Hallows Everyday 20

 "Season of the Crone"

Crone of Samhain's spellbound cold,

in Her cauldron of black are told

secrets ancient, truths and tales:

mystery Her light unveils.

She is wisdom, She is changes:

time and space She rearranges.

In Her hands, the card of Death,

for transformation is Her breath.

Crone of Samhain, Grandmother wise,

look into Her gargoyle eyes.

Let Her lessons teach you well:

life is but a magick spell.

- Ferina Dunwich -

Hallows Everyday 2

 This is the time of pumpkins, apples, cinnamon, cloves. So many good things that can be full of magick if you enchant the various dishes when cooking.

Pumpkin: a symbol of gratitude, big time abundance and prosperity - long term at that. Fertility, thanks again to all those seeds, whether fertility regarding children or fertility of ideas, creativity, anything you want to birth. Pumpkins are also protective. The dried fruit, seeds, and vines can be used in various spells to protect and ward. Decorating for Halloween by carving one makes a fine protective charm to keep at one’s door. Do remember NOT to wash the pumpkins with bleach or any other hazardous agent. After the pumpkin has given its best, place in the woods, bushes, anywhere animals might roam. A plentiful feast for our wild beastie companions.

Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, allspice: these spices are powerful indeed. Fiery power for abundance, love, and protection are their main attributes. They also enhance mood, uplifting and energizing us. They are good for healing and also love spells.

Apples: the fruit of love, many goddesses, getting rid of bad habits, and protection.

It isn’t surprising that all these ingredients are used together! So when baking you holiday pies or creating a simmer pot to beautifully scent your home, intention, intention, intention!

Hallows Everyday

 Welcome October! Lovely October is here! And so begins again after a few years rest, my Hallows Everyday

Follow the crow and find the trail

of breadcrumbs, feathers, leaves and stones

to lead you from the summer lands into the autumn and unknown, yes go. 

- Terry Windling

The Spirit of Autumn

 THE SPIRIT OF AUTUMN 

I am the burnished leaves of gold

The early morning mist, your breath of cold

The tiny toadstools in the grass

The crunch of leaf-laiden, woodland paths

The breeze that carries, the leaves away

And causes the branches, to rock and sway

The sleep so deep, of hibernation

As animals rest, in cosy havens

The shine on conkers, the spiral of pine cones

The brown shades and hues, and yellow tones

The flick so quick, of the squirrels' tails

The pumpkin harvest, the thinning of the veil

The magic and mystery, of the stag

The buried treasure, the squirrels' swag

The flicker of, your warming fire's flame

Call upon me, by my name

The Spirit Of Autumn, I have returned

As the wheel of nature, once more turns.

 Joanne Kavanagh c 2022

November

"I am the ancient Apple Queen,
As once I was so am I now.
For evermore a hope unseen,
Betwixt the blossom and the bough.

Ah, where's the river's hidden Gold!
And where the windy grave of Troy?
Yet come I as i came of old,
From out the heart of summer's joy."
-   William Morris, Pomona

Mabon Blessing

 Mabon Blessing

Goddess we thank you
For the bounties of spring and summer 
For the powers of creation, 
which challenge us and 
fill us with breathtaking awe.
Goddess we thank You!
For the earth with its sunrises and sunsets, ocean tides and mountain peaks,
For the Humanity, our shared pasts and futures, 
our oneness despite all differences.
Goddess we thank You!
For our hopes and dreams, noble causes and understanding of views not shared,
For all who have worked and 
fought for a fairer universe and 
a life of dignity and freedom.
Goddess we thank You!
For the opportunity to learn and grow, 
the knowledge to teach and make choices,
For the wisdom to live by hope and 

not fear, and by our deeds not our words.
Goddess, we thank You!
For all that we have overlooked and 
taken for granted in the our daily life,
For being, and letting us be blessed by that being.
Goddess, mighty and powerful, tender and charitable, we most gratefully thank You now!

By Zoey

Autumn Equinox Blessings

 Autumn Equinox Blessings. 

Hallows Everyday - 23

... a glowing caldron full of jewelled fire;
the emerald earth a dragon's eye,
the poplars drenched with yellow light
and dogwoods blazing bloody red.

Margaret Walker, October Journey    

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday - 22

Prayers For the Autumn Evening

(light a candle)

Candle brightening, flame's own flower,

harbinger of daylight's ebb;

Light the pathway to the bower - 

find the way to spirit's web.

(after your evening ablutions)

I cast off the garments of today

and ask my Goddesses to bless me

with healing, nourishing, restorative rest

as I sleep this night. *

 (before going to bed)

I quieten my soul with the chimes of the silver branch:

great gladness in my heart, no sadness in my mind,

rich rest within my soul.

May these three clear notes, gifts of the Goddesses, *

resound through all beings,

bringing peace and rest at this Autumn day's end.* 

(extinguish your candle)

Vessel of Healing, Cup of Transformation,

I am but a drop of your draught

as I sink down to sweet sleep.*

prayers from

Celtic Devotional, Daily Prayers and Blessings

by Caitlin Matthews

Blessings dark and deep!

* a few adaptions were made to these prayers to reflect my own practice.

Hallows Everyday - 21

Prayers For the Autumn Morning 

Upon Rising

I kindle my soul from the Autumn sunlight,

(light a candle)

glow of life, glow of light, glow of love,

be upon my being, my heart, and my soul

this Autumn day,

from break of light, till fall of night.

(choose a small pocket stone from your collection to carry on this day)

From the treasury of  my soul I draw forth,

gem of light, gem of life, gem of love

to preserve my soul from to darkness,

On this Autumn day.

Before Leaving You Home In the Morning

I mantle myself in the covering of creatures:

stillness of owl, perception of eagle,

humility of wren, speed of horse,

strength of bear, courtesy of deer, repose of serpent,

silence of mouse, courage of salmon.

Nine creatures about me to clothe and protect me, 

on the ways that I walk.

(extinguish the candle, place the stone in a pouch 

and tuck into your bra, over your heart)

prayers from 

Celtic Devotional, Daily Prayers and Blessings

by Caitlin Matthews

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday 8

Joy, Rejoicing in the present

from The Halloween Oracle by Stacey DeMarco

I am standing here, now, in the present.

While my spirit is within, I am in this body now,

I am on this Earth now.

Here is where I belong at this time.

Here is where I can find pleasure, joy, wonder,

Simply if I choose to do it.

Ah, another interesting card today, but then this oracle is always interesting. This subject is a little pet peeve of mine. I listen, most days, to people who are on a serious spiritual path, they are working toward "ascension", being in the Universe. They all seem to forget how important THIS life, THIS planet, THIS time, is for them. I remind them. And so... I will remind you too.

You have no doubt read that sentence, "I am a spiritual being having a human experience." True, we are spiritual beings and that that seems to be everyone's focus, being a spiritual being. The part where we are having a human experience gets lost. A lot of people are way out there, off the planet. Honestly, many times I have no idea where there heads are.

Here's the deal, real simple: you are in this body, here on this earth, at this time, make the most of it. Be here, now, in the present. There is so much to experience, enjoy, learn. Yes, there are tough lessons, bad days, but the truth is, it is up to you, YOU can make the difference about how you experience life. 

Everyday I wake up with two choices, I can be happy or I can be unhappy. I choose happy; not fluffy, out of touch with reality, but just appreciative of what is here, now. You may see a trend with the cards that have been turning up so far in the Hallows Everyday divination. Look outside, there is always something beautiful to see, hear, touch. Look inside, there is plenty there to appreciate and find joy in. Hey... you woke up this morning!  All around us is everything we need.

When this card is presented to us, it heralds a time of more happiness and joy in our lives, a very good omen, indeed! Actively seek out that which gives pleasure, build more of that which gives joy and laughter in our lives.

It isn't complicated. A dear friend brought me a bag of acorns from her trip to New York. Each was perfect with its little cap. They were a bit damp in the plastic bag she put them in, so I put them on a plate and dumped salt over them; in a couple of days they were dry. A couple of the caps fell off so I glued them on. I look at them each day and find such joy in them. They remind me of my childhood in New York when I always collected acorns; the memories of autumn. A simple thing that brings pleasure. Then, I have a glass of apple cider, another very simple pleasure. Sometimes I make mulled cider, other times I drink it straight, but it always brings me joy. A cup of tea in the evening while I stitch or weave or read. A chat with my hubby or a friend, or just listening to music, or the quiet, or the purr of Sterling B. It's all good. I can always find the good even when I am experiencing a bit of depression or anxiety, I work to make it so. And so, my advice to you is... do the same, make your joy.

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday 5

A Drink For the Season

Stregalibby's Apple Cider

1 apple, cored

1-2 tsp. butter

1 quart apple cider

1 quart brewed apple cinnamon tea

(Celestial Seasons makes a good one)

¼ cup or to taste of maple syrup

3 cinnamon sticks

13 whole cloves

a good grating of nutmeg

Take a nice fat apple, core it, then carve 9 slits all around the sides, from top to bottom, 

but do not cut the top or bottom of the apple. You want the apple to open but not come 

apart. Bake in a 350 degree oven in a buttered pan for an hour or so, until soft and juicy. 

Save the juices in the pan. Remove apple to a dish. 

Bring a kettle of water to a boil. Pour a bit of the boiling water into the apple pan,

swish carefully to melt any apple dripping then pour into a 1 quart measuring cup.

Add 6 apple-cinnamon tea bags and fill to the 1 quart mark with boiling water.

Brew 10 minutes, remove teabags, and set aside.

In a non-reactive pot, bring 1 quart of apple cider barely to a boil and turn heat to low.

Add the spices and maple syrup as desired. Let simmer for half an hour. Taste and

adjust spices, adding more if you like. turn the heat to warm or transfer to a crock pot

on lowest setting. Add the baked apple. Make a blessing over the cider and enjoy!
This is delicious served chilled over ice too.

A Blessing For the Cider

(adapted from Silver Ravenwolf's book, Halloween)

Use this or any other blessing you like.

From the sun to the root,

From the root to the branch,

From the branch to the fruit,

I bless this brew in Great Hekate's name!

May those who partake never thirst.

So mote it be!

Be sure to leave a cup of the cider on your altar if you like.

This can then be poured as a libation onto the ground as an offering.

Alternatively, you can simply take the cup outside after making the

cider and make your offering.

Blessings dark and deep! 

Hallows Everyday 2

Winter from the Halloween Oracle

by Stacy DeMarco

Today I asked the Ancestors for a message and they give me the oracle card, Winter. Most appropriate at this time as we begin our descent into the quiet of the year.

We are living in a time of dying now, plants are dying back, leaves drifting from trees, the Earth has given all She can give for now. The days are becoming shorter, and the beautiful, velvet night longer. Life is slowing its pace. We enter the time of metaphoric and literal death as Winter comes. Death, for most, is frightening despite the fact that we will all face it. Winter is the dead of the year, life slows almost to stillness. 

I remember as a child sitting in our back yard or walking through the woods nearby in Autumn. It was a special time; the scent of the air, the falling leaves, the crackle of the dying plants and grasses beneath my feet, the scarcity of animal life. I remember the utter stillness though, that is what stays in my mind, everything but the wind, halting, dying away.

The Ancestors have given us this card to remind us of what lies ahead, what is inevitable, and that we do not have all the time in the world. We need to look at ourselves, our lives, the way we live. Are these things, are we what we take satisfaction in? Do we appreciate what we have? Do we look at all the good there really is or do we focus on what we don't have, what we can't have, and the negatives? This is the time to let go of what stops us from living fully, what really doesn't serve us. It is natural and right and part of the cycle of our lives to move on, let things drift away, especially when they no longer benefit us. Too many live in a state of wanting what cannot be.

It is time to reassess our lives, let the past that holds us back die away and take the necessary action to make ourselves as happy and fulfilled as we can be. The burdensome past is over and cannot be changed. Let it go. Make the choice each day to see the beauty in our lives, and there truly is so much. This does not mean living in a fantasy world, but getting out of the fantasy. You have what you have, you are what you are, move forward with appreciation and make the best of your life.

Sit back for a bit as Winter moves in, contemplate and consider, plan and be what you wish to be within the bounds of reality. Appreciate every day you are given.

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday 1

Well kick up your heels, October has arrived and the countdown to Hallows/Samhain begins in ernest. This year Hallows Everyday will be a hodgepodge of divination, spells, lore, recipes, poetry, devotional practices, and vintage images. I hope you enjoy it.

To begin, choose a candle of good size, better a pillar, and of a color related to the season. Cleanse in your usual manner, then dedicate for Hallows by saying this or anything else you choose:

This candle I dedicate to the Hallows Season.

Let its magick and light burn with purpose and reason.

To the Goddesses, Spirits, and Ancestors near me,

Let this candle light the way so I may see You clearly.

Brightness in darkness at this time is the way.

I make it so, and so I do say!

Each day of this month, light your candles for a bit, then either perform a devotional practice or divination while it burns.  Extinguish by snuffing or pinching out.

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday - 7

Hecate by http://mari-na.deviantart.com/art/Hecate-193021428

But not one of the Immortal Ones, or of the human mortals,

heard Her voice. Not even the olive trees which bear their 

splendid harvest. Except for the daughter of Persaios, the one

who keeps in mind the vigor of nature. She heard it from Her

cave. She is Hekate, with the splendid headband.

Homeric Hymn to Demeter, C7th BCE, trans. Gregory Nagy

Proserpina, Dante Gabrielle Rossetti

My interpretation of the myth of Persephone's descent and return from the Underworld, forms an important part of my devotional practices in general, and especially at this time. For me, the dead call to Her. She is their mother, they need Her in the Underworld. That initial descent is frightening, even though Hades has opened the way for Her, it is Persephone's decision to take those first steps, She chooses to make the descent and take Her place as Queen of the Underworld and Mother of the Dead. 

Hekate, Cosmic Soul, Keeper of Mysteries and Magic, Gate Keeper of All Liminal Spaces, is there to assist Persephone on Her journey into and out of the Underworld. Purist may not like my interpretation, but this has been my experience when in communion with the goddesses. To each their own, we are each the best judge of our own spiritual experiences.

Devotional activity: Place a pomegranate in a bowl of water, carefully cut it half. Remove the seeds, allowing them to settle to the bottom of the bowl. Discard the skin and strain the liquid and seeds. Place the seeds on a cotton cloth to dry. Make a blessing over them with the intention that they be a pleasing and acceptable offering to both Hekate and Persephone. If the fruit is not available, buy some seeds. They can be sprinkled on the altar as a seasonal decoration, as well as kept in a bowl on your ancestor altar or shrine, or a shrine for these goddesses. Make this offering by sprinkling the seeds onto the ground while reciting a prayer for giving offerings.

Blessings dark and deep!

Pomegranate by Nick Jarvis

Hallows Everyday - 6

Three Sisters by Frank Howell

The wheel begins its turning not with flowers and springtime,

but with death and decay.

from Celebrating Her, by Wendy Hunter Roberts

Yes, this is the time when release, letting go, dying, and decay surrounds us. The trees release their leaves, plants wither and become part of the soil, seeping down, down, releasing themselves from this cycle, and the days shorten. All know that they will be rested and renewed in the dark quiet bed of the earth, returning when the wheel turns again to the time of birthing. Whether we acknowledge it or not, this is part of our life too. There has been so much growth on all levels of our being through the past year that it is now time to acknowledge, honor, and then begin our own time of rest and renewal, our time to release with love and wisdom all that does not serve us, all that we know as lessons learned, all in preparation of moving on to the next cycle. This release is necessary and nourishing, a part of the natural cycle of all life. Yet, so many hold on to the very things that stifle their growth and happiness. Some purposely, others without awareness. We all must realize and know that we cannot hold on to everything, most especially that which holds us back from allowing the decay.

Remember that whatever you are holding onto, whatever blocks you have built so that you do not have to feel, know, acknowledge, are nothing to fear. You have experienced whatever it is that bright those feelings, it is done, over, and here you are, still alive. Yes, you are alive and well despite it. Release and move on, free and clear.

Now is the sacrifice of the souls, 

now is the giving up,

the stripping down to the bone.

The time of bones is the time of no compromise.

Throw it all into Hecate's soup, let Her stir it up,

and we shall see what can be born anew.

"Come," She invites us, indicating Her cauldron, "throw it in.

This is the womb of rebirth, the cup of immortality.

Give yourself freely. Do not hold back. This is the moment.

I can use it all. Oh, what a spicy soup this will be!"

from Celebrating Her, by Wendy Hunter Roberts

Devotional Activity: Gather together some slips of paper and a special pen. Cleanse and consecrate them, let them be blessed to give assistance in this task. Set aside a little time today, and whenever you can as Hallowtide continues. Consider what you need to release, what no longer benefits you, what you have finished and there is nothing left to be done with it. Write a few words that describe the issue and consider it well. Take some deep breaths and allow yourself to release the issue, idea, feeling, whatever it may be. Feel it flowing from your body, through you arms, and into the paper. Place the paper in a fireproof bowl or your cauldron. All these slips of paper will be burned on Hallows and the final releasing completed.

Blessings dark and deep!

Celebrating Her is available at Amazon:   http://www.amazon.com/Celebrating-Her-Feminist-Ritualizing-Comes/dp/082981258X/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Hallows Everyday - 3

Autumn woods, western North Carolina

Ashtree, ashtree, throw me if you please,

Throw me down a slender bunch of russet-gold keys.

I fear the gates of Fairyland all be shut fast

That nothing but your magic keys will ever take me past.

I'll tie them to my girdle and as I go along,

My heart will find comfort in the tinkle of their song.

(from "Alms For Autumn" by Rose Fyleman)

Devotional Activity: A Walking Meditation: Take a walk at twilight and collect three leaves from the ground. Feel their energy as you walk, breathe in the fresh air, breathe deeply into your belly. Let your senses open fully, especially your psychic senses. Take your time, let yourself become part of your surroundings. Can you feel the change of season, the settling of the land, plants, trees? Connect with that energy and allow it to flow through your body. After a while, when you have fully sensed that settling, ground the energy into the earth and return home. Take a sewing needle and some red thread, stitch the leaves together and hang on your altar or shrine to keep a bit of that settling energy in your home. These are your keys to the season. Burn the leaves at the Winter Solstice.

Blessings dark and deep!

(Photo and A Walking Meditation copyright 2014 E A Kaufman)

Hallows Everyday - 1

Welcome once again to my Hallows Everyday series of postings. I believe this is the third year I am indulging in this wonderful countdown to that most sacred of days, Hallows, Hallowmas,  or Samhain, whatever your tradition may call it. I consider the entire time from the Autumn Equinox to about the 13th of November to be the Hallowtide season.

This year, along with the poetry, historical tidbits, humor, or whatever I feel like posting, I will include a small devotional practice to add to your own devotions, be they daily, weekly, or haphazard.   Join me if you will and leave a note about your experience if you are so inclined, I'd love to hear about it. So, let us begin with some autumn poetry.

The leaves of red, bright gold, and brown,

To Mother Earth come tumbling down,

The breezy nights, the ghostly sights,

The eerie, spooky, far off sounds

Are signs that it's October.

from It Must Be October by Pearl N. Sorrels

I live in South Florida where we have no Autumn, no turning leaves, no discernible change in weather. Oh, how I miss the Autumn! And so, I make Autumn inside Toadstool Condo - the scent of simmering spices touched by the kiss of apple; pomanders drying in bowls of spices add to the warm and comforting aromas. Apple cake bakes, spiced tea brews, a fire in the hearth, autumn and Halloween theme stitching add to the atmosphere made merry by the Hallows decorations.

The shrine for the goddesses I am devoted to has been decorated as well; branches, acorns, sheaves of wheat, candles of orange, gold, red, brown, and black. My Ancestor altar has been cleaned and rededicated, and decorated for the season. After all, this is the time They are most active.

Devotional activity: Dedicate an orange candle, preferably scented with spices of the season, to your Ancestors. Light it each night, or just once a week, letting Them know They are welcome. Leave a little offering of cake or cookie, bread or a bit of your dinner. Let it stand on the altar until you extinguish your candle, then take the offering outside and leave it in some special place: the base of a favorite tree, a hedge, garden.

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday 29

Yesterday I did not want to post Hallows Everyday. I learned that Layne Redmond had passed and I wanted to pay tribute to her instead. It occurs to me that since Hallows is about honoring the dead, I did, indeed, do that.

Layne, it seemed from what I read, spent her last months doing what she loved, working on the revision of her book, When The Drummers Were Women. In a video I saw of her, she appeared to be happy, almost joyous. I didn't know her personally, only from her writings, Facebook, and especially, her music. I know she was with people who loved her and took care of her. Really, I thought she would just go on. Instead, at this sacred time, she left. If one can choose, this seems the perfect time.

We are in the Autumn of the year, the quiet time when all that dies lays to rest. So the dead sleep, but come spring, all that dies will be reborn, and in that we, the living, can take comfort.

Samhain Evening Prayer

Lady, You are Prophetess and Queen.

The Final Harvest has been met;

the land lies sleeping, expectant.

In the Winter stillness

You will conceive tomorrow's hope.

Receptive and quiescent, 

Your dream unfolds as a counterpoint

to the Dark Night that will enshroud us all.

Life and Death are balanced.

Endings and beginnings are wrought.

Your blessing weaves all into a holy tapestry,

complete and irrevocable.

by Galen Gillotte,

from Book of Hours, Prayers To The Goddess

Blessings dark and deep.

Hallows Everyday 14

The Samhain Vow

On the Wheel of the Year now does Winter begin;

The world is austere and we all turn within.

I vow now to face the shadows I find

and work to unlace all their powers to bind.

I vow to invoke my ancestors' relief,

and release in the smoke all my fear and my grief.

This task do I claim as I mark this Samhain,

and swear by the flame behind Jack's cheery grin.

Make this vow before a Jack-O-Lantern you have carved and placed a candle in.

Burn some cinnamon and clove incense. After making the vow, feast upon some

roasted pumpkin seeds and spiced pumpkin cream tea, being sure to offer some to the spirits.

Pumpkin Cream Tea

3 cups of strong spiced tea

(I use decaf Constant Comment - choose what you prefer)

1/2 cup of pureed pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp cloves

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup Half-and-Half (or more to taste)

(substitute almond milk if you are dairy free)

sweetener to taste

Whipped cream

Brew the tea and set aside. In a small pot, combine the pumpkin, spices, vanilla, and

half-and-half. If you prefer, add some sweetener to taste, such as honey, maple syrup, or 

molasses. I prefer mine without sweetener. Warm the mixture until just at a simmer; do not boil. Remove from the heat and add the brewed tea, whipping to combine. Warm if necessary. Serve immediately with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. This is very yummy!

Blessings nine!