Samhain: The Turn of The Wheel

You may not know it, but Samhain (pronounced Sow-ven, Sah-vin, or Sow-en depending on what flavor of Gaelic you're using) is like New Year's Eve in the Celtic pagan tradition.

It's a time to ring out the past year, and let go of things that aren't working in your life, releasing old hurts and bad habits.

Samhain is also the time to honor the people we've loved and lost, and to celebrate a "turn of the wheel" and look forward to the birth of new creations, new plans, and new possibilities.

SAMHAIN Ritual
By MotherHerb
©1980; Used with permission courtesy Motherherb and Motherherb's Cottage.

Prepare yourself first by taking a lustral bath. Use bath salts or specially prepared soap if you prefer to shower. As you cleanse your body, imagine all the impurities within and without, sliding away down into the drain.

Gather any items you wish to use in ritual including photos of deceased loved ones. Prepare the altar (a black candle to represent the death of the God, an apple (which you will later cut crosswise with your white handled knife to reveal the pentagram at its center); make sure you have at least a couple of inches of sand inside the censer or cauldron and light the charcoal tablet. Once its edges start to turn white, place a pinch of cut and dried herbs or powdered herbs into the recessed-cup tablet. (I use ground and powdered apple leaves).

Cast your circle and light your candle. Call to the God and Goddess. Call the elements. Then say:

 
As light fades into night,
I honor the God, horned hunter of the sun,
Who passes into shadow.

Cut the apple crosswise and hold aloft, saying:

Maiden to Mother to Crone,
I honor the Goddess, in all her forms.
I know that from her, the God will be reborn.

Take a bite out of the apple, then say:

I taste of life freely given, and in doing so, honor those
Who have touched my life and passed before.

I usually touch the photos of deceased loved ones I placed on the altar, and recall special memories. I do not believe in trying to call them or drag their spirits into this plane of existence. That’s considered rude! Simply honor and remember them. Remember too, that this is the Wiccan and Wicce New Year and it is time to release old hurts, worries, and problems.

A New Year awakens. The circle is reborn.
Let that which troubles me, flee.
As I will, so shall it be.

At this point, you may do other works of magic, if necessary or end the ritual by thanking the God and Goddess, the elements, extinguishing the candle and releasing the circle. Celebrate the Simple Feast. Mulled Cider and Crescent Cakes or other harvest food and drink are appropriate, and by all means, finish that apple!

Merry Meet and Merry Part and Merry Meet Again!

Happy Litha!

The summer solstice is finally here! I plan to use every hour to celebrate this wonderful day. If you aren't familiar with the word Litha, here's a good article to get you started: http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/lithathesummersolstice/a/AllAboutLitha.htm

From what I personally understand, the word/term Litha didn't come into existence until sometime in the late 1950's - 1960's in either Wales or England, but has grown in popularity and acceptance within the pagan community.

I remember as a child visiting my aunties in England and they never used the word Litha, instead calling the summer solstice, The Sun's Day. This was a bit of a misnomer since it usually was a bit overcast, but that's London for ya. I remember going to Avesbury one time on The Sun's Day, and it being packed with quite a few hippies, or as my one aunt said, The Bloody Clueless. lol.

Of course, seeing how she had been a nurse in WW2, she'd seen more in one lifetime than most of the privileged 19 and 20 somethings wearing their love beads had perceived in their short existence. lol.

Still though, I did think the garlands in some of the girls hair was pretty cool. :) ::nostalgic moment::
Hmm, I think I'll make solstice cakes. :)

If you'd like to make summer solstice cake, here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
    •    1 cup of real butter
    •    1/2 cup white sugar
    •    1/3 cup Lyle's Golden Syrup (can substitute light brown sugar)
    •    3/4 cup Honey
    •    4 eggs
    •    2 cups flour (can substitute with gluten-free flour)
    •    1 tablespoon grated orange zest
    •    1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
    •    1/4 cup baking raisins
    •    2 1/2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice
    •    1 teaspoon Rosewater for blessings of Love.
    •    3 Pinches of Basil for the blessings of Health, Protection, and Prosperity.
    •    3 fresh lemon or rose scented Geranium flowers for blessings of Happiness.

Preparation:
    1.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    2.    Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.  Add honey and syrup, blending well.
    3.    Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
    4.    Add flour in thirds, mixing well after each addition.  Then add remaining ingredients   (EXCEPT flower petals), and mix well.
    5.    Pour HALF the batter into a 9-11 inch round spring form pan.  Add a layer of petals, and cover with the remaining batter.
    6.    Bake about an hour.  Let cool and remove outer ring of spring form pan.  Turn out onto a serving platter.

Dust lightly with a powdered sugar if you wish, you can also garnish with a few fresh strawberries, raspberries, lemon/orange zest curls.