There, 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 get ready … Read more
Join together beneath the mistletoe, By the holy oak whereon it grows. Seven Druids dance in seven time. Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming. Ring out these bells. Ring out, ring Solstice bells. Ring Solstice bells. — Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull ©1977 Ring the bells of joy and blessings! Throw open the Gates … Read more
The walls between the worlds are thinned; The Gods’ might is at its peak, The wights and the dead walk freely among the living. Let us remember them on this Mother Night. ~ from a Heathen rite posted on the Internet some years ago, original source unknown. This is the Eve of the Winter Solstice. … Read more
Tonight, we begin the annual Solstice Sun-Wheel Prayer! And so, on Day 25 of my month of Thanksgivings, I am overflowing with gratitude to all who have participated in the past, and who are planning to join us this year! Inspired originally by Beltane Papers founder, the late Helen Farias, and the wonderful Waverly FitzGerald, I have found … Read more
One of my favorite parts of my spiritual practice is the creating of shrines and altars. It marries my inner Martha Stewart with my Priestess self in creative, soul-nurturing ways. When I was younger, the idea of having a home altar in our Episcopalian house would have been shocking and faintly sacrilegious. But non-Protestants the … Read more
Samhain Blessings to All! Today is the Great Festival of Samhain (pronounced SAH-wen, or SOW-wen), which marks the third and final harvest and summer’s end. This is the ancient Celtic New Year and also the New Year for many traditions of modern Pagans and Witches. This is the midpoint between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice … Read more
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. – Exodus 22:18 On this day in 1985, the American House and Senate dropped the “Helms amendment,” which would have specifically barred the IRS from granting tax-exempt status to groups that promote Witchcraft. And on this day in 1998, only fourteen years ago, the Vatican finally took … 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
Lammas Bread Blessing Bless the earth that grows the grain, Bless the water that gives us rain, Bless the wind that helps seed spread, Bless the fire that bakes our bread. – Words by Diane Baker, music by Anne Hill, Serpentine Music The Wheel of the Year turns today, and across the Northern Hemisphere, we … Read more
Goddess Sunday is taking a break, as I prepare for my holiday and holy days of retreat. I will be offline for several weeks (!), except for the Tarot Card of the Week, and, who knows, the occasional drop-by. As the cross-quarter holiday of Lughnasadh approaches, I am reminded of dear Caitlín Matthews’ post for … Read more