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Ye Olde Witches Brew Magazine Vol. 6 Samhain 2009

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:23:00 -0000

Samhain Blessings Gentle Readers!

It's that wonderful, mysterious and hauntingly beautiful time of year again! Autumn! The Season of the Witch! Days are shorter, nights getting longer and the Thinning of the Veil can easily be felt as we draw closer to All Hallow's Eve; Samhain!

It's a time for trick-or-treating, pumpkins, witches, scarecrows, cinnamon, vanilla and other comforting aromas permeating throughout the house. We begin our decent into the Darkest part of the Year and in Honor of Samhain this Issue focuses on the Crone Goddess. Mysterious, full of Wisdom and a time for Death. Death of our gardens as we continue to prepare for Winter, in addition to old patterns, and old behaviors and old ways that no longer serve our Highest Good.

As quoted from Ellen Lorenzi-Prince from her website Croneways.com, "The Crone is the ancient holy one. She is grandmother, witch and hag. She has been ignored, trivialized, blamed and feared, for she holds powers that others deny. Powers of time and transformation. Powers we may fear, but would do better to understand.

The Crone is the Mother of all Mothers. She knows all your bedtime stories, and all your worst nightmares.

She is the One Who Knows Death. She will introduce you to your shadow. She can free you from your fears. The Crone is She Who Has Gone Beyond.

She has lived many years and many lives. Her feet know the paths of the Ancestors. Through her we can touch those who have gone before. She has lived for love, for power, for grace. Now she lives for herself and her journey. She travels new roads and dares the unknown.

She is ancient, but not always aged. She may be beautiful, but she's not pretty. She Who Has Gone Beyond goes beyond our idea of what a deity or a woman may be." ~Tarot of the Crone

Our Cover Story written by Lady Abagail delves into the Path of the Crone with her beautifully written article, "Autumn: The Croning Time". Lady Abagail has also contributed a few more articles within this Issue that Honors the Crone and this Season of the Witch. What a mesmerizing writer!

Our Gallery of Witch Artists is filled with all New Artists to Ye Olde Witches Brew and what an amazing journey it was to find these eclectic, talented and warmhearted people. From Grim, to Vintage, to Eccentric; it's all here awaiting for your visit into the Gallery.

Ye Olde Witches Brew would like to welcome Author, Jacqueline Ciminelli Korda to our Writer's Den Department. See what's brewin' with this Gothic/Erotic/Horror Author!

Read about the Baba Yaga, an informative and beautifully written article about this Russian Folktale which is probably where the infamous sterotype about witches eating small children came from.

Don't forget to browse and read our Columns and Other Departments filling your Samhain Holiday with everything from Crafts, Recipes, Rituals, Magick and Beautifully Haunting Tales from our amazing Writers and Contributors~

Have a Very Blessed Samhain!

Grim Prim Artist: D.A. Sweigart

Jennifer Toppel — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:23:00 -0000

"With the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes..." - Macbeth by Bill Shakespeare

There's No Bones About This Artist: b.l.ink Artist Robert Lee

Jennifer Toppel — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:46:00 -0000

Don't Go Near That Swamp....It's Haunted!...Or is it?

Jennifer Toppel — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:17:00 -0000

The Enchanted Cauldron: Come and Sit A Spell

Jennifer Toppel — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:38:00 -0000

Skeletons In Her Closet: Artist Josie Ditzler

Jennifer Toppel — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:59:00 -0000

Meet Author Jacqueline Ciminelli Korda

Jennifer Toppel — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:47:00 -0000

This Halloween get immersed in witches battling vampyres and other dark creatures with Gothic/Erotic/Horror Author Jacqueline Ciminelli Korda. This is only a part of Mrs. Korda's most recent book, Forbidden Passions I: Devil's Kiss.

Light and Shadow Studios: Artist Tammy Strum

Jennifer Toppel — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:22:00 -0000

Samhain/Halloween Games/Activities for Kids

Dragonfly — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:42:00 -0000

Celebrating(or not) Under the Light of the Samhain Moon

Dragonfly — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:37:00 -0000

The Persistent Little Witch

Dragonfly — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:33:00 -0000

Moonbeams

Cynthia Grove — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:24:00 -0000

Evensong

Cynthia Grove — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:18:00 -0000

PROMISES

Cynthia Grove — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:07:00 -0000

Full Moon Dedication/Ritual To The Goddess Diana Lucifera

Cynthia Grove — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:52:00 -0000

Life Everlasting

Midnight Rhain — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:53:00 -0000

I sat before the fireplace, sipping on a rum punch enjoying the quiet solitude within the Darkened walls of the stately mansion on Grant Street. My thoughts turned to the weeks before his death. He'd died amongst rumors of witchcraft and hedonistic rites being performed within our garden walls. His character tarnished, leaving me shunned by the high society of the city.....

Creating Your Treasure Map

JO LYNNE — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:38:00 -0000

Embracing the Crone Ritual

Lee Hutchings — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:10:00 -0000

"The Crone is a symbol of inherent wisdom that comes from experience. She has lived through love, sorrow, hope, and fear, coming out of it all a wise and confident spirit. Through these experiences she has learned the secrets of life and death and of the mysteries beyond this world. She has tasted death itself and watched those she loved make the journey before her. It is through her mourning that she faces death, grows to understand it, and becomes the gatekeeper between worlds...." ~Lee Hutchings from Crone Wisdom Artwork by Lora-Craig Gaddis~All Rights Reserved~Copyrighted 2009~http://www.pookapages.com/

Vegan Samhain Recipes

Witch Hazel — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:39:00 -0000

Who says Vegans can't have a Be-Witching All Hallows Eve! With these delicious recipes, you are sure to have a beautiful and enchanting holiday! Morbid Outlook is a wonderful website where this article was found! Visit Morbid Outlook at www.morbidoutlook.com

Witches Brew and Other Samhain Potions, Elixirs and Beverages

Jennifer Toppel — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:42:00 -0000

When Autumn leaves begin to fly, A Harvest Moon shines full and high. Cold wind chills you to the bone? Do what spooks have always known! Grab a cauldron (or a cup!) Add mix and water, stir it up. Garnish with a worm or two: A warming cup of Witches' Brew!

Soul Cakes and Other Traditional Samhain Recipes

Jennifer Toppel — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:04:00 -0000

"The fire was nice and bright and on one of the side-tables were four very big barmbracks. These barmbracks seemed uncut; but if you went closer you would see that they had been cut into long thick even slices and were ready to be handed round at tea." - From 'Dubliners' by James Joyce Artwork by Lora-Craig-Gaddis~All Rights Reserved~Copyrighted 2009

Samhain Ritual For The Solitary

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:43:00 -0000

Artwork by Micki Mueller

Women and the Dark Moon

Lady Hecate — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:52:00 -0000

I call Upon You, Oh Crone so wise~ One Who rules the darkest skies. Come and be my treasured Guest~ And Aid me on the most magickal quest.

Charge of the Dark Goddess, Hecate

Lady Hecate — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:46:00 -0000

The Witches Cauldron

Lady Hecate — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:28:00 -0000

"When one sees a picture of a Witch, she is usually depicted with either a cauldron or besom or both, as there is much association between a Witch and her cauldron. In the Wiccan tradition, the cup/chalice is considered a Witche’s tool and even in the Great Rite, it is said "so the cup is to the female" but it is the cauldron that is the true womb of the Goddess...." Artwork by Ron Byrum~All Rights Reserved. Copyrighted 2009 www.ronbyrum.com

Samhain in the Shadow of Halloween

Lady Abagail — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:05:00 -0000

"You can hear it in the evening as the wind softly blows the branches of the trees to release a melody from the Goddess' own wind chimes. There is a mystical sensation felt as the air becomes crisp and we notice that first sweet aroma of smoke flowing on the breeze. Autumn is here; that season of the year between summer and winter, lasting from the autumnal equinox to the winter solstice...."

Walking with Spirits / Walking with the Dead

Lady Abagail — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:59:00 -0000

Autumn: The Croning Time

Lady Abagail — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:52:00 -0000

"Now that Autumn is here and Samhain is quickly approaching, I cannot help but remember the magick I felt and still feel today in this time of changing. The energy seems to rise within my spirit, as it sparks and dances across the essence of my soul. It touches me in memories and stories shared as my Great Grandmother would teach the old ways and the understanding of the Seasons of Life. In this, I again feel I can soar above the treetops in the arms of Autumn...." Artwork by Ron Byrum All Rights Reserved Copyrighted 2009 www.ronbyrum.com

Dumb Supper Traditions

Janice Van Cleve — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:21:00 -0000

Create A Halloween Garden

Johann Erickson — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:36:00 -0000

With Halloween approaching, gardeners may need some new ideas on what features to add to their yard to make it spooky. This article discusses which animals add that creepy feeling and how to attract them

The Lore of the Door

Wren — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:28:00 -0000

"If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear as it is-infinite." - (Wm Blake)

A Lesson For Every Witch

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:59:00 -0000

Artist Unknown

Candles For Nights Of Halloween Magic

Janina Renée — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:30:00 -0000

How to Live the Life of your Dreams: 4 Steps to Freedom

Karen Mehringer — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:15:00 -0000

Surrounded by royal blue water extending beyond the horizon in all directions, no land in sight, I gaze at the path of diamonds dancing on the ocean’s surface. The sun radiating on my skin feels like a warm cashmere sweater. It is August 19, 1998, and I am on my first ocean passage of a life-transforming journey, a journey leading to a more authentic and purposeful life.

The Esbats of the Goddess

Ann Moura — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:03:00 -0000

The Crone Goddess

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:49:00 -0000

Bony Old Crone A-sittin’ alone A-stirrin’ Her cauldron And makin’ a moan.....

Baba Yaga~The Black Goddess

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:26:00 -0000

"I have been thinking and thinking about the image and story of Baba Yaga now for months and wondering how girls and women can resolve the seemingly paradoxical story of a bony heartless witch with the image of innocence of a rejected and abandoned girl. The following essay outlines how we use myth and story to perpetuate unconscious mindsets and it also unveils the gifts that these stories unfold in our inner psyche...."

All Hallows Eve

Mike Nichols — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:17:00 -0000

Halloween. Sly does it. Tiptoe catspaws. Slide and creep. But why? What for? How? Who? When! Where did it all begin? “You don’t know, do you?” asks Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud climbing out of the pile of leaves under the Halloween Tree. “You don’t really know!” —Ray Bradbury, The Halloween Tree

Beautiful and Fun Halloween Crafts

Jennifer Toppel — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:24:00 -0000

Turn an ordinary foliage wreath into a fun and creepy Halloween decoration with the addition of black spray paint and a few embellishments; what about a creepy, fruity centerpiece? Here are some Beautiful, fun and easy crafts to help decorate your home for the Halloween and Samhain season~

October/November Gardening Tasks

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:46:00 -0000