A powerful temporal landmark within the wheel of the year, there is magic and transformation in ‘The Fall’. Of course there is, we all feel it! Samhain/Soween/Calan Gaeaf is the third and final of the three pagan harvest festivals, a time when our ancestors would have harvested and prepared a variety of foods and essentials …
The celebration of Samhain (pronounced Sáh-wen) is an ancient Celtic festival that has been practiced for centuries. It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark half of the year and winter. It is celebrated on October 31st and is considered to be one of the eight modern Pagan Witches’ …
Thank you for the invitation to share the background story of one of my songs. On this occasion, I have chosen Soul Journey written and created within my private stone fire circle on my land. As the lyrics convey “I lie in my nemeton circle serene, in a blanket of stillness and web of my …
As the Wheel of the Year turns away from the planetary balance of light and dark at the recent Equinox in September, and toward the upcoming seasonal extremes of the December Solstice (Midsummer in the Southern Hemisphere and Midwinter in the Northern), we find ourselves approaching a deeply magical point in the year. Traditionally celebrated …
I love the lead-up to Samhain. I can dress as witchy as I want and fit right in with the Muggles celebrating Halloween. As Jon mentioned in his astrololgy post last week, even though most people celebrate Samhain and Halloween on October 31, the actual cross-quarter day is November 6, which is this coming weekend. …
“We are come to the labyrinth tonight, walking one by one, in the dark of Samhain…” These lyrics, from the song “Come to the Labyrinth” by S.J. Tucker inspired me to create a magickal Samhain ritual using a labyrinth as a symbol of walking through the liminal spaces of Samhain night. Many Pagans honor the …
Samhain Night, the song, begets your Samhain Ritual The Crow Women song Samhain Night from our album Seasons (available from us) was written to parallel the flow of your Samhain ritual. Follow along to create your own Samhain Night. Midnight calls, the witching hourThe veil grows thin, we raise our power As both hands of …
In autumn I begin harvesting my dried scarlet runner bean pods to have dry beans throughout the winter. Scarlet runner beans are an heirloom and many heirloom bean varieties are being rediscovered for their flavor and beauty. These beans have many uses throughout the seasons. Their scarlet flowers are a delicious edible flower in the …
Babalon’s Blood is a rich black cherry mead. Read on to follow along with the process as Sylvia and I make a splendid batch. This dark red mead is named for the goddess Babalon, a powerful deity of sexuality and power. One of my favorite chants by Sharon Knight honors three Great Goddesses, Inanna, Ishtar, …
I’ve always been leery about religious or spiritual types who are unwilling to occasionally poke fun at their own beliefs and practices. As Witches/Wiccans, we have a lot of stereotypes to satirize, thanks to Halloween, such as the old hag with green skin and a big wart on her long hooked nose. Like you, I …
