As Hanukkah begins for some parts of the world, in Latin America (particularly Mexico), today is the 478th anniversary of the discovery of the Lady of Guadalupe, which literally brought an end to an ongoing bloody religious war. Her discovery in the year 1531 was by none other than a child, who claims she visited him at sunrise on this cold day. He brought back red roses (which were out of season) along with a cape that had her image inside. To this day, no one can figure out how the image ...
Nine is the Moon's number (the other is 3: 3 x 3 = 9), so when you have a favor to ask of Lady Moon, here's what you do. Cover a plate or shallow bowl with sand. After nightfall four nights before the New Moon (tonight), stand a birthday candle in the sand and say, "Lady Moon, by three times three, as I will, so mote it be." Then light the candle. While it burns, visualize what it is that you would like to bring into being. The next night, do the same thing, but light 2 candles, with 3 on the ...
On this dark December night, gaze into the fire of your cauldron to see the ghosts of the past and divine your future in the New Year. Gather pinecones, dried bay leaves, and sprigs of dried lavender. Make sure your cauldron is deep and situated on a heatproof surface in a quiet candlelit room. Light the pinecones with a black candle and let them burn down until they're red embers. Toss the lavender and a few bay leaves on the embers. Gaze with unfocused eyes into the smoke that rises from your ...
One of the best ways to celebrate with friends before the holiday madness takes hold is to have a good, old-fashioned cookie party. It takes a bit of planning. You need to decide if the cookies will be made at the party or if each person will bring previously baked cookies. It takes some coordination so you don't wind up with thirteen variations on the chocolate chip cookie (although maybe that could warrant its own party). Whichever way you decide to organize the gathering, participants should ...