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Brigid

Macaroni and Cheese

Fri, 02/29/2008 - 11:34 — DawnBlack
Ingredients:

1 package cooked elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter
1 package cream cheese, softened
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 cups cubed Cheddar cheese Or any combination of cheeses you like or more if you want
1 cup cubed ham or chicken and/or chopped broccoli (optional)
1 large tomato, sliced or several slices of sun dried tomato

Preheat the oven to 400 F. In a saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter and cream cheese, stirring constantly. Add the mustard.

Notes:
Quick Witch Tips:

When you’ve got your cream cheese all melty, add the noodles and mix them up good, then add the cheese chunks and mix that up keeping it on low heat until everything is melted. This doesn’t work, obviously, when you’re taking it out to a potluck or something, but it works when you’re trying to get food on the table quick.

Blackberry

Sun, 01/06/2008 - 19:01 — kitchenwitch
Botanical Name:

Rubus fructicosus, Rubus canadensis

Zones:
3-8

There are many subspecies of this plant, but all work equally well.

Propagation:

Blackberries grow everywhere, and especially prefer dry, sandy soil in hedges or at the forest's edge. It can be cultivated by seed, or by softwood cuttings in the early summer or leaf bud cuttings in the late summer, or division in the early spring or autumn. It needs well-drained soil in a partially shaded position. This plant is an annual and will not produce fruit till the second year. Blackberries are susceptible to cane blight, crown gall, aphids and viral diseases. They are excellent additions to faerie and wildlife gardens as they provide good shelter. They attract birds including the brown thrasher, catbirds, cardinals, mockingbirds and vireos. They are also popular with swallowtail butterflies.

History and Folklore:

According to some English folklore, passing under the archway formed by a bramble branch will cure (or prevent) all manner of afflictions including hernia, ruptures, pimples and boils. This has also been used as a remedy for "downer" cows.

Celtic lore said that blackberries were fae fruit, and thus forbidden for people to eat, but blackberry wine is allowed.

In Greek mythology, the hero Belleraphon was thrown into brambles when he dared to ride the Pegasus to Olympus and was blinded by the thorns and wandered outcast and alone therafter.

In Christian lore, Christ's crown of thorns was made of brambles, and thus the berries were turned from red to black.

Another tale says that Lucifer landed in brambles when he was cast down from heaven and thus he cursed them so that they would be ugly (I think they're kind of pretty, actually). It is said that he hates them so much, he stomps on them on Michealmas Day and after that, it's unlucky to harvest them. Other folklore says this happens on Halloween.

Even so, blackberries were considered as protection against earthbound spirits and vampires. If planted near a home, a vampire couldn't enter because he would obsessively count the berries and forget what he was about.

Harvesting & Storage:

Berries should be harvested as soon as they ripen (they turn black). Overripe berries should be discarded and underripe berries should not be eaten. Berries can be used fresh or dried, or preserved in a jelly, jam, wine or any number of tasty treats.

Leaves should be harvested before or during flowering and laid to dry in the usual manner.

Roots can be dug in the summer. After the berries have appeared in the second year is the best time to do this. They should be dried quickly, in an oven or under a hot sun.

Young shoots can be harvested in the spring for use in salads.

Blackberry plant parts for use in protective magic should be gathered during the waning moon.

Household Use:

A permanent black dye can be made using blackberry leaves and lye. The young shoots produce light gray using alum mordant. The root produces orange dye. The canes produce reddish tan and the berries bluish gray.

Leaves can be added to a bath tea to freshen the skin in the winter.

Dried berries can be added to potpourri.

Magical Attributes:

Blackberry is feminine is in nature and associated with Aries, the planet Venus and the water element. It is strongly associated with the Goddess Brigid, healing, prosperity, protection and first harvest festivals.

Blackberry vines can be woven into protective wreaths and the leaves can also be added to mojo bags and other preparations for general household protection and prosperity.

Drinking a tea from blackberry leaf is said to aid in spells to increase money and to work as a mild aphrodisiac.

In dream symbology, blackberries represent loss, sorrow and remorse. If you are pricked in your dream, the your enemies will conspire with your friends against you. If they draw blood, then you will get the raw end of a deal.

Blackberries are traditionally baked into pies to celebrate the First Harvest.

A healing spelli that invokes Brigid makes use of blackberry leaves. Dip nine leaves in a natural water source and lay them on a burn or a red inflamed area. Say to each leaf as you lay them on the wound- "Three ladies came from the East, One with fire and two with frost, Out with fire, in with frost!"

Healing Attributes:

Blackberry is a cooling herb.

Fresh leaves, bruised can be applied to give some relief to burns, especially from steam or boiling water and is also useful for hemorrhoids, skin ulcers, and eczema. A decoction used as a mouth rinse is also good for sore throats.

The fruit is especially good for the liver and kidneys, while the leaf acts on the stomach and intestines.

The fruit should be eaten, either fresh, or in jam or wine, by those having trouble with stones or diarrhea. A decoction of the root bark or an infusioni of the leaves may also be used. For stones, simmer 1 tbsp of root per cup of water for 20 minutes. Add enough water to return it to one cup, and drink one cup per day, spaced out throughout the day in 1/4 cup intervals.

In the summer when the berries are ripe, make this syrup to help ease winter colds and flu- cover fresh berries with malt vinegar and let them stand for three days. Mash and strain. Add one pound of sugar for each pint of juice that results and bring it all to a boil. Allow it to boil for five minutes, then let cool and seal. Add a teaspoon of this syrup to a cup of water to help keep your feverish little ones hydrated.

Culinary Use:

Blackberries are tasty right off the bush or sprinkled over shortbread and smothered in cream, or added to a bowl of cereal. They also make great jams and wines.

The dried leaves may be added to herbal tea blends.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

There are probably some blackberry canes in your back yard right now.

Brigid

Mon, 12/31/2007 - 15:17 — kitchenwitch
Summary:

The Goddess Brigid is a multifaceted Goddess who was revered under many names throughout the Celtic world.

There were many Goddesses throughout Celtic, Germanic and Gaulish lands that used to the root of the name Brigid, which means "exalted feminine spirit", though in all likelihood, these were honorifics

Cornhusk Dollies

Fri, 01/19/2007 - 09:44 — kitchenwitch

Corn as we know it, or maize, is a Native American grain.

Brigid's Cross Rite

Fri, 01/19/2007 - 09:32 — kitchenwitch

Although I am a Neo-Hellenic Pagan, I still perform this rite every Imbolc because it holds a special place in my heart. It is just so meaningful and I really do love it.

Brigid's Cross Spell

Fri, 12/15/2006 - 09:45 — DawnBlack

This spelli makes a great wedding or housewarming gift.

You will need-
Materials for making Brigid’s Cross.

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