{"id":26517,"date":"2022-06-01T01:10:34","date_gmt":"2022-06-01T05:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=26517"},"modified":"2022-05-31T19:24:19","modified_gmt":"2022-05-31T23:24:19","slug":"peeking-in-the-shadows-crafting-a-book-of-shadows-and-light-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2022\/06\/01\/peeking-in-the-shadows-crafting-a-book-of-shadows-and-light-18\/","title":{"rendered":"Peeking in the Shadows: Crafting a Book of Shadows and Light"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A Journey Through the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year 2022!<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/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><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We Continue Our Journey Through the Witch\u2019s Wheel and call to the Light of the Summer Solstice\u2026.<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

THE SUMMER SOLSTICE\/LITHA<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The King Shall Rule<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Each holds sway and hand of might
\nUpon the year\u2019s Great Wheel. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In each domain one shall be King
\nAs wax and wane of Light
\nMove within nature\u2019s cyclic plan.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nThe Oak holds fast to growing light
\nAnd Holly brings shadow near.
\nThe time between held in
\nEquinox Gate and season\u2019s turn
\nTips finely calibrated scales.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nSolstice Kings though brothers<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

They in battle determine solar fate.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Light holds fast
\nThe Oak marks time
\nFlanked by strength
\nAnd sundial\u2019s grace.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Holly answers with response
\nA dance of calculated pace.
\nAt sunset\u2019s call, he strikes his final blow
\nAs Oak in silent acquiescence bows
\nAnd bends to Summer Light\u2019s repose.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0
\nHis brother triumphant Holly King
\nUpon rooster\u2019s call shall next arise.
\nThe waning of the year begins
\nWith Oak King\u2019s necessary demise.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nFor what lay sleeping within
\nThe growing splendor of Holly\u2019s
\nFertile embrace\u00a0is the promise
\nOf Light\u2019s return at the peak of <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Winter\u2019s darkened and snowy face.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

And, once again the two shall meet
\nOak strengthened by slumber\u2019s rest. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nThe end of darkness near the
\nHolly King his energy spent
\nShall relinquish crown as
\nOak King reigns renewed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Summer Solstice<\/b><\/span><\/span>, the longest day offers opportunity to stand in the heat of Solar Flame, cast the strength of our Inner Sun into the spotlight and bask in the expansive culmination of the prior months\u2019 hard work and efforts.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Many celebrate the Summer Solstice with the story of the Oak King and Holly King. The Oak King having been crowned at the Winter Solstice is filled to bursting with the energy and power of solar energy and light; and it is He who draws the sacred seasons toward the bounty of Summer\u2019s fullness. The Holly King has lain silently in his space of renewed slumber and HE waits to rise again at the time of the Summer Solstice. On the sacred day of the Solstice, the Holly King emerges to claim his own and triumphant in the battle for dominance with his brother now reigns as the keeper of death and rebirth. HE stands in command as the harvest is reaped and the silence of the cold and snows fall upon the lands. HE knows that he will only have half of the year to weave His magick before the battle ensues once again and the world will bow to his brother, the Mighty Oak. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

They are one and the same but each work their will wearing the appropriate face and archetypal energy in accord with the ebb and flow of the seasons, the expansion and contraction of the energetic state and the necessary demise of one so the other may reign supreme.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This is time to celebrate the fullness of all that is in your life. The ability to access your fullest potential is at hand and knowing that with great abundance there will also be the necessary culling of what is excess or no longer needed follows just ahead. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Spend some time in nature observing the beauty of flowers in bloom, trees full and strong, wildlife everywhere and the warmth of sunlit days. Take all of this into your magickal workings and select that which you wish to have in reserve as we step across the solstice gate and begin the waning of the sun\u2019s light. Craft your celebration around the gifts of the Oak King and honor the arrival of Holly\u2019s cooling respite. <\/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

***<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

THE WITCH\u2019S WHEEL OF THE YEAR<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Date: June 21.2022<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Summer Solstice (aka. Litha)<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What have I learned about the Summer Solstice?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

How did I celebrate the Summer Solstice?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

How did I feel after my celebration?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What would I change-What would I add to make the Summer Solstice more meaningful to me?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So Mote It Be!<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sign Your Magickal Name Here<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

End Note: <\/b><\/span><\/span>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><\/span><\/span>Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span> by Anjou Kiernan<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

**<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>About the author:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/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<\/span><\/a>oven of the Mystic Path<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/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


\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

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><\/a><\/u><\/span> <\/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>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.covenofthemysticpath.org<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Her books can be found on Amazon or purchased directly through her website:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For more info<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.robinfennelly.com\/books.html<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 1 It\u2019s Written in the Stars-Astrology<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 2 Poetry of the Spheres-Qabalah<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 3 Awakening the Paths-Qabalah<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Light of SELF: Consciousness, Spiritual Practice and Learning to Breathe<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Magickal Verse: A Collection of Poetry and Prose<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A Year of Gaia: The Eternal Cord<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Elemental Year: Aligning the Elements of SELF<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Temple of the Sun and Moon: Luminous Devotions<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sleeping with the Goddess: Nights of Devotion<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A Weekly Reflection: Musings for the Year<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Magickal Pen: A Collection of Esoteric Writings<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Enchanted Gate: Musings on the Magick of the Natural World<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Temple of the Sun: An Astrological Solar Year<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Writings in the Shadow: An Exploration of the Shadow Nature<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Journey Through the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year 2022!   The Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year 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: Peeking in the Shadows: Crafting A Book of Shadows and Light-February2022   We Continue Our Journey Through the Witch\u2019s Wheel and call to the Light of the Summer Solstice\u2026. THE SUMMER SOLSTICE\/LITHA   The King Shall Rule Each holds sway and hand of might Upon the year\u2019s Great Wheel. In each domain one shall be King As wax and wane of Light Move within nature\u2019s cyclic plan. The Oak holds fast to growing light And Holly brings shadow near. The time between held in Equinox Gate and season\u2019s turn Tips finely calibrated scales. Solstice Kings though brothers They in battle determine solar fate. The Light holds fast The Oak marks time Flanked by strength And sundial\u2019s grace. The Holly answers with response A dance of calculated pace. At sunset\u2019s call, he strikes his final blow As Oak in silent acquiescence bows And bends to Summer Light\u2019s repose. \u00a0 His brother triumphant Holly King Upon rooster\u2019s call shall next arise. The waning of the year begins With Oak King\u2019s necessary demise. For what lay sleeping within The growing splendor of Holly\u2019s Fertile embrace\u00a0is the promise Of Light\u2019s return at the peak of Winter\u2019s darkened and snowy face. And, once again the two shall meet Oak strengthened by slumber\u2019s rest. The end of darkness near the Holly King his energy spent Shall relinquish crown as Oak King reigns renewed.   The Summer Solstice, the longest day offers opportunity to stand in the heat of Solar Flame, cast the strength of our Inner Sun into the spotlight and bask in the expansive culmination of the prior months\u2019 hard work and efforts. Many celebrate the Summer Solstice with the story of the Oak King and Holly King. The Oak King having been crowned at the Winter Solstice is filled to bursting with the energy and power of solar energy and light; and it is He who draws the sacred seasons toward the bounty of Summer\u2019s fullness. The Holly King has lain silently in his space of renewed slumber and HE waits to rise again at the time of the Summer Solstice. On the sacred day of the Solstice, the Holly King emerges to claim his own and triumphant in the battle for dominance with his brother now reigns as the keeper of death and rebirth. HE stands in command as the harvest is reaped and the silence of the cold and snows fall upon the lands. HE knows that he will only have half of the year to weave His magick before the battle ensues once again and the world will bow to his brother, the Mighty Oak. They are one and the same but each work their will wearing the appropriate face and archetypal energy in accord with the ebb and flow of the seasons, the expansion and contraction of the energetic state and the necessary demise of one so the other may reign supreme.\u00a0 This is time to celebrate the fullness of all that is in your life. The ability to access your fullest potential is at hand and knowing that with great abundance there will also be the necessary culling of what is excess or no longer needed follows just ahead. Spend some time in nature observing the beauty of flowers in bloom, trees full and strong, wildlife everywhere and the warmth of sunlit days. Take all of this into your magickal workings and select that which you wish to have in reserve as we step across the solstice gate and begin the waning of the sun\u2019s light. Craft your celebration around the gifts of the Oak King and honor the arrival of Holly\u2019s cooling respite. 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… *** THE WITCH\u2019S WHEEL OF THE YEAR Date: June 21.2022 The Summer Solstice (aka. Litha) What have I learned about the Summer Solstice? How did I celebrate the Summer Solstice? How did I feel after my celebration? What would I change-What would I add to make the Summer Solstice more meaningful to me? So Mote It Be! Sign Your Magickal Name Here   End Note: An excellent resource for suggestions, visuals and ideas for making your Sabbat celebrations rich and visually beautiful, check out the Book Review listed here: Book Review: The Ultimate Guide to the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year-Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations by Anjou Kiernan ** About the author: Robin Fennelly\u00a0is an Elder within\u00a0The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition\u00a0and serves as High Priestess of\u00a0Coven of the Mystic Path, 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\u00a0Coven of the Mystic Path.\u00a0\u00a0 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. 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. As 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. 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: A Journey to the Inner Chamber. She also shares audio pathworkings and ritual on her bandcamp site: Teachings on the Path with Robin. Robin is the owner of\u00a0Holistic Embrace\u00a0providing 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. Robin\u2019s Website:\u00a0www.robinfennelly.com Coven of the Mystic Path, ASW:\u00a0www.covenofthemysticpath.org Her books can be found on Amazon or purchased directly through her website: For more info:\u00a0http:\/\/www.robinfennelly.com\/books.html The Inner Chamber, Vol. 1 It\u2019s Written in the Stars-Astrology The Inner Chamber, Vol. 2 Poetry of the Spheres-Qabalah The Inner Chamber, Vol. 3 Awakening the Paths-Qabalah The Light of SELF: Consciousness, Spiritual Practice and Learning to Breathe Magickal Verse: A Collection of Poetry and Prose A Year of Gaia: The Eternal Cord The Elemental Year: Aligning the Elements of SELF Temple of the Sun and Moon: Luminous Devotions Sleeping with the Goddess: Nights of Devotion A Weekly Reflection: Musings for the Year The Magickal Pen: A Collection of Esoteric Writings The Enchanted Gate: Musings on the Magick of the Natural World The Temple of the Sun: An Astrological Solar Year Writings in the Shadow: An Exploration of the Shadow Nature<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":208,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10004,10008],"tags":[10049,10050,10051,10525,10071,10299,10400,10032,11923,12058,10484,11312,12003,11306],"class_list":["post-26517","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-monthly-columns","category-spells-rituals","tag-book-of-shadows","tag-bos","tag-crafting","tag-creating","tag-grimoire","tag-guide","tag-holidays","tag-how-to","tag-litha","tag-lughnasadh","tag-making","tag-sabbats","tag-summer-solstice","tag-wheel-of-year"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26517","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/208"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26517"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26517\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26522,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26517\/revisions\/26522"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26517"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26517"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26517"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}