Wiccan Sabbat Recipes: Desserts for a Yule Party

The holiday season is the perfect time to hold a party, especially a Yule party. Getting friends and family together in one location can bring joy and happiness to both you and your guests. However, all parties require some degree of planning. Inevitably, you must consider what you will serve your guests, and this leads to thoughts of dessert. Dessert is not only the sweetest part of the meal, but it's generally the last, and so leaves the greatest impression upon your guests. Whether you choose an elaborate dessert of something simpler, these suggestions will almost certainly help to make your Yule party a success.

Chocolate Truffle

For many families, the holidays would not be complete without a taste of chocolate truffle. This chocolaty dessert is rich, sweet, and delicious. It would make a wonderful addition to any table. This recipe serves 8 to 12 people.

Preheat over to 425°F. Melt ¼ cup butter in a saucepan. Stir in 1¼ cups chocolate wafer crumbs and 1tbsp sugar. Press into ungreased 8-inch springform pan and set in a piece of foil, pressing foil upwards all the edges to prevent water from leaking. Set the springform pan in another deep pan or roaster.

Melt 1 cup butter in a saucepan and add 3 cups chocolate chips. Stir until melted and poor into a medium bowl. Add 5 eggs, one at a time, beating after each one. Add 1tsp vanilla. Pour over crust in the springform pan. Pour boiling water into roaster or deep pan at least ½ way up the side of the springform pan.

Bake for approximately 15 minutes, until outer edge of truffle is set; the center will still be soft. Do not over bake. Lift the springform pan out of the water and place on rack to cool. Chill for at least 4 hours before removing truffle from the springform pan.

Melt ½ cup chocolate chips and combine with 3tbsp whipping cream. Stir on low heat until smooth, then poor on top of truffle immediately. Smooth the top and sides and let dry completely.

Beat 1 cup whipping cream, 2tsp sugar, and ½ tsp vanilla until stiff. Drop in puff balls all around the outer edge of the truffle. Dust these puffs with grated chocolate and chill until ready to serve.

Plum Pudding

Plum pudding is a traditional dessert for many Yule feasts and continues to be popular to this day. This recipe serves 12 to 15 people, and is often the crowing glory of a Yule dinner.

Combine the following ingredients in a large bowl: 2 cups raisins, 1 cup currants, 1 cup ground almonds, ½ cup chopped glazed cherries, ½ cup mixed peel, 4 chopped glazed pineapple rings, ½ shredded coconut, ½ cup flour. Stir until fruit is coated with flour.

Add the following ingredients and mix well: 1 cup chopped beef suet, 1½ cups dry bread crumbs, 2tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, 1tsp salt, 1tsp cinnamon, 1tsp nutmeg, ½ tsp ginger, ¾ cup flour.

Beat 3 large eggs in a small bowl until just frothy and add milk. Pour this over the fruit mixture and stir until just moistened. Turn entire mixture into a greased 2L pudding pan, cover with a double square of greased foil, and tie the sides down with string. Place in a steamer with boiling water, ensuring the water comes at least ½ way up the sides of the pudding pan. Steam, keeping the pudding covered, for 3 hours, adding water as necessary to keep the level high enough. Cool and serve with your choice of traditional holiday sauces, such as rum sauce or pastel hard sauce.

Whipped Shortbread

A tray of cookies and confections can make a wonderful dessert, especially for cocktail parties, and whipped shortbread is a cookie that should never be ignored. With its melt in your mouth flavor and smooth texture, this cookie will be a favorite of all your guests.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cream 1 cup softened butter and ½ cup sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add 1½ cups flour and ½ cup cornstarch gradually, but don't stop beating the mixture. When it's light and fluffy again, drop the batter by teaspoons onto a greased cookie sheet.

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes. If you like, take a piece of milk or dark chocolate and press it into the cookies while they're still hot. Cool on a wire rack before serving. This recipe makes approximately 2½ dozen cookies.

There are many more ideas for Yule desserts. From chocolate chiffon pie to Yule cakes, each and every dessert has something to offer your Yule party. You might want to consider a pie table, confection trays, or any number of combinations for offering desserts. Take into account your preparation time, the tastes of your guests, and the type of party you're having, then choose the dessert that will best compliment your own Yule festivities. Your guests will thank you for it.

Touching Auras: The Aura of a Baby

After being asked to explain and describe a baby's aura and how to influence it more times than I can remember, I've decided to write it down and make it available through Amazon and other retailers. It's a short e-book, only 5000 words, and is based on my own experiences with my two young children.

Babies, like adults, have auras. It might be harder to see, but it is there. Parents and caregivers can learn to use their own auras to influence the auras of newborns and infants. Children can be calmed, encouraged, and even taught life lessons through the interactions of auras.

Also covered here are basic lessons on how to see and interpret the aura. Though it is not necessary to be able to see the aura of your child to influence it, seeing the telltale glow of your baby's aura can be satisfying. You can learn how to do this with Touching Auras: The Aura of a Baby.

Building a Vegetable A-Frame for Your Garden

Like many Pagans, I enjoy my garden. But now the end of summer has passed us by. Fall has arrived and the garden has been mostly harvested. The little that's left will be harvested within the next two weeks. After that, winter will cover the land with snow and outdoor gardening will come to a halt until spring. But there are still things to do. The garden must be prepared so it's ready to go once the snow melts. One of the things I have to do is build a few A-frames to support some of the vegetables I'll grow next year.

Materials Needed for Building the Vegetable A-Frame

There are several items that you’ll need if you want to construct a vegetable A-frame. You should first purchase 7 1x4s and trim them to 6 feet in length. The lumberyard is usually more than willing to trim them down for you if necessary. If you want your A-frame to last for several years, you’ll want to purchase treated lumber that can withstand exposure to the elements. You can also use untreated lumber if you prefer.

You’ll also need high quality wood screws. To help prevent rusting, purchase galvanized metal screws. Also make sure you have an electric drill and electric saw (to make your life easier, though you can use hand tools if you prefer), staple gun, tape measure, and two hinges. You can purchase any type of hinges you like, but if you want the A-frame to last, purchase hinges that are designed for outdoor use.

Finally, you’ll need screen for the A-frame. This will allow the vines of the plants to grab on to something. Many people like to use window screen designed to withstand pets. It’s light and easy to cut comes in large enough sizes to cover the A-frames, and it can handle a lot of abuse. If you’re using this type of window screen, you’ll need wire cutters to trim it to size.

Constructing the Vegetable A-Frame

Cut 2 of your 6-foot lumber pieces in half so that you have 4 3-foot pieces. Take 2 3-foot pieces and 2 6-foot pieces and assemble them to make 1 frame. The 3-foot pieces are for the top and bottom, the 6-foot pieces are for the sides. Screw these four pieces together. Repeat so that you have 2 frames. These will be the sides of your A-frame.

Cover each frame with window screen that has been cut to size. Secure the screen using your staple gun. As you do this, pull the screen tight to avoid sagging. You may wish to ask a friend to help you with this step.

Attach the hinges using wood screws to the top of the frames, connecting the frames so that they can be opened or closed at will. It is easiest if the frames are lying on the ground when you do this.

Make feet for your A-frame that can be pushed into the ground for stability. Do this by cutting a 6-foot piece of plywood into 2 3-foot pieces. Then cut each 3-foot piece into 2 1.5-foot pieces, but with a diagonal cut. The pointed part can slide into the ground easier and help you secure your A-frame.

Using wood screws, attach the feet to the A-frame with wood screws, one at each of the four bottom corners. Make sure the pointed end is facing downwards. Once you've done this, your A-frame is ready to go into the garden. Simply open the A-frame up and stand it in the garden, driving the pointed stakes into the ground for stability.

When you place the A-frame in your garden, you can open it as much or as little as you like. Bear in mind, however, that the more you open it, the more stable it will be. If you open it up about 3 feet, the vegetables get the space they need and you get a stable enough A-frame. If you construct this A-frame with the proper materials and store it in a dry place when not in use, it will last you for years.

Magickal Exercises — Directing Your Own Energy

The body of energy, comprising primarily of the aura and the chakras, can be used for many things, such as the casting of spells and the performing of rituals. In simple terms, this is done by simply releasing the energy of the body toward a specific goal However, before you can begin working true magick, you must first learn to consciously direct your own energy.

Work With a Friend to Develop Your Magickal Skills

If you have a friend to help you, this exercise can be easy and enjoyable. You can both take turns practicing, and help to monitor each other’s progress. However, you’ll have to be honest with each other during this exercise. Center and ground your own energy before you begin.

Start this exercise by having your friend sit down, back to you, stripped to the waist (or removing as many layers as you’re both comfortable with). With your palm down and fingers together, extend your arm, straight out, and point it as your friend’s back. Keep your fingers at least an inch away from his or her back, or your friend will be able to physically feel what you’re doing.

Slowly move your hand up and down the line of his or her spine. Keep your arm straight and focus on sending your energy down your arm, out your fingers, and into your friend’s back. If you have difficulty doing this, focus on the flow of your breath. This isn’t as hard a technique as it may sound.

Imagine that you’re breathing in colored fog (I use purple, but you can visualize whatever color you like). Breathe this fog deep into your belly, about an inch below your navel. Exhale, but instead of breathing the fog out through your mouth or nose, see it flow down your arm and out your fingers, making contact with your friend’s back.

Have your friend tell you if he or she feels anything. This might be a tingling sensation, or the feeling of hot or cold. Everyone feels energy differently, so your energies might be interpreted in any number of ways. In time, your friend might be able to tell you where your hand is. Keep records on this exercise, and practice often.

Practice Magickal Skills on Your Animal Friends

Not everyone has a friend who will submit to this exercise. If you’re one of those people who simply does not have anyone to practice with, consider a pet. Cats and dogs work best for this exercise, and a patient pet is a better candidate. For cats and smaller dogs, rest them on your lap. For larger dogs, you’ll have to sit them in front of you. The principle is the same. Focus on sending energy into your pet, but without physical contact.

Your pet probably can’t talk, so you’ll have to watch your pet for evidence that they feel something. Signs can be as subtle as falling asleep or as obvious as jumping unexpectedly. You’ll have to keep a record of any signs you suspect might be significant, as Fido may keep you guessing for a while. This method takes a little longer, because of the reduced feedback you may receive, but it does work.

If you want to expand and increase your command of your own energies, you have to work at it. There are many various exercises that can help you do this. All of them have value. Experiment, practice, and have fun as you develop your psychic abilities.