October Feature: Reaching through the veil

As Samhain (Hallowe'en or All Hallow's Eve) approaches, many cultures have celebrations revolving around the annual thinning of the veil between realities.  Ghosts, ghouls, seances and ancestor worship all root from this belief.  To honor this, I have chosen to feature items on etsy that can help you communicate with the Otherworlds.  Also, we are having our first ever give away!  See the bottom for details.

Violet Twilight Spirit Board from Cauldron Keepers

This spirit board took me months to complete, but the adventure was well worth the labor.  A full moon and a snowy owl against a violet night sky invites you to contact the Otherworlds for answers.  Hand painted, finished with a smooth resin, and tucked inside an embroidered pouch along with it's star shaped indicator. Blessed under a full moon and backed with felt.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52043383/violet-twilight-spirit-board?ref=pr_shop

Quartz Crystal Pendulum from Shadows and Spirits

This beautiful pendulum can help you find answers to life's questions.  Made from faceted quartz crystal and suspended from a gorgeous, hand dyed silk ribbon (in my favorite shades, I must admit), it's as beautiful as it is powerful.  Use it to contact your higher self, search for lost objects of divine the future.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79770475/crystal-quartz-pendulum-hand-dyed-silk

Realm of the Dead candle from The Well and Spindle

Looking to talk to the household spirit or contact an ancestor?  This candle has been dressed and decorated to do just that.  This "seven day" candle is full of herbs and essential oils to open the pathways between worlds, not to mention it just looks so perfect for Hallowe'en or Samhain.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82180146/realm-of-the-dead-fixed-candle-for

Spiritual Guidance Reading from Readings by Kat

If you aren't confident in your psychic skills, or you just want some help, this may be for you: a Spiritual Guidance 7 card reading from intuitive tarot reader, Kat (who also writes a blog, EmKat Creations http://emkat-creations.blogspot.com/ ).  She may not tell you what you want to hear, but she will give you another perspective on your life, which can really help to make things understandable.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75642137/spiritual-guidance-seveneight-card

Kat has also offered up a reading for me to give away.  I'm very excite to announce our first ever contest. To enter: post a comment here letting us know you want to enter.  October 31, I will randomly select a winner and notify you here.  Good Luck!

As always the images belong to their respective owners.  

A picture of my altar

Talking to your plants and bourbon

While in Breckenridge, CO this summer, my husband, brother-in-law and I visited a small distillery.  It was an interesting experience, and not just because of the process.  The assistant distiller made a point of mentioning that he talked to the yeast and the mash to encourage happy organisms and a good finished product.  My husband was amused, since I do the same thing to many things.

Talking to plants, trees, animals and place spirits fosters good relations.  Good energy out makes for good energy coming in.  So, talk to your computer (nicely, since they are among the most sensitive things I have come across), sing to your supper, or pet the houseplants.  A little affection can go a long way to promoting health and happiness.

Easy Honey Balsalmic Glaze

Since I'm taking part in Domestic Pagan's fitness challenge, I've been looking through my recipes and looking for tasty, easy and low fat meals.  I'd forgotten about several wonderful dishes.  I'll post one every other week.  Look for chicken and persimmon soup, lower calorie meatloaf, and my baked chicken fingers in the future. This week, I'm sharing a glaze I created.

I love balsalmic vinegar. During the summer, I eat lots of it on tomatoes. An easy glaze for chicken and pork can be made with balsalmic vinegar, honey and herbs d' provence. Mix the vinegar and honey in a 2:1 ratio in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil, add the herbs and simmer until reduced to a syrup consistancy. Brush on chicken or pork and broil.  This is also great with roasted vegatables and a lightly seasoned pasta.

Happy Anniversary!

Wow, the year has flown by, hasn't it?  Thanks for reading everyone!