Wicca is often thought of as a loosely structured, or even completely unstructured spiritual tradition, and for many people who were raised in more formal organized religions, this is definitely part of the draw. Nonetheless, there is a core feature of Wicca that serves to bring people together around a collective focus: Wiccan rituals.

Whether the occasion is a Sabbat, an Esbat, or a milestone such as a handfasting (wedding), an initiation, or an end-of-life ceremony, covens and circle members will gather to worship together, honor the Goddess and God, and celebrate the wonders to be found in the ongoing cycles of life. While most Wiccan rituals are held in private, some covens will occasionally hold theirs in public, so that all who wish to observe can come and learn more about the Craft. Many Wiccan circles do the same, and may even invite the public to participate.

Of course, solo rituals are no less significant, and solitary Wiccans know that as they worship at each point along the Wheel of the Year, they are adding their personal light and power to the collective magical energy on these special occasions.

Wiccan rituals can take many different forms, with no two events being exactly alike. Some may be highly structured and elaborate. This is often the case with coven rituals, though since most covens keep the details of their rituals secret, known only to initiated members, it’s difficult to describe them with much accuracy. Other rituals, particularly those practiced by solitary and eclectic Wiccans, may be fairly simple by comparison, and may even be made up on the spot.

The content of any given Wiccan ritual will depend on the occasion. For example, Esbats, or Full Moon celebrations, are focused solely on the Goddess, while Sabbats honor the co-creative relationship between the Goddess and the God. Despite all the possible variations, however, there are a few basic elements that tend to be included in what we might call a “typical” ritual.

First, there is a purification, both of the celebrant(s) and the place where the ritual is held. This can happen in the form of a ritual bath, and/or a smudging ceremony to remove any unwanted energies from the ritual space, whether it’s an outdoor area or inside the home. Smudging involves the burning of sacred herbs, such as sage, rosemary, and/or lavender.

Setting up the altar comes next. Some Wiccans are able to keep an altar permanently set up in their homes, but even in this case, it will likely be decorated differently depending on the occasion, such as bringing in fall foliage for Mabon (the Autumn Equinox) or Samhain (also known as Halloween.) The altar is arranged with the various Wiccan tools, symbols, and offerings, laid out according to any one of a number of traditions.

Next comes the casting of the circle, an act that creates a boundary between the sacred space and the ordinary, mundane world. The altar is typically at the center of the circle, with plenty of room for all involved to work freely within the circle, with no accidental stepping outside of the energetic boundary. The circle may be marked with sea salt, a long cord, several stones, herbs, or candles. There are many methods for circle-casting.

Once the circle is cast, the invocations begin. The order here can vary, but typically the God and Goddess are invited to join the ritual, and then the four Elements—Earth, Air, Fire, and Water—are invoked, as these are the raw materials that make up all of existence. (In many traditions, a fifth Element—Akasha, or Spirit—is also called in.) In other traditions, this step is known as Calling the Quarters, and the four directions (North, East, South, and West) are addressed, either instead of or in addition to the Elements.

Once these steps have taken place, the heart of the ritual begins. First, the intent of the occasion is stated—whether it’s to celebrate a Sabbat or an Esbat, or perhaps to petition the God and Goddess on behalf of someone who needs healing or some other kind of assistance. (Magical spellwork can indeed be the focus of a ritual, though many Wiccans will do this separately from Sabbat celebrations, so as to keep the focus on the Goddess and God during Sabbats.)

After the intent is stated, the main body of the ritual may consist of various activities. The focal point may be the performance of a ritual drama—such as reenacting scenes from ancient myths or poems—or other liturgical material, depending on the tradition of Wicca the group is following. Solitary Wiccans might also read from ancient mystical texts, or compose their own poetry for the occasion. Chanting, singing, dancing and/or other ritual gestures may be part of the proceedings, as might simply reflecting informally on the blessings of the season. Prayers might be offered, whether they are personal or on the behalf of others. In fact, it’s common in some traditions to use ritual space to intend for the benefit of an entire community, or even all of humanity.

In many traditions, a ceremony known as “cakes and ale” (or “cakes and wine”) is an important part of Wiccan rituals. Food and drink are offered and symbolically shared with the God and Goddess, typically at the end of the body of the ritual (although some traditions begin with it). This ceremony connects the spiritual plane with the Earth plane, and helps to ground and center the participants before closing the ritual proceedings. When it’s time to end the ritual, the Elements and the Goddess and God are formally thanked and released, and the circle is closed.

Again, this is just a basic template that a Wiccan ritual would typically follow. If you join an established coven or circle, the group will most likely have its own version of what’s been described above, with many possible variations. If you’re a solitary practitioner, you can research a specific tradition to follow, or you can create your own unique Wiccan rituals. As long as your intention is sincere and you are focused on your actions, there’s really no way to get it “wrong”!

The classical ritual scheme in British Traditional Wicca traditions is:

• Purification of the sacred space and the participants
• Casting the circle
• Calling of the elemental quarters
• Cone of power
• Drawing down the Gods
• Spellcasting
• Great Rite
• Wine, cakes, chanting, dancing, games
• Farewell to the quarters and participants

A Tradition to Celebrate New Life

In many cultures, it is traditional not only to bless a new baby but also to present them to the gods of the family. Although the gods of the household have probably been aware of the imminent new arrival, it’s a good idea to perform a more formal presentation. By incorporating this ceremony with a baby’s blessing, the child is joined to both the earth and the heavens at the same time. This should be done fairly soon after the baby’s arrival so that the gods of the home can begin forming a relationship with the new family member. If your baby is adopted, you can certainly perform this ritual as well–children are children, whether they were born to you or not.

In some traditions, this is called a Wiccaning, but keep in mind that if you’re not Wiccan, you don’t have to call it that.

You may choose to do this in tandem with a naming ceremony or have it be a separate celebration. It is up to you whether you‘d like to have guests present or not–many families see the time when a baby comes home as a time in which privacy is valued, while for others it is a time of family gathering. Go with whichever option works best for your family‘s needs. If you‘d like some peace and quiet after bringing baby home from the hospital, have the blessing ceremony be for the parents and siblings only, and then invite family and friends to a naming ceremony later on.

Baby Blessings and Ritual

Ideally, you can offer the baby for blessing by the household gods as the child enters the home for the first time, but realistically you can do it any time that the whole family is up for it. Stand outside your home, on the front step, holding the baby. Everyone present should hold hands–parents, siblings, etc.–and surround whoever is holding the baby. Say:

Gods of our home, gods of our hearth,

today we present you with someone new.

She is a member of our family,

and this is her new home.

We ask you to welcome her,

we ask you to love her,

we ask you to protect her,

we ask you to bless her.

Have a cup of water, wine, or milk at the door. Before entering the home, pass the cup sunwise around the group. As each person drinks, they should say:

Welcome baby, to our home. May the gods love you as much we do.

Once the cup has made the rounds, touch a drop of the liquid to the baby’s lips.

Open the door, and step inside. Go to the family altar or shrine, and circle it. Again, have everyone hold hands, surrounding whoever is holding the baby. Say:

Gods of our home, gods of our hearth,

today we present you with someone new.

She is a member of our family,

and this is her new home.

Watch over her as she grows.

Watch over her as she lives.

Watch over her with love.

Pass the cup one more time, each person offering the blessing as they sip. Once the cup has returned, touch a drop of liquid to the baby’s lips. Leave the cup on the altar overnight as an offering to your household’s guardians. In the morning, take the cup outside the front door, and pour anything that’s left onto the ground, as an offering to the spirits of the outdoors.

Esbat Ritual

What Is an Esbat?

An Esbat is a Wiccan meeting held each month at the time of the full moon. This is usually the time for initiation ceremonies or healing magic to be done, as opposed to a Sabbat (holiday) celebration.

So, what’s special about an Esbat? Well, it’s a good way to mark the thirteen lunar months that make up a calendar year. Author Edain McCoy says, over at Llewellyn, “The full moon esbat tends to be a ribald, frenetic celebration—suitable for the “lunatics” who were once believed to display their insanity under the light of the full moon. Magick for all manner of needs is enacted during esbat rituals, both in group settings and by solitary practitioners. Spells for increase or gain are usually done during the waxing phases, and spells for decrease or loss are performed during the waning period. The full moon is used for spells for wholeness, children and mothers, families, psychic enhancement, and some love spells.”

Celebrating the Esbat With Ritual

In addition to the eight Sabbats observed every year, many Pagans celebrate a regular Esbat, in which magic is performed and the gods and goddesses of the tradition are honored. 

Most covens and groups meet at least once a month and time this ceremony so it coincides with the full moon. The word Esbat is of French origin, from s’esbattre, which loosely translates to “frolic joyfully.” In addition to joyful frolicking, this is a time to commune with the gods of your tradition. In some groups, the Esbat rite is followed by a Cakes and Ale ceremony. You may also wish to tie this in to Drawing Down the Moon.

First, if your tradition requires you to cast a circle, do so at this time. If you don’t normally cast a circle, at least take the time to ritually purify the area by smudging or asperging. This will establish the space as sacred. You’ll need a bowl of water and a moon candle for the altar. This is traditionally a white, unscented pillar-style candle. You can decorate the moon candle with sigils or inscriptions etched with a hot knife. Adorn your altar with lunar symbols—mirrors, silver ribbons, white crystals. Feel free to substitute the names and attributes of the deities of your path in this incantation.

Turn to the altar, and hold your arms open wide. Tilt your head so that your face is skyward—after all, this is a celebration honoring the full moon. Say:

Goddess of the moon, queen of the night,

keeper of women’s mysteries, mistress of the tides,

you who are ever changing and yet always constant,

I ask that you guide me with your wisdom,

help me grow with your knowledge,

and hold me in your arms.

At this time, light the moon candle, and take a moment to reflect upon the gifts you have in your life.

Hold the bowl of water to the sky. Say:

The moon is the symbol of the mother,

and she watches over us day and night.

She brings the changing tide, the shifting night,

the flow that changes women’s bodies,

and the passion of lovers to their beloved.

Her wisdom is great and all-knowing,

and we honor her tonight.

Keep your watchful eyes upon us, great mother,

until the cycle returns once more,

and bring us to the next full moon,

in your love and light.

Take a few moments to think about the things in your life which have changed in the past moon cycle. Are there people who have come into your world that you’re thankful for? Have you ended a toxic relationship? Have you experienced good fortune at work? Meditate on all the things you have to be thankful for, as well as the things you would like to see change for you by the next full moon. When you are ready, close the circle and end the ritual. If you choose, you can move into healing rites or magical workings, or a Cakes & Ale ceremony.

Tip: Use the moon water over the next month for watering plants, making offerings, or doing spellwork.

Self Dedication Ritual

What Should a Self Dedication Include?

By the very definition of the word, you can’t initiate yourself, because to initiate requires more than one person. But what you can do is dedicate yourself to your path and to the gods you have chosen to follow. For many people, doing this as part of a formal ritual helps to cement their relationship with the Divine. Some people choose to wait until they have studied for a year and a day before having a formal self-dedication rite. It’s entirely up to you.

You may want to wait until the time of the new moon to perform this self-dedication because it is a time of new beginnings. Bear in mind that self-dedication is a commitment you are making; it should not be done at random or without significant thought beforehand.

This goal of this rite is to bring the dedicant closer to the Divine, as well as to declare your connection to your spiritual path. It’s a pretty important step in your spiritual journey, so you may want to try to include things that make it formal and official in feel and practice.

For instance, you may wish to do a formal preparation with a ritual bath before your ceremony. Perhaps you’d like to include altar tools that you’ve crafted yourself—you certainly don’t have to, but if you do, it can make the ritual even more personal and unique. You might want to choose a new magical name for yourself, so that you can introduce yourself to your gods with it, as part of this dedication. Finally, if you’re good at memorization, you might want to take some time in advance to memorize as much of this ritual as possible—if you’re worried you might forget what to say, take the time to copy this ritual by hand into your Book of Shadows.

Simple Self-Dedication Ritual

Keep in mind that this ritual is designed as a template, and you can adapt it or adjust it to meet your own needs or those of the tradition you have created.

You should perform this ritual skyclad, if at all possible. Find a place that is quiet, private, and free of distractions. Turn off your cell phone and send the kids out to play if you have to.

Begin by grounding yourself. Find your inner peace, and become good and relaxed. Shut out all the things from your mundane life that distract you—forget for a while about paying the bills, your son’s baseball practice, and whether or not you fed the cat. Focus only on yourself, and the tranquility you’re entitled to.

You will need the following items:

• Blessing oil
• Salt
• A white candle

When you’re ready to proceed, sprinkle the salt on the floor or ground, and stand with your feet upon it. Light your white candle, and feel the warmth of the flame. Look into the glow of the fire and think about what goals you have for yourself on your spiritual journey. Think about your motivations for performing this self-dedication.

Stand before your altar, and say:

I am a child of the gods, and I ask them to bless me.

Dip your finger into the blessing oil, and with eyes closed, anoint your forehead. Some people do this by tracing a pentagram on the skin with the oil. Say:

May my mind be blessed, so that I can accept the wisdom of the gods. Anoint the eyelids (be careful here!) and say: May my eyes be blessed, so I can see my way clearly upon this path. Anoint the tip of your nose with the oil, and say: May my nose be blessed, so I can breathe in the essence of all that is Divine.

Anoint your lips, and say:

May my lips be blessed, so I may always speak with honor and respect.

Anoint your chest, and say:

May my heart be blessed, so I may love and be loved.

Anoint the tops of your hands, and say:

May my hands be blessed, so that I may use them to heal and help others.

Anoint your genital area, and say:

May my womb be blessed, so that I may honor the creation of life. (If you’re male, make the appropriate changes here.)

Anoint the soles of your feet, and say:

May my feet be blessed, so that I may walk side by side with the Divine.

If you have specific deities you follow, pledge your loyalty to them now. Otherwise, you can use “God and Goddess,” or “Mother and Father.” Say:

Tonight, I pledge my dedication to the God and Goddess. I will walk with them beside me, and ask them to guide me on this journey. I pledge to honor them, and ask that they allow me to grow closer to them. As I will, so it shall be.

Take some time to meditate. Feel the afterglow of the ritual, and feel the energy of the gods around you. You have brought yourself to the attention of the Divine, so they will be keeping an eye on you. Accept the gift of their wisdom.

Threshold Blessings

Blessing By Iron

Use a knife, horseshoe, or other piece of iron. Bury it beneath your front step or porch during a full moon. Ask the deities of your pantheon to watch over the residents of your home. Ask for their blessings so that your home will remain safe and happy, or if you do not follow a particular deity, you can alternately ask the universe for general blessings. If you can’t get under the front step (for instance, if there’s concrete all around, or if you live in an apartment) you may wish to use another method.

Blessing by Asperging

Asperging is the process of using consecrated water or other liquids to purify a space. Sprinkle consecrated water, wine, or even milk over the threshold. As you do this, you can either call upon the deities of your tradition, or upon the universe, asking for general blessings for those who live in the home.

Blessing by Athame

Blessing by athame tends to be a little more direct and martial. To bless the threshold with your athame, stand in the doorway facing outward. You may wish to use your athame to invoke the elements as guardians, or you can call upon the gods of your tradition.

Remember, you can adjust these basic ideas to work in the manner that is best for your own tradition; there is really no set “right way” to bless the threshold of your home, there’s simply the way that works best for you personally.

Keeping the Area Cleansed

Have you ever approached a house and felt instantly comforted as you walked to the front door? Perhaps you’ve noticed a few small knickknacks tucked into the garden nearby, or a potted plant that seems friendly and welcoming. The physical surroundings of the threshold are equally as important as the spiritual ones. Some ideas for keeping the threshold welcoming and comfortable:

Make sure your front door is swept clean of dust, leaves, cobwebs, and so forth. Put out a Welcome mat, so the entrance looks inviting.

Add flowers for a splash of color. Select plants based upon what they mean to you; there are many different properties associated with various flowers. Be sure to read about magical flowers and their meanings.

Consider some hanging baskets and fill them with ferns or other plants that hang down to fill the space and make it cozy.

Add a windchime or hanging bells. These are available in a variety of tones, so select one that rings in the pitch you like best. In many countries windchimes, bells and other noisemakers are hung at doorways to repel negative entities.

Place items around the area that can act as talismans such quartz crystals, hidden coins, rocks painted with symbols, or statuary. In Feng Shui, it’s good luck to have a dragon statue greeting guests who approach your threshold.

Other Household Blessings

The late author Scott Cunningham’s book The Magical Household is an invaluable bit of reference material for anyone who wants to keep their home as a sacred and magical place. Cunning recommends the following as a doorway blessing:

Over the door, hang a fresh sprig of dill, tied with a blue or red cord, to keep anyone who means you harm from entering.

To prevent evil from coming into your home, cross two needles, and stick them into a corner of your doormat. If you don’t have a doormat, it’s ok to stick them into the door jam instead, but make sure you get them in place securely so they don’t fall out.

If you have some Dragon’s Blood, grind it up into a powder, and sprinkle it on doorsteps and window sills as a protective measure.

Samhain Ritual

Here’s What You’ll Need

Decorate the altar with symbols of late fall, such as:

• Skulls, skeletons, grave rubbings, ghosts, and other items symbolic of the dead and the spirit world.
• Harvest food such as pumpkins, squash, root vegetables, to mark the end of the growing season.
• Nuts and berries, dark breads, representing the darker time of year.
• Dried leaves and acorns, symbolizing the shedding of the trees as autumn rolls in.
• A cornucopia filled with an abundance of fruit and veggies, to represent the bounty of the fields and gardens.
• Mulled cider, wine, or mead, as a way of honoring the blessings of the orchards and vineyards.

Hold Your Ritual

To begin your ceremony, prepare a meal for the family — and this is something that everyone can get involved in. Put emphasis on fruits and vegetables, and wild game meat if available. Also make sure you have a loaf of a dark bread like rye or pumpernickel and a cup of apple cider or wine. Set the dinner table with candles and a fall centerpiece, and put all the food on the table at once. Consider the dinner table a sacred space.

Gather everyone around the table, and say:

Tonight is the first of three nights,

on which we celebrate Samhain.

It is the end of the harvest, the last days of summer,

and the cold nights wait on the other side for us.

The bounty of our labor, the abundance of the harvest,

the success of the hunt, all lies before us.

We thank the earth for all it has given us this season,

and yet we look forward to winter,

a time of sacred darkness.

Take the cup of cider or wine, and lead everyone outside. Make this a ceremonial and formal occasion. If you have a vegetable garden, great! Go there now — otherwise, just find a nice grassy spot in your yard. Each person in the family takes the cup in turn and sprinkles a little bit of cider onto the earth, saying:

Summer is gone, winter is coming.

We have planted and

we have watched the garden grow,

we have weeded,

and we have gathered the harvest.

Now it is at its end.

If you have any late-fall plants still waiting to be picked, gather them up now. Collect a bundle of dead plants and use them to make a straw man or woman. If you follow a more masculine path, he may be your King of Winter, and rule your home until spring returns. If you follow the Goddess in her many forms, make a female figure to represent the Goddess as hag or crone in winter.

Once that is done, go back inside and bring your King of Winter into your home with much pomp and circumstance. Place him on your table and prop him up with a plate of his own, and when you sit down to eat, serve him first. Begin your meal with the breaking of the dark bread, and make sure you toss a few crumbs outside for the birds afterwards. Keep the King of Winter in a place of honor all season long — you can put him back outside in your garden on a pole to watch over next spring’s seedlings, and eventually burn him at your Beltane celebration, six months from now.

When you are finished with your meal, put the leftovers out in the garden. Wrap up the evening by playing games, such as bobbing for apples or telling spooky stories before a bonfire.

Pet Farewell Ritual

This is a ritual that you can hold after a pet has passed away. Obviously, you may need to make adjustments, based on what sort of pet you had, the manner of their death, and so forth, but you can use this ritual as a general template. You can also turn this into a group ritual if the pet was one who belonged to the entire family.

You will need:

• Salt
• A pink candle (pink to represent your love for your pet)
• Incense of your choice (for a cat, as an example, blend catnip, valerian, and mint)
• Water
• A stone to represent your pet
• A stone to represent yourself
• 4 matching crystals*
• A small tray, plate or dish
• Arrange Your Elements

Arrange the salt, incense, candle, and water to represent the four elements (or in any other manner you traditionally use). Place one of your four matching crystals with each. Light the incense and the candle. Place the stones representing you and your pet in the dish in the center of the work area.

Take a moment to meditate quietly, and focus on the two stones in the center. One is you, and one is your pet. They should be side by side, touching each other, as you and your pet touched each other in life. Take both stones in your hands, and hold them tightly. As you do so, remember the positive and happy memories of your time with your pet.

Say a Pet Prayer

Pass the stones over the salt, and say:

<Pet’s name>, with the energies of Earth, I am with you in spirit. Your memory will always remain with me.

Pass the stones over the incense, and say:

<Pet’s name>, with the energies of Air, I am with you in spirit. Your memory will always remain with me.

Pass the stones over the candle, and say:

 <Pet’s name>, with the energies of Fire, I am with you in spirit. Your memory will always remain with me.

Pass the stones over the water, and say:

<Pet’s name>, with the energies of Water, I am with you in spirit. Your memory will always remain with me.

Tell Your Pet How Much You’ll Miss Him

Place the two stones back in the dish in the center of your work area. Take each of the four matching crystals/gemstones and add them to the dish as well. As you do so, tell your pet how much you will miss him, and how thankful you are that you were allowed to be part of his life. If you have family members such as children involved, ask each of them to place one of the matching stones in the dish, and tell the pet one thing that they will miss about him.

*There are a number of crystals associated with animal magic, and you can use any of these. The important part is to select four that are the same. Use quartz, turquoise or amethyst, which are all-purpose healing crystals, or sugilite, which is associated with crossing over at the time of death.

If you had to euthanize your pet, make sure you tell him why you made that decision, so that he understands how difficult it was to do so. This is a good time to verbalize how you feel, such as admitting it would have been selfish to prolong your pet’s suffering any further.

Close your eyes, and reflect once more on how different your life was because of your pet. If you need to cry, scream or yell, now is a good time to do it. Don’t hold back.

Finally, take the dish with all the stones in it, and pass it to everyone involved in the ritual. Allow each person to hold it for a moment, to feel the energy of you and your pet together in the stones.

Conclude the Ritual

Conclude the ritual in whatever your tradition requires  Once you have done so, place the dish with the stones in a place which was a favorite of your pet—a sunny spot on the floor, a warm corner in the bedroom, or a bright warm windowsill. Leave the dish there for several days. Whenever you walk by it, say hello to your pet, and let them know that they are remembered.

After time has passed, put the stones in a safe place somewhere, perhaps in a drawstring pouch, or in a special box, so that whenever you begin thinking of your pet you can see the stones again, and remember him. You may even choose to make one of the stones into a necklace​ or pass them along to family members for their own comfort.

When a pet crosses over, you may wish to use these prayers in a family memorial for your deceased friend, from goldfish to dogs and cats.

Drawing Down the Moon

There are many different ways to draw down the moon, and the method you use will vary, depending on your needs and the customs of your individual spiritual tradition. For this version, begin by standing at your altar with your arms crossed over your chest, and feet together. Face towards the full moon. Say:

Goddess of the Moon, You have been known by many names in many lands in many times. You are universal and constant. In the dark of night, You shine down upon us and bathe us in Your light and love. I ask You, O Divine One, to honor me by joining with me, and allowing me to feel Your presence within my heart.

Move your feet apart to about shoulder width, and raise your arms up and out to welcome the Goddess into you. The next part is one that you can memorize and learn, or you can speak spontaneously from the heart. You may begin to feel a surge of energy, a palpable tingle – don’t worry, that’s the Goddess making Herself known to you. Feel free to change these words as you like. You are speaking for Her, in Her voice, so let Her say what She wishes. Say:

I am the Mother of all life, the One who watches over all. I am the wind in the sky, the spark in the fire, the seedling in the earth, the water in the river.

Continue with:

I am the vessel from which All Things spring forth. Honor Me from within your heart! Remember that acts of love and pleasure are My rituals, and that there is beauty in all things. Honor Me on this night of the full moon! I have been with you since the moment you were created, and shall remain with you always. Let there be beauty and strength, wisdom and honor, humility and courage within you. If you need Me, call upon Me and I shall come to you, for I am everywhere, always.

Take a few moments to stand and bask in Her glow, and to meditate upon that which you have just experienced. Once the energy surge has subsided, lower your arms, and proceed with your ceremony as you normally would at the conclusion of a ritual.

Tips

Drawing Down the Moon is often considered an altered state of consciousness, a ritual possession by the Divine. It is not uncommon to feel the energy of the Goddess for quite some time following Drawing Down the Moon, so don’t be alarmed if you feel a heightened sense of clarity over the next few days. You may also feel extremely emotional – it’s not uncommon to cry or laugh spontaneously during this rite.

Hello, everyone! It has now been a year since I began publishing posts and I wanted to briefly go over the subjects we have covered so that you may find them easier for reference. Some of you are my private students and some are people kind enough to follow me. Either way, thank you for reading. I hope you have found my content useful and informative.

I am always open to suggestions and constructive criticism, so if you have anything you’d like to mention, or content you would like to know about, please comment below and let me know!

Also, some of the topics will be re-visited in the months to come, such as holidays, celebrations, and additional information on former lessons.

5/22/19

• We covered the Wiccan Rede. The Rede is the basis of wicca, the guidelines that every Wiccan must follow.

5/23/19

• The four large belief systems- While there are many different sects in Paganism, it is important to know the blanket terms for several types. We briefly covered the differences between Paganism, Wicca, Druidism and Heathenry.

6/2/19

• In this lesson, we covered the chakras. We learned about each chakra, including their associated elements and such, what each represents, the signs of an open/blocked chakra and more.

6/6/19

• The celtic tree month of Oak

6/12/19

• The full moon- We learned about what the moon is called and several practices to do during a full moon.

• Lithia/Summer Solstice- We learned about one of the major Wiccan holiday celebrating the beginning of summer

6/19/19

• Altars- We learned about the tools of the altar and their uses and altar set up.

6/25/19

• Casting circles- Casting a circle is the most prominent way to protect yourself from negativity and malice during any magical working

7/2/19

• Celtic Tree Month of Holly
• Full Moon-Hay Moon

7/8/19

• Mercury Retrograde- We learned about the effects that Mercury Retrograde and what it can do to the energies surrounding us as well as some basic do’s and dont’s during this time.

7/10/19

• Essential Oils- we learned several recipes for essential oils for many different purposes. We also learned the oils that are safe and the oils that are toxic to pets so we can keep our pets and familiars safe!

7/25/19

• The festival of Lammas

8/6/19

• Aromatherapy- A more in-depth look at essential oils and how they can help us

8/20/19

• Tarot- We learned several different card spread as well as the history of Tarot

8/21/19

• The importance of the moon is historical society

9/7/19

• The celtic tree month of Vine
• The Harvest Moon
• The celebration of Mabon

10/15/19

• The hunter Moon
• Contacting the dead
• The celebration of Samhain

10/22/19

• History of seances in the early 1900’s
• The history behind Momento Mori or Post-Mortem photography

11/9/19

• Dia de los Muertos
• The Mourning Moon

11/10/19

• Celtic Tree Month of Elder
• Festival of Hecate

12/3/19

• Krampusnacht
• Long Night’s Moon
• Saturnalia
• Yule
• Celtic Tree Month of Burch
• Feast of Frau Holle
• Hogmanay

12/8/19

• Sacred Location to Pagans- A study of a few of the more popular worship sites around the world

1/7/20

• Protecting yourself from malevolent energies and those who wish you harm

1/10/20

• Cold Moon
• The God Janus

1/11/20

• Thorrablot
• Celtic Tree Month of Rowan
• Sementivae
• Februalia
• Notable figures of January
• Historical Pagan events

1/28/20

• Imbolic
• Quickening Moon
• Valentines Day and Lupercalia

1/31/20

• Celtic tree month of ash

2/4/20

• Notable people of February
• Sigils

3/1/20

• Matronalia
• Storm Moon

3/4/20

• St. Patricks Day
• Celtic tree month of Alder
• Ostara

3/26/20

• Laurie Cabot-High Witch of Salem

4/5/20

• Aprils Wind moon and the magic of spring

4/6/20

• Celtic tree month of Willow
• Walpurisnacht

4/8/20

• April’s Historical Events
• Margot Adler

4/19/20

• Beltane Eve and Beltane

4/26/20

• Flower Moon
• Celtic Tree Month of Hawthorn
• Bona Dea

In Ancient Rome, the goddess Bona Dea, literally translating to The Good Goddess, was worshipped as the Earth goddess and protector of women. Women worshipped her exclusively and Bona Dea was said to watch over the virgins and matrons. She is a fertility goddess, blessing both women and the Earth, alike. SHe is seen as a pure virgin, chaste and inviolate. 

Snakes and wine are sacred to the Goddess and she was known to be well versed in healing and herb-lore. She is often linked to Faunus, the fertility God of the fields, woods and animals. This could be the tale behind the goddess’ true, and never-uttered, name, Fauna. When associated with Faunus, she is believed to be an animal goddess.

Men are specifically excluded from her secret festivals and are even prohibited from uttering her names. Sacred items to the goddess, such as wine or myrtle, should never be mentioned by name at her festivals due to the powerful connection she has to them.

One legend used to explain the dis-allowance of certain words is as follows: She had been married to the god Faunus (later famously renamed Pan). He returned to their stead one evening to discover that she had consumed an entire jar of wine. To punish her for her drunkenness, he beat her to death with a myrtle spurge (An almost succulent like ornamental plant with poisonous sap). Due to this, the words ‘wine’ and ‘myrtle’ must never be uttered when honoring the goddess.

Sixth month of the Celtic Tree calendar, May 13th – June 9

Planet: Mars and Venus

Symbolism: Purification, sacred marriage  and male-female unity

Stone: Lapis Lazuli, Blue Calcite

Birds: Blackbird, Owl, Purple Martin

Color: Midnight Blue, Purple

Deity: Olwen, Blodeuwedd, Gardea, Hymen, Hera, Virgin Mary

Sabbat: Beltane, May Day

Folk names: May bush, May tree, quickset, thorn-apple tree, white thorn.

Medicinal properties: 

• The flowers, leaves and fruits of the Hawthorn have properties that reduce blood pressure and stimulate the heart, as well as act as a mild sedative. 
• In herbal medicine they treat heart and circulatory disorders, migraine, menopausal conditions, angina, and insomnia. 
• The flowers are strongest as sedatives, and used externally can treat acne and skin blemishes. 
• The berries (also known as “Pixie Pears”) contain Vitamin B complex and Vitamin C. They can be crushed and used to ease diarrhea, dysentery, and kidney disorders. 

It is strongly advised against self medication because of its effects on the heart.

 Magickal properties: 

• The tree essence cleanses the heart of negativity and stimulates love and forgiveness.
• The Hawthorn is the tree most representative of the struggles the Christian Church had in suppressing pagan beliefs and celebrations. 
• Hawthorn is respected as a tree of enchantment under the protection of the faery realms. 
• It guards wells and springs. Its beautiful flowers are said to help prayers reach heaven.
• If you sit under a Hawthorn on May 1st you are liable to be whisked away for good to the faery underworld. 
• The blooms of the hawthorn are used in spells for fertility, happiness, and good luck in fishing.
• To take a blossoming hawthorn branch inside one’s house will cause their mother to die. 
• Wands made of this wood are of great power. The blossoms are highly erotic to men. 
• Hawthorn can be used for protection, love and marriage spells.
•  The original May Poles were made of Hawthorn
•  Hawthorn can be woven into a growing fence called a Hedgerow. 

Hawthorn Workings: 

• Carefully gather a few thorns from the tree. On a piece of paper, write the name of the person or situation from which you seek protection, and then wrap it around the thorns.  Bury this in the ground – if possible near the tree from which the thorns were collected.

• In Spring, make up a wash by soaking a quantity of fresh leaves and flowers in half a bucket of hot water. Leave overnight – and next day sprinkle drops about the rooms of your home, along edges and into corners for protection from the negative energies brought by bad spirits. 

• At New Year, make a Hawthorn ball and hang it in the house for the entire year for good luck and for protection against witch-craft.. Make a new one the following year, burning the old and using its ash to protect the boundaries of the garden. (The ball needs to be quite large, as even after soaking, the hawthorn twigs crack easily during shaping).

• For help with a difficult situation, take  seven (a faery number) or some say ten – strong, sharp thorns found at the tip of hawthorn twigs. Whisper to each one the problem that needs solving. Wrap them in a leaf and bury them under the hawthorn bush.

• At Beltane, or May-day, weave a small crown of Hawthorn blossom and leave it for the faeries before festivities begin. If a faery should find and wear it, the giver will be granted untold blessings.

• Protect a newborn baby from any pernicious spirit with leaves of hawthorn in the cradle.

• Hawthorn is known as a psychic shield that can lift the spirits, and a little charm of the wood is a thoughtful gift for a friend going through a time of particular vulnerability or depression. Dried flowers, berries or leaves can be burned in incense at a ritual working for the same purpose.

• A hawthorn wand is especially effective against malevolent spirits. The wand is best cut ‘green’ in order that the bark will peel easily, so, when choosing your wood, ensure a suitable gift for the faery defender of the tree. 

• Colors- Red, orange, and yellow 
• Gemstones- Ruby, garnet, amber, and Apache tear 

• Trees- hawthorn and rowan 
• Deities- Kali, Priapus, Cernunnos, and Flora 
• Herbs- Mint family, and spices that are considered “fiery,” like cinnamon
• Element of fire is deeply connected to Beltane. The Bale fire, or Bel fire, is a tradition that goes back a long time, and a bonfire lit at Beltane is said to bring about both protection and prosperity.

Begin tending your garden–or planting seeds in containers–and take some time to cultivate each of your herbs, flowers, and plants. Consider doing a simple planting ritual to kick things off for the spring.

Remember that May is also the season of Beltane. If you want to bring fertility into your life, this is a great time to do magical workings related to conception and fruitfulness. Think about planting tubers, such as yams, which are believed to increase lust and fertility. In some West African nations, the white yam has been linked to high birth rates, particularly that of twins and other multiples.

Plant beans, squash and corn in the arrangement that Native Americans call Three Sisters. In addition to being a self-sustaining ecosystem, in which each plant helps the others, the planting of this trio is associated with the concept of happy families, abundance, and community.

Hold a family abundance ritual. Remember that in addition to sexual fertility, the Beltane season is also about abundance, in a variety of forms. Don’t just focus on material gains, because this is about the growth of the earth and its bounty, and it’s about increasing your own spiritual and emotional wealth.

Beltane– the time for change and new beginnings just like the season. As the buds on trees and flowers begin to blossom, we are reminded of fertility and the coming summer. 

On May Eve the sexuality of life and the earth is at its peak. Abundant fertility, on all levels, is the central theme. The Maiden goddess has reached her fullness. She is the manifestation of growth and renewal, Flora, the Goddess of Spring, the May Queen, the May Bride. The Young Oak King, as Jack-In-The-Green, as the Green Man, falls in love with her and wins her hand. 

The union is consummated and the May Queen becomes pregnant. Together the May Queen and the May King are symbols of the Sacred Marriage (or Heiros Gamos), the union of Earth and Sky, and this union has merrily been re-enacted by humans throughout the centuries. For this is the night of the Greenwood Marriage. It is about sexuality and sensuality, passion, vitality and joy. And about conception. A brilliant moment in the Wheel of the Year to bring ideas, hopes and dreams into action.

Several tradition are performed in the season of Beltane:

• Handfasting
  • As Beltane is the Great Wedding of the Goddess and the God, it is a popular time for pagan weddings or Handfastings, a traditional betrothal for ‘a year and a day’ after which the couple would either choose to stay together or part without recrimination. Today, the length of commitment is a matter of choice for the couple, and can often be for life. Handfasting ceremonies are often unique to the couple, but include common elements, most importantly the exchange of vows and rings (or a token of their choice). The act of handfasting always involves tying the hands Handfasting (‘tying the knot’) of the two people involved, in a figure of eight, at some point in the ceremony and later unbinding. This is done with a red cord or ribbon. Tying the hands together symbolises that the two people have come together and the untying means that they remain together of their own free will.

• Jumping the Broomstick
  • This was a common practice for those who could not afford to be married traditionally. It was still locally recognized and the practice would be celebrated by gatherings and food, drink, and merriment. *Mead is the oldest drink known to mankind and also known as the Brew of the Divine, using honey; the most appropriate ingredient for a love ceremony*

• Going A-Maying
  • Couples spent the night in the woods and fields, made love and brought back armfuls of the first May or haw thorn blossoms to decorate their homes and barns. Hawthorn was never brought into the home except at Beltane – at other times it was considered unlucky. Young women gathered the dew to wash their faces, made Flower Crowns and May Baskets to give as gifts. Everyone was free to enact the Sacred Marriage of Goddess and God, and there was an accepted tradition of Beltane babies arriving nine months later.

• The Maypole
  • The Maypole is a popular and familiar image of May Day and Beltane. A phallic pole, often made from birch, was inserted into the Earth representing the potency of the God. The ring of flowers at the top of the Maypole represents the fertile Goddess. Its many coloured ribbons and the ensuing weaving dance symbolise the spiral of Life and the union of the Goddess and God, the union between Earth and Sky.
  • The colours of Beltane are green, red and white/silver. Green represents growth, abundance and fertility. Red represents strength, vitality, passion and vibrancy. White represents cleansing and clearing and the power to disperse negativity.

Egg Charm for Beltane

Think carefully what you wish for! The general rule of thumb is a brown egg for wishes involving animals and white for wishes involving people and plants, for example healing a sick animal, person or plant. 

1. Blow the egg. Using a fat needle, pierce a hole in both ends of the egg, making one hole larger than the other. Using the needle pierce the egg yolk gently and swirl it around to break up the yolk. Place a small drinking straw in one end and gently blow through the other hole to help gravity do its work.

2. Paint Your Egg Talisman. When your egg has thoroughly dried out, place it on top of a little mound of blue tack to hold it in place and you are ready to go! 

Choose a symbol to represent your wish – a heart for love, coin for prosperity, a candle for wisdom, whatever is meaningful for you. Or you can paint the whole egg in a corresponding colour – red for love, green for prosperity, purple for wisdom and so on. Another way to do it is to stick rose petals on for love, or feathers for fertility – again it is what is meaningful to you that is important.

3. When it is ready find a suitable place for it and prepare it for hanging by threading a thin thread (embroidery thread, thin wool) through the two holes and secure it with a large knot, a bead, or even a matchstick at the bottom to hold it steady.

4. Clear your mind and focus on your desire for abundance/fruitfulness and its place in your life:

‘Little charm made of shell as I hang you here may all be well. May all things grow. May all things flow. Blessings for the turning of the Wheel.”

Use these words or any others that you are comfortable with – remember this is all about your intention.

Wish Box Charm

Beltane is a good time for bringing hopes, dreams and aspirations to life, and here is a truly beautiful charm to help you bring these into manifestation.

You will need:

• A small shallow cardboard box. Shoe boxes are good.
• Rose petals
• Sunflower seeds and/or poppy seeds
• Paper
• A piece of willow bark or piece of willow, an acorn or oak leaf
• Something that represents your wish (see below)

Take a piece of paper and write your wish on it while visualizing your wish coming to life and growing. You can do this alone, with friends, or as a family. If you want to, decorate the lid of the box, with a triple moon, pentacle, heart, or any symbol of your choice. Poke a few holes in the lid – this will help your wish/plants, to grow. 

Take your box and sprinkle some earth into it. Put in your paper wishes, wish symbol (see below), and seeds/bark/acorn. Cover with another layer of earth. Mix the rose petals with the seeds and scatter them on top. Cover with a final layer of earth and place the lid on top, leaving enough of the rose petal/seed mixture to scatter on top of the box when you are planting it.

Planting Your Wish Box

The best time for planting your Wish Box is just after a fresh cleansing rainfall as this gives you a bright new start, but if the season is dry just give the earth a good watering the night before. Dig a hole two inches deeper than your wish box and lower it into the earth carefully while concentrating on your chosen wish, visualizing it coming to fruition. Imagine your wish growing with the flowers reaching skyward. As you cover the box with earth say:

“Dream that lies within the earth awaken now. Hope that sleeps awaken now. The stars await as so do I. Grow true, grow strong, toward the sky.”

If you don’t have a garden you can make a mini wish pot that can live on a window ledge and it works just as well. Just replace the box with a terracotta pot – one wish and one symbol per pot following exactly the same instructions as above. Remember that wishes are only to be used for positive motives.

Suggested Symbols For Your Wish Box:

• Love & Marriage – gingerbread
• New Job – copper coin
• Abundance – silver coin
• Difficult Task – glove
• Hearth & Home – thimble
• Seeking the Truth – sprig of rosemary
• Health, Healing, Renewed Strength – blue & green ribbon entwined
• Happiness, Good Luck – cinnamon stick
• Seeking Knowledge – apple
• To Find A Lost Item – feather
• Protection – key (an old iron key is best if you have one)

Beltane Bread

You will need:

• 3 mugs of strong white flour
• 500 mls (just over 2 cups) of buttermilk
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 3 tbs clear honey
• 3 tbs golden syrup
• 1 pack dried strawberries
• 3 drops vanilla essence
• 1 small beaten egg for glazing
• soft brown sugar for sprinkling

Place the strawberries and flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and pour in the buttermilk, blended golden syrup, honey and vanilla essence together with a wooden spoon – or your hands if that is better. As you mix, feel the pulsing vibrant Beltane energy and let it run through your hands and out through your fingertips. And as you mix, say:

‘As we light the Beltane flame, I make this bread in Love’s sweet name.

Two halves together bound as one, Beltane’s dance has now begun!’

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board and pat it into a circle. With a sharp knife lightly score the bread into two halves to represent The Lord and Lady. Glaze with beaten egg and sprinkle sugar over the top. Bake in a moderate oven for about 20-25 minutes. When the bread is cooled break it into two halves along the score mark. Repeat the words of the charm and tie with purple ribbon. Purple represents the union of red (love in all its forms) and blue (unity and harmony). Enjoy. 

Other Beltane Ideas

Whatever you do, remember this is the Great Wedding! Dress in your best, especially in green, and wear a flower crown.

• Stay out all night, gathering the green, watch the sunrise and make love. Wash your face in the morning dew.
• Conceive a new project, grasp that idea, and get on with it.
• Dress your home and/or altar with greenery – especially with hawthorn, rowan and birch branches. Ask permission from the tree before you take anything.
• Dress a tree. This is the perfect time to go out and celebrate a tree. Especially a hawthorn, rowan or birch – but the tree spirit will welcome you attention whichever kind of tree it is. Sit with it, talk to it, dance around it (maypole), honour the tree and its fertility. Hang ribbons from its branches, each ribbon represents a wish or prayer.

• Flowers, flowers and more flowers. This is the festival of Flora. Make a flower crown to wear – the daisy chain in the simplest of all. Make a traditional flower basket. fill it with Beltane greenery and all the flowers and herbs you can find. Think about, and honour, their magical and healing properties while you do so. Give it someone you love.
• Prepare a May basket by filling it with flowers and goodwill and then give it to someone in need of healing and caring, such as a shut-in or elderly friend. Form a wreath of freshly picked flowers, wear it in your hair, and feel yourself radiating joy and beauty. Dress in bright colors. Dance the Maypole and feel yourself balancing the Divine Female and Male within. On May Eve, bless your garden in the old way by making love with your lover in it. Make a wish as you jump a bonfire or candle flame for good luck. Welcome in the May at dawn with singing and dancing.
• Beltane Fires-Traditionally, sacred woods kindled by spark from flint or by friction — in Irish Gaelic, the Beltane Fire has been called teine eigin (fire from rubbing sticks). 
  •  Jump over the Beltane Fire, move through it, or dance clockwise around it.
  • Livestock was driven through it or between two fires for purification and fertility blessings. 
  • In ancient times Druid priests kindled it at sacred places; later times, Christian priests kindled it in fields near the church after performing a Christian church service. 
  • Rowan twigs were carried around the fire three times, then hung over hearths to bless homes.
  • In the past, Beltane community fire purification customs included symbolic sacrifice of effigy knobs on the Beltane Cake (of barley) to the fire, or, in medieval times, mock sacrifice of Beltane Carline (Hag) who received blackened piece of Beltane Cake; Maypoles in Spain were each topped with a male effigy which was later burned. Contemporary Pagans burn sacred wood and dried herbs as offerings in their Beltane fires.
• May Waters-Rolling in May Eve dew or washing face in pre-dawn May Day dew for health, luck, beauty. 
  • Getting head and hair wet in Beltane rain to bless the head. 
  • Blessing springs, ponds, other sacred waters with flowers, garlands, ribbons, other offerings. 
  •  Collecting sacred waters and scrying in sacred springs, wells, ponds, other waters
• Make some Hawthorn Brandy. You will need a bottle of brandy and at least one cup of hawthorn flowers, plus a little sugar to taste. Mix the ingredients together and leave away from direct light, for at least two weeks. Shake occasionally. Strain, bottle and enjoy. Hawthorn is renowned as a tonic for the heart.

Hawthorn Brandy

How to make Hawthorn brandy

• 1.5 cups brandy

• ⅔ cup haws

• 1 cup sugar

Clean the haws and dry them

Add haws and sugar to a sterilised jar

Pour in the brandy and shake vigorously

Keep warm and shake daily for 1 week

Shake weekly for 2 months

Decant liquid into sterilised bottles and enjoy

Warning

A few words of warning and rules:

• Some plants and fungi are poisonous, so if you are not 100% certain that your identification is correct – DO NOT EAT IT.
• Avoid foraging where agricultural sprays or vehicle pollution may have contaminated produce.
• Always stay on Rights of Way unless you have the permission from the landowner to leave them.
• Picking nuts, berries, leaves etc. is permitted on Rights of Way, but the uprooting of any wild plants is illegal without the landowner’s permission.

Trees of Beltane

Hawthorn

• Hawthorn is a deeply magical tree and is one of the three trees at the heart of the Celtic Tree Alphabet, the Faery Triad, ‘by Oak, Ash and Thorn’. Traditionally Beltane began when the Hawthorn, the May, blossomed. It is the tree of sexuality and fertility and is the classic flower to decorate a Maypole with. It was both worn and used to decorate the home at Beltane.

Birch

• Birch is regarded as a feminine tree and Deities associated with Birch are mostly love and fertility goddesses. It is one of the first trees to show its leaf in Spring. Eostre/Ostara, the Celtic goddess of Spring was celebrated in festivities and dancing around and through the birch tree between the Spring Equinox and Beltane. Birch twigs were traditionally used to make besoms (a new broom sweeps clean). Maypoles were often made from birch and birch wreaths were given as lover’s gifts.

Rowan

• A tree of protection and healing. Branches of Rowan were placed as protection over the doors of houses and barns at Beltane to protect from increased Faery activity as they woke from their winter slumber. Sprigs were worn for protection also. Rowan berries have a tiny five-pointed star on the bottom reminiscent of the pentagram.

Beltane Recipes

Ares’ Asparagus Soup

While you prepare this dish, repeat the following. Repeat again as you serve.

I summon and invoke the bold and virile Aries

The Playful, unencumbered sentiment of faeries

The liberation from a cold, barren winter’s end

To practice sex as sacred is what I intend

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped chives
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 cube vegetable bouillon
• 3-4 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 12 spears asparagus, chopped into 1 inch pieces
• Salt and pepper

In a small saute pan, saute the chives in the butter for 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a large pot. Add 4-6 cups of water, depending on your preference for thicker or thinner soup. Add bouillon cube and bring to a boil. Add potatoes and asparagus (and water, as needed), reduce heat to medium. Simmer until potatoes are soft. Transfer to food processor or blender and blend until smooth, Salt and pepper to taste.

Beltane Oatcake

Oatcakes are served as a representation of the sun, whose return is marked by the Beltane celebration. The cakes are not only eaten, but thrown into the traditional bonfires as an offering to protective dieties.

Begin by saying the following prayer of gratitude”

We are each a part of the joyous circle of love.

As we cast the bread into the fire,

We fuse together into the One Being.

That always was, and always will be.

Ingredients”

• 2 tbsp vegetable shortening
• ⅓ cup boiling water
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 tsp minced, fresh sage
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350. In a small pan, heat shortening and water until shortening is melted. Remove from heat and let cool.

Mix oats, sage, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. Mix the cooled liquid and the oat mixture, adding water if necessary, to maintain a dough like consistency. 

Pat the dough into a circle, about 8 inches in diameter. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 40 minutes.

Cut into 8 wedges. Let cool on wire rack.

Yield: 8 cakes.

Zucchini-Chocolate Muffins

Yield: 1 dozen muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 ⅓ cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 ½ tsps baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup lowfat sour cream
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsps vegetable oil
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups loosely packed shredded zucchini

Preheat oven to 400.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a small bowl, mix sour cream, egg, oil, and vanilla. Add in zucchini being careful not to overmix. Carefully combine mixtures.

Fill each muffin tin ¾ of the way full and bake for 20 minutes.

 *All recipes from The Wicca Cookbook, 2nd Edition by Jamie Wood and Tara Seefeldr*

4/16

Birthday of Margot Adler

Margot Susanna Adler was a Wiccan High Priestess, writer, journalist, lecturer and author of the now classic book “Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers and Other Pagans in America Today” (1979) an early seminal study of contemporary nature religions.  She was also a member the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) and an elder in the Covenant of the Goddess (CoG). She had this to say about Witches, Wiccans and Pagans: 

“We are not evil. We don’t harm or seduce people.  We are not dangerous. We are ordinary people like you.  We have families, jobs, hopes and dreams. We are not a cult.  This religion is not a joke. We are not what you think we are from looking at TV.  We are real. We laugh, we cry. We are serious. We have a sense of humour. You don’t have to be afraid of us.  We don’t want to convert you. And please don’t try to convert us. Just give us the same right we give you, to live in peace.  We are much more similar to you than you think”. – Margot Adler 

Margot Adler was born the only child to a non-religious family in Little Rock, Arkansas on the 16th April 1946.  Shortly after her birth the family moved to New York, where she was raised within the city’s intellectual community.  Her Viennese father Dr. Kurt Alfred Adler was a psychiatrist and a self-professed atheist, while her mother Freyda Nacque Adler was a Jewish agnostic and a radical educator (she died in 1970).  Her grandfather Alfred Adler (1870–1937) was a renowned Viennese psychiatrist considered by many to be the father of Individual Psychology.

Margot’s early education was spent at the City and Country Grammar School in Greenwich Village, where during her fifth grade one of her teachers taught the class about the May Day festivals of old and how people used to dance around a Maypole singing in the May with songs.  The teacher arranged for a class outing to the country home of a sister and early on the 1st of May as the sun began to shine they sang the songs of May and picked flowers from the fields. Later they took flowers back to school and decorated a Maypole, which they danced around while singing.  Ever since then Margot had been fascinated by rituals. 

Later while in 7th grade, Margot spent the whole year studying myths of ancient Greece.  She was particularly drawn to the Greek deities Artemis and Athena, and could imagine their feminine strengths and powers.  As part of a school project she wrote a play about the Trojan War, which was part musical as it included hymns to Zeus and poems sung by Hera and other gods.  Coming from a fairly atheistic family of no particular persuasion, Margot mentally identified the ancient Greek religions as part of her own primal religion.

After graduating from City and Country Grammar School, Margot next studied at LaGuardia High School of Music & Art in Hamilton Heights.  While there she began to question and research her own beliefs about religion. As her family had no particular interest, she started to explore various churches and denominations in her neighbourhood.  She was particularly taken with the Quakers for their belief in pacifism, social equality and education, but was also mightily impressed with the rituals she witnessed in the Catholic Church.

In 1964 Margot interests in religion was put on hold for while as she started a politically active life at University.  As a freshman at the University of California, Berkeley, she joined the Freedom of Speech Movement (FSM), and as a member of the Executive Committee was among 800 protesters arrested during a massive sit-in protest at Sproul Hall.  This was Berkeley’s campus administration building, which they took over to promote the rights of student groups to support off-campus issues, and student rights to free speech and academic freedom. 

In the following year she helped to register black voters rights in the civil protests taking place in Mississippi, and in 1968 was an activist against the Vietnam War and demonstrated at the Democratic convention in Chicago.  Later in 1968, Margot received a B.A. degree in Political Science from Berkeley with a “Phi Beta Kappa” for outstanding scholarship. She then went on to earn a Master’s degree from the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University in New York.  Much later in 1982 Margot was awarded a prestigious one-year Nieman fellowship at Harvard University. 

After graduating from Berkeley in 1968, Margot worked for Pacifica Radio, where she started as a volunteer at KPFA.  She then became a reporter, then a producer, and later Head of Pacifica’s Washington News Bureau. From 1968 to 1977 she hosted three radio talk shows:  “Hour of the Wolf”, “Unstuck in Time” and “The Far Side of the Moon”. Her talk shows dealt with cutting-edge topics and ideas about science, psychology, feminism, ecology, parapsychology, religion and spirituality. 

In 1979 she next joined National Public Radio (NPR) as a general assignments reporter working in their New York News Bureau.  There she helped to create and host the radio shows: “All Things Considered”, “Morning Edition” and “Weekend Edition”. Margot was always keen to document issues of national and societal importance, and covered such controversial issues as:  the confrontation between radicals and the Ku Klux Klan in Greensboro, North Carolina, AIDS in San Francisco, homeless people living in subways, and the state of the middle classes in society. She also reported on the Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo in 1984, and again in Calgary in 1988. 

On the 19th June 1988 Margot married her long time companion John Lowell Gliedman in an out-door handfasting ceremony held at Lambert’s Cove Inn on Martha’s Vineyard in West Tisbury, Massachusetts.  Selena Fox the founder of Circle Sanctuary performed the ceremony inside a circle of flowers, after which they jumped the broom, in keeping with old Pagan traditions. Their wedding was the first Pagan handfasting to be written up in the society pages of the prestigious New York Times.

Gliedman was a psychologist and science writer, and co-author of a report for the Carnegie Council on Children called:  “The Unexpected Minority: Handicapped Children in America”. Raised in Lutherville, Maryland, his father the late Dr. Lester H. Gliedman was a psychiatrist.  Gliedman attended Park School in Baltimore, before moving on to Harvard University from where he earned a B.A. degree with a Magna Cum Laude (“with great praise”) as a mark of excellence.  He later received a Ph.D. degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After their marriage, Margot who retained her maiden name for professional reasons gave birth to their only son Alexander Dylan Gliedman-Adler in 1990. 

Throughout the 1990’s Margot continued work as a Bureau Chief and Correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR) in New York, as well as hosting “Justice Talking”, a weekly one-hour show recorded before a live audience in Philadelphia.  During the show Margot would introduce key cases and controversies being dealt with in the nation’s justice system, and examine the impact of their consequences on society as a whole. The show was then broadcasted nationwide. 

After the 9/11 terrorists attack on New York in 2001, Margot spent much of her time reporting on its aftermath, and documenting the human side of the tragedy.  In her reports Margot looked deeply into issues affecting those people directly involve, like those who have been deprived of their homes, or who have lost their jobs, the trauma of grieving relatives and those involved in relief efforts.  She also co-produced an award-winning radio drama called “War Day”. 

Away from her busy life as a news correspondent and radio host and while living in New York in the early 1970’s, Margot took time out to visit England.  While there she was inspired to investigate the history of the Druids, during which she discovered a number of evolving Witchcraft and Pagan organizations, one of which was being spearheaded by a fellow American called Joseph B. Wilson.  Wilson who was on a US Air Force posting in the UK had founded the “Waxing Moon” magazine, the first of its kind devoted to Witchcraft in America. While in the UK, Wilson had began collaborating with John Score the founder of “The Wiccan”, the UK’s equivalent magazine and its background organization “The Pagan Front” in efforts to set up a similar organization in the USA called the Pagan Way. 

On her return to New York, Margot subscribed to the “Waxing Moon” magazine, which led to her introduction and long time interest with Witchcraft and Paganism in America.  She first became involved when she attended a study group led by the New York Coven of Welsh Traditional Witches headed by Ed Buczynski. Then in 1973 she left the study group and took a more active role in a practicing Gardnerian coven called Iargalon, through which in 1976 she was elevated to the status of High Priestess and took the title of Lady Morvoren. 

By this time Margot was also running a Pagan Way grove in Manhattan, and was conducting Sabbat rituals at her own home.  At the time there was still very little information about the new age of Wicca and Witchcraft being published, except for magazines like “The Waxing Moon” by Joseph B. Wilson, “Nemeton” by Gwydion Pendderwen and Alison Harlow, and the “Green Egg” magazine by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart.  As such Margot’s journalistic instincts triggered in, and she started to explore outside her own immediate environment. 

It was about this time that Margot was introduced to a literary agent called Jane Rotrosen, who suggested she write a book.  With Rotrosen’s help Margot wrote and sold a proposal for the book to Viking Publishers who liked what they saw. She was awarded a $7.500 advance minus ten percent to Rotrosen, to cover her research and expenses.  Margot spent the next 3 years writing, traveling, interviewing and researching her book, the result being “Drawing Down the Moon”, first published in 1979. Initially outside of academic circles it received a medico reception, however updated and re-issued in 1986 and again in 2006, over the years it has become a classic best seller.

In 1982 after taking a year out from her coven practice to concentrate on her Nieman fellowship at Harvard University, Margot returned to New York but decide not to rejoin her coven, preferring to practice as a solitary.  She later joined the Church of All Souls, a Unitarian Universalist church in New York, and for the following ten years acted as an adviser on the board of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS). In 1997 Margot published her second book “Heretic’s Heart:  A Journey Through Spirit and Revolution”, a fascinating memoir of her time during the 1960’s. 

Sadly on the 2nd of February, 2010 at the age of 67, Margot’s husband of 35 years, John Lowell Gliedman passed away shortly after being diagnosed with an inoperable stomach cancer.

fter the death of her husband Margot continued to work as a NPR Correspondent at their New York Bureau from where she regularly broadcasted reports in programs such as:  All Things Considered, Morning Edition and Weekend Edition. She also began a 3 years epic study of Vampirism. After reading over 260 novels from their earliest publications, such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897), to viewing more recent film dramatisations like Interview with the Vampire (1994) by Anne Rice, she also studied scholarly works on the genre and its histories.  The results of her studies provided the material for her last two books Out for Blood (2013) and Vampires Are Us (2014). 

During the last decades of her life Margot remained one of the most visible and available leaders of the Pagan community in North America.  Based in New York where she lived with her only son Alexander, she traveled regularly around the country presenting lectures, workshops and rituals in her efforts to educate people about Wicca/Witchcraft and Paganism.   Her rituals, many of which involve ecstatic singing, chanting and seasonal celebrations, where a delight to all those who attended. 

Sadly in early 2011, Margot was diagnosed with endometrial cancer, which slowly metastasized over the following three years.  Margot Adler died at 10:30am on the 28th July 2014 at the age of 68. 

4/23/2007

Wiccan Pentacle officially added to VA approved emblems for gravestones

Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess, was among several plaintiffs involved in the ruling by the VA to approve Wiccan pentacles as an “emblem of belief” and agreed to add the symbol to veteran’s headstones. Almost immediately after the ruling, eleven familes applied to have the grave marker added to their loved one’s headstone. 

As of one year after the ruling, 26 grave markers were adorned with the Wiccan pentacle.

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18274639/ns/us_news-military/t/wiccan-symbol-ok-military-headstones/

https://www.circlesanctuary.org/index.php/lady-liberty-league/a-year-of-veteran-pentacle-grave-markers-across-the-usa

Walpurgis Night, a traditional holiday celebrated on April 30 in northern Europe and Scandinavia. In Sweden typical holiday activities include the singing of traditional spring folk songs and the lighting of bonfires. In Germany the holiday is celebrated by dressing in costumes, playing pranks on people, and creating loud noises meant to keep evil at bay. Many people also hang blessed sprigs of foliage from houses and barns to ward off evil spirits, or they leave pieces of bread spread with butter and honey, called ankenschnitt, as offerings for phantom hounds.

In Finland Walpurgis Night and May Day are effectively merged into a single celebration that is usually referred to as Vappu and that is among the country’s most important holidays. Initially, Walpurgis Night was celebrated by the Finnish upper class. Then, in the late 19th century, students (most notably engineering students) took up its celebration. Today merrymaking begins on the evening of April 30, often augmented with the drinking of alcoholic beverages, particularly sparkling wine. The carnival-like festivities carry over to the next day, frequently taking on a family dimension, as friends and relatives picnic in parks among balloons and consume sima, a homemade low-alcohol (and sometimes not so low-alcohol) mead.

The origins of the holiday date back to pagan celebrations of fertility rites and the coming of spring. After the Norse were Christianized, the pagan celebration became combined with the legend of St. Walburga, an English-born nun who lived at Heidenheim monastery in Germany and later became the abbess there. Walburga was believed to have cured the illnesses of many local residents. Walburga is traditionally associated with May 1 because of a medieval account of her being canonized upon the translation of her remains from their place of burial to a church circa 870. Although it is likely that the date of her canonization is purely coincidental to the date of the pagan celebrations of spring, people were able to celebrate both events under church law without fear of reprisal.

In Germany, Walpurgisnacht, the night from 30 April to 1 May, is the night when witches are reputed to hold a large celebration on the Brocken and await the arrival of spring. In some parts of northern coastal regions of Germany, the custom of lighting huge fires is still kept alive to celebrate the coming of May, while most parts of Germany have a derived Christianized custom around Easter called “Easter fires” (Osterfeuer).

In rural parts of southern Germany, it is part of popular youth culture to play pranks such as tampering with neighbors’ gardens, hiding possessions, or spraying graffiti on private property.

In Berlin, traditional leftist May Day riots usually start at Walpurgis Night in the Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg. There is a similar tradition in the Schanzenviertel district of Hamburg, though in both cases, the situation has significantly calmed down in the past few years. 

Check out my favorite Walpurgisnacht song here. It is a German folk song sung in German.

 This version is the same song but with English subtitles, should you wish to know what they’re saying.