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The Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the February Issue we began exploring the Sabbats of the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year and beginning a journey of filling our BOS with information about how we celebrated and what we found to be true of our practice. For a review of what the Wheel of the Year is take a look at February\u2019s posting here: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Peeking in the Shadows: Crafting A Book of Shadows and Light-February2022<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n An excellent resource for suggestions, visuals and ideas for making your Sabbat celebrations rich and visually beautiful, check out the Book Review listed here:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Book Review: The Ultimate Guide to the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year-<\/b><\/i><\/span>Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations<\/b><\/i><\/span> by Anjou Kiernan<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n We Continue Our Journey and Pause at the Vernal Equinox-Ostara \u2013 March 20.2022 and Beltaine on May 1.2022\u2026.<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Seeding of the Spring (Vernal) Equinox\/Ostara<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As Spring approaches and we find ourselves at another turn of the Great Wheel, opportunity abounds for making deeper connection to the natural world and Gaia\u2019s greening of it. Gaia is seen as the maiden offering the promise of new life in a womb that is still developing and preparing for what will be birthed in full glory as the summer approaches and the peak of all living things is held in father sun\u2019s gentle hold. It is Her sweet breath that breathes life into what lay in wait to be birthed and it is Her gentle hand that guides the process of renewal.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This time of reaffirming fertility and its progeny of new life marks the Spring Equinox. What was weighted more heavily at the time of the Solstice has now achieved a certain state of balance and equilibrium, before it seesaws once again towards one polarity\u2019s weight. As we look around at our earthly world we can marvel at the cyclical nature of new life, maturity and the eventual harvesting and clearing which renders the ground fallow as quickening awaits its rhythmic cue. We have emerged from Winter\u2019s hold of stillness and illusory death and now stand at the time of balance and the drawing together of what was and what will be in an organized and synthesized manner so that the promise of newly created life may flourish.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Visually, Spring is the time of donning new color, shape and form. Gaia offers up the splendor of her multi-colored cloak as all manner of life bursts forth in texture and hue. The energy of this palette enlivens our being and the call to warmer air and out of doors activities entices even the most reluctant homebody. As life blooms all around you, how will you answer the call to take up the robes of nature\u2019s finery? Where will you invest your energy in renewing what has lain dormant awaiting the gentle push of Gaia\u2019s hand? Will you dare to step into the mantle of the Goddess that she has lovingly crafted for you and claim your place as co-creator in the greening of the world? What will you seed as offering in reciprocity to the Earth and in return to yourself?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Heat of Beltaine\u2019s Fires<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We gather in the fertile space of circle greenery anchored well with phallic maypole standing tall. We dance around the potent fires of Beltane celebrating the sacred union of God and Goddess, youth and maiden and the polarity of seed and womb offered by male and female. The air is fragrant with the promise of summer\u2019s musky scent and shoots of fresh grass elongate delicately upwards, stretching towards Father Sun and longer days to bask in His brilliance. We can see the lengthening of the days and feel the gentle caress of warm sun-kissed air on skin that has just recently shed its winter clothing. In the continuous cycle, darkness gives way to light and so also the sparse flora of the fields gives way to the thick verdant splendor of late-Spring growth.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This is the magickal season of the thinning of the veils between ancestor and human, spirit and Deva and the gifts of connection to seen and unseen. We bow to the enlivening of all of the fruits of mother earth\u2019s bounty that will herald summer\u2019s gifts of ripening. We joyfully and with purity of intent and heart give offering to the Fae to aid us in our endeavors and make promise that the progeny of our union with nature and all of its life will make good in keeping her healthy and whole.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The potency of sexual union and the energy that is the by-product of the sexual act is one of the most potent and its heady scent seductively calls to all to join in the dance. If guided and directed towards enlivening and magickal working its raw force has the power to manifest form. In alchemical and Tantric practice, using this energy as a means of self-enlivening and energetic renewal and healing is the goal. It is this energy that is celebrated and called into action as we wait in anticipation of the Beltane\u2019s lovers sacred union. The heat of passionate longing and the desire to join as one ensures the continuance of life\u2019s pleasure and humanity\u2019s legacy. It pulses with a lusty rhythm that mesmerizes and magnetically draws to itself the object of its seeking. And, life continues in the throes of human passion and Divine synthesis.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This is the time of spiritual union. When the potency of the energies and the fires of devotion are most fertile and ready to be held in loving embrace in hopes of creating connection and bond that will move us forward on our spiritual paths. We stimulate the fires of our own will and exhale into the heat of our yearning.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Use the template below to guide your celebration, knowing that there is no right or wrong way to celebrate if intention, heart and mind are holding the highest service to Deity, yourself and community. Blessings of the Sabbat…<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n THE WITCH\u2019S WHEEL OF THE YEAR<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Date: March 20.2022<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ostara – Spring (Vernal) Equinox<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n What have I learned about Ostara?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n How did I celebrate Ostara?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n How did I feel after my celebration?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n What would I change-What would I add to make Ostara more meaningful to me?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n So Mote It Be!<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Sign Your Magickal Name Here<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE WITCH\u2019S WHEEL OF THE YEAR<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Date: May 1.2022<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Beltaine<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n What have I learned about Beltaine?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n How did I celebrate Beltaine?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n How did I feel after my celebration?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n What would I change-What would I add to make <\/span>Beltaine <\/span>more meaningful to me?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n So Mote It Be!<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Sign Your Magickal Name Here<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n **<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n About the <\/b><\/span>A<\/b><\/span>uthor:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Robin Fennelly\u00a0<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span>is an Elder within\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span>\u00a0and serves as High Priestess of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>C<\/a>oven of the Mystic Path<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/u><\/span>, the 12th Coven\u00a0within the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition. She teaches\u00a0and facilitates\u00a0classes for the Pagan Experience Study Group that\u00a0serves as foundation for membership within\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Coven of the Mystic Path<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Her spiritual journey is strongly rooted in both Eastern philosophy and the Western Magickal systems from which she has formed a core foundation that is diverse in knowledge and rich in spiritual practice.\u00a0 A life-long learner, her practice has evolved from the classical and philosophical teachings of books, practical experience and enrichment of this knowledge\u00a0base by attending workshops of various spiritual traditions presented by master teachers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Robin formally came to the Wiccan path in 1994. Following a practice as a solitary for 2 years, she dedicated to\u00a0Oak and Willow Coven of The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition in November of 1996. She received her\u00a01st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (Elder) degrees within the Assembly Tradition and has served as High Priestess of two ASW covens since Samhain of 2001 and the Winter Solstice of 2015.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Robin\u2019s writings have been featured online, and in print Internationally.\u00a0 She has authored several books incorporating her unique style of writing making use of poetry, prose and pathworking to enhance the concepts presented.\u00a0 She has taught extensively throughout the Pagan community, including Sacred Space Conference, Spring Magick, Between the Worlds Interfaith Conference and Free Spirit Gathering Festival. Her most recent projects include a channel on youtube: <\/span><\/span>A Journey to the Inner Chamber<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span>. <\/b><\/span><\/span>She also shares audio pathworkings and ritual on her bandcamp site: <\/span><\/span>Teachings on the Path with Robin.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/u><\/span> <\/u><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n Robin is the owner of\u00a0<\/span>Holistic Embrace\u00a0<\/i><\/span>providing services for mind, body and spirit such as Tarot readings, Astrology reports, Spiritual Guidance\u00a0and other related offerings.\u00a0 She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania and her life is blessed by a 40+- year marriage, five children and the opportunity to work in the field of public education.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Robin\u2019s Website<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.robinfennelly.com<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n Coven of the Mystic Path, ASW<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/peeking-in-the-shadows-1.png\")
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\nAs a teacher of esoteric and magickal studies\u00a0she uses Energetic Anatomy, Tarot, Astrology, Hermetic Qabala, Eastern Philosophy, and Numerology as the foundations of her diverse selection of workshops and writings for more than 25\u00a0years. Exploration of varied energetic protocol has been the focus of her work for some time now and the information gained through direct experience informs all of her magickal and spiritual work.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n