Mabon

Ok, so I have been thinking a lot about what I am going to do this year for Mabon. I may be going to a public ritual this Saturday, if I can get my son's father to look after him for a little bit while I go do this. I usually don't do the whole public ritual thing, as I usually practice solitary, but I think it would be interesting to see how others celebrate the harvest (this is the 2nd harvest celebration on the Wheel). I was at the location the other night, a bit breezy with wind coming off the water, hoping my new robe I made won't get lit up ☺

I have also been invited to a little ritual on the day of the actual Sabbat, next Thursday, with a few friends. Not sure if I can make it. I would like to go, but I still have my son with me. It also is a full moon that evening and I have some things I need to do, that I usually do solitary when I combine Sabbat rites with Esbats. Just a little dilemma for me. Don't get me wrong, I love being with friends, but I am a little self-conscious about how I do my thing. I know, get over it, right?? This is something I am trying to do. Under my skin is still a shy person lurking.

An Update

Well, I'm hoping that the employment drought will soon be over. I have a job interview this Tuesday for a salon that's opening up a new shop. I saw their ad on Kijiji last Monday & quickly emailed off my CV. They called me this afternoon & set up an interview for this Tuesday. Yay!!

There was an Imbolg ritual this evening. I didn't go to that, but I am planning on doing my own, privately at home. It's also the Full Moon, I am going to do my ritual tonight after I post this. I'm going to ask the Goddess to guide me with my job interview. I wrote down what I want for this job, from salary expectations, to flexibility with my schedule with my son. Hopefully, the Great Mother will see that I will no longer be jobless. It's only been 2 months, but that's 2 months too long in my books.

I was busy this week doing hair out of my home. I have a couple of friends who came by this week to get their hair cut & flat-ironed. On Lisa's hair, I flat-ironed hers first, as she has very curly hair and then proceeded to give her a trim & put some shape back into her hair. Karen came the next day for a whole new look. She had a basic, all one length bob, to her shoulders. It wasn't really doing anything to her face, but over-power it. I gave her an inverted bob (A frame, asymmetrical bob, etc). I took off about 4-5" off the back, cutting at her hairline at the nape and gradually tapering longer towards the front. I also snuck in some subtle layers to take off some heaviness off her hair on the sides. Now, Karen normally doesn't wear a bang, but a gave her a long side-swept bang that she can tuck behind her ear. Now, stupid me, forgot to take before & after pix of both haircuts. They turned out bomb!! It was a great boost to my ego the reactions I got from both ladies. My former boss thought I should get out of hairdressing, saying I was terrible at it. I just didn't live up to his standards, I guess, but it was enough for me to doubt myself.

I also joined a group on my YoVille game. You can join clubs with like-minded individuals. This one is called, "The Goddess Sanctuary" We are a group of about 7 Witches/Pagans who get together and discuss various topics. Last night's was about grounding & meditation. We all buddy up so we can get together easily. I guess I have inspired some ladies of the group with my virtual ritual room I made in my apt there. It's an indoor garden with a waterfall. I'm glad to see others making ponds, stone circles, etc, as their own way of communing with the Goddess online. I guess this is my way of planting things, in an online garden, nothing dies on me...Lol!!

Anyway, I see that the Moon is in view now, so I shall commune with Lady Luna. May the Goddess bless you tonight with the power of the Moon

Love & Light
Rowan
)O(

Blue Moon Water

So, the other night, during the 2nd full moon of Dec. I did what I usually do, set out a jar of water to be blessed by the light of the moon. Thursday night was extra special as it was a Blue Moon. My usual glass bottle was full, so I did have to settle for a glass spaghetti jar to have my water blessed. I set it before heading off to bed. When I awoke yesterday morning, I went outside in the cold to retrieve it. Of course, it had frozen overnight. The crystal pattern inside was amazing!! Here are 2 pix of my special 'Moon Water":

Blue Moon Lore

As we all know, this Thursday, as being New Year's Eve, is also hosting another event: a Blue Moon. We all know that a Blue Moon is when a 2nd full moon occurs in the same month, but what about the term, "once in a Blue Moon"?? I found a great article over at Suite101.com, that explains some of the lore of this phenomenon.

According to folklore, the term "blue moon" has been around for at least 400 years. The earliest known reference to this lunar event referred to an unlikely occurrence or something that could never happen. Over time the expression has evolved to mean something that rarely, if ever happens, thus the expression "once in a blue moon" became common place.

What is a Blue Moon?

Contrary to the name there is no physical difference in appearance during this lunar occurrence, the moon does not actually appear to be blue. According to most sources, a blue moon occurs when there is a second full moon in the same calendar month. But there are a few sources out there who claim that originally the name blue moon was given to the third full moon in a season where there were four full moons. A blue moons cycle is approximately once every two and a half years.

This lunar event occurs because a complete lunar cycle, the time between the new moon and a full moon, is 29.5 days. Since each calendar month is a little longer than the moons full phase, the full moon occurs little earlier than than the previous month. Approximately every two and a half years, there is a month with two full moons. The second full moon is called the blue moon.

Once in a Blue Moon

The origin of the term "blue moon" is not truly known but is steeped in folklore and its meaning has changed several times. Historically, each full moon throughout the year was given a folk name to help people remember to prepare for the upcoming season.

For example, the name harvest moon was given to the full moon that occurred closest to the autumn equinox. This usually occurred at the peak of harvest and the light of the full moon allowing farmers to work late into the night. This also signaled the time to gather the season’s harvest and to prepare for the upcoming winter.

Many folktales place significance on the blue moon. According to some folktales during a full blue moon, the moon was said to have a face and talked to those in its light. Some pagan beliefs hold the second full moon in a calendar month holds the knowledge of the Goddess and contains very powerful three-fold the energy of a regular full moon. Special rites and rituals were held only on a blue moon night.

Sill other traditions believe the different moon phases represent the transition of knowledge within the Goddess. The maiden is represented by the quarter moon, the new moon represents the mother goddess and the full moon the grandmother goddess or crone. When the blue moon enters a cycle it is said to be the transition of the crone to the divine level of existence or the great transition.

When is the Next Blue Moon?

The next blue moon will be visible on December 31, 2009 – New Year’s Eve. The next time this beautiful celestial event will occur is in the year 2012.

Very rarely there will be a year of two blue moons. Due to February being a short month, this event usually occurs during the months of January and March. The last time there was a year with two full moons was back in 1999. This rarity is not scheduled to happen again until the year 2018. The following dates are when the next blue moons are scheduled to occur.

• 2009: December 31 (Blue Moon on New Year's Eve)
• 2012: August 31
• 2015: July 31
• 2018: January 31 March 31(Two Blue Moons in One Year)
• 2020: October 31

Astrology and the Full Moon

Astrologically the energy of the full moon works to integrate and harmonize the contradictions in the self and others. During a full moon, the seeds sown at the last new moon are ready to be harvested and utilized. Traditionally, the full moon is seen as a time for meditation and particularly for personal issues and global concerns.

During the blue moon this vibration is said to be three-fold. In some cultures the second full moon was considered a very holy and auspicious day. A time when the veil between heaven and earth is thin and the ability to communicate with the gods and goddess is very powerful. It is considered a very spiritually significant time for prayer and meditation going back thousands of years.

Last Night's Full Moon

Here are some pix of the full moon last night that I took off my patio. I kinda like the blurriness, it adds mystery to the pix. Enjoy!!

)O(
Rowan

Full Moon Blessings

The Mourning Moon

November was the ninth month in the oldest Roman calendar. In the Celtic tradition this was the beginning of a new year. The Celtic year ended on the eve before Samhain and began again on the day after. They considered it a Moon month of beginnings and endings and many still do.

The goddess Hecate had many celebrations though out the year. November 16 was known as the Night of Hecate, the Three -formed. Hecate is part of the most ancient form of the triple Moon goddess as Crone or Dark Moon: Artemis was the Crescent Moon and Selene the Full moon. Most of Hecate's worship, and especially on this night, was performed in a three way crossroad at night. Food was left there as an offering to her. She was known to rule the passages of life and transformation, birth and death. Her animals were the toad, the owl, the dog and the bat.

Correspondences

Moon Names: Snow Moon, Dark Moon, Fog Moon, Beaver Moon, Mourning Moon, Blotmonath (Sacrifice Month), Herbistmonoth (Harvest Month), Mad Moon, Moon of Storms, Moon When Deer Shed Antlers.

Nature Spirits: subterranean faeries

Herbs: grains of paradise, verbena, betony, borage, cinquefoil, blessed thistle

Colours: gray, sea-green

Flowers: blooming cacti, chrysanthemum

Scents: cedar, cherry blossoms, hyacinth, narcissus, peppermint, lemon

Stones: topaz, hyacinth, lapis lazuli

Trees: alder, cypress

Animals: unicorn, scorpion, crocodile, jackal

Birds: owl, goose, sparrow

Deities: Kali, Black Isis, Nicnevin, Hecate, Bast Osiris, Sarasvati, Lakshme, Skadi, Mawu

Power Flow: Take root, prepare. Transformation. Strengthen communication with the god or goddess who seems closest to you.

According to the Old Farmers' Almanac, the full moon in November is the Full Beaver Moon. This was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now actively preparing for winter. It is sometimes also referred to as the Frosty Moon.

My Esbat Altar setup

Here is my altar for tonight's full moon. Inside my cauldron, I have Moon Water (I collected water in a bottle and left it out to charge by the full moon) I collected it last month. I forgot my dish of sea salt, but it will be there for my ritual tonight.

Blessed Full Moon!! )O(

October's Full Moon

Full Moon energy is used for banishing, protection and divination. It is a time for maximum power. The Hunter’s Moon is the first full moon after the harvest moon, which is the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox. The cold weather returns. Herds are culled for winter slaughter.

Candle colour for this moon is deep red, symbolic of the colour of shed blood from the herds, and of the game. It is a time for Inner cleansing, justice, balance, and inner harmony.

In the northern hemisphere, the Hunter’s Moon appears in October or November, usually in October. Traditionally, it was a feast day in parts of western Europe and among some Native American tribes, called simply the Feast of the Hunter’s Moon.

“As it was and remains today,
Death feeds life,
And life honours death.
Come to me my prey!
I will give you a good death,
And praise you With my breath.”

The Hunter’s Moon is also known as the Blood or Sanguine Moon as traditionally this was around the time that surplus livestock would be slaughtered before the onset of Winter. As life grows so shall it wither, and this manifestation of the moon should be reflected in any ritual. Without closure we cannot begin a cycle anew as nature dictates. Use the balancing energy of the Blood Moon to even out extremes in your life, and to make preparations for hard times.

I Am A Witch

I am a witch.

I do not worship Satan; I am not interested in Satan.
I do NOT go to church on Sunday,
Nor do I have to enter any man made building to feel the presence of the Divine.

I am not afraid of going to Hell because
I don’t believe in Hell any more that I do Satan.

I believe in reincarnation. I believe I will continue to come back to this world or another until I have reached enlightenment and only then will I return to my Maker, to become one with the Universal Energy.

I am not evil.
Telling people that I am a “good witch” or asking me if I am a good witch implies that there are evil witches.
There are evil people who chose to hurt others through their action, those people are NOT witches.

The central law of being a witch is:
“An It Harm None, Do What Ye Will."

Please don’t ask be about sacrificing cats or eating children. Such an idea is foul and disgusting. I love my animals as part of my family, and have respect and reverence for all living things from the herb garden in my back yard to the neighbor next door.

Don’t ask me about desecrating Churches. As I don’t go into churches or synagogues unless a friend from that religion invites me to a special occasion. And if I DO enter a church, I am not struck by lightening. And if a Christian, Jew or Buddhist came to a pagan ritual, our Gods would not strike them dead either.

Isn’t that something to think about?

Wearing a Pentagram is no different than wearing a Cross, Crucifix or Star of David. If you want me to take off the symbol of MY religion (and Wicca is a religion, protected by the same First Amendment rights as other religions) because it’s offensive, you need to make everyone of every religion do the same. The five points of the star signify the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, and the fifth point is Spirit. This star is then encircled by the Divine, which holds us all together. How that can offend anyone boggles my little pagan mind?

Also don’t ask me if I’m in a “coven” in that half-horrified, half-fascinated tone of voice. If I want to talk about my coven, I will bring it up. If I am a solitary practitioner, I have no coven to discuss. In any case, our rituals or “spells” are merely prayers to our Maker. They involve candles, poetry, food, and drink. We do rituals for healing, love, prosperity and protection. We honor the cycles of the moon, and the changing of the seasons.

We have eight holidays in which we celebrate:
Samhain (Halloween) is the day to remember those who have passed away.
Yule (Winter Solstice) When the Days get longer and the earth is deep in slumber.
Imbolc (Feb 2) When the first signs of spring appear, when new animals are born.
Ostra(Spring Exuinox) When spring has sprung and we have planted our crops.
Beltane (May 1) This is a time of love, and marriage.
Midsummer (Summer Solstice) When the days become shorter and the crops are in full bloom.
Lammas (Aug 2) When we give thanks for the first harvest of the year.
Mabon (Autumn Exuinox) When we give thanks for the big harvest of the year.

I do NOT drink blood. First off that is very unsanitary, secondly I’m not some kind of vampire. I wear black because it keeps away negativity and because it looks better on me than orange and purple polka dots. I do NOT fly around on a broom, although with climbing gas prices wouldn’t it be nice.

If you do want to ask me something related to MY religion, ask me when the next Full Moon is, or the next Blue Moon, or what a Blue Moon IS. Ask me about herbs and crystals.

Yes I would love to visit Salem Massachusetts, but not because any of those poor executed people were witches (I think the jury is still out on some of them), but because there are cool pagan shops there. If there were cool pagan shops in a town called East Cowflop, I’d go there.

Please DO NOT try to make me ashamed of who I worship or what I am. Please don’t try to convert or “save” me. Don’t throw holy water on me or wave a cross at me. Don’t leave little pamphlets on my desk or windshield. I don’t need to be saved. Witches are proud of the fact that we don’t recruit people into our religion. So I will NEVER leave a religious tract with anyone. I don’t have one, unless you count this And I am NOT asking for you to convert by handing you this letter, I am only asking that you understand. And if you don’t want to understand, then just leave me alone.

The Full Corn Moon

Like the fruits of the vine, lives too can change & ferment. As you gather the late fruit harvest of your labour, give thanks for the sweetness of life. From such sweetness comes pleasure & treats, but also fermentation and "spirits". Celebrate the ever-changing nature of life, dreams,& goals as you toast the sacred ingredients-friends, family & familiars-their loving friendships that mellow & ferment you. Honour Dionysus god of wine & ecstasy. Invoke the balance of the light & dark, and evaluate the balance within your life. As you prepare for the growing darkness, readying yourself to move within, clean & declutter yourself physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually. Balance will bring you steady footing throughout the challenging journey ahead.

**Borrowed form Llewellyn's Witches' Datebook 2009**

Honey Cake recipe for the Esbat

I found this on this site: http://everything2.com/title/Welsh+honey+cakes I'm going to make them tomorrow when I get home from work.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) honey
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• sugar
• a little milk

Directions:

Sieve together the flour, cinnamon, and baking soda. Cream the butter and sugar in another bowl. Separate the egg and add the yolk to the butter/sugar mix (reserving the white). Add the honey gradually and mix thoroughly, then mix in the flour mixture with a little bit of milk so that the batter is stirrable but thick. Whisk the egg white into a stiff froth and fold it into the batter. Half fill muffin tins with the mix. Sprinkle a little sugar on the tops. Bake at 425º F for 12-15 minutes, longer if needed to be cooked through.

Yield: 12 muffin-like cakes