Demeter Thesmophoros Ah! Beautiful Thesmophorae! Grant me your favors, protect me, both within the temple and on my way back…Mighty divinity, oh, Demeter, and thou, Persephone, grant that I may be able to offer you many sacrifices… — Aristophanes, from Women at the Thesmophoria In ancient Greece, the Thesmophoria was performed annually at this time. … 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
Please do not offer my God a peanut.— Apu, from The Simpsons Today is Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival that celebrates the birthday of the great Hindu God, Ganesh. Also known as Ganapati and Ganesha, He is the son of Shiva and Parvati. He is the Lord of success, destroyer of evils and remover of obstacles. … Read more
Virgo – from the zodiac window at Chartres CathedralDo not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. — Mother Theresa, spoken like the true Virgo she was Today, the Sun enters the sign of Virgo, and so we enter into, according to some traditions, the Month of Isis, a time of the creative … Read more
As you have sown, so shall you reap.— Marcus Tullius CiceroAccording to Dan Furst’s Hermes World Calendar, in the Zoroastrian calendar of ancient Persia, the day before the Sun exits Leo and enters Virgo is considered the climactic moment of Solar radiance and power, and is celebrated as the first day of the New Year. … Read more
Every man is a quotation from all his ancestors. — Ralph Waldo Emerson On the Indonesian island of Bali, today is one of the most important holidays of the year. Galungan commemorates the triumph of good (Dharma) over evil (Adharma). It is based on the myth of the demon king “Mayadenawa.” Mayadenawa was very cruel, … Read more
The Grace of Festivity and Cheer, Euphrosyne now leads our journey of a year and a day to Graceland. Pronounced “you FRAHS uh nee,” She welcomes us as we honor the turning of the Wheel of the Year, and will reveal to us the rich diversity with which cultures throughout the world now begin a … Read more
He saw the garden of Eden…and…came to a tall, dark tree..and told to go up…near the top of tree a beautiful woman, like the Goddess of Life…gave him a rose.— W. B. Yeats Like the Rosicrucians, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn used the rosy cross as a representative symbol. They also had a … Read more
Making your own incense is very easy, and using the powerful energy of roses, it will bring a boost to your rituals and magic, especially those rites you wish to keep “sub rosa,” as we have been discussing. Mix and store only in a clean glass container. Plastic is not only NOT airtight, but it … Read more
Rose Petal Love Spellfrom The Spells Bible, by Ann-Marie Gallagher Intention:To help those who are single and ready for true love send out the magical message that you are now ready to settle down with the right person. Ingredients:One red candle (6-8″ in length)Matches/ lighterOne quarter wineglass of pure spring waterPetals from 6 red roses, … Read more