Lichenwood Rambles

New Projects: Magickal Mondays

As the Herbal Mentorship and Flower Essence Intensives are coming to an end for 2010, I have had requests to continue classes through the dark half of the year.  To that end I have created the first three "Magickal Mondays" which will take us on a journey to understand the basic concepts of Witchcraft through study and experience of the beautiful divination decks designed by Raven Grimassi and Stephanie Taylor, and illustrated by Mickie Mueller.  

Once a month I welcome you to experience a Magickal Monday at Lichenwood.  Each of these unique classes will begin with a discussion of several cards from the Well Worn Path Deck or Hidden Path Deck, followed by a potluck lunch and a short class, complete with handout, on a metaphysical subject.  Each class costs $25 payable at the door, but you must preregister a week ahead of time.  At least 3 students must register for class to be held.  Class begins at 9am, potluck lunch from 12-1pm, class ends at 3pm.  

Please purchase the two divination decks by Raven Grimassi and Stephanie Taylor, illustrated by Mickie Mueller, “The Well Worn Path” and “The Hidden Path”.  It is certainly acceptable to come to class without them, but you will get more from your experience if you own these decks.  These decks are available at many local occult shops or can be purchased online at Raven's Loft.

You may opt in and opt out.  These are stand alone classes.  If you miss one, you will still enjoy the classes you attend.  Any classes canceled due to bad weather will be rescheduled.
Dates and topics will be announced in advance.  Below are the dates and topics for our first three Magickal Mondays:

Magickal  Monday, November 15, 2010

 
Today we will discuss the following cards:  Wheel of the Year (WWP)Maiden (WWP)Mother (WWP)Crone (WWP)Book of Shadows (WWP)Samhain (HP)Triformis (HP)

Potluck lunch

Class:  Wheel of the Year~ What are the myths and cycles that turn the Wheel?

 

Magickal Monday, December 6, 2010

 
Today we will discuss the following cards:  
The Rede (WWP)Law of Three (WWP)As Above, So Below (WWP)Eight Fold Path (WWP)Words of the Magus (WWP)Hearth (WWP)Yule (HP)Oak King (HP)Tree in Winter (HP)

Potluck lunch

Class:  Techniques of Candle Magick

 

Magickal Monday, January 10, 2010

 
Today we will discuss the following cards:  
Handfasting (WWP)Broom (WWP)The Key (WWP)The Moon (WWP)The Crescent Crowned Goddess (WWP)The Sun (WWP)The Stag Horned God (WWP)The Priestess and Priest (HP)Drawing Down the Moon (HP)

Potluck Lunch

Class:  Elements of Ritual

 

 

Please contact me directly at [email protected]  or call me at 603-664-3393 with your questions or to enroll in any Magickal Monday.

I will also be offering some classes at Sun Moon Stars in Rollinsford, NH in the weeks ahead:

Make Your Own Herbal Incense, Sunday October 17, 1-3pm

Learn how to create your own incense at home with herbs, resins, and essential oils.  You will take home an instructional booklet for future reference.  We will make loose incense together as a class and you will leave with a small jar for your use.  Presented by Christine Tolf of Lichenwood Herbals.
$30, includes booklet and jar of incense

 

 

Wheel of the Year, Saturday November 6, 1-2:30 pm

The eight Sabbats of the neo-pagan year make up the Wheel of the Year.  When do these celebrations occur?  What are we celebrating?  What are the myths that turn the Wheel?  Christine Tolf of Lichenwood Herbals will explain the themes and the herbal correspondences of the eight holidays.  You will receive a detailed handout.
$20, includes handout

Contact Dawn Evans of Sun Moon Stars Herbals to reserve your space.  All classes have minimum and maximum enrollment requirements.  

At the Rainbow's End

Yes, it has been a summer filled with rain, but it has also brought several glorious rainbows to Lichenwood, including this magnificent double rainbow!  There is always an upside to be found at the end of every rainy day.  Our treasured end of the rainbow here at LIchenwood includes, not only the colorful arches of light that form over the treetops, but also our gardens and our workshop offerings!

The herb gardens are taking on a more mature look.  We truly had no gardens whatsoever when we moved in at the end of 2007.  Now we are eating food from the vegetable garden and harvesting medicinals from the herb gardens as well as the wild fields and forests.  Our roots are finally deep in the soil. 

We've had almost two complete turns of the Wheel of the Year here in Barrington.  I'm about to complete the second incarnation of the Herbal Mentorship and I've completely re-vamped the Flower Essence Practitioner Training into a group of three weekend Flower Essence Instensives, designed to be stand alone classes, or in combination, with additional documentation, a certification class.  I'll be announcing dates and particulars soon.  Contact me for more information directly: [email protected] .

As we move toward September, I'm eagerly anticipating another workshop with Kate Leigh.  The only workshops and teachers that I bring to LIchenwood are the ones that I find most inspirational!  I'm passionate about the topics that these teachers present!  This time Kate will combine her expertise in both aromatherapy and astrology in the following class:

AROMAS CLASS
With Kate Leigh of Midheaven, Market Square, Portsmouth,New Hampshire

Kate says: This aromas class is gathering near the time of the autumnal equinox. This is especially significant, given the role of balancing that essential oils, or plant distillates, play in our well-being. It is my idea that we will work together that day, combining the basics of our own specific personalities, as shown in our birth charts, with the basics of aromatherapy, as seen by familiarizing ourselves with the properties of the distillates. My facilitation will take the form of making available a copy of your birth chart to you in class, as compiled by information you will supply at the time you register for the class. I will also provide sets of handouts, specifying the distillates and their associated properties, but also their traditional associations with the elements, and planets. In the morning, we will familiarize ourselves with the oils/distillates on hand, approximately 3 dozen or so. Then we will move on to our birth charts, and talk over the basics of fire, earth, air, and water, and help each participant find these in their charts. Key words for the symbols used in the charts will be provided. Our goal will be to create a product, to be used, and recorded, so it can be duplicated by you, that is aroma-characteristic of you, according to your birth chart. The actual containers and oils/distillates used to make the products will be provided by the instructor. Please consider attending this class, even if you are a beginner in both aromas and astrology. We will keep things fun and simple, while learning, through contact and engagement, a great deal, about the essential oils/distillates, and about ourselves. Just in time to enter the close of the year! These products will help sustain our spirits.

Kate Leigh has been involved in aromatherapy for over 30 years, has taught dozens of workshops to nurses, massage therapists, and other interested people. She has also studied astrology for decades and has experience both with chart interpretation, and combining astrology with other therapies, such as aromatics. Kate enjoys a long term private practice in massage therapy, where she hand crafts her own products and regularly uses heated seashells as an imaginative inclusion in her bodywork.

Check Kate out on facebook, at Midheaven Massage. $90 for a full day, includes materials.

Call 603-664-3393 or email [email protected] to register for this class.  You can also find Christine hanging out on Facebook.  There is also a page for Lichenwood Herbals.  Look us up! 

Additional workshops for the fall are listed at www.lichenwood.com .

 

Winter's End

We are still buried deep in snow, but the light is stronger.  This weekend is predicted to bring us some warmer weather.  It’s only our second winter season here on Old Canaan Road.  Last year’s relentless storms and record breaking snowfall did not repeat itself, but while I have a fondness for the season, I am ready for the emerging green of spring. 

Tomorrow I will celebrate the culmination of year 59 on the planet.  I love my life and I look forward to many more seasons of joy, walking in the woods, digging in the dirt, following the brook, and talking to the plants.  Life is so full of wonderful possibilities.

My birthday week is traditionally one of the snowiest of the year.  This is one week when I will be filled with excited anticipation when a big snowfall is predicted. A lazy snow day at the tender mercy of Mother Nature who will keep me home by the fire mesmerized by the falling snowflakes is a wonderful birthday gift. 

I plan to savor the few remaining weeks of wintry weather as the Wheel turns bringing us to mud season and the greening time of year.  Each season has its charms and challenges and I am ever grateful to be here to experience them.

Winter Solstice Blessings!

All around me the landscape looks like a perfect holiday card.  Years ago my mother sent out hundreds of cards each December wishing all friends, relatives, and business associates a very Merry Christmas.  Personally I love holiday cards and I actually did get a chance to mail out a very few, though not as many as in previous years.  This blog entry will have to serve as my Winter Holiday greeting to all.

A few days ago, this was the extent of our "snowed in" existence.  I quickly shoveled the short walk and doorstep and then took a stroll down the driveway.  I aimed the camera both up and down the scenic dirt road at the end of the driveway so that I could share the view with you.

Today it is snowing yet again.  Be careful what you wish for: I told several friends before we moved to the New Lichenwood that I could hardly wait to be inside my new home watching the snowflakes fall.  Well, I have certainly had that opportunity several times already and I have enjoyed all of it very much. 

Even this little octagonal window in the office bathroom frames Winter's beauty, while reminding me of the eight spoked Wheel of the Year.  We're in the last days and hours of the Holly King's rule.  The days are short and dark.  The Crone of Winter is sleeping in frozen suspension.  The Oak King is waiting in the wings to slay his rival and bring back the light.  The Wheel will turn and with our prayers, drumming, chanting, and revelry, light will triumph over darkness.

Yule is celebrated on the Winter Solstice which occurs when the Sun reaches zero degrees of Capricorn.

Also called: Midwinter, Yuletide (Teutonic), Alban Arthan (Caledonii Tradition and some Druidic traditions ), Feill Fionnain (Pecti-Wita Tradition) Sun Return, Pagan New Year, Saturnalia (Roman), Great Day of the Cauldron, and Festival of Sol, Longest Night.

Moon Phase Equivalent:  Dark of the Moon, New Moon

Direction: North  Time of Day: Midnight   

Colors: Red, Green, Gold, Silver, White

Herbs: Holly, Ivy, Pine, Mistletoe, Frankincense, Myrrh, Bay, Bayberry, Valerian, Ginger, Cloves, Cinnamon, Poinsettias, all Evergreens, St. Johnswort, Calendula

Gemstones: Cat’s Eye, Ruby, Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli, Citrine, Malachite, Diamond, Garnet, Bloodstone

Themes: The Goddess gives birth to the God; the Oak King slays the Holly King; the longest night of the year, burning the Yule log, wassailing the fruit orchards, rebirth of waxing light, meditation, peace on Earth, strengthening family ties, acts of generosity and charity, resolutions

                                           WINTER HOLIDAY BLESSINGS TO ALL!

Samhain

Samhain marks the end of the Celtic year.  And with endings, come new beginnings.  Many Pagan people have celebrated Samhain already, by the calendar on October 31.  Some wait until the sun reaches 15 degrees of Scorpio (November 7th this year).  Some choose to celebrate on the weekend closest to the 31st.  I know of one particularly wonderful large ritual tonight in Cambridge where many kindreds will be crafting big energy.  I'll be with them in spirit, but this year I have a lot of work that must be done, by me alone, at Lichenwood.

This morning, in anticipation of the cleansing energy of the impending Nor'easter, I released in ceremony the outdoor altar space.  Little by little I'm letting go, with respect and thanks.

The Koi fish are living temporarily in the greenhouse holding area, along with Pineapple Sage, Aztec Dream Vine, Brugmansia, and Rosemary.  The Papyrus is keeping them company too.  The warm earthen smell in the moist air is comforting on sunny days. 

Today is not sunny.  It is definitively November: gray with lowering clouds and chilling winds.  The remaining Autumn leaves will be torn from the trees this afternoon and evening as the Wild Hunt howls and the cold winds blow.  Rain will attempt to wash away all memories of Summer's flowers, light, and warmth.   I will never forget.

Twilight of the Wheel Year: Mabon

Tomorrow the Sun enters Libra at 5:52 am, and we will officially enter the dark half of the year.  Yes, more hours of darkness than sunlight; more time for sitting by the fire, going within to ruminate on the past or plan for the future.  The harvest season is in full swing and we are all celebrating with trips to the country fair, farmer's market, or apple orchard.

I set the altar for Mabon this morning, thinking of many things.  Persephone's abduction into in the Underworld made me think about time spent in my personal shadow work.  To facilitate this work during the Mabon ritual, I placed a Dragon's Blood candle inside a glass candle jar containing water and Black Eyed Susan flower essence.  I placed Persephone's picture on the jar and cut a Black Eyed Susan from the fading garden.Black Eyed Susan brings light to the darkest recesses of the soul where key issues which must be healed lie hidden.  I poured Pomegranate Juice into my spiral cup, and sliced an apple in half to reveal the hidden pentagram. 

 

Hollynn suggested that we all go to lunch at the Blue Moon in nearby Exeter.   She's been working there since June but we haven't had a chance to all go out together to enjoy the delicious organic food.  I still have half of my delicious Athena Wrap Sandwich in the fridge.  It was scrumptious and big enough for two meals!  I also picked up a 2008 Moon Calender while we were there and a large organic beet to add to tonight's roasted vegetables and visited with Robyn who manages the market.

I should have brought a camera along for the next leg of the trip.  We went to Apple Annie's in Brentwood, and picked organic Cortland and McIntosh apples. 

What a beautiful farm and orchard they have!  The trees were gorgeous and laden with REAL fruit that tastes absolutely heavenly!  You can even buy unpasturized organic cider at Apple Annie's and you can bet I took advantage of that opportunity!  I also picked up some garlic and red onions.  More vegies for tonight's roasted vegetable supper. 

Wishing you all the joys of the harvest season and a Blessed Mabon!

Mabon is celebrated at the Autumnal Equinox, or when the Sun reaches zero degrees of Libra.

Also called: Harvestide, Harvest Home, Autumn Equinox, The Witches’ Thanksgiving. Festival of Dionysus, the Wine Harvest, Harvest of First Fruits, Cornucopia, the Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), and Alban Elfed (Caledonii). The Teutonic name for this season is Winter Finding. Another name for the Autumnal Equinox is Fogharadh - which is a Gaelic word meaning "hospitality and abundance".

Moon phase equivalent:  Third Quarter Moon

Direction: West     Time of Day:  Dusk

Colors: Red, Brown,

Orange

, Russet, Gold, Indigo, Purple

Herbs: Apples, Chrysanthemum, Goldenrod, Marigold, Milkweed, Myrrh, Passionflower, Solomon’s Seal, Thistle, Wheat

Gemstones: Yellow Jasper, Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire, Yellow Topaz

Themes: Autumn begins as Persephone returns to the Underworld; Root harvesting; Celebration of the Apple Harvest; Feasting on the harvest; sharing the harvest with others, especially those in need; Wine deities are honored; The full moon closest to the Equinox is know as the Harvest Moon; We celebrate the story of Mabon ap Modron, " the son of the mother", the Divine Youth, the Son of Light.

White Lotus for Lughnassadh

Yesterday the White Lotus in the Lichenwood Koi Pond began to open in a perfect Chalice of divine white light.  The flower held its petals protectively around the forming seed pod.

This seed pod holds more seeds than any of the Lotus plants I have worked with previously.  The energy of this particular Lotus is one of absolute purity of spirit, love of the highest order.  It is a living prayer.

Today is the peak of the bloom of this sacred flower.  All is hushed and reverent in the surrounding area.  It is hot today.  Dragonflies and Butterflies float and soar over the pond and gardens.  I have set a bowl to catch the energy of the White Lotus.  I never know how the process will unfold.  Especially when I feel certain that the flower is not to be cut from its stem.  Other Lotus plants have offered petals, or communicated firmly that I was to take the flower and place it in the bowl.  White Lotus asked that the water from the bowl be poured over the flower in blessing and then caught, cascading into the bowl from the blossom.  I then placed the bowl inside the Genesa crystal with the intention that only the White Lotus energy enter the bowl.

This process is ongoing as I blog.  We are at the height of day.

The White Lotus continues to radiate its brilliance in perfection of a cloudless Lughnassadh sky.  I am reminded of a favorite chant, "I am whole.  I am filled with light."

The Garden at Lughnassadh

 

It is the beautiful time of year when the calendar page turns from July to August.  We have begun to harvest herbs and garden vegetables.  It is time to celebrate the first of the three harvest festivals of the Pagan Wheel of the Year: Lughnassadh or Lammas.  Monarchs and other butterflies are frequent visitors to the garden.

Daylilies are opening, creating bright splashes of intense color.

The Trumpet Vine is a favorite of the hummingbird clan.

In the cool of the Pond the White Lotus bud is swelling.  I'm hoping that it will open by the end of this week.

Pumpkin flowers form their pentacles underneath broad leaves.

There is a sunny Sunflower by the back deck, planted by exuberant birds who visited the feeder earlier in the season.

Lughnassadh is celebrated on August 1st or 2nd, or when the Sun reaches 15 degrees of Leo.

Also called: August Eve, Lammas, First Harvest, Ceresalia (Roman, in honor of the grain goddess Ceres), First Fruits, Festival of Green Corn (Native American), Feast of Cardenas, Cornucopia (Strega), Thingtide and Elembiuos

Moon phase equivalent:  Waning Gibbous Moon

Direction: South West  Time of Day:  Mid Afternoon

Colors: Beige, Brown, Soft Gold

Herbs: Blackberries, Blueberries, Corn, Heather, Hollyhock, Oats, Raspberries, Sunflower

Gemstones: Citrine, Aventurine, Peridot, Sardonyx, Cat's-eye, golden topaz, obsidian, Moss Agate, Rhodochrosite, Clear Quartz, Marble, Slate, Granite, Lodestone, Carnelian

Themes: Harvest of first fruits, especially grain; making of corn dollies, rolling flaming “Catherine’s Wheels” downhill to symbolize the dying Sun; funeral games of Lugh’s foster-mother, Taillte; enjoying all “first fruits” of the harvest such as blueberries and raspberries in pies and crisps; baking ritual loaves made with grain from the first harvest; give thanks and honor now to gods and goddesses of the harvest and of death and resurrection; a time of bounty, and hopes for an abundant harvest season; we also celebrate the bounty of our own life's harvest; often a time for prosperity magick

Co-creation on the Solstice

Buffy felt the need to participate in flower essence co-creation this morning.  Summer Solstice has been a quintessential New England Summer day with temperatures in the high seventies, bright skies and soft breezes.  Walking through the garden this morning it seemed that every plant spirit was calling out to me.  It was a very high energy morning.

This is the Apothecary's Rose, one of the oldest Roses, and the standard medicinal rose.  Click on the link to read all about the history of this wonderful flower.  This was one of the flower essences that was co-created today.  The plant spirit has already told me to use the essence to awaken the healer within.  What was expressed was that it would function in a similar way to Prunella vulgaris, or Self Heal, but with a more heart centered focus.  Apothecary's Rose will help with bringing courage to heal our own issues and also with bringing the confidence to practitioners to use their knowledge and skills when working with clients. 

As I walked the land during ritual, I asperged the entire garden area with the flower essence of Oriental Poppy that I had made specifically for this purpose.  I was instructed to do this weeks ago by the plant spirit of Oriental Poppy.  I was told that performing this action would facilitate interaction between humans and the nature spirits here.  As I was walking, blessing the land with Oriental Poppy shaken from branches of Holly and Oak, I saw more Prunella vulgaris (Self Heal) than I have ever seen in the "lawn".  Evidentally the Apothecary's Rose spirit has been in deep discussion with the Self Heal deva.  A combination essence may happen at some future time.

Roses are traditional parts of the Summer Solstice ritual, so it is no surprise that the second bowl set out for co-creative purposes was dedicated to the Royal Amber Rose.  I would love to be able to capture the delicious scent of this Rose.  It is extremely sensuous and its form, when at the peak of bloom, so beautifully ruffled.  I will need to spend time meditating with this essence before I can share any of its attributes.

The final essence that came into being on this Solstice day is Sundrop or Missouri Primrose.  There is a large colony of these bright yellow beauties in the garden at the front of the house.

This essence will help people to develop a sense of worthiness and self-esteem. 

Blessings to all on this longest day of the year!

Summer Solstice Blessings

The round of Summer Solstice gatherings began last night.  These are the leftover lemon squares I brought to share.  The Heartsease blossoms were a cheerful addition to one of my favorite desserts.  We are now in the season of edible flowers: Heartsease, Nasturtium, Chives, Roses, Calendula.  Salads are especially beautiful with flowers and flower petals sprinkled in among the greens and slices of heirloom tomatoes.  Well, we are weeks away from the tomatoes, but we do have lettuce and flowers ready for Summertime salads!

 

Wiccans celebrate the Summer Solstice, or Litha, when the Sun reaches zero degrees of Cancer.

Also called: Grian-Stad, Alban Hefin, Summer Solstice and Midsummer.

Moon phase equivalent:  Full Moon

Direction: South   Time of Day:  Noon

Colors: Red, Gold, Yellow, Green, Bright Primary Colors

Herbs: Basil, Chamomile, Chickweed, Chickory, Elderflower, Lavender, Meadowsweet, Mugwort, Roses, Sandalwood, Saint Johnswort, Vervain, Yarrow

Gemstones: Pearl, Emerald, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Diamond

Themes: bonfire leaping, herb drying, protection, luck, health, transformation, community, career, and relationships, celebration of the wealth of the sea, make herbal dream pillows, be outdoors as much as possible, camping and sleeping outdoors, continued interaction with the faery realm, gardening, traditional time to harvest magickal herbs (not always appropriate in New Hampshire)

Now we mark the mythic battle of Holly King and Oak King.  The Oak King reigns over the waxing year from Winter Solstice to Summer Solstice when the Golden Oak King must give way to the Darksome Holly King, lord of the waning year.  Now begins our long slow spiral into darkness.  I represent both beings on the altar at Lichenwood with a sprig of Holly and one of Oak; a golden candle for the Oak King, a very dark green one for the Holly King, and a white candle for the Goddess.