Yule Ritual

The Quarters

All hail the Northern darkened Earth resting deeply in silence and mystery. I awaken thee and call you here to witness this rite. Join us and be blessed.  [Colors: Brown]

All hail the Eastern skies of wind and storm. Bring with your winds the essence of pine and new growth. Settle here and witness this rite. Join us and be blessed.  [Colors: yellow or black]

All hail the Southern flames. Warm our hearts and bring with you the first glint of light as you witness this rite. Join us and be blessed.  [Colors: Red]

All hail the Western lakes and frozen streams. We welcome your waters as you witness this rite. May your waters soon flow warm and with bounty. Join us and be blessed. [Colors: Blue or yellow]

I invoke thee, o Lord and Lady. I invite you to attend and bless us. Our Circle is cast. (Light Silver & Gold Candles. You may wish to place these candles in a yule log)

On this, the longest winter night, we honor the rest only darkness can bring. We welcome the crone, in her wisdom, as we enter the time our land sleeps in its darkened promise.

For hail and well met, the Sun is reborn this night and brings the birth of new beginnings.

What beginnings do you wish to manifest in your life? The Suns rebirth brings transformation into our lives. Think about how your life can transform from the darkness...into the light.

Each of you, call your spirit guide. Join us and witness and guide us to new beginnings and growth in the coming seasons.

<Each call our guides>
I call the dragonfly whose power is in transformation. Help me to dig deeper into myself and reveal the emotions that lay dormant. I welcome your power of change as I adapt and form into a better version of myself.

If you do not know your guide, as that your guide attend you and reveal themselves. 

As we chase away the darkness so to I ask our troubles to go with the darkness. For with renewed light we have renewed life.

The Yule Tide Wishing Pot

Pick an oil such as pine, frankensense, juniper, sweet orange, or clove. In a large pan combine the oil and 1 cup water. Add orange peel, pine cones, poinsettia flowers, or evergreen needles to the water. (May prepare before ceremony) 

Brothers and Sisters, I ask you now to write one goal and one wish you would like to manifest into your life. Close your eyes and envision yourself manifesting this reality into your life as you place your wish in the wishing pot. (Dig a hole before ceremony in a sacred place)

Place the contents of the pot into the hole and say these words. 

I consecrate these offerings unto they mother's womb. May they bear fruit. Blessed Be.

All hail the Northern Earth, now lightened by the birth of our suns love. I thank you for witnessing this rite. As I release you, go in blessings of love and light.

All hail the Eastern Skies; now calmed and serene. I thank you for witnessing this rite. As I release you go in blessings of love and light.

All hail the Southern flames. As I extinguish your flame, your smoke continues to carry our words here today with you. Thank you for witnessing this rite. As I release you go in blessings of love and light.

All hail the Western lakes and frozen streams. May your waters continue to flow and nurture the land. Thank you for witnessing this rite. As I release you go in blessings of love and light.

I bid you farewell Lord and Lady. Stay if you will, go if you must. Blessings, Love, and Light to all. 

The Lovers Holiday: Beltane

The wheel has turned yet again and now we are at Beltane, celebrated on May 1st. This is a time when the young maiden Goddess has found her lover and as people in love often do, are expressing it in a myriad of different ways.

Remember that fast heartbeat when you first looked upon that gorgeous man or woman who was destined to be your mate? What hurdles did you face when you sought to win their love?

I thought we might celebrate Beltane by talking about our love. Past loves, current loves. Love is not just for those special people in our life either. Maybe its an animal? Share whatever kind of love you wish with us.

Love is in the air and I want you to let it out. Show us your love. What in your life do you wish to bloom?


Either post here or use as a blog prompt, then share your link.

Muslim & Pagan Women Sharing a Common Bond - Spiritual Veiling.

Today Cafemom has a post about American Muslim women, and how they are not brainwashed when they convert to Islam and choose to wear a hijab. Not many people realize that other religions believe in covering as well; including some Pagans who worship Hestia, a Greek virgin Goddess often depicted with a veil. 


 

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Covered in Light is a collaboration of bloggers who veil for religious reasons. Just like American Muslim women, they face discrimination based on their veiling practice. Many are mistaken for Muslim women. Most face people who assume because they are veiled they are abused or subjugated by their husband. 

This is of course untrue. As the writer of the Cafemom article pointed out, these women are making a choice to cover. They are not forced to do anything they do not want to do. Abusive men are in every religion and is not dependent upon the clothing women wear.



There has been one or two times where I wore a shaw over my head while doing a ritual privately. I can certainly understand how covering ones head can bring your mind into a state of spiritual focus - much like wearing a cloak performs the same function.




Have you ever veiled for religious reasons? 

Vagina On My Car Please

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I think we've all noticed many cars with the fish symbol on the back of cars. Its a well known Christian symbol. However like most symbols, its meaning has changed over the years. All symbols seem to be adapted to other uses over time. Usually there's nothing wrong with that.

Christians today use the Ichthys or fish symbol as a sign that the follower has been baptized in the waters of Christs love. However like most other Christian symbols, it has a Pagan origin.

I must admit, till today I didn't know this. We learn something new every day don't we! Nothing wrong with that. So this post is as much a learning experience to me as I hope my readers will learn something as well.

Today I found an intriguing article called Six Famous Symbols That Don't Mean What you Think. 

The Ichthys is actually an ancient fertility symbol of a vagina. I never made the connection till I read that, but I just had to laugh that all these people have a vagina symbol on their car. (Admit it, its pretty funny). I'll never look at the fish symbol the same way again.

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 Atargatis is an ancient Syrian goddess most closely associated with the Ichthys. Her physical form is a mermaid, and her sacred animal is the fish. She is a great mother goddess of fertility, earth and water. Atargatis' worship spread throughout Rome and Greece, so like so many other Goddesses with different names, Atargatis and Aphrodite have been closely linked.


What is something new you've learned recently?

To learn more here's some interesting reading: 

• True Origin of Christian "FISH" Symbol 

• Obscure Goddess Dictionary

Writing: Creation

Once in awhile I get the writing bug but don't want to work on my previous ideas. So I just open a document and write what comes to me. I honestly don't care if its a good or bad story, but I use these little exercises to improve my writing style. I tend to write in the 3rd person, so for today I decided to write in the 1st person.


Tell me what you think. Btw, I couldn't think of a good title so I just picked Creation. If you have a better suggestion I'd love to hear it. In which direction do you think this story might go?

Humans dream up stories of people who live forever. They dream of eternal youth and mythological creatures who mate with humans to give them eternal life. All just fairy tales of course. I am not a fairy tale though. I am as old as the Earth – I am the Earth, in a way. I created her. Don't ask me how. On the first day of my existence I just was. Nothing but blackness and myself existed. I explored myself and my power for many days. Then I decided I needed to create life, and Earth was born.

My options were only limited by my imagination. In those early years I made some very odd choices. Animals that started out small, and then grew so huge they towered over me. I was an ant compared to them. Even the ant I created was huge in comparison to modern standards.

My favorite was the Jurassic period. Such regal creatures. A T-Rex tried to eat me one time. Silly creature - he didn't recognize his Lord and Master. He pissed me off to tell you the truth. So I killed them all off. When you have your version of perfection, life gets really boring. Man dreams of a Utopia society, but if I allowed them to have it they'd hate life.

So I began to create the imperfect world that would be perfect for me. Early man was born, and over the centuries I made little tweaks to my design. When they say that man is made in Gods image, they aren't completely wrong. Man or woman, technically I am both and neither. I am what I wish to be. Most of the time I am feminine. My legs are long, lean and strong. I change my hair color daily depending on my mood. Most of the time I love to be a brunette. I've gone by many names throughout the centuries, but my favorite name is Gaia.

In April of 972 A.D. I attended the marriage of Otto II to Theophano, daughter of Romanus II. During that year I just couldn't get enough of Roman civilization. Theophano had the gall to call my brunette hair a mousy brown. In case all you blondes wonder why so many of you get teased for being a dumb blonde, you have her to thank for that. Now I know what you're thinking, that sounds really petty of me to curse blondes with stupidity. Well, it is. I'm not perfect either. I get angry, I take retribution, but I also have great compassion.

Take for instance, Noah. The people had become cocky and cruel. They had no respect for themselves, the Earth, or myself - except for Noah. I could have killed him and all the animals. I could have started over just like I did with the dinosaurs. But I took pity on man. See? Am I not compassionate to give mankind a second chance? I certainly think so.

Still, sometimes its good that a civilization falls. Take the Mayans for instance. They were so stupid it was really best they not be apart of the gene pool. I arrived as an old Mayan man, a seer by their standards. I played the part and in truth gave them a few true predictions. Which may have been a mistake because soon I became famous. Then came a time when the Mayan King ordered me to attend a party. I was amused to be ordered, but I bit back my irritation at the mans audacity and attended. It was then that the King asked when the world would end. I was flippant and said December 21, 2012. The date was so far away and I was already plotting how I would destroy the Mayan people and culture. How was I suppose to know that date would live on in peoples minds?

People ask me if God can die. I tell them no. At least as far as I know. They ask, but who created God? That's an answer not even I know. What I do know is that its 2012, and I no longer think my date was a flippant remark. At the time I didn't think about it, I just spoke. But everything else I said that night was a true prediction. Maybe the date was true to? I feel a change, and not one I've instigated. Natural disasters are happening without me making it so. I feel my powers are fading. I've been in denial for some time, but I can no longer deny that something is very wrong. But I won't give up, not without a fight. Whatever comes on December 21^st, I'll be ready.

Relationship with Deity

I think most people of any religion will tell you they have some kind of relationship with Deity. But I'm not quite sure we all mean the same thing when we say that. To me, Isis is my mother and best friend all wrapped up into one. She's my sister witch.

When I first made the decision that Eclectic Wicca was my true calling, I sought to make that connection with deity. Who came to me was Isis. During that meditation she introduced herself to me as my sister witch. I want to say almost as an equal because on many levels we are. But she is also my teacher as well.

Today I found myself thinking about that first time with her. I was in her temple and we were bathing in her black pool. For those who do not know, black is the color of creation. So I always associate water with Isis. Today I was at the YMCA pool again and found myself for once alone. I was able to relax a bit and make a tentative connection with her. It wasn't long because your never alone for long in a public pool. But it was good to just touch on that energy even if I didn't get to complete the meditation. I really want to sink into her black pool and revitalize my spirit as I did that first time when we walked into the black pool together, and when I surfaced we were one.

I can feel that connection slipping, and I know its been too long since I've meditated.

I know there are other ways to maintain and strengthen your bond with deity as well. But for Isis, I've always just relied on water meditations. In what ways do you connect with Spirit daily?

When I was a child I used to write a letter to Deity. I had no specific one in mind then, and little did I know I was being a little bit witchy even then. But after writing and reading it aloud I'd burn it. I've been thinking perhaps I should take this up again. I love that a letter can be as personal as you like, doesn't have to rhythm or be anything fancy. It's just like a letter you'd write your mom or best friend.

I wish there were some woods close by. A reconnect with nature would also be helpful! Maybe I can convince Dh to go to Serpent Mound this weekend. 

Goddess of the Rising Sun

For this weeks Pagan Blog Project, I'd like to talk about a Goddess well known for her image. She's the daughter of Ra and is said to have protected Ra from the serpent god Apep on his ride to bring the sun everyday. Therefore she is known as the Goddess of the Rising Sun and the All seeing Eye. If your a cat lover, perhaps you already know who I'm talking about.

She is Bast. Other names associated with her are Bastet and  Basthet. I simply call her the Cat Goddess. To the ancient Egyptians cats were protected, probably because they ate vermin which in turn kept the level of disease down. She's said to have great night vision and is associated with both the Sun and the Moon. 


In mythology Bast kills Apep and is then associated with fertility since her deed insured Ra would bring the sun which in turn helped fertilize the land to grow crops.


Bast is seen as a household protector. Her motherly instincts are often called upon to help with fertility, childbirth and protect the young. 


Bast has a reputation for being sensual. She's is said to be the partner of both men and women. (She had three acknowledged husbands) She's associated with the color red, dancing, and music. 


Bast teaches us to dance to our own beat. Just like a cat who comes when they want, not when called. Our beliefs should be decided on our own, not by what others tell us we should believe. I think every Pagan can learn something from her. In a world where we are pressured to fit in, Bast teaches us how to be comfortable with being ourselves and being proud of that fact. 








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Pagan Art

For this weeks Pagan Blog Project I am focusing on Pagan art. If you do a Google search there are a lot of wonderful artists out there sharing their work. One of my all-time favorites is artist Jonathan Earl Bowser of Jonathanart.com . One of my favorites, and because she is my Patron Goddess, is his picture of Isis.

Artwork © - Jonathon Earl Bowser - www.JonathonArt.com

I love how her dress and wings flow. Mr. Bowser really captured her perfectly as the great mother. All of his Goddesses, women, and the men he draws are wonderful. I highly recommend checking out his website!

I'll leave you with a few quotes about art.


Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.
Thomas Merton

A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me company, comforts and inspires.
Hedy Lamarr

A sincere artist is not one who makes a faithful attempt to put on to canvas what is in front of him, but one who tries to create something which is, in itself, a living thing.
Giorgio Morandi

Pagan Blog Prompt: Art

Prompt: Artwork

Share with us some of your favorite artwork, whether it be pagan in nature, created by a pagan, or otherwise touches your spiritual side. Tell us why you love it so much. And pictures - we love pictures!

I really love this goddess wallpaper. Actually, I think it would be an excellent tattoo if done right. Take out the blue background and a few of the smaller butterflies and fireflies so its not so cluttered and I'd love to have this as a tattoo. :) 

I just love this fairy too. 

A pagan/witchy artwork.

I absolutely love the Goddess art of Jonathan Earl Bowser. His artwork just speaks to me. I could sit and look at it for ages and never tire of it! If I had the money I'd certainly buy a few originals. My all time favorite of course has to be Isis. She is so beautiful here and I love the colors of the sunset and the flowing gown and wings. Its so beautiful! His artwork reminds me of the PBS guy. You know the old hippy? Bob Ross was his name. I loved to watch him on Sunday mornings. While he was painting his "Happy little trees" I was waiting for my mother to pick me up, and bemoaning the fact that I had to leave my great granny. But we had a good time watching TV, sharing stories and just being together. So thinking of art makes me think of my great granny. I really miss her! I think she taught me a lot about how to be a parent. I wish I had all the stories memorized that she did. I slept in her bed when I visited and we would snuggle and she'd tell me little bedtime stories and fairy tales.

Sorry I got off track! That's OK though. :)

Isis. By Jonathan Earl Bowser

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Spells are not Lifes band-aid

I'd like to spend a moment away from the 44 days of witchery to discuss spells, and why I don't share. It isn't that I'm selfish and don't want to share my hard work. Its that I believe if you are casting spells, you should know how to write your own as well as know when you should and should not use them. This means you've already studied, hopefully with another practitioner, and have learned how to create your own spells and the ethics of their use. Not that I have anything against learning from books, but I don't think it should be your only source.

Here's the thing, spells are not natures band-aid for life's troubles. If you only use spells to try to fix your life, then your no different from the people who consider themselves Christian only when they are as my mother says, "Up a shit creek without a paddle."

I don't want to make it sound like its a bad thing to turn to the Lord and Lady for help. Its certainly not. But it is when thats your only reason for doing so. Don't forget that you need to do the work associated with whatever change you wish to bring about. I think we all know it would be nice if we could get instant gratification, but it just doesn't work that way folks.

So remember, honor the God(dess), be thankful, and do the work! Not every situation is appropriate for spells. If you are in doubt, ask a friend. :)

Blessed Be,

SWC

Witchy tools: athame.

My Egyptian Athame

Ok I admit, I don't use an athame often. (remember I'm very eclectic). But I do have this athame I put on my alter when I have space to have my alter things out. I haven't been able to have an alter all year because of our living situation. So right now its home is in a box in the back room. :( I love this athame because it reminds me of the Egyptian gods, and of Isis my patron Goddess. Its not black, but again, I'm not traditional. It works just fine for me. :)

Its other use for me is opening and closing circles. Its an extension of my hand so to speak. And I really like the silver better than black. I think because most athames with a black handle I see are plastic or leather wrapped. I'd much rather have metal vs leather. And I definitely wouldn't use anything with plastic! 

Salem's 44 Days of Witchery

Salem's 44 Days of Witchery

Here's the list, snagged from The Pagan Blog Directory: and A Pagan Mothers Life

1. What’s your witchy background?
2. A myth or story from folklore.
3. Witchy tools: athame.
4. Picture of nature (water element).
5. A favourite Goddess.
6. A favourite God.
7. Air element.
8. A photo of a magical place outdoors.
9. A favourite mythological animal.
10. Your sun sign.
11. Witchy tools: oils.
12. Picture of nature (air element).
13. What are some of the witchy books that influenced you?
14. A favourite pagan holiday that you celebrate.
15. Thoughts on the afterlife?
16. Favourite witchy website(s).
17. Picture of nature (fire element).
18. Have you had any paranormal experiences?
19. Fire element.
20. A picture of a tarot or oracle card, and its meaning.
21. A favourite scent.
22. Current moon phase.
23. A favourite candle.
24. Your moon sign.
25. How do your close ones feel about your witchy path? Do they know? Why or why not?
26. A witchy podcast.
27. Picture of nature (earth element).
28. A picture of a witchy I-Want-It-Now!
29. Water element.
30. Witchy tools: wand.
31. A favourite pagan/witchy movie.
32. A pagan/witchy artwork.
33. Faerie of your choice.
34. Rune of your choice.
35. Something that I think people who don’t know much about paganism/witchcraft should know.
36. Flower of your choice, and its magical properties.
37. A famous pagan/witch!
38. Witchy tools: cauldron.
39. Something that inspires you.
40. Your altar, if you have one!
41. A spell you’ve done.
42. A favourite nature spirit.
43. A magical recipe.
44. Witch’s choice!

Once I get Rabbit down for his nap, I think I'll be partaking in this challenge. I posted it here so I would remember all the topics for the 44 days :) I'm actually excited about having something new for my blog every day!