Massachusetts Pagan Parenting

Volume 1 March 2001 Issue 6

Letter from the editor

Greetings! "Out like a lion and in like a lamb..." As I sit here and write this, the outside is blustery and rainy, I hope that that saying is true! Ostara was so beautiful just two days ago. This issue discusses Earth day and features articles, recipes and evaluated web sites on how to make Earth day everyday! Putting in a new garden? How about "square foot gardening". It is an intensive way to get high yields in small gardens. Also, check out the New Parent's Corner, where we feature ways to pamper ourselves. As most of you know, a happy relaxed parent makes a better one!
Honoring the Mother,
From my family to yours,
Susan Mort

The Language of the Trees
Susan Mort

Have you ever heard them?
Standing silently so still?
To feel their mighty presence
And the power of their will.

Majestic and princely
adorned in all their garb,
Standing silent warriors-
Protectors of my yard.

I would beg to differ
of their silence with in that deep
For I have heard them speak to me
While others think they sleep.

Great majestic voices
Speaking softly and yet so strong
Branches waving in agreement
ah, yes, I hear their song

the birds within the branches
the whispering of the wind
I close my eyes and hear them
Their voices from with- in

I hear them in the Summer
Singing praises to the sun
I hear them in the Fall
Leaves spiraling one by one

In the silent Winter
they are the voices of the shoal,
In the Spring they herald rebirth,
for every bird, leaf and Soul.

Listen to their voices
Speaking in the breeze
Quiet your heart and listen
The language of the Trees.

Earth Day~ April 22, 2001

Earth Day History (what I read to my Brownies)
Senator Gaylord Nelson was worried about the planet and the way we were using our resources. He became an activist. He talked to other lawmakers and to the President. They decided that the President would go around the country and tell people about these concerns April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was held. People all over the country made promises to help the environment. Everyone got involved and since then, Earth Day has spread all over the planet. People all over the world know that there are problems we need to work on and this is our special day to look at the planet and see what needs changing.

Want to find an Earth day activity near you? Visit: Earthday.net

Here is an example of how long it takes garbage to break down:
plastics take 500 years
aluminum cans take 500 years
organic materials take 6 months
cotton, rags, and paper take 6 months.

So how do we change our habits? Here's How:
Recycle! Recycle! Recycle!
Plant a garden.
Compnost.
Organize a litter patrol.
Adopt a tree.
Go for walks instead of driving the car.
Learn about conserving energy.
Learn about endangered species.
Learn about Earth-friendly products and materials.
Think about pollution solutions.
Write an Earth Day letter to your parents, teachers or even the President!
Organize an Earth-friendly classroom.
Organize an Earth-friendly home.
Celebrate Earth Day every day!
Remember...the Earth is our mother and we must take care of her!

The Earth Is Our Mother

Hopi Indian Chant
The Earth is our mother, we must take care of her.
The Earth is our mother, we must take care of her.
[Refrain] Hey yana, ho yana, hey yan yan,
Hey yana, ho yana, hey yan yan.
Other Verses:
Her sacred ground we walk upon, with every step we take. (repeat )
[refrain]
The Sky is our father, we must take care of him.(repeat)
[Refrain]
The Rivers are our sisters, we must take care of them.(repeat)
[Refrain]
The Trees are our brothers, we must take care of them.(repeat)
[Refrain]
The Earth is our mother, she will take care of us. (repeat)
[Refrain]

Composting

My family has been composting for over 7 years now, and it still amazes me how easy it is to have black gold in your yard! We have used the fancy composters, the chicken wire composter and a big heap in our yard. I have found that while the fancy composter does burn it faster, I still like the open air ones, the compost just seems better. we like to layer our compost with grass clippings, pine needles, vegetable and fruit waste, a little bit of hearth ash and anything else we think will break down (except for meat scraps, that's a big no-no!) I would like to tell you that we turn it and keep it moist, but with the children and other "stuff" who has time? We just le the Mother do her work! it does take time our way, but the results are the same, and once that first batch is made, you will always have rich, organic soil for all of your gardening needs.
Here is a great web site that has a slide show for composting for you and your kids to watch!

Earth Day Crafts

One thing is for sure, kids love to make noise! So why not help them with rain sticks?
The Rain Stick
Another neat way to recycle paper towel tubes...
I used paper towel rolls to make Rain Sticks for my brownies We first read a book about rain sticks , then we made our own like this:
You will need:
Paper towel rolls
Brown packing tape (or any kind of tape you can paint on)
Brown tempera paint
Toothpicks
White glue
Rice
I pre-poked holes in them (a lot of holes) before the kids started to work on it and I also covered one end of the roll with tape. Use tape you can paint on.
The kids then painted their stick with brown tempera paint. Let the stick dry then have the kids put toothpicks through one hole and out another. Glue both ends of the toothpick. The whole idea is to have the toothpicks going in at different angles to make the required sound.
Have an adult cut off any protruding ends of the toothpicks. Each child then fills their roll with rice. I had them decide on their own how much to use; just have them put the rice in a little at a time and have them flip it back and forth so they could hear the "rain" sound they wanted. It won't take a lot of rice though. Tape up the other end with paintable tape and, there you have it, a rainstick!!!!!

Drums
I just didn't know was to do with all of the formula cans I was accumulating (thanks to Ethan) Until I stumbled on an idea, DRUMS.
Here's what we did:
Peel the labels off and wrap white paper around the can and glue using tacky glue. (I find tacky glue just "stays" better. Use bright poster paints to paint designs. My daughter did spirals and stars (pentacles), my son did trees and animals. Let dry and bang away!

Flubber
Here's a recipe for Flubber we did for brownies. It was a huge success!
Mix: 1 1/2 cups white glue
1 1/8 cups warm water
food coloring
In a separate bowl mix:
3/4 cup warm water
1 1/2 tsp. Borax soap
Slowly add soap mixture to the glue mixture, always stirring. Add food coloring for desired color. Knead and separate.

Earth Day web sites

Kid's domain ~Earth Day - If singing songs, making crafts and sending earth day cards sounds like fun then this site is for you! Hosted by a commercial company named The Globe.( www.theglobe.com ), it is an fun informative web site. With great graphics and informative links, it can entertain for minutes *smile*. Want to know the history of earth day? Or how about download some coloring pages. Home schooling? Not a problem, pc and Mac downloads of educational materials.
rating: *****

Eco Kids club - Everyday is Earth day at Eco kids! Using a fun site map of a club house, zoom around this site and explore!
rating *****

Earth Day 2000 - Learn how to live "green" And what exactly does happen when you leave the light on too long? where does poop go? fun & fascinating, this is a good family web site.
rating****

Ranger Rick's Outdoor Stuff - This site has bright colored graphics, easy navigation and tons of information! Learn how to plant a garden that attracts butterflies and wild life, Join the Earthsavers kids club and learn about the latest animal news and activities.
ranting:*****

Thanks to Pat for submitting these articles
Calming the Hurried Child
Activities that work!
by Kathi Borthwick
Are you stressed out? Guess what your children are too! In today's society both children and their parents are constantly being rushed and spend too little time on activities that allow them just to "be". Recent studies have shown that children absorb more knowledge from the environment when they are relaxed. Just as adults need calming times for their emotional well being there must be opportunities quiet reflection for tots. Sometimes we tend to over stimulate infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers in the mistaken assumption that they need constant activity for optimal cognitive development and learning.
Here are some ideas to de-stress your little ones. They are especially good for special needs children.
Make a mini-aquarium.
Take a large empty pop bottle; fill it with colored water (few drops of food colouring) and add trinkets from the dime store. Some examples I have used are old earrings, corks, pieces of foil, marbles, plastic fish, sparkles and tiny seashells. Seal the lid very securely (I use electrical tape). This is a suitable toy for all ages. My 7-year-old son helped me assemble one and was quite involved with how the various materials behave in the water. Blue and green colored water would be most calming. Some of the objects sink and some float providing a nice cause and effect reaction and when a child moves the bottle he can gain experience tracking with his eyes. Either an adult or a child can repeatedly turn the bottle upside down while searching for hidden objects. Add a bit if cooking oil to the water for a nice swirling effect.

Cake frosting
For this activity you need a can of shaving cream (not gel), food colouring, different sizes of plastic mixing bowls. plastic spatulas and an old shower curtain under the table to contain any mess. In a large bowl mix a tiny bit food colour with shaving cream (lovely pastel shade). Turn the plastic mixing bowls upside down on the table and use the spatulas to "frost" the cake with the shaving cream. Lovely sensory experience with the smell and feel of shaving cream and pastel colour. Children love to do this and become noticeably calmer. Not suitable for toddlers as they would put it in their mouths but you could try instant pudding mix.

Visualization tapes
For this you need a blank tape and a recording device (boom box). Make a record of your voice and use guided imagery. Tell the tots (use their name) to close their eyes, they are going on a magic carpet ride over the fields of daisies to the sky to the land of the---- (make something up they like and are familiar with). Describe the journey in a dream-like voice and include their siblings. Keep your voice soothing and keep the tape short. They will ask for the tape over and over because it is Mommy's voice. Also a good idea to send it to your caregiver or daycare so the child can hear mommy's voice when they are stressed.

Jell-O painting
Take a box of Jell-O and place it in a bowl. Make homemade paste-flour and a little bit if water. Get out Q-tips and let children apply paste to paper. With a salt or sugar shaker have them shake Jell-O on to paper. Lovely effect when it dries and a great smell. They will do this for hours. Reuse dry Jell-O by shaking paper and putting it in a bowl.

Try these, have fun and relax!

My husband and I are experimenting with this `new to me" gardening technique. It was developed by Mel Bartholomew. So what is square foot gardening?
"It's a new system of laying out, planting, and maintaining a productive, attractive garden in any amount of space. The garden is based on a grid of 1-foot by 1-foot squares, with single seeds or plants placed in carefully determined spacings. Climbing and sprawling crops like cucumbers, pole beans, squash, and tomatoes are grown vertically to save space."
Square foot gardening back cover by Mel Bartholomew

Want to see a diagram?
How to space plants:
taken from: http://members.primary.net/~silvest/garden/spacing.html
Basil: 1/sqft (according to sqft reader Kevin M. Wilson)
Beans bush-type 9/sqft; pole-type 8/sqft
Beets: 16/sqft
Broccoli: 1/sqft
Cabbage: 1/sqft
Carrots: 16/sqft
Cauliflower: 1/sqft
Celery: 4/sqft (6") (according to sqft reader Doreen Howard)
Chard(Swiss): 4/sqft
Corn: 4/sqft
Cucumbers: 2/sqft in a row of 4 sqft (6" apart along middle of sqft row)
Daffodils: 36/sqft
Eggplant: 1/sqft
Garlic: 4/sqft (6") (according to several sqft readers. Some say 9/sqft (4")
Leeks: 9/sqft
Lettuce: 4/sqft
Marjoram: 4/sqft (according to sqft reader Kevin M. Wilson)
Muskmelons: 1/sqft (grow in row of 4 squares, on trellis)
Okra: 1-2/sqft (according to reader Sandra Walters)
Onions: 16/sqft
Oregano: 1/4sqft (according to sqft reader Kevin M. Wilson)
Parsley: 4/sqft
Peas: 8/sqft (grow in row of 4 squares on trellis)
Peppers: 1/sqft
Potatoes: 1/sqft
Radishes: 16/sqft
Savory: 1/sqft (according to sqft reader Kevin M. Wilso
n) Scallions: 36/sqft (2")
Spinach: 9/sqft
Squash, Summer: vine-type 3/4sqft (; bush-type 1/3sqft)
Squash, Winter: 1/2sqft
Sweet Potatoes: 2/sqft
Thyme: 4/sqft (according to sqft reader Kevin M. Wilson)
Tomatoes: bush-type: 4/4sqft ; vine-type 1/sqft (in row of 4 on trellis)
Watermelon: bush-type 1/sqft; vine-type 1/2sqft - both kinds along trellis
Zucchini: 1/sqft

How to Mix the Perfect Soil for the Perfect Garden
Excerpted from Mel Bartholomew's book, Square Foot Gardening
Soil Volume Area of one garden block: 4 ft by 4 ft, or 16 square feet
Soil volume at 6 inches deep: 8 cubic feet
Soil volume at 9 inches deep: 12 cubic feet
Soil volume at 12 inches deep: 16 cubic feet
Ingredients Mix throroughly:
1 bale of peat moss: 6 cubic feet
1 large bag of coarse vermiculite: 4 cubic feet
10 pails (2� gallon size) of sand: 3 cubic feet
2 pails of wood ashes and charcoal
10 pails (2� gallon size) of compost: 3 cubic feet
1 coffee can full of lime ( 4 cups or 1 quart)
1 coffee can full of organic fertilizers
Total volume of this mixture: 16 cubic feet
This amount will fill one garden block to a depth of 12 inches or two blocks to a depth of 6 inches.

Here is a link to my favorite gardening magazine
< ahref="http://www.organicgardening.com/library/seeding_simple.html">Want to start seeds indoors?

Children's Earth Day Ritual

By Joanne Neilson
I was asked to write an article for Earth Day, and after much thought I decided to write a children's gardening ritual. I hope it is well enjoyed!
First of all you need a patch of ground that the soil has been turned and fertilizer has been added. I myself like rabbit pellets for this, but you can use whatever you like. You can also fill some pots with soil and fertilizer if you do not have a lot of land. Make sure your kids are wearing clothing that you do not mind getting dirty. Otherwise you might have some really dirty good clothes to wash!
You will need Holy Water or Spring Water Incense or Smudge Stick Ground Almonds Seeds or seedlings you wish to plant Rattles, Drums, or other noise makers.
First you want to open the circle! Those who are practicing this rite will skip around in a circle with the pots or small plot of land in the middle. Make sure that everything you need is within your circle so you do not break it.
As your skipping around in the circle chant: We Open This Circle, We Open This Circle, We Open This Circle, and so Mote It Be.
Next point to the East and say: Air we ask of you to come to us and Bless our Garden. Then take your smudge stick and let the smoke go over the plot of land, and all others in the circle. If anyone is allergic please use a wand instead.
Then point to the South and say: Fire we ask of you to come to us and Bless our Garden. Then take the ground Almonds and spread them about the plot of land.
Point to the West and say: Water we ask of you to come to us and Bless this circle. Then sprinkle water all about the plot of land.
Point to the North and say: Earth we ask of you to come and bless this circle Now you will plant your seeds, or your seedlings.
After this is done everyone takes up his or her instruments and dances around the plot of land in a circle chanting: Gaia, Gaia, Goddess of the Earth We ask of you to bless this turf. Please help our Garden to bloom what we sow And we will take care of it and help it grow!
After you have done this for a while and the energy has been raised everyone is to put their hands into the soil of the plot of land and see all the energy that has been raised leaving them into their garden. Everyone imagines a beautiful Garden with wonderful blooming plants! Then we can close quarters
Point to the North and say: Thank you Earth for helping us with our garden, leave or stay as you wish.
Point to the West and say: Thank you Water for helping us with our garden, leave or stay as you wish.
Point to the South and say: Thank you Fire for helping us with our garden, leave or stay as you wish.
Point the East and say: Thank you Air for helping us with our Garden, Leave or stay as you wish.
All the children can than skip the opposite direction around the circle saying: We close this circle, We close this Circle, We close this circle, and so Mote it be!

Parent's Corner

One of favorite ways to relax is with a warm bath, my favorite CD, a glass of wine (preferably red) and candles. Lock the door and put that "Do Not Disturbed" sign on that door. Even Mommies & Daddies need time out!
Note:
Many of the following recipes call for the use of essential oils. Because these oils are highly concentrated, dilute them before adding them to your bath to prevent them from irritating your skin. "Carrier oils" you can use to dilute the essential oils include almond, apricot, hazelnut, olive, grapeseed, and sesame. Combine 25 drops (or 1/4 teaspoon) essential oil to 1 ounce carrier oil. Also, check with your doctor before using any essential oils or herbs on yourself if you are pregnant or on children. If you are prone to allergies, test a small amount of diluted essential oil on the inside of your arm and wait for 12 hours.

Energize and Focus
Three spices reminiscent of India work to sharpen your senses and clear your mind. Try this bath to start your day or when you begin a new project.
1 tablespoon powdered ginger
1 tablespoon powdered cinnamon
6 whole cloves
1 large orange sliced
Light red and orange, citrus- or spice-scented candles. Tie the powdered ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in a piece of muslin. Run a warm bath and add the bag of spices. After the bath is full, float the orange slices. Have a cup of iced spice tea or fresh orange juice to sip while you enjoy your bath.

Silk and Satin Skin
This bath, which moisturizes and smoothes rough skin, is perfect in the winter when dry air often makes skin brittle.
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup whole milk
2 cups sugar
Light vanilla or unscented white candles. Run a warm-water bath and add the milk. Tie the oatmeal in an old stocking or a square of cheesecloth and let it float in the bath. Use the sugar to exfoliate by rubbing small handfuls over your skin. Then rub the oatmeal ball on your body to help soothe your skin.

Clear Headed
Some headaches just won't go away no matter what you try. A healing bath may be just what you need to clear your head.
1/4 teaspoon lavender mix
1/4 teaspoon chamomile mix
1/4 teaspoon peppermint mix
Brew a cup of peppermint or chamomile tea to sip while in the tub. Run a hot-water bath. Add all the mixes when the bath is full. Breathe the steam in with long, slow breaths and concentrate on relaxing the muscles in your face.

Rest in the Garden
Imagine yourself falling asleep to the sound of bees buzzing and the scent of flowers floating on the breeze.
1/2 teaspoon rose mix
1/2 teaspoon lavender mix
2 roses (dried or fresh)
10 sprigs fresh or dried lavender
Light rose-scented candles in an array of colors and open the window to let spring or summer air in. Run a warm-water bath. Add both mixes after the bath is full. Float lavender sprigs and rose petals on top of the water.

Bath Salts
Bath Salts are an easily prepared alternative to bath herbs, and are to be preferred to the mixtures now on the market; most of these chemical-ridden formulas are almost guaranteed to irritate your skin.
Bath salts are used for many different purposes, and they make great gifts too.
The basic ingredients are table salt, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) & Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate). Some herbalists also use borax. Try powdered milk as well for softer skin.
Add the salts to a large bowl in these proportions:
3 parts Epsom salts
2 parts baking soda
1 part table salt (or borax)
Essential (scented, herbal/floral) Oils
Tip: try it with vanilla extract Mix thoroughly using your hands to stir the ingredients. . This is now the base from which you can create a wide variety of bath salts.
Its wise to add colors to bath salts. Use plain food coloring for this purpose, letting it fall drop by drop onto the salt base. If two or more colors are required to mix an exotic hue (such as purple), mix these in a spoon first and then add to the salts to avoid creating a two-toned product, unless of course, you plan on a two or three tone salt. Add many drops for a darker colored salt; fewer for a lightly hued salt. Mix the color into the salts until it is evenly distributed; again use your hands or you may use a utensil. Now add the essential oils drop by drop, one ingredient at a time, until the scent seems right. using your hands and fingertips, mix it until all salt particles are moistened. This may take up to fifteen minutes or longer. As to proportions, rely on your nose to determine the exact quantities. The more potent the finished products' scent, the less will have to be used for each bath. They should be strongly scented.
To use, add from 2 tablespoons to one-half cup of the bath salts to a full tub. Mix with your hands into the water. Relax, enjoy!!
NOTE: For bath salts place in a deep wide rimmed container, dont use a small bottle neck as the salts may harden, making it almost impossible to get out. Try recycling those baby food jars. They also make wonderful gifts.
Desert Sands Bath Salts
5 drops yellow food coloring
2 drops red food coloring
4 drops musk oil
3 drops Jasmine oil
3 cups epsom salts
1 cup baking soda
2 teaspoons glycerin
Combine baking soda, epsom salt and glycerin until well blended, add scents stirring until there is no clumps just a fine powder. Divide the mixture evenly into 3 separate bowls.
In the first bowl add 3 drops yellow food coloring, in the second add 3 drops red food coloring and in the 3rd bowl add 2 drops yellow with 1 drop red food coloring...stir each bowl until the color is well mixed. Allow the air to dry it for a few hours before placing in a bottle. Once dried, layer the colors...red first, then orange then lastly yellow.

Bath Bombs are great, big Fizzies. You drop one into the bath tub after you get in. They will fizz and give off a cloud of scent in your bath while you soak in the benefits of the baking soda and cornstarch. A god send for an achey muscle day or a must for a bad attitude day. Wonderful fun! Kids love them as much as mom and dad, maybe even more
What you will need
2 tbsp of citric acid
2 tbsp of cornstarch
1/4 cup of baking soda
3 tbsp of coconut oil
1/4 tsp essential oil fragrance
food coloring
How to make it
Mix the citric acid, baking soda, and cornstarch together. Set aside. Melt the coconut oil in the microwave. Add the essential oil fragrance and the food coloring to the coconut oil. Slowly blend in the dry ingredients, making sure to mix well. Shape into little balls. Allow to dry over night on some wax paper
OR:
What you will need
1 cup baking soda
4 tbsp of citric acid
3 tbsp jojoba
20 to 40 drops of essential oil
How to make it
Blend the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, blend together the jojoba and essential oil fragrance, Mix the oil mixture to the dry mixture, a little at a time until well blended. Mixture should resemble a crumb pie crust. Let dry, then sprinkle in your bath.

Ritual Bathing
The purpose of a ritual bath is to cleanse Yourself, from the inside and out, of negative energies and prepare your Physical, Mental and Spiritual Self for Circle or You can have the circle right in the tub. (one of my favorite things to do) A ritual bath is a rite in and of itself. The rite is ideally done just prior to Circle, but this is not always the case. [An example of such is if you have to travel to the meeting place.] After the rite is completed and you must travel to another place for Circle, try to keep your mind in a Spiritual frame as this will aid you in Circle. The bath water should be infused with salts, herbs oils and colors that are harmonious with the work to be done in Circle. To prepare for the bath: � Select the Herbs, [it is best to have your herbs in a cheese cloth, or face cloth for easier clean-up] oils and salts [of the same color as the candle] that you will be using. � You may use a censer and charcoal block ready to burn a corresponding incense on but my bathroom is to small for that so I use an aromtherapy burner or stick incense. Or you can use perfumed candles. The important thing is to have a smell to help in your state of mind. � Anoint a candle of appropriate color [Possibly using the same oil as you are using in the bath water.] If you have a shrine set up in your bathroom, there should be a Goddess and God candle present. � Have some Holy Water ready. [Holy Water is made from: 1/3 sea-water and salt {river-water with sea-salt added will do if sea- water is unavailable or river-water; or spring-water {store bought is OK} rain water works well too.]. � Have a cd box with meditation music in the bathroom with you, as its aid to visualization and meditation is invaluable. � A glass of wine is also needed for consumption upon completion of the rite. � And your libation dish for the libation to the God and Goddess.

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