Cut the dowels into any length you wish, just make sure you have two sticks of equal length. Place them to form an equilateral cross. Starting it can be a bit tricky. I tie a tight knot with the ribbon in the centre, then take the dowels and form the cross, and go and tie it the other way.

You could also just tie a knot in the centre, pull the dowels out to form the cross, and start weaving. Just keep in mind you'll have to hold it in place the while you weave it around the first few times. Once you have it started, take the ribbon and wrap it completely around one point of the dowel, than trail it over the next point of the cross. Pull the ribbon taut, you want a tight weave. Work your design outward, stopping periodically to change ribbon colours, if you wish. If your God's Eye is going to be used for magickal purposes, you should visualize its purpose as you weave, and consecrate it for its purpose later on. When you have wrapped the ribbon within about half an inch of the end of the dowels, stop the weaving, and tie it off. This may require a bit of glue to hold it in place. When it is tied off, use a bit of the ribbon to make a loop and glue it to the top of the God's Eye so that you can hang it.

God's Eyes are a great activity for children, and a fun way to teach them about the Sun God and the purpose of Midsummer.

Walking Sticks/Staves

In the Scottish Highlands, those who gathered Midsummer herbs usually carried a walking stick or staff with them to help navigate the rugged terrain. These also served the same magickal purposes an athame or wand. While the Irish crafted staves from the blackthorn tree, English tradition considered the tree cursed and steered clear of it, choosing instead to craft staves out of oak or birch. The Teutons ritually gathered sticks of ash at Midsummer, for they believed that ash made up the Yggdrasil, the Norse tree of life. These are merely cultural lore, and you may use any wood you wish to create your staff. The branch you use for your staff should be at least four to five feet long, and needs to be sturdy enough to support you. Check carefully for rotting, cracks, or splits in the wood, as they may cause the branch to break when trying to support your weight. It also needs to be thin enough for you to grasp. The easiest way to obtain a branch is to find one lying in the woods. If you cannot find a suitable branch or live in a suburb or city, you can fashion one from a dowel, which can be found at a craft or hardware store. Simply choose one that is at least four feet tall, and one to two inches thick, and round the edges with sandpaper. Once you have chosen a branch or dowel you may personalize it any way you wish. Here are some ideas to help get the ball rolling...

However you decorate your staff should be important or significant to you and the purpose it will be used for. When you are finished decorating the staff you may stain it if you wish. If you are going to be using the staff outdoors finish it with a clear, waterproof seal.

Stangs

Stangs are less commonly used forms of staves. Basically, it is a two-pronged staff (see illustration below). The easiest way to find one is to get one that has fallen off of a tree. You can also fashion the prong from papier-mâché, or commission a woodworker or metal smith to make one for you, if you have the means. The Stang is ancient Roman in origin, and was used to represent the two-faced god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. His two faces looked simultaneously into the past and future. Some traditions use stangs to mark the ritual entry and exit point of a magick circle, and see it as a portal between the physical world and the world of spirit. Decorate the stang in the same way you would a staff. You may also use it for the same purposes as a staff.

Dream Pillows

In German and Nordic traditions believed the power of the sun on Midsummer made it easy for humans to access the unseen worlds. Many divinations and vision quests were practiced on this night. To this day prophetic dreams play a large role in Scandinavian lore. The Danes used to place St. John's Wort under their pillows to induce prophetic dreaming, while the Celts and the English used Mugwort, which is just as potent, but without the toxic qualities of St. John's Wort. If you wish to practice dream magick on Midsummer night you may want to make a dream pillow to help enhance your dreams. You will need:

Take the piece of cloth and fold it over so that it makes a square. Sew up all sides EXCEPT ONE, leave one side open so you can stuff your pillow. Turn the pillow inside out, stuff it with your chosen herbs, and sew up the final side. Make sure you are visualizing your goal as you do this, as is plays a large role in the dream magick. When you are finished making the pillow take it to bed with you and place it under your pillowcase, making sure its fragrance will reach you. Before going to sleep, visualize what you wish to dream. You may wish to add a chant too this, to help lull you into sleep. Have a notebook and pen ready to jot down any impressions or dreams you have upon waking. Do this even before you stretch, dreams have a tendency to fade quickly from memory.

Feathered Wreaths

During Midsummer the Goddess prepares to give birth, and the fields are ripe with the first harvests. These wreaths are woven with red and yellow feathers, symbolizing the birth of the crops and fertility, and also prosperity. They can be used as a magickal talisman upon the altar or in the home to bless it with fertility and prosperity.

Trim any excess fuzz or unwanted areas off of the feathers. Take three pipe cleaners and twist them together securely at the top. Start braiding the pipe cleaners, making sure you have a snug braid, and twisting on more pipe cleaners as needed if you run out of length, until you have the desired size of the wreath. Twist the ends of the wreath together securely, and poke the stems of the feathers in the braid of the wreath, alternating yellow and red feathers. If you wish you may secure a loop to the top of the wreath for hanging. You may need to secure the feathers a bit more with the hot glue.

Research for these crafts came from The Chronicles of Avalon, and Sabbats: A Witch's Approach to Living the Old Ways, by Edain McCoy.

By DarkFire Raven

DarkFire Raven moderates the 'Witches Cottage' forum on Weavings

From the Witch's Kitchen

Baklava

As the full moon in June is known as the Honey Moon, any foods made or eaten with honey would be an appropriate dish. The first thing that springs to mind is baklava, one of my favourite desserts! Buy some from the local Greek restaurant if you aren't keen too work with filo (phyllo) dough, which can be a real pain. Or, if you're adventurous, try the recipe below.

I'm trying to (slowly!) convert all of my American measurements into British. Every time I get out one of my cookbooks that I brought with me, I have to turn on the computer and look at the instant converter because all of Magi's kitchen utensils are metric! The only thing I brought with me are my measuring spoons and I am so grateful for even that small favour!

Makes 10 pieces

Ingredients

Preheat oven to 180C/350F/Gas mark 4. Butter an 18x28cm/7x11in pan. Unroll the pastry (very carefully, it rips easily), brush one sheet with melted butter and line the pan with it, carefully working it up the sides. Keep the rest of the dough covered with a damp towel as you work to keep it from drying out. Brush 2 more sheets with melted butter and lay on top of the base sheet, letting the edges hang over the sides of pain. Mix together the nuts (I prefer to give them a pounding in the mortar and pestle to give them a finer texture), breadcrumbs and spices in a bowl and then spoon this mixture into the lined tin. Cut the remaining three sheets of pastry in half (widthways) and brush each piece with melted butter. Layer the sheets on top of the filling and fold in the overhanging edges. Using a very sharp, skinny knife, cut the baklava diagonally, into diamonds. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes, until golden. They go very quickly from golden to burnt so keep an eye out the last 5 minutes or so. As the baklava bakes, heat the honey and lemon juice together in a saucepan. When the baklava is baked, pour the syrup over it while the baklava is still warm. Leave it to cool completely, re-cut it into diamonds and serve either cold or warmed up in the microwave (my favourite way to eat it!). I was told by a little Greek man named Alex, who owns the best restaurant in all of Cincinnati, Ohio, that since baklava has no egg or milk in it, it does not need to be refrigerated. My kids like to eat it cold, though, so I've never tried it. You could leave a piece out for the faeries, too! I'm sure they love Greek pastries!

Sopapillas

Another favourite and very simple dessert to make is the Mexican pastry, sopapillas. Dipped in honey, the light and airy texture defies explanation. Just try them!

Ingredients

1. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Using hands, mix in water to make a smooth dough. Knead lightly on a floured surface. Cut dough into 12 pieces, and shape into round balls. Cover, and set aside.

2. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into thin circles. Cut each circle into triangles. Fry in hot oil, until golden brown, turning when dough puffs. Remove, and drain well on paper towels. Some people like to dust them with powdered sugar (called icing sugar in England). Delicious served with gently warmed honey but can also be eaten by dipping into chocolate or fruit sauce.

Caramel Custards

Any food that is yellow can be used to symbolize the Sun. Citrus fruits would be good. Peach halves with vanilla pudding (custard) or flan (caramel custards or crème Brule) are also appropriate.

Ingredients:

For the Caramel:

For the Custard:

Directions:

CARAMEL:

1. Combine the sugar and water in a thick bottom medium saucepan. Boil over high heat until sugar starts to caramelised and turns golden brown.

2. Add 1 tablespoon water or more to thin the caramel. Pour caramel in a ring mould or other appropriate oven-proof individual moulds or ramekin.

CUSTARD:

1. Beat the eggs and sugar in a mixing bowl. Slowly pour in the boiling milk. Stir in the vanilla. Strain the custard mix through a fine strainer. Pour into the caramelised mould. Bake in a water bath at 350 F (180C/Gas mark 4) for 30 minutes for a ring mould, 20 minutes for individual moulds. Refrigerate caramel custard until cold.

2. Wet a non-serrated knife and run it between the custards and the sides of the ramekins or mould.

3. Put a plate upside down over each ramekin and invert it quickly. The flan should slide out easily.

by Garnet WindDancer

People in Magick - John Dee & Edward Kelly

Continuing our series of People in Magick, this month we look at John Dee, astrologer to Queen Elizabeth I and his partner in Enochain Magick, John Dee.

John Dee was born in London on July 13, 1527. His father was a vintner and a man of high repute in the court of Henry VIII, with some affluence, allowing him to give his son a decent education. John Dee went to St. John's College in Cambridge at the age of 15 in 1542, where he studied math and astronomy, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree two years later. After receiving his first degree, he travelled to Holland meeting with many scholars. When he returned to England, he brought with him the first astronomer's staff of brass along with two brass gloves constructed by Gerard Mercado, a famous cartographer of that time. After his return he received a Master of the Arts degree but was soon forced to leave England after being accused of being a conjurer thanks to a machine he built. During his first sojourn away from England, he first went to Louvain, France then spent some time in Paris, giving lectures on Euclid's Elements and the basics of Geometry at the Sorbonne. Dee was offered a permanent post there, but he declined the post to return to England where he had been recommended for the post of Rector of Severn-upon-Severn by Edward VI, the son of Henry VII. While performing the duties of Rector, with the assurance of a home and steady income, Dee exclusively devoted himself to astrological studies. However, upon the accession of Queen Mary, also known as Bloody Mary in 1553 he was accused of using enchantments against the queen's life and imprisoned at Hampton Court. Such accusations of witchcraft and sorcery plagued Dee all his life, despite his many scientific achievements. Dee said in his translation of Euclid's Elements in English that he was regarded as a companion of the helhounds (sic), a caller and a conjurer of wicked and damned spirits. In 1555 Dee was freed by an act of the Privy Council and he took his liberty. Dees fortunes began to rise upon the accession of Elizabeth I, due to the fact that Lord Morely, one of the queen's favourites, asked Dee to pick a 'propitious day' for her coronation. Elizabeth met Dee and was so impressed with him that she had him give her lessons in astrology. Soon after, Dee again went to the Continent for several years, travelling throughout Europe. In 1571, Dee purchased a mansion at Mortlake on the Thames river where he began a collection of curious books and manuscripts and objects, most of which were later destroyed by mobs that thought Dee was familiar with the Devil and was confiscated by the Queen after 1583. The collection included 4000 rare books and 700 choice manuscripts, many of which are to be found in the British Museum. He also became well known as an astronomer, as well as an astrologer with many people coming to consult his advice. Dee practised astrology for his living, but he studied the Talmud, Rosicrucian theories and practised alchemy in hopes of finding the elixir of life and the Philosopher's Stone.

In 1581 Dee began to experiment with crystalomancy or crystal gazing, a mode of divination using a globe, a clear pool of water (the method that Nostradamus used to collect his quatrains) or any transparent object. According to his diary on May 25, 1581 Dee first saw spirits while crystal gazing, and during the following year, he saw a vision of the angel Uriel, who gave him a convex piece of crystal that would allow communication with the spirit world. After using the crystal many times, Dee discovered that he was only able to use the crystal by concentrating his entire mental faculties on the crystal. Dee found he was able to use it for such communications, but he could not write down what he would see during his visions. It became necessary for Dee to have an assistant write down what he saw and heard, and Dee found him in Edward Kelly.

Edward Kelly was born in 1555 in the county of Lancashire. Nothing is known about his early life, but after being convicted of counterfeiting, he was sentenced to the pillory at Lancaster where he lost his ears. Then he moved to Worcester, becoming an apothecary and an alchemist, gaining a reputation for being a sensualist. While Dee sought knowledge for knowledge's sake, Kelly only was interested how it could make him rich. Kelly was famous for claiming to have discovered the Philosopher's stone, and a deep knowledge of necromancy. Upon meeting Dee, Kelly looked into the convex crystal and nearly every time he did so, he seemed to have wondrous visions. Although Dee was very intelligent and learned, he was also too trusting. Kelly not only saw visions of angels, but also of devils whose task was to destroy the two men. Dee was so convinced of the truth of these visions that he transcribed them verbatim and they can be found in the book: A True and Faithful Relation of what passed between Dr. Dee and some Spirits. Now, Dee claimed to have finally found the elixir vitæ in the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, and with the elixir and the spirits, Dees fame spread throughout Europe attracting many curious visitors, including Albert Laski, a Polish nobleman. Laski invited the two men, along with their wives and children to return with him to Poland, so they all went.

For several years after 1583 Dr. John Dee and Edward Kelly lived in Trebona in Poland, the home town of Albert Laski, who sponsored their alchemical researches. In about a year, Laski's fortune was spent, and the men began to travel about Poland and Bohemia, from city to city. These travels went on until 1587, when in Prague Dr. Dee's health began to fail and when Kelly and Dee had a falling out because of Kelly's new explorations of a book called The Necronomicon, that frightened both Dee and his family. Dee is said to have found a copy of the Necronomicon, given to him by the alchemist Jacob Eliezer known as the "Black Rabbi" (this book does exist and was the basis of Kelly and Dee's Enochian magic, Crowley's The Book of the Law and H.P Lovecraft's Cthulthu Mythos). Shortly after that Dee returned to England along with his family. As for the final fate of Kelly, he continued to claim that he had the philosopher's stone and the elixir vitæ as before, but not finding as much interest as before. Eventually he was arrested as a heretic and a sorcerer in Prague, and again in southern Germany. But, after the second imprisonment he attempted to escape from his prison, only managing to fall and brake two of his ribs and both legs. He died in 1593 due to his injuries.

Dee returned to England, welcomed by Elizabeth and the court then went back to his home in Mortlake, continuing his search for the philosopher's stone, that always had eluded him. His experiments yielded nothing except to impoverish Dee. Seeing his plight, Elizabeth gave him first the position of chancellor of St. Paul's Cathedral in London and then the wardenship of Manchester College that he held until 1603 when he finally retired to his home for good. While he was warden of Manchester College Dee translated his copy of the Necronomicon into English and was never printed. After Dee's death the book went into the collection of Elias Ashmole then into the Bodleian Library in Oxford until it was stolen in 1934. Back at Mortlake for good, Dee was a fortune-teller which gave him the reputation of being a wizard. Dee petitioned James I in 1604 for protection against such accusation. Replying to them by saying 'that none of all the great number of the very strange and frivolous fables or histories reported and told of him were true'. Dee died at the age of 81 in 1608, in extreme poverty.

Dr. John Dee was one of the keenest minds of his time. He his credited for making the calculations that would enable England to use the Gregorian calendar, he championed the preservation and the collection of historic documents and he was very well known for being a great astronomer and mathematician. It could be said that Dr. Dee was the one of the first modern scientists, although he was also an alchemist, necromancer and crystal gazer.

by Magi

In the News

Toxic Tech Victory

Sony Ericsson announces phase out of toxic chemicals

9 April 2005

Sony Ericsson has recently committed to remove toxic chemicals from its entire product range. Market leaders such as Sony Ericsson show that substitution of toxics with safer alternatives is possible. The company listened to the thousands of participants in our online action demanding that electronics companies phase out toxic chemicals and substitute them with safer alternatives. Demand for toxic-free products is clearly the people's choice. Back in November we asked for your help to pressure electronic companies to change for the better. Over 14,000 people from across the globe responded by writing over 32,000 messages to the top producers of mobile phones, computers and TVs. Sony Ericsson listened. We hope the other companies are listening too.

Now just one company phasing out toxic substances might not sound like a big deal. But in 2004 Sony Ericsson sold 42 million phones. Soon millions of these phones will be shipped without containing chemicals hazardous to human health and the environment.

Why are chemicals in products important?

Companies going toxics-free means less pollution and worker exposure during production, less chemicals in your home during use and easier, cleaner recycling and disposal. Discover more companies taking postive steps in our toxic free catwalk.

Our recent tests of products in Italy revealed that consumer goods aimed at children and babies contained the highest levels of toxic substances, out of a shopping basket of everyday articles. For example Mattel's Barbie Fashion Fever contained high levels of toxic chemicals.

These results show that company voluntary measures are good, but other companies will never change unless they are forced to by law. Only then will these toxic chemicals be brought phased out and substituted with safer alternatives.

What about those laws?

Current regulation of chemicals is weak and inadequate. Almost everyone has dozens of man-made chemicals in their body, the effects of these chemical cocktails on our health are unknown. In Europe the EU is drafting new laws, that would set a world standard, we need to make sure that the new law not only identifies all hazardous chemicals, but also requires their substitution with safer alternatives.

While better chemical regulation should be welcomed by all, it is under attack from predictable quarters. The chemical industry has been scare mongering with exaggerated claims of job losses and declining profits. It has also recruited dirty industries best friend, the Bush Administration, to threaten Europe with a World Trade Organisation lawsuit if it dares to try and cut toxic pollution.

The best way to counter inaccurate industry lobbying is to have other companies' show they can do without toxic chemicals. The list is growing - Ikea, H&M, Sony Ericsson, Marks&Spencer, Sony, Nokia and Puma are leading the way.

http://act.greenpeace.org/1115123467/index_html

Judge: Parents can't teach pagan beliefs Father appeals order in divorce decree that prevents couple from exposing son to Wicca.

By Kevin Corcoran kevin.corcoran@indystar.com May 26, 2005

An Indianapolis father is appealing a Marion County judge's unusual order that prohibits him and his ex-wife from exposing their child to "non-mainstream religious beliefs and rituals."

The parents practice Wicca, a contemporary pagan religion that emphasizes a balance in nature and reverence for the earth.

Cale J. Bradford, chief judge of the Marion Superior Court, kept the unusual provision in the couple's divorce decree last year over their fierce objections, court records show. The order does not define a mainstream religion.

Bradford refused to remove the provision after the 9-year-old boy's outraged parents, Thomas E. Jones Jr. and his ex-wife, Tammie U. Bristol, protested last fall.

Through a court spokeswoman, Bradford said Wednesday he could not discuss the pending legal dispute.

The parents' Wiccan beliefs came to Bradford's attention in a confidential report prepared by the Domestic Relations Counseling Bureau, which provides recommendations to the court on child custody and visitation rights. Jones' son attends a local Catholic school.

"There is a discrepancy between Ms. Jones and Mr. Jones' lifestyle and the belief system adhered to by the parochial school. . . . Ms. Jones and Mr. Jones display little insight into the confusion these divergent belief systems will have upon (the boy) as he ages," the bureau said in its report.

But Jones, 37, Indianapolis, disputes the bureau's findings, saying he attended Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis as a non-Christian.

Jones has brought the case before the Indiana Court of Appeals, with help from the Indiana Civil Liberties Union. They filed their request for the appeals court to strike the one-paragraph clause in January.

"This was done without either of us requesting it and at the judge's whim," said Jones, who has organized Pagan Pride Day events in Indianapolis. "It is upsetting to our son that he cannot celebrate holidays with us, including Yule, which is winter solstice, and Ostara, which is the spring equinox."

The ICLU and Jones assert the judge's order tramples on the parents' constitutional right to expose their son to a religion of their choice. Both say the court failed to explain how exposing the boy to Wicca's beliefs and practices would harm him.

Bristol is not involved in the appeal and could not be reached for comment. She and Jones have joint custody, and the boy lives with the father on the Northside.

Jones and the ICLU also argue the order is so vague that it could lead to Jones being found in contempt and losing custody of his son.

"When they read the order to me, I said, 'You've got to be kidding,' " said Alisa G. Cohen, an Indianapolis attorney representing Jones. "Didn't the judge get the memo that it's not up to him what constitutes a valid religion?"

Some people have preconceived notions about Wicca, which has some rituals involving nudity but mostly would be inoffensive to children, said Philip Goff, director of the Center for the Study of Religion & American Culture at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

"Wiccans use the language of witchcraft, but it has a different meaning to them," Goff said. "Their practices tend to be rather pacifistic. They tend to revolve around the old pagan holidays. There's not really a church of Wicca. Practices vary from region to region."

Even the U.S. military accommodates Wiccans and educates chaplains about their beliefs, said Lawrence W. Snyder, an associate professor of religious studies at Western Kentucky University.

"The federal government has given Wiccans protection under the First Amendment," Snyder said. "Unless this judge has some very specific information about activities involving the child that are harmful, the law is not on his side."

At times, divorcing parents might battle in the courts over the religion of their children. But Kenneth J. Falk, the ICLU's legal director, said he knows of no such order issued before by an Indiana court. He said his research also did not turn up such a case nationally.

"Religion comes up most frequently when there are disputes between the parents. There are lots of cases where a mom and dad are of different faiths, and they're having a tug of war over the kids," Falk said. "This is different: Their dispute is with the judge. When the government is attempting to tell people they're not allowed to engage in non-mainstream activities, that raises concerns."

Indiana law generally allows parents who are awarded physical custody of children to determine their religious training; courts step in only when the children's physical or emotional health would be endangered.

Getting the judge's religious restriction lifted should be a slam-dunk, said David Orentlicher, an Indiana University law professor and Democratic state representative from Indianapolis.

"That's blatantly unconstitutional," Orentlicher said. "Obviously, the judge can order them not to expose the child to drugs or other inappropriate conduct, but it sounds like this order was confusing or could be misconstrued."

The couple married in February 1995, and their divorce was final in February 2004.

As Wiccans, the boy's parents believe in nature-based deities and engage in worship rituals that include guided meditation that Jones says improved his son's concentration. Wicca "is an understanding that we're all connected, and respecting that," said Jones, who is a computer Web designer.

Jones said he does not consider himself a witch or practice anything resembling witchcraft.

During the divorce, he told a court official that Wiccans are not devil worshippers. And he said he does not practice a form of Wicca that involves nudity.

"I celebrate life as a duality. There's a male and female force to everything," Jones said. "I feel the Earth is a living creature. I don't believe in Satan or any creature of infinite evil."

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050526/NEWS01/505260481&template=printart

Weavings' Cauldrons & Broomsticks: a magical newsletter is an online email newsletter for the Pagan population at large.  We cover topics ranging from Wicca, Witchcraft, and Druids, to Ceremonial Magic, Kabala, and herb lore.  Each Sabbat (Eight a year) you’ll receive this wonderful newsletter in your email box…free!  If you have a question or comment, please send them to CandB (at) Wyldwytch (dot) Com.  Disclaimer: We wish to make it clear that we are nothing to do with "Cauldrons and Broomsticks eZine"

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