Many of you have asked me for ways of expanding mental and sense abilities - like developing the ability to communicate with spirits, build empathy, etc. The strongest of gifts seem to be naturally given - sometimes to the point that a person must block it out or go nuts. But this does not mean you can not work on developing keener senses.
As most of you know my strongest tool is meditation and visualization. In the archives you'll see a guide to basic meditation. Once you are able to clear the mind and develop the environments you can begin with the next steps to developing your psychic, mental and senses strength and clarity. All of the below use a "Thought" choose which you want to develop - developing empathy, lets say (Thats what I'll use in the below examples - but you could replace with what you wish to develop).
STEP 1: BREATHING:
Pick a thought [ie. developing greater empathy]. Concentrate on that [developing greater empathy] alone. Feel the thought fill the air around you. Breathe in the thought [inhaling the broad spectrum of emotions, dreams and fears] with each inhalation. Repeat several times a day for 1 to 5 minutes.
STEP 2: FOOD CONSUMPRION:
Visualize your food being saturated with the single thoguth [the tangle of feelings soaking into each spoon-ful]. Chew the spoon-ful and swallow all the while visualizing the thought [sensativity to emotion] soaking into your body internally from the food - spreading from your stomach to your veins and out to your whole body. Repeat with each meal for 2 weeks.
STEP 3: LIQUID CONSUMPTION:
Repeat STEP 2 using a consumable liquid instead of food.Repeat for another 2 weeks.
STEP 4: MENTAL RETENTION:
Gather 5 or 6 household items. Place them on a table in front of you. Close your eyes and visualize only one of the items in perfect detail. Hold the image in your minds eye for up to 5 minutes.Repeat 2 times a day up to 5 minutes a day
STEP 5: VISUAL RETENTION:
This is similar to STEP 4. This time stare into the air above the table, with your eyes open. The goal is to see the image so vividly it hangs in the air in front of you. Repeat several times a day from 1 to 5 minutes.
STEP 6: SENSORY RETENTION:
A) HEARING: Hear the sound of a siren in your mind, focus to make the sound loud enough to actually be in the room with you. It is easiest to focus on loud sounds at first, but you want to move to quieter ones as well, focusing on the sound of the wind and waves and birds, etc.
B) TOUCH: Focus on a feelings - hot, cold, hunger, thirsdt, gravity, etc.
C) TASTE: Focus on tastes - focus on tasting the following vividly: Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Lemon. Start with 1 minute and work up to 5.
D) OLFACTORY: Focus on smells - focus on smelling each of the following distinctly: Roses, Cinnamon, Wet Dog, Furnature Polish. Start with 1 minute and work up to 5.
Repeat each several times a day for 1 to 5 minutes
STEP 7: PORE BREATHING
Lie down on a sofa, bed or floor and relax every muscle in your body. I start at my feel and concentrate on the sensation of each muscle relaxing one at a time. Feel all tensions in your body lift, dissipate and evaporate. Concentrate on deep breathes, slow and even. Concentrate on a single thought, proceed to repeat STEP 1. Feel the thought filling the air around you - Feel the thought [ie. a senseativity of others feelings] absorbing in throught your pores.Repeat several times a day for up to 5 min.
STEP 8: FAMILIAR OBJECTS: (AUTO SUGGESTION)
Sit comfortably and stare at a blank spot on the wall. Visualize a clock hanging there. Listen to it tick, See it. Hold the image for up to 5 min, then repeat with each of the following objects: Brook, Forest, Busy Street.Repeat 2 times a day for up to 5 min.
STEP 9: FAMILIAR PLACES
Sit comfortably and visualize in full detail a place that is both a comfort and familiar. Hear the sounds, see the images, smell the scents, etc. Repeat daily holding the image for up to 5 min.
STEP 10: UNFAMILIAR PLACES
Sit comfortably and repeat STEP 9 only this time visualize a place you have never been. Repeat daily for up to 5 min.
STEP 11: WILLPOWER
This step in all about learning to control your mind and body. If you feel hunger - push it from your mind for 5 min - NO thinking about it. If your tired, push any exhaustion from your mind, etc. Repeat several times a day up to 5 minutes
STEP 12: ANIMALS
Sit comfortably, close your eyes and visualize an animal. Watch how it moves, smell its fur/skin, feel it move against you, try to sense the animals emotions, try to connect.Repeat daily for up to 10 minutes
STEP 13: PEOPLE
Sit comfortably, close your eyes and visualize a person - friends and family alive or dead. Observe how they move, hear their voice - try to sense their emotions, try to connect.Repeat daily for up to 10 minutes
STEP 14: CONSCIOUS VISUALIZATION
Repeat steps 11 & 12 with your eyes open
Try to hold the visual for up to 5 minutes.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
General Sabbat Ritual
The start of any ritual will usually be the same - Casting the circle, calling the quarters and invoking Deity or Spirit. On High Holy Days I usually adjust my invocations to say what I am celebrating so here are my invocations and casts for my sabbats:
1) Casting the Circle:
~Tap the altar once~
The wheel of the year will ever turn,
the seasons will ebb and flow,
~Hold hands over the altar~
From an Autumn night to Spring s rain fall,
~Begin walking the circle in a Doesil fashion, starting in the East~
Marching ever from birth to death,
legends, myth and lore connect.
~Back at the East, move back to the altar, hold the red candle up to the heavens~
Purify the Great Wheel turning
~Replace the candle on altar and start second circle (at the East obviously)~
Winds of the East come to my call,
Bringing life and feeling to all.
~At each direction close your eyes for a heartbeat and visualize the energy of the Element entering you and your circle~
Fires of the South burning free
Bringing strength, power and passion unto me.
West flows free in Waters song
Bringing change and peace to all.
North brings me Earth so strong and true,
Grounding me so my energy may connect to all.
~Back to the East to begin third round~
This circle rises grounded in me
The seasons change displaying rebirth
From seed to plough
From harvest to feast,
The cycle continures for all to meet.
~Back to the altar, holding hands above it~
This Sabbat circle - thrice around,
~Visualize the bubble of your circle hardening~
I seal thee now from sky to ground!
~Stomp the ground ont timewith your foot to seal the magick~
2) Calling the Quarters:
Lighting each of the quarter candles, again starting in the East. Sart speaking in the God position (arms crossed over chest looking toward the ground) and slowly move into the Goddess position (arms raised and gaze to the heavens).
Guardians of the (direction) here my call. Element of (element) I desire you attendance this (name Sabbat) night. That I may learn from your strength, that your energy and minse shall unite to celebrate this Sacred day. Be welcome within my circle, acknowledge the power of this rite, imbue all within with your majesty!
~as you say it visualize an opening in your circle - a door for the element to pass through~
3) Invoking Deity:
Invoke Spirit, Lord & Lady or deity of your choice as you see apropriate for the High Holy Day. Not any different really than any other ritual invocation my general Sabbat invocation is the following - just fill in the blanks with your deity, Spirit or Lord & Lady and their characteristics. I suggest having a representation of them - even just a drawing- on your altar to help you better connect. Don't forget to visualize a doorway in your circle for them to enter as well.
"I call to thee, (name ). I call you (name) to enter my circle on this great night. Be one with me, fill me with your knowledge and power that I might perform this rite in your honor (I will sometimes add specific characteristics of the deity I am in need of to perform the rite) . Come unto me (name) this (Sabbat name) night, commune with my spirit, that I may fulfill my destiny and work this magick in your honor. Thrice called thrice honored. So mote it be!"
4) I like to read aloud my understanding of the Holy Day and recite my intent - what I hope to accomplish with my ritual. You can also welcome ancetsors into your circle for the ritual as well.
5) Draw Down the Moon (if peforming the ritual at night - this is a great way to raise power)
6) Work any magicks, depending on the Sabbat.
7) Meditate to solidify and raise more power within you.
8) Divination, Astral Travel, Rite to develop psychic power, do something with all this internal power.
8) Communion: This is to thank the deity and elements for sharing their power with your and to give some back in return.
9) Thank deity or spirit or Lord & Lady.
"Thank you (name) for participating in this (Sabbat Name) celebration with me. The knowledge learned will be put to good use. Peace be unto you, safety on all our journies. Thank you for this special ritual. "
10) Release the Elements:
"Guardians of (diretion), element of (element). Thank you for your support and strength during this ritual. It was all the more powerful and special for you participation. Go if you like, stay if you will. This ritual is complete. So mote it be."
11) Open the Circle:
Opening the circle is done with a once around in the widdershins direction (counter-clockwise) Direct your athame, wand or power finger toward the center of your circle to absorb the residual power from the ritual.
"As above, so below. This circle is open but never broken. So mote it be!"
12) Leaving the communion outside in a libation dish or spread on the ground - when you leave it out say "To the Gods" and visualize the nourishment reaching them.
1) Casting the Circle:
~Tap the altar once~
The wheel of the year will ever turn,
the seasons will ebb and flow,
~Hold hands over the altar~
From an Autumn night to Spring s rain fall,
~Begin walking the circle in a Doesil fashion, starting in the East~
Marching ever from birth to death,
legends, myth and lore connect.
~Back at the East, move back to the altar, hold the red candle up to the heavens~
Purify the Great Wheel turning
~Replace the candle on altar and start second circle (at the East obviously)~
Winds of the East come to my call,
Bringing life and feeling to all.
~At each direction close your eyes for a heartbeat and visualize the energy of the Element entering you and your circle~
Fires of the South burning free
Bringing strength, power and passion unto me.
West flows free in Waters song
Bringing change and peace to all.
North brings me Earth so strong and true,
Grounding me so my energy may connect to all.
~Back to the East to begin third round~
This circle rises grounded in me
The seasons change displaying rebirth
From seed to plough
From harvest to feast,
The cycle continures for all to meet.
~Back to the altar, holding hands above it~
This Sabbat circle - thrice around,
~Visualize the bubble of your circle hardening~
I seal thee now from sky to ground!
~Stomp the ground ont timewith your foot to seal the magick~
2) Calling the Quarters:
Lighting each of the quarter candles, again starting in the East. Sart speaking in the God position (arms crossed over chest looking toward the ground) and slowly move into the Goddess position (arms raised and gaze to the heavens).
Guardians of the (direction) here my call. Element of (element) I desire you attendance this (name Sabbat) night. That I may learn from your strength, that your energy and minse shall unite to celebrate this Sacred day. Be welcome within my circle, acknowledge the power of this rite, imbue all within with your majesty!
~as you say it visualize an opening in your circle - a door for the element to pass through~
3) Invoking Deity:
Invoke Spirit, Lord & Lady or deity of your choice as you see apropriate for the High Holy Day. Not any different really than any other ritual invocation my general Sabbat invocation is the following - just fill in the blanks with your deity, Spirit or Lord & Lady and their characteristics. I suggest having a representation of them - even just a drawing- on your altar to help you better connect. Don't forget to visualize a doorway in your circle for them to enter as well.
"I call to thee, (name ). I call you (name) to enter my circle on this great night. Be one with me, fill me with your knowledge and power that I might perform this rite in your honor (I will sometimes add specific characteristics of the deity I am in need of to perform the rite) . Come unto me (name) this (Sabbat name) night, commune with my spirit, that I may fulfill my destiny and work this magick in your honor. Thrice called thrice honored. So mote it be!"
4) I like to read aloud my understanding of the Holy Day and recite my intent - what I hope to accomplish with my ritual. You can also welcome ancetsors into your circle for the ritual as well.
5) Draw Down the Moon (if peforming the ritual at night - this is a great way to raise power)
6) Work any magicks, depending on the Sabbat.
7) Meditate to solidify and raise more power within you.
8) Divination, Astral Travel, Rite to develop psychic power, do something with all this internal power.
8) Communion: This is to thank the deity and elements for sharing their power with your and to give some back in return.
9) Thank deity or spirit or Lord & Lady.
"Thank you (name) for participating in this (Sabbat Name) celebration with me. The knowledge learned will be put to good use. Peace be unto you, safety on all our journies. Thank you for this special ritual. "
10) Release the Elements:
"Guardians of (diretion), element of (element). Thank you for your support and strength during this ritual. It was all the more powerful and special for you participation. Go if you like, stay if you will. This ritual is complete. So mote it be."
11) Open the Circle:
Opening the circle is done with a once around in the widdershins direction (counter-clockwise) Direct your athame, wand or power finger toward the center of your circle to absorb the residual power from the ritual.
"As above, so below. This circle is open but never broken. So mote it be!"
12) Leaving the communion outside in a libation dish or spread on the ground - when you leave it out say "To the Gods" and visualize the nourishment reaching them.
Dian Cecht
Diac Chect Was one of teh Tuatha De Danann. He was a healing deity who slew his own son, Miach, out of jealousy for surpassinng his healing power. Since Dian could not re-attatch the arm of a King of the Tuatha De Danann after it was cut off in battle- and Miach accomplished it. After Miach's death it was said that 365 healing herbs - one for every human ailment - grew from his grave. His sister, Airmid, gathered the herbs and laid them in an outline shaped like a body, so that the healing knowledge could be passed down from grnereation to generation. But Dian scattered the herbs so that the knowledge of how to cure all ailments was lost to us.
The outcome of this story for the ancient Celts was the Brat Aitmeithe, a large peice of cloth cut into the shape of a human body. Stitches on it are pictures of herbs that are beneficial to each part of he body.
The outcome of this story for the ancient Celts was the Brat Aitmeithe, a large peice of cloth cut into the shape of a human body. Stitches on it are pictures of herbs that are beneficial to each part of he body.
Summer Solstice (aka Litha): An Explanation
The Sumer Solstice is also reffered to as Mid-Simmer (think Shakesphere's "Mid-Summer Nights Dream") or Litha. This is one of the 8 major Sabbats or High Holy Days in most Witches Calendars. It falls on the longest day of the year - in the Northern~Hemisphere anyway (usually between June 20 - 23) This year it falls on June 21.
As it is the longest day of the year - it is not surprising the Holy Day is all about celebrating the Sun and its corresponding deities. In Wicca the Sun is represented by male deities but in Celtic witchcraft there is no gender alone associated with it - we have both female and male deities associated with the sun {see below for associated Celtic Deities}. This day is also about celebrating the abundance is what spring has wroght after Beltane - the previous Sabbat. It celebrates the abundance of Summers warmth and strength - the creativity and growth Summer facilitates. SO even as we celebrate the Sun we also celebrate the drastic contrast of the Summer Thunder Storms. So, at the time of celebrating all this richness and abundance we are recognizing and respecting the inevitability of decay, the cycle of birth to re-birth. This makes the Summer Solstice a great time of year to tend teh garden, pick herbs, etc.
Elements associated with Summer Solstice are Fire and Water. But, keep in mind that the High Holy Days are often represented as a wheel of teh year - as such it folls or flows from one Sabbat to the next - so there is some overlapping in associations: meaning some of the associations are the same as Beltane and some are teh same as Lughnasadh (August 1), and beyond in both directions. Along this reasoning - water is most associated with Fall while Fire is Spring and Summer.
How do the other elements relate to a "Fire Sabbat?"
Across from the Mid-Summer on the wheel of the year is Yule (The Winter Solstice = Winter, North). Its element is Earth. The 2 Equinoxes associated with Air and Water are Ostara and Mabon (respectively). Therefore - the Summer Solstice is "complimented" by Air and Water, and "opposed" by Earth. Earth and Fire balance eachother, understandably, as most fires are built on the earth or framed by it - but earth is also one of the best ways of extinguishing a fire. So, if you raise too much energy w/in your circle - you're "on fire" from it, you ground by conne conecting to the element of Earth. Fire cannot butn without Air - it needs it, which is why Air complements Fire. Symbolically, the beginings of magick in our circle begin at the East (Air) - so to raise the energy w/in your circle, your "fire" as it were, you need Air. But, you might be wondering how Water can complement and not oppose fire, as it also extinguishes Fire. BUT in many cultures Fire is a God aspect and Water is the Goddess aspect - you need both to complement the other.
The Summer Solstice also celebrated teh battle between the Oak King and the Holly King. The year is rolling toward winter and the abundance of the Oak must battle the decay of the Holly. From the Summer Solstice on, the days begin to become shorter and shorter, the harvest bgins to ripen, etc. So, while on this day the Oak King is at his strongest, He is challenged by Holly - the oncomming of Winter. The Oak King is thought of as the Goddesses consort - Her lover and partner in abundance and fertility. (He's the Green Man who marries Her at Beltane) on beltane this Green Man is very green, covered in foliage - by Mid-Summer he is represented by a single tree - he has matured. (By Lugnasadh His leaves have begun to turn and he isa ging unto decay and "death" of Winter.)
Many ancient Celts would pick summer grasses and toss them into the sea thanking Manannian Mac Lir for allowing the land to remain above the water for another year. Many Duids conscider this time a time of great Healing - as we gather our strongest herbs at this time. So many will recite the story of Dian Cecht as a part of their rituals: See other post.
As it is the longest day of the year - it is not surprising the Holy Day is all about celebrating the Sun and its corresponding deities. In Wicca the Sun is represented by male deities but in Celtic witchcraft there is no gender alone associated with it - we have both female and male deities associated with the sun {see below for associated Celtic Deities}. This day is also about celebrating the abundance is what spring has wroght after Beltane - the previous Sabbat. It celebrates the abundance of Summers warmth and strength - the creativity and growth Summer facilitates. SO even as we celebrate the Sun we also celebrate the drastic contrast of the Summer Thunder Storms. So, at the time of celebrating all this richness and abundance we are recognizing and respecting the inevitability of decay, the cycle of birth to re-birth. This makes the Summer Solstice a great time of year to tend teh garden, pick herbs, etc.
Elements associated with Summer Solstice are Fire and Water. But, keep in mind that the High Holy Days are often represented as a wheel of teh year - as such it folls or flows from one Sabbat to the next - so there is some overlapping in associations: meaning some of the associations are the same as Beltane and some are teh same as Lughnasadh (August 1), and beyond in both directions. Along this reasoning - water is most associated with Fall while Fire is Spring and Summer.
How do the other elements relate to a "Fire Sabbat?"
Across from the Mid-Summer on the wheel of the year is Yule (The Winter Solstice = Winter, North). Its element is Earth. The 2 Equinoxes associated with Air and Water are Ostara and Mabon (respectively). Therefore - the Summer Solstice is "complimented" by Air and Water, and "opposed" by Earth. Earth and Fire balance eachother, understandably, as most fires are built on the earth or framed by it - but earth is also one of the best ways of extinguishing a fire. So, if you raise too much energy w/in your circle - you're "on fire" from it, you ground by conne conecting to the element of Earth. Fire cannot butn without Air - it needs it, which is why Air complements Fire. Symbolically, the beginings of magick in our circle begin at the East (Air) - so to raise the energy w/in your circle, your "fire" as it were, you need Air. But, you might be wondering how Water can complement and not oppose fire, as it also extinguishes Fire. BUT in many cultures Fire is a God aspect and Water is the Goddess aspect - you need both to complement the other.
The Summer Solstice also celebrated teh battle between the Oak King and the Holly King. The year is rolling toward winter and the abundance of the Oak must battle the decay of the Holly. From the Summer Solstice on, the days begin to become shorter and shorter, the harvest bgins to ripen, etc. So, while on this day the Oak King is at his strongest, He is challenged by Holly - the oncomming of Winter. The Oak King is thought of as the Goddesses consort - Her lover and partner in abundance and fertility. (He's the Green Man who marries Her at Beltane) on beltane this Green Man is very green, covered in foliage - by Mid-Summer he is represented by a single tree - he has matured. (By Lugnasadh His leaves have begun to turn and he isa ging unto decay and "death" of Winter.)
Many ancient Celts would pick summer grasses and toss them into the sea thanking Manannian Mac Lir for allowing the land to remain above the water for another year. Many Duids conscider this time a time of great Healing - as we gather our strongest herbs at this time. So many will recite the story of Dian Cecht as a part of their rituals: See other post.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Divination : Oghams
Oghams are one of the most popular form of divination as well for people who follow the Druidic Path. The Tree Ogham is probably the most well known type of Ogham but in reality there are something like 150 different types of Oghams. On the Tree Ogham - There is a symbol for each of the wood types that is carved or burned into a small round disc of said wood (see http://www.dragonskeepfarm.com/Ogham_disks_used_in_divination.htm ).
Reading Oghams'
Speading a white cloth on the ground or table, hold the bag containing the discs up to the gods and ask the gods' blessing and guidance on divination. Shake the bag while praying - this allows the "proper Oghams" to come to the top. Grab the first 3 disks - unless something directs you to dig deeper - With te 3 Oghams drawn lay them on the white divination cloth from left to right/ The Left (answer from the Ancestors) , Middle (answer from Nature Spirits), Right (answer from the Shining Ones) - OR - The answers con be time related as in Past, Present, Future, depending on the questions asked. Here is the lost of all the Ohams (without symbols find those at the above web site).
The meaning of the woods in Druidry is the same as found in the Tree Oghams Attributes which is why I list them here:
Birch:
Standard Name =Beith ("BEH")
a.k.a. = Beth, Beithe, Beith
Letter = B
Means = New Beginings, Changes, prurification, sometimes challenges or personal changes in life; renewal and rebirth; may be discomforts involved - it is a favorable sign in most matters
Rowan:
Standard = Luis ("LWEESH"); Herb
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = L
Means = Protection & Control of Senses, Controling your life, protection from the controling forces of others; clarity & attention to details; concentration on task at hand; purification; choice between 2 paths
Akler:
Standard =Fern
a.k.a. = Phagos ("FAH-gos"); Beech; Iphin ("IFF-in"); vineyard
Letter = F
Means = Guidance, Assoc w/ Bran, Helping in making choices, spiritual guidance and protection; knowledge & lore; learning; study; education; the wisdom of the past as a guide to the future & present
Alder:
Standard =Fearn ("FAIR-n")
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = V
Means = Protection & guidance; bridge over deep waters; steadfastness; good advice received from others or your own inner depths; spiritual guidance and insite; the presence of the gods; an unexpected way past a difficulty
Willow:
Standard =Saille ("SAHL-yuh")
a.k.a. = Sail
Letter = S
Means = Mysteries & Water related subjects; Feminine attributes; gaining balance in your life; moving with the flow of events; intuition; dreaming; the unconscious; faith in personal vision. NOTE - since willow is associated with weeping sometimes balance comes through painful experiences
Ash:
Standard =Nuin ("NOO-in")
a.k.a. = Nin; Nion; Letter
Letter = N
Means = Ancients Knowledgs; the weavers beam; locked into a chain of events; feeling bound; connection & transformation; relationship to a larger contect; events may be more importantthan they appear
Hawthorn:
Standard =Huath ("OO-ah")
a.k.a. = Uath
Letter = H
Means = Counseling; protection & cleansing; being held back for a period of time; patience; reserve; retreat; a time of waiting planning; success after a delay; temporary obstacles
Oak:
Standard =Duir ("DOO-er")
a.k.a. = Dair
Letter = D
Means= Wisdom; Strength; security; success; forward movement; attainment; power & energy; a door opens to the outer world
Holly:
Standard =Tinne ("CHIN-yuh")
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = T
Means = Justice & Balance; Energy; guidance for problems to come; conflict; challenge; struggle against opposing forces; victory against odds; change in fortune; descisive action is favored.
Hazel:
Standard =Coll ("CULL")
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = C
Means = Wisdom & intuition; creative energies for work or projects; knowledge; intelligence; transformation & flexibility; communication and teaching;new information
Apple:
Standard =Quert ("KWEIRT")
a.k.a. = Queirt; Cert
Letter = Q
Means = Otherworld; a choice must be made; healing; happiness; recovery; awakenings * new experiences; an unexpected gift; rewards of success
Vine:
Standard =Muin ("MUHN")
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = M
Means = New Beginings; inner development occuring; take time for relaxation; inspiration; prophecy; unexpected truths; ; freedom from limits & restrictions
Ivy:
Standard =Gort
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = G
Means = New Beginings; Take time to soul search or you'll make wrong descisions; purpose; determination; self-control; slow and indirect progress; movement in round-about paths
Reed:
Standard =nGetal ("NYEH-tal"), wound
a.k.a. = nGeadal, nGetal
Letter = NG
Means = New Beginings; upsets, surprises; swiftness; sudden movement; instability; healing; change for the better; a message or an opportunity; not yet finished w/ your work
Blackthorn:
Standard =Straif, sulpher
a.k.a. = Straiph
Letter = SS, Z, ST (depending on the practitioner)
Means = Trouble & negativity; necessity & inevitability; hard realities in life; something that cannot be changed; results of one's own actions; a difficult path must be taken; the influences of Fate
Elder:
Standard =Ruis ("RWEESH")
a.k.a. = Reddening
Letter = R
Means = Enterence to the Otherworld; the Fae Folk; Healing; resolution; completion; transition from one state of being; difficulties permanently overcome; an omen of success in most things
Silver Fir:
Standard =Ailm ("AHL-m")
a.k.a. = Ailim; Elm
Letter = A
Means = Far seeing, knowledge of the future; Insight; transformation; expanded awareness; change for the better; peak experiences; dreams and visions
Gorse
Standard =Onn ("UHN")
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = O
Means = Collecting/Drawing things to you; combilation of forces; energy; life; vigor; sexuality; attraction; oportunities - though not without potential problems
Heather
Standard = Ur ("OOR")
a.k.a. = Ura; Earth
Letter = U
Means = Healing, homelands; spiritual power; the forces of nature; the coming of a new life; a door opens to the inner world; passion; power; magick; creation
Aspen
Standard = Eadhadh ("EV-uth")
a.k.a. = Eadha ("EH-yuh"); Edad
Letter = E
Means: Struggle in which victory is possible but not certain; a quest for inner strength
Yew
Standard =Iodhadh
a.k.a. = Idho; Iodho ("EE-yuh"); Idad
Letter = I, Y
Means = Death & rebirth; enduring realities; that which remains unchanged; old age; legacies from the past; the consecuences of present actions
White Popular
Standard =Koad ("KO-ud")
a.k.a. = Eadhadh ("EV-uth") ; Ebad; Grove; Elecampane
Letter = EA, CH, K
Means = Buoyancy & floating above problems; complexity; the presence of many factors
Spindle
Standard =Oir ("OR")
a.k.a. = Or
Letter = OI, TH
Means = Community; working within the home; radical transformation; sudden change; illumination or destruction (like a lightening bolt);set in motion by outside forces
Gooseberry
Standard =Uilleandh
a.k.a. = Uileand; Uilen
Letter = UI, IO, PH
Means = Kindreds - especially of nature; speaking & associating with animals; works well with herbs
Honey-Suckle
Standard =Uilleand ("ULL-enth")
a.k.a. = Iphin; Ifin
Letter = IO, IA, P, PE
Means = Drawing things together, binding; secrets & revelations; the influence of the subtle and seemingly insignificant; small causes with large effects; insight into the nature of the situation
Witchhazel
Standard =Mor ("MOHR")
a.k.a. = Phagos, Emhancholl, Emancoll ("EM-un-coll"); coll crossed
Letter = AE, X, XI
Means = Magick & Hidden Knowledge; Unexpected change; the arravial of new influences; the effectss of destiny
Norway Maple
Standard =Mailp
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = n/a
Assoc = Modifier of the Land
Rush (reed)
Standard =Brobh
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = n/a
Assoc = Modifier of the Sea
Bird Cherry
Standard =Craobh Fhiodhag
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = n/a
Assoc = Modifier of the Sky
Reading Oghams'
Speading a white cloth on the ground or table, hold the bag containing the discs up to the gods and ask the gods' blessing and guidance on divination. Shake the bag while praying - this allows the "proper Oghams" to come to the top. Grab the first 3 disks - unless something directs you to dig deeper - With te 3 Oghams drawn lay them on the white divination cloth from left to right/ The Left (answer from the Ancestors) , Middle (answer from Nature Spirits), Right (answer from the Shining Ones) - OR - The answers con be time related as in Past, Present, Future, depending on the questions asked. Here is the lost of all the Ohams (without symbols find those at the above web site).
The meaning of the woods in Druidry is the same as found in the Tree Oghams Attributes which is why I list them here:
Birch:
Standard Name =Beith ("BEH")
a.k.a. = Beth, Beithe, Beith
Letter = B
Means = New Beginings, Changes, prurification, sometimes challenges or personal changes in life; renewal and rebirth; may be discomforts involved - it is a favorable sign in most matters
Rowan:
Standard = Luis ("LWEESH"); Herb
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = L
Means = Protection & Control of Senses, Controling your life, protection from the controling forces of others; clarity & attention to details; concentration on task at hand; purification; choice between 2 paths
Akler:
Standard =Fern
a.k.a. = Phagos ("FAH-gos"); Beech; Iphin ("IFF-in"); vineyard
Letter = F
Means = Guidance, Assoc w/ Bran, Helping in making choices, spiritual guidance and protection; knowledge & lore; learning; study; education; the wisdom of the past as a guide to the future & present
Alder:
Standard =Fearn ("FAIR-n")
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = V
Means = Protection & guidance; bridge over deep waters; steadfastness; good advice received from others or your own inner depths; spiritual guidance and insite; the presence of the gods; an unexpected way past a difficulty
Willow:
Standard =Saille ("SAHL-yuh")
a.k.a. = Sail
Letter = S
Means = Mysteries & Water related subjects; Feminine attributes; gaining balance in your life; moving with the flow of events; intuition; dreaming; the unconscious; faith in personal vision. NOTE - since willow is associated with weeping sometimes balance comes through painful experiences
Ash:
Standard =Nuin ("NOO-in")
a.k.a. = Nin; Nion; Letter
Letter = N
Means = Ancients Knowledgs; the weavers beam; locked into a chain of events; feeling bound; connection & transformation; relationship to a larger contect; events may be more importantthan they appear
Hawthorn:
Standard =Huath ("OO-ah")
a.k.a. = Uath
Letter = H
Means = Counseling; protection & cleansing; being held back for a period of time; patience; reserve; retreat; a time of waiting planning; success after a delay; temporary obstacles
Oak:
Standard =Duir ("DOO-er")
a.k.a. = Dair
Letter = D
Means= Wisdom; Strength; security; success; forward movement; attainment; power & energy; a door opens to the outer world
Holly:
Standard =Tinne ("CHIN-yuh")
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = T
Means = Justice & Balance; Energy; guidance for problems to come; conflict; challenge; struggle against opposing forces; victory against odds; change in fortune; descisive action is favored.
Hazel:
Standard =Coll ("CULL")
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = C
Means = Wisdom & intuition; creative energies for work or projects; knowledge; intelligence; transformation & flexibility; communication and teaching;new information
Apple:
Standard =Quert ("KWEIRT")
a.k.a. = Queirt; Cert
Letter = Q
Means = Otherworld; a choice must be made; healing; happiness; recovery; awakenings * new experiences; an unexpected gift; rewards of success
Vine:
Standard =Muin ("MUHN")
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = M
Means = New Beginings; inner development occuring; take time for relaxation; inspiration; prophecy; unexpected truths; ; freedom from limits & restrictions
Ivy:
Standard =Gort
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = G
Means = New Beginings; Take time to soul search or you'll make wrong descisions; purpose; determination; self-control; slow and indirect progress; movement in round-about paths
Reed:
Standard =nGetal ("NYEH-tal"), wound
a.k.a. = nGeadal, nGetal
Letter = NG
Means = New Beginings; upsets, surprises; swiftness; sudden movement; instability; healing; change for the better; a message or an opportunity; not yet finished w/ your work
Blackthorn:
Standard =Straif, sulpher
a.k.a. = Straiph
Letter = SS, Z, ST (depending on the practitioner)
Means = Trouble & negativity; necessity & inevitability; hard realities in life; something that cannot be changed; results of one's own actions; a difficult path must be taken; the influences of Fate
Elder:
Standard =Ruis ("RWEESH")
a.k.a. = Reddening
Letter = R
Means = Enterence to the Otherworld; the Fae Folk; Healing; resolution; completion; transition from one state of being; difficulties permanently overcome; an omen of success in most things
Silver Fir:
Standard =Ailm ("AHL-m")
a.k.a. = Ailim; Elm
Letter = A
Means = Far seeing, knowledge of the future; Insight; transformation; expanded awareness; change for the better; peak experiences; dreams and visions
Gorse
Standard =Onn ("UHN")
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = O
Means = Collecting/Drawing things to you; combilation of forces; energy; life; vigor; sexuality; attraction; oportunities - though not without potential problems
Heather
Standard = Ur ("OOR")
a.k.a. = Ura; Earth
Letter = U
Means = Healing, homelands; spiritual power; the forces of nature; the coming of a new life; a door opens to the inner world; passion; power; magick; creation
Aspen
Standard = Eadhadh ("EV-uth")
a.k.a. = Eadha ("EH-yuh"); Edad
Letter = E
Means: Struggle in which victory is possible but not certain; a quest for inner strength
Yew
Standard =Iodhadh
a.k.a. = Idho; Iodho ("EE-yuh"); Idad
Letter = I, Y
Means = Death & rebirth; enduring realities; that which remains unchanged; old age; legacies from the past; the consecuences of present actions
White Popular
Standard =Koad ("KO-ud")
a.k.a. = Eadhadh ("EV-uth") ; Ebad; Grove; Elecampane
Letter = EA, CH, K
Means = Buoyancy & floating above problems; complexity; the presence of many factors
Spindle
Standard =Oir ("OR")
a.k.a. = Or
Letter = OI, TH
Means = Community; working within the home; radical transformation; sudden change; illumination or destruction (like a lightening bolt);set in motion by outside forces
Gooseberry
Standard =Uilleandh
a.k.a. = Uileand; Uilen
Letter = UI, IO, PH
Means = Kindreds - especially of nature; speaking & associating with animals; works well with herbs
Honey-Suckle
Standard =Uilleand ("ULL-enth")
a.k.a. = Iphin; Ifin
Letter = IO, IA, P, PE
Means = Drawing things together, binding; secrets & revelations; the influence of the subtle and seemingly insignificant; small causes with large effects; insight into the nature of the situation
Witchhazel
Standard =Mor ("MOHR")
a.k.a. = Phagos, Emhancholl, Emancoll ("EM-un-coll"); coll crossed
Letter = AE, X, XI
Means = Magick & Hidden Knowledge; Unexpected change; the arravial of new influences; the effectss of destiny
Norway Maple
Standard =Mailp
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = n/a
Assoc = Modifier of the Land
Rush (reed)
Standard =Brobh
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = n/a
Assoc = Modifier of the Sea
Bird Cherry
Standard =Craobh Fhiodhag
a.k.a. = n/a
Letter = n/a
Assoc = Modifier of the Sky
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Celtic Goddess of the Day
AIFE
(Irish, Scottish) Also spelled Aoife. Aife was a Goddess and queen of the Isle of Shadow, an honor she shared with her rival and sister Scathach. Scathach operated a school on the Isle where she trained fighters, including the nearly invincible Red Branch warriors. Aife also ran a school for warriors, but was much less successful than her sister.Aife was not vulnerable to magick, and commanded a legion of fierce horsewomen. She had a son by Cuchulain whom she kept from Cuchulain until the boy was of age to join the Red Branch.Other sources place her as a consort of the sea God Manannan or one of his sons, and say she stole an Alphabet of Knowledge from the deities to give to humankind. For this transgression, and her general meanness, she was transformed into a crane by the elder deities. Some legends say she haunts the countryside in this form to this day, others that she was accidentally killed by hunters. Call on Aife for protection, for general knowledge, or for aid in teaching.
(Irish, Scottish) Also spelled Aoife. Aife was a Goddess and queen of the Isle of Shadow, an honor she shared with her rival and sister Scathach. Scathach operated a school on the Isle where she trained fighters, including the nearly invincible Red Branch warriors. Aife also ran a school for warriors, but was much less successful than her sister.Aife was not vulnerable to magick, and commanded a legion of fierce horsewomen. She had a son by Cuchulain whom she kept from Cuchulain until the boy was of age to join the Red Branch.Other sources place her as a consort of the sea God Manannan or one of his sons, and say she stole an Alphabet of Knowledge from the deities to give to humankind. For this transgression, and her general meanness, she was transformed into a crane by the elder deities. Some legends say she haunts the countryside in this form to this day, others that she was accidentally killed by hunters. Call on Aife for protection, for general knowledge, or for aid in teaching.
NEXT SABBAT / ESBAT
HEADS UP
The next High Holy Day is coming up fast......
June 21 = the Summer Solstice
Check back over this weekend for an explanation of the holiday as well as ways to celebrate and my personal High Holy Day Ritual!!
Brightest Blessings
The next High Holy Day is coming up fast......
June 21 = the Summer Solstice
Check back over this weekend for an explanation of the holiday as well as ways to celebrate and my personal High Holy Day Ritual!!
Brightest Blessings
Monday, May 14, 2007
Celtic Deity of Today
Arianrhod
by Karen Davis copied from ExcyclopediaMythica (www.pantheon.org)
Arianrhod ("silver wheel", thus, the moon), is one of the descendants of Don. She had two brothers, Gilfaethwy and Gwydion the sister of Math ap Mathonwy, whose quality was that he required a virgin's lap to place his feet in, unless he was at war. When this virgin was raped, Math asked for a replacement, and Arianrhod volunteered. But when she stepped over his rod, she immediately gave birth to two children: a young boy and a blob. (This is likely because the word morwyn may mean either 'virgin' or 'free young woman', but it also indicates her divine status.)
The boychild was named Dylan; he was a sea-being who returned to the waves. The blob was snatched up by Arianrhod's brother Gwydion, who hid it in a chest until it grew into a baby. Arainrhod imposed three geases upon this boy: he would have no name unless she named him, he would bear no arms unless she armed him, and he would have no human woman to wife. Thus, Arianrhod denied him the three essential passages to manhood. Nevertheless, Gwydion raised the nameless boy, and one day Arianrhod spied a young boy killing a wren with a single flung stone. She called out that he was a bright lion with a sure hand, and thus he took that name: Llew Llaw Gyffes. Later, Gwydion faked an alarm, and tricked her into arming the boy.
by Karen Davis copied from ExcyclopediaMythica (www.pantheon.org)
Arianrhod ("silver wheel", thus, the moon), is one of the descendants of Don. She had two brothers, Gilfaethwy and Gwydion the sister of Math ap Mathonwy, whose quality was that he required a virgin's lap to place his feet in, unless he was at war. When this virgin was raped, Math asked for a replacement, and Arianrhod volunteered. But when she stepped over his rod, she immediately gave birth to two children: a young boy and a blob. (This is likely because the word morwyn may mean either 'virgin' or 'free young woman', but it also indicates her divine status.)
The boychild was named Dylan; he was a sea-being who returned to the waves. The blob was snatched up by Arianrhod's brother Gwydion, who hid it in a chest until it grew into a baby. Arainrhod imposed three geases upon this boy: he would have no name unless she named him, he would bear no arms unless she armed him, and he would have no human woman to wife. Thus, Arianrhod denied him the three essential passages to manhood. Nevertheless, Gwydion raised the nameless boy, and one day Arianrhod spied a young boy killing a wren with a single flung stone. She called out that he was a bright lion with a sure hand, and thus he took that name: Llew Llaw Gyffes. Later, Gwydion faked an alarm, and tricked her into arming the boy.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Faery Folk and Kin: Magickal Associations & Explanations
Work in progress.......
CREATURES
Barguest: Brittish. One name for the phantom black dog. In appearance the Barguest was as large as a calf, with long sharp fangs and claws, fiery eyes and a shaggy black coat. The Barguest seems to have been a name used relatively widely for a shapeshifting creature, which could also appear in the shape of a bear, indeed the name Barguest may derive from the German for 'bear ghost'. In common with many supernatural creatures, the Barguest could not cross running water, and as a black dog it was often seen as a death portent.
Cait Sith: Scotland. Also known as a "Faery Cat"; it is as big as a dog and completely black - except for a small white patch on its chest. It can be ferocious when stumbled upon.
Church Grim or Kirk Grim: The guardian of old churchyards in the form of a black dog, it protected the dead from the Devil, demons and other nefarious supernatural creatures. The dog was often seen on stormy nights and was regarded as a portent of death. It has been surmised that the Church Grim is a folk memory of a sacrifice. It was believed in the past that the first burial in a churchyard would have to watch over the rest of the dead. A dog may have been buried first in place of a human. Phantom black dogs are numerous in Britain, and almost every area has its own variant. Although not all of these are thought to be derived from a folk memory of a sacrifice, the practice was once widespread.
Cwn Annwn: (coon anoon) Welsh, means hounds of the otherworld(underworld), are phantom dogs seen as a death portent. Also known as "Hounds of the Hill", "Herla's Hounds". Their growling is louder when they are at a distance, and as they draw near the growling grows softer and softer. Annwn is the Welsh underworld, a place ruled by Gwyn ap Nudd or by Arawn, who is one in the same character. In Welsh stories this land is the ever-living, and is full of magical beasts and treasures. Almost every area in Britain has its version of phantom or fairy dogs.
Cu Sith: Scotland, "Faery Dog". A supernatural green dog with long shaggy fur; it was roughly the size of a large calf but not dangerous to meet. It could hunt in total silence but when its prize was reached it would let out 3 barks that could be heard for miles.
Kelpie: A supernatural Water Elemental. Takes the form of a horse; malevolent.
The Glaistig: The Glaistig was a solitary supernatural being of the Scottish Highlands, with the upper half of a woman and the lower half of a goat, although she was also believed to appear in human and animal form. Her skin was grey, and long golden hair fell about her body. Like many of the fairy races she was often seen clothed in green, in the form of a long flowing robe, which covered her goat half. In the diverse and changing traditions of the Highlands, the Glaistig was seen as both benevolent and malevolent towards humans. In one aspect she even takes the role of the Banshee, wailing at the death of important people. She was also thought of as a trickster - throwing stones and leading travellers astray from their paths. In her gentler role she was seen as a mischievous friend to children, and in older stories she was even trusted to play with children while their mothers were milking the cows. The Glaistig was also closely linked to cattle, and in some forms is seen as a herder of domestic cattle, and of wild deer. Libations of milk were poured for her, especially on selected stones; this veneration may be linked with older fertility customs.
Gwartheg Y Llyn (gwarrthey er thlin): Welsh. Faery cattle. You could milk it and it would never run dry. They birthed new cattle without the use of a stud and if you killed one for meat another magically appeared.
Mermaids: Welsh. Tales of mermaids have been around for centuries, and form a large part of seafaring lore, especially round the coastal areas of Britain such as Cornwall, and the Northern Isles of Scotland. Their sighting was thought to be a bad omen, foretelling storms and rough seas. The descriptions of mermaids were remarkably similar from the tip of Cornwall, to the Outer Hebrides. Generally their upper body was that of a beautiful woman with long hair, and the lower half of their body from the waist down, was that of a fish. In many of the classic descriptions mermaids are to be found sitting on a rock just off the shore, combing their hair, singing sweetly and admiring their beauty in a hand mirror. Their beautiful singing brings men into their clutches much like the classical sirens, and the unfortunate victims are either drowned, spirited to their world, or eaten in the depths of the sea. Mermaids Rock, near Lamorna on the Eastern tip of Cornwall was one such haunted seat, the mermaid was said sing the local fishermen to their deaths. Sometimes mermaids are compelled from the water by mortal singing. In some tales mermaids are more benevolent, and have the ability to grant the gift of magical powers, but usually there is a still high price to pay. As well as granting wishes there are tales of mermaids intermarrying with humans and creating hybrid children with some powers of faery. Although most tales describe sea dwelling mermaids they were not restricted to the sea, and there are several examples of mermaids haunting rivers and deep pools. There have been several actual recorded sightings of mermaids over the last few hundred years, even into the 20th century, especially in places where the old beliefs die hard.
Nuckelavee: One of the most fearsome and gruesomely described supernatural creatures, the Nuckelavee inhabited parts of Northern Scotland. The creature's home was in the sea but it ventured on land often to feast upon humans. The Nuckelavee rode a horse on land, and its horse was sometimes indistinguishable with its own body. Its head was ten times larger than that of a mans, and its mouth thrust out like a pigs with a wide gaping maw. The creature had no skin, and its yellow veins, muscle structure and sinews, could clearly be seen covered in a red slimy film. The creature was armed with venomous breath and great strength. It did however have one weakness, an aversion to fresh water. The horse on which it rode, is described as having one red eye, a mouth the size of a whales and flappers like fins around its forelegs. Although the horse was sometimes seen as part of the creature's own body.
Silkies: Silkies are shape shifting sea fairies usually in the form of bright-eyed seals. They are localised to Northern Scotland and the Shetland Islands. Silkies often came on to land in human form, where they would dance, especially on the night of the full moon. In taking human form the Silkies shed their sealskin, and hide them in a safe place. There are many tales from the clans of leaders taking Silkie wives by stealing their skins. The Silkies are said to make good wives but always long for the sea, and return to their seal form if they gain repossession of their skins. The silkies can be identified in their human form by their webbed fingers and toes and their ability to swim underwater for long periods of time.
WOMEN
Bean Nighe: The tradition of 'The Washerwomen at the Ford' seems to have its roots in Celtic legend and myth. She appears in the Irish stories and can be identified as the crone aspect of the triple goddess. The Bean Nighe could be found at the side of desolate streams and pools washing the bloodstained clothing of those who are about to meet their maker. In appearance she was small in stature, always dressed in green and had webbed feet. Although the Bean Nighe was often seen as an evil portent she was not always a portent of ones own death as in the Irish version, and if approached in the correct way she would grant wishes. All you had to do was get in between her and the water. You would then be given the opportunity to ask three wishes and three questions, but three questions would have to be given truthfully in return, in the form of a traditional exchange between humans and supernatural creatures.
Bean Sidhe / Bean-sidhe (ban-shee) : Ireland. "Woman Faery"; a spirit attached to certain families. When a member's death approaches, the family will hear th Bean-sidhe crying (keening). Not always terrifying as is thought in modern myths. In actuality they are mothering protectors of a family for generations and feel the losses keenly.
Black Annis: Brittish. The area around the Dane Hills in Leicestershire, (now built upon) was said to be haunted by a creature known as Black Annis, possibly the remnants of some pagan goddess in darker times. She took the form of a one eyed wizened crone, immensely strong with sharp tearing teeth, long black claws and a blue face. She was said to hide in a giant oak, long since felled, that was once the remnants of a great forest, which covered the area. From this lofty perch she would leap out and eviscerate unwary travellers. Although partial to all human flesh she took particular delight in eating young children, whom she flayed alive. She then hung their skins like a grisly trophy upon the walls of a cave known as Black Annis's Bower. She is said to have created the cave with her bare hands tearing through the rock with her iron claws. Black Annis was also identified with a huge cat. A drag hunt with the body of a dead cat was carried out from the Bower into Leicestershire until the 18th century.
Boabhan Sith: The Baobhan Sith is a particularly evil and dangerous female vampire from the highlands of Scotland. They were supposed to prey on unwary travellers in the glens and mountains. The name suggests a form of Banshee.
Cailleach Bheur in Scotland; Cailleach Beare in Ireland : "The Blue Hag". A cross between the Underworld Goddess and a faery spirit. She has fangs and sometimes three faces - thus making her into a triple deity or being. She was associated with winter in that she was re-born every Samhain and brought in winter - she carries a magickal staff that freezed the ground wherever it touches. She also protected animals throughout the winter months.
Caoineag (konyack): Scotland "The Weeper"; a Bean-sidhe; (still researching)
Cyhyreath (kerherrighth): Wales. A for of a bean-sidhe. It usually cries or groans before multiple deaths by an epidemic or accident.
Gwrach-y-rhybin: Welsh; a Bean Sidhe. A hideous hag who haunts Welsh families, and is also associated with specific places,warning of death or danger and would lament the passing of a family member.In appearance she has matted black hair, overlong arms, black teeth and a hooked nose.
PROTECTORS
Brownie: Bwca, Bwbachod in Wales; Bodach (budagh) in the Scottish Highlands, Fendoree in Man; Pixies or Pisgies in the West Country of England; Bockle in Scotland. They are about 3 feet high and dress in brown colors. They have brown faces and shaggy hair. Brownies make themselves responsible for the house where they protect by coming out at night to complete the (human) families unfinished work. Any offer of reward will drive them away, but they expect an occasional bowl of milk and piece of cake to be left out. Tradition sayes they do not like teetotallers or ministers. If offended, brownies will create malicious mischief. They are protectors and assist the family they care-for for generations.
Coblynau: (Koblernigh) Wales; {Known as Kobolds in Germany}. Mine spirits, similar to knockers. About 18 inches high, they like to dress as miners. Although they are ugly, they are good-humored and will knock where rich ores are to be found.
Gnomes: Earth Elementals. They live underground and guard th treasures of the Earth. Gnomes are wonderful metal workers, especialy of swords or armor.
FAERY GROUPS
Dryads: All Celtic countries. Spirits who dewll in trees, oaks in particular. They were contacted by Druids and shamans for inspiration.
Ellyyllon (ethlerthlon): Wales. Faeries whose queen is Mab. Their food is toadstools and faery butter, a fungus found on tehroots of old trees. Similar to the English Will O the Wisp, it appears as a light and misleads travellers from their path.Along with black dogs, tales of fairy lights are common throughout Britain, with a different name given to a similar phenomena. In general they are seen as malevolent, guiding lone travellers into treacherous bogs. The belief may arise from the natural production and combustion of methane in boggy areas
Elves: Another name for the Trooping Faeries of Britain. In Scotland they are divided into he Seelie and the Unseelie courts. The name is also applied to small faery boys. Elf-shot describes an illness or disability supposedly caused by their arrows. Elves, like many kinds of Fae, can also appear in size from quite small to human size.
Fenoderee/Phynnodderee (fin-ord-er-ree): Isle of Man. Brownies who are large, ugly and hairy.
Goblins / Hob-Goblins: Small, grotesque but friendly Brownie-type creatures.
Piskies or Pixie: The Piskie is a general name for a fairy race or tribe in Cornwall while Pixie was from the West Country. In appearance they look like old men with wrinkled faces, and are small in stature with red hair. They dress in the colours of the earth especially green, using natural materials such as moss, grass and lichen. Generally the piskies are seen as cheerful creatures with a prankish nature. They are said to be helpful but also mischievous, helping the elderly and infirm whilst sometimes leading the more able bodied traveller astray on the lonely moors. Many stories relate to travellers being led into the wild moorland to become hopelessly lost because of the Piskies. There are many legends attached to the origin of the piskies (and other fairies). Some people saw them as the souls of pagans who could not transcend to heaven, and they were also seen as the remnants of pagan gods, banished with the coming of Christianity. In tradition they are doomed to shrink in size until they disappear. Another theory suggested they were the souls of babies who had not been Christened, a story championed by early clergymen, and one which has often been used to explain fairy origins.
The Spriggans: a family of fairies in Cornish folklore, they are the closely related to the Piskies, but were generally believed to be darker and more dangerous than their mischievous cousins. Whereas Piskies are generally described as being cheerful and fun loving, Spriggans are more spiteful and full of malice, directed at humans in the form of evil tricks. It was believed that the Spriggans haunted the lonely places such as castle ruins, barrows, certain standing stones and windswept crags. Spriggans were thought to be the source of such misfortunes as blighted crops, bad weather and illness, especially in a time when the mechanics of such things were not fully understood. They were also want to steal small children and replace them with their own kind, a common trait in many of the fairy races of folklore. In appearance the Spriggans are described as grotesquely ugly with wizened features and crooked skinny bodies. They form part of the fairy bodyguard as described by Bottrell and Hunt, ready to dish out summary justice to those who would harm their otherworldly cousins. In this defensive respect they could expand from their diminutive stature to giant sized proportions. One of their common traits was to lead lonely travellers into swamps or near to dangerous and crumbling cliffs, a factor they share in common with the Will o' the Wisp and the Piskies. Although the Piskies would not lead people to dangerous places.
Snow Faeries: Also known as Frost Faeries, Winter Faeries, Jack Frost, The Frost King, Old Man Winter, or the Snow Queen. Snow Faeries take on many different appearances depending in which land they live in. In some lands they are trooping faeries like the Pillywiggins, who collectively help bring winter to the world. In this instance they are small, winged creatures, dressed in white. As and individual being, such as Jack Frost, he is a solitary male. No record has ever been kept of their attitudes towards humans, but they appear to have no interest in us at all. Snow Faeries are not just faeries but a single pervasive personification of winter which is part of the faery lore of the entire northern hemisphere. These faeries bring on winter, encourage the snow, and paint frost on windowpanes. Before science was able to understand the simple principles of condensation, no doubt the picturesque frost left on windowpanes during the night took on a magickal quality. Found in the winter of Faeryland, in a night winter woods, or near winter streams and lakes.
Cluricaun or Clobhair-ceann: Ireland. A solitary faery who lives in cellars and likes to drink wine and other spirits. A cross between a leprichaun and a hobgoblin (see below).
Far Darrig / Fear Dearg / Fear Dearc. Ireland. "Red Man"; a solitary faery who wears a red cap and coat and likes to indulge in greusome practical jokes. However, farmers consider them lucky to have around.
Fear-Gorta: Ireland. "Man of Hungar"; a solitary fae who roams the land during bouts of famine; he brings good luck to those who give hom money or food.
Fin-Bheara (fin-vara) / Fionnbharr (fyunn-varr) / Findabair (finnavar): Ireland. "The Faery King of Ulster", sometimes called the "King of the Dead". Although he was married to the Faery Lady, he still courted beautiful mortals.
Gean-canach: Ireland; "Love Talker". A solitary faery who personifies love and idleness. He appears with a dudeen (pipe) in his mouth. It was considered un-lucky to meet him.
GENERIC FAE NAMES
Bendith Y Mamau: Welsh Bendith Y Mamau means 'the mothers blessing' and is a generic name for the fairies, especially in Southern Wales. In appearance the fairies are described as small and ugly, and are most readily identified with the Brownies, or the West Country Pixies, although they have the characterisations of most fairies. The Bendith Y Mamau were particularly ready to steal small children and replace them with their own changelings known as Crimbils. It was thought that they needed to improve their stock with mortal blood. Mothers had to take precautions not to leave their babies unattended in fairy country. There were various methods of retrieving mortal children from the clutches of the Bendith Y Mamau, many of them barbaric to the poor child suspected of being a Crimbil. Calling the fairies by the flattering title of the 'Mothers Blessing' was thought to appease them. The other name for the fairies in Wales is the Tylweth Teg meaning the fair folk.
Daoine Sidhe (theena shee): Ireland. A name for the Fae people.
Faeries / Fairies: The earlier name was Fae's. The term faery now covers all Anglo-Saxon Elves, the Dione Sidhe of the Highlands; the Tuatha de Danann of Ireland, the Tylwyth Teg of Wales, the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, the Wee Folk, Good Neighbors, and many more.
Ferrishyn (ferrishin): Osle of Man. Name for the Faery Tribe.
Gentry: Irish. Name for all the Faeries
The Good Folk: General term for faeries.
Tylwyth Teg: This is a general name for the fairies in Wales, it means the fair folk. Like the Bendith y Mamau the flattering name was thought to appease them. In appearance the Tylwyth Teg were small in stature with golden hair, a common trait in many fairies. They were thought to live under hollow hills and in deep crevices, and to frequent ancient places such as Bronze Age Barrows or cromlechs. Like other fairy folk they often interacted with mortals in the past, and it was possible to gain a fairy wife, although they always longed to return to their own people. According to many stories time in their realm passed much slower than in ours, a day in their realm could be a year or a hundred years in ours.This difference could prove disastrous for any Mortals returning from the fairy realm.
Will o' the Wisp: There are various explanations for the Will o' the Wisps, the most general being that they are malevolent spirits either of the dead or non-human intelligence. They have a mischievous and often malevolent nature, luring unwary travellers into dangerous situations. They were not always so dangerous, and there are tales told about the Will o' the Wisp being guardians of treasure, leading those brave enough to follow them to sure riches. In many places the Will o' the Wisp were associated with spirits of the dead who could not enter either heaven or hell, malignantly wandering the earth leading foolish travellers astray. The lights were also seen as death omens, and when seen within graveyards they were known as corpse lights. These were said to light the path of a coming funeral - from the victims home to the graveyard - in the form of small flickering flames. In other tales the light were often said to appear in places where a tragedy was about to occur.
more to come!!
CREATURES
Barguest: Brittish. One name for the phantom black dog. In appearance the Barguest was as large as a calf, with long sharp fangs and claws, fiery eyes and a shaggy black coat. The Barguest seems to have been a name used relatively widely for a shapeshifting creature, which could also appear in the shape of a bear, indeed the name Barguest may derive from the German for 'bear ghost'. In common with many supernatural creatures, the Barguest could not cross running water, and as a black dog it was often seen as a death portent.
Cait Sith: Scotland. Also known as a "Faery Cat"; it is as big as a dog and completely black - except for a small white patch on its chest. It can be ferocious when stumbled upon.
Church Grim or Kirk Grim: The guardian of old churchyards in the form of a black dog, it protected the dead from the Devil, demons and other nefarious supernatural creatures. The dog was often seen on stormy nights and was regarded as a portent of death. It has been surmised that the Church Grim is a folk memory of a sacrifice. It was believed in the past that the first burial in a churchyard would have to watch over the rest of the dead. A dog may have been buried first in place of a human. Phantom black dogs are numerous in Britain, and almost every area has its own variant. Although not all of these are thought to be derived from a folk memory of a sacrifice, the practice was once widespread.
Cwn Annwn: (coon anoon) Welsh, means hounds of the otherworld(underworld), are phantom dogs seen as a death portent. Also known as "Hounds of the Hill", "Herla's Hounds". Their growling is louder when they are at a distance, and as they draw near the growling grows softer and softer. Annwn is the Welsh underworld, a place ruled by Gwyn ap Nudd or by Arawn, who is one in the same character. In Welsh stories this land is the ever-living, and is full of magical beasts and treasures. Almost every area in Britain has its version of phantom or fairy dogs.
Cu Sith: Scotland, "Faery Dog". A supernatural green dog with long shaggy fur; it was roughly the size of a large calf but not dangerous to meet. It could hunt in total silence but when its prize was reached it would let out 3 barks that could be heard for miles.
Kelpie: A supernatural Water Elemental. Takes the form of a horse; malevolent.
The Glaistig: The Glaistig was a solitary supernatural being of the Scottish Highlands, with the upper half of a woman and the lower half of a goat, although she was also believed to appear in human and animal form. Her skin was grey, and long golden hair fell about her body. Like many of the fairy races she was often seen clothed in green, in the form of a long flowing robe, which covered her goat half. In the diverse and changing traditions of the Highlands, the Glaistig was seen as both benevolent and malevolent towards humans. In one aspect she even takes the role of the Banshee, wailing at the death of important people. She was also thought of as a trickster - throwing stones and leading travellers astray from their paths. In her gentler role she was seen as a mischievous friend to children, and in older stories she was even trusted to play with children while their mothers were milking the cows. The Glaistig was also closely linked to cattle, and in some forms is seen as a herder of domestic cattle, and of wild deer. Libations of milk were poured for her, especially on selected stones; this veneration may be linked with older fertility customs.
Gwartheg Y Llyn (gwarrthey er thlin): Welsh. Faery cattle. You could milk it and it would never run dry. They birthed new cattle without the use of a stud and if you killed one for meat another magically appeared.
Mermaids: Welsh. Tales of mermaids have been around for centuries, and form a large part of seafaring lore, especially round the coastal areas of Britain such as Cornwall, and the Northern Isles of Scotland. Their sighting was thought to be a bad omen, foretelling storms and rough seas. The descriptions of mermaids were remarkably similar from the tip of Cornwall, to the Outer Hebrides. Generally their upper body was that of a beautiful woman with long hair, and the lower half of their body from the waist down, was that of a fish. In many of the classic descriptions mermaids are to be found sitting on a rock just off the shore, combing their hair, singing sweetly and admiring their beauty in a hand mirror. Their beautiful singing brings men into their clutches much like the classical sirens, and the unfortunate victims are either drowned, spirited to their world, or eaten in the depths of the sea. Mermaids Rock, near Lamorna on the Eastern tip of Cornwall was one such haunted seat, the mermaid was said sing the local fishermen to their deaths. Sometimes mermaids are compelled from the water by mortal singing. In some tales mermaids are more benevolent, and have the ability to grant the gift of magical powers, but usually there is a still high price to pay. As well as granting wishes there are tales of mermaids intermarrying with humans and creating hybrid children with some powers of faery. Although most tales describe sea dwelling mermaids they were not restricted to the sea, and there are several examples of mermaids haunting rivers and deep pools. There have been several actual recorded sightings of mermaids over the last few hundred years, even into the 20th century, especially in places where the old beliefs die hard.
Nuckelavee: One of the most fearsome and gruesomely described supernatural creatures, the Nuckelavee inhabited parts of Northern Scotland. The creature's home was in the sea but it ventured on land often to feast upon humans. The Nuckelavee rode a horse on land, and its horse was sometimes indistinguishable with its own body. Its head was ten times larger than that of a mans, and its mouth thrust out like a pigs with a wide gaping maw. The creature had no skin, and its yellow veins, muscle structure and sinews, could clearly be seen covered in a red slimy film. The creature was armed with venomous breath and great strength. It did however have one weakness, an aversion to fresh water. The horse on which it rode, is described as having one red eye, a mouth the size of a whales and flappers like fins around its forelegs. Although the horse was sometimes seen as part of the creature's own body.
Silkies: Silkies are shape shifting sea fairies usually in the form of bright-eyed seals. They are localised to Northern Scotland and the Shetland Islands. Silkies often came on to land in human form, where they would dance, especially on the night of the full moon. In taking human form the Silkies shed their sealskin, and hide them in a safe place. There are many tales from the clans of leaders taking Silkie wives by stealing their skins. The Silkies are said to make good wives but always long for the sea, and return to their seal form if they gain repossession of their skins. The silkies can be identified in their human form by their webbed fingers and toes and their ability to swim underwater for long periods of time.
WOMEN
Bean Nighe: The tradition of 'The Washerwomen at the Ford' seems to have its roots in Celtic legend and myth. She appears in the Irish stories and can be identified as the crone aspect of the triple goddess. The Bean Nighe could be found at the side of desolate streams and pools washing the bloodstained clothing of those who are about to meet their maker. In appearance she was small in stature, always dressed in green and had webbed feet. Although the Bean Nighe was often seen as an evil portent she was not always a portent of ones own death as in the Irish version, and if approached in the correct way she would grant wishes. All you had to do was get in between her and the water. You would then be given the opportunity to ask three wishes and three questions, but three questions would have to be given truthfully in return, in the form of a traditional exchange between humans and supernatural creatures.
Bean Sidhe / Bean-sidhe (ban-shee) : Ireland. "Woman Faery"; a spirit attached to certain families. When a member's death approaches, the family will hear th Bean-sidhe crying (keening). Not always terrifying as is thought in modern myths. In actuality they are mothering protectors of a family for generations and feel the losses keenly.
Black Annis: Brittish. The area around the Dane Hills in Leicestershire, (now built upon) was said to be haunted by a creature known as Black Annis, possibly the remnants of some pagan goddess in darker times. She took the form of a one eyed wizened crone, immensely strong with sharp tearing teeth, long black claws and a blue face. She was said to hide in a giant oak, long since felled, that was once the remnants of a great forest, which covered the area. From this lofty perch she would leap out and eviscerate unwary travellers. Although partial to all human flesh she took particular delight in eating young children, whom she flayed alive. She then hung their skins like a grisly trophy upon the walls of a cave known as Black Annis's Bower. She is said to have created the cave with her bare hands tearing through the rock with her iron claws. Black Annis was also identified with a huge cat. A drag hunt with the body of a dead cat was carried out from the Bower into Leicestershire until the 18th century.
Boabhan Sith: The Baobhan Sith is a particularly evil and dangerous female vampire from the highlands of Scotland. They were supposed to prey on unwary travellers in the glens and mountains. The name suggests a form of Banshee.
Cailleach Bheur in Scotland; Cailleach Beare in Ireland : "The Blue Hag". A cross between the Underworld Goddess and a faery spirit. She has fangs and sometimes three faces - thus making her into a triple deity or being. She was associated with winter in that she was re-born every Samhain and brought in winter - she carries a magickal staff that freezed the ground wherever it touches. She also protected animals throughout the winter months.
Caoineag (konyack): Scotland "The Weeper"; a Bean-sidhe; (still researching)
Cyhyreath (kerherrighth): Wales. A for of a bean-sidhe. It usually cries or groans before multiple deaths by an epidemic or accident.
Gwrach-y-rhybin: Welsh; a Bean Sidhe. A hideous hag who haunts Welsh families, and is also associated with specific places,warning of death or danger and would lament the passing of a family member.In appearance she has matted black hair, overlong arms, black teeth and a hooked nose.
PROTECTORS
Brownie: Bwca, Bwbachod in Wales; Bodach (budagh) in the Scottish Highlands, Fendoree in Man; Pixies or Pisgies in the West Country of England; Bockle in Scotland. They are about 3 feet high and dress in brown colors. They have brown faces and shaggy hair. Brownies make themselves responsible for the house where they protect by coming out at night to complete the (human) families unfinished work. Any offer of reward will drive them away, but they expect an occasional bowl of milk and piece of cake to be left out. Tradition sayes they do not like teetotallers or ministers. If offended, brownies will create malicious mischief. They are protectors and assist the family they care-for for generations.
Coblynau: (Koblernigh) Wales; {Known as Kobolds in Germany}. Mine spirits, similar to knockers. About 18 inches high, they like to dress as miners. Although they are ugly, they are good-humored and will knock where rich ores are to be found.
Gnomes: Earth Elementals. They live underground and guard th treasures of the Earth. Gnomes are wonderful metal workers, especialy of swords or armor.
FAERY GROUPS
Dryads: All Celtic countries. Spirits who dewll in trees, oaks in particular. They were contacted by Druids and shamans for inspiration.
Ellyyllon (ethlerthlon): Wales. Faeries whose queen is Mab. Their food is toadstools and faery butter, a fungus found on tehroots of old trees. Similar to the English Will O the Wisp, it appears as a light and misleads travellers from their path.Along with black dogs, tales of fairy lights are common throughout Britain, with a different name given to a similar phenomena. In general they are seen as malevolent, guiding lone travellers into treacherous bogs. The belief may arise from the natural production and combustion of methane in boggy areas
Elves: Another name for the Trooping Faeries of Britain. In Scotland they are divided into he Seelie and the Unseelie courts. The name is also applied to small faery boys. Elf-shot describes an illness or disability supposedly caused by their arrows. Elves, like many kinds of Fae, can also appear in size from quite small to human size.
Fenoderee/Phynnodderee (fin-ord-er-ree): Isle of Man. Brownies who are large, ugly and hairy.
Goblins / Hob-Goblins: Small, grotesque but friendly Brownie-type creatures.
Piskies or Pixie: The Piskie is a general name for a fairy race or tribe in Cornwall while Pixie was from the West Country. In appearance they look like old men with wrinkled faces, and are small in stature with red hair. They dress in the colours of the earth especially green, using natural materials such as moss, grass and lichen. Generally the piskies are seen as cheerful creatures with a prankish nature. They are said to be helpful but also mischievous, helping the elderly and infirm whilst sometimes leading the more able bodied traveller astray on the lonely moors. Many stories relate to travellers being led into the wild moorland to become hopelessly lost because of the Piskies. There are many legends attached to the origin of the piskies (and other fairies). Some people saw them as the souls of pagans who could not transcend to heaven, and they were also seen as the remnants of pagan gods, banished with the coming of Christianity. In tradition they are doomed to shrink in size until they disappear. Another theory suggested they were the souls of babies who had not been Christened, a story championed by early clergymen, and one which has often been used to explain fairy origins.
The Spriggans: a family of fairies in Cornish folklore, they are the closely related to the Piskies, but were generally believed to be darker and more dangerous than their mischievous cousins. Whereas Piskies are generally described as being cheerful and fun loving, Spriggans are more spiteful and full of malice, directed at humans in the form of evil tricks. It was believed that the Spriggans haunted the lonely places such as castle ruins, barrows, certain standing stones and windswept crags. Spriggans were thought to be the source of such misfortunes as blighted crops, bad weather and illness, especially in a time when the mechanics of such things were not fully understood. They were also want to steal small children and replace them with their own kind, a common trait in many of the fairy races of folklore. In appearance the Spriggans are described as grotesquely ugly with wizened features and crooked skinny bodies. They form part of the fairy bodyguard as described by Bottrell and Hunt, ready to dish out summary justice to those who would harm their otherworldly cousins. In this defensive respect they could expand from their diminutive stature to giant sized proportions. One of their common traits was to lead lonely travellers into swamps or near to dangerous and crumbling cliffs, a factor they share in common with the Will o' the Wisp and the Piskies. Although the Piskies would not lead people to dangerous places.
Snow Faeries: Also known as Frost Faeries, Winter Faeries, Jack Frost, The Frost King, Old Man Winter, or the Snow Queen. Snow Faeries take on many different appearances depending in which land they live in. In some lands they are trooping faeries like the Pillywiggins, who collectively help bring winter to the world. In this instance they are small, winged creatures, dressed in white. As and individual being, such as Jack Frost, he is a solitary male. No record has ever been kept of their attitudes towards humans, but they appear to have no interest in us at all. Snow Faeries are not just faeries but a single pervasive personification of winter which is part of the faery lore of the entire northern hemisphere. These faeries bring on winter, encourage the snow, and paint frost on windowpanes. Before science was able to understand the simple principles of condensation, no doubt the picturesque frost left on windowpanes during the night took on a magickal quality. Found in the winter of Faeryland, in a night winter woods, or near winter streams and lakes.
Spunkies: Scotland. Spunkies have never been seen, but they are not friendly faeries. Reports of their appearance varies, but they are all said to be short, ugly, and long-armed. Spunkies are stalkers of "unprotected' children. In the place of the stolen infant they leave an ugly faery changeling. Spunkies may be another faery form that is merely an incomplete thought-form stemming from the unexplainable infant deaths in which a child simply failed to thrive. Unprotected, in this sense, may mean both magically and spiritually. In more modern times the term most certainly meant without benefit of Christian baptism, and in pagan times it meant without formal dedication to the Goddess and the bestowal of a secret name. Modern folklorists are quick to point out that Spunkies are almost unknown today. Robert Burns, Scotland's poet laureate, wrote of Spunkies, saying "...in some miry slough he sunk is Ne'er more to rise."
Cluricaun or Clobhair-ceann: Ireland. A solitary faery who lives in cellars and likes to drink wine and other spirits. A cross between a leprichaun and a hobgoblin (see below).
Far Darrig / Fear Dearg / Fear Dearc. Ireland. "Red Man"; a solitary faery who wears a red cap and coat and likes to indulge in greusome practical jokes. However, farmers consider them lucky to have around.
Fear-Gorta: Ireland. "Man of Hungar"; a solitary fae who roams the land during bouts of famine; he brings good luck to those who give hom money or food.
Fin-Bheara (fin-vara) / Fionnbharr (fyunn-varr) / Findabair (finnavar): Ireland. "The Faery King of Ulster", sometimes called the "King of the Dead". Although he was married to the Faery Lady, he still courted beautiful mortals.
Gean-canach: Ireland; "Love Talker". A solitary faery who personifies love and idleness. He appears with a dudeen (pipe) in his mouth. It was considered un-lucky to meet him.
GENERIC FAE NAMES
Bendith Y Mamau: Welsh Bendith Y Mamau means 'the mothers blessing' and is a generic name for the fairies, especially in Southern Wales. In appearance the fairies are described as small and ugly, and are most readily identified with the Brownies, or the West Country Pixies, although they have the characterisations of most fairies. The Bendith Y Mamau were particularly ready to steal small children and replace them with their own changelings known as Crimbils. It was thought that they needed to improve their stock with mortal blood. Mothers had to take precautions not to leave their babies unattended in fairy country. There were various methods of retrieving mortal children from the clutches of the Bendith Y Mamau, many of them barbaric to the poor child suspected of being a Crimbil. Calling the fairies by the flattering title of the 'Mothers Blessing' was thought to appease them. The other name for the fairies in Wales is the Tylweth Teg meaning the fair folk.
Daoine Sidhe (theena shee): Ireland. A name for the Fae people.
Faeries / Fairies: The earlier name was Fae's. The term faery now covers all Anglo-Saxon Elves, the Dione Sidhe of the Highlands; the Tuatha de Danann of Ireland, the Tylwyth Teg of Wales, the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, the Wee Folk, Good Neighbors, and many more.
Ferrishyn (ferrishin): Osle of Man. Name for the Faery Tribe.
Gentry: Irish. Name for all the Faeries
The Good Folk: General term for faeries.
Tylwyth Teg: This is a general name for the fairies in Wales, it means the fair folk. Like the Bendith y Mamau the flattering name was thought to appease them. In appearance the Tylwyth Teg were small in stature with golden hair, a common trait in many fairies. They were thought to live under hollow hills and in deep crevices, and to frequent ancient places such as Bronze Age Barrows or cromlechs. Like other fairy folk they often interacted with mortals in the past, and it was possible to gain a fairy wife, although they always longed to return to their own people. According to many stories time in their realm passed much slower than in ours, a day in their realm could be a year or a hundred years in ours.This difference could prove disastrous for any Mortals returning from the fairy realm.
Will o' the Wisp: There are various explanations for the Will o' the Wisps, the most general being that they are malevolent spirits either of the dead or non-human intelligence. They have a mischievous and often malevolent nature, luring unwary travellers into dangerous situations. They were not always so dangerous, and there are tales told about the Will o' the Wisp being guardians of treasure, leading those brave enough to follow them to sure riches. In many places the Will o' the Wisp were associated with spirits of the dead who could not enter either heaven or hell, malignantly wandering the earth leading foolish travellers astray. The lights were also seen as death omens, and when seen within graveyards they were known as corpse lights. These were said to light the path of a coming funeral - from the victims home to the graveyard - in the form of small flickering flames. In other tales the light were often said to appear in places where a tragedy was about to occur.
more to come!!
Celtic Pantheon: Symbols, function & Correspondences
ABUNDANCE, PROSPERITY, HARVEST
Anu / Artio / Bo Find / Campestress / Deae Matres / Lady Godiva /
Henwen / Latiaran / Nantosuelta / Taillte
ANCESTOR GODDESSES OF THE CELTS
Arianrhod / Cessair / Dana / Dwyvach / Ernmas / Modron
ANIMALS (General)
Ardwinna / Flidais / Henwen
APPLES
Ailinn / Badb / The Cailleach
ASTRAL PROJECTION / INVISIBILITY
Bellah Postil / Ethne / Luned
BATTLEFIELDS
Bellona / The Morrigan
BEARS
Artio
BEAUTY & PHYSICAL FITNESS
Aife / Deirdre / Luaths Lurgann / Scathach / Taillte / Triduana
BEES
Derbforgaille
BIRDS
Aife / Brighid (lark) / Cliodna (sea bird) / Corra (crane) / Dechtere /
Derbforgaille / Edain (swan) / Fionnuala (swan) / Garbh Ogh (eagle) /
Gwennoliak / Gwenddoleau / Princess of the Sun (swan) / Rhiannon /
Sequana (duck) / Uairebhuidhe
BLACKBERRIES
Brighid
BOARS
Ardwinna
BOATS / SHIPS / SHIPPING
Becuma / Grainne ni Malley
BOUNDERIES
Coventina / Ratis / Tamara
BUTTERFLIES
Edain
CATTLE
Aine / Blathnat / Bo Find / Damona
CAULDRON
Babd / Blathnat / Cerridwen / Cymidei Cymeinfoll / The Morrigan
CHALICE / GRAIL
Condwiramur
CHARIOTS
Flidais / Garbh Ogh / Princess of the Sun
CHILDREN & CHILDBIRTH
Ban-Chuideachaidh Moire / Brighid / Caireen / Modron
COURAGE & STRENGTH
Artio / Lavercam / Taillte
CRAFTSMANSHIP & SMITHING
Airmid / Brighid
CREATIVITY & INSPIRATION
Brighid / Canola / Cebhfhionn
CRONES
Babd / The Cailleach / Carravogue / Cerridwen / Gwyar / The Morrigan
/ Macha / Neman
CROWS
Babd / The Cailleach
DAWN
Genovefa
DEATH . OTHERWORLD / REGERNERATION
Babd / Cliodna / Cymidei Cymeinfoll / Dahud-Ahes / Queen of Elphane / Gwyar / Lady of the Lake / LeFay / Macha / Moingfhion / Morgan LeFay / The Morrigan / Nantosuelta / Neman / Niamh / Rhiannon / Taranis / Vivionn
DEER
Garbh Org / Genovefa / Saba
DIVINATION / PROPHECY
Andraste / Corra / Drem / Emer / Fedelma / Fleachta of Meath / Franconian-die-Drud / Gwendydd
DESTRUCTIVE MAGICK / BANISHING
Babd / Queen of Elphane / Macha / The Morrigan / Neman
DISEASE (giving & curing)
Airmid / Queen of Elphane
DOGS
Nehalennia / Turrean
DREAMS
Caer Ibermeith / Canola / Franconian-die-Drud / Mare / Rhiannon
DRUIDS
Amerach / Argante / Birog / Drem / Eadon / Franconian-die-Drud / Luned / Maer / Tlachtga
DUCKS
Sequana
EARTH
Achall / Bo Find / Campestres / Eire / Magog / Sequana / Taillte
EELS
The Morrigan
EQUAL ARMED CROSS
Brighid
FAERY WORLD
Achtland / The Beansidhe / Biddy Early / Biddy Mamionn / Blathnat / Caer Ibermeith / The Cailleach / Cliodna / Cred / ruantia / Edain / Queen of Elphne / Fand / Fedelma / Feithline / Grain / The Lady of the Lake / Liban / Meg the Healer
FEMININE MYSTERIES
Kele-De / Sheila-Na-Gig
FERTILITY
Aine / Anu / Arianrhood / Bo Find / Brighid / Campestres / Damara / Damona / Deae Matres / Epona / Finchoem / Fleachta of Meath / Magog / Modron / Nantosuelta / Tanit / Taillte
FIRE
Adsullata / Aine / Brighid / Ebhlinne / Inghean Bhuidhe / Lassair / Princess of the Sun / Rosmerta / Sul
FISH
Bean Naomha (trout) / Liban (salmon)
FLOWERS
Aine (meadowsweet) / Blodeuwedd / Deae Matres / Guinevere (hawthorn) / Plur na mBan
FORTIFICATIONS
Macha / Ratis / Tea & Tephi
GIANTS
Garbh Ogh / Vivionn
HARP
Canola / Eire
HAWTHORNE
Guinevere
HEALING & HERBALISM
Airmid / Aibheaog / Argante / Arnamentia / Bidddy Early / Biddy Mamionn / Brighid / Clota / LeFay / Liban / Princess Marcassa / Meg the Healer / Rosemerta / Sul
HEATHER
Uroica
HENS
Cerridwen
HORSES
Aide / Caer Ibormeith / Cartimandua / Edain / Epona / Franconian-die-Drud / Lady Godiva / Macha / Mare / Rhiannon
HOT SPRINGS
Adsullata / Rosemerta / Sirona / Sul
HUNTING
Flidais / Garbh Ogh
JUSTICE
Aerten
LOVE
Ailinn / Aine / Deirdre
MAGICK (general)
iddy Early / Caolainn / Gwendydd / Luned / Morgan LeFay / Rhiannon / Tlachtga / Vivianne
MILK
Brighid
MOON
Anu / Arianrhod / Fleachta of Meath / Rhiannon / Tanit
MOON, Dark
Cerridwen
MOON, Waning
The Cailleach / Babd
MOTHER GODDESS
Brighid / Caireen / Cerridwen / Cessair / Dana / Deae Matres / Dechtere / Domnu / Dwyvach / Latairan / Macha / Magog / Modron / Taillte
MOUNTAINS / HILLSIDES
Aine / Magog / Momu
MUSIC
Banbha / Canola / Eire / Emer / Fionnuala / Rhiannon
OTTERS
Liban
PLEASURE / DIVERSION / GAMES/ COMPETITION
Fand / Liban / Taillte
POETRY
Brighid / Eadon / Fachea / Lavercam
PRECIOUS GEMS
Fand
PROTECTION / GUARDIANSHIP
Aine / Babd / Brighid / Caolainn / Eire / Ethne / Ratis / Tea & Tephi
PRUIFICATION
Arnamentia
QUEENS / CLAN CHEIFS
Aeval / Aife / Aille / Ain & Iaine / Boudicca / Caolainn / Cartimandua / Ebha Ruagh ni Murchu / Queen Maeve / Maire ni Ciaragain / Veleda / Vennolandua
RAVENS
The Cailleach / The Morrigan
REGICIDE
Nair
REINCARNATION
Arainrhod / Edain
SACRED SITES
Nemetona / Tea & Tephi
SALMON
Liban
SEASONAL RITES
Aine / Arianrhod / Damara / Ebhlinne / Inghean Bhuidhe / Lassair / Latiaran / Moingfhion / Tlachtga / Tanit
SERPENTS
Corchen / Melusine
SEVERED HEADS
The Morrigan
SEX
Achtland / Aeval / Arianrhod / Epona / Fand / Queen Maeve / Modron
SHAPESHIFTERS
Badb / Carridwen / Dechtere / Edain / Flidaid / Flaithius / Liban / Melusine / The Morrigan / Gwennolaik
SHEEP
Brighid
SHIELDS
Badb / Brighid / Derbforgaille / Queen Maeve / Scathach
SLEEP
Caer Ibermeith / Fionnuala
STAFF
Arianrhod / The Cailleach
STARS
Arianrhod / Sirona
STORMS
The Cailleach / Muireartach
SOVEREINGTY
Achall / Ain & Iaine / Condwiramur / Creiddylad / Deirdre / Eire / Flaithius / Genovefa / Lady Godiva / Goewin / Grainne / Isolde / Lady of the Lake / Queen Maeve / Nair / Olwen / Scathach / Vivianne
SOWS
Cerridwen / Goleuddydd / Henwen
SUN
Adsullata / aimend / Aine / Bean Naomha / Gillagriene / Grainne / Grian / Princess of the Sun / Sul
SWANS
Caer Ibermeith / Edain / Fionnuala / Princess of the Sun
TEACHERS
Aife / Scathach / Uathach
TREES
Druantia / Gillagriene
TREFOIL / SHAMROCKS
Brighid / Olwen
TIME MANIPULATION
Amerach
TRIPLE GODDESS
Anu/Danu/Badb ; Badb/Macha/Neman ; Bo Find/Bo Dhu/Bo Ruadh ; Brighid ; Deae Matres ; Dechtere ; Edain ; Eire/Fodhla/Banbha ; Queen of Elphaine ; Epona ; Fiongalla ; Flaithius ; Garbh Ogh ; Guinevere ; Latairan/Inghean Bhuidhe/Lesair ; Melusine/Melior/Palatina ; The Morrigan ; Olwen
TRISKELE
All the triple Goddesses
TURNIPS
The Cailleach
VICTORY
Andraste
VIRGIN GODDESSES
Anu / Isolde / Nemain / Triduana
WARRIORS / WARFARE
Aerten / Aife / Ain & Iaine / Andraste / Badb / Banbha / Cartimandua / Cymidei Cymeinfoll / Ebha Ruagh ni Murchu / Grainne ni Malley / Luaths Lurgann / Macha / Queen Maeve / Maire ni Ciaragain / Muireartach / Nessa / Scathach / Sin / Uathach / Veleda
WATER / SEAS / LAKES / RIVERS
Adsullata / Arnamentia / Boann / Cebhfhionn / Cliodna / Dahud-Ahes / Domnu / Fand / Lady of the Lake / LeFay / Latis / Liban / Melusine / Morgan LeFay / Muireartach / Nantosuelta / Nehalennia / Sabrina / Sequana / Sionnan / Tamara
WAVES
Cliodna
WEATHER MAGICK
Stine Bheag
WEAVING
Arianrhod
WELLS
Aibheaog / Brighid / Bean Naomha / Caolainn / Cebhfhionn / Finchoem / Liban / Momu
WINE / ALE / MEADE
Latis / Sin / Uroica
WINTER
The Cailleach
WISDOM / INTELLECT / KNOWLEDGE / WIT
Ailbhe / Bean Naomha / Cebhfhionn / Nessa
WOLVES
Badb / The Morrigan
WOODLANDS
Ardwinna / Flidais / Garbh Ogh / Saba
*List accumulated in Celtis Womens Spirituality by Edain McCoy
If you want to research a specific Deity before I post it I suggest using Mythica Encyclopedia online at http://www.pantheon.org/
Anu / Artio / Bo Find / Campestress / Deae Matres / Lady Godiva /
Henwen / Latiaran / Nantosuelta / Taillte
ANCESTOR GODDESSES OF THE CELTS
Arianrhod / Cessair / Dana / Dwyvach / Ernmas / Modron
ANIMALS (General)
Ardwinna / Flidais / Henwen
APPLES
Ailinn / Badb / The Cailleach
ASTRAL PROJECTION / INVISIBILITY
Bellah Postil / Ethne / Luned
BATTLEFIELDS
Bellona / The Morrigan
BEARS
Artio
BEAUTY & PHYSICAL FITNESS
Aife / Deirdre / Luaths Lurgann / Scathach / Taillte / Triduana
BEES
Derbforgaille
BIRDS
Aife / Brighid (lark) / Cliodna (sea bird) / Corra (crane) / Dechtere /
Derbforgaille / Edain (swan) / Fionnuala (swan) / Garbh Ogh (eagle) /
Gwennoliak / Gwenddoleau / Princess of the Sun (swan) / Rhiannon /
Sequana (duck) / Uairebhuidhe
BLACKBERRIES
Brighid
BOARS
Ardwinna
BOATS / SHIPS / SHIPPING
Becuma / Grainne ni Malley
BOUNDERIES
Coventina / Ratis / Tamara
BUTTERFLIES
Edain
CATTLE
Aine / Blathnat / Bo Find / Damona
CAULDRON
Babd / Blathnat / Cerridwen / Cymidei Cymeinfoll / The Morrigan
CHALICE / GRAIL
Condwiramur
CHARIOTS
Flidais / Garbh Ogh / Princess of the Sun
CHILDREN & CHILDBIRTH
Ban-Chuideachaidh Moire / Brighid / Caireen / Modron
COURAGE & STRENGTH
Artio / Lavercam / Taillte
CRAFTSMANSHIP & SMITHING
Airmid / Brighid
CREATIVITY & INSPIRATION
Brighid / Canola / Cebhfhionn
CRONES
Babd / The Cailleach / Carravogue / Cerridwen / Gwyar / The Morrigan
/ Macha / Neman
CROWS
Babd / The Cailleach
DAWN
Genovefa
DEATH . OTHERWORLD / REGERNERATION
Babd / Cliodna / Cymidei Cymeinfoll / Dahud-Ahes / Queen of Elphane / Gwyar / Lady of the Lake / LeFay / Macha / Moingfhion / Morgan LeFay / The Morrigan / Nantosuelta / Neman / Niamh / Rhiannon / Taranis / Vivionn
DEER
Garbh Org / Genovefa / Saba
DIVINATION / PROPHECY
Andraste / Corra / Drem / Emer / Fedelma / Fleachta of Meath / Franconian-die-Drud / Gwendydd
DESTRUCTIVE MAGICK / BANISHING
Babd / Queen of Elphane / Macha / The Morrigan / Neman
DISEASE (giving & curing)
Airmid / Queen of Elphane
DOGS
Nehalennia / Turrean
DREAMS
Caer Ibermeith / Canola / Franconian-die-Drud / Mare / Rhiannon
DRUIDS
Amerach / Argante / Birog / Drem / Eadon / Franconian-die-Drud / Luned / Maer / Tlachtga
DUCKS
Sequana
EARTH
Achall / Bo Find / Campestres / Eire / Magog / Sequana / Taillte
EELS
The Morrigan
EQUAL ARMED CROSS
Brighid
FAERY WORLD
Achtland / The Beansidhe / Biddy Early / Biddy Mamionn / Blathnat / Caer Ibermeith / The Cailleach / Cliodna / Cred / ruantia / Edain / Queen of Elphne / Fand / Fedelma / Feithline / Grain / The Lady of the Lake / Liban / Meg the Healer
FEMININE MYSTERIES
Kele-De / Sheila-Na-Gig
FERTILITY
Aine / Anu / Arianrhood / Bo Find / Brighid / Campestres / Damara / Damona / Deae Matres / Epona / Finchoem / Fleachta of Meath / Magog / Modron / Nantosuelta / Tanit / Taillte
FIRE
Adsullata / Aine / Brighid / Ebhlinne / Inghean Bhuidhe / Lassair / Princess of the Sun / Rosmerta / Sul
FISH
Bean Naomha (trout) / Liban (salmon)
FLOWERS
Aine (meadowsweet) / Blodeuwedd / Deae Matres / Guinevere (hawthorn) / Plur na mBan
FORTIFICATIONS
Macha / Ratis / Tea & Tephi
GIANTS
Garbh Ogh / Vivionn
HARP
Canola / Eire
HAWTHORNE
Guinevere
HEALING & HERBALISM
Airmid / Aibheaog / Argante / Arnamentia / Bidddy Early / Biddy Mamionn / Brighid / Clota / LeFay / Liban / Princess Marcassa / Meg the Healer / Rosemerta / Sul
HEATHER
Uroica
HENS
Cerridwen
HORSES
Aide / Caer Ibormeith / Cartimandua / Edain / Epona / Franconian-die-Drud / Lady Godiva / Macha / Mare / Rhiannon
HOT SPRINGS
Adsullata / Rosemerta / Sirona / Sul
HUNTING
Flidais / Garbh Ogh
JUSTICE
Aerten
LOVE
Ailinn / Aine / Deirdre
MAGICK (general)
iddy Early / Caolainn / Gwendydd / Luned / Morgan LeFay / Rhiannon / Tlachtga / Vivianne
MILK
Brighid
MOON
Anu / Arianrhod / Fleachta of Meath / Rhiannon / Tanit
MOON, Dark
Cerridwen
MOON, Waning
The Cailleach / Babd
MOTHER GODDESS
Brighid / Caireen / Cerridwen / Cessair / Dana / Deae Matres / Dechtere / Domnu / Dwyvach / Latairan / Macha / Magog / Modron / Taillte
MOUNTAINS / HILLSIDES
Aine / Magog / Momu
MUSIC
Banbha / Canola / Eire / Emer / Fionnuala / Rhiannon
OTTERS
Liban
PLEASURE / DIVERSION / GAMES/ COMPETITION
Fand / Liban / Taillte
POETRY
Brighid / Eadon / Fachea / Lavercam
PRECIOUS GEMS
Fand
PROTECTION / GUARDIANSHIP
Aine / Babd / Brighid / Caolainn / Eire / Ethne / Ratis / Tea & Tephi
PRUIFICATION
Arnamentia
QUEENS / CLAN CHEIFS
Aeval / Aife / Aille / Ain & Iaine / Boudicca / Caolainn / Cartimandua / Ebha Ruagh ni Murchu / Queen Maeve / Maire ni Ciaragain / Veleda / Vennolandua
RAVENS
The Cailleach / The Morrigan
REGICIDE
Nair
REINCARNATION
Arainrhod / Edain
SACRED SITES
Nemetona / Tea & Tephi
SALMON
Liban
SEASONAL RITES
Aine / Arianrhod / Damara / Ebhlinne / Inghean Bhuidhe / Lassair / Latiaran / Moingfhion / Tlachtga / Tanit
SERPENTS
Corchen / Melusine
SEVERED HEADS
The Morrigan
SEX
Achtland / Aeval / Arianrhod / Epona / Fand / Queen Maeve / Modron
SHAPESHIFTERS
Badb / Carridwen / Dechtere / Edain / Flidaid / Flaithius / Liban / Melusine / The Morrigan / Gwennolaik
SHEEP
Brighid
SHIELDS
Badb / Brighid / Derbforgaille / Queen Maeve / Scathach
SLEEP
Caer Ibermeith / Fionnuala
STAFF
Arianrhod / The Cailleach
STARS
Arianrhod / Sirona
STORMS
The Cailleach / Muireartach
SOVEREINGTY
Achall / Ain & Iaine / Condwiramur / Creiddylad / Deirdre / Eire / Flaithius / Genovefa / Lady Godiva / Goewin / Grainne / Isolde / Lady of the Lake / Queen Maeve / Nair / Olwen / Scathach / Vivianne
SOWS
Cerridwen / Goleuddydd / Henwen
SUN
Adsullata / aimend / Aine / Bean Naomha / Gillagriene / Grainne / Grian / Princess of the Sun / Sul
SWANS
Caer Ibermeith / Edain / Fionnuala / Princess of the Sun
TEACHERS
Aife / Scathach / Uathach
TREES
Druantia / Gillagriene
TREFOIL / SHAMROCKS
Brighid / Olwen
TIME MANIPULATION
Amerach
TRIPLE GODDESS
Anu/Danu/Badb ; Badb/Macha/Neman ; Bo Find/Bo Dhu/Bo Ruadh ; Brighid ; Deae Matres ; Dechtere ; Edain ; Eire/Fodhla/Banbha ; Queen of Elphaine ; Epona ; Fiongalla ; Flaithius ; Garbh Ogh ; Guinevere ; Latairan/Inghean Bhuidhe/Lesair ; Melusine/Melior/Palatina ; The Morrigan ; Olwen
TRISKELE
All the triple Goddesses
TURNIPS
The Cailleach
VICTORY
Andraste
VIRGIN GODDESSES
Anu / Isolde / Nemain / Triduana
WARRIORS / WARFARE
Aerten / Aife / Ain & Iaine / Andraste / Badb / Banbha / Cartimandua / Cymidei Cymeinfoll / Ebha Ruagh ni Murchu / Grainne ni Malley / Luaths Lurgann / Macha / Queen Maeve / Maire ni Ciaragain / Muireartach / Nessa / Scathach / Sin / Uathach / Veleda
WATER / SEAS / LAKES / RIVERS
Adsullata / Arnamentia / Boann / Cebhfhionn / Cliodna / Dahud-Ahes / Domnu / Fand / Lady of the Lake / LeFay / Latis / Liban / Melusine / Morgan LeFay / Muireartach / Nantosuelta / Nehalennia / Sabrina / Sequana / Sionnan / Tamara
WAVES
Cliodna
WEATHER MAGICK
Stine Bheag
WEAVING
Arianrhod
WELLS
Aibheaog / Brighid / Bean Naomha / Caolainn / Cebhfhionn / Finchoem / Liban / Momu
WINE / ALE / MEADE
Latis / Sin / Uroica
WINTER
The Cailleach
WISDOM / INTELLECT / KNOWLEDGE / WIT
Ailbhe / Bean Naomha / Cebhfhionn / Nessa
WOLVES
Badb / The Morrigan
WOODLANDS
Ardwinna / Flidais / Garbh Ogh / Saba
*List accumulated in Celtis Womens Spirituality by Edain McCoy
If you want to research a specific Deity before I post it I suggest using Mythica Encyclopedia online at http://www.pantheon.org/
Friday, May 11, 2007
Traveling between Realms
The following are guided visualization to lead you on a journey to Tir na mBan - The Land of Women; is a journey to gain wisdom. Enjoy.
Here are some tips before you attempt a journey: * Do not ever think your experiences are not real. So go into this journey in the right frame of mind. This is not ment for fun or sport but as a learning experience. *When in the Other-world respect the privacy of others whether spirits, the dead, deities, or other magickal travelers. *THE OLDEST RULE "Protection of Bread and Salt". If a being in the Otherworld invites you for a chat or to be a guide - you, as the guest, are under obligation to be at peace while you are there; just as the host is required to maintain this level of "friendship" for a minimum of a year and a day. You are not required to accept the offering - just be aware if you do you are essentilly bound in friendship & teaching to this person for a year and a day. **Make sure you wont be disturbed - no phones or kids ready to bother you whatever. Here is the Tir na mBan Meditation (from Celtic Women's Spirituality pg 176 by Edan McCoy) There re 3 ways to use this meditative technique. I will list all 3. These are guided meditation - meaning when you are first starting out you would get best results if you taped yourself speaking in a low quiet voice walking through the imagery. As you get more accomplished at meditations you wont need the guide, but its good at first. Prep: Close your eyes and slow your thoughts; breathe rhythmically and deeply. Center your spirit and let go. Focus inward relaxing your body from feet up through the top of your head. Then focus outward away from this time and place. Visualize allowing yourself to separate from your body and experience the wonders of the Tir na mBan. Find your self standing at eh center point of the right half of a double spiral. Cautiously put one foot forward, and begin to follow the spiral. You are aware the Otherworld is a limitless place with an almost infinate number of realms to explore. As you work your way out of the spiral, you feel the need to take form, or find a guide that will specifically help you into Tir na mBan. As you reach the point where the two spirals interconnect you will feel a change in pressure of the atmosphere. The world has become mroe fluid and light. Standing on either side of the path are 2 large dogs, one red and one white. These are the guardians of the gates of the Otherworld. They reguard you passively even though they are fearsome creatures.
Choose one of the following ~
A: Shapes-shifting: Feel your outer self becoming fluid with the world around you, changing into a vey feminine form. Feel your arms becoming (insert word for animal for ie. hooves, wings, paws, etc), and sense their power as the real you is enfolded in this new shape - Useally it takes up to 3 mintues for transformation to be complete.
You continue along the other spiral, moving clockwise through the counter-clockwise world of water and mist. Inward you travel in anever-tightening circle, until you come to a halt on the shores of Tir na mBan.
As you step onto the beach, you feel your other form returnign. The (insert animal words ie. feathers, pelt, etc) melts into your skin, and you look out of your own eyes once more.
B: Horse or Bird Guide
From out of the mist in front of you comes a guide to take you teh rest of the way to Tir na mBan. A beautiful (insert animal form: white mare or large black she-raven) comes to stand mystically in front of you, beckoning you to mount her. You climb willingly onto the creatures back.
You continue along the other spiral, moving clockwise through the counter-clockwise world of water and mist. Inward you travel in an ever-tightening circle, until you come to a halt on the shores of Tir na mBan.
You step onto the beach and dismount your guide. You sense she will be waiting for you when you return to this spot again for your return trip.
C: Silver Boat
From out of the mist comes a small silver boat to take you the rest of the way to Tir na mBan. You willingly climb into it, knowing it has been sent from the Otherworld.
You continue along the other spiral, moving clockwise through the counter-clockwise world of water and mist. Inward you travel in an ever-tightening circle, until you come to a halt on the shores of Tir na mBan.
You step onto the beach and climb out of the boat. You sense it will be waiting for you when you return to this spot again for your return trip.
Continuing on in Tir na mBan ~
From this place on the shore you see you are at the meeting point of 2 worlds. Behind you the world is misty and it is hard to see through the murky veil, but ahead of you in Tir na mBan it is summer, lush and green. A huge primeval forest spreads out endlessly before you. The only easy acces to it seems to be a small pathway right in front of you. The sides of the path are marked by 2 small cauldrons. As you approach you see they contain a dark red liquid. The path itself is dark red, as if stained by blood from thousands of years. The whole area radiates a sacredness, and throbs with potential life, and you feel your own heart beat in sync with it.
You follow along this blood path deep into the forest until you come to a grotto. In the middle of the grotto is a silver and gold throne, and on it is seated a Goddess-like woman clothed in flowing green robes. Upon her blonde head is a crown of gold that radiates like the sun and in the center of it sits the largest, clearest ruby you've ever seen. She exudes serenity an quiet power, and she seems at one with her surroundings.
All around her are the astral forms of woman like yourself who have come seeking the wisdom of Tir na mBan. At first it makes you sad to see how few women are lined up before her, waiting their turn to drink from a chalice. In comparison to all the women in the world, their numbers here are few.
When it is your turn the Goddess-like Queen offers you a drink from a large jewel-encrusted chalice. You approach the throne. The queen smiles at you with motehrly pride, and you take the heavy chalice and dring deeply from it. The potion inside tastes a little like milk nd honey, but it has a light, otherworldly texture and flavor that you have never before experienced.
You hand the heavy chalice back to the queen.
"Welcome to Tir na mBan," she sayes, "This realm belongs to you. Go and seek your wisdom, my sister."
With that comand you are free to explore this world at will. You move into the forest again, noting as you travel along how rich the landscape is in feminine imagery. Chalices, cauldrons, hares, does, horses, ravens, and pools of sacred blood literally enhance your surroundings.
*At this point you may explore the land of Women as you like - maybe visiting your ansestors, seek a vision in the cauldron of knowledge, seek out the Well of Segais (knowledge) that is traditionally guarded by a stag in the underworld, or you seek your shadow-self in the darker reaches of Tir na mBan. Your shadow self will have all your same fears, loves, hiopes and joys, strengths and failings. It will be neither good nor evil, strong nor weak. It will just be you. This discovery can be the most daunting aspect of otherworld travel, but it is one that will ultimately make you whole and give you spiritual insights you are not able to get otherwise.
Or you can go through a dream retrieval - The following guided meditation is for that :
Knowing that you must find your missing or unconcluded dream, you allow your intuition to guide you to the cave of dreams. You are lead throguh a misty land populated by fantastic creatures and images. In the center of a clear blue lake you see the mouth of the cave of dreams. The cave appears to be made of pure silver, and it glistens in the half-light of this dream world. Inside are all the dream images that have ever been made by women.
There is no boat nearby, or any apparently easy way to cross the lake to the cave. Then, knowing that in the dream world you can do anything, you step onto the lake and find you are able to walk on the surface of the water. You walk toward the cave enterance and take note that it has no guardian; its only protection seems to be the lake.
You step inside, and see that the cave of dreams is not dark. Many pathways lead away from this central chamber. Because you have been contemplating retrieving this particular dream while in your waking state, you decide to follow your instincts in selecting the pathway.
You walk through the narrow chamber, which contains an infinite number of closed doorwys. Most of the markings upon them do not look familiar, and you realize those roomsdo not contain the dream you are seeking. Finally you come upon a doorway that you know without a doubt contains yours. As you grasp the doorknob you vividly recal either the point at which your dream left off, or the feeling you had upon awakening from the dream you could not remember. You open the door, and step into the dream sequence.
*When ready to leave the cave- exit the door of your dream and follow the same path out of the cave as you used to ente. At the mouth of the cave, walk back across the lake and through the misty land until you are back in the forrest.
LEAVING Tir Na mBan:
Once you are back on the blood path, follow it back to the shore line. (If you have difficulty finding it will yourself to the shores.) Then follow these guides to leave:
A: Shape-shifting
As you stand on the shore, you feel the animal form tht you previously took reasserting itself, and you allow the transformation. Then you step off the shore and back onto the left-handed site of the spiral path, following it ever-outward to where it connects with the right-handed spiral. At this point your real form reasserts itself to your own physical body.
B: Horse or Bird Guide
On the shore, waiting for you, is the horse/raven that brought you here. You again climb onto her back and she carries you along the left-handed spiral, following it ever-outward to where it connects with the right-handed spiral. At this point you climb off of the guide and thank her for her assistance.
C: Silver Boat
On the shore, waiting for you, is the small silver boat that brought you here. You again climb into it and the boat carries you along the left-handed spiral, following it ever-outward to where it connects with the right-handed spiral. At this point you climb off of the boat. THe boat retreats back into the mists, awaiting your next trip to Tir na mBan.
Continuing your exit ~
You joyfully begin walking along the right-handed spiral, feeling Tir na mBan fading away from you as the atmosphere loses its fluidity. As you reach the center of the right-handed spiral you feel born anew. You feel yourself fading away from the astral world as a gental veil of space and time closes off your world from this one, and you say to yourself, "I am home".
Gently your consciousness transfers itself back into your physical body. Feel now the awareness of your physical self returning to your arms, legs, back, stomach and neck. Flex them and relish the joy of being a living human being. You are once again a part of the physical world. Open your eyes feeling exhilirated, energized and glad to be home with your new wisdom.
* I usually now write out my travels in my Book of Shadows so I don't forget any details.
Here are some tips before you attempt a journey: * Do not ever think your experiences are not real. So go into this journey in the right frame of mind. This is not ment for fun or sport but as a learning experience. *When in the Other-world respect the privacy of others whether spirits, the dead, deities, or other magickal travelers. *THE OLDEST RULE "Protection of Bread and Salt". If a being in the Otherworld invites you for a chat or to be a guide - you, as the guest, are under obligation to be at peace while you are there; just as the host is required to maintain this level of "friendship" for a minimum of a year and a day. You are not required to accept the offering - just be aware if you do you are essentilly bound in friendship & teaching to this person for a year and a day. **Make sure you wont be disturbed - no phones or kids ready to bother you whatever. Here is the Tir na mBan Meditation (from Celtic Women's Spirituality pg 176 by Edan McCoy) There re 3 ways to use this meditative technique. I will list all 3. These are guided meditation - meaning when you are first starting out you would get best results if you taped yourself speaking in a low quiet voice walking through the imagery. As you get more accomplished at meditations you wont need the guide, but its good at first. Prep: Close your eyes and slow your thoughts; breathe rhythmically and deeply. Center your spirit and let go. Focus inward relaxing your body from feet up through the top of your head. Then focus outward away from this time and place. Visualize allowing yourself to separate from your body and experience the wonders of the Tir na mBan. Find your self standing at eh center point of the right half of a double spiral. Cautiously put one foot forward, and begin to follow the spiral. You are aware the Otherworld is a limitless place with an almost infinate number of realms to explore. As you work your way out of the spiral, you feel the need to take form, or find a guide that will specifically help you into Tir na mBan. As you reach the point where the two spirals interconnect you will feel a change in pressure of the atmosphere. The world has become mroe fluid and light. Standing on either side of the path are 2 large dogs, one red and one white. These are the guardians of the gates of the Otherworld. They reguard you passively even though they are fearsome creatures.
Choose one of the following ~
A: Shapes-shifting: Feel your outer self becoming fluid with the world around you, changing into a vey feminine form. Feel your arms becoming (insert word for animal for ie. hooves, wings, paws, etc), and sense their power as the real you is enfolded in this new shape - Useally it takes up to 3 mintues for transformation to be complete.
You continue along the other spiral, moving clockwise through the counter-clockwise world of water and mist. Inward you travel in anever-tightening circle, until you come to a halt on the shores of Tir na mBan.
As you step onto the beach, you feel your other form returnign. The (insert animal words ie. feathers, pelt, etc) melts into your skin, and you look out of your own eyes once more.
B: Horse or Bird Guide
From out of the mist in front of you comes a guide to take you teh rest of the way to Tir na mBan. A beautiful (insert animal form: white mare or large black she-raven) comes to stand mystically in front of you, beckoning you to mount her. You climb willingly onto the creatures back.
You continue along the other spiral, moving clockwise through the counter-clockwise world of water and mist. Inward you travel in an ever-tightening circle, until you come to a halt on the shores of Tir na mBan.
You step onto the beach and dismount your guide. You sense she will be waiting for you when you return to this spot again for your return trip.
C: Silver Boat
From out of the mist comes a small silver boat to take you the rest of the way to Tir na mBan. You willingly climb into it, knowing it has been sent from the Otherworld.
You continue along the other spiral, moving clockwise through the counter-clockwise world of water and mist. Inward you travel in an ever-tightening circle, until you come to a halt on the shores of Tir na mBan.
You step onto the beach and climb out of the boat. You sense it will be waiting for you when you return to this spot again for your return trip.
Continuing on in Tir na mBan ~
From this place on the shore you see you are at the meeting point of 2 worlds. Behind you the world is misty and it is hard to see through the murky veil, but ahead of you in Tir na mBan it is summer, lush and green. A huge primeval forest spreads out endlessly before you. The only easy acces to it seems to be a small pathway right in front of you. The sides of the path are marked by 2 small cauldrons. As you approach you see they contain a dark red liquid. The path itself is dark red, as if stained by blood from thousands of years. The whole area radiates a sacredness, and throbs with potential life, and you feel your own heart beat in sync with it.
You follow along this blood path deep into the forest until you come to a grotto. In the middle of the grotto is a silver and gold throne, and on it is seated a Goddess-like woman clothed in flowing green robes. Upon her blonde head is a crown of gold that radiates like the sun and in the center of it sits the largest, clearest ruby you've ever seen. She exudes serenity an quiet power, and she seems at one with her surroundings.
All around her are the astral forms of woman like yourself who have come seeking the wisdom of Tir na mBan. At first it makes you sad to see how few women are lined up before her, waiting their turn to drink from a chalice. In comparison to all the women in the world, their numbers here are few.
When it is your turn the Goddess-like Queen offers you a drink from a large jewel-encrusted chalice. You approach the throne. The queen smiles at you with motehrly pride, and you take the heavy chalice and dring deeply from it. The potion inside tastes a little like milk nd honey, but it has a light, otherworldly texture and flavor that you have never before experienced.
You hand the heavy chalice back to the queen.
"Welcome to Tir na mBan," she sayes, "This realm belongs to you. Go and seek your wisdom, my sister."
With that comand you are free to explore this world at will. You move into the forest again, noting as you travel along how rich the landscape is in feminine imagery. Chalices, cauldrons, hares, does, horses, ravens, and pools of sacred blood literally enhance your surroundings.
*At this point you may explore the land of Women as you like - maybe visiting your ansestors, seek a vision in the cauldron of knowledge, seek out the Well of Segais (knowledge) that is traditionally guarded by a stag in the underworld, or you seek your shadow-self in the darker reaches of Tir na mBan. Your shadow self will have all your same fears, loves, hiopes and joys, strengths and failings. It will be neither good nor evil, strong nor weak. It will just be you. This discovery can be the most daunting aspect of otherworld travel, but it is one that will ultimately make you whole and give you spiritual insights you are not able to get otherwise.
Or you can go through a dream retrieval - The following guided meditation is for that :
Knowing that you must find your missing or unconcluded dream, you allow your intuition to guide you to the cave of dreams. You are lead throguh a misty land populated by fantastic creatures and images. In the center of a clear blue lake you see the mouth of the cave of dreams. The cave appears to be made of pure silver, and it glistens in the half-light of this dream world. Inside are all the dream images that have ever been made by women.
There is no boat nearby, or any apparently easy way to cross the lake to the cave. Then, knowing that in the dream world you can do anything, you step onto the lake and find you are able to walk on the surface of the water. You walk toward the cave enterance and take note that it has no guardian; its only protection seems to be the lake.
You step inside, and see that the cave of dreams is not dark. Many pathways lead away from this central chamber. Because you have been contemplating retrieving this particular dream while in your waking state, you decide to follow your instincts in selecting the pathway.
You walk through the narrow chamber, which contains an infinite number of closed doorwys. Most of the markings upon them do not look familiar, and you realize those roomsdo not contain the dream you are seeking. Finally you come upon a doorway that you know without a doubt contains yours. As you grasp the doorknob you vividly recal either the point at which your dream left off, or the feeling you had upon awakening from the dream you could not remember. You open the door, and step into the dream sequence.
*When ready to leave the cave- exit the door of your dream and follow the same path out of the cave as you used to ente. At the mouth of the cave, walk back across the lake and through the misty land until you are back in the forrest.
LEAVING Tir Na mBan:
Once you are back on the blood path, follow it back to the shore line. (If you have difficulty finding it will yourself to the shores.) Then follow these guides to leave:
A: Shape-shifting
As you stand on the shore, you feel the animal form tht you previously took reasserting itself, and you allow the transformation. Then you step off the shore and back onto the left-handed site of the spiral path, following it ever-outward to where it connects with the right-handed spiral. At this point your real form reasserts itself to your own physical body.
B: Horse or Bird Guide
On the shore, waiting for you, is the horse/raven that brought you here. You again climb onto her back and she carries you along the left-handed spiral, following it ever-outward to where it connects with the right-handed spiral. At this point you climb off of the guide and thank her for her assistance.
C: Silver Boat
On the shore, waiting for you, is the small silver boat that brought you here. You again climb into it and the boat carries you along the left-handed spiral, following it ever-outward to where it connects with the right-handed spiral. At this point you climb off of the boat. THe boat retreats back into the mists, awaiting your next trip to Tir na mBan.
Continuing your exit ~
You joyfully begin walking along the right-handed spiral, feeling Tir na mBan fading away from you as the atmosphere loses its fluidity. As you reach the center of the right-handed spiral you feel born anew. You feel yourself fading away from the astral world as a gental veil of space and time closes off your world from this one, and you say to yourself, "I am home".
Gently your consciousness transfers itself back into your physical body. Feel now the awareness of your physical self returning to your arms, legs, back, stomach and neck. Flex them and relish the joy of being a living human being. You are once again a part of the physical world. Open your eyes feeling exhilirated, energized and glad to be home with your new wisdom.
* I usually now write out my travels in my Book of Shadows so I don't forget any details.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Components of & Creating a Ritual
1) Prepare for the Ritual:
Rearrange any furniture if you are doing it inside, clear a space and pack up all tools and candles, etc. Take a cleansing bath to wash away all physical dirt and relax your body ridding it of stresses. Meditate to find that quiet soothing center, near your heart - you can not effectively perform a ritual if you are mentally preparing your grocery lists.
2) Purify, Cleanse and Consecrate:
As you cleaned yourself and cleared your mind - so too you must cleanse your tools. This is respectful to the deity as well as to yourself - there are many ways to do this but simpleist is passing a representation of the 4 elements over all tools (like salt, incense, holy water, candle). Saying: "I purify my ritual tools by air [pass the incense over altar], I purify you by fire [pass each tool through candle flame], I purify you with water [sprinkle each with holy water] I purify you by earth [sprinkly lightly with salt]; I charge you to serve me well within the sacred circle, and I dedicate you to deepening my practice in the ways of Wicca." Place your hands over the tools imagining a glow of power foreach - Say: "I cleanse and consecrate these tools in th name of the Lord and Lady, that they be fit tools by which to [state the intention of your ritual]. So Mote it be."
3) Casting your Circle
Stand at your altar (or the North point of your circle. Ground & center- take 3 deep breaths to relax and clear your mind. Using your forefinger of your right hand (or a magickal tool such as a wand or athame) pointed toward the ground at the center of your area, begin walking the circle in a clock-wise ( called deosil) fashion. You will walk the circle 1 to 3 times while reciting a verval invocation**. Visualize the circle as a bubble becoming a hardened shell to prevent negative energies from entering with each pass. Once the passes are complete and you are back where you started say;
"As above, so below -- this circle is sealed. So mote it be!"
Stomp your foot to indicate the seal has been activated.
The Triple Circlecasting invocation by: Lady MorningStar(Recite as you walk the first time around your circle)"In this place, this circle roundI consencrate the sacred groundwith golden light this place surroundall power here contained and bound."(Recite as you walk the second time)"From earth, the things that manifest from air, the things of mindfrom fire, the things that motivate from water, the souls refined."(Recite as you walk the third time)"And yet no place and time there be between the worlds, my word and me welcome, Ancient Ones, and see this place is sealed, So mote it be!"
4) Calling the Quarters:
Although quarter calls can have a variety of connotations, they are basically linked to the 4 directions and 4 elements. The following is completed after the circle has been cast. You start at the North is you are practicing more traditional Wicca or the East for a more ceremonial flavor. You are essentially opening a door in your circle to allow this specific energy into it. For a smoother transition of energy, stand facing the direction, with the center of your circle at your back. Place your feet apart and cross your arms over your chest, and bow your head - this is the "God" Position. As you say your quarter call slowly raise your head and open your arms overhead into a Y (the "Goddess"Position). Visualize a portal opening through which what you have called can enter - nothing else will be able to) - visualize your concept of the 4 elements entering your circle. Standard colors for the Quarters: Green=North, Yellow=East, Red=South, Blue=West.
Stand at the North candle/Quarter & light the candle: ""Hail guardians of of the watchtowers of the north, Lords of the element of earth; I, (say your name), do summon, stir and call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be."
Stand at the East candle/Quarter & light the candle: "Hail guardians of of the watchtowers of the east, Lords of the element of air; I, (say your name), do summon, stir and call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be."
Stand at the South candle/Quarter & light the candle:"Hail guardians of of the watchtowers of the south, Lords of the element of fire; I, (say your name), do summon, stir and call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be."
Stand at the West candle/Quarter & light the candle: "Hail guardians of of the watchtowers of the west, Lords of the element of water; I, (say your name), do summon, stir and call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be."
5) Invoking Deity:
This is to call a deity into your body to help focus your power and lend her own to whatever working you are doing. When celebrating a Sabbat (holiday) I use a much longer and more specific invocation
"I call the down, O my great Queen (name of Goddess) to enter my body and commune with my spirit. Be with me now as I fulfill my destiny and
work magick in accordance with your will. So mote it be."
6) Great Rite
The GReat Rite is often an important part of raising energy within your circle and honoring the cycle of life. It is far more than merely sex- it is a joining of energy and identity - invoking thepower from the union of the Goddess and the God. This celebrates fertility, life, and unity and is the best re-balbancer if a situation/spell calls for harmony of energies to be restored. 2 parts to the great rite:
Great Rite in Truth: In volves the physical, spiritual and energy union of a male and female within the circle.
Symbolic Great Rite: Performed using a ritual tool associated with female receptive energy (such as a cup or cauldron) and one associated with male energy (like the wand or athame). The male tool is lowered into the female tool with awareness and intent- directly after the invocation.
7) Working Magick
You may be celebrating a Sabbat or Esbat or you may need to perform some sort of magick. This is th part of the ritual you would plan out ahead of time. *When planning your magickal working - make sur e you have a clear and percise definition of why you are performing the ritual and what you hopw to achieve - all other aspects of the ritual will derive from it. Who are you speaking to or hopeing to reach with your workings, who is your audience? What God/desses will aide you in your intent? Whic tools, and symbols will help amplify and support your intent? - NOW try to think of one focal point that will associate all of the above - Will you use a single spell ans vizualization to send out the energy to a person in need, etc. Keep it simple and direct.
8) Raising Energy
Generally I use meditation and visualization to raise energy and empower my intent. But you can also find chants & invocations or Incense, oils and potions; or Dancing & drumming; or Offerings/Sacrfice; etc.
9) Communion
This is more than a restocking of energy, it is a method by which the Gods bless and share power with you teh practitioner. Thats why we offer blessings upon the food and dring, then give some back to the gods when we are finshed with the ritual. For te drink - Hold the chalice/cup up toward the sky. Ground and center. Imagine you are presenting the drink to the Goddess Herself and say: "Bright Lady, Bless this drink with your love and grace. Imbue it with your blessings, that I may drink it to honor you, and in so doing share in your wisdom, knowledge and love. So mote it be." Drink most of the wine or juice. (saving some as an offering after your circle is closed.)
Hold your hands over the food on the pentacle or plate, visualize the God blessing the food, and say: "Mighty Lord, bless thsi food with your strength and love. Charge it with your blessings, that I may eat of it to honor you. And in so doing share in your wisdom, knowledge and love. So mote it be!" Eat most of the cake (saving some as an offering after your circle is closed.)
10) Thanking Divinity
You always want to thank the deity for participating in your rite. Stand at your altar and say: "Thank you Lady of Peace and Lord of NIght (or name the God/dess you invoked forthe ritual); I thank you for your presence withing my circle and for lending your power to this ritual. I honor you and bid you farewell. So mote it be." *Be sure to envision an opening in the circle from which the god/dess can leave. If you invoked more than one start with the last one invoked and release in reverse.
11) Releasing the Quarters:
Once you are finished with your magick/ritual, before opening your circle, this is essentially the reverse of the above process. Start with your arms in the Goddess position visualizing a portal for the energy to leave your circle slowly releasing into a God pose as you again seal the portal. Start your releasing at the last Quarter you called and work in a counter-clockwise manner.This is the standard Quarter Release to match the above Calling - you can also find specific types of quarter calls - angelic, dagon, etc) and the release that matches it.Start at hte West and work your way in reverse to the North."Guardians of the (direction), lords of the element of (element), thank you for participating in my circle this night / day. Go if you must, stay if you like. Hail and farewell."
12) Opening the Circle:
Once all magickal practices are complete. Walk the circle 1 time in a counter clockwise (widdershins) fashion. Visualize drawing all excess energy into a tool or your hands. Some will also pass the energy into their altar. Once the circle has been walked one time say: "The circle is open, but never broken. Meery meet and merry part until we merry meet again. So mote it be!" Again stomp your foot one time to indicate the circle is now open.
13) Offering
Taking the remaining portion of food and drink from communion - pour it into an offering bowl or place it outside saying: "Food for the Gods, I return you to the Gods, Lord and Lady, I thank you for your manifold gifts and blessings."
Rearrange any furniture if you are doing it inside, clear a space and pack up all tools and candles, etc. Take a cleansing bath to wash away all physical dirt and relax your body ridding it of stresses. Meditate to find that quiet soothing center, near your heart - you can not effectively perform a ritual if you are mentally preparing your grocery lists.
2) Purify, Cleanse and Consecrate:
As you cleaned yourself and cleared your mind - so too you must cleanse your tools. This is respectful to the deity as well as to yourself - there are many ways to do this but simpleist is passing a representation of the 4 elements over all tools (like salt, incense, holy water, candle). Saying: "I purify my ritual tools by air [pass the incense over altar], I purify you by fire [pass each tool through candle flame], I purify you with water [sprinkle each with holy water] I purify you by earth [sprinkly lightly with salt]; I charge you to serve me well within the sacred circle, and I dedicate you to deepening my practice in the ways of Wicca." Place your hands over the tools imagining a glow of power foreach - Say: "I cleanse and consecrate these tools in th name of the Lord and Lady, that they be fit tools by which to [state the intention of your ritual]. So Mote it be."
3) Casting your Circle
Stand at your altar (or the North point of your circle. Ground & center- take 3 deep breaths to relax and clear your mind. Using your forefinger of your right hand (or a magickal tool such as a wand or athame) pointed toward the ground at the center of your area, begin walking the circle in a clock-wise ( called deosil) fashion. You will walk the circle 1 to 3 times while reciting a verval invocation**. Visualize the circle as a bubble becoming a hardened shell to prevent negative energies from entering with each pass. Once the passes are complete and you are back where you started say;
"As above, so below -- this circle is sealed. So mote it be!"
Stomp your foot to indicate the seal has been activated.
The Triple Circlecasting invocation by: Lady MorningStar(Recite as you walk the first time around your circle)"In this place, this circle roundI consencrate the sacred groundwith golden light this place surroundall power here contained and bound."(Recite as you walk the second time)"From earth, the things that manifest from air, the things of mindfrom fire, the things that motivate from water, the souls refined."(Recite as you walk the third time)"And yet no place and time there be between the worlds, my word and me welcome, Ancient Ones, and see this place is sealed, So mote it be!"
4) Calling the Quarters:
Although quarter calls can have a variety of connotations, they are basically linked to the 4 directions and 4 elements. The following is completed after the circle has been cast. You start at the North is you are practicing more traditional Wicca or the East for a more ceremonial flavor. You are essentially opening a door in your circle to allow this specific energy into it. For a smoother transition of energy, stand facing the direction, with the center of your circle at your back. Place your feet apart and cross your arms over your chest, and bow your head - this is the "God" Position. As you say your quarter call slowly raise your head and open your arms overhead into a Y (the "Goddess"Position). Visualize a portal opening through which what you have called can enter - nothing else will be able to) - visualize your concept of the 4 elements entering your circle. Standard colors for the Quarters: Green=North, Yellow=East, Red=South, Blue=West.
Stand at the North candle/Quarter & light the candle: ""Hail guardians of of the watchtowers of the north, Lords of the element of earth; I, (say your name), do summon, stir and call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be."
Stand at the East candle/Quarter & light the candle: "Hail guardians of of the watchtowers of the east, Lords of the element of air; I, (say your name), do summon, stir and call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be."
Stand at the South candle/Quarter & light the candle:"Hail guardians of of the watchtowers of the south, Lords of the element of fire; I, (say your name), do summon, stir and call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be."
Stand at the West candle/Quarter & light the candle: "Hail guardians of of the watchtowers of the west, Lords of the element of water; I, (say your name), do summon, stir and call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be."
5) Invoking Deity:
This is to call a deity into your body to help focus your power and lend her own to whatever working you are doing. When celebrating a Sabbat (holiday) I use a much longer and more specific invocation
"I call the down, O my great Queen (name of Goddess) to enter my body and commune with my spirit. Be with me now as I fulfill my destiny and
work magick in accordance with your will. So mote it be."
6) Great Rite
The GReat Rite is often an important part of raising energy within your circle and honoring the cycle of life. It is far more than merely sex- it is a joining of energy and identity - invoking thepower from the union of the Goddess and the God. This celebrates fertility, life, and unity and is the best re-balbancer if a situation/spell calls for harmony of energies to be restored. 2 parts to the great rite:
Great Rite in Truth: In volves the physical, spiritual and energy union of a male and female within the circle.
Symbolic Great Rite: Performed using a ritual tool associated with female receptive energy (such as a cup or cauldron) and one associated with male energy (like the wand or athame). The male tool is lowered into the female tool with awareness and intent- directly after the invocation.
7) Working Magick
You may be celebrating a Sabbat or Esbat or you may need to perform some sort of magick. This is th part of the ritual you would plan out ahead of time. *When planning your magickal working - make sur e you have a clear and percise definition of why you are performing the ritual and what you hopw to achieve - all other aspects of the ritual will derive from it. Who are you speaking to or hopeing to reach with your workings, who is your audience? What God/desses will aide you in your intent? Whic tools, and symbols will help amplify and support your intent? - NOW try to think of one focal point that will associate all of the above - Will you use a single spell ans vizualization to send out the energy to a person in need, etc. Keep it simple and direct.
8) Raising Energy
Generally I use meditation and visualization to raise energy and empower my intent. But you can also find chants & invocations or Incense, oils and potions; or Dancing & drumming; or Offerings/Sacrfice; etc.
9) Communion
This is more than a restocking of energy, it is a method by which the Gods bless and share power with you teh practitioner. Thats why we offer blessings upon the food and dring, then give some back to the gods when we are finshed with the ritual. For te drink - Hold the chalice/cup up toward the sky. Ground and center. Imagine you are presenting the drink to the Goddess Herself and say: "Bright Lady, Bless this drink with your love and grace. Imbue it with your blessings, that I may drink it to honor you, and in so doing share in your wisdom, knowledge and love. So mote it be." Drink most of the wine or juice. (saving some as an offering after your circle is closed.)
Hold your hands over the food on the pentacle or plate, visualize the God blessing the food, and say: "Mighty Lord, bless thsi food with your strength and love. Charge it with your blessings, that I may eat of it to honor you. And in so doing share in your wisdom, knowledge and love. So mote it be!" Eat most of the cake (saving some as an offering after your circle is closed.)
10) Thanking Divinity
You always want to thank the deity for participating in your rite. Stand at your altar and say: "Thank you Lady of Peace and Lord of NIght (or name the God/dess you invoked forthe ritual); I thank you for your presence withing my circle and for lending your power to this ritual. I honor you and bid you farewell. So mote it be." *Be sure to envision an opening in the circle from which the god/dess can leave. If you invoked more than one start with the last one invoked and release in reverse.
11) Releasing the Quarters:
Once you are finished with your magick/ritual, before opening your circle, this is essentially the reverse of the above process. Start with your arms in the Goddess position visualizing a portal for the energy to leave your circle slowly releasing into a God pose as you again seal the portal. Start your releasing at the last Quarter you called and work in a counter-clockwise manner.This is the standard Quarter Release to match the above Calling - you can also find specific types of quarter calls - angelic, dagon, etc) and the release that matches it.Start at hte West and work your way in reverse to the North."Guardians of the (direction), lords of the element of (element), thank you for participating in my circle this night / day. Go if you must, stay if you like. Hail and farewell."
12) Opening the Circle:
Once all magickal practices are complete. Walk the circle 1 time in a counter clockwise (widdershins) fashion. Visualize drawing all excess energy into a tool or your hands. Some will also pass the energy into their altar. Once the circle has been walked one time say: "The circle is open, but never broken. Meery meet and merry part until we merry meet again. So mote it be!" Again stomp your foot one time to indicate the circle is now open.
13) Offering
Taking the remaining portion of food and drink from communion - pour it into an offering bowl or place it outside saying: "Food for the Gods, I return you to the Gods, Lord and Lady, I thank you for your manifold gifts and blessings."
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Creating A Spell
Creating a spell is a simple affair - since the power is within you. But here are some cautions and tips:
*Use magick as a last resort for mundane things. Getting your wishes will not always happen in the way you think - for instance, wishing for money may mean your beloved grandmother dies and leaves you an inharitence. So always try to solve problems with changes in your life - then use magick.
*You must TOTALLY believe the spell will work. You have to keep your energy full force to enact change of any kind. If you doubt the results they will fail.
*Remember when writing a Spell, the speaking or writing portion - essentially the spell itself- is just the manifestation or focus of your power. The power is already there and can be used for anything - writing or saying a spell just helps to direct the energy in the direction you wish for it to go. That is why total concentration and belief are so important.
*Does a spell need to rhyme? No, not necessarily. Rhyming flows through the mind and out of the mouth - you don't have to think hard on the words if they rhyme which allows you to focus on the intent rather than the words - since the words don't matter as much as the intent and belief, don't stress. Be percise and you'll do fine. Here's a Sample of some simple spells.
To Change The Current Course of Your Life
On a white piece of paper (un-lined) Fill it with collored scribbles. Just let your mind go and fill the page. This signifies the chaos in your current life. Draw a heavy Black X across the whole sheet saying:
Burn Paper entirely, scatter ashes in the wind envisioning the Gods receiving your wishes.
Increase Confidence Spell:
On a piece of paper write in bold, clear letters:
Confidence, come unto menervousness, now quickly flee
Bring me strength and bring me ease
As I will, so mote it be!
Place Hermite, turquoise and quartz on the paper; then wrap the paper sequrelyaround the stones then tape shut. Place in pruse or pocket.
Change Perspective:
On a waxing moon, gather a yellow candle, vanilla oil and 1 tsp of Thyme. Anoint the candle w/ the oil then roll it in the Thyme. Light candle. Anoint your temples withthe oil saying:
Let candle burn out completely.
Increase Cash Flow:
On a Waxing or Full moon, hold adventureine in your dominant hand and concentrate on money flowing to you. Enchant the stone saying:
Place the stone in a pocket or purse and carry it constantly
*Use magick as a last resort for mundane things. Getting your wishes will not always happen in the way you think - for instance, wishing for money may mean your beloved grandmother dies and leaves you an inharitence. So always try to solve problems with changes in your life - then use magick.
*You must TOTALLY believe the spell will work. You have to keep your energy full force to enact change of any kind. If you doubt the results they will fail.
*Remember when writing a Spell, the speaking or writing portion - essentially the spell itself- is just the manifestation or focus of your power. The power is already there and can be used for anything - writing or saying a spell just helps to direct the energy in the direction you wish for it to go. That is why total concentration and belief are so important.
*Does a spell need to rhyme? No, not necessarily. Rhyming flows through the mind and out of the mouth - you don't have to think hard on the words if they rhyme which allows you to focus on the intent rather than the words - since the words don't matter as much as the intent and belief, don't stress. Be percise and you'll do fine. Here's a Sample of some simple spells.
To Change The Current Course of Your Life
On a white piece of paper (un-lined) Fill it with collored scribbles. Just let your mind go and fill the page. This signifies the chaos in your current life. Draw a heavy Black X across the whole sheet saying:
"I want no more of my old life no dissension, stress or strife.Grant a new realityKeeping safe my FamilyAs I will, so mote it be!"
Burn Paper entirely, scatter ashes in the wind envisioning the Gods receiving your wishes.
Increase Confidence Spell:
On a piece of paper write in bold, clear letters:
Confidence, come unto menervousness, now quickly flee
Bring me strength and bring me ease
As I will, so mote it be!
Place Hermite, turquoise and quartz on the paper; then wrap the paper sequrelyaround the stones then tape shut. Place in pruse or pocket.
Change Perspective:
On a waxing moon, gather a yellow candle, vanilla oil and 1 tsp of Thyme. Anoint the candle w/ the oil then roll it in the Thyme. Light candle. Anoint your temples withthe oil saying:
"Ancients come from near & far
Hear my call from where e're you are
Propose, inspir, enchant, enthuse
Until I am at last infused
With new ideas and clear directive
Fill me with a fresh perspective
As I will, so mote it be!"
Let candle burn out completely.
Increase Cash Flow:
On a Waxing or Full moon, hold adventureine in your dominant hand and concentrate on money flowing to you. Enchant the stone saying:
"Money come, money growInto my wallet gush and flow
And fill it to the very top
Then keep on coming, never stop"
Place the stone in a pocket or purse and carry it constantly
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Tomorrow on Kickbuttmama is in Charge
* Priestess' Ritual
* Writing a Spell
* Traveling to the Otherworlds - Guided Meditation
* Writing a Spell
* Traveling to the Otherworlds - Guided Meditation
Sabbats and Esbats of the Year
Sabbats are in Deep Red, Esbats are in Deep Blue, Orange are the Full Moons. NOTE: I'll be adding how to celebrate the Sabbats and Esbats sometime this week:
Samhain (October 31) This the celebration of the new year. A feast at harvest's ending, a re-affirmation into our beleifs in the eternal cycle of life and death. The Crone is the supreme deity of this festival - Samhain is essentially when the old God her son and lover dies, and she goes into mourning for him until she can reform into the maiden. The cauldron on halloween comes from the ancient belief that all the souls of the dead return to the Goddess' cauldron of life, death and rebirth to await reincarnation.
The Day of Banshees (November 1): The banshee represents the Otheworld realm of omen, known as the Tir na mBan, a world where all dead souls must go in or der to be reborn. On the night before a death, the banshee sings her lamentation which can be heard across the countryside. Placing apples on the graves of loved ones is a popular practice on this equinox. Apples represent the Otherworld, rebirth, eternal life and the crone Goddess.
Birch Moon (November or December Full moon): Moon of inception, great night to celebrate new beginings and fresh starts.
Feast of Potential (November 23): sometimes reffered to as the Secret of the Unhewn Stone. To hew something is to strike it repeatedly, or to force it to comform. This holiday is a time for a solitary witch to under go introspection and face the things that aren't easy to acknowledge. It is a day for examining difficult ideas, mulling over changes, and eliminating root causes of our resistance to the problem. Break insecurities and fears down blow-by-blow. One way, prior to the feast, of accomplishing this is to make a list of all the things you know are within your power to do but have not done either out of fear or lack of confidence. After the feasting, work a ritual, meditate or take a guided journey that has always been difficult for you.
Yule (Winter Solstice): One of the oldest Sabbats, perhaps as much as 12,000 to 20,000 y/o. Most Wiccans choose to enact or pay tribute to the eternal battle between Waxing and Waning forces of the year. ie. The Holly King vs. The Oak King, the Red Dragon vs. the White Dragon, etc. This is also a great day to enact Birthing rites, or Blessings/Wiccanings
Hogmanay (December 31): Moon of the Hag, a great day fordeveloping divination techniques and eating sweet treats.
Rowan Moon (Dec Full Moon): Sometimes called the Moon of Vision, this is a great time in which to travel or to bring out inner strengths.It has also been refered to as the Astral Moon as it is a good time to try your had at astral projection.
Festival fo the 3-Fold Goddess (January 6): This correspondes to The Twelfth Night ends the 12 day mid winter celebration that focuses on the Mother Goddess. This holiday could be moved to mid April or Mid July as well - the actual date isn't as important as the intent.
The Feast of the Morrigan (January 7): A feast day to celebrate the power and magesty of the Triple Goddess of eath and destruction. Remembering that with death there is re-birth, and that what she destroyes she revives.
Ash Moon (Jan Full Moon)Connects the flow of life and a ll crafting magickal tools. Forming an Ash Wand to be used as a healing stick can be done on this night.
Imbolg (February 2): A fire festival that celebrates the strengthening of the young sun and his awaiting bride - the earth Goddess. This festival also honors Brigid - a Goddess with many attributes and correspondences including Fire. This is also the festival of women's mysteries, celebrating the leadership of women. This is also a traditional time for augury practices, or divining the future by reading natural signs - Birds, wolves and snakes are popular divination devices on this holiday.
The Feast of St. Blaize (February 2): This is a feast in honor of patron healers as protection against the harsh winters. So, Goddesses such as Brigid are honored and invoked, and meditation/rituals/spells to develop healing abilities often occur.
Alder Moon (Feb/March Full Moon): A moon of action as Spring nears. This cycle quickens the awaying earth - great night for starting projects to instill changes.
Whuppity Scoorie (March 1-3): This festival is designed to awaken mother earth from her long winter's sleep. Tapping the earth 3 times with a staff or wand then calling out to motehr earth by name telling her its time to awaken - are common practices.
The Feast of Rhiannon (March 4): Honors the Welsh Horse, moon and ancestor Goddess. Celebrate with horse imagry, lunar rites, and honoring your ancestors. THe horse also symbolized the ability to travel between worlds - making this night a great time for astral projection to other realms. Offering libations to Mare and Epona will also give you magickal dreams on this night.
Day of Sheila-na-Gig (March 18): Honors the mysterious Goddess of thresholds and women's mysteries. This is a good day to skry into or meditate on her image, allowing her to open the portal to her secrets for you.
Ostara (Spring Equinox) / Tea & Telphi Day: A day of balance and sexual awakening. Eostra is the Teutonic Goddess of spring and fertility. You can also honor the twin Goddesses of Tara - Tea & Telphi -who can bless you with protection.
Lady Day (March 25): Celecbrates the return of our Lady Goddesss from her winters slumbers. Some traditions include - burying eggs to fertalize the feilds, decorating w/ spring flowers, dancing and feasting. Any woman who gives birth on this day is thought to be blessed by the goddess. It is also a time of sexual awakening - a time when 2 geneder-halves reunite (soul-mates) making this day great for Handfasting. Divination concerning romance is traditionally a part of this day as well.
Willow Moon (March Full Moon): The willow is a feminine tre that thrives on the femine element of water, its boughs are traditionally used as magickal tools. Due to these 2 facts this is sometimes refered to as the Witch's Moon.
Hawthorn Moon (April Full Moon): Blooming Hawthorn is a faery flower - giving the petals and blooms great strength as magickal aids.
Beltaine (May 1): One of the most popular Sabbats in the Wiccan Year. Traditionaltime for handfasting. THe main purpose of the sabbat is the celebration of the sexual union or marriage of the Goddess and the God. The morning dew from this day is excellent to purify yourself with as an anointing oil. The wood burned on this day has great protection strength as well. (see my posts on Beltane on 4/19)
Veneration of the Thorn (May 4): This is a night to honor the old faery guardians of the thorn trees. Tying a scrap of white cloth around one of the thorn trees by a holy well was said to send your wishes to the faeries. Making a walking stick or staff out of a thorn tree also imbues you with great blessings. Finally, leveling blessings - or making petitions to deities are traditionally done on this day.
Night of the Lunantisidhe (May 16): This is a night to pay homage to the frightening black-thorn tree. It is a night to try to right the wrongs humans have done to nature and visualize the healing of plant-life and the land.
Oak Moon (May or June Full Moon):The oak tree is a tree of strength and endurance.
Midsummer (Summer Solstice): Celebratingthe full-flower of womens power; dedicating yourself as a warrior, invoking sun God/dess', hosting a feast eaturing hot foods - revel in the warmth of the sun when it is at its zenith.
The Feast of Aine (June 25): This is a fire festival once a part of midsummer. Aine is an Irish fire and cattle Goddess. Blessings and protections and the use of the element fire are common on this day/night.
Festival of Cerridwen (July 3): This celebrates the Goddess of knowledge, wisdom and plenty. Celebrate all you have learned.
Holly Moon (July Full Moon): Emphasizes polarities, particularly between the male and female.
Rowena (July 15): Celebrates this Goddess of knowledge. A rowan tree also has protective powers and amulets of protection crafted from its bark & leaves are made on this day. You can also make amulets and cast protections in general on this night.
Lughnasadh (Lammas) (August 1): Celebrated the marriage of Lugh - the harvest lord to the land or Goddess. Celebrates the first fruits of harvest. In many traditions the king is slain - cut down like a tree, in others it is the wedding of the king and his sacrifice comes at Samhain. Great day for Handfasting. Focus your energies on the power of the feminnine to bring forth the harvest from her womb (the land) and to grant sacred status to her harvest lord.
Taillte's Day (early - to - mid August): Celebrates the Goddess of inspiration and competition. Celebrate by hosting your own games or by testing the limits of your physical endurance.
Hazel Moon (August or Sept Full Moon): Honor the crone and celebrate wisdom
Mabon (Autumnal Equinox): This is the second of the 3 harvest festivals (with Lammas and Samhain) It is primarily the harvest of berries and a time for making wines. This is the time when the Goddess enters cronehood, and when it is proper to adorn graves witht he symbols for rebirth. It is also a time of balance, when light and darkness equals - but after which dark is dominant. Rituals to celebrate sacred burial spaces, the croning of the Goddess, and hopes for regeneration are appropriate.
Vine Moon (September Full Moon): Celebrates the harvest, particularly products used to make alcoholic beverages.
The Feast of Brewing (September 28): Celebrates the making of alcohol for festivals and sacred purposes. This is a good time to honor tje Goddes of heather and heather wine - Uroica.
Garland Sunday (Late Aug. Early Sept): Taking garland adorned with apples to the local cemetaries is what the ancients did. Also, tossing apples about and mouring the dead - the nrepairing the communal dathering spot for dancing and drinking and feasting. Symbolizes the crone,death and eternal life.
Ivy Moon (Oct. Full Moon): Moon of Resilience - addresses our beliefs in rebirth and our triumph over death.
Reed Moon (October or November Full Moon): Cycle of completeness of home, hearth and looking inward.
Most derived from: Celtic Women's Spirituality By: Edain McCoy
Samhain (October 31) This the celebration of the new year. A feast at harvest's ending, a re-affirmation into our beleifs in the eternal cycle of life and death. The Crone is the supreme deity of this festival - Samhain is essentially when the old God her son and lover dies, and she goes into mourning for him until she can reform into the maiden. The cauldron on halloween comes from the ancient belief that all the souls of the dead return to the Goddess' cauldron of life, death and rebirth to await reincarnation.
The Day of Banshees (November 1): The banshee represents the Otheworld realm of omen, known as the Tir na mBan, a world where all dead souls must go in or der to be reborn. On the night before a death, the banshee sings her lamentation which can be heard across the countryside. Placing apples on the graves of loved ones is a popular practice on this equinox. Apples represent the Otherworld, rebirth, eternal life and the crone Goddess.
Birch Moon (November or December Full moon): Moon of inception, great night to celebrate new beginings and fresh starts.
Feast of Potential (November 23): sometimes reffered to as the Secret of the Unhewn Stone. To hew something is to strike it repeatedly, or to force it to comform. This holiday is a time for a solitary witch to under go introspection and face the things that aren't easy to acknowledge. It is a day for examining difficult ideas, mulling over changes, and eliminating root causes of our resistance to the problem. Break insecurities and fears down blow-by-blow. One way, prior to the feast, of accomplishing this is to make a list of all the things you know are within your power to do but have not done either out of fear or lack of confidence. After the feasting, work a ritual, meditate or take a guided journey that has always been difficult for you.
Yule (Winter Solstice): One of the oldest Sabbats, perhaps as much as 12,000 to 20,000 y/o. Most Wiccans choose to enact or pay tribute to the eternal battle between Waxing and Waning forces of the year. ie. The Holly King vs. The Oak King, the Red Dragon vs. the White Dragon, etc. This is also a great day to enact Birthing rites, or Blessings/Wiccanings
Hogmanay (December 31): Moon of the Hag, a great day fordeveloping divination techniques and eating sweet treats.
Rowan Moon (Dec Full Moon): Sometimes called the Moon of Vision, this is a great time in which to travel or to bring out inner strengths.It has also been refered to as the Astral Moon as it is a good time to try your had at astral projection.
Festival fo the 3-Fold Goddess (January 6): This correspondes to The Twelfth Night ends the 12 day mid winter celebration that focuses on the Mother Goddess. This holiday could be moved to mid April or Mid July as well - the actual date isn't as important as the intent.
The Feast of the Morrigan (January 7): A feast day to celebrate the power and magesty of the Triple Goddess of eath and destruction. Remembering that with death there is re-birth, and that what she destroyes she revives.
Ash Moon (Jan Full Moon)Connects the flow of life and a ll crafting magickal tools. Forming an Ash Wand to be used as a healing stick can be done on this night.
Imbolg (February 2): A fire festival that celebrates the strengthening of the young sun and his awaiting bride - the earth Goddess. This festival also honors Brigid - a Goddess with many attributes and correspondences including Fire. This is also the festival of women's mysteries, celebrating the leadership of women. This is also a traditional time for augury practices, or divining the future by reading natural signs - Birds, wolves and snakes are popular divination devices on this holiday.
The Feast of St. Blaize (February 2): This is a feast in honor of patron healers as protection against the harsh winters. So, Goddesses such as Brigid are honored and invoked, and meditation/rituals/spells to develop healing abilities often occur.
Alder Moon (Feb/March Full Moon): A moon of action as Spring nears. This cycle quickens the awaying earth - great night for starting projects to instill changes.
Whuppity Scoorie (March 1-3): This festival is designed to awaken mother earth from her long winter's sleep. Tapping the earth 3 times with a staff or wand then calling out to motehr earth by name telling her its time to awaken - are common practices.
The Feast of Rhiannon (March 4): Honors the Welsh Horse, moon and ancestor Goddess. Celebrate with horse imagry, lunar rites, and honoring your ancestors. THe horse also symbolized the ability to travel between worlds - making this night a great time for astral projection to other realms. Offering libations to Mare and Epona will also give you magickal dreams on this night.
Day of Sheila-na-Gig (March 18): Honors the mysterious Goddess of thresholds and women's mysteries. This is a good day to skry into or meditate on her image, allowing her to open the portal to her secrets for you.
Ostara (Spring Equinox) / Tea & Telphi Day: A day of balance and sexual awakening. Eostra is the Teutonic Goddess of spring and fertility. You can also honor the twin Goddesses of Tara - Tea & Telphi -who can bless you with protection.
Lady Day (March 25): Celecbrates the return of our Lady Goddesss from her winters slumbers. Some traditions include - burying eggs to fertalize the feilds, decorating w/ spring flowers, dancing and feasting. Any woman who gives birth on this day is thought to be blessed by the goddess. It is also a time of sexual awakening - a time when 2 geneder-halves reunite (soul-mates) making this day great for Handfasting. Divination concerning romance is traditionally a part of this day as well.
Willow Moon (March Full Moon): The willow is a feminine tre that thrives on the femine element of water, its boughs are traditionally used as magickal tools. Due to these 2 facts this is sometimes refered to as the Witch's Moon.
Hawthorn Moon (April Full Moon): Blooming Hawthorn is a faery flower - giving the petals and blooms great strength as magickal aids.
Beltaine (May 1): One of the most popular Sabbats in the Wiccan Year. Traditionaltime for handfasting. THe main purpose of the sabbat is the celebration of the sexual union or marriage of the Goddess and the God. The morning dew from this day is excellent to purify yourself with as an anointing oil. The wood burned on this day has great protection strength as well. (see my posts on Beltane on 4/19)
Veneration of the Thorn (May 4): This is a night to honor the old faery guardians of the thorn trees. Tying a scrap of white cloth around one of the thorn trees by a holy well was said to send your wishes to the faeries. Making a walking stick or staff out of a thorn tree also imbues you with great blessings. Finally, leveling blessings - or making petitions to deities are traditionally done on this day.
Night of the Lunantisidhe (May 16): This is a night to pay homage to the frightening black-thorn tree. It is a night to try to right the wrongs humans have done to nature and visualize the healing of plant-life and the land.
Oak Moon (May or June Full Moon):The oak tree is a tree of strength and endurance.
Midsummer (Summer Solstice): Celebratingthe full-flower of womens power; dedicating yourself as a warrior, invoking sun God/dess', hosting a feast eaturing hot foods - revel in the warmth of the sun when it is at its zenith.
The Feast of Aine (June 25): This is a fire festival once a part of midsummer. Aine is an Irish fire and cattle Goddess. Blessings and protections and the use of the element fire are common on this day/night.
Festival of Cerridwen (July 3): This celebrates the Goddess of knowledge, wisdom and plenty. Celebrate all you have learned.
Holly Moon (July Full Moon): Emphasizes polarities, particularly between the male and female.
Rowena (July 15): Celebrates this Goddess of knowledge. A rowan tree also has protective powers and amulets of protection crafted from its bark & leaves are made on this day. You can also make amulets and cast protections in general on this night.
Lughnasadh (Lammas) (August 1): Celebrated the marriage of Lugh - the harvest lord to the land or Goddess. Celebrates the first fruits of harvest. In many traditions the king is slain - cut down like a tree, in others it is the wedding of the king and his sacrifice comes at Samhain. Great day for Handfasting. Focus your energies on the power of the feminnine to bring forth the harvest from her womb (the land) and to grant sacred status to her harvest lord.
Taillte's Day (early - to - mid August): Celebrates the Goddess of inspiration and competition. Celebrate by hosting your own games or by testing the limits of your physical endurance.
Hazel Moon (August or Sept Full Moon): Honor the crone and celebrate wisdom
Mabon (Autumnal Equinox): This is the second of the 3 harvest festivals (with Lammas and Samhain) It is primarily the harvest of berries and a time for making wines. This is the time when the Goddess enters cronehood, and when it is proper to adorn graves witht he symbols for rebirth. It is also a time of balance, when light and darkness equals - but after which dark is dominant. Rituals to celebrate sacred burial spaces, the croning of the Goddess, and hopes for regeneration are appropriate.
Vine Moon (September Full Moon): Celebrates the harvest, particularly products used to make alcoholic beverages.
The Feast of Brewing (September 28): Celebrates the making of alcohol for festivals and sacred purposes. This is a good time to honor tje Goddes of heather and heather wine - Uroica.
Garland Sunday (Late Aug. Early Sept): Taking garland adorned with apples to the local cemetaries is what the ancients did. Also, tossing apples about and mouring the dead - the nrepairing the communal dathering spot for dancing and drinking and feasting. Symbolizes the crone,death and eternal life.
Ivy Moon (Oct. Full Moon): Moon of Resilience - addresses our beliefs in rebirth and our triumph over death.
Reed Moon (October or November Full Moon): Cycle of completeness of home, hearth and looking inward.
Most derived from: Celtic Women's Spirituality By: Edain McCoy
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