 Litha Greetings From the Desk of the Editor
Welcome to the Litha 2009 newsletter. For many of you spring has given way to summer already and you are enjoying warm temperatures. For me I am still watching the leaves turn spring green. Still waiting for the temperature to reach 70 consistently for a week and not drop below 40 at night. That said I still think watching the geese return and the robins walk past me in the yard as if I am just another bird gathering nest material thrilling. Seeing my yard come alive with Tulips, watching the yellow finch build their nest and anticipating planting a vegetable garden for the first time in many years is just part of the daily excitement that I get from living on Lake Avalon. Of course it is not all peace and tranquility there is the roar of the dirt bike, the whine of the golf cart and the rumbling of the Suv's with their boats attached to break up the tranquility on the weekends. The warmth of the sun on my face as I sit on the swing suspended from the big oak tree in my back yard does however make up for the noise. Even 50 degrees and a bit of sunshine invite me outside to enjoy nature as it unfolds beautifully around me. The noise of humanity does not seem to disturb Mother Nature. My presence doesn't seem to bother the birds or the numerous squirrels, they acknowledge my presence with a moment of silence and then the music and movement of nature resume around me. A blatant reminder of why I love it here on Lake Avalon.
This edition will be short...Questions with Lady Dyanna and the final lesson in Spirituality will return in the next edition. As will more articles on health and aromatherapy.
Enjoy Midsummer pranks and fun !
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Litha Past and Present  Litha is also known as the summer solstice, Midsummer, All Couples Day, and Saint John's Day. Litha is one of the fire festivals and occurs on the longest day of the year. This is the time of year when the sun reaches its highest apex, at the Tropic of Cancer. It is the day when light overcomes darkness, a day of power.
Those who celebrated Litha did so wearing garlands or crowns of flowers, and of course, their millinery always included the yellow blossoms of St. John's Wort. The Litha rites of the ancients were boisterous communal festivities with morris dancing, singing, storytelling, pageantry and feasting taking place by the village bonfire and torch lit processions through the villages after dark. People believed that the Litha fires possessed great power, and that prosperity and protection for oneself and one's clan could be earned merely by jumping over the Litha bonfire. It was also common for courting couples joined hands and jump over the embers of the Litha fire three times to ensure a long and happy marriage, financial prosperity and many children.
Litha is a time to celebrate both the God and the Goddess. It is a time of reflect on the growth of the season. Seeds planted in the Earth as well as are own seeds of our souls. A time of cleansing and renewal. A time of joyous Love and growth.
Litha Newsletter 2008 |
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Ways to celebrate Litha and Litha Correspondences Gathering of magical plants and healing herbs, particularly St John’s wort, vervain, mugwort, mistletoe, ivy and fern seed. If the weather is warm enough it is a good time for camping, or at least enjoying a carefullt prepared bonfire with friends and family. This year not only does Litha fall on the June 21st but so does Fathers day. Make it a special celebration honoring both the physical father you know and the The Sun God who is celebrated as the Sun is at its peak in the sky and we celebrate His approaching fatherhood. The sun is associated with will, vitality, accomplishment, victory and fame. This is a time to celebrate your strengths be proud of them..make it a family and friend event and honor each others strengths, and accomplishments. Gather around the bonfire bring plenty of fresh flower petals and as each speak of his/her accomplishments honor them by tossing petals on the bonfire.
Litha Colors
Blue, green, gold, yellow and red.
Litha Herbs
Anise, mugwort, chamomile, rose, wild rose, oak blossoms, lily, cinquefoil, lavender, fennel, elder, mistletoe, hemp, thyme, larkspur, nettle, wisteria, vervain ( verbena), St. John’s wort, heartsease, rue, fern, wormwood, pine,heather, yarrow,
oak & holly trees.
Litha Stones
Lapis lazuli, diamond, tiger’s eye, all green gemstones, especially emerald and jade
Ritual Magick
Nature spirit/fey communication, planet healing, divination, love & protection magicks, Aimal Protection and Marriage & Vow Renewal spells |
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Notions, Potions and Spells w/ Lady Wyndesong  Summer Incense
1 1/2 part Lavender,
1 part St. John's Wort
1 part Rose
Divination Incense
1 part Lavender,
1 part Rose,
1 part Mugwort
1/2 part Star Anise,
1/2 part Sandalwood
The gift:
From the union between God and Goddess comes many thing great and small, but one of the most powerful gifts from that union is Divine Love that is shared with all creations.
To partake of that Gift
You will need:
1 white candle to represent you, 1 red candle to represent the God one Green candle to represent the Goddess.
Rose and Sandalwood Incense
If you desire create your circle
Now light your candles green then red.
Now hold the white candle in your hand and visualize the love of god and goddess permeating the white candle and you. Now light the white candle and place it between the red and the green candle
Now chant: 3 times
Divine Love surrounds me
Divine love Guide Me
Divine Love Protects Me
Divine Love Fills Me both Physically and Spiritually.
[stand or sit until you feel the love wrapping around you feel it filling your physical being flowing through you. When you feel completely saturated with Divine Love.
Direct it outward to the north, south, east and west, above and below you and say "I share Divine Love gladly with this reality and all of humanity." If you know someone who would benefit from a "dose" of divine love direct it to them. Sit quietly and enjoy the feel of unity with all things that come with Divine Love.
When you are done you may put your candle out and keep it for another time when you feel the need to feel Divine Love completely encompassing you and your life.
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Foods and Crafts
Smoked Salmon and Melon Salad
Start to Finish: 25 min.
Ingredients
* 1 recipe Yogurt-Cardamom Dressing, recipe below
* 1/3 cup mint leaves, coarsely chopped
* 1 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
* 1/4 tsp. cracked black pepper
* 1/2 a cantaloupe, peeled and cut in thin wedges (about 2 cups)
* 2 cups thinly sliced fennel
* 2 cups blueberries or seedless red grapes
* 8 oz. smoked salmon, skin and bones removed, coarsely broken
* 1/2 a honeydew melon, cut in cubes and/or balls (about 2 cups)
Directions
1. Prepare Yogurt-Cardamom Dressing; set aside.
2. In small bowl combine mint, lemon peel, and pepper; set aside. In a trifle dish or straight-sided glass serving bowl place cantaloupe, fennel, blueberries, salmon, and honeydew. Sprinkle with mint mixture. Serve with Yogurt-Cardamom Dressing. Makes 6 servngs.
Yogurt-Cardamom Dressing: In small bowl combine one 6-ounce carton plain lowfat yogurt, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 Tbsp. lemon juice, 1 Tbsp. honey, 1 clove minced garlic, 1/2 tsp. ground cardamon or ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. cracked black pepper, and 1/4 tsp. salt.
Cherry-Greens Salad
Start to Finish: 30 min.
Ingredients
* 8 cups torn mixed salad greens
* 1-1/2 cups pitted dark sweet cherries, halved, or 1/2 cup dried sweet cherries
* 1/2 cup crumbled Stilton or other blue cheese (2 ounces)
* 1/4 cup snipped fresh chives or thinly sliced green onion tops
* 1/2 cup bottled raspberry or blueberry vinaigrette salad dressing
Directions
1. In a large bowl, toss together salad greens, cherries, crumbled cheese, and chives.
2. Just before serving, pour vinaigrette over greens mixture; toss gently to coat. Makes 8 servings.
Apple Butter-Banana Bread
Prep: 25 minutes
Bake: 45 minutes
Ingredients
* 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 2 slightly beaten eggs
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (2 small)
* 1/2 cup apple butter
* 1/4 cup canola or cooking oil
Directions
1. Grease and flour the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan; set aside. In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Make a well in center of the flour mixture; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl combine eggs, sugar, banana, apple butter, and oil. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy). Spoon batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in a 350 degree oven about 45 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on a wire rack. Wrap and store overnight before slicing. Makes: 1 loaf (16 servings)
Rhubarb Bread
Makes 4 loaves
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg beaten
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped fresh rhubarb
Butter, cinnamon, and sugar for topping
Combine 2 1/2 cups flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. In a seperate bowl beat together egg, buttermilk, vegetable oil and vanilla; add to dry ingredients and mix well. Fold the rhubarb pieces an d remaining flour into the batter and pour into four greased 7 by 3 by 2 inch loaf pans. Dot with butter and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool in pans for 15 minutes before turning out onto wire rack.
Black and White Brownies
Makes: 32 bars
Prep: 35 min.
Bake: 35 min.
Ingredients
* 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
* 1/2 cup butter
* 6 eggs
* 1-1/2 cups sugar
* 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 tablespoon vanilla
* 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
* 6 tablespoons butter, softened
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 3 eggs
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons vanilla
* 3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
* 1 teaspoon shortening
Directions
1. In a small saucepan, combine 12 ounces semisweet chocolate and the 1/2 cup butter. Cook and stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Cool slightly.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over the edges of the pan. Butter foil; set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the 6 eggs and the 1-1/2 cups sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and lemon-colored.
4. In a medium bowl, combine the 1-1/2 cups flour, the baking powder, and salt. Add flour mixture to egg mixture; beat until well mixed, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Gradually add melted chocolate mixture and the 1 tablespoon vanilla; beat well. Spread evenly in prepared pan; set aside. Wash beaters thoroughly with soap and warm water; dry beaters.
5. In another large bowl, combine cream cheese and the 6 tablespoons butter. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the 3/4 cup sugar; beat until fluffy. Add the 3 eggs, the 2 tablespoons flour, and the 2 teaspoons vanilla; beat well. Carefully spoon cream cheese batter evenly over the chocolate batter.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until cream cheese layer appears set in center when gently shaken. Cool in pan on a wire rack (center may fall slightly as brownies cool).
7. In a small saucepan, combine the 3 ounces chocolate and the shortening. Cook and stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Drizzle chocolate mixture over cooled brownies. Let stand until set. Using the edges of the foil, lift the uncut brownies out of the pan. Cut into bars. Store leftovers in refrigerator. Makes 32 bars.
8. To Store: Place bars in a single layer in an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Floral Cheese Pie
Pastry to line a Pie dish
12 ounces cottage cheese drained
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup bread crumbs
4 egg whites
1/2 cup fresh elder blossom[roses, marigolds or other edible flowers may be substituted}
Leave the elder spray in a glass of water until the crust is prepared; Beat the cottage cheese,sugar,crumbs and egg white together using a blender. When the mixture is smooth set aside. Carefully strip the white elder blossoms being careful not to include the green stems. fold the blossoms into the cheesse mixture and pour into the prepared shell. Bake about 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven. The pie may be served hot or cold.
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Summer Florals
Hanging Garden
A living wreath lets you hang the color and freshness of live plants on a fence, wall, or door in nearly any season.
What You Need:
* Concave wreath form
* Floral greening pins
* Wire or fishing line
* Moss (Fresh moss is preferred; if using dry moss, soak thoroughly.)
* Moist soil
* Plants
Instructions:
1. Lay moss inside the wreath form.
2. Pull the moss over the sides of the wire form. Leave the front open for soil.
3. Mound moist soil as high as you can. Pack it down firmly to prevent water from channeling and loosening the soil.
4. Select plants in 2-3/4-inch pots. When removing plants from pots, spread roots before replanting. To give them room for spreading, plant at 5-inch intervals around the ring.
5. Pull moss around the plants, and pin in place with floral greening pins.
6. Wrap the wreath with wire. Or, if the wreath will remain outdoors indefinitely, use fishing line, which won't rust.
7. Fill any gaps with bits of moss secured by greening pins. Hang your wreath where it's sheltered from drying winds and direct afternoon sun.
8. For a successful wreath, train your flowers to retain the wreath's form. Prune and clip regularly to keep the shape.
The Language of Flowers
True Friendship
Sweetly scented blue hyacinths (sincerity and consistency) perfectly communicate steadfast friendship in a time of need. Pair them with purple iris (promise) and hosta leaves (devotion) or gather them in a simple bundle by themselves.[photo 1]
Thank You
Greet the hostess at your next dinner party with a handful of lush greens and beautiful blooms. Green-and-white caladium (great joy), ivy (friendship), and mint (warmth of feeling) contribute texture, while white gooseneck loosestrife (wishes granted), along with white carnations (admiration) and red spray roses make dramatic pops of color against the greens.[photo 2]
Congratulations
Celebrate a great accomplishment with a sunny arrangement. Large yellow roses (highest achievement), pale yellow calla lilies (elegance), and, unexpectedly, fennel (praise) from the herb garden contribute pretty shades of yellow. For a dramatic touch of green, oak leaves (strength) and ivy (ambition) are tucked around the outer edges of the bouquet, and rhubarb leaves offer up a tongue-in-cheek message: brouhaha.[photo3]
Be Happy
Bring a smile to a friend's face with a vase full of wispy lily-of-the-valley (return to happiness and purity). Remind her to take in the moment by pairing them with apple blossoms (good fortune) and sweet William (grant me one smile)[photo4]
More Litha Crafts and Foods |
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Summer Reading Reading for Teens
The Twilight Saga Collection (Hardcover)
by Stephenie Meyer
If your interest is Romance, Fantasy mixed with a bit of horror the Twilight Saga is 4 books you will not be able to put down.
The Move to Forks Washington was the beginning of many life changing events for "Bella".
the books are in the following order:
Twilight - Bella Swan moves to a small town near Seattle called Forks and meets Edward Cullen, an enigmatic student at her high school who turns out to be a vampire and lives with his clan in a magnificent mansion. As the romance between Bella and Edward blossom, they have to face obstacles such as the physical 'constraints' of being in a mortal-vampire relationship, facing objections from their respective families, and threats from other more vicious vampires.
New Moon - Edward and Bella are parted and Bella is so heartbroken that her life becomes empty and without direction. Enter Jacob Black, the tall, dark and handsome friend from the reservation, La Push who provides Bella with not only friendship but someone she can trust and rely on during a desperate time. Of course, nothing in Bella Swan's life is ever quite so simple and complications crop up once again.
Eclipse - Edward and Bella are back together, much to the disappointment and disgust of Jacob Black, himself now an other-worldly being. Will he convince Bella that he is more worthy of her love or will Edward prevail?
Breaking Dawn - the final instalment in the series. Edward, Bella and Jacob feature prominently here, with the most pivotal question - will Bella sacrifice her mortality for an immortal life with Edward? If so, what are the repercussions?
The Sorceress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel) (Hardcover)
by Michael Scott (Author)
The third book in Michael Scott's "Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel" series, The Sorceress, kicks the action up to a whole new level. Adding to the series' menagerie of immortal humans ("humani") and mythological beasts, the book picks up where The Magician left off: the immortal Nicholas Flamel (of The Alchemyst) and the twins, Sophie and Josh, have just arrived at St. Pancras international train station in London. Almost immediately, they're confronted with a demonic bounty hunter that immortal magician John Dee has sent their way. At the same time, Dee's occasional cohort, Niccolo Machiavelli, decides to focus his energy on Perenelle Flamel, the Alchemyst's wife, who has been imprisoned at Alcatraz since the beginning of the series. In this book, Perenelle gets a chance to show off her sorcery and resourcefulness, fighting and forging alliances with ghosts, beasts, and the occasional Elder to try and find a way out of her predicament and back to Flamel. Scott is as playful as ever, introducing new immortals--famous figures from history who (surprise!) are still alive. He also adds to the roster of fantastical beasts, which already includes such intriguing foes as Bastet, the Egyptian cat goddess, and the Morrigan, or Crow Goddess. Raising the stakes with each installment, Scott deftly manages multiple story lines and keeps everything moving pretty quickly, making this third book a real page-turner. More than just another piece in the puzzle of the whole series, The Sorceress is an adventure in its own right, and will certainly leave series fans wanting more. --Heidi Broadhead
If you have not read the first two books in the series they are: The Alchemyst (2007), the first book in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series, and The Magician (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)
Reading for ages 4-8
Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully: A Freckleface Strawberry Story (Hardcover)
by Julianne Moore (Author), LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)
Freckleface Strawberry loves the Early Bird program at school because it means extra time on the playground--except when it rains. Rain means indoor playtime...and facing the school bully Windy Pants Patrick in a bruising game of dodgeball. Ignoring him seems the safest thing, but what's our freckled heroine to do when she's forced to confront the bully alone? Beat him at his own game, of course.
Purplicious (Hardcover)
by Elizabeth Kann (Author), Victoria Kann (Author, Illustrator)
It's purple Pinkalicious!
Pinkalicious loves the color pink, but all the girls at school like black. They tease her, saying that pink stinks and pink is for babies. But Pinkalicious doesn't think so…that is, until her friends stop playing with her. Now Pinkalicious has a case of the blues. But could she ever turn her back on her favorite color?
Adult Reading for Fun
The Poetic Edda: The Mythological Poems (Dover Value Editions) (Paperback)
by Henry Adams Bellows (Translator)
The Poetic Edda: The Mythological Poems (Dover Value Editions)
the poetic edda is one of the greatest collections of poetry of all times. it contains the beautifully vivid "volupso", the norse apocalypse poem, the comedic ballads, the "wrangling of Loki" and "Lay of Thrmy", the proverbial wisdom of the "sayings of har" and the mournful lays of the larger-than-heroes, the volsungs and niflungs.
First Family (Hardcover)
by David Baldacci (Author)
First Family
It began with what seemed like an ordinary children's birthday party. Friends and family gathered to celebrate. There were balloons and cake, games and gifts.
This party, however, was far from ordinary. It was held at Camp David, the presidential retreat. And it ended with a daring kidnapping . . . which immediately turned into a national security nightmare.
Sean King and Michelle Maxwell were not looking to become involved. As former Secret Service agents turned private investigators, they had no reason to be. The FBI doesn't want them interfering. But years ago, Sean King saved the First Lady's husband, then a senator, from political disaster. Now, Sean is the one person the First Lady trusts, and she presses Sean and Michelle into the desperate search to rescue the abducted child.
With Michelle still battling her own demons, and forces aligned on all sides against her and Sean, the two are pushed to the absolute limit. In the race to save an innocent victim, the line between friend and foe will become impossible to define . . . or defend
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Poetry Corner
"A something in a summer's Day
As slow her flambeaux burn away
Which solemnizes me.
A something in a summer's noon --
A depth -- an Azure -- a perfume --
Transcending ecstasy.
And still within a summer's night
A something so transporting bright
I clap my hands to see --
Then veil my too inspecting face
Lets such a subtle -- shimmering grace
Flutter too far for me --
The wizard fingers never rest --
The purple brook within the breast
Still chafes it narrow bed --
Still rears the East her amber Flag --
Guides still the sun along the Crag
His Caravan of Red --
So looking on -- the night -- the morn
Conclude the wonder gay --
And I meet, coming thro' the dews
Another summer's Day!"
- Emily Dickinson, A Something in a Summer's Day
"Great is the sun, and wide he goes
Through empty heaven with repose;
And in the blue and glowing days
More thick than rain he showers his rays.
Though closer still the blinds we pull
To keep the shady parlour cool,
Yet he will find a chink or two
To slip his golden fingers through.
The dusty attic spider-clad
He, through the keyhole, maketh glad;
And through the broken edge of tiles
Into the laddered hay-loft smiles.
Meantime his golden face around
He bares to all the garden ground,
And sheds a warm and glittering look
Among the ivy's inmost nook.
Above the hills, along the blue,
Round the bright air with footing true,
To please the child, to paint the rose,
The gardener of the World, he goes."
- Robert Louis Stevenson, Summer Sun
"Mosquito is out,
it's the end of the day;
she's humming and hunting
her evening away.
Who knows why such hunger
arrives on such wings
at sundown? I guess
it's the nature of things."
- N. M. Boedecker, Midsummer Night Itch
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--The Team at (Ravenhawks')
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