Away with the Faeries

Been in Ireland over the summer and had a great time with family. I carefully visited a fairy fort near my parents house. I came bearing roses & other garden flowers. Fairy forts are seen as entrances to the world of Tuatha De Danann, peoples of the Goddess Danu, also known as the "Good People".

A neighbor told me a story about a mean landowner, Mrs. Burns, who purposefully disrespected the ring fort to show the superstitious people in the village how foolish they were. She danced in the middle of the ring, stomping and shouting. She was struck down and was in a wheelchair the rest of her life.

Blessed Litha!

May Day

I had the pleasure of attending a public May Day celebration with the coven. It's great to see how Beltane, the beginning of Summer, is celebrated in different places.

In Ireland, bonfires are lit to mark the coming of summer and to banish the long nights of winter.

In Edinburgh Scotland, there is a modern revival the Beltane Fire Festival, which marks and celebrates the blossoming of spring.



In Cornwall, there is 'Obby 'Oss day (dialect for Hobby Horse), where the festivities start May Eve, by singing the Night Song:

Night song

Unite and unite and let us all unite,

For summer is acome unto day,

And whither we are going we will all unite,

In the merry morning of May.

I warn you young men everyone,

For summer is acome unto day,

To go to the green-wood and fetch your May home,

In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Mr. ..... and joy you betide,

For summer is acome unto day,

And bright is your bride that lies by your side,

In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Mrs. ..... and gold be your ring,

For summer is acome unto day,

And give to us a cup of ale the merrier we shall sing,

In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Miss ..... all in your gown of green,

For summer is acome unto day,

You are as fine a lady as wait upon the Queen,

In the merry morning of May.

Now fare you well, and we bid you all good cheer,

For summer is acome unto day,

We call once more unto your house before another year,

In the merry morning of May.

In addition to the pagan holy day of Beltane, May 1st is also International Workers Day. If you are anywhere near Minneapolis next Beltane, check out the MayDay Parade and Festival. In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre puts on the Festival that has been using water, flour, newspaper, paint, and unlimited imagination to tell stories that explore the struggles and celebrations of human existence since 1973. The annual MayDay Parade has always been rooted in two important traditional celebrations—the celebration of the Green Root of Earth’s green energy rising in Spring, and the Red Root of human work energy rising from mind, heart and hand. They marry pagan and political in an eye popping fashion.

The Truth About The Maypole

In ancient Ireland the Bile was a Sacred Tree, the center of the Tuatha, or clan. Seen as a Tree of Life, the Bile Pole, represents the connection between the people and their three worlds.

The three worlds are the heavens or Skyworld, the human or Middleworld, and the Otherworld.

The forgotten Bile pole has survived as the Maypole, a tall pole decorated with long colored ribbons and flowers, around which young lads and lasses dance, interweaving the ribbons.

The dance represents the TRINITY. It can be seen as the intertwining of life, death and rebirth. Reflect on the many levels of the Trinity and you will see a great many secrets revealed to you in the dance.

The day marks the return of nature to a fertile state. The pole is a phallic symbol penetrating the earth, the feminine aspect that receives the seeds which grow into the food that feeds us all.

Magical Properties of Alder Trees

The Alder Tree is the third tree in the Celtic lunar year. It's name comes from the Old English ealdoer, which means "chief,"as in alderman. The tree is known for helping those who must resolve disputes see the truth from falsehood and so be able to grant justice.

The Greek word for Alder is clethera, which means "I confine" speaking to the Alders' protective qualities. It is also a tree associated with "the sight"as it is considered to posses psychic qualities. The tree is a favorite of Bran The Blessed and his raven.

Alder wood is used effectively in weather magick. Wands of Alder wood may only be gathered as fallen branches, for to cut an Alder returns all of it's power to the ground. The Alder wand may be used to summon the winds, rain and storms to nourish the land or return balance to the area. You can make a whistle of Alder to summon the four winds.

Alder wood wands also help supplement the inner strength needed to overcome adversaries when challenged and frightened. It bestows courage and represents the evolving spirit.

A Wand or Staff of Alder is for the Warrior. In the Celtic Story Cad Goddau, the Battle Of The Trees, the Alder tooks it's position on the front lines. Since it is the tree of fire, it is the hottest in a fight. The Alder is also known as the "Battle Witch" of all woods.

Photo by halifaxlight

Eostre

In honor of the Anglo-Saxon Goddess Eostre (say ESS-trah), the Spring/vernal equinox was named Ostara. When the Saxons invaded Britain, they introduced Eostre and the traditions that honor her to the Celts, who later adopted her into their own pantheon. Her name means "moving with the waxing sun."

Around the time of the Spring Equinox, animals would start to give birth or going into their "estrus" cycle, so named after the goddess. The ancient Celts, who lived in a close symbiotic relationship with their livestock, celebrated the return of life with a festival in her name. Eostre is seen as Spring personified. To the Celts, she is the goddess of rebirth, new beginnings and fertility. Her symbols include the "sun cross," the egg, the rabbit, flowers and baskets. The legend of the Easter bunny originally started as a story of offerings in her name. A small rabbit came across and egg at the beginning of Spring. He was hungry after the long winter and wanted very badly to eat the egg. But instead, he decorated the egg and gave it to Eostre as an offering.

Alder Moon

In the lunar tree calender of the Celts, the Alder tree is the 4th moon/month. The full moon of the month, is masculine in energy and works with the magical properties of spirituality, teaching, duty, and mental prowess. It's also the moon that controls weather magic. The full moon in the month of Alder, has been called the moon of utility, efficacy, and self guidance.

The energy of the Alder moon will boost you personal growth and self determination, enabling you to overcome obstacles and fears. It it also an appropriate time to reacquaint yourself with arcane knowledge, the seasons and shifting weather. The Alder moon has similar qualities to the Roman God Saturn, who is known as "the Teacher."

Photo By Charles Harkins

Druid Wands

The Ash is one of the sacred Druidic trees. The Ash tree is associated with positive enchantment and application of will to destiny. Ash is used in spell craft for sea power, ocean rituals, karmic laws, magical potency, healing, protection from drowning, love, rain making, women's mysteries, prophetic dreams, general protection, Prosperity, and health. Special guardian spirits reside in the Ash; This makes it excellent for absorbing sickness. In Greek legend, the nymphs of ash trees were called the Meliai. Rhea gave birth to the Meliai and the ash-tree sister nymphs tended the infant Zeus in her cave.

Ash is often used for making both mundane and magical tools. Tools with handles of Ash are more productive than tools made with other types of wood. Witches besoms are often made from Ash for the handle, Birch twigs for the brush and Willow for bindings.

Ash wands are good for healing, general and solar magic. Druid wands were often made of ash because of all of the magical properties and its straight grain. The spirally carved Druidic wand was made of Ash for this healing purpose. Such wands have been found in archaelogical sites in Wales which evidences indeed the powers of the Ash were reverenced and employed by the Druids.

The Celtic Tree Calendar

Tree: Birch

Month:December 24th - January 20th

Tree: Rowan

Month: January 21st - February 17th

Tree: Ash

Month: February 18th - March 17th

Tree: Alder

Month: March 18th - April 14th

Tree: Willow

Month: April 15th - May 12th

Tree: Hawthorn

May 13th - June 9th

Tree: Oak

Month: June 10th - July 17th

Tree: Holly

Month: July 18th - August 4th

Tree: Hazel

Month: August 5th - September 1st

Tree: Apple

Month: September 2nd - September 29th

Tree: Ivy

Month: September 30th - October 27th

Tree: Broom

Month: October 28th - November 24th

Tree: Elder

November 25th - December 21st

Evergreen Kissing Balls

Mistletoe, or the golden bough, is a parasitic plant that grows on a variety of host trees, including the mighty Oak. Mistletoe is a sacred plant to the Druids and is also featured in Greek, Norse and Roman mythology and lore. It is an evergreen that bears fruit at Winter Solstice and is thought to have been used in the Druid Solstice Rites as a symbol of immortality.

For this project, you will need:

• A potato
• evergreens like holly, ivy, pine, rosemary, and of course, mistletoe
• ribbons & tiny ornaments to decorate
• a sturdy wire to hang the ball

Many people make the kissing ball with foam balls or florists forms, but I think that using a round potato for the base is better for the Earth. The moisture in the potato will naturally help keep the cut greens fresh. Gather evergreens like holly, ivy, pine, rosemary, and of course, mistletoe (to be added as a trim at the end).
Soak greenery to be used in water overnight. You may need to poke starter holes in the potato with a skewer. Insert evenly sized sprigs of the evergreens into the potato until it is completely covered. You can make a wild, more organic shape, or carefully space the evergreen sprays to form an even, well-rounded ball. When the ball is shaped to your liking, trim it with ribbons, berries, mistletoe or tiny ornaments. In order to hang from a doorway, fasten a long piece of wire to the ball.

Going Green for Solstice

One of my favorite Solstice gifts to give are small pots of kitchen herbs. They communicate the meaning of the season on many levels. First there is the literal "green" life affirming nature of a live plant in the middle of winter. Second, anyone doing any cooking knows the power of a little herbal magic..add some basil for love, rosemary for fond memories, lavender for protection, and so on. Third, they are very environmentally friendly and a sustainable gift that keeps on giving.

I love to paint the clay pots with positive messages that are fun to have in the kitchen or a home window sill somewhere. Quotes like " A Goddess Lives Here" or "Kitchen Witches Cook With Love" work for me. But you can just paint symbols or what have you to decorate the pots.

Typically, I will paint a set of six 2" pots and use herbs like Oregano, Rosemary, Chive, Basil, Sage, and Mint. You can choose whatever combination of herbs you wish. Happy planting!

If you are pressed for time or don't want to get dirty, you could always buy a kit, which contains three blue glazed planters with a matching drip tray, premium seeds, organic soil and growing instructions.

The French Country Herb Trio contains seeds for parsley, marjoram and lemon basil; while the Italian Herb Trio comes with basil, oregano and chives.

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Samhain Altar

To build a Samhain altar, you can use:

• Orange orwhite Candles
• photographs or items representing your ancestors
  
• A pumpkin or jack o-lantern
  
• Flowers
• A orange or red cloth

Set up altar facing the West, the land of the ancestors.
Once you have built your altar, you can design any number or rituals.

Dancing with the Sidhe

On Samhain Eve, it is said that Manannan mac Lir lifts his cloak of invisibility from the Sidhe (pronounced shee). The Shining Ones (Sidhe) can then be seen or heard dancing near the faery mounds in their revelry. If you want to join in, adventurous souls can enter a Sidhe Mound by walking nine times around it, at which point a door will appear in the hill.

Ancestor Blessing

Carve three Jack O' Lanterns. Each one should have a different face. They can be a happy face, a sad face, a peaceful face, an angry face, a scary face, and so on.

Place the three lighted pumpkins facing you in a semicircle. In the dark, begin to gaze at the faces. Ask that you may be shown in the flame something that in the past that will guide you in the present. relax and half-close your eyes, blinking when necessary.

You may see in the faces your beloved family members that have passed. You may sense their presence and feel a gentle wind or see a picture in your minds eye from the past. Nothing can harm you here. For you are merely connecting to family love that never dies.

Close you eyes and meditate on each face. Listen for the voices of your ancestors. This is the night of the year when it is easiest to make contact with the past dimensions and encounter those that can guide you to wise choices in the future. What you may encounter is your own evolved soul that can access the wisdom of other times and places.

When you are ready to end the experience, thank whomever you visited with. "Go in peace. May you be blessed on your own paths of wisdom." Burn some sage incense.

Name each ancestor who comes to mind and say " May they be blessed and protected." Don't forget to include yourself. If you still harbor resentments with anyone who has come forward, you may ask for forgiveness and to forgive at this time.

Smudge the room and yourself. Take the Jack O'Lanterns and place them in windows, letting the candles burn out.

The rising of the Crone

In the Celtic world there is a Crone Goddess, worshiped for her role in the balance of the seasons. Her name is The Cailleach. She is the Winter Sun, mother to Dia Greine, the Celtic Sun Goddess, who as daughter blossoms in the spring. They emerge as the season change, revolving in a cycle syncopated to the seasons.

The Caileach emerges as a central figure in the Samhain Rituals. She connects us with our ancestors, reaching through the veil to bring us face to face with our own mortality. On the threshold of the dark half of the year, she offers lessons about the darkness.

At Samhain, we learn to embrace separation and death. We allow to die that which is no longer useful to us. We clear away debris, anything that is no longer relevant. We let the fields of our inner landscape lie fallow. By doing so, we align ourselves with the cosmic cycle of death and rebirth.

Irish Soda Bread Recipe

This is my Nana's Irish Soda Bread recipe.
For this recipe, you will need:

• 3 1/3 C whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 pint buttermilk (add a bit at a time)

1. Preheat oven to 400 F
2. Sieve Flour, Salt, Baking Soda & Cream of Tartar
3. Make a well in the center of the flour ingredients
4. Pour in Buttermilk and mix to make a soft dough.
5. Turn dough on to floured table.
6. Knead to make a smooth ball.
7. Press into a round flat, about 2 inches thick.
8. Place on to floured baking pan.
9. Cut a cross on the top.
10. Bake for about 30 minutes.