Imbolc

February 2, 2008

Imbolc, (pronounced "IM-bulk" or "EM-bowlk"), also called Oimealg, ("IM-mol'g), by the Druids, is the festival of the lactating sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic word "oimelc" which means "ewes milk". Herd animals have either given birth to the first offspring of the year or their wombs are swollen and the milk of life is flowing into their teats and udders. It is the time of Blessing of the seeds and consecration of agricultural tools. It marks the center point of the dark half of the year. It is the festival of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is her season to prepare for growth and renewal.

The first of three Spring Festivals. Lavender and white candles can be burned in honor of the holiday. This is a good time to work in the house, changing curtains, room painting, etc. The Candlemas Sabbat marks the time to welcome the spring. This festival is for fertility and to celebrate the things that are yet to be born, just barely waking under winter's cold shroud.

Colors: White, pink, red and yellow

Herbs: Basil and heather

Stones: Garnet, Ruby and Bloodstone

Foods: Poppy seed cakes, all dairy products, garlic

CORN DOLLY

Supplies: 8 fresh husks from ears of corn (or dried ones from a craft store)

several cotton-wool balls, string, and a pair of scissors.

• To make the head and body, take a couple of corn husks and overlap them lengthways. Place a row of cotton-wool balls in the hollow of the husks, bend the husks over and tie them firmly at the neck and waist. Then slide a rolled husk, with the ends tied for hands, through the body.

• Position the arms midway between the doll's neck and her waist. If the cotton stuffing spills out through the armholes, push it back inside the body.
  

• To make the skirt, place some husks around the figure's waist so that they cover her head and body, and tie them firmly in place at the waist. Now fold the top ends down to make a skirt and trim them straight across the bottom.

• Stand your corn doll upright on her skirt and keep her through the winter until the following spring, when the new crops start to grow.

Kentucky Kitchen Witch Yule Celebration

The Greenman

The name "green man" was coined in the late 1930s. Other names for this figure are Jack in Green or Jack of the Green. Many believe the greenman is related to the pre-Christian Celtic deity Cernunnos; others that it is simply an expression of the forces of nature, or even a reminder that we, too, are part of the cycle of life. There is no real evidence linking the images to any particular philosophy, cult, or belief, although the faces are strikingly uniform through time. The greenman is not a strictly European phenomenon- similar images appear in Asian, Indian, and Arabic architecture and art as well. Whatever his origin, the Green Man serves as the embodiment of untamed nature, an emblem of the male principal, and a symbol of fertility and vibrant life energy.

Yule Ritual

The Kentucky Kitchen Witch Circle will be celebrating Yule on December 9, 2007, at 5:00. Our Yule feast will include turkey, homemade cheddar herb bread, cauliflower salad, homemade caramel apple cake. We will be making individual Yule Log candle holders to take home (see directions below).

Tools Needed: Boline, myrrh or olive oil, sea salt, wine, one green candle, wooden matches, Yule log of either Pine, Fir, Evergreen.

• Using your Boline carve a representation of the sun into the log.
• Place the log in your fire place or a burning pit. Open a circle and call the four elements:

South (fire) rub the oil onto the carved sun figure saying, "The Wheel has turned full circle, we call you back to warm us." (L)

West (water) pour the wine on the log saying, "You, who have died, are now reborn." (R)

North (earth) sprinkling salt over the log saying, "Since time began we celebrated the birth of God. The darkest of nights gives birth to the new sun." (Corwin)

East (air) taking the wood match, light the fire saying, "I light this fire in honor of all. Thank you God for the light you will bring us. Thank you mother for the warmth of your son. Live within us." (Bet)

"So mote it be!"

Close circle.

Cheddar-Herb Bread

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1/4 black pepper

1/8 tsp. ground allspice

1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions

3 tbsp. chopped flat leaf parsley

3 tbsp. chopped fresh dill

1 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

1 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary

2 eggs, lightly beaten

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup butter, melted

nonstick cooking spray

In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, pepper, allspice, and nutmeg. Stir in cheese, green onions, parsley, dill, thyme, and rosemary. In another bowl combine eggs, buttermilk, and butter; stir into flour mixture just until moistened. Let stand 5 minutes.

Lightly coat an 8x4x2 inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon batter into pan, spreading evenly.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center come out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove bread from pan, cool 30 minutes more. Serve warm.

Magickal Properties

Cheese- Element - earth

Energies - joy and health

Dill - Element - fire

Energies - love and protection

Parsely - Element - air

Energies - money and protection

Green onions - Element - fire

Energies - protection

Caramel Apple Cake

Cake:

2 1/2 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups oil

3 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup chopped walnuts

2 1/2 cups dried apples

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together sugar, eggs, and oil. Add flour; mix together until well blended. Add vanilla, nuts and dried apples. Spread into a lightly greased and floured 13x9 pan; bake for 45 to 60 minutes. Cake is done when toothpick inserted in center come out clean. When cake is done, punch holes in it with a knife and pour topping over.

Caramel Topping:

3/4 pound butter (3 sticks)

2 cups brown sugar

1/4 cup of milk

Heat all ingredients together over medium heat. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Let boil 2 minutes. Pour over warm cake.

Magickal Properties

Apples - Element - Water

Energies - Love, Health and Peace

Butter - Element - Earth

Energies - Spirituality