Brigid, Our Patron Goddess

 

 

Beloved Brigid, Celtic Fire Goddess

-A testimony

Brigid is the powerful Celtic Goddess of fire I will tell you how it is I came to know her by fire, twice!

It was Imbolc and our coven was meeting on Saturday evening to honor the chosen Goddess Frigga since the following day we were holding a separate Goddess Temple service to honor Brigid and the Sabbat. 

Since it was February and close to Valentines Day we chose Frigga instead of the first thought of Aphrodite or Venus as our symbol of Love.

We adorned the altar with red white and pink candles, cloth and figurines’.

We placed a picture of Frigga on the altar and then went into the other room to get our coven together.

While we were “checking in” with each other the smell of smoke was wafting through the rooms to us. We ran into the other room to find flames and smoke so thick you could not tell the ceiling form the floor.

We all pulled together and ran in and out of the room extinguishing the fire and trying to get the smoke outside

The fire was contained to just the altar table and the carpet under it. Everything was burned or melted on the table, everything but the piece of paper we had printed out the picture of Frigga on and set in the middle of the table! Yes, a plain piece of paper sat in the middle of the altar engulfed in flames and did not have a single mark on it.

After everyone was calm and the room was smoke free we sat and determined that Brigid did not like us honoring another Goddess on her day and she left the picture unharmed as her note to us. The room was cleansed by fire and the day will forever be known as Brigid’s day and none others.

The next day at our Sabbat service we had a fire roaring in the fireplace and many pictures were taken. When I was putting the pictures from the day online I noticed in the pictures of the hearth and fire there was an image! There is an unmistakable image of Brigid in the flames wearing a crown/veil and all!

She had come to be there with us that Imbolc day as we honored her properly. I had never felt so moved in my whole life and so sure that the Gods/Goddess’ are here with us everyday and that they are always with us when we call upon them.

I still have and will forever hold dear to my heart the photo of Frigga with a small splatter of candle wax as the only mark of the fire and the picture of Brigid in her Imbolc flames. Brigid holds a very special place in my heart now and forever.

 

 

Goddess Card Nov. 9th

Goddess Sedna- Infinite Supply- You are supplied for today and all of your tomorrows. This is an abundant universe filled with enough for everyone.  This card is about giving and receiving and finding the balance of the two. If you only give you feel drained and if you only receive you won’t enjoy what you have.

 

Finding the balance in ones life can sometimes be a hard task to take on. Sometimes it is best to sit quietly with ourselves and find out what true balance is. In meditation you stop and listen to the silence and find the balance within. This will help you find the balance in your life. Find the ebb and flow within yourself and then you can better serve yourself, your, family and friends and the universe. Remember there is enough for us all especially if we all find the balance. Start today by saying “The universe provides for my every need”

 

The Goddess Sedna is connected to the sea, so sit by some water or do a meditation to the sounds of running water or a water fall to help you connect with this beautiful Goddess!

 

Goddess Card Nov. 8th

Goddess Bast- Independent – Your independence is a foundation for your strength and success. Now is the time to balance your social interactions with solitude. Nurture your freedom and independence.

  

Independence is important for us all! It is wonderful to have friends and family and we need to find a balance between being with them and having time to ourselves. Having time alone is important, that way you have really look inside and see what is there, what is important to you. It can be an important thing to spend time with just you. How else will you know what you think, need, want, love, and care about!! So take sometime today to be with just you. Do something wonderful for you, by you today!!!

 

 

May the love of the Goddess be with you always!!!!

Goddess Card Nov. 8th

 

Goddess Sige – Quiet Time – Take some quiet time alone to rest meditate and contemplate. Quiet your mind and breathe and let go of worry. Rejuvenate and re center yourself. It I time for contemplation. Be at rest!

 

Sometimes we need to look within, because the answers always reside with our selves. We need to take the time to be still and quiet so that we can listen to our own inner voice. Quiet time for meditation or even some breathing is very important so that we can hear what resides within our own thoughts and minds.

 

Spend some quiet with Sige and allow her to help you find direction.

 

May the love of the Goddess be with you!

Goddess Card Nov. 7th

Goddess Ixchel – Medicine Woman- You are a channel for divine healing power. You command power. Commanding power is based upon the sure and steady knowledge that you are a part of the Great Spirit’s grace and wisdom. Connect to the bigger source and allow it to amplify your natural ability.

 

You have the power within you to help heal yourself, others, the planet any and all living things. You have to know that the power resides within. Know that you can help and make this a much better place.  Send out thoughts, light, love, healing, and prayer out to all of those you love and card about. You are powerful, don’t be afraid to use the power.

 

Take a moment to meditate with Ixchel and see what message she has for you!!!

 

May the love of the Goddess be with you!!!.

Goddess card Nov. 6th

This awesome card just showed up last week!!!

 

Goddess Lakshmi – Bright Future – Stop Worrying everything’s going to be fine. Everything is working in your favor. Te only thing blocking your path is your own fear. Take a moment to clear your mind and quite it from your worries. Feel me brush your brow with new energy of faith hope and optimism. Let the light shine all around you!

  

Take some time today and sit with Lakshmi. Sit in a quiet meditation, give her your worries and allow her to carry them away. Then think about the wonderful things you want to do and accomplish. Let her bring plans and ideas to mine to help you attain those goals and that a small step to make those dreams a reality!!!

  

May the love of the Goddess be with you today and every day!!!!!!!!!!!!

Samhain Bread (Pumpkin Bread) By: Miss Heather

Ingredients

• 3 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 16-ounce can solid pack pumpkin
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9×5x3-inch loaf pans. Beat sugar and oil in large bowl to blend. Mix in eggs and pumpkin. Sift flour, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, salt and baking powder into another large bowl. Stir into pumpkin mixture in 2 additions. Mix in walnuts, if desired.

 

Divide batter equally between prepared pans. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Transfer to racks and cool 10 minutes. Using sharp knife, cut around edge of loaves. Turn loaves out onto racks and cool completely.          Yields: 2 loaves

 

Shadow’s Sanctuary By Lisa Nieves

I recently went on vacation without my family. Just me.  Nowhere exotic, just away.  I stayed in a nice hotel in a sleepy little town.  I had all those little amenities usually associated with hotels; coffee/tea pot at the ready, massaging shower heads, tiny fancy-smelling soaps, big puffy pillows, etc. 

     I enjoyed one of the simple pleasures of being away from home. My wardrobe was chosen before leaving home.  Clothes coordinated and fit just right; accessories were always complimentary. No frustration about what to wear. All the planning and work was done. Getting ready was a breeze.

     I had only a few fixed activities planned over the course of four days so I had plenty of time to lounge about, meander through town and soak in the hot tub. I awoke refreshed each morning and coaxed the day with a nice hot cup of flavored tea.  I meditated and honored God & Goddess each night after a luxurious bubble bath, then retired to the comfy billows of a king size bed with a steamy novel and another hot cup of tea.

     I witnessed the sunrise on the Summer Solstice from an ancient Native American site, Ft. Ancient.  A Sacred Site where ancient peoples built mounds that align perfectly with solar and lunar dates.  I witnessed the Solstice Sunset at another Sacred Site, The Great Serpent Mound. The coils of the snake also align perfectly with solar and lunar dates. I took many pictures and met new people.  I returned to my hotel feeling closer to Mother Nature and with the renewed knowledge that we are all connected; Earth, Sky, and Humankind.

     I returned home calm, collected, relaxed and a bit spoiled from the convenience of hotel life.  I wanted to hold on to that feeling for as long as possible.  I immediately started transforming my bedroom from a place where I sleep to ‘Shadow’s Sanctuary’. I removed clothes, accessories and other ‘stuff’ that no longer thrill me. I cleared off a dresser in my bedroom and brought out the seldom used mini coffeemaker.  A drawer now houses tea, a small tub of sugar and necessary utensils.  I pressed all of my clothes and hung them by color in the closet.  I hung soft fabric on the rails of my cast iron canopy bed.  I keep a small folding table under the bed to hold a light meal or tea service. I moved my collection of ambient music cd’s to the bedroom so I can escape on a whim. I gathered my scented bath oils and soaps and favorite shampoo/conditioner into small containers that I can carry in a small caddy, along with a candle and a novel, to the tub for a leisurely soak.

      I have also made small changes to my daily routine so I can experience that ‘on vacation’ feeling every day.  Each evening I fill the in-suite coffeemaker and prepare my travel mug with tea and sugar.  Each morning when I wake, I flip on the switch.  While I’m getting ready, which is now a breeze because everything that fits is at my fingertips and ready to wear, my tea is brewing.  I now have time to enjoy a leisure cup before work in my quiet sanctuary and always have an escape after a hectic day. The stress of my life hasn’t changed but its now easier to deal with it in a healthy way.

     I spent only a few days away from home but the peace and serenity I experienced and my refreshed connection with God & Goddess has endured long after getting back to ‘real life’.

 

An Herbal Column By– Miss Jess

The change of seasons is briskly upon us. Isn’t it lovely especially this time of year?  As fall approaches we need to turn our attentions from planting to harvesting our gardens of herbs.  There are several ways to do just that and make the best use of our plants.  Some can be frozen and some are better dried.
     The most important thing in properly drying herbs is to provide the right drying environment.  Make sure that there is adequate air flow around the plant and that there is low light.  This is especially important for floral parts of a plant when preserving color. Depending on the plant, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to completely dry.  Once it is, store in an airtight container, glass is best because the herbs in a plastic container absorb the odors from a plastic and always keep them out of light once dry.
     Those herbs that get dried can be done one of two ways depending on the plant itself.  Herbs that have a hardy stem can best be dried upside down.  Plants like lavender, yarrow, thistle and chamomile are better for this method.  Cut the stems long enough to make a bundle with a rubber band. Hang them with a clothespin on a drying rack. Usually it is good to check them in two weeks or so. For long stems allow for storage in a plastic bag or box.

     The other way to dry herbs is on a flat screen like surface. This method can be used for plants that are harvested for only their leaves. Plants like oregano and thyme, which have small leaves and fine stems, can benefit from this type of drying. Other herbs, mainly those used for cooking are good for freezing.  This is important when  color and texture are big factors in a dish.   Before freezing make sure the leaves are clean and dry.  Leaves can be frozen whole or chopped.  Chopped herbs can be frozen in a container or in an ice cube tray.  Fill the cups of the tray half full of the herb and top off with water.  Then when it comes time to thaw, just take out as many as needed. Pesto is not the same if you use dried basil.  It has a better flavor if made with basil that is fresh but, if there is no fresh in the kitchen, the next best thing is to pull out some frozen leaves and proceed with the recipe. Please note, frozen herbs can darken over  time.  They will taste fresh, but may not look quite the same. Remember, fall doesn’t have to be an end to gardening.  It is a time to enjoy what we have worked so hard to grow and Mother Nature has nurtured all summer long.  With these preservation tips you can enjoy your herbs well into the winter and beyond

Goddess Card Nov. 5th

 

Goddess Bast- Independent – Your independence is a foundation for your strength and success. Now is the time to balance your social interactions with solitude. Nurture your freedom and independence.

  

Independence is important for us all! It is wonderful to have friends and family and we need to find a balance between being with them and having time to ourselves. Having time alone is important, that way you have really look inside and see what is there, what is important to you. It can be an important thing to spend time with just you. How else will you know what you think, need, want, love, and care about!! So take sometime today to be with just you. Do something wonderful for you, by you today!!!

May the love of the Goddess be with you always!!!!

Spaghetti Dinner

Spaghetti Dinner

Goddess Temple 

November 22, 2009

4 – 7 p.m. @ the

Masonic Temple 

15300 Detroit Avenue

Lakewood, Ohio 44107

Adult $10      Child $5

(Children under 4 free)

Call 216-221-8755 for info

 

*  Raffle to be Held at Dinner*

Proceeds Benefit the Goddess Temple

www.goddesstempleinc.org

Please come in to Goddess Blessed to get your tickets. Goddess Blessed is located at 15729 MAdison Ave, lakewood Ohio.