Sharing the Season

Yule or Winter Solstice, is a time of family and a sharing of traditions. As the world spins around us, it is a time to sit back and drink in the smells, tastes, and laughter of loved ones. For just a few moments we are at one with our heritage, our families and our surroundings. However getting to those few moments of heaven can be quite a chore. Grocery shopping for the days feast, searching for just the right present only to watch it get tossed a side in an ever growing mount of Presents. I was beginning to dislike the entire process, until........

A few years back I started making a simple request for Yule. Homemade gifts. I simply wanted things I could Cherish for a lifetime. Something of the person who gave it. Face it, you can buy anything someone could buy for you. But crafts are unique, they are never the same even if you start out with the same stuff, our uniqueness takes over and we create something no one else can.

I invite you to put back the old time spirit of giving something you have lovingly made with your own two hands into Yule. Here are a few gifts I have made in the past. I hope you can enjoy them as much as I did.
　
Deep Woods Aftershave Gel
For that special in your life here is a woodsy He-man scent that is an analgesic, antibacterial, antibiotic, anti fungal, antiseptic, and antiviral. It will repair damage from cuts or nicks while clearing your congested nose and treating any facial eczema or psoriasis.

1/2 cup aloe vera gel
1 Tablespoon pine water
2 Tablespoons vodka
5 drops sandalwood e.o.
5 drops pine e.o.

Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir with a wire whisk until well blended. Bottle and label. Allow to sit 1 week before using to blend the scent.
NOTE: Some people have allergies to Aloe Vera so check for allergies before applying to your face. You can do this by applying a little to the inside bend at the elbow and waiting 2-4 hours for signs of allergies.
　
Diaper rash cream Coconut oil and raw shea butter are the perfect combination for a safe, natural and simple diaper cream. It is antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, and soothing. Together it is a powerhouse for defeating yeast infections as well. Use it directly on their bottom. The added bonus is it washes out of any clothing beautifully.

1/8 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup raw shea butter
3-4 Tablespoons cornstarch (optional, to thicken)

Combine coconut oil and shea butter in a small high sided bowl with a hand mixer. Add cornstarch a tablespoon at a time until you achieve the desired thickness. It will look similar to a whipped icing.That’s when you know it is done! Transfer to a small covered container and place at your changing station. Keep a small portion in the diaper bag as well. Apply liberally with each diaper change as a preventative and rash salve. Makes about 1 cup.
　
Secret Garden Bath Tea An escape from the hustles and bustles of day to day life. Imagine being on a dessert isle with beautiful flowers and sandy beaches while catching some rays. Relax and enjoy.

1 tsp lavender flowers (dried)
 1/4 tsp rosemary (dried)
1 tsp rose petals (dried)
1/2 tsp lemon balm (dried)
1/8 tsp spearmint (dried)
1 drop patchouli EO
4 drops lavender EO
2 drops rose EO

Mix well, put into heat seal able teabag. This is for one Bath tea bag.
NOTE: A great gift giving suggestion is putting 6-8 teabags in an antique large teacup with matching saucer. Then wrap it with colored plastic gift basket wrap and a pretty bow. Attach a tag saying The part above the recipe.

Bath Gems
 6-8 drops Food Coloring
5-10 drops Essential oil or fragrant oil (the choices are endless).
Chunky Salt pieces available from rock salt suppliers

For a Witchy alternative to standard bath salts you can use a chunky rock salt to make whats commonly known as Bath gems. Just add all the ingredients together and mix well.

Make sure the food color, blends in to the salt or it wont look very inviting. You can do this by tossing the salt over and over again.

Add your chunky bath salts to a covered glass gift jar for an exquisite gift any woman would love, From grandma to a young girl. You can get many nice ones at a dollar store. Look for one that will hold a cup or two and has a seal of some kind.

Attach a tag saying something like
"Cherry almond" or Blooming Jasmine" Bath Gems.
 To use drop 1-2 chunks into the bath.


Bath Jelly
Bath jelly is a fun alternative to bath gel and can be found in all the popular bath shops. This is perfect for kids. Add a small toy tucked into the Jelly before it sets will give the kids an incentive to get to the bottom of the Jelly soap. There are so many inch high mini toys out there to choose from. If creating a group of jellies for a craft fair just stop by a bubblegum machine with toys and start on the magical journey of creation.

1 packet of Unflavored gelatin (1tbs)
 1/2 cup of Liquid soap
1 tsp of Salt 3/4 cup of Water
Food Coloring to match fragrance
Storage jar seal able lid
Fragrant oils or essential oils

Empty the packet of gelatin into a bowl and set aside. Boil 3/4 cup of water using a saucepan or kettle.
Carefully pour the hot water into a mixing bowl and mix it with the gelatin powder. Let the gelatin dissolve completely.
Next pour the liquid soap into the gelatin mix. Add 2 drops of food coloring into the mix and also add your fragrance oil. Add about 5 drops and stir it very gently so the bubbles do not become too agitated. Add salt.
Pour the mix into a clean storage container and allow to set for several hours in the refrigerator. Add the toy now if adding one. Dispose of the jelly after several weeks or if mold is present. Avoid mold by keeping it in an airtight container in a cool place at all times.

Add a plastic character spoon to the jar to make use easier. Attach a tag saying

(Child's name) Bath Jelly :any fragrance and color the child likes- monkey farts for a boy and maybe strawberry's for a girl. Or a action figure like
"Green Lantern Bath Jelly" {Making it green and maybe apple scented or lime scented}.

Place a small amount of jelly under warm running water to use.
　

Peppermint Body Butter
Peppermint relieves many respiratory problems including nasal congestion, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, colds, and cough. It also relieves stress, pain, and is an immune system booster. These facts make it a welcomed parent to anyone on your list.

1/2 cup aloe vera gel.
1 1/2 Tablespoon cornstarch,
1 Tablespoon witch hazel,
1 Teaspoon Vitamin E oil,
5-6 drops peppermint e.o.

Mix the aloe, cornstarch and witch Hazel in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring at 30 second intervals to incorporate. Cook until this mixture becomes clear and thick. Now add your e.o, and peppermint oil. Mix well. Store in an air-tight container and label.

Allowing yourself to let go

Thanksgiving just ended. Was heckit but do-able. Work alway seams to interfear. As I thought about the past and my sisters I realized Diane will never feel sorry for hurting me. It has been years and as usual I am the only one hurt. She has happily moved on, while I am still hurt.

While talking to my older sister I found out my lil sister is going in for surgery, Like I had years back. (the reason for the seperation, I was in having surgery and Di was passing the hospital and never stopped to check on me.) She was right there. Nothing will change, nothing can it happened. There is only me and what I choose to do now.............

I told my sister I will be there if I know when.......... a dead silence. Then..... "I though you were mad at her?" I though for a moment...... not mad ... not at first....... I was hurt, so very hurt. Later came mad. Now I am back to hurt that she cared so little. But she did. Now it is decision time. Continue as I have or let go.

So now I will retract the cords that allowed me to hold on to that very hurtful time and allow my mind and body to heal. And heal I must, for without it, it will continue to eat away at me and my health. So I did. Lets see what tomorrow brings. I so miss the connections I had as a child with family. It is time to regain them.

I allow others to make bad choices and love them anyway.... why not Di? I was wrong for doing that. We can not change others, just our selves and the way we react towards what we are dealt.

A witch is a Witch!

A witch is a witch, I used to hear. Wrong! Most of us specialize. Some practices are very strick while most are very personal in their approach. With a few you study and get different degrees.

I am a Eclectic, Hedge and kitchen witch who was brought up an Eclectic, Hereditary witch!

My husband is a Gardenarian, Pictish witch.

We are both at the moment solitary practicers.

This is the different types.
1

Kitchen Witch:
It practices by home and hearth, mainly dealing with practical sides of the religion, magick, the elements and the earth.

2

HedgeWitch: Uses herbs and plants as a means of healing and magick. Good healers. Use the knowledge of plant spirits and times to grow and cut.

3

Ceremonial Witchcraft:
Mainly use ceremonial magick (obviously) in their practices. They commonly use Qabbalistic magick or Egyptian magick in their rituals.

4

Satanic Witch:
This doesn't exist. Why? Witches don't believe in Satan remember.

5

Celtic Wicca:
Goes by the elements, the Ancient Ones and nature. They are usually healers or respect them highly. They work with plants, stones, flowers, trees, the elemental people, the gnomes and the fairies.

6

Eclectic Witch:
Deosn't follow a particular religion or tradition. They study and learn from many different systems and use what works best for them.

7

British Traditional Witch:
A mix of Celtic and Gardenarian beliefs. They train through a degree process and the covens are usually co-ed.

8

Alexandrian Tradition:
They are said to be modified Gardenarian.

9

Gardenarian Tradition:
Follow a structured root in ceremony and practice. They aren't as much vocal as others and have a fairly foundational set of customs.

10

Dianic Tradition:
Includes a lot of different traditions in one. Their prime focus now-a-days is the Goddess. It is the more feminist side of 'The Craft'.

11

Pictish Witchcraft:
It's originally from Scotland and is a solitary form of The Craft. It is more magickal in nature than it is in religion.

12

Hereditary Witch:
Someone who has been taught the 'Old Religion' through the generations of their family.

13

Caledonii Tradition:
Also known as the Hecatine Tradition, it's the denomination of the craft with a Scotish origin

14

Pow-wow Witch:
Comes from southern central Pennsylvania based on a 400 year old elite magick concentrating on simple faith healing

15

Slega witch:
came from Italy and are known to be the smallest group in the US. It is said their craft is wise and beautiful, but very secretive.

16

Solitary Witch:
One who practices alone with out a coven. They can follow any tradition.