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October 31 |
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October 31 |
Samhain: (pronounced SOW-in,
SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne) Shadowfest (Strega), Martinmas (Celtic/Scottish)
October 31
"Samhain" means "End of Summer". Its historical origin
is The Feast of the Dead in Celtic lands. Samhain, popularly known as Halloween,
is the Witches' New Year.
It is said to be the time when the veil between the worlds is very thin,
when souls that are leaving this physical plane can pass out and souls that
are reincarnating can pass in.
Darkness increases and the Goddess reigns as the Crone, part of the three-in-one
that also includes the Maiden and Mother.
The God, the Dark Lord, passes into the underworld to become the seed of his own rebirth (which will occur again at Yule). Many Pagans prepare a Feast for the Dead on Samhain night, where they leave offerings of food and drink for the spirits. The popular chidren's custom of trick-or-treat stems from an Old English practice in which children went door to door begging "soul cakes" to feed the wandering spirits.
Divination is heightened this night. This is the time of year for getting rid of weaknesses. A common Ritual practice calls for each Wiccan to write down his/her weaknesses on a piece of paper or parchment and toss it into the Cauldron fire. Jack-o-lanterns, gourds, cider, fall foliage can be used as altar decorations
Mabon (Celtic): Autumn Equinox,
Winter Finding (Teutonic), Alban Elfed (Caledonii)
Around Sept. 21
During Autumn,we begin to see the waning of the Sun more obviously now as
the days continue to grow shorter until the Wheel of the Year spins around
again to Yule. At the Autumn Equinox, the days and nights are equal. It
is a time of balance, but light gives way to increased darkness.
It is the second harvest, and the Goddess mourns her fallen consort, but
the emphasis is on the message of rebirth that can be found in the harvest
seeds. The Autumn Equinox is a wonderful time to stop and relax and
be happy. While we may not have toiled the fields from sunrise to sunset
every day since Lammas - as our ancestors did - most of us do work hard
at what we do. At this time of year, we should stop and survey the harvest
each of us has brought in over the season. For us, like our ancestors, this
becomes a time of giving thanks for the success of what we have worked at. Spellwork
for protection, wealth and prosperity, security and spells to bring a feeling
of self-confidence are appropriate for Mabon. Since this is a time for balance,
you might include spells that will bring into balance and harmony the energies
either in a room, home, or situation. Ritual actions might include the praising
or honoring of fruit as proof of the love of the Goddess and God, and a
ritual sprinkling of Autumn leaves. It is a good time to walk the forests,
gathering dried plants for use as altar decorations or herbal magick. Symbols
to represent the Mabon Sabbat are such things as grapes, wine, vines, garland,
gourds, pine cones, acorns, wheat, dried leaves, burial cairns, rattles,
Indian corn, Sun wheels, and horns of plenty. Altar decorations might include
autumn leaves, acorns, pine cones, a pomegranate to symbolize Persephone's
descent into the Underworld, and a small statue or figure to represent the
Triple Goddess in Her Mother aspect.Cornbread and cider are good additions
to festivities.
Spellwork for protection, wealth and prosperity, security and spells to bring a feeling of self-confidence are appropriate for Mabon. Since this is a time for balance, you might include spells that will bring into balance and harmony the energies either in a room, home, or situation. Ritual actions might include the praising or honoring of fruit as proof of the love of the Goddess and God, and a ritual sprinkling of Autumn leaves.
