My Library

I've mentioned my love of books previously in this blog. I thought some of you might be interested to see my library.

It's still under construction, so I took the best photos I could at the time.

The above photo is my favourite little shelf. It has some major fantasy series on there, alongside my books on magic, wicca, druidrey and spiritualism. But it also holds some of my favourite items; a postcard from the 50s sent from the fairy isle of Ireland, a love letter from Veronica Varlow, my ethical skull collection, my newest tarot deck, and my Emilie Autumn CD collection.

Because every library needs a cat looking down on you.

This is my classics and contemporary section. As you can see, I already need more shelving. ;)

So there it is.
My little world of books.
I started to count once, I got to 460 and I gave up... this isn't even all of them. There's a pile in the bedroom, and the living room...and the cooking books in the kitchen.

So many books!

Atargatis

But a mermaid has no tears, and therefore she suffers so much more. - Hans Christian Anderson.

Model; Jadene Van Dyk 

To see more of this set;
https://www.facebook.com/RazorlustJadeAddisPhotography

Vegan Oat Cookies Recipe

Going Vegan, doesn't mean you have to miss out on yummy treats, or spend an excess amount of money to make nice things.
 If you are vegan, or are thinking about going vegan; I reccomend you look at Alises' wonderful blog

http://www.aliseinwonderland.com/

Which is full of great recipes for wonderful power food! I shared her Lusty Lentil recipe with you a few blog posts ago.

Here is my own super cheap, super quick, super simple recipe for Oat Cookies.

Ingredients; 

170g Vegan Butter

115g Sugar

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

225g Self Raising Flour

57g Rolled Oats

(If you wanted a more healthy alternative, use gluten free flour and oats, and you could substitute the sugar for a healthier option. Any vegan butter will do, I tend to use a simple soya one, but almond butter gives the cookies a nice extra nutty quality.)

Directions;

Pre-heat your oven to 180C

Cream together your butter and sugar, until it's light a fluffy.
Sieve in your flour bit by bit. (Don't add it in all together, you'll get lumps!)

Mix in half your oats, and mix it well.

Now get your hands in there!
Knead your mixture and roll it into small balls. Roll each ball through your remaining oats, giving them a thin coating around the outside.
Place them on to a baking tray, covered in grease-proof paper. and squish them down a little bit.
The recipe makes about 9-10.

Bake them in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

These were some of the tastiest oaty morsels I've ever eaten.

Give them a go. 

Happy baking!

The Wise One

Traipsing off into some of my favourite woodland, we created magic! The sun was setting, filling the trees with interesting light and shadows. I called it 'The Wise One.'

All the golds and brown in out outift reminded me of owls. The majestic, and wise creature of the forest. This shoot was mainly an excuse to get my isis wings out and breathing. 

Set; The Wise One
Model; Jadene Van Dyk
Photographer; Razorlust (Jade Addis) Photography

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Next blog; Vegan Oat Cookie Recipe!

Lusty Lentils

Just a quick, little post today.

I sent in a recipe request to the lovely Alise, and she came up with a wonderfully simple dish, to use up my lentils. She also makes some wonderful points about a vegan diet.

https://alise-marie-ccm3.squarespace.com/aliseinwonderland/2014/2/16/a-fiery-indulgence

If you're looking for a way to spice up your kitchen, definatley give these a go.

I'll be doing so, this weekend!

Let's get lusty in the kitchen together?

Homemade Shower Scrub

Can't afford those cosmetic line prices?

Want something made with your own loving hands?
Who knows you, better than you right?

So, The first thing you need is 50g of coarse sea salt. Really any type of rock salt will suffice, but sea salt is better for your skin.

 Put this in a suitable container. I find this a great excuse to re-use my old 'Lush' Pots.

 Next you need to place 2 heaped teaspoons of organic virgin coconut oil into a pan, and melt it.
Coconut oil is one of the best things ever to put on your skin! It's like a miracle treatment for soft skin. In this scrub, the coconut oil, also takes some of the harshness from the coarse salt.

Combine the coconut oil and the sea salt in a mixing bowl. You need to now add your oils.
The oils I've chosen are perfect for winter blues, nice uplifting scents.
Firstly you need 1 tsp of grapeseed oil, again something that works wonders for the skin.
10 drops of Neroli. Neroli is my magic oil! I use it as often as I possibly can. With a beautiful scent, and a wonderful trait of releasing serotonin in your brain, you are basically adding little drops of happy pills.

Next, add 3 drops of Peppermint oil. Peppermint is wonderful on aching joints, and over worked muscles. But you really don't want to over do it.
And finally, 5-7 drops of lemon oil. Add this final oil, to give your skin that nice summery glow. Citrus oils are great for balancing the skin tone, and giving the skin a nice, deep clean.

Now mix!

To finish, add a dash of common kitchen, ground ginger. Ginger is good for any arising acne, as it's an anti-inflammatory.

Put your sealed container into the fridge for 15 minutes, which helps the coconut oil reset. And there you have a lovely scrubby bar. 

Now get in your warm shower and squeeze the bar out into your hand. Massage it all over your body, and feel the uplifting goodness.

(Everyones skin works differently, and reacts to different things. So be careful if you have sensitive skin - and if you have any allergies, you can always substitute any oils for ones you know get on well with your skin.

This is just my personal preference.)

Pocahontas Summers

"Grandmother Willow: What do you see? 

                                                     Pocahontas: Clouds... strange clouds. "

Spring is almost upon us, and summer is following not far behind. Rushing in with blazing suns, and scorched grass. The scent of barbeque smoke, and wild flowers ripe on the air.
 This is the beginning.
This is the re-birth.


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Coming Next; Homemade Body Scrub tutorial.

Crystals

Today I'm here to share the love for crystals!

As it was the full moon on the 14th, it was the perfect time to get out my crystal collection, and charge a few of them. I have a basket of them on my nightstand, I have them strung around my neck, I have them hidden throughout my house in charm bags, I have them under my pillow, and in my lovers pillow. They give us strength, and protection, they can help us in tasks, and aid us in our daily life. Nearly as well as the use of herbs and oils.

"Power Charms"

 My favourite stone is Lapis Lazuli - it is just insanley beautiful.
Did you know that the ancient egyptians used to bury lapis lazuli with their dead?? They believed it offered protection.
In early cultures it was valued more highly than gold! That's what a girl really wants!
For personal use, this crystal is great for opening up your chakras, and generally making you more acceptant to powers around you, makes things clearer for you. It is also thought to be a great crystal for friendship, so it makes a wonderful gift to close friends.

Rose Quartz is another key crystal to me. There are three on my altar at all times. One huge rough chunk, and two smaller cut crystals. Last Samhain they were used in my ritual to say goodbye to the pets I had lost that year. My two rats Bonnie, and Wolfey; and my old girl, Sheba. The dog I had from the age of 7 til I reached 20. I loved them all, and I felt a need to honour their memories. They all left me for the Summerlands at different times, but now those crystals on my altar are a daily reminder of my love for them, and bring forth happy memories. 

Rose Quartz is a crystal of unconditional love. And whilst it is often used to entice sensuality, it is also a calming and reassuring crystal; making it perfect for saying goodbye to loved ones, as well as blossoming romance. 

Do you have any special crystals?
Tell me your favourites?

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Coming next; A tutorial for a homemade shower scrub!

Wild!

I'm busy adventuring with life, and vegan recipes, and new and old friendships! But new posts are coming my pretties.

Love and Light
xoxo

Imbolc New Start Altar

One of my ultimate life inspirations Veronica Varlow, posted this tutorial - http://dangerdame.com/2014/01/27/how-to-become-the-person-you-want-to-be-in-2014/
On a bit of candle magick to become who you want to be. I knew I had to do this! And with Imbolc just around the corner, I thought this time of new beginnings was perfect.

So below is my own process of making this little altar, but Veronicas is better, so I recommend you go check hers out also.

First things first.
Find a log, or small tree stump that means something to you, and almost as importantly, won't roll on a flat surface.

This is mine. I was on my way to an old wood from my childhood, to find one...and I came across this in my path. Put there for me perhaps? Symbolically it's wonderful, cut from a young tree I walked passed daily to get to my boyfriends house, it's a true representation of clearing the old to promote new growth.

The next step involves candles...I suggest getting candles all the same length, so the burning time remains the same. You can either buy special candles, or I found it a great excuse to use up old candles I'd had around for years.

Veronicas blog calls for 9 candles...I limited this to 3 for my own personal choice. Partly because I couldn't choose any more words, and because 3 is also a magic number.

So, this is the hard part. Choose 3 (or however many applies) words that you wish to embody for 2014. 3 Wishes if you will, personal things. Personality, mind and soul words. Some can be internal, some can be external, to bring things your way. My words are; Courage, Creative, Loved. I think this is all I am wanting for the new year. Next carve these words into your candles...inscribing them with your thoughts and motivation.

Lighting each candle in turn, let wax drip and pool onto your log, to create a standing base for your candle. Press the base of the candle into the hardening wax. And make sure it is stuck tight. Remember these candles are to be lit, and if they fall off while alight, you may cause some serious damage to your home or to yourself.

Below is a photo of my finished result...I love it! I followed Ve's advice and placed my altar somewhere I will always see it. Every time I leave the house these words, and those emotions will be staring me in the face.

Happy Imbolc to anyone who reads this, and if you fancy making your own, please feel free to share them with me! And with Ve, she'd love to see them all!