A Child's Book of Shadows

Children's Meditations

The Star Prelude

I want you to see above your head a beautiful, beautiful star. This star is very special to you, as it is your very own star. It can be any color you like. You might see it as being a purple star, or perhaps a pink one, or blue, or yellow, or is it a speckled star? Or a silver one? Because it is your very own star, it could be any color or colors you choose.

This special star is filled with white light, lovely white light that shimmers and glows. I want you to see this light streaming down toward you until it reaches the very top of your head. And now I want you to bring this pure light down through your head and take it right down your body until your whole body is filled with this glorious white light.

I want you to feel the light going down your arms, right down, until you feel it reaching your hands and going into each and every finger. Feel that light going down the trunk of your body, down until it reaches your legs, and when you feel it there, take it right down until it comes to your feet and then feel the light going through each toe.

I now want you to look into your heart and to fill your heart with love for all the people and animals in the world. They are your friends, be they small or large. Can you see your heart getting bigger and bigger? Its expanding because you have so much love in your heart for all these people and the animals, and of course for yourself.

Now your guardian angel is waiting to wrap golden wings of protection around you before taking you into your garden. The angels wings are very large and very soft, just like down. Everyone has their own guardian angel and that guardian angel takes care of you and protects you always, so you are never alone. Its important to remember this and to know that you have someone that looks after you with love and care.

Your guardian angel is now going to take you to a garden that is your own special place, but before you enter I want you to look at the large tree that is outside. This tree is called the Worry Tree. I want you to pin on this tree anything that might worry you, perhaps you have had some arguments at school or maybe you are having difficulty with your school work. This tree will take any worries at all, be it with your friends or or family. This tree accepts anything that you would care to pin there.

Your guardian angel is now opening the gate for you to enter, and as you go in you find the colors are like nothing you have seen before. The beauty of the flowers, the colors, the textures, and the perfume - breathe them in. The grass is a vivid green and the sky a beautiful blue with little white fluffy clouds. It is very peaceful in your garden. It is full of love and harmony.

You may feel this prelude is very long, but it is wise to create with care, thought, and feeling the setting your child is entering. When your child is used to it, the prelude may become shorter, as it is not always necessary to describe the star and the angel in such full detail. Then it becomes something like the shorter version below.

I want you to see above your head a beautiful, beautiful star. This star is filled with lovely white light. I want you to bring the white light from that star right down through your body until you can feel it in every part of your body, and your heart is filled with love for all humanity and for all creatures great and small.

Your guardian angel is waiting for you to wrap a golden cloak of protection around you and take you to the Worry Tree. Put anything that worries you on the tree, and then your guardian will open the gate and take you inside the garden. Your garden is filled with glorious flowers, the grass and the trees are an emerald green, and the sky a deep blue with little white clouds.

After you have set the scene, as it were, you can do anything with the children that you think that they would enjoy. Become a child again yourself, I think you will be surprised at the pleasure these flights of fantasy will give you.

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The Animals

As you walk down the path in your special garden, you feel the warmth of the sun caressing you. There is a very gentle breeze blowing, and you can hear the birds calling to each other. There is nothing in your garden that can harm you; each and every creature lives in harmony with the others.

I want you to feel the peace that is flowing in your garden and the gentleness of all who live there. Your path is winding through the trees, and it will take you to a water hole where all the animals come to drink. When you go down to the water's edge you will find the animals coming over to say "hello" to you.

There are tortoises who are very slow and ponderous and love the feel of the sun on their shells. The proud white swans go by gracefully, while the ducks make lots of noise. Now you can see some deer coming down to drink, and walking with them are lions and tigers. You can pat them when they reach you and give them a big cuddle, as all these creatures love being cuddled. In your garden there are no fierce animals because they have no reason to be afraid, and neither have you.

The hippopotamuses are having a lovely time washing themselves and each other with the water, and now the elephants are joining in. I think you should step into the water and swim with them. If you feel a little tired, you can climb on the back of the elephant and let it hose you down.

I can see the giraffes coming to drink. If you get out now, I am sure you can have a ride on the back of one of them. Yes, you are getting onto the giraffe's back now and off you go. Because you are sitting up so high, you can see into the trees, and it is wonderful to be able to do this. You can stroke the kangaroos and look into there pouches, very gently of course, and there's a squirrel. Isn't it a busy little creature.

I am going to leave you now to explore your garden with your newfound friends. If you want to get off the giraffe's back and go by foot, that's all right. Perhaps you might decide to ride on a tiger for a change. There is so much to see and do, and I know you will have a lovely, lovely time.

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The Grandfather Tree

The air is so fresh and clean, the perfume of the flowers is rich, and the sun a huge golden ball, sending down a very gentle heat. The trees are waving their arms in welcome. They have been waiting for you to come into your special garden, and the trees want to talk to you. If you listen you can hear them saying: "Come to me, come to me."

There is one tree that stands out from the others. He is very, very old. He is the grandfather of all the trees, and he is full of knowledge and wisdom. There is nothing this tree doesn't know. He has been watching what happens around him ever since he was a young sapling.

He has a very thick trunk and big, big roots going out through the earth. As they go down into the depths of the earth, these roots push the earth up, making mounds big enough to sit on. This Grandfather Tree has plenty of branches with beautiful green leaves, so many leaves it's a wonder he can hold the branches as high in the air as he does.

The breeze is rustling the grass and the leaves on the trees are making sounds that are like the purest music one could imagine.

I want you to walk up to the Grandfather Tree. As you approach the trunk of this tree, you will see there is a door with a little handle. I want you to open this door and go inside. Close the door quietly behind you now, and you will find the inside of the tree is lit with a golden glow. In this glow, you can see passageways going through the branches. There is also another pathway going down the trunk into the roots.

Why don't you go and investigate? You have plenty of time to choose which way to go. I wonder what you will find? I think there are rooms off these passageways that hold all sorts of knowledge. Some have lots of toys. There are always people around to keep you company whom you can talk to. They will be able to answer your questions. If you want to remain on your own, you only have to say so and you can go into the room of your choice and do the things you most want to do.

I'll leave you now to explore your special tree.

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The Little White Cloud

Your guardian angel is closing the gate behind you, and your garden is beautiful. The colors are so rich and luxuriant, with that deep blue sky and the sun a radiant golden ball. And there are perky white clouds floating by. As you go down your garden path, you will find that one of the white clouds has come down from the sky to take you for a ride. I want you to climb onto this cloud. It is lovely and fluffy-perhaps its made of cotton wool? Or is it made out of cotton candy? Look, there is a little seat with a set of leather reins. You don't have to tell this cloud where to go as it floats off into the wide blue sky. Your cloud knows where it is going.

Now you are leaving the planet Earth behind. I want you to look below. You will see Earth like a gigantic ball with many different patterns. You can see that these are the forests, the rivers, and the mountains. The clusters of buildings are the cities, and they are tightly packed in, but where the sheep, horses, and cattle graze, there are only a few buildings and barns. If you look very closely you can see your home way, way below you.

And off you go, up and up, floating very peacefully on your soft downy cloud. The higher you go, the smaller Earth will appear to you, until it becomes just a speck in the distance. Have a good look around. You will see other small clouds that have children just like you who have been brought from their gardens to feel the freedom of floating in the heavens.

These little clouds are now stopping at a very large cloud. You can step off now and go for a walk on this big cloud. The other children are getting off too. You will find there are people there who like living in the clouds. They are called the Cloud People, and they wear flowing white robes with fluffy shoes and hats. The Cloud People love showing off there land of clouds to children-grown ups are only sometimes invited, and then only if they have the right kind of imagination.

There is so much to do on this cloud. You certainly won't fall off, even if you hang over the side by the tips of your toes, because they have a different law of gravity in Cloud Land. There are slippery dips and swings and round a bouts to ride. You can even go swimming in the cloud pool, which is all white and foamy.

What fun you can have here, so I think I will leave you now to explore.

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The Busy Ants

Your garden is so peaceful tonight. It is quiet, so quiet you can hear the ants moving around in the grass and on the trees. The air is crystal clear and fresh, and there is a very gentle breeze. I want you to feel that breeze caressing your cheeks and touching your hair.

Can you see the ants? They are always busy, working away so quietly. You could become the size of an ant if you wanted. I think that would be fun. I want you now to become very, very small-see yourself shrinking in size until you are no bigger than an ant. The grass seems very tall now that you are small and each blade of grass is much higher than you are. There is dew on the blades and-plop! You have just had a bath.

The ants are so busy tonight, you could perhaps help them carry the food to their homes. They would appreciate your help, as there is so much for them to do. They carry their food in their mouths but they are giving you a basket, which makes it easier for you to carry things.

When they have finished their work, the ants are going to a party. You are invited to share in their fun and there will be lots of games. I know that you will like what they are going to eat. They have special fruit and berries that are laid out on green leaves, and a drink made of nectar that will slide down your throat.

Not many people are invited to their parties, but you are their friend and special. They are looking forward to you being with them. In fact, I think the party is really a special occasion because you are visiting them. They want you to meet as many of their families as you can.

I shall now leave you with the ants and their party.

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The Tree, the River, and the Canoe

In your garden you will feel the warmth of the golden sun through your body. There is a very gentle breeze, and the sky is a beautiful sapphire blue.

As you walk down your path you will come to a very old, gnarled tree. His branches are laden with leaves and they are moving gently in the light wind. I want you to go to this tree and put your arms around the trunk so that you can feel in yourself the strength and life force of this tree. Feel the warmth of the earth coming up through your feet and meeting the life force of the tree. As you do this, you will feel a love for the earth and nature. When you have finished hugging the tree, say "Goodbye." Tell him that you will see him later on, but you want to go now to talk to the river. He is nodding his head in agreement and, if you look at his trunk, you will see a smile.

Off you go now, down to the river. The river is flowing very peacefully, and the water is so clear you can see right to the bottom. If you want, you can paddle your feet while you watch the golden fish swim by nibbling at their dinner.

I can see lots of canoes on the river. One is coming ashore for you. I can see you getting in. You don't have to paddle the canoe unless you want to, you can just lie back and relax as the waves gently rock the boat. Feel the warmth of the sun on your body.

As you drift down the stream, you notice little bridges crossing from one side to the other.

These bridges are arched over the water and they have red and yellow balloons floating from the center. A few of these balloons have fallen into the water. If you are quick, you could catch some before they drift away. There are people on these bridges and they are waving to you as you float past. Perhaps you may want to land your boat and explore. You could cross one of these bridges to see what's on the other side, or you may prefer to keep on drifting.

I shall leave you now in your canoe...

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The Fairies

In your garden, the sky is a deep indigo blue with huge ballooning white clouds floating by and a yellow ball for the sun, it is so lovely and peaceful. You can see before you a pathway that is winding in and out of the trees. I want you to walk down that path until you come to a small clearing, if you look very, very carefully you can see the fairies. They have been waiting very patiently for you.

I want you to see yourself becoming smaller and smaller until you are just the same size as the fairies and the elves. They are very excited to have you visit them and they have made you a fantastic costume in your favorite color, and it glistens and glows in the sunlight. The fabric is so light it could float away if you didn't hold on to it.

To go with this magical outfit is a pair of wings that sparkle and shimmer in the sunlight. They are in a lighter shade then your costume. I want you now to dress up and put your wings on, and don't you look wonderful. The fairies are giving you a crown of flowers and herbs, and the perfume from these is rich and exciting.

The fairies want you to go flying with them, and they will take you to examine the flowers that they look after. Each fairy has its own special flower and the perfume and clothes reflect its color and scent. When the fairies take off together, its like looking at all the colors of the rainbow.

Two of the fairies, one on either side, will help you to fly, because this is the first time you have used your wings. It feels glorious to be free in the air. Its as though you were floating. They are taking you to their special flowers. You will land on the petals, which feel like velvet. If you lie down you will feel the softness of these petals and the sun warming the flowers.

When you have finished looking at the flowers, and you feel its time to rest, after all, flying can be very tiring. I want you to come back to the clearing. The fairies and the elves are having a party for you. There will be fairy cookies, fairy bread, and gingerbread cakes. You will sit on a small toadstool with a bigger toadstool for a table, and you will drink from tiny pink shells.

There are many games to play, and I know you will enjoy playing with these little people.

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The Waterfall and the Cave

Your garden is full of interesting things tonight. I want you to take your skipping rope and to skip down the path on your way to the river. You can stop to speak to the deer and bunny rabbits, but don't stay too long. When you reach the river, you can watch the boats sailing by and people swimming as they enjoy themselves in the water.

They are having such a good time. I can heat their laughter. I can feel their happiness. Some of them are playing with a ball. I'm sure if you wanted, you could join in too.

The river bank is a rich dark green. A line of weeping willow trees shades it with a low slung branches trailing it into the water. As you walk along the rivers edge, you will come to a bend.

You cannot see around the bend, but as you walk on, you will see before you a high splashing waterfall. Drops of water are flying through the air and catching the suns rays. They look like shining jewels in many colors and shapes. The falling water is creating a musical harmony that is rich and deep. From the bottom of the waterfall rises a cloud of misty spray.

If you climb to the side of the waterfall and look carefully, you will see there is an entrance to a passage behind the wall of water. You need sharp eyes to see the opening. Not many people would be aware it was there. I think you should find out what secrets it holds. As you go behind the spray and into the entrance, you will find that you are now in a large lit cave. The water is falling down in front of you in a great thundering stream that seems to increase the silence in the cave. You can see through the water to watch what's happening on the other side, though no one there can see you. As you look around, you will notice there are drawings on the walls. These have been here for many, many years. They must have been drawn by the Waterfall People who lived here such a long time ago.

As you look, you see passageways going off in different directions from the sides in the back of your cave. Why don't you walk down one of these passages to see what you can find? Its like going on a treasure hunt. I feel sure you will bring back many wonderful things.

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Shooting for the Stars

As you enter your garden, you can feel the freshness of the night air caressing your cheeks, ruffling your hair, surrounding your body. The flowers are bending their bodies in the slight breeze as though to say something is going to happen.

There is an air of excitement in your garden, an air that says you are going to travel far, far away, perhaps even out of this world. Would you like that? Some people say they are going to shoot for the stars and perhaps you could do the same. Have you thought about going to the stars? I think that would be fun.

Just stand in the clearing in the Centre of your garden, near the Grandfather Tree, and turn your face upwards towards the many stars that are in the sky overhead. They are all sending a lovely light down to where you are in your garden. Look at all the stars and you will find that one will stand out from the rest with its beautiful light. This is the one what you will go on.

Keep looking towards the star you have chosen and you will see a stream of brilliant white light coming towards you. This white light is like a link of energy, which will transport you forever upwards. You can feel your body lifting off the grass and being taken high above the earth moving towards the heavens. It is lovely to feel free and to be transported by this pillar of light. The air is fresh and cool around you and the many stars in the universe sparkle in the black velvet sky and send off many twinkling lights which can be seen on the earth.

This beam of light is taking you faster and higher as you shoot past many smaller stars. And there you are, standing on the star you have chosen. This star's light streams towards the earth.

Look at the star earth beneath your feet and you will find it very different that what you normally stand on. It is full of small sparkles, which light the path you are on and show the way. There is a waterfall nearby and, if you stand underneath it, you will find that instead of water coming around body, you are being bathed in special starlight so that you now sparkle and gleam with this lovely starlight.

You may find star people living here. I wonder what they will look like? I imagine they will have wonderful silver clothes and flowing hair. They may speak a different language but you will be able to understand them. Why don't you go looking for them? I think they would love to know someone has traveled such a long way to see them.

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The Dancing Shoes

The sky is so clear, there isn't a cloud. The warmth of the sun radiates toward the earth and to where you are in your garden. There is an air of excitement, as the "little" people have been waiting for you to come. They have been so very patient and they have kept themselves busy getting everything ready for you - can you hear the music? There are stringed instruments playing and I can hear a harp.

Together they make music that is heavenly, music such as you have never heard before, the sort of music the makes you want to dance and dance. Of course the "little" people already know this, and they have made you a special pair of dancing shoes. These dancing shoes are little red ones with sparkles on them. They have a bow across the top, and the heel is just the right size. These shoes are magic dancing shoes. Whoever wears them can dance and dance, never wanting to stop while the music plays.

I want you now to dance for all the people. While you twist and twirl, listen to the music and feel it deep inside yourself. you are having such a good time that you feel you might never stop dancing. Your energy is high and you like having an audience.

When you decide you have had enough, you can rest underneath a huge mushroom and watch the festivities from there. The mushroom is like a giant umbrella shading you from the sun. The grass underneath feels like a soft green cushion that you can sink into. Perhaps you want to take your shoes off for a while, although they look so pretty on your feet you may want to keep them on. You might want to do some more dancing, or maybe it's time to see what's happening under the other mushrooms. Why don't you take a walk and see what's going on.

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The Mermaid and her Family

Your garden has a lovely feel to it as you enter and it seems to greet you. The flowers bend from their waists and nod, and butterflies of many different colors crowd around the lilies and daffodils.

As you go further forward into your garden, you can hear water splashing and the sound of laughter. I wonder where this can be coming from?

How beautiful the water is as you turn the corner and the sea comes into view. The sand is bright from the sun gleaming down and the water looks so clean and fresh and blue. If you walk along the beach a little way, you will come to a cove, which is small and protected, and this looks like a very special place where you can swim.

There are large rocks in the crystal clear water and small fish of many varied colors swim around them. Why don't you dive into the water and swim with the fish? They would love to float in the water with you. These fish are all the colors of the rainbow and of many different shapes and sizes.

I can see a movement deep in the water. Why don't you dive into the depths to see where this movement is coming from? If people do live underneath the water, they must have a lovely home so deep beneath the sea. Can you see who it is? I think they are playing games with you.

Why don't you come back to the surface of the water and sit on one of the rocks? There is a large rock nearby and someone is sitting there. She has lovely long hair, which she is combing out for the sun to dry, and a very long tail. Why, it is a mermaid. I wonder what it would be like to be a mermaid? She is smiling and laughing at you and beckons you to come closer.

She has very white teeth and a beautiful smile as she makes you welcome. If you look at the other rocks coming out of the water, you will see there are mermaid children resting on these rocks and waving to you.

The mermaid would like to take you to her home, which is a cave underneath the water. The children on the other rocks are preparing to dive as she takes you by the hand before gently leaving her rock.

She is taking you deep under the water and into the cave where her husband, the merman, is. He has prepared a great feast in your honour and they would love you to join them for a seaweed dinner.

The children are all giggling and are so happy that you have come to see them. They have a spare tail for you to put on so that you can feel what it is like to swish it around as you dive through the water.

It is such fun to swim with this lovely family. You may want to swim back to the rocks later and watch the ships go by. Perhaps you could wave to the people and surprise them by swishing your new tail at them.

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Traveling in a Balloon

The air feels fresh and clean against your skin and you can feel the gentle breeze ruffling your hair as it moves through your garden.

Flowers of many colors are sitting tall and proud, happy to share their beauty with you. The earth has been absorbing the sun's rays and feels warm beneath your feet.

Some of the animals that share your garden are coming forward to greet you and they seem to be excited. The ruffle of fur sits proudly around the lion's head as he walks over to you, roaring his welcome. There are rabbits coming out from their burrows, twitching their whiskers. A small monkey is pulling at your sleeve as though to ask you to hurry to the Grandfather Tree.

This old tree has many birds nestling amongst his branches, some of them fluffing out their feathers as they settle down. Others are feeding the little ones in their nests where they are protected and secure.

The Grandfather Tree is moving his branches, his green leaves rustling as though to welcome you. The monkey is climbing up his thick trunk and onto a branch where she is excitedly pointing to something in the clearing.

Why, it is a huge balloon with a small wicker basket hanging underneath. The balloon has purple; pink, mauve, and yellow stripes which narrow at the top and bottom, and swell out in the centre. These colours are very vivid and stand out strongly against the deep blue sky. The sun is sending its warmth down and its light is picking up the colours, making them appear luminescent.

Why don't you get inside the basket? You will find that is larger than it appears from the outside and quite comfortable. The balloon is high above you and is beginning to move in the gentle breeze. The North Wind is coming forward and asking if you would like him to blow gently around the balloon so that you can go not only high into the air, but travel across the fields.

This balloon is operated by a small lever, which is set in the wicker basket. Push this lever gently forward and the balloon will lift off from the earth and float into the heavens.

The Grandfather Tree is shaking his branches in farewell and the birds are leaving his branches to fly with you. The animals are sitting in the clearing to wait for your return.

Around the inside of the basket there is a padded seat covered in purple satin. A large yellow bow is attached to some of the struts, which hold the basket to the balloon, and the tails of the bow are streaming behind you as the wind pushes you further.

This balloon can take you wherever you want. You can go high into the air, higher than you have been before, or you could ask the Northerly Wind to breathe gently on the balloon and its basket, turning you in a spiral.

Whenever you want to land, all you have to do is to pull the lever back and you will find your descent will be gentle, with a slight bump as you come to the earth.

I wonder where you have landed? You may have come back to the Grandfather Tree and the animals, or you may have gone to another city, another place, another country.

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The Magic Hat

The flowers are pushing their heads forward to catch the sun's golden rays. You can hear the light breeze rustling through the leaves of the many trees that are in your garden. There is much excitement as you enter your garden. The birds are flying swiftly in one direction and the rabbits, emerging from their burrows, are bounding past you, their feet making a definite thud as they hit the earth. Why don't you follow them to see where they are going?

It is rather hard to keep up with them as they are so fast, but they are now slowing down for you. One of them is taking you by the hand, so that you feel as though your feet fly across the earth as you run with the rabbits.

The rabbits have all stopped and are pointing to a small three-legged stool in front of the Grandfather Tree. A very large hat is sitting in the centre of the stool and it would seem as though it has been left there for you.

The hat is bright green with small slashes of yellow through it. The hat's brim is wide and has a multicolored ribbon around it, with a large bow on one side. Why don't you put it on? I believe it is a magic hat and that when you put it on you will be able to do all sorts of tricks to entertain the rabbits and the other creatures that are coming forward.

Look, now that you are wearing the hat, you can pull cards out from behind the ribbon and also from your sleeves. There is a long scarf appearing from the brim, which you can tie underneath your chin if you want.

Why don't you take the hat off and look inside? Why, there is a pretty white dove inside and I do believe she has laid an egg. You can hold her in your hand if you like and, if you hold the egg I the other hand, it may even hatch.

You can have such fun with this hat. It can make you disappear if you want. Put it on and "wish" yourself invisible. When you do that you can move around and no one can see you. What fun!

This special hat can also transport you wherever you want to go. If you want to visit a special person, you could put it on and travel there in no time. You may want to see a friend, or perhaps travel to another country. This hat could take you to Disneyland where you could meet some of the Disney characters or to the North Pole where you could slide on the ice and perhaps meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

This is such a lovely magic hat. When you put it on, it makes you feel happy and you want to laugh when you wear it. And why don't you laugh, because this hat makes you feel so good…

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Being a Cloud

As you enter your garden, you can smell the wonderful perfume the flowers are sending forth and their aroma drifts around you. The sky is a rich beautiful blue and the soft green grass glistens with the dew that has been left by the early morning mist.

Why don't you lie down, feeling the soft green grass beneath you and watch the clouds drifting across the blue sky?

There seem to be many clouds in the sky. If you watch carefully, you will notice that the clouds appear to make faces and forms that you have not noticed before. I wonder how the clouds do that?

Why don't you step onto your own personal small cloud, which has come down into the clearing? It has a small red seat, which will hold you comfortably, and a set of golden reins. Your cloud will take you high above the earth, into the heavens above. Can you feel the cloud lifting off from the clearing? Grandfather Tree is waving his branches at you and some of the birds are flying alongside your cloud.

You are going higher and higher, leaving the earth behind. Your cloud is weaving in and out of some of the other clouds as it takes you to Mother Cloud where it will stop.

You can get off on Mother Cloud and talk to he cloud people if you like. Jump up and down and feel the softness of the cloud supporting you and your weight. You could then hop from one cloud to another without falling, as the law of gravity is different on the clouds.

Why don't you take part of a cloud and make it into a shape like your mother or father? You can use the cloud to make faces of other family members, perhaps your brother or sister, or maybe you would like to make faces and bodies of animals.

You could have one cloud with a whole family of cats. Perhaps a small cat with her little ones, or you may like to make a lion and her cubs.

Some clouds are small and wispy. You could collect them all together and form them into one cloud. You could push and pull here and there until you get the cloud to the size you want. And then you could make special faces with the cloud you have formed.

Over there is a cloud that looks as though it could rain. Why don't you move that cloud to a part of the earth that looks as though it needs rain, and then push the cloud gently so that the rain falls? If you hang on under the cloud, you can have a shower at the same time.

Perhaps there are other clouds with rain that you could move around, or maybe you may like to make more cloud people.

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The Green Train

The sun hangs overhead like a rich golden globe, filled with a warm light which is bathing you in its gentle glow, and the freshness of the air brushes your face lightly. The sky is a rich sapphire blue, hung with the merest wisps of cloud.

There is a feeling of something different in your garden, as though something is going to happen. Listen carefully, and see what you can hear.

I can hear the whistle of a train. Can you? Listen, it is tooting as it comes around the bend. What a marvelous train, so green and shiny. There is smoke coming out as the engine driver pulls the cord to make it toot.

It is now pulling into the station. Why don't you hop on board and go for a ride? You never can tell where this train will take you. This is a mystery train that can take you on many different adventures, to many different places.

You can wander from carriage to carriage as the train sways on its tracks, still tooting occasionally, and the wheels make sounds as though they are talking to you as they turn. Can you hear what they are saying? Listen carefully, as the wheels pass their message along.

Each carriage is done in different colours and different themes. Some carriages seem as though they are from the Wild West. Others are from the future and their seats are made of different materials. And others are from different times in our past. You may want to go back one hundred years or perhaps forward by two hundred years. Or you may want to stay in your own present time.

Some carriages have beds, which you can hop into if the journey is very long. The beds feel very comfortable as the train makes its way, moving gently around the bends.

If you are hungry, you can always go to the dining car where they have all sorts of food from many different countries.

You could go to the front of the train and meet the driver. I am sure the driver would like to show you how to blow the whistle and to make the train go slow as it rounds the corners, and then to pick up speed when it is on the straight.

Why don't you sound the whistle for the driver? You can make the sounds long or short, or perhaps a little of each. I know, why don't you see if you could be the train driver for a little while? Because this train goes on mystery tours, it would be fun for you to be the driver and see where you will be taken. I am sure you can find a hat to fit you.

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The Extra-terrestrials

The sky is clear and the warmth of the sun radiates to where you are in the garden. The trees are whispering to each other and they are pointing you towards the mountains in the distance. The mountains are tall and graceful as they stand outlined against the blue of the sky, and they have small white caps on their peaks.

There seems to be something sparkling in the valley at the base of the mountains. It is catching the light from the sun and it makes you want to investigate, to see what is causing this reflection of light.

Have you ever wondered about people from other planets and other time zones? I think that sometimes extra-terrestrials visit us on earth but they do not always show themselves to us. They like to keep to themselves, as not all people would understand why they have come from their homes, which exist in a land or planet, so far removed from ours.

I think you might find a space ship close to the mountains, which is why the light is being reflected from the sun's rays.

Can you see the ship now? It is large and silver and has several antennae sticking out and shines in the sunlight. These antennae are their receiving station and their connection with their mother ship and the planet they call home. I think you will find that the people on this intergalactic craft have traveled to earth just to meet you.

There are stairs being lowered from the main body of the aircraft and there is an extra-terrestrial at the top who beckons for you to come forward and into the body of the craft. Go up the stairs and greet your new friend by extending your hand in welcome.

Can you see what your friend looks like? People from space do not always look as we do, but that doesn't matter. Take the hand being offered to lead you inside. There are several space people in the craft and they are going to take you around and show you how the craft moves through space.

The interior of this vehicle is quite different from our airborne craft. Their computer equipment is smaller and easier to operate and the equipment is white, except for the flashing lights. If you sit at the controls, you will notice that the wide windows go completely around the craft, enabling you to see not only in front, but around the sides and the back as you turn.

I wonder whether they would allow you to operate the controls. Would you like to take off and go where they live? If you ask, perhaps they will allow you to do so. I am sure they will think it a wonderful idea.

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The Lion who Roared

You can feel the peace and harmony in your garden. The sky is an indigo blue and the clouds are small and scattered. The sun is a rich golden yellow and spreads light dappling through the trees.

The birds are twittering, the rabbits hopping, the lions roaring, the squirrels are running up the trees with the nuts they have gathered, and the monkeys swing through the branches as you enter your garden. There are dogs and cats and elephants, camels and boldly colored parrots, all waiting to greet you.

A small monkey is approaching you. Why don't you offer her a banana? Look, she is holding out her hand, as she wants to take you to a place, which is deeper in your garden.

Perhaps you could swing through the trees, as the monkey does, holding onto branches and vines, which will take you from one tree to another.

Your monkey is pausing to point to the rock below where a lion is slumbering. This lion is very strong and has a beautiful golden coat, which is sleek and shines in the sunlight. Watch as she stretches her body as she awakens from her sleep. The legs go tight and then relax as she sits on her haunches.

The rock she is standing on is high above a valley and this lioness is surveying the territory around as though she owns it. She is now opening her mouth and letting out a magnificent roar which is resounding through the valley and the trees.

You will notice that other animals are responding to the roar. The lion sends her magnificent voice out not once but three times, in quick succession. I think she is summoning the animals to her side.

Your monkey is climbing down the tree and is pausing just above the lion's heads before leaping down to the rock. The monkey is now inviting you to join them. It is an easy climb down the tree to the rock, and if you rest a little every now and again, you will soon find yourself standing beside the monkey, looking straight into the tawny eyes of this mother lion.

Her mouth is opening wider and wider, and the roar that comes out seems to bounce from the trees and around the valley. This is her roar of welcome could you roar like the lion? I believe you can. Let your lungs fill with air, and then ... roar! What a marvelous sound you have made. The lion is padding over to stand alongside you and both of you can roar together, alerting all the animals to come forward.

As you roar together look around and you will find animals of all descriptions coming to where you are on the rock. All these animals co-exist peacefully and they love coming together, especially when they have a new guest.

Have you wondered what it would be like to be a lion? Perhaps you could "wish" yourself into the body of a lion so that you can see through tawny eyes. Doesn't it look and feel different now that you are a lion? Roar, and let all the animals know that you are there.

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The Universal Library

The slight wind moves through your hair and the air is fresh and cool as you enter your garden. White clouds silently float above and the sun's gentle wrmth falls like a light mantle around you. There are also wisps of clouds in the blue sky overhead and the leaves from the trees create a soft carpet for you to walk on.

The flowers are in full bloom and the smell of the roses floats towards you making you feel as though you would like to pick one. The roses are abundant in their assorted colors of yellow, white, pink, red, and deep purple. Their colours compliment the green shrubs and trees what stand guard, protecting them from the sun when it is high in the heavens.

Through the trees, you can see the outline of a large building, which is made of alabaster with tall sculptured columns around it.

There are many stairs to climb before you reach the heavy wooden doors, which are ornately carved. There are words written above these doors and they say "The Universal Library". Why don't you go inside and see what this building has to offer?

The entrance hall is large and imposing and its marble floors have an intricate pattern as though the solar system has burst forth. There are many marble statues and busts of learned scholars on stands scattered throughout this hall and also in the halls that lead in different directions.

There are rooms down each hallway that you could enter and each one is filled to the ceiling with books. To get to the ones at the top, you need to climb a ladder, which then slides from one wall to the other.

There are books on every subject you could imagine and also books on those that your couldn't. Each room deals with different subjects.

Some rooms have books, which are on space travel and the universe. Others are filled with stories about different cultures and people of the earth. And some are stories about families, about children, about animals. And some are about people who dare to do things - who climb mountains, who build aeroplanes, who travel to distant lands. Some rooms tell us all about the history of the world and our people, with rooms that tell us about the many animals that live on earth. And other rooms deal with our history, going back to the time of the dinosaurs and when people first trod the earth.

I wonder which room you will choose? You may want to spend only a little time in one, and then move on to the next. There are so many books that are interesting. It is up to you to decide.

Sunshine, More Meditations for Children by Maureen Garth

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The Fun Park

There is an air of excitement as you enter your garden. I wonder what can be causing it? The flowers are bending their heads towards each other and the trees are waving their branches in welcome in the light breeze. The many birds sitting on the branches are twittering and preening themselves.

You can hear a lot of chattering as you go down your pathway. Listen carefully to find out where this noise and activity is coming from and then head in that direction.

Why, in the clearing, there is a fun park with lots of rides. There are some that take you high in the air and spin you around. This makes you laugh as you find yourself upside down for a short time before being put upright once again. Afterwards, when you first put your feet back on the earth, you may find yourself a bit wobbly from being turned around so many times.

And then there are small cars, which you can drive around and around and sometimes crash into others that are also going in the same direction. Because of the padding around the outside of the cars, no one ever gets hurt.

There are large slippery dips where you feel yourself sliding down and down, and the mat underneath you goes from side to side. You laugh, loving the feeling of the downward motion, until you hit the bottom, and then you want to go back to the top to do it all over again. If you carry your mat back with you there is no reason why you cannot come down as many times as you want.

And then there is the merry-go-round, which is beautifully painted and has mirrors, which will reflect both you and the horse you have chosen as you go round and round. Perhaps you could choose the white horse with the long, flowing mane who looks as though she wants to take off, or maybe the black one that is prancing high in the air. The merry-go-round plays music as you ride your horse around, going up and down all the while.

There are games that you can play where you throw balls into the mouth of the clown as the head turns from side to side. This can be difficult as sometimes the ball just misses. In you concentrate, I am sure you will get the balls in.

On that stall in front of you they are playing darts. I wonder if you can get all your darts into the bull's eye? If you do, I am sure you will win one of their prizes.

I wonder where else you could go? There are so many things you could do here.

Sunshine, More Meditations for Children by Maureen Garth

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The Purple-Winged Bird

There are many birds flying around your garden, landing on the branches of the green trees and bushes that surround you. The bees are busy humming as they fly from flower to flower collecting their pollen, and the butterflies fly past in a burst of color which is like a rainbow.

The Grandfather Tree seems to be smiling to himself. I wonder why? I think he has someone special sitting on one of his branches. This wise old tree is lowering one of his limbs for you to climb on and is now taking you up into the air, placing you on a branch that is high, so that you can see all around.

In the distance you will see a small shape flying, making for the protection of the Grandfather Tree's branches. As she becomes closer, you will see she is a very different bird and also a very beautiful one. In fact, she is a brilliant purple bird and her name is Parthia.

Her beak is sky blue and the feathers on her body are a rich purple. The crest of her head has blue feathers, which match the color of her beak. If you look at her feet, you will notice the claws are a brilliant yellow.

Would you like to be brightly colored like Parthia, or would you like to have your own colours? If you were a bird, perhaps you might have bright green wings with a yellow beak and orange nails. Or you might like to be pure white with a tinge of color on the crest of your head and your nails might be bright red.

Parthia has a twinkle in her eye and a good sense of humor. She likes to have the company of children when they visit this special part of their garden, and if you ask, she may teach you how to fly.

Parthia follows the winds and listens to them as they tell tales of what is happening in other parts of the garden. She loves to sing and has the most beautiful singing voice you have heard. If you listen closely, you too may be able to sing like her.

Why don't you allow Parthia to teach you how to fly, to take off from your high branch and to soar, to dip and weave in the air, perhaps even flying in circles for a time?

The winds are telling Parthia that they will help to carry both of you on your journey. They will breathe behind you as you fly, giving a small push through the air and the clouds, taking you further than you have been before.

Why don't the two of you take off from the Grandfather Tree, and feel the freedom of flight, with the winds helping you along the way? Listen closely to the winds and to Parthia, the purple-winged bird, as you travel through the air. Listen and fly.

Sunshine, More Meditations for Children by Maureen Garth

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The Traveling Armchair

There is a hushed air of expectancy in your garden as you enter. The animals are sitting close to the trunks of the many trees and the flowers are waving their heads, creating a rainbow of colour, as they send their beautiful perfume forth to drift around you.

The sun is sending out gentle rays to where you are and the trees move gently with the light breeze.

There is a small hill in front of you and, sitting on its top, is an armchair. What a strange place to find an armchair!

It is a very large chair with bold stripes of green and yellow going down its sides. It has overstuffed arms and a heavily padded back, which makes it look extremely comfortable. The red tassels, which hang from the arms, swing in the slight breeze and, around its base, is a skirt with green and yellow stripes going in the opposite direction.

It looks very comfortable, the sort of armchair that you can snuggle down into. Who don't you climb onto the seat and pull the red tassels hanging from its arms? As you do so, a set of controls comes out in front of you from either side, and they meet in the centre so that you have a control panel across your lap.

This is a very unusual armchair because it is a traveling one. Why don't you press the "go" button and see what happens?

The armchair shudders slightly as it prepares for take off, and then moves silently into the air, hovering for a short while above the hill as it awaits your commands.

This armchair will take you wherever you want to go. You could go to another country, one you haven't been to before, or you could visit your friends and surprise them in your colourfully striped armchair. I doubt that anyone else would have a green and yellow chair like yours that transports you from one place to another.

Feel yourself traveling high in the air, secure on the armchair's seat as it dips and slides to give you a better view of the earth below. There is a button, which has "USD", printed there and, if you push it, you will find that you are now upside down. Push "RSU" and you will be then moved to be right side up.

There are waterfalls and waterslides down there. There are parks with swings and climbing frames, and I can see the beach with its lovely golden sand. There are mountain tops with snow on their peaks, and, of course, we cannot forget the sky above with its beauty and light.

You can work the controls to take you wherever you want.

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The Sun and the Sun God

In your garden you can smell the lovely perfume that is coming from the golden daffodils nearby. They are standing tall and straight, very proudly sending their aroma to the surrounding trees and flowers.

The air is so fresh and clean, the perfume of the flowers is rich, and the sun, a huge golden ball, sending down a very gently heat. The trees are moving their branches as they welcome the sun's rays. If you listen you can her them saying, "Come to me, come to me", as they know the sun aids their growth.

Lie down and feel the warmth of the sun on your body, feel it going inside and touching each part of you. It is lovely to feel the sun's light and warmth. It makes you feel good as the rays flicker across your body and the light breeze cools you down.

One of the sun's rays is becoming stronger and stronger, like a beam coming from the core of the sun. In the center of the beam is a sun god who has come down especially to take you up into the heavens, into the sun. Would you like to go? Step into this shaft of light and place your hand into the hand of the sun god and allow yourself to be transported to the sun.

You will feel tranquillity around you as you ascent into the heavens and float through the clouds towards the sun, leaving the earth behind.

Isn't it beautiful? Now that you are standing on the sun and feeling its light, you may notice that it has a gentle warmth, which enables you to move around freely. You can see the rays of the sun reaching out and touching the earth, bringing its golden light down to the people and the animals and the gardens. It makes the waterfalls and lakes and seas sparkle, and the animals sleepy as they nap, feeling the heat on their fur and feathers.

From where you are, you can see other planets and stars who receive light from the sun. And if you look a long way away, you will perhaps see other suns and other universes.

This sun god is taking you into the center of the sun, the core of our universe, where his family lives. Perhaps you could stay with them for awhile and find out how they regulate the sun's rays and perhaps you could do it yourself, sending the light out for all those below.

Sunshine, More Meditations for Children by Maureen Garth

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The Organ and its Pipes

The green of the trees and the grass is very lush, and there are bluebells and roses in pink, mauve and purple. Scattered between these flowers are brilliant yellow daisies moving in the gentle breeze.

Your garden is v-e-r-y quiet, even the trees seem to be standing quietly, not moving a leaf. The animals are hushed, with their ears pricked and the flowers are bending their heads as though they are hearing something you cannot. I wonder what it can be?

Listen carefully, what can you hear? I can hear a heavenly sound of music. It seems to be coming from the direction of the Grandfather Tree. Why don't you go to where he is and see what is happening?

The Grandfather Tree seems to be sheltering a very large object beneath his green branches. It has many keys waiting to be played and many pipes rising up from it, all of different thickness and lengths.

It's an organ, the most beautiful organ you have ever heard. There isn't anyone playing it, just the wind, which moves across the keyboard and touches the keys so lightly that music pours forth into your garden.

The music seems to be attracting everybody to sit and listen The clearing is rapidly filling up with animals, fairies and elves The birds are flying in to nestle on tree branches and their babies are chirping softly in unison with the music.

What would you like to do? You could sit quietly in the clearing, listening to the organ music, or perhaps you may want to play the organ yourself.

Grandfather Tree is smiling as though to himself and one of his long leafy arms is beckoning you to come and sit on the small seat in front of the organ. He would like you to play. Why don't you try? Sit on the seat and it will adjust itself to the right height for you. The pipes are very tall and imposing.

The organ has many knobs for you to move to coordinate the sounds that will come through these pipes. Just alter a few and test the keyboard for the sound, and then re-adjust the knobs until you get the sound, which is right for you.

And now you are ready to play. The organ music is pouring forth, surrounding your garden and filling it with the joy that this music is bringing. All the little ones, who have come to listen in your garden, love hearing you play and are swaying to the music. Indeed a few of them have decided to dance.

You don't need the sheet of music in front of you as the music itself seems to be in your blood and comes forth from your fingertips.

You can change the tune as many times as you want. Play a medley perhaps, or something nice and quiet. It is up to you.

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The Clown

The grass is cool beneath your feet and the trees are tall and in full leaf. The breeze gently ruffles their branches and moves lightly through your hair as you walk down your pathway.

There is a lot of excitement in your garden. Can you feel it? The trees are shaking their branches and the flowers are nodding their heads as you pass by. I wonder what is happening? You will have to go further down the path to find out. I hear laughter and I am sure that when you walk around that big tree down there, you will find out where this is coming from.

There is someone waiting for you in your garden, someone who is all dressed up, someone who is … a clown!

His shoes are very big for his small feet. They look as though he may fall over if he tries to walk, but he doesn't. You look at his feet and want to laugh, as his shoes look so odd. Big and red with orange bows. And his clown suit is not only large and floppy but is colored in bright checks of green, yellow, gold, and orange. Look at his makeup. A very large bright red mouth has been painted over his own, and his face is chalk white.

This clown is going to take you by the hand. He wants you to go with him into the clearing where a crowd of people is waiting for his performance. They have been waiting for both of you.

He has many balls that he is going to juggle. It looks very easy, doesn't it? He wants someone to be his assistant and is asking you to come forward and help. Would you like to do that?

He is going to a suitcase he has near a tree and is pulling out a small clown's costume with a pair of silly shoes and a crazy hat for your head. Why don't you get dressed up and perform with this clown? I wonder what his name is?

He is jumping up and down in front of the people doing cartwheels. He is beckoning to you to do the same and he also wants to play leapfrog.

He now has a small red wheelbarrow with brown wheels and green spokes. He wants you to get inside so he can wheel you around the arena. He is jerking the wheelbarrow as he goes around, which makes the crowd laugh. And now he wants to get into the wheelbarrow so that you can wheel him around. His legs hang over the sides and his funny shoes stick up into the air.

Why don't you try to juggle the balls? There are six of them, of different colours and it seems easy enough to get them all into the air at one time. You could even throw one into the audience for them to throw back to you.

Sunshine, More Meditations for Children by Maureen Garth

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The Universe

The Grandfather Tree is looking especially beautiful in the moonlight. The light breeze is drifting through his branches, rustling his green leaves, and the sound is like music. Your garden is very quiet and still and the flowers have tilted their heads back to receive the light from the many stars above which is bathing your garden. This light streams down, mingling with the light from the full moon, which hangs in the sky.

Why don't you lie down and look at the stars above you? There are many stars with many names. You could even name some of the stars for yourself and your family if you like. There are some that appear larger and brighter than others because they are bigger, or closer to the earth. Others twinkle from far, far away, sending out a smaller light.

Some stars form a wide pathway as though they have traffic passing along them, while others stand alone, on a solitary path. People who visit the stars would need a special trip to these solitary starts.

You may see a pattern within the stars and perhaps you will want to go beyond that star pattern to see what else is out there.

The universe is wide and deep and holds many mysteries and many planets. We know of planets such as Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Pluto, and Chiron, but there are many that have not been discovered yet.

Why don't you visit the plants that no one knows about? There is a star coming down to where you are in your garden. It is landing alongside for you to enter the small door, which is opening, from its centre. This star will take you far, far away, high into the velvet sky. You can see out from this star as it takes you above the earth and you can see the light it emits as it takes you along a different pathway in the sky.

You could circle the universe in this star or you could go further into the other galaxies of which we know so little.

Look, there is a large planet ahead. It is hanging in the sky and looks so different to our planet, Earth. I wonder if you will find people and animals living there like the ones at home. They may be quite different to anyone you have known or seen, but I am sure that if you greet them in a friendly fashion, they will make you welcome.

Would you like to land on this large planet, or would you like to go further into the universe to see what other mysteries this particular galaxy may hold before moving on to the others…?

Sunshine, More Meditations for Children by Maureen Garth

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The Submarine

Feel the freshness of the grass and the dew beneath your feet as you go forward into your garden. Breathe in the aroma from the flowers' perfume drifting towards you on the light breeze. The powdery clouds drift high in the velvet blue of the sky; making intricate patterns.

The sun is sending down a lovely warm glow, which settles over your garden. The trees and the flowers love the feel of the sun's warmth, which helps them to grow. As you walk down the pathway, you can hear the sound of water. I wonder where it is coming from? If you go a little further, you will come to your special place.

The sand is a golden yellow and it crunches beneath your feet, gleaming in the light of the sun. The sea gulls swoop over the iridescent blue water, dipping over the waves as they roll to the shore. Small sand crabs make their way towards the nearby rocks to shelter in the small pools of water that have formed there.

There are some boats moored off the shore that stand in relief against the skyline. Some of them have the rigging of the old schooners that went to sea in days gone by and others are modern and sleek, shining in the sun.

Why don't you run down the beach and throw' yourself into the waves which are lapping quietly on the sand? And then let the water take you out to where these boats are resting. You could swim there or you could lie on your back and let the waves carry you, going gently up and down, until you reach these magnificent tall boats.

As you look at the schooners, you will notice another type of boat nearby. It looks something like a very large cigar with a tower that moves, searching the horizon like the eyes of this craft. Why, it is a submarine with its periscope.

Have you been on a submarine before? See, someone is climbing out from the top of the submarine and waving to you. It must be the captain wanting you to join him. It is fun going down into the depths of this vessel, very different to being on a normal boat.

You can operate the periscope, watching from underneath the water what is going on above, or you can pull it down as they close all the hatches, and then take off for the deeper part of the sea.

There are many things to see on a submarine - where the men sleep in bunks above each other, and where they eat. Their kitchen is very compact and complete and their food is always fresh and delightful.

Perhaps the captain of the submarine would let you operate the submarine. You could take it deep, deep down within the waters, to places where you would not normally go. You can watch the fish swimming by - large ones, small ones. Look, there's a shark! And, there - an octopus. Oh, there are so many things you can do and see on the submarine...

Sunshine, More Meditations for Children by Maureen Garth

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Space Travel

I want you to walk along the garden path, feeling the sun on your back. The gentle breeze is ruffling your hair as you climb to the top of a hill. When you stand on the top of this hill you can see far, far away, as far as the eye can see.

How wonderful it would be to travel through space, to feel effortless and to feel timeless. There are any different ways you could travel through space. One way perhaps might be by putting a rocket on your back and saying "lift off" - or perhaps having your own space vehicle - or perhaps by just "wishing" that you were there.

This time, why don't you have your own spacecraft and then you can navigate the airship? You could wear a space suit made of silver material, which has threads of purple woven through it. Your shoes have a heavier sole than normal, which will help you to jump from one rock to another, or one surface to another when you land. There is no need for a helmet unless you want, as you will be able to breathe the air in space without difficulty. You may want to wear a hat of some kind, perhaps one which comes to a peak, above your head, made of purple with silver threads, and a purple visor to keep any glare from your eyes.

You are now at the controls. There are many buttons and levers but you seem to know which ones to push and press There is one there that says "push for Lift off' and you have, you have lifted off the surface of the earth.

Your space machine is taking you quickly into outer space, leaving the earth dimension behind. It is so very beautiful; the stars are huge and, look, there is the moon luminescent and golden against the velvet black sky. You could go to the far side of the moon, if you like, as no one from earth has been there before, or you could go towards the sun.

If you take your craft completely around the sun, you will feel a different energy from that of the moon's circle. Why don't you go further afield to see what other worlds exist? Move the throttle forward as you go into a timelessness that you haven't experienced before and, look, there are planets whirling by. You are going into other galaxies and other times and other worlds.

How exciting to be able to travel like this, to have this freedom. Where would you like to land? On a star? On a new planet? I wonder if anyone lives on these stars and planets. Why don't you move the throttle slowly and maneuver your craft downward onto the planet or world or star you have decided to visit. You need have no fear because wherever you land or wherever you go, you will find people who are going to welcome you and take you into their worlds.

Feel yourself emerging from your craft and investigating, investigating, going where no one from earth has been...

Sunshine, More Meditations for Children by Maureen Garth

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The Geese, the Ducks and the Swans

As you enter your garden, you hear the flowers talking to each other and the grass growing. The grass is soft underneath your feet and it springs back to life as you walk forward. The bees are going from flower to flower, and the fairies and elves dance in the clearing.

You feel the warmth of the sun caressing you and the light breeze moves your hair softly. You can hear the birds calling to each other. There is nothing in your garden which can harm you, each and every creature lives in harmony with the others.

I want you to feel the peace that is flowing in your garden and the gentleness of all who live there. Your path is winding through the trees and it will take you to a beautiful lake surrounded by weeping willows, whose long fingers dangle in the water and move to and fro with its motion.

There is a small table set up with an umbrella to shade you from the sun. There are sandwiches and drinks on the table, plus a few loaves of bread. I wonder why the bread is there?

Put your feet up and enjoy being by the lake watching the water. You will see, if you look closely, that there are eels swimming under its surface, and many golden fish darting among the reeds. And look over there, a gaggle of geese are coming across the grass to join you. Aren't they funny with their swaying walk on their webbed feet?

But I hear a different sound than the geese. Listen to it - quack, quack, quack. On the lake there are ducks quacking loudly as they head towards you, happy that you are there.

If you look to the other side of the lake, you will notice that the swans are also swimming very majestically towards where you are sitting.

Now you know why you have the bread. It must be feeding time. Break some bread off and spread it around in front of you. This will encourage the birds to come out of the water and eat with you. The geese are picking up the small pieces of bread before the ducks and the swans can get there. You had better save some for them.

I wonder if some of them have names? Why don't you make up a few names and call to them? And then they will come close enough for you to feed them by hand. They will love being fed by you and they are going to make many noises as they eat. Perhaps it is now time to open the other loaf of bread...

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The Four Winds

As you enter your garden, you become aware of the softness of the air caressing your cheeks, and the warmth of the sun on your body. Look around and you can see the trees and plants all happily sharing the same earth with the flowers and the animals.

The sky is a deep shade of blue and the golden sun is high in the heavens, warming the earth and all of its creatures.

The path in front of you is winding along through the soft dewy grass and up onto a hill, which isn't difficult to climb.

Standing on the crest of the hill, you feel the light breeze sweeping around your body and becoming stronger. This breeze is whispering to you that he is becoming one with the Westerly Wind and that, if you want, the Westerly Wind will take you to where all the winds are going to meet.

Allow the wind to wrap his energy around you and to transport you forward. Can you feel this wind's strength as he takes you to meet the winds that are coming from all directions?

Look, the Northerly Wind is approaching and she is smiling as she sweeps and dips cavorting like a young lamb. She is going to take you by the hand to the northern part of your garden so that you can see from above what happens there. Can you see your home? Or perhaps your school?

The Easterly Wind is gently approaching and is sweeping around you as she speaks with the Northerly Wind. They are wondering where the Southerly Wind is. Oh, there he is. He has met up with the Westerly Wind and they are both sweeping in to meet with the other winds and yourself.

As they all come together, they are going to send out a big breath which is going to tumble you over and over, up into the air, and then down again. This is fun and the winds laugh as they blow you gently up and down.

You could go with the winds and experience how it feels to be with them as they blow across the fields, bending the corn and the flowers as they pass over. You would feel what it would be like to move through the leaves on the trees and to ruffle the feathers on the birds and the fur on the animals.

As the winds swoop over the deserts, the sand will swirl and move into the air. The winds can whip up the sea's waves, causing droplets of water to fly in all directions.

There is a large white cloud overhead and perhaps you could be blown onto it. Why don't you ask the winds if they would gently breathe on you and send you onto the soft whiteness of this cloud.

Sunshine, More Meditations for Children by Maureen Garth

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The Horses

Feel the freshness of the air surrounding you, caressing your skin and stirring your hair as though gentle fingers are moving it. In your garden there are snapdragons in all their pretty colors and the green grass beneath your feet feels like velvet. The tall trees are bending slightly in the breeze that ruffles their branches, and the perfume from the roses drifts around you.

There seems to be something happening in your garden. There are bags of sugar by your feet and I can hear all sorts of sounds and there are different smells around also. Listen! There are sounds tike thunder rolling towards you.

Coming towards you is a herd of horses. They are so beautiful as they take long strides in your direction. They are being led by not one, but two horses, each quite different than the other One is jet black and the other as white as the driven snow.

They are before you now, standing on their back legs and pawing the air as though to greet you. They are coming down to the earth now and moving forward for you to pat their necks and caress their manes.

The herd is coming to rest behind them. Some of them are brown with white markings and others are piebald. Some are white with dashes of brown and black. And there are some with shy foals beside them.

The horses are all milling around, wanting to come closer for you to pat them. The two leaders again rear onto their hind legs and whinny strongly, as though to tell their followers that they can now approach you.

Pick up one of the bags of sugar and give one piece to each horse. For the foals, you could perhaps break each piece into two.

Doesn't it feel nice to have them nuzzling the sugar from your outstretched hand? You can pat each one behind their ears or stroke their noses. Their eyes are large and bright and each horse has utter trust and faith in you.

Would you like to choose one to ride? You could ride first the black one for a time and then change to the white one, or perhaps you may prefer one of the piebald ponies.

There is no need for a saddle. Swing yourself onto the back of the horse you have chosen and feel the horse breaking from a walk to a trot, to a canter, to a gallop. Feel the wind whistling past your face as your horse takes you flying across the earth, its feet landing safely and securely each time.

Your horse is now slowing to a halt, as there is a stream ahead, which is shaded by low-slung trees. It is time for the herd to rest and to drink from these cool waters.

You can slide down from your horse and perhaps you could play with the foals for a time...

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Kid's Spells

As children grow in the Craft, they're naturally going to want to progress to spellcasting. It's up to the Pagan parent(s) to guide, assist, and introduce age-appropriate spells for their children. In addition, it goes without saying to keep a watchful eye on children when they're working with candles, incense, and any fire, in general.

With deference to more esoteric matters, prior to letting a child do any spell (no matter how seemingly innocuous), I would be remiss to not advise they first have a strong sense of ethics and understanding of consequences to their actions. As a parent, myself, I would first talk about the spell with the child, covering not only what should be done and why, but also what possible second-order effects or consequences could come from the spell, if any. It's important that this be a conversation between parent and child, not a parent "instructing" a child, in my opinion. The better a child gets at seeing any second-order effects from his spells and other actions, the more grounded in the Craft s/he will be.

Although these spells have been culled from various places on the Internet and elsewhere as "kids" spells, please read through each before allowing your child to practice any. Age-appropriateness and ethical intent is the most important issue; you, as your child's parent, are the only one who can make those determinations.

Good Grades Spell

General Uses: Alertness, learning, sensibility, and calculation.

Timing: Any time the sun is visible. When the moon is in Leo. The season of summer. After spring and fall breaks from school.

Props/Focals: Warm, golden colors. The scent of rosemary. Amethyst and coral charms. Books, glasses, desks, or any item you associate with concentration. The number 1.

Light two yellow candles and one green candle. Stand (or sit) before the candles visualizing your need strongly and say the following when you feel that you are focused enough:

Oh Mercury, bestow upon me benevolence and knowledge.
Help me to attain my goals and achieve my desires.
Aid me to show determination and intelligence in attaining my goal (s).
Open my mind to knowledge.
As I will it, so mote it be!"

Sit in contemplation for a few moments and then snuff the candles with foil or whatever you have on hand, but don't blow them out.

Melisa Upton 1999

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Charm For Mental Keeness

Gather rosemary, amethyst, and coral together in any yellow container.
Allow them to sit in sunlight for a full day, soaking up that harmonic energy.
At dusk, before the sun goes down, hold your hands to the right and left of the container so sunlight can still shine through.
Visualize the rays being soaked up by your components.
To empower the items use and incantation like:

As sunlight finds its way,
let me see the light of day.
Internal fires start to burn,
help me now, my _____to learn." (Fill in the blank with the appropriate topic.)

Carry the container any time you need improved attention. Repeat the verbal component at moments when your mind begins wandering.

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To Be Rid of Nightmares

Amethyst belongs in every night-time crystal collection. Many parents have found that amethyst helps to prevent their children from having nightmares, and it also works for us older folks. This stone, whose color represents the transition from day to night, can also be very helpful in helping one to relax and go to sleep.

An example incantation could be:

Conjure circle round the bed
Where I lay my weary head.
That in it's gold and silver light,
I will spend a peaceful night.

If you think it's too "witchy" it could maybe be adapted to coincide with a bubble idea. Change the first line to:

Blow a bubble round the bed...

I think the protection bubble image would appeal to a child of a young age.

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A Children's Bedtime Prayer

Bright light, White light
Take away my fright
Don't let the darkness scare me.
There's nothing here to fear
Let me sleep the whole night long,
For I am safe in here.
White Light, Bright Light
Protect me throughout the night.

This should be done cupping hands as if holding a ball of white light. Toss ball into the air and imagine it bursting to fill the whole room with protection.

Written by: Tanney

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A Bedtime Ritual

Light a candle, then say all together:

Lady, hold me while I sleep
Bring me dreams I can keep
Make me safe until the light
Thank you Goddess for the night

Then each person says one thing they are thankful for.

Then all together we blow out the candle (which I know some people disagree with but it IS easier that way!)

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Child's Chant

Author unknown

Now I lay me down to rest.
I pray that all the world be blessed.
Lady Moon and Sister Star
Watch over me from afar.
Mother Earth is always there
And keeps me safe within her care.
The Lord of Dreams will dance and sing
And happy dreams will to me bring.
And when I wake to greet the day
Brother Sun will light my way.

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Calling The Luck of The Fairy Folk

This incantation can be done anytime during the summer, when the fireflies are out. You must find a VERY quite and private place to do the incantation. Start with your arms out and walk in an open area that fireflies are in. Stop in the same position and call upon the great mother with the following chant:

Fireflies come dance with me
Fireflies come be with me
Oh Great Mother be with us tonight
With (your name) and the Fairy Folk

Fireflies show your true self
Do not fear me for I am (your name)
Your friend, Your Sister/Brother
Invite me into your world to dance

(Dance a joyous dance from your heart)
(Allow yourself to be free and at peace)

Continue Chant:

Fireflies, Fairy Folk, Oh Great Mother
Come dance with me, Be with me
Fairy Folk show your true self to me
I will protect you tonight as we dance
Dance the dance of the Fairy Folk

Repeat the above five lines, and dance the dance of the Fairy Folk until you feel and see that the Fairy Folk are with you. Play with them as you like.)

When you are done, begin chant to End the Dance

Fairy Folk, Fire Flies, Oh Great Mother
Fairy Folk, I (your name) leave you now
Go back to hide from where you came
Be not sad, or cry or weep
For I (your name) will return
To dance the Dance of the Fairy Folk
Peace be with you. Blessed Be.

...by Sun Age 9

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Ritual to Invoke the Power of the Goddess and God

Assume the posture of the Goddess (place feet about two feet apart, with your arms outstretched, palms facing away from you) and gesture the symbol og the Goddess with your left hand (create a half circle with your thumb and forefinger and press your other fingers to your palm) and look down. Say

Mother Earth, Diana, Goddess and creator
of all fertile things and the moon,
I/we invoke thee.
Bless us by channelling your power
to this circle so I/we may spread it
throughout the world.

Assume the posture of the God (feet together, body held rigidly upright, arms crossed on the chest, right over left) and form the symbol of the God (ring or small finger: and index fingers held up, with the thumb holding the others down) and look up. Say:

Father Sky, Apollo, God and creator
of all wild things and the sun,
I/we invoke thee.
Bless us by channelling your power
to this circle so I/we may spread it throughout the world.
So mote it be!

Submitted by Jaler

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Rune Candle Spell

Place a candle in its holder in the color you would like:

White: protection, purification, peace
Red: strength, health, passion, courage
Light Blue: healing, patience, happiness
Dark Blue: change, psychic work
Green: money, fertility, growth, employment
Yellow: intellect, attraction, study, divination
Brown: healing animals, stability
Pink: love, friendship
Orange: stimulation, energy
Purple: power, healing diseases, meditation
Black: Divine power, protection from negativity

Scratch the appropriate rune into the candle just below the top and light it. As you light it say:

Lunar light protect me.

As soon as the candle melts down past where the rune is extinguish it, preferably not by blowing.

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Friendship Candle Magick

Pink Candle
Good Luck/Friendship Oil
Pink silk Ribbon
White Silk Ribbon

Cast the Circle
Arrange altar
Invoke Goddess and God

You will want to anoint the pink with Good Luck oil all the while thinking of the friends that you want to make. Imagine yourself laughing with them, going out with them. Really see yourself with them.

After your candle has been anointed, you may light it. At this point you may call out the things that are important to you in a friend: honesty, trust, open mindedness (important for every Wiccan!), humor, whatever. As you light the candle, see the flame as being the energy that burns betwen any two close friends.

When this is completed, take your two pieces of silk ribbon and weave them together. Simply winding them around each other will do. While you do this, think of bringing that friend closer to you. This binding process is reminiscent of pagan handfasting rituals. You are binding that friend to you, making them loyal to you, a way any good friend should be. You DO NOT want to bind a specific person to you, as that kind of magick is harmful since is harms the other person's free will. Only bind the idea of the perfect friend to you.

Once you have done this, tie the ribbon to the base of your candle as best as you can. The candle's light is a beacon to bring friendship to you and another person.

When this is done, you may wish to sit and meditate on the spell that you have just cast, sending your energies out to bring that perfect friend to you. When you feel that your spell has been completed, then it has. Let your candle burn all the way out and release your cirlce, thanking the Goddess and the God.

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Energy, Beginnings, Enthusiasm And Fitness

1 red candle
annointing oil (pine or dragon's blood)
incense: pine or dragon's blood

Best done at Sunrise on a Tuesday

Light incense.
Annoint the candle with the oil, focusing on the upcoming year and all the goals you want to seriously pursue.
Write down on a small piece of paper what you wish for ... and put the piece of paper under the candle, and as you light it, say:
May this or something better now manifest in accordance with the highest karmic good for all concerned.
(This is called the KARMIC CLAUSE, and should be repeated every time you make a wish.)
Let the candles burn as you visualize your goal.

You can repeat this for several days, up until the Full Moon, but let the candles burn all the way down on the last day. Keep the slip of paper on your altar, in a special small box , or in a medicine bag to be worn around your neck.

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Clearing Negative Spirits

Black Candle
White Candle
Sage

Call corners (elements) (and deity if you so desire) but do not cast an actual circle. Start at a window next to an exterior door. Light the black candle first (to attract the negative to it) then the white candle (to attract the positive) Start the Sage smoldering.

Start with the window closest to the main door, cross or draw a pentagram in front of the window with the black candle then with the white. Go to the next window or door (away from the main door) and repeat. Continue through every room. When you return to the main door (completed the circle) place the black candle outside of the door and snuff out the candle. (do not blow it out as you want to trap the negative in the candle) Then "seal" the door with the white candle. Take the Sage and smudge the windows and the doors in a similar manner for protection. Thank and dismiss the elements (and deities).

Place the white candle somewhere so that it can burn out. It will attract positive and pleasant entities to fill the void left by the negative. Take the black candle somewhere (preferably away from the house) where it can be buried and will be undisturbed.

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Basic Protection Spell

First, open your ceremony however you like.

Moon Phase:- Full moon.

one orange candle
one carnation flower
basil

Place the carnation in the bowl of consecrated water, and set basil in front of the orange candle. Light the orange candle with the Presence candle. Breathe deeply and clear your mind. Begin to concentrate on the powers of protection, visualize a strong shell surrounding you, glowing hot. Say in a powerful voice:

I call on the guardians
and on the power of the Lord and the Lady
I surround myself with the protection of fire
I am supported by the strength and grace of earth
The winds bring me gentle shifts
and the water's flow eases the energy in this time.
I believe in this protection and I release my fears,
so that I may connect to the pulse of life.
May this be done within the greater good,
So mote it be, and be it, it should!

Let the candle burn for as long as you like. You can take this opporunity to meditate and release the spell into the cosmos. When you are ready, snuff out the candle. Keep this candle and burn it during meditation whenever you feel a need for extra protection. When the candle has eventually been burned completely, repeat this spell if you feel the need.

Continue the ceremony with the wine and cake blessing and consumption. Then dismiss the elements and the other spirits present and close the circle. At the end of the ceremony, take the basil and scatter it on the ground under the light of the full moon. The spell is complete!

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Rid Evil

Take rose water and sprinkle it about your premises.

Chant:
Keep evil eye from roaming here.

Imagine your religious god or higher power protecting you and being surrounded in peace.

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Banishing Negativities

1 Black candle
Incense
Ashtray or Cauldron
Paper and a Black Pen

Kneel in front of the altar (after having lit the incense and cast the circle), light altar candle focus, and draw energy. Light the black candle, while concentrating on placing all negative energies and thoughts you have concerning the subject into the candle. Write the person's/object's name in black ink on a piece of paper and place it in front of the candle and say:

Isis mother of Horus, Isis daughter of Ra, Isis wife of Osiris,
I beg of thee.
Please come to my aide
Help me unburden my negativity.
As I burn this candle in front of thee
May all bad thoughts and deeds flee
Out of my sight and into the night.
May they return into the universe to be used correctly.

Take the piece of paper and light it from the black candle. Let it burn (in the ashtray or the cauldron) all the while concentrating that the negative energy is fading away into the night. Look at the ash and say:

Be gone! Into the night.
Out of my mind and out of my sight.
Never to disrupt my slumber again,
Never to return to cause me pain.
As above, so below and in harmony.
My Goddess I beg of you,
SO MOTE IT BE!

Let the candle burn all the way down or snuff it out saying:

Physically though you are quenched,
Astrally you will always burn.

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House Protection Spell

1 glass bottle or jar with cap,
mixing bowl,
funnel (you can make one with a rolled up piece of paper),
9 herbs of choice from list:

Acacia, Aloe, Angelica, Anise, Ash, Basil, Birch, Blackberry, Blueberry, Broom, Caraway, Carnation, Cadar, Cinquefoil, Clover, Cotton, Cypress, Dill, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Flax, Foxglove, Grass, Hazel, Heather, Holly, Irish Moss, Ivy, Lilac, Mandrake, Marigold, Mistletoe, Mugwort, Mulberry, Oak, Olive, Pine, Primrose, Raspberry, Rice, Rose, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Spanish Moss, Thistle, Valerian, Violet, Willow

Pour the nine selected herbs into the mixing bowl one by one. As you pour each one in say these words (replace the blank with the name of the herb):

________ that protects, protect my home and all within.

Once all of the herbs have been added to the bowl, mix them with your hands. Visualize you home being safe and secure as you mix. Cap the bottle or jar and bury it outside, in front of your front step. If you live in an apartment or other place that would prevent you from doing this, place the jar some where out of view but still near your doorway.

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Of Fairies, Spellweaving, and the Angel of the Garden

'The faery beam upon you,
The stars to glister on you;
A Moon of light,
In the Noon of night,
...And the luckier lot betide you'
(Ben Jonson)

To accept that fairies do indeed exist, and that cooperation with them in the creation of a garden will richly benefit all that grows in it, is a part of the wisewomen's ancient doctrine.

However small and humble your plot, there is always an angel of the garden. She must be called upon, and the spirit of her gentle presence must be felt and revered by all who would make friends with the fairies. Seek her at eventide, or as the sun is rising, or yet in the first moments of daybreak, or under the moon and stars on a fine, clear night. Speak to her in your own words; alternatively, you may use this invocation:

Angel of the garden, still my waiting soul,
so my eyes may see thy radiance,
my spirit enter into thy peace,
as thy wings unfold to gather this place
of tended growing things into thy heart.

I feel the breath of the angel as a soft incense
moving through the airs which play upon this garden;
I feel the touch of the angel as each blade of grass,
each sprig, flower, herb and tree, each living creature, is blessed;
I hear the song of the angel as each plant moves and dances,
with a motion unseen, to the perfect harmony of the spheres.

The life of the spirit walks in my garden as an angel,
and my garden is made holy, a place of benediction.
The angel of the garden hears my prayer,
and draws near. In reverence
I bow to the angel, and give my heart and hands
into the light of her inspiration.

When this invocation has been spoken, you must sit on awhile so that you may experience the presence of the angel ever more strongly and certainly. Each time you invoke the presence of the angel, you are blessing your garden and yourself.

There is a great 'Earth Angel', one of the four whose flowing robes are they very life-stuff of natural kingdom. Every angel, every fairy and elemental being works under her guidance, and the angel of your garden is one of these. The angel gives to your garden its spirit and its peace, and directs the little people, the fairy folk, in their work as they tend each flower and tree.

If you would know and work with the fairies, you must seek to draw near to them. They are curious about human folk, and are ready to love them; but they are also afraid and angry. With our dirty, greedy ways, we commit abomination in their world. To soothe them, we must attune ourselves to Nature, and do things her way. When we pour out love into the heart of the garden, and cherish each living thing in it, both humble and magnificent, beautiful and ugly, then we may begin to see the fairies. Peep at them from the corners of your eyes, as if they were shy woodland creatures which you might frighten away with a direct penetrating glance. Look deep into the lovely forms of the flowers and trees you care for, and you will see the essence of their spirit. The colour of each plant glows radiantly, because each reflects the hue of the nature-being that brings their life energy to them. Every differing shade of colour has a story to tell of the inner worlds. Look particularly at apple blossom in the springtime, and let your fancy weave tales of the Goddess, for the loom of the imagination brings truth to our hearts.

To open your heart to the fairies, you must nurture these feelings of wonder, reverence and love for every detail of your garden, for the airs which blow about it, the musical rain which falls gently upon it, the moon and the stars which silently look down on it, the great sun which is the source of its being, and for the clouds and the changing skies which provide it with a canopy. When you can truly feel the sweetness of this magic, you will begin to discover the fairies, for they will make themselves known to you.

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Crafts

Leaf prints

Leaf prints are so easy to make and the results can be stunning.

First, you will want to experiment with all the leaves available to you. Gather both plant and tree leaves. Oak and maple are perfect for this project. Make sure there is no dirt on the leaves. Bring the leaves to your work area.

Paint one side of the leaves and then press leaves onto paper or canvas. You can use acrylics, tempera, block printing ink or a thick fabric paint. Watercolours never worked well for me.

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Corn Mother

1 ear dried Indian corn with colorful kernels
1 round, wooden base approx.: 5" X 5" in diameter
1/2-inch wide-headed nail
1 skein natural off-white wool
12 feathers
glue, hammer, corn meal, and a smal bowl

Begin by placing the base on two bricks, books or rocks bottom side up. Hammer the nail through the center of the base until nailhead is flush with bottom of base. Turn base over. Spread glue 1/2" wide around nail.

Unhusk dried corn if necessary. Holding corn carefully, push teem end onto nail . Thin end points up. Apply light coating of glue to your hands and apple to cob to ensure yarn will adhere to it.

Tie one end of yarn around base of corn cob with a tight knot. Push knot under cob if possible. Wind yarn around the ear from the base to the top until all kernels are covered. Place feathers into top of ear in a pleasing pattern which resembles headress.

Dedicate the Corn Mother:

Hold her up to the North, charge Her wih peaceful energies, and say these or similar words:

Powers of the North! Bless this Corn Mother!
Hold her up to the East, say:
Powers of the East! Bless this Corn Mother
South , West----same thing

Place the Corn Mother in Her new home. This should be a spot of some prominence, such as the kitchen table; or some other place. Fill a bowl with corn meal. Slwly sprinkle a circle of corn meal three times around the corn Mother while saying:

May this Corn Mother bless our home with happiness and peace.

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3 Knot Goddess Bracelet

This is to represent the Goddess's three aspects; Maiden, Mother, Crone.

Take three lengths of cord/string, preferably of hemp or cotton, that will wrap around your wrist losely twice. Knot at one end to represent the maiden. Start to braid until you reach the center and then make a knot for the Mother. Continue braiding until you reach the end and then make a knot for the Crone. Tie this around your wrist or ankle to complete the bracelet (the cycle of life).

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Making Runes

4 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 teaspoon alum (in spice section of grocery store)
1 1/2 cups water
food coloring (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. If it is too dry, add a tablespoon of water. Work into dough with your hands.

If you want to color the dough, divide into parts, and add food coloring to each section and knead.

Roll out dough with a rolling pin on a slightly floured surface.

Cut dough into squares or rectangles.

Use a toothpick to carve the rune into the tile.

Place the rune tiles gently onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 30 minutes in 250 degree oven. Turn and bake another 1 1/2 hours until hard and dry.

Let cool completely. Sand lightly with fine sandpaper. Spray with clear shellac or acrylic spray.

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Magik Sachets

Earthy-material to make small sachet bags (or you can buy pre made sachet bags from a craft store and decorate)
4 tablespoons dried lavender buds (love, protection, restful sleep)
20 whole cloves (love and protection)
4 tablespoons dried rosemary (protection and love)
1/2 teaspoon dried orange peel (love)
1 sunflower seed for each sachet (wisdom)

Mix lavender, cloves, rosemary, and orange peel together in a small bowl. Hold your hands over the bowl of herbs and say:

From mother moon and father sun
From autumn breezes carrying angel prayers
I empower these herbs to bring protection and love
To whoever holds them between clasped hands
And prays for a restful sleep.

Hold your hands over the herbs until your hands grow warm. Fill the sachet bags, then empower the sunflower seeds, saying:

From mother moon and father sun
From autumn breezes carrying angel prayers
I empower these herbs to bring protection and love
To whoever holds them between clasped hands
And prays for restful sleep.

Tie up sachets, reaffirming with each sachet:

From mother moon and father sun
From autumn breezes carrying angel prayers
I empower these herbs to bring protection and love
To whoever holds them between clasped hands
And prays for restful sleep.

The recipe will make approximately 7 to 10 small sachets.

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To Make Paper

1 blender
paper, denim etc. for pulp
2 screens a little lager than the paper size you want
towels
And for us lazy people, an iron

1. Select medium:
My personal choice is denim and toilet paper (NOTE: if you decide to use denim cut it into 1/2 inch squares before blending to get the same coloring you may want to try dryer lint as it is a lot easier)

2. Blend the medium to a pulp. Try for a oatmeal consistency

3. Now the fun part
With your hands smear the pulp on the screen to a little more than the size you want (you may be cutting the edges for a clean look) place your flowers glitter string etc. on the pulp where you want it.

4. Top with other screen

5. Place between towels

For thinner paper, use 2 towels on each side and place heavy books on top

6. Let sit for a day or so.

7. If still moist Iron the dampness out or put it back between the towels

Viola you've made paper

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Easy Suet Recipe

2 cups shortening or drippings
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup birdseed

Melt the shortening and peanut butter in a large saucepan, then remove it from the heat and add the oatmeal and birdseed and mix well. Pour into a muffin pan and let set overnight. It will keep for 6 months.

Try grains, nuts, flour and cornmeal in your suet, too. You can even use canned or dried cat or dog food--that's right, they like dog food (just ask the grackles on my back porch). It provides a good source of protein. Experiment to see what your visitors like best. You may even catch a woodpecker or two trying it out.

When you feed the birds, you're providing them nourishment and yourself some enjoyment and education. Let kids put the scraps on the table, give them some inexpensive binoculars and a bird identification book and you'll start them on a lifetime of nature appreciation.

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Recipes

Apple Pizza

1 pizza crust
4 medium apples -- peeled and sliced
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Prepare pizza crust as per recipe. Pat dough into a pizza pan or a baking sheet. Crimp edges as for a pizza.
Spread apples over dough and sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over apples.
Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes.

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Mrs Fields Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/2 C. All Purpose Flour
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/4 tsp. Salt
1 C. packed Dark Brown Sugar
1/2 C. Sugar
1 C. salted Butter, softened
2 large Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla extract
12 oz. Semisweet Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well with wire whisk and set aside.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, blend sugars at medium speed. Add butter and mix to form a grainy paste, scraping down the sites of the bowl.
Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix at medium speed until just blended. Do not overmix.
Add flour mixture and chocolate chips, and blend at low speed until just mixed. Do not overmix.
Drop the dough by rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown.
Transfer cookies immediately to a cool surface with a spatula.

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