Mabon, pronounced May-bon, MAY-bun, MAY-bone, MAH-boon, or MAH-bawn, is the Fall Equinox, named after the Celtic God of the same name. Falls on Sept. 23, 2007, 5:51 A.M. EDT. This lesser Sabbat is known, not only by the name of Mabon, but also that of Harvest Home, Winter Finding and Alban Elved plus various other names, such as The Second Harvest Festival, the Festival of Dionysus, Harvest of First Fruits, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii), or Cornucopia. The Teutonic name, Winter Finding, spans a period of time from this Sabbat to Oct. 15th, Winter's Night, which is the Norse New Year. The Druids call this celebration, Mea'n Fo'mhair, and honor The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees.
Since most European peasants were not accomplished at calculating the exact date of the equinox, they celebrated the event on a fixed calendar date, September 25th, a holiday the medieval church Christianized under the name of 'Michaelmas', the feat of the Archangel Michael. In medieval times, rents fell due and contracts were settled at Easter and at Michaelmas.
The Autumnal Equinox is a specific moment in time - when the earth reaches a specific point in its cylindrical rotation around the sun. The Solstices are the tips of the cylinder, the equinox's are 1/2 way between the solstices (Yule and Summer Solstice). To the people of earth this day is marked by the appearance of the day and the night seeming to last the same amount of time. In the northern hemisphere it marks the end of summer and the begining of fall, as after this time the days will begin to shorten and the nights to lengthen through Winter.
Every Sabbat has an element of Thanksgiving....thanking the Gods for the
blessings of Spring at Beltane and teh fertility of the land, Thanking for the first harvest at Laughnasadh, etc. But many Wiccans liken the Autumnal Equinox to the American Holiday of Thanksgiving. because it is the main harvest festival, often associated with cornucopias of fruit, bread, and vegetables.
Many traditions view the Gods death (or transformation) beginning at Litha and ending at the Autumnal Equinox. The God is viewed to transform into the food for the land - meaning the fruits, vegetables, grains, etc that were harvested are parts of the God providing for us for the coming winter. When the field is harvested and turned this is also a part of the God, preparing for the fertilization of His seed in the coming Spring. His Spirit return to the Mother as His body is utilized by the land, and will be reunited to His body at Yule when He is reborn.
So, in a way we celebrate His "death" at the Autumnal Equinox - as His death is not an ending but a step along the path toward re-birth. We can not have a fertile Spring or enough food for winter without this "death". Therefore, it might be more appropriate to say we are celebrating His sacrifice to transformation rather than His "death" which is often viewed by mortals to be an ending rather than a step allong an essential path. This idea of death and rebirth or transformation is replayed again and again at the Autumnal Equinox - the grain must be cut from the fields, causing the lpant to "die" yet the grain is again transformed into bread.
Therefore, we celebrate, give thanks, and honor the cycle of life and
transformation, of the God and land, at the Autumnal Equinox. The most basic way to honor this cycle is through eating. Each time we imbibe food or drink we are acknowledging the item we eat was once "alive". We should realize the plant, animal, whatever, had to "die" or be transformed into food so that we might use that energy to live. It is transformed again through the digestive process, ending as a fertilizer to the land so that things may be born again or re-grown. So, when you eat your Sabbat Dinner, take a moment to thank the food for its generous sacrifice, for allowing its physical body to be transformed for the continuation of life. This is just another way to give thanks to the God for the same sacrifice.
This giving of thanks should also be an integral part of your Sabbat Ritual. You should honor the sacrifices made that you might continue on your own path. None of us survives alone, everything is interconnected, so in order for you to progress and evolve until your time of transformation (death) you acknowledge all the many things that made that evolution possible. This is also an essential element of the Autumnal Equinox, and it is why American's liken it to their Thanksgiving. If you were honoring all the things that make it possible for you to continue on your path, than you will also be honoring all the people who have touched your life - both directly and indirectly. At Samhain (the next Sabbat) we widen this honoring to include our ancestors and those people that are no longer with us on the physical plane.
Who do we thank? Well each tradition has different Gods associated with
thanksgiving and tha harvest. Some believe, as the Druids do, that each God and Goddess represent a separate entity, that the Gods are similar to people in that each is unique. Some other traditions see the 'separate' Gods as a way of describing different characteristics of the God and Goddess. When its all boiled down we thank and honor the Mother Goddess - that which is capable of giving life, nurturing, caring, and eternal; and the Horned God - that which is capable of transformation, dieing to be reborn.
As celebrating the Autumnal Equinox is about celebrating the transformations in life and death, divination is another great past-time. Usually I harvest the materials for making my own divining tools on Lughnasadh, make and consecrate the tools during the Autumnal Equinox and then use them on Samhain....this makes the tools VERY powerful. Of course you can make them on any of the Sabbats, and use them on most as well. The 3 harvest festivals coming together in power makes for a fabulous tool that will last through your life. (see Autumnal Equinox Crafts for directions on making tools.) Also, due to the masculine nature of the Sabbat, making the more masculine tools would also be appropriate - the wand, staf, boline, athame, etc.
There are many simple ways honor this Sabbat if you are new or uncomfortable with performing a full ritual. Apples are sacred to this holiday as we are harvesting the vine and fruits (Lughnasadh was for harvesting grains). Apples represent the goddess - if you cut an apple in half the core is in the shape of a pentagram. In any Celtic traditions the Land of the Dead is called Avalon, which literally means "Land of Apples". So, apples represent the transformation from life to death to rebirth. Placing an apple ath te grave of a loved one, or in the windows, shows the Goddess you wish to be reunited with family and loved ones. The apple on a grave is a symbol to your loved ones that the Goddess ensures the renewal of life, even through death. You can ask any Mother Goddess, (Modron especially) or Mabon, to guide you in a meditation - to gain understanding of the Otherworld and of reincarnation, or of your place in the cycle of life of all things.
The best thing you can do for this day is to take a look at your life. What have you achieved? In what ways have you changed? Who aided you the most? Be thankful for all that has happened in your life - the good an the bad - as it has led you to this very moment. Acknowledge to yourself and the Gods that you are on a path of learning - and that is an ever changing state. Be thankful for the oportunity to gain this understanding. Imagine how flat life must be to the unenlightened - who can not see the interconnectedness of all living things. Be thankful for this vision, and the chance to gain the understanding of what is needed from yuo, what can YOU provide to this cycle that no others can. Think of it as if you were specifically chosen by the Gods for a specific purpose. Thank them for the chance to find meaning on this path, before moving to the next.
Myths
Myths are also an important part of celebrating any Sabbat, in the Celtic Traditions. Many Pagans refer to the Autumnal Equinox as Mabon.
MABON (Welsh) {MAH-bahn or BAY-bone] Also maponos and Maponus.
Mabon means "great son", the child of Modred whose name means "great mother". He was stolen from Modron at three years old and later rescued by King Arthur. Mabon's myths overlap those of Gwyn Ap Nuad, and they may have once been the same deity. Mabon rode wild horses, had prized guardian hunting hounds, and he may have been an actual ruler of Wales who later came into myth.
He is also a minor sun God, yet he represents the power in darkness. His images transcend all the life stages of other Gods. He is a king of death and the Otherworld, a deity of the harvest and fertility, and was once called "The Divine Youth" by his followers. He represents innocent youth when young, strength and virility as a young man, and the sacrificial God when elderly. His image is linked the hierarchies of sacred animals , and he may have once figured heavily in long lost Celtic creation myths since he is equated with the expelling of and control of the darkness and of storms. Some Celtic traditions see him as the original being, the first God, the first life carved out of the primal void of the divine womb. He was adopted by the Anglo-Romans as Maponus and was honored at Hadrian's Wall. He is sometimes called a masculine Persephone, or the Celtic Dionysus because of his linkage with the grape harvest.
Gwyn Ap Nuad (Welsh) King of the Fairies and the underworld. Later he became King of the Plant Annwn, or subterranean fairies. His name means "white son of darkness" and he was the child of the sun/death God Llud, also called Nuad or Nudd, the leader of the hunt.
God of war, death, and the hunt, and a patron God of fallen warriors. He is equated with Ireland's Fionn MacCumhal as both Gwyn and Fion mean "white". As the master hunter, he rode a wild horse and had three massive hounds; one red, one black, and one white. In an early Welsh poem he is a God of battle and of the Underworld, the escort of dead souls to Annwn. Rural people claim they can sometimes hear his wild chase at night. (The hunt is a metaphor for gathering souls for the Otherworld.)
Today he is often thought of as king of the Tylwyth Teg, the faeries of Wales who can be equated with the Tuatha of Ireland. Modern legend has him living on the summit of high Welsh hills looking down on his people. (1)
The Myth behind Authurs saving Mabon: The Price of Marriage
Arthur and Culhwch set out to find Ysbaddaden's home. Culhwch learned of where the giant lived, when he met a shepherd named Custenhin (Custennin), who was the husband of Goleuddydd's sister. He was told that no one left Ysbaddaden's domain alive. Culhwch gave the shepherd, a ring as a reward for the information. Custenhin gave the ring to his wife and told her that he had met his nephew. Custenhin's wife was sorrowful that her nephew was going to his death.
They invited their noble guests, where Culhwch met the couple's last son, named Goreu, who was hiding in the chest near the hearth. Ysbaddaden had killed the other twenty-three sons. Kei asked her to let Goreu to become his companion in the quest for Olwen.
Culhwch wanted to meet Olwen, so his aunt made arrangement. Culhwch fell in love with Olwen when she arrived at his aunt's house. Olwen refused to marry him unless her father agreed. Olwen knew that when she marries her father would die. Olwen advised Culhwch that he must go to his father and ask for her hand in marriage. Culwch must do everything Ysbaddaden ask for, if he hoped to marry her.
Culhwch and his companions arrived at Ysbaddaden's fortress, killing nine gatekeeper and nine mastiffs, until they stood before Ysbaddaden. When Ysbaddaden heard what they wanted, he asked his servants to lift his eyelids with a fork, so he could see his prospective son-in-law. Ysbaddaden told them to return tomorrow.
As they turned back to leave. Ysbaddaden hurled one of his three-poisoned spears at them. Bedywr caught the spear and threw it back at the giant. Ysbaddaden received a wound to his knee. Ysbaddaden cried out that he would have trouble walking up hill.
They returned in the morning, demanding to allow Culhwch to marry the giant's daughter. Ysbaddaden told them he must consult Olwen grandparents first. As Culhwch's company leave to have breakfast, Ysbaddaden threw another spear at the group. This time Menw, son of Teirwaedd caught the spear, before hurling back at Ysbaddaden. The spear pierced Ysbaddaden's chest. Ysbaddaden complained that he would suffer from chest pain and stomach ache.
Culhwch and his companions returned from their meal, again making their demand. Ysbaddaden's eyelids had drooped over his eyes. Once it was pushed up, the giant threw his last spear. This time it was Culhwch who caught the spear and threw it back at Ysbaddaden. The spear struck one of his eyes. The giant moaned that his eye would water whenever the wind blows, and he will suffer from dizziness and headache as a result of this latest injury.
It was then that Ysbaddaden started making demand from Culhwch. Culhwch promised Ysbaddaden he would fetch everything that the giant wanted. Ysbaddaden told Culhwch he must complete over forty impossible tasks. Some tasks can't be completed until he performs one or more task that was necessary for success. Some of these tasks were also preparation for his daughter's marriage.
Each task seemed to be short, yet it took at least seven pages for Ysbaddaden to list all his requirements. I don't think I will go through here. However, I will try to recount some of the most important tasks that Culhwch and his companions needed to complete.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the items that they had to fetch was the sword from Wrnach the Giant. Kei pretending to be a craftsman said he was a burnisher of swords. Kei polished Wrnach's sword before killing the giant with his own sword.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next they had to find and release from prisoner, a man or youth named Mabon, the son of the goddess Modron. Culhwch needed Mabon to control Drudwyn, the hound of Greid, to hunt the boar (Twrch Trwyth). Fetching and the leash (Cors Hundred Claws) and the collar (Canhastyr Hundred Hands), as well as the hound (Drudwyn), were three other conditions that Culhwch needs fulfilling.
Gwrhyr, Arthur's interpreter, could speak the language of the animal. To find out where Mabon was held captive, Gwrhyr must talk to one animal after another. Each animal was older than the previous. First Gwrhyr talked to Ousel of Kilgwri, who did not know of Mabon, but thought that the Stag of Rhedenvre might know. The stag did not know, but the beast told him to find the Owl of Cwm Cawlwyd. The owl guided them to the Eagle of Gwernbwy, who in turn told them to speak to the Salmon of Llyn Llyw. The salmon was the oldest and the wisest of the animals. The salmon took Kei and Bedywr to Gloucester, where they found Mabon's prison. They freed Mabon, who in gratitude joined Culhwch's company.(2)
References:
(1) Celtic Gods & Heroes : Mabon & Gwyn Ap Nuad http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Celtic/deities.html(2) Culhwch, Olwen & Arthur rescue Mabon. http://www.timelessmyths.com/celtic/mabinogion.html#Culhwch
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Correspondences / Associations
There are many references to correspondences and associations in all Pagan books - they refer to Gods, Days of the Week, Planets, Animals, etc. Generally speaking a correspondance or association is relating 1 or more things together. For instance: Saturday was named after the God Saturn, and so it is associated with him, also it is associated with the planet Saturn - meaning the traits that correspond to Saturn the Planet / God will also correspond to Saturday. Essentially associations and correspondences are the same thing - the relating of individual characteristics, so I will use the term correcpondences throughout this post. Even more confusing is the fact that not all the books jibe with the same references...so what should a neophite make of that?
There are 4 main classifications of Correspondences.
1) Personal: Each of us views the universe and all that inhabits it, a little differently. Its part of what makes us unique - and its definately what makes our path's unique. Over time you may find that amythist (for instance) is a healing stone and is calming - therefore it has those correspondences....whenever yuo with to invoke calm or healing you pull out an amythyst. Also, we view certain days as different from others. For some the New moon is a time of great power and reflection, for others the feel at their weakest when the moon is dark - therefore each person will assign different correspondences to these moon phases. Accoringly, we've each lived vastly different lives, therefore the date of our childrens births (for instance) will hold great meaning for us, and may allow us to access our power in reguards to parenting - guidance, soothing, love, etc. Therefore, over time we may make a list of correspondences that are entirely unique to ourselves. These are no less powerful than any other correspondence because power comes from our Belief - as long as you whole heartedly believe in something it has great power.
2) Familial. Just as we make our own associations to days, moon phases, etc as we live our lives; we also carry on traditions that were past down to us from our parents and families. If you always have a family reuinion on a certain day than you may associate that day with family activities and feelings. If you have been taught from birth that bears are dangerous and frightening, you may have a hard time connecting to their power as a totem, etc. So, families can instill in us correspondences we maynot even be aware of, but that are unique to our families heritage.
3) Magickal Tradition. Each tradition has a different set o correspondences. For instance the Wiccan believes in the law of 3 and The Rede. A Celtic, like myself, does not, we follow an honor tradition. Therefore there are not the same consequences and associations for actions or behavior. Celtics also put great power into nature - not just nature as a whole but each individual piece; Trees have great power depending on what type of tree it is and each has different correspondences attatched to them. Wiccans have a great respect for nature and have correspondences associated with each piece of nature - but there are not as long and complex as the Celtic tradition. Therefore, each tradition may have its own correspondences - largely based on region and the people who practiced the tradition bringing the above two types of correspondences to the table.
4) Regional. Depending on where you live, and were raised, you will associate different correspondences to everything. Someone from the North East United States may feel a great connection to the White Birch tree and utilize a more complex list of correspondences (or uses) for it since it isreadily available in that region. But, someone from the south west, while recognizing ther are uses for the tree, won't rely on such a comlex list of uses as it is not easily available...but they may have a longer list for the various types of cacti. Therefore, the region in which you were raised and now practie your craft will impact the correspondences you associate with the tools around you.
How does this help you in establishing your own Path?
Remember there is no right or wrong in establishing your own practices...even if you subscribe to one of the more specific traditions, I believe we all make little adjustments to make the tradition fit us more personally - if not we wont have as strong a connection to all of the pieces of the tradition, and that will weaken any of our workings.
Correspondences are easier to make than you realize. Think of a watermelon and make a list of words you associate with it:
* Wet / cold / summer / hot days / family picnic / happiness / messy / etc
Our brains make lists of these such correspondences daily and have done since we were in our mother's womb. Some aspects of the craft will be entirely new, from out of your element. For instance, you may have never touched or worked with a Tarot deck. In this instance you simply can not buy a book and start divining the future by making a list of the cards and looking them up. Any elder will tell you to first meditate with your deck, study each of the pictures, become acquainted with it. Make notes on your findings....essentially make your own list of personal correspondences. Yes you may still use the universal definition of each card - but with this greater understanding of each card you will be able to understand truly what it means...the difference between book smarts and street smarts.
According to Amber k. and Azreal Arynn K. of the book Ritual Craft, Correspondences, in fact all symbols, are stand-ins for a reality that is not present, but could be. By manipulating these symbols we tell our [Deep Mind} what we want to happen; by sending energy into a new pattern of symbols, we give our Higher Selves the plan and materials to manifest that new reality.
What the heck did that mean? Well, think of this. You're totally stress out and need to find a new job. You're running low on money and your kids are sick. You're feeling the pressure both external and internal. So, you decide to do a ritual to help you in finding the perfect job. As parts of this ritual you may have water, communion, maybe some music, you concentrate on all the aspects you wish to have in your new job, as well as the parts of your personality you wish to focus on to help you during interviews. The very act of going through the ritual steps helps you focus, and release tension. The act of communion is to replace energy - so you feel revitalized, etc. Each of these steps remind the brain of past experiences and things it associated with each event and sequence. I feel my most powerful after a short round of meditation to clear out the stresses of the day - therefore I use it whenever I'm stressed....not only to relieve the tension (because my brain recognizes it is a soothing act) but because I feel most connected to the Goddess when I open my eyes and my brain remembers each and every time I connected wit Her and how wonderful that made me feel.
A great many of the correspondences for Deities come from mythology. For instance lets take a look at Mars - he is associated with the day Tuesday, his correspondences include: Courage, self-interest, activity, action, assertiveness, passion, adventure, decisiveness, aggression, anger, violence, etc. Mars was a Roman God, one of the most widely celebrated. According to Encyclopedia Mythica { http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/mars.html }
The god of war, and one of the most prominent and worshipped gods. In early Roman history he was a god of spring, growth in nature, and fertility, and the protector of cattle. Mars is also mentioned as a chthonic god (earth-god) and this could explain why he became a god of death and finally a god of war. He is the son of Jupiter and Juno. According to some sources, Mars is the father of Romulus and Remus by the Vestal Ilia (Rhea Silvia). Because he was the father of these legendary founders of Rome, and thus of the Roman people, the Romans styled themselves 'sons of Mars'. Mars is portrayed as a warrior in full battle armor, wearing a crested helmet and bearing a shield. His sacred animals are the wolf and the woodpecker, and he is accompanied by Fuga and Timor, the personifications of flight and fear. The month March (Martius) is named after him (wars were often started or renewed in spring).
So, it is apparent where these correspondences originated. When the Planet Mars was named after him - it was also given the same correspondences. This is another example of a traditions correspondences. Each traditions has different myths and deities...if you were Greek you would use Ares for the above correspondences, or if you were Norse you would use Tiw, etc.
Other Types of Correspondences:
Deities: I have already explained how each tradition cam by the correspondences associated with each deity. For most it come through ancient myth - or, for some traditions, the stories of the Gods' lives.
Symbols: This would include runes, alphabets, and other symbols. Each has a different correspondence; meaning, each symbol stands for some intangible idea or feeling. Most of the symbols developed over time - many before true writing was established. Priests & Priestesses needed a way to convey the intangible to a people who did not have a lot of time to devote to the spiritual, so simple symbols were developed to represent each item. Even the elements have a symbol associated with them - when out side of the circle, you can draw the sigil to invoke the strengths of each of the elements. When in circle using the sigil can help you connect on a deeper mystical level than just calling the quarters.
Astrology: This is another form of correspondences. First of all, the planets in our solar system each have a Deity associated with them giving them personality correspondences. For instance the moon is connected to the Goddess - by observing the phases of the moon you can vary the strength for your connection to Her. The same goes for the other planets in our solar system - depending on their orbit around the sun (this would fall under the Zodiac and Sun/Moon Signs) on the day of our birth we may carry certain characteristics that are similar to these correspondences. Therefore by observing the heavens, we may build on the strengths or ease the weaknesses from those traits.
Using Correspondences in Ritual:
The following list is a very small sample of the thousands of correspondences available to us in Ritual. Now that you have a greater understanding of what correspondences are you can utilize your books on your tradition to their utmost.
The Following List is from Amber K. and Azrael Arynn K in Ritual Craft.
RITUAL THEME: Healing
GODDESS: Brigit, Hygeia
GOD: Apollo, Asclepius
COLOR: Green, Rose
STONE: Clear Quartz
HERB/TREE: Wilow
DAY: Sunday, Monday
MOON PHASE: Waning to Banish; Waxing to Restore
RITUAL THEME: Love
GODDESS: Aphrodite, Venus
GOD: Eros
COLOR: Rose
STONE: Pearl
HERB/TREE: Apple
DAY: Friday
MOON PHASE: Waxing
RITUAL THEME: Prosperity
GODDESS: Lakshmi
GOD: Dagda
COLOR: Gold, green
STONE: Lodestone
HERB/TREE: Almond
DAY: Thursday
MOON PHASE: Full
RITUAL THEME: Learning
GODDESS: Saraswati, Minerva
GOD: Odin, Thoth
COLOR: Black, Royal Blue
STONE: Apatite
HERB/TREE: Ash
DAY: Wednesday
MOON PHASE: Waxing
RITUAL THEME: Spiritual Growth
GODDESS: Any
GOD: Any
COLOR: Violet
STONE: Lapis Lazuli
HERB/TREE: Rowan
DAY: Any
MOON PHASE: Any
Using Days / Planets / Deities in the Craft - Shannon's Example of Correspondences
Sunday: Obviously associated with the Sun, it is a good day to do rituals/spells related to enlightenment, expansion, power, logic, brilliance, healing, and music. The Sun is a ruling force over us all - but it feeds as warms us too. The energy of the Sun is very much directed to confidence and achievement, joy, illumination, ruler-ship, etc.
Incense- mix equal parts of - cinnamon, angelica, rosemary, sandalwood, and frankinsense.
Oil: Cinnamon Oil
Monday: The day of the moon. Appropriate for dream work, psychic power, the sea and water, and woman's magick. Remember the moon is all about cycles - menstruation, the tides, moon phases, etc. So obviously the power of the moon is strong in taking next steps (following a path) as the moon calls to us, our power, if is an excellent time to develop your power.
Incense - mix equal parts of - Lemon Balm, myrrh, eucalyptus
Oil: Myrrh Oil
Tuesday: Named for Tiw, the martial god of the Norse. Work related to assertiveness, strength, battle, legal issues, protection and self-defense are strong on Tuesdays due to its association with Mars, which is all about decisiveness, action, war, etc.
Incense - mix equal parts of - Allspice, basil, hops, High John the Conqueror
Oil: Allspice Oil
Wednesday: Named for Woden, the Norse father-god and master of magick. Due to its association with Mercury, this day is strong for travel, and although Mercury is a god of thievery it is really not recommended on Wednesdays. Mercury's energies are about Communication, information, thought and reason so utilize this in your rituals and spells for extra power.
Incense - mix equal parts of - Lavender, marjoram, mint, clover.
Oil: Lavender Oil.
Thursday: Nameds after Thor, the Norse god of slaves and the common people. He as famous for his magick hammer and could smash all obstacles with his great strength. Rituals to remove barriers, as well as career/prosperity rituals do well on Thursdays. These are also good as Thursday is associated with Jupiter. Jupiter's energies are focused on Expansion, growth, generosity, enthusiasm, exploration, and networking.
Incense- mix equal parts of - Cinquefoil, clove, hyssop, nutmeg, sage.
Oil: Nutmeg Oil
Friday: Named for Freya, the primary goddess of the Norse. She is a goddess of youth, love and sensuality; but she is also a war goddess and the chief of the valkyries. Work related to love, relationships, or battle, are appropriate. Friday is also associated with Venus, which is associated with love, pleasure, happiness, sensuality, attraction and money.
Incense- mix equal parts of - Lilac, rose, valerian, vetivert.
Oil: Lilac Oil
Saturday: Obviously named for Saturn, one of the elder gods from Greek mythology. Saturnian energy defines, limits and controls, but also brings order out of chaos. Work should focus on getting organized or bringing things under control. Saturn energies also include: boundaries, rules, order, discipline, also limitation, contraction, delay, resistance to change, criticism.
Incense- mix equal parts of - Comfrey, mullein, patchouli, Solomon's seal..
Oil: Patchouli Oil
There are 4 main classifications of Correspondences.
1) Personal: Each of us views the universe and all that inhabits it, a little differently. Its part of what makes us unique - and its definately what makes our path's unique. Over time you may find that amythist (for instance) is a healing stone and is calming - therefore it has those correspondences....whenever yuo with to invoke calm or healing you pull out an amythyst. Also, we view certain days as different from others. For some the New moon is a time of great power and reflection, for others the feel at their weakest when the moon is dark - therefore each person will assign different correspondences to these moon phases. Accoringly, we've each lived vastly different lives, therefore the date of our childrens births (for instance) will hold great meaning for us, and may allow us to access our power in reguards to parenting - guidance, soothing, love, etc. Therefore, over time we may make a list of correspondences that are entirely unique to ourselves. These are no less powerful than any other correspondence because power comes from our Belief - as long as you whole heartedly believe in something it has great power.
2) Familial. Just as we make our own associations to days, moon phases, etc as we live our lives; we also carry on traditions that were past down to us from our parents and families. If you always have a family reuinion on a certain day than you may associate that day with family activities and feelings. If you have been taught from birth that bears are dangerous and frightening, you may have a hard time connecting to their power as a totem, etc. So, families can instill in us correspondences we maynot even be aware of, but that are unique to our families heritage.
3) Magickal Tradition. Each tradition has a different set o correspondences. For instance the Wiccan believes in the law of 3 and The Rede. A Celtic, like myself, does not, we follow an honor tradition. Therefore there are not the same consequences and associations for actions or behavior. Celtics also put great power into nature - not just nature as a whole but each individual piece; Trees have great power depending on what type of tree it is and each has different correspondences attatched to them. Wiccans have a great respect for nature and have correspondences associated with each piece of nature - but there are not as long and complex as the Celtic tradition. Therefore, each tradition may have its own correspondences - largely based on region and the people who practiced the tradition bringing the above two types of correspondences to the table.
4) Regional. Depending on where you live, and were raised, you will associate different correspondences to everything. Someone from the North East United States may feel a great connection to the White Birch tree and utilize a more complex list of correspondences (or uses) for it since it isreadily available in that region. But, someone from the south west, while recognizing ther are uses for the tree, won't rely on such a comlex list of uses as it is not easily available...but they may have a longer list for the various types of cacti. Therefore, the region in which you were raised and now practie your craft will impact the correspondences you associate with the tools around you.
How does this help you in establishing your own Path?
Remember there is no right or wrong in establishing your own practices...even if you subscribe to one of the more specific traditions, I believe we all make little adjustments to make the tradition fit us more personally - if not we wont have as strong a connection to all of the pieces of the tradition, and that will weaken any of our workings.
Correspondences are easier to make than you realize. Think of a watermelon and make a list of words you associate with it:
* Wet / cold / summer / hot days / family picnic / happiness / messy / etc
Our brains make lists of these such correspondences daily and have done since we were in our mother's womb. Some aspects of the craft will be entirely new, from out of your element. For instance, you may have never touched or worked with a Tarot deck. In this instance you simply can not buy a book and start divining the future by making a list of the cards and looking them up. Any elder will tell you to first meditate with your deck, study each of the pictures, become acquainted with it. Make notes on your findings....essentially make your own list of personal correspondences. Yes you may still use the universal definition of each card - but with this greater understanding of each card you will be able to understand truly what it means...the difference between book smarts and street smarts.
According to Amber k. and Azreal Arynn K. of the book Ritual Craft, Correspondences, in fact all symbols, are stand-ins for a reality that is not present, but could be. By manipulating these symbols we tell our [Deep Mind} what we want to happen; by sending energy into a new pattern of symbols, we give our Higher Selves the plan and materials to manifest that new reality.
What the heck did that mean? Well, think of this. You're totally stress out and need to find a new job. You're running low on money and your kids are sick. You're feeling the pressure both external and internal. So, you decide to do a ritual to help you in finding the perfect job. As parts of this ritual you may have water, communion, maybe some music, you concentrate on all the aspects you wish to have in your new job, as well as the parts of your personality you wish to focus on to help you during interviews. The very act of going through the ritual steps helps you focus, and release tension. The act of communion is to replace energy - so you feel revitalized, etc. Each of these steps remind the brain of past experiences and things it associated with each event and sequence. I feel my most powerful after a short round of meditation to clear out the stresses of the day - therefore I use it whenever I'm stressed....not only to relieve the tension (because my brain recognizes it is a soothing act) but because I feel most connected to the Goddess when I open my eyes and my brain remembers each and every time I connected wit Her and how wonderful that made me feel.
A great many of the correspondences for Deities come from mythology. For instance lets take a look at Mars - he is associated with the day Tuesday, his correspondences include: Courage, self-interest, activity, action, assertiveness, passion, adventure, decisiveness, aggression, anger, violence, etc. Mars was a Roman God, one of the most widely celebrated. According to Encyclopedia Mythica { http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/mars.html }
The god of war, and one of the most prominent and worshipped gods. In early Roman history he was a god of spring, growth in nature, and fertility, and the protector of cattle. Mars is also mentioned as a chthonic god (earth-god) and this could explain why he became a god of death and finally a god of war. He is the son of Jupiter and Juno. According to some sources, Mars is the father of Romulus and Remus by the Vestal Ilia (Rhea Silvia). Because he was the father of these legendary founders of Rome, and thus of the Roman people, the Romans styled themselves 'sons of Mars'. Mars is portrayed as a warrior in full battle armor, wearing a crested helmet and bearing a shield. His sacred animals are the wolf and the woodpecker, and he is accompanied by Fuga and Timor, the personifications of flight and fear. The month March (Martius) is named after him (wars were often started or renewed in spring).
So, it is apparent where these correspondences originated. When the Planet Mars was named after him - it was also given the same correspondences. This is another example of a traditions correspondences. Each traditions has different myths and deities...if you were Greek you would use Ares for the above correspondences, or if you were Norse you would use Tiw, etc.
Other Types of Correspondences:
Deities: I have already explained how each tradition cam by the correspondences associated with each deity. For most it come through ancient myth - or, for some traditions, the stories of the Gods' lives.
Symbols: This would include runes, alphabets, and other symbols. Each has a different correspondence; meaning, each symbol stands for some intangible idea or feeling. Most of the symbols developed over time - many before true writing was established. Priests & Priestesses needed a way to convey the intangible to a people who did not have a lot of time to devote to the spiritual, so simple symbols were developed to represent each item. Even the elements have a symbol associated with them - when out side of the circle, you can draw the sigil to invoke the strengths of each of the elements. When in circle using the sigil can help you connect on a deeper mystical level than just calling the quarters.
Astrology: This is another form of correspondences. First of all, the planets in our solar system each have a Deity associated with them giving them personality correspondences. For instance the moon is connected to the Goddess - by observing the phases of the moon you can vary the strength for your connection to Her. The same goes for the other planets in our solar system - depending on their orbit around the sun (this would fall under the Zodiac and Sun/Moon Signs) on the day of our birth we may carry certain characteristics that are similar to these correspondences. Therefore by observing the heavens, we may build on the strengths or ease the weaknesses from those traits.
Using Correspondences in Ritual:
The following list is a very small sample of the thousands of correspondences available to us in Ritual. Now that you have a greater understanding of what correspondences are you can utilize your books on your tradition to their utmost.
The Following List is from Amber K. and Azrael Arynn K in Ritual Craft.
RITUAL THEME: Healing
GODDESS: Brigit, Hygeia
GOD: Apollo, Asclepius
COLOR: Green, Rose
STONE: Clear Quartz
HERB/TREE: Wilow
DAY: Sunday, Monday
MOON PHASE: Waning to Banish; Waxing to Restore
RITUAL THEME: Love
GODDESS: Aphrodite, Venus
GOD: Eros
COLOR: Rose
STONE: Pearl
HERB/TREE: Apple
DAY: Friday
MOON PHASE: Waxing
RITUAL THEME: Prosperity
GODDESS: Lakshmi
GOD: Dagda
COLOR: Gold, green
STONE: Lodestone
HERB/TREE: Almond
DAY: Thursday
MOON PHASE: Full
RITUAL THEME: Learning
GODDESS: Saraswati, Minerva
GOD: Odin, Thoth
COLOR: Black, Royal Blue
STONE: Apatite
HERB/TREE: Ash
DAY: Wednesday
MOON PHASE: Waxing
RITUAL THEME: Spiritual Growth
GODDESS: Any
GOD: Any
COLOR: Violet
STONE: Lapis Lazuli
HERB/TREE: Rowan
DAY: Any
MOON PHASE: Any
Using Days / Planets / Deities in the Craft - Shannon's Example of Correspondences
Sunday: Obviously associated with the Sun, it is a good day to do rituals/spells related to enlightenment, expansion, power, logic, brilliance, healing, and music. The Sun is a ruling force over us all - but it feeds as warms us too. The energy of the Sun is very much directed to confidence and achievement, joy, illumination, ruler-ship, etc.
Incense- mix equal parts of - cinnamon, angelica, rosemary, sandalwood, and frankinsense.
Oil: Cinnamon Oil
Monday: The day of the moon. Appropriate for dream work, psychic power, the sea and water, and woman's magick. Remember the moon is all about cycles - menstruation, the tides, moon phases, etc. So obviously the power of the moon is strong in taking next steps (following a path) as the moon calls to us, our power, if is an excellent time to develop your power.
Incense - mix equal parts of - Lemon Balm, myrrh, eucalyptus
Oil: Myrrh Oil
Tuesday: Named for Tiw, the martial god of the Norse. Work related to assertiveness, strength, battle, legal issues, protection and self-defense are strong on Tuesdays due to its association with Mars, which is all about decisiveness, action, war, etc.
Incense - mix equal parts of - Allspice, basil, hops, High John the Conqueror
Oil: Allspice Oil
Wednesday: Named for Woden, the Norse father-god and master of magick. Due to its association with Mercury, this day is strong for travel, and although Mercury is a god of thievery it is really not recommended on Wednesdays. Mercury's energies are about Communication, information, thought and reason so utilize this in your rituals and spells for extra power.
Incense - mix equal parts of - Lavender, marjoram, mint, clover.
Oil: Lavender Oil.
Thursday: Nameds after Thor, the Norse god of slaves and the common people. He as famous for his magick hammer and could smash all obstacles with his great strength. Rituals to remove barriers, as well as career/prosperity rituals do well on Thursdays. These are also good as Thursday is associated with Jupiter. Jupiter's energies are focused on Expansion, growth, generosity, enthusiasm, exploration, and networking.
Incense- mix equal parts of - Cinquefoil, clove, hyssop, nutmeg, sage.
Oil: Nutmeg Oil
Friday: Named for Freya, the primary goddess of the Norse. She is a goddess of youth, love and sensuality; but she is also a war goddess and the chief of the valkyries. Work related to love, relationships, or battle, are appropriate. Friday is also associated with Venus, which is associated with love, pleasure, happiness, sensuality, attraction and money.
Incense- mix equal parts of - Lilac, rose, valerian, vetivert.
Oil: Lilac Oil
Saturday: Obviously named for Saturn, one of the elder gods from Greek mythology. Saturnian energy defines, limits and controls, but also brings order out of chaos. Work should focus on getting organized or bringing things under control. Saturn energies also include: boundaries, rules, order, discipline, also limitation, contraction, delay, resistance to change, criticism.
Incense- mix equal parts of - Comfrey, mullein, patchouli, Solomon's seal..
Oil: Patchouli Oil
Monday, July 30, 2007
God/dess of the Day
Lugh
We can see this ‘euhemerization’ clearly in the case of the god Lugh, who gives his name to the Irish summer festival of Lughnasadh. In the earliest Irish myths he is clearly a deity. As such, he offers himself as the saviour of the Tuatha dé Danann, the predecessors of the Milesians or Gaels. Seeking entry at the palace of King Nuada of the Silver Hand, at Tara, he announces each of his skills in turn – ‘Blacksmith, warrior, musician, poet, scholar …’. Each time he is refused entry, until he points out that no one else combines all these skills in one person, as he does.
In the Mabinogion, the main source of British myths, Lugh has become the much more human Lleu Llaw Gyfes, nephew (and possibly son) of the magician Gwydion. He is skilled, and protected by charms, but he is not obviously a god: in fact at one point he appears to be mortal.
http://www.livingmyths.com/Celticmyth.htm
Lugh in Myth
The god Lugh was worshipped in Ireland as a deity of the sun. This connection with the sun may explain his name (it means "shining one"), and it also may account for the attributes that he displayed: he was handsome, perpetually youthful, and had a tremendous energy and vitality. This energy manifests itself especially in the number of skills he had, according to legend, mastered. In fact, there was a tale that related Lugh's myriad abilities at arts and crafts.
As told in the Battle of Magh Tuiredh, the god travelled to Tara, and arrived during a tremendous feast for the royal court. Lugh was greeted at the door by the keeper of the gate, and was immediately asked what talent he had - for it was a tradition there that only those who had a special or unique ability could enter the palace. The god offered his reply: "I am a wright". In response, the gate keeper said: "We already have a wright. Your services are not needed here". Still, Lugh, not to be so easily dismissed, continued: "I am a smith". Again, the guard retorted that the court had a smith that was quite adequate; but the god was not to be dissuaded. In short order, he noted that he was also a champion, a harper, a hero, a poet, an historian, a sorcerer, and a craftsman. To this list, the gate keeper merely nodded his head, and stated matter of factly that all of these various trades were represented in the court by other members of the Tuatha de Danaan. "Ah, but you do have an individual who possesses all of these skills simultaneously?", was Lugh's clever and inspired reply. The guard was forced to admit his defeat, and so Lugh was allowed to enter and join the festivities.
According to Celtic mythology, Lugh was the son of Cian and Ethlinn. After the god Nuada was killed in the Second Battle of Magh Tuiredh, Lugh became the leader of the Tuatha De Danaan (the term for the gods and goddesses who descended from the goddess Danu).
http://www.loggia.com/myth/lugh.html
Cerridwen
Cerridwen is one of the Old Ones, one of the great megalithic pre-Christian Goddesses of the Celtic World. Although, in her story, she embodies all three lunar aspects of the Goddess, Maiden, Mother and Crone, she is primarily worshipped in her Crone aspect, by and through her Cauldron of Wisdom, Inspiration, Rebirth and Transformation. The cauldron has an intimate association with femininity, together with the cave, the cup and the chalice, and the association of femininity with justice, wisdom and intelligence goes back to very ancient times.
Cerridwen was originally worshipped by the people of Wales. It is told that she lived on an island, in the middle of Lake Tegid, named after her husband, with her two children, a beautiful daughter, Creidwy, and a very ugly son, Afagdu. To compensate her son for his unfortunate appearance, Cerridwen brewed a magical formula, known as "greal", (is this where the word Grail came from, I wonder?) which would make Afagdu the most brilliant and inspired of men. For a year and a day, she kept six herbs simmering in her magical cauldron, known as "Amen", under the constant care of a boy named Gwion.
One day, while Gwion was stirring the cauldron, a few drops of the bubbling liquid spattered on his hand. Unthinkingly, and in pain, Gwion, sucked his burned hand, and, suddenly, he could hear everything in the world, and understood all the secrets of the past and future. With his newly enchanted foresight, Gwion knew how angry Cerridwen would be when she found he had acquired the inspiration meant for her son.
He ran away, but Cerridwen pursued him. Gwion changed into a hare, and Cerridwen chased him as a greyhound; he changed into a fish, and Cerridwen pursued him as an otter; he became a bird, and she flew after him as a hawk; finally, he changed into a grain of corn, and Cerridwen, triumphant, changed into a hen, and ate him.
When Cerridwen resumed her human form, she conceived Gwion in her womb, and, nine months later, gave birth to an infant son, whom she, in disgust, threw into the water of a rushing stream. He was rescued by a Prince, and grew into the great Celtic bard, Taliesin.
Rebirth and Transformation.
Cerridwen's cauldron is an ancient feminine symbol of renewal, rebirth, transformation and inexhaustible plenty. It is the primary female symbol of the pre-Christian world, and represents the womb of the Great Goddess from which all things are born and reborn again. Like the Greek Goddess, Demeter, and the Egyptian Goddess, Isis, Cerridwen was the great Celtic Goddess of inspiration, intelligence and knowledge, and was invoked as a law-giver and sage dispenser of righteous wisdom, counsel and justice.
http://www.cs.rochester.edu/~schubert/290/cerridwen.html
We can see this ‘euhemerization’ clearly in the case of the god Lugh, who gives his name to the Irish summer festival of Lughnasadh. In the earliest Irish myths he is clearly a deity. As such, he offers himself as the saviour of the Tuatha dé Danann, the predecessors of the Milesians or Gaels. Seeking entry at the palace of King Nuada of the Silver Hand, at Tara, he announces each of his skills in turn – ‘Blacksmith, warrior, musician, poet, scholar …’. Each time he is refused entry, until he points out that no one else combines all these skills in one person, as he does.
In the Mabinogion, the main source of British myths, Lugh has become the much more human Lleu Llaw Gyfes, nephew (and possibly son) of the magician Gwydion. He is skilled, and protected by charms, but he is not obviously a god: in fact at one point he appears to be mortal.
http://www.livingmyths.com/Celticmyth.htm
Lugh in Myth
The god Lugh was worshipped in Ireland as a deity of the sun. This connection with the sun may explain his name (it means "shining one"), and it also may account for the attributes that he displayed: he was handsome, perpetually youthful, and had a tremendous energy and vitality. This energy manifests itself especially in the number of skills he had, according to legend, mastered. In fact, there was a tale that related Lugh's myriad abilities at arts and crafts.
As told in the Battle of Magh Tuiredh, the god travelled to Tara, and arrived during a tremendous feast for the royal court. Lugh was greeted at the door by the keeper of the gate, and was immediately asked what talent he had - for it was a tradition there that only those who had a special or unique ability could enter the palace. The god offered his reply: "I am a wright". In response, the gate keeper said: "We already have a wright. Your services are not needed here". Still, Lugh, not to be so easily dismissed, continued: "I am a smith". Again, the guard retorted that the court had a smith that was quite adequate; but the god was not to be dissuaded. In short order, he noted that he was also a champion, a harper, a hero, a poet, an historian, a sorcerer, and a craftsman. To this list, the gate keeper merely nodded his head, and stated matter of factly that all of these various trades were represented in the court by other members of the Tuatha de Danaan. "Ah, but you do have an individual who possesses all of these skills simultaneously?", was Lugh's clever and inspired reply. The guard was forced to admit his defeat, and so Lugh was allowed to enter and join the festivities.
According to Celtic mythology, Lugh was the son of Cian and Ethlinn. After the god Nuada was killed in the Second Battle of Magh Tuiredh, Lugh became the leader of the Tuatha De Danaan (the term for the gods and goddesses who descended from the goddess Danu).
http://www.loggia.com/myth/lugh.html
Cerridwen
Cerridwen is one of the Old Ones, one of the great megalithic pre-Christian Goddesses of the Celtic World. Although, in her story, she embodies all three lunar aspects of the Goddess, Maiden, Mother and Crone, she is primarily worshipped in her Crone aspect, by and through her Cauldron of Wisdom, Inspiration, Rebirth and Transformation. The cauldron has an intimate association with femininity, together with the cave, the cup and the chalice, and the association of femininity with justice, wisdom and intelligence goes back to very ancient times.
Cerridwen was originally worshipped by the people of Wales. It is told that she lived on an island, in the middle of Lake Tegid, named after her husband, with her two children, a beautiful daughter, Creidwy, and a very ugly son, Afagdu. To compensate her son for his unfortunate appearance, Cerridwen brewed a magical formula, known as "greal", (is this where the word Grail came from, I wonder?) which would make Afagdu the most brilliant and inspired of men. For a year and a day, she kept six herbs simmering in her magical cauldron, known as "Amen", under the constant care of a boy named Gwion.
One day, while Gwion was stirring the cauldron, a few drops of the bubbling liquid spattered on his hand. Unthinkingly, and in pain, Gwion, sucked his burned hand, and, suddenly, he could hear everything in the world, and understood all the secrets of the past and future. With his newly enchanted foresight, Gwion knew how angry Cerridwen would be when she found he had acquired the inspiration meant for her son.
He ran away, but Cerridwen pursued him. Gwion changed into a hare, and Cerridwen chased him as a greyhound; he changed into a fish, and Cerridwen pursued him as an otter; he became a bird, and she flew after him as a hawk; finally, he changed into a grain of corn, and Cerridwen, triumphant, changed into a hen, and ate him.
When Cerridwen resumed her human form, she conceived Gwion in her womb, and, nine months later, gave birth to an infant son, whom she, in disgust, threw into the water of a rushing stream. He was rescued by a Prince, and grew into the great Celtic bard, Taliesin.
Rebirth and Transformation.
Cerridwen's cauldron is an ancient feminine symbol of renewal, rebirth, transformation and inexhaustible plenty. It is the primary female symbol of the pre-Christian world, and represents the womb of the Great Goddess from which all things are born and reborn again. Like the Greek Goddess, Demeter, and the Egyptian Goddess, Isis, Cerridwen was the great Celtic Goddess of inspiration, intelligence and knowledge, and was invoked as a law-giver and sage dispenser of righteous wisdom, counsel and justice.
http://www.cs.rochester.edu/~schubert/290/cerridwen.html
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Lughnasadh - Rituals
THE RITUAL:
Step One: Banish Negativity from your space.
Take the broom and sweep the entire area with a broom working in east to west strokes. (banishing negativity) Cleanse the area by walking each element around your soon-to-be circle in a clock-wise direction saying:
"Element of (name element). In the name of Spirit I cast out all unclean energies, real or imagined. May this area be blessed in the name of Spirit and be filled with the energies of love, joy and truth."
Step Two: Altar blessing & Empowerment:
Pass each of the representations of the elements over your altar 3 times in a clockwise direction. {visualize that you are stirring up positive energies into action and blocking out negativity} Once the third pass is complete place the incense on the east side, candle on the south side, bowl of water ion the west side, and earth (or salt) on the north side of your altar. Dab a scented oil on each corner as well, then dab the center of the altar saying:
"I bless and consecrate thee, O sacred altar, in the name of Spirit (or your deity). May you repel negative energy and collect positive enery from this day forward until the end of time. So mote it be."
Draw an equal armed cross in the air over the altar. Tap the altar 4 time, one for each direction and say:"As above, so below. This altar is sealed. So mote it be!"--Note if you have previously blessed and consecrated your altar..pass the representative of each element over the altar intoning a personal blessing, then tap the altar 5 times -- one for each element and once for Spirit.
Step Three: Light your illuminator candles on your altar. Say: "Oh Ancient Ones, I am here to honor you and preserve the old ways. I have come tonight to celebrate the harvest and consecrate its first fruits. I am here to renew my connection to you and the sacred land. I AM HERE TO HONOR THE GODS!"
: Cast Your Magick Circle - walk the circle in a clockwise direction (anywhere from 1 to 3 rotations).Saying the following Sabbat CircleCasting: *start by standing in front of your altar and say:
"tides of the season, ebb and flow"
(tap altar once - state the name of the Holiday energy to be invoked)
"From spring's first light to autumn's glow"
(Hold hands over the altar.)
"Doesil around from birth to death"
(begin in the north and begin making yuor rounds around circle)
"Legends, myths and love connect."
(you should be back at the notrh)
"Solar fire, sun's bright burning"
(Lift red fire candle from the altar and look skyward)
"Purify the Great Wheel turning"
(return candle to altar)
"Winds of the North to carry the flame"
(Begin walking north to east)
"The mists of eons, call thy name. Lughnasadh."
"East and South, the West inspire"
(pause as you state each of the directions)
"Enjoy the spirals even higher!"
(back at the north)
"The circle rises and marks rebirth"
(Begin the third pass of the circle)
"As seasons change and kiss the earth."
(back at the north)
"From seed and plough to harvest home."
(Hold hands over the altar again.)
"To starry vault and standing stone."
(At north point to the sky.)
"This Sabbat circle, thrice around."
(visualize the bubble sealing as your circle)
"I seal thee now from sky to ground!"
(bring your arm down and stomp your foot.)
Step Five: Light each of the quarter candles, calling the quarters. {remember to visualize an opening in your bubble for the quarters to enter}"Winds of Lughnasadh's Fire(direction), attend, acknowledge, and proclaim!"(once back at the altar raise arms,"Winds of Lughnasadh's Fire Spirit, fill this circle with thy love and protection!"
Step Six: Honor the Earth Mother.
Pour a bit of olive oil on the ground or into the offering bowl. As you pour say:
" As One we join with Her, our Mother. As One we sing to Her our song. As one we touch Her As One we heal Her, Her heart beats with out own as One Earth Mother, I honor You!"
Step Seven: Invocation of Spirit/Deity. Ground and center yourself again in front of your altar. Raise your arms to the heavens in the traditional Goddess pose. I'm using a call to Brigit but you can use a different one if you wish.
"Lady Brigit, first mother. Lady Brigit, I call to you. With the silence in my heart, from your call within my mind, with your kiss upon my lips I call you, I call you, I call you. Lady Brigit, I call to you. Bring me your inspiration. Lend me your honey tongue. O, Lady Brigit, O Lady Brigit, I call you home. I call you here."
You'll also want to call upon Lugh the primary deity of the High Holy Day. Assume the God position and say:
"I call to Lugh, Lugh of the long arm, master of all arts. I ask that you bring your skill to me once again as I ask you here to partake in the first fruits of the harvest. You've shown me how to take care of the grains and how to reap the harvest. Join with me now, Lugh, to eat the breads baked with the harvest! My grain has grown heavy a nd ripe as I've brought back the wheat of our Ancestors. Join with me, Lugh, and accept my offerings! Lugh, be with me tonight!"
Step Eight: Lughnasadh Invocation -
Light a small candle say or sing: (this is from Silver RavenWolf's Solitary Witch ppg 87)
"The King and Queen are wed at last
while summer's kiss turns feilds and grass
to harvest gold, and garden gifts
find sacrifice on earthen lips.
Witches gather hand to hand
power raised along the band
Vortex spiral in its quest
force and form to manifest!
Debts repaid and games of sport,
weather magick -- Thor's retort
blessing babies, baking bread
stocking up for winters stead.
Witches gather hand to hand
power raised along the band
Vortex spiral in its quest
force and form to manifest!
Bonfires, dancing, circle round
fruits and produce from the ground
offer up a feast of praise
while shadows lengthen in the maze.
Witches gather hand to hand
power raised along the band
Vortex spiral in its quest
force and form to manifest!
Witches gather hand to hand
power raised along the band
Vortex spiral in its quest
force and form to manifest!
Dark Lord melts into the night
taking with him summer's light
merging wishes, law, and might
removing evil from our sight.
Witches gather hand to hand
power raised along the band
Vortex spiral in its quest
force and form to manifest!"
August sun turns to bronze
golden children singing songs
fireflies flitter in the dusk
touching all with faery dust.
note: this is the fire of the fire holiday it is sacred fire with healing and purifying properties. As you light the candle, be aware of its power and significance - let it burn out in your cauldron.
Step Nine: Blessings & Wishes:
Earth - Now take up a dish of earth. Bless it in the name of the Goddess. Lay your hands upon it and say:"I bless, consecrate, and set apart this earth, in the name of the Triple Goddess. May this be sacred earth, set apart for magic. For earth is of the Goddess, being her sacred body." Remember that the Goddess is not only of the Moon, but of the Earth and of the farthest stars. She is the Triple Goddess of the Circle of Rebirth, the Mother of All Life. Decorate the dish of earth with flowers.Wands - take a wooden wand and oil it with vegetable oil." I bless it in the name of the Lugh, the Lord of all the arts. Pass it swiftly through the candle flame, the fire in the cauldron, so that it becomes magically imbued, 'charged', with power. Place the wand upon the dish of earth, saying as you hold it there: "As the wand is to the earth, so the male is to the femaleand the Sun to our blossoming world.Joined, they bring happiness. May the God of Life give ___ {something you want, for example, peace on Earth} May Brigit bring it forth!"
Sit quietly for a while, and picture the blossoming of what you have desired in life. The spells and invocations of all of us, all working on themes like these, must eventually bear fruit, because life is on the side of peace. Leave the earth and wand upon the alter.
Step Ten: Spiraling Peacefully. Walk deosil three times around the circle, then spiral into the center. Go evenly, with grace, meditatively. Sit beside the candle flame (cauldron), allowing yourself to feel peaceful. Gaze into the flame. The next part is different depending on whether you are man or woman.
*For a Woman: visualize a red rosebud in your womb. Always your womb is the source of your creative power, whether you are pregnant with a child, an idea, a work of art or an intention. Close your eyes and picture the light from the candle streaming into your womb so that the rosebud blooms, unfolds. Hold the image for a while, feeling the silkiness, smelling the scent, the freshness, seeing the color of the fully open rose within you. Feel the strength and power of your own fully blossomed capabilities. Say:"I am woman,strong to conceive and to create,to give birth and to tend.As I am daughter of the Goddess,and blessed by the God, may I ___"{here name what you wish to bring forth in life. For example bring healing to others or write my book whatever matters to you} {**Do not perform the petal opening visualization if you are pregnant - your body may treat the petal as the cervex and try to open.} Feel the strength and creative force within your womb, the center of your being. See the power being channeled, flowing into the desire you have just voiced. Open your eyes. Always, the rose is within you.
*For a Man: Visualize a bright flame. This burns within your sexual center, a point at the base of the stomach, just above the pubic hairline. It is your own male strength and energy which may rise through your body to be released as giving, fertilizing power, in any form, or may be the potency which impregnates, creating a physical child. It is the force which blesses and bestows, a healing and creative energy, like the shining Sun. Visualize also that you are sitting in a garden and that a rose tree is in front of you, the roses in bud. Say:"I am man,and in my passion is beauty,in my warmth is life.As I am son of the Goddess,and blessed by the God,I offer my strength and vitality to ____ "{name the area of life, the place, activity, or committment you choose}Visualize the light streaming from you to a rose upon the tree causing it to unfold, to blossom. Your flame is lowered by this effort. Much has gone out of you, the flame sinks down. Wait and watch, until a pink light streams from the rose towards your body. At its touch, just above the pubic hairline the flame resurges. It burns highter and stronger than before. Open your eyes. The flame is always within you.
Step Eleven: Perform any spells or additional rituals / meditations you would like.
Pn Lughnasadh I like to do property protections and make any poppets as necessary. Here is the procedure I use for protection...
A) Auric Protection for you.
Sit quietly and close your eyes. Take a few soothing breaths. Try to clear your mind and center into that soothing place deep within you. As you continue takingdeep breaths vitualize inhaling a blue mist - its light and clean. As you exhale visualize you are exhaling a grey smoke more heavy and toxic. (In this visual you are inhaling a soothing peaceful mist and exhaling the negativity and toxins) Once your entire body is full of the blue mist - visualize pushing the mist out through your pores (still inhaling more to keep the body full) Once you are surrounded by the blue mist it hardens into a shell. Thick and strong. To protect your child - have them sit on your lap. After you have pushed the blue mist through your pores visualizeit surrounding yor child. Have it harden/solidify. I check (a quick visualization) each morning to make sure the shell is still there on my kids and re-do the visualization monthly.
B) Protecting your property from negativity. This is another visualization. Once back inside (or on your property) after tossing the flowers in the above spell. Close your eyes, center and a gain ground by finding that peaceful center in your body. Envision the property line as a glowing golden ring. Imagin a golden "force field" (for lack of a better term) rising from the ground and surrounding your home and property in a bubble. Like you would when casting a circle. Havet he golden bubble harden.I also re-visualize this monthly on the full moon.
C) Sealing the property protection with a Witches Bottle
SUPPLIES: A Witch's Bottle(any bottle or jar with a top), Rosemary, Red Wine, Pins or nails, NeedlesMETHOD: Fill a small jar with the rosemary, pins and needles saying all the while the following as you do it:
"Pins needles, rosemary and wineIn the Witch's Bottle of mine;Guard against harm and enemiesThis is my will, so be it!"
When the jar is full pour in the red wine. Put the lid on the jar as tight as possible, Drip wax from a red candle around the seal of the lid.Bury the jar at the farthest corner of your property or place it in an inconspicuous spot in the house.
The Witch's Bottle destroys negativity and evil. The pins and needles impale evil, the wine drowns it and the rosemary sends it far from your home
D) Further Meditation for Charging your room or Home. Sit Straight with palms on lap, take deep breaths, relax, and move into a mental space where you activate your intuitive senses, Imagine a cord of energy from your spine connecting you to the Earth, and channel energy from the Earth through it, Silently ask for divine protection, guidance, and blessing, Direct your psychic sensing outward, and feel lines of force coming out of your aura, Note where the strongest energy is (check out the floor,ceiling, directions, etc), Note spots that feel empty or dead, note places that feel full alive, focus on where you are sitting and how you feel at that particular spot, Imagine a sphere of light and love energy at your heart, feel it pulsing outward with every breath. Feel the radiance increase with every breath, feel your self as a star, continue to breathe deeply and send out the energy, letting it pulsate in the room, When ready, start making power sounds representing the love and light you are channeling; use it to amplify the light you are weaving; and fill the room with the energy, Then shift focus to sending a probe out into the room, and note the differences in the quality of energy and how you feel about it, Repeat if necessary, When done, feel the completeness of the work.
Step Twelve: Take Communion - Hold hands over cup {visualize the energy of the sun feeding the vine growing into a berry, etc} and say:"From the sun to the vine from the vine to the berry from the berry to the wine this brew is blessed in the sacred names of our Lord and Lady. So mote it be." Lower the athame into the cup and say:"As the rod is to the God so the chalice is to the Goddess and together they are one!"{Visualize divine energy pulsating from the blade into the cup, and the entire cup filling up with white light.}Take a drink from the cup visualizing the divine energy entering your body and pushing out any negativity. When finished (do not drink all) say:"May you never thirst."Next hold your hands over the cakes and say:"From the moon to the stalk from the stalk to the grain from the grain to the bread this bread is blessed in the sacred names of our Lord and Lady. So mote it be!"Take a bite of the cake (or eat almost all of it), when finished say:"May you never hunger."**After ritual is complete pour remaining libations outside.
Step Thirteen: Perform offering to the gods (only if outside). This is the fire offering: "Upon the wings of fiery flame I give this offering in Goddess' name." where you pour just a drop of each into the cauldron. Otherwise combine in a libation bowl or dish.
Step Fourteen: Thank and release the quarters (begin in the west if you started in the north and move winddershins-counterclockwise)."Winds of the Spirit of Beltane's Fire, blessings upon you. I release thee upon thy way till next we meet again! Winds of the Beltane's West, blessings upon you! I release thee upon thy way till next we meet again!" (repeat for the South, East & North)
Step Fifteen: Release the magick circle (1 rotation counter clockwise)"O Great Circle of Sabbat Art, attend me no more this day but be released into (usually your athane, rod or wand)."
Step Sixteen: Seal the altar energies by tapping once on the altar and extinguishing illuminator candles.
Step Seventeen: Clean up and offer libations bowl out of doors. Pour on the ground or leave out side saying: "To the Gods."
Step One: Banish Negativity from your space.
Take the broom and sweep the entire area with a broom working in east to west strokes. (banishing negativity) Cleanse the area by walking each element around your soon-to-be circle in a clock-wise direction saying:
"Element of (name element). In the name of Spirit I cast out all unclean energies, real or imagined. May this area be blessed in the name of Spirit and be filled with the energies of love, joy and truth."
Step Two: Altar blessing & Empowerment:
Pass each of the representations of the elements over your altar 3 times in a clockwise direction. {visualize that you are stirring up positive energies into action and blocking out negativity} Once the third pass is complete place the incense on the east side, candle on the south side, bowl of water ion the west side, and earth (or salt) on the north side of your altar. Dab a scented oil on each corner as well, then dab the center of the altar saying:
"I bless and consecrate thee, O sacred altar, in the name of Spirit (or your deity). May you repel negative energy and collect positive enery from this day forward until the end of time. So mote it be."
Draw an equal armed cross in the air over the altar. Tap the altar 4 time, one for each direction and say:"As above, so below. This altar is sealed. So mote it be!"--Note if you have previously blessed and consecrated your altar..pass the representative of each element over the altar intoning a personal blessing, then tap the altar 5 times -- one for each element and once for Spirit.
Step Three: Light your illuminator candles on your altar. Say: "Oh Ancient Ones, I am here to honor you and preserve the old ways. I have come tonight to celebrate the harvest and consecrate its first fruits. I am here to renew my connection to you and the sacred land. I AM HERE TO HONOR THE GODS!"
: Cast Your Magick Circle - walk the circle in a clockwise direction (anywhere from 1 to 3 rotations).Saying the following Sabbat CircleCasting: *start by standing in front of your altar and say:
"tides of the season, ebb and flow"
(tap altar once - state the name of the Holiday energy to be invoked)
"From spring's first light to autumn's glow"
(Hold hands over the altar.)
"Doesil around from birth to death"
(begin in the north and begin making yuor rounds around circle)
"Legends, myths and love connect."
(you should be back at the notrh)
"Solar fire, sun's bright burning"
(Lift red fire candle from the altar and look skyward)
"Purify the Great Wheel turning"
(return candle to altar)
"Winds of the North to carry the flame"
(Begin walking north to east)
"The mists of eons, call thy name. Lughnasadh."
"East and South, the West inspire"
(pause as you state each of the directions)
"Enjoy the spirals even higher!"
(back at the north)
"The circle rises and marks rebirth"
(Begin the third pass of the circle)
"As seasons change and kiss the earth."
(back at the north)
"From seed and plough to harvest home."
(Hold hands over the altar again.)
"To starry vault and standing stone."
(At north point to the sky.)
"This Sabbat circle, thrice around."
(visualize the bubble sealing as your circle)
"I seal thee now from sky to ground!"
(bring your arm down and stomp your foot.)
Step Five: Light each of the quarter candles, calling the quarters. {remember to visualize an opening in your bubble for the quarters to enter}"Winds of Lughnasadh's Fire(direction), attend, acknowledge, and proclaim!"(once back at the altar raise arms,"Winds of Lughnasadh's Fire Spirit, fill this circle with thy love and protection!"
Step Six: Honor the Earth Mother.
Pour a bit of olive oil on the ground or into the offering bowl. As you pour say:
" As One we join with Her, our Mother. As One we sing to Her our song. As one we touch Her As One we heal Her, Her heart beats with out own as One Earth Mother, I honor You!"
Step Seven: Invocation of Spirit/Deity. Ground and center yourself again in front of your altar. Raise your arms to the heavens in the traditional Goddess pose. I'm using a call to Brigit but you can use a different one if you wish.
"Lady Brigit, first mother. Lady Brigit, I call to you. With the silence in my heart, from your call within my mind, with your kiss upon my lips I call you, I call you, I call you. Lady Brigit, I call to you. Bring me your inspiration. Lend me your honey tongue. O, Lady Brigit, O Lady Brigit, I call you home. I call you here."
You'll also want to call upon Lugh the primary deity of the High Holy Day. Assume the God position and say:
"I call to Lugh, Lugh of the long arm, master of all arts. I ask that you bring your skill to me once again as I ask you here to partake in the first fruits of the harvest. You've shown me how to take care of the grains and how to reap the harvest. Join with me now, Lugh, to eat the breads baked with the harvest! My grain has grown heavy a nd ripe as I've brought back the wheat of our Ancestors. Join with me, Lugh, and accept my offerings! Lugh, be with me tonight!"
Step Eight: Lughnasadh Invocation -
Light a small candle say or sing: (this is from Silver RavenWolf's Solitary Witch ppg 87)
"The King and Queen are wed at last
while summer's kiss turns feilds and grass
to harvest gold, and garden gifts
find sacrifice on earthen lips.
Witches gather hand to hand
power raised along the band
Vortex spiral in its quest
force and form to manifest!
Debts repaid and games of sport,
weather magick -- Thor's retort
blessing babies, baking bread
stocking up for winters stead.
Witches gather hand to hand
power raised along the band
Vortex spiral in its quest
force and form to manifest!
Bonfires, dancing, circle round
fruits and produce from the ground
offer up a feast of praise
while shadows lengthen in the maze.
Witches gather hand to hand
power raised along the band
Vortex spiral in its quest
force and form to manifest!
Witches gather hand to hand
power raised along the band
Vortex spiral in its quest
force and form to manifest!
Dark Lord melts into the night
taking with him summer's light
merging wishes, law, and might
removing evil from our sight.
Witches gather hand to hand
power raised along the band
Vortex spiral in its quest
force and form to manifest!"
August sun turns to bronze
golden children singing songs
fireflies flitter in the dusk
touching all with faery dust.
note: this is the fire of the fire holiday it is sacred fire with healing and purifying properties. As you light the candle, be aware of its power and significance - let it burn out in your cauldron.
Step Nine: Blessings & Wishes:
Earth - Now take up a dish of earth. Bless it in the name of the Goddess. Lay your hands upon it and say:"I bless, consecrate, and set apart this earth, in the name of the Triple Goddess. May this be sacred earth, set apart for magic. For earth is of the Goddess, being her sacred body." Remember that the Goddess is not only of the Moon, but of the Earth and of the farthest stars. She is the Triple Goddess of the Circle of Rebirth, the Mother of All Life. Decorate the dish of earth with flowers.Wands - take a wooden wand and oil it with vegetable oil." I bless it in the name of the Lugh, the Lord of all the arts. Pass it swiftly through the candle flame, the fire in the cauldron, so that it becomes magically imbued, 'charged', with power. Place the wand upon the dish of earth, saying as you hold it there: "As the wand is to the earth, so the male is to the femaleand the Sun to our blossoming world.Joined, they bring happiness. May the God of Life give ___ {something you want, for example, peace on Earth} May Brigit bring it forth!"
Sit quietly for a while, and picture the blossoming of what you have desired in life. The spells and invocations of all of us, all working on themes like these, must eventually bear fruit, because life is on the side of peace. Leave the earth and wand upon the alter.
Step Ten: Spiraling Peacefully. Walk deosil three times around the circle, then spiral into the center. Go evenly, with grace, meditatively. Sit beside the candle flame (cauldron), allowing yourself to feel peaceful. Gaze into the flame. The next part is different depending on whether you are man or woman.
*For a Woman: visualize a red rosebud in your womb. Always your womb is the source of your creative power, whether you are pregnant with a child, an idea, a work of art or an intention. Close your eyes and picture the light from the candle streaming into your womb so that the rosebud blooms, unfolds. Hold the image for a while, feeling the silkiness, smelling the scent, the freshness, seeing the color of the fully open rose within you. Feel the strength and power of your own fully blossomed capabilities. Say:"I am woman,strong to conceive and to create,to give birth and to tend.As I am daughter of the Goddess,and blessed by the God, may I ___"{here name what you wish to bring forth in life. For example bring healing to others or write my book whatever matters to you} {**Do not perform the petal opening visualization if you are pregnant - your body may treat the petal as the cervex and try to open.} Feel the strength and creative force within your womb, the center of your being. See the power being channeled, flowing into the desire you have just voiced. Open your eyes. Always, the rose is within you.
*For a Man: Visualize a bright flame. This burns within your sexual center, a point at the base of the stomach, just above the pubic hairline. It is your own male strength and energy which may rise through your body to be released as giving, fertilizing power, in any form, or may be the potency which impregnates, creating a physical child. It is the force which blesses and bestows, a healing and creative energy, like the shining Sun. Visualize also that you are sitting in a garden and that a rose tree is in front of you, the roses in bud. Say:"I am man,and in my passion is beauty,in my warmth is life.As I am son of the Goddess,and blessed by the God,I offer my strength and vitality to ____ "{name the area of life, the place, activity, or committment you choose}Visualize the light streaming from you to a rose upon the tree causing it to unfold, to blossom. Your flame is lowered by this effort. Much has gone out of you, the flame sinks down. Wait and watch, until a pink light streams from the rose towards your body. At its touch, just above the pubic hairline the flame resurges. It burns highter and stronger than before. Open your eyes. The flame is always within you.
Step Eleven: Perform any spells or additional rituals / meditations you would like.
Pn Lughnasadh I like to do property protections and make any poppets as necessary. Here is the procedure I use for protection...
A) Auric Protection for you.
Sit quietly and close your eyes. Take a few soothing breaths. Try to clear your mind and center into that soothing place deep within you. As you continue takingdeep breaths vitualize inhaling a blue mist - its light and clean. As you exhale visualize you are exhaling a grey smoke more heavy and toxic. (In this visual you are inhaling a soothing peaceful mist and exhaling the negativity and toxins) Once your entire body is full of the blue mist - visualize pushing the mist out through your pores (still inhaling more to keep the body full) Once you are surrounded by the blue mist it hardens into a shell. Thick and strong. To protect your child - have them sit on your lap. After you have pushed the blue mist through your pores visualizeit surrounding yor child. Have it harden/solidify. I check (a quick visualization) each morning to make sure the shell is still there on my kids and re-do the visualization monthly.
B) Protecting your property from negativity. This is another visualization. Once back inside (or on your property) after tossing the flowers in the above spell. Close your eyes, center and a gain ground by finding that peaceful center in your body. Envision the property line as a glowing golden ring. Imagin a golden "force field" (for lack of a better term) rising from the ground and surrounding your home and property in a bubble. Like you would when casting a circle. Havet he golden bubble harden.I also re-visualize this monthly on the full moon.
C) Sealing the property protection with a Witches Bottle
SUPPLIES: A Witch's Bottle(any bottle or jar with a top), Rosemary, Red Wine, Pins or nails, NeedlesMETHOD: Fill a small jar with the rosemary, pins and needles saying all the while the following as you do it:
"Pins needles, rosemary and wineIn the Witch's Bottle of mine;Guard against harm and enemiesThis is my will, so be it!"
When the jar is full pour in the red wine. Put the lid on the jar as tight as possible, Drip wax from a red candle around the seal of the lid.Bury the jar at the farthest corner of your property or place it in an inconspicuous spot in the house.
The Witch's Bottle destroys negativity and evil. The pins and needles impale evil, the wine drowns it and the rosemary sends it far from your home
D) Further Meditation for Charging your room or Home. Sit Straight with palms on lap, take deep breaths, relax, and move into a mental space where you activate your intuitive senses, Imagine a cord of energy from your spine connecting you to the Earth, and channel energy from the Earth through it, Silently ask for divine protection, guidance, and blessing, Direct your psychic sensing outward, and feel lines of force coming out of your aura, Note where the strongest energy is (check out the floor,ceiling, directions, etc), Note spots that feel empty or dead, note places that feel full alive, focus on where you are sitting and how you feel at that particular spot, Imagine a sphere of light and love energy at your heart, feel it pulsing outward with every breath. Feel the radiance increase with every breath, feel your self as a star, continue to breathe deeply and send out the energy, letting it pulsate in the room, When ready, start making power sounds representing the love and light you are channeling; use it to amplify the light you are weaving; and fill the room with the energy, Then shift focus to sending a probe out into the room, and note the differences in the quality of energy and how you feel about it, Repeat if necessary, When done, feel the completeness of the work.
Step Twelve: Take Communion - Hold hands over cup {visualize the energy of the sun feeding the vine growing into a berry, etc} and say:"From the sun to the vine from the vine to the berry from the berry to the wine this brew is blessed in the sacred names of our Lord and Lady. So mote it be." Lower the athame into the cup and say:"As the rod is to the God so the chalice is to the Goddess and together they are one!"{Visualize divine energy pulsating from the blade into the cup, and the entire cup filling up with white light.}Take a drink from the cup visualizing the divine energy entering your body and pushing out any negativity. When finished (do not drink all) say:"May you never thirst."Next hold your hands over the cakes and say:"From the moon to the stalk from the stalk to the grain from the grain to the bread this bread is blessed in the sacred names of our Lord and Lady. So mote it be!"Take a bite of the cake (or eat almost all of it), when finished say:"May you never hunger."**After ritual is complete pour remaining libations outside.
Step Thirteen: Perform offering to the gods (only if outside). This is the fire offering: "Upon the wings of fiery flame I give this offering in Goddess' name." where you pour just a drop of each into the cauldron. Otherwise combine in a libation bowl or dish.
Step Fourteen: Thank and release the quarters (begin in the west if you started in the north and move winddershins-counterclockwise)."Winds of the Spirit of Beltane's Fire, blessings upon you. I release thee upon thy way till next we meet again! Winds of the Beltane's West, blessings upon you! I release thee upon thy way till next we meet again!" (repeat for the South, East & North)
Step Fifteen: Release the magick circle (1 rotation counter clockwise)"O Great Circle of Sabbat Art, attend me no more this day but be released into (usually your athane, rod or wand)."
Step Sixteen: Seal the altar energies by tapping once on the altar and extinguishing illuminator candles.
Step Seventeen: Clean up and offer libations bowl out of doors. Pour on the ground or leave out side saying: "To the Gods."
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Lughnasadh - Treats
Mead
SUPPLIES:
SUPPLIES:
- 6-8 oz honey (preferably local)
- 1 gallon white wine
- 6-7 citrus or spice tea bags
- large glass stockpot
- glass bottles or jars
PROCEDURE:
- Mix honey, wine, teabags and fruit in large stockpot
- Bring to a boil for 1 minute
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes
- Let cool
- Transfer to glass bottles or jars
- Refrigerate for 3 days
Melon Sorbet
SUPPLIES:
- 4 cups melon, cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup granulates superfine sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- (optional: 1 tsp dark or spiced rum)
- blender or food processor
- coarse siece
- wire whisk
PROCEDURE:
- Puree the melon in a blender or food processor and strain through the seive
- Combine 1/2 cup of melon with the sugar and bring to a boil, stirring frequently
- Remove from the heat and add the remaining melon, lemon jiuce and mix well.
- Cover tightly and freeze overnight (If adding the rum do it just as the sorbet is about to feeze)
- Spoon into bowls or refrigerated melon rinds. Garnish with berrise and honeyed whipped topping (see next).
Honey Whipped Topping
SUPPLIES:
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 2 tbs honey
- 1/2 cup whipped heavy cream
- wire whisk
PROCEDURE:
- Whisk the cream cheese and honey together until smooth
- Fold in whipped cream
- Refrigerate.
Lughnasadh Pie
Blueberries, also known as fraughans, herts or bilberries, are connected with the ancient festival of Lughnasadh. In later years, the Sabbat came to be known as Garland Sunday, a time when the whole village would gather for a day of singing, dancing, courting, feasting and picking wild blueberries.
SUPPLIES:
1 cup sugar
¼ cup flour
Grated zest of ½ lemon
Salt to taste
5 cups of fresh blueberries
Pastry for 9 inch, 2-crust pie
Juice of one lemon
PROCEDURE:
1 tablespoon butter Combine sugar, flour, lemon zest and salt to taste. Add blueberries, tossing to thoroughly coat fruit. Pour mixture into a pie crust drizzle with lemon juice and dab with butter. Place top of pie crust over pie; seal and flute edges. Cover edge of pie with foil. Bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove foil and bake for another 25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
See also: The Festival of Lughnasadh
*From Celtic Folklore and Cooking by Joanne Asala. Llewellyn Publications. 2001. http://www.irelandsown.net/pie.html
Lammas Cookies
These sunny cookies are eaten at feasts honouring the Sun God, Lugh.
SUPPLIES:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 cups flour
¼ cup Irish whiskey
¼ cup candied lemon peel
¼ cup of sultanas or golden raisins
¼ cup almonds, chopped
PROCEDURE:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until blended. Add flour and Irish whiskey and beat until smooth. Add fruit and nuts and mix well. Drop dough from a tablespoon on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes. Remove from sheet while cookies are still warm.
*From Celtic Folklore and Cooking by Joanne Asala. Llewellyn Publications. 2001
Monday, July 23, 2007
Shannon's Fav Lughnasadh Crafts
The following are from Magickal Crafts by Kristen Madden & Liz Roberts
Vision Incense
To help your vision be clearer.
SUPPLIES:
Vision Incense
To help your vision be clearer.
SUPPLIES:
- 1 tsp gum tragacanth or bum arabic
- glass or bowl of warm water
- wet cloth
- 1 part mugwort (artemisia vulgaris)
- 1 part cinnamon
- 1 part sage
- saltpeter (potassium nitrate)
- 6 parts powdered sandalwood or cedarwood
- 2 parts powdered benzoin
- 1 part ground orris root
- 6-9 drops essential oil (myrrh or sandalwood)
- waxed paper
- small kitchen scale
- ceramic or stoneware bowl
- food grinder
- thin wooden skewers
- Styrofoam square to hold skewers
PROCEDURE:
- To make tragacanth gum glue, which you will leter need: Dissolve 1 tsp of the gum in a glass or bowl of the warm water. You may need to whick it a bit to dissolve it completely. {If you plan to make stick incense - which is more difficult than cones or blocks, thin the glue with a bit more water. For blocs or cones it should be almost dough like, but for sticks it should be a bit thinner} Cover with the wet cloth and set aside. If it thickens too much while sitting, just add a little bit more water. {Whatever you don't use will keep for a month}
- Prepare your incense Mixture. Grind together 1 part of each: mugwort, cinnamon, sage, to form a powder.
- In a bowl mix the wood, benzoin and irris root well. Add essential oils - Mix Well.
- Add 4-5 parts incense mixture to the oil mixture.
- Weigh and add 10% saltpeper. Do not add more than 10%. Mix Well.
- Addgum glue and mix well. Form into blocks or cones on waxed paper For sticks, dip skewers into teh mixture and stick them into syrofoam to dry. You can dip 4-6 times until they are as thick as you want. Allow to dry slightly between dippings.
- Allow to dry 2 - 7 days in a warm dry place until thoroughly dry.
Tree Spirit
I know being a Druid I'm most content when surrounded by nature - a forest, plain, whatever. We're all a little bit like "tree huggers". The following is a representation of the Green Man. Remember the Green Man is a tribute to the spirit in every tree or plant. At this time (Lughnassadh or Lammas) you may want to create a representation of the Green Man at his prime to grace your home through the darkest parts of the year to come. Or you can use the colors of harvest to celebrate the ripening and circle of life.
SUPPLIES:
- large pin or needle
- polling pin
- oven
- baking tray
- 26 gauge wire, 6 - 8 inches long
- 2-oz packs of polymer clay: either plain colorless (if you wantt o paint) or in the following colors: chocolate brown, sand, pearl, black, green, leaf green
- paints (optional)
PROCEDURE:
- Mix one pack of chocoate brown clay with one pack of sand-colored clay. Kneed together until the clay is pliable and the two colors swirl together like marble
- Form half of the marbled brown clay mix into a flat 4-inch wide circle
- Shape a nose from some of the remaining clay and mold it into the center of the circle. I do this by rolling a ball about the size of a golf-ball then after placing it on the circle- I use my thumb and fore-finger to smooth out the nose.
- Roll out 2 pearl-colored balls each about the size of a marble
- Roll out 2 green-colored balls each about the size of a pea
- Roll out 2 black-colored balls each about 1/2 the size of a pea.
- Stack the green balls on the pearl balls. Then stack the black balls on the green. Firmly press these 2 stacks onto the 4 inch circle to form the eyes
- Shape the teeth by roling out a small sausage of pearl clay. THen flatten it a little before carving lines with the point of a pin to separate individual teeth. Press the teeth into the place of the mouth on the 4 inch circle.
- Use the remaining marbled clay to form the chin, lips, cheeks, eyelids and brow.
- Marble-mix 2 green colors together as you did the browns.
- Roll out the marbled green into a 1/8-inch-thick slab with a rolling pin.
- Use the needle or pin to cut out 12 - 12 leaf shapes
- Arrange the leaves around the face to form the Green Man's hair and beard. Then attatch each leaf by pressing some part of it firmly in to the face.
- I use the needle or pin to incise the veind and variation to each leaf
- Push a small hoop into the back (center, top) of the face
- Bake according tot he manufacturers instructions
- If painting allow the face to cool completely - make sure to schlack it good when finished.
- Hang on a wall or your favorite tree
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Lughnasadh - Theses and Festivities
Themes:
First Harvest, Grain Harvest, Sacrifice, THe Celtic God Lugh
Key Activities:
First Harvest, Grain Harvest, Sacrifice, THe Celtic God Lugh
Key Activities:
- Make Corn Dollies
- Make a wreath out of grain
- Bless Marriages, Babies and Homes
- Roast the First Ears of Corn in the Fire
- Tell stories of Lugh, and Demeter and Persephone
- Hold games of strength and agility
- Have an Outdoor Picnic
- Design an outdoor scavenger hunt (using items to celebrate the season - these can be used in a spellfor ongoing prosperity and health throughout winter)
- Desplay, barter or sell artwork or crafts
- Hold a Celtic Bragfest, or storytelling contest
- Bake Braided Bread
- Make decorative wheat ornaments
- Start a harvest quilt, to finish by Yule for a needy family
- Start some beer, to drink at Imbolg
- Enact the Sun God transforming nito the Grain God
- Ask each person (family and friends) "What will your harvest be this year?"
Seasonal Appropriate Foods:
- Grains
- Breads
- Roast Corn on the Cob
- Cookies
- Cake
- Zucchini Bread
- Braided Bread
Chants and Songs
- Hoof and Horn
- Oh Tell My Why
- Sun King
- Horned One, Lover, Son
Recepies and Directions for the above will be forthcoming within this coming week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
