Hallows Everyday - 9

Remembering

Some were witches, some were occultists, some magical practitioners, all left their mark.

 Sybil Leek

Marion Weinstein

Gerald Gardner

Doreen Valiente, 

Dion Fortune

Rosaleen Norton

Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart

Aleister Crowley

These are some of our Elders who have crossed over, but remain with us in the writings and the  shared over their many years and the wisdom they have left behind. We remember them, we honor them. Mighty blessings!

Devotional activity: Choose one of these Elders, or all, and research who they were and why they are important to our Artes. 

Supposedly a "real" witch. What do you thing?

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday - 8

Ancestors shrines for inspiration.

My family altar, a few years ago.

Another altar from past years that a friend and I created.

This altar was for remembering women who were accused of witchcraft and died. We recited the name of each woman, the year she died, and then lit a candle for her.

One of my apprentices' ancestor altar.

The ancestor altar of two more apprentices.

Devotional activity: Search the internet and find three names of women who were accused of witchcraft and then killed. Write the names on pieces of paper and scatter on your altar. Say a little prayer for them and let them know they are not forgotten.

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 - 5

By the veil of time,

let me wake, let me see,

let me remember,

let me hear who calls to me.

Grant me a vision

of what was, what is, 

what yet comes to be.

By the three cords, by the three roads,

By the Sisters Three, weavers and spinners,

By the black waters and the light of flame,

By the promise of blood,

Let me see the seed in earth, the pearl in the wine,

That which lies upon the table

at the end of the mirrored hall of time

in the castle upon the hill.

Grant me true vision,

Oh Sisters of Fate.

(adapted from Veronica Cummer's Rite to Ask For A Vision

of the Lady of the Lake, in her book, Masks of the Muse)

Scrying is another form of divination that can bring interesting information, visions, and experiences. At this time of year, the veil is more easily pierced, it seems the spirits are more eager to speak. I brew a special herbal tea and add some red wine, salt, a splash of olive oil, and a bit of ink to make my scrying medium. I consecrate it and pour it into my scrying bowl, lighting three candles nearby. Beneath the bowl, I place a sigil for protect as well as a couple to call those spirits who are inclined to assist me. I generally have good results and receive messages that answer questions or give advice. I always go into trance before scrying, finding it helps to make a more intense experience, especially as a vehicle to communicate with my goddesses. 

Devotional Activity: In preparation for your Hallowstide divination, create a recipe for your scrying brew. This will be much more effective than simply using ink in water or a black bowl. Do some research and combine three or more herbs that will enhance divination and psychic abilities, a good bit of  red wine, some consecrated salt, a sacred oil, and something to darken the brew further, such as ink or watercolor paint. Focus your intention all the while and you will create an effective brew. You could add crystals or stones for opening the third eye and psychic centers such as Lapis Lazuli or Herkimer Diamond. Keep refrigerated to preserve until ready to use, although if you have enough wine or other alcoholic spirits in it, it should keep on your altar just fine. You needn't wait until Hallows to scry, the veil is thin, gaze and let yourself see.   

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday - 4

I have gone out, a possessed witch,

haunting the black air, braver at night;

dreaming evil, I have done my hitch

over the plain houses, light by light:

lonely thing, twelve-fingered, out of mind.

A woman like that is not a woman, quite.

I have been her kind.

I have found the warm caves in the woods,

filled them with skillets, carvings, shelves,

closets, silks, innumerable goods;

fixed the suppers for the worms and elves:

whining, rearranging the dis-aligned.

A woman like that is misunderstood.

I have been her kind.

I have ridden in your cart, driver,

waved my nude arms at villages going by,

learning the last bright routes, 

survivor where your flames still bite my thigh

and my ribs crack where your wheels wind.

A woman like that is not ashamed to die.

I have been her kind.

- Anne Sexton -

Devotional Activity: This is a time of remembrance, of our Ancestors of Blood, but also the Hidden Company, especially those who were accused of practicing the old artes and put to death. We should never forget the innocents, the midwives, the healers. Choose one night a week and light a candle for them from now until November 13th, remembering all of them. What were their lives like, did they love, were they lonely, did they take pleasure in the various tasks of their days? And... did some practice charms and spells, did they heal and hex? Perhaps the dead will speak if you remember.

Blessings dark and deep!

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 - 2

I heard this whisper and I wondered,

I heard this laugh and then I knew.

The time is getting near, my friends,

The time that I hold dear, my friends,

The veil is getting thin, my friends,

And strange things will pass through.

The veil is getting thinner.

(author unknown)

Devotional Activity: Once a week in the evening, from now through Hallows, take your tarot or oracle deck and ask for a message from your Ancestors. Light your Ancestor candle, set out a little goblet of Their preferred libation, and recite a blessing invoking your Ancestors' protection. Focus your mind, perhaps taking yourself into a light trance, then ask for a message, shuffling your cards all the while. Draw a card when you feel ready and see what They have to say. Keep a record of your messages and any thoughts and/or experiences during this time in your journal. Extinguish the candle and leave the libation on your Ancestor altar until the following night when you will take it and pour it onto the ground outside your door. 

Blessings dark and deep!

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!