Second Night

Second night of the Hallowing, contemplative and quiet. This year, the Hallowing seems more intense, the prayers and invocations more from my heart. Tonight, I called upon all the goddesses I revere: The Great Mother of All, Hekate, of course, Hestia, Artemis, Persephone, Demeter, Athena, Aphrodite, Hera and Tyche. May They know that They are not forgotten. No, in fact, They are remembered everyday. And so, may They know how beloved and revered They are, may They hear me and know my name.

Blessings nine!

First of Nine Nights of the Winter Solstice Hallowing

Just before midnight earlier this evening, the 15th of December, I began my celebration of the Winter Solstice, the first of nine nights. Each night I will offer prayers to the goddesses to whom I dedicate myself, a libation and offerings, prepare to welcome back the growth of light, and do some journey work.

I will spend three nights focusing on dusk or twilight, beginning the journey down and within. I will then move into three nights of deepest night where I will work some of my most intense meditative journeying. On the Solstice itself, I begin three nights of returning, dawn, coming back from within and beyond. This series of workings has been very fulfilling over the past few years so I set aside time to do this even with the busyness of the season. Even if I just have time to recite prayers and light my candles, I let nothing interfere.

I was first inspired to do this by reading about how another who is dedicated to the Greek pantheon, Hector Lugo, celebrates this time of year. His rites are called the Heliogenea and focus on the return of Helios over a period of three or nine nights. His rite inspired my own, but with the focus on honoring those goddesses I revere.

In addition to this, I also work a bit of magic; the lighting of a bayberry candle with a coin beneath and some herbs scattered around to bring prosperity and good health in the coming year. I learned not to put the herbs in with the candle when, about ten or so years ago, the whole thing went up in flames right in my apartment. Ah, well... fire lessons! All's well that ends well and the worst of it was a stern lecture from my darling husband, bless his understanding soul.

This spell can be performed in a variety of ways; begin, as I am, six nights before the actual Solstice and light a candle for nine nights; light a candle on the Solstice, light a candle each night, the night before, the night of and the night after the Solstice - or... any other way you like. The candle should be true bayberry, I use a bayberry cinnamon candle, the cinnamon giving the spell a little extra kick; or use any candle you have and anoint with a drop of bayberry oil. Use what you have. Place a coin in a candle holder, then work with your candle and place in the holder over the coin. I like to line the holder with some aluminum foil - silver for the goddesses and the moon. I then line my cauldron with another piece of foil and some salt or sand along with a scattering of herbs, such as bayberry, mistletoe and acorns, around the outside of the candle and its holder. When ready, I light the candle and chant the following nine times:

Upon this Solstice Season Night,

I burn this candle, strong & bright!

For me & mine, prosperity grows,

For me & mine, good health to us flows.

As comes the light, sprouts the seed,

By Hekate's hand, fulfilled is our need!

Or... chant whatever you like. Allow the candle to burn itself out. At the end of your spell, be it one night or nine, fold all the remnants up in the foil, place in a green cloth and tie with red thread. Hang the charm over you door, inside your home.

Blessings nine!

All written material copyright 1997-2009, E A Kaufman. Photo copyright E A Kaufman, 2009.

Toadstool Condo is decorated!

The holiday decorating at Toadstool Condo is finished, finally! My altar looks beautiful, if I do say so myself! Two different views so that all my Ladies can be seen!

The mantle is a showcase for my selenite lamp flanked by a halite salt lamp, a snowman holding a stang, white pine trees and Baba Yaga, who can't be seen because I cut Her off in this photo!

The Solstice tree is sparkling with an assortment of antique, handmade and modern ornaments. We still hang the ornaments we made when we first got married. I cut out pictures of antique Christmas cards from Better Homes & Gardens' Country Magazine, then decoupaged them on to balsa wood that Mike carved. I can't believe it is almost thirty years ago!!!

And not to be forgotten, our Pagan Dickens Village! It is hard to see, but in the middle is a little circle with an altar, stang and holly tree. All of this activity was followed by a homemade chicken mushroom barley soup dinner with our friend Lucky. Dessert: brownies and hot cocoa coffee - really delicious! You make a pot of coffee and another pot of real hot cocoa - you know, real unsweetened cocoa, sugar and milk. Fill your cup half way with hot coffee, then add cocoa. I add cinnamon and some vanilla to the hot cocoa which gives a nice flavor.

Sterling B (AKA The Schmoodle) found all the activity exhausting and after being petted and spoiled by the three of us, took a nap! I plan to follow his lead - bed and relaxation, along with some stitching tomorrow!

Blessings nine!

Jane Austen Challenge Finished!

Finished at last! Yes, I've completed my Everything Austen Challenge and much more. Originally, beginning July 1st, one was supposed to choose six Austen related tasks and complete them by January 1st. A little ways along, someone came up with the idea to do twelve, I believe. I became so engrossed in this little challenge that I ended up completing thirteen - but of course!!!! What else would a witch do? No mere dozen for me, it had to be... that most mysterious and misunderstood of numbers, thirteen! I was watching DVDs, reading like a mad woman (alright, so that's nothing new) and then finally.... after changing my mind several times, chose a little embroidery piece, Cheerful Company by The Sampler Girl (www.samplergirl.com) and... just a few minutes ago, took the final stitch. So there I am, Everything Austen Challenge complete. Hurray!

Here's my list of completed Austen related tasks:

1. Watched DVD, Persuasion (Amanda Root & Ciaran Hinds)

2. Watched DVD, Lost In Austen

3. Read What Would Jane Austen Do?

4. Read Jane Austen Ruined My Life

5. Read Tea With Jane Austen

6. Read Mr. Darcy, Vampire

7. Read Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters

8. Read Pride & Prejudice & Zombies

9. Watched DVD, Northanger Abbey (Masterpiece, 2007)

10. Read Jane Austen, A Life

11. Watched DVD, Becoming Jane

12. Watched DVD, Miss Austen Regrets

13. Stitched Cheerful Company, a design by The Sampler Girl

And here is the sweet little piece, stitched on 40 count Examplar linen, along with a stitching basket purchased long ago, forgotten and abandoned at our storage facility. I came across it a few weeks ago and brought it home. Also you can see a pair of scissors with a little scissor fob. I have so many favorite things that surround me; books, stitching treasures, fabric, threads and charts, tea necessities - need I go on? One can easily see why we have a storage facility in addition to Toadstool Condo - Beneath the Mushroom storage bay, LOL!

Thoroughly enjoyed this and one thing leads to another, so it is likely I will be continuing the Jane Austen adventure. So many books, so many samplers, etc. - I can't help myself. Everyone has their "special stuff" that makes life so delightful. And speaking of delightful things, a cup of an especially soothing tea is in order. I shall put the kettle on the hob... err, the stove - I'm living in Jane Austen mode, sorry!

In other news, today begins the Brumalia, honoring the goddess, Bruma, Roman goddess of the Winter Season. I celebrate for two days - don't really have a reason, I am just inclined to do so. To honor Her, welcome Winter by decorating home and altar with icicles, snowflakes, white candles and white lace. My decorations lean toward that and lots of red on the Solstice tree, among antique ornaments, stitched ornaments, cutest ornaments on the planets...! We are thankful for this time of year where we can be cozy in our homes and enjoy the journey within. Soon enough the days will become longer, embrace the darkness and its healing and contemplative magic.

The clock has just chimed the witching hour here at Toadstool Condo, midnight and time for that tea!

Blessings nine!

Winter Solstice Tree Blessing

Winter Solstice Tree Blessing

Holy Lady, Creator of Trees,

Bestow Your abundant blessings upon

This, our Solstice Tree, a symbol of Joy.

May its evergreen branches be a sign

of Your never-fading love & wisdom.

May its colorful lights and ornaments

decorate our home and our world with love & peace.

May the gifts that surround this tree

be symbols of the gifts we have received

from the beautiful Earth Herself.

Blessed Winter Solstice Tree within our home,

may joy & peace, wisdom & abundance,

compassion & love come nest

in your branches and in our hearts.

So Mote It Be!

(a Christian prayer for blessing the Christmas tree, found at Beliefnet.com and reworded for Pagans by EAK)

Haloia of Demeter

December 7th is the Haloia of Demeter which is a remembrance of Demeter's mourning for Her loss of Persephone. She withdrew Herself from the world and all things ceased to grow. The Earth turned cold, barren, as the one who had provided for all suffered the sorrow and loss of Her daughter.

Much is to be learned from the myth of Demeter and Persephone for women. Many women watch their children grow and leave home, suffering empty nest syndrome and withdrawing themselves from their usual pursuits while they figure out their new life. I have always thought this was exactly what Demeter was doing. Ultimately, there was no choice but to accept the inevitable and continue on, which is just what She did.

At this time, close to the Winter Solstice, the Earth had withdrawn Her bounty, there is cold and stillness, time for reflection, a time to look within and review the past year. In honor of Demeter and Her time of mourning, reflection and moving on, I take time to review and reflect as well. I light some candles, and recite the following prayer, then spend some time considering my own losses and how, whatever the situation, I continue on, as Demeter does, as we all must do. This remembrance is a part of the cycle of life.

Prayer to Demeter Melaina

an adaptation from Jennifer Reif's Mysteries of Demeter

The Land lies barren as You search, dark & sorrowing

For Your maiden daughter.

Your great powers of creation draw inward.

As field & meadow lie fallow, You mourn.

For She who was born from Your womb has descended

Into Tartarus and is no longer by Your side.

But from Thee, Melaina, and Thy shadows

Shall compassion rise.

Into the darkness of Your solitude,

You dwell alone in Your fragrant temple.

Life gives birth to understanding.

One who once raged in sorrow finds tenderness

Being born in Her Divine Being.

In compassion, You descend into the Underworld

To give Your blessings which heal all worlds,

Teaching understanding to

Tartarus, Earth & High Olympus.

O Blessed art Thou, Holy One.

Great praises to both the fallow & the dark.

All honor to Demeter Melaina!

Tonight I make an offering of barley, fruit and seeds along with a libation of sweetened, spiced wine at the hedge circle, then I will have a quiet little time of contemplation. And... I will consider all my blessings as well!

An little tidbit from About.com which I have never heard of and thought was a appropriate finish for this post - "Ancient Greeks might also dedicate sneezes to Demeter, similar to someone saying "God bless you!" An unexpected or timely sneeze could be thought to have oracular meaning as a message from Demeter, perhaps to abandon the idea under discussion. This may be the origin of the phrase "not to be sneezed at", not to be discounted or taken lightly." Well, that is interesting, especially as my post began with a sneeze!

Blessings nine!

Bona Dea, The Good Goddess

Here is a little bit about Bona Dea, the Good Goddess. Tonight and tomorrow are the nights associated with Her December rites.

Bona Dea is an ancient goddess of women and healing, identified with the Great Goddess, the Serpent-Goddess, Artemis, Aphrodite, Persephone, Demeter and Hekate. She is alternately described as sister, wife or daughter of Faunas and called Fauna, Fatua or Oma. An earth and fertility goddess, She is a great protectress of women, She guides us through all phases of female life including sexuality, birth and death. She also was considered a goddess of the Underworld, divination, wealth and abundance, as well as healing.

Bona Dea was worshipped exclusively by women, men being forbidden to participate in Her rites or even to speak or know Her name. Male animals, even paintings of male animals or men were not permitted in Her temple. Her rites, conducted in December and May were secret and little is known about them, but were likely related to agricultural activities. However, the early December nocturnal rites likely had other associations that remain a mystery to us. The Vestal Priestesses were participants in these rites. It is interesting to note that wine was also forbidden in Her rites and temples, yet the women of Rome libated and drank wine, but called it "milk" - wine was never mentioned in the temple or during the rites which were celebrated at the homes of various Roman matrons.

Bona Dea tended the sick in Her temple garden with healing herbs. The myrtle plant however, was forbidden in both Her temple and garden. Consecrated snakes were kept in Her temple in Rome. The snake is one of Her symbols, a symbol of healing.

Max Dashu, on her Suppressed Histories website (www.suppressedhistories.net) includes the following:

Diana had another grove at Tibur, where she was called Opifera, “help-bringing.” [Palmer, 58, 77; Ogilvie, 65-7]

Opifera was also a title of Bona Dea, the “good goddess,” whose temples nourished a culture of female sovereignty and outright resistance. Tradition said that women built the sanctuary of Bona Dea in the distant past, and its association with the women's mysteries endured. [Drinker; Goodrich, 256] No men were allowed in this temple or the nearby temple of Diana, the headquarters of plebian women. Diana was seen as a protector of the oppressed classes, especially the enslaved. This was true of Bona Dea and Ceres as well. [Spaeth, 92, identifies Ceres as the goddess of the plebeians.]

Bona Dea's Roman temple was built over a cave where the priestesses kept sacred serpents. An ancient source says that these snakes “neither felt nor inspired fear.” [Scheid, 391] Statues of the goddess show a snake coiling around her right arm, drinking from an offering bowl in her hand. Her left arm cradles a cornucopia, the attribute of Fortuna and Terra Mater. Her priestesses ran an herbarium: “... all kinds of herbs are found in her temple, from which the priestesses mostly make medicines which they distribute...”[Hurd-Mead, 49; quote, Brouwer, 224] Snakes and healing herbs were also kept at the grove of the goddess Angitia or Anguitina at lake Fuscinus. [Piscinus, online]

From Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, the following information is found: Fauna was also regarded as a goddess possessed of healing powers, as might be inferred from the serpents being part of her worship; but we know that various kinds of medicinal herbs were sold in her temple, and bought largely by the poorer classes. (Macrob., Plut., Arnob. ll. cc.) Greek writers, in their usual way, identify the Bona Dea with some Greek divinity, such as Semele, Medeia, Hecate, or Persephone. The Angitia of the Marsians seems to have been the same goddess with them as the Bona Dea with the Romans.

The women who celebrated the festival of Fauna had to prepare themselves for it by abstaining from various things, especially from intercourse with men. The house of the consul or praetor was decorated by the Vestals as a temple, with flowers and foliage of every kind except myrtle, on account of its symbolic meaning. The head of the goddess's statue was adorned with a garland of vine-leaves, and a serpent surrounded its feet. The women were decorated in a similar manner. Although no one was allowed to bring wine with her, a vessel filled with wine, stood in the room, and from it the women made their libations and drank. This wine, however, was called milk, and the vessel containing it mellarium, so that the name of wine was avoided altogether.

Epithets: Fatuella/Fatua (from fatum, oracle, fate, destiny)

Aurita ( healer of ear diseases)

Oculata Lucifera (She Who Brings Light to the Eyes - healer of eye disorders)

Restituta/Restitutrix (She Who Heals or Restores)

Symbols: Cornucopia, snakes (a symbol of healing), coins

To honor Bona Dea in December, over the nights of the 3rd and 4th, light candles both dark and light: brown and yellow or green and gold; an earthy incense of cypress, evergreen or pine may be burned. A libation of milk laced with wine and offerings of barley, seed from pumpkin or squash, eggs and apples may be offered. Give thanks for all that She has bestowed upon you over the past year.

Bona Dea, both dark and light,

Mistress of the Fertile Earth and the Lands beneath,

I give thanks for the abundance You have bestowed upon me & mine.

May You heal my loved ones and myself and all others with great need.

For You are Mother of us all, Queen of many realms, Mistress of Healing

And I bow before You, Great One, I give these offerings with honor and thanks,

May You find them pleasing for they are truly given in the spirit of love.

Leave the offerings and spill the libation at some quiet and natural place if possible. Let your candles burn themselves out.

(copyright E A Kaufman, 2009)

Blessings nine!

Mother Holle

image from http://www.lokis-mythologie.de

Mother Carey am I, also known as Holle,

She who keeps the old stories you love to tell.

When I shake my pillow, the snow falls,

And I ride the wild winds of change & forgetting.

I can turn your dreams inside out or upside down,

Or gather you under the wings of my stormy petrel

And send you forth in search of fresh wisdom

Along the wind's keen ridge.

Whenever you see or hear me

You will know that wonder is near,

The wonder of Winter's darkness

And the light it hides inside.

- Caitlin & John Matthews -

The Sun in the Greenwood Ritual

As with many ancient goddesses, Holda is complex. Also called Hulde and Frau Holle, she goes by a variety of names and takes different forms, depending on locale and culture. In her form as a beneficent and noble White Lady, Holda is beautiful and stately, with long, flowing golden hair, which shines with sunlight as she combs it. She wears a white gown covered with a magical white goose down cape. At Yuletide, she travels the world in a carriage and bestows good health, good fortune, and other gifts to humans that honor her. She not only is connected with Winter Solstice itself, but also with the holiday season that continues many of its customs, the 12 days of Christmas -- from December 25 through January 6.

- Selene Fox -

December!

Welcome to You, Old One.

Welcome to the snow & ice,

Welcome You in, this Winter day.

Old One, Cold One,

Though we fear Your storms,

Yet we welcome You

Into our winter hearts,

With Your cleansing breath...

- John Matthews, from Invocation to the Old One -

When darkest winter draweth near,

The light is kindled without fear;

Love sparks at Midwinter so deep,

This blessed time in our hearts keep...

- Caitlin Matthews, from The Winter Wedding -

Yes, friends, the darkness wins,

but these short days so celebrate the light:

Among us, too, let's sing what winter forces us to know:

Joy & color bloom despite the night.

We measure warmth by love, not by degrees.

- Patricia Monaghan -

December is here and the holidays, however one celebrates them, are coming on fast. For me, December continues that journey inward and the internal work that involves. Meditation, journey work and celebrating the darkness of the year are all part of what I do at this time. Of course there is a great deal of celebration as well. I have begun decorating my home for the Winter Solstice, baking and gift making. I immerse myself in the season of winter and its holidays, celebrating winter goddesses as well as those I am dedicated to.

In my baking I like to use plenty of spices, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg. Did you know that nutmeg, according to medieval herbalist Hildegard von Bingen, when eaten, opens the heart and puts one in a good state of mind (Physica, 1, 21)? She recommends taking some nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves, grinding them up and adding to flour and water to make little tarts. "Eat these often and it will lower the bitterness of your heart and your mind and open your heart and numbed senses. It will make your spirit happy, purify and cleanse your mind, lower all bad fluids in you, give your blood a good tonic, and make you strong (Physica, 1, 21). Well!!! Now I know why I love to put these spices in so many foods I eat and the tea I drink. I also love the scent of these spices and use them and their essential oils to scent Toadstool Condo.

In addition to these spices, I love the scent of evergreens, pine, balsam, fir with just a touch of clove. Lovely! Debbie, at www.Aromathyme.com, has some wonderful blends: Evergreen and Holiday Spice which I like to use in a diffuser, four parts Evergreen and one part Holiday Spice. I also add some other secret things as well for magical purposes which keeps everyone happy when they visit Toadstool Condo.

The turkey from Thanksgiving is just about used up, just some leftover turkey casserole and some turkey mushroom barley soup - very delicious! That will feed us on Tuesday and Wednesday and I can focus on finishing the decorating and stitching some ornaments.

In addition to the usual December holidays, it is a busy goddess month!

Dec. 1 - Day of Pallas Athena

Dec. 2 - Full Moon, 2:32 AM EST, Festival of Broken Needles, Japanese festival of craftswomen

Dec. 3 - Festival of Bona Dea, The Good Goddess

Dec. 5 - Day of Lucina, pagan goddess of light & childbirth

Dec. 7 - Haloia of Demeter, She wanders in sadness, bringing Winter to the Earth.

Dec. 11 - Arainrhod, Welsh goddess of stars & reincarnation

Day of Bruma, Roman goddess of the Winter Season

Dec. 13 - Little Yule, a festival of lights

Dec. 15 - Alcyone, Halcyon Days, the 7 days before and 7 days after the Winter Solstice, a time of peace.

Hekate's Deipnon (leave offerings at a crossroads)

Dec. 16 - New Moon, 7:03 AM

Sapientia, Roman goddess of wisdom

Dec. 20 - Mother Night, Odinist festival of midwinter, dreams on this night are said to foretell the future.

Dec. 21 - Winter Solstice, 12:47 PM EST

Dec. 22 - Birth of the Goddess Rhiannon

Dec. 23 - Festival of Acca Larentis, sacred to the Roman goddess Laurentina, an earth goddess who guards the dead and the seed corn, also mother of the Lares, guardian spirits of the home.

Dec. 27 - Birth of Freya

Dec. 29 - Festival of the Nymphs

Dec. 31 - Roman Night of Hekate, Full Blue Moon, 2:14 PM

Jan. 1 - The Morrigan, The Fates, Celebration of Fortuna, Bertha

Jan. 2 - Birth of Inanna, Sacred Day of Isis,

Jan. 3 - The Deer Mothers (Native American)

Jan. 5 - Feast of Befana

Jan. 6 - Twelfth Night, Day of the Triple Goddess

Blessings nine!