October 27: Samhain's Sirens Maniacal Monday!

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!