Showing posts with label #Touch of the Goddess. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Touch of the Goddess. Show all posts

Welcome to the 5th annual Samhain's Sirens Celebration!


 Cool nights, cozy blankets, sweatshirts, candles, incense, bonfires, pumpkins, spooky decorations, mulled apple cider... it's finally here! Samhain-time! The veil is thinning, and soon, we'll be honoring our ancestors and communing with the dead. This is our time, dear Witchy family! Welcome back, honored guests and playmates, and welcome to our first-time visitors!

 Samhain’s Sirens is a gift of love to you from us. During the Samhain season (October 2- October 31) we’ll be treating you to blogs, giveaways, craft ideas, recipes and music to help you celebrate this holy and happy time in honoring the thinning of the veil and our ancestors.
We have lots of great fun in store for you this year. 

 For those of you who are new, here's how our giveaways work:

 We will feature the giveaway with the ways you can enter. You will need to provide us with your email address. You do not have to give us your email address in the comments. You can send it via email to kallan.kennedy@gmail.com, if you prefer. The reason we need your email address is that by law, we must notify you that way before we announce it publicly.

 Canadian residents, you have different rules per your country's laws. We must give you an opportunity to 'earn' your entry. So, we'll give you a question to answer. One question will give you the same amount of entries as anyone else (you lucky person!).

 If you want more details, please see our Official Rules and Prizes page.

 Now, let's get on with the fun, shall we?

Today's Music: Season of the Witch by Donovan



How could we resist opening with a song that celebrates our time of year?

Today's Recipe: Caramel-Glazed Apple Cake 

by Autumn Earthsong


Happy October friends!  I’m so happy to be back with Samhain’s Sirens again this year.  I know so many of you missed it!  It’s going to be a lot of fun as always and part of it is the inclusion of delicious recipes to enjoy during this most wonderful time of year!  

 My first recipe is an easy and delicious cake..perfect with a cup of coffee or spiced cider sitting by a fire!

 Caramel-Glazed Apple Cake
1 3/4 cups butter, softened and divided
1 1/4 cups sugar, divided
1 1/4 cups brown sugar, packed and divided
3 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsps cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt
5 apples, cored, peeled and diced (recommend Granny Smith or Cortlands)
1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
2 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup whipping cream

 Preheat oven to 325*  

 Beat 1 1/2 cups butter, one cup sugar and one cup brown sugar in a large bowl at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.  

 In a separate bowl, combine flour and the next 4 ingredients (1/2 tsp salt saving 1/8 for glaze)   Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture with a wooden spoon to form a very thick batter.  Stir in apples, pecans and vanilla, mixing well.

 Pour batter into a greased and floured 13” x 9” baking pan.  Bake at 325* for 50-60 mins.  Test with toothpick to be sure it’s done.  Cool cake in pan on wire rack for at least 10 minutes.

 Caramel Glaze

 Melt remaining butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat.  Add remaining sugars and remaining salt.  Cook, stirring frequently for 2 minutes or so.  Stir in cream and bring to a boil.  Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.  

 Poke holes in cake over entire top surface with end of wooden spoon.  Pour warm caramel glaze over cake. Serve warm or cooled.  Yum!! Enjoy, Autumn Earthsong 
Autumn Earthsong is a wife, mother, grandmother and a Witch! She’s been the Kitchen and Herb Witch for Samhain’s Sirens, The Sunday Stew and Imramma magazine for a few years now. Her Craft revolves around the kitchen, garden, hearth, altar, Mother Earth and Grandmother Moon. She feels Goddess blessed every day.   Autumn is also a healer as a Master Reiki practitioner and she’s knowledgeable in herbalism and crystals for healing as well. Autumn is the founder of her Coven and you can find her blogging at autumnearthsong.com.  Autumn is her favorite time of year as you may guess by her name,  and she especially loves sharing her favorite seasonal recipes!  She hopes you add them to your own  recipe files and enjoy them!  Blessed Samhain to all!



Today's Giveaway: Honor Themed Jar 

by Touch of the Goddess
If you've never seen these stunning creations by Sharon Rawson, you have been completely missing out! This beauty was made especially for the Samhain's Sirens Celebration and retails for $150.00. We know you can't wait to enter for a chance to win this, so let's get right to it!
US Residents:

 First entry:  Go to Touch of the Goddess shop, peruse the amazing creations, come back here and tell us which is your favorite in the comments.

 Second entry: Share this giveaway on your Facebook page (note: Facebook in no way endorses our giveaways). Come back, tell us you did in the comments (share the link, please).

 Third entry: Share this giveaway on Twitter or Instagram (your choice). Come back, post the link to your share in the comments.

 Fourth entry: Like the Touch of the Goddess Facebook page. Leave a comment on her Facebook page telling her you're visiting from Samhain's Sirens. Come back here, and let us know you did.

 Fifth entry: Like the Samhain's Sirens Facebook page. Leave us a comment below letting us know you're a follower (hint: this is going to be a gimme if you do it now or if you've done it in the past. It'll be one of the entries for all of our giveaways).
Canadian Residents:


For five entries into this prize, please correctly answer this question in the comments section:

 Canada falls under which one of these categories?
Republic
Dominion
Kingdom
Commonwealth
You have until 11:59p EDT to enter. Winner will be announced in tomorrow's post. Good luck!!
That's all for today! Tune in this week for music, recipes, crafts, and giveaways!

 Happy Samhaining!
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Welcome back, you Monday Marauders! Let's plunder this treasure!

We have all kinds of booty in store for you today.

Come check out our blog, recipes, stones and crystals, song of the day (you Morrigan guys/gals will love it!) and another giveaway!

The October fun has just begun.. let's play!












The winner of Author Samantha Curtin's "Return to Summer's Hollow" is...
Angie Crabtree!




Today's Blogger: Johanna Lawson


Gone But Not Forgotten

 My mother is buried in one of the oldest cemeteries in the Philadelphia area, actually located just on the city's outskirts and about a half mile from its sister cemetery in the Fairmount Park area. It is a beautiful serene place, full of gardens, reflection areas, and very old trees sitting high above the Schuylkill River. It is steeped in history, dating back to the mid-1800's, and is the eternal resting place for several notable Philadelphians including founding fathers of Philadelphia commerce and industry, civil war soldiers and heroes, and even a survivor of the Titanic disaster. The cemetery is now entering the 21st century by paving the way for green burial practices, a section of it planted with only native trees and flowers, only using natural untreated materials in coffins and shrouds, and, as I have just found out, using goats as environmentally-friendly vegetation control.

In the first months following my mother's funeral and burial, I visited often, sitting in the grass by her gravesite, talking to her, filling her in on all the latest events, wishing she were still here. I did this out loud most times because there never seemed to be anyone nearby visiting a departed loved one. After hanging out with Mom for a bit, I roamed around, checking out her neighbors, saying a hello to them. I visited some of the much older graves, their headstones and monuments worn from age and weather, trying to read the words taken away by time and the elements, sometimes tracing them with my fingertips to discern the letters. It began to dawn on me that many of these people no longer received visitors of their own kin, their families gone from the area or just plain gone, no longer alive, their bloodlines maybe halted by disease, war or catastrophe. An even worse thought came to mind. What if these people were no longer among the memories of their descendants, long-forgotten, forever out of mind? I just could not bear the thought of these people being lost to time.

With that realization, I made up my mind then and there. These people would no longer be forgotten as far as I was concerned. From that moment on, a new tradition was started. Each year, on or around Samhain, I spend a few hours at that cemetery visiting these long-departed people. There are many graves that seem to have been neglected for decades, if not a century or more, so I do not visit the same sites each year, although I have a few personal favorites that I check on regularly. I take a few minutes to clean the area, brushing debris from stones and statues, wiping away the years of built up dirt caked into the chiseled letters. I place a sprig or two of fresh rosemary, the herb of remembrance, at each grave and sit with the person for a bit, pondering, wondering and imagining.

Who was this person? What did they look like? Who did they love and who loved them? What happened during the course of their daily life? How did they die? Sometimes I envision the person and their life very clearly, almost as if they are allowing me into their past. Other times, the images are blurred or the words to describe them just won't come. Perhaps those people are uncomfortable about letting me get to know them or maybe even wish to remain forgotten. Occasionally, I may hear a whisper, feel a gentle tug on my shirt or a playful pull on my hair, or catch a glimpse of something out of the very corner of my eye, all very brief harmless encounters. Always I experience this amazing warmth moving around and through me and an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and peace falls over me.

I must always pay my respects to the family buried across from my mother. There are at least fifteen headstones (unbelievably, I have never counted them!) marking the graves of several generations of this family, including a few children under the age of 5, all having died in 1918 during the influenza epidemic. I sit in the middle of all of them, where an ancient gnarled oak tree once stood, blown down in a tropical storm four or five years ago. I picture this large family, all together, happy, lively, in a huge home at the turn of the century in the booming city of Philadelphia. It is the same vision every time.

These trips to the cemetery always end at the same place, back at my mom. I sit with her the longest. I do not need to wonder or ponder or envision here at this grave, just remember. I sit in that beautiful, serene cemetery, surrounded by nature, surrounded by the ancestors of many people in many places, and remember her vividly and hope that someday, when I am long gone, someone will come by her grave and stop a moment to say hello, brush away the fallen leaves, clean the dirt from the engraved headstone, and just envision who she was in this world. Then they will move in and around the much older graves and do the same for them. Maybe, just maybe, that person will be one of my own descendants, a witch too perhaps following a long-held family tradition of visiting that cemetery at Samhain, who will ensure that, while we all may be gone, we are not forgotten.


Today's Spooktactular Song with Jennifer Rasmussen:

I know Omnia’s tribute to the Morrigan is a favorite for many, so crank it up.





Today's Recipe with Autumn Earthsong

Squash is one of my favorite veggies.  And they fit right in with your cooking this time of year.  They are still abundant at your grocery and baked in the oven in a multitude of ways, warm and good, they are a great comfort food this time of year!  I thought this recipe sounded really healthy and good!

Stir-Fried Squash

2 Tbs olive oil
2 cups zucchini, sliced
2 cups yellow squash, sliced
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 cup tomatoes, diced
1 tsp salt
Pepper to taste
Optional: 1/4 cup chicken broth

Add olive oil to wok or large skillet.  Heat over medium-high heat for 2 minutes.  Add zucchini, squash and onion; cook and stir for 2 minutes.  Add tomatoes, salt and pepper.  Reduce heat to medium-low.  Simmer for 8-10 mins until veggies are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Add the broth if mixture becomes too dry.
*Makes 4-6 servings

And this soup recipe sounds warm and comforting!

Curry Butternut and Apple Soup
1 butternut squash, halved and seeded
2 tsp butter, divided
Salt and pepper to taste
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, halved and cored
2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 cup sour cream
1 Tb lime juice

Place squash halves cut-side up on a baking sheet.  Add one teaspoon butter to each half; season with salt and pepper. Place apples next to the squash on the pan.  Bake at 400* for 30-45 minutes, until fork tender.
Scoop out squash with a spoon.  In a large saucepan, combine squash pulp, apples, broth and seasonings. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for about 10 minutes, until heated through.  Meanwhile, stir together sour cream and lime juice; set aside.  
Puree soup in batches in a blender until smooth; then reheat soup if you need to. 
Serve in soup bowls topped with sour cream
*Makes 4-6 servings

Now I’m heading to the grocery for some squash!

Blessings and Love, 
Autumn

Autumn Earthsong is back for the 3rd year as our resident Kitchen Witch. You may have seen her recipes in Imramma Magazine and The Sunday Stew as well.  Autumn has been a practicing Witch for 17 years and hails from Ohio. She is a wife, mother of two, and Nana to three busy little grandchildren.  Samhain is a favorite time of year for her….with her name indicating what Season she loves!  Cooking for family and friends this time of year is also a joy…..Especially this time of year!   Hearth, Fire, love of family and good food is how She brings Magick to her home.   You can also find her blogging at www.autumnearthsong.com.   She looks forward to sharing her recipes with you all and hopes that you have a very Blessed Samhain Season!



Stones and Crystals by Jennifer Hodson

Apatite is a great stone to help clear away confusion, apathy and negativity. 

This stone is a spiritual stone and a great influence on the aura. Apatite is great to use in past - life work and is able to access the energy levels of the Akashic records an individual has. Apatite is also a great dream stone.
Blue apatite is also a good stone for the throat chakra and for public speaking. A great stone to honor Gaia. 





Today's Giveaway from Touch of the Goddess!

Important note: We are now extending the deadline for giveaway entries until 9pm PDT (Midnight, Eastern time)

Past Life Reading from Touch of the Goddess!

By exploring your past life experiences you can identify and rectify problems and behaviours in this life. Past life vows, karma, past life relationships can be affecting you now. These sessions last 45-90 minutes and include a counseling session on how best to use the information we have gleaned. You are totally aware during the session and will remember your experiences. For your convenience, a typed summary will be e-mailed to you.

$45 value




Here's how to enter: (Canadians, skip this part and go to your section)

Like/Get Notifications on the Touch of the Goddess Facebook page . Come back, comment on this blog post and tell us that you did. 

Remember to add your email address to the page (if you don't want to post it publicly, simply send it via the contact form at the top of the page).

Want extra entries??

1. Go to the Touch of the Goddess Etsy shop. Come back and tell us in the comments section about your favorite item there.

2. Tweet about this giveaway. Comment with the link to your tweet.

3. Blog about this giveaway. Comment with the link to your blog post.

4. Follow Samhain's Sirens on Facebook. Comment, and let us know you did (if you're already following, just comment and say so!)

5. Follow this blog so you'll be in on all of the fabulous fun throughout October! Comment here that you did.

That gives you 6 chances to win this fabulous prize!

CANADIANS, LOOK HERE!

Canadians, your country requires that you answer questions instead of participating the American way ;) So, we're bringing you some good old-fashioned trivia about your country this year. Answer the question correctly in comments (don't forget to put your email address in the comment!) and you'll be given 6 entries in the giveaway!

Here's your question: 

At what time of year does Halifax Harbour freeze?


This giveaway is open until 9pm PDT tonight. Winner will be announced tomorrow  at 9am EDT. Remember, we have to notify the winner in email first, so those email addresses are critical for you to qualify for the giveaway!

Good luck everyone!

See you here tomorrow! Same time, same bat channel!
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Welcome back! We're gearing up in full swing for this Freaky Friday! We have recipes galore, a coloring page for the miniature monsters in your abode, the song of the day, and of course, our Day 1 Winner announcement!


Tomorrow is our Craftacular Saturday to help you with fun projects that celebrate this Season of the Dead!


Ready? Let's get started!



The winner of the October 1 Pagan Business Network Giveaway, valued at $300:

Iesadora!!!

Congratulations to our winner! To all entrants: remember, your entries count toward the grand prize giveaway from LaPulia Studio!



Forget-Me-Nots


In honor of the thinning of the veil, we're going to take each Friday to honor a magical someone who has passed through to the other side of the veil.

We hope you’ll join us in honoring them, even if you hold them in your heart, even if only for just the time you read the blog post.

Thank you in advance, and may you always be remembered through time.

We are asking the community to submit your own forget-me-nots for loved ones who have passed through the veil for our final Samhain post. Send your tributes and photos to samhainsirens@gmail.com no later than Friday, October 23. We look forward to helping you honor them through this venue. If you have any questions, please use the "contact us" form at the top of this page.


Today's Forget-Me-Not: 

Scott Douglas Cunningham 
(June 27, 1956 – March 28, 1993)


Born in Michigan, Scott was one of three children to Chester Grant Cunningham (an author in his own right) and Rose Marie Wilhoit Cunningham. Rose Marie had health issues which required the family move to a milder climate in San Diego, where Scott would live for the rest of his life.

He showed a strong penchant for rocks and minerals, plants and other earth-sciences at an early age. His first interest in the occult came through reading a book called The Supernatural, by Douglas Hill and Pat Williams.

His work,Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, is one of the most successful books on Wicca ever published; His books on Wicca led to a steady rise in his popularity, and he soon became one of the best-read Wiccan authors of his time.

According to controverscial.com,"Sales of his most popular book Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (Llewellyn, 1988), reached over 400,000 copies by the year 2000"

His writing style was easy, and he connected with readers on a personal level. He was one of the first authors I had ever encountered who emphasized that in The Craft, what works for you is what works.

"While essentially a self-styled Wiccan and a solitary practitioner, he was initiated into several established Craft Traditions.  In 1980 he entered into the Aridian Tradition, where he undertook a course of study on Witchcraft and Magick from Raven Grimassi.  Then in 1981 he entered the Reorganized Traditional Gwyddonic Order of Wicca, and the Ancient Pictish Gaelic Tradition.  Additionally, he was an initiate of the American Traditionalist Wicca" (Knowles). 

He wrote over 30 books on the occult, with nearly half of them being about Wicca (see bibliography below). 

Scott died in 1993 of AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis.

He has made a profound mark on many within the Pagan community, and is sorely missed.

He is loved.

He is remembered.

Bibliography

1980 – Shadow of Love (fiction)
1982 – Magical Herbalism: The Secret Craft of the Wise (ISBN 0-87542-120-2)
1983 – Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magic (ISBN 0-87542-121-0)
1985 – Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (ISBN 0-87542-122-9)
1987 – The Magical Household: Spells and Rituals for the Home (with David Harrington) (ISBN 0-87542-124-5)
1987 – Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic (ISBN 0-87542-126-1)
1988 – The Truth About Witchcraft Today (ISBN 0-87542-127-X)
1988 – Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (ISBN 0-87542-118-0)
1989 – The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews (ISBN 0-87542-128-8)
1989 – Magical Aromatherapy: The Power of Scent (ISBN 0-87542-129-6)
1991 – Earth, Air, Fire, and Water: More Techniques of Natural Magic (ISBN 0-87542-131-8)
1991 – The Magic in Food (ISBN 0-87542-130-X)
1993 – Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen (ISBN 0-7387-0226-9)
1993 – Divination For Beginners (ISBN 0-7387-0384-2)
1993 – Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (ISBN 0-87542-184-9)
1993 – Spell Crafts: Creating Magical Objects (with David Harrington) (ISBN 0-87542-185-7)
1993 – The Truth About Herb Magic (ISBN 0-87542-132-6)
1994 – The Truth About Witchcraft (ISBN 0-87542-357-4)
1995 – Hawaiian Magic and Spirituality (ISBN 1-56718-199-6)
1997 – Pocket Guide to Fortune Telling (ISBN 0-89594-875-3)
1999 – Dreaming the Divine: Techniques for Sacred Sleep (ISBN 1-56718-192-9)
2009 – Cunningham's Book of Shadows: The Path of An American Traditionalist (ISBN 0-73871-914-5) – A rediscovered manuscript written by Cunningham in the late 1970s or early 1980s.


*Sources:
Controverscial.com
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
Wikipedia article

The Siren's Song with Jennifer Rasmussen

Longtime Traveller




CL's Cocktails: Felix Felicis


Serves 1
To make simple syrup, just heat equal parts sugar and water until fully dissolved, then cool.  You can buy it easily enough at any liquor store but why when it’s so easy? So that’s that bowl there; homemade simple syrup!

Ingredients:
1/4 oz simple syrup
1/4 oz lemon juice
1.5 oz ginger beer
Champagne or other sparkling wine
Directions:
Mix simple syrup and lemon juice in the bottom of a champagne flute. Add ginger beer and fill with Champagne.
I thought we would start the season off with a light, sparkling drink!  This turned out delicious but, if we’re being honest here, it didn’t have the Autumn/Halloween flavor and flair I was going for. I’ll admit it; I was suckered in by the Harry Potter theme! I willingly admit I am an addict. I was hoping the ginger beer (which I’m addicted to now, thank you very much) would be sufficient to give it that autumn-y kick but, alas, the lemon juice and sparkling wine/champagne, overpowered that element as far as seasonal flavor goes.
Still, incredibly delicious! I would absolutely recommend making it though I will probably save it as a Summer drink.


Crystal of the Day with Jennifer Hodgson


Merlinite

Merlinite is a stone for magic and luck. Merlinite is considered to be a stone that holds wisdom of not only shamans, but alchemists.
Merlinite  brings balance to things such as yin and yang. It is the perfect stone for bringing together the god and goddess.
This crystal is great for reprogramming patterns of behavior and bringing about change. Merlinite will also help turn negative experiences into positive learning..
Merlinite is a great stone to assist you in the Akashic Records as well as helps with karmic healing.



Paula's Paleo Recipes: Pumpkin Pancakes






Fall is in the air and what comes to mind? Sweaters, hoodies, hot chocolate, fires, and pumpkins!  So to start off with the Paleo foods I am going to introduce you to Pumpkin Pancakes.

This recipe comes from Practical Paleo.  So far I love this one the best!

Ingredients:
4 eggs
½ cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 TBS pure maple syrup (optional)
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp baking soda
2 TBS butter or coconut oil (plus extra for pan frying)
Whisk the eggs, canned pumpkin, pure vanilla extract, and pure maple syrup together. Sift the pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and baking soda into the wet ingredients.
Melt 2 TBS of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Then, mix the butter into the batter.
Grease the skillet and spoon the batter into the skillet to make pancakes of your desired size. When a few bubbles appear, flip the pancakes once to finish cooking.
Serve with grass-fed butter and cinnamon or sliced bananas.


The Witches’ Kitchen by Autumn Earthsong

Pumpkins pumpkins everywhere in October! Pumpkins are so cheerful, or done up as a jack o’lantern, spooky and fun! I love seeing pumpkins at the garden centers and front porches in my neighborhood.  I also love cooking with pumpkin..whether from a can or fresh scraped from the inside of a pumpkin!  This recipe would be a great ending to a fabulous harvest meal.

Harvest Pumpkin Cheesecake
Crust
3 cups broken gingersnaps
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup melted butter
Preheat oven to 350* In a food processor, finely grind cookies, nuts and sugar. Add butter; process until well blended.  Press mixture onto bottom and sides of a 10” spring form pan.  Bake 10 minutes.

Filling
4 (8 oz) pkgs cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
2 Tbs whipping cream
2 Tbs rum
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
4 large eggs
Place a 9”x 12” pan filled with water on the lowest shelf in the hot oven.  This helps the cheesecake bake without drying out.
With an electric mixer, beat together first 10 ingredients until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined.
Pour into prepared crust.  Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes until puffed and light brown.  Sprinkle with a little more cinnamon and let cool; then chill overnight.
*Would be lovely garnished with gingersnap cookies cut into leaf shapes or pecans arranged pretty on top!  You could top with caramel sauce or stir a little maple syrup into some whipped cream and top with that! Yummy!

Blessings and Love,
Autumn


Giveaway from Touch of the Goddess

Do the colors of fall make your eyes light up? Ever notice how the leaves sparkle when the sun plays peek-a-boo between them? If you are always anxious for the season of cozy sweaters and warm boots to crunch through piles of fallen leaves, then this Gratitude vase needs to be yours. Keep it close so you will see it! Just keep a pad and pen handy. Doesn’t have to be long, doesn’t always have to be serious. The sun setting in Autumn glory, the smell of burning leaves, Pumpkin Lattes are all valid things to mention in your vase! At the end of your year, or at a time if you are feeling a little down, take all those little pieces of paper out and read them. What a great way to document your journey! This jar is embellished with plaster bas-relief, deconstructed vintage jewelry, heavy glass beads, sari silk, yarn, paper clay leaves, and chain. It is 8 inches tall and 16 1/2 inches around its widest part. The coral color shimmers with tones of metallic gold! Made with love and gratitude! These will always be one of a kind, so if you see one you want, better go ahead and get it. They would make great gifts, too!
Bright Blessings!
Sharon Rawson, Proprietor

Value of this giveaway: $32.50


Here's how to enter: (Canadians, skip this part and go to your section)

Like/Get Notifications on the Touch of the Goddess Facebook page . Come back, comment on this blog post and tell us that you did. 

Remember to add your email address to the page (if you don't want to post it publicly, simply send it via the contact form at the top of the page).

Want extra entries??

1. Go to Touch of the Goddess's shop. Peruse the wares. Come back and comment to tell us which item is your favorite.

2. Tweet about this giveaway. Comment with the link to your tweet.

3. Blog about this giveaway. Comment with the link to your blog post.

4. Follow Samhain's Sirens on Facebook. Comment, and let us know you did (if you're already following, just comment and say so!)

5. Follow this blog so you'll be in on all of the fabulous fun throughout October! Comment here that you did.


That gives you 6 chances to win this fabulous prize!


CANADIANS: LOOK HERE!

By your country's law, we have to make you answer a question in order to enter the giveaway. We still need your email address, so be sure that accompanies your response. Answer this question correctly, and you'll receive 6 entries!!

How many oceans border Canada?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4

This giveaway is open until 9pm EDT tonight. Winner will be announced on Monday, October 5th  at 9am EDT. Remember, we have to notify the winner in email first, so those email addresses are critical for you to qualify for the giveaway!

Good luck everyone!

Tune in tomorrow for Craftacular Saturday! Same time, same bat channel! 
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Happy Moonday, Malevolent Monsters!

It's the last one of this Samhain Siren Season. Let's do it right, and have a blast!

If you have any questions, be sure to email Serena or use the contact form at the top of this page.

As we begin winding down, we ramp up the fun :) Remember, every one of your entries counts toward our Grand Prize Giveaway to be announced on October 31!

Here is a sneak peek of our giveaway from LaPulia Studio!

This book sells for $504.98, and will come in green :) So, be sure you get in on every chance you can to win this grand prize!






The winner of the Sally Dubats giveaway is : Jonquil Alexia!

The winner of the DJ Martin giveaway is: Rogue Riversong!






Archeology of Samhain
By: Sam Curtin from Chronicles of an Anthropology Nerd (http://anthrobum.blogspot.com)

When it comes to explaining the origin of practices – religious or otherwise – most of us anthropologists look to the archaeological record for evidence of these practices. Artifacts used in rituals, religious sites, and texts from the origin period are helpful in shaping this knowledge of practices. When it comes down to Samhain, there really isn’t much evidence in the archaeological record. We have evidence of many sacred sites in Ireland and we have texts that reference the practice of these rituals, but finding tangible evidence has been something archeologists have struggled with.

However, there is one site that is referenced a lot in medieval text: the Hill of Ward or “Tiachtga.” This hill is located near Athboy which is now in the modern county of Meath. This site has been referenced as a host for the feast of Samhain. It is characterized by its prehistoric ringfort (an ancient circular fortification of earth or stone, found especially in Ireland) and is 380 feet in height. The legend goes that the druids would journey up the hill to light huge fires; this would signal the start of the Samhain festivities. Evidence of these fires go back to pre-Christian times.
There is a good amount of medieval manuscripts that refer to “Feis Teamhrach” (also known as the feast of Tara) which was rumored to be held three days before and three days after Samhain. This feast was held at another important Irish heritage site: The Hill of Tara. It is thought that this was also a site for Samhain rituals but there is little evidence to back up those claims.

When you think about it, it kind of makes sense that there isn’t much archaeological evidence surrounding Samhain. The Celtic pagans didn’t worship in temples or erect large buildings to practice their rituals. They celebrated in nature, feasting and praying the gods/goddesses of the nature around them. Most of Celtic Paganism is routed in Nature with a “harm none” philosophy. This would mean that if a site was laughed trashed with artifacts after a ritual, they would be going against all that the rituals stood for.

What we are left with is the texts and the stories from that time. Even those have their problems since most of history was influenced by the Roman Empire who were Christian. They focused on the “evils” of Samhain rather than the historic significance. Modern day pagans know about Samhain through the oldest form of history: storytelling. Stories of Samhain rituals have been passed down from generations but “word of mouth” isn’t something that can be added to the archaeological record.
References:
Archaeology Magazine: “Halloween’s Celtic Rituals” by Jenny Butler
Dictonary.com















I don’t know about you, but I ain’t afraid of no ghosts!




The Witches’ Kitchen by Autumn Earthsong

For entertaining this time of year, besides crockpots full of soups, dishes of toppers, and warm spiced cider….I like to serve some type of appetizer.  These little toasted Crostini just fit the bill.  They are sweet and wonderful and perfect for an Autumn party!  Great for an after dinner treat too!




Apple-Brie Crostini

1 loaf French bread, thinly sliced
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
13.2 oz pkg Brie cheese, thinkly sliced
3 Granny Smith apples, cored and sliced

Arrange bread on an ungreased baking sheet; bake at 350* until lightly toasted. Set aside.
Mix together butter, sugar and walnuts.  Top each slice of bread with a cheese slice, an apple slice and a teaspoonful of butter mixture. 
Return to baking sheet; bake briefly until cheese melts.  
*Makes 24-30

**Variations….a sugared pecan with a drizzle of honey to top it…or a nice dollop of apple butter!  

ENJOY, Autumn

Read my blog at www.autumnearthsong.com
Visit my herbal shop at www.etsy.com/shop/verbenalaneshoppe




Touch of the Goddess Muse Giveaway!
The Muse of the Thinning Veil is here to help you with your Divination skills. She will guide you to strengthen you intuition thru practice and trust. She lifts he Veil and peers into her scrying mirror, looking forward and backward, communing with the ancestors that have gone before her.Her beautiful wine colored dress is hand beaded and hangs over a black marabou feather petticoat. Her veil is black sheer crinkle and hangs over her lush black yarn hair. Let her be your guide. She is 10 1/2" tall  x 5" wide x 2 1/2" deep. She would look great hanging as a standing alone piece, or displayed as I have her here in a frame. She would be great to add to an altar or in a grouping of other Muses or your favorite pieces of art. She is an original and one of a kind! If you lift up her robe on her back and look on her skirt, there is a message just for YOU! She is a one of a kind polymer clay sculpture formed over an armature.
Value-$110.00



Rules: (READ CAREFULLY)

YOU MUST PROVIDE A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS. If you choose not to share it in the comments, please use the contact form at the top of the page to provide your email address. You must provide your email address once per giveaway.

Drawing is held by random number generation and winner will be notified in email (that's why you have to have an email address listed). Announcement will be made in tomorrow's post.

Note: These giveaways are open to the U.S., Canada and where allowable. Void where prohibited.
Canadian residents, please pay close attention as by law, you have to use a different set of rules. Not to worry, we have you covered :)


CANADIANS READ HERE: You will be given the same number of entries for answering the following (remember, we STILL NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS):

What is the answer to life, the universe and everything?

U.S. Citizens, and others- READ HERE:

1. Go to the Touch of the Goddess Site.  Look over the site and tell us which product you like best.

EXTRA ENTRIES: (USE SEPARATE COMMENTS. If you throw them all into one comment, it counts as one entry only)

2. Be a follower of this blog. Comment that you are following us.

3. Like the Sirens FB page (come let us know you did in comments)

4. Like/Get Notifications for The Touch of the Goddess Facebook Page. Let us know you did.

5. Blog about this giveaway (comment with the url for your blog entry)

6. Tweet about this giveaway (come back and give us the url for your tweet)

So, all in all, you get 6 entries for this giveaway! The deadline for entries is midnight eastern time (11 Central, 10 Mountain, 9 Pacific) tonight. Announcement tomorrow, same time, same bat channel ;)

Questions? Email Serena.

See you tomorrow!
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Wrong-Turn Wednesday is winging its way to wonderful whackiness!

Don't forget to send in your Forget-Me-Nots! We're all about honoring our ancestors at this time! Send your tributes/photos to samhainsirens@gmail.com

We hope you're enjoying our offerings! We know you like the giveaways. Please be sure to let our blogging sirens, musical siren, recipe siren,et al.. know you appreciate their efforts. A little comment goes a long way :)

On to the fun!

The winner of the Kindred Kollections giveaway is:

Star Firewitch!





Archeology of Samhain
By: Sam Curtin from Chronicles of an Anthropology Nerd (http://anthrobum.blogspot.com)

When it comes to explaining the origin of practices – religious or otherwise – most of us anthropologists look to the archaeological record for evidence of these practices. Artifacts used in rituals, religious sites, and texts from the origin period are helpful in shaping this knowledge of practices. When it comes down to Samhain, there really isn’t much evidence in the archaeological record. We have evidence of many sacred sites in Ireland and we have texts that reference the practice of these rituals, but finding tangible evidence has been something archeologists have struggled with.

However, there is one site that is referenced a lot in medieval text: the Hill of Ward or “Tiachtga.” This hill is located near Athboy which is now in the modern county of Meath. This site has been referenced as a host for the feast of Samhain. It is characterized by its prehistoric ringfort (an ancient circular fortification of earth or stone, found especially in Ireland) and is 380 feet in height. The legend goes that the druids would journey up the hill to light huge fires; this would signal the start of the Samhain festivities. Evidence of these fires go back to pre-Christian times.

There is a good amount of medieval manuscripts that refer to “Feis Teamhrach” (also known as the feast of Tara) which was rumored to be held three days before and three days after Samhain. This feast was held at another important Irish heritage site: The Hill of Tara. It is thought that this was also a site for Samhain rituals but there is little evidence to back up those claims.

When you think about it, it kind of makes sense that there isn’t much archaeological evidence surrounding Samhain. The Celtic pagans didn’t worship in temples or erect large buildings to practice their rituals. They celebrated in nature, feasting and praying the gods/goddesses of the nature around them. Most of Celtic Paganism is routed in Nature with a “harm none” philosophy. This would mean that if a site was laughed trashed with artifacts after a ritual, they would be going against all that the rituals stood for.

What we are left with is the texts and the stories from that time. Even those have their problems since most of history was influenced by the Roman Empire who were Christian. They focused on the “evils” of Samhain rather than the historic significance. Modern day pagans know about Samhain through the oldest form of history: storytelling. Stories of Samhain rituals have been passed down from generations but “word of mouth” isn’t something that can be added to the archaeological record.  

References:
Archaeology Magazine: “Halloween’s Celtic Rituals” by Jenny Butler

Dictonary.com 

The Witches’ Kitchen by Autumn Earthsong

Breakfast in the Fall just screams for some warm, creamy oatmeal.  This slow cooker version will be ready when you wake up in the morning!  All warm and nutty with apples, raisins, nuts and cinnamon.  It will warm your belly and soothe your soul I believe….




Cozy Apple Brown Sugar Oatmeal

*slow cooker recipe

2 cups milk
1 cup quick cooking oats, uncooked
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 Tb butter, melted
2 Tb maple syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup apple, cored, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker sprayed with non-stick cooking spray
Cover and cook on low setting for 7-8 hours. 
Stir before serving.
Serves 6-8

*I find that 7-8 hours is a bit much..it tends to get dry.  I think 6 hours tops would be best.  Set your timer on your slow cooker if you have one. Spray the cooker well with the oil too!

ENJOY, Autumn

Read my blog at www.autumnearthsong.com
Visit my herbal shop at www.etsy.com/shop/verbenalaneshoppe



Welcome back..

This one is for Kallan and all of the other children of the Morrigan.
















Today's first giveaway comes from Sharon Rawson at Touch of the Goddess.
It's a one hour long past life regression via Skype only. A transcript of the session will be e-mailed afterwards. Value-$45.00


Rules: (READ CAREFULLY)

YOU MUST PROVIDE A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS. If you choose not to share it in the comments, please use the contact form at the top of the page to provide your email address. You must provide your email address once per giveaway.

Drawing is held by random number generation and winner will be notified in email (that's why you have to have an email address listed). Announcement will be made in tomorrow's post.

Note: These giveaways are open to the U.S., Canada and where allowable. Void where prohibited.
Canadian residents, please pay close attention as by law, you have to use a different set of rules. Not to worry, we have you covered :)


CANADIANS READ HERE: You will be given the same number of entries for answering the following (remember, we STILL NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS):

Which major sport was invented in Canada?

U.S. Citizens, and others- READ HERE:

1. Go to the Touch of the Goddess Site.  Look over the site and tell us which product you like best.

EXTRA ENTRIES: (USE SEPARATE COMMENTS. If you throw them all into one comment, it counts as one entry only)

2. Be a follower of this blog. Comment that you are following us.

3. Like the Sirens FB page (come let us know you did in comments)

4. Like/Get Notifications for The Touch of the Goddess Facebook Page. Let us know you did.

5. Blog about this giveaway (comment with the url for your blog entry)

6. Tweet about this giveaway (come back and give us the url for your tweet)

So, all in all, you get 6 entries for this giveaway! The deadline for entries is midnight eastern time (11 Central, 10 Mountain, 9 Pacific) tonight. Announcement tomorrow, same time, same bat channel ;)

Questions? Email Serena.


See you tomorrow for Fearless Friday!
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