A Bit About Samhain

Traditional Irish Turnip Lantern
Early 20th century
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

As you may well know, the Celtics saw Samhain as starting the dark time of the year. It is the end of the harvesting season and the start of the winter season. It is the time when the veil between us and the otherworld is thinnest. This allows us to take time to honor our ancestors. It is also time for us to thank our deities for the gifts they have given us through the growing season and for the gifts we have to make it through the upcoming winter season. We also take the time to reflect on our own mortality and the nature of change and transformation. You may also know that this day marks the Wiccan New Year!

On this Samhain, we were blessed with a full moon very nearby. As such, we did a ritual with our Shrine on Halloween, that combined the Samhain and Full Moon ritual, but something didn't feel right the next day, so I decided to give it a go alone the next day. I think because I was rushed (running late home for work) and I didn't get my ritual bath. I also had computer issues when I got home, so this rushed me a bit more. I thought I had cleansed and grounded well enough, but something didn't "feel" right on the 1st, so I decided to do everything again. 

During my solitary full moon ritual, I like to ask for help to release things that block or limit me (an idea given by Rev. Don). This was a great combination with the Samhain ritual of honoring my ancestors and focusing on change and transformation. I must say that when I woke up the morning of the 2nd, after conducting a solitary Samhain ritual the evening of the 1st, I felt renewed. When I arrived at work, something I had been working on that benefits many of us came through. Granted, I had some odd news on another topic, but the things I was aware of and consciously asked about began changing! I really love how well things work out. 

Blessed be!

References: 

Kondratiev, Alexei (1997). Samhain: Season of Death and Renewal. Retrieved 3 November 2012 from http://www.imbas.org/articles/samhain.html

Lewis, Donald (Rev.). Witch School First Degree. Woodbury: Llewellyn, 2010. Print.

Chakras of the Earth

M.C. Escher's Snakes
Photo courtesy of Artistsmarket.com
All M.C. Escher works © 2003 Cordon Art B.V. - Baarn - The Netherlands. All rights reserved.

Chakras of the earth are also know as Vortices. Vortices are the energy centers or the chakras of the earth. Earth's energy is stronger at the vortex, just as our energy is stronger and easier to interact with at our chakras. Both are ideal spots to receive energy from or to send healing through. Vortex points are often used as places of worship and are sacred spaces due to there strength. We are able to work with our chakras to increase energy and to heal our bodies.



References:

Lewis, Donald (Rev.). Witch School First Degree. Woodbury: Llewellyn, 2010. Print.

Allegory Explained

What is Allegory? This was one of my questions for this week. According to dictionary.com, allegory is a Middle English word that defines a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another. It can also be a symbolical narrative. 

"Allegory" by Antonio de Pereda, circa 1654
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

This is pretty much the same definition from a Wiccan perspective. For Pagans, symbolism is used to make difficult or abstract concepts easier to understand. According to our studies with Rev. Don Lewis, in the First Degree Lessons, allegory allows us to free ourselves from literal understandings and to embrace abstract thoughts.