Dealing with Anger

(Reposted from my other blog)
There are a lot of people that will tell you what you need to do to deal with your anger. There are books about dealing with it, therapists talk about it, religious leaders tell you what to do with it and even our parents tell us how to deal with it. But the truth of the matter is that we each need to find a way to deal with our anger for ourselves.

We feel angry for many reasons... when someone disappoints us or lies to us, when situations don't go the way we had hoped. When we fail at something that we wanted to achieve, when life isn't fair. But the truth of the mater is that anger is an emotion... though it can feel absolutely horrid... it will not kill us. However the effects of not dealing with our anger can cause a whole host of emotional, spiritual and health problems.

I discovered over the last two years that I actually am a pretty angry person. Possibly the fact that since the first time my parents said "don't cry or I will give you something to cry about" that I bottled up every feeling of anger I ever had. Actually every feeling I had to be honest. So that has meant years and years of bottled anger. That anger was not all silly petty things either. There are many many moments of legitimate anger and even rage in our life times... especially if you have ever encountered any unpleasant circumstances in your life. So back to my point - I'm angry.

I never used to speak about it... I would simply eat. SURPRISE!
Lol you probably weren't surprised. Food because the very best way I could find to soothe the terrible angry beast. But at the same time the shame of doing that just increase my anger at myself. So I found myself in a catch 22 where what I was doing to soothe my anger was just feeding my anger. Yikes! What to do?

Over the last 3 and a bit years I lived with an angry man and literally the shit hit the fan. But the good thing of it was that at the end of it all I learned to speak. During the course of the relationship I didn't handle my anger very well. I was voicing it but of course at times it was at the top of my lungs which is not a good thing. And then I would feel the shame of yelling and I would eat. So I learned that yelling and screaming and throwing the occasional phone or candle holder was not helping either.

Then I ended the relationship and met a man who has become a very dear friend. He is probably going to shoot me for mentioning him in my blog but he has a very calm, serene way about him. I have seen him in situations where I wouldn't have blamed him if he made snarky comments or was just plain rude... but he is not like that. I am not saying he doesn't get angry. I know that he does but I also have seen him take a step back from the situation, work through it and deal with it appropriately or just simply let it go.  Sometimes it seems he has a very serious Zen thing going on because situations that have me about ready to take off someones head he can often laugh at it. But I am learning that too... laughter heals and how can you feel bad when you are laughing really?

One of the biggest anger triggers for me is at the place where I used to work. I have a big issue with guys that came in and because it is a "technical/computer" industry thought that I couldn't do it because I am a woman. When I have guys looking around me while I am sitting at the desk and talking to the "men" who aren't working and asking for their help it makes me mad. It frustrates my friend too because he has taught me a great deal about what I know about computers. So this is something that makes me feel insignificant, disrespected, and angry. He always points out to the guys that I am the one working and that I can help them just as well as he can. Now that might not be entirely true about somethings but if I can't do it... I sure as hell will find out how to or get some help myself. So when I get rip roaring mad at the disrespect and the "stereotyping" he does a funny thing - he talks to me. Let me say what I needed to say. To speak my truth no matter how retarded it sounded. In the face of his calm and logic (usually - he is man after all!) He reminds me that I know who and what I am and what I can do and that though I shouldn't have to prove myself that is just the way the world is.

My friend has said to me on many occasions that "sometimes people and situations in life are just not worth the effort. So it is always better to see them for what they are and just let it go." So ultimately I needed to learn that in the long run most of the things that make me angry only truly affect me for a few moments and then they are gone. So why get all worked up about them and ruin your day. Now that isn't to say that there aren't times when anger is a helpful emotion that helps us to be aware of and deal with difficult situations. If I hadn't heeded my anger in regards to my ex and used that anger to realize just how damaging the relationship was - I would still be in that relationship and most likely a ranting and raving, crazy woman who was growing larger by the day.

So I have finally learned to slow down some and not react as quickly, or as ferociously as I did when I first left my ex and when I first started that job. The amazing thing about being able to talk about it and to be heard  was that the desire to eat away the anger seems to have slipped off into the darkness for the most part. I can't say that starting to deal with my anger has caused any weight loss because the truth of the mater is that I still need to master the depression and stress eating and get off my ass and work it out. But the fact is I know that I am no longer gaining because my rage is overwhelming me.

The very act of speaking my words cut down on the number of "anger calories" that went into my mouth and onto my hips but we don't always have the opportunity or a friend who is there for us to speak our truth to. So other options that I have started to utilize again are my journalling... that is simply another way of putting a voice to your thoughts feelings and anger. As well it is a great place to problem solve. Writing it on paper gives the opportunity to put it down and put it away even if for a few hours - and then come back to it with a clearer and hopefully calmer perspective.

So that is just my two cents worth on anger today....
Raiwvynn

Sunshine and Bugs

Summer is unarguably most people's favourite time of year. The sun is shining, school is out, holidays are taken, and every weekend there is the opportunity for barbeques and picnics. There is baseball and soccer and all sorts of sports activities. Swimming at the beach, camping and day trips. What fun!

But summer also has its draw backs –bug bites! In this day and age we need to be cautious about these. In recent years we have been on the watch for diseases carried by mosquitoes such as West Nile. Also there is a need to watch out for ticks that might carry Lyme disease. Here are some practical tips on preventing mosquito and tick bites!

The Dread Pirate of the Sky – the Mosquito

Mosquitoes carry viral diseases that many of us are not even aware of. While the occurrences of these diseases are often location specific the fact is that they are carried by these winged critters. Some of the diseases carried by mosquitoes include yellow fever; dengue fever; epidemic polyarthritis; Rift Valley fever; Ross River Fever; St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis, LaCross encephalitis, and many other types of invasive diseases.

Mosquitoes are also responsible for malaria which is known to be the world's leading cause of premature death. 5.3 million people die each year from the Anopheles Mosquito – the mosquito that carries Malaria. Children under the age of five are the most likely to die from malaria. Fortunately for us here in North America Malaria is not usually found. Mosquitoes are also capable of carrying the filariasis worm which causes the disease Elephantiasis. Statistics state that there could be as many as 40 million people worldwide that are dealing with some form of Elephantiasis. For us in North America we know that the West Nile virus is spread by infected mosquitoes, and can cause serious even fatal symptoms.

Children tend to swell up and turn red when they have been bitten by a pesky mosquito but as people get older they tend to build up immunity to mosquito bites and often are not even aware that they have been bitten. This means that adults are more likely to be infected by a mosquito born disease and be unaware of it. The United States Center for Disease Control says "The risk of severe illness and death is highest for people over 50 years old, although people of all ages can become ill."

West Nile Virus

Perhaps the most notorious of the mosquito born illnesses in recent years West Nile Virus like malaria can result in death. Some of the symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash (on the trunk of the body) and swollen lymph glands. While this illness can last as briefly as a few days some reports say it can last for several weeks. The more severe form of the disease include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. There is an estimation that 1 out of every 150 people that are infected with the West Nile virus will develop the severe form of the illness.

It important that we remember that these thirsty little blood suckers are out there and can be a threat to our health even our lives. Enjoy the warm weather, but remember that mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are already flying about looking for a warm lunch. So the question is what to do? First off is protecting yourself.

Bug Repellants

In addition to staying indoors as dawn or early in the evening and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when going outdoors bug repellants are a good way to prevent mosquito bites. There are many commercial sprays that work well but often they are laced with harsh chemicals. There are alternatives to chemical sprays and creams but it really can take some time to figure out which one works for you. It is important to find a bug repellant that works for you.
Bug repellant doesn't work if you don't us it. If you are looking for something a little more natural here is one that is made of natural ingredients and there is also a soothing bath for those who have had the misfortune to have been bitten.

Nature Walk Insect Repellent

Base

8 tbsp Aloe Vera gel
8 tbsp very light skin lotion

 

Oils
1 ½ teaspoons Citronella oil
½ teaspoon eucalyptus oil

½ teaspoon patchouli oil

 

Pour all the ingredients into a bottle and shake well. As you shake bless it saying:

 

Though our insect friends are needed

In the air they go unheeded

But on our skin they sting and bite

And they hinder our delight

Of pine wood forest, of hill and dale

When we walk the nature trail

So when our feet walk on the trail

This soothing cream will prevail

Against the critters that make us swell

So I confirm by this here spell

My bug repellent will work quite well

Use liberally over the body avoid eyes and mouth areas.

 

 

Soothing Bug Bite Bath

Ingredients:

1 cup Epson Salts

¼ cup Baking Soda

1 tbs lavender

1 tbs chamomile

5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil

Directions:

Add the ingredients to an already running warm bath. To avoid floating herbs in your water make a bag out of cheese cloth or use a clean nylon stocking and place the herb inside. Soak in the water and submerge yourself in the water to sooth and ease the pain of bug bites.

Avoid Providing Breeding Grounds

Remember to check around your yard and dump out standing water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs. Mosquitoes can develop in as little as ¼ inch of standing water that lasts for seven to ten days. Here are some helpful tips for getting rid of standing water.

Dispose of discarded tires, cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or other unused similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property. Do not overlook containers that have become overgrown by vegetation.	Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors. Drainage holes drilled in the sides of containers allow sufficient water to collect in which mosquitoes may breed.
At least once per week, empty standing water from containers on your property, such as tire swings, or bird baths.	Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. A wading pool becomes a mosquito producer if it is not used on a regular basis
Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Flooded roof gutters are easily overlooked but can produce hundreds of mosquitoes each season.	Fill in low areas on your property to eliminate standing water. Ponds or streams where fish are present or the water is disturbed by current or wave action do not produce many mosquitoes.
Fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water.	Store boats covered or upside down, or remove rainwater weekly.
Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in bird baths. Change water in bird baths and wading pools on a weekly basis.	Keep drains, ditches and culverts free of grass clippings, weeds and trash so water will drain properly.
Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate	Report possible mosquito breeding sites to your local mosquito control agency if one exists in your community.
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left untended by a family that goes on vacation for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware that mosquitoes may breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.

 

The Woodland Beasty – The Tick

When we think of ticks we most often think of them attaching themselves to our pets. But ticks can and do like the blood of humans as well. (I know this from personal experience of waking up one night to find one on my fiancée's shoulder!) From the larval stage to the adult stage ticks will attach themselves to animals and humans for a feast of blood. As well as being annoying and rather disturbing it can also be dangerous. Ticks can transmit diseases such as: Lyme disease, Human Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis (often concurrent with Lyme disease from the same deer tick bite), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis and Southern Tick-associated Rash illness.

Perhaps the most commonly known and scary disease that is carried by ticks is Lyme disease. This disease if not treated can have some seriously debilitating consequences. Carried by the black legged tick (also known as the deer tick) the symptoms of Lyme disease generally start with a bulls eye shaped rash around the bite site along with fever, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, muscle pain and generally feeling uncomfortable. The North Carolina State Universtiy, department of entomology list the following as symptoms:

Stage I involves a rash and flu-like symptoms. Within 30 days of infection, a characteristic rash (erythema migrans) occurs at the site of the tick bite. Twenty to 50 percent of Lyme disease patients do not exhibit the rash, which often delays diagnosis of the disease. Erythema migrans may occur as an irregular-shaped red blotch or it may consist of a bright red ring around the bite that gradually expands over several days and clears in the center to form a bull's-eye pattern. The rash can vary in size from 1 to 18 inches. Later, secondary blotchlike skin lesions may occur away from the site of the bite when the spirochete spreads. The rash is usually accompanied by fatigue, a headache, a stiff neck, muscle aches and pains, and a general feeling of discomfort.

Stage II, which occurs during the next several weeks, includes cardiac and neurological symptoms. Neurological complications occur in about 15 percent of the patients and can involve encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), radiculitis (inflammation of the nerve roots), and Bell's palsy (transitory facial paralysis). In most instances, these symptoms completely disappear after lasting several months. Cardiac abnormalities occur in about 8 percent of patients. The symptoms include dizziness, shortness of breath, and heartbeat irregularities that may require installation of a pacemaker. Within several weeks these symptoms usually disappear.

Stage III is distinguished by arthritic problems that may appear as long as two years after the rash. Patients may experience pain, swelling, and elevated temperature in one or more joints. Some patients may also exhibit sleepwalking, loss of memory, mood changes, and inability to concentrate. Lyme disease and its complications can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Physicians use different antibiotics against each stage of the disease. With early treatment, the course of Lyme disease is shortened and the occurrence of late complications, such as arthritis, is reduced. Therefore, it is important to diagnose Lyme disease and administer antibiotic therapy quickly.

Protection Yourself from Ticks

It is important to protect yourself from ticks and the diseases that they carry here are some tips to help you protect yourself:

 

Find out from your local public health office if there are ticks in your area, especially blacklegged ticks.	To avoid ticks that maybe on grass and shrubs, stay on wide paths and roads when possible.
Wear protective clothing to limit the access of ticks to your skin. This clothing should include enclosed shoes, long-sleeved shirts that fit tightly around the wrist and are tucked into pants, and long-legged pants tucked into socks or boots. Light coloured clothing helps to be able to spot ticks.	Insect repellents containing DEET are safe and can effectively repel ticks. Repellents can be applied to clothing as well as exposed skin but should not be applied to skin underneath clothing (note: DEET may damage some materials). Always read and follow label directions.
After removing ticks, wash the site of attachment with soap and water or disinfect it with alcohol or household antiseptic. Note the day of the tick bite and try to save the tick in an empty pill vial or doubled zip-lock bag.	Carefully remove attached ticks using tweezers. Grasp the tick's head and mouth parts as close to the skin as possible and pull slowly until the tick is removed. Do not twist or rotate the tick and try not to damage the tick (i.e., squash or crush it) during removal.
Check for ticks on clothing and skin after being in tick-infested areas. A daily total-body inspection and prompt removal of attached ticks (i.e., within 18 to 24 hours) can reduce the risk of infection. Blacklegged ticks are very small, particularly at the nymph stage, be sure to look carefully. Do not forget to check children and pets as well. A tick must be attached at least six hours in order to transmit disease organisms causing Rocky Mountain spotted fever; therefore, the longer a tick is attached, the greater the chances are that germs will be transmitted. The minimum attachment time required for transmission of Lyme disease is not yet known.

 

All in all we know that prevention is the best medicine. Avoiding the stinging and biting of insects that can bring serious illness it is an important part of summer health and safety. I hope that your summer is a health and safe one.

Brightest Blessings

Raiwvynn Dusana

 

Resources

http://www.articlealley.com/article_253125_17.html

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/prevention_info.htm

www.cdc.gov/WestNile/

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/westnilevirus.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Nile_virus

http://www.co.frederick.md.us/DocumentView.asp?DID=2579

http://realestate.aol.com/article/improve/_a/surviving-summer-bugs/20070711180509990001

http://encarta.msn.com/related_761560686_3/diseases_carried_by_mosquitoes.html

http://ezinearticles.com/?Viral-Diseases-Carried-by-Mosquitoes&id=920039

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/diseases.html

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/childhoodinfections/a/west_nile_virus.htm

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/ticks.htm

http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/180/12/1221

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/id-mi/lyme-fs-eng.php#7

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/lyme/index.html

http://www.kcom.edu/faculty/chamberlain/tickdis.htm

http://www.nasdonline.org/docs/d000901-d001000/d000960/d000960.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/lyme_disease/article.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/Lyme/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_disease

 

A Blessing for Cupboards and Doors

I forgot to add this one with the other kitchen blessings a few blog posts ago. So I thought I would share this one with you today.

Behind you are hidden the tools of my craft

From garden and forest and even from Kraft

Blessings in boxes and jars on your shelves

Things to bring healing and health to ourselves

So blessings upon you my cupboards and drawers

And thanks for protecting what’s hid by your doors.

Lavender (Herb Study)

Lavender

Botanical Name: Lavandula angustifolia, L. Spica, L. officinalis, L. dentate, l. stoechas, L. Viridis,

Family: Lamiacea (formerly Labiatae)

Lavender is an attractive and aromatic plant. It is a popular plant in many herb gardens and is known for its fragrance more so than for its culinary uses. Lavender has numerous different varieties. The English lavender tends to be a small bushy shrub that grows to about 3 feet high. It has silvery gray-green leaves and slender stalks that have clusters of purple, lavender, or mauve flowers. It is the variety most often used for culinary uses. The French lavender has much less aroma than the English lavender and a thicker leaves. Though the flowers of the French lavender have less scent, the leaves have more fragrance and this makes it a very good variety for decorative use.

Origins and Folklore

Lavenders are native to the Mediterranean. There are some varieties that were known to the ancient Romans and Greeks. It was frequently used in bathwater and thus it is safe to say that the origin of the name comes from the Latin “lavare” which means to wash. Not surprising then that it is still a popular scent for bath and beauty products today. The lavender from England was said to be the best in the world until the late 20^th century when Tasmania became the primary producer of lavender essential oils.  

It is said that lavender was worn by prostitutes to advertise their profession and attract men.

Culinary Uses

Lavender is not a commonly used herb for culinary use. It should be used sparingly or it can become very overpowering and add bitterness to your food. It was used more commonly in the 17^th century as a culinary herb along with some other flowers to make a conserve that was mixed with sugar and used kind of like an icing for cookies and cakes.

The Moroccans used lavender along with rose petals, orris root powder, saffron, numerous spices and some “mind altering substances” and is added to the exotic blend called “ras el hanout.” It is also found in some of the savour herb blends called hebrs de Provence.

Lavender goes well with sweet dishes that contain cream. It is also used to add colour and flavour to shortbread.

Magickal Uses and Information

Gender: Masculine

Element: Air

Planet: Mercury

Deities: Venus, Aphrodite

The most common uses for lavender include: love, protection, sleep, chastity, longevity, purification, happiness, and peace. Some further uses include:

• Added to love spells and also mixed in food to strengthen love
• Used in love sachets and in drawers to attract love
• Write love letters on paper that you have rubbed lavender
• Used in sleep spells
• Protects against abusive treatment by a spouse if worn
• Scattered around your home it will bring about a peaceful, harmonious atmosphere.
• Smell often to bring about long life
• Used in healing mixtures
• Used to see ghosts
• Offers protection from the evil eye
• Used in purification baths
• Used in wish divination

Medicinal, Homeopathic and Aromatherapy Uses

Some of the uses for lavender include:

• Made as a tea, then cooled, used for a hair rinse to reduce dandruff
• Lavender has antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, and anti-depressant qualities
• Treats the following conditions:

Stress	Anxiety	Exhaustion
Irritability	Headaches/migraines	Insomnia
Depression	Colds	Digestion/flatulence etc.
Liver and gallbladder problems	Loss of appetite	Breath freshener/mouthwash
Relaxation/sleep aid	Healing cuts, scrapes, wounds	Soothing bee stings and insect bites
Muscle aches	Rheumatism/arthritis	Cold sores & cankers
Blusters	Bruises	Athletes food
Rashes

References

http://www.gardensablaze.com/HerbLavenderMed.htm

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/lavender-000260.htm

http://healthmad.com/alternative/10-uses-for-lavender/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavender

http://www.ageless.co.za/herb-lavender.htm

http://herbgardens.about.com/od/medicinalherbs/a/Lavender.htm

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

Your Backyard Herb Garden: A Gardener's Guide to Growing Over 50 Herbs Plus How to Use Them in Cooking, by Miranda Smith

The Spice and Herb Bible by Ian Hemphill and Kate Hemphill

The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants as Medicines by Matthew Wood

The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants by Matthew Wood

The Healing Power of Herbs: The Enlightened Person's Guide to the Wonders of Medicinal Plants by Michael T. Murray N.D.

Wise Woman Herbal Healing Wise by Susun S. Weed and Durga Bernhard

Mastering Herbalism by Paul Huson

Cullpepper’s Colour Herbal edited by David Potterton

Nerve and Muscle Pain Bath

I needed a bath too sooth some sore muscles tonight. This is a bath recipe that I made up a few years ago and use fairly regularly. I find it helpful and thought that I would share it with you all. 

Ingredients

1 parts Eucalyptus – aids in relaxing and healing muscle pain

1 parts Rosemary - aids in easing muscle pain

2 parts skullcap – aids in treating muscle spasms

2 parts Chamomile – aids in relaxing muscles and easing nerve pain

1 part cramp bark - eases muscle and nerve pain and spasms

1 cup Epsom salts

1cup baking soda

Blue food colouring – healing colour

Method
If you are using dried herbs combine the ingredients and place them in a cheese cloth bag or nylon stocking and use as a bath tea bag. Take the Epsom slats and add 2 or 3 drops of the food colouring and mix well. (You can exclude the baking soda if you are using this method.) Then run the water and add them. Place the “bath tea bag” in the water and swish it around gently or place it under the running water to release the healing properties of the herbs.


If you are using oils, add them one at a time to the baking soda and Epson salts and mix thoroughly, breaking up any clumps. When mixed add a couple of drops of food colouring to add to the healing power of the bath salts. Run your water and add the salts to the water, swishing to release the colour, scent and healing properties.
Get into the tub and lean back – relax and envision the pain seeping out of you into the water. When you are finished let the water drain away and see your pain going with it.

If you wish to add a stone/crystal to this bath Chrysocolla would be a good suggestion. This stone is known to draw out the heat of inflammation and to draw out pain. It is an excellent stone to use in combination with these herbs to reduce sore muscles and speed healing.

Magical House Keeping - Kitchen Cleaning

I had a friend ask me the other day why I chanted while I house clean. It was kind of funny because a couple years ago I would have had the same question if I saw someone chanting while they scrubbed the floor or cupboards. So I thought I would explain - and share some of the chants/blessings that I use when I am cleaning my home. 


I think that what it boils down to for me is that I want to make sure that I have the most positive energy possible in my home. When I take the time to cleanse, clean and bless my home I am moving negative energy out of my home and drawing positive energy in. Now people say well can't you just do a general house cleansing and blessings and I say off course you can. This is just a personal choice that helps me to find balance and peace in my home. 


I currently have a relative living with me. He is a great guy but the truth is that he is in a stressful situation right now and when he comes home from work you can often feel the negative energy hovering around him. The first thing that he does is make himself something to eat. It only takes him a few minutes to settle down and let go of that negative energy but where do you think it goes?  So that energy that he brings in gets immediately dumped into my kitchen. Believe me that is not the kind of energy that I want to have filling up my not so big kitchen. So when I clean I also cleanse the energy of my kitchen. Sometimes it is simply singing which moves the energy. Sometime it is actually chanting something specific. Sometimes it is speaking a blessing. Sometimes you might even catch me dancing around the kitchen. What do all of these things have in common? They raise and move energy.


I also have blessings for my appliances. Why? Well think about it. All of our appliances use energy - they heat our food, cool our food, chop, whirl etc etc. What better way of getting positive energy into our food than blessing those appliances, the energy that they use and that they give off. I can't see that it would be a negative things at all.


 I am not saying I use them every time I wipe down an appliance or clean my counters but when I do a good cleaning I love the energy that flows from a cleansed and blessed kitchen (or bathroom or livingroom or any room for that matter!) That said I will share some of the chants and blessings that I use when cleaning. Some are serious but most have some element of fun. I hope you enjoy them. 


Feel free to use them if you like but please don't post them elsewhere without asking - as they are my original writing.

 a chant to use while cleaning your counters.

Meals for my family and meals for my mate

On your clean surfaces I will create

Whether cooking or crafting or mixing a brew

You lend your aid to whatever I do

So cleaning you now is the task I employ

To help fill this kitchen with magick and joy

A Blessing for Cupboards and Drawers

Behind you are hidden the tools of my craft

From garden and forest and even from Kraft

Blessings in boxes and jars on your shelves

Things to bring healing and health to ourselves

So blessings upon you my cupboards and drawers

And thanks for protecting what’s hid by your doors.

Fridge Blessing

On the cold depths of freezer and fridge

I place this blessing to help cross the bridge

From mundane to magick your aid I request

That all who eat from you will be pleasantly blessed

So guardian of condiment, veggie, fruit and meat

Blessed are you that holds what we eat

Stove/Oven Blessing

Source of heat to cook our food

With the power of fire our meal’s imbued

Blessings upon you the source of the heat

That cooks all my veggies, my grains and my meat

Magick you bring on whatever I brew

Blessings upon you for all that you do

Microwave Blessing

Fast and quick you reheat our food

Whether boiled or brewed or even if stewed

You light the fire and you bring relief

Because you make reheating so incredibly brief

Bless us with magick upon the mundane

As you are a link in my strong kitchen chain

Coffee Maker

Maker of the bitter drink

I would rather toss down the sink

Send your blessings to my guy

Cause without his coffee he would cry

Bless this house with the morning scent

A magick moment joyfully spent

Food Processor

Whirling, spinning, chopping, ground

The uses of the processer sound

Saving fingers as food flows

You take the burden of chopping woes

Continued blessings we ask of you

Add your magick through and through

Blender Blessing

Spinning magick, swirling food

With the power of four imbued

So beat and whip and mix and blend

Bless with magick as your path you wend

Blender magick as you whirl

Let sweet magic around us swirl

Toaster Oven

A place for toast or pop tarts sweet

You cook all things from bread to meat

You warm and brown, you broil and bake

Adding warmth to all I make

Bless the house with your toasty heat

Bless all in this kitchen who would pause to eat

Slow Cooker

When life is all crazy, just hurry and rush

When the running around leaves me all in a flush

You pour out the blessings of food cooked on time

To simply sit down to a meal is divine

No hurry, no rushing a blessing indeed

Thank you dear crock pot for from cooking I’m freed

Raiwvynn Dusana Windsong

Answers to some questions....

I've had a few people ask me some questions about what I post in my blog. They were interested in knowing why I do studies of the different Gods and Goddesses, why I do herb studies and so on. So I thought that I would elaborate on that.

Some of the things that I post are from assignments that I have done for the classes that I have taken at the Magickal Circle School. They are designed to help me learn more about the particular topics of the class but also to help me connect more with the Lord and Lady and nature. As I work on these assignments and explore the different deities I learn more not only about the nature of the God and Goddess but of myself. The deeper I dive into understanding them, the archetypes, and the historical understanding and impact the closer I draw to her that is the source of all things. This deepens and strengthens not only my tie to the Goddess and her consort but it helps me to know myself, to grow and deepen my spiritual walk.

So why the herbal stuff and the gemstone stuff?
Well the herbal stuff is research that I have done which I think is helpful for me because not only is it a good exercise in research and practice using herbs but it helps me to retain what I have read, or practiced. For me when I write things down in my own words they become more ingrained in my mind and I am more easily able to remember them. As well all of these are in my Grimoire (which is my herbal book of shadows for all intents and purposes.) As well there really are a lot of lazy people out there who won't do the research for themselves. In sharing here, hopefully some will read and see that there are pros and cons to using herbs - especially if you dont know what is safe and what is not. There are many people who don't understand that there can be issues using certain herbs... even common herbs- if they don't know what they are doing. So my sharing those projects here is out of concern for sharing good information and helping people be aware.

The stone studies are simple there because I love working with stones.

As always, I welcome any and all feedback.
I hope you have a blessed day!
Raiwvynn