Gift/Ritual Bath Sets

Make a set to customize your needs or the needs of someone you love.

This kit includes:

Incense

Bath Salts

Soap

Candles

Herbal Bath Tea

Milk Bath

You get to chose and make your kit for what you need and want.

Everything is handmade at the time of the order to grantee freshness.

Get your Kit Here!

Protecting your Home/Business/Work Space

There are many ways one can protect there space. you have the physical aspects such as Alarm Systems, Security Cameras, Man's Best Friend the loyal Dog, non-leathel bobby-traps. I had one coworker that rigged his desk drawers so he can tell who was snooping where they shouldn't be snooping.

Then there are the Magical Barriers and charms. These add extra security to those physical actions. A pice of mind and for thousands they claim they work (I am a believer and many of my customers are to). There are many who simply use these to make themselves fell more secure and there is nothing in wanting that for oneself.

There are Charms, Washes, Powders, Rituals, Spells and many other things one can do. In this post we will go over just a few things and we do make kits upon request. For many getting a kit that has all of the herbal components and other items is more cost effective then trying to get all of the supplies from everywhere and ending up spending far more then they wanted. Our kits are simply the separated components with the ritual/directions on how to put it all together. We will put some of the components together ahead of time such as the labor intensive powdering, making washes, incense and oils. These can take weeks and when one needs to do something sooner the kits are a perfect solution while they get there replacements made.

The First thing is Cleansing the space: This is important to do. We use Sage smudges to cleans protect the space. While using the smudge stick walk all around the entire primiter of the place and stoping at the openings and double duty them such as the windows and doors. Invasion a white light filling you up and going out with the sage smoke as you walk invasions this light making a primator around the space. For many I do suggest doing the outside of the space as well as inside. Such as Homes, cars, Certain shops. If you can't do the outside its okay, it is not required.

Wash: using a specific wash for your needs can help intensify the smudging.
Washes are made like herbal teas. But you do not drink these you will use them as a floor or window wash, depending on what it is for.
Protection Wash:

• 3 parts Rue
• 2 Parts Rosemarry
• 1 Part Vetivert
• 1 Part Hyssop
• 1 Part Mistletoe

Brew, strain and anoint each window and door of the house/space. Pour the rest down the drain to safeguard them. Make a fresh batch as needed.

Money wash:

• 3 parts Sassafras
• 2 parts Cedar
• 1 part allspice
• 1 part clove
• 1 part dill
• 1 part vetivert
• 1 part calamus

Half fill a green glass bottle with fresh water. add about a handful or so of the mixed, empowered herbs. Cap tightly and leave in full sunlight all day. At dusk, sniff the water. If the scent is strong, strain and add to baths, wash hands, anoint money charms and so on. If it isn't strong enough, chill overnight and return to the Sun the following day. You can even use this on the counter where your Business transactions happen.

Business Drawing Wash

• Mix 1 ounce powdered squill root
• 1 ounce powdered yellow dock
• 1/4 ounce of five finger grass
• 1 tsp. of ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon of blessed salt

mix well add two tablespoons of the mixture to one pint of fresh water
If your business has walk in customers, wash down the entrance floor, the door handle and the aisle, while using your chant. For mail order business, wash your mailbox. Once a week wash down these places. Never use wash longer then a week, make fresh batch as needed. It is said that this wash is also good in attracting tenets to an empty apartment.

Essence of Louisiana Van Van

• 1 1/2 ounce of Louisiana Van Van oil 
• 16 ounce of alcohol

Shake well before each use. Used as a sprinkling solution to attract luck and power of all kinds when used full strength Add to scrub water to wash down the floor and steps of a home or business to get rid of evil.
Louisiana Van Van Oil:

• 2 tablespoons lemon grass herb
• 2 ounces base Oil (Grapeseed Oil, Almond Oil, Vegetable Oil, Extra virgin Olive Oil)
• a pinch of blessed salt

how to brew: I use my double boiler method and Dried herbs. Put a pot of water on, place a thick durable glass bowl on top to make a double boiler. Pour your oil base into the bowl and add the dried herbs. Gently heat up to a gentle boil (the water not the oil) The heat will release the herbal oil from the plants. Steep until desired strength, in some cases you might need to change out the herbs and add more. Make sure you squeeze the oil out of the herbs. After the last strain add in the salt and turn off the heat. This will dissolve the salt. Let cool and then bottle up.

Powders: Are simple components to help you out. They are also used in Gris Gris bags as well as in rituals.  All powders are made from finely ground herbs and resins. Sometimes Oils and other liquids are added, if your recipe has a liquid make sure to add the talc powder last, talc powder does not absorb liquids. you can also sprinkle the powders in your space as a flour sweep powder.

Gold Dust Powder:

• 1 oz powders sandlewood
• 1tsp. carnation petals (dried and powdered)
• 1 tsp. powdered cinnamon
• 1/2 dram frankincense oil
• 1/2 dram myrrh oil
• 4 oz talc 

Luck Powder

• 2 parts Vetivert
• 2 parts allspice
• 1 part nutmeg
• 1 part calamus

Use to bring positive changes in your life.

Protection Powder:

• 2 parts Dragon's Blood
• 2 parts Sandlewood
• 1 part Salt

Mix and sprinkle outside your property to dispel and stave off negativity.

Goddess of the Day Lakshmi

Lakshmi Puja
Lakshmi puja is performed during Diwali, the festival of lights. According to tradition people would put small oil lamps outside their homes on Diwali and hope Lakshmi will come to bless them.
Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped by those who wish to acquire or to preserve wealth. It is believed that Lakshmi (wealth) goes only to those houses which are clean and where the people are hardworking. She does not visit the places which are unclean/dirty or where the people are lazy.
In the Sri Vaishnava philosophy however, Sri (Lakshmi) is honoured as the "Iswarigm sarva bhootanam" i.e. the Supreme goddess and not just the goddess of wealth. This is an important distinction between Sri Vaishnavism and other materialistic philosophies.

The auspicious moment
The third day of the festival of Diwali is the most important day of Lakshmi-puja and is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi. On this very day sun enters his second course and passes Libra which is represented by the balance or scale. Hence, this design of Libra is believed to have suggested the balancing of account books and their closing. Despite the fact that this day falls on an amavasya day it is regarded as the most auspicious.
The day of Lakshmi-Puja falls on the dark night of Amavasya. The strains of joyous sounds of bells and drums float from the temples as man is invoking Goddess Laxmi in a wondrous holy "pouring-in" of his heart. All of a sudden that impenetrable darkness is pierced by innumerable rays of light for just a moment and the next moment a blaze of light descends down to earth from heaven as golden-footed Deep-Lakshmi alights on earth in all her celestial glory amidst chantings of Vedic hymns.
A sublime light of knowledge dawns upon humanity and this self enlightenment is expressed through the twinkling lamps that illuminate the palaces of thewealthy as well as the lowly abodes of the poor. It is believed that on this day Lakshmi walks through the green fields and loiters through the bye-lanes and showers her blessings on man for plenty and prosperity.
Lakshmi Pooja, or the worship of the goddess of wealth, is the main event on Diwali in North and West India. It is extremely important to keep the house spotlessly clean and pure on Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi likes cleanliness, and she will visit the cleanest house first. This is also the reason why the broom is worshiped on this day with offerings of haldi and kumkum (turmeric and vermilion). Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the goddess. They are believed to light up Her path.
Lakshmi Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities: Ganesha is worshiped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighneshvara; Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in her three forms - Mahalakshmi (the goddess of wealth and money), Mahasaraswati (the goddess of books and learning), and Mahakali; Kuber (the treasurer of the gods) is also worshiped.

Rite of a Diwali Puja
Initially the house must be cleaned, and a Rangoli is drawn at the doorstep in order to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.
The Puja requires the following elements:
The Ritual Elements
▪ Silver and Gold coins
▪ Ten Betel Nuts (Supari)
▪ Uncooked Rice
▪ Five Paan or Mango leaves
▪ A Coconut
▪ Water in a small pot (a "Lota")
▪ Red vermillon ("Kumkum") for applying the tilak
▪ Oil Lamps ("Diyas")
▪ Holi-type colored powders
▪ Indian sweets (Mithai)
▪ Camphor
▪ Incense sticks (Agarbatti)
▪ Dry fruits (almonds, cashews)
▪ A Thali
▪ Rose or other flower petals
▪ Some red string
▪ A new notebook
▪ Panchamrita
▪ A piece of red cloth for putting the puja items
▪ Ghee to light the lamps
▪ Rose water
▪ Water
▪ Icons of:
▪ Ganesha
▪ Saraswati
▪ Lakshmi
▪ Narayana

The Rite
Steps of Lakshmi Pooja Spread a new cloth on a raised platform: Place a handful of grains in the center and, on this, place a kalash (pitcher) made of gold, silver, copper, or terracotta. Fill three-fourth of the kalash with water and place a betel nut, a flower, a coin, and some rice grains in it. Arrange five kinds of leaves or mango leaves in the kalash. Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder ( haldi ) over the rice grains and place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins.
Place the idol of Ganesha: In front of the kalash, on the right (South-West direction), place the idol of Ganesha. Also place ink and books related to your business or occupation on the platform. Light a lamp and begin the puja by offering haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed. Then offer haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the water that is to be used for the puja. Invoke the river goddesses to be part of this water.
Invoke goddess: Lakshmi by reciting the Vedic mantras addressed to her. One can also recite the mantras mentioned in the Puranas or simply take some flowers in your hands, close your eyes, and think of goddess Lakshmi being showered with gold coins by two elephants standing on either side of Her and chant Her name. Then offer the flowers to the idol.
Place the idol of Lakshmi: Place the idol of Lakshmi in a plate and bathe it with water, panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey, and sugar) and then with water containing some gold ornament or a pearl. Wipe the idol clean and place it back on the kalash. Alternately, you can just sprinkle water and panchamrit on the idol with a flower.
Offerings: Offer sandal paste, saffron paste, perfume ( itr ), haldi, kumkum, abeer, and gulal to the goddess. Offer a garland of cotton beads to the goddess. Offer flowers, especially the marigold flowers and leaves of Bel (wood apple tree). Light an incense stick and dhoop. Make an offering of sweets, coconut, fruits, and tambul. Make an offering of puffed rice and batasha. Pour some puffed rice, batasha, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds over the idol. Safe where you keep money and jewelry; Worship this safe as a symbol of Lord Kuber.
Aarti: Finally, perform the aarti for goddess Lakshmi. Always remember that She abhors loud noise. So the aarti should be accompanied only by a small bell. Do not clap hands, as is the practice when performing aarti for other gods. A peaceful and sublime atmosphere should prevail during the diwali day pujan. Do not light crackers while the puja is on or immediately after it.

Offering Prayers to Goddess Laxmi
[May need English translation]
Om Jai Laxmi Mata, Maiya Jai Laxmi Mata,
Tumko nis din sevat, Maiya ji ko nis din sevat
Hari Vishnu Data
Om Jai Laxmi Mata (Repeat above verse)
Uma Ramaa Brahmaani, Tum hi Jag Mata,Maiya Tum hi Jag Mata,
Surya Chandra Ma dhyaavat, Surya Chandra Ma dhyaavat
Naarad Rishi gaata.
Om Jai Laxmi Mata.
Durga Roop Niranjani, Sukh Sampati Data, Maiya Sukh Sampati Data
Jo koyee tumko dhyaavat, Jo koyee tumko dhyaavat
Ridhi Sidhi dhan paataa
Om Jai Laxmi Mata.
Tum Pataalani Nivasini, Tum hi Shubh Data, Maiya tum hi Shubh Data
Karma Prabhaav Prakaashini, Karma Prabhaav Prakaashini
Bhuv Niddhi ke praata
Om Jai Laxmi Mata
Jis ghar tum rehti teh, sab sath goon aataa, Maiya sab sath goon aataa,
Saab sambhav hojata jataa, Saab sambhav hojata jataa
Man naheen ghabraataa.
Om Jai Laxmi Mata
Tum Bin Yaghya na hote, vaastra na ho paata, Maiya vaastra na ho paata,
Khana paan ka vaibhav, Khana paan ka vaibhav
Sab tumse aata
Om Jai Laxmi Mata
Shubh Goon Mandir sunder, shero da di jaata, Maiya shero da di jaata
Ratna chaturdashi tum bin, Ratna chaturdashi tum bin
Koi nahi paata
Om Jai Laxmi Mata.
Maha Laxmiji ki Aarti, jo koi nar gaata, Maiya jo koi nar gaata,
Pur aananda samata, Pur aananda samata,
Paap utar jaata
Om Jai Laxmi Mata.
Om Jai Laxmi Mata, Maiya Jai Laxmi Mata,
Tumko nis din sevat, maiya ji ko nis din sevat
Hari Vishnu Data
Om Jai Laxmi Mata (Repeat above verse)

God of the Day Lord Shiva

Lord Shiva represents the aspect of the Supreme Being (Brahman of the Upanishads) that continuously dissolves to recreate in the cyclic process of creation, preservation, dissolution and recreation of the universe. As stated earlier, Lord Shiva is the third member of the Hindu Trinity, the other two being Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu.

Owing to His cosmic activity of dissolution and recreation, the words destroyer and destruction have been erroneously associated with Lord Shiva. This difficulty arises when people fail to grasp the true significance of His cosmic role. The creation sustains itself by a delicate balance between the opposing forces of good and evil. When this balance is disturbed and sustenance of life becomes impossible, Lord Shiva dissolves the universe for creation of the next cycle so that the unliberated souls will have another opportunity to liberate themselves from bondage with the physical world. Thus, Lord Shiva protects the souls from pain and suffering that would be caused by a dysfunctional universe. In analogous cyclic processes, winter is essential for spring to appear and the night is necessary for the morning to follow. To further illustrate, a goldsmith does not destroy gold when he melts old irreparable golden jewelry to create beautiful new ornaments.

Lord Shiva is the Lord of mercy and compassion. He protects devotees from evil forces such as lust, greed, and anger. He grants boons, bestows grace and awakens wisdom in His devotees. The symbolism discussed below includes major symbols that are common to all pictures and images of Shiva venerated by Hindus. Since the tasks of Lord Shiva are numerous, He cannot be symbolized in one form. For this reason the images of Shiva vary significantly in their symbolism.

The unclad body covered with ashes: the unclad body symbolizes the transcendental aspect of the Lord. Since most things reduce to ashes when burned, ashes symbolize the physical universe. The ashes on the unclad body of the Lord signify that Shiva is the source of the entire universe which emanates from Him, but He transcends the physical phenomena and is not affected by it.


Matted locks: Lord Shiva is the Master of yoga. The three matted locks on the head of the Lord convey the idea that integration of the physical, mental and spiritual energies is the ideal of yoga.


Ganga: Ganga (river Ganges) is associated with Hindu mythology and is the most sacred river of Hindus. According to tradition, one who bathes in Ganga (revered as Mother Ganga) in accordance with traditional rites and ceremonies on religious occasions in combination with certain astrological events, is freed from sin and attains knowledge, purity and peace. Ganga, symbolically represented on the head of the Lord by a female (Mother Ganga) with a jet of water emanating from her mouth and falling on the ground, signifies that the Lord destroys sin, removes ignorance, and bestows knowledge, purity and peace on the devotees.


The crescent moon: is shown on the side of the Lord's head as an ornament, and not as an integral part of His countenance. The waxing and waning phenomenon of the moon symbolizes the time cycle through which creation evolves from the beginning to the end. Since the Lord is the Eternal Reality, He is beyond time. Thus, the crescent moon is only one of His ornaments, and not an integral part of Him.


Three eyes: Lord Shiva, also called Tryambaka Deva (literally, "three-eyed Lord"), is depicted as having three eyes: the sun is His right eye, the moon the left eye and fire the third eye. The two eyes on the right and left indicate His activity in the physical world. The third eye in the center of the forehead symbolizes spiritual knowledge and power, and is thus called the eye of wisdom or knowledge. Like fire, the powerful gaze of Shiva's third eye annihilates evil, and thus the evil-doers fear His third eye.


Half-open eyes: when the Lord opens His eyes, a new cycle of creation emerges and when He closes them, the universe dissolves for creation of the next cycle. The half-open eyes convey the idea that creation is going through cyclic process, with no beginning and no end. Lord Shiva is the Master of Yoga, as He uses His yogic power to project the universe from Himself. The half-open eyes also symbolize His yogic posture.


Kundalas (two ear rings): two Kundalas, Alakshya (meaning "which cannot be shown by any sign") and Niranjan (meaning "which cannot be seen by mortal eyes") in the ears of the Lord signify that He is beyond ordinary perception. Since the kundala in the left ear of the Lord is of the type used by women and the one in His right ear is of the type used by men, these Kundalas also symbolize the Shiva and Shakti (male and female) principle of creation.


Snake around the neck: sages have used snakes to symbolize the yogic power of Lord Shiva with which He dissolves and recreates the universe. Like a yogi, a snake hoards nothing, carries nothing, builds nothing, lives on air alone for a long time, and lives in mountains and forests. The venom of a snake, therefore, symbolizes the yogic power.


A snake (Vasuki Naga): is shown curled three times around the neck of the Lord and is looking towards His right side. The three coils of the snake symbolize the past, present and future - time in cycles. The Lord wearing the curled snake like an ornament signifies that creation proceeds in cycles and is time dependent, but the Lord Himself transcends time. The right side of the body symbolizes the human activities based upon knowledge, reason and logic. The snake looking towards the right side of the Lord signifies that the Lord's eternal laws of reason and justice preserve natural order in the universe.


Rudraksha necklace: Rudra is another name of Shiva. Rudra also means "strict or uncompromising" and aksha means "eye." Rudraksha necklace worn by the Lord illustrates that He uses His cosmic laws firmly - without compromise - to maintain law and order in the universe. The necklace has 108 beads which symbolize the elements used in the creation of the world.


Varda Mudra: the Lord's right hand is shown in a boon- bestowing and blessing pose. As stated earlier, Lord Shiva annihilates evil, grants boons, bestows grace, destroys ignorance, and awakens wisdom in His devotees.


Trident (Trisula): a three-pronged trident shown adjacent to the Lord symbolizes His three fundamental powers (shakti) of will (iccha), action (kriya) and knowledge (jnana). The trident also symbolizes the Lord's power to destroy evil and ignorance.


Damaru (drum): a small drum with two sides separated from each other by a thin neck-like structure symbolizes the two utterly dissimilar states of existence, unmanifest and manifest. When a damaru is vibrated, it produces dissimilar sounds which are fused together by resonance to create one sound. The sound thus produced symbolizes Nada, the cosmic sound of AUM, which can be heard during deep meditation. According to Hindu scriptures, Nada is the source of creation.


Kamandalu: a water pot (Kamandalu) made from a dry pumpkin contains nectar and is shown on the ground next to Shiva. The process of making Kamandalu has deep spiritual significance. A ripe pumpkin is plucked from a plant, its fruit is removed and the shell is cleaned for containing the nectar. In the same way, an individual must break away from attachment to the physical world and clean his inner self of egoistic desires in order to experience the bliss of the Self, symbolized by the nectar in the Kamandalu.


Nandi: the bull is associated with Shiva and is said to be His vehicle. The bull symbolizes both power and ignorance. Lord Shiva's use of the bull as a vehicle conveys the idea that He removes ignorance and bestows power of wisdom on His devotees. The bull is called Vrisha in Sanskrit. Vrisha also means dharma (righteousness). Thus a bull shown next to Shiva also indicates that He is the etemal companion of righteousness.


Tiger skin: a tiger skin symbolizes potential energy. Lord Shiva, sitting on or wearing a tiger skin, illustrates the idea that He is the source of the creative energy that remains in potential form during the dissolution state of the universe. Of His own Divine Will, the Lord activates the potential form of the creative energy to project the universe in endless cycles.


Cremation ground: Shiva sitting in the cremation ground signifies that He is the controller of death in the physical world. Since birth and death are cyclic, controlling one implies controlling the other. Thus, Lord Shiva is revered as the ultimate controller of birth and death in the phenomenal world.

Willows Harvest Soup

When making this hearty soup make sure you have a huge crowd to feed or even several containers for the freezer. This soup is great for any chilly night/day.

Equipment Needed:
2 baking Pans
Chopping Knife/Chefe Knife
Cutting Board
Big Mixing Bowl
Blender/Food Processor/Submerged Blender stick (Or you can use a vita mixer)
Soup Pot

Ingredients:
5 cup stalk: Chicken, Beef, Mushroom or vegetable stalk. The Mushroom and Vegetable Stalk are newer stalks and can be hard to find.
1 butternut Squash Gutted and cubed
1 Small/Medium Cooking pumpkin
1 Med Onion thinly sliced and sautéed in one teaspoon butter, until no more liquid and onions have a caramelized dark color.
3 medium Sweet Potatoes peeled and cubed
1 tablespoon Dried Sage
Curry Powder (to your taste I used less then a tablespoon for just a slight kick)
Salt
Pepper
olive oil
9 oz Chutney (sweet or spicy up to you. This is a hard to find item recipe at the end on how to make your own if you cant find any)

Roasting Veggies, you dont have to do this step you can simply add everything to the pot and simmer until vegies are tender, I do this to I can peel the skin off the pumpkin and squash
Heat oven to 425
Put cubed veggies in the mixing bowl
Drizzle with a tablespoon at a time of the olive oil, mix the veggies until they are coated. Add more oil as needed. Place the veggies on the pans in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 25-35 minutes until tender.
Sautee the onion in the butter I used less then a teaspoon of unsalted butter. I got mine a dark carmel color.
in your pot or vita mix add:
Chutney, Curry powder, the 5 cups of stalk, sage, onions and when the vegies are done add them in. If you opt out of roasting the veggies continue from here: Simmer until everything is tender and the flavors have melded together.
Once tender and hot blend until you get the constancy you want. We left ours slightly chunky but one can blend until pureed.




Enjoy with a pice of bread yumm!



Chutney recipes on Allrecipies.com Many to chose from.

Giveaway Today!

Go to Mrs.B's Blog Today and enter in all of her giveaways! Ours is up today this is your chance to get some great stuff for free!
Mrs.B's Blog
Our Giveaway

We have added a ton of new items to our website including Tarot Decks, Bags, Jewelry.
Whats on the sewing board? Under bust Corsets and Upcycle corsets!
Whats on the knitting needles? Cabled Fingerless Long Mittens!

Have a fun day everyone!

Livingston Trade Days Booth

We will have another booth at Livingston Trade Days. Our Booth number is #3109 if your in the area you should stop by and check us out. Our booth hours will be Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-3pm. We will not be set up on Friday. To find out more about Livingston Trade Days check out there website. To find our booth take a look at this map. From The Restrooms we are in the back left hand side on the map screen. We hope to see you there!

August Giveaway Winner

Who Will be the lucky Winner be?

Congratulations Candice Sullivan!

You have 24 hours to e-mail us your mailing address, otherwise we will have to draw another winner!

sacredoak2002@yahoo.com

Thank you all who entered!

Last Day to Enter!

Today at Midnight ends your chance to enter our Giveaway! Better hurry for all of those who like the last minute! On September First The Winner will be drawn from the Old Witches Hat! Keep a lookout for the winner!
Click Here for a chance to win!

Support The Troops

We have always had a policy of helping out the Pagans in service. We are all about giving back to those who put there lives on the line for us. Without them we would not have our freedom to run our shop, have the freedom of religion, The freedom of Expression.

That is why it is so important for us to help get the pagan troops what they need. We have always had the policy of $10.00 an Item is donated to the troops. Recently we had to raise this to $50.00 but there are more perks with this raise. We will be able to get more items for them and able to ship them off.

Our customers have always had the option of buying directly for those in service. If you like to help more here is a list of pagan items that they need (they also need regular mundane things):

• Pentacles 
• • Ankhs 
• • Awen symbols 
• • Thor's Hammers 
• • Sun symbols 
• • Moon symbols 
• • Goddess and/or God symbols 
• • Green Man/Woman symbols 
• • Wheel of the Year symbols
•   Other items
• • Pagan Music, Meditation: CDs & DVDs  
• • Crystals 
• • Small God and Goddess statues 
• • Pagan Books (No nudity) 
• • Incense 
• • Oils 
• • Herbs 
• • Small Wands 
• • Small travel chalices 
• • Altar cloths

So hop on over and see what you can do to help them out!

Mrs B also wrote about a group that is helping with a donation drive at the last Central New Jersey Pagan Pride Day. For more information hop over to her blog and get the juicy details.

New Items

Many may have noticed over the last few days new items have been popping up on the site. Don't worry your not seeing things, they are really new items added! You may have also see some items disappearing, this is also us, we are going through making sure that the no longer available items are being taken care of.

What type of items have been showing up?

• Books
• Jewelry
• Walking Canes
• Leather Bags
• Crystal Balls
• Stash Tins
• Cuff Links
• Cigarette Cases
• Patrol Lighters
• Belt Buckles
• Flasks
• Games
• Candle Holders
• And Lots More!

We also have Payment Plans that we can work out with you, Just e-mail us and we will get you set up on a plan!
Want to do things by regular mail? No problem we have a Downloadable Catalog in PDF formate. The Order Form is correct while our catalog is outdated (working on a new one!) Use the order form with the website.
Many blessings to you all and have a safe weekend everyone!

The Bell

 The bell is often used to signal the start and the end of a ritual or Sabbat. It can also be used to summon a specific deity or spirit, and also to awaken coven members from meditation. It symbolizes the feminine aspect of Wicca.

Bells are like the Voice of the Goddess. When you ring one, it brings the Divine's attention to you. And your attention to the Divine!

A bell with a lovely tone will call beautiful, healing energy to you. Bells can also be used to clear energy. At the end of a ritual is a good time for this, but if unwanted energy crops up during a ritual, you can use the bell to disperse it.

The bell is often used to mark the beginning and end of a spell. It is associated with the element of air and is a feminine symbol and so is often used to invoke the Goddess in ritual. It is also rung to ward off evil spells and spirits, to halt storms, or to evoke good energies. Placed in cupboards or hung on the door, it guards the home.

Some Wiccans use a bell in their rituals, though certainly not all. Sound is vibration and vibrations are important, not only in everyday life but, especially, magick. To help achieve the right vibrations, the right "mood" or "frequency", it helps to ring a bell. It can actually be just as effective-and thereby as important-as the burning of incense, which also affects vibrations. Don't overdo the bell ringing. A very occasional single-, double-, or triple-ring, scattered throughout the ritual, can be far more effective than a constant jangling.
The bell you use should be chosen carefully. Don't just take any bell - each has its own particular timbre. Find one which seems "right" to you, one which soothes and mellows rather than one which is harsh and strident. If possible, remove the handle and replace it with a leather loop. In this way you can carry the bell strung from you belt (if you prefer that is!).
The bell is a feminine symbol and so is often used to invoke the Goddess in ritual. It is also rung to ward off evil spells and spirits, to halt storms, or to evoke good energies. Placed in cupboards or hung on the door, it guards the home.

August Give Away

*This Giveaway is Now Closed! The Winner will be Announced on Sept. 1s at 12:00 pm Central USA Time. Thank you all who have entered and Good Luck!

A Set of Furthark Runes

Made from natural oak branches with bark still on them. Each rune is specially burnt with the Futhark symbol, with 25 runes in each set including the blank rune. Only natural stain (linseed oil) is used to cure the runes, no varnish or unnatural substances. The branches are tempered by the elements of fire, water, earth, air, and time. Each set of runes is cut from the same branch in order to assure continuity. The magic of the oak is well placed in the cultures of Nordic, Wiccan, Druidic traditions. Each rune is woodburned into the wood NOT stamped.

Each set comes with a Rune Parchment Poster

Made by Willow

How to enter the giveaway:

By becoming a fan, a twitter follower, or follower of the blog, once you do add a comment to this post so your name can be entered into a drawing and let us know which site you added if all three then your name will be entered 3 times.

If you all ready follow or a fan just answer this post.

Make sure you share this contest with your friends.

This contest is open world wide.

The Contest ends on August 31

Good luck and have fun :)

Sincerely The Sacred Oak Owners Willow and LeUrick

The Chalice

The Wiccan Chalice in Casting Magic Spells

The best known ritual involving the Wiccan chalice is to dip the tip of the ritual dagger, or athame, into liquid held in the chalice. The symbolism is evident, and very moving, representing the union of the God and Goddess, infusing the liquid with potent fertility and promise.

Celebrations at each of the Celtic Festivals may be marked by sharing appropriate drinks from the chalice. Fresh milk at Imbolc, red wine at Samhain, cider at Beltane, and beer at Lughnasadh or Lammas.

Myths and Traditional Surrounding the Chalice

Of all the Wiccan tools, the chalice is the symbol most shared with other traditions, notably Christianity. One of the central, and most powerful, rituals of many Christian Churches, the Eucharist or Communion, involves sharing wine and bread among the church community, following the example of the Christ as the last supper.

The Grail of Arthurian Legends is a mysterious and enchanting example of a chalice in myth. The origins of the myth, and the associated genuine historical facts, remain hotly debated. However, many commentators believe that the medieval Christian associations draw heavily on pre-existing Celtic myth and folklore.

Certainly the symbol of the grail as the original cup that Christ shared at the last supper, and which Joseph of Arimathea used to catch the blood of Christ on the cross, are just as evocative as the image of the chalice as the fertile and generous Goddess.

Mysterious and beautiful, a chalice is a Wiccan tool to chosen with care. Once chosen, a chalice should be treasured and respected as an age old symbols, a valuable tool in Wiccan ritual and casting Wiccan spells.

The Chalice

The element of Water is represented through the use of the Chalice, which is a ceremonial drinking vessel. The Chalice is used to take drinks during rituals and at the culmination of ritual work. In some paths it is also used to toast the Gods.

This tool also represents the universal feminine or the womb, especially when combined with the Athamé during the symbolic Great Rite. However, in Asatru the chalice is used as a drinking horn for holding sacred mead.




Joanne E. Brannan

Mad Gypsy Dolls and Art

Recently Willow won a contest over at Mad Gypsy Dolls and Art 

She was highly surprised by the win. 

The following images is what was received and she Highly recommends all to visit them :)

Thank You For the special Book Mark its lovely! The Postcard is beautiful and when you visit our Booth in September you can pick up a Business Card for her shop :)

New Things

We have been busy adding in New Book Titles all week. Lots of Book Titles from all sorts of categories and Arthur's. Books added daily!

We are currently looking into several New Crystal and Stone Suppliers and have found several that we like. So look for a wide range of stones and crystals in the near future!

Willow is busy with several custom orders and is preparing for Fair season, Time is running out if you need new fair clothing, as orders are being made nearly daily.

In about a week or two (Look for blog post) we will be unavailing our new wooden Book of shadows and wooden Boxes!

Promotional Opportunity! Are you a Hand Made artist? A Writer? Owen your own shop? Well we have a promotional Opportunity for you! We will be at Livingston Trade Days in September, we will be putting together promotional goody bags, perfect way for you to spread the word about your business in one easy option! We will take the following: Business Cards, Pamphlets, flyers, Post cards, Samples anything that has your business name on it and info! To send us your items simply e-mail us (sacredoak2002@yahoo.com) and we will send you our mailing address! We are expecting a great turn out during our last show we passed out over 100 cards and it was very hot out. In september it will be slightly cooler and we are expecting a far better turn out!

Have a wonderful day everyone :)

Livingston Trade Days A win!

Well it was a very good weekend dispite the fact that I and my hubby had gotten sunburned.

It was very hot and humid weekend Texas has not seen this type of weather since 1818!

My adventure began last week when I pulled all my equipment out of storage. I had found that my canypy cover was runied. So Instead of dishing out money that I did not have I made a temperary cover out of my Queen size red sheet. It was hot under it but it did its job by protecting the items from Sun! I also used a screen walls that we had bought years ago it had never been out of the box until now. 

I used my Dragon Pennets on the corners as well as my hanging cauldron censors.

We did more sales at Livingston Trade Days compaired to Nacagdoches and Freedom Hill combined! By Sunday we were just a few bucks short of our booth fee! We will be going back in September, October and November. 

If your a handmade business we would like to get your Business cards so we can put them into our goody bags at these shows. We had satrted with 200 cards on Friday by Saturday evening we had run out! And from what we were told this past weekend was the lowest out come they have ever seen! In our book it was the best and we can not wait for cooler months to see the best! 

You Can contact us by E-Mail make sure you put Trade Days Promotions in the subject Line!!

More pics

MoonLadies Contest

On July 7th I received a package from

MoonLadies

They had a contest a while ago and my name was drawn.

I received several packages of Lord Pans Incense and a Bottle of Oil.

I was expecting one package of incense, but it was 7! The oil was an extra thank you gift so thoughtful!

Hubby Uses the oil just a tiny drop goes a long way!

There incense is very perfume unlike mine. We do enjoy them and during our trade show I was burning them to help attract people into the booth and to counter the Kettle Corn vender just two spots away.

I recommend folks to check out Lord Pans Incense and to let them know Willow Sent you!

Livingston Trade Days

We will be vending this weekend at Livingston Trade Days.

It is a 3 day event.

We will have a lot of items up for sale, things that have not made it to the website!

We will have Promos for EtsyDarkTeam, TheCUPWA, and BatWorld.

We will also have Order info on our Custom Costuming, Soap Molds and many other items.

We Do hope to see you there!

Crystal Balls

(Click here To See our Crystal Balls)

The history of the crystal ball can be traced as far back as to the Medieval Period in central Europe (between 500 – 1500 AD) and in Scandinavia (1050 – 1500 AD). There have always been fortunetellers throughout history as well. Religious sciences tell us, for example, about Apollo’s (the Greek God of prophesy) oracle priestess, Pythia who had powers (1500 B.C.). Used by Seers, Fortunetellers, Psychics, and Sorcerers, the Crystal Ball seems to be one of the most well-known and popular forms of scrying, as well as a divination tool. Scrying is the name given to the ancient technique of gazing into an object such as a crystal ball or a bowl of water. It is usually physically, ritually or spiritually, cleansed before each use for purification purposes. When a crystal is used, scrying is known as crystallomancy. Using crystals in the divination of one’s past, present, and future traditionally played a key role in the decision-making process of many powerful leaders throughout history. One of the most notable was King Arthur, who sought out the advice and prophecies of Merlin the Magician. In more recent history, Nancy Reagan, the first lady of then President Ronald Reagan, avidly used psychics to help plan her husband’s domestic & foreign affairs. One of the earliest uses of crystals in scrying comes from the Druids, who used Beryllium Aluminum Silicate (Beryl), a natural gemstone whose characteristics range from transparent to translucent. Scottish Highlanders termed these objects “stones of power”. Early crystal balls were made from Beryl, later replaced by spheres made of rock crystal. The reason crystals in particular became important tools for scrying and other metaphysical aspects is because of their inherent characteristics of transparency and regularity of their patterns, called symmetry. Additionally, the energetic fields of crystals influence what the scryer “sees” on a very subtle and often esoteric level. 

What Is That?

Walking into my Display room I noticed something was different.

Sure enough there were these little fuzzy creatures all over the place.

They made themselves right at home, This is no good! So now up for adoption are these

fuzzy little critters!

Introducing the new members of The Sacred Oak

Snogg Goblins

The Invasion!

  

Hiding in the Bath Salts!

Amongst the altar Items!

Amongst The Milk Bath!

Amongst the Jewelry!

I see you sitting there!

Trying to be sneaky eh?

Just sitting around

Nice place can I move in?

What?

"You dont see me"

"Shh, maybe the human wont notice us!"

Too late Cerridwen Found you!

The rest are up for adoption, They come with Feeding and care instructions as well as an Adoption Certificate. Only a few have been found get yours soon!