Embracing Imbolc

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        At this time of year, I find myself thinking of Imbolc more and more. I start to plan my circle and try to figure out which deities to honor. Most everyone honors Brigid during Imbolc, but this year I wanted to switch it up a bit. I am going to call on Selene, but now I’m having a hard time choosing a God to call on that would work well with her. I’m thinking Helios to welcome back the sun. Plus, the moon and sun theme would be great at this time of year.Has anyone ever done this pairing?

          Since Selene will be invoked during my Imbolc ritual, I thought it might be nice to add her correspondence chart here in case anyone else is interested and wants the basics*.

Selene Moon goddess (Greek); Also known as Mene.

  • Solar System: Moon
  • Day: Monday
  • Celebration: Imbolc
  • Color: Silver
  • Number: 9
  • Tree: Rowan
  • Plant: Moonwort
  • Gemstones & Minerals: Moonstone, Selenite
  • Metals: Iron, Silver
  • Animals: Cattle (ox), Horse
  • Issues, Intentions & Powers: beauty, calm, cycles, dream work, enchantment, light, magic (general, moon), nightmares, sleep, youth

          After the snowstorm we had here yesterday, I am looking forward to waking the earth and welcoming Spring. I’m hoping to spend some time prepping some incense and essential oil spray to get ready. I find that making the various scents I will use in circle make them that much more effective. Plus it has the added benefit of making me think about the sabbat or esbat and what it means. It connects me to ritual on a deeper level. It also gives me a sense of pride in a job well done.

          I recently put in a big book order on Amazon. I hope to read them and learn some insightful, new information. The first book I will be reading is The Witch’s Broom: The Craft, Lore & Magick of Broomsticks. I hope it proves an interesting read. Should anything stand out, you can expect to see it discussed here. For the moment, I shall sign off and begin my reading frenzy. Brightest Blessings to you all!

 

*Kynes, Sandra. Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Correspondences: A Comprehensive & Cross-Referenced Resource for Pagans & Wiccans (Llewellyn’s Complete Book Series) (Kindle Locations 11234-11244). Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.. Kindle Edition.

9 Ritual Items Commonly Found at the Dollar Store

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This is a great article. You can practice the Craft for minimal money. Great ideas!

Moody Moons

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1.  Herbs and Spices.  The spice section is great for picking up herbs and spices that can be used in sachets, incense blends, and mojo bags.  I’ve found:

-Garlic (protection)
-Basil (love)
-Chili Powder (used in hoodoo/voodoo)
-Oregano (marriage blessing/kitchen witchery)
-Onion Powder (protection)
-Chopped Onion(protection)

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2.  Sea Salt.  Sometimes it’s coarse, and sometimes it’s finely ground.  Either way, there is usually some kind of bulk salt available for circle-casting and whatnot.

3. Candles.  Tea candles, pillar candles, jar candles.  They have them all.  Personally, I prefer the unscented white ones, which are great all-purpose candles for carving symbols in and anointing with various oils.  They are generally much cheaper at the dollar store than almost anywhere else.

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4.  Seasonal decor.  I usually make a trip before any given Cross Quarter holiday for altar decorations.

5.  Incense.  Truth be told, I am not a big fan of…

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Yule Love This Season

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Yule is the season we associate with decorated trees, a special log burning in the fireplace, kissing boughs, and warm, sweet (possibly alcoholic) beverages. But what is the history behind this holiday, and how do we celebrate this holiday? I have included a few links that might be of use. Enjoy and have a Blessed Yule!

About.com has an e-course that might help explain the traditions associated with Yule, as well as offer instructions on various crafts and recipes. This is great for people just starting out, or even for those in need of a refresher course.

Coven Life has a ritual chat room in which they will be hosting their Yule ritual.

Check Facebook for Yule Craft Fairs and Celebrations as well. Going to these gatherings is a great way to network and meet local pagans if you are so inclined. Blessed Be!

Goddess TeleSummit

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Hello All! Long time no see. I have been dealing with a few medical issues, so I haven’t been writing. I will be posting more in the future.

As for today, I have stumbled upon a wonderful Telesummit I thought I would share with you all. There are several days of teleseminars on various Goddesses. I have included the link below to allow you to sign up and start listening in. There are a few classes each day, and they post audio afterwards so you can listen to classes you missed.

Enjoy!

http://goddesstelesummit.com

Persephone Obsession

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As I may have previously mentioned, I am obsessed with Persephone. I recently made an entry in my journal about her, and I would like to share it.

Researching Persephone’s history was extremely interesting. As a young maiden, she was known as Kore. When she grew into womanhood, her name changed to Persephone. Hades saw her and fell in love. He asked Zeus for his permission to wed her. Zeus agreed, but warned Hades that Persephone’s mother Demeter would never allow the match. Hades plotted to kidnap Persephone and bring her to the Underworld. This part of the story is disputed. There are several texts that suggest that Persephone was enamored of Hades as well and knew her mother would not allow the match, so she eloped with him.

When Persephone disappeared, Demeter was inconsolable. In her grief, she began to freeze the earth and make it barren. The people cried to Zeus to save them and he demanded the return of Persephone. Hades agreed, but before he allowed Persephone to leave, he offered her a few pomegranate seeds. She ate them, binding her to the Underworld. When Demeter found out, she was forced to allow Persephone return to the Underworld. For 6 months out of the year she would be with Demeter, and 6 months would be spent with her husband, Hades. This explains the seasons.

Persephone also features in the love story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus made hauntingly beautiful music on his lute. He fell in love with the beautiful Eurydice and she returned his affection. They were married, and on their wedding day Eurydice went running through the meadow with her bridesmaids but did not look where she was running. She was bitten by a poisonous snake and died. Orpheus was disconsolate at her loss and mourned in his heart as well as through his music. All who heard his mournful songs wept with him.

One day he decided he could not live without his love and he descended to the Underworld to get Eurydice back. He played his lute and charmed Charon into ferrying him across the River Styx. He was also able to pass by Cerberus by playing his lute. When he stood before Hades and Persephone, he played his lute and told the tale of his love for Eurydice. Persephone begged Hades to reunite the lovers. Hearing his love plea for the couple, Hades relented and agreed to return Eurydice to Orpheus on one condition. Eurydice would follow him up to Earth, but he could not look back while they were in the Underworld, or she would be lost to him in the Underworld forever. Orpheus agreed and began the ascent. He could hear Eurydice’s footsteps behind him. When he reached the entrance to the Underworld he immediately looked back to see that Eurydice was still in the Underworld. He watched horrified as she was snatched back into Hades’ realm. The echo of her, “Farewell” still hung in the air. Though he once again tried to steal into the Underworld, he was blocked from doing so. Eventually in his mourning he would be ripped to shreds by the followers of Dionysus and end up back in the Underworld. Persephone reunited them and sent them to the Elysian Fields.

When researching this goddess, I came across a meditation in one of my books to contact her. I have yet to try it, but I can’t wait to do so. It is designed to help a person move past something difficult in their life.

She is such a strong goddess. Her ability to deal with leaving everything she knew to rule the Underworld with Hades shows her strength. She symbolizes renewal to me. With her emergence from the Underworld, she brings Spring and Summer to the Earth. With her decent, Fall and Winter come to show her mother’s grief.