COTC's Newsletter

Children of the Circle
Navigation

Select Language

Navigation

Children of The Circle's Newsletter

March-April '05

All the articles you find here are written by Children of the Circle staff. The content is flexible, so you may find recipes, crafts, and solutions to problems that we want to share. If you have a favorite section, please let us know and we will try to keep it consistent in each issue.

If you enjoy The Children Of The Circle Newsletter, please subscribe and automatically receive it in your online mailbox.

You can also subscribe friends and family that would enjoy the newsletter as well.

To SUBSCRIBE to The Children of the Circle Newsletter

>>>Click Here<<<

Meet The Author: Edain McCoy
Submitted By MoonRaven

Edain became a self-initiated Witch in 1981 and has been an active part of the Pagan community since her formal initiation into a large San Antonio coven in 1983. Edain has researched alternative spiritualities since her teens, when she was first introduced to Kaballah, or Jewish mysticism. Since that time, she has studied a variety of magickal paths including Celtic, Appalachian folk magick, and Curanderismo, a Mexican-American folk tradition. Today, Edain is part of the Wittan Irish Pagan tradition, where she is a priestess of Brighid and an elder.

An alumnus of the University of Texas with a BA in history, she is affiliated with several professional writer's organizations and occasionally presents workshops on magickal topics or works individually with students who wish to study Witchcraft.

This former woodwind player for the Lynchburg (VA) Symphony claims both the infamous feuding McCoy family of Kentucky and Sir Roger Williams, the seventeeth-century religious dissenter, as branches on her ethnically diverse family tree. In her "real life," Edain works as a licensed stockbroker.

Edain is the author of fifteen books, including Bewitchments; Enchantments; and her most recent release, Ostara: Customs, Spells & Rituals for the Rites of Spring.

MoonRaven

Herbalism: Orris Root
Gender: Female
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Powers: Love, Protection, Divination

Spiritual or Magical Properties:

The orris root has long been used to find and hold love. The whole orris root is carried, the powder added to sachets, sprinkled on sheets, clothing and the body, as well as around the house. Orris root powder is sometimes known as "Love Drawing Powder".
In Japan the orris was used as a protectant against evil spirits; the roots and leaves were hung from the eaves of the house and added to the bath water for personal protection.

Suspend a whole root from a small length of cord or yarn and with this pendulum find the answers to your questions.

MoonRaven

Time of Celebration: Ostara
Ostara is a time of rebirth and renewed hope. And as such the egg is the prominent symbol of this throughout the common history of the planet.

The egg is nature's perfect package. It has, during the span of history, represented mystery, magic, medicine, food and omen. It is the universal symbol of Easter celebrations throughout the world and has been dyed, painted, adorned and embellished in the celebration of its special symbolism.

Alchemically, the egg is a symbol of the cosmos, as it is in a multitude of folk legends. In Hindu cosmology, it is the source of the universe. The egg as a container of the universe is found in many ancient religions. The egg symbolizes birth and potential. It contains within a miniature sun, and it features prominently in solar mythology.

In the folk life of Ukrainian people, the pysanka possess talismanic powers. Receipt of a pysanka is not only a token of friendship or esteem but also brings with it protection from harm. Ukrainian ancestors believed that pysanky in the home would bring good fortune, wealth, health, and protection from lightning and fire. Pysanky are said to possess curative powers for both men and animals. With the acceptance of Christianity in 988 A.D., the pysanka has been part of the Christian tradition and Easter ritual. The pysanka came to symbolize the rebirth of man, as represented by the Resurrection.

Before the egg became closely entwined with the Christian Easter, it was honored during many rite-of-Spring festivals. The Romans, Gauls, Chinese, Egyptians and Persians all cherished the egg as a symbol of the universe. From ancient times eggs were dyed, exchanged and shown reverence.

In Pagan times the egg represented the rebirth of the earth. The long, hard winter was over; the earth burst forth and was reborn just as the egg miraculously burst forth with life. The egg, therefore, was believed to have special powers. It was buried under the foundations of buildings to ward off evil; pregnant young Roman women carried an egg on their persons to foretell the sex of their unborn children; French brides stepped upon an egg before crossing the threshold of their new homes.

As you can see, the egg has had a very colorful history filled with reverence and tradition. So this year when you're boiling and painting your Ostara eggs remember to take a moment and pass on some of the history that goes with them to your family and friends.

Blessed be.

Demna Gwynvydd

Book Review: Ostara - Customs, Spells & Rituals for the Rites of Spring
By Edain McCoy

Celebrate the Awakening Earth at the Spring Equinox

The vernal equinox, called Ostara or Eostre in nautre spiritualities, is one of the most primitive and "earthy" of the solar festivals.

Embrace Ostara as a point of balance in your life, a moment in time where both dark and light and night and day are in harmony before the light is victorious and carries us on to the bounty of summer pleasures. Ostara is packed with rituals, spells, recipes, crafts, and customs to celebrate the awakening earth.

This delightful guidebook will help you deepen your understanding of the spiritual aspects of this ancient spring holiday, and discover new ideas for expressing that spirituality.

Many of the symbols and customs surrounding the Christian celebration of Easter come directly from Euro-Pagan practices. From coloring eggs with natural plant dyes, to spring cleaning rituals, to spells for love and lust, this book will help you connect with the spirit of the festival and incorporate its rituals and customs, both ancient and new, into your own Ostara celebrations.

Seasonal Craft: Wishing Tree
You will need:
Eggs
ribbon
embrodery Thread
glue
tree
scissors

This is based on the traditional easter egg tree of Germany and Austria, which they have to decorate inside and outside their homes over the easter period.

You will need 'blown eggs' that you have decorated , make them colourful , or for a more natural theme have them decorated with leaves flowers etc. useing thin colored ribbon or plaited embrodery thread,glue into a hanging hoop on the top.

For the tree you need branches (ask tree first) or use a tree in the garden,. The branches can be left natural or sprayed.
If using branches any container can be used ranging from terracotta pots , baskets, buckets ,even vases with pebbles inside, depending on size you want. soil or florist foam is used for pushing and standing up the branches.

To use as a wishing tree bless the tree ,then everyone hangs the egg they have decorated on the tree as they make a wish.
or, make a simple small plant pot tree to place on the altar.

Gemology: Hematite
Color: red, silvery
Chakra: 1st, 7th
Zodiac: Aries, Aquarius
Associated with: Mars (Aries)
Chemical Composition: Iron Oxide
Hardness: 5-6

Magical and Medical uses:

Enhances mental activity. Balances yin/yang energies and emotions. Dissolves negativity. Grounding. Mental attunement; memory enchancement; original thinking; technical knowledge; mental and manual dexterity; calming; release of limitations; physical cooling; equilibrium between ethereal and physical; balancing of yin & yang; focusing energy & emotions; dissolves and transforms negativity; peace; self control & inner happiness; meditation; grounding; tranquility; emotional clarity; helps with leg cramps, blood disorders, nervous disorders & insomnia, helps bones, especially the spine. Draws out heat from feverish part of the body. Helps circulate oxygene throughout the body. Enhances personal magnetism. Grounding, dissolves negative energy and works as a shield of protection for any person or thing. Promotes common sense and level headedness. Attraction & charm improves destiny, especially in legal matters. Gives soldiers Mars’ favor. History:

This metallic grey mineral has a long history of medicinal use. Tumors on the eyelids were treated with hematite dissolved in egg white or fenugreek. General inflammation of the eyelids only needed a solution of hematite in water. Ground to a powder, it was used to cure blood diseases (3 grains in oil) and to soothe skin ulcerations or burns. Hematite also was used to treat bilious disorders (rub with a moistened whetstone until a red juice is obtained).

What's Cooking? - Ostara Hot Cross Buns
Ingredients:
3 cups flour
¾ cup sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
¼ cup melted butter
¼ tsp. salt
1 large egg, well beaten
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp.allspice(optional)
¾ cup raisins
1 package (1 oz.) dry yeast

Combine all ingredients except eggs and yeast and mix well. Dissolve the yeast in a ¼ cup hot water. Add yeast and eggs to the rest and mix well. Cover with a cloth and allow the dough to rise in a warm spot until it has nearly doubled. This will take about an hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Shape the dough into round balls about 3 inches across and place them on a lightly greased cookie sheet or jellyroll pan. After five minutes, remove buns and cut into the dough about ¾ of an inch down, slicing equilateral crosses into the tops. Return to oven. Allow to bake for another fifteen to twenty minutes. Remove the buns from the oven and drizzle on the frosting.

Frosting
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tbsp. Milk
2 cups orange juice

Mix all ingredients and drizzle onto hot cross buns.

Your Week: Working Your Week
By Maria Shaw

Ever notice how your emotions, feelings, desires, and even goals vary from day to day? Your energy level can be dramatically different on Monday morning at 7 a.m. than on a Friday afternoon. And it’s not just because the workweek is over. That may be part of it, but there’s much more going on here.

Do you know that the planets in our solar system influence the days of the week? Each day is ruled by a specific planet. Each planet has its own unique vibration and energy. So, here’s an idea to help your life run smoothly; plan your weekly schedule around the day that caters to specific tasks. This will help you maximize the potential energy of any given day.

Here’s the rundown of the days, their ruling planet and associated sign of the zodiac:

Monday is ruled by the moon, which represents home, family, feelings, and emotions. Female energy is strong on Mondays. (Cancer)
Tuesday is ruled by Mars, the war-like, high-energy planet. (Aries, Scorpio)
Wednesday is ruled by Mercury, which governs communications. (Gemini, Virgo)
Thursday is connected to Jupiter, the planet of abundance. (Sagittarius, Pisces)
Friday is dictated by Venus, the planet of love and beauty. (Taurus, Libra)
Saturday is ruled by Saturn, lord of karma, routine, and work. (Capricorn, Aquarius)
Sunday is ruled by the Sun - so of course so the focus is on you! (Leo)

Read the rest of the article at http://www.llewellynjournal.com/article/776

COTC Notes
COTC's newsletter staff is looking for writers of all ages and backgrounds. If you have an opinion or would like to write an article, contact us. So be heard! Summit all articles and poems to moonraven@childrenofthecircle.com or submissions@childrenofthecircle.com

Hope to hear from you soon,

COTC Newsletter Staff

Need extra cash?
Have A Web Site, Opt-In Mailing List or a Newsletter?

www.TheMagickMoon.com has an Affiliate Program that allows selected Web Sites and providers of Newsletters and Blogs to offer products and services for sale and earn a 10% commission on all tracked sales. That's right! Affiliates are paid top commissions generated from the tracked sales of products offered to the general public. Simply refer customers to TheMagickMoon.com by placing a banner ad on your web site, and you will be paid commissions on all tracked purchases made that come from your personal unique banners and HTML codes. Click here for more information.