Sabbats - Imbolc

Greetings everyone. Imbolc was just a few weeks ago for me, on August 1st, so I figured I would write about this Sabbat real quickly.

What is Imbolc?

Imbolc marks the beginning of spring. It comes around on August 1st for folks from the southern hemisphere, and the 1st of February for those from the northern.  It is a cross-quarter day - approximately halfway between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara).

Also known as Brigid, Imbolg, Oimelc, Candlemas, or St. Brigid's Day, Imbolc is a reminder that winter will not be around forever, and that spring is coming. Marking the centre point of the dark half of the year, it's the festival of the Maiden aspect of the Goddess, who is preparing for her coming growth and renewal. She is honoured on this Sabbat as the Bride, and so it is common that all Virgin/Maiden Goddesses are honoured on this holiday, including Brighid.  Gods of love and fertility are also honoured.

Symbols of Imbolc

• Corn Dollies
• Besoms
• White Flowers
• Candle Wheels
• Brighid's Crosses
• Acorn-tipped Wands
• Ploughs
• Spring Flowers, Potted bulbs
• Celtic knotwork
• Cauldrons/Chalices
• Goddess Statues

Imbolc Colors

• White
• Pink
• Red
• Yellow
• Light Greens
• Browns

Personal Traditions

When I was growing up, I didn't exactly have any traditions surrounding this time of year.  Being as I am, it's no surprise that I don't hold great rituals, either.  I do, however, take a moment to appreciate the fact that winter is coming to and end.  I do like the cold, wet weather that we get down under during the winter, but it gets so chilly in my house that I find myself hoping for summer to come around sooner rather than later! I'll be regretting it later on, though, when I'm sweating through my clothes, ha ha.

So, what do you do for Imbolc? Feel free to comment below!

Inactivity

I'm sorry about not updating as often as I'd hoped I would! Life has been sort of hectic and weird lately, but I hope to be able to jump back on the blogging bandwagon soon.  And making videos.

Ta
Autumn

Sabbats - Yule

Greetings everyone. Just a few weeks ago it was Yule for me, but I'm still a bit in the spirit, so I figured I would make a post about the Sabbats, starting with the most recent one (for me at least,), Yule.

What is Yule?
Yule falls on the Winter Solstice, which is around June 19th-23rd for us Southern Hemisphere dwellers.  For you folks up top, Yule is around December 19th-23rd.

Also known as Midwinter, Yule is a celebration of the return of the sun, which we will be seeing more of as time goes on.  It symbolizes the rebirth of the God, who passed into the underworld back in Samhain.  From the Goddess, the God is born, bringing the dark half of the year to a close and ushering in the lighter half.  This being so, Yule is a festival of light, similar to Hanukkah, Christmas, and other holidays.

Symbols of Yule

• Representations of the God or the sun (such as golden discs, candles, statuettes, etc).
• Evergreen trees
• Holly
• Pinecones
• Yule Log
• Antlers/Reindeer
• Fertility Symbols
• Fruits, Nuts
• Bells
• Snowflakes
• Mistletoe
• Eight-spoked wheel/spinning wheels
• Evergreen boughs/wreaths

Yule-time Colors

I'm not certain where I found this beautiful altar. If it
is yours and you'd prefer me not to use it, please let
me know and I'll remove it for you. :)

I find that using colors found in nature surrounding the holiday work best for altars and decor.  Colors like...

• Blues, Whites, Silvers
• Red
• Green/Dark Green

Personal Traditions

When I was growing up, my family celebrated Christmas.  We would spend the days leading up to the 25th listening to Christmas music, wrapping gifts, decorating the tree, and occasionally holding Christmas parties for the extended family.  I have good memories of that holiday, and hopefully when I have children someday, they will have fond memories of Yule in our house.

I plan to carry over the Christmas-themed music, tree decorating, and gift-giving, however I hope to make it so that gifts are not the central theme in our home.  First and foremost I would like that time of year to be centered around spending time with family.

What sort of traditions did you have growing up, and are they similar to what you do today? Feel free to comment below!

The Moon

Finally got the Moon video up and going! Hope it's alright. 

Small Update

Hi all! I apologise for the delay in the new video.  Life has been a bit hectic lately, but hopefully I can get the new video finished soon.

In the meantime, enjoy your Yule!

Quick Update

I am currently working on a video on the moon.  Will post it when available.

The Divine, God and Goddess

The Divine

 We witness the Divine all around us.  Whether you perceive it as God, Goddess, or anything else is ultimately up to how you interpret the world as you see it.                                                                                                                                                  

The Divine is the fabric from which the universe is made.  It is everything material in the world, everything living.  It is every person.  It is Life, and thus all Life is sacred.  We cannot possibly understand all that which is the Divine.

I choose to interpret the Divine as I see it in nature and all around me – in the form of male and female, the God and Goddess.

Ritual Design

Ritual Design

(Scott Cunningham's Wicca - a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner)

1.       Purification of Self

2.       Purification of space

3.       Create Sacred Space

4.       Invocation

5.       Ritual Observance (Sabbat, Esbat)

6.       Energy raising

7.       Earthing the power

8.       Thank Goddess and God

9.       Break the circle/sacred space

Moon Phases and Intentions

Moon Phases

Full to New Moon

·         Banishing

·         Decreasing

·         Removing

New to Full Moon

·         Increase

·         Growth

·         Gain

IPE - Intention, Planet, Element

Intentions, Planets, Elements

INTENTION	PLANET	ELEMENT
Banish	Saturn	Fire
Beauty	Venus	Water
Balance	Venus	Water
Courage	Mars	Fire
Divination	Mercury	Air
Employment	Sun, Jupiter	Earth
Energy	Sun, Mars	Fire
Exorcism	Sun	Fire
Fertility	Moon	Earth
Friendship	Venus	Water
Happiness	Venus, Moon	Water
Healing	Moon, Mars	Fire, Water
Health	Moon, Mars	Fire, Water
Home, the	Saturn	Earth, Water
Joy	Venus	Water
Love	Venus	Water
Money	Jupiter	Earth
Peace	Moon, Venus	Water, Earth
Power	Sun, Mars	Fire
Protection	Sun, Mars	Fire
Psychic Work	Moon	Water
Purification	Saturn	Fire, Water
Sex	Mars, Venus	Fire
Sleep	Moon	Water
Spirituality	Sun, Moon	Water
Success	Sun	Fire
Travel	Mercury	Air
Wisdom	Mercury	Air

The Chakras

 

Chakra is derived from Sanskrit word meaning Wheel.

Observed as wheels of energy continuously rotating at different speeds, Root being slowest, Crown being fastest. They are located on both the front and back of the body, and work through it, beginning at the base of the spine and finishing at the top of the head. The size and brightness of chakras vary with individual development, physical condition, energy levels, disease, or stress.

Each chakra is stimulated by its own color, and gemstones.  If energies are unbalanced/blocked, the basic life force is slowed, and individual may feel listless, tired, out of sorts, or depressed. Physical and mental functions may be affected, causing negative attitude, fear, doubt etc.

Balancing chakras promotes health and a sense of well being. If they are too open, a person could “short circuit” themselves with too much universal energy going through the body. If closed, the universal energy can’t flow properly.