Tying the knot...handfasting cords

Today I will be making a set of hand fasting cords and I am going to make the traditional set of 13 so I thought I would share with you some details:

During a handfasting ceremony the couple hold hands and the cords are used to fasten their hands together just before, just after or during their vows.  The wrapping of the cord symbolises infinity, the handfasting knot   that is tied is symbolic of their oneness, it shows unity as they become bound to each other.

Tying the cord can be done 'Celtic style' where the couple hold hands and the cord is wrapped three times around or it can be done 'Infinity style' where the cord is wrapped across the hands, one side loops around one partners hand and the other side loops around the others, it then meets back on the top and is tied, thus the cords form an infinity symbol.

There seem to be various different schools of thought about what length hand fasting cords should be, ranging from 1 yard, 3 yards, 3 feet, 6 feet, 9 feet so I guess it is a case of working with what suits you as long as it is long enough to wrap around both wrists and enough to tie a knot.

I have also seen cords that are made up from 3, 6, 9, 12 and 13 separate strands.  Some are made to match the colour of the hand fasting outfits, sometimes colours are picked that have specific meaning for the couple, some are white & silver, some white, red & black and the traditional 13 are all different colours, each with a specific meaning.

Red: passion, strength, lust, fertility
Orange: encouragement, attraction, kindness, plenty
Yellow: charm, confidence, joy, balance
Green: finances, fertility, charity, prosperity, health
Blue: tranquility, patience, devotion, sincerity
Purple: Power, piety, sanctity, sentimentality
Black: strength, wisdom, vision, success
White: purity, concentration, meditation, peace
Gray: neutrality, canceling, balance
Pink: unity, honor, truth, romance, happiness
Brown: earth, grounding, talent, telepathy, home
Silver: treasure, values, creativity, inspiration
Gold: energy, wealth, intelligence, longevity

The ribbons/cords can be knotted together in the centre with a Josephine knot or the middle section can be plaited leaving a length un-braided at either end.

You can also add charms and beads either knotted onto the individual cords or tied onto the ends.

There are plenty of websites on the net that give instructions on how to make handfasting cords, just Google 'how to make handfasting cords' and you will get lots of different versions.

Tansy

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Journal of a Novice Witch by Earthshine

This is the first of my new monthly journal on my life journey as a novice witch.  This first one is simply a résumé of how I came to be a novice witch and how I learn my craft.  It gives a brief summary of what I have learnt to-date but will go into more detail of my experiences and learning in the following months.  I hope you enjoy following this journey with me.  I would be happy to hear from anyone whether you are an experienced witch of many years or starting out like me.  I am always grateful for advice, tips and feedback.

Journal of a Novice Witch

By Earthshine

Now forgive me for saying this but if it had been foretold, when I was in my early twenties,  that when I reached my forties, my life-path would change and I would be living and studying the life of a witch, I would have fallen off my chair laughing.  Don’t be ridiculous, I would have thought, witches belong to the world of fiction, films and children’s books like Meg & Mog.  I was very narrow minded back then!!

But life events conspired to make me sit up and think about my life, where I was going and what I wanted to do with it.  I started to feel deep within that there was something I was missing, some path or direction I needed to follow to feel rooted and whole.  I began interacting more with the natural world; I’d always loved animals and nature so this felt easy and right. I became interested in complementary therapies and read up on different therapies and ways to enhance your health and wellbeing in a natural and holistic way.  I went on to train in Reiki, Crystal Healing and Flower and Vibrational Essence Therapy, all beautiful vibrational therapies that work on our energy fields.  However, all the while I was studying I had this feeling that this was leading me somewhere beyond simply being a holistic therapist.

I felt this desire, or need, or ‘something’ pulling me towards something as yet unidentified and I found myself buying a few books on paganism.  Being a relatively solitary person I found Hedgewitchery really interesting and bought some books on this too. Although I was drawn to the naturalness of it, it all looked a bit daunting and the thought of spells, rituals, athames, chalices and so forth scared me slightly, so the books ended up on my bookshelf gathering dust, and I ended up joining a local Nichiren Daishonin Buddhist group.  However, despite the beauty and gentleness of this Buddhist way of life I never felt rooted in it, it was like I didn’t really belong, like it was spirituality for another culture, and there was still this pull coming from deep within me, and I found myself reading my pagan and Hedgewitch books again, and I definitely felt that this was the right path for me.

And so I left my Buddhist practice and my life as a novice witch began.  I started to study and research, drawing on knowledge from books and the internet.  But there was so much to learn, so much to think about and new ways to think about things.  Where do you begin?  How do you know you are doing it right?

Now there are many things involved in the path that are straightforward and easy to incorporate into your daily life, such as respecting and working with nature and the natural cycle of things, and I was doing a lot of this anyway.  But then there are Sabbats and Esbats, and God and Goddesses, so many of them, and many with names I couldn’t pronounce (and am still learning); there are spells and rituals and casting and closing a circle, now that was scary, what if I cast a circle and let the wrong energy in, or I didn’t close it properly?  What if I was opening up myself to some dark energy and didn’t know how to handle it?

There were so many questions whirling round in my head, which isn’t good news when you’re of an obsessive nature, so what to do, do I go it alone and use trial and error and intuition, yes I could do that, but I felt I needed a bit more guidance and knowledge from others to help set me off and build my confidence.  But where do you begin?  Do you type in ‘Witches in Dorset’ (I live in Dorset) on Google?  Well actually I did do this and it brought up historical info, not the name of my local Witch group!!  So this didn’t help.

I did however make connections through friends I’ve made through my vibrational energy work and started to enhance my knowledge a little here. But I was also looking for more practical experience to aid my confidence and my knowledge, and also to meet like-minded people even though I am following a solitary path. 

This time I did an online search for ‘Pagans Dorset’ and the first result was the Dorset Grove, result, a local Druid group that ran open rituals to celebrate the wheel of the year.  Although it is a Druid group they welcome all Pagans whatever path you follow, and they all looked very friendly in their photos on the web-site too!!  So I duly emailed and received a prompt welcoming email in return. 

Now I have to admit that I didn’t attend the first ritual that came up, when push came to shove I bottled out, too self conscious and scared to go. Goddess knows why, and now I have to admit to feeling rather silly about feeling like this, as when I did attend my first ritual with the Dorset Grove, in the very spiritual setting of Knowlton Church, the experience was beautiful, the people were friendly, down to earth and welcoming.  There were lot of smiles, laughter, vibrant energy, and a beautiful ritual, my very first ritual, to celebrate Beltane.  I was gifted with a stunning staff and wand, and cake!  Now I have a feeling that cake will feature quite a bit in my witch path, and I will talk more in this in a bit.

I came away from my first ritual feeling blessed, energized and happy, and also with the confidence to do my own simple rituals at home having experienced a proper official one.  I was also raring for the next ritual which happened to be just as special, as it was at Stonehenge celebrating the Summer Solstice, and I where I would meet, in person for the first time, some more lovely and special people who I am just about to talk about.

In addition, to joining the Dorset Grove I also found the lovely Kitchen Witch team and their online Kitchen Witch forum.  This is full of information covering all areas of witchery and a fantastic resource that is updated regularly, and is ideal for making contact with others following the same path.  Not long after I joined the forum they started up their online School of Natural Witchery, and I was one of the first pupils to join as it is perfect for the novice like me, or for anyone wanting to study natural witchcraft. 

Starting at the beginning they provide a structured programme to teach you the path of Kitchen Witchery, but what I like about it is that it is not learning by rote and reading alone, you are encouraged to research and experiment and bring your own interpretation of each subject to the course.  And, you receive constructive feedback on your lessons and positive encouragement at all times. 

The added bonus is that you can also learn what are called branch lessons which expand your knowledge and skills as you make your way through the main course work, I am currently studying tarot, runes and magical herbs!!  And….we have online rituals, chats and constant contact with the leadership team and other students, so have become a proper online witch community that you can join in with whenever you want to.  Oh, and the other thing which I referred to earlier, there is definitely a cake thing going on in the Kitchen Witch School.  I’ve come to think that the only pre-requisite to joining the school is that you either like eating cake or talking about it; seeing as I like both I think I fit in well.

The Kitchen Witch School has been perfect for me as like many, I am working, running a home and walking three dogs three times a day, and time and money is limited.  Therefore I can study at my own pace, in my own time and incorporate what I have learnt into my everyday life.

Thus far I have studied energy working, meditation, grounding and centring, which I have to admit I already knew as part of my vibrational work, so I probably had an easier time on these lessons than those that haven’t worked with them before, as they can take some mastering – but don’t tell teacher!!  I have written about Clear Quartz and I have studied my first deity, Sulis, or Minerva as she is also known.  And most importantly I have learnt that I was already working with energy and tools that are very important to the life of a witch.  And the fact, as I mentioned earlier, that I felt my holistic studies were leading me beyond that of just a therapist seems to have been right, and in a way they were preparing me for my life as a witch, giving me some essential skills that I would require, and this has been very enlightening. That the course also requires the study of crystals is great too as it makes me go back and research my crystals again, and this is excellent for deepening my relationship with my crystals.

And so I feel my journey as a witch is truly now underway, and I look forward to following and living this path.

For now I say farewell and wish you a happy Mabon.

Blessings

Earthshine

In my next lesson at the Kitchen Witch School I will be studying the Wheel of the Year. 

I am so looking forward to this and will be writing about it, along with my Mabon celebrations and other experiences in my next instalment of the Journal of a Novice Witch. xx

Donkey - intelligence and dedication

I had the opportunity to visit a donkey sanctuary at the weekend so I thought I would share with you the totem energies of the donkey.

What beautiful and wise creatures they are.

Donkey as a totem carries with it intelligence and dedication.  It is a symbol of versatility, determination, stubbornness, spiritual dedication, faith, responsibilities and burdens.

Donkeys are hard workers which personifies its qualities of determination and service along with carrying burdens of others.

Donkey does remind us that although it is good to help others, don't take on more than you can carry otherwise you will end up with physical and emotional issues yourself.  Master the art of saying no sometimes and remember that the responsibility of your own actions and words lie with you.

Donkeys don't like change and can seem to be stubborn, if they are frightened or worried about anything they are asked to do they won't do it, this is because they listen to their own intuition and senses.  They know their own boundaries.  Donkey can teach us about trust, respect and listening to our own intuition.

Donkeys also have very good hearing (must be the ears) this teaches us to awaken and listen to our own psychic abilities.

Donkey as a totem animal is a powerful teacher, listen to its messages.

Tansy
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Beautiful and powerful Veve

I came across Veves a while back when I was researching Papa Legba and found them to be incredibly beautiful and very powerful.

Basically a veve is a symbol that represents a specific loa or spirit and is used within Vodoun religious practices.

The loa is invited to take possession of a human body, only temporarily so that they can then communicate directly with them.   This is usually done with chants, drum beats, colours, offerings and the drawing of veves to invite the loa in, all of which are specific to the loa that is desired.

The veve is usually drawn on the ground using a powder of some kind, it might be cornmeal or sand perhaps.  It serves as a focal point for offerings and invocation.

I have some of the veve symbols printed off from the internet that I use in workings, they are also good inscribed on candles to add power.

Some of them are just beautiful to look at.

Tansy

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Review - Hedge Witchcraft & Hedge Riding

Two new books from the wonderful Moon Books publisher in their Pagan Portals series:

Hedge Witchcraft 
Learning by experiencing is about trusting your instincts and connecting with your inner spirit
and
Hedge Riding
The hedge is the symbolic boundary between the two worlds and this book will teach you how to cross that hedge

Both books are written by Harmonia Saille.

Hedge Witchcraft

This little book has all you need to know about the basics of Hedge Witchcraft.  Harmonia starts by introducing us to what Hedge Witches do, how they connect with nature and the spirit of a place, it also introduces us to ritual tools and familiars.

It then goes on to describe the Celtic festivals of the year and how a hedge witch views them, along with a good section on the elements and the magic that they hold.

The section on Sacred Trees takes us through each tree and what characteristics and energies it holds followed by a section on herbal lore.

Harmonia then dips into folk lore and divination from a Hedge Witch viewpoint.

An interesting book where Harmonia shares her own experiences of Hedge Witchcraft, good for anyone interested in following this path.

Hedge Riding

This book follows on from the first and gives an insight into Hedge Riding.    Harmonia shares what hedge riding is with meditations, visualisations and pathworkings to help you along.  She also goes into detail on the three realms.

Her section on animal and spirit guides is good and she shares her own experiences here too, along with an exercise for shapeshifting.

Followed up with a section on protection and preparation the book ends with instructions on how to follow your own hedge riding journey.

Both books are available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com



Tansy
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Our coven and open rituals...

We at the Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchery are stepping out into the outside world - eeeek.

The Kitchen Witch Coven of Natural Witchery will be holding regular open rituals to celebrate the Sabbats and we have the pleasure of doing so in a wonderful setting.

Our first ritual will celebrate Mabon and will be held in the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Country Park.


Mabon Ritual
Saturday 22nd September 2012
Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Horndean, Hampshire, UK
Start time 12 noon

The park has plenty of car park space (although there is a small charge of £2 but that covers you for the whole day), it also has toilet facilities and a lovely cafe - you knew there had to be cake involved didn't you.

We welcome everyone to our open ritual, even if you have never attended a ritual before come along and see what goes on.   You don't need to bring anything with you, you don't need to wear any special clothing, just come along.

We have set up a facebook group specifically for the coven where we will post details of all our open rituals and any moots or events we organise, if you would like to,  please pop along to the group page and request to join, the link to the page is here Kitchen Witch Coven of Natural Witchery facebook group

Details of the Queen Elizabeth Country Park can be found on their website here


The Kitchen Witch Leadership Team
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Bear Witch Project ..... If you go down to the woods today.....

..... You're sure of a big surprise ....

We, that's me, Tansy, Sun and Raven had been invited by those wonderful people at The Genesis Order of Druids to celebrate Lugnasadh with them, but before that we went on their Ogham Walk - time to find out what Bears really do do in the woods!!!! (although Raven said I had to behave else Tin would tell me off!!)

We met up with the Genesis order at Hilsea Lines ..... which is fairly close to Tansy!  After saying our hello's and how do's we set off on the Ogham Walk ... here comes the blurb,.....

Ogham is an Early Medieval alphabet used primarily to write the Old Irish language. Ogham is sometimes called the "Celtic Tree Alphabet" ... 

Steve (he's the knowledgeable one!!) showed us round the trees and let us feel the energy and find 'our' tree the one that talks to us the most ..... 

We started off at a big old Horse Chestnut, I liked this tree but it made Raven sad as it's very poorly :( but she perked up when the tree gifted her a baby chestnut ....... ohhh Sun's asked me to point out (as our resident Oghamist..... Horse Chestnuts aren't part of the Ogham but you can use it as a substitue!)

Then we headed off into the woods and met Elm (not Ogham), Ivy and White Poplar .... I liked this one the leaves 'chittered' and 'chattered' in the breeze and Steve said that they were sometimes called the Whispering Trees and Sun told me that the branches were sometimes used as Divination tools as the Witches would listen to the leaves chittering and get the messages......... wonder how the girls would blog that on Divination Diva blog ..?????

We then met Holly .... and did you know when Holly's don't feel 'threatened' they don't make pointy leaves anymore .......... don't think the Yule wreaths would look the same with non-pointy Holly on them!

Next was Hazel and Hawthorn and then the mighty OAK - he was awesome and Raven said the energy was sooooo slooooooooow and a bit sleeeeeeeeeeeeeepyyyyyy!

Then we saw Bay, Yew, Silver Birch, Walnut and Sycamore - and Sun tells me that Bay, Walnut and Sycamore aren't Oghams ......... sheesh my poor paws!!!

If anyone is interested in doing the 'walk' click the linky to the brochure here Ogham Brochure

After all that walking, you'd think knowing these three that it would be time for tea and cake - but nooooooo it was time for the Genesis Ritual - so, off we went to get ready

Don't she scrub up well!!  As we were 'visiting' we gave an offering to the Ritual of some herbs - as Tansy shoved them up my nose here I can tell you smelt divine!!!

After the ritual I wanted to leave a little something in gratitude .......... no, not what you are thinking ... but Raven let me have one of her offerings and I spent a few moments soaking up the peace 

It was a very hot day, and I was wearing a fur coat - so I wanted to go for a swim - but the ladies said I had to 'stay safe'

Til next time ...............

love Arthur and the team x x x

Once in a Blue Moon

The end of August this year sees a Blue Moon.

A Blue Moon is that wonderful occurence when the Full Moon shows us her face twice in one month.

Most years have twelve full moons that occur approximately monthly. In addition to those twelve full lunar cycles, each solar calendar year contains roughly eleven days more than the lunar year of 12 lunations (one lunar phase cycle). The extra days accumulate, so every two or three years there is an extra full moon and we call that a 'Blue Moon'.

The saying "once in a blue moon" doesn't mean never it just means on a rare occasion.

I don't know of any particularly specific magic that should be worked on a Blue Moon, I would just treat it as an extra bonus Full Moon!   Although the Blue Moon is also known as the Goal Moon so it would be an excellent time to set new goals for yourself.

As it is also something that only occurs on occasion, I would treat it as a good time to ask for those very special 'once in a Blue Moon' requests, something really special - the once in a lifetime kind of wish.

Use the full Moon for any immediate need: a sudden boost of power or courage; a change of career; location or travel; psychic protection; healing acute medical conditions; a large sum of money needed urgently; consummation of love or making a permanent love commitment; justice, ambition and promotion.

This is the day of full power but also of instability, as astrologically the Moon is in opposition to the Sun. 

A Blue Moon magic spell:

You will need:

A square piece of blue fabric, felt works well. You can even decorate it with moons if you like.

Safety pins

Paper and pen

Length of cord or ribbon, gold or silver would be good

Lay out your items and calm, ground and centre yourself.

Then make a list of all the things that you would like but you think are unobtainable, the sort of things that you think you could never achieve or own.

Once you have written your list go back over it and really think hard, double check all of the things you wrote down, are there some that you don't really, really want?  Are there some that in reality wouldn't work for you?  If there are cross them off.

Once you have narrowed down your list cut your paper into strips and write a wish on each piece.  Be positive when you write each one down and visualise it happening.

Then using the safety pins, pin each piece of paper to the blue cloth.  Once you have pinned them all fold the cloth up and tie it with the ribbon or cord.

When the Full Blue Moon is risen take the bundle outside and hold it up to her, then make your request that your wishes be fulfilled, but don't forget to thank the Goddess.  You can write a poem or chant to say at this time if you wish.

Once you are done put the bundle somewhere that you can see it regularly, on your altar would be a good place.

Then wait and see what happens...

Whatever way you choose to celebrate the Full Blue Moon this month - have fun!

Tansy

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Addendum: - we wanted to put this information here from the fabulous Rowan Pendragon because she explains it so well!   A true Blue Moon occurs when there are four full moons in a single season. The full moon on August 30/31 will be the third and final full moon for the summer season. The definition of a Blue Moon being the second full moon in a single month was first brought into play in 1946 by a writer who had an article in a Maine farmers guide who had decided that a Blue Moon should be the second full moon in a month and, effectively, changed a long held definition of a Blue Moon being a seasonal thing, not a monthly thing.

Giving back...

I wonder how often we remember to give something back to Mother Earth?

She provides for us in the form of heat, light, food and air, she also provides the energy with which we work our magic, so I think it's good to give something back to her.

But how?

You could work a candle spell to send energy towards growth and renewal of the Earth, you could raise energy within a ritual and send it to the Earth or you could send Reiki and/or healing energy for the planet.

Compost and fertilise, when you put compost or fertiliser on your garden send a bit of magical intent into it for healing and renewal.

When you harvest a plant from your garden replace it with new seeds.

Scatter wild flower seeds in local areas (make sure it is common land and not a farmers wheat field!!).

Before harvesting a plant spend a minute connecting with its spirit, that way you can ask permission to harvest what you need.

Recycle - an obvious one I know, but there are lots of ways to recycle other than composting and paper/glass recycling.  Save up all the ends of your scented candles, melt them and make them into a new one - you should get some interesting scent blends!  Freeze vegetable ends and pieces to make stock with.

I am sure there are hundreds of other ways to give something back!

Blessings and abundance to you all.

Tansy
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