As you wind your way up the path to the Magickal Cottage, knock on the door, for you are most welcome! The kettle is about to boil and I’ll brew us some tea so we can sit and discuss how to create a magickal life. Merry Meet!
I just uploaded a video on the YouTube channel about the new moon on Monday, April 8th.
The Magickal Cottage on YouTube
Considering that there will be 3 astronomical things occurring at once: the new moon in Aries, a solar eclipse as well as Mercury retrograde, it all sounds like a recipe for some crazy energy!
So far this retrograde period has presented some problems for my family and I and it’s just getting started. So what else is new? But it seems like listening to your intuition and being extra cautious can pay off right now.
So what are the implications of each of these three phenomena? Well, the eclipse and retrograde Mercury both can give the benefit of a spiritual pause. Think of the darkness aspect of these two as a time to do some introspection for a possible reset. Such a reboot sounds kind of awesome to me. The eclipse can open up some portals as well. Perhaps manifesting friendly, beneficial energy exchanges through those portals would be a good idea!
The new moon in Aries is about innovation and new starts. Aries is very childlike in character and I have my moon in Aries, so I can say that. An Aries may dash forward headlong without looking before they leap. But they are also pioneers with fresh ideas and an enthusiasm that’s contagious! Aries reminds me of The Fool tarot card- off on the next adventure! lol
But I never think of this card in a negative way. Must be my Aries!
So it sounds like April 8th might be a good time to carefully peek through a portal and ask for assistance in redoing past situations and receiving a new lease on life! I’m game! Wish me luck! 🤞🍀 How about you?
The beginning of a new year seems to generate thoughts of new beginnings! We make resolutions and create new goals to make life better in some way. “Hope springs eternal”, as they say. As the year progresses we are often frustrated to see those resolutions abandoned when our focus fades and we fall back into old ways of behaving.
With the new moon in the sign of Capricorn this year on January 11th 2024, we have a chance to harness the new moon energy in that focused sign of Capricorn. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn who is known as “the task master”. That extra resolve we gain from this planet’s energy just might make a difference in how we achieve our goals this year! By bringing in the earthy properties of crystals (Capricorn is an earth sign) in creating a crystal grid to empower our written intentions, we can kick start the year in a powerful way. This activity should be good to do through January 12th or before the moon changes signs. There is a new moon in Capricorn every year, so consult your lunar app or ephemeris to see where the moon is placed any year.
I have created a video to show how I harnessed the new moon energy and enhanced it with my crystal grid.
Just remember to use whatever materials you have access to and focus on phrasing your written intentions in a positive way. I’d love to hear how you harnessed that Capricorn energy in your magickal grid, so please post comments and share your experiences.
So there’s no excuse for not having posted in forever, unless you count me being so active in other magickal ways.
Our coven has grown as a result of my starting a MeetUp group. And our new members are just lovely people! If you live in the Los Angeles area and want to join with other like minded people, check out our FaceBook group, The San Fernando Valley Green Witches Circle: https://www.facebook.com/groups/684282108630071/?ref=share_group_link.
With persistence, social media can help you find your people. Just exercise care and meet people in safe and public places, especially if it’s your first meeting.
I’ve also made a few more videos on YouTube. If you haven’t checked out my Magickal Cottage YouTube channel here is the link: https://youtube.com/@TheMagickalCottage?si=VcJc0QWKa-huvVTE
And then there’s my recently opened Etsy Store, Sarina’s Witchy Crafts: https://sarinaswitchycrafts.etsy.com I’m still building inventory, but opening a store has been on my bucket (cauldron ?) list for some time! I’ve also added a page to this blog site for easy access to the store.
So in the new year I am aiming to make blogging more of a priority. I’d love to share some of my favorite books with you in witchy book reviews. I’ll also try to feature more how-tos in the witchy crafts department.
What have you been up to lately? Drop a comment below and share some of your magickal activities.
Coming out on the other side of the pandemic it seems like people in general have come to appreciate being able to gather with family and friends in the physical world. Zoom served its purpose for our coven ritual gatherings, but there is nothing that replaces joining hands and exchanging hugs. The other evening eight of us gathered in the physical for the first time in a long time to hold ritual. We all appreciated the amazing energy that made for a truly magickal evening.
Now, I’m a reiki master and have been a reiki practitioner for about 15 years. I know energy can be sent over time and distance. I even use reiki in my magick! But there are times when being in close proximity to another human being makes all the difference! Let me relate our observations about the issues we faced while “zooming our rituals”.
Casting a circle presented some problems over Zoom. We decided lighting a “candle of connection” would have to do to create a circle substitute. But that wasn’t really a substitute when you consider the feeling of a shift that happens in the space around a group when a circle is cast in the usual way. At the moment the priest or priestess states with authority, “the circle is cast!”, there is suddenly a change in the energy of the area that is tangible. The feeling can be subtle but it is there! Circle casting to create sacred space seems much more effective in person.
We are a group that likes to sing our songs! We often dance ourselves dizzy as we sing, to the point of having to lay hands on the earth to ground ourselves afterwards. Try singing together over Zoom! It doesn’t work. All you end up with is a cacophony of sounds that no where near resembles the intended song! And dancing alone in front of your computer screen doesn’t cut it either.
Perhaps the most noticeable issue with a Zoom ritual is the problem of raising energy or creating a cone of power. I don’t want to imply that sending up energy from our various locations was ineffective, because it wasn’t. As individuals sending up energy towards the achievement of our petitions simultaneously, we were indeed effective. That’s why prayer chains are effective. But the great thing about circling together is the fact that you can join hands and add that physical connection that we as humans seem to need. Creating a cone of power often includes chanting or some other form of sound. Zoom can’t handle our chanting any better than it handles our singing! From the time we are born we need human touch to develop properly. We are tribal, like it or not. The added physical contact while raising energy, together as one, just feels a lot more powerful.
Sharing cakes and ale had its own set of problems. We ended up having each individual provide their own cakes, ale, chalice and athame to perform the rite themselves at home. Again, it was an energy thing. Not the same.
Don’t get me wrong! I was glad to at least be able to connect over Zoom! We gave each other updates and cheered each other up, and that was a good thing.
But now I’m so grateful I have my coven mates to gather with in person to hold our rituals and other exchanges. Even if you are a solitary pagan you might enjoy attending a public ritual now and then where you can join heart to heart, and hand to hand. Being part of the tribe could be good for awhile. Circle on, my magickal friends!
The February full moon is often called the Snow Moon. That name probably doesn’t need explaining, but it does seem to be the month when the most snow falls.
This is a good time for ritual to clean out the old unneeded “stuff” we are holding on to both on the mundane and spiritual plane. And it’s also a time to take cover (as in under fluffy blankets) and go inward. Plan out your goals for the coming cycle and gather some sunbeams in your dreams for the energy you will need during the warmer weather.
Whether you are circling alone or with friends, do take some time to charge some moon water, or even snow water, under the full moon. And offer some cakes and ale to the Lord and Lady. Hopefully you will have a good view of Lady Luna and you can soak up some moonbeams.
Here is a recipe for some tasty lemon poppyseed treats. Lemons and poppyseeds both carry some moon energy and lemons are very cleansing. Offering some of these cakes up during ritual may just cause the Goddess to smile upon you!
Full Snow Moon Cakes
Heat your oven to 350 F.
In a medium bowl whisk together:
1 1/2 cups of flour, 3/4 tsp cream of tartar , 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt and 2 tsp poppyseeds. Set the mixture aside.
In the bowl of your mixer beat until creamy:
1/2 c softened vegan butter and 3/4 c granulated sugar.
Add to that:
1Tb nondairy milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp of grated lemon zest, and beat until combined.
Add your dry ingredients to the wet and mix until combined and a dough forms.
Scoop balls of dough about 1 1/2 inches across and place them on an ungreased baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Flatten the balls slightly. Bake them in your preheated oven for 7-9 mins. Remove the cakes from the cookie sheet after 2 mins and place them on a cooling rack.
When the moon cakes are cool, top them with a snowy white frosting made by adding 1Tb +1tsp lemon juice to 1 c of confectioners sugar. The frosting should be creamy but not runny. Let the frosting set before placing them on a plate for serving.
Want to add a bit of sweetness to your spring? I like to celebrate the season of Ostara all through the springtime! After all, most of the Easter symbols are very pagan in origin. Bunnies, eggs, chicks and lambs all represent the new growth that is abundant at this time. So, to add some cheer to the season, I made a batch of these yummy sugar cookies. They are vegan, and if you wish to make them gluten free you can substitute the one to one gluten free baking mix for the flour.
Here’s what you need:
2 sticks (1cup) of non dairy butter such as Earth Balance, softened
1 cup of white sugar
4 Tb non dairy milk (I use almond milk)
1 Tb vanilla
2 tsp. baking powder
3 cups of flour
Here’s how to make them:
Heat the oven to 350
Cream the butter and sugar. Add the vanilla and milk and mix well.
Stir in the baking powder. Add the flour and mix til smooth.
Roll out the dough and cut it into shapes. I find it easiest to work on a sheet of parchment paper.
Place the cookies on a lined or greased cookie sheet and bake 6-9 minutes. The cookies should remain soft and not get very brown.
Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then move them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Decorate the cookies as you like! For icing you can add a Tb of almond milk for each cup of powdered (confectioner’s) sugar. Frost with a knife or a piping bag.
Enjoy!
PS- the chocolate egg in the center of the plate in the photo I made by pouring melted chocolate into an egg cookie cutter I had placed on parchment paper. I then put the chocolate egg in the freezer for a few minutes to let it harden so it was easy to carefully push out the bottom of the cookie cutter.
This Imbolc I have been practicing my skills at creating the Brighid’s cross. These little symbols can be made from various materials and in various sizes.
Tradition holds that creating a cross at Imbolc and setting it outside on Imbolc Eve to be blessed by the goddess Brighid as she passes by, will bring protection to the home, especially against fires. I live in a fire prone area, so creating one of these little protective guys is probably a very good idea!
I have posted a YouTube video with a tutorial on creating a Brighid’s cross and how to add one to a magickal protective wreath. You can check it out here: https://youtu.be/pYxnfkc5IVQ
However you celebrate Imbolc this year, I hope you find peace and light to help guide you along your path in this sometimes confusing world.
This year I am celebrating a quiet Mabon. But I couldn’t let the sabbat go by without doing something special. I do think of apples around this time of year probably because my family often goes apple picking in September.
There’s nothing like a piece of warm coffee cake with a hot cup of something to get one into a cozy autumn mood. Add some apples and spice and you have the following dairy free recipe:
Ingredients
Streusel Topping
2/3 cup biscuit mix such as Bisquick
2/3cup packed brown sugar
1teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4cup cold vegan butter or margarine
Coffee Cake
2 cups biscuit mix
2/3cup plant based milk or water plus 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar or white vinegar (don’t worry if it curdles)
3tablespoons granulated sugar
1 flax egg which is 1Tb ground flax seed plus 2 1/2 TB warm water
2medium cooking apples, peeled and thinly sliced (2 cups)
2tablespoons chopped nuts
Glaze
1/2cup powdered sugar
2to 3 teaspoons plant based milk (almond milk is good)
Steps
1 – Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch square pan with cooking spray. In small bowl, mix 2/3 cup biscuit mix, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cut in vegan butter, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until crumbly; set aside.
2 – In medium bowl, stir together 2 cups biscuit mix, 2/3 cup plant based milk with ACV , the granulated sugar and flax egg; beat vigorously 30 seconds with spoon. Spread half of batter in pan. Arrange apple slices on batter; sprinkle with half of streusel topping. Spread with remaining batter; sprinkle with remaining topping. Sprinkle with nuts.
3 – Bake about 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on cooling rack 20 minutes. In small bowl, stir glaze ingredients until smooth enough to drizzle. Drizzle glaze over warm coffee cake.
Enjoy a warm piece of Mabon Apple Coffee Cake with a cup of chai tea or coffee!
I’ve seen a lot on social media about creating spell bottles lately, and thought during this super moon our coven might like to create some spell bottles to help contact our spirit guides.
Have you ever wondered if you have a spirit guide? Of course you do!! Probably more than one! Some witches refer to their “familiars” who are usually spirit animals or beings who help them in their magick. However you refer to them, you have astral companions that are interested in working with you in a positive beneficial way.
We will create and enchant our spell bottles first and then use them in a guided meditation to make contact with one of our spirit guides.
These are the supplies needed to make a Spirit Guide Spell Bottle:
a small to medium jar with a flat screw-on lid
a bit of your favorite herb(s) (dried)
a small piece of your favorite gem stone(s)
a charm or image of an animal you are drawn to small enough to fit in the jar
ribbon or fabric in your favorite color(s) to decorate your jar
a small piece of paper and a pencil to create a sigil
a tea light and tea light holder
incense or smudge for blessing your ingredients
First, cleanse and bless all of your ingredients with some incense or herbal smoke.
Next place your stones, herbs and charms inside the bottle and screw on the lid.
You can then decorate the outside of the jar with your fabric and/or ribbon.
Place the sigil under your spell jar to attract the energy of your spirit guide as you meditate. The personal items you placed in your jar will also act as a beacon to your guide.
Now you are ready to set your tea light in its holder on the lid of the jar and light the candle. Focus on your breath and get into a meditative state.
Here is the meditation I plan to use in our ritual, although you can certainly meditate in your own way and focus on contacting your guide:
Take three deep breaths and try to relax and breath out any tension you may be carrying in your body. Focus on your inhaling and exhaling until you are only conscious of your breath.
Feel yourself rise up out of your body. Now you are walking down a dirt path surrounded by a mist. You are not conscious of anything or anyone around you. You walk along only conscious of the rhythm of your footsteps. You suddenly realize that you are approaching a huge oak tree! The trunk of the tree is as large as a huge house. Then you see that the tree does, indeed, have doors and windows and there is light shining through the windows. You climb the stone steps and knock on the front door. The door swings slowly open , but you see no one inside.
To your right is a large winding staircase that leads to an upper floor. You climb the stairs and and find yourself in a hallway with many doors. As you walk along you see that the doors each have a name on them. You read each name as you pass by each door until you stop at a door with your name on it. You knock and hear a voice from inside say, “Come in!”
You enter the room and see two empty armchairs next to each other. The room feels comfortable and somehow familiar to you. You sit down in one of the chairs, lean your head back and close your eyes in relaxation.
Then you hear a voice speak your name. You open your eyes and see that the other chair is no longer empty! The one sitting there is one of your spirit guides.Take a few moments to get acquainted. Ask your guide questions and tell them how you are feeling and what your concerns might be.
Now it is time to leave this place. Your spirit guide assures you that they are always available to talk to when you feel the need. You can even return to this room and converse in meditation. You say your farewells and as you exit the door to the room you find yourself back in our circle. Come back to your body and when you are ready, wiggle your toes and fingers and open your eyes.
I wish you many happy times with your guides as they help you along your path. Don’t feel frustrated if you don’t make contact with them on the first try. You may not “see” things psychically but instead feel them. You may hear messages in your head but can’t put a physical face to them. That’s ok! As time passes you will get to know one or more of your guides and work with them on your magickal path.
Let me know in the comments below what you experienced with your spirit guides!
The Magickal Cottage 