Lisa Brown

Whispered by the wind and cradled by the moon, my soul walks the liminal spaces between worlds. Rivers call my name, their rushing waters singing the songs of ancient stones. Barefoot upon the earth, I weave spells with candlelight, dance beneath the moon, and tend sacred altars that echo with the whispers of Avalon. My heart beats in rhythm with the magic of a time long past—of healing witches, Merlin’s wisdom, and the breath of dragons. Step into my world, and perhaps you’ll remember yours.

“In the Circle of Three, we honor the past, connect with the present, and transform through the power of sacred healing.”

It was one of those days

When the Sun shines hot and the wind blows cold.

When it is summer in the light and winter in the dark.

Welcome March

 

 

Tides of March

In the realm of March memories, one stands out vividly: the calving season on the farm. Though the winds could still bear a bitter chill on certain days, my anticipation to witness the arrival of new life overpowered any discomfort. The winter world, once dormant, now embarked on its glorious transformation, awakening from its long slumber. The remnants of winter began to wash away, as if preparing for a fresh start.

You may have heard of “the tides of March,” a phrase that aptly captures this time of year. It is when streams, ponds, lakes, and rivers, once frozen solid, gradually thaw and regain their flow. In the fields that were once blanketed with snow, frost rises to the surface, and the soft echo of mud greets our footsteps. Within the shrubs, trees, and bushes, sap stirs and rises, initiating the birth of buds. Even within our own bodies, the life-giving substance known as blood quickens, rousing us from our winter lethargy. We become attuned to the growing vibrations of Mother Earth, realizing that every corner of nature pulsates with renewed life, all thanks to water. It is as if nature’s pulse quickens, beating faster with the promise of new beginnings.

Indeed, water is the catalyst for this magnificent transformation. Without it, spring would cease to exist, buds would wither, and seeds would remain eternally dormant. Our planter would remain silent and barren. The “Tides of March” symbolize the melting ice, the flowing waters, and the rising sap that revitalize Mother Earth. As March unfolds, we can feel Mother Earth’s heartbeat through the plants, streams, and trees, reminding us that rebirth is not only natural but an ongoing process. This is the perfect time to take a leisurely stroll along a flowing stream or river, witnessing firsthand the wondrous work of the “Tides of March.”

Welcome March, I am ready for Spring

Correspondences

Moon Phases March 2024 Last Quarter – March 3, New Moon – March 10, First Quarter- March 17, Full Moon – March 25

Lunar Eclipse March 25

Zodiac – Pisces and Aries

Celtic Zodiac – Snake and Fox

Elements – Water and Fire

Colors – green, yellow, light purple, light blue

Herbs – High John, Wood Betony, Apple Blossom, Irish Moss

Flowers – Daffofil, Violet, Daisy, Rose, Primrose

Stones – Bloodstone, Aquamarine, Agate

Animals Cougar, hedgehog, boar, butterfly, bees

Oils – Apple Blossom, Crocus, Daffodil, Daisy, Rose

Symbols – baskets, eggs, rabbit (hare), seeds

Sabbat – Ostra March 20 -21

 

 

Ostra

March 20 – 21

sdAs the wheel of the year continues, March brings in one of the lesser Sabbats.  As Imbol begins to create the first quiet stirrings of spring in February, Ostra is about celebrating new life, fertility, and new beginnings. The God and Goddess couple up and the child of promise is conceived.  We begin to see flowers spring up from the ground that still has some remnants of snow covering it, trees are budding, waiting for the great Sun God to wash his warm light so they may pop open. Ostra marks the Spring Equinox (March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere), where we reach equal amounts of daylight and darkness and we begin to observe agricultural changes and fertility of the land.

Ostra, similar to the symbols of the Christian holiday of Easter, eggs rabbits, new flower bulbs, and seedlings, embrace symbols of fertility. A perfect way to begin your Ostra Altar.  Ostra is a time of new beginnings, seeds of subconsciousness and your conscious desires as nature awakens, we can use the feelings of rebirth and regrowth.

 

 

Like most gatherings’ food is often at the center.  Feasting after ritual or celebration helps to ground and offers time to commune and share.  When we prepare food together from the reaping of last season’s harvest it just adds love and magick.

Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

Ingredients

butter

1 small onion

thyme

parsley

flour

heavy cream

half-and-half, or 2 cups milk

chicken broth

Salt and pepper to taste

potatoes

cooked ham

cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)

Monterey jack cheese, or your favorite cheese (optional)

 Instructions

Before starting your recipe, make sure to preheat your oven and grease 9 x 13 inch baking dish with butter

On a cutting board slice your potatoes into thin slices In a medium sauce pan  cook onions and butter over medium heat until onions are soft and translucent. 

 Add in thyme, parsley, and flour; cook for 1-2 minutes. Turn heat to low and add in milk a little at a time whisking between each addition.

Stir in chicken broth, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil and cook for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside.

 Layer 1/3 of the potatoes on the bottom of the prepared baking dish topped with 2/3 cup of the ham and about 1 cup of the sauce. Repeat layers until the dish is full.

Cover and bake for 50 minutes.

Uncover the dish and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.

If you desire, add cheese to the top during the last 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving

Witchy Tip for Ostra

Bury a raw egg at the entrance to your home

To ensure abundance for the forthcoming year

and fertility in your garden.

 

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 F and oil/butter three ramekins. Set aside.
  2. Whisk together honey, lemon zest, sugar, and butter (melted). Once combined, crack and whisk in the egg, followed by the ¼ Cup of milk and half your lemon juice.
  3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the rosemary.
  4. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour your wet mixture into the center. Gently fold to combine.
  5. Equally divide the batter among the ramekins.
  6. Before placing in the oven, hold your hands above the ramekins and recite the following:
  7. Place the cakes in the oven for 20 minutes at 350 F.
  8. While the cakes bake, whisk together the powdered sugar and the remaining lemon juice. This will be your glaze.
  9. Once the cakes have baked through, remove them from the ramekins and coat in the glaze as well as a drizzle of honey.

Onyx and Marble

Ostra Cakes

Makes 3 ramekin cakes. Can be doubled for cupcakes.

You Will Need:

¾ Cup All-Purpose Flour

¾ Tsp Baking Soda

A Dash of Salt

One Egg

1/3 Cup Sugar

3 Tbsp Honey

Zest and Juice of One Lemon (Juice should be about ¼ cup)

6 Tbsp Unsalted Butter

¼ Cup Milk
1 Tbsp Rosemary
¼ Cup Powdered Sugar (give or take a few tablespoons).

Ostra Eggshell  Plant Pots

Fun for Everyone

What you will need:

Egg Shells (try to keep as much of the egg shell as possible)

Potting soil

Grass seeds (catnip seeds are great for this, and grow quickly)

Paint and/or markers

Pipe cleaners (any color)

Start with making the egg stands with your pipe cleaners.  Wrap the pipe cleaner around in a circle several times at the bottom of the egg shell and then glue it. If you’re working with  small children try having this step done ahead of time, that way the children can spend more time on decorating their eggshells).

Paint your eggshells as you like. (markers can be used to lessen the time as they will not need to dry.)

When you have finished the painting of your eggshells and they have dried, using a spoon place a small amount of potting soil into the eggshell, be gentle as the eggshell is quite fragile. Add lot of grass seeds and water.

Be sure to water your plant pot frequently as there is little soil to keep moisture.

Place your plant pots on you alter or around your home and enjoy the blessings Ostra will bring.

 

 
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