Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015

Happy Mabon! xo Lisa

Beltane Blessing!

Thursday, May 1st, 2014

Happy Full Moon!

Sunday, March 16th, 2014

As the temperature begins to warm and the ground begins to thaw, earthworm casts appear, heralding the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this Moon as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signaled the end of winter; or the Full Crust Moon, because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation. To the settlers, it was also known as the Lenten Moon, and was considered to be the last full Moon of winter. Farmers’ Almanac

Full Strawberry Moon

Monday, June 4th, 2012

Full Moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There was some variation in the Moon names, but in general, the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior. European settlers followed that custom and created some of their own names. Since the lunar month is only 29 days long on the average, the full Moon dates shift from year to year.

Full Strawberry Moon – June: This name was universal to every Algonquin tribe. However, in Europe they called it the Rose Moon. Also because the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries comes each year during the month of June . . . so the full Moon that occurs during that month was christened for the strawberry!

Reference:

  • Farmers Almanac

Thanks for stopping by! Well wishes to you all, have a great day!

Lisa

Happy Memorial Day!

Monday, May 28th, 2012

Happy Memorial Day to all my American friends! Thank you to ALL that have served, are serving, and have fallen. Blessings, Lisa

Meet the newest member of our family…Miss Zeta Thor. :)

Monday, May 14th, 2012

Thanks for stopping by! Well wishes to you all, have a great day!

Lisa

Beltane Blessings!

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

A Thanks to the Earth Mother
By Patti Wigington, About.com Guide

Great earth mother!
We give you praise today
and ask for your blessing upon us.
As seeds spring forth
and grass grows green
and winds blow gently
and the rivers flow
and the sun shines down
upon our land,
we offer thanks to you for your blessings
and your gifts of life each spring.

Thanks for stopping by! Well wishes to you all, have wonderful Beltane!

Lisa

Friday’s Food For Thought – Lasagna

Friday, January 27th, 2012

Lasagna

8 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Stand Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup minced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
  • 2 jars Tomato & Basil Sauce
  • 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
  • 12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
  • 2 containers (15 oz. ea.) ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

Preparation:

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • In large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, salt and pepper; set aside.
  • Cook ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Spread 1 cup meat sauce in 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Layer 4 lasagna noodles, then 1 cup meat sauce and 1/2 of the ricotta mixture. Top with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese; repeat. Top with remaining 4 noodles, then 1 cup meat sauce and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
  • Cover with aluminum foil and bake 1 hour. Remove foil and top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until bubbling. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish, if desired, with fresh basil leaves. Serve with remaining sauce, heated.

Tip: Without meat; Do not preheat sauce beforehand, simply pour directly into bottom of baking pan.

Enjoy! Have a great weekend!

Lisa

A Question About Your Magical Path…

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

Happy Thursday friends! I have a question for you all today about your path.

I realize we all follow different paths, I’ve been a witch for quite some time. It wasn’t until 10 years ago I really looked into the spiritual side of it. I started reading up on Wicca and the different paths, still never found one that suited me. I consider myself an eclectic witch, and tend to do things my way.

When I was growing up there was no internet, you couldn’t  easily access information on witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, etc. Of course you could buy books, but I was a crazy teenager and never really cared about anything other than hanging out with friends and partying. Here I am 10 years later searching for more, for something new. That’s not to say I want to be anything other than a witch, I guess I’m on a new journey in my path. It could also have a lot to do with the disability that hit me a couple years ago. My life has changed drastically, I’m not able to get around as much, so I find myself reading a lot. The more I read, the more my views have changed. I’m doing things a lot different these days.

Life is constantly changing and we’re constantly changing as people, so my question to you is:

Did you start on one path and move onto something else. (e.g. Did you start as Wiccan and find yourself elsewhere on your journey?)

Thanks for listening, I hope to hear from some of you.

Blessings, Lisa

Hump Day Herbs – Nettle

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Nettle

Botanical Name: Urtica Dioica

Folk Names: Ortiga Ancha, Stinging Nettle


Photo by Anni&John

Nettle, is a perennial herbaceous, native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America, and is best known as a member of the genus Urtica. It has several hollow stinging hairs called trichomes on its leaves and stems, which act like needles that inject histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when in contact with humans and animals.

Nettles have been associated with death and burial customs. During the Bronze Age, burial cloths have been found that were woven of its fibers. In the highlands and the islands of Ireland, people believed that nettle grew from the bodies of the dead. The Welsh believed, if fresh Nettles were put under the pillow of a sick person and stayed green, the person would live, if they turned yellow, that person would die. In Denmark, people thought that nettles grew from the blood of innocent victims.

Deity: Thor

Element: Fire (Courage, Exorcism, Health, Lust, Protection, Strength)

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mars (Courage, Exorcism, Hex Breaking, Lust, Protection, Sexual Potency, Strength)

Powers: Consecration, Exorcism, Healing, Lust, Protection

Medicinal Uses: Stinging Nettle have been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), for urinary tract infections, for hay fever (allergic rhinitis), or in compresses or creams for treating joint pain, sprains and strains, tendonitis, and insect bites.

Magical Uses: Brooms made of Nettle are used to sweep out evil and send it back. To remove a curse and send it back, stuff a poppet with Nettle or carry it in a sachet. For healing power, pluck a Nettle up by it’s roots and recite the name of the sick person and his/her parents. Place Nettle leaves into pockets to be safe from lighting. If dry leaves are placed into shoes, it will keep evil from leading one to harmful places. Sprinkle Nettle around the house to keep evil out and send it back. To avoid avoid danger sprinkle in fire, it can also be carried on one’s hand to ward off ghosts.

Ritual Uses: To consecrate an Athame,  plunge  heated blade into an herbal bath with nettles. In the Kawaiisu tribe, children who wished to study witchcraft had to walk through Nettles as practice. It also played a major role in fishing magick, as it was once used for fishing nets. It would be a great herb for knot magic.

Other Uses: Seeds have been known to be be soaked in water for twenty minutes, then used for a final rinse after shampooing.

Warning: Stinging Nettle should not be used by pregnant women and should never be applied to an open wound.

References:

  • umm.edu
  • Paul Beyerl: A Compendium of Herbal Magick
  • Scott Cunningham: Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of magical herbs

Note: Consult with a Physician or certified herbologist if you are seeking medical remedies. The information is not intended as medical advice. PagansWorld.org is not liable for the misuse of the herb listed above.

Thanks for stopping by! Well wishes to you all and have a great day!

Lisa