For Auld Lang Syne

Auld Lang Syne (The Good Old Days) is a song traditionally sung at midnight when horns are blown, confetti is thrown, and a general party atmosphere is created to ring in the New Year with happiness and hope for a bright and prosperous year. The outgoing year is often represented by an elderly man known as Father Time and the new year is represented by a baby known as Baby New Year.


Robert Burns sent a copy of the original song to the British Museum with this comment: "The following song, an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man's singing , is enough to recommend any air." (Gavin Grieg: "Last Leaves of Traditional Ballads") He set it to a traditional Scottish air that is quite different than the popularized version.


Throughout the English-speaking world, Auld Lang Syne is traditionally sung on New Years Eve (known as Hogmanay in Scotland). That tradition does not hearken back to Burns but rather only to Canadian band leader Guy Lombardo who sang at midnight January 1, 1929 in the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. Guy Lombardo's orchestra played the song every New Years Eve, in live broadcast from New York, until 1976. Since then, their recording has been played each year as part of the Times Square "ball drop."

I remember watching Guy Lombardo every New Years Eve with my Grandparents. Then it was Dick Clark forever and now I guess, when Dick Clark finally fully retires (will he ever) it will be Ryan Seacrest.




Robert Burns wrote the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne in the 1700's.


Auld Lang Syne

Robert Burns



Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and days of auld lang syne?



For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll take a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne



We twa hae run aboot the braes

And pou'd the gowans fine;

we've wander'd mony a weary foot

Sin' auld lang syne



We two hae paidled i' the burn,

Frae mornin' sun till dine;

But seas between us braid hae roar'd

Sin' auld lang syne



And here's a hand, my trusty friend,

And gie's a hand o' thine;

We'll take a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne



Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and days of auld lang syne?



For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll take a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne

Gratitude

I was reading the LillahsNorthEastPagans Spell of Gratitude and it make me think about Gratitude at this time of the year. Since my beliefs are slightly different for a witch, I decided to do a kind of paraphrasing and interjection of my thoughts in the matter.

Gratitude is one of the most profound emotions we can feel. To be grateful is to feel content and to acknowledge the things in your life that you truly and fully appreciate. So often, we go through life forgetting to say "thanks" to life itself. We often focus on the negative and forget to count our blessings.

I cannot tell you how many people I know, including my mother, who reflect only on the negative and pass that on to other people. Don't do that - if you need to gossip, try to make it positive information and not negative. We are so quick to speak the negative onward, but fall silent when it is something good.

Gratitude is essential on any spiritual path—including the path of life itself! It is after Hannukkah, (the Festival of Lights, celebrating a light that did not go out) Christmas (celebrating the birth of a Savior), and is shortly after Yule, the Winter Solstice, which celebrates the rebirth of the Sun and Kwanzaa, celebrating a heritage. And now because this time of year represents rebirth, renewal, gift-giving, and love, it's a perfect time to give thanks to the universe. Take a walk in nature by yourself, smelling the natural smells, feeling the Earth and the trees, and seriously paying attention to the profundity of the natural world. Give an offering of food or incense, and say your own prayer of gratitude.

Tell the Universe, put it out there, put it positive, shout it, whisper it, whatever way, just say it.

Sacred Plants of Winter Solstice

by Selena Fox

This was first published for a workshop at the 1994 Circle Sanctuary Community Yule Festival

Evergreens

Symbolizing: Continuity of Life, Protection, Prosperity. Types: Pine, Fir, Cedar, Juniper, other evergreens. Forms: boughs, wreaths, garlands, trees. Divinities: Green Goddesses & Gods; Hertha; Cybele, Attis, Dionysius (Pine); Woodland Spirits. Traditions: Roman, Celtic, Teutonic, Christian

Holly

Symbolizing: Old Solar Year; Waning Sun; Protection; Good Luck. Forms: boughs over portals, wreaths. Divinities: Holly King; Old Nick; Saturn; Bacchus; Wood Spirits; Holly Boys. Traditions: Roman, Celtic, English, Christian

Oak

Symbolizing: New Solar Year; Waxing Sun; Endurance, Strength, Triumph, Protection, Good Luck. Forms: Yule log, acorns, wood for sacred fires. Divinities: Oak King; Oak Spirit; Sky Gods including Thor, Jupiter, Zeus. Traditions: Teutonic, Celtic, Christian

Mistletoe

Symbolizing: Peace, Prosperity, Healing, Wellness, Fertility, Rest, Protection. Forms: boughs, amulet sprigs above doorways, kissing balls. Divinities: Oak Spirit; Frigga and Balder. Traditions: Celtic, Teutonic

Ivy

Symbolizing: Fidelity, Protection, Healing, Marriage, Victory, Honor, Good Luck forms: crowns, wreaths, garlands. Divinities: Dionysius; Bacchus; Great Goddess; Ivy Girls. Traditions: Greek, Roman, English, Christian.

Frankincense

Symbolizing: Sun, Purification, Consecration, Protection, Spiritual Illumination. Forms: incense, oils divinities: Sun Gods, Ra at Dawn, Bel. Traditions: Babalyonian, Assyrian, Egyptian, Jewish, Greek, Roman, Christian

Myrrh

Symbolizing: Healing, Death and Afterlife, Purification, Inner Peace. Forms: incense, oils. Divinities: Isis, Ra at Midday. Traditions: Egyptian, Jewish, Christian

Wheat

Symbolizing: Sustenance, Abundance, Fertility, Good Luck. Forms: grain, straw figures and symbols, cookies, cakes, breads. Divinities: Earth Goddesses; Saturn & Ops; Goat Spirit; Fairy Folk. Traditions: Roman, Celtic, Scots, Teutonic, Swedish, Christian

Celtic Tree Calendar's Sacred Trees of Winter Solstice

Yew: Last Day of Solar Year; Death. Silver Fir: Winter Solstice Day; Birth. Birch: Month following Winter Solstice; Beginnings.

Celebrating the Light's Return at Winter Solstice

Celebrating the Light’s Return at Winter Solstice

by Barbara Schiffman, CHt and Cat Williford, MCC

Winter Solstice marks the shift of the seasons from harvesting crops to rejuvenating the Earth.In 2009, this longest night of the year falls on December 21. While the notion of winter usually evokes images of warm coats, mittens and boots, in ancient times Winter Solstice was honored as the turning point when the sun begins warming the Earth a little bit longer every day. Like the Earth, our moods are affected by the abundance of darkness at this time of year. Medical studies have shown that many people—especially women—get depressed as daylight diminishes steadily between October and December. So the gradual return of light helps us begin feeling more optimistic and hopeful as we prepare for a new year.

Winter Solstice Legends and Lore

In both ancient and modern religions, the sun’s rebirth has long been celebrated by lighting candles and dancing under the stars at Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa. In Goddess or Celtic traditions, Solstice marks the first of the year’s Sabbats, which mark the phases of the changing seasons. It follows Samhain or All Hallow’s Eve (Halloween) on October 31, which denotes the start of the lengthening nights to foster introspection and rest. As winter moves into spring, the Earth regains its strength—and so do we.

Winter Solstice marks the birth of new life and the rebirth of the Goddess. Many cultures and traditions honor Sun Goddesses at Yuletide such as Sunna (Scandinavia), Lucia (Sweden), Befana (Italy), Rhiannon (Wales), Grainne (Ireland) and Sun Woman (Australia). Others honor Fire Goddesses like Pele (Polynesia), Oya (Africa) and Fuji (Japan). After the decline of matriarchy, most religions transformed their Sun Goddesses into Sun Gods, retaining only Moon Goddesses to reign over the night sky.

Sun Goddesses are key figures in many cultures’ Winter Solstice legends. The Japanese believe Sun Goddess Amaterasu retreated into a cave to escape her Storm God brother Susu-wo-no, plunging the world into darkness. The people begged Amaterasu to return when their crops stopped growing. Months passed but she would not emerge from her cave until sacred clown Alarming Woman finally charmed Amaterasu to come close to the cave’s mouth. Then she yanked Amaterasu out as if through a birth canal. The metaphor of going underground during this time of year is echoed in the Greek myth of Persephone. She goes into the Underworld for six months of the year until her mother, Demeter, brings her out. In the Hopi Indian observance of Soyal, fires are lit and creation stories told to help the kachinas (spirit helpers) emerge from dark kivas (sacred caves) so they can live with the people for six months as daylight increases.Other traditions consider the Goddess to be the Sun’s mother and so many sacred birth legends echo the Christmas story. In Celtic lore, Rhiannon gives birth to sacred son Pryderi. In Egyptian tradition, Isis rebirths Horus. In Roman myths, Leto gives birth to sun god Apollo.

Symbols from ancient ceremonies used in today’s Solstice celebrations include evergreen trees, mistletoe and holly which represent how seeds and the color green remain alive even in dark months. Flames on candles and Yule logs echo the sun’s returning light and warmth, as does the color red.

Winter Solstice and Renewal

Winter Solstice can be celebrated as a re-birthday for modern Gods and Goddesses. As we release the old year and prepare for the new, it is an ideal time to complete projects and resolve unfinished business in relationships so that we can move on with a clean slate.What do you need to feel safe and secure as you rebirth yourself into the new year? You can celebrate alone or in a circle of likeminded and supportive friends to release the past and celebrate all the ways you’ve evolved in 2009.

Celebrating Solstice

This is an ideal time to clean house, literally and figuratively. This freshens your environmental energy so you can move from winter to spring with a clean slate.Sort through cupboards and closets to remove items that weigh you down emotionally or no longer serve you. Swap clothing that doesn’t fits your lifestyle or body anymore with friends who are also cleaning house. Donate items to a needy family or charity. File all the papers on your desk, toss out old magazines and put your financial books in order (which will make tax preparation easier in April). By literally putting your house in order, you will feel lighter and more energized.Write a list of projects and communications that still feel unfinished for you. Decide which no longer interest you and which ones you want to continue working on in the new year.

Now reflect on the year that’s ending by writing out a list of your accomplishments in 2009. For this list you can use special paper or ink with the colors of the season: red for the fire of rebirth and renewal, green for growth and love.Next write a paragraph describing your overall experience of 2009.When you’re done, take a few minutes to sit in quiet gratitude. If you like, you can imagine you’re moving through a cosmic birth canal to emerge afresh into 2010. Envision yourself as you wish to be in the new year or see and feel yourself as an infant ready to start over. Take your first big breath as you open your eyes and see the world anew.

No matter how you choose to celebrate Winter Solstice, gift yourself with the knowledge that you are not the same as you were yesterday. Dozens of cells in your body are new, as are your thoughts and feelings. All that you are is constantly evolving.

Let Winter Solstice remind you to make 2010 a year of renewal and rejuvenation as you celebrate the return of the light in everything you do.

Enhance your Psychic Ability

Try this fascinating method

The concept for Sergeant Pepper's Band came to Paul McCartney as he was dosing off to sleep. Einstein's theory of relativity came to him as he was waking up.

Hypnagogia (the state of consciousness between wakefulness and sleep) has long been fertile ground for religious and mystical experiences, creativity and intuition - plus a variety of psychic experiences, including telepathy, clairvoyance, clairaudience and out-of-body sensations. And the best part of this phenomenon is that you can use it to tap into your own creativity and psychic ability. Because it's true that we all have some level of psychic ability!

How hypnagogia works

During hypnagogia, the normal activity of the left side of your brain (the side that dictates logic) is inhibited, allowing imagery in your right brain (the creative side) to bounce around, using free-association that your fully conscious mind would classify as illogical or nonsensical. Unlike dreams during the REM (rapid eye movement) sleep phase, hypnagogic imagery lacks a story plot. Hence, flashes of shapes and colors might morph into faces or landscapes.

One person reported the image of a bird's beak changing into the barrel of a gun. Some people report hearing bizarre sentences, such as one woman who clearly heard a voice say, "Rick sleeps with the babysitter" (when she didn't even know anyone named Rick - perhaps it was from a past life). Others report a sense of floating on the ceiling, looking down at their bodies in bed.
Tap into happinessOne study in Hawaii found that willful use of hypnagogia increases flexibility in thinking, which leaves you open to more creativity and psychic experiences. And (even better!) it may increase your overall feeling of well-being. Participants in the study also reported increased stress reduction and heightened self-awareness. And who doesn't want to be less stressed out, and more in tune with their true selves?

Make a wish

It sounds simple, but according to the book Hypnagogia: The Unique State of Consciousness Between Wakefulness and Sleep, you can simply "wish" for hypnagogia, and it will happen. It claims that hypnagogic imagery "is achieved not so much by willing as by wishing." Most people who reported psychic experiences during hypnagogia say it involves patient waiting, and expectancy that a picture will appear. One way to distinguish between a truly clairvoyant vision and an image created by your imagination is that with imagination you think of the image first - and then you see it. Yet with psychic hypnagogia, there is an element of surprise, because you see the image first, and then you think of it.

What to do

In addition to an attitude of patience and expectancy, you can train your brain to sustain a state of hypnagogia by using the following techniques:
Go to bed earlier than usual, so you aren't exhausted.
Wake up without an alarm clock in the morning.
Take cat naps during the day.
Listen to brain wave CDs or downloads.
Request an answer to a question or the solution to a problem before you fall asleep.

When images appear, allow them to flow - without analyzing them. When you go back to wakefulness, encourage your mind to interpret the images symbolically, rather than logically.

An example

One woman was puzzled when she saw a portrait of her mother's face on a white porcelain drinking cup. But the next day, seemingly out of nowhere while she was cooking dinner, the song lyric, "my cup runneth over with love" popped into her head. She realized that her intuitive mind was prompting her to contemplate the bond between her and her mother, as well as the love she felt (as a mother) for her son. A feeling of well-being ensued.

Even though you might never receive the inspiration for a landmark music album or a scientific discovery, cultivating hypnagogia can lead you to greater self-awareness, contentment and deeper levels of spirituality. And who knows - you might even have a psychic experience or two!

To Dispel Negative Energy

This spell is to help dispel negative energies around you and involves making a talisman.

Take a small clear crystal, an acorn, some rosemary and mandrake and a bit of green silk or cotton. It doesn't need to be a big piece.

Cast your circle and creating a pouch from the herbs, bless them with each element saying:

"While this dwells within, there will be protection without. Cleanse and charge this charm, element of against all who wish me ill!"

Now hang this somewhere not too obviously, like hiding it in a corner or over a window. This will protect you until next Yule, when you should burn it in the sacred fire, crystal and all.

If it is not too tainted, the fire will just cleanse the crystal and you'll be able to retrieve it from the ashes but I always recommend just getting a new one.

Herbal Witch Ball

The winter holiday merchandise is already out, especially in the arts and craft stores.

Pick up the biggest clear glass ornament you can find. Remove the metal top and hanger. Place inside it protective herbs and flowers;

I suggest a dash of sea salt, rue, heather, rosemary, yarrow flowers, or any protective herbs and flowers you like to use.

Fill the ball about halfway full. Hold it in your hands and fill it with your energy:

I enchant this Witch ball

Of herbs and blossoms fair

Shielding this Witch's home

By earth, fire, water, and air.

Hang your herbal Witch ball in the window or near the front door. Keep it free of dust. You may wish to replace the herbs every six months or so; it's best to do so on a Saturday during the waning Moon.

Spiritual Path Reaffirmation

During the Witches' New Year, or Samhain, take time to stop and evaluate your faith and beliefs.

Make a sacred ritual or retreat out of this evaluation.

Light white candles and burn sandalwood, myrrh, or frankincense.

Brew a cup of herbal tea.

Sit down and ask the God and Goddess to guide you on your path.

Write down your beliefs in a journal or your Book of Shadows. Some questions you can meditate on are: What is life? How do I view theuniverse? Why am I here? What affirms my spirituality and what lessens it?How can I bring spirituality into my everyday life? After writing, you can create a statement of faith based on your answers to the questions. Recite what you write by candlelight for the universe to hear. Rediscover and rededicate yourself to your spirituality.

I cannot tell you how much I need this ritual this year. My energy feels scattered, my mind is frazzled and my body in disarray and much need of self-care. I did not do any rituals for Samhain last year and I have regretted ever since, so this year I am sure, that at the least, I am doing this one.

Happy Halloween and Samhain to you, my Blessed readers.

Samhain Spell for Luck

Samhain Spell for Luck

by Rowan

Items Needed:

A mini pumpkin

1 Tea Light Candle

Knife and spoon to cut top of pumpkin and get seeds out with.

Herbs -- Nutmeg, Rose, Bay and Mint

First, take the herbs and mix them. Don't forget to visualize them being energized with good energy while mixing. Also infuse them with 'luck' energy - think about luck in general.Then set up your altar, cast the circle, call quarters, etc.

If you can do this spell outside then that would be better.

First stand in front of your altar and do a short meditation on the season and all the lucky situations you have been in the past year. See the changing leaves falling from the trees. Smell the scents of apples and cider and feel the coolness of the air. Just take a few minutes and 'feel' the season - attune with nature. Be thankful for everything you have been given in the past year and think about all the luck you were blessed with in the past.

Then take the small pumpkin and cut the top off and scoop out the insides. Take a tea light candle and place it inside the pumpkin. Hold your hands around the pumpkin and say something like:

"Great Mother, Wise Crone.

She who dwells in the shadows this day

while the veil between this world and the next is the thinnest.

Great Mother of things foretold, grant me luck this coming year.

As the autumn leaves fall to the earth, so does lucky energy fall into me.

So Mote it Be!"

While doing this, envision white light going into the pumpkin and candle. See too, positive, lucky energy radiating from your hands. Then light the candle, then take the herbs and sprinkle them clockwise (deosil) around the pumpkin.

Say something like :

"In the name of the Great Crone, this spell is done! So mote it be!"

After the candle is done burning, take the pumpkin and bury it outside somewhere.

A Witch's Bottle for Harmony, Peace and Comfort

In a small, clean, blue or pink bottle assemble the following items:

9 cloves, 9 dried peas, a dried orange peel, one dried or fresh rose, and a tbsp. or so of lavender flowers. Also have a small piece of parchment, a pen, lavender and rose essential oils, and a blue stone.

Be sure the bottle is cleansed both physically and spiritually before using it!

On the night of a waxing moon, assemble All the necessary items and on the parchment, inscribe the appropriate rune for harmony, peace and comfort.
Visualize your home as peaceful and harmonious. Place the parchment In the bottle.

Now add the stone and herbs and visualizing as you Do.

Finally add the oils and say:

The spell is cast

By herbs and stone

So Mote it Be!

Leave the bottle uncorked some place where you will catch the scent now and then.

Samhain suggestions

Samhain Incense Recipe
3 Parts Frankincense

2 parts Myrrh

1 Part Rosemary

1 Part Cedar1

Part Juniper
Crush all ingredients together until ground to a fine paste, tis best to use a Mortar and Pestle for this if you have one available. Burn upon lit charcoal blocks within a fire proof container.

Suggested Altar Decorations
Seasonal items should decorate the Altar, as is usual. Grains, turnips, pumpkins and dried flowers are appropriate (being the Final Harvest Festival). Some extras that you may also wish to consider are things like apples, tarot cards, runes, hazel nuts, divination wands and a plate of food to be left outside for the wandering spirits. A yellow candle with a sun painted on it is a worthy representation of the dying God. The Altar cloth is black, the Altar candles should be red and black.

Suggested Ritual
Cleanse yourself and your space in your normal manner. Invoking both the God and the Goddess. Once this is done, light the God candle.

Say: "On this night when the dead once more walk freely among the living, we pass into darkness and do so willingly, for we know that it is simply the turning of the wheel. We give thanks to the God and the Goddess for the bounty that They have provided us over the summer. On this night , the Lord of the Hunt, the Lord of the Sun passes away from us. We realize, however, that it is simply the cycle of life, and we wait for that time when the Sun will once more be born of the moon.

As this candle represents the Lord of the Sun, so does it's blowing out represent the passing of the Lord of the Sun." Having said this, extinguish the God candle.

This candle is not to be lit again until Yule. Now is the time to invoke the crone aspect of the Goddess by saying: "Goddess of the stars and of the waning moon, Goddess of magic and wisdom, whisper in my ear whatever you may and trust that the knowledge will be wisely used. Lend your power to my spells and rituals and trust that they will result in no harm to any of your creatures, great or small."

Now is the time for any magick or seasonal activities which you had planned to perform this evening, and things such as drumming and chanting, carving apples or pumpkins, divination (with the Tarot, runes, wands, hazelnuts, or a pendulum) or Scrying in fire, smoke or water are all popular on this Sabbat. After any Magick is finished, then celebrate with Cakes and Ale, before banishing the sacred circle.

Take the offering dish outside, and bury the offerings in the earth.

Remember to leave a plate of food outside for wandering spirits!

PS - I also leave a little sweet cream and a sweet treat for the Fairies.

Samhain Chant

Fire red, summer's dead

Yet it shall return.

Clear and bright, in the night,

Burn, fire, burn!



Chorus:Dance the ring, luck to bring,

When the year's a-turning.

Chant the rhyme at Hallows-time,

When the fire's burning.



Fire glow, vision show

Of the heart's desire,

When the spell's chanted well

Of the witching fire.



Chorus:Dance the ring, luck to bring,

When the year's a-turning.

Chant the rhyme at Hallows-time,

When the fire's burning.



Fire spark, when nights are dark

Makes our winter's mirth.

Red leaves fall, earth takes all,

Brings them to rebirth.



Chorus:Dance the ring, luck to bring,

When the year's a-turning.

Chant the rhyme at Hallows-time,

When the fire's burning.



Fire fair, earth and air,

And the heaven's rain,

All blessed be, and so may we,

at Hallows-tide again.



Chorus:Dance the ring, luck to bring,

When the year's a-turning.

Chant the rhyme at Hallows-time,

When the fire's burning.



By Doreen Valiente

Samhain

Samhain - October 31st

Alternate Names:Samhain, Halloween, Hallowe'en, Celtic 'Feast of the Dead'

Druidic Name:Samhuin

Christian Equivalent:All Saints' Day, Allhallows, Hallowmas, Allhallowmas

Place in the Natural Cycle:Samhain (pronounced 'Sow-en') is the cross-quarter festival that marks the start of the winter quarter of the year and the end of the autumn quarter. By Samhain, threadbare trees and colder nights make it clear that winter is near.

Further Details Samhain is the time of the third and final harvest when, in earlier days, cattle were brought in from summer pastures. Excess livestock was slaughtered and the meat smoked or salted for winter.

Samhain is a time for divination and honouring the dead, for the veil that divides the mundane and subtle realms is considered to be particularly insubstantial on this day.

To the Celts, this was the Feast of the Dead and the Night of the Wild Hunt. Samhain marked the Celtic New Year and was the most important of the festivals. As with other festivals, Samhain is not constrained bythe artificial midnight to midnight divisions of modern conception, and it is usually considered as starting at sundown on October 31st and ending at sundown on November 1st. Thus much of the celebration of Samhain does occur at the most appropriate time: Halloween.

The Christian tradition treats Samhain as a Festival of the Dead too, with the souls of departed saints remembered on 1st November (AllSaints' Day), and those of the non-canonized dead the following day (All Souls' Day). The Church established All Saints' Day in the seventh century when the Pantheon in Rome was consecrated as the Church of the Blessed Virgin and All Martyrs, recasting both the Festival of the Deadand the Temple to All Gods in terms of Christian theology.

Samhain is a time to look back to the past and forward to the future. Iti s beneficial to reflect on those you have known and the experiences you have shared, as well as to take the time to view the possibilities ahead of you. Samhain is a profound time of the year, offering the opportunity of understanding.

Ritual Preparations

Since spirits and faeries run free today, you may wish to take extra precautions in protecting your home and sacred space. Clean the floors with basil-steeped water to wash away any negativity from the old year. Hang gorse near your windows or doorway, and cast white beans around the circle to banish both ghosts and bad luck. Gather pictures of, or memorabilia from, people in your life who have passed over, and put these in the sacred space at the western point. For the three other points you will need a knife or scissors, a candle, and a symbol of transformation. Carve a pair of back and white candles to represent what you want to release and gather for the new year, respectively. Also find a crystal to use for scrying, (quartz and obsidian are two good choices), have self-lighting charcoal for the brazier (or cauldron), and write messages on pieces of paper for your loved ones who have passed over (one piece of paper for each individual you wish to contact).The Altar Cover the altar in a black or orange cloth. Decorate it with traditional Halloween touches, such as an iron cauldron, bats, owls, brooms, andskeletons. Add a pomegranate to represent the cycle ofl ife-death-rebirth at one side of the brazier; place your messages tol oved ones on the other. Put the black and white candles at opposite sides of the table's surface.

Invocation

Begin the ritual when it is totally dark outside. This invocation begins with a prayer that opens the way for the spirits of beloved friends and ancestors to join you:"Lady and Lord, pull aside the veil; the edge of time where all thingsbegin and end. open a gateway to my loved ones that they may join me inthis rite."

Cast the circle starting in the West, the region where several cultures believe afterlife abides. West ~ "I, ______come into the circle of Water, a circle of might, tosing of my family on this holy night." Place a familial token on thewestern point to welcome those spirits."

North ~ "I come to the circle of Earth, the circle of peace, sowandering spirits may be released. Place a knife or pair of scissors here to symbolize the freeing of ties." (Some spirits linger in the Earth plane because they feel compelled to watch over loved ones.)

East ~ "I come into the circle of Air, a circle of change. Let the old be transformed, by spirit rearranged. Leave an emblem here of what you plan to transform in the ritual using the black and white candles."

South ~ "I come into the circle of Fire, a circle of song, as the lightgrows shorter, and night grows long. Extinguish a candle at this pointof the circle to represent the season's darkness."

Center ~ "I come into the circle of the Ancients, a circle of light, and welcome familial spirits, this All Souls' Night."Light a central candle, any colour you choose, to represent the Spirit'spresence.

Meditation and Visualization

Hallows is a time for remembering, and for journeying into our own subconscious. This sojourn unlocks the keys for integrating our past,and handling the present more effectively.For this meditation, sit with the crystal you have chosen and close your eyes. Think of one person, now deceased, whom you would trust as aguide, and ask silently for his or her guidance. Breathe deeply and slowly. Feel the energy of the crystal in your hand.For now, let it sit idly here, lending its insightful power to the mediation process. If it helps, lie on the floor with the crystal resting on your Third Eye while you meditate. Envision all those friends and family members who have passed over in a circle around you, linking hands. Let their love become a magic sphere that holds you in this place between worlds. As you feel this protective, caring energy grow, the crystal will begin to get warm. When this happens, open your eyes and take the crystal in hand. Think now of one question that has been nagging you. Direct that question into the crystal. Look at the surface of the stone, and let your gaze become naturally blurry. Watch for images to appear. You may see literal portraits, symbols, or clouds in response to your question. Portraits and symbols have to be interpreted by you. Generally bright or white clouds in moving up or to the right are good omens, while those appearing dark, or moving down and to the left are negative portents.

After you receive your answer, whisper your thanks to the spirits who watched over you, and to the stone. Make notes of the experience you hadin your ritual journal.

The Ritual

Stand before your altar, saying:"I welcome the Old Ones, I offer hospitality to kindly guiding spirits in this sacred space. Those of you who chose to join me here, I beg aboon. Into these fires I place message for people close to my heart."Place the pieces of paper on which you've written your messages todeparted loved ones into the cauldron of fire."Impart these words gently to ______(fill in with the names of those youwish to contact). Carry the smoke of love and memories with you into thenext world when you return."This is a good point in the ritual to look over old scrap books andrevel in positive memories. Allow tears to flow freely, along withlaughter as part of the circle of life.

Next, light the black candle saying,"Death is a part of life. Today_____ (fill in whatever you've chosen torelease) dies within me. This is not a loss, but a liberating changethat I welcome and accept."If possible, dance the circle counterclockwise at this point to releasenegativity. Keep moving until you feel finished casting the shadows froyour life.

Light the white candle, saying,"From death to the old ways comes life anew. I light the candle of _____(fill in with a characteristic you hope to gain) that it may always shine in my heart." Dance, or walk, the circle clockwise to drawpositive energy, and bring light to the darkness.

Other Activities

If you can take a trip to the graves of family or friends later, it'straditional to leave soul cakes there as an offering to the spirits of the departed. At home, leave out sweet cream for the Fey so they don't cause mischief.

Some people hold a séance tonight, or attempt other forms of divination such as pendulum work. If you hold a séance, please make sure that an experienced medium controls the attempt. There are many spirits wandering Earth, and you don't want to accidentally reach the wrong one!Pendulum divination is actually fairly easy to try. You'll need a lengtho f cotton or wool string that's as long as your elbow-to-fingertip measurement, plus a little extra. Thread the needle, wedding band, or other evenly weighted object onto this. Put the elbow of your stronghand on the table, with the pendulum hanging down from between yourpointer finger and thumb. Steady the pendulum, then think of a yes or noquestion. Clockwise or up-and-down movement is a positive answer, counterclockwise or left-and-right movement indicates a negative answer.

Closing the Circle

Put away the tokens you've placed at each quarter point as you recitethis dismissal. Note that the progression of the closing gives the attending spirits time to leave before the veil is closed again.

South"I release the circle of song,the circle of Fire.The way is opened by a cleansing pyre."

East"I release the circle of change,the circle of Air.The way is new, but the magick is there."

North"I release the circle of peace,the circle of Earth. The way is fertile for spirits rebirth."

West"I release the circle of Water,the circle of might.The way is ready; spirits take flight!"

Center"I release the circle of the Ancients,the circle of light.The way is closed, this holy night."

Closing prayer (optional)Lady and Lord, I have released, sown, and reaped...now it is time torest. Bring peace to my spirit, to all those souls here gathered, and tothis place until we meet here again. So mote it be.

Post Ritual Foods

Traditionally, animals enjoy the food first today, in thankfulness for the gift of sustenance many of them offer. After that, try cultural foods favourite edibles of the departed people honoured in your ritual.Don't let the leftover pumpkin go to waste either; make pie or bread as a protective food. Also consider dark foods, such as rye or pumpernickelbread. Pork and apples are both customary foods for the dead, and beans are also a good choice -they grow counterclockwise!

Source Unknown

Creating Sacred Space in Ten Steps

Among witches and many other practitioners of magick, you'll hear the words"sacred space" often. Some people feel it's very important to set up a protected sphere of energy around any area in which magick is about to occur. Other people don't bother with this step, especially if they're working with very simple magicks. I'm somewhere between these two groups.

For very important matters, complicated procedures, or any magick in which you're trying to get rid of a negative spiritual influence, I think aformalized sacred space is a good idea (call it metaphysical insurance).The ritualistc nature of creating sacred space helps ensure that you're in the right frame of mind for magick. Additionally, a well-designed sacred space keeps any unwanted energies out and your magick firmly within until you're ready to project it.

Finally, sacred space has an ambiance all its own. Within this sphere there's a connection with Spirit, a sense of being part of all time and all space at once, and a distinct hush that makes whatever happens there really special. That's why you hear many practitioners use the phrase "out of space, out of time" when talking about sacred space. The sphere marks the line between world and not-world, where your magickal tapestry begins to take shape. Here's how to make one yourself:

1. Clean up the area in which you're going to work. I've yet to see a messy church. Your apartment, back yard, house, or room is about to become a church, so treat it accordingly. No, you don't have to redecorate; just make things neat, so the externals aren't distracting and project the image you would want to show to an honored guest.

2. Decide which part of this area will act as the central point and figure out where the four directional points lie. If you wish, decorate these four points with symbolic tokens like feathers or bells for east (air), a candle or incense for south (fire), a glass of water or seashell for west (water),and a stone or seeds for north (earth). These little tokens help welcome the elemental energies (read: nature spirits) you're going to be invoking when creating sacred space.

3. Make sure you have everthing you need as the center point of the circle before starting. Once the sacred space is created, you'll want to stayinside until you're done with your magick.

4. Stand in the middle of the area. Shake out your hands, stretch a bit,and take three deep cleansing breaths to get yourself centered. Now visualize the same white light as before pouring down into your body. Once you feel all warm and tingly, walk to the eastern point of the area and holdout your arms as if to welcome an old friend. Say something like, "Welcome powers of the east and air. Fill my words with magick." Envision this spotin the room being filled with light pouring out of your hands.

5. Move to the south (clockwise), continuing the visualization so the lightspreads to that spot and say something like, "Welcome power of the south andfire. Ignite my heart with magick."

6. Move to the west, continuing the visualization so the light now covers three-quarters of the room and say something like, "Welcome powers of the west and water. Flow into this sacred space with magick."

7. Move finally to the north. Now your mind's eye should see the wholearea covered in a silvery-white glow, all around, above and below. Say something like, "Welcome powers of the north and earth. Give my magick rich soils in which to grow."

8. Go to the center of the space and do whatever work you have at hand (for example, a spell, the rest of a ritual, or a meditation). Also take a little time to pray if you can. Let the magick settle in your mind andheart too!

9. When you're done, say farewell to the powers you called upon in the invocation, reversing the process and moving counterclockwise. Use whatever words feel comfortable to you.

10. Make notes about the procedure in your magick journal.

What felt good? What did you sense right after the magick sphere went into place? What parts do you want to use or adapt in the future?

Since our life's needs don't always surrender to pragmatics or even what we might wish to do under ideal circumstances, the simplified nature of folk traditions comes as a relief. Though it is always helpful to create sacred space when working this kind of hearth-and-home magick, it may not benecessary. Truth be told, I often do without. Instead I use one of two quicker approaches that get the job done even when my kids are being uncooperative.The first approach is visualizing yourself in a protective, white-light bubble so that you're less likely to experience outside interference. If you wish, also pray to your vision of the god/dess to oversee your efforts. This technique is especially useful when you have to work magick in a very public place. Without it, the odd intermingling of energy can really setthings askew. The light bubble is spiritually generic -- it will work for everyone, no matter their Path. It's based on my personal belief that sacredness is engendered as much by attitude as by actions and words. Therefore, if you start treating yourself as a sacred space, you can work magick anytime,anywhere, without formalized routines. In the words of Buddha, "Wherever you live is your temple if you treat it like one."

The second alternative is to pick out four symbolic objects for earth(north), air (east), fire (south), and water (west). What you choosedoesn't matter as long as the symbolic connection is obvious to you, but I suggest you keep them small for easy storage. For example, try a crystal or potted plant for earth, a feather or air freshener for air, a candle or lighter for fire, and a seashell or sand for water. When you have a few free minutes, whisper a suitable invocation like those given previously into each object three times to charge it with elemental energy. After this,repeat the elemental name into the object as well (for example, if you've chosen a crystal for earth, whisper the word "earth" into it three times).When you're done, wrap these objects in a white cloth or put them in aspecial box until needed. Then the next time you need to set up sacredspace quickly, bring out the tokens and put them as close as possible totheir directional correspondences wherever you're planning to work. As you set out each one, repeat its elemental name to activate the energy. When you put the objects away, do so in reverse order to disengage the sphere.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

from "Magick Made Easy" by Patricia Telesco

The Magical Bath

Taking a Magical Bath doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as running to your local drug or beauty supply and buying a product that is appropriately scented or contains an herb or essential oil.

The important thing about taking one of these baths, no matter how humble or expensive the ingredients are, is to meditate on your intention while you are sitting in the tub. You can get a little fancier, by making an infusion from flowers, herbs or other elements. Brewing the herbs as you would brew a cup of herbal tea and then pouring the strained infusion into your bath water is the easiest way to make an infusion. You can also put the ingredients in a cheesecloth bag that hangs over the bathtub faucet and have the hot water run through the ingredients.

In some cases you can actually buy tea bags and just toss them in the water. I'm a purist so personally I love to throw the entire herb, flower or vegetable in the bath. It makes me feel like I am Cleopatra having a bath in ancient Egypt or like some kind of wicked harlot getting ready for her Roman Soldier. However if you do decide to get really into the food aspect of this make sure you have some kind of strainer on your drain so that stuff doesn't flow down your pipes. What can I say? Some miracles can be quite "messy". Here are a couple of "quick fixes" for aspiring witches on the run:

ALL PURPOSE AURA CLEANER: Half a cup of sea or Epsom salts plus half a cup of baking soda dumped in the tub is the potion used to purify the aura and clear it of all negative attachments so that you are surrounded by a rainbow of opportunities again.

BARLEY WATER BATH: This is for protection and to dispel evil with a capital E. This is definitely the one to do if you are feeling haunted by something that seems unseemly and of supernatural origin. Boil whole barley until it is soft in a pot. Drain and save the water. Pour into the bath. Bad spirits will run like hell.

CHAMOMILE: Chamomile not only relaxes you, but you can use it as a magical bath to draw money to you. Many preparations are available commercially but you can also make an infusion out of the buds or even throw the buds directly into the bath. I do not advise this if you are allergic to ragweed.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY BATH: Ok this one is completely decadent and is designed to bring more erotic pleasure into your life. First of all you should know that there are commercial chocolate bubble bath preparations out there on the market, but they can be somewhat hard to find in some areas. So what you need to do first, is mix yourself up a little glass of chocolate milk. The milk is good for your skin and the chocolate raises your serotonin levels - the pleasure chemicals in your brain. It also makes the water a very nice loving looking pink. You dump this into the tub as the hot water is pouring into the tub and then you pop nine whole cherries into the bath with you. Then you are supposed to sit there and eat each cherry, while imagining what a good time you are going to have with your lover. The little bobbing cherries are like all your “little ducks” lined up in a row when it comes to your romantic intentions. Rinse off good after this. You’ll need it.

FAME AND GLORY BATH: This one is from Lexa Rosean (author of The Supermarket Sorceress series of books). I tried it and I LOVED it. Cut an apple in nine pieces, or alternately throw nine whole shiny apples into the tub. Use green and golden apples if you want your fame to come with some money attached. Then add nine bay leaves. Get in the tub and immerse yourself for exactly nine minutes, and then get out. It is supposed to be a good one for artists and writers.

GINGER-LIME BATH: You can buy this commercially (made by Ombra). Which is way easier than grating the ginger, peeling the lime and making a “bath tea” out of it, or you can cut up some ginger and lime and make an infusion of it a pot. The ginger is to relax and focus you and the lime is for self-control, discipline and a clear head. This is a great bath for those who need to “get down to business fast.”

FRUIT BLOSSOM BATHS: Once again these are available commercially which will do, but it is really really nice to take a handful of blossoms from a tree and dump them in your bath. Apple Blossoms, Apricot Blossoms, Cherry Blossoms and Orange Blossoms all correspond to the planet Venus and are ideal for attracting love, fidelity and marriage proposals.

HONEYSUCKLE: You can buy this as a bubble bath or once again, just throw the flowers into the tub. Honeysuckle attracts wealth, riches, honours, marriage proposals and treasures. This is one way to draw the bird to the blossom. It also honours Chuparosa - the Divine Hummingbird of Love.

HOPS: You can buy hops in a commercially prepared bubble bath (OMBRA) or you can pour half a cup of beer in the bath for spiritual cleansing (and also a peaceful sleep.) David from Psychic Realm suggests combining a half a cup of sea salt, the juice of a lemon and a half of cup of beer for spiritual purification and protection from astral attack.

LAVENDER: Lavender corresponds to the planet Mercury and is used to improve communication, attract happiness and achieve piece of mind. It is also a very seductive flower that was used by prostitutes as a magic charm to attract customers many years ago. Many commercial preparations are available, but throwing in a few of the live buds might bring you a wealthy and generous lover.

OAT BEAUTY BATH: OK, most of us don’t live near a field, but if you gather your own oats and throw the sheaves into the bathtub with you, you are performing a significant act of magical transformation. Oats are very feminine and appeal to the Goddess energies. They soften the skin, make the eyes glow and give you a youthful appearance. You can throw a cup of raw, uncooked oats into the bath if you’re in hurry or you can buy a commercial preparation. Aveeno makes a good one.

ORANGE AND MINT LEAVES: This is a bath to make yourself more attractive and your skin smell really nice. Take nine mint leaves and nine orange segments and dump them in the bath with you. You don’t have to eat the mint and orange leaves this time (thank God) but you can if you get hungry.) When you get out of the bath, you are not supposed to rinse off, just towel yourself off lightly so that the scent lingers. You could also try mixing an orange bath gel with a mint one.

PINEAPPLE: Pineapple juice is used to bring luck, money and wealth, and if you are a savage purist, you can throw nine chunks of the raw stuff right in your bath. However I warn you, that it is pretty messy. Some people prefer to throw in the dried rinds. Just adding a spoonful of the juice or making an infusion from the dried rinds and immersing yourself from head to toe in it for a couple of minutes should make you luckier than a leprechaun.

ROSE: Roses correspond to Venus and attract love, luck and protection. There are tons of rose-scented products on the market, including essential oils - though David from Psychic Realm points out that Essential Rose Oil is incredibly expensive and you may want to stick with fragrance oils used in perfumes and baths. If you want to go all out and make yourself a powerful love attracting bath, tint the scented water pink with a touch of food colouring and cast a pinch or two some multicoloured glitter (from a craft store) in there to strengthen your magical intentions.

ROSEMARY: Rosemary is a powerful “wish granting” herb. Ombra makes an excellent commercial bath, but you can make an infusion of this from the spice jar in your cupboard or put a bit of the essential oil in your bath (but make it just one drop - rosemary is strong and can irritate the skin - so I mean it, use one drop!) A bath in rosemary uplifts the spirits and is used to create lust, attract love and improve communication skills. It is also corresponds to the Virgin Mary, so if you are in need of a lucky break, a bath in this may enable you to be shown some mercy.

SAFFRON BATH: Saffron was sacred to the Moon and Fertility Goddess, Ashtoreth. Saffron is a very expensive spice and you need to only add a couple of strands to your bath water to turn it a yellow colour. Don’t add too much or you will turn yellow. You’ll be a jaundiced colour. So either make an infusion from it first or just add one strand. Saffron was used to purify oneself before healing rituals, increase psychic powers and also attract love, happiness, lust, and strength.

SAGE BATH: Sage is an herb of wisdom. Make a brew of the herb and pour it into your bath. Some companies (like Ombra and Kniepp) make a sage bath, but you can also just buy the tea bags. This is a good bath to take just before studying for a test or if you are trying to find a solution to a problem.

Source: Article ”Magic Baths” by Sam Stevens.

Magic from the Rain

Witches have always known the special meaning of nature's acts.

They are warnings, blessings and magic guides to our living in the world around us. Rain is a special gift from the sky and its power should be used wisely. Try never to shelter yourself from its fall, but rather accept the rain as we should accept live with all of its trials and blessings.

* Rain while the sun shines is a healing rain. Catch and store it in blue glass. Use the water for all manner of healing magic. Place in the bath for an overall body cleaning.

* The blessing of fairies is upon anyone who catches rain in a silver spoon after the rain has bounced off a flat stone. Place some of this water on any object that is frequently misplaced. Keys are always a good choice.

* Place midnight rain of a New Moon on the third eye to bring visions and see future events.

* The first rain gathered in May is symbolic of May Day dew and holds much power. It is used when very special favors are needed. Do not gather this rain in a metal container or its power will be lost. A glass or wood container would do much better.

*When rain runs off a gravestone, gather carefully and use with caution.

*Rain gathered during a thunderstorm holds much energy and can be used to enhance spells and potions. But be aware that the energy does not last long and the spell should be completed before three days and three nights have passed or the rain water will be of little use.

* House plants enjoy the outdoor rain - this cleanses their leaves and helps to purify the indoor air when they are brought back in the home. This is especially good to do when you are in need of a clear mind and strong thought.

* Jewelry, charms and other objects can be purified by standing in the rain, facing west and tossing the object into the air, three times, catching it in your hands each time.

* The sound of the rain carries the voices of the water spirits. Listen to the sound of the rain and enjoy the gifts of the undines. They will speak to you of love and friends. The wise also realize that rain is just one aspect of nature. We should look to the wind, trees, lightning, fire, stones, and other forms of nature's expression for clues to the magic of the world.

Source Unknown

The 20 Rules of Halloween

1. When it appears that you have killed the monster, NEVER check to see if it's really dead.

2. Never read a book of demon summoning aloud, even as a joke.

3. Do not search the basement, especially if the power has gone out.

4. If your children speak to you in Latin or any other language which they should not know, shoot them immediately. It will save you a lot of grief in the long run. However, it will probably take several rounds to kill them, so be prepared. This also applies to kids who speak with somebody else's voice.

5. When you have the benefit of numbers, NEVER pair off and go alone.

6. As a general rule, don't solve puzzles that open portals to Hell.

7. Never stand in, on, or above a grave, tomb, or crypt. This would apply to any other house of the dead as well.

8. If you're searching for something which caused a loud noise and find out that it's just the cat, GET THE HELL OUT!

9. If appliances start operating by themselves, do not check for short circuits; just get out.

10. Do not take ANYTHING from the dead.

11. If you find a town which looks deserted, there's probably a good reason for it. Don't stop and look around.

12. Don't fool with recombinant DNA technology unless you're sure you know what you're doing.

13. If you're running from the monster, expect to trip or fall down at least twice, more if you are female. Also note that, despite the fact that you are running and the monster is merely shambling along, it's still moving fast enough to catch up with you.

14. If your companions suddenly begin to exhibit uncharacteristic behavior such as hissing, fascination for blood, glowing eyes, increasing hairiness, and so on, kill them immediately.

15. Stay away from certain geographical locations, some of which are listed here: Amityville, Elm Street, Transylvania, Nilbog (you're in trouble if you recognize this one), anywhere in Texas where chainsaws are sold, the Bermuda Triangle, or any small town in Maine.

16. If your car runs out of gas at night on a lonely road, do not go to he nearby deserted-looking house to phone for help. If you think that it is strange you ran out of gas because you thought you had most of a tank, shoot yourself instead. You are going to die anyway, and most likely be eaten.

17. Beware of strangers bearing tools. For example: chainsaws, staple guns, hedge trimmers, electric carving knives, combines, lawnmowers, butane torches, soldering irons, band saws, or any devices made from deceased companions.

18. If you find that your house is built upon a cemetery, now is the time to move in with the in-laws. This also applies to houses that had previous inhabitants who went mad or committed suicide or died in some horrible fashion, or had inhabitants who performed satanic practices.

19. Dress appropriately. When investigating a noise downstairs in an old house, women should not wear a flimsy negligee. And carry a flashlight, not a candle.

20. Do not mention the names of demons around open flames, as these can flare suddenly. Be especially careful of fireplaces in this regard.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

The Wheel of the Year

The Wiccan year is divided into 8 parts, the Quarters and the Cross Quarters.The Quarter celebrations are held at the two solstices and the two equinoxes; the longest and shortest days of the year, and the two days when night and day are equal in length.

The Cross-Quarter days are roughly midway between these days; on Feb. 2, May 1, August 1, and October 31. We call these days Sabbats, Feast Days, the Days of Festival. Since we see the wheel as round, and ever continuing, it really doesn't matter where one starts to count it; but traditionally the Wiccan year starts at Samhain, after dark on October 31.

Samhain October 31

This is the festival of the dead, Hallow-eve, when the Goddess gives the reins of government to the God. Here He presides, and the gates between the worlds are very thin. Now is the time to remember those we love who have died in the past year; for now they can join us in our celebration. The year is dying. We look forward to it's rebirth. Colors for Samhain are black, red and orange. Plants associated with it are Indian corn, pumpkins, gourds, apples and corn stalks.

Yule December 20 - 23 (winter solstice)

This is the festival of the return of Sun, when the Great Mother brings him forth new-born. The colors associated with Yule are red and green; plants are the Yule Log, mistletoe, holly, pine and pine cones, and all sorts of nuts. Traditionally, a candle (or other flame) is left burning all night on this longest of nights, to teach the new Sun how to shine.

Imbolc/ Candlemas February 2

This is the feast of the torches, also known as Bridget's Day. We bid our Lady return from the darkness, and light the flames so She may see the way. The colors of Candlemas are red and white; plants are roses, cherries, and apples.

Ostara March 20-23 (vernal equinox)

This is the festival of spring, when we welcome the Goddess back from her place of rest and ask Her blessings for new growth in the coming year. The colors of Ostara are green, white and silver; plants are all spring flowers and seeds. Colored eggs are exchanged now.

Beltane May 1

This is the May Eve, the festival of fertility, when invocations and dances are performed to ensure bountiful crops and the continued fertility of all nature (including humans!). This is the time when the God and the Goddess meet as lovers, and He gives the governing of the year to Her until Samhain. The entire rainbow is associated with Beltane, as are all flowers, garlands, trees, and fresh leaves.

Litha June 20-23 (summer solstice)

This is the festival of summer, when we dance and make merry magic in thanks for the crops growing, and the abundance of nature. This is when light is at it's peak, when the day is longest. The color of Litha is green, and plants associated with this day are roses, vines, and leaves.

Lughnassad/Lammas August 1

This is the festival of the corn, sometimes called Lammas, when the first fruits of the harvest are brought in, and in the fields the grain is ripe but not yet harvested. We rejoice in the gifts of the Great Mother. Colors for Lammas are green, yellow, and red. Plants are corn, grains, tomatoes, berries, and flowers.

Mabon September 20-23 (autumnal equinox)

This is harvest-home, when the crops have been gathered. We give thanks for the Lady's abundance, and feast on the plentiful food. The colors of Mabon are orange, brown, yellow and red. All crops are associated with this festival, as are the brilliant fall leaves.With these festivals, we celebrate the turning of the wheel, the continuance of life and the dance of the Earth around the Sun. Traditionally, the colors and plants attributed to the holiday are used in the decorations; legends that mark the turning are told, and seasonal foods are eaten. This is also the time to do magic that helps the Wheel to turn, and to take advantage of the turning to plant or harvest things in our own lives, and thank God/Goddess for the things that they have done for us.

Mabon -Autumn Equinox

Mabon

Autumn Equinox,

2nd Harvest,

September 21st

Mabon, (pronounced MAY-bun, MAY-bone, MAH-boon, or MAH-bawn) is the Autumn Equinox. The Autumn Equinox divides the day and night equally, and we all take a moment to pay our respects to the impending dark. We also give thanks to the waning sunlight, as we store our harvest of this year's crops. The Druids call this celebration, Mea'n Fo'mhair, and honor the The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time. Wiccans celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God as he prepares for death and re-birth. Various other names for this Lesser Wiccan Sabbat are The Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii), or Cornucopia. The Teutonic name, Winter Finding, spans a period of time from the Sabbat to Oct. 15th, Winter's Night, which is the Norse New Year. At this festival it is appropriate to wear all of your finery and dine and celebrate in a lavish setting. It is the drawing to and of family as we prepare for the winding down of the year at Samhain. It is a time to finish old business as we ready for a period of rest, relaxation, and reflection.

Symbolism of Mabon: Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance.

Symbols of Mabon: wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates, vines such as ivy, dried seeds, and horns of plenty.

Herbs of Maybon: Acorn, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, passionflower, rose, sage, solomon's seal, tobacco, thistle, and vegetables.

Foods of Mabon: Breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, and vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and onions. Incense of Mabon: Autumn Blend-benzoin, myrrh, and sage.

Colors of Mabon: Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, and gold.

Stones of Mabon: Sapphire, lapis lazuli, and yellow agates.

Activities of Mabon: Making wine, gathering dried herbs, plants, seeds and seed pods, walking in the woods, scattering offerings in harvested fields, offering libations to trees, adorning burial sites with leaves, acorns, and pine cones to honor those who have passed over.

Spellworkings of Mabon: Protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence. Also those of harmony and balance

Remembrance Ritual

Remembrance Ritual

Laurel Reufner, Llewellyn Spell-a-Day, September 11th, 2008

Today marks the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States, leaving more than three thousand people dead and thousands more forever changed. While the attacks struck terror into our hearts, it also brought us together as a country and a world as thousands poured time, efforts, and healing thoughts into New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Today should be a day of remembrance for the tragedies, heroics, and miracles of 9/11. On your altar or other safe place, light a pair of white candles. Then sit quietly, watching them burn, as you contemplate the positive changes brought about by such great tragedy. Visualize and focus on the world becoming a better place of tolerance for one another.

When I despair,

I remember that all through history

the ways of truth and love have always won.

There have been tyrants, and murderers,

and for a time they can seem invincible,

but in the end they always fall.

Think of it - always.

- Mahatma Gandhi - early 20th century

Calling the Faries

You might want to check out this article and picture!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1211845/Croydon-Tinker-Bell--fairies-the-garden.html

Invocation for Calling Fairies

Fairy host, from the wild

Come and tend this plot awhile;

Come dancing from the hollow hill

To raise the power and do God's will;

Make your revels in my garden,

May this soil be fairy-trodden!

Each herb and flower, each garden tree

Set each lovely spirit free!

May all be hung with globes of light

From deepest Elfam, fair and bright.

Fairies, heed this pledge I tell

To honour you and treat you well!

Claire Nahmad

Fairy Spells

I have hung crystals and chimes from my trees to intice the fairies into coming - recently a neighbor of mine did some trimming along the property line. She took all my crystals and chimes down in one area. Well let me tell you, it made the Fairies quite angry - they left a mess on my porch. I have hopefully appeased them by hanging new crystals, plus the old ones back up in a variety of places. Huge Fairy Rings appear in my other neighbors yard continously all summer long. I know they dwell.

Improve Your Karma - 5 simple ways

Even if you're not afraid of being reincarnated as a dung beetle for your misdeeds in this life, you can still benefit from improving your karma. Having peace of mind at the end of the day - knowing that you've done your part - is a feeling that we can all enjoy. We're not talking about grand gestures here - just be kind to yourself and to others. It's pretty simple when you get right down to it.

Love yourself

You've heard it a million times - love yourself! Are you still not sure what it means? It means that you take total responsibility for you… no excuses, no judgment, no self-doubt. Accept yourself as the total package that you are - the good, the bad and the unruly curls handed down from your mother. History is filled with people who have done remarkable things - and they weren't perfect. George Washington had wooden teeth, and Marilyn Monroe reportedly had a sixth toe - so accept what you've got. Work with it, not against it. Then pry your gaze away from the mirror and see yourself through someone else's eyes - you might be really surprised to know that your co-worker admires your sense of style, or that your mate finds your generosity unbelievably attractive. When you're able to view yourself in a loving way, it's a lot easier to see the goodness in others, too.

Just do it

Is your "to do list" a mile long? Procrastination is a tricky beast, and sometimes the reasons you don't complete things may even feel altruistic - for instance, you didn't have time to do laundry because your best friend was going through a crisis that you needed to talk them through. If you're stressed-out because you're not taking care of yourself and your priorities, you're not able to really focus outward and truly help others. Give yourself permission to take the "me" time that you need - so you'll be able to genuinely, whole-heartedly give to someone else.

Be a good Samaritan

Give your change to the homeless man on the corner, or help an elderly neighbor with her groceries. Look people in the eye when you say "hello, how are you?" These little things might mean more to the receiver than you know - you can't really weigh the benefits of kindness, but you can try to remember that the next person who needs jumper cables could be your mother. If you see a person in need, why shouldn't you be the one who isn't waiting for "someone else" to take care of it?

Let someone off the hook

Whether you need to forgive a big thing or a little thing, releasing someone else from the bonds of judgment frees you both up to do something better with your time. You don't have to call up your ex to let them know that you forgive them for that time they stood you up - but you can write out your feelings, come to terms with them - and then let them go. We've all got better things to do than hang on to useless emotional garbage. We've all made mistakes, and we've all been "that guy" who cut another driver off on the freeway. Smile, bless them, move on - it's really never worth it to dwell on anyone's past mistakes.

Pay it forward

Feed someone else's expired meter, or use the "donate to charity" option at your local Coinstar machine. Pay for the car behind you at the drive-through window… giving to a stranger gives them the idea to give to another stranger, who in turn may help someone else. Being a positive force in a relatively negative world may seem a little kooky at first, but the chain reaction started by your little spark may have unseen impact on people you've never even met - that is powerful stuff.

Good karma doesn't have to be about long hours spent in meditation, or grandiose deeds like selling your belongings and moving to India. Every day, there are people in our path who could use a kind word or deed - let it start with you, and let it start today

From: CaliforniaPsychics.com

Spell for Protection from Road Rage

Protection from Road Rage

Road rage seems ever more common on our highways and roadways today. To protect yourself from an outbreak of road rage—either from another, or in yourself—prepare (or purchase) a small, white drawstring pouch.

Place hematite, bloodstone, and crushed rue in a small bowl.

Extend your hands over the bowl and form a triangle with your thumbs and fore-fingers. Visualize a protective beam of energy descending into your crown. Focus this beam through the triangle to the bowl, and say:

Let the rage of others

and the rage of my own,

Become harmlessly grounded by herb and by stone.

Empty the contents of the bowl into the pouch, and place them in your car.
By Karen Follett

You know - Rue is one of those herbs I did not know much about until one day one of my herbal books gave me a "cure" for fleas on my dog. Jack, bless his soul, came with a nasty case of fleas from the shelter. We tried everything. Then I came along this rinse of vinegar and rue that actually worked! and from then on he was flea free.

How to create your own magical mirror with water.

The Magic of Water

How to create your own magical mirror with water?

Water is simple yet powerful. When used magically, it can reflect truth, wishes, even the future.Water is an incredible substance. It can be frozen, vaporised or, more commonly, is a beautiful silvery liquid. In its many forms water is heavenly, cascading down a waterfall, trickling in a stream, billowing as clouds, casting rainbows, spattering cool rain. Water is the sea, huge icebergs, dark thunderclouds and glaciers. Imagine these qualities of water and sense the magic. If you can feel that, then you can take a small amount of the Earth's water for yourself and charge it up for magic.

A magical water mirror can help you in many ways. Apart from instilling a sense of peace and achievement, it can also help you to see into the future, to find answers to deep questions about yourself and your life. Mirrors have been used in magic for aeons but, before reflective glass was invented, the only mirror was pure water. You can now return to this spiritual form of magic.

As with any mirror, your water mirror will reflect. It will reflect magically though; you will not see your reflection, you will see magical possibilities. All writings on mirrors through the ages, if based on fact, will agree that what you see must be interpreted carefully. It is wise to bear this in mind before you begin. Do not worry, your mirror will not be vague and useless.

The images are powerful and accurate but you must not follow them blindly as though they are the only possibilities in your life. The Universe just doesn't work that way. When constructing any magical artifact some practitioners warn that new objects should not be used because they are sterile. These people also warn that old objects should not be used because they contain too many past associations or vibrations. Such advice may safely be ignored when working with water mirrors. Water is older than Mankind (it's even found on distant planets) and is far more powerful than the container in which it is placed. So when choosing a container, simply choose a dish-like object that appeals to you and which is capable of holding a depth of about two centimeters of water.

Once you have chosen a dish it should be used solely for this purpose. This is simply to help affirm in your mind that it is now a truly magical object and not, say, an ashtray.Each time you want to use your mirror, you create it anew with fresh water.

Have some matches ready at one side. Set the dish in a quiet place on a level surface and subdue the light: if possible, it should be quite dark. Sit and look at the dish for a moment, consider its properties, know how it will provide magic for you. Think on this for a while, calmly, then pass your hands over it. Become close to the dish, know that it is strange to you but do not let it feel alien or peculiar: become familiar with it.

Taking your dish to the tap and filling it up is too crude. A more elegant method is to gently collect some water in a jug or cup and slowly pour this into your dish. Tap-water is fine and will work just as well as rainwater or mineral water. All water, no matter how polluted, contains the pattern for fifth-dimensional magic. As you slowly pour the water into your dish, listen to the quiet sound it makes, smell its cool dampness. Become familiar with the water now, know its feel, sense its magic. When you have a satisfactory level of water put the remainder to one side and sit quietly. At no time should you try to rush magical workings.

It is of primary importance that you relax, calm down. Even if there is an urgent and despairing situation on your mind, magic needs freedom. By letting go of the problem momentarily and entering a peaceful state you will achieve more.

Once you feel peaceful and expectant you are ready to ignite the mirror. This is a magical way of switching it on, ready for use.

Take two matches and break the phosphorus head off (this makes it a piece of wood, rather than a man-made match). Use the other match to light the tiny piece of wood. When it is burning properly, the tip of the wood black, dip the end into the water. The moment it sizzles out, your mirror is activated.

Ensure the wood does not remain in the dish and, from now until the end of your magical working, do not touch the water.

Look into the mirror. Depending on how much light there is you may see your reflection. Whatever you see, look deeper. Look into the water, beyond it. You are looking around a corner in time.

Water is diffusing time and space for you, letting you see secrets from you own life. Sudden images may appear; observe them but do not chase them. Never try to force an image.The secret of successful water scrying is simply learning to look without trying to create. Stare into the water's depths and images will come.

Once you have practised this for a while you can begin to direct your mirror in practical ways. Whenever you are trying to look into the future remember that you are seeing either the most likely future, or a warning about your future. Nothing is written in the universe and, although Fate can guide, You have the power to change Your life. Even if you see an undesirable future, this might never come to pass if You change some aspect of Yourself.

The mirror can help you in all worldly matters but is more effective when used to look within yourself: it is from within the Soul that all true answers come.Whenever you have completed work with the mirror, touch the water to deactivate the magic. The water should then be poured away. Store the dish separately, away from other people's influences, treat it with respect as a magical object.Water is Nature's most powerful tool. When used magically it is one of our greatest assets. Look into your water mirror and know that what you see is truth; you look into your heart and glimpse your Soul.