Category: Rituals

Little Pagan Acorns – Website for Pagan Children

[Not just for Pagan children that are homeschooled but for any Pagan child)

WHY PAGAN?

The world of homeschooling is dominated by Christians, and the majority of online resources are Bible-based. For someone who is Pagan, it gets pretty frustrating to find great printables that aren’t filled with Bible scriptures or Christian phrasing. So I wanted to create a resource for all of us who are parents and/or homeschoolers who are following other spiritual paths.

My purpose is to create pages that can be mixed in with other resources to add some Pagan terminology, ideals and history so that people can teach their children something that is uniquely Pagan.

I also intend to have selections of nature-based and generically “spiritual” material that could be used by folks who aren’t really Pagan but want an option away from the Christian materials as well.

I know that the term “Pagan” covers a huge range of faiths and beliefs, and I hope that I can properly respect them all here. My own path is more Wiccan and you’ll tend to see more material along that slant (lots of altars, Sabbats and pentacles!). I’d welcome any comments or suggestions from other beliefs so that I can accurately cover them. I apologize in advance if I have included anything that is inaccurate about other religions. Feel free to let me know.

So, welcome to Little Pagan Acorns and I hope that there is something here to help with your Pagan homeschooling and parenting!

Little Pagan Acorns – Website for Pagan Children

How to do a Basic Sacred Circle

The Sacred Circle described here is for those beginning on their Pagan or Witchcraft path. It is just one way of doing a circle. I make modifications to how I set my altar and do my circle at times to suit what I will be working on in the circle and for Sabbats or Esbats. Please consider reading different books and/or talking to other Witches for more information as to how the they do their circle. As with all workings of The Craft different people have different ideas and by reading and/or listening to others besides myself will help you to try new things to see what works best for you. There are very few hard set rules when it comes to this type of Spirituality as it is as diverse as we are as people.

In a coven the High Priestess or High Priest or Priestess or Priest might assign a task for member to do with setting up the altar, bring the food and/or drink for the celebration, call Watchtowers or even open/close the circle. Usually, the highest ranking person makes the actual sacred circle. I most of the time would rotate between coven members who did what including making the Sacred Circle, I figured how better to learn than by doing something. Yes I would check to make sure the circle was put together
right before we began whatever the circle had been made for.

This circle is what I use as a teaching tool for those who I can’t do a demonstration in person for. There is very little if any chance that you won’t do it right. When I start a circle I say I’m closing it and when I’m done that I’m opening it, I know this the opposite of what is usually taught but for me it makes more sense. Because when I start I’m closing myself off from the physical plain we live in, putting myself into a Spiritual Plain and then reopening myself to our physical when I’m done. Any questions please write
to me anytime. The traditional way is Opening a circle when it is made and Closing it when you are through with whatever you made the circle for.

I always start in the East, this is the way Native Americans and the Celtic do their Circles, other places around the world may start at a different compass point. So if starting at a different point feels more right for you then do it.

The reason for making a Circle is it helps hold the extra Energy raised as well as keeping whomever or whatever you call upon to help contained so they can not just do whatever they want, where ever they want or whenever they want to on this plain when called to you to help you with something specific. Remember the Wicce Rede “Do as ye will, less it harm none.” You can call in the different Elements-Air, Fire , Water and Earth to lend power to the spell or Ritual you are performing. You can also call upon
Goddesses and/or Gods or both that lend power to the specific thing you are doing. A few examples Kwan Yin or Sirona for any type of healing, or Hecate when blessing your home or The Green Man or Mother Earth to help with growing things, Epona to help with any domestic animal, etc.

Before you start your Circle bless a candle to represent you. To do this get a long taper-color of it is an individual choice write your name on it use whatever alphabet seems right for you for example English, Runes, Ogham, etc. Then bless it with sandalwood or whatever oil feels right for you. Put the oil on the candle by wetting the index finger of your power hand with the oil ( Your power hand is the hand you write with) and make a Pentagram three times while turning the candle so some of the oil gets on all the sides. This candle you will use to represent you when working any type of Magick until it burns all the way down. Then just make a new one. You will use this candle to light the
incense and candle at the Pentagram points and for most everything else that you may need or want to burn during Ritual and spell work.

Start by laying out your Altar:
Use whatever size table you have or the floor if you want to sit to do whatever you are making the circle for. If you have a pre-made Pentagram set it in the middle of the table with the top most point facing Northeast. If you don’t’ have one  use your imagination to form a Pentagram with the representations for each Element when setting up your Altar.  ( Right now my Altar has a bird’s nest with some tiny flowers, leaves and a bird in the Northeast for Mother Earth and a small metal Sun in the Northwest for Ra because these are the two deities I work with most often)

Next you set up the Elements by going clockwise around the points of the Pentagram starting with Spirit,which is represented with some type of little statue or whatever you may have the represents a Deity to you, in the Northeast or Northwest point. Next will be Air, which is represented by incense or a feather or a yellow candle set this in the Eastern point. Next is Fire, this is represented with usually a red or orange candle, placed in the Southern tip. Water in the West with a container of water (size doesn’t matter) or a blue candle and Earth in the North use a container with salt or dirt or some stone or sticks or a combo nation of any or all of these or a green candle. Place whatever you chose to use to represent each of the Elements inside the point or to the right of it or at the tip. When you look at them from above you should be able to roughly draw in your minds eye a Pentagram (star shape).

To the right of Spirit place an object representing the Goddess you will be working with, to the left place an object representing the God you will be working with or your Patron God and Goddess (if you do not all ready know who they are it will come to you as you work with Deities. You will usually find yourself drawn to one certain God and/or Goddess you like to work with the most. I have also used a chalice (wine glass) to represent a Goddess and pine cones or a small deer statue to represent a God) To the right of Spirit place an object representing the Goddess you will be working with, to the left place an object representing the God you will be working with or your Patron God and Goddess

To make the circle to contain the energy you will be raising and to hold the Goddess and God or Elements you many call upon to help you with whatever you are working on.

Call the Watchtowers first they protect the circle (If you scroll through older posts there is one just on Calling the Watchtowers). Kind of a first line of defense against anything or one you do not want close to you while working a spell or doing a ritual. Fill in the blank with who or whatever name you are calling to them to help with whatever you are doing in the Circle. For this your Arch Angels will be in East and West and Spirit Guides in the North and South or an Arch Angel to each position or each Element in their proper direction (working with the Elements themselves can be tricky at time and send then back from way they came is EXTERMELY important because they can cause all kinds of havoc when released from the Circle into your home) or use Arch Angels for all four directions. Using the Angels and/or your Spirit Guides is easiest and to safest thing to use when you are just starting out and/or unsure of what you are doing). I have at times when doing something I needed to draw more power for called Goddesses to the North and South and Gods to East and West. Calling on Goddesses and Gods to be in the Watchtowers is not a thing a novice should try until their mentor/teacher feel they are ready to work with that much power. The day will come when you will be able to do this safely. If calling the Archangels ( the safest thing to work with the first few times you do a Scared Circle) Auriel to the East, Gabriel to the South, Raphael to the West and Micheal to the North,

To the Watchtower of the East I call _______ to help protect this Circle and empower my work within this circle.

To the Watchtower of the South_________to help protect this Circle and empower my work within this circle.

To the Watchtower of the West__________to help protect this Circle and empower my work within this circle.

To the Watchtower of the North_________to help protect this Circle and empower my work within this circle.

After they have come you will then make the actual circle:. (While I use a different Magickal tool for the different circle levels you do not have to do this you can use your power hand/sword/staff/atheme/wand for all of them.) You might also have a glass or chalice with wine or juice or even water in it and a plate with something little to eat on it. This is for the celebration part of rituals after they are completed. You can choose to drink and eat before you open/close your circle or after you have opened/closed it.

Pick up whatever tool you are going to use or point your index finger to channel the energy through to do each layer of the circle. Most Witches I know only make their circle at ground or waist level. I do my in a series of layers on top of each other with all the Elements. Why? Because that is what feels right to me.

Starting in the East, walking clockwise or dorsal, with it in your power hand (hand that you write with), pointing towards the ground say, “I close or open, which ever sounds and feels right for you, this circle with Earth that no harm may come to anyone inside or outside of this circle.” You need to walk the 360 degree circle big enough to be able to move around in it if you have without crossing the magickal wards you are putting up.

Hold your tool or power hand and point upward towards the sky or ceiling. Again starting in the East walk 360 degrees while saying “I close this circle with Air that no harm may come to anyone inside or outside of this circle.”

Starting in the East, with your tool or your power hand at shoulder height draw a circle of flames (try to see the flames coming out of the end of your staff/finger connecting Air and Earth) while saying “I close this circle with the power of Fire that no harm may come those inside or outside this circle.”

We are mad of 70% water so for that reason I do not use the element of Water in making my circle. I have tried to do a layer of it between Fire and Air put the room got very humid from the Fire heating the Water and Air moving it around. When I tried it between Earth and Fire it felt like the ground below me was washing away so I felt unsteady on my fee. The humidity was indoors during the coldest part of the year and it felt like a hot humid summer day. The unsteadiness was outdoors in my backyard.

Welcome each Element individually into your circle Starting with Air going clockwise around the Pentagram .At this time you will light the incense if you are using them for Air and the candle you are using for Fire. I also touch the containers of Water and Earth and whatever I am using for Spirit.

Next you will call the Goddess and/or God who you want to ask for help from into the circle individually. Wait to do anything further until you can feel energy starting to rise in the circle when you feel it has hit its peak. This is the time you start your spellwork or ritual. You may feel their presence strongly or it may just be a little it depends on the person and/or how many times you have worked with whoever you invoked.

When you are through with your spell and/or ritual that you made this circle for; you will dismiss the God and/or Goddess individually by saying “________ return from where you came with my thanks and gratitude for power and energy that helped me with my work here today/tonight.” Next you dismiss the Watchtowers in the opposite order from which you called them in starting in the North and ending with the East by saying, “______ return from where you came with my thank you for your power and energy that helped me with my work here today/tonight.” Once they are all dismissed then you will open your circle staring from the top to the bottom walking counter-clockwise or withershins say, ______ return from where you came thank you for protecting me inside my circle from harm and let nothing done within this circle cause harm to anyone else inside of it or outside of it.

Once all the circles are opened or closed, again use which ever seems right to you, then ground the unused energy still lingering VERY IMPORTANT (excess Energy can build up over time and cause any number of problems in your home.) give it to Mother Earth and/or her water ways to help heal them. To ground the energy start with your arms raised above your head and slowly bring them down in front of you until your palms are facing the floor or ground and say “I freely give this energy to you Mother Earth to help heal you So mote it be.”

Another quirk of my when I have put everything back where it stays when not on my Altar is to say even when by myself, “Merry part until we Merry meet again,” because I’m talking to the Elements, Gods and/or Goddess. I always start in the East because of the pull I feel towards Celtic and Native American traditions, you may also start in the North or even the West. DO NOT start in the South as that is where all dark sides of The Old Ways start. Also feel free to embellish this however feels right to you. Just remember to make sure your circle is tightly closed so no extra energy or anything else can have free reign of your home and/or property outside.

Copyright 2011 Lady Beltane

Basic Altar Set Up

basicaltar

One example of a simple, basic altar.

This is one way of setting up a simple altar for Spellwork and rituals being done in a sacred circle. Some Witches leave their altars set up at all times and some do not. It is a personal choice whether you do or not. You can set your altar on a table, the floor anywhere you can walk completely around it to make your sacred circle. As you get more comfortable on your path it will reflect in how you do your altar and what you put on it.

We will start at the top or North/element of Earth – here you need a bowl of dirt or regular table salt or stones or a piece of wood or a green candle.

Next going clockwise (dorsal) is East/element of Air – here you need incense or feathers (real ones not store bought ones) or a yellow candle.

Moving to the bottom is South/element of Fire – here you need either a red or orange candle or a lighter or some matches. The above illustration shows a charcoal burner, but you don’t need that yet and it might be you never use one.

Next is West/element of Water – here you need a bowl of water or some sea shells or a statue of some kind of sea or ocean life or a blue candle.

For Spirit, they have a God and Goddess candle. You can also use a statue or something that to you show the element of Spirit and you can put just one thing in either between Water and Earth or Between Earth and Air.

At this point, you might not have a wand or Athame (ceremonial knife) yet which is fine. So do even concern yourself with that part of this above illustration. If you do have one then place them as shown on the altar.

You should have one taper candle that you have inscribed your name on, this is your personal candle. You need to cleanse it before inscribing it of all energy but your own (there is a post up on here about how to do that) If you have an Atheme use that to do the inscription. If not a favorite sharp kitchen knife will work. It sets on the altar one side of Fire or the other. It should be on the side your power hand is on. Your power hand is the one you write with. You will use it to light the incenses and/or other candles on the altar from.

Have your Book of Shadows and something to write with; with you always when doing Spellwork and/or a ritual so you can either read the spell or ritual from it or want to write down something that happened in your circle. This sets on the opposite side of Fire from your personal candle.

Copyright 2015 Lady Beltane

One Way to Write a Spell

images (11)

When writing a spell the one thing that will affect it the most is the intent you have when writing and chanting it. There are certain things every spell should have in it. A spell also does not just affect the person casting it but has long-range effects you may never know about. This is why I will never do a spell that affects another person or living thing’s free will, such as a spell to make someone fall in love with a specific person.

You should never cast a spell, even a healing spell, for or on someone without their permission and/or knowledge.

Before casting a spell have what you desire it to do firmly in your mind, even visualize the outcome if you can. This helps the spell be stronger and gives it more chance in coming to fruition.

When writing the spell the things it should include are:

Who – Who is the spell for or who is it going to effect

What – What specifically is the spell for and what do you want the outcome of it to be

When – When do you want the spell to start working – immediately, tomorrow, next week, etc

How – How is the spell suppose to work – is it suppose to bring something to you or send something away?

Where – This can mean 2 things either where you will do the spell or where is the spell suppose to work.

Always ask yourself WHY am I writing this spell? What do I want the end result from it to be? When do I want it to happen? Who do I want it to happen to and how do I want it to happen? If  you are a novice Witch if you copy nothing else from this post into your Book of Shadows please copy the preceding two sentences. It gives you all the parts you need to include in a spell.

Copyright 2015 Lady Beltane

Using the Elements for the Watchtowers

The Watchtowers are also known as the Guardians of the Cardinal/compass points. The
coincide with the four major compass points North, East, South and West.

Some covens use a single person positioned at each point to call all four Watchtowers.
While others use a group of three and in others the priestess and/or priest call them. It
mainly depends on the covens own traditions.

Solitary witches call the Watchtowers themselves.

When working with the Elements ALWAYS be sure to thank them and send them back from
whence they came. If you fail to release them you will usually find many unexplained things
happening to you, your family and/or in your home, yard or where ever it was you called
them to. Such as a lot of interference with electronic things, sort of background noise you
can’t pin point while on the phones or a host of other things.

You can change the wording to make if feel more your own. In a coven you would call
the Watchtowers however the Priestess and/or Priest teach you to call them for that particular coven. I
sometimes use the following words and other times something else will come out of my
mouth. I try to let my guides lead me when doing anything magickal as they usually know
more of what I need at any given time better than I do.

The Watchtowers are called in for protection just before the Sacred Circle is closed (
opened). The Elements are dismissed before the Circle is closed (opened) at the end of the
ritual. First is a formal way to call the Elements to the Watertowers; followed by a casual
way.

Most covens and solitary witches start at the East Watchtower/cardinal/compass point then
walk clockwise to each of the other directions. It is fine if it feels more comfortable to you to
start at a different point but always walk clockwise after calling the first direction.

Formal way of calling:

Power of ancient dreams, ancestors of the mighty east

Come forth, O guardians of Air.

Let your wings of intelligence my protection be

Hear this call, let my words draw you near.

Lock the gate that none may pass unless

They come in love and trust. Blessed Be!

Power of ancient dreams, ancestors of the mighty south

Come forth, O guardians of Fire.

May your firey breath cleanse my work.

Hear this call, let my words draw you near.

Lock the gate that none may pass unless

They come in love and trust. Blessed Be!

Power of ancient dreams, ancestors of the mighty west

Come forth, O guardians of Water.

May your sweeping waters bring protection all around.

Hear this call, let my words draw you near.

Lock the gate that none may pass unless

They come in love and trust. Blessed Be!

Power of ancient dreams, ancestors of the mighty north

Come forth, O guardians of Earth.

Let the North Star crown your brow.

Hear this call, let my words draw you near.

Lock the gate that none may pass unless

They come in love and trust. Blessed Be!

Causal way of calling:

I call Air to protect the Watchtower of the East and ask to lend your power to my circle.

I call Fire to the Watchtower of the South and ask you to lend your power to my circle

I call Water to the Watchtower of the West and ask you to lend your power to my circle.

I call Earth to the Watchtower of the North and ask you to lend your power to my circle.

I ask the Elements to guard my circle from your Watchtower.

To dismiss the Elements at the end of the ritual and before the Scared Circle is closed:

Starting in the East or whichever direction you called first move counter-clockwise
around to each Watchtower. Saying “_________(name of Element) go back
from where you came with my thanks and gratitude for your protection and help.” When
you have released the last element you would then close (open) your circle.

Copyright 2013 Lady Beltane

Halloween in Ireland

Terrifying tales and frightening facts from the home of Halloween

Halloween – a time for thrills, chills and scaring ourselves silly. But did you know that everyone’s favourite fright-filled holiday began in Ireland? Trace Halloween right back to its origins and you’ll find yourself in the mists of pagan Ireland over 3,000 years ago – a time when the ancient festival of Samhain was celebrated in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East to mark the beginning of winter.

It’s said that at Halloween the boundary between our world and the Otherworld is at its thinnest, allowing spirits and demons to easily pass between the two. So come with us on a strange and spooky journey as we experience Halloween in Ireland.

Halloween in Ireland

23 October Southern Hemisphere Custom Planetary Positions

The time for the Custom Planetary Positions is from the local time in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia  

23 October (22) 2020
08:00 pm GMT 6:00 AM AEST
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:29 Libra 53
Moon:21 Capricorn 06
Mercury:06 Scorpio 25 Rx
Venus:23 Virgo 41
Mars:18 Aries 25 Rx
Jupiter:19 Capricorn 51
Saturn:25 Capricorn 48
Uranus:09 Taurus 03 Rx
Neptune:18 Pisces 32 Rx
Pluto:22 Capricorn 34

True Lunar Node:21 Gemini 20
Mean Lunar Node:22 Gemini 34 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):00 Taurus 10

Chiron:06 Aries 09 Rx
Ceres:28 Aquarius 39
Pallas:17 Capricorn 46
Juno:10 Scorpio 46
Vesta:00 Virgo 12

Eris:23 Aries 57 Rx

Fire:3
Earth:9
Air:4
Water:3
Cardinal:9
Fixed:5
Mutable:5

 

If you need to calculate the planetary positions for a specific use and time, click on this link Currentplanetarypositions.com 

 To figure out GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) to your local time use this link  

For Your Local Time and Date 

Crafting Your Own Sacred Schedule – Part 8

How Do You Celebrate?

Now, all this exploration doesn’t mean that every day you note as important must be acknowledged with elaborate ritual. Lighting a candle on your altar, taking a few moments to meditate outside, or preparing a favorite meal of a deceased loved one all work beautifully. If you know a particular day is going to hit you hard emotionally or mentally, then remember to schedule self-care of some kind. That can be anything from taking a cleansing bath to scheduling an outing with friends to dedicating the day to doing community service.

Copyright by Laura Tempst Zakroof Llewellyn;s Witches’ Datebook 2020 Pages 20 to 23

Crafting Your Own Sacred Schedule – Part 6

Local Festivities

Where we live has a huge impact on how we turn the Wheel. The landscape, the seasons, and local culture all affect how we experience the world around us. The community in which you live probably all ready has festivals that honor certain changes, such as a harvest festival, an annual block party, a yearly parade to commemorate an event in the town’s history, or a natural phenomenon that happens like clockwork (monsoons, fog season, second summer, etc.) These modern-day observances can have just as much power as the commonly accepted sabbats — and even more personal meaning for you because the event directly reflects the spirit of where you live. Remember everything has an origin!

Copyright by Laura Tempst Zakroof Llewellyn;s Witches’ Datebook 2020 Pages 20 to 23

Crafting Your Own Sacred Schedule – Part 4

Saint and Deity Days

While certain sabbats may have an associations with specific deities, what if those gods aren’t deities you feel connected to? Maybe the one or ones you choose to work with historically have a special date used to honor them. If you can’t find a specific date or seasons in the records, you might use the day of dedication instead, if you have performed such a rite. Or you could use divination or trance work to determine which day would be pleasing to them.

There’s also a fair amount of folks who have a fondness for saints — whether because they are coming from a Catholic background or they made a connection to that saint via their current path. In some religions, the deities of old became saints because of their powers that be couldn’t squash the belief in them, so they were “legitimatized” instead. In other instances, they can be viewed as the Mighty Dead, or enlightened humans who act as intermediaries to the divine.

Copyright by Laura Tempst Zakroof Llewellyn;s Witches’ Datebook 2020 Pages 20 to 23

Crafting Your Own Sacred Schedule – Part 2

Anniversaries, Birthdays, and Other Important Life Moments

The first category may seem pretty obvious, but we often tend to not look at these dates in a spiritual context. We may even view them as obligations versus observances over time. Birthdays aren’t just about getting older; they are opportunities to reflect on the events that took place in the past year and set goals for the next year. A birthday can serve as a reminder for us to be kinder to ourselves.

Marking the beginnings of a relationship (wedding, union, handfasting, etc.) is a great time to remember what brought you together and what you have accomplished along the way. Similarly, anniversaries of endings can be moments to recall we have come and how we have changed. For example, nearly a decade after the fact, I still remember the date when I finally decided to end an abusive relationship. It marks not only the end but also a new beginning, the new me. Celebrate your moments of strength in dark times as well as your triumphs in the best of times.

What other important moments mark significant changes in your life? A college graduation date, the day you arrived in a new place, an initiation or elevation into a tradition, the day you met you best friend, or the day you reconciled with someone — all are possible things you might choose to acknowledge on a yearly basis.

Copyright by Laura Tempst Zakroof Llewellyn;s Witches’ Datebook 2020 Pages 20 to 23

Sabbat: NH Ostara Sunday, March 22nd, SH Mabon Monday, March 23rd

All Witches and Pagans are invited to join the Heart’s Spirit Coven as we celebrate Ostara in the Northern Hemisphere and Mabon in the Southern Hemisphere

WHEN:

Sunday, March 22nd, 2020 NH

Monday, March 23rd, 2020 SH

At 6:00 PM CDT NH/ 10.00 AM AEDT SH

Circle starts at 7:00 PM CDT NH/ 11.00 AM AEDT SH- SHARP.

45 minutes will be allocated for a chance to talk to our Brothers and Sisters. Please do not enter the chat room once the circle has started. Thank you!

WHERE:

Heart’s Spirit Coven Chatroom

 

Beginning the Sabbat with a Universal Prayer

Just before we begin our Sabbat, I would like to acknowledge all that has happened and is happening in 2020, before and beyond. It is a significant time of much change and challenges for both humanity and the Great Earth Mother and all within her. Let us take a minute to pray for the universal healing in this time of need.

“May the Great Mother and Great Father give us strength and refuge in our time of need. Help us to remain calm and strong in the face of uncertainty, help us find compassion without the overwhelming feeling of empathy. Great Mother and Father teach me humility, acceptance and to remember my kindness”

So mote it be……..

 

Ostara in the NH

Ying Yang Drawing for OSTARA

 

You will need (aside from your altar usual set up)

See how to set up basic elemental altar below:

https://covenlife.co/2017/07/06/simple-basic-altar-set-up/

Green Candle

White candle

Yin/Yang  Symbol- cut out the wholes specified once printed, or you can draw or paint the symbol.

2 eggs colored one darker one lighter

 

Mabon in the SH

You will need (aside from your altar usual set up)

See how to set up basic elemental altar below:

https://covenlife.co/2017/07/06/simple-basic-altar-set-up/

 

A wicker basket

Red Apple

Fallen Branch

Seasonal fruit and vegetables

Incense of your choice

Knife to cut apple

Picture of a large pentacle (I use a pentacle disk or you can draw or print one on a piece of paper)

A candle-(the larger the better, one to re-light, whenever you wish to contemplate during the winter months over your magickal and mystical path. If your candle runs low transfer the light to another large candle with love and intent of the energy of the first. Contemplations are done for short periods of time so candle needs to burn for only a couple of minutes at a time, longer if you wish it is purely up to you. Note; DO NOT BLOW OUT CANDLE, SNUFF THE CANDLE INSTEAD)

See how to snuffing candle

Set up for Ritual:

Mabon SH

Sweep your circle with a broom clockwise (use whatever you have on hand, it’s about physically cleaning your space)

Place the wicker basket with seasonal fruit and vegetables in the center of alter

Tree branch to the right of the wicker basket

Ostara NH

Sweep your circle with a broom clockwise (use whatever you have on hand, it’s about physically cleaning your space)

Have your Yin/Yang symbol prepared, holes cut out as indicated on diagram provided ready for ritual

Hard boil your eggs, colour one darker than the other ready to place on symbol

Purify the self and the Environment NH & SH:

Take a shower or bath with your favorite oils

Play your favorite music

Burn your favorite incense

Meditate and ground yourself

Ostara is the beginning of spring, the season for new beginnings and the renewal of life through planting. This is the time we can now plant seeds and nurture them throughout the coming months to bare their fruit. What is it that you would like to plant in your life? What are you willing to nurture throughout the growing season? For this ritual as this season is also a time for re-birth, new life and fertility we will be concentrating on the symbology of the egg. Think of the dark and light as the feminine and the masculine. The Goddess and the God resorting your outer and inner balance.

Mabon is the second of 3 harvest festivals celebrating the equinox and the harvest of apples. On the day of the equinox, day and night is of equal length. For the next 6 months the nights will be longer than the days.  This is such a great time of abundance. All the hard work that it takes to collect the harvest, it is now a time to rest, reap what you have sown and take the time to look at you hopes and aspirations and reflect how they have manifested. Most importantly spend it with the people you love. This is a time of giving, sharing and loving.

 

Cast the Circle:

Hypatia Casting the circle-

To the Guardians of the North:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

 

To the Guardians of the East:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

 

To the Guardians of the South:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

 

To the Guardians of the West:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

 

I cast this circle three times three with the assistance of the Great Mother and the Great God.

I call Upon the Guardians of spirit to protect us from above and below. As is above so is below, as is below so is above. May the power of The Great God and The great Goddess join us within this circle now, to protect us and to work with us and allow us to see beyond the veil.

Protect us Great Mother and Great Father for all gathered here and those afar who are unable to be with us. Allow no negative energy to touch us, to harm us and that nothing we call upon will harm us and others. We come together in perfect love and perfect trust.

Greeting:

Hypatia – Merry meet brothers and sisters and honored guests.

Everyone – Respond Merry Greet. Please tell us your first name and state or country you are from.

Ceremony:

Please ALL light your main altar candles (not the Mabon or Ostara candles as yet)

Ritual begins:

Ostara

Place green candle to your left and the white candle to your right. Leaving enough room in the middle to place your Yin/Yang symbol.
Place the Yin/Yang symbol in between the lit candles. Place the darker egg into the hole in the lighter colored side of the Yin/Yang and the lighter colored egg into the hole in the darker side.
When done type in “Ready.”
We offer these eggs to Ostara as all new life grows from an eggs or a seed.
Ostara we ask you to bless these eggs to help us renew ourselves as Mother Earth wakens from her slumber. That we may find new life coursing through us as cleansing energy.
Oak King we ask that your fertilize the hopes and wishes we have written here so they may grow and come to fruition as the year progresses.
As the Spring Equinox is the balance of day and night as equals so is the relationship of all males and females. We ask Hecate and her Consort to bless our relationships with others be they men or women. That we feel equal to them and not above or below them.
Take the eggs and set them on the side. Tape the circle of opposite color into the now empty holes. (Before breaking the eggs to eat them write the same runes on to the circles now in the Yin/Yang symbol. The side you write them on should be the same color as the egg they are written on.
We will take a 2 minutes to complete the Yin/Yang symbol. When you are done type in “Blessed be”.

 

Mabon

Your wand in right hand, facing your alter, arms stretched out above head……….

“Autumn Queen and Harvest God I honor Thee. As the change of seasons begins the Wheel has turned once more. A time to reflect, a time to come together in the here and now in this sacred space where all time becomes one. The second harvest has been reaped, now take the time to rest and feel the change as the season passes from one to the next.

My Mother, go now and slumber

My Father go now and dream of re-birth”

Arms outstretched, lower your head and close your eyes, sit in contemplation for 30 seconds.

When ready open your eyes and lower your arms

Pick up the apple and place it on the pentacle

Cut the apple crosswise to reveal the pentagram bringing the elements into your life

Lift the half apple up as in offering and say….

“The year gives way to the next as the season passes and the Great Wheel turns. Ancestors, Guardians and Wise ones guide me. Every begging has an ending and every ending a new beginning”.

Light your Mabon candle now

Take a bite of the apple, put aside to share with nature later

Take the tree branch and shake in each direction, starting with the North, then West, South, East and say…….

“Allow me to remember the summer past as the days grow longer and the days shorter. Memories will warm my soul as the sunlight fades and hearth becomes inviting through this divine light of the candle dedicated to the Mother and Father.

Great Mother calls me forward to rest and lull myself to sleep with her songs as I cling myself to her bosom”.

Face the altar and branch held out in front of you and say……

“May I never forget the summer memories and continue to strive during the colder months. May I take this time to go within and reflect on the Mysteries that lead me to a better understanding of myself, of others and all that is in life and death”.

Put the tree branch back on the altar, take 30 seconds to contemplate about :

The symbols that you have mentally attached to this ritual,

The various projects that you will put in action over the winter months, no matter how small or insignificant they may feel.

After the ceremony please feel free to share the consecrated fruit and vegetables in a beautiful meal with family and friends. Make a beautiful dinner for all to enjoy and be thankful for what is.

 

CLOSING

Dismiss the circle:

  • To the Guardians of the North:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

 

  • To the Guardians of the West:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

 

  • To the Guardians of the South:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

 

  • To the Guardians of the East:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

 

As you leave here tonight may the Lady and Lord bless you with all that you need.

 

I bid you Blessings and great Joy Brothers and sisters of the Craft

 

Thank you and farewell

 

Full Moon Esbat Gathering on Thursday, December 12, 2019

Coven Life’s Coven also includes anyone from WOTC that would like to attend. So with that in mind we chose to rename the coven to Heart’s Spirit Coven. Blessed be sisters, brothers, and guest and if you want to join us to celebrate the last full Moon of 2019 please do.

dawnoftheday2018's avatarEnchanted Circle of Witches®

The Esbat ritual this month was written by Adept Dawn of the Day and Novice Luna Llena. We welcome all witches and/or pagans from any tradition especially if you are a solitary practitioner and would like to meet some other brothers and sister of The Old Ways/The Craft.

WHEN:

Elder Moon (Full Moon) Esbat Gathering

Thursday December 12, 2019

Social Hour 6:00 to 6:59 PM CT

Circle Cast at 7:00 PM CT

Please do not enter the chat room after the circle has been cast. The reason being is we have students casting and leading the circle as part of their learning and this could break the circle causing it to have to be recast. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

WHERE:

Heart’s Spirit Coven Chatroom

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

1 small white candle – 4 inches tall
Candle Holder
Matches
Small to Medium Size Bowl of Water

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A Special Wiccaning and Jumping the Broom into the Next Stage of Life on the New Moon Saturday, September 28th, 2019

You are cordially invited by Lady Beltane

To Jump the broom into your next stage of life. Child to Maiden or Warrior from to Mother or Father from to Crime or Wizard.

and/or have a  Wiccanings done by Lady Beltane to call upon your ancestors maternal to help protect and guide you.

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If you want to either Jump the Broom and/or have a Wiccaning done for yourself or a descendant please email Lady Beltane as soon as possible as their is some information she needs for both rituals

JOIN US ON

Saturday, September 28, 2019

AT

A Meet and Visit 6:00 – 6:55 PM CDT

Circle for the Wiccaning will be cast at 7:00 PM CDT

In Coven Life’s Chatroom

Lady Beltane will be checking up until 6:50 PM CDT on Saturday for requests to join US in the chatroom.

Can We Help You to Teach Your Children and/or Your Descendants About The Craft?

One of Coven Life’s Elders thought, and I agree, that we should post a survey to help us help you to teach your children about The Craft. If you do not want to put your answers in a comment below please email them to covenlifescoven@gmail.com, please include your child’s age so we can post information by age groups. This whole idea of helping you to help your children learn is in the planning stages any ideas and/or suggestions to make it how you think will help our descendants to learn are very welcomed.

1. As pagan parents, would you like to see children’s activities posted on WOTC?
2. What age groups would you recommend activities for?
3 – 4 years old (mostly coloring pages of the different Sabbats with a small paragraph on what the Sabbat is for)
5 – 6 years old (Coloring pages of the Sabbats and Moon Phases with a small paragraph in wording they can read themselves to bring about a dialogue about what they are learning)
7-10 years old (Printable Information delving deeper into Moon phases. Brief introduction to Sabbat and Esbat rituals)
11-14 years old (Information for considering following a Pagan path building on what they would learned above)
15 – 18 years old (Introductory information on what it means to follow the Old Ways of The Craft including an introduction to Gods, Goddesses, Spellwork, Rituals. The spell work and.or rituals would be geared for the young adult to help their parent, grandparent, or care taker to prepare a spell and how to set up an altar if wanted and what preparation goes into writing and doing a ritual.)
This is a way that a child or young adult can build an understanding of the magickal and spiritual sides of witchcraft/ It will also help prepare them to become a novice in our coven or just to have the knowledge to work better with the adults that are solitary practitioner.
3. What topics would you like to see addressed?
4. What type of activities?
5. What other suggestions would you have for children’s and young adult’s activities ?
Remember you can answer the questions in the comments or email your answers to covenlifescoven@gmail.com. If you have any questions or ideas about this project please ask or share your idea. We are willing to start any child or young adult of any age so please do not think your child would have to start as a preschooler. There is no charge as you will be able to use what we post to teach your child the way you follow The Craft. We are here just to answer questions or help in anyway we can. We will be posting things for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at the appropriate times for Sabbats.