Aislin.'s Blog, page 6

Touching Auras: The Aura of a Baby

After being asked to explain and describe a baby's aura and how to influence it more times than I can remember, I've decided to write it down and make it available through Amazon and other retailers. It's a short e-book, only 5000 words, and is based on my own experiences with my two young children.



Babies, like adults, have auras. It might be harder to see, but it is there. Parents and caregivers can learn to use their own auras to influence the auras of newborns and infants. Children can be calmed, encouraged, and even taught life lessons through the interactions of auras.

Also covered here are basic lessons on how to see and interpret the aura. Though it is not necessary to be able to see the aura of your child to influence it, seeing the telltale glow of your baby's aura can be satisfying. You can learn how to do this with Touching Auras: The Aura of a Baby.

Building a Vegetable A-Frame for Your Garden

Like many Pagans, I enjoy my garden. But now the end of summer has passed us by. Fall has arrived and the garden has been mostly harvested. The little that's left will be harvested within the next two weeks. After that, winter will cover the land with snow and outdoor gardening will come to a halt until spring. But there are still things to do. The garden must be prepared so it's ready to go once the snow melts. One of the things I have to do is build a few A-frames to support some of the vegetables I'll grow next year.



Materials Needed for Building the Vegetable A-Frame

There are several items that you’ll need if you want to construct a vegetable A-frame. You should first purchase 7 1x4s and trim them to 6 feet in length. The lumberyard is usually more than willing to trim them down for you if necessary. If you want your A-frame to last for several years, you’ll want to purchase treated lumber that can withstand exposure to the elements. You can also use untreated lumber if you prefer.

You’ll also need high quality wood screws. To help prevent rusting, purchase galvanized metal screws. Also make sure you have an electric drill and electric saw (to make your life easier, though you can use hand tools if you prefer), staple gun, tape measure, and two hinges. You can purchase any type of hinges you like, but if you want the A-frame to last, purchase hinges that are designed for outdoor use.

Finally, you’ll need screen for the A-frame. This will allow the vines of the plants to grab on to something. Many people like to use window screen designed to withstand pets. It’s light and easy to cut comes in large enough sizes to cover the A-frames, and it can handle a lot of abuse. If you’re using this type of window screen, you’ll need wire cutters to trim it to size.

Constructing the Vegetable A-Frame

Cut 2 of your 6-foot lumber pieces in half so that you have 4 3-foot pieces. Take 2 3-foot pieces and 2 6-foot pieces and assemble them to make 1 frame. The 3-foot pieces are for the top and bottom, the 6-foot pieces are for the sides. Screw these four pieces together. Repeat so that you have 2 frames. These will be the sides of your A-frame.

Cover each frame with window screen that has been cut to size. Secure the screen using your staple gun. As you do this, pull the screen tight to avoid sagging. You may wish to ask a friend to help you with this step.

Attach the hinges using wood screws to the top of the frames, connecting the frames so that they can be opened or closed at will. It is easiest if the frames are lying on the ground when you do this.

Make feet for your A-frame that can be pushed into the ground for stability. Do this by cutting a 6-foot piece of plywood into 2 3-foot pieces. Then cut each 3-foot piece into 2 1.5-foot pieces, but with a diagonal cut. The pointed part can slide into the ground easier and help you secure your A-frame.

Using wood screws, attach the feet to the A-frame with wood screws, one at each of the four bottom corners. Make sure the pointed end is facing downwards. Once you've done this, your A-frame is ready to go into the garden. Simply open the A-frame up and stand it in the garden, driving the pointed stakes into the ground for stability.

When you place the A-frame in your garden, you can open it as much or as little as you like. Bear in mind, however, that the more you open it, the more stable it will be. If you open it up about 3 feet, the vegetables get the space they need and you get a stable enough A-frame. If you construct this A-frame with the proper materials and store it in a dry place when not in use, it will last you for years.



First published at Helium: How to Build a Vegetable A-Frame for Your Garden

Magickal Exercises — Directing Your Own Energy

The body of energy, comprising primarily of the aura and the chakras, can be used for many things, such as the casting of spells and the performing of rituals. In simple terms, this is done by simply releasing the energy of the body toward a specific goal However, before you can begin working true magick, you must first learn to consciously direct your own energy.



Work With a Friend to Develop Your Magickal Skills



If you have a friend to help you, this exercise can be easy and enjoyable. You can both take turns practicing, and help to monitor each other’s progress. However, you’ll have to be honest with each other during this exercise. Center and ground your own energy before you begin.



Start this exercise by having your friend sit down, back to you, stripped to the waist (or removing as many layers as you’re both comfortable with). With your palm down and fingers together, extend your arm, straight out, and point it as your friend’s back. Keep your fingers at least an inch away from his or her back, or your friend will be able to physically feel what you’re doing.



Slowly move your hand up and down the line of his or her spine. Keep your arm straight and focus on sending your energy down your arm, out your fingers, and into your friend’s back. If you have difficulty doing this, focus on the flow of your breath. This isn’t as hard a technique as it may sound.



Imagine that you’re breathing in colored fog (I use purple, but you can visualize whatever color you like). Breathe this fog deep into your belly, about an inch below your navel. Exhale, but instead of breathing the fog out through your mouth or nose, see it flow down your arm and out your fingers, making contact with your friend’s back.



Have your friend tell you if he or she feels anything. This might be a tingling sensation, or the feeling of hot or cold. Everyone feels energy differently, so your energies might be interpreted in any number of ways. In time, your friend might be able to tell you where your hand is. Keep records on this exercise, and practice often.



Practice Magickal Skills on Your Animal Friends



Not everyone has a friend who will submit to this exercise. If you’re one of those people who simply does not have anyone to practice with, consider a pet. Cats and dogs work best for this exercise, and a patient pet is a better candidate. For cats and smaller dogs, rest them on your lap. For larger dogs, you’ll have to sit them in front of you. The principle is the same. Focus on sending energy into your pet, but without physical contact.



Your pet probably can’t talk, so you’ll have to watch your pet for evidence that they feel something. Signs can be as subtle as falling asleep or as obvious as jumping unexpectedly. You’ll have to keep a record of any signs you suspect might be significant, as Fido may keep you guessing for a while. This method takes a little longer, because of the reduced feedback you may receive, but it does work.



If you want to expand and increase your command of your own energies, you have to work at it. There are many various exercises that can help you do this. All of them have value. Experiment, practice, and have fun as you develop your psychic abilities.

Wiccan Sabbat Ritual Recipes — Stuffed Potato Recipes

Potatoes are a traditional food in the fall and winter, when they are in season. Turning a single potato into a full meal is not all that difficult. Stuffed potato recipes are an easy and effective way to do this.



These recipes have been created specifically with Wiccans and Pagans in mind. They include the vegetables and herbs of the season, and so are particularly suited to the Autumnal Equinox and Samhain.



Cheesy Stuffed Potato Recipe



The following ingredients should be gathered close at hand:4 baking potatoes
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons dried chives
½ cup onion, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup sour cream
salt and pepper to taste
Each potato should be well-scrubbed and patted dry. Before cooking, they should also be pierced several times with a fork to allow for the hot air to escape as they bake. If this is not done, they could easily burst. Microwave all 4 potatoes on high for approximately 10 minutes, or until they are tender. This may take as long as 15 minutes with larger potatoes. Rotate potatoes halfway through cooking time.
Preheat oven to 350° F. The butter should be melted in a skillet over low heat in a frying pan. Add onion, cooking until transparent. Slice off the tops of the potatoes and scoop out the insides with a spoon. Place the insides of the potatoes in a small bowl, adding chives, onion, half of the cheddar cheese, all of the sour cream, and the salt and pepper.
Return the mixture to the potato shells and place them all in a medium casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake potatoes until thoroughly heated, approximately 10 minutes.
Vegetable Stuffed Potato Recipe  The following ingredients should be gathered close at hand: 4 baking potatoes
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup broccoli, chopped
1 onion, chopped
½ cup ranch salad dressing
2 teaspoons dried parsley
salt and pepper to taste
Each potato should be well-scrubbed and patted dry. Before cooking, they should also be pierced several times with a fork to allow for the hot air to escape as they bake. If this is not done, they could easily burst. Microwave all 4 potatoes on high for approximately 10 minutes, or until they are tender. This may take as long as 15 minutes with larger potatoes. Rotate potatoes halfway through cooking time.
Preheat oven to 350° F. The butter should be melted in a skillet over low heat in a frying pan. Add onion, cooking until transparent. Slice off the tops of the potatoes and scoop out the insides with a spoon. Place the insides of the potatoes in a small bowl, adding salad dressing, broccoli, parsley, onion, and salt and pepper.
Brush the outside of the potato skins with the olive oil. Return mixture to the potato shells and place them all in a medium casserole dish. Bake potatoes until thoroughly heated, approximately 10 minutes.
Possible Variations for Stuffed Potato Recipes To make a more complete meal, diced beef, lamb, pork, or chicken can be added to either of these recipes. Sausage and bacon are also appropriate. For vegetarians, crumbled and fried tofu can be added instead. Also, cheese may be added to the Vegetable Stuffed Potatoes for additional flavor. For the Cheesy Stuffed Potatoes, try substituting blue cheese for the cheddar. Stuffed potatoes are a favorite of many Wiccans and Pagans around the time of the Autumnal Equinox and Samhain. Though they can be served all year round, in the fall they are especially appropriate, and make a wonderful addition to the ritual feast table, especially when paired with Harvest Mead and Harvest Pumpkin Pie.  First published at Suite101: Wiccan Sabbat Ritual Recipes — Stuffed Potato Recipes | Suite101.com http://leigh-ann-andersen.suite101.com/wiccan-sabbat-ritual-recipes--stuffed-potato-recipes-a274820#ixzz1lRL4DLZw

Wiccan Sabbat Ritual Recipes — Harvest Mead Recipe

Harvest Mead is a traditional beverage that is a rich heady blend of fruit and honey and is served at many Wiccan Sabbats. Though primarily designed as a drink to be consumed for ritual purposes, it can be used for any purpose. It can be adapted to a non-alcoholic recipe quite easily.



This recipe has been created specifically with Wiccans and Pagans in mind. It includes the fruits of the fall, or harvest season. It is particularly suited to the Autumnal Equinox and Samhain. For other Sabbats, different fruits and spices can be used.



Traditional Harvest Mead Method



The following ingredients should be gathered close at hand:3 oranges
2 lemons
3 apples
4 cardamoms
3 nutmegs
4 cinnamon sticks
10 cloves
20 cups water
8 cups honey
2 tablespoons wine yeast blended in ½ cup water
The rind, flesh, and juices of the oranges and lemons should be added to a saucepan, but the white pith should be discarded. Make sure the rind and flesh are coarsely chopped. Chop the apples, discarding the core, and add to the mixture. The cinnamon sticks, cardamoms, cloves and nutmegs, and 10 cups of water should now be added and everything brought to the boil.
The mixture should be simmered for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Strain through cheesecloth, and add an additional 8 to 10 cups of warm water. Stir in the honey, taking care that it blends well. Next add the yeast solution, stirring carefully to ensure that it dissolves properly.
When the yeast solution is thoroughly dissolved, place the fluid in a sterilized container with a fermentation lock. Containers should preferably be new, but they can sometimes be found in second-hand shops. If using a second hand container, ensure that it is thoroughly washed and sterilized.
Place the container in a warm dark place and leave it for at least six months. After about six weeks, small bubbles should be seen rising to the surface. After about six months, this activity should have ceased. If not, the mixture needs a little more time before it is considered ready.
When the mixture has stopped fermenting, it can be decanted into sterile bottles with cork tops. Leave the mixture for a further week to ensure there is no additional fermentation. If there is, this will be indicated by a cork that lifts or pops out completely.
If there is no further fermentation, the mead is ready for consumption.
Non-Alcoholic Harvest Mead Method This is by far the quickest and least complicated method of making Harvest Mead. It is identical until after the liquid is strained. Then, instead of 8 cups of water, add 4 cups of fruit juice and approximately 4 cups of sparkling water. It is slightly less flavorful than the traditional method, but it has the advantage of being quick and alcohol free, for those who do not consume alcohol.The juice used should be complementary to the fruits that have already been added to the mixture. Apple, lemon, or orange all work well. A combination of all three is very flavorful. Some people prefer to use a grapefruit juice. Whatever is the favorite juice of those consuming the mead will work fine.This version of Harvest Mead can also be consumed immediately, as fermentation is not required. However, it is best left overnight, at least, to allow the flavors to develop. If it is to be stored, make sure the container is air-tight, as the carbonated water will go ‘flat’ if it is not sealed. As an alternative, the sparkling water can be added immediately before the mead is served.Harvest Mead is a drink that is quite popular with those who practice Wicca. It can be made just for Sabbats, such as the Autumnal Equinox and Samhain, or it can be consumed all year round. It is full of flavor and a wonderful addition to any table, especially with stuffed potatoes or Harvest Pumpkin Pie.First published at Suite101: Wiccan Sabbat Ritual Recipes — Harvest Mead Recipe | Suite101.com http://leigh-ann-andersen.suite101.com/wiccan-sabbat-ritual-recipes--harvest-mead-recipe-a274423#ixzz1lR5TZuv0

The Wheel of the Year — The Fall Equinox and Its Lore

Often called Mabon or the Fall Equinox, the Autumnal Equinox falls in the second half of September, usually around September 21st. It is often marked on calendars as the “first day of fall.” It is a time when day and night are equal, the last day in the season where the hours of darkness do not overwhelm the hours of light. This is the height of the harvest, the culmination of what began at Lughnasadh. It is a time to think about what we have and to be grateful for it. The Autumnal Equinox is often seen as the Pagan equivalent of Thanksgiving.



As a part of the Wheel of the Year, the Autumnal Equinox sees the Goddess’s pregnancy advancing. She is still the Mother, but She grows wiser and is the Crone as well. The God becomes the Sorcerer and is poised to leave His physical body. It is not His end, but His beginning. The Goddess mourns Him, but She knows that She carries His child within Her. He will never truly be gone, but will reappear as the Wheel of the Year continues to turn.



The Themes and Practices of Mabon



As this Sabbat is a time of preparation for the resting period that follows Samhain, this is a good time to rid yourself of anything unnecessary and unwanted, a time to lay to rest the quarrels and arguments that have plagued you during the season. Get rid of your guilt, envy, and unwanted feelings, banish those things that are holding you back, keeping you from your true potential. This is the time of year to put your own life back into balance, just as the year is in balance as day and night are equal.



This is the season of balance, healing, and justice. It is common to celebrate these themes with festivals and celebration. It is a time of self-expression, of reclaiming the self before the cold of winter arrives. There are many symbols of the Autumnal Equinox, including:


Cornucopia


Dried leaves


Gourds


Grains


Turkeys


Wheel


The Feast of the Autumn Equinox

 

Lughnasadh and the Autumnal Equinox are very similar, both being harvest festivals, but the Equinox is truly a time of plenty. The foods of Lughnasadh are still available, as are many others that have finally come into season. Fish, oysters, game birds, and various meats are traditional. Vegetables such as turnip, zucchini, and cauliflower are also easily available. If you have wild foods in your area, this is the time to collect them.

 

If you’re looking for a truly traditional feast, serve goose. This goose should be smaller and less fatty than a goose served at Yule. Try serving the goose with cranberries, raspberries, or even rowan for an interesting alternative. Roast your small goose on a rack in your oven with a variety of herbs and spices for flavor.

 

There are many other foods you might try, including:


Fish or shellfish cooked in tinfoil with seasonal herbs


Fresh vegetables just barely cooked so that they are still crisp


Boiled potatoes


Turkey


Duck


Fruit Cobbler


Fruit preserves


Beverages for the Autumnal Equinox

 

Fruit wines are a popular choice for the Autumnal Equinox, but they do take a few weeks to mature. If you’re making your own fruit wine, start it no later than Lughnasadh to enjoy it by late September. For a quicker alternative, mush some fruit and strain. Add the juice to a chilled sweet wine just before serving. For the non-alcoholic crowd, try chilled fruit juice mixed with sparkling water.

 

If you prefer liqueurs, make a fruit liqueur by adding vodka and fine caster sugar to some chilled fruit juice. Shake this mixture three times a day for eight days and serve chilled. Substitute sparking water for the vodka if your celebration includes children or those who prefer not to drink alcohol. Harvest Mead, both in its alcoholic and non-alcoholic forms, is also an appropriate choice

 

Celebrating Mabon

 

When thinking about September, we tend to associate it with the beginning of fall. But it’s important to remember that this month is also the end of summer. The weather is still usually warm enough to host a celebration outside, even if you do have to put on a sweater before heading out.

 

It’s always fun to go out and look for edible plants, nuts, and berries in your area. However, there are always a few poisonous plants hanging around that look like they might be edible. Take a field guide with you and don’t eat anything you’re unsure of. If you’re involving children in this, don’t let them eat anything until you’ve checked it out. If you’re lucky, you have a berry-picking farm nearby that you can visit. This takes most of the risk out of your little hunt.

 

Conker fighting is a traditional way to pass the time in the fall. Take a horse chestnut and skewer it. Suspend the horse chestnut from a knotted string at least three feet long. Face off with an opponent and try to smash each other’s conkers. The person whose conker breaks first is the loser. This game invites a great deal of hilarity, but you’ll also end up with occasional scraped knuckles from flying conkers. Consider wearing heavy gloves to protect delicate fingers if you’re worried.

 

Remember that you’re about to say goodbye to the warm days of the lighter half of the year. Hold a spiral dance, having all participants dance counterclockwise, in honor the dark half the year that is about to begin. Keep in mind that dances take practice, so you might want to have your dancers rehearse once or twice before the actual day.

 

A ritual is always nice, but not strictly necessary. If you do decide on a ritual, keep in mind that you should focus on the themes of the day and not of performing magick for yourself.

 

Dressing for Mabon

 

Dressing for the Autumnal Equinox is much like dressing for any other Sabbat. Pick something special in colors that both represent and honor the season. For this Equinox, choose clothing in the rich fall colors of yellow, orange, and brown. You could wear ritual robes in these colors or choose something more meaningful to you. Alternatively, you could dress in the God’s color of bright gold or the Goddess’s color of deep autumn red. You might also choose to use these colors to decorate your ritual space.

 

The Autumnal Equinox is a time of balance. It is a time to reflect on the abundance that nature provides and offer up thanks for what we have.

The Wheel of the Year — Lughnasadh and Its Lore

Lughnasadh, often called Lammas or Loafmas, falls on August 1st. It marks the first harvest of the season and is a time to give thanks. It is the festival of Lugh, Celtic Sun God, and in honor of this one man would often be chosen as King for the day. In ancient times, this King would be given the best foods and would later lead the villagers to the fields to begin the harvest.



As a part of the Wheel of the Year, Lughnasadh is the time when the God, in His aspect as King, watches as the Goddess continues to grow with his child. He watches this with sorrow, sensing that his death will not be long in coming. And yet, Lughnasadh is the season of transformation, when grain becomes bread, and so he knows that he will only be changing form, not vanishing forever.



Themes and Practices of Lughnasadh



Lughnasadh celebrates the death and rebirth of Lugh. It is a time of sacrifice and thanksgiving, and in ancient times true sacrifice often happened at this festival. Today, Wiccans celebrate by sacrificing those things that are inappropriate in life, such as hatred, fear, or illness. Lughnasadh is also about making sure we have given enough for what we have received. It is often easier to think about what we have and what we can get than it is to think about what we have given. Therefore, many Wiccans make it a point to give back on this day in whatever manner they feel is appropriate for them.



There are many symbols that are associated with Lughnasadh. Some of these include:


Transformation


Bread


Corn dollies


Gingerbread men representing the Sacrificial King


Sheaves of grain


Dark green plants such as ferns


The Feast of Lughnasadh

 

The central part of your meal should revolve around grains. Breads, pastries, cookies, and pies are all good ideas. Breads in the shape of men that can be sacrificed (eaten or even thrown into the fire) are especially appropriate.

 

Any game meat can be served at Lughnasadh. Rabbit is traditional, as rabbits would be chased from the fields as the harvest began, but you can use anything you like. Chicken and pork both work well. Vegetables and fruits of the season can be served alongside your meat and bread for a full meal.

 

There are many options for creating a full Lughnasadh feast, including:


Meat pies


Cornish-style pasties


Apples


Blackberries


Cherries


Gooseberries


Pears


Plums


Raspberries


Strawberries


Salads made with dark green vegetables and light olive oil dressing


Beverages for Lughnasadh

 

When choosing beverages for this Sabbat, keep in mind the colors of the harvest and the various grains, fruits, and vegetables naturally available. Yellow ales and ciders are popular, as are fruit juices and lemonade. If you want to get a little more festive, consider making Harvest Mead. You’ll have to plan for this in advance, since a good Harvest Mead can’t be made in an hour. If you’re hosting games or other physical activities, have sparkling water on hand to quench thirst.

 

Celebrating Lughnasadh

 

One of the most traditional ways to celebrate Lughnasadh is to make your own Sacrificial King out of cornhusks, straw, or sheaves of grain. Take your straw (or whatever you happen to be using) and gather it together. Fold the entire thing in half and tie off the top so you have a head. Add another tie about midway down the body for a waist. Divide the straw below the waist into two and tie off for legs. Use another bundle of straw to make arms and tie this to the body. To be really traditional, you should use straw to tie the bundle, but I use thread in a matching color. It’s easier to work with and thin enough that you don’t even see it.

 

Once you have your Sacrificial King, use him to decorate your ritual space. Later, make a game out of slaying the Sacrificial King. Stand him up or tie him to a tree and fire arrows at him. Whoever gets closest to the head or heart wins. Or assign points to certain areas of the body and give everyone three tries. If you can’t fire an arrow, use darts. Just make sure you’re careful with this. You don’t want one of your guests or family members to be hit with an arrow or dart!

 

This Sacrificial King can be used again when the bonfire is lit. Throw him into the fire and see your negative emotions or bad habits burning with him. Keep watching him until he is reduced to ash.

 

Games that honor Lugh are common for a Lughnasadh celebration. Anything that tests a skill can be used as a game. Try archery contests, wrestling, games of chess, poetry readings, or anything else that’s fun and inspires competition. Award prizes for the winners.

 

You will probably also celebrate Lughnasadh with a ritual or ceremony. However, magick not in keeping with the themes of the Sabbat should be avoided. Try to use the Sabbats as a way to honor the Goddess and the God, not practicing magick for your own ends.

 

Dressing for Lughnasadh

 

Get into the spirit of the season by dressing for Lughnasadh. Pick clothing in the traditional colors of yellow and dark green. You might wish to wear ritual robes or something even fancier. Whatever you choose should be comfortable, functional, and possibly even decorated with the symbols of Lughnasadh. You could also choose the colors of the Goddess and the God. The God is often associated with gold, yellow, and orange during this festival while dark green or even red is for the Goddess.

 

Lughnasadh represents the beginning of the harvest season. It is a time to be thankful for what we have and an acknowledgement that everything we are given must be paid for.

The Faery Lineage and Irish Mythology — The Flower Fairy

As society changes, so does its mythology. This rule applies equally to the continuous development of the Faery Lineage. With the arrival of the 18th century, the Jacobean Fairy of the previous century changed and adapted, splitting into the Flower Fairy and the Folk Tale Fairy. Both of these forms have endured into modern times, but it is the Flower Fairy that most people envision when they hear the term ‘fairy.’



The Nature of the Flower Fairy



Above all, the tiny Flower Fairy was said to be gentle and generous. Flower Fairies were the gentle spirits of the earth. They were thought to exist wherever nature flourished. They lived in the hills and the mountains, the lakes and the oceans, and they would flit from flower to flower in every garden.



Flower Fairies were passionate in their pursuits. They admired love and beauty, but abhorred ugliness and greed. They held in contempt those who were tightfisted with their time or wealth.



Those humans who left a bit of food or drink for them at night earned their love. They were said to wander the physical realm at night, collecting the last bit of grain from the field, the last fruit off the tree, and the last drop of milk from the pail. They also enjoyed a bit of wine, but Flower Fairies never became intoxicated.



Superstitions Surrounding the Flower Fairy



In 18th century Europe, including Ireland, superstition was still very much a part of daily life. Common knowledge of the era held that the blessings of the Flower Fairy could be brought into a household with a few simple actions.



Those households wishing to draw the Flower Fairies into their homes were advised not to sit up too late, as the fairies might wish to come into their home after dark. They would leave some food or milk for the fairies to dine, and a vessel of clear water for them to bathe. Those who made the effort to provide the fairies with these small comforts were said to be rewarded quite richly in the form of luck and protection.



This charming fairy would endure into the modern era, and continues to be a part of popular mythology. With the rise of Wicca and other Pagan movements in the 20th century, the Flower Fairy was reinvented, slowly becoming the Elemental Fairy.





First published at Suite101: The Faery Lineage and Irish Mythology — The Flower Fairy | Suite101.com http://leigh-ann-andersen.suite101.com/the-faery-lineage-and-irish-mythology--the-flower-fairy-a335972#ixzz1ljyZKfHw

The Faery Lineage and Irish Mythology — The Heroic Faery

In the centuries before the Middle Ages, the Daoine Sidhe began to dwindle and diminish. As this happened, they changed form once again. In time, they became the Heroic Faeries of myth and legend.



The Heroic Faery and the Fenian Heroes



Though they existed during different era, from a mythological standpoint, the Heroic Faeries had much in common with the legendary Fenian Heroes. They both were a form of diminished or fallen gods, descendants of the Tuatha De Danann. Cut lose from what they once were, they became closer to humans than their predecessors ever were. Sometimes, they even became close enough to mate, resulting in human children with faery gifts.



However, there were some key differences between the Fenian Heroes and the Heroic Faery. The Fenian Heroes were true warriors, ready to die for kind and country. The Heroic Faery, on the other hand, could be more accurately describes as aristocrats. They were more likely to spend the day hunting or riding than defending the kingdom, much like the human nobles of the era. They were lovers of the arts, prone to spending the evening indulging in music and dance. The Heroic Faery was a reflection of the nobles of the time, while the Fenian Heroes were the reflection of the warriors of the past.



The Heroic Faery and the Medieval Fairy



By the 11th and 12th centuries, the Heroic Faery had developed to include characters who were fine warriors and champions of the people, as well as patrons of the arts and lovers of cultures. As human culture evolved, so did the Heroic Faery, and the line between warrior and poet began to disappear. It is at this point in time where the Faery Lineage begins to converge.



The Medieval Fairy, a descendant of the Fenian Heroes, had grown to encompass newer legends, such as that of Avalon. However, the characters, while well-versed in the arts of magick, lacked the feel of nobility and aristocracy that the Heroic Faery possessed. The two lines merged, for a time, before they both began to diminish further, changing form once more.



With the passage of time and the changing of the people, the faery changed as well. They slowly dwindled, becoming the Diminutive Fairy.





First published at Suite101: The Faery Lineage and Irish Mythology — The Heroic Faery | Suite101.com http://leigh-ann-andersen.suite101.com/the-faery-lineage-and-irish-mythology--the-heroic-faery-a331509#ixzz1ljpHgm4o

Beach Spells for Spring and Summer

As the Spring Equinox approaches and the sun begins to warm the earth, our thoughts turn inevitably toward the beach. The beach is a destination, a place to feel the hot sand beneath our fee, the cool water upon our skin, and the powerful sun upon our backs. But it can also be a place to case some simple spells.



The Magick of the Beach



It is difficult to find a more magickal place than a sunny beach. It is one of the few places on earth where all four elements — earth, air, fire, and water — are present at the same time. Earth is the sand beneath your feet. Air is the wind blowing across your cheeks. Fire is the blazing sun. And water is the cool lap of the ocean or lake against your skin.



On land, only a lightning storm combines the four elements in such a natural way. But a lightning storm is harsh and distracting. The beach is gentle and soothing. The perfect place to work some magick.



Simple Spells for the Beach



Simplicity is often the core of powerful magicks. This is especially true of magick at the beach. You can honor the Goddess and the God, in their aspects as water deities, by tossing bread crumbs into the water while your feet are buried in the sand. Do this at sunset or sunrise to invoke Their blessings. It really doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.



Find a flat area of sand that will remain fairly undisturbed and draw a symbol to represent something you desire. This may be a career, love, a new home, or anything else you can think of. Draw your chosen symbol with a stick, your finger, or environmentally-safe paint that dissolves in water. Infuse the symbol with your intent as you do this. Allow the symbol to wear away naturally as your spell manifests.



The spot where the water meets the sand has great magickal potential and is symbolic of being between two worlds. Take a seat in the sand where the water washes over the shore and meditate. As you do so, visualize your desires flowing back and forth between these two worlds, passing through you to get to each other. This will help your desires to manifest in your life.



If you’re looking for a talisman or ritual tool, sit at the shoreline and ask the deities of the water to send you a gift. Close your eyes, and if you wait long enough, you might find your request granted. You’ll have to be patient and dedicated for this to work.



Alternatively, you can actively seek out things such as natural ritual tools and talismans. Search along the beach for shells, stones, fossils, or anything else you might find useful. You might even find a hagstone, a stone with a whole worn through the center by the eroding action of water and sand. These are symbols of the Goddess, and can be worn about the neck as talismans of protection and fertility.



There are many other ways you can use the beach as a place of power. You might choose to immerse yourself in the water as an act of purification. You could bury your feet in the sand to fully center and ground yourself. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.





First published at Suite101: Beach Spells for Spring and Summer | Suite101.com http://leigh-ann-andersen.suite101.com/beach-spells-for-spring-and-summer-a357867#ixzz1lkmiJB7j