Showing posts with label #Wendy Callahan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Wendy Callahan. Show all posts
It is with some trepidation that we inform you this is our  last Tuesday of the celebration.

Still, we have some amazing offerings for you today!












And the winner of the Hemlock and Garnet Giveaway is: 

NC Dad!




Today's Blogger: Wendy Callahan

A Time for Ancestral Connections 

As all of us who are Pagan know, one of our most important holidays is Samhain aka Halloween and All Hallows Eve.  Our modern Pagan traditions carry on the ancient Celtic belief that the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest on this day, that the spirits of the deceased may freely roam the earth, and that this is a good day to connect with those spirits and honor them.

For me, a love of genealogy makes it an even more profound day.  It's simple enough for a modern Pagan to say, "I'm going to honor my ancestors on the night of Samhain." But how many people can even name their grandparents completely, let alone distant ancestors?
I think it's wonderful that a genealogist or somebody who truly cares about their family history can rattle off at least 4 generations or more without even referring to a book or pedigree chart.  I know that, if challenged, I can sit down and write out a 5-generation pedigree chart from memory.

Why is that?  Because those of us who are genealogists and family historians have taken the time to get to know our ancestors.  Why should that matter? Because genealogy isn't just about names, dates, and places.  It's about who these people are or once were.

These are the people who helped give us life today. Therefore, this Samhain, I invite you to take the time to connect – truly connect – with one of your ancestors.

Do you have grandparents still living? Then visit with them and spend some time learning more about them. What were their childhoods like? What did they do as young adults starting out in the world, away from their parents? Did they fight in a war? Did they marry young? Did they have a career? How did they feel about the lives they lived?

Is there a particular person who was in their lives – a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent – they talk about extensively or are fascinated by? When my grandmother was alive, she spoke fondly of her grandmother, Emma Murphy. Emma was born in Nova Scotia and came to Boston as a very young adult, possibly newly married. Details of Emma’s youth are sketchy, but my grandmother loved talking about the store her grandmother ran in the Boston area. Grandma admired her grandmother, who was quite tall and regal in bearing, and took no crap from anyone.

The way grandma talked about Emma passed that fascination on to me, and I was inspired to learn as much about Emma’s life as I could. Every Samhain, the ancestor I desire most to connect with is great-great grandma Emma. This is just one of the people who keeps me ever-interested in genealogy and knowing more about those who came before me, who had the descendants that ultimately resulted in me being here today.

If my musings about family history have piqued your curiosity about your family even a little, then visit with your older relatives to learn more! They will no doubt be thrilled to talk to you about where you come from and perhaps you will find an ancestor who makes you want to dig a little deeper, to learn more about them, and delve into the task of knowing the person they once were.

You can learn more about genealogy at Wendy’s blog, www.newenglandgenealogy.blogspot.com or in her forthcoming book, Genealogy for Simpletons (2016).


The Siren's Song with Jennifer Rasmussen



 Must be the season!





Today's Recipe with Autumn Earthsong
Every October, I go and visit a local apple farm and get my apple cider. I love pretty much every recipe I’ve ever made of spiced cider.  I like it cold, warm….for breakfast or before bed.  It just tastes like all the good things about this season wrapped up in one great cup of drink!  I’m giving you a few recipes here for yummy drinks for the season..including a couple of alcoholic ones   Make some drinks, start a fire, put your feet up and RELAX!

Autumn Spiced Orange Cider
1/2 gallon apple cider
2 cups orange juice (fresh is best!)
3 (3”) cinnamon sticks
10 whole cloves
Zest of one orange
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground allspice

Bring all ingredients to a boil and boil for 15 minutes.  Strain out spices using fine mesh.  Serve hot.  For a party, I keep this warm in a crock pot.  You will want to double it for a bigger gathering!
*I use more like 1/2 tsp of the nutmeg and allspice….but try it this way first to see what you think.  Also great with a little caramel sauce stirred in!  Serve with a cinnamon stick and a slice of orange.

Brandied Coffee
Into each coffee mug:  1 oz brandy
                                     1 oz kahlua
Fill with hot coffee and top with whipped cream and a bit of shaved chocolate or chocolate sprinkles!


Cranberry Rum Drink
*Makes 2
1/2 cup spiced rum
1 cup cranberry juice
1/4 cup triple sec
Maraschino cherries
Shake first 3 ingredients with crushed ice.  Strain into 2 martini glasses and throw in cherries!
Harvest Moon Drink
*Makes 2

1/2 cup sweet and sour mix
1/2 cup carbonated water
1/4 cup apricot brandy
4 tsps pomegranate juice

Put first 3 ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and  strain into martini glasses.  Pour 2 tsp pomegranate juice into each glass, do not stir it!

There is a time in your life when any of these drinks would be just what you need!   Enjoy!!

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 with Jennifer Hodgson
Sapphire

 Sapphire is known as the wisdom stone. Sapphire helps to  focus and calm the mind. Sapphire not only aligns the physical, mental but also spiritual planes.

Sapphire releases depression and stimulates concentration.

Blue Sapphire is associated with love and purity. Sapphire is used in shamanic ceremonies. Sapphire will also open and heal the throat chakra.


Sapphire comes in the following colors: Blue, yellow, green, black and purple.




Today's Giveaway from Visions by Volante



Healing salve for minor scrapes and Burns and handcrafted lemon vanilla lip balm gift basket. Includes a chevron amethyst. Value $15
This healing salve has many uses beyond scrapes and Burns. It works on many skin irritations, including insect bites and psoriasis. It’s also been used to heal delicate skin around the eyes after makeup removal for healing.

Salve and lip balm are crafted from organic and natural ingredients.
Here's how to enter: (Canadians, skip this part and go to your section)

Like/Get Notifications on the Visions By Volante 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. Visit the Visions By Volante etsy shop. Come back, and tell us in the comments about your favorite item.

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:

In response to the temperance movement, Toronto pharmacist John J. McLaughlin invented this drink in 1907 as a popular alternative to alcohol.


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!
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Well, hello there, bedazzling bedlamites!

Are you ready for some spooktacular sensations?

With only 10 days left until Samhain, we know you're busy preparing, so we won't hold you up.

Let's jump right into today's celebration!









The Winner of Sharon Grimshaw's Great Pumpkin Giveaway is....

Jenn Hodgson!




The Sanctity of Death by C.L. Luciole

October is a magical month for many people; witchy and muggle types alike. (Yeah, I used a Harry Potter term, don’t judge me!) But it is also the month of Death. Everywhere you look there are references to death. Grim Reapers, skeletons, fake graveyards, zombies, and ghosts are everywhere this time of year. For Witches and Pagans in general honoring the Ancestors and Noble Dead is intrinsic to their October rituals. Some even honor the Spirit of Death itself.

But you know what I’ve noticed? The act of dying is typically forgotten when it comes time to start the whole honoring thing. They will honor the Spirit that brings Death and the Dead themselves, but not the physical act of dying. For all our talk about not fearing death, that it is as natural as anything else, that we don’t truly die we just change form, we still tend to shy away from embracing the act of dying itself.

I get it. We aren’t a culture that embraces death any longer. Hell, getting old is one of the worst things you can do in some modern cultures (America I’m lookin’ at you). I also get that for many reasons death is scary. It can often involve a lot of pain and trauma not to mention the fact that most people don’t want to leave behind children or other loved ones and, frankly, the unknown of what comes after definitely plays into it. But you know what? It’s gonna happen regardless of how much you fear it, no matter how much you fight against it with proper diet or exercise. Whether peaceful or pain-filled Death is going to claim you and there isn’t a damn thing anyone can do about it.

Know what’s even crazier? For some people death is WELCOME! I know, right? For some death IS the light at the end of the tunnel. After a long illness or a life filled with trauma and strife death can be a welcome release from the pain of living. Or, a person who has lived a long, happy life, who has seen all the people they love go before them, may find that they are more than ready to welcome death at the end. Honestly, have you ever really considered what living forever would mean? It’s rather terrifying, if you ask me.
It seems to me that viewing the act of dying as something sacred might go a long way towards helping us cope with some of the fear that is inherent in most people when the subject of death comes up. Birth is considered sacred; it is celebrated and honored in many different ways throughout the world. What is death but a birth into what comes after this life?

Viewing the act of dying as sacred isn’t a new concept. Take the Samurai or the Vikings for example. Dying was perfectly acceptable. If death occurred in such a way as to be considered a “good death” (such as dying in battle or for a noble cause) it was actively hoped for! For the Samurai sometimes the act of dying, of taking one’s own life, was the only way to redeem oneself for a perceived failure.

Many cultures celebrate the life of the deceased at a wake or some other event following their death. It’s a good start, definitely headed in the right direction, but again we go back to the celebration of the life of the person rather than making their death a sacred moment. Not to mention most post-death observances are for the living left behind, not the dead. They’re dead and, hopefully, gone (no need for any more disembodied spirits hanging around). I dare say expensive and/or elaborate funerals mean very little, if anything, to them.

I’m not saying you should do a jig around the death bed of your loved one. Of course you are going to be sad, grieved, and possibly even scared for yourself and for them. This is all perfectly natural. I’ve held vigil at the side of a loved one until they passed from this incarnation to the next; it isn’t an easy thing to watch. As I watched her slip away I wanted to take hold of her hand and ask her not to go, not yet. But that wasn’t for me to decide and I realized it would have been the height of selfishness to put my wants above the needs of my friend. Her family wasn’t pagan but they knew she was and, as she slipped away, I held her hand, called in her Patron Goddess, and asked that She ease her transition from this world to the next. I did not want to see her go but when she died there was a true sense of peace about her that I will never forget.

We can’t always prepare for death and dying. It has a nasty way of jumping out of nowhere and ending a life before we ever see it coming. But often we do know it is coming and in those instances we have the choice to greet it at the side of our loved ones, or for ourselves for that matter, as the sacred act it is, without fear. Or we can greet it with dread as if it is the enemy rather than the natural end of life.

I am reminded of a quote from the 80’s movie, Steel Magnolias (Yeah, I know, I’m dating myself here!) after the character of Shelby (played by Julia Roberts) dies. Her mother M’Lynn (Sally Field) is at her graveside speaking with her friends about deciding to turn off life support for her daughter and the moment when she passed away.

“I realize as a woman how lucky I am. I was there when that wonderful creature drifted into my life and I was there when she drifted out. It was the most precious moment of my life.”

I realize this is a specific instance of a mother losing a child but there is no reason that sentiment can’t be carried into other instances of death and dying. Birth is a blessing..and so is death. Life has such meaning simply because it IS finite; there is an end to it all. Whether you believe in Heaven, Elysium, the Summerlands, reincarnation, or that your essence returns to the stars and the Universe you will pass on. You will meet the end of this life as will all the people you love.

There is no reason we should not meet the end with honor for the sacred act that dying truly is.














This one goes out to our beloved Siren, Renee Sosanna Olson.



The Witches’ Kitchen by Autumn Earthsong





Warm drinks by a crackling fire…whether outside or inside….are a MUST!  Here are a couple I think you’ll like……  Pull up a chair and join me!


Autumn Harvest Warmer
2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
2  4” cinnamon sticks
10 whole cloves
2 cups cranberry juice
1 cup orange juice
Garnish: orange slices

 Combine water, sugar and spices in a saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil.
Add juices; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.  Discard spices.
Serve warm, garnished with orange slices
*Makes 4 servings


Fireside Sipper

4 cups apple juice
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
6 allspice berries
6 whole cloves
4” cinnamon stick
3/4 cup apricot brandy or apricot nectar
Garnish: apple slices

Combine apple juice and brown sugar in a medium saucepan.  Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved.  Tie spices in a cheesecloth, add to the pan and simmer 15 minutes. Remove cheesecloth sack from heat and discard.  Stir in brandy or nectar.
Serve hot in mugs and garnish with apple slices
*You can also just float spices in the liquid..and strain. 
*Serves 6

ENJOY, Autumn

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



Bibliophile's Dream Giveaway by Author Wendy Callahan


First Set: The Pagan Heroines Series

Pagan Heroines - the winner will receive an urban fantasy ebook duology with the titles "The Gossamer Gate" and "The Pain Maiden" by Wendy L. Callahan.






Descriptions

"The Gossamer Gate" - Nine years ago Khiara committed a grave offense against the fae, a crime for which she is destined to pay the price.  When a faerie prince intent on revenge returns to seek retribution against her, she is pulled into the Otherworld against her will.  She is given a quest: she has nine days to locate the gate that will allow her to return to the mortal world.

But the laws of the capricious fae are calculated to work against mortals and keep them trapped forever in their realm.  There is temptation at every turn, and even if Khiara does not give in, there is still a chance that the devious prince will go back on his word.

For the fae may change the rules of the game on a whim, and the prince has already set a seemingly impossible condition on Khiara’s quest for freedom…

"The Pain Maiden" - Small-town life suits Jinx Jennings... until the night she meets Griffin and learns the truth about her parentage.  Suddenly, she's dealing with strange new abilities that are more of a curse than a blessing, a too-affectionate guardian who was only supposed to be a one-night stand, and some very determined deities.  Can Jinx learn to survive in this strange new world, or will her mysterious power be her undoing?






Second Set: Steampunk Snark  - three ebooks in The Aetheric Artifacts trilogy: "The Chronos Clock", "The Daemon Device", and "The Enigma Engine".

Here are the titles' descriptions:

"The Chronos Clock" - In 1892 Victorian London, Demetra Ashdown is a half-daemon with the ability to locate and draw Aetheric artifacts to her. When her former fiancé’s valet is held hostage and will only be released in exchange for a device with the power to control time, she must act quickly to save a man’s life. Armed with only her razor-edged fan and equally sharp wit, she feels it is her duty to ensure that the potentially-devastating device does not fall into the wrong hands.

In addition to this dilemma, she must determine if she both trusts and loves the man to whom she was once betrothed. Lord Francis Winterton not only broke her heart, but also appears to have betrayed her to the ruthless people in search of this powerful artifact. With close friend and inventor Simon Warom at her side, Demetra begins her adventure: the hunt for the clock that will save the life of the valet, and thus prevent Francis from transgressing the limits of fashionable good taste.

"The Daemon Device" -
Saving the world from power-obsessed madmen is all in a day’s work for half-daemon artifact hunter Demetra Ashdown. It’s her potential mother-in-law who proves most vexing.

Yet, Demetra is determined to charm her, even if that means a journey around the world for answers to the most perplexing questions, such as what is the difference between infernals, like herself, and celestials, like her fiancé, Francis? Can they marry, despite being from disparate bloodlines? And just how much lemon cake does it take to keep Demetra happy?

Whether by railway, steamer, or airship, Demetra and Francis will not rest until they can allay Lady Winterton’s concerns about their union. Nor will they realize the unimaginable discovery or danger to which their inquiries will lead until a chance meeting leads to a long overdue reunion…

"The Enigma Engine" -
Aetherals are disappearing, and Demetra's half-sister is among the missing. It's up to her and her friends to figure out who is kidnapping them and why, in this conclusion to the Aetheric Artifacts series.

There also remains the question of whether or not Francis's mother will permit their wedding, or continue to fight it. However, what Lady Winterton has to say on the matter will startle even the unflappable Demetra.

In the midst of astonishing family revelations, Demetra must once again form a difficult alliance with a certain government official to solve the riddle of the aetheral abductions, as well as dodge the advances of a handsome Scotland Yard detective, and answer the perennial question: is there ever a wrong time to eat cake?

Total value for this giveaway is:  $18.95

There will be 1 winner for both sets :)

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 Wendy Callahan's site .  Peruse her works and tell us which one you'd like to read first.

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

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

So, all in all, you get 5 entries for this giveaway! The deadline for entries is 9pm eastern time tonight. Announcement tomorrow, same time, same bat channel ;)

Questions? Email Serena.

See you tomorrow!
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