Gold – March 23rd to April 12th

Posted on February 13, 2015

Let’s pay attention to how we practice knowing our worth.

Let’s talk about it.

Let’s play with what else is possible.

For 21 days we will explore our stories around worth and create practices that remind us we are solid + liquid + auric gold.

For 21 days, 5 women whose practice is to know their worth and who carry a deep desire for you to know yours {because when we ALL know our worth, new worlds are born} will share their stories, navigations and personal practices around worthiness.

The world needs you to shine your full worth. The worth that is already there, waiting and ready for you to see it. Know your worthiness, because that is the place we have our most powerful impact, individually and collectively.

Are you ready to say yes to your gold?

If you are, come join us.

Categories: General

Grandmother Ginger by Laura Emily

Posted on February 25, 2015

THERE IS AN UNSPOKEN CHORUS I SEEM TO GET LOST IN WHEN WINTER ROLLS MY WAY – THE SUN WILL NOT RETURN TO US. IT’S A LIE OF COURSE, UNRAVELING DAY AFTER DAY AS THE WARMTH SPREADS THROUGH MY MORNING WINDOW.

His light is a far off promise of some other age – but when the cold air pools and settles, I believe the lie fully and completely. Yet the ground beneath our feet knows sacred Truth and offers us a chance to craft our own warmth with her offerings. “Ginger root, love,” she tells us. Grandmother Ginger stirs the cauldron, tending the fire that reaches our bones, spreading her warmth over us. Full of minerals like copper, potassium and magnesium, ginger root (Zingiber officinale) is like a remembrance of the earth from which we came – grounding our Intentions and prayers. Ginger is a powerful protector with her anti-bacterial, antifungal, nerve soothing properties; a confident go-to during seasons spent around the hearth. Keep her near – dried, whole, frozen and powdered, weaving her medicine into your days. Let her simplicity hold you in a warm embrace while we wait for the sun. Along with keeping a secret stash of ginger chews in my purse at all times, the following is how I fold Grandmother Ginger into my cold wintery days.

Coming out of a season of sickness, a moment of deep release, or high energetic work, allow Grandmother Ginger to hold you, purifying and restoring your body and spirit with this hot bath salt blend- add to your bath water several heaping tablespoons of a good quality salt (I like Himalayan Pink Salt due to its cultivation deep within the earth), several large slices of raw or dried ginger root, a small handful of dried rose petals or a sprig or two of fresh rosemary. I like to include a tablespoon of clay such as French green if I have it on hand for a soft earthy touch. Use a muslin bag if you do not wish for the contents to clog your drain. Intuitively add or adjust as you fill the tub- your spirit and hands will work out of remembrance, gathering what you need. As you soak, you’ll begin to notice the warmth of the ginger holding you – circulating and restoring your core with her warmth. A perfect late night treat with Grandmother Ginger can counter the cold depleted days winter can bring.

GINGER HONEY LEMON TEA This Ayurvedic drink is commonly known as the ‘Heal All’ brew in my household. This brew is a powerful defense against common colds and the flu, sore throats, nausea, migraines, indigestion, and in my humble opinion…moodiness. It is an empowering and purifying drink with its fiery undertones.

words, recipe + photos: laura emily

~*~

Get to know your worth a little better in Amulets debut course “Gold”,
click here to find out more and grab your seat!

Categories: Nourish

Fire Potion {inner-flames all winter long} – By 3 Sisters Alchemy

Posted on February 23, 2015

The Sun hides Himself behind mystery’s mist for a long time up here. It’s cold and damp to say the least and my heart and bones need some serious spice, red-hot heat, a warming from the inside out. I’m not talking about just sitting in front of the fireplace, I’m talking about manifesting a type of inner sunshine, creative bonfire so the soul doesn’t dampen. All along the 4th corner coast, the Natives do ceremonies and rituals to bring on the Sun from Within. Me, being a witch, I craft potions. Here is a favorite to turn up the heart heat. I take it every day, with a prayer to the Sun to be present in my life internally.

INFUSE THE FOLLOWING IN 1 CUP OF BOILING WATER FOR 6-8 HOURS

1 tablespoon ginger 1 tablespoon cardamom

1 tablespoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon cayenne

1 tablespoon cloves

Strain and then put in your cauldron {your magical pot} + ¼ cup honey. Allow to simmer and blend. Put in a red glass bottle. Label with your own special symbols that represent Fire. Shake it up daily with a prayer for Sun. Drop on tongue, sip, drink, add to tea.

~*~
Get to know your worth a little better in Amulets debut course “Gold”, click here to find out more and grab your seat!

Categories: Pour

Interview: Kim Kranz – Creatrice of The Wild Unknown Tarot Deck

Posted on February 20, 2015

WHAT’S THE STORY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO TAROT? WAS IT THE ART THAT BROUGHT YOU TO CARDS OR THE CARDS THAT BROUGHT YOU TO ART? OR DIDYOU SOMEHOW MEET ON THE EDGE OF BOTH?

Oh definitely the artwork led me to the tarot! Drawing the deck gave me a relationship and understanding of the cards that I don’t think I could’ve found by just using another deck out there… I spent a long while trying to find a deck I felt connected to, and then I finally realized I had to draw one for myself.

WHAT’S SOME OF YOUR PROCESS IN CREATING THE IMAGES OF THE CARDS? DO YOU HAVE RITUAL OR JUST SPONTANEOUS INSPIRATION? WHAT’S EITHER OR BOTH OF THOSE LOOK LIKE?

Drawing the tarot was like a dream come true art project for me. It was like giving myself 78 amazing assignments to complete. I started off with a sketchbook – one page devoted to each card. I filled each page with little sketches, phrases, notes. I asked friends what animals and images led them to certain concepts. I had several tarot focus groups at my house, where I’d have people look at certain cards and tell me what they meant, just instinctually. It was important to me that my friends could sense what the cards were about… not through symbolism but through the feeling of the drawing. Some cards, like The Three of Wands and The Hanged Man I drew five, six, seven times before I settled on the image that’s in the deck now.

YOUR MUSIC IS BEAUTIFUL. I WAS INTRODUCED TO A CD A WHILE BACK BY MY FRIEND SINGER/SONGWRITER KERI JIORAS — WHO SAW YOUR BAND OPEN FOR PHOSPHORESCENT A COUPLE OF TIMES… TALK SWEET MUSIC TO ME. WHO DO YOU LOVE, WHO DO YOU DANCE TO, WHO OR WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO BE CHANNELING WHEN YOU SHARE SOUNDS?

Well, I’ve never felt like it was the right opportunity to talk about my singing in Ayurvedic terms… but I think with you ladies it might just be ok! I am very Vata. I am ruled by wind energy. I struggle to stay grounded, warm, and nourished. Yet my voice… the actual sound of my voice is the part of me with Kapha (earth) energy. When I sing, it feels like there is something solid underneath me. It is calm, and strong and sure. That, I have come to realize, is why it feels so good to sing. My very favorite music is Phosphorescent, Pink Mountaintops, Black Mountain and Witch. But I’ll dance to Kanye’s All of The Lights till I’m an old,old woman…

WHAT’S YOUR BEST MEDICINE?

Herbal tea + meditation + sunshine

FAVORITE BODY ADORNMENT?

I’ve wanted a Keith Richards skull ring for a long time now, but my major friends at Bona Drag sent me a ring that’s real close to it… It’s a Susanna Wainhouse oversized skull with red garnet in the eyes. Garnet’s healing properties are restorative and warming, perfect for Vata.

~*~

Get to know your worth a little better in Amulets debut course “Gold”, click here to find out more and grab your seat!

Categories: Guidess

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Recipe for Winter Nurturing: Carmelized Fennel Salmon – By Stephanie Perkinson

Posted on February 18, 2015

As mammals we are designed to retreat and slow as the temperatures dips. We crave warmth, richer foods and more rest. When I am work with clients one of the things I council them on is how to gently navigate our new cravings and needs during Winter. Women worry about how much more they seem to be eating and how their clothes seems to fit a little differently.

I assure them that all is well, I believe that as animals (advanced as we are) have “seasonal bodies”. It’s normal to put on an extra 5-10 pounds. When the Spring thaw comes those extra pounds will melt just as easily. The key is to figure out what is causing those extra pounds.

Is it from sugar and empty carbohydrates or is it because you are craving a bit more deeply nourishing foods on your plate? Are you still moving that body of yours or are you hunkering down on couch with a wool blanket every night?

There is no need to rush out and start an extreme gym routine. You can start by simply doing some slow stretches indoors and then bundling up and going for a stroll somewhere beautiful. Spend time quietly noticing the change in the landscape and the habits of the animals. Smell the crisp air and the dampness of earth.

Some other simple ways to support you, mind & body during this time:

• Warm up with a simple Turmeric tea (detoxifying/anti-inflammatory/antioxidant). 1 tsp ground turmeric to 4 cups of water. Bring water to a boil, add turmeric and then simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and enjoy with a bit of raw honey and lemon.

• Make sure you are getting plenty of hardy winter greens, you might be bored of Kale & Broccoli. Switch things up with Tat Soi, Swiss Chard or Turnip Greens. Try sauteing them and then mixing into your mashed potatoes.

• Sink into a hot bath filled with a large handful of Epsom salt and a muslin pouch stuffed with fresh grated ginger.

• During your walks outside, choose a beautiful stone or branch to bring back with you. Display it somewhere prominent in your home. This simple act connects us to our present and acts as a daily reminder to get out and connect with nature.

Caramelized Fennel Salmon

Wintertime is when we most need a little bit of extra protection. Salmon provides us with healthy, essential fats.

Fennel is rich with Vitamin C and onions are a fantastic immune booster. When the onions and fennel caramelize and blend together, you get this earthy sweetness that is so delicious with the fish. Serve with a side of your favorite grain.

You’ll need:

1 medium sweet onion
1 medium bulb of fennel
2 TB olive oil
½-1 cup veggie stock
salt and pepper
4 (5 oz) skinless wild salmon fillets
1 medium shallot, sliced
1TB chopped fresh dill or ½ tsp dried
Lemon to garnish

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat broiler

~ Cut onion and fennel in half and slice into ¼ inch thick slices.

~ On medium low heat , add 1 TB oil in pan and saute onions and fennel for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Increase heat to medium high and cook veg for 10 more minutes, caramelizing them. Deglaze pan with ½ cup veggie stock if it’s getting too sticky, season with salt and pepper and set aside.

~ In a baking dish, add 1 tsp oil and grease dish, add fish and season with S&P pour ½ cup veggie stock over fish and scatter shallots in liquid, sprinkle ½ the dill and drizzle with last 2 tsp of oil.

~ Place under broiler for 9-12 minutes.

~ When finished serve over onions and fennel and sprinkle with remaining dill and a squeeze of lemon.

~*~

Get to know your worth a little better in Amulets debut course “Gold”, click here to find out more and grab your seat!

Categories: Nourish

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Evergreen Oil – By Maya Corinne

Posted on February 16, 2015

Tis the season for evergreen everywhere waiting to be our healer. This super simple oil is great for wind- and cold-dried skin, burns and also as a chest rub for respiratory love.

- Gather enough evergreens {pine, fir, spruce, cedar, etc whatever grows near you}

- Cut up greens roughly {you can wash if you like – I don’t tend to, the more earth the better}

- Stuff in a large, wide mouth canning jar 3/4 way up

- Pour enough organic oil over {I like olive or hemp oil for these plants} so that the plant material is fully covered.

- Allow to infuse for 1 moon cycle. Store it in a cabinet, on a windowsill, in the moon, under your pill, and shake it up every few days and make sure all the planet material is covered or it could go rancid.

- Strain all material and offer it back to the Earth and do a dance of thanks. Then you have your oil.

You can also make a balm of it ::

- 1 part oil :: 1 part beeswax.

- Melt the beeswax down in a double boiler, add the oil, and put in an airtight container and allow to solidify.

- Slather.

Categories: DIY

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Tamber {it all begins with sound}

Posted on February 13, 2015

WE KNOW THAT SOUNDS WEAVE EXISTENCE AND EXPERIENCE. Heavy bass and organic beats come from the center of this Earth. Music bring us to dance, worship and just to get real low, slow, wide, fast. It moves the energy from our hips, becomes a prayer to the world, and turns on our lovers as we wind up and down to the sugary sweet strums of the guitar. The essence of sound is what courses up and down our blood, back and forth to your hearts. We aren’t separate from what the singer croons or what the drummer calls poetry with her hand. Sound heals. Sound creates. Sound destroys. These are the sounds of the winter compiled by your resident amulet holders and some of our favorite merry makers.

The Magic, Joan As Policewoman
My Superman, Santigold
Hold The Line, Major Lazor
Cleopatra In NY, Nickodemus
Beautiful, Keri Jioras
Informer, Lady Ann
Born To Die, Lana Del Rey
Silvia, Miike Snow
VCR, the xx
Heart of Gold, Neil Young

Be Dark Night, Phosphorescent
White Winter Hymnal, Birdy
Winter Fields, Bat For Lashes
Sister Winter, Sufjan Stevens
Winter Song, The Head and The Heart
Angels, The XX
Faded From The Winter, Iron and Wine
Winter, Matt Corby
Winter Birds, Ray LaMontagne
Winter Song, Nico

los ángeles, x
destiny, zero 7
house of cards, radiohead
contigo, frederico aubele
dirty laundry, bitter sweet
love you more, alexi murdoch
on n on (ruined by rick rubin)- justice
say something, sucre
om namo bhagavate, deva premal
this head I hold — electric guest
dear believer – edward sharpe and the magnetic zeros

Leading to death, Polica
Pitseleh, Eliot Smith
How Come You Never Go There, Fiest
Beach baby, Bon Iver
Live in Vanilla, Boy Robot
Que N’ ai-je, Karen Anee
Mission, Beats Antique
Maybe Not, Cat Power
Icky Thumb, White Stripes
Flightless Bird, Iron and Wine

Categories: General

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Apothecary Chocolate – By 3 Sisters Alchemy

Posted on February 11, 2015

3/4 cup raw cacao powder + 1/4 cup
1/2 cup raw cocoa butter
1/2 raw coconut oil
1/4 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup coconut butter

Special Imbolc herb blend:
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 Tbsp dried blackberry leaf
2 Tbsp dried angelica
2 tsp powdered raw vanilla or the insides of one vanilla bean.

Grind the dried herbs + vanilla to a very fine powder. Add in the 1/3 cup cacao powder and mix well. Set aside in a shallow bowl.

In a double boiler, melt down {just barely} cocoa butter and coconut oil. Remove from heat.

Add in raw cacao and agave nectar and whisk thoroughly.

Put in freezer until hardened but workable.

Scoop out little spoonfuls {a truffle scooper is invaluable here, but a tablespoon works too!} and roll gently with your hands – act fast because these melt quickly. Then roll the balls in herbal + cacao blend.

Refrigerate until they set again.

{In the photo, I used molds for chocolates, which you can get from your local craft store. In that case, when you thoroughly blend in cacao and agave, pour chocolate in molds to solidify, and then remove and sprinkle your herbs all over the freshly made chocolate.}

Enjoy the sacred power of cacao and herbs.

Cacao has long been a holder of medicine.
Savor on your Imbolc feast … if you can wait that long.

Categories: Nourish

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Love Potion {’cause love is all you need} – By 3 Sisters Alchemy

Posted on February 9, 2015

I love Love. Love love love love Love. Open Heart Reception. Giving Fully. I want my body to felt up by it, with waves of it spilling over me, dropping me to my knees in graceful ecstasy. I want to roll around on fur blankets with it. I want to dive in its pool and get drowned by it. I want it to heal me. I want to hold hands with it, make babies with it, and solve the worlds’ woes with it. Love. I want love. So do you.

Drop the following in a light base oil such as almond or coconut and slather all over your body, or drop the following in purified water in an atomizer bottle and spray all over your love business as well. Meditate on what love is for you. Write love notes and bless them with this spray. Anoint your space.

Everything. In the name of Love. Everything.

{Please use your nose. We don’t desire to teach you your inner ways. You need no teacher, you are your own goddess. Experiment with smells. Take some out, put some in. This is just a general nectar of the sex goddess that we like to use around these parts to get our parts moving and flowing.}

Categories: Witchcraft

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Altar Building & Ritual: Planning in the Dark Months ~ By Athena Perakis

Posted on February 6, 2015

Ritual. At any time of year, the word itself evokes magic and mystery. But in the fall and winter, ritual takes on special meaning – even for those of us who practice the Old Ways all year long. From September to March, the dark half of the year marks the time of the goddess’s descent to the underworld. Think of the myth of Persephone, who is kidnapped by Hades, the God of the Underworld, and held captive there until spring when she returns to her mother, Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, who celebrates by allowing new crops to be planted. Similar myths are tied to this time of the year, such as the three Fates or Moirai. The darker months are associated with the third Moira, Atropos, who cuts the very thread of life. She decides the date of death for every soul at birth. And this is her time. This darkness, her season.

When we speak of the dark half of the year, we’re not talking about evil; we’re talking about the balance of light and shadow in the Universe. Fall and Winter represent the darkening of the northern Hemisphere, the lengthening of nights, the surrender of the Goddess to the inner realms, and what many of us feel is a pull toward a more solitary and reflective magical practice. We spend more time indoors, we tend our fires and our families, we ponder the passing of time, and plan for the year ahead. Our rituals at year-end are a mirror of our relationship to the seasons.

This time aligns to an even more auspicious date, the end of the Mayan calendar {12/21/12} and what is known as a date of ascension. At sunrise on that date, for the first time in more than 25,000 years, we saw the Sun conjunct the Milky Way. This “cross” is considered an embodiment of the Tree of Life, a tree honored in some form or variation in every spiritual tradition around the world and throughout time. Some say this concordance signals an alignment with all beings across our galaxy. At the very least, we magicians knew to expect a shift in energies and we prepared by creating our ritual space and planning our ceremonies weeks in advance.

I seek here to inspire you to embrace these darker months by preparing your space, creating your ritual, and planning your ceremony. I will first offer five steps to altar-building that are short, sweet, and sacred. Then, I will offer a brief ritual for winter that honors the uniqueness of this year and the galactic alignment it promises. My philosophy on altar spaces and ritual process is to keep it simple but make it special. Simple = few tools, easy to access, using what you have whenever you can. Special = sacred items, things of meaning, arranged with care, in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to sacred space and altar décor; in this case, you are the beholder. Create what you love.

Step One: Balance the elements first. To represent Earth, always use greenery from your garden or nearby land. An altar space without seasonal greenery is empty. It’s the easiest and most beautiful way to hold the Earth energies. For water, use spring or distilled water (moon-charged!) in a chalice. For air and fire, place sage or other smudging herb in a small heat-proof pot or cauldron.

Step Two: Think seasonally appropriate when choosing a color scheme. I change my altar space every 4 weeks and begin with the table cover. Try a scarf for an easy, accessible, and inexpensive altar cloth! Then consider adding fresh flowers in the colors of the season. For winter, I go with gold and silver, red and white, or deep green and aubergine. I add white fur and red roses, or holly sprigs, for touches of color and life.

Step Three: Raise the vibration with purposefully chosen gems. Next, add gems to your altar space to raise and balance the energetic vibrations in your space. Winter has its own gemstone correspondences. I always use ruby, garnet, and labradorite in winter. I also use moonstone, fuchsite, and obsidian, and I always use clear quartz to magnify them all. Calcite and selenite are also good choices, as they promote clairvoyance and peace. As we go within and mirror the goddess’s retreat, we need clear sight and calm energy as our companions.

Step Four: Meditate on your purpose before arranging items. What kind of energy do you want this space to hold for the next 4-8 weeks or however long you plan to leave the altar intact? How do you want to feel when you sit before this space and gather your thoughts or practice ritual? Will anyone else enjoy or meditate near this space? Will your children or animals be near it? Ask these questions as you consider where and how to position the items. I always place my altar space out of reach of children and pets, as well as visitors to my home who may or may not appreciate or understand my magical practice. Then I focus my mind on the feeling I want to evoke with my altar before placing items in the space.

Step Five: Set the space with focused energy and presence. It’s important to be present and peaceful when laying out your space. Your intention and attention will show up in the final product. The more care you take in placing items and grouping them (always think in 3s!), the more beautiful your space will look. Try to balance height and other dimensions.

Words & Ritual By Athena Perakis
Photos By Danielle Cohen

Categories: Tools & Talisman

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