Wednesday What Herb Is This - Herbal Pain Killers

Any of you who are regular readers (do I Have any of those...well, in my little world I have lots *grin) probably also visit my other blog The Life & Times... where I have mentioned the physical issues I am having in one of my posts. I was recently put on (another) new medicine called Lyrica. Since they keep switching me up, I am hesitatnt to use herbal remedies as I am unaware what kind of reaction mixing them might cause. But for those of you who don't take a handful of pills every morning, the following information may come in handy.

Disclaimer:

This herbal information is intended as an introduction to how medicinal herb plants are used as pain killers. It is intended for educational purposes only. I am not a medical professional and I cannot prescribe what herbs are right for you. I cannot answer medical questions, so please do not ask me (or any other complete stranger for that matter) to prescribe herbal remedies, cures, treatments or to guess what is wrong with you.

If you use herbs, do so responsibly. Consult your doctor about your health conditions and use of herbal remedies. Herbs may be harmful if taken for the wrong conditions, used in excessive amounts, combined with prescription drugs or alcohol, or used by persons who don't know what they are doing. Just because an herbal remedy is natural, does not mean it is safe! There are herbs that are poisonous such as Poison Hemlock, Jimson weed, and many more.

Herbal Pain Killers....

Pain killer-

Soak 1/2 tsp. of dried willow bark in 2 c.. cold water overnight. Bring
to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain, cool, and bottle.

Dosage is 1/4 c., to be sipped slowly as needed for pain.

It can be added to juices or teas if you wish.

Migrain Headaches -
This is a natural painkiller and is good for migraine headaches.

Chop 1 tbsp. of Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) and add to 1 pt of water.
Boil gently for 15 minutes. Strain.

Take up to 3 tbsp. per day.

Has a slight laxative effect so you may want to weaken it further.

Good Sedative -
1 tbsp. each of:

Bee balm,

Hops,

Peppermint,

Chamomile,
crushed fennel seed.

Add 1 tbsp. of the mixture to 1 cup boiling water.
Steep 10 minutes and strain. Sweeten with honey.

Drink 1/2 hour before bed.

Nervous Tension -
Vivid blue flowers are typical of many of the best nerve herbs and skullcap
is one of them.

Chop 1/2 c. of the leaves and flowers and add to 2c.s boiling water.

Steep 15 minutes and strain. Sweeten with honey.

Drink several cups a day.

Can be used to treat epilepsy, convulsions, and any involuntary trembling of the limbs.

Skullcap is also used during drug or alcohol withdrawal to lessen symptoms of withdrawal.

Skullcap blend -
This is very good for nervous headaches.

1 c. each of dried skullcap,
sage,

peppermint.

To use, pour 1 c. boiling water over 1 tsp. of herb
mixture. Cover and let steep 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten.

Drink warm as needed.

Skullcap is especially effective in dispelling headaches. It relaxes
the whole system and is non-addictive.

Soothing bath for Tension Headaches -
1 Oz. each of:

mugwort,

valerian,

chamomile,

agrimony

Add to1 pt of boiling water. Allow to simmer for 30 minutes. Strain and add to bath water.
Very good for aching muscles.

Mild Sedative -
Pour 1 pt of boiling water over 1 tsp. of dried catnip. Cover and
steep until cool. Flavor if desired. Strain and sweeten.

For children, give 1 tbsp.;

adults get 2 tbsp..

For trouble getting to sleep -
Pour 1 pt of boiling water over 1 Oz. of feverfew flowers. Cover and
steep until cool. Strain and sweeten with honey.

Drink cool.

Sleep Mixture -
1 tbsp. each of :

dried hop

Chamomile

Lavender flowers
skullcap

powdered valerian root.

Put in size #00 capsules.

Take 2 capsules every couple of hours (not to exceed 6 capsules), shortly before
you retire for the night.

This should not be taken longer then 2 days.

If the problem persists after two days, please consult your physician, to find
out the reason for your inability to sleep.

This is to be used only as a temporary measure.

To induce sleep -
2 tbsp. dried peppermint

1 tbsp. rosemary
1 tbsp. sage.

This really soothes the nerves and allows you to relax enough to go to sleep.

Valerian Tea -
Caution -- Take this only once a day (at bedtime to induce sleep)

1 pt boiling water over

1 tsp. powdered valerian root.

Cover and steep 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten. Add a pinch of mace as flavoring if desired.
Drink warm.
Valerian is not a very pleasant smelling (it smells like dirty feet - really!) herb, but it is very effective. The valerian may be added to other, better tasting herbs and will be just as effective. Simply add the herb of your choice to the water along with the
valerian.

To induce sleep -
2 tbsp. chamomile,

2 tbsp. skullcap,

1 tsp. goldenseal,

2 tsp. elder flower,

1/2 tsp. peppermint powder

1 tbsp. pennyroyal.

Add mixture to 2 c.s of water. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer until liquid is reduced by half.

Bottle and label.

Dosage is 1-2 tbsp. to one cup of hot water. Sweeten to taste.
Take at bedtime to induce sleep.

Painful Menstruation -
During your menstrual cycle, drink sever glasses of red raspberry juice
daily to prevent cramps and pain.

Menstrual Cramps -
1 Oz. each of:

Cramp bark

Skullcap

Blue cohosh.

Add 1 tsp. of cinnamon.

Place in a quart of warm wine. Steep several days. Strain.

Take 1 tbsp. doses several times a day for cramps.

Cramping During Menstruation -
Pour 1 c. of boiling water over 1 tbsp. of dried raspberry leaves.
Cover and allow to steep 15 minutes. Strain and sweeten. Drink warm several
times during the day.

Sprains -
Apply a poultice made from comfrey to relieve sprains and swellings. The
Indians called this herb knitbone and use it extensively.

Sprain and Aching Muscles Treatment -
1/2 c. water,

1/2 c. of linseed oil

4 tbsp. witch hazel.

Mix together and use as a massage.

Menthol Cream -
6 Oz.s of witch hazel

4 tbsp. lanolin

6 tbsp. of menthol

Mix together in a double boiler until creamy.

Remove from fire and cool in the refrigerator. Use as a massage.

Pain -
Add several drops of lavender oil to your bath to relieve neuralgia (spasms
of pain).

Arthritis Treatment -
1 c. each of:

Buckthorn bark

Cayenne pepper

Alfalfa

Comfrey

white yarrow

Yucca root

Parsley

Black cohosh root.

Grind up thoroughly and fill some #00 capsules with the herbal mixture.

The first week take 1 capsule daily;

The second week take 2 capsules daily;

and during the third week take 3 capsules daily.

Pain Reliever Salve -
1 oz. of chickweed (reduces inflammation and aids in healing),
1 oz. of wormwood (a great pain reliever)

1 oz. of yarrow (an anti-bacterial agent that also helps relieve pain).
Mix together.

Add the mixture of herbs to 2 pts of olive oil and simmer 3
hours. Strain.

Add:

3 oz. of beeswax

1 tsp. of tincture of benzoin.

Test for consistency before pouring into wide mouth containers.

The yarrow plant contains achillein and achilleic acid. These substances
reduce the clotting time of blood, so they help stop any bleeding. Yarrow
also has pain-killing and anit-inflammatory properties that are similar to
aspirin.

Sedative Tincture -
1-1/2 oz. of chamomile

1-1/2 tsp. of powdered peppermint
Place into 1/2 quart of vodka. Allow to steep for 2 weeks, shaking daily.

Strain and bottle.

Use as a sedative for adults.

Dosage is 1/2 dropper under the tongue, as needed.

Liniment for Sore Muscles -
Mix together 1/4 c. each of olive oil and spirits of camphor. Use to
massage sore muscles.

Rheumatic Pain Ointment -
Place 1/2 c. of rosemary leaves and 1/2 tsp. oil of cloves in 1 c.
vegetable oil. Simmer gently for 20 minutes. Strain well and bottle.

This is not a comprehensive list by any means. I plane to post Oil & Incense directions in the near future. As they somewhat relate to this, I will try to do it before next Wednesday :)

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Tuesday Try A New Taste - Crockpot Hashbrown Dinner

I really have no idea where I acquired this recipe. It has been saved on the puter for years, and is yummmmmmy. I Hope you enjoy it as much as we have.

Sometimes, when the day is done, you wish you could just go home and have dinner magically waiting for you...Well, I can't tell you how to "magic up" dinner, but using a crockpot is pretty close :) Throw all the ingredients in it when you get ready to walk out the door, turn it on low, and viola! you have dinner waiting when you get home :) I have lots of these type of recipes, as we are a working home :( and I'll try to share. If anyone "can't wait" just let me know and I'll try to put together a few for you.

CROCKPOT HASHBROWN DINNER

Southern U.S. Cuisine

• 
  1 to 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck, browned and drained
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 envelope brown gravy
• 1 can (16 oz) cream corn
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 package (16 oz) frozen hash browns, slightly thawed
• 1 can cream of celery, mushroom, or chicken soup
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• salt and pepper to taste
  

Place ground beef and onion in crockpot; toss with gravy mix.

Pour cream corn over ground beef mixture, then add half the cheese.

Top with hash browns, and remaining cheese.

Mix the soup with evaporated milk and pour evenly over the hash browns.

Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours.

(If using a 5-quart or larger pot, you may use 2 pounds of ground beef and 32 ounces hash browns.)

Serves 4.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Monday Make A - Growing Beltane Basket

I think I have made the comment before that I am craft-challenged, so you will rarely see anything here that I came up with :( I found this at Proud To Be Pagan. I have also in the past found some beautiful artwork there :) Keeping with the Beltane theme (since it is only days away...) here is a Beltane crafty item :)

Growing Beltane Basket
Greet the May Day spirit with this 'growing green basket'. An ideal green gift to surprise with!
Supplies:

• Empty Milk Cartons
• lump of potting soil
• Grass Seed (fast growing if you have it)
• a stapler
• a roll of string and some wire
• freshly picked herb sprigs,
• flower heads (orchids, lilies, or others)
• plant foliages( like ivy)

Take empty milk cartons, cut down to 4-5" high.
Cover the basket with construction paper and decorate.


Fill around 2/3 full with potting soil. Then generously sprinkle grass and some weed seeds.
Have it watered daily. Grass should grow in about 4-7 days.
With the remaining cartons, cut a handle out and staple it to the basket.
Do not add other greens till the last moment. Wire some herb sprigs and flower heads such as orchids, lilies, foliages of ivy or the likes, in separate bunches. Add them to the basket before taking it out to be hooked on the door knob of your dear ones.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Sunday Surprise

Please keep in mind, as I stated in an earlier post I disagree with this layout, and FOR ME change Air & Earth, as that makes more sense TO ME, and works FOR ME. IF it makes sense to you, you could consider trying it during your next casting. HOWEVER, I wouldn't recommend this if you don't feel it is RIGHT...Magic works because we believe it works, and who knows how it may go awry if you don't believe every bit of what you are using is right..?

I have tried to link to information on as many of the Zodiac Signs/plants/Spirits/Jewels/Goddesses/Gods as I could find, for those interested in more information on any of them.

PS Sorry it's so late getting up...it took FOREVER to get it just right... *grin*

THE ELEMENTS

The Elements have been a part of man's ancient and arcane lore since its inception in pre-historic times. Different traditions associate them with various things. The following list of correspondences comes from Starhawk's "The Spiral Dance."

AIR:

Direction: East.

Rules: The mind, all mental, intuitive and psychic work, knowledge, abstract learning, theory, windswept hills, plains, windy beaches, high mountain peaks, high towers, wind and breath.

Time: Dawn.

Season: Spring.

Colors: White, Bright Yellow, Crimson, Blue-White.

Signs of the Zodiac: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.

Tools: Athame, Sword, Censer.

Spirits: Sylphs, ruled by King Paralda.

Angel: Michael

Name of the East Wind: Eurus

Sense: Smell.

Jewel: Topaz

Incense: Galbanum.

Plants: Frankincense, Myrrh, Pansy, Primrose, Vervain, Violet, Yarrow

Tree: Aspen

Animals: Birds.

Goddesses: Aradia, Arianrhod, Cardea, Nuit, Urania

Gods: Enlil, Khephera , Mercury, Shu Shu, Thoth.

FIRE:

Direction: South.

Rules: Energy, spirit, heat, flame, blood, sap, life, will, healing and destroying, purification, bonfires, hearth fires, candle flames, sun, deserts, volcanoes, eruptions, explosions.

Time: Noon.

Season: Summer.

Colors: Red, Gold, Crimson, Orange, White (the sun's noon light).

Signs of the Zodiac: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius,

Tools: Censer, Wand.

Spirits: Salamanders ruled by King Djin.

Angel: Ariel

Name of the South Wind: Notu

Sense: Sight.

Jewel: Fire Opal.

Incense: Olibanum

Plants: Garlic, Hibiscus, Mustard, Nettle, Onion, Red Peppers, Red Poppies

Tree: Almond, in flower

Animals: Fire-breathing dragons, lions, horses (when their hooves strike sparks).

Goddesses: Brigit, Hestia, Pele, Vesta,

Gods: Agni, Hephaestus, Horus, Vulcan

WATER:

Direction: West.

Rules: Emotions, feelings, love, courage, daring, sorrow, the ocean, the tides, lakes, pools, streams, and rivers, springs and wells, intuition, the unconscious mind, the womb, generation, fertility.

Time: Twilight.

Season: Autumn.

Colors: Blue, Blue-green, Green, Gray, Indigo, Black.

Signs of the Zodiac: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces,

Tools: Cup.

Spirits: Undines ruled by King Niksa.

Angel: Raphael

Name of the West Wind: Zephyrus

Sense: Taste.

Jewel: Aquamarine

Incense: Myrrh

Plants: Ferns, Lotus, Mosses, Rushes, Seaweed, Water Lilies, and all water plants.

Tree: Willow

Animals: Dragons (as serpents), dolphins and porpoises, fish, seals and sea mammals, water-dwelling snakes, all water creatures and sea birds.

Goddesses: Aphrodite, Isis, Mariamne, Mari, Tiamat

Gods: Dylan, Ea, Llyr, Manannan, Osiris, Neptune, Poseidon

EARTH:

Direction: North.

Rules: The body, growth, nature, sustenance, material gain, money, creativity, birth, death, silence, chasms, caves, caverns, groves, fields, rocks, standing stones, mountains, crystal, jewels, metal.

Time: Midnight.

Season: Winter.

Colors: Black, Brown, Green, White.

Signs of the Zodiac: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn,

Tools: Pentacle.

Spirits: Gnomes ruled by King Ghob.

Angel: Gabriel

Name of the North Wind: Boreas, Ophion.

Sense: Touch.

Jewel: Rock crystal, Salt

Incense: Storax

Plants: Comfrey, Ivy, Grains: Barley, Oats, Corn, Rice, Rye, Wheat.

Tree: Oak

Animals: Cow or bull, bison, snakes (earth-dwelling), stag.

Goddesses: Ceres, Demeter, Gaia, Mah, Nephthys, Persephone, Prithivi, Rhea, Rhiannon

Gods: Adonis, Athos, Arawn, Cernunnos, Dionysus, Marduk, Pan, Tammuz

SPIRIT/ETHER:

Direction: Center and circumference, throughout and about.

Rules: Transcendence, transformation, change, everywhere and nowhere, within and without, the void, immanence.

Time: Beyond time, all time is one.

Season: The Turning Wheel.

Colors: Clear, White, Black.

Tools: Cauldron.

Sense: Hearing.

Plant: Mistletoe

Tree: The flowering Almond

Animal: Sphinx.

Goddesses: Isis, the Secret Name of the Goddess, Shekinah

Gods: Akasha, IAO, JHVH

A slightly different view/version of this can be found at Spirit Lodge

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Saturday Special Stones - Crystal & Stone Basics

Picture from Lynayre.com

Cleansing Crystals

Crystals and stones can pick up or absorb vibrations not in harmony with their natural rate or quality. Stones and crystals can retain memories of the thoughts and feelings of those that come in contact with them. It is recommended that all stones and crystals be cleansed on a regular basis. There are several ways you can do this. The easiest for most people is to simply place the stone or crystal in direct sunlight for a few hours. Sunlight is all colors of light, each color is a different vibration rate. This bombardment of energy will strip away the lingering energies that don't belong there, washing them away to leave only those energies produced by the structure of the crystal or stone itself.

Another way to cleanse crystals is to bury them in the Earth. The Earth produces vibrational energies in large amounts due to the abundance of moving electrons in its component parts. This energy covers a range of frequencies beyond what the eye can see, with each of the elements producing its own "tone" or vibration rate. The combinations of vibration rates wash away the negative energies and leave only the energies of the stone or crystal itself. Remember, a crystal produces it's vibrations because of it's structure, and it's structure is not disturbed by the bombardment of energies from the Earth. Any residual energies are stripped away by the eroding effects of these Earth energies. Keep your stones and crystals buried for at least 2 or 3 days. Remember to mark where you bury them so you can find them again!

Charging crystals and stones

Crystals and stones can act as batteries, storing energies as a vibration in their structure. This energy can be used to amplify the effects of that stone. Love is the basic positive energy in the universe, and is thus the perfect energy to use to charge your stones and crystals. Hold it in your right hand (if right handed) and imagine it filling with the love and respect and admiration that you have for your mineral friend.
In groups, use the stone as a point of focus. Have the entire group concentrate on filling the crystal with love, and then use this energy by directing it at a specific problem in the world or in your personal life, either through group or individual meditations and visualizations.

Using your crystals and stones

Learning to use your stones and crystals is a matter of intuition. You learn to listen, and then you understand instinctively how to use them. This requires getting attuned to the stone or crystal.
After cleansing the crystal or stone, hold it in your hand. Really look at it in detail, letting your mind explore every aspect of the stone. Note details such as the color, shape, size, and other physical characteristics of the stone. Let your mind jump freely to whatever aspect it finds interesting. If you are right handed, your right hand is your projective hand and you left your receptive hand. You should try to detect energies with your left and project them with your right.

First, charge the stone with love by holding it in your right hand and imagining a bubble of love forming around and filling the stone or crystal. Imagine how grateful and happy you will be when the stone helps you with your daily life, and charge the stone or crystal with positive energies. The more often you do this, the better your results will be.
Now place it on a small table or area of the floor. Close your eyes and place your receptive hand a few inches off the surface containing the stone or crystal. Move your hand slowly around and feel for the energy of the stone. Let your hand feel the energy, it can do it if you allow it and intend it to be so. Practice charging the stones and crystals with love and then finding them by the energy they radiate. Don't be discouraged if you can't do it right away. Just ask the stones to cooperate and keep trying.

Copyright 2001 EarthBow
Non-commercial use: Distribute freely

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Friday Form A Circle

This artwork is actually a greeting card, and can be purchased here

I'd like to note here, before you read any further, that although I have posted the ritual in the "regular" way, because that is how it was written, I would not perform it exactly like this. You see, I have a very firm belief that North actually represents Air, and East represents Earth. This is not a generally accepted belief, but my logical brain says this makes more sense. Air & Fire complement each other, and Water and Earth compliment each other. In the generally accepted layout, you have Earth & Fire across from each other. Logic tells me that they would be struggling against each other, as Earth will smother Fire. You also have Air & Water facing each other, but as we all know, Air "dries up" Water.

In the layout I use, you have Air (In the North) and Fire (in the South) across from each other - Air feeds Fire, which would die without it. You also have Earth (in the East) complimenting Water (in the West). Again, Water feeds Earth, which needs it to be anything beyond a barren stretch. It just seems you would have much better chance of success if the elements were working together, not against each other...

This is how I do rituals, and it has worked for me. But I truly believe this is right, and that may be why it works. In the back of my mind, that little voice tells me "If you don't want your knowledge being used by any but those you give it to, make sure that anything that may be "found" or overheard, is slightly incorrect" and that is the philosophy that caused our ancestors to make one little change to keep this power form those who shouldn't have it...

Just my thoughts...

Houndel-the-Matriarch's Beltane Ritual

The Beltane ritual should start before sunrise or in the evening of April 30th. This is to welcome the sun in and to make effective use of the bonfire. The party or the ritual should finish some time after sunrise.

Incense, Perfumes :- Frankincense, Lilac, Rose

Stones :- Emerald, Orange Carnelion, Sapphire, Rose Quartz

Candles :- Green. Gold, Silver, and the 4 elementel colours, (yellow, red, blue, green.)

Flowers/Herbs - Angelica, Ash, Belladonna, Bluebells, Cinquefoil, Clover, Daisy, Hawthorn, Ivy, Marigold, Rose, Rowan, Sorrel, Woodruff, Yellow Cowslip

Tools :- Wand (preferably Oak), Athame, Cup with wine, Sword, Pentacle, Cauldron, White and/or Green Alter cloth, Fire, Salt, and Water containers. 3 lots of coloured ribbon.

Music :- Celtic, Irish Dance

Altar :- Lay the tools on the altar cloth or near it. The altar can be on the ground, a table, a rock or a stump. The altar should be in the center or in the Eastern quarter of the Circle.

Sigils :- make using the preferred method, Charge the sigils several hours/days before the ritual commences and leave in your sacred place until you require them.

Casting the circle

I raise this circle Weaving a web of Beltane power.
Circle of death, Circle of birth, Circle of the Mother Earth.
Shining, forever Spinning, Ending never.

Drawing down the light. Perform the Tau Cross

The Banishing/Cleansing Ritual.

Facing East. before you, draw the flaming blue Pentacle in the air, walking deosil draw the Pentacle in the South, West and North.

Facing East: Guardian of the watchtower of the East Mighty Raphael assist and attend our Beltane ritual if you will, lend us the protection of all the creatures of the air.

Facing South. Guardian of the watchtower of the South Great Michael assist and attend our Beltane ritual if you will, lend us the protection of all the creatures of the fire.

Facing West, Guardian of the watchtower of the West Mighty Gabriel assist and attend our Beltane ritual if you will, lend us the protection of all the creatures of the water.

Facing North, Guardian of the watchtower of the North Great Urial assist and attend our Beltane ritual if you will, lend us the protection of all the creatures of the earth.

Return to the centre .

For about me flames the Pentacle, and above me the six pointed star.

Light up a candle in each of the four cardinal directions.

By these flames we invoke the powers of Air, Fire, Water, Earth.

light the incense,

By these perfumes we invoke the powers of the ancient ones.

Light the gold and silver candles (representing the feminine and the male aspects of the deities)

(Lighting the Silver Candle)

"Lady of the Night, wake from your winter slumber, I call to you.
Join us in this Beltane Celebration with joy, light and love.

(Lighting the Gold Candle)

"Lord of the Day, hunting through the forest, I call to you.
Join us in this Beltane Celebration with joy, light and love."

start the music and begin the ritual Work.

(Lighting the Green Cauldron Candle)

As we kindle the Beltane fire. "Ancient Ones, Listen to this Beltane call. Bring us the glimmer of wishes, the light of hope and the mystery of magick by your presence."

" Let the Oak King live again.
May the great Mother become fruitful once more".

(Pass the wand through the Green Cauldron Candle's flame)

As the wand is to the earth, so the male is to the female.
Joined they bring happiness.

(Take the athame place it in the cup of wine)

As the Knife is to the cup, so the male is to the female.
As the sun to our blossoming world, joined they bring forth life.

Here do what ever invocation is intended. Bless and charge the sigils etc.

The Priestess holds the ribbons in her hands let each person present hold the other end of a ribbon raising her hands the Priestess calls down the blessings of the God and Goddess.

As the May Queen and the great Horned God bestow their blessings upon us and all of the creatures of the earth, we who are one with them rejoice, and ask that their happy union become the example for all humanity to live in love and harmony.

Closing the circle.

Facing North. I thank you great Urial my love & energy I offer freely to you, in gratitude for your assistance this day, leave now if you will, fare you well and harming none as you go your way.

Facing West, I thank you great Gabrial my love & energy I offer freely to you, in gratitude for your assistance this day, leave now if you will, fare you well and harming none as you go your way.

Facing South I thank you great Michael my love & energy I offer freely to you, in gratitude for your assistance this day, leave now if you will, fare you well and harming none as you go your way.

Facing East, I thank you great Raphael my love & energy I offer freely to you, in gratitude for your assistance this day, leave now if you will, fare you well and harming none as you go your way.

Clap your hands three times. The ritual is ended.

From Bewitching Ways,

By Houndel-the-Matriarch May 1st 2004

It is the child's unrestrained expression of bliss and delight that is what Beltane is all about. It is the sheer joy of running through fields, picking flowers, rapturing in the sunlight, delighting in the fragrance of spring, dancing in the fresh dew covered grass. Our children guide us through the natural abandonment of our adult sensibilities and show us how to take grand pleasure, warmth and bliss from the gift of Beltane.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.