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Samhain - 31st October
OTHER NAMES: Samhain, Halloween, Last/Blood Harvest, Ancestor Night, Feast of the Dead, Noson Calan Gaeaf
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE: 31 Oct-2 Nov (alt. 5-10 Nov)
Sun's Position (NH) 15° Scorpio
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: 1 May (alt. 4-10 May)
Sun's Position (SH) 15° Taurus| Samhain Lore (October
31st) Samhain, (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne) means "End of Summer", and is the third and final Harvest. The dark winter half of the year commences on this Sabbat. It is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some traditions prefer November 1st. It is one of the two "spirit-nights" each year, the other being Beltane. It is a magical interval when the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended, and the Thin Veil between the worlds is lifted. Communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is easy at this time, for they journey through this world on their way to the Summerlands. It is a time to study the Dark Mysteries and honor the Dark Mother and the Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her aged Consort. Originally the "Feast of the Dead" was celebrated in Celtic countries by leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the "wandering dead". Today a lot of practitioners still carry out that tradition. Single candles were lit and left in a window to help guide the spirits of ancestors and loved ones home. Extra chairs were set to the table and around the hearth for the unseen guest. Apples were buried along roadsides and paths for spirits who were lost or had no descendants to provide for them. Turnips were hollowed out and carved to look like protective spirits, for this was a night of magic and chaos. The Wee Folke became very active, pulling pranks on unsuspecting humans. Traveling after dark was was not advised. People dressed in white (like ghosts), wore disguises made of straw, or dressed as the opposite gender in order to fool the Nature spirits. This was the time that the cattle and other livestock were slaughtered for eating in the ensuing winter months. Any crops still in the field on Samhain were considered taboo, and left as offerings to the Nature spirits. Bonfires were built, (originally called bone-fires, for after feasting, the bones were thrown in the fire as offerings for healthy and plentiful livestock in the New Year) and stones were marked with peoples names. Then they were thrown into the fire, to be retrieved in the morning. The condition of the retrieved stone foretold of that person's fortune in the coming year. Hearth fires were also lit from the village bonfire to ensure unity, and the ashes were spread over the harvested fields to protect and bless the land. Various other names for this Greater Sabbat are Third Harvest, Samana, Day of the Dead, Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic), Vigil of Saman, Shadowfest (Strega), and Samhuinn. Also known as All Hallow's Eve, (that day actually falls on November 7th), and Martinmas (that is celebrated November 11th), Samhain is now generally considered the Witch's New Year. Symbolism of Samhain: Third Harvest, the Dark Mysteries, Rebirth through Death. Symbols of Samhain: Gourds, Apples, Black Cats, Jack-O-Lanterns, Besoms. Herbs of Samhain: Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak leaves, Sage and Straw. Foods of Samhain: Turnips, Apples, Gourds, Nuts, Mulled Wines, Beef, Pork, Poultry. Incense of Samhain: Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmeg. Colors of Samhain: Black, Orange, White, Silver, Gold. Stones of Samhain: All Black Stones, preferably jet or obsidian. |
Yule - Winter Solstice
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE: 19-23 Dec (winter solstice)
Sun's Position (NH) 15° Capricorn
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: 19-23 June (winter solstice)
Sun's Position (SH) 0° CancerYule Lore
(December 21st)
Yule, (pronounced EWE-elle) is
when the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a
little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day. Known as Solstice Night, or the longest night of the year, much
celebration was to be had as the ancestors awaited the rebirth of the Oak King, the Sun King, the Giver of Life that warmed
the frozen Earth and made her to bear forth from seeds protected through the fall and winter in her womb. Bonfires were lit
in the fields, and crops and trees were "wassailed" with toasts of spiced cider.
Children were escorted
from house to house with gifts of clove spiked apples and oranges which were laid in baskets of evergreen boughs and wheat
stalks dusted with flour. The apples and oranges represented the sun, the boughs were symbolic of immortality, the wheat stalks
portrayed the harvest, and the flour was accomplishment of triumph, light, and life. Holly, mistletoe, and ivy not only decorated
the outside, but also the inside of homes. It was to extend invitation to Nature Sprites to come and join the celebration.
A sprig of Holly was kept near the door all year long as a constant invitation for good fortune to pay visit to the residents.
The ceremonial Yule log was the highlight of the festival. In accordance to tradition, the log must either have
been harvested from the householder's land, or given as a gift... it must never have been bought. Once dragged into the
house and placed in the fireplace it was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or ale, and dusted with flour before
set ablaze be a piece of last years log, (held onto for just this purpose). The log would burn throughout the night, then
smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially put out. Ash is the traditional wood of the Yule log. It is the sacred
world tree of the Teutons, known as Yggdrasil. An herb of the Sun, Ash brings light into the hearth at the Solstice.
A different type of Yule log, and perhaps one more suitable for modern practitioners would be the type that is used as a
base to hold three candles. Find a smaller branch of oak or pine, and flatten one side so it sets upright. Drill three holes
in the top side to hold red, green, and white (season), green, gold, and black (the Sun God), or white, red, and black (the
Great Goddess). Continue to decorate with greenery, red and gold bows, rosebuds, cloves, and dust with flour.
Deities
of Yule are all Newborn Gods, Sun Gods, Mother Goddesses, and Triple Goddesses. The best known would be the Dagda, and Brighid,
the daughter of the Dagda. Brighid taught the smiths the arts of fire tending and the secrets of metal work. Brighid's
flame, like the flame of the new light, pierces the darkness of the spirit and mind, while the Dagda's cauldron assures
that Nature will always provide for all the children.
Symbolism of Yule:
Rebirth of the
Sun, The longest night of the year, The Winter Solstice, Introspect, Planning for the Future.
Symbols
of Yule:
Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways,
gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, christmas cactus.
Herbs of Yule:
Bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine,
sage, yellow cedar.
Foods of Yule:
Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts,
pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples).
Incense of Yule:
Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon.
Colors of Yule:
Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange.
Stones of Yule:
Rubies, bloodstones,
garnets, emeralds, diamonds.
Activities of Yule:
Caroling, wassailing the trees, burning
the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe, honoring Kriss Kringle the Germanic
Pagan God of Yule
Spellworkings of Yule:
Peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness.
Deities of Yule:
Goddesses-Brighid, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother. Gods-Apollo,
Ra, Odin, Lugh, The Oak King, The Horned One, The Green Man, The Divine Child, Mabon
Imbolc - FEBRUARY 2ND
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NORTHERN HEMISPHERE: 1-2 Feb (alt. 2-7 Feb)
Sun's Position (NH) 15° AquariusSOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: 1-2 Aug (alt. 3-10 Aug
Sun's Position (SH) 15° LeoImbolc Lore
(February 2nd)
Imbolc, (pronounced "IM-bulk" or "EM-bowlk"),
also called Oimealg, ("IM-mol'g), by the Druids, is the festival of the lactating sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic
word "oimelc" which means "ewes milk". Herd animals have either given birth to the first offspring of
the year or their wombs are swollen and the milk of life is flowing into their teats and udders. It is the time of Blessing
of the seeds and consecration of agricultural tools. It marks the center point of the dark half of the year. It is the festival
of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is her season to prepare for growth and renewal. Brighid's snake emerges
from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (the origin of Ground Hog Day), and in many places the first Crocus
flowers began to spring forth from the frozen earth.
The Maiden is honored, as the Bride, on this Sabbat. Straw
Brideo'gas (corn dollies) are created from oat or wheat straw and placed in baskets with white flower bedding. Young girls
then carry the Brideo'gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed upon the image from each household. Afterwards at the traditional
feast, the older women make special acorn wands for the dollies to hold, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth are examined
to see if the magic wands left marks as a good omen. Brighid's Crosses are fashioned from wheat stalks and exchanged as
symbols of protection and prosperity in the coming year. Home hearth fires are put out and re-lit, and a besom is place by
the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new. Candles are lit and placed in each room of the house
to honor the re-birth of the Sun.
Another traditional symbol of Imbolc is the plough. In some areas, this is the
first day of ploughing in preparation of the first planting of crops. A decorated plough is dragged from door to door, with
costumed children following asking for food, drinks, or money. Should they be refused, the household is paid back by having
its front garden ploughed up. In other areas, the plough is decorated and then Whiskey, the "water of life" is poured
over it. Pieces of cheese and bread are left by the plough and in the newly turned furrows as offerings to the nature spirits.
It is considered taboo to cut or pick plants during this time.
Various other names for this Greater Sabbat are
Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonni), Imbolic (Celtic), Disting (Teutonic, Feb 14th), Lupercus (Strega), St. Bridget's Day (Christian),
Candlemas, Candlelaria (Mexican), the Snowdrop Festival. The Festival of Lights, or the Feast of the Virgin. All Virgin and
Maiden Goddesses are honored at this time.
Deities
of Imbolc:
All Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, Brighid, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and Februa, and Gods of Love and Fertility,
Aengus Og, Eros, and Februus.
Symbolism
of Imbolc:
Purity, Growth and Re-Newal, The Re-Union of the Goddess and the God, Fertility, and dispensing of the old
and making way for the new.
Symbols
of Imbolc:
Brideo'gas, Besoms, White Flowers, Candle Wheels, Brighid's Crosses, Priapic Wands (acorn-tipped),
and Ploughs.
Herbs of Imbolc:
Angelica, Basil, Bay Laurel, Blackberry, Celandine, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy, Violets, and all white or
yellow flowers.
Foods of Imbolc:
Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, Poppyseed Cakes, muffins, scones, and breads, all dairy products, Peppers, Onions, Garlic,
Raisins, Spiced Wines and Herbal Teas.
Incense
of Imbolc:
Basil, Bay, Wisteria, Cinnamon, Violet, Vanilla, Myrrh.
Colors of Imbolc:
White, Pink, Red, Yellow, lt. Green, Brown.
Stones of Imbolc:
Amethyst, Bloodstone,
Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, Turquoise.
Activities of Imbolc:
Candle Lighting, Stone Gatherings, Snow Hiking and Searching
for Signs of Spring, Making of Brideo'gas and Bride's Beds, Making Priapic Wands, Decorating Ploughs, Feasting, and
Bon Fires maybe lit.
Ostara -
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE: 19-23 Mar (spring equinoxe)
Sun's Position (NH) 0° AriesSOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: 19-23 Sept (spring equinoxe)
Sun's Position (SH) 0° Libra
March 21 -- Ostara -- Spring or The Vernal Equinox
Also known as: Lady Day or
Alban Eiler (Druidic)
As Spring
reaches its midpoint, night and day stand in perfect balance, with light on the increase. The young Sun God now celebrates
a hierogamy (sacred marriage) with the young Maiden Goddess, who conceives. In nine months, she will again become the Great
Mother. It is a time of great fertility, new growth, and newborn animals.
The next full moon (a time of increased
births) is called the Ostara and is sacred to Eostre the Saxon Lunar Goddess of fertility (from whence we get the word estrogen,
whose two symbols were the egg and the rabbit.
The Christian religion adopted these emblems for Easter which is
celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. The theme of the conception of the
Goddess was adapted as the Feast of the Annunciation, occurring on the alternative fixed calendar date of March 25 Old Lady
Day, the earlier date of the equinox. Lady Day may also refer to other goddesses (such as Venus and Aphrodite), many of whom
have festivals celebrated at this time.
Traditional Foods:
Leafy green vegetables,
Dairy foods, Nuts such as Pumpkin, Sunflower and Pine. Flower Dishes and Sprouts.
Herbs
and Flowers:
Daffodil, Jonquils, Woodruff, Violet, Gorse, Olive, Peony, Iris, Narcissus and all spring flowers.
Incense:
Jasmine, Rose, Strawberry, Floral of any type.
Sacred
Gemstone:
Jasper
Special Activities:
Planting seeds or starting a Magickal Herb
Garden. Taking a long walk in nature with no intent other than reflecting on the Magick of nature and our Great Mother and
her bounty.
Beltaine -
OTHER NAMES: Beltane, Beltaine, May Day
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE: 1 May (alt. 4-10 May)
Sun's Position (NH) 15° Taurus
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: 31 Oct-2 Nov (alt. 5-10 Nov)
Sun's Position (SH) 15° Scorpio
| Beltane,
or Beltaine, is the celebration of two powers joining to bring creation, in this case, the Goddess and the God. The
two form a sacred union, from which comes creation, growth and harmony. The God, now grown, becomes enraptured with
the Goddess and from their love, all of nature grows and flowers. There are numerous celebrations and rituals associated with Beltane, or May Eve as it is also called. The most recognizable is the celebration of the Maypole. A large pole, representing the God, is erected, and ribbons of different colors representing the Goddess are wrapped around the pole in a spiral dance. The Maypole and ribbons represent the joining of God and Goddess and symbolize the fertile nature of the season. This holiday also has an ancient custom associated with it called the "leaping of the flame." In this modern adaptation of the old ritual with a bonfire, a small fire or candle is lit, representing the cleansing aspect of fire. People literally leap the fire, leaving behind negative behaviors or influences. In farming communities, animals were often herded between two fires to ensure their fertility in the coming mating season. Couples may be handfasted on this day, choosing to celebrate the God and Goddess aspect within themselves on this holy day of union. Appropriate rituals for this holiday include those outlined above, as well as rituals celebrating love between yourself and your partner. You may also want to do work in the physical world to help nature grow, such as tree planting, working in a garden, or other ecological volunteer work. Traditional Foods: or Marigold Custard are traditional. St.
John's Wort, Woodruff and all flowers. in celebration of the warming energy of life. Traditionally weaving or braiding are done at this time where the joining of two objects to create one is done to symbolize the joining of the Lord and Lady. | |
Midsummer -
Sun's Position (NH) 0° Cancer
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: 19-23 Dec (summer solstice)Sun's Position (SH) 0° Capricorn
Though still in the throes of plenty, the year begins its waning journey to winter.As with so many other Pagan celebrations, Midsummer was also adopted by the Christians. Proclaimed as St. John the Baptist’s feast day, this particular Christian adaptation ran counter to other feast days, in that it celebrated St. John’s earthly birth, rather than the normal commemoration of the saint’s death (and subsequent rebirth into the kingdom of God).
Thus, with the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas, the Church kept intact the essence of the old Pagan celebration of these two solstices. The Oak King (St. John) and the Holly King (Christ), battle for seasonal rulership, whether the ritual celebrant be Pagan or Christian. Their births divided by 180 degrees on the Wheel of the Year, Christian lore has it that St. John was a prophet born six months prior to Christ, in order to announce Christ’s arrival.
St. John’s association with wilderness and wooded areas, as well as many old statutes portraying him as bearded and often with horns, reinforce his association with the Oak King. This association is strengthened even more when one looks upon the stone faces of St. John gazing down from the walls of old church architecture; the mask of the saint looks amazingly similar to the foliate masks of our own Green Man, Pan. Many customs are associated with this night’s celebration.
Large bonfires were lit in England, thus “setting the watch” as the wards on city boundaries were renewed, with celebrants jumping over, through, or between bonfires for good luck. Revelers wandered from one bonfire to another, known as the “marching watch,” and were often attended by morris dancers. Shades of these old customs are still practiced today in England.
Contrasted with Yule when we look inward
in meditative silence, Midsummer sets us to a time when our focus is turned outward, joyfully experiencing the delights of
the Lord and Lady’s abundance. We delight in the first fruits of the season and revel in the company of others, dancing
with wild abandon in a blissful celebration of the season
Traditional
Foods:
Garden fresh fruits and vegetables are made
into a variety of dishes and eaten by Pagan's
who choose to celebrate this day.
Herbs and Flowers:
Mugwort, Vervain,
Chamomile, Rose,
Honeysuckle, Lily, Oak, Lavender, Ivy,
Yarrow, Fern, Elder, Wild Thyme, Daisy,
Carnation.
Incense:
Lemon, Myrrh, Pine,
Rose, Wisteria.
Woods Burned:
Oak
Sacred Gemstone:
Emerald
Special Activities:
An Ideal time to reaffirm your vows
to the Lord and Lady or your dedication
to following the old traditions.
Lughnasadh - 1st August
OTHER NAMES: Lammas, Lughnasadh, 1st Harvest, Bread Harvest, Festival of First Fruits
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE: 1-2 Aug (alt. 3-10 Aug)
Sun's Position (NH) 15° LeoSOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: 1-2 Feb (alt. 2-7 Feb)
Sun's Position (SH) 15° Aquarius
Lammas
If you check your astrological calendars or ephermeris, this energy now peaks around August 4th, though the traditional date for celebrating Lammas is August 1st. This is the time of the Sacrificial King, whose self sacrifice allows the people who worship him to survive through the winter.
We say that his blood is poured out upon the fields so that the corn and grain harvest will thrive. His Spirit enters into the corn and the grain, and is then known as John Barleycorn. As the God dies with the harvesting of the grain, so also is he resurrected in the new sprouts. So therefore, we are given the myths of the Gods who are sacrificed, and then reborn, again and again.
These myths occur in every country and culture, and are just too numerous to name here. "Ancient Ways" by Pauline and Dan Campanelli, and "The King Must Die" ( I forget the author on this one) are highly recommended for further reading. Baking bread and corn muffins, then, are very sacred to this Sabbat. The cakes for ritual are usually homemade corn muffins, or if you can find a pan shaped like a person (gingerbread man perhaps?) then you can bake your own John Barleycorn to share in circle.
Be sure to invoke the God of the Grain when you are baking the bread/muffins/cakes, and to chant positive affirmations while stirring or kneading the dough!Corn husks are excellent to outline the circle area, and to burn in the cauldron after they have dried out. We use corn on the cob as part of our feast, to make corn necklaces from, and also to make corn dollies. See "Wheel of the Year" by Pauline and Dan Campanelli for more ideas on making corn dollies and necklaces.
At this time you should be seeing the efforts of your work beginning to manifest as this is the start of the harvest season. Look at your life and see where you have aimed, and if you are still on target. What have you accomplished that you set out to do? What do you still have to get done? Many times we get bogged down in the day to day details and we forget to take stock and look at the larger picture of our lives. Are we where we want to be? Are we who we want to be?
Meditate on how what has happened has been directly or indirectly caused by the choices we have made. Reflect now on those choices, and see where your free will has led you. Are you happy about them? If not, what can you change now? As the sun is waning now, even though the heat has increased, we will be turning more and more inward, until we finish this process at Samhain.
This is just the start, so don't be too hard on yourself if you haven't done all you set out to do. There is still time before the winter to get accomplished those things which need the sunlight and summer breezes to grow. Don't let the lazy sultry summer heat sap you of your strength and determination.In the days of our ancestors, this would mark the beginning of the hardest work they had to do, the back breaking labor of bringing in the harvest. Getting all of it in, and packed, stored, canned, cooked, salted, etc. before the storms of winter set in, was sometimes a race against time.
No wonder they needed the help and strength of the Gods, and no wonder they partied so wildly when they were given the chance! Lammas teaches us to live in the Now, as fully as possible, and get done what can be done now; and to plan for the future at the same time. To share what we have an abundance of with others, and to share the burdens of survival so that the burdens are lightened by many other shoulders.
Get in touch with your Pagan community in your area, and network, share, and commune with them. Bring in the harvest together, and make new friendships that will sustain you through the coming dark of winter.
Traditional Foods:
Apples,
Grains, Breads and Berries.
Herbs and Flowers:
All Grains, Grapes, Heather, Blackberries,
Sloe,
Crab Apples, Pears.
Incense:
Aloes, Rose, Sandalwood.
Sacred
Gemstone:
Carnelian.
Special Activities:
As
summer passes, many Pagans celebrate this time to remember its warmth and bounty in a celebrated feast shared with
family or Coven members. Save and plant the seeds from the fruits consumed
during the feast or ritual.
If they sprout, grow the plant or tree with love and as a symbol of your
connection with the
Lord and Lady. Walk through the fields and orchards or spend time along springs, creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes reflecting on the bounty and love of the Lord and Lady.
Mabon - Autumn Equinox
Sun's Position (NH) 0° Libra
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: 20-23 March (autumn equinoxe)
Sun's Position (SH) 0° Aries
The
story of Mabon ap Modron, the Welsh God, (the "great son of the great mother"), is celebrated. The Equinox is the
birth of Mabon, from his mother Modron, the Guardian of the Otherworld, the Healer, the Protector, the Earth. Mabon was taken
when he was a mere three nights old. Through the wisdom of the Oldest Living animals - the Blackbird of Cilgwri, the Stag
of Rhedynfre, the Owl of Cwm Cawlwyd, the Eagle of Gwernabwy and the Salmon of Lyn Llyw -- Mabon is freed from his mysterious
captivity.
Also, the Equinox is the day of the year when the god of light, Lugh, is defeated by the god of darkness, Lugh's twin and alter-ego, Tanist. The night conquers day. The tales state that the Equinox is the only day which Lugh is vulnerable and the possibility of his defeat exists. Lugh stands on the balance (Autumn Equinox - Libra) with one foot on the goat (Winter Solstice - Capricorn) and the other on the cauldron (Summer Solstice - Cancer). He is betrayed by his wife, Blodeuwedd, the Virgin (Virgo) and transformed into an Eagle (Scorpio).
Two events occur rapidly
with Lugh's defeat. Tanist, having beaten Lugh, now takes over Lugh's place both as King of our world and lover to
the Goddess Tailltiu. Although Tanist now sits on Lugh's throne, his official induction does not take place for another
six weeks at Samhain, the beginning of Winter, when he becomes the Dark King, the Winter Lord, the Lord of Misrule. He mates
with Tailltiu, who conceives, and will give birth nine months later (at the Summer Solstice) to her son, another incarnation
of Tanist himself, the Dark Child.
Lugh's sacrifice represents not only the sun's dying power, but also the cycle of rebirth, his energy remaining within the corn we have since harvested. A incarnate (of Lugh) corn spirit was thought to specifically reside within the last stalk (or stock), which was traditionally dressed in fine clothes and decorations, or woven into a wicker man-shaped form. This symbolic decoration was then harvested and carried from the field to be burned with rejoicing for the spirits release and Lugh's upcoming rebirth