Crafty Kitchen Witch

Veracruz Home ofrenda (altar) with banana leaf tamales, pan de muerto in shapes of little spirits & hot chocolate - Veracruz, Mexico It's based on the Mexican celebration that honors & remembers the dead in a joyous way on November 1 & 2. It's a holiday steeped in traditions that are rigidly prescribed, that unfold in order with pageantry, color, abundance and love. The holiday is celebrated over the course of three days with many activities occurring: preparing special foods; buying exorbitant amounts of wild marigolds, chocolate, pan de muerto, sugar skulls, incense, candles, mole, fruit, sweets & liquor at the open air markets; reuniting with friends & family - many who travel great distances at considerable expense to return home for the visits from their loved ones. Fathers teach their children how to build the ofrendas in the house that are creatively decorated with items to delight the visiting spirits. Women gather to ma...

Start a family tradition; Day of the Dead IS the Newest American Holiday. I found this information about this holiday very interesting check it out Veracruz Home ofrenda (altar) with banana leaf tamales, pan de muerto in shapes of little spirits & hot chocolate - Veracruz, Mexico   It's based on the Mexican celebration that honors & remembers the dead in a joyous way on November 1 & 2. It's a holiday steeped in traditions that are rigidly prescribed, that unfold in order with pageantry, color, abundance and love.   The holiday is celebrated over the course of three days with many activities occurring: preparing special foods; buying exorbitant amounts of wild marigolds, chocolate, pan de muerto, sugar skulls, incense, candles, mole, fruit, sweets & liquor at the open air markets; reuniting with friends & family - many who travel great distances at considerable expense to return home for the visits from their loved ones. ...

DEALING WITH ELEMENTALS, GHOSTS, AND OTHER BEINGS Do you ever hear funny noises in the night and you know it's not the heater or the cat?  Do you ever discover that something is missing or has been moved?  Does a place suddenly fluctuate in temperature, or do you feel like you're being watched?  No, you're not on the newest version of a Fox real-life TV show.  You probably have some spirits around your place. Contrary to many literary and Hollywood stories, having spirits in your home is not necessarily a bad thing.  In our path, we often work with spiritual beings, especially around Samhain.  They can be elementals, element energy, totem animals, spirits of the deceased, guardian angels, lost souls, the guardian spirit of the place, or an energy you forgot to thank and release the last time you were in circle.  The list goes on and on.  It can get downright crowded if you're not careful.  How do you deal with such visitors? ...