Spinach and strawberry salad

For summer entertaining, I rely on salads, pasta dishes and things that be grilled outdoors.  The easier, the better.  This salad is served at nearly every late spring and summer celebrations.  It's easy, fresh and tasty; not to mention very low in fat, high in fiber, iron and vitamin C. It's also really pretty.  For magical purposes, spinach invites, fertility, prosperity and health.  Strawberries encourage love and intensity.

Ingredients


Salad
baby spinach leaves, washed and trimmed (about 1/2 cup per serving)
Spring lettuce mix (optional) (I like to mix 1 part spring mix to 2 parts spinach)
strawberries, washed, trimmed and sliced (3-4 per serving)

 Dressing
2 Tbsp strawberry puree or no sugar added strawberry syrup
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp Italian salad dressing
sugar (optional)

I usually mix this dressing several hours before to allow the flavors to mingle together.  Simply mix the ingredients together in a small bowl or shake together in a bottle.  Add sugar to taste if needed.  Store in the refrigerator.

Toss spinach and spring mix together and add strawberries on top.  Serve at room temperature.  When you refrigerate this as leftovers, I recommend storing the strawberries separately as the sometimes wilt they spinach.

Easy, right?  Enjoy!

Wedding cake divination

If you are still looking for your right and perfect partner, try this fun (but slightly messy) folk spell.  Not only have I seen this one in several books, I actually know people from many different places who already had heard of this custom/spell.  Since wedding season is upon us, this is great time to post this.

You will need:

1 small piece of wedding cake

For practicality's sake, wrap the cake in foil or plastic wrap or place in a small container.  Remind yourself that you will remember the information you receive when you wake up.  Place this bundle under your pillow and sleep on it.  You'll catch a hint about your future love.  

Love Spell I

Love spells are among the most iconic types of magic. They have been the subject of many stories, and they are as varied as the practioners of magic.  This one is the one I favor.  It's adapted from several other sources.  As May is the traditional month of love and weddings, I thought this would be the best time to share it.

Timing: Best on a full moon during spring, but Fridays or New moons work as well
Location:  Someplace safe to burn paper and candles.  Avoid anywhere near a smoke detector, as the burning paper will likely set it off.
Preparation: Gather your materials, think out what you want, cleanse yourself (physically and psychically), dress for the occasion (optional)

You will need:

a small offering of wine or juice or rose petal tea
4 candles (the small, thin, long candles known as "chime candles" about 4" long) in red, pink, white or gold (or a combination)
Rose, jasmine, or apple blossom incense and/or essential oil
white thread
a fireproof dish or cauldron partially filled with sand
a larger bowl partial filled with water, big enough to surround the fireproof dish
a small piece of white or pink paper
a pen (red, black or silver are preferred)
flowers to tuck into the candle bundle (optional)

Begin by writing down the most desirable traits for your lover; don't bother with physical traits, but focus on personality (things like kindness, a sense of humor, intelligence, gentleness).  You might want to start this part of the spell several days before the full moon, so you can really think about what you most need and want in a partner. You can also decorate the paper with symbols of love, marriage, and partnership.  Whatever feels most appropriate to you is perfect.

Gather your materials together.  Take a sip of wine, calling on the Universe (or whatever higher power you beleive in), and begin. The first candle represents searching.  The second, finding.  The third is to bring you together and the fourth unites the two of you.  You can carve these intentions into the side of the candle if you wish, or you can speak the intention out loud.  Gather the four candles together into a bundle. Wrap the list around the four candles and wrap the thread around to secure.  You are literally tying the elements of the spell together.  Anoint the bundle with wine and oil or pass it through the smoke of the incense after sprinkling with wine. Visualize the smoke carrying you intentions out into the Universe. Set the fireproof dish inside the water dish.  This is both for safety and for representing the elements of earth and water.

Place the candle bundle in the sand, and light them.  Stand for a time soaking up the scent and warmth of the incense and fire.  See the light reflected in the water.  Now see yourself, happy and triumphant, together with your new love.  Allow the candles to burn themselves out, but DO NOT LEAVE them unattended!  I have seen rather dramatic results while using fire in spells, this is very important.

Finally, add the resulting ash, sand and wax to the soil.  Bury it at let it grow.  Sprinkle with the last of your offering wine.

This spell can take a very long time to work.  Don't give up. Love has a way of finding us when we most need it.  May you find love and light and happiness.