The offering of wine, ale, water and cider or other fruit juice used for
religious symbolism dates back to Paleopagan times.  As an example, in
Scotland on Samhain Eve (relating to the Isle of Lewis) inhabitants
would take a chalice of ale brewed for the occasion and enter the sea up
to their waists.  There, they would speak the words of the invocation to
the God and Goddess of the sea, asking for blessings and protection and
then pour the contents of the chalice into the waters.  Even during the
early Christian Era, this practice remained alive--the priest offering
the mysterious power of the ocean and of course unto the God whom they
believed created those seas.
 
If you would like to design a ritual for yourself along the lines of
scared communion, you may wish to make the brew listed below.  Apple
cider has long been used as a libation to the Earth Goddess and deity in
general.  The apple (prized food of the unicorn) brings health, love and
wisdom to those who taste its enchanting juices.
 
 
1 gallon apple cider (love)
1 orange (love)
1 apple (love)
3 cinnamon sticks (love and psychic powers)
1/8 tsp. nutmeg (fidelity)
1 handful rose petals (love)
1 large pot (personal note...or a iron cauldron :> )
 
Pour the apple cider into a large kettle.  Peel orange and squeeze its
juices into the cider, discarding the pulp.  Tear the orange peel into 1
inch strips and add to the mixture.  Core apple and cut into 1/4 inch
slices and add.  Break the cinnamon sticks in half and add.  Add nutmeg.
Warm over low heat for 2 hours.  Do not bring to a boil.  Stir often
saying:
 
From the moon to the vine
From the vine to the fruit
From the fruit to this brew
May the Lady send her blessings
May the Lord grant your desires
 
Serve warm from the pumpkin punch bowl, next page.  Sprinkle with rose
petals.
 
Pumpkin Punch Bowl
 
2 glow in the dark sticks
1 large pumpkin (abundance)
1 heat resistant punch bowl that will fit inside the pumpkin (cauldron
of transformation)
 
Hollow out the pumpkin, and carve a design in it.  Place the punch bowl
inside the pumpkin.  Right before the party begins, activate the glow in
the dark light sticks per pack instructions and place between the
pumpkin shell and bowl.  Add enchanted Witches Brew
 
(from Halloween by Silver Ravenwolf)
 
Celtic: Drambuie Marzipan Handfasting Cake
Origin: Scotland
 
The tradition of multi-layered wedding cakes originates
with grain and rice throwing of the Middle Ages, which
was thought to insure the couple fertility.
In Scotland, Drambuie is fondly referred to as the
"nectar of the Gods." Marzipan was a favorite festival
sweet in Medieval Europe, having been brought back by
Crusaders from Islamic lands.
 
Ingredients:
 
11/2 cups currants
11/2 cups white raisins
3cups mixed candied fruit rinds
2 cups flour
2 2/3 cups butter
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup Drambuie liqueur
12eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 c ground almonds
1tablespoon powdered lemon rind
1cup slivered almonds
5 cups marzipan
 
Icing, any kind, or powdered sugar
 
Preheat oven to 325º. Grease and line 2 or 3 (depending on size) springform pans with waxed
paper. Mix the currants, raisins, candied fruit rind and 1/4 cup of the flour in a medium-sized bowl.
 
Beat the butter, sugar, and Drambuie until creamy in a large mixing bowl. Beat in one egg at a time.  Combine 3 3/4 cups of the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium-sized bowl.
 
Mix the flour into the egg mixture a little at a time.  Fold in the dried fruit, ground almonds, and powdered lemon rind. Sprinkle with slivered almonds. Pour into the pans. Bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Cool.  Spread each cake with marzipan. Stack the cakes on top of each other. Frost with the icing of your  choice or sprinkle with powdered sugar.
 
 
Moonbeam Cookies
1 Cup Butter
3 oz. Cream Cheese (Softened)
1 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 whole Egg Yolk
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 teaspoon Salt
2 1/2 Cups Flour
 
Cream shortening & sugar.  Add cream cheese and mix well.  Add egg yolk,
salt, and flour, and mix well.  Place spoonful on cookie sheet and flatten
w/fork or glass bottom.  Bake at 375-degrees for 15-minutes.  These cookies
should be light in color.
 
SABBAT CAKES
1 stick butter softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups flour (preferably the ones with everything added, salt,
baking powder, etc.)
1 tablespoon natural flavor (vanilla, maple syrup, various spices, etc.)
Preheat the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease cookie sheet with a
little butter. Mix the butter with the sugar and flavor. Once thoroughly
mixed, add slowly the flour, mixing it in the liquid preparation. Once
done, it should give a nice dough to work with. Flattened it out, and
cut out your favorite shapes. Place them on baking sheet and cook for
20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness. Gives about a dozen big
cakes.
 
 
 
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