Wednesday 8 December 2010

21 days of Yule day 8: of Pinecones and Fire

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On Samhain, I shared with you my walk and wildcrafting forage. Where I picked pinecones from beneath the canopy of white pine trees.
As I am from New England and we use fire to heat part of our home I have learned how to start a fire many different ways. One of the ways I love to start the fire is with pine cones. Why? well they burn cleaner that the lighter fluids that you purchase and you can scent them anyway you wish.
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What i love to do is create a fire starter bundle and make enough to last for a few weeks (until Yule at least) before I have to buy some more supplies.  i also like to create a potpourri of sorts that can be tossed on the fire and can help to scent the room and home.
The pinecones help the fire burn cheerily and smells great. here are the recipes for your book of shadows,

                                                     Scented Pine cones:
essential oils
pine cones
water

  • wash the pine cones (if you collected them yourself) and bake in the over at 200 degrees for 10-15 mins
  • remove from heat allow to cool. you can now place them in a plastic bag, and drop your essential oils into the package and shake the pine cones around, allow to sit in bag for a week, as this will help concentrate the smell. 
  • You can mix the scents you wish into the bag and this will help it smell like Yule.
                                                       Fire Starter bundles

  1. corn husks (can be purchased in the grocery store or in ethnic stores)-- or you can ask the store owner if you can take the husks from trash where people have pulled off their corn= free
  2. sage leaves
  3. twine or natural raffta
Instructions:

  • Place the sage leaves into little bundles within the corn husks
  • use the twine to secure them
  • Use these to light the fire with your starter sticks and your fire will smell delicious
                                                      Yule Potpourri 

  • 1 cup powdered ginger, & cinnamon
  • i tsp ground gloves and nutmeg
  • plastic bag
  • bowl and wooden spoon
  • 2 tbsp graft glue
  • 3/8 cup smooth applesauce
  • rolling pin and cutting board
  • christmas cookie cutter
  • pine needles
  • dried leaves, cranberries
  • cinnamon sticks
  • simmer plate and water
  • tea-light candles

instructions:

  1. combine cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg in a plastic bag, set aside
  2. with wooden spoon & bowl, mix together: applesauce & glue until combined
  3. pour mixture in with the spices, squeeze bag with hands until ball forms
  4. knead doing on a cinnamon sprinkled surface. roll out to 1/4 in thickness with rolling pin
  5. cut out shapes with cookie cutter. let fry slowly, turning them frequently.
  6. fill upper bowl of simmer plate with enough water to cover bottom. Add mix of pine needles, dried leaves, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and cutouts. light candle beneath bowl of simmer plate.

Fire Blessing
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I kindle the midwinter fire
in the name of the Ancestors
and of the Holy Ones
Who guard the world
May it's flame warm us all
and may it's light remind us
of the ever-returning sun
Burn the log O fire
---The Winter Solstice by john Matthews


I hope you enjoy these as much as I do my loves.
Blessed Be




2 comments:

  1. ~beautiful are these words from the poem above!!! i have always wanted to try making scented pine cones just never got around to actually doing it! seeing though that our backyard has quite the array sprinkled about i may just have to do some collecting and give this a try...thank you for sharing this wonderful post...warm holiday wishes and brightest blessings upon you always~

    ReplyDelete
  2. @faerwillow I hope you do because it's so easy and fun to make. you can scent them a few thousand different ways, and they burn lovely and bright.
    good luck, and Happy Yule
    BB

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