Sunday Sabbat Sale this weekend!

Do you have everything you need for Lammas? This Sunday we will have our usual Sunday Sabbat sale, where all regularly priced items in store are 10% off! Take advantage and stock up on all your candles, incense, oils (or even things not related to the Sabbat! You can sneak in your book purchases and gift items too!)

Lammas (AKA Lughnassadh)

In the Wheel of the Year, Lughnassadh is the first of three harvest festivals, and although the days are still hot and sunny, they are growing ever shorter, marking the rapidly approaching winter season (which for the ancient Celts began at Samhain, our modern Hallowe'en). Like Imbolc, its partner across the Wheel, Lughnassadh is a cross-quarter day, and as other cross-quarter holidays is celebrated from sunset the night before, as the Celts believed the days began with the vanishing of the sun as opposed to its rise.

The alternate name for this Sabbat is "Lammas", which is derived from the Christian festival of "Loaf-Mass". In essence, this festival was a day of first fruit offerings, marking the beginnings of the harvest with bread baked from the first grains. "Lughnassadh" translates to "the feast of Lugh", the Celtic sun-god of many skills. Traditionally, this is the time of year for fairs and festivals. Many Highland Games and Clan Gatherings occur around this time of year, family reunions and games of skill to honour Lugh and the mythical funeral games he held to honour his foster mother Taillte.

Lughnasadh recipes

Whether for the simple feast or a larger celebration, here are some delicious recipes for bringing in the harvest season. These are basic recipes though if you'd like to expand, any food based on berries or corn or other freshly harvested foods will be perfect for the occasion.

Corn Bread
1 cup flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2/3 cup white sugar
1 tsp sugar
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil

*Be sure to beat eggs and milk well before adding to mix.
Bake in oven, preheated to 400F (200C), for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Stuffed Bell Peppers
Precook beef, spiced as you like it, and mix with bits of dried basil, dried oregano, and rice/couscous (of your choice) averaging 1/3 the amount of the beef.
Cut off the top of a bell pepper and empty it out. Sprinkle cheese on the bottom (of your choice, though cheddar is not recommended), fill in with the beef mix, and top with a layer of cheese.
Bake at 350F for fifty to sixty minutes or until cheese has browned.
*Can also be done with large mushrooms instead of bell pepper.

Blackberry Pie
Crust: 2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp granulated white sugar
1 cup butter, chilled, and cut into 1 inch chunks
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

Filling: 5 cups fresh blackberries
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3 tbsp cornstarch
3/4 cup sugar
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp butter, cut into small chunks

*Can be glazed with white powdered icing sugar.

Mix flour, salt, and sugar together. Add butter. Mix in water slowly til the dough holds together. Divide dough in half and refrigerate for an hour before using.
Roll out dough, place half as the bottom in the pie pan (9" pan), and place back in the fridge (covered in plastic wrap) as you make the filling.
After filling is made (and do not mix in the butter yet!) place in the pie pan. Now you can use the butter, dotting it generously over the top of the filling.
Roll out the second half of the dough and cover the top of the pie (either using the dough as strips or as a whole).
Bake at 425F (200C) for 25-30 minutes. If the edges of the pie brown too much simply cover them with tinfoil. Bake until golden brown or the filling begins to bubble.
Let cool on a wrack for several hours before serving or before placing in the fridge.


Hope you all enjoy and have a great time reigning in the harvest season!

August Workshops

Introduction to Divination (Scarlet)
We are all familiar with the usual forms of divination, Tarot and Astrology. But did you know there are hundreds of other forms and tools? In this workshop you will learn the basics of performing divination and discover various tools and techniques: Shells, Pendulum, Scrying (water, fire, mirror, wax, crystal ball), Runes, Ogham, Tea/Coffee leaves, and Dreams.
Thursday August 5th, 7-9pm $30

Tarot Level One (Catharine)
This is a beginner workshop to help people chose, protect, and work with their tarot deck. Within this workshop, students will explore the archetypes of the Major Arcana
Friday August 6th, 7-9pm $40

Reiki Level One (Robyn)
Join us in this intensive course to learn all you need to know to become a First Degree Reiki Practitioner. Topics covered will include: the history and origins of Reiki, the ethics of being a Reiki practitioner, what the hand positions are in a full Reiki session, how to treat others as well as yourself, and formal initiation to the Usui Shiki Ryoho style of Reiki. Time will be given for practice as well.
Saturday August 7th, 11am-6pm $150

Psychic Development I (Catharine)
Discover the many ways we receive our psychic gifts. Intuition, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Channeling etc. Practical exercises to help identify your particular gift. Discussion and questions answered. There will be a guided meditation and message circle where everyone will get psychic messages from Catharine! Saturday August 7th, 12-2pm $40

Psychic Development II (Catharine)
Take the next step in your development by exploring multiple ways of receiving messages and visions. We will do more in depth work with meditation, energy work and practice readings on each other. Guided meditation and message circle follows, where everyone will get psychic messages from Catharine!
Saturday August 7th, 3-5pm $40

Introduction to Meditation (Scarlet)
Need to relax? Seeking some tranquility? Trouble quieting the chatter and stress in your mind? This course will introduce you to a variety of methods of meditation. Learn meditative breathing, visualization, enjoying the moment, and letting go through several techniques. This practical workshop requires you to dress comfortable and bring a cushion or yoga mat on which to sit.
Thursday August 12th, 7-9pm $30

Tarot Level Two (Catharine)
This is a beginner workshop to help people chose, protect, and work with their tarot deck. Within this workshop, students will explore the archetypes of the Major Arcana
Friday August 13th, 7-9pm $40

Reiki Share (Robyn)
Are you a Reiki practitioner looking to practice your skills? This is the event for you! Now offered on a monthly basis, you will be able to come and exchange Reiki sessions with other Reiki practitioners with help and supervision from a Reiki Master of the Usui Shiki Ryoho tradition. This is an excellent way to gain confidence in your skills as a healer and to connect with other students of Reiki. Please RSVP early, as space is limited.
Saturday August 14th, 1-4pm $10 suggested donation

Astrology 101 (Catharine)
Saturday August 14th, 12-5 $75

Introduction to Paganism (Scarlet)
This is you chance to ask those burning questions about Paganism. Is it a religion? What are the basic beliefs? Where does it come from?
Thursday August 19th, 7-9pm FREE

Psychic Development I (Catharine)
Discover the many ways we receive our psychic gifts. Intuition, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Channeling etc. Practical exercises to help identify your particular gift. Discussion and questions answered. There will be a guided meditation and message circle where everyone will get psychic messages from Catharine!
Saturday August 21st, 12-2pm $40

Psychic Development II (Catharine)
Take the next step in your development by exploring multiple ways of receiving messages and visions. We will do more in depth work with meditation, energy work and practice readings on each other. Guided meditation and message circle follows, where everyone will get psychic messages from Catharine!
Saturday August 21st, 3-5pm $40

Wicca 101 - part one (Eric)
Part 1 will explore just what is Wicca? Is it an age old practice or a modern creation? Just who are Wiccans? What do they do? Join in in this 2 hours workshop where we will be discussing Spirituality, Faith and the various ways this Faith is practiced. Material will be provided at no fee. However, if you felt compelled to give a donation, it will be given to the Shriner’s Hospital in Montreal. You do not have to be present to both sessions but please register in advance so we can know how many packages to prepare.
Saturday August 21st, 1-3pm FREE

Introduction to Paganism (Scarlet)
This is you chance to ask those burning questions about Paganism. Is it a religion? What are the basic beliefs? Where does it come from?
Sunday August 22nd, 1-3pm FREE

How to Create Sacred Space (Scarlet)
There are many ways to achieve your goal of a peaceful, tranquil place in your home that feels sacred and is ready for use. Learn ways to cleanse, purify, bless and sanctify your space for ritual or meditation
Thursday August 26th, 7-9pm $30

CMS OPEN HOUSE
Come one and come all to the CMS Open house evening. See what the students from three levels of study have been working on all Autumn & Winter! Meet the teachers and discover what is expected for the coming session. This is the best opportunity to register for the February Level 1 class. Please note that the CMS Level 1 class take no more than 5 students so as to provide each student with personalized attention and guidance.
Friday August 27th, 7-9pm

Wicca 101 - part two (Eric)
Coven work vs Solitary work. In this workshop, we will be looking at the various ways we can build rituals. Sabbats, esbats, solitary, covens. What are the differences, what are the similarities. As a group, we will be building various rituals and exemplify them. You don’t have to participate in the exemplification if you don’t want to. Material will be provided at no fee. However, if you felt compelled to give a donation, it will be given to the Shriner’s Hospital in Montreal. You do not have to be present to both sessions but please register in advance so we can know how many packages to prepare
Saturday August 28th, 13-3pm FREE

Introduction to Crystal Healing (Robyn)
There are many ways one can explore alternative healing these days, but one of the more popular and easily accessible ways is the laying on of stones on the body to re-align energies, combat maladies and increase the body's natural harmony. Join us in this introductory workshop to learn more about this peaceful mode of healing.
Saturday August 28th, 1-3pm, $30

Tarot Level One (Catharine)
This is a beginner workshop to help people chose, protect, and work with their tarot deck. Within this workshop, students will explore the archetypes of the Major Arcana
Saturday August 28th, 12-2pm $40

Tarot Practice (Catharine)
Saturday Ausuts 28th, 3-5pm $20

New In-Store Clairvoyant Reader

DAVE
Weekday Mornings 11:00 am to 1 :00pm

Dave has been a practicing witch since his early 20's, both as a solitary and in a coven. He practices both traditional witchcraft & ceremonial magick. He has an abiding interest in magickal herbalism, stone & crystal lore, Kabbalah & divination. He has been called upon to do tarot readings for friends, at public rituals and events such as the various charity fairs and workshops for Concordia University Pagan Society and even the Masons. For tarot readings he uses either the Rider-Waite or the Thoth deck and may do a pendulum scrying for further clarification (client's choice).

Currently he am studying the runes, crystal ball & mirror scrying to expand his repertoire of divination techniques.

Call for an appointment 514-938-1458
30 minutes for $35
1 hour for $70

New July Books

New Secret Language of Symbols ( David Fontana)
ISBN 1844839028 Cost: $33.95
This beautifully illustrated book explores the symbols fount around the world and seeks to unlock their meaning and mysteries.

Astrology of the Moon (Amy Herring)
ISBN 0738718963 Cost: $26.95
Learn about the influence of the moon in the astrological signs and houses of your chart with this book.

Celtic Inspiration (Lyn Webster Wilde)
ISBN 1844839079 Cost: $15.95
Stunningly designed with traditional art and with inspirational texts and meditation ideas.

Natural Druidry (Kristoffer Hughes)
ISBN 1870450671 Cost: $29.95
A rare publication imported from England that introduces you to the traditional and shamanic ways of druids. The focus of this book is on Welsh Druidry as it look at the past and at present practices.

Simply Reincarnation (Krys & Jass Godly)
ISBN 140275454x Cost: $13.95
The "simply" series of book are comprehensive and address complex issues in an easy to read and digest way getting right to the heart of the content. This book looks at reincarnation, past life experiences and the methods of connecting and contact information about these past lives in order to better understand the present and the future.

Simply Totem Animals (Celia M Gunn)
ISBN 1402754590 Cost: $13.95
Nother excellent book in the "simply" series. The first five chapters address techniques of working with totems, including identifying a child's totem. The remainder of the book explores the animals alphabetically.

Pathworking with the Egyptian Gods (Judith Page & Jan Malique)
ISBN 0738719064 Cost: $23.95
Meet 23 Egyptian gods through their legends and guided methods of connecting with them through this book. Each chapter addresses one or two gods and begins with a legend about them. Discover prayers to each of these gods as well.

Undines (William R Mistrele)
ISBN 9781556439087 Cost: $23.95
Undines are water spirits sometimes known as mermaids, selkies, sirens and by many other names. This book invites you to learn about who the undines are through the experiences of the author and ways in which you can work with them to answer life's questions.


LOCAL PRIDE:
New Montreal Author from
Crescent Moon School

Path of the Christian Witch (Adelina St. Clair)
ISBN 073871982X Cost: $20.95
Faced with the challenge of two religiously opposed callings, St. Clair has found common ground and discovered ways to blend Christianity and Paganism into a unique and beautiful spiritual path. Knowing that many others face this same challenge and calling, she has written her journey for you all to read in the hopes that what she has learned will help others on their path.

Adelina St. Clair was student of Crescent Moon School of Magic and Paganism and is the second student to become a published author. Arin Murphy-Hiscock was the first. Le Melange Magique is proud to have hosted the school and been able to help people on their journey and spirital paths and now to support them by offering their books for all to buy and read. We bow to them both for their courage and determination and willingness to share of themselves.

Stay tuned for upcoming book signings with these authors as we schedule them.

Cooling Magic in a Heat Wave

Having a hard time in the heat wave? Melting like the watches in Dali's art? Wondering how you will survive?

Please be aware of the dangers of heat for sun and heat stroke.

Stay out of the sun. Drink lots of water. Spent time in cooler places with air conditioning. Avoid extremes (some places crank their air conditioning too much). Extremes will make you ill or give you summer colds.

So how do you survive?

Here are some cooling ideas from the apothecary of our shop.

Cooling Lavender Bath
Fill a bath with water that is room temperature or cooler (never cold as you do not want to shock your body). Add a couple tablespoons of lavender bath salts (you can have them specially blended for you at our apothecary). Soak and relax within this soothing cooling bath,

Peppermint Spray
In any spray bottle filled with water, add a few drops of peppermint essential oil. Shake and spritz yourself as needed. Peppermint essential oil has the medicinal and magical properties cooling and waking the body, as well as relieving headaches. You can also make a basin of this peppermint water and soak a scarf in it to wrap around your neck or head to help you stay cool.

Iced Tea Refreshers
Any tea can be made into a refreshing iced tea. In a large container, fill half way with crushed ice or ice cubes. Make a pot of your favorite tea, sweetened to taste. Pour the entire pot into the ice filled container. Stir and ENJOY! We recommend the following teas:

• On the Waterfront (herbal mint and fruit tea)
  
• Floral Rooibos (rooibos tea with added lavender and jasmine flowers)
• Candied Ginger Peach Rooibos

Stay cool!!

Hot Summer Fun

Among the many summer fun things to do and learn, take a look at the magical experience of Fire Poi! It originates in New Zealand with the Maori people as a form of cultural dance. Other cultures around the world (like Hawaii) have incorporated versions of this and included fire dancing with a variety of items like the poi. Take a look at the video below!

If you want to learn the POI and wish for some excellent advice on technique and safety, then go HERE: http://www.homeofpoi.com/

Enjoy the show!