In recognition of Christmas and Yule Caribou/Reindeer as Totem

~ Connection to home over long distances

~ Power of wandering

~ Protection while travelling

~ Social skills

~ Retention of ones power in group situations

~ Ability to go long periods in the dark


The reindeer is a family-oriented totem, skillful in communication and social activities. This totem is a born-leader and welcomes any opportunity to guide others in his herd into new directions. Reindeer has an innocent demeanor and is helpful to friends and family members. Receptive to the needs of others this totem teaches how to adapt to community concerns. "All for one, and One for all" could easily be the motto for this totem. If a reindeer makes its appearance in your life the lesson may very well be that it is time for you to step up and take an active role in caring for the herd. If you have become isolated it may be asking you to take on a leadership role in getting everyone to work as a team. Or, if you currently have a domineering role, you may need to look and see if you are overshadowing others with your ideals, in that case, step back a bit. Guidance is a key role for this totem. Be a kind and helpful teacher, not a bossy one. It is little wonder that Rudolph (who would be categorized with other mystical totems) with his beacon red-light nose was chosen by Santa to guide his team of reindeer into the foggy Christmas Eve night. Look around you, your help is needed.

Additionally the connection of reindeer to shamanic wisdom is ancient; carvings and cave drawings go back many thousands of years. Indeed, reindeer are known to eat the hallucinogenic fly agaric fungus and their urine, still full of the properties of the fungus has been drunk by shaman to induce trances. Reputedly, this sort of trance has a flying element to it, linking again to the story of flying reindeer. Drums made from the skin of reindeer have been considered highly powerful tools in working with the Otherworld for the purposes of magic and healing in this one.


*Sorces
http://zenandtheartoftightropewalking.wordpress.com/2010/12/24/reindeer-totem-of-enduranceand-winter/
http://totemtalk.ning.com/group/c/forum/topics/caribou-reindeer

Mistletoe Magic

Mistletoe has long been used for protection and for love magic. Burning mistletoe banishes evil. Take a bottle of rubbing alcohol and drop fresh mistletoe sprigs in it. Let this set for a few hours. The longer it rests, the more potent will be the potion. When ready, pour the alcohol in your cauldron and light it. If you do not have time to allow the potion to rest, instead burn some sprigs of mistletoe. As you burn the potion or sprigs, say:

“Evil may not reside or visit this happy and healthy home—not in any form, nor at any time. This home is protected by the Mother Goddess and Father God. Blessed are those who reside here. So it is from this day forward.”

You may also empower a mistletoe wreath for additional protection.

History & Use of Frankincense

Since farther back than anyone can remember Frankincense has been used for medicinal and religious purposes. Early Egyptians used Frankincense as part of their embalming process, the Greeks used it as an antidote to hemlock poisoning, and the Chinese used it for trading as well as for internal and external purposes. Today, Frankincense is used mostly for aroma therapeutics but many have also recognized it as an anti inflammatory, antiseptic, and a diuretic. Some medical research has been done showing a relationship between the possibility of Frankincense and the treatment of osteoarthritis and may have some anti cancer fighting agents.


Frankincense has also been shown to help with anxiety, disappointment, hysteria, emotional fatigue, nervousness, congestion, anti inflammatory, immune deficiency, insomnia, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, aphrodisiac, emollient, indigestion, carminative, antiseptic, expectorant, sedative, tonic, and anti tumor.
Frankincense has been around since ancient times and is even mentioned in the Bible. The Jews offered up Frankincense in ceremonies. It seems that different regions use Frankincense for different reasons; the Chinese use Frankincense to treat leprosy, Egyptians used Frankincense to pain women's eyelids, hair remover, and perfume. The main contribution of Frankincense is for respiratory distress and although it was once taken internally but no longer is but now is rather used as more of incense and when it is infused with vapors it can help laryngitis.


Frankincense comes from a tree called the Boswellia Thurifera which can be found in Africa and Arabia. To get Frankincense, they split the trunk of the tree and allow the resin to harden before it is harvested. Frankincense is commonly used in the practice of Wicca which is a religion that practices witchcraft. They use Frankincense for perfumes and believe that it corresponds well with certain days such as Sundays and Wednesdays. What Wicca's call a solar spell is affiliated with Frankincense in the form of oil or herbs are used for spells and formulas that are related to solar issues.


These spells would be used for such purposes as physical energy, protection, success, and putting an end to specific legal issues. When you refer to Frankincense in the form of essential oils it is very expensive and is usually diluted with other oils or jojoba oil. These combinations are also used by the Wicca's when casting spells. Some people prefer to substitute Rosemary for Frankincense.


Ironically enough never forget that Frankincense was one of the beautiful gifts that were brought to baby Jesus on the night of his birth by one of the three wise men. This is also used to increase menstrual flow, to treat syphilis, for unsightly scars and stretch marks, and breast cysts. Further it is used to treat acne, boils, and skin infections as well. Frankincense is one herb that is not edible and is not known for use in any recipe contrary to those who believe that Frankincense is used in Indian cuisine. It is not known to be used in any cuisine at all but it is extremely helpful for the practice of aromatherapy.

http://shabi-home-remedies.blogspot.com/2008/01/frankincense-history-uses.html

Herbs For Thanksgiving

On September 6, 1620, the Mayflower set sail from England for the New World with 102 passengers. Although the ship's official bill of lading has since been lost, we know it listed tools and agricultural and horticultural seeds (specifically, wheat and "pease"); we can only guess what favorite herb seeds and cuttings were brought from English gardens. Although medicinal herbs would be a priority, basic culinary herbs in use at the time by English "goodwives" included mint, sage, parsely, thyme, marjoram, tansy, pennyroyal, rosemary and chamomile. Rooted cuttings were most likely stuck into root vegetables to help them survive the 66-day trip.


In the spring of 1621, "Meresteads" (farmlands) and "Garden Plotes" (home gardens) were assigned to those who had survived the severe winter. Garden plots were largely tended by women for whom flower gardens would have been an extravagance; however, they did plant lilacs and Eglantine roses by their houses as well as clumps of hollyhocks, tiger lilies, and peonies—all from cuttings and roots brought from England and nurtured over the winter. In the fields, the men planted the wheat and pea seeds they had brought. In addition, the local Native Americans taught the Pilgrims about native vegetables and herbs. Along with many herbs especially valuable for medicinal uses, the settlers learned to use strawberry and blackberry leaves, sassafras root, bee balm, and birch bark for tea.


The native maize produced a very successful harvest that first year. On September 21 or 22, 1621, close to Michaelmas (September 29, the traditional day for harvest feasts in 17th-century England), the 52 surviving colonists and a group of Wampanoag Indians began a 3-day celebration. Although the complete menu is not documented, William Bradford tells us they the colonists supplied wild ducks, geese, turkeys, swans, and passenger pigeons, along with cod and sea bass. The Indians brought venison. The four "goodwives" who had survived the year prepared simple dishes seasoned with European and native herbs. A recipe for Oyster Cornbread Dressing called for "Onyons cut fine and of Parsley, Sage, Time, Savory…"


Sage, Thyme, and Rosemary


Although our Thanksgiving occurs about two months later in the year than the Pilgrims' celebration, we season our dishes with many of the same herbs they used, especially sage, thyme and rosemary. These are all woody perennials which, in late November, are not yet completely dormant in our gardens. Sage and thyme are frost hardy; rosemary is hardy only to about 20 degrees, although it may overwinter in colder temperatures depending on location.


Two varieties of rosemary, Arp and Hill Hardy, are said to be hardy to -10 degrees, although location still seems to be a determinant of survival. Rosemary can be potted up and brought indoors where it needs good drainage (never let it sit in water), at least six hours of sunlight a day, good air circulation, and a cool room. An unheated sunroom is ideal. Since rosemary is a Mediterranean native, some growers feel it benefits from frequent misting. Depending on the size of the plant, it can be clipped throughout the winter.


Thyme needs soil with good drainage in full sun. Mulching thyme plants 6-8 inches helps to keep them from heaving in cold weather; mulch needs to be completely removed in the early spring. French thyme, my favorite for flavor, seems to be a bit less hardy than English thyme. Thyme pairs well with sage in poultry seasoning and is a good seasoning for winter squashes. It can be snipped even under the snow. In the spring, it can be propagated by seeds, cutting, division, or layering.


Heavy harvests of sage should be complete by the first of September, although it can be clipped sparingly all winter. Sage plants tend to decline after about four years and replacements can be started by seed, layering or cuttings. In the garden, both sage and rosemary benefit from a sand mulch.


In addition to adding sage to turkey dressing, the leaves can be placed in the cavity of the Thanksgiving turkey. For a great presentation, slide your hands between the turkey breast meat and skin to loosen the skin. Rub butter or margarine on the breast meat and arrange sage leaves (this can also be done with rosemary) under the skin. Pat the skin down and roast. When finished, the leaves will show through the browned skin.

Thanksgiving Potpourri

By Madeline Wajda

1 C dried sage leaves

2 C goldenrod

1 C dried lovage (or dried celery) leaves

1/2 C sunflower seed

1/2 C pumpkin seeds

1 C evening primrose pods

1/2 C squash seeds

2 C dried basil leaves and flowers

1 C Indian corn

2 C hickory nuts

2 C acorns

Makes a colorful and fresh-scented potpourri for display in open, glass containers. After Thanksgiving, throw out potpourri for the birds; the leaves will blow away, and the birds will take care of the seeds and nuts.