iowawicca - Profile (original) (raw)
on 29 March 2003 (#974659)
this is what we are about. crystals, fairies, goddess, griffins, halloween, healing, herbalism, herbs, incense, karma, magick, silver ravenwolf, spells, wicca, wiccan,
The Sabbats of Wicca
Because witches honor nature, they have eight festivals, or Sabbats, that mark the year as it turns through its seasons. The following is basic information about these Sabbats, and includes both standard Wiccan information as well as my personal Sabbat lore and experiences, in other words, what I perceive the Sabbats to be.
Samhain happens near Halloween and is when the Wiccan year begins. My altar cloth is black, because we are in the time of year that is dark. On my altar is the harvest, our "dead Lord" whose life is in the crops and "sacrificed" when the crops are killed to become our food. This is the time of death, of honoring and communing with spirits that have passed to the other side. Now the veil between the worlds is thin. It is a good time to invite our beloved dead to visit with us. This is not a gruesome exchange, but reverent, earthy, natural, further it is joyous and festive. Victor Anderson says "If a ghost of a loved one shows up, ask him to join the party."
Yule or winter solstice happens near December 21, which is the longest darkest night of the year. The dark of Winter is safe like my bedcovers at night. Dark whispers of a Mother's love caress me. In the darkness of the Mother's womb, the void I am safe, sustained, at peace. and can move inward, into my own dark self, looking, learning, purifying. I can cleanse myself of all that blocks me from being born new with the rising new solstice sun when the sun king is born, with promises for the Spring ahead.
Brigid or Candlemas, on February 2, is the festival of the Goddess Brigid, patron of poetry, healing, and metalsmithing. Brigid's poetry inspires me to shake off winter's sleep now, stretch and start to get ready for Spring. I am still drowsy.
Spring Equinox happens about March 21, and I pass from one time into the other, yet am between one time and another. I completely shed winter's sleep. As a time of passing, transition, it is powerful - a time of balance - equal day and equal night - so a time of magic. I am poised between being bound, and the movement of Spring. Bound like sleeping beauty who is released by love's kiss into the violent passion of Spring. Bound as in the cosmic egg, which exploded when the cosmos was hatched. Explosive moment of creation - moving dynamically chaotically.
Beltane or May-Day, is a celebration of love. And we're talking Pagan now! Love -- moon rhymes with June, so the universe gets created. LAHV!
The Ancient people, from the Priests and Priestesses to the farmers understood the power of love: loving company between two people is an echo of the act that created all things. No, let me rephrase that: it IS the act of creation.
Summer Solstice happens about June 21. All things move in spirals, and I watch the year move in a spiral, right now spiraling up to the sun's climax. I celebrate summer and the heat of the Gods.
Lammas is August 1. Now the Corn King dies as his body is harvested from the fields so that I may be fed, so that I may live, so that I may go into the winter months of darkness rich with his blood and love in my veins. The Dark King, Shepherd of souls, becomes stronger now. With WInter I will go inward, to the inner depths of my own soul. And HE will embrace me with His love in the coming trials and celebrations of the Wintertime. Some of my crops are harvested and I give thanks. Some of my crops are not yet ready and I must insure their harvest.
Fall Equinox happens near or on September 21.Today, the length of night time is equal to the length of daytime. At the Equinox, I become aware that this time is not the balance, or rather the order, one usually sees in nature. Nature is not really balanced. But ordered. A cyprus by the ocean grows windblown by ocean storm and wind, bowing towards the earth. That cyprus is the usual balance or order of nature - stable, poised, in harmony. ALL of nature leans like the ocean-blown cyprus towards the dark earth. But Fall Equinox is a balance of light and dark, night and day and therefore is truly an outlandish moment in time: equality, a equal balancing, an actual moment of balance. I draw on my roots in the darkness, yet revel in the kiss of summer breeze and sun. I face the darkness of the fall and winter ahead and so face mysteries. The Goddess has surprises for me in the wintry months ahead that will surpass my best hopes. ****************************************
The Wiccan Rede
Bide these Wiccan laws ye must With perfect love and perfect trust. Live and let live Fairly take and fairly give. Cast the circle thrice about To keep all evil spirits out; To bind a spell every time Let the spell be spoke in rhyme. Soft of eye and light of touch, Speak ye little, listen much. Deosil go by waxing moon Sing and dance ye wiccan rune. Widdershins go by waning moon Chanting out the baleful tune. When the Lady's moon is new, Kiss ye hands to her times two. When the moon rides at her peak Then your heart's desire seek. Heed the Northwind's mighty gale, Lock the door, and trim the sail. When the wind comes from the South, Love will kiss you in the mouth. When the wind blows from the West, Departed souls will have no rest. When the wind blows from the East, Expect the new, and set the feast. Nine wood 'neath in cauldron go. Burn them fast, and burn them slow. Elderwood, the Lady's tree, Burn it not, or cursed you'll be. When the Wheel begins to turn, Soon the Beltane fires will burn. When the Wheel has turned to Yule, Light the log, the Horned One rules. Teaching, flower bush and tree By the Lady, blessed be. Where the rippling waters go, Cast the stone, and truth you'll know. When ye have and hold a need, Harken not to others' greed. With a fool, no season spend, Or be counted as his friend. Merry meet and merry part Bright the cheeks and warm the heart. Mind the Threefold Law ye should Three times bad and three times good. When misfortune is anow, Wear the star upon thy brow. True in love ye must ever be, Lest thy love be false to thee. These eight words in rede fulfill: And ye harm none, do what thou will.
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The Nature of our Way
As often as possible, hold rites in forest, by the seashore, on a desert mountain top, … If not, use a garden or chamber, if readied with fumes or flowers.
Seek out wisdom in books, manuscripts, cryptic poems, … simple stones and fragile herbs … cries of wild birds. Listen to whispers of the wind and the roar of water if you would discover magic, for it is here that the old secrets are preserved.
Books contain words; trees contain energies and wisdom ne'er dreamt of.
That which remains changeless shall out live its spirit, but that which evolves and grows will shine for centuries.
There can be no monopoly on wisdom. Therefore share what you will of our ways with others who seek them, but hide mystic lore from the eyes of those who would destroy, for to do otherwise increases their destruction.
Mock not the rituals or spells of another, for who can say yours are greater in power or wisdom?
Ensure that your actions are honorable, for all that you do shall return to you threefold, good or bane.
Be wary of one who would dominate you, who would control and manipulate your workings and reverences. True reverence for the Goddess and the God occurs within. Look with suspicion on any who would twist worship from you for their own gain and glory, but welcome those priestesses and priests who are suffused with love.
Honor all living things, for we are the bird, the fish, the bee. Destroy not life but save it, but to preserve your own.
And this is the nature of our way.
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The Law of PowerBy Scott Cunningham
The Power shall not be used to bring harm, to injure, or to control others. But, if the need rises, the Power shall be used to protect life or the lives of others. The Power is used only as need dictates. The Power can be used for your own gain, as long as by doing so you harm none. It is unwise to accept money for use of the Power, for it quickly controls its taker. Be not as those of other religions. Use not the Power for prideful gain, for such cheapens the mysteries of Wicca and Magic. Ever remember that the power is the sacred gift of the Goddess and the God, and should never be misused or abused. And this is the Law of Power. "If words and conduct are not in accord and not consistent, they will have no effect." The I Ching, Book One Hexagram 37
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