Easter Colors

http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2011/04/easter-colors.html

http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2012/04/easter-full-moon-in-libra.html 

http://pixiedusthealing.com/april-foods-day-or-crazy-wisdom/

http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com.es/2013_04_01_archive.html(April 2013)

The two colors associated with Easter are yellow and purple.

- Source: http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2011/04/easter-colors.html

Spring Equinox Witch

Spring Solstice Witch breathes in the fresh fragrant spring air, a time when the earth blooms in its renewal. She is surrounded by delicate apple blossoms, rabbits, tulips and daffodils as well as delicate lil robin eggs tucked in carefully crafted nests. On the standing stones is a symbol for life emerging from the earth and she has tucked under her hat a red Anemone in honor of Persephone.

http://www.etsy.com/es/listing/161396769/spring-solstice-witch-by-artist-jane?ref=shop_home_active

Spring herald in my neck of the woods wears a robin's red* breast, the yellows and purples of April's harlequin fool... (violets, crocus and daddofils are the first to leave the gate) and the starry undeniable presence of the Orion over head in the early evening sky. (*this wonderful bird is traditionally a herald of spring, a time of new spurt of growth and new beginnings, and the red coloring of its chest is, of course, connected to the kundalini) 

- Source: http://www.symbolic-meanings.com/tag/spring

It turns out the Fool is considered to be “spirit in search of experience”.  It is considered mystical cleverness without reason, sort of “crazy wisdom”.  If you look at the card, it’s obvious that this guy is about to walk off the edge of a cliff without any real concern.  In fact, he seems oblivious to his impending plunge into the abyss.  No worries there; ultimate trust and unconcern. The sun clearly shines on the Fools back though and that signifies divine nature. That seems to me to speak to real Crown Chakra, the knowing that you’re protected, and “peaceful in the knowing” type attitude.  He also has a dog with him that is said to represent animal* desires (*instinctual nature). He’s gently holding a flower which is interpreted as an appreciation of nature. So it seems to me he’s got both a connection to the beyond, at the same time he’s very in tune with earth and nature.  A nice balance* (*or chaos in balance, according to the astral meaning of the Libra Full Moon, Sun in Aries, or the Libra/Aries axis/polarity: the main target of those born under this full moon is achieving balance between your inside and outside) there in my opinion.  The Fool is also carrying all his possessions with him in that Hobo style stick/backpack.  He’s ready for whatever adventure comes up.

- Source: http://pixiedusthealing.com/april-foods-day-or-crazy-wisdom/

In the Victorian language of flowers, the Daffodil speaks to us about forgiveness, trust, honesty and true love. The flower looks like a trumpet to me, and I like to think the energy of the Daffodil announces the arrival of spring. The spiritual symbolism of the Daffodil is clear, bright, and it blasts away all illusion with simple childlike honesty and love. What better time than the oncoming Spring to be reminded of such heartwarming concepts.  Use this time of the impending full moon to let go of what no longer serves you, seeking the balance that Libra offers and use the bravery of Mars to be courageous in your forward momentum, shooting forth from the Earth, spreading your joy and love to the universe.  If we are to flourish, then we must be courageous in finding our inner wisdom and letting it shine. Happy Spring!

- Source: http://wildflowerwomen.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/springtime-courage/

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. ~ Anais Nin

Full Moon in Libra:

Sun in Aries (fire sign)

yellow - daffodils, trumpets announcing Spring

red - robin redbreast, a traditional herald of Spring "the first robin of spring

These two colors mix into the orange reddish coloring of the fox's fur (Celtic animal totem linked to the Alder Full Moon) (Psychopomp or spiritual guide into the Otherworld, like Persephone)

Moon in Libra (air sign)

blue - robin's eggs

pink - first full moon after the vernal equinox is the Pink Moon, Vernal Full Moon, Spring Full Moon, Ostara Full Moon, Aphrodite/Venus/Persephone Full Moon, April Full Moon, Alder Moon, Egg Moon, Seed Moon, Budding Trees Full Moon, Sprouting Grass Full Moon, Full Moon in Libra (Sun in Aries). The Mars Warrior and the Libra Maiden (Persephone and Hades/ Aphrodite and Hephaestus/ Venus (Aphrodite) was married to Vulcan (Hephaestus), the skilled artisan/craftsman).

These two colors mix into purple or violet, a mystical color assisting those who seek the meaning of life and spiritual fulfillment. No doubt it is the Fool's (fool sage, wild wise) color :)

Fox - The Fool Tarot Card

She starts her journey at dawn, fresh and unknowing.  There is a risk of falling or being nipped by the fox, but also endless possibility and beauty surrounds her.

- Source: http://kleiosbelly.wordpress.com/category/paper-and-wood-crafts/page/2/

This magic stings! - Herbal Nourishing Infusions

Stinging nettle is traditionally used as a wonderful spring tonic: nettle’s iron content makes it a wonderful blood builder, and the presence of vitamin C aids in the iron absorption.  As a hemetic (an herb rich in iron), this is an excellent herb for anemia and fatigue, especially in women.  It “promotes the process of protein transanimation in the liver, effectively utilizing digested proteins, while simultaneously preventing them from being discharged through the body as waste products.”

- Source: 

http://herbmagik.blogspot.com.es/2013/03/this-magic-stings.html?m=1

WOW! Really? Entre la miel de bellotas y el té de ortiga verde me voy a poner fuerte como una Osa :)

Tea Drinking Medicine Bear

Apicultura Ecológica - La Magia de la Naturaleza

Las Mil y una Mieles...

 Miel del Bosque o de Montaña: Miel de Roble, Miel de Encina o Miel de Bellota. 

La bellota es el fruto de algunas especies arbóreas tales como el roble, la encina, el alcornoque y el quejigo. Este mielato de encinas y robles es la única miel que no procede del néctar de las flores, sino de la savia del árbol que rezuman los frutos de éste, en este caso las bellotas, y que liban las abejas para elaborar este mielato, miel de mielada o miel elaborada a partir de melaza de bellotas. Entre las mieles, la miel de mielada o mielato es la mejor, pues es la que contiene mayor cantidad de antioxidantes naturales, que limpian los radicales libres que libera el organismo, y se cree que protegen contra enfermedades como el cáncer, los transtornos cardiovasculares, las enfermedades neurodegenerativas y el envejecimiento. De color negro intenso y sabor a cebada tostada. Altísimo contenido en sales minerales: hierro, fósforo, calcio, magnesio, etc. Muy adecuada para anomalías que requieren adición de hierro: anemia, o para otras situaciones en las que se producen grandes pérdidas de sangre, como en las menstruaciones demasiado abundantes (metrorragia) o cuando se pierde habitalmente sangre por la nariz (sangrado nasal). Una deficiencia de hierro puede ser causa de fatiga y debilidad general. Usar la miel de espliego nos ayudará a recuperar energía. La miel de bellota se recomienda también en casos de diarrea, artritis o gota. Contra hemorroides, aplicándola directamente. Regeneración muscular. Si la mezclamos con azúcar y limón, es un excelente exfoliante natural que hidrata y limpia, y el limón produce un efecto blanqueador en la piel.

- Mielerías:
http://www.apiculturaecologica.com/es/nuestras-mieles/14-miel-de-bellota.html**
http://mieldelamata.com/tienda/miel-de-montana/miel-de-montana-250-gr/
http://www.lamilagrosa.net/productos_miel.php
http://www.laalacenademalaga.com/index.php/miel-del-bosque-la-milagrosa-500-gr.html
http://www.sierraflor.es/03_productos/mieles-tradicionales/clases-de-miel-venta.htm
http://miel-antoniosimon.com/es/14-miel-ecologica-de-roble.html**
http://miel-antoniosimon.com/es/content/18-propiedades-de-la-miel
http://ecotenda.net/es/mermelada-y-miel/5644-miel-de-roble-a-simon-500g.html
http://www.mieldelapuela.com/info/15/miel-de-roble/
http://www.agroterra.com/blog/actualidad/beneficios-de-los-diferentes-tipos-de-miel/63748/
http://www.enterbio.es/mieles-ecologicas-miel-ecologica-de-roble-500-gr-antonio-simon**
http://laabejafeliz.es.tl/MIEL-DE-ROBLE.htm
http://www.directodelcampo.com/miel-antonio-simon--prd--1jjimg8a8/**
http://www.elobradordetom.com/tienda/miel-ecologica/38-miel-ecologica-de-roble-pet-dosificador.html
http://soria-goig.com/Etnologia/pag_0819.htm**
http://www.templete.org/2012/05/el-vinamell-que-ha-enamorado-ferran.html
https://www.upm.es/e-politecnica/?p=1481 (vinagre de miel de bellota, elaborado a partir de melaza de roble)

Melaza de bellota. 

Es la única miel que no procede de las flores sino de las mismas bellotas de encinas y robles.

Miel de bellota

Kitchen Witchery ~ The Green Witch

One of the most common places to begin your journey as an herbalist is right inside your own kitchen. 

- Source:

http://witchyredrose.m.webs.com/site/mobile?dm_path=/kitchenwitch.htm&fw_sig_tier=0&fw_sig=3bbb6f9b0964c368359bc51be4c123da&fw_sig_locale=en-US&fw_sig_premium=0&fw_sig_social=1&fw_sig_permissions=none&fw_sig_session_key=0abc939b8148fc67c85e606303d672c273b90d13a4cdafedb440e35a169b6f11-6886081&fw_sig_is_admin=0&fw_sig_api_key=522b0eedffc137c934fc7268582d53a1&fw_sig_access_token=ceab9201df502a2893f651ae48bd06cb346a7d90&fw_sig_url=http://witchyredrose.webs.com/&fw_sig_permission_level=0&fw_sig_potential_abuse=1&fw_sig_time=1390079130061&fw_sig_site=6886081&fb_sig_network=fw#1201

Alchemy Under the Moon - www.evelyndeanarts.com

Easter Bunny Shaped Rolls

These are so cute and would be fun for Ostara yes? x

Easter Bunny Shaped Rolls

How adorable are these Easter Bunny Shaped Rolls? The secret to shaping the ears is Kitchen Shears! Use your favorite rolls recipe to bake these bunnies or try the one below. Your family will love to see these cute bunnies on the Easter dinner table this year.

**Please note that you will probably want to practice the ear shaping technique ahead of time because the photo above is from a professional chef. Your results may vary. Also please note that the recipe below is NOT the recipe used in the picture you see above.**

Ingredients:

2-1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons butter

1 egg

Directions:

1. Put the butter, the sour cream and water in a small saucepan and heat, but do not cook. Cool to tepid then add the remaining ingredients. Put in a kneader (or use your kneader attachment on your mixer if you have one). If thick add more water.

2. Let it rise double and cut into 16 equal parts.

3. Baking tray lined with baking paper or a silicone baking mat and cut the ears with kitchen shears. When the dough is STILL SOFT, Make sure you smooth the edges around, so you do not end up with gremlin shaped horns.

4. The eyes can then be put in, use pepper grains or similar.

5. Bake at 375° for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Looking for easy Easter table decor? Check out my blog post about DIY Easter Centerpieces with Peeps and Tulips.

Hinojo o anís dulce

Se acerca la primavera, y seguimos con los bulbos. Porque no todo en el campo serán narcisos y tulipanes :) También hay Apio, Nabo, Apionabo, Rábano, Remolacha, Cebolla, Hinojo o anís dulce... Los bulbos son raíces hinchadas que contienen muy poca cantidad de fécula o almidón, y en cambio, grandes cantidades de vitaminas y minerales. Auténticos saquitos (pouch) de Medicina.

Hinojo o anís dulce Regar con aceite de oliva y vinagre de miel, y hornear a 200℃ aprox 40 minutos.


Celery

The writings of Jakob Böhme (1575–1624) spread the doctrine of signatures - Böhme suggested that God marked objects with a sign, or "signature", for their purpose.  A plant bearing parts that resembled human body-parts, animals, or other objects were thought to have useful relevance to those parts, animals or objects. The "signature" may also be identified in the environments or specific sites in which plants grew. Well known examples include the following:

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function—and they look exactly like human kidneys.

Walnuts looks like little brains, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop brain function.

The cross section of a Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye. Science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to the eyes and aid in the general function of the eyes.

Celery looks just like bones. Celery specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23 percent sodium and these foods are 23 percent sodium. If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. Foods like celery replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Fried Celery Root (Apio nabo)

El apio nabo (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum), perteneciente a la familia de las Apiáceas, se cultiva para aprovechar su raíz grande y bulbosa, contrariamente al apio común (Apium graveolens var. dulce), del que se aprovecha la penca y las hojas.

Sedano Fritto or fried celery root (serves 4)

Ingredients:

1 large celery root, peeled

1 egg

1 1/2 cups bread crumbs (I used panko)

3 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp butter

salt

1. Cook the celery root in salted, boiling water for 10 minutes, then drain and let cool slightly.

2. Beat the egg with a pinch of salt in a shallow dish and spread the bread crumbs out in another shallow dish.

3. Cut the boiled celery root into 1/4 inch slices and dip them first in the beaten egg and then in the bread crumbs.

4. Heat the oil and butter in a skillet, add the celery root slices, and fry until light golden brown. Remove with a slotted spatula and drain on paper towels, the sprinkle with a little salt and serve.

Avocadoes target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female—they look just like these organs. Avocadoes help women balance hormones, shed unwanted birth weight, and deter cervical cancers. It takes exactly nine months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit:

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Slice a Mushroom in half and it resembles a human ear. Mushrooms have been found to improve hearing, as mushrooms are one of the few foods that contain vitamin D. This particular vitamin is important for healthy bones, even the tiny ones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.

Ginger, commonly sold in supermarkets, often looks just like the stomach. So its interesting that one of its biggest benefits is aiding digestion. The Chinese have been using it for over 2,000 years to calm the stomach and cure nausea, while it is also a popular remedy for motion sickness.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Women, Bear Medicine and Shamanism

Shamanism: The Shamanic tradition has prevailed in humans for tens of thousands of years in cultures from all over the ancient world. As well as having a knowledge of the medicinal qualities of plants, other roles of the Shaman required them on occasion to communicate with the otherworld.

Hedge Witch or Hedge Craft: Witchery + Shamanism

In some shamanic cultures (Pawnee, Siberian...), the name used to designate women shaman is the same as the word "bear" or "bear woman". Other examples from the mid-20th century include "Woman Riding a Bear" by Cecilia Arnadjuk. Hedge Witch. The Bear Shaman Woman or the Woman Shaman Carrying the Bear Medicine pouch, where to contain the herbs and plants for her Herb Craft.

- Sources:

http://www.spiritanimal.info/bear-spirit-animal/

http://shamanicvisions.com/02workshops/genbear.html

http://www.crystalinks.com/bears.html

http://www.bearshaman.com/bearmedicine.html

Herb Lore and Animal Wisdom

The History of Herbalism:

It is perhaps first worth noting that there are numerous examples in the literature regarding other animals known to use a variety of plants and minerals 'medicinally' in nature, and it is a reasonable inference that humans always shared a similar basic relationship with the minerals and plants around them.  Observations of the comparative health of animals in captivity and in the wild suggest that wild animals are able to do things to keep themselves healthy that captive animals cannot (13). In 1632, a European doctor visiting Peru, observed a Puma with a fever chewing the bark of the Chinchona tree. Two hundred years later, Louis Pasteur discovered that the bark contained Quinine, a natural compound with antipyretic (fever-reducing) properties. There are several reports in the literature of mammals that are commonly known to eating indigestible plants and grasses in order to relieve them from internal parasites.

Article: The Economist. 2002.

'Chimpanzees suffering from intestinal worms in Tanzania dose themselves with the pith of a plant called Veronia. This plant produces poisonous chemicals called terpenes. Its pith contains a strong enough concentration to kill gut parasites, but not so strong as to kill chimps (nor people, for that matter; locals use the pith for the same purpose)'. (13)

- Source:

http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk/herblore.htm

Ostara Full Moon 2014, April 15

Mr and Mrs Fox

Ostara Full Moon 2014, April 15. Lunar festivity (witches celebrate the return/rise of the spring goddess, worshipping the brightest star in the sky, which would actually have been the planet Venus. Romans were well aware of this, and re-named the Greek goddess Aphrodite (which gives name to April) after this planet as Venus). Vernal Full Moon, April Full Moon, Aphrodite's Full Moon, Full Moon in Libra (Sun in Aries), Budding Trees Moon, Seed Moon, Egg Moon, Pink Full Moon (phlox), Sakura Tsuki (the official date for the cherry blossom festival in Japan is on April 4), Paschal Full Moon (the first full moon after/following the vernal/spring equinox (19-23 March, solar holiday, god); new year's eve in the olde lunar calendar; Easter (Pasque) is always the first Sunday after this Full Moon).

Aphrodite, 1902. Oil on canvas. Briton Riviere.

There clad herself in garments beautiful
The laughter loving goddess. Gold-adorned
She hasted on her way down Ida’s Mount,
Ida, the many-rilled, mother of wild beasts
And in her train, the grey wolf and the bear,
the keen eyed lion and the swift footed pard,
that hungers for the kind, all fawning came.

Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite

Initially venerated as a vegetation goddess of vines and gardens, also a fertility spring* (the maiden)* goddess, and thus, her offspring coming in the form of ideas, crafts, etc., a deity of beauty, eternal love, blissful laughter and youth, a goddess of home and hearth, wild nature and beasts (Mylitta, Tabiti...), she was later perverted into a pagan matroness of lust, sex and promiscuity by the Roman Catholic Church.

Ostara Full Moon. 
Romans celebrated the Rise of Kore/Persephone on April 3.

http://www.tutiempo.net/luna/fases.htm
http://www.aiprojects.net/library/hypertext/eastertable.html
http://horoscopespot.net/aries-sun-libra-moon/

Element Personality Type

Witches' Wheel of the Year - Lunar Calendar

Persephone and the Fox - Springtime

Kore (aka Persephone), the mild, warm, youthful and most beautiful goddess in the ancestral lunar (matriarchal) system, rules the Libra Full Moon in Aries. She is a deeper vibration of Venus (who has previously reigned), as Pluto is a deeper vibration of Mars.

- Source: http://gaiaastrology.com/moon-magic/

Pagan holiday day calendar: April 3 was the day when the Romans celebrated Proserpina's Rise. Proserpina (from Lat. "re-emerge") rose from the Underworld/Spirit World/Otherworld.

Las Brujas y Brujos del Cerco, con su Arte u Oficio basado en una mezcla de brujería y chamanismo, son conocedores y tienen acceso al Reino que se extiende bajo las Colinas Huecas, por encima de la Tierra de los Muertos, el País de las Hadas, el Elphame. Allí viven las Fae, los Habitantes de las Colinas Huecas, el Pueblo Tranquilo, los Invisibles, los Extraños Vecinos, misteriosos seres de un mundo no menos extraño, hadas y duendes cuya sangre es nuestra sangre también, Brujos y Brujas, Hombres y Mujeres de Astucia, pues compartimos el mismo linaje antiguo y secreto. A estos Habitantes del Elphame la gente los ha encerrado en el territorio de los cuentos o de la imaginación, igual como a los Brujos y Brujas nos relegaron al yermo y vasto territorio de lo oscuro, lo maligno, lo prohibido, lo peligroso y la insensatez..

- Fuente: http://brujeriadelcerco.blogspot.com.es/

Sakura Festival: April 4 is the official date for this Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan.

Sakura Tsuki (Cherry Moon)

Sakura Kitsune: Fox Spirit Flower

Alder Fox: Moon's Crafts. Celtic Tree Oracle. Druids.

Fox and Persephone: Psychopomps.

Persephone the Fox rider (Hedgewitch). "I will run and run forever where the wild fields are mine". The Celts had a great respect for the fox as a wise guide to the spirit world and the afterlife. Sacred Alliance. The Quick Red Fox, by Jackie Morris Artist.

The Greek Goddess Persephone was abducted by Hades, God of the Underworld. The myth of her abduction represents her function as the personification of vegetation, which shoots forth in Spring and withdraws into the earth after harvest; hence she is associated with Spring.

Fox, symbol of Persephone who returns from the Underworld each spring. This couldn't possibly be more perfect.

Hello, Spring! Yay!

Tiptoe Through The Tulips

Herbal Olive Cubes

Food tip: freeze your herbs in olive oil for seasoning! #witchinkitchin #herbnlifestyle