April Full Moon Ritual

As a part of my 101 Goals in 1001 Days, as well as something I've wanted to do for a while now, I wanted to include a lunar ritual of some sort.  I showed in a previous post a few of the votive candles I made for the full moon rituals.  I really had no idea what I would do for them, just that I felt they were necessary.

At first I thought I'd just do tea and tarot with my sister.  While we did do both of those things, I wanted to do more.  Which is funny because my family and I went to Earth Lore, our somewhat local metaphysical store.  There I bought the votive holder you see pictured, as the only one I had was a more firey dragon votive holder.  Not really lunar inspired.  While we were there I also perused the books and saw four Ellen Dugan books that I didn't have.  One was for teens so I wasn't feeling it.  Another was for love magic.  Not my scene either.  The other two were an herbal book (she is a garden witch) and a daily magic book.  I chose the latter since I didn't have anything like that.

Wouldn't you know that along with ways to include magic in your life daily, the last chapter is on the Full Moon and days of the week?  Serendipity much?  

So it was a Tuesday this full moon.  Tuesday is Mars and all about courage and drive.  So I included some Mars energy to aid in my April Full Moon ritual.  It was to aid the seeds and bulbs we have in their growth.  I included origami flowers for sympathetic magic and burned a cut out snowflake to help banish the winter weather.  Goodness knows we need all the help we can get.

So what do you all do for the Full Moon?

The book I bought, by the way, is Book of Witchery by Ellen Dugan

Hogwarts House Pride

I have been a huge fan of Harry Potter since third grade and our student teacher read us Chamber of Secrets.  I joined Pottermore last autumn and was sorted into Gryffindor.  I've taken test before and gotten either Gryffindor or Slytherin, but was certain I would get the latter.  My sister (a quirky Ravenclaw, go figure) said it was fitting though.  Later when we were geeking about it, I said I would fight anyone who wouldn't allow us to eat at the same table.  Gryffindor, indeed.

Another interesting tidbit?  I am the only Gryffindor in my family.  My elder sister is Ravenclaw, my mom had a choice between Slytherin and Hufflepuff (she chose Hufflepuff), and my eldest sister and her husband are both Slytherins.  I have no idea how that happened.  Also, SHAME on the movie franchise for getting Ravenclaw's colors wrong.  I wanted to buy matching house color scarves for everybody next Christmas, but the name brand ones are blue and silver.  Silver is Slytherin people, bronze is Ravenclaw.  Sheesh,

Anywho, Angie over at Lariats and Lavender did a Polyvore post of her Hufflepuff pride outfit.  I'm doing the same only different.

This would be me on a normal day.  Jeans and a t-shirt with awesome gold lion jewelry.  I actually think I own a fedora like this one.  Comfortable yet stylish.

This would be me on a truly Griffindor day, all confidence and glamour.  I surprise myself with my enjoyment of tighter fitting dresses.  In this outfit I would find just the right shade of red lipstick, something I have yet to master.  I would also have to be able to walk properly in heels. :/  

Gryffindor Pride!!!

Spring Brings Change

 So there has been much going on in my house this past month.  We moved again!  There were boxes and packing and moving of the packed boxes.  My kitty loves sitting in empty (or not so empty) boxes, so once we were moved in he was happy.  We've dealt with gas leaks and well troubles and freezing pipes.  Our bookshelves literally fell apart.  But has that stopped us?!  NO!

It hasn't looked much like spring around here.  My sister and I took a walk on our property to scope the place out on the equinox.  We now live on about 5 acres.  Not a terrible amount as far as a walk is concerned... or so you would think.  Those are my footprints in the snow farther back.  The snow has melted more since so cross your fingers that will be normal by Beltane.  


It wasn't all bad.  I did see some signs of spring, like the little beginnings of buds on this branch.  There have also been geese coming back north finally.  I managed a simple altar, since our stuff isn't completely unpacked.  Notice my Frankenstein candles from an earlier post.  I also made a list of goals, per Aradia's cauldron.  I ended up with 9 which is a number I love.

The wooden spoon is one of eight that I want to make into kitchen witch wands to create magical meals.  Since there are 8, I figure I can do one for each Sabbat!

Candle Making Trial and Error

Candle making is harder then you would think.  Oh, I thought, as I asked for a kit several years ago, it's just melting and pouring wax.  Yeah, okay.

Look at them over there!  those are my first attempt at votive candles, and of course I had to make 13 in one sitting.  If you click on the picture you will see a distinct horizontal line from the second pour.  What do you mean, second pour, you might inquire.  

When making candles You have to pour the most of the wax first, whether in a mold or container.  Then once it hardens, the wax will pit in the middle near the wick.  Then you have to heat the remaining wax to a slightly higher temperature so it adheres smoothly and doesn't make horizontal lines in your candles.  Well that, and for votives they have you pour the second pour so that the wax comes above the meniscus (the lip of the mold) but doesn't spill over.

Anywho.  Those candles will be my Full Moon candles.  Starting on the next Full Moon (March 16th)  I will be having tea and divination or creating a charm of some sort.  Along with burning the candles of course.  I made these as an Imbolc project (fitting yes?) and will be consecrating the candles on each New Moon prior to it's burning.

I also made my Frankenstein candle!  I used shades of yellow, white, blue, and mostly green from candles past to make these beauties.  I didn't intend to make two, but the wax makes the decisions around here. 

Aren't they beautiful? *tears up*

 A note to anyone who wants to make candles.  One: it's really quite fun despite setbacks I've had.  Two: make sure you put down paper towels, wax paper, or do your pouring over a cookie sheet.  Otherwise you may get wax in places it does not want to be e.g. under your stove grates or on the floor.  Three: Get a wax pitcher!1@!  The metal pitcher (seen above holding the wax) is a great help in keeping mess to a minimum. 

How to Peel a Rutabaga

Ah, the modest rutabaga.  Intimidating to some, considering the amount of people who have never had one.  The rutabaga is a root vegetable that is purple and yellow on color.  You may find they have a waxy peel, which is normal.  The rutabaga is usually sealed in a wax coating to help it stay fresh.  The wax doesn't hurt the vegetable, as you will be peeling it anyway.  When peeled it is a light yellow. 

Do not take a normal potato peeler to this vegetable.  It won't work well and will dull the blade of your peeler.  Just use a small, smooth-bladed paring knife to peel it in small increments, as shown in this picture.  Then you can cut it up into whatever size you like and cook it.  You can cube it, boil then mash it like potatoes or roast it with carrots. Ooh... I wonder if scalloped rutabaga wit chicken or ham would be good?

ONWARD TO THE RECIPE!

Roasted Root Vegetables

First thing I would like to say is, that when you cut into the rutabaga, it kind of smells like fresh broccoli or cauliflower.  When cooked it's actually a nice subtle flavor, like potatoes.

2 1/2 cups peeled and cut-up root vegetables

1-2 Tbsp oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

Simple recipe, yeah?  I used rutabaga and carrot for my version, but you could add or substitute potatoes, turnips, or parsnips.  It makes a great fall/winter side dish, since it uses veggies that are in season.

Preheat the oven to 400°F/204°C/Gas Mark 6.  Cut your vegetables into matchsticks like shown.  This will ensure a short baking time.  Toss the vegetables in your oil of choice.  No, not motor oil, don't be cute.  Just whatever light flavored cooking oil type stuff you have will do.  Then season with salt and pepper to your taste.  I usually use about 1/8 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.  Bake for about 20 minutes or until the veggies are fork tender.

Days 29 & 30 - New Me's and Recipes

Day 29 was about taking a selfie that tells something about the person you're becoming.  I got randomly sick yesterday, and thus was NOT in a photogenic mood.  So I did it today.

Now, what you don't know is that there are a whole bunch of Peanut Butter Blossoms out in the kitchen.  I am eating an apple.  Thus, healthy eating/lifestyle choices being the theme of this photo!

Day 30 is posting a recipe!  I like talking about food.  I was surprised when going back through my blog posts and seeing I only have 4 or 5 recipes!  Simply not done I say!

Flash Fried Chicken

3 cups chicken broth

4 chicken breasts

Grapeseed oil

1 cup flour

1 Tbsp paprika

1 1/2 tsp celery salt

1 Tbsp pepper

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

                                                    1 1/2 cups milk

Heat chicken broth in saucepan over high heat to bring to a boil.  Add chicken and reduce to a simmer.  Boil chicken for 40 minutes.  Remove chicken, pat dry, and keep warm.  Mix all dry ingredients.  Coat chicken in milk then in dry mixture, shaking off any excess.  Heat oil in skillet or saucepan.  Fry chicken in enough hot oil to cover, for 30 seconds to 1 minute.  Serve chicken immediately.

By cooking the chicken first before coating, you are saving yourself a load of fat and calories you would otherwise ingest from normal fried chicken.  

Day Twenty-Eight - One Sentence Saturday

Today at KIOSB we're posting our word for 2014!

Action!  After much deliberation (and a lot of A and P words for some reason) I narrowed it down to Action.  With a capital A.  There are so many things in my life that can only improve by acting on them.  

Movement, following through with things, finishing, doing.  These are all a part of the theme that is action for me.  Wish me luck in this coming year!