Third Infinity

LAMMAS (August 1st) HISTORY Lughnasadh (pronounced loo-nus-ah-duh) means the commemoration of Lugh. He was a fire and light god of the Apollo-Hercules type.  His name may be from the same root as the Latin "Lux", meaning light "which also gives us Lucifer, the light bringer. In Irish legends, the god undergoes death and rebirth in the sacrificial meeting with the goddess.  He was associated in Anglo-Saxon tradition with corn harvest and the killing of the Corn King. In this manner did the pagans of long ago celebrate the first harvest of corn. In keeping with a pagan idea of balance, in a parallel to the "Greenwood marriage" is the "Charlestown marriage".  These marriages were trial marriages that could be dissolved after a year and a day by the couple simply returning to the high priestess who had handfasted them and informing her of their decision. THE ALTAR AND circle 1.  Decorate the altar with sheets of wheat, barley or notes, fresh fru...

This coming weekend, our group will be doing (drum roll, please!) Preserves! No, not the difficult kind with special equipment. The easy kind you do with either fresh or frozen fruit, some fruit pectin, lemon juice, and maybe a bit of sugar. I got this quickie primer from the instructions inside a box of "Sure-Jell Lower Sugar" fruit pectin. Always use caution and follow directions for your manufacturer. Got it? Always use clean, sterilized jars. Boiling them and the rings works. Use new flat jar lid centers every time. Use the correct measuring devices. I use Pyrex liquid measuring cups with pour spouts for liquid measures, and metal dry measuring cups with a straight top edge for measuring sugar. I use ripe fruit or frozen fruit. Over- or under-ripe fruit is not good eats. Yes, I use a food processor and pulse. I like my jam with fruit bits. (Nom!Nom!Nom!) Use the sugar called for. In this case, the sugar is needed for a proper set. Measure everything in advance. The sugar...

Circle of Ivy Plans for Meetings MAY 1. All members please forward your work/social schedules for the weekend of May 1 -3 to my private email. We are trying to coordinate for a Beltane celebration that weekend. We are planning the usual two balefires as discussed, so please bring all fireproof items requiring cleansing. 2. May 17 foods-- Karen-- deviled eggs JJ- Twinkies Lee-- chocolate cake Dave-- Strawberry soda or other strawberry beverages We will likely be dipping strawberries in chocolate, so please bring fresh strawberries (if available). If no fresh strawberries are in season, we will substitute another dish or craft. If the weather is nice, we may grill out. JUNE 1. This is the time of year for pickling and preserving. Just as we did last year, we may indulge in pickling the cucumbers from the covenstead garden if they are ready. We are also planning to make fruit preserves. Please bring your own fresh or frozen fruit of your choice, and a box of fruit pectin as shown in the l...