Buckeye Candy

In the midwest, the Buckeye tree, or aesculus glabra, flourishes. It's part of the horse chestnut family, and although the nuts are toxic to anyone who's not a squirrel, it's a very prolific and abundant species. The small brown nuts, which begin dropping in late August, have been used for many years in some traditions of folk magic. The Buckeye is associated with prosperity and abundance. Why not whip up a batch of Buckeye candies for your Mabon guests, and share your wishes for a bountiful harvest with your friends? This recipe has been popular in Ohio - the Buckeye state - since the 1920s.




Ingredients:

•1 16-oz jar of creamy peanut butter

•1 pound bag of confectioners sugar

•1 C stick butter, softened

•1 tsp vanilla

•1 12-oz bag of chocolate chips for dipping

Preparation:

Combine peanut butter, butter, and vanilla together and cream until smooth. Add the confectioners sugar a little bit at a time until you've gotten it all mixed in. It should produce a really heavy, thick dough. Roll this into small balls (one inch diameter or less) and place them on wax paper. Chill in refrigerator until firm.



Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler over low heat. Use a toothpick or bamboo skewer to dip each peanut butter ball into the chocolate -- be sure to leave a bit of the peanut butter showing at the top, so you get the brown-and-black look of a real Buckeye! Return the balls to the wax paper and allow to cool. Keep in an airtight container until ready to serve.



The great thing about these candies is that because the Buckeye is associated with prosperity and abundance, you can use this for magical purposes. As you mix and blend the ingredients, focus your intent on abundance, so that you can share it with your friends and family at Mabon or other Sabbat celebrations.

Fun Ideas With Corn

- Put some popcorn kernels in a cheap sandwich baggie (not the good freezer kind. You want some air to get in) and add a handful of dirt and a little water. Then tape the baggie onto a window. In about a week or so you’ll see the corn start growing!


You can also have fun with Indian corn - the dried, multicolored type you that you see in stores now:


- Put an ear of Indian corn in a dish of water. Keep the water level up and, in time, you will see all these little sprouts come up along the ear.


- Put a whole cob of Indian Corn into a brown paper lunch bag and fold the end of the bag over to seal it. Put it in a microwave and, alongside, place a small dish of water. (this is so the bag doesn’t burn) Microwave it on high for 3 – 5 minutes and Guess What? You’ll have popcorn on the cob! Yum!

Leaf Print Tablecloth

Here is what you will need for your project:

Leaves - all sorts
Paints - different colors
Brushes
A white disposable paper tablecloth (You can find these at dollar stores, drug stores etc)


Take a leaf, paint one side of it with any color paint, or even paint a rainbow on it. Then turn the painted side over and press it carefully on to the tablecloth . Do this several times with different leaves until you have filled up your tablecloth with all sorts of lovely colors.

Apple Candle Holders for Mabon

Take two bright red apples that are the same size and will sit up nice and straight. Polish them with a soft cloth so they’re shiny. With an apple corer, hollow outa hole in the top of the apple (the stem end) about an inch deep and as wide as your candles. Then, into the hole, place a sprig of rosemary and two soft, grey leaves of Lambsear (a type of plant). Insert a candle that’s about 6 inches tall in each apple. (This will also help anchor the herbs in place) POOF! You’re done – and it should look like this:

Turkey Meatballs in Cranberry Sauce

1 lb ground turkey

1/2 cup chopped onions

1/4 cup instant rice or instant brown rice

1/4 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs

1 egg

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1 (16ounce)can whole berry cranberry sauce

1/2 cup water



Mix all ingredients except cranberry sauce and water. Form into 45 meatballs. Spray large skillet with non-stick cooking spray.Cook meatballs, covered, for 8 - 10 minutes turning occasionally until meatballs are done and no longer pink in the middle. Add cranberry sauce and water to skillet.Cover and cook on medium-low for 3 to 4 minutes.

Mabon Apple Crisp

6 cups sliced and peeled apples

2/3 cup flour

1 1/3 cup Oatmeal

1 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

2/3 cup Melted Butter

½ cup of walnut (optional)



Spread apples evenly on the bottom of an oblong baking dish. In a bowl mix together remaining ingredients until everything is moistened. Spread evenly over top of apples. Bake in a 375 degree oven until apples are soft (about 30 minutes) and topping is crisp.



Serve warm or cold. I like warm apple crisp topped with vanilla ice cream! YUM!!

Recipe by: Pauline Mansberger.

Hot Berry Cider

1 gallon apple cider
32 oz bottle cranberry juice cocktail
8 allspice berries
8 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks, halved

Combine all ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 mins. Strain to remove spices; serve.
Makes 20 servings.

What is Mabon

Mabon was the Welsh god of light, the son of Modron whose Greek equivalent is Matrona or “Mother.” Modron is an Earth goddess and corresponds to Demeter, mother of Persephone, in the more familiar Greek pantheon. According to mythology, the infant Mabon was abducted and taken to the Underworld when he was three days old. Eventually Mabon was liberated, and his return to the human world signals spring, the time when days begin to grow longer and warmer and the earth is again fruitful. Both Modron and Demeter mourn while their kidnapped children are absent, and their grief causes the earth to grow dark, cold, and barren.
The autumnal equinox marks that day in September when we experience an equal number of light and dark hours. Afterward, the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, as the mythological mothers grieve and wail for their children. In recent years, those who follow the path of Wicca have developed formal rituals for acknowledging the end of summer and the symbolic death of light. Some choose to call this sabbat “Mabon,” in honor of the Welsh god of light.
One need not identify with Wiccans or any other faith to feel the change that marks the turn of seasons. The outward symbols of Mabon are ubiquitous in Western society, even though relatively few people realize that their decorations and activities reflect the traditions of ancient peoples. The colors, the corn wreaths, and the hearty soups are such powerful symbols of the old, nature-based way of life that no one questions their appearance at this time of year; it simply feels right.