Of the Birthdays May 2-3

Crystals

Cassiterite

Vivid Turquoise Blue, Yellow, Gray

Small prismatic or pyramidal crystals

Easily available

Brazil, Cornwall, US, China

A form of tin, Cassiterite was traditionally linked to astrology and astronomy and assists in understanding the major cycles of life. 

Cavansite

Vivid Turquoise Blue

Translucent to transparent, vitreous, crystalline or pearly radial spheres, rosettes or fans on a matrix

Easily obtained

India, US, Brazil, New Zealand

A stone of purification and regeneration, Cavansite facilitates conscious astral journeying and past-life exploration. 

Herb

Pasqueflower

Parts Used: Aerial parts

Collection: The stalks should be gathered at the time of flowering, which is March or April.

Pasqueflower is an excellent relaxing nervine for use in problems relaxing to nervous tension and spasm in the reproductive system. It may be used with safety in the relief of painful periods (dysmenorrhea), ovarian pain, and painful conditions of the testes. It may be used to reduce tension reactions and headaches associated with them. It will help insomnia and general over activity. The antibacterial actions give this herb a role in treating infections that affect the skin, especially boils. It is similarly useful in the treatment of respiratory infections and asthma. The oil or tincture will ease earache.

CAUTION DO NOT USE THE FRESH PLANT

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1/2 -1 teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day or when needed. 

Passion Flower

Parts Used: Dried Leaves

Collection: If the foliage alone is to be collected, this should happen just before the flowers bloom, between May and July. The foliage may be collected with the fruit after flowering. It should be dried in the shade. 

Passion Flower is the herb of choice for treating intransigent insomnia. It aids the transition into a restful sleep without any "narcotic" hangover. It may be used wherever an antispasmodic is required--for example, in Parkinson's disease, seizures, and hysteria. It can be very effective in nerve pain such as neuralgia and the viral infection of nerves called shingles. It may be used in asthma where there is much spasmodic activity, especially when there is associated tension. 

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoonful of the dried herb and ler infuse for 15 minutes. Drink a cup in the evening for sleeplessness and a cup twice a day for the easing of other conditions. 

Birthdays

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Element: Earth

Ruling Planets: Venus, the lover

Symbol: The Bull

Tarot card: The Heirophant (determination)

Number:6

Favorable colors: Green, Pink, Pale Blue

Key phrase: I have what I need.

Love Matches: Cancer, Virgo, and Capricorn

May 2

"The more kind and gentle I am, the more positive energy I have."

The birthday of inquisitive honesty.

Your greatest challenge is learning to be more sensitive to the feelings of others.

On the Dark Side:Tactless, demanding, workaholic

At Your Best: Generous, ambitious, realistic

May 3 

"I now respect my body, my mind and my emotions. I feel wonderful."

The birthday of spectacular efficiency

Your greatest challenge is learning to trust.

On the Dark Side: Negative, demanding, workaholic

At Your Best: Analytical, insightful, popular

Birthstone

Lil' Witchy's Challenge

Write

Screw you.

Draw

A bone

Create

A dream catcher

I gave this one to a friends daughter

I learned to do this from a friend. It's simple enough. We bought inexpensive metal craft hoops and cheap dollar quilt fabric from our local craft store. 

• Wrap the hoop in material and secure it (I tie and knot and use a little double sided tape at the beginning and end. 
• I sew in my center to the fabric wrap with a needle. My friend just knots hers where she starts and wraps from there. I like stars and the classic web-look but if your talented enough you could add a crochet center or a different design. 
• Cut several different lengths of fabric and ribbons and tie to the bottom of your hoop to your hearts contend. Add beads if you like.
• Add a small loop of fabric at the top to hang it with

PBS Dreamcatcher Kids Craft

Urban Moms- Kid Friendly Dreamcatcher

She Knows Dreamcatcher DIY

Wikihow- Make a Dreamcatcher

 

Fairy Treat- Water Fairies- The Undine

The Undine

"Undine" means wave, and undines are the sea fairies of ancient Greece, who appeared in the Aegean Sea as seahorses with human faces. More usually they have the appearance of a beautiful human, but they lack souls. The idea of a "soul" in Christian tradition is tied in with damnation and salvation---that undines have no soul means that they are outside human laws.

A story is told of a handsome knight called Huldebrand, who fell in love with Undine, whom he met in an enchanted wood. He took her home as his bride, but water sprang everywhere from beneath her slender feet, and folk began to whisper that she was not human. Huldebrand turned to his old sweetheart Bertalda, whom the other water fairies began to torment. Undine trapped the fairies in a well, and Huldebrand took her back. However, to pay for a trinket that the fairies had stolen from Bertalda, Undine pulled a coral necklace from the Danube for her. Seeing this, her husband accused her of still being a fairy and not fit to be with humans, whereupon Undine sadly disappeared beneath the waves. He and Bertalda planned to marry, but on their wedding morning Huldebrand was seen embracing a misty form near the waterside, whereupon he fell dead.

In this, as in many stories, union with a water fairy probes fatal to a human. There are several meanings to this. It is true that contact with fairies can be "fatal" (or nearly so) to the modern, rationalist outlook, for the world of enchantment does not operate by logic. This would appear to be most dangerous to men, who are presumable most tempted by the magical because it is opposite to their usual way of thinking and being. However, folktales also reflect a Christianity-induced fear of what were really the old goddesses and gods of Nature. The undines are often prepared to meet us halfway, but we must accept that their fluid world, where images dissolve in a watery prism and nothing is as it seems, is as valid as ours. We must let it teach us about beauty and mystery, and never expect to understand it. Paradoxically, in this way we may come to know it, deep in our souls.

Mushrooms!- Taste if you dare.

Latin Name: Pholiota Veris A.H. Sm. & Hesler (No Common Name)

Width of cap: 3/4- 2 inches

Cap: Convex to flat; yellowish brown to pale cinnamon, or pale straw colored when fresh, hygrophanous, drying to nearly white from the center outward; surface somewhat viscid, margin translucent striate;  Flesh thin, pale cinnamon

Gills: Adnate, close; whitish to pale tan at first, becoming pale cinnamon with age

Stalk: Equal; colored like the cap or paler; surface nearly glabrous; partial veil leaving a thin membranous ring on the upper stalk.

Spore Print:Brown

Occurrence: In small groups or clusters on decaying wood, wood mulch, or buried wood of broad-leaved trees; saprobic; early spring-summer; common. 

Edibility: UNKNOWN

Superstitions-Newborn Hopes-Boy or Girl

A widespread traditional way to predict the sex of a baby was to dangle a wedding ring or needle by a hair or thread over the pregnant woman's stomach, and watch how it moved.

 When it was dangled, it would move either in a circle or from side to side. 

If the ring swings like a pendulum, the baby will be a girl; if it swings in a circle, it will be a boy....

or is that the other way around? 

Unfortunately, there seems to be no agreement as to which movement foretold which gender.

Of the Birthday April 30- May 1

Crystals

Stellar Beam Calcite

Amber, Yellow or Whitish-Yellow

Clear, Blade-like double-terminated crystal

Available from mineral suppliers and crystal shops

Tennessee (US)

Named for its multi- and inter-dimensional properties and for its perceived ability to link to spaceships and extra-terrestrials, the double terminations of  Stellar Beam Calcite channel a dual beam of powerful energy that lifts to an exceedingly high vibration and, on the soma or stellar gateway chakras, facilitates travel across vast distances in time and space. 

Calligraphy Stone

Lavender, White and Yellow

Banded stone that suggests glyphs and letters

Rare form of Fluorite

China

A form of Fluorite that assists in reading sacred symbolism, revealing multi-layered meanings, both inner and higher, and attuning to the wisdom of past and future.

Herb

Parsley Piert

Parts Used: Aerial Parts

Collection: It should be collected in the summer when in flower

This delicate little plant is commonly used for the removal of kidney and urinary stones and gravel. Through its potent diuretic action associated with soothing demulcence of the urinary tract, it will help in all cases of painful urination. It may be used where there is water retention, especially where this is due to kidney or liver problems.

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.

Partridge Vine AKA Squaw Vine

Parts Used: Aerial Parts
Collection: Being an evergreen herb, it may be found all year round in the forest and woodland habitat it likes. It is best collected in flower between April and June.

Partridge Vine (AKA Squaw Vine) is one of the herbs brought to us via the Native Americans. It is among the best remedies for preparing the uterus and whole body for childbirth. For this purpose, it should be taken for some weeks before the child is due, thus ensuring a safe and wonderful birth for both of you. It may also be used for the relief of painful periods (dysmenorrhea). As an astringent, it has been used in the treatment of colitis, especially if there is much mucus.

Infusion: Pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoonful of the herb and let infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.

Birthdays

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Element: Earth

Ruling Planets: Venus, the lover

Symbol: The Bull

Tarot card: The Heirophant (determination)

Number:6

Favorable colors: Green, Pink, Pale Blue

Key phrase: I have what I need.

Love Matches: Cancer, Virgo, and Capricorn

April 30

"Today, I will replace should with could."

The birthday of commitment.

Your greatest challenge is not feeling burdened by responsibility.
On the Dark Side: Rank-conscious, obstinate, blinkered.
At Your Best: Reliable, committed, upbeat.

May 1

"Today I will go further than usual."

The birthday of perspicacity

Your greatest challenge is seizing opportunities.

On the Dark Side: Cautious, tactless, passive

At Your Best: Witty, insightful, calm.

Birthstone

APRIL

MAY

Lil' Witchy's Challenge HAPPY MAY DAY!

Write

Boxers or briefs? Discuss.

Draw

A dollar bill

Create

A Greenman Mask

I've been trying to think up all the things I have created. (It's rough)

But this is something I haven't done. I collect those lovely masquerade masks. I absolutely ADORE them. So, today's create is inspired by that. 

I've found some excellent ideas for a DIY Green Man 

Recycled Mask by Pagantama

Colorful Crafts - Green Man