October 28: Why-are-we-searching-the-basement Wednesday!

You know you've asked the question... why, if the killer is in the basement, would you go down there?

Let's be stupid daring today! It's our last Wednesday and we're only three days from Samhain! Let's get to the party!

And the winner of the Visions by Volante Giveaway is...

Jonquil Alexia!

Today's Blogger: Danette Wilson

Witch's Night-Samhain

Black crow, turn back, hollow root,
Bare branches shiver like a reedy flute.
Foxes bark as their  night blood hums,
Wild is the darkness that we become.

I lovingly invite them to my house every year. They stay about a month and a half. I start getting their invites back in late June and July, right when the heat and noise of summer are a little too much and I need to just step back. I look forward to their arrival, Bats dancing in the air, Witches cackling at the door. Spiders about with bigger than life webs. The food is always out for them too….candied apples in the kitchen, candy corn in glass.  Devil's Food cake, Deviled Eggs. The Vampire blood lets me know they're happy. The ghosts energetically communicate with breezes and the skeletons hang alongside. I am in my element at last.

The night sky seems to twinkle more now or is it just me? The trees whisper on my walks. Most people say the year will be ending soon, but for me it's just the beginning. It's bigger than life. New Year's Eve for us nonmortals. Death warmed over takes on a whole new meaning when you adore this many candles about the house.

Witches rule at Halloween. The veil is thin and spririts are at play. Cool winds blow as orange and red leaves whirl from trees, crunching under feet. The scent of the Wild Ones about. A time of mystery and resonant with Wild Magic.  Blackbirds fly, companions of Witches.

It's now that a magical person can take the deepest, freest breaths and remember their own magic, and how much joy that brings, how wonderful it feels and how it connects us to that awesome web of life that holds us all.

In the European traditions, Samhain is the night when the old God dies, and the Crone Goddess mourns him deeply for the next six weeks.  The popular image of her as the old Halloween hag menacingly stirring her cauldron comes from the Celtic belief that all dead souls return to her cauldron of  life, death, and rebirth to await reincarnation.

Here is some October Magic.

Grab a scarecrow and put him in the yard or porch with the intent of protection for family as well as house.

Write what you wish to see recede from your life on paper, and hide it in the earth near a tree you like or in it's hollow, to rot down and be swallowed up by the energy of the dying year.

Hillsides are ablaze with flame colored trees, and darkened streets lit by glowing Jack O Lanterns. Carve your pumpkin for whatever you wish now, enchanting it to attract or protect as it's inner candle burns.

Orange candles now available can be lit for what you want to attract, energy, ambition, sales, goals.

Black candles readily available now can be lit for protection, binding, banishing. Hold one and let it take all the stress you have. See it all going away into the candle. Light it and as it burns your troubles are melting. Feel the peace.

Be unafraid of Shadows dark
And to their whispers
Do Not Hark
Unfriendly words
You do Not hear
No worry, trouble
Loss or Fear

The perfect Tarot for this season is The Halloween Tarot by Karin Lee and Kipling West.  The cards are filled with moons, cats, devils, bats and magic. Just the spirit for this season. Kipling West said it best “I wanna live in Halloweentown, too”!  Yes I wish this season could last all year too. It does, in my heart.


Danette Wilson is a 2nd Degree Witch, who loves to study religions from Santeria to Hoodoo to Voodoo and beyond. She attends Festivals, and Workshops when not writing and adores photography. Born on a Wednesday during the witching hour, Celtic Irish and Scottish on her Dad's side, with Mom's side blending a Grandpa Gypsy tarot reader from Budapest, Hungary and a Grandma from Bratislava, Slovakia. A love of exploring, and travel from living with the Masai in Africa, to climbing Tulum in Mexico, to tracing the path of Dracula through the Romanian countryside. Life is a journey.

The Siren's Song with Jennifer Rasmussen

This one goes out to Sam Dambach, our favorite horror Siren

Today's Recipe with Autumn Earthsong

Samhain is upon us.  Are you feeling it?  I sure am.  I especially feel so attuned to my ancestors and the thinning of the veil this time of year.  I think of my grandmother a lot.  She is the reason for so many things in my life….from gardening to cooking and more.  I remember well her pecan pies. They were always perfect and so good!  This pecan pie bars and a simpler way of enjoying that great taste on a smaller scale   I hope you have a lovely visit with YOUR ancestors for Samhain!

Pecan Pie Bars
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 1/3 cup plus 1 Tb butter, divided
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup honey
3 Tbs whipping cream
3 1/2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 350*
Sift together flour and powdered sugar. Cut in 3/4 cup softened butter using a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Pat mixture on bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of lightly greased 13” x 9” baking pan.
Bake crust at 350* for 20 minutes or until edges are lightly golden brown.  Cool
Bring brown sugar, honey, 2/3 cup butter and whipping cream to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring so it doesn’t burn.

Stir in pecans and pour into prepared crust.  Return to oven and bake at 350* for 25-30 mins, until golden and bubbly.
Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into squares

These are so good with caramel sauce poured on them, or blend a little maple syrup into some whipped cream and top with that. Yummy!

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

Ruby

Ruby is an excellent stone for energy and balance, however some people who is delicate this stone may over stimulate them. A great motivation stone and for setting goals that is realistic.

Ruby not only balances the heart but is great for to stimulate the heart chakra. If you are experiencing psychic attack this is the stone that you want as a shielding stone.  Ruby will help you with positive dreams and help with abundance, wealth and passion.

Today's Giveaway from Sosanna's Closet

Sosanna's Closet original Samhain Altar Candle
The glass measures a hefty 5 inches x 4 inches and is elegantly etched with the following message:
"Honoring the wisdom of the ancestors" with a stunning Pentacle emblazoned on the back.  Includes our choice of decorative gravel and 3 tealights.

This lovely piece retails for 55.00 plus 12.65 for priority shipping and insurance.

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

Like/Get Notifications on the Sosanna's Closet 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 Sosanna's Closet. Come back and tell us what you like best in the comments.

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:

 Canada's most northerly point is this cape in Nunavut.


This giveaway is open until 9pm EDT 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!