In Prep for the Upcoming Holiday...

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Samhain is almost here!!!
(Pronounced like you are calling a pig home...Sow In)

With about 2 weeks (at the time of this writing) before Samhain is here!!  I am writing to share some of the joy and love I have for this my favorite Sabbat.

Since my childhood (even before I recognized Samhain), I had the natural inclination to take the time for connecting with the earth and my ancestry.  It was with special timing and intent each year i would go into the woods behind my parent's home and sit down in the leaves.  I would make offerings of water and fruit to the land and my ancestors for blessings and protection through the next year.  (I have always felt my year started on October 31.)  With this child's enthusiastic desire to connect and my many years of learning, teaching and practicing I have found that Samhain is definitely more than funny/scary/creative costumes and bags of candy (don't get me wrong, I still love these parts, too), but has become a rooted and impassioned part of my existence.
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Because I'm Craft-y!!

In observance of this wonderful Sabbat, I am going to share a couple things I love to do every year.
I am going to share a craft, a recipe and a spell/rite.  Let me know if you try them! I'd love to see pics!

The night before Samhain, my family and I will have a bonfire.  What I will do while the 'men-folk' are prepping the fire, I will make a cheesecloth bundle of herbs (geared towards banishing) and grab my little cast iron cauldron on my way outside.  I set the cauldron just on the edge of the fire with the cheesecloth bundle inside.

This year the herbs I'm going to use are: anise seed, clove, dragons blood, garlic and some lavender.  (All from my garden or donated by friends.)

My instructions would look like this...

Bundle herbs of choice in a cheesecloth, place in fire safe container.  
Place container in fire (or place charcoal pellet and light while tying bundle and place bundle on top).
Once all herbs are burnt to ash, carefully remove from heat source.
When the container is safe to handle (approximately 30 minutes, depending on vessel), scrape all ashes together into a mortar.
Place salt in the ashes in a 2-to-1 ratio salt to ash.  
Using the pestle and concentrating all of your banishing intent/energy, grind ash and salt into a fine mix.
Move mix into a clean jar.  Mark bottle with contents and date.

Use:  Spells and rituals involving banishment magick, removal of hexes/jinxes, evil eye protection, and protection against most negative energy.

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My favorite Samhain recipe is one I came across when I was working as a PCW many, many years ago.  I make the recipe every year and think of the man I had worked for in that time.  Even now, I kind of miss talking to him.  Oh, well.  Here's the recipe....

Harvest Brunch

Ingredients
1 sm (3#) pumpkin                              ½ t salt                                  ¼ t pepper
1 # mild/hot bulk pork sausage        1 T vegetable oil                 1 c celery, chopped
1/3 c onion, chopped                          1 c mushrooms, sliced       1 egg, beaten
½ c sour cream                                     1/3 c Parmesan, grated     Parsley, for garnish

Directions
Cut top off of pumpkin (like for carving) and scoop out pulp and seeds.  Discard pulp (save seeds for roasting).  Sprinkle inside with salt and pepper.

Place pumpkin, cut side down, in a large baking dish filled with 1" water. Bake at 350*F, uncovered for about an hour or until just fork tender. Turn pumpkin right side up in water.

While baking:
Brown sausage in skillet; drain well. Sauté celery and onion in oil until tender; add mushrooms; cook 2 mins. Remove from heat.  Combine egg, sour cream, and cheese in a large bowl; slowly add meat and veggies to bowl (so you don't cook the egg).

Pour into pumpkin; Return to oven for 25 minutes or until pumpkin  is cooked through.  Allow to rest for about 15 minutes. 

Quarter pumpkin from top (looking down on a big X). Garnish with parsley.  Enjoy!

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​Samhain Ancestoral Prayer

I found this prayer a few years ago and it has made its way into my regular rotation.  I believe I got it from an online coven (Cata or Catta, I think).

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I hope you all enjoy my sharing and starting next week I will be sharing snippets of the story I am currently working on.  
Keep your eyes out!!

​Happy Tuesday!!