And I myself will teach my rites, that hereafter you may reverently perform them and so win the favor of my heart.— Hymn to Demeter, attributed to Homer This week’s Full Moon was a powerful one in many, many cultures and traditions. In the ancient world, it is the Moon during which the Eleusinian Mysteries … Read more
The 20th century has been characterized by three developments of great political importance: The growth of democracy, the growth of corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy. — Australian social scientist, Alex Carey, quoted byNoam Chomsky in World Orders Old and New Yesterday’s Full Moon … Read more
The Harvest MoonTed Hughes(1930 – 1998)The flame-red moon, the harvest moon,Rolls along the hills, gently bouncing,A vast balloon,Till it takes off, and sinks upwardTo lie on the bottom of the sky, like a gold doubloon.The harvest moon has come,Booming softly through heaven, like a bassoon.And the earth replies all night, like a deep drum. So … Read more
Autumn Equinox Ritual21 September 1997Indiana Pagan Resource Network Lamplight glimmers in darkened roomsAnd you fold your hands across a swelling bellyCradling the fruits of your labor.The rich scent of new-mown hay, the dark Earth beneath itWhere seeds that fall soon deeply sleepHere as we move towards the darkness of SamhainThe shadow that brings the light … Read more
Earth is here so kind, that just tickle her with a hoe and she laughs with a harvest. — Douglas Jerrold (1803-1857) Over this weekend, I suggest that you to prepare for the brilliant, loving energy of the coming Harvest Moon. These are the last few days of the increasing Moonlight, a time of expansion … Read more
Today I’d planned to continue our explorations of harvest lore, specifically making corn dollies, but instead, I feel the urgency of this occasion to share these words from two of my dear teachers with you. The Three Candles, Marc Chagall Words from Starhawk:September 11, 2001: Hecate sits on her tripod at the crossroads in the … Read more
Nature contains Nature,Nature rejoices in her own nature,Nature surmounts Nature;Nature cannot be amended but in her own nature. — Secret Teachings of All Ages, by Manly Palmer Hall (1901-1990) With Euphrosyne as our guide, plus a special visit this week from the Queen of Pentacles, we move deeper into the harvest and ancestor festival season. … Read more
What we plant in the soil of contemplation,we shall reap in the harvest of action.— Meister Eckhart (1260-1328) Although most of us live in worlds that seem very far from the Earthy rhythms, seasonal awareness still runs deep in our bodies and blood. In these days of supermarkets, easy access to food from around the … Read more
Summer Sunby Robert Louis Stevenson Great is the sun, and wide he goesThrough empty heaven with repose;And in the blue and glowing daysMore thick than rain he showers his rays. Though closer still the blinds we pullTo keep the shady parlour cool,Yet he will find a chink or twoTo slip his golden fingers through. The … Read more
Peaches Batik I © by M BaldwinFrom Blossomsby Li-Young Lee (1957 – ) From blossoms comesthis brown paper bag of peacheswe bought from the boyat the bend in the road where we turned towardsigns painted Peaches. From laden boughs, from hands,from sweet fellowship in the bins,comes nectar at the roadside, succulentpeaches we devour, dusty skin … Read more