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
And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.— William Shakespeare Beltane, the counterpart to Samhain, which Pagans and Witches south of the Equator are now celebrating, is one of the Greater Wiccan Sabbats and is usually celebrated on May … Read more
Do you not see how mighty is the Goddess Aphrodite? She sows and gives that love from which all we upon this earth are born. — Empedocles ca. 490-430 BCE Instead of honoring the various Christian martyrs named St. Valentine on this date, let us celebrate what we REALLY want this day to be about: … Read more
Triple Goddess, © BriarThere, at the foot of the tree, belonging to no man,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 is the time to prepare for Imbolc, sometimes called … Read more
This is the 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 dissect Time to the nanosecond. Instead, they had to figure by their keen observation, by dead reckoning, by the plants and animals, … Read more
Hail Mother, who art the earth, Hallowed be thy soil, rock and flora that nourish and support all life. Blessed be thy wind that gives us breath and thy watersthat quench, bathe and refresh all living things. Holy Earth – as one – we praiseyour majesty, grace and wonder.— Bill Faherty If the Romans could … Read more
©Flora – Genevieve AmyI am the handmaid of the EarthI broider fair Her glorious gownAnd deck Her on Her days of mirthWith many a garland of renown. And while earth’s little ones are fainAnd play about the Mother’s hemI scatter every gift I gainFrom sun and wind to gladden them.– William MorrisThe Floralia was the … Read more
When in the springtime of the yearWhen the trees are crowned with leavesWhen the ash and oak, and the birch and yewAre dressed in ribbons fair…–Loreena McKinnett In all the Beltane excitement, we mustn’t forget the other gifts of this most magical time, including the ancient Roman rites of the Floralia. Usually celebrated from April … Read more
Through the beauty of a woman —the best way to give content to the Absolute. — Saundarya LahariAs we approach the Great Sabbat of Beltane, we rejoice in the Maiden aspect of the Goddess, for now She is the bride filled with love and longing, like beautiful Parvati. Our story so far… The Great God … Read more