Friday Tarot: Ace of Swords
Posted by Morrighan on November 4, 2011 at 12:00 pm | Last modified: November 4, 2011 11:33 amStarting what I hope will become a regular thing, I’ll be posting a new one-card tarot reading every Friday.
Today, I pulled the Ace of Swords.
Symbolizes: honesty, justice, integrity, fortitude, intellect
A clear understanding of the past, present and future has taken root in your life, but you may not know it yet. It shows a beginning of possibility in so many ways – justice, truth, clarity, intelligence. The outcome can materialize in any form, from a great idea, to financial security through an important decision, to a breakthrough in relationships around you.
However, sooner or later life throws a curve-ball that you’ll either catch, or miss. The Ace of Swords is a reminder to meet these issues with an honest resolve, standing strong, keeping to your ethics.
The Ace of Swords encourages you to look to your current situation, and how a focused mind and energy could work towards your personal goals. If you maintain personal honesty, integrity and insight, this card will help you focus on achieving your desires.
Tags: ace of swords, card, celtic dragon tarot, dj conway, lisa hunt, reading, tarot | Categories: Book of Shadows, Celtic & Pagan Info, Main, Tarot | Comments Off | PermalinkYule-Creating New Pagan Family Traditions
Posted by Morrighan on November 1, 2011 at 5:00 am | Last modified: November 1, 2011 4:29 am
The girls and I have been working on the former chapbook project off and on for some time now. In the last week, we’ve polished up the Yule selection, and it’s now available through Kindle and in multi-format ebook through Smashwords.
ierne (Morrighan Corvidae) of Glas Celli presents a short handbook to introduce traditional pagan information, ritual, meal plan and activities for new pagan families.
Yule, also known as Saturnalia, Alban Huan, Sol, and Midwinter, is celebrated at the winter solstice, on or around December 21st.
It is the time of darkness, and yet a returning of the light. The night of the solstice is the longest period of darkness each year; with the breaking of dawn, the light returns a little more each day, until the summer solstice in June. It is now that the Oak King returns to defeat the Holly King, symbolically replacing the aging deity with a younger, stronger self. The son replacing the father to become the son once more, the circle of life – the wheel of the year – facilitated by the Great Mother. She has given us her greatest gift, and in exchange, we honor both herself, and her son.
I honestly can’t say when the next one will be available, but when I get a few moments of spare time, I’ll probably try and re-format the Litha chapbook for official publication as well. Should all go well, I hope to have the next one done and ready for Beltaine (which would be the Beltaine collection…)
This is also a bit of an experiment for my formatting skills… I’ve never included images in the ebooks for Belfire or myself, and Yule has an abundance of them. I’m hoping to get some constructive feedback through reviews etc.
I have to admit to having some fun tracking down open source, easy to customize coloring pages!
Tags: Artemis Corvidae, celebration, coloring, Draco Corvidae, ebook, family, family activities, ierne, Jodi Lee, Morrighan Corvidae, non-fiction, pagan, puzzles, ritual, sabbat, word games, Yule | Categories: Book of Shadows, Celtic & Pagan Info, Main, Pagan Parenting, Sprites Pagan Kids | Comments Off | PermalinkSurrendering Ritual & Recipes
Posted by Morrighan on March 9, 2011 at 7:00 pm | Last modified: March 9, 2011 7:00 pmOne of the main reasons I’ve decided to work through a bunch of recipes in the coming weeks is that I’ll be doing a six week long ‘surrender’ ritual – starting late evening on Ostara, and going through until our ritual gathering at Beltaine. Our Surrender ritual involves giving up something for the six weeks prior to a major event: for me, Beltaine will mark my re-dedication to my personal path.
This is, I suppose, similar to Lent, and not the first time I’ve done it. In 1999, when I initiated a student and dedicated to my current path, I gave up red meat for the six weeks prior to Beltaine. I’m not sure I can do that again, although it may be just what the spiritual doctor ordered. If I could get the girls to go with it, it might be a good idea for all of us to go entirely meat-free for these six weeks.
Coffee was a suggestion, as was cola and black tea. Perhaps Artemis could give up candy, and Draco could give up her x-box…. Hmmm.
***
Surrendering Ritual
42 white birthday candles
Every morning, light one candle and repeat: My lady, I surrender myself to your light. Please help me through this day as I surrender my desire for (insert what you’re giving up). So mote it be.
Let the candle burn half-way, then repeat the ritual in the evening before bed, using ‘night’ instead of ‘day.’
***
Thoughts are, as always, appreciated!
Meanwhile, we’re trying these recipes out tomorrow, to have for our private Ostara (just the girls and I) on the 19th. While I’ve made Clapshot before, it was a recipe that didn’t have turnip, and so this will be different.
Clapshot
6 med potatoes (red or white)
1 lrg swede (commonly known as rutabaga or yellow turnip)
1 sm onion
2 finely chopped green onions, or
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives
butter
milk
salt & pepper to taste
Peel and chop potatoes and swede into same-size pieces, peel and chop onion. Put all into a large pot, cover with boiling water and simmer until soft. Drain.
Mash with milk, butter and season to taste. Serve with pan-fried cabbage, and oven-roasted sausage.
Leftovers can be fried all together for breakfast the next day (Bubble & Squeak)!
Pan-fried Cabbage
1 pound bag pre-shred cabbage (Coleslaw Blend)
1 sm onion, cut in half, sliced thin
2 tbsp butter
small amount of oil
Put oil in bottom of heavy, deep frying pan and heat on medium. Add onion and butter, cook to just tender, add cabbage, cover and reduce heat to low. If necessary, add a small amount of water, remember to stir often.
You’ll know it’s cooked when the shreds are soft, and slightly carmelized. Season to taste.
Serve with pretty much any English meal.
Oven-Roasted Sausage
2 lbs farmer, kielbasa, pork or beef sausage
Bullseye barbeque sauce, HP sauce, or hot mustard
Pre-heat oven to 350*. Cut sausages in half length-wise, set in baking dish flat side down. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove from oven to turn and cover each piece with your choice of sauces. Kielbasa is excellent with hot mustard, bangers (pork sausage) or beef sausages are wonderful with HP sauce and of course, that leaves barbeque sauce for the farmer sausage (aka smoked pork sausage). Return to oven for 15-20 minutes, check often.
Tags: baked sausage, Beltaine, breaking habits, clapshot, cleaning, cleansing, dedication, going without, Ostara, pan-fried cabbage, recipes, spring | Categories: Book of Shadows, Celtic & Pagan Info, Healing Alternatives, Main, Pagan Parenting, Recipes | Comments Off | Permalink