Messages In This Digest (16 Messages)
- 1a.
- Website of the Day From: Lady Nightshayde
- 2.
- City Works at Banning "Occult Arts" Businesses From: Lady Nightshayde
- 3.1.
- Insights From: Lady Nightshayde
- 4.
- Beverage Mix recipes From: Lady Nightshayde
- 5.1.
- Aromatherapy Tip From: Lady Nightshayde
- 6a.
- The Yule Faeries From: Lady Nightshayde
- 7.
- Snowy Lion From: Lady Nightshayde
- 8a.
- Names for Healing Circle, 12/8/2010, 12:00 am From: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
- 8b.
- Re: Names for Healing Circle, 12/8/2010, 12:00 am From: Misty Perry
- 9a.
- Flying Creatures Blessing From: Lady Nightshayde
- 10a.
- The Compact Witch: Crafting Rituals in Small Spaces From: Lady Nightshayde
- 10b.
- Re: The Compact Witch: Crafting Rituals in Small Spaces From: Paula Moors
- 10c.
- Re: The Compact Witch: Crafting Rituals in Small Spaces From: Lynette Davis
- 11.
- Litha--The Summer Solstice From: Lady Nightshayde
- 12a.
- The Wheel of the Year From: Lady Nightshayde
- 13.
- SUBJ2 From: gayle d
Messages
- 1a.
-
Website of the Day
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Dec 7, 2010 12:30 pm (PST)
Pearl Harbor Day
Although the Attack on Pearl Harbor took place 64 years ago today, the Library of Congress offers this piece of history to the general public as part of its mission 'to sustain and preserve a universal collection of knowledge and creativity for future generations.' "After the Day of Infamy: 'Man-on-the- Street' Interviews Following the Attack on Pearl Harbor presents approximately twelve hours of opinions recorded in the days and months following the bombing of Pearl Harbor from more than two hundred individuals in cities and towns across the United States." These transcripts and audio of the recordings made between December 8, 1941 and February, 1942, can be searched by Keyword, Names, Subjects, Manuscript Titles and Geographic Locations. Biographies of the interviewers and the progression of the preservation techniques are also detailed. The interviews 'feature a wide diversity of opinion concerning the war and other social and political issues of the day, such as racial prejudice and labor disputes. The result is a portrait of everyday life in America as the United States entered World War II,' an interesting trip back in time!
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
- 2.
-
City Works at Banning "Occult Arts" Businesses
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Dec 7, 2010 2:12 pm (PST)
City Works at Banning "Occult Arts" Businesses
Sunday December 5, 2010
The city of Banning, California (no, really, I didn't make that up) is trying to keep shady people like fortunetellers from running businesses anywhere near schools, neighborhoods, or other places where folks might want to congregate. New development regulations will set "guidelines for tattoo and body-piercing parlors, fortunetellers, hookah lounges and mobile-cart vendors." Such businesses will now have to exist far away "from schools and parks, residential neighborhoods and businesses that sell alcohol and adult merchandise." When you can't even open your occult shop next to the nearest porn store, you know they're serious about keeping you away.
Now, if you live in Banning and you still want to open a fortunetelling business, don't worry - you can apply for a conditional use permit, to the tune of $4,700, and then hope that the Planning Commission approves your request. Clearly the town's name is more than appropriate.
http://paganwiccan.about.com/ b/2010/12/ 05/city-works- at-banning- occult-arts- businesses. htm?nl=1
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
- 3.1.
-
Insights
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Dec 7, 2010 8:34 pm (PST)
Insights
A child's tear rends the heavens.
--Yiddish Proverb
What's done to children, they will do to society.
--Dr. Karl Menninger
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
- 4.
-
Beverage Mix recipes
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Dec 7, 2010 8:36 pm (PST)
Beverage Mix Recipes
White Hot Chocolate Mix
1 teaspoon vanilla powder
1 teaspoon dried orange peel
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Combine ingredients and place in a small decorative clear glass jar.
Attach a gift card with these instructions:
Combine 1 1/2 cups milk and 1/4 cup White Hot Chocolate Mix in a pan over medium heat. Whisk until the chocolate is melted.
<>
French Vanilla Cocoa Mix in a Jar
Yield: About 8 pint-size jars.
10 1/2 cups non-fat dry milk
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 (8 ounce) jars French vanilla flavored non-dairy powdered creamer
3 1/2 cups chocolate mix for milk (Nestle's Quick)
2 3/4 cup non-dairy powdered creamer
1/2 teaspoon salt
Combine all ingredients and ladle into jars. Cover tightly.
Attach the following directions on a gift tag:
French Vanilla Cocoa:
Stir 3 heaping tablespoons of cocoa mix into hot water or milk.
<>
Cafe au Lait Coffee Mix
1 1/2 cups nondairy creamer
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup instant coffee *
Dash of salt
For Sugar Twin, use 10 teaspoons for 1 cup of sugar.
* You can also use decaffeinated instant coffee.
Put all ingredients into a blender or food processor; blend until powder consistency. Put mixture into an attractive glass jar with a lid.
To give as a gift, include a gift card with the following instructions:
To make Cafe Au Lait Coffee, mix 1/3 cup mix with 2/3 cup boiling water for individual servings.
<>
Sweet Spoons
1 (6 ounce) package chocolate chips
1 (6 ounce) package butterscotch chips
Colored sugar, sprinkles, etc.
Plastic spoons
Put chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt the chips for 2 minutes on MEDIUM power. In a separate bowl, do the same with the butterscotch chips. Stir chips with a mixing spoon. Let stand 1 minute, then stir again.
Dip a plastic spoon into either the melted chocolate or the melted butterscotch. Before the melted chocolate or butterscotch hardens on the spoon, sprinkle the spoon with colored sugar or sprinkles, if desired.
Place the spoons on plastic wrap to harden.
Wrap the dipped part of each spoon in plastic wrap
and tie with ribbon to hold wrap in place.
For giving as gifts, place handle side down in a decorative mug.
Give as gifts to be used for stirring hot chocolate or coffee.
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
- 5.1.
-
Aromatherapy Tip
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Dec 7, 2010 8:39 pm (PST)
Scent children's drawers containing
nighttime clothing with Lavender and
Chamomile essential oils applied to cotton balls.
Works for Moms too!
Sweet Dreams!
from www.aromathyme.com
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
- 6a.
-
The Yule Faeries
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Dec 7, 2010 8:41 pm (PST)
The Yule Faeries
Pagan children have few stories for this time of year to counteract the flood of Christian material aired on television, radio, and in movies. This is a Pagan tale for children to help them enjoy the Winter Solstice and its beauty.
A group of little faeries huddled in their home deep under the roots of a giant oak tree. They were safe and snug in their tiny underground cave lined with dandelion fluff, bird feathers, and dried moss. Outside, the wind blew cold and the snow fell softly down to cover the ground.
"I saw the Sun King today," the faerie named Rose said as she pulled her mossy cloak tighter about her. "He looked so old and tired as he walked off through the forest. What is wrong with him?"
"The great oak said he's dying," answered Daffodil.
"Dying? Oh, what will we do now?" Little Meadow-Grass started to cry. "If the Sun King dies, our little plant-friends will not grow. The birds will not come and sing again. Everything will be winter forever."
Lilac, Dandelion, and Elder Blossom tried to comfort their friend, but they were all very sad. As they huddled together, there was a knock on the tiny door.
"Open up, faeries," called out a loud voice. "Why are you hiding instead of joining us in our Solstice celebration?"
Rose opened the door and the little gnome Brown Knobby pushed inside, shaking the glistening snowflakes off his brown coat and hat.
"We are too sad to celebrate," Daffodil said, wiping her eyes. "The Sun King is dying. Haven't you heard?"
"He's dead, you silly faeries," Brown Knobby's round dark eyes sparkled with laughter. "Now hurry, or we'll be late for the celebration."
"How can you be happy and laughing?" Elder Blossom stamped her little foot and frowned at the gnome. "If the Sun King is dead, it will be winter always. We will never see the Sun again."
"Silly little child-faeries." Brown Knobby grabbed Dandelion by the hand and pulled her to her feet. "There is a secret to the Winter Solstice. Don't you want to know what it is?"
The faeries looked at him in surprise. "Secret?" they all said. "What secret? We are only new little faeries, you silly gnome. We've never been to a Solstice celebration before."
"Come and see. Come and see. Get your capes and come with me." Brown Knobby danced and jigged around the room. "Hurry, hurry, don't be slow! To the sacred oak grove through the snow!" He danced out of the door and disappeared.
"What did that gnome mean?" Rose asked as she gathered up her cloak of dried rose petals held together with cobwebs and lined with goose down.
"I don't know, but the Lady lives in the sacred grove." Meadow-Grass pulled on her hat. "Perhaps if we go to see the Goddess, She can explain what Brown Knobby was talking about."
The faeries left their snug little home and trudged off through the snow toward the sacred oak grove. The forest was dark with only the light of the Moon shining down through the thick fir branches and bare limbs of maples and hawthorn. It was very difficult for them to get through the snow because they were very, very small. As they waded through the wet snow and shivered in the cold wind, they met a fox.
"Where are you going, faeries?" the fox asked.
"To the sacred grove," they answered. They were cold and shivering.
"Climb on my back and I will take you there swiftly." The fox knelt down so the faeries could climb up. Then he raced off through the dark.
"Listen!" Lilac said as they neared the grove of sacred trees. "Someone is singing happy songs. A lot of someones."
The beautiful music carried over the cold, still, moonlit air. It was the most beautiful music the faeries had ever heard. The fox carried the faeries right to the edge of the stone altar in the center of the grove, then knelt down.
"Look!" said Elder Blossom as they slid to the snow-covered ground. "There is the Maiden and the Mother and the Old Wise One. And many other Little People."
"They are all smiling and happy," said Lilac as she looked around at all the creatures.
"All the creatures are here, too," whispered Dandelion. "Why are they all looking at the Mother?"
The faeries moved closer to the three Ladies seated on the altar stone. The Mother held a bundle close in Her arms, smiling down at it. The Maiden reached down and took the faeries gently in Her hands. She held them close to the Mother so they could see what She held.
"A baby!" the faeries cried. "A new little baby! Look how he glows!"
"He is the newborn Sun King," said the Maiden, smiling.
"But Brown Knobby and the old oak tree said the Sun King was dead," the faeries answered Her. "How can this little baby be the Sun King?"
"That is the secret of the Winter Solstice." The Old Wise One gently touched the baby's cheek with Her wrinkled hand. "Every year the old Sun King must come to the sacred grove during the darkest days of winter where he dies. I take his spirit to the Mother who gives him new life again. This is the way of life for all creatures, not just the Sun King."
"You mean everything lives and dies and lives again?" The faeries looked down in wonder at the baby Sun King, nestled in the arms of the Mother.
"Yes, little ones," answered the Old Wise One. "There is never an end to life. This is the great mystical secret of the Winter Solstice."
The faeries laughed because they were so happy.
"I think the little Sun King should have gifts," said Rose. "I will show him where the wild roses bloom in the early summer."
"And I will teach him to call the birds and listen to the songs of the wind," exclaimed Dandelion.
"When he is older and stronger," said the Mother, "then the flowers will bloom at his touch, the birds will return to sing their songs, the air will be warm from his breath, and winter will be gone for a time. Then the Sun King will run and play with you in the forest."
The little faeries sang to the baby Sun King, songs of the coming spring, the sweet-smelling flowers, the bumbling bees, and all the secrets of the forest. And all the creatures within the sacred grove sang with them.
Then the fox took them back to their snug home under the roots of the giant oak tree where they dreamed wonderful dreams, waiting for the warmth of spring and the fun they would have with the little Sun King.
by D. J. Conway,
copyright 1995
Blessed Be,
Lady Nightshayde
"You never know how much you know until you know how much you'll never know.
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
- 7.
-
Snowy Lion
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Dec 7, 2010 8:42 pm (PST)
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
http://health.groups.yahoo. com/group/ BlackHatsAndBroo msticks/
We are a support group for Women Only.
- 8a.
-
Names for Healing Circle, 12/8/2010, 12:00 am
Posted by: "13Witches@yahoogroups.com" 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
Tue Dec 7, 2010 8:43 pm (PST)
Reminder from: 13Witches Yahoo! Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/ cal
Names for Healing Circle
Wednesday December 8, 2010
All Day
(This event repeats every week.)
Notes:
If you have any requests for healing energies or candle-lighting please send them in for the Healing Circle, which is done every Wednesday Night.
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2010
Yahoo! Inc.
http://www.yahoo.com
Privacy Policy:
http://privacy.yahoo.com/ privacy/us
Terms of Service:
http://docs.yahoo.com/ info/terms/
- 8b.
-
Re: Names for Healing Circle, 12/8/2010, 12:00 am
Posted by: "Misty Perry" ldyathena1979@yahoo.com ldyathena1979
Tue Dec 7, 2010 8:45 pm (PST)
I know I seem like a broken record, but right now I can really use all the
positive healing energies I can get. My legs are acting up due to the cold
weather. In addition, I've got a lot on my mind and will be making some life
changing decisions soon.
_____________________ _________ __
From: "13Witches@yahoogroups.com " <13Witches@yahoogroups.com >
To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, December 7, 2010 11:43:24 PM
Subject: [13Witches] Names for Healing Circle, 12/8/2010, 12:00 am
Reminder from: 13Witches Yahoo! Group
Title: Names for Healing Circle
Date: Wednesday December 8, 2010
Time: All Day
Repeats: This event repeats every week.
Notes: If you have any requests for healing energies or candle-lighting please
send them in for the Healing Circle, which is done every Wednesday Night.
Get reminders on your mobile, Yahoo! Messenger, and email.
Edit reminder options Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Inc. All Rights Reserved | Terms
of Service | Privacy Policy
- 9a.
-
Flying Creatures Blessing
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Dec 7, 2010 8:46 pm (PST)
Flying Creatures Blessing
Today, look at the sky and observe. What kind of flying weather is it today? Consider all creatures that fly, and how they will deal with today’s weather. Light some incense, and get out your favorite feather or air talisman, saying:
"Let all who fly be safe and free. May my heart soar as my feet are firmly grounded on the earth. Blessed be the creatures of the air. I celebrate the skies and its creatures! "
Wave your feather in the air, breathe deeply, and proclaim: “So mote it be.†Wear something yellow today for the element of air, or something blue or gray for the sky. Focus on breathing as you go about your day, and be joyful for the ability to breathe.
By: Luci Sophia Zain, Llewellyn and GrannyMoon's Morning Feast
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
You never know how much you know until you know how much you'll never know.
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
- 10a.
-
The Compact Witch: Crafting Rituals in Small Spaces
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Dec 7, 2010 8:47 pm (PST)
The Compact Witch: Crafting Rituals in Small Spaces
You love living in the city, but the only apartment you can afford is tiny, or you have to share it with three other people. You don't have nine feet in which to draw a circle, unless your bed is in the middle. What's a Witch to do?
One answer is to start thinking small, and a good starting point to remember that the most important part of being a Witch is what's going on inside your head and heart. A Witch doesn't need space as much as time and attention. All the tools in the world won't make up for a lack of focus.
The circle does not have to be drawn by physically walking around the room. While it's often easier to visualize a circle when you have actually walked the boundaries, you don't have to physically move through the space each time. (It might help if you walk the boundary of the circle once, very deliberately.) If you have a roommate, do this when they are out and don't intrude on their space. It's better the circle is more of an oval than to extend it past your personal area. Since you may have to move furniture to set up ritual space, portable items, like futons and folding chairs, are a plus under these circumstances.
The altar can be a small folding table, the kind just large enough for a dinner plate. Use small versions of the usual tools--a pocket-knife as an athame, a doll's goblet as chalice. A small stone--perhaps a small semiprecious stone--can symbolize earth. One advantage of working small is that a small gem is more affordable than a large one. If you wish to use salt to symbolize earth, see if you can find an old-fashioned salt dish. Small candles, such as birthday candles, have the advantage of burning quickly (concentrating the whole time a candle is lighted is far easier with a tiny candle). For statues of the Goddess and the God, figures etched in stones or meant for jewelry, work quite well. If nothing if fragile, put your altar components in an altar cloth for storage. Otherwise, store everything in the same box or drawer when you aren't working magic.
The top of a dresser or bureau can also be used for altar space. Store the items you might usually have on top of your dresser in a drawer, and put the Goddess statue and tools on top if you have the privacy to leave it out all the time. If you can, use a drawer exclusively for your ritual storage, or use a divider if your dresser drawers are large. Small hanging shelves can be used to hold your witchcraft materials. One Witch I know has a set of four shelves hanging on the wall that hold the items for fire, water, earth, and air.
To cut down on the amount of storage you need, find one or two types of incense and use those for all your rituals. Use votive candles, instead of pillar candles or tapers. Votives are also safer in a small space as the container limits the flame. A sword is impractical to cast the circle in a small space, souse a small knife, or even better, a wand or a feather--anything that you can use to direct energy. You may have to do without quarter candles, since they can be a hazard in a cramped space. Pictures on the walls to symbolize the directions can work quite nicely. For south, use a picture of a fire or volcano; for water, use a picture of the ocean or a waterfall.
If you don't have an understanding roommate, be polite, and look for another place to live if you can. You can also search for places other than your home to do rituals. A study carrel at school might work if it has no windows and a door that locks. Bring in what tools you need in a backpack, and do your rituals quickly and quietly under these circumstances. Make sure you remove all traces of the ritual. Under this circumstance, don't use candles or incense.
Better yet, look for a park or other green space to perform rituals. The best Full Moon rituals are done outside facing the Full Moon, weather permitting, of course. This is also the best solution for group work if no one has a large indoor space. You can have room to move around more freely outside, but find out the rules of the place in advance, so you don't stay past closing and get into trouble.
If a lack of privacy is part of your limits, remember that in times past, some Witches had to disguise all their tools. A Witch's athame was stored in the kitchen with other knives, for example, and the chalice might be a particularly beautiful goblet. Use only items that you would normally have in your living space. As with rituals held outdoors,learn to either keep your voice low or not say anything out loud.
For a while, my work was literally in the closet. I lived in a one-room apartment and had very little space, but it had two small closets. One closet housed my altar, which rested on an orange crate. When I wanted to do a ritual, I opened the closet door; when I was finished, I closed it. This kept my ritual regalia apart from my mundane stuff and meant I didn't have to worry about a casual visitor knowing I was a Witch.
Most Witches end their rituals with cakes and wine. This does not have to be taken literally. Cookies or mini-muffins work well for "cakes," and "wine" can be any beverage that seems right to you. If you aren't supposed to have alcohol, whether it be for legal or health reasons, fruit juice or spring water is fine. It is a good idea to eat something at the end of the ritual to help you ground.
Remember that the magic happens inside of you, so don't be held back by the limits of your living quarters. Being able to work Witchcraft under less than ideal conditions can be good practice, and it's not the tools that make the Witch, but the Witch that brings the tools to life.
by Magenta Griffith
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
You never know how much you know until you know how much you'll never know.
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
- 10b.
-
Re: The Compact Witch: Crafting Rituals in Small Spaces
Posted by: "Paula Moors" paulamoors@gmail.com paulaann15
Tue Dec 7, 2010 9:35 pm (PST)
Speaking of rituals and small spaces, I have noticed in a lot of my readings
that some mention ritual baths. They sound lovely but I only have a shower.
How can I make this work for me?
Parvana/Paula
On Tue, Dec 7, 2010 at 8:46 PM, Lady Nightshayde
<LadyNightshayde9@aol.com >wrote:
>
>
> The Compact Witch: Crafting Rituals in Small Spaces
>
> You love living in the city, but the only apartment you can afford is tiny,
> or you have to share it with three other people. You don't have nine feet
> in which to draw a circle, unless your bed is in the middle. What's a Witch
> to do?
>
> One answer is to start thinking small, and a good starting point to
> remember that the most important part of being a Witch is what's going on
> inside your head and heart. A Witch doesn't need space as much as time and
> attention. All the tools in the world won't make up for a lack of focus.
>
> The circle does not have to be drawn by physically walking around the
> room. While it's often easier to visualize a circle when you have actually
> walked the boundaries, you don't have to physically move through the space
> each time. (It might help if you walk the boundary of the circle once, very
> deliberately.) If you have a roommate, do this when they are out and don't
> intrude on their space. It's better the circle is more of an oval than to
> extend it past your personal area. Since you may have to move furniture to
> set up ritual space, portable items, like futons and folding chairs, are a
> plus under these circumstances.
>
> The altar can be a small folding table, the kind just large enough for a
> dinner plate. Use small versions of the usual tools--a pocket-knife as an
> athame, a doll's goblet as chalice. A small stone--perhaps a small
> semiprecious stone--can symbolize earth. One advantage of working small is
> that a small gem is more affordable than a large one. If you wish to use
> salt to symbolize earth, see if you can find an old-fashioned salt dish.
> Small candles, such as birthday candles, have the advantage of burning
> quickly (concentrating the whole time a candle is lighted is far easier with
> a tiny candle). For statues of the Goddess and the God, figures etched in
> stones or meant for jewelry, work quite well. If nothing if fragile, put
> your altar components in an altar cloth for storage. Otherwise, store
> everything in the same box or drawer when you aren't working magic.
>
> The top of a dresser or bureau can also be used for altar space. Store the
> items you might usually have on top of your dresser in a drawer, and put the
> Goddess statue and tools on top if you have the privacy to leave it out all
> the time. If you can, use a drawer exclusively for your ritual storage, or
> use a divider if your dresser drawers are large. Small hanging shelves can
> be used to hold your witchcraft materials. One Witch I know has a set of
> four shelves hanging on the wall that hold the items for fire, water, earth,
> and air.
>
> To cut down on the amount of storage you need, find one or two types of
> incense and use those for all your rituals. Use votive candles, instead of
> pillar candles or tapers. Votives are also safer in a small space as the
> container limits the flame. A sword is impractical to cast the circle in a
> small space, souse a small knife, or even better, a wand or a
> feather--anything that you can use to direct energy. You may have to do
> without quarter candles, since they can be a hazard in a cramped space.
> Pictures on the walls to symbolize the directions can work quite nicely.
> For south, use a picture of a fire or volcano; for water, use a picture of
> the ocean or a waterfall.
>
> If you don't have an understanding roommate, be polite, and look for
> another place to live if you can. You can also search for places other than
> your home to do rituals. A study carrel at school might work if it has no
> windows and a door that locks. Bring in what tools you need in a backpack,
> and do your rituals quickly and quietly under these circumstances. Make
> sure you remove all traces of the ritual. Under this circumstance, don't
> use candles or incense.
>
> Better yet, look for a park or other green space to perform rituals. The
> best Full Moon rituals are done outside facing the Full Moon, weather
> permitting, of course. This is also the best solution for group work if no
> one has a large indoor space. You can have room to move around more freely
> outside, but find out the rules of the place in advance, so you don't stay
> past closing and get into trouble.
>
> If a lack of privacy is part of your limits, remember that in times past,
> some Witches had to disguise all their tools. A Witch's athame was stored
> in the kitchen with other knives, for example, and the chalice might be a
> particularly beautiful goblet. Use only items that you would normally have
> in your living space. As with rituals held outdoors,learn to either keep
> your voice low or not say anything out loud.
>
> For a while, my work was literally in the closet. I lived in a one-room
> apartment and had very little space, but it had two small closets. One
> closet housed my altar, which rested on an orange crate. When I wanted to
> do a ritual, I opened the closet door; when I was finished, I closed it.
> This kept my ritual regalia apart from my mundane stuff and meant I didn't
> have to worry about a casual visitor knowing I was a Witch.
>
> Most Witches end their rituals with cakes and wine. This does not have to
> be taken literally. Cookies or mini-muffins work well for "cakes," and
> "wine" can be any beverage that seems right to you. If you aren't supposed
> to have alcohol, whether it be for legal or health reasons, fruit juice or
> spring water is fine. It is a good idea to eat something at the end of the
> ritual to help you ground.
>
> Remember that the magic happens inside of you, so don't be held back by the
> limits of your living quarters. Being able to work Witchcraft under less
> than ideal conditions can be good practice, and it's not the tools that make
> the Witch, but the Witch that brings the tools to life.
> by Magenta Griffith
>
> Love Each Day,
> Lady Nightshayde
>
> You never know how much you know until you know how much you'll never know.
>
>
>
> *
> Love Each Day,
> Lady Nightshayde
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
> http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
> http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
> http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
> *
>
>
>
- 10c.
-
Re: The Compact Witch: Crafting Rituals in Small Spaces
Posted by: "Lynette Davis" mystiquemissy@yahoo.com mystiquemissy
Tue Dec 7, 2010 10:11 pm (PST)
Mix the oil in a bucket of water and emerge ya self. Lol
Connected by MOTOBLURâ„¢ on T-Mobile
-----Original message-----
From: Paula Moors <paulamoors@gmail.com >
To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, Dec 8, 2010 00:36:09 EST
Subject: Re: [13Witches] The Compact Witch: Crafting Rituals in Small Spaces
Speaking of rituals and small spaces, I have noticed in a lot of my readings
that some mention ritual baths. They sound lovely but I only have a shower.
How can I make this work for me?
Parvana/Paula
On Tue, Dec 7, 2010 at 8:46 PM, Lady Nightshayde
<LadyNightshayde9@aol.com >wrote:
>
>
> The Compact Witch: Crafting Rituals in Small Spaces
>
> You love living in the city, but the only apartment you can afford is tiny,
> or you have to share it with three other people. You don't have nine feet
> in which to draw a circle, unless your bed is in the middle. What's a Witch
> to do?
>
> One answer is to start thinking small, and a good starting point to
> remember that the most important part of being a Witch is what's going on
> inside your head and heart. A Witch doesn't need space as much as time and
> attention. All the tools in the world won't make up for a lack of focus.
>
> The circle does not have to be drawn by physically walking around the
> room. While it's often easier to visualize a circle when you have actually
> walked the boundaries, you don't have to physically move through the space
> each time. (It might help if you walk the boundary of the circle once, very
> deliberately.) If you have a roommate, do this when they are out and don't
> intrude on their space. It's better the circle is more of an oval than to
> extend it past your personal area. Since you may have to move furniture to
> set up ritual space, portable items, like
- 11.
-
Litha--The Summer Solstice
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Dec 7, 2010 8:50 pm (PST)
Litha, The Summer Solstice
Litha is also known as the summer solstice, Midsummer, All Couples Day, and Saint John's Day. Litha is one of the fire festivals and occurs on the longest day of the year. This is the time of year when the sun reaches its highest apex, at the Tropic of Cancer. It is the day when light overcomes darkness, a day of power. Litha also is one of the "quarter days" or the Lesser Sabbats.
Litha, as a Wiccan holiday, has the Sun/God reaching full power, and the Goddess pregnant with child. She holds promise of the bounty of the harvest yet to come. Litha's name, depending which author you read, has its roots in Greco-Roman, (McCoy, page 149) or according to Our Lady of the Prairie Coven, Litha means opposite of Yule. This may possibly have Saxon roots, though that is pure speculation. No others authors that were researched for this article offered any explanation as to the origins of Litha other than it is name for Midsummer.
Midsummer traditionally marks the beginning of summer (i.e. schools out). Actually midsummer marks the actual middle of the Celtic summer, falling between Beltane and Lugnasadh. Midsummer is known also as a night of magic, made famous by William Shakespeare with his play Midsummer's Nights Dream. As a Quote from Puck can attest to:
Captain of our fairy band,
Helena is here at hand;
And the youth, mistook by me,
Pleading for a lover's fee.
Shall we their fond pageant see?
Lord, what fools these mortals be!
(Shakespeare, Act 3, Scene 2)
June in Europe and America is historically the busiest month for weddings, hence All Couples Day. This tradition begins because this time of the year was a time of rest for the Ancient Celts, the time between planting and harvesting. June allowed time for the wedding festivals and rest. This is best described in an English child's nursery rhyme.
"…marry in the month of May
most surely you will rue the day.
Marry in June when roses grow
And happiness you'll always know…"
Author Unknown (McCoy, 167)
Saint John's Day celebrates the birth of St. John exactly six months before the birth of Christ as he foretold of Christ's coming. The Celts, as was their way, easily adopted this day and incorporated into their summer solstice festivities just as they did with Beltane/May Day. A poem demonstrates how the Celts and other cultures were able to incorporate the various pagan meanings of Litha with a Christian one.
In praise of St. John--
May he give health to my heart.
St. John comes and St. John goes,
Mother, marry me off soon!
Author Unknown (Henes, page 61)
Litha's celebrations are as varied as the authors who write them are. The times that the ritual should take place are also varied. McCoy suggests that the ritual take place on the eve before June 21. (Pages 163-66) McCoy further states that during the ritual one should jump over or walk in between two purifying fires. (Pages 153-54) Author of Celestially Auspicious Occasions: Seasons, Cycles and Celebrations, Donna Henes, says that Midsummer is a sun festival and is best done during the daylight hours between sunrise and high noon. (Page 56)
Litha rituals as all ritual should be personal. Several of the authors give basic outlines some for covens, some for the solitary. Most of the authors used for this essay are Wiccan. This particular point of view uses a very pregnant Lady and a Lord at the height of his powers. This ritual, no matter what the tradition or the Gods/Goddesses involved should include either the sun or a fire, or both.
FOODS
Litha's foods vary, depending upon the author and tradition you adhere to. Cunningham suggests fruits, Buckland, cakes and ale, and Starhawk, bread and drink. However, given that this is a day to celebrate the sun, foods should be of yellow (gold), orange or reds.
BAKED TOMATOES
Serves 6-8
3 whole fresh tomatoes
1, 12-oz bag of shredded cheddar cheese
Fresh parsley
Pre-heat the oven to 350 F. Slice the tomato 1/2-inch thick, place on tin foil. Liberal spread cheddar cheese on the tomatoes. Baked for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle parsley over tomatoes.
SUMMER SQUASH
Serves 6-8
1 summer squash
1/4 cup of butter
Black pepper
Need one medium size sauce pan, set flame to medium. Place butter in pan. Slice squash approximately 1/8-inch thick, layer into pan, sprinkling pepper to taste on each layer. Stirring occasionally, cook to taste. Takes 20-30 minutes.
Mom McCoy's Lemon Chess Pie
(Makes one nine inch pie)
1 unbaked pie shell
2 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon corn meal
4 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup real lemon juice
1/4 cup grated lemon peal
Preheat oven to 375 F. Place unbaked pie shell in a deep-dish pie pan. Mix the sugar, flour, cornstarch and cornmeal, then add eggs, milk, butter, lemon juice, and lemon peel. Beat until smooth. Pour mixture into the pie shell and bake for about 40 minutes or until top is golden brown.
ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE
(Serves 6-8)
5 zucchini
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup sour cream
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
1 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground rosemary
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup fresh mushrooms
1 small chopped tomato
1/2-cup bacon bits
2 cups prepared croutons
1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated
Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Place the mixture in a lightly greased 9 X 13 baking pan and bake for 30 minutes.
THE RITUAL
The following is a mixture from the following authors, Shakespeare, Buckland, RavenWolf, Starhawk, Cunningham and McCoy.
Altar should reflect the colors the colors of midsummer and face the east. Bonfire should either be in the middle of circle or to the west.
Time: Sunrise
All enter from the west to face the rising sun. Those playing the parts of the God and Goddess take their position on the east most side of the circle. The Leader takes his/her place in the middle the rest form a half circle, from west to south to north, facing towards the east.
Leader should cast the circle. After Circle is cast leader begins.
LEADER: God of the Sun, we have gathered here to day to honor you, for now is the day of your greatest strength.ALL SAY: We honor you.
LEADER: Goddess, mother, we gathered here today to honor you, for today is the day you are full of bloom.
ALL SAY: We honor you.
LEADER: Today is the day we mark the end of the Oak Kings reign, and the beginning of the Holly Kings.
GOD: (Facing the Goddess) Farewell to thee, my love. For my power grows less with passing of the year.
GODDESS: (Facing the God) Farewell to thee, my love. For your son grows strong within my womb.
ALL SAY: We honor you.
LEADER: Lord and lady, come into our hearts, and purify us. Smite the darkness from our souls with your light.
GOD and GODDESS: (To jump hand and hand over the fire.) Come join us children in the light. Let our fire purify your souls and make your spirit bright.
LEADER: (Jumps over fire in the waiting arms of the God and Goddess) We thank thee for your love and light.
ALL SAY: We honor you (Jumps over fire)
LEADER: (Closes Circle) We dedicate ourselves to the God and Goddess, Lord and Lady, whose union formed another life. We give ourselves with these ancient vows. Standing firm upon this earth you have blessed.
ALL SAY: We honor you.
All leave towards the west.
by Gordon Ireland
WORK CITED
Bord, Janet & Colin, Earth Rites, Fertility Practices in Pre-Industrial Britain, Granada, London, 1982.
Carr-Gomm, Philip The Elements of the Druid Tradition Element Books, Rockport, MA 1998
Danaher, Kevin, The Year in Ireland, The Mercier Press, Cork, 1972.
Henes, Donna, Celestially Auspicious Occasions: Seasons, Cycles & Celebrations, A Pedigree Book. NY, NY 1996
Hole, Christina, Witchcraft in England, Rowman & Littlefield, Totowa NJ, 1977.
Holleston, T.W., Celtic Mythology: History, Legends and Deities, NewCastle Publishing, Van Nuys, CA 1997<?P>
MacCana, Proinsias, Celtic Mythology, The Hamlyn Publishing Group, Ltd., London, 1970.
MacCulloch, J.A. Religion of the Ancient Celts, Folcroft Library Editions, London, 1977.
Matthews, John, The Druid Source Book: Complied and Edited by John Matthews, A Blanford Book, London, England, 1997
Matthews, John and Caitlin Matthews, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom, Element Books Rockport, MA 1994
McCoy, Edain, The Sabbats: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways, Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN 1998
Nichols, Ross, The Book of Druidry, Harper-Collins, London, England 1992
Powell, T.G.E. The Celts, Thames & Hudson, New York, 1980.
Sharkey, John, Celtic Mysteries, the Ancient Religion, Thames & Hudson, New York, 1979.
Squire, Charles, Celtic Myth, Legend, Poetry, and Romance, Newcastle Publishing Co., Van Nuys, CA, 1975.
Stewart, R.J. Celtic Myths, Celtic Legends, Blanford Books, London, England, 1997
Williamson, John, The Oak King, The Holly King, and the Unicorn, Harper & Row, New York, 1986.
Wood-Martin, W.G., Traces of the Elder Faiths of Ireland, Kennikat Press, Port Washington, NY, 1902.
Litha, as a Wiccan holiday, has the Sun/God reaching full power, and the Goddess pregnant with child. She holds promise of the bounty of the harvest yet to come. Litha's name, depending which author you read, has its roots in Greco-Roman, (McCoy, page 149) or according to Our Lady of the Prairie Coven, Litha means opposite of Yule. This may possibly have Saxon roots, though that is pure speculation. No others authors that were researched for this article offered any explanation as to the origins of Litha other than it is name for Midsummer.
Midsummer traditionally marks the beginning of summer (i.e. schools out). Actually midsummer marks the actual middle of the Celtic summer, falling between Beltane and Lugnasadh. Midsummer is known also as a night of magic, made famous by William Shakespeare with his play Midsummer's Nights Dream. As a Quote from Puck can attest to:
Captain of our fairy band,
Helena is here at hand;
And the youth, mistook by me,
Pleading for a lover's fee.
Shall we their fond pageant see?
Lord, what fools these mortals be!
(Shakespeare, Act 3, Scene 2)
June in Europe and America is historically the busiest month for weddings, hence All Couples Day. This tradition begins because this time of the year was a time of rest for the Ancient Celts, the time between planting and harvesting. June allowed time for the wedding festivals and rest. This is best described in an English child's nursery rhyme.
"…marry in the month of May
most surely you will rue the day.
Marry in June when roses grow
And happiness you'll always know…"
Author Unknown (McCoy, 167)
Saint John's Day celebrates the birth of St. John exactly six months before the birth of Christ as he foretold of Christ's coming. The Celts, as was their way, easily adopted this day and incorporated into their summer solstice festivities just as they did with Beltane/May Day. A poem demonstrates how the Celts and other cultures were able to incorporate the various pagan meanings of Litha with a Christian one.
In praise of St. John--
May he give health to my heart.
St. John comes and St. John goes,
Mother, marry me off soon!
Author Unknown (Henes, page 61)
Litha's celebrations are as varied as the authors who write them are. The times that the ritual should take place are also varied. McCoy suggests that the ritual take place on the eve before June 21. (Pages 163-66) McCoy further states that during the ritual one should jump over or walk in between two purifying fires. (Pages 153-54) Author of Celestially Auspicious Occasions: Seasons, Cycles and Celebrations, Donna Henes, says that Midsummer is a sun festival and is best done during the daylight hours between sunrise and high noon. (Page 56)
Litha rituals as all ritual should be personal. Several of the authors give basic outlines some for covens, some for the solitary. Most of the authors used for this essay are Wiccan. This particular point of view uses a very pregnant Lady and a Lord at the height of his powers. This ritual, no matter what the tradition or the Gods/Goddesses involved should include either the sun or a fire, or both.
FOODS
Litha's foods vary, depending upon the author and tradition you adhere to. Cunningham suggests fruits, Buckland, cakes and ale, and Starhawk, bread and drink. However, given that this is a day to celebrate the sun, foods should be of yellow (gold), orange or reds.
BAKED TOMATOES
Serves 6-8
3 whole fresh tomatoes
1, 12-oz bag of shredded cheddar cheese
Fresh parsley
Pre-heat the oven to 350 F. Slice the tomato 1/2-inch thick, place on tin foil. Liberal spread cheddar cheese on the tomatoes. Baked for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle parsley over tomatoes.
SUMMER SQUASH
Serves 6-8
1 summer squash
1/4 cup of butter
Black pepper
Need one medium size sauce pan, set flame to medium. Place butter in pan. Slice squash approximately 1/8-inch thick, layer into pan, sprinkling pepper to taste on each layer. Stirring occasionally, cook to taste. Takes 20-30 minutes.
Mom McCoy's Lemon Chess Pie
(Makes one nine inch pie)
1 unbaked pie shell
2 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon corn meal
4 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup real lemon juice
1/4 cup grated lemon peal
Preheat oven to 375 F. Place unbaked pie shell in a deep-dish pie pan. Mix the sugar, flour, cornstarch and cornmeal, then add eggs, milk, butter, lemon juice, and lemon peel. Beat until smooth. Pour mixture into the pie shell and bake for about 40 minutes or until top is golden brown.
ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE
(Serves 6-8)
5 zucchini
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup sour cream
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
1 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground rosemary
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup fresh mushrooms
1 small chopped tomato
1/2-cup bacon bits
2 cups prepared croutons
1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated
Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Place the mixture in a lightly greased 9 X 13 baking pan and bake for 30 minutes.
THE RITUAL
The following is a mixture from the following authors, Shakespeare, Buckland, RavenWolf, Starhawk, Cunningham and McCoy.
Altar should reflect the colors the colors of midsummer and face the east. Bonfire should either be in the middle of circle or to the west.
Time: Sunrise
All enter from the west to face the rising sun. Those playing the parts of the God and Goddess take their position on the east most side of the circle. The Leader takes his/her place in the middle the rest form a half circle, from west to south to north, facing towards the east.
Leader should cast the circle. After Circle is cast leader begins.
LEADER: God of the Sun, we have gathered here to day to honor you, for now is the day of your greatest strength.ALL SAY: We honor you.
LEADER: Goddess, mother, we gathered here today to honor you, for today is the day you are full of bloom.
ALL SAY: We honor you.
LEADER: Today is the day we mark the end of the Oak Kings reign, and the beginning of the Holly Kings.
GOD: (Facing the Goddess) Farewell to thee, my love. For my power grows less with passing of the year.
GODDESS: (Facing the God) Farewell to thee, my love. For your son grows strong within my womb.
ALL SAY: We honor you.
LEADER: Lord and lady, come into our hearts, and purify us. Smite the darkness from our souls with your light.
GOD and GODDESS: (To jump hand and hand over the fire.) Come join us children in the light. Let our fire purify your souls and make your spirit bright.
LEADER: (Jumps over fire in the waiting arms of the God and Goddess) We thank thee for your love and light.
ALL SAY: We honor you (Jumps over fire)
LEADER: (Closes Circle) We dedicate ourselves to the God and Goddess, Lord and Lady, whose union formed another life. We give ourselves with these ancient vows. Standing firm upon this earth you have blessed.
ALL SAY: We honor you.
All leave towards the west.
by Gordon Ireland
WORK CITED
Bord, Janet & Colin, Earth Rites, Fertility Practices in Pre-Industrial Britain, Granada, London, 1982.
Carr-Gomm, Philip The Elements of the Druid Tradition Element Books, Rockport, MA 1998
Danaher, Kevin, The Year in Ireland, The Mercier Press, Cork, 1972.
Henes, Donna, Celestially Auspicious Occasions: Seasons, Cycles & Celebrations, A Pedigree Book. NY, NY 1996
Hole, Christina, Witchcraft in England, Rowman & Littlefield, Totowa NJ, 1977.
Holleston, T.W., Celtic Mythology: History, Legends and Deities, NewCastle Publishing, Van Nuys, CA 1997<?P>
MacCana, Proinsias, Celtic Mythology, The Hamlyn Publishing Group, Ltd., London, 1970.
MacCulloch, J.A. Religion of the Ancient Celts, Folcroft Library Editions, London, 1977.
Matthews, John, The Druid Source Book: Complied and Edited by John Matthews, A Blanford Book, London, England, 1997
Matthews, John and Caitlin Matthews, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom, Element Books Rockport, MA 1994
McCoy, Edain, The Sabbats: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways, Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN 1998
Nichols, Ross, The Book of Druidry, Harper-Collins, London, England 1992
Powell, T.G.E. The Celts, Thames & Hudson, New York, 1980.
Sharkey, John, Celtic Mysteries, the Ancient Religion, Thames & Hudson, New York, 1979.
Squire, Charles, Celtic Myth, Legend, Poetry, and Romance, Newcastle Publishing Co., Van Nuys, CA, 1975.
Stewart, R.J. Celtic Myths, Celtic Legends, Blanford Books, London, England, 1997
Williamson, John, The Oak King, The Holly King, and the Unicorn, Harper & Row, New York, 1986.
Wood-Martin, W.G., Traces of the Elder Faiths of Ireland, Kennikat Press, Port Washington, NY, 1902.
Article by Gordon Ireland
Paula & Gordon Ireland Proprietors
Earth Spirit Emporium: Books & Stuff
"Where Olde Traditions meet the New Age"
Earth Spirit Emporium: Books & Stuff
"Where Olde Traditions meet the New Age"
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
You never know how much you know until you know how much you'll never know.
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
=
- 12a.
-
The Wheel of the Year
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Dec 7, 2010 8:51 pm (PST)
The Wheel of the Year is the cycle of life and death on the Earth, and the eight sabbats all have a different theme that depends upon where they fall in relation to the cycle (hence the word 'wheel') of the seasons. Because the sabbats are seasonal festivals, their timing changes from the Northern to the Southern Hemisphere. Take Yule (the Winter Solstice) for example - in the Northern Hemisphere, it happens in December. Down here in Australia, the Winter Solstice happens in June and thus so does Yule. The theme and meaning is basically the same, but the calendar timing is different.
But back to explaining the Sabbats. The Sabbats are solar festivals during which we celebrate the God (because the Goddess already has esbats on full Moons). Basically, each Sabbat tells the story of a different part of the Lord's life:
At Yule (June), the Lady gives birth to the Lord and recovers from her labour (does this Yule story sound familiar?). The long, cold nights have gone and the days are getting longer and warmer now.
At Imbolc (August), the Lord is a small boy and the Lady continues her recovery. The Earth is warming and waking up.
At Ostara (September), the Lord is a growing youth - a teenager. This is the middle of spring - everything is growing and maturing.
At Beltane (November), the Lord is now a man. He falls in love with the Lady and they unite, with the Lady becoming pregnant by the Lord. The Earth is full of growing things and abundance.
At Litha (December), the Lord and Lady are both at their most powerful. The days are at their longest and the weather its warmest.
At Lammas (February), the Lord begins to grow old. The first grains are harvested and all the growing is over.
At Mabon (March), the God has died. The Earth has received His body and given up the last of the harvest. Leaves are falling from the trees and the Earth is preparing for the long, cold winter without the light of the Sun.
At Samhain (May), the God is Lord of the Underworld, resting and waiting to be reborn. Winter starts and the Earth goes into hibernation.
I personally love that story. The Sabbats are a time to celebrate the Lord, not to do magick. A ritual to honour and celebrate the Lord - complete with Sabbat-specific altar decorations - is a great idea. The Sabbats are really not a time for casting spells.
The first four sabbats are known as the Greater Sabbats or Cross-Quarter Days, and originate in ancient Europe (the ancient Chinese also worked them out). The Greater Sabbats aren't just random dates - Beltane, for example, wasn't accidentally assigned to the first of November. It occurs on that date because November 1st is a cross-quarter day - an astronomical event that occurs halfway between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice, and which marked the beginning of summer for the ancient Europeans. You'll see a lot of websites and books that tell you the Greater Sabbats are Celtic in origin - 'Celtic', in this case, is a generic term for ancient Europeans living in the area of today's Germany/France/England/Ireland from about the Iron Age through to the time of the Roman invasion of continental Europe. We've named them Celts - they didn't call themselves that.
So, the Greater Sabbats fall halfway between equinoxes and solstices - Lammas between the Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox, marking the start of ancient autumn; Samhain between the Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice, marking the start of ancient winter; Imbolc between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, marking the start of ancient spring; and Beltane between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice, marking the start of the ancient summer. These correspondences can also be seen in the theme of each Grater Sabbat. Now, if we want to get technical about it, the Greater Sabbats should really be described by the actual yearly dates of the cross-quarter days - these change from year to year, and can fall anywhere within about the first week to ten days of February, May, August and November. But, creatures of habit that we are, we celebrate them on the first day of those months. Anyway - the Greater Sabbats are:
Samhain - May 1st (winter)
Imbolc - August 1st (spring)
Beltane - November 1st (summer)
Lammas - February 1st (autumn)
The other four sabbats are solar festivals, whose timing is determined by the relationship of the Sun to the Earth, are the Lesser Sabbats, sometimes called Quarter Days:
Yule - the Winter Solstice (the shortest day)
Ostara - the Spring Equinox (equal day and night)
Litha - the Summer Solstice (the longest day)
Mabon - the Autumn Equinox (equal day and night)
The Wheel of the Year is generally considered to start at Samhain, the Celtic Festival of the Dead, where the veil between the world of men and the world of the spirits is at its thinnest.
Greater Sabbats
Samhain
Imbolc
Beltane
Lammas
Lesser Sabbats
Yule
Ostara
Litha
Mabon
http://www.shadowsofoz.net/calendar /wheel_of_ the_year. html
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
- 13.
-
SUBJ2
Posted by: "gayle d" happybear5503@yahoo.com happybear5503
Wed Dec 8, 2010 1:33 am (PST)
just testing again
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