13 Days of Samhain- Day 6

 

Photo courtesy of David Menidrey

Welcome to Day 6 of our Sirens Samhain Celebration!

The winner of yesterday's Neuse River Witch Readings Giveaway is...

Ciel Luciole!

Congratulations!

Today's Music Selection: Sacred Ancestors by Lisa Thiel

submitted by Lynn Green

Today's Article: How to Make a Banishing Box with Sandi Crawford

A banishing box is used to banish any unwanted energy, person, or situation from your life for good.

To use the box you will need:

• Petition paper

• Charging oil

• Black candle

• Crystal (Quartz, Black Tourmaline, or Hematite is best)

• Herb mix for Protection

To begin just clear your mind and visualize the thing you want to banish in as much detail as you can from beginning to end. Anoint a piece of petition paper with charging oil to give it power and write on the paper exactly what you are wanting to be rid of. It can even be for someone else just make sure that is one the paper. Place the paper in the box. Sprinkle a small amount of witch’s salt, herb mix, and place a crystal on top to seal it. I like to use a hematite as it has magnetic properties to anchor the target into the box. Close the box and chain it up and attach a pentacle charm to hold it.

Hold the box in your hand while visualizing how your life will be once this has been banished. Feel the joy and the benefits not having this in your life will bring. Pour that into the box until you can see it radiating with energy in your mind’s eye. Keep the box somewhere it won’t be disturbed until the spell has worked. 

Then remove the paper, herbs, and salt. Burn them discarding the ashes as you see fit. Keep the box for repeating the spell as needed next time you need rid of something. 

To make your own you can use any box you’d like. I got this one from a craft store for $4. You will also need:

• Stain or paint for the outside

• Mirrors for the inside (6 total for each direction)

• Sandpaper

• Paintbrush

• Glue

• Spanish Moss

• Chain long enough to wrap around your box

• Pentacle charm

Start by sanding the box and wiping it down so it is ready to paint or stain. I am using Classic Black stain from Lowe’s. It took about 4 coats of this to get the color I wanted. 

Once the stain set. I painted the inside and bottom of the box black as black is great for holding energy. Next place your mirrors. One on each side, one on the bottom, and one on the lid. Mirrors reflect the energy back into the box any time it tries to escape and can help force us to see what we may not want to. Putting a person in the box could help them change their ways forced to reflect on their actions. 

Next cover the bottom of the box in glue and press down some Spanish moss. This is strictly because it looks cool. Draw sigils on the outside of your box, seal, and you are done! Just make sure you get some chain and a pentacle charm for holding it!

If you’d rather not make your own you can find them at www.BlackDahliaBoutiques.com when in stock. They will run about $50-$65 depending on the box size and décor and no two are alike. This box we just made together will be a part of the final giveaway at the end of the event!

Today's Cocktail: Autumn Comfort with Ciel Luciole

Ingredients:

3 ounces Caramel Liquor (I used Caramel Comfort)

3 ounces Cinnamon Whiskey (I used good old Fireball!)

Cream Soda

Whipped Cream

 

Instructions:

Combine the two alcohols in the glass, fill to the top with the cream soda, and top with whipped cream. Super complicated, I know! Seriously though, simple sometimes is better, and this drink proves that admirably! Of all my Autumn themed drinks this is one of my absolute favorites, flavor-wise. It can be served hot or cold (the drink in the photo was made cold with Ouija Planchette ice cubes which, unfortunately, were not visible for the picture), and I know there are those of us that will die on our Iced-Coffee in the middle of a blizzard Mountain, but after trying it both ways I personally believe it is far superior as a warm drink. Either way it is delicious so go with your personal preference!

I also find that this recipe also lends itself well to being adapted for a party situation and works beautifully in a punch bowl.

Out of habit I made the whipped cream from scratch but really canned whipped cream will work and will look prettier in the presentation if you are going for the perfectly crafted cream topper. If you are more interested in flavor, I personally feel homemade whipped cream is superior, but if you don’t have the time or inclination to faff about with making homemade whipped cream, or you are striving for that perfect Insta-worthy photo, there is no shame in reaching for the can! Unless you are super ambitious and want to pipe your homemade whipped cream onto the top of the drinks, of course. If that is the case, more power to you!

Use the straw to mix the whipped cream into the drink (another reason why I feel it works better as a warm drink, personally) and enjoy!

Side Note: I was cheekily informed when I first made this drink that this mixture was not “autumny enough” given the use of caramel liquor. If you prefer something more obviously Autumn-esque the Caramel Liquor can easily be substituted with Pumpkin Liquor. Subsequent experiments have yielded great, and tasty, success using  Hiram Walker’s Pumpkin Spice liquor but I still prefer the caramel as a matter of personal preference, but either way it works!

Today's Recipe: Traditional Irish Barmbarack with Jaye Todd

Barmbrack Recipe

Barmbrack is a delicious fruit loaf and one of the traditional foods eaten at Samhain in

Ireland. Its name comes from the Irish ‘Bairín breac’ which translates as speckled loaf.

Tradition says that on the night of Samhain each member of the family would have a slice

of the loaf in the hopes of finding baking paper wrapped charms inside. It’s believed that

these charms would signify the future of its finder.

For example finding a rag was said to show troubles in your finances, a coin – prosperity,

a thimble – an unmarried life and a ring showing romance is on its way to you.

Ingredients

 225g Self raising flour

 125g Caster sugar

 1 Egg

 375g Dried mixed fruit

 300ml Cold tea

 1tsp Mixed spice

 Honey (optional)

Method

1. The night before place the fruit into a bowl and allow it to soak in the tea

overnight.

2. Preheat your oven to 170c/340f.

3. Drain the fruit, beat the egg and mix together with the flour, sugar and mixed

spice. If you’d like to add charms now is the time to do it (don’t forget to wrap

them in baking paper).

4. Line your baking tin, a 900g loaf tin or a 20cm cake tin works best. Pour in the

mixture. There’s no need to smooth it out.

5. Bake in the oven for about 60 minutes until the loaf has risen and is firm to the

touch.

6. Once it’s baked you can glaze with honey or golden syrup. Alternatively you can

dissolve 2tsp of sugar into 3tsp of boiling water and use this mixture to glaze the

barmbrack.

Once the loaf has cooled (at least 1 hour) slice and enjoy.

Serving suggestion: toast the slices and spread butter over them while still hot… yum!

Samhain Beannaithe ~ Blessed Samhain

Jaye – The Gaeilge Moonchild

Today's Giveaway: Enchanted Wreath by Lynn Green

Today's giveaway is for those residing in the United States only. 

Value: $70 USD

Description: Purple and black wreath made with feathers, flowers and a crow, including 2 authentic crow feathers. May the old skeleton key dangling from the center open many doors of opportunity for you. (Sponsor's note: pictures do not do these wreaths justice. I own two of them, and can tell you from a customer's perspective that these are so much bigger and more beautiful in person!!)

Here's how to enter: 

Go to: Instagram.com/enchantedlynn

Come back and tell us about your favorite item in the comments below. 

Bonus entries (1 comment= 1 entry)

Like/Follow Sirens Life on Facebook

We must have your name and email address in order to notify you if you win. You can enter it into the comments or enter it here. We do not share your information with third parties. We use your information only for giveaway purposes.

Your entries will be pulled tomorrow morning, east coast time, and will be numbered by Alexis Kennedy (sponsor). She will then run a number generator at random.org, and will announce the winner on tomorrow's blog post. The winner will be notified first via email. The winner has 36 hours from announcement to claim the prize, or it will go toward the Grand Prize Giveaway on October 31.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email sirensallaround@gmail.com and we'll happily respond. Note: The sponsor is not eligible for any giveaways.

That's all for today! See you back here tomorrow!