Let’s talk about intention setting. It’s something you hear thrown around directly and indirectly all the time. From mindset and goalsetting gurus to psychologists and even the old adage ‘It’s the thought that counts’; your intentions guide almost everything you do. We place a lot of moral weight behind someone’s stated or hidden intentions. The concept of intentions has sparked some of humanities oldest proverbs and colloquialisms:  

• The road to hell is paved with good intentions. 
• Let a wrong-doing repeat itself at least three times: the first may be an accident, the second a mistake, but the third is likely to be intentional. 
• He who covers up his mistakes intends to make some more. 
• No matter how brilliant an action, it should not be considered great unless it was the result of a great motive. 

This is one of the fundamental differences in the conversation between magic believers and non-magic believers. Some people would argue that it’s the difference between magic and science, but I fall into the camp of people that believe all magic is science that we don’t have the ability to explain yet. That doesn’t make it not magic. Things that we now refer to as common knowledge science would have gotten you burned at the stake 400 years ago. Then there are those things that I believe mankind just isn’t meant to unravel or dissect- they just are part of the magic of existing. 

Whilst I hate being the kind of person that loads you up with definitions- some things bear defining. So let’s start there.  

Stated simply your intentions are your goals, aims, hopes, and meanings. Intentions encompass everything from all that you hope to accomplish to the thoughts behind actions you do for and to others. That’s a lot of weight to put on one little word.  

Intention setting is one of those science meets magic subjects that I love. Why? Because right now- the majority of people on the planet consider it hippy woo-woo metaphysical, magical, mystical and otherwise two solid frog hops from the Crazy Pond. Meanwhile the Scientific community is just starting to seriously explore the concept of intentionality in serious depth. We’re at one of those awesome crossroads where we can watch the process of the scientific being used to explain the magical. Its an exciting thing.  

The basic concept of formal Intention Setting is the basis for most forms of magic. Intention setting is the first step in Manifesting. It is the spark and creative power that pushes our desires, hopes, and dreams out into the universe so the Law of Attraction can work is magic. Setting an intention is more than just stating what you want and waiting for it to happen. It’s a purposeful direction of psychic and physical energy toward a goal. Anything less is just a wish.  

We talk about setting intentions constantly for both big and little projects, seasons, our lives; Before rituals, going into classes and experiences. “What are your intentions? What are you hoping to get out of this?” Setting intentions means being mindful of your thoughts and your inner dialogue. 

The law of attraction is founded on the premise that the quality of our most prevalent thoughts, moods and attitudes determines the quality of what we manifest in our lives (What Is The Law Of Attraction? – Forbes Health). Its quite literally the power of the mind and how it interacts with the positive and negative energies of the world.  

Ever had someone turn to you and say “Mind over Matter”?  

This isn’t a new concept. I mentioned in a previous post a quote by Napolean Hill “The Mind attracts the things it dwells upon.” Which is a more condensed version of his original “Our minds become magnetized with the dominating thoughts we hold in our minds and these magnets attract to us the forces, the people, the circumstances of life which harmonize with the nature of our dominating thoughts”.  

In an Article by Forbes, Christy Whitman, a master-certified law of attraction coach in Scottsdale, Arizona, the founder of The Quantum Success Coaching Academy and author of The Desire Factor, has a great way of explaining the basics of the theory: 

“Thanks to the contribution of Albert Einstein’s famous equation, E = mc2, we now understand that matter and energy are inseparable, and that energy is the basis of everything in our tangible universe,” she continues “Everything that manifests in the physical world does so by a process of resonant energies being drawn together.” Whitman explains that it’s like when a C chord is struck on a piano. “Every other key that is tuned to the chord of C quivers in response to the note that’s been sounded, because frequencies that resonate at a similar vibration are magnetized together,” What Is The Law Of Attraction? – Forbes Health 

Some of the most successful people in the world swear by the ‘Power of Positive Thinking’. Oprah Winfrey discusses it in her book ‘The Secret’. Other celebrity names include Jim Carrey, Lady Gaga, Denzel Washington, and Jennifer Lopez. Whilst I am not a huge follower of tinsel town- what I’m getting at is that there are some very successful mainstream icons that are beginning to recognize the science behind it. The idea also falls in line with the Power of Association (when your parents used to say “I don’t want you hanging out with so-and-so, they’re a bad influence!) and the idea that like attracts like. It’s the concept that the direction and intention of your thoughts has the ability to interact with the Intentions and purpose of the Universe; and in the words of Bernard Shaw “We know there is intention and purpose in the universe, because there is intention and purpose in us.” 

When we talk about intention setting in magic we’re talking about the power of setting your mind to something, of setting yourself firmly on a decision or path and using your will to make it happen.  

According to Bruce Lipton, an American Developmental Biologist and former professor of Epigenetics states that when we set intentions “the beliefs we hold in our minds are converted into electromagnetic fields by nerve cells and the brain ‘broadcasts’ this information to all of the cells within our body. Cells respond to the information in these energy fields and use it to control their behavior and gene activity.” On the flipside of that same coin, if we are prone to negative thinking and fail to set positive intentions within our lives, our cells will respond by preparing to Fight-or-Flight, adding stressor triggers subconsciously in our day to day lives. 

Science is beginning to be able to measure and demonstrate this. If you want to read more about the connection between biology, the brain and mindfulness and how intention setting can affect our neurology and in turn our physiology, this article (The Biology Of Intention-Setting: Our Body’s Response To Activating The Mind – Thrive Global) talks a lot about Dr. Richard Davidson and his work on Neuroplasticity. 

Another Phenomenal Read is “The Intention Experiment” By Lynn McTaggart which draws on findings of leading scientists around the world. McTaggart uses cutting-edge research conducted at Princeton, MIT, Stanford, and other universities and laboratories to discuss how intent is capable of profoundly affecting all aspects of our lives.  

One of my favorite Excerpts from that book is a quote from William A. Tiller, a professor emeritus at Standford University. “For the last 400 years, an unstated assumption of science is that human intention cannot affect what we call physical reality. Our experimental research of the past decade shows that, for todays world and under the right conditions, this assumption is no longer correct.”  

The farther science gets into the study of intentions setting, the more power they are finding resides in the mind. We are even beginning to use the power of intention setting in psychology as a form of therapy and trauma healing as well as traditional medicine. Doctors discuss the idea of “setting the intention to get well, even if you don’t know how to yet.” That the idea of openly stating an intention to get well, to heal your body, and to focus on your health in that time can act upon the subconscious and not only speed up the natural process, but actually open pathways in the body that trigger the body’s natural healing processes on its own. Your body is designed to heal itself- it wants to be at homeostasis. It’s essentially stimulating an immune response. 

If you’ve ever heard someone say, “you can’t help someone that doesn’t want to get better.” It falls under this same principle, just on a smaller, more subconscious scale.  

Now this isn’t to say that chanting “I am going to get better.” Is going to cure you of cancer. Modern Medicine still plays a roll and for very good reasons; your mind cannot fix 100% of anything- but it does play a huge role. Who knows what science will discover in the next ten and twenty years; in the meantime, the notable improvement in processes of the body that are already there make it worth pursuing. I can’t see why someone wouldn’t use every tool at their disposal to help their body do what it needs to do. If I had an infection and a doctor told me to drink lots of water, get extra rest, take lots of vitamin B and an antibiotic- I wouldn’t skip out on the vitamin B but do everything else. Sure, you’ll probably get better otherwise, but why wouldn’t you try and do it faster? If you’re trying to bake a cake and you only use 90% of the ingredients- you’ll still end up with something edible- but it might not be as good.  

The truth behind most modern Magic is at the end of the day pretty simple and straightforward. In more elegant words it’s a combination of intention setting and intense gratitude for what the universe gives us. Call it self-fulfilling prophecy, or the placebo effect. To dumb it down even further- its spicy psychology. And you can label it hippy woo-woo if you choose too but seeing the world the way that I want to and slowly manifesting or out-stubborning it until it reflects my vision has worked pretty well for me for twenty-eight years.  

That’s basically all it is. I decide what I want to happen. I set my intentions, very specifically. I focus my whole being on what it is I am trying to accomplish or manifest. Sounds simple huh? But simple and easy aren’t the same thing. Sure, you can say it out loud; whatever the intention may be. But at that point its just a wish more less. We’re talking about actual magnetism and attraction, which works on a molecular level. Its about actively changing your personal narrative and your subconscious on a chemical level. Which is harder than it sounds because humans are complex creatures.  

This is in some way, another area that the idea of mindfulness comes into play. You have to be aware of your intentions and your thoughts and your focus in order to direct them. And it takes discipline to build that skill. You’d be amazed at the number of people walking around the world with their thoughts higgledy-piggledy (or maybe you wouldn’t be) with little to no actual awareness of their thoughts or intentions. How many times do you hear “I dunno, I just didn’t think about it.” In response to a question regarding why they did something. And thoughtlessness is exactly it. The awesome thing about this though, is that its totally fixable. Its learnable. It’s something that you are in complete control of within your life.  

I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter, your experiences, or your questions. If you’re so inclined, please accept my challenge: Take a few minutes to set yourself an intention. Start small, and don’t give yourself a list a mile long (rule one of goal setting/ habit creating/ or manifesting). Pick one thing. Be Specific. Write it down. Say it out loud. Declare it to the Universe (note here I say the universe and not ‘people’). Pay close attention to how your personal narrative talks about it and thinks about it in your head. Any time you catch yourself referring to it in the negative correct it. Don’t just stop the negative- you must replace it with the positive. Repeat it to yourself multiple times a day. Affirm it. Be very intentional with this one thing. For 60 days. Then come back and tell me what happened and how you feel about it. 

Now go get intentional! 

All the best, 

Mikaela 

Hey fellow crafters! 

I am switching gears a little bit today. I want to do a video on loom knitting basics but before we get to that I want to go over why loom knitting is so awesome, some of the tools you might want, and what you can make.  

I am not going to lie… when I was first knitting, I saw loom knitting as cheating or the easy way out. But I also have a policy of: 

“Don’t knock it till you try it!” 

So, I waddled my happy ass down to an art store and purchased my first kit. I can proudly say I am now hooked (pun intended).  

Why? 

Loom knitting quicker, easier to learn for beginners and easier on one’s hands for the elderly, disabled, or arthritic. If you have trouble keeping count of your stitches, I also find that loom knitting is easier to keep track of.  

What can you stitch on a loom?  

Beanies? Check.  

Scarves? Check.  

Bags? Check.  

Blankets? Check.  

Socks? Check.  

Sweaters? Check.  

The point is that anything you can get a knitting pattern for, you can also do on a loom. You can do a knit or purl stitch. The only thing to consider is that you will need to doctor a knitting pattern a bit as loom knitting is always knitting the right side (RS) and regular knitting, every other line is the wrong side (WS) so you need to convert those lines to be the opposite/ backwards.  

What do you need for your project?   

1. Yarn- this seems obvious. 
2. Either your hands or a pen- your hands also seem obvious BUT if you want to speed things up and maybe save your self a hand cramp, I saw a trick online that I love. Take the tip and inside of/out of a pen so you just have a tube (I suppose you could also use something like a straw), thread your yarn through it and literally act like you are drawing with the yarn around the pegs. If you have loom knitted, you know what I am talking about. If not… I will show you when I get to the video.  
3. A pick- you use this to throw stitches over the pegs and create the stitches. The kits come with a pick that looks like a handle with a little metal hook on the end to grab the yarn. If you bought your loom second hand though it may be missing AND I have noticed that those get broken AND they also tend to give me hand cramps over time. Knot as bad as regular knitting but like 3 hours in I can feel it.  I would recommend splurging on one at a craft store that has a bigger and/or cushier handle. I also saw someone use the cricut tool to help clean up cuts that looks like a hook and confess that I will be trying that soon. It looks comfy since it has a longer handle.  
4. A loom- Now THIS is what I was trying to get to because there are different types of looms.  

What types of looms are there and what are they for? 

So I should say first that each of them can be used for multiple things. For example, I have used the smallest circular loom to make tiny hats, stockings, mittens, ‘sponges’, and a placemat. Just because it is circular does not mean you have to knit in the round; you can do a flat piece.  And using the long rectangular looms you can make a flat piece, a circular piece like a hat or get a double layered effect.  

There are 4 main types on these looms:  

Circular Loom– These can and are mostly used to do flat panels, sponges, stockings, mittens, placemats, coasters, hats, bags and even sweaters. Most kits come with 4 standard sizes. The smallest size is mostly for preme baby hats, dish scrubbies, mittens, and little stockings. The next size up would be more like regular baby sized hats or a scarf. The next size up from that would be for adult hats, smaller bags, scarves and the like. The large one is technically a bit large for beanies, but I like it for slouchy beanies. It is also a great size for sweater parts and bags. 

Rectangular Loom– These can also be used to do beanies but it’s better to leave that to the circle and focusing on something else. These are great for sweaters, scarves, double knitting, and some blankets. I also find them easier to store in my drawers when organizing so I think they are a powerhouse.  

Sock Loom– You make socks with this.  Duh.

Infinity or Afghan Loom– This is really just a large rectangular loom but it was big enough they folded it into an infinity sign so that you can knit a larger item; like an Afghan.  

I plan in the near future to do a video showing how to get started and to make a beanie in the round vs making something flat like a pot holder. I am mid way through a move but I have several projects lined up so that we can work along. Anything I will be teaching could be applied to any of the 4 types of looms so why don’t you locate a couple supplies are work along with me next month?

Thank for stopping by,

Taylor

Artemisia Vulgaris 

Another Everyday Kitchen Witch or Herbalist Essential. Mugwort or Biboz is a common name for several flowering plants in the Artemisia Genus. In Europe it is most commonly Artemisia Vulgaris or common Mugwort. There is also Artemisia Argyi or Chinese Mugwort used in traditional Chinese Medicine. Artemisia Princeps is also known as ssuk in Korea or Yomogi in Japan. There are several varieties with similar uses, and all are known for their aromatic flowers. There are in total over 500 varieties that all fall within the Daisy family. They are also amazing attractors of bees and butterflies and many other pollinators. 

It is a very prolific plant; native to Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa, though it now grows all over the world. Some unknowing people even treat it as a weed! Other common names include common wormwood, wild wormwood, felon herb, chrysanthemum weed, St. John’s plant, & sailor’s tobacco. Some of these names however, are misnomers as wormwood is a ‘cousin’ of Mugwort but in truth a different plant (artemisia absinthinium). 

In my personal opinion, Mugwort is one of those wonderful few plants gifted to us by the universe; for she is easy to grow and her uses are many. This is probably the primary reason that despite many advances in modern medicine Mugwort is still used today very similarly to how it was in the iron age. 

Medicinal Uses 

From a Medicinal standpoint, Mugwort taken orally can help with digestive problems, irregular menstruation, and high blood pressure. It’s also promoted as a mild sedative. Topically it has been used as an antimicrobial preservative and to calm itching and inflammation. Mixed with Menthol it can also provide relief from itching associated with hypertrophic scars from severe burns (I can attest to this myself. I have a burn scar from a third degree burn that dries out faster than the rest of my skin, burns more easily, and itches constantly. Menthol Mugwort Balm is my friend). Additionally it has anti-coagulant and disinfectant properties that make it very versatile and valuable to the home apothecary. It can be smoked, ingested, or applied topically depending on the need. 

Mugwort has a nerve calming effect that is sometimes used by people trying to quit nicotine. They will temporarily smoke hand rolled cigarettes of herbal blends that include Mugwort to help with withdrawals and cravings. In fact, at one point it was used as a substitute for expensive tobacco (giving rise to the nickname ‘sailors tobacco’). 

Precautions 

Unlike many herbs, which can be taken at any time, Mugwort should not be taken at any point when pregnant as it can cause menstruation and uterine contractions.  

Plants from the Genus Artemisia contain liver toxins that may build up if used in excess. If you use Mugwort regularly, make sure to take breaks of at least a week. For this reason Mugwort should never been given to children or pets.  

NEVER ingest essential oils- this goes double for oils containing Thujone. A single overdose can cause permanent Liver and Kidney Damage. Ingesting the plant is fine- essential oils are NOT the same thing if you are buying a scent profile.  

While I don’t know if it’s possible to have a ‘bad trip’ from Mugwort- those opposed to any mind altering substances should probably steer clear. 

Mugwort in History 

Use of Mugwort date back to the Iron Age when it got its beginnings as a preservative for beer, it also doubled as the crucial bitter note we now use hops for, as well as a culinary herb used to season fish and game dishes. Her culinary uses have been overshadowed however by her cousin wormwood- the psychoactive ingredient in absinthe. One popular theory is that Mugwort’s original association to beer brewing was where the ‘mug’ part of ‘Mugwort’ came from; though a more realistic origin for the name comes from the Old Norse word ‘muggi’ meaning Marsh. It was at one time associated with St. John the Baptiste and people wore Mugwort Wreathes to repel evil spirits.  

Mugwort is high in the chemical thujone, which is a mild intoxicant, and the reason that for a long time Mugwort had a bad reputation for many of its medicinal purposes. However, you’d have to ingest a decent amount of it to really experience any ‘mind altering’ symptoms and the benefits of it far outweigh the side effects. If you’re looking to get intoxicated- it would be easier to drink alcohol than to use Mugwort. It should be mentioned though that Thujone can be absorbed transdermally, so if you’re sensitive to the chemical I would suggest wearing gloves when you handle the plant to minimize your exposure. Mugwort is not a hallucinogen, but its psychoactive properties are real and measurable all the same. It’s more akin to a sedative or relaxant than anything that is going to make you ‘see things’. 

Mugwort and Magic 

Mugwort has strong Lunar ties and is heavily associated with Artemis. In the pagan tradition it is heavily associated with the Earth Element. The Genus Artemisia as a whole is named after the Greek goddess of the moon. 

From a Magical application point, Mugwort is used as both a protective herb as well as a psychically amplifying herb. Mugwort is said to amplify and stimulate lucid dreaming and visualization. Mugwort teas are commonly used in accompaniment to meditation, and divination as they can relax the mind and open the inner eye (I am resisting the urge to say “Use your inner eye to see the future” in a dramatic professor Trelawney like way). Those same psychoactive effects that give it a bad stigma are great for inducing meditative states and are even stronger during sleep. 

It can be sewn into sleep sachets to produce clearer dreams if you are someone who struggles to remember them later.  

You can also burn Mugwort with coals as a divinatory incense. Or, if you like to meditate outside, I will sometimes add it to my fires for the bonus side effect that it repels insects. 

Its also a strong protective plant- traditionally people hung bunches of it by their doors to keep evil away. My favorite smudge is Mugwort (I will be using it to bless our new house before we move this month). Some people will work Mugwort into charms and protective sachets. 

Where to Procure 

You can get Mugwort online, or from many occult shops. Some specialty grocery stores still sell it as a cooking herb. Due to its hardy nature, if you prefer to forage you can find Mugwort growing wild in many parts of Europe and North America- just be careful to get a positive ID. Mugwort looks a LOT like Ragweed; which is not only more or less useless; but if you’re allergic to it like me (and a lot of people are) it’ll make you itch like hell. 

If you are a Seattle native I am partial to Tenzing Momo; they are located in Pike’s Place and you can shop in store, but he’s also a fast shipper. Or if you’re in the Skagit Valley I would highly recommend Good Vibes- He has a small selection of loose herbs you can purchase in addition to an amazing selection of other things.  

Growing

If you decide to take up growing your own (which I will almost always suggest). It is easier to grow from a seedling than to sprout your own. I would say either head to a local nursery or see if someone will give you a cutting as they are very easy to re-root. 

While Mugwort prefers full sun and well draining Rocky soil (it started off as a ditch weed). Its relatively well adaptable and very drought tolerant. For those that live in wetter climates, you can still grow it, but you will want VERY well-draining soil to avoid root rot.  

Personally I would suggest either growing in containers or ensuring you plant it with a root barrier if you are planting in-ground to ensure it doesn’t take over your yard (I did say it was prolific). The bonus to this plant is if you’re someone like me: Its hard to kill. The downside: Its hard to kill.  

It’s a perennial- so if its protected through frosts, it will come back year after year. Bear in mind it will require regular trimmings as it can get up to 6 feet in height when left unattended.  

Containers are great if you want to keep a small plant and trim regularly. Ground planting is better if you want a larger amount. It also makes a great plant to weave into natural borders, fences and trellises as a backdrop for other plants due to its woody stems. It has a soft sage-like fragrance and beautiful flowers.  

You should check before planting though, as its unfortunately classified as an invasive and noxious weed in a few states.  

What are your experiences with Mugwort? We’d love to hear how you use it- or any questions you may have!  

All the best, 

Mikaela 

Hey Garden Guru’s! Let’s talk dirty for a moment….

It’s Spring and even the cooler parts of the world are defrosting and sprouting. Here at the guild home that means we are refreshing our gardens and that means really making sure we have healthy dirt. That is right!

DIRT. SOIL. EARTH. THE (sometimes) BROWN STUFF YOU WALK ON.

Soil really is a living ecosystem and needs to be kept healthy to have a thriving garden. You can either spend money and buy fertilizers and compost and a whole slew of things from the store OR keep reading and find out how to compost at home for an eco-friendly way to boost your garden whether you are on a farm or in urban setting.

WHAT IS COMPOSTING?

So, the short and skinny of it is that composting is you taking scrap organic matter and speeding up its decomposition to give you nutrient rich soil. The more in-depth science-y answer is that it is a controlled, aerobic (needing oxygen) process where microorganisms feed on materials (brown’s, green’s, and water) and digest them down into compost. However, you want to define it, if done correctly, you end up with a dark, crumbly, earthly smelling material that your plants will love.

WHY COMPOST? PROS AND CONS

Let’s talk about why you should compost AND maybe why you shouldn’t. I know I said let’s talk dirty, but I won’t do you dirty. There can be cons and things to look out for when composting and I like to play devils advocate sometimes.

Let’s start with the pros and why we love composting in our own home. The first reason is usually why people start composting in the first place; improvements in soil quality, nutrient density, and structure. Most people who compost have a yard or garden and they are doing this to augment that. Composting is organic, can cause higher yields in crops, and is rather cheap as it uses what you are already throwing away. This brings me to my next pro; it cuts down on waste. This means less trash pickup needed and is also a very eco friendly way to reduce your carbon footprint. Composting also makes for an easy educational tool for your kids. Lastly, composting honestly just makes me feel good like I am doing something to give back to mother nature and allows me to soak in some homesteader vibes even when being stuck in the city.

Next let’s touch on cons. I do want to mention that some of these are worst case OR if you aren’t composting correctly but they do deserve a mention. The reason it looks so big is because I touch on a couple of those fixes. Let’s start with the fact that it does in most cases require an initial investment. This is either in you digging a large hole to compost in or purchasing bins or lumber to build compost boxes. The good news is that if you are a serious green thumb (or want to be), spending the extra money/time up front will pay off in the long run. Next is that the efficiency and quality of your composting depends on multiple factors… but mostly you. It does require some work, knowledge, and monitoring. You need to make sure it is aerated, kept moist, and that the proper types/amounts of materials are included. If you have too much or too little of certain nutrients it can cause smells, slow down the decomposition, or even reduce the effectiveness of the compost. The silver lining to this con is that this is super easy to learn about and some trial error will make you a pro in no time. Also, the whole point is that we will help you know what to compost. Some other things to just consider when thinking about WHERE to compost is that it does require space and at the end of the day you are decomposing organic matter which can cause the spread of disease, be a fire hazard, attract pests (rats, snakes, bugs), look gross or smell bad which is unpleasant for you but can also cause neighbors to complain. It takes some planning on where it is placed and how to keep it covered/contained so that it doesn’t become the neighborhood biohazard eyesore. Lastly, composting isn’t a fix all. You can’t compost every single organic thing (like meat/dairy) and it won’t always provide everything you need to garden (will depend on the already existing soil if anything else is needed).  

HOW TO COMPOST: THE DOES AND DON’TS

There are two main types of composting:

• backyard composting in a bin or pile
• vermicomposting using worms to break down materials

Within those two categories though there limitless variations! Indoor and outdoor options, bins, cages, pits, keyhole gardens, manual, automatic… you get the point. I am NOT going to get into all the types and pros/cons of the different types (maybe in the future?). I am going to do is start with the basics; What backyard bin/pile composting and vermiculture have in common. Most of the process and “Ingredients” for composting are the same regardless of which route you choose to take. You need the following:

Organic Material (Brown’s vs Greens)

We are actually going to break this down into 2 different categories.

1. Browns (Carbon or C rich materials): This would include dry leaves, plant stalks, and twigs that the microorganisms eat. 
2. Greens (Nitrogen or N rich materials): This includes food scraps, grass clippings, and some manures which will help keep the heat in your pile at ideal conditions for material breakdown. 

Ideally we want to have a C:N (Carbon: Nitrogen) ratio of 30:1. This means that you want more Carbon heavy materials than Nitrogen heavy. You do not need to be this precise and start calculating like crazy but it is nice to have some browns and a bit of dirt handy to layer in when you add greens. This will help maintain ratios AND bury the compost that will tend to draw pests.

If your ratios are off here are some things you might see:

• too much Carbon rich browns will not provide enough Nitrogen for microbes to eat, the process will stay cool, and the breakdown will slow. 
• too much Nitrogen rich greens will cause the compost to become slimy and smelly. 
• having too many exposed greens with no cover OR having some non-compostable items such as meat, bones, fish or bread will attract rodents and other pests.

Water (Moisture)

The microbes and worms need the moisture to survive but too much water can turn it into a slimy, stinky mess and have it growing molds, pathogens, or mushrooms. The pile or bin needs to stay moist but not wet or drenched which usually means it needs to stay covered. A tight fitting cover will help maintain steady moisture and has the added benefit of keeping stink in and rodents out. 

I like to check my moisture once a week. 

• if the pile is too dry I will add moisture and turn it (also adding aeration) or else the activity in the pile will slow down. 
• if the pile stinks OR it is wet enough to squeeze moisture out, it is too wet or needs more air circulation. Add more dry brown’s to help absorb the water, turn the pile, and allow some covered ventilation to help evaporate some of the excess
• if the pile is too cool to the touch, add water to the pile or bin as that is also a sign of low moisture. 

Air (Oxygen)

Your pile needs to stay aerated so that the worms and microorganisms have enough Oxygen and the air will help regulate the temperature and moisture of your pile/bin. Having it at the correct temperature/churned will also help kill weed seeds and disease organisms as well as discouraging pests from moving in. If I haven’t had to churn it for my weekly moisture check, I definitely churn it every 2 weeks. You do not want to do so too often no matter how tempting it can be. churning too often can actually slow the process down. 

Time

Here’s the thing… composting takes T-I-M-E (unless you have one of those cool countertop machines). But how much time it takes is up to you and how much effort you want to put in. It could take a couple months to a couple years. The more you make sure conditions are ideal when it comes to C:N balance, moisture, and oxygen the quicker the process will go. Is our pile cold and dry? It will eventually break down but it could take a long, long, loooooooong time. 

Above and beyond all that, here are a few more tips and tricks:

• DO monitor the progress of your compost. it could be quicker or slower to mature. It will have shrunk down, have no visible food  scraps. It should look loose, dark, and crumbly. Sometimes it is necessary to sort out ready from not quite mature compost. 
• DO consider where you are putting the compost. Will it be inside or outside? Most likely you want it away from the house and in the shade to keep it from stinking up or drying out too quickly. The South Carolina Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling has a great pdf that covers how to decide what type of composting would be a good idea based on what you are working with. (https://scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/Library/OR-1705.pdf)
• DO shred, chop, etc. Items broken down will break down quicker. 
• DON’T just use the compost pile as a trash can. There are plenty of things that are NOT good to compost. 
• DON’T assume that it should be composted if you aren’t sure. Look it up! For example, a lot of outdoorsy people know that ash is good for plants and that is why smaller forest fires revitalize forests and lead to a lot of new growth. BUT in composting you do not want a lot of ash. Charcoal ash can contain heavy metals and ash from wood burning stoves in large amounts can raise the pH too much. My point is… RESEARCH!
• DO look up more information. There is a lot out there to find for free online. A couple good resources are:
  • Cornell’s School of Integrative Plant Science
  • The EPA
  • The Institute for Local Self Reliance
  • The North Carolina State Extension

That’s it! That is all it takes. With a little planning and an initial investment you can create a sustainable, feel good project that gives back to your eco footprint, saves waste and money and isn’t expensive or overly work intensive to maintain.

Go make some dirt!

Taylor

I’m not going to lie, writing this post has been harder than I thought it would, considering how much I love Beltane. With the symbolism, history, flowers, and fresh feeling in the air, it’s typically a wonderful time for me.  

Whilst I have still enjoyed those things, there has been a bit of melancholy with it this year. Taylor and I lost our maternal grandmother this past week on her birthday, and every time I went to write anything at all I felt as if nothing good would come of it, So I couldn’t bring myself to do it.  

Instead, I have spent the last several days going on walks, working on crafts, and sitting in sunny patches at parks trying to remind myself that I do still love the Universe and there’s good things in it. Which is, ironically, in a weird twist of fate, something I try to do at Beltane anyways. Albeit for a different reason. It just seemed fitting though. I needed to be outside, and my grandma loved flowers. 

In another coincidence, our Paternal Grandmother’s Birthday is actually on Beltane, so this was usually a time the I already spent reflecting somewhat on loved ones I missed, the ache just a little less raw with time.  

The more I reflected on the last few days, the more I felt better about Beltane this year. We even finally got some sunshine this weekend, it was the first truly clear sky and warm day I think we’ve had in months. And that is something I think they both would have appreciated. So, I decided to dedicate Beltane this year to my grandmas. 

To Esther and Norma; the nurturing and wonderful women that they were.  

Beltane is an old Holiday, dating back to pre-Christian era Ireland and Scotland. Our earliest records of Beltane date back to 908 AD, which suggest even then that the holiday was an old and significant one. Like many people of the time, Ireland and Scotland divided the year into two parts: Winter and Summer. Winter began at Samhain (Nov 1) and Summer began at Beltane (May 1).  

This was a time the veil between our realm and the faerie realm was thinner. On May Eve, both witches and fae would run loose and extra precautions had to be taken against their enchantments. It was a time to bless homes, light bonfires, dance around maypoles, feast, and invoke ancient practices that promote fertility.  

The word Beltane originates from the Celtic word for Baal or bel, meaning ‘Bright One’ also known as Firefall, Calan Mai or May Day. Beltane had a heavy focus on sexuality and fertility. Children conceived during Beltane (and hence born at Imbolc) were believed to belong to the Goddess and were often referred to as ‘merry-be-gots’. These Children supposedly have a closer connection to the faerie realm and were believed to be able to see things that others could not. Whilst the veil was thinner between worlds on Beltane, it was a common superstition that the spirits of Beltane were thought to be looking for reincarnation or sexual intercourse and you may not truly know if who you met in the woods that day was who you truly thought it was.     

My favorite ways to celebrate Beltane include: 

1. Refreshing your Altar

For Beltane, think flowers and greenery, especially yellow flowers. Floral Candles, or candles in yellows and pinks are good additions.  Good colors to incorporate are Reds, Greens, Yellows and golds especially. set and refresh your alter with specific intentions. If you are looking for stones to incorporate- turn to bloodstone, emerald, orange carnelian, and Rose Quartz. common symbols are goats, rabbits, baskets, bees, and cows. 

2. Host a bonfire

This can be done solo in your own home or hearth if you are an introvert, but it was traditionally a major feast day that was about bounty and harvest and planting. I would encourage you to get a group of friends or family together and enjoy your evening bonfire, maybe roast some marshmallows. If you want to go the whole nine traditional yards, you can try leaping over the embers once they have burned down (I would of course suggest this with the greatest of caution, and don’t do anything stupid or dangerous).  

3. Go flower picking, arrange bouquets, make flower crowns

Fill your home with spring blooms and greenery, and make sure to give thanks to mother nature for her beauty.  

4. Have a Maypole Celebration

Some towns still host these, if not- be the person to bring them back. This was traditionally done as part of the community feast, dancing and playing music. It’s a fun past time and great for building community.  

5. Perform a meditative Ritual

At Beltane this typically focuses on the female energy (this does not exclude you menfolk). Light a candle and sit quietly with your eyes closed. let the light fill you up and focus during your meditation on those more feminine aspects of yourself; Your gentler, more nurturing side. your instinct to grow and care for others. your sometimes wrathful side. What of those aspects help you in your day to day? Which parts of that bring you strength during your day? Which parts would you like to maybe work on or strengthen? Spend a few minutes writing down your affirmations for the upcoming season. Things you want to focus on but also things that are currently positive in your life. Close your ceremony by burning the paper to seal your intentions.  

6. Prepare a May Basket

In older days, people would put together baskets of flowers, treats, home good products they made themselves within their community and hang them on the doors of neighbors or friends to share their bounty. Plus, it’s fun to give.  

7. Prepare your Beltane Feast

This one is self-explanatory- but food is my love language so I’m going to explain anyways. Beltane was one of the major feast days. The easiest, most important thing you can do this Beltane is cook a meal with family or friends and share it with them. dairy, eggs, grains and foods of the harvest are great. Wild foraged foods are equally excellent for this. Honey, Oats, and Mead are also very traditional. You can always cook inside but given the nature of the fire festival I always encourage people to cook over an open flame, either with a fire pit (see bonfire) or even on a grill if that’s what you have to work with. Be intentional with your thoughts and actions while you cook. Take your time sharing your meal, don’t rush. Focus on connections and spending time with those you care about. Make good memories to enter the new season with.  

8. Make ribbon wishes

Another old Beltane tradition is to write your wishes for the season on a little piece of ribbon and tie it to the branch of a tree (Hawthorne, Ash, and Sycamore are traditional- but any healthy growing tree will do).  

9. Take action on a project you have been working on

Beltane is a time to focus on growth and prosperity during the wheel of the year. If you set intentions at Imbolc and planted those seeds at Ostara, then Beltane is the time to grow and take action. Starting a business, writing a book, learning a skill…. Whatever your goal was- now is the time to act and put your intentions to work.   

10. Tend to your garden

Whether the last frost is just passing in your region and its now time to plant, or its already wonderfully warm and you have seedlings sprouting. Today is a good day to spend some time with your hands in the dirt. Walk your garden. Talk to your plants, set your intentions for them. help them grow. Manifest the Earth Mother today.  

As always, have fun, enjoy the journey. Be safe and share your celebrations!  

All the best,  

Mikaela  

I had to give up my career in Tarot Reading… there was no future in it. 

Almost everybody I know wishes they knew what their future held. Everybody has questions about the unknown, and we are no different than our ancestors in that regard. Humanity has been seeking their fortunes in everything from the stars, to runes, animal bones, and even their own hands for centuries. It is one of the most popular story conflicts: Do you want to know your future, is it better to know, does knowing affect the future, do you have the power to change it?  

Humans are fascinated by the future, by the idea of free will versus destiny and whether we have any control or choice in the matter. For both those who take it seriously and even those that simply view it as a quirky past-time at carnivals in tents draped with shawls and strange lamps there is a certain amount of mysticism and awe- even among the skeptics.  

Like everything else about the universe, I am fascinated by how things came to be the way they are now. The tale of how Tarot came to be is a fascinating one, so in the words of Scat Cat from the Aristocats “Let me Elucidate here for you”. Let’s read into the history of Tarot Cards, and I’ll share with you my personal beliefs on the uses of Tarot and its value in self-reflection. 

Tarot cards actually started off as a deck of cards used for playing a card game called Tarrochi. They had nothing to do with fortune telling. You can find a link for the original rules of the game {here}. The original Tarot Deck was remarkably similar to any other deck of playing cards you might see. If you live in the continental U.S., you are problem most familiar with Bicycle playing cards. Like your modern Spades, Hearts, Clubs, and Diamonds; Tarot cards were split into 4 houses. Traditionally Cups, Swords, Wands, and Coins. Germany even had a Variation that was Acorns, Hearts, Leaves, and Bells. In those original days of card playing, they were individually hand painted and expensive. Now, originals are exceedingly rare. What sets aside Tarot Decks in structure from other decks of cards are the 21 trump cards- whose values are greater than that of all the other cards; These are what later came to be called the Major Arcana.  

Cartomancy- or the study of divination through Cards didn’t really become a thing until the 1400’s, but it wasn’t until 1781 that the tarot deck specifically became involved. A French Clergyman, Court de Gebelin was the first man to attempt to ascribe any sort of mystical meaning to individual cards. Many people claimed that the concept of Tarot in the Occult sense was brought to Europe from a region in Egypt know as Mamluk. His works went so far as to claim that the cards of the Tarot deck were actually a fractured copy of the Book of Thoth, supposedly written by the Egyptian God of wisdom, magic, and knowledge; which mythologically contained two spells- one that allows the reader to understand the speech of animals, and one which allows the reader to perceive the gods themselves and the knowledge of the future (Jasnow, Richard Lewis; Karl-Theodor Zauzich (2005). The Ancient Egyptian Book of Thoth: A Demotic Discourse on Knowledge & Pendant to Classical Hermetica. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. ISBN 9783447050821.) though no Egyptologist been able to find documentable proof of jump from Egypt to Europe.  

Several Years later Jean Baptiste Alliette was the first to assign specific meanings to specific cards in the context of divination. Etteilla (his penname) published his work Manière de se récréer avec le jeu de cartes nommées tarots (“Way to recreate yourself with the deck of cards called tarots”). which is still considered the standard reference work of Tarot cartomancy. In 1789 he also created the first true “Tarot” Deck specific to divination, which introduced the structure of major and minor Arcana still used today based off his correspondences between the tarot, astrology, the four classical elements and the four humors. He also founded the first Tarot Society. 

In the 230 years since, any number of variations, versions, and alternative decks have been designed with different intentions and all distinctive styles of artwork. There are traditional and non-traditional decks and many that deviate from traditional card spreads and meaning standards (these typically come with their own books so you can learn your deck). 

Now for an unpopular opinion. Don’t hate me. I do not think Tarot decks can predict my future. I’m sorry, but I have my earth child feet planted too firmly in the dirt to think that I have some pre-determined destiny or that even if I am free to make my own choices those choices will somehow land me in the same inevitability. That is not to say however that I don’t think that everything happens for a reason and that sometimes the Universe, or God, or the Powers that Be (whatever you choose to believe in or call it) aren’t trying to steer me in a particular direction or impart some little piece of wisdom- sometimes it’s just too obvious to be anything else. But I do believe in taking responsibility for my choices and actions. They are mine, not fate’s.  

Nor do I believe that my cards can answer “questions” or tell me what to do. I do not believe that any choice I make will be “because the cards say so”- they are my choices, and I will make them for myself. I said the opinion was unpopular, please- hear me out. I’ve had a couple people ask me: 

“Well then how come you claim to love the concept of Tarot if you don’t believe in any of it?”  

OR

“What do you mean, come to the cards with a question in mind if you don’t think it’s really going to answer it?” 

What I do believe in is insight. and I DO believe in a higher power, and that sometimes that higher power communicates in ways we don’t understand right away. I do believe in manifesting, or as the late Napolean Hill said, “the Mind attracts the things it dwells upon”. I believe in magic in the sense that sometimes we have to see the world the way we want it to be instead of the way it is and through sheer will and mind power (MANIFESTING) force it to be what we want and need because we will accept no less (I tip my hat to you Elizabeth Haydon). No momentous change came about from accepting things the way they were-I am a dreamer in that sense. I believe in the concept of a transfer of energy and communication (you can call it prayer if you are Christian, or communion with a higher being, or communion with yourself if that is your belief). I also believe that sometimes you need to put yourself OUTSIDE of yourself or your situation to answer something clearly and calmly.  

So, to answer the question: Tarot is an amazing tool for meditation, self-reflection, and critical thinking. some people can put themselves outside a situation on their own, if you need help to find that unbiased look- tarot is a great tool. When I say “come to the cards with a question in mind” it’s because if you are coming to the cards with a question in mind, you are more likely to pull cards that are relevant to you because you’ll find relevancy in the context. Tarot cards are not like horoscopes, they aren’t going to tell you to avoid the color yellow and Chinese food for the day. Instead, they are going to present possibilities and obstacles- sometimes in the form of yourself. 

I ask open-ended questions related to problems I am facing in my life. introspective questions, questions about myself and my ability for growth. By virtue of the way tarot decks are structured and used, the answers are multi-faceted, open to interpretation, and often questions in themselves. Sometimes the cards’ “answer” will be powerful simply because they force you to ask yourself questions and look at yourself differently. Sometimes the answers and solutions are possibilities that would not have even occurred to me on my own. You do not necessarily have to take the advice, but at least you’ve considered something you otherwise wouldn’t have. Through a process of self-reflection that is inherent in Tarot you are now exploring possibilities that wouldn’t have crossed your mind simply because you are too close to yourself or your situation. 

No cards in tarot are good or bad. I always hate it when tarot readers in movies flip a card and go “this is a good card” or inhale dramatically and go “there is great bloodshed in front of you.” I call B.S. They just are what they are, and that is a beautiful thing. It gives you the ability to quit labeling things as good and bad or success and failure and just let it be YOUR decision or YOUR experience.  

Each card has a meaning, and an inverse; and different decks are written with different intentions and spread styles, which is why it is so important to pick a deck that resonates with you. Look at the art, read about the artist/ author, listen to the tone, see if you can find an excerpt from the manual (most specialty decks come with a guidebook). Make sure it’s something that meshes with who you are as a person. If it feels off, it probably is. 

If you are interested in learning more, stay tuned. In the coming weeks we will be continuing our conversation about tarot focusing on different kinds of spreads, decks, how to read cards, examples of the multiple meanings of cards using my own deck as an example, and if I’m feeling particularly brave- examples of readings I’ve done for myself and the meaning I took from them and how they helped me make decisions.  

All the best,  

Mikaela 

Hey homesteaders, hobby DIY’ers and backyard environmentalists! I am super excited for this post, as upcycling is something I am very passionate about.  I am going to try to reign myself in BUT knowing me, this is still going to be a bit lengthy. Mikaela talked about why upcycling is so important from a sustainability standpoint in UPCYCLING… THERE ARE NO DOWNSIDES but I can honestly say that a big reason that I upcycle is just because I find it fun and like the aesthetic. Because of this, I have been flexing my upcycling imagination for a while. Today I am not going to teach you how to make anything but instead, give you some ideas and inspiration. I want to touch on 10 things in your home that can be upcycled (some more obvious than others) and give you a couple ideas of what you can do with them to get your creative juices flowing. Before I start my list though, here are a few things to consider when looking for items to keep and repurpose.

• Do not focus on what things are currently. Look at color, shape, texture, and material. Think about what is inside it.
• Is it SAFE? If tampering with it can be harmful to you or the environment… stear clear.
• What is the current state of the object? Are you going to need to clean or disinfect it before working with it? Is it ready to work with now?
• Do you really want to repurpose it or is it better being sold or donated?
• Are you willing to put the required time into the project if it going to be more involved?

The reason that I bring these things up is because the point on upcycling, DIY, and repurposing is to breath new life into things (and for me a plop of dopamine)… Not to become a hoarder. Sometimes it really is better to dispose of an item correctly or let it move onto a new home.

Now that I have that out of the way… Here are 10 things I love to give new lives.

(1) Jars and Bottles

So with jars and bottles the posabilities are literally endless and this goes for glass AND plastic so lets list a few of my favorites. This is probably one of the most obvious and well covered categories online so it is also the one I really wont get into much. I still want to include it though because you are CONSTANTLY getting more; from your jams, sodas, wines, pickles… The list goes on. So here are just a few ideas and like I said before- there are HUNDREDS more all over the internet.

• Just use them as they are to store something new- duh
• Mason jars are easily turned into rustic candles or classed up by using wine bottles
• Glass bottles and jars can be painted or etched
• Turn them into light fixtures
• Wine bottles are easily cut into vases or used as is
• Turn them into greenhouses and terreriums
• Shatter glass for stained glass and tiling projects or smooth down the edges for safety in patterns to be used in…. whatever you want. Jewelery maybe?
• If you have access to a kiln, glass bottles can be flattened down into platters
• plastic soda bottles can be “shredded” into a twine or heated and used for anything you could also use shrinky dinks or shrinking plastic

(2) Anything Fabric

So this also seems like an obvious one BUT this is such broad category and I just want to put a couple things in your head for you to consider. 1. Fabric is a much more than just clothes and 2. it can be used for a lot more than just sewing projects.

Think about keeping all or part of the fabric from these items:

• Clothes- duh
• Linens
• Window Curtains
• Shower Curtains
• Rugs/Carpets
• Bags
• Pillows & Furniture
• Food sacks (think flour sacks)

Here are a couple things I ask myself when looking at anything fabric:

• What is the fabric? I prefer to keep cottons, linens, and even gauzy, lace, and tulle materials that will not unravel too much when I cut them. Conversly, I avoid loose knitts and crochet materials that will not be repurposed easily or unravel quickly when cut from their original home.
• Is it a natural material? This is because sometimes I consider dying items a different color and that sticks better to raw natural materials.
• Do I like the pattern or maybe just want to save a logo or patch to be sewn on something else? Seems obvious when I ask that.
• Do I need to wash this before I reuse it or store it for later? Again… think flour sacks. I probably want to wash the four off really good before using it for anything.
• How threadbare is something? Is the material so worn it is see through? Maybe it is time to go. Is there a hole in the elbow of your cardigan? Maybe it just needs elbow patches or you want to use the cardigan material as a couple of quilt squares.
• Do I want to keep it for the texture?
• Do I love the buttons? Save those too!

Just like it can come from a wide range of places in your home, it can also be used in almost anything:

• Reused in literally any sewing project you can think of; quilting, patches, combining things into different clothing, doll making…
• Modpodged onto items for decor (make sure to use the correct type of mod podge for your project)
• Turned into Jewelery; cut into shapes, turned into beads, etc.
• I like to put my tiny scrap fabric that isn’t enough for sewing projects aside, chop it smaller, and use as stuffing in other projects
• Turned into wax clothe for food storage
• Boho hair ornaments
• Use it for texure in a multi media art project; textured paintings, textures on your clay sculpture, embelishments in your papercrafts
• Use long thin strips instead of chunky yard in a knitting project

(3) Dishes

Can anyone say whimsy? This miiiight be a bit too close to jars and bottles but typically you are looking at porcelain, ceramic, bone china, and stoneware. It’s a little different. You can paint them or decorate them (mod podge fabric on there?) but I usually find that they already have great colors and designs.

I usually look at 3 things with dishes:

1. What is the SHAPE
2. What is the MATERIAL
3. What is the PATTERN/COLOR

I consider them in that order as well. The shape and material are my biggest factors in what I might turn something into. I only really consider the color or pattern afterwards in these cases as I can always change that with a variety of marterials (paint, resin, cement, moss…).

• Treat anything bowl shaped as just a bowl shape. Bowls, pots, pans, cups, mugs, teacups, serving dishes, teapots… They are now planters, water features, turned upside down as light fixtures, hooked together as a rain chain.
• An extension of shape is the size. Those stockpots could be great planters or mounted sideways on a wall to use as a cuby but might be a bit big to turn into a candle (no judgement though- I kind of want a giant candle now)
• Flater dishes like plates and trays can be used as wall decor as is, turned into tiered trays or deconstructed and turned into something like a clock (anything can be a clock).

(4) Food & Plant Scraps

This is going in a VERY different direction from the other categories. I was reading this to Mikaela and she asked “what the hell kind of art are you going to do with leftover pie?” This isn’t what I mean. I mean your fruits, veggies, tubers, and plant cuttings. Think about these options before you throw away your blueberries that are a little past the point of yummy. Food and plant waste can really be split into a couple different categories.

1. Waste- There is less of this than you think
2. Compostables- What you mix back into your garden to be more sustainable
3. Scrap to feed your animals- If you have any
4. Art- Mwahahaha

The first three in that list are a whole different rabbit hole and I will be doing a different post on this in the next couple weeks. Lets focus on the art aspect.

• Many fruits, vegetables, and leaves can be used for natural dying of paper, yarn, fabric, and even hard boiled eggs
• Use leaves for solar printing to get lovely, natural patterns on fabrics
• Boil unused, aromatic scraps like citrus peels or rosemary and thyme on the stove to spread the scent around your house before you compost it
• Dried leaves, flowers, and herbs are lovely in candles, resin art, or sewn into sachets for scent

Maybe don’t try the above with your blueberry pie.

(5) Candles

Candles are fun because I sometimes turn them into other candles and sometimes just have fun making artistic messes. When a candle is dead you are usually left with 3 things.

1. The little nub of a wick and/or possibly a little metal base of a wick. You can scrap this.
2. The waste wax
3. The vessel the candle was in- maybe. There are plenty of candles that are free standing.

So you have some options here. Here is the process I usually go through. Let me know if you have other thoughts though.

1. First I like to boil the vessel the candle was in to:
   • Melt the last of the wax so I can pour it into or onto whatever I choose AND
   • Remove any labels etc
2. If the wax is unscented I can totally reuse this in another candle
3. If the wax had any scent I dislike making them into another candles BECAUSE often you have to combine scraps from several candles and mixing scents can get overwhelming.

If I am not reusing the vessel for a candle I use them like any other jar. A have them around the house being used to store small art and office supplies and one with pocket change. They also make great planters if you know how to drill drainage in glass without shattering it or for plants you aren’t afraid of overwatering. My favorite part to play with though is the wax. Here are just a couple things I have done with it in the past.

• While it is warm but not completely melted it can be manipulated into sculptures. I have a lot of tolerance for the heat of warm wax in my hands but you can burn yourself doing this so BE CAREFUL. I will also note that the first time I did this I was 10 years old and using an insanely hot desk lamp to melt the wax instead of finishing my homework at a decent hour. I ruined the lamp and got in trouble but the little wax penguin was worth it.
• I have used it on canvas. Have you seen where people melt old crayons on canvas? Same concept… but scented!
• I have used it as an accent for DIY Halloween decor. Sometimes I leave it exposed OR you can do something like drip it down a doll face and then paint over the whole thing to make it look like the doll is melting.
• Are you into sending letters? Use it as a wax seal and the scent is a nice added touch. Make sure it isn’t too oily though and you have a good quality envelope or you will end up with a stained envelope/letter from the oil used to scent your candle.

(6) Books

This is a painful one for me to talk about. I am a huge bookworm. I think I made a kid cry when I was in college because they set one of my books face down/open and cracked the spine of it. I KNOW I made a roommate avoid me for fear of retribution because I found them dog earing and writing in one of my books. Damaging a book actually makes my heart clench up like I am about to have a panick attack. That being said… sometimes it is better to lay them to rest. You ever have that book that even though you were careful, it has just been read so many times that it’s starting to disolve in your hands? I have had a few like that. I am not saying that if you have a leather bound, first edition, signed [insert amazing book here] and that it is falling apart you should treat it like an art project. Those you get restored by a professional or learn how to store and preserve as best you can. Your families’ journal, or bible, or book of shadows (different strokes for different blokes and all that) that the pages are falling out of and some pages have water damage…. also not recomending this as your next DIY project. But maybe that very loved copy of Harry Potter that you can always replace or read on Kindle and the back cover has fallen off? That is your next target. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH AN OLD BOOK!!!

• Open it and soak it in a borax/water bath for a time so it grows crystals and use it as a fantasy prop
• Turn it into a clock
• Hollow it out into a secret bookshelf box
• The pages can be cut into shapes, used as scrapbook paper or used as a base to paint for a dark academia aesthetic. The more aged and yellow the pages are the better.
• If the book is a hard cover, the covers can be cut, the edges covered with ribon and hung on the wall as decor or used as a canvas for a painting.
• solidify them with a resin or something similar, stack them, and create furniture.
• Use illustrations are paper ephemera in junk scrapbooks or in other projects

(7) Old Childrens Toys

This is a fun one to play with. Completly throw the idea of what something is out the door and only think about shapes. Kids are kind of yucky. They get sticky substances on toys, leave them in weird places like behind the toilet, and break things. I can almost guarantee that the toy is going to look NOTHING like it did when I am done upcycling it.

What I like to look for in old kids toys are the following:

• Figurines of any size or shape. Smaller ones can be painted over and turned into jewelery, wall hooks, cabinet handles or jar toppers. Larger ones can be repainted to look like chic decor. Some of my Christmas and bathroom decor are large figurines that were honestly ugly and I painted over them to look like a “stuffed” Christmas penguin and a metalic gold octopus for my bathroom (like the ones you see go for like $40 online).
• Nerf and Squirt guns. I like to add a little adult charm to these and turn them into weapons for costumes. Added bonus is when I am cosplaying for Haloween or cons, my gun can actuall shoot my friends.
• Stuffed Animals. It feels a bit like murder but the outside fuzzy bits get incorporated into sewing projects and the inside gets repurposed into pillows and projects like the giant stuffed dragon I am currently making.
• Dolls can get repainted as creepy Halloween Decor. That Barbie that got decapitated by a 4 year old who thought she was playing hair dresser? That is now a creepy shrunken head in a jar.

(8) Pet Supplies

This one you have to be a bit more forgiving with. It is easy to say that you are going to reuse your clothes or kids kids toys but when I talk about upcycling an animals food dish, some people start to inch away. I have been a little adventurous though and just want to share a couple ideas. If you are adventurous, you can try the following:

• Food Dishes can become planters
• Large balls for horses or dogs can be covered in cement and other materials for garden decor
• The top “jug” from the automatically filling water disheds can be turned into terreriums or small aquatic tanks
• Dog toys can become props for costumes. This is a favorite of mine as I have turned things like a Bass made as a dog troy was painted and turned into a magicarp.

The point is, just because they were used for or meant to be used for an animal, do not write them off imediately.

(9) Jewelery

You ever buy a shirt that comes with a necklace that you will never use or have jewelery that sits around for several years until you donate or trash it? I am talking about all your costume jewelery. I know I have a certain aesthetic and That I only wear earings consistantly so why keep a bunch of jewelery I wont wear? Instead I tend to deconstruct pieces and turn them into earings so they will get use OR use them in art projects.

I tend to look at them in pieces and take them apart into:

• Beads
• Larger pieces like pendants
• Chains

From there I incorporate them into:

• Other jewelery
• Pendulums
• Suncatchers
• Embelishments on DIY clothing
• Additions to resin art
• Whatever you are using your beads and bits for…

(10) Furniture

Upcycling furniture is another really popular place to start and has a lot of posibilities. What I want you to think about though is what you can do with old furniture when you imagine past reupholstering.

• Cushions and pillows can be dismanteled into fabric and stuffing for other projects
• Entertainment units can be turned into play kitchenettes for your kid
• Cabinet and dresser drawers can be planters or raised gardens
• Headboards can be a trellis
• Anything made out of wood can be sanded and stained or painted and turned into a different piece of furniture

Again… the point is to thing of everything as PARTS. It isn’t a wooden chair. It is wood pieces cut into the size of 2 arms, 4 legs, a seat and a back. The back piece might have a cool carving and you want to use it as wall art. The legs and seat can be sanded, restained and turned into stool. The arms might be turned into candle sticks.

Some of the projects mentions will are things I have done, seen, or will be showing on our site. They are all doable at home and usually on a budget. I am not an engineer, a uni trained artist or anything else fancy. All you need is imagination and patience. Hopefully this post inspires you to make something new from what could have been trash around your home.

Happy Upcycling,

Taylor

Do you feel like the world gets faster every day? Like no matter how quickly you move, or how you habit stack your day you’re just a little bit behind speed, rushing to catch up and get to the next thing on your to-do list? Do you frequently feel like, as happy as you may be, there’s always something right on the edge of your peripheral you’re missing, or missing out on? Do you struggle to stay grounded with all of the multitasking, multi-focusing that society expects everyone to maintain in modern society? 

ME TOO.

I’ve spent a lot of time feeling that way. Even if I enjoyed what I was currently doing or working on, part of my brain was always focused on whatever my next “thing” was. Next idea, next obligation, next appointment.  The constant mental dialogue and running “to-do” list in my head not only led me to be distracted all the time, but anxious and tired. I would miss important details in conversations, zone out, or when looking back on positive experiences, be mad that I couldn’t remember the details as much as I wanted to. 

I get over stimulated easily, and really struggle with anxiety; especially in loud spaces (I recently discovered Loop Earplugs- and they have become my best friends). If you knew me as a child this is 100% ‘a catch 22 meets irony’ moment. Focusing my attention without getting overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stuff (good stuff, bad stuff, exciting stuff, boring stuff, chores, ideas, music lyrics, internal monologue, anything and everything stuff) in my head is a frequent challenge. I struggle to feel grounded and mellow. I do not hold still well, never have (except for when I accidentally zone out standing in front of a bookshelf and don’t move for an hour and a half because I’m staring into space). 

If this is starting to sound a lot like a severe case of ADHD…. Well, surprise, surprise; turns out I do in fact suffer from ADHD. Who knew? BUT this isn’t an ADHD self- diagnoses post. In fact, if you suspect you may have ADHD I cannot urge you enough to seek out a medical expert and get tested instead of schlogging through hours of articles and tiktoks or instagram posts. While there’s nothing wrong with doing your own research, I think it is better to see a specialist.

I avoided getting tested because it seemed too complicated and quite frankly a little part of me was afraid of it. I was afraid of what it indicated, and what feedback I might get from certain people in my family. But that’s a discussion for another day. Having finally decided to get tested at the ripe old age of 27 and get not only an answer, but help for some of the aspects that have been causing me issues, I wish I had done so sooner. Not just for the sake of knowing, but because I am learning that there are so many things I could have made easier for myself sooner, and in some ways I was fighting a battle with myself that I didn’t need too. I’ve been able to out hack my brain in certain areas as a result of learning more about the actual science behind ADHD and what it means in my day to day life. 

And while I am still learning, and still have things I need to work on (like time blindness), I have a better understanding of HOW to set myself up for success and how to help me get what I need. I also have more patience for myself and I’m learning to have a certain amount of grace with myself. It’s taken stress off of me, and by extension, my family. 

Which brings me to my real point. I reencountered something that I have on some level been aware of for most of my young and adult life but never really used or practiced. Now, at a much different point in my life, its been retaught to me and am learning to use as a tool when I get overstimulated, when I panic, when everything is just going too fast. It’s not specific to ADHD. Anybody can practice it and use it. Honestly, I think everybody should. The positive side effects are endless, and the process itself is relaxing. Its been an absolute game changer both mentally and emotionally; but also physically and spiritually. 

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE ART OF MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION.

Sounds fancy. Sounds New Wave. Sounds like the kind of thing practiced by hippies in the 70’s or gate-kept by rich tech moguls with an excess of time on their hands. Or at least, that’s how I felt every time the head sensei of my dojo or my yoga teacher talked about it when I was a kid. It was ‘hippie woowoo’ and way over my head. 

I didn’t have the patience or the attention span for it, and at 11 I couldn’t fathom how on earth thinking about how learning to let go of your thoughts could make you feel present in the moment, or how “letting them go” could really calm my mind or my body. I couldn’t even figure out what ‘letting the thoughts go’ really meant. 

11 year old me was like “If I could do that, I would, trust me. I can’t just turn my brain off” 

Young adult me also tried to dabble in meditation for a brief period of time around the age of 22 at a Tibetan Cultural Center in Phoenix, Arizona. I had slightly better success, but not by much. At that point, I was more receptive to the idea and I was fascinated by the concept, but I could just never get the practice to stick. Partially because habit forming is really hard when you have ADHD it turns out, but mostly because part of the meditation practices I was attending went through a process of acknowledging the body and its sensations as part of the opening. They did this through a process of focusing your attention to each area in turn and really turning your attention to how your body feels. This was at a time when I was really struggling with getting my Fibro Myalgia under control. I had a particular ongoing problem with my legs and I had spent a lot of time trying to teach myself to IGNORE my body and the sensations attached to it to try and keep myself calm, and that part of the process was acutely uncomfortable for me bordering on panic inducing. So I didn’t stick with it. I wish I had. 

FAST FORWARD

I’m about a year into practicing now. And I’ll tell you why it has become one of the biggest tools in my belt. (It EVEN helps me overcome the nerve pain sensations I was struggling so hard to ignore). 

You can do it anywhere. At home. In your cubicle at your desk. In your car at lunch. In the bathroom hiding from your kids. In your kitchen while you cook. Practicing mindfulness and meditation does not mean sitting cross-legged for hours in a dim room in silence. You can if you choose to, but it’s not like you’ve either reached a buddha state of enlightenment or you haven’t. Meditation is a constant practice, and you can practice it to whatever degree is useful to you. It’s not a destination or something you can achieve, but instead you can pull out of your back pocket whenever and use as much as you need to. 

Once you understand the principle of it, anything can be meditative. I do enjoy sitting meditations, but there’s also walking meditations, laying meditations, and interactive meditations. 

What feels like the biggest secret ever kept to me is what mindfulness and mediation actually is. Its not some big fancy right or wrong process full of mojo and specific processes. Stated simply, Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, sensations, and environment in the present moment, without judging or evaluating them.  

Meditation is a tool used to practice mindfulness. It is taking a second to breathe, to center yourself, to observe your surroundings. To acknowledge when you feel overstimulated, or anxious, or tired, or even happy. Mindfulness is the practice of allowing yourself to feel whatever it is that you feel in the present moment and acknowledge the emotion or feeling for what it is without feeling guilty or angry. Sometimes half the emotional spiral is how you feel about your feelings. Mindfulness helps to work through that. It helps create the tiny bit of a barrier that I sometimes need to work through something. It removes me from the feeling just enough to allow me to examine it calmly, and in the privacy of my own thoughts. In some ways, its more about being intentional with your thoughts and actions than being some uber calm zen guru. 

It costs you nothing to practice. And it does take practice. 5 minutes here. 2 minutes there. 45 seconds here. 10 minutes. 20 minutes. The more you practice, the easier it gets. 

I started with focused meditation. I set aside 5 minutes a day to reflect and to go through the process of meditating. It was awkward and I was bad at it and it felt weird. It did. But the more I did it, not only did I get better at it and start seeing the benefits of it but I also began to see different ways I can do it. 

Overwhelmed making dinner because your family is settling in for the night? its loud, people are asking you questions, the kitchen is already a mess and you’re trying to keep track of the things you still need to do tonight while setting up your to-do list for tomorrow to include any of today’s overflow and how to prioritize the most important things on that list? Feel like your heart is going a million miles and hour and it might rupture because you’re not actually a racehorse? Now I can breathe a few times, focus on the crunch of carrots when I chop them, feel the weight of the knife in my hand, smell the rosemary in the pan and remind myself that I am making dinner right now, and that makes dinner the most important thing on my to-do list. And therefore I can focus my attention on the moment and what I’m doing instead of everything I need to do or haven’t done. 

Does it work every time? No. That’s why it is called practicing meditation. But it has greatly bolstered my ability to regulate myself instead of needing somebody else to help me do that. 

Additionally, Meditation has also been show to decrease stress, promote emotional health, lengthen your attention span, reduce age related memory loss, help fight addiction, increase sleep health, control pain, and decrease blood pressure. 

It slowly and gently teaches you to be more aware and more open in the present moment. I do feel less ambiently anxious and less rushed. And when I do still feel overwhelmed, I have something at my fingertips that can take the edge off. 

The practice of being mindful is not a new concept. It has been integrated in the Hindu religion for millennia. The concept of “mindfulness” traces to the Pali words sati, which in the Indian Buddhist tradition implies awareness, attention, or alertness, and vipassana, which means insight cultivated by meditation. It didn’t truly migrate and gain popularity in the United States until the 1960’s with its more medical approach being introduced by John Kabat-Zinn in 1979 when he started his Stress Reduction Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. 

There are a number of different styles of mindfulness and meditation, but the overall concept is the same. The hardest part for me, of beginning to practice and find out more about the mindfulness concept was getting out of my own head, and being unafraid to ask questions and meet new people; something I don’t always excel at. As well as finding information that resonated with me.  

There is SO MUCH information out there which is both a pro and a con. You don’t have to look very far, but the sheer amount of resources can be overwhelming for someone who is unsure where to start.  

If you are interested in starting your own journey, below are some of my favorite resources- from books to do some more learning to audio programs with guided meditations for beginners. I hope that this helps make the journey a little less daunting.  

1. An Invitation to Meditation by Howard Cohn. This is a VERY short easy read. Bordering on Poetry. This really helped me breakdown that feeling of unattainability surrounding meditation. I had the opportunity to meet him at a Meditation event in Phoenix and it was him that sat down with me and answered some questions and helped me work through the struggles of focusing ON my body instead of ignoring it. He gave me the copy of the short book as a gift.  
2. Mindfulness Minutes on the Fitbit Premium App. There are sooooo many different meditation apps out there on the market. I am partial to this one because it syncs with the rest of my fit bit, and I find it fascinating that I can see the correlation between my heart rate and my meditation sessions after the fact. Additionally the library has hundreds of different length and topic meditations for those just figuring it out. anywhere from 20 minute longer sessions to 2 minutes breathing exercising. Cooking meditations, shower meditations, focus meditations. Great for somebody like me who really needs that guided portion because your attention span is shorter than that squirrel from ‘Over the Hedge’. 
3. The waking up app. This one is something my Fiancé uses more than I, but I’ve listened to a lot of them. The bonus to this particular app is it was written and designed by Sam Harris who is a Noted Philosopher, Neuroscientist, & Author. You will notice that his name appears multiple times on this list. This App also includes a number of vintage recordings by Alan Watts, those are worth the membership themselves. The talks are fascinating and I could listen to the man speak for hours.  
4. Waking up by Sam Harris. The book of the same name by Sam Harris is another amazing resource for those of you who prefer to read and be able to make notes in margins, save/ highlight things.  
5. John Kabat-Zinn’s Masterclass on Mindfulness. This was an amazing experience, straight from one of the leading experts themselves. Broken up into small bites sized pieces. He has over 40 years of teaching experience and is basically the father of the Medically applied concept. He is an expert at saying things in simple layman’s terms that are easy to understand and digest.  

If you are just starting your journey, I’d love to hear if any of these help you as much as they do me. If you’ve been practicing for a bit, I’d love it if you’d chime in with any other resources that have been incredibly helpful to you. the art of intentionality and mindfulness has so many applications and uses. If nothing else I think it helps make us more self-aware and as a result, kinder, better people with more compassion for ourselves and others. It can be hard to stay in the moment. It can be hard to find inner peace with everything going on in the larger world and around us. This has helped me find peace in a lot of ways. What would having the ability to flip a switch and find peace do for you? What would that inner calm help you do during your day? 

See you on the journey!  

With love, 

Mikaela 

Hey guild members!

I have been researching some new topics and prepping for a move so it has been a couple weeks since I continued our Astrology 101 posts BUT it is time to look at another part of the natal chart! If you haven’t been following along for the last couple installations, I have included a couple links at the bottom the page that can take you to previous posts or you can find them in the Spirituality portion of our blog.

Let’s get into the meat and potatoes of todays’ Astrology conversation: Organization and Terminology for Natal Charts

We have previously covered that the natal chart is:

• divided into 12 ‘pie’ pieces AND
• that the chart is a map of where different celestial bodies were in relation to YOU at exact time and location of your birth

Inner and Outer Parts of the Chart

The next thing we are going to do in looking at a natal chart is split our 12 pieces of ‘pie’ into an inner and outer circle.

The outer circle is our Zodiac and rotates according to our birth data and the location of the constellations around us as they appeared to be moving around earth.  It is fairly common knowledge that zodiacs are associated with different personalities, traits, elements, etc.

The inner circle is the astrological houses and that does not move. EVER. This circle is stationary. This is because this represents the earth and original astronomers thought we were the center of the universe. Each house is associated with different traits, elements, and parts of your life. I originally was going to go over these in this post but realized this would get too long very quickly. Going into detail on the 12 houses will be our next post.

Hemispheres and Quadrants

Imagine looking at the horizon facing either North or South. Which direction is determined by our ability to see the sun. If you are in the Northern hemisphere of earth, you are looking South and mapping what you see in the sky. If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, this is reversed, and you look to the North. This flips our North/South and East /West Hemispheres in the pictures I drew. There is some debate, that I will not dive into at this point, about whether such a north centric astrology practice is still accurate in the Southern Hemisphere, if sign meanings should be reversed, etc. etc. etc. But I digress once again.

Imagine you are in Washington… you are facing South, looking at the horizon. Now hold a blank natal chart up in front of you. The line bisecting the top and bottom of our circle is our horizon (both the -name of the line AND symbolically the one in front of you). The houses 7-12 sit above the horizon and any celestial bodies (this is planets, stars, meteors, etc) shown above the horizon at the time of your birth show up there. Think of the top of the chart as being directly overhead. Anything below that horizon line is not visible but we know where they are because of astronomy, and we still take them into account in houses 1-6.

This sounds a bit backwards BUT, we call the top half of the chart the Southern Hemisphere and the bottom half of the chart our Northern Hemisphere. The Southern hemisphere is associated with Ambition, being career oriented, wanting fame/recognition, being extroverted, and having material values/goals. The Northern hemisphere is associated with having a subjective view on life, a need for a private life, introversion, and an introspective outlook. Having clusters of planets in either the Southern or Northern Hemisphere can hint at whether you are more of a private or public person.

Now, because we are still facing the South, our left side is actually the East and to our right is the West. This is also seen in our natal chart; the left side is called our Eastern Hemisphere and the right side is called our Western Hemisphere. They are divided by a line called the meridian.  The Eastern Hemisphere is associated with being more independent, strong-willed, individualistic, a self-starter or leader. It is also associated with individuals who are self-motivated, self- employed, or risk-takers. In contrast, the Western Hemisphere is associated with being adaptable but dependent, passive, subtle, being a follower, and partnerships. Having clusters of planets in the Eastern or Western Hemispheres can hint at whether you are more of an individualist or a collaborator.

So as quick practice, here are a couple of examples of what someone means when they say something vs what you see on the chart vs where it actually is in the sky. Just a reminder. This is based on someone living in the North (think Washington) and they are looking south.

Chart Points

You may have noticed in the visuals I made above that there are points named in the four cardinal directions. We do not usually associate these with celestial bodies in this context because the chances of landing exactly on one is low. What you will hear though are zodiac associated with a point. Ever hear “I am a [insert zodiac] rising?”

The very top of our chart has a point called the Medium Coeli (AKA Midheaven, AKA M.C.).  This shows your aspirations, where you are aimed, and your legacy. At the very bottom point of the natal chart is your Imum Coeli (AKA I.C.). This is your root of home, memory, and soul.

Just like the Southernmost and Northernmost points on the chart are named (the M.C. and I.C.), so too are the Easternmost and Westernmost points. On the far left (furthest East) with have our Ascendant (often called our rising) and this our social mask and how we integrate into world around us. On the far right we have our Descendant, and this is what you wish you were like, what you admire, and areas of life you wish to grow in. It can also represent what you are looking for in a partner.

Putting the Inner and Outer Circles Together

Remember that outer circle of zodiacs? Remember that it actually moves? The position of that outer ring of zodiacs is based on your birth data (where in the world you are born).  

The next visual is not of my own making but hopefully seeing it 3D will help illustrate how they fit together. The inner circle is lined up on the horizon, not rotating. The outer circle of zodiacs could twist any way depending on where the constellations line up.

This visual is not of my own making but hopefully seeing it in 3D will help illustrate how they fit together. The inner circle is lined up on the horizon, not rotating. The outer circle of zodiacs could twist any way depending on where the constellations line up.

That being said… a planet can be in any number of combinations of house/hemisphere and zodiac. And a zodiac can be in a house. And a chart point can be in a zodiac. And… Have I started to lose you again?

I am going to stop for now before I start to really lose you all which would be counterproductive. These are just basics but hopefully it will help untangle what you are looking at when you see a natal chart. Next, we will be talking about the 12 houses and I will be working on getting a post up that is just reference for associations, symbols etc. Let me know if you want me to add the visuals I made!

Happy Charting!

Taylor

CHECK OUT THE FULL ASTROLOGY 101 SERIES:

• What is Astrology? Where Does One Start?
• Astrology Symbol Reference Chart
• Astrology 101: What Is In Your Natal Chart?
• Astrology 101: Natal Chart Organization and Terminology
• Astrology 101: The 12 houses & Their Symbolism
• Astrology 101: The Energy of Planets and Other Celestial Bodies

Stories and storytelling are such an integral part of humanity and how it has evolved that it can by and large be credited for the shaping of modern humanity. For millennia, humanity has used stories to explain the unexplainable, pass down heritage, teach children lessons, to entertain, and even to explain why things are the way they are. As cultures grew and melded and travel and emigration became more common, stories were retold, and they changed a little with each retelling. We merged our stories with new discoveries in science and changes in religion. They evolved a little at a time to stay relevant with their current cultures. Some of them fading from memory, but many others lifting into legendary status (no matter if modern science or the newly discovered world could empirically prove they did not exist or weren’t what we thought). Story telling is how we connect with our past in the present.  

Our ancestors have been telling versions of these same stories for time immemorial. You know the ones I mean. Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, the Lochness Monster, the Tortoise and the Hare, The little mermaid. From fairytales to fables and even religious representations, hundreds of these stories permeate cultures around the world. No matter how old we get, these stories hold a place near and dear to our hearts. As children they enchant us and as adults sometimes, they are the glue that holds our childhood together when we need something nostalgic and magical to believe in, even when we know better. 

The history of such stories fascinates me. Especially when you look in relation to how those stories shaped religions and cultures and vice versa. Today, I’d like to take a look at the history of the Easter Bunny with you.  

Everybody raised in a Christian home knows that The Easter Bunny is responsible for Easter Egg hunts, sweet treats, and pretty baskets filled with goodies on Easter morning. For some kids this happens overnight- much like Santa Claus; and they wake up Easter morning to a house that has been visited by the crafty bunny in question. In my house, The Easter bunny came while we were at Sunday Mass (I honestly think my parents “reasoning” behind this was that there was no way one bunny to get to everybody overnight and he needed the overtime). 

From ancient times all the way up to today, where stores are filled with fake grass, packages of peeps, stuffed bunnies, the ubiquitous Jelly-Belly, and Chocolate Bunnies of all sizes. I even saw peep flavored Pepsi in a store this year. The holiday is so large that the White House even hosts an Easter Egg Roll every year. Families have been building traditions around this elusive rabbit for generations. One year my parents even wrote a letter from the Easter Bunny saying that there would be “No Chocolate Bunnies that year because everybody always eats the Ears off first”. My dad and I had a tradition where every year he’d try to find me a slightly bigger chocolate bunny, because that’s all I ever really wanted. We had a lot of fun each year sharing that bunny between us until we had to stop for obvious reasons as the rabbits in question had gotten titanically large (Our record was a 4-foot-tall chocolate rabbit that stood as tall as I did at the time). But why a bunny? Why Eggs? Rabbits do not lay eggs. Who started the tradition and where did it come from?  

In more modern history, The Easter Bunny made the jump to the United States in the 1700’s from German Immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and told stories to their children of the Osterhase (https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/easter-symbols). At this point in time Easter was already a well-established Christian holiday and observed even more strictly by the Catholic See and the Orthodox Church.  

But where did they get a rabbit from? The Hare was considered a sacred animal by many cultures and religions dating all the way back to the Neolithic Age. There’s Even documentation from Julius Caesar in 51 B.C.E. about how in Britain, hares were not eaten because even then they had religious significance. Though visually rabbits may not come across as overly sexual, being primarily cute and fluffy, the expression “breed like rabbits” exists for a reason. In Greece, Hares were sacred to Aphrodite and her son Eros was often depicted holding a Hare as a symbol of love and sexuality. Other ancient cultures who used the Hare or rabbit as a symbol of fertility, love, and sexuality include the Celts & the Chinese. The Egyptians in the form of the goddess Wenet. The Aztec god Tepoztēcatl, God of both fertility and drunkenness. Even the Norse goddess Freyja (Eostre: The Mystery Goddess Who Gave Easter its Name | History Cooperative). Take a jump to Christianity, where the Virgin Mary was frequently depicted with a white rabbit, representing her overcoming sexual temptation and the birth that was a “new spring” for men.  

But despite the rabbit’s long history as a symbol for birth, love, and all things sexual, it’s a far cry from that to the fairytale of a candy depositing, dapper rabbit, and the universal symbol for Christianity’s biggest holiday. 

Like many fairytales- the Brother’s Grimm play a part. although ironically, they did not write the tale. In 1835 Jacob Grimm theorized that the Easter Bunny was a direct holdover from Pagans converting to Christianity. In fact, in 731 C.E. the monk Bede, who is often referred to as the father of English history, wrote that the month of April was referred to as Eosturmonath after the goddess Eostre. The German’s may have called this same goddess Ostara (as in the holiday of the same name symbolizing the start of spring). In ‘De Temporum Ratione’ Bede even went as far as to say that a pagan Spring festival in the name of the goddess had been assimilated into the Christian holiday symbolizing the resurrection of Christ (which is of course in turn a celebration of the new beginnings as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice).  

It was Jacob Grimm however, who argued the connection between the Anglo-Saxon celebration of Eostre in Eosturmonath and the Old High German counterpart of Ostara in Ostermonat. (The Anglo-Saxon’s were a Germanic people). This is also in keeping with the fact that the German Emigrants to the U.S. later celebrated the ‘Osterhase.’ 

While most European languages refer to the Christian holiday with names that come from the Jewish holiday of Passover, such as Pâques in French or Påsk in Swedish, German, and English languages retain this older, non-biblical word: Easter. (The Ancient Origins of the Easter Bunny | History| Smithsonian Magazine) More recent archeological evidence has supported proof of Esotre’s worship in England and Germany, with the Hare being one of her primary symbols along with eggs. 

It is fascinating just thinking about all the ways that stories and beliefs shape our culture and our surroundings. Even though Eostre hasn’t been prominently celebrated in almost two thousand years and most Christians may not have knowledge of the evolution of certain symbols & celebratory practices- in a way the story itself lives on. That even though Pagans and Christians have very different beliefs, their stories are still interwoven in the fabric of the universe. That the number of overlapping symbols and beliefs in the world shared among cultures thousands of miles apart, feeds into the idea of a bigger greater shared ‘human story.’ This is usually where I have this small moment of existential reflection about ripples, and the echoes of the lives of people long dead. But the idea that in a way you are telling the same stories as your many times over great grandmother when you observe those traditions or share them with your children; and that someday many centuries from now you will still be alive among your descendants in some tiny way because of the stories you tell today, will always be a magical one to me.

Happy Rabbit Day,

Mikaela