I am delighted to announce the return of my free newsletter, Wings! All new, and improved! Instead of the previous paper, postal delivery several times a year, now it can be Winging its way to you via email, every single month. No charge, anywhere in the world! You’ll receive plenty of Tarot news, of course. … Read more
As we endure yet another drought here in North Carolina, and we all are feeling the squeeze of rising prices, it might help to discover just why the water bill keeps going up and up..
Everyday Elsie by Lora Craig-Gaddis Hot lavender, mints, savory, marjoram;The marigold, that goes to bed wi’ the sun,and with him rise weeping. — The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare Here are a couple of lavender recipes you might like to try this weekend. I have to admit I have not made the tart yet, so … Read more
The Love Potion – Evelyn de Morgan, 1903There are some things after all that Sally Owens knows for certain: Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder. Keep rosemary by your garden gate. Add pepper to your mashed potatoes. Plant roses and lavender, for luck. Fall in love whenever you can. — Practical Magic, by … Read more
Ladies fair, I bring to youLavender with spikes of blue;Sweeter plant was never foundGrowing on our English ground.— Caryl Battersby, 1896 The medicinal properties of lavender are well-known, tried and true for many centuries. But I also love it for its more subtle, equally powerful gifts. I know lavender to be an intimate friend, teacher … Read more
Hanged up in houses,it doth very well attemper the aire,coole and make fresh the place to the delightand comfort of such as are therein. — John Gerard, 1597 As our days fill with the gift of Summer’s lush ripening, beloved Thalia, the Grace of Mirth and Flowering, continues to teach us. In the hot, summery … Read more
The air was fragrant with a thousand trodden aromatic herbs, with fields of lavender, and with the brightest roses blushing in tufts all over the meadows. . . — William Cullen Bryant As the Wheel of the Year turns now to the fullness of Summer’s lush ripening, we continue on our Graceland journey — that … Read more
The Power and the Gloryby Phil Ochs Come and take a walk with me through this green and growing landWalk through the meadows and the mountains and the sandWalk through the valleys and the rivers and the plainsWalk through the sun and walk through the rain This is a land full of power and gloryBeauty … Read more
Summer Invocationby Trish Telesco Fireflies and summer sunin circles roundwe become as one.Singing songs at magick’s hourwe bring the windsand timeless powers.Turning inward, hand in handwe dance the hearthto heal the land. Standing silent, beneath the skywe catch the fire from out God’s eye.Swaying breathless, beside the seawe call the Goddessso mote it be!
As the sun spirals its longest dance,Cleanse us!As nature shows bounty and fertilityBless us!Let all things live with loving intentAnd to fulfill their truest destiny.— from a Wiccan Summer Blessing (as reported by the BBC) Happy Litha (Summer Solstice) to those of us in the northern hemisphere, and Happy Yule to our friends below the … Read more