Hello.... It's Me

Samhain is Coming

Herb Talk ~ Pomegranate

      If anyone reading this has an answer for where the time goes (or the name of a guy that knows a guy that sells working time turners) please let this frazzled witch know. Summer came and went, Mabon is in the rear view mirror and Samhain is up ahead on the right.  With Samhain less than two weeks away, I decided this post would best be spent talking about Pomegranate.  I love Pomegranate and I'm tempted to run to the store right now and get one... or three.

     The Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit that originates from Iran (ancient Persia) and has been cultivated since ancient times.  It is mentioned in the Quran, Babylonian texts, the Homeric Hymns and even got a shout out in the Book of Exodus.  Its name is derived from medieval latin: pomum which means apple and granatum which means seeded.  Pomegranate folk names are: Pound Garnet, Grenadier, and Carthage Apple.  This fruit is masculine (although there are some folks that disagree), its element is fire and the ruling planet is Mercury.  The deities associated with Pomegranate are Ceres and Persephone. 

     Pomegranates are a powerful and tasty fruit that hold an abundance of magickal and healthy (nutritional) powers.  Wealth, wishes, fertility, protection and luck are some of the powers of the Pomegranate.  If you'd like to put a bun in your oven, consider performing some fertility magick with Pomegranates.  Eating the seeds is believed to increase a women's fertility.  The outer skin or rind is also helpful in the fertility department.  Dry the skin and add it to spells for conception. Pomegranates are also lucky and will increase the power of spells they are added to.  Always make a wish before eating a Pomegranate and if you find yourself needing a bit of luck, eat a spoonful of Pomegranate seeds.
     Pomegranate is also great for attracting money and creating prosperity.  A branch from a Pomegranate tree, used as a wand, will reveal hidden wealth and is a money magnet.  Adding the dried rind of a Pomegranate to a money spell or incense will help your cash flow and give your spell work some much needed luck.  The branches from a Pomegranate tree can also be used for protection and guard against evil.  Hang a branch over thresholds that lead out of your home (the front door, backdoor, windows etc) to keep out negative energies and people.  The juice from a Pomegranate is also used as a blood substitute in rituals and spell-work.  Because of its stain making power, Pomegranate can also be used to make magick ink.  Some believe the juice represents the blood of the Goddess and drinking it will fill you with her wisdom.  

       Pomegranate Divination

     Pomegranate seeds are eaten for luck, prosperity and fertility but this fruit can also be used for divination. There are a few different methods but the most popular is what I like to call: "Break that sucker open and see what happens."  For example, if a woman would like to know how many children she will have in her lifetime she could use this method.  

• Get a whole Pomegranate.
• Make sure it's a solid specimen of Pomegranate (No soft spots, brown spots on skin etc).
• Take that sucker outside and throw it at the ground as hard as you can.
• Ideally, the Pomegranate will split and some of the seeds will escape. 
• Count the seeds and you will have your answer. 
• This method works for questions that begin with 'how many' (How many years until I get married? How many years will I live here? etc).

Interesting Tidbits:
1) Because of its staining power, Pomegranates were allegedly used by ancient Egyptian women to color their lips.
2) Pomegranates are also used to dye fabric. 
3) Eating three Pomegranate seeds on the day of Samhain honors the journey of Persephone. Eat more than three and you may be inviting hardship and struggle into your life for the year ahead. 

The Story of Persephone

     The story of Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, has all the makings of a telenovela. Kidnapping, lies, betrayal, etc. and in the end, she becomes Queen of the Underworld and the Pomegranate is this stories version of the poison apple.  This is a condensed version of the story and information varies depending on where you're reading.  In some versions she eats a handful of Pomegranate seeds while in others she eats three (the number corresponding to the length of winter).

"PERSEPHONE was the goddess queen of the underworld, wife of the god Haides. She was also the goddess of spring growth, who was worshipped alongside her mother Demeter in the Eleusinian Mysteries. This agricultural-based cult promised its initiates passage to a blessed afterlife.

Persephone was titled Kore (the Maiden) as the goddess of spring's bounty. Once upon a time when she was playing in a flowery meadow with her Nymph companions, Kore was seized by Haides and carried off to the underworld as his bride. Her mother Demeter despaired at her disappearance and searched for her the throughout the world accompanied by the goddess Hekate bearing torches. When she learned that Zeus had conspired in her daughter's abduction she was furious, and refused to let the earth fruit until Persephone was returned. Zeus consented, but because the girl had tasted of the food of Haides--a handful of pomegranate seeds--she was forced to forever spend a part of the year with her husband in the underworld. Her annual return to the earth in spring was marked by the flowering of the meadows and the sudden growth of the new grain. Her return to the underworld in winter, conversely, saw the dying down of plants and the halting of growth. In other myths, Persephone appears exclusively as the queen of the underworld, receiving the likes of Herakles and Orpheus at her court.

Persephone was usually depicted as a young goddess holding sheaves of grain and a flaming torch. Sometimes she was shown in the company of her mother Demeter, and the hero Triptolemos, the teacher of agriculture. At other times she appears enthroned beside Haides."

Source: http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Persephone.html

     Pomegranates are really healthy and taste yummy.  They contain an insane amount of antioxidants and taste great in everything from oatmeal to salads. It stains easily so be careful when working or cooking with it.  Use it to make ink or to dye a t-shirt.  Eat the seeds for a burst of luck and remember to make a wish before cracking one open.  If a creepy man in a black cloak asks you to come with him and offers you Pomegranate seeds, say no and run like hell.  Unless becoming Queen of the Underworld sounds like a good career move.  The stem of the Pomegranate tree protects against evil and will also help you uncover cash you never knew you had.  Carry the dried rind with you or eat the seeds to increase your chances of having a baby.***  If you'd like to know how many kids you'll have try the divination method mentioned above. History, mythology, magick, and nutrition are just a few of the categories in which there is a plethora of information about Pomegranate.  Do your research and make some magick!

Brightest Blessings, 
~Amethyst~

***I am not a doctor and I don't play one on TV. Do your research before you consume any herbs via potions etc.

Sources:

1)Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by: Scott Cunningham
2)The Encyclopedia of Magickal Ingredients by: Lexa Rosean

3)witchipedia.com 

4)Source: http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Persephone.html

Got Leaves?

Leaf Spell


In case you haven't noticed, It's Autumn!!   Sorry, I get a little excited... Yay!! 

This is, without a doubt, the best time of year. The heat and humidity of summer are gone. (Peace out steamy hot subway stations, bad hair days and the urge to throw myself into the fountains in central park!)  Apple and pumpkin picking are mandatory activities this time of year. Every merchant at the farmer's market is selling hot apple cider. The leaves have begun to change and the trees are about to be naked so I thought this would be a good time to post a simple leaf spell.  This spell is very easy to do because all you need are a few leaves and a pen. The leaf spell is great for cleansing and to release anything negative in your life.


First and foremost, go get some leaves!!  Look for different types of leaves: shapes, sizes, colors (everything from brown to green) etc.  Make sure you have a variety.  Collecting a large amount of leaves ensures that this type of spell can be done year round.  You can use the leaves to decorate your home or altar for the season. Once it's time to change decorations (because Yule will be here any second) you can store the leaves and save them for later spell work.  


I do this spell in two parts but you can change it up and do whatever feels comfortable for you.

Part 1.
The first part of this spell is for releasing anything negative or harmful.  Look through your leaves and pick one that is brown and a bit dried up. (Now would be a good time to do whatever gets you into a magickal mood. Burn incense, light a candle, relaxing music etc.) Hold the leaf in your hands and think about all the negative/bad/harmful things that you'd like to rid yourself of.  Take some time with this and really think about it.


Think about: How these things affected you and/or others?
                    How these things have held you back?
                    How has it made you feel?


Once you've spent some time thinking about what you want to release from your life it's time to write them on your leaf. Using a pen or sharpie (I use a fine tip sharpie) write the things you want to rid yourself of on the leaf (if your anything like me you may need to use multiple leaves or the front and bank of one leaf). Write down all the things you just thought about: self doubt, procrastination, obsessiveness, negative thinking, bad habits/addictions etc. Once your done with that put that leaf aside because it's time for part two.


Part 2.
Now it's time for the happy stuff.  Pick another leaf.  This leaf is for the positive changes you'd like to bring into your life. Choose a leaf (or leaves) that is still green or any other bright color. Whatever catches your eye. Now hold the leaf/leaves in your hands and think about everything in your life that is positive. Focus on the positive things you'd like to bring into your life: better health, a new career path, motivation, self love etc.  Really envision yourself having and experiencing these things. 


Once you've spent some time focusing on this it's time to write them on the pretty leaf/leaves you've chosen.  


Now, are all your leaves finished? Good because it's time to go outside, up on your roof (if you live in an apartment like me and it's safe and easily accessible) or just open a window.  Hopefully there's a bit of a breeze.


Take the first leaf/leaves (the releasing leaf) and hold them in your hands. Concentrate on all the things you wrote on that leaf, all the things you want to rid yourself of. When your ready say this spell while you crush, rip, tear, crumble the leaf into small pieces. Let the pieces fall away while you say the spell.

These things are released

The negative now falls away

The door is closed to anything that would harm

Only the positive is allowed to stay

(Repeat 3x, 6x, or 9x. Whatever feels comfortable.)
So Mote It Be


Now open your hands and see that they are empty. Feel yourself becoming lighter as the negative things you've released are carried away from you on the wind. 

Now onto the positivity. Take the pretty leaf/leaves and hold it in your hands. Don't crush, rip, tear or crumple this leaf.  Focus on all the positive things you wrote on the leaf/leaves.  Envision yourself achieving all the goals you've set for yourself. See yourself healthy, happy etc.  Now, while still holding onto the leaf/leaves say this spell:

That which held me back is released

Positivity and light are now in it's place

(Repeat 3x, 6x, or 9x. Whatever feels comfortable.)

So Mote It Be

When you've finished there are few things you can do with the leaf/leaves: release it (whole) and envision it floating on the wind, finding the things you wrote on it and sending them back to you.  Or you can keep it on your altar as a reminder of what your working towards. You can put it away and look at it from time to time, checking off the things you've accomplished.  You can also carry it with you in your wallet as a reminder of the things you'd like to manifest in your life.  Do whatever you prefer and feels most comfortable. 

So that's it, my little leaf spell for Autumn.  Please keep in mind that spells can always be changed and adjusted according to personal preference. Only feel the need to do part one? Then only perform part one of the spell and the same goes for part two. Also, the spells written above can be changed and reworded.

Happy Autumn!! 

Bright Blessings
~Amethyst~

Herb Talk ~ Apples

Sorry... I was channeling this guy

     Happy Fall/Autumn/Samhain/Best Time of Year!!!!  Please pardon my excess enthusiasm but my favorite time of year has finally arrived and I couldn't be more excited!! Fall has been my favorite time of year since I was a little girl so I thought, you know what, let's talk about apples! Raise your hand if you're going apple picking at least once this season. I live in New England so apple picking is basically mandatory.  Apple cider, apple cider donuts, apple pie, apple turnovers, candied apples, caramel apples, apple butter, caramel apple muffins, apple tarts, applesauce....  Apologies, how about some info before I destroy my kitchen making everything (and I do mean everything) I just listed above.  

     Beginning in mid-September, signs of the changing season are everywhere. The shortening of days is becoming more noticeable, temperatures begin to drop, leaves are changing, and people have the urge to go apple picking.  In fact, many families, groups of friends, covens, etc., go on apple picking trips every year during September and October. Why? The apple has been intertwined with human history for centuries. An apple struck Newton in the head, cluing him in on gravity.  Teachers, the givers of knowledge and wisdom, are given apples on the first day of school. Apple pie is a cultural icon in the United States, evidenced in the phrase: as American as apple pie.  This fruit has the ability to repel doctors and has been used by one of the most evil fairy tale characters in history as her weapon of choice.  It's no wonder people are so enamored with apples; they're everywhere and have been for quite some time.

     The apple has a bushel full of folk names, including The Silver Bough, Tree of Love, Fruit of the Gods and Fruit of the Underworld.  The ruling element of apples is water, its gender is feminine, and the ruling planet is Venus.  Apples have been associated with a number of deities over the years.  Venus, Freya, Zeus  Diana, Athena, Pomona, Hera and Dionysus are just some of the deities that have been linked with the apple.  Magickal powers of the apple are abundant, but the most prominent are healing, love, wisdom and immortality.

Cut an apple across its width (horizontally) and you'll find a pentagram inside.

     Apples are one of the most common fruits throughout the United States and Europe.  They grow almost anywhere and come in a wide variety.  Apples have grown wild in Europe for centuries and have a long history there.  Raise your hand if you've heard the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.  If you're currently waving your hand in the air like you just don't care, then chances are you've also heard of Avalon.  Avalon is a sacred place mentioned in the Arthurian stories.  Located on the Isle of Avalon are women living and being trained as Priestesses of the Goddess.  Ancient wisdom was cultivated there and magicks and healing was taught all during a time when Christianity was violently sweeping through Europe.  Avalon is an ancient Welch word that translates to "apple".  Therefore, The Isle of Avalon is also The Isle of Apples. 

    Apples have also received a shout out in the bible... sort of.  In the book of Genesis in the old testament Adam was told not to eat of the tree of knowledge. God said, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." -Genesis 2:16-17  This statement begs soooo many questions. If you don't want Adam to eat from the tree of knowledge, why did you make the tree in first place? Gaining knowledge is a good thing right? So why not have a bite of that fruit and elevate your I.Q.. Clearly Eve just wanted to advance her education, so she ate the fruit. Have women been looked down upon all these years simply because Eve wanted a higher education? OK, I digress, back to the apple.  Did you notice what was omitted from the quote above? The apple is never mentioned! Fruit from the tree of knowledge is referred to as fruit in the bible, not an apple.  Many scholars believe that early Christians turned 'fruit' into 'apple' which has been popularized over the years via depictions of the fall of Adam and Eve, fairy tales, and movies. Associating the apple with evil was no accident either.  Early Christians recognized that the apple/fruit is associated with the Goddess (wheat and grains represent the God) and it became the forbidden fruit during a time when women were losing their power left, right and center.

     Have apples gone the way of broomsticks, black cats, and pointy hats? Is the apple yet another symbol/tool of  the witch, healer and wisdom seeker that has been transformed into something negative, evil and scary?  Picking a few apples and making a pie is acceptable but one step beyond that and we're in forbidden fruit territory.  Apples have loving and healing energies/properties (we'll get to that in a hot second). In this witch's humble opinion, the apple was transformed into an evil tool of the witch by those that misunderstood witches, healers and the nature of magick.  Instead of being a tool of healing and wisdom it became an evil, poisonous tool used by the equally evil witch wielding dark powers.  Whether good or bad, the apple has been associated with witches and healers for centuries. Now let's talk about the good.

What's Love Got To Do With It?

     Apples carry quite a bit of energy and have a long history with love spells.  Use the blossoms from an apple tree in love incense, potions and sachets. Rub apple blossom oil on red or pink candles to attract love. Find a nice apple (one with no bruises, etc.) and leave it under a tree as an offering to Venus and ask for love. Trying to make sure your lover is faithful and that you will be happy together? Offer to share an apple with your love, you eat half and give them the other half.  Want to know if your feelings for someone will be reciprocated? Hold an apple in your power hand (the power hand is your dominant hand, usually the hand you write with) until it's nice and warm. Then, give the apple to the person your interested in. If they eat the apple then your feelings will be returned.  Use red apples for love, green apples for money and golden apples for fame.

     Apples can also be used as a divination tool.  "...love divinations, which were so popular among unmarried women in Europe for many centuries. Simply cut an apple in two and count the number of seeds. If they are even, marriage will soon occur. If one of the seeds is cut it may be a stormy relationship. If two are cut, widowhood is foretold. However, if an uneven number of seeds are found the woman will remain unmarried in the near future." (1) Another fun love divination using the apple focuses on the stem. Twist the stem of an apple and with each twist of the stem call out a letter of the alphabet (go in order beginning with the letter A).  The letter you call out as the stem breaks is the initial of the first name of the person you are meant to fall in love with.



An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away.... Seriously, It Does

      Maybe our need to go apple picking every fall is because of some latent folk memory we're all walking around with. We know that winter is approaching because the leaves are changing and the temperature is dropping. The final harvest is just around the corner and we need to stock up on food for the winter. Apples can be stored whole for winter (if picked when ripe and kept at a temperature of 32-35 degrees) and canned as preserves.

     The apple has also be relied on over the years for its healing abilities.  Apples are easily digested which makes them a great baby food option.  The natural acids in an apple help neutralize the acids produced during indigestion   Apples are high in fiber (especially granny smith apples) and stewed apples create a gentle but effective laxative. To rid yourself of constipation and help you sleep eat an apple at bedtime. Eating an apple will also help keep teeth clean and your breath fresh.  Eat an apple to ward off a fever and lower your cholesterol   Have an apple if your blood sugar is low and crushed apple leaves placed on a fresh wound help fight infection. "For all feverish conditions; slice an apple and place in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then simmer till the apple is soft. Strain and chill. Serve cold." (3)



Interesting Tidbits:

1) Centuries ago, in some parts of Britain, people sang to their apple orchards on Christmas Eve. This practice was to ensure a bountiful harvest in the coming year.  Entire families would go out to the orchard, place cakes in the trees branches and pour cider on the roots.  Then they would drink to the trees health and sing songs. 

2) Apples are considered to be a food of the dead and are popular altar decorations during Samhain. Because of this, Samhain is sometimes referred to as the "Feast of Apples".

3) In some traditions the apple represents the soul. During Samhain the apple is buried so that those that will be reborn in the spring will have food during the winter.

4) Apple Cider poured onto fresh dirt will bring new life to your garden. Do this right before you begin planting.

5) Wood from the apple tree makes amazing/powerful wands.

6) Some traditions believe that eating apples give you immortality and wisdom.

7) Apples are healthy and wonderful but the seeds, if consumed in large quantities, are poisonous!! Especially for small children and pregnant women. When you eat an apple avoid the seeds and remove the seeds when cooking/baking with apples. ***

Fun With Apples

     I love a nice caramel or candied apple in the fall. There's nothing like a granny smith apple dipped in caramel! I do have to confess that I don't like making them, I'm more interested in the finished product.  If you feel like making some caramel apples for your next get together this fall (send some to me) here's a simple recipe for home made caramel apples. This recipe comes from tastykitchen.com (direct link posted below).

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 20 Minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Serves: 12

   Ingredients:

12 whole Apples

¼ cups Butter

1 cup White Syrup

14 ounces, fluid Eagle Brand Condensed Milk

2 cups White Granulated Sugar

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Preparation Instructions

Assemble all ingredients: wash and dry apples, insert sticks, and butter a cookie sheet and dinner plate before starting to cook.

Heat all ingredients except vanilla in a heavy 2-quart saucepan over medium/low heat. Stir constantly! (Unless you really like the look of scorched bits on your apples.)

When caramel reaches soft ball stage (235°F–240°F) remove from heat and add vanilla. Let cool a few minutes.

Using the stick inserted in the apples, dunk apples in the hot caramel and twirl slowly away from the heat for a couple of minutes. It’s nice to have a helper or two at this point.

Place caramel-covered apples on a buttered cookie sheet.

Optional: drizzle with melted chocolate or roll in chopped nuts.

Extra caramel from the bottom of the pan:

1. Can be scraped out with a spatula into a buttered plate or dish to be cut into individual pieces when cool.

2. Can be thinned in the pan with half-and-half and eaten warm, as a dip for apple wedges.

For caramel apples that are a little witchier, try decorating the apples' stick.  I may have to change my policy on making caramel apples because these are so cute!

Seen on Pinterest.com

Seen on Pinterest.com

    The next apple idea looks so fun and I can't wait to try my hand at this one.  I saw this on pinterest.com and was able to find the recipe online at gimmesomeoven.com (direct link below). 

Apple Cider Cups

Ingredients:

large apples

lemon juice

apple cider, either homemade or store-bought

optional: cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice and/or star anise for garnish

Preparation Instructions

On a cutting board or sturdy surface, use a knife to cut off the top of the apple. Then take a paring knife and carefully outline where you’d like the “rim” of your apple cup to be. (My rims were about 1/4″ wide.) Use a spoon to carefully begin scooping out the center of your apple until you have a nice “cup”. (A melon baller also works well for this.)

Also, if your apple doesn't sit exactly level, take your paring knife and just slice off a few millimeters to even off the bottom to make it even. Just be careful not to let your knife cut through the bottom or sides of the apple when hollowing it out, or the cider will leak out!

Once you have the inside of the apples hollowed out, brush a little lemon juice over the inside of the apples (to prevent browning). Then fill with your favorite apple cider, garnish with cinnamon or spices if you’d like, and serve! You could also warm the apple cups in the oven before serving. I just wouldn't leave them in too long, or they will lose their firmness.

    The apple, it's more than a piece of fruit.  Bearer of wisdom and knowledge, cut an apple horizontally to find a pentagram inside.  It was most likely not the fruit Adam and Eve ate without permission and has been wrongfully associated with evil doers and scary witches.  Try the apple divination to figure out your love life and make sure you use an apple to keep the doctors at bay (eat the apple, don't throw it at the doctor).  Rub the oil onto a red or pink candle to draw in love and make a powerful wand from the apple tree. Don't forget the seeds can be poisonous, especially for small children and pregnant women. Have fun picking apples this season! What's your favorite apple? I'm a granny smith girl. All this talk of apples, I need a cup of hot apple cider stat!

Bright Blessings,

~Amethyst~

***I am not a doctor and I don't play one on TV. Do your research before you consume any herbs via potions etc.

Sources:

1)Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by: Scott Cunningham

2)The Encyclopedia of Magickal Ingredients by: Lexa Rosean

3)witchipedia.com

4)Caramel apple recipe ~ http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/grandma-bettye28099s-caramel-apples/

5)Apple cidar cups recipe ~ http://gimmesomeoven.com/apple-cider-cups/