Don't let the title fool you. With the Sirens, there are no wrong turns ;) You're exactly where we want you to be- here with us!
Before we go further, the Sirens would like to send our deepest love and healing thoughts to our own Autumn Earthsong, whose daughter is in the hospital.
Let's discover who won the fabulous giveaway from Hauntiture Creations! And the winner is...
Congratulations! Be sure to send your mailing address to Kallan so Tara can ship off your prize!
Now, on to today's celebration!
Time was, elementary students created Family Trees as part of a school project. It was fascinating! Learning where we were from, and who we came from. Inevitably, there would be interesting stories – my grandfather fought in the German army in WWII, and because he refused to speak of it, I wouldn’t have known without that project. And ultimately, this project opened up a line of communication between the student and older family members, because we all wanted to know more. Do you remember stories around the kitchen table with your grandmother? Aunties laughing over silly antics when they were little girls, and great uncles reminiscing about the Old Country? And we listened, awestruck, trying to picture them as children, just like us, these generations ahead, these beloved people with whom we share a vital connection.
Over the past decades, we’ve become a people apart, and family isn’t what it once was. We no longer have generations growing up in the same neighborhoods, sharing every holiday and celebration. We’re distanced, disconnected from our roots. The recent surge in popularity of DNA and genetics testing shows this lack of connection is affecting humanity - everyone wants to find that missing piece. We understand this need, and recognize it for what it is. The Ancestors are calling.
We are of those who have come before us, both physically and spiritually. Linda Hogan writes of this in Dwellings: A Spiritual History of the Living World. She tells of a walk in the forest, listening to the Earth speak, and then “suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.” To truly know one ’s self, we must not merely be aware of our ancestors, we must acknowledge them and be grateful for their presence in our lives. We understand the endurance of Spirit, of the connection that continues even after death, and by communing with our Ancestors we lengthen the thread of that connection, and their knowledge becomes ours, too. During Samhain, when the Wheel begins the year once more, the veil is thinnest between realms and communication with spirits is easiest. If you’ve never reached out, this is the perfect time to try.
Create sacred space. You may already have a place of ritual; if not, set up in a quiet place where you can spend some uninterrupted time. Set up an ancestor altar – white candles for Fire, a bowl of Water, perhaps feathers for Air and shells or stones for Earth. Deity representations and ritual tools can be included if you use them. Add memorabilia – use a bowl from your grandmother to hold Water, a favorite book or food that reminds you of those who have crossed. Photos are a perfect addition, and a drum or rattle to raise energy is always a lovely idea. Meditative music or chanting would be appropriate, as well.
Burn incense that reminds you of your loved one. Palo Santo is my favorite for communication, but use what you like. Raise the energy, gain permissions, invite the Guardians and make offerings as you usually would. Once you are prepared, sit quietly. Focus on the Spirit and ancestors. Speak aloud your desire for communication, your willingness to receive any message they may want to share. A chant, a drum beat, a rhythm to charge the connection is perfect here. But always, keep your focus. And then … wait. Remember, messages may come right away– an instant knowledge, an immediate peace – or they may come later, in a dream, or as a sign. Be patient, and be grateful for the opportunity to share time with them.
Close as you would your other rituals, and then take a little time for reflection. Make offerings of thanks and remembrance, and perhaps journal the experience for later reflection. This can be done any time of the year, in a ritual setting or as a passing conversation. I leave my ancestor altar set all year round, and speak with my grandmother every day. I greet her when I pass the altar, and we often cook together. I miss having her physically in my life, but she’s absolutely still with me now.
Knowing where we come from – both the positive and the negative – helps guide us to where Spirit wants us to be. Be patient in your Journey, but open to whatever comes your way. May you be Blessed in all you do.
Rowan
First entry: Go to the Touch of the Goddess etsy 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).
Before we go further, the Sirens would like to send our deepest love and healing thoughts to our own Autumn Earthsong, whose daughter is in the hospital.
Let's discover who won the fabulous giveaway from Hauntiture Creations! And the winner is...
Michelle Dauberman!
Congratulations! Be sure to send your mailing address to Kallan so Tara can ship off your prize!
Now, on to today's celebration!
Today's Music: Laboratorium Pieśni - Sztoj pa moru
Laboratorium Pieśni is a group of female singers from Poland. Using traditional, polyphonic singing they perform songs from all over the world, mainly: Ukraine, Balkans, Poland, Belarus, Georgia, Scandinavia and many other places. Their music is a haunting charm that touches the soul.
Translation:
At the sea, blue sea
There was a floating flock of white swans
And where did the gray-white eagle come from?
It dispersed the flock around the blue sea
White down rose to heaven,
Gray feathers fell on a green meadow
And who will collect these feathers?
- A beautiful girl
At the sea, blue sea
There was a floating flock of white swans
And where did the gray-white eagle come from?
It dispersed the flock around the blue sea
White down rose to heaven,
Gray feathers fell on a green meadow
And who will collect these feathers?
- A beautiful girl
Call of the AncestorsToni (Rowan) Sliger
Time was, elementary students created Family Trees as part of a school project. It was fascinating! Learning where we were from, and who we came from. Inevitably, there would be interesting stories – my grandfather fought in the German army in WWII, and because he refused to speak of it, I wouldn’t have known without that project. And ultimately, this project opened up a line of communication between the student and older family members, because we all wanted to know more. Do you remember stories around the kitchen table with your grandmother? Aunties laughing over silly antics when they were little girls, and great uncles reminiscing about the Old Country? And we listened, awestruck, trying to picture them as children, just like us, these generations ahead, these beloved people with whom we share a vital connection.
Over the past decades, we’ve become a people apart, and family isn’t what it once was. We no longer have generations growing up in the same neighborhoods, sharing every holiday and celebration. We’re distanced, disconnected from our roots. The recent surge in popularity of DNA and genetics testing shows this lack of connection is affecting humanity - everyone wants to find that missing piece. We understand this need, and recognize it for what it is. The Ancestors are calling.
We are of those who have come before us, both physically and spiritually. Linda Hogan writes of this in Dwellings: A Spiritual History of the Living World. She tells of a walk in the forest, listening to the Earth speak, and then “suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.” To truly know one ’s self, we must not merely be aware of our ancestors, we must acknowledge them and be grateful for their presence in our lives. We understand the endurance of Spirit, of the connection that continues even after death, and by communing with our Ancestors we lengthen the thread of that connection, and their knowledge becomes ours, too. During Samhain, when the Wheel begins the year once more, the veil is thinnest between realms and communication with spirits is easiest. If you’ve never reached out, this is the perfect time to try.
Create sacred space. You may already have a place of ritual; if not, set up in a quiet place where you can spend some uninterrupted time. Set up an ancestor altar – white candles for Fire, a bowl of Water, perhaps feathers for Air and shells or stones for Earth. Deity representations and ritual tools can be included if you use them. Add memorabilia – use a bowl from your grandmother to hold Water, a favorite book or food that reminds you of those who have crossed. Photos are a perfect addition, and a drum or rattle to raise energy is always a lovely idea. Meditative music or chanting would be appropriate, as well.
Burn incense that reminds you of your loved one. Palo Santo is my favorite for communication, but use what you like. Raise the energy, gain permissions, invite the Guardians and make offerings as you usually would. Once you are prepared, sit quietly. Focus on the Spirit and ancestors. Speak aloud your desire for communication, your willingness to receive any message they may want to share. A chant, a drum beat, a rhythm to charge the connection is perfect here. But always, keep your focus. And then … wait. Remember, messages may come right away– an instant knowledge, an immediate peace – or they may come later, in a dream, or as a sign. Be patient, and be grateful for the opportunity to share time with them.
Close as you would your other rituals, and then take a little time for reflection. Make offerings of thanks and remembrance, and perhaps journal the experience for later reflection. This can be done any time of the year, in a ritual setting or as a passing conversation. I leave my ancestor altar set all year round, and speak with my grandmother every day. I greet her when I pass the altar, and we often cook together. I miss having her physically in my life, but she’s absolutely still with me now.
Knowing where we come from – both the positive and the negative – helps guide us to where Spirit wants us to be. Be patient in your Journey, but open to whatever comes your way. May you be Blessed in all you do.
Rowan
Toni (Rowan) is a mom, a mimi, a friend, lover and free spirit. A native of San Francisco, she currently practices her Craft on the east coast and hits the beach whenever clarity and focus are needed. A Celtic hedgewitch, she is most at home in the kitchen, the garden, or in her workshop creating teas and remedies and assorted pretty things for the shop. When not working or creating, Rowan can be found with her houseful of minions (1 girl-child, 4 boys, 1 grandboy and 1 lovely man who adores her), looking for new and exciting adventures or reading a great book. She continues the search for the perfect spot of land in Oregon to call her own, and looks forward to the day when she can Witch for a living.
Stop in and say hello online at http://www.thelapisdragon.com orhttps://www.facebook.com/TheLapisDragon/
Stop in and say hello online at http://www.thelapisdragon.com orhttps://www.facebook.com/TheLapisDragon/
Today's Recipe: Spicy October Morning Pumpkin Bread
In the Fall, we see pumpkins everywhere! Decorating porches, hearths, garden centers and grocery stores. This of course leads to lot of pumpkin recipes! This nut bread recipe is one of my very favorite. It’s dense and rich and spicy and perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack with coffee or to give as gifts to your neighbors and friends. You’ll love it!
Spicy October Morning Pumpkin Bread
(Makes 2)
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1-1/3 cups packed brown sugar
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin (Use fresh pumpkin if you’d rather of course)
Cooking spray
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350º.
Combine flour and the next 7 ingredients (flour through cloves) in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Combine sugar and the next 5 ingredients (sugar through pumpkin) in a bowl, and stir well with a whisk until smooth. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist.
Spoon batter into 2 (8 x 4-inch) loaf pans coated with cooking spray, and sprinkle with walnuts. Bake at 350º for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool loaves in pans 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pans. sprinkle a little natural sugar on the top. Cool loaves.
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: Tarot Reading from Touch of the Goddess
Celtic Dragon Tarot Reading!
Readings are for 1 hour by phone (USA only), Skype, or FaceTime. $75 value.
Here's how to enter:
US Residents
US Residents
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 5 entries, please correctly answer the following question in the comments section:
What animal is on the Canadian quarter?
What animal is on the Canadian quarter?
You have until 11:59pm EDT to enter this giveaway. Winner will be announced in tomorrow's post.
Entries submitted without email addresses or past the deadlines will be considered invalid. Canadian residents: you must answer the question correctly to be entered.
Good luck!
That's it for today. See you tomorrow for more Sireny fun!
Happy Samhaining!
Entries submitted without email addresses or past the deadlines will be considered invalid. Canadian residents: you must answer the question correctly to be entered.
Good luck!
That's it for today. See you tomorrow for more Sireny fun!
Happy Samhaining!
Don't let the title fool you. With the Sirens, there are no wrong turns ;) You're exactly where we want you to be- here with us! ...
