A silver apple falls. There, amongst the branches, the mother sits. Weaver of dreams against the weft of the wood, Insight falls like gentle rain on a moon-bathed garden. – Song to Hecate, by Alison Jones Now we make ready for the great festival of Imbolc, sometimes called Candlemas or Brigid. In many places, the … Read more
Brighid of the Mantles encompass us Lady of the Lambs protect us Keeper of the Hearth kindle us Beneath your mantle gather us And Restore us to memory. ~ from An Invocation to Brighid, by Rowan Fairgrove In addition to declaring this year a celebration of my fortieth anniversary as a Tarot reader, I am … Read more
From Her immortal head a radiance is shown from heaven and embraces earth; and great is the beauty that ariseth from Her shining light. The air, unlit before, glows with the light of Her golden crown, and Her rays beam clear… ~ Hymn to Selene (The Greek name for the Moon as Goddess), by Homer … Read more
Dark shepherdess of many a golden star, Dost see me, Mother Night? ~ From The Electra of Euripides Hail and Merry Meet on this Eve of the Winter Solstice. This is the great celebration of Mother Night. As far as we know, our ancestors did not have atomic clocks or satellites to help them … Read more
As we approach the longest Solstice Night, the Mother Night, we give thanks and bless all that is dark. We heal with our intention “darkness” from its racial wounds and fear spells, and we give honor and praise to the Dark Mother, the Mother of us all. ~ B. A Prayer for Endarkenment by Dr. … Read more
Sparks from the hearth Of the Queen of Death and Life Swarm through the dark, Dance through the Night. by J. Robin Gall from Second Chants, Serpentine Music Productions This is the Great Sabbat of Samhain (pronounced SAH-wen, or SOW (rhymes with cow) -wen), and is the third and final harvest, marking Summer’s end. It … Read more
O Lady Of Mourning we call to Thee By the Cauldron of Hidden Sight O Lady of Keening we call to Thee By the Wings of Endless Flight O Lady of Wisdom we call to Thee By the Cave as dark as Night Cailleach, Crone, Beloved Guardian of the Ford Night Mother, Lover and Wise … Read more
October was the eighth month of the old Roman calendar and was sacred to the goddess Astraea, daughter of Zeus and Themis. Deireadh Fommhair or an Damhair, the stag rut, was the Irish name for this month or the Gealach a ‘bhruic, Moon of the badger. Winterfelleth, “winter is coming,” was the Anglo-Saxon name. (George … Read more
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature. ~ Helen Keller I realize I haven’t spent as much time examining the ins and outs of the Houses this month. And that’s too bad, in a way, because the Ninth House is so … Read more
Hail! Journeyer of the Heavens, Queen of Brightness, King of Beauty! Gifts of gladness richly bringing, Autumn sheaves and red leaves’ fall. Generous be the heart within us, Open be our hands to all, Justice to be in equal measure, Harvest thankfulness our call. ~ Greeting to the Autumn Equinox Caitlín Matthews, A Celtic Devotional … Read more