Story of the Sacred Lily

The "sacred lily" (Narcissus) that blooms at the Chinese New Year is the emblem of happiness, and whoever finds his lily blooming exactly on that day, is sure to be lucky. There is a legend connected with it that is more than a thousand years old.

Once there lived in China two orphan brothers. The eldest inherited the largest share of the ancestors' estates and also wickedly seized the younger brother's inheritance, leaving him only a few acres of rough, pebbly soil upon which nothing would grow. At one end of the ground was a marsh overgrown with rank weeds and rushes. For years the younger brother bore with magnanimous patience the rapacity of the eldest. Poverty and hunger at last broke him down...

,,, I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Widdershins, and can be found in its entirety here: Story of the Sacred Lily

Snake Safety Spells

Although no animal is more associated with magic than snakes, in general, the vast majority of magic spells for snakes involve methods of repelling them and warding them off. Here we have a number of simple protective devices the warding off and protection from snakes.

Agates: Agates are carried as talismans of safety from both snakes and scorpions. Although plain agate is allegedly effective, the talisman is more potent if engraved with either the image of a snake or of a person, preferably you or at least someone resembling you, riding upon a snake....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Snake Safety Spells

The Snake Totem

The snake dwells in so many places, climates and environments, comes in so many colors, shapes and sizes that this creature can be said to be one of the most versatile of all. Indeed snakes represent versatility, transmutation and change, their natural inclination to “shed their skins” leaving behind the old, and adapting to the new, supports this idea.

... I am so sorry, but this post has been combined with another, and moved to my new website, The Powers That Be. It can be found here: Snake Magick and Lore

What You Should Know About Snakes

While researching snakes, I came across this nifty little tidbit. It's a list of do's and don'ts when it comes to snakes.

A. Don't cross a snake's path unless you slide or shuffle your feet.
B. You'll have leg aches - other diseases - bad luck.

A. Don't eat in front of a snake.
B. When you get older, your throat will close.

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Widdershins, and can be found in its entirety here: What You Should Know About Snakes

Snake Beckoning Spells

The snake is the totem animal of prophets, so it's no accident that the staffs of Asklepios, Hermes, and Moses were embellished with snakes. Over the centuries, magical divining women, from the Minoan snake goddess to Marie Laveau, have danced with serpents. There is even a traditional divination system that interprets the movements of snakes....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been combined with another and moved to my new website, The Powers That Be, it can be found here: Snake Magick and Lore

Herbal Remedies For Toothache Pain

A toothache is one of the most annoying and painful experiences that one can have. It can really put a damper on someone’s entire day if he or she cannot find something to tame it. Because of the infection that can spread to other parts of the head, without treatment, a bad abscess and toothache can be life threatening. For this reason, it's important to see a dentist as soon as possible.

If you're desperate, these inexpensive, effective and easily accessible toothache home remedies may help alleviate your pain before you get to your appointment.

There are quite a few natural herbal remedies that work excellent for calming down a toothache. Whether a person’s pain is from a cavity, recent dental work, injury, or pure sensitivity, herbs provide a safe and natural way for pain management. Listed here in alphabetical order are some very effective herbal remedies for toothache pain....

... I am so sorry but this post has been moved to my new website, Folk Medicine, Remedies and Cures, and can be found in its entirety here: Herbal Remedies for Toothache Pain

Old Fashioned Cures for A Toothache

I am so grateful for modern dental care, and the fact that is readily available. There was a time, however, when a toothache was a major ordeal. For this reason, there is quite a lot of folklore that covers an amazing array of cures for a toothache. Some of them might even actually work - and if you really don't want to go to the dentist, you might want to give one or two of them a try. The first one, oil of cloves, actually works really well when applied directly.

• Oil of cloves for a tooth ache.
• Bite into a hot raisin right on the tooth that aches.
• To cure tooth aches, hold whiskey over tooth in the mouth.
• Take blood from around the tooth that aches and carry that to an oak tree that's been struck by lightning. On the north side of the tree, pull the bark down, put the blood in there, and then shove the bark back up. This will kill your toothache....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, Folk Medicine Remedies and Cures, and can be found in its entirety here: Old Fashioned Cures For A Toothache

Saint Apollonia's Prayer for Teeth

February 9th is the feast day of Saint Apollonia, patroness of dentistry and those suffering from toothache or other dental problems. It is believed that whoever says a prayer to Saint Apollonia should have no pain in his teeth on the day of the prayer....

So sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar and can be found in it's entirety here: Saint Apollonia's Day

 

Festival of Broken Needles

In the Hari-Kuyo ceremony, Japanese women gather once a year on Febuary 8th at Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples to thank their worn out needles and pins for good service.

It is also a time to value the small, everyday objects of daily living and to wish for progress in one’s needle work. In what is known as the Festival of Broken Needles, women gather to offer a funeral-type service by laying the needles to rest ...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: Festival of Broken Needles

Hestia's Needle Divination

In the aura of candle light

string a needle on a thread of white

then let the needle hang in the air

asking any question that you dare...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Divination, and can be found in its entirety here: Hestia's Needle Divination