Where there's smoke there's fire...

"Where there's smoke" is the beginning of the saying "Where there's smoke, there's fire," meaning that if there is telltale evidence of some event, the event is probably occurring. ---Wikipedia

Let us be honest, the above is not always the case.  In fact, if you have ever played the gossip game with friends you laughed uproarisly to hear that "doris had an abortion after getting rid of her lice" when it started out as "Doris is looking gorgeous today, I wonder what they put in her rice?".  See they sound similar...but the meaning is really not the same.

Most Highpriestesses will never be as famous as the women whose pictures I will post in this blog (this is Selena Fox btw); in fact their pictures may never come up in Google Images or Photobucket when a search is performed but this does not make their calling in life any less relevant.  I am not sure what it would :"Feel like" to be so famous that you could not walk anywhere without people noticing you but as Clergy of a church I got a little taste of what it is like living in a goldfish bowl.

What is a Highpriestess?  Well, in many religions men head everything but in the Pagan/Wiccan/Witch religion if there is a group formed a Highpriestess is usually the one behind it and cheering it on.  She in turn, usually picks a Highpriest to work with her to serve as the consort (or perform the role of the God) the role of Highpriestess is so important that in the Tarot deck there is a Highpriestess card...but if you notice; no Highpriest.

Highpriestesses come in all shapes and sizes, and it is usually assumed they have trained for three to five years with a Highpriestess, elder, Highpriest, or group to share their traditions with others.  Of course, this is not always the case.  I have known some fabulous Highpriestesses who had no teachers, just literally had a gift for it and made it up as they went along and the Gods blessed them just the same sending them hundreds and hundreds of students.  Those were back in the days where there were not so many teachers, or Highpriestesses and it was not "cool" to call yourself one or "run an occult store".

Highpriestesses get a bad rap alot.  People seem to see them as "controlling, lazy, bossy, and obnoxious" or at least this is what you hear people say that refuse to join any type of group format when it comes to Wicca/Paganism/or being a Witch.  Yet, they do not seem to notice, they are disciplined, very protective of their tribe, teachers who share what they have learned and know for hundreds of people, constantly working even into their sixties and seventies to give birth to person after person who are really "excited" about "discovering" a new path; this does not count how many living rooms or basements or kitchens or bathrooms they have devoted to "pagans" and money they have invested into their Gods.  I mean where would we be as a religion without Priestesses?  It is almost like saying where would we be without the Goddess?

Priestesses can be intimidating, and intense, but they also can be (and most I know are) very loving, motherly, nurturing, concerned, constantly aware, open to new ideas, and an example of what an independent thinker and human being are.  Now, like you all I had in my mind when I became a HPS (this was me thinking of me growing up as a witch) what I would look like, and how I would act, not how I would boss, finally be in charge, and not take crap from anyone.  Unfortunately it seems I get to"eat more crow" and "take more crap" being a HPS than I ever did as just a cute little witchling...but then I also get more credit and praise than I probably should at times also..since I DO HAVE some fabulous luck and wonderful students.

It washes out, and NO I did not grow up to look like the Highpriestess Tarot Card all regal, still, quite, and patient.  I was still the small, wiry, animated, bright haired crazy child only older...and that apparently is why the Gods have a fabulous sense of humor! My teacher was quite, patient, matronly, and felt like a Goosedown pillow.  My Mamaw was small wiry, a fireball, had crazy hair, intense eyes...and wait...I look alot like her!

So, for all you HPS out there...hang in there; you are doing good!  It does not matter if you win a popularity contest; what matters is that you love your Gods and that you listen, and you try your best.  Don't be too hard on yourselves!  For you of you that are NOT Highpriestesses please be nice; try to remember these are humans serving humans and their Gods and trying to do the best they can...and never for monetary gain.  If you have a problem with authority; that's fine but don't join a coven and cause strife.  You know you do not like groups or leadership this does not make you "bad" it makes you know yourself.  However, if you could lay your personal fears aside and try to learn for a little while...that might not be "bad" either...just saying :)

Now this-----------------------------------------> is my favorite Highpriestess picture it is Yoko Ono wrapped in toilet paper at an Art Exhibit and I swear she calls herself a "Highpriestess" and I think that is sort of cool.  Something to relate to, be proud of, and make me laugh...but then I have a weird sense of humor.

What is your impression of Highpriestesses?  Where did you get it from?  How did you if you are one, like the role?

Thanks for reading!  Thanks for sharing!  Thanks for being such a delight!

" I would like a mummy dog, dipped in blood, with an eye of newt on the side please!"

Some Witchy Recipes:

Many of us answer to the name “witch”.  We take pride in it, bandy it about, cackle like one, have a collection of witch hats, pointy boots, black capes, carpet bags, bottles with labels, cats galore, and use this name in reference to our spiritual path.  I have never taken “offense” to the name witch when attached to me; in fact I like it.  I feel like it makes me “special” in a world that is encouraged to stamp out “unique” individuals.

I was told when I was a little witchling that every “real witch” (this term real witch could be an excellent blog) starts either in the kitchen or in the garden learning her trade and polishing her skills. I have found this particularly true in the South if you ask enough people they concentrate usually in one area or another.  Me, I chose the kitchen and later delved into a bit of gardening.  Honestly though I enjoy “brewing up teas and concoctions”, making special cakes and pies and delightful treats.  I find my heart singing, and my lips peeled back in a smile I cannot contain.  

I rune my pies, I whisper over my cookies, I talk to my cake batter, I sprinkle herbs, spices, flavorings, like a witch from a painting taking time to do everything with a flourish and grand gesture because why not enjoy what you are doing?  But the real important ingredient in Kitchen witchery is not only having good ingredients, a good recipe, great stove, good pots and pans and a love for the craft of it in you heart it is one thing--- LUCK.  Yep, you need luck if you are going to not “over cook” something or if you are really going to go on your instinct “and throw in a dash of oregano” in a chocolate pie.  

How does one guarantee luck?  Well that takes surrounding yourself with lucky objects does it not, or possibly asking your Gods or Guides to assist you in the kitchen?  Witches know how to attract luck, that is why many wear lodestones.  Of course growing shamrocks in in your kitchen does not hurt.  Hanging a kitchen witch and charging her in the kitchen definitely turns the tide in your favor.  What about a few gnomes or house elves?  Just like ingredients make up a recipe, so do “kitchen helpers” in a witch’s life. AND kitchen witches truly in the heart believe that there is no limit to when you can cook “fun” what others would call “haloweeny” dishes and desserts.  Because, to a witch every day is Halloween!

Keeping this in mind, I am going to share a couple of recipes I cooked this last week for a ghost hunting workshop that was done at my home.  Of course, I know it was not Halloween but it sure was fun making Mummy Dogs and Eye of Newt Deviled Eggs and Ghost cookies!  I do not feel that these recipes should be limited to Halloween they should be made any time of night or day when you just need to smile or take life less seriously!

EYES OF NEWT: Yields2 dozen newt eyes

Ingredients

• 12 eggs
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 pinch celery salt
• 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
• 2 drops green food coloring, or as needed
• 1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained

Directions

1. Place all of the eggs into a large pot so they can rest on the bottom in a single layer. Fill with just enough cold water to cover the eggs. Bring to a boil, then cover, remove from the heat and let stand for about 15 minutes. Rinse under cold water or add some ice to the water and let the eggs cool completely. Peel and slice in half lengthwise.

Remove the yolks from the eggs and place them in a bowl. Mix in the relish, mayonnaise, celery salt, mustard, and food coloring. Spoon this filling into the egg whites and place them on a serving tray. Round the top of the filling using the spoon. Place a whole olive inside each yolk to create the center of the eye. Dab a tiny bit of mustard in the center of the olive as a finishing touch. Sprinkle liberally with paprika! 

MUMMY DOGS:  Yields 2 dozen

Ingredients

• 2 (11-oz.) cans refrigerated breadstick dough
• 24 bun-length hot dogs (choose turkey or chicken or vegan)
• Vegetable cooking spray
• Whole Cloves
• 2 Cups mustard, 1 Tbsp chili powder, and 1 Tbsp or real honey for Dipping Sauce

Preparation

• 1. Preheat oven to 400°. Unroll breadstick dough, and separate into 12 strips at perforations. Gently stretch each strip to a length of 8 inches.
• 2. Wrap 1 dough strip lengthwise around each hot dog. Secure with wooden picks, if necessary. Coat lightly with cooking spray. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet.
• 3. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes.

MAKE your Dipping Sauce and make sure you put it next to them in a FUN bowl (I use a cauldron)

I hope these recipes give you a taste of what it is like to eat at my table, and to dance in my kitchen!  I enjoy the little things as they call it because I know the little things not only add up and make big things but that the Goddess is always in the details!  So relish your kitchen witchery, put on that big hat whilst cooking, but always take the time to invoke LUCK while baking up a brew!