THE WITCH'S CORNER

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Blessings,
Lady Amythyst Raine

Date:  October 31

Items needed:  The regular ritual tools, plus a plate of bread and salt, the cauldron with white, black, and red candles around it, and a green candle to put inside it.

History:  The Celtic word Samhain (pronounced Sou-wen) actually means “Summer’s End”.  It is one of the four great Sabbats of Celtic countries.  Today it is called Halloween, which is derived from All Hallows Eve, a name given it by the Christian Church when people refused to stop using this day to honor the ancestors.  It is also called “The Witch’s New Year”. Tradition says that the Veil between the worlds is thinnest at this time, making possible communication with the dead.  It is also an excellent time for divination.  The Crone aspect of the Goddess rules now.

Cast a circle.

After creating the circle, light the white candle beside the cauldron and say:

“I honor the Maiden of new beginninsg and the planted seed.”

Light the red candle beside the cauldron and say:

“I honor the mother of magic, prosperity, and fertility.”

Light the black candle beside the cauldron and say:

“I honor the Wise Crone of wisdom, death, and rebirth.  I welcome the Goddess in all Her aspects.”

Light the green candle inside the cauldron and say:

“I honor the God, Lord of the Wild Hunt, who gathers souls at the time of destiny.  With love, He guides those souls into the Otherworld, where they will again be born at the proper time and place.”

Raise your arms and say:

“This is the Feast of the Dead, the night of the ever-turning year wheel, the night of the Thin Veil.  The gates between the worlds are open this night.  The footsteps of my ancestors rustle in the fallen autumn leaves.  The winds carry their voices into this world.  All those who wish me well are welcome within the sacred circle.”

Place the plate of bread and salt on the pentacle, saying:

“The Veil is lifted that my loved ones and friends in the Otherworld may know I have not forgotten them.  I await their voices that I may know they have not forgotten me.”

Dip a piece of bread into the salt, saying:

“Bread of the earth and salt of the sea, all creatures are born of these Elements.  The bread gives strength and form to our bodies, while the salt reminds us of the magical blood of the Goddess that creates us within Her cauldron of rebirth.”

Eat the bread.

Set the chalice of wine on the pentacle.  Take the dagger and gently touch the tip to the wine/juice, saying:

“As this athame is the male, so this cup is the female, and joined they bring blessings.”

Raise the chalice high over the altar and say:

“To the Old Ones!  Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again!  Blessed be!

Drink a little of the wine/juice, saving some for the nature spirits.

Gaze upon the cauldron and the four colored candles.  Say:

“Life is an unending circle of birth, death, and rebirth. Those who are called to the Otherworld are never lost to us forever.  The Goddess gives us this night to open our inner ears and hear our loved ones once more.  The Lady and the Lord protect me with Their gentle hands, guide my steps, hear my desires.  For this I give Them honor and love.”

Tap the pentacle gently with your wand or dagger.  Say:

“Give me true inner vision so that I may see into the future and the past.  Lead me to wisdom and truth.”

(Now is the time to do any type of divination that you wish to do.  Listen carefully for any messages you may get from your loved ones in the Otherworld.)

Take your dagger in your power hand and the candlesnuffer in the other.

Close the circle.

(From:  “Wicca:  The Complete Craft” by D. J. Conway)

Pagan Lore

Jack-o-lanterns are an important symbol of Halloween. The early pagans used gourds instead of pumpkins. It was thought that the jack-o-lanterns would scare away earthbound ghosts. Apples are a pagan symbol of the fall and harvest. Apples were used in many forms of divination. Have you ever heard of this one? Take an apple and twist the stem round and round while saying a letter of the alphabet for each turn. The letter of the alphabet you are on when the stem breaks is supposed to be the first letter of the name of the one you shall marry! Some believe that bobbing for apples was related to another divination right. Others believe that it is a form of pagan initiation called seining, similar to baptism.

Trick-or-Treating has it’s roots in paganism as well. Dressing in costume was not just for children. Because Samhain is the pagan new year, and a time for new beginnings, wearing a costume symbolized that you could be or do anything in the new year. There are two different thoughts on going door-to-door for candy. One is thought that it was a form of caroling that was practiced at all major holidays, and that the "treats" were actually liquid spirits. The other thought is that the poor would go door-to-door begging for food, and would be given pastries and cakes in return for promising to say prayers for the dead.

Today’s traditional colors for Halloween date back to the pagans as well, who were very much into color symbolism. Black symbolizes death and magick, while orange was the color of the harvest.

Date:  approximately December 21

Items needed:  The regular ritual tools, plus a yellow candle in the cauldron, a red, black, and white candle to place around the cauldron, and a bell or chimes.

History:  Celebrations on the Winter Solstice have long been religious customs of many ancient civilizations, particularly those whose holy days revolved around the solar calendar.  The Norse knew this celebration as the Night of the Three Mothers, or Mother Night.  This is the time of the newborn sun, the shortest day of the year before the light begins to increase.  The earth energy tides turn once more.  The Full Moon right after the Winter Solstice is considered the strongest of the entire year.

Cast the circle.

After casting the circle, ring the bell three times:

“I call upon the goddess in all Her aspects.  I call upon the Maiden, the Mother, and the Wise Crone to be here with me this night.  The darkness that has held sway is retreating before the increasing light.  The God is once more born from the cauldron as the newborn Solstice Sun."

Hold your hands over the cauldron and say:

“I stand in the stillness behind all motion. It is here that all energy comes together before it can manifest in the physical.  The power of the Goddess and the wisdom of Her ancient Mysteries await all seekers who enter the vast stillness of the Otherworld cauldron.”

Light the white candle and say:

“White is for the Maiden, the bringer of hope and new life.  White is for the Divine Child, who teaches us how to begin anew.

Light the red candle and say:

“Red is for the Mother, the creatrix who teaches the weaving of magic threads into manifestation.  Red is for the Father, the creator who blends His energy with the Mother to create all things.”

Light the black candle and say:

“Black is for the Wise Crone, who gives wisdom to understand the ancient magical and spiritual Mysteries.  Black is for the Lord of the Wild Hunt, who protects us from enemies and, at the last, returns us to the Goddess.”

Light the yellow candle inside the cauldron and say:

"Divine Child of love and joy and hope for the future, I welcome you once more into life.  Shine Your spiritual life upon me that I may become stronger in my spiritual path and wiser in my life.”

Take the bell to the East.  Ring it once and say:

“All you Elementals of the East, you of tender beginnings and the joy of life, I ask that you bless me with ideas and goals that I may improve my life.”

Go to the South.  Ring the bell once and say:

“All you Elementals of the South, you of strength and prosperity, I ask that you bless me with good health and security.”

Go to the West.  Ring the bell once and say:

“All you Elementals of the West, you of love and beautiful happenings, I ask that you bless me with happiness and pleasant friendships.”

Go to the North.  Ring the bell once and say:

“All you Elementals of the North, you of deep spiritual wisdom and magical knowledge, I ask that you bless me with insight and the truth of the ancient Mysteries.”

Return to the altar.  Ring the bell five times for the Elements and say:

“Hail to the most ancient Three in One, the bringer of light out to darkness, new life out of the cauldron of rebirth, new beginnings out of the ashes of an old year.  I ask the blessing of the Goddess and the God in all Their aspects”

Stand silent for a moment while awaiting the blessings.

Set the chalice of wine on the pentacle.  Take the dagger and gently touch the tip to the wine/juice, saying:

“As this athame is the male, so this cup is the female and joined they bring blessings.”

Raise the chalice high over the altar and say:

“To the Old Ones!  Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again!  Blessed Be!”

Drink a little of the wine/juice, saving some for the nature spirits.

(Now is the time for any spell working you wish to do.)

Take your dagger in your power hand and the candlesnuffer in the other.

Close the circle.

(From “Wicca: The Complete Craft” by D.J. Conway)

Pagan Lore

Because Yule is the Winter Solstice, or the shortest day of the year, the pagans are celebrating the rebirth of the Sun God, who becomes stronger as the days grow longer. Pagans burned a Yule log to help bring back/welcome the Sun God. Later, the log became a fresh evergreen tree. The evergreen tree represents longevity and eternal life. The tree would be decorated with lit candles (to welcome back the Sun God), fruits and nuts. Hanging ornaments on the tree were meant to symbolize the immortality of the spirit. Other decorations were strings of popcorn or cranberries. Often the tree was topped with a five-pointed star (a pentagram).

It is believed that the tradition of gift-giving began with the Feast of Saturnalia. The Romans held this holiday from December 12-17 to honor the god Saturn. During the feast, masters would wait on servants and gifts of light (mainly candles) were given as well as coins, honey, figs, and pastries. It is believed the tradition of caroling started with this holiday but was practiced at many holidays. People would go door to door in expectation of gifts of money.

Honoring the Sun God with a large feast was believed to ensure a bountiful crop and healthy livestock for the coming season. Also, food was scarce in the winter, so they often ate less meat and a feast restored their strength and broke up the boredom.

The traditional colors of Christmas are red and green. Traditional Yule colors are red, white, and green. Red represents love, passion, energy, enthusiasm, and courage. White represents protection, peace, purification, and longevity. Green represents prosperity, luck, and health.

Date:  February 2

Items needed:  The regular ritual items, plus a white candle, green candle, and a small cauldron.  The cauldron is placed in the center of the altar with the white candle inside it.  The green candle is placed beside the cauldron.  Put tarot cards or rune stones on the altar if you plan to do a divination or guidance.  Incense:  earth-smelling incense, such as patchouli.

History:  This is the first holy day after the beginning of the solar year at Winter Solstice.  It is a traditional time of cleansing and purifying in preparation for a new cycle of life.  Often is the time chosen by Wiccan groups for initiations.  *This season belongs to Brighid, the Celtic goddess who in later times became revered as a Christian saint. Originally, her festival on February 1 was known as Imbolc or Oimelc, two names which refer to the lactation of the ewes, the flow of milk that heralds the return of the life-giving forces of spring. Later, the Catholic Church replaced this festival with Candlemas Day on February 2, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and features candlelight processions. The powerful figure of Brigid the Light-Bringer overlights both pagan and Christian celebrations.

Cast the circle and say:

“The earth is restless with the first stirring with renewed energy and life.  Awake, Maiden!  Hear the voice of the Lord, as he calls to You to join with Him in the dance of life.  Prepare the fields and forests, all creatures large and small, for the coming of Spring!”

Tap the altar three times with your dagger or wand and say:

“This is a time of growing sunlight.  It signals to all followers of the Lady and the Lord that we must purify our minds and spirits for new cycles of life.  At this time and in this place, I ask the Goddess and the God to give me guidance for the future.”

Silently ask for guidance as you shuffle the tarot cards or stir the rune stones.  If you have particular goals in mind, ask about these.  Carefully note which cards or runes are drawn so that you can meditate upon them later.  When you are finished, again lightly tap the altar three times, saying:

“Oh Lady and Lord, I place my dreams for the future within Your keeping.  If the goals I choose are not to my benefit, if You foresee a better future for me, send clear messages that I may change my path.  I do thank You.”

Using the taper, light the white candle in the cauldron from the altar candle, saying:

“I salute the Goddess as the sacred Maiden, who now returns from Her resting place in the creative abyss of the Crone’s cauldron.  The Maiden’s joyful dance releases a cycle of renewal in the world.  As She spreads Her blessings upon all lands and all creatures, so am I touched by Her gentle hand.”

Light the green candle beside the cauldron, saying:

"I salute the Lord as the young Sun King, the one who calls to the Maiden and awakens Her from slumber.  By blending Their powers, the Goddess and the God pour a stream of creative energy into this world, energy that permeates everything.  Regeneration begins anew, and all things are blessed.”

(Any spell work for renewal or new cycles can be done at this time.)

Set the chalice of wine on the pentacle.  Take the dagger and gently touch the tip to the wine/juice, saying:

“As this athame is the male, so this cup is the female, and joined they bring blessings.”

Raise the chalice high over the altar and say:

“To the Old Ones!  Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again!  Blessed be!”

Drink a little of the wine/juice, saving some for the nature spirits.

Take your dagger in your power hand and the candlesnuffer in the other.

Close the circle

(From, “Wicca: The Complete Craft” by D. J. Conway.)




Pagan Lore

Imbolc was the pagan's first spring festival. They had survived the worst of winter, and it was a time to divine what the rest of winter would be like. Originally a hedgehog was used in divination. Immigrants in the new Americas used groundhogs (or woodchucks), being the closest animal they could find to a hedgehog.

Imbolc is the celebration of Brigid, the goddess of health and birth. The early Christian church added Brigid into their pantheon of saints, and named her Saint Brigit. She is invoked by sacramental candles. Parishioners would hold the candle to their throats to prevent cold and flu. Holding the candle to the throat represents healing to the heart chakra, which honors the goddess of health.

Brigid was honored by bonfires. Fire represents purification and cleansing. The custom of spring cleaning developed from the fires of purification. It was felt that you should get all the household duties out of the way so that everyone would be prepared to work during the growing season.

 Date:  Approximately March 21

Items needed:  The regular ritual tools, plus a small piece of paper and a pen, the cauldron, and the wand.  You can decorate the altar with colored eggs and spring flowers if you wish.  Incense:  flowery or herbal.  Take time before the ritual to consider what goals you would like fulfilled for the year.  Write them on the paper and place it next to the cauldron on the altar.

History:  Eggs colored red have been used at the Spring Equinox as far back as the Mesopotamian cultures.  Red is the color of  blood and life, while the egg itself represents birth and regeneration.  *The Goddess Ostara’s (Eostre’s) celebration day can vary from the Spring Equinox (circa March 21) to the first full moon after the equinox.  She is the Anglo-Saxon/Germanic Goddess of new beginnings, fertility, hope and renewal.  It is a time of balance between day and night. Her symbols include the hare, colored eggs, and spring flowers.  In older times celebrants wore brand new clothing to celebrate her festival.   Does this all sound familiar?  It should, the symbolism and even the name of Ostaras/Eostre’s festival were adopted by the Christian celebration of Easter which also celebrates renewal and rebirth.  One should note, that the holiday of Easter moves every year. It always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox.

Cast the circle.

After the circle is cast, take the wand in your power hand; raise your arms in greetings, and say:

“Hear me, Lady and Lord.  I ask Your sacred presences in this place while I celebrate the ancient festival of the Spring Equinox.”

Tap the cauldron three times gently with the wand, saying:

“Oh, joyful Goddess of new beginnings and the promise of good things to come, bring warmth and love to this circle.”

Tap the cauldron three times again, saying:

“Oh, laughing God of the forest and regeneration, bring anticipation and power to this circle.”

Tap the cauldron three times again, saying:

“Now I cast behind me the darkness of winter and the past. I look ahead to that which lies before me.  Now is the time of planting of seeds in the physical, mental, and spiritual planes.”

Fold your paper in half; hold it up over the altar and say:

“This represents the seeds of my goals and desires.”

Light the paper from the altar candle and drop it into the cauldron, saying:

“I place my dreams and desires into the keeping of the Goddess and the God.  May these goals manifest and become part of my physical life.”

(Now is the time for any spell working you wish to do.)

Set the chalice of wine on the pentacle.  Take the dagger and gently touch the tip to the wine/juice, saying:

“As this athame is the male, so this cup is the female, and joined they bring blessings.”

Raise the chalice high over the altar and say:

“To the Old Ones!  Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again!  Blessed be!”

Drink a little of the wine/juice, saving some for the nature spirits.

Take your dagger in your power hand and the candlesnuffer in the other.

Close the circle

(From, “Wicca: The Complete Craft” by D. J. Conway.)

Pagan Lore

Ostara is when the world is awakening from winter, and a resurrection of sorts begins. It is a time when animals awake from the dead (hibernation), and the world is reborn as new crops begin to grow. Christianity also celebrates a resurrection at this time. They believe Jesus was dead for three days and comes back. It is believed the symbolism of three days comes from pagan mythology. While most think of the full moon as only one night, the moon is actually hidden from us for three nights. The mythology was that the goddess (represented by the moon) would walk in the kingdom of darkness for three days, just as Jesus is thought to walk in the kingdom of death for three days.

The word "Easter" even comes from a Teutonic goddess of spring and dawn whose name was Eastre or Oestre. These names come from the words "east" which means "dawn", and "aurora" which means "to shine".

Animals coming out of hibernation this time of year means a return to eating fresh meat. Also, one custom pagans had was to fast before Ostara. They believed it would clear out the toxins stored during winter and would create an altered state of consciousness during Ostara magick.

Fertility is an important symbol of this time of year. Rabbits (bunnies) and chicks are predominant symbols, especially in candy. Pagans would make cookies in the shape of bunnies and chicks. Anyone who has heard the term "multiply like rabbits" doesn’t need an explanation of why rabbits are a big symbol of fertility. Chicks are a symbol of fertility, but also a symbol of transformation/resurrection – from an egg to a baby chick.

Eggs are another symbol of fertility. The Greeks started the tradition of dying eggs and giving them as gifts. The tradition of hiding eggs came along with the Puritans. Pagans who lived among the Puritans, afraid of being exposed as a heathens and heretics, would hide the eggs so they would not be seen giving eggs as gifts. Later, children were paid by Puritans to find the eggs and to announce who was hiding them.

Some believe that Ostara is the day when the Goddess embraces the God and conceives his child who will be born at Yule.

Date:  May 1

Times needed:  The regular ritual tools, plus a symbol(s) of your house guardian(s).  The wand and/or dagger may be decorated with colored ribbons.  Incense:  a woodsy blend, such as pine.

History:  This was an ancient fertility festival and was connected with the Sacred Marriage between Goddess and God, Priestess and Priest, King and Queen.  The maypole was a phallic symbol, the colored ribbons representing the life-giving energy that flows forth from sacred copulation.  It is also a good time to honor the guardian house spirits.

Cast the circle.

After the circle is cast, tap the wand on the altar three times.  Raise your wand in greeting, saying:

“I call upon the goddess, She who was once called Lady of the Greenwood, Mistress of Love and Fertility.  Greetings, Lady of all things wild and free.  I welcome You, and rejoice in Your presence.  Blessed Be!”

Tap the wand on the altar three times.  Raise it in greeting, saying:

“I call upon the God; He who was once called Lord of the Greenwood, Pan of the Forest, the Horned One.  Greetings, Lord of all things wild and free.  I welcome You, and rejoice in Your presence.  Blessed be!”

Lay aside the wand.  Dance or walk deosil around the circle, beginning in the East.  Pause at each quarter.  Raise your arms in greeting, saying:

“The Two are One, and the One is all!”

When finished return to the altar, saying:

“I am a follower of the Lady and the Lord.  Through me They make Themselves known upon the earth.  I have pledged myself to Their service.  Fill me as a cup with knowledge and understanding.  Let my ears hear Your blessed words.  Let my hands do Your  work, and my feet follow Your path forever.  For I am a follower of the Old Ways!”

Pass incense smoke around the symbol(s) of your house guardian(s), saying:

“Lord and Lady, I present to You the guardian(s) of this house.  I thank them for all they have done for me, and ask that You also bless them.  Spirit-guardians, I ask you to continue your good work.  Blessed Be.”

(Now is the time for any spell working you wish to do.)

Set the chalice of wine on the pentacle.  Take the dagger and gently touch the tip to the wine/juice, saying:

“As this athame is the male, so this cup is the female, and joined they bring blessings.”

Raise the chalice high over the altar, saying:

“To the Old Ones!  Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again!  Blessed be!”

Drink a little of the wine/juice, saving some for the nature spirits.

Close the circle.

 (From "Wicca:  The Complete Craft" by D. J. Conway.)

Pagan Lore

Date:  Approximately June 21.

Items needed:  The regular ritual tools, plus a cup of fresh water placed in the cauldron, a green candle, and a gold candle.  Set the cauldron in the center of the altar, with the green candle on the left and the gold on the right.  Incense:  flower scents, such as rose, lily, or lilac.

History:  This holy day is connected strongly with nature spirits, such as Elves and Fairies.  The Vikings called it Sonnenwende, or Sun’s Turning, because there is a balance of light and dark, just before the sun begins it’s slide into shorter days.  *At the Witching Hour, on the night of Summer Solstice, is the most advantageous time to see fairies.  Keep your eyes open!

Cast a circle.

After the circle is cast, light the green candle, saying:

“Lady of the stars, Spinner of fates, I call upon You by all Your ancient names and welcome You to my circle.  All you Fairies, Elves, and other friendly nature spirits, welcome, welcome!  The tides of magical power flow strong.  I ask for your friendship, for I too walk the path of magical power.”

Light the gold candle, saying:

"Hail, Sun King, the golden Lord of light and love.  Welcome!  Your dazzling robes bless the land.  Under Your gentle reign, the Small Folk are abroad, reveling in the kiss of summer power.  I ask Your blessing upon this house and all within it.”

Place your palms over the water in the cauldron, saying:

“Bless this water with Your touch, Oh Lady and Lord.   May it be an earthly connection with the hidden Well of Wisdom.”

Hold your hands between the green and the gold candles and make a wish for your future.  With the forefinger of your power hand, touch the cauldron water and then your forehead, lips, and heart.  Kneel before the altar and rededicate your life, saying:

“I will serve the Lady and the Lord with all my heart.  I choose to be a Pagan, a stone in the ancient circle of power and Mysteries.  I will stand firm in my love of the Old Ones, enduring through all time.  May the Goddess and the God witness my words!”

(Now is the time for any spell working you wish to do.)

Set the chalice of wine on the pentacle.  Take the dagger and gently touch the tip to the wine/juice, saying:

“As this athame is the male, so this cup is the female, and joined they bring blessings.”

Drink a little of the wine/juice, saving some for the nature spirits.

Close the circle.

(From "Wicca:  The Complete Craft" by D. J. Conway.) 

 Pagan Lore

Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year and is an important festival occasion in Wicca/Witchcraft.  In northern European lore, the summer solstice marks the battle between the Oak King and Holly King, figures representing the waxing and waning forces of Nature.  On the day of the Summer Solstice the Holly king defeats his brother, the Oak King.  Even though this is the longest day of the year, the days begin to grow shorter from this time forward.

In southern Europe, ritual battles were enacted by groups such as the Benandanti.  Fennel and sorghum stalks were used as symbols of light and darkness in a battle over the fertility of crops and herds.  In Italian Witchcraft the summer solstice is the celebration of the anticipation of plenty, the bounty of Nature and the coming of the harvest season.

In many modern, Celtic-based Traditions of Wicca/Witchcraft the Summer Solstice festival is called Litha.  The word “litha” may be derived from the Anglo-Saxon word Lida, which means “moon”.  Some commentators have suggested that aerra lida corresponded to the month of June in the Anglo-Saxon calendar, while aefterra lida corresponded to July.  Some modern Celtic oriented Wiccans believe that litha was actually the ancient name of the Summer Solstice, although there is no historical evidence to confirm this.  In the popular fictional work titled:  “The Return of the King”, by J. R. R. Tolkien, the author uses the word Lithe to denote Midsummer’s Day.  In modern Wicca the use of the word Litha as the name for the Summer Solstice first publicly appears in the late 1970s in such works as “The Spiral Dance” by Starhawk.

Date:  August 1

Items needed:  The regular ritual tools, plus a yellow or orange candle in the cauldron, and a plate of bread.  The cauldron is set in the center of the altar, with the plate of bread beside it.  Autumn leaves and flowers can be used for decoration.  Incense:  an herbal scent.

History:  This Celtic holy day was one of the four Great Sabbats.  The later Saxon word for this festival was Lammas (loaf mass).  Another name is Lunasa.  In the northern regions, this was the time of harvest, while to areas farther south this day was one of two harvest festivals, the other being Autumn Equinox in September.

Cast the circle.

After creating the circle, breathe deeply for a few minutes.  Concentrate on the cleansing power that you draw into your body.  As you exhale, concentrate on expelling all negatives from your life.

When you are ready, light the cauldron candle, saying:

“This candle represents the harvest within my life.  Those goals I have worked on this year are now nearing completion.  I accept the harvest of all those that work to my good, and reject any harvest of those that would work against me.  I prepare myself-- body, mind, and soul--   for the time of winter and rest.”

Set the chalice of wine on the pentacle.  Take the dagger and gently touch the tip to the wine/juice, saying:

“As this athame is the male, so this cup is the female, and joined they bring blessings.”

Raise the chalice high over the altar, saying:

“To the Old Ones!  Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again!”

Lift the plate of bread high over the altar.  Set it down and briefly raise the chalice of juice, saying:

“Every seed of grain, every fruit, is imprinted with a record of ancient times and a promise of all that will come.  This bread and this juice (wine) are symbols of life eternal through the regenerating cauldron of the Goddess.”

Eat a piece of the bread and drink some of the juice.  Save some of both for the nature spirits, saying:

“As in the bread and wine, so it is within me.  The grain that made this bread carries with it the imprint of every grain that has grown upon this earth.  The fruit that produced this juice (wine) holds within itself the history of every fruit that ever grew.  The Mysteries of ancient times and all my ancestors are imprinted upon my soul.  May the coming seasons of waning light and increasing darkness not be heavy for me.  Let the approaching dark days be ones of resting, planning, waiting, until once more the Goddess and the God open the doors to new beginnings. I am blessed, guided, and loved by the Old Ones.  Blessed be!”

(Now is the time for any spell working you wish to do.)

When the complete ritual is finished, take your dagger in your power hand and the candlesnuffer in the other.

Close the circle.

Date:  Approximately September 21

Items needed:  The regular ritual tools, plus the cauldron, a white, a red, and a black candle.  Ribbons of autumn colors can be tied to the dagger.  Set the cauldron in the center of the altar with the three candles arranged around it.

History:  This festival was celebrated by those cultures whose harvests came later than that at Lughnasadh.  This is the final harvesting of the year’s crops, the time when fruits, vegetables and grains were stored for the winter season.  This is the second balancing of light and darkness found in each year.  This festival was a thanksgiving for the food stored against the barren months.

Cast the circle.

After the circle is created, light the white candle by the cauldron, saying:

“I call upon the Maiden.  May She give me joy and hope.”

Light the red candle by the cauldron, saying:

“I call upon the Mother.  May She give me prosperity and happiness.”

Light the black candle by the cauldron, saying:

“I call upon the Crone, May She give me courage and strength.”

Salute the cauldron with your dagger, saying;

“I give honor to the threefold God, the Divine Child, the Lover, the Lord of the Hunt.  May He give me guidance.  I rejoice in the turning of the year wheel and the changing seasons.”

Take the dagger in your power hand and the wine chalice in the other, saying:

“Each life fulfills its proper cycle, laying aside the old and embracing the new.  This is the way of the eternal chain of living.  I celebrate the fullness of my life and the harvest of this year’s lessons.”

Walk three times deosil around the circle, carrying the dagger and chalice.  As you go, say:

“The year wheel turns, and bounty comes”

Stand before the altar.  Set the chalice of wine on the pentacle.  Take the dagger and gently touch the tip to the wine/juice, saying:

“As this athame is the male, so this cup is the female, and joined they bring blessings.”

Raise the chalice, saying:

“To the good seasons that have gone, and the good ones yet to come.  To good friends and the beauty of autumn.  To the Lady and the Lord!”

Drink a toast.  Then raise the chalice high again over the altar, saying:

“To the Old Ones!  Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again!  Blessed be!”

Drink a little more of the wine/juice, saving some for the nature spirits.

(Now is the time for any spell working you wish to do.)

Take your dagger in your power hand and the candlesnuffer in the other.

Close the circle.

(From “Wicca:  The Complete Craft” by D. J. Conway.)

 

Pagan Lore

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