Feb
17th

Pysanky – Ukrainian Magic Eggs

I love pysanky.  I’m a sucker for the lovely detail and the vibrant colors.  I have been lucky enough to own a few of these over the years and the only one I still have is the one I purchased after the children were out of the “break everything” years. 

So much of the symbolism is easily connected to my beliefs as a Witch.  While much you will read on the symbolism of pysanky will referance the Christian mythos simply remember that the art form predates that faith.  As I wrote about the other day dying eggs is an easy form of magic.  And while pysanky is by no means easy – the drawing of symbols on eggs can be. Use this art form as a way to inspire your own works of magic during the coming egg dyeing season.

If I was more dextrous and had the extra money necessary for the specialized tools and such I would definately try to learn how to do it.  Perhaps one day.

If you want to see some examples of these gorgeous works of art check out these galleries:

If you want to learn more yourself about how to develop the layered designs on your own eggs here is a wonderful site that takes you through the process step-by-step.

Enjoy!

Blessings!

Mama Kelly

Feb
12th

Egg Coloring as a Ritual

Regardless of whether you and your family celebrate Ostara, Easter, or dye eggs as a secular springtime activity, here are some ideas for dyeing eggs this year

Get PAAS kits from the dollar store.

Easy, foolproof, only $1 but there is a limited choice of colors in a kit. Odds are I’ll still buy a kit as a “backup measure” but I really want to spread my wings a little bit creatively this year.

Use water vinegar and food coloring.
1 cup boiling water
1 TBSP white vinegar
20 (or more) drops food coloring.

Add colors 1 drop at a time until you reach shade you desire.

Since I have boxes of both traditional food coloring and neon food coloring this one is a definate!! If nothing else I want to make some really vivid red eggs – not pink, not almost red, screaming red.

Use natural ingredients you probably have laying about the house.
1 cup of “dye”
2-3 tsp of white vinegar

Dye suggestions:
purple grape juice, your favorite vibrant hued herbal tea (steeped longer than you might ordinarily for drinking), red wine, black tea, green tea.

This is a maybe. Most of the sources I’ve read indicate a much longer soaking time that we are used to, up to overnight!!! But I may try it with a few eggs just to see how they come out.

Eggs as Magic

Use a white crayon to draw runes, symbols, words on your eggs before dyeing them.

Match the color(s) you dye your egg to its purpose.

Example of Layering:
- draw symbol on white egg – dip egg in yellow
- dry egg and draw symbol on now yellow egg – dip egg in red
- dry egg and draw symbol on now orange egg – dip egg in blue
- egg will be a muddy marbled tone, depending on luck, the whim of the Gods and other natural forces your egg will either look very cool or really awful, I get more of the former than the latter

Treat your “magical eggs” with a sense of reverence. Dry them lovingly. Eat them with true intent.

Egg magic is perfectly matched for any purpose associated with fertility, growth, new beginnings, and anything you want to see yourself “birth” in the coming months. However, it can work for any purpose. Feed yourself “self-love”, feed yourself “wisdom”, feed yourself “inspiration”.

Take it a step further. Break your goal/dream/wish down into a series of steps and eat one egg a day.

2 day spell: God and Goddess
3 day spell: Maiden, Mother, Crone
4 day spell: Earth, Aire, Fire, Water

For the next two please keep in mind that eggs are only considered safe to eat for 7 days after they are hard-boiled.

7 day spell: chakra opening
7 day spell: North, South, East, West, Above (connection to Divine and the world of spirit), Below (connection to the mundane world), Within (your innermost truth)

Wondering what to do with all those eggs you dyed? Again, pemember that they are only good for 1 week after you hardboil them.

Enjoy!

Mama Kelly