Detroit Pagans - ConVocation 2012

It's a magical time in Detroit, Michigan.   Right now I am at ConVocation!  Its the second day of this fantastic event and I am having a great time!   This year's Guests include Selena Fox, Amber K and Azrael Arynn K, Raven Kalendra, Jacki Smith, Michelle Bellanger, plus many others.  This year I am also a presenter (my 5th year presenting) providing workshops on Mooncycle Magic and also a workshop based off my book A Pagan Pregnancy called "The Pregnant Pagan Priestess". 

Yesterday I had dinner with my KOTH Temple family and friends (Katherine, AmethystCat, Ibisfire, and Jenn plus met her friend Umi.  Not sure if I spelled it correctly) as we always do the first night of the convention.  We share our meal together and discussed the excitement we have for the upcoming weekend, were in awe of Jenn's drink being a beautiful sunrise, and discussed what we wanted to do, what classes we were excited for attending, drumming, the masquerade ball plus many other things.

ConVocation is presented by the MEC here in Detroit.  This was our first year at a new hotel the DoubleTree Hilton Dearborn.  This hotel was so beautiful.  There is an old Model T car in the lobby along with a waterfall pond (wish I took photos of them!).  The Opening Ceremony was held in the lobby area and was very open and wonderful.  The Con Chair and her team performed a wonderful ceremony.  

Last night I was able to attend JoAnn's (aka GreenWoman) drumming circle.  This is the time of year when I am able to play my djembe with such a large group of people.  Those I circle with the most simply just are not into drumming...I am the drummer of our group.  So I tend to get excited when I can learn new rhythms from other people since I consider myself a novice.  Last year I was able to drum for hours at a time and not be effected.  This year was a different story.  Due to my illness (kidney disease and now Lupus) I simply did not have the energy to drum the entire time.  I tried to pace myself by my excitement got the best of me...after an hour I simply could not carry on.  Kathy (great friend, coven sister, and also my "Magical MacGuyver") called out recognizing that I was not feeling well and suggested that we go to the room to rest.  The constant looking up around the room and then looking at down at the face of my drum began to make me feel off balance.  It could also have been the enourmous amount of energy that was being created in the room during the drumming circle.  We were blessed as a group to be led by JoAnn and also were able to witness some very energetic and trance dancers feeding off of our energy and returning the favor by providing us with their energy of dance.  For once there were more male dancers than there were female.  It was a nice change to see some gentlemen let loose and move around the circle. 

This is just a short post today.  I really enjoyed the classes that I attended and will write another post later on when I can collect my thoughts and write more.  So tired, must sleep now!

Good Night all, good night to all my friends at Convocation. 
   

Sincerely,
Crystal

D is for Dandelions

One of the earliest and oldest forms of Magick I know comes from my childhood.  Sending our messages for wishes out into the world in the form of Dandelions.  I can remember picking them in the yard as a child in my own yard, that of both sets of grandparents, neighbors, where ever I could find the soft flower that resembeled cotton balls.  Whenever I blew a wish on them, I thouht of the seeds to be fairies dancing in the wind to the heavens to carry my specific desires.

As I grew into an adult, I realized these magical beings were known by many others (especially my father and now my husband) to only call this plant a weed and mean it in a derogatory sense.  So for some of my adult life, I participated in the pulling and eliminating of this plant from my yard to help my husband have the "pristine green" yard during the summer. 

Back in 1998 or 99 (we believe because it was before I married) I met an incredible woman that would change my mind and opinion about the Dandelion.  Let's call her "Mama Thyme" (mental note, need to ask her permission to use her first name, and if you are reading this is it ok to use your first name?).  I attended an event she was hosting during Lammas called "Blessing of the Lake".  While there I had participated in something they called the Trading Blanket.  We drew cards from the Tarot to see who would go first.  I am usually attracted to books and choose a book called "Healing Wise" by Susun Weed.  I opened the cover and it was autographed.  I couldn't wait to read this book of herbs whenever I got home.  If you have not read this book yet, you should get it if you would like a closer connection to Plant Deva's in general.  The way that Susun writes this book is as if the plant itself is talking to you... this book gave me such a closer personal relationship to this Plant Ally!

During the event, we went on a wild walk to gather things for our salad.  Among them were dandelions.  They were young tender leaves to be used in place of lettuce.  I never knew you could eat these "weeds"!  As we were on our walk, one of her apprentices told us that when harvesting the leaf, look for the younger and small shoots.  They will be more tender and less bitter as their older counterparts. 

I was also exposed to drinking infusions during the course of the year while going to Moonlodges hosted by Mama Thyme.  Drinking Dandelion infusion (or for some not wanting the strong infusion flavor and prefer the weaker version as a tea) is a great diuretic when brewing its leaves.  Dandelion in the form of its leaves and or making a decoction with its roots gives a person medicial effects for the liver, gall bladder, and kidney ailments.  It also assists with digestion (great in combination with ginger root and raspberry from my own personal taste buds) and also with rheumatism.   However, you do need to take precautions as well when drinking this fabulous root because it is also a mild laxative.  So if you decide to start drinking it, start off slow to see how it effects you personally.  Don't start off drinking it straight by the quarts of infusion!

Now for some Correspondences:

Deity:  Fauna, Hecate
Planetary Ruler:  Jupiter and Sagitarius
Gender: Masculine
Elemental: Air and Spirit
Magical Intent:  Astral, Communication, Divination, Healing, Purification, Legal Matters, Luck, Manifestations, Ritual Cleansing, Weather Magick, Wish Magick
Chinese Gender: Yin (Cool)
Chinese Food: Bitter

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Recipe:

To remember that special weekend when I was initated into the Green Witch Tradition, every year during Lammas (the Sabbat closest to the date it happened) I include dandelion greens in a meal.  For me, this is a reminder and purification of my soul so to speak of the oath and commitment I made to the Goddess that day many moons ago. 

Green Witch Greens:

1 pound of dandelion greens
1 small chopped onion
1 to 2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Parmesan Cheese (I use the Vegetarian brand available at Whole Foods from its 365 Line)
1 Chile Pepper or Hot Sauce to taste (if you want to spice it up, optional)
Bacon (if you have to have meat, optional)

Soak the dandelion greens in salted water for about 10 minutes. 

While the Dandelions are soaking, prepare your other ingridents chopping your onion and garlic.

When the ten minutes is up, rinse well in colander with running water. (Imagine that the running water from the faucet is like a running spring/river cleansing the greens as it could cleanse yourself or magical tool.)   Cut the greens into bite size pieces.  Place the greens in a pan with a little amount of water and saute for a few minutes until tender.  While you are doing this...

In another pan, saute the onion in the olive oil for about 3 minutes.  Add the garlic to the onion.  (Now if you are option to use bacon in this recipe, brown 3-5 strips of bacon.  Brown bacon until crisp so  you can crumble it later.  Reserve its drippings.  In place of the olive oil, you could use the drippings in place.)

Now drain the greens again and add the dandelions to the pan of onion and garlic.  Saute them for just a few minutes to mingle the flavors.  Serve the greens garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and crumbled bacon (optional). 

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The past few months, I am switching from an animal protein based diet to a plant one.  I am also attempting to go Raw as well. I am currently working on a raw recipe alternative for this dish.  If you are interested in the recipe when I find a sucessful recipe (to my taste buds anyways) please make sure to either subscribe or leave a comment for this post so I can send it to you whenever I find/create it.

Note to Mama Thyme, next time we are together can I get someone to take our photo?  I want a photo of us to put on my altar of those that inspire me.  You are one of the few women in my life I don't have a single photo of with me.  I do have photos I can take from your FB page or Susun's website but would like one of the two of us. Think about it and let me know.

Goddess Bless and here is to finding the Magic in your Meals!

Sincerely,
Crystal

A Pagan Pregnancy

A Pagan Pregnancy is now available in print.

To purchase, please visit https://www.createspace.com/3657913

A Pagan Pregnancy will begin by guiding the "Mother to Be" with setting up a Fertility Altar, breaking the news that she's with child , celebrating the ritual of a Baby Shower, preparing the nursery, into the hospital and returning home with the new baby. Included are ideas for recipes and crafts to celebrate the Turn of the Wheel no matter where she is in her pregnancy.

A Pagan Pregnancy provides ideas for the partner of the pregnant priestess on keeping their sanity being around a possible hormonal priestess that is a sweet at Venus one moment and destructive as Kali the next. A Pagan Pregnancy will be a valuable tool for the "Mother to Be", her husband or partner, family, coven, and friends.

Also included are correspondences for:
* Gods and Goddesses
* Herbs
* Colors
* Stones
* Other Symbols and items

Publication Date:

Feb 10 2012

ISBN/EAN13:

1463750447 / 9781463750442

Page Count:

180

Binding Type:

US Trade Paper

Trim Size:

5" x 8"

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Related Categories:

Religion / Spirituality

Cardamom

I received a few emails asking for me to write about different foods beginning with the letter C.  Since my initial post during this Pagan Blog Project, I was unsure how it would be recieved.  I am happy and thankful to all those that leave comments directly on this site, on the PBP FB page, as well as those that choose to email me directly.

This past week, I decided to let you the readers choose which topic for the letter C as well by placing a voting poll on my site.  The poll's overall winner was Cardamom, I am still not feeling the greatest, so I have not been able to get as much research I would like to have done completed.

According to Scott Cunningham's book Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen, Cardamom is feminine and ruled by the planet Venus.  For element, he list that it is Water but I think Cardamom with its warming spiciness, is ruled by Fire.  I think the element of Fire is further supported by its magical correspondence to be used in passsion, love and lust spells.  I suppose this can vary per person just as with color and herbal correspondences, what works for one person may not necessarily work for another.

Cardamom also is known to be one of the top three most expensive spices following that of Saffron and Vanilla beans.  Used by Romans, it was offerred as a gift to the Gods by burning it in their honor.  As an aprhodisiac, it is also thought to increase passion and love to strengthen marriages and relationships.  As a medicinal, it can aid digestion and ease sore throats.  It also helps the organs of the liver, stomach, and intestines.

Along with being a spice for the Goddess Venus and Aphrodite, I found alot of reference to the Goddess Durga.  Cardamom is used as an incense burning to honor Durga.

One thing I do every morning is I like to light a candle on my stovetop then start my water boiling for my morning tea.  One of the teas I like to drink is Chai.  Cardamom is used in my Chai blend.  While the kettle is gaining heat and coming to a boil, I like to meditate on what I like or need to accomplish for the day. 

My favorite Chai recipe is as follows:

Boil the following for five minutes.

1 Tbsp fennel
6 green cardamom pods
12 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1/4" ginger root, sliced thin
1/4 tsp black pepper corns
2 bay leaves
7 Cups water

Remove your pot from the burner, add your favorite black tea (I use two tea bags) and steep for ten minutes covering the pot.

Just before serving strain mixture thru a cheesecloth, strainer, or coffee filter then add:

6 Tbsp honey
1 Cup milk

I enjoy a few cups of chai while it's still hot and then put the rest in the fridge to enjoy throughout the day. 

Enjoy,
Crystal

Mother of the New Time - Invitation to Women

Something very exciting is beginning, I invite you to read up on it yourself and see if you will take part.  It is forming by the love of the Amazon Priestess Tribe.

http://motherofthenewtime.blogspot.com/

I began it yesterday prior going to a Moonlodge last night.  The moon was full and golden.  She shinned with a new purpose as if she knew what was beginning.  I feel honored to participte.  Will you my sisters?

Sincerely,
Crystal

C is for Cherries

 Update 2:49pm
So someone emailed me asking why I wrote about Cherries today and what it would possibly have to do with witches.  All I can say is that this person must have been born in the past 20 years (no offense to the younger generation of the craft, after all you are our future).  Well its simple actually.  My first instinct to write about cherries blossomed (ok chessy pun) from one of my favorite movies of all time It came out in the late 80's so that is why I think the person who wrote me is rather young. 

There is a scene from this movie that is forever burned into my mind.  I have never been so disgusted and laugh so hard I cried at the same time.

I give you, Witches of Eastwick. 

It's been a really rough week this week for me medically.  I have not had the time to try out any new recipes much less do not have access to fresh cherries since they are not in season right now.  

Whenever I think about cherries, I think of love and sex.  There is nothing more seductive for me food wise than chocolate covered cherries which seem to be in abundance during the winter weathered holidays such as Yule and Valentines Day.  Every Beltane I enduldge in a bottle of Cherry wine from one of my favorite vineyards here in Michigan (St. Julien's). 

Name:  Cherry (Prunus ssp.)

Gender: Feminine and Masculine (I have seen mostly feminine references but one or two masculine)

Element: Air and Water (I have seen it listed as both.  I think it may be due to the intense fragrance as well as the juiciness of the fruit itself that people list it into both categories.)

Planetary Ruler: Venus

Deity: Ambash, Aphrodite, Ares, Artemis, Cupid, Eros, Herne, Mars, Morrigan, Oya, Venus

Properties:  Sexual Energy, Fertility, Love, Playfulness, Psychic Energy, Creativity, Sensitivity, Weather, Hunting, Death, Crossing Over

Chinese Herbalism Gender : Yang (Warm)

Chinese Herbalism Flavor: Sweet

Holidays: No specific Pagan holiday, but there is reference to them being abundant during the Spring and also holds a signifigance to what I call the Summerland. Here in the US there is a National Cherry Blossom Festival held in Washington DC. It takes place March March 20th to April 27th (so this would cover both Ostara as well as Easter for families that are multi-faith like mine). If you reside in Michigan, our annual Cherry Festival held in Traverse City is July 7th to July 14th. It seems many states have their own type of Cherry Festival and they are not held during any specific timeframe consistant to one another.

Divination:  Cherry blossoms can be used to determine Weather patterns.

Some facts I have found are:

The cherry blossom was considered to be a sacred plant to Japanese emperors.

Cherries last longer if you leave their steams intact.

Early American colonists used the bark of this plant for a medicinal treatment of bronchitis.    

Cherry Blossom Trees are members within the Rose family. 

Cherries are thought to aid in energetic and spiritual healing.  There is a Chinese medicine text, Zhen Nan Ben Cao, which states that the consumption of cherries can and will increase the energetic essence of the body also known as Qi.

At the present time I don't have a spell for using Cherries.  I simply like to make them as gifts for Yule or as the food source during my Beltane Ritual for "Cakes and Ale".  The recipe I found from "Taste of Home".  The photo below is theirs as well.   Now if you plan on using this for a Sabbat, it is not a recipe you can just whip out, there are some preparations and time scheduling you will need to do.

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 jars (8 ounces each) maraschino cherries with stems , well drained
• 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons shortening

Directions

• In a small bowl, combine the sugar, butter, milk and extract. Knead until smooth and pliable. Shape into 1-in. balls and flatten each into a 2-in. circle.
• Wrap one circle around each cherry and lightly roll in hands. Place with stems up on waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
• In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Holding onto the stems, dip cherries into chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper until set. Store in a covered container. Refrigerate 1-2 weeks before serving. Yield: 3 dozen.

Imbolc

The artwork above many items I use during Imbolc.  The artist's name is Heidi Sutton.  Every year at Convocation, she has many treasures displayed in the Art Show Room at Convocation in Michigan.

I have both a print in a frame as well as a journal that adornes this wonderful likeness of Brigid.  I only use it for Imbolc and write my thoughts and dedications of things I need to bring into the light. 

Today I am not feeling very well.  One of my children is sick and I think I am catching whatever it is he has.  My throat is swollen shut barely can drink anything much less take the medicine I need to take for my kidney disease.  Can you say 2" horse pills? 

So today I will be taking it a bit easy.  I am going to be experimenting on making a "Nut Cheeze" today.  With my new path of Vegetarianism and goal of going Vegan this will be something I will need to learn how to do since there are not many commercial products I can purchase close to home.  I also have to play with the various nuts and seeds as some have more protein than others.  Protein is one of the things I really need to watch out for consuming. 

Right now I have a mason jar of almonds soaking overnight and it is going to be a small batch of Almond Nut milk before the end of the day.  If I can remember I will take a photo or two to share.  Now its just whether or not to sweeten it with dates, figs, or vanilla bean. 

Later in the day, I will let the baby express himself with artwork via crayola.  This morning I finished the birdseed feeder made from Peanut Butter and a dried pomagrante I kept from last Fall.  I have already seen our Kamakasi squirell take off with it.  We nick named him Kamakasi because he likes to do flying leaps into our big bay window.  We can only think during the summer months he sees his own reflection and thinks its another squirrel moving into his territory.  We know its the same one each year because of his nubbed tail that we got into a fight standing his ground and protecting his oak tree in our yard.   

I hope everyone has a great Imbolc.  Puxatony Phil says it is 6 more weeks of winter and I believe him.  Michigan has not had a great deal of snow, we usually get hammered this month throughout March. 

Blessed Be,
Crystal