Craft Ideas
Wire Wrapping Crystals
Do you have a special crystal that you want to be more focused? Here
is a simple method to wire wrap it and help focus the crystals
energies:
Choose your wire based on a color compared to what you are focusing
the crystal towards {Copper for love, etc.}
Once you have selected your wire, place about 1/8" of the wire
straight down the side of the crystal.
Bend the wire over the top of the crystal and wrap tightly and
closely down until the wire going down the side cannot be seen.
With broader wraps go all of the way down the crystal with no more
than a few wraps.
Go up with the same style of wrap making a criss-cross pattern.
When you reach the top wrap tightly and closely a few times.
Coat top of crystal with melted resin to seal it.
Once resin has dried, burn away the outer layer with a candle,
leaving only the resin inside it wire, sealing it.
Acorn Charm
Acorn or acorns
rooster or parrot feathers
small hematite or similar gemstone
A pinch of powdered Ginseng
A small pouch
Inscribe acorn(s) with runes, or other symbols of courage and
strength. Put acorn(s) into the amulet bag along with the other
ingredients.
Charge in your magick circle. Have the male wear the bag around his
neck, close to his skin.
An Autumn Windsock
You'll need:
oatmeal or cornmeal container
leaves: real/foam/paper/cloth
glue
strips of fabric or crepe paper
stapler
fishing line, raffia, yarn or string
Cover the container completely by gluing on the leaves and
overlapping them until the container is covered. You won't
need the lid-so cover the bottom and the sides. Once this is
done and dried, turn the container over so the opening is up
and staple strips of crepe paper or fabric to the inside edge
of the container, so when you turn it over it will look like a
windsock. Carefully poke or punch two holes in the opposite
end of the container, one on each side. Thread your string
through each hole and knot on the inside. You will use this
to hang your project. This is a very basic project that can be
changed with imagination and creativity. You could:
-String pinecones from the bottom instead of paper.
-Use seedpods, leaves and other natural items to
glue around the container as a collage.
-To the top of the windsock you can glue natural
items too, just don't interfere with the string that
you'll hang it from.
-You can paint your container first if you don't want
to cover it so tightly with the leaves.
-Use fall colored thin ribbon instead of paper or fabric,
and use the same ribbon to hang the windsock.
-You could also string beads onto fishing line or other
thin string and use these to dangle-it would be a little
bit more of a windchime/windsock. You could also glue
the same beads around the top and bottom edge.
This can be as simple or elaborate as you wish! It's not
waterproof so we hang it either inside by a window or on
our porch, which is partially covered. Kids love to hang
these by their bedroom window!
Cinnamon and Apple Garland
1/8 yard each of 7 different fabrics (colors of choice)
Jute twine
Raffia or 3/8-inch ribbon
3 apples
3 cups lemon juice or white vinegar
12 teaspoons salt
Cheesecloth
Paper towels
Wire cookie cooling rack
12 tablespoons applesauce
15 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Small cookie cutters of choice (gingerbread men, diamonds, leaves,
stars, hearts, etc. - use cutters to match a holiday)
Cookie sheet
Straw
To dry apples: Pour lemon juice (or mixture of vinegar/water) and
salt into bowl, stir. Cut apples into 1/4-inch rings; remove seeds.
Place in bowl to soak 15 minutes, turning often.
Remove from bowl and pat dry with paper towels, absorbing as much
moisture as possible. Using a double layer of cheesecloth on wire
rack, arrange apple slices in single layer. Lay an additional double
layer of cheesecloth over top of apples. Place in cold oven; set
temperature to 150 degrees F. Bake for 4 to 5 hours or until apples
are soft and a pliable (no water visible when squeezed).
Make cinnamon cutouts: Blend 12 tablespoons of applesauce with 15
tablespoons cinnamon; mix. Dough will be stiff. Sprinkle work area
with cinnamon. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out desired
designs. Place on cookie sheet. Make a hole in "cookie" with a
drinking straw. Bake at 150° F. for 3 to 4 hours, until dry.
Tear each fabric piece into 1 x 8-inch strips. Tape a 42-inch piece
of jute twine to table; tape opposite end of twine. Beginning 4"
from
one end of twine, tie on one strip of each fabric. Tie one strand of
raffia or ribbon onto the twine. Thread apple slice, cinnamon
cutout,
and another apple slice onto twine. Add raffia or ribbon and follow
the "pattern" until all fabric is used.
Corn Husk Dolls
Corn dollys bring health, wealth and general prosperity to the land
or property owner. A simple ritual could include writing a special
wish
with a marker onto the dolly (good health for a friend?) and burn
the
dolly.
Items Needed
· Corn husks
· Large bowl of water
· Twine or string
· Scissors
· Old pieces of fabric
· Watercolors or markers
· Glue
Directions: Soak the cornhusks in warm water for an hour, until they
become pliable. Gather several of the damp husks and then tie them
together with a piece of twine about ½ inch from one end. To make
the
head, hold the knotted end in one fist, then fold the husks down (as
though
you were peeling a banana) so that they cover the knotted end.
Smooth
out
the husks to make a face, then secure them with a piece of twine
around the doll's neck. To make the arms, roll up a single husk and
tie it off at both ends. Position the arms up between the husks,
under the doll's neck. Smooth
the husks over the arms to form the chest and back then cinch in the
waist with twine. For a skirt or legs, arrange several husks,
inverted (like a skirt that has blown up over the doll's head)
around
the waist. Secure with twine, then
fold the skirt down. For legs, divide the husks into two parts,
tying
each bunch at the knees and ankles To make clothes, hair, hats or
other headpieces, glue on little pieces of fabric You can use
markers
and watercolors to give
the illusion of facial features. Glitter can be added as well as any
other decorations to the Corn Husk Doll.
Corn Pillows
~author unknown
You'll need sturdy cotton cloth (like muslin) and feed corn. This is
stocked by feed/grain stores--mostly for people to put out for deer.
It is dried, whole-kernal corn. DO NOT SUBSTITUTE POPCORN!
Cut two pieces of cloth about 11" by 9"
Sew together three sides and part of the fourth and turn right-side
out. Fill this bag about 2/3 full of feed corn, and securely sew the
remaining open side closed.
Corn pillows are used like heating pads--pop one into the microwave
for 3-4 minutes, and it will hold the heat for at least a half-hour.
They're *much* safer than taking an electric heating pad to bed.
They
mold to the body, so you can mush the up to whatever needs warmth.
They're cuddly.
You might want to make a decorative (washable) drawstring pouch for
a
cover.
Warning. The first few times you heat one, it gives off a lot of
moisture. This year I think I'll put the corn in a bowl and nuke it
a
couple of times before I make the pillows. If you choose to add
herbs
or whatever, remember that the corn pillow will smell rather like
cornbread when it's hot, and choose accordingly.
Select items you can find easily on the ground, or go to a craft store.
Choose dried leaves, acorns, and milkweed pods, and use a hot-glue gun
to attach them to a grape-vine wreath. This time of year stores are
filled with decorative autumn items; try to find miniature brooms to
attach to the wreath. Follow this spell to make the wreath a protective
symbol. Use ribbon or yarn to create a pentacle symbol in the center or
fashion one from twigs.
Wreath of autumn,
circle round,
Guard this space
from harm.
Protect all those
within these walls,
I dedicate this charm.
Witch's
The Witches Besom - and the Making of One
Another indisputable symbol of Samhain is the witch's besom. The
besom is the witch's broomstick, and though it is not a tool of
paganism in the modern sense, it was often utilized in the magickal
practice of the Middle Ages. Like the cauldron, the besom was an
everyday household object and could not be held up as a sign of
witchcraft in the courts. This fact elevated their prominence as
magickal tools, often taking the place of wands and staves. Because
of this association it is not surprising that they quickly became
objects of magickal protection. Besoms were often placed near the
hearth of the home to protect the opening, and many pagans still
believe a besom at the fireplace will prevent evil from entering. If
negativity is a problem, just take your besom and visualize yourself
sweeping these feelings out the door. Using the besom to sweep away
negativity from a circle site was common practice, one still
observed
by many pagans.
The besom is a phallic symbol and was used by female witches in
fertility rites, and it is from this that the idea of the Halloween
witch riding around on a broomstick also may have materialized. The
sweeping end was usually made of the European broom herb, a feminine
herb. Thus the broom was complete as a representation of the male
and
female together.
At Halloween we are bombarded with images of the demonized Crone
Goddess riding her broom across the moon. The idea that witches
could
fly on broomsticks may have been a misunderstanding of astral
projection, a sending forth of one's consciousness to other places.
MAKING A BESOM
If you would like a besom of your own, they are fairly easy to find
in craft stores, country markets, or folk art fairs. You can also
invest your energies into making one, a good idea if you wish to use
it in place of a wand or other ritual tool.
To make a besom you will need:
A four foot dowel one inch in diameter
ball of twine
scissors
straw or other long strands of pliable herbs
Take the straw, or another herb you have chosen for the bristles,
and
allow them to soak overnight in warm, lightly salted water. The
water
softens the straws to make them pliable, and the salt soaks out
former energies.
When you are ready to make your besom, remove the straws from the
water and allow them to dry a bit, but not so much that they lose
the
suppleness you will need to turn them into your besom.
Find a work area where you can lay out the length of your dowel, and
begin lining the straws alongside the dowel. Starting about three
inches from the bottom, lay the straws, moving backward, along the
length of the dowel. Begin binding these to the dowel with the
twine.
You will need to tie them very securely. You can add as many layers
of straw as you wish, depending on how full you would like your
besom
to be.
When the straw is secured, bend the top straws down over the twine
ties. When they are all gently pulled over, tie off the straws again
a few inches below the original tie. Leave the besom overnight to
allow the straw to dry
The dowel part of the besom can be stained, painted, or decorated
with pagan symbols, your craft name, or any other embellishments you
choose. Dedicate your finished besom in your circle as you would any
other ritual tool.
www.witchway.net/hallows
5 Ounces Glycerine Soap
1/8 teaspoon Myrrh Oil
1/8 teaspoon Frankincense Oil
Bronze and Gold Mica Dust
Ultra fine gold fabric glitter
Oval soap mold
Melt 1/2 of the soap. Stir in the Frankincense oil and Gold mica dust.
Pour
into 2 molds filling only half way. Melt the other 1/2 of the soap.
Stir in
Myrrh oil and Bronze mica dust. Spoon over 1st layer of soap. Set,
unmold.
Give the bars a light dusting of the gold glitter and you have a soap
of
gold, frankincense and Myrrh the gifts of the Magi. If you've frozen
the
soap allow it to thaw and dry before adding the glitter or wrapping.
Tablescapes are arrangements of items gathered in a grouping on top of
a
table. They're sometimes called tabletop arrangements. Typically, you
can use
anything as a prop for a great miniarrangement — for example:
* Accent pillows, throw blankets
* Baskets, books, candles
* Fabrics and other linens, ribbons
* Flowers and foliage
* Fresh fruit or quality faux fruit
* Mirrors, photo frames
* Trays, vases, or bowls
A tablescape can include a centerpiece, or it can simply contain an
arrangement of your favorite items. Tablescapes refer to the way things
are laid out,
like in a landscape painting. And they're not just for dinner anymore.
They're
wonderful to arrange on coffee tables, end tables, or any other
occasional
piece that lends itself to holiday decorating — even mantels or
shelves.
Normally, you might have a simple tablescape already arranged on an
occasional table. You may have arranged a tall candle set aside a small
floral
arrangement and a stack of thick coffee-table books. To adapt your
everyday décor for
the holidays, you can
* Add a small holiday-themed collection on top of the stacked
books.
* Replace the stack of books with a stack of holiday-specific
ones. Be
sure that you don't place anything on top of them, so guests are
encouraged to
leaf through them leisurely.
* Replace your normal floral arrangement with a seasonal one.
* Change out the color of your candles.
* Add a holiday-themed item at the base of your candles, such as
an
ornament, some greenery, or another token representing the holiday.
* Remove your regular tablescape items and replace them entirely
with
snow villages or other holiday collections you may have.
Don't forget to take the opportunity at the holidays to dress up other
tabletops that you don't normally spruce up. Simple holiday items
grouped together
are an easy way to add holiday sparkle to any surface.
If you want to make your own tablescape, here's a quick formula: Simply
gather and arrange the following items, or a combination of them, on no
more than
1/3 of your table surface space to make an instant tablescape:
* Light source (lamp or candles — sometimes both).
* Hard line accent (photo frame, book, a collectible item).
* Botanical element (flower, bowl of fruit, plant or other item).
* Fabric item (a table topper, runner, ribbon, a tapestry
remnant, a
napkin.)
* For the holidays: Add only one holiday item to a premade
tablescape
Making your own tablescapes is easy if you keep these few pointers in
mind:
* Gather interesting items of different textures together. Good
items
to have are books, decorative plates displayed on stands, bowls filled
with
fruit or other decorative items, vases, flowers, candles, decorative
orbs, and
other home décor accessories.
* Arrange items in staggering heights. Stack a few books and use
them
underneath items to raise them if needed. If you have a lamp on a
table, use
that as your tallest height, and work with other smaller items to fill
in your
tablescape.
* Take up no more than 1/3 of your table with a tablescape unless
you
don't intend to use the table for anything else but display. You want
your
tablescape to stay intact, so leave room for people to set down drinks
or the TV
remote without bumping into your lovely arrangement.
* Use your surfaces wisely. If you set up a gorgeous tablescape
on your
coffee table but no one has a place to put their dishes, cups, or other
items
for which that coffee table was intended, you've defeated the purpose
of
decorating. Decorating is meant to enhance — not to hassle.
If you want to place a tablescape on a surface you may need to use
unexpectedly, such as an ottoman, try arranging it on a decorative tray
so that you can
move or shift the display without having to take it down or rearrange
it.
color, or other quality.
2. Cleanse the object.
3. Charge the object(this is especially true of a tailsman).
4. Bless the object by calling on a personal deity or another sacred
power approiate to your goal.
5. Work during aspicious astrolgical phases, if desired.(This is nec-
essary for talismans.
6. Create the charm using spells,incantations, or any other meta-
physical methods that will empower it for use.
7. Carry it with you regularly, or put it where the energy will do
the most good.
If you enjoy working with your dreams, or just want to encourage more
interesting dreams, you could try making a dream pillow. All you need
is some fabric, needle and thread, and some herbs. Choose a fabric
with a fine weave, or the herbs will leak out. Cut 2 squares of
fabric (4-5" across). Place them together with the good sides of the
design on the inside. Sew around the edges, closing up 3 sides. Turn
your pillow inside-out so the good sides are on the outside. Stuff
with herbs ( which ever ones you decide to use), and sew the final
side. Don't fill too full. It should lie fairly flat under your
pillow.
Herbs for peaceful sleep:
Lavender Chamomile Valerian (Use sparingly. Smelly) Thyme Vervain
passionflower Peppermint
Herbs for psychic dreams:
Mugwort
Chamomile
Sandalwood
Jasmine
Lemongrass
Bay
Rose
Honeysuckle
Thyme
How to use
Just place your herbal dream pillow under your regular pillow at
night. I place mine inside the pillow case to keep it in place. And
remember not to let your dream pillow go through the wash with the
rest of the bed linens.
They also make nice little gifts.
Candle Plates are big selling items these days, but they're pretty
easy to make on your own. You can make them as plain or as creative
as you like with pebbles, glass beads, broken dishes, or whatever
suits your fancy. For this project we'll be using leaves, twigs and
acorns, but you could just as easily use glass beads in a pentacle
design.
Items needed:
plaster of paris
disposable plastic bowl
bottom of a milk carton or cardboard container the shape you want,
at
least 1 inch deep for the mold
newspaper
wooden spoon
items to decorate
ceramic paint and acrylic (optional)
Directions:
Line the table with many layers of newspaper. This is a messy
project, and oh so fun!
Gather all the items you wish to put on your candle plate and play
with the design, figuring out what you want to go where. Plaster
sets
up pretty fast, and you'll have to move quickly. For this project,
we'll be lining the edges of the plate with the twigs, laying the
leaves in the center, and placing the acorns randomly in the corners
and edges. You want the center to remain level because this is where
you'll place the candle.
Mix the plaster according to the directions on the box, and pour
into
the mold, at least a 1/2 deep.
Place the items into the plaster, being sure to leave the center
free
for the candle.
Once the plaster dries, peel the carton away and brush off any loose
particles. Paint and seal with acrylic if desired.
Items needed:
newspaper
unbleached muslin (1 yard)
sisal rope
white glue
florist wire
small egg-shaped styrofoam ball
trim
Fold one section of newspaper in half and roll it lengthwise.
Fold the roll in half, and twist a twist tie at the upper third of
the folded roll to form the body and legs. It may be helpfull to
stuff the legs into a large bottle while you work.
Cut off a 20 inch section of florist wire and twist the ends
together. Twist the ends into a loop approximately 1 inch long, and
bend the wires close together. This will be the arms and hands
Stick two pieces of florist wire approximately 6 inches long into
the
wide end of the styrofoam ball and fold them around the ball,
twisting them together to hold it securely. With the remaining wire,
secure the ball to the loop of the newspaper - this will be the
head.
Thread the arms through the paper of the loop, not the loop itself,
to help it remain secure.
Mix the glue with an equal part of water to form a solution that the
material will be dipped in and used to hold the fabric to the doll
and stiffen the fabric to desired shape.
From the muslin, rip several 1/4- 1/2 inch strips of fabric, run
them
through the glue solution. The material should be saturated, but not
dripping. Wrap the hands and arms wire with the material, covering
the wire completely. It may take several applications of material.
Tuck the ends into the material already wrapped.
Repeating the same dipping process, cover the head first with
horizontal wraps and then with vertical. Wrap the body of the doll
crossing over from the front to the back in an "X" shape.Wrap the
neck wire and secure the ends of the strips
For the skirt: Rip a 12 inch by 20 inch piece of material,sew the 12
inch ends together if desired, and dip the material into the
solution. Pull up over the legs, gather the waist and secure to the
paper using a 1/2 strip acting as a belt.
Make the apron - rip a 2 inch wide strip that is wide enough to fit
over the top of the skirt, and cut the front bottom edge into a
curve
if desired. Secure the apron with a piece of trim.
Rip a 1 inch piece of material approximately 8 inches long, dip, and
drap around the neck.
Rip a 3 inch wide piece of material approximately 16 inches long and
drape around back and over arms.
Arrange the skirt into desired folds and allow doll to dry.
After the doll has dried,cut the rope into 12 12 inch sections and
fold in half - this will be the part of the hair. Sew the ropes at
the fold down the center of the head. Unravel the rope.
You can garnish the White Goddess with a wreath of dried flowers if
you like - take a vine and wrap it on itself until you have a
wreath.
Insert dried flowers into the wreath and place on the head.
She can be left in the bottle for year-round use, or placed on top
of
the tree at Yule.
Items needed:
red velvet ribbon, 1/2 inch and 1 inch
6 or 8 inch embrodery hoop
mistletoe
florist wire
hot glue
Separate the two pieces of the embrodery hoops and fit them
together,
one inside the other, at a 90 degree angle. Secure in this position
with florist wire or hot glue. Secure a piece of the 1/2 ribbon to
the bottom of the hoop. Wind the ribbon around the edges of the
hoop,
wrapping each "arm" in a spiral motion until the wood is covered
completely. Secure with hot glue.
Form two bows with the 1 inch ribbons, leaving the ends dangling.
Secure one to the bottom of the joined hoops, the other to the top.
Gather the mistletoe into a ball, secure the ends with florist
wire.Insert inside the globe and twist the florirst wire to the top
of the ball. Hang the ball somewhere you are sure to get kissed!
Egg ornaments are a great way to recycle used eggshells if you do not
compost them and can make beautiful gifts for loved ones at Yule.
You will need:
clean blown eggshells
pencils
acrylic paint
thin ribbon
glue (with a little water added)
fine glitter and/or gold and silver acrylic craft paint
paintbrushes
hot glue and glue gun (optional)
acrylic glaze.
To make a blown egg, take a nail or large needle and hold the egg
firmly in your left hand. Use the nail to drill a hole in the tip
using a small amount of pressure. You can use a small hand drill if
you wish or a small drill bit. Poke a hole in each end of the egg and
hold it over a glass. Blow through one end of the egg into the glass.
It may take a little bit of work, but the egg bits will soon come out
easily. Once you have blown out all the contents, rinse the egg out
under the water and let it dry for several hours.
When you are ready to paint your egg, set it on a soft surface
such as an old towel and draw your design on the egg in pencil. Don't
worry too much about making a mistake. You can erase and you will be
painting over the lines anyway. Be sure that the egg is completely
dry when you begin to paint. Any type of acrylic paint can be used
and bright bold colors work best. The large point of the egg goes at
the top and the tip should point down. When you are finished painting
your design, coat the egg with a thin layer of acrylic glaze. This
will make the egg shiny and the colors bolder. If you want to cover
the hole at the bottom before you paint, you can fill it with hot
glue. If you want to add glitter to a portion of the design such as a
star, you can paint the shape with Elmer's glue mixed with a little
water. Then roll the egg in glitter while the glue mixture is still
wet and let it sit for 10 minutes to dry. Once the egg is completely
dry, blow or brush off the glitter with a clean, dry paintbrush. Cut
a piece of ribbon about eight inches long and form it into a loop.
Glue the ends down to the top of the egg. Make a small bow from the
ribbon and glue it down over the ends of the loop. When the glue
dries your ornament is ready to hang!
Items needed:
newspaper
unbleached muslin (1 yard)
sisal rope
white glue
florist wire
small egg-shaped Styrofoam ball
trim
1. Fold one section of newspaper in half and roll it lengthwise.
2. Fold the roll in half, and twist a twist tie at the upper third of
the folded roll to form the body and legs. It may be helpful to stuff
the legs into a large bottle while you work.
3. Cut off a 20 inch section of florist wire and twist the ends
together. Twist the ends into a loop approximately 1 inch long, and
bend the wires close together. This will be the arms and hands
4. Stick two pieces of florist wire approximately 6 inches long into
the wide end of the Styrofoam ball and fold them around the ball,
twisting them together to hold it securely. With the remaining wire,
secure the ball to the loop of the newspaper - this will be the head.
5. Thread the arms through the paper of the loop, not the loop
itself, to help it remain secure.
6. Mix the glue with an equal part of water to form a solution that
the material will be dipped in and used to hold the fabric to the
doll and stiffen the fabric to desired shape.
7. From the muslin, rip several 1/4- 1/2 inch strips of fabric, run
them through the glue solution. The material should be saturated, but
not dripping. Wrap the hands and arms wire with the material,
covering the wire completely. It may take several applications of
material. Tuck the ends into the material already wrapped.
8. Repeating the same dipping process, cover the head first with
horizontal wraps and then with vertical. Wrap the body of the doll
crossing over from the front to the back in an "X" shape. Wrap the
neck wire and secure the ends of the strips
9. For the skirt: Rip a 12 inch by 20 inch piece of material, sew the
12 inch ends together if desired, and dip the material into the
solution. Pull up over the legs, gather the waist and secure to the
paper using a 1/2 strip acting as a belt.
10. Make the apron - rip a 2 inch wide strip that is wide enough to
fit over the top of the skirt, and cut the front bottom edge into a
curve if desired. Secure the apron with a piece of trim.
11. Rip a 1 inch piece of material approximately 8 inches long, dip,
and drape around the neck.
12. Rip a 3 inch wide piece of material approximately 16 inches long
and drape around back and over arms.
13. Arrange the skirt into desired folds and allow doll to dry.
14. After the doll has dried, cut the rope into 12 12-inch sections
and fold in half - this will be the part of the hair. Sew the ropes
at the fold down the center of the head. Unravel the rope.
15. You can garnish the White Goddess with a wreath of dried flowers
if you like - take a vine and wrap it on itself until you have a
wreath. Insert dried flowers into the wreath and place on the head.
16. She can be left in the bottle for year-round use, or placed on
top of the tree at Yule.
Items needed:
~Grapevine wreath any size
~ raffia or pretty spool of ribbon
~ stones, glitter, beads, faery pendants, or any little trinkets you
would like to put on them
~ glue gun and some glue sticks
You basically weave your ribbon through the vines to construct a
pentagram in the middle of the wreath. Take a piece of the ribbon and
make a loop at the top of the wreath to hang it on the wall or
wherever. Glue your stones and other items wherever you like, and
also add glitter if you want.
Choosing corresponding colors and items to make a specific kind of
wreath is also nice. The possibilities are endless!
* Please post and share with the group if you have ever made your own
pendulum and how you made it.
Pendulum
Items needed:
an oblong bead
a pendant
approx. 9" chain (a broken necklace will work great)
needlenose pliers
one pin head wire (found in bead stores)
clippers (I use toenail clippers!)
two small beads
Instructions:
Thread the beads onto the pin head wire in this order: small bead,
oblong bead, small bead.
With the clippers, clip off remaining wire, leaving approx. 3/4"
remaining.
Using the needlenose pliers, bend the wire holding the beads into a
ring and clamp.
Open a link on one end of your chain, and thread through the loop you
just made.Clamp shut using the pliers.
Open the link on the opposite end of your chain,loop through the
pendant. Clamp shut.
To use the Pendulum, hold the pendant in your hand loosely,elbow on
the table, letting the pendulum swing free. Still the movements of
the pendulum with your other hand. Ask the pendulum to show
you "yes" - the pendulum should start to move in a pattern, usually
in a circle or back or forth. If you can't really tell, ask the
pendulum to be more precise. Once a pattern is established, this is
the Pendulum's "yes." Now, ask the pendulum to show you "no." Keep
your pendulum in a safe place, and it will treat you well!
Cut out two squares of soft fabric approximately 6 inches square....
velvet,
velveteen or satin are preferred, sew around three sides of the
squares with
white or silver thread. Mix in a bowl:
Rose Petals (two parts)
Primroses (one part)
Bay leaves, fresh (one part)
Lavender (one part )
Milkweed pod silky tassels (two parts)
Turn the pillow inside out so that the seams don't show, stuff the
pillow
with your herb mixture. Sew up the end so that the herbs stay in the
pillow.
You can then decorate the pillow if you want with lace, silk, or
embroider with
designs, etc. Take this pillow to bed with you at night and put it
under
your pillow. This not only smells great but will help you to have
dreams of the
fey. NOTE: After six months these pillows may lose their "fresh"
scent. You
can reuse them by emptying out the old contents and refilling them
with new
herbs
NIGHTMARES AND BRING PROPHETIC DREAMS PILLOWS
Stitch a small pillow of muslin of another lightweight
fabric. Create a pillow that can be
opened by putting Velcro at one end.
This allows you to "refresh" the pillow from time to time with
new herbs without having to unstitch the end or make a new pillow. You
may wish
to cover muslin pillow with a lightweight, washable "casing" as well.
Once you stitch the pillow together, fill with:
4 oz dried lavender flowers
4 oz dried sage
2 oz ground orris root-as a preservative-optional
4 oz deer's tongue herb
2 oz cedar shavings
4 oz coltsfoot herb
4 oz sweet fern
2 oz violet
Keep dream pillow under or inside of your regular bed
pillow. When storing your pillow each morning you may either leave it
where it
is or put it inside of a plastic bad by your bed. Storing it in the bag
will help the herbs
retain their freshness for a longer period of time.
DREAM PILLOWS
Combine together in a bowl:
1 cup mugwort
1/2 cup rose petals
1/2 cup German chamomile
1/2 cup of sweet hops
1/3 cup lavender buds
1/3 cup catnip crushed
1/4 cup peppermint
Mix the ingredients together make cloth bags from a 5 x 12
inch piece of material fill cloth bags with your mixture sew the top of
the bag
shut and sweet dreams!
Long ago when the world was young, an old lakota spiritual leader was
on a
high mountain and had a vision. In his vision, Iktomi, the great
trickster and
teacher of wisdom, appeared in the form of a spider. Iktomi spoke to
him in
a scared language that only the spiritual leaders of the Lakota could
understand.
As he spoke Iktomi, the spider, took the elders willow hoop which had
feathers, horse hairs, beads and offerings on it and began to spin a
web. He spoke
to the elder about the cycles of life....how we begin our lives as
infants
and we move on to childhood, and then to adulthood. Finally, we go to
old age
where we must be taken care of as infants, completing the cycle.
Iktomi said, "In each time of life there are many forces and different
directions that can help or interfere with the hawrmony of nature, and
also with
the great spirit and all of his wonderful teachings." Iktomi gave the
web to
the Lakota elder and said, "See, the web is a perfect circle but there
is a
hole in the center of the cirlce. If you believe in the great spirit,
the web
will catch your good dreams and ideas - - and the bad ones will go
through the
hole. Use the web to help yourself and your people to reach your goals
and
make good use of your people's ideas, dreams and visions."
The Lakota elder passed on his vision to his people and now the
Lakota's use
the dreamcatcher as the web of their life. It is hung above their beds
or in
their home to sift their dreams and visions. The good of their dreams
is
captured in the web of life and carried with them...but the evil in
their dreams
escapes through the center hole, and are no longer part of them.
Materials
* 5 inch ring
* 4 yds Suede Lacing
* 1/8inch 3yds waxed nylon string
* 1 Small Concho (Shell)
* 12 Pony Beads
* 16 Pony Beads
* Feathers
* Scissors
* Glue
* Clothes Pin
If you cannot obtain the supplies, try making one using a small green
branch
from a tree about 1 cm in diameter and 1 meter long. Just bind the
ends of
the branch together and then make the web in the same way.
This is just one way to make dreamcatchers
1. Cut 8 ft. of the suede lacing. Glue one end of the lacing to the
ring.
Wrap the suede lacing around the ring until you reach the starting
point again.
Be careful not to twist the lacing. Glue the end of the lacing to the
ring.
Hold it in place with a clothespin until the glue dries .
2. To make the web, tie one end of the immitation sinew to the ring .
Make
nine half hitch knots around the ring spacing them about 1-1/2" apart.
Make
the last hitch a little closer to the first knot as this prevents a
large gap
from forming. Keep the thread pulled snug between the knots.
3. Begin the next row of the web in the middle of the thread that you
have
already weaved on row 1.Continue weaving in the same way until you
have a
small hole left in the center. Tie a double knot in the cord, add a
tiny drop of
glue to the knot and cut off remaining thread when dry.
4. To make the loop to hang your Dream Catcher, use a 12" piece of
suede
lacing. Fold it in half and tie a knot in the open end. At the top of
the ring,
attach the lacing by slipping the loop end through the ring and then
around
the ring and over the knot. Pull the lacing tight to secure it in
place.
5. To make the hanging sections, cut three 8" pieces of suede Tie two
8"
pieces of suede lacing about one third of the way up each side of the
ring using
a double knot. Slip 3 colored pony beads onto each piece of lacing and
secure with a knot.
6. Using the last 8" piece of lacing to attach small concho to top
middle of
the ring. Slip three pony beads onto each piece of lacing.
7. Finally, push two feathers up inside the beads on each piece of
lacing
except the one hanging from the concho. Glue the feathers if they are
loose.
The last 4 feathers are attatched 2 each side of the concho.
To make larger sizes : 12 inch rings needs approx. 7 yds of 1/8 suede
lacing
to bind it 9 inch ring - 6 yds 6 inch ring - 4 yds Remember that you
will
need extra suede for the laces and hanger.
You will need:
Basket or decorative bowl,
Colored tissue paper or foil,
Strips of paper,
Colored ribbon,
Crystals and other Stones and Gems,
Greens and Holly,
On the strips of paper write the meaning of each gem,
Wrap it around the crystal,
Wrap crystal in tissue paper or foil,
Tie with Ribbon,
Place in basket or bowl
Have yours guest stir the stones once, while thinking of the new
year
and things to come,
Keep stone and remember the things you thought of.
When you make your own poppers, you get to choose the toy that goes
inside.
Customize for each guest to set your party apart.
ribbon
small toys, gifts, surprises
wrapping paper or decorative paper
scissors
craft glue
cardboard paper towel roll
Cut paper large enough to cover paper towel roll and exceed edges by at
least 2 inches. Wrap paper around cardboard paper towel roll and glue
in
place. Tie a ribbon at one end of the base of the paper towel roll,
crimping
paper. Fill the roll with small gifts, toys or surprises then tie a
ribbon
around the open end, crimping the paper and holding in all the
contents.
Trim the paper edges if needed. Place a Christmas Popper by each dinner
plate to create a festive look.
Items You Will Need
Small broom, about 1' by 8"
Plastic seasonal flowers {Holly, berries, mistletoe, evergreens}
3 different colours of ribbon, about 12"-16" long
Some thin wire {strip garbage bag twist-ties of their paper coats}
Ornament oriented to the Sabbat
Wire Cutters
Scissors
DIRECTIONS: Using the wire cutters cut down the flower stems to a
workable
height. Using the wire, begin tying in the seasonal flowers and berries
at
the base of the broom where the bristles begin. Manipulate the leaves
of the
flowers to lie flat against the bristles. This will give a good
background
for the colour of the flowers to show. Lay your berries and or fruits
in
between the flowers and tie off with wire. Once you have all the
foliage in,
wire in the Sabbat ornament of your choice. To hide the wire tie the
ribbon
in a bow or whatever knot you prefer and let some of the excess drape
around
and under the the piece. TO HANG: String a bit of wire through the top
of
the handle and hang on a nail in the door. If you prefer to hang your
broom
bristles up, then weave the wire through some of the bristles and
really
twist for strength. If you are hanging this on the front door, it's
going to
get a lot of traffic by it, so make sure it is secured well.
Christmas trees are often topped with a star representing the Star of
Bethlehem, or an angel to represent the Angels that announced the
birth of Jesus.
During Yule we celebrate the birth of the Sun, and an appropriate
topper for our Yule tree can be a representation of the sun. There
are countless beautiful sun images you can purchase to use as
toppers. However, if you enjoy making your own ornaments, and
especially if you have children who would like to be involved in
decorating the Yule tree, here is an easy, beautiful topper you can
make with your children.
You will need:
Newspaper to cover your table
2 white paper plates for each Sun
hole punch, scissors or sharp stick to poke holes
2 or 3 shades of yellow and amber poster paint
paint brush
spray-on or stick glue
gold glitter
glittery gold buttons, sequins, metallic confetti, etc.
12 inches of yellow or gold yarn or twine
SAFETY NOTE: Do not give toddlers tiny buttons or beads to work with.
They are choking hazards.
Draw a picture of the sun on each of the paper plates freehand. Cut
out the two sun shapes.
Paint one side of each of sun. Wait until it dries, then paint the
other side. Be creative with the use of your paints.
When both sides are dry, paste the two shapes together, with the
underside of the plates together so that the rays of the sun will
bend outward. Punch two holes about 1. 5 inches apart through both
plates to string yarn through later.
Using glue and glitter, go to town decorating your sun. (Many kids
will want to draw a face on the sun which is perfectly appropriate.
Have them do this before the glitter goes on. )
String the yarn through the two holes and tie to the top-most branch
of your Yule tree.
Be as creative as you like. If you're working with kids, give them
free rein. They can make these sun shapes for toppers as well as for
decorating around the house.
Wreaths are as much a part of the holidays as family time and
gift-giving. Making a wreath is also a great family activity (for some a Holiday
tradition), and something that doesn't require a lot of time or skill.
In an afternoon, you can easily clip and wire pine onto a frame and
produce a wreath that's ready to hang. Your kids will love working with
the fragrant greens and being able to make wreaths even prettier than
store-bought ones. So clear a large space on your dining room table,and
get ready to create a beautiful wreath.
Adorning the Wreath
After the hard work of tying on greens, it's time to decorate your
wreath. You and your kids can wire on all sorts of adornments: pinecones
,green apples, acorns, small bells,and a Gardening shovel. You can also
use ribbon to tie on decorations--such as cookie cutters--or wrap the
wreath with a special garland.In my wreath I used a bloomed scallion for
a focal piece,instead of a traditional bow. Consider the wreath your
palette and decorate it in whatever style suits your family. I let my
kids decide for themselves, and every year the final products are
different.
To hang the wreath, slip thin white ribbon around the top of the wreath
frame (a bit of green wire is less conspicuous), and hang it from a
screw, nail or hook.
Prep Time: About 2 to 3 hours
What you need:
1 to 2 large bundles of hemlock, spruce, Douglas fir or a
combination
1 bundle of white fern
1 wreath frame (metal or Styrofoam)
Garden clippers
Wire clippers
Spool of fine green wire
2 yards of wide white ribbon
gardening shovel
Seasons: Winter
Materials: wire
Instructions:
1. Preparing the greens. Take the large boughs and cut the limbs
into many 6- to 8-inch pieces (kids old enough to handle clippers can
help). Don't worry about trimming irregularly shaped pieces--you want a
natural look and can use nearly everything except the thick central
branch. You may want to cut the holly, too, but keep it in a separate
pile. It's expensive, so use it sparingly. Also, cut about twenty 15-inch
pieces of wire and put them nearby (I suggest a parent do this job).
Watch out--they're easily lost as the clutter spreads.
2. Begin to make bunches of evergreens. Use the sturdy pieces
from the base of the branches for the back of my bunch; they provide
support but are fairly well hidden. You'll see that the tips of the branches
are symmetrical and prettier because they haven't been cut. As you
gather, say, four or five pieces for your bunch, place these sections near
the front where they will be the most visible. Better yet, offer them
to your kids because they look so nice and work with the less desirable
pieces yourself.
3. Wiring the wreath. When you have formed a nice, thick bunch of
greens, hold them down against the frame with one hand and take a
piece of wire in the other. Place the greens in position and lay the wire
across the bundle, about two-thirds of the way from the top. Now,
holding the bunch in place with the wire (one end in each hand), carefully
turn over the frame and tighten and twist the wire. That is the tricky
part for kids--it can result in moans of frustration, so be ready to
help. If you are using a metal frame, clip off any excess wire. With a
Styrofoam frame, you can simply press it into the Styrofoam.
4. Adding the white fern. Attach the second bunch of greens in
the same way, except add a sprig of white fern in the front where it can
easily be seen. You can create your own patterns with fern--adding it
to every bunch or every two or three. (I don't recommend forming bundles
entirely from fern; it's delicate to handle, costly, and the result
will probably not be as full as your bunches of evergreen.) Place the
bundle in the same direction as the first one; the second overlaps the
first so that only about a third of the underlying bunch is visible. If
kids put the bundles farther apart in their haste to cover the frame
quickly, they'll end up with a thin wreath that has an uneven
circumference.
5. Closing the circle. Repeat steps 1 to 3 as many times as
needed to work my way around the wreath. A frame 16 inches in diameter will
require about 12 bunches. Where my last bunch meets up with my first,
there is often a spot that is less full than the rest of the wreath.
It's an ideal place to tie a ribbon.
6. Folding the bow. I like a bow with many loops because it shows
up well and hangs naturally. (Pre-tied bows are also available in
craft stores.) Take 2 yards of white ribbon, about one to two inches wide,
and loop it back and forth, pinching it between thumb and forefinger
at the middle to retain the loops.Attach the garden shovel before
securing the bow.
7. Wiring on the bow. Take a piece of wire, run it once around
the bow and wrap the two ends around the wreath, twisting it in the back.
Older kids can try this step but may need some help. You can reuse the
same ribbon year after year--just remove the wire, iron the ribbon and
start again.
From "DIY Crafts"
Judy Mulford is an expert at building attractive baskets from pine
needles.
Materials:
Dry pine needles 5" to 6" long
#18 tapestry needle
Scissors
Raffia
Knife
Make sure to use pine needles that are thoroughly dried.
Avoid "green" needles, which will shrink as they dry, producing a
wobbly basket. You can, however, dry green needles in a warm, shady
place.
Gather dry pine needles in late summer or early fall. Store them
with sheath ends together in bundles bound on both ends with rubber
bands or loosely stacked in a cardboard box.
Wash pine needles before use in a mild detergent, and rinse
thoroughly. Flexible needles are needed to begin the basket, so
soften pine needles by soaking them 1 hour in cold water or 1/2 hour
in hot water. Store soaked needles overnight, wrapped in a towel
placed inside a plastic bag. Use within two days, or the needles
will mildew. Refrigerator storage will retard mildew growth.
Once the pine needles have been soaked, tie a pencil-sized bundle of
needles in an overhand knot near the sheath ends (figure A).
Wet a piece of raffia, and thread the blunt or thick end through the
tapestry needle. Put the tapestry needle through the middle of the
knot, and tie the ends into a knot. Cut the sheaths off at an angle
on the underside (figure .
Take overhand evenly spaced stitches from front to back through the
middle of the knot. Go from the right to the left, and catch in the
ends as you go around. You should now have a donut shape (figure C).
For the first row, insert the tapestry needle in the top third of
the donut and through the middle of the stitch below. Continue in
this manner for subsequent rows. If the stitches get farther than 1"
apart, add new stitches between them.
To add pine needles to the core, remove the sheath end from one
cluster, using a table knife to scrape it off and slide the butt end
of the pine needles into the center of the core. Keep the bundle at
pencil size (figure D).
Continue going around and around until you have the desired size for
the bottom. To start the side, slightly angle the bundle up and away
from you (figure E).
To end the basket, let the pine needles run out, or cut the needles
at an angle on the underside. Weave the end piece down into the
basket and under existing stitches.
To add more raffia, tie a new end onto the old one, with the knot on
top of the bundle. The knot will be hidden by the next
Items needed:
newspaper
unbleached muslin (1 yard)
sisal rope
white glue
florist wire
small egg-shaped Styrofoam ball
trim
Directions:
1.Fold one section of newspaper in half and roll it lengthwise.
2.Fold the roll in half, and twist a twist tie at the upper third of the folded roll to form the body and legs. It may be helpful to stuff the legs into a large bottle while you work.
3.Cut off a 20 inch section of florist wire and twist the ends together. Twist the ends into a loop approximately 1 inch long, and bend the wires close together. This will be the arms and hands
4.Stick two pieces of florist wire approximately 6 inches long into the wide end of the Styrofoam ball and fold them around the ball, twisting them together to hold it securely. With the remaining wire, secure the ball to the loop of the newspaper - this will be the head.
5.Thread the arms through the paper of the loop, not the loop itself, to help it remain secure.
6.Mix the glue with an equal part of water to form a solution that the material will be dipped in and used to hold the fabric to the doll and stiffen the fabric to desired shape.
7.From the muslin, rip several 1/4- 1/2 inch strips of fabric, run them through the glue solution. The material should be saturated, but not dripping. Wrap the hands and arms wire with the material, covering the wire completely. It may take several applications of material. Tuck the ends into the material already wrapped.
8.Repeating the same dipping process, cover the head first with horizontal wraps and then with vertical. Wrap the body of the doll crossing over from the front to the back in an "X" shape. Wrap the neck wire and secure the ends of the strips
9.For the skirt: Rip a 12 inch by 20 inch piece of material, sew the 12 inch ends together if desired, and dip the material into the solution. Pull up over the legs, gather the waist and secure to the paper using a 1/2 strip acting as a belt.
10.Make the apron - rip a 2 inch wide strip that is wide enough to fit over the top of the skirt, and cut the front bottom edge into a curve if desired. Secure the apron with a piece of trim.
11.Rip a 1 inch piece of material approximately 8 inches long, dip, and drape around the neck.
12.Rip a 3 inch wide piece of material approximately 16 inches long and drape around back and over arms.
13.Arrange the skirt into desired folds and allow doll to dry.
14.After the doll has dried, cut the rope into 12 12-inch sections and fold in half - this will be the part of the hair. Sew the ropes at the fold down the center of the head. Unravel the rope.
15.You can garnish the White Goddess with a wreath of dried flowers if you like - take a vine and wrap it on itself until you have a wreath. Insert dried flowers into the wreath and place on the head.
16.She can be left in the bottle for year-round use, or placed on top of the tree at Yule.
Sister BlackRaven
Items You Will Need
Small broom, about 1' by 8"
Plastic seasonal flowers
{Holly, berries, mistletoe, evergreens}
3 different colours of ribbon, about 12"-16" long
Some thin wire
{strip garbage bag twist-ties of thier paper coats}
Ornament oriented to the sabbat
Wire Cutters
Scissors
DIRECTIONS:
Using the wire cutters cut down the flower stems to a workable height. Using the wire, begin tieing in the seasonal flowers and berries at the base of the broom where the bristles begin. Manipulate the leaves of the flowers to lie flat against the bristles. This will give a good background for the colour of the flowers to show.
Lay your berries and or fruits in between the flowers and tie off with wire. Once you have all the foliage in, wire in the sabbat ornament of your choice.
To hide the wire tie the ribbon in a bow or whatever knot you prefer and let some of the excess drape around and under the the piece.
TO HANG: String a bit of wire through the top of the handle and hang on a nail in the door. If you prefer to hang your broom bristles up, then weave the wire through some of the bristles and really twist for strength. If you are hanging this on the front door, it's going to get a lot of traffic by it, so make sure it is secured well.
Yule Gods-Eye
An amulet made for protection that uses eye symbolism to represent the Sun is the South American God's Eye, which has its origins with the native people of that continent. These amulets are made from two sticks placed across each other to form an equilateral cross. Colored yard is then wound around them to form the body of the Eye. By alternating the colors of yarn the finished product looks like a stylized eye, and its four points symbolize the four directions. The Native South Americans used them both for decoration and as protective talismans.
To make your own God's eye, you will need a quarter-inch dowel available at craft and hardware stores, a pair of scissors, and a collection of colored yarns (popsicle sticks work well too).
Cut the dowel into lengths approximately ten inches long. Holding the dowels together at their centers so that they form and equal length cross, begin wrapping your first yarn color around the center in an "X" pattern to stabilize the dowels.
Now begin slowly working your design outward. Wrap the yarn completely around one point of the dowel and then move on to the next point.
Periodically stop and push the yarn down against the center so that you have a tight weave. When you have wrapped the yarn within half an inch of the dowels, stop and wrap the yarn several times tightly around one point. You can then tie it off, leaving a loop from which it can be hung.
God's Eyes can be made of any size, depending on how you want to use them. Larger ones can be used for protection like a Native North American medicine shield, and smaller ones in Yule colors make excellent Yule tree decorations and can symbolize the return of the Sun. If they are decorative items to honor the Sun, then your work is done. If they are to function as protective talismans, then you should be visualizing their purpose as you weave them and consecrate them to their purpose later on.
Taken from
The Sabbats- A New Approach to Living the Old Ways
by Edain McCoy
It's time to honor the dormant time, and allow yourself to rest before
the active growth of new ideas. Here is a "do nothing" spell. Place
two unlit green candles in the center of a space. Place a needle and
thread and a pair of scissors alongside the candles. Place a small cup
of dirt and a packet of seeds on the other side of the candles. Think
about the need for all living things to be dormant in order to gather
the energy necessary for growth, and remind yourself that you too need
that time of rest. Think about the projects you want to start and
nurture in the coming year. Now give yourself permission to do nothing
about them until you have rested and replenished your energy.
By: Laurel Reufner
[Note: from Acorns newsletter]
5 small branches
a Styrofoam hoop or an embroidery hoop (inner hoop only) or some
other type of hoop bag of fake snow (the sparkly kind) flour paste
cheese cloth (1 package)
1.Glue the branches in the middle of the hoop to create a pentacle.
2.Soak the cheese cloth in the flour paste the wring out lightly...
you want enough left on it so it will hold.
3.Wrap the entire pentacle in the cloth... each piece individually...
to give it texture and body.
4.Let dry.. depending on many factors this may take up to 2 days.
5.With a paint brush, lightly brush on some flour paste .... Do Not
Soak It...
6.Now place the fake snow in a bowl or on a platter and coat the
pentacle just like you would bread something.
7.Allow to dry completely and add a big pretty bow to the top to hang
it.
by Brenda Hyde of Old Fashioned Living
Pinecones are one of my favorite natural treasures for crafting. They
come in all sizes, and they are paintable, glueable and pretty. These
are just a few of the things you can do with pinecones to accent your
crafts.
Spiced Pinecones
Pinecones
Ground ginger
Ground cinnamon
Or any crushed dry spice you wish
craft glue
foam brush
Mix 1 part glue to 1 part water. Use foam brush to paint the
pinecone. Mix equal parts of the spices in a bowl. Sprinkle spice
over the pinecone and roll in spice. When coated, allow to dry.
Uses: You can use these in baskets, glued on wreaths, or even solo,
as an ornament. Hot glue a ribbon the the very top of the pinecone.
Add accents to the top, such a spanish moss, raffia or dried flowers.
Pinecones
household liquid bleach
large bucket
glass plate
a rock or brick
foil lined baking sheet
Best done outside in a well-ventilated area. Do not splash bleach.
Work carefully. Place pinecones in bucket; add bleach to cover. Place
plate on top of pinecones and weight with rock or brick to keep the
pinecones covered with the bleach. Allow to sit for five hours.
Remove pinecones from bleach (use gloves) and place on baking sheet
covered with foil. Place in 250 degree oven for several hours until
they reopen completely. The time will depend on how large the
pinecone is.
Uses: You can use the same as above. Also they are pretty placed
among your garland or even on the Christmas tree itself.
Pinecones
paraffin
doubleboiler
tongs
crayons with paper removed
cinnamon oil, or other scents
newspaper
Cover work area with newspaper. Melt paraffin a double boiler over
hot water (heat BEFORE adding paraffin). Add pieces of crayon to
paraffin after it has melted. Red or green would be good for
Christmas. Add until the color is as you would like it. Add scented
oil. Holding pinecones with tongs, dip in paraffin. Allow to dry
between coats. Continue coating until fully covered. Allow paraffin
to dry completely before storing or using pinecones.
Uses: These can be given and used as firestarters or placed in bowls
to scent a room.
To make a traditional Yule log you will need a large piece of wood
(see below), small pine cones, some evergreens (holly, fir, pine, or
spruce snippets work nicely), other flowers and greenery (see below)
a hot glue gun, and a length of red ribbon. Starting from the log
center, work with the greenery and cones until you have an
arrangement that suits you. When you like the placement, attach it to
the lot with hot glue. Then tie the ribbon around the log to form a
bow in the center. If you like, write personal wishes for the new
year on little slips of paper, and insert them sporadically under the
foliage. Put the log aside until Yule. For extra luck in the coming
year, make sure to keep the Yule fire going for twelve days. After
the twelth day, place some of the ash in a jar with a tight lid.
These ashes are very magickal, and can be used to boost spellwork in
the coming year.
The Yule log can be made of any wood. Each releases its own kind of
magic.
Aspen: invokes understanding of the grand design.
Birch: signifies new beginnings.
Holly: inspires visions and reveals past lives.
Oak: brings healing, strength, and wisdom.
Pine: signifies prosperity and growth.
Willow: invokes the Goddess to achieve desires.
You may also wish to decorate the log with greenery, flowers, ribbons
and herbs for magickal intent. Some choices might be:
Carnations-protection, courage, strength, healing, increases magickal
power, vitality
Cedar-wealth, protection, purification, healing, promotes
spirituality
Holly-dreams, protection
Juniper- Exorcism, protection, healing, love
Mistletoe-a catalyst, fertility, health, success, protection,
banishing evil
Pine-healing, wealth, protection, purification, exorcism, exorcism,
fertility, wealth
Rosemary-health, love, protection, exorcism, purification, increase
intellectual powers, peace, blessing, consecration, very powerful
cleansing and purifying
Roses-love, courage, luck, health, protection, beauty
1/8 yard each of 7 different fabrics (colors of choice)
Jute twine
Raffia or 3/8-inch ribbon
3 apples
3 cups lemon juice or white vinegar
12 teaspoons salt
Cheesecloth
Paper towels
Wire cookie cooling rack
12 tablespoons applesauce
15 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Small cookie cutters of choice (gingerbread men, diamonds, leaves,
stars, hearts, etc. - use cutters to match a holiday)
Cookie sheet
Straw
To dry apples: Pour lemon juice (or mixture of vinegar/water) and
salt into bowl, stir. Cut apples into 1/4-inch rings; remove seeds.
Place in bowl to soak 15 minutes, turning often.
Remove from bowl and pat dry with paper towels, absorbing as much
moisture as possible. Using a double layer of cheesecloth on wire
rack, arrange apple slices in single layer. Lay an additional double
layer of cheesecloth over top of apples. Place in cold oven; set
temperature to 150 degrees F. Bake for 4 to 5 hours or until apples
are soft and a pliable (no water visible when squeezed).
Make cinnamon cutouts: Blend 12 tablespoons of applesauce with 15
tablespoons cinnamon; mix. Dough will be stiff. Sprinkle work area
with cinnamon. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out desired
designs. Place on cookie sheet. Make a hole in "cookie" with a
drinking straw. Bake at 150° F. for 3 to 4 hours, until dry.
Tear each fabric piece into 1 x 8-inch strips. Tape a 42-inch piece
of jute twine to table; tape opposite end of twine. Beginning 4"
from
one end of twine, tie on one strip of each fabric. Tie one strand of
raffia or ribbon onto the twine. Thread apple slice, cinnamon
cutout,
and another apple slice onto twine. Add raffia or ribbon and follow
the "pattern" until all fabric is used.
Supplies:
Glass ivy bowl or canning jar
One 35 clear light strand
One bag scented potpourri
One 10" or 12" lace doily
Ribbon and flowers for bow decoration
Put small amount of potpourri in bottom of container.
Stuff container with light strand.
Add potpourri to fill container and cover light wires.
Place doily over top opening and tie with ribbon.
Accent with ribbon, silk or dried flowers, charms, ribbon roses or
any
other decorations.
Dried citrus Fruit Ornaments:
Find fresh citrus fruit, such as oranges, limes, lemons, or
grapefruits. Slice into thin circle slices. Put them carefully on a
cooling rack. Put into a 200 degree oven for several hours, turning
every hour until they are dry. Open the oven door slightly and leave
in the oven overnight. String with fishing line, and hang on the tree.
Cinnamon Stick Garland:
Thread some dental floss or embroider floss, or quilting thread onto
a needle. String cinnamon sticks through the long hole in the middle
of the stick onto the thread. You can add whatever else you want in
between the cinnamon sticks (cranberries, popcorn, etc.)
Scented Ornaments:
1 cup cinnamon,
3/4 cup applesauce,
1/4 cup white school glue
Mix ingredients together, roll out on a lightly floured surface. Cut
out with cookie cutters. Punch a hole in the top of each ornament
with a drinking straw. Dry for at least 48 hours. Tie a string or a
ribbon through the hole, and hang on the tree. Do not eat!
Hard Candy Ornaments:
Lay out any hard candies on a cookie sheet. Cook for 10 minutes in a
300 degree oven. Let cool for a few minutes. Before they are
hard,poke a hole in the tops of each with a toothpick or pencil.
After they are hard, put an ornament hanger through the hole. They
will last for years.
Gingerbread Boys &Girls Ornaments:
You can use gingerbread boy and girl cookie cutters as stencils, or
you can draw and cut out your own. Trace onto corrugated cardboard.
Cut out. Let children decorate with paint, colored glue,
buttons,ribbon, markers, construction paper, etc. Poke a hole at the
top and tie a ribbon through the hole.
Pine Cone Ornaments:
Have your child find beautiful pine cones. Bring them home. Paint
them with glue. Sprinkle glitter on them. Let them dry. Tie a ribbon
or pretty yarn to hang on the tree.
Modeling Dough Ornaments:
Mix together 2 cups of salt and 1 cup of cornstarch in a bowl. In a
pot, boil 1 1/2 cups of water. Remove from heat and add the salt
mixture. Stir. Then cook over low heat until it is thick. Cool.
Knead. Shape into ornaments. Make a hole for the ribbon or ornament
hook. Let dry. Paint.
You will need:
Potpourri
A clear plastic ornament with a hole at the top, that can be
opened and filled
Glue
Ribbon of your choice
Decorative paint
1. Fill the plastic ornament with potpourri.
2. Glue the plastic ornament together.
3. Glue the ribbon over the seam of the ornament.
4. Make a loop out of the ribbon.
5. Loop the ribbon through the top of the ornament.
6.design the ornament on the outside how you want.
7. Hang it on your tree.
Miniature tussie mussies make elegant Yule ornaments and are easily
made from tiny, dried rosebuds, little sprigs of baby's
breath,pieces
of statice, and other dried flowers. This is a perfect way to use
the
pieces that have broken off in the process of making herbal wreaths.
Cut a piece of sheet Styrofoam(well-washed meat trays work
perfectly)
about the size of a nickel. Push a 4-inch length of doubled
florist's
wire through it to make a handle in the center. Push the stems of
the
herbs into the Styrofoam, using a single little rosebud in the
center
and other rosebuds or tiny sprigs around it.
Use single florets of statice, tansy, and others to make a tiny
bouquet, and then fill in the spaces with little whole cloves, tiny
sprigs of baby's breath, leaves of boxwood, or other tiny blossoms.
Glue these in place with tacky glue.
When the bouquet is dry, you can glue around the edge a small piece
of narrow, gathered lace or little ruffles, cut from paper doilies.
Cover the back with a circle of white Styrofoam. Wrap the florist's
wire stem with florist's tape, and finish off with a tiny bow of G-
inch wide, satin picot ribbon, in a complementary or matching color.
Add a loop of nylon thread for a hanger.
If you don't have rosebuds, you can use a very small strawflower for
your center or you can simply group your other flowers. If the
flowers have stems H inch or longer, you can bundle your blossoms
into a bouquet, tie with heavy thread, and wrap with florist's tape.
To the base of the stem, glue a ruffle of slightly wider lace or
eyelet gathered into a circle. Although full-sized tussie mussies
can
be used on the tree, these miniature ones are so delicate and dainty
that they are certain to steal the show.
~ From Herbal Treasures
Form a 1 1/2–2-inch diameter circle using white florist wire. For
ease, form the circle around a bottle or other round object of the
desired size. Do not fasten the wire ends, but allow them to overlap
about 1 inch.
Using one end of the wire as though it were a needle (you may have
to
smooth "the needle" slightly with steel wool), thread 1/2–3/4-inch
wide ecru or white lace onto the circle. Use about 1/2 yard of lace,
or enough to form a full, gathered circle. Loop the ends of the wire
together, and trim off excess. If the lace is not fairly stiff, give
the wreath a quick spray of starch and allow it to dry thoroughly.
Decorate by gluing on tiny dried herb blossoms, such as individual
chive blossom florets, little clusters of marjoram flowers, tansy or
costmary buttons, feverfew, leaves of thyme, germander, boxwood, and
seeds or berries such as bay and coriander. Finish by attaching a
loop for hanging and a bow of 1/8-inch satin ribbon in a
complementary color.
I don't know about you but I love to make my own Yule gifts! Cinnamon
Stick Flower Pots are a pretty way to spice up Yule blooming plants like
Amaryllis and Christmas Catcus!
You will need:
50-60 extra long cinnamon sticks
pruning shears
hot glue gun and glue sticks
1 flower pot, 5in in diameter with a textured finish
ribbon 1 in to 1 1/2 in wide
1 clump of silk or plastic Yule greenery (holly, berries and
evergreen),with thin flexable wire
Cut the cinnamon sticks to the same length and 1- 1 1/2 in taller than
your pot.
With the glue gun, glue the cinnamon sticks all around the pot. Make
sure they are close together.
Now take your holiday greenery, cut a nice but not too large selection
frim the bunch leaving at least 2in of wire at the ends. Twist the wire
ends together and trim to the same length.
On your pot find a spot about 1 to 1 1/2 in from the top, where the
cinnamon stics leave a gap large enough to slip wire on the greenery into.
You may need to trim the wire ends again if it's too long. These ends
will be hidden under the ribbon.
Add glue to the spot between the stick that you have chosen and attach
your greenery.
Cut a length of ribbon and tie it around the pot and in a bow. Make
sure that the bow is over the wire stem so that the ends are hidden behind
it.
Tip~ If the greenery is not to your taste..............improvise!
Create a pentacle made from a tiny grapevine wreath and colored ribbon, or
even a tiny besom or pagan charms!
1 glass container of your choice
Sea glass (enough to fill the glass container)
8 drops orange essential oil
1 drop nutmeg essential oil
Sealable plastic bag.
One tea light
Put the sea glass in a sealable plastic bag. Sprinkle 8 drops orange
essential oil and 1 drop nutmeg essential oil directly on the sea
glass, seal the bag, and gently shake until all pieces are coated.
Note: For a stronger fragrance, place even more oil on the glass
pieces. Carefully place the sea glass inside the glass container and
position the tea light in or around the glass to release the
fragrance.
Variation:
Create a fabric diffuser that can be hung from a car mirror, heating
vent,cabinet handle, bedpost, or anywhere else you need a fresh
scent:
Cut one 12" circle of cheesecloth. Place the sea glass and oils in a
sealable plastic bag. Gently shake until all pieces are coated.
Place the scented glass in the center of the cheesecloth. Bring the
edges of the cloth together and tie closed with natural raffia.
Avoid using this diffuser in closets or on wood finishes, as the
essential oils may damage clothing or mar surfaces.
Materials:
1-peice Wooden Clothespin, Red, Yellow, or Brown Yarn, 1 White Pipe
Cleaner, Several Scraps of White Material, Black and Red Markers,
Scissors, Glue, Gold Glitter.
Children will enjoy making these little Bride images that can be
used
later as an alter decoration. Take a scrap of white material, (silk,
satin, cotton, etc.), and cut out a 6" circle. In the center of the
circle cut a hole large enough to poke the "head" of the clothespin
through. Fold the circle in half and cut along the fold from both
perimeters to the center hole, leaving approx. 1/8 inch between each
slit and center hole. Dab "neck" of clothespin with a very small
amount of glue, and push clothespin "head" up through the center
hole
in the material. Cut appropriate length of pipe cleaner to make arms
and slide up through the slit in the clothespin until it is pushed
up
to the end of the slits on both sides of the material. Gather the
material tight around the clothespin just under the arms, and tie
off
with a small piece of string or yarn. Glue a couple of short pieces
of yarn to the clothespin head and make eyes and mouth with markers.
Finish with dabs of glue and gold glitter around the white wedding
dress. A bridal veil glued to the yarn hair is optional. Explain to
the children how the Goddess is a sacred bride, pure and renewed,
waiting to be re-united with her consort the God.
Materials:
A Box, Colored Construction Paper, White, Yellow, Green, and Red
Tissue Paper, White Flowers or Cotton Balls, Glue, Paint Brush,
Crayons, Scissors, Glitter.
This is a great little activity for the smaller children in the
household, and they two can boast of helping with your alter decor.
Paint one side of the box at a time with a bit of glue, not too
thick, just enough to adhere green tissue paper. Cover the entire
outside of the box with the green tissue paper. Cut a 2" wide strip
of colored construction paper the length of the sheet (11"/14"). Let
the child draw symbols and pictures that reminds them of Spring, the
Goddess, brides, and weddings on the strip. Cut the white and yellow
tissue paper into 2" diameter circles. While you are doing this,
allow the child to draw pictures and symbols on the box with glue,
and sprinkle with glitter. Place finger in the middle of a tissue
square and draw up tissue around finger. Give a slight twist to
crinkle paper into a flower shape. Remove finger and adhere to box
and decorated construction paper strip with a dab of glue. Remember
to leave about 1-1/2 inches on each end of strip. Attach these ends
to the inside of the box with some glue. Let dry. Fill with white
flowers or cotton balls. Tell story to children of how the Maiden is
a Bride and that the Earth is her Bride's Bed.
Materials:
Dried Wheat Stalks, Brown Thread. These crosses were exchanged as
symbols of protection.
They are easy to make and not at all time consuming. Take eight
stalks with sheaves still attached. Place four stalks on flat
surface
with two sheaves at the top and two sheaves at the bottom. Measure
approx. 6" of stalk between the sets of sheaves and cut off excess.
Tie all four stalks together with the brown thread, first under the
top sheaves, then above the bottom sheaves. Cut off excess thread.
Repeat this procedure with the other four stalks, shortening the
length between the sheaves to 4". Carefully separate the first set
of
stalks (two in front and two in back) and slip the second set
through
approx. 1" from the bottom of the top sheaves. Tie some thread in a
knot just under the arms of the cross. Take the excess ends and
diagonally wrap the thread over the opposite corresponding arm and
back to the knot. Tie off in back and cut off excess ends. Let the
children hand these Brighid's Crosses out to guests.
Materials:
Imbolic Potpourri, 1 Yard White Netting Material, Yellow and Pink
1/8" width Ribbon, Scissors.
These sachets can be put in the children's clothing drawers or in
rooms of the house that you'd like to smell of Imbolc even after the
Sabbat is over. Potpourri is made with 1/2 cup dried basil, 1/2 cup
dried chopped bay leaves, 1 cup dried Heather flowers, 1 cup dried
Violets, 1 cup dried white or pink rose buds. Blend together in non-
metal bowl. Cut netting material into 4"x4" squares. Lay out squares
on a flat surface. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of potpourri in the
middle of each square. Pull up all the corners to the middle of the
potpourri and gather the excess material until potpourri is caught
in
a "bag". Give bag on twist to the right and tie off with yellow or
pink ribbon. Use enough ribbon to make a small bow in the front of
the sachet. Tell children how these sachets were exchanged as
symbols
of good luck and fertility.
Materials:
Molding Clay, Pencil, Ruler, 13- 4" White Stick Candles (1/4"
diameter), Paints (optional).
This Pentacle Candle Wheel is the perfect accessory to any Imbolc
altar. Use enough clay to roll out flat with a rolling pin and cut
out a circle 18" in diameter and 1/2" thick. Roll excess clay into
rope, 1/4" in diameter and long enough to boarder the wheel base.
Wet
the clay rope enough to stick to base. This will contain any wax
that
drips from the burning candles. Score the image of the pentacle into
the wheel base with the pencil, using the ruler to make straight
lines. The Pentacle's points should be approx. 1/2" away from the
border. Take one of the white candles and press bottom slightly
(approx. 1/4" ) into each Pentacle point, each cross point (inner
angles of the Pentacle) and three depressions in a pyramid shape in
the top Pentacle triangle ray. Now allow the clay to dry and harden.
The Pentacle Candle Wheel can be painted if desired after dried.
Place candles in each of the depressions and place in the center of
the Imbolc altar. Remember that the Candle Wheel is the symbol of
the
light that ensues from the union of the Bride and her consort, the
Lord of the Forest.
Materials:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup water
Newspaper or grocery bag strips (1 inch by 3 inches)
Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)
A Bowl of the size you wish to copy
Acrylic paints
Acrylic gloss finish *optional*
1.Tear paper into strips
2. Take a small, rounded bowl, set upside down, and cover it with
petroleum
jelly.
3. Mix equal parts of flour and water. A half cup of each is enough
for two
small bowls.
4. Dip each strip into the paste and apply the first layer of strips
vertically , covering the bowls surface. Don't worry about it being
uneven or
jagged. It can be easily trimmed with scissors after it is dried. Apply
the second
layer of strips horizontally and so on until you have 5 layers.
5. Allow to dry. This takes about one full day.
6. Seperate the papier-mache from the bowl. Use the tip of a butter
knife to
seperate the two. If the inside is not completely dry, allow to dry for
another day.
7. Once completely dry, trim the edges with scissors.
8. Paint with acrylics. Add symbols or sponge. Use your imagination!
9. Allow to dry and then cover with the acrylic gloss finish
*optional*.
The bowl you've created can be used on your altar to hold herbs,
potpourri
or shell/stones, etc. It can be gently wiped out but don't wash it
with water
or use it to hold liquids of any kind.
***Note*** The finer the paper and smaller the strips that you use the
smoother the bowl will come out. I have done these in layers using a
courser paper
for the first 2 layers and using thinner paper for the top layers. This
creates a finer and smoother appearance. It is also fun to experiment
with
different types of papers in different colors (tissue and crepe are
great).
Sometimes I don't paint them at all and just use the different papers.
Experiment
and enjoy!
Corn Husk Kitchen Witch
According to legend, a kitchen witch in the kitchen means meals
will never burn. We can't guarantee that, but the fun of making this
raven-tressed doll is its own reward.
CRAFT MATERIALS:
24 pieces of black yarn, each about 15 inches long
8 tamale wrappers or dried corn husks (sold in grocery
stores) soaked in water for at least 5 minutes
3 (12-inch) tan pipe cleaners
Scissors
1 (6-inch-long) stick
Time needed: About 1 to 2 Hours
1. Gather the pieces of yarn and knot them together at one end.
Shake off excess water from the soaked wrappers or husks, then stack 4
of them together and lay the yarn on top with the knot near the narrow
end (A). Roll the layered husks around the yarn and cinch them just
above the knot with half a pipe cleaner (
.
2. Fold the husks down over the knot to make the witch's head
(A). Wrap another pipe cleaner half around the husks at the neck (.
3. For posable arms, roll up a long piece of pipe cleaner in one
of the husks (A). Wrap a short piece of pipe cleaner around each end
at the wrists, then sandwich the arm piece between the layers of
folded-down husks, tearing the husks to separate if needed. Secure the
arms in
place by wrapping another pipe cleaner half just below the arms to
form the witch's waist (.
4. To make the hat, cut two 5-inch-diameter circles, each from a
husk. Cut one circle in half and curl one half into a cone. To keep
the shape, poke a small piece of pipe cleaner through the husk layers
at
the wide end of the cone and twist the ends together (A). Cut a 1
1/2-inch asterisk in the center of the other circle ( and carefully
push
the cone three quarters of the way through the hole (C).
5. For a broom, fringe the wide end of a husk (A). Cut the husk
K inch above the fringe, then roll the strip around the end of the
stick. Secure it with a small piece of pipe cleaner (.
Stained Glass Sun Catchers
Materials: Wax paper, crayon shavings, colored string, yarn, or
thread, lace, leaves, flower petals.
To begin, have the child empty crayon shavings from their sharpener,
or (adults only!) use a paring knife to create shavings. A cheese
grater works great for large crayons. Arrange shavings, and any of
the accessory items the child chooses and sandwich between two
sheets
of wax paper. Iron (adults, of course) the whole package on low
setting, just until the shavings melt. Cut the "stained glass" into
shapes and hang them with string, in a sunny window.
Fairies' Feathered Friend Feeder
Materials: An empty milk carton, nontoxic paint, glitter, white
glue,
popsicle sticks, 10" wooden dowel w/ ¼" diameter, wire hanger (cut
bottom of hanger for inserting into milk carton), birdseed.
Rinse out milk carton thoroughly. Do not completely open top, rather
glue open spout back together. Cut 3" wide by 4" long arched
openings
on "spout" side and opposite side of carton, with base of opening
approx. 3" from bottom of carton. Let the child paint the outside of
the carton in Litha colors of red, yellow, orange, white, green.
Before the paint dries let child sprinkle colored glitter all over
the carton, (birds are attracted to shiny objects). Let carton dry.
Glue painted or non-painted popsicle stick shingles onto the top of
the carton as a roof. For the perches, poke holes in the carton just
below the openings, and slip the wooden dowel through the holes.
Poke
two holes in the top of the carton just under the roof, insert one
end of the cut hanger into each hole. Fill the bottom of the carton
with wild birdseed. Hang in a spot that is easy to view, but far
enough away from fences or other objects to thwart predators. Tell
child how fairies, brownies, and sprites ride on the backs of birds
to get from one place to another if it is too far to walk.
How to Make a Witch's Ladder
A witch's ladder is an old and effective charm that can be used for
protection, to create a peaceful environment in your home, to increase
passion and love in the bedroomor just about anything your spell book can
conjure. A witch's ladder, while not looking anything at all like a
ladder, is not only a powerful charm, it is also a beautiful and
decorative addition to any home.
Difficulty: Moderate
Things You¢ll Need:
* 1 piece of parchment paper
* Scissors
* Black, red, and white yarn
* 9 feathers (red, white and black if possible)
Step1Gather your materials and make your witch's ladder on the night of
the full moon. Arrange your alter as needed for your particular spell,
using colored candles and any other toolsyou wish.
Step2Think about the intent your spell, such as prosperity, love or
tranquility. Cut a piece of parchment paper into 9 small pieces, just
large enough for one handwritten word. One each piece write a different
word that represents your intent.
Step3Cut 1 yard of each color of yarn, red, black and white. Red, black
and white are considered the most powerful colors in Wicca, magick and
to most North American Indians. Tie the ends of the yarn pieces
together with and knot and weave a tight braid while concentrating on your
intent.
Step4Roll the paper pieces one by one over the end of a feather and
push the wrapped end through a braid. When firmly in place, chant, "Yarn
of black, red and white bring 'peace" to me this night. With each
feather, replace the key word, such as "peace," with the word written on the
paper until you have placed 9 evenly spaced colored feathers into the
witch's ladder.
Step5Tie the ends of the braid into a circle when all nine feathers
have been placed evenly along the witch's ladder and pass the charm
through a candleflame or the smoke from a smudge stick or incense. Repeat
three times, "Earth, air, fire and water, consecrate this charm, with
feathers nine and colors three, I ask you bring it be."
Step6Hang your witch's ladder anywhere you need it to do its work, such
as in your car, above your front door or above your bed.
Make An Herb Broom
[Note: source unknown]
Collect handfuls of plants to use ,such as:
Yarrow
Cedar
Juniper
Fruit tree sprigs
Oak tree sprigs
Birch or ash sprigs
Bundle plants together and tie cut ends together. The bundle may be
Tied to
A
Branch if a longer handle is desired. Use the broom to sweep away
Negativity
And to sweep your magic circle clean.
Walking Sticks/Staves
In the Scottish Highlands, those who gathered Midsummer herbs usually
carried a walking stick or staff with them to help navigate the rugged
terrain. These also served the same magickal purposes an athame or
wand.
While the Irish crafted staves from the blackthorn tree, English
tradition considered the tree cursed and steered clear of it, choosing
instead to craft staves out of oak or birch. The Teutons ritually
gathered
sticks of ash at Midsummer, for they believed that ash made up the
Yggdrasil, the Norse tree of life. These are merely cultural lore, and
you
may use any wood you wish to create your staff. The branch you use for
your staff should be at least four to five feet long, and needs to be
sturdy enough to support you. Check carefully for rotting, cracks, or
splits in the wood, as they may cause the branch to break when trying
to
support your weight. It also needs to be thin enough for you to grasp.
The easiest way to obtain a branch is to find
one lying in the woods. If you cannot find a suitable branch or live
in a suburb or city, you can fashion one from a dowel, which can be
found at a craft or hardware store. Simply choose one that is at least
four
feet tall, and one to two inches thick, and round the edges with
sandpaper. Once you have chosen a branch or dowel you may personalize
it any
way you wish. Here are some ideas to help get the ball rolling...
Paint magickal symbols, sigils, words, zodiac colours, runes, etc.,
according to preference.
If you are a bit more skilled in woodworking and have the proper tools
you can engrave these symbols instead, or if you really know your
stuff, socket your staff and put gemstones or runes in it. Be sure to
use a
glue that is formulated for outdoor use, and make sure the glue is
waterproof so it can withstand weather.
You may decorate the top with large crystal point, held in place with
pieces of leather and glue, or tie a leather string to the top, and
decorate the string with feathers and beads.
However you decorate your staff should be important or significant to
you and the purpose it will be used for. When you are finished
decorating the staff you may stain it if you wish. If you are going to
be using
the staff outdoors finish it with a clear, waterproof seal.
Apple Slice Wreath
8" Grapevine Wreath
Decorative Fruit Saver
Glaze
Mighty Tacky Glue
1 Bunch Preserved Cedar
Scrap of Ribbon (Optional)
20 - 25 Dried Apple Slices
1 Red Artificial Apple
Preserved Baby's Breath
2 Cinnamon Sticks Raffia for Bow
Instruction for Preserving Apples
1. Choose blemish-free fruit. Slice at an average thickness of 1/4".
For best results Decorative Fruit Saver should be used at room
temperature. Soak slices until they are flexible, pliable and do not
break when folded.
2. After soaking slices, pat dry between layers of paper towel and
transfer to a brown paper bag. Microwave on low power, or defrost
setting for 10 to 15 minutes. Place slices, still on the paper bag,
into a warm (140° F) oven, leave the door ajar, and finish the
drying. Slices will feel dry and supple to the touch. Test slices
for
dryness by tearing a slice in half. If no moisture beads appear, it
is dry.
3. It is important to dry slices thoroughly to prevent
deterioration.
It is recommended that the slices be sealed with Glaze before use.
Assemble the Wreath
Glue dried apple slices around the face of wreath. Glue sprigs of
cedar around and under apple slices. Glue sprigs of baby's breath
randomly around apple slices. Make a simple raffia bow and glue to
bottom left side of wreath. Glue optional ribbon scrap to centre of
bow. Glue red apple and cinnamon sticks around bow.
NOTE: Preserved cedar is a natural repellent. It is useful as well
as
decorative and aromatic.
MAGICKAL PLANT POTS
To make magickal plant pots, you need to know or have reference to
symbols, runes, other ancient scripts, if desired. First, you will
need to coat clay pots with a primer. After it has dried, use acrylic
paints to give a background colour to the outside of the pot (if
desired) and then to paint on any symbols you wish. If the pot is for
a protective plant, paint protective symbol(s) on it. Last, paint or
spray with a good sealer to keep the moisture away from your paint
jobs. For fertility, you can paint circles and spirals on a pot in
greens and plant a dandelion plant in it. You can even make these for
your altar. Fill with floral foam, cover with that dried grass stuff
and stick a small-branched stick in there of a proper corresponding
wood. Hang crystals from it, jewellery pieces, and whatnots.
GROW A GRASSHEAD
(a real grass roots person)
Everyone loves a Grasshead! It is a fun thing to make for a craft
stall or something for the kids to make for Spring Equinox.
1 old nylon knee-high stocking
Wool
15mm stick-on craft eyes and craft glue
Potting mix
Lawn or grass seed - or even wheat
Place an old nylon knee-high stocking inside a mould (such as an old
tennis ball cut through near the top and slit), and stretch the top
of the stocking over the outside of the mould. Don't cut off any
excess.
Place a layer of lawn or grass seed for the 'hair' in the bottom of
the stocking lined mould, and then fill with soil or potting mix.
When the head is sufficiently full, tie a piece of wool or string
around the end at the 'neck'.
Now take the grasshead out of its mould, pinch out a portion to form
a nose and tie another piece of wool around this. Now all that is
required is to stick on two 15mm eyes with craft glue and allow them
to dry thoroughly.
TO GROW
Submerse the grasshead in a container of water until the head is
completely saturated, then stand it in a vase or jar filled with
water so the head is balanced evenly on the rim and the tail of the
knee-high stocking is in the water. In a few days the grasshead will
start growing green hair!
Keep the water in the vase topped up, and water the grasshead
occasionally from above so that ample water reaches the grass. Every
so often you might need to give it a haircut.
FOR A GRASSHEAD DELUXE
Pinch out two portions on each side of the head and tie off some
ears. Fashion a pair of spectacles (glasses) with wire and place
these around the ears. If you're really keen make a hat or sunshade
that will allow the grass hair to grow through it and perhaps even a
bow-tie. You could even try using different herbs instead of grass or
wheat.
Cinnamon Box
2 -1/4 inch cinnamon sticks (40 or more depending on your size of
sticks)
1 cinnamon stick cut in half
White glue
Deer moss
Raffia
Silk flowers
Tiny silk leaves
Box - Glue 4 cinnamon sticks together for the bottom. Next, start by
gluing against the 4 you put together so that they are standing
straight up and down, do this all around the bottom. If you have
gaps, that is good.
Lid - While the box is drying, start gluing your lid together. Nine
across and one each on the opposite ends so they are going the other
way. And glue 1 on the top that is cut in half for the handle.
After the box has dried, glue deer moss into any gaps. Glue some deer
moss onto the lid as well, but be careful to keep it even so that the
lid fits comfortably and evenly. Fill in any gaps on the lid with
deer moss as you did on the box. If there aren't any gaps, or not
enough, glue some moss on for appearance.
Flowers - Glue silk flowers and silk leaves onto the box and lid as
desired. Tie one strand of raffia around the box, make a bow. Onto
the bow, glue one flower in the middle and a tiny leaf.
Mix equal parts of regular flour and salt with enough water to make a firm dough, then mold flat, round pieces to whichever size you chose. With a toothpick, make a hole near the top for a necklace to go through, then with the toothpick scratch out a shape that will surround any symbols placed on the disk:
A circleis a common choice, as it represents all encompassing influence. Other shapes can go inside this.
A squarerepresents containment, or keeping things where they belong.
A trianglesymbolizes focus and can usually be found inside a circle.
A star represents both empowerment and protection and can usually be found inside a circle.
Inside the shape(s) scratch symbols of your intent. For instance, a heart can represent love, an eye can represent foresight and intuition and a equal-armed cross can represent protection. On the back, you can scratch in a short charm, or incantation, if you prefer.
Let the disk air dry or heat it in an over on very low heat. When it is done, seal it with some primer. Let that dry, then paint the disk any color you chose. After this dries, you can use black paint to make the outlines of the designs, letters or numbers on the disk stand out, or simply string it on a necklace and wear it.
Pentacle Dream Catcher
Dream catchers are popular today though a resurgence of Native
American Culture and belief. Although such dream catchers are look
much like spider webs, there is no reason why one can not be another
design. Pagans and Wiccans may wish to use the pentacle (five point
star), one of our symbols. After all, the purpose of this implement is
to snare nightmares, and any woven design will do this.
Some children are particularly frightened by bad dreams. It is
difficult to rationalize such fright or explain it away. One of the
best methods of helping the child cope is to hang a dream catcher
above the head of the bed or the window nearest the bed. A pentacle
dream catcher is not difficult to make. It requires the following
materials:
1. A circular ring.
2. heavy thread, preferably different colors, to weave the design with.
3. Tiny beads to thread the string through. (Beads are optional).
4. Feathers to decorate the ring with (optional).
To begin, tie one end of the thread to the ring. Wind the thread
around the opposite end of the ring three times at a slight angle from
the original attachment, pulling it tight. This will be part of the
left leg of the pentacle. Each time you attach the thread to the ring,
wind it three times.
Now wind the thread about the ring a short distance from the first
tying. Your design should look like an inverted V shape. Pulling the
string to the left side of the ring, wind it about the ring a little
more than halfway up the side. Adjust it until it looks like the lower
angle of the cross arm of the pentacle. Now stretch the thread across
to the opposite side and wind it about the ring. For the finishing
angle, pull the thread back to the point of beginning.
If you carefully check the angle of the thread each time you prepare
to wind it at the other point on the ring, you can adjust the design.
Make a small loop at the top of the pentacle.
If you want to string beads on the thread, do it on each section
before you wind the thread around the ring.
Dream catchers do work. They are symbols of personal control over your
dreams. And the subconscious mind which creates dreams only
understands symbols.
From the 1996 Llewellyn Magical Almanac, by D. J. Conway, page 296-297
http://www.nobleknights.com/~eagle1/pentdc01.htm
A Witch's Window
This is a simple crafting project that nearly any one, of any crafting level, can achieve a pleasing end-product with.
Supplies: an old window frame, with or without glass
panes; possibly sand paper and/or paint (depends on condition of window frame and your taste); base board to attach frame to; a few screws; screwdriver of some sort (one that fits the slots in the screws would be most helpful!); and/or wood glue; decorations to suit your taste, budget and current needs.
Search local salvage places for an old window that pleases you in its shape, style, color. Color can be changed with paint, but shape and style must be pleasing to start with. Find one that fits your budget.
Glass is optional - I actually prefer this without glass because then you have the option of having objects going thru the pane area. If your window needs to be scraped, painted, or otherwise spruced up, do that first.
Read the rest of this article and think a bit about what you'd like to do. You may choose to add some cup hooks, or perhaps a narrow shelf on each side of the window below the upper set of panes to give you additional area to put things on.
Now you'll need to make a major decision - where are you going to put this? If it will sit on the sill of a 'real' window, or on a shelf or mantelpiece, etc., you will need to add a base so your new window will sit safely. Cut a board that is 6"-8" wide, (narrower if it will sit on a narrow sill), the length of your window and attach the two together with screws or wood glue. If you use glue, let dry overnight. Paint the base to match your window frame.
You may choose, instead, to hang your new window on a wall to give the illusion of a real window. In that case, make your base piece 3"-4" wide, and make sure it is lined up with one side of the window frame's base, so it will hang against the wall flat. Add hooks to each side of the window frame at the top, with the open part of the hook *down* and put a hook in the wall, preferably on a stud, high enough so your window will hang at the height you choose. Use chain (bought at a lumber yard or hardware store - or even some craft stores!) hooked over the hooks on each side of the frame, to hang your window from the wall hook. Now comes the fun part! Decorate! What is it that says, to you, 'I am part you, of your beliefs.'? Is it a feather you found? a shell that was gifted to you? a collection of shells you picked up on a beach someplace? a rock you just 'had to have' on a walk? a cat (please find a stuffed or carved one - real cats have a tendency to resent being required to sit still when they don't want to! ::grins:. Is your friend a bird? a lizard? even a frog? Or do butterflies speak to you of the Air Spirits?
What about plants for the Earth Spirits? If you have a black thumb, check out the wonderful world of silk (not plastic! they don't look real!!) plants and flowers. Check thrift stores or Goodwill or the Salvation Army for pretty but inexpensive containers if you need some.
What about a piece of silk or lace or a pretty scarf to use as a 'window treatment'? (Try draping it over just part of the top and down one side to represent curtains.)
How about lighting? If you choose to use candles, please be sure these are situated where they will not cause a fire, and never, ever leave them unattended! In fact, if you choose to use candles, please look for *and use* a clear glass candle chimney to keep your home safe - the Spirits of Fire do not always choose wisely where they will dance! These chimneys will fit over many of the smaller candle holders, or directly {Yes, Garnet is typing this by hand)
on the top of the base of larger holders. You may also find small battery-operated lamps that resemble old-fashioned oil lamps. These are fun, and safe.
Water Spirits are a bit harder to honor in this particular situation, since there isn't much room here, but if water is your Element, you could look for a very small fountain treatment. Or use sea shells to represent the water. Perhaps some sea grass gathered at the beach? or a collection of beach pebbles can become the base for shell collection. Find a small, inexpensive picture of the sea that fits one of the bottom panes and carefully place it inside the frame, then place your beach pebbles and shells in front of it.
Empty half-gallon cardboard milk or juice carton
(rinsed and dried)
10" white candle
ice cubes
crayons
candle scent-optional
2 lb. wax
Prior to melting the wax you can prepare the mold. Place candle in the
middle of the carton and fill with ice cubes. Make sure candle is
centered while filling carton. Place carton in freezer until ready to
use. Melt wax in coffee can placed in a pan with several inches of
water over low to medium heat. Add bits of crayon/candle coloring and
candle scent as desired. Stir wax while melting usingan old wooden
spoon or wooden dowel. Do not leave melting wax unattended on stove.
When the wax has melted, remove the mold from the freezer and slowly
pour the melted wax into the mold. Make sure the coffee can is not too
hot to handle prior to pouring the wax. Fill to the top of the mold
and let sit for at least 15 minutes. The ice cubes will start to melt
and you can drain water out of the candle by holding over the sink.
Let candle sit for another 15 minutes and drain again. Repeat several
more times, then carefully peel away the carton from the candle. Let
the candle sit for several more hours in order to ensure all of the
water has drained out. You can dust the outside with glitter for
decoratione. Place on a ironstone plate, decorate bottom of candle
with greenery, light & enjoy.
http://www.unc.edu/~reddeer/index/00_witches.kitchen.frameset.html
Magickal Blessings
Simple Herbal Gifts: A Little Cooking Wreath - craft
Stiff chive flower stalks
-(regular or garlic chives)
Long sprigs of thyme
Long sprigs of parsley
Long sprigs of oregano
Long sprigs of marjoram
Long seed heads of basil
Short sprigs of sage
Short sprigs of rosemary
Dried chili peppers
Small herb wreaths like this one can go directly into
the soup pot, or you can hang one in the kitchen to be
plucked from as needed. Present them in plastic bags
to hold their flavors and minimize their shattering.
Twist chive stalks into a 4- to 5-inch circle to form
a base for the wreath. Twist in sprigs of thyme,
parsley, oregano, and marjoram and basil seed heads to
fill out the wreath. Add a single short sprig of
rosemary or sage. Let dry thoroughly; the wreath will
shrink slightly. Thread three or four dried chilis on
sewing thread and tie around top of wreath. Cover
thread with a tie of kitchen twine or a narrow ribbon.
Pretzel Magic Wands
One 12-oz. pkg. semisweet chocolate chips or baking chocolate
One 12-oz. pkg. white chocolate chips
24 large pretzel sticks
Colored sprinkles, candy stars, etc.
Melt white and dark chocolate in two separate bowls in microwave oven.
Dip pretzel sticks half way into white or dark chocolate. Roll in a
dish of sprinkles. Arrange on a sheet of waxed paper until chocolate
becomes hard.
Pretzel magic wands are a fun and easy-to-make gift.
~ Inspiration Jar ~
The purpose is to bring on inspiration. For creativity.
1 mason jar
1 small crystal
dried orange peels{two thirds}
dried mint{one third}
2 drops orange oil
1 drop mint oil
a square piece of black cotton fabric
a rubber band
orange fabric paint or orange acrylic paint
orange ribbon
*Note: The colour orange is the colour of creative energies. The
shading of how dark or how light the orange is that you use will
denote the level of creative energies you wish to channel. A dark
orange will take you deep into the creative energies while a light
orange is less intense.
Moon cycle: No moon cycle is selected for this spell because all
phases of the Moon hold different levels of creative energies,
including the dark Moon. If you follow Moon phases, choose the cycle
that fits your purpose best.
Gather all items. With a clean and dry jar before you place the mint
first and then the orange peels inside, filling it up about two thirds
of the way. Add two drops of orange oil and one drop mint oil. More if
you are using a large mason jar. Stir ingredients together. Take the
small crystal in your hand and saying these words:
'Creativity
Come to me
In whispers and dreams
And visions that gleam.'
'So mote it be!'
Now, place the crystal inside the jar with the potpourri. For the lid,
cover the opening of the jar with black fabric so that the side of the
fabric hang down over the edges about 2 inches. With a pencil, mark
the center top of the fabric. Take the fabric off the jar, lie it
flat on a hard surface. Using orange paint, acrylic or fabric paint,
paint on a spiral. While the paint is drying, cover the jar
temporarily with a lid so that it does not get spilled.
*Spiral: The spiral is a symbol of the dance of life. It shows the
continuous cycle of ourselves going inward within ourselves and then
going outward expressing ourselves.
*Black: The black fabric in this spell is used as an absorption
colour. Black absorbs all colours and all energies. By placing the
orange spiral on this we are signifying just what those energies are
that the black is absorbing, all creative energies.
Once the paint is dry, place the fabric on the jar once again. The
spiral should now be on the centered top of the jar's mouth. Holding
the fabric in place, wrap the rubber band around the sides to hold it
in place. Next, tie the orange ribbon overtop of the rubber band.
Keep this inspiration jar in your work area, where you do your
writing, painting, drawing, or keep it by your bed to bring on
inspiring dreams.
Cherokee Dream Pillow
Source: Moon Magic by DJ Conway
The following mixture is stuffed intor a small pillow that is placed under your regular pillow or next to your head while you sleep. It is said to bring good and prophetic dreams. Unless otherwise stated, all flowers are dried.
2 oz. lavender flowers
2 oz. sage
1 oz. ground orris root
2 oz. deer's tongue herb
1 oz. cedar shavings
2 oz. coltsfoot herb
2 oz. sweet fern
1 oz. violets
Peach Wood Prayer Stick
Peach wood has many magical uses. It has been valued in Asia for its
ability to repel negativity and to make magic wands. This spell uses
peach wood to create a prayer or spell stick. August, when peaches are
in season, would be a perfect time to do this. Obtain a slender branch
from a peach tree (this may be deadfall or removed in a respectful
manner). When the Moon is in a waxing phase, pray over it and carve
your initials into it. Think of your magical purpose, then hide the
stick until the Full Moon. At this time, cleanse the stick in the smoke
of a protective herbal incense such as sage. Your peach spell stick is
ready to use. Include your peach stick in any spell by holding it as
you speak a charm, or use it to direct power to a specific location.
Peach wood is especially good for love, fertility, or good luck spells.
By: James Kambos
How to Make Gel Candles
by Clark Covington
They smell sweet, look great, and have a lot of variety to them, no
it's not your significant other, and it's the ever popular gel candle.
Gel candles are made with 95% mineral oil and 5% polymer resin. Gel
candles typically work under a simple rule of thumb, the more thick
they are the more scent will come from them, and the longer they will
last. These candles are used for aroma therapy as well as for home décor.
Making gel candles is as easy as baking a cake and these will last
much longer then your typical sponge cake. Making gel candles is not
only for those with a passion for crafts, it also can be enjoyable for
those looking to mix, and match new scents. For the serious gel candle
makers a potential business opportunity awaits you. Whatever the
reason may be, it will be worth your time to learn about how to make
gel candles.
The first step in making your gel candle is to pick the scent you
would like to put in it. The typical scent for your candles will come
from essential oil, or candle scent concentrate. The types of scents
are limitless, and are available at any crafts store, online candle
making website, or a local specialty store. Once you have chosen the
scent you can move on to getting the mold.
Choose the mold that best fits your gel candle making needs. As
generic as that statement sounds, it is true, you must pick what will
work for you in terms of a mold. A gel candle mold is similar to a
cookie cutter, or muffin tray, they are indented, engraved, sheets of
metal that can be baked at high temperatures. For advance candle
making one can make their own mold. For beginners it's recommended to
choose a simple mold, like that of a jar.
Once the mold has been selected, the scent has been purchased, and
you're ready to get started head on over to the kitchen and preheat
the oven to 200 degrees. Add some glue to the bottom of the mold,
insert the candle scent concentrate, and pour the gel. Now in order to
get the gel to a liquid form, one must first heat the gel in the oven
at 200 degrees until the gel turns into a liquid format. Once the gel
is liquefied add the wick to the mold, pour the gel, and pull the wick
up to the top. Let the candle cool for 4 hours, and enjoy!
http://www.ecauldron.com/articles/archives/2006/04/entry_10.php
Apple Head Crone Dolls
You will need:
apples, potato peeler and paring knife, colored markers,
wool yarn, empty 16 ounce plastic bottle, bottle cork,
10x16 inch piece of fabric, rubber band.
When choosing an apple for the doll's head, remember that a carved
fruit will shrink to about 2/3 it's original size.
Peel and core the apple. Then, carve a face on one side, using a tip
of a potato peeler to hollow out deep set eyes and a paring knife to
make a slit for the mouth.
For a nose, incise a triangle that extends from between the eyes
toward the mouth. Then, carve ears, dimples, and extra creases.
Place the carved apple on a drying rack and store in a dry spot until
it shrinks. Once the head is dry, use colored markers to enhance the
eyes, lips, and cheeks. Now, make a wig for your doll.
Cut at least ten strands of yarn that measure twice the desired hair
length plus 2 inches. Gather the strands together and fold the bunch
in half. Tie another strand around the yarn 1 inch from the fold to
make a loop that can be stuffed into the top of the head. Brain or
trim the wig however you like.
To make the body, cut off the base of a plastic bottle. Plug the top
with a cork to serve as the doll's neck. Wrap the fabric around the
body so that it extends beyond the top and bottom of the bottle.
Secure the fabric around the bottleneck with a rubber band and then
fold the cloth down. Tuck excess cloth at the base into the bottle.
Now top off the doll by gently pushing the cored apple down onto the
cork.
Make Your Own Vine Wreath:
Craft Instructions: The first step, of course, is harvesting the
vines. Grapevines should be cut anytime after the grapes have been
picked, up to first frost. I've found that Virginia Creeper is
usually vigorous enough to harvest in mid-summer in my area (left
too long and it will kill the pine trees that it attempts to cover).
You will want nice long lengths of vine to work with - anything from
3 feet to 10 feet is a workable length.
Trim off the leaves. However, on a small leafed vine like the
euonymus pictured on the right, you might want to let some leaves
dry on the vine to form the first decorations. I usually leave the
curly clinging tendrils in place, because they make attractive
corkscrew shapes when dried.
If you are unable to work with the vines right away, coil them in a
large bowl or laundry basket and cover with water overnight so they
remain pliable and easy to weave.
Begin at the thicker end of one vine length, and coil this first
round of vine in a circle slightly smaller than the size you want. I
usually begin with a coil of two or three rounds before weaving. You
will build on this set of rounds, and the wreath will grow as you
weave it.
Now begin weaving, pulling the vine in and out of the circle and
working you way around the wreath until you come to the end of the
vine (see photo above for detail). Tuck this end in place between
the coils.
With the second length of vine, start by tucking the thicker end in
at a different spot than the place you began the first vine. You may
want to coil more rounds before weaving again, or you can weave in
and out of the circle right away; it partly depends on how much vine
you have, and how thick you want the wreath.
Keep adding vines in this way until the wreath is the size and
thickness that you want. It is up to you whether you weave the vines
tightly (as in the Virgina creeper picture above) or loosely (like
the euonymus photo). A loose wreath is less formal and allows room
to weave in ribbons.
Attach a wire or string at the back for hanging and decorate your
vine wreath as desired.
Some suggestions for decoration:
Autumn Wreath was created using the homemade eunonymous vine.
Other Vine Decoration Ideas:
Spray paint (once dry), in gold or silver, or add dried or silk
flowers, pine cones, Christmas ornaments, small birds, butterflies
or other miniatures, wrapped candies or candy canes, dried apple or
orange slices, cookie cutters, wooden shapes, cinnamon sticks,
eucalyptus branches, plain or colored raffia, miniature gift boxes,
holly leaves and berries, mistletoe, dried autumn leaves, pine
branches, cedar branches...or make a fresh floral wreath by hiding
tiny glass water tubes in the vine and filling with sprays of fresh
flowers.
Witch's Prayer Bowl
The Crafty Witch: A Witch's Prayer Bowl
Written by Cauldron Living staff writer Eevie Keys
The Goddess gave you the greatest tools in the world.
As a witch, you are heir to the power of your own fate.
Your destiny is in your hands and no one else's. Perhaps
we, out of all people, understand this the most. We use
magic to shape our lives, and we use magic to shape our
destiny -- we create our own realities.
But the Goddess is our Mother, and we are her children.
We may be perfectly capable of changing our world, but
sometimes -- like any child -- we grow tired. We grow
weary and pained and altogether overwhelmed, completely
forgetting that there is a great and loving Mother
holding us in Her arms.
Wiccans and Pagans alike sometimes find it difficult to
pray. Maybe it's because we DO believe we control our
fates. Maybe it's because we were raised in a different
faith, and to us, prayer is a copout, a "Let the Divine
take care of it; we can't do it ourselves" sort of thing.
Perhaps the idea makes us uncomfortable.
The word "prayer" might conjure up negative connotations
in your mind, the same way that "witch" might conjure up
a Halloween decoration in the minds of the world. We do
try to avoid these preconceived notions, but sometimes
they haunt us and refuse to be let go. That's okay. We
can work on slowly changing them.
The concept of prayer is a beautiful thing, just like being
a witch is a sacred notion. When we feel overwhelmed or in
a pinch or just.down on our luck, we have the mortal right
to raise our voices to the heavens, the earth, the stars
and moon. We may speak to the Goddess in different ways,
but none is as simple as directly speaking to Her. In ritual,
we ask that the Goddess and God watch over us as we work our
rite and be by our sides as we make magic. Do you think They
do any different in our day-to-day lives?
Perhaps you're not used to the idea of prayer in your daily
practice. Perhaps you already use it. Perhaps you incorporate
prayer into spellwork and ritual without thinking about it.
Yet, however you view or use it; it has the capability of
granting peace.
As Pagans, we incorporate symbolism in all that we do. The
very act of casting the circle creates our church, and the
act of a spell is a symbol for change. So then, whether we
actively use prayer or would like to add it to our practice,
there is a simple and tried-and-true method to do so - adding
a physical symbol to the already potent concept of prayer.
People have been using Prayer bowls for millennia. The concept
is not new, though it is a little-known one. It is a simple yet
effective way to add prayer to your life, ritual or spell.
Creating and using a Prayer bowl can deepen your spiritual
practice and connection with the Divine. It is a beautiful way
to communicate with your deities!
