Inspired by a pair of dreamcatcher earrings on Craftster, I decided to make a pentrgram necklace. Made from a keyring, embroidery thread, & a few beads, here’s my final product. I think I may re-make it soon though, and use white thread instead of blue. But I’m pretty pleased with the result as is for now 
Surrender Box
There are times when our minds become too full. Our to-do lists, worries, plans, and dreams may be so crowded together in our heads that we don’t have room to think. We may believe that we are somehow taking care of our desires and concerns by keeping them at the forefront of our minds. In maintaining our mental hold on every detail, however, we may actually delay the realization of our dreams and the resolution of our worries because we won’t let them go. At times such as these, we may want to use a surrender box.
A surrender box allows us to let go of our worries and desires so the universe can take care of them for us. We write down what we want or need to happen and then place the note into a box. By writing and placing our thoughts in the box, we are taking action and letting the universe know we need help and are willing to surrender our feelings. We give ourselves permission to not concern ourselves with that problem any longer and trust that the universe is taking care of it. You may even want to decorate your box and place it in a special place. Your surrender box is a sacred container for your worries. Not only do you free up space in your mind by letting go of our worries and desires and dropping them into your surrender box, but you are giving your burden over to a higher power. Once we drop our worries and desires into the surrender box, we free our minds so we can be fully present in each moment.
Surrendering our worries and concerns and placing them in the hands of the universe doesn’t mean that we’ve given up or have been defeated. Instead, we are releasing the realization of our desires and the resolution of our worries and no longer concerning ourselves with their outcomes. It’s always fun to go back and pull the slips of paper out of the box once your requests have been granted. And it’s amazing how quickly problems go away and dreams come true when we finally let go and allow a higher power to help us.
Eluned Bridhe
Wow!… I don’t know how I am just realizing this, buuut… there are an absolutely ridiculous (& seemingly endless!!) number of Wiccan/Pagan websites & “classes” on the web. *sigh* Is it really necessary?? I can understand pagan shops; that has some appeal to it ~ people put work into these crafts & want to share them with the community, but… why so many classes?? Granted, they each may have unique perspectives & information to offer, but… how can something that isn’t really (in my opinion) concrete be taught in such a way?? Even the websites… what’s the effin’ point?! Soooo much redundant information, it makes my head spin!! One thing I do enjoy about peoples’ websites, though, is craft suggestions. Not that I find the time to work on the dozens of craft ideas I have already, but… ya know! I actually thought about making my own type of “school” AND website at one point, but I’m too lazy for all that work *lol*. That’s what I’ve got this here blog for 
Anyways… There are some projects that I’ve been meaning to work on, as well as a couple of things I’ve been wanting to blog here about. Will I do it right now?! No! Again, I’m too lazy *blushes*. Soon, though, soon… Here’s a teaser, in the meantime I’ve been wanting to write a story for a year or two now about an “Oasis”, which isn’t really an oasis (or is it?!), but that’s what I’ll call it. It was inspired by the movie “The Beach” (the happy parts, lol). I don’t really have much of a storyline, & I haven’t been able to come up with one since I thought of the idea, but I want to just start somewhere in the details of the story & run from there. The main thing I’ve been interested in recently is the pagan part of this community that’s in my head. I want to start writing about imaginary rituals & whatnots, but I don’t even have any definite characters thought up, either hehe. Like I said, I’m just gonna start typing one day, & run with it as far as I can. (I have a fairly good imagination ~ NIKE – An Urban Exploration Adventure.) I also have some leftover Solstice crafts to work on: ATC, SoL page, seashell charm, doll, maybe a poem… (I will share when I get around to completing these projects 
) Things I want to blog about: religion in myworkplace & tea. I remembered last night while watching a Sicily-based murder mystery on Dateline how badly I wanted & still want to learn to speak and/or read Italian; I think it’s my favorite language, with French a close second, & my friend’s adopted parents are from Italy & they speak broken English so I’d be better able to communicate with them hehe. I also intend to do some research on Asian culture, as well as Buddhism, both which have strong appeal to me. So, yeah…I have a loooot of things I want to do, & I can never pick where to start, especially since most crafts take up a considerable amount of time (my crocheted blankets, for example…GEEZ!)
Well, it’s 4 in the morning, so pardon my rambling.
“Buddhists have a saying that life is a mirror; it merely reflects your state of mind”
“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.” – Buddha
Many witches think of how all that they do will be focussed onto achieving their aim, and sit down and plan their strategy in their Book of Shadows or journal. They think about what specific actions they will take, both magical and non-magical. They decide when they will carry out these things, as well as build in a time when they will check back in their Book of Shadows to make sure that they kept up with their plan. When they review they make sure they change things that aren’t working and try something else that will help them achieve their desire. Remaining flexible is very important.
Well, I’ve had quite a lovely holiday, I must say AND ~ I have LOTS of pics (&more to come, believe it or not!!!)
Where, or where should I start?! The beginning, I suppose…
I had to work at 8am on Thursday, unfortunately. I took a pic of the sunrise as I was leaving. The lil black dot in the sun ~ thankfully, taking this pic didn’t destroy my camera, which I figured it might 0:)
I also took a couple pics at work. I’m lucky to park in front of a small yard while I’m there, & I certainly enjoy watching the birds fly around while I go out for a cigarette. I also get to enjoy watching the seasons change by how the grass & trees change ~ it’s pretty lovely, especially for being at a very busy gas station on a very busy street in the center of a city
And, well, ya know what a MySpace shot is? Where you take pics of yourself with the intent of putting them on your MySpace?? Well, I took one of those ~ it unintentionally describes how I feel when I have to work at 8am *LOFL*
While at work, I decided to gander at the new Novelty Inc. items that came in. Much to my *GLEE!!* & surprise, 4 fairy statues were sitting on the top left corner of the display ~ holy sh!t balls, was I excited *LOL*!! It was payday, I had a bit of extra $, & they were only $5.99, so you bet your booty I bought one!!! Here’s a couple pix ~ I set it on the windowsill for the pic but couldn’t leave everything there cuz I’d be taking up my cats’ chill spot, & they would definitely knock it down. So, here’s a couple pix of that: L-R: the butterfly I got from my boyfriend for my birthday (it’s pretty much my favorite thing ever!! hehe), the fairy sitting atop the ladybug…not sure where it came from but I found it with some of my stuff when I was at my dad’s a couple weeks ago & I adore it(especially since she’s wearing a green dress!!), and the one with the blue wings is my newest beauty All of these have a permanent home on my altar
Next are some pics from around the outside of my apartment, which I love even more now that I can see all of the lovely-ness around the property
First, a pic of the first concrete block of the steps from the sidewalk to our house ~ looks like a sun to me!!!
This next one is of the lovely yellow flowers that are taking over the side of the house
These next flowers… If anyone out there knows… Are these sunflowers??? I’ve only seen sunflowers growing once when I was very little, so I can’t quite tell yet. Whatever they are…I almost thought they were weeds for a looong time, & I almost pulled them a couple of times, but now that the flowers are blooming, I’m certainly glad I didn’t!!
And lastly (of the outside, at least!), my lil container garden. I’m still very nervous about whether or not these lil guys are gonna thrive, but they’re doing fairly well so far!! I plan on making some trellises soon ~ I already bought some colored craft sticks (aka popsicle sticks without the popsicle, hehe) and some hot glue (& gun) & Krazy glue hehehe (I’ll be damned if my trellises are gonna fall apart & kill of my plants!!). My tomato leaves smell like tomato leaves…which, to me (a total newbie gardener), is absolutely amazing ~ it brings back memories of my mom’s enormous tomato garden from when I was a kid *tearful smile & sigh*. So, from L-R: my tomato/basil/marigold pot (I’m pretty sure the tiny basil plants aren’t gonna make it because of the towering plants surrounding them), my little flower pot which has 2 not-quite-spectacular plants growing (pretty sure neither of them are gonna make it), my mini cactus (which is almost destroyed by my cats, thus how it made its way outside), a fairy statue which needed some energy-cleansing (thus why it is outside), and my basil pot with my cute lil basil plants happily thriving!! (While I’m blabbing about my garden ~ has anyone any suggestions why most of my plants are, like, leaning over as though the weight on top is too much for them…and, well, rather, what can I do about it?!?)
I also set out a couple of dishes of water today, one on the porch & one in the backyard, for any animals who may wander around
I went on a mini cooking spree today, & here’s some pics of my: cucumber salad, “herb” roasted vegetables, & sun tea. Comments, reviews & variations are (will be) here: Recipes
I also did a bit of tie dye today, but since that stuff needs to set & whatnot, those pics are for another blog at a later time (they’re in their bags setting as I write this & have quite a few hours to go!). I also have a few more crafts that I want to work on over the next few days, such as: a Sabbat ATC, another Sabbat page in my Scrapbook Of Lights, a necklace, & maybe a poem. Oh, & I really wanted to & seriously tried to make a perfect Stonehenge just for you, Shionnon, & I was trying to make it perfect, but I couldn’t capture the sun in an ideal position because of my surroundings (even at my dad’s house), so no mini-Stonehenge this year :/ *hehehe*
My pasta salad:
Vegetable pasta, cucumber, tomato, onion, black olives, celery
Shionnon’s Homemade Salad Dressing : My Variation
EVOO
red wine vinegar
sugar
honey mustard
lemon juice
crushed red pepper seasoning
italian seasoning
& a dash of sage
*This article is directed towards kitchen altars, but it has helpful information for any altar!!
A kitchen altar makes a vital, visual connection between you and your cooking activities and the Goddess. If the oven and stove, as modern equivalents of the hearth-fire, are the heart of the house, this altar will be the soul. Every time you see it, you will be reminded that what you do as a kitchen witch is vitally important. It will remind you that your kitchen is a sacred place. It will help you to remember that your ability to nourish yourself and your loved ones connects you with the Great Mother, the nurturer, the spirit of loving and compassionate care.
The kitchen altar is meant to be a joyous and playful expression of your wild spirit: creating it is great fun! Whenever we consciously allow our inner self to come out and play, a deep satisfaction results from feeding our spirits and nurturing our souls. Here, then, are some guidelines to get you started.
KITCHEN GODDESSES
It is very ancient and powerful magick to have a goddess figure in your home. Some of the earliest human artifacts ever discovered include many domestic goddess statues. When we create an altar and house a goddess there, we are making a satisfying link with our earliest ancestors. As kitchen witches, we choose to honor the spirit of our homes and the Goddess who is the source of all nourishment and life. A good first step in creating your altar is choosing the goddess you wish to honor with it. Once you have selected a kitchen goddess you can explore different ideas for Honoring Your Kitchen Goddess.
PLACEMENT
Your kitchen altar can be almost anywhere in the room–on a countertop, on top of a cupboard or the fridge, on the table. Perhaps the range hood, a window shelf, or a shelf on the wall would work well for you. You’ll just want to be sure that it won’t get bumped or broken in the midst of your cooking activities (but if it gets a little spattered with cooking juices, consider it a libation or blessing upon your sacred space!). Find a spot near the stove or oven, if possible. Many kitchen goddesses are pretty hot and fiery, and they love to be right where the action is (not only can they take the proverbial heat in the kitchen, they thrive on it).
If space is an issue for you, consider an arrangement of framed photographs or making a collage on poster-board to serve as a vertical altar on the wall.
Another idea, inspired from the Hindu faith, is to dedicate one of your kitchen cupboards as an altar space. The doors to the cupboard altar are opened while cooking to allow the kitchen goddess to guide the cooking and ensure a healthy, spiritual meal, and also so that a cyclic flow of Divine Energy can make its way around the room.
The first step is to choose which cupboard you will dedicate as your altar. Cupboard space is usually of short supply in most kitchens and some re-arranging of cupboard contents may be at hand. It is recommended that you use a cupboard with two doors and one that is at eye level. This way, the Divine Presence is closer to you, and easy to access. When both doors are open, it directs the energy outward and around the room. Make sure the cupboard you choose is easily accessible; if you choose the cupboard above the refrigerator, it makes your altar virtually inaccessible and easily forgotten.
On the back of the cupboard, you could place a picture of your kitchen goddess, a pentacle, or what ever reminds you of Divine Energy. You might like to hang a special cloth, picture, or create a collage as a backdrop to your altar. This would also be an appropriate place to hang a lunar or Goddess-themed calendar. Charge the object in whatever way feels best for you. With this charged picture, statuette, or pentacle, Divine Energy will have its direct pathway into your kitchen.
The next step would be the altar cloth. This might be an old scarf from a local thrift shop, a fabric remnant from a local sewing store, or a colorful paper or cloth napkin. You could also make your own altar cloths. Acquiring a collection of different colors and patterns allows you to change your altar according to the season, your moods, or any particular magickal goal or focus you are working on at a given time. It will also make it easier to clean your altar periodically.
If you feel like doing a little minor renovation, you could hollow out a niche in a wall to house your altar. Or you can improvise a setting for your altar with a special box–ransack the attic or check out yard sales to find the perfect one. Your altar can be set inside or on top of it. Or you could take a trip to the nearest craft shop; they often sell lovely wild-looking twiggy birdhouses that make terrific kitchen altars.
The shape of your altar, as well as the decorations you choose for it, will depend in large measure not only on your taste, but on the taste of your kitchen goddess ( a primitive terracotta bird-headed goddess would probably feel more at home in one of the aforementioned nests than in a columned and frescoed temple). If you decide on an actual historical goddess to be the patron of your kitchen, you may want to read up on her to find out what she’d like; make sure your tastes are compatible.
HONOURING WHO YOU ARE
One of the most important functions of your kitchen altar is to remind you of your intimate connection with the Goddess and the earth. It also celebrates the unique gifts and talents that you bring to the kitchen–and to the world–as a human representative of nurturing Goddess energy. What small objects could you include on the altar to express who you are? A painter might do a small still-life oil painting of her favorite foods for her altar, while an avid needle worker could make a cross-stitch background hanging for hers. An attorney may choose a small metal scale, symbol of justice, to dangle from the hand of her kitchen goddess, Athena, and a potter might like to throw a tiny spiral-painted pot to rest at her kitchen goddess’s feet. Writers could make books from paper, lace, or corn husks to place on their altars; a teacher might place a piece of chalk in her Hestia’s hand; and a marathon runner may include a tiny pair of running shoes from Barbie’s wardrobe.
If you have a special love for any particular animal, you can find or make a small representation of the animal to share the altar space with your kitchen goddess. Collectors may want to find a spot for an item from their button or stamp collections. Find ways to share your talents and enthusiasms via the altar.
DECORATION
While the choices for altar decoration are virtually limitless, here are a few basics to get you started.
Books: This would be the perfect place to house your own Kitchen Witch’s Book of Shadows, a favorite cookbook or recipe collection, as well as any food novels that you might be reading.
Candles: Candles become a visible reminder of the hearth-flame. Small tealights in aluminum cups work very well, and they are often burnt just for the amount of time it takes to plan, prepare, cook, and eat a meal. Or you could use votives (many of them have food-related fragrances: apple cinnamon, honeydew, pumpkin spice, vanilla) or regular pillars or taper candles. The simple act of lighting your altar candle before you start your meal preparation can make a profound difference in the way you feel about cooking. Just be sure not to leave it burning unattended.
Food: Our distant ancestors left bits of their meals at the feet of the hearth goddess. It can be soul-satisfying to for us to do this, as well. Perishable items will need to be removed and replaced regularly…take the offerings outside and bury them in the earth or in your compost pile. Or you can stick to dried items that won’t spoil such as seeds, dried herbs, nuts, or Native American corn.
Incense and Burner: Most of us don’t burn incense before we begin preparing a meal because we don’t want to mask all those wonderful cooking aromas; however, lighting a stick of incense can be part of your cleaning routine and is also a satisfying way to bring closure to a meal.
Natural Objects: When we include something from nature on the altar, especially something that is relatively unchanging like a special rock or crystal, we are reminded of how ancient the planet it, and how brief has been the span of human life upon it. It’s good to root our altars in the ancientness of Earth. Pinecones, gourds, geodes, sheaves of wheat, or a bundle of pussy-willows or twigs are all possibilities.
Plants: Depending upon the placement of your altar, it might be an appropriate spot for a plant such as rosemary, aloe vera, or basil.
Reminders of Loved Ones: It can be a special act of love to include small photos or mementos for each family member or friend whom we’ll be feeding. When we bring visible reminders of our tenderness into the kitchen, it helps us to cook with a joyous, open heart. Perhaps you have a special reminder of your ancestors, such as a teacup that belonged to your grandmother, that you would like to give a place of honor to on your altar to celebrate your ancestors.
Seasonal Reminders: You can add items to your altar throughout the year to honor the changing seasons: seeds for late summer; a small squash or wheat sheaves for harvest time; evergreen sprigs for midwinter; sprouts for early spring. What season is it now? Pay real attention when you explore farmer’s markets, or take a walk outdoors and notice what the green things are doing. The world is filled with incredible bounty and richness, and the altar is a perfect place to celebrate this truth, as well as our connection to the cycles of the earth.
Utensils: It can be fun to honor the utensils with which we cook. Dollhouses often yield beautiful miniature utensils that fit well on kitchen altars, or you can make them yourself out of various materials. Small wooden cooking spoons are a favorite, or you may prefer a miniature greenhouse, a tiny mortar and pestle, or a teensy food processor. A small cauldron could symbolize your magickal workings and the ever-flowing abundance of the Goddess as she provides nourishment for you and you family. Periodically you might also like to place your everyday utensils on the altar for charging. For example, if you have a special wooden spoon that you use to cast circles in your kitchen, you might like to place it on your altar every full moon and ask your kitchen goddess to bless and re-consecrate it.
CONSECRATION
An important part of creating your altar is taking a few moments to bless or consecrate it. How you do this is up to you. You could simply take a deep breath, close your eyes, open them again, look all around your kitchen, and exhale. You could say a few words: “This kitchen is now a sacred space,” or “May the food that is cooked in this sacred kitchen feed us deeply.” You might choose to do something more elaborate like sprinkling the altar with salt and water, smudging it with incense or a smudge stick, or reading a passage from a poem or other work that has meaning to you. The important thing is for you to find your own way to acknowledge that a sacred space has now been created for you in the kitchen.
Sources
Cait Johnson, Cooking Like a Goddess
Ashling Kelly, Sage Woman Magazine #52
Kecia Lloyd, A Kitchen Witch’s Altar
From Eluned Bridhe’s Blog
New Moon Resolution
When you are working hard to change a particular aspect of your life, give yourself a boost at the time of a new moon, reaffirm your conviction or promise with this simple spell.
You Will Need: A Dark Purple Candle, White Thread
The Spell: Wrap the thread around the candle about a third of the way down. Light the candle and begin to breathe. Stare into the aura emanating from the flame. Say to yourself: “Great goddess,
Attune me to the energies of the newly walking moon.
Diminish my bane by the time she must wane,
I am committed to this change,
Though weak at times,
But success will be mine with careful thought and strength of mind
It is my will, so mote it be.
Blessed be”
I just finished gathering some information to sort out & choose from for my New Moon Ritual (info to be posted within the next couple of day in the post below)… It gave me a headache.
I’m having some trouble trying to figure out what I want to do now. I’m really tired, from having been up since 5:30 this morning for work. I have to/want to ride my bike to work to get cigarettes for me & Nick, but it’s still too hot out (87* right now!!). Like I said, I’m really tired & I want to take a nap before he getshome from work, but I can’t do that until after I get the smokes (I don’t want to be riding my bike in the dark!!) I want to do some yoga because I know I’m due for it & I know it’ll wake me up, but I’d rather do that right before getting on my bike. I want to meditate tonight too, but I’m worried that I’m too tired. Whichis a very common concern with me when it comes to meditating – I’m often tired by the time I get around to meditating. And I know I can’t start on any crafts right now because that’ll surely put me out, hehehe.
Decisions, decisions…
~Man, I’ve been very indecisive lately!!! :/ …..~
ETA: Well, Nick called me, & we chatted for a little while. I cleaned off my altar a bit. I did some yoga in the living room, which woke me up a bit. I meditated on cleansing the kitchen, to finish the spring cleaning of that room. (I’m pretty slow with my spring cleaning – all I’ve cleaned is the kitchen & part of the bathroom!! :/) I rode my bike to the store to get cigarettes. That was nice. I sat at our picnic table in the backyard & pet Muffin/G3/Angel until he fell asleep while I smoked a cigarette & watched the clouds pass over the sunset.
you will need:
salt
green candle
olive oil
yellow candle
small pot of earth
pencil & paper
bowl of water
handful of pinto beans, flower seeds,or easily sprouting seeds(mung beanswork well).
Creativity incense(basil,clove,ginger,hyssop,verbena or drycoffeegrounds)1 or 2 fertilizer sticks
scissors.Instead of casting a formal circle, cast a triple one made of salt,say:
“For the Goddess.”
On the second pass,say:
“For the God”.
On the third,say:
“For the Muse”.
Stand in the center of your circle and facing the appropriate directions,informally invite the Elements to join you & lend their energies.
Anoint the Green candle with the olive oil ,say:
“Green is the color of verdant growth.
It nourishes my core.
It brings fertile riches to my life and makes my spirit soar”
Anoint the Yellow Candle (w/the olive oil),light it and, say:
“Cometo me spirit of the Muse,
Renew my spirit and soul.
Grant me productivity.
Make me new & whole.”
Place a drop of oil on the incense and, say:
“Fire and herb and smoke and Air,
Fused together well,
Grant your essence unto me
And aid me in this spell”.
While focusing on removing the barreness from your creativeself, take the pot of Earth(Soil) and till it well with your fingers, smoothing out each clump until it is smooth…Chant over and over:
“I am the Child of the Goddess.
I am the Child of the God.
Their energies live within me and nourish the spiritual sod
That before has laid so dry and cracked-but now is soft & fine
And lies ready for the planting
Of the seeds of the Divine”.
When the soil is ready.
Use yor pencil & paper to make a list of problems contributing to your creativity block. Cross out each problem and in acolumn beside it write the opposite (ex: Too much noise_____________________________Quiet)
Take a bean or seed and plunge it into the bowl of water saying something like:
“I cleanse myself of______(Problem)
I wash it all away.
I replace it now with___________(Opposite)
Which is here to stay”.
Remove the seed/bean from the water & say:
“You are now the Quality of_________(opposite)and contain all elements thereof”.
Plant the seed into the pot of Earth(soil). Go through your entire list in this manner. Push the fertilizer sticks into the pot, water the seeds well & say:
“As I fetilize these seeds,so is my center nourished”.
Visualize the seeds sprouting and growing into lush, healthy plants..After a moment of reflection say:
“Grow little seeds,for as you do
Your qualities will grow in me.
Our ground is fertile,
our roots grow strong.
This is my Will,So mote it be!
“Cut you list in half and burn in the incense burner, symbolicly removing your obstacles forever from your life!
Fold the remaining paper(with your solutions) several times(nine if you can!)and “Plant” them in your pot of Earth(soil).
Thank the Elements for their help, bid them farewell. Know that your problems are gone and your creative self has been recharged!
Thank the Goddess,the God and the Muse..Close your Circle as usual..From Dorothy Morrison To Overcome Writer’s Block: Items needed:
Pens or pencils
A notebook
A large candle
Cast a proper circle before doing any magickal work.
Place the pens or pencils in front of the altar, on top of the notebook. Have the candle unlit, sitting on the altar between the Goddess and the God candles.
After the invocations, say:
“Mother Goddess,
I ask of you to allow me to inhibit your
Cauldron ofInspiration!
Forge me into a writer.
Prick my mind and soul with poetry.
Fill me with my commitment to my writing!
This I ask of you.
So mote it be!”
Take up a pen and say:”I do affirm and announce:
I am a writer!
I am a writer of poetry, short stories, great literature.
I am a writer of letters, articles, essays, journals, diaries.
I write for the Goddess.
I write for me.
“Take up the notebook and write your feelings about what you have just said.
Take up the candle and say:
“This candle I will light for inspiration.
When guidance is needed,
I shall light this candle for the Mother and write by the flame.
Any blocks I face in my writing shall be lifted by the lighting of this candle.
So mote it be!”
Replace the candle on the altar and close the circle.
Later, if writer’s block ever hits, light the candle for guidance and inspiration.
