~~A Collection of Seasonal Recipes to Enchant and Inspire all the Senses~~

FOR TASTING....

Taste...
Lavender sugar

Make this like vanilla sugar
Put a dozen or so lavender heads in a jar of fine sugar.
Leave it for a couple of weeks and you will have delicately scented sugar that can be used in cakes, fruit salad etc.

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Candied Violets

Violet flowers and leaves
An egg white
Sugar
Brushes

1. Wash the violets and leaves, and let dry.
2. Seperate the egg. Put yolk away for other use.
3. Dip small brush in egg whites and paint petals front and back.
4. Sprinkle sugar on the violets covering them completely.
5. Put the violets on waxed paper to dry.
6. You can do the leaves in the same manner.
= Submitted by Faerea Dawn

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Candied Sugared Rose Petals

Rose petals must be dry and clean.
Dip both sides in slightly whipped white of egg
then coat both sides of the petals immediately with granulated sugar
and lay carefully on waxed paper.
Allow to dry thoroughly before packing in boxes.
To hasten drying, turn the petals once.
They will keep for a year.

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Victorian Lavender Cookies W/ Rose Water Icing

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon lavender, crushed
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

For Icing:
2 cups powdered sugar
5 1/2 teaspoons water
6 1/2 teaspoons rose water
Serves / Yields About 4 dozen

Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, lavender, flour, baking powder and salt.
Drop by teaspoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes.
While the cookies bake, prepare the icing by mixing the powdered sugar with water and rose water.
Drizzle over the cookies after they have cooled.

This recipe was provided by The Spice House.
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Lavender Biscuits

~ 5 oz butter (wt.)
~ 4 oz fine sugar (wt.)
~ 1 egg
~ 6 oz self raising flour (wt.)
~ 1 tablespoon lavender flowers

Cream the butter and sugar, mix in the beaten egg,
then mix in the flowers and flour.
Place small heaps on a greased baking tray
and bake at 350F/170C for about 15-20 minutes.

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Lavender Lemonade

~ 1 pint water
~ 1 oz lavender flowers (wt.)
~ 8 oz sugar (wt.)
~ Juice of 4 lemons

Pour boiling water over the lavender flowers
and allow to infuse for about 20 minutes.
Then add sugar and lemon juice, and chill.
Store in the 'fridge.
To make up, mix about 1 part of the syrup to 4 parts water, serve with ice.

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Lavender Sponge Cake

~ 5 oz self raising flour (wt.)
~ 3 oz butter (wt.)
~ 3 oz lavender sugar (wt.)(see above recipe)
~ 1/4 cup milk
~ 2 beaten eggs

Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy,
then beat in the eggs one at a time.
Fold in the flour.
Pour the mixture into two 7" sponge tins.
Bake at 17C/325F for about 10 - 15 minutes until just browned.
Sandwich together with raspberry jelly,
or else with lavender buttercream made by
creaming 3 oz butter with 3 oz lavender sugar
and a few drops of lemon juice.

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Rose Petal Jam

~ 1 lb. profusely scented red or pink petals
~ 2 c. water
~ 2 1/2 c. very fine sugar
~ Juice of one lemon

Make sure you remove the white base from each petal.
Rinse and wash the petals thoroughly.
Boil the water in a large saucepan. Reduce to a simmer,
then add the rose petals.
(The mixture will bubble up alot, so don't have the pan more than half full).
Simmer for 5 minutes or until petals are soft.
Add the sugar and lemon juice.
Bring to a boil an simmer for 30 minutes,
stirring frequently until sugar is dissolved and the mixture begins to thicken like honey.
Allow the mixture to bubble up well. When the bubbles turn to foam, test for setting point.
To do this, remove the pan from the stove and put a small spoonful of the jam on a cold saucer,
allow to cool and push to the surface; if it wrinkles its ready.
Allow to cool slightly, then put into sterilized jars and seal.
Makes two one pint jars.

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VooDoo Doll drink (Adults only)

~ 1/2 oz Vodka
~ 1/2 oz Chambord raspberry liqueur
~ Fresh orange juice
~ Cranberry juice

In a tall glass mix ingredients with ice,
serve over ice with orange slice.

FOR SMELLING.....

Smell...
Midsummer Oil Recipe

~ 2 parts cinnamon oil (EO)
~ 2 parts heliotrope oil (EO)
~ 1 part sweet orange oil(EO)

Blend the oils together in a base of Sweet Almond Oil.
Use for Lith, Summer Solstice Candles, anointing Oil.
Smell...
Midsummer Incense #2

~ 3 parts Frankincense
~ 2 parts Benzoin
~ 1 part Dragon's Blood
~ 1 part Thyme
~ 1 part Rosemary
~ 1 pinch Vervain
a few drops Red Wine

Burn at rituals at the Summer Solstice (circa June 21st)
or at that time to attune with the seasons and the Sun.
Midsummer Incense" from Scott Cunningham's book
"The Complete Book of Incenses, Oils & Brews"

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Rose Jar Potpourri

10 cupsful dried rose petals
1/4 lb. ground orris root
2 oz. sandalwood powder
1/4 lb. table salt
1/2 oz. ground cloves
1/4 oz. ground allspice
1/2 oz. ground cinnamon
2-3 vanilla beans

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Cone Incense

~ 6 parts powdered sandalwood (or cedar, pine, juniper)
~ 2 parts powdered benzoin (frankincense, myrrh etc.)
~ 1 part ground orris root
~ 6 drops of essential oil
~ 3 to 5 parts loose incense mixture.

Mix all ingredients in the order given and weigh.
Add 10 percent of total weight of saltpeter,
mix and add gum arabic "glue" one teaspoon at a time
- it's a bit messy and sticky.
Roll cones thin and shape approximately 1 3/4" long.
Cones will shrink and dry in two to seven days.
Continue to turn cones to assure even drying without cracking.
Start drying in upright position. Cones will burn 10-25 minutes.

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Jelly Jar Deodorizers

~ 2 cups of liquid potpourri
~ 4 packs of knox gelatin

Heat 1 cup of the liquid to a boil,
Stir in the knox gelatin and mix until dissolved.
Add the other cup of liquid at room temp.
Pour into jelly jars or decorative bowls and cover with saran wrap.
Put in the fridge until set. They will last several months.

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Blessing Oil

1 to 4 lavender blossoms
2 drops each sage, basil, patchouli essential oil
Carrier oil (can be olive used for protection, almond, sunflower, etc.)

Choose a small dark vial.Place all but the oil in the vial together,
then add enough oil to fill the bottle. Shake thoroughly.
Use for anointing ritual candles, self, consecrating tools, etc.
Lavender is there for purification, happiness, love, and peace;

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Cinnamon Soap

* Makes One Bar 1 4-ounce bar *

~ unscented glycerin soap
~ 10 drops cinnamon oil
~ 1 drop red food coloring {optional}

In a heavy saucepan, melt the glycerin soap over low heat until liquefied.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cinnamon oil and coloring until well mixed.
Pour the soap into a mold and let set for three hours or until hardened.

FOR FEELING....

Feel...
Rose water & glycerin hand lotion

In an attractive bottle or jar blend:

~ 1/2 rosewater
~ 1/2 vegetable glycerin.
~ Shake well and it's ready to use.

Great for hands, face, rough heels and elbows. Feels wonderful.

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Skin refresher

~ pure rose water
~ rose petals
~ 1/2 lemon

Put the rose water in a dish with rose petals.
Next, squeeze half of a lemon into the mixture.
This will create the best freshener you will ever have.

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Natural moisturizer

~ 1 avocado or papaya
~ plain yogurt

Mix the ingredients well,
apply the mixture to a clean face,
lay back and relax for ten minutes and wash it off.
This moisturizing mask will make your skin glow and fell fresh.

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Body & dusting powder

~ 1 cup arrowroot powder
~ 25 drops essential or fragrance oil.

In a blender or with a mortal and pestle mix very well. That's it!!!
Put into a shaker can or in a hard-round box with its own powder puff.

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Mouth wash

~ 2 cups water (bottled or spring)
~ 3 tsp fresh parsley
~ 2 tsp whole cloves
~ 2 cinnamon sticks, broken
~ 2 tsp peppermint extract

Boil water and remove from heat.
Add dry ingredients and allow to steep for 10-15 minutes.
Strain and store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator.
You can add a couple of drops of "Tea Tree oil" to cooled mixture.
You can substitute other flavorings for peppermint if the minty flavor is not to your taste.

~~Magickal recipes~~

                                                                     

 War Water

Place cut nails into a jar and add water. Let them

steep for a week or 2 until the nails have started to

rust and add more water. Open jar occasionally so that fresh air will help the rusting process. Use when the water has a rusty tinge in it. Use in spells involving conflict, protection, and rage.

***Should be kept in the refrigerator to avoid spoilage.

Solid 'Flying Ointment' Recipe

Here's what you'll need:

1/2 of a 500gm bar of beeswax

10 drops of the pure essential oil of bog myrtle

9 drops of the pure essential oil of hops

10 drops of the pure essential oil of linden (careful! often adulterated!)

11 drops of the pure essential oil of jasmine

8 drops of the pure essential oil of Mysore Sandalwood

12 drops of the pure essential oil of ylang ylang

In a double boiler melt the beeswax gently using as low a heat as possible using a wooden spoon to stir. This will coat the spoon in wax but this is necessary before adding the essential oils.. Once the beeswax has melted, allow to cool slightly without allowing to harden. At this point, remove the wax from heat and water and add all your essential oils gently stirring with a wooden spoon until they are completely mixed into the wax.

Once done, pour small quantities into small ceramic solid perfume vials and cap tightly. You now have a witches flying ointment in a portable perfume!

To use, apply first a small amount to the inside of your elbow and wait 24h to check for reactions. Then if it is safe, apply a small amount to the inside of your wrists and your temples before going into ritual.

Do not use this mix if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or have high blood pressure as these oils could be toxic to your baby and may cause an elevated heart rate. This will not work as a candle.

Flying Ointment Beeswax Base Recipe

When you choose to self medicate, *you* are responsible for what you put in your body. If you show any symptom after ingesting an herb or any other substance that you do not normally ingest, stop taking the herb, etc., immediately. The symptom may or may not have something to do with the herb, etc., but you can always try again later, after the symptom has disappeared, to test if it was the herb, etc.

Here's what you'll need:

4c. Standard Beeswax Base

1/4c. skullcap

1/2c. jasmine flowers

1/2c. lavender flowers

1/4c. hawthorn berries

1/3c. elderberries

1/4c. elderflowers

1/2c. mistletoe

1/3c. mugwort

1/4c. rue

20 drops of the pure essential oil of myrtle

20 drops of the pure essential oil of hops

10 drops of the pure essential oil of linden (careful! often adulterated!)

10 drops of the pure essential oil of clary sage

10mL of a 5% dilution of narcissus in grapeseed oil

To make a standard beeswax base, in a glass double boiler melt 2 1/3 cup of beeswax gently using as low a heat as possible. Once the beeswax has melted, mix 1 2/3 cup of jojoba oil until it is smooth. I prefer to use a combination of jojoba and wheatgerm oil but as this recipe calls for some grapeseed oil, I have omitted my favourite mixture in favour of the standard. Once the mix is smooth (you have just made the base) then add your herbs to this mixture. Once added, keep at as low a temperature as possible, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Too much heat destroys the very essence you are trying to extract.

Once you have allowed the herbs to steep in the base (about 30 min), strain using a strainer to get the herbs out. You can try cheesecloth if you're feeling up to the challenge. Return the mix to the double boiler and if it is solidifying, reheat slightly but the water should still be warm enough to fend off premature hardening. At this point, add all your essential oils. DO NOT add more than 10mL of a 5% dilution of narcissus oil no matter how hard it is for you to 'fly'. It could cause nausia and even paralysis so just don't do it. Do not reheat at this point since you are almost done.

When finished, decant into a sturdy, heatproof container. You now have a very potent and potentially dangerouswitches flying ointment. This ointment is quite strong owing to the combinations of herbsand oils used so act in a responsible way and use it sparingly and only after ritual preparation.

To use, apply first a small amount to the inside of your elbow and wait 24h to check for reactions. Then if it is safe, wash yourself completely in a shower or bath and dry for 30 min (essential as your skin will push the ointment out instead of absorbing it. Meditate on your intent and cast your circle with someone present who will watch over you. Apply a small amount to your body keeping it away from any sensitive areas, as well as your nose, mouth and eyes. Do *not* ingest this mixture. Once you are ready to come back, remove any remaining mixture and eat some fresh fruit, nuts and bread being careful to avoid meat, caffiene, peppermint (including tea), chamomile tea and chocolate.

Magickal Powders

Luck Powder

3 parts vetivert

2 parts Allspice

1 part Nutmeg

1 part Calamus

Use to bring positive changes into your life.

Money Powder

2 parts Cedar

2 parts patchouli

1 part Galangal

1 part Ginger

To attract money, sprinkle in your place of business, in your purse or wallet. Rub onto money before gambling or sprinkle in a £ sign on your altar and burn green candles over the symbol.

Prosperity Powder

3 parts Sassafras

2 parts Cinnamon

1 part Pine

To attract wealth in all forms

Psychic Powder

2 parts Yarrow

1 part Rose petals

1 part Lemongrass

1 part Eyebright

Sprinkle before exercising your innate psychic powers.

Protection Powders

2 parts Dragonsblood

2 parts Sandalwood

1 pinch of salt

Mix and sprinkle outside and around your house to dispel and stave off negativity.

2 parts Mugwort

2 parts Frankincense

1 part Dill

1/2 part Juniper

1 part Cumin

Astral Travel Powder

2 parts Sandalwood

1 part Mugwort

1 part Cinnamon

Sprinkle on the bedsheets and pillows before sleeping to encourage conciously directed astral travel.

Exorcism Powder

3 parts Basil

2 parts Frankincense

2 parts Rosemary

1 part Yarrow

1 part Rue

Sprinkle through the house, or in any place needing a strong purification and protection.

Happiness Powder

2 parts Lavender

1 part Catnip

1 part Marjoram

When you wish to lift your spirits, sprinkle this powder in a circle on the floor and sit within it, drinking in the powder's energies and visualize them filling you with joy.

Health Powder

2 parts Eucalyptus

1 part Myrrh

1 part Thyme

1 part Allspice

Sprinkle in the sick room or recovery bed to speed up the body's healing process or scatter on the altar and burn blue candles.

Love Powder

3 parts Yarrow

3 parts Lavender

2 parts Rose petals

1 part Ginger

For use in attracting love, sprinkle on bedsheets and in the bedroom.

Mistress of the House Powder

3 parts Sweet Flag(Calamus)

2 Parts Devil Shoestring

Women sprinkle this wonderful powder in the home when you want to be the boss and also in the husbands shoes.

Invisibility Powder

At Dark Moon, in a mortar and pestle, grind together:

1 part Fern leaf dried

1 part Poppy seeds

Add:

2 parts Slippery Elm powder

1 part Myrrh

1 part Marjoram

3 parts Dillweed

Grind all together, mixing well. Add 9 drops almond tincture (almond cooking extract is great.) with enough spring water to make everything barely moist, and mix in well. Place in a ceramic bowl, spreading as thinly as possible, and dry themixture over low heat, stirring it occasionally, until it seems lightly browned. Pour back into mortar, and grind again, enchanting:

"Things Seen, and Things Not Seen:

Let me walk here in between."

When finely powdered, store in a clear glass container. It will keep its power for years. Sprinkle, just a little bit, on yourself, objects, or in a place to be made invisible.

Gypsy Witch Love Potion

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried fennel

1 tsp dried vervain

3 pinches nutmoeg

1/4 cup Red Wine

heat over flame til boiling for three minutes, remonve from flame and cool.

Strain through cheesecloth into cups. Add honey to sweeten. Then drink up with a loved one.

Avalon Apple Potion

by Sirona Knight

2 - 3 red delicious apples, peeled

2 cups red seedless grapes

6 strawberries

Remove the core and seeds from the apples and cut them into small pieces

that will fit easily into your juicer. Remove the topes from the

strawberries. Begin by juicing the grapes and strawberries, then juice

the apples. Drink this potion to uplift your spirits and to heal your

weary mind.

makes 1 serving

An Easy Way To Make Your Own Holy Water

1 tsp of Rose Water (optional)

3 tbsp sea salt or Kosher salt

1 small bowl of spring water*

1 clean glass container

1 new compact mirror

1 storage bottle (small)

* Note: Spring water is extremely hard to come by. You may not be able to trust the bottled water, as it had been determined that many who use it are victims of false advertising, so be sure you are familiar with the spring water company. I suggest going on a small hiking trip with a large glass jar (like the type you buy family-size fruit in), and filling your jar from a running stream or other "live" body of water that is well known for "good fishing."

Cleanse and sterilize the bowl and glass container with boiling water.

Insure that you have total privacy during preparation.

Time: Midnight during a Full Moon phase.

Place: Out of doors under the moon, or near a window that will reflect the light of the moon.

Set out your work cloth and all ingredients upon it.

Take five or six deep breaths to relieve the stress of the day.

Cast your magick circle. Hold your arms outstreched in the Goddess position (arms out at the sides like you are cradling the Universe, palms up.) Say:

In the cloak of the midnight hour

I call upon the Ancient Power

I seek the presence of the Lady and Lord

To bless this water that I will pour.

At this point, you should feel the energy of Earth Mother and Skyfather move about your feet and head. Feel your own energy expand around your navel and then unite with Divinity. Take your time; no need to rush.

Add the rose water to the spring water. Pick up the bowl of water, hold it toward the light of the moon, and say:

In my hands I hold the essence of the Gods. I hereby cleanse and consecrate this water to Divinity that it may be used for positive acts only and may aid me in my magickal work.

Feel the energy of the Moon Goddess pulsate down into the water. Imagine her silver light descending from the heavens and impregnating both the water and yourself. You will feel a "glowy" sensation.

Set the water down and picl up the salt. Feel the power moving in your arms as you raise the salt toward the moon. Say:

In my hands I hold the essence of Earth Mother; she whose bounty sustains all living creatures. I hereby consecrate this salt to Divinity that it may be used for positive acts only and may aid me in my magickal work.

As with the water, imagine the energy of the Moon Goddess empowering the salt.

Set the salt down and pour a little into the bowl of water, and stir clockwise three times. Repeat this process twice more.

With the bowl in your left hand (recieving) and the mirror in your right (sending), reflect the light of the moon off the mirror and into the bowl. After a few moments say:

This liquid is now pure and dedicated to the Lord and Lady. It is free from all negativity in any time and any space.

Set the bowl and mirror down and hold out both of your hands, palms down, over (not touching) the bowl, about one inch above the water.

Let the vibrations of your body come alive. Open your third eye chakra and imagine a glowing purple light emanating from it. Form and open triangle with your hands over the water and project the light into it. In your mind, see the water change color and glow. Feel the power and energy flow from your head down through your arms and up from your feet and out from your arms simultaneously. When you feel the energy begin to dissipate, slowly lower your hands and say:

As I will

So mote it be

With the free will of all

And harm to none

This formula is done!

You may ground your energy in two ways. Either place your hands physically upon the ground and feel the energy drain into Earth Mother, or imagine your energy as a force field around you, and quietly step back out of the skeleton of energy and watch it collapse in upon itself and melt into the ground.

Transfer the water to your storage container and store it away until you are ready to cleanse and concencrate your sacred space. Be sure to clean up after yourself by putting all things away in their designated places so that you will be able to find them again next when they're needed.

-Written by Silver RavenWolf

Black Cat Powder

A powerful binding and compelling agent, sacred to Hecate. It can be used to cause another to strongly desire you, or it can be used to create a barrier, warding off curses and undoing hexes and jinxes.

3 hairs from an all-black cat

3 threads of steel wool

pinch of magnetic dust (iron fillings)

1 tsp. white sage

1 tsp. myrrh gum

2 tsp. bay laurel

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 cup corn starch dyed black

Begin with the bay leaves. Fresh ones are best, of course, but not always easy to find. Most supermarkets carry whole dried leaves,

however. Take the bundle of leaves, and warm them with your hands. Crumble the leaves in to your mortar once they are warmed by your

body heat. Next, do the same with the sage. Again, fresh whole leaves are best. You may not be able to find whole sage, even dried, depending on your

circumstances. Powdered will have to do, if nothing better is available.

Add the myrrh and salt to the mix in the mortar, and grind thoroughly.

Add the cat hairs, steel wool, and iron fillings. Grind thoroughly once again.

Pour this mix into a mason jar along with the corn starch, screw the lid on tight, and then combine everything by shaking the jar vigorously.

The Four Thieves Vinegar

During the time of the Black Plague a family of perfumers robbed the dead. As perfumers they knew well the antiseptic essential oils, and they infused them in vinegar and rubbed them on their bodies; by doing so they protected themselves from certain death. The doctors of the time used the same herbs and essential oils to protect themselves while tending so many who were contagious. They wore big cloaks over their heads that reached down well below their shoulders.

Attached to the cloak over the nose and mouth was a 10" long canoe-like shaped beak full of antiseptic herbs and essential oils. You can make natural antibacterial products like those that they used at home instead of buying commercial disinfectants that we are now finding out may cause drug resistance. Here is the famous Vinegar of The Four Thieves recipe; it is sometimes called Grave Robber's Blend. Use it wherever you would normally use disinfectants.

Place a small handful each of dried lavender, rosemary, sage, rue and mint in a large jar, and cover completely with organic apple cider vinegar. Cover tightly and set for six weeks. Strain into a spray bottle. Whereas no home can be made to be sterile, spray the powerfully antiseptic Vinegar of Four Thieves recipe in areas of concern, such as on cutting boards and door knobs, always making sure to avoid your eyes.

When Witches Gather Rain

Witches have always known the special meaning of nature's acts. They are warnings, blessings and magic guides to our living in the world around us. Rain is a special gift from the sky and its power should be used wisely. Try never to shelter yourself from its fall, but rather accept the rain as we should accept life with all of its trials and blessings.

* Rain while the sun shines is a healing rain. Catch and store it in blue glass. Use the water for all manner of healing magic. Place in the bath for an overall body cleaning.

* The blessing of fairies is upon anyone who catches rain in a silver spoon after the rain has bounced off a flat stone. Place some of this water on any object that is frequently misplaced. Keys are always a good choice.

* Place midnight rain of a New Moon on the third eye to bring visions and see future events.

* The first rain gathered in May is symbolic of May Day dew and holds much power. It is used when very special favors are needed. Do not gather this rain in a metal container or its power will be lost. A glass or wood container would do much better.

*When rain runs off a gravestone, gather carefully and use with caution.

*Rain gathered during a thunderstorm holds much energy and can be used to enhance spells and potions. But be aware that the energy does not last long and the spell should be completed before three days and three nights have passed or the rain water will be of little use.

* House plants enjoy the outdoor rain - this cleanses their leaves and helps to purify the indoor air when they are brought back in the home. This is especially good to do when you are in need of a clear mind and strong thought.

* Jewelry, charms and other objects can be purified by standing in the rain, facing west and tossing the object into the air, three times, catching it in your hands each time,

* The sound of the rain carries the voices of the water spirits. Listen to the sound of the rain and enjoy the gifts of the undines. They will speak to you of love and friends. The wise also realize that rain is just one aspect of nature. We should look to the wind, trees, lightning, fire, stones, and other forms of nature's expression for clues to the magic of the world.