A Souls Release

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Holly & Jacques

s the wheel turns, October once again gives way to November and the killing frosts of the Crone have visited themselves upon the garden, bringing a halt to new growth while melting vines and flowers. The end of wild growth and external labors signal a time of transition as our outer awareness turns itself inward, heightening our otherworld senses. For many of us the enchanting Season of Samhain means working even more intensely and intimately with our Ancestors and disembodied spirits. We decorate our altars in welcome honor of our dead and the long ago ancestors rooted in our past that have given us life. We keep the old ways enlivened through ritually opening the gates, ensuring the presence of the old ones in the here and now, while drawing on the ancient knowledge and wisdom of those from whence we came. Through the acknowledgement of the dead we simultaneously celebrate the living and gather energies to help the visiting and newly departed to reach the ‘other side’.

For many witches and pagans who choose to work in close-knit groups there is an agreed upon purpose or goal. Our Coven had a particular anchor for the sending of our energy and light, however many years ago, during our yearly review, our coven made a collective decision to direct the sending of our energy towards aiding lost and disembodied souls in crossing over.

Many will recall the trauma felt around the country at the terrorist actions on 911. While we might be unable to agree whether it was a Muslim attack or an inside job, I think we can all agree that it was devastating on some level for all who witnesses the event, be it in person or via television.

As an empath I guard myself carefully from the onslaught of emotional vibration and am rarely overwhelmed and given to emotions I am unable to handle. On that particular day, however, the devastation and reverberating emotions overcame me. I felt sick in my solar plexus, faint and fractured. In all honestly, if I pause too long on that moment, it can still bring me to tears. In that moment I did the only thing I could do-I walked my shell-shocked disbelieving self outside to lay in the arms of mother earth and cry until I could no longer form tears.

By the end of it I felt hollowed out, raw and helpless. It was a sentiment echoed by our coven members and we all rallied in our own ways to provide relief to families in whatever way we could. The feelings were compounded as we were exposed to personal stories of the victims and families, repeated footage from all angles of destruction and more information/misinformation was fed to the news channels regarding ‘the facts’ and subsequent emergency response.

It became apparent that we needed to do something more as we begin to feel the overwhelming numbers of the lost and disembodies pressing up against us as we worked our rites. As with spirits who are left wondering after trauma, there is much in the way of confusion and suffering.

This led us to more intensely work towards the common goal of alleviating suffering through the gathering and welcoming of lost souls while providing the energy and momentum to cross over. While we work on this all through the year, it is much easier at Beltane and Samhain especially, to work these rites. We incorporated the powerful words of the ‘Soul-Leading’ and ‘Blessing for a Souls Release’ by the amazing Caitlin Matthews (If you are unfamiliar with her works, do yourself a favor and get the Celtic Devotional, you won’t regret it).

As witches, pagans, shamans and light workers, we once again find ourselves at a crossroads in regards to all of the souls that have been lost world wide to covid and covid related illness during this tumultuous year. Our Coven, along with Euphoric Naturals & Apothecary have chosen to host an event in the hopes that we can reach more people to collectively come together with the common goal of creating momentum around the globe that will alleviate suffering and confusion felt by so many at this time. If you visit the Souls Release event page, the discussion section will have the words being used to connect us all in our goal that can be easily incorporated to whatever personal rite you are performing.

We wish you all a Blessed Samhain!

Season of Ostara

Posted on April 1, 2020 by Holly & Jacques

Ostaracollage

stara, also known as Alban Eiler, Eostre, Summer Finding and Vernal Equinox, is a fertility festival celebrated on the spring equinox, which falls sometime between March 20th and March 22nd. On the spring and fall equinoxes, day and night are of equal lengths. Ostara begins with sunrise to celebrate the light overcoming the darkness and the heralding of spring, burgeoning growth and potent prosperity.

The feminine aspect of the Spring Maiden and the masculine aspect of the Horned God are called upon so that we may align with the necessary balance required for gentle growth getting ready to burst forth at Beltane. The external focus of the Ostara season is coaxing new life forth. We recognize that the length of our days have been growing ever so slightly since Yule (even though it does not feel like it at times) and this light is sending signals to the animals, our brains and plants around us to start mating and growing. The balancing act comes in reading the signs correctly. In the witch’s garden hellebore, witch hazel, snowdrops, early crocus and daphne are all blooming, however, if temporary warmth is coupled with too many full sunny days, some plants unable to withstand freeze start popping up and then buds are killed by the frost. If we misread the signs and become too eager to start our gardens, the plants in the end become listless and weak. Just as God and Goddess are learning what it is to grow the masculine and feminine energies necessary for the hieros gamos at Bel; spiritually cycles of woman and man play out similarly as we too learn to be priests and priestess in our own lives and embody the sacred energies.

At this time in the PNW, most of the snow is gone and we welcome yellow forsythia brightening the hedge as well as early daffodils and little purple-blue lungwort. These early risers along with fragrant purple hyacinth, daphne and witch hazel are placed around our homes and spring altars along with pastel-colored eggs, chocolate bunnies, rose quartz, jasper, birch, potted shamrocks, early pussy willow and seeds for blessing. While there are many stories about bunnies once being a bird and transformed to lay an egg on Ostara, there are more practical reasons for the symbology. Bunnies are associated with the goddess due to their gentle nature and nocturnal habits. They tend to be prolific in numbers and make more of an appearance during the day, chasing each other before breeding. Egg laying picks up around February, we tend to see a huge upswing in production around this time, which is welcome after so few eggs in the winter. The allegorical theme arises from the Goddess bringing forth the birthed World Tree egg of life and mystery to be laid bare before the Sun God so the fiery spark of heat and light quickens the seed within.

At this time, we come together to pay homage to the Spring Goddess and Horned God. We align ourselves with the vulnerable tendrils of equinox season, seeking balance before taking our next steps. Additionally, we give an offering of gratitude for the returning light seen in the joyous bright colors and intensely scented blooms. We call for the blessing of our seeds, so that they may be strong, healthy and abundant. New beginnings are cast through the seeds of our Grain Goddesses with plenty of water to nurture us until Beltane.

We dye eggs a brilliant red to represent the life-giving blood of the goddess. Each egg contains a message to guide the potential we have within. The shells are then used to plant wheat and nasturtiums or cast into the garden.

Sow a thought, and you reap an act;

Sow an act, and you reap a habit;

Sow a habit, and you reap a character;

Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.

– Charles Reade

What have you planted for the coming year?

January 2o2o Cancer Full Moon

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Holly & Jacques

INTUITION * EMOTIONS

FM Grid Cancer

J blk anuary 2o2o kicks off with an intriguing New Year of pivotal historic and spiritual change as we transition into the Age of Aquarius. As discussed in a previous post, moving into the Age of Aquariusis an exciting time, but can also be a nerve-racking transition as we are plagued with a country and world divided unlike ever before. As with any transition, the struggle to let go is very real and apparent; issues of civil, political, religious and social unrest are quite turbulent and much in the forefront of our awareness.

Current projections for the 2o2o show a year that is mellow into June, but indicate worldwide concerns with material scarcity as oppressive social systems begin to unravel. The astrological and planetary alignments require us to let go of dead habits, ideas and old world views that no longer serve so that we can make space for both new and remembered indigenous knowledge of community and spiritual practice. Astrologists predict a major shift in the rebuilding of society through humanitarian efforts.

As pagans and witches, our spiritual practice and magical rites are informed by the seasons, the natural world around us, synchronicities, meditations, rituals, and divinatory practices, all of which are cluing us into the importance of the full moons in the coming year. The Full Moon in Cancer, taking place on January 10th, provides us with an opportunity to engage in magic specific to family and home. My recent meditations regarding magic for the coming full moon repeatedly show me scales, indicating a need for a balance brought forth and maintained during this transition, specific to the mind and how we frame challenges in our future as well as fiduciary responsibilities. As Cancer oversees the home and emotions, Cancer, in her ruling sign, the Moon, focuses on the intuition necessary to navigate us through trying times. For us, this upcoming Full Moon will deal with internal housecleaning, fine-tuning our internal compass, and communicating with our bodies about what is in harmony or out of sync. I will ask of my internal home, ” What are my emotional strengths and weaknesses? What feels good and right in my body? What sends a red flag? What secrets am I hiding about my true feelings? What are those emotions that lead to imbalance and veer me off the path of authenticity?” In magic one of the most important tasks before you is asking the correct question.

As we all know, change happens at home and this begs the very real question of “who am I in this world of change?” “who do I want to be?”. Ultimately it comes down to how can we balance our responsibilities in the everchanging world while being authentic and connected to our most essential selves, especially when surround by spiritually asleep people who see/experience the world much differently than we? More importantly, it is a time that requires us to adapt in the face of frequent changes that increase as we transition from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius.

As Einstein said, “The Measure of intelligence is the ability to change’.

As you cast your circles and create sacred space, remember…….we are all in this together. Be gentle with yourselves and others.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Season of Imbolg

Posted on January 26, 2019 by Holly & Jacques

celticT

he season of Imbolg is upon us at the midpoint between Yule and Ostara. The spark of light, life & hope born from the womb of the Goddess at Yule emerges from the cave of darkness, bringing forth the stirrings of newly regenerated life. Imbolc, meaning ‘in the belly’ is also known as Imbolg, Oimelc, St. Brigid’s day and the Christianized Candlemas is observed starting on sundown of February 1st through sundown of 2nd. This sabbat marks the beginning of spring, though admittedly in the PNW it doesn’t feel very spring-like. The light birthed at the Solstice, though not wholly noticeable, has increased incrementally enough that our hens are intermittently blessing us with a welcome egg or two.

Historically a festival celebration of lights is held in honor of Brigid the goddess of healing, smith work, poetry, sacred wells. Brigid’s association with water saw her as the protectress of holy wells where divination for the coming season would take place. Additionally, since Imbolc is a festival of fire and lights, omens may be discovered in symbols and imagery of the sabbat fire and subsequent ashes.

It can be quite cold where we live with combinations of wind, rain, fog and snow making travel treacherous. In all honesty, this is not a favorite time of mine to be out and about, so the first snowdrops peeking through the snow as well as the new fluffy white lambs lift the doldrums of the heart and mind. Living in the woods this time of the year means the poten candlemas tial blessing of early mushrooms, however, it also means diligence in walking the fence lines to check for coyote-dug holes that need filling or downed trees removed from fences.

The sparse but growing light gently awakens our souls from inner contemplation and asked to attune ourselves to the energy of purification, the promise of warmer days and growing things. We are not quite ready to be active, however, it is now the time to contemplate what we will sow in the coming year based on what knowledge was gained since the Season of Samhain. Externally our gardens are planned, seeds are purchased and the remaining yard and garden chaff of the previous year is removed and the land made ready.

Altars during the Season of Imbolg are simple, reflecting the newness and fresh start of purification. The dredges of winter are washed away in rituals of self-purification. Homes, altars, tools and sacred spaces are “spring-cleaned” in an effort to alleviate stagnation. Both sacred space and self are rededicated to the Divine and vows are reaffirmed to the path of the Old Ones. Candles of white and blue grace the altar along with small vases of rosemary, hellebore, willow branches, and snowdrops along with garnet, lunar quartz, aventurine, tigers eye, citrine and an offering bowl of milk & honey. Incense of frankincense, cinnamon, clove and last year’s lemon verbena fragrance the air and ignite excited expectation. A Brigid’s Cross made of reed rest on a corn doll embracing a priapic wand awaiting the many kisses of the ladyfolk. Baskets of candles await consecration and dedication to future works and sabbats.

As we cast our circle and call forth the God and Goddess, we make ready ourselves for the blessing and birthing of inspiration that is aroused after a season of surrender. While the Maiden circumambulates sacred space with her head wreathed in lights, we turn our mind’s eye partially outward and strike a spark to the hearth fire from which every candle is lit as a beacon to the sun in the darkness. However this must be done gently and with finesse; much the same way one strikes sparks onto dry kindling of leaves and twigs, then gently blows life-giving breath to the tinder encouraging a flame. We must now hold this flame in the palm of our hands and give the flame what it needs to have a full life, be it tinder or breath. Too much or not enough of one or the other kills the flame. It often seems that spring bursts forth quickly, however, we know it is reflective of the long and careful preparations that have been made to support the burgeoning and powerful forces. Until that time we sit quietly and give thanks for the simple beauty of the maiden goddess of light and life. As our rite closes we hold close to our hearts all that the eyes and ears have beheld so that we may ourselves be lights in the dark.

Hymn to Brigid
An Tri numh (The sacred Three)
A chumhnadh, (To save,)
A chomhnadh, (To shield,)
A chomraig (To surround)
An tula, (the hearth)
An taighe, (The house,)
An teaghlaich, (The household,)
An oidhche, (This eve,)
An nochd, (This night,)
O! an oidhche, (Oh! this eve,)
An nochd, (This night,)
Agus gach oidhche, (And every night,)
Gach aon oidhche. (Each single night.)
Amen.

Carmina Gadelica

To the Feast!

How to do you and yours prepare for spring?

The Gates of Samhain

Posted on October 28, 2018 by Holly & Jacques

amhain is one of the most anticipated sabbats of the witch’s year. The leaves are burnished with red and gold, pumpkins, corn and squash are at the end of their ripening and the smell of fall fires are in the cold crisp air. On the winds we hear the call of our ancestors voices that are beginning to reach us and in our peripheral vision spirit activity is more visible.

Samhain (pronounced Sow-een), also known as Samhuin, Oíche Shamhna, All Hollows Eve or the more modern Halloween is a sabbat with Celtic roots marking the darker/lighter, end of summer/beginning of winter halves of the year. At this time, much like at Beltane, the veil between the worlds is thinning and it is at this time that spirits journey across the hedge and seek out their kin. As with many things in life, the demarcation line in spiritual matters is not so simple as black/white, opened/closed and this parallels the reality of the thinning veil. Image result for remedios varo's paintings

During Samhain we can hear the echo of the Goddess’ words from the Charge of the Goddess, that ‘no mortal shall ever see that which lies beyond my veil, for I am indeed mistress of the mysteries and keeper of the keys’. The Veil that we speak of is the wall or membrane that separates the land of humankind from the land of ‘other’; be it Fey, Summerland, the Underworld, the God and Goddess, Spirits and Ancestors, etc. The withdrawal of the Goddess across the veil is felt in lessening light of the Sun God shining upon her and as she withdraws her energy, so goes life until all lies still, quiet and fallow.

The Season of Samhain kicks off on or around October 31st, however does not reach its peak until around the 6th or 7th of November, when Sun is 15 degrees to Scorpio. Scorpio is ruled by Pluto (Hades) the God of the Underworld, who is now coming into his full power. Similar to Beltane, the veil is the thinnest and spirits activity is most prevalent. While Beltane energies are drawn upward and outward in the tree of life, toward the land of the Fey and Summerland; creation, fertility, light and life; Samhain energies are beginning to spiral inward and downward towards the underworld and spirits, death and decay, introspection and reflection.

Each one of these places all vibrate to a specific frequency, so to speak, which determine the placement of each of the ‘others’. Our rites focus on aligning with these frequencies to make it possible to more easily commune with our ancestors. Does this mean that we are unable to contact these other frequencies at different times of the year? The short and long of it is, No. The reality of it is, it is much more challenging to do so. Many of us venerate, libate, pay homage and speak with/to our ancestors all year long. The constant connection is often able to keep our most recently departed connected longer as well as aid in the petitioning of help or wisdom from our ancestors. There is, however, a lot of static at other times of the year. Imagine sending your call or your will through the eye of a needle in the dark when the wind is constantly blowing your thread around. At Samhain those winds cease to blow for a time and the energies become still.

The withdraw of the goddess energy is reflected in the highly spiritual practices that aid us in turning inward, more aptly allowing us to connect with the inner planes and attune ourselves to what is taking place. Energy goes where life flows and I believe that when one is aligned with and linked to deity/nature, our essential connected selves will follow where we can. Thusly, as the Goddess crosses that veil, we follow to the liminal outer reaches but are unable to cross. We know she’s there, we can feel her, but she’s not as easily accessed. Simultaneously, those on the other-side have awaited her presence and as the Goddess crosses over the veil is much more permeable to those with no corporeal body. Those who still yearn for their kin or have been petitioned regularly are eager to connect with those in the land of the living and make the precarious journey at this time.

Alternatively as the Goddess of life crosses the veil she transforms into the Crone of Darkness who had journeys forth from the Underworld. It is she who presides over the Cauldron that contains the essence of all mysteries, knowledge, life and the birthing of possibilities found in the matrix of unorganized and unformed chaos. It is the Cauldron of the Crone in which we seek visions of knowledge as we process our year and move toward spiritual understanding and enlightenment.

Samahin’s third and final harvest of field crops and butchering provide the required sustenance for the sabbat season. Those who walk the path of the old ones understand that where there is birth and death, there is blood and energy that will open portals and draw spirits. Our Samhain rites give the much needed energy and spiritual food necessary to make the journey here and back across the hedge safely. The rites also aid in protection against those convoluted soul energies that have breached the veil with more nefarious tasks in mind.

Lastly, Samhain is a Holy Day where open the portal or the guesting door, we light bonfires and hearth fires in the darkness to guide our beloved home for a spell as we call out the names of our ancestors and give thanks for their life blood that gives us life and runs strong Image result for remedios varo's paintings ly in our veins.

So……take a moment to rise up proudly, call your ancestors names loudly and drink heartily!

Blessed Be

The Season of Albun Eluid & the Fall Equinox

Posted on September 27, 2018 by Holly & Jacques

ea’n Fo’mhair known as the autumn equinox, Albun Eluid, Harvest Home and more recently as Mabon, falls somewhere between September 21st-23rd. The equinox finds us again with the longitude of the Sun is 0° and 180° and directly above the equator creating a day equal in both light and dark. Once the sun crests the days from here until spring shall grow shorter.

While the first harvest focused on the gathering of grains and grasses, this second harvest is busy with the gathering of ripening fruits, nuts and vegetables. Between Lughnasadh and through the season of Mabon grapes, plums, apples and blackberries are dried in our dehydrator or made into pies, sauces, cordials, shrubs, cider and ritual/table wines. Melons are finally getting ripe, peas have reached the end, green beans are eaten fresh and canned, cucumbers and small zucchini into pickles, tomatoes are dried or canned into a variety of dishes, beets, onions, garlic, early squash, carrots, artichokes-the list goes on. The race is on to gather walnuts and hazelnuts before the crows, chipmunks and squirrels. Rose hips that were starting to turn at Lughnasadh are now fully ripe with gorgeous vibrant red colors and ready to be harvested and added fresh to honey or dried for later spell working. Final herbs are harvested and gathered in bunches to hang dry for later cooking, medicine or spellcrafts.

The energy is a bit frenzied as we all watch for the perfect moment our foods reach their peak and then hurry to process making sure there is no waste.

Our Mea’n Fo’mhair altars reflect the hard-won abundance we have sown and harvested. Gorgeous red, orange and yellow leaves lay the foundation for colorful indian corn, bright red and green apples, nuts, purple wine grapes, textured gourds and luscious orange pumpkins. Red and orange candles flank our Lord and Lady while grape vines ring the harvest sickle and bouquets of sunflowers, seedpods, bittersweet, beautyberry, zinnia, dahlia, chrysanthemum, pot marigold and nicotiana adorn our sacred space.

Our pantries are filled with hanging herbs while jars of pickles, dried fruit, honeyed rosehips, dilly green beans, carrots, jeweled fruit jams, Dads famous pepper jelly, Grandma HeBert’s mustard pickles, elderberry cordial, raspberry shrub, blackberry and apple wines, as well as lemon verbena, conserve all vie for space on the crowded shelves. Our dehydrator is working overtime to preserve the last berries and herbs too delicate to hang.

The turning tides also find us with open hearts of thanksgiving for the abundance we are harvesting and processing. We call on the god and goddess of Mabon that we may share with them our abundance through libations poured and vegetables harvested, while also calling forth the blessings of plenty during winter scarceness. The frenzied days turn to twilight skies and lengthening shadows signal an important shift as we ride the double helix of what we have manifested and what is to come. We will feed our bodies with fruitful and nutritious sustenance while our souls are nourished with the vibrant colors of yellow, orange, purple and red turning foliage.

Mabon offerings @ Rosethorn Manor

The waning sun bows its head and we traverse the liminal thread of the double spiral of fate-seeking that still deep place we have long yearned for and travel towards in the coming season of Samhain. With the volumes of work to get the harvest in during the time of the shortening days, it can be a challenge to maintain our internal/external balance. Mabon is as beautiful, rich and decadent as the colors we are surrounded by and we find ourselves being filled with wonder and gratitude for the gifts of the lady and lord that will sustain us in the dark days ahead.

How do you nourish yourself or maintain your balance in the Mabon Season?

The Witch’s Garden…..and Sacred Space

Posted on May 19, 2018 by Holly & Jacques

“If such a consciousness truly is set loose in the world, nothing will be the same. It will free us to be in a sacred body, on a sacred planet, in sacred communion with all of it. It will infect the universe with holiness. We will discover the Divine deep within the earth and the cells of our bodies, and we will love her there with all our hearts and all our souls and all our minds.” Sue Monk Kid

Raised beds and stone circle @ Rosethorn Manor

I The Witches Garden

step into my witches garden full of intoxicating scents and sights that fill my soul. T’ween dusky dark and evening dew……these two magical times of day see the garden wrapping around its witch in a hug and beckoning me to commune and engage in the magic that surrounds. I am embraced and enchanted by the scents of spring roses, heady lilacs and early blooming wisteria. The freshness in the season of Beltane is a spring tonic for the soul that chases away the cobwebs of winter.

Earth magic is one of the oldest, easiest and most general forms of magic

Lovers Beltane Bouquet @ Rosethorn Manor

practiced, for we are but star seeds enrobed in earth. The earth is our bodies and the blood of the ancestors sing in our veins, informing our DNA, our frequency and the very core of our magic.

For a Witch, the land is sacred and we have many rites and rituals that honor her and express our gratitude. For me and mine, our land is also representative of our relationship with deity. We have lived and worked this land at Rosethornridge for over 20 years. Our land sits smack dab in the middle of older forests and new replants and is acreage that was originally logged and left. She was very sad and a bit crestfallen when we purchased her and took up residency.

Through the years we have worked very hard to bring back balance and harmony to our little neck of the woods. Intense practices of planning, organic farming, permaculture and forest scaping our space have created a haven for people, animals and nature spirits alike. We have built beds for flowers, shrubs and trees that nourish the soul, heal and feed the body, while aiding in our spiritual practice. Natural places have been incorporated to keep the wild mystery of the old ways alive. There are places to work and spaces play, perches to rest with a glass of sweet tea and contemplate the greater mysteries.

Every working on our place is created with intention as it is representative of my family’s relationship with deity, the trinity of the God, the Goddess and us. The blood, sweat, tears, love, joy and thoughts throughout the changing seasonal sabbats are our conversations with deity.

Butterfly & Delphinum @ Rosethorn Manor

The consistent and intentional cultivation of our space also intensifies our magical workings since herbs, flowers, roots, seeds, buds, leaves and other offerings of nature have been recipients of our attentions over many weeks, months or even years. Each plant has been welcomed to Rosethornridge, sown into the earth and nurtured through the love and attention it receives. When we dig roots for dark moon magic or gather roses and lavender for a lovers enchantment we have now, in turn, become recipients of the energies of the Earth. By creating sacred space and offering our gratitude through mindful intention, we have formed a bond and aligned ourselves with the plant energies long before they are ever harvested.

As with all worthwhile endeavors it has been a process to be sure. After many years of mindful intention, a frequency is now present that allows the spirit energy of God & Goddess to be made manifest on the earthly plane, independent of its residents. We endeavor to continue our symbiotic relationship with the land as an expression of our spiritual lives and practice. How does your garden grow, we would love to hear from you.

Blessed Be & Happy Cultivating!