• Imbolc- Traditions and Hearth: Celebrating the Return of Light

    Imbolc- Traditions and Hearth: Celebrating the Return of Light

    DALL·E 2024-01-18 12.35.23 - An artistic representation of traditional Imbolc symbols including a Brigid's cross a corn doll and gentle flames symbolizing the festival's connec

    In the heart of winter, when the nights are longest, Imbolc emerges as a beacon of renewal and hope. This ancient festival, deeply rooted in Celtic tradition, has evolved over the centuries, weaving its way into modern practices and hearts. Today, Imbolc is celebrated by people from various paths, each adding their own unique touch to the tapestry of tradition, yet all honoring the core essence of reawakening and renewal.

    The return of light is a central theme of Imbolc, symbolized by the lighting of candles and bonfires. This act, far more than a mere tribute to the physical light, represents the kindling of the inner light, the spark of inspiration, and the warmth of community. In contemporary celebrations, candles not only illuminate spaces but also hearts and minds, guiding us through introspection and manifesting intentions for the coming cycle.

    DALL·E 2024-01-18 12.36.06 - A cozy indoor scene showing a small table set up as an Imbolc altar. The table is adorned with elements symbolizing the festival_ a Brigid's cross mad

    Creating a sacred space or home altar becomes a personal sanctuary where elements of Imbolc are lovingly arranged. A Brigid's cross, crafted from reeds or straw, is placed as a symbol of protection and blessing. Early spring flowers, with their delicate blooms, remind us of the resilience and beauty of nature, inspiring a sense of hope and renewal. This sacred space serves as a focal point for reflection, meditation, and connection with the divine essence of Brigid and the awakening earth.

    Modern observances of Imbolc also involve a cleansing and purification of the home, mirroring the festival's theme of renewal. This goes beyond mere physical cleaning; it is an energetic renewal, sweeping away the old to make room for the new. It's a time to declutter not only our living spaces but also our minds and hearts, preparing the ground for new seeds of thoughts, intentions, and actions.

    In embracing the traditions of Imbolc, we weave the threads of the past into the fabric of the present, creating a rich and meaningful tapestry that honors our heritage and our individual paths. It's a celebration that transcends time, connecting us with the cycles of nature, the wisdom of our ancestors, and the rhythm of our own inner landscapes.

    As we honor these time-honored traditions, we are reminded that each flame lit, each space cleansed, and each intention set is a step towards a brighter, more awakened self, aligned with the ever-turning wheel of the year.

    Please join us tomorrow as we discuss Imbolc as a Reflection of Life’s Cycle.

    Love, 

    Mambo Sam

  • Embracing the Awakening: Imbolc and the Stirrings of Nature!

    DALL·E 2024-01-18 12.33.59 - A serene landscape depicting the early signs of spring with snow melting the first green shoots emerging from the earth and a gentle sunrise in the

    Embracing the Awakening: Imbolc and the Stirrings of Nature

    As the wheel of the year slowly turns, there comes a time when the harshness of winter begins to yield to the subtle promises of spring. This period, known in the Celtic tradition as Imbolc, is more than just a marker of seasonal change. It's a celebration of rebirth, a festival of light, and a testament to the enduring hope that life, no matter how dormant it appears, will always find a way to renew itself. Imbolc, traditionally observed on February 1st, is deeply intertwined with the legend of Brigid – a figure who straddles the line between pagan mythology and Christian sainthood, embodying the spirit of healing, poetry, and the forge.

    Let's embark on a journey through time and tradition, exploring the essence of Imbolc, its rituals, and the myriad ways it allows us to reconnect with the rhythms of nature. As the snow melts and the first green shoots dare to emerge, we are reminded of the resilience inherent in the earth and within ourselves. Imbolc is not just a reminder of the world's awakening but an invitation to awaken our inner landscapes, to kindle the flames of inspiration, and to prepare the soil of our souls for new seeds of possibilities.

    The Essence of Imbolc: A Portal to Renewal

    Imbolc, etched in the tapestry of time as a celebration of purification and light, offers a profound connection to the rhythms of the earth and the cycles of life. The festival, originating from the old Irish word 'i mbolc' meaning 'in the belly,' is traditionally observed during the lambing season. It's a period when the earth, seemingly still in the clutch of winter, begins to stir with the promise of spring.

    Central to the celebration of Imbolc is the veneration of Brigid – a figure of immense importance in Celtic mythology. Brigid, or Saint Brigid in the Christian tradition, bridges the ancient and the sacred, the pagan and the divine. She is celebrated as the goddess of healing, poetry, smithcraft, and the hearth. Her association with fire and fertility weaves a rich tapestry that symbolizes the awakening of the land and the soul.

    As the goddess of the forge, Brigid's flame represents not just the physical warmth that thaws the frozen ground, but also the spark of creativity, the fire of inspiration, and the warmth of hope that burns in the heart of humankind. She invites us to embrace the coming change, to prepare for growth, and to kindle our own inner fires as we step into the burgeoning light.

    The celebration of Imbolc is deeply symbolic, marked by the crafting of Brigid's crosses from reeds, the creation of Brigid corn dolls, and the lighting of candles and bonfires. These rituals are not mere observances of tradition; they are acts of reconnection with the natural world, acknowledgments of the cycles that govern life, and affirmations of our place within this sacred rhythm.

    As we reflect on the essence of Imbolc, we are reminded that renewal is a constant process, that life is a series of cycles, and that each ending paves the way for a new beginning. In honoring Brigid and the traditions of Imbolc, we open our hearts to the lessons of resilience, renewal, and rebirth that nature so eloquently teaches us.

    Please visit tomorrow as we discuss welcoming back the light! 

    Love, 

    Mambo Sam

  • Saint Expedite!

     

     

  • Fet Ghede/Ancestor service!

    Altarancestor

    If anyone would like to share images of their Fet Ghede/Ancestor service, we would love to see them! We may even share them (with permission and anonymity, of course!) in our next newsletter! If you would like to share, please send to Faith at customerservice@spellmaker.com  
    Ayibobo! 

  • Crafting with Mambo! Apple Garland!

    Welcome to
    Crafting with Mambo!
     

    An apple garland is really easy to make. You can make it any length you wish, and it makes your house smell good in the process – and magical apples are everywhere by the time Fet Ghede rolls around. You'll need several large apples of any color, lemon juice, dried bay leaves, scraps of fabric, some pine cones, cinnamon sticks, raffia, and florist's wire.

    Start by peeling and coring the apples, and then slicing them horizontally into circles about 3/8" thick. Fill a bowl with the lemon juice, and place your apple slices in it. Allow them to soak for about ten minutes – this prevents them from turning brown and discolored. Remove the apple slices from the bowl and pat them dry with a paper towel. Bake your apples for about six hours at 200 degrees. If you like, before baking you can dust them with a mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg.

    Once your apples are completely dried out, the fun really begins. Using the florist's wire, begin stringing the apples. The wire should go straight through the apples, but if you have trouble, make a hole with a toothpick. Between every few apple slices, string some bay, and add a pine cone here and there. You can also alternate the apples and bay leaves with bows made from your fabric scraps.

    Make your garland as long or as short as you like – or until your kids get bored – and then knot each end around a cinnamon stick. Tie a piece of raffia around the ends as well, and then drape your garland on your wall, across your mantel, or over your front door.

    Another variation on the apple garland is to make a smaller length and then bend it into a circle, forming an apple wreath. Tie a piece of fabric – or bend a leftover bit of florist's wire – to the top so you can hang it on a nail or hook.

  • Happy Halloween!

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    Hope you all had a Wicked good Halloween! 

    Love, 

    Mambo Sam and Parran Matt

  • Exclusive Evil Eye Tee! 

    Exclusive Evil Eye Tee! 
    The evil eye has been used throughout the centuries to ward off curses or malicious intent. Many believed the evil eye could protect against three different kinds – unintentional, intentional, and unseen. These curses manifest in things such as jealousy, someone wishing you bad luck, or negative energy surrounding you. Feel safe and protected wearing this unisex heavy cotton tee by Gildan. 100% cotton. Available in sizes Small through 5XL. Available here! 

  • Harvest Witch Tote!
    Harvest Witch Tote

    This tote is perfect for fall harvest festivals, back to school or just a day of shopping for bits and bobs with friends! Available in 3 sizes and starts at only $13.60! Available only here!

  • Lil Guy mug!

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    Show your support for Spellmaker with our Lil Guy mug! Add some color to your routine with this two-tone, custom accent coffee mug. This 11oz mug features an accented C-Handle that is comfortable to use, as well as an accented interior to add more contrast and character. White ceramic with colored interior and handle. Multiple color choices and less than $10.00!!! 
    Only available here! 

  • Gran Bwa’s Autumn Potpourri By Mambo Sam!
    Gran Bwa’s Autumn Potpourri
    By Mambo Sam
     

    Happy Mabon!  Homemade potpourri is a fun Mabon project.  It’s easy to do with kids or perhaps your elderly relatives.  And even though “potpourri” means “rotten pot” – it sure smells better than it translates.  

    I asked Gran Bwa to give me some ideas of what should go in a potpourri dedicated to him and this is what he offered!  But you could just use this for ideas and add your own wonderful flowers, fruits, seeds, etc.  
     
    Ingredients

    1. 2.5 cups of dried apple slices
    2. 1 cup of dried orange peels or really almost any citrus peels – try grapefruit, lemon, etc.  Even better if you save them and dry them yourself.  You can easily dry fruit peels in your oven at a low temperature, about 200º F for a couple of hours, checking and turning frequently
    3. 1 cup cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces
    4. ½ cup cardamom pods
    5. ¼  cup whole cloves
    6. Add in rosemary, nutmeg, ginger, star anise, black peppercorns, any combination.
    7. 3-4 bay leaves
    8. Small pine cones (even better if you can go pick them up in nature)
    9. Pick some fall wildflowers and let them dry out or just add them as is and allow them to dry in the potpourri (if you do this, plan on stirring your potpourri around to let them get air
    10. A little bit of vanilla or other oil that you like
    Directions
    Break down the larger pieces.  If you have a mortar and pestle, use it to grind down some of the bay leaves or other items to help release the oils.  Otherwise, just break some of the items down to smaller pieces.  You want a mixture of your smaller and larger pieces.  Mix them all up in a big bowl and add your oil.  Cover it for a couple of days to let it all blend.  You can burn some green candles that you dedicate to Gran Bwa near the bowl and ask him to bless the potpourri for a bountiful year for you and yours.
    ***PLEASE NOTE ; This potpourri is NOT TO BE TAKEN INTERNALLY – DO NOT EAT IT!  It looks pretty and smells amazing, but do not eat 🙂 ****