I am the hallow-tide of all souls passing, I am the bright releaser of all pain, I am the quickener of the fallen seed-case, I am the glance of snow, the strike of rain. I am the hollow of the winter twilight, I am the hearth-fire and the welcome bread, I am the curtained awning … Read more
Once more the liberal year laughs out O’er richer stores than gems or gold: Once more with harvest song and shout Is nature’s boldest triumph told. ~ John Greenleaf Whittier Today is the Equinox, taken from the Latin for “equal night.” It is the Autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere, and the Spring equinox below … Read more
With this Moon, we enter into the magical time of Mabon. (I’ll be writing lots more about this lovely holiday in the days ahead). Known by many names the world over, including the Barley Moon, the Corn Moon, the Wine Moon, and the Hunter’s Moon, the Harvest Moon is the Full Moon closest to the … Read more
As the sun spirals its longest dance, Cleanse us! As nature shows bounty and fertility Bless us! Let all things live with loving intent And to fulfill their truest destiny. ~ from a Wiccan Summer Blessing (as reported by the BBC) Happy Litha (Summer Solstice) to those of us in the northern hemisphere, and Happy … Read more
I must go seek some dewdrops here And hang a pearl in every cowslip’s ear. Farewell, thou lob of spirits; I’ll be gone: Our queen and all our elves come here anon. ~ From A Midsummer Night’s Eve, by William Shakespeare Today is the last day of Spring in the lands above the Equator. … Read more
Hail Thalia, Grace of Flowering and Mirth! Hail to The Lord and The Lady! Hail to the King and Queen of Faery, to blessed Flora, and to Maia Majestas! Hail to the Summer! Hail to the Summer! The season that drives The cold Winter away! Hail to the Summer! Hail to the Summer! Light your … Read more
New life we see, in flower and tree And summer comes again. Be free and fair, like earth and air, The sunshine and the rain. Upon the eve of May, We’ll merry meet, and summer greet, For ever and a day. ~ Anonymous, quoted by Doreen Valiente in Witchcraft For Tomorrow Today is the start … Read more
A Seed for Spring Equinox ©Annie Finch Thrusting through the season where I’d waited for spring, tucking up my head, I felt the slanted weight of clouds pressing through the sky above me down towards this grave, till I feel the earth around the place my head has lain under winter’s touch, and it crumbles. … Read more
Brighid of the mantle, encompass us; Lady of the lambs, protect us; Keeper of the hearth, kindle us; Beneath your mantle, gather us; And restore us to memory. ~ Caitlín Matthews, A Blessing for Hearth Keepers Today we celebrate the great Sabbat called Imbolc, Oimelc, or Brigid, or the more Christianized name of Candlemas. By … Read more
Once again, as I have for many years, I am joining in the Poetry for Brigid Festival. This is an annual world-wide event in honor of the Patron Saint of Ireland and Goddess of healing, smithcraft, and poetry (to name a few of Her purviews). It is held throughout Imbolc, since Her traditional feast day … Read more