This was the “Love Song to the Natural World” honoring the Winter Solstice that Gary Phillips offered to our Gathering the Tribes celebration last night. Like all lyrical writing, it is meant to be read aloud. Especially, I think, the commitment at the end. I hope you will add your own voice to this promise. … Read more
Join together beneath the mistletoe, By the holy oak whereon it grows. Seven Druids dance in seven time. Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming. Ring out these bells. Ring out, ring Solstice bells. Ring Solstice bells. — Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull ©1977 Ring the bells of joy and blessings! Throw open the Gates … Read more
The walls between the worlds are thinned; The Gods’ might is at its peak, The wights and the dead walk freely among the living. Let us remember them on this Mother Night. ~ from a Heathen rite posted on the Internet some years ago, original source unknown. This is the Eve of the Winter Solstice. … Read more
Halcyon days, now wars are ending. You shall find where-e’er you sail Tritons all the while attending With a kind and gentle gale. ~ Halcyon Days by Thomas Shadwell (1642 – 1692) With the arrival of yesterday’s New Moon, and then the Winter Solstice being only a week away, we here in the Northern Hemisphere … Read more
Tonight, in the threshold moments of dusk wherever you are, you are invited to gather with good people across the globe, from every faith and tradition. Please join in our Solstice Sun Wheel practice, as we prepare the way for the dawn of the Light reborn. Every Sunday at sunset between now and Solstice and/or … Read more
Today is the last day of the month, and so is sacred to the great Triple Goddess, Hecate. Although Her day was once the last day of the lunar calendar, I believe it is still appropriate to honor Her at this time as Queen of the Night and the Goddess of Witches. Hecate is a … Read more
Tonight, we begin the annual Solstice Sun-Wheel Prayer! And so, on Day 25 of my month of Thanksgivings, I am overflowing with gratitude to all who have participated in the past, and who are planning to join us this year! Inspired originally by Beltane Papers founder, the late Helen Farias, and the wonderful Waverly FitzGerald, I have found … Read more
It’s time once again to join together every Sunday through Yule (or Christmas) for our annual Yule Prayer-Spell. If you have been a regular reader of mine in past years, you know that starting in late November, I invite all my visitors, regardless of their spiritual path, to join together in a virtual prayer circle, … Read more
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying, when there seemed to be no hope at all. ~ Dale Carnegie (a true Sagittarian) This afternoon, at 4:50pm Eastern time, the Sun moved from Scorpio into the sign of Sagittarius. I am so glad I didn’t … Read more