Recipe Korner: Stir Fry

Portabella, Leek & Basmati Brown Rice Stir Fry

By

K. Sahure

I wish to share a personal creation of mine which has become a favorite veggie recipe over the years, especially if you like the aroma and taste of fresh Leek, Portabella Mushroom, Ginger, and Garlic. Using a well-seasoned Wok (12 to 14 inches in diameter) is best for this tasty production but feel free to use to use a nonstick Calphalon Wok if you are new to Wok Cooking. Also note that your Wok has many uses, such as a deep-fry pan, steamer, fry pan, sauté pan, blanching and a boiling pan.

The following ingredients should be fresh and organic:

Portabella mushroom 2 whole, 5-7 inch in diameter
Leek ½ cup (chopped)
Basmati rice 1 cup
Ginger ¼ - ½ tsp (minced)
Garlic 1-2 cloves (chopped, minced, or pressed)
Coarse Black Pepper Grind the peppercorns and season to taste
Olive or Safflower Oil 2-3 tbsp

Preparation:

Pick and wash the basmati rice in plenty of cool running water and then soak in water for half an hour, rinse, and then steam the rice until it is thoroughly cooked. I use a rice cooker/steamer…perfect rice every time, LOL! Note that brown rice takes about 10-20 minutes longer than white rice to cook thoroughly depending upon the method of cooking used.

In the meantime, wash the leek, garlic, and ginger; dry them then chop in a manner you like.

About 10 minutes before the rice has finished steaming, heat your Wok on medium-high until it is hot, add the olive oil and veggies, and stir fry. Be careful not to caramelize the veggies by overcooking them. By this time, the rice should be done and ready to serve. If I have the rice already made and it has been sitting in the refrigerator, then I will stir fry rice and veggies together in my Wok.

This will make 2-3 servings and please feel free to experiment.

Enjoy!

Higher Power

Higher Power: One Point of View

The very basic constructs and definition of a Higher Power should be left up to the individual because spirituality is quite a personal matter. Each human being has their own individualized experiences with their own form of Higher Power(s), Higher (Supreme) Being(s), and Spirits. If Higher Powers are considered genderless by some individuals, then they may be considered as forms of cosmic energy or:

Higher Powers = Cosmic, Universal Physical Energy, Spiritual Energy, and Spirits
Higher Beings = Gods and Goddesses

However, please understand that the many gods and goddesses of varying pantheons are not genderless; this is another topic of discussion for a later time.

For clarity sake within the Craft, the elementals of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water have higher spiritual powers and are often represented by many different gods and goddesses. These are some of the most challenging concepts for those who "convert" from a monotheistic/patriarchal religion to a nature-based (pantheistic/polytheistic/matriarchal and patriarchal) religion to comprehend at the beginning of their spiritual path change and journey. Is there only one Supreme Being? The answer to this question has always been extremely controversial; yet a very good and practical answer may be that this depends greatly on which spiritual path one follows and whether the basis of this spiritual path is monotheistic, monolatrous, pantheistic, or polytheistic.

There has to be some form of supreme being(s) other than humans because there have been gods and goddesses who existed from the beginning of time and who have walked this Earth and traversed the entire universe for approximately 13 billion years when cosmic energies and astro-chemical reactions formed to expand “singularly” into the planets, stars, suns, moons, galaxies, black holes, and the very life-giving elementals of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Drawing from within oneself along with the energies of the elementals is as powerful conceptually as well as in practice in nature and the real world.

One of the other primary conceptual challenges is that many people attempt to rationalize what religion is rather than what spirituality means to them as an individual. Having a basic, yet well-rounded, understanding in the theology and divinity of several religions and their practices (for comparative purposes) may bring about a greater personal meaning and understanding of world religions. Understanding the inner spiritual self and one’s personal relationship with the Higher Power(s) is in essence what this is all about and that we all are temples of the gods and goddesses of our spiritual pantheons whether by choice or not.

__________________________________________
© 2005 Rev. Dr. K. Sahure & The Temple of Kheti

Herbalism & Spiritualism

Herbalism & Spiritualism

Here are a few herbs and their spiritual, magickal properties and correspondences.

Agrimony (Cockle Burr, Stickwort, Church Steeples):
Elemental - Air
Protection, banishes negative energy, and promotes restful sleep.

Allspice (English Spice, Jamaica Pepper, Clove Pepper, Myrtle Pepper, Pimenta, Pimento):
Elemental - Fire
Prosperity, courage, energy, strength and has an aroma of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg combined.

Almond (Sweet Almond, Almond Oil, Badam, Mandel, Prunus amygdalus dulcis):
Elemental - Air
Money, prosperity, and wisdom.

Angelica Root (European Angelica):
Elemental - Fire
Protection, exorcism, health, meditation, divination; removes curses, hexes, and/or spells.

Anise (Aniseed, Sweet Cumin):
Elemental - Air
Protection, mental agility, intuition, psychic awareness, repels evil spirits, and inspiration.

Please note:
Herbs, herbal, and herbal supplement products have much folklore and spiritualism associated with them and are not subject to the scrutiny, review, or approval of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

_____________________________
~ Kheti Metaphysical Institute ~
12/25/2004

Mystikal Witch Forum

Merry Ye Meet,

Mystikal Witch is primarily for those who are new to the Craft but is open to all experienced Witches, Wiccans, Pagans, and other seekers of nature based spirituals paths.

Feel free to share your knowledge and ask questions. Discuss any and all topics within the realm of the Old Religion including high & low magick, essential oils & incense, tools, Gods & Goddesses, choosing a spiritual name, divination, altars, covens & covenants, Sabbats & Esbats, pentacle vs. pentagram, the Rede & the Creed, spellwork & rituals, craftwork, crystals, metals, woods, preparations, initiation, wiccaning, ecology, herbs & healing, candle magick, deosil & widdershins, spirit guides, runes, Kemeticism, reiki, tarot, astrology, handfasting, moon or lunar magick, advanced magick, scrying, how to start a Book of Shadows, how to do this and how to do that from a magickal perspective, white magick vs. black magick, Drawing Down the Moon, issues you may face being a Witch or Wiccan in modern day society, outdoor vs. indoor rituals, prayer, the elementals, and more.

Merry Ye Part and Blesséd Be

Musings of Sifu H.A. Diop 06.10.05

People tend to fear what they do not understand or do not want to take the time to understand . . . as they go about lives suffering from a violent condition of myopia, of their own self-induced affliction.

Ancient Egyptian Queens

Queens of Ancient Egypt

This is a very brief overview about some of the major Ancient Egyptian Queens:

• Ankhesenamun - Her original name was Ankhesenpaaten Queen of Egypt who reigned 1332–1322 BCE; she was the third daughter of Akhenaton and Nefertiti (the rulers of the Amarna revolution).

• Cleopatra VII - She was of Macedonian descent, not Egyptian; however, she learned Egyptian and regarded herself as the daughter of Re (although she was the second daughter of King Ptolemy XII). She was born in 69 BCE, passed (suicide) in 30 BCE, and reigned from 51-30 BCE.

• Hatshepsut - She was also known as Hatshopsitu, reigned from circa 1472–58 BCE, and was the daughter of King Thutmose I and Queen Ahmose.

• Nefertari - She ruled along side of Ramesses the Great (or Ramesses II) during the Nineteenth Dynasty and did not rule for long because she passed at a very young age; she was one of eight royal wives of Ramesses II: Istnofret, Bint-Anath (Binthanath), Aerytamun (Merytamon or Merit-Amun), Nebettawy, Henutmire, Maathomeferure, and a Hittite princess (historians claim that there is little or no information about her).

• Nefertiti - Her name was also spelled Nefertiit and Nofretete; she was the wife of King Akhenaton (who reigned 1353–36 BCE); she ruled alongside her husband but for only twelve years.

There are many more royal women who will be pointed out along the path.

~ Ii-wy em hotep ~

Kheti Metaphysical Institute

Words of Wisdom

“Life is indeed a continual, transcending spiraling stairway toward and of truth, enlightenment, and meaning in the quest of answers as measured and as one journeys and plows through the dusty travails of life’s obstacles created by us.”

–- Sifu H. A. Diop
(excerpted and quoted, with permission, from The Hassanic Journal, circa 1982)

Low & High Magick

Low & High Magick: A Definition

By
Rev. Dr. K.A. Sahure
Kemetic Wiccan High Priest & Metaphysician

Aleister Crowley defined Magick as being "…the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will." This does tie into the mystickal formulary:

Witch + Nature = Magick
or
Spiritual One + Nature = Magick

Low Magick (a.k.a. Sympathetic Magick, Folk Magick, or Natural Magick), in principle, is based on, surrounds an object, instrument, device or tool of which one is in sympathy with along with the person at whom magickal forces are directed toward by way of physical, spiritual, psychic, and/or symbolic linkages. Low or Natural Magick evolved out of the lowlands where farmers grew crops. Many Solitary Witches and Wiccans practice Low Magick as well as many ancient Pagan cultures did. Low magick utilizes natural objects such as crystals, herbs, rocks, fire, air, earth, water, the weather, seasonal changes or anything found within our environment or nature. It can be looked at as taking care of your physical earthly wants, needs, and desires such as love and relationships, money, health, personal protection and is generally short term. This form of magick is generally less structured in terms of spell casting and ritual work yet no less effective than high magick.

In contrast, High Magick (a.k.a. Ceremonial Magick or Ritual Magick), in principle High Magick seeks to enhance your spiritual growth and development transcendentally and bring you closer to the deities; and has been claimed to have evolved from scholars and higher societies of people. Some practitioners say that this form of magick invokes great spiritual energy and power and usually does not concern itself with Nature because it uses complex rituals and symbolic invocations of deities, dramatic ceremonial wardrobe, and complex concoctions such as with Alchemy. Ceremonial or Ritual Magick is a good example of high magick and concerns itself with the conscious application of willpower to achieve one’s or a group’s spiritual objectives.

Both forms of magick can be quite useful, powerful, and almost "equal" in their purpose and scope to achieve the intended results of the practitioner within the relative Laws of Nature and the Cosmic Universe.

Copyright © 2005 The Temple of Kheti

Deosil vs. Widdershins

Deosil vs. Widdershins

In witchcraft, Deosil is the ritual act of moving around a circle in a clockwise direction; and Widdershins would be the counter clockwise motion. The mathematical (in calculus) numbers associated with Deosil are: 2, 3, 5, and 8; and 1, 4, 6, and 7 for Widdershins.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Quarters (or north, south, east, and west) generally begin in the North or East and moving clockwise or Deosil. For example, North, East, South, then West. Most of the books available about Wicca and Witchcraft use these correspondences.

In the Southern Hemisphere, these correspondences may vary. Circles are still cast Deosil, but to those in the Northern Hemisphere, they would seem to be Widdershins or counter-clockwise. The equator is to the North in the Southern Hemisphere, so North is sometimes representative of fire.

The "Quarters" often refer to the elements of nature that are forces honored by Pagans and Witches. They are named many things, but you will often hear them referred to as corners, quarters, Watchtowers, elements, Elementals, gates, portals, etc. All of these related titles have different meanings and represent different forms of energy.

The East represents air (associated color = yellow)
The South represents fire (associated color = red)
The West represents water (associated color = blue)
The North represents earth (associated color = green)

EARTH: Love, money, acquisition, employment, health, diet, organization, ambition, career, politics, bones, teeth, skin.

AIR: Communication, writing, travel, justice, unions, balance (spiritual and otherwise), artistry, science, freedom, friendship, breaking bad habits or addictions, blood.

FIRE: Authority, rebirth, leadership, authority, courage, fertility, spine, heart, travel, sports, truth, horses.

WATER: The home and honoring lunar gods and goddesses, power, psychic growth, sex, music, art, telepathy, dreams.

Copyright © 2004 The Temple of Kheti