VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
POTM’S
MO O NWI SE
APRIL 2011
PLUTO RETROGRADE—BY AUDREY OWENS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Most of us are familiar
PLUTO RETRO- 1 with Mercury Retrograde,
GRADE where all sorts of things hap-
pen that mess up communi-
CAT THE 2
cations. While Mercury is
KITCHEN WITCH now direct and things are
running smoothly, Pluto
went retrograde on 9 April
HERB OF THE 3
MONTH
2011, and will not go direct
until 16 September 2011.
We know that Mercury retro-
ANNOUNCE- 4 grade spells all kinds of
MENTS
communications troubles,
but what does retrograde
Pluto mean?
Pluto is a planet of
regeneration and cleansing,
removing old and unneces-
sary items in our lives. The
energies of Pluto will be fo-
cused inward, allowing us to
pay attention to purging our-
selves of what we no longer
need to hold onto; grudges,
unresolved conflicts, values
and attitudes that we have
grown away from, anything
DID YOU KNOW? that may be bogging us
down spiritually. All these
We have a coupon will be brought into focus
box! Take or leave a over the next few months.
coupon before and Think of it as a spiritual de-
tox.
after each event.
Do not be too per-
We would also ap-
preciate coupon
donations as well.
Audrey is a solitary-eclectic Wiccan from Sandy Ridge who loves to write and create. She spends
We have brought
her free time reading, writing, hiking, or driving between Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and her
back the “Free Cy- home town. She maintains a blog at http://morgenphoenix.wordpress.com/ where more of her
cle.” Bring your writing can be found.
unwanted items
and give them
away!
turbed if you have an argu-
ment with a friend or sud-
denly find yourself longing
for something better. Some
characteristics of retrograde
Pluto is you suddenly feel
powerless, manipulated, or
obsessive; extreme emo-
tions will flare one way or
the other during this time.
Pluto asks that you look at
yourself and analyze what
you no longer need, and
then asks you to let it go.
Instead of feeling powerless,
remind yourself that you are
actually being empowered to
face the things that you cling
to, and receiving the power
to let them go instead of
keeping them around.
Pluto retrograde is
also known as a time of gen-
erational changes and re-
evaluations. It will seem like
everything will be put under
a microscope and analyzed
for its usefulness on the
future to come. Pluto asks
us as a whole to focus on
what is not needed in our
society any longer, and to
make the necessary
changes. This will be a time
of much internal distur-
bance as we face ideals and
values that cannot continue
to serve us.
Use this time
wisely. Some ideas that
may help you see what Pluto
is highlighting here are jour-
naling, meditating, divining,
or any method that you pre-
fer that allows you to reach
deep within yourself. Go
over any emotions or feel-
ings that may surface with
your inner magnifying glass
and determine if it is neces-
sary to keep holding onto
this. Perform rituals or
spells that will help you re-
lease those things that you
no longer need. Turn your
focus inward, and clear the
clutter within.
Depending on how you
look at it, the next five
months may be freeing or
irritating. Take time to
calmly look at each situation
with a discerning eye and
find its usefulness in your
life. Pluto invites you to take
the wheel of life during this
time, and also gives you the
strength to face the secrets
lurking in the deep.
 MOONWISE Page 2

CAT THE KITCHEN WITCH—BY CAT COX CARTER

For the month of April I would like to pass on two really healthy recipes.
The first is a soup I just made for Chris and myself for dinner one night
recently and it was very good. My sweet recipe is what I made for last
months POTM. The recipes are Ditalini Pasta and Cannellini Bean Soup
and Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. I got the recipe for the cookies from
Healthy Baking by Pillsbury. Also Ditalini Pasta is a small tubular pasta. I
found mine at Harris Teeter. You can also find the cannellini beans
there too; they have the organic (I like this variety better) and Progresso.
Note that Progresso adds oil to them.

DITALINI AND CANNELLINI BEAN SOUP

Ingredients: Directions:

1-1/2 cups Ditalini Pasta
3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1-1/2 cup chopped onion
1- 1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 boxes (64 ounces) vegetable broth
2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed, drained
1 large can crushed tomatoes
1 tbs. sugar
1/4 cup chopped parsley, divided
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Heat oil in large stockpot over medium-high
heat. Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic;
sauté for 10 - 12 minutes, stirring occasion-
ally. Add broth, beans, crushed tomatoes, and
sugar; heat to simmer. Cook for 1 hour to 1-
1/2 hours till celery, onions and carrots are
tender.
Stir in Ditalini pasta, 2 tablespoons parsley,
oregano, pepper and salt. Increase heat and
bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook on med
- low heat for 10 to 12 minutes or until pasta
is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in remain- “Ditalini and
ing parsley and 1/2 cup cheese. Serve with
Cannellini are
remaining cheese.
available on
supermarket
shelves.”

Ingredients:
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 egg whites
2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
Heat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, beat
brown sugar and butter with electric mixer on
medium speed until light and fluffy, or mix
with spoon. Beat in vanilla and egg whites.
Stir in flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Stir
in chocolate chips. Onto ungreased cookie
sheet, drop dough by teaspoonfuls about 2
inches apart.
Bake 8 to 9 minutes or until set (do not over-
bake). Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie
sheet to wire rack.
 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 Page 3

HERB OF THE MONTH—BY REBECCA SOUTHARDS

Botanical Name: Carum petroselinum

Family: Umbelliferae
Habitat: Cultivated plant, sometimes naturalized in many places of Europe. It can be found in cool places
by the walls and near rocks.
Characteristics: Perennial scented plant of the carrot family

This herb is so familiar that we often overlook it for more exotic plants, yet this attractive plate garnish is
one of the most versatile medicinal plants around and is absolutely a must have in any well stocked herb
garden.

Parsley is high in iron and rich in vitamins A, B, C as well as trace minerals. The leaves, seeds and roots
of the Parsley plant all have medicinal properties and are key in the treatment of diseases of the bladder
and kidneys, rheumatism, arthritis and sciatica. Parsley helps to inhibit the body’s release of histamines,
which explains its use for allergies and sinus congestion.

With Parsley, the only time you have to worry about any side effects is when it is used in concentrated
extracts for those with kidney inflammation or those who are pregnant. Pregnant women should not con-
sume parsley because it is a uterine stimulant and may induce premature labor.

MEDICINAL USES

Internal Uses:
Carminative (relieves intestinal gas), tonic and digestive, diuretic, arthritis, allergies, “Parsley helps to
sinus congestion, prevents kidney stone formations, urinary tract inflammations
inhibit the
External Uses:
Relieves irritations of tired eyes, diminishes pain, halitosis (bad breath), insect body’s release of
bites or stings, nosebleeds, used to treat hematomas (bruises), general skin
care, relieves/stops nosebleeds histamines,
Culinary Uses: which explains
Used as a seasoning, for various food dishes. Also used as garnish for plate presentation.
its use for
allergies and
MAGICAL USES
sinus

Parsley is bound to Mercury and air. In ancient times, it was associated with death congestion.”
and funeral ceremonies. Today, magically speaking, Parsley is associated with lust,
good luck, communicating with others, protection, purification, fertility, reincarna-
tion, health, strength, vitality, divination, passion, meditation, rituals for the dead
and happiness.

Parsley is used in the purification baths by placing a mesh bag under the tap water
and running bath water over it. Use a small amount of dried herb as an incense
with incantations related to physical well being and happiness and in rituals for the
dead, including communication.

Make a tea of parsley and call the powers of the earth, or wear it in a sachet to in-
crease strength, health, protection and vitality, and to evoke lust and pas-
sion. Parsley on the plate is supposed to protect the food from contamination, and
eating it is said to increase fertility and lust.
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