Volume 18 Issue 2
Imbolc 2021

Seasons of the Moon is a quarterly online magazine published by students and members of The Order of The White Moon, an eclectic international order of women dedicated to The Goddess. The Order provides personal empowerment and priestess training, and operates local groups. All contributions are original material submitted by our students and members. (We do not accept outside contributions.) Please direct comments and questions to the Ezine Editor.

Imbolc 2021

Holy Days
Imbolc ‐ L'fheill‐Brighde, M)0(rrigan
Celebrating Imbolc, Maeve Moonbird
Imbolc and Ostara, Ajna DreamsAwake

Southerly Sisters
Lammas and Mabon, Ajna DreamsAwake

Ritual Work
Goddess Health and Vitality Ritual, Mystic Amazon
Aila's Imbolc/Candlemas Ritual, Aila Arcadia
Imbolc Ritual, M)0(rrigan

Goddess Work
Meditation Journey ~ Inanna's Descent, Ajna DreamsAwake

Witchy Writings
Magickal Tools, Peace Whitehorse

Sacred Sites
Temple of Inanna at Uruk, Ajna DreamsAwake

OWM Awareness
OWM Happenings, Ajna DreamsAwake

The Bardic Soul: Poetry and Song for the Spirit
I am the Queen , Peace Whitehorse
The Circle of Life, Peace Whitehorse
I Believe in Magick, Peace Whitehorse
Our Eternal Goddess, Mystic Amazon
Rhiannon of the Birds, Mystic Amazon
I Shall Never Forget, Mekhnenutet
Imbolc Invocation to Brigid, Moonwater Ashwood

Recipes Fit for a Goddess
Chocolate Truffles, Dancing River
Whiskey & Spice Milk Punch , Dancing River
Rosemary Oat Bannock, Sage Moonmaiden
Baking with Lavender, Sage Moonmaiden
Sicilian Spring Dove Bread, Jenai May
Sour Cream Coffee Cake, Diana Ravenwolf

Holy Days

Imbolc ‐ L'fheill‐Brighde

Customs and Rituals

During the night before Imbolc in the Highlands, they prepared a bed for Bride. Old women made a figure of Bride from a plaited sheaf of corn, or formed of oats, and dressed her with clothes. (You can as well use porridge or flour and water to form the figurine). Men then placed Bride on the elaborate bed. (You can use a basket that looks like a bed, or a cradle). They adorned the basket with ribbons, crystals, early flowers, seashells. On Bride's breast a small crystal or a shining sea shell was placed, representing the guiding star of Bride.

When the Icon of Bride was ready, a crone opened the door and softly called into the night: "Bride's bed is ready". Another crone behind her said: "Let Bride come in, Bride is welcome!" Then the woman at the door called out: "Bride! Bride! Come thou in ‐ thy bed is made!" They preserved the house for the trinity. Then they placed a white peeled wand of Hazelwood in Bride's hand. On the hearth, they levelled the ashes. The next day, they carefully searched the ashes for signs left by the goddess. Wand marks ensured good luck, but a footprint was even better.

When no signs were found, Bride's favour had to be gained by offering incense and keeping the hearth fire burning all night and by offering a cockerel, burying it alive at the junction of three rivers. We have to consider the time and circumstance back when these customs originated. I am sure you will find plenty of possibilities to offer without harming an innocent life. Since time is nowadays very precious, whereas a cockerel wouldn't cost us much effort and money to buy, I would suggest creating some little token for the goddess and bury it at a crossroads, or, if you are lucky and have such a place like the junction of three rivers, of course that is a perfect place.

There are also other variations. In one, women took the figure of Bride for a walk around the village, entering each house. They had to offer a gift like food, drink, beautiful objects like a nice pebble, a special flower… Then the women met in a house for the feast of Bride. At a later hour, the lads came and asked permission to join. All together they share in drinking, dancing and feasting until the morning. When the sun was dawning, they formed a circle and sang a hymn together to greet the day. The leftovers and foodstuff they distributed as gifts to the poor. Ribbons at doors and windows were left for Bride, to touch them at night as She passed through, and which were then collected and kept in order to help with headaches or other troubles that occurred over the year.

M)0(rrigan is a Level III Adept in Sacred Three

Celebrating Imbolc

February 1 celebrates the cross quarter day Imbolc. We are halfway to Spring at this time on the Wheel of the Year. The days are growing slightly longer, even as Winter is still blanketing the landscape with snow and the winds blow cold air. The promise of Spring coming starts to blossom in our hearts, like purple crocuses and white snow drop flowers start peaking out from under the snow.

The Goddess Brighid is celebrated on Imbolc. She is an Irish Celtic Triple Goddess of Healing, Smithcraft, and Poetry. You can honor her with writing or reading poetry, lighting red and white candles, and connecting to your creativity. You can also call on her for blessings of healing and to guide you on creative projects.

We can work with the energies of cleansing and purification during this sabbat. Cleansing our home, ritual tools, crystals, and taking a purifying bath with candlelight are ways to honor this time of year.

Candle magick is also wonderful to work with this time of year, as they symbolize the promise of returning sunlight and warmth at the halfway mark of Winter. Light a candle to focus on the hope of Winter's end.

Making a delicious meal is also a way to celebrate Imbolc, with breads, grains, and vegetables you would have had from Autumn storage such as potatoes, onions, and cabbage. Dairy is also traditional to eat, such as custards. You can make an offering of some of your meal to Goddess Brighid.

Imbolc is an auspicious time for Divination using Tarot, Oracle cards, or Runes. You can also do Bibliomancy. Pick a book of poetry in honor of Brighid and ask a question. Then open the book and intuitively pick a line from the poems in the book. This line of poetry will be of guidance for you to reflect on from now until the Spring Equinox.

May you have a bright, blessed Imbolc.

HP Maeve Moonbird is a High Priestess of the Order and founder of the Moonlit Path Goddess School.

Imbolc and Ostara

Imbolc symbolizes renewal and is the traditional time for many pagans to dedicate themselves to the chosen path, or renew their vows. Renewing one's vows provides us the opportunity to reflect ‐ have we been true to our vows? Do they need to be revised? Students enrolled in our OWM schools create or renew a vow upon completion of each Level of study. Imbolc is an ideal time for all Sisters in the Order to look back on the vows they have made, and renew their commitment ‐ to offer service to their communities, to pray or send healing to those who request it…

Ask yourself the following:
What am I spiritually dedicated to?
What are my spiritual goals for the coming year?
How can I deepen my connection to Goddess?

Imbolc is also a good time to bless new magickal tools, or re‐consecrate old ones.

Ritual to consecrate Magickal Tools

The tools to be consecrated
Item to represent Brighid
Three white tea light candles
Items representing the four Elements (eg. salt, water, incense, and the flame of a candle)

At twilight, on February 1st, light one of the candles. Cleanse your tools with each of the four Elemental items. (note: a quick sprinkling or pass through is all that is required to prevent damage to the tools)

Place items outdoors where they can absorb the moonlight, or on an East‐facing window sill.
State your intent aloud.
Pick up the item representing Brighid. Ask the Goddess to bless and consecrate your tools.

Allow your tools to charge in the moonlight overnight. Leave the white candle on your altar and allow it to burn out naturally.

At dawn on February 2nd, before the sun rises, collect the tools and place them on your altar.
Light the second white candle and repeat your statement of intent. Let the white candle burn out completely.
Leave the tools on your altar, untouched, until evening.
At sunset, Light the third candle and repeat your intent a third time. Your tools are now cleansed, charged, re‐consecrated.

At Ostara, we honour the rebirth of the Maiden. It is a time of resurrection, Daughter is reunited with Mother in joyful celebration. This is a good time to strengthen the bonds with Mother figures in your life ‐ elders, mentors, ancestors and, naturally, your Mother (if possible and/or appropriate).

Ask yourself the following:
What wisdom have I learned and how will it manifest in the months ahead?
What am I awakening within myself?
Who are the women in my life who have inspired me? How can I honour them?

Gratitude to the following for their inspiration
Ariadne's Thread by Shekhinah Mountainwater
Women's Rites, Women's Mysteries by Ruth Barrett

Southerly Sisters

OWM is a global organization, with Sisters in countries around the world, including the Southern Hemisphere. The Wheel of the Year is reversed for our Southerly Sisters. To ensure we remain inclusive, we would like to share some information about the Holy Days that pertain specifically to them.

Lammas and Mabon

At Lammas, Goddess brings forth Her bounty ‐ the First Harvest. This is a time of gratitude ‐ we give thanks for the abundance of food from our gardens. We give thanks for the abundance of opportunities and choices available to us as women living in the 21st century. We honour our Foremothers who fought for our rights, and we strive to continue to fight for the rights of women everywhere.

At Mabon, Goddess is in Her waning days, the season of the Crone will soon be upon us. We feel the change in the air, a biting wind, the bright colours of the dying leaves against a backdrop of grey. A sadness permeates the air, the rains, a metaphor for the tears shed at the separation of Mother and Daughter. We are in a time of preparation, for the inward journey we will soon be undertaking in the dark days ahead.

Ritual Work

Goddess Health and Vitality Ritual

You will need:

1 White Candle for Spirit
1 Green Candle for Physical Healing
1 Red Candle for Energy, Vitality & Strength
Healing herbs of your choice
(your rose petals would look pretty as well as symbolize love and energy)
Crystals (optional) ‐ any red, green, orange or yellow stones for energy and healing
Amethyst for protection
Oil ‐ Cinnamon for raising spiritual vibrations, healing & blessings
A blessing oil for the white candle, or the equivalent
Incense of your choice
Any statues or pictures of the goddesses for your altar

Ritual

Cast your Circle, inviting the Higher Powers, Guides, etc. that you want to be in the circle with you. I would carve an ankh on the red and the green candles, plus any other symbol that appeals to you pertaining to health and energy.

Then oil your candles. If you are using herbs, you can roll the oiled candles in them.

Bright colors on your altar would be appropriate, mostly primary colors for cheerfulness and energy. Just improvise with what makes you and your Inner Child feel happy.

Wear something bright and cheery and some jewelry. Light your candles, visualizing yourself healthy, happy, and a powerful goddess woman!

… Then say the invocation THREE times.

Health and Vitality Invocation

Ladies of the Lake
Nine Goddess Sisters,
Please bring healing to me
On all levels of my body and Spirit;
Teach me the mystic wonders
Of the Isles of Avalon.

Pele, Haumea, and Hi'iaka
Glorious Hawaiian Goddess Sisters
Bring me wisdom and vitality.
Hi'iaka who brings the dead to life,
Bring my immune system
Back to strength and perfection.

Pele, Goddess of Flame
Cleanse my blood and body
With passionate, healthy energy.
Haumea, Earth Mother Goddess
Help me feel a connection to Nature
To be grounded, centered & secure.

Hina, Goddess of the Moon
Please shed light on my path in life
And guide me toward the best
In companions, health, family union
And spirituality; help me to remember
Lightness at heart and healthy laughter.

After you say the invocation three times, take a few minutes just to feel the spiritual vibrations of the ritual and your blessed altar.

Then dismiss your Circle and thank the Goddesses and any others that you invited into your Circle.

Go to your door, open it and visualize what you have just asked for going out into the ethers to manifest.
Then say or yell, "SO MOTE IT BE!"

Ground any extra energy to Mother Earth. Then come back inside and relax, letting your candles burn down safely before you go to bed.

Mystic Amazon is a High Priestess of the Order of the White Moon and an Ordained Minister. Her hobbies include writing, folk art, folk magick, Reiki, and reading.

Aila's Imbolc/Candlemas Ritual

Imbolc is a celebration on the Wheel of the Year that is the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. It occurs during the subtle stirrings of the spring to come, as temperatures generally begin to get warmer. After months of turning inward and resting in the winter, life is beginning to stir again. In feminist wicce, it is traditionally the day in which women are initiated, or the time they set dedications for the year ahead. This is a simple, meditative candle‐lighting ritual in which you make your personal commitments for the year ahead, while also celebrating the return of the sun.

You will need:

White candles to decorate an altar
Decorate altar with white or red tablecloth, white flowers, white gemstones (optional)
White or gold candle for yourself / each participant
Lighter or matches

Light the candles on the altar. Do not light the candle(s) that participants are holding.
Purify your space with your choice of herbs, resins, or incense.
State your ritual intention: to dedicate yourself to healing, growth, and purification for the year ahead.

Cast a circle. Invoke Brigid, the Irish goddess of healers, poets, and inspiration.
Purify the elements with blessed water, a lit candle, a stone or dirt, and an outdoor wind bath or indoor fan.

Each participant lights their candle in turn, speaking their own personal dedications for the year. While everyone holds their candles, perform a chant of your choice to raise energy, then cut it off suddenly.

Perform a self‐blessing.

Ground with a meditation, intention, reiki, or stones.
Open the circle and thank Brigid and the elements.

Finish with an Imbolc feast (if in a group, a potluck). Each person should perform a spiritual bathing ritual on their own at the end of the night.

Aila Arcadia is a Level I student in Dark Moon's Heart

Imbolc Ritual

Imbolc marks a threshold from Winter to Spring and so I designed this ritual to consciously cross a threshold. Our purpose is an initiation, this means to begin a conscious connection or relationship.
With this ritual you may want to begin your Year and a Day to prepare for your initiation into the craft, or, if you already completed your trial phase, use it as part of your initiation. It may also be used if you have decided to change your current spiritual path or practice, or perhaps if you just want to renew a vow.
Spiritual or mundane reasons ‐ a ritual is a suitable way to begin something new or different (quit smoking, unhealthy lifestyle or partner ‐ it is a statement and acknowledgement on the outside that supports you and your choice within.
As we begin something new we leave the old behind ‐ be aware of what you no longer want in your life. Now, it is as vital that you know where you are going to, i.e. how this 'new' looks, feels, tastes. So therefore, this ritual consists of several steps.

Bath Supplies:

Pouch made of gauze or roughly woven tissue to hold the herbs but not the aromas
Rosemary (dried or fresh plant ‐not powder)
Mugwort (dried or fresh plant ‐ not powder or oil)
Oatmilk (if you have no milk you may use oat flakes and add them to the herbs in the pouch)
Sea Salt
Tea candles (preferably white)

Altar:

Cloth (white)
Tapered candles (golden green and red)
Note: all colors can be substituted by white ‐ if you don't have colored candles you can use one white candle)
Item representing the intent (figurine or picture)
Ribbon
Cauldron or other fire safe vessel
Acacia Senegal Wood ‐ if not available you can use Benzoin or Gum Arabic)
Gemstones (clear quartz crystal, black obsidian, sunstone or yellow tourmaline)
Tarot Deck

First, make sure you will have a quiet space and time ‐ if you live with other people, let them know that you don't want to be disturbed from (start time) to (end time).
It is important that you feel safe and have the freedom to do as you like.
If you do the ritual indoors, prepare the things you need for the Altar set up ahead of time so that you do not need to leave this room again once you enter after your ritual bath.

Ritual Bath

The ritual begins when you go the bathroom 😉
Light the candles to create a special atmosphere ‐ this is not your usual bath, it is the first part of your new life.
Fill the pouch with the herbs, close it and put it in the water.
The size of the pouch and the amount of herbs is your choice. What is important is that you feel good!
If you do not have a tub or cannot take a bath, you may wash yourself with the infused water from a sink.
Let the pouch soak in the warm water so the etheric oils sealed in the herbs can be released.
Add the sea salt and the oatmilk.
As you lie in the tub or wash yourself, feel how this water clears and cleanses, protects and enhances you on all levels.

Stay as long as you need to feel totally prepared for the next step.

Altar Setup and Ritual

Enter the ritual space
Light the incense, smudge yourself and the space and put it back on the altar.
Cast a circle ‐ around yourself and the altar
Cast it big enough so you can move comfortably within.

Sit or kneel down, take the candles up, one after the other, and put them in their holders.
The golden one represents you, the red one represents the fire of divine strength, also the Goddess Brigid, who supports you and fuels you on your path, the green one represents the hope that supports you and encourages you at all times.
Place them close to each other and loosely bind them together with the ribbon. Tie the ribbon at the lower part of the candles so it cannot catch fire when you burn them.

Take the Tarot Cards and fetch the Star ‐ it is a symbol of protection and support.

If you want to engage with a certain deity now call her and invite her to be with you.
State your intent clearly and respectfully ask for support and guidance.
Choose your own words, feel that what you say matches with your emotions.
Spend as long as you feel necessary but still comfortable for you.

Once you make your commitment, burn parts of the acacia wood and keep the rest.
Give thanks and dismiss all you have called.
Extinguish the candles.
Open the circle but don't leave it immediately.

Visualise the threshold where you cast the circle.
Visualise and feel the 'new' behind that line.
When you are ready jump out of the circle into your new life.

Now make sure you ground well with proper food and drink.

The Tarot Deck that was with you in the ritual will be a good guide for you to use.
The Gemstones will support you to balance your energy ‐

clear crystal quartz helps you to ground and clear your energy when its unbalanced
black obsidian supports you to not be directed by fears and helps you to overcome blockages or trauma, it enhances spiritual and emotional strength.
sunstone balances your psyche, it helps you to see and work things in life from a bright merry strong center
yellow tourmaline brings luck and trust in yourself and your own abilities, and herewith supports your good judgement.

M)0(rrigan is a Level III Adept in Sacred Three

Goddess Work

Meditation Journey ~ Inanna's Descent

This is a journey of self‐discovery, to face your Dark Self. You have heard the call and go willingly despite your fears.

Begin by looking honestly at the titles you hold, the roles you have taken on, the roles imposed upon you by others, the beliefs you hold about yourself. Visualize each one as a shining jewel or garment.
Dressed in your regalia, you make your way the entrance of a cave to meet the Gatekeeper. The role of the Gatekeeper is to prevent you from going further. But you are determined, despite your fear, to enter the cave. You state your purpose with certainty, "I come to meet my Dark Self".

The Gatekeeper lets you pass and you proceed into the cavern. It feels cool and comfortable, you breathe in the rich scent of the earth. It is both a tomb, and a womb. You notice that there are steps leading down into a dark abyss.

There are seven levels leading down in the depths. You pause at each level, looking honestly, but without judgment, at the titles you carry within you, the labels others have placed upon you, words you use to describe yourself, the beliefs you hold about yourself, not enough of this, too much of that etc… Honour, and let go of these labels, stripping away more and more of your titles, your beliefs, your jewels, your robes until you arrive, naked and vulnerable, into the realm of Erishkigal. You have reached your destination, the Tomb of the Great Mother, the center of your own darkness.

You sit in stillness, an empty vessel waiting to be filled. This is the Underworld, the Void; it is a place of Death and a place of Unleashed Potential. This is the Womb of the Great Mother, a place of Gestation and Rebirth.

Erishkigal approaches and you see that She is you. You approach in perfect love and perfect trust. The Dark Goddess is fierce, rage‐filled. It is She who has been dismissed, mocked, denied, suppressed, and oppressed. She is angry at being shunned, and She is heartbroken that Her light, Her power, the very core of Her being, has been repressed for so long.

Together, you and Erishkigal feel what it is like to be told that you are less than, you rage against the society that has taught you to hate yourself. You grieve for the suffering which all women have experienced under Patriarchy. You grieve the death of the woman you were, and you grieve for the Dark Self who has finally been heard.

You and the Dark Goddess come together in an embrace. You can feel Her presence within you, bringing the Dark Self into the Light of Consciousness. You and your Dark Self are as one. This is the birth of your new self, an integration of Light and Dark. When you are ready, give thanks and prepare to return to the physical world. You have been reborn, emerging from the Darkness to shine your Light upon the world.

Witchy Writings

Magickal Tools

A Little On Magickal Tools

There are many tools available to a witch. Most of them are unnecessary but they are nice to have. I will list the most common tools here.

NOTE: Never touch someone else's magickal tools without first asking for and obtaining the owner's permission. To do so is not only the height of poor etiquette and disrespect, but may also disrupt energies the owner has imbued the tool with, or cause a need for the tool to be ritually cleansed.

All ritual tools should be cleansed and blessed before use. This can be done simply by passing the item through the smoke of incense and sprinkling it with blessed or holy water (water and salt). This blesses the item with all four Elements. Incense brings the Elements of Air and Fire while blessed water brings the Elements of Water and Earth.

Here are some of the most common tools:

Athame ‐ a ritual knife, usually with a double sided blade. Never used to actually cut anything. May even have an unsharpened blade. Most often used to cast the circle. Some require that it have a black handle. That being said, my favorite Athame is green with a single edged blade. Go figure. Don't really need one, you can use your outstretched hand.
Wand ‐ a stick or rod for use in ritual and magick. It is usually the length of the measurement from your elbow to the tip of your outstretched fingers. Usually made of wood, can also be metal or crystal. Many make their own wand by gathering a stick or branch and decorating it. If you cut a branch from a living tree, be sure to thank the tree, and leave an offering such as a gemstone or some sage or tobacco. Again, don't really need it, you can use your outstretched index finger.
Besom ‐ a ritual broom. Generally kept bristles up by a door for protection. Used in ritual cleansing. Bristles never actually touch the floor as an area is ritually swept. Used in handfastings for the couple to jump over.
Boline ‐ a utility knife used for cutting herbs, cords, or whatever else needs to be cut. Kept sharp. Blade may be curved and most often the handle is white.

These are just a few of the magickal tools. There are many, many other tools available to the witch. Don't bankrupt yourself going out and buying everything at once. Many things, like a cauldron or a chalice, can be found at thrift stores and second hand shops. Be sure to cleanse the item of unwanted energies and bless and consecrate it to your use.

The Athame athame

The Athame (uh‐THAW‐may, AH‐the‐may) is a sacred ritual knife/dagger. It is usually a double‐edged blade, although my favorite one is single‐edged. It usually has a sheath/blade cover.

The athame is a ritual tool only. It should never be used to cut anything other than air or energy. It can be used in lieu of a wand to cast the Sacred Circle.

Its element is either fire or air, depending on your belief system. Its gender is masculine.

The athame is usually one of the first tools acquired by a Witch. Commonly it has a black handle, but can actually be any color, just usually not white. I will discuss the white handled knife, the Boline, at another time.

Like all magickal tools, it should be cleansed of all negativity, consecrated to God and Goddess or the Universe or your specific deity/deities, and dedicated to you and your magickal work.

You should never handle the magickal tools of others, including the athame, without the express permission of the owner. This is because the owner may have spent considerable time and effort in cleansing, consecrating and dedicating the tool and your energy may necessitate doing that all over again. Always ask.

Choose an athame that calls to you and feels right. Its appearance should be pleasing to you.

The athame can be used to cast and take down the Circle. It can also be used in the Ritual of the Great Rite, where the blade is lowered into a Chalice in the symbolic sexual joining of the God and Goddess.

Athames range in price from inexpensive to quite costly, but you should be able to find one that fits your budget.

You can charge your athame with Universal energy by leaving it out under the full moon.

The Wand wand

This much beloved tool can be found in nearly every witch's tool chest. Usually made of wood, wands can also be metal or even stone. I would not recommend plastic, simply because that is not a natural material. My experience is with wands made of wood and that is what I will write about.

If made of wood, it is nice if the type of wood is known. That way the correspondences of that wood, which are inherent in the wand, are also known.

Many make their own wands. This is one of the easiest tools to make. Gather a relatively straight limb or branch. If you find one already on the ground that is not rotted, that is great. However, most times a branch will need to be harvested. Be sure to leave an offering for the tree or shrub from which you took the branch. Coins or gemstones, buried at the base of the plant, are suitable offerings.

The length of the branch should be roughly the length from your elbow to the tip of your fingers. Thickness can be a personal preference, but the wand should be sturdy and not flimsy or flexible.

Remove the bark if you wish. It is much easier to remove the bark after all small sprouts are removed and while the branch is green. Some prefer to leave the bark in place and that is fine as well.

If the bark is removed, allow the wand to dry. Once dry, if desired, it can be painted.

The wooden wand can be decorated with symbols and/or sigils, using a woodburning tool or a permanent marker. Once decorated, the wand can be rubbed with beeswax or sealed with a sealer such as polyurethane.

If a crystal point is desired at the end of the wand, the wand tip can be drilled out to fit a crystal point into the end. Or, a fitting can be made from polymer clay to hold the point on the end of the wand. Some wire a crystal point in place, but I find this method difficult and have never had much success using wire.

A handle can be carved to facilitate wrapping the hand around the wand. Or it can be left natural. I prefer to wrap cord around the handle end to create an easier grasp.

I have made many wooden wands over the years, for myself, as gifts for others, and for sale. I take custom orders for wooden wands as well as making wands of my own creation for sale. I simply love making wands!!!!

My favorite personal wand is a hydrangea branch, peeled and painted purple, affixed with chakra stones, with a handle of silver wrapped cord. I have had this wand for years and it has served me well. It is drilled and fitted with a crystal point. I keep it in a fleece‐lined drawstring bag that is also of my own creation.

A wand can be used for many things. Mainly it is an extension of the witch her/himself. Used to project energy, it can be used to energise other magickal items, or to create the sacred circle or other sacred space. Generally, anything that can be done with the athame can also be done with the wand.

The Besom besom

Besoms (brooms) come in all shapes and sizes. Most Witches have at least one broom; many have two or more! Along with the cauldron and the pointy hat, the broom is one of the most recognized symbols of the Witch.

There are mundane brooms, used simply for cleaning the home. At the other end of the spectrum is the highly decorated, consecrated and charged magickal or ceremonial broom or besom.

A good broom has a wooden handle and natural, broomcorn bristles. There are brooms with metal or plastic handles and plastic bristles, these brooms are really not suitable for a Witch. Go for a broom made of natural materials.

If all you have is a mundane broom, why not spruce it up a bit? You can add small charms, herbs and oils to the bristles to sweep magically as you clean. The handle can be decorated with sayings, symbols or runes that you find meaningful. A sharpie or a wood burning tool are both good for placing messages or symbols on the broom handle.

A broom should always be stored bristles up. This makes the broom stay in good condition longer by avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on the bristles.

There are floor brooms, whisk brooms and even child size brooms. There are miniature brooms used mostly for decoration. There are cinnamon brooms and simple homemade brooms made of a handle with twigs tied to it for bristles. All can be decorated, and all can be used in magick.

Brooms have been used for protection. They can be hung on the wall or above a doorway to protect the home, or even above the head of the bed to protect from nightmares.

In a handfasting ceremony, many choose to jump over a special, very beautifully decorated broom.

Brooms also make wonderful gifts, especially for newlyweds or for a house warming. If you know what the decor of the home is, you can decorate with coordinating ribbons, dried flowers and herbs.

Many say you should not take an old broom to a new home. But some also say it should not be left behind for the new occupants. One solution to this quandary is to burn your old broom when moving to a new home.

Of course, there is always the image of the Witch flying on the broom. There are guided meditations for broom flying that you can use to take a magickal ride on your broom.

The Boline boline

The boline is different from the athame. Whereas the athame should never cut anything in the mundane world, the boline is a working knife. Kept sharp, its primary purpose is to harvest herbs and other plants.

The boline has two distinguishing characteristics. It usually has a white handle, and the blade is usually curved.

In addition to harvesting herbs and plants, the boline can be used to inscribe candles or to cut cords and other mundane material.

Some debate that the boline is not really a magickal tool since it is used for mundane purposes. However, I believe it is a magickal tool that bridges the mundane and the magickal, by cutting in the mundane world for magickal purposes.

The boline can slso be used in the kitchen, thereby bringing magick into that area.

Some say that the boline is unnecessary, that the athame can be used for whatever tasks would normally be reserved for the boline. However, my personal opinion is that the athame should not cut anything mundane, and should be reserved for tracing the Circle and cutting energy, such as a doorway in a Circle should someone need to step out of the circle. I use both an athane and a boline. The athane for spiritual cutting, and the boline for mundane tasks.

Many bolines have a crescent shaped blade, reminiscent of a sickle. Some are simply curved a little bit, and some even have a straight blade. It is up to an individual's personal preference as to which type has the most appeal.

Always clean the boline after it is used for a cutting chore. It can be charged with energy by being left out under the full moon.

Cleansing, Charging and Consecrating Tools

Cleansing
Why should you cleanse a magickal tool? If it is new, it was more than likely touched by others before it got to you. If it is used, it has probably been used in ritual by someone before you. In either case, you want to remove the energies of others from the tool. Most people are very particular about their tools, and the energy they contain. Most do not let others handle a tool once it has been cleansed, charged and consecrated for your use. By the same token, never touch another's tools without their consent.

If the tool has not been used for a while, perhaps someone else touched it, or for some reason you feel the tool needs to be cleansed, charged and consecrated again. Listen to your gut on this one.

To cleanse, you can hold the tool under running water, or bury it in salt or earth, or lay it in the light of the full moon, or sage the item. Which method you choose may depend on what the tool is made of. Some things can't be gotten wet, some do not react well to salt. So do your research.

Charging
You may want to charge the tool with your own personal energy to truly make it yours. You may have heard of women carrying crystals in their bras. That is one good way to charge a new crystal. Or you can carry them in a pocket. But a lot of tools won't fit in a bra or a pocket. In that case you may just want to handle the tool a lot, spend time with it. If it won't damage the item, put it under your pillow at night. If it is too large, or would not fare well under your pillow, simply place it in your bedroom. You can simply take the tool and state, "I charge you with my energy!" You might decide to use a combination of methods. No one method is right, and I am sure there are ways to charge a tool that I have not included here.

Consecrating
The way I like to consecrate a tool is to present it to the four elements, spirit, and God and Goddess.

To do this I use incense for East/Air, a candle for South/Fire, a bowl of water for West/Water and a bowl of salt for North/Earth. I use myself as Spirit. And I use statues for Goddess and God.

Light the candle and the incense. Next, I cast a Circle. Then within the Circle, I turn to the East. I pass the tool through the smoke of the incense and ask the East and Air to bless this tool. I repeat this for the other three directions/elements. This can be as formal as you want to make it. Then for spirit, I hold the tool to my chest and state that I bless this tool and consecrate it to the service of the Goddess and God. Then I present the tool to Goddess and God, ask Their blessings upon the tool, and state that this tool is now consecrated to Their service.

I'm sure there are other ways to do this, this is how I do it. As always, take what works for you, and leave the rest.

* All images by the author and subject to copyright protection.

Click on the link to follow Peace at Witchy Writings

Peace Whitehorse is the founder of the Peace Grove School of the Goddess and facilitator and High Priestess of the Peace Grove Coven. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and her Shetland sheepdogs, and is active in Sheltie Rescue.

Sacred Sites

Temple of Inanna at Uruk

Look at its wall which gleams like copper,
inspect its inner wall, the likes of which no one can equal!
Take hold of the threshold stone ‐ it dates from ancient times!
Go close to the Eanna Temple, the residence of Ishtar,
such as no later king or man ever equaled!
~ Epic of Gilgamesh

Along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were many shrines and temples dedicated to Inanna, but Her greatest shrine was located in the heart of the ancient city of Uruk. This ancient city is situated in southern Iraq, 250 km south of Baghdad. It is believed to be the oldest city in the world, dating back to at least 3500 BCE. This area is referred to as the Cradle of Civilization, and is the likely birthplace of cuneiform writing. Poetry, astronomy and agriculture flourished in this ancient city. Uruk played an important role in the mythology of the Mesopotamian people. It was the home of the epic hero Gilgamesh, believed to be a king of the city's first dynasty.

Inanna had been associated with the city of Uruk as early as 4000 BCE. The Eanna District at the heart of the city was a walled temple complex, known as Inanna's House of Heaven. The two main temples were the Stone Mosaic Temple and the Limestone Temple. Both were embellished with gold, silver, lapis lazuli and red limestone. The Stone Mosaic Temple was especially striking, adorned with carved pine cones in red, white and black. Pine cones were a symbol of Inanna, representing the Tree of Life.

Terraces surrounding the Temples and may have been the inspiration for the step pyramids known as ziggurats. The temples were created to connect Heaven and Earth. Temples were often referred to as "waiting rooms", where clergy would wait for the deities to descend from the heavens. The Temple complex housed the Priestesses of Inanna. Priestesses recreated the Hieros Gamos, the Sacred Marriage between the Goddess and Her consort. The Spring Equinox marked the New Year, and celebrations included a re‐enactment of the Hieros Gamos. The High Priestess would choose a lover to play the role of Dumuzi while she became the earthly incarnation of the Goddess. Eventually, the Hieros Gamos was used to confer legitimacy upon male rulers.

Inanna was one of the most revered goddesses of Mesopotamia. She bestowed civilization upon humankind. She was a Goddess of love, fertility and warfare. Her symbols included an eight‐pointed star, representing Venus and the pine cone. The lioness is also associated with Her in Her role as Warrior Goddess and Ruler of Heaven and Earth. Her cuneiform image is a twisted knot of reeds, a symbol of fertility and abundance.

Individuals who went against the traditional gender binary roles were heavily involved in the cult of Inanna. During Sumerian times, a set of priests known as gala, worked alongside the priestesses in Her temples. They adopted female names and their songs were composed in the Sumerian eme‐sal dialect, which, in literary texts, is normally reserved for the speech of female characters.

Inanna's cult declined between the first and sixth centuries, in the wake of Christianity, though it continued to thrive in Assyrian communities as late as the eighteenth century. Today, Inanna has once again gained prominence. Her descent to the underworld represents the concept of life‐death‐rebirth. Like the Goddess, we can embark on our own personal journey of self‐discovery. We can choose to journey into darkness, shedding the trappings of our former life, experiencing the symbolic death of the old self, and emerge, once more, wholly aware and complete.

http://arabic-media.com/uruk.html
http://www.fsmitha.com/h1/Inanna.htm
http://klimtlover.wordpress.com/mesopotamia-and-persia/mesopotamia-and-persia-sumerian-art/

Ajna DreamsAwake is a High Priestess and founder of Dark Moon's Heart School. Her personal journey of self‐discovery continues as she supports and guides women along their own healing paths.

OWM Awareness

White Moon Happenings

Jenai May, of Sacred Three, has completed Level I to become an Initiate and Lifetime Member of the Order of the White Moon! Please also enjoy her gorgeous final project on the Goddess Venus Erycina!

Luma Mora, of Sacred Three, has completed Level II of our White Moon Studies to become aLevel III Adept. Please also enjoy her wonderful Project on the Goddess Mokosh!

Emily Beatrice, of Sacred Three, has completed Level III, and has been admitted to Level IV!! Please also enjoy her project on Grainne!

Sage Moonmaiden, of Sacred Three, completed Level III, and has been admitted to Level IV! Please also enjoy her project on Saint Teresa of Calcutta!

We are thrilled to announce that High Priestess Maeve Moonbird has opened the Moonlit Path Goddess School, a new branch school of the Order, and is now accepting students. For more information, visit the website for Moonlit Path Goddess School or contact Maeve at maevemoonbird@yahoo.com

We are, of course, delighted to welcome our new students in Sacred Three, Moonlit Path, Peace Grove School, and Dark Moon's Heart from all over the world! We are always happy when sisters find their way to OWM!

More About OWM

If you're not an OWM student and you'd like to learn more about the Order of the White Moon, the schools offering Traditional White Moon Studies, or browse the Goddess Gallery, we welcome you to learn about us!

For those who are not currently Sisters of the Order but would like to feel supported, we encourage you to visit OWM's website and submit a Prayer Request. This Public Outreach program is one of the ways that OWM gives back to the community. We offer prayers, distance healing, and loving support to members of public.

You can connect with OWM on social media! Follow us on Twitter at @OrderWhiteMoon for regular updates on Seasons of the Moon, the Weekly Tarot Zodiac and other OWM public outreach programs. Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/orderwhitemoon.

Visit and like us! The Twitter feed and Facebook page are available to the public. Feel free to share these links. We appreciate your feedback so please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.

May the Peaceful, Compassionate and Healing Presence of the Goddess be with you now and always.

Ajna DreamsAwake is a High Priestess and founder of Dark Moon's Heart School. Her personal journey of self‐discovery continues as she supports and guides women along their own healing paths.

The Bardic Soul: Poetry and Song for the Spirit

I am the Queen (The Correspondences Song)

I am the Queen of the East you see,
And the Fairies dance with mirth and glee!
The Sylphs and Zephyrs ride the Air,
And wand and incense both are there.
Dawn and Spring, and crimson hues,
White and yellow and light blue.
Wind and Breath, the Aspen tree,
Topaz gems and Birds and Bees.
Intellect, Truth, Ideas, Thought,
Travel, Freedom, Find the Lost.
Eurus wind and sense of smell,
Clear your mind and ring the bell.
I am the Queen of East you see,
Drop your cares, come dance with me!

I am the Queen of South and Fire,
Spirit, Blood, Life, Will and Ire.
Salamander, Firedrake,
Flames they rule and coals they rake!
Red and Gold, Orange and White,
Opals and the sense of Sight.
Notus wind and Vision work
The Almond tree in bloom, the Dirk.
Athame and Sword, Candles and Heat,
Summer's Noontime warm and sweet.
Illumination, Learning, Will,
Purification, Heal the Ill.
I am the Queen of South and Fire,
Come to find your heart's desire!

I am the Queen of the West you know,
Where waves roll in and waters flow.
Emotions, Feelings, Love, the Tides,
Lakes and Pools where Water bides.
Twilight, Autumn, Cauldron, Cup,
And Willow tree is springing up.
Undines, Nymphs, Mer‐men and ‐maids,
All of them the Mother aids.
Wind of Zephyrs, sense of Taste,
Aqua gems around your waist.
Blue‐green, Indigo, Black and Gray,
Sleep and Dreams and End of Day.
The Queen of the West I am, *apos;tis true,
In all these things I'll be with you.

I am the Queen of North and Earth,
The moorlands that surround the firth.
Midnight, Winter, Mountains too,
Stones and rocks, the Cow and Bull.
Gnomes and Dwarfs and Trolls, oh my!
Boreas and Ophion winds rush by.
Sense of Touch and tree of Oak,
The Crystals that adorn my cloak.
Ivy, Wheat and Rye and Comfrey,
Corn and Oats and Rice and Barley.
Treasures, Wealth, Success and Work,
Money and Riches around you lurk.
I am the Queen of North, I say,
Black, Brown, Green and nought of day.

I am the Queen of your Inner Soul,
I love you true and make you whole.
I am the moon a‐riding high,
Lighting up the nighttime sky.
I am the Mother, Maiden, Crone!
I'm everywhere, I am your own.
Within you and without I live,
To you dear child my all I give.
The Triple Will, The Goddess free,
I give my love and grace to thee.
I've many names and faces too,
I pluck the stars to hand to you!
I am the Goddess, know you Me,
Forever bless and worship Me.

The Circle of Life

In the beginning was the Source,
That some call the Great Goddess.
She was with us even before we were born.
Together with the Great God,
Known as The All, The Universe,
The Collective Unconscious,
Source Energy.

We reincarnate to this World from the
Summerland, after all those who loved us
In our previous life, are too gone to join
The Source. Until then we remain in the
Summerland, to watch over and aid
All those who love us and whom we love.
And then we are reborn on Earth.

Many live our lives in accordance with
The Rede and the Threefold Law.
We do our best to care for the Earth.
We do our best to care for Others ‐
Human, animal, plant and mineral.
All have Spirits, all belong.

We are here to perfect Love.
We grow through puberty into adulthood,
Learning about life as we go.
First as Maiden, then as Mother, and
Finally as Crone.

The Maiden is carefree and young,
Living and loving life.
The Mother gives birth to all,
Both life and creative pursuits.
The Crone is a repository of Wisdom
That guides us through our lives.

To know and to love a Crone
Is to know and revere Wisdom.
To be a Crone is to possess
The Wisdom of the Ages.

And when we come to the end of our days
In this life, we slip through the veil
To the Summerland, to love and
Look after those who on Earth still love us,
And to commune with The All, with Source,
To know Perfect Love and Perfect Trust
And Perfect Wisdom.

So the Wheel turns, and Life goes on,
We go on, never dying,
And we become One.

I Believe in Magick

I believe in Magick, it decorates my life!
It takes away the Mundane and all its stress and strife.
I bathe in Magick moonbeams each and every day,
And sprinkle Magick fairie dust along my happy way.
I believe in Magick, it's with me every night.
And every day, in every way, it makes my heart's delight!
Makes wiggly my body, all my fingers and my toes,
Makes happy and glad my earthly heart and ticklies up my nose!
I take Magick with me, everywhere I go,
It talks to me and walks with me in Sunshine and in Snow.
I never leave my home alone, never go without it,
And when I can I love to jump up and down and shout it!
Spreading Magick rainbows all along my walk,
And sprinkling Magick tongue‐drops every time I talk,
Some people think I'm crazy, and maybe they are right,
But I believe in Magick, in Darkness and in Light!

Our Eternal Goddess

I am the goddess, who loves you
And nurtures you always;
I am to be found in the beauty
Of the Earth and all its creatures.

Come be with me, who adore you
And surround you with love;
Let your Soul come to me,
So that I may cradle you in my arms.

Let the rain that falls from heavens
Cleanse your heart and body…
Dance in worship and delight,
While my silver moon glows for you.

These bodies that I have made for you
Are beautiful and sacred;
Everything about them is a delight
And brings forth love and sensuality.

If you keep me within your soul
I will be everywhere in your life;
And all paths will lead you back to me,
Your New and Ancient Mother.

Rhiannon of the Birds

I saw you riding by on your horse
You were wearing flowers in your hair
And white birds flew, singing, overhead;
Your horse was prancing with joy
And you sang along with the birds.

Rhiannon, Rhiannon!
Your laughter rings out like bells
As the animals follow along with you;
Behind you green grass shoots come up,
Bright red apples gleam from the trees.

The young foals and newly‐born animals
Come up to you to be blessed,
And the sounds of fluttering wings
Herald the fairies coming to join you.
Queen of Faeries, Otherworld Queen

Your eyes shine like the silver Moon.
Lovers lay back against the trees
Watching the faeries dance and sing;
And like us, they await your blessings
Moon Goddess, Rhiannon of the Birds.

Mystic Amazon is a High Priestess of the Order of the White Moon and an Ordained Minister. Her hobbies include writing, folk art, folk magick, Reiki, and reading.

I Shall Never Forget

   I shall never forget your eyes.
   Deep as the pits of Hell, splashed with the colors of amber and fire. Spinning like galaxies, inquisitive and ever‐watchful. They set my body to shiver; a reminder of days past when we first consecrated our love, on the banks of the Nile in the lazy, swaying reeds and grass.
   I shall never forget your face.
   Tenderness is too dull a word to describe. Soft as silk, but resolute and refined by time. Rarely did you smile, but when you did, it broke storms and set my heart ablaze. The world meant nothing when you smiled; it melted away, tearing down all that mattered not. Only your smile.
   I shall never forget your hands.
   Strong, building nations that outlasted the sands of time. When I became weak, fell victim of our brothers, your sacred hands once again taught me how to stand. Love in its purest form is an embrace; something so simple, yet never questioning and always understanding. I felt it in your hands, saw it in your eyes ‐ your face.
   I shall never forget your death.
   Unjust, at the mercy of jealous wiles. Swift, brutal, and unspeakable. Before the sun set you were gone; before I could stop him, you were gone. The river became a cold and dangerous place. The lazy, swaying reeds and grass became razor sharp, slashing as I searched; gnashing teeth and weeping as the willows that touched the merciless and unforgiving waters we once loved.
   I made a promise.
   Love is a long‐suffering beast. Hungry, cold and tired I searched without end, searching for your remnants. Searching for your smile, for your eyes ‐ for your hands, that I could lay in them once more and become warm, fulfilled. Hungry, cold and tired I searched until I finally found you. You had changed; you were hungry, cold and tired. A piece of you was missing, a part of your soul taken from life's horrific upheaval. Yet, when your eyes opened, your smile widened, your fingers brushed mine… I became whole in your stead.
   I shall never forget.

Mekhnenutet is a Level I student of the Sacred Three Goddess School. She is in devotion to Isis for independent study. She is a mother, and enjoys writing prose and baking with her free time.

Imbolc Invocation to Brigid

Brigid,
Oh exalted one,
We tend your flame today.
With your blessings
May this spark spread
Your light across the land
Once more, heralding the
Beginning of the end of winter.
How we miss your warmth
Beloved Lady!
We beseech you,
Oh fiery arrow,
Come amongst us once again.
Melt away the ice and snow,
And let the buds burst forth
To herald the presence
Of the beloved Lady of the Celts!
May your blessings be upon us
And upon the land,
On Imbolc and always!
Blessed Be.

Moonwater was a former High Priestess of the Order. Now deceased, she remains alive in our hearts.

Recipes Fit for a Goddess

Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients

½ C. Bailey's Irish Cream
12oz bag of semi‐sweet chocolate chips
½ C. heavy cream
⅔ C. egg substitute (or four egg yolks)
2 Tbs butter (use real butter, not margarine)
Cocoa powder

Directions

In a heavy saucepan over low heat, combine the Bailey's and chocolate chips. Maintain over very low heat so your chocolate doesn't scorch, and stir until the chips have melted. Add heavy cream and egg substitute. Blend until smooth. Stir in butter, whisking until thick. Remove from heat, and chill overnight until firm. Once the mixture has firmed up, use a spoon to scoop it out and roll into 1" balls.

Roll each ball in the cocoa powder until coated. Depending on the size of the balls ‐ and how much of the dough you eat during prep ‐ you can get a few dozen truffles out of this. If you like, instead of rolling in cocoa, use powdered sugar, colored sprinkles, flavored coffee powder or chopped nuts. To make a great gift, roll up a cone of heavy parchment paper, drop some truffles inside, and tie with a ribbon.

Whiskey & Spice Milk Punch with a Magical Touch of Heather

Ingredients

1½ cups whole milk
¼ cup of light cream
¼ cup of Heather Tea (just add 2‐3 teaspoons of fresh flowers to a cup of boiling water and infuse for about five minutes)
½ or ¾ cup of Irish whiskey (you decide on how much!)
2 Tbsp honey or to taste
¼ tsp ginger ground
¼ tsp cinnamon ground
¼ tsp. cardamom
Freshly grated nutmeg or cardamom to top

Directions

Pour milk, cream, heather tea, and whiskey in a small saucepan. Stir in the honey, ginger, cardamom and cinnamon. Heat slowly while whisking. Do not let it come to a boil.

Serve warm with a stick of cinnamon OR let cool and then serve over ice. Top with grated nutmeg.

Dancing River is a Level II Initiate in Dark Moon's Heart School.

Rosemary Oat Bannock

For Imbolc, I like to take my kids wild foraging around this time. We collect early wild edibles such as, wood sorrel, rosemary, dandelions, violets, chickweed and more. We often make a yummy fresh salad with our hoard as well as other treats, teas and salves.

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup oat flour
¼ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled
½ cup cream or milk (plus one extra tablespoon for the caudle)
2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary (1 tablespoon dried)
1 teaspoon of grated orange zest (optional)
3 tablespoons of sugar (and three more tablespoons for sprinkling)
1 egg yolk (for the caudle)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a cast iron skillet or baking sheet.
Place the oats, flour, salt, sugar, rosemary and orange zest in a large bowl, mix together with a fork.
Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture. Stir in the cream until all the flour is absorbed.

Gather the rough dough together and place on a surface lightly dusted with oat flour.
Knead until the dough holds its consistency (but don't overwork).
Divide the dough in half and roll out each half into a circle about ¼ inch thick.

In a small jar, vigorously mix your egg yolk with a tablespoon of cream.
Then brush the mixture over the top of the bannock. Sprinkle with sugar.

Cut each circle into 4 wedges and arrange the wedges ¼ inch apart on the baking sheet.
Bake about 20 minutes or until golden and crisping at the edges.

Note: Makes two small Bannock cakes (or eight pieces total)
You can also apply a second brushing of caudle and sugar halfway through baking

Baking with Lavender

For Ostara, the kids and I continue harvesting spring greens and begin our planting season. They love their gardens and at this time we are able to use lavender, which is one of my favorites to use.

My favorite combination is lemon and lavender and this is the perfect opportunity to use it! It's so clean and fresh. Lemon and Lavender cookies and cakes with light powdered sugar is always on my list of things to make for treats. Decorating with fresh lavender and rosemary in the kitchen lifts my spirits, and nothing perks me up like the citrus smell of lemon!

The kids love cooking with flowers. Sprinkling the lavender in cookie mixes and cake mixes.

A favorite is to use any sugar cookie mix, add about 1 tbs of lemon zest and about 3 tbs of dried lavender. Cut into egg and flower shapes and press in with lavender flowers, dandelion flower and wild violets.

Sage Moonmaiden is a Priestess of the Order. She is currently enrolled in Level IV High Priestess training.

Sicilian Spring Dove Bread

This is based on a traditional Sicilian yeast‐risen cake, called Colomba Pasquale, that is shaped into the form of a dove and served at Easter. The dove was sacred to the fertility goddess, Aphrodite, who was worshipped at Eryx (Erice), Sicily from ancient times through the 18^th century C.E. (she went by the names of Astarte and Venus as well). She was said to take the dove's form once a year, and dove cotes were kept by priestesses at her temple on Eryx. The following is my version of a traditional recipe. ~ Jenai May

Ingredients and Method

⅛ teaspoon yeast
½ cup room temperature water
1 cup flour

Set aside, covered, at room temperature overnight.

1 Tablespoon SAF Gold instant yeast (recommended for high sugar recipes, such as this one, and will cut down on the rising time significantly. If you don't have access to this, then you can either use two packets of regular instant yeast, such as Red Star, or give the dough more time to rise.)
⅓ cup sugar
1 ¼ teaspoons salt
4 Tablespoons softened butter
2 room temperatures eggs, plus 1 egg yolk (save the egg white aside)
2 ¼ cups all‐purpose or bread flour
1 ½ tablespoons anise extract
1 ½ teaspoons almond extract

Mix until it's combined, scraping the bowl, as necessary. Then, using the dough hook, knead (10 to 15 minutes) until the dough is stretchy and silky smooth.

Zest of 2 lemons
1 cup chopped dried apricots

Knead again, until evenly distributed. Cover with a damp dish towel or plastic wrap and let rise for about 2 hours (longer, if not using SAF Gold instant yeast), until it's doubled.

Separate the dough into two pieces… one being ⅓ of the dough and the other being about ⅔ of it. Form the larger piece into an oblong log (about 10 inches long), skinny at one end and fatter at the other. This is the dove's body. Set this on a parchment‐lined baking sheet sprayed lightly with baking spray.

Decide where you'll place the wings and press an indented line, perpendicular. Form the remaining dough into a 7‐inch log (the which will be the wings) and set it across the indentation. Bend the "wings" down toward the fat end of the dove's body, forming somewhat crescent shapes. Remember, it's pretty abstract, so don't worry about it looking exactly like a dove. Play with the shape if you like!

Lightly spray plastic wrap with baking spray and cover the bird. Let it rest and rise again, for another 1 or 2 hours (depending on what yeast you used).

1 Egg White
3 Tablespoons ground almonds (for topping)
2 Tablespoons sugar

Heat oven to 375°F. Remove the plastic wrap and generously brush the egg white mixture over the top of the dough (it's going to be glue for the sliced almonds).

A handful of sliced almonds
2 Tablespoons course sugar (you want to be able to see the sugar)

Bake for 15 minutes, then drop the temperature to 350°F and bake for 30 minutes more. During the final 10 minutes, cover the bread loosely in a tent of foil. It should be a rich golden brown when completed. Remove from the oven, gently transfer to a rack, and cool.

Jenay May is a Level II Initiate in Sacred Three.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Recipes for Imbolc often contain fresh dairy in celebration of new life and warm spices associate with the sun and the longer days following winter. Baked breads and cakes are also a great Imbolc treat! This sour cream coffee cake from my family's recipe book combines all three in celebration of the holiday!

Cake Ingredients

½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cup sifted flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sour cream

Topping Ingredients

½ cup brown sugar
¼ white sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup of your favorite nuts, finely chopped (We use pecans)

Preheat over to 325° F. Cream butter and sugar then add eggs one at a time. Beat eggs well.

Sift together dry ingredients. Add the creamed ingredients alternately with the sour cream. Stir in the vanilla.

Grease your bread pan with butter or oil. Pour in half of the batter and then layer on half of the nut mixture. Pour in the remainder of the batter and top with the rest of the nut mixture. Bake for 40 minutes.

Allow to cool and enjoy!

Diana Ravenwolf is a Level III Adept in Dark Moon's Heart School. She loves herbalism and cooking for her family and friends.

The articles featured in Seasons of the Moon are written and/or submitted by members of the Order of the White Moon and are their own intellectual property. Please feel free to share this publication but do give credit where credit is due and link back to the source.

Thank you for reading, we hope that you have enjoyed it just as much as we have enjoyed presenting it to you.

Many blessings to you and yours,
Seasons of The Moon Staff

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Seasons of the Moon Home

Volume 18 Issue 2 Imbolc 2021

Imbolc 2021

Holy Days

Southerly Sisters

Ritual Work

Goddess Work

Witchy Writings

Sacred Sites

OWM Awareness

The Bardic Soul: Poetry and Song for the Spirit

Recipes Fit for a Goddess

Volume 18 Issue 2
Imbolc 2021