The Real Witch's Sabbat ~ Samhain

For you non-witches and non-magickal folk, Samhain (pronounced "sow-en") is basically here.  It is a pagan holiday which celebrates the end of harvest season. Samhain is the word commonly referred to as Halloween in Celtic-speak. The word itself is actually Irish and is the word for the month of November. "November? I thought Halloween was on October 31st?" Well, yes and no. It depends on who is celebrating it and where.  Typcially, here in America,  Halloween falls on October 31st; however, the Celts (Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man, Wales, Galacia to name a few) generally celebrate on November 1st or 2nd.  This is actually the end of the year for them and the new year then begins.  The Irish call Samhain/Halloween "Oíche Shamhna."

If you don't know already, this is the real Witch's sabbat for me, as any real Witch isn't going to miss out on this wonderful night - a night when the veil between this world and the next is thinnest. Hopefully you have explored a few different rituals and have chosen one to do on your sabbat night. If you haven't yet, you still have time but don't delay. As you know, Samhain comes only once a year and it's a special time when magic abounds and invisible doors to other dimensions and times are opened. It is a treat in and of itself - a treasure of history, folk-lore and myth, magickal spells, real Witches' recipes and a night for divination where the future can be revealed into the new and coming year. It is a night to call upon and honor your ancestors, the beloved dead who have gone into the other-world, shadow-world or summerland - whatever you want to refer to it as. When you call upon them, ask them for their guidance and to lend their wisdom and strength to you in the new year.

Now, getting back to ritual working for Samhain. This year, instead of writing my own ritual, I have opted to use a very lovely, simple solitary ritual I found while reading Silver Ravenwolf's book, "Halloween: Cutoms, Spells and Recipes." Though I don't particulary consider myself Wiccan, this ritual is short and to the point, easily carried out with a touching invocation "poem" to your passed loved one(s). Applause to Silver...

Much can be said about Halloween customs and the Witch's sabbat thereof. If anyone cares to exercise their brains and not draw conclusions about what Halloween is and is not, then take the time to research its roots.  I find it unbelievable that there are still grand misconceptions that many people have about this sacred night. It is not a Black Mass or a night devoted to evil. The origins and symbols of Samhain have no connection with the Devil or diabolical rites. So, rather than my giving you an entire history lesson, YOU do the work and discover for yourself that regardless of age, culture or religious point of view, this festive "holiday" can be enjoyed by everyone.  In it may you find your own spiritual enlightment and magickal mysteries to share with friends and family year after year! Have a safe, blessed and HAPPY SAMHAIN!!!

SHADOWFEST
Moon of magick,
Blood for fertility,
Druid fires blazing bright.
Spirits roaming, wail of the banshee,
Otherworld shadows drape the night.

Raven soaring, wings of sorcery,
Eyes like darkness midnight gaze,
Silhouettes gather, moment of mystery,
Born again the ancient ways.

--by G. Dunwich

The Healing Stone

Piedra Alumbre...Alum Stone. What is Piedra Alumbre? You've never heard of it, huh? Luckily, growing up my best friend was Hispanic and I am also married to a Hispanic. I have been around the Mexican culture since a very young age, so I've found out some things along the way, being privy to old customs. Here, I would like to share with you some things I know about this special rock and I've included additional information from other sources as well.

Alum Stone is also called "Fire Rock." Its botanical name is Potassium Alum. Sometimes I refer to it as the "Miracle Rock" because it has so many uses.

Utilizing Wikepedia's description, "Alum stone is soluble in water and has an astringent, acid and sweetish taste."

Personally, I have never out-right tasted it, although both you and I have used it in one form or another. For instance, if you have ever used a styptic pencil on a razor cut after shaving, then you have used alum in one of its many forms. Styptic pencils contain aluminum sulfate which is used as an astringent to prevent bleeding from small shaving cuts.

Alum is used in depilatory waxes for the removal of body hair, or applied to freshly waxed skin as a soothing agent.

Medicinally, most people are unaware of its many uses and benefits. Used in vaccines, it fights bacteria by enhancing the body's response to immunogens. Such vaccines include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and DTaP. 

In crystal or powder form, it can be applied to cuts to prevent or treat infection. This is one of the reasons why makes a good deodorant - in rock form. 

It is frequently cited as a home remedy for canker sores and by pet owners who use alum to stem bleeding associated with animal injuries caused by improper nail clipping.

It is used in toothpaste (as a whitener) and can be dissolved in 5 parts water to shrink hemorrhoids and stop them from bleeding. I have also heard that the rocks can be shaped down and directly inserted for hemorrohoid treatment.

As you can see, this is a very versatile healing stone. If you want to keep some on hand, you should be able to find it rather easily in the grocery store's canning aisle as it is used in canning recipes to keep fruits and vegetables crisp. If you can't find it there, ebay is bound to have it. If you live in or near a Mexican-American community, go to the local hierba tienda (or herb store) or a grocery store that caters to the Hispanic community and you should have no problem finding this wonderful piedra alumbre.

Harvest Moon 2011

For me, the moon has always been full of beauty and mystery. Cloaked in satiny silver, She is the lovely glowing Goddess, patiently watching over us as she effortlessly glides through the passing night clouds.

I am excited that Tuesday (September 12th, 2011) we will be experiencing this year's HARVEST MOON. Why is this full moon particularly exciting, you ask? Because it is the fullest moon of the year. Being the fullest, it gives the most light of any full moons of the entire year. It used to be that farmers would take advantage of the additional light and work through the night to complete the harvest - which is why we call it the Harvest Moon today! 

If you are as excited as I am about this beautiful event and happen to be a Witch who would like to celebrate this occassion as an esbat, I've provided a link below for a short and easy solitary ritual.There may be some adjustments to it you'd like to make - again, I'm just providing it for an easy outline to follow - add or omit where you feel necessary. I hope you enjoy it and have a chance to dance naked under the moonlight! BLESSED BE!

http://newpaganblog.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/full-moon-ritual/

*Although I usually write my own rituals, I find this one to be a good outline and easily changeable to suit anyone's needs. I hope you enjoy it.

Electronic Voice Phenomena

Not all of us have the ability to "hear" spirits. For those who do not, you can simply use a tape recorder and ask the spirit simple questions such as, "Who are you?"  "What do you want?" Allow ample time after asking questions for your ghost to answer you.  However, since the human ear can't hear "white noise" clearly and discernably, I have provided a link for you which gives an entire page of several freeware programs for voice/audio enhancements/filters, etc. Depending on your skill level, you may have to try several of these before you find what you like.  There is much more free EVP software out there, you just have to do the research to find it on the internet. Happy ghost hunting! http://www.filebuzz.com/findsoftware/Free_Evp_Recorder/1.html

Household Plants

Maybe some of you don't give much thought to the type of plants you have in and around your home. Maybe you don't have any indoor plants at all. After you watch this video, you will probably want to consider "adopting" a few plants of your own, not just for the sake of beautifying your living room/kitchen/bedroom, but because plants truly are as beneficial as they are magical. 

I stumbled across this video which tells you the three most important ones to have indoors with you.  Check it out and share it, please.
http://www.ted.com/talks/kamal_meattle_on_how_to_grow_your_own_fresh_air.html

The Green World

What are you doing to protect and live in harmony with the Green World?  Would you say that you have a decent relationship with Mother Earth, or could you improve your connection to her?

Many people today distance themselves from nature. They forget they are part of it. They forget that without it, they would not survive. We are part of Mother Earth's spirit - a part of the Green World.

For a moment, think about the billions of  people who live on planet earth.  As of  today - June 29, 2011, the rough estimate of earth's inhabitants is somewhere around  7,767,919,213 (ASK.COM) but this number is constantly changing!  Now, think about earth's LIMITED natural resources. Picture and image these precious resources slowly disappearing as they have been for decades and as they are even at this moment, through pollution and progress. Sad, is it not?

What happens when we humans carelessly continue to develop and pollute earth's lands, rivers, lakes and oceans? We slowly destroy ourselves and every living creature in our path! Have you ever wondered, twenty years from now, if there will still be whales living in the ocean? Dolphins? The fish which we eat to live? Will we still have beautiful flowing rivers and mountains to fulfill the needs of our souls? You get the idea. Now, what are YOU going to do about helping save our Green World's  natural resources???

"Who? Are you talking to me!?" Why, yes I am. You are just as guilty as the rest of us, so don't pretend like you have nothing to do with our planet self-destructing. What can you do to help, you ask? Some of the most simple conservative actions can help prolong our beautiful and gracious Mother. But, we all have to work together.  Here are some ideas that you can implement into your every day life:

1.  Recycle plastic, aluminum, etc. You have heard this a million times.  Plastic does not dissolve; only some plastics are biodegradable. With all of the garbage one household produces, recyling does help. This is garbage that doesn't lay in landfills. Use seperate containers or bags to sort the different materials until the containers become full, at which time you can take them to a recyclying center. Here is a link I found where you can read more about plastic pollution: http://timeforchange.org/plastic-bags-and-plastic-bottles-CO2-emissions.

2.  Limit water usage. This not only means turning the water off while you are brushing your teeth or shaving, but utilizing the least amount possible to complete the task at hand. Cut 15 minute showers to 10 minutes by being conscious about how long it is taking you to bathe. Follow local community guidelines for watering lawns. Utilize materials in the flowerbeds that will help hold in moisture, such as mulch, or use a sprinkler on a timer system. Use a rain barrel to collect rain water to utilize on your potted plants. These methods will greatly help not only save water, but money too!

3.  Give and get back to nature.  Get your hands in the dirt!  Plant trees and other greenery to produce more oxygen and make earth an even more beautiful place to live. Through basic science, we know plants produce their own food by using energy from sunlight and produce almost all of the air that humans and other animals breathe. Plants also provide shelter for many creatures and we get some of our own building materials from trees.

There are many other ways to recycle and give back to Mother Earth. Use your imagination, or check out the internet for more ideas. The important thing is...do your part!