Backyard Diva

First Five Years of The Essential Herbal Magazine

Tina Sams, editor of The Essential Herbal magazine, has compiled the first five years of the magazine into a new book. Under the Sun; The First Five Years, has just been publishing by the Sibling Group. The paperback book is 224 pages long and includes black & white photographs and illustrations to accompany some of the articles.

Your very own Backyard Diva, AKA Lynn Smythe, has two of her articles reprinted in this book. My “Magic in the Kitchen” article appears on pages 35-37 and includes 3 recipes for herb infused goodies. The recipes include Cinnamon Almond Drops, Salmon Fiesta with Basil & Thyme and Vegetable Latkes with Garlic Chives. My other article, “Herbal Picnic Basket”, appears on pages 50-52 and includes 11 delicious recipes to serve at your next picnic.

My Chive Dip recipe is reprinted here with permission.

Chive Dip by Lynn Smythe

This dip is a wonderful accompaniment to fresh, raw vegetables such as carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower and radishes.

Ingredients for the Chive Dip

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup fresh chives - snipped with scissors
• 1 tablespoon fresh sage - minced
• 2 cloves garlic - minced
• 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt

Directions for the Chive Dip

1. In a medium sized mixing bowl, add all the ingredients and mix well.
2. Place in a small storage container with a tight fitting lid.
3. Let chill for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator before using to allow all the flavors to meld together.

Here’s information on the book from the Essential Herbal website:

We are in the 7th year of publication here at The Essential Herbal Magazine. The first several years were filled with wonderful stuff, but the audience was very limited. Most of those issues sold out long ago. So we took the 15 spring and summer issues from those 5 years (Mar/Apr, May/June, and July/Aug), and put them together into a truly fabulous book. Over 200 pages, sized 8.5 x 11, filled with all the things readers have come to expect from The Essential Herbal. Internal pages are black and white, and the book is paperback bound.

We reworked some of the early stuff, combined things into reasonable chapters - like “The Stillroom”, “The Kitchen”, “Just Weeds”, and “Herbal First Aid”, and added a few surprises. There are articles on gardening, favorite backyard remedies, wild eats, and tons of crafting ideas.If you are a beginner, you need this book. If you’ve been an herbie for a while, you’ll love this book!

Price: $24.95. Order online from the Essential Herbal .

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

Herbal Fact Sheet; Rue

Herb Profile: Rue

Overview: Rue is a semi-evergreen, subshrub which is native to southern Europe. Rue, with it’s lacy, blue-green leaves, makes a nice ornamental planting in the herb garden. Rue also produces small, delicate yellow flowers in late summer.

Latin Name: Ruta graveolens

Common Name: Rue

Alternative Names: Herb of grace, herby grass

Zones: Hardy to USDA Zones 4-9

Mature Size: 24 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. Leaves grow 4 to 6 inches long.
Sun Exposure: Full sun. Rue can stand partial shade especially in hotter climates.

Varieties of Interest:
R. graveolens "Blue curl’ - curled leaves.
R. graveolens ‘Jackman‘s blue‘ - intensely blue-green foliage.
R. graveolens ‘Variegata’ - variegated cream and green foliage.

Growing Tips: Rue can suffer from root rot and fungal diseases if the growing conditions become too damp. Keeping the soil a bit on the dry side is better than keeping the soil too damp.

All varieties of rue can be grown indoors, in containers. However, rue has a pungent, musky odor that some people may find disagreeable.

Starting New Plants: From seeds, stem cuttings or by root division.

Maintenance Tips: Prune rue back to within a few inches of the ground after it has finished flowering. Rue can also be pruned back in the early spring, if necessary, to help promote bushy growth.

If rue is bothered by aphids, wash them off with a blast of water from the garden hose. Severely affected leaves can be cut off the plant and discarded.

Parts Used: The fresh leaves can be used in floral arrangements. Add a few stems to a vase of flowers for an interesting look. The dried seed pods can be used in dried floral arrangements, wreaths and as an ornamental addition to potpourri.

Cautions: Rue was once used for a variety of culinary and medicinal purposes. However, due to safety concerns, it should only be grown for ornamental purposes in the modern garden.

Coming into contact with the essential oils in the plants leaves can cause photosensitivity, or a poison ivy-like rash in susceptible individuals. Be sure to wear gloves when working with this herb in the garden. Plant rue towards the back of the garden, away from any pathways where anyone may accidentally brush up against the plant.

Rue was used medicinally to help regulate and stimulate menstruation. However, rue was once used to induce abortion. Just to be safe, rue should be avoided by pregnant women.

The Nine Herbs Charm

ABOVE: Woden

The nine herbs charm is part of the Lacnunga text. The Lacnunga is an ancient 11th century Anglo-Saxon manuscript written around 1000 AD. The original manuscript, referred to as Harley 585, is currently housed in the British Museum. Various translations of the Lacnunga have been published throughout the years such as Stephen Pollington’s book Leechcraft; Early English Charms, Plant Lore and Healing.

The herbs mentioned in this charm are the nine sacred herbs of the Anglo-Saxons which were thought to have been given to humans by Woden the God of healing.

The nine sacred herbs are:
-una = mugwort - Artemisisa vulgaris
-waybread = plantain - Plantago major
-stune = lamb’s cress - Nasturtium officinalis
-atterlothe = betony - Stachys betonica
-maythe = chamomile - Anthemis nobilis
-wergulu = nettle - Utricia dioca
-crab apple - Pyrus malus
-chervil - Anthriscus cerefolim
-fennel - Foeniculum vulgare

The Nine Herbs Charm was supposed to help the person reciting it to heal a sick person by invoking the god Woden and his skills as a healer.

“Remember, Mugwort, what you made known,
what you arranged at Regenmeld.
You were called Una, the oldest of herbs,
you have power against three and against thirty,
you have power against poison and against infection,
you have power against the loathsome foe roving through the land.

And you, waybread, mother of herbs,
open from the east, mighty inside.
Over you chariots creaked, over you queens rode,
over you brides cried out, over you bulls snorted.
You withstood all of them, you dashed against them.
May you likewise withstand poison and infection
and the loathsome foe roving through the land.

'Stune' is the name of this herb, it grew on a stone,
it stands up against poison, it dashes against poison,
it drives out the hostile one, it casts out poison.
This is the herb that fought against the snake,
it has power against poison, it has power against infection,
it has power against the loathsome foe roving through the land.
Now, atterlothe, put to flight now, Venom-loather, the greater poisons,
though you are the lesser,
you the mightier, conquer the lesser poisons, until he is cured of both.

Remember, maythe, what you made known,
what you accomplished at Alorford,
that never a man should lose his life from infection
after maythe was prepared for his food.
This is the herb that is called 'Wergulu'.
A seal sent it across the sea-right,
a vexation to poison, a help to others.
It stands against pain, it dashes against poison,
it has power against three and against thirty,
against the hand of a fiend and against mighty devices,
against the spell of mean creatures.

There the Apple accomplished it against poison
that she [the loathsome serpent] would never dwell in the house.
Chervil and Fennel, two very mighty one.
They were created by the wise Lord,
holy in heaven as He hung;
He set and sent them to the seven worlds,
to the wretched and the fortunate, as a help to all.”

This section of the Nine Herbs Charm is sometimes referred to as the ‘Lay of the Nine Twigs of Woden’.

“These nine have power against nine poisons.
A worm came crawling, it killed nothing.
For Woden took nine glory-twigs,
he smote the adder that it flew apart into nine parts.

Now these nine herbs have power against nine evil spirits,
against nine poisons and against nine infections:
Against the red poison, against the foul poison.
against the yellow poison, against the green poison,
against the black poison, against the blue poison,
against the brown poison, against the crimson poison.
Against worm-blister, against water-blister,
against thorn-blister, against thistle-blister,
against ice-blister, against poison-blister.
Against harmfulness of the air, against harmfulness of the ground,
against harmfulness of the sea.
If any poison comes flying from the east,
or any from the north, [or any from the south,]
or any from the west among the people.

Woden stood over diseases of every kind.
I alone know a running stream,
and the nine adders beware of it.
May all the weeds spring up as herbs from their roots,
the seas slip apart, all salt water,
when I blow this poison from you.”

The following section of the Nine Herbs Charm describes how to prepare and use the nine healing herbs while singing, or chanting the charm.

“Mugwort, waybread open form the east, lamb's cress, atterlothe, maythe, nettle, crab-apple, chervil and fennel, old soap; pound the herbs to a powder, mix them with the soap and the juice of the apple. Then prepare a paste of water and of ashes, take fennel, boil it with the paste and wash it with a beaten egg when you apply the salve, both before and after.

Sing this charm three times on each of the herbs before you prepare them, and likewise on the apple. And sing the same charm into the mouth of the man and into both his ears, and on the wound, before you apply the salve.”

Take care,
The Backyard Diva

Alchemists, Mystics & Healers

ABOVE: Paracelsus

Empedocles of Agrigentum
Empedocles was a Greek philosopher (c. 490-430 BC) who was interested in the study and practice of natural history, medicine and mystical religion. He was purported to be a prophet, physician, religious teacher and worker of miracles. He introduced the theory of the four roots or elements namely fire, air, earth and water.

The following translation of a work attributed to Empedocles could be used as a modern-day nature charm. This translation comes from Arthur Fairbanks book The First Philosophers of Greece which was published in 1898.

“Cures for evils whatever there are, and protection against old age shalt thou learn, since for thee alone will I accomplish all these things. Thou shalt break the power of untiring gales which rising against the earth blow down the crops and destroy them; and, again, whenever thou wilt, thou shalt bring their blasts back; and thou shalt bring seasonable drought out of dark storm for men, and out of summer drought thou shalt bring streams pouring down from heaven to nurture the trees…”

Hildegard von Bingen
Saint Hildegard (1098-1179) was a 12th century Benedictine abbess. She wrote about the healing powers of natural materials such as herbs for their curative properties. She worked on the books Physica (Medicine or Book of Medicinal Simples) and Causae et Curae (Causes and Cures or Book of Compound Medicine) between 1151 and 1158.

Hildegard was a healer, saint, mystic and poet. Her book Physica is divided into 9 parts the largest of which is the 90 page section entitled Plants. The other sections cover elements, trees, stones, fish, birds, animals, reptiles and metals. This book was originally published in Latin. A modern-day English translation was published by Priscilla Throop in 1998. See the bibliography for further information.

Hildegard recommended having a supply of lavender on hand because: “It curbs many evil things and, because of it, malign spirits are terrified.” And she mentioned that one should always have a supply of pimpernel on hand: “…you should always have it hung from your neck. This enables you to withstand demonic invocations, magic formulas, and other enchantments which are not caused by something you have eaten or drunk.”

Paracelsus
Paracelsus, whose full name was Auroleus Phillipus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, was a Swiss occultist, healer, alchemist, astrologist, writer, philosopher and physician who practiced the doctorine of signatures. The doctorine of signatures was the theory that like cured like. That is, the plant was supposed to resemble its cure. For example daisies which resembled eyes were thought to be useful in curing complaints of the eye.

Paracelsus lived from 1493 to 1541 and was a contemporary of Henry Cornelius Agrippa. He believed that “there is nothing dead in nature, everything is organic and living, and therefore the world appears to be a living organism.“ He thought that disease was caused by external agents which attacked the body. Although he often relied more heavily upon chemical drugs than herbal remedies a study of this interesting man should be of interest to the hedge witch. His teachings and ideas were an interesting mixture of magical mysticism and science.

Take care,
The Backyard Diva

Kitchen Witchcraft

“…the term kitchen witch refers to pagans who practice informally, with the tools at hand and a deep appreciation for the sacred in the everyday.“
-Cait Johnson, Witch in the Kitchen

A kitchen witch is usually a solitary practitioner of folk magic and herb lore. They don’t have spend a lot of time or money acquiring a collection of magical tools in order to conduct their rituals. For instance, a wooden spoon can become a wand, a drinking glass can be used as a chalice, and the dinning room table can act as a temporary altar.

A kitchen witch uses whatever is found around the home to work magic and is focused on making their own recipes, lotions and potions which often feature herbs and spices. Kitchen witches may also be experienced gardeners who grow many of their own herbs and vegetables.

The Kitchen as a Sacred Space
Before you begin to cook you should take the time to prepare your kitchen so that it has a healthy balance of positive energy. You can use a broom, which is also called a besom in certain pagan traditions, to ritualistically sweep away any negative energy that may be present in the kitchen. An added bonus is that you are also clearing the floor of any dirt and debris that may be present making for a neat and tidy environment in which to create your kitchen masterpieces. Then you may want to smudge the kitchen by burning a bundle of white sage which cleanses and purifies the air. Burning a green candle while you are cooking symbolizes the healing power of the all natural, herbs that you are adding to your recipes.

You may also want to cleanse yourself before undertaking any magical work. A ritual herbal bath can help to purify your body, mind and soul. Add a handful of fresh or dried herbs to a muslin bag or tie the herbs in the middle of a double layer of cheese cloth. Some favorite herbs to use include rosemary, peppermint and basil but use whatever ones that you find to be the most pleasing or that have a special magical significance to you.

Place the herb bag into the tub as the water is being drawn. This herb bag can also be used to scrub and cleanse your skin while you are enjoying your bath. The herb bag should be wrung out and discarded at the end of your bath. The contents of the used herb bag can be added to your compost bin to be recycled back into our sacred mother earth.

To further enhance the mood of the cleansing bath light some unscented white or green candles to place throughout the bathroom in order to enjoy their ambiance while partaking of your purifying ritual. You could also use scented candles that correspond to the aroma of the herbs that you have added to your herb bag to further enhance this ritual.

Resources
If you would like to learn more about the kitchen witch tradition here are a few books to research.

Kitchen Witchery; A Compendium of Oils, Unguents, Incense, Tinctures & Comestibles by Marilyn Daniel. Published by Weiser Books, 2002. Paperback, 274 pages.

Kitchen Witch’s Guide to Divination; Finding, Crafting & Using Fortune-Telling Tools from Around Your Home by Patricia Telesco. Published by New Page Books, 2004. Paperback, 218 pages.

The Kitchen Witch Companion; Simple and Sublime Culinary Magic by Patricia Telesco. Published by Citadel Press, 2005. Paperback, 296 pages.

The Wicca Cookbook; Recipes, Ritual & Lore by Jamie Wood and Tara Seefeldt. Published by Celestial Arts, 2000. Paperback, 200 pages.

Witch in the Kitchen; Magical Cooking for All Seasons by Cait Johnson. Published by Destiny Books, 2001. Paperback, 224 pages.

Take care,
The Backyard Diva

Animal Spirits

ABOVE: Phoenix Rising From the Ashes

“To merge with the animal nature through imitation is to invoke the primal force of the god or goddess reflected within.”
-Raven Grimassi, Hereditary Witchcraft

Shamans often ask for the assistance of their animal spirit who act as a guardian to the shaman while they partake of their journey to the spirit world. Animal spirits are used to bring more power to one’s magic. The use of animal spirits is a form of sympathetic magic. The witch or shaman was believed to take on certain desired characteristics of their animal spirit, these characteristics made the magic that was practiced more powerful and meaningful. Native Americans, witches, and other shamans often use a variety of animal spirits in their practice of shamanism in order to visit the spirit world.

A similar concept is that of animal familiars. Witches and wizards were believed to be able to temporarily remove their soul from their body and store it in their animal familiar. The most common and magically powerful animal familiars associated with witches were thought to be cats, hares, serpents, foxes, and toads.

Some of the more common attributes associated with each of these animal spirits have been listed for your convenience. Choose the animal spirits you want to work with according to the characteristics that you want to emulate while working your magic. Or you may choose to work with the animals that you feel a special affinity towards.

Traditional animal spirits:
Bear - astral travel, change, healing, primal power, solitude, transformation.

Bee - chastity, immortality, industry, purity, rebirth, secret wisdowm, spirit.

Boar - courage, direction, leadership, strength, warrior.

Bull - death, fertility, resurrection.

Butterfly - metamorphosis, rebirth, soul.

Cat - guardianship, magic, mystery, protection, reincarnation, sensuality, wisdom.

Coyote - illumination, insight, intelligence, prankster, shape-shifting, stealth.

Crow - boldness, cunning, divination, omen, prophecy, shape-shifting, swiftness, thief, trickery.

Deer - gentleness, grace, healing, independence, innocence, kindness, love, nobility, pride, psychic powers, purification, sensitivity, strength, swiftness.

Dolphin - balance, change, freedom, harmony, trust, wisdom.

Dragonfly - change, grace, power of light, swiftness, truth.

Eagle - clear vision, courage, creation, healing, intelligence, renewal, spiritual power, swiftness, strength, wisdom.

Fox - cleverness, cunning, intelligence, invisibility, persistence, protection, provider, shape-shifting, slyness, stealth, swiftness, wisdom.

Frog/toad - cleansing, faith, fertility, healing, magic, medicine, miracles, sensitivity, shamanism, transformation.

Goat - fertility, independence, power, preserver, protection, sexuality, virility.

Goose - fertility, fidelity, innocence, luck, parenthood, vigilance .

Hare/rabbit - alertness, balance, humility, fertility, nurturing, rebirth, rejuvenation, resurrection.

Horse - astral travel, endurance, freedom, grace, journey, magical ability, movement, power, stamina, strength, travel, vitality.

Owl - freedom, healing, insight, omens, patience, shape-shifting, truth, watchfulness.

Raven - creation, healing, initiation, magic, protection, shape-shifting, teacher, trickster, wisdom.

Salmon - abundance, fertility, psychic ability, secret wisdom.

Scorpion - attacking from the rear, death and rebirth, transmutation of poison.

Shark - defensive ability, guardian, protector, savior, shape shifter.

Snake - healing, immortality, initiation, rebirth, resurrection, transformation, wisdom.

Swan - balance, beauty, dreams, empathy, grace, innocence, intuition, longevity, love, mystic, sensitive, soul.

Turtle - longevity, navigation, wisdom.

Whale - psychic, record keeper, telepathic.

Wolf - cunning, guardianship, intuition, learning, loyalty, perseverance, ritual, stability, teaching.

Mythical animal spirits:
Use these animal spirits to help guide the darker aspects of your magical workings. They can be evoked to help with banishing spells or to help prevent attack from evil entities or to send an evil spell back to its sender.

Basilisk - an ancient mythological creature said to be the king of serpents possessing lethal breath and a gaze that could turn anyone into stone.

Centaur - part human, part horse. Healer, teacher.

Chimera - a monster of Greek mythology. Part lion, part goat, part serpent and which breathes flames. Elusive delusion, fantasy, figment of imagination.

Dragon - ancient powers, enlightenment, intelligence, protection.

Gargoyle - dissolves negativity, protector of light, silent guardian.

Gryphon - head and wings of an eagle, legs and tail of a lion. The gryphon represents daring, physical protection and revenge.

Hydra - a water serpent of Greek mythology with many heads, when one of the heads is cut off 2 more will grow back. The hydra represents immortality.

Minotaur - head of a bull, body of a man. The minotaur represents arrogance, isolation, strength, strong will and vanity.

Pegasus - a horse with wings. The Pegasus represents astral travel, boundaries, emotion, humility, inspiriation and protection.

Phoenix - rebirth, regeneration, reincarnation, renewal, spiritual growth.

Take care,
The Backyard Diva

Healing Properties of Gemstones

ABOVE: Malachite Slab

While any type of stone can be used for a variety of magical and healing purposes I am listing my personal favorites which I like to work with on a continual basis.

The element associated with each of the stones is also listed for reference purposes. Most white and pale to medium yellow stones are associated with the element air. Red and orange gemstones are associated with the element fire along with stones that are formed directly by fire such as obsidian. Blue and brilliant green stones are associated with the water element. Mossy or dull green and brown colored stones are most often associated with the earth element. Clear or purple colored stones are often associated with spirit.

Amethyst - AKA wine stone. Amethyst is a form of quartz and is used as a charm against drunkenness. Inner peace, meditation, psychic energy, spirituality. Amethyst is a perfect stone to meditate on prior to conducting shamanic journeys. This tone can also be used for digestive disorders, insomnia, headaches, and mental problems along with problems with the skin, teeth, heart, and stomach. Element = spirit, Zodiac sign = Pisces, Virgo, Aquarius, Capricorn.

Aquamarine - AKA stone of courage. Use aquamarine for help with intellectual pursuits, spirituality. Helps alleviate swollen glands along with problems with the eyes, teeth, and bones. Element = water, Zodiac sign = Gemini, Pisces, Aries.

Aventurine - AKA deity stone. Balances god and goddess energy and enhances ones creativity. Helps with disorders of the lungs, heart, and adrenal glands. Element = water, Zodiac sign = Aries.

Blue lace agate - AKA water stone. Arthritis, broken bones, fingernails, pancreas, brain, eyes, nervous system, digestion. Element = water, Zodiac sign = Pisces.

Carnelian - physical energy, creativity, compassion, spirituality. Helps to rid one of fear, rage, and envy. Used to alleviate allergies, colds, gall and kidney stones. Element = fire, Zodiac sign = Taurus, Cancer, Leo.

Citrine - business, wealth, balances yin/yang energy. Also helps with blood and thyroid problems. Element = air, Zodiac sign = Gemini, Aries, Libra, Leo.

Emerald - a powerful stone used for healing. It was also used for a variety of magical purposes. Meditation, memory, intelligence, psychic ability, harmony. Helps heal the spine, lungs, heart, muscles, and eyes. Element = earth, Zodiac sign = Taurus, Gemini, Aries.

Labradorite - destiny, subconscious mind, moon energy, goddess representation, patience, intuition. Used to alleviate problems with the brain, anxiety, and stress. Element = water, Zodiac sign = Scorpio, Leo, Sagittarius.

Lapis lazuli - ancient knowledge, sacred texts, celestial magic, psychic attacks, relationships, knowledge, intuition, mysticism, dream work, self-love and acceptance. Helps heal throat problems and alleviate vertigo. Element = water, Zodiac sign = Sagittarius.

Malachite - transformation, spirituality, insight, balances the mind/body/spirit connection, instinct, intuition, friendship. Asthma, arthritis, swollen joints, tumors. Element = water, Zodiac sign = Capricorn & Scorpio.

Moonstone - AKA wolf’s eye - used to sharpen your perception of spirits and ghosts. This stone is sometimes referred to as the Earth Mother stone. It is also a good stone to use in love spells and to enhance your psychic ability. Element = water, Zodiac sign = Cancer, Libra, Scorpio.

Moss agate - AKA weather stone. Wealth, self-esteem, emotional balance, communication with the plant and animal spirits. Colds, flu, eyes, fungal infections. Element = earth, Zodiac sign = Virgo.

Picture jasper - creative visualization, business endeavors, fellowship, brotherhood. Also used to help alleviate disorders of the skin and kidneys. Element = earth, Zodiac sign = Leo.

Pyrite - Use pyrite for protection and to help shield you from physical danger. Used in intellectual pursuits, love magic, and as a friendship enhancer. Pyrite can be used to help heal bones, cells, lungs and fevers. Element = fire, Zodiac sign = Leo.

Rhodochrosite - AKA stone of love. Dream work, meditation, spirituality. Use with problems with the ears, sinus, ulcers, digestion, heart, thyroid. Element = water, Zodiac sign = Scorpio & Leo.

Rose quartz - AKA stone of harmony. This is a calming and cooling stone which helps to promote peace, gentle love, and friendship. It can also be used by artist and musicians, and writers to add extra creativity to their work. Rose quartz balances yin/yang energy and can be used for emotional healing, stress, tension, vertigo along with problems with the kidneys and adrenal glands. Element = water, Zodiac sign = Taurus & Libra.

Ruby - AKA stone of healing. Ruby is a wonderful stone to help curb excessive bleeding. Red is a color that is often associated with healing and can be used as a powerful shaman stone. Psychic attack, stability, dream work, nurturing, spirituality, health, wealth, knowledge, astral travel. Ruby is commonly used as an aid in love and relationship issues. Used to reduce fever and heart problems. Element = fire, Zodiac sign = Leo, Scorpio, Cancer, Sagittarius.

Sapphire - AKA stone of prosperity. Beauty, joy, peace, intuition, and prosperity. Sapphire can be used as a general healing stone and is especially helpful in alleviating problems with the blood and circulation. Element = water, Zodiac sign = Virgo, Libra & Sagittarius.

Silver - AKA stone of the soul. Silver represents the moon’s energies and help to bring added power to other stones especially when used during new and full moons. Use silver on its own to help eliminate toxins and alleviate vision problems. Also used to bring power to speech, conversation, intuition, and as an aid to astral travel. Element = water, Zodiac sign = Cancer & Aquarius.

Sodalite - Self esteem, logic, intellect, fellowship, solidarity, companionship. Use to heal problems with the glands, digestion, insomnia. Element = water, Zodiac sign = Sagittarius.

Sunstone - AKA stone of the sun. Sunstone represents the healing light of the sun and god energy. Stress reliever, vitality, energy, independence. Use to heal sore throats, ulcers, rheumatism. Element = fire, Zodiac sign = Libra & Leo.

Tiger eye - helps to bring the energies of the sun and earth into balance with one another and can help to bring harmony to left and right brain activity. This stone also acts as a good grounding stone, use for meditation, to enhance psychic ability, and alleviate depression. Helps heal problems with the eyes, throat, spinal column, and broken bones. Element = earth, Zodiac sign = Capricorn.

Tiger iron - Tiger iron is a combination of golden tiger eye, red jasper, and hematite. Use this stone to enhance your creativity, artistic ability, and physical strength. Element = earth, Zodiac sign = Leo.

Topaz - Creativity, love, happiness, meditation, health, wealth. Topaz also helps to heal wounds and skin disorders. Element = air, Zodiac sign = Sagittarius.

Unakite - AKA stone of mysticism. Spirituality, past lives, past events, helps to balance the body/mind/soul connection. Use to bring strength to the reproductive system and for a healthy pregnancy. Element = earth, Zodiac sign = Scorpio.

Take care,
The Backyard Diva

Kitchen Gods and Goddesses

Many pre-Christian societies paid homage to a variety of hearth gods. These hearth gods were thought to bestow good fortune to the household. These gods were often times dressed in red and traveled down the chimney to bless the houses of the people that they were pleased with but were thought to perform mischief if they were angry with the inhabitants of the household. The people would leave offerings such as food and drink on the edge of the hearth or mantle place in order to appease the gods and prevent them from becoming angry with the members of the household. These red clad hearth gods are still worshipped in many Asian societies and may have been the origin of the folklore associated with our modern-day Santa Claus.

Members of ancient tribes thought that fire had tremendous powers. Fire gave ancient peoples warmth and protection from inclement weather, heat in which to cook their food and light to illuminate the darkness of night. The spirits of fire gods are believed to inhabit the wood that is used to start the fires of the hearth and home. You may wish to dedicate your kitchen practices and activities to one or more of these gods and goddesses of the hearth, fire and household.

Kitchen Gods and Goddesses

• Agni - Indian fire god and god of the home and hearth.
• Atar - Zoroastrian god of celestial and terrestrial fire.
• Ayabba - Africa goddess of the hearth.
• Bast - Egyptian cat-headed goddess, goddess of the flame and fire.
• Brigit - Celtic fertility goddess and goddess of the hearth, fire, healing, poetry and wisdom.
• Chantico - Aztec goddess of hearth fires and volcano fires.
• Chiconahui - Aztec goddess of the hearth and guardian of the household.
• Chu Jung - Chinese god of fire.
• Gibil - Babylonian god of fire.
• Ephesus - Greek god of fire and volcanoes.
• Hestia - Greek goddess of the hearth, fire and family life.
• Hyang Api - Indonesian god of fire.
• Hyang Kehen - Indonesian god of the hearth.
• Kagutsuchi - Japanese fire god.
• Kiyoshikojin Seichoji - Japanese god of the cooking stove.
• Loki - Norse god of the hearth, fire and lightning. Also known as the trickster god.
• Ong Tao - Asian god of the hearth, stove and household.
• Pele - Hawaiian fire goddess, goddess of volcanoes.
• Prometheus - Greek Titan, he stole fire from the gods and presented this gift to humans.
• Sanpo Kojin - Japanese god of the hearth.
• Tsao Wang - Chinese god of the hearth and family.
• Ut - Siberian goddess of the hearth.
• Vesta - Roman goddess of the hearth and eternal fires.
• Vulcan - Roman god of fire and volcanoes.
• Xiuhtecuhtli - Aztec fire god.

Take care,
The Backyard Diva

Native American Moons

Native American Indians typically gave a name to each full moon of the year in order to keep track of the changing seasons. The names of these full moons are often listed in farmer’s almanacs as follows:

January - full wolf moon - this is the time of year when the howling of wolves can be heard as they search for prey in the dead of winter.

February - full snow moon - this is the time of year when blizzards and an abundance of snow fall is most common.

March - full worm moon - as the ground begins to thaw out with the return of warmer weather earthworms can be seen making their way to the surface of the soil.

April - full pink moon - the pink flowers of wild ground phlox are blooming in abundance at this time of year.

May - full flower moon - a myriad of flowers are blooming in abundance at this time of year.

June - full strawberry moon - this is the time of year in which strawberries become ripe and are ready to be harvested.

July - full thunder moon - thunder storms are very common during this time of year.

August - full sturgeon moon - these fish are in abundance and readily captured at this time of year.

September - full harvest moon - the time of year in which the majority of the fall crops are harvested. The harvest moon is the name given to the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. If the harvest moon occurs in October then the September full moon is called the corn moon.

October - full hunter’s moon - after the fields have been harvested this is the time of year in which to go hunting.

November - full beaver moon - beavers are very active at this time of year getting ready for the cold winter months.

December - full cold moon - this is the coldest time of year and the month with the shortest day and thus longest night (winter solstice).

Esbats correspond to a particular phase of the moon such as the new moon or full moon. Witches’ covens and other pagan groups often plan their esbat rituals to concur with the full moon of every month. You could use the names of the full moons as a guide to hosting your monthly esbat celebrations. For example your esbat celebration for May could include recipes which incorporate a variety of edible flowers.

Take care,
The Backyard Diva

Cunning Folk

ABOVE: Circe the Sorceress by John William Waterhouse

"Cunning-folk was just one of several terms used in England to describe multi-faceted practitioners of magic who healed the sick and the bewitched, who told fotunes, identified thieves, induced love, and much else besides."
-Owen Davies, Cunning-Folk

Cunning-folk was a term used to describe both men and women that acted as professional healers, magicians, spell casters and fortune tellers. They often lived in the countryside and were most often literate unlike the illiterate peasants that made up the majority of their trade.

Cunning-folk were healers that were known for their use of medicinal herbs and who may also have dealt in love magic, thief detection and fortune telling. In the modern-day these people would be referred to as charmers, fortune tellers or witches.

In 2003 Owen Davies published his book Cunning-Folk; Popular Magic in English History. Mr. Davies maintains the website www.cunningfolk.com which portrays a few of the more interesting cunning men and women of history.

Take care,
The Backyard Diva