Lughnasadh / Lammas

At Lammas, sometimes called Lughnasadh, it’s time to celebrate the first harvest of the year, and recognize that the hot summer days will soon come to an end. The plants of spring wither and drop seeds to ensure future crops. Grains are ready to be harvested and the fruits are ripe for picking. We can give thanks for the food on our tables.

Lughnasadh means the funeral games of Lugh (pronounced Loo), referring to Lugh, the sun god. However, the funeral is not his own, but the funeral games he hosts in honor of his foster-mother Tailte. For that reason, the traditional Tailtean craft fairs and Tailtean marriages (which last for a year and a day) are also celebrated at this time.

To read the rest of this article click on this link : https://wicca.com/celtic/akasha/lammas.htm

Imbolc / Candlemas February 1-2

Imbolc, in the Celtic seasonal calendar marked the beginning of the lambing season and signaled the beginning of Spring and the stirrings of new life. It is Feile Brighde, the ‘quickening of the year’. The original word Imbolg means ‘in the belly’, and therein you have the underlying energy. All is pregnant and expectant – and only just visible if at all, like the gentle curve of a ‘just-showing’ pregnancy. It is the promise of renewal, of hidden potential, of earth awakening and life-force stirring. Here is hope. We welcome the growth of the returning light and witness Life’s insatiable appetite for rebirth.

It is time to let go of the past and to look to the future, clearing out the old, making both outer and inner space for new beginnings. This can be done in numerous ways, from spring cleaning your home to clearing the mind and heart to allow inspiration to enter for the new cycle. (‘Spring cleaning was originally a nature ritual’ – Doreen Valiente). it’s a good time for wish-making or making a dedication.

To read the rest of this article click on this link : https://www.goddessandgreenman.co.uk/imbolc_candlemas

How to get over a Soul Mate!

How to Get Over a SoulMate
I met my soulmate in 2013. One of the best experiences in my life, that led to the worst. If you’ve been through this you will understand what I’m talking about. It is frustrating, exhilarating, heart wrenching and enlightening. People will confuse you, tell you to “go for it!”, and others will say its doomed and to give up. Who do you believe? Your heart says you can’t let go, be absolutely loyal no matter what and you shouldn’t move on. You know you have unconditional love for them, and it is unique, not something you feel for everyone. You think to yourself, how many other people out there will treat them as well as you will? Your brain is telling you this is a massive waste of time and energy and everyone thinks your nuts. If your friends and family haven’t been through it they won’t understand, so you keep it to yourself. So which is it? Well, I’ve done a lot of work on myself, and after a while you will realize that your soulmate is not putting in the effort here, and they are not treating you the way you deserve. You wish you could get out of this sad cycle, but every time you try to they pop up in your mind again, like there is something left unfinished and you have this urge to do something about it. There can be many reasons why you are separated. Doesn’t really matter why, if you are reading this most likely you have been separated for a while and it feels like you can’t move on no matter how hard you try, and you feel alone while they are off in their own world. You can start the blame game; blame them, blame yourself. You weren’t pretty enough, you weren’t rich enough, you weren’t thin enough. But you look around and it seems other people think you are great, so what is wrong with your soulmate? Then you blame them. They are not spiritually awake yet, they are afraid to leave the person they are with, they were hurt in the past and afraid to love again, they don’t see a good thing when they have it, etc. Around and around you go, and what happens? When you are sick and tired of it, and you have gone through many release and cleansing rituals and still have no relief, here are a few helpful tips.

1. Replace them with someone better.
Someone gorgeous. Someone spectacular. Someone that beats them on every level. They treat you right, they can communicate well, and they love you and show it. Doesn’t have to be someone real, you can make them up. Now when your soulmate pops up in your mind, push them aside and replace them with this person. You will feel better. If you feel guilty remind yourself that your soulmate isn’t treating you right or they aren’t being faithful to you, so you have nothing to feel ashamed of. You have the right to feel better!
2. Find something enjoyable to do.
Go to the beach. Go to a restaurant. Talk to your friends. Watch a movie. Read a book. Take up a hobby. All good distractions. Whatever gets your mind off of them.
3. Get out of the house!
Sometimes we want to sit in our pity, and be left alone. We want to feel sorry for ourselves and feel like victims. You will just end up on that merry-go-round again of blame and depression. Get out of the house! Into the sun (look up Vitamin D and it’s positive effects on depression), go to the park, go to a little cafe, go to a bar and talk to someone. Most people are nice. Follow your feelings on this one. Water and nature in general is very harmonizing and will make you feel better. After you come home open up the windows, clean up, make it smell nice. Get that negative energy out of the house (sage and sweetgrass works too) and replace it with something positive. You will feel the difference.
4. Build yourself up.
Use positive affirmations and realize that you are worth it. There are many, many reasons why it didn’t work out with the soulmate, but that doesn’t mean you’ll never find anyone again. Once you KNOW you are worth it, get out there and meet people. Meet up groups or restaurants are good places. You don’t have to break hearts, but watch how people react to you, love is all around. Once I got out there I noticed a ton of people, both sexes, that found me incredibly attractive. I got asked out, was flirted with and it felt great. It validates all of that good stuff you are telling yourself. You feel good, it shows on the outside and people want to be closer to you.
5. They come to you, don’t try so hard.
This is using law of attraction. It works. Reverse your thinking that you have to try hard to find someone and it takes up so much time that you just don’t have because you are 30, 40, 50 etc. Instead, make up your mind that whatever you believe in (universe, God, angels, etc) will bring your next compatible connection TO YOU. Then follow your feelings. Feel like ice cream today? Go have some. Feel like going to that restaurant? Go and have a good time. Allow yourself to be approached, make eye contact and watch and observe. I think the instant I did this I had around 3 people approach me with a romantic interest for me in a couple weeks.

Maybe they will wake up and start treating you right, maybe they won’t. Take care of yourself, because chances are you are a nurturing, caring person that will make a great partner to someone. Losing a soulmate can be one of the most heart wrenching experiences you will ever have to go through. I’ve met people that waited years for theirs with no relief, while the other person has fully moved on with their life. If you are reading this then you understand. Stop the painful cycle and get happy again. Maybe even happier than you’ve ever been. I’ve had some of the best moments of my life last year after I started using this regimen, and you can too.

Those that want more spiritual healing help, find me….

Lammas, Lughnassadh, Lugnasad August 1st/2nd (Southern Hemisphere February 1st/2nd)

It is now high summer and the union of Sun and Earth, of God and Goddess, has produced the First Harvest. Lammas is the celebration of this first, Grain Harvest, a time for gathering in and giving thanks for abundance. We work with the cycle that Mabon or the Autumn Equinox is the Second Harvest of Fruit, and Samhain is the third and Final Harvest of Nuts and Berries.

The word ‘Lammas’ is derived from ‘loaf mass’ and is indicative of how central and honoured is the first grain and the first loaf of the harvesting cycle.

Lugh

It is also the great festival of Lugh, or Lug, the great Celtic Sun King and God of Light. August is His sacred month when He initiated great festivities in honour of His mother, Tailtiu. Feasting, market fairs, games and bonfire celebrations were the order of the day. Circle dancing, reflecting the movement of the sun in sympathetic magic, was popular, as were all community gatherings. August was considered an auspicious month for handfastings and weddings…

To read the rest of this article click on this link : https://www.goddessandgreenman.co.uk/lammas

Imbolc Lore

Imbolc, (pronounced “IM-bulk” or “EM-bowlk”), also called Oimealg, (“IM-mol’g), by the Druids, is the festival of the lactating sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic word “oimelc” which means “ewes milk”. Herd animals have either given birth to the first offspring of the year or their wombs are swollen and the milk of life is flowing into their teats and udders. It is the time of Blessing of the seeds and consecration of agricultural tools. It marks the center point of the dark half of the year. It is the festival of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is her season to prepare for growth and renewal. Brighid’s snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (the origin of Ground Hog Day), and in many places the first Crocus flowers began to spring forth from the frozen earth.

The Maiden is honored, as the Bride, on this Sabbat. Straw Brideo’gas (corn dollies) are created from oat or wheat straw and placed in baskets with white flower bedding. Young girls then carry the Brideo’gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed upon the image from each household. Afterwards at the traditional feast, the older women make special acorn wands for the dollies to hold, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth are examined to see if the magic wands left marks as a good omen. Brighid’s Crosses are fashioned from wheat stalks and exchanged as symbols of protection and prosperity in the coming year. Home hearth fires are put out and re-lit, and a besom is place by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new. Candles are lit and placed in each room of the house to honor the re-birth of the Sun.

To finish reading this article click on the link : https://wicca.com/celtic/akasha/imbolclore.htm

Ritual for Imbolc Gathering on Monday, February 1, 2016

For information on when and where the ritual is taking place see post further down this page.

Items Needed

1 ribbon any spring color 20 inches or 50 cm long and, at least a half an inch or 1 cm wide If you do not have time to get the ribbons use strips of paper and then as soon as you can replace the paper with ribbons. Pieces of clear tape to tape paper to planter or wherever and to attach the natural object to the paper.

1 permanent marker-white or any brightly colored marker

2 natural items that can easily be tied into the ribbon and will not slip out of the knot holding it (examples shells or feathers or trees sprigs or sturdy flowers or flat stone)

1 Small planter ready to plant seeds of your choice in – OPTIONAL

A few Seeds of Your Choice – OPTIONAL

1 white candle

A drum or use a plastic bowl and wooden spoon or your hand

A tasty treat to eat after the blessings

Before Ritual Discussion – Starts at 6:00 PM CT

High Priestess Streggga – Imbolc has arrived and out of the darkness of the winter solstice. Imbolcs hope for the future is essential -it is a very turning of the wheel and the life force itself . This ritual is to celebrate Imbloc the beginning of spring. Our intention today is to invoke blessings for the year that’s unfolding

Imbloc arrives with the realization that winter will come to an end and is traditionally associated with the lambs and the first Snow Drop flower. it symbolizes hope, wishes, and all new beginning’s. -Open discussion about this Festival of youth and growth.

At 6:14 PM CT one minute to Circle Time – Let’s take a minute to ground ourselves.

(Ground and think about your growth) hold that thought and lets began!

H.P. Stregga and the rest of the Coven Life staff wish to thank you Sisters and Brothers for coming. The circle will now be cast.

Lady Beltane: I cast this circle with the Sun God and Mother Earth. The Earth we stand on is now a sacred space out of time and place with any physical plain. This circle will protect all within it and keep out anything that would harm us.

Las Belane – Northeast – Imbolc, stirrings of new life, breeze and the soil awakening

Ms Dani – East winds bringing fresh air and change

Loki’s Little Hippie Witch – Southeast sap rising, stirred by the sun

Loki’S Ltitle Hippie Witch – South warming sun, promise of light lengthening

SunRay – Southwest – Seeds that are sprouting that will become grains and crops

SunRay – West Rains, feeding life

Lady Beltane – Northwest pattern of life and growth, encoded in each living creature

Lady Beltane – North renewal of the earth, as life awakens

All Attending – Above and below

H.P. Stregga – Introduction to the Imbolc

Imbolc is the festival opposite to and balancing the Lammas. the agricultural themes of growth and death especially in the lifecycle of seeds this is the season of youth the birth of animals -the hatching of birds -sprouting of new plant life and the renewal of plants that been dormant through the winter.

(What does it mean to you) moment of discussion:

Grab your drums and let’s chant

Light the candle while chanting the chant above

Plant your seeds in the planter you tied the ribbon around while chanting the chant above

Chant to yourself:

Breathing in, singing out

Birth of new we bring about

Singing out, breathing in

Live the dream, Let the change begin

Blessing of the Ribbons

Taking your own ribbon write a blessing/wish -what you would like to see come true for this new year ? Now tie that ribbon around the planter you brought or tree or anything that will be a daily reminder (you can even tape it to your bathroom mirror if you do not have a planter or anything else to tie it to) for you look at your blessing call upon your blessing and manifest your dreams and your desires and watch the new beginning of your life take place (You can do this with as many pieces of ribbon you want to tomorrow on Imbolc.

Light the candle while chanting the chant above

Plant your seeds in the planter you tied the ribbon around while chanting the chant above

Everyone share one blessing you asked for please.

Everyone responds “Blessed Be” after each person shares their blessing.

(Blessing from Stregga and any other High Priestess or Elder of the coven)

Closing the circle;

Below and Above

Lady Beltane – North Renewal of the earth, as life awakens

Lady Beltane – Northwest Pattern of life and growth, encoded in each living creature

SunRay – West Rains, feeding the growth of life

SunRay – Southwest Seeds that are sprouting, that will become grain and crops

Loki’s Little Hippie Witch – South Warming of the sun, promise of light lengthening

Loki’S Ltitle Hippie Witch – Southeast Sap rising, stirred by the sun

Ms Dani – East Winds bringing in fresh air and change

Lday Beltane – Northeast Imbolc, this games of new life, breeze and the soil awakening

Lady Beltane – The circle is open but remains unbroken may the Gods and Goddesses bless each of us as we go our seperate ways. I return you to our physical plain and time.

H.P. Stregga -Thank you all for attending this ritual it is my hope and desire you all have what you wish for – may your new year be full of love and New life – may you bring forth all those beautiful things that you yourself have the power to manifest – may you strive this year to plant new seeds and may your fruit grow- may your life be full of happiness thank you for allowing me to be part of this gathering in this beautiful Coven. May you be blessed merry part until we merry meet again and so it it! Mote it be!!!

Now take your cake and eat of it, remember to take some outside as an offering.

A Thought for Today

Just as there is a duality that helps give life from the Sun and the Moon, there is a duality in all living things. Women carry testosterone in their bodies just as men carry estrogen. A flower has pistons that do a double role one to make pollen and the other to receive it. There are animals in the wild that need no mate to have an offspring.

The duality in each of the Goddess’ and Gods’ creations has to be in balance for that living thing to survive and make the most out of its life. I have learned over the past few months that balance in all aspects of my life is very important if I am to be happy and live this lifetime in any kind of happiness and contentment.

Blessed be dear ones.

A Way to Help get Spiritual Balance

As many of you know I have been going through a very rough period in my life the last few months. Today I was at the train station waiting to get on a train to go to my younger daughter’s to watch her children. The Sun was just rising and the Moon still hang beautifully in the sky. It was then I remembered something that was taught to me when I was just a novice of an easy way to help gain or regain balance spiritually.

This can be done during any Moon phases except the New Moon. The reason it can not be done on the New Moon is because you have to see the Moon in relation to where the Sun is rising. Stand at a point you think or feel is halfway between the Sun and Moon. Acknowledge the two however you wish, I personally say, “Good morning Ra (Egyptian Sun God) and Sister Moon.” Then take a few steps forward while chanting three times ” Sun and Moon please bring me balance.” Turn around and walk to where you started chanting the same words three times. When you have reached your starting point be sure to thank the Sun and Moon for their help.

This is not a fix all for spiritual unbalance but it will help along with meditation, Chakra cleansings, and listening to your spirit guides for direction.

Words From My Spirit Guide

Observations Of Imbolc

It’s almost 10 o’clock and everyone in my house is snug in bed. I sit here on the couch with my feet curled under me, reading an excellent article from Patheos on the Holiness of Imbolic.

While reading, I was contemplating what the article means to me. I mean really, What’s the big deal with Imbolc!?! So it’s just another Sabbat… As you can tell, I’m not very religious and something has to mean something to me personally, for me to worship it. Just as the last thought entered my mind, my Spirit Guide softly said, “It means this; What things have happened to you in your life, are you truly grateful for?”

I immediately started naming off about a dozen before my Spirit Guide interrupted me and said, “That’s what Imbolc represents!”

Now I understand and now it’s important to me.

I am grateful for good health. I am grateful for a new home and a beautiful view in every direction. Mostly, I am grateful for the health and love of my family.

Bright Blessings Sisters and Brothers In The Craft,

SunRay Sorceress

Chill Out

“We live in a complicated world, where people and events are often aggravating, frustrating, and downright unpleasant. The television brings us graphic scenes of bad news, the people we share our lives with can drive us crazy, and sometimes the universe itself seems like it is out to get us. zThis can get us “hot under the collar” and once you are heated up, it can be difficult to cool back down. But all the evidence shows that this kind of constant stress is bad for us, physically, mentally, and yes, spiritually. Use this spell when you need to chill out a little, using the cool of winter to help regain your own inner cool. If you want, you can even stand outside on a cold day and breathe deep of the cold (or colder, depending on where you live) winter air.

Cooling, calming winter air / Blow away fear and despair

Banish anger, calm my soul / Make my shattered spirit whole

Cool the fire that burns within / Slow the endless mental spin

Chill the season, chill I’ll be / Cloaked in winter’s harmony “