Pull the onions by the tops or dig with a small spade. Use care not to damage the skin of the onion when digging. Once you've got them out of the earth, gently brush the loose dirt off of them, and hang them in a sunny spot to dry and cure. Laying them on screens or on old newspapers in a well-ventilated area will speed the process. Shake to remove any excess soil or brush with a soft brush. Use care not to remove the papery covering. Trim the stalks to 4 to 6 inches.
When August's full moon, the Corn Moon, rolls around, get to work on some onion magic!
Under the light of the full moon, you can make an onion braid. Braiding is a very relaxing and magical way to spend an evening, and by braiding your onions, you can prepare them for winter storage -- basically, you're accomplishing the magical and the mundane all in one shot.
Begin with a 2 to 3 foot length of twine. Choose well-formed dried onions to make a braid. Select three onions and tie them together at the base of the stems with the twine. Begin braiding, keeping the twine in one section and work until you have made several crosses.
Add additional onions, working the stem into one of the existing units or stems. Repeat by adding onions at even intervals. Each onion's stem will become part of the original unit and will be replaced by additional stems as you work. No one stem is expected to run the entire length.
Continue to add onions until you reach the length you desire. As you do so, focus your intent. Onions are magically linked to protective magic, so you can braid the onions and recite an incantation linking them to whatever sort of protection you feel you need. Some sample incantations might be:
FOR PROTECTION OF A HOME:
Onions wrapped around a braid,
This charm for my home I have made,
Keep negative energy away from me,
As I will, so it shall be.
FOR PROTECTION OF A PERSON:
Layers and layers of onion skin,
Layers of safety for those within,
Layers to make all harm stay out,
Keep (name) safe, without a doubt.
Finish off the braid by braiding the ends of the remaining stems and tying them off with a bit of twine leaving short ends for a fringe at the top. Form a loop from the end of the twine for hanging. Store onions braids in a cool dark area until ready for use.
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