| LAMMAS- The great horned god is now cut down with the first of the summer harvests, he has finished in pouring his strength into nature. Even though the god seems gone, he has but entered the spiritual realms. A theme of lammas is sacrifice, not physical sacrifice but things we must leave in the past, things which hinder and stunt out growth. In order to progress through life. We must try to expect change. Bread was also baked to symbolize the gathering in of the Autumn harvests. Grain, wheat, oat and barley were gathered. So in a way our god sacrifices himself to ensure our survival. This would be equivalent to the Americans thanksgiving. It is the first harvest. If you havent accomplished your goals, then now is time to finish them. Foods: Bread, all berries, all grains, and locally ripe produce, and cider AUTUMN EQUINOX-The darkness draws in, and it seems to say for longer hours in the mornings. This is not a time for despair and sadness, this is thus a part of life. Mother is old and is the crone, and soon will rest. The ground may seem to harden, and light frosts may come and nip ones toes at this time of year. But autumn has many things to offer. We can see somewhat the golden skies and the brown crunchy leaves which we used to play in as children. It's a good time to roast chestnuts and make sure we have our food supplies ready for the winter. This is the final gathering of the harvests. It's nice to give thanks for all we have achieved, accomplished, and recieved over the year. A time to look into ourlives and what they havr been through the year. Foods: Grains, fruit and vegetables, corn bread is traditional, as are beans and baked squash. SAMAHAIN-(HALLOWEEN)- This is a time when the veil between our world and the spiritual realms are thin. Spirits are free to travel to and from there realms. Of course there are the decorated houses, the trick or treaters and the pumpkins to shed light in the darkness, which now seems to have conquered the light for now. This is a good time to honor our deceased loved ones and our ancestors. Some people of various pagans leave plates of food outside or bury apples in the ground to feed the friendly spirit wanderers as they past buy. Pagans and witches know that death is never the end, it is transformation and renewal, and a change from the old. This is why it is our new year. From endings come beginnings. It is a time of reflection. Ancestors are honored, friends, people who we have loved but lost are remembered. It is traditional to Leave a plate of food outside the home for the souls of the dead, a candle in the window guides them, burying apples in the earth feeds the passed ones on there journey. Carve pumpkins to scare away negative spirits. Bobbing for apples. When a person caught the apple in his/her mouth, a little of her/his soul crept into it. You either ate the apple for prosperity, or buried the apple on the property to ensure continued bounty over the long winter months. Food: Beets, turnips, apples, corn, nuts, gingerbread, cider, mulled wine, pumpkin dishes and meat dishes. YULE- Almost the Christian Xmas time, and the ground seems to bear no life. But if look around we can see all the beautiful, greens, reds and houses decorated with lights. This is a time to stay inside and burn a log on the fire. It's a time to give gifts and remember the good times in the bitter cold. This cold never lasts and at the end of the year the great miracle happens, the goddess gives birth to the horned god. And thus we begin the cycle of life again. The Yule tree is considered magickal, because it stays green throughout the winter. Candles can be lit to welcome the return of the God Food: Nuts, apples, pears and pork. |
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| ~Cascade~ by Jonathon Earl Bowser |
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