May 2024 Newsletter
I say Spring has sprung but it is rather late this year - in fact, it should be early summer by now. The temperatures at the moment are not up to their 'seasonal average' and looking at photos taken this time last year, my garden isn't looking quite so colourful at the moment. Mother Nature is trying though - we just need the weather to be a bit warmer, please!
In other news, there has been lots of plotting, planning and scheming behind the scenes at KWHQ. Lots of ideas and we have got ourselves very excited with what lies ahead for us and for all of you lovely people. Keep 'em peeled, and don't forget to have a look at our websites:
www.kitchenwitchhearth.net and
www.rachelpatterson.co.uk for all updates.
Ness xx
What's Going on in Nature this Month from Ness Armstrong
May - a month of increasing fertility in nature. My garden is springing into life - blossom on my apple tree, many shrubs already in flower, or about to flower. Lots of new growth and the energies in nature are ramping up, which is lovely! Wild Arum is producing its 'spike' after the arrival of leaves in the springtime. I've seen hawthorn blossom and buds are appearing on the Elder trees. It is bluebell season and there is a wooded area near to me that is just beautiful to see. Wild Garlic also makes a welcome return - wild garlic pesto is just delicious! Daisies are in abundance which makes for a pretty carpet of colour on the lawns. Everywhere is just green and lush and I feel the energies of the Green Man at this time - welcome!
The Listener by Frances Gaudiano - book review by Sue Perryman
I loved this book so much; the characters were so vibrant and real, and the storyline is fantastic, I had trouble putting it down! It follows the life of Fiona in the late 19th century in Ireland. She lives with her Nan after her mother left. They are a family of listeners, who can hear what animals are saying, they are also healers who collect herbs to make remedies for animals and people. Every listener has an acolyte, an animal that they have a strong bond with, Fiona’s acolyte is a dog called Farley. After her Nan tragically dies, Fiona and Farley set off into the world with nothing but her Nan’s book of remedies....
I don’t want to spoil the story by going into more detail, but it is a wonderful story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Flower of the Month by Heather
Lily of the Valley
(also known as Our Lady’s Tears, May lily, and May bells)
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is an graceful woodland perennial from the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), in gardens it provides ground cover and can spread extensively if not kept under control. In May they have sprays of delicate, nodding white bell-shaped flowers, with an exquisite, enticing, sweet scent.
Symbolism
As these flowers are linked to romance, in France men have given bouquets of these fragrant blooms to express affection, known as La Fête du Muguet. In other places, giving these flowers is wishing the recipient good luck and happiness.
However, these flowers can also for some symbolize sadness and pain due to loss or death, this leads to lily of the valley flowers being added into flower arrangements for funerals.
The delicate bell shape of these flowers is linked to the belief that they drive away evil spirits and offer protection.
Magical uses
Protection, romance, luck, success, fairy magic, divination, happiness, purity, humility, sweetness, cleansing.
Sources -
A Kitchen Witch's World of Magical Plants & Herbs by Rachel Patterson
http://www.almanac.com/content/may-birth-flowers
http://www.petalrepublic.com/the-official-birth-month-flowers/
Fruit for May – Blueberries by Heather
Magical properties –
Beauty, youth, health, calm, memory, relaxation, protection, peace, psychic abilities, divination, energy, renewal, passion, fertility.
Choose your intention, then stir it into the mix as you make the following recipe.
Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
Ingredients
1 cup + 2 tablespoons oat flour
1 cup almond flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any dairy free milk of choice)
1 tablespoon olive oil (any neutral oil will work)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (or fresh lemon juice)
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Method
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 9 muffin cups with liners and spray the inside of the liners with non-stick cooking spray, to prevent the muffins sticking.
In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup oat flour (reserving the 2 tablespoons for later), almond flour, salt and baking soda.
In another large bowl, mix together eggs, maple syrup, vanilla, almond milk, olive oil and apple cider vinegar until smooth and well combined. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
In a small bowl toss blueberries and oat flour together, then gently fold them into the batter.
Divide batter evenly between 9 muffin cups, filling 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 18-25 minutes.
Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes then remove muffins from pan and place on wire rack to cool completely. Makes 9 medium muffins (or 12 small muffins).
A Kitchen Witch's World of Magical Food by Rachel Patterson
www.ambitiouskitchen.com/best-healthy-blueberry-oatmeal-muffins-gluten-free/
Green Oaks Gathering 2024 by Heather Dewhurst
Picture is top of my tent with Ely Cathedral in the distance.
I had the joy of experiencing several firsts over the weekend of the 19th to 24th April.
Held on the amazing Mad Hatters Campsite, on the outskirts of Ely (you can see the cathedral and there is about a 2 mile cross country walk to the city), the Greenoaks Gathering took place. First camp of the season and the first time this camp has been held, and it was fabulous, huge congratulations to Rain, Jo, and their team for all the hard work it takes to put an event on.
There was a good range of traders, including Jonathan Argento and Suzi Edwards Goose. The catering covered all dietary and personal preferences, the coffee stall served one of the smoothest brews I think I have ever had.
Numerous talks took place from about 10 am till around 6pm (we are talking Pagan time remember lol), with great speakers and wide variety of subjects.
Entertainment on the main stage started from midday till 11pm, and included Damh the Bard, Car Dia, Touch the Earth, Tangle Mist and the wonderful Bare Foot Belly Dancer, to name only a few.
The Temple of Elen provided a quiet space, but at periods throughout the day had drumming, oracle reading, meditations, and weaving your own ceremonial belt.
All in all a wonderful weekend, spent with friends and surrounded by like minded folk, in a beautiful area. Now looking forward to attending in 2025!
Celtic Tree Calendar - May by Heather
Willow Moon - April 15th to May 12th
The Willow moon was known to the Celts as Saille, pronounced Sahl-yeh.
In the Celtic Tree Calendar, it denotes the 5th month of the year, a month regarded as particularly holy to the Goddess, due to Her life restoring energies awakening and are at this time of year (in the Northern hemisphere), becoming increasingly evident in all realms of nature. The Celts specifically associated willow with the three Matronae (Mothers), who can be called on for –
Fertility
Protection
Home and hearth
Prosperity
Abundance
Family
Community
Good fortune
More recently the Triple Goddess, as popularized by Robert Graves (1944), in the guise of Maiden, Mother and Crone, particularly the Crone, is also linked to Willow.
Willow is a tree of magic, enchantment, the Underworld, resourcefulness, purification, growth, healing, and resurrection.
The Willow grows best when there's lots of rain, or next to water sources. It is believed that a Willow planted near your home will help ward away danger, particularly from natural disaster such as flooding or storms. They were also planted in or near cemeteries, as it was believed that the spirit of the Willow would guide the soul to the Underworld.
Willow is renowned for its vitality and self-regenerating powers, even cut and seemingly dead branches will come back to life when planted into the soil. This quality of regrowth is utilized in the practice of pollarding. The newly sprouting, flexible twigs, known as withies, are regularly harvested, and woven into baskets and light furniture. Witches often make their brooms with her life-giving withies. However, the wood itself is susceptible to rot, even though Willow loves to grow by the water's edge.
A blog on Willow written by our late Coven member Storm can be found here:
www.kitchenwitchhearth.net/post/the-willow-tree-by-stormloverwolf
Sources
The Woodland Trust
Rune of the month from Ness Armstrong
I love the imagery on this rune card for this month. It depicts a raven carrying in his beak, an eye and a scroll. The rune is Ansuz and is the rune of communication and of creative expression. It is letting yourself be heard - in whatever way you like! Sticking up for yourself if you know that you are right on an issue. 'Putting yourself out there' - letting the world know what you are capable of, what passions you have, what inspires you! This month is all about letting your voice be heard - get out there, be vocal!!
With blessings of the month from
Rachel Patterson, Ness Armstrong, Heather Dewhurst
