Crafts for Imbolc

I love crafting and creating different things for each Sabbat. I feel it connects me to the energy of that particular Sabbats meaning, and that time of year. Of course at Imbolc the Goddess Brigid is honored, and there are many things you can create in her honor.

The Brigid's cross is well known and one of her sacred symbols. You can make these easily with pipe cleaners. Or, if you want to be more authentic, you can make them out of reeds which is the traditional material used. Making a Brigid's cross with reeds is a little more difficult, but the results are worth it, and I always think its a good idea to be authentic as often as possible. Here you can find instructions on how to make a Brigid's cross using either material : How to make a Brigids cross.

The symbolism of the cross comes from a tale of St Brigid or "Mary of the Gael"who was born in the 5th century CE. She was the daughter of Dubhtach, a Leinster Pagan chieftain. When her father was dying, she sat in prayer beside him, and passed the time by weaving the first St. Brigid's Cross from the rushes strewn about the floor. Her father seeing the cross asked her to explain its meaning and was so overwhelmed that he became a Christian before his death.For centuries, it has been customary on the eve of her sacred festival for the Irish to make a Brigid's Cross of straw or rushes and place it inside the house, or over the door. They saw this symbol as protection for their home and loved ones.

There is also food and drinks you can make to represent the sacred day of Brigid. I always like to make different drinks, so I decided to post one here.

Love Potion Mead

* 1 bottle of honey mead
* 3.5 oz Green Tea
* 1 oz dried Juniper Berries, crushed
* 1 oz Mugwort, crushed
* 1 oz dried Orange Peel, chopped
* 1/2 oz dried Damiana leaf, crushed

Combine all of the ingredients in a large pot or slow cooker. Cook on low-medium heat, stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes. Strain and let sit to cool, then place it in the fridge to get cold. Serve cold and enjoy! This mead is said to be an aphrodisiac!

Find this recipe and many others including Imbolc deserts, breads and dinners at Imbolc Recipes

I hope you enjoy making crafts to honor Brigid and her sacred day of fire!

Photo courtesy of my personal altars and my handmade Brigid's cross

Medea, Ancient Sorceress, Priestess of Hekate

Medea is one of the most well known ancient sorceresses there was. She was said to be a Priestess of the Goddess Hekate and had many different magical powers. She was the daughter of King Aeetes of Colchis, granddaughter to Helios, the Sun God, and niece to Circe who was a well known sorceress herself. The most famous myth involving Medea, is that of Jason and the Argonauts.

In the myth, Jason, who is seen as a heroic figure, comes to Colchis to claim his inheritance to the throne, and to claim the Golden Fleece. King Aeetes agreed to give him the fleece on the condition that he perform a few tasks first. When Medea saw Jason she immediately fell in love with him. She offered to help him with her magic to complete the impossible tasks her father laid out, only if he married her. Jason agreed and his first task began. He had to plow a field with fire breathing oxen, and Medea gave him an unguent in which he anointed himself with, so as to protect his body from any harm of the fire. He completed that task, but he still had two more to go, and Medea used her magical powers to help him each time. So when all was said and done, Jason kept his promise to Medea, took his golden fleece and fled Colchis with Medea. They married and lived happily in Corinth with their two children for a while.

Until one day, King Creon offered Jason his daughters hand in marriage. Eager to please the King, Jason accepted his offer and left Medea to marry Glauce, the Kings daughter. This enraged Medea and to seek revenge, she sent Glauce a beautiful bridal gown, covered in poison. The Kings daughter died and Medea then is said to kill her two children from Jason, and fled Corinth in a chariot led by dragons sent to her by her grandfather, Helios.

Later in the myth, she is said to have married Aegeus, an old king of Athens, and bore him a son Medus, who was in line to inherit the throne. Although Aegeus didnt realize that he had another son that he never knew of named, Theseus. Medea tried to poison Theseus when he came to fight for the throne, and when Aegeus realized he stopped it immediately. Medea then fled with her son Medus to a country in which Medus eventually became king, and that country was later called Media.

I believe that in this myth, Medea becomes the victim of unfortunate circumstance. Having fell deeply in love with Jason, and willingly sacrificed everything, including her entire family, to help him so he could complete the arduous tasks her father set out for him. Then fleeing her homeland to marry the man she loved and have children together, just to be betrayed and abandoned by him at the first mention of another woman. And as you can see from her actions earlier in the myth, Medea is no stranger to getting revenge and using her skills as a great sorceress and witch, even if it is for evil purposes. This shows her strong feminine and rebellious power.

Also something I find interesting, seeing that she is granddaughter to the Sun God Helios, and niece to Circe, a minor Goddess of magic, it would seem that maybe Medea would have some of that divine power within herself as well. Myth says that she practiced her magic under the guidance of the Goddess Hekate, some even speculate that she was the daughter of Hekate. But there really isn't any mythological evidence that this is true.

This is a quote from the myth in which Medea calls on Hekate for help in her magic, "By the goddess I worship most of all, my chosen helper Hecate, who dwells in the inner chamber of my house, none of them shall pain my heart and smile at it! Bitter will I make their marriage, bitter Creon's marriage-alliance, and bitter my banishment from the land!" (Euripides, Medea 400).


I hope you enjoyed learning the myth of Medea, Priestess of Hekate!





Photo courtesy of : Jason and Medea, John William Waterhouse

Melusina, Ancient Faery of the Waters

The Melusina, or Melusine, is a mythological creature found in ancient Celtic and Medieval folklore. She was part woman and part serpent, her top half being that of a beautiful woman, with the body of a snake. The myth of such a creature is very old. Melusina is derived from Celtic water faeries or nymphs who were thought to be changelings. They could be deceiving to unsuspecting men with their beautiful song, and lure them into their magical world of water. They were sometimes referred to as mermaids and sirens.

This ancient water Goddess became quite popular in the Middle Ages particularly in North France and England. The most popular Medieval myth of the Melusina, is that with Elynas, the King of Albania, and the beautiful Fae, Pressina. One day while King Elynas was hunting, he came across a river where he stopped to get a drink. He heard a woman singing and this is when he found the Fae Pressina. He persuaded her to marry him and she agreed, on one condition, that he never enter her chamber when she gave birth or bathed her children.For if he did, there would be terrible and possible fatal consequences. Pressina ended up giving birth to triplets, all girls named Melusina, Melior, and Plantina. Upon hearing the great news, King Elynas burst into the chamber to see his new baby girls while Pressina was bathing them. She cried out that he broke his promise and she took her three girls and fled to Avalon.

After the three girls had grown into their teens, Melusina asked her mother why they had been living in Avalon. So Pressina told her the story of what her father did, and this enraged Melusina. So she and her sisters decided to capture King Elynas and lock him in a mountain. When Pressina heard of this, she became so angry, that she condemned Melusina to the form of a serpent from the waist down every Saturday, until she should meet a man who would marry her under the condition of never seeing her on a Saturday, and he should keep his promise. So Melusina went out on her search for this man that will marry her. One day in the woods, she came across a man, Raymond of Poitou, while she was sitting by a lake.

Raymond became enchanted by her beauty and asked for her hand in marriage. Melusina said yes on one condition, he was not allowed to see her bathe on Saturdays, under any circumstances. So he agreed and they married shortly thereafter. They had many children, and on one Saturday night while Melusina was bathing, her husband decided to take a peek at her because of the constant teasing he got from his brothers. What he saw amazed and scared him and he didnt say anything about it. Until one day after he had lost in a battle, when Melusinsa tried to comfort him, he pushed her away calling her a serpent and contaminator of the human race. He immediately regretted what he said, and Melusina left to wander the woods. In other myths it is said that she turned into a dragon and flew off never to be seen again.

Although this myth is Medieval in nature, the faery spirit Melusina is much older. There have been Pictish carvings found of a water Goddess/Woman with that of a serpent lower body. The Melusina and her myths resonate with me because of my love of myth and faeries, and my love of water. A powerful element that the ancients respected. So it makes sense that they would have deities of the oceans, rivers and lakes.

I hope you enjoyed learning about the magical myth of the Melusina!


For more info check out Monstrous.com




Images courtesy of the Art of Marcia Snedecor
As well as the Art of Troy Howell

Hygeia, Greek Goddess of Good Health

Hygeia is the Greek Goddess of health and cleanliness. She represented taking care of our bodies to prevent disease, as being clean was seen as an important aspect of staying healthy. The word hygiene even stems from her name. Daughter to Asclepius, God of Medicine, and Epione, Goddess of soothing pain, Hygeia was known for her healing abilities and promotion of cleanliness. She was depicted with a large snake wrapped around her body, drinking from a medicine bowl. It is said for a long time she was worshiped alongside her father, and didn't really become her own separate and independent Goddess until later in ancient history.

It was believed in the ancient world that disease could be prevented by personal and household cleanliness. As well as eating right and keeping your body healthy inside and out. Hygeia was called on for this purpose, along with her healing abilities. She believed in curing disease the natural way. Through the use of healing herbs, keeping a healthy diet, and staying in good physical shape. What's known as "the bowl of Hygeia", which is the bowl in which the snake drinks from, is a symbol that has been used as a representation of the pharmacological professional

Her worship was fairly widespread throughout Greece. In Arkadia, there was found in an ancient sanctuary, a relief which pictured Artemis, Hygeia and Asclepius. In the ancient city of Attica, on the Acropolis, a statue of Hygeia was found among statues of other Gods and Goddesses. There is also evidence of her worship in Olympia, among many other areas.

Call on Hygeia to help you stay healthy, and for help cleaning your home. Before you start your household chores, light a candle and some incense and call on Hygeia for her cleansing abilities to help you cleanse your home. Or pray to her if you want to start, or already are on a diet to help you stay focused on staying healthy.

On your altar to Hygeia, have colors of white, red and silver. Cleansing and healing herbs like eucalyptus, echinacea, chamomile. Healing crystals like quartz crystal, amethyst and amazonite., and a representation of snake. You may also choose to have healthy foods that are rich in vitamins such as apples, oranges and blurberries.

Enjoy your path to healing and good health with the ancient Goddess, Hygeia.






Photo courtesy of Gustav Klimt

Yule, Winter Celebration of the Sun

Yule, or the Winter Solstice, is the shortest day of the year. From here on out the days will grow longer, and the nights shorter. This ancient seasonal festival represents the return of the sun. Many cultures celebrated the Winter Solstice, such as the Celts, the Germanic tribes, the Greeks, Egyptians, Norse and more. In the middle of the cold of winter, people would pray for the return of the sun to bring life back to the land once more.

Some cultures, such as the Celtic, Germanic and Norse, started a tradition of throwing a large log onto the hearth fire to symbolize the sun. This became known as the Yule log and became a yearly representation of the suns return. Each year people would throw the yule log on the fire, and keep a piece of it for the next year. So when the next Winter Solstice came, they would light the fire with the piece of the log from last year. This was a way to symbolize the old being reborn into the new. Representing the rebirth of the sun.

Goddesses honored at this time of year are The Morrigan, Celtic Goddess of Sovereignty and Battle, Isis Egyptian Mother Goddess of the Universe, Freyja Norse Goddess of Beauty and War and The Cailleach, Celtic Crone Goddess of Winter.

I have a great recipe for Yule Wassail, which is a winter drink that you can make with or without wine/alcohol. It has lovely spices and it's very seasonal so I decided to share it here. I make the kind with alcohol, so if you would rather go alcohol free, substitute the wine for apple cider, and don't add the brandy :) The origins of the drink "Wassail" comes from an ancient celebration of sorts where wassailers went from door to door, singing and drinking to the health of their neighbors. They would pour wine and cider on the ground to encourage fertility in the crops. Some say that over time wassailing turned into the modern Christmas caroling. For more on the ancient act of wassailing, check out About.com. Enjoy!



Yule Wassail

• One bottle of red wine (suggestions: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot or a Spanish red)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
  
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp allspice
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup brandy
  
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 sliced apple
  

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in either a large pot or a slow cooker. Gently warm the ingredients on low to medium heat (avoid boiling), for 20-25 minutes. Stirring occasionally. When the wine is steaming and the ingredients have blended well it is ready to serve. Ladle into mugs (leaving seasonings behind) and enjoy!

I hope you enjoy the Wassail! Wishing you all many Yule Blessings!

Picture courtesy of Josephine Wall

The Pythia, Ancient Priestess of Delphi

The Pythia was the name of the Oracular Priestess at Delphi in the Temple of Apollo. The Pythia was widely respected for her prophecies. She was said to be the most prestigious oracle in the ancient Greek world. The Oracle at Delphi was thought to begin around 800 BCE, and officially ended around 393 CE. When the oracle would perform her prophetic rituals, she would enter the inner chamber of the temple, known as adyton, and sit on a tripod like chair, while holding laurel leaves. Nearby her was the opening in the earth or omphalos which translates to mean navel in Greek. This is where the sacred vapors came from that put the Priestess into a trance like state.

When a person came for a prophecy, they would make a sacrifice, and present a question to a male Priest. The Priest would then go and consult the Oracle. After she gave her prophecy, the Priest would interpret it for the person who was seeking it. It is said that the life of a Pythia was exhaustive and that many died young. The cause of this was most likely the fact that they were inhaling poisonous vapors.

To become the Priestess of Delphi, there were certain things required of the woman chosen. She would have had to have led a life of purity, and been a person of good character. If you were chosen to be the Pythia, you had to sever all ties with your family, friends etc. The Pythia could have been from an aristocratic family, or she could have been a peasant. According to archaeologist John Hale, The Priestesses of Delphi were chosen based more on their ability than their social stature. Being the Pythia also meant that you were privy to many liberties. Like free housing and freedom from taxation, also a salary and an ability to own land. They were highly regarded in Greek society.

The Pythia only gave prophecies during the nine warmest months of the year. During the winter months Apollo was said to leave his temple and return in the Spring. A month after he returned, the Priestess of Delphi would undergo purification rites which included fasting, ritual bathing and drinking holy water from nearby springs. This was all done to prepare the Oracle for communication with the Divine.

Being the Oracle at Delphi was a highly honored position. She played a very important role in Greek society, so much so that virtually no major decision was made without consulting the Pythia first.

I hope you enjoyed learning about the ancient Priestess of Delphi!





Photo courtesy of John Collier

Hel, Norse Queen of the Underworld

Hel was the Goddess of death and the Underworld in Norse mythology. She is often a misunderstood Goddess as many Goddesses of the Underworld are. She is said to be the daughter of Loki, a trickster God of the Norse, and a Giantess. Her body was seen as half dead and half alive. Some say that part of of her body was beautiful while the other was horrid like death. To me this symbolizes the light and dark aspects within all of us.

Her namesake comes from the realm she ruled which was Helheim, one of the nine worlds of Norse mythology. It was thought that those who died of disease or old age, went to Helheim and those who died victoriously in battle went to Valhalla. Hel is also the judge of souls to determine where in Helheim they will go. Those who were evil in life go to a realm of icy cold death, this part of Helheim is where the Christian "Hell" comes from. Where souls would be damned for an eternity. The others entering her realm who died of natural causes, disease, etc., were watched over by Hel and given a chance for rebirth. The world of Hel, it is sometimes called, is similar to that of the Greek Underworld, where there were also different realms within it. Like Tartarus was the place were the evil dead would go, and The Elysian fields were a beautiful place where to good would go, and these souls also had a chance for rebirth.

One of the myths involving Hel is the story of the death of Baldr. Tricked by Loki, Baldr died in a contest that took place in Asgard, which is known as the capitol of the Gods. Upon his death he was sent to the realm of Hel where he was welcomed with a feast. Though back in his world, Baldr was deeply mourned, and his brother decided to ride the eight legged horse Sleipnir into Helheim to try and retrieve his brother. When he arrives, he begs Hel to return his beloved brother, saying that all in his realm have wept for him. Hel says, "If all things in the world, alive or dead, weep for him, then he will be allowed to return to the Aesir. If anyone speaks against him or refuses to cry, then he will remain with Hel." - quoted from the Prose Edda.

Hel represents endings and beginnings, and also the darker aspects of life and of ourselves. She teaches us that after death is the opportunity for rebirth, in anything in our lives. The ending of one thing becomes the beginning of another. In magic, in Norse religion, through the practice of Seidr, a Norse form of prophetic and shamanistic witchcraft, practitioners would call on Hel for astral travel, to travel to the world of the spirits and communicate with them. You can call of her today for such magical acts as well as divination. She is usually honored at Samhain and Yule, and on the dark/waning moon.

On your altar for Hel, have colors of black and white, crystals of moonstone, black onyx and hematite, white flowers, representation of a raven and a picture of her in her half dead, half live form to represent the duality in nature and in ourselves.

For more on this Great Goddess, check out Order of the White Moon

Enjoy working with this ancient Goddess of death and rebirth!




Picture courtesy of: Norsemen