#celtic calender

[yoga-onion]

Legends and myths about trees

Celtic beliefs in trees (16)

D for Duir (Royal Oak) - June 10th - July 17th

“June Tree - 7th month of the Celtic Tree Calendar (Ref)”

metal: gold; Gemstone: diamond; Gender: male; Patrons: Dagda, Esus, Taranis, Artemis, Zeus, Jupiter, Thor; Symbols: strength + patience, generosity + protection, justice + nobility, honesty + courage

The oak was the most revered tree of the Celts, with a tall, round, stout trunk that is thick and round, spreading out like a crown. They grew into huge, imposing trees and lived long lives, so they became objects of worship for the Celts, who wished to live forever. 

Another reason for their worship was their high level of usefulness. It was used for housing and furniture. The round table around which the knights of King Arthur's Round Table were surrounded was made of one solid piece of oak wood. Merlin the Wizard used magic in the oak forests and his magic wand was made from the finest oak branch. The ancients also believed that with the help of acorns, they could come into contact with the gods who ruled the natural world.

The bark was used for tanning, dyes and medicinal purposes and had a wide range of uses. Oak wood was also used for coffins to hold the remains of the dead and was associated with the afterlife. Oak acorns were a favourite food of pigs in ancient times and helped in the mass rearing of pigs. Oak trees, as well as the mistletoe that inhabits them, were a factor in oak worship. Because it was believed to have fertility and reproductive benefits, a ceremony was held on the sixth day of every month in the lunar calendar to reap the mistletoe by the druids (Ref2).

The oak woodland was revered as a sanctuary by the Celts and was called Nemeton. Druidic rituals were held under the oak trees of this Nemeton. There is evidence of the presence of many Nemetons in continental Gallia (the ancient name for the ancient Celtic settlements).

The oak tree, imbued with energy, power and vitality, represents divinity in nature as a gateway to the inner world, a passage to the Kingdom of God, and communicates its divine will to us in the company of the gods.

木にまつわる伝説・神話

ケルト人の樹木の信仰 (16)

D for Duir (Royal Oak) - 6月10日～7月17日

『6月の木〜 ケルトの木の暦（参照）の第7月』

金属: 金; 宝石: ダイヤモンド; 性: 男性; 守護神: ダクダ、エスス、タラニス、アルテミス、ゼウス、ユピテル、トール; シンボル: 力＋忍耐、寛容＋保護、正義＋高貴さ、正直＋勇気

オークはケルト人が最も崇拝した樹木で、背が高く，丸々としてどっしりとした幹は太くて丸く、冠のようにこんもり広がっている。堂々とした巨木に成長し、長生きすることから、永遠に生きたいと願うケルト人の信仰の対象となった。

崇拝されたもう一つの理由は、その有用性が高かったことである。住居や家具などに使われた。アーサー王の円卓の騎士たちが囲んだ丸テーブルは、１枚のがっしりとしたオークの木でできていた。英国では、アーサー王とともに、オークは魔法の守護者とされていた。魔法使いのマーリンはオークの森で魔法を使い、魔法の杖はオークの最上の枝でつくられていた。また、昔の人々はどんぐりの力を借りれば、自然界を支配する神々と接触できると信じていた。

樹皮は皮なめし、染料、薬用などに用いられ、用途は広かった。オーク材は死者の遺骸を入れる棺桶にも使用され、死後の世界とも関わりがあった。オークの実、どんぐりは古代には豚の好物で、豚の大量飼育にも役立った。オークの木だけでなく、オークの木に宿るヤドリギも、オーク崇拝の一因であった。多産と繁殖をもたらす効果があると信じられたことから、ドルイド（参照2）の手でヤドリギを刈り取る儀式が陰暦で毎月６日に行われた。

オークの森林はケルト人にとって聖域として崇められ、ネメートンと呼ばれた。ドルイドの祭式はこのネメートンのオークの木の下で行われた。大陸のガリア(古代ケルト人の居住地の古称)にはネメートンが多く存在した証拠が残っている。

エネルギーと、力と、活力をそなえるオークの木は、内なる世界への入り口、神の国への通り道として、自然界における神性を表し、神々との間にあって私たちに神意を伝えている。

#trees #royal oak tree #celtic belief #celtic calender #tree legend #tree myth #legend #folklore #mythology #druids #merlin #arthur's round table #wizard #nature #art

[nightworld7]

Watch "Did you know this about HARRY POTTER??" on YouTube

#harry potter #wandlore #celtic tree calender #month of birth

[bucksboobs]

I'm always equal parts amused and annoyed when people act like Easter and Christmas were devised as Insidious Catholic plots to "coerce pagans into conversion" I desperately need people who self identify as progressive to understand that the conversion of Europe was not coercive. There were political and economic reasons that many rulers chose to convert but the average Pagan was not being forced into conversion (big exception being the Baltics during the Northern Crusades in the 12th century) The gradual conversion of Europe is what led to many traditions being carried over into a Christianized culture, hence why Easter in the Anglophone world has carryover from from Germanic pagan traditions in the form of an Easter Bunny (Rabbits are associated with the goddess of spring, Ostara), why Christmas was placed to coincide with the Roman festival of Sol Invictus, and why Mayday (Beltane) and Halloween (Samhain) continue to be celebrated in Celtic-descended cultures despite no one officially using the Celtic calender anymore. The traditions carried on alongside Christianization the same way people still believed in the fae folk.

It's vital to understand the gradual and peaceable conversions of Europe to contrast the violent conquest and "missionary" work of the Colonization Era Catholic Church. It serves no one to act as though the Church was also forcing conversions in Europe when that's not what happened. By claiming otherwise you are claiming a struggle that is not yours and never has been but moreover does belong to someone else, that someone being the native populations of the Americas and Africa.

#For the record because someone pointed it out #when I say 'the Christianization of Europe' I'm talking about the First Millennium not post Crusade #since by then Europe was firmly Christian which is why the Pope had the temporal authority to call the Crusades in the first place

[stellernorth]

reading the snazzy 4.07 script and. sam just knows so much stuff. he can recognize an herb that's been extinct for 200 years by sight; he knows the celtic calender; he knows that the little lump in the hex bag is the metacarpal bone of a newborn and that it's at least 100 years old; he knows how much heat is needed to char bones different amounts. (he cannot pronounce samhain)

this could be a stanford thing, like he took classes on the celtic religion and archelogy and like really niche botony.

or this comes from a lifetime of being the library guy

#post i made #sam winchester #spn s4e7

[blairstales]

Scottish Historical Beltane/May Day

Bealtiunn (Beltane) is a cross-quarter day, meaning it is approximately half-way between a equinox and solstice. Due to this, it was one of the four main fire festivals of the year, and a time when the veil between our world and the otherworld was said to thin. This was thought to allow fairies in particular to be extra dangerous.

"The first–called “Beltaine” in Ireland, “Bealtiunn” in Scotland, “Shenn da Boaldyn” in the Isle of Man, and “Galan-Mai” (the Calends of May) in Wales–celebrates the waking of the earth from her winter sleep, and the renewal of warmth, life, and vegetation. " Celtic Myth and Legend by Charles Squire[1905]

It was once a huge celebration that may even last a whole week, but it also served as a marker for when to start farming practices. For example, it marked when to sow barley, or put cattle out to graze.

Due to the pagan origins of the day, opposition towards May Day celebrations was not uncommon, and eventually led to it’s fall in popularity.

"In 1696 a number of persons were tried before the Kirk Session of Aberdeen and censured for celebrating May Day morning." Primitive Beliefs in the North-East of Scotland

For customs click "keep reading." ⬇

May Pole

May Poles are a pole that was raised on beltane and raised with a crown of flowers on the top.

“The May Pole is up , Now give me the cup, I’ll drink to the garlands around it, But first unto those Whose hands did compose The glory of flowers that crown’d it.” “Faiths and Folklore: Volume 2,” By William Carew Hazlitt (1905)

It was also often decorated with flowers, leafy garland, ribbons, and more. Thought to be a fertility symbolism, with it came the queen and king of May.

"We may infer,’ says Frazer, ‘that our rude forefathers personified the powers of vegetation as male and female and attempted, on the principle of homeopathic or sympathetic magic, to quicken the growth of trees and plants by representing the marriage of the sylvan deities in the persons of a King and Queen of May, a Whitsun Bridegroom and Bride, and so forth. Such representations… were charms intended to make the woods to grow green, the fresh grass to sprout, and the flowers to blow. And it was natural to suppose that the more closely the mock marriage of the leaf-clad or flower-clad mummers aped the real marriage of the woodland sprites, the more effective would be the charm." Silver Bough 2 By F. Marian McNeill

Dressing the Home

Due to the veil being thinner, all sorts of supernatural dangers were thought to be at play. To counteract that, people dressed their homes in flowers, greenery, and other decorations.

“To counteract their evil power pieces of the rowan-tree and woodbine, chiefly of rowan-tree, were placed over the byre doors, and fires were kindled by every farmer and cottar. “ “Notes on The Folk-Lore of the North-East of Scotland,” By Walter Gregor (1881)

It was not just leafy garlands, however, but flowers as well.

"In the country west of Glasgow it is still remembered how once the houses were adorned with flowers and branches on the first of May” “Essays in the study of Folk-Songs,” by Countess Martinengo-Cesaresco (1886)

May-Dew

The very first thing many girls wanted to do in the morning was race out to collect the morning dew.

“COUNTY OF EDINBURGH. At Edinburgh about four o’clock in the morning there is an unusual stir ; and a hurrying of gay throngs through the King’s Park to Arthur’s Seat to collect the May-dew.” “British Popular Customs, Present and Past; Illustrating the Social and Domestic,” by T. F. Thiselton-Dyer (1876)

Depending on the area, where you would collect it from may change. It might be from a specific hill of grass or a specific type of trees.

This liquid, called may-dew, was said to have curative or beautifying powers.

"It was long an article of popular faith in Eastern and Western Europe , that a maiden , washing herself with dew from the hawthorn on the first day of May at daybreak , would preserve her beauty for ever, the operation being of course annually repeated.” “Faiths and Folklore: Volume 2,” By William Carew Hazlitt (1905)

“Till quite lately there was a belief in some parts of England that a weakly child would be made strong by being drawn over dewy grass on the morning in question. To effect a complete cure, the treatment had to be repeated on the two following mornings.” “Folklore of Scottish Lochs and Springs,” by James M. Mackinlay (1893)

However, the dew inside a fairy ring would have the opposite intended effect.

“May-dew from the grass was equally efficacious, except when gathered from within a fairy ring, as the fairies would in that case counteract the influence of the charm.” “Folklore of Scottish Lochs and Springs,” by James M. Mackinlay (1893)

Egg Rolling

Egg rolling, something we trend to associate with Easter, was occasionally practiced on Beltane. Colorfully decorated eggs would be rolled down a hill.

"Egg rolling, something we trend to associate with Easter, was occasionally practiced on Beltane. Colorfully decorated eggs would be rolled down a hill." “The Folk-lore Journal, Volume 7; Volume 24,” By Folklore Society (Great Britain)

Visiting Healing Wells

“Besides saining with fire, there was also saining with water, and Beltane was the great season for visiting “magic” or “holy” wells. The custom has by no means died out, the most notable survival being the annual “pilgrimage” to the Cloutie Well on Culloden Moor, near Inverness, which described elsewhere.” The silver bough vol 2

Visits to healing wells was a common occurrence for people on May day.

Two centuries earlier an attempt was made by the kirk-session of Perth to put a stop to an annual gathering on May Day at a cave in the face of Kinnoul hill adjoining the town. This cave was called the Dragon Hole, and was the scene of ancient rites of a superstitious nature. Other illustrations might be selected from the Folklore of May Day, but those given above show that the season was held in much superstitious regard. Accordingly, we need not be surprised that well-worship took its place among the rites of May Day, and of May Month also, since the whole of May was deemed a charmed time. "Folklore of Scottish Lochs and Springs" (in regards to Hone’s Every-Day Book on Edinburgh)

Mock Human Sacrifice

During the quarter days, quarter cakes were eaten ritually. For Beltane, this was called bannoach Bealltain or Beltane Cakes.

"Beltane cakes were also made at Keith, being baked the day before. The upper side was watered with a batter, made of whisked eggs, milk, and oatmeal. Struan Michaels and Beltane bannocks were prepared in Ross-shire down to the close of the nineteenth century." “Primitive Beliefs in the North-East of Scotland,” by Joseph McKenzie McPherson (1929)

Exactly how they were eaten would depend on the area.

"In Caithness, within the last seventy years, each family in the neighbourhood of Watten carried bread and cheese to the top of a hill called Heathercrow and left it there. After sunrise, the herds might take away the spoil for their own homes." “Primitive Beliefs in the North-East of Scotland,” by Joseph McKenzie McPherson (1929)

For some, it involved a mock human sacrifice.

The boys would go out, kindle a fire, have a meal, and sing and dance around it for fun. After, someone would produce a bannock and divide it for the group.

"Towards the close of the entertainment, the person who officiated as master of the feast produced a large cake baked with eggs and scalloped round the edge, called am bonnach bea-tine—i.e., the Beltane cake. It was divided into a number of pieces, and distributed in great form to the company.John Ramsay, laird of Ochtertyre, near Crieff, the patron of Burns and the friend of Sir Walter Scott." The Golden Bough by Sir James George Frazer[1922] Chapter 62. The Fire-Festivals of Europe

One piece stood out from the others, and the person who picked it was doomed to be “sacrificed.” It was just a symbolized sacrifice and the group would act as if (but would not actually) throw the person into the fire.

“There was one particular piece which whoever got was called cailleach beal-tine—i.e., the Beltane carline, a term of great reproach. Upon his being known, part of the company laid hold of him and made a show of putting him into the fire; but the majority interposing, he was rescued. “ John Ramsay, laird of Ochtertyre, near Crieff, the patron of Burns and the friend of Sir Walter Scott." "The Golden Bough" by Sir James George Frazer[1922] Chapter 62. The Fire-Festivals of Europe.

Unfortunately for the poor boy, the victim would then be referred to as dead for as long as people remembered for the year.

“Similarly at the Beltane fires in Scotland the pretended victim was seized, and a show made of throwing him into the flames, and for some time afterwards people affected to speak of him as dead.” “The Golden Bough,” by Sir James George Frazer (1922)

Luckily, in other places, the sacrificed only had to jump the fire(typically either three or seven times), then that would be the end of it.

“….then lots are cast, and he on whom the lot falls, must leap seven times over the fire, while the young folks dance round in a circle. Then they cook their eggs and cakes, and all sit down to eat and drink and rise up to play.” Old Scottish Customs, Local and General by Ellen Emma Guthrie 1885

For others, it was not as dramatic.

"While the fire was blazing, a common meal was partaken, part of which was offered to the spirit of the fire." “Primitive Beliefs in the North-East of Scotland,” by Joseph McKenzie McPherson (1929)

After making and kneading a bannock, the boys would bake it on a flat stone placed on embers. When it is properly baked, they divide it to the same number of people there is in the group (trying to keep the pieces the same shape).

"They kindle a fire , and dress & repast of eggs and milk of the consistence of a custard . They knead a cake of oatmeal , which is toasted at the embers against a stone . After the custard is eaten up , they divide the cake into so many portions , as similar as possible to one another in size and shape , as there are persons in the company ." PERTHSHIRE . In Sinclair’s Stat . Acc . of Scotland ( 1794 , vol . xi . p . 620 ) British Popular Customs, Present and Past; Illustrating the Social and Domestic

Only one piece is selected and covered with charcoal until it is completely black.

That done, all the pieces are placed in a bonnet, and everyone is blindfolded to pick out a piece. The person who is holding the bonnet gets the last.

Whoever was unlucky enough to pick up the black piece is the symbolized sacrifice and must jump the fire three times.

“The boy, to whose share the black piece falls, is obliged to leap three times through the flames, at which the repast was prepared.” Statistical Account of Scotland, 1794, XI. 620, Witchcraft & Second Sight in The Highlands and Islands of Scotland

For others still, they would take a bannock, face towards the fire, and break a piece of the bannock while throwing it over the shoulder as an offering of protection. The request was different for each throw.

‘This I give to thee, preserve thou my horses,’ and ‘This to thee, preserve thou my sheep,’ and so on. After that they use the same ceremony to the noxious animals, This I give thee, O fox, spare thou my lambs! This to thee, O hooded crow! This to thee, O eagle!’ When the ceremony is over they dine on the caudle.” “Primitive Beliefs in the North-East of Scotland,” by Joseph McKenzie McPherson (1929)

Fires

The Beltane fires were man’s response to the attack of the powers of darkness which were believed to be abroad with peculiar force at this season. “Primitive Beliefs in the North-East of Scotland,” by Joseph McKenzie McPherson (1929)

A large heap of old thatch, straw, or other materials were piled. Traditionally, this was done on a hill.

“To the south of the Forth several sites are known to have been specially associated with Beltane fires. In Lanarkshire two such sites were, the hills of Tinto and Dechmont. “Tinto, indeed, means the hill of fire. It was used for beacon-fires as well as for those connected with nature-festivals, and was well adapted for the purpose, being 2335 feet above the sea, and 1655 feet above the Clyde at its base. Though not nearly so high, Dechmont hill commands a splendid view over the neighbouring country. Early in the present century a quantity of charcoal was discovered near its summit hidden beneath a stratum of fine loam. The country people around expressed no surprise at the discovery, as they were familiar with the tradition that the spot had been used for the kindling of Beltane fires. In Peeblesshire, too, the Beltane festival long held its ground. Folklore of Scottish Lochs and Springs

For some, this would serve as the need-fire; which was a purification fire that was lit by friction.

"Tein-ēigin, neid-fire, need-fire, forced fire, fire produced by the friction of wood or iron against wood." Carmina Gadelica, Volume 2, by Alexander Carmicheal, [1900]

It was a saining practice done on quarter-days, when there was some sort of calamity, or just when someone needed extra luck for an especially important event. It was considered bad luck to bring fire out of the house or gift any to someone on the day. For Bealtane, two fires might be lit, and cattle would be driven through to purify them.

"When the sacred fire became kindled, the people rushed home and brought their herds and drove them through and round the fire of purification, to sain them from the ‘bana bhuitseach mhor Nic Creafain,’–the great arch witch daughter Cranford, Mac Creafain, now Crawford." Carmina Gadelica, Volume 2, by Alexander Carmicheal, [1900]

After, the ashes would be scattered, sometimes with yells to “burn the witches.” The intent was to destroy and scare off the forces of evil, which would allow the area to become fertile.

“The fire in consuming them destroyed the powers hostile to man, purified the air, and allowed man and beast and vegetation to thrive and become fertile.” The circumambulating the fields with blazing branches carried the virtue to areas a considerable distance from the bonfire. “ “Primitive Beliefs in the North-East of Scotland,” by Joseph McKenzie McPherson (1929)

It would work in a way, too. The ash would fertilize the soil, helping to make it healthier for the coming growing season.

Other

Another significant ceremony, as showing the adoration of nature, was the combat between winter and summer which took place on May-day (Laa-boaldyn); the latter, which was represented by a young girl, decorated with leaves, being victorious, and thus typifying the victory of Nature’s reproductive power. The Folk-Lore of the Isle of Man by A. W. Moore[1891]

"On the night preceding it, i.e. Beltane eve, witches were awake, and went about as hares, to take their produce (toradh), milk, butter, and cheese, from the cows. People who believed in their existence were as earnest to counteract their machinations. Tar was put behind the ears of the cattle, and at the root of the tail; the animals were sprinkled with urine to keep them from fighting; the house was hung with rowan-tree, etc., etc. By having a churning past and a cheese made (muidhe ’s mulchag) before sunrise, the Fairies were kept away from the farm for the rest of the year. If any came to ask for rennet (deasgainn), it should not on any account be given to them. It would be used for taking the substance out of the giver’s own dairy produce.When the day arrived, it was necessary, whatever the state of the weather, though people sank ankle deep in snow, or (as the Gaelic idiom has it), though snow came over the shoes, to get the cattle away to the summer pastures among the hills (àiridh)." Witchcraft & Second Sight in The Highlands and Islands of Scotland

John Duncan’s “Riders of the Sidhe” (1911) “The artist here represents the fairy folk “setting forth on a Beltane eve in a kind of ritualistic procession, carrying symbols of their faith and power, and their good pleasure dowering mortals with spiritual gifts.” E.A. Taylor; Art. Some Pictures by John Duncan in The Studio, Vol. 80 (1930)

#folklore #scottish folklore #fairies #fairy #fae #scottish mythology #mythology #scottish #scottishfolklore #FairyDays #beltane #Bealtiunn #Beltaine #may 1 #ImportantScottishDays

[greenpanda-basicfakewitch]

Book Of Shadows Index

I see a ton of Witchtoks/people who only give a basic summary of what to research along with a ton of books and I'm more of a bullet point girl. So... Here we go.

A book of shadows was coined by Alaisar Crowley, alongside garnder who was the founder of Wica, then changed to Wicca later on [I will go in depth in history with links/sources and more detail on another post]

So here's the index for a book of shadows, full of all things you the individual want to learn include in your practice and like Pirates of the Caribean, take it more as guidlines and you're free to decide what you like/don't like.

So Include a Book Of shadows Blessing in the begging of your book [or digital document] And a BOS is like a diary, only you can see it or your coven.

____________________________________________________________

Beginner Studies; Introduction to Witchcraft. I.e: What is Paganism, Wicca, Witchcraft? What is the difference? Wicca History: Origins in your country of origin. Salem, etc. Covens and Hierchies and Solitary witches. Basic rundown, you have your first, second, third degree. Like an employee, a suvervisor and a manager. Managers are in charge of their own store, like a third degree can create their own coven.

Lore: Tree of life, Triple goddess, Horned God, Morgan le fey and other mythical lore and research depending on which one your aligned with. Like Norse, Greek, Celtic, Viking, Roman, or any other types. Wiccan Rede, rules of Wicca power of three times three. Etc.

Symbols: Look up certain symbols, or sigils, runes, thats commonly used in Wicca/Paganism or your preffered craft. Cast a circle: Most begin a spell and cast a protection circle before you begin your spell. Pentacle [Star with circle] Pentragram [No circle] *Include the Spirit, fire, earth, water, air. Evil eye. [usually used as protection AGAINST the evil eye]

Witch Tools: Witch tools you use, or place on your altar. Like an Athame, cualdron, wand, etc Tools of Divination: Pendulum, spirit board, tarot, angel cards, scrying mirror, playing cards, etc Additional tools: Candles. Crystals. Elements Herbs Chakras/Meditation Lucid Dreaming Astral projection Milk baths

______________________________________________________________

Year Calender/Sabbets Month Calender Day Calender: Like Moday is MOON. Sunday is SUN, Saturday is Saturn etc. Deities Celtic/ Roman/Norse Other gods to research. etc Astrology.

Star Sign, Moon sign, Sun Sign, other planetary signs. Planet Retrograde, Mercury retrograde, mars, venus etc Moon Phases. Like hunters moon, pink moon etc.

Animals as omens [Careful with this one, as it links to other occult/cultures/religions and best not to appropriate and lead to indiginous tribes or others. But not all animals as omens is a sign, usually it links to the Fea as animals are fea and fea are animals and other religions like kitsune, tanaki, are shapeshifters or known as spirits in other cultures]

______________________________________________________________

Spells Moon Water Witch bag/bottle Broomsticks Seashell collecting [A practice looked down on now for enviormental effects, but I have bottles/jars of shells I've collected when I was six so I've kept them and included them as I have some] Witch Outfits [this is just my personal interest, it ties in with the history a little] Symbolism of the Hat [Like a Candle] Witch Nudity Haute Couture Bohemian/Grunge goth fashion Media/Pop culture:

Books or movies that have had witch consultants or other ties to witchcraft/wicca etc. Such as practical magic, the Craft and maybe even Neil Gaimans works such as the ocean at the end of the lane. Coraline that had mentions of a dowsing rod, and rock with a hole in the center to find lost things. Music:

Listening to music can also set da mood, so I will compile playlists and songs that made me feel witchy. Anything else to include feel free to ask or reblog :D

*ALSO IMPORTANT! CLOSED/OPEN Practice! Wicca as it is is open, you can buy a wicca book/watch withtok who have you whatever whatever! But a closed practice? Thats a religion or something you CANNOT access too UNLESS you are invited in, or iniated into that group! Indeginous tribes/jewish traditions/hoodoo/voodoo/ etc. A closed practice is a closed door. You cant access that by yourself. Which is why White sage cant be used, theres many alternatives and other incenses/sages to burn. Not the one thats sacred/endangered and used speicifially in indeginous tribes. They've already had enough taken away from them what do witches need white sage for in this current enviromental crisis? so yeah...

Additional last note: I will also include passages alongside the books I have by cunningham and others with the book as well as the passage and page/chapter and try to include web links in any future post I make.

Bear in my mind and I will TRY to be as accurate as I can, but I will make mistakes and end up posting some things thats misinformed even when I post links. But I will try my best to fix any mistakes if I can.

Blessed be.

#Wicca #wicca #pagan #wiccan #Witch #Witchcraft #Witch community #Witchtok #Pagan #Pagan Community #I am aware that Paganism and Wicca is two seperate things or they cross correlate #but sometimes people do lump it all together #BOS #Book of Shadows

[theninjabozo]

So Halloween came from the celtic festival of Samhain (pronouns sa-win) which happened on the 1st of November, and the celts used calenders made of circles of giant rocks to tell the date kinda like a sundial

Carved pumpkins, or jack o lanterns in the states, used to be made of turnips but when the Irish emigrated to America during the Famine pumpkins became easier to obtain. The story goes that this guy jack tricked the devil out of getting his soul taken to hell so many times that when he died the devil couldn't take him but he was too much of a prick for heaven so he had to carve out a turnip to use as a lantern and wander the earth as a ghost

And barm brack (or bairín breac) is a fruit bread that a ring is baked into and whoever gets the slice with the ring gets to keep it (and its always eaten at halloween) (we got one at lidl today and it took me forever to find one where you couldn't just see the ring sticking out) (which kinda defeats the purpose)

I heard about the story of jack, but awesome fruit bread with loot? Hell yeah!

[ancestorsalive]

There are no wolves remaining in Ireland now, bar in zoos so it’s hard to believe that they were once so numerous here, that outsiders often referred to Ireland as “Wolfland”. The name for Wolf in Irish is Mac Tíre which literally means son of the countryside which shows how the people considered this magnificent animal to be so integrated into the fabric of our land. They were feared however, and many of our early iron age forts were well guarded against wolves, as much as against human enemies, and the Irish Wolfhound was especially bred to hunt this fearsome predator. There has always been a connection to wolves in Irish folklore. It is said that Cormac Mac Airt, one of the most famous of the High Kings, was raised by wolves and it also makes an appertaining in the famous epic tale of the Táin Bó Cúallgne.

There were stories of half man/half wolf men, such as the Laignach Faelad, a band of warriors who would fight with any king, but only for a terrifying price. Interestingly, there was also the concept of werewolves, such as the werewolves of Ossory (Laois/Kilkenny), who were a clan cursed by a supposed holy man whereby a couple of the clan would have to live as a wolves for seven years, only to be replaced by another couple once that time had passed.

Unfortunately, the last wolf was killed on Mt. Leinster in 1786, hundreds of years after the last wolf in Britain and 100 years after the Scottish wolves became extinct.

The wolf covers the period 28th Oct-24th Nov (in the 13 month lunar calender) and is available on my website celticmyths.ie. I will very shortly have my new 2024 animal lore calendar on sale, so keep an eye out!

- Margaret McKenna

Via Celtic Myths, Art of Irish Lore

#Wolves #wolf #ancestors alive! #what is remembered lives #memory & spirit of place #ancient ways #past times #Celtic Myths #Margaret McKenna #Celtic Myths Art of Irish Lore

[lunamagicablu]

In quanto pianta sempreverde, i Druidi, sacerdoti celti, consideravano l’abete un simbolo di vita e lo onoravano in varie cerimonie. Anche gli antichi Romani, alle calende di gennaio, primo giorno del mese, erano soliti regalarsi un rametto di una pianta sempreverde come augurio di buona fortuna.I popoli antichi appendevano alle porte e alle finestre rami di piante sempreverdi, come rametti di abete, vischio e agrifoglio (altre famose piante ornamentali natalizie) in quanto erano diffuse le credenze secondo cui queste piante avrebbero tenuto lontani streghe, fantasmi, spiriti maligni e malattie dalla casa e dai suoi abitanti.Durante il Solstizio d’Inverno, in cui si celebravano le giornate più luminose dell’anno, gli alberi sempreverdi mantenevano il loro colore per tutte e quattro le stagioni e venivano venerati come simbolo dei mesi più caldi che stavano per arrivare, in segno di buon auspicio.

WEB

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As an evergreen plant, the Druids, Celtic priests, considered the fir tree a symbol of life and honored it in various ceremonies. Even the ancient Romans, on the calends of January, the first day of the month, used to give themselves a sprig of an evergreen plant as a wish for good luck.Ancient peoples hung branches of evergreen plants, such as sprigs of fir, mistletoe and holly (other famous Christmas ornamental plants) on doors and windows as there were widespread beliefs that these plants would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits and diseases from the house and its inhabitants.During the Winter Solstice, when the brightest days of the year were celebrated, evergreen trees kept their color for all four seasons and were revered as a symbol of the warmer months to come, as a sign of good I wish.

WEB

[silvandar]

What do you call October 31st in your culture or religion? Does it have any significance?

I am from the UK, we call it Halloween. It's mostly a commerical celebration of spooky things, scary movies, and costumes. We do "Trick or Treat" for the kids where they go door to door in their neighbourhood and get free sweets from homes that have decorations up.

Adults often have Halloween parties, any excuse to get drunk 😅

I am alternative and goth, so Halloween is a big time of year for me! I went to a small party this year, but a lot of my friends went to our favourite goth club for a sold out party.

I'm also pagan, and I follow the celtic calender as my roots are British. October 31st is Samhain (pronounced Sow-en) and is the night when the veil between worlds is thin. In the neo pagan tradition (aka modern paganism), it is possible to contact ancestors on this night. It is also the end of the old year, when all harvest is done and the earth rests.

We make offerings, clean our altars, and some of us use the time to cast spells for the next year, mostly for protection, success, wealh and health.

October 31st has meanings in many cultures, I'd love to make a thread of some of them! I'd be honoured if you would share yours with me.

#holiday tradition #halloween #samhain #multicultural #culture #religion #neo pagan

[yoga-onion]

Legends and myths about trees

Celtic beliefs in trees (18)

T for Tinne (Holly) - July 18th - August 5th

“Tree of Sacrifice - 8th month of the Celtic Tree Calendar (Ref)”

Colour: red; Star: Mars, Saturn: Gemstone: ruby, bloodstone; Gender: male; Patrons: Taranis, Jesus Christ, Thor, Lugh; Symbols: discord + humanity, blood + compassion, endless love

When it comes to holly, there is no one who doesn't know the prickly leaves and red berries. The evergreen holly tree has dense branches, and thanks to its glossy evergreen foliage, the holly tree remains unchanged through over time and throughout the year. 

Since ancient times, holly has represented the robust vitality and masculine strength of nature. It was closely associated with birth and rebirth rituals and the transmission of esoteric knowledge, and was particularly linked with unconditional love, and eventually came to symbolise all gods dedicated to sacrifice. The holly is also known as a tree that protects fairies and, as with all 'fairy trees', legend has it that cutting it down will bring bad luck. People in the past planted holly near their houses because it was said to ward off evil and stop lightning from striking.

It is said that long ago, when the island of Britain was still called Albion, prehistoric Britain was protected by a giant called Gogmagog. This giant who covered his entire body with holly branches and leaves, primeval god Gogmagog, eventually became known by the name 'the Holly King'. The giant held a holly bush as a club and is said to be the twin brother of the 'King of Oak'. In the medieval story 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight', the Holly King appears as the immortal Green Knight and Sir Gawain as the Oak King. 

The Holly King, who rules over the six months leading up to the summer solstice and winter solstice, takes the throne after the Oak King dedicates himself to the summer solstice bonfire. Then, in a cycle of death and rebirth, he sacrifices himself to give way once more to the Oak King on the winter solstice. Hence, Oak King and Holly king represent two phases of nature's guardian deities.

The Celtic festival of Lughnasadh (Lughnasa) takes place at the end of the holly month. This celebrates the rebirth of Lugh, the god of light (the sun) and crafts, and is celebrated on 1 August in the UK, Ireland and Europe at the Harvest Festival. This is also the Anglo-Saxon festival of Lammas.

The evergreen holly, which does not die out even when all plants have died, symbolises a strong life force and is a 'good omen' tree. The druids (Ref2), who regarded holly as a particularly sacred tree, proceeded to bring holly into the house during the winter months. The holly, with its red berries and bright foliage, which exalts the soul, was a protector of elves and fairies from the harsh cold. So, during the winter, they do not misbehave.

Any holly brought into the house must be returned to the outdoors by 'Imbolc Eve'. It's because if holly leaves remain in the house after that, misfortune will befall them.

This was retained in Christianity as Twelfth Night (also known as Epiphany Eve). In Christianity, which teaches that holly eventually grew from the ground on which Jesus walked, the thorny leaves and red berries of holly represent the Passion and shed blood of Jesus.

木にまつわる伝説・神話

ケルト人の樹木の信仰 (18)

TはTinne (ﾋｲﾗｷﾞ) - 7月18日～8月4日

『犠牲の木 〜 ケルトの木の暦（参照）の第8月』

色: 赤; 星: 火星、土星: 宝石: ルビー、ブラッドストーン (血石) ; 性: 男性; 守護神: タラニス、イエス・キリスト、トール、ルー; シンボル: 不和＋人間性、血＋憐れみ、限りなき愛

ヒイラギといえば、棘のある葉と赤い実、知らない人はいないだろう。常緑樹のヒイラギは、びっしりと枝を張り、またつやつやとした常緑の葉のおかげてヒイラギは、時の移ろいにも変わらぬ姿を見せている。

昔からヒイラギは自然のたくましい生命力や男性的な力強さを表してきた。古代では、誕生や再生の儀式、秘伝の伝授などに縁が深いものとされ、とりわけ無償の愛と関係があり、やがて犠牲に捧げられたすべての神々を象徴するようになった。ヒイラギは妖精を守る木としても知られ、「妖精の木」がすべてそうであるように、伐採すると不幸をもたらすという言い伝えがある。昔の人は家の近くにヒイラギを植えていたが、それは魔除けになり、雷が落ちなくなると言われていたからだ。

その昔、ブリテンがまだアルビオンと呼ばれていた頃の、太古のブリテン島はゴグマゴグという巨人が守っていたといわれている。このヒイラギの枝や葉で全身を覆った巨人、太古の神ゴグマゴグはやがて「ヒイラギの王」の名で知られるようになった。その巨人はヒイラギの茂みを棍棒として持ち、「オークの王」の双子の兄弟であるといわれている。中世の物語『ガウェイン卿と緑の騎士』では、ヒイラギの王が不死身の緑の騎士として、ガウェイン卿はオークの王として登場する。夏至かた冬至に至る半年間を治めるヒイラギ王は、オーク王が夏至のかがり火に身を捧げた後、王位につく。そして、死と再生を繰り返すサイクルの中で、冬至の日に、自らを犠牲にしてふたたびオーク王に道を譲る。オーク王とヒイラギ王は自然の守護神の二つの局面を表している。

ヒイラギの月が終わる頃にはケルトの祭典、ルーナサが行われる。これは、光 (太陽) と技芸の神、ルーの再生を祝うもので、英国、アイルランド、ヨーロッパでは、8月1日に収穫祭が開かれる。これはアングロサクソン人のラマス祭にも当たる。

すべての植物が枯れても死に絶えることを知らない常緑樹のヒイラギは屈強な生命力を象徴し、「吉兆」の木でもある。ヒイラギを特に神聖な木として崇めていたドルイド（参照2）は、冬の間はヒイラギを家の中に持ち込むように進めた。赤い実と鮮やかな葉が魂を昂揚させるヒイラギは、厳しい寒さから妖精やエルフを守ってくれる存在だった。だから、冬の間、妖精たちは悪さをしない。家の中に持ち込まれたヒイラギは、「インボルクのイヴ」までには必ず屋外に戻さなければならない。その後にも家の中にヒイラギの葉が残っていると、不幸が訪れるからだ。

これが十二夜（エピファニー・イブとも知られる）としてキリスト教に残された。イエスが歩いた地面からはやがてヒイラギが生えてきたと教えるキリスト教では、ヒイラギの棘のある葉と赤い実は、イエスの受難と流し血を表している。

#trees #tree legend #tree myths #folklore #mythology #legend #celtic belief #holly #celtic calender #holly king #oak king #art #nature #imbolc

[wwwdlabrie]

The moment #Celtics beat the #Heat Im in #Sokcho #SouthKorea 17 hours ahead the next day on the calender & get a call from my original @rdv_promo brotha @cjthextraordinaire Talkin Big Shit! I'm surprised I haven't heard from him yet after #BostonCeltics took Game 1 in The Bay #OnDogs I spend alot of time and done alot of shows in #TheBean this go back to #Patriots vs #Raiders tuck rule beef 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I knew it was finna be war with all my #Boston #NewEngland #Titletown fam 💚 vs #BayArea #Oakland #SanFrancisco #GoldBlooded #DubNation 💛💙 This @Warriors vs @Celtics showdown been a long time coming #Beantown don't want #OnDeadDogs ! #Dubs in 4 more #DLabrie #LinkinBio #MrNETW3RK #RonDavouxRecords #GoldenStateWarriors #GoatdenState #ThriveCity #WeBelieve #StrengthinNumbers (at 𝘽𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣, 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙨) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeVcwULvYCp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#celtics #heat #sokcho #southkorea #bostonceltics #ondogs #thebean #patriots #raiders #boston #newengland #titletown #bayarea #oakland #sanfrancisco #goldblooded #dubnation #beantown #ondeaddogs #dubs #dlabrie #linkinbio #mrnetw3rk #rondavouxrecords #goldenstatewarriors #goatdenstate #thrivecity #webelieve #strengthinnumbers

[sippingdaisies]

Happy Samhain motherfuckers

Halloween? we don’t know her here. instead of freezing your ass off going door to door asking for treats you kids should all head on down to the local river/well/grove of oak trees where the veil between our world and the Netherworld is thinnest and spend the night dancing with the undead and the devil himself. but remember chicks;

 1. silver pennies will NOT prevent you from being taken beyond the veil but they ARE good luck so it doesn’t hurt to keep one on you

2. the dead probably don't mean you any harm, more often than not they just want to fuckin party

3. this opportunity only comes around once a year and the offer is only valid until sunrise 

#party like its 419AD #samhain #celtic calender #halloween #spooky szn #ireland #netherworld #advice #beyond the veil #halloween 2019

[trees-magic]

via pinterest

upload by Donna

upload by Sarah Kay

source: witchesofthecraft

#tree #trees #elder #birch #celtic calender #birch moon #renewal #rowan #mountain ash #ash #tree of life #key #universal knowledge #winged seeds

[wiccancollection]

Ostara - Spring Equinox -  Alban Eilir

Ostara is derived from a reconstruction produced by linguist Jacob Grimm of an Old High German form of the Old English goddess name Ēostre, Ostara marks the vernal equinox in some modern Pagan traditions.

Known as Alban Eilir, meaning Light of the Earth, to modern Druid traditions, this holiday is the second of three spring celebrations (the midpoint between Imbolc and Beltane), during which light and darkness are again in balance, with light on the rise. It is a time of new beginnings and of life emerging further from the grips of winter.

Ostara Grounding Ceremony: 

1 . Collect a jar of rain water. As well as gathering a couple seeds.

2. Go into your garden and plant the seeds. 

3. Walk to a clear patch of grass, and stand at that point with bare feet.

4. Plant your bare feet firmly and feel the energy of springs cleansing flowing through the earth to you. 

5. Pour the Rain water over your feet, or you can also wash your feet in a basin of the water. Let it wash away the old you and make way for your fresh start.

6. As you nurture the seeds and watch them grow, you must also nurture yourself and notice your own growth as a new person. 

Ostara House Ceremony:

Open windows and curtains, to let in the fresh air and new sun. 

Fill the home with fresh flowers and floral scents. 

Plant herbs and other fresh scented plants. 

Take this time to get rid of the old, if possible by donating. 

Take time to organize wither it be physically or mentally. 

Ostara Activity:

Bake fresh pastries.

Make floral teas.

Press flowers, maybe give some as a gift as well. 

Grow some cress and other herbs in egg shells, to bless your food. 

Ostara is coming fast, hopefully some of these ideas will be helpful. Blessed Ostara - Spring Equinox - ��Alban Eilir to all. 

#ostara #calender #whell #wheel #of #the #year #pagan #wicca #wiccan #celtic #druid #druidic #spring #equinox #spring equinox #alban #eilir #alban eilir

[skylordhorus]

oh hey the welsh word for week, wythnos, translates to “eight nights”

#*deep space noises* #well today i have learnt abt the celtic calender!