Imbolc, the celebration of new fire

This is my fabric journal page for Imbolc . Imbolc is the celebration of  New Fire. On the morning of Feb.2 the residents of pagan Britian would put out the cooking fires in their houses. They had protected these fires and kept them going since fall. It was not always easy to get a new fire going and in cold weather it could mean your life if your fire went out. By Feb. 2 the weather was getting more mild and so much ash had built up and the houses smelled so smokey that it was time for everyone to put out their fires and clean house and start afresh. One young woman from the villiage would be chosen to take a small spark of fire in a cauldron and she would take it near the holy well and meditate on it and feed it twigs all day to keep this tiny fire going. The women would throw open the windows and doors and begin the task of shoveling out all the old ashes, scrubbing the hearth stones, and airing out the house. When twilight of evening arrived everyone was dressed in fresh clothing, the house was fresh and clean and the young woman would bring the cauldron of new fire back into the center of the village. Each family would light a torch from the small fire in the cauldron and go back to their homes and start a freshly laid fire in the fire pit to begin cooking dinner. As the dinners were cooking there was general friendliness, gathering and sharing of foodstuff and drink, and the first talk of spring planting and weddings to look forward to. It was a time to cleanse and look toward a fresh start for many people. The girl who kept the new fire was the representative of Brigid, the virginal goddess.

Spell Pocket

This is a simple little felt purse with a velcro dot closure. You can decorate the front pocket in a million ways but I suggest a color that suits your magickal working and a symbol that means something to you or the spell itself. This one is Brown for Earth and has a daisy on it. Inside are empty flower seed packets, a pinch of soil and my wishes that they grow well and nourish everyone with their beauty and the birds with their seeds when summer is done. If you would like the pattern for this item let me know.

Honoring the Summer Solstice

This is the flip side of the page honoring water. Its a simple design of the sun honoring the Summer Solstice.

honoring the element of Water

This was the first page of the fabric journal I had made. Its a mermaid to honor the element of water. she sways in the tides with her seaweed beside her.

the other side of the Beltane page

This is the flip side of the Beltane page for the fabric journal, It represents the element of Air. The color of Air is yellow and air also controlls intelligence and inspiration. This element can be depicted by anything that wind might stir, like a windchime, windsock, flags, ribbons, leaves on a tree. Incense is burned to honor the element of air as it perfumes the air even in the most still conditions. Air is actually made up of lots of things, though it isnt always visable in itself. Think of all the things air does for us. Air can be represented by birds, butterflies, and flying fairies as well. Blow some soap bubbles into the wind and think of wishes you would like to send out to various people through the air. Blessed Be!

Today I made something to celebrate Beltane

I have been working on various forms of pagan needlework and crafting so I thought I would do something for Beltane. This is a page for a fabric journal which depicts a Beltane Bride and the ribbons on the sheltering arms of a tree to flutter in the breeze. I hope you all enjoy the picture and find joy and fulfillment in your Beltane! Blessed Be!

Midsummer Nights Rituals

On midsummer witches work to capture the power of the sun as this is the longest day of the year, and we must hold the power as the length of the days dwindles. To do this we set the midsummer altar with a flat round mirror about the size of a dinner plate, surround it with a wreath of summer flowers from your garden tied with white ribbon then place a white candle in the center. As you begin your ritual light the candle and see the sun filling up the mirror.
This is a good time to ask the blessings of the goddess Fortuna, luck in money, love, work , healing. Be sure to give her thanks when your need is answered. You will want to serve a light berry wine or if you prepared early you could serve May wine.
May wine is made by first collecting in early spring quite a lot of wild violet blossoms, take two cups of rinsed blossoms and drop in two cups of boiling water with two cups of sugar disolved in it. Stir constantly while it boils a minute or two, then turn it off and let it cool. Strain out the blossoms in a collander and pour the syrup into a jar , seal and refrigerate. When you are ready to make may wine, get a large pitcher, two bottles of sweet white wine, the jar of syrup which is warmed to room temp, a few sprigs of sweet woodruff if desired. Pour the wine in the pitcher and pour in the syrup and stir, when the syrup is dissolved pour in a tablespoon of lemon juice and put in the woodruff, stir a bit and watch the magick as the mixture turns from blue to lavender. It tastes heavenly. Serve this with honey and poppyseed cakes topped with a candied violet if you wish. Breathe in Summer. At midnight watch for the trooping fairies and be blessed.