Witchcraft, a craft as ancient as history itself, carries a profound legacy steeped in symbolism.
These symbols, intricately woven into the very fabric of witchcraft, are gateways to profound spiritual and philosophical insights.
The Universe of Witchcraft Symbols
The Pantheon of Witchcraft Symbols
Using Witchcraft Symbols in Rituals and Spells
Decoding the Mystery of Witchcraft Symbols
Let’s try something interesting and useful as a new way to write a short spell.
I have been watching a YouTube family channel designed with the idea for families have fun and maybe try some things they do. Caution they may get loud at times but I have gotten at least a chuckle on the over 30 videos I have watched so far.
The hosts Rhett and Link do some strange things. But one thing they do sometimes is talk in a Japanese from of poetry known as Haiku. Which can be explained easily with this
A traditional Japanese haiku is a three-line poem with seventeen syllables, written in a 5/7/5 syllable count. Often focusing on images from nature, haiku emphasizes simplicity, intensity, and directness of expression.
An explanation of Haiku by Poets.org
As I read about Haiku I realized while it may take some getting use to writing nd reading it, it could be a different way to write a short, simple for something easy. For example (this is my first try in trying to do this so if it sounds strange it gives me room to improve and to find knowledge)
“I want Mother Earth,
To be clean and renewed So
Tell me pick up trash.”
Ok, I guess most people would not really a spell in the sense that we are use to writing them in. But to finish it I would write it on a small 1 inch by 3 inch piece of paper then the roughly burn the piece of paper. Once the ash is COMPLETELY COLD I would grinded it into a fine dust to mix into a small amount of lotion, about 1 tablespoon (if you lotion tends to go a long way when you use it regularly a just the amount you would use for this so you can rub in the lotion completely or than rub a tip of your index finger amount throughly into my crown chakra to remind me to pick up the trash and on my 3rd eye area so I would not over look the trash. Than rub the rest into my hands to remember to grab the trash. I would do this just before bedtime and let the lotion with the spell paper dust in it soak into my skin to set the spell. If you can wear a long weight pair of pure cotton gloves which will help the lotion moisture your hands more.
Here is my first attempt using a Japanese Haiku Poem to do a Spell. I will let you know how it goes.
I am really looking forward to reading your Haiku spell and how you are going to put it into action.
Know the Basics
Know what magick is. Know different ways to raise, direct and ground energy. Know how to cast a magick circle. Know how to open a circle. Know the basic outline of a spell.
Know the Intent or Purpose
What is it you are trying to do? Heal an illness? Increase your concentration? Bring love into your life? Sell a house? Celebrate a Sabbat? Before you begin any magickal working, you should have a firm grasp on what outcome you are seeking.
Know the Best Time to Work the Spell
Do you know what type of magick should be worked during the waning moon and what type during the waxing moon? What type of magick is best worked on the full moon? The new moon? What ays of the week are best for what types of magick? Learn how the moon phases and days of the week affect magickal workings so you will know when to work your spell.
Know Correspondences
Learn which colors will bring what results. Learn a little about herbalism; which herbs can be used for what magickal purposes. Learn about image magick and how it works. Learn about elemental magick; which elements can be used for what types of magick.
Ritual Preparation
Choose a time. Decide the intent. Choose an aspect of the Divine, if you wish. Decide how to raise energy (ie: dance, chanting, drumming, etc.) Choose how to cast and close the circle.
Cleanse yourself and your magickal space.
You can do this with a ritual bath for yourself, or through meditation to still and focus your mind. You can cleanse your space with your magickal broom or with incense or burning herbs.
Cast the Circle
Invocation of the Divine
Statement of purpose
This is simply to tell the Divine why you have called Him/Her to the circle; what you are trying to accomplish.
Magickal Working
Raise energy, through chanting or drumming or however you have chosen to do so. Direct or channel this energy by using candles, herbs, stones or whatever other correspondences you found to fit your specific need. Ground your energy when you have completed the working.
Cakes and Wine
Eat a small piece of bread or cookie and drink a little wine, milk or juice to help restore your energy.
Thanking the Divine
Closing the Circle
Day: Monday ( Moon-day)
Planet: Moon
Colors: Silver and White and Grey
Crystals: Moonstone, Pearl, Aquamarine, Silver, Selenite
Aroma: Jasmine, Lemon, Sandalwood, Moon Oil, African violet, Honeysuckle, Myrtle, Willow, and Wormwood
Herb: Moonwart
The sacred day of the Moon, personified by such goddesses as Selene, Luna, Diana, and Artemis. The Moon is ruler of flow affecting the changeable aspects of people. If a full moon falls on a Monday, its powers are at theirmmost potent. Magical aspects: peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friendships, psychic awareness, purification, and fertility
Monday is ruled by the moon – an ancient symbol of mystery and peace. Monday is a special day for mothers as the cycle of the moon has long been associated with the female menstrual cycle. Those wishing to conceive a baby would be wise to try on a Monday as the magic of motherhood is strong and pregnancy is in the air.
This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving agriculture, animals, female fertility, messages, reconciliation’s, theft, voyages, dreams, emotions, clairvoyance, home, family, medicine, cooking, personality, merchandising, psychic work, Faerie magic, and Goddess rituals.
I think that (almost) everyone found out about the Craft while in a quest for power, but we all discovered that Wicca isn’t about power or revenge at all. I myself was quite surprised when I read that this Path had only one law: “An It Harm None, Do What Ye Will”. “Easy!” I naively thought, but as I studied more about philosophy the more I understood that it wouldn’t be like so.
You have to ponder every future deed, consider any possible outcome and, basically, avoid getting in karma’s “To Do List” in terms of negativity. But is the Rede enough? Certainly it must have been for those whom accepted it after Doreen Valiente publicized it, but nowadays, there are so many possibilities and choices that I guess it can become harder for neophytes – and even those who have been acquainted to Wicca for several years – to know what do in every situation, it some times is for me.
There are so many new ways of interacting (namely, instant messaging) , new devices and distractions that it’s easy to get lost in them and forget the almost overwhelming power of our capability of choice. This is why I am going to show you what I see as the most important things to consider.
First, comes Justice. We all have to learn (if we already haven’t) to see everything that surrounds us in an unbiased way. This means that we must think as if we were another person when judging something, obviously because our personalities get in the way. I think that for those with a particularly “colorful” religious past (have followed more than one religion or, at some point, none) this is easy; I, for instance, can see the world through three different viewpoints: a Pagan one, an atheist one a Satanic one (I studied and practiced Satanism for some time) .
This allows me to be quite fairer when it comes to deciding how to treat others. If you can’t judge wisely, someone is bound to get hurt, even yourself.
Truth is the following point to bear in mind. I think that everybody has lied at least once in his or her life. Deceiving is a natural thing and we humans are quite good at it. I am not going to condemn lying – not at all! I’m all for lying, when there is a good reason for it. I only lie when I need to and, sometimes, when it’s the easiest way out of trouble. But I know that truth is important and I avoid lying to those closest to me, the Gods included, because every relationship is based on trust and honesty. If you can’t be honest to those you like the most, then you might as well not be with them, because you will always have something to hide.
A lie that cannot be “seen” doesn’t hurt, but once it is revealed the one who will receive most of the damage will be the liar. So, only lie when you really must, otherwise you’ll become Peter from “Peter and the Wolf”.
Next comes Honour, which is trickiest part. We all have been hurt by others, by various reasons, either sexuality, religion, personality, skin colour etc, and we all felt like it was time for some payback, but, most likely, we didn’t do anything and waited for karma to do its thing.
Personally, I believe that honour is essential and we have to defend it (I can almost hear the cries of rioters) . There are non-aggressive ways of defending yourself.
For example: imagine an old foe of yours becomes a work colleague. You obviously fear what he/she might attempt to do, so you decide to “rally the troops” (the colleagues you trust the most) and tell them about the person so they know why you dislike the person, but let them do as they wish.
If you practise Magic, then you are most likely to try to prevent any harm from being done to you by using it and a simple spell to “dissolve” the other person’s negative thoughts. That way, neither of you is harmed. See? There is such as thing as a peaceful defence.
Also bear in mind that the honour of those closest to you and of the institutions you are allied to should also be protected, ideally.
Hospitality is the final thing to remember. When I say “hospitality”, I refer mainly to the way you treat other people, mostly, new acquaintances. I think that Pagans are more welcoming and accepting of others than other people, mainly because we all know that there is no universal pathway that fits everyone. Each and every one of us has a different way of perceiving the world around us and that is a wonderful thing. We are a diversified community and must of us know how it feels to be an outcast, so we tend not to let others become outcasts themselves.
I try to accept everyone, and wait until they reveal more about themselves to make an evaluation: is the person worth to be kept around or is he/she a nefarious influence? This is, no doubt, hard at times, because our minds are built to almost instantly recognise what is similar and what is different from us, which leads to social segregation. Therefore, be welcoming and don’t be like those that may have once did you wrong.
Concluding, following the Wiccan Rede is, by no means, easy. You may find yourself searching for some guidelines, like I have, to make the job simpler, but there will always be that dilemma: you have to think twice (or many more times) before you act and often, the amount of time just isn’t enough. All we can hope is that we don’t offend anything or anyone, Ancestors and Gods included.
No matter what your choice is, remember that the Rede exists to help, not to condemn or prohibit – but it will surely restrain you from making grave mistakes.
I also would like to add that this essay was influenced by the Nine Noble Virtues of the Heathen Paths. The above interpretations and conclusions, however, are my own.
Merry meet and merry part, until we happily meet again!
Blessed be!
The Rede is known to many of Wiccan practitioners as the ethical underpinnings to be followed. While different versions exist, a common form is “An it harm none, do what ye will.” Most of the attribution for the Rede goes to Doreen Valiente, Alexander Crowley, Gardner and according to some, King Pausol. Regardless of the source, we are told we are free to do what we want as long as no harm results. It is important to note that the Rede includes admonishment against doing harm to oneself.
Another important consideration for ethics is the Rule of Three (Three-fold Law or Law of Return) . It states that whatever one puts out, it will return threefold. This is an attempt to warn the practitioner to do good works because it will come back to them three-fold. As an ethical consideration, it is not much different than the Christian’s “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12) . These ethical sayings also ring with the idea of Karma; (to use the Christian saying) what you sow, so shall you reap.
Notice that the ethics so far are prohibitive. They tell us what NOT to do. I get a chuckle from Google’s company motto that echoes what we’ve seen: “Don’t be evil.”
For Wiccans, there is a few last important ethical guides, one is well known to many especially Gardnerians: The Charge of the Goddess. A Charge of the God exists, as well as countless variations of both. Wiccan Laws exist as well, in Gardnerian and Alexanrian forms. I’ll spare you the gory details about the in-fighting regarding the Laws. Needless to say, many disagreed with them.
While the Rede and the Three-fold Law are largely prohibitive, they do so by also telling us we are urged to do positive works. I personally like the Charge from an ethical standpoint because it tells what we should do. In this way it is proscriptive and not prohibitive.
Paraphrasing the Charge of the Goddess, Doreen Valiente tells us we should:
Listen to the words of the Great Mother.
Be naked in your rites.
Meet once a month under a full moon.
Sing, feast, dance, make music and make love.
Have beauty, strength, power, compassion, honor, humility, mirth and reverence within you.
Many have taken her words and adapted them to make them suitable for different audiences and to fit other purposes.
My chief complaint with all of these ethical viewpoints is that they are largely useless in practical secular daily life. It is what we call applied ethics. For example, I am driving down the road and a deer jumps in front of my car. I have seconds to decide; do I hit the deer or do I drive into a ditch or hit a tree? Ethically, I don’t want to kill a defenseless animal. Nor do I want to harm my car, a tree or myself.
As an improvement, there is an international program (which Boy Scouts of America and Cub Scouts use) have a saying; “Leave no trace.” It is used when outdoors and the intent is to leave the place how it was found.
Leave no trace could cover a multitude of other situations, such as greenhouse gases, carbon footprints, new roads and development in protected ecosystems to ocean ecology. It also tells us what to do. Lets think of a short list.
1.Recycle. Our world’s resources are not infinite. We should be doing good management of what resources we do have and not waste them. We should re-plant the trees that we do take for our future generations.
2.Leave what you find. While walking in the woods, we don’t take things like rocks or animals. What is with our preoccupation at collecting massive amounts of material things? Like leaving only footprints, we should only collect what we need.
3.Be considerate of others. Not only this applies to local wildlife, it applies to other people.
4.Clean up after yourself. In the physical sense, it means trash management. In the spiritual sense, it means know your craft and behave responsibly. In the mental sense, it means don’t dump on others, and have a healthy outlook and healthy relationships.
What other things could you add to the list?
Leave no trace is attractive as an ethical proposition because it tells us what to do and what not to do at the same time.
As Pagans, we should look for a more responsible ethical framework. We were here before the other world religions. Shouldn’t we lead the way in ethics?
There are other ethical sayings we could use. “Be my best” comes to mind. The big flaw I see is that my best becomes a crutch when people do bad things. For example, “Well I was just doing my best.” might be a common excuse when a pedophile molests a child. If honestly applied, I do think it works, but maybe we can do better.
The one I like best is “Leave the world a better place than you found it.” It is all encompassing. It is a positive way to say that we should strive to do good works. It covers things from acid rain to gun laws to abortion. It is very simple. A kindergartner should understand this concept.
In applied ethics, it becomes fairly easy to do the right thing. In the example of the deer jumping in front of the car, we can rationalize some choices. The car may hit the deer. The car can end up in the ditch. But it is the more general context that makes it an improvement. Why did the deer do that? Are the local deer crossing roads due to over-crowding? Perhaps we should install fences and control where the deer cross the road. Maybe we should allocate more forestland for deer populations.
“Leave the world a better place” allows us to explore options, and become better stewards of our environment. It creates possibilities that did not previously exist and makes us better humans.
Footnotes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiccan_Rede
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiccan_morality
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_Three_ (Wiccan)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don’t_be_evil
What are Wiccan ethics, the “Wiccan Rede” and “three-fold law?”
Wiccan ethics are seldom codified in a legalistic way, but may be informed by some common expressions such as the “Wiccan Rede” and the “three-fold law.” According to most versions of the three-fold law,
whatever one does comes back to one thrice multiplied, in amplified repercussion. One short, rhymed version of the Wiccan Rede states “Eight
words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An it harm none, do what you will.” Often “none” is interpreted to include the doer themself in analogy to the “golden rule” of other faiths. There are no universal proscriptions
regarding food, sex, burial or military service and Wiccans, as a rule, discourage proselytization (attempts to convert others to a different
religion).
Contributor: Liv Condous
Want to make the most of the extra daylight? Sunday, December 21 is the best time to do so, If the three-day heatwave we’ve just experienced is any indication, Melbourne’s summer is officially in full swing – and we couldn’t be happier about the extra sunshine. So if you’re also a fan the long, warm days and balmy nights, you’ll want to mark your calendar for the summer solstice – aka the longest day of the year – which is happening on Sunday, December 21.
This year in Melbourne, the summer solstice is set to bless us with 14 hours and 47 minutes of sunshine. Here’s a rundown of how long the daylight will last and the exact timings of sunrise and sunset.
The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, bringing the most daylight hours between sunrise and sunset. In the Southern Hemisphere, this happens when… Click here to read the rest of this article Source: timeout.com
By Charles Alexander Moffat
Men’s fear of women has caused them to portray women in two specific archetypes and continued to compare women in such a fashion because the majority of their writing was written by men for other men. Thus was born an unspoken tradition amongst men to portray women as weak submissives and/or seductive, evil succubi/monsters such as Lilith, and is the result of men’s fear of being controlled.
Psychologically, a man may be willing to have sex, but if the woman is not, the denial of sex perpetuates a breach in the male ego. The male response to this rejection is fear and anger, and in order to find a solution to the problem, the male reacts by finding excuses for his superiority. Believing that if he is superior and that the woman is weaker and inferior, then whether or not the woman is willing will now be unimportant and inconsequential, as far as the man is concerned.
Women do not have this sexual rejection problem however, for at any time they are willing, men can be made willing through the use of female charms or even simple aggression. Only male impotence can prevent this, which is no fault of the female. Men subconsciously understand this and also understand that they are vulnerable against females in this way, and are afraid of being seduced and manipulated.
Putting these two in perspective, men have defined two types of women: The submissive woman who falls prey to a man’s every whim, and the aggressive, manipulative woman who can seduce a man into performing her every whim.
When communicating these ideas to other men, the emphasis of a woman’s description is placed upon her beauty, her weaknesses and her lack rationality. These are ideas that men subconsciously/consciously seek to promote about women as a result of their own insecurities.
Aristotle was obsessed with his penis, that much is evident from a psychologically perspective. According to Aristotle, the penis and its semen is the source of all souls and spirit, and that women, being “mutilated” and without a penis is soulless. He goes into more detail, believing that women are unable to create souls because they themselves are “impure” and “incapable of concocting the nutriment in its last stage into semen. If she does have a soul, it is an “impure” one, and thus needs a man’s “purity” in the form of semen. In short, Aristotle likely believed that the world revolved around his penis.
Going further on Aristotle’s beliefs, if women are soulless, then their feelings don’t matter, and thus men must be the masters over women because women are cold, heartless and lack authority. He admits that women have intelligence/faculty, “but it is without authority” and thus men must be the masters. The end result is that Aristotle likely believes that the perfect woman is a “mutilated” quiet, cold, and submissive creature, something similar to Helen of Troy or Andromeda.
As the exact opposite, the worst woman by his definition would likely coincide with many of the mythological creatures of his time. The medusa, sirens, gorgons and harpies portray intelligent women as cunning, powerful, independent, and yet deformed monsters. They would still be “mutilated” by Aristotle’s definition, and would suffer the consequences for their independence, for they were all defeated by men. In essence these myths could be considered allegory warning women not to become independent and proud of their intelligence.
Respected for his beliefs by his male colleagues (and they were all male and thus with male egos and “in love with their penises” and no doubt loving the idea that the world revolves around their penis), Aristotle’s beliefs were written down for men and mass produced for men. These beliefs are then passed down upon children, who then take these beliefs to be the absolute truth, and never questioning it. “Men commonly think according to their inclinations, speak according to their learning and imbibed opinions, but generally act according to custom,” said Francis Bacon, speaking of this usually “unspoken tradition” that is passed down through the generations.
In the Biblical Genesis (the King James/Yahwist version), Eve is portrayed as being lesser than Adam by the simple fact that she is made by only part of him, and is not made wholly of the earth like Adam was. This shortcoming is then shown when she is tricked so easily by the serpent into eating the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and she in turn manipulates and tricks Adam into also eating of the tree. Furthermore, when caught and questioned, Eve quickly blames the snake for her shortcomings. Thus Eve presents parts of both archetypes, the submissive woman who is easily tricked by the snake, but after eating the fruit, she becomes the cunning and manipulative woman who seduces/tricks Adam.
In a different version of Genesis, the ben-Sira version~, the person known as Lilith (Adam’s first wife, before Eve) is introduced:
“When the Almighty created the first, solitary man, He said: It is not good for man to be alone. And He fashioned for man a woman from the earth, like him (Adam), and called her Lilith. Soon, they began to quarrel with each other. She said to him: I will not lie underneath, and he said: I will not lie underneath but above, for you are meant to lie underneath and I to lie above. She said to him: We are both equal, because we are both created from the earth. But they didn’t listen to each other. When Lilith saw this, she pronounced God’s avowed name and flew into the air. Adam stood in prayer before his Creator and said: Lord of the World! The woman you have given me has gone away from me. Immediately, the Almighty sent three angels after her, to bring her back. The Almighty said to Adam: If she decides to return, it is good, but if not, then she must take it upon herself to ensure that a hundred of her children die each day. They went to her and found her in the middle of the Red Sea. And they told her the word of God. But she refused to return. They said to her: We must drown you in the sea. She said: Leave me! I was created for no other purpose than to harm children, eight days for boys and twenty for girls. When they heard what she said, they pressed her even more. She said: I swear by the name of the living God that I, when I see you or your image on an amulet, will have no power over that particular child. And she took it upon herself to ensure that, every day, a hundred of her children died. That is why we say that, every day, a hundred of her demons die. That is why we write the names Senoi, Sansenoi and Semangloph on an amulet for small children. And when Lilith sees it, she remembers her promise and the child is saved.”
According to accompanying legends, Lilith was cursed and turned into a succubus. God created Eve as an afterthought out of Adam’s rib, in order to make her more submissive. Lilith’s descendants and Eve’s descendants mingled together and bred, and God decreed that Lilith is kill all of her descendants, except for those protected by an amulet. This belief that Lilith will come to slay young children is still held in awe today in many cultures. As the mother of all other succubi, Lilith’s daughters (succubi, or simply “Liliths (according to some tales) are also held to this and cannot harm any child protected by the amulet. This is Lilith’s curse for being too dominating according to many tales, although it is also questioned as to whether the real reason is because she spoke God’s avowed name.
Other Biblical and non-Biblical legends* portray Lilith as being a “terrible mother-goddess”. Her clergy is described as being “temple prostitutes” according to some historians. This belief changed over time, with Lilith (or succubi in general) becoming the “divine whore” according to men, described as being a tall beautiful, obsidian-skinned, bat-winged female with long red (some legends say black) hair and sharp blue eyes. This creature then seduces men and kills them. This is a perfect example of men describing the physical characteristics of women, and also their obvious fear of being powerless against a woman and controlled by them.
There are many other legends (mostly Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian) calling Lilith (or creatures like her) by other names such as Shedu, Lamashtu, Marilith, Succubus, Ahhazu, Alu, Gallu, Lamia, Ishtar. The legend of Lilith is so widespread that it reaches even Malayasia where she is called Langsuir (or Langsuyar) and feared as a demon seductress of the night. This enforces the idea that man’s fear of seductive/dominating women is universal amongst all men.
During the Spanish Inquisition (and various other witch hunts), witches were associated with the demon Lilith, and anyone having red hair like Lilith were more likely to be hung or burnt at the stake. This perhaps is the reason why red hair is so rare and also why the current stereotypes that all red-haired people are regarded as aggressive, hot tempered, troublesome, and otherworldly. These witchhunts were led by men, usually clergy, who were obviously afraid of being bewitched, seduced and controlled.
The power struggle between Adam and Lilith is a reflection of the power struggle between the sexes, a man’s patriarchal attitude versus a woman’s demands for independence and equality. Psychologically, this is the result of Adam’s fear of Lilith being in control, Lilith’s equal fear of Adam being in control, and both rejecting the others demands for dominance. Adam and Lilith obviously could not meet with a marital therapist however, but since the two are viewed as being mythical characters, then they reflect universal characteristics and behaviour such as all people’s (not just men’s) fear of being controlled.
A number of modern psychologists/analysts have studied the ben-Sira version and have come up with their conclusions about Lilith, Adam and Eve, and their archetypes:
Vogelsang asserts that Adam bears the guilt for the disagreement. “From the beginning [he] was trying to assert his superiority and to dominate her, a power play on the part of the masculine.” He also says “it should be emphasized that she was not trying to subjugate him. She was trying to maintain her rights.” Essentially this means that Adam represents the average aggressive male, whereas Lilith should actually be considered a model female who stands up for her rights. Perhaps women should be feared, for it is the fear between both sexes that makes them equal.
Lenherr-Baumgartner claims that Adam’s demand for the upper position was the result of “is evolutionary understandable as a certain male fear of an equal female. In addition she considers the separation of the two metaphorical in the sense that male and female shall be forever separated by their fears of each other.
In modern times it would be very easy to compare Adam, Eve and Lilith to a patriarchal husband, a weak, submissive wife, and a vindictive, dominating ex-wife. A slightly different example would be patriarchal President Bill Clinton (perhaps as the result of his obsession with his penis), submissive stand-by-your-husband Hillary Clinton, and the aggressive “succubi” (no pun intended) Monica Lewinsky. The First Lady has deliberately played the submissive/supportive wife because she understands that she will be considered more socially acceptable because of it, whereas Lewinsky has found popularity amongst some feminists who support her for her aggressiveness. Bill Clinton himself however faces a special problem with his ego, having the American-Made title of the “Most Powerful Man In The World” and likely believing that the world really does revolve around his penis, and his true fears are more complex because of the high price some believe that he should have paid for his adultery.
In conclusion, the dominance of men has been implemented by unspoken tradition amongst men through the generations of men writing for other men, such as Aristotle and the many variations of Genesis. This has caused men to create two specific archetypes of a submissive weak woman and an aggressive “Lilith” both of which are the result of men’s fears of a dominant/equal female.
Litha, or Midsummer, is a celebration that has been observed for centuries, in one form or another. It is no surprise, then, that there are plenty of myths and legends associated with this time of year!
In England, rural villagers built a big bonfire on Midsummer’s Eve. This was called “setting the watch,” and it was known that the fire would keep evil spirits out of the town. Some farmers would light a fire on their land, and people would wander about, holding torches and lanterns, from one bonfire to another. If you jumped over a bonfire — presumably without lighting your pants on fire — you were guaranteed to have good luck for the coming year.
After your Litha fire has burned out and the ashes gone cold, use them to make a protective amulet. You can do this by carrying them in a small pouch, or kneading them into some soft clay and forming a talisman. In some traditions of Wicca, it is believed that the Midsummer ashes will protect you from misfortune. You can also sow the ashes from your bonfire into your garden, and your crops will be bountiful for the rest of the summer growing season.
It is believed in parts of England that if you stay up all night on Midsummer’s Eve, sitting in the middle of a stone circle, you will see the Fae. But be careful – carry a bit of rue in your pocket to keep them from harassing you, or turn your jacket inside out to confuse them. If you have to escape the Fae, follow a ley line, and it will lead you to safety.
Residents of some areas of Ireland say that if you have something you wish to happen, you “give it to the pebble.” Carry a stone in your hand as you circle the Litha bonfire, and whisper your request to the stone — “heal my mother” or “help me be more courageous”, for example. After your third turn around the fire, toss the stone into the flames.
Astrologically, the sun is entering Cancer, which is a water sign. Midsummer is not only a time of fire magic, but of water as well. Now is a good time to work magic involving sacred streams and holy wells. If you visit one, be sure to go just before sunrise on Litha, and approach the water from the east, with the rising sun. Circle the well or spring three times, walking deosil, and then make an offering of silver coins or pins.
Sun wheels were used to celebrate Midsummer in some early Pagan cultures. A wheel — or sometimes a really big ball of straw — was lit on fire and rolled down a hill into a river. The burned remnants were taken to the local temple and put on display. In Wales, it was believed that if the fire went out before the wheel hit the water, a good crop was guaranteed for the season.
In Egypt, the Midsummer season was associated with the flooding of the Nile River delta. In South America, paper boats are filled with flowers, and then set on fire. They are then sailed down the river, carrying prayers to the gods. In some traditions of modern Paganism, you can get rid of problems by writing them on a piece of paper and dropping them into a moving body of water on Litha.
William Shakespeare associated Midsummer with witchcraft in at least three of his plays. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, and The Tempest all contain references to magic on the night of the summer solstice.
Source:
Author: Patti Wigington
Website: Article found on & owned by About.com
If your family still gets visits from Santa Claus, it’s traditional to leave out a plate of cookies and some milk for him — after all, it’s hard work flying around the whole world in one night. But what about his reindeer? They do most of the work, so why not leave a treat for them too? You can scatter it on the lawn before your kids go to bed, or leave it in a bowl near the stockings.
Traditional reindeer food includes glitter with the ingredients.
Glitter is very pretty and sparkly, but it’s also a synthetic that doesn’t biodegrade. Instead, you can use other, earth-friendly ingredients to give your reindeer food some sparkle. Here’s what you’ll need:
Plastic baggies or baby food jars
Dried oatmeal
Chopped nuts
Raisins
Red and green sugar crystals
Ribbon
Cardstock
Place a scoop of oatmeal in each baggie or baby food jar. Add a handful of raisins, and then some sugar crystals. Shake well. Seal the bag or jar, and add a ribbon around the top. Print out a card that says:
Reindeer, Reindeer, pulling the sleigh,
We’ve left you something nice today!
Oats and raisins and sugar so sweet,
It’s a tasty reindeer treat!
Have a Merry Yule!
and attach it to the jar of reindeer food so you can share it with friends.
Source: Published on & owned by About.com By Patti Wigington
It was dark and cold within the middle of the forest. It was not a forest on this plain, but one in the hearts of our souls and in the chambers of our minds. Within the middle of this dark cold forest was a old log cabin blanketed by snow and frost. With in the cabin was a roaring fire and lighted candles, the cabin was warm and dry and full of warm animal furs spread about on the floor and bed. The cabin smelled of pine and spices and a touch of warm rum.
The old women sat at the dressing table looking into the mirror slowing brushing her long white hair. The Crone’s hands were pale and wrinkled and her face as pale and cold as the snow outside. She closed her eyes and breathed in the smell of pine from the tree she had brought in from the winters cold and the incense burning and smoking on the Yule log gave her soft warm visions. The Crone saw her future; she saw her hair turning a light brown and her eyes giving off a bright twinkle. Youth would return and the Wheel would turn and spin–turn and spin. With her hands still brushing through her hair she saw herself young again a Maiden–waiting to dance with the young Lord Bright Sun/Son and Lord of the Dance.
Mama Crone saw her Maiden belly swell with life and as the Mother gave birth to the spring– to flowers and trees and animals and to the very heavens gave it a new shine. This future was to be soon, but not too soon. The longest night must come and Winter must play it’s self out as the Sun grows stronger day by day. The Dark Mother looked to her crown of thorns and bones and in her mind’s eye saw the green of spring a yellow of flower spring from it. The Old One rose from her chair and thought “not yet” and put on her crown of thorns and bones and pulled her cloak closed and pulling up the hood tight around her face she went to the cabin door. She pushed open the door and went to the forest clearing taking slow steps chanting as she walked and sat by a prepared bon fire. Mama Crone sat in front of the fire and slowly rocked calling to the Sun–calling to the Light Of The World to return–calling for the new beginning to come and the new cycle to come–the wheel to spin– the seasons to move–the dark to retreat and the light to come. The blessings to come.
May in the forest of your heart the old cry out to the new the old change with the coming Sun–the coming of the new. Blessings called from your heart for yourself and others. Cry out to the new with hope and prayers and good tidings. Blessings to you and yours in this season of joy and change.
by Endora
Author: Morbek This is the season to celebrate! Over one third of the people on our planet celebrate the birth of a God around winter solstice. Point-two percent of the world’s population celebrate a major holiday of light during this time and twenty-two percent of our brothers and sisters in the family of man have a celebration of new beginnings and, a week or so later, another holy day, which commemorates freedom. All of this celebrating occurs around the Yuletide season. For Wiccans and Pagans, we celebrate the birth of the God and the waxing of his power as the days from Yule will get longer which leaves the night less frightening because it is getting shorter and less intimidating.
So, why even think about other religions during our holy season of Yule? I can sum it up in two words… Available Energy! With all the positive vibes roaming around think of the amazing magic that can happen if we harness and direct that energy for the good of our home. Well over half of mother Earths population considers this time of year sacred and, in western countries; those that are not religious still exude positive energy due to the consumer driven need to present gifts to one another in the spirit of Santa. That is a lot of people putting out positive vibrations!
Merry making is, indeed, infectious. Think of the community events, the parties that are held both in our workplace and our homes, the carols that are played twenty four seven by various media outlets, decking the halls and dressing up our pets that goes on in our culture. I will diligently search every year (and then be sure to watch) for Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and A Charlie Brown Christmas because it’s not the same on DVD as it is on commercial TV. The deeply held traditions anyone who celebrates during the Yule tied season adds a type of power boost to the energy already being exuded into the environment.
Do I feel that we should greedily gather up all of this energy and use it for our selfish ends? Absolutely not…no way! That point may be moot anyway. A great deal of the sentiment in our surroundings is that of giving and loving nature. I would be hard pressed to manipulate it so that it would become egocentric. I am a lazy person by nature and that sounds to me like way too much work just to attain something that I could have acquired with other magic or by simply going to a store. The attempt would leave me way too exhausted to trim the Yule tree. What, then, do I think we should do with it and why?
Let’s examine the basis of the season and discuss what drives human beings to celebrate our planets personal star’s return into our lives. The apparent reason for the season is the New Year aspect. Back in the day, thousands of years ago when knowing the seasons was a matter of life and death for the entire group, not just an individual, people had to know when the shortest day of the year was so that they could allocate their remaining resources in order to survive until mother Earth, once again, shared her bounty with all. But there must be more to it than that. After all, in a season where ancient man had to be frugal out of necessity, traditions of benevolent works arose and persist to this day!
From an anthropologic point of view, we could discuss all manner of reasons for this to be occurring but the most likely one is, in my mind, the need to draw closer to each other. We need love and acceptance. What better way to foster those emotions in others than by kindness? I expect that when humans were still nomadic or just beginning to settle into an agricultural lifestyle, kindness was a rare commodity. I find it hard believe that (wo) man didn’t desire to be kind; I just don’t think that there was a lot of time and opportunity to exhibit philanthropically motivated deeds. Life was short and hard what with procuring food and water, internal and external tribal struggles as well as trying to understand the greater world around an individual.
In a time of meager reserves, giving to another from what is essential rather than what is surplus without expecting payment of any kind would be seen as the ultimate act of perfect love and perfect trust. The act would have made a deep impression upon the receiver and any bystanders in the immediate area. It would have caused quite a commotion and, as we all know, humans love to gossip. There is no way that anyone can convince me that thousands of years ago, even before the advent of the city, (wo) man didn’t enjoy telling and retelling of an event that profoundly touched them. Every time the story was told, the original emotions were felt and the deed was imprinted a little deeper into the person’s psyche. The next thing you know, that person is committing similar acts of kindness and the circle begins again.
In order for my theory to be valid, one must recognize that there is an inherent and ancient respect for the concepts of perfect love and perfect trust. The people that walk upon this planet have known for millennia that if you live by those philosophies, you will live a wonderful life filled with more joy than sorrow.
Back to all that mirth filled energy! If you intend to do something for our world this Yule, as I do, take hold of as much of that joyous stuff as you can handle and visualize healing. Our planet needs to be healed from pollution, over grazing from stock animals and way too much concrete and blacktop. The animals that are supposed to continue evolving need healing in order to adapt and progress along the paths that are intended for them. They need proper habitat and to be untouched, as much as possible, by the hands of (wo) man. Last but not least, the amazing creatures that can ponder the problems and devise solutions need healing as well. Humans are struggling to become more than just a flesh sack that reacts to stimuli.
I have noticed throughout the years that spirituality is becoming, more and more, a central focus of many of my brothers and sisters in this very large family. The wounds that need healing are immense gashes in our spirits: fear, jealousy, hypocrisy, greed and loneliness. Those wounds lead to behaviors such as; addiction, selfishness, emotional pain that must be countered with physical pain and a worldwide economy that is in such a horrific state of hopelessness that the innocents among us are the ones who are paying the price. And that price is very high! It includes hunger, illness, illiteracy and homelessness. Saddest fact of all: Our children are the ones who are paying the largest percentage of that bill.
That list has been around for as long as we have been able to acknowledge ourselves as spiritual beings in a material world. We strive, generation after generation, to lessen the effects that those infections of the soul have on our lives. Now, with a little help from the witches, that healing can begin in earnest because the available energy that we will be using is already imprinted with the best desires that we have deep within ourselves.
Feel the amazing power that surrounds us this time of year, remember that it is borne from perfect love and perfect trust, visualize what you believe to be remedies for a planet and its’ inhabitants who are ill and send all of that imprinted energy out into the universe to work the amazing miracles that we know are just waiting in the wings for someone who respects, understands and strives to live within the construct of perfect love and perfect trust to give those miracles the cue to enter the stage and start dazzling all of us with the healing and understanding that we all need.
May you have a blessed Yule Tide season!
I know I have been doing separate posts for Yule and Litha things but when I came across these two recipes, in Llewellyn’s Witches’ Datebook 2012, one for each season of the year the two hemispheres are going into, they sounded yummy to me to have together. I apologize in advance for not calculating from American measurements to other parts of Mother Earth. I just found this website https://www.europeancuisines.com/ while it says European Cuisines it covers other countries measuring styles as well.
SIDE NOTE if you do not have a Sun shaped disc to pour the batter in use cookie cutters for whatever shapes remind you of the Sun or use a knife to cut out a shape. Even a young child could use cookie cutters with the child’s caregivers supervising. Then either eat the scraps from the cut outs or put them outside for the wildlife in your area to celebrate the Solstice with your family. This is a good day to have breakfast for dinner/supper/tea or use for part of your feast after your families Solstice ritual
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 Tablespoons of melted butter or oil
1 egg
3/4 cup yogurt
Garnish with 3 cups cubed fruit, all colors
Sift dry ingredients together. Then separately whisk wet ingredients together. Combined wet and dry ingredients, mixing for no more then 20 strokes, one for each day in June (or December) until the Solstice. Let mixture sit for 10 minutes while you prepare the fruit, set the table, and heat the frying pan lightly coated with oil or butter on a medium heat.
(SIDE NOTE Depending on the ages of the people attending your celebration feast designated cutting the fruit, setting and clearing the table, and doing dishes along with wiping the table and kitchen surfaces. If you allow a child of 3 to cut up their pancake with a plastic knife this can also be used to slice bananas or other soft fruit. This is a family celebration so let the family help with the work and as you are your homes’ Priestess or Priest you can relax and enjoy the feast and time together with a lot less stress)
Pour batter into sun-shaped discs (or pour batter from a measuring cup with a lip to get lovely round pancakes.) cook until bubbles that have formed in the batter burst and make little dry craters. Flip one and briefly cook the other side. Serve on brighly colored plates surrounded by fruit of all colors, which represent the abundant growth and glory of the Earth Goddess. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup and enjoy.
Pancakes combine the traditional foods of Litha — butter, milk, cakes, and honey — represent the Sun God at the height of his reign.
Copyright Dallas Jennifer Cobb page 77
(SIDE NOTE This cider contains no alcohol so the whole family can enjoy it. If you want to spike it for the adults I have used dark rum measured to taste of the person drinking it. It is also good cooled to room temperature but I did not like the taste after being chilled in the refrigerator)
1 quart (or 1 liter) apple cider
6 orange, sliced to look like the sun
12 whole cloves
1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 cinnamon sticks
Honey to taste
Toast the return of the Sun God, and the holy rebirth, with this warming drink when you gather with friends and family on the longest night of the year, Best made over an open fire, but easily concocted on a stove indoors will warm the hearth, heart, and home. Sip this and know anything is possible.
In a large pot combine apple cider which represents the Sun God, cloves, nutmeg, and ground cinnamon. Simmer for at least half an hour to make your house smell wonderfully festive, or longer for a stronger mulled taste. This simmering symbolically brings the God and Goddess together. and adds a little “spice” to the mix. Pour into a mug, carefully an orange slice into each cup. Add cinnamon stick and serve. Makes 6 servings.
Copyright by Dallas Jennifer Cobb page 129
The Summer Solstice, the zenith of the sun, is an excellent time to do spells for abundance and prosperity. Take three green candles and three gold or bright yellow candles and put them in gold-colored or brass candlesticks. Arrange them in a circle on your altar or on a table, alternating colors. In the center of the candles, arrange money and symbols of money. Coins are good, for example, and dollar coins work especially well because they are gold colored. You might also put pictures or drawings of what form you want your abundance to take, like a new car, a bill paid, or stocks and bonds and other symbols of wealth and security.
cast a circle as you usually would. Then chant, “Sun so high, bring me your bounty, warmth, and prosperity, bring me success. Bring me the means to fulfill my desires, enough and some to share.” Repeat this chant and imagine the pile of coins on the altar growing, and the pictures and symbols becoming real. Hold the thought as long as you can, and as soon as your attention begins to waver, say, “So mote it be,” and quickly blow out all the candles. End your circle in the usual manner.
Source: Magenta Griffith in Llewellyn’s Witches’ Datebook 2005 Page 79
Gather with friends at sunrise, or as soon after as possible, on the Winter Solstice. Meditate on the idea that this is the darkest time of year, but that light will return. As it is the circle of the year, so may it be in the world: that as the light grows, illumination and warmth extend through-out the globe. Concentrate on the idea of peace, understanding, and harmony between all peoples spreading as the light of the Sun spreads. Resolve to be a more peaceful person in the coming year and think of ways you could promote understanding. Feel in your heart of hearts that peace is not only possible be inevitable, that the time of war is over, that the human race is evolving past such foolish pursuits. Then sign a song of peace, like “Imagine” or “Give Peace a Chance” by John Lennon; “Universal Solider” by Donovan; or “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream” which has been recorded by Joan Baez, the Weavers, Pete Seeger, among others. If you are alone and don’t wish to sing, play a peaceful selection of music – either folk songs or music like Pachebel’s Cannon or Dubussy’s La Mer –while concentrating on the same idea.
Source: Magenta Griffith in Llewellyn’s Witches’ Datebook 2005 Page
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