#southern hemisphere wiccan

[beautifulvalleywitch]

Made this fun little infographic about the sabbats for my non-witchy family to join in on the celebrations! Thought I’d share the love😊❤️ Dates are for the Southern Hemisphere! (If people want I can make another one with northern hemisphere dates)

#pagan #occult #wicca #witchcraft #wiccablr #wiccan sabbat #sabbats #witches of tumblr #witchythings #witchblr #witch #lammas #imbolc #mabon #samhain #beltane #yule #litha #ostara #southern hemisphere

[wearytaco]

Blessed be, y'all

#wearytaco #spirit #witch #witchcraft #magic #witchy #south #spiritual #mabon #ostara #wicca #wiccan #pagan #northern #southern #north #hemisphere #wheel #holiday #equinox #autumn #spring #fall #easter #march

[whimsicallypink]

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Northern Hemisphere ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Southern Hemisphere

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Wheel of the Year Art

⠀

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Yule

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ Imbolc

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ Ostara

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀Beltane

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ Litha

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ Lammas

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ Mabon

⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ Samhain

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ Sabbat Altar Ideas

#sabbats #holidays #paganblr #pagan holidays #paganism #pagan witch #wheel of the year #wiccan #wicca #wicca for beginners #beginner witch #beginner pagan #wiccan holidays #witch holidays #witchy #witchblr #baby witch #baby witch tips #northern hemisphere #southern hemisphere

[esoteric-chaos]

Spring Equinox Masterpost- Spoonie Witch Friendly

Art Credit: Anastasia Catris

The Spring Equinox, also called the Vernal Equinox or Ostara, is usually celebrated between the 21st of March in the Northern Hemisphere (In the Southern Hemisphere around September 20th or 21st)

In 2024, Ostara and the Spring Equinox land in the Northern Hemisphere on Monday, March 19th.

The Spring Equinox celebrates the arrival of spring. Celebrating balance, growth, and new beginnings as Winter has finally ended.

Spring Equinox Correspondances

Colours

Light Green

Lavender

Sunny Yellow

Light Blue

Pastel Pink

White

Herbal

Lemongrass

Daffodils

Tulips

Violets

Apple Tree

Cherry Blossom

Primrose

Birch tree

Hyacinths

Dandelion

Garlic

Ash tree

Jasmine

Edibles

Honey

Salad greens

Spring veggies

Fresh berries

Mead

Herbs

Eggs

Seeds

Bread

Edible flowers

Quiches

Custards

Maple

Animals

Hares

Baby Chicks

Snakes

Robins

Bees

Butterflies

Phoenix

Ram

Crystals

Fluorite

Moonstone

Silver

Aquamarine

Clear Quartz

Amazonite

Symbols

Bonfires

Flowers

Rabbits

Eggs

Seeds

Baskets

Flowering or Tree Buds

Lambs

Birds

Spiritual meanings

Purification

Cleansing (removal of stagnant energy)

Growth

Transition

Motivation

Balance

Birth

Good fortune

Kindness

Joy

Fertility

Scents

Coconut

Citrus

Floral scents (rose, lilac, jasmine, etc)

Herbal scents (rosemary, basil, mint, etc)

Gods / Goddesses / Spirits

Eostre –  (Anglo-Saxon)

Aphrodite - (Greek)

Gaia - (Celtic)

Gaea - (Greek)

Venus - (Roman)

Athena - (Greek)

Aurora - (Roman)

Eos - (Greek)

Isis – (Egyptian)

Freya - (Norse) 

Persephone - (greek)

Cybele - (Roman)

The Green Man - (Celtic)

Odin – (Norse) 

Osiris – (Egyptian)

Pan – (Greek)

Thoth – (Egyptian)

Adonis – (Greek)

Apollon –  (Greek)

Apollo - (Roman)

Need some suggestions to celebrate? I've got you covered.

High energy celebrations and ritual

Deep cleaning of the hearth and home

Nature hikes

Visiting farmers markets

Making preserves

Create a fae garden

Create a seasonal altar

Abundance/Prosperity ritual

New beginnings ritual

Low energy celebrations 

Wear pastels

Create flower crowns

Light a candle with scent correspondence

No spoon celebrations 

Opening a window

Journaling Prompts

Keeping hydrated

Drink floral tea

Rest

How you celebrate the holiday does not matter. You can choose to do any activity that feels right. These are only suggestions and remember that you're enough no matter what.

Also please note some stuff is UPG. A great book is Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden for honouring the celebrations and if you wanted to work more seasonally. It's not Wiccan-based and has plenty of resources for every witch.

Feel free to post how you celebrate in the comments or reblogs!

Want to see more of my posts? Check out my Wheel of the Year Masterpost or my Main Masterpost.

#witchcraft #witch #electic witch #witchblr #paganism #spoonie witch #spoonie magic #ostara #wheel of the year #witchy #spring equinox #seasonal magic #ostara masterpost #ostara correspondences #spring equinox masterpost #spring equinox correspondances #spoonie #chronic illness magic #chronic illness

[mummawitch]

Sabbats

Witches, particularly those who follow modern Pagan or Wiccan traditions, often celebrate a series of holidays, known as Sabbats, that are based on the cycles of the seasons and nature. These holidays are divided into two categories: the Greater Sabbats, which are often associated with the equinoxes and solstices, and the Lesser Sabbats, which mark the points between the equinoxes and solstices. Here's an overview of the eight major witchcraft holidays:

1. Samhain (pronounced SOW-IN or SAH-WIN): Celebrated on October 31st (Northern Hemisphere) or May 1st (Southern Hemisphere). Samhain marks the beginning of the Witches' Wheel of the Year. It's a time to honor the dead, reflect on the past, and prepare for the winter months.

2. Yule (pronounced YOOL): Celebrated around the winter solstice (usually December 20th-23rd for Northern Hemisphere, or June 20th-23rd Southern Hemisphere), Yule is a festival of light and rebirth. It's a time to celebrate the return of the sun's strength and the lengthening of days.

3. Imbolc (pronounced IM-BULK or IM-BULG): Celebrated around February 1st-2nd (Northern Hemisphere) or August 1st-2nd (Southern Hemisphere). Imbolc marks the first signs of spring. It's a time to honor the goddess Brigid and welcome the returning life in nature.

4. Ostara (pronounced OST-AR-A): Celebrated around the spring equinox (usually March 20th-23rd for NH, or September 20th-23rd SH), Ostara is a celebration of balance and the arrival of spring. It's a time to honor the goddess Eostre and the fertility of the land.

5. Beltane (pronounced BELL-TAIN): Celebrated on May 1st (NH) or October 1st (SH). Beltane marks the peak of spring and the beginning of summer. It's a time to celebrate fertility, love, and the union of the god and goddess.

6. Litha (pronunced LEE-THA): Celebrated around the summer solstice (usually June 20th-23rd NH, or December 20th-23rd SH). Litha is a time of maximum light and the celebration of the sun's power.

7. Lughnasadh (pronounced LOO-NAH-SA, also called Lammas, pronounced LAH-MUS): Celebrated around August 1st (NH), or February 1st (SH). Lughnasadh is the first of the three harvest festivals. It's a time to give thanks for the first fruits of the harvest.

8. Mabon (pronunced MAH-BON) : Celebrated around the autumn equinox (usually September 20th-23rd NH, March 20th-23rd SH). Mabon is a time of balance and the second harvest festival. It's a time to give thanks for the abundance of the Earth.

These holidays are often celebrated with rituals, feasts, and various customs, including the crafting of seasonal decorations and the lighting of bonfires or candles. It's important to note that the specific dates for these holidays can vary slightly depending on tradition and location, as they are often calculated based on astronomical events.

#witchcraft #witch #green witch #tarot witch #witch community #witchythings #pagan witch #witch aesthetic #witchcore #witchblr

[coinandcandle]

Samhain

Crisp air like a freshly picked apple and leaves the colors of sunset indicating the ending of a season; here comes Autumn and with it a very popular pagan holiday: Samhain!

This is a remake of my original Samhain post. This one is going to be a long one so buckle up!~

While us those in the northern hemisphere are celebrating Samhain, our friends in the southern hemisphere will be celebrating Beltane!

Historical Samhain

The name “Samhain” (pronounced Sah-when) comes from the Old Irish samain which literally means “Summer’s end” as it was created using Old Irish sam ”Summer” and fuin ”end” (etymonline.com).

By now I’m sure you’ve guessed Samhain’s origin, it’s a Celtic* festival, one of four major holidays.

**In this post when I refer to “Celts” or “Celtic people” I am referring only to the Insular Celts, more specifically the Gaelic-speaking Celts. To learn the difference between Celtic and Gaelic please read this article

For these Celts, Samhain was the beginning of the new year. Due to the oral nature of the culture, not much is known about the traditions of Samhain, though we have some documentation from other cultures as well as some ideas from historians as to what they may have done.

Traditions

The traditions of Samhain may vary by group or even by family, but one common tradition was to have a large, public sacred bonfire. (Fun fact, the term “Bonfire” comes from the English “bonefire” meaning literally “a fire of bones”). During these bonfires, the Celts would sacrifice livestock and crops as offerings to their deities.

Households would extinguish their hearth fires earlier that day and would take the flame from the public bonfire to reignite their hearths. This was likely to represent renewal or new beginnings as they transitioned to the new year as well as a representation of community.

The veil between this world and other worlds is thought to be very thin on Samhain, making it easier not only for us to reach out to spirits, deities, and the like, but for them to reach out to us. These otherworldly beings are thought to be able to influence our world more powerfully during Samhain.

In some places, like Britanny, they believed that the dead would visit their living friends and relatives during this time.

In Welsh tradition, people would leave out food, leave doors unlocked, and prepare the house for the spirits of relatives that may come to visit.

Large turnips were hollowed out and would have faces carved into them and then place on window sills to ward off evil spirits.

In other places, like Scotland, Samhain was a time for mischief. Young men would dress up as spirits, donning masks, painting their faces, or wearing costumes.

Divination was very popular during this time, especially marriage divination. This wasn’t just done by druids but by the common folk as well.

In some places, it was considered taboo to forage for fruit or grain during and after Samhain, it was thought that the fae or spirits would have passed over and tainted them. There were even laws against doing so.

Notes

Samhain is the Irish name for the month of November.

Samhain is one of the four main holidays of the ancient Celts, the other three are Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Imbolc.

Pigs were the choice of sacrificial animal for Samhain.

Samhain was a sacred time that often welcomed assemblies and would be used to settle important business matters like the inauguration of new kings, debts being paid, and trials.

In Celtic mythology, the Second Battle of Mag Tuired begins on Samhain.

Trick-or-treating is a modern-day tradition but could have derived from the many different traditions of old.

The Cailleach is a seasonal goddess said to rule the “dark” side of the year (fall and winter) and would rule between Samhain and Beltane. Likewise, the goddess Brigid would rule the “light” side of the year between Beltane and Samhain.

While Wiccans may celebrate Samhain as part of their Wheel of the Year, it is not a Wiccan-specific holiday and has ties to much older traditions.

Modern Halloween is an amalgamation of Samhain and the Christian All Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ day. Halloween found its popularity after many Celts immigrated to North America.

Similar to these holidays is Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) which originated in Mexico. This holiday reunites the living and the dead, allowing the spirits of loved ones to cross back over to our world for a short period of time. Families will make altars and give offerings to those who have passed. Festivities and celebrations are held during this time. It is traditionally held on November 1st or 2nd but is celebrated on October 31st or November 6th depending on the location.

Modern Samhain

As long as you’re aware of and honor the history of Samhain and are being respectful you can celebrate this holiday however you choose!

Here is a list of correspondences and the like that I found throughout my research for Samhain, some have historical backing and others don’t. Take what speaks to you and leave what doesn’t.

Food

Mead, beer, and mulled wine

Meat

Bread, soul cakes, pies, and other such pastries.

Apples, squash, and potatoes.

Colcannon

Soul cakes

Barmbrack

Colors

Warm colors such as red, orange, brown, and yellow.

Black

Dark green

Rocks & Metals

Onyx

Obsidian

Citrine

Hematite

Carnelian

Smoky quartz

Tiger’s eye

Ruby

Copper

Jet

Plants

Rosemary

Thyme

Vervain

St. John’s Wort

Mugwort

Dragon’s blood

Saffron

Deities

The Morrigan

The Dagda

The Morrigan and The Dagda seem to be the main deities for Samhain as per Celtic mythology but you could also choose to honor any Celtic deity or even other deities on this day, especially those involving liminality and death such as:

Cerunnos

Diana

Anubis

Hecate

Heimdall

Here are more liminal deities and here are more death deities.

Magic & Spellwork

Spirit work: honoring or communicating with spirits

Banishing and cleansing (out with the old and in with the new!)

Honoring ancestors

Activities

Bonfire

Fest

Baking

Decorating or creating an altar for Samhain

Other Correspondences

Tarot: Death, The World

Death in the Tarot often means “the end of something with the promise of something new on the horizon”, and represents transition the perfect card for a holiday of similar sentiment.

The World tarot card indicates cycles, closure, and completion.

Zodiac: Scorpio

It’s Scorpio season!

Runes: Fehu, Eihwaz

Fehu can represent new beginnings.

Eihwaz represents transformation, out with the old and in with the new, which pairs well with the ancient Celtic new year.

Androgyny

In Samhain's past, it wasn’t uncommon for men to dress in traditionally women’s clothes and women to dress in traditionally men’s clothes. While the social idea of gender is shifting and we don’t gender clothes as often in some modern societies, we can still use this as a way of celebration. Androgyny is like the liminal version of gender, neither male nor female. So trans witches or gender non-conforming witches of all flavors: show yourself some extra love this coming Samhain holiday!

References and Further Reading

The Ancient Origins of Halloween - History.com

Samhain - Worldhistory.com

Halloween Customs in the Celtic World - by Bettina Arnold

Samhain - Wikipedia

Samhain - Flying the hedge

Secular Celebrations - Samhain - @breelandwalker

#samhain #witchcraft #witchy holidays #pagan holidays #halloween #spooky season #pagan #grimoire #witchblr #celtic paganism #celtic #celtic witchcraft

[vanilla-cigarillos]

Samhain Info Post

Probably the most famous Sabbat due to its association with Halloween, Samhain [saa-wn] marks the halfway point between the autumn equinox and winter solstice.

History

Samhain was first observed by Celtic Pagans, marking the Celtic New Year, the end of summer, and the end of the harvest season. It also signaled the beginning of winter, which they associated with death. On this day, the Celts believed the veil between the living and the dead was especially thin, allowing spirits of the dead to visit the living. With this belief came the tradition of honoring ancestors during Samhain celebrations, and incorporating said honoring into all traditions of celebration practiced.

Celebrations

In the Northern Hemisphere, Samhain is observed during October 31–November 1; while in the Southern Hemisphere it is celebrated April 30–May 1.

Common Samhain Symbols -

Colors: Red, black, purple, yellow, orange

Foods: Potato dishes, meat pies, apples, root vegetables

Herbs: Rowan, cinnamon, rosemary

For those who practice the Wiccan religion, Samhain is the eight of the Wheel of the Year. As such, the holiday is marked with rituals to honor ancestors who have passed on. 

Common traditions include praying to ancestors and making alters for them, hosting a Dumb Supper (a meal held in silence to honor the dead), bake elaborate loaves that incorporate fruits.

#pagan #paganism #witch #samhain #wheel of the year #witchy #wicca #history #celtic #irish #witchcraft

[breelandwalker]

if a witch lives in the southern hemisphere, do they celebrate the holidays in reverse to those from the northern or do they celebrate them at the same time but incorrect seasons?

It really depends on the witch. From what I know, the prevailing custom is that they celebrate the holidays in reverse, to follow the local seasonal changes.

There still aren't many books or articles that talk about southern hemisphere holiday timing. The northern set is still largely seen as the "default" thanks to the prevalence of Wiccan ideas in the modern pagan community.

But that does seem to be changing, which is good news for our friends and neighbors south of the equator. Seems silly to me to exclude literally half of the world because Gardner and his posse didn't think of it when they created their calendar.

Anyway, any of my southern hemisphere witches wanna weigh in?

#cosmxc-ars3hol3 #witchblr #pagan #witch community #Bree answers your inquiries

[magickkate]

Hey, lovely witchlings! As the sun reaches its zenith and the earth is in full bloom, we come to Litha, the summer solstice, a time of abundance, vitality, and celebration. This Sabbat marks the longest day of the year and the peak of solar energy, when the sun's power is at its strongest.

A Briefing on the History: Litha, also known as Midsummer or the Summer Solstice (Northern hemisphere: June 20th or 21st; Southern hemisphere: December 20th or 21st), is a magical time when the sun reaches its zenith in the sky. It’s the longest day of the year, and the sun seems to pause, bathing the earth in its warm glow. Our ancestors celebrated this pivotal moment with fire and water, acknowledging the balance between light and darkness. Stone circles like Stonehenge were oriented to capture the rising sun on this sacred day. Early European traditions included lighting large wheels on fire and rolling them down hills into bodies of water. The Romans honored this time as sacred to Juno, goddess of women and childbirth, giving us the month of June.

History:

Ancient Roots: Litha has ancient origins and has been celebrated by various cultures and civilizations throughout history. It is often associated with sun worship and the celebration of light, fertility, and abundance.

Solar Phenomenon: Litha occurs around June 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, resulting in the longest day and the shortest night of the year.

Symbolism: The Summer Solstice symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, as well as the peak of growth and vitality in the natural world. It is a time of celebration, joy, and abundance.

Correspondences: -> Symbolism: Life, fire, rebirth, transformation, power, purity -> Colors: Red, gold, orange, yellow, white, green, blue -> Herbs: St. John’s Wort, lavender, rose, peony, vervain, chamomile, chickweed, chicory, sunflower, lily, thyme, and more -> Crystals: Lapis, diamond, tiger’s eye, emerald, jade, and other green stones -> Animals: Butterflies, wren, horses, stags, robins, cattle, phoenixes, dragons, faeries, satyrs

Here are a few ways to honor the magic of Litha:

Rituals and Activities: - Bonfires: Light a bonfire to honor the sun’s power. - Sunrise/Sunset Greeting: Greet the sun at its highest point in the sky. - Create an Altar: Decorate it with sunflowers, oranges, and yellow candles. - Cleansing Herb Bundle: Make your own bundle for purification. - Sun Tea: Brew tea using sun-infused water. - Burn a Bay Leaf: Write intentions on a bay leaf and burn it - Fertility Ritual: Litha is a time of fertility and growth, and rituals may focus on promoting abundance, creativity, and prosperity. Some practitioners may plant seeds or perform fertility rites to symbolize the fertile energy of the Earth.

Modern Celebrations:

-> Community Gatherings: Many Wiccan and pagan communities host public rituals and gatherings to celebrate Litha, inviting people of all backgrounds to join in the festivities and honor the sun's energy. -> Altar Decorations: Altars are adorned with symbols of the sun, such as gold or yellow candles, sunflowers, citrus fruits, and solar symbols like the sun wheel or the Celtic solar cross. -> Feasting: Traditional foods associated with Litha include fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, bread, dairy products, and grilled meats. These foods celebrate the abundance of the summer harvest and nourish the body and spirit. -> Nature Walks: Taking a nature walk or spending time outdoors is a simple yet meaningful way to connect with the energy of Litha and appreciate the beauty of the natural world during the height of summer.

Recipes: 1. Mead: A honey wine enjoyed by our Celtic and Norse ancestors and many to this day. It is easier to support local experts in the craft of making this than starting up a whole kit of making mead. Choose wisely. (I included a basic starter recipe for those brave enough to venture into the fermentation game. I'll stick to supporting my local businesses!) 2. Sun Tea: If you are unable to drink alcohol or prefer not to, sun tea is a great alternative or a great addition to your Litha celebration! They are called "sun tea" because it is tea brewed from the warmth of direct sunlight! If the weather is cloudy, sun tea may not be the best recipe to try. Common sense <3! 5. Sunflower Seed Pesto Pasta: Cook pasta (such as penne or fusilli) according to package instructions. In a food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves, sunflower seeds, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Toss the cooked pasta with the sunflower seed pesto, cherry tomatoes, and sliced summer squash or zucchini. Serve topped with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. 6. Summer Solstice Salad: Mix a variety of fresh greens, such as spinach, arugula, and butter lettuce. Add sliced strawberries, blueberries, and orange segments for a burst of color and sweetness. Sprinkle with toasted almonds or walnuts and crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese. Drizzle with a dressing made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. 6. Grilled Vegetable Platter: Slice a selection of summer vegetables, such as bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, and red onions. Brush the vegetables with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs (such as rosemary or thyme). Grill the vegetables until tender and lightly charred, then arrange them on a platter. Serve with a dipping sauce made from Greek yogurt, lemon zest, garlic, and fresh herbs. 7. Honey-Lavender Lemonade: In a saucepan, combine water, honey, and dried lavender buds. Heat gently until the honey is dissolved, then remove from heat and let the mixture steep for 15-20 minutes. Strain the lavender-infused honey mixture into a pitcher and discard the lavender buds. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to the pitcher and stir to combine. Serve the honey-lavender lemonade over ice, garnished with fresh lavender sprigs and lemon slices. 8. Berry Galette: Prepare a simple pie dough or use store-bought dough for the crust. Roll out the dough and transfer it to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. In a bowl, mix fresh berries (such as strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries) with sugar, cornstarch, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Spoon the berry mixture onto the center of the dough, leaving a border around the edges. Fold the edges of the dough over the berries, pleating as needed. Brush the edges of the dough with milk or beaten egg, then sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake the galette in a preheated oven until the crust is golden brown and the berries are bubbling. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Remember, Litha is a celebration of the sun’s abundance and the Earth’s fertility. Embrace the warmth, dance, and honor the cycles of life. Blessed be! 🌻🔥🌿

Note: This post is a brief overview. For more details, explore the rich traditions and make Litha your own! 🌞🌙

#queue the magick #witchcraft #witchblr #witch #reference #magickkate #kitchen witch #sigils #green witch #witchy #witchcraft 101 #witch aesthetic #witchy vibes #witches #baby witch tips #beginner witch #baby witch #college witch #college witch tips #cottage witch #witch community #witchcraft community #witchcore #witch tips #witchtok #witchy shit #witches of tumblr #witch blog #witchyvibes

[thecatsandthecrone]

Wheel of the year: Mabon.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash   ☽🔮☾🕯🃏🌕🕸✨🍃🍄🧿🌙✩ 🪄📚

Mabon is the second of the three harvest festivals observed in witchcraft, with the first being Lammas and the third being Samhain.Mabon is commonly celebrated from the 21st to the 23rd of September in the northern hemisphere, from the 21st to the 23rd of Mrch in the southern one.

Mabon comes right after Lammas and right before Samhain. As the second harvest festival, it celebrates wealth, prosperity and abundance.This festival also marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, making it a time of preparation for the colder months.This means it is also seen as a time of shifting, changes and renewal.

While this festivity is tied to numerous harvest festivals all over Europe (Oktoberfest in Germany, Dionysus/Bacchus festival in ancient Rome and Greece, Harvest Home in tthe United Kingdom...) and all over the world (Mid-Autumn festival in many countries in Asia, Thanksgiving in the United States) but unlike many other festivals, it has no ties to Celtic folklore at all. That is why wiccan pagans took a lot longer to incorporate this festivity into their lore, and it wasn't observed until the 70s. Because of this, the name of the festival has no Celtic ties either. Actually it comes from the name of a Welsh god that was the son of the Earth Mother Goddess. This deity has close ties to the harvest and its prosperity, so any other deities that do so too are at honour during this festivity: Ceres, Bacchus or Dionysius, Persephone, Pomona...but, as it celebrates the switch from summer to autumn, gods tied to the dark, darkness and winter are also remembered here (Pluto, Hades...) Just like Lammas, this festival celebrates any imagery related to field and harvests, abundance and prosperity. The cornucopia is very present in this festival, usually filled with the first fruits of the havest: wheat, corn, grapes, apples, etc. Feminine or masculine imagery is also relevant (corn dollies, effigies), but so are the fields, water, and wheat as well. There are lots of traditions linked to this festivals, but the most important ones are harvesting, foraging and feasting! Thanking your deities or your neighbours is also important here: we must not forget that our abundance rarely comes from our effort alone, but from those that help us and make allowances for us giving us the opportunity of working hard at our goals.

What rituals you might be able to look forward to depend a lot on where you live, and if you are out of the broom closet. In Germany, you might celebrate Oktoberfest, Thanksgiving in the United States and Harvest Home in the United Kingdom.No matter if you are a solitary practitioner or in a coven, in the broom closet or out of it here are some ways to enjoy yourself. -Feast: It wouldn't be a harvest festival without a feast. Enjoy yourself and partake in the abundance and prosperity of the harvest. Berries, wheat, corn and beer are good options. Bonus points if you can feast on what you foraged (like nuts)! -Decorate: Be it your house or your local festivities, decoration is important to create that festive vibe. Cornucopias, grapes, picnic baskets, apples, nuts, acorns... Anything that brings images of autumn. -Honour abundance: Mabon is no time to spare in preparations. Go all out with it, put together and display abundance. Bring out your best cutlery, dress in your finest garb, and eat that lovely foie gras you have been saving for a special occasion. -Share: Few things show prosperity, abundance and wealth as passing it around and sharing it. Since Mabon celebrates prosperity and abundance, it is a good time to share the fruits of your labour with others (wiccans might remember the law of three here!).

-Honour your deities: Deities love to be honoured and remembered. Prayers and offerings are two excellent ways to show your give back to them, just as they bestowed blessings upon you. -Decorate your altar: Like with any other festival, seasonally decorating your altar is a lovely option. Corns, pinecones and decorations in gold, yellow, red and orange are the best options. Colours associated with Mabon: Red, orange, earth and muted tones Crystals associated with Mabon: Citrine, sapphire, lapis lazuli Food associated with Mabon: Apples, pumpkins, grapes, wheat, corn, berries, nuts

I hope you have enjoyed this post. If you would like me to continue making posts like this please support me so I can continue making them: you can support me by donating here https://ko-fi.com/bunnymatchamochi or by visiting my Etsy store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LovenestAtelier?ref=profile_header Reblogs and likes also help ! Thank you so much for reading me !  

#witch #witchcraft #witchcraft 101 #pagan wicca #sabbat #festival #wheel of the year #baby witch #Witchling

[scroll-of-thought]

if a witch lives in the southern hemisphere, do they celebrate the holidays in reverse to those from the northern or do they celebrate them at the same time but incorrect seasons?

Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I'm pretty busy and I only get on here once every few days. I'm not entirely sure as I live in the northern hemisphere, but I've heard that some southern witches do flip the holidays to whatever matches their seasons. A lot of the holidays that witches follow, not just the ones that are typically wiccan, tend to follow the seasons and nature, so you follow whatever makes sense for your harvest celebration, or your first days or spring, or the start of the rainy season or it's end, or mid winter.

Personally I think it's much more important to figure out what the holiday is about and adapt to that than it is to follow their order or dates. Once you know what your celebrating and why your celebrating it, and why and who chose that celebration at that time, it's easier to figure out what to do. Heck you might end up inventing your own holidays to correlate with your own seasons, natural happenings, and things of cultural importance.

#witchcraft #holiday

[aroallowitch]

The Wheel of the Year

[plain text: The Wheel of the Year]

The Wheel of the Year was created by Gerald Gardner, in part based off what was known about ancient Celtic festivals celebrating the year passing, and he named the festivals - some what were known as the names the Celts and Germanic people used for them, some he invented himself. As such, it is a big part of Wicca, but many other witches use it throughout the year (and there are plenty who don't!). The dates listed below (with Gardner's names for the festivals) are for the Northern hemisphere, as the seasons pass oppositely in the Southern hemisphere, they are usually celebrated the other way around.

Samhain (31st October/1st November)

Yule (20-23rd December)(date of the winter solstice varies)

Imbolc/Candlemas (1st February)

Ostara (21st March)(spring equinox)

Beltane (1st May)

Litha (21st June) (summer solstice/midsummer)

Lughnasadh/Lammas (1st August)

Mabon (21st September)(autumnal equinox)

notes: Lughnasadh and Lammas are two separate festivals (historically) that happen on the same date; despite this, many people use the names interchangeably though they are not the same thing. The names Litha, Ostara, and Mabon have no properly verifiable historical basis and most likely have been made up by Gardner.

The two "main" holidays are considered to be Samhain and Beltane, often considered to be the two times when the veil between worlds is at it's thinnest.

Samhain can be linked to Halloween/All Hallows Eve (31st October) and All Saints Day (1st November) as well as Dia de los Muertes (1st/2nd November), reflecting how many cultures viewed it as a time with more spirits/saints/ghosts around. For many, Samhain is considered the "Witches New Year" and is the start of the Wheel of the Year. It marks the beginning of the darker half of the year, as shown in many stories surrounding the Wheel of the Year such as the Goddess and the Green Man, the Oak King and Holly King, and the cycle between the Wiccan Horned God and Triple Goddess.

Beltane happens at the opposite side of the year, and is also called May Day, traditions such as maypole dancing are commonly done at this time of year. It is a spring festival, the beginning of the lighter half of the year, and often associated with fertility and creativity.

Imbolc/Candlemas, also known as St Brighid's Day, is the midpoint between Samhain and Beltane, with Lughnasadh and Lammas being the midpoint between Beltane and Samhain. Imbolc is often associated with the saint Brighid, and happens at the same time as the Christian event Candlemas, although some people call Imbolc Candlemas without following the Christian traditions associated with the holiday. Lughnasadh was originally a festival associated with the Irish sun god, Lugh, and Lammas is originally a Christian holiday also referred to as "loaf mass day", which is where the tradition of baking bread on the 1st August comes from.

The solstices and equinoxes are minor holidays, with the equinoxes being the most minor. Yule is perhaps the most well known of these minor holidays, as Christmas is often referred to as Yuletide, due to the overlap in the Germanic regions and parts of Scandinavia where Yule was most commonly celebrated. Yule is the winter solstice - the time where the days are the shortest, and Litha (aka Midsummer) is the summer solstice - the time when the days are the longest. Ostara and Mabon were less commonly celebrated, hence the need for Gardner to come up with names for these holidays.

This concludes my (not so brief anymore) overview of the Wheel of the Year, my next long written post will likely be my personal usage of the Wheel of the Year and the issues with some of Gardner's names for the holiday (we do not have time to get into the issues with Gardner in general and plenty of people have summed it up a lot better than I can)

#witchblr #the wheel of the year #witchcraft #samhain #beltane #imbolc #lughnasadh

[esoteric-chaos]

Imbolc - Spoonie Witch Friendly

Imbolc is usually celebrated between February 1st & 2nd, in the Northern Hemisphere (In Southern hemisphere around August 1).

Imbolc is a fire festival celebrating the home, hearth, and the halfway point between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

Is is the celebration of the return of the light and sun. A great time to honour the coldest days and the arrival of spring.

Imbolc Correspondences

Colours

White

Gold

Silver

Pastel Colors

Herbal

Rosemary

Basil

Bay leaves

Cinnamon

Myrrh

Hay

Chamomile

Angelica

Lavender

Daffodil

Blackberry

Willow 

Edibles

Blackberry

Root vegetables

Dried fruits

Stews

Mead

Fermented foods

Grains

Dairy (specifically ewe's milk)

Cider

Herbal tea

Canned foods

Oats

Animals

Deer

Cow

Sheep

Lark

Swan

Bear

Wolves

Groundhog

All burrowing and hibernating animals

Crystals

Gold

Silver

Brass

Amethyst

Moonstone

Garnet

Ruby

Symbols

Candle flame

Seeds

Besom/broom

Brigid’s cross

Serpent

Sheep (due to Imbolc’s association with ewe’s milk)

White flowers

Snowflakes

Flowing water and springs

Sunwheel

Star

Evergreens

Spiritual meanings

Creativity

Awakenings

Introspection

Fresh beginnings

Perseverance

Patience

Renewal

Revision

Healing

Frugality

Self-care

Youth

Scents

Cinnamon

Rosemary

Basil

Cedar

Mint

Gods / Goddesses / Spirits

Brigid (Celtic)

Aphrodite (Greek)

Bast (Egyptian)

Ceres (Roman)

Cerridwen (Celtic)

Gaia

Hestia (Greek)

Vesta (Roman)

Venus (Roman)

Athena (Greek)

Demeter (Greek)

Persephone (Greek)

Aenghus Og (Irish)

Eros (Greek)

Faunus (Roman)

Pan (Greek)

Cernunnos (Celtic)

Osiris (Egyptian)

Asmodeus (Demon, personal UPG)

Need some suggestions to celebrate? I got you covered.

High energy celebrations and ritual

Astral projection/travel

Divinations

Cord cuttings

Create a Brigid’s Cross

Gardening (best time to start to plant seeds)

Make resolution(s) and goal(s) for the year ahead (I'll fight to the DEATH about my personal opinion that this is a better time for resolutions than New Years itself. Best time for renewal and goal setting)

Ritual to say farewell to winter

Make bread

Spring clean! It’s the best time for it

Low energy celebrations 

Starting a manifestation journal

Burning a bay leaf with manifestation on it

Planning in your planner

Lighting a candle in honour

Make a cup of tea

Practice self care

No spoon celebrations 

Prayer

Putting on sun lamp

Greet the sun at sunrise

Rest

How you celebrate the holiday does not matter. You can choose to do any activity that feels right. These are only suggestions and remember that you're enough no matter what.

Also please note some stuff is UPG. A great book is Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden for honouring the celebrations and if you wanted to work more seasonally. It's not wiccan based and has plenty of resources for every witch.

#wheel of the year #spoonie magic #chronic illness #witchcraft #witch #witchblr #imbolc #imbolc masterpost #imbolc magic #imbolc correspondences #spoonie

[dasenergi]

Happy Imbolc!

Imbolc is a festival in the Celtic Wheel of the Year. It takes place on 1st – 2nd February in the northern hemisphere and on 1st – 2nd August in the southern hemisphere, and is the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

The Wheel of the Year is celebrated by many spiritual seekers all over the world, including pagans, Wiccans, witches of all kinds, and also nature-lovers who do not follow a specific spiritual tradition. It celebrates the turning of the seasons, and those who follow its rhythms mark its seasonal festival days or ‘Sabbats’.

Imbolc is the special day in the Celtic Wheel of the Year that heralds the return of the light after the darkness of winter. It takes place at the time of year when the sap is rising in the trees and new shoots are starting to push through the earth, so it is all about new life, new beginnings and the birth of new ideas. The Celtic focus on the rising of new life force from the earth has echoes of the Indian concept of kundalini, the rising of life force in our bodies.

At this time of the year, the nights are still long and cold, but Imbolc heralds the return of the light after the darkness of winter. The word Imbolc is most commonly believed to come from an old Irish word meaning ‘in the belly’. At Imbolc, the baby lambs are growing in their mother’s bellies and new life is stirring in the belly of the earth.

Imbolc is also a time of renewal. As the Wheel of the Year turns and many animals come out of their hibernation, we too begin to emerge from the darkness of winter and become warmed by the sun. In our personal lives, we may be moved by this fresh energy of springtime to start making plans for the year ahead and beginning projects. For this reason, Imbolc is also connected to the concept of creativity.

As one of the cross-quarter days in the Wheel of the Year, Imbolc is a fire festival, and is also connected to the hearth of the home. And so it is fitting that the goddess of Imbolc is the Celtic fire goddess Brigid, goddess of the hearth, of creativity, of inspiration, healing, birth and new beginnings.

As a fire goddess, Brigid is associated with three different fires: the fire of the hearth (home, family and hospitality), the fire of the forge (creative pursuits and industry), and the fire in our own hearts (love, healing and inspiration).

This is also the time of the year when we sweep out the old to make space for the new, with the tradition of ‘spring cleaning’ happening around this time, and many people also putting focus on their health and wellbeing, committing to healthier habits like getting outdoors and exercising.

How will you be celebrating and marking this occasion?

#Imbolc #wheel of the year #celtic #brigid

[coinandcandle]

The Summer Solstice

The time for the sun to beat down at its most powerful is upon us. In other words: Summer is almost here! Read more to find out about the Summer solstice and its history!

What is the Summer Solstice? 

Coming from the Latin sol (sun) and stare or sistere (to stand or to stop), the solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice a year; one being the Summer Solstice, the other being the Winter Solstice.

In the Northern Hemisphere, this Solstice takes place on June 20th or the 21st. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’ll take place on December 20th or 21st.

The Summer solstice is the longest day of the year. The Sun travels the longest path through the sky, causing this day to have the most daylight. 

Holidays on or around the Summer Solstice 

This is not a complete or absolute list of Summer Solstice holidays, these are the most common I’ve found while researching. Feel free to comment if you know of any more!

Vestalia, an ancient Roman holiday to celebrate the Goddess of the Hearth, Vesta. One the first day of Vestalia, married women would be allowed to enter the temples of the vestal virgins and give offerings to Vesta.

Kronia, an ancient Greek holiday to celebrate the God of harvest/agriculture, Cronus. One this day slaves would be allowed to join in festivities with the free folks, all equal under the sun for one day.

Midsummer was, and in many cases still is, celebrated by Baltic, Slavic, and Celtic folk. 

Many indigenous peoples across the world have their own holidays associated with the Summer Solstice, but these celebrations vary by region and community.

Holidays involving St. John have many different names, but all celebrate the life of St. John the Baptist.

In Jewish tradition, Tekufat Tammuz is the solstice of the month of Tammuz.

Litha celebrates the beginning of summer and the summer solstice and is often celebrated by modern pagans as well as Wiccans. Wiccans attribute the holiday to their Horned God, consort of the Wiccan Triple Goddess. 

Ultimately, you can call this holiday whatever you want and celebrate it however you want, just be respectful of what other people call and celebrate it!

Lore, Legends, and Traditions

In ancient Greece, the solstice would mark a one month count-down to the Olympic Games.

In China the Summer Solstice was associated with Yin, or feminine force, the people would have festivities that pertained to earth, femininity, and yin force.

Bonfires may have been held by ancient Slavic, Baltic, Celtic, and (possibly) Nordic people to either represent the sun, help the sun gain more power, or to banish negative energy/beings. 

It was also thought that bonfires could lead young women to their future husbands.

Vikings would often gather around Midsummer to resolve issues and talk about legal matters.

The Celts believed that the solstice was the best day to catch a glimpse of the Fae. 

It's been said that the Druids would gather specific herbs on the night of the solstice, believing that they would gain certain magical attributes on the shortest night of the year that they wouldn’t usually have.

Modern Summer Solstice

Many people still celebrate the Summer Solstice, though the celebrations have become more eclectic over time as cultures and people merge.

Keep in mind that this is by no means a complete or absolute list. This is just what I’ve found while looking into the Summer Solstice. 

Celebrations

Bonfires

Feasts

Wear flower crowns or wreaths or otherwise adorn yourself in flowers

Decorating your space with flowers or foliage

Go berry picking

Go on a walk and appreciate nature

Go Swimming

Rituals and Practices

Do spells involving success or abundance

Meditate

Tarot or other divination

Decorate your altar with Summer Solstice-associated items (you can look at the list below this section for ideas)

Offerings or Devotional Acts

You can give or dedicate these offerings/devotional acts to deities mentioned above, Summer associated deities, local spirits, or whichever beings you think you should offer to!

Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

Lemonade/other citrus beverages

Citrus flavored baked goods

Tend to a garden

Tend to houseplants

Light a candle (or many, just be careful!)

Watch the sun rise or set (or both)

Feel the sun on your skin and soak in its energy

Associations

Deities and Divinities

Vesta, Cronus, Freyr, Aine, Damia, Aestas, Theros, Apollo, the Great Summer God (夏大神), Hine-Raumati (the personification of Summer in Māori mythology), Miochin (summer spirit or god in some Native American mythology), and many other Solar Deities.

Do your research before offering to a new deity!

Colors

Golds, yellows, oranges, reddish-pinks, deep greens, and sky blue.

Creatures

Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and dragonflies.

Herbs and Plants

Sunflowers, basil, bay leaves, mint, thyme, lemongrass, rosemary, calendula, and chamomile.

Rocks/Metals/Crystals

Citrine, tiger’s eye, sunstone, and amber.

Citations and Further Reading

Scientificamerican.com Why We Celebrate the Summer Solstice

History.com History of the Summer Solstice

Timeanddate.com June Solstice Customs

Summer Deities and Divinites - Wikipedia

Britannica - Midsummer’s Eve

A Midsummer’s Celebration by Mike Nichols

Sun Lore of all Ages: Chapter IX by William Tyler Olcott

The Midsummer Solstice as it was, or was not, Observed in Pagan Germany, Scandinavia, and Anglo-Saxon England by Sandra Billington

Post edited for accuracy.

#summer solstice #witchcraft #pagan #witchblr #witch #grimoire #eclectic witch #learning witchcraft

[vanilla-cigarillos]

Litha Info Post

Litha is a time of celebration and rituals that have been observed since prehistory, as it marks the summer solstice. On the Wheel of the Year, it highlights the time when seeds have been sown and grow abundantly until Lughnasadh.

History

Litha (also known as Midsummer) occurs on the summer solstice, and celebrates the true beginning of summer. Celts celebrated Litha with hilltop bonfires and dancing. Many people attempted to jump over or through the bonfires for good luck. Other European traditions included setting large wheels on fire, and rolling them down a hill into a body of water.

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, and in some traditions, Litha is believed to be when a battle between light and dark takes place. During this battle, the Oak King and the Holly King are in combat for control. Throughout each solstice they battle for power, and the balance shifts. The Oak King, who represents daylight, rules from the winter solstice (Yule) to Litha. During this time, the days steadily get longer. However, during Litha the Holly King wins this battle, and the days get increasingly darker until Yule.

Celebrations

In the Northern Hemisphere, Litha is observed during June 20–22; while in the Southern Hemisphere it is celebrated December 21–22.

Common Litha Symbols -

Colors: Green, yellow, purple, baby blue

Foods: Homemade bread, rhubarb, lemon and other citrus fruits

Herbs: Nettle, St. John’s wart, fennel, chamomile 

Flowers: Chamomile, sunflowers, 

For those who practice the Wiccan religion, Litha is the fifth Sabbat of the Wheel of the Year. As such, the holiday is marked with rituals to celebrate the longest day of sunlight in the year as well as the warmth it brings. 

Common traditions include baking your own breads, going swimming, worshipping sun deities, creating sun water.

#pagan #paganism #wheel of the year #litha #litha celebration #history #culture #witch #witchy #witchcraft