Messages In This Digest (20 Messages)

1.: Beltane Info and Recipes

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:22 am (PDT)

Beltane

Beltane, a frivolous, lusty sabbat, is dedicated to fertility and the returning of the sun. A maypole crowned with wild flowers and multicolored ribbons is the center of the dance. As weaving and plaiting are common practices of Beltane, you are invited to dance around the maypole and intertwine the ribbons while you sing songs. this dance symbolized the union of the Goddess and her Consort; the joining of two to form a third entity. Try to celebrate near a forest or living tree.

Faeries are known to be quite active during Beltane. It is important to pay heed to nature's devas. Pan is also remembered with great reverence, as He is yet another incarnation of the Horned One.

Other traditions to celebrate this sabbat include making small wedding gifts for the Goddess and God, such as a string of beads, potpourri bags, or flower garlands to hang from a tree; a basket of flowers at a neighbor's doorstep, or hearth; bonfires; or flower-and-ribbon hair wreaths known as chaplets (in honor of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers). This is an especially good time to announce a wedding engagement.

Herbs and flowers associated with Beltane include almond, angelica, ash tree, bluebell, cinquefoil, daisy,frankincense, hawthorn, honeysuckle, ivy, lilac, marigold, meadowsweet, primrose, rose, satyrion root (also known as orchis), Saint John's wort, woodruff, and yellow cowslips.

Traditional foods of Beltane include Beltane cakes (round oatmeal or barleycakes), doughnuts, cookies, fresh fruit (usually red fruits, such as raspberries or cherries), herbal salads, honey, marigold custard, mead, vanilla ice cream, and wine punch.

Stewing was a favorite method of preparing food in the Middle Ages, especially for peasants. Extra stew could be easily preserved with a variety of herbs, which hid the bland flavor of ordinary ingredients and inhibited the growth of bacteria. One of the most prevalent herbs used was sage, which was abundant and easily grown in most climates.

Collect several fresh sage stems and leaves to use in a house blessing ceremony. Using ten stems, make a bundle with colorful thread or yarn, allowing the sage to dry upside down for two to three days. Since each color of thread conveys a different message, the intent of each house blessing must be uncovered first. If you feel disconnected from Spirit, use orange thread, as orange represents spirituality; upset and frazzled, use blue, which transmutes calmness, tranquility, and peace; blase and low on energy, use red, as it represents high energy and the vibrancy of life. Pink represents love; yellow, peace; green, healing or growth; purple, divine protection and knowledge, gray, fear; black, the unknown; white, truth and purity; and brown, grounding.

Light the dried sage bundle on fire at one end, using an abalone shell or something similar to catch the ashes. Use a feather (a turkey feather works best) to direct the smoke away from you in a sweeping motion. You can even tie beads, special stones, or other talismans to the end of the feather Say or chant:

I bless this house with protective sage
I cleanse and wash it with love and light.
I banish all negative energy,
And seal its walls with Goddess might.

(As you move from room to room, your chant may change and will be affected by your individual needs.)

Direct the smoke to every high corner, around every window and door, and over every drain and toilet. Also known as smudging, this ritual will clear your house of all unwanted energy, prevent negativity from entering, and seal in positive energy. All who enter will feel the warmth and love permeating throughout. Smudging will multiply your joys, offering protection and creating a sense of calm serenity in each room. The sage in this recipe will help promote tranquility of the friends and family who are partaking of the Mother's bounty together.

Vanishing Veal Stew

3/4 pound of stewing veal
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick/ 55 grams) butter
4 cloves garlic
1 cup (228 grams) leeks, trimmed and washed, white parts only
1/2 cup (76 grams) pearl barley
4 1/2 cups (1120 milliliters) red vinegar
2 bay leaves, crumbled
Salt and pepper
5 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh sage leaves
Onion Shortcake

Cut the veal into 1-inch cubes. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Over medium-low to medium heat, cook the veal with the garlic and leeks for 5 to 7 minutes, until the meat is lightly browned and the vegetables are slightly softened.

Add the barley, water, vinegar, and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Decrease the heat, cover, and simmer gently for 1 1/2 half hours, until the meat is very tender. Add the sage and continue to cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

Serve in bowls with Onion Shortcake.

Serves 4 to 6

Onion Shortcake

2 cups (280 grams) flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 tablespoons vegetable shortening
2/3 cup (160 milliliters) milk
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick/ 30 grams) butter
2 1/2 cups (567 grams) sliced onions
1 large egg
1/2 cup (120 milliliters) light cream
Paprika, for garnish
Poppy seeds, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 4oo degrees 4 (200 degrees C). Sift the flour and baking powder with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Cut in the shortening. Add the milk and knead the dough lightly. Flatten into a greased 8 by 8-inch (20 by 20-centimeter) casserole dish.

Melt the butter in a skillet and saute the onions, until golden. Let the onions cool, then spread them over the dough.

Beat the egg, cream, and the remaining salt. Pour over the onions. Sprinkle with the paprika and poppy seeds. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Makes 9 squares.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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2a.: Ceromancy or How To Tell Fortunes With Wax

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:33 am (PDT)

Ceromancy or How To Tell Fortunes With Wax

To know the future by a candle's flame is covered quite adequately in
this little poem from an unknown poet:

Touch a light to the little wick,
Watch it burn to the candlestick.
Study with care the little blaze;
Fortunes are told in its tiny rays.

If an unseen power makes it weak and low,
For you it foretells a tale of woe.
If that same power makes a blaze bright and healthy,
You'll be happy and wise, be good and wealthy.

For those who wish to pursue ceromancy, which is divination from forms
produced by dropping melted wax in water, it is simple enough for
anyone to try. Use any color candle, though the darker hues will show
up best. It takes only a bit of imagination on the part of the
magician to "see" the images which emerge from a bit of hot wax
allowed to drop into a bowl of cold water.

AIRPLANE - A trip of a disappointment
ANCHOR - Your loved one is true
BABY - Troubles are coming
BALL or BALLOON - Your problem will not last very long
BEANS - Money difficulties
BED - A vacation would be good for you
BELLS - A wedding
BIRD - News will reach you soon
BRIDGE - Take a chance
BROOM - Make a change
CANDLE - Spiritual growth
CAT - A friend is untrue
CHAIN - Go ahead with your plans
CIRCLE - Reconciliation
CLOUD - Something or someone threatens you
CROSS - Do not fear for you are protected
CROWN - Sickness
CUP - Bitter quarrel with a friend
DOG - Your self-esteem is too low
EAR - Be alert for an opportunity to advance in your work
EGG - New developments soon
FAN - A surprise is in store for you
FEATHER - The problem will be solved
FISH - Someone will betray you
GHOST - Someone from the past is looking for you
GRASS - Good fortune is approaching
HAT - A change of location is indicated
HEART - A friendship will turn into love
HOUSE - Better times are coming
KEY - A setback in plans should be expected
KITE - Your wish will come to naught
LADDER - Take steps to change your attitude toward an old friend
LEAF or LEAVES - Things will be changing soon
LION - An unpleasant situation is developing
MOON - Indicates more money
MOUNTAIN - Good friends are willing to help you
PANTS - You will be tempted
PEN - Expect a letter from a relative
PIN - Your lover may be attracted to another
PIPE - Peace and comfort
RING - Marriage may be possible in the near future
SCISSORS - Separation
SHOE - Be suspicious of a new acquaintance
SNAKE - Be on guard against an enemy
SPIDER WEB - Pleasant happenings
STAR - Happiness
SUN - Good fortune
TABLE - An abundance of blessings
TREE - A good time for new undertakings
UMBRELLA - Trouble is coming
WALKING STICK - Get out of the house and visit friends
WHEEL - One who has been away will return soon
WITCH - Danger will pass you by
WORM - Business troubles ahead if you are not careful

http://www.mojomoon.net/candlwax.html

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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3a.: Making the Switch, Spiritually Speaking

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:34 am (PDT)

Making the Switch, Spiritually Speaking From Terri Paajanen,
From: About.com

Changing from one religion is easier said than done since Wicca is only around 50 years old, it is still a religion that most people find later in life, rather than having been raised Wiccan. As such, a great many new Wiccans are faced with the sometimes difficult task of leaving one set of beliefs behind while embracing a new set.

Unfortunately, many people expect this to be as simple as changing a pair of shoes. And when it's not, they start to question their newfound faith. While I have no facts to offer, I would like to express some of my own thoughts and opinions. If nothing else, I want to let you know you are not alone.

As I just stated, switching religions isn't like flipping a light switch. It can be downright difficult, and the extent of that difficulty has no bearing whatsoever on whether you are making the right decision to switch.
Just because your mind may continue to linger on beliefs of your first faith, you shouldn't interpret that as some sort of sign that you have made a bad choice.

It can take work and conscious effort to change one's patterns of thinking. When I gave up Christianity and embraced a Pagan path, it took months of intentional thought to change my perception of Deity from male to female. I can't even remember how long it took me to shake the fear of Hell. My heart had made the switch but my brain took longer to catch up.

Another aspect of switching troubles, is that some folk choose to blend their old faith and new one rather that switch completely. Now, fundamentally there is nothing wrong with creating a new path from different teachings. Nothing at all. But I strongly recommend that you think about this. Could it be that you are simply unable to let go of some old ideas, and want to keep them around like a spiritual safety blanket? Mixing two paths that have conflicting teachings can lead to further confusion for you later on down the road. So think about your reasons and really consider your choices.

So, how do you make the switch easier? Well, there are many factors to consider, namely what religion you are coming from and how deeply immersed you were in that religion to begin with. My only suggestion would be to take time to learn and study as much as you can about Wicca or whatever your new path is. One reason your mind may reach back to old ways is because you are unsure of the correct answer within your new ways. Learn and keep your mind focused. One day you'll realize that all of your old thoughts have left the building.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
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3b.: Making the Switch, Spiritually Speaking

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:34 am (PDT)

Making the Switch, Spiritually Speaking From Terri Paajanen,
From: About.com

Changing from one religion is easier said than done since Wicca is only around 50 years old, it is still a religion that most people find later in life, rather than having been raised Wiccan. As such, a great many new Wiccans are faced with the sometimes difficult task of leaving one set of beliefs behind while embracing a new set.

Unfortunately, many people expect this to be as simple as changing a pair of shoes. And when it's not, they start to question their newfound faith. While I have no facts to offer, I would like to express some of my own thoughts and opinions. If nothing else, I want to let you know you are not alone.

As I just stated, switching religions isn't like flipping a light switch. It can be downright difficult, and the extent of that difficulty has no bearing whatsoever on whether you are making the right decision to switch.
Just because your mind may continue to linger on beliefs of your first faith, you shouldn't interpret that as some sort of sign that you have made a bad choice.

It can take work and conscious effort to change one's patterns of thinking. When I gave up Christianity and embraced a Pagan path, it took months of intentional thought to change my perception of Deity from male to female. I can't even remember how long it took me to shake the fear of Hell. My heart had made the switch but my brain took longer to catch up.

Another aspect of switching troubles, is that some folk choose to blend their old faith and new one rather that switch completely. Now, fundamentally there is nothing wrong with creating a new path from different teachings. Nothing at all. But I strongly recommend that you think about this. Could it be that you are simply unable to let go of some old ideas, and want to keep them around like a spiritual safety blanket? Mixing two paths that have conflicting teachings can lead to further confusion for you later on down the road. So think about your reasons and really consider your choices.

So, how do you make the switch easier? Well, there are many factors to consider, namely what religion you are coming from and how deeply immersed you were in that religion to begin with. My only suggestion would be to take time to learn and study as much as you can about Wicca or whatever your new path is. One reason your mind may reach back to old ways is because you are unsure of the correct answer within your new ways. Learn and keep your mind focused. One day you'll realize that all of your old thoughts have left the building.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

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4.1.: Aromatherapy Tip

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:34 am (PDT)

In aromatherapy Patchouli is often used as a relaxant. The warmth
and depth of its aroma make it comforting and relaxing.
An aromatherapy blend inspired by the traditional Chinese use can
evoke a feeling of gentle clarity and inspire the harmonious flow of
emotional energy. This blend uses oils with balancing and mildly
energizing aromas.

28 drops Patchouli
28 drops Lavender
29 drops Bergamot
10 drops Clary sage
5 drops Rosemary

Add three drops of this blend to one ounce vegetable oil and use as a
massage oil.

from www.aromathyme.com

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
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5a.: The Lord of the Forest

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:35 am (PDT)

The Lord of the Forest

As dwellers in a forest environment, most Pagan European peoples honored the
Lord of the Wildwood or master of the Forest. His names are many: In Celtic
lore he is Cernunnos the Horned God, while in later English folklore he is
known as Robin Hood.

Like the forest itself, the Wildwood Lord is sometimes benevolent and
sometimes fearsome; at other times, he plays the trickster and works his
mischief upon unwary wanderers in the woods.

In eastern Europe, the forest spirit, or guardian is called the Leshy. It is
said that he looks "almost" human, though his flashing green eyes pop out of
their sockets, his eyebrows are tufted, and he has a green beard. He doesn't
cast a shadow.

His job is to guard the forest. He protects the deer, the birds, and all
other forest creatures. Sometimes he is seen leading herds of wild animals,
but he is especially fond of the bear, with whom he feasts and revels, and of
the wolf, who is his totem.

The Leshy won't trespass on anyone else's land, but he jealously guards his
own kingdom. He leads wanderers astray in the forest, removing or
re-arranging signposts and markers. He especially hates loggers, and weeps
over the death of every single tree in his domain. He seldom hurts anyone,
for he is basically good-natured. He may appear to the forest traveler in
various disguises: as a bear, wolf, hare, mushroom, or even as an ordinary
person or a good friend of yours. After leading you back to your starting
point over and over again, he will finally release you. You can hear him in
the rustling of trees, as well as in odd bits of laughter, whistling, or the
sound of clapping hands. His voice is the echoing of the forest, and there
is always a wind around him, so that no one ever sees his footsteps, whether
in sand or snow.

The Slavic magical tradition has a great deal of advice suitable for
contemporary hikers and campers who would like to make friends with the
Forest Lord.

First of all, never whistle or shout in the woods; the Wildwood Lord hates
noise.

If you want to avoid getting lost in the woods, sit down under a tree trunk,
remove your clothes, and put them on again backward, remembering to put your
left shoe on your right foot. Bend down and look between your legs. Now you
can move on.

If you want to become really close friends with the Forest Lord, go into the
woods. Find a fallen aspen tree with its tip pointing to the east. Stand on
the stump facing east, then bend over and peer back through your own legs,
saying "Forest Lord, come to me now, not as a gray wolf, not as a black
raven, not as a flaming fir tree, but as a man."
by Ken Johnson

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
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6a.: The Magical Emergency Kit

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:35 am (PDT)

The Magical Emergency Kit

One important lesson of the mysteries is that the magical realms have
their dangers and pitfalls as well as their blessings. This is a lesson,
unfortunately, that too many novice magicians learn the hard way.

As magical practitioners have known since ancient times, the parts of
the universe we encounter with the magical senses are every bit as
diverse as the parts we encounter with our physical senses. If you visit another
city, for example, you may encounter lovers, friends, strangers, muggers, and
politicians; if you go hiking in a forest, you may meet mosquitoes and skunks as
well as deer and singing birds. In the same way, the universe of magic is
inhabited by a vast range of beings and forces. Some of these may be friendly to
you; others may be hostile, and still others won't be interested in you at
all. In other words, the human voyagers you encounter in your magical
journeys will be of many different sorts, and not all of them may be friendly or
trustworthy.

Dealing effectively with potential trouble in magic is not
necessarily a simple matter. Good intentions will help, but they're not enough by
themselves. Accurate information, which can be learned from books, from other
magical practitioners, or from your own experience, is a good deal more
useful.

Furthermore, there are several items of use in your magical journey.
As in any journey, you need a good street map, a few coins for phone calls,
and a bottle of pepper spray to help you navigate your way through a modern
city; or some insect repellent, rain gear, and good hiking boots in the
forest. In the same way, certain pieces of magical equipment will help get you
through the rough places in the realms of inner experience.

In fact, it can be useful to assemble these things in a magical
emergency kit, which can be packed into a convenient box or shoulder bag, kept
in or near the room where you do most of your personal magical work, and carried
with you when you attend group workings or festivals. That way, your
protective and guiding tools can be used in the event of psychic or magical attack,
when a ritual goes awry, or at any other time when magical energies become
disrupted or unbalanced.

To some extent, the contents of your magical emergency kit will
depend on the tradition of magic you practice, and on the skill and experience
you've developed in it. Much will also depend on your own strengths and
weaknesses. Still, the following items should probably find a place in your kit.

*A steel-bladed athame, ritual dagger, or trident. Most systems of
Western magic make use of the subtle energy effects of iron and steel for
protection against hostile or disruptive energies. whatever specific tool your
tradition uses for these purposes one should be part of your kit. It should be
ritually consecrated, and kept wrapped in silk or linen to protect it.

*A portable censer, charcoal, matches or lighter, and a folding fan.
Incense is one of the more useful tools in any magical emergency. Having
these items ready will ensure that you can use incense in any situation. The fan
directs the incense smoke where it's needed.

*Blessing incense. The actual type fill vary somewhat depending on
your tradition, but frankincense is nearly always a good bet. Rosemary,
sage, and vervain are also common. All incenses should be kept in airtight
containers.

Banishing incense. Again, your choices should be guided by the type
of magic you practice. Cedarwood, mugwort and myrrh are generally good
options.

Red oil. This is an ancient bit of natural magic well worth bringing
back into common use. Take a cup or more of St. John's wort flowers, as
fresh as possible, and put them in a clear glass jar; pour in olive oil while
stirring, until the oil just covers the flowers. Put in a place where the jar
will receive direct sunlight for at least a few hours each day, and let stand for
2-4 months. If the flowers are fresh, the oil will turn blood red.
Strain, and store the oil in a cool, dark place. A drop of red oil rubbed on the
forehead will banish disruptive energies and help restore peace even in the most
trying times.

*Salt. Many magical traditions use this to purify and banish. Good
quality kosher salt or sea salt are best.

*A small bowl or cup, and a sealed container of incense ash. These,
together with salt and clean water, can be used to consecrate holy water for
use in blessings and purifications. Pour the water into the cup or bowl,
and add a pinch of salt and ash. Then hold both your hands over the water and
speak an appropriate blessing, consecrating on your intention. Holy water can
be sprinkled around the edge of a circle to purify it. Any left over at
the end of a working should be poured onto the earth.

*Protective talismans or amulets. Different schools of magic have
different versions of these common tools, ranging from little bags of herbs and
graveyard dust to pasteboard disks covered with geometrical diagrams
and Hebrew letters. Whatever the details, something of the sort is well worth
having in your kit--kept in silk or linen to keep its charge at full intensity.

These objects, plus any other items you may choose to add to the
collection, will give you options in most of the difficult situations that come
up in magical work. The best kit in the world, though, will be useless if
you do not know what to do with it. Take the time to make sure you know how to
use every item in your kit. If any of the items are meant to be used in ritual
workings, the ritual should be memorized and frequently practiced before you
have to rely on it.

by John Michael Greer,
copyright 2000

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
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7a.: Quotable Quotes

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:36 am (PDT)

Love is a form of temporary insanity
urable only by marriage.
---
o one ever falls in love with another person's mind
t a cocktail party.
---
he fastest way to discover all your bad habits
s by getting married.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
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7b.: Re: Quotable Quotes

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Tue Apr 26, 2011 11:58 am (PDT)

Words of wisdom to remember!! LOL

Beth
Blessed, Mystical, Magickal Cats
&
Curious, Creative, Clever Bunnies

Love is a form of temporary insanity
curable only by marriage.
----
No one ever falls in love with another person's mind
at a cocktail party.
----
The fastest way to discover all your bad habits
is by getting married.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

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8a.: Fwd: Daily Ray of Hope

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:59 am (PDT)

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9.: Q & A: How DO I Know if a Deity is Calling Me?

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:59 pm (PDT)

Question: How Do I Know if a Deity Is Calling Me?

A reader writes in, "There's been some weird stuff going on in my life, and I'm beginning to notice things happening that make me think a god or goddess is trying to contact me. How do I know that this is the case, and that it's not just my brain making things up?"

Answer:
Typically, when someone is "tapped" by a god or goddess, there is a series of messages, rather than a single isolated incident. Many of these messages are symbolic in nature, rather than actual "Hey! I'm Athena! Lookit me!" kind of things.
As an example, you might have a dream or vision in which you are approached by a human figure who has something different about them. You'll probably know it's a deity, but they are sometimes evasive when it comes to telling you who they are -- so you could do some research, and figure out who it was based upon appearance and characteristics.
In addition to a vision, you might have an experience in which symbols of this god or goddess appear randomly in your daily life. Perhaps you've never seen an owl before in your area, and now one has built a nest above your back yard, or someone gives you a gift of an owl statue out of the blue -- owls could represent Athena. Pay attention to repeat occurrences, and see if you can determine a pattern. Eventually you may be able to figure out who it is that's trying to get your attention.
Bear in mind as well that raising magical energy may heighten your awareness of this sort of thing. If you're someone who raises energy a lot, that may leave you far more open to receiving a message from the Divine than someone who doesn't do much energy work.

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/godsandgoddesses/f/DeitiesCalling.htm?nl=1

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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10.1.: Elder's Meditation of the Day

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:02 pm (PDT)

Elder's Meditation of the Day

"As we plunge ahead to build empires and race for supremacy we should stop and listen to [the female] song of life. For without the female there is no life."

-- Oren R. Lyons, Spokesman, Traditional Circle of Elders

Women are created with the ability to produce life. Women have a special tie to the Earth Mother. They have something in common. They are the source of life. The Earth Mother gives songs to the Woman to sing. These songs are about life, about beauty, about children, about love, about family, about strength, about caring, about nurturing, about forgiveness, about God. The World needs to pay attention and listen to Her. She knows.

Great Spirit, let me listen to Her songs.
from www.whitebison.org

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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11a.: Premonitions

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:04 pm (PDT)

Premonitions
Ah, that knowing feeling
by Red

It's a beautiful day, and life is going on pretty much as it should. You are minding your own business, going through the motions of your daily routine, when out of the blue you get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. While you may not be able to put your finger on why, what, when, or where, your instincts are telling you something is going to happen. You are having a premonition.

Most of us, myself included (and I'm a psychic!), misuse the heck out of the word "premonition." Yet it is a word that conveys what you are experiencing in a manner that most people can relate to. The word itself is much more simplistic than what most people think. A premonition is nothing more than an advanced warning - one that comes by way of feeling anxious or uneasy. Its signals are too subtle to be noticed by the conscious mind. When we get a feeling that something is going to happen, the usual sense is that whatever it is, it may not be good.

Instinct
We all have instincts we need to learn to trust, rather than ignore. Of course, that can be hard to do. But lives have been saved by not boarding that plane, or by driving a different route to work after having a premonition. How many times have you thought that the car in front of you was about to make an irrational move, and it did? You probably wrote it off as "good instincts," but to say you had a premonition would actually be correct.

You would think, me being psychic and all, that I could tap into my own premonitions when they happen, right? Wrong! Ignoring that internal warning when I was 20 cost me a car (my pride and joy), and landed me in the hospital for Thanksgiving. My boyfriend had asked me to stop at the store on my way home. I hadn't planned on making any stops, and was rather annoyed that he asked, since there was a major snowstorm brewing. I immediately got that feeling that I shouldn't do it - that I should go straight home. But I pushed my unease aside, and I stopped. I shouldn't have…and still wish I hadn't. Those precious ten minutes were just enough time for the storm to hit, the bridge to freeze, and a car without its lights on (that otherwise would have been behind me) to sail by unnoticed. I plowed right into it.

Anxiety
So you have that nagging not-quite-right feeling in your gut - or butterflies, even. Now what? First, think about all the little things that you may have forgotten to do. Try not to let your mind start racing with nightmarish theories of everything that could go wrong. If you still can't shake this feeling, you're in full-blown premonition mode.

Many clients call when they have that feeling - in hopes of finding out what it means. One client's feeling regarded her mother, who had fallen and broken her hip. It isn't unusual for me to confirm or deny a feeling regarding a cheating lover or spouse in a reading. Not every premonition will manifest or be revealed, because we all have the opportunity to avert the danger if we trust the advice from our gut.

Trust
Speaking of trust, and as difficult as it may be, don't let your thoughts and theories lead you astray. All the mental explorations of looming disaster are more likely to make your sense of uneasiness grow. Allow yourself to go through a quick mental checklist of what this feeling might mean - but if nothing rings true with your mind and body, then you'll want to trust your intuition to guide you through anything you may need to face.
Logic
Your feeling could be something, or it can turn out to be absolutely nothing - but it would be wise to pay closer attention to things as you go about your day. Sometimes the strangest triggers can turn a premonition into something more, but obsessing typically isn't one of them - because your logical mind gets in the way. Random thoughts may make more sense, or patterns may start to appear. Or, you may have completely forgotten about your sense of distress, and WHAM! - the answer becomes clear.
More than a feeling
While a premonition starts out as just a feeling, it often turns into a sense of knowing - even if you don't understand why. Random thoughts may not feel so random, or patterns may start to appear. These little things are what you need to pay attention to - let your intuition be your guide.
For some people, these psychic flashes are fleeting moments - possibly few and far between. Just remember that premonitions don't happen to stress us out. They are there to keep us healthy, wealthy, and wise. And the best thing to do at all times, is to pay attention. It's that simple.
http://www.californiapsychics.com/articles/Features/2217/Premonitions.aspx

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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12a.: Housecleaning With Magic

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:04 pm (PDT)

Housecleaning with Magic
Adapted from Witch in the Kitchen, by Cait Johnson (Inner Traditions, 2001).

The antidote to housecleaning drudgery is magical fun. When we bring a little
earthy magic to our spring cleaning, the result is a deeply nourished spirit
as well as a cleaner house!

Here are a few simple ways to discover the joys of cleaning with spirit:
1. Sing a special song as you clean. If you know an earth-centered song,
great. If not, make something up. Repeating even the simplest of tunes (with or
without rhyming words) can help you relax, deepen, and open. You don't have to
sound like a professional--don't judge yourself, just have fun with it.

2. Clean barefoot. This changes one's perspective, somehow. As you clean,
visualize rootlets growing from the soles of your feet, going down through your
(clean) floor into Mother Earth.

3. Make yourself a Cleaner's Crown. After all, you deserve a crown for all
the work you do. Ribbon, paper, fake flowers--anything that strikes your
fancy--can be used to make one. While you're at it, make up a silly name for
yourself. If you're a warrior-type, you could be Spic n' Spanna, Fighter of
Grime; invent stories about your battles and adventures. Or become Our Lady of
Perpetual Mopping; see yourself as a healer and soother, a sort of Mother Teresa
of the kitchen. Your crown would be more of a halo. Maybe you'd be happy as the
Wise One of the Woods, wreathed with wild grapevine. Find a character that suits
you.

4. Clean green. Nothing discourages feelings of connection to the earth like
toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. If your cleaning products are filled with
them, your inner self can sense it, and it won't be happy. Check out our care2
channels for lots of simple kitchen-cupboard cleaning formulas, or try some of
the earth-friendly products from your local natural foods store.

5. Add a strong herbal tea to your cleaning water. Sweet scents and good
vibes go a long way toward making your home feel connected to the Great Power.
Just boil a couple of cups of water and throw in a handful of herbs, steep for
several minutes, and strain the tea into your cleaning bucket.
Here is a list of some traditional herb correspondences; choose one or more
according to your desire. We don't usually think of sea salt and basil and
apples as magical, but our more earth-centered ancestors knew they were. It is a
wonderful affirmation of the magic in the ordinary to use kitchen-cupboard
ingredients in magical ways.

Apples: Food of the Goddess, love. Add a few pieces of fresh or dried apple
to your water (but not too much or you'll end up with sticky surfaces!)
Basil: Love, fidelity, wealth, protection. A nice all-purpose herb with a
luscious summery scent.
Chamomile: Serenity and calm; purification. Smells like a blend of apples and
new-mown hay. While you're at it, make yourself a cup of tea to drink after
you've finished cleaning; it's very relaxing.
Cinnamon: Happy home, safety, healing, protection. The primal home-and-hearth
spice. Use pieces of cinnamon stick for your brew (the powdered kind will
turn into a gelatinous glop in the bucket).
Clove: Purification; promotes love and spirituality. Try it with
cinnamon--delicious!
Eucalyptus: Health, protection. Warm and fresh, actually kills germs.
Evergreen: Health, purification, vitality. A few sprigs of pine, cedar, or
juniper growing nearby, a few sprigs placed in boiling water will add green
freshness to your housecleaning brew.
Lavender: Love, friendship, peace, happiness, protection. Such a sweet,
relaxing, and calm-inducing scent--and it's also an antidepressant.
Lemon peel: Purification. It's no accident that so many cleaning products are
lemon-scented; lemon smells fresh and uplifting and cleanses negativity.
Marjoram: Love, protection, antidepressant. You can sprinkle a little of this
dried herb in the corners of every room to promote love and safety.
Peppermint: Purification, healing, soothing. A wonderfully relaxing and
refreshing scent.
Rosemary: Cleansing and protection; clears negativity; encourages clear
thinking.
Sage: Purification, wisdom. It's no coincidence that the word for "wise
one" is the same as the herb's name. A traditional ingredient of many Native
American smudge bundles, a strong sage tea will help clear your home of
negativity.
Sea salt: Traditional for purification and protection. If you've been feeling
vulnerable or weird and you only have time to add one ingredient to your
wash-water, this could be it.
Vanilla: love, happiness. A piece of the bean or a few drops of extract will
make your home smell and feel delicious.
6. Smudge. See our article in the care2 channels on smudging to clear and
harmonize the atmosphere. Burning bundles of dried herbs is a traditional way to
do this.

Shop for Supplies:
Witch in the Kitchen
Magical cooking for all seasons.

Links to Resources and Articles:
Inner Traditions - Founded in 1975, Inner Traditions is a leading publisher
of books on indigenous cultures, perennial philosphy, visionary art, spiritual
traditions of East and West, sexuality, holistic health and healing,
self-development, as well as recordings of ethnic music and accompaniments for
meditation.

Copyright: Adapted from Witch in the Kitchen, by Cait Johnson (Inner
Traditions, 2001). Copyright (c) 2001 by Cait Johnson. Reprinted by permission
of Inner Traditions Press.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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13.: The Synchrohicity Game--How to Play

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:05 pm (PDT)

The Synchronicity Game - How To Play
Adapted from Dreamways of the Iroquois, by Robert Moss (Inner Traditions,
2005).

Recognizing synchronicity in our lives can help us to follow our deepest
intuitions, even when they run counter to conventional wisdom and logic. Notice
coincidence, chance encounters, and the play of symbols all around, and you
will notice synchronicity. It can be a series of homing beacons, alerting us
to the fact that we are not alone, that we have invisible sources of support,
and that we are on the right course even when the whole world seems to be
going the other way!

Play this insightful game to invite synchronicity to be your guide!
You can invite synchronicity to be your guide by putting your question to the
world. Say there is a special theme on which you would like guidance, or a
question in your life that needs an answer.

You can carry that question or theme in your mind (and maybe on a piece of
paper).
The first unusual or striking thing that enters your field of perception will
be guidance to you from the world, a direct message to your soul.
The message may come on a bumper sticker or logo on the truck in front of
you, in the flight of a bird, in an overheard conversation, the black dog that
just happens to be boarding the same plane, or in the amazing green-and-yellow
bug that lands on your wrist.

Shop for Supplies
Dreamways of the Iroquois
http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=caremailgreeting&o=1&
p=8&l=as1&asins=1594770344&fc1=000000&=1&lc1=0000f
f&bc1=000000<1=_blank&IS2=1&f=ifr&bg1=ffffff&f=i
fr

Copyright: Adapted from Dreamways of the Iroquois, by Robert Moss (Inner
Traditions, 2005). Copyright (c) 2005 by Robert Moss. Reprinted by permission
of Inner Traditions.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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14.1.: Today's Quote

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:06 pm (PDT)

People are like grass in the field:
some blossom, some wither.
Jewish Proverb

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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15a.: Namaste

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:09 pm (PDT)

Namaste

The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. "Nama" means bow, "as" means I, and "te" means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means "bow meyou" or "I bow to you."

To perform Namaste, we place the hands together at the heart chakra, close the eyes, and bow the head. It can also be done by placing the hands together in front of the third eye, bowing the head, and then bringing the hands down to the heart. This is an especially deep form of respect. Although in the West the word "Namaste" is usually spoken in conjunction with the gesture, in India, it is understood that the gesture itself signifies Namaste, and therefore, it is unnecessary to say the word while
bowing.

We bring the hands together at the heart chakra to increase the flow of Divine love. Bowing the head and closing the eyes helps the mind surrender to the Divine in the heart. One can do Namaste to oneself as a meditation technique to go deeper inside the heart chakra; when done with someone else, it is also a beautiful, albeit quick, meditation.

source unknown

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

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16a.: (no subject)

Posted by: "MELANIE Cacek" dragonkeepermw@msn.com rbl2hrly

Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:11 pm (PDT)

Hopefully everyone will enjoy this article from "the herb companion" magazine. It's a bit on the long side, but discusses several herbs that may interest you.
7 Sensational Silver Plants
Designed by nature to withstand climate
extremes, silver plants light up the garden and enliven color schemes
wherever they grow.

The silvers we admire today for their beauty were once regarded solely
as useful plants, praised for their ability to cure or alleviate a wide
variety of human complaints, from toothache to the pangs of childbirth.
Taken from Elegant Silvers: Striking Plants for Every Garden�2005
by Jo Ann Gardner and Karen Bussolini. All photos in the book �2005 by
Karen Bussolini. Published by Timber Press, Portland, OR. Used by
permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. 7 Sensational Silvers:
� Agave (Agave spp.)
� Artemisia (Artemisia spp.)
� Butterfly Bush (Buddleja spp.)
� Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
� Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
� Sage (Salvia spp.)
� Russian Sage (Perovskia spp.) Whether
designing a landscape from scratch or reworking a section of a
perennial garden, most gardeners can�t wait to start acquiring new
plants. Walking through the gardens, snipping and digging, touching,
smelling, noticing the surprises and delights of our plants is the
joyful heart of gardening. Plants with similar characteristics tend to
harmonize with each other, creating a sense of tranquility. The contrast
of plants that are very different from each other adds zing. Paying
attention to the characteristics of our favorite plants�color, shape,
sheen, habit, texture and other qualities�helps us predict how they will
work in combination with plants that have similar or different
characteristics. We started not with a theory of color and design
but with muddling around in our own gardens, combining plants until
they �felt right.� We learned that compiling a bouquet while strolling
through the garden with snippers or walking a plant around the nursery
to see how it looks with other plants inspires unanticipated
combinations. Serendipitous self-sowers instructed us by making
felicitous combinations on their own.The Art of Combining Silver PlantsCopying
directly from other gardens is certainly fair game, but often it�s the
ideas, not the plants themselves, that take root in our own gardens.
Liking the lovely tension between cool, bright Artemisia ludoviciana �Silver
King� and the chartreuse zinnias and nicotiana we saw flowering in the
sun at the Berkshire Botanical Garden, for instance, inspired us to pair
chartreuse-flowering Alchemilla mollis with the gleaming silver blades of Pulmonaria
�Excalibur� in a shady spot. Wiry, nodding native delphiniums weaving
their way up through bold, spiny-tipped Zone 8 yuccas in a Texas garden
suggested contrasts with our own hardy Yucca filamentosa. Once
we realize that we like a certain kind of combination�warm with cool or
bold with delicate�we can extrapolate to other kinds of plants that will
grow happily in our own gardens. Color
Color is often what we notice first. It sets the emotional tone of a
garden. We are excited by flamboyant color combinations or soothed by
subtle ones. Yet color is the most personal of choices. One person�s
subtle seems dull to another, vibrant crosses the line to tacky for some
and classic may seem tired. Silver at its purest is not a color
at all but the very essence of light. It is the chameleon of the plant
kingdom, changing with light and season, hard to put your finger on.
Silver can be retiring background or the star of the show, garish or
subtle, soothing or distinctly exciting. Some silvers are stunning on
their own�an avenue of poplars, a solitary shimmering eucalyptus, a
helichrysum topiary. Silver plants have a unique ability to intensify
other colors or to knit them together (sometimes at the same time). It
is in relationship to other plants, whether blending or contrasting,
that silvers, finding their strength, truly shine. Silver as PeacekeeperOn
a hot day, the shade of a silver tree seems cooler than the shade from
other trees. A silver passage in the garden provides respite. The many
shades of silver, from gray-green to gray, pewter, bright silver or
silver-blue, blend well with each other because of their shared tonal
qualities. Silver gives white flowers a context that saves them from
washing out in the sun. Silvers and grays have a special sympathy with
pastel-colored flowers and the washed-out earth tones of plants such as
New Zealand sedges. A drift of silver can buffer clashing colors,
helping them blend together and giving our eyes a rest. Some silver plants seem to look good with everything. We have seen Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), lamb�s ears (Stachys byzantina �Helene von Stein�), blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) and Nepeta �faassenii �Six
Hills Giant� keeping the peace in gardens all over the United States.
In a Connecticut garden, the nepeta edging a long all�e knits together
all the hues and tangle of a rose garden. In Minnesota, bright
perennials are unified when displayed against a shimmering ribbon of
spiky blue Helictotrichon, Panicum virgatum �Heavy Metal� and Perovskia. In our own garden, Stachys byzantina �Helene
von Stein�, with sparse silver hairs on gray-green leaves, is a fine
bridge between plants on the green side and bright silvers. We suspect
that whatever riot of color a garden might possess, a good dose of any
of these four plants, or any number of silver substitutes, would make
sense of the chaos. Silver ContrastsPeace in the garden
is fine up to a point, but a garden that only blends and never contrasts
gets dull. For gardeners seeking drama, pairing any of silver�s tonal
qualities with their opposite qualities creates excitement. If a silver
is bright and light, try a dark companion. Silver and gold is another
case of opposites attracting. Many silver plants�notably the senecios,
helichrysums, achilleas and santolinas�have yellow flowers, providing
built-in warm contrast. The possibilities for dynamic combinations seem
endless. If silver is cool, turn up the heat by pairing it with warm
reds, russets and oranges. If it is a dull gray, create a glow with more
brilliant tones. If it is a clear, simple tone, surround it with
complex or muted neighbors with purple-green leaves or mauve flowers. If
it is on the blue side, pair it with oranges or yellows across the
color wheel.
Texture
Combining plants with textures that are alike or different adds
another dimension to garden vignettes. Texture is created by size and
shape of leaves and by the feel or appearance of the leaves� surfaces.
The lobed fans, deeply cut lace, or tiny, softly curling tendrils of
artemisias contrast with linear grasses and with the round leaves of
eucalyptus. It is difficult to appreciate the virtues of the many
small-leafed nepetas, lavenders, origanums, helichrysum and santolinas
when they are all jumbled together, as they often are in herb gardens.
These plants might not contrast with each other, but their petite leaves
make for big contrasts with Verbascum bombyciferum, agaves,
yuccas and other large-leaved plants. Contrasting the many surface
textures of silvers�shiny, dull, fuzzy, pebbled, soft, hard, leathery,
downy, powdery, smooth and waxy�suggests many ways to enrich our
combinations. FormPaying attention to growing habit and
silhouette (upright, laterally branching, curving, swirling, weeping,
waving, mound, mat, or spiky vase-shaped) gives us additional
opportunities to make exciting garden pictures. A few silver
plants�Scottish thistles, artichokes and agaves�are so boldly
architectural that they make striking contrasts with just about
everything. Try juxtaposing spiky grasses with low scrambling,
round-leaved plants; soft, low mounds with taller, more upright plants;
or a hard architectural form with a frothy, indistinct outline. Dynamic Combinations: Alike but DifferentColor,
texture and form do not exist in isolation. They interact�or fail
to�all at once. The more ways they interact, the more satisfying the
combination. A simple combination of lamb�s ears and cushion spurge
works exceptionally well, not just because it contrasts gold and silver,
warm and cool, but because the spurge�s rounded flower heads and
bracts, small and smooth leaves arranged on upright stalks, smooth
surface and modulated hues are strikingly different from the lamb�s
ears� mat of much larger, blade-like leaves, very fuzzy texture and
uniform color. In a container planting of Begonia �Looking Glass� and elephant ears (Colocasia esculenta �Black
Magic�), we can see that although the leaves have a similar shape, the
elephant ears are much bigger. Leaves have a similar texture, but the
begonia�s surface sparkles in sunlight, while the elephant ears remain
dull. Major veins of both are green, but begonia is silver on the front
and red on the back, shimmering and light in comparison to the dark,
almost black, elephant ears. The plants� similarities are close and
their differences extreme, adding up to a complex, resonant picture. A History of SilversThe
silvers we admire today for their beauty were once regarded solely as
useful plants, praised for their ability to cure or alleviate a wide
variety of human complaints, from toothache to the pangs of childbirth.
Classic silvers�artemisia, lavender, rue and sage�once were no more than
familiar drugs in the ancient pharmacopoeia or drugstore. The fact that
their leaves were downy or glaucous, a departure from normal green, did
not create an aura of suspicion around them, as was the case with other
plant oddities such as mandrake, whose bizarre-shaped roots earned it a
reputation as a dangerous magical force to be approached with caution.
On the contrary, no fear was attached to using the ruffled, gray-green
horehound to soothe a cough or silvery gray wormwood as a cure for
stomach complaints. These were common plants�despite their unusual
appearance�and a familiar part of everyday life. True, lavender was an
ancient symbol of mistrust, but this association was based on the
plant�s sharp scent rather than its silvery leaves.
AGAVE� Agave spp.
� Common name: century plant, woody lily
� Family: Agavaceae, agave
� Description: waxy succulent perennial
� Origin: Americas
� Site and soil: sun to shade; sharply drained
� Height and width: 1.5 to 10 feet tall; 2.5 to 10 feet wide
� Hardiness: Zones 5 to 10
Agaves are striking plants found in every possible climatic niche,
from dry tropical coastal zones to alpine forest conditions where they
are subject to moisture and snow. The silvery agaves originate in the
American Southwest and Mexico, where they epitomize the landscape.
Rosettes of rigid, fleshy, swordlike leaves, from narrow to wide,
pointed and arching or perfectly rounded, are sleek and smooth or
textured. Many have toothed margins, some with spines and vicious leaf
tips with an elongated point that is fearsome in some species. Silvery
agaves range in color from gray to powder-blue and their forms vary from
relatively small to monumental, from 12 inches to 20 feet across, with
flowering spikes up to 40 feet in the air. Lilylike flowers, pollinated
by bats, moths or hummingbirds (depending on their type), bloom in
terminal umbel-like clusters, racemes or panicles on leafless stems. The
genus name from the Greek agavos means noble, a reference to this
spectacle, while the common name (century plant) is based on the
monocarpic habit of many agaves to flower infrequently�but it is
misleading. Smaller species are faster-growing and may bloom when they
are 3 or 4 years old; slower-growing, larger types may take 40 to 50
years to bloom, but not a century. Agaves flower only once and the
plants die but leave progeny (offsets or pups) behind. For
millennia, agaves have sustained native people with food, fiber, drink
and medicinal preparations. The commercial and illegal overharvesting of
agaves has led to concerns about the destruction of their habitat.
Natural variations among species result in taxonomic
uncertainty�apparently identical plants may have different names. ARTEMISIA� Artemisia spp.
� Common name: wormwood, sage brush
� Family: Asteraceae, aster
� Description: downy perennial, subshrub, shrub
� Origin: deserts, dry fields, mountains, steppes; Northern Hemisphere, South Africa, western South America
� Site and soil: sun; dry, well-drained
� Height and width: 5 inches to 4 feet tall; 12 inches to 4 feet wide
� Hardiness: Zones 3 to 10
Named for the goddess Artemis, the genus is dominated by subshrubs, many
evergreen or nearly evergreen. As plants with a long history of use as
medicinals to treat a variety of complaints, they have always been
represented in herb gar�dens. Gardeners value them for their beautifully
cut foliage in the sterling to gray range, versatility of forms from
ground-hugging to tall shrubs, and dependabil�ity. Bitter properties,
present to some degree in all artemisias, are due to the chemical
thujone, which gives them their characteristic bracing aroma and
medic�inal value as a vermifuge. Some have an important place in
Traditional Chinese Medicine, and many are choice for crafts (especially
wreaths).

When purchasing artemisias, do be aware that taxonomic confu�sion
abounds among artemisias: species are shifted around, plants are sold
under names that have no botanical standing and plants with the same
names may bear little resemblance to one another (while plants with
different names appear very much alike!).BUTTERFLY BUSH� Buddleja spp.
� Common name: butterfly bush
� Family: Buddlejaceae, butterfly
� Description: downy shrub
� Origin: riversides, rocky areas and scrub; Asia, Southwestern United States
� Site and soil: sun; fertile, well-drained
� Height: 3 to 20 feet tall; 4 to 15 feet wide
� Hardiness: Zones 4 or 5 to 10These
old-fashioned shrubs are favored for their long, fragrant flower
trusses so attractive to butterflies; their tolerance for drought
condition; and their ability to grow up to 6 feet and just as wide in a
single season from their roots. They are enjoying a renaissance of
interest with the introduction of more compact, less weedy forms and a
color range beyond the ordinary lilac-purple, including dark purple,
reddish, blue and pink flowers. For the silver fancier, there is the
added allure of types with intensely silvery leaves, a coloration that
heretofore has been merely suggested in silver-backed foliage. The
bush�s form is wide and arching, loosely and irregularly vase-shaped, or
compact in the newer dwarf types. (In butterfly bush parlance, the term
�dwarf� is relative, since some of these may grow up to 6 feet tall.)
Flowers of the Asian species discussed here are small and tubular,
carried in dense pyramidal or conical heads, sweetly scented like honey
and sometimes marked with a darker eye. Leaves are often lance-shaped
and willowy, dully green above and silvery below. In some types, leaves
appear entirely silver in their early growth. Named for an English
botanist, Adam Buddle, the Latin genus is spelled with a j as in Buddleja, but the common name form is spelled buddleia. You will find both spellings in the trade.
In climates with colder winters, buddleias may die back to the ground in
the same way as an herbaceous perennial, but they are fast growing and
will come back from their roots amazingly fast when warm weather sets in
to produce flowers by midsummer to late summer on full-grown bushes.
Early-flowering bushes like Buddleja alternifolia, which
produces flowers on previous year�s growth, are thinned out after
flowering and then pruned hard after frost. Later flowering types such
as B. davidii, which produces flowers on the current year�s
growth, are pruned back about 12 inches or more just as new growth
begins. If stems are left to 2 to 3 feet, bushes will bloom about the
same time as if they were hard-pruned, but hard-pruning has the
advantage of keeping bushes shorter and more compact. Even in warmer
regions, where shrubs do not die back, they should be hard-pruned to
maintain a dense shape.

HEATHER� Calluna vulgaris
� Common name: heather
� Family: Ericaceae, heath
� Description: downy shrub
� Origin: moors, lowlands; Europe, Asia Minor
� Site and soil: sun; acid, well-drained
� Height and width: 6 to 24 inches tall; 12 to 14 inches wide
� Hardiness: Zones 4 to 8
In heather�s natural range it grows as a spreading cover over miles of
otherwise barren ground and in highland and lowland habitats. It
provides food and cover for grouse, deer, smaller mammals, reptiles and
insects. Long recognized for its beauty, poets have sung its praise and
ordinary people have turned it to practical use. The genus name, based
on the Latin kalluno (to clean), refers to heather�s use as a
broom or brush. Growing on unused or discarded land, burned-over forest
and poor soil, heather forms a dense, evergreen mat, upright or
spreading, of tiny, scalelike foliage of overlapping pairs, most often
smooth and fleshy, in shades of green from light to dark and sometimes
gold, chartreuse or russet. Of interest to the silver fancier are the
downy silver-gray sorts, of which there are many fine examples. In
winter, leaves may be tinged dull chartreuse or purple. Plants produce
one-sided spikes of small, bell-shaped flowers in racemes of varying
length, from 1/2 to 4 inches long. It is the presence of colorful
sepals, before the plants bloom and after the flowers have faded, that
gives heather its singular visual beauty, especially when massed.
Heathers produce phenomenal quantities of seed that quickly establish a
multitude of plants in favorable conditions. Anyone who has visited
Scotland�s heaths and witnessed vast, undulating stretches of rose and
purple heathers and heaths (distinguished by their darker purple
flowers) can appreciate this phenomenon and its impact on the
imagination and daily lives of people living within its natural range.

Heather has been used for animal fodder, fuel, plant dyes, ropes,
thatching, to stuff mattresses and as medicinal preparations. Flowers
are a source of nectar for butterflies and bees, and heather honey, used
in the ancient drink mead, is still highly prized. Heather is also
called ling, derived from the Norse lyng (lightweight,
as in a lightweight fuel). These little shrubs do best wherever cool,
humid summer conditions prevail, as in coastal New England and the
American Northwest, but they may also be grown inland. Plant them deeply
with their lower foliage touching the soil in an open, sunny site, in
humus-y, acidic soil amended with sand and peat. Over-fertilizing
produces leggy, unhealthy plants. Ground that supports blueberries and
rhododendrons should also grow heathers.

LAVENDER� Lavandula spp.
� Common name: lavender
� Family: Lamiaceae, mint
� Description: downy shrub, subshrub
� Origin: Mediterranean
� Site and soil: sun; sharply drained
� Height and width: 12 inches to 3 feet tall; 20 inches to 4 feet wide
� Hardiness: Zones 4 to10
Lavender is a classic in every sense, cultivated since ancient times
to the present day. It is loved for its bracing and refreshing
scent�sharp and sweet, like jasmine or heliotrope with a shot of
camphor�and its foliage and flower combination. From a woody-based mound
of small, usually linear, leaves, numerous straight, broom-like stems
arise in summer. These are topped by slender, conical heads packed with
small, two-lipped flowers�in the violet to purple range, occasion�ally
white or light pink�in dense whorls. Flowerheads are enhanced by the
beauty of bud and calyx, often flushed in shades of violet-purple. When
its scent is released by the sun and suffuses the air, the entire
lavender ensemble of foliage, buds, flowers and aroma is overpowering to
the senses, especially when plants are massed. For the silver
collector, lavender�s appeal is heightened by conspicuously downy
foliage, from gray-green and silver-green to woolly white. The genus
name is derived from the Latin lavare (to wash), from the Greek
and Roman tradition of adding lavender scent to bath water.
Medicinally, lavender has a long history of use as an antiseptic and for
treating headaches, insomnia and digestion ills. Its greatest practical
value has been in the commercial production of essential oil used in
perfumes and toiletries, for which special varieties have been
developed.It is not difficult to grow lavender satisfactorily if
certain principles are fol�lowed. In cooler climates, lavender must
develop a woody base before it can sur�vive repeated winter frosts, so
for this reason it is best to begin with sizeable purchased plants.
Fast-growing Lavandula angustifolia �Lady� is an exception. In
the humid South, lavender must be kept dry with a pebble mulch (light
colored to reflect sun is best) at its base. Wherever it is grown, it
must have sunny and airy conditions and soil where water never puddles.
If these conditions are fulfilled, the hardiest lavender (L. angustifolia)
can be grown in areas with -30-degree winter temperatures. Poorly sited
lavender, no matter how hardy, will succumb. Lavenders can be left in
place for many years, but with age they usually become a dense mass of
woody stems with few blooms and dead patches. It is usually best to
propagate them every few years. Fungal diseases, mostly a prob�lem in
hot, humid areas, include Fusarium root rot and leaf spot. Silveriness
can depend on maturity of foliage (younger is greener, usually).
SAGE� Salvia spp.
� Common name: sage, salvia
� Family: Lamiaceae, mint
� Description: downy annual, short-lived perennial, subshrub
� Origin: dry meadows, rocky slopes, scrubland, light woodland, moist grasslands in temperate and subtropical regions
� Sun and site: sun or partial shade; dry-moist, well-drained
� Height and width: 6 inches to 5 feet tall; 12 inches to 5 feet wide
� Hardiness: Zones 4 to 10

Salvias belong to a large genus of about 900 species distributed
around the world (more than half of them from the Americas), in varied
habi�tats from dry and rocky to moist and grassy. Plants grow up on
square stems that may become rounded in maturity, from rhizomatous or
tuberous roots, and are found among very hardy to frost-tender types
that must be overwintered indoors as mature plants or cuttings. In mild
climates, some are evergreen. Nectar-rich tubular or hooded
flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. They bloom
sparsely to prolifically on candelabras, spikes or panicles, enhanced
by the colorful calyces that hold them. Flowers in the reddish purple
range, as well as cream-white, create attractive combinations with
generally hairy, some�times pebbly, and textured foliage. In some
Species, like Salvia argentea, leaves are quite woolly�from
small and lance-shaped to huge and rounded (nearly heart-�shaped), from
silvery-white to gray-green. Often flowers, foliage, or the
entire plant is strongly aromatic, perhaps a defense strategy against
browsing animals. Aromas may be quite pronounced, from fruity and musky
to camphorous (sim�ilar to cooking sage). The genus name is based on the
Latin salvage (to heal or save), and salveus (uninjured)
refers to salvias� role as an ancient healing herb as well as food.
Many sages, even those regarded as �ornamental,� have a history of use
in their native habitats. Native salvias, for instance, have been used
for cen�turies by American Indians. Silver sages are workhorses of the
herbaceous bor�der for formal or informal plantings among rocks.RUSSIAN SAGE� Perovskia spp.
� Common name: Russian sage
� Family: Lamiaceae, mint
� Description: downy perennial
� Origin: rocky, open sites; Afghanistan to Tibet
� Site and soil: sun; sharp- to well-drained
� Height and width: 2 to 4 feet tall; 1 to 4 feet wide
� Hardiness: Zones 3 to 8 or 9
From small beginnings, the merest hint of silver sprouting from bare
stems in spring, Russian sage grows almost as wide as it is tall by late
summer, when the entire plant is covered with small, gray, serrated
leaves along its silver stalks, adorned by a multitude of tiny blue or
lavender-blue flowers on slender spikes. Russian sage is neither Russian
nor a sage. It is named for a Russian general and it is called �sage�
because of its camphorous aroma. Russian sage has a history of use where
it is indigenous. Its flowers are eaten fresh and the leaves are used
like tobacco.
Immune to drought, heat, humidity, pests and diseases, growing as
well in the southern United States as in the Northeast, Russian sage is a
gardener�s dream come true, an outstanding plant of aesthetic value
that is relatively easy to grow in virtually every region of the
country.Avoid overcrowd�ing, any shade and rich soil, which
promotes leggy, weak growth and a demand for staking. Russian sage
nicely dominates the scene wherever it grows, whether as a billowy
hedge, a swathe of silver within the border, or a single accent. It goes
with rocks, a rock wall, or a rocky outcropping as in its native
habitat. Its silvery gray foliage and lavender-blue flowers complement
and improve every conceivable color from the brightest to the lightest
pastels as well as white. One of the most effective accent
plantings we�ve seen was on a rise between house and driveway, where a
single plant, seen from afar, resembled a wide, airy shrub. Up close,
white and lilac-blue alyssum (Lobularia) planted at its feet
echoed the same color above. It is a companion plant for most border
stalwarts, improving all of them by its association.The best of the Russian sages is Perovskia atriplicifolia from Pakistan, with soft blue to lavender-blue flowers. P. abrotanoides has more violet flowers and noticeably fringed leaves. P. �Hybrida�, a cross between these species, has longer flower spikes of lavender-blue and more fringed leaves than P. atriplicifolia. The cultivars P. �Blue Spire� and �Longin�, which also have deeply cut foliage and lavender-blue flowers, are more upright. P. �Filigran� has feathery foliage, an erect habit and long, blue flower spikes. Recently, P. atriplicifolia �Little
Spire�, a dwarf plant, has introduced a new look. Growing 20 inches
tall and 20 to 24 inches wide with the most silvery of all foliage,
almost white�a great contrast to its cool, laven�der-blue flower
spikes�it is easier to fit into a tight border or rock garden.

While we only discuss seven, the book Elegant Silvers
outlines 99 types of silver plants. Below are some more silvers worth
checking out, organized by the feature you might be looking for: Flowering perennials: You might like the colorful florets of yarrow (Achillea spp.) or the perfumed flowers of pinks (Dianthus spp.).Creepers or small upright shrubs: Thyme (Thymus spp.) is beautiful in the garden, and lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.) grows under the canopy of deciduous trees. Low, wide shrubs: Everlasting flower (Helichrysum
spp.) can be up to 6 feet wide. Sun rose (Helianthemum spp.) and rue
(Ruta spp.) are more moderate in their growth, at around 18 inches and
30 inches wide respectively. Lavender cotton (Santolina spp.) is evergreen, but short-lived. Grasses: Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) is a middle-sized, cool-season grower. Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) is a tall, beautiful prairie grass.Trees: Silver pear (Pyrus salicifolia) is a slender, deciduous tree. Willows (Salix spp.) are fast-growing.

Melanie

mandrakes_lair@yahoo.com
www.dragonwytch.etsy.com
(Moon's Mistress Natural Creations)
www.twitter@rbldrgnwytch.com
You can always tell the happiest biker -
they have the most bugs in their teeth.
Midnight bugs are the best!!!

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16b.: Re:

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Tue Apr 26, 2011 11:09 pm (PDT)

Uhhh, Thank you Melanie...

Beth
Blessed, Mystical, Magickal Cats
&
Curious, Creative, Clever Bunnies

--- On Wed, 4/27/11, MELANIE Cacek <dragonkeepermw@msn.com> wrote:

7 Sensational Silver Plants

Designed by nature to withstand climate extremes, silver plants light up the garden and enliven color schemes wherever they grow.

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17.: Names for Healing Circle, 4/27/2011, 12:00 am

Posted by: "13Witches@yahoogroups.com" 13Witches@yahoogroups.com

Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:51 pm (PDT)

Reminder from: 13Witches Yahoo! Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/cal

Names for Healing Circle
Wednesday April 27, 2011
All Day
(This event repeats every week.)

Notes:
If you have any requests for healing energies or candle-lighting please send them in for the Healing Circle, which is done every Wednesday Night.

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miercuri, 27 aprilie 2011

[13Witches] Digest Number 7393

Messages In This Digest (20 Messages)

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Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:22 am (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

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Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

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Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:34 am (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

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Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

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Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:35 am (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:36 am (PDT)

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Tue Apr 26, 2011 11:58 am (PDT)

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:59 am (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

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Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

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Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" GypsyNightshayde@aol.com nightshayde99

Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:09 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "MELANIE Cacek" dragonkeepermw@msn.com rbl2hrly

Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:11 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Tue Apr 26, 2011 11:09 pm (PDT)

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Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:51 pm (PDT)

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