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 2 turtles

Harvest Morning Muffins

3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup grated apples
1 cup grated carrots
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tbs. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 12-muffin tin or line it with paper liners. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, blend the eggs, sugar and oil until well combined. Stir in the grated apples and carrots. In a separate bowl, sift the flours, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Blend the dry ingredients with the apple mixture until just combined. Spoon the batter into the muffin tins and bake for 25 minutes.
Makes 12 muffins.


Lunch Crumble

5 apples
1 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 tbs. butter
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. allspice
2 tbs. apple juice or orange juice

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lightly butter a 9-inch square baking pan or a casserole of the equivalent size, then dust it with flour. Peel, core and slice the apples, and arrange them in the pan. In the bowl of an electric mixer, blend the oats, brown sugar, flour, butter, cinnamon, salt and allspice on low speed until it forms a coarse meal. Crumble the mixture evenly over the apple slices and sprinkle with the juice. Bake for 35 minutes.

Makes 6 servings.
(Serve warm with chilled fruit and vegetable plates, buffet style.)


Cinnamon Apple Butter (--N-Turkey) Sandwiches

9 to 10 apples, peeled and cored
1 cup apple cider
2 tsp. apple pie spice
(or 1/2 tsp. each nutmeg and allspice and 1tsp. cinnamon)

Cut the apples into 1-inch chunks. (Don't worry about making them perfectly sized.) Place in a large, nonreactive saucepan and pour cider over them. Cover the pot and cook for about 30 minutes over low heat, until the apples are soft. Cool the mixture, divide it into two batches and puree each in a food processor or blender. (At this point, you have an unsweetened applesauce, which makes excellent baby food). Pour the pureed fruit into a large baking dish, sprinkle with the apple pie spice, and stir. Spread mixture evenly in a 13-by-9-by-2-inch pan. Bake in a 300-degree oven for 2 to 3 hours, until thick and deep brown. Stir every 20 minutes. Cool the apple butter and then scoop it into a clean jar with a sealable lid. It will keep for up to two months in your refrigerator.

Makes 1 1/2 cups.

Create your favorite turkey sandwich buffet with slice turkey breast, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado wedges, sprouts, etc. Use CAB* instead of butter or mayonnaise.


Share the Wealth Applesauce

24 tart apples
Juice of a lemon
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
4 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup raisins (optional)

Peel and core the apples, then cut them into chunks. Place the apples in a large nonreactive saucepan, and add the lemon juice and water. Stir in the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and cook for 30 minutes or until the apples are soft. Remove the mixture from the heat and add the cinnamon and raisins, if desired. Stir light for a chunky sauce and rigorously for a smooth sauce. For a pink applesauce, use red apples and leave the skins on. Once the apples are soft, you can strain out the skins or lift them from the sauce with a fork.

Makes 2 1/2 cups.
( Pour into resealable jars, decorate to give as Harvest gifts to relatives, friends, and neighbors.)


All Things Harvested Pot Roast

4-5lb pot roast
1 stick butter
1 large onion sliced
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
¼ tsp. dried thyme
¼ tsp. dried parsley
1 bay leaf
1/8 tsp. black pepper
¼ tsp. salt
2-10oz cans French onion soup
4 large potatoes, quartered
1-8oz package raw baby carrots
1-16oz pkg. frozen broccoli/cauliflower mix

In dutch oven or oven safe pot w/lid brown both side of the roast, using half the butter. Set the roast aside. With remaining butter, saute' the onion, garlic, and celery until onions are tender and beginning to brown. Add the the thyme, parsley, bay leaf, and pepper. Mix well and then return the pot roast to the pan. Sprinkle salt over the roast and add the french onion soup. Cook at 325 degrees for 4 hours. Baste meat as needed. Add potatoes and carrots and salt to taste. Cook for another 45 minutes. Add broccoli/cauliflower mix and cook for 20 more minutes. Serve with hot bread.

Makes 8 servings


Mabon Caramel Apples

1 package Kraft* Caramels
6 red or green apples, destemmed
6 popsicle sticks

Melt caramels slowly in a double boiler. When runny in consistency, stick popsicle sticks into top center of apple, and dip apple into caramel sauce, making sure to cover entire apple with a coating of caramel. Place dipped apples, stick up on wax paper covered cookie sheet an refrigerate till caramel hardens.

Makes 6 servings.

Remember, an apple a day keeps the dentist, doctor, and dermatologist away!!!! 


SOURCE
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