Kally's Cauldron

Mabon Corn Doll

I got this idea from Patti Wigington over at about.com. Traditionally, these dolls are made at Imbolc (as a symbol of the Goddess Brighid) or Lughnasadh as the Harvest Mother but I prefer to make mine to put on my Mabon altar because although fresh corn is supposed to be available here starting in July, I don’t find it really hits the markets until after August 1st.

I just winged it but about.com has excellent instructions here.


Have a great weekend!

Nothing fancy today, but this is a recipe for chicken salad that Boo pulled out of his butt (ok, obviously not literally but I can't tell you much it irritates me that he can just throw stuff together and make an amazing meal when I can barely follow a recipe! Sometimes I wonder who the witch in our house really is!!) So without further adieu:

Chicken Salad à la Boo

2 ½ cups roasted chicken, diced
2 tbsp mayo (adjust to your creaminess preference)
2 baby leeks, diced
1 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
¼ tsp pepper
splash hot sauce
salt to taste

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and serve.

Serving suggestion: We made sandwiches and added half a pickle in each.
Substitution suggestions: Canned flaked chicken instead of roasted chicken, 1 large leek instead of baby leeks.

Please forgive my awful photo...it only dawned on me just as we were finishing eating that I should probably include a picture. I promise I'll take nicer ones in future!!

Today's random topic is natural cleaning.

For me, part of being a witch means trying every day to live a greener life. We need to start showing Mother Earth the respect we’ve been lacking. Also, as a homemaker with small children, I want to know that the cleaning products I’m using are safe for my family. Green America Today has lots of great information. I copied the following information into my Book of Shadows along with the link to some great recipes for making your own cleaning products.


White Vinegar – an antifungal that also kills germs and bacteria

Baking Soda – eliminates odours and works as a gentle scouring powder

Borax – borax, the common name for the natural mineral compound sodium borate, eliminates odours, removes dirt and acts as an antifungal and possible disinfectant. Use with care around children and pets, as it can be toxic if swallowed

Hydrogen Peroxide (3% concentration) – a great non-toxic bleach and stain remover, as well as a proven disinfectant

Club Soda (Fresh) – a stain remover and polisher

Lemon Juice – a pleasant smelling non-toxic bleach, grease-cutter and stain remover

Liquid Castile Soap – an all-purpose cleaner, grease-cutter and disinfectant. “Castile” means the soap is vegetable-based, not animal fat-based

Corn Meal – great at picking up carpet spills

Olive Oil – makes a wonderful furniture polish

Pure Essential Oils – adding all-natural, organic essential oils to your cleaning concoctions can add wonderful scents to your housekeeping endeavours. Some – such as lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and tea tree oils – also may have antibacterial, antifungal, or insect-repelling properties.



Go here to read the rest of this article and get the cleaning recipes!!

If I may be so bold, I’d also add The Sun to this list as a stain remover. Nothing beats putting your freshly washed clothes outside for a few hours. Not only will the sun remove stains and disinfect your clothing, you’re saving energy by not using your dryer!! (Being in Canada, I know putting your clothing out in the winter just doesn’t work, however if you have stains, put those items out anyway and then put them in the dryer once the stain is gone)

Brighid is probably one of the most well known Celtic deities. She is a classic triple goddess, representing maiden, mother and crone. Throughout history, there have been priestesses maintaining Her flame. Like many pagan deities, She was transformed into a Saint when the Church began converting the early Celts. Today, Her flame is maintained by an order of nuns at Her sanctuary in Kildare, Ireland.

I stumbled upon this website in one of my many random searches. The Ord Brighideach International was created as a way of encouraging followers of Brighid (in both Her forms as Goddess and Saint) to tend Her flame and spend time in prayer or meditation to Her. The site consists of a number of cills where you register to take a 24 hour shift. There are 20 shifts total, however only 19 need to be taken by users as it is said that on the 20th day, Brighid herself tends the flame.

I signed up for two shifts with two different cills (one all female and one co-ed). So far, I’ve done two shifts and am finding it a really positive experience for my spiritual path. Much like my full moon Esbats, it forces me to spend time getting to know my patron Goddess and contemplating my spiritual path which is something I don’t always find a lot of time for. The site has forums although currently, they aren’t very busy.

If you are a follower of Brighid, I highly recommend joining the Ord.

Well here we are.  The beginning of September, a new school year  (although we're not at that point yet), and a revamped blog. 

This past weekend was a good one.  Saturday, we all went to my friend's wedding.  We had a wonderful time and got home at midnight!!  We went for our weekly breakfast on Sunday morning although we opted out of church because we were all pretty exhausted still, plus the summer series really isn't that exciting.  Next Sunday is the beginning of the church year so we'll be going for sure so that we can register Munchkin for his RE class.  Monday was, of course, Labour Day but was super rainy so we just kinda hung around the house and relaxed before getting back to our regular schedules today.  Actually, since neither of the boys are near school-age yet, we're trying to figure out a new schedule that works for the three of us. 

I had contemplated doing an Esbat for the New Moon tomorrow but as it turns out, it's also my wedding anniversary so Boo and I are going out for dinner.  This will be a big day for me because it's the first time Bean will be away from me for longer than about half an hour!

Other than that, I'm working on plans for Mabon and Munchkin's birthday...both of which are coming up faster and faster!  Don't forget Grandparent's Day this Sunday!!  Send a card, make a phonecall or if they're no longer with you, light a candle in remembrance.

Well, it's time I revamped this blog.  Starting Tuesday, the big plan in my head is to have weekly posts.  Here's the thoughts so far:
Tuesday will be my Monday Mutterings (since I'll be taking Sunday and Monday "off")
Wednesday will be Web Wednesdays where I'll review a random (hopefully useful) website
Turmoil Thursdays will be a mish mash of whatever comes to mind for that week (maybe Tarot, stones, a book review...whatever sounds good)
Friday's Fare will be a recipe...likely one written by my Boo, who is a far more creative cook than I'll ever be
Saturday Sabbats will have recipe, craft or rit ideas for celebrating the 8 Sabbats, based on whichever Sabbat is coming up next.

I'm really looking forward to getting this started!

I've been reading blogs for awhile but, recently, I've really gotten into podcasts.  Specifically, Pagan podcasts.  Being something of a newbie to Paganism, I enjoy hearing other's thoughts and opinions and often apply those things to my own practice.  Even if the podcaster is a newbie themselves, fresh ideas are always great!  Apparently, there's a whole community of knowledge that I had no idea existed.  A few of my favourites:
WitchesBrewHaHa
Inciting a Riot
Pagan Hooligans Podcast

There are literally dozens of others, but these are the three that I'm trying to get current on.