Kitchen Home News

It might be the Virgo in me, but I love a good calendar that is organized and fun to use.  This datebook is one I've had my hands on each year, since my best friend's mother bought me a copy about five years ago.  It is informative - listing astrological events, moon info and more, and it's got a selection of articles from authors you might recognize as well. Llewellyn says: " Today's busy Witches can stay on top of it all—the magical and the mundane—with  Llewellyn's Witches' Datebook , now featuring enchanting illustrations from award-winning artist Kathleen Edwards. Add a little magic to each day and keep pace with the ever-turning Wheel of the Year with this indispensable, on-the-go tool. You'll find fun, fresh ways to celebrate the sacred seasons and enhance your practice—inspiring Sabbat musings (Deborah Blake), tasty Sabbat recipes (Diana Rajchel), Moon rituals (Magenta Griffith), and flowers (Tess Whitehurst). For spellwork, there's astrolog

Deborah Blake 's charming books are going home with: Renee Olson Eliora Congratulations!  Please pop me a note with your mailing address and I'll get your books out to you! Fly your broom back this way for the next giveaway...coming right up!

Our next giveaway is this little gem from author Deborah Blake , " The Witch's Broom - The Craft, Lore & Magick of Broomsticks ."  Deborah has been a busy witch this year, and has put out not only this fun book on broom lore and magical uses, but also a witchy fiction novel called " Wickedly Dangerous ." As if that wasn't enough, she has written the follow up to her fiction novel, "Wickedly Wonderful" - which will be out in December - as well as two non-fiction books coming out in 2015 and she is working on a tarot deck.  I love the size of this book - compact, and chock-full of history, charms, spells, and a few other witches even stop by to talk about their brooms too.  Here is what the jacket has to say: " Take a magickal flight into the history, tradition, and modern uses of broomsticks. Whether sweeping the floors or helping with spells, rituals, and crafts, the broom is a more versatile tool than you ever imagined. Join Deborah Blak

The hat was rather over-flowing this time around - y'all love some Mama Starr!  I think she's fabulous too.  Do check her out at Old Style Conjure if the spirit moves you. The two book are going to: Wulf Aine O'Brien Drop me a note, if you please, at rueandhyssop AT gmail DOT com. I wish I could send you all a copy!  But hang in there - there are still more books up for grabs. The next giveaway is coming up right away...

I'm feeling a little broken-open of late. I know I'm not alone. October has been beautiful, warm, magical, unsettling, and heart wrenching. It sounds like a country song, and feels like a warm blanket, and a good cry. There has been tragedy, both here in Canada, and in the US this week, and there has been a profound loss in our community again - too many this year.  At the begining of the month, a dear friend's daughter succumbed to breast cancer. She was only 35 years old. The ancestor altar is full. This isn't a new experience for us. And it won't be the last of it. This is the cost of being human. Loving people that may move out of this realm before we are ready to see them leave.  Building community and "safe" places, and structures, that can crumble right in front of us.  We forget sometimes that impermanence isn't something to fight.  It is what we are. I've just come in from turning over the vegetable gardens, and readying them for their lon

Our next book is the latest release from Mama Starr - "Listen to Them Whisper" - Honoring the Ancestors.   Mama Starr is the wise woman behind the Old Style Conjure website and podcast , as well as one of the four members of the Conjure Crossroads crew who host a podcast , and the popular " Folk Magic Festival " in New Orleans, and Conjure Con in California.  Mama Starr is a passionate conjure worker, and has written several books in an effort to share the "work" she was taught by her family. A few words from the Foreword, from Katie Lydon Olivares: "On our paths to spiritual enlightenment and personal power, no practice will pack a stronger punch than Ancestor Veneration. The current wisdom teaches that there is no deity or spirit more invested in our success than our ancestors. Their blood courses through our veins. Therefore, as we succeed, they succeed. If only for selfish reasons, they desire great things for us and will remove blocks to achiev

The two lucky people that will be receiving a copy of The Grimoire of the Thorn-Blooded Witch, by Raven Grimassi, are: Stephanie Clayton Magaly Guerrero Congratulations!  Please pass along your mailing address, and I'll get your book off to you on Monday! Don't fret if your name didn't jump out of the hat tonight - there are still six more books that need good homes.  Stay tuned!

Another charming author that made an appearance at Faerieworlds this summer was Raven Grimassi (along with his wise and witty partner in life and magic, Stephanie).  He spoke passionately about the wisdom of plants, both wild and those of his yard and gardens, and he touched on some of the history of witchcraft, as well as how his practice works. He brought with him, his newest book, " Grimoire of the Thorn-Blooded Witch - Mastering the Five Arts of Old World Witchery " and of course I had to bring home a couple copies for you! Here is what the jacket has to say: " For the first time in more than a decade, Grimassi introduces readers to a new system of witchcraft, one that draws upon the old ways and the old days. Rich with spells, rituals, and detailed illustrations of plant spirits, Grimassi dares readers to take the path that leads deep into the darkened woods—to traverse upon the Thorned Path. Meet the entities that dwell within the organic memory of the earth, the d

First, a big October-sized hug goes out to the good folks at Weiser who sent along these two wonderful books for you! And the books are flying off to live with.... Hedgewitch Book of Days -  Orion's Daughter The Voodoo Doll Spellbook - Yasmin Congrats!  Drop me a note, if you please, with your mailing address, and I'll get your book out to you!  (rueandhyssop AT gmail DOT com.) Thank you to everyone who stopped by to enter!  You can, of course, find these titles on the fabulous Red Wheel/Weiser site if you need a copy of your very own! Swing by again tomorrow when the next books are up for grabs!

I am, like that white rabbit, almost perpetally running (and often a bit behind) but I am sneaking in just before midnight to play along with Magaly, the wickedly wonderful hostess of Pagan Culture , at her " Witches in Fiction: Crafting Blooming Howls " party.  There is a dark and lovely bouquet of posts over there to peruse if you enjoy seeing what crafty witches get themselves up to when a blog party arises. As for my craft, I'm always inspired by the world around me - especially the hills, rivers and plant life in my delightful Valley. Although the Autumn colours have taken their sweet time arriving (we've had a remarkably sunny and warm September and October) they are starting to flash some crimson and orange here and there.  The last of the herb harvests have just come in and are hanging to dry and I'm starting to play and create some of my favourite concoctions. Today I'm sharing one of my swoon-worthy incense recipes.  I make this incense each Autumn a

One of the most prolific publishing houses that caters to the wider Pagan community is Red Wheel/Weiser .  Not only do they have a varied and impressive catalogue of everything from basic 101 books to classic esoteric tomes, but they are also staffed by some really cool people (I'm talking about you Eryn).  The fab folks there sent along two books for you! The first is a brand, sparkling new October release, and the second was a magical summer release - and they both look amazing! The first book is " Hedgewitch Book of Days - Spells, Rituals, and Recipes for the Magical Year " by Mandy Mitchell " Once upon a time the witch held a place of esteem in the village; her knowledge of local plants and wayside herbs were used to heal; her wisdom and empathy made her the village matchmaker and marriage counselor; and her ability to commune with nature and animals gave her a place of revelry and wisdom. She was the Hedgewitch. Aimed at the busy witch, who is both breadmaker a

The winners of "The Wild Medicine Solution" by Guido Mas é are: Country Witch scavengerspirits - Jennifer Lawrence The winner of "Plant and Fungus Totems" by Lupa is: thistleinavalon Please drop me an email with your mailing address and I'll get your books off to you!  (RueandHyssop AT gmail DOT com.)

If you've spent any amount of time here, you'll know that I'm crazy about plants. With cats, indoor green-life is a thing of the past for me, but outside...well, let's just say that my dream yard is all gardens. I'm all about growing (and wildcrafting) plants for food, medicine, and magic, and a huge part of my learning has been through books, and following around some amazing herbalists online.   I found  Guido Masé  on Twitter , and am in awe of his knowledge and passion for plant medicine.  His book, " The Wild Medicine Solution " is our next giveaway - and I have two signed copies for you! From his blog A Radicle : " Herbal medicine doesn't have to be rocket science - though it is a rich, beautiful, and extremely complex endeavor. Its basic premises are easy to grasp and can quickly bring benefit. So in this book, I've tried to highlight how whole-plant, wild-plant medicine is important, accessible, and simple by outlining three classes of

Another harvest of books is heading out into the world! Here is the list of winners: Practical Prosperity Magick ...........  Johanna Lawson Practical Protection Magick ............ Tilda Coventry Magic ..............  Alpha Betsy Coventry Magic .............. Linda Wildenstein Congratulations everyone! Drop me a note at rueandhyssop AT gmail DOT com with your mailing address, and I'll get these books out in the post for you on Tuesday (Monday is a holiday here!) And if your name isn't on the list - don't worry!  Three more books are appearing tomorrow!

                                          The next books in our month of magic, all have a practical theme.  These are guides to "getting things done."  Friendly, concise, and straightforward, these are great books for any witch's library. From Ellen Dugan, we have "Practical Protection Magick" "Embrace your innate warrior skills—knowledge, balance, and wisdom—and amp up your personal power. This helpful handbook is chock-full of protection witchery and psychic self-defense techniques you can use to keep yourself and your home strong, secure, and protected." And, "Practical Prosperity Magick" "Learn how to optimize your opportunities and draw success with this no-nonsense approach to prosperity magick. Providing an accessible foundation grounded in the seven Hermetic principles and the four elements, author Ellen Dugan explores how it can be combined with the law of attraction to improve your future." And from Jacki Smith, we have &

First, a big thanks to Signe Pike for sending along a third copy of her book for you, and a few little extras!  For those that didn't win - feel free to click on the book above and dig around Signe's magical website, and order her book! The three people receiving a copy of "Faery Tale" are: mrsduncanmahogany Inari Fox syncreticmystic Please email or message me your mailing address and I'll get these books off to you!  ( I'll also send you a note to let you know.) Also, this is a last call to: runningafter3 - I need your mailing address by Saturday (October 11th) please, or I will have to draw another name for the second copy of "The Witch's Eight Paths of Power." Congrats to everyone!   The next giveaway will be up tomorrow morning!

Our next book is all kinds of magical!  Written by the extra-lovely Signe Pike, " Faery Tale - One Woman's Search for Enchantment in a Modern World " is not just a book - it's an adventure! From the cover: " In search of something more after the devastating loss of her father, Signe Pike left her career in Manhattan to undertake a magical journey–literally. In a sweeping tour through Mexico, England, Ireland, Scotland, and beyond, she takes readers to dark glens and abandoned forests, ancient sacred sites, and local pubs,  seeking those who might still believe in the elusive beings we call faeries. As Pike attempts to connect with the spirit world—and reconnect with her own sense of wonder and purpose—she comes to view both herself and the world around her in a profoundly new light. Captivating, full of heart, and unabashedly whimsical,  Faery Tale  is more than a memoir—it’s the story of rekindling that spark of belief that makes even the most skeptical among us

The first two folks going home with books this month are.... Kestril Trueseeker Runningafter3 Congratulations! Please drop me a note (rueandhyssop AT gmail DOT com) with your mailing address and I'll get your book off to you! For everyone else- breeze by on your broom tomorrow morning - the next books are coming up!

The book that will start us on our way this magical month is "The Witch's Eight Paths of Power" by Lady Sable Aradia.  I've had the pleasure of hearing Sable speak a few times at festivals, and she has a true passion for her path.  There have been two excellent interviews with Sable posted recently, one by Jason Mankey on his blog Raise the Horns , and one by Christopher Penczak, posted on his Pagan Square blog .  If you want to get to know Sable a bit, these interviews are a wonderful introduction. This is her first book, published by Red Wheel/Weiser .  From their site: "In his  Book of Shadows , Gerald Gardner writes about the witch’s Eightfold Way as a means of developing one’s magickal abilities. In this contemporary take on the Eightfold Way, author, Witch, and High Priestess Lady Sable Aradia invites readers to explore the eight different components of evolution in witchcraft. Using exercises, meditations, and practical magick, any serious student of witch