Hallows Everyday 9

Snagged from Facebook and thought 

this was perfect for Hallows Everyday!

Blessings nine!

Hallows Everyday 8

I love Vintage Halloween goodies, especially advertising. This ad for stockings, appears to be late 1920s or early 1930s - not sure as the bottom of the page is cut off. I have been collecting ephemera for years. Our guest bathroom is decorated with ads in frames, as well as tins, bottles, and boxes for various beauty and health products. Scattered throughout the Toadstool, one can find a great many more vintage advertising and related goods. I have only been able to collect reproductions of vintage Halloween as the prices have been very high for many years, taking them out of my range of affordability.

I will, of course, be wearing black for Hallows, and the days leading up to it. I have a series of three rituals I plan to do this year, as well as a celebration for Pomona on Her day, November 1st. The Hallows rituals will involve a meditative descent to the Underworld, a feast for the dead, and some serious divination about issues that have recently been swirling through my life.

For the Day of Pomona, I will make more apple butter, dry apple skins so I have them for magickal workings, and eat apple goodies. I will also make some offerings of apples at the hedge to Her and the bounty of the season She brings after a ritual of honoring.

Those are my plans. Hope you are all enjoying the season!

Blessings nine!

Hallows Everyday 7

Witches celebrating Hallows, Florida style!

Blessings nine!

Hallows Everyday 6

Ancestor altar, 2009, copyright E A Kaufman

Between the heavens and the earth

The way now opens to bring forth

The Hosts of those who went on before;

We see them now come through the Open Door.

Now the veils of the worlds are thin;

To move out you must move in.

Let the balefires now be made,

Mine the spark within them laid.

Move beyond the fiery screen,

Between the seen and the unseen;

Shed your anger and your fear,

Live anew in a new years!

Lore of the Door

Ancestor Altar, 2009, copyright E A Kaufman

Blessings nine!

Hallows Everyday 5

Twas the Evening of Samhain

'Twas the evening of Samhain, and all through the place

were pagans preparing the ritual space.

The candles were set in the corners with care,

in hopes that the Watchtowers soon would be there.

We all had our robes on (as is habitual)

and had just settled down and were starting our ritual

when out on the porch there arose such a chorus

that we went to the door, and waiting there for us

were children in costumes of various kinds

with visions of chocolate bright in their minds.

In all of our workings, we'd almost forgot,

but we had purchased candy (we'd purchased a LOT),

And so, as they flocked from all over the street,

they all got some chocolate or something else sweet.

We didn't think twice of delaying our rite,

Kids just don't have this much fun every night.

For hours they came, with the time-honored schtick

of giving a choice: a treat or a trick.

As is proper, the parents were there for the games,

Watching the children and calling their names.

"On Vader, On Leia, On Dexter and DeeDee,

On Xena, on Buffy, Casper and Tweety!

To the block of apartments on the neighboring road;

You'll get so much candy, you'll have to be TOWED!"

The volume of children eventually dropped,

and as it grew darker, it finally stopped.

But as we prepared to return to our rite,

One child more stepped out of the night.

She couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen.

Her hair was deep red, and her robe, forest green

with a simple gold cord tying off at the waist.

She'd a staff in her hand and a smile on her face.

No make-up, nor mask, or accompanying kitsch,

so we asked who she was; she replied "I'm a witch.

And no, I don't fly through the sky on my broom;

I only use that thing for cleaning my room.

My magical powers aren't really that neat,

but I won't threaten tricks; I'll just ask for a treat."

We found it refreshing, so we gave incense cones,

A candle, a crystal, a few other stones,

And the rest of the candy (which might fill a van).

She turned to her father (a man dressed as Pan)

and laughed, "Yes, I know, Dad, it's past time for bed,"

and started to leave, but she first turned and said

"I'm sorry for further delaying your rite.

Blessed Samhain to all, and a magical night."

Copyright (c) 1999 by Cather Steincamp

Blessings nine!

Hallows Everyday 4

Once upon a time, the witches rode

In sinister and ominous parade

Upon their sticks at night, and queer lights glowed...

Once Upon A Time, James W. Foley, 1905

Blessings nine!

Hallows Everyday 3

Rune For Casting A Circle

Black Spirits and White,

Red Spirits and Grey,

Harken to the Rune I say:

Four points of the circle,

Weave the Spell,

East, South, West, North,

Your tale to tell.

East is for Red, for the break of the day.

South is White, for the noontide hour.

For the West, is twilight grey,

While North is Black for the place of Power.

Three times round the Circle's cast.

Great Ones, Spirits from the past,

Witness this and guard it fast!

Doreen Valiente

Blessings nine!

Hallows Everyday 2

(vintage post card)

Besom, besom, Lady's broom,

Sweep out darkness, sweep out doom,

Rid ye Lady's hallowed ground

Of demons, imps, and Hell's red hound;

Then set ye down on Her green Earth

By running stream or Mistress' hearth,

'Til called once more on moon or Sabbath night

To cleanse once more the dancing site!

(author unknown)

Blessings nine!

Hallows Everyday 1 - October Arrives

Witches' Sabbat by Arthur Rackham

Welcome October! I began the month by joining my Witch-kin for an evening of movie watching and dinner. We watched two movies before dinner, the original The Wicker Man, followed by The Wicker Tree. There was pop corn, chips, dip, and salsa while we watched. After the movies, we ate dinner. I prepared baked ziti and there was garlic bread to go with it followed by cannoli for dessert. Everything was delicious, the company wonderful, and the discussion stimulating.

Of course the original Wicker Man is a cult favorite and we all enjoyed it very much. All but one of us, I believe, have seen it before. We discussed sacrifice and how it has changed over the centuries. The Wicker Tree... well, I have to be honest, it was more of a horror movie. Yes, there were elements of the Old Ways, but it just didn't do much for me.

It is interesting how sacrifice, animal, human, and the usual food and beverages, were so much a part of Pagan religions, as well as the Abrahamic religions, long ago. Now, Pagans tend to distance themselves from animal, and most especially human, sacrifice. I made mention that I didn't think there was one person in the room who would perform any type of blood sacrifice, with the exception of offering one's own blood. There was only one person who said that if her goddesses required it of her, she would do it. None of us, though, has been called upon to do such sacrifice.

My own practice includes some blood sorcery, but it is my own blood that I use. This is the most powerful of offerings, gaining us the most potent results. It is not for everyone, and certainly not for every working; it would not be a good idea to feed the spirits one's own rich life elixir more than once in a while. I am sure there will be those that disagree with me and may, in fact, be horrified; by all means, you are free to believe and feel what you wish. However, I can say from experience, I know this to be true. Make of it what you will.

And so begins my daily posts with an image, poem, or what have I, for the season of Hallows. I didn't plan to discuss this blood, it just happened.  

Blessings nine!