Category Archives: Ritual of the Week

Two Valentine’s Day Recipes

chocolate+cardamom truffles with a magical kick!

Valentine’s Day is here! You can always write a love letter to your beloved, but consider serving them a sexy cup of coffee in the morning and ending your day with decadent truffles. Here are two recipes from my magical cupboard to get your day off to the right start and end it sweetly.

Caffe de Amore

Ground coffee for press pot or automatic coffee maker

1 small-medium sized vanilla bean

4 whole cardamom seeds

3 pinches ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon cacao nibs

Sugar, honey, agave nectar and rose or orange water to finish

Combine ground coffee and the next 4 ingredients and brew coffee as normal. While coffee is brewing pray the 1st 3 verses of the Song of Songs, call out the name of your beloved and pray that when they drink this coffee they are filled with warm and loving thoughts of you and your relationship with them. When coffee is ready add a splash of rose or orange water and sweetener as desired. Serve with a smile-clothing is optional!

 

Touch Me Truffles

12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1 cup heavy cream

1 vanilla bean

splash of rosewater

4 cardamom seeds

1 cinnamon stick

1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers

1 teaspoon fig juice and meat

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon stick, lavender flowers, and fig juice/meat with cream. Cook, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, add chocolate and cook until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in rosewater. Pour into a small dish and refrigerate until set, but not hard, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Use to fill candies or form balls and roll in toppings.

As you are cooking pray from your heart that the sweetness your beloved experiences when they eat these candies be the sweetness they are filled with for you.

Topping ideas:

cacao powder

cinnamon powder

candied rose petals

ground cardamom and cinnamon combined

sweet red pepper (ground)

Feed to your beloved between sips of icy champagne and some Shakespeare sonnets, you will get lucky!

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Charms & Enchantments: Spiced Figs for Fertility and Abundance

This recipe came from my great aunt Mary Margaret-she passed over ten years ago and was the first person outside of my immediate family that taught me how to perform simple divinations with chicken bones. She also had this fantastic recipe-which reads like a magical ritual as I think you will see. I spend the month of October preparing for Samhain & Dia de los Muertos/All Saint’s Day all of which are celebrated in my family-this was one of the first recipes to honor the ancestors I whipped up this year:

Ingredients:

3 quarts whole, un-peeled, figs (Figs are traditionally associated with fertility, abundance, and the female reproductive organs. In some Hindu traditions the World Tree or axis mundi is actually a fig tree. In Conjure figs, specifically the leaves, are also used for friendship. In various Mediterranean traditions figs are eaten by women who wish to conceive a child.)

6 cups sugar-(to sweeten someone to you or keep a relationship sweet).

1 cup apple cider vinegar-(to sweeten, cleanse, and preserve).

2 quarts boiling water

Small cheesecloth bag of whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and whole allspice-(cinnamon is a powerful agent for love and money drawing work and also to speed situations/people along, cloves are for friendship and kind feeling, allspice ushers in abundance).

Directions:

Cover figs with boiling water and let stand for 5 minutes.

make syrup of water, sugar, vinegar, and bag of spices

Drain figs then boil in syrup for 10 minutes for 3 mornings in a row

The third morning pack in sterilized jars and seal

I love the fact that she gives the directions to boil the figs in the syrup for three mornings in a row for ten minutes each time. Obviously you could boil them at ten minute intervals through 1 or 2 days and clearly you could boil them at a time other than the morning but this was her recipe and I honor it in its entirety.

 

 

Archangel Michael-Who is Like God-an Angel of Healing, Protection & Victory

Next up in our roster of holy figures is one of my personal favorites-Archangel Michael-who celebrates his Feast Day on September 29th in various Catholic and Christian traditions, also known as Michaelmass. 

Archangel Michael Holy Card

Archangel Michael Holy Card

History

Archangel Michael is a holy figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. His name means “Like Unto God” or “Who is Like God” In Catholic and Christian Orthodox traditions he is sometimes known as Saint Michael or Saint Archangel Michael. In the Jewish tradition Archangel Michael is considered to be the closest angel to God—Captain of God’s army as well as rule of all natural elements such as rain, wind, and storms. He is regarded as the angel who foretold Mary, Mother of God, of her approaching death, and he is venerated in Catholic and Orthodox traditions as the patron saint for policeman and soldiers.

Despite Rabbinical prohibitions against seeking the intercession of angels between men and God, Archangel Michael’s mention in the Book of Daniel as “a great prince who stands up for the children of your people” led to the creation of a place for him in Jewish liturgy. Though he is mentioned as leading God’s army against Satan in the Book of Revelation, the earliest Christian shrines and sanctuaries dedicated to Archangel Michael were actually for the purpose of healing. Archangel Michael is mentioned once in the Qu’ran and is believed by some Muslims to be one of the three angels that visited Abraham. In Rabbinic liturgy Archangel Michael is seen as the staunch defender of Israel and his nemesis is the Angel Samael. The enmity goes back to when Samael was cast down from heaven and grabbed onto Michael’s wings, wanting to bring him down as well. Some traditions also say that Michael and Samael are in constant battle over the state of Moses’ soul. Michael’s role as a defender of Jews and Israel resulted in two Jewish prayers composed in his honor.

In the early Christian tradition Saints like George were considered martial whereas Michael was a healing force. When a devastating plague hit Rome in the 4th century Michael was invoked for healing and aid-it was during this time that he also was referred to as “Archangel” and/or the “Prince Among Angels.” In the 6th century a feast was held in his honor and various feasts and feast days have been associated with him ever since. In Roman Catholic tradition Michael is assigned four specific roles:

1.) Captain of God’s army against Satan and Hell

2.) Angel of Death who carries the soul away from the body when death occurs

3.) Weighing the Soul-Archangel Michael, according to this tradition is the one that weighs the soul in perfectly balanced scales-this is why he is depicted as having scales

4.) Patron of the Chosen People (Jews) of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and Guardian of the Church.

Like much of the lore surrounding Archangel Michael-these Catholic teachings are not required beliefs but “strongly encouraged” by the Church. Along with these roles in the Coptic Orthodox Church he is also considered to be the one who presents God with the prayers of the people. Other traditions hold that Archangel Michael is actually Adam from the Book of Genesis or that he is the pre-incarnate figure for Christ.

 

Working with Archangel Michael

Contrary to his widespread veneration there are not many specific offerings associated with Archangel Michael. When I invoke his aid and intercession I repay his gifts with flowers, Jordan almonds, honey, and donations to battered women’s shelters and/or Jewish charities. In the American folks magic tradition of Conjure, Archangel Michael is seen as a powerful defender of those who are unable to defend themselves, including women, children, slaves, and other minority groups. His association with healing can be seen in his connection to Angelica Root-a root that is used is many peace and tranquility potions and rituals, while his association with martial endeavors and victory can be seen in the writings that invoke him along with the use of Bay Laurel leaf-an ancient symbol of conquest and victory. For those grounded in a specific religious tradition Archangel Michael’s role as a healer and psychopomp are at least as emphasized as his role in military and police pursuits if not more so.

I remember very clearly when Archangel Michael made his presence known to me—I was 7 months pregnant and it was in December. I had a vivid dream of the Angel and he was holding an old fashioned Archangel Michael packet. He told me I needed to start making them and in my dream I thought—”ok, but I can hardly sew!” He told me to learn so I did. I petition and invoke Archangel Michael’s aid for a number of situations-for protection, healing, mercy in the face of sin or error, and of course victory. I find him to be a strong protector not only of women and children but of entire families.

Archangel Michael Packet for home and family

Old-fashioned Archangel Michael Packet for a peaceful home

In celebration of Archangel Michael’s Feast Day I will be building an altar in his honor, feasting him (and my family) and also placing petitions, prayers, and intentions before him. This is a FREE service. All you have to do is shoot me an email with your name and your prayer, petition or intention and it will go on the altar!

 

st. expedite spell jar

May Full Moon

Saturday’s rites began with blessing and dressing candles for all of my clients-including a special circle of women in Santa Fe. Then I made offerings to the faeriefolk and land wights that guard my heart and home. Offerings were left in the garden and included smoke, honey, and flame as well as the planting of a new Thyme near the main outdoor altar. As the sky was overcast, the wind blowing, and the wee one crying after performing my devotions I headed inside. Prayers were said and 8 extra large Master Roots were all consecrated on the outdoor altar as well before the storm broke.

In the early hours of the morning while everyone else slept, a tea was made, ointment applied, and incense lit. A newly acquired and gorgeous spell jar for St. Expedite charged and consecrated.

I sat in my rocking chair surrounded by the scent of burning beeswax and wafting incense smoke. I sang and hummed and journeyed to my sacred space, communed with my familiar, and was given a powerful land blessing ritual to perform during May’s New Moon. Then it was time for scrying-whenever the full moon is in Scorpio it is generally a good time for divination, but given certain aspects of my natal chart-its an especially auspicious time for me. In my day to day spiritual consultations I work with my intuition, Tarot and Lenormand cards but as the first real thunderstorm of spring raged outside my warmly lit home I scryed in the incense smoke and found meaningful messages hidden there.

My Master Roots are signing, a new ritual awaits writing up and practicing and the work of the early morning hours has planted yet more seeds of magic and mystery. Here’s hoping that each of you had a blessed Full Moon!

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Make Prayer a Priority

a still life of prayerful devotion by aronki

 

We have all experienced them–those days. Those crappy days where almost as soon as you wake up you know, you just know that its going to be a rough one.

You stub your toe on the way to the bathroom, the bowl of cheerios tips over–after you had added in the milk of course. You open your inbox to a bitchy client complaint, the bank account is not where it should be, coffee scorches your freshly pressed white shirt, your iphone is low on batteries, hell you are low on batteries, and your supervisor springs a last minute mandatory after work meeting on you so you have to call your mom and ask her to pick up the kids from school…again.

Yup. Big ole suckity suck days–we all have them from time to time.

Or maybe its more subtle. Maybe sales this month haven’t been where they should be and you are feeling…pinched, pale, listless, desperate, and cheap all at the same time.

And you catch yourself in the mirror, stepping into the shower, coming into the front door thinking…why me? why now? why can’t it be easier? why the crappy luck/day/week/year/life? WTF?!

You want blessings? Baby, then you’ve got to BE a blessing!

You want ease? Try bringing grace into someone else’s life.

Need more cash? The best time to be generous is not when you are in the money, its right now, right here, and right away.

It sounds all backwards I know, but empirical data proves it again and again-withholding the best of yourself until you feel like you have enough to give means you will have your finger on the “hold” button forever. Giving more, giving brighter, giving it all right now boomerangs goodness back into your life-guaranteed.

Start with prayer. Make it a priority. Five minutes. Thirty minutes. Om Shanti Om. The Shema. Lord hear our prayer. We all come from the Goddess. Silence. Or one of my personal faves-told to me by a doctor whose good friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer…Dear God, what the hell? Don’t wait until its the right time/vibe/moment. Most mornings at my house involve a cup of coffee, on the swing, keeping one eye on the kiddo and one eye on the sky as I sing out my prayers and praise-it does not look “spiritual” and that does not matter.

I can tell you with 100% assurance that the days I pray are better, brighter, and flow with more grace than the days I don’t. Is everything perfect on those days? Hardly. Does it make a difference? Oh yes.

Prayer is an offering. You lay yourself out, warts and all, before your understanding/vision of the divine. You step into time out of time, into a numinous space where wholeness and holiness become one.

Prayer is a habit. You have to do it repeatedly, just like a sitting meditation. Some days you will feel it move through you enlightening and enlivening and other days it will feel like rote words falling from your lips. Get up the next day and do it again.

Praying gives you a discreet opportunity to whisper or heap blessings onto those you love, those you are related to, your friends, and yes, even perfect strangers. Blessings sent equal blessings received. Prayer inspires generosity. It takes us out of our ego selves for a moment and reminds us that we are connected, dependent, divine, so very small, so very full of life. It re-acquaints us with all that we do have, possess, can do–and points out that others would give anything to walk in our shoes-it encourages us to be generous with others, and you know what happens then? We are generous with ourselves and those around us, those we love.

Does it sound like I am giving you lots of selfish reasons to pray? Maybe I am. I don’t care what gets you to your sacred moment with the Divine-I only care that you get there.

Art helps! There are many beautiful images that you can focus on to help yourself get into a prayerful state of mind. The orthodox understanding of an icon is a sacred image which can create a window or a doorway to the divine-so allow yourself to consider what images do that for you. As a Tarot reader I like to work with the cards and because many of my readers will pull cards for themselves here are two that definitely point out the need for some prayer time:

The Hierophant or "Pope" card from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck

The High Priestess card from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck

Don’t know how to start? Sit quietly. Sway to your own heart beat, or stand and dance before the Lord like King David. Circle with three friends or let your cat sleep on your lap while you stroke her head. Pray out loud, quietly, or sit in silence. Here are some prompts for those that are out of practice:

“Blessed Lord/Goddess/Universe…thank you for (what are you thankful for?), please bless the lives of (name your people), bring us all wisdom, grace, compassion, and above all, love. Amen.”

 Chant Om. It is the fundamental and core sound of the universe according to stodgy Sanskritists and devout Hindus–two very different groups of people-they are onto something I think.

Sing the Libana song–“there’s a river of birds in migration/a nation/of women with wings.”

Here is the one I was raised with, you may know it as the 23rd Psalm-it is a general prayer tonic, sometimes one needs to refer to God in Her feminine form, sometimes it is perfect just as it is:

“The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.

(S)He makes me to lie down on green pastures.

(S)He leads be beside still waters. (S)He restoreth my soul.

(S)He leads me on the path of righteousness for his/her namesake.

Yea though I walk in the Vally of the Shadow of Death…I will fear no evil.

For thou art with me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies,

Thou annointest my head with oil.

My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever-Amen.”

 

Or…here is a prayer that I wrote for mama earth…and you:

Blessed be my feet that walk upon your face.

Blessed be my knees that bow before your grace

Blessed by my womb origin of creative power

Blessed by my heart for it is love’s bower

Blessed by my lips as they speak with wisdom & truth

Blessed be my eyes-clarity always in old age and in youth

Blessed be my mind and the workings there within

Blessed be my Ancestors may they watch me from here until the end

May I walk in beauty, may I seek true peace, may I sing in bright truth

As I will so may it be.

Take a breath. Take three. Rise up in your strength and beauty. Go do your work. Fill your purpose. Live bright and love hard. Amen!

 

april full moon altar

Pesame & April Full Moon

Friday was a packed day over at cassa de Milagro Roots–I spent the day preparing two altars-my garden altar to celebrate the full moon and bless my lodestone for another month of work and my indoor altar to honor and venerate the Blessed Mother Our Lady of Guadalupe as thousands of people around the city prepared for the Pesame service at our main cathedral followed by an all night vigil.

Pesame is a special mass service that originated in Central America-some say Guatemala. In areas where there is are large Mexican/Mestizo and Central American communities some of the larger Cathedrals are now featuring a Pesame service on the evening of Good Friday. During this service a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mother is taken down from its altar or niche and placed in the center of the congregation. Prayers and hymns are sung in Spanish and those gathered sit in vigil with the mother as the mourns the death of her precious child. This is an emotional celebration where congregants are often on hands and knees, crying, and sharing their Mother’s sorrow even as they petition Her to heal their own sorrows. I created a vigil altar to the Blessed Virgin complete with candles and the rosaries I was gifted when my grandfather passed away at the end of last year.

Guadalupe from our Pesame vigil

Guadalupe from our Pesame vigil

Then I went out into the garden to bless the new crops I have sewn, the fey that inhabit my magical space, and the lodestone that is now back on her indoor altar and hard at work. I poured a libation of sweet cider to my local land spirits as well as a glass for myself and my beloved. We sat underneath a fat, full, and luscious moon as I sang to the fey along with a chorus of toads and frogs for back up. We planted a new thyme plant that had outgrown its pot. Candles for the new month were blessed and I began ritual work for several clients. I had interesting dreams that night which I will write more about when the time is ripe.

 

Thyme for the faeries!

april full moon altar lit up

april full moon altar lit up

The next morning my garden turned the tables on me and gave me gifts-a lovely cluster of mushrooms, a fragile bird eggshell, and the first pepper of the season! The gifts were acknowledged, thanks has been given, and now I will watch the beautiful moon as she thins and hides until her dark face is revealed.

our first spring pepper!

Finally on Saturday afternoon I busted out my late great grandmother’s handwritten recipe for Easter flan. Flan is a traditional desert served in many Mexican restaurants here and elsewhere. It is a light and creamy custard usually with a carmel sauce. My great grandmother’s is lighter than most restaurant versions I have had-which can veer off into goopy cheesecake land if one is not careful. I stirred sugar forever until it carmelized, made the custard and then set up the double boiler in the stove-the result? Smash hit for Easter dinner-go Neat Nanny!

The Hidden Tuba Player by Gary K Knight

Practical Tips & Magical Tricks for a happy relationship or marriage

For this post I am assuming that you are with the right person, the person who makes you full of joy, gooey, and all revved up.

1.) For one month replace one hour of tv watching with one hour of conversation/family together time that is unplugged (no computers, tvs, cell phones, tablets or what have you)-after the month is up you won’t want to go back-guaranteed.

2.) Get a beautiful picture from your wedding/relationship framed and hang it in your bedroom-it reminds you of how much you adore the person you are with.

3.) Make a honey jar together honoring your relationship-burn candles on Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays on top of the honey jar and watch each other through the candle light as you do so.

4.) On Mondays fill the house with the scent of peaceful home & house blessing incense-this can also be used anytime there is a disagreement or emotions are taut.

5.) When arguing or disagreeing use I statements and don’t assume that you know what your partner is thinking/feeling/desiring.

6.) Carry his & hers (or hers & hers, his & his, or hers, his, & hers as the cases may be) mojo hands or charm packets. Each partner should make the charm for the other partner-wear them for a year, then break them apart and re-make them together the following year.

7.) Once a month, preferably under the full moon, bless the person your beloved from head to toe-choosing to use a deliciously scented massage oil while doing this increases the romance factor.

8.) Create an altar for your beloved-what do they remind you of? What colors do you think of when you think of them? What flavors, images, symbols? Build them an altar honoring all that they mean to you, feast them with their favorite foods, and I promise you…the night will end happily for you both!

9.) Along the same lines of creating sacred space-give your beloved space+time to pursue their interests & cultivate the characteristics that attracted you to them in the first place!

10.) Remember: Eros, Honesty, Connection

 

Peace Upon Us Incense-a blend for a peaceful, happy home & union:

1 part dried lavender flowers

1 part dried rosemary

1/2 part eucalyptus

1 part angelica root

1 part dried and crushed althaea leaves

1/2 part dried basil ( I prefer Tulsi or Holy basil for this blend)

1/2 part dried sage

1 part deerstongue leaf

Combine all ingredients, crushing in a mortar and pestle or in an automatic spice/coffee grinder if you want a finger grind. Sprinkle on charcoal brick that has been lit in a fire safe dish or bowl. Starting at the back of your home allow the incense to permeate each room while stating your intention for a clean, protected, & blessed home full of love, peace, and tranquility.

 

Blessings,

Bri

gorgeous, earthy, goodness

Affluence & Assumptions

Oil & Water.

Fire & Ice.

Affluence & Assumptions.

Some things don’t mix.

Tax season is upon us and many of my consultations have dealt with the issues of money & business. I love talking cash+profit. Brainstorming about how people can make more money & haul more lucre into their businesses is one of my favorite things to do. What I have noticed this year–what I have been playing with–is the intersection between assumptions & affluence.

It was through firsthand experience that I learned its both possible & profitable to shelve assumptions and self-limiting thoughts.

Milagro Roots would never have been born if I had not done exactly that…I started the business during the financial collapse of 2008 and went full time into it at the beginning of 2009-when we still had not “recovered”–whatever that word means.

In speaking with clients I became aware of how frequently I heard language and thoughts that were couched in assumptions such as…

“I know I won’t do as well as I did last year because I lost that employee/account/connection/retail space…”

“my entire industry is in a downturn right now, chances for success this year are slim to none…”

“my broker retired, now I have this new guy and he just doesn’t seem to get me…” 

“I am creatively fried…there is nothing more to give my business and I have no way out…

Sound familiar? Sound like some of the words that might be wailing on the self-pity violin in your head? The truth is that none of these ideas are real or factual. They are opinions, assumptions, baneful little mind weeds that took root in & were nourished by your fear & negative self-talk. Stop. Right. Now.

Take a breath and look up at the sky–wide, open, limitless. Since the full moon will be in Virgo on Thursday (read: earth sign Virgo+Jupiter ruled Thursday=cha-ching!) this week let’s practice a little fiscal+mental conjure & turn these dead-end, dull, & useless assumptions around:

 

“Thank the Universe that I lost that employee/account/connection/retail space! Talk about an albatross around my neck–finally I can breathe again and get on with what needs getting done!”

“My entire industry is in a downturn which means that its my time to shine baby! No one touches my level of expertise and ability, what better time to stand out from the crowd and make my mark?!”

“My broker retired. He did right by me but I am excited to see if this new fellow will be open to X, Y, & Z ideas that my old guy never went for.” (And remember, in this case, you can always walk away from the table and work with someone else)

“I am creatively fried…which means I need to rest, recuperate, and give myself space-and man, can we say V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!”

 

Get your ritual on:

Wednesday evening light a black or white candle dressed with a banishing type oil and put those negative thoughts underneath it. Let the candle burn all the way down and take any remains to a 4 way crossroads-bury them or if everything is ash spread the ashes to the 4 winds.

Then on Thursday get a white, yellow or purple candle and place your positive cash-ffirmations underneath it. Dress it with an oil for attracting good things to you (or olive oil that you have charged up through prayer, chanting, or general good vibes) and allow it to burn on Thursday evening-drenched in the full moon light. Bury those remains in your front yard or in a container plant near your front door (to usher in wealth+abundance of course!).

 

Blessings+Bountiful Affluence,

pomegranate seeds

Seed Money Ritual

Got some money from the holiday season and not sure what to do with it? Consider creating an abundance altar for yourself and use the cash as “seed” money for this ritual.

You will need: 

1 medium-large lodestone

1 pack magnetic sand

Prosperity type oil-can be $ drawing, $ stay, or any kind of prosperity oil that lights your fire!

Sassafras root

a black pen/pencil

Holiday cash

 

Take the cash and write your full name under the name of the US Treasurer on each bill. Then under the name of the Secretary of the Treasurey’s name write the following petition: “Money Come, Money Stay, Money Grow”

Anoint each bill in a 5 spot pattern (4 corners & center) with the oil-a dab is fine!

Brush the Sassafras root across the bills-brush the root towards you-then take the root pieces and place them in your wallet or billfold. Sassafras is a root that is known to help you keep your cash and also to make your dollar stretch.

Place your stack of cash underneath your lodestone. Make sure you baptize your lodestone by giving it some whisky, anoint it with the same oil you used on your cash, and feed it some magnetic sand. Place a bit of your hair on top of the cash and underneath the lodestone.

Pray the 23rd Psalm OR a prayer for abundance straight from your heart. If you feel called, light a candle during this time.

This is your seed money for 2012. That means you are not going to go out and spend it willy nilly-you are going to save it and spend it on something that really matters and can make you MORE money. So you might spend it on a new pair of shoes that you need to go to that fancy job interview. Or you might spend it on a big ticket item that your business needs to kick it up a notch. Add to the money every week by gathering up lose bills and change and placing them under the lodestone. Remember to feed your lodestone sand on a regular basis.

Let the abundance flow!

 

 

juicy goodness image by: paloetic