Happy Samhain/Halloween

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Today's post is simply this, remember the ones that have come before us, be it this year or in years past. Honor them and keep them close at heart.

This is the Witches New Year, so dedicate your self to something new for the coming year. most of all enjoy the day feel the energies all around you, use some and release some of your own( we must always keep the universe in balance).

I hope all of you have a blessed and magical Samhain.

Interesting Facts About Halloween

Saw this on Pintrest and had to share it with you!

Pagan Parenting, Where To Start

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Recently 2 of my 3 daughters have shown interest is following me on my path, my 13yr old has ask questions about why I chose my path and what I believe and other such questions and my youngest who is 10 is obsessed with the moon and her/it's phases.

So if your a Pagan parent and your little ones start showing interest in your path or you want to bring them up walking a Pagan path from day one where do you start? 

Well after asking myself this question and having several Pagan friends ask the same question I went on a search for the answer and came up with a few sites that can help.



Pooka Pages
Pagan Parenting
Witch Mom
The Pagan Household

This is just a few sites and blogs I have found and that I love, you may also want to check out the following website, it has great Pagan children's books.

Wizards & Fairies Pagan Children's Books

I will in the future be posting more on being a Pagan parent as I continue this adventure myself.
I would also like to think my friend Stevie W. for inspiring me to write this post.

Full Blood/Hunters Moon

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The Full Moon is a time for the recognition of the Goddess in her phase as mother and a time to celebrate the Goddess. Today's full moon will occur at 3:50 pm EST, and is called the Full Blood Moon or Full Hunters Moon. Now is also the time when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest because of Samhain being a few days away, so it is a good time to start your Samhain activities. 

 




The full moon is when the moon’s energy is at its peak. 

This full moon is a good time to focus inward and work on spiritual growth, commune with your ancestors, set up your Samhain altar, or set your crystals and other tools out to be cleansed under the moon.

It is also traditionally the time when Witch’s gather to celebrate the power of the moon through an Esbat ritual. It is during this time that the Goddess becomes the strong mother figure who cares for the earth and all its creatures. 

Tonight would also be a wonderful time to light a candle for our friends and family in the northeast that they might survive Hurricane Sandy with no harm.

What are your plans for tonight's full moon?

Blessings
Ash-Lynn

Creating Your Kitchen Altar

This is my personal Kitchen Altar

Having an altar in your kitchen is a reminder that your kitchen is a sacred and powerful place. It says that you have an ability to nourish yourself, and your family and connects you to the divine.

As each witch is different, so are their altars. Your Altar will be tailored to you and your beliefs. Your altar does not have to be grand or elaborate, it can be small and quaint. It's all up to you so get creative and have fun with it.


 
Where do I put my altar?

Anywhere you have the space for one in your kitchen. A small shelf, a window sill, the top of your refrigerator, or on top of your microwave. Your choices are only limited to the space in your kitchen.


So what do you put on your altar?


Representation of a goddess or god(if you follow one on your path) - This can be a statue, picture or what ever represents your deity to you.

Salt - You should always keep a small container of salt on our altar, it represents purification.

Elemental representation - I choose to have all the elements represented on my altar, but this is up to you.

Candles - I normally have a working candle on my altar that is lit when ever I am working in my kitchen.

Herbs - I store several of my favorite herbs in a small cabinet that sits on my altar, again this is up to you.

Items from nature work too – shells for water, pebbles for earth, crystals

Incense Burner - I normally only use this in the kitchen for ritual or while cleaning the kitchen.

This is only a sampling of what you can put on your altar, as I said above and in my broadcast, what you put on your altar is up to you.

Cascarilla “White Eggshell Powder”

Cascarilla “White Eggshell Powder”


Cascarilla or "Peace Powder" is white eggshells that have been crushed and ground to a powder. It is most common to Santeria, Haitian Voodoo, and South American folk magic, but is used in other magical paths as well. This powder is dusted on the body to protect from spirit possession or hag riding, and also acts as a shield to protect from psychic or magical attack. It can be sprinkled around your home or work to create a peaceful and protected environment. In witchcraft it is used for drawing sigils, runes, and other ritual symbols for rites of magic and invocation.

Image Created by - Ash-Lynn

Magical Uses For - Cascarilla “White Eggshell Powder”

• It can be rubbed on the body for protection
• Can be used as a chalk for drawing ritual symbols
• Can be used as a magical powder to sprinkle for peace and protection in the home or work.
• Can be used as a shield against psychic or magical attack

How To Make - Cascarilla “White Eggshell Powder”

As you use eggs in your daily life collect and wash the shells really good, let it dry completely (at least 24 hours), then grind it into a fine powder. Use as needed.

Selling Paganism/Wicca/Witchcraft....

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In the last several months there has been a huge mess going on in the pagan community about whether or not Pagans/Wiccans/Witches/etc should put a price on their services. 

My personal opinion is complicated, I think if your selling an actual product such as herbs, crystals, candles, books, or any other magickal product then yes it is OK to charge for these things. If you are giving an online educational course such as a course to become a certified crystal healer or herbalist then, yes by all means you should charge for that.




However if you are trying to sell spirituality or if your paying someone to teach you how to be spiritual, you should know that you can't learn to become spiritual; Spirituality is the awakening to the divine within you, and that just can't be taught.

That being said, if a person in the Pagan community is offering classes on such topics as the Sabbats, phases of the moon, a year and a day, etc and they want to charge for it and people are willing to pay for it there should not be an issue right?

Well this is where it gets complicated. I personally don't have a problem with the idea of teaching someone about Paganism/Wicca/Witchcraft for a fee, however I do have a major issue with some of the fees and what you do or don't get for the price you pay. I have seen some fees out there that are almost double that of a college course at a reputable college and you get nothing substantial out of them.

If your new to walking the Pagan path and your interested in such classes you should know a few things first.

1. There are literally hundreds of free online sources to get the same information.
2. No matter what you pay for a class there is nothing that can compare to your own experiences.
3. Read, Read, Read!!!! Oh and did I mention Read!
4. If you feel that you have to take an online course to learn how to be a Pagan/Wiccan/Witch, then please, please, please shop around don't just hop on the first one you see, or choose a teacher because he/she is popular. As with anything else in today's bigger is better, more expensive is better society that we live in, sometimes the unknown and the less expensive is better.

If your the person teaching said classes.

1. Be reasonable in your prices, it's OK to charge just don't over charge.
2. Remember when and how you started down your path and how you learned.
3. Remember to Harm Non, and that Karma can be a Bitch.

Lastly I want to say, whether or not you approve of Pagans/Wiccans/Witches/etc should putting a price on their services, what they do or don't do is between them and their Gods/Goddesses, and Karma it is on the individual to do the right thing, it is not for anyone to pass judgement or harass anyone because you disagree with their practice. 

This is just my opinion on this subject and I would love to her yours. Feel free to comment, but please don't be nasty.

Ash-Lynn

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread

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Ingredients

• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 ½ brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 (16 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; stir into creamed mixture just until moistened. Stir in pumpkin. Pour into two greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until bread tests done. 
   
   
   I like to have a little honey butter on top of mine, enjoy.
   Ash-Lynn

Samhain - A Poem

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As I was trying to figure out what I would post about today I stumbled across this poem about Samhain and knew I should share it, I hope you enjoy it.
Blessings
Ash-Lynn

Samhain

(poem by: Yvonne Aburrow)

As night draws its veil over the land,

And autumn draws on her cloak of leaves,

The other world draws nearer to our own,

And the dead gather in the place of shadows.

The dark mother stands revealed

In her terrible naked glory.

The heart stopping beauty of Autumn

Is like a spear roaring for blood.

Even as the Sun recedes from us

To journey over the dark dreaming river

Into the country of death -

So we seek within ourselves the seed of life.

The seed of life: Demeter's mystery,

Kernel within the dark husk,

The Child of Light turning within the womb,

Reflected in the burnished gold of autumn leaves.

13 Ways To Celebrate Samhian/Halloween

With Samhain/Halloween drawing ever so close, I have decided to share thirteen things you can do to make your celebrations both pagan and non-pagan(for those of us in the broom closet) unforgettable.

1. Set Up an Ancestor Shrine - Ancestor Altar - whether Pagan or not this is the perfect time of year to honor our ancestors. it does not have to be anything elaborate just put out some pictures and/or mementos of your loved ones who have passed - On Halloween/Samhain light a candle and meditate on your ancestors.  
2. Decorate your lawn - Get your yard ready for all the trick-or-treaters.  make it sweet or spooky what ever you do have fun with it. 
3. Host an all-night horror fest - Rent some movies, invite your friends over, order some takeout, and prepare for a long night of frights. 
4. Have a dumb supper -  This explains it better than I ever could
5. Go on a haunted House/ghost tour - most area's have something like this just Google haunted tours in your area.
6. Have a Halloween/Samhain party - Whether it's for children or adults have fun with it get in costume bob for apples and dance under the moon.
7. Build a bonfire - If there are no fire bans in you city, state, or town have a bonfire, throw on some of you favorite Samhain Incense and enjoy.
8. Take a child trick-or-treating - there is nothing more fun than taking a child trick-or-treating, have fun with it and maybe let your inner child out to play.
9. Carve a Jack-O-Lantern - Let your creativity come alive and have fun with your design, and if your doing this with the kiddo's tell the story of Stingy Jack(history of the jack-o-lantern)
10. Reflect on the past year -  As this is the Witches New Year do what you would do on the(secular, Jan.1st) New Year, reflect of the past year and set goals for the new one.
11. Have or attend a seance - If your going to do this yourself please read this first.
12. Tour a corn maze - This has always been a big hit with my family, they are always fun, just don't get lost.
13. Start your own Halloween/Samhain traditions - just like any other holiday have fun with it and start your own traditions with your family.

Most of all have a wickedly fun Halloween/Samhain

Ash-Lynn

Honoring Your Ancestors

As Samhain draws closer and the veil between life and death thins, one can't help be reminded that it's the time of year for honoring our ancestors(loved ones who have passed away). This is the one time of year I can actually do just that "honor my lost loved ones".

Unfortunately the way people in my family mourn makes it almost impossible to honor them any other time during the year. With Samhain only 10 days away I am really gearing up for honoring my ancestors, I will be doing several things that day and I thought I would share some of it with you.




1. I will me going fishing for and hour or so with my Daddy and my Granny(it was their favorite thing to do)
2. I will eat an orange for my my baby brother(it was his favorite snack)
3. I will spend time out in nature with my granddad

I will also be doing some traditional Samhain activities like making soul cakes, Having a dumb supper and making an ancestor altar. How do you honor your ancestors?

Here is a short description of the Samhain activities I listed above.

Ancestors altar - you can add photos or other symbols of your loved ones, if you had a loved one die in the past year add a candle for them.

Dumb Supper - no, not dumb as in stupid, but dumb as in silent. You do not speak during the Dumb Supper to honor those who have passed on. You cook the dishes your ancestors might like, and eat in silence.

Soul Cake  - round cakes made to honor the dead. 

Of course  these are just a few suggestions I'm sure if your do some research you can customize your own way to honor you ancestors.
 
Blessings
Ash-Lynn

Soul Cakes

This is the recipe I use for making Soul Cakes, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, two sticks American
3 3/4 cups sifted flour
1 cup fine sugar
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon allspice
2 eggs
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
4 -6 tablespoons milk
powdered sugar, to sprinkle on top


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cut the butter into the flour with a pastry blender or a large fork.
Blend in the sugar, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and allspice; beat eggs, vinegar, and milk together.
Mix with the flour mixture until a stiff dough is formed.
Knead thoroughly and roll out 1/4-inch thick.
Cut into 3-inch rounds and place on greased baking sheets. Prick several times with a fork and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar while still warm.

Wiccan or Witch, Who I Am and Why.

Witch or Wiccan?

I have been ask many times, Are you a Witch or are you Wiccan? It has taken a long time for me to answer that question not only for others but for myself. The journey to find out who and what I am started when I was just a girl in Sunday school, and the Sunday school teacher read Gen 1:26 "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness"  I knew then that there was more than just a God, I knew there had to be a Goddess too.

In the years since I have studied many different books and religions and never found one where I fit, until a stumbled upon a book Called "Wicca for the solitary practitioner" by Scott Cunningham and I was amazed that I could relate to so much of what he wrote however there was a lot I did not relate to, so I continued to seek out more information in not only books but from Witches and Wiccan's alike and in doing so discovered the path that I wanted and still follow.

Not Wiccan!

As a religion Wicca is very structured. So there are many limitations.  I have been told "your not a Wiccan if you don't do this, this and that" that's actually what kept me away from Wicca. People trying to tell me I am wrong or doing things the wrong way.

The reason I am not considered Wiccan by most Wiccan's is because I do not follow many thing that are considered The Wiccan Way. I am not part of a coven, I do not cast circles or call quarters, I do not follow the Wiccan Rede. Now I am not saying that any of that is wrong I'm just saying it is not for me.

Witch! and Proud!

Being a Witch has so much freedom to it, because it's very individual. I don't necessarily follow the 3 fold law, but I do firmly believe in Karma ie: what you send out be it good or bad comes back to you. I prefer to focus on herbs, the elements and nature in general. I have a Goddess and God that I pray to, and I follow the Sabbats. I like having the freedom to follow my path the way I choose, without having to follow any rules or complicated ritual.


Ever Evolving!
  
I still study everything to do with or concerning the path I have chosen, I have also looked into other paths that are similar to my path such as hoodoo, Voodoo, and folk magic. However my core beliefs remain the same. There is both a Goddess and God, nature is sacred, and magic is all around us and in everything we touch. 

Whatever you consider your path please remember to respect the paths and religions of other just as you would like yours respected.

Many Blessings
Ash-Lynn  
 

Witchcraft On A Budget

In today's economy it can be difficult to afford many of the items we use as Pagans/Witches/Wiccans, So I ask you what's a witch to do? After doing a bit a research and doing most if not all of this myself, I have come up with a few money saving idea's.

• Make your own tools - such at your own Goddess dolls, Runes, wands, etc.
• Grow your own herbs.
• Recycle - there are many items in your house that can use in your practice, such as glass jars for herbs or old t-shirts for making poppits, you just have to look for them.
• Yard Sales - you would be amazed at what great items you can find at yard sales for just a few dollars.
• Flee Markets - again as above great stuff at a great price.
• The Dollar Store or Dollar Tree - you would be surprised at what witchy things you can find at these stores like jars, candles, and incense.

I hope some of these idea's help you save a few dollars.

Blessings
Ash-Lynn

Moon Phase Correspondence

New Moon

A time for the recognition of the Goddess in her phase as an Infant

The time of the New Moon (the first two or three days the new crescent is visible) is a good time for celebrating new beginnings or doing magic, which involves growth (starting a diet, beginning a new course of study, etc.). Here the first light in the cycle of the moon begins and the Goddess is in her phase as a very young maiden ready to explore the new world.


Waxing Moon

A time for the recognition of the Goddess in her phase as maiden

As the Moon grows in light, the energies of growth come with her. The day of the Full Moon and the day or two just before the calendar day of the Full Moon are the best times for doing magic for bringing something to you (a new job, prosperity, good luck, etc.). During this time, we recognize the Goddess as the young maiden who searches for a partner with which she can become a new mother. The maiden is full of fresh energy and is anxious to sing and dance throughout the world.

Full Moon

A time for the recognition of the Goddess in her phase as mother and a time to celebrate the Goddess

The full moon is when the moon’s energy is at its peak. The Full Moon is the best time for consecrating tools, charging jewelery, working magic to bring something to you, and for raising energy for the Earth or other Healing. It is also traditionally the time when Witch’s gather to celebrate the power of the moon through an Esbat ritual. It is during this time that the Goddess becomes the strong mother figure who cares for the earth and all its creatures. This is truly a joyous time for celebration.

Waning Moon

A time for the recognition of the Goddess in her phase as Crone

The Waning Moon, especially the days just before the Dark of the Moon, are best for doing magic for removing something from your life (bad habits, stress, etc.) or for clearing out negative energies. This is the time when the moon’s energy is becoming weaker and the strength of the light of the Goddess is diminishing. This is a time of great wisdom for She has learned much in her journey from infant to wise crone and it is a time to learn from this wisdom by going within and communicating with Her. This is a time of personal reflection and inner guidance. Soon the light of the Goddess will fade completely before the cycle will begin again.

Dark Moon

The Dark of the moon is the time when the moon appears to be completely covered in darkness. This is a time of the Crone, the Dark Goddess Hecate and a time to banish negative energies from our lives. We gather together during the Dark Moon Esbat to honor and understand the darker mysteries of the Goddess. We accept that we do not know all the answers and that those things we need to learn will be revealed in time. The Dark of the Moon is also a good time for scrying and other methods of divination.

The Tools Of A Kitchen Witch

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There are many tools that can be used by a Kitchen Witch - below are the tools essential in my kitchen and in my practice.


My Altar - Mine is set up to honor Brigid my chosen kitchen deity, you can set up your kitchen alter anywhere in your kitchen, mine is on a shelf in my kitchen.

My Tea Pot - for brewing teas. 

A Wide Variety Of Herbs - I use these for everything from cooking, teas, and mojo bags.

Salt - Salt is a must have, it can be used for everything from cooking to a magickal floor cleanser

Mortar & Pestle - for bruising and crushing herbs and spices.  

My Broom - Every Witch needs a broom. 

Wooden Spoons - In my personal Kitchen craft, my wooden spoon is my wand and is used in all my magical preparations.

A Good/Sharp Pair scissors  - can be use to cut just about anything.

Tools may differ from witch to witch. Some may scorn the use of modern day gadgets such as blenders and electric grinders, others may embrace blenders, and grinders into their craft as easily as they do thyme and basil. It's up to you what you use in your Kitchen Craft.

What are your must haves in your Kitchen?

Favorite Things and Samhain/Halloween Plans

I want to share some of my favorite things about Fall, October, Samhain/Halloween and what my plans are for Samhain/Halloween.

I would have to say besides the much cooler weather my favorite this about this time of year is being with my family. This time of year my daughters and I spend a lot of time together watching our favorite Halloween/Witchy movies, decorating the house, and getting our Halloween costumes ready.

This year we are also gearing up for my oldest 16th b-day, she is having a costume party, we will be using the same costumes for Halloween, this year I have a Pirate, a Spider Queen, and a Bumble Bee my hubby will be Darth Vader and I'll be doing a twist on Bellatrix Lestrange.

As for my Samhain festivities, they will include honoring my ancestors and giving thanks for the gifts I have had in my life this past year. I normally do a small ritual once we are home for the evening and the girls are in bed.

What are your favorite things about this time of year? What are your Samhain/Halloween?

PUMPKIN TREATS

I got this recipe a while back(can't remember who from but if was you let me know), and I thought I would share it with all of you because as you can see it's perfect or Samhain!!!

PUMPKIN TREATS 

 Ingredients: 

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 cup sugar

1 1/4 cup. flaked coconut, lightly packed

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

walnuts or pecans(or your favorite nut), finely chopped

Directions:

Mix the first five ingredients well in a large saucepan. 

Cook over medium high, stirring constantly for 15-20 minutes. 

It is done when it is very thick and leaves side of pan, forming a ball in the center as you stir. 

Turn onto a greased baking sheet. Cover loosely with foil or plastic wrap. Let cool completely. 

Lightly grease your hands and shape candy into balls. Roll the balls in nuts. 

Cover, store in refrigerator till ready to serve.

This recipe will make about 2 1/2 dozen treats. 

A Yummy Way To Fall Asleep

After a very restless night I decided it was time to share this recipe with you, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, I'll be having some tonight!

What you'll need milk, sugar, nutmeg and a splash of vanilla extract[optional].

1. Heat the milk up until hot.

2. Pour into a mug.

3. Add the sugar, nutmeg and Vanilla .....and stir.

4. Drink and enjoy

I like to drink this right after a nice long hot bath and/or while I am curled up with a good book.

Sweet Dreams
Ash-Lynn

Yummy Goodness

There are only 16 days left to Samhain/Halloween and I thought I'd share something yummy with you, I will be telling you how you can make homemade Pumpkin Spice, I know your thinking oh I can buy that, but store bought pumpkin spice can be pricey and is not always available, so on to this easy recipe.

I use this in my white willow bark tea, for pumpkin pies and as an incense. It not only taste yummy, but smells yummy too!!!



 Pumpkin Spice

Ingredients:

4 Tsp	Ground Cinnamon
2 Tsp	Ground Ginger
1 Tsp	Allspice
1 Tsp	Nutmeg

Mix together and store in an airtight container.

You can now use your pumpkin spice in many ways, so get creative and start making some yummy pumpkin dishes.

Many Blessings

Ash-Lynn

Cleaning Negativity From My Life

Image From Greem Chi Cafe

I have had a life changing year this past year I found out I have diabetes, lost 2 loved ones, and made some really good friends, but while all this was going on I discovered that I needed to cleanse negativity out of my life, so I could concentrate on the positive aspects of life. I want to share with you how I did this and see how you cleanse negativity from your life.




Negative People

I am started with the negative people that affect my life. These people are like energy vampires, I try to stay positive and remain strong but their negativity just drains me. So I decided to drive the proverbial steak through their negativity. How did I do this you ask? well here's what I did.

For the negative people online - I have decided to delete them, I know that sounds harsh but when I come online it's to chat with friends, blog, read my fave blogs and to study, but not hear constant negativity and I do mean constant, the few people that I deleted never, ever posted anything positive at all, so I'm done.

For The Negative People Offline - I couldn't just click a button and delete them so I had to deal with them differently, so I decided to deal with them like this, the next time I had any contact with one of these people I ...

1. told them that I can no longer deal with the drama and negativity that they seem to thrive on, and explained how their negativity makes me feel.

2. After that if it continued I will limited the time I spent with said persons and if they asked why, I repeated step one.

3. if after doing steps 1 & 2 it still continued then I told the person/s that I can no longer be around them, I reminded them of our previous conversations on the subject and then I walked away from them and their drama and negativity.

Yes I know this sounds harsh but, I want rid my life of negativity and for the most part it comes from outside my home and I with all the extra stuff I have going on in my life I don't need to deal with those icky energy vampires, instead I need to concentrate on my family, my health, my craft and on the people in my life who yes have bad days from time to time but look past those days to see the positive things in life.

 Negative Energies

OK now that I have gotten rid of those pesky energy vampires it's time to get rid of the negative energies that are in my house.

This was easier than ridding myself of the energy vampires.

I simply cleaned my house from top to bottom, starting at the back of the house all the way to the front door. After I was satisfied with my cleaning job, I burned sage in every room of the house to rid it of the bad energies, then I proceeded to burn sweet-grass in each room to invite and welcome the good energies (I try and do this monthly). I noticed a difference in my pets and in the general mood of everyone in the house.

My next was to make a Witches Jar to help keep the negative away, so far it has worked quite nicely in fact one of the negative people I was having to deal with on a regular basis moved away from me.

Your Cleansing Ideas?

 I would love to hear how you guys rid yourself of negative people and energies, so please comment and let me know.

Blessings
Ash-Lynn

Divination Craftiness

I have been working on my divination through several different ways, including Runes, Tarot, Oracle cards, and Pendulum work. When doing divination I like to put as much as myself into it as I can so I have crafted my own runes and though not necessary I made a pendulum board. I thought I would share them with you.

First is my Runes, I molded/shaped them out of clay, putting my energy into them, then they were painted a beautiful gold and then the Runes when drawn on them. I keep them in a lovely red bag my cousin gave me.

Next up in my Pendulum and Pendulum board. First is my pendulum it was an anniversary gift from my husband several years ago it is a sapphire heart that appointed itself to be my pendulum (and also my favorite piece of jewelery)

Then there is its board, it's wooden, and has been painted black and deco-podged with an awesome picture that I honestly want to be my first and most likely only tattoo.

 Thank you for letting me share my witchy crafts with you, I enjoy sharing them with you so much.

Blessings
Ash-Lynn

Samhain ~ A Brief History

Image from Magickal Graphics

Most people know of October 31st as Halloween but long before there were children dressing up as goblins and witches, Halloween was known as Samhain (pronounced "Sow-ween"). Contrary to popular belief Samhain is not the name of a Celtic god of death, however it is a Celtic celebration of the end of summer and a time to honor the dead.

Honoring Our Ancestors

Samhain is the time of the year when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest. and it's the perfect time to honor our ancestors who came before us. You can do this in many ways, you can make an ancestor alter and decorate it with pictures or mementos of loved ones who have past, you can set and extra place at the table so that they might know there is always a place for them, or you can simply light a candle and meditate and remember them.

The Witches New Year

Samhain is the third and final harvest festival in the Wheel of the Year, and is celebrated as the Witches New Year. It's a good time to reflect on the past year and if you find you have left something unresolved this is the time to resolve it.

Pumpkins and Jack-O-Lanterns

Pumpkin carving is a popular part of modern America's Halloween celebration, but did you know the practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack."

Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.
Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."

In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack's lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o'lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack o'lanterns.

Costumes and Candy

Dressing up in costumes and going "guising" was prevalent in Scotland and Ireland at Halloween by the 19th century. In the mid-1800s, American began to steer Halloween away from "scary" things and moved toward parties, By the early 1900s Halloween parties focused primarily on festive costumes, games and foods. By the 1950s, Halloween had evolved to a holiday that catered mainly to children. The practice of trick-or-treating was revived during this time. The first mass-produced Halloween costumes appeared in stores in the 1930s when trick-or-treating was becoming popular in the United States. Today whether you make or buy your costume you can be anything you want to be, I think this year I'll be a Witch

New Beginnings

Blessings and Welcome to The Cauldron Of Pagan Ways. In a past life The Cauldron was a forum but it has now been reincarnated into a blog. I have many things planned for this blog, I hope to share my knowledge of living the pagan lifestyle and also hope to learn from you. I 100% encourage commenting by my readers and can't wait to read what you have to say.



This blog is going to not only be a new beginning for The Cauldron, but also for me and my witchy self.

I hope to blog often but I can;t promise everyday, I'm a full time wife and mommy and in my practice family always comes first.

That being said I look forward to this new beginning and adventure.

Many Blessings
Ash-Lynn