To purify your home in winter

If you have pine boughs left over from your Yule decorations this is a wonderful way to use them before they dry up.

To purify your home in winter, mix a pinch of ginger and all spice with a drop of olive oil in a 1/4 cup of water. Anoint the tips of a small pine branch and sprinkle in the corners of your home. Begin in the north and work clockwise around your home. Give special attention to the windows, doors and fireplaces.

Everlasting Love Necklace - a charm for loved ones young and old.

This is a gift for the young and old. It's a favorite of mine for nieces, nephews and your own children. It serves as a protective charm and cloak of unconditional love, just as a mother would. And like mother's love, this necklace is delicate but strong. It's effects are quite like the charm Harry Potter's mother put on him to protect him.

The making of the beads is fun but takes patience. It will take a couple of weeks to prepare the paste. And then several more to dry the beads formed of the paste.

You will need half a bushel of rose petals and an eighth of a bushel of lavender bells and a couple of packets of embroidery needles. Collect the petals and the bells on a dry Friday morning once the dew has dried. Discard any that have wilted or discolored. Macerate them with a mortar and pestle while concentrating all your love into them. (You can puree them in a blender if need be).

Simmer the paste gently for about an hour in an iron pot or skillet in just enough water to cover. Then let the petals cool and simmer them again. The iron should react with the petals and turn them a dull ebony color. Grind the mixture each day for about two weeks until a paste forms that is thick enough to roll into beads. The paste should be the consistency of clay.

When the paste is ready roll it into beads. I like to use a few drops of rose oil in my palm when I roll the beads. (The beads will shrink to about half size after they dry). Take a thick sewing needle, like one for embroidery, and pierce a hole through the center of the bead.

If you have several needles you can leave the beads on the pins and dry them on cardboard. (You can also hang them on no.22 gauge florists wire). Turn them everyday so they don't stick to the pins or cardboard. When turning say a protective chant. The beads should be dry in about two weeks. Polish them and string them.

Use a clasp that is sturdy and "childproof". I use a Celtic Knotwork jewelry clasp. It's an everlasting love knot pattern. But choose what works for you.

These necklaces are best stored in a cool dry place, such as a jewelry box, when not in use.

Organic Milk Bath

Milk has many powerful properties that would be welcome in any gift. Cow's milk is a powerful ingredient in any magickal working summoning nurturing, prosperity and protection. Milk is ruled by the Moon, so a bath ritual is best performed on Mondays or new or full moons.

Organic Powdered Whole Milk - 1/3 cup
Gelatin - 2 Tablespoons
Epsom Salts - 1 Cup
Powdered Hops - 1/4 Cup
Elder Flowers - 1/4 Cup

Makes approximately 16oz. You can double or triple the recipe depending on how large a batch you want to make. Instructions: Use 1/2 Cup per bath.

Packaging: you have many options here. I would start with a beautiful bottle and sterilize it well (boiling water works). You might create personalized labels of some kind or write on the bottle in glitter glue. Ribbon, wax seals, or even an acid etched design can be used to decorate your gift. Get creative! I like to use a blue bottle and place a silver foil moon on the side. Remember to charge it with love.

Total cost is about $5 per bottle depending on what packaging you choose.

Mabon Rowan Ale

Note: This is to be made a year in advance in preparation for next year's feast.
Ingredients:
1 pound of Rowan Berries
4 Cups Sugar
3 Quarts Strong Ale

Partially crush the Rowan Berries
Place in a 4 Quart container with a lid
Sprinkle the sugar over the fruit
Fill the container with the ale
Cover loosely
Fermentation should begin within 48 hours
When rapid bubbling has ceased, strain, cork and store for 1 years time.

This should bring the joy of the sun to your feast and protect all who drink it.

Magical Properties of Rowan

Valued throughout the Celtic countries for it's powerful magic, the Rowan in called "The Wizards' Tree."

• It's ruler is the Sun.
• Branches, leaves and berries are all magical.
• Leaves and berries can be placed along window ledges to protect your home.
• For serious protection, take two twigs and tie together with red string in the shape of a cross. Hang the cross over doors and windows.
• A rowan wand or walking staff will protect you from harm on a journey and bring spiritual enlightenment on your path.

Angel Spray

This was inspired by Archangel Michael and his flaming sword of power and strength. Michael is considered the patron saint of the warrior and can be invoked for justice. He has many associations in different traditions including the Jewish (Rabbinic and Kabbalistic), Christian, Roman Catholic, Islamic, Latter-Day Saints, Jehovah's Witness, Bahá'í, Anthroposophy and the occult.

For this spell, you will need:

• Glass bottle (4oz, preferably blue) with spray mister


• Purified Spring Water


• 13 drops Myrrh Essential Oil


• 13 drops Geranium Essential Oil


• 7 drops Lavender Essential Oil


• 7 drops Cypress Essential Oil


• 6 drops Bergamot Essential Oil


• 6 drops Lemon Essential Oil


• 6 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil


• 5 drops Rose Essential Oil


• 5 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil


• 3 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

1. Fill the bottle halfway with water
   Add Essential Oils in order.
   Top off with remaining water.
   Shake gently.
   

Travelers Protection

Carry this pouch with you during travels afar.
Amethyst
Element: Air
Sacred to: Diana and Bacchus
Properties: Calms fears, lends courage, powerful amulet for travelers, protects aginst theives, Malachite
Element: Earth
Sacred to: Hathor, Venus and Freya
Properties: Worn to detect impending danger, will shatter to warn of forthcoming peril, protective magic, worn to guard against negativity & physical danger, travelers guardian
Moonstone
Element: Water
Sacred to: Selene, Isis, Hina & all lunar goddesses
Properties: Because the moon travels through the houses of the zodiac signs, it's stone is a protective charm for travelers, carry or wear when you are away from home, especially during travel over or on the water
Tiger's Eye
Element: Fire
Sacred to: Apollo, Amaterasu, Ra and Lugh
Properties: Roma soldiers wore Tiger's Eye engraved with symbols for protection during battle. Wear to protect from all forms of danger.

For this spell, you will need

• A red pouch
• White thread & a needle
• amethyst
• malachite
• moonstone
• tigers eye

1. Sew the Radiho (the R shaped one) rune onto the red pouch. Radiho means wheel and journey.
2. Add all of the stones and you blessings of protection.
3. Tie up the pouch and travel away!

Protection Amulet

For this spell, you will need:

• red thread
• a tiger's eye pendant or bead
• a sprig of fresh bay leaf

1. Thread the pendant or bead onto the red sting
2. Tie the thread around the stem of the bay, knotting 3 times
3. Anchoring the tiger's eye in the center
4. Criss cross and wrap the thread around the stem either 3 or 9 times, depending on the length of the stem.
5. Tie a knot 3 times.
6. Measure the string according to where you are hanging the amulet. Longer for wearing around the neck, shorter for hanging in the car etc.