Samhain/All Hallows Eve

Samhain

Southern Hemisphere April 30

Northern Hemisphere October 31

The God "dies" on Samhain. He leaves this realm of existence and returns to the Summerland to be recycled and cleansed in the cauldron of the Goddess. The veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead is thinner than usual at this time of year, being that the God is within the Goddess, who is still part of the world of the living. This is a reminder that the two realms are not as separate as they seem to be.

Symbols

Jack-o'-Lantern
Balefire
Besom
Masks
The Cauldron
Waning Moon

Colours

Black
Orange

Deities

All Crone Goddesses
The Dying/Dead God

Activities

Divination
Past life Recall
Contacting Spirits
Burning the Ancestral Chair
Meditation
Drying the Winter Herbs

Taboos

Travel after Dark
Lighting fires before the balefire is set
Eating grapes or berries

Animals

Bats
Cats
Dogs

Stones

Obsidian
Onyx
Carnelian

Foods

Apples
Squash
Pork

Plants

Apples
Mugwort
Gourds
Sage
Allspice
Catnip
Field Corn

Attunement teas

Apple Cider
Angelica
Catnip
Indian Hyppo
Sage
Valerian

Ritual Oils

Frankincense
Basil
Yarrow
Lilac
Ylang-Ylang
Camphor
Clove

Mythical Creatures

Phooka
Goblin
Medusa
Beansidhe
Fylgiar
Peryton
Erlkonig
Harpies

Spellwork appropriate for Samhain

• Spells for neutralising harm
• Protection spells

SAMHAIN ALTAR

Before pumpkins were available from the New World, Celts would have used hollowed-out turnips. Today, however, this festival can be marked by black altar cloths, carved pumpkins or jack 'o lanterns, a white candle to represent spirit, and a black candle to represent the ancestors. Always light the white candle first to honour the great mystery. Display crystals that enhance psychic powers, such as aquamarine or clear quartz, and burn fumitory to dispel any stuck energies, followed by wormwood to invite spirit guardians to come forward.

 

  

Beltane/May Day

Beltane

Southern Hemisphere October 31/November 1 

Northern Hemisphere May 1

Now the God is preparing to leave His body. He knows He is dying and it is all right because soon enough He will be reunited with His bride once again. The Goddess prepares to grow weak as the Earth will freeze over when Winter arrives. This is the Witches' Thanksgiving.

More coming soon...

Mabon/Autumn Equinox

Mabon

Southern Hemisphere March 21 

Northern Hemisphere September 21

Now the God is preparing to leave His body. He knows He is dying and it is all right because soon enough He will be reunited with His bride once again. The Goddess prepares to grow weak as the Earth will freeze over when Winter arrives. This is the Witches' Thanksgiving.

Symbols

Grapes
Wine
Vines
Garland
Gourds
Burial Cairns
Rattles
Horn of Plenty
Indian Corn
Sun Wheels

Colours

Brown
Orange
Violet
Maroon
Russet
Deep Gold

Deities

Wine Deities
Aging Deities

Activities

Wine Making
Adorning graves

Taboos

Passing Burial Sites
Not Honouring the Dead

Animals

Dogs
Wolves
Birds of Prey

Stones

Amethyst
Yellow Topaz

Foods

Wine
Grapes
Nuts
Apples

Plants

Vines
Ivy
Hazel
Cedar
Hops
Tobacco

Attunement teas

All Berries
Grape Drinks
Heather
Hops
Sassafras

Ritual Oils

Apple Blossom
Hay/Straw
Black Pepper
Patchouli

Mythical Creatures

Andaman
Cyclops
Gnomes
Golan
Minotaur
Sphinx

  

Spellwork appropriate for Mabon Spells for protection

• Health
• Prosperity
• Security
• Feeling of self-confidence
• Balancing magick

MABON ALTAR

The autumn equinox altar rests in equal balance of day and night. Cider can be used as a libation (offering) with apples, bread and cakes as gifts. Place a bowl of marigolds on your altar to attract prosperity and good luck.

Midsummer/Litha/Summer Solstice

Midsummer/Litha

Southern Hemisphere December 21

  Northern Hemisphere June 21

The God and the Goddess are in Their prime, at Their highest power. This is the 

longest day of the year and the shortest night. The Goddess is pregnant. After this day, the light begins to wane until the Winter Solstice.

Symbols

Fire
The Sun
Blades
Mistletoe
Oak Trees
Balefire
Sun Wheels
Faeries

Colours

Gold
Green
Tan
Blue

Deities

Father Gods
Mother Goddesses
Pregnant Deities
Sun Gods

Activities

Jumping Balefire
Gathering Herbs
Clan Gatherings
Wall Dressing

Taboos

Giving away Fire
Sleeping away from Home
Neglecting Animals

Animals

Robin/Wren
Summer Birds
Horses
Cattle

Stones

Emerald
Jade
Tigers Eye
Lapis Lazuli
Diamond

Foods

Summer Squash
Lemons
Oranges

Plants

Oak
Mistletoe
Frankincense
Lemon
Sandalwood
Heliotrope
Copal
Saffron
Galangal
Laurel
Ylang-Ylang

Attunement teas

Anise
Carrot Drinks
Lemon
Nettle
Orange

Ritual Oils

Heliotrope
Cinnamon
Sandalwood
Lavender
Orange
All Mint Oils
Lemon
Saffron

Mythical Creatures

Satyrs
Faeries
Firebird
Dragon
Thunderbird
Manticore

 

Spellwork appropriate for Midsummer

• All magick
• Love spells
• Healing spells
• Prosperity spells

MIDSUMMER ALTAR

Tree dressing, by hanging coloured ribbons in oak or thorn, is traditional at this time of year. Bright colours should abound on your solstice altar, along with solar symbols and musical reverie. Try decorating oak branches with ribbons and laying them on your altar for good fortune. Lavender, vervain and elderflower are traditional, as are roses and myrtle. Burn rose essential oil to conjure feelings of love.

 

Lammas/Lughnasadh

Lammas/Lughnasadh

Southern Hemisphere February 1

Northern Hemisphere August 1

The God begins to die, and the Goddess is sad but joyful because She is pregnant. On Yule She will give birth to Him again, but until then She must endure His gradual decline and then be separated from Him through the Samhain season. Both deities are still very powerful but the Sun's power is waning.

Symbols

Corn
All Grains
Breads
Full Moon
Wheat

Colours

Orange
Yellow
Gold
Green
Red
Citrine

Deities

Sun Gods
Mother Goddesses

Activities

Baking Bread
Gathering First Fruits
Astrology

Taboos

Not Sharing Food

 

Animals

Roosters

Calves

Stones

Yellow Diamond
Peridot
Citrine

Foods

Breads
Corn
Berry Pies
Potatoes
All First Harvest Foods

Plants

Corn
Rice
Wheat
Ginseng
Rye

Attunement teas

Alfalfa
Cornsilk
Goldenseal

Ritual Oils

Eucalyptus
Corn
Safflower

Mythical Creatures

Phoenix
Griffins
Basilisk
Centaurs
Speaking Skull

TRADITIONAL LUGHNASSADH GAMES:
Archery
Arm Wrestling
Horse Racing
Horseshoe Pitching
Jousting
Tug of War
Kayles - Similar to bowling

Spellwork appropriate for Lughnassadh

• Spells for prosperity
• Abundance
• Good fortune
• Connectedness
• Career
• Health
• Financial gain

LUGHNASSADH ALTAR

Lughnassadh marks the end of of the solar power time, when the sun descends back into the earth to give way to the rising powers of the moon. Corn dollies, grains and seeds, harvest loaves, orange candles, mistletoe and oat cakes can be displayed, and the oat cakes shared around.