It's Yule Time

It's Yule time and that means snow, holly and mistle-toe. But do you know what else?

Lesser Sabbat – Winter Solstice, circa Dec 21

Other Names:
Jul (“wheel”, Old Norse), Saturnalia(Rome ~December 17 & 18), Yuletide(Teutonic), Midwinter, Fionn’s Day, Alban huan, Christmas (Christian~December 25), Xmas, Festival of Sol, Solar/Secular/Pagan New Year

Animals/Mythical beings:
yule goat (nordic), reindeer stag, squirrels, yule cat, Sacred White Buffalo, Kallikantzaroi-ugly chaos monsters(greek), trolls, phoenix, yule elf, jule gnome, squirrels, wren/robin

Gemstones:
cat’s eye, ruby, diamond, garnet, bloodstone

Incense/Oils:
bayberry, cedar, ginger, cinnamon, pine, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, nutmeg, wintergreen, saffron

Colors:
gold, silver, red, green, white

Tools,Symbols, & Decorations:
bayberry candles, evergreens, holly, mistletoe, poinsettia,mistletoe, lights, gifts, Yule log, Yule tree. spinning wheels, wreaths, bells, mother & child images

Goddesses:
Great Mother, Befana (strega), Holda (teutonic), Isis(egyptian), Triple Goddess, Mary(christian), Tonazin(mexican), Lucina(roman), St. Lucy (swedish),Bona Dea (roman), Mother Earth, Eve(Hebrew), Ops(roman Holy Mother), the Snow Queen, Hertha (German), Frey (Norse)

Gods:
Sun Child, Saturn(rome), Cronos (Greek), Horus/Ra(egyptian), Jesus(christian-gnostic), Mithras(persian), Balder(Norse), Santa Claus/Odin(teutonic), Holly King, Sol Invicta, Janus(God of Beginnings), Marduk (Babylonian)Old Man Winter

Essence:
honor, rebirth, transformation, light out of darkness, creative inspiration, the mysteries, new life, regeneration, inner renewal, reflection/introspection

Dynamics/Meaning:
death of the Holly (winter) King; reign of the Oak (summer) King), begin the ordeal of the Green Man, death & rebirth of the Sun God; night of greatest lunar imbalance; sun’s rebirth; shortest day of year

Purpose:
honor the Triple Goddess, welcome the Sun Child

Rituals/Magicks:
personal renewal, world peace, honoring family & friends, Festival of light, meditation

Customs:
lights, gift-exchanging, singing, feasting, resolutions, new fires kindled, strengthening family & friend bonds, generosity, yule log, hanging mistletoe, apple wassailing, burning candles, Yule tree decorating; kissing under mistletoe; needfire at dawn vigil; bell ringing/sleigh-bells; father yule

Foods:
nuts, apple, pear, caraway cakes soaked with cider, pork, orange, hibiscus or ginger tea, roasted turkey, nuts, fruitcake, dried fruit, cookies, eggnog, mulled wine

Herbs:
blessed thistle, evergreen, moss, oak, sage, bay, bayberry, cedar, pine, frankincense, ginger, holly, ivy, juniper, mistletoe, myrrh, pinecones, rosemary, chamomile, cinnamon, valarion, yarrow

Element:
earth

Threshold:
dawn

Get out and enioy this beautiful time of year.

Blessed Be

Grayce

the Snow Moon in all Her Glory!

Tonight is the full moon, and it is amazing!

The Snow Moon

In all Her Glory!

The plane trails made an amazing back drop!

The "star" up in the top right hand side, is actually Jupiter.

Check out this site for some great info on the night sky!

What is Wicca to me?

I had a very lovely lady ask me what Wicca is. I would like to answer her, from my heart.
*Please remember that there are hundreds of thousands of people out there that are Wiccan and my interpretations are just that, mine. I do not want to offend anyone, so please read with an open heart.

Wicca to me is a a nature based religion. Where I see the Divine light within all things. Every thing in the universe is made of energy; humans, animals, plants and even rocks. We are all part of the One and the One is part of us. I don't worship rocks or animals but I worship the Divine source within all things. I treasure the beauty around me. I admire a beautiful sunset and know that I can find that beauty within myself and all things around me.

As embodiments of the Universe, the Goddess and God dwell everywhere and are within everything. This means that while they are many beautiful and bountiful things, they are also the raging storm, the thundering Earth, and the sweeping fire. They are joyous birth and wasting disease, because all are part of the natural cycle of life.

My patron Goddess, Athena, is the representation of the things that I hold dear. She is Wisdom and Knowledge. The things I long to be. She is Strong, Powerful and a Protector. She allows me to draw the power that is within me to be the best that I can be.

I have not found a personal God yet. But I know that the world is made up of both feminine and masculine energy. I honor the Sun and the Hunter God. For I know that without the Sun we would not have the heat to live and without the Hunter God we would not have food to eat.

-As for the term "Horned God"; he is the God of the Hunt, the masculinity of the world.  Not the "horned god" known to Christan's as the devil, Lucifer or Satan. For that is a Christan deity and since I am not Christian, I do not worship or even deal with that entity. The horns on the Horned God are those of a deer or an elk, representing the hunt and the wild beasts.

As for Jesus, I was raised Christan so I know of the many teachings of Jesus. I believe in him, but not as a Christan does. I do not believe that Jesus is the son of God, that to believe in him is the only way to be saved. Remember what I said above, all is energy and energy can not be destroyed, thus we are all saved. But back to Jesus, I do believe he was a prophet of peace, I believe that he was a man who wanted to teach people to be and do better, to teach love and overall peace. I feel the same way about the Budda.

-As for Witchcraft. There are Wiccans that are witches but not all witches are Wiccans. I know that sounds a bit confusing, but it is true. There are people that perform witchcraft ; "The craft of the Witch; Magic, especially magic utilizing Personal Power in conjunction with energies within stones, herbs, colors and other natural objects. While this may have spiritual overtones, Witchcraft, using this definition, isn‘t a religion" Scott Cunningham.

Now I think I need to do some more defining for you. Magic is simply the manipulation of the energies that surround us. Much like the big secret in the book The Secret.  By the way it really isn't a secret, witches have known and utilized this for millennia. Basically what magic is; is the power of the mind to direct the energies of the universe. Have you ever wanted to talk to someone just to have the phone ring and it is that person. Or maybe you know what someone is going to say before they say it? That's magic. There is no such thing as deja vu, it is simply your mind tapping into the energies around you and you are directing it. (please remember this is my interpretation of it.)



Back to what I was saying there are people that simply use witchcraft for the sole purpose of directing their life to become what they want. **Now, unfortunately there are people out there that use this knowledge for bad or hurtful purposes. But please know there are bad people in every religion in the world. There are wars fought everyday in the name of religion. Please don't judge all based on the rare few!**

As for me, I consider myself Wiccan (now there are people out there that say you can't be Wiccan and solitary at the same time, but like I posted earlier, to each their own. Tolerance people, it's called tolerance.) Anyway. Wicca is the "craft of the wise." It is the nature religions that were practices in Nothern Europe and the Middle east from the time of the ice ages. It is a nature based religion (Pagan), the knowledge of a Goddess and God. Acceptance of reincarnation and the knowledge of Magic.

Now I use the word knowledge instead of belief for a very specific reason. To believe in something, means there is a possibility, no matter how small, that it could be incorrect. To know something is true is a powerful thing. "A belief in God is one thing; the knowledge of a personal relationship with Him or Her is quite another...Belief is no more a part of Magic than it is a part of computer repair." Scott Cunningham.

"Wiccans learn from and revere the gift of nature from divine creation by celebrating the cycles of the sun, moon and seasons. We search within ourselves for the cycles that correspond to those of the natural world and try to live in harmony with the movement of this universal energy. Our teachers are the trees, rivers, lakes, meadows, mountains and animals as well as others who have walked this path before us. This belief creates a reverence and respect for the environment, and all life upon the Earth." The Celtic Connection (an amazing website for more on Wicca).

We also work with and cherish the elements of Nature; Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. We know that to use them properly you can effectively create Magic. In all things there is the spark of the Divine. Each color, scent and type; of crystal, herb, candle, (any tool used in magic) has a specific connection with the Divine. Each has their own property and power. The use a a certain color, scent, type of tool can add energy to a ritual. It is now well known now that color has an effect on mood, and people from doctors (color of patients rooms) to interior designers (color of kitchens) are using this knowledge to enhance peoples lives. Well the fact is color has an effect on alot more than just mood and Witches have known and utilize this knowledge for centuries.

Instead of going to a church to perform rituals, such as praying or performing the rosary as you might do, I perform my rituals in a sacred space that I make in my living room, under a tree, or in a wide open meadow under the stars. My rituals include anything from a dance to a sacred poem. A single candles flame to a huge bonfire. I celebrate the turning of the wheel of the year and the cycles of the Moon. I cherish every living things and tend to all things upon this earth. I am a mother, a friend, a Pagan, a Witch and a Wiccan.

I really hope that this cleared up some uncertainties that you might have had. And sparked your interest in what I and hundreds of other people believe.

Thank you for being open to my way of life. It is refreshing to know that mangled within all the destruction of hurtful words and actions, there are still good souls that are willing to accept me as I am.

If you are interested, I am reading an amazing book right now called The Truth about Witchcraft Today by Scott Cunningham. You might want to pick up a copy just so you can read about what Witchcraft is and what it is not, maybe to ease your mind, that I am not a crazy nut ;)

May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine on your windowpane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
May your heart be filled with gladness to cheer you.

-an old Irish Blessing

Blessed Be

Grayce

frustration

Well I must take a moment and comment on a little thing called intolerance. I live in Utah, where we are surrounded by people who are unwilling to accept others that are different than themselves. Now I know that there are many people and religions that are just like this but I never thought that there would be these kinds of people in the very tolerant and accepting path, called Wicca. Well I was sorely reminded that there are all types of people everywhere. Even in places you'd like to believe they weren't

I was in a discussion board when I read someones comments about how Solitary Wicca is not in fact Wicca. She says she is a Traditional Wiccan, initiated and a high priestess. That if one is not iniciated and learn from another person, you are not truely wiccan but instead just a Pagan.

Well, I disagree. Wicca is a very peaceful, harmonious and balanced way of life which promotes oneness with the divine and all which exists.

"Witchcraft in ancient history was known as "The Craft of the Wise" because most who followed the path were in tune with the forces of nature, had a knowledge of Herbs and medicines, gave council and were valuable parts of the village and community as Shamanic healers and leaders. They understood that mankind is not superior to nature, the earth and its creatures but instead we are simply one of the many parts, both seen and unseen that combine to make the whole. As Chief Seattle said; "We do not own the earth, we are part of it." These wise people understood that what we take or use, we must return in kind to maintain balance and equilibrium."

"Wiccan believe that the spirit of the One, Goddess and God exist in all things. In the trees, rain, flowers, the sea, in each other and all of natures creatures. This means that we must treat "all things" of the Earth as aspects of the divine. We attempt to honor and respect life in all its many manifestations both seen and unseen.

Wiccan learn from and revere the gift of nature from divine creation by celebrating the cycles of the sun, moon and seasons. We search within ourselves for the cycles that correspond to those of the natural world and try to live in harmony with the movement of this universal energy. Our teachers are the trees, rivers, lakes, meadows, mountains and animals as well as others who have walked this path before us. This belief creates a reverence and respect for the environment, and all life upon the Earth.

We also revere the spirits of the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water which combine to manifest all creation. From these four elements we obtain insight to the rhythms of nature and understand they are also the rhythms of our own lives."

And I could not agree more with: "Because Witches have been persecuted for so many centuries, we believe in religious freedom first! We do not look at our path as the only way to achieve spirituality, but as one path among many to the same end. We are not a missionary religion out to convert new members to think the same as we do. We are willing to share our experience and knowledge with those who seek our wisdom and perspective however. We believe that anyone who is meant for this path will find it through their own search as the Goddess speaks to each of us in her time and way. Wiccan practice tolerance and acceptance toward all other religions as long as those faiths do not persecute others or violate the tenant of "Harm None."
Thanks Herne at The Celtic Connection.

All you have to do is type "what is wicca" into a google search and you will find MANY different website and books saying the same thing.

If you want to know what was said on this discussion board, visit it here and continued here.

I'm sorry if I am rambling, but I am just disappointed from the inability of some people to accept others just as they are.

Like I said in the post; "may your path be bright and may you find peace within your heart."

Blessed Be

Grayce

Lughnasadh Thanksgiving Ritual

I know that I am a little late in posting a Lughnasadh ritual but as I am working on my Book of Shadows, I wanted to share this one. So save it til next year.

A Lughnasadh Thanksgiving

Needed:

Gold God Candle
Silver Goddess Candle
Handmade Loaf of bread
Offering plate
Wand

Cast Circle (any way that your tradition calls for)

Invoke quarters (however your tradition call for)

Invite/invoke Goddess and God;

Light Goddess Candle, say: “Great Mother Goddess, Goddess of the Moon, the Waters and the Earth. Today I honor the Grain Goddess. She weakens as the days are growing short. She is Demeter, and She is the Moon Goddess, I invite you into my circle”

Light God Candle, Say: “Glorious Father god, God of the Sun, the Forests, and the Mountains. Today I honor the Corn King, and give Him thanks for His yearly sacrifice. He is Lugh, and He is the Sun God. I invite you into my circle”

Pick up wand, say; “I come forth with wand in hand and dance upon the Goddess' Land to mark the turning of the year Lughnasadh now is here!"

“Blessed be this season of Lughnasadh and the bounty of the First Harvest,

Fruit of the womb of the Mother -
Blessed be Mother Earth,
Blessed be Father God!”

Place hands over your heart and say,

"I am grateful for so many things which our gracious Lord and Lady have bestowed upon me. Our Lord has generously given us His light and protection at Midsummer so that our loving Lady could bless us with Her essence once again."

Pick up the loaf of bread and say;

"I will count my many blessings on this sabbat of bounty."

Hold the loaf of bread and recite all the many things that you are thankful for. When finished, break off a piece and take a bite. Then place the loaf back on the altar while saying,

"Blessed be the fruitful Mother,
Blessed be the God of the Harvest!"

Break off another piece and place it on a plate to give back to the Earth after ritual, say;

"I give this bounty of the land back to our Mother Earth and Her consort and ask that it be shared with the Faeries of the Fields and the animals of the woodland -
Offerings given in love return three-fold,
Blessed be this gift."

Release Goddess and God, say;

"I am a child of deity,

I am part of the creative life force which moves the Universe;
I am part of all that is.
Though we are apart, we are ever together –
Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again -
Blessed be!"

Release quarters

Close circle

Place offering plate outside.

Share the remaining bread with your family at meals; be thankful for all that is around you.  


Blessed Be

g

Book of Shadows

Working on my Book of Shadows. Since my Patron Goddess is Athena, my book is adorned with an owl and filled with magical words and workings.
Have you written yours?? What does it look like? It is best to hand write your book. But if you are the computer type you can use your computer. But it is best to handwrite your spells, they say it puts that much more heart into your magic.

I have researched what should be in your Book of Shadows. There are many different sites out there with words of advice and structure and such, but what I found was, Make your book yours! What feels right is what should be in your book.

Here is just a sample of my structure (so far), just an outline;



Again, what ever feels right, put that in your book.

Blessed Be

g

Something wicked this way comes...

My favorite sabbat is just around the corner!!

Samhain (pronounced Sow-een, Sow-in, sah-ven, sa-ween or for some even Sam-hayne) is a cross quarter marking the halfway point between the Autumnal Equinox and Winter Solstice. "Samhain" or "Samhuinn" is Celtic meaning "Summer's End", it marks the end of the growing season, the beginning of the Celtic Winter (the Celtic peoples lived with two seasons, Summer and Winter).

Also known as the Witches' New Year, this is when the God symbolically dies (to be reborn at Yule) and the Goddess enters her Crone phase, we (in the Northern Hemisphere) are entering the dark half of the year.

Rememberance is the keyword here, we remember and honor the by animals, plants and the earth who provided us our nourishment and sustained for the last year. We also remember our loved ones who have passed as the *veil* between here and the spirit world is thin.

It is also a night for divination, many scry for their year ahead.

There is much planning for me to do for this years festivities and I am very excited. To start, here are two wonderful incense recipes to try.

Samhain Incense

3 Parts Frankincense
2 parts Myrrh
1 Part Rosemary
1 Part Cedar
1 Part Juniper

Crush all ingredients together until ground to a fine paste, its best to use a Mortar and Pestle for this if you have one available. Burn upon lit charcoal blocks within a fire proof container.

SOURCE: unknown

Samhain Incense 2

3 parts Rosemary
3 parts Pine
3 parts Bay
3 parts Apple
2 drops Patchouli Oil

SOURCE: unknown

Blessed Be

g