April Fool's Day
Submitted By Starlight and MoonRaven

All Fool's Day, also known as April Fool's Day, is celebrated annually on the first day of April. It is a time for the traditional playing of pranks upon unsuspecting people... the victim of such a prank being called an April Fool.

The origins of this holiday is rather uncertain. However, the common belief holds that during the reformation of the calendar the date for the New Year was moved from April 1st to January 1st. During that time in history there was no television and no radio so word spread slowly. There were also those who chose to simply ignore the change and those who merely forgot. These people were considered "fools" and invitations to non-existent parties and other practical jokes were played on them. "All Fools' Day" is practiced in many parts of the world with practical jokes and sending people on a fool's errand.

Another thought is that the origin began with the celebrations of the Spring Equinox. While some believe it has to do the a Roman festival known as Hilaria, the end of the Celtic new year.

What is Patchouli?
By Magical Panther

Scientific and medicinal info
Patchouli is very aromatic both fresh and dried. It grows about 3 feet tall and is a tropical perennial. The flowers bloom in a spiked formation, and are white or light purple. Though a common herb amongst Pagans, patchouli is not often used in the medicinal arena. The essential oil can be used on the skin as an insect repellent.

Also Known As
Other names
Latin: Pogostemon cablin
Common Names: Pucha pot

Magickal Properties

Patchouli has a deep and dusky smell that clearly marks it as an herb of the Earth. It's a perfect herb for any rituals that involve sensual love, lust or passion. Patchouli can also be used for spell-breaking, fertility, money or protection as well. Though patchouli works well in sachets or pouches, you may not want to create a spell where you need to carry it with you. The smell will be quite noticeable. But if you like the smell, a bit of the essential oil on the skin can help you attract a mate.

Money spells that use patchouli and green candles are very powerful. I've had success with such spells myself. Patchouli is sometimes considered a substitute for 'graveyard dirt' because of it's heavy earthy smell. Graveyard dirt is an ingredient in some Voodoo or Santerian magick.

Chopped pieces of stems and the leaves are used in magick.

May the Goddess bless you on your path.

The God Loki: The Mischief Maker, the Father of Lies and Deceit, the Sly One, the Trickster, the Shape Changer, and the Sky Traveler
Submitted by Alana

Loki is one of the major deities in the Norse pantheon. He is a son of the giant Farbauti ("cruel striker") and the giantess Laufey. He is regarded as one of Aesir, but is on occasion their enemy. He is connected with fire and magic, and can assume many different shapes (horse, falcon, fly). He is crafty and malicious, but is also heroic: in that aspect he can be compared with the trickster from North American myths. The ambivalent god grows progressively more unpleasant, and is directly responsible for the death of Balder, the god of light.

In the beginning Loki was a friend of the Gods and often accompanied them, especially Odin and Thor, though his rashness and thoughtlessness often got them into troubles. Later on his friendship with the Gods became more and more unstable and at the end he had become the Gods' worst opponent, and was even thought of as a devil. This might be some kind of an influence from Christianity.

The worst thing that Loki ever did was when he got Baldur killed. Baldur's death was said to be the Gods greatest misfortune of all. Because of that Loki was punished. He was chained to three large boulders; one under his shoulders, one under his loins and one under his knees. A poisonous snake was placed above his head. The dripping venom that lands on him is caught by his wife Sigyn in a bowl. But every now and then, when the bowl is filled to the brim, she has to leave him to empty it. Then the poison that falls on Loki's face makes him twist in pain, causing earthquakes.
At Ragnarok Loki gets free and fights against the Gods, becomes the opponents' leader. Loki fights Heimdallur and they both die.

Magickal Haircare
By Demna Gwynvydd

Magick occurs in more than just sacred rituals with special robes and with more than just fancy tools and pretty names. Magick is everywhere around you and in you at all times. Everything you do, everything you think is a magickal act. Brushing your teeth is a magickal cleansing and even a blessing for smooth talking. Putting on shoes is a magickal blessing for steady feet. Even using the bathroom is magickal, you're eliminating or banishing unwanted or unneeded things from your life.

But this month the everyday magick tip is about magickal haircare. When washing your hair imagine the shampoo taking all your negative energy that is built up and rinsing off and down the drain. When conditioning imagine the conditioner glows with white light to add in positive energy to replace the negative energy just taken out of it. Continue adding white light when drying the hair to keep the positive energy in the hair and not in the water your drying off of your hair. When you brush or comb your hair you can imagine the knots being removed as problems in your life being removed or smoothed out.

In love and light,
May the Goddess
Walk with you.

-Demna Gwynvidd

The Cone of Power
By MoonRaven

The cone of power is a visualization many witches use to raise energy from their environment for practical uses. In fact, the pointed hats worn by witches in fairy tales are actually based on historic record. The hats are meant to symbolize the direction of their energy currents. This symbol is highly significant and can greatly improve ritual workings when employed properly.

To build a cone of power you must first have a reason to build this power. After you have thought about the reason to raise energy there are many ways to build the power. Some people like to dance in the circle to raise power, others like to meditate. My favorite way is to chant and sway. There are many other ways to raise energy, you just have to find one that suits you.

As you are raising energy you must think about your purpose for building this cone of power and focus it on your intent. Building a cone of power takes time so don’t feel like you have to rush. The more power you have in the circle the better your spell will work.

When you feel like you have built all the power you can, its time to release it. Send the energy you have built to the focus of your magick. Some people like to throw their hands in the air to release the power others like to yell out their intent. Whatever you do, release all the power you have raised.

After the power is released it is important to ground yourself back to the earth. You can ground yourself by putting your hands on the ground or holding a rock in your hand or just visualizing all the left over energy flowing from your body back to the earth.

MoonRaven

April Fools' Day Craft
Submitted By Starlight

BIG SPILL

Step 1:

Choose a cup, either ceramic or disposable. (If you use a foam or paper cup, glue the lid on and open the sipping hole.)

Step 2:

Mix together equal parts white glue and brown Puff Paint, adding more paint until the mixture is darker than the color of coffee (or, if you prefer, hot chocolate or melted chocolate ice cream) you want (it lightens in color as it dries).

Step 3:

Pour about a tablespoon of the mixture onto waxed paper, set the tipped-over cup into it, and then pour another one to two tablespoons on and in front of the mug's lip or cup's sipping hole.

Step 4:

Let dry (it could take up to a week), then just peel off the waxed paper.

All Fools' Day Dinner
Submitted by Starlight

THE MAIN COURSE

For the main course of chicken nuggets and vegetables, you'll need to purchase some peanut butter logs and peas-and-carrots candy mix. (Both candies are sold by the pound at most candy stores.)

On each dinner plate, arrange four or five peanut butter logs and a small handful of the candy mix. Right before serving, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt to each plate so it looks like mash potatoes.

Top with gravy--a spoonful of caramel sauce or butterscotch topping.


REFRESHMENTS

The last laugh is sure to be yours when your friends try sipping this colorful beverage. It's actually flavored gelatin, so you'll need to prepare it ahead of time.

Dissolve a package of dessert gelatin according to the
directions on the box (orange to look like iced tea; raspberry, strawberry or lemon to resemble fruit punch).

Pour the liquid gelatin into drinking glasses, then place a plastic straw in each. Set the glasses on a tray in the refrigerator until the gelatin firms up.

Amethyst

Astrological Signs: of Pisces, Virgo, Aquarius & Capricorn
This mineral is a variety of quartz, which occurs either in crystalline or massive form. Its color ranges from deep purple to pale lavender. The presence of manganese in clear quartz produces amethyst, while additional amount of iron content vary the purple coloration. The deepest amethyst colors occur in those crystals from Uruguay, Siberia, India, Africa and Colorado. The most common in medium purple color is found in Brazil. Double terminated crystals from Vera Cruz occur in the light amethyst color; double terminated crystals from The Republic of south South Africa occur in a very deep amethyst color, which are sometimes with phantoms. The very pale lavender variety has been found in Oregon.

Amethyst celestials, sometimes combined with smokey quartz have been found in Montana, they exhibit the properties of the elestial. Chevron amethyst occurs in two primary structures, one structure exhibits hues of rusty/rose/orange/yellow and the two or more colors of purple comprising the chevron; another structure exhibits a chevron containing several hues of purple.

Amethyst is a stone of spirituality and contentment. It represents the principles of complete metamorphosis. It balances the energies of the intellectual, emotional and physical bodies and provides a clear connection between the Earth plane and other worlds. It clears the aura.

The Greeks named the stone “amethysts” meaning without drunkenness and both the Greeks and the Romans used it constantly to protect themselves from excesses of overindulgence with food and drink. Goblets were inlaid with this stone to prevent intoxication. The stone had powerful healing effects upon the mind that it was often placed under pillows at bedtime to cure insomnia and induce pleasant dreams. For headaches the stone was warmed and placed on the forehead or temples to reduce throbbing symptoms.

Considered a powerful psychic stone to safeguard against witchcraft and black magic. It has been know to lose its color and turn pale when placed near an angry attacker. The major spiritual property of the amethyst was to aid second sight or to open up the spiritual or psychic center of the mind. Always identified as the stone of royalty and as the bishop’s stone it is still worn on the second finger of the right hand of a Catholic bishop to symbolize ecclesiastical dignity.

Wear amethyst if you want to get in touch with your intuition, your own feelings or your own values. The stone has remarkable influences enhancing your mind, your intuition and your insights concerning practical things. It is also a “stone of meditation”. You can use it as an aid for meditation and to lift your spirits. It opens and activates the crown chakra. It is said to have been one of the stones used in the breastplate of the high priest. Amethyst can be used to protect against psychic attacks. It is warm and cuddly as well as regal and ruling. It provides a sense of common sense and encourages flexibility in decisions.

It assists in new ideas, by carrying, wearing or using amethyst one can remember and apply the ways which can be used to overcome any stationary areas with one physical form, intellectual activities, emotional attitudes and a state of consciousness. It has since historic times been used to encourage and support sobriety. It is an excellent stone for one who is attempting to find freedom form addictive personalities.

By SDCW

Question: Most of the books I have read on Wicca say you should start circle facing the East, I feel more comfortable starting in the North, is this wrong?

Answer: It is not wrong if that is what you feel. Many times we feel different things and that is alright. Follow what your gut tells you and do what you feel is right. There is no absolute set way to do things, there are ways that have worked for many but may not work for you. Research all avenues and follow what you feel.