Samhain's Sirens Day 10, October 11

Happy Friday!

Any big plans for the weekend? At this point, there should be lots of fall festivities going on.. haunted hayrides, apple cider, pumpkin patches.. enjoy!!

Remember, if you need anything, email us or use the contact form at the top of the page :)

Today, we honor Ray Orbison

Friday's Forget Me Not

In case you didn't see it last week, I'm taking the Fridays of this season to honor a Pagan who has passed through The Veil. It may be someone with whom I've interacted personally, or I just know him/her through accomplished works. Regardless, they have touched my life in some way, and I want to give them proper remembrance at this time of year.

I ask that you hold each one in your heart, if only for the time you are reading this. If you feel so inclined, light a candle in his/her honor. Thank you.
Read the rest at The Secret Life of the American Witch blog.

Today, Robyn from Museiddity.com shares a project that is part craft, part ritual. Enjoy!

Wreath of Intention (or New Beginnings Wreath)

By Robyn Chausse

This project celebrates Samhain as both a beginning and an end; the end of summer and beginning of a new cycle. As the Earth releases her spent energies to be recycled into new growth, we also can take this opportunity to let go of what we no longer need; transmuting that energy into what better serves us now. But sometimes deciding what we are ready to release or embrace takes a bit of pondering.

I created this Wreath of Intention to give me a visual prompt throughout the month. Keeping a stack of “scrolls” nearby invites any passerby to stop and jot down their thoughts on what they are ready to release (old habits, beliefs that no longer serve, past relationships) and what they are ready to accept or invite into their life for the coming year. As the month progresses, just seeing the wreath increases the intention and builds the energy. On Samhain, I toss the entire wreath into the fire which, to me, is like stating “So Be It.” The fire purifies the energy and carries all intentions to Spirit. I hope this adds a special little something to your own celebration. Blessed be!

Craft Materials

Hand pruners

An armful of small branches (optionally, cut your wreath form from a sturdy cardboard box)

Twine or string

Scissors

Pretty paper, cut into note sized pieces (4 x 4)

Large sheet or tarp to protect floor while sorting wood or work surface (optional)

Craft Steps

This is the fun part…grab you pruners and go outside! Gather a selection of small branches or vines. Look for dead branches and fallen limbs. Once you have a good armful you may want to rinse them off before bringing them inside.

Sort your branches into piles according to size. Trim off some of the twigs—you can leave a few at the ends of the branches for a decorative touch. 

Begin by forming your star with some of the smaller branches. Once you like the way the sticks lie, tie them together at each crossing point. The size of the star will give you an idea of the diameter needed for the ring. 

(A note on tying the branches together… be sure to tie your branches by crossing over the intersected areas in an “x” format so that the sticks are secure in both directions.)

Put the star aside and begin building your ring. Choose some of the more sturdy branches and lay them in a circle. Once you have a complete circle, tie the sticks at each crossing. It is easier to secure your base now and then build on it. 

Continue adding branches, securing them as you go. Once you like the look of your ring, finish securing it at all points where the branches cross. The more points secured the more sturdy the wreath. When you feel you are finished, pick it up and hold it as if it were hanging. Secure any fragile areas. 

Now you are ready to add your star. Place your star in the middle of the ring and secure it to the inner sides of your wreath. You may wish to add a few decorative twigs to the inner area both for interest and to fill in any gap between the star and the outer ring. If you wish to hang your wreath by a string or ribbon tie it onto the wreath now. Trim off any excess string.

Next, create your scrolls. If your paper is not already cut into squares, do so now.

Cut two small, parallel slits in the top center area of each square. This will create a strip under which to thread your twine. 

Cut a length of twine for each square. Twine should be long enough to go around the scroll and then tie it to a spot on your wreath.

Insert a piece of twine under the slit in each square with the ends showing on the printed side of the paper. 

Hang your wreath and leave a stack of scroll papers and pen nearby. Invite friends and family to fill write something they wish to release on one scroll and something they wish to invite on another. Roll each paper into a scroll and secure it to the wreath. I usually tie the things I wish to release widdershins down the left side (counterclockwise) and those things I invite down the right.

As part of your Samhain ritual, toss your wreath into the fire to release intentions to Spirit.

Apple Buttermilk Waffles

*This recipe makes 4 waffles...but easy enough to double or triple!

2 cups milk
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 cups pancake mix
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup golden delicious apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped

Combine milk, eggs, butter, pancake mix and cinnamon in a large bowl.   Beat until better is smooth.  Fold in apples.  Pour batter in 1/4 cupfuls onto a heated waffle iron.  Bake according to your waffle iron’s instructions.

Serve topped with maple syrup and powdered sugar.
Blessings
Autumn

Today's Giveaway comes from Robyn at Creations by RLC

Fluorite Earrings

Handmade, one of a kind earrings set with genuine, 10mm fluorite cabochons. Clay pendants dusted with dragon’s blood for a bit of autumn color! French hooks.  Measure 2” long.

Retail Value: $15

Aren't they stunning? 

Here's how to enter to win these beauties!

Here’s how to enter: You have until 6am EDT Monday to enter. 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 on the October 14h blog post at 9am EDT.

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 :)

You MUST provide a valid email address to enter the contest.

1. Go to RLC Creations . Find your favorite item, come back here, and tell us about it in the comment section. (1 entry)

2. Blog about this giveaway (make sure you link back here), come back and leave us a link to your blog. (1 entry)

3. Tweet about this giveaway (link to us, please), come back, and leave us a link to your tweet (1 entry)

4. Be a follower of this blog, Samhain's Sirens (1 entry)

5. Like Samhains Sirens on Facebook (1 entry)

Note: If you want your entries to count as separate entries, you must post them separately. If you post 1 comment with all of these on it, it will only count as 1 entry.

Canadian residents, by law, instead of the above, you must answer the following question to be eligible:

What is 9-2?

What's cool about being a Canadian? You automatically get 5 entries per giveaway for just answering 1 question! But, you still have to give us a valid email address ;)

The Winner of yesterday's giveaway from Boline Apothecary is:

                                                              Cyndi Richards

Tune in tomorrow for Sosanna's Craftacular Saturday, and Loren's Mixed Drink recipe! Remember, you have until Monday at 6am EDT to enter this and tomorrow's giveaways. Have a great weekend!