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Post by aiyanna on Mar 9, 2005 22:16:16 GMT -5
The holidays of Witches occur on what we refer to as the Wheel of the Year. This terminology illustrates the innate belief that earth religions hold that time is circular, not linear. Through the holidays of the year we celebrate the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, apparent in nature as well as human life. Consequently, through the celebration of the Wheel of the Year we are linked to the ever changing cycle of life, death, and rebirth. It is through the celebration and connection of these holidays we are allowed to experience and thus understand the eternal process. The Standard Holidays of the Wheel of the Year:
Date Note: The actual date* of some holidays will vary depending on the year. Consult a proper Astrological reference book to be sure.) WINTER SOLSTICE/YULE: (December 22*) Yule is the time of greatest darkness and the longest night of the year. The Winter Solstice had been associated with the birth of a "Divine King" long before the rise of Christianity. Since the Sun is considered to represent the Male Divinity in many Pagan Traditions, this time is celebrated as the "return of the Sun God" where He is reborn of the Goddess. IMBOLC: (February 2) The earliest whisperings of Springtide are heard now as the Goddess nurtures Her Young Son. As a time of the year associated with beginning growth, Imbolc is an initiatory period for many. Here we plant the "seeds" of our hopes and dreams for the coming summer months. SPRING EQUINOX/OSTARA: (March 21*) The first true day of Springtide. The days and nights are now equal in length as the Young God continues to mature and grow. We begin to see shoots of new growth and swelling buds on the trees. Energy is building as the days become warmer with promise. BELTAINE: (May 1*) The Land represented by the Goddess is now ripe and fertile and the Young God expresses His Love for Her. This is a time of joyous reveling as the first flowers of Summer are gathered in Their Honor. SUMMER SOLSTICE/MIDSUMMER: (June 21*) The days of the first harvesting of herbs as the Earth now begins to share her bounty. This time of the longest days is celebrated as a fire festival. The season between the planting and the harvest, June is also the "traditional" month for handfastings and weddings. LUGHNASADH: (August 1) The First Harvest. Plants are 'setting their seed" already for the next year as the cycle of Nature continues. The Sun (Son) still burns brightly, but already the passing of the days begins to herald the coming of Autumn. The young animals are now almost full grown and our plans-planted with high expectations in the spring- are beginning to come to fruition. AUTUMN EQUINOX/MABON: (September 21*) The Second or Continuing Harvest. Now, as at Ostara, the days and nights are equal once again. gardens are in full bloom and heavy with nature's bounty. There is a slight nip in the air already and preparations begin to prepare for the long cold months which are to come. SAMHAIN: (October 31*) The Last Harvest. The Earth nods a sad farewell to the God. We know that He will once again be reborn of the Goddess and the cycle will continue. This is the time of reflection, the time to honor the Ancients who have gone on before us and the time of 'Seeing"(divination). As we contemplate the Wheel of the Year, we come to recognize our own part in the eternal cycle of Life.
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Post by aiyanna on Mar 9, 2005 22:32:18 GMT -5
Pagan Holidays: celebrating the Wheel of the Year
Yule / Winter Solstice on or near December 21st Here in the northern hemisphere, nights get longer and days get shorter until the day of the Winter Solstice when the cycle reverses. The word Yule comes from the Norse Jul meaning wheel. On this darkest of nights, the Goddess becomes the Great Mother and once again gives birth to the Sun God. This is a fire festival so celebrate with a Yule log in the fireplace, candles on the table and lights on the tree. Evergreens, holly, ivy and mistletoe, symbols of fertility and everlasting life, remind us that the cold darkness of winter will eventually give way to the warmth & new growth of spring. Imbolc / Imbolg / Candlemas - February 2nd Imbolc means, literally, 'in the belly' (of the Mother) and in the womb of Mother Earth new life is truly stirring. The young Sun God is growing and his strength is beginning to be noticeable. If you look closely, you may notice a snowdrop or a crocus pushing its way out of the still-cold earth. This is traditionally a day of purification, of sweeping out the old to make room for the new... both physically and emotionally. Celebrate by lighting LOTS of candles to encourage the young Sun; if you like to make them yourself, this is an auspicious day to do it. As nuts and seeds symbolize new beginnings, enjoy some sesame cookies or nutbread while visualizing yourself co-creating a loving, joyous & prosperous future. Ostara - Spring Equinox - on or near March 21st Named for Eostre the Teutonic Goddess of New Life, Ostara is the first day of Spring. Light and darkness are in balance, but the light is growing stronger as days continue to grow longer. The Young Sun God continues to mature and grow; small tender leaves appear on the trees, young buds are swelling and, here in New York, cheerful white and yellow daffodils are already in full bloom. The Life Energies are building quickly now and the very air seems to vibrate with promise. Celebrate by coloring eggs, an ancient symbol of fertility. Beltaine / Beltane / May Day - May 1 From the Irish Gaelic Bealtaine meaning Bel-fire (the fire of Bel, Celtic God of light) Beltaine is primarily a fertility festival; the Land represented by the Goddess is now ripe and fertile and the Sun God expresses His Love for Her. Celebrate by establishing a woodland or garden shrine and gathering flowers to adorn your living space... and yourself! Midsummer / Summer Solstice - on or near June 21st Midsummer is the longest day of the year. It's not harvest time yet, but Mother Nature is impressively lush. The veil between the Faerie realm and our world is thin so don't be surprised if you catch a glimpse of an otherworldly someone on Midsummer's Eve! Celebrate with a bonfire and if you're into herb magick, any plants gathered at this time are particularly powerful. Or just stroll through a park or woodland area and bask in the glory of our natural world. Lughnasadh / Lammas - August 1 Even though Lughnasadh occurs at the warmest time of the year, it marks the time at which days become noticeably shorter and so is considered the starting point of the autumn quarter of the year. The autumn season contains three harvests, and Lughnasadh is the first of these, the time when the first corn harvest is cut. The name is derived from Lugh (pronounced 'loo'), a Celtic deity of light and wisdom. At Lughnasadh, bread from the first harvest was eaten in thanks. Baking, sharing & eating bread is a wonderful way to celebrate this holiday and if you can, attend a Renaissance Faire, Medieval Festival or Highland Games competition. The jousting matches and caber & sheaf tosses were no doubt inspired by that aggressive war god Lugh :-) Mabon / Autumn Equinox - on or near September 21 Mabon is the time of the second harvest, when fruits are ready for collection. The land is showing clear signs of the journey towards winter - leaves are beginning to turn and birds are gathering for migration. Mabon is a time to consider which aspects of your life you wish to preserve and which you would prefer to discard. This is the Pagan Thanksgiving, a time to appreciate and enjoy the fruits of your labors. Commemmorate Mabon by making wine, feasting with friends, planting bulbs to bloom in the spring and put out feeders to help those brave birds who don't migrate get through the long winter ahead. Samhain, All Hallow's Eve, Hallowe'en - October 31 This is the Last Harvest and New Year's Eve to the ancient Celts. Being "between years," it is considered a very magical time, a day when the veil separating the the physical plane and spiritual realms is most permeable. This is a good day to practice divination: scrying, Tarot readings and Rune casting are all particularly effective. The practice of donning costumes... especially scary ones... grew out of the ancient fear of evil spirits passing through the veil along with the benevolent ones and pumpkin carving evolved from the practice of painting hideous faces on gourds to keep "gouls and goblins" away from the home. Samhain is also a day for honoring our ancestors and one of my favorite rituals is the Dumb Supper... laying an extra place at the dinner table for those who have passed over to the Summerlands. As we contemplate the Wheel of the Year, we come to recognize our own part in the eternal cycle of Life. Here are some excellent books on celebrating Pagan style to help you create your own holiday traditions.
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Post by aiyanna on Mar 9, 2005 22:34:11 GMT -5
Pagan Holiday Books
Celebrate the Earth: A Year of Holidays in the Pagan Tradition by Laurie Cabot A practical guide to earth-centered seasonal celebration with a Celtic Pagan flavor. Beginning at Samhain and progressing through the magickal year, Ms Cabot covers the origins of the holidays and suggestions for personal and group celebration including sample rituals, preparation, garb, herbcraft, spellcraft, magical stones, traditional recipes & crafts.
The Pagan Book of Days: A Guide to the Festivals, Traditions, and Sacred Days of the Year by Nigel Pennick This fascinating book is like an ancient cultural and religious almanac combining Celtic, Roman, Egyptian and other traditions. There's literally something to celebrate every day!
Wheel of the Year: Living the Magical Life by Pauline Campanelli 12 chapters... one for each month of the year... containing lore, crafts, recipes, magic, and ritual for celebrating the seasons and cycles of life.
Candlemas: Feast of Flames by Amber K & Azrael Arynn K A lovely introduction to Imbolg and the Goddess Brigid, with rituals, crafts, and recipes to make this holiday a memorable and meaningful one. There's also a nice big section on making your own candles.
Ostara: Customs, Spells & Rituals for the Rites of Spring by Edain McCoy History, legends, lore, spells, rituals, crafts and recipes to inspire your Ostara celebrations & welcome Springtide.
Beltane: Springtime Rituals, Lore and Celebration by Raven Grimassi Some spells and rituals, fairy & flower lore and lots of fascinating folk history tracing the origins of the Green Man & Jack-in-the-Green, the May Queen & King, the Hobby Horse and t he Mummers. Some creative craft projects and recipes too: learn to make pentacle hair braids, a May Pole centerpiece and quick-and-easy May Wine.
Sabbat Entertaining by Willow Polson Craft projects, seasonal recipes, decorating ideas, & lots of folklore & activities surrounding the Wiccan Sabbats for all ages.
The Sabbats: A Witch's Approach to Living the Old Ways by Edain McCoy History of the eight witches' Sabbats as celebrated around the world plus lots of practical suggestions on adapting these ancient rites for modern day Pagans celebrations. Includes both solitary and group rituals, with recipes, crafts, and foods, plant, and symbol correspondences for each Sabbat.
Eight Sabbats for Witches by Stewart Farrar & Janet Farrar This book of rituals presents detailed celebrations for each of the eight Sabbats based on the Farrars own Book of Shadows. There are also well researched sections on mythology and lore, plus additional rituals for casting a Circle, the Great Rite, Handfasting, and Requiem.
Gardner Tradition: Spells, Rituals and Sabbats by Robin B. May I haven't read this one yet but it looks interesting: a book specifically about the Wiccan tradition originated in the 40's and 50's by Gerald Gardner. Celtic in origin, encompassing rituals as practiced in the south of England, Gardnerian Wicca incorporates within its rituals and philosophy ideas first published by Charles Leland (Aradia - Gospel of the Witches).
Halloween: Customs, Recipes & Spells by Silver RavenWolf A nice introduction to Samhain past and present that combines scholarship with creativity and sense of fun. It explores the popular holiday of Halloween as well as the more serious and spiritual side of Samhain as Pagan Sabbat. History and lore, spells, rituals, craft ideas and one of the best collection of Samhain recipes I've seen.
The Pagan Mysteries of Halloween: Celebrating the Dark Half of the Year by Jean Markale & Jon Graham Jean is a Celtic scholar so if you would like some fascinating insights into how the ancients Celts celebrated this feasting and merrymaking festival, this is the book for you.
The Pagan Book of Halloween by Gerina Dunwich Subtitled a Complete Guide to the Magic, Incantations, Recipes, Spells, and Lore, this book is just that. There is plenty of Samhain lore... symbols, rituals, foods, and superstitions... but this mainly a book of practical magic to help you celebrate in Pagan style with rituals, spells, herbs, omens, divinations, recipes and craft ideas.
Lammas by Anna Franklin & Paul Mason Learn about the deity for whom Lammas aka Lughnasad is named as well as Odin, Adonis, and Dionysos, other sacrificial gods whose rites occurred around this time of year. There are also plenty of recipes and spells and inspiration for crafts and games. Since Lugh was a warrior god, Rennaisance Faires & Medieval Festivals with jousting tournaments and Highland Games are especially appropriate at this time of year. This is a wonderful treasure trove of information on perhaps the most obscure of Pagan holidays.
Yule: A Celebration of Light and Warmth by Dorothy Morrisson Explore the Pagan & regional roots to many of our contemporary rituals & celebrations. Includes homemade crafts & gift ideas. seasonal recipes, and a December calendar listing traditions & rituals for every day of the month.
Celebrate the Solstice: Honoring the Earth's Seasonal Rhythms Through Festival and Ceremony by Richard W. Heinberg Two books in one. A history of Solstice celebration including Stonehenge, ancient Chinese, Mayan & Native American rites... followed by suggestions on creating your own personal seasonal rituals.
The Wiccan Book of Days: Legend and Lore for Every Day of the Year by Gerina Dunwich Each month listing begins with a brief history of the month itself, birthstone, flowers, and astrological signs. Each day has a magickal tidbit such as God/dess observance days, festivals, birthdays, or history. The illustrations are beautiful and give the book an almost "medieval" feeling.
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