Showing posts with label Totem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Totem. Show all posts

The Sunday Stir: May 15, 2016



A light read for your Pagan Sunday morning!

Meme of the Week:


https://www.facebook.com/InTheGrayMist/

In the News: Stories of Pagan interest from around the world


7 Crazy Historical Beliefs About Witches

Fairies, witches, spirits and Shakespeare - a guide to the folklore of the Clydach Gorge

Americans leaving religion, and turning to witchcraft

Witchcraft: Woman held for killing son, mother-in-law

Suspected witches die after drinking Pastor's holy water




Astrology

Monthly Horoscopes from Darkstar Astrology
Weekly Horoscopes from Tarot.com

Remember to get your Daily Magic Guide and Tarot Reading on the Facebook page each morning!





This Week's Totem: Coyote




Also known as the American jackal, brush wolf, or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It occurs as far north as Alaska and all but the northernmost portions of Canada. The coyote evolved in North America during the Pleistocene epoch 1.8 million years ago, alongside the now extinct dire wolf. It fills roughly the same ecological niche in the Americas that is filled in Eurasia and Africa by the similarly sized canids called jackals, among which the coyote is sometimes counted. Its closest living relative is the gray wolf.


The coyote is an amazingly adaptive animal. Native American lore is rich and plentiful where coyote is concerned.  Coyote is both creator and trickster. He is filled with magic, but it doesn't always work as intended. Therein lies the lesson- coyote always bring hidden wisdom with his trickster magic.

Those who carry coyote medicine are known to be pranksters, and like the coyote, they tend to get caught up in their own machinations. In many stories, coyote makes things more complicated than they have to be.

Coyote teaches the balance of wisdom and folly. These two go hand in hand. The ability to not take one's self too seriously is the epitome of coyote medicine.

Coyotes are very family-oriented, despite what television and theater would have us believe. We always see the coyote as a loner, when in fact, he has a very close-knit family unit. Many times, coyotes mate for life. The father is very conscientious and participate in the care and raising of young. Both parents train their young in hunting techniques.The male cares for his mate while she is pregnant, taking on the hunting and feeding of them both.  Those with coyote medicine are wonderful parents and care-givers.

When coyote shows up, it's time to ask yourself some questions. Am I taking myself too seriously? Have I forgotten that playtime is essential to good health? Am I over-complicating a situation? Is someone playing tricks on me? Am I tricking myself?

"Coyote is you, me, booby traps, jet airplanes with toilets that don't work, blind dates, and all the humorous and whimsical things we encounter along the way." ~Jamie Sams/David Carson "Animal Medicine Cards"

Coyote always brings laughter and groans. Learning to laugh at ourselves and find the wisdom in our folly is crucial to our survival.




Meditation Time




Today's meditation comes from Omnia. The song is called "Alive". Listen to the song and let the lyrics sink in...




Hot like the sun
Wet like the rain
Green like the leaves
Life is a game

Stars in my head
Shine Moon shine
Everything's cool
And I feel fine!

Can you touch
the root that feeds us?
Can you hear
the words that I say?
Can you feel
the music move you?
Can you feel alive today?

Vana Dea
dzjo Vana Dea
la Vana doh
aribedibodah
Vana Dea
dzjo Vana Dea
la Vana doh
aribedah

(Goddess Vana
Sweet vernal goddess)

Vana Dea
dzjo Vana Dea
la Vana doh
aribedibodah
Vana Dea
dzjo Vana Dea
la Vana doh
aribedah

Falledal do, falledal dea
falledal do, falledal da
falledal do, falledal dea

Ya Vana Dea ribeda

(Dance for Vana,
Hail goddess of spring)

Can you touch
the root that feeds us?
Can you hear
the words that I say?
Can you feel
the music move you?
Can you feel alive today?

Vana Dea
dzjo Vana Dea
la Vana doh
aribedibodah
Vana Dea
dzjo Vana Dea
la Vana doh
aribedah

(Goddess Vana
Sweet vernal goddess)

Vana Dea
dzjo Vana Dea
la Vana doh
aribedibodah
Vana Dea
dzjo Vana Dea
la Vana doh
aribedah

Falledal do, falledal dea
falledal do, falledal da
falledal do, falledal dea

Ya Vana Dea ribeda

Can you touch
the root that feeds us?
Can you hear
the words that I say?
Can you feel
the music move you?
Can you feel alive today?

Strong like the grass, tall like a tree
Free like the wind, eternally
Nothing to lose, nothing to gain
Just running wild, again and again and again...

Can you touch
the root that feeds us?
Can you hear
the words that I say?
Can you feel
the music move you?
Can you feel alive today?

Falledal do, falledal dea
falledal do, falledal da
falledal do, falledal dea

Ya Vana Dea ribeda

Bumblebees and blossom, only trees and me
Humble bees and blossom, only trees and me...







 Kallan is a writer, adventurer, bibliophile, and baking enthusiast who loves learning, science, religion, philosophy, geography, anthropology, politics, peppermint, her children and grandchildren, friends and  friends who are family, being outdoors, animals,  walking, hiking, and the earth. 


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The Sunday Stir: May 8, 2016

A light read for your Pagan Sunday morning!

Meme of the Week:



In the News: Stories of Pagan interest from around the world








I Became A Witch Because Of The Craft

“Witchcraft works like doping in sports”

Aboriginal Witchcraft

Astrology


 Monthly Horoscopes from Darkstar Astrology

 Having fun with Mercury Retrograde from Big Sky Astrology

 Weekly Horoscopes from Tarot.com
Remember to get your Daily Magic Guide and Tarot Reading on the Facebook page each morning!


Weekly Totem: Weasel

  Key words and phrases: Stealth, keen observation,    discretion, elegance, camouflage

 From "Medicine Cards" by Jamie Sams and David  Carson:
  "The chiefs sent Weasel to the enemy camp to smoke    them for power. 'What are the medicines of the enemy?'  the chiefs asked Weasel upon its return. 
 Weasel never failed to give an accurate account of  the enemy's numbers, strengths, and weaknesses. It  was Weasel who tearfully told the Original People of the coming of the white boat people. "These brothers have strange new medicines," said Weasel. "They will tell us that to live the way we do is wrong. They will confuse us with their talking bark. They have stolen thunder from Sky Father and placed it in their weapons. They have no respect for the animal brothers and sisters, and they make their thunder speak to the animals and kill them. They will make the thunder speak to us also. Their numbers are too many to count, and these white brothers will steal everything from us but our spirits. The great dark shadow of the ravenous bird of death has fallen over the People." 

Weasels in Nature

In order to understand a totem, one must study the animal as it is observed in nature.

Focusing on the ermine (short-tailed weasel, stoat), these creatures are native to both Eurasia and North America. Ermine inhabit open woodlands, brushy areas, grasslands, wetlands, and farmlands. They typically eat small mammals, including rabbits, chipmunks, voles, shrews, and mice. For those with this totem, it's a good idea to study the totems of these prey animals. Here, you may find your 'shadow totem', or aspects about yourself you may wish to "devour" or keep hidden.

The winter fur is very dense and silky, but quite closely lying and short, while the summer fur is rougher, shorter and sparse. In summer, the fur is sandy-brown on the back and head and a white below. Ermine moult twice a year. In spring, the moult is slow, starting from the forehead, across the back, toward the belly. In autumn, the moult is quicker, progressing in the reverse direction. The moult, initiated by photoperiod, starts earlier in autumn and later in spring at higher latitudes. In the stoat's northern range, it adopts a completely white coat (save for the black tail-tip) during the winter period. Differences in the winter and summer coats are less apparent in southern forms of the species.In the species' southern range, the coat remains brown, but is denser and sometimes paler than in summer. For those with this totem, you are flexible and able to adapt easily to your environment. You blend in easily, and enjoy the seasons equally.

The ermine does not dig its own burrows, instead using the burrows and nest chambers of the rodents it kills. The skins and underfur of rodent prey are used to line the nest chamber.  Ermine also inhabits old and rotting stumps, under tree roots, in heaps of brushwood, haystacks, in bog hummocks, in the cracks of vacant mud buildings, in rock piles, rock clefts, and even in magpie nests. Males and females typically live apart, but close to each other. For those with this totem, marriage may not be suitable to you, nor home ownership. 

The weasel is a usually silent animal, but can produce a range of sounds. Kits produce a fine chirping noise. Adults trill excitedly before mating, and indicate submission through quiet trilling, whining, and squealing. When nervous, they hiss, and will intersperse this with sharp barks or shrieks and prolonged screeching when aggressive.

Aggressive behavior in weasels include:
  • Noncontact approach, which is sometimes accompanied by a threat display and vocalization from the approached animal.
  • Forward thrust, accompanied by a sharp shriek, which is usually done when defending a nest or retreat site.
  • Nest occupation, when one appropriates the nesting site of a weaker individual.
  • Kleptoparasitism, in which a dominant stoat appropriates the kill of a weaker one, usually after a fight.
  • Submissive stoats express their status by avoiding higher-ranking animals, fleeing from them or making whining or squealing sounds.

For those with this totem, be aware of these behaviors and how they affect you and those around you.

Weasel as a Totem

The Spirit of Weasel teaches the benefit of quiet observation. You will act when the time is right. Weasel’s gift of stealth combined with the gift of observation offers you the power of being the proverbial “fly on the wall.” Weasel can sneak into situations unobserved then uncover the truth of the situation that remains hidden or ignored by everyone else.

Weasel uncovers the truth not in order to be right or even to be known as the revealer of truth. It is solely performed to facilitate healing and transformation. Living in an illusion blocks one from becoming whole and growing to meet his/her potential.

Weasel sharpens your intellect and enhances your mental and physical agility. A sign of material wealth, prosperity and luxury, the weasel favors quality and shuns cheap imitations.

Although independent by nature, the weasel can be a devoted spouse, and even more so, a parent.

This animal spirit brings blessings of happiness to families and intimate relationships, encouraging the joy of shared experiences, and strengthening deeper connections.



Meditation: Omnia


Here is Omnia's Pagan Folklore DVD courtesy of Youtube. Enjoy!





Sláinte!



   Kallan is a writer, adventurer, bibliophile, and baking enthusiast who    loves learning, science, religion, philosophy, geography, anthropology,    politics, peppermint, her children and grandchildren, friends and friends    who are family, being outdoors, animals,  walking, hiking, and the earth. 

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The Sunday Stir, Beltane Edition 2016

A light read for your Pagan Sunday morning!


"Beltane is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and it is associated with important events in Irish mythology. It marked the beginning of summer and was when cattle were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were performed to protect the cattle, crops and people, and to
encourage growth. Special bonfires were kindled, and their flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle would walk around the bonfire, or between two bonfires, and sometimes leap over flames or embers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire. Doors, windows, byres and the cattle themselves would be decorated with yellow May flowers, perhaps because they evoked fire. In parts of Ireland, people would make a May Bush; a thorn bush decorated with flowers, ribbons and bright shells. Holy wells were also visited, while Beltane dew was thought to bring beauty and maintain youthfulness. Many of these customs were part of May Day or Midsummer festivals in other parts of Great Britain and Europe." ~wikipedia

Recipes:
First stop is at Autumn Earthsong's site.
Autumn Earthsong's Beltane Recipes

Here are some other great sites:

The American Wiccan Beltane Recipes

Recipes for a Pagan Soul

Celtic Sprite's Beltane Recipes

Wicca 101 Beltane Recipes

Crafts:

Sacred Haven Coven's Beltane Crafts

About.com's May Day Crafts

Yahoo Voices: 5 Beltane Crafts

Everglades Moon Local Council: Make a Personal Maypole

Moon Muses Beltane Crafts


And, very soon, the Pooka Pages free magazine for Pagan kids will be out. click HERE for a link to the site.


For ritual ideas, the Roots of Ritual site has already compiled a pretty extensive list of links for you to peruse.

Of course, we'll have a fantastic Beltane craft for you, courtesy of Loren over at Saga's Cottage blog on Sunday, and our other Stew Chefs will talk much more about this fantastic celebration. If you celebrate it, what are some ideas you can share with others? Leave a comment and let me know about your festivities!

Blessings of Beltane to you and yours!

Sláinte,
Kallan



Meme of the Week:




In the News

‘Witchcraft courts’ settling disputes in traditional Congo

Beyonce Brings Wonderful Witchcraft, Healing Powers in 'Lemonade'

Two arrested for performing witchcraft

 Estonians – the nation of neo-Pagans?

Photo exhibition in Klaipėda explores Baltic pagan rites

Why Thousands Of Pagans Are Standing Up For The Environment

The Myth Of Secularism: A Primer For Pagans

Beltane 2016: Facts, History And Traditions Of The Pagan Festival

Pagan Interviews: Rhyd Wildermuth



Astrology










Totem: Stag


I am a stag: of seven tines" ~Song of Amergin

Key words and phrases:  Lord of the Forest, Masculinity, Regeneration, Guidance, Gentleness, Healing, Connection to the Earth and the Forest, Alertness, Psychic Power, Pride, Independence, Purification, Strength, Nobility

Representative of the horned god in Beltane, those who carry this totem have high ideals and aspirations They will not be deterred from their vision. They are thorough, patient and their persistence insures their triumphs. When others have long given up, Stags buck their way past boundaries. They are proud, and rightfully so – they hold themselves in a regal way. They believe in virtuous hard work, and their integrity is their trademark.If you're starting a new project, Stag can give you the help and stamina you need to see it through to fruition.

The stag, particularly in Celtic mythology, was a symbol of the wild god, strength, courage, fortitude, heroism and confidence. In many of the Irish heroic tales, the white stag was a message from the Otherworld, and a sign of victory.

Stag is the representative of high virtue and nobility of cause. If you wish to start something new, Stag can lend you his vision, fortitude, and stamina to keep going to see it through. Be warned: the Stag does not suffer fools, nor those who are not filled with integrity. Approach him with pride in your birthright, and with honor, always. It will be an unforgettable, rewarding experience.



Meditation: Beltane Celebration Edinburgh, Scotland 2015


For your Beltane viewing pleasure, here is last year's celebration in Edinburgh. This is on my bucket list.









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The Sunday Stir April 17, 2016

A light read for your Pagan Sunday morning! 



This Week's Meme:



In the News












Weekly Horoscopes






This Week's Totem: Hawk

In nearly every indigenous tradition where animal totems are honored, the hawk is a messenger from the Otherworld. In the tradition of the Northern Celts, hawk represents nobility, leadership, remembering who we are, and remarkable visionary gifts.

Key words and phrases: Spirit messages, connecting with ancestral heritage, preparing for battle or action, being aware of all that is happening around you.

In Nature

  • The family Falconidae, which includes the Hawks, the falcons, the vultures, the kites, and the eagles — all diurnal birds of prey — numbers about three hundred and fifty species of which between forty and fifty are found in North America. The remainder are distributed through-out the world.
  • Hawks vary in size depending on the species. Smallest hawk (American Kestrel) weighs only 4 ounces. Largest hawk (Ferruginous Hawk) weighs up to 5 pounds. Females are larger than males.
  • Hawks have excellent eyesight. They can see 8 times better than humans. Their eyesight is primarily used for hunting. Hawks can locate prey from a distance of 100 feet.
  • Unlike many animals, hawks are able to see different colors.
  • During the hunt, hawks can dive 150 miles per hour through the air. They are able to catch a prey both in the air and on the ground.
  • Hawks are opportunistic feeders; they hunt and eat whatever is available. Mostly, they hunt frogs, insects, squirrels, rats, snakes, rabbits and smaller birds.
  • Hawks are monogamous animals (one couple mate for a lifetime). In the case that one partner dies, the survivor will find another mating partner.They perform a spectacular dance in the air as part of their mating ritual.  The male performs series of acrobatics in the air that may last up to 10 minutes.
  • The average lifespan of a hawk is between 13 and 20 years in the wild. Hawks live over 20 years in captivity.


Hawk as a Totem

Those who carry hawk as a totem are messengers and visionaries. They are able to walk between the worlds easily. Hawk people are very optimistic, but also very perceptive. They can see into the souls of others, and may seem to be overly direct in sharing their observations. They also tend to be very protective of those who are close to them. Typically, you always know where you stand with a hawk-person, as they are loyal, honest, and trustworthy. Engineers, teachers, inventors, writers and artists are common occupations for those who claim the hawk as their guide.

Hawk's Message

Hawk asks you to look within and without, see the bigger picture and to take courage to follow your true path.

With Hawk's keen sight, the message is to keep a weather eye out on your life. Fly higher to see the overall picture, because there are details you may be missing. Hawk is a totem of action as well. If you've been procrastinating on a project or dream, call upon Hawk to assist you in taking action.

Now is the time. It may be time to claim your birthright and honor your ancestors. Or, perhaps you know that it's time to stand up for yourself or others- if so, it's time to prepare yourself for the battle ahead. Take a 360 degree look at your life and the plans/dreams/hopes you have. Ask yourself: Am I lacking confidence? Am I allowing worry (the fear of loss) to dominate my life? Am I hesitating or procrastinating somewhere? Have I been acting too rashly without seeing the bigger picture?

Hawk can help you see what needs to be fixed and give you the tools to take proper action. Hawk awakens our vision and inspires us to create our lives according to our purpose or path in life. Pay close attention to the messages coming from the natural and spirit world at this time.

Want to learn more about your own totems? Order a Medicine Wheel Report today!



Eating with the Seasons: Spinach


History

It is thought that spinach was first cultivated in southwest Asia.  Trade routes through the Middle East took it to North Africa, from where it was introduced to Europe by the Moors by the twelfth century.

A cookbook belonging to King Richard II demonstrates that spinach was grown in England in the fourteenth century.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a flowering plant belonging to the family Amaranthaceae.

Tips


Buying
Spinach has a high water content and so reduces to around a quarter of its size when cooked.  Buy lots.

Storing
Keep in a plastic bag in the fridge for three to four days.

 Preparing
Give leaves a good wash in a sinkful of lukewarm water to remove any traces of grit (if bought from a farmers' market) or chemicals (if bought from a supermarket), changing the water two or three times.  Drain, or dry in a salad spinner if the leaves are to be eaten raw.  Cut out any thick stems.

Spinach can be steamed in the water clinging to the leaves after washing.  Give them 5 to 10 minutes in a large saucepan on a moderate heat. Sauteeing and microwaving are also good cooking methods.

Raw spinach is excellent in salads and, like watercress, has a natural affinity with bacon.  Spinach also pairs beautifully with smoked haddock and with cheese, especially feta-style.



Nutrition Facts

Spinach is store house for many phyto-nutrients that have health promotional and disease prevention properties.

Very low in calories and fats (100 g of raw leaves provide just 23 calories). Its leaves hold good amount of soluble dietary fiber and no wonder green spinach is one of the finest vegetable sources recommended in cholesterol controlling and weight reduction programs by dieticians!

Fresh 100 g of spinach contains about 25% of daily intake of iron; one of the richest among green leafy vegetables. Iron is an important trace element required by the human body for red blood cell production and as a co-factor for oxidation-reduction enzyme, cytochrome-oxidase during the cellular metabolism.

Fresh leaves are rich source of several vital anti-oxidant vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, and flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zea-xanthin and beta-carotene. Together, these compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a healing role in aging and various disease processes.

Zea-xanthin, an important dietary carotenoid, is selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea in the eyes where it thought to provide antioxidant and protective light-filtering functions. It thus, helps protect from "age-related macular related macular disease" (ARMD), especially in the elderly.

In addition, vitamin A is required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is essential for normal eye-sight. Consumption of natural vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin A and flavonoids also known to help the body protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Spinach leaves are an excellent source of vitamin K. 100 g of fresh greens provides 402% of daily vitamin-K requirements. Vitamin K plays a vital role in strengthening the bone mass by promoting osteotrophic (bone building) activity in the bone. Additionally, it also has established role in patients with Alzheimer's disease by limiting neuronal damage in the brain.

This green leafy vegetable also contains good amounts of many B-complex vitamins such as vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine), thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin, folates and niacin. Folates help prevent neural tube defects in the offspring.

100 g of farm fresh spinach has 47% of daily recommended levels of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful oxygen-free radicals.

Its leaves also contain a good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, magnesium, copper and zinc. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese and copper are used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Zinc is a co-factor for many enzymes that regulate growth and development, sperm generation, digestion and nucleic acid synthesis.

It is also good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Regular consumption of spinach in the diet helps prevent osteoporosis (weakness of bones), iron-deficiency anemia. Moreover, its soft leaves are believed to protect human body from cardiovascular diseases and cancers of colon and prostate.


Recipe

Parmesan Spinach Cakes


Ingredients
12 ounces fresh spinach
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese, or low-fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
2 large eggs, beaten
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper


Preparation
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Pulse spinach in three batches in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add ricotta (or cottage cheese), Parmesan, eggs, garlic, salt and pepper; stir to combine.
Coat 8 cups of the muffin pan with coconut oil or grass-fed butter. Divide the spinach mixture among the 8 cups (they will be very full).

Bake the spinach cakes until set, about 20 minutes. Let stand in the pan for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges with a knife and turn out onto a clean cutting board or large plate. Serve warm, sprinkled with more Parmesan, if desired.

Magical Applications of Spinach

Mostly used in kitchen witchery, spinach is a child of both Earth and Jupiter, therefore it can assist in attracting prosperity/money, spiritual strength, physical well-being, and protection.



Meditation Time

Here is your weekly meditation video. Relax and enjoy this super stress-reliever.






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The Sunday Stir

A light read for your Pagan Sunday morning!

Remember to tune in tomorrow for the Monday Meditation, and all week long on the Facebook page for articles, memes, and your Daily Magic Guides and Tarot Readings!



In the News
















Weekly Horoscope

Tarot.com April 11-17




This Week's Totem: Eagle


Key words and phrases: Swiftness, Strength, Courage, Second Sight, Connection to Great Spirit, Knowledge of Magic, Higher Truth, Dignity with Grace, Healing and the Ability to See the Bigger Picture.

In ancient Greece, Eagle was associated with Zeus, who shape-shifted into one to see the greater picture of things. In the indigenous Nations of North America, Eagle is generally seen as the connector to the Great Spirit, and is sometimes considered to be the Thunderbird. In ancient Gaelic tribes, Eagle was called "Suil-na-Greine" or "Eye of the Sun."

Eagle represents the power of and connection to the Great Spirit (God, Goddess, whatever you wish to call that which you see as 'divine') or Mystery. It's the ability to stay both in this world and strongly attached to the realm of Spirit.

Eagle's message is to soar above the mundane and view things from a larger perspective. If you've been too caught up in the day-to-day irritations of life, or are taking things personally, it's time to disconnect from those emotions and reconnect with the element of Air (mental plane). See how all of the pieces you've been viewing myopically are placed together in the puzzle that is your life (Wyrd, Imramma, Destiny). Connect to that which is greater than yourself and cut the ties to that which binds and prevents you from flying free.

All eagles are renowned for their excellent eyesight. Those who carry Eagle medicine tend to be both clairaudient and clairvoyant.


Water is an important source of sustenance for eagles. Those with this totem will feel a strong need to live near water, mainly a fresh water source.

Eagles are considered messengers from heaven and the spirit of the sun. They are also symbols of rediscovering the inner child. Three is a sacred number for those with this medicine. Three represents new birth and creativity. A study in alchemy is also recommended for those who have eagle as a totem.



Eating with the Seasons: Oranges


History- Oranges are thought to have their origin in a sour fruit growing wild in the region of South West China and North East India as early as 2,500 BC. For thousands of years these bitter oranges were used mainly for their scent, rather than their eating qualities.

The Romans brought the fruit to Europe and later oranges were spread to Spain by the Moorish conquests in the eight and ninth centuries. The sweet orange familiar to us today probably developed somewhat later.

The fruit arrived in Central America with Columbus in 1493 and soon afterwards the Portuguese introduced them to Brazil. Sweet oranges imported from Portugal were enjoyed by wealthy Britons in the late sixteenth century.

Oranges are now an important crop in warm climates around the world, most notably Brazil, USA, Spain, North and South Africa, Israel and Australia.

Note: The color 'orange' was named after the fruit. The word's origin is in Sanskrit, "naranga" which means, "fragrant". 

Tips


Buying
Choose oranges that are firm and feel heavy (weightier oranges are juicier). Very large fruit can sometimes be less sweet and concentrated in flavour. Skin color is not indicative of quality - untreated ripe oranges are often pale orange or greenish but those sold in supermarkets may be treated with ethylene (to break down the green chlorophyll) and then colored with orange dye.

The vast majority of commercial oranges (Sevilles apart) are treated with a wax polish that may have deleterious health effects. If using the rind, try to find unwaxed (and ideally organic) oranges.

Storing
Oranges in the shops today may have been picked anything from a few days to a few weeks earlier. Most will keep for a couple of weeks at room temperature.

Preparing
If juicing, roll on a flat surface first to set loose the juice. If using the zest, scrub the skin thoroughly.

Nutrition Facts: On average, an orange has about 47 calories. It is 87% water, has 0.9 grams of protein, 11.8g carbs, 9.4g sugar, 2.4g fiber, and 0.1g fat.


Health Benefits: 
As a good source of antioxidants and fiber, oranges may cut the risk of heart disease.
Being a rich source of citric acid and citrates, oranges may help prevent kidney stone formation.
Eating whole oranges is generally healthier than drinking orange juice. Fruit juices tend to be high in sugar, and not as filling as whole fruit.


Note: Some people are allergic to oranges, and their acidity may increase symptoms of heartburn.

Recipe


Orange Earl Grey Tea

Get a little pick-me-up with this orange-infused Earl Grey iced tea. Tea is rich in a class of antioxidants called flavonoids that may help reduce your risk of Alzheimer's and diabetes, plus help you have healthier teeth and gums and stronger bones. You can help preserve the flavonoids in iced tea by adding something acidic—like the orange juice in this recipe.

1/4 cup loose Earl Grey tea, or 12 Earl Grey tea bags
Peel of 1 orange, plus orange wedges for garnish
4 cups boiling water
3/4 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed recommended)
1/2 cup raw honey (1/4c sugar as a substitute)
4 cups cold water

Steep loose tea (or tea bags) and orange peel in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes.
Strain the tea (or remove tea bags and orange peel) and pour into a large pitcher and add honey while still warm. Stir in orange juice. Add cold water. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours. Serve over ice with orange wedges.

More recipes:





Magical Applications for Oranges

Bitter Orange (Neroli fruit)

"The high-energy scent of oranges is said to communicate the joy of angels to human beings. Orange peel is great for embodying the Sun in a mixture, whether potpourri, tea, sachet, charm, etc. Like the Sun, orange peel lifts those who are down, helps the confused find direction, and gives new life to spiritual yearnings." ~Alchemy Works


Neroli Oil: an essential oil produced from the blossom of the bitter orange tree . Its scent is sweet, honeyed, and somewhat metallic with green and spicy facets. Orange blossom is also extracted from the same blossom and both extracts are extensively used in perfumery. Orange blossom can be described as smelling sweeter, warmer and more floral than neroli. The difference between how neroli and orange blossom smell and why they are referred to with different names, is a result of the process of extraction that is used to obtain the oil from the blooms. Neroli is extracted by steam distillation and orange blossom is extracted via a process of enfleurage.

Neroli correspondences: Joy, happiness, self-purification, and transformation. Also used in some sex-magic rites.



Meditation Time


Here is your weekly meditation video. This week, it's Loreena Mckennitt's "The Mystic's Dream".
Relax and get situated. Enjoy!




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The Sunday Stir

A light read for your Pagan Sunday morning!

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Meme of the Week:


Found at Witches of the Craft




Eating with the Seasons: Artichoke


Witches like to eat; no doubt about it. In this series, we look to eating with nature and what's in season.

Cardoon
This week, we'll delve into the artful artichoke. This baby developed from the cardoon and is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean region. As a member of the thistle family, there are references to it being grown in Italy and Sicily from around 300 B.C. In the ninth century, it was being cultivated by the Moors in southern Spain. It is thought to have been introduced to England in the sixteenth century, although it has never made much of an impact on British cuisine. Cynar, an artichoke-based spirit, is a popular aperitif in Italy.

The artichoke isn't a food to choose when you need a fast food fix (unless you're looking for a quick snack of marinated artichoke hearts!). It's a slow food over which you'll want to linger. Patience shown in preparation and eating is ultimately rewarded by the subtly flavored leaves and the mouthwatering artichoke heart. You can serve artichoke as a dish in its own right, with a bowl of vinaigrette or lemon butter for dipping, or adding something special to a salad, pasta sauce or pizza topping.

Cooking tip: Iron, copper or aluminium cookware will cause artichokes to oxidize and discolor. If you're really a stickler for color, use stainless steel, glass, or ceramic pans to cook them.

Traditional Artichoke Recipe:

Place trimmed artichokes stem end down in a large pot of boiling water to which the juice of half a lemon has been added. It may be useful to place a colander, sieve, or other device over the pan to keep the artichokes submerged. Cooking time will be somewhere between 20 and 45 minutes depending on size. Artichokes are cooked when you can easily pull out an inner leaf and the stem is tender. Stand the artichoke stem side up in a sieve to drain and cool. If eating with a dipping sauce, artichoke is best served just warm.

Artichokes can also be grilled or barbecued. Cut in half lengthwise, remove the fuzzy, silky choke from the center (remember it's in the thistle family!), rub with olive oil and grill on a moderate-to-low heat until the base is tender - around 30 minutes.

How to eat it: Pull off a leaf, dip (in hollandaise, lemon butter, mayonnaise, or vinaigrette), scrape the tender portion from the base of each leaf with your teeth and discard the tougher portion. Repeat until all leaves have been dispatched (smaller, thinner leaves may be ignored). When you reach the artichoke heart (cut away the choke if this wasn't done before cooking) eat it with a knife and fork.

Here's a quick video on how to do it right and impress your dates/friends:




Nutrition facts:

1 cup of artichoke hearts has more antioxidants than a cup of cranberries!


Artichokes are great for digestion. 

  • 1 cooked artichoke (120 grams) gives you nearly half of your daily recommended fiber content!
  • German doctors have recommended artichoke leaves for years, due to a  compound found in artichokes called cynarin, which has been shown to increase the production of bile, helping to speed up the movement of food and waste through the intestines and reduce feelings of bloating.
  • One of the major sources of fiber found in artichokes is inulin, which is a prebiotic.  Prebiotics can increase the proportion of probiotics or ‘good bacteria’ in the gut.
Artichokes are known to lower cholesterol, help with cognitive brain function (vitamin K), help lower blood pressure, optimize metabolism (high in manganese), and protect against free-radicals!

This is one amazing plant!

Want more recipes?

http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-artichoke-heart-kale-ri-142441

http://www.oceanmist.com/recipes/easy-baked-artichokes/

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/57899/grilled-garlic-artichokes/

http://toriavey.com/how-to/2013/07/how-to-grill-artichokes/

Magical Uses for Artichoke Thistle

Artichoke Thistle is a plant of Jupiter and Mars. As such, it is an ideal choice for clearing the toxins of anger and resentment. It can wash those old blockages away and helps the user to rise above and find his or her own power again, unbound by lingering negative feelings about the past, which prevent the individual from moving forward.

Here is some fantastic information from Alchemy Works. You can also purchase seeds from them on the page.

Note: If you are allergic to thistle or anything in the daisy family, this is not the plant for you. Caution when touching- it is known to cause dermatitis in those with sensitive skin. It is recommended that you use gardening gloves when working with this plant.



Weekly Horoscope


April 4-10 from Tarot.com


Your Daily Magic Guides and Tarot Readings are available each day at The Secret Life of the American Witch Facebook Page. Be sure to Like/See First and Share!

Totem


Swan


Key Words: Grace, Beauty, Self-empowerment, Transformation

The Swan is one of the most powerful and ancient of totems. It is found in nearly every indigenous culture’s totemic line-up. You may have read Hans Christian Andersen's tale, "The Ugly Duckling", but did you know that it's a prevalent tale in many cultures?

In Native American mythology, there is a story of how Swan (as an ugly duckling) meets with Dragonfly (the keeper of dreamtime mystery) and asks for entrance into the Dreamtime. She tells Dragonfly that she is willing to submit to whatever plan The Mystery has for her. He takes pity on the poor ugly creature, and allows her to enter the Dreaming Lands. Several days later, he encounters Swan again, but she is now one of the strongest, most beautiful creatures he has ever seen. He asks her what happened, and she tells him that because she was willing to submit to the flow of the currents of the Dreamtime River, and was willing to see the beauty in all things that shaped her, her form was changed.

The Swan was sacred not only to the Druids, who saw it as representing the soul, and thought it able to travel between the mortal realm and the Otherworld, but also to the Bards. In ancient Ireland, the bards were very highly esteemed in society, and as a mark of their privileged position, they would wear a special ceremonial cloak. It was called a tuigen, and was made of songbird feathers, but the neck, or cowl, would be composed of the skin and feathers of a swan.

In Irish mythology, swans are usually depicted as shape-shifters, capable of transforming into human and bird form at will. They could be distinguished from normal  swans by the gold or silver chain which hung about their necks.

Swans in Nature

Swans feed in the water and on land. They are almost entirely herbivorous, although they may eat small amounts of aquatic animals.

Swans beaks have serrated edges that enable them to tear at the aquatic plants and algae they love to eat, but they will occasionally also consume molluscs, small fish, frogs and worms.

Swans are capable of drinking saltwater. An unusual gland located beneath the skin near their eyes extracts salt from their bloodstream, concentrates it into a liquid, and removes it from the body by expelling it from the nares, the holes in the bill.

Swans normally mate for life. The male swan is the only bird in nature known to have a penis. The male is extremely attentive to and protective over his family.

Some swans have a wingspan of nearly 10 feet. Their wings are extremely strong (they could beat a man to death, easily).  Swans can fly as fast as 60 mph.

The Mute Swan is actually the most vocal of all species. They have 8 different sounds in their repertoire.

They are not known to be aggressive toward humans, and actually can remember the face of those who have been kind to them in the past.

Swan Totem

Swan’s message is that it's time you began realizing your own true beauty and recognizing your power from within. A Swan totem heralds a time of altered states of awareness and the development of intuitive abilities.

Swan people have the ability to see the future, and have a great aptitude for ‘going with the flow’.   They can adapt to changes in their lives with grace and dignity. They are extremely intuitive and have strong psychic abilities. They know who is calling when the phone rings. They are strong (a swan can beat a man to death with his/her wings) and beautiful. Some are silent, some sing beautiful songs. They tend to attract people easily, although most prefer smaller groups.

Swan encourages you to discover your strength and beauty from within. All of the events and situations that have transpired in your life have shaped you into who you are today. This is cause for celebration and not despair. Embrace your unique beauty, skills and gifts and allow the current of Dreamtime to work its magic to transform you.

Want to learn more about your personal totems? Try a Medicine Wheel Report!


Now, take a moment and just relax. You deserve it!



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