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We’ve already explored why we pass the rattle during a women’s circle, but what about how to make your own rattle…

Why use a gourd?

July 2015 036

Gourds are natural musical instruments that have more than 10,000 years of history, spanning multiple continents and uncountable cultures. Evidence from the Smithsonian is that gourds were the first domesticated crop ever grown in the Americas, probably cultivated by women as water containers. The origination of the gourds still grown today is in Africa, where seeds were then transported to Asia and then from Asia to the Americas by Paleoindian peoples who crossed the Bering Strait and originally colonized the Americas. I was curious to know if gourds have any specific association with ancient goddess traditions in addition to their association with modern-day women’s spirituality, but I have not been able to find specific information on the subject. However, I was inspired to read this small paragraph, suggesting that gourds represent the womb of the Earth Mother herself and that using them to create rattles, creates “intentional womb prayer vessels.”

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Posted by on in Culture Blogs
The Witch’s Broom

The Witches’ Broom, or Besom is an important and largely misunderstood tool of the Witch.

Gaining its notoriety from the witch hunters’ manuals of mediaeval Europe, it is a tool of a far more ancient origin. As we know, the writings of those who “documented” the traditions, rituals and practices of early witches did not do so in an inimical fashion. This largely explains the negative associations related to many customs, tools and traditions of ancient Witches.

It is believed that the practice and use of the Besom can be traced back as far as ancient Egypt. While typical or traditional Besoms are made of a specific plant called Broom (from which the broom gains its name); it would also appear that many traditions and cultures have their own version of a Besom.

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My new Magic of Flowers Oracle deck is here and it's AWESOME! I've had a number of questions about how to use it, and while I outline it in the companion book, I thought I'd do this 2-minute tutorial to get you started on doing readings for yourself and others. As you'll see, it's really easy. 

Oh, and if you'd like to enter to win a deck, I'm giving away three! Check out the contest here

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Recent Comments - Show all comments
  • Janet Boyer
    Janet Boyer says #
    I love your book THE MAGIC OF FLOWERS, Tess! In fact, I just mentioned it in my latest blog post Here Comes the Sun - Sun Symbolis
  • Tess Whitehurst
    Tess Whitehurst says #
    Hi Janet! Wow, thank you! Lovely post.
  • Janet Boyer
    Janet Boyer says #
    Most welcome. Thank YOU for writing such engaging, practical, truly delightful books.
  • Arwen Lynch
    Arwen Lynch says #
    I enjoyed your video. What a lovely deck!
  • Tess Whitehurst
    Tess Whitehurst says #
    Thank you, Arwen! For watching and for sharing my excitement about the deck.

Working with the energetic momentum of whatever it's your intention to shift - rather than against it - is almost always ideal. The Cauldron of Lilac Fire visualization is invaluable for doing just that. It naturally balances and powerfully purifies pretty much anything you'd like, including (but not limited to) people, objects, relationships, physical spaces, and situations. And the more you practice, the easier and quicker it becomes.

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