Spiritual Goals for 2014

I know that the witch's new year, Samhain, has already passed, but I have a hard time with it really feeling like a new year.  This, however, cannot be mistaken for anything but a new year coming in.  As 2013 goes out, I'd like to discuss some things I learned in 2013, and some goals I have for 2014.

I've Learned in 2013:

1. How it feels to connect to a Goddess in meditation
2. That sometimes all a Goddess wants of you is to study about her and acknowledge Her existence
3. The more exposure to spiritual material you give yourself, the easier it is to understand the more complicated stuff

Goals for 2014:

1. To cover when I feel the need, without being disabled by fear and anxiety about people looking at me
2. To make an altar
3. To meditate three times a week on a spiritual plane

I think these goals are things that I can accomplish next year.  When you make goals it is imperative to not say "meditate more" but to give specifics, like "meditate three times a week on a spiritual plane," like I did.  Without specifics in your target goal you can't be sure when you've reached your goal, and it's easy to start slacking off, because you don't have a specific goal that you are or are not meeting.  I'm really looking forward to 2014, and have a feeling it will really be our year.  Good luck and blessed be to my readers, as we wait hopeful and together for the new year.

Have a Blessed Samhain and Happy Witches' New Year!

"Kore"

Yea, she hath passed hereby, and blessed the sheaves,
And the great garths, and stacks, and quiet farms,
And all the tawny, and the crimson leaves.
Yea, she hath passed with poppies in her arms,
Under the star of dusk, through stealing mist,
And blessed the earth, and gone, while no man wist.

With slow, reluctant feet, and weary eyes,
And eye-lids heavy with the coming sleep,
With small breasts lifted up in stress of sighs,
She passed, as shadows pass, among the sheep;
While the earth dreamed, and only I was ware
Of that faint fragrance blown from her soft hair.

The land lay steeped in peace of silent dreams;
There was no sound amid the sacred boughs.
Nor any mournful music in her streams:
Only I saw the shadow on her brows,
Only I knew her for the yearly slain,
And wept, and weep until she come again.

Frederic Manning, 1909

1 Day Until Samhain! Samhain Night Prayer

Samhain Night Prayer

This prayer should be done at night, between dusk and dawn.

Opening
"Hail Dark Lady of the Crossroads,
of wisdom hard-won,
grant me Thy blessing, purify my heart,
and teach me the truth of my soul;
show me that death is but the gateway to life.
Blessed Be."

Main Prayer
Lady,
You offer me a lambent grail
of softly glowing moonlight,
as between one heartbeat and the next
souls flit from life to life
with death a well-worn pathway
of the Wise -
a place of respite and release.
Deeply I drink -
a willing sacrifice to eternal motion -
a moment of spirit upon the wind
and another life experience to embrace.

Meditation
How death is but a gateway to life.

Dream Images
In the Name of the Dark Crone: I see the Crone as teacher.

Closing Prayer
"I bow to Thee Hecate, Diana, Mari and thank
Thee for Thy blessing - the Cauldron of Night
full of life, and death, and life again;
Thy magic gives me wings.
Blessed Be."

From http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/angelline/.

2 Days Until Samhain! Samhain Evening Prayer

Samhain Evening Prayer

This prayer should be done in the evening, between 3pm and dusk.

Opening
"Hail Mother of the golden wheat, You of
plenty and fertile womb, breathe Thy blessing
upon my heart, nourish my soul
that I, too, may create the world with love.
Blessed Be."

Main Prayer
Lady,
You are Prophetess and Queen.
The Final Harvest has been met;
the land lies sleeping, expectant.
In Winter's stillness You will
conceive tomorrow's hope.
Receptive and quiescent Your
dreams unfold as a counterpoint
to the Dark Night that will
enshroud us all.
Life and Death are balanced.
Endings and beginnings wrought.
Your blessing weaves all into
a holy tapestry,
complete and irrevocable.

Meditation
What do you want others to learn from your life?

Daily Affirmation
In the Name of the All-Mother: I will notice the elders today and pay attention to what they tell me.

Closing Prayer
"Terra Mater, Mother of all life, I give
Thee thanks for Thy blessing -
the fruit of the vines, the fruit of my spirit;
life's abundance.
Blessed Be."

From http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/angelline/.

3 Days Until Samhain! Samhain Afternoon Prayer

Samhain Afternoon Prayer

This prayer should be done in the afternoon, between noon and 3pm.

Opening
"O God of Thunder, God of Might,
set aside Your lightning bolts
and take Your ease of Love with me.
You are the God of laughter!
You are the God of all delights!
Blessed Be."

Main Prayer
Lord,
The solitary motion of
the heart
can be found on the edge of
Winter's shadow.
The Great God sleeps.
The Mother's womb grows
every sort of possibility
and holds the kernel of returning light.
The absence of the God
provides opportunities for
inner seeing;
visions unfold like the
unveiling of the Sun
from morning mist.
I seek the God in
hidden landscapes of my
silent soul as
He sleeps and dreams
me into being.
The Dark Night cloaks
revelation in the God's enigmatic heart.

Meditation
What kernels of possibility are hidden in your heart awaiting revelation?

Daily Affirmation
In the Name of the God: I will honor my visions, and dream dreams.

Closing Prayer
"Thanks to Thee, Lord of the Dance,
for leading me into the deeper mysteries
of the heart.
Be with me now and always.
Blessed Be."

From http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/angelline/.

4 Days Until Samhain! Samhain Morning Prayer

Samhain Morning Prayer

This prayer should be done in the morning, between dawn and noon.

Opening
"Hail Bright Maiden of quicksilver delight,
shine upon me.
Thy morning blessing, which,
like the new dawn, refreshes my Spirit and
lifts my heart with song.
Blessed Be."

Main Prayer
Lady,
Lady of the Harvest, now is the time
to feast and frolic, for we meet
on the edge of Winter's shadow.
All the seed that was sown in
Springtime past has long
been reaped;
the fields stand barren, empty
and the spirit shall soon turn inward.
The world's fabric grows thin and
souls of the dead pass by on their
way to the Summerland.
Bless their passing, for though to some it
seems an ending,
this exodus of spirit foreshadows new beginnings.
Thus do we celebrate the dawn of the New Year.
Blessed Be.

Meditation
Choose an ancestor: what gift(s) have you received from him or her?

Daily Affirmation
In the Name of the Maiden: I will remember and give thanks today to my ancestors.

Closing Prayer
"Thanks to Thee Bright Maiden for Thy care,
for green laughter and fire-edged dew,
and for Thy blessing, a most precious jewel.
Blessed Be."

From http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/angelline/.

6 Days Until Samhain! Samhain Chant 3

Chant for Samhain

A year of beauty. A year of plenty.
A year of planting. A year of harvest.
A year of forests. A year of healing.
A year of vision. A year of passion.
A year of rebirth.

This year may we renew the earth.
This year may we renew the earth.

Let it begin with each step we take.
And let it begin with each change we make.
And let it begin with each chain we break.
And let it begin every time we awake.

From http://www.beliefnet.com/.

8 Days Until Samhain! Samhain Chant 2

SAMHAIN CHANT

Fire red, summer's dead
Yet it shall return.
Clear and bright, in the night,
Burn, fire, burn!

Chorus:
Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's a-turninng.
Chant the rhyme at Hallows-time,
When the fire's burning.

Fire glow, vision show
Of the heart's desire,
When the spell's chanted well
Of the witching fire.

Chorus:
Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's a-turninng.

Chant the rhyme at Hallows-time,
When the fire's burning.
Fire spark, when nights are dark
Makes our winter's mirth.
Red leaves fall, earth takes all,
Brings them to rebirth.

Chorus:
Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's a-turninng.
Chant the rhyme at Hallows-time,
When the fire's burning.
Fire fair, earth and air,
And the heaven's rain,
All blessed be, and so may we,
at Hallows-tide again.

Chorus:
Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's a-turninng.
Chant the rhyme at Hallows-time,
When the fire's burning.

Doreen Valiente
"Witchcraft For Tomorrow" p. 193

Taken from the website http://www.ladyoftheearth.com/.

10 Days Until Samhain! Samhain Chant 1

Samhain Chant

 From far beyond this mortal plane
Mothers and fathers of old
We bid that you return again
Mothers and fathers of old
To share with us the mysteries and secrets long untold
Of the ancient ways we seek to regain
Mothers and fathers of old.

From http://www.ladyoftheearth.com/.

11 Days Until Samhain! Witchy Wallpaper 4

13 Days Until Samhain! Garfield's Halloween Adventures

Garfield's Halloween Adventure (1985 Cartoon) by DemonPreyer

15 Days Until Samhain! Witchy Wallpaper 3

Happy Eid al-Adha to my Muslim readers

Eid Mubarak to my Muslim readers!  Eid al-Adha is a Muslim holiday that celebrates they end of Hajj.  Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims must do at least once in their lifetime.  During Eid al-Adha, Muslims remember the trials of Abraham, a Muslim (and Jewish) prophet, by slaughtering an animal.  The animals most commonly slaughtered are: sheep, camels, or goats.  While slaughtering the sacrificial animal, the name of Allah is spoken, to remind Muslims that life is sacred.  One third of the sacrifice is is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one third is given away to friends, and one third is donated to the poor.  This sacrifice doesn't atone for sins, but instead is a mark of piety.  

Muslims start off the day by attending the Mosque, visiting friends and family, exchanging good will and gifts, and then visiting a farm to slaughter their sacrificial animal.

18 Days Until Samhain! Witchy Wallpaper 2

22 Days Until Samhain! Witchy Wallpapers 1

Wordless Wednesday: Disabled Parking

Esbat Crafts - Hay Moon

These crafts come from the book Moon Magick: Myth & Magic, Crafts & Recipes, Rituals & Spells by D.J. Conway.  It's one of my favorite Pagan/Wiccan books and I highly recommend it!  The crafts that follow appear on page 139 of the 2005 printing by Llewellyn Publications.

Floral Mix for Sachets

1/2 ounce dried roses and/or peony petals

1/2 ounce lavender
1 Tablespoon orris powder
5 drops of rose geranium oil

Lightly mix together the mignonette, dried roses, and lavender.  Sprinkle with orris powder and geranium oil.  Toss lightly and fill small sachet bags.

Men's Sachet

Men don't usually care for sweet sachets or pillows.  This mixture generally meets with their approval.  Little sachets of this also make good shoe deodorizers.
Dry and grind the peel of one orange into coarse pieces.  Don't let orange rind dry too hard, or it's like trying to grind rocks!  Mix this with 1 Tablespoon orris powder and 1/2 ounce lemon verbena.  Fill small sachet bags.

Tibetan Cologne

1/3 pint alcohol
1 ounce glycerin
1 drop bergamot oil
1 pint distilled water
1 drop patchouli oil
1 drop synthetic musk oil

Interfaith Prayers for Healing

Pagan/Wiccan
Healing Chant
Deep in my Bone
the Goddess is alive
Deep in my cells and blood
the Life Force is strong
Deep in my heart and spirit
I believe I will heal
I feel the Goddess at my core
filling me with faith and health
Abundant Life Forces of the Universe
flow in me, and banish all disease
My blood, my bones, my cells and my body
are healing now, are healing now
The Goddess force is in me
and healing me now
~ Abby Willowroot © 1999

A Healing Prayer
Oh Great Goddess
Mother of Mercy and Healing

Send the energy of Hygeia
to nourish from Her Sacred Bowl

Send the energy of Brigid
to heal with waters of Her Sacred Well

Send the energy of Demeter
to restore life to withering cells

Send the energy of Quan Yin
to bless the healing with peace

Send Your healing wisdom to the body
to restore its sacred balance

Thank You Great Goddess
Mother of All Life

~ Abby Willowroot © 1999

Christian (Catholic)
(May be used for a novena)

O Merciful Infant Jesus! I know of Your miraculous deeds for the sick. How many diseases You cured during Your blessed life on earth, and how many venerators of Your Miraculous image ascribe to You their recovery and deliverance from most painful and hopeless maladies. I know, indeed, that a sinner like me has merited his sufferings and has no right to ask for favors. But in view of the innumerable graces and the miraculous cures granted even to the greatest sinners through the veneration of Your holy infancy, particularly in the miraculous statue of Prague or in representations of it, I exclaim with the greatest assurance: O most loving Infant Jesus, full of pity, You can cure me if You will! Do not hesitate, O Heavenly Physician, if it be Your will that I recover from this present illness; extend Your most holy Hands, and by Your power take away all pain and infirmity, so that my recovery may be due, not to natural remedies, but to You alone. If, however, You in Your inscrutable wisdom have determined otherwise, then at least restore my soul to perfect health, and fill me with heavenly consolation and blessing, that I may be like You, O Jesus, in my sufferings, and may glorify Your providence until, at the death of my body, You bestow on me eternal life.
Amen.

Christian

I look to you for relief, Lord.

My Father in heaven, thank you for your mercies and love. Even at this time of pain, disillusionment and disappointment, I know you are with me. I look to you for relieve Lord. Comfort me Lord.

Help me to be reminded that it is only natural that life is not a bed of roses. We cannot avoid sicknesses and sufferings that come along. Please help me accept such facts of life.

But thanks be to God, for the reality is that you are with me. I stand on your word that you abide in me as I remain in you. Without you, I will not be able to bear the turmoil. By myself I will stay downcast and burdened by the aches and pains. Help lift me Lord. Most of all help me to remain in you.

Thank you that in my pain I have not forgotten your love and mercy. I praise your holy name. Strengthen me dear Lord, my body, soul and spirit.This is my prayer in Jesus's name. Amen.

Jewish
A prayer for healing
God, hear my prayer,
And let my cry come to You.
Do not hide from me in the day of my distress
Turn to me and speedily answer my prayer.
Eternal God, Source of healing,
Out of my distress I call upon You.
Help me sense Your presence
At this difficult time.
Grant me patience when the hours are heavy;
In hurt or disappointment give me courage.
Keep me trustful in Your love.
Give me strength for today, and hope for tomorrow.
To your loving hands I commit my spirit
When asleep and when awake. You are with me; I shall not fear.

  

 

Muslim

Whever the early Muslims became sick, they sought the advice of the Prophet Muhammad himself. It is related that when someone fell ill, the Prophet would recite one of these du'as for them.

Allahuma rabbi-nas adhhabal ba'sa, ashfi wa entashafi, la shifa' illa shifa'uka shifa' la yughadiru saqama.
Oh Allah! The Sustainer of Mankind! Remove the illness, cure the disease. You are the One Who cures. There is no cure except Your cure. Grant us a cure that leaves no illness. (Recommended to touch the area of pain with the right hand while reciting this supplication.)

'As'alu Allah al 'azim rabbil 'arshil azim an yashifika.
I ask Allah, the Mighty, the Lord of the Mighty Throne, to cure you. (Recommended to repeat seven times.)

Rabbana 'atinaa fid dunyaa hasanat wafil aakhirati hasana taw wa qinaa azaaban naar.
Oh Allah! Our Lord and Sustainer! Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the Fire of Jahannam (Hell).

A'oozu bi'izzatillaahi wa qudratihi min sharri maa ajidu wa uhaaziru.
I seek protection in the might of Allah and His power from the evil of what I am experiencing and of what I fear. (Recommended for the sick person to place right hand on area of pain, say Bismillah three times, then recite this supplication seven times.)

 

 

 

Baha'i
Thy name is my healing, O my God, and remembrance of Thee is my remedy. Nearness to Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion. Thy mercy to me is my healing and my succor in both this world and the world to come. Thou, verily, art the All-Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Bahá’u’lláh

Meditating on a room full of cotton balls?

A room full of cotton balls

Lately I've been in so much pain, and I find it so hard to meditate.  It's like I just can't reach a meditative state of mind because my mind can't get beyond the physical pain.  I used to imagine myself on a raft, near an island on the blue ocean on a sunny day.  I would concentrate on feeling the heat on my skin, the wind blowing over my body, and the raft rising up and dipping down with the ocean.  Now when I try to feel myself there, I feel the pain of the hard, rough, raft under me, the burning sensation of the heat of the sun, the nausea from the motion of the waves.  I need to find a new place to imagine myself in when I meditate!  This one just isn't working anymore.  It seems like every scene I only feel the pain it would cause, instead of the relaxation I'm seeking.  I tried a room full of bubble wrap, or a room full of cotton balls, but neither of them seemed "real" enough to work.  I'm at a loss.  I've never had this much trouble with meditation before.  Any ideas?

Ramadan Mubarak to my Muslim readers!

I would like to wish all of my Muslim readers Ramadan Mubarak!

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year, which by the way, is a lunar calendar.  The date of Ramadan moves every year; this year it stretches from sunset Monday, July 8th, to sunset Wednesday, August, 7th. The dates for Ramadan may be different, though, in different parts of the world.  The year right now in the Islamic calendar is 1434 A.H.  During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, to with the intention of increasing spirituality, humility and patience.  They fast for the sake of Allah (God in Arabic), and to cleanse the soul, focus attention on God, and put into practice selflessness.  During this time Muslims pray more; in addition to the five prayers a day they may offer salat, or prayers.

Ramadan is very important to the Muslim religion, and is one of the five pillars of Islam.  Muslims not only fast from food, but also refrain from drinking liquids, smoking, immoral acts, gossiping, and engaging in sexual relations.  There are exemptions for fasting, and they include those traveling, menstruating, severely ill, pregnant, and breast-feeding.  The before dawn meal they eat is called subhoor, and the post sunset meal they eat is called iftar.  Traditionally there are certain foods that are served at both meals.  A Muslim must perform charity during Ramadan, as well.  After Ramadan is over, the celebration is called Eid ul-Fitr, which is the first day of the next month, Shawwal.  To wish a Muslim a happy Ramadan, you would say Ramadan Mubarak, or Ramadan Kareem.

Chronic pain and magick

I suffer severe chronic pain.  I have never had a day in my life without pain, but I wasn't completely disabled by the pain until about three years ago.  I have more than one medical condition that causes pain, from a very rare illness that doctors still don't know much about yet, to a heart condition that causes my legs, feet, and hands to painfully swell, to a common painful condition that many women have, as well as other pain conditions.  Inside the house I can sometimes walk on my own, and other times I use a cane or wheelchair.  Outside of my house I use a walker or wheelchair.

Sometimes, on the really, reallly bad pain days, it really makes it hard for me to perform magick, or for me to feel energy as strongly.  Covering my head helps some, both with controlling the pain, and with settling down the chaotic energy I give off while in pain, that keeps me from feeling outside energy.  On those horrible days, with my chaotic energy, I can't seem to direct or focus my energy.

I used to be in the practice of meditating, and I could even do that while in severe pain, but I've fallen out of habit and it is harder to do than it was.  I really, really need to get back into it!

Does anyone else with chronic pain find it hard to practice magick on really, really bad pain days?

She's got the look!

I'd like to share a sample of my headcovering/veiling I've done.  I don't cover my hair fully, obviously.  So, without further ado, here is the covered pagan spoonie:

A Pagan veiling video by ZedralZ

This video is in response to LilithP's video, "Why Would Pagan's Veil?"  In it ZedralZ discusses why she is a veiled Pagan.  Please subscribe to her channel if you like her video.  She brings up some good points, and I think you'll enjoy watching it.

March Full Moon - Storm Moon

March's Full Moon is called the Storm Moon, Seed Moon, Lenten Moon, Lenting Moon, Crow Moon, Moon of Winds, Plow Moon, Worm Moon, Hrethmonath (Hertha's Month), Lentzinmanoth (Renewal Month), Sap Moon, or Moon of the Snowblind.

It is a time for rebirth and regrowth magick.  This moon comes during a time of new life, prosperity, and fertility.

Correspondences:
Colors: Green, yellow, light purple, pale green, red-violet
Gemstones: Bloodstone, aquamarine
Trees: Dogwood, honeysuckle, alder
Goddesses: Isis, the Morrighan, Artemis, Cybele, Black Isis, Hecate, Astarte, Athene, Minerva, Artemis, Luna
Gods: n/a
Herbs: High John root, pennyroyal, wood betony, apple blossom, broom, yellow dock, Irish moss
Element: Water
Flowers: Jonquil, daffodil, violet
Scents: Honeysuckle, apple blossom
Nature Spirits: Mer-people, Air and Water beings who are connected with spring rains and storms
Animals: Cougar, hedgehog, boar
Birds: Sea crow,  sea eagle
Power Flow: energy breaks into the open; growing,prospering, exploring.  New beginnings; balance of Light and Dark.  Breaking illusions.  Seeing the truth in your life however much it may hurt.


Sources:

Conway, D. J. Moon Magick: Myth & Magick, Crafts & Recipes, Rituals & Spells. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1995. Print.

Wigington, Patti. "2012 Pagan/Wiccan Calendar." About.com Paganism / Wicca. Web. 04 Jun. 2012. <http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/holidaysandcelebrations/a/2012Calendar.htm>.

Wigington, Patti. "Strorm Moon." About.com Paganism / Wicca. Web. 04 Jun. 2012. <http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/moonphasemagic/g/Storm_Moon.htm>.

Pagan veiling videos from LilithP

I want to be posting a few videos on Pagan veiling, and to start with, I want to introduce you to LilithP's video channel.  Lilith is a friend of mine, and makes awesome videos.  Many people are wondering why a Pagan would veil.  There are many different reasons!  I'd like to post two of her videos here, that explain why Pagans veil, and I encourage you to subscribe to her channel.








I hope this clears this clears things up.  My favorite video is the second one, but they are both excellent.

Perfect Ritual Robe-Found! Perfect Ritual Headcovering-Found!

Yay!  I think I found what I want for my ritual robe.  While I usually practice skyclad, there are times I want to practice in a ritual robe and a headcovering.  I got two new headcoverings that I really like, they are sarees that shipped from India.  I have one in blue and one in maroon.  Keep in mind I only bought the saree, which is the long cloth you can drape over your shoulders or over your head.

Indian saree in maroon

Indian saree in blue

Like I said, I already bought the sarees, but I haven't bought what I want for the ritual robe, yet, because, well, I just found it today and don't have the money this late in the month.  The robe I found is actually an Islamic piece of clothing called an abaya.  An abaya is a kind of cloak observant Muslim women wear.  However, I plan on buying it, cleaning it with sage, and blessing it.  I still have to do that to my new sarees and my new altar cloth.  The abaya I want for rituals is called a "Wrap Around Abaya."  Obviously, I won't be using it the same as a Muslim woman, because I'll be using it as a ritual robe, not a cloak to wear outside for modesty.  It's just perfect!  Imagine it in white with no hijab (headcovering), since I already have my own headcovering (the sarees).

The ritual robe I want is actually a wrap around abaya from  East Essence

It's on sale for only $20.99, too!  I really want to get this next month, and I hope that it's still on sale then.

Natural Egg Dyes for Ostara/Spring Equinox

Here is the preferred method for using natural dyes:

1. Place the eggs in a single layer in a pan. Add water until the eggs are covered. 
2. Add approximately one teaspoon of vinegar. 
3. Add the natural dye. Use more dye material for more eggs or for a more intense color. 
4. Bring water to a boil. 
5. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. 
6. If you are pleased with the color, remove the eggs from the liquid. 
7. If you want more intensely colored eggs, temporarily remove the eggs from the liquid. Strain the dye through a coffee filter (unless you want speckled eggs). Cover the eggs with the filtered dye and let them remain in the refrigerator overnight. 
8. Naturally-colored eggs will not be glossy, but if you want a shiny appearance you can rub a bit of cooking oil onto the eggs once they are dry. 

Bluish-Gray

• Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water, bring to room temperature, and remove blueberries. 

Blue

• Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar. Let cool to room temperature and remove cabbage with a slotted spoon.
• 2 cups pureed blueberries and 2 cups Concord grape juice 
• Canned Blueberries 
• Red Cabbage Leaves (boiled) 
• Purple Grape Juice 

Violet-Blue

• Violet Blossoms 
• Small Quantity of Red Onions Skins (boiled) 
• Hibiscus Tea 
• Red Wine 

Lavender

• Small Quantity of Purple Grape Juice 
• Violet Blossoms plus 2 tsp Lemon Juice 
• Red Zinger Tea 

Jade Green

• Peel the skin from 6 red onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar. 

Green

• 1 cup kale or spinach juice and 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1 cup deeply steeped green tea and 2 teaspoons vinegar
• Spinach Leaves (boiled) 
• Liquid Chlorophyll 

Faint Green-Yellow

• Peel the skin from 6 yellow apples. Simmer in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer 4 oz. chopped fennel tops in 1-1/2 cups of water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. 

Orange

• Take the skin of 6 yellow onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar. 

Faint Red-Orange

• Stir 2 Tbsp. paprika into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar. 

Yellow

• Rich yellow: Simmer 4 oz. chopped carrot tops in 1-1/2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. 
• Mustard-yellow: Stir 2 Tbsp. turmeric into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar. 
• Various shades: Steep 4 bags of chamomile or green tea in 1 cup boiling water for 5 minutes.
• Pale yellow: Chop 4 oz. goldenrod and simmer in 2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
• Faint yellow: Simmer the peels of 6 oranges in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. vinegar.

Greenish-Yellow

• Yellow Delicious Apple Peels (boiled) 

Brown-Gold

• Simmer 2 Tbsp. dill seed in 1 cup water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. 

Brown

• Add 1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup strong coffee. 1 cup strong black coffee with 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1 cup Worcestershire sauce with 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• Strong Coffee 
• Instant Coffee 
• Black Walnut Shells (boiled) 
• Black Tea 

Golden Brown

• Dill Seeds

Orange and Rust

• 2 cups water and 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon annatto and 2 teaspoons white vinegar 

Yellow Onion Skins (boiled) 

• Cooked Carrots 
• Chili Powder 
• Paprika 

Pink

• Faint pink: Chop 4 oz. amaranth flowers and simmer in 2 cups water; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer the skins from 6 avocados in 1-1/2 cup water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Mix 1 cup pickled beet juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.
• Dark pink: Cut 1 medium beet into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar and let cool to room temperature; remove beets. 

Lavender

• Mix 1 cup grape juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.

Purple and Pink

• 1 cup beet juice and 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1 cup red wine and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup pomegranate juice and 2 teaspoons white vinegar 
• 1/2 cup Concord grape juice and 1/4 cup deeply steeped black cherry herbal tea (use any red-ish tea)

Red

• 2 cups canned cherry pie filling (wanted to try fresh cherries but not in season in Jersey) and 2 cups beet juice
• Lots of Red Onions Skins (boiled) 
• Canned Cherries with Juice 
• Pomegranate Juice 
• Raspberries 

History of Ostara/Spring Equinox

The Spring Equinox has been celebrated around the world for many, many years.  It is a time when the light and dark hours of the day are the same.  After the spring equinox, the days will grow longer, as we move towards spring and summer.

Christians celebrate Easter around the same time of the Spring Equinox.  Easter is when Christ rose from the dead, after being crucified and entombed three days earlier.  The date of this event was either unknown or at a different time of year, but in order to turn pagans away from their gods and their way of life, the Catholic Church made Christ's most important holiday at the same time as one of the pagans' important holiday.  By doing this, it was easier to get the pagans to go to Mass and easier for them to take away their religion and enforce Catholicism.

In the Jewish faith, Passover is around this time.

As a side note: Around the same time, we celebrate St. Patrick's day.  St. Patrick was a Catholic saint who was credited with driving all the snakes out of Ireland.  The "snakes" were really pagans, and by "driving them out," he meant he forcibly made the pagans convert to Catholicism.

It is speculated that the word Easter came from the Goddess Eostre, a Western Germanic spring goddess.  It is debated, though, on whether Eostre ever existed.  The word for Easter in modern German is Ostern, so I believe that there is a good chance that Eostre existed, though that is just my opinion.

Strangely enough, Celtic pagans, while they paid attention to the seasons, did not celebrate the Spring Equinox.  Cultures that did include: Romans, Ashanti, Norse, Myans, Egyptians, and Greeks.

Eggs are a common sight at Ostara, as they symbolize rebirth, for obvious reasons.  The Spring Equinox is also a fertility festival, and the rabbit symbolizes that, because of a rabbits amazing ability to reproduce in rapid numbers.

The Spring Equinox is a time for planting and starting new crops.  Today we also start planting at the Spring Equinox, and we look at it as a time as renewal, rebirth, and a time to meditate on balance in our lives.  I'll be planting my seedlings indoors, as will many other Pagans this Ostara.