I hope this bit of information has helped you somewhat and not left you completely
confused and scared to death about what to use or not to use. Until next time, happy
gardening!
Notes:
1 Bradley, Fern Marshall and Nick, Jean M.A. Growing Fruits and
Vegetables Organically. 1994.
Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA, pg. 181.
2 Ibid, pg. 181.
3 Chesman, Andrea, and Lloyd, Louise. The Big Book of Gardening
Skills. 1993. Storey
Communications, Pownal, VT, pg. 75.
4 Ellis, Barbara W., and Bradley, Fern Marshall. The Organic Gardener's
Handbook of Natural
and Disease Control. 1992. Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA, pg. 463.
5 Ibid, pg. 477.
6 Chesman, pg. 80.
7 Bradley, pg. 181.
8 Ellis, pg. 477.
9 Chesman, pg. 80.
10 Ellis, pg. 478.
11 Ibid, pg. 478.
12 Chesman, pg. 80.
13 Ellis, pg. 480.
14 Bradley, pg. 189.
15 Ellis, pg. 480.
16 Ibid, pg. 481.
17 Bradley, pg. 190.
18 Ellis, pg. 481.
19 Chesman, pg. 80.
20 Ellis, pg. 481.
21 Chesman, pg. 80.
22 Ellis, pg. 481.
23 Chesman, pg. 80.
24 Bradley, pg. 190.
25 Ellis, pg. 482.
26 Chesman, pg. 80.
27 Bradley, pg. 190.
28 Ellis, og, 482.
29 Balitas, Margaret. The Experts Book of Garden Hints. 1993. Rodale
Press, Emmaus PA, pg.
140.
30 Ellis, pg. 465.
31 Ibid, pg. 466.
32 Ibid, pg. 466.
33 Balitas, pg. 139.
34 Ellis, pg. 467.
35 Ibid, pg. 470.
36 Bradley, pg. 181.
37 Ellis, pg. 470.
38 Ibid, pg. 471.
39 Ibid, pg. 471.
40 Ibid, pg. 472.
41 Ibid, pg. 473.
42 Ibid, pg. 476.
43 Ibid, pg. 485.
- by Stormy
Aeons ago there was a great cosmic dust storm.
This storm went on for billions of years.
A billion years equals just one day to the gods.
So this was no time at all for them.
The clouds swirled and furled.
They drifted and sifted.
Then in another dimension the energy gathered.
The storms gave birth and hurled
Across the cosmos now called the Universe.
Suns surrounded by planets turned clockwise
With such unbelievable centrifugal force
Forming what we now call galaxies.
At night, I look up to see the stars.
And wonder how long we have been here.
And wonder where we are going.
And wonder how long it will all take.
Someone said this was all an illusion.
It all looks pretty real to me.
Trees are the oldest living things on earth.
So I seek out the oldest and wisest trees I can find.
I find a 100 foot high sequoia in the Red Woods of California,
Then find a sprawling ancient ash in the plains of Norway.
And discover a majestic ancient oak in a forest of England.
These sacred trees know much and have this to say:
"We came from beyond the stars known as the Pleiades.
The great cosmic cow is the energy
That gathered the dust and made us
For we are fire, we are ice, we are air, we are earth.
We have existed forever but in many different forms;
We have been here a very long time.
We are your guides, your angels, your ancestors.
We are the gnomes, elves, fairies, and pixies.
We are the myths and stories in your genetic code.
We are in your dreams and part of your life.
We are the collective consciousness.
We are you and you are us!"
by Coll
Out of the mists of history come many spiritual traditions. Those which are broadly
lumped under the name of neo-Paganism are probably among the most difficult to define. Often
contradicting each other, neo-Pagan religious traditions offer a diverse number of approaches to
Divinity. Among all religions, this is not uncommon. Just as the Christians have their Catholics,
Methodists, and Episcopalians, Paganism shares the diversity of denominations. But while this
diversity has led to some conflict, the prevailing view within the neo-Pagan community is one of
unity.
One of the biggest mistakes that many of us made when we were novices was believing
that the traditions we were being 'raised' in were written in stone, and could not be altered in any
way. This in itself has caused much of the discord within our community. "You're not a true
witch, you initiated yourself," and "My tradition is more authentic than yours," are actual
comments I have heard throughout my years as a Pagan.
This is why the need for community-wide festivals is so great. We must embrace the
diversity that we are bringing back to life through our rituals and our beliefs. Church of
Rhiannon (COR), of which I am a part, commends The Garden Club for their efforts in the
direction of Pagan unity. These two groups (as far as I have been able to see), are attempting to
foster the empowerment of the individual rather than the group as a whole. That is probably the
single most important tenet of Paganism -- individual empowerment. *** A warning to the
novice -- if what your group is doing doesn't feel right to you, get out of it!
In coming to that point, perhaps I can get to THE point of this article; that is, Paganism
for the beginner.
The most common theme that runs through most all neo-Pagan traditions is the worship
of the dual nature of Supreme Consciousness. One's early religious training has probably
referred to this Supreme Consciousness as 'God.' In Pagan religions we discover that 'God' not
only set the universe in motion, but is ITself the universe. We know this because we recognize
that the life-force flows through everything, from people to rocks. We see this life-force not as an
all-powerful 'God,' but as God and Goddess, because we understand that it is the polarity of
male and female that creates life. Volumes could be written on this subject alone, but suffice it
to say that Pagan worship focuses on the veneration of life through both female and male aspects
of the same Supreme Consciousness, and we can further divide God and Goddess into numerous
gods and goddesses, each representing a specific aspect of life.
The utility of our rites reflects the above belief. Much of our symbology is associated
with the God and the Goddess. On Pagan altars one would typically find wands, which are
phallic symbols, and chalices, which represent the womb. These are traditional Wiccan tools, but
you can use any number of different items in place of these tools. It's fine to be creative. The
idiot fundamentalist Pagan may tell you that you are doing it all wrong, but the spirits which you
venerate through these objects will get the message loud and clear.
Another common practice among the various traditions is casting a circle and calling the
quarters. We most often worship and do magical work within a circle. The reason for this varies
with each tradition. Some say it is for protection from negativity that we cast a circle, and I can
agree, but the circle also serves to attract positive influences. COR has traditionally cast a circle
by walking around the outer perimeter counterclockwise to repel negativity and then inside the
inner perimeter clockwise to attract positive influences. The circle also represents eternity
because it never ends. Likewise, it represents the cyclicness of nature, as in the Wheel of the
Year and the seasons.
We honor the four quarters as representatives of the four directions and the four elements.
This is also done in many diverse ways. A typical Native American ritual is to burn a smudge
stick, offering the smoke of burning sage to each direction, then to Father Sun above and the
Mother Earth below. In the Wiccan traditions, the elements are often represented by magical
items on the altar: a bowl of water for the element of water, a candle for fire, a bowl of salt for
earth, and incense for air. Once again, you may change any of these to suit your creativity.
Very often you will see Pagans and Wiccans alike wearing pentagrams. One explanation I
have heard regarding the pentagram is that the five points represent the four elements plus the
element of spirit. COR holds to a tradition that associates five basic realizations with the five
points of the pentagram, and this is shared by other occult schools. More importantly these days,
the pentagram worn as jewelry acts as identification to other Pagans. Many folks will relate how
they have struck up conversations with complete strangers simply because they were wearing a
pentagram. One word of caution regarding the wearing of pentagrams, however; it is a neon sign
saying "I am a Pagan!" If you are concerned about the bias of Christians you are around daily,
use caution when wearing a pentagram (especially in the rural south). I met one young woman
who had actually been fired from her job because she was wearing a pentagram and a customer
had complained.
The joys and perils of being Pagan in today's society, for the most part, balance out. I've
found that discretion goes a long way towards keeping that balance. I am less concerned about
protecting myself because I don't shout to the world that I am a Pagan. Some would criticize me
for that, but for me the most important thing is to focus on my spiritual practices. I would rather
not worry about losing my job or scaring my neighbors.
Some good advice about following a Pagan path would be that it should nourish you.
When it no longer does, then change is in order. Perhaps a change in traditions will spiritually
nourish you, perhaps not. In any case, if you embrace diversity from the beginning, any change
will come a lot easier.
by Muirghein uí Dhún Aonghasa (Linda Kerr)
What are Bach Flowers?
In 1930, a physician named Edward Bach, M.B., B.S. M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.H., gave
up his practice in England to devote his full time to finding a simpler, more natural method of
treatment that did not 'require anything to be destroyed or altered.'1
His discovery, the Bach Flower Remedies, are a subtle, simple approach to healing,
similar to homeopathy, but working directly on the spiritual and emotional levels, rather than the
physical body. The 38 Remedies, prepared from wild flowers, bushes, or trees, represent 38
archetypal soul states. When there is imbalance within these soul states, unhappiness and disease
will occur. The Bach Flowers are used to 'flood' these negative soul states with the higher,
harmonious energies of the plants, thereby returning a state of balance.
Plants have been used for medicinal purposes from time immemorial. Bach, however,
makes a distinction between plants that relieve symptoms and those that contain genuine healing
powers. The latter are plants of a 'higher order,' and comprise the Bach Flower Remedies. "Each
embodies a certain soul quality, or, to put it in energetic terms, has a particular energy
wavelength. Each of these 'plant-based' soul qualities is in tune with a certain soul quality in a
person, i.e. with a certain frequency in the human energy field. The human Soul contains all 38
soul qualities of the Bach Flowers -- as energy potentials, virtues, or divine
sparks2."
Bach found these plants by an intuitive method and called them 'the happy fellows of the
plant world.' "His sensitivity was so highly developed at that time that he merely had to place a
petal from the plant concerned on his tongue to be aware of its effects on body, soul and
spirit3."
All the plants are non-toxic, and many of them are also used in herbal medicine.
Gathering the Remedies:
The plants should be gathered only in unspoiled places, where they are still growing in
the wild. When cultivated, they lose their healing powers. "The plant itself is not destroyed or
damaged. The flower, in which all the essential energies of the plant have concentrated, is picked
at the point of full maturity or perfection, that is, when it is about to drop4." The
time between
picking the flower and preparing the remedy should be kept to a minimum so that hardly any
energy is lost. "The whole is a harmonious process of natural alchemy, involving the tremendous
powers of all four elements. Earth and air have brought the plant to the point of ripeness. The
sun, or the elements of fire, is used to liberrate the soul of the plant from its body. Water finally
serves as the vehicle, for a higher purpose5."
Preparing the Remedies:
The easy way to get the Remedies is to buy them at your local health food store. Pour the
stock bottle into a pint of vodka and label this. The 'daily dose' bottle, the one you will carry
around and use every day, is simply filled from this pint bottle. An important aspect of the
preparation, even with a store-bought remedy, is 'titration.' The pint bottle of remedy must be
shaken for several minutes in order to 'activate' the remedy before filling the daily dose bottle.
As a matter of habit, I also titrate the daily dose bottle before using it.
If you wish to prepare your own remedy from 'scratch,' or there is no obvious Bach
Flower for that particular tree, there are two methods of preparing the Essences; the sun method
and the boiling method. The sun method is used for the flowers blooming during the late spring
and summer when the sun is at the height of its strength. The boiling method is used for the
flowers and twigs of trees, bushes and plants, most of which bloom in the early spring before
there is much sunshine.
Sun method: You'll need a thin, plain glass or crystal bowl (not cut glass or
pyrex) about
the size of a sugar bowl, that holds about 1/2 pint of water; a small jug of glass or china; a 1 oz.
bottle and new cork or cap; and an empty brandy bottle. The bowl, jug and 1 oz. bottle should be
sterlized by placing in cold water in a saucepan and gently boiled for 20 minutes, then dried.
Wrap the bowl and jug in a clean cloth. When the 1 oz. bottle is cool, fill it halfway with brandy,
cap it, and label it with the name of the Remedy and 'Essence.' The brandy bottle should be
filled with spring water, rain water, or tap water.
Locate beforehand the site where the plants are growing. On a cloudless sunny morning,
before 9 a.m., take to the site the bowl, jug, 1 oz. bottle and bottle of water. Place the bowl on the
ground near the plants, away from any tall grass, bushes or trees which might cast a shadow over
it as the morning progresses. Fill the bowl to the brim with water from the bottle.
Place a large leaf, preferably from the plant you are preparing, on the palm of your hand,
and pick the flower-heads just below the calyx, or the flowering spikes, from as many plants or
bushes of the same kind as possible. Float them in the bowl on the surface of the water; repeat
this until the whole surface is thickly covered, overlapping the flowers. Make sure that each
touches the water. Try to avoid casting your shadow over the bowl, or touching the water with
your fingers.
When the bowl is full, leave it in full sunshine for 3 hours. Then, with a stalk from the
plant you are preparing, remove the flower-heads from the water. Again avoid touching the water
with your fingers. Pour the water into the jug, and also fill the remaining half of the 1 oz. bottle,
capping it tightly.
This Essence will retain its strength indefinitely. If kept for several years, a slight
sediment may form at the bottom of the bottle, but this is not harmful. The liquid can be filtered
into another sterile bottle and relabelled6.
Boiling method: You'll need a 6 pint enamel saucepan and lid; 2 small china or
glass
jugs; a 1 oz. bottle and new cork or cap; and 2-3 pieces of filter paper (get from a pharmacy). The
jugs and 1 oz. bottle should be sterilized in the saucepan as in the sun method, and the 1 oz.
bottle half filled with brandy and labelled 'Essence.'
Find your site beforehand, and take the saucepan, covered with its lid, there on a sunny
morning before 9:00 a.m. Fill the saucepan 3/4 full with the flowering sprays, leaves and twigs
(about 4 oz.). Replace the lid and return home as quickly as possible. At home, cover the flowers
and twigs with 2 pints of cold rain or tap water. Place the saucepan without its lid on
the stove
and bring the water to a boil, pressing the flowers into the water with a twig of the same plant.
Boil for 1/2 hour.
Then remove the saucepan from the heat and let it stand outside until cold. When cold,
remove all twigs, leaves and flowers with another twig of the same plant, to keep your fingers
from touching the water. The saucepan should stand for a period of time so the sediment can
settle as much as possbile.
Fill one of the jugs carefully from the saucepan, without disturbing the sediment. Then
cover the other jug with filter paper, and pour from the first jug into this one a little at a time.
(This will take a long time.) When the jug is full, fill the other half of the 1 oz. bottle with the
filtered water and cap tightly.
With tree flowers and twigs there is often much sediment; it may be necessary to filter the
liquid twice. After some months, you may also find sediment at the bottom of the bottle; this
should be refiltered into a sterile bottle and relabelled7.
The Essence that has been prepared by either of the two methods is only the first stage in
the preparation of the Remedies. The next stage is the Stock bottle. To prepare this, first fill a
sterile 1 oz. bottle with brandy. Add 2 drops from the Essence bottle. Cap tightly and label with
the name of the Remedy and 'Stock.' The third stage is the Daily Dose bottle. Put 2 drops from
the Stock bottle into a sterile 1 oz. dropper bottle. Fill this with fresh cold water and a bit of
brandy, cap tightly, and label with the name of the Remedy. From this bottle, take 4 doses a day
-- 4 drops each in the morning, twice during the day, and last thing at night8.
The Lunar Trees:
Many of the Bach Flower Remedies correspond with one of the Lunar or Solar Trees of
the Celtic Tree Calendar, such as Willow, Oak, or Aspen. This remedy will resonate with a
particular energy, or aspect, of that tree. In each of the lunar months, we experience
different
energies, or feelings. The more out of balance we are, the more negatively those feelings can
affect us. While you may feel this way throughout the year, at certain times these feelings are
magnified. The tree itself offers a remedy for these feelings, in the form of direct communication
with the tree, by talking to it and taking a wand from it, or in the form of its essence.
This
essence is the basis for the Bach Flower Remedy for that tree, and is prepared homeopathically,
as described above. Realize that the Bach Flower Remedy is aimed at the one main negative
feeling arising during that lunar, and is not a cure-all for our imbalance -- one often needs two or
more Bach Flowers to correct that imbalance. For a full self-diagnosis, read as much on the Bach
Flowers as you can.
Notes:
1 Nora Weeks. The Medical Discoveries of Edward Bach, Physician,
C.W. Daniel Co. Ltd.,
Saffron Walden, Essex, England, 1940.
2 Scheffer, Mechthild. Bach Flower Therapy - Theory and Practice.
1981. Munchen, West
Germany, pg. 16-17.
3 Ibid, pg. 17-18.
4 Ibid, pg. 18.
5 Ibid, pg. 18.
6 Weeks, Nora, and Bullen, Victor. The Bach Flower Remedies -
Illustrations and Preparation.
1964. C.W. Daniel Co. Ltd., London, England, pg. 9-11.
7 Ibid, pg. 55.
8 Ibid, pg. 94.
BACH FLOWERS:
OAK
by Muirghein uí Dhún Aonghasa (Linda
Kerr)
The oak tree symbolizes strength, courage, and endurance. According to Grigson, the oak
is struck by lightening more than any other tree1, and Scheffer tells us that oak
trees are able to
survive in places where earth energies, or radiations, are so strong that other trees, such as
beeches, will die2.
This same strength is seen in the Oak type of person, both physically and emotionally, but
the Oak character handles these qualities with too much rigidity. Instead of 'going with the
flow,' so to speak, and letting himself be guided by his High Self through life, the Oak person
gets stuck in a self-chosen rut. He may have a stressful, high-achievement job; she may be a
stereotypical 'superwoman,' juggling a fast-paced career and a family life; or he may have taken
on the duty of caring for an invalid or disabled relative or child. "Life is a constant struggle, and
the Oak person has all the attributes of the winner: inborn powers of resistance, almost
superhuman endurance, tremendous will power, courage, devotion to duty, unbroken hope and
high ideals3."
The Oak person never gives up hope; they constantly try to find a cure when they are ill.
"If their poor health interferes with their work, they become disappointed and discontent with
themselves4." They are extremely reliable, dependable people, so much so that
others lay their
own burdens and responsibilities on their shoulders. They are the mainstay of the family, or of
the firm. They may not take a vacation for years, but would never admit to being
overworked.
Oak characters do not take the easy way out, and are very independent. Rather than
appear weak to others, they will do anything to avoid asking for help. Though they may feel
despondent and suffer despair from the conditions imposed on them, they will continue to fight.
They can stand great strain, are very patient, and full of common sense.
People with Oak characteristics help others of their own accord, taking great pleasure in
doing so, pleasure they feel they have to deny themselves, and feeling most unhappy when they
have to disappoint someone.
"The Oak person has forgotten that it is not only achievement and winning that makes life
worth living, and that redoubtable fighters, too, will find strength for new deeds from the more
subtle, playful, or tender-hearted moments in life5." If the Oak person does not
allow himself a
break, his inner life will grow more and more impoverished. His heart won't be in his work;
endurance becomes an aim in itself, and he will run at full speed until he cracks from the strain.
There will be a heart attack, nervous collapse, or mental 'seizure'; this may also manifest in
physical symptoms of rigidity and loss of flexibility.
"Oak types are convinced in their heart of hearts of the greatness and immortality of their
souls, and consider it their duty to cherish this heritage. The present life is often experienced as a
'temporary fall from grace,' with that inner certainty of the immortality of the soul providing the
strength to survive the life on earth6." Scheffer tells us that the trials experienced
in this life are
designed to break down fixed behavior patterns and make us flexible and capable of growth. As
soon as we realize this, consciously or otherwise, and begin following the impulses of our High
Self instead of constantly battling against it, life will become both easier and more pleasant.
Upon taking Oak, one will find the stress and pressure reducing, and the energies will
flow more freely and abundantly. The playfulness returns, and with it, pleasure in life. "It will
then be possible to meet one's commitments without putting so much effort into them. One is
indeed as strong as an oak, with new primal forces constantly arising from the very
soil7."
Oak (Quercus robur) is prepared by the sun method. Gather the female
catkins only,
which bloom around April or May8.
Notes:
1 Grigson, Geoffrey. The Englishman's Flora. 1955. Phoenix House
Ltd., London, England, pg.
250.
2 Scheffer, Mechthild. Bach Flower Therapy - Theory and Practice.
1981. Munchen, West
Germany, pg. 127.
3 Ibid, pg. 127.
4 Chancellor, Dr. Philip M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies.
1971. Keats Publishing,
Inc., New Canaan, CT, pg. 141.
5 Scheffer, pg. 127.
6 Ibid, pg. 128-129.
7 Ibid, pg. 129.
8 Weeks, Nora, and Bullen, Victor. The Bach Flower Remedies -
Illustrations and Preparation.
1964. C.W. Daniel Co. Ltd., London, England, pg. 14.
LUNAR ENERGIES &
ESOTERICA: OAK
by Imré K. Rainey
The 7th moon of the Beth-Luis-Nion year is the moon of Duir (Oak). In ancient times,
Oak wreaths were placed on the heads of athletes who had proven themselves to be a cut above
the rest. Oak wood fueled the Midsummer fires as well as the fires burned in the temples of
Vesta. Groves of Oak were known to be sacred and oracular to those in a state of spiritual
ecstasy.
Half of the year has passed. The seeds of hope and desire were planted towards the end of
the winter months. They were allowed to sprout in spring and are now ready for evaluation in the
summer. If the crop was well maintained and received all the attention and nourishment that it
required, the farmer will dance and sing in joy and victory. The wise farmer knew that in
order to
guarantee a superb harvest, her seeds had to be planted deep into the soil and given all the stimuli
required for strong root growth; after all, a plant with deep and strong roots will not be blown
apart by the environment.
Unfortunately, there was another farmer who did not pay as much attention to his crops as
he should have. He scattered his seeds on time, but repeatedly forgot to fertilize them. As the
harsh spring rains began to pour, a portion of his sprouting seeds washed away. The plants that
were left were only ghosts of what they could have been. And now, when the time of the harvest
has come, the farmer looks at his less than bountiful harvest and points his fingers at his
environment and friends.
The "seeds" planted during Rowan are our goals/plans for the future. Through the
metaphors of the farmers, it becomes apparent that in order to succeed with these plans, you must
make sure that the foundations of growth, where your plans and you are concerned, have
been
firmly established and that the required maintenance on those foundations is constantly being
met. If your foundations are hosting weak points and cracks, then the months to come are sure to
be heavy. However, if they are strong, then it is certain that your goals will be victoriously
reached during Oak -- hence the crowning of athletic victors with wreaths of Oak.
The success that follows hard work brings with it great feelings of achievement. These
intense feelings often have an intoxicating effect -- they bring about a sense of ecstasy. This is
the ecstasy of victory. This ecstasy can encompass mundane achievements and/or spiritual
advancement. Either way, this is why the Oak was used to fuel the symbolic fires.
NOTE: Victory is only one of many, many aspects of the Oak. For more info look up
Zeus, Jupiter, bees, Cardea, Janus, Rhea, Fenja/Menja, etc.
BACH FLOWERS:
HOLLY
by Muirghein uí Dhún Aonghasa (Linda
Kerr)
Holly may be the most important of the 38 Bach Flower Remedies, as it embodies divine,
all-encompassing love. When one flows with the stream of love and lives in a 'state of grace,'
one's heart is open, and one feels relatedness with all of life. When one falls away from the
stream of love, "the heart hardens, and one finds oneself painfully isolated, cut off and separate
from everything1." The opposite of love is negativity, jealousy, envy, separation,
suspicion and
hatred. These feelings are the biggest cause of all other negative events in life, and sooner or
later, we all have to deal with them.
"Envy for instance is a feeling that is widespread today, not only in the business world,
but also in so-called spiritual circles. Secretly, one wonders how far the other has got, whether
he has already 'reached a higher stage.' People who have entered on the spiritual path have a
particular need for love and being able to open up, and such feelings will of necessity arise, until
at last the step is taken from separatedness to unity, and we have found God in our own
hearts2."
The desire for love in a negative way is seen in one who looks for anything that will
cause suffering. Someone who has been isolated in his heart has no true knowledge of love.
When he finds one to whom he can direct his desire for love, he will feel constantly in danger of
losing this person. He is unable to let his own love flow forth, and instead will radiate
uncertainty, fear, and jealousy.
Realize that a certain amount of jealousy is normal, but temporary, in a loving, healthy
relationship. In the same way, one who claims to be so tolerant that they know no jealousy is
probably not a serene, wise person, but one who may have "already gone so far towards death in
his heart that he no longer is able to suffer and to love3."
These negative Holly feelings are not often obvious and easily seen, especially in this
culture where it is not considered good manners to speak too openly about your feelings. Watch
for jealousy, moodiness, or rebelliousness in first children when a second baby is born; or in
dogs when a baby is brought home, or new pets are introduced to them. Also, people who are on
a spiritual path need Holly more often than one would think.
The holly is a tree of protection; as "Edward Bach said: 'Holly protects us from
everything that is not Universal Love. Holly opens the heart and unites us with Divine Love.'
...Holly helps us again...to live in the state of love...where one is one heart and one soul with the
world, and is able to recognize order; where one is able to join in the pleasure of others without
envy, even while one may be having problems oneself. The soul quality of Holly is the ideal
human state, the goal we are striving for in life4."
Prepare Holly (Ilex aquifolium) by the boiling method. Pick the flowering twigs
(about 6"
long), that have female and/or male flowers and a few of the leaves. Holly flowers around
May5.
Notes:
1 Scheffer, Mechthild. Bach Flower Therapy - Theory and Practice.
1981. Munchen, West
Germany, pg. 98.
2 Ibid, pg. 99.
3 Ibid, pg. 100.
4 Ibid, pg. 100.
5 Weeks, Nora, and Bullen, Victor. The Bach Flower Remedies -
Illustrations and Preparation.
1964. C.W. Daniel Co. Ltd., London, England, pg. 76.
by Brighid MoonFire
The glyph for the Holly moon, the eighth moon in the lunar calendar, is "I am a spear that
roars for blood." Personally, I think that this says it all, and am looking for a quiet, remote place
to hide away for this moon! The best way to describe Holly moon's energies, for those who are
new to this, is that basically the entire universe, both men and women, are having the worst case
of PMS known to mankind.
While the Oak moon opens the doorway to the next part of the year, Holly says the door
is open, it's time to clean out all the trash, whether you want to or not. Holly throws out all the
garbage that has accumulated in your life: in other words, it forces you to deal with all your
unresolved fears and emotions that have been hiding away in your "anxiety closet." The more
open that you can be with yourself throughout the year, then the better you may fare; but if you
refuse to deal with what you need to, then you're in for one heck of a rollercoaster ride this
moon.
Holly takes the procrastinator in all of us, and gives those things that we have been
procrastinating about the energy to manifest and confront us until we deal with them and finish
them. If we don't, the the cycle will continue, and we will get to deal with them again next Holly
moon, and will not continue to grow in these areas. If that doesn't sound too bad, then remember
this: whatever you leave until next time has an entire year to fester and grow, so that it will be
even bigger and more infectious next year.
Try to keep this pleasant (?) thought in mind when everyone you know and don't know
are being the biggest so-and-so's on the planet. This moon affects all of us, and the intense heat
of the season doesn't help matters. It is very easy for conflicts to arise among all these irritated
people, so be very careful when you are dealing with people. That is one reason that sometimes
it's good to get away by yourself, especially if you have a lot of inner cleaning to do. Of course,
if you do survive this moon -- and you will; you may just not want to -- remember that it's
smooth sailing for awhile after this one.
- by Lee
My loneliness seems to have reached unfathomable depths. I feel stuck but remain
confident that restarting my abuse recovery is the exact way to go.
I feel the lethargy and resistant inertia against my proceeding. Yet, at once I feel my
horns sharpening and strengthening... Kernunnos, I have antlers like you and I can use them. I
can rip and shred my way through the cobwebs until all the contempt and self-hatred is
vanquished.
My horns are strong. They run up my back and out my head. They run up from the
earth, up my legs, up my hips and up my back. By this time they have waxen thick and strong,
even fierce.
The fight is ready, the weapons are strong. I can stand my ground. I can defend
myself.
Lee is 31, a Solitaire, single, hetero male, who enjoys medicinal and magical herbs and using
watercolors for his own primitive style art. He is an information systems specialist in the
healthcare industry.
by Sherlock
I was originally going to do flower parts in one single article, but there is more to it than I
thought. Therefore, this article will just cover basic flower parts; I will go into more depth on
flowers in the next issue.
Although this installment is mainly meant to define terms used in identification books, I
also want to discuss some of the bare basic biology of flowers. To begin with, there are three
basic regions of the flower: the gynoecium, the andorecium and the perianth.
The gynoecium, as its name suggests, is the female part of the flower. It contains the
stigmas, styles, and ovaries. These three parts make up the carpel. The pollen grain lands on the
stigma where it germinates as it travels down the style toward the ovaries. The ovaries are what
will eventually become a fruit (or other seed-bearing device) and contain the plant's egg
cells.
The androecium is the male part of a flower. It is made up of the anthers and the
filaments. The anther produces pollen while the filament's job is to hold the anther strategically
so that insects will get pollen all over themselves. (Anthers are usually below stigmas to prevent
self-fertilization.)
The perianth consists of the corolla and the calyx. The corolla is the sum of all the petals.
The calyx is the ring of sepals, which are petal-like structures which support the petals.
The entire flower sits on the receptacle, which is the terminal end of a "flower-stem,"
known as a pedicel.
In the next issue of THE HAZEL NUT I will do an article on the different types of
flowers. This is probably the most confusing aspect of flower identification, so bear with me
until then.
Sources:
Mauseth, James D. Botany - An Introduction to Plant Biology. 1991. Saunders
College
Publishing, Orlando, FL.
Clarke, Ian and Lee, Helen. Name That Flower - The Identification of Flowering
Plants.
1987. Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
by Shadow Cat
Are you one of those people with dozens of books on different magical methods, all
proclaiming to be THE WAY of doing things? Have you noticed that except for the colors, herbs
used, and elemental directions, the stuff all begins to sound the same? Do you ever find that
someone used a property in one of your spells for a different purpose and now says that this is
really what it should be used for when you know it worked perfectly well for you?
In many cases the people writing these books make one vital error. All magic depends on
your perception of reality. Just because it worked for them doesn't mean it will work the same
way for you.
When preparing to do anything magical, your first focus should be on yourself. First, you
must discover what your perception of reality is. Remember that you have been filled since birth
with someone else's concept of what reality is by your parents and society in general. You must
redefine these perceptions before you can truly discover what you conceive as reality. This takes
a lot of MEDITATION. It's not something that you can achieve overnight.
Of course, you can do what you have been doing all along, and accept someone else's
definition of reality as your own, but illusions will only take you so far. Or perhaps you have
already discovered that by now.
I am not saying that there are not commonalities in the way people perceive things.
Psychology has already explored the universal mind through Carl Jung and many other, and
proven the durability of this concept. What I am saying is that you must tailor your magical
practices to your world view and not someone else's. Actually, psychology is a good place to
start searching for the commonalities that link our perceptions with those of others. Colors,
though somewhat varies in their meanings to individuals, do have shared meanings that are
consistent for most of human kind. The Luscher Color Test is a good source for this
subject. Dr.
Luscher took thousands of individual reactions to colors and found common traits that certain
colors shared regardless of the persons questioned. He devised a test using these reactions to
better understand the subconscious of the individual tested. This is just one example; there are
many other cases in which psychology may be used to begin to understand the universal
unconscious.
Do complicated rituals confuse you? Maybe there is value in the way rituals can be used
to affect our mind state prior to spellwork, but they are not absolutely necessary. Spontaneity is
also very valuable in accessing the primitive consciousness that gives our best links to natural
divinity. Make up your own ritual rather than use those made up by others.
When you call the quarters in your circle, do you ever feel that the direction for water
might be wrong when it says water is east in the Wiccan manual for spell casting and you have a
very large lake south of you? Remember, most of the directions for circles were set in another
place, and sometimes in another country. When you call the quarters, you should be linking with
the ecology of the place where you are, not somewhere in Blarney, Scotland. It's OK to change
your quarters to fit your area. Make water south if it feels right to do so!
Incense may be treated in the same way we have treated colors. Don't take someone's
word that a certain incense represents a certain property. If you don't know why it links with
these properties, then blindly believing it will leave a hollow ring to any spell you cast. Find out
what it means for you.
If you find all the changes I'm suggesting shocking, then get ready for an even bigger
shock. If you are solid and unchanging in what you do or believe, you are not GOING WITH
THE FLOW. The one constant in the universe is change! Life is change. The only true death is
to remain unchanging. Be flexible!!! Be true to yourself!!!
Of course, this also means that you are free to ignore this and go right on with whatever
way you are doing things now. But I'm hoping you will get creative. How else will you
discover new stuff for the rest of us?
Reprinted with permission from The Henge, Beltane 3865, May 1994. For info,
write COR, P.O.
Box 260, Lizella, GA 31052-0260.
Greetings!
I wanted to write to tell you how much I enjoyed the April/May issue of THE HAZEL
NUT. You will find enclosed some photocopies of my artwork. When I read that your
theme for
the next issue would be Holly I was reminded of a sketch I had done a few months ago. I do
hope that you can use them.
At this time I cannot spare the extra funds for a subscription but I have enclosed a check
so that you can send me the next issue. By that time I should be able to subscribe.
I appreciate your publication as I have always felt a bond with the trees. My son, who is
now six, was born with that bond and I have nurtured it to the best of my ability. I recently
joined the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Many people have been eager to share
information on how 'good' or 'not so good' the OBOD is. If you or any of your staff has ever
been involved with the OBOD or has any guidance to offer, I would certainly appreciate it.
Blessings to you!
Signy May
Arbutus, Maryland
Gentlebeings,
I read a review for your journal THE HAZEL NUT in Green Egg magazine. As I
follow
a Druidic spiritual path, I thought that your journal would help to enrich my studies of the Celtic
Tree Alphabet. Would you please start a subscription for me to THE HAZEL NUT.
May the Peace of the
Sacred Grove be yours,
L. Martin Dresden, Maine
Dear Editor:
For those of you who missed Moondance '94, rockin' good time! Best festival yet!
Highlights included esoteric classes, pristine woods, magical music provided by Lord Senthor,
and palm and tarot readings provided free of charge, which personally speaking were both
enlightening and accurate. Also, although all the food at Friday's potluck was good, I
had the
most delectable lentils I've ever put in my mouth.
All in all it was a high energy, fun, Goddess-worshipping event. My congratulations to
The Garden Club and to Muirghein for her organizational wizardry and celebration in honor of
Our Lady.
I hope to see all my friends both old and new next year at Moondance '95.
Brigantia
Auburn, Alabama
Dear Moondance People:
For a small rural town to hold a Pagan festival in the middle of 'Bible USA,' that's
incredible! I think we've done great.
I'd like to thank all who held classes, and those who attended and listened. It also seemed
there were even more new faces than last year -- this is good. So, it looks like Moondance is here
to stay. Only one request; please bring more drums! We need a drumming circle.
Thanks and BB,
Fion
Auburn, Alabama
Dear Linda:
Wanted you to know how very much I enjoyed Moondance. Usually I hate Pagan
gatherings, but this one was great. A good assortment of interesting folk. Enclosed is my check
for a two-year subscription to THE HAZEL NUT. I hope our paths will cross in the not
too distant future.
Blessed Be,
Lord Merlin
Atlanta, Georgia
Dear Linda,
We wanted to again tell you how much we both enjoyed the weekend at Roxanna
(Moondance '94). We both learned a lot, and met some really terrific people.
We are already making plans to come to Moondance '95, and are also planning to attend
Earthdance in September.
Blessed Be,
Larry Miller &
David Hardin
Atlanta, Georgia
BUBBLES FROM THE
CAULDRON
BOOK REVIEWS, ETC.
Reiki: Universal Life Energy, by Bodo Baginski and Shalila Sharamon. 1988.
Rhythm
Publications, Mendocina, CA. Softcover, $12.95.
- Reviewed by Brighid MoonFire
This book is a wonderful guide for those who wish to learn more about Reiki. It gives a
detailed account of the history of Reiki, along with how Reiki works and what it is. In this book
you are shown basic methods of treating yourself and others, working with babies, absentee
healing, and working with plants and animals. They even discuss working with the dying, and
team treatments of Reiki.
Baginski and Sharamon give you sound advice for the "rules" regarding energy exchange
and legal precautions, as well as a detailed interpretation of symptoms of many of the body's
illnesses.
The Herb Companion Wishbook and Resource Guide, by Bobbi A. McRae. 1992.
Interweave Press, Loveland, CO. Softcover, $16.95.
- Reviewed by Bridgid MoonFire
This book is a fantastic reference guide for those who love herbs or are thinking of
dabbling in herbs. Either way, you can't go wrong with this book. It's filled with addresses and
phone numbers for you to order the usual and unusual plants and herbs by mail, and herbal
supplies and products. There's a list of publications, bibliography of books on herbs, mail-order
booksellers of herb books, and even educational opportunities. McRae even gives you a list of
public gardens, and herb membership groups. This book is definitely a must for anyone
interested in herbs, or who thinks thay they may be interested.
Moondance '94, May 12-15, 1994, Roxanna, Alabama
- Reviewed by Muirghein
Moondance is our annual festival, currently in its 4th year. This year we had about 70
people; the best mix yet -- lots of love and harmony. Many thanks to the teachers who gave
classes Friday, Saturday and Sunday, to Church of Rhiannon, who gave a wonderful pre-feast
blessing, and especially to Lord Senthor, who played for us Saturday night after the ritual.
Friday's potluck was excellent, and both Friday and Saturday night was a
seriously fun
party! We had a lot of good feedback about the ritual, after which 'the mists came down, and the
faeries played.' As in years past, there were several strange (but good) experiences and sightings
throughout the weekend; our earth spirits are very happy.
My heartfelt thanks go to all who attended and participated, and I hope to see ya'll there
next year!
