Administrator October, 2008

Also known as: May Day, Bealtaine, Beltane, Bhealtainn, Bealtinne, Festival of Tana (Strega), Giamonios, Rudemass, and Walburga (Teutonic), Cetsamhain (opposite Samhain),Fairy Day ,Sacred Thorn Day, Rood Day, Roodmas (the Christian term for Rood Day, Old Beltane, Beltain, Baltane, Walpurgis Night, Floriala (Roman feast of flowers from April 29 to May 1), Walpurgisnacht (Germanic-feast of St. Walpurga), Thrimilce (Anglo-saxon), Bloumaand (Old Dutch)

Animals: Swallow, dove, swan, Cats, lynx, leopard

Deities: Flower Goddesses, Divine Couples, Deities of the Hunt, Aphrodite, Artemis, Bast, Diana, Faunus, Flora, Maia, Pan, the Horned God, Venus, and all Gods and Goddesses who preside over fertility.

Tools: broom, May Pole, cauldron

Stones/Gems: emerald, malachite, amber, orange carnelian, sapphire, rose quartz

Colors: green, soft pink, blue, yellow, red, brown

Herbs and Flowers: almond tree/shrub, ash, broom, cinquefoil, clover, Dittany of Crete, elder, foxglove, frankincense, honeysuckle, rowan, sorrel, hawthorn, ivy, lily of the valley, marigold, meadowsweet, mint, mugwort, thyme, woodruff may be burned; angelica, bluebells, daisy, hawthorn, ivy, lilac, primrose, and rose may be decorations, st. john’s wort, yarrow, basically all flowers.

Incense: frankincense, lilac, rose.

Symbols and Decorations: maypole, strings of beads or flowers, ribbons, spring flowers, fires, fertility, growing things, ploughs, cauldrons of flowers, butterchurn, baskets, eggs

Food: dairy, bread, cereals, oatmeal cakes, cherries, strawberries, wine, green salads.

Activities and Rituals: fertilize, nurture and boost existing goals, games, activities of pleasure, leaping bonfires, making garlands, May Pole dance, planting seeds, walking one’s property, feasting

Wiccan mythology: sexual union and/or marriage of the Goddess and God

It’s association with fire also makes Beltaine a holiday of purification.

Wiccan weddings are frequently held on or around Beltaine.

Tags: Beltaine, holiday, sabbat

• This Month

Administrator October, 2008

Beltaine, also called May Day by many Christians. This Sabbat celebrates the fertility and union of the Horned God and the Goddess. At this time, life is renewing itself. Birds and animals are mating. In the fields, newly planted seeds are beginning to grow. Great fires are lit honoring the fertility God Belenos. Some leap the fires to show the exuberance of the season.

A Maypole is erected and bright ribbons are hung on it. The Maypole, a phallic symbol, represents the masculine. The soft colored ribbons are the feminine. The union of the two symbolizes the union of the God and Goddess. This is the time to fertilize your dreams with action. It is legend that children conceived at Beltane were gifted by the Gods. These children became known as Merry-Be-Gots.

The Return of the Sun

Beltaine is an anglicization of the Irish “Bealtaine” or the Scottish “Bealtuinn.” While “tene” clearly means “fire,” nobody really knows whether Bel refers to Belenus, a pastoral god of the Gauls, or is from “bel,” simply meaning “brilliant.” It might even derive from “bil tene” or “lucky fire” because to jump between two Beltane fires was sure to bring good fortune, health to your livestock, and prosperity.

When the Druids and their successors raised the Beltaine fires on hilltops throughout the British Isles on May Eve, they were performing a real act of magic, for the fires were lit in order to bring the sun’s light down to earth. In Scotland, every fire in the household was extinguished, and the great fires were lit from the need-fire which was kindled by 3 times 3 men using wood from the nine sacred trees. When the wood burst into flames, it proclaimed the triumph of the light over the dark half of the year.

Then the whole hillside came alive as people thrust brands into the newly roaring flames and whirled them about their heads in imitation of the circling of the sun. If any man there was planning a long journey or dangerous undertaking, he leaped backwards and forwards three times through the fire for luck. As the fire sunk low, the girls jumped across it to procure good husbands; pregnant women stepped through it to ensure an easy birth, and children were also carried across the smoldering ashes. When the fire died down, the embers were thrown among the sprouting crops to protect them, while each household carried some back to kindle a new fire in their hearth. When the sun rose that dawn, those who had stayed up to watch it might see it whirl three times upon the horizon before leaping up in all its summer glory.

Beltaine was a time of fertility and unbridled merrymaking, when young and old would spend the night making love in the Greenwood. In the morning, they would return to the village bearing huge budding boughs of hawthorn (the may-tree) and other spring flowers with which to bedeck themselves, their families, and their houses. They would process back home, stopping at each house to leave flowers, and enjoy the best of food and drink that the home had to offer. In every village, the maypole—usually a birch or ash pole—was raised, and dancing and feasting began. Festivities were led by the May Queen and her consort, the King who was sometimes Jack-in-the-Green, or the Green Man, the old god of the wildwood. They were borne in state through the village in a cart covered with flowers and enthroned in a leafy arbor as the divine couple whose unity symbolized the sacred marriage of earth and sun.

Tags: Beltaine, holiday, sabbat

• This Month

Administrator October, 2008

Samhain: Shadowfest (Strega), Martinmas (Celtic/Scottish)
Samhain, popularly known as Halloween, is the Witches’ New Year.
This is the last of the three harvest Sabbats marking the end of the growing seasons.
Celtic custom decreed that all crops must be gathered by sundown on April 31st.
It is a time when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest.
Deceased ancestors and other friendly spirits are invited to join in Sabbat festivities and be reunited with loved ones.
In Ireland it is still custom to leave candles in the windows and plates of food for the visiting spirits.
Keep a fire lit or a candle burning all night to honour and welcome the dead.
If clothes are left outside overnight, they will take on bewitching powers for all who wear them.
Darkness increases and the Goddess reigns as the Crone, part of the three-in-one that also includes the Maiden and Mother.
The God, the Dark Lord, passes into the underworld to become the seed of his own rebirth (which will occur again at Yule).
Many Pagans prepare a Feast for the Dead on Samhain night, where they leave offerings of food and drink for the spirits.
Divination is heightened this night.
Jack-o-lanterns, gourds, cider, fall foliage can be used as altar decorations.
Samhain (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne) is one of the Greater Wiccan Sabbats and is generally celebrated on October 31st, although some Traditions prefer the date of November 1st. The various names for this Sabbat are Samhain (Celtic), Shadowfest (Strega), Martinmas or Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic), as well as Hallowe’en, Hallowmas, All Hallow’s Eve, Halloween, Day of the Dead, Feast of Spirits, Third Harvest, Samonios, All Saint’s Eve, Celtic New Year, Samhuinn, Celtic Winter, Samana, Festival of Pamona, Vigil of Saman, Vigil of Todos, and Santos. Though this Holiday is celebrated on October 31st, All Hallows Eve falls on November 7th, and Martinmas on November 11th. (Images to the left and below are by Anthony Meadows and from Llewellyn’s 1998 and 1999 Witches’ Calendars. Click on either image to go directly to Llewellyn’s Web Site.)
The symbolism of this Sabbat is that of The Third (and final) Harvest, it marks the end of Summer, the beginning of Winter. It is a time marked by death when the Dead are honored - a time to celebrate and “study” the Dark Mysteries. “Samhain” means “End of Summer”. Its historical origin is The Feast of the Dead in Celtic lands. It is believed that on this night, the veil Between the Worlds is at its thinnest point, making this an excellent time to communicate with the Other Side.
Symbols for representing this Sabbat may include Jack-O-Lanterns, Balefires, Masks, The Besom (Magickal Broom), The Cauldron, and the Waning Moon. Altar decorations might include small jack-o-lanterns, foods from the harvest, and photographs of your loved ones who have departed from this world.
Appropriate Deities for Samhain include ALL Crone Goddesses, and the Dying God or the “Dead” God. Samhain Goddesses include Hecate, Hel, Inanna, Macha, Mari, Psyche, Ishtar, Lilith, The Morrigu/Morrigan, Rhiannon, and Cerridwen. Key actions to keep in mind during this time in the Wheel of the Year include return, change, reflection, endings and beginnings, and honoring the Dead. Other meanings behind this Sabbat celebration include the Wisdom of the Crone, the Death of the God, and the Celebration of Reincarnation.
Samhain is considered by many Pagans, Wiccans, and Witches (especially those of Celtic heritage) to be the date of the Witches’ New Year, representing one full turn of the Wheel of the Year. This is the time of year for getting rid of weaknesses. A common Ritual practice calls for each Wiccan to write down his/her weaknesses on a piece of paper or parchment and toss it into the Cauldron fire. Other activities might include Divination, Past-Life Recall, Spirit Contact, Meditation, Astral Projection (”Flying”), and the drying of Winter herbs. It is considered “taboo” by some to travel after dark, or to eat grapes or berries.
Spellwork for protection and neutralizing harm are particularly warranted at this time of year, because Samhain is considered to be a good time to boost your confidence and security.
Many Witches use their own personal Besom, or Magickal Broom as a part of their rituals. Some Besoms are structurally different in shape from the flat ones sold today, being round on the end and having a smaller sweeping surface. They can, however, be fashioned flat or however you personally desire. These Magickal Brooms are commonly used for cleansing and purifying Sacred Space, but can be used for many other things… such as using one in place of a Wand, Athame, or finger to project your personal energy when casting your Circle.

Tags: holiday, sabbat, samhain

• This Month

Administrator October, 2008

Other Names:
celtic ~ Summer’s End, pronounced “sow” (rhymes with now) “en” (Ireland), sow-een (Wales) - “mh” in the middle is a “w” sound - Greater Sabbat(High Holiday) - Fire Festival Oct 31-Nov 1(North Hemisphere) - Apr 30-May 1 - The Great Sabbat, Samhiunn, Samana, Samhuin, Sam-fuin, Samonios, Halloween, Hallomas, All Hallows Eve, All Saints/All Souls Day(Catholic), Day of the Dead (Mexican), Witches New Year, Trinoux Samonia, Celtic/ Druid New Year, Shadowfest (Strega), Martinmas or Old Hallowmas (Scotttish/Celtic) Lá Samhna (Modern Irish), Festival of the Dead, Feile Moingfinne (Snow Goddess), Hallowtide (Scottish Gaelis Dictionary), Feast of All Souls, Nos Galen-gae-of Night of the Winter Calends (Welsh), La Houney or Hollantide Day, Sauin or Souney ( Manx), oidhche na h-aimiléise-the night of mischief or confusion(Ireland), Oidhche Shamna (Scotland)

Rituals:
End of summer, honoring of the dead,scrying, divination, last harvest, meat harvest

Incense:
Copal, sandalwood, mastic resin, benzoin, sweetgrass, wormwood, mugwort, sage, myrrh or patchouli

Tools:
Besom, cauldron, tarot, obsidian ball, pendulum, runes, oghams, Ouija boards, black cauldron or bowl filled with black ink or water, or magick mirror

Stones/Gems:
Black obsidian, jasper, carnelian, onyx, smoky quartz, jet, bloodstone

Colors:
Black, orange, red

Symbols & Decorations:
Apples, autumn flowers, acorns, bat, black cat, bones, corn stalks, colored leaves, crows, death/dying, divination and the tools associated with it, ghosts, gourds, Indian corn, jack-o-lantern, nuts , oak leaves, pomegranates, pumpkins, scarecrows, scythes, waning moon

Foods:
Apples, apple dishes, cider, meat (traditionally this is the meat harvest) especially pork, mulled cider with spices, nuts-representing resurrection and rebirth, nuts, pomegranates, potatoes, pumpkins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, roasted pumpkin seeds, roasted pumpkin seeds, squash.

Goddesses:
The Crone, Hecate(Greek), Cerridwen(Welsh-Scottish), Arianrhod(Welsh), Caillech (Irish-Scottish), Baba Yaga (Russian), Al-Ilat(persian), Bast (Egyptian), Persephone (Greek), Hel(Norse), Kali(Hindu), all Death & Otherworld Goddesses

Gods:
Horned Hunter(European), Cernnunos(Greco-Celtic), Osiris(Egyptian), Hades (Greek), Gwynn ap Nudd (British), Anubis(Egyptian), Coyote Brother (Native American), Loki (Norse), Dis (Roman), Arawn (Welsh), acrificial/Dying/Aging
Gods, Death and Otherworld Gods

Herbs and Flowers:
Almond, apple leaf , autumn joy sedum, bay leaf, calendula, Cinnamon, Cloves cosmos, garlic, ginger , hazelnut, hemlock cones, mandrake root, marigold, mums, mugwort (to aid in divination), mullein seeds, nettle, passionflower, pine needles, pumpkin seeds, rosemary (for remembrance of our ancestors), rue, sage, sunflower petals and seeds, tarragon, wild ginseng, wormwood

Animals:
Stag, cat, bat, owl, jackal, elephant, ram, scorpion, heron, crow, robin

Mythical Beings:
Pooka, goblin,medusa, beansidhe, harpies

Essence:
Magick, plenty; knowledge, the night, death & rebirth, success, protection; rest, new beginning; ancestors; lifting of the veil, mundane laws in abeyance, return, change

Dynamics/Meaning:
Death & transformation, Wiccan new year,wisdom of the Crone, end of summer, honoring, thinning of the veil between worlds, death of the year, time outside of time, night of the Wild Hunt, begin new projects, end old projects

Work:
Sex magick, release of bad habits, banishing, fairy magick, divination of any kind, candle magick, astral projection, past life work, dark moon mysteries, mirror spells (reflection), casting protection , inner work, propitiation, clearing obstacles, uncrossing, inspiration, workings of transition or culmination, manifesting transformation,creative visualization, contacting those who have departed this plane

Purpose:
Honoring the dead, especially departed ancestors, knowing we will not be forgotten; clear knowledge of our path; guidance, protection, celebrating reincarnation

Rituals/Magicks:
Foreseeing future, honoring/consulting ancestors, releasing the old, power, understanding death and rebirth, entering the underworld, divination, dance of the dead, fire calling, past life recall

Customs:
Ancestor altar, costumes, divination, carving jack-o-lanterns, spirit plate, the Feast of the Dead, feasting, paying debts, fairs, drying winter herbs, masks, bonfires, apple games, tricks, washing clothes

Element:
Water

Gender:
Male

Threshold:
Midnight

Tags: holiday, sabbat, samhain

• This Month

Administrator April, 2006

Blessed Ostara from Morgan’s Wardrobe!

At long last it seems Winter is slowly but surely loosening its icy grip up here in the land of the North Star. As Wiccans, we honor the Earth and part of that is being attuned to the changes of the seasons as she wakes from her long Winter nap. This month I would like to share ways I tune into Mother Gaia and what Spring looks like through the eyes of this witch.

One of the ways I tune into Mother Gaia is by watching her as well as her four-legged and winged creatures. While there are fewer visits from Winter friends at the bird feeders, there are visits from others who have been scarce or absent over the Winter. I also keep myself tuned into the sky and to the Earth I walk on when I am out and about, both in town and in the woods.

Several weeks have passed since eagles were spotted along the river bluffs here, definitely a sign that Spring is on the way. There have also been small flocks of ducks and geese flying overhead, the geese in their unmistakable “V” shape.

Walking through the woods down by the river one can see many fresh tracks in the melting snow; many more than are there over the cold winter months. Besides the squirrel and rabbit tracks, there are now raccoon and skunk tracks. Young deer can be seen foraging on their own through the wet and melting snow.

As one watches Mother Gaia herself, the moss on the trees seems to be a brighter green as small nodes on tree branches begin to swell, ready to burst forth with flower buds or green leaves, depending on the tree. Everything in the woods seems to have more color and is not so gray and white as it was all winter.

The river is also swelling and becoming wide and muddy. As the ice breaks up and melts, the river moves faster on its way to the Gulf Coast. Standing on a bridge, I know warmer weather is not far away, as I watch the river flow beneath my feet and I see only small ice floes and tangles of tree branches and roots.

My wish for each and every one of you is that you can find a place to tune in to Mother Gaia as she springs back to life. No matter where one lives there is always sky to look up to. Parks, large and small, are nearby, even in the large cities. These are places and ways to once again tune in and feel the energy of Mother Gaia.

Goddess Blessings to Each and Every one of You!

***

author bio:

(INSERT NEW BIO PIC)

R.Beth Hall
a.k.a.
Morgan Rose

R.Beth Hall was born in Southern Minnesota and grew up around the country as a “Navy brat” since her father had a career in the Navy. Her mother was a teacher for 20+ years and she also has a brother who lives in Denver, Colorado. Living in Garden Grove, California, until she was 18, she now lives in the Mankato, Minnesota area and has for the past 30 years. Although she is living the single life now, she has three children and four grandchildren to date; they all currently live in Minnesota as well.

R.Beth has an Associate of Applied Science degree as an Administrative Legal Assistant and while she has held several jobs in this capacity, she currently works as an independent contractor for a mail processing company. This gives her time to pursue her music passion. She has spearheaded a folk duet called Dusty Rockers that plays in local coffee houses and are working on recording an album.

larose575@yahoo.com

Tags: holiday, Morgan Rose, Ostara, R.Beth Hall

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Administrator April, 2006

Beltane and May Celebrations

Merry Meet

Beltane is April 30th – May 1st in the Western Hemisphere. This is one of the 8 Sabbats of the year. This is said to be the beginning of Spring. The Goddess throws off her maiden robes and takes on the robes of the Mother, with her Consort and mate, the Green Man standing by her side. It is also said to be the celebration of Persephone returning from the Underworld to her mother in our world, allowing the re-awakening of the land. It is the historically celebrated half-year mark, the counterpoint of Samhain, which is the end of the year, November 1st.

May is named for Maia, the grandmother, the Goddess of death and fertility. Maia scorns marriage, so it is a good idea to put weddings off until June. It is one of the 3 days of the year when the fairies are said to be able to be seen.

Traditionally, this was a major fertility festival. Great bonfires were lit to assist the sun in returning to heat the fields and increase the harvest. To signify their availability, unattached people, young and old, who were seeking a partner wore green during the festival. They would spend Beltane night in the greenwood (forest) with their chosen one. After the evening’s celebrations, the celebrants would return home bearing armloads of May boughs covered in budding flowers, as well as any other blooming flowers they came across. These were all shared with families in the community. As they shared their May bounty, the homes they visited shared the best in food and drink they had. A child born of this festival was considered especially blessed, and to share in the good fortune, the entire community would care for the mother and child. The May Pole was also raised during this celebration and people danced and made merry around it. There is a tradition that if the May Pole dancers wove a perfect pattern with the ribbons hung from the May Pole then the coming harvest would be an excellent one. But, if the ribbons became entangled during the dancing then the upcoming harvest was not expected to be as bountiful as it could be. The May Pole dancers trained and practiced to try to ensure their weaving of the ribbons did not tangle.

The Hawthorn was known as the May and bringing May blossoms into the home was considered very unlucky. This could have been due to the increasing Christian influence. Bringing Mayflowers into the home could reveal the Pagan beliefs of the family and put the entire household at risk for persecution. Another theory as to the unluckiness of bringing May flowers into the home is said to refer to the Beltane night celebrations, and the flowers in the home could reference the unattached not finding a partner that eve.

If you are lucky enough to have a May bush; beneath it is a wonderful place to lie back and contemplate the coming growing season. You can gather the beautiful flowers and weave them into a circlet to wear, or to give to your ladylove. If you have a Goddess statue you may want to make a circlet for her as well.

Another traditional activity for this eve is lighting the Beltane fire. Young lovers would jump through the smoke and low flames to bring luck to their union. Farmers led their herds and flocks through the smoke from the fires for increased productivity in the coming season. Pregnant women are said to have stepped over the coals to help with an easy and successful birth. Small children, and even infants, were carried across the coals and through the smoke for luck and health throughout the year.

If you don’t have access to a May Day celebration, you can light a small fire and add green boughs to it to encourage the smoke. Jumping through the flames and smoke (with any long skirts kept out of the flames) can be done to celebrate the new season and to bring luck to your endeavors. If a bonfire is not possible, due to apartment living, living with non-Pagans, etc, you can also do the ‘jumping through the flame’ ritual using candles or even tea light candles. Please be careful and hold any long skirts or other pieces of clothing that might catch fire out of the way, and make sure to have the candles placed on non-flammable material, in case you knock them over.

Flowers can also be gathered for May baskets. Filling your home with the newest blooms will help brighten your day as well as bring the joy of the coming together of the Goddess and her Consort, the Green Man, into your world. May baskets make wonderful gifts for shut-ins and elderly friends and neighbors.

A wonderful, and very simple spell for this day is an increase spell. Take 5 new, shiny, and cleansed pennies. Place them under your front steps, heads up. Then say the following, or something you come up with on your own:

Penny Penny, Shining Bright
Bring to my door what I need that is right
Guide my steps to help me find
Help for my home and peace of mind
As I will so mote it be.

While this spell does not specify money or property, it asks for what you ‘need’ to be brought to you, and for your steps to be guided as well. If you don’t have traditional ‘front steps’ you can place the pennies under your front doormat or even plant them, face up, in a flower bed near your front door. This little spell has helped me when I thought there was nothing I could do to meet my home or my families needs. I hope it helps you as well.

Here is a poem by Sir Thomas Malory, written for the May celebrations of the time.

The month of May was come,

when every lusty heart beginneth to blossom,
and to bring forth fruit; for like as herbs and trees bring
forth fruit and flourish in May, in likewise every lusty heart that

is in any manner a lover, springeth and flourisheth in lusty deeds.
For it giveth unto all lovers courage, that lusty month of May.
Sir Thomas Malory, 1485

Blessed Be and brightest blessings.

***

author bio:

Blessed Be
Lady Ana
AuntiesMagick@AOL.com

Lady Ana can be found deep in the bible belt, peeking out of her broom closet occasionally when her cats deign to give her the all clear.

Tags: Beltaine, beltane, holiday, lady ana, may day

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Administrator April, 2006

April 5th Delphinia. Festival honoring Apollon Delphinios. A procession of girls carrying olive branches with wool affixed to them went to Apollon’s temple, the Delphinion in Athens. The act is believed to commemorate a similar offering Theseus made to Apollon before setting out to kill the Minotaur, according to mythology. Unfortunately we don’t know any more about this festival.

April 15th Mounukhia. Festival honoring Artemis in a combination of two of her aspects. One, in which she is called Pótnia Therôn, or “Mistress of Animals,” honors her as goddess of the hunt, and of wild animals. The other aspect is Artemis Fosfóros (“Light-bringer”) which celebrates her as a lunar goddess. The timing of the festival also incorporates both of these aspects, as it is held on the full moon in early spring.

April 18th Olumpieia. Festival honoring Olympian Zeus. Many bulls were sacrificed as part of the festival, but unfortunately we don’t know much more. The majority of attention given to this festival falls on the games at Olympia (namesake of the modern Olympics). A main feature was the cavalry display, which has an interesting origin as a type of weather magic intended to bring clear skies for the crops.

April 28th Hekate’s Deipnon. Day honoring Hekate. The direct English translation is “Hekate’s Supper.” People would leave various offerings for her at crossroads. Some accounts say to leave fish, garlic, onions, and other “smelly” foods, scraps from one’s meals that day, or even loaves prepared especially for her. This was done every month, on the night of the dark moon. It is also the last day of the ancient Athenian month.

The dates were calculated by Hellenion’s calendar committee. For more information, please see Hellenion’s calendar:
http://www.hellenion.org/calendar.pdf

***

author bio:

Gitana is a Hellenic Reconstructionist, and member of Hellenion.
http://www.hellenion.org

She is an active member of the Hellenic pagan community, hosts many rituals, and writes numerous articles on the topic of Hellenic paganism.

They are available on her website:
http://persephones.250free.com

Tags: gitana, greek, holiday

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