It’s in the mid-to-upper 40s here this morning; and even though it’s a bit chilly, that didn’t stop me from going outside on the back porch in nothing but my nightgown to get some cold apple cider from the kettle-that-is-way-too-big-for-the-fridge. It was exhilarating! (both the cold and the cider)
I have discovered this morning that my Samhain Apple Cider is as good cold as it is hot; it’s rather refreshing cold (remember, along with lots of the usual spices, I add peach tea bags to mine). Yum.
These are mine…they could be yours ~
These are a beautiful set of chakra pendulums. I’ve had them for some time now, priced as a set (I won’t break the set up); and they’re being offered at a price which breaks down to about $10 a piece. I won’t go any lower, and I probably should have gone higher. I’ve now put a time limit on them…if I don’t sell them by January 1st, 2018, I’m taking them down, and they will permanently be mine!
This photo is a hot love spell that was underway for a client. I’ve always said that I don’t do spells for people, but maybe that’s not entirely accurate. I have a Candle Altar Service, traditionally called “Setting the Lights”, and I will dress and burn a spell candle for you for your particular intention. I prepare this on a tray, as you see in the photo, with additional herbs, stones, and sometimes some very interesting items added to it. When all is said and done and it’s burned down, I use the remaining candle wax, along with the herbs from the tray, as well as extra herbs and things, and create a mojo bag from the spell remnants that I mail to you. This has been very successful, and I’ve received enthusiastic emails from very happy clients.
PS ~ the stuff I add to the mojo bag will definitely not include the statue that you see in the photo! This has a place of honor on my entertainment center, and it’s raised more than a few eyebrows from guests of varying ages and spiritual backgrounds. If you can’t see it clearly, it’s a couple caught in the rapture of a sexual pose. It’s proven quite effective in spells to produce not only love but some major physical passion as well (she says with a smile).
I can’t believe it’s this time of year already! Where did 2016 go?? This past year has been wracked with huge changes in my life. All hell broke loose December 31, 2015, and it’s been a wild ride ever since– spiritually, emotionally, and financially. However, the wild ride appears to be calming down now, life smoothing over with regular routine, new opportunities, and a new-found sense of stability. The transitions involved have included acceptance, transformation, and new connections. As I slide into the end of October, into the end of this year, I’m warmed and comforted by another celebration of Samhain at our house.
Five things that highlight this holiday for me include, but are not limited to:
Hot Apple Cider~ Every Samhain for the past 20+ years, I’ve drug out my huge (HUGE) silver canning kettle and set it on the back of the stove to slowly heat the Drink of the Evening. My recipe —
5-7 large jugs of applejuice
8-10 bags of peach tea
a handful of cinnamon sticks
and a large metal tea ball filled
with whole cloves and allspice
You can leave a shaker of nutmeg sit on the counter & anyone who wants to add a dash of this spice to their mug of apple cider can do so.
If you don’t like this cider full force, you can dilute it some with water to suit your own taste.
My Hot Apple Cider
Let’s take a look at the ingredients we just used from a magickal perspective:
Peaches— love
Nutmeg— one of the most popular uses for nutmeg is to assure fidelity. It’s also used for spells centered around luck, money, and health.
Cinnamon— spirituality, success, healing, power, psychic powers, lust, protection, love
Allspice— money, luck, healing
Cloves— protection, exorcism, love, money
Apple— love, healing, garden magic, immortality
2. Autumn leaves & flowers~ There is nothing more beautiful than a tree caught in its seasonal death throes. It puts a new spin and realization on the idea of death and rebirth for me; the idea of shedding oneself of all the outward trappings of ego, vanity, and expectation; the idea of natural beauty that comes with age and experience, and a miraculous rebirth, whether physically or spiritually.
3. The Ancestors ~ As I’ve gotten older and time has marched mercilessly on, all through the past few decades, I’ve watched the Older Generation of my family die off. First, the “Greats” (and these are people I actually knew, whom I remember)…great-grandparents and aunts: Alpha, Tracy, Gma Smith, Gpa Smith, Lizzie. And I still watch, even now, as the passing generations move up, ever closer to me and my generation…my grandmother, Darlene, Jim (my father). And then there are those that died tragically, before they had time to get old…Joe, John Patrick, Norman. It’s with a sense of awe and wonder, a sense of growing knowledge and acceptance, that I’m beginning to understand the real meaning behind the “Wheel of the Year” and its natural progression.
Last Year’s Ancestor Altar
4. Spices ~ allspice, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg…They say that your olfactory sense, your sense of smell, can snap a memory into your brain faster than almost anything else, so closely are certain scents associated for us. And this is true of the traditional smells of autumn at our house. I can visualize Grma’s teapot, particular cups, favorite old trees adorned in autumn leaves, pets (both present and past) who laid at our feet around the kitchen table, puddles of glowy golden light from lamps on a wet and cold drooling autumn day…I could go on and on. These smells, as pleasant as they are in themselves, hold all kinds of memories for me.
5. Chili ~ Every year, for 20+ years now, I drag out my Great-Big-Red-Cooking-Pot and make a walloping batch of homemade chili. You can tell the prosperous years from the lean years by my chili…on prosperous years, it will contain more meat. This is another one of those scents that also connect closely with Samhain at our house, it’s a family tradition. I usually start the chili early in the morning and let it sit and simmer on low all day, giving the flavors time to blend deliciously together.
My Chili
So, what are the things that bring this holiday, and this time of year home to you? What are your family traditions and memories? How does Samhain touch you?
Libra: ruled by Venus, projective/masculine, cardinal, air
Scorpio: ruled by Mars, receptive/feminine, fixed/water
Pagan Holiday:
Samhain
October 31
Samhain (pronounced ‘Sou-wen’) is a celebration that has a more somber side than the revelry of modern Halloween. It is a day of remembrance of your ancestors and for those family members who have passed over.
Pagan families may set an extra place at the supper table on this evening, to honor those loved ones who are no longer with them. The veil between the world of the living and the dead is thinnest on this eve, and this night is an excellent time to perform divination, or try to connect with those from the other side.
Incense: cinnamon, cloves, myrrh, patchouli, pine, mugwort, nutmeg Rituals/Spells: making besoms, divination, spirit contact, crone magick, working with dark energy, spells for new beginnings
Crafting Your Magic
Ancestral magic is cast with the Blood Moon. Do magic now to communicate with family members who have passed, to connect with your ancestors and your heritage. Magic surrounding divination is relevant, it’s the perfect time. Cast spells for justice and balance, and to overthrow anything oppressive which may be blocking your path to success. Ambition is highlighted, use magic to increase the potency of your own, or cast magic to contain ambition that may have run amok. This is also the perfect time to step into the dark shadows and take advantage of the vibrations found there. The gray witch revels in the magic of the Blood Moon and in this season.
Magickal Herbs
In the tradition of Samhain, we’re going to look at herbs used to call up spirits.
Mugwort
To bring forth protective & benevolent spirits, Mugwort is burned on charcoal with star anise, althea, and resin incenses like frankincense, myrrh, copal, or benzoin. Energy: feminine/receptive Planet: Venus Element: Earth Powers: strength, psychic powers, protection, prophetic dreams, healing, astral projection
Dandelion
The root, when dried, roasted, and ground like coffee, is used to make a tea. This infusion will promote psychic powers. This same tea, steaming and placed beside the bed, will call spirits. Energy: masculine/projective Planet: Jupiter Element: Air Powers: divination, wishes, calling spirits
Thistle
To call Spirits, place some thistle in boiling water. Remove from heat and lie or sit beside it. As the steam rises call the spirits and listen carefully; they may answer your questions. Energy: masculine/projective Planet: Mars Element: Fire Powers: strength, protection, healing, exorcism, hex-breaking
Wormwood
Wormwood is burned to summon spirits. It is sometimes mixed with sandalwood for this purpose. If burned in graveyards the spirits of the dead will rise and speak, according to old grimoires. Energy: masculine/projective Planet: Mars Element: Fire Powers: psychic powers, protection, love, calling spirits
Sweetgrass
Burn sweetgrass to attract good spirits, or beings, before performing spells.
(Strangely enough, I couldn’t find any correspondences listed for sweetgrass, other than it’s power to call in spirits.)
Disclaimer: Never ingest any herbs, or feed them to someone else,
if you are not absolutely sure they are safe!
Kitchen Wytchery
As the Kitchen Witch knows, natural magick can be found in certain foods, recipes, as well as herbs. In this section we’re going to put this knowledge to work.
We celebrate Samhain at our house big time. I’m going to include in this newsletter my own recipe for pumpkin pie & my ‘secret’ recipe for the large pot of hot apple cider that is a tradition at our house. The photos included are family photos of Samhains past.
My Pumpkin Pie:
1 16 oz. can pumpkin (about 2 cups)
1 13 oz. can evaporated milk (but sometimes I use sweetened condensed milk– it makes it more ‘chiffony’…is that a word?)
2 eggs 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 sugar
the spices:
Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and a dash of salt. Most recipes call for 1/2 teaspoon each, but I’m much more generous with my spices!
the crust:
I tried for years to learn to make a good pie crust, and I almost gave up out of frustration– then I found this recipe. It’s almost foolproof, no kidding.
2 and 1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup shortening 1 beaten egg 1 tablespoon vinegar 1/4 cup water
Mix the dry ingredients together and cut in the shortening, as usual. Then combine the egg and vinegar, stirring it up a bit, and add this to your dry ingredients. Add the water a dash at a time as you work it in, you’ll be able to tell when you get a good texture.
Edit: I bake this pie at 425 degrees for the first 15 minutes; then I turn the oven down to 400 degrees for the next 30-45 minutes, until it’s cooked enough to thicken the filling. I check this by sticking a clean butter knife in the center– when the knife comes out “clean”, I know the pie is done.
Hot Apple Cider
I have a *Huge*– did I say huge?– kettle that I use to mix up my cider. This sits and simmers all afternoon on the backburner of my stove, wafting a wonderful aroma throughout the house.
Ingredients:
5-7 large jugs of applejuice 8-10 bags of peach tea a handful of cinnamon sticks and a large metal tea ball filled with whole cloves and allspice.
You can leave a shaker of nutmeg sit on the counter & anyone who wants to add a dash of this spice to their mug of apple cider can do so. If you don’t like this cider full force, you can dilute it some with water to suit your own taste.
Our kitchen isn’t as organized as Rachel Ray’s or Martha Stewart’s, but we get the job done. Above are kettles of cider brewing in preparation for a Samhain evening.
Let’s take a look at the ingredients we just used from a magickal perspective:
Peaches— love
Nutmeg— one of the most popular uses for nutmeg is to assure fidelity. It’s also used for spells centered around luck, money, and health.
Cinnamon— spirituality, success, healing, power, psychic powers, lust, protection, love
Allspice— money, luck, healing
Cloves— protection, exorcism, love, money
Apple— love, healing, garden magic, immortality
Happy Samhain!!
The information for this blog post has been taken from:
When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween.
~Author Unknown
October Moon Magick:
Blood Moon
Herbs: ginger, myrrh, allspice, basil, clove
Stones: alexandrite, citrine, lilac kunzite
Scents: pine, patchouli
Colors: dark green, brown, gold
Trees: yew, cypress, maple, oak
Deities: Astarte, Horned God, Lakshmi, Ishtar
Elements: Air/Water
Astrological Influences for October:
Libra:
ruled by Venus, projective/masculine, cardinal, air
Scorpio:
ruled by Mars, receptive/feminine, fixed/water
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Pagan Holiday:
Samhain
October 31
Samhain (pronounced ‘Sou-wen’) is a celebration that has a more somber side than the revelry of modern Halloween. It is a day of remembrance of your ancestors and for those family members who have passed over.
Pagan families may set an extra place at the supper table on this evening, to honor those loved ones who are no longer with them. The veil between the world of the living and the dead is thinnest on this eve, and this night is an excellent time to perform divination, or try to connect with those from the other side.
Rituals/Spells: making besoms, divination, spirit contact, crone magick, working with dark energy, spells for new beginnings
Crafting Your Magic:
Ancestral magic is cast with the Blood Moon. Do magic now to communicate with family members who have passed, to connect with your ancestors and your heritage. Magic surrounding divination is relevant, it’s the perfect time. Cast spells for justice and balance, and to overthrow anything oppressive which may be blocking your path to success. Ambition is highlighted, use magic to increase the potency of your own, or cast magic to contain ambition that may have run amok. This is also the perfect time to step into the dark shadows and take advantage of the vibrations found there. The gray witch revels in the magic of the Blood Moon and in this season.
Halloween, or Samhain, is the most important holiday at our house and the most fun. We go all out. I make a huge kettle of hot apple cider, my big red kettle full of chili, and I spend the day before baking pies, lots and lots of pies! The older kids invite their friends, and the neighbors know that it’s an open house. My husband moves our firepit to the front driveway and tends the bonfire all night long, with chairs gathered ’round the cheerful flames, while guests roast hotdogs and marshmellows.
My kids look forward to this night all year long.
Lady Amythyst’s Pumpkin Pie:
1 16 oz. can pumpkin
(about 2 cups)
1 13 oz. can evaporated milk
(but sometimes I use sweetened
condensed milk– it makes it more ‘chiffony’…is that a word?)
2 eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 sugar
the spices:
Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and a dash of salt. Most recipes call for 1/2 teaspoon each, but I’m much more generous with my spices!
the crust:
I tried for years to learn to make a good pie crust, and I almost gave up out of frustration– then I found this recipe. It’s almost foolproof, no kidding.
2 and 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup shortening
1 beaten egg
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/4 cup water
Mix the dry ingredients together and cut in the shortening, as usual. Then combine the egg and vinegar, stirring it up a bit, and add this to your dry ingredients. Add the water a dash at a time as you work it in, you’ll be able to tell when you get a good texture.
Hot Apple Cider
I have a *Huge*– did I say huge?– kettle that I use to mix up my cider. This sits and simmers all afternoon on the backburner of my stove, wafting a wonderful aroma throughout the house.
Ingredients:
5-7 large jugs of applejuice
8-10 bags of peach tea
a handful of cinnamon sticks
and a large metal tea ball filled
with whole cloves and allspice
You can leave a shaker of nutmeg sit on the counter & anyone who wants to add a dash of this spice to their mug of apple cider can do so.
If you don’t like this cider full force, you can dilute it some with water to suit your own taste.
Our kitchen isn’t as organized as Rachel Ray’s or Martha Stewart’s, but we get the job done. Above are kettles of cider and homemade chili brewing in preparation for a Samhain evening.
Let’s take a look at the ingredients we just used from a magickal perspective:
Peaches– love
Nutmeg– one of the most popular uses for nutmeg is to assure fidelity. It’s also used for spells centered around luck, money, and health.
Cinnamon– spirituality, success, healing, power, psychic powers, lust, protection, love
Allspice– money, luck, healing
Cloves– protection, exorcism, love, money
Apple-– love, healing, garden magic, immortality
Samhain Memories
Four of my beautiful little Witchlings–
where does the time go??
My Samhain baby– I was busy giving birth
on a certain Samhain eve 14 years ago.
My “Isabella”, “Deadrose”, and #1 Son
A ‘pre-halloween’ party, the theme was the 1980s.
Our “Resident Elf”
(This Resident Elf is only two years away from being
a teen-ager now. Time goes so fast!)
“Isabella” and her boyfriend, Joe, at last year’s party.
(October 2010)
Preparations are finished– it’s time to enjoy!!
We build a bonfire in the driveway & gather round, or join friends in the livingroom/kitchen for hot chili, or gather on the backporch to play with ouija boards, tarot cards, chinese fortune sticks, oracle cards, and runes, while sipping hot cider at candle-lit tables.
A perfect day for divination.
Spirits ‘rise’ to the occasion. 🙂
Throwing a little light on the situation. I love my black tree!
Our very own “Harry Potter” (#1 Son)
October 2003
This young man has an associates degree in computer science now,
and is working towards his bachelors.
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Thank you so much for visiting my blog.
I hope you’re enjoying the Halloween blog tour.
On behalf of all the Real Witches out there,
Happy Samhain…
This newsletter is jam-packed with personal photos of Samhain’s past, my own recipes for pumpkin pie & hot apple cider, a *gorgeous* Samhain video, as well as the usual stones and bones, herbs and tarot, spells and ‘stuff’. It’s a boiling cauldron of witchy information and links to supplies and occult merchandise.The spell for this month…a ritual:
