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SEASONAL
OBSERVANCES
About Autumn Equinox |
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Mabon,
(pronounced MAY-bun, MAY-bone, MAH-boon, or MAH-bawn) is the
Autumn Equinox, and is celebrated on September 21st. 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.
Mabon is considered a time of
the Mysteries. It is a time to honor Aging Deities and the
Spirit World. Considered a time of balance, it is when we stop
and relax and enjoy the fruits of our personal harvests,
whether they be from toiling in our gardens, working at our
jobs, raising our families, or just coping with the
hussle-bussle of everyday life. May your Mabon be memorable,
and your hearts and spirits be filled to overflowing!
Mabon Correspondences
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.
Deities of Mabon: Goddesses-Modron, Morgan, Epona,
Persephone, Pamona and the Muses. Gods-Mabon, Thoth, Thor,
Hermes, and The Green Man. |
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R
E F L E C T I O N S N E W S L E T T E R
SEASONAL
OBSERVANCES
About Samhain |
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Samhain is also
known as Halloween / All Hallows Eve (American Traditions), Shadow
Fest (Italian / Stregha Tradition), Martinmas or Old Halloween
(Scottish/Celtic Traditions), Day of the Dead (Mexican
Traditions), and Witches New Year (Wiccan Traditions)
This Sabbat is
one of our Greater Sabbats and is the celebration of the last
harvest before winter. At this time of year, the old God dies and
is mourned by the Crone Goddess for the next six weeks when he
will be reborn as her son at Yule. The Goddess in her Crone aspect
represents death and rebirth as evidenced by her stirring “the
cauldron of life” souls who are ready to be reborn. It is also a
time for honoring our beloved dead, our ancestors by acknowledging
and communing with them. We look to them for guidance throughout
our lives. At this time it is believed that the “veil” between the
land of the living and the land of the dead is the thinnest making
communication easier. Spirits may cross freely between the worlds
on this day, they are more approachable and accessible.
The word
Samhain stems from the Gaelic Samhuinn (the word for Hallow Tide)
derived from sam-fuin, which literally means “summer-end.”
This is a
celebration also of life and death, not only in the literal aspect
but in our own lives. It is a time for us to get rid of bad
habits and replace them with new goals/ideals for the coming New
Year. We look back upon our accomplishments over the past year
and make new resolutions. It is also a time for introspection
when we go deep into our soul and face our weaknesses to allow us
to set these new goals.
TRADITIONAL SYMBOLS/LORE
The besom
(broom) can be traced back to an early Pagan ceremony – the
tradition of pagan farmers dancing around the bonfire on hand-held
farm instruments to ensure a fruitful crop at harvest. It was used
in the home at the hearth to sweep it clean, as well as for
ceremonial purposes. The Pagans seen “riding” the broom in the
fields is where the lore of witches on broomsticks is derived.
Halloween masks
were worn by Christian children during this holiday to protect
them from being seized by Witches. They were worn in ancient
times by Pagan children to protect them from being snatched by
Faeries looking for beautiful children to take back to their
realm.
Jack O’Lanterns
were carved with evil looking faces and lit to keep unwanted
spirits from home. The name means Jack the Lantern and comes from
an Irish tale. Jack was a man who could enter neither heaven or
hell and was condemned to walk the Earth with only a turnip for
light. He could only be redeemed if he found someone to take his
place. The scary faces on pumpkins were thought to keep him from
entering homes to find that person. Many folk names were given to
this spirit: Jack-In-The-Green, Jack-In-The-Pulpit. All household
fires were extinguished for this night to be rekindled by the
Samhain fire (the New Year candle) to bring prosperity to the
household for the coming year. A candle representing the old year
was brought out and used to light the new candle.
Costumes and
the practice of dressing up as ghosts is a very ancient
tradition. Those in costume escorted the spirits of the dead to
the edge of town at the end of the evening so they could begin
their journey to Summerland/Avalon. They did not want to be
recognized by anyone to ensure they could complete their task
undisturbed.
Pagans/Wiccans/Witches
look forward to this celebration. We love the trick ‘n’ treaters
and get into the spirit (pardon the pun) of this holiday. We enjoy
decorating, carving pumpkins and handing out candy to the little
ones.
It is a time
when divination is heightened because the “veil between the worlds
is the thinnest.” Tarot Cards, Runes, Psychic Circles, Scrying
Mirros, etc. are used for this purpose.
One of our
traditions to honor our ancestors is called the “Silent Dinner.”
Everyone helps to prepare foods that our ancestors particularly
liked. Our dining table is covered with a black tablecloth, all
dishes, utensils, cups used for the dinner are black. We set one
place setting for our ancestors and an empty chair and invite them
to join us. Once the dinner is placed upon the table and all are
seated – no one speaks in honor of those dearly departed ones.
Afterwards, when everyone is finished eating and leaves the table
conversation begins and everyone helps in cleanup.
An “Ancestor
Altar” (separate from our working altar) is set up with their
pictures – candles may be lit on the altar in their honor. Key
Words: Death, Rebirth, Crone, Cauldron of Life, New Year,
Cerridwyn, Cerrnunnos, Ancestors, Silent Dinner, Divination, Veil
Between the Worlds is Thinnest, Introspection, Personal Insight
Samhain Correspondences
Altar
Cloth: Black
Astrological Sign: Taurus the Bull
Candles: Black, Orange, White
Colors: Black, Orange, Indigo, Red, White for the New
Year
Flower: Crysanthemums (Gold, Yellow)
Foods/Beverages: Apples, Apple Cider, Pumpkin Pie, Hazelnuts,
Corn, Cranberry Muffins, Pumpkin Breads, Herbal Teas (especially
Mugwort), Soft Mead
Gemstones: All black gemstones: Obsidian, Onyx, Hematite
Gods: Horned Hunter, Cernunnos, Osiris, Anubis
Goddesses: Crone, Cerridwyn, Hecate, Morrigan
Herbs: Mugwort, Thistle, Hazel, Deadly Nightshade, Ferns,
Flax, Heather, Mandrake, Mullen, Oak Leaves, Sage, Straw,
Cinnamon, Rue, Wormwood, Hops
Incense:
Frankincense, Myrrh, Rosemary, Cedar, Juniper |
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THE
GODDESS’ KITCHEN
by Christina Carr of
Christinas Crafts
Throughout time
and culture, many varied kitchen Gods and Goddesses have been
worshipped. These deities have graced countless homes with their
benevolence, offering protection against kitchen accidents, fires
and food poisoning; negativity and ghosts, while simultaneously
blessing all food preparation and the partakers of the feasts!
in India, the
Hindu god Annamurti presides over kitchens and food. While in
Japan the offspring of the harvest God, Oki-Tsu-Hiko-No-Kami and
Oki-Tsu-Hime-No-Kami tend the cauldron in which water is boiled.
And, Hettsui-No-Kami oversees and blesses the kitchen range.
In China, the
God of the stove was held in highest esteem! It was he possessed
the power to bestow good health, wealth, and prosperity to your
family. So, of course, one would take great care not to offend by
singing, swearing, crying, kissing , or chopping onions near the
stove!
A WITCH IN THE KITCHEN
According to
the Pagan traditions of the Celts, Britons, Wiccans, and others,
the spirits of the four elements are strongly connected to the
kitchen!
The
refrigerator is an appliance dedicated to Air, the element of
Intellect and Imagination!
Fire dwells
within stove and hearth, representing Will, Passion, and
Transformation!
Water rules
over the kitchen sink, representative of Love and the Emotions.
Vegetables,
fruits, nuts, herbs, and even meats & poultry are all gifts from
our benevolent Mother. All of these things that nourish and
sustain us are, of course, ruled by the element of Earth,
pertaining to Stability and Manifestation.
Hang a
"Kitchen Witch" doll for good luck and to add magic to your
cooking! Not only does she claim to prevent the burning of your
food, but she will remind you always of the blessings and
abundance you enjoy!
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PAGAN PARENTING
by Mani Matson |
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My eleven-year old son, Jake
an dour cat, Neo, got stuck in a tree. Actually, Neo
climbed up into the tree, higher and higher he went, and
Jake couldn’t bear to see him “suffer” as he put it.
hard; or at least frustrating. I can’t count how many times
I have lost my mind when years have gone by and the
impatience of my son has overwhelmed me, but then there’s
the light. That one moment when I think “By Goddess, he’s
got it!:” only to see it disappear overnight. Where does it
go? Why does that happen? Why me” Again, patience can be
just as frustrating.
This time, I had my fun with it. As I have been trying to be
more understanding and get Jake to see that not everything
that goes wrong is a crisis and to enjoy life and what life
gives back to us. In my sons words, “Chill out.”
So, neo is truck in the tree.
“Jake, he’s okay. He’s having fun.”
“Mom, he’ll get hurt. He’s scared.”
Neo is checking out the limbs of the Maple and realizing
that he’s never been this close to the birds before. He
climbs up another level. It’s been five minutes.
“I’m going to get him down, Mom.”
“Jake, be patient. Neo’s exploring. He’s fine. Cat’s love to
climb.” Watching Neo, I feel his freedom and hunger for the
challenge. Mind you, I have raised 13 cats in my life.
“I’m going to get him down.”
It’s been 7 minutes. This discussion lasts for 15 minutes as
Neo happily wanders from limb to limb steadily, meowing once
in a while, and I call to him to let him know I’m still down
here watching him. He’s a very conscious cat after all.
Jake cannot be patient anymore and runs into the house to
grab a kitchen stool so he can get to our cat. Neo climbs
higher and Jake’s patience runs thinner as I watch and
giggle from the Earth. Jake gets in the tree and grabs Neo,
but now neither male can get down, as the cat clings to the
branch not wanting to let go, and my son is in between
laughter and being frightened of the cat falling.
I literally run into the house. I come back to the tree with
a camera snapping comical pictures of man, animal, and
nature together.
“That’s not funny Mom!”
After I stop myself from laughing, and about five pictures
are taken, Jake finally gets Neo to the bottom branch.
Thinking the cat would stay there, Jake lets go for a moment
and Neo runs back up the tree. The whole scenario starts
over and I can’t help myself.
Finally they both climb out of the tree and I once again
explain to Jake that Neo would have eventually come down by
himself.
“Whatever.” He replies.
Two days pass. Neo gets out. We find him in the tree. |
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POETRY CORNER
The "Halloween" Witch
Poetry by Angel ©1999 |
Each year they parade her
about, the traditional Halloween Witch.
Misshapen green face,
stringy scraps of hair,
a toothless mouth beneath her deformed nose.
Gnarled knobby fingers
twisted into a claw protracting from a bent
and twisted torso that lurches about on wobbly legs.
Most think this abject
image to be the creation of a prejudiced mind
or merely a Halloween caricature.
I disagree, I believe this to be how Witches were really
seen.
Consider that most
Witches were women, were abducted in the night,
And smuggled into dungeons or prisons under the secrecy of
darkness
to be presented by light of day as a confessed Witch.
Few if any saw a
frightened normal looking woman being dragged into a secret
room
filled with instruments of torture,
to be questioned until she confessed to anything suggested
to her
and to give names or what ever would stop the questions.
Crowds saw the
aberration denounced to the world as a self-proclaimed
Witch.
As the Witch was
paraded through town en route to be burned, hanged,
drowned, stoned or disposed of in various other forms of
Christian love
all created to free and save her soul from her depraved
body,
the jeering crowds viewed the results of hours of torture.
The face bruised and
broken by countless blows bore a hue of sickly green.
The once warm and loving smile gone replaced by a grimace of
broken teeth
and torn gums that leers beneath a battered disfigured nose.
The disheveled hair
conceals bleeding gaps of torn scalp
from whence cruel hands had torn away the lovely tresses.
Broken twisted hands clutched the wagon for support,
fractured fingers with nails torn away locked like groping
claws to steady her broken body.
All semblance of
humanity gone this was truly a demon, a bride of Satan, a
Witch.
I revere this Halloween
Crone and hold her sacred above all.
I honor her courage and
listen to her warnings of the dark side of man.
Each year I shed tears
of respect when the mundane exhibit their symbol of
Christian love.
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business or service in
Reflections Newsletter
$25 for 4 Issues!
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for more information!! |
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Nature's
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Something Else Studio
Palmyra, New
York
http://www.somethingelsestudio.com
Step into your fantasy by
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274 Goodman
Street N
Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 244-4290
Primitive Impressions is
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“Bring Your Magic to Life!”
Valerie Cole, Ph.D.
Psychotherapist
166 Shelbourne Road
Rochester, New York 14620
(585) 461-4744
Cell: (585) 414-9537
Vcole@rochester.rr.com
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Reiki Center
Atrium Mall 1780 E. Ridge Rd. Suite 300
Rochester, New York 14622
Services Offered by Lorraine:
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registered nurse, wellness nutrition, aroma therapy and
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(585) 671-9442 |
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NECofWICCA
MEMBER BUSINESSES AND SERVICES
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HANDCRAFTED GIFTS
FROM NATURE'S BOUNTY!
Earthcraftyr
1450 Lockpit Road
Clyde, New York 14423
(315) 923-7446
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Herbalist, Aromatherapy, Reiki
Tarot, Palmistry
Kiree A. Pennelli
Certified Herbologist
(585) 768-2175
e-mail:
NyKyrie@aol.com |
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HOUSE CLEANING/BLESSING
Do you have unwanted visitors of the spiritual type
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your house of these unwanted guests and send them peacefully
on their way, the following people are knowledgeable and
experienced:
Psychic’s Thyme (585) 473-4230
Debbie Deals Magick (585) 663-7458
Linda Hanley (585) 964-2736
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TAROT CARD READINGS
Experienced and Reputable Readers
Psychic’s Thyme
16 Edmonds Street - Rochester
(585) 473-4230
Debbie Deals Magick!
(585) 663-7458 |
LEARN TO RIDE!
EVERGREEN STABLES
212 Sheffer Road, Scottsville, NY 14546
(585)889-1200
www.evergreenstables.us
Evergreen Stables is a teaching stable where you can learn
how to ride horses without fear. We teach English and
Western riding - starting from age 7 to adults. Our indoor
arena allows you to ride year round! Boarding is also
available for full time or winter only.
Visit our website
or call for more details.
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PSYCHIC’S THYME
For all of your metaphysical
needs! Plan on stopping in - let Char and her friendly and
knowledgeable staff assist you. Psychic’s Thyme also
offers a wide variety of classes during the week as well as
meditations every Saturday!
Psychic's Thyme
16 Edmonds Street• Rochester,
NY
(585) 473-4230
http://www.psychicsthyme.com/ |
OTHALA GROVE
An e-group for people of all
Spiritual and Religious Paths and Traditions to join
together in unity for learning, sharing ideas,
healing of individuals and the Pagan/Alternative
Religions Community as a whole. Are you willing to
reach out and grow?
Be
Welcome Here In Light and Love!
Yahoo! Groups : OthalaGrove
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NEWSLETTER
SUBMISSIONS |
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Reflections,
the community newsletter of Northeast Council of W.I.C.C.A., is published
quarterly on each solstice and equinox. Featured columns include questions &
answers about Wicca, Witchcraft, and Paganism in Cerridwen's Cauldron;
a review about natural magick in Gaia's Garden;
an article about Pagan Living in Lifestyles; submitted opinions in
Your Humble Opinions; and book reviews
in Pagan Book Reviews in addition to Articles of Interest
to the Pagan community.
If you would like to make a column submission or have an article
of interest to share please email Program Services
with your contribution. All submissions graciously welcomed! |
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LEGAL
DISCLAIMER |
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Opinions expressed or reported
in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the opinions of
Northeast Council of W.I.C.C.A. or its membership. In addition,
Northeast Council of W.I.C.C.A. does not endorse or research any
groups, events, or web sites presented in this newsletter.
Individuals are encouraged to use their own discretion.
Northeast Council of W.I.C.C.A. assumes no responsibility for
individuals choosing to take advantage of any newsletter content
provided to our readership for informational purposes only. |
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