TBT: A Family Affair - Our Mabon Celebration!



 

My sister Aurora Skye and I had decided to get together a little early for our ritual celebration. I re-vamped my solitary Mabon ritual so that it would work for two people and we kept it fairly simple and intimate.

 

The ceremony included the usual elements ~ casting the circle, calling of the corners, invocations of the Lord and Lady, meditation, blessing of the wine and bread, etc. After which we thanked all of the deities, closed our ritual, opened the circle, and remembered to give back to the Earth.

I made a couple of head wreaths for us to wear during ritual.

 

Aurora brought along four mini pumpkins which she grows herself in her backyard. We placed two on our altar and set the other two around a couple of the corner candles.
 

In the old days after my fellow solitary friends and I would gather for sabbat rituals, we would eat, drink, talk and be merry for the remainder of the evening. These days; however, Aurora and I much preferred to spend some sister time together by hanging out and perhaps doing a little shopping. As much as I really love having a house full of friends and family, sometimes it is nice to just simply relax and enjoy the day! 

 

)O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(   )O(  

What's Happening ... (Part One)

Greetings, friends. Hope all is well with everyone! Just some odds 'n' ends this post. This past week, I was asked by a dear, long time friend to do a tarot reading for her. I had not read the tarot for anyone in a long, long, time, but I agreed to do a reading for her none-the-less. So, the next night after I got home from work, I performed her reading. Now, I usually prefer to do a reading in-person, but since that was not possible, I used a picture of her I had on hand. The reading was very disturbing to say the least and so I did a separate reading to be sure. BTW, you may do up to three readings within a moon cycle (in other words, a month). To my surprise and confusion, the same two cards came up in both readings - 10 of Swords (terrible personal loss), and the Page of Cups reversed (a young person you know is in trouble). Unbeknownst to me at the time of the reading, my friend's oldest son had passed away only last month in a traumatic motorcycle accident while going to work. He was only 21 years old and to add to the tragedy, she and her son had a bad argument that same morning. 

When I explained the readings to her, she told me that she assumed that I knew that her son had passed away - I didn't! I advised her that both she and her son needed to have closure in order for him to cross over in peace. In some cases, the fact that the death was so sudden and traumatic there is a possibility that they may not even realize that they have passed away. I speak from personal experience.  

Naturally, she had asked me how she may be able to give him peace. There are a couple of ways in which to do this and I will further delve into this subject in my next post this coming week.

Moving on, I added a new decoration to my home that I found two weeks ago at "The Fairgrounds Market" ...

A creative little Halloween light up ghost in a grave inside of a Mason jar.

Some new kitty pics. Charlie enjoying the new catnip bag in the living room ...

This pic of Benny and Kitt was taken just this morning through my kitchen window ...

 Benny, resting contently ...

Kitt, who would love nothing better than to see what is behind our kitchen door ...

I will post Part Two tomorrow! 💙💚💛💜

A Special Beltane Post

Blessed Beltane all! For my Beltane post this year, I decided to share some bits 'n' pieces from a couple of previous posts through the years.

The Green Man: The Magnificent God of the Forest

Of all the many forms in which our Lord God takes, I must say that I love His Green Man aspect the most! He is both lover and consort to our Lady Goddess, the Earth Mother, and our Father always -The Oak King and Holly King respectively.

Historically speaking, the Green Man goes all the way back to pre-Christian Europe, Ireland, Scotland and Russia. He represents our kinship with the trees and the woods and the cycle of renewal and rebirth. He is known by many different names as He is recognized in almost every tradition. For example, he is heavily associated with Cernunnos (Celtic god of the forest), Dionysus (Greek god of Wine) and Bacchus (Roman god of wine), to name a few.

Our former Wiccan group, "Old Path Enlightener’s Circle", used to honor The Green Man or “The Oak King” at our Beltane celebrations. This is the time when our Lord God and Lady Goddess unite in the “sacred rite of holy marriage.” We re-enact this sacred marriage ceremony during the symbolic Great Rite. This is one of the many reasons why I love Beltane so much and why it is amongst my favorite of our Wiccan celebrations. Lady Sabrina Rhiannon’s group, The Coven of the Silver Moon Circle, chooses a May King and Queen during their Beltane ritual. Everyone inside the circle walks in between two balefire cauldrons for a total of 9 times while making one wish each. Typically, the Celtic Fire god Bel or Belinus is honored at this particular sabbat, as the word Beltane literally means, “Bel-Fire,” but we much prefer to honor The Green Man.

Draco & Rhiannon lighting the Spirit candle during the symbolic Great Rite - Beltane 2008.

“I GIVE TO THEE MY GREATEST GIFT,

A LOVE THAT’S PURE AND TRUE

ACCEPT IT WITH OPEN ARMS,

AS I HAVE DONE FOR YOU.”  ~  Sal Ranieri

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

The Great Rite: Symbolic vs. Actual

So what is the difference between the "Actual" Great Rite and the "Symbolic" version? Well to start with, the Actual Great Rite is exactly that - the "actual" act of the sacred joining of the Goddess and God through a coven's Wiccan High Priestess and High Priest. This can either be enacted inside the sacred circle in front of the rest of the coven members or it can be performed in a more private setting.

 The Symbolic Great Rite holds much the same meaning as the Actual in that it still symbolizes the sacred union of the Goddess and God, but it is done through the use of a consecrated athame (representing the "phallas of the God") and the chalice of wine or juice (which represents the "womb of the Mother").  

As a Solitary practitioner, I naturally incorporate the Symbolic version into my rituals and I much prefer it to the Actual with regards to my Wiccan group as well. Although it usually depends upon an individual's comfortability, I, myself, hesitate to participate in an Actual Great Rite (sacred or otherwise) with anyone other than my spouse and only if he were a member of the Pagan clergy (a High Priest or the like) albeit not in the company of others.

The Great Rite in itself is a very sacred act and I can tell you from my own personal experience that, sometimes even when only performed Symbolically with another individual, the sexual energy raised during this particular act can be quite intense. It is certainly nothing to fool around with and most especially not in the hands of anyone who does not understand its' true purpose in ritual.

Of course, depending upon the persons who are performing the Symbolic Great Rite, the energy may not necessarily be the same every time for everyone. For example, if both individuals happen to be female (or male) and have no natural attraction to the same sex, the experience may not tend to be as intimate as perhaps a male and female bonding in this way.

Personally speaking, I view The Great Rite as a very beautiful, sacred gift from the Goddess and God which should always be respected and thought through thoroughly before using in any ritual ceremony.

(A pic from my hubby and my Legal Handfasting ~ 2001)

💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

TBT: Midsummer Celebration

Memories of a Midsummer Past ...

With the beautiful sabbat of Beltane behind us, we can now look forward to the up-coming Midsummer or Litha to some. As well as essentially being the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year, this Wiccan holiday also represents the elaborate celebration of the creatures of the woodlands. Faeries, gnomes, and even our beloved furr babies are especially invited to join us in our circles and celebrations at this time of the year!

Pet blessings and protection spells are often performed during this sabbat ritual because it is the perfect time for them! I always make sure to hang my homemade God’s Eyes on every door and most particularly in the cat and rabbit's room ...

Here are a few pics from one of our Midsummer celebrations back a few years ago when my sister Willow and her hubby lived near by and we decided to get together at her home. Joining us inside the circle for some play time were her kitties Patchouli, Mystic, and Domino along with one of my cats at the time named Sabrina, and Willow's two dogs Amber and Cocoa ...

Mystic 'n' Patchouli

Willow's rescue cat, Domino, and Sean cuddling his fur baby Mystic.

Patchouli and my Maine Coon, Sabrina

Even though I usually hold my rituals downstairs in my Altar Room, this year I plan to bring my Midsummer celebration upstairs into the living room so that my "kids" can also be with me to enjoy themselves both during and after the ceremony!

What's new

 

Back in 1998, I began a spiritual journey that became a lifetime personal commitment for me. Long story short, I became a Wiccan. Even though I was brought up into the Lutheran faith, I never quite felt it in my heart. Lots of questions in which my Christian up-bringing could not and would not explain - and that I could not accept at any rate. My mother was brought up into the Christian faith as was my father. But, my father was always a bit different from my mother in his beliefs. He, like myself, held a very sacred respect and love for nature. For this reason alone, my father had NO problem what-so-ever understanding my faith in Wicca - or in Reiki for that matter. 

Anyway, when I began my studies regarding Wicca, I spent a lot of time researching each and everything I could possibly find on the subject. I read tons of books and on-line websites (which was VERY new at that current time) absorbing all of the information that I could. 

It wasn't long before I began dairying everything that I had put into practice, everything which I had intensely studied. So, fast forward to today, I have finally decided to publish those entries from my original Book of Shadows into a new blog entitled, "In the Shadows".

It is still a work in progress, but I will do my best to keep it going!

The Green Man: The Magnificent God of the Forest

Of all the many forms in which our Lord God takes, I must say that I love His Green Man aspect the most! He is both lover and consort to our Lady Goddess, the Earth Mother, and our Father always -The Oak King and Holly King respectively.

Historically speaking, the Green Man goes all the way back to pre-Christian Europe, Ireland, Scotland and Russia. He represents our kinship with the trees and the woods and the cycle of renewal and rebirth. He is known by many different names as He is recognized in almost every tradition. For example, he is heavily associated with Cernunnos (Celtic god of the forest), Dionysus (Greek god of Wine) and Bacchus (Roman god of wine), to name a few.

Our former Wiccan group, "Old Path Enlightener’s Circle", used to honor The Green Man or “The Oak King” at our Beltane celebrations. This is the time when our Lord God and Lady Goddess unite in the “sacred rite of holy marriage.” We re-enact this sacred marriage ceremony during the symbolic Great Rite. This is one of the many reasons why I love Beltane so much and why it is amongst my favorite of our Wiccan celebrations. Lady Sabrina Rhiannon’s group, The Coven of the Silver Moon Circle, chooses a May King and Queen during their Beltane ritual. Everyone inside the circle walks in between two balefire cauldrons for a total of 9 times while making one wish each. Typically, the Celtic Fire god Bel or Belinus is honored at this particular sabbat, as the word Beltane literally means, “Bel-Fire,” but we much prefer to honor The Green Man.

Draco & Rhiannon lighting the Spirit candle during the symbolic Great Rite - Beltane 2008.

“I GIVE TO THEE MY GREATEST GIFT,

A LOVE THAT’S PURE AND TRUE

ACCEPT IT WITH OPEN ARMS,

AS I HAVE DONE FOR YOU.”  ~  Sal Ranieri

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

The Great Rite: Symbolic vs. Actual

So what is the difference between the "Actual" Great Rite and the "Symbolic" version? Well to start with, the Actual Great Rite is exactly that - the "actual" act of the sacred joining of the Goddess and God through a coven's Wiccan High Priestess and High Priest. This can either be enacted inside the sacred circle in front of the rest of the coven members or it can be performed in a more private setting.

The Symbolic Great Rite holds much the same meaning as the Actual in that it still symbolizes the sacred union of the Goddess and God, but it is done through the use of a consecrated athame (representing the "phallas of the God") and the chalice of wine or juice (which represents the "womb of the Mother").  

As a Solitary practitioner, I naturally incorporate the Symbolic version into my rituals and I much prefer it to the Actual with regards to my Wiccan group as well. Although it usually depends upon an individual's comfortability, I, myself, hesitate to participate in an Actual Great Rite (sacred or otherwise) with anyone other than my spouse and only if he were a member of the Pagan clergy (a High Priest or the like) albeit not in the company of others.

The Great Rite in itself is a very sacred act and I can tell you from my own personal experience that, sometimes even when only performed Symbolically with another individual, the sexual energy raised during this particular act can be quite intense and overwhelming! It is certainly nothing to fool around with and most especially not in the hands of anyone who does not understand its' true purpose in ritual.

Of course, depending upon the persons who are performing the Symbolic Great Rite, the energy may not necessarily be the same every time for everyone. For example, if both individuals happen to be female (or male) and have no natural attraction to the same sex, the experience may not tend to be as intimate as perhaps a male and female bonding in this way.

Personally speaking, I view The Great Rite as a very beautiful, sacred gift from the Goddess and God which should always be respected and thought through thoroughly before using in any ritual ceremony.

(A pic from my hubby and my Legal Handfasting ~ 2001)

💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

A very special Yule

Greetings all! It has been a busy weekend before a holiday - both Yule and Christmas. Yesterday, my sister Aurora Skye and I spent the day out and she took me to a place in Robesonia, PA called, "Murdough's Christmas Barn." They have hundreds of decorations including some Halloween as well ...

Their decorated Christmas tree displays are absolutely beautiful - and there are MANY ...

Santa infinity mirror ...

Afterwards, we dropped by her house so that I could finally meet her newest family member, Hammy ... what a little lovebug.

Aurora's gorgeous Christmas tree ...

Later on in the early evening, we held our annual Yule ritual celebration ...

Along with our exhange of gifts. Without knowing it, we both ended up picknig out the exact same card for one another ... too funny! lol

A gift for Hammy - a plush blanket and a cat Christmas stocking ...

We also enjoyed some snacks Aurora brought along for after ritual ...