Corn dollies have been made throughout history for various reasons, dating back as early as ancient Egypt. Usually, a dolly would be made with the last or the best shafts of wheat straw, to represent the spirit of the harvest. Often the little dolly made out of the straws would be kept and honored, eventually being given back to the land.

Simple corn dollies are incredibly easy to make. Or you might try your hand at fashioning the artful, more complex creations that are popular in folk craft.

To make a simple one, you only need some wheat straw, if possible, with the seed heads still attached. It’s best to get it while it’s almost ripe, but not totally dry. It will probably be green at the bottom. If you don’t have access to wheat straw, you can use raffia, which is commonly found at craft stores and will resemble flattened straw.

Where can I get wheat straw that is still somewhat ripe? I guess I can use raffia.

Here is the link for instructions with pictures. http://owlsdaughter.blogspot.com/2008/09/corn-dollies.html

thanks I might try to make one soon

I think I will, too. This one looks easier as I can get corn pretty easily at the grocery store.

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/imbolccrafts/ss/Brighid_Dolly.htm

Very nice

Very interesting Ruth. Thank you for sharing this.


Look at the tower I live in now

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That's a very nice tower!

I found this on the website out of curiousity.

Tonight, I saw a message in our "Witch Chat" asking how to tell if you are a Witch...

I was interested in how to answer that question, for I remember 13 years ago when I asked myself that same question.

The answer has been a rewarding journey to know myself and to see, with open eyes, the good and bad of the Craft. Yes, there are both aspects to it, and the trick in getting along in it is to recognize these things.

But... back to the question. How do you know if you are a Witch?

For starters... If you are uncomfortable with "ready made" answers and religions, often are left feeling vague and confused with the "truths" being spoon fed to you and with you always left feeling less than when you know you are "more than", then my friend, you are a Witch.

If you are tired of being called a sinner when you've done nothing wrong, you are a Witch.

If you find yourself rooting for the Witch in stories like Hansel and Grettle, or The Wizard of Oz, you are, indeed, a Witch ;>)

If you feel the power of nature and seek to be immersed or live within Nature, in all her Majesty, you are a Witch.

If you believe God can be reached in more than one way, and you see your beliefs as a 24x7 lifestyle, you are a Witch.

If you believe "And it harm none, so mote it be" covers all the bases of the ten commandments in one single rule, you are a Witch.

If you trust yourself and are strong inside, knowing who and what you are about, you are a Witch.

If you prefer to walk alone when the herd walks a different path, you, my dear friend, are a blooming Witch.

If you feel for and cherish life, truth, and being "real" above appearances and expected "norms", you are a Witch.

If you choose spirituality over social convienience and privilege, you are a Witch.

If you love Magic, old traditions, and the Sabbats, you are a Witch.

So... If you are all of these things... The answer is?

YOU ARE A WITCH! BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE, FOR YOU WALK THE MOST DIFFICULT PATH OF ALL RELIGIONS. YOU ARE A HERO FOR DARING TO FACE UP TO AND WALK IN THE PATH OF PATHS.

Blessed Be!

Now for the other side of the coin...

What WitchCraft is NOT!

WitchCraft is NOT "ALL" about spells and showing off.

WitchCraft is NOT for children without guidance and acceptance from parents. It is an adult choice and desire to walk this path, and children from childhood into their teens do need assistance and guidance as they use their new eyes and minds to travel the roads of the Craft.

WitchCraft is NOT a power trip for showing off new skills or abilities. It *is* a means of helping others and to use our gifts wisely and quietly.

WitchCraft is NOT about gaining control of others. If there is a sin in the Craft, it is to use Magick or other means to manipulate or hurt other people, with or without their knowledge. The rule of 3x3 plays a large role here.

WitchCraft is NOT about casting spells for everything you see and want. While it is fine to ask for things for yourself, much of Magick is simply a reinforcement to mundane and focused real-world efforts to get what you need. Combining hard work with Magick gives the best results. Period. Besides, the Goddess helps those who help themselves.

WitchCraft is NOT about wearing jewlery, charms, and expensive amulets. It IS about being real and even blending in a bit. The most powerful witches I know don't even wear pentacles, except at Sabbats. The small hidden jewel or pentacle doesn't hurt, but as they say in the real world: "WitchCraft doesn't pay for broken Windows". Wear your Craft carefully and wisely in this world that is hostile to freedom of expression.


WitchCraft is NOT about making others uncomfortable with an "in your face" presentation of a pentacle in everyone else's midst. There is a time and place for such things, and a wise Witch knows this intuitively.

WitchCraft is NOT an excuse to hide behind when things get tough. Witches are responsible for their actions. If you make a mess, either magickally or mundanely, then clean it up and take responsbility for your mistake.

WitchCraft is NOT some dodge to use as a means to get sex, do drugs, or push some immoral agenda. It is a state of mind and action. Sex has it's place, and drugs are best administered by doctors. Some in the Craft feel it is ok to mix these powerful elements with the Craft. This is wrong.

WitchCraft is NOT about living all of the time in one role. It is enough to have it play a large part in your life, but don't forget all the other wonderful things in life... Balance the Craft with your other talents and interests, and your life will be rich indeed.

WitchCraft is NOT a part-time hobby. It is your job to follow the Rede to the best of your ability at all times. Just as some Christians are Sunday morning church folk, some Witches are Sabbat-only Witches. True WitchCraft comes from sticking with it and living the part on a regular basis. Through practice and service comes Wisdom and rank.

WitchCraft is NOT about taking unnecessary risks. Going alone to some coven meeting with people you don't know is one of these risks. Always go with someone you know and make sure people know where you will be. Taking unknown potions or drinks is another risk not worth doing. In fact, any behavior or act that makes you uncomfortable is your higher self warning you. Heed these warnings. A good coven goes out of it's way to make you feel good about yourself and your being in it's presence.

These are a few thoughts I present in my answer to you new Witches... I hope it helps you to realize the truth of the Craft... If you walk the path, stay in the center, and you will do fine.

www.witchcraft.com

I have been thinking about becoming a Warlock

According to Christopher Penczak, Witchcraft is an art, science and religion. A Witch is someone who lives the art, science and religion of witchcraft. I agree with this statement.

It is impossible to sum up in a few sentences what the art, science and religion of witchcraft is. It is said to take a minimum of a year and a day study to really have a good understanding of what it's all about. I believe that anyone who pursues this knowledge and practice and then still wants/needs to continue this path after a year and a day, is a witch.

It either is a part of you and you find the "home" you've been looking for in it, or you don't. And, it will be obvious to you after a fairly short period of time if you are a witch because you will not be able to turn away from it. It takes a lot of time and effort to master the practices of witchcraft. If you put in the time and effort, you are a witch.

Good point

This is apparently what I wrote over a year ago in the "Wicca" thread. (My previous post in bold)

I, personally, do not believe witchcraft is a religion. I know some Christians who practice what I call witchcraft. Here is a basic definition that I go by. My opinion only.

Witchcraft today may be seen as the sum total of all a Witch's practices, including but not limited to: spellcasting, divination ("fortune telling"), meditation, herbalism, ritual and ritual drama, singing and dancing to raise energy, healing, clairvoyance and other psychism, creative mythology, and more.

The biggest difference to me between someone who is clairvoyant or practices divination and someone who is a witch is the ritual aspect of it. All witches that I know of use ritual and view their powers as coming from themselves and the earth's energies. Deities are called in by some and not by others.

Do you remember that thread, Mirror? I was going back through it and it was interesting to watch how we all met and interacted with eachother when we first met. I think I've changed a lot since last year. Interesting.

yes,its interesting.I agree, there is a difference between natural psychic abilities and witchcraft or ritual magic. I don't do any of that. My knowledge is of an ongoing revelatory nature.

Good for you, Mirror.

I really do think that the universe is alive and will communicate with a person if that person will just listen and watch for the signs

I absolutely agree with that statement. It has happened to me numerous times. If I would shut up, it would probably happen more.

I believe witchcraft is a vast knowledge that takes a lifetime to study. The more you study the more you will know that includes wisdom and knowledge. Of course as a child growing up with German midwives that practice traditional holidays and rituals is not foreign to me even though I never took it serious as a child or even a teenager. Today I see a big significance of how important it was at one time and how important it is for some today. A midwife was something respected in the community for a long time before certain events happened that I don't want to get into at the moment.

I personally see a witch like a zen master, or a buddhist monk, or a druid that helped their people at one time. They each have different ways of studying, practicing, and believing, but I think it leads to the same road eventually, which is the well being of each indvividual.

It is interesting to see that we can take different paths of belief systems that makes us most happy. Sometimes what we believe can change with experience and usually this is good for such changes can be for the better of our well being as for others around us. It is a neverending learning experience.

If we dig deeper we will find answers that works best for us. That I can be certain off.

That it is.

Good morning beautiful witches and spiritualists of Mingle.

I hope things are going well with everyone.

Not so great here. I stayed home with my daughter yesterday because she was sick and now I think I have it.