Ingredients
8oz Plain flour
4oz Butter
2oz Sugar
2 tbs Honey
Pinch Salt
Plus any of the following:
Soft fruit
Dried fruit
Mixed candied peel
Almonds
Walnuts
Cream the fat and the sugar and work in the sifted flour, add the honey and salt and work into a creamy paste. Roll out into a flat pastry sheet approx. 1/2 inch thick. Cut into little Moons with a shaped cutter or use a round one and and move the cutter about until you have a cresent shape.
Place on a greased baking tray, prick all over and bake in a moderate oven 350'f, Gas Mark 4 for approx 20-30 minutes or until brown.
You can add any or a combination of any of the optional extras to the basic mixture to add a little diversity to your Moon cakes.
Saturday 28 February 2009
THE CEREMONY OF CAKES AND ALE
This is part of the Wiccan meeting rites held at every Sabbat and Esbat and is a thanksgiving for good things to eat and drink. The cakes represent the good things from the goddess such as wheat, plus the gifts of the Goddess of the Underworld and the Goddess of the sea, the salt, and also the gift of honey. The wine represents the gifts from the Horned God - the vine, or wine!
The Cakes and Ale ceremony is a very old ritual and is mentioned in Aradia - The Gospel of the Witches by G.C. Leland.
HOW TO CONSECRATE THE SUPPER
Here follows the supper, of what it must consist, and what shall be said and done to consecrate it to Diana.
You shall take meal (Flour) and salt, honey and water, and make this incantation:
I conjure thee, O meal!
Who art indeed our body, since without thee
We could not live, thou who (at first as seed)
Before becoming flower went in the earth,
Where all deep secrets hide, and when ground
Didst dance like dust in the wind, and yet meanwhile
Didst bear with thee in flitting, secrets strange!
And yet erewhile, when tough wert in the ear,
Even as a (golden) glittering grain, even then
The fireflies came to cast on thee their light
And aid they growth, because without their help
Thou Couldst not grow nor beautiful become
Therefore thou dost belong unto the race
Of Witches or of fairies, and because
The fireflies do belong unto the sun....
Queen of the fireflies! hurry apace
Come to me now as if running a race,
Bridle the horse as you hear me now sing!
Bridle, O bridle the son of the king!
Come in a hurry and bring him to me!
The son of the king will ere long set thee free;
And because thou for ever art brilliant and fair,
Under a glass I will keep thee; while there,
With a lens I will study thy secrets concealed,
Till there bright mysteries are are fully revealed.
Yea all the wondrous lore perplexed
Of this life of our cross and the next.
Thus to all mysteries I shall attain,
Yea, even to that at last of the grain;
And when this at last I shall truly know,
Firefly, freely I'll let thee go!
When earth's dark secrets are known to me,
My blessing at last I will give to thee!
CONJURATION OF THE SALT
I do conjure thee O salt, lo! here at noon,
Exactly in the Middle of a stream
I take my place and see the water round,
Likewise here besides the water and the sun:
For all my soul is turned in truth to them;
I do indeed desire no other thought,
I yearn to learn the very truth of truths,
For I have suffered long with the desire
To know my future or my coming fate,
If good or evil will prevail in it.
Water and sun, be gracious unto me.
Then shall follow the Conjuration of Diana.
Your shall make cakes of meal, wine, salt and honey in the shape of a crescent moon, and then
put them to bake and say:
CONJURATION OF DIANA
I do not bake the bread, nor with it salt,
Nor do I cook the honey with the wine,
I bake the body and blood and soul,
The soul of (great) Diana, that she shall
Know neither rest nor peace, and ever be
I cruel suffering till she will grant
What I request, what I do most desire,
I beg it of her from my very heart!
And if this grace be granted, O Diana!
In honour of thee I will hold this feast,
Feast and drain the goblet deep,
We will dance and wildly leap
And if thou grant'st the grace which I require
Then when the dance is wildest, all the lamps
Shall be extinguished and we'll freely love!
And thus shall it be done, all shall sit down to the supper and after the feast is over they shall sing, dance and make music in Diana's praise.
The Cakes and Ale ceremony is a very old ritual and is mentioned in Aradia - The Gospel of the Witches by G.C. Leland.
HOW TO CONSECRATE THE SUPPER
Here follows the supper, of what it must consist, and what shall be said and done to consecrate it to Diana.
You shall take meal (Flour) and salt, honey and water, and make this incantation:
I conjure thee, O meal!
Who art indeed our body, since without thee
We could not live, thou who (at first as seed)
Before becoming flower went in the earth,
Where all deep secrets hide, and when ground
Didst dance like dust in the wind, and yet meanwhile
Didst bear with thee in flitting, secrets strange!
And yet erewhile, when tough wert in the ear,
Even as a (golden) glittering grain, even then
The fireflies came to cast on thee their light
And aid they growth, because without their help
Thou Couldst not grow nor beautiful become
Therefore thou dost belong unto the race
Of Witches or of fairies, and because
The fireflies do belong unto the sun....
Queen of the fireflies! hurry apace
Come to me now as if running a race,
Bridle the horse as you hear me now sing!
Bridle, O bridle the son of the king!
Come in a hurry and bring him to me!
The son of the king will ere long set thee free;
And because thou for ever art brilliant and fair,
Under a glass I will keep thee; while there,
With a lens I will study thy secrets concealed,
Till there bright mysteries are are fully revealed.
Yea all the wondrous lore perplexed
Of this life of our cross and the next.
Thus to all mysteries I shall attain,
Yea, even to that at last of the grain;
And when this at last I shall truly know,
Firefly, freely I'll let thee go!
When earth's dark secrets are known to me,
My blessing at last I will give to thee!
CONJURATION OF THE SALT
I do conjure thee O salt, lo! here at noon,
Exactly in the Middle of a stream
I take my place and see the water round,
Likewise here besides the water and the sun:
For all my soul is turned in truth to them;
I do indeed desire no other thought,
I yearn to learn the very truth of truths,
For I have suffered long with the desire
To know my future or my coming fate,
If good or evil will prevail in it.
Water and sun, be gracious unto me.
Then shall follow the Conjuration of Diana.
Your shall make cakes of meal, wine, salt and honey in the shape of a crescent moon, and then
put them to bake and say:
CONJURATION OF DIANA
I do not bake the bread, nor with it salt,
Nor do I cook the honey with the wine,
I bake the body and blood and soul,
The soul of (great) Diana, that she shall
Know neither rest nor peace, and ever be
I cruel suffering till she will grant
What I request, what I do most desire,
I beg it of her from my very heart!
And if this grace be granted, O Diana!
In honour of thee I will hold this feast,
Feast and drain the goblet deep,
We will dance and wildly leap
And if thou grant'st the grace which I require
Then when the dance is wildest, all the lamps
Shall be extinguished and we'll freely love!
And thus shall it be done, all shall sit down to the supper and after the feast is over they shall sing, dance and make music in Diana's praise.
Saturday 21 February 2009
HEALING SPELL
Moon Phase - Full
You will Need - 1 Yellow Candle
1 Green Candle
Honeysuckle Oil
Sandalwood Incense
Lilac Incense
Patchouli Incense
Go into a room in your house where you feel most at peace. Put your two candles on a sturdy table in a fireproof holder.
Place your sandalwood, lilac and patchouli incense around your candles. Take the honeysuckle oil and anoint your candles by putting some of the oil on the palm of your hands around the base of the candle, rub from the base to the wick. Do this 3 times on each candle. Now light your incenses and the candles and at the same time say:
Let the candles burn all the way down. Give thanks and close the rite
You will Need - 1 Yellow Candle
1 Green Candle
Honeysuckle Oil
Sandalwood Incense
Lilac Incense
Patchouli Incense
Go into a room in your house where you feel most at peace. Put your two candles on a sturdy table in a fireproof holder.
Place your sandalwood, lilac and patchouli incense around your candles. Take the honeysuckle oil and anoint your candles by putting some of the oil on the palm of your hands around the base of the candle, rub from the base to the wick. Do this 3 times on each candle. Now light your incenses and the candles and at the same time say:
Wrap thee in cotton
Bind thee in love
Protection from pain
Surround like a glove
May the brightest of blessings
Surround thee this night
For thou art cared for ...
Healing thoughts sent in flight.
Let the candles burn all the way down. Give thanks and close the rite
TOOLS OF THE CRAFT
ATHAME
As well as being the personal tool of the Witch, the Athame equates with the element of Spirit. It is pronounced Ath-Ay-Mee and is used within the circle for the casting, invoking and banishing rituals and for Charging spells, talismans etc. It is never used for cutting outside of a magickal situation. The Boline is a white handled knife that is sometimes used for cutting or carving as in candle Magick or gathering herbs etc.
PENTACLE
The Pentacle equates with the symbol of Earth and is placed upon the alter. It is also a protector, due to the inscribed Pentagram upon its face. It is used in Craft circles as a diffusing element when something is being charged i.e. other tools, talismans etc. It is also used as a banishing agent to remove other peoples influences from any magickal object. I does not matter what the pentacle is made of, as long as it is made of natural material such as wood, slate, copper or silver etc. The inscription upon the Pentacle must be pictorial and not contain any words.
WAND
The wand corresponds to the element of Air and should be made of wood. Various woods have differing purposes. The correct length of a Wand is from the crook of your elbow up to the tip of your middle finger, and can be decorated to suit the person who owns it.
CHALICE
The most feminine of all the tools and equates with the element of water. It is the grail of the Arthurian legends, the cup of inspiration. It is shared with all participants in the ritual. At the ceremony of the Cakes and Ale, the cup is passed among all celebrants, each taking of the wine, mead, cider or beer it contains.
SWORD
Used in the same way as the athame, to cast and banish circles and also as a tool to direct raised energy towards any particular purpose. The sword equates to the element of fire. Created under the influence of Mars and forged in steel. In a coven only the leader uses the sword. However solitarys may also use it.
THE CAULDRON
The traditional cauldron was a large 3 legged pot (3 being the number of the Moon Goddess) and made of iron. It is a symbol of feminine wisdom and the giver of knowledge. In Welsh folklore it was kept by Cerridwen. The notion of inspiring knowledge is something that is kept alive today and cauldrons are still used for meditational purposes and scrying as with a crystal.
THE BESOM
Along with the cauldron probably the most widely recognised symbol of the Old Religion. It is used to sweep away negativity before casting the circle.
ROBES
Robes may be worn in ritual, but are not essential, only if modesty forbids the Skyclad state. If robes are chosen to be worn, it is better they are loose and free flowing so as not to inhibit movement. The material used should be natural such as cotton, wool or silk. The colours of your robe should correspond with your own personal equating with that colour.
THE BOOK OF SHADOWS
This is the book of the craft that contains instructions, spells, information etc. It should be looked upon as not being complete and can be added to and personalised by the Wiccan whose book it is. The book is traditionally kept in the personal handwriting of the owner, however today a Book of Shadows may be kept electronically (there are even software programs that can be obtained for this purpose).
JEWELLERY
The use of jewellery within ritual is ancient indeed, it stems from the belief that the wearing of precious metal and stones invokes a power over the wearer. A necklace in the shape of a pentagram is the most well known piece of jewellery. A headdress of the crescent moon may also be worn.
A NOTE ON MAGICKAL TOOLS
All tools used for ritual must be kept for magickal purposes only and not used in everyday situations. All magickal tools must be consecrated to their particular owner and not used by anyone else. Any second hand tools that are acquired must be cleansed and consecrated before use.
As well as being the personal tool of the Witch, the Athame equates with the element of Spirit. It is pronounced Ath-Ay-Mee and is used within the circle for the casting, invoking and banishing rituals and for Charging spells, talismans etc. It is never used for cutting outside of a magickal situation. The Boline is a white handled knife that is sometimes used for cutting or carving as in candle Magick or gathering herbs etc.
PENTACLE
The Pentacle equates with the symbol of Earth and is placed upon the alter. It is also a protector, due to the inscribed Pentagram upon its face. It is used in Craft circles as a diffusing element when something is being charged i.e. other tools, talismans etc. It is also used as a banishing agent to remove other peoples influences from any magickal object. I does not matter what the pentacle is made of, as long as it is made of natural material such as wood, slate, copper or silver etc. The inscription upon the Pentacle must be pictorial and not contain any words.
WAND
The wand corresponds to the element of Air and should be made of wood. Various woods have differing purposes. The correct length of a Wand is from the crook of your elbow up to the tip of your middle finger, and can be decorated to suit the person who owns it.
CHALICE
The most feminine of all the tools and equates with the element of water. It is the grail of the Arthurian legends, the cup of inspiration. It is shared with all participants in the ritual. At the ceremony of the Cakes and Ale, the cup is passed among all celebrants, each taking of the wine, mead, cider or beer it contains.
SWORD
Used in the same way as the athame, to cast and banish circles and also as a tool to direct raised energy towards any particular purpose. The sword equates to the element of fire. Created under the influence of Mars and forged in steel. In a coven only the leader uses the sword. However solitarys may also use it.
THE CAULDRON
The traditional cauldron was a large 3 legged pot (3 being the number of the Moon Goddess) and made of iron. It is a symbol of feminine wisdom and the giver of knowledge. In Welsh folklore it was kept by Cerridwen. The notion of inspiring knowledge is something that is kept alive today and cauldrons are still used for meditational purposes and scrying as with a crystal.
THE BESOM
Along with the cauldron probably the most widely recognised symbol of the Old Religion. It is used to sweep away negativity before casting the circle.
ROBES
Robes may be worn in ritual, but are not essential, only if modesty forbids the Skyclad state. If robes are chosen to be worn, it is better they are loose and free flowing so as not to inhibit movement. The material used should be natural such as cotton, wool or silk. The colours of your robe should correspond with your own personal equating with that colour.
THE BOOK OF SHADOWS
This is the book of the craft that contains instructions, spells, information etc. It should be looked upon as not being complete and can be added to and personalised by the Wiccan whose book it is. The book is traditionally kept in the personal handwriting of the owner, however today a Book of Shadows may be kept electronically (there are even software programs that can be obtained for this purpose).
JEWELLERY
The use of jewellery within ritual is ancient indeed, it stems from the belief that the wearing of precious metal and stones invokes a power over the wearer. A necklace in the shape of a pentagram is the most well known piece of jewellery. A headdress of the crescent moon may also be worn.
A NOTE ON MAGICKAL TOOLS
All tools used for ritual must be kept for magickal purposes only and not used in everyday situations. All magickal tools must be consecrated to their particular owner and not used by anyone else. Any second hand tools that are acquired must be cleansed and consecrated before use.
Tuesday 17 February 2009
SABBATS - THE WITCHES YEAR (DATES)
Samhain - October 31
Yule (Winter Solstice) - On or around December 21
Imbolc - February 2
Eostra (Spring Equinox) - On or around March 21
Beltane - April 30
Litha (Summer Solstice) - On or around June 21
Lughnasadh - August 1
Modron (Autumn Equinox) - On or around September 21
Yule (Winter Solstice) - On or around December 21
Imbolc - February 2
Eostra (Spring Equinox) - On or around March 21
Beltane - April 30
Litha (Summer Solstice) - On or around June 21
Lughnasadh - August 1
Modron (Autumn Equinox) - On or around September 21
SABBATS - THE WITCHES YEAR
SAMHAIN - The Celtic New Year. Samhain is the feast of remembrance for all those who have gone before to the Summerlands (the resting place on the astral Planes for all Wicca).
YULE - The mid Winter celebration of the rein of the White Goddess and the Stag Lord, God of Hunting (Both seasonal representations of the God & Goddess). Yule ir Iul is Nordic for Wheel and is symbolic of the turning of the year with the weak Sun gaining in strength after the Long Darkest Night, to combat the oncoming coldness of Mid Winter.
IMBOLC - The daughter of spring is born of the White Goddess after her sexual union with the Horned God last Beltane. Although not out of the rein of the White Goddess yet, it is a hope of the Spring that is near.
EOSTRA - The beginning of the rein of the Green Spring Goddess, the fertile energies being concenrated into the earth, bringing the Green mantle once more to the forest, trees and fields.
BELTANE - This is the era of the sexual union of the Stag Lord and the young Green Earth Goddess bringing forth their fertile intentions upon the Earth, a time of sexual awakening of the magickal energies within.
LITHA - This is the height of the rein of the Green Goddess bringing her aspects to bear on the fields & the harvest. The Lord of the Wildwood, the Foliate Man, is in his reign, powered by the energies of the strong Sun.
LUGHNASADH - The feast of Lugh (or Llew), the Fertile God, the year is now in its wane, dark aspects now creep into the magickal processes of the Earth. Doubts as to the abundance of the harvest. Deep doubt and serious prayer to the Goddess for aid, as she transcends from her transition from Green Goddess, into a mature, fertile Mother Goddess image (portrayed as a Golden Harvest Goddess).
MODRON - The Gold of the harvest colours appear in the woodlands and the Golden Goddess is well into her reign. In the fields, the Harvest is now gathered in, much to the praise of the Goddess. Corn Dollies are made in her honour and sacrificed under the plough, as it prepares the ground for another year. She has taken part in the magick of the season and prepares to take on her new role at Samhain, that of the White Goddess. The Lord of the Wildwood is also prepared for his transition into the Stag Lord at Samhain, ready for a seasons hunting.
YULE - The mid Winter celebration of the rein of the White Goddess and the Stag Lord, God of Hunting (Both seasonal representations of the God & Goddess). Yule ir Iul is Nordic for Wheel and is symbolic of the turning of the year with the weak Sun gaining in strength after the Long Darkest Night, to combat the oncoming coldness of Mid Winter.
IMBOLC - The daughter of spring is born of the White Goddess after her sexual union with the Horned God last Beltane. Although not out of the rein of the White Goddess yet, it is a hope of the Spring that is near.
EOSTRA - The beginning of the rein of the Green Spring Goddess, the fertile energies being concenrated into the earth, bringing the Green mantle once more to the forest, trees and fields.
BELTANE - This is the era of the sexual union of the Stag Lord and the young Green Earth Goddess bringing forth their fertile intentions upon the Earth, a time of sexual awakening of the magickal energies within.
LITHA - This is the height of the rein of the Green Goddess bringing her aspects to bear on the fields & the harvest. The Lord of the Wildwood, the Foliate Man, is in his reign, powered by the energies of the strong Sun.
LUGHNASADH - The feast of Lugh (or Llew), the Fertile God, the year is now in its wane, dark aspects now creep into the magickal processes of the Earth. Doubts as to the abundance of the harvest. Deep doubt and serious prayer to the Goddess for aid, as she transcends from her transition from Green Goddess, into a mature, fertile Mother Goddess image (portrayed as a Golden Harvest Goddess).
MODRON - The Gold of the harvest colours appear in the woodlands and the Golden Goddess is well into her reign. In the fields, the Harvest is now gathered in, much to the praise of the Goddess. Corn Dollies are made in her honour and sacrificed under the plough, as it prepares the ground for another year. She has taken part in the magick of the season and prepares to take on her new role at Samhain, that of the White Goddess. The Lord of the Wildwood is also prepared for his transition into the Stag Lord at Samhain, ready for a seasons hunting.
Saturday 14 February 2009
THE WICCAN CREED
Bid the Wiccan Law Ye Must,
In Perfect Love, In Perfect Trust,
Eight Words the Wiccan Rede Fulfill:
An Ye Harm None, Do As Ye Will.
And Ever Mind the Rule of Three:
What Ye Send Out, Comes Back to Thee.
Follow This with Mind and Heart,
And Merry Ye Meet, and Merry Ye Part.
In Perfect Love, In Perfect Trust,
Eight Words the Wiccan Rede Fulfill:
An Ye Harm None, Do As Ye Will.
And Ever Mind the Rule of Three:
What Ye Send Out, Comes Back to Thee.
Follow This with Mind and Heart,
And Merry Ye Meet, and Merry Ye Part.
13 GOALS OF A WITCH
Know yourself
Know your craft
Learn
Apply knowledge with wisdom
Achieve balance
Keep your words in good order
Keep your thoughts in good order
Celebrate life!
Attune with the cycles of the Earth
Breath and eat correctly
Exercise the body
Meditate
Honour the God and Goddess
Know your craft
Learn
Apply knowledge with wisdom
Achieve balance
Keep your words in good order
Keep your thoughts in good order
Celebrate life!
Attune with the cycles of the Earth
Breath and eat correctly
Exercise the body
Meditate
Honour the God and Goddess
CASTING THE CIRCLE
Beginning in the East, point wand or sword to the ground and walk clockwise around the perimeter of the Circle three times. Visualize white energy streaming from your wand/sword marking the Circle on the ground, while saying the following:
Circle of Power, Circle of Rite
I draw you forth into this night
Your magick is needed here in this space
Bringing our ancestors all to this place
Where past and present and future now meet
Preparing the Guardians yet to appear
Time now suspended and thought become clear
Once force of power, now shines so bright
The joining of magick, in love and in light
Gathered here now in cape and in hood
The Circle is bound by all that is good
Circle of Power, Circle of Rite
I draw you forth into this night
Your magick is needed here in this space
Bringing our ancestors all to this place
Where past and present and future now meet
Preparing the Guardians yet to appear
Time now suspended and thought become clear
Once force of power, now shines so bright
The joining of magick, in love and in light
Gathered here now in cape and in hood
The Circle is bound by all that is good
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