Samhain.Harvest.Doll
We all know that at this time of the year, the goddess is dying only to be reborn in the spring and the god is in control. Its a time when the trees, flowers, and wildlife die for the winter... but the spirit of magic and love is very much alive. Its a time when we eat more meat and less vegetables, when we feast on the bounties of the harvest instead of saving every little bit of it, when we get closer with friends and family. It is for the greater good to simply go with the flow and treasure these fine family moments because due to the lack of sunlight (a natural antidepressant), daylight savings time, the death of nature and many other factors, we are very susceptible to seasonal depression. Thus family activities and bonding are at utmost importance for our own well being. However, many pagans live with people who dont approve of their own religions or by themselves. Thus it becomes hard to bond with loved ones and still stay true to your colors. So to anybody who simply wants to do something constructive that allows you to bond with something related to the current state of the earth, I recommend making a harvest doll!
A harvest doll is an excellent way to create a bond with the horned god! Traditionally, one is made at around Samhain to represent the horned god Cernonnus. It is not limited to Cernonnus as many people dedicate it to Pan, Horus, Hecate, Ceridwen or any other deity but scene its the time of the god, we are gonna make it Cernonnus. According to one of the many traditions regarding harvest dolls, The doll is made around Samhain (once again, sorry for posting this late but you can still make one) and, much like a Vodun poppet (Voodoo doll), you can dedicate it by a simple ritual which you can Google but I will add a basic one in the instructions. Once it is dedicated, You should leave it on your alter for the fall and winter and take it off at Imbolc when the goddess comes to power. After you take it off you will burn it [just as you burn off your winter blues.
A harvest doll is an excellent way to create a bond with the horned god! Traditionally, one is made at around Samhain to represent the horned god Cernonnus. It is not limited to Cernonnus as many people dedicate it to Pan, Horus, Hecate, Ceridwen or any other deity but scene its the time of the god, we are gonna make it Cernonnus. According to one of the many traditions regarding harvest dolls, The doll is made around Samhain (once again, sorry for posting this late but you can still make one) and, much like a Vodun poppet (Voodoo doll), you can dedicate it by a simple ritual which you can Google but I will add a basic one in the instructions. Once it is dedicated, You should leave it on your alter for the fall and winter and take it off at Imbolc when the goddess comes to power. After you take it off you will burn it [just as you burn off your winter blues.
Witch's. Ladder
Since olden times, feathers have been collected for magickal uses. One
of the most famous charms using feathers is the Witches Ladder. To make
a Witches Ladder, three different colored yarns are braided together, the
colors depending on the purpose of the spell. Nine feathers are worked into
the braid Feather colors will depend on the type of magick you are working.
The magickal qualities of feathers are determined by their color, and sometimes by the birds from which they fell. Listed below is feather lore from European folk magick sources. You'll find it differs slightly from that of color symbolism in general.
Found feathers are best. Walk in the wild, keeping your eyes open for these treasures. During one of my walks through a park, I was gifted with 13 brown and white feathers. NEVER harm a bird to obtain a feather.
White.Purity, cleansing, substitute for any other color
Black.Protection, revenge
Red.Love, Sex, passion, life, Fire
Orange.Happiness, Joy, optimism
Yellow.Intelligence, Happiness
Green.Fertility, life, money, success, health, balance, Earth
Blue.Wisdom, Intelligence, spirituality, peace, balance, emotions, Water
Purple.Spirituality, enlightenment,
The "eye" on the end of the peacock tail feather protect against the "evil eye" and stimulates the third eye.
The rooster's two prominent tail feathers (called sickles) are symbols of the God and Goddess. The black ones are sacred to the God because of their resemblance to the curved horns of the Horned God. They are also a symbol of male virility.The white ones are sacred to the Goddess because they resemble the tool (the sickle) with which grain (sacred to her) is reaped. They also resemble the waxing and waning Moon.
Items needed:
3 cords of equal length, each 3 feet long (Traditionally, these cords are red, black, and white for the three aspects for the Goddess, however you may substitute any color for its magickal correspondence.)
9 feathers
Ring on which to tie cords to anchor them while braiding (Optional)
Assemble materials. Cast circle or create sacred space. Light a candle in a color corresponding to your magickal working. (Blue for peace, etc.) Burn incense which corresponds to your purpose. Have a small bowl of salt and a small bowl of water at your workspace.
If using a ring, tie one end of each of the three cords side by side to the ring. (You could even use a belt buckle or hanger). Anchor this ring to a doorknob, handle, or chair back. If not using a ring, tie one end of the cords together loosely. Begin to braid, saying this or a similar rhyme:
Yarn of red, black, and white
Work your magick spell this night.
As you braid, work all nine feathers (all one color or a combination of colors, depending on your magickal intent) into the ladder, one at a time, as evenly spaced as possible. As you insert the feathers, begin this or a similar chant:
With this feather and this string,
Protection (or peace, etc) this charm will bring.
When all nine feathers have been tied onto the cord, and the length is braided, tie the ends of the cords together to make a circle (after removing the braid from the ring). Consecrate the ladder by passing it through the incense smoke and candle flame, asperge it with salt and water, saying:
"In the names of the Goddesses
And the God
By Air, Earth, Fire, and Water
I consecrate this charm
Of feathers nine and cord of three
As I will, so mote it be!"
Hang the witches ladder high in your house where it will not be seen by others, but where you can see it everyday.
http://www.earthwitchery.com/witchesladder.html
The magickal qualities of feathers are determined by their color, and sometimes by the birds from which they fell. Listed below is feather lore from European folk magick sources. You'll find it differs slightly from that of color symbolism in general.
Found feathers are best. Walk in the wild, keeping your eyes open for these treasures. During one of my walks through a park, I was gifted with 13 brown and white feathers. NEVER harm a bird to obtain a feather.
White.Purity, cleansing, substitute for any other color
Black.Protection, revenge
Red.Love, Sex, passion, life, Fire
Orange.Happiness, Joy, optimism
Yellow.Intelligence, Happiness
Green.Fertility, life, money, success, health, balance, Earth
Blue.Wisdom, Intelligence, spirituality, peace, balance, emotions, Water
Purple.Spirituality, enlightenment,
The "eye" on the end of the peacock tail feather protect against the "evil eye" and stimulates the third eye.
The rooster's two prominent tail feathers (called sickles) are symbols of the God and Goddess. The black ones are sacred to the God because of their resemblance to the curved horns of the Horned God. They are also a symbol of male virility.The white ones are sacred to the Goddess because they resemble the tool (the sickle) with which grain (sacred to her) is reaped. They also resemble the waxing and waning Moon.
Items needed:
3 cords of equal length, each 3 feet long (Traditionally, these cords are red, black, and white for the three aspects for the Goddess, however you may substitute any color for its magickal correspondence.)
9 feathers
Ring on which to tie cords to anchor them while braiding (Optional)
Assemble materials. Cast circle or create sacred space. Light a candle in a color corresponding to your magickal working. (Blue for peace, etc.) Burn incense which corresponds to your purpose. Have a small bowl of salt and a small bowl of water at your workspace.
If using a ring, tie one end of each of the three cords side by side to the ring. (You could even use a belt buckle or hanger). Anchor this ring to a doorknob, handle, or chair back. If not using a ring, tie one end of the cords together loosely. Begin to braid, saying this or a similar rhyme:
Yarn of red, black, and white
Work your magick spell this night.
As you braid, work all nine feathers (all one color or a combination of colors, depending on your magickal intent) into the ladder, one at a time, as evenly spaced as possible. As you insert the feathers, begin this or a similar chant:
With this feather and this string,
Protection (or peace, etc) this charm will bring.
When all nine feathers have been tied onto the cord, and the length is braided, tie the ends of the cords together to make a circle (after removing the braid from the ring). Consecrate the ladder by passing it through the incense smoke and candle flame, asperge it with salt and water, saying:
"In the names of the Goddesses
And the God
By Air, Earth, Fire, and Water
I consecrate this charm
Of feathers nine and cord of three
As I will, so mote it be!"
Hang the witches ladder high in your house where it will not be seen by others, but where you can see it everyday.
http://www.earthwitchery.com/witchesladder.html
Sacred.Space
Create a Sacred Space
In Wicca, people make sacred spaces so that they can get away from the
stresses of their busy days and meditate. Sacred Spaces are also used to
perform magical rituals, spells, and more. They are pretty simple to
create even though they do take a fair amount of upkeep but in the long
run, they are very spiritually rewarding and you will eventually wonder
how you lived without one. Here is how to create your own Sacred Space.
- Go
to the forest, a wooded area far from other homes, your back yard, or
any place that is fairly secluded, quiet and where the only person who
goes there is you.
- Grab a rake and rake out a big circle. have all the leaves out of your circle. If there are small plants within the circle, you should take them out of the ground without breaking the roots because they only need to be out of the way as you are creating your sacred space. If there are trees around the borders of your circle, you may rake around the trees as well so that they too may be a part of your sacred space.
- Now we are at the decorative step of the sacred space. This is completely optional but the benefits of a sacred space is that it is completely your own. You can decorate it any way, put things that are important to you and much more. You should never put stuff in it just because many other people put it in theirs. You should add items that are important to you and ONLY YOU. That way you will have your energies tying in with those of the spaces energies. Some items for example could be a plant from a dead family members house, the collar of your childhood pet that you have kept, a military badge from your grandfather in WWII, anything that is important to you. Another part of the decorating step is making it pretty. You may import many types of plants and herbs. Remember, In the forest, once you take all the leaves out of the way, things start to grow rapidly because many forests have very nutritious soil. So if you plant other herbs and/or plants, you will need to take care of the weeds as well. I would suggest planting herbs that have specific magical uses that correspond with the kinds of spell work you will be doing in your sacred space (see Magical herbs). You can also bring some wind chimes, garden statues, birdbaths, bird feeders, and other garden accessories. You may also want to create a fire pit so that you can use candles in your sacred space without creating a fire hazard. If possible, you can also bring your alter out