Cooking For The Sabbats ~ Crafty's Abundant Love Fruit Salad Spell Recipe ~ Litha & Midsummer Solstice Recipes ~

-Sabbat Cooking-
Litha & Midsummer Solstice Recipes

Litha is the celebration of the summer solstice, also known as Midsummer

- and what is a Sabbat celebration without food?

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Take advantage of the summer crops of fruit and vegetables,

and prepare a delicious feast for your Midsummer gatherings.

*

I have collected so many wonderful Sabbat Recipes

-and I have enjoyed them so much,

that I would like to share them with you.

I hope that they are well loved by you & your family.

*

This Recipe Spell is one that I created myself,

and have used for various purposes with great success.

It is a Crafty Chick Original.

Enjoy!

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Crafty's Abundance of Love

Fruit Salad Recipe & Spell
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By the time of the Summer Solstice, there is an abundance of ripening fruits, vegetables and herbs to utilise for our Midsummer Craftwork. This spell contains common foods that are easy to come by- whether you grow them yourself, or purchase your ingredients from the local market.
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I incorporated these specific ingredients for their magickal correspondences, symbolism, and uses- but feel free to substitute your own. Just make sure that you understand why you are using a particular ingredient- and that its symbolism makes sense to you.

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Likewise, if one of my suggested ingredients doesn't jive with you magickal sensibilities- use what does. A Crafty Witch trusts her own intuition, and can usually find several uses for any object; and several objects for any use. Also, feel free to adapt the magickal purpose of this spell to suit your own needs.

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For this particular Litha Abundance Fruit Salad Spell, I have chosen to work the spell for an Abundance of Love in my Life. This is in keeping with the Midsummer symbolism of the Marriage Of The God & Goddess, and the ripening pregnancy of the Goddess, after Her mating with the God at Beltane. Likewise, it corresponds to the season of summer- the peak of the agricultural year.
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Abundance comes in many forms. You can easily work this spell to work for Financial Prosperity & Abundance; Abundance of Love or Friendship; Abundance & Success in Your Career; An Abundance Of Harmony in your Life & Home; An Abundance of Good Fortune for You & Your Family; the list is nearly endless. *

And, because there are so many possible fruits & ingredients to incorporate into a fruit salad, it is simply a matter of doing your Witchy homework to find one's that correspond to your current magickal need. Indeed, many of the ingredients in this particular spell recipe have countless other correspondencs and magickal uses. *

The ingredients in this salad are all sweet, summer fruits that speak to me of love and abundance; through their flavors and colors, shapes, textures and symbolism. (In order to edit this post for length- the magical uses and meanings for each ingredient are in a post of their own, following this one.) *

The golden yellow, orange and red fruits tie the ingredients in to this Midsummer Solstice Sabbat; and the green fruits are both representative of the abundance of growth in the Summertime; as well as sacred to Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty. *

You can choose to use any or all of these, or other fruits that hold symbolic meaning to your own magickal purposes.

Ingredients:

Honeydew Melon * the empty rind can be used as a bowl to serve the fruit salad

Apples

Bananas

Cherries

Red Grapes

Watermelon

Oranges

Strawberries

Raspberries

Kiwi

Pineapple

Sweetened, Sredded Coconut

Cinnamon

* 1/2 tspn (mix well throughout the fruit)

Honey *1-2Tbsp- enough to create a very light coating of the fruits. This will mix with their natural juices. * *Mix these next ingredients separately in a bowl* *

Vanilla *2-3 tspns- (to taste)

Cinnamon * 1-2 tspns (to taste)

CoolWhip

Mint * can be used as a garnish; or finely chopped and mixed throughout the salad

~Wash, peel, slice & cut all of the fruits.

~As you prepare each ingredient, focus your energy on imbuing each with the energy of their desired purpose for your spell. Actually visualise the energy as a white, or appropriately colored light around the object. Then 'see' that light grow intensely bright, and then merge with the natural energy of the object. (This takes about 20-30 seconds for each.)

~Once all of your ingredients are prepared, and charged with their magickal intents; add the ingredients to the bowl, one at a time, in the order of the spell. (*Add only the fruits,honey & cinnamon at this point*) As you do this, chant the appropriate line of the spell for each ingredient.

Fruit of love, impart your essence to me

Bring into my life, that abundant love that I seek.

Rosy, red fruits, draw love, romance and passion to me.

Orange fruits of the Sun, create happiness, honesty and fidelity.

Yellow fruits, enhance clear & open communication, and mental clarity.

Green fruits of Venus, increase the feelings of beauty, love and sensuality.

Cinnamon: Brown, spice of the Sun, of passion and fire. Empower these fruits, to bring about the abundant love I desire

Honey: Sticky, sweet golden substance of the bees, impart to me happiness, partnership, and fertility.

Mint:
Sweet, green herb of Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love;
bring to me abundant love blessed by the Gods above.

~When all are added to the bowl, hold your hands over the bowl. Ask for the blessing of the God and Goddess (if you like); the energies of the Elements, the Earth, Sun (or if at night- the Moon & Stars) and the helpful energies of all beneficial Planetary alignments; as well as your chosen Otherworldly entities to assist you in this work.

~Focus on your desired outcome, and begin to rub your hands together briskly, while visualising the energy between them growing very strong. (This is the natural energy that comes from within you.) See this energy pour from your hands, and mingle itself with the natural, magickal energies inherent in each ingredient. Depending on your chosen path- you can also visualise the addition of the energies of the God & Goddess/ and any other Angels or Spirit Helpers. Finish this by visualising all energies absorb into the bowl of fruit.

~Set this finished fruit salad aside; while you make the fruit dip. ~Carefully fold the Vanilla and Cinnamon into the Cool Whip (being carefull not to overmix). ~This can then be folded into the fruit salad, as a dressing (*best if you plan to srve the salad within the hour...otherwise, save this step untill right before serving*); or can be served alongside of the salad, as a fruit dip. It is *delicious* both ways. This is a definite party pleaser- and people are sure to ask you for the fruit dip/dressing recipe!

~Serve this Abundance of Love Fruit Salad at your Midsummer Sabbat Celebration, or for any occasion.

Enjoy! ~Danae <(:o)

Magick of Fruit ~ Crafty's Abundant Love Fruit Salad Fruit Meanings

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The ingredients in this Abundant Love Fruit Salad spell recipe
are all sweet, summer fruits
that speak to me of love and abundance
through their flavors and colors, shapes, textures and symbolism.
*
The golden yellow, orange and red fruits
tie these ingredients in to this Midsummer Solstice Sabbat;
and the green fruits
are representative of both the abundance of growth in the Summertime;
as well as sacred to Venus the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty.
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You can choose to use any or all of these,
or any other fruits that hold meaning to your magickal purposes.
*
And, because there are so many possible fruits
& ingredients to incorporate into a fruit salad spell,
it is simply a matter of doing your Witchy homework
to find one's that correspond to your current magickal need.
*
Indeed, many of the ingredients in this particular spell recipe have countless other correspondences and magickal uses.
*
Ingredients:*
Honeydew Melon: The pale green color of this melon corresponds to the green of Venus;
and as such, represents love and beauty. Its mild, sweet flavor symbolises innocence, fidelity, friendship and kindness; while its shape and size, as well as prolific inner 'womb' of seeds speak of fertility, as well as abundance in love. As a bonus, you can choose to use the hollowed rind of the melon as a bowl in which to serve the fruit salad.
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Apples: Called The Fruit of Love and Magick, Apples are a widely accepted symbol of love & fertility magick. They are used in spells for optimism, inner beauty, youthfulness, and are possibly the most used fruit in divnation. The pattern of the pentacle can be found formed by the seeds inside of the apple. The apple is sacred to many Mid Summer Deities- such as, Lugh- The Sun God of the Celts, Pomona- The Norse Goddess, Keeper of the Apples of Immortality; Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love; Hera, the Greek Patron Goddess of Marriage and Fidelity; and King Aurthur, the Celtic Oak/Sun King. The mythic Avalon is called the "Isle of Apples".
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Bananas: These bright yellow, phallic shaped fruits are full of love, sexuality and fertility symbolism. The act of peeling them brings to mind the overflowing abundance of love that I seek to bring about through this spell. Their sweet flavor corresponds to the sweet side of love, and romantic relationships. The softness of their meat, reminds us to be malleable and forgiving in our love relationships- and can be used to soothe angry feelings after a fight.
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Cherries: Bright, passionate, red fruits that come in pairs, and threesomes(!) on a single stem, are the perfect symbolism of love, romantic relationships, partnership and marriage. They have long been used to bring new love, and increase divinatory abilities. Just look at how cherries have become a modern symbol of both romantic & sexual love- that's some strong stuff to work with! (But then I may be a little biased, because cherries are a favorite of mine.)
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Red Grapes: Sharply sweet and tangy, little grapes are the bearers of a good time... think wine. These were a favorite of Dionysus, Pan and Zeus for a reason. Grapes, especially deep red and purple ones, implicate luxury, abundance, wealth and hedonism. They can be useful for sexual encounters of all kinds; and help to overcome inhibitions.
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Watermelon: Red, sweet and juicy watermelon elicits feelings of sensuality, passion, and romantic love. This is a fruit to feed your lover. Full of juice and seeds, it is a fruit of powerful fertility magick; as well as to women who are already pregnant, or nursing.
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Oranges: Juicy, bright orange fruits that seem to capture the very essence of the Sun, oranges, called Love Fruits, are commonly used in spells to promote attraction & love, are beneficial for marriage and relationship spells, to promote fidelity, restore trust, increase confidence and self-esteem, hope, joy and happiness. (Oranges are great in spells to overcome heartache and depression!) They are used in spells to make one attractive and irresistible to others; as well as for abundance, success and prosperity. All oranges can be used for fertility magick, but navel oranges are especially powerful.
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Strawberries: Sweet, red strawberries are often used in spells for innocent love, friendship and happiness; as well as bringing out the sweetness in a person or situation. On the other hand, the luscious strawberry is a well known aphrodisiac, and can be used to stimulate deeply passionate, and sensual love relationships. As with all magick, the outcome is set by the intention.
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Raspberries: Sweet and tangy raspberries have much of the same love symbolism of strawberries- with a few minor twists. Their tangy flavor adds passion and sexuality to romantic love relationships. Their clustered shape fosters togetherness and teamwork to partnerships. The bowl like, womb shape of the raspberry is representative of female fertility; and can be used in spells involving conception.
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Kiwi: The green kiwi is a very feminine Venus fruit, and as such increases feelings of love, beauty and attraction. Its sweetness adds that quality to the desired love relationship; and as a bonus, the many black seeds inside the fruit represent the abundance that this spell is working for.
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Pineapple Chunks: These tart, golden fruits are the perfect representation of sunshine, attraction, growth, success, abundance, happiness, friendship and love. These tangy, yellow fruits are wonderful in spells to increase friendly conversation, eases nerves in tense situations, and can be useful in negotiations of all kinds.
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Shredded, Sweetened Coconut: The coconut is a perfect play in opposites. Its' sweet, white, milky insides are hidden by a nearly inpenatrable, hard and hairy exterior. The three round marks at the top, link this fruit to Triple Goddesses; while its' milk type juice is symbolic of fertility and mother's milk. This is another sensual fruit, excellent for love & sex magick; as it relaxes people, and helps them overcome their inhibitions- think of the reaction when you smell coconut sun tan oil- or drink a Pina Colada. (I know the Rum in them help a bit... but you know what I mean!)
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Honey: Sweet, golden, sticky honey has long been used in love spells. The aspect of fertility, and the partnership and teamwork of the bees who create this magickal substance can all be tapped into for spells involving romantic love; and the partnership of relationships and marriage; as well as for fertility, and spells to conceive a child. The sweetness of it's flavor speaks of love; it's golden color is representative of the summertime sun at it's peak of power; and the sticky texture is perfect for spells worked for long term love relationships, and fidelity in marriage.
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Vanilla: Sweet, golden vanilla brings passion and enduring love. Its golden color is symbolic of the summer sun; and its rich, sweet flavor is used in this spell to bring about an abundance of happiness, friendship and romantic love in relationships.
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Cinnamon: This spicy, reddish brown herb of the Sun, is used in love spells to bring heat, passion, and romance to a love relationship or marriage. Its phallic shape is reminiscent of the virility of the God. Cinnamon's spicy, sweet heat adds spunk and spark to this spell worked for abundance of love- and because its tiny grains of powder attach themselves to every other ingredient in this spell recipe- the fiery nature of cinnamon acts as a catalyst and power booster to each of the other ingredients. Cinnamon imparts swiftness of action, and is also used in spells for prosperity, money and luck- all qualities that can be used to enhance this particular working for abundance of love.
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Cool Whip: Sweet, fluffy and soft, Cool Whip is used in this spell to mingle the spell ingredients together; just as this spell mingles the magickal energies of the ingredients together and enhances their abundant loving energies.
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Mint: This green herb is another ruled by the Planet Venus, as well as sacred to Venus,
The Goddess of Love & Beauty. Mint is an herb that is often used in both love,
luck and prosperity spells- and as such is a wonderful herb
to incorporate into this magickal fruit salad spell recipe
to draw an abundant love into one's life.
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Cooking For The Sabbats ~ Lemon Balm Tea & Grilled Summer Vegetables ~ Litha & Midsummer Solstice Recipes

-Sabbat Cooking-

Litha & Midsummer Solstice Recipes Litha is the celebration of the summer solstice,

also known as Midsummer
- and what's a Sabbat celebration without food?
Take advantage of the summer crops of fruit and vegetables,
and prepare a delicious feast for your Midsummer gatherings.
*
I have collected so many wonderful Sabbat Recipes -
and I have enjoyed them so much,
that I would like to share them with you.
I hope that they are as well loved by you & your family-
as they are by me & mine.
*
This paricular batch of Sabbat Reipes
comes to us from Patti Wiggington, at About.com.
Enjoy!
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Lemon Balm Tea

Lemon balm is in full bloom by Litha,

so it's a perfect opportunity

to make a pitcher of cool lemon balm tea!

Brew this up in your kitchen, and serve it over ice.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

2 Cups lemon balm leaves,

fresh Honey or other sweetener

Water

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Preparation:

Bring 2 quarts water to a boil, and add the leaves.

Reduce heat and allow to steep for about 15 minutes.

Strain leaves out, and then add honey or other sweetener to taste.

If the tea is too strong, add a bit of water to thin it out.

Pour into an ice-filled pitcher and serve.

You may want to add a sprig of mint for garnish.

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Grilled Summer Vegetables

Few things symbolize the midsummer season

like early summer vegetables -

- peppers, onions, and even asparagus

are all delicious on the grill.

During Litha, when we celebrate the power and energy of the sun,
grilled vegetables are the perfect representation

of that solar energy.
After all, what's better than cooking with fire,

like our ancestors did?
Toss some veggies on the grill,

do your cooking outside under the sun or stars,

and dig in for grilled veggies at Litha!

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Ingredients:

4 bell peppers (your choice of colors)

2 onions

2 yellow squash

4 Portobello mushrooms

2 zucchini

A bunch of green onions

1/2 pound asparagus spears, trimmed

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Balsamic vinegar to taste

3 cloves garlic, minced

Fresh rosemary

Oregano

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Preparation:

Preheat a grilling pan over medium heat.

Wash and trim all vegetables.

Cut the larger ones, like zucchini and eggplant, into slices.

Place the veggies in a bowl, and drizzle olive oil on them.

Shake the bowl,

so that all the vegetables are lightly coated with oil.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Add vegetables to the grilling pan,

and and grill them until they are tender.

They should be lightly charred,

which will take anywhere from 8 - 12 minutes.

It's best to do this in small batches,

unless you have a really big grilling pan.

While the vegetables are grilling,

combine about 1/4 Cup olive oil with

the balsamic vinegar, garlic, rosemary and oregano.

Remove the veggies from the grill, place them in a bowl,

and then add the herb and oil mix. Toss to coat them.

Serve veggies warm with your Litha feast.

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Note:

Some vegetables tend to grill poorly,

so be careful which ones you choose.

Peppers, eggplant, asparagus,

summer squash and onions all work well.

Avoid veggies that are high in water content,

like cucumbers, celery, or leafy greens.

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Happy Sabbat Cooking!

~Danae <(:o) aka 'Crafty'

Litha & Summer Solstice Origins & Information

...And the Wheel turns once again...
Midsummer- An Ancient Solar Celebration:
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Nearly every agricultural society has marked the high point of summer in some way, shape or form. On this date – usually around June 21 or 22 – the sun reaches its zenith in the sky for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. (December 21 or 22 for our Southern Hemisphere friends.)
This is the longest day of the year, and the point at which the sun seems to just hang there without moving – in fact, the word “solstice” is from the Latin word solstitium, which literally translates to “sun stands still.” The travels of the sun were carefully marked and recorded, by the ancients. All over the World there is evidence of these ancient calanders. Stone circles such as Stonehenge were oriented to highlight the rising of the sun on the day of the summer solstice.
Traveling the Heavens:
Although there are very few primary sources are available detailing the practices of the ancient Celts, some information can be found in the chronicles kept by early Christian monks. Some of these writings, combined with surviving folklore, indicate that Midsummer was celebrated with great gatherings of local people, hilltop bonfires, feasting, mimery and revelry; and that it was a time to honor the space between earth and the heavens. This Sabbat marks the day that the sun is at its peak- and yet, from this day forward, begins to weaken.
Fire and Water:
In addition to the polarity between land and sky, Litha is a time to celebrate the balance between fire and water. European traditions celebrated this time of year by setting large wheels on fire and then rolling them down a hill into a body of water. This ritual is demonstrative of the way in which water mitigates the heat of the sun.
Saxon Traditions:
When they arrived in the British Isles, the Saxon invaders brought with them the tradition of calling the month of June Aerra Litha. They marked Midsummer with huge bonfires that celebrated the power of the sun over darkness. For people in Scandinavian countries and in the farther reaches of the Northern hemisphere, Midsummer was very important. The nearly endless hours of light in June are a happy contrast to the constant darkness found six months later in the middle of winter.
Roman Festivals :
The Romans, who had a festival for anything and everything, celebrated this time as sacred to Juno, the wife of Jupiter and goddess of women and childbirth. She is also called Juno Luna and blesses women with the privilege of menstruation. The month of June was named for her, and because Juno was the patroness of marriage, her month remains an ever-popular time for weddings. This time of year was also sacred to Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The matrons of Rome entered her temple on Midsummer and made offerings of salted meal for eight days, in hopes that she would confer her blessings upon their homes.
Midsummer for Modern Pagans:
Litha has often been a source of contention among modern Pagan and Wiccan groups, because there's always been a question about whether or not Midsummer was truly celebrated by the ancients.
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While there's plenty of scholarly evidence to indicate that it was indeed observed, there were suggestions made by Gerald Gardner, the founder of modern Wicca, that the solar festivals (the solstices and equinoxes) were actually added later and imported from the Middle East. Regardless of the origins, many modern Wiccans and Pagans do choose to celebrate Litha every year in June.
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In some traditions, Litha is a time at which there is a battle between light and dark. The Oak King
is seen as the ruler of the year between winter solstice and summer solstice, and the Holly King from summer to winter. At each solstice they battle for power, and while the Oak King may be in charge of things at the beginning of June, by the end of Midsummer he is defeated by the Holly King.
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This is a time of year of brightness and warmth. Crops are growing in their fields with the heat of the sun, but require water to keep them alive. The power of the sun at Midsummer is at its most potent, and the earth is fertile with the bounty of growing life.
For contemporary Wiccans and Pagans, this is a day of inner power and brightness. Find yourself a quiet spot and meditate on the darkness and the light both in the world and in your personal life. Take this time to reveiw the workings of your own life.
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Which 'crops' did you 'plant' this Spring? ave you 'harvested any of this years 'crops' yet? Do any of your 'crops' and projects need extra attention right now, in order to come to fruition?
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What part of life's cycle are you currently experiencing? Are you a Maiden- merely starting out on your life's journey? Learning, growing & gathering information and experience are your 'chores' in this stage. Exploring the universe & yourself, is your path.
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Are you a Newlywed- joining forces with your life's partner? Extra compassion & balance is the key to navigating thru this stage in life. Heightened awareness of your partner's needs will help the two of you to combine your two separate paths into a cohesive unit that honors your unique individuaity- while acheiving the unity that will carry you thru the next phases of life succesfully.
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Are you a Mother? Either a physical Mother- gving birth to, and raising her young? Or a 'Mother' who is 'giving birth to' ideas and projects; fostering creativity and producing new 'life' in its many forms. Then honor this time and place in your life by nurturing yourself- so that you can continue to grow & give to those around you. This would be your 'work' for this stage of your life.
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Are you entering, or living out your Crone years? Have you yet reached the wisdom & awareness that can come from this stage of life? Are you busy fighting your age? Or have you come to revel in the freedom that this phase can offer? Have you reached many of your goals in life? Are you happy, satisfied & content? How can you use your experience and wisdom to help others? Are you an Elder? A Sage? An Adept? What do you have to give? What power & insight have you gathered along your path? Can you use this to help yourself to live the life you dream of? Can yu use it to help others? This is your 'work'.
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Celebrate this turning of the Wheel of the Year with fire and water, night and day, and other symbols of the triumph of light over darkness.
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Use this time of solar power to lend extra energy to spells, and projects you may be working on. Midummer is a traditional time of year for gathering summer herbs, and making potions & amulets. Take advantage of this time to charge your gemstones in the summer sun.
Litha is a great time to celebrate outdoors if you have children. Take them swimming or just turn on the sprinkler to run through, and then have a bonfire or barbeque at the end of the day. Sprinkle aromatic herbs such as Rosemary, Lavander and Peppermint onto the fire; and burn petitions- either to invoke certain asects into your life, or to banish unwanted energies.

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Let them stay up late to say goodnight to the sun, and celebrate nightfall with sparklers, storytelling, and music. Because Midsummer is one of the 'times in between time'; this is also an ideal Sabbat to do magickal work. It is a time for divination and spirit work. Also, since June is the month of marriages and family; it is an ideal time to wok love magick, and to celebrate Weddings & Handfastings.

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There is plenty more Midsummer goodness to come. I have a few crafts, spells and oodles of interesting information on the many ways you can use this Sabbat (and everyday), to honor and celebrate your path.

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Blessings... ~Danae <(:o)

Crafty's Creations ~ More Digital Art

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Hey Guys~

Just poppin' in to show you all

some more of the Digi Art that I've been creating.

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The top image is a greeting card;

and the lower one is a photo collage

of our trip to Legoland in San Diego, earlier this Spring.

This is my very first attempt at a photo collage-

and come to think of it... my first digi greeting card as well.

I'm liking the results-

and I'm getting a ton of ideas for projects to come.

Yay! I love creating art!

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Have a great weekend everybody!

~Danae <(:o) aka 'Crafty'

My Latest Crafty Chick Creations - Adventures in Digital Art

Hello There Bloggy Friends~
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I hope that all is well in your worlds! Things with me are a bit slow and painfull lately. My dang knee (Yes! The same one I broke last Fall!)... has decided to become badly infected, and is making it quite difficult for me to do all of the fun things I enjoy doing. Heck...it's making it hard to simply WALK!
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In the meantime, I have been busying myself with learning the various things on the computer, that I have been wanting to 'get to' for so long- but never did. One of these things is teaching myself how to use my Paint.net program for Digital Scrapbooking,. (This has only been on my 'ToDo List' for the past 5 years!)
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Here are my first finished peices. (Of course the nice thing about Digital Art- is that I can continue to play around with my designs ad infinitum...so, who knows if they are truly 'finished'! LOL)

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The first image (at the very top of this post)

is a 'digital watercolor' self-portrait that I made

while messing around with the program.

(Yup- that's me in there!)

I think I like how it turned out;

and may do some of my children next.

They would make lovely 'watercolored' landscapes, as well.

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Now...for the scrappy art...

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* DATE NITE *

My Maternal Grandmother & Grandfather on a date,

early in their relationship (c.1951)

(aren't they cute?!)

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* FAMILY CIRCLE *

My Mom and my son Jeremiah at age 2. (9*2005)

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* THE GOOD LIFE IS A HAPPY LIFE *

Makayla (age 9) at our favorite spot on 'Snow Mountain' (2*2009)

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It has been a good 6 months since I have created any real scrapbook pages- so it felt really great to create a few pages. And how refreshing that there were no paper scraps or glue mess to clean up. My desk doesn't look like a craft tornado has blown thru!

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And, while I do love that aspect of digital scrapping- I think that I will forever be addicted to paper, stamps & ribbon. (I guess I'm a sadist- because I just love having my fingers covered in ink & paint! It make me feel so artsy!)
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So, I may just end up one of those Hybrid Scrappers in the end. For now though... I'm having a ball! And it sure is nice to be able to upload the pages so easily, to share here on my blog. I cannot wait to learn even more- I want to be able to create those amazing digital fantasy images that I love. I see many new avenues opening for my crafty creations! More are in the works as I write...
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Here's to learning something new... everyday!

~Danae <(:o) aka 'Crafty'

Crafty New Projects To Check Out At My Arts & Crafts Blog

Hey Guys!

Just a quick note to let all of you Crafty's Cup readers,

who may be interested,

know that I have a couple of great new posts at my Arts & Crafts Blog-

Crafty Chick Creations- right now.

There is a great 2 Part series on making

DIY Home Decor & Entertaining Projects Made From Jewelry;

and Part 1 (of a 2 Part series) on making

DIY Wedding Favors & Decor From Paper.

(Part 2 is scheduled for later this week.)
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These crafty projects are sure to spark your inspiration for oodles more!

You can find them here.

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~Danae aka 'Crafty'

MY YEMAYA SHRINE, PRAYER & YEMAYA CORRESPONDENCES

MY YEMAYA POEM/PRAYER:
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Yemaya, Blessed Mother of the Seas,
Let Your Sacred Waters wash over me.
Mother, embrace me, Your humble child.
Cleanse me, Nurture me, Sustain me.
Yemaya, Beautiful One.
You Who wears the Seven Skirts of the Seven Seas,
Swirl around me and create a flow of energy
that can wash away all bane.
Yemaya, Mistress of the Moon,
Shine Your light onto me,
And fill me with your magic.
Help me to accomplish my goals
Yemaya, Healing Ocean Mother
I ask You to fill me with Your Healing Energy
Let Your Cleansing Waters wash over me
Heal me with Your Regenerative Powers.

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YEMAYA - MOTHER GODDESS OF THE LIVING SEASAlternate Spellings & Personas: Yemaya, Yemanja, Imanja, Yemoja, Ymoja, Yemowo (Africa); Yemanja, Iemanja, Janaina (Brazil) as Yemanja Afodo, also of Brazil, She protects boats and grants safe passage; Yemanya, Yemayah, Iemanya, Yemaya Ataramagwa (The Wealthy Queen of the Sea- Her stern persona), Yemaya Achabba (The Violent and Overpowering Mistress of the Sea), Yemaya Olokun (which is only said to be seen in dreams) (Cuba); La Sirene, La Siren, Agwe, (Haitian Vodou); Yemallia, Yemana, Yemaja , La Balianne (US Voodoo) Kalunga, Ma Lango, Nana Buluku/Nana Borocum/Nana Burku, Mama Wata (Mother Water) Agwe,

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Pantheon/Country of Origin: West Africa (original), The Carribean Islands (Transplanted), Brazil (Transplanted), United States (Transplanted)

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Corresponding/Associated Goddesses: Mama Wata, La Diosa del mar, Mermaid Goddess Of The Sea, Our LadyRegala, Star of the Sea, La Siren, Madre D’Agua - Mother of Waters, The Virgin Mary (although this is a very sterile and removed version of Her…as we know that no Mother is truly a virgin, as the Catholics would have us believe! However, if using the true ancient meaning of virgin, as a woman unto herself, owned by no man , usually an unmarried Priestess; then yes, although Yemaya had Her consort, She truly is a Goddess/Woman unto Herself) ) ;
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Epithets: Mother of the Sea, The Mother of All, The Womb of Creation, Mother Of Dreams & Secrets, The Goddess of Natural Wealth, Mother of Pearl, Veiled Isis, The Constantly Coming Woman, Yey Omo Eja - Woman Whose Children Are the Fish, Star of the Sea, Giver of Life, Ocean Goddess of the Crescent Moon, Queen of Witches, Holy Sea Queen,
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Qualities/Job/Powers: Creatrix, Mother of all of the Waters, Mother of all of the Gods, Patron Goddess and Protector of Women and Children; Fertility Goddess; Goddess of Love; Revealer of Mysteries; the Patron Deity of the Fishermen and the Survivors of Shipwrecks, the Feminine Principle of Creation and the Spirit of Moonlight; Goddess of the Ogun River to the Yoruban People of West Africa; Ruler of Dreams,

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Holy days/Feast Days: December (The first 2 weeks, December 2nd, December 31st); June 21st/22nd- the Summer Solstice; September 7th & 26th ; New Years Eve; February 2nd, there is a celebration to honor Yemeya. It involves large processions of people walking into the ocean giving many thanks for the safe passage of their ancestors, also in the hope that the coming year will bring good prospects to the community that lives on her shores. ; Mother’s Day; Birthing Celebrations; Boating/Fishing/Ocean Celebrations/Festivals;
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Parents: Oduduwa/Odduddua (Mother) and Obatala (Father)
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Children: 15 Children- Orungan & 14 Orisha(the ones I could find named) Ogun (the Orisha of Iron), Olokun, Shopona, Shango (the Orisha of Thunder and Lightening), Oya (The Orisha of the Wind), Also: Gave birth to all of the waters of the World & to Mankind as well
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Spouse(s): Agayu/Aganju (Brother/Husband)
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Description: Dark Skinned, Dark flowing hair, beautiful, voluptuous, deep breasted, many times portrayed as both pregnant, and/or with the fins of a mermaid, wears 7 skirts that represent the 7 Seas, usually wearing a pearl and starfish necklace, sometimes with a dolphin, duck or a peacock.
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Colors: Blue, White & Silver (also, as Nana Buluku: Mauve & Black)
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Trees/Plants/Flowers/Herbs/Oils: Balsam, Willow/Sea Weed, Algae, Coral/ Water

Lotus /Cinnamon, [Red Rasberry Leaves, Black Cohosh, and other Feminine and Uterine Tonic Herbs /Vanilla, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood
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Element: Water
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Numbers: 7 (Seven Seas of the World)
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Tarot Card: The Empress, The Queen of Cups, The Moon, The High Preistess
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Mystical Creatures: Mermaids, Undines
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Animals/Familiars: Dolphins, Peacocks, Ducks, Starfish, All Sea Creatures, Chickens, Snakes, *
Symbols: Oceans, Rivers, The Star, Cowry Shells, The Moon, Ships/Boats, Fans, Feathers, Snakes,
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Foods: Melons/Watermelon, Fish/Shell Fish, Yams, Grains, Oranges, Kelp,
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Places: Ocean, Rivers, The Sea Shore, Moonlit Places, (especially near water)
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Month: July
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Season: Summer
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Day of the Week: Saturday
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Planet: Moon

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Astrological Sign: Cancer; The North Star is connected to Her as well
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Crystals & Gemstones: Blue Chaledoncey, Aquamarine, Moonstone, Pearl, Quartz Crystals, Ocean Rocks, especially those with a hole, Mother of Pearl, Turquoise, Blue Lace Agate
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Metals: Silver, Copper (She loves pennies!)
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Offerings/Sacrifices: It is traditional to make Yemaya offerings and set them afloat on the Sea in a little boat. She loves pretty, feminine items, such as mirrors, combs, lipstick and perfume; and especially jewelry. She adores pearls and shells, cowry shells being sacred to Her. She also likes abalone shells, starfish and peacock feathers.

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According to legend, Yemeya's first gift to humans was a sea shell in which her voice could always be heard. We honor her when we hold a shell to our ear in order to hear her voice, the ocean.

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Wishes can be made to her on paper and then cast out into the sea. She likes melons of all kinds, and watermelon is Her absolute favorite. She likes flowers, white ones the best.

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If you burn a candle to Her, put three pennies underneath, as she loves copper. Any work or offerings to Her are strongest on the Full Moon, and the Full Moon in July is Her favorite.

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She may be called upon for help during child birth as she is also a fertility goddess, she loves children. You may invoke her for all things to do with motherhood and raising children, protection for unborn babies, help in a crisis to do with a child, She's an eternal parent!

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Also for all Womyns issues, Witchcraft, washing away sorrows, acquiring ancient wisdom, protecting the home, for beauty, good fortune, good health and for rain. Yemeya rules over the ocean surface and is the patroness deity of surviving shipwrecked persons.
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A word of advice, 2 actually…Yemaya is a feirce Mother, and like all Mothers will do anything to help Her children- but She hated lazy people, so if you are not willing to work for your own aid, as well as petition Her, call on someone else. And ALWAYS, ALWAYS remember to thank Her for Her assistance. She is a sensitive Mother Goddess, and enjoys thanks and praises.

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MY LITTLE YEMAYA SHRINE

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This is the little Yemaya Shrine that I made. I started with a clear glass jar, and placed my Goddess Yemaya card in it.
From there, I started layering different objects in various containers. I used objects that corresponded with the Goddess Yemaya, creation, and the Ocean. The little glass cup is filled with sand and some little crystals, shells and gemstones. Down on the bottom, nestled in the larger white dish, I layed some larger stones, shells and turtles.
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MATERIALS:
Yemaya Card from the Goddess Oracle Deck
Sea Shells: Spiral, Scalloped & Cowry Shells, Abalone & Silver Ring
Miniature Wand/Pendant: Silver, Clear Quartz Point, Rose Quartz, Amethyst,
Stones & Crystals: Blue Quartz Single Terminated Point, Geode Slices, Adventurine Heart, Malachite Heart ,Murano Glass Pendant & Malachite Pendant, Moonstone, Green Stone Sphere, Bloodstone, Green Jasper, Moss Agate, Turquoise, Sodalite, Blue Lace Agate
Beach Sand & Sea Salt
Animals: Sea Turtles, Large & Small

YEMAYA ~ Great Mother Goddess of the Living Seas

This is the 'report portion' from my Yemaya Goddess paper that I wrote last year. It is quite a read- but I wanted to include it in it's entirety, as it holds quite a bit of great information on this wonderful Goddess. I will share some of the other parts of the paper in upcoming posts. I created a BOS correspondence page, a Yemaya Shrine, Yemaya Rasberry Leaf Tea, as well as an Invocation To Yemaya. If you enjoy this....be sure to check back for the rest of the Yemaya series. (And never fear- this portion is by far the longest! -You better grab a POT of coffee for this one!)

* MY YEMAYA REPORT *

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I am Yemaya, Great Goddess of the Living Seas,

the Mother of All of Creation.

I am the Grand Creatrix, the Source of all Life.

Every culture and civilization has called me by a different name.

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The West Africans,

and those whom have adopted and assimilated the African Orisha

call me Yemaya Olokun.

They worship me as the Mother of All of the Orisha.

I am the Patron Goddess of the Ocean,

and to some, such as those in Brazil,

I am also known as the Goddess of the Moon.

This suits me fine; as the Ocean and the Moon are intrinsically connected.

I am also the Goddess of all of the African Rivers,

and the River Ogun is most special to me.

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My name is a contraction of Yey Omo Eja,

which means, “Mother Whose Children Are the Fish”.

This holds great meaning for me,

as I am the Great Mother Goddess of All Life,

and because all life originated in the Sea; all life originated from Me.

The ancients knew this,

and you so-called ‘modern folk’ are re-learning this once again.

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There are as many stories about how I came to be,

as there are people to tell them!

Most agree that I came from the union

between Oduduwa and Obatala;

both Divine Orisha themselves.

It is told that I not only gave birth to all of the Gods,

but also to Mankind as well.

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I was married to Agayu, and had one son,

my beloved Orungan.

Then, in true Mama Goddess style

-15 Orisha came forth from me!

I truly am a fertile woman! The Grande Dame Creatrix!

But you must remember…

...populating the World with Gods and Man is my job!

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My Orisha children include Ogun, Olokun,

Shopona, Shango and Oya.

But, as is true with me- my Orisha children are also known

by many names by the people that worship them.

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Then, it came time for me to fill the Earth with people.

I gave birth first to woman, and then to man.

At the breaking of my birth waters,

a great flood spilled, creating all of the oceans.

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And of course, as I said- there are many other versions of the story.

In some, I have always been, from the beginning of time;

and All life came from me.

However…I do not worry myself with such things!

The semantics are for you humans to quibble about!

I know who I am, and the job I am here to do.

All that really matters to me, is that YOU know it too!

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I am the very essence

of maternal strength, protection and nurturing.

I am the Seed of Life that reproduces itself

and multiplies to become a living being.

I am the love that bonds the Mother to her Child.

I am the lilting melody of the Mother’s lullaby,

like gentle waves lapping the shore; soothing her young one.

I am the gentle yet forceful nudge

that pushes the young from the nest,

knowing that they too must fly away to begin their own cycle of life.

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I am the worrisome, yet caring Mother,

who calls to her Adult Children to make sure all is well in their world.

I am the aging Grandmother, who gathers in her family

and reminds them of the ties that bind us together,

lest they forget and stray too far, for too long.

I am the strain of DNA, flowing through every living entity,

the sacred helix that connects us all.

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Those who worship Me know of my great powers.

I have been called on from the beginning of time,

by women who wish to conceive a child of their own.

They know that I hold the power to cure barreness in women;

for only one so fertile as I can accomplish such feats.

Come and bathe yourself in My healing Waters,

and I will take away your inability to conceive.

I am the One Who protects and nourishes

the infants in their watery womb,

and they call upon Me to grant safe passage to their young,

as they are born into this world.

* I am the One Who comforts the sorrow of the new Mother,

as she feels alone and overwhelmed.

I remind her that though she may feel alone,

that she has joined the ranks of all Mothers who have come before her,

and all those who come after; that she is never truly alone.

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I again comfort her when her child grows

and leaves her safe world, only to fall.

I then remind her that she must be strong

and let her children make the mistakes that will facilitate their growth.

I am there for that same Mother when, with tearful eyes,

she sends her daughter off to be married;

reminding her that she will not be losing a daughter,

but will be gaining a son.

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Later, I wipe the tears from my own eyes

as I help her daughter with that last hard push,

that will birth her own child into this world.

I am the tide that carries these lives

into and out of this world and onto the next.

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I am also the One Who guides the vessels of the Sea.

Those who wish to travel on My Waters must honor me.

I bring them safely to their destination,

and fill their nets with my bounty.

I am the Mother that the wives call upon

to keep their men safe on my Seas;

and to bring them home on a tide of gladness,

and not of mourning.

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To those in Brazil,

and others who call on me as their Moon Mother,

I take on many of the same characteristics

of my Sister Moon Goddesses, such as Selene, Luna and Diana.

I am the Keeper of the Mysteries of Woman.

They have always known me as

the Preistess of the Magickal Lore,

and call on me to share with them

My Powers and Gifts of insight and prophecy.

I wax and wane in the night sky,

just as my tides wax and wane in the Sea.

* I can be gentle like the rain,

or terrible and feirce like the hurricane.

I am the current which flows through all life.

I am the waters of the Sea, the rain that cleanses,

as well as the blood

that courses through the veins of the living.

I am the Bringer of Food,

for all growth comes through my waters.

I am the Womb of the Sea,

forever birthing new organisms into existence.

I am the tears that are shed in both times of sorrow and of joy.
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I wear the Seven Skirts of the Seven Seas;

and they flow around me as water flows and enfolds all who enter it.

Seven is my special number.

My sacred symbols are the Cowrie Shells,

the peacock, the duck and the Dolphin.

My symbol is the crescent Moon

and my colors are blue and white, or silver.

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When you want to honor me, go to the shore.

Bring me an offering.

I enjoy the same things as any female:

lipstick, perfume, combs, mirrors, and jewelry,

especially made of silver or pearls.

I love to eat good foods such as: melons, molasses,

whole fried fishes and pork rinds.

Something that is special to you

is all the more appropriate for such an Goddess as Me.

In many places, they place their offerings in small wooden boats,

or toy ships, and send them out to Sea.

I enjoy images of myself, as well as flowers of all sorts.

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Honor Me in my role of Mother of the Orisha,

as you would honor your own earthly Mother.

And yes, when you honor her, you also honor Me.
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In parts of Brazil they honor me on my Feast Day

as the Ocean Goddess, on the Summer Solstice.

In the North East part of that country

they also honor me on February 2nd,

with offerings of white flowers that are cast into the Sea.

This is an appropriate day to honor me,

as I am honored around the World on this day,

in my various forms and by my many names.

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They honor me as Brigid, in Ireland,

and in Africa, they use this day to honor both

My Daughter Oya, Goddess of the Winds, and Myself.

It is a proper day for honoring Me in My Mother Goddess form,

as the Creator of Life.

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I am also honored on December the 8th, in Salvador, Bahia.

They call this The Festa da Coneicao da Praia,

or The Feast to Our Lady of Conception of the Church at the Beach.
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In Rio De Janeiro the many cariocas, of all different religions,

gather together, wearing white, to welcome the New Year,

watch fireworks, and throw flowers and other offerings into the sea

for the goddess in the hopes that I will

grant them their requests for the coming year.

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In Africa, the Dahomey celebrate Me as Nana Buluku,

the Old Woman of the Swamps.

I am dressed in Black and mauve and I rule

over the mud and muck of the swamplands.

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However I have been worshipped and celebrated throughout the ages,

and across the World…and by whatever names you choose to call on Me-

I will respond.

(I have been known to take my time! As any woman does!)

But I do answer and care for My Children.

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I am the Eternal Mother, and will never cease to exist.

I could not be killed

by two thousand plus years of Patriarchal rule.

I could not be lost

in the transit and horrors of the slave trade of my first peoples.

Nor could I be suppressed by the workings of the oppressors.

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I managed to sneak into every culture of my displaced people.

I hid myself stealthily among the Saints of the Catholics.

I disguised myself in myth and fairy tale,

in both human, animal and spirit form.

I patiently awaited the day of my reemergence

as the Supremely Powerful Mother Goddess that I am.

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I conspired with my Sister Goddess Gaia

throughout the 1960’s and 70’s

to find a place in this new conciousness

that was growing from the ashes of the old.

We stowed Ourselves away in what

you like to call the ‘Green Movement’.

We planted the ideas for Earth concious orginisations

such as Earth First and Save the Whales.

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We knew that Our Time would come once again.

The time where Our Earthly Children

would again hear the call of the Goddess.

We felt your yearning for Our Sacred Selves,

as you looked at Ocean on a moonlit night.

Or when you saw the Sun rise over a calm Sea.

I felt your yearning as you stared into the glowing Full moon;

and I knew you felt My pulsating heartbeat

deep within My Breasts of the Earth.

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Yes, My Child. Our day has come,

and We the Great Goddesses are back

-in ALL of Our Divine Forms.

We have never left you, and have only been awaiting the day

when you would once again seek Us out, and hear our call.

We are here for you, as We have been since the beginning of time

…and will never cease to be.

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All you must do, is to look deep within your heart,

and follow the intuitions that you find there.

They will lead you to Us.

You will find Us in the Sacred Places

of the Earth, Sea and Sky.

You can find me on a moonlit night,

as well as at the Sea Shore.

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Make Me an offering fit for One such as I

…and I will shower you with My Motherly Blessings.

Open yourself to me.

Surrender your worries and sorrows,

and I will wash you clean as a newborn babe.

Then, I will rock you in the gentle,

capable arms of The Eternal Mother.

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If you should choose to be reborn unto me, as one of My Own;

simply ask,

and then do the work required of One of My Sacred Children

-My Preists, and Preistesses.

You will be cleansed, and reborn

and known as Omo Yemaya-Child of Yemaya.

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For I have carried you near Me

from the days of your watery womb;

and will stay by your side until you are laid in your tomb.

All that is born unto me, must return to me.

And so the eternal cycle continues…

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written by Danae, aka 'Crafty'

Numerology and the Tarot

I am always intersted in examining the ways that our esoteric sciences intertwine with each other. As a life-long student of the Tarot... I have constantly been amazed at how many of these sciences can help one read and interperet the cards. Numerology is one of those esoteric sciences that inermingles it's wisdom with that of the Tarot.

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What follows, is an article from Numerologist.com. This particular lesson focuses on the symbolism of the numbers One thru Ten; and how this information can be used to glean insight into our study of the Tarot. Whether you read for yourself, or others, I think you will find this information helpful. Enjoy!

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Numerology & The Tarot

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One of the oldest applications of numerology has to do with the design of Tarot cards. The numbers on Tarot cards are enormously significant when it comes to interpreting the meaning of a card reading. Tarot cards are specifically numbered, and the images on the cards reverberate to those numbers to convey meaning to the reader who then analyzes such matters as relationships, the future, motivations and options.

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Traditionally there are 56 minor arcana cards -- the Ace through Ten, plus the four Helper Cards. Many tarot readers maintain that 56 was a number chosen on purpose as esoterically it symbolizes God (or the force of the creation principle.)

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This idea comes from pagan and Celtic beliefs that the number 56 corresponded to the Celtic sun God. The reason there are fourteen minor Arcana cards is because this Celtic Sun God also had fourteen rays of light shooting out from his head in the four directions.

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This is also where the common card layout known as the Celtic Cross comes from. The fourteen cards consist of the cards Ace through to Ten plus the Four Helper Cards also known as the King, Queen, Knight and Page.

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Each number in each suit has historically represented a particular aspect of human consciousness or experience. In each of the Element suits, the Ones contain many of the same properties; the Twos are similar,as are the Threes, and so on through the rest of the deck.

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The Minor Arcana does not usually have imagery so the reader relies alot on knowing about numerology to make relationships between the cards in a spread. When the science of numerology is applied to the tarot cards, the number, which governs the card, gives deeper insight into the hidden meaning of the card.

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The relationship of numerology is actually an enormous topic in itself but here is an idea of how the Tarot Cards in the minor Arcana relate to the numbers One through to Nine. The meanings stay basically the same no matter what suit the cards are in -Cups, Swords, Wands or Coins.

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Below are the key words that are traditionally used by Tarot card readers to read a card when it comes up in a spread. This particular list is adapted from the well known universal meanings for numbered cards from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck.

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One: Creation, originality, independence, courage, progress,ambition, positiveness, will power, leadership, pioneering,activity, force, raw energy.

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Two: Love, service, gentleness, harmony, adaptability, charm, diplomacy, friendliness, rhythm, music, receptivity, cooperation, consideration for others, will, purpose, initial understanding.

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Three: Artistic expression, joy of living, freedom from worry,optimism, inspiration, talent, imagination, good taste, sociability, friendliness, kindness, conception, beginning manifestation.

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Four: Practicality, service, patience, exactitude, organization, application, devotion, patriotism, conservatism, pragmatism, dignity, economy, trust, worthiness, endurance, loyalty, production, mastery.

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Five: Freedom, progress, versatility, understanding, variety, adaptability, mental curiosity, life experience, cleverness, non-attachment, sociability, change, discord, travel, adventure, companionability, surrender, release.

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Six: Love, harmony, home, responsibility, adjustment, musical talent, sympathy, understanding, domesticity, guardianship, stability, poise, protection, healing, firmness, balance, idealism, conscientiousness, justice, burden-fearing, service to All, solution, exaltation, seeing.

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Seven: Mental analysis, technicality, introspection, peace, poise, scientific research, spirituality, faith, trust, stoicism, refinement, wisdom, silence, "theories and fundamentals," feeling, deepening, mystery.

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Eight: Power, authority, success, material freedom, judgment, discrimination, executive ability, organization, leadership, management, practicality, thoroughness, dependability, self-reliance, control, the power to succeed, repose, consideration, retreat, ripening.

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Nine: Universal love, sisterhood, brotherhood, charity, compassion, the Higher Law, artistic genius, selfless service, philanthropy, humanitarianism, magnetism, sympathy, understanding, romance, generosity, breadth of viewpoint, understanding before or beyond words, strengthening.

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What is quite interesting is that you can also use these values to numerologically get a reading from a deck of plain tarot cards.

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Written by: Blair @ Numerologist.com