Hand in hand, with Fairy grace, Will we sing, and bless this place. ~ Titania, from William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, today is the last day of Spring. This is Midsummer’s Eve, the night before the sabbat of Litha (Summer Solstice). Besides Samhain and Beltane, this … Read more
Song of Beltane by the glorious Caitlín Matthews from Celtic Devotional: Daily Prayers and Blessings I am the calm, I am the quickening, I am the intoxication and the force, I am the silence, I am the singer, I am the stallion galloping to its source. I am the bright pavilion and the feasting, I … Read more
Glad Bringer of Brightness, hail! Maiden of Grace, Lad of Laughter, Gifts of vigor are returning, Spring’s surprise, rainbow’s embrace. Quickened by the heart within us, Opened be our souls to grace, May the blessing be abiding, Welcome sit in every face. Greetings to the Spring Equinox By Caitlín Matthews, Celtic Devotional: Daily Prayers and … Read more
Hail Holy Ostara! Hail the daughter born at Delling’s door, At the gate of day who bears the morning light! Hail Ostara, Lady of the Spring Dawn! ~ Heathen Kinship Blessings As you probably know, the Vernal Equinox arrives on Tuesday, March 20 (at 1:15am, Eastern time). For Pagans, Witches, and many other Earth-centered spiritual … Read more
Dark shepherdess of many a golden star, Dost see me, Mother Night? ~ From The Electra of Euripides Hail and Merry Meet on this 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 … Read more
Sparks from the hearth Of the Queen of Death and Life Swarm through the dark, Dance through the Night. by J. Robin Gall from Second Chants, Serpentine Music Productions This is the Great Sabbat of Samhain (pronounced SAH-wen, or SOW (rhymes with cow) -wen), and is the third and final harvest, marking Summer’s end. It … Read more
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. ~ Exodus 22:10 As you may be well aware, tomorrow is that most holy and ancient holiday of the Celtic calendar – Samhain. While our modern technology tells us what time it is, and that such-and-such is the date, to our ancestors, the time was known by … 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
Because I am very public about my practice of Witchcraft, people frequently ask me where they can find a coven, a grove, a circle, or other group with whom to study, worship and practice magic. It’s not always easy. In America (at least until the next election), we no longer condemn Craft practitioners to capital … Read more
Threshold Invocation for Lughnasadh from A Celtic Devotional: Daily Prayers and Blessings, by Caitlín Matthews To be spoken at the front door of the home on the eve of Lughnasadh (July 31), in the evening: Lady of the Land, open the door, Lord of the Forest, come you in. Let there be welcome to the … Read more