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Fertility Crafts
Female Fertility Craft
This sachet is easily constructed. During the day, it should be carried close to the
skin at all times. If it is made small enough, it can be easily and comfortably placed in a
bra. At night, or during love-making, it can be placed either under a mattress or under a
pillow. In a pink or green cloth bag, combine the following ingredients:
1 Pinch of Hawthorn flowers
1 Pinch of Dried Oak leaves
1 Pinch of Patchouli (or a drop of Patchouli Oil)
1 Pinch of Powdered Mandrake
Male Fertility Sachet
During the day, this sachet should be carried as close to the testicles as possible.
Since it would be incredibly uncomfortable inside underwear, place it in a deep pants
pocket. At night and during love-making, place it either under a mattress or pillow. In a
pink or green cloth bag, combine the following ingredients:
3 Mistletoe Berries
1 Pinch of Patchouli (or one drop of Patchouli Oil)
1 Pinch of dried Oak Leaves or 1 Oak Acorn
1 Pinch of Hawthorn flowers
1 Pinch of Powdered Mandrake
Fertility Wreath
Aside from being decorative, fertility wreaths are very functional. Wreaths, for
any occassion, are very easy to construct. Using a premade grape vine wreath (available
in any craft store), affix various fertility herbs, flowers, and leaves into the wreath. This
can easily be done with craft glue. On the four compass points (north, south, east, and
west) tie good sized green ribbons into bows.
From the top, hanging into the center of the wreath, attach a whole mandrake root
or a full sprig of mistletoe (berries and all) so that it hangs down into the open center. If
the root is too heavy for craft glue, secure it with a small, thin wire. Annoint the four
ribbons with Patchouli oil.
Hang your wreath above your bed. If you have small children or pets that might
fuss with it (remember, many of the fertility herbs, especially mistletoe and mandrake, are
poisonous), hang your wreath over your bedroom door well out of reach.
This wreath, when a child is conceived, will make a wonderful first decoration for
your child's new room. Remove the mandrake or mistletoe and instead, attach a root or
full sprig for protection of your new child. Add pink ribbons (for love) to the green ones
to compliment the wreath and make it more for a child.
Fertility Incense or Potpourri
This mixture can be used as either a potpourri or a powder incense. It has a
delightful, fruity smell, and can be used at any fertility ritual. Since the majority of the
componants are natural fruits, this is very simple to make.
Mix the following ingrediants. If you plan to use this mixture as a powder incense,
make sure all of the ingrediants are completely dried. This can be done by setting them on
a warm windowsill for a week. Remember to grind the components to a fine consistancy.
If you will be using this mixture as a potpourri, you can leave the ingrediants in small
pieces. They needn't be completely dried, as any juices that remain will enhance the
potpourri scent.
1 diced, dried apple (including the peel is optional)
1 banana's worth of dried slices (do not include the peel)
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
10 raisins
1 peach's worth of dried peach peels
Pregnancy Photo Album
This is a lovely
keepsake for both parents to cherish. Eventually, it can become a treasured keepsake for
the child as well. The purpose of this craft is to provide a chronological presentation of
your journey through pregnancy with photos of mother, father, and baby. It also doubles
as a way for both mom and dad to actively participate in the pregnancy.
Begin your album the day you find out you are pregnant. Purchase an empty
photo album with a plain cover. Using specifically chosen contact paper or wall paper
with an appropriate, personal theme, wrap the plain cover. Wall paper and contact paper
is available at any art or home decor store and is available in a plethora of "Pagan"
oriented scenes. There are celestial, wizard, natural, or baby oriented designs available if
you look hard enough. You may adorn the cover with small crystals or gems, dried herbs,
or drawings in addition to or along with the wall paper.
Using a piece of ivory or white parchment paper (be sure to punch three holes to
allow it to placed in the album), create a title page. On the upper left hand corner, pen
mother's name, birthdate, and astrological sign. On the upper right hand corner, pen
father's name, birthdate, and astrological sign. Reserve the upper center for the baby. The
baby's information can be written larger or in another color to make it stand out.
Down the center of the page, below the names, pen a personal blessing to your
child. A wish for him or her. An example is as follows:
Great Mother and Father,
Please bless our new child with gentleness,
wisdom, and enlightenment. Allow all of his\her
dreams come true and allow him\her to be happy.
Protect our child while he still resides inside
his mother. Grant us the wisdom and the love
to care for our child in the way you have shown us.
Blessed Be.
After the title page is complete, make sure to protect it by
either laminating it or using a clear sheet protector. (Don't laminate it until after the baby
is born so you can record his\her name and birth date!)
The next step is the family information sheets. The first page is devoted to the
baby. Of course, this cannot be filled out until after he\she is born. The second and third
page should be devoted to the mother and father. This sheet gives a small biography. Use
the following subjects as guidelines for parents and child.
Baby's Information
Name
Date of Birth
Time of Birth
Place of Birth
Weight
Height
Eye Color
Hair Color
Astrological Sign
Rising Sign
Birth Stone
Birth Flower
Key Phrase
Dominant Trait
Mother and Father Information Sheet
Name
Date of Birth
Time of Birth
Place of Birth
Eye Color
Hair Color
Astrological Sign
Rising Sign
Birth Stone
Birth Flower
Key Phrase
Dominant Trait
Favorite Things
First Thought When I realized You Were Coming
Hopes for You
Now it is time for those priceless photos of mom and dad.
Choose one day of the month (the 12th for example). On the 12th of each month of
pregnancy, make sure to take a minimum of three photos: two of mom and one of
dad.
When photographing mom, make sure to have her lift her shirt to reveal her belly.
One shot should be a profile and one shot should be frontal. Letting mom wear a bikini
bathing suit or a bra and panties will provide the best results.
If mom is comfortable, allow her to be photographed skyclad. It is important to
consider whether or not you would like your child to view nude photos of his\her mother.
It may also be uncomfortable on relatives who would like to view them. Additionally, you
will need to consult your photo developer as to the policies of developing nude
photographs. Many will not do it, even if the pictures are of a consenting adult.
One way to combat both problems at the same time is to create a separate photo
album for the parents using an instant camera. If, at any time, the child wishes to see the
pictures, they are readily available. If not, a more modest album is waiting.
Don't forget to photograph dad. Since he doesn't have a growing belly (unless he
has developed sympathetic weight gain), a full frontal picture each month should suffice.
Dad will go through many changes as well as mom. Some, involve the growing of hair, or
a beard. Others may involve changes of the face and personality as he grows closer to
becoming a father. These changes should be noted for posterity.
It is best to set aside a specific role of film for this occasion. Carefully note on
what date the pictures were taken and how many. That way, when they are developed,
after the entire roll is finished, there will be no guessing and confusion. "Was this month
one or month two. Your belly was still flat."
Don't forget labor and delivery. Dad should be poised and ready to snap pictures
through all stages (although don't get so hooked into taking photos that you forget mom!).
If you can, try to enlist the aid of a third person, leaving dad to tend to mom. If in a
hospital situation, and they won't let a third party in, try asking a nurse or an attendant to
assist. That way the pictures are taken for prosperity and dad doesn't miss a thing.
When you photos have been taken, developed, and placed in the album, don't
forget to label them, add personal feelings, or write blessings specific to each month.
Instead of try to remember what you were feeling when you took the photos, jot thoughts
down in a notebook and transcribe them neatly when you are finishing up the album.
Check out these Pregnancy and Parenting Pages...
Pregnancy Related
Links
The Homebirth
Choice
Midwifery, Pregnancy.
Birth, Childbirth, Breastfeeding
Pagan Parenting --
Pregnancy
Year 'Round Yule Tree
If you dread having to take the Yule tree down each January, then try something
different. Consider leaving the tree up the whole year, merely changing the decorations to
fit each Sabbat. Of course, if you have a real tree this may not work. You will need to
put your real tree to soil as soon as the season is over, but consider purchasing an artificial
tree for the remainder of the year. If you buy an artificial tree after the Christmas"season,
you are almost guaranteed a sale price. Here are a few decoration ideas for the coming
year.
Yule
You shouldn't have any trouble finding Yule decorations. In keeping with the
Pagan holiday, and not the Christian one, you may want to choose ornaments that reflect
natural scenes or animals.
Some of the traditions of "Christmas" are in fact Pagan in origin, so why not use
them on your Yule tree. During the season, purchase sprigs of mistletoe and holly (if they
come without the berries, you can easily fashion synthetic ones from beads). Lay the
sprigs on top of the tree branches. Baby's Breath (which usually adorns roses) may also
be used in the same manner, depicting flakes of snow on your tree.
What tree would be complete without lights? Instead of multicolored light strings,
purchase bulbs or strings in single colors such as blue (to represent the Goddess) and
yellow (for the God). White or clear lights can be used and will enhance the appearance
of snow if you have used Baby's Breath.
Common tree toppers are very Christian in nature (the Star of Bethlehem or the
Angel). With a little time, you can create a topper that is truly Pagan. Consider buying a
sheet of poster board. Cut a crescent and\or a sun shape. You can use both together or
separately. Cover the crescent in tin foil (Silver is the Goddess's metal) and the sun in
gold tin foil (available in craft stores). Using glue and glitter (or glitter pens), out line the
moon and the sun in dazzling sparkles. Glue crystals or stones in designs.
Attach your topper by way of wire. Fasten one end of the wire in the center of
the topper (in the back). Set the crescent over the top tree branch and twist the wire
around it until the topper is secure.
These tree toppers can be used for more than one Sabbat. If you are at a loss as to
what to use for a topper for Midsummer (for example), the sun will do perfectly. You
may also use the toppers as altar ornaments when not in use on the tree.
Imbolc (Candlemas)
One of the symbols of Imbolc is the candle, representing the illumination in one's
life. Your Imbolc tree can be decorated with candles galore. Using a medium sized tree
for example, you will want to purchase about 15-20 thin white candles. I don't
recommend tapers, as they aren't balanced well. Using silver glitter spray paint, spray
each candle. Allow them to dry. Purchase two sheets of white poster board and 15-20
white plastic clothes pins. Spray each clothes pin with gold glitter spray paint and allow to
dry. Now, find an object that is circular, such as a soda can. Trace 15-20 circles on your
posterboard and cut them out. In the center of each circle, draw a small X . Cut the X
out and attempt to fit one of the candles through. If they won't fit, lengthen the cut marks.
Make sure when the candle fits through that it is a snug fit.
Using lavender lace, also to be found at craft stores, glue the lace on the top of the
circle, being careful not to cover the X. When everything is dry, fit all of the candles into
their posterboard holders. Attach the clothes pin onto one side of the posterboard circle
and attach them both to a tree limb.
Any lavender lace you may have left over can be used for the tree. On any branch
that does not have a candle, take a length of lace and tie it onto the branch in a bow. If
there are any other colors that you associate with Imbolc, you can use colorful ribbons
instead. Silver and gold decorative beads can be used in lieu of the ribbons or along with
them.
The crescent and sun tree toppers can be used again for Imbolc. If you don't wish
to use them, use your imagination and fashion a topper made of candles. Small decorative
wreaths in a variety of sizes can be made or purchased. There should be one small enough
to fit snugly over the top of the tree. Instead of large candles, attach small white birthday
cake candles to the wreath.
Vernal Equinox
The vernal equinox is the coming of spring. Your tree should reflect that. Since
colored eggs are Pagan in origin, decorate your tree with the little plastic eggs available at
the coming of the Easter season. Separate the egg, and close it with a piece of ribbon or
string inside. The ribbon should be made of spring colors such as pink or light green. Tie
the eggs to each limb of your tree.
Inside the branches, set small craft birds. These little birds can be purchased at
craft stores and reflect the return of the wild life. In honor of the birds, use small circles of
white netting and fill them with bird seed. Pinch all of the ends together an secure it with
a ribbon. Tie the loose end of the ribbon to any empty branches. When it is time to
change the decorations on the tree, scatter the bird seed on the ground outside.
Beltane
Beltane is another rite of spring as well as being a fertility festival. Your tree can
become a decorative maypole. Cut lengths of different colored ribbon that measure the
length of the tree. Secure each ribbon to the top of the tree with a bow. Allow the ribbon
to hang to the bottom of the tree (not the floor). In between the ribbons, decorate the tree
by securing silk flowers to the branches.
Since this is a Sabbat that reflects both the God and the Goddess, you should use
the tree topper you made for Imbolc (both the crescent and the sun). If you don't want to
use the Imbolc topper, fasten dozens of flowers above where the maypole ribbons
originate. These flowers should be above the bows at the top of the tree.
Midsummer
This is the God's Sabbat. Decorate the tree with anything that reflects the sun.
Affix silk sunflowers and marigolds on the tree branches. On opposing branches, tie
ribbons of gold, yellow, and orange.
For added fragrance, make pomander balls from oranges (a sun fruit). This is a
very simple craft. Using whole, un peeled oranges, tie a ribbon around the circumference
of the fruit. Secure the ribbon to the fruit by use of small sewing pins, pushed all the way
in. Using a thicker needle or pin, poke rows of holes up and down the fruit. Push whole
cloves into the holes.
Allow the fruit to dry outside or on a sun touched windowsill for a week before
hanging. Hang the pomander by the ribbon on a thick, secure branch.
Top your Midsummer tree with the sun topper you made for Imbolc. Since this is
the God's holiday, you might want to place your crescent on your altar until the next
Sabbat.
Lughnassad
Lughnassad is the first of the harvest festivals. Fall is coming. Decorate your tree
with fall colored ribbon (dark orange, mustard yellow, and red). If they are available,
place dried corn or dried wheat stocks inside your tree.
Fall flowers also add a lovely touch. Sunflowers and marigolds work just as well
for Lugnassad as they do for Midsummer. Both flowers usually bloom in later summer.
If you don't have any animals about, decorate your tree with dried bread slices.
Lay 6 pieces of wheat bread on a plate and allow them to dry to a hard consistency. Using
a skewer or chopstick, punch a hole in the top of the slice large enough for a thin ribbon
to pass. String your bread slices onto the tree branches.
If you are feeling modern, decorate your tree with sports paraphernalia.
Lughnassad is also know as the Sport's fest. Set golf balls, baseballs, or a small football
inside the tree.
Mabon
The second harvest festival and the Pagan Thanksgiving, your Mabon tree should
be similar to your Lughnassad tree (of course, without the golf balls!). In lieu of wheat
stalks and dried corn, collect colored leaves from a park or your backyard. Spray the
leaves with clear hairspray and allow to dry. Attach them to your tree with alternating
ribbons. If you are hanging a red leaf, use a yellow ribbon. If you are hanging a yellow
leaf, use a red ribbon.
Using a small grapevine wreath (again, available at craft stores), attach acorns and
walnuts with a little bit of craft glue. Weave ribbons in and out of the vines. Place the
wreath over the top of your tree.
Samhain
There are so many different things you can do for a Samhain tree. Start by
decorating your tree with little effigies of witches and black cats. If you can't locate any
ornaments like these, purchase Halloween greeting cards with different covers. Cut out
the pictures and fasten them to posterboard for stability. Cut a small hole in the top and
hang them from different branches with black and orange ribbon.
Most craft and dime stores now sell "Halloween" lights in the shape of little jack-
o-lanterns. String these lights as you would "Christmas" lights.
Instead of ribbons, beads, or garland, drape your tree in fake spider webs. Cover
the entire tree. Remember, the more you stretch the webs out, the more realistic they
look. Attach little plastic spiders into the web.
The little tissue ghosts you made as a child look fabulous on a Samhain tree.
Gather two white tissues per ghost. Lay the first tissue out flat. Roll the second into a
tight ball and place in the center of the first tissue. Gently squeeze the first tissue around
the ball in the center. Tie it off with a thin black ribbon. With a felt pen, draw a little face
on your ghost. Hang them from the branches.
For an interesting and unique Samhain tree topper, purchase a costume witch's hat.
Simply set it over the top of your tree.
