Sandcastles for Summer Solstice

Do you like to build Sandcastles?
Okay then click on the link above and visit this really cool site. It will be even more fun, if you build a sandcastle with the kids. I built this one with my five year old niece. Our original castle was actually a lot bigger at first but we had to prune it down so that we'd have some of the beautiful coastline left to view. (too bad most developers don't keep that in mind as well.) Anyway, the sandcastle site is easy and fun to use. Just point and click to change colors and resize your sandcastle. It's easy and fun and when you are done, you can send ecards of your castle to family and friends. After all this virtual fun, you can browse around and find some help to plan a REAL vacation on some fabulous beach resort. Today is the Summer Solstice and midsummer has officially begun. Go on out and build the sandcastle of your dreams! You can also check out the gallery of sandcastles. There were some pretty cool ones. My favorite was Ghosty's Castle. I think I'll revisit this site with my architect and come up with something really cool.

Manic Monday #6 Click

Oh my goddess - this is fabulous
and captures the REAL Dorothy.
Only a CLICK away to view!

If you'd like to participate in Manic Monday,

visit Mo's blog on Sunday's for the weekly word!

Land of the Pharaohs [PPP]

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Here is a photo from Alexandria Egypt. What a dream come true to walk where Cleopatra ruled. Or to see the great pyramid of Giza or cruise down the Nile! The photo below is of Hieroglyphs in the Luxor Tomb. I would love to visit temples in Karnak and Luxor! Egypt also has great markets and beaches.
















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Drifting back to Manic Monday

The Aunt Clara Moment has passed. Here are the ingredients for the CONCENTRATION potion. Use to keep you focused on your tasks or whenever you want to stop the mind from drifting.
use equal parts:
Mastic
Cinnamon
Myrrh
This can be ground into a powder and kept in a bowl on your desk. If you use organic ingredients, you can also place under the tongue. It may also be burned as an incense on charcoal or made in oil form and used to anoint the third eye or a black candle.

Earlier I listed two ingredients that are actually part of a Master formula. (Ho, where was my mind DRIFTING?!) The THIRD INGREDIENT is Tongue of Dog or Deer's Tongue and before you go harming any animals, just HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!!! Deer's Tongue is an old Native American name for Wild Vanilla Grass. They call it that because the deer like to munch on it. You can find deer's tongue online or in a proper herb or occult shop. You can also substitute vanilla bean in the formula and that is very easily obtained in the market. The three ingredients are mixed together in equal parts and then used to dust the hands. It can also be made in oil form and used to anoint brown candles. The Master formula is great to use when you feel that opportunities are DRIFTING away from you! This potion brings confidence, luck and power in love and business matters. For the first two ingredients click here!

An astral travel tip: in order to avoid DRIFTING away into the void and land of no return, ALWAYS be sure to tie or anchor yourself before your journey. This is done by simply visualizing one end of a cord tied around your big toe and the other end tied around something physical in the room you are in. That way, you can always tug on the cord to safely return home.

Links to other Manic Monday Minions:

Life After Death

LiterallyPours Asks the Witch Dr

There must be others in the same need, that can be helped by this, originally I was part of a small coven that meet twice a month and we had an online group too...the group kept getting smaller, the online group stayed open, but doesn't really do much and I have gone to the Wiccan Newsgroups with this too. My soulmate of ten yrs died, in all the other faiths there are ways of grieving, no matter where I ask no one seems to know of one from Wiccans.

While Rick wasn't Wiccan he had great respect for it and for Buddhism. I had a Memorial for him because he donated his body to Science. A Wiccan Priestess to Officiate, I had so many people tell me how beautiful the ceremony was. It is now 7 months later and I am still in so much much pain, not a day goes by without crying over him. I belong to a grief support group, but I'm the only non Christian there and it's made well known by the Priest running, also when I bring up reincarnation (Rick believed in it, too) I get snickers.

Is there a way, a spell, anything I can do to ease my pain....I never believed in soul mates until he came along, it's like someone ripped a part my body, we were so connected I knew the minute he had to go in the hospital.

There's beauty in the silver singing river, There's beauty in the sunrise in the sky, But none of these and nothing else can match the beauty, That I remember in my true love's eyes ~Bob Dylan

Dear LP

I am sorry for your loss and sorry to hear that your coven or online group is no longer there to offer you support. The first thing that comes to my mind is that perhaps you should seek out another grieving group that is not religious but more spiritual and less judgemental.

Wicca and Buddhism share some similarities in their views on death and both believe in reincarnation. In the traditional Wiccan burial prayers the High Priest lays boughs of evergreen on the casket and says: As the evergreen does grow and thrive, in summer and winter, year after year, So also does the soul continue from life to life to life... We believe that when we die, we will be greeted by the gods and taken to the Summerlands to rest and rejuvenate until it is time to be reborn. In fact, the original Hel was one of the names of the Great Mother Goddess. When one died, s/he went into the womb of Hel (the earth) to rest until it was time to be reborn. We believe that we will see our loved ones once again when it is our time to cross over and we also believe that we will meet again in other lives. This is nothing to "snicker" about but one day there will be tears of joy and laughter as we are reunited with our loved ones!

There are also 3 initial stages of mourning, 7 days, 3 months, and one year. You are still in the midst of the last phase and you will feel something shift once you reach the one year anniversary mark. As far as spells or rituals are concerned, the Samhain (Oct 31/Nov 1) is our time to honor the Dead and connect with the dearly departed. Unfortunately you are still a long ways away from celebrating that Sabbat. There are certain foods that the mourner is instructed to eat and I will list them here:

• Eggs for they bring cleansing, renewal, and hope. Eat them on the new moon.
• Fish must be eaten as it prolongs life and often mourners may feel they want to die in order to join the one who has passed.
• Eggplant is sacred to the cemetery goddess. Eat it and ask for her help to come to terms with his death.
  
• Zucchini is ruled by the moon and is a comfort food that puts you in touch with the principles of rebirth.

You may also want to light a white candle for Rick and speak to his spirit and ask him to move on. If you feel as though your limbs are being torn from you, that is an indication that he is still near. Too Near! It is important for the soul to ascend. If you let him go, you will feel him close to you in another way that will be soothing and even joyful. You do not have to lose the memory of him or the hope of being reunited in the next world but it would be wise to light the candle and send him to the light along with letting the dark corners of your heart be filled with that light. Remember, there is LIFE AFTER DEATH - especially for the living! That is the Wiccan Way. May the angels comfort you in your loss and may good companions journey with you through this life until you are once again joined with your beloved!

*ingredients mentioned above are from The Supermarket Sorceress,
where a more extensive Mourners Ritual can be found.

Magick for Manic Monday

Well, I just couldn't resist the invitation from the wonderful Morgan, but I insist on adding some magick to the mania. (thanks to Janna for the wonderful banners!) Ok, here we go:

CRUISING

As in cruising for a bruising
Oh, this is not a good idea and you must be sure to carry an amulet for protection when cruising in dangerous circles. I suggest a pouch stuffed with lavender and sage to keep you safe from rage. You can also wear a pentagram and learn the arts of the warrior ram.

Or..if you are cruising about on the streets or in public areas in search of a sexual partner, well, that's easy ~ carry some dried mint leaves and orange peel in your pants pocket. You can even suck on an orange/mint Ricola to bring some fast paced sexy action your way!

Now if you are cruising as in a pleasure voyage on a ship, usually with stops at various ports, well now we're talking! (By the way, Morgan's description of his cruise down the Nile sounded so delightful, didn't it?!) Drink some mugwort tea to protect you at sea and carry a piece of Aventurine ~ this gemstone is green ~ stops danger unforeseen and keeps one serene. Aventurine protects from all ills and one of the frills is that it also brings thrills!
*recipes from The Encyclopedia of Magickal Ingredients by Lexa Roséan




thanks for cruising by my blog :) Click here to see pics of my cruise on the Aegean last summer!

Links to other Manic Monday Minions:

Shapeshifting and Genderbending

Staten Island asks...
Is there any way that i would be able to change genders or shapeshift by using witchcraft? If so how? Or is there anything close to that.

Dear S.I.

magick and shamanic traditions hold many secrets to shapeshifting and gender changing. There are many myths about the Orisha Chango changing his sex to gain access to areas restricted to males in order to get closer to the women he loved. Zeus is also infamous for this deception. I believe it is easier for the gods to accomplish this than for mere mortals. Nonetheless there have been numerous talismans created and invocations to spirits in order to accomplish these ends. If you seek this out you will find numerous volumes written on the subject. Here are a few ideas just to get you started.


Orias is one of the spirits of the Goetia associated with this work. Here is his seal and the ingredients used to invoke him are patchouli, vetivert, lime, and bay. The Seal must be copied on parchment paper and anointed with an oil or powder made of these ingredients. You will have to refer to the Lesser Key of Solomon for complete rituals and invocations.






Meditation is also one of the key elements to shapeshifting. The magician must visualize the characteristics of the animal, creature, sex that s/he wants to become and allow these energies to enter into the auric field. When done properly, the auric field will then inform and influence the body and can create a physical manifestation and change. One must also take precautions similar to those used in astral travel when attempting such work. Basically, one must enter into the relationship with a definite date/time for ending the association in mind. I strongly suggest utilizing this technique unless you are 100% ready to completely give up your current identity.