| DIVIDING THE SABBATS Major Sabbats: Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lammas are the Major Sabbats. Samhain is the most important, followed by Beltane. These are the ancient Sabbats ~ and were fire festivals. Even now, in more modern times, we celebrate these days with candles and small fires to symbolise the fire within the celebration. Samhain and Beltane are the times when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is at it’s most thin, and many Witches use this to their advantage and use these times for scrying and divination. In older times Witches didn’t have an exact calendar, and so kept watch on how Nature changed around them so they would know the times of the festivals: Imbolc was celebrated when the first buds appeared on the trees. Beltane was when the blossoms appeared on the trees during May. Lammas was celebrated at the start of the harvest. Samhain coincided with the first frosts. Obviously, the times and dates of Sabbats would vary from place to place, depending on the climate. Many Witches today still use this old method of watching nature and the seasons in determining when to celebrate their Sabbats…and further to this, many agree that there is a three-day ‘lee-way’ within which the Sabbats may be celebrated; the day before, the day after, or the exact calendar date of the Sabbat itself. Minor Sabbats: Solstices and Equinoxes are Minor Sabbats; Yule and Litha are Solstices, Ostara and Mabon are Equinoxes. At Yule, the days are the shortest within the year, and the nights are the longest. Contrary to this, at Litha, the days are longest and the nights shortest. Traditionally, it may be accepted that Witches in older times celebrated Yule and Litha several days after the actual dates, as they would have had to notice the change in the length of the days first ~ the same applies to Ostara and Mabon ~ both occur when the days and nights are of equal length. Because the cycle of the Earth around the Sun is not the same length as one year, the dates of both the Solstice and the Equinox are not precisely fixed; they may fall on either the 21st or 22nd of the month they are celebrated in. Many Witches claim that the strongest or most influential magicks are worked during the Sabbats. However, I believe that these times should be primarily for celebration. Magickal workings may not wait until a specific day, and it maybe worked at all phases of the Moon. Sabbats are a time for reflection, a time to honour the Goddess and the God, and a time for stepping back and noticing the passing of time within the year. I am not saying that no magickal workings should be performed on Sabbats ~ not at all ~ just that magick and Spellworking should not be the only consideration during these special times. The tides of energy can be especially strong during the Sabbats, and many Witches believe that this is the best time for Spellworking ~ it just shouldn’t be the only time for such power. Other Witches use the Sabbats for re-energising themselves ~ meditation, reflection and drawing power are all part of this, but also a time for giving back to Nature; thanking her for her bounty, her changes, and gifts. Each Sabbat may be used to reflect upon the cycle of life and death, to understand the changes and differences during the seasons of the year. However any Witch chooses to celebrate the Sabbats…may they do so in peace and harmony. Blessings. PAGAN/CHRISTIAN COINCIDENCES Many of the Sabbat dates coincide with Christian celebrations ~ this really is no coincidence at all. Most religions have their roots in either Celtic peoples or the ancient land of Sumer. Both of these worshipped Gods and Goddesses, believed in Magick, and held a reverence and healthy respect for Nature, and also believed in balance of all things (giving as well as taking, etc.). Our forebears lived in harmony with nature as much as they could…they believed in the power of their Gods and Goddesses, and knew that they had a certain amount of control in manipulating the world around them. Added to this, with the control they had, they knew that it was easy to destroy the harmonious balance within nature ~ it could be precarious at times. Due to this heavy influence, which may be stated as a foundation for the way we act and worship today, it is easy to see why there are many celebrations that are shared between Pagans and Christians. Samhain = All Souls’ Eve (Halloween) Yule = Christmas Imbolc = Candlemas Ostara = Easter Mabon = Harvest Festival Beltane = May Day Litha = the Feast of St John the Baptist Lammas = August Bank Holiday CELEBRATING THE SABBATS The way which a Witch celebrates each Sabbat will vary considerably. It may depend on whether s/he is solitary or within a Coven. It will also vary depending on what tradition s/he follows ~ but mainly, it will vary depending on what the Witch feels comfortable with doing. My celebrations: SAMHAIN Regarded by most Witches (if not all) as the most important festival in the Witches’ year. It marks the beginning (and therefore the end) of the Wheel of the Year, and is thus considered to be the Witches’ New Year. Samhain begins for me the moment the sun starts to fall from the sky and dusk settles across the land on 31st October. I love the local children knocking at my door, dressed up as goblins and witches ~ it really does bring a smile to my face. It is at this time that I reflect…I often give thanks for the innocence of the child, and the chance for change and new beginnings. A candle is lit in the window to welcome the spirits of the dead, and an offering is made to our ancestors ~ usually a place at the table, and a welcoming light at the window. The candle is also lit to deter the unwanted spirits. By eleven o’clock in the evening, I am ready to go…I enjoy visiting places where I feel I can almost hear, but surely feel, the world of the dead close by. This is not a time to be afraid, nor a time to try to communicate with the spirits. It seems more respectful to leave the spirits in peace ~ they will commune with us when they want to, and it doesn’t seem quite right to summon them to be with us. In the peace and tranquillity of my chosen place, I set myself a goal. Similarly to a ‘New Years’ Resolution’, I plan to achieve something, or finish a project…anything like that. Generally, Samhain has a reputation for being linked with death, ghosts and anything eerie and spooky. In many ways, it is a well-deserved reputation, as it is a time when the world of the dead and living are most intertwined. It marks a point in the year that shows the winter months are speedily advancing upon us. Our ancestors knew that this time would mark the last of the fresh food for many days ahead, and would carefully choose the animal that were to be slaughtered (those unlikely to survive the cold winter months) and preserve the carcasses for food. They would also determine the best way to store the precious amount of feed left for the animals ~ taking stock of supplies and the amount of grain gathered throughout the less harsh months. Many Witches believe that Samhain is the time when the Wild Hunt begins. The Horned God rides throughout the land with his hounds, gathering up lost and unwary souls that linger in the world of the living. The Hunt continues throughout the winter months, and some Witches re-enact the spectacle by setting up a chase through a forest ~ at the end of the re-enactment the ‘winner’ is bestowed with gifts, and those who fail are sent back to the woodland to make an offering to the Horned God ~ this usually entails clearing and maintaining a space, and tending the plants therein. This is obviously not something that a Solitary should choose to do ~ wandering around in the middle of a forest in the dark or even in daylight may be a dangerous option. On November 1st, I choose to take my family on an outing to the local forest, and teach them about the plants, and my Path ~ even if they choose not to be Pagan, I can at least teach them a respect for Nature, and that respect (I believe) will come from all the knowledge I can provide. For the most part, my Samhain celebrations are taken up with walking through places where nature abounds…reflecting upon the changes that are occurring in nature, and marking them against the changes that occur in my own life. It is good to notice not only the signs of death in nature, but also note the small signs of life there are still around. Look for the evergreen tree, the scurrying sounds of small animals. Remember throughout this time of looking and watching that in nature, this time when everything seems to be dying, it is in fact just a resting point before the rebirth of new life and growth. For those who wish to use scrying and divination techniques during this festival, remember that the Goddess should be visualised as the Crone ~ and use divination to seek wisdom. (Call upon the four elements, that they may be with you, place food and drink at the altar or in the space you are using for this ritual). Light a white and a black candle. The white candle symbolises the coming of the New Year ~ new beginnings, hopes for the future, and the letting go of past mistakes. The black candle symbolises the old year, and is used to reflect on the passing of time, and what has been achieved within the last year. (Thank the Lord and Lady for all successes, and ask for their blessing in future endeavours). If you choose this time for divination, do so now. Snuff out the black candle and see the passing of the old year into the mists of time. Let the white candle burn out on its own ~ but do not leave it unattended for safety reasons. Many Witches will incorporate the Rite of Wine and Cakes into this ritual. (Thank the elements for their presence; thank the Lord and Lady for their guidance). Now you may eat your feast ~ remembering to put some aside for the spirits of loved ones. I use this symbolically, and put crumbs and titbits out for the birds during winter, though I spill a small amount of wine into the ground also. Tidying up afterwards should be considered part of the ritual, and to reflect on what has been hoped for, and what has passed. Also during Samhain, it is nice to remember friends and family that have passed, or that are far away ~ don’t reflect on the sadness of not seeing them, but celebrate their lives and the happiness they have placed there. YULE Also known as the Winter Solstice, Yule is the shortest day and longest night of the year. Although the actual date may very from year to year, most Witches will celebrate this Sabbat on December 21st. Yule is the festival of the rebirth of the Sun ~ the sun has been in decline since the Summer Solstice, and now begins to increase in strength; a reminder to us all that even in the depths of winter, life will begin again. The origin of the tradition of having a Christmas tree in the home can be traced to a time when witches bought evergreen boughs into their homes as a reminder of the return of the more bountiful seasons. Holly was also used to decorate the home of Witches ~ the bright red berries a symbol of the resting Mother, and the deep green leaves symbolising the Holly King who rules at this time. Pagans used mistletoe, and considered it a magickal plant because it grows between the earth and the sky, without it’s roots in the ground. Yule is the time when the Oak King (Lord of Summer) is reborn. Legend tells us that the Oak King and the Holly King are brothers who share the rule of the year ~ the Oak King from midsummer til midwinter, and the Holly King from midwinter til midsummer. Witches perceive the Oak Kings reign as the period of increasing light, and thus the Holly King as reigning in a time of decreasing light. Because of this they are seen respectively as symbolising Light and Dark ~ but this is not a representation of good and evil, but an acceptance of balance, and knowledge that we need both to prosper. At the Solstices, light and dark are warring to determine who will control the following months ~ many covens re-enact this battle during rituals and ceremonies during the Solstice, ensuring always that during the re-enactment the correct King wins. The Wild Hunt is now at its peak, and legend has it that anyone who dares to venture out at midnight on the Winter Solstice may be swept up by the Hunter and carried away. Most Witches will prepare a Yule log for the hearth, and place candles upon it. Each member of the coven (or if the Witch is solitary, each member of her family or the witch his/herself) will light a candle representing the days of increasing light, and express a wish for the coming season. Traditionally, the Yule log is kept for the following years’ Yule, where it is placed in the hearth and allowed to slowly burn. In recent times, many people do not have an open fire in which to burn the Yule log, it is acceptable to keep the log and use it every year. For this Sabbat, I light a Yule candle ~ usually a gold or bright orange colour. I anoint the candle, and as I rub the candle from centre to each end, I visualise the sun and it’s warmth. Each morning at sunrise, from the morning of the 21st onwards, I light the candle and focus on the flame for a few minutes; recalling the reasons why many of us celebrate Yule. I snuff the candle out, to repeat the process each morning until the candle is no more. A few days before Yule, I like to make a Yule log for eating. Just a quick swiss-roll recipe works well, and the cake is decorated with chocolate icing (or melted chocolate) and sprinkled with icing sugar to represent the frosts of the season. Along the length of the log, I place a candle for each of the people in my home on 21st, and when the ‘big day’ comes, every person will light a candle. It is a time when we are thankful of being together, and for the small tokens of appreciation we give to each other ~ whether those gifts be given on Yule, or on the Christian Christmas day. On the morning of the Solstice, if you have time, go to a point where you can see the sun rising. As it begins to become lighter, and the sun shows its warm face, give thanks for the returning of the light and warmth. Think of any new beginnings you would like to have, and know that as the sun rises, it brings with it the spark of light, which fulfils the promise of the return of a new life to the land. Look around and see if you can find a small token (perhaps a pebble or a leaf/twig) that you can carry with you to remind you of the promise you have made to yourself for new beginnings. IMBOLC With Imbolc comes the first signs of spring. The spark of light shown at Yule becomes a flame to warm the land and the people. The tree’s are in bud, and the first snowdrops are blossoming. The fields are full of Ewes, ready to bear their young. Imbolc is the quickening of the year ~ a time when the Earth is pregnant with the promise of summer fruitfulness and the coming harvest. The Goddess at this time of year casts off her robe of the Crone and becomes the Maiden ~ dressed in white, and ready for the God; now a young man, full of life and vigour. It is at this Sabbat that the Lord starts his pursuit of his Lady. Now is the time to remove the Yule evergreens from the home ~ some traditions burn the Yule log at Imbolc celebrations. If it is impossible for you to keep the Yule decorations in place until this time, prepare an alternative…perhaps you can save the cards and tags you have been given, and recycle them for use in other projects. I have a small willow tree growing in the garden ~ it is at Imbolc when I allow the children to write wishes on scraps of ribbon (sometimes using the tags and cards of Yule instead), and then tie them loosely to the branches of the tree. This is a ‘wish tree’. Sometimes the ribbon itself is left blank, and hung on the tree as a gift for the Goddess. I Have many ways of using the wish-tree…sometimes using plaited grass stems or the trimmings from the plants and bushes plaited together, and placing these on or around the tree as a gift. Now is also the time for planting seedlings, or sow seeds ~ best done indoors or in a greenhouse until the first frosts have passed. Lavender and rosemary are good choices of herbs to cultivate indoors at this time too. Study the area around you, and especially the trees. Choose a tree that you call your own, and watch it throughout the year, seeing how it changes to mark each season. The best tree’s to choose are: Oak, Ash, Hawthorn, Elder, Willow, Rowan…though the choice should be entirely your own. This tree should be in a place where you can sit and meditate nearby, or even under it’s branches. It will be your link to the Wheel Of The Year ~ you may even choose to make your wand from this tree. OSTARA During Ostara, the Goddess remains as the Maiden, but now she truly is the embodiment of spring. At this time, the land around us awakens ~ leaves on the trees, flowers in abundance, and the first shoots of corn. Ostara is also the Spring Equinox ~ a time when the days and nights are equal. As with other Equinoxes and Solstices, the date of this festival will vary from year to year, but many will choose to celebrate it on March 21st. In keeping with the balance of day and night, Ostara is a time when we can seek balance within ourselves… ridding ourselves (and our lives) of the unwanted (habits, feelings and thoughts), and finding space for the new (ideas and thoughts, hobbies and crafts…or even make new friendships). It is also a time for accepting ourselves ~ knowing who we are and striving for a happy balance. Much before the day of the Equinox, I have gathered some old leaves, and carefully dried them. On the Equinox, I use food colourings to write on the leaves something that I wish to leave behind ~ perhaps a feeling of jealousy I am not comfortable with, or a long-passed relationship I can not let go of fully. I dig a hole in the garden soil, and place the leaves (preferably crumbled) at the bottom of the hole. Next, I place seeds over the leaves and ask that, as the leaves rot and feed the seeds, may I let go of those things that hold me back so my life will be fed with new hope and beginnings. I carefully cover the seeds with earth, and await their growth ~ nurturing them and tending for them. All throughout the spring, I find myself toiling in the garden ~ not just because it has to be done, but also because it is a time when I can appreciate Nature beginning to bloom and show her beauty. I enjoy being part of that. BELTANE Beltane is the most important Sabbat in the witches’ calendar after Samhain. Whereas Samhain is a time for greeting and celebrating the lives of those who have gone before, Beltane is a time when the more mischief making of spirits like to take advantage and play tricks. From this you may assume that Beltane, like Samhain, is a time when the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead is once again thin. Because of the reputation of mischievous spirits, Witches must take care that their wishes and spells are not taken literally ~ it is very much a case of ‘be careful what you wish for’. Some old folk customs during this time include: Lighting the Beltane fires atop of hills, all across the land ~ cows would be led between the fires to ensure their fertility. Even people would leap over the dying embers of the beacons to ensure fertility. The Beltane hearth fires: Hearths would be totally cleared of the embers and ashes of the old fires, and a new fire lit with kindle also used for the Bel Fires (the ones used on the top of the hills). Although this tradition has largely died out, to mark the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and also for the Millennium celebrations, fires were lit as beacons across the land once more. The Goddess becomes the Mother at this time, and the marriage of Goddess and God is celebrated as the God descends to be with his Queen. Because of this, Beltane is a major fertility festival, and is also a common time for Witches to Handfast. Central to Beltane is the festival of the Great Rite. Most often celebrated ritually, it is symbolic of the joining and union between the Goddess and the God. The Goddess is represented with the Chalice (or cup) and the God with the Athame. Within a coven setting, the Goddess is invoked into the High Priestess, and the God invoked into the High Priest. As a Solitary, it may be difficult to find a ritual to hold on your own. Following is a suggestion taken directly from Kate West’s ‘The Real Witches Handbook’, whereby the Great Rite is set out for a Solitary Witch to follow. It has been shortened and simplified from the more complex Great Rite performed by a Coven. However, as with all ritual and Magick, if your intent is true, then the simple Rite is as powerful as the more complex form: A BELTANE RITUAL The main themes of this Sabbat are the fire festival of Bel and its associated fertility rites. The Goddess takes on her role of the Mother, the God descends to rule beside his queen and so the celebration of this union of fertility takes place through the great rite. ********* By far the most obvious way of celebrating Beltane is in a traditional way is to perform the Great Rite. For this you will need a Chalice of wine and an Athame (many witches will substitute the Wand instead of the Athame). You will need to find a time and place where you will not be disturbed. Ask for the support of the Elements and then visualise the Goddess in the robes of Mother, warm and caring, strong and full of grace, and ask her to be present at your rite. Visualise the God as a young man full of strength and energy and ask him also to be with you. Take your chalice and hold it in both hands in front of you at eye level. Focus on the image of the Goddess and say, “Behold the Chalice, symbol of the Goddess, the Great Mother who brings fruitfulness and knowledge to all.” Put the Chalice down and take your Athame. Hold this in both hands in front of you, blade pointing upwards, also at eye level, and, focusing on the image of the God, say, “Behold the Athame, symbol of the God, the All Father who brings energy and strength to all.” Then change the position of your Athame so that you are holding it blade downwards in your right, or strong, hand, take the Chalice in the other hand and, lowering the blade into your wine, say, “Joined in union together, they bring life to all.” Kiss the handle of your Athame, say, “Blessed Be,” and then put it down. Next take a sip of your wine whilst meditating on the roles of the Goddess and the God at this time of year. After you have finished, remember to thank the elements and the Goddess and the God. Any remaining wine can be drunk as part of your feasting or, if you prefer, you may take it outside and pour it on the ground as a libation. ********* Some Witches do not visualise the Goddess and the God as figures…some of us see both the male and female aspect in Nature and the elements all around us. Our ‘Great Rite’ is more simple even than this, and is a dedication to the reverence of Nature, and the new life that nature holds and provides. Whatever you do, it must be personal to you, and a symbol of how you see and feel the world around you. Green foliage and red and white berries or flowers are apt colours to use in this festival ~ incorporate these colours into any ritual you perform, using candles and cloth. LITHA The Summer Solstice is the longest day, and the shortest night of the year. From this eve onwards the days will start to become shorter. As with other Solstice celebrations, they may take place on the day of the 21st June, or just after it. Legend tells us that now the Holly King takes over from the Oak King, and some covens will re-enact the battle as they did at Yule, with the Holly King winning this time. The Goddess is still in her robes of the Mother ~ and it is well to note that whilst the God is celebrated through the cycles of life, death and rebirth, the Goddess is the one who presides over these changes; whilst the God changes his persona, the Goddess only changes her aspect (she is constant). At this time of year, she is pregnant with the harvest to come, and watching over the seasons as they change. Although now is the time that the Sun is at it’s peak, it is also a time when it starts to decline. For this reason, the Summer Solstice is a time for reflection. It must be remembered that although this may be true for one part of the hemisphere, the opposite is happening in the other. Like the tides that ebb and flow ~ as one tide peaks the other tide must ebb ~ so the opposite hemispheres will have midwinter whilst the other has midsummer. This will remind us that the cycle of life is never-ending and continuous. Although some good things we hold close and dear may age and fade, they give way to new things that must have their place. At dawn on the Solstice, many Witches rise to welcome in the Sun on its day of greatest power. It is a time that I like to take a walk and notice that many of the flowers are dying back ~ but only to make room for new growth. I ponder on my own life and consider those things that need to be replaced with new growth too, and reflect on what should take greater importance in my life, and what needs to ‘take a back seat’ for a while. Something you may like to do at Litha: Find a crystal that you like the feel of (preferably quartz), and cleanse it both physically and ritually. At midday, go outside and hold the crystal up to the sun ~ don’t worry if it’s a cloudy day, regardless of whether the sun is clearly seen or not, it is still there. Visualise the suns rays coming down with strength and vigour, and filling the crystal with light and energy. Go indoors and place the crystal on a white or yellow cloth with something green that means something important to you (this may be something as simple as a scrap of green ribbon, or a small green gem) and place it where it will catch the suns rays ~ perhaps a windowsill, or sunny part of your room. When you need energy, or strength and power, take the crystal and hold it in your hand or carry it with you. LAMMAS There are many misleading customs that have led to the rise of stories of blood sacrifices and death concerning the festival of Lammas. It was once common for the townspeople would arise early and gather in a field to reap the first crop. This had to be done swiftly before the spirit of the land awoke and realised that the crop was to be a sacrifice as repayment for the bounty of harvest (to ensure fertility of the land in coming harvests). In the mayhem that ensued, many small animals and birds would be inadvertently slain, and the blood left in the fields gave rise to the stories of animals and even people being slaughtered or sacrificed. Other myths include the slaying of the townsperson chosen to be ‘king for a day’. It was often customary for a simple folk to be chosen for such a title ~ he was dressed in finery and wore a crown. During the celebrations of the day, the ‘King’ would hold a large stick (or fake sceptre), with which he would hit the townspeople to bring about fertility. At sunset, the ‘King’ would lead the townsfolk to the field, and everyone would gather around him, laughing and making merry before the start of the first harvest. This would happen much as said before, with mayhem and speed. The ‘King’ would cast aside his finery ~ the clothes and the crown ~ and join in with the other townspeople in rushing in the first harvest. To an outsider, it would seem that he had disappeared ~ all that would be left to show of the ‘King’ at the end of the harvest would be a pile of forgotten fine clothes and a crown discarded in the field. In a variation of this custom, the first sheaf of corn harvested would be made into a corn dolly ~ a life-sized ‘Corn King’, in the image of a man. During the celebrations following the harvest of the first field, this corn dolly would be ‘slain’ by the participants…actually, the corn king was pulled apart, everyone trying to grab a little piece. Some of the remaining corn from the first harvest would be ground, and used as flour for the food prepared for the feast ~ this ensures a sharing of the blessings of the land with the people. Small cakes would be made in the shape of a man ~ like a gingerbread man ~ in recognition of the Corn Kings sacrifice. During the festival of Lammas, I like to make gingerbread men and Lammas Loaves (loaves plaited into the shape of a wheat sheaf) to share with family and friends. If the weather is clement, the sharing can be done at a picnic, or barbeque. As a variation on a Lammas ritual: Take three pieces of paper ~ in varying shades of orange or yellow hues. With black ink, write on each piece of paper the following: On one side, write something you have achieved in the last year. On the other side, write your ‘payment’ for the achievement. This may take many forms…for instance, if your achievement is that you have found a good friend that has done you a favour, the payment may be cooking them a meal, or surprising them with a special gift for thanks. Do this with all three pieces of paper, remembering as you write to recall how you felt when you achieved something, and how you will feel when you make payment. Keep the pieces of paper in a safe place until the ‘payment’ has been made ~ when payment has been made, burn the pieces of paper with the flame of an orange candle. Scatter the ashes in a garden, or bury them. MABON Mabon is the Autumn Equinox ~ a time when the day and night are once again of equal length. Most Witches will celebrate the festival on the 21st September ~ though the actual day will vary slightly as with other Equinoxes. Although similar to Ostara in such as that we seek a balance within, Mabon is slightly different. Mabon (or ‘Madron’) is the feast of the Healer, the Bringer of Justice, and the Release of Prisoners. This stems from a time when battles were short at this time of year, and to feed the prisoners throughout the winter months would be difficult. Thus, it was a time when prisoners would be returned to their families (it should be remembered that it was usually only people of rank would have been captured due to their exchange value), with the hope that their friends and family would be returned also. Witches also celebrate Mabon with the release of ‘prisoners’ ~ not actual people, but the prisoners being old regrets, and arguments we have held and continued. It is a time for forgiveness ~ not only of others, but of self also. We release these feelings and regrets not by simply forgetting them, but by trying to make amends and put things right. By doing this, we allow ourselves to heal and move forwards; leaving our past mistakes behind and healed, and are able to move forward to lessons we have yet to learn. A Simple Mabon Ritual: Before Mabon, collect some dried leaves. Ensuring the leaves are fully dry, lay them out on a table (covered to protect the surface) and with food colouring write a symbol on them that you will remember to symbolise a regret you have ~ this may be a sad face for upsetting someone, or a money-sign to show that you owe someone money and intend to pay it back. Think about what you can do to release you of your regret ~ perhaps apologising, building emotional bridges, or paying back the money you owe…etc. On the eve of Mabon, take out your leaves and think more on what you will do to alleviate and get rid of your regrets. Crumble the leaves in your left (or weak) hand, visualising the end of your regret and the new start you will achieve. Leave the crumbled leaf debris wrapped up in a white cloth (or place them in a white envelope) overnight. The following day (midday if possible) discard the leaves by burying them, or allowing them to tumble into moving water ~ such as a stream. To highlight the healing you need, before the eve of Mabon has finished (just after you wrap the leaves in white cloth) get a length of white cord ~ even plaited or twisted cotton or embroidery thread works well. Tie a knot in the cord to represent each healing action you will take to discard the regrets you have. It is best to choose three or four ‘promises’ to yourself. The knots may represent something simple such as trying to repay debts on time, or complimenting yourself instead of finding fault. Once you have achieved the promise you have made three times, untie the knot. This may take a little time, so keep the cord in a safe place. Once the promises have been kept, you may discard the cord ~ do not use the same cord again unless it has been properly cleansed. MAKING A HARVEST WHEEL FOR MABON You make a harvest wheel using apples. When you cut an apple across the core, you will notice that it contains the symbol of the Pentacle ~ in that the seeds show a five-pointed star. To make the wheel you will need four or five apples, cut into thin slices (4 or 5 mm) across the core. Discard the slices that are too small, and also those slices that come from the very ends. Place the slices in a single layer on a cooking rack, and on a very low heat, bake them until they are dry. Next, place the slices on newspaper in a warm place overnight to dry thoroughly. Some slices may curl too much, and may need to be thrown away. Once the slices are thoroughly dry, arrange them in a circle, so that each slice slightly overlaps the one before. Take your time until the arrangement is pleasing to your eye. When this is done, glue each slice in place, and leave to dry. Once the wheel is completed, it may be decorated, but try to decorate it in keeping with the theme of the harvest. It will need to be hung in a place where it will not be damp, so it will not start to rot. |
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