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Enter Midnight at the Grove ... if you dare!

Snow White: It's About Time

4/5/2025

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Illustration by Isobel Read from "Fairy Tales", Retold by Katharine Gibson, Whitman Publishing Company, 1950

The key message in Snow White was never about a girl waiting for a Prince to come and rescue her. That is a shallow interpretation. Snow White is the battle between a maiden, who is coming-of-age and of a mother/crone, who can not accept the passage of time. It is a story of life and death. Neither of which can be avoided by any one of us.

The Evil Queen already lived her time as a maiden. She could have chosen to enjoy the opportunity to be mother to Snow White. But when she saw the little girl's beauty, and the looking glass informed her that her time of maidenhood had passed, she became consumed with fear of becoming the crone.


The Magic of Numbers:
3:
The magic number 3 is very significant in the tale of Snow White. This is because there are 3 phases in a woman's life: maiden, mother & crone. They are reinforced 3 key times in this fairy tale. The 1st instance is when Snow White is described as having skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood and hair as black as ebony. The 2nd instance is shown in the Evil Queen's attempts on Snow White's life - the laces, comb and apple. And finally, the 3rd occurrence swoops in as the owl, the raven and the dove; who are the faithful sentinels watching over Snow White in her glass coffin. The nameless men also factor into the story 3 times: the huntsman who spares Snow White's life, the 7 dwarfs and the Prince.
7:
The magic number 7 in Snow White is curious but its utilization becomes clear when one understands its symbolism ie completeness & capacity. 7 is woven throughout this tale because at the end of the story, Snow White blossoms into the completeness of full maidenhood & is capable to start the next phase - motherhood, which of course, requires the appearance of a man! Snow White is said to be 7 years old when the Queen becomes jealous of her beauty, Snow White travels over 7 hills before she encounters the house of ... the 7 Dwarfs. And that is 3 x 7 = 21. My guess is this might have meant to signify that when the Prince finally came across Snow White in her glass coffin ... she was now 21 years old. A rather "old" maiden for the time but illustrating that Snow White too, just as the Evil Queen, could not escape time; in her case by sleeping forever. She had to become a maiden, just as the Queen had to become a Crone. And it is not until she "awakens", that the Queen is forced to face her own, inescapable demise.

What about the boys?
All of the men in the story were integral to Snow White's transformation to full maidenhood, but the story remains about her transformation:
1. the huntsman does the Evil Queen's bidding by taking Snow White into the forest with instructions to kill her and bring back her heart & liver for the Queen to eat,
(Note: This little ritualistic bit of cannibalism was probably the Queen's hopeful bid to consume Snow White's youth & revive her own),
2. the Seven Dwarfs? Non-threatening, non-human caretaker "men"; they provide the safety for Snow White to grow up, and finally,
3. the Prince triggers the final event that will bring Snow White into full maidenhood.
(Note: Notice too how none of these men can interfere with the process. The huntsman is unable to kill Snow White due to her innocence & beauty. The dwarfs warn Snow White not to open the door while they are away, but seem impotent to think of another way to safeguard her; and the Prince would never have thought to release her from her coffin, had his servants not stumbled while carrying it, dislodging the apple from her throat).

The key player in Snow White's transformation, and in the Crone's demise
.. is time.

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Walt Disney understood magic. In 1938, he had to "sanitize" the fairy tale of Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, to appeal to the audience of the time. But the symbolism & message remained intact. And the tale he told .. was still one of womanhood and time.


Contrast this to the makers & portrayers of the new 2025 Disney movie. They think they modernized the tale. In an attempt to "fix" their superficial interpretation of the fairy tale, they created a more "active" role in life for Snow White, as the rightful Ruler of the Land. But they only reinforced her original transformation. For in this new version, Snow White does become a full maiden and now she is the "mother" of her people. The Evil Queen? Now, she's the one who needed help. But this time, they didn't even allow her the natural closure of death - they made her forever a victim of the magic mirror from which she apparently drew her power. But in the original version, the Queen was schooled in the art of witchcraft. That's how she was able to fashion the poison comb and apple. To liberate her? Would have been for the maiden to learn herbalism and life's wisdom from the crone. If, of course, the crone could accept her role.
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Illustration by Adele Werber, Grimms' Fairy Tales, Grosset & Dunlap, 1963
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Ah, but the Prince! Now HE's been liberated! He's been elevated to a starring role. Now, more than ever, he is responsible for Snow White's transformation. He tells her what's what. He directs her what to think, what to do and when to do it. So I guess they did bring Snow White into the modern age after all.

Me? I prefer the old tale - which was about women, nature and the endless battle (or acceptance) of time. The men played a supporting role in Grimms' "Snow White". Not because they weren't important. But because the story was about Snow White. And it was ... about time.
Bibliography:  Grimms' Fairy Tales, Translated by Mrs. E.V. Lucas, Lucy Crane & Marian Edwards, Grosset & Dunlap, New York, USA, 1963; Fairy Tales, Retold by Katharine Gibson, Whitman Publishing Company, Racine, Wisconsin, USA, 1950; The Brothers Grimm, The Complete Fairy Tales, Wordsworth Editions Ltd., Cumberland House, Hertfordshire, Great Britain, 1997; Grimms' Fairy Tales, Peal Press, London, Great Britain.
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan, 2025
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RAPUNZEL -  DIVINE MOTHER

1/23/2024

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Fairy Tales, Whitman Publishing Company, 1950
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There are a lot of strong girls in fairy tales who turn into strong women. Rapunzel is one of those strong girls.

The story goes that the King's son happens to hear Rapunzel singing in the tower. Enchanted by her beautiful voice (in itself a magic); he climbs her long hair to the tower window and visits her often. Between them, they devise a way for her to escape old mother Gothel (the witch who imprisoned her). He brings silk every day for Rapunzel to weave into a ladder. Unfortunately, during this time, she is unable to hide her pregnancy and, in a fit of rage (disappointment?), the witch cuts off Rapunzel's golden hair and banishes her to the desert. There, alone, she gives birth to her twins, a boy and a girl. (The pregnancy version is usually sanitized in most re-tellings to Rapunzel letting slip to old mother Gothel that she has had a male visitor.)

Meanwhile, her poor husband, tricked by the witch, climbs up Rapunzel's severed hair to the tower window and is confronted. His eyes are "cat"* scratched out; either by the witch herself, or when he jumps from the tower into the thorn bushes below (another downgrading). He wanders, blind, through the wilderness for over a year (sometimes several years), until one day he hears his love singing. Rapunzel holds him and her tears drop into his eyes; instantly healing them.

So here we have this incredible girl, surrendered by her parents, cast out by her "guardian", facing pregnancy and childbirth alone; who grows into woman, mother and healer ... all by her own inner strength (initiated by the catalyst of the Prince ie the force of Mother Nature). 
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*Interesting Note: Some versions reference old mother Gothel gloating to the King's son that the "singing bird (Rapunzel) no longer sits in her nest, for the cat has got her and will scratch your eyes out as well!"
Since in one version, the witch scratches his eyes out herself; I like to think mother Gothel is referencing her ability to shapeshift into a cat. Or perhaps a long forgotten familiar plays a role in this tale? There is allusion in the illustration below, showing a cat spying on Rapunzel and her lover.

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Old Friends and Lasting Favorites, The Golden Press, 1962
I enjoy comparing versions of fairy tales and collecting alternate versions as I find them. I have at least six print versions of Rapunzel ranging back to a 1909 Folio Society reprint. "Grimm's Grimmest" has research into the oldest known version. There are delightful differences in each one.

However, I'm not fond of the most latest incarnations. The newest version of Rapunzel (2013) I happened on is particularly disappointing. It is altered to the point of removing most of Rapunzel's strength and even some of the magical power of the other two women. In this version, Rapunzel's parents are "poor" and need to eat the rampion in the witch's garden to survive (a political insertion). This removes either the weakness/magical ability of her own mother/father or the witch's magic; as in all other versions, the Rapunzel's mother spies the rampion growing in the witch's garden below her window and is seized with a desire to make a salad of it. It also removes the devotion/weakness of her husband (or the magical spell woven over him) who then brings his wife many delicacies to tempt her appetite. Nothing, however, will satisfy her but the witch's rampion so he steals it from the garden and, when caught by the witch, surrenders Rapunzel in trade. Now, this leads me to believe one of three possibilities: 1. the rampion had been magically cursed by the witch to trap the young mother-to-be, 2. Rapunzel's mother was weak/selfish, or 3. she had pregnancy cravings! In most newer versions, Rapunzel may give birth and care for her babies alone in the wild until she is found by her lover; but in many this has been removed entirely or she has children only after the King's son finds her and they reunite with her parents. (She does at least, it seems, always heal her husband's eyes.) It is a rather sad and ironic dismissal of Rapunzel's female strength in today's time in history.

So I much prefer the brave Rapunzel. The imprisoned girl who, twice deprived of motherly role models from both her own inadequate mother and her over-protective adoptive mother; grows into a strong woman, survives the wilderness, endures childbirth alone, becomes a proper mother to her own babies, and heals her lover of the pains he suffered on her behalf.

Rapunzel is a "coming of age" fairy tale of a maiden who triumphs beautifully in all three stages of womanhood. The two men act as catalysts/helpers and are usually at ​the mercy of being bewitched by the three women in the story -  maiden, mother and crone.

​Brave Rapunzel! Survivor, Mother, Healer.
Bibliography: Fairy Tales, (retold by Katharine Gibson) Whitman Publishing Company, Racine, USA, 1950; The Brothers Grimm - The Complete Fairy Tales, Wordsworth Editions Ltd., Great Britain, 1997; Grimm's Fairy Tales (taken from German Popular Stories, 1823 & translated by Mrs. Edgar Lucas in 1909, Constable & Co. Ltd., reprinted 2003 by The Folio Society; Grimm's Grimmest, Intro by Maria Tatar, Chronicle Books, USA, 1997; Old Friends and Lasting Favorites, edited by Bryna & Louis Untermeyer, Golden Press, Inc., New York, USA, 1962; My Treasury of Princess Stories, Igloo Books Ltd. 2013, USA.
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan, 2024
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Love Thyself - Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me

2/10/2022

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Artist: Frances Tipton Hunter, 1896-1957

Remember this rhyme? I love old sayings because in addition to being easy to remember; they are also concise, remain relevant and contain deeper meaning. When I was a kid, I was scared to say this to teasing bullies because I thought it might encourage them to start throwing sticks and stones ... instead of words!! However, this means that I understood the true essence of this age-old chant; which is really a reminder to the self to only fear what is physically harmful. While I might have been subjectively injured by their words ... it was the possible objective injury from sticks and stones that I really feared. I think that while politeness and good manners can be insisted upon, there is still a message here that is desperately needed in today's world.

If you ruminate on the "sticks and stones" rhyme, it becomes apparent that while you might not be able to control physical injury from someone hurtling hard objects at you (ie may break my bones), you certainly can control the power of someone to wound your psyche with their words (ie will never hurt me). The choice lies within us. Now I know this is easier said than done because we all know that words do hurt. Sure they do!! However, today's attempt to control another's speech by censoring writer's works of fiction, the insistence on replacing, redefining or adopting certain words, and even shutting down whole conversations (beyond requesting commonplace politeness and manners), is a misplaced attempt to instill kindness. It is not the way forward because what constitutes hurtful words, and even kindness as well, is very subjective. Instead we need to remember that the power lies within us to exercise our freedom of association and associate with whom and what thoughts we choose. This is especially important for children and teens which is probably why this was a nursery rhyme!

This Valentine's Day; may I humbly suggest that if you know a loved one who is allowing themselves to be constantly damaged by another's words, or who has bought into society's new reactive trend of "cancelling" people who politely and thoughtfully disagree with them; that it would be a sincerely loving gift to remind them that it is they who possess the power to ensure that "words will never hurt me" - not the other person. By allowing themselves to be hurt by words - they are handing that power over to others. What a silly thing to do! It is a fruitless and exhausting exercise to try and control another person's view of you. All that matters is what one thinks of one's self. Therein lies one of the secrets to self-esteem. Happy Valentine's Day!

PictureRobbie Coltrane, "Hagrid", Harry Potter, Photographer Unknown

Remember Hagrid in Harry Potter? When Draco called Hermione a "mudblood" (offensive word in the wizarding world), he said, "He did not!". Hagrid acknowledged Hermione's pain but then he advised, "Don't you think on it Hermione. Don't you think on it for one minute." This was incredibly insightful because he was instructing her not to allow others perceptions to determine how she perceived herself.

Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan, 2022
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CANDLES: GAIN FOCUS WITH THIS MAGICAL TOOL

9/19/2021

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Local metaphysical & health food stores offer unique candles
Strong focus is essential to working a successful spell, but if you're like me, you have a hard time staying focussed. Lots of unrelated thoughts jumbling around inside, certain obligations that must be performed each day and a never-ending list of things to do. It was difficult to keep my mind from wandering when working a spell. Candles are an important magical tool that people incorporate into their spiritual practices for many reasons (colour symbolism, to represent the element fire, an aid to petition or prayer, ambiance, the light of deity) but I find that they can also assist in maintaining focus.

My spells are usually narrowed down into a simple and easy-to-remember verse of four rhyming stanzas. Once I have fine-tuned my goal into this concise form, I reach for a small candle and matches.
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Can't burn candles in your space?
An old kitchen or egg timer will work nicely too!

The flame of a candle is hypnotic. While fixing your gaze steadily on the flame, repeat your spell over and over in a whisper. It's okay to glance at the paper now and then to remind yourself of the wording. Keeping a spell simple will make it easier to memorize, adding a "power punch" as you are allowed to feel the outcome of your desire while repeating the words - absent distractions. Repeat and feel the words until the candle has completely burned down.

In essence, the candle becomes a timer for your spell! Because small candles only take a few minutes to burn down, I feel an enormous amount of freedom knowing that I can at least devote that small amount of time to my purpose - without being distracted about the other things I need to do. Maybe this easy technique will assist you in attaining focus in your spell work too!
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan, 2021
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Can't find small candles? Use grocery store birthday candles for a sweet alternative!
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Don't Jinx Yourself - Touch Wood!

7/10/2021

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PicturePixie sitting on wood toadstool charm - Picture Source: eBay

Ever hear the expression "Touch wood!" or "Knock on wood!" This was a common English phrase growing up in my home. The gist of the superstition, or attraction magic, goes something like this:  when you have avoided misfortune and say something that could be perceived as bragging about your good luck; you are tempting fate and thus must immediately protect yourself from any repercussion or reversal of your good fortune, by touching or knocking on wood.


Some examples:
  • You stumble on the stairs but grab the hand railing in time to avoid falling. "That was a near thing. I could have really hurt myself!"
  • "I never keep store receipts because I never have to return anything."
  • "I'm on a winning streak!"

Before you utter these sorts of statements; make sure you say 'touch wood' and are actually touching something made of wood. Another version is to knock briskly on the wood. I'm extra careful to make sure that I am actually touching real wood as I don't believe laminates or MDFs hold the same magical properties! Since this practice may have arisen out of tree worship and a belief in dryads or tree spirits dwelling within each tree; it makes sense that only real wood will save you.

But what if you have said something that requires averting the ill will of the fates and no wood can be found within your sight? In that case, and that case only, you are allowed to knock on your head. This is based on the rather unflattering belief that if you are stupid, your head is made of wood. But when the stakes are this high ... being a little humble is in your best interest ... so knock away!
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan, 2021
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Meeting the Eternal Green Man

2/23/2021

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Green Man Tile in Meadow Sweet Grove's Kitchen

I've always been drawn to the Green Man, so much so that when my husband recently installed tiles in our kitchen; he thoughtfully incorporated our very own Green Man over the kitchen stove!

To me, the Green Man represents divinity in nature and is the male counterpart to Mother Nature. His face, most often formed or surrounded by leaves, is literally "fused" with nature and creation. His gaze is generally (but not always) one of benevolence. Sometimes, though, tendrils grow from his mouth, and even his eyes, nostrils and ears - then the overall feeling is one of the harsh reminder of the reality of death; our eventual return to dust and the earth; but also a visual representation of the rebirth and regrowth that is nature's life cycle.

I am very fond of old churches and architecture and am always delighted to find the Green Man incorporated into various structures; keeping everyone safe and reminding them of their inescapable relationship with nature. You can find him in many countries around the world - and through a variety of artistic expressions:  from architecture to theatre and from jewellery to poetry. I guarantee that once you start truly "seeing" the Green Man - he will begin "cropping up" in more and more places ...

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The Green Man as Keystone Above Windows in Victoria, BC, Canada
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Modern Green Man Sculpture in a Shop Window in Glastonbury, Wells, England
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The Green Man as Keystone Above Window at Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire, England, Source: Pinterest (The Enigma of the Green Man)
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan, 2021
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Hitting New Heights with Your Hippogriff

7/30/2020

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PictureHippogriff illustration by Gustave Doré


Are you looking to find your real self ... or return to it? You could try approaching a Hippogriff.

Harry Potter was able to do what Draco Malfoy could not. He showed the Hippogriff Buckbeak respect; and as a result was treated to a fantastic ride ... a literal expression of his rise to new spiritual heights. Harry was understandably shaken in approaching the Hippogriff because this creature has the potential to rip him apart with its talons if displeased.  But, even if accepted, there still lies the greater fear of relinquishing that little bit of control over the course of your life; and potentially meeting your destiny.  Harry trusted, and accepted that challenge.


I think we are all a little envious of Harry, but there is no need to be, because at some point we all reach that time where we want to meet our Hippogriff.  My advice is to be respectful and thoughtful to your guide and to trust him; because what you will find will be worth the temporary madness.

Bibliography:  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury, UK, 1999; Wikipedia, Hippogriff, 2020    
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2020
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How to Woo a Leprechaun (and gain his blessing!)

3/12/2019

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Image courtesy of getdrawings.com
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Illustration by Richard Hook

St. Patrick's Day brings popular images of leprechauns -  cute, comical and dancing about ... jealously protecting their pots o' gold.  They are seen as "fiercely" sweet but being oh so terribly tiny, can only trick human beings, rather than fighting a fair fight.  But don't forget that leprechauns are of the same ilk as banshees (who foretell death), changelings (ancient creatures who secretly take the place of human babies) and also of béfinds.  Remember fairy godmother #13 who cursed Sleeping Beauty to die?  Yeah, you want to keep on the good side of a béfind.  Also, what we mortals call fairies were perhaps gods and goddesses; once upon a long time ago.  Most are part of the Tuatha Dé Danann, an ancient race that arrived in Ireland many eons ago, or they are at least descended from them.  So in order to please a leprechaun, we need to replace the current cute image and choose one that garners a bit more respect.  He is a very small, old and wizened fairy who makes his home under hills or in fairy mounds.  He smokes his pipe for pleasure and works diligently at repairing shoes ... or at least one shoe - why is it only one?  I think it's a "smoke screen".  The leprechaun is working ... but it is appearance only.  He is actually waiting, observing, contemplating and if we can wait long enough, this wise old fellow might remove the pipe from his mouth and let us in on a few secrets about the world.

If you would like to gain favour with a leprechaun, I suggest the following:
  • Leave a nice shiny coin (drop it in a glass of vinegar & baking soda to really make it shine) and put it somewhere secret in your garden,
  • Announce to the leprechaun that this is a gift to add to his pot o' gold that humans have tried to steal from him for so long and let him know that you appreciate his eternal struggle, 
  • Ask him humbly for something of value in exchange,
  • Most importantly, assure him that you respect his privacy and that you would of course keep any such transaction to yourself.  This is a key element to making magic work ~~~~~~ tell no one.

May you secure the good luck blessings of your local leprechaun this St. Paddy's Day!
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019 / edited 2021
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The Apple Trees of Avalon

9/17/2018

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Picture"Apple Tree in Avalon" (Glastonbury, England - 2018)

It isn't for me to say if the legendary Avalon existed literally or figuratively, but Avalon, or "the island of apples" was located for some at Glastonbury in Somerset, England.  Certainly there is magic in the sight of the serene countryside, gently grazing farm animals, stone walls and weathered wooden gates - not to mention the many apple trees growing amply and fruitfully in fields alongside the path to Glastonbury Tor.

Legend tells that the numerous wild apple trees of Avalon needed no cultivating to grow and gave fruit endlessly - contributing to an easy lifestyle for its happy inhabitants!  I have found that nature provides everything spontaneously for our own apple trees to flourish and thrive.

If you want to bring a little of the magic of Avalon into your own backyard - why not consider planting an apple tree or two?  There are many varieties that need very little space to grow.  The benefits vastly outweigh the initial modest cost and labour involved -- adding beauty and oxygen to our world, blossoms for bees, hiding spots for birds, shade, compost and most importantly -- year after year of free delicious apples!

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Apple Trees in Meadow Sweet Grove
Copyright © Meadow Sweet Grove / V. Buchanan 2018/e2019
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Rabbits, Rabbits, Rabbits! - A spell for good luck

3/29/2018

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Picture china rabbits, elves,deer
Rabbbits, elves and furry friends, Meadow Sweet Grove collection
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It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown, Charles M. Schulz, 1974

Apparently, there is a folklore tradition, in Britain and North America, wherein it is very good luck to say "white rabbits" or "rabbits" or "rabbits, rabbits, rabbits!", or any combination of these words three times, on the 1st day of any month.  Three's the charm as they say and is always an important component to the success of any spell.  They must be your first spoken words upon waking on the 1st day of the month.  I've never heard of it before but am going to give it a go this Sunday!

How auspicious is it that the first day of our next month this year (April), is not only April's Fool's Day but also Easter Sunday.  Can't get much luckier than that!

There are so many diverse symbolic meanings attached to the rabbit - and often contradictory ones.   But if you think of both the prolific nature of bunnies and also the common "trickster" aspect of the rabbit - the above charm makes a lot of sense.  It both invites bounty and good fortune for the month ... while at the same time stymieing the possibility of silly tricks those cunning characters might play!
Rabbits, rabbits, rabbits!
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018
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Good Luck Charms

3/16/2018

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Lucky Cornish Piskey, found in a charity shop in Northern England
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Hag or "Holey" stone, found on a beach in Southern England

Isn't it charming that many people throughout time have had or carried good luck charms?  Four leaf clovers, pebbles and coins - anything really that symbolizes good fortune to the holder. 

The four leaf clover is considered lucky because they grow few and far between in any bed of clover.  The odds of finding one are stacked against the seeker, so it follows that the finder is inherently "lucky" to spot one.

Any stone can be considered lucky - they are too numerous to mention.  But the one I remember most from childhood was the "wishing stone".  Usually found by the ocean, the wishing stone is a smooth black rock, with a  single white line running in a complete, unbroken circle around it - hold it in your hand and make a wish.  A hag or "holey" stone (pictured above) is said to offer the wearer protection -- and sometimes offers a view to unseen worlds.  Both are relatively easy to find so I think the magic is less in the finding but rather in the vast symbolism of the circle.....

And of course, lucky coins need no explanation - they are a very tangible symbol of wealth!


Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018 / edited 2023
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Burying Bad Habits

1/6/2018

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Want a fun way to rid yourself of a bad habit this New Year?  Why not try a little bit of sympathetic magic.  Cut an apple in half, and "pour" in that bad habit, worry or negative feeling right into the apple's core.  Put the two halves back together tightly.  Tie with string, tape, or anything that works for you.  Bury the apple in your back yard. 

The reason this works, is because you are consciously identifying the problem, making a choice to remove it from yourself, and then discarding it into another space.   Works best for little things.

                                                                                                                            Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018​

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May Day Magic Beauty Tip

4/28/2017

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PictureMay Day Beauty Tip

There's great magic on the 1st of May or May Day.  The ancient Celtic people divided the year into two seasons - Winter and Summer.  May 1st was the dividing point and signaled the change from the end of the dark and dead winter weather to the beginning of the warm summer and growing season.  There was great joy and excitement that the warmer weather was officially here to stay for a whole season.  No wonder they had a celebration!

To share in some of this magic, you need to wake up early enough to collect some of the dew on the morn of May 1st ... and gently smooth it across your face.  I can attest to the truth that this beauty treatment is particularly refreshing!  

No hawthorn tree?  No worries.  An alternate verse allows you to use dew drops from any tree, bush or even the grass.


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                                                                             Happy May Day!​​

Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017 / edited 2020
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Spring Clean like Cinderella with Kindness and Humility

4/21/2017

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Antique Illustration, Source: The Graphics Fairy
Cinderella gently accepted her role as servant to her Step-Mother and Step-Sisters after her Father died.  She had a silent pride in her work and found joy in the little things that life offered.

In the older tales of Cinderella, she gives scraps of food and performs other deeds of kindness to the mice, birds and ants; though she receives little herself in life.  Later, when she longs to attend the Royal Ball; her Step-Mother sets her three impossible tasks (always the magic 3 in fairy tales) that she must complete before being granted permission. The little woodland friends that Cinderella has befriended come to her aid and complete the tasks.  Walt Disney understood the importance of the message in this fairy tale and re-invented the mice and birds in his animated version as Cinderella's helpers, and even seamstresses, who make-over her Mother's old gown in time for the Ball.  This illustrates that sincere kindness is not wasted.  In return, it will come back three-fold. 

When you're doing your Spring Cleaning this year, also remember to be humble.  While an invitation to a Royal Ball may not be in our immediate futures, we can certainly take pleasure in cleaning and tidying our own precious homes and treasured possessions. We may find things to donate along the way that we no longer need, bring out the beauty of furniture and silver cutlery with a good polish or uncover a lost item. To help you along, don't forget that Walt Disney knew a great and powerful magic that he incorporated in many of his productions.  Sing while you work!  Or put on your favourite music. It really does make the work go faster.  There is nothing more enchanting than Disney's scene of Cinderella, in rags, scrubbing the entry hall, masterfully singing, "Sing Sweet Nightingale" ... while her Step-Sisters, with all the advantages in the world, are upstairs butchering the song!

So Spring Clean like Cinderella and watch the good magic come back to you in your fresh and tidy clean home.

​Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017 / edited 2021
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A Rainy Day Spell from Mother Goose

3/30/2017

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PictureVintage "A Little Golden Book" Mother Goose, 1942

Some Mother Goose verses are real noodle-scratchers that puzzle us and beg to be deciphered ... this one, however, speaks plain and simple.  Johnny would like to play outside and it would be a lot more pleasant to do so if it weren't raining.

Yet if you look closer, a spell emerges from this simple children's rhyme. I love to find the magic in the everyday around us!

A spell to charm away the rain:

"Rain, rain, go away;"
Here the wish, want or desire is clearly stated.

"Come again another day;"
Here a caveat is placed to ensure that there will be no unwanted consequences (eg drought).

"Little Johnny wants to play."

This provides the emotional charge or feeling required to make the spell work. Johnny is waiting in the garden on a bench with a "heart" motif; just as he himself puts his heart into his wish by visualizing himself at play. Bucket and spade at the ready illustrates his belief that his wish will come true.


All the elements of a successful spell are present. The whole thing rhymes which makes it easy to remember and recite.  And as they say "3 times the charm". This is reflected in the amount of lines in the rhyme ... and reinforced by the number of ducklings.

Let's hope little Johnny gets his wish!

Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017 / edited 2019
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Irish Luck

3/10/2017

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PictureA Leprechaun at work

 May the Leprechaun
 Bring you good luck
 And good cheer
 And a heart full of happiness
 All through the year.
​
 Ninety and nine treasure crocks
 From times of old
 Guarded by him;
 Each of them fill'd full to the brim
 ... with G
old!




Limerick from a Porcelain Decanter ​from the Stitzel Weller Distillery, 1972


 Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017
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An English spell to find a husband - VALENTINE'S DAY EVE

2/14/2017

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Picture"Church in the Cotswolds", S. Buchanan, 1993
This bit of magic comes from Derbyshire, England.

On St. Valentine's Day eve, walk in a clockwise circle around your local church, scattering a handful of hempseed behind you.  Whilst scattering, make sure you chant:

    "I sow a hempseed,
     Hempseed I sow.
     He who loves me best,
    Come after and mow."


​Run home quickly now and look over your shoulder.  If a man begins to follow the path you made ... you will be married within the year.​


​​Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017 / edited 2022

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The Magic of Autumn

10/11/2016

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​Did you know if you lay an apple on its side and cut it in half, a beautiful five-pointed star is revealed?  My mother showed me this trick when I was little.  It's fun to show to children for the first time ... and is still my favourite way to cut an apple!

Remember - "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." - Anonymous



Picture

Fall is without a doubt my favourite season.  Not too hot, not too cold - the perfect temperature for long walks and enjoying the brilliant colours of the changing leaves.  The combination of bright, low sunshine and deliciously cool breezes entering through open windows and creating dancing shadows onto walls, floors and across furniture is soothing to the soul.

I find Autumn to be so very beautiful that I am forced to take a moment to observe and contemplate this natural death of Summer and the impending approach of Winter's sleep; before the cycle begins anew in Spring.  It really is a very magical time.


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Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2016 / edited 2019 & 2020

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