Solar Blessing,

May the light of the Solstice Sun bring blessings upon you for the rest of the year. Now’s the time to appreciate the sun, light and heat while we have it, and store that power up for the dark time of the year. It seems like we never quite appreciate what we have. When it’s warm we think its too hot. When it’s cold, we appreciate the heat of the summer. The grass is always greener on the other side of the Wheel of the Year. But after a long winter myself, I’m totally appreciating summer. I’ve got my garden planted and though I’m not spending as much time outdoors as I’d like, I’m appreciating the time I do have. I’ve started some seedlings of the toxic witch plants and so far they are doing well.

I can’t believe I missed Ostara in my little updates and mailings. I had a lovely welcoming of the Spring, but here in New Hampshire, it doesn’t really feel like spring until almost Beltaine, where the first flowers are truly blooming. I’m excited to report that for the first time ever, my Black Hellbore bloomed, revealing beautiful five petalled rose like flowers. It tends to bloom under the snow, giving it the name Christmas Rose to some, though its really a very witchy plant. It practically called out to me to make an essence of it and my initial impressions upon communicating with the plant spirit is that it is used for people who feel their beauty and accomplishments are not recognized by others, to heal those who feel they are invisible to others. Magickally the root is said to confer invisibility. Can’t wait to try it out.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone......

I'm about to embark on my CA trip to go to Pantheacon, but before i go, here is a little Valentine's Day gift, an excerpt from a forthcoming book, The Witch's Heart, a book on love magick.

Blessed be,

Christopher


Love Potion No. 13
This is a formula I created in meditation for a friend who was recovering from a difficult relationship. It's purpose is to bring the feeling of love back into your life, and when you are ready, an actual relationship.
The base of the potion is water, and this particular batch was made from spring water, melted snow and well water from the red well at Glastonbury Tor. You can start with 2 Cups of fresh spring water and add three Tablespoons of sea salt.
Add to the water a copper ingot, wire or coin while it simmers on a low heat, to infuse the metallic power of copper, Venus' metal, to it. Add the following ingredients, one at a time, to it, stirring each in thirteen times.

1 Tablespoon Rose Petals soaked in Rose Water
1 Tablespoon Rue
1 Tablespoon Jasmine Flowers
1 Tonka Bean
1 Tablespoon Vervain
1 Tablespoon Star Anise
1 Tablespoon Raspberry Leaf
1 Tablespoon Damiana Leaf
1 Tablespoon Yarrow Flower
1 Tablespoon Basil Leaf
1 Tablespoon Red Clover Tops
1 Pinch of Dragon's Blood Resin
1Vanilla bean

Let the mixture cool and strain out the herbs. Add nine drops of Sea Water, if available to the potion to truly activate its Venusian powers.

This potion is not for consumption, but for anointing the body, including the chakras and nape of the neck. One of the ingredients, Rue, can cause some skin irritation in some people, and should never be used by pregnant women.

Merry Meet and Blessed Imbolc,

Even though Mercury retrograde has struck, the movement of Mars to direct has gotten me out of my winter funk and ready to be in the world again. I have a generally afflicted Mars in my birth chart, so when things are wonky (a technical astrological term) with Mars, it seems to hit me all the harder. It’s surprising I get as much done as I do, with my natal Mars.

Blessed Yule Everyone,

Winter has descended upon New England where I live, and I’m getting excited for the next turn of the wheel. Yule is almost here, and we shall enter the season of light, even though for most of us it will still be dark and snowy. It is assuring to know the light is coming. I’ll be celebrating Yule with the Lap of the Goddess community in Cambridge, MA on Saturday. We have a lovely ritual planned on the descent and rebirth of the light and the ride of the Wild Hunt.