From December 21st. through December 31st. The shortest day of the year, and the longest night. We celebrate Love, family, togetherness, and accomplishments of the Past year. Yule is celebrated by Fire, and the use of the Yule log. (should be Oak) This piece is kept throughout the year to protect the home. The Yule log is burned to give life, and power to the sun. Hang Mistletoe over doorways, decorate the Yule Tree, and exchange gifts. Bayberry candles are also burned to ensure Wealth and Happiness throughout the following year.
*Traditional Pagan Foods: Roasted Turkey, Nuts, Eggnog, & Mulled Wine.
*Incense: Bayberry, Cedar, Pine, & Rosemary.
*Candles: Gold, Red, Green, & White.
*Sacred Gemstones: Cat's Eye & Ruby.
February 2nd. Marks the time to welcome Spring. This is Festival of Light & of Fertility. A good time for self-dedication rituals (performed or renewed). Represents new beginnings, spiritual growth, and the, "Sweeping out of the old." This is also a good time to look over your magical cabinet.
*Foods: Sunflower seeds, Poppy Bread, Cakes, & Herbal tea.
*Incense: Basil, Myrrh, & Wisteria.
*Candles: Brown, Pink, & Red.
*Gemstones: Amethyst, Garnet, Onyx, & Turquoise.
March 21st. Marks the first day of the true spring. The Goddess blankets the earth with fertility. This is a time for action, and planning spells for future gains, and of tending ritual gardens. Eggs are colored, and placed on the Altar as magical talismans. The Easter Bunny is a Pagan derivative, as are baskets of flowers. The colors light green, lemon yellow, and pale pink are all traditional for this holiday.
*Foods: Hard boiled eggs, Honey Cakes, & the first fruits of the season.
*Incense: African Violet, Jasmine, Rose, Sage, & Strawberry.
*Candles: Gold, Green, & Yellow.
*Gemstones: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Bloodstone, & Red Jasper.
May 1st. It is the time when we celebrate fertility. We Also celebrates the returning Sun. The traditional colors for Mayday are red & white. Flower petals can be strewn about the circle; later swept into a pile, and distributed around the perimeter of the house for protection.
*Foods: Red fruits, Herbal salads, Red or Pink Wine punch, large round Oatmeal, & Barley Cakes.
*Incense: Frankincense, Lilac, & Rose.
*Candles: Dark Green.
*Gemstones: Emerald, Orange Carnelian, Sapphire, & Rose Quartz.
June 21st. Marks the longest day of the year. Midsummer is a classic time for magic of all kinds. Believed that whatever is Dreamt of on this night will be, for the Dreamer. A Celebration of Passion and Success.
*Foods: Fresh Vegetables, Summer fruits, Pumpernickel Bread, Ale, & Mead.
*Incense: Frankincense, Lemon, Myrrh, Pine, & Rose.
*Candles: Blue, Green, Gold, and Red.
*Gemstones: All Green Stones (Emeralds & Jade)
August 2nd. The time of the first harvest. We are reminded that nothing in the Universe is constant.
*Foods: Homemade Breads (wheat, oat or corn), Nuts, Wild
Berries, Apples, Rice, Berry Pies, Elderberry Wine, Ale, & Meadow sweet Tea.
*Incense: Aloes, Rose, & Sandalwood.
*Candles: Orange & Yellow.
*Gemstones: Peridot & Sardonic.
September 21st. Marks the completion of the harvest. Day and night are equal. A time for Thanksgiving and Meditation. River and Stream Stones gathered over the summer can be empowered for various purposes.
*Foods: Cornbread Cakes, Wheat products, Breads, Nuts, Vegetables, Apples, Cider, Carrots, & Onions,
Potatoes.
*Incense: Benzoin, Myrrh, & Sage.
*Candles: Brown, Green, Orange, & Yellow.
*Gemstones: Sapphire, & Yellow Agate.
October 31st. It is said to be the time when the veil between the worlds is very thin. When souls that are leaving this physical plane can pass out, and souls that are reincarnating can pass in. This holiday is considered the Witches' New Year; representing one full turn of the seasonal year. A time of reflection, of looking back over the last year. Remembering our ancestors, and all those before them. It is said that lighting a new orange colored candle at midnight on Samhain and allowing it to burn until sunrise will bring one good luck; however bad luck will befall those who bake bread on this day, or journey after sunset. Black candles are used to ward off negativity. Witch traditions, making Jack-o-lanterns and standing in front of a mirror and making a secret wish. *Foods: Apples, Pumpkin Pie, Hazelnuts, Corn, Cranberry Muffins, Breads, Ale, Cider, & Herbal Teas.
*Incense: Apple, Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmegg, & Sage.
*Candles: Black and Orange.
*Gemstones: All Black Gemstones (Jet, Obsidian, & Onyx)
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