Goldentree Wands Newsletter

Issue: 25

Date: November 11, 2007

MERRY MEET!

         We hope that everyone's Samhain went well and that you all had the opportunity to enjoy the day when the veil between worlds is thin.  We had a dumb supper and promised to rid ourselves of personal aspects that we no longer need.  As the advertisements mention, Yule is on it's way and will probably arrive sooner than we're ready.  Hopefully this newsletter will be a nice break and give you some ideas for those hard-to-shop-for friends and family members.  Just a reminder, Tuesday, November 13th is the last day that you can order custom designs such as custom wands and cloaks, before Yule on December 21st.  We know it's a bit early, but this ensures that your items are made to the best of our abilities and will give you enough time to wrap them for Yule.

)O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(

HOLIDAY ORDERING GUIDE:

Please pay special attention to the following timeline.  We are a small two-person business and must follow these dates so that we can ensure that all our customers will get their items by Yule.  If you place an order after any of the dates listed below you will not get your item on time.

)O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(

NEW CONTEST!

          Congratulations to our Win a Free set of Faerie Wings contest winner!  Thank you to all who participated in the contest.  There will be 8 contests per year, one for each holiday of the Wiccan calendar.  Our next contest is for a free Altar Cloth a $19.98 value!  This contest ends the day after Yule, December 22nd.  Don’t pass up your chance to win!  Remember, you must check back at http://.goldentreewands.com/ after December 22nd, to see if you are our winner and claim your prize.  Go to http://.goldentreewands.com/contest.htm to enter. 

)O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(

YULE ~

Many cultures have celebrated Yule in their own way for centuries.  Below are different customs from various cultures, just to illustrate how similar some concepts and ideas can be around the world:

• German legend and history tells of Frau Holde, a Goddess who was demoted to Witchy-Woman.  She would ride in her sleigh on Yule Eve to give gifts of gold to her faithful followers. On this night, the use of the wheel was reserved only for Frau Holde. All others had to walk to take a sleigh to their destination.

• In Norse and Roman traditions, Yule is the New Year, the "turning time."

• The rebirth of the Sun God, Ra, is celebrated on Yule in ancient Egypt. It is also a day to celebrate the creation of the Universe.

• The birth of Mithras, of Rome which spread into Greece, Persia, Egypt, and Asia Minor, was widely known. He was born in a barn to a virgin mother and was Sun (deliberate spelling) and child of the God of all Gods.

• The Celtic Yule custom which was drawn from the Norse invaders and the Druids was to bring an evergreen tree into their home to represent the eternal aspect of the Goddess. The Celtic Druids would decorate their trees with symbols of what they wished would come into their lives in the coming year. Coins for wealth and love charms for happiness are a few of the many decorations that would adorn their Yule Tree.

• This is also the time of the great battle between the Holly King and the Oak King. From Celtic traditions, on Yule, these Kings come together to battle it out for supremacy. On Yule, the Oak King kills the Holly King and reigns supreme until Midsummer when they duke it out again, this time with reign going to the Holly King.

)O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(

WOOD-OF-THE-SABBAT:

STONE-OF-THE-SABBAT:

)O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(

NEW PRODUCTS:

We have added a new feature to our shopping cart, just in time for the Yule gift giving season!  If you are purchasing a product for a special someone, you now have the opportunity to send them a message.  Just let us know what you'd like us to say, and they'll receive a nice, hand printed card instead of our normal invoice.

Have you ever wondered where else in the world people might practice Wicca?  Are you thinking of "going green" but are unsure how to start?  Around the World, is a new webpage we've added that illustrates what countries our products have traveled to.  If you have a picture of one of our products in your state or country, we'd love to feature it on our new Around the World page.  Goldentree Wands is making a conscious effort to go green, check our new page of information on ways you can help Gaia too. 

)O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(

YULE GIFT IDEAS!

After November 13, it will be too late to purchase a custom made item from Goldentree Wands.  We have a suggestion however, for a nice Altar Setup or Pagan gift basket.  These types of gifts are available at Goldentree Wands, and are ready-made to insure shipping by the next Tuesday, after your order has been placed.  Click the pictures below to see prices and read descriptions on each product.

If your special someone is looking for the perfect Altar Set-up, our hand-made candle holders with Nag Champa candles and altar chalices would be a great start to a basic Altar.
Hand-painted candle holders, don't forget to purchase our Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit designs.	Choose from two different altar chalice designs.

A Pagan Gift Basket is a unique twist on the normal gift baskets that most people give at this time of year.  Pick and choose from various incense scents and colored candles.
Small altar candles, perfect for a gift basket.	Don't forget to purchase candle holders for those altar candles.
Mini incense sticks and ashcatchers.	Smudge sticks to cleanse the home.
Spell kits that include candles, incense blends, and a special incantation for each spell.	Ritual feathers to aid in cleansing the home with your smudge stick.

)O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(

YULE INCENSE:

1 Part Frankincense & Myrrh

1 Part Pine Sap or 1 Part Pine needles (can substitute Juniper)

2 Part Sandalwood

1 Part Sage (can substitute Mistletoe)

Mix all ingredients in your Mortar and Pestle and burn on a charcoal disk to celebrate Yule and drive any negative energies from your home.  All above ingredients and charcoal, with the exception of Pine, can be purchased from Willow's Herb Cellar. 

CRANBERRY SAUCE CHICKEN:

From: allrecipes.com

12 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1 1/4 cups cranberry sauce

1 packet dry onion soup mix

1/2 cup French-style salad dressing

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 pinch ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C)

2. Arrange chicken in an 11x17 inch baking dish.  In a medium bowl, combine the cranberry sauce, soup mix, salad dressing, sugar, and pepper.  Mix well and spoon mixture over chicken.

3.  Cover dish and back at 325 degrees F for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.

BRAISED SPINACH:

By Joanne Asala in Celtic Folklore Cooking

2 pounds fresh spinach

Salted water for parboiling

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pinch each of ginger and allspice

Parboil the spinach in a large pot of water for about 4 minutes; drain, press out excess water with your hands, and chop.  Put it in a saucepan or small casserole with oil and seasonings.  Stir and leave to cook over very low heat for another 15 minutes, or put covered casserole dish in a slow oven for about 20 minutes.

Variations: Add parsley and fennel with a little chicken broth instead of the oil

Serves: 4 to 6

PAGAN HOLIDAY RUM BALLS:

1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs (about 50 cookies)

1/4 cup dark rum (Bacardi is the best)

1/2 cup honey

8 oz. (2 cups) ground walnuts

Powdered sugar

Combine all ingredients, except sugar, and blend throughout.  Shape into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.  Roll the balls in sugar and store in an airtight container.

Makes: 2 1/2 dozen

)O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(

BRIGHT BLESSINGS!

From Goldentree Wands to you, Happy Yule!

Bright Blessings, Happy Tidings and May the Goddess Bless you all,

Glen, Willow, Pandora, Bandit, and Ashtoreth Goldentree

)O( ~An’ Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will~ )O(