Harvest Necklace

 

The months of August, September and October are typically the time for

harvest festivals, feasts and celebrations in the northern hemisphere.

It is a time when many cultures and spiritual paths celebrate the bounty

of the Earth, give thanks for the blessings of this bounty and honor their

deities connected with Harvest and the plant spirits.

 

It is a good time for us to reconnect with the cycles of Nature and

receive teachings from the nature spirits and plant spirits.  Study some

of the plant species in your area (foods, flowers, trees, etc.) and then

take a walk outdoors and try to identify these species.  You will notice

that some of these plants are beginning to set seed, and it is very

interesting to look at all the different types of seed that exist in

Nature!

 

You can create a necklace of seeds to wear during a Harvest celebration,

or you may choose to use your "necklace" as an altar decoration or candle

garland. You can collect seeds from outdoors that are large enough to

string onto a necklace, or you can get seeds from the produce you buy at

the grocery store. Apples, gourds, squash, and corn are all good sources

for seeds.  Always use uncooked seeds (for instance, never use cooked

corn on the cob because the kernels will decompose on your necklace rather

than drying).  "Indian" corn can also be used, but since it is already dry

you will need to soak the kernels in warm water until they are soft enough

to string onto your necklace.  Larger seeds, like buckeyes and acorns, can

be used but they require the use of a thin drill bit to get a good hole in

them.

 

Use a sturdy, sharp needle and a heavy string such as dental floss,

beading string or hand quilting weight thread.  I like to double my string

so that the necklace is very sturdy.  Once strung, the seeds will dry and

they may shrink a bit so make your necklace longer than you would like to

account for this shrinkage.  Hang the strung seeds in a well ventilated

room until the seeds are dry. You can make the necklace long enough to

slip over your head or you can add a clasp on the ends of your necklace.

You can also wear them wrapped around your wrists or ankles several times

(bells can be added if you plan to dance at your festival).  You may also

wish to add bits of raffia or stripped, dry cornhusk by tying the bits

around your string at different intervals. You can also add any type of

charms or stones to your necklace that are used at autumn celebrations in

your tradition.....perhaps half of a black walnut, to represent Owl/Wisdom/Goddess.

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Written by ScryeWulf for the Magickal Crafts Newsletter