Lammas Crafts

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Lammas CraftsFollowing is a variety of crafts relating to this first harvest.Corn NecklaceObtain an ear of fresh corn (I would probably use the one with the big and toughKernels, in fact the larger and tougher the better but not completely dried.)

Break the ear in half after the husk has been removed and then begin popping offThe kernels, beginning at the broken end of each half and going around andAround. Try not to break the kernels in half, but to leave the white points on

Them.Then, with about two or three feet of heavy thread on a large needle, beginStringing the kernels by putting the needle through the very center of each one.When the strand is long enough to make a necklace (one ear is usually more than

Enough) tie the ends of the thread together and hang the necklace in a warm, dryPlace for a few weeks.The kernels will dry, shrivel and shrink, and it may be necessary to tighten theKnot.You can also use Indian corn that has been field died as it has beautiful

Colors.You want to be able to use this necklace year after year so you need to sprayWith polyurethane or varnish to protect from moths.~fromMa'at's Book of ShadowsHerbed Dream Pillows

Difficulty level: 2, adult help neededPrinted with permission from Spirit OnlineDO NOT ingest herbs or oils.Piece of plain or muslin clothPiece of fancy cloth or of a material you can decorateYour choice of herbs and oils (look below)

EyedropperWooden or glass bowlWooden spoon(Never mix herbs and oils with or in anything metal.)Cut out two pieces of muslin or plain cloth 12 " x 8 " , these will hold the herbs.Place he wrong sides of the material (if there are any) together.

With a 3/4-inch seam allowance stitch the two 8 " sides and one of the 12 " sides.Three sides of the fabric should be sown.Turn this little bag inside out so the seams are now on the inside.This is the " inner pillow " in which you will put your herbal mixture.

Using the fancier material cut two more pieces of material 12 " x 8 " .Stitch them the same as the " inner pillow " except sew only with a 3/8 " seamAllowance.As with the inner pillow, turn it so the seams are on the inside.

If you wish embroider it in any design or decorate it with fabric paints, do itNow.If you plan to make this cover removable for washing, turn down a small hem onThe open end and attach small Velcro disks or snaps to keep it closed.

In a large wooden or glass bowl, mix together the herbs you have chosen with aWooden spoon.This is done gently, like tossing a salad.With the eyedropper, add the chosen oils to the herbs.Use no more than a total of 5-6 drops at a time until you reach the strength you

Desire. Remember what smells nice standing over the bowl may well be too strongWhen you sleep on the pillow, use restraint.Fill your " inner pillow " with the herbal mixture.Don't pack it full or it will be uncomfortable to sleep on. Leave it a little

Flat.Turn in a little of the open end so the raw edges are inside, then sew this endShut.Slide this inside your decorated cover, attach the fasteners, and you are readyFor sweet dreams.Oils

Bergamot: (not the mint kind) soothes the nerves, gives relaxing sleep.Hyacinth: stops nightmares.Jasmine: helps increase psychic dreams, lifts depression, quiets the nerves;Is calming.Lavender: relaxing deep sleep.

Lilac: recalling past lives.Mimosa: prophetic dreams; getting to the truth; making decisions.HerbsAngelica : prophetic dreams and visions.Anise: use just a little to repel nightmares.Bay Laurel: inspiration; repels negativity.

Cedar: helps to repel bad dreams.Cloves: use just a tiny amount because of the strong odor. Retrieving buriedMemories.Hops: restful sleep and healing.Marjoram: relieves depression.Mugwort: visions and prophetic dreams.

Mullein: repels bad dreams.Rosemary: use just a little as it is very strongly scented. Avoid nightmares andHeadaches.St. Johns Wort: banishes spirits.Valerian: deep rest. Some cats love this herb as much as catnip so keep it

Out of their reach! (Valerian is the root used to make valium, keep this outChildren's' reach.)Maple Oatmeal SoapDifficulty level: 1, adult supervision required1 bar Ivory soap, grated

OatmealA little maple syrupsoap moldsMix soap, oatmeal, and maple in a microwave-safe bowl.Microwave for 30 seconds.Pour into soap molds, let cool.Rosemary & Roses CandleDifficulty level: 1, adult help needed

paraffin waxwickpencilcandle moldminiature roses, or large rose petalslots of springs of fresh rosemary, cut to different lengthsCut wick to desired length (length of candle mold plus 3 inches).

Tie wick to pencil and lie pencil over candle mold with the wick inside themold.Gently heat paraffin wax in an old tin in a pan of hot water.Drop a few petals/flowers and rosemary in mold.Carefully pour some wax into the mold.

Add some more petals/flowers and rosemary, then more wax, and so on until themold is full.Let cool.Remove pencil and remove candle from mold.(Ma'at's note: the above recipe is a wonderful way to capture the scent of those

gorgeous roses which are coming into the last of their bloom right now…)Difficulty Level:1-easy2-still easy but takes more time3-medium, may need a second pair of hands4-complicated but well worth it

CORNThe term " corn " itself has come to mean something different today than it did inancient days. Corn used to mean any type of grain: wheat, barley, etc. It onlycame to mean the yellow niblet type kernels after the discovery of America. So

when you read about " Corn " dolls, remember they were NOT made of " maize " , butwheat or other grass.Ancient peoples made Corn dolls from the last sheaf of grain which was cut byall the harvesters together. The harvesters stand away and throw their sickles

until one succeeds in cutting the sheaf. That person is honored later at thefeast. These corn dolls were sacred to the Cailleach, the Crone.A Corn/Sun Wheel honors the Sun God of the festival. It is made from eight ears

of miniature or squaw corn. The husk of the corn are attached to a circle (couldbe made with a clothes hanger) and the eight ears come together in the middle ofthe circle and can be attached to a small wooden disk.

Necklaces of corn are also made to celebrate the harvest and as a convenient wayto save seeds for next years planting.(from 'Ancient Ways' by Pauline Campanelli)