Samhain Treats

The skulls are done!
Finally, after mold mishaps and recarvings for the master, Ac finished the skull mold, and I'm casting these beauties just in time for Samhain. The one above is palm wax, but future candles will be done in soy, in a variety of colors (and we're taking color requests). He's a bit neo-primitive, inspired by Victorian anatomy charts and traditional calavera sugar skulls from Mexico.

Next up are figural candles that are... a bit more realistic. And hot. The commercially available figural candles always looked depressed, lank, and slightly erm, Ken-like. As in Ken-and-Barbie ;)


As promised, I've selected a new winner for the contest, as the last winner never sent the shipping info. I really, really love this incense and wanted to share... so I selected 2 winners instead of 1. Mwahahaha! *ahem*
Coyote Rose and Milaka, I believe that we already have your shipping info (let me know if anything has changed) and you 2 should be getting a pack in the mail by the weekend, or Monday at the latest :)
I hope you enjoy!

-Carmin

Day of the Dead Blog Giveaway!

First giveaway! This is one of my original formulas, composed of rum infused copal, rare and fragrant osha root, marigold, rich spices, and other herbs sacred and pleasing to the ancestors. great for Samhain rituals, or as a regular part of your ancestral altar (mine sure like it). One lucky reader will win a free pack; just leave a comment anywhere on the blog and we'll throw your name in the hat. Winner will be announced in two weeks :)

Thanks!

-Carmin

A Chill Wind Blows

I love this time of year. Sure, the garden looks like it's on it's last leg (the Pooka came early this year), and I nearly got mugged by a squirrel this morning, but the mist is rolling through the mountains. Full Moon is tonight. Saimhain is just around the corner.
One of my favorite Samhain traditions is the Dumb Supper, especially as a prelude to ritual. I lay a small table with food and (strong) drink familiar to my ancestors. It's usually colcannon, pork, and beer or wine, as well as bits of the harvest. Anyway, in years past, I set it up outside the front door, take the seat beside it, with a bag of candy for the trick or treater' s. Most people assume that it's my dinner, and (it is a "Dumb Supper") that I wasn't speaking to be "creepy" or some such. Great way to avoid being interrupted later in the night.
Legend goes that if you wish to know who you will marry, lay a Dumb Supper on Samhain and watch the mirror at midnight.

-Carmin

Harvest festivals, hag's tapers, and garden bagels

Everything looks better on a full stomach, right? I'm a little buried right now, so a full round dinner is sort of out of the question. I grabbed a thing of bagels, some tomatoes from the garden (they took FOREVER to ripen this year!) extra sharp cheddar, cream cheese, and fresh basil (also from the garden). Delish! Protein, carbs, veggies, and comfort food, all in one.

I saw the first deer of the season, grazing outside a motel around sunset. Three does, utterly content with their grass, and end-of-season tourists so busy getting to the sites they are supposed to see, that they did not even notice these gorgeous creatures right in front of them. People continue to astonish me, usually on an hourly basis.

Mullein is growing everywhere this year; in between the cracks in the stone walls, between the steps of the Grand Ave short cut, inside, outside, and upside-down. I've got a few stalks drying by the door, and am planning to see if the plant's nickname "hags tapers" really holds up to practical use. It is historically used as a torch in ceremonies to drive out evil and malevolent forces; to clear out the old and make way for the new; to communicate with the dead. Mullein stalks were dipped in tallow, dried, and lit for these purposes, according to various texts, but so much in the metaphysical community is passed on by rote instead of practice! I would like to see how mullein candles hold up in ritual (maybe for Samhain?) , and if they can be made with anything other than pig or cow fat. Although, pigs themselves have always played a role in Celtic myth, particularly those involving the Underworld. Hmm...

We got an order in today for magical inks, specifically, Raven's Blood, and Dove's Blood. For those of you unfamiliar with magical inks, these are strictly picturesque names applied to classical formulas. I make the Raven's Blood Ink from iron oxide derived from Iron Springs at the foot of Pike's Peak, and the Dove's Blood from a resin called Dragon's Blood and various essential oils. These inks are used to inscribe talismans, charms, and other bits of spell craft.

Nearly time for Mabon, and my heart is already turning to Samhain, turning over the garden, and plans for the spring. I've got a load of peaches (courtesy of our local bear breaking the tree) to turn into mead, and a batch of white sage incense to hand roll before the night is done. I must be off! Thank you for stopping by, and have a great night!

-Carmin