Sabbats and Sabbaths

Winter Discernment Ritual

Posted on January 13, 2019 by David Taliesin

Here is the ritual we used at tonight’s Welcoming Circle:

WINTER RITUAL

ANOINTING— Brigid Oil

May the darkness of the season enable us to see ourselves
And the world around us in new ways. So mote it be!

CASTING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Guardians of the East, Elemental Powers of Air, your cold winds of Winter call us to turn inward. Help us to use this season as a time for introspection and self-examination. Be with us in the circle tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

Guardians of the South, Elemental Powers of Fire, your warmth drives away Winter’s chill. Help us to use this season to feast with loved ones and create community. Be with us in the circle tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

Guardians of the West, Elemental Powers of Water, you visit us with the delightful gift of snow. Help us to use this season to awaken our sense of wonder and joy. Be with us in the circle tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

Guardians of the North, Elemental Powers of Earth, your majestic evergreens remind us that even in the dead of Winter, new life can be found. Help us to ground ourselves in your healing energy so that we may be transformed and renewed. Be with us in the circle tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

Ancient mother of Midwinter, watcher over life and death, the one who rebirths the world, be with us on this winter night! See us through the dark hours and stand with us as dawn births the promise of new life. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

GOING INWARD—Winter Meditation, Witches’ Datebook 2016, Deborah Blake

Dim the lights and find a spot where you can be undisturbed for five or ten minutes. Sit comfortably and light a white candle. If you want, you can even wrap yourself in a comfortable blanket or shawl. Then say this spell, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths, going deeper inside with each one.

Burrowing like the rabbit, or the bear beneath the ground,
The winter’s hush upon me. I do not make a sound.
Let the world keep spinning without me for a space.
I am turning inward in search of peace and grace.

Activity Sheet—Use this quiet time to listen to what your inner wisdom is trying to tell you. Click HERE for PDF of activity sheet.

DISMISSING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Guardians of the North, Elemental Powers of Earth, in these dark days of winter keep us grounded and surround us with people who make us feel nurtured and loved. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians of the West, Elemental Powers of Water, in these dark days of winter keep us feeling positive and peaceful. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians of the South, Elemental Powers of Fire, in these dark days of winter keep our minds focused on the sacred work you call us to do during this season. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians of the East, Elemental Powers of Air, in these dark days of winter clear all the clutter and distraction of this season so that we may focus on what’s necessary and important. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Great Spirit, who is known to us by many names, in these dark days of winter help us to learn the benefits and blessings of the darkness. Use this time in our lives to make our world a better place. We bid you farewell.

Our Circle is now open but never unbroken
Because it is a circle woven in love.
Whatever energy is left in this space
We return to the earth with a spirit of gratitude.
Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.

Posted in Magic, Meditation | Tagged darkness, endarkment, winter | Leave a comment

Welcoming Circle Ritual: Nov 11

Posted on November 12, 2018 by David Taliesin

Hammer Rite

Tree: We call quarters differently today. To honor the Heathen path, I am going to use an elder Hammer Rite. The Hammer is both the symbol for Heathenism and Earth (which Thor is God of in Norse lore.) In Norse lore, the primal elements of fire and ice collided creating our nine worlds. Freya Aswynn says they were actually matter and anti matter sparking creation of everything else. Who knows? We will call to the most primal elements to be our guardians. Please stand and face the middle.

(Raising Hammer to the North)

Tree: Hamar ef eldr ok Muspellheimr helga ve petta ok hald vordt!

David: Hammer of the fires of Muspellheimr hallow and protect this holy stead!

Tree: Hammar ef Iss ok Niflheimr helge ve petta ok hald vordt!

David: Hammer of the Great Ice of Niflheimer, Hallow and protect this holy stead! Tree: (Tracing the Hammer Sign in air): Um mik ok I mer Asgardr ok Midgardr David: Around me and within me, heaven and earth.

Tree: Please be seated.

Tree: As we have already mentioned, today is traditional for honoring our war veterans but the warrior ethic and stance in the world is deeper than just the weapons and courage in battle. Martin Luther King said “life isn’t worth living until you have found something worth dying for.” Martin Luther King found civil rights worth dying for.My Norse ancestors found their people and families worth dying for. They lived life as fully as they could in those days. Today, more than ever, we need the warrior spirit in us awakened as troubled times increase but is there anything worth dying for? Living for? What would you consider worthy of dying for, that something that makes your life worth living? Let us give ourselves a few moments to think about that then individually stand or come up to the Hammer and tell the universe what is worth dying for? This is not an oath. This is a reflection to awaken you to your inner warrior. Warriors come in all guises- parents, activists, spiritual pathworkers, keepers of light, everyday heros. If you have nothing to say, that is okay. There is no judgement here. Just remember those that you have held in your heart as courageous and heroic.

(Time for participants to speak to Hammer or the group)

Tree: Please stand and face the center again.

Tree: Hammer of Muspellheimr’s fires, I thank you for your protection. You may go now and take with you our thanks.

David: Hammerof Nifilheimr’s Ice, We thank you for your protection. You may go now and take with you our thanks.

Tree: You can be seated again. Thank you for sharing this space with us. Special thanks to Mike for giving us a glimpse into the Heathen Way.

Written by Tree Higgins

Posted in Meditation, Spirituality | Tagged hammer rite, heathen, norse | Leave a comment

Ancestor Ritual

Posted on October 15, 2018 by David Taliesin

Here is the group ritual we did last night to close The Welcoming Circle. Thanks to everyone who attended.

Ancestor Ritual October 2018
The Welcoming Circle
Written by Tree Higgins

Calling of Quarters

Hail, Guardian of the East! Keeper of sacred winds
that carry our love beyond this realm.
Hail, Guardian of the East, stand and protect this sacred circle!

Hail, Guardian of the South! Bearer of the Phoenix
who dies in fire and is reborn of his own ashes!
Hail, Guardian of the South, stand and protect this sacred circle!

Hail, Guardian of the West! Keeper of all the rivers of crossing!
Hail, Guardian of the west, stand and protect our sacred circle!

Hail, Guardian of the North! Keeper of the earth
from whom all things rise and all things return!
Hail, Guardian of the North, stand and protect our sacred circle!

Anointing

I will now anoint those willing so that the light once shared with the departed
may shine for awhile here.

(While anointing) Let the love you have been given
and the love you gave
be the light that shines through the Veil.

Ancestor Ritual

The Veil is thin and our departed loved ones near.
We stand here and now to honor those
who have passed from our sight but not our hearts
and to honor our ancestors whose sacrifices and choices
made it possible for us to be here today.

We will take a moment in silent reflection for those we have lost. (PAUSE)

I will give each of you a paper to write a name of the beloved dead on so it can be offered up in reverence and honor. If you need more than one paper, please help yourself. (Hands out papers and pens)

When you are ready, you may bring it to the candle and burn it. Whisper your words to the one on the other side of the Veil as you release the scraps of paper).

(As they bring forth the scraps of paper)
We send these with respect and love to the other side of life.
We send joy for the good things we shared,
honor for the struggles we shared
that ultimately made us stronger
and we send that sense of wonder
that connected us when you were here
and still endures now that you have moved on.

Hail the Ancestors who made us.
Hail the dead who loved us and with thanks
we now let you go again on your new paths.

Blessed be those who remain here with us now.
Blessed be those gone beyond.
We can all walk in balance now.

Releasing the Quarters

Hail, Guardian of the North! We thank you for your watch.
We release you now. Please go freely on your way.

Hail, Guardian of the West! We thank you for your watch.
We release you now. Please, go freely on your way.

Hail, Guardian of the South! We thank you for your watch.
Please go freely on your way.

Hail, Guardian of the East! We thank you for your watch.
Please go freely on your way.

Now the circle is open but it is never unbroken
because ti is a circle woven in love.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again!

Posted in Prayer, Samhain, Spirituality | Tagged ancestor, Pagan, ritual, Samhain, Wicca | Leave a comment

Mabon Labrynth

Posted on September 23, 2018 by David Taliesin

Thank you Mother Grove Goddess Temple in Asheville, NC who constructed a beautiful labyrinth for their Mabon ritual Saturday night. I only had my cell phone camera with me but love this shot! Photo ©2018 by David Taliesin.

Posted in Mabon | Leave a comment

Urban Gardening: A Little Space Goes a Long Way

Posted on July 4, 2018 by David Taliesin

While it’s too late in the growing season to begin a new garden, I wanted to encourage you to begin dreaming and preparing for next year. Two years ago I started a medical herb garden in my front yard which is the only sunny spot I have. (A huge oak tree shades the backyard.) There were already some plants that were established in this space including lavender, bee balm, yarrow and roses. I made the bed a little wider and have been adding to it for the past two growing seasons. This is the result!

garden1801

My small garden contains medicinal herbs, bee-friendly flowers and a few perennials that add color during various seasons. Believe it or not, here’s the list of what’s growing in this small plot of land:

Anise Hyssop, Bee Balm, Black Eyed Susan, Calendula, Chamomile, Feverfew, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena, Knockout Roses, Peppermint, Phlox, Queen Anne’s Lace, Rosemary, Rue, Salvia, White Sage, Wild Bergamot (Monarda), and Yarrow!

garden1802

Most of these are perennials so they will come back year after year. Now that this garden is established, it will take only a small amount of money to keep it going in terms of compost, a few new plants, etc.

My gratitude overflows and the yield of medicinal herbs out of this little space is quite amazing! I can’t believe how far its come in such a short time. I love working in this space. It’s a place of peace and joy for me.

So, perhaps you’ve had a dream of planting a garden, medicinal or otherwise, but have been hesitant because of space, cost, etc. I encourage you to GO FOR IT! You can create a beautiful and magical space in less time than you think!

Posted in Herbology | Tagged garden, gardening, medicinal herbs, urban | Leave a comment

The Ethics of Wildcrafting

Posted on June 2, 2018 by David Taliesin

mugwort On a recent walk with my dog, I came across a nice patch of mugwort on a favorite trail of ours. I made note of its location and watched it grow for several weeks, hoping to harvest some of it for an Old World Mugwort Lemon beer. (Mugwort was used as a bittering agent before hops became the standard.)

This past week we were back on the trail and, much to my shock and horror, ALL OF IT was gone. To add insult to injury, the plants had literally been pulled up by the roots! It was as if it had never existed in the first place.

To whoever did this unthinkable act of carnage, I can only say YOU SUCK! How in the world did you think this was okay? Granted, mugwort grows in abundance in our area but if you did this to mugwort, what’s to stop you from doing it to any other plant you please, including those that are on the United Pants Savers “to-watch” and “at-risk” lists.

Here’s the thing, because wildcrafting is becoming more popular we need to develop strict personal ethics about what we harvest and what we don’t harvest. The old rule of thumb in Wiccan circles is that you can harvest a third, but I think that’s being overly-generous. If I harvest a third, then you harvest and third, and someone else harvests a third, there is nothing left of the plant.

I don’t care if you use it for ritual or medicinal use, we’ve got to protect and preserve these valuable treasures we’ve been given by our Creator. This is both a moral and spiritual imperative. Anyone who claims to be “in touch” with nature is a charlatan if they act so carelessly and recklessly. I have no respect for you whatsoever. Rant over!

My own personal ethics regarding wildcrafting is that I first try to grow what I need in my own garden. If I have an abundance of anything, including young plants in the spring, I give them to others to use. I try to plant what I think I will need during the year and no more. I’m also cultivating bloodroot because it’s on the “At Risk” list. My plan is when I have enough plants to divide I’m going to plant them in a nearby forest so they can continue to multiply and flourish.

Whatever I cannot grow myself I try to wildcraft. When I find the plant I need, I make sure there is plenty of it in the area. If not, I leave it be until it’s plentiful. Then when I decide it’s okay to harvest, I take only what is absolutely necessary for whatever project I’m undertaking. For example, the Mugwort Lemon beer I make only needs 0.3 ounces of dried herb which is not a huge amount. I only harvest the tops and leave the rest of the plant to continue to grow.

I’m sure many of you already have a strong ethic regarding wildcrafting. If you haven’t thought about it before, I hope you’ll consider the story I’ve shared with you in this post. Blessed be!

Posted in Herbology, Uncategorized | Tagged ethics, wildcrafting | 1 Comment

Drying Rose Petals: Now That’s Easy!

Posted on May 28, 2018 by David Taliesin

Who doesn’t love the beauty and color of roses? However, they only last for all too brief a time. Here’s a quick and easy way to preserve the petals for ritual, magical and decorative purposes. (I’ll write more on how to use them later!)

1. Pick the petals when they still have their color but are getting ready to fall off the flower. At this point in their bloom cycle they come off very easily.

2. Place the petals on a double sheet of paper towels in your microwave.

3. Place another sheet on top and nuke those babies for 40 seconds to begin with and 20 second increments afterward until they are dry. (Mine took about 80 seconds) Make sure the petals don’t touch or they’ll stick together!

4. Take them out of the microwave and let them cool off. Then let them sit for another day or two to make sure they’re completely dry. Easy and beautiful! Yes, you can lay them outdoors to dry naturally but the sun fades their color. I know some people prefer this method but why not take advantage of modern technology every once in a while?

Posted in Herbology | Tagged drying, Pagan, preserving, rose petals, Spirituality, Wicca | Leave a comment

Spiritual Gardening

Posted on May 3, 2018 by David Taliesin

Calendula blossoms drying. Photo by David Taliesin

This weekend is the big herb festival in my hometown. My general rule of thumb is that I take a certain amount of cash with me. When the money is gone, fun time is over! Then I get the joy and privilege of planting all my little preciouses in my garden and watching them grow.

I don’t know if you’re a gardening geek like me, but my growing of medicinal herbs is a spiritual as well as a physical process. Yes, I get lots of exercise as I prepare the soil, weed the garden, tend to the plants and harvest them. But it’s a spiritual process as well. I begin by making sure I’m grounded and centered. I take this peaceful energy with me into the garden and try to impart it to the plants. I talk to them (yes, I really do!) and give them words of encouragement as they grow. Come harvest time, I also thank them for the bounty they provide from which I make tinctures, healing creams, etc.

My favorite plants to work with are lavender, lemon verbena, lemon balm, calendula, echinacea, and peppermint. I also choose herbs that bees love such as bee balm, wild bergamot and anise hyssop. Giving my support to the bees is important to me and I enjoy watching them have a ball amidst the flowers I grow.

So, if you look at gardening as just another chore on your list of things to do, try adding a spiritual element to it this year. The bonds we form with our plants can be both sacred and profound. They give us more than we often realize. Blessed be!

Posted in Creation Spirituality, Herbology, Litha, Spirituality | Tagged gardening, Herbs, spiritual | Leave a comment

Coyolxauhqui: Aztec Moon Goddess

Posted on April 5, 2018 by David Taliesin

Coyolxauhqui may be a goddess you are not familiar with. Most Pagans I know are drawn to lots of European deities as well as those from Greek and Egyptian mythology. However, the legends from Central America are often overlooked. I have been fortunate enough to tour a number of Aztec and Mayan ruins on my trips to Mexico and fell in love with the art and stories of these amazing ancient cultures. In this post I’d like to introduce you to Coyolxauhqui ((koh-yol-SHAUH-key) who is the moon goddess of the Aztecs.

There are two versions of her story. According to the Ancient History Encyclopedia, the first version depicts Coyolxauhqui as the mother of Huitzilopochtli, the sun god. A conflict arises when Coyolxauhqui insists on staying at the sacred mountain of Coatepec (Snake Mountain) instead of following her son’s plan of resettling at Tenochtitlan which, historically, became the capital of the Aztec empire. Huitzilopochtli got his way by decapitating her and eating her heart. Then he led the Aztec people to their new home.

Coyolxauhqui Stone, ca. 1469 Museo del Templo Mayor, Mexico City

This version is NOT my favorite the two. Some scholars see it as a legend of warning to the enemies of the Aztecs who often suffered the same fate if they were captured. The Coyolxauhqui Stone, which was discovered in 1978 at the Templo Mayor (main temple) in Tenochtitlan, is one of the most well-known art images we have this this goddess. She is depicted on the stone as decapitated and torn from limb to limb. Some Chicana feminist writers have tried to redeem this image as a symbol of the struggle of women against both colonialism and male patriarchy.

The second version of the story is the one that I find to be the more powerful of the two. You will find many variations of this tale online but this is the way I like to tell it: One day
Coatlicue, the earth goddess, was sweeping the floor of the temple on Coatepec (Snake Mountain), when a tuft of feathers fell from the sky. She tucked them into her belt and later discovered that they had disappeared. She also discovered that she was mysteriously pregnant.

Coyolxauhqui Statue, J Paul Getty Museum, photo by Jonathan Cardy

Her daughter Coyolxauhqui felt dishonored by the pregnancy so she hatched a plot along with her 400 brothers, to kill their mother. However, this was not to be. The child Coatlicue was carrying was none other than Huitzilopochtli, the sun god. When Coatlicue was about to meet her demise Huitzilopochtli was born as a full grown man. He was armed and ready for battle and decapitated Coyolxauhqui. Her body tumbled down to the base of the temple and was broken into pieces.

Coatlicue regretted such violence. So Huitzilopochtli threw Coyolxauhqui’s head into the sky to form the Moon so that his mother would be comforted in seeing her daughter in the sky every night. Huitzilopochtli also attacked his 400 brothers. Those who survived became the Southern stars in the sky.

In this version of the legend we see several powerful themes emerge. The first is the triumph of the sun over the moon and stars which is a common theme in Aztec and Mayan mythology. It’s seen as a daily struggle where the sun god is reborn every day. Stories similar to this appear in many ancient cultures. I see it as the story of the Wheel of the Year where both day and night have their place and purpose in the great cosmic dance. Darkness and light, feminine and masculine, goddess and god, each one is a gift and a blessing to all of us. When they are out of balance, we all suffer.

The second theme that emerges for me is a story of transformation and rebirth. Coyolxauhqui was literally torn apart. She was broken and defeated. However, her rebirth came as she ascended into the sky and became the moon goddess. The cycles she travels from new moon to full moon and back again, speak to us of fertility, rebirth and regeneration. When I see a picture of the Coyolxauhqui Stone, it reminds me that there is always hope. We may feel like we’ve been broken and torn apart by oppressive powers and people, but this incarnation of the Divine Feminine reminds us that we can rise from death to new life. We can be recreated and make the journey from brokenness to whole. Blessed be!

Posted in Goddess | Tagged Aztec, Coyolxauhqui, Goddess, moon, Templo Mayor, Tenochtitlan | 5 Comments

Blue Moon: Mar 31

Posted on March 29, 2018 by David Taliesin

When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars that You have established; what are human beings that You are mindful of them, mortals that You care for them? [Psalm 8:3, NRSV]

The night of March 31st is the second blue moon we’ve had this year. (The first one was January 31st and we won’t see another one until 2020!) This does not mean that the moon will appear with a blue hue. That’s another phenomenon altogether which is caused by volcanic eruptions or an exceptionally large fire. The kind of blue moon I’m talking about is when there are two full moons in one month. The second is known as a blue moon.

There are a lot of opinions regarding what we should do when a blue moon occurs. Some treat is just like any other full moon and take advantage of its ritual power. Others see it as a special gift that should be used for special purposes. A number of those who fall in the second camp see it as a time to write down the goals we wish to accomplish during the remainder of the year. Since this blue moon falls in March, which is a time for seed planting and germination, it might be a good time to reflect on what dreams and goals we would like to plant in the soil of our lives during this season of growth and new beginnings.

As I was thinking about what ritual I wanted to create for this blue moon, the words from the above Psalm came to mind. I picture the Psalmist staring at the heavens with the full moon shining luminously upon him/her. This sight inspires him/her to ponder one of life’s greatest mysteries: The Divine Presence who created everything the Psalmist sees also draws near and pays attention to him/her. If that’s not a humbling and powerful experience, I don’t know what is!

So, this blue moon, I’m going to ponder the same mystery the Psalmist did. I’m going to go outside and sit in silence, taking in the majesty and power of the blue moon. I will create space for the Divine Presence to speak and to inspire me regarding the magical work I need to be doing for the remainder of the year. When my vision feels clear, I will write down these goals along with what steps I need to take in order to accomplish them. Then I’ll celebrate the occasion by dancing under the light of the blue moon (if no one’s watching!) and sing a song praise and gratitude to the Great Mystery whose presence is known to us in so many varied and wonderful ways! Blessed be and Amen!

Posted in Esbats, Wheel of the Year | Tagged Blue Moon, Christian, Esbat, Pagan, Spirituality, Wicca | 1 Comment