October 28, 2009

Samhain

October 31 brings us Samhain which is traditionally considered the Wiccan New Year (We must be on year 20,000+ by now).
It is on this night that the division between the material world and spirit world grows thin and increasing paranormal activity leading up to it is not unheard of. Due to this phenomenon, Samhain is a great time to remember and connect (responsibly!) with our loved ones who have passed on to the other side.
People started dressing up on Samhain because because by dressing up like spirits, we would trick them into thinking we were spirits too. and wouldn't be bothered.

Samhain's energy lends itself to traveling between the worlds, to gaining courage to face darkness and changes in our lives, turning negative experiences into opportunites to learn and grow. It is a time to remember the cycle of death and rebirth and that after darkness comes light.

Correspondences:

Customs/Activities: Rituals to honor the dead, Halloween festivities/ trick or treating, Carving Jack-o-Lanterns, Divination

Colors: Black, Orange

Decorations: Jack-o-Lanterns, Apples, Photos of deceased loved ones, Fallen leaves, Autumn flowers, Divination tools, Candles shaped like witches, ghosts, cats, skulls etc, Statue of Goddess in Crone aspect

Food: Apples, Pumpkin, Nuts, Cider, Cranberries, Pomegranates, Ale, Cakes for the dead

Herbs: Thistle, Crysanthemum, Broom, Oak leaves, Sage, Mandrake

Incense: Apple, Nutmeg, Sage, Mint, Heliotrope

Gemstones: All black gemstones ie: Jet, Obsidian, Onyx

October 26, 2009

A Pagan Child's ABCs


A is Athame, the knife that we use.

B is for Beltaine, when partners we choose.

C is for Circle where we all are one.

D is for Deosil, path of the Sun.

E is for Esbat, when we gather round.

F is for Fire and its crackling sound.

G is for the Goddess in beauty and love.

H is the Horned One, our Father above.

I is for Imbolg, candles light the way,

J is for June when it's Midsummer's Day.

K is for Karma, the things that we do.

L is for Lammas, harvest's almost through!

M is for Moon, riding way up so high,

N is for Nighttime, which darkens the sky.

O is for Ostara, when we hunt for eggs,

P is for Pan, with hairy goat legs.

Q is the Quarters and there are just four,

R for the Rites when we open the Door.

S is for Samhain, end of the year,

T is for Tarot cards, futures to hear

U is Undines from the watery West,

V is Vervain for protection and rest.

W is Widdershins, the path of the moon.

X is the sign that's the sign of the God.

Y is for Yule and the sun's return,

Z is the Zodiac, 12 signs to learn.

Copyright 1989, Breid Foxsong

October 17, 2009

Witches Next Door

A great episode of the TLC series My Unique Family.
I'm only able to embed the first part but the rest of the parts are linked below.
Enjoy!
~City
Part 1


Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXTnZiGN-h8

Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HXBOQ9jMP0

Part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avR7TftsB0I

Part 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM30cr4jwX0

Part 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx_L-EEJjaI
***
I just learned that Kendra has closed the First Church of Wicca and has recently converted to Christianity which is causing quite a stir in the Pagan community. Opinions galore!
Regardless of her beliefs, I still think the episode is great and was really good PR for the Wiccan community in general.

If you're interested in more information about Kendra's change of faith, find it here:
http://mosmaiorum.lefora.com/2009/01/30/rip-the-first-church-of-wicca/page1/