Celtic Tree Month Of Ivy Begins -- Sept 30 - Oct 27

Celtic Tree Month of Ivy begins -- 

As the year comes to a close and Samhain approaches, the Ivy moon rolls in at the end of the harvest season. Ivy often lives on after its host plant has died -- a reminder to us that life goes on, in the endless cycle of life, death and rebirth. The Celts called this month Gort, pronounced go-ert. This is a time to banish the negative from your life. 

Do workings related to improving yourself, and placing a barricade between you and the things that are toxic to you. Ivy can be used in magic performed for healing, protection, cooperation, and to bind lovers together.

via paganwiccan


-The Crafty Witch

DIY Spooky Tree Centerpiece

The Tree Centerpiece really pulls together a room, whether it be spooky for child’s fun, it will definitely have everyone looking twice

Best of this entire project will only cost $3.00!

What you'll Need:

• Black Plastic Cauldron

• Floral/Craft Foam

• Glass Gems, Rocks, or Stones

• Halloween Tinsel Garland

• Plastic Skeleton Garland

• Twigs from Your Yard

• Paint & Paint Brush (Optional)

• Glittery Bat Ornaments (See Directions on Page 2)

*All items italicized are item you probably already have around your own home.

*All items underlined are optional

Easy Step-by-Step Directions:

1. First, gather a few spooky-looking twigs from your yard.

2. Place the floral/craft foam in the center of the cauldron and

fill the empty space around the foam with glass gems, rocks,

or stones. This will anchor your foam and provide stability

for your tree.

3. Stick the twigs from your yard securely into the foam... make

sure you push them far into the foam for stability. Arrange

twigs into your desired tree shape. If you want to paint your

twigs black or another color, do that next. They will be easier

to paint standing upright in the foam. Set the tree aside to dry.

4. Once the twigs are dry, cover the stones at the base of the

tree with Halloween tinsel garland, then place the skeleton

garland on top of the tinsel and position the skeletons

however you wish.

5. Decorate the tree with more skeletons, Halloween creepy

creatures, or handmade glittery bat ornaments (see directions

on page 2).

 

I did mine a little differently but both ways are acceptable. I had bits of gravel from around by house that I was able to anchor mine down with but there are many options available at your local Dollar Tree to find what you would like best. Also I did not line the bottom of my tree centerpiece with tinsel garland and the skeleton garland, I was going for a spookier look to I surrounded mine with Spanish Moss (available at the Dollar Tree)

---------------------------------------------

Here is also link for those of you how would like to have a print out of the directions - it will take you to the Dollar Tree site where you can print out a PDF!

Go For PDF!

-The Crafty Witch

Fav Halloween Movies 2 of 7

This is actually one of the best Disney movies I have ever seen, back in the 90's Disney got to get away with racy innuendos and some mild language. This movie as a child was so scary to me and was the absolute best to watch late at night (which at that point and time was really like 10pm) curled up with my power ranger footie pajamas and my fuzzy blanket. ANYWAYS -- its such a great movie.

------------------------------

Tower of Terror

Rating: UR           Length: 89 mins.               Year: 1997

Cast: Steve Guttenberg, Kirsten Dunst, Nia Peeples

Movie Description

Written and directed by D.J. MacHale, Tower of Terror is a made-for-TV production supernatural thriller from Walt Disney Television. The 89-minute film is based on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror theme park attraction at Florida's Walt Disney World Resort, the first Disney production featuring one of its own attractions.

Steve Guttenberg portrays a former distinguished reporter who fell on hard times and now toils for a sleazy tabloid. His fortunes begin looking up after stumbling across a 1939 episode in which five people mysteriously disappear while in a luxury hotel elevator during a lightning storm. Buzzy Crocker (Guttenberg) and his niece Anna (Kirsten Dunst) become involved through a chance encounter with Abigail Gregory (Amzie Strickland), an older sister of one of the victims. Abigail claims to know the "real" story behind the incident, and her version intrigues Buzzy and Anna; so much that they attempt to recreate the decades-long mystery in hopes of solving it.

In addition to Guttenberg, Dunst and Strickland, other notable cast members include Nia Peeples, Michael McShane and Melora Hardin.

-------------------- ----------

Thank you to http://www.disneymovieslist.com for info

-The Crafty Witch

Ghost, Demons & Other Spirit Entities. . . Oh My!

GHOSTS

To call these entities ghosts demands first a definition of what we mean by ghosts. But by almost any definition, shadow people are somewhat different than ghost phenomena. Whereas ghost apparitions are almost always a misty white, vaporish or have a decidedly human form and appearance (very often with discernable "clothing"), shadow beings are much darker and more shadow-like. In general, although the shadow people often do have a human outline or shape, because they are dark, the details of their appearance is lacking. This is in contrast to many ghost sightings in which the witness can describe the ghost's facial features, style of clothing and other details. The one detail most often noted in some shadow being sightings are their glowing red eyes.

DEMONS OR OTHER SPIRIT ENTITIES

The dark countenance and malevolent feelings that are often reported in association with these creatures has led some researchers to speculate that they may be demonic in nature. If they are demons, we have to wonder what their purpose or intent is in letting themselves be seen in this manner. Is it merely to frighten?

By Stephen Wagner

-The Crafty Witch

DIY Monday - Glitter Bats

These Glitter Bats are so fun to make and they are so adorable, if you are making these with your kids I do want to tell you it can get a bit messy (with the glue and glitter) but otherwise it is a fun project for you and your young ones!

Best of all this project will only cost $5.00!

What You'll Need:

• Foam Craft Balls

• Plastic Sandwich Bags

• Craft Glue

• Paint Brush

• Glitter in Various Colors

• Black Plastic Plates

• Scissors

• Googly Eyes

• Thread or Fishing Wire

• Crafting U-Pins

*All items italicized are item you probably already have around your own home.

*All items underlined are optional

Easy Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Put glitter colors into separate plastic sandwich bags.

2. Using a paint brush, cover a foam craft ball with craft glue

and drop it into a bag of glitter. Shake the ball around until it’s

covered with glitter, then remove it from the bag and set aside

to dry. Repeat these steps with each foam craft ball.

3. Using the patterns to the right as stencils, trace the wing shapes

onto black plastic plates and cut them out.

4. When the glittery foam balls are dry, stick a bat wing into each

side, pressing firmly to make sure they’re secure in the foam.

5. Glue two googly eyes onto each bat.

6. Using thread or fishing wire, tie a loop for hanging and attach it to the foam bat ornament using craft U-pins.

7. Hang them on your spooky tree or around the house and enjoy!

---------------------------------------------

I did mine a little differently but both ways are acceptable. I painted all my bats black and then just sprinkled some of the colored glitter on top of them while they were at the point where they were still not quite dry. (I found for our purpose of DIY Under $5 that it just wasn't possible for the amount of glitter that was given. To follow the Dollar Tree steps I would recommend maybe buying 2 or 3 bottle of glitter depending on how may bats you want to make) then I followed the directions up until step three, I used black construction paper I had around my house for the bat wings. To apply I folded the edge of the paper and glued that to the bat.

---------------------------------------------

Here is also link for those of you how would like to have a print out of the directions - it will take you to the Dollar Tree site where you can print out a PDF!

Go For PDF!

-The Crafty Witch

Autumn Equinox

It is the time of the autumn equinox, and the harvest is winding down. The fields are nearly empty, because the crops have been plucked and stored for the coming winter. Mabon is the mid-harvest festival, and it is when we take a few moments to honor the changing seasons, and celebrate the second harvest. On or around September 21, for many Pagan and Wiccan traditions it is a time of giving thanks for the things we have, whether it is abundant crops or other blessings. You may want to take a moment to read up on:

Depending on your individual spiritual path, there are many different ways you can celebrate Mabon, but typically the focus is on either the second harvest aspect, or the balance between light and dark. This, after all, is the time when there is an equal amount of day and night. While we celebrate the gifts of the earth, we also accept that the soil is dying. We have food to eat, but the crops are brown and going dormant. Warmth is behind us, cold lies ahead. Here are a few rituals you may want to think about trying -- and remember, any of them can be adapted for either a solitary practitioner or a small group, with just a little planning ahead.

--------------------

Mabon Magical Herbs

Rue, yarrow, rosemary, marigold, sage, walnut leaves and husks, mistletoe, saffron, chamomile, almond leaves, passionflower, frankincense, rose hips, bittersweet, sunflower, wheat, oak leaves, dried apple or apple seeds.

--------------------

Incense

Pine, sage, sweet grass or myrrh you can also mix

marigold, passionflower, and fern, using

frankincense or myrrh as a resin for Mabon incense

--------------------

Mabon Magical Stones

During Mabon, stones ruled by the Sun will help

bring the Sun's energy to you.clear quartz,

amber, peridot, diamond, gold, citrine, yellow

topaz, cat's-eye, aventurine.

Mabon is a good time to cast spells of balance

and harmony. It's also a time of change.

Protection, wealth and prosperity spells are

appropriate as well.

-------------------- 

Holiday Fare

Mabon is the Witch's Thanksgiving, a time to

appreciate and give thanks to the Goddess for

her bounty and to share in the joys of the

harvest. Fall fruits, squash, gourds, pumpkins,

grains, nut breads, vegetables.

A magickal Mabon beverage: hot apple cider.

Apple rules the heart, cider alone is a self-

love potion. By spicing it with cinnamon, ruled

by Jupiter and the Sun, we are in essence,

ingesting the sunlight.

Sample menu #1: Mabon Wine Moon Cider, Roast

Chicken Rubbed with Sage, Basil, and Thyme,

Acorn Squash made with Sweet Butter, Cinnamon

and Honey, and Apple Bread.

Sample menu #2: Wine from the god and beans and

squashes from the goddess. A hearty multi-bean

soup with smoked meats (optional), including

such as cut-up mild sausage like mild Italian

or Polish.

--------------------

Mabon Wine Moon Cider

4 cups apple cider 1/2 tsp. whole cloves

4 cups grape juice additional cinnamon sticks

2 cinnamon sticks for cups, 6 inches long

1 tsp allspice

In a 4-quart saucepan, heat cider and grape

juice. Add cinnamon, allspice and cloves.

Bring just to boiling. Lower heat and simmer

for 5 minutes.

Serve with ladle from a cauldron. Makes 8 cups.

--------------------

Mabon Activities

* Make grapevine wreaths using dried bitter-

  sweet herb for protection. Use ribbons of

  gold and yellow to bring in the energy of the

  Sun, and decorate with sprigs of dried yarrow

  or cinnamon sticks.

* Make a Magical Horn of Plenty.

* Make Magickal Scented Pinecones.

* Make a protection charm of hazelnuts

  (filberts) strung on red thread.

* Collect milkweed pods to decorate at Yuletide

  and attract the faeries.

* Call upon the elementals and honor them for

  their help with (N-earth) the home and

  finances, (E-air) school and knowledge,

  (S-fire) careers and accomplishments,

  (W-water) emotional balance and fruitful

  relationships.

* Make a witch's broom. Tie dried corn husks or

  herbs (broom, cedar, fennel, lavender,

  peppermint, rosemary) around a strong,

  relatively straight branch of your choice.

* Make magic Apple Dolls: Apples are sacred

  symbols of the witch. Our holy land, Avalon,

  means Apple-land or Island of Apples. Slice

  an apple through the midsection and its seeds

  reveal the sacred shape of the pentacle.

  You will need two large apples, one for Mabon

  and one for Modron, 2 pencils and 2 dowels

  about 12 inches long, a paring knife, a glass

  or bowl of water to wash your fingers, a plate,

  and a towel to wipe your hands. Peel and core

  the apples. Carve a face in the apples. Place

  apples on a dowel and stand them in a jar

  to dry (start now). Then charge in a magick

  circle. After 2 or 3 weeks, they should look

  like shrunken heads. Make them into dolls. Use

  wheat, dried herbs or doll's hair for hair.

  Dress them in tiny robes and bring them into

  the circle, asking god/dess to charge them with

  their light.

 

  Hang these Mabon and Madron heads on a Witch's

  cord or a Mabon wreath.

---------------------

From "Celebrate the Earth" by Laurie Cabot, Green Witchcraft by Ann Moura, Llewellyn's Witches'

Calendar 1998, and The Witches' God by Janet and Stewart Farrar.

-The Crafty Witch

40 Days Till Halloween

Yep, thats right, 40 days remaining until Halloween. 

Check every-- 

Monday for my DIY Halloween Projects, everything you can make yourself and all under $5!

Wednesdays for articles Into The Paranormal and Beyond, where we talk about the unknown and gives you a different perspective on life. . . and the afterlife!

&

Fridays for Fav Halloween Movies, talking about the best Halloween movies to watch (the best from when you were a kid)


See you then


-The Crafty Witch

Fav Halloween Movies 1 Of 7

Growing up I watched a lot of disney channel and there are just some movies that are the best and take me on a nostalgia tour, especially during the holidays, this fridays Halloween inspired and also kid friendly movies are Twitches and Twitches 2

--------------------------------------------------

Twitches

Rating: PG     Length: 86 mins.     Year: 2005

Cast: Tia Mowry, Tamera Mowry

Genre: Comedy, Disney Channel, Drama, Spooky

Movie Description

Starring twin sisters Tia and Tamera Mowry, Twitches is a Disney Channel Original Movie adapted from the popular same-titled series of teen books. The success of the production led to a sequel, Twitches Too, featuring virtually the same cast and crew as appeared in the original.

"Twitches" refers to "twin witches," with the belief that when the twins pool their resources together, their witchly abilities become significantly stronger. Such is the case of Alex and Camryn (the Mowry twins) who are separated at birth, but are unexpectedly reunited on their 21st birthday. The sisters soon discover their unique powers and set about working their magic and fulfilling their destiny.

Twitches is directed by Stuart Gillard, whose previous works include the well-recieved RocketMan and Paradise, as well as directing stints in the television series Bordertown, One Tree Hill and 90210. The Twitches cast also includes Kristen Wilson, Patrick Fabian and Jennifer Robertson.

---------------------------------------------------

Twitches Too

Rating: NR           Length: 83 mins.               Year: 2007

Cast: Tamera Mowry, Tia Mowry, Patrick Fabian

Genre: Disney Channel, Fantasy, Spooky

Movie Description

Young Camryn and Alex carefully mastered the skill of balancing a normal life with the potential upset that comes from having mystical, magical powers. When the evil forces of darkness come back to upset the coventry, the sister witches sacrifice their harmony to make things right.

----------------------------------------------------

Thank you to http://www.disneymovieslist.com for info

-The Crafty Witch

Full Moon Magic

* Full Moon Magic *

It takes about 14 days of growing bigger for the moon to grow or wax completely full -- that night you will see the Full Moon rise as a perfect circular disk. This is the Light of the Moon, and it is reserved for light works and dedications to benevolent lunar deities. It is used for celebrations and prayers for peace.

                      The Full Moon
                      rises almost exactly at sunset
                      and sets almost exactly at the next sunrise.

From fourteen to seventeen-and-a-half days after the new moon. Prime time for rituals for prophecy, protection, divination. Any working that needs extra power, such as help finding a new job or healing for serious conditions, can be done now. Also, love, knowledge, legal undertakings, money and dreams.

-The Crafty Witch

The Imagination

The explanation we get from skeptics and mainstream science - and who are usually people who have never experienced the shadow people phenomenon - is that it is nothing more than the active human imagination. It's our minds playing tricks on us... our eyes seeing things in a fraction of a second that aren't really there - illusions... real shadows caused by passing auto headlights, or some similar explanation. And without a doubt, these explanations probably can account for some if not many experiences. The human eye and mind are easily fooled. But can they account for all cases?

Stephen Wagner

-The Crafty Witch

DIY Spider Web Vase

I think this is such a cute and simple idea, no matter if its a child or adult party - these can be used as a centerpiece, decoration on a table or mantle. The Spider Web Vase is  very easy to make and all the items can be bought at your local Dollar Tree or around your own home!

Best of all this project will only cost $3.00!

What You'll Need:

• 71⁄4" Glass Cylinder Vase
• White Tissue Paper
• Craft Glue
• Foam Paint Brush
• Glitter
• Spider Web Stencil
• LED Tealight Candles
• Glow Sticks

*All items italicized are item you probably already have around your own home.

*All items underlined are optional

Easy Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Tear white tissue paper into small 2" pieces.

2. Using a foam paint brush and craft glue, spread a thin layer of
glue on the vase (working in small sections so you don’t glue
yourself to the vase!). Stick the pieces of tissue paper onto the
glue, allowing them to overlap a little. Then, dip the foam brush
in glue and spread some more glue on top of the tissue, working
carefully so as not to tear the tissue. Repeat these steps until
your vase is covered in a layer of white tissue paper. Set aside
to dry.

3. Once the vase is completely dry, place the spiderweb stencil
(see next page) inside the vase and trace over the lines from
the outside of the vase with craft glue. Sprinkle glitter (in your
choice of color) over the glue, covering it completely. Working in
small sections will make the tracing process easier. Be sure to
work over a plate so you can catch and reuse the excess glitter.
If you want the web design on both sides of the vase, simply
reposition the stencil and keep tracing with glue and sprinkling
with glitter until you've covered the entire vase or reached your
desired eerie effect. Set vase aside to dry.

4. Once the glitter and glue are completely dry, carefully brush
off the excess glitter with a dry paint brush. 

5. OPTIONAL: Place LED tealight candles or glow sticks inside the vase for a spooky effect!

 

---------------------------------------------

I did mine a little differently but both ways are acceptable. I printed out the stencil and placed it inside the cylinder vase and applied the glue directly to the outer surface of the vase following the stencil design. All I did then was sprinkle the glitter over the glue (with a paper plate underneath to catch any falling glitter.)

---------------------------------------------

Here is also link for those of you how would like to have a print out of the directions - it will take you to the Dollar Tree site where you can print out a PDF!

Go For PDF!

-The Crafty Witch

Syfy's Haven Returns Tonight!

So as some of you already know tonight is the season 4 opener of Haven, and let me tell you it has been a long wait too! Season three left of with all these burning questions like 

Who tried to kill the Colorado Kid in the '80s?

Who keeps rebuilding that lighthouse?

How old is Audrey?

Even if the barn transports Audrey 27 years into the future, why does she forget everything?

With Dave's admission than he can always find Vince, does this indicate something important between the Teague brothers?

If Vince is the leader of the Guard, does he have a Trouble?

and last but not least 

What happened to Duke and Arla when they got sucked into the barn?

Tonight season four picks up six months after the violent meteor storm that pummeled haven, unfortunately the infamous troubles didn't disappear with Audrey who is living under a new identity when she is approached by a mysterious man in need of her assistance.

I for one can not wait to watch this long awaited episode, to find out a channel and time near you check out Syfy.com and meet me back here after the show for a recap and to discuse the long awaited episode. 

-The Crafty Witch

Shadow People

There's a growing interest in the phenomenon of shadow people. What are they?

Ghosts? Interdimensional beings? Time travelers? Something else?

"WHAT WAS THAT?" You were sitting comfortably on your sofa reading the latest issue of FATE in the dim light when movement across the room caught your attention. It seemed dark and shadowy, but there was nothing there. You returned to your reading - and a moment later there it was again. You looked up quickly this time and saw the fleeting but distinctly human shape of the shadow pass quickly over the far wall... and disappear.

What was that? Some natural shadow? Your heightened imagination? A ghost? Or was it something that seems to be a spreading phenomenon - apparitions that are coming to be known as "shadow people" or "shadow beings." Perhaps this is an old phenomenon with a new name that is now being discussed more openly, in part thanks to the Internet. Or maybe it's a phenomenon that, for some reason, is manifesting with greater frequency and intensity now.

Those who are experiencing and studying the shadow people phenomenon say that these entities almost always used to be seen out of the corner of the eye and very briefly. But more and more, people are beginning to see them straight on and for longer periods of time. Some experiencers testify that they have even seen eyes, usually red, on these shadow beings.

The mysterious sightings have become a hot topic of conversion in paranormal chat rooms, message boards and websites, and it is given widespread attention on paranormal talk radio.

I think the main questions we should be asking ourselves are what are shadow people and where do they come from?

Stephen Wagner

-The Crafty Witch

50 Days To Halloween

Yep, thats right, 50 days remaining until Halloween. Check every Monday for my DIY Halloween Projects, everything you can make yourself and all under $5!

-The Crafty Witch

Feng Shui

Feng Shui (pronounced Fung Shway), in its simplest terms, is an ancient practice originated by the Chinese as a way to live in harmony with nature. Translated into English, Feng means wind, and Shui means water. Bear this in mind, because everything in Feng Shui is directly related to flow, or movement, such as in wind or water. Energy is a term you will also hear often in Feng Shui, and this relates to Chi, or the energy that permeates everything around us.

Alrighty then, the question arises as to whether Feng Shui really works. The simple answer is that it does seem to, although the reasons for why are debatable (more on that later). At its core, Feng Shui is a environmental discipline that emphasizes cleanliness, orderliness, and harmony with nature in and around the home and workplace. Clean house, clear mind. We've all heard it. The first rule in Feng Shui is to declutter - which will in turn supposedly declutter your mind. Fair enough, but what if you have 5 screaming kids and the house is a wreck all the time and you work two jobs trying to keep food on the table? You need Mary Poppins, not friggin Feng Shui. I get it. So a good portion of this section will be devoted to you, the harassed, the overworked, the disorganized, and the exasperated people who are actually the very people who can benefit most from Feng Shui. But don't misunderstand. These are principles that can and do apply to anyone who lives or works in a man-made box commonly called a home or office.

The very first step in harmonizing with nature using Feng Shui is to assess your surroundings. Very few of us live in a home with naturally great Feng Shui, and a lot of the concepts of Feng Shui involve just plain old-fashioned common sense. It's better for your house to be above street level than below street level because of careening cars, heavy rains, and such. It's better to have a hill behind you than have a yard that slopes steeply in the back for safety reasons - criminals can more easily sneak up on you from below grade and it's dangerous to enjoy the backyard when there's a cliff out there. Inside, bathrooms are a big deal in Feng Shui because of all the nasties that go on in there, and placement in the center of the house is not considered a good thing. In fact, it seems that placement anywhere is never really optimal for a bathroom in Feng Shui. The good news is that whatever horrific Feng Shui scenario your house or office endures, there is a Feng Shui remedy that will negate the bad and enhance the good energies.

Look around for a few minutes. I mean really look around. How do you feel about the space you are in? Is there a really good feature to that room, such as architectural moldings, great windows, or a cool nook? Is there a terrible feature such as a horrible light fixture or rusted vent cover? How you feel in your core about your space is what you have to learn to listen to. You can fill your space with new stuff, but if it doesn't sing to you, it's all just stuff. Learn to listen to yourself and modify your space accordingly. If your problem is that you are just overwhelmed with stuff such as toys, find creative ways to either put it to use or store it in an attractive way. And please get rid of what is not usable anymore and teach the kids to put stuff away if they want to keep it! Even if you don't have much money, there are resources available for creative storage ideas. Search for pieces of furniture that do double duty.

Coffee tables with lift up lids, end tables with doors and drawers, ottomans that open for storage, beds with dressers built in underneath - there are a lot of ways to cram stuff into a small space, and it doesn't have to be expensive. Thrift stores, flea markets, Craig's list - all are good sources for really cool storage. And for those with a few basic power tools and a tape measure, you can make shelves, rework closets, and make boxes to hold stuff for a big return with little investment other than time. I've done all this stuff at my house, so don't give me that crap about not being able to do it yourself. We have internet, people - and there are videos and web pages filled with wonderful information on basic do-it-yourself projects - use them!

Once you get the clutter under control, the real Feng Shui fun begins! For one thing, if you have followed the instructions above, your life is undoubtedly a good bit better than it was before. Nothing like a creative, useful project to make you feel better - especially when visitors notice! As referred to above, one of the reasons that Feng Shui works is that it is a vehicle by which you take back your life and feel more empowered. For those with kids, jobs, and no time or money, just this unprecedented mastery of your environment is empowering and invigorating. Even if you just spray paint that rusty vent cover, DO something to make your living space more appealing to you!

Author Unknown

-The Crafty Witch