I maked the roughly one year aniversary of the Facebook group Pagan Parents UK but failed to translate it onto here.

Here is a quick craft idea which you might want to try next year…

Lammas Cornucopia http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/lammascrafts/ss/LammasCornucopia.htm

You’ll need:
• A grapevine cornucopia (available at craft stores)
• Wheat stalks, or other types of grain
• Sunflowers
• Other found items such as feathers, corn stalks, etc.

Fill the cornucopia with stalks of wheat and sunflowers. If you have feathers handy, or corn stalks, arrange those in there as well. Hang it on your door as a greeting for guests, or place it on your altar during Lammas ritual.

Also known as Litha, an Anglo-Saxon word which finds its origin in Bede’s De Temporum Ratione and refers to a period of time roughly spanning the modern months of June and July, this sabbat marks the point in which the God reaches the panicle of his power. The land reflects the growing fertility of the Goddess and readies itself for the first harvest.

The evenings are long and warm, if the weather is in your favour, and now is the perfect time for outdoor rituals. Some people take trips out to see the Mid-Summer sunrise at stone circles like Stonehenge, or simply go to a special place in nature to see the phenomena. Most of these events are child friendly and children love camping and (in my experience anyway) won’t have any problems waking up in time to see the sunrise.

In addition to this you can involve your children in a little summer magick.
The Summer Solstice is a time for asking to good luck and protection as the nights once again begin to lengthen. Originally this would have been the protection and success of the harvest as our ancestors moved closer towards the Mabon harvests but our little ones can ask for their own success and luck, especially if they are facing the scary prospect of going to primary, or secondary, school for the first time.

Wish Stones

Make a trip to a local river, pond or similar body of water and choose some river stones to represent your wish to the water fairies. If you want you can choose stones from another location and prepare them at home with paint or take a marker pen out with you. You should choose flattish pebbles if you want to combine this with stone skipping.
Have your children mark their wishes and hopes for the coming 6 months onto the stones. They should write or draw their own wishes but you can help younger ones.
Then, asking the water fairies to hear their wishes, your children should say them out loud before throwing the stone into the water. You wan make it more fun by skipping the stones as far as you can.

Recommended for kids roughly ages 6 through adult.

Paint the symbols on smooth pebbles. Then, using a stick or your athame,
draw three concentric rings in the ground
(You can also paint the rings on a cloth that you then lay out to cast the
runes onto. The cloth can then be gathered and tied into a sack to hold the
stones when not in use.)
Hold the stones in both hands over the circles, high enough so that when
they fall, they scatter.

Stones coming to rest in the outer circle represent the far, still
developing future or people or events slightly influencing the situation.
The middle ring represents a more immediate influence or thing about to
happen, while the center ring is Right Now and the situation at hand.

The Stones & Their Meanings:
★Man – any male any age
★Woman – any female any age 
★Love – including friendship, family, romantic, pets or things one has a
strong attachment toward.
★Family – or Clan. This can also represent a group of friends or club that
you belong to.
★Gifts – presents, things other people “give” you. It can be material or
otherwise as in a new bike or the “gift” of their time.
★Money – cash or something you’ve earned
★Possessions – your “stuff”
★Poison – gossip, slander, bad vibes, negativity. Yucky stuff !
★Confusion – disordered thoughts, not thinking straight, not understanding
something
★War – any conflict, fights or quarrels
★Endings – you get that one don’t you? When a situation or something is over
and ended.
★Comfort – Warm fuzzies. Nice things. What makes you feel good, happy and
relaxed.
★Fire – this stone gives lots of energy to the other stones it’s close to. It
can also mean this is something you’re very excited about or very angry
about or care about passionately.

Beltane is a fire festival which was traditionally marked by the driving of cattle through two large bale fires to purify them of any lingering winter illness and purifications of both fire and water are preformed at this time in modern rituals.

In Wiccan mythology Beltaine is a time for union between goddess and god. This day is dedicated to the fiery young god as this is the time when the God has grown into a young man and claims his role as the Goddess’ lover. Sexuality and passion are enjoyed at Beltane and the traditional May Poles are a phallic symbol representing the union of the God into the Earth Goddess. Also, many Wiccan couples will perform the ritual of hand fasting on this day.

May is a good time for outdoor celebrations such as may pole dancing, so you could try to find a local fair or carnival to visit, then invite your friends home, and sit under the stars surrounded by the people you love.

Activities and Rituals

Fertilize, planting seeds,
Nurture and boost existing goals,
Games, activities of pleasure, may pole dance,
Leaping bonfires,
Making garlands,
Walking one’s property, feasting 

Crafts for All Ages

Beltane Crown

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/beltanecrafts/ss/FloralCrown.htm

If you’re holding any kind of Beltane celebration at all, it’s all about the flowers! Be sure to jazz up your festivities with a crown of flowers — it looks beautiful on any woman, and really brings out the goddess within. Not only that, it’s pretty heavy on the fertility symbolism as well. A floral crown is easy to make with just a few basic craft supplies.

You’ll need the following:
• Pipe cleaners (preferably green, but any color works in a pinch)
• Spring flowers, such as daisies, irises, petunias (leave the stems on)
• Ribbon in whatever colors you love

Take the pipe cleaners and create a circle that will fit your head. This usually takes two pipe cleaners for adults, and maybe one and a half for kids. Twist the ends together to form a ring.

Next, take two more pipe cleaners and loop them around the ring. This creates a framework for you to add your flowers.

Take your spring flowers and weave the stems through the pipe cleaner frame. Tuck the flowers in snugly so that the frame is covered. If you have trouble getting them to stay in place, or if they seem loose, wrap a bit of green florist’s wire around them for additional stability.

Finally, cut several ribbons in a variety of lengths. Tie them to the back of the flower wreath.

House Happy Charm

from Seasons

This is a small sachet pillow stuffed with good things, an excellent gift when people newly in love move in together. All the while you’re assembling it, focus on their hopes, dreams and your bright wishes for their hearth.

Make a 5x5inch pillow from interesting material. Sew up three of four corners right sides together and then turn right way out.

Gather, mix and empower the following herbs:

Sage and Sandlewood for blessing and protection
Lavender for domestic tranquility
Rose petals to honor their love
Vervain for bright witchery
A couple drops of cinnamon oil.

Mix the above with your stuffing, stuff the pillow and sew the open end shut then decorate as desired.

In sacred space, dedicate it under the auspices of the Lord and the Lady
If you’re blessing your friends home for them, include the pillow in the ritual. If they’re doing their own home blessing, offer it as a house warming gift.

Faye Garden Furniture

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Items needed:
twigs, vines, dried flowers
needle and thread
scrap material
scissors
hot glue gun-be sure little fingers are safe!
pruners to cut the twigs-again watch those little fingers

Directions:

Decide what you’re going to make. We’ll make a chair, to give you an example. Cut the twigs in this manner – one long, bendable piece that will form the back legs and back of the chair, and four equal lengthen twigs which will form the two front legs and the seat. The chair should stand no more than four inches tall (including the back)

Bend the long twig, and hot glue one of the smaller pieces in between the two ends where you want the seat to be. This will be the back of the seat. Hot glue on each side of the bent twig facing towards you a smaller twig; these will be the sides of the seat. Glue the front piece of the seat to these side twigs. Glue the two front legs to the seat so that the chair legs are even. If you wish, wrap the vines around the chair back and legs. Cut the scrap material to form a “back” and a “seat” – these are NOT to be as wide as the chair, but will fit inside of the twigs. Using your needle and thread, attach the material to the chair using a whip stitch. Hot glue small dried flowers at the top of the chair. This technique can be used to make all kinds of fairy furniture, from tables to beds, to sofas – all of which are sure to delight your fairies as much as your children!

In Wiccan mythology this is the beginning of the union between the God and the Goddess, sometimes it is considered to be their sexual union although some traditions see this as not occurring until Beltane. This is also a time when the maiden truly embodies the spirit of spring, wraps herself in a cloak of new flowers, and sees the adolescent sun god in a very new light. A time to celebrate being alive and truly look forward to what the year has to offer you with an open mind.

This is a time to rejoice the spring and natures’ beauty, to just get out and walk with the earth. We celebrate being alive at this time and that the days and nights are now equal, so this is an excellent time to balance out the things in your life that may not seem very even at this moment.

Share with the earth what you have at the moment, bury one egg in each corner of your garden and your house will be fruitful all year round. If you don’t have a recycle bin or a compost heap, now is the time to get one.

Egg Painting

Simply hard boil some eggs and get some simple paints such as poster paints and decorate your eggs.

Alternatively take egg shells, clean thoroughly and crush them up. Then place in to as many bowls as you want colors and add water and food coloring. Leave to soak over night, then remove and dry thoroughly. Draw your picture and cover with glue and then place the egg shells as you wish. This will take quite a few eggs depending on the size of picture you want to achieve so be prepared for lots of egg sandwiches lol

Also check out Patrick McCleary’s Ostara Eggs post at http://networkedblogs.com/p29108901 for a great craft idea.

While Monday focuses of the feminine Tuesday focuses of the masculine. Action, strength and competition are the order of the day, lead by the Gods Ares and Mars. Tuesday is the day when you can harness the power necessary to overcome challenged and adversities. In her poem about the days of the week Dorothy Morrison says about Tuesday “Compete today and you will go far” and it is certainly the day when you are most likely to be successful in the things that you undertake.

Tuesday is another day when the energies are right for addressing conflicts, but from a more proactive, positive action stance rather than one of conciliation. It’s certainly the day to address issues in your child’s life like bullying and big assignments etc.

Fruit/Food

Hearty foods like carrots, peppers, garlic and spices

Colour

Red, Orange

Deities

Ninlil

Ninlil is the Sumerian Goddess of ‘the Open Field’. Her story is very similar to that of the Greek Persephone, but a little more violent.

Ares/Mars

Ares and Mars are, respectively, the Greek and Roman gods of War

Planet

Mars, the Red Planet

Metals and Gemstones

Iron

Iron is often used in defensive magic, especially magick aimed at providing psychic protection, because if is believed to deflect negativity. Old charms to protect people against the powers of the Witch would be made from Iron, and many people imprisoned during the Witch Hunts were  restrained with Iron.

Bloodstone

This stone is used in healing to increase strength and issues with the bloodstream and magically it can promote courage. Bloodstone has also been found to increase the potency of spells.

Time-Out Reconnect

I find the hardest thing to do is give my child time out, even when I’m storming mad because she’s broken something. Of course things are healed with a hug at the end but sometimes you need to re-establish with the little terrors that you still love them despite the punishments by doing something together without rewarding their behaviour.

Some time after your big blow out sit down with your child with a piece of paper and a white candle (if it is safe to do so, you can substitute white for blue and be sure to explain the reasons for those candle colours). If they are old enough have them write down all the things they have been punished for in the last week and what made them sad about the event. When they’ve done that, you also write down what made you sad. If they are old enough you might even want to discuss the situation. At the bottom of the page write something along the lines of;

We banish all that made us sad,

We will forgive what made us mad,

We will forget what has been done

No lets go out and have some FUN!

Again, if it is safe to burn the paper, alternatively tear it up and place it in the garden. Then go do something together which they will enjoy. Don’t reward them with presents or anything special as you may well encourage the bad behaviour, make it a walk in nature or simply a game that you play anyway. You can also adapt this for healing rifts between children as well.

Fairies of the Land    

This takes up the association of Monday with growth and agriculture and comes in two parts. It’s something that can be done throughout the seasons both to honour the land and involve children in gardens and gardening.

You can create your own fairy patch where your visiting and resident fairies can feel at home. You can include useful plants like lavender, rosemary, forget-me-nots and other sweet smelling and butterfly attracting blooms and bushes or simply let a patch of garden grow wild. Waterfalls, little pools of water, wind chimes, bird baths and houses and circles of rocks will also make the fairies feel at home.  

You can involve your child is the planting out of this fairy garden, have them paint stones in their favourite colours.

When you want to honour the spirits of the land and your garden you can take your child into the garden with offerings such as milk, bread, honey and small amounts of sugar to be placed in shallow dishes for the fairies. You might want to encourage dressing up, tea parties and dancing around the garden before and or after the placing of the offerings.

Have your child say something like

As I watch my garden grow, I see the fairy magic flow.

If you are growing something special like vegetables or special flowers that you want to attract the fairies to, because we all know that plants on which fairies live grow the best, place the offerings around the plants roots and say something to the effect of;

Fairies of the Flowers and Land, I place this offering of [enter offering type] here so that you might see my [enter plant name] and make it your home. May you shelter and protect each other for all time/until harvest comes (if it is a harvesting vegetable)

You can also use this to call the fairies into your garden for the first time.

Keep making regular offerings, once a month maybe. It might be something you want to tie in with your Esbat ritual as you can make use of your alter offerings.

Craft Idea

Luna Crown

You will need

-          Construction Card, a length about 2cm wide and long enough to fit around your child’s head with an over lap

-          Blue Card, long enough to encircle your child’s head without overlap

-          White Card

-          Ruler

-          Craft Knife or scissors

-          Sticky tape (or a stapler) and glue

-          Stickers, glitter, cotton wool

-          You may also want a template of the triple moon, scaled to fit on your child’s forehead

 Take the blue card and stick the construction card to the back.

Take your template and on the reverse of the blue card draw a slightly larger than intended triple moon.  You might want to make a slight fold to mark the centre and place the template here.

Measure out and draw a line about three cm up from the top of the construction card band.

Cut along this line and around the triple moon shape that appears above this line. When you are finished you should have a 4-5 cm wide band with a partial triple moon shape in the centre.

Now draw around your template on the white card, cut out and stick on the blue card, giving you white moons framed by dark blue.

Now you can decorate the crown with stars and glitter and use cotton wool for clouds. When done fit around your child’s head and secure with tape or staples.

Monday’s association are stated within its name and is linked to one of the most obvious heavenly bodies in our lives the Moon. The moon is a calming influence on our lives and is also associated with the movements of nature as it controls the tides of the ocean and land.

Monday is also a day to work on developing psychic abilities and on visions and dreams. You could play games with flash cards or cast spells to address dreams, whether that is to deal with bad dreams or strengthen our childs receptivity to dream messages.

Magic worked on a Monday might not immediately look as through it can be child friendly but that is not the case. Fertility can be viewed in terms of fertility of the land, domestic matters can deal with sibling conflicts and healing rifts, help them over come fearful dreams by jointly invoking Selene, Luna or Artemis to watch over your child at night or whilst they travel to far off places without you.

Fruit

Melon

Colour

Silver, Grey and White

Planet

Luna, the Moon

Deities

Artemis

Greek goddess of the Moon and the Hunt, sister of the sun God Apollo

Manannán mac Lir

Celtic God of the Sea and by association the Moon, he is also associated with the Celtic Otherworld 

Metals and Gemstones

Silver

Silver is considered the metal of the moon because of its colour and its magical associations.  Silver is associated with feminine forces, just as the moon itself is. It is a relaxing, balancing metal which is very much associated with protection as well as dreaming and visions.

Moonstone

Like its name suggests Moonstone is closely linked to the moon and with feminine energies. It is good for regulating cycles, such as the menstruation cycle. It is also used for calming and soothing emotional states and it great for calming meditations

Amethyst

A “Master Healing Crystal”. Amethyst’s most noted healing quality is its ability to purify and transmute all forms of negativity. For children “in transition”, whether it be a growth spurt, a major disappointment such as failing a grade, or even hearing the devastating news of divorce or death, Amethyst accepts all negative emotions and provides comfort through spiritual acceptance. For children with various disabilities or with either physical or emotional pain, an Amethyst cluster in the room will help clear unwanted discharged energies, bringing the room back into a balanced state. For local pain, hold an Amethyst directly on or over the area for up to 20 minutes.

Apache Tear

The “Grief Stone”. Apache Tear is actually Obsidian and is very dark but transparent. When you hold a small piece up to the light you can see through it. However, if you have been using the Apache Tear to absorb negative emotions, you will see it cloud up and become opaque. Sometimes it will clear up after the grieving is over.

Aventurine

The “Leadership Stone”. Aventurine strengthens and restores the Heart energy, providing a balance of male and female energies. This crystal is green and very loving, embracing, and protective of the Heart. Many children who are shy, timid, or suppressing their leadership qualities need a crystal like Aventurine. This stone helps the individual to become active and to initiate action on their own accord. Asthmatic children seem attracted to this stone as it opens up the lungs and they experience a sense of relief.

Carnelian

A “Self-Esteem Crystal”. Carnelian is used to help restore feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. The deep orange colours relate well to strengthening and blending the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd chakras, promoting self-security and self-love. The pinker shades relate to enhancing love between child and parent, through self-acceptance. This crystal is also used for dermatological ailments such as acne, by holding the stone over the skin and moving it in circles for several minutes, several times a day.

Clear Quartz

The “Healing Crystal”. Clear Quartz is a general all-purpose healing crystal. Each Quartz crystal has its own energy signature and healing mission. When a child makes contact with the right crystal, the energy is discharged either very slowly, or quite suddenly so it feels like a very mild electric shock. This natural energy can be just enough to transform a disharmonious thought pattern, burn off some negative emotional state, or even place the spiritual seeds of one’s future into consciousness. Using a cluster of Clear Quartz crystals for children is particularly nice, as so many different types of crystals (record-keepers, transmitters, channelers, etc.) are included. There’s a crystal for any occasion! Crystal clusters are also helpful to organize scattered thoughts and to deflect negative energies.

Rose Quartz

“The Love Stone”. Rose Quartz is another terrific general healing crystal for children especially for those who have a lot of hurt feelings or aggressive tendencies. Rose Quartz can soothe a broken heart shattered by seeing raw Reality – the ways things are, rather than the way one wants them to be. For hyperactive children Rose Quartz soothes erratic emotional states, anxiety, fear, compulsions, and many other mental disorders. Some neurological benefits have also been noticed with muscle spasms relaxing when Rose Quartz is guided over the nerve centres. For young hearts, Rose Quartz helps to keep the Heart chakra open, vital and protected, filtering in good energies and keeping out the bad.

Lapis Lazuli

A “Psychic Balance Stone”. Lapis Lazuli is an incredible stabilizer for children who show psychic gifts early in life. The deep blue colour stimulates expansion of consciousness in a supportive way, promoting purification and clarity of spiritual insight. Lapis Lazuli provides self-acceptance of one’s given gifts and encourages openness of one’s spiritual awareness. This stone is highly prized for its protective powers and stimulation of all psychic senses.

Jade

A “Soother of Emotions Stone”. Jade is easily obtained and can be openly worn by children as regular “jewelry”. Emotionally sensitive children often need a supportive system to ensure that their feelings do not overwhelm them. Jade enhances confidence, self-assurance, and self-reliance. Jade is very inspirational in helping one achieve one’s desires in life. This stone is often available from a Chinese goods merchant and is often sold in the shape of thin coins.

Tiger Eye

A “Grounding Stone”. Tiger Eye has thin rutile inclusions, and when rocked back and forth the light reflects in a certain way as if the tiger’s eye were winking at you! Let your children explore this fastinating stone and help them find the flashing Tiger’s Eye. This stone is excellent for grounding psychic energy and providing security for opening up the psychic centers. Sometimes children get carried away and get lost in their dream world. Tiger Eye helps to pull them back into their bodies (after astral travel). This stone is very useful to put action to one’s thoughts. Tiger’s Eye is about being practical. Perhaps every parent needs one for their child before trips to the shopping mall.

Pyrite

A “Protection Stone”. Iron Pyrite comes in many different shapes, from sun discs to cubes. Children are attracted to its shiny brassy surfaces. Pyrite is like a small mirror; negative energy is relected away. The terror of being unprotected is reduced. There is also a feeling of physical empowerment, that life in the physical form is perfect, and love is abundant.

The sun is shining over my home town, which makes a change, and the office I am working in is almost warm so I’m feeling that spring has almost sprung.

I sent my daughter off to her childminders sporting a Candle Crown in green and pink and she appears quite taken with her new hat, and I’m going to place out candles to light in my windows when I get home tonight.

Whatever you do, have a bright and blessed day.