March 22nd, 2016

A happy belated Equinox to everybody! I got to spend Ostara riding the train back to my school and working on homework, neither of which I was really all that interested in doing, but oh well. I found some books on Feng Shui in my department's architecture library, so I started to read through one of them - if and when I have time to finish it, I'll be sure to let you know what I thought!

In the meantime, enjoy what we have so far of spring. It's pretty chilly here still, but a lot of the trees are starting to bloom. I'll hopefully be taking some pictures soon to share.

February 1st, 2013

Happy February, everyone! Happy Imbolc, too (I know Imbolc is tomorrow, but we're going to the zoo, so I probably won't have time to add a post). Imbolc is a fantastic time to expel all the negative energy that has been building up in the house over the winter. First, clean the house really well physically - vacuum, mop, sweep, wash the windows, and put away all that junk that you know is piling up on the desk. Then, if you have a besom you use only for magickal purposes, grab it. Otherwise, make one. Try binding some birch branches or broom together with white ribbon. Sprinkle every room in the house liberally with salt and blessed water, and then sweep every room in a counterclockwise fashion to banish negativity. Repeat a banishing chant if desired. Finally, sweep the room again clockwise, invoking positive energy to fill the space. Don't forget to do the garage, and if possible do the closets as well. A very blessed sabbat to everyone!

September 2nd, 2012

Happy Sunday, everyone! 'Tis the first weekend of the school year, for us at least, and personally, I'm quite enjoying the peace and quiet. It's a rainy day, and that too adds to the calm. Something about rain is soothing; I've heard that science attributes it to the negative (as in a + or - charge) ions that water releases - they cause the body to relax.

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Mabon is on the 22nd this year, a Saturday. I've got a ritual planned out, of course, but as always, I look for fun activities I can do up to that point to get in the Sabbat mood. Part of that is the decorating - anyone who knows me can tell you that I love to decorate, and though I can't put Mabon symbols all over the house, I can add to my altar. Here are some ideas to consider:

• Use colors like red, orange, maroon, brown, yellow, and indigo.
• Use acorns, fall leaves (especially oak), and statuary of the Mother Goddess.
• Other plants of the season include marigolds, yarrow, sage, rose hips, and apples
• If you like tarot cards, consider using imagery from Judgement and The World.
• Add gourds and cornucopias.
• Stones ruled by the sun can be included (i.e. citrine, clear quartz, gold, peridot, diamond, yellow topaz, and adventurine).
• Animal statuary (or pictures) can include birds of prey, salmon, owls, wolves, stags, and blackbirds.
• Mythical creature imagery can include Gnomes, Sphinxes, and Minotaurs.
• Incense can include sage, frankincense, myrrh, cinnamon, pine, and apple blossom.

Picture from About.com.

February 20th, 2012

Today, I checked out (among other things) a book called Rupert's Tales from the library. It is a precious story about Rupert the rabbit who

"...sets out to discover how and why people leave their homes to celebrate seasonal holidays in the forest where he lives."

The book is by a woman who goes by Kyrja, and essentially explains the meaning behind Beltane, Litha, Lammas, and Mabon through the eyes of a rabbit. It is aimed at younger readers, but even I, as a high-schooler, was enchanted simply by the novelty of finding a Pagan picture book. I haven't finished it yet (it's quite long for a picture book!), but the Beltane story was simply adorable, and... I don't know... is magick in its own right. Somehow you can't not feel warm and fuzzy reading it, even if you are familiar with the meaning behind the Sabbats. I'd highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, but particularly if you have Pagan children!

Sabbat Haikus

A collection of Sabbat haikus I wrote in 8th grade.

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Sun at its highest
This day is the longest yet
The feast of the Fey

Glorious harvest
Now winter food shall be reaped
The crops are ready

Night and day are one
Second harvest is prepared
Earth begins to sleep

Now the veil is thin
We honor those who have passed
It's the spirit-night

Our Lady does sleep
The Winter King awakens
Yule Log burns in hearth

Festival of Lights
From slumber the Maiden stirs
Life begins anew

The Sun God lays down
Inviting in the Goddess
Maiden turns Mother

Fires of Bel burn bright
God and Goddess share their love
The whole world blossoms