In this pot, I stir to the sun
an' follow the rule of harming none.
Banishment of bane when goin' widdershins;
an' with water and salt negativity is cleansed.
Household duties are more than chores.
Magick abounds when mopping floors.
With this broom, I do sweep
to clean my house and safely keep.
Marigold, Basil, Thyme, and Yarrow
my spell is cast for a better tomorrow.
Lemons for joy and apples for health
the pow'r within brings great wealth.
And, in this kitchen I do pray
To truly walk the Witches' Way
by Heyde Class-Garney From 2000 Moon Sign Book by Llewllyn
With our demanding work schedules and busy lifestyles, baking has become
almost a luxury today. And with the world's increasingly fast pace, it is no
surprise that people often overlook the effect of the Moon on such a simple
task as baking.
Still, on those occasions you do find time to bake, you will be most
satisfied if you plan according to the Moon. This may sound silly, but the
Moon can help you produce some delightful, hot goodies from the oven.
For instance, during its first and second quarters, the Moon will tend to
foster growth in all things. If you choose to bake during the early, or
waxing, quarters of the Moon, the growth and expansion of your baked goods will be encouraged. At the same time, you can do no wrong if you bake during a Cancer Moon. This Moon is well-know for its nurturing qualities and just so happens to rule over the stomach, which explains why some people have a tendency to overeat two days of the month. But more to the point, during a Cancer Moon you will feel very inclined to feed people, and baking will seem like any work at all.
Unfortuantely, the Cancer Moon only comes around once a month for only two days, and there is only a fifty percent chance that this Moon will occur
during the Moon's waxing phase. If you have to bake some other time, you can settle for the other cardinal signs of Aries, Libra and Capricorn, as they
will produce excellent results during the Moon's first and second quarters.
On the other hand, you are not strictly confined to any particular time for
baking. You simply have to realize that if you want the best possible breads
cakes, and cookies, the above times are optimal.
In fact, there are many factors to consider when baking. Some bakery
products, for instance, are more suited for use during particular Moon
signs. In all the zodiac signs, foods have certain types of energies and are
ruled by their own element and planet. The trick is to choose bakery goods
that correspond to the energy of each sign as the Moon passes through it.
In the list below, different factors have been taken into account for you.
With a little ingenuity, creative genius, and some good timing you can have
some great baking experiences.
Moon In Aries
Don't be suprised if you find yourself wanting to bake up a storm today, as
this fire-ruled sign will inspire you to spark up the oven. As the Moon
moves through Aries, zesty, robust, and flavorful baked goods will serve. So
if the spirit moves you, go ahead and bake up rich poppy seed cakes, zingy
gingerbread cookies, and any spicy goodies you can think of.
Moon In Taurus
Pass up any store-bought baked goods; in this Venus-ruled sign you will feel
an appreciation for the finer things in life, including a day spent in
baking bliss. Taurus is a resourceful and practical sign, with a good dash
of determination mixed in, so as the Moon moves through this sign you are
primed for some productive baking. Comfort foods such as apple and cherry
pie, oatmeal cookies, and banana bread, will be perfect for this placid,
domestic Moon sign.
Moon In Gemini
As the Moon moves through Gemini, your day is most often spent in quick
conversation and frantic errand-running, so it's more likely that you will
talk about baking rather than actually doing it. If you actually do find the
time to bake during a Gemini Moon, you will be lucky indeed. Your best bet
will be quick-baking recipes that require little preparation - almond
cookies, date muffins, and packaged cake mixes.
Moon In Cancer
The Cancer Moon is tailor-made for the proverbially happy homemaker. As the Moon travels through this sign, you will want to provide for everyone.
Comfort foods that make your loved ones smile are best to bake now
-blueberry muffins, pumpkin cookies, coconut cream and lemon meringue pies. Your entire family will be very receptive and will thank you wholeheartedly. They may be so happy, in fact, that they clean out the garage or attic.
Moon In Leo
You can show off your baking expertise during the Leo Moon. Your creativity and ability to shine are at thier height now, and you will find your efforts most highly appreciated. Showy, complex baked goods are best now; the aromas of pineapple upside-down cake, chocolate chip cookies, and cinnamon-raisin bread will produce many a winning smile.
Moon In Virgo
The practical and health-concsious sign is the best time for using your more
detailed and wholesome recipes. Since perfection is Virgo's middle name, you
can easily keep up with the highest of standards. A sensible choice for this
day would be an earthy whole grain bread. Miller, oat, or barley are good
grains to work with. And if you feel the need to spoil yourself, some peanut
butter cookies or pecan pie would work nicely.
Moon In Libra
With so many options, making a decision can prove impossible during the
vacillitating Libra Moon. But if it is any help, remember that Libra governs
sweet foods. So you may choose to indulge at this time with any and all
types of cookies, cakes, pies, cobblers, sweet breads, or pastries, though
your thighs won't enjoy the extra calories. Of course making up your mind
which treat to eat first could also prove quite a feat.
Moon In Scorpio
As the Moon moves through Scorpio, it is not at all unusual to feel drawn to
the kitchen today. The intense nature of the Scorpio Moon may cause an
obsessive and overwhelming need for a swet fix. So you well be satisfied by
treats such as snappy ginger cookies, savory onion bread, and hearty
blackberry pie. These items will fit your mood quite well too.
Moon In Sagittarius
During the Sag Moon, you will feel optimistic and an adventurous, so you may very well find yourself exploring new baking horizons. Plenty of fresh ideas will fill your head, and your ordinary recipes will scarecly seem enough.
Look to bake expansive, filling foods, such as macadamia nut cookies or
carrot cake, or specialty foods from other countries, such as lebkuchen. But
be wary of the tendency to overdo it - during Sagittarius it is difficult to
say "enough is enough."
Moon In Capricorn
Hard work and responsibility fuel the Capricorn Moon, so you may feel a
little dizzy from your achievements today. In fact, you'll be so efficent
you might find yourself planning your baking needs for the next few months.
So while you have the bug to organize, you should take advantage of it to
conquer your most difficult baking endeavors. Preparing corn or cheese bread will leave you ith a feeling of success. You may even choose to enter your rhubarb pie or cranberry muffins in the country fair.
Moon In Aquarius
Don't be shocked if the notion to bake hits you like a bolt from the blue
during the Aquarius Moon. This Uranus-ruled sign thrives on doing the most
original, unexpected, and unconventional things. So go ahead and experiment
with that unusual recipe, and share your efforts with your many friends and
neighbors. Remember, the sky is the limit, so tingle your taste buds with
some caraway muffins or mulberry pie. Or you can invent your own recipes for pistachio nut or hazel nut cookies.
Moon In Pisces
What a wondrous day to trust your intuition and use your imagination. Ruled
by dreamy Neptune, Pisces will help you conjure up new recipes, or will help
you go with the flow and surrender to your innermost desires. During a
Pisces Moon, you will find yourself baking water-ruled foods such as peach
cobbler, apricot coffee cake, or sweet potato pie. So bake on to your hearts
content!
Garlic
Super Immune System Booster - For thousands of years, garlic has been used as both a food, and as a medicinal herb, and with good reason. Garlic
contains an amino acid called "alliin". This acts as an antibacterial and
antifungal.
Eaten regularly, garlic is said to help prevent heart desease, lower blood
cholesterol, wash out fats, and increse the protective HDL's (high-density
lipoproteins) while decreasing the heart damaging LDL's (low-density
lipoproteins).
Garlic is also able to inhibit clot formation, which in turn reduces the
risk of heart attack and stroke.
Garlic has been used for treating high blood pressure, and has been made
note of in several studies regarding anticancer activity.
It has also been shown that garlic may slow or stop the growth of various
fungi and molds, including:
Candida albicans, a yeast that causes vaginitis and a wide variety of health
problems.
Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungus carried by dust, which causes a disease
similar to tuberculosis.
One of the most exciting effects of garlic is its ability to detoxify the
body, which in turn, further boosts the immune system.
This may be surprising, but another wonderfood which is far too often
overlooked is:
Onion
Immunologists have found that the onion is an anti-thrombotic known to
inhibit blood clots and also acts as a serious stimulant for weak heart
muscles in cardiovascular ailments.
The onion bulb develops a substance of sulfuric acid known as "alliin".
(Sound familiar?)
The onion is also a source of "quercetin" which is an anti-cancer substance
that fights bacterial invasion.
DID YOU KNOW?
The average person hosts up to FIVE POUNDS of bacteria in the colon! The quercetin in onions and other yellow vegetables helps to regulate and
eliminate the danger this poses to your health and immune system.
Include several garlic cloves together with several small onions in your
daily diet. They add flavor to salads, sauces, salsa, and entrees. To combat
the effects of odor on your breath, chew raw carrot sticks after your meal,
or chew peppermint leaves that you grow in your herb garden, or in a pot on
your kitchen window.
Out-of-Shape Immune Systems
We all know the signs that prove that our bodies are "out of shape". Our
body fat increases, we tire more easily, walking short distances can tire us
or cause us to be short of breath, and we usually find it hard to become
motivated to make changes. We get depressed more easily, we don't eat right, and we don't care about exercise. What does this have to do with our immune system? ...just about everything...
When the immune system is "out of shape", we feel fatigued, we lose the
fight against depression, our hearing and eyesight begins to fail, we have
muscle aches, digestion problems, find it hard to get restful sleep, and
have no energy for even the most mundane of things. Just as we have to keep our bodies healthy, we have to do the things that will keep our immune
systems healthy.
* - Improve the diet
* - Get more sleep
* - Get the right kind of exercise in the right amounts
* - Improve the attitudes that dicate how we handle stress
9 Essential Immune Boosting Nutrients
Vitimin A and Beta-Carotene
Found in most fruits and vegetables, especially yellow - carrots, cantaloupe
yams (sweet potatoes)
Protects against tumor growth and cancerous disorders
Boosts white blood cells that detoxify your system
Vitimin B6
Whole grains, potatoes, nuts, lean meats, poultry, dark leafy vegetables
Helps to distribute the needed amino acids that build and repair the
cellular walls of your immune system to resist infectious diseases
Folate
Found in legumes, salmon, dark leafy vegetables, eggs and liver (eggs and
liver are high in cholesterol - consume in moderation)
Essential in the formation of cells, especially red blood cells
Vitamin C
Citrus fruits, tomatoes, cabbage, and other raw leafy vegetables,
strawberries, melons, kiwi (excellent source in small package - 2 kiwi
provide a day's RDA of Vitamin C)
Essential to the healing of wounds, formation and maintenace of the
capillary walls, guards against infection by stimulating white blood cells
Vitamin E
Wheat germ, whole grains, vegetabel oils, cereals
Strengthens the immune system at several levels. Prevents damage to cells,
stimulates white blood cells. Effective and lifesaving antioxidant
Selenium
Seafoods, lean meats, poultry, eggs, whole grains, and garlic
Guards clees against damage, builds resistance to tissue breakdown and
counteracts the effects of toxic byproducts
Zinc
Whole grains, oats, seafood, eggs, meat and poultry
Boosts energy levels, is a helper in many immune functions, needed for
insulin to work and for carbohydrates to metabolize
Iron
Liver, green leafy vegetables, raisins, whole grain breads and cereals,
prune juice, wheat bran, and brewer's yeast
Oxygen carrying element of the blood, and an essential part of every cell.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Seafoods, trout, mackerel, and salmon
Valuable in increasing the activity of the white blood cells and are
important in the cleansing and detoxification of your system
