Well we're getting to, what is for many of us, our favourite holiday of the year, Samhain and it's time for thinking not only about our rituals and ancestors, but also the pumpkins!
I've had these templates for a while, but they are excellent. Included in this link is a doc file called "Carve It." This file is a step by step guide on carving pumpkins. Then there are 6 wonderful pumkin designs, ideal for all the family.
If you do have any problems downloading these files, do please let me know and I'll see what I can do.
Click on the following links to down load the pages!
Carve It - How To Carve Your Pumpkin!
Pumpkim Design 10
Pumpkin Design 16
Pumkin Design 19
Pumpkin Design 21
Pumkin Design 23
Pumpkin Design 28
What You Need:
A4 Card To Make Heart Template - Click Here To Download Template
Red/glitter Fimo Clay - (Should need about half, maybe less)
5 Red Gem Flowers - Optional
Gold Ink or Craft Paint
Narrow Green Ribbon, about 3 yards
A silver coin
Glue - One that will stick the coin and gems to the Fimo
Fine paint brush
Kitchen foil
Rolling pin
Baking Tray
How To Make:
NB: All the time you are making this plaque think of it's purpose. See you and your loved ones happy, in good health, and feeling prosperous. This will empower the plaque with your intentions!
- Set your oven as per instructions on the clay packet.
- Download the template and print onto A4 card. Cut this out ready for use.
- Roll out the Fimon clay. Want's to be a little under 1/2cm
- Place your template over the top and using a knife (one you'd eat dinner with will be fine), cut around the template. Take your time.
- Make two holes, about 2 cm apart at the top of the heart , about 1 1/2 cm below the central point.
- Scrunch up some foil onto the baking tray. I made two small mounds for the upper curves of the heart and a smaller one to lay the tail over. Do also remember to have a dip in the centre where you will place your coin. You could press the coin into the centre to create the dip.
- Now you can lay your heart over the foil. Shape the heart until you are happy. this is to give the heart some shape.
- Place in overn and bake for the requited time as per instructed. Note: even once it is cooked, the clay will still feel soft, so don't remove from the foil or tray until it is completely cool!
- Now paint the edge, roughly, with some gold paint or ink. I also dry brushed (this is where youremove some of the paint onto scrap paper before applying brush to surface) some paint over other areas of the heart.
- Once the paint is dry you can glue the coin in the centre of the heart and glue your flower gems and allow to dry.
- Cut enough ribbon to make a loop for hanging the plaque. Thread this through and make a knot.
- Now thread the rest through from the back to the front and tie into a bow.
Your plaque is finished. Mine is by the hearth, but you could place yours near the heart or front door to encourage 'health, prosperity and happiness' to come into your home.
This is a very easy project for most children and can be extended to other pagan symbols. This stones are lovely for alters or in the garden.
What You Will Need:
A flat river or sea stone - about 4 to 6 inches in length (note: Always ask for your gift and leave an offering as a thank you)
A light pencil - HB should be fine
Gold Hobby Paint
Fine Paint Brush
What To Do:
Make sure your stone is clean and dry
Lightly draw your sun design onto your stone. (Younger shildren may need some guidance for this part).
Now carefully paint your design and allow to dry. If pencil lines are showing gently go over the first lot of paint again.
Note: You might want to do a small concegration ceremony once it is completed.
Other Ideas:
Tripple Moon Symbol - Use Silver paint for this
Pentacle - You could make your very own alter pentacle using a lovely stone. Natural things are always nice for your alter.
Totems - you could create some animal totem stones. Keeps your images symple. Take a look through google for idea.
Runes - Pebbles always make lovely runes
~Pagan Related News~
Families banished over witchcraft
Wednesday, 7th October, 2009
Angry residents attacked two families in Mubende and Mityana district after accusing them of practicing witchcraft. A mob almost lynched the family of Yozefu Walakira on Sunday night at Bulyamagunju village in Myanzi sub-county.
A day earlier, in a separate incident, Betty Nakyobe was chased from Kityokya centre in Bulera sub-county. In the Sunday incident, Walakira’s property was destroyed, but security operatives came in time to rescue the family.
The sub-county internal security officer, Godfrey Kabiito, confirmed the attack. “Some goats, pigs and chicken were killed. The banana and coffee plantations were cut down and Walakira was assaulted,” he said.
The mob accused Walakira’s wife, Deziranta Namatovu, of terrorising the village with witchcraft, he explained.
“One of the complainants is Simon Bugembe, his neighbour, who claims that Namatovu bewitched her daughter.” The Police said the hunt for the perpetrators was still going on.
In the other incident, Nakyobe was chased from the trading centre after she was seen digging up the graveyard of George Nsamba resident.
“They arrested her and took her to the Police. The Police called the owner of the graveyard and Nakyobe agreed to repair the graves,” said Jane Namukasa, the defence secretary.
“When she was released to implement the agreement, the residents held a meeting and resolved to send her away from the village.”
Another area leader, Emma Sakos, said the residents attacked Nakyobe on Saturday morning before she left her house and ordered her to leave the village.
“The LC officials and the Police intervened and she was not assaulted. She immediately left the village. The property which she left behind was burnt,” Sakos said.
The acting district Police commander, Nathan Matovu, said the case was being investigated.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/19/697106
A pentagram should be marked on the ritual area, centred on the spot where you will be sitting before your alter. The pentacle should be about eight feet across. (if you wish not to use a pentacle then cast your circle as you feel you should.)
Set up the ritual area in advance then retire to bathe before robing for this rite, fixing in your mind that the water is cleansing not just the physical body, but also the heart, spirit/soul of all guilt, stain and imperfection, leaving behind only that which is strong and good.
On the alter place a bit of bread and some salt in a small dish, as well as a glass or chalice containing some red wine or nectar. Incense should be available, as it is used liberally throughout the ritual. (Essential Oil may be substituted is you wish)
When you are ready, meditate for awhile, and think of what has happened in the past and of those who have gone before you. This is a time for joy and celebration of your dead ancestors.
Items you'll need:
7 candles:
1 White
1 Green
1 Black or Purple
4 of various Seasonal Colours
Small Pumpkin
Ear of Corn with Husks
Bit of Bread
Salt
Red Wine or Nectar
Cup or Chalice
Cauldron (or suitable substitute)
Incense or Essential Oil
The Ritual:
Go to the place of the ritual, and kneel before the alter. Light the candles on the alter, saying as you do so:
Light white candle:
This I light for the Maiden's bright glory.
Light green candle:
This I light for the passion and triumph of the Lady/Mother
Light black/purple candle:
This for the wisdom of the Crown
Light the incense, and then the five candles which sit before the alter, saying:
These do I light in honour
Not only of the Three-Fold Goddess
But for Her strong, horned consort.
He who is sometimes laughing, sometimes grim
And close nearby on this night
Stand, pointing the wand out before you, calling:
On this, the sacred night of Samhain
Do I build this small temple
In honour of the Goddess, and of the God
And of the Ancient Ones
From the times before Time.
To all I do give by love
And my warmest greetings.
Place the five candles at the points of the pentagram, touching each with the wand. Rap thrice upon the alter with the wand, then replace it. Kneel before the alter and hold your arms out over it, crossed, and give the incantation:
This is a time that is not a time
In a place that is not a place
On a day that is not a day
Between the worlds
And beyond...
Pause for the space of 13 heartbeats.
Then hold your hands over your bread and salt, and the wine / nectar in a attitude of blessing, and say:
For this salt, bread, and wine/nectar
Do I ask the blessings
Of Maiden, of Lady/Mother, of Crone
And of the Horned God/One
Who guards the Portal of the Worlds
Take the bread and touch it to the salt, saying:
May I, and those whom I love Have sufficiency and good health
After eating the bread, take the wine cup and hold it forth in a toast towards the north, saying:
May our spirits be strong.
Drink the wine/nectar, and proclaim:
By the Threefold Goddess
And by the Horned God/One
So be it!
At this time you can relax, play a musical instrument, and sing or recite poetry, if these are your inclinations. Or you may improvise that which you feel is appropriate for this occasion. When you feel that the ritual should end, put out the candles at the points of the pentacle, then those of the alter, saying:
Though these flames
Of the material world
Be blackened,
They shall ever burn
In the worlds beyond.
The rite is ended!
