Saturday, June 21, 2008

Happy Summer Solstice!

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Summer Solstice, sometimes known as Midsummer, Litha, or St. John's Day, occurs in the middle of June. It is a celebration of the longest day of the year and the beginning of Summer. It has been a grand tribal gathering time since ancient times. The Goddess manifests as Mother Earth and the God as the Sun King.

All throughout the ages you will find rituals, spells, and magick! Women and men alike have invoked the forces of nature to enhance their lives and empower themselves. The roots of magick predate recorded history. History shows us that all Pre-Christian civilizations, regardless of their cultural landscapes, practiced “Magick”. It was time when humanity exsisted in harmony with God, the Elemental Forces of Nature and the Universe. Today magick is perceived as an archaic worldview, a form of superstition lacking the intrinsic spiritual value of religion or the rational logic of science.
Ancient cultures had wise women that were honored and respected in the community. They The wise women and men of Ancient cultures were an integral part of the community.They were the healers, the midwives, medicine men, the spiritual advisors, the priests and priestesses. Eventually these beloved and respected Sages and Mystics became transformed into the evil creatures that we think of when we hear the word witch.

Looking back you’ll find a violent history that aimed to exterminate these “heretics”. Any act of naturopathic healing, herbalism, pagan rites, etc. were now interpreted as sinister and the practitioner accused of consorting with the devil. In the story of Creation written in the Book of Genesis, it was Eve, the female who bears responsibility for the fall of mankind. Once revered symbols, the goddess (Feminine Divine), the tree (The Tree of Life) and the serpent (Kundalini-Life Force Energy) would soon come to represent evil.

It is no surprise that modern society still perpetuates misogynist thought. Women around the world are still fighting for equal rights. It is no surprise that in pursuit of technological and scientific advancement, we are destroying the very ecosystem that sustains us. Joni Mitchell said it best...”We are stardust, We are golden, And we've got to get ourselves back to the garden”.

Visionaries throughout the ages have created music, art and literature reflecting man’s quest for Truth. Knights in shining armor searching for the Holy Grail, Young maidens lost in dark forests, trying to find their way “Home”. No tale would be complete without some evil force trying to obstruct their path! Myths, Fables, Folklore, and Fairytales throughout time have masqueraded as mere children’s fantasies, dreams. Luckily some of us were reading the TRUTH between the lines.

The Neo-Folk movement is keeping the “Magick” alive...and I’m excited to be a part of it! The time is growing near! Reclaim your crown and raise your glass to the Golden Age! Cheers!

Golden Age Libation
(Dandelion Wine)

2 quarts dandelion flowers
3 pounds sugar
1 ounce yeast
1 lemon
1 orange
1 gallon boiling water

Pick the dandelions on a sunny day. Pick just the heads until you have two quart jugs full. Wash flowers and put into a large bowl. Slice orange, lemon thinly and add to the flower heads. Pour boiling water on top of them, stir well. Cover bowl, leave for ten days, no more. Strain liquid into another bowl, stir in the 3 pounds sugar. Spread the yeast on a piece of toast, and float on top. Cover the bowl and leave for another 3 days. Remove the toast, strain again, and bottle. Cork loosely at first. The wine will be ready to drink in 3 months.

Eye Candy Award!

I'm honored to announce that I received a blog award from Jo James, an AMAZING doll maker and blogger pal! Thanks Jo!!! So now to spread the love. My favorite Eye Candy Blogs as of late are:

Phantasmaphile (I can't get enough!)

my love for you is a stampede of horses (I'm addicted!)

Kaleidoscope Eyes (Delish!)

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Sunday, June 1, 2008

Shop Update, Ect...

Gosh it's been a while! I've been so busy...so many changes, but I won't go into any of that right now! I'll be back blogging on a regular basis soon as I sort through some of the chaos I'm currently experiencing. I've added a couple of really cool items to my Etsy shop. Check out this amazing Antique Mandragora (aka Mandrake) Apothecary Jar! A must have for any Witchy Woman, Herbalist, or collector of strange medical antiques!

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I've also added the second Witchy Taxidermy Raven Claw necklace. The last one I posted sold immediatly so don't sleep on it. I will only have one more after this. Taxidermy raven claws don't grow on trees ya know!

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The girl who bought the first claw asked about it's origin after she received it and wrote "the raven claw is simply breathtaking (tell me, do you know if it came from a raven or a crow? where did the specimen come from?)" So if any of you are curious too I wrote "The claw was found here in my local Humboldt Park, Chicago (207 acre urban sanctuary) home to many wonderful creatures. I found two different specimens actually...one looked as if had been eaten mostly, the raccoons I'm guessing. And the other, quite flattened. I'm gross and salvaged what I could...always looking for a good skull! I'm not sure if they are from Raven or Crow for sure...but I beleive it is from the common raven due to it's size, a very large bird!" So there you have it! Have a lovely week everyone! xo Lavona