Ha! A rush of blissflows suddenly through all my senses!I feel a glow, a holy joy of lifewhich sets my veins and flesh afire.Was it a god that drew these signswhich soothe my inward ragingand fill my wretched heart with joy,and with mysterious strengthreveal about me Nature’s pulse?Am I a god? The light pervades me … Read more
O Yuletide Tree, O Yuletide TreeEvergreen and fragrantO Yuletide Tree, O Yuletide TreeEvergreen and fragrantWe bring you in our home to beA sign of life’s eternityO Yuletide Tree, O Yuletide TreeForever green and lovely. Evergreens have long been part of Winter Solstice celebrations. The evergreen trees, such as fir, pine and cedar or juniper, keep … Read more
O Christmas Tree © Rachel Cochrane Pagans sing, are you listenin’,Altar’s set, candles glisten,It’s a Magickal night, we’re having tonight,Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland. Blades held high, censer smoking,God and Goddess, we’re invoking,Through Elements Five, we celebrate life,Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland. In a Circle we can light a Yule Fire,And await the rising of … Read more
We are a circleWithin a circle,With no beginning,And never ending… — Circle Chant by Rick Hamouris For our magical working (see yesterday’s post), you will need a wreath and five candles. You may be familiar with the Christian tradition of lighting candles on an Advent wreath. Our spell will be a reclaiming of that practice, … Read more
Nothing amuses me more than the easy manner with which everybody settles the abundance of those who have a great deal less than themselves. — Jane Austen According to Dan Furst, whose terrific Universal Festival Calendar website is one of my favorite places to explore, the most important planetary change of the year comes today, … Read more
What a wonderful life I’ve had! If only I’d realized it sooner! — Colette As Lughnassadh reminds us, the Wheel is turning, and while summer’s heat continues as if it will last forever, there is already a feverishness about it. The birds, the creatures of fields and forests, and even the Green Ones are now … Read more
Summer set lip to earth’s bosom bare,And left the flushed print in a poppy there.— Francis Thompson (1859-1907)Like those moments when other riders are climbing on and off of a Ferris wheel, we have slowly come to the very top of our ride and pause here for a few moments more. We know the descent … Read more
The young maid stole through the cottage door,And blushed as she sought the Plant of pow’r; —“Thou silver glow-worm, O lend me thy light,I must gather the mystic St. John’s wort tonight,The wonderful herb, whose leaf will decideIf the coming year shall make me a bride.”— Old German St. John’s Eve divination spell Today is … Read more
Amazing Grace, how sweet the EarthThat birthed a Witch like me.I once was burned, now I surviveWas hanged, but now I’m free. T’was grace that drew down the MoonAnd grace that raised the sea,The magic of our people’s willWill set our Mother free. Rejoice! Rejoice! Blessings of Litha! May the children of Earth awaken, rise … Read more
Up the airy mountain,Down the rushy glen,We daren’t go a-huntingFor fear of little men;Wee folk, good folk,Trooping all together;Green jacket, red cap,And grey cock’s feather!— William Allingham (1824–1889) In every culture throughout human history, there are legends of beings who resemble us, but who are not precisely human. Besides the familiar European faery races, as … Read more