Sabbaths - Holidays

The witch's calender marks eight holidays during the solar year, called Sabbaths. In addition the 13 full moon which occur each year are also seen as holidays called Esbats, honoring the Goddess as Great Mother. 

I will list each Sabbath and what I do for each, or what little I know for each of them.

Samhain: October 31. This is the Celtic New Year and celebrates both life and death. It happens to mark the third and finial Harvest. This is when the Goddess as Crone takes the God to the underworld to wait to be reborn at Yule. The God and Goddess crossover make many a witch believe that the vial between life and death disappears and the dead come over and join the living to make merry.

Symbolics:

Pumpkins, apples, nuts, thistle, oak leaves, sage, nutmeg, colors black, orange, Jake O Lanterns, Photos of deceased loved ones, Autumn flowers, squashes, corn cider, mulled wine, cranberry muffins, herbal teas. 

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Yule: December 21, or Winter Solstice. This is the day the Mother Goddess gives birth to the Sun God. The Yule log is burned and candles come out to celebrate the return of the Sun, and the blessed Light. The Yule log is traditionally as a given and received as a gift to be decorated as seen fit. The light and Dark do battle and the Lights wins as the days grow longer. 

Symbolics: 

Holly, Mistletoe, Rosemary, Oak, Pine Cones, Nuts, Mulled Wine, Roast Turkey, Colors Red, Green, White, Silver, Gold, Yule Log (Oak or Pine), Wreaths, Strings of dried Flowers and Cinnamon sticks. Apples oranges, Yule Tree. 

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Imbolc: February 1 or 2. This is a celebration of the waxing sun as the days grow warmer, candles are lit to help the son grow stronger. The Goddess is now a young maiden and will son be wed to the young God.

Symbolics:

First Flower of the Year, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Colors White, Orange, Red, Lamps, Besom (Witch's Broom) Yellow Flowers, Dairy Products, Onions, Garlic, Spiced Wines, Seeds, Herbal Teas.

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Ostara Spring Equinox, March 21. This comes on a day of balance between light and dark, but light is the stronger of the two. Life is reemerging and signs of life and Gaia's fertility are abundant. The young God and Goddess are also awakening to their own sexuality and desire for one another. This is a time of birth and prosperity.

Symbolics: 

Honeysuckle, Iris, Violet and all of the Spring Flowers, Jasmine, Rose, Strawberry, Color green, Yellow, Colors Eggs, Jelly Beans, Rabbits, Seeds, Leafy Green Vegetables, Spiced or Flowered cup Cakes, Fruits

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Beltane: May 1. This celebrates the scared marriage of the God and Goddess and from their union will be born the bounty of the Autumn Harvest (Samhain) It also marks the transitional phase of the Goddess from young maiden to Mother as the God's seed takes root in her womb.

Symbolics:

Honeysuckles, St john's Wort, Hawthorn, All Flowers, Frankincense, Lilac, Rose, Color Green, Soft Pink, Blue, Yellow, Broomsticks, May Pole, Baskets, Fresh Vegetables, Sweets, Spicy Foods, Beef, Stack, May Wine.

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Litha: Summer Solstice, June 21. This marks the Sun God at the peek of his Power. He is at full strength when light and dark do battle again. Dark wins as the light begins to wane. 

Symbolics:

Lavender, Chamomile, Rose, Daisy, Lily, Lemon, Color Blue, Green, Yellow, Dried Herbs, Potpourri, Seashells. Summer Flowers, Fruits, Fresh Vegetables, Ale.

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Lammas: July 31 (USA) This is the celebration of the first Harvest and a day to enjoy the earths abundance with feast of breads and grain. 

Symbolics:

Symbolics: All Grains, Grapes, Black Berries, Sunflowers, Sandlewood, Rose, Aloes, Color Yellow, Orange, Green, Brown, Corn, Dollies, Weaving Crafts, Shafts of Grain, Breads, Cider, Pies and Jellies, Rice, Sweet Teas.

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Mabon: Autumn Equinox September 21, This marks the three harvest. its Celebrated with Fruit harvesting and wine making like Ostara, Mobon is a time of balance between light and dark. Dark wins tell Yule.

Symbolics:

Hazel, Corn, Acorns, Oak, Wheat Stalks, Cypress Cones, Pine Cones, Sage, One, Color Orange, Dark Red, Brown, Acorns, Pomegranates, Pine Cones, Baskets of Fallen Leaves, Bread, CornBread, Beans, Squash, Apples, Roots, Carrots, Potatoes, Onions, Cider. 

Were we stand.

I think it is time I spill the beans. I do not know if you think I am wiccan or what, but I want to clear it up. I am not wiccan. I was a long time ago, now I am just Pagan. I do not put myself in a category, I am just on a journey to learn. I love this Earth, and its people. I stand on the edge of the world and look out at everything. I wont be part of this group or that one. I am just a part of the Shadows, were I wish to remain. I want to stand back and only watch, not join in. 

I have heard tell of a growing thing call the Electric Pagan and if I must classify myself it would be there. I have this belief and it will sound crazy to you, but makes perfect since to me. 

I believe ALL Gods and Goddess exist, not just mine or yours, not just the pagan ones, but ALL of them. In ever religion you will find a god or goddess, and I believe they are all just as real.

That is the water version of me, don't expect much more, out side of my book. You will learn all you need to know about me from my book. 

The Pentacle, and Pentagram.

The Pentacle is a secret symbol who origins are rooted in the ancient times. It bears spiritual significance for a lot of cultures and religions groups. It is representative of  spirituality and security. The Pentacle is a Pentagram that is contained withing a circle.

 How ever the Pentacle may sometime be featured with out a circular bored, in which case it is referred to as a pentagram. 

(talk about me repeating myself all you like)

In ancient text the Pentacle is inscribed with different symbols and characters in addition the symbol was more often in the shape of a hexagram, then a Pentagram creating ambiguity in the association between the symbol and the number 5. Pentacles are usually made of parchment, paper or metal were you will find the five poined symbol is engraved. It can be used as an amulet during magical evocation by pagans.

( I was going to make a narrow catigory, but I know a lot of Pagan's who use the pentacle, but don't fall into a catiogory, such as myself.)

The Pentacle can also contain engravings on the reverse side as well as other protective symbols. Pagans also use this symbol to identify other users of Magick. This is more commonly found among people who are still in the broom closet. 

In Wiccan culture the Pentacle represents the interaction of the body and spirit, as well as the individuals spiritual dominance over the four elements, Earth, Air, Water, Fire.

It was also traced to the Goddess Kore. From the little I looked up Kore's scared fruit is the apple, which when cut at the equator revels a pentagram. The seeds mark the points.

The Pentacle also appears in the Hebrew Scripture as the first seal.

Gaia, The Greek Goddess of The Earth.

(Source)

This is just the way I look at it, so if you do not agree with some things guess what..To bad..

Alright anyway, here we go..

Gaia or Ge is the earth. She is not really a deity but more of a power. There are two accepted versions of the classical creation, Hesiod's and Ouid's. I however prefer Hesiod's version, but I will still tell you a little about both.

They both start out the same way, with the emergence of from Chaos. Chaos had a Parthenogenic birth (One Parent Birth), after this point they go in different directions, so I will break it down a little. 

In Ouid's version you continue to see the hand of a creator at work. The creator populated Gaia with all the things you find today in nature, mountains, seas, flowers, ECT.

In Hesiod's version, my favorite, the first beings sprang into existence without cause or explanation. Gaia came first, the earth, then Tartarus, the lowest level of the underworld, then Eros, Erotic Love. Chaos continues giving birth by herself. She gives birth to Erebus and Nux. (more on them later post) In her sleep Gaia gives birth to Uranus, the universe, who comes alive as big and as powerful as Gaia, and Pontus, the sea. Uranus was so in love with, thanks to Eros, Gaia that he showers her with rain and that is how Gaia gives birth to the rest of creation. Gaia and Uranus give birth to the Titians, the Three cyclopes, and the three hundred armed Giants.

I have always believed that an oath sworn by Gaia is the strongest, because know one can escape the Earth.

My Spiritual Creed

These are mine and mine alone. You may not agree with them, or even practice them. I care not. These are simple MINE, your opinion is not needed.


1. Preserve the Environment, to the best of YOUR ability.


2. Honor YOURSELF and OTHERS. YOUR body is your temple, worship it daily.


3. Respect OTHERS life choices as you would expect them to respect yours. 


5. View Sexuality as part of the life cycle. "Numinous and scard" 


6. Understand each action has a reaction, understand each thing you do, and remember what you send forth comes back three times.


7. Honor the Goddess

Rule of Three

The Rule of Three is simple. There is no need for me to make some big long post about it. I live by this Rule as should a lot of people. 

Rule of Three

What goes around, comes around

 Not just once, but three times.

It is two simple sentence, seems pretty simple to me, but a lot of people have trouble with this, even me. It dose not matter if your casting a spell or wishing harm on another, it all falls under this. I have a good Money Spell that follows this rule, I will post it later and link back.

The Wiccan Rede

This is the short one I have on my Book of Shadows. I am sure there are longer versions out there, but this is the one I have. It is easier for me to memories the shorter stuff. 

The Wiccan Rede

Bide the Wiccan Law ye must

In perfect love, in perfect trust

Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill 

An ye harm none, do what ye will

 What ye send forth comes back to thee

so ever mind the Rule of Three

Follow this with mind and heart,

and Merry ye meet, and Merry ye part

That is it. If you want to know what the Rule of Three is check out my next post. I will link back here.


If you want to see the longer version you can go HERE. This is not my work, and it is off sight, so if you get lost, I can't help you find your way back. The inter-webs are like a maze, and its every man or woman for him or her self. 

Stones Alphabet

I do not use stones much but here is the list I have. It is just a throw together of my own and other peoples. If you know of a stone I have not listed make a comment and I will look into it. 

Agate - Looks like eyes, used to protect from the evil eye, used in protection magick.


Amber - Loar say it comes from the tears of the setting sun. It is used as a fire stone, used in healing magick and to capture disease 


Amethyst - A spiritaul stone used in meditation, enhance and remembering dreams, cultivating wisdom, developing psychic ability, attract success and prosperity, self control, business cunning, courage safety in battle.


Apache Tears - Carry for luck


Aquamarine - Gift of the Sea Goddess. Power of the full moon, Manifest harmony, bravery, intuitive, awareness, clarity, stronger connection to supper conscious. Good for healing, AID in creative process, awareness on other levels of reality. 


Azrite - Blue color makes it good for dreams and harmony


Beryl - Promote harmony in relationships success in legal matters and motivation


Bloodstone - Healing, connect deeply with planetary energy, wish fulfillment, success, understanding weather omens, safe guard health, really lucky for Pisces 


Calcite - Comes in lots of colors Potential for many magical uses, energy good for spiritual growth, inner healing, improve focus. 


Carnelian - Pale to deep brownish red stone, Protection


Cats Eye - vision, especially inner, Superstition say it manifest Luck, beauty, prosperity.


Chalcedony - Good for fortune, Protect from evil, improved communication and attitudes. 


Chrysocalla -  Banish fear, and reestablish logic 


Citrine - good for banishing nightmares, improving psychic ability


Diamond - Bravery, strength, clarity development


Emerald - Clairvoyance, divination, healing, growth, support ,magick for faith, for knowledge, resourcefulness, when it is worn with Aventine another green stone the two rid body of cancer 


Flourite - Strengthen the mind, and thinking skill 


Garnet - Used in the middle ages to protect from nightmares, devotion, good health, kindness, non- gemstone is available 


Jade - Make into an amulet to encourage prosperity, enhance beauty, inspire harmony, love, longevity, "green thumb" low quality available. 


Jasper - red is good for love spells, passion, Brown is good for healing. It also comes in yellow, and green. Most are found in a reddish brown. Protection


Lapis Lazul - Open psychic channels improve, magick insight happiness meditation, focus, dealing with children, upper chakras


Malachite - Lite to dark green can be attached to a child crib to improve sleep, carried for protection, remain aware of forth coming danger and problems. (I used this for my son as a new born and he was sleeping through the night by 3 months.)


Moon Stone - Under the rue of the moon. Has a similar energy as luner sphere used to motivate, foresight, enhance vividness of dreams and dream recalls   


Obsudan - use for scrying mirrors. 


Onyx -  Banishing and absorbing negative energy, good for grounding in magick work, helps brake deeply ingrained habits, physical or emotional, wear when facing adversaries 


Opal- Luck stone, improves memory 


Pearl - Symbol of goddess Moon and Water, Good for spells dealing with love, happiness, and prosperity. 


Peridot - (Chrysolite) set in gold gems, turn away evil nightmares and malevolent, prosperity 


Quartz - All purpose magick stone represents infinite potential color varies 


Rose Quartz - Healing, balance amplify psychic energy, often used in other stones for particular uses. 


Ruby - Excellent amulet for healing mental clarity harmony stimulates passion , unconditional love 


Sapphire - divine blessing understanding omens luck success improved meditation states and devotion 


Tiger's Eye - Self Confidence, freedom to follow your own path, carry into battle for safety, spells for improved stamina, good for fortune and prosperity 


Tourmaline - No known ancient usage, varies in color, good for Balance 


Turquoise - Safety in travel, rain magick visual activity, strengthen friendships and awareness. 

Colors Alphabet

Amber - psychic sensitivity 


Black - removing hexes, protection, spirit contact


Blue - element of water, dreams, protection, health


Brown - element of earth, physical objects perseverance


Gold - success, power, prosperity, healing energy


Green - element of earth, lady luck, healing, balance, money


Lavender - spiritual and physical development, divination 


Orange - balance, clearing mind, healing, attract a need or want


Pink - healing, love, friendship


Purple - spiritual power and development, business matters, spiritual wisdom


Red - element of fire, passion, sexual energy, courage, enthusiastic


Silver - psychic development, beginnings, intuition, meditation 


Violet - psychic development, awareness, intuition   


White - understanding, clarity, peace, protection, truth


Yellow - element of air, contracts divination, mental clarity, creativity 

Aromic Oils Alphabetic

Acacia - Meditation, purification


Almond - Vitality, energy boost


Basil - Harmony


Bay - Love spells, prophetic dreams 


Bayberry - Money spells


Ceder - Instills courage, protection, money, prosperity


Clove - healing, love spells increase sexual desire 


Frankincense - Prosperity, protection, psychic awareness


Honeysuckle - Mental clarity, money


Jasmine - Love spells, meditation, sweeten situation 


Lavender - healing, purification, love spells 


Mint - love spells


Rue - Protection


Sage - Cleansing, Wisdom


Vervain - Money Spells, Fertility


Ylang- Ylang -Aphoristic love spell, increase sexual desire 

Herbs Alphabetical.

Acacia- For meditation, Ward off evil, attract money

Angelica- For Temperance, Guard against evil

Anise - Protection, burn seeds as meditative Incense. 

Balm - Sooths emotional pain, mitigates fear 

Bay - Heals, purifies, good for divination, psychic development and awareness.

Burdock - Purifies and cleanses Protection, psychic awareness, wards of Negativity 

Catnip - Insight, love, happiness

Chamomile - Bless a person, place, thing, meditation, sleep, attract money.

Cinquefoil - Energy, memory, stimulator, speak you mind, Protection eloquence in speech and in divination, healing.

Clove - Rid of negative energy, cleansing

Clovers - heightens psychic awareness, love, divination

Daisy - Attracts good luck, love divination

Elder - Protection, healing

Foxglove - Heightens sexuality

Frankincense - Meditation power, psychic vision used mainly as incense

Garlic - Personal protection, healing, lift depression

Ginger - Love assistance for quick manifest

Hawthorne - Success, happiness, fertility, protection

Jasmine - Peace harmony, sweeten situation or person attract money prophetic dreams

Lavender - healing, spiritual and psychic development, love spells

Mandrake - TOXIC! HANDLE WITH CARE, DO NOT BURN OR INHALE: Use in amulets for protection, good luck, fertility

Marigold - love, healing, psychic awareness, marriage spells, success in legal matters

Mint - Speeds up results in spells, prosperity, healing, and attract money

Mug-worth - AS A TEA: Aids in divination, psychic development awareness, meditation good for washing crystals 

Myrrh - BURN WITH FRANKINCENSE: for protection, healing, concentration

Nettle - mitigates thorny situation, gossip and envy

Parsley - Protection, calming effect, ease money problems, healing spells.

Rosemary - Protection, love, health, improve memory

Rue - Strengths will power, good for health, speeds recovery from illness and surgery expels negativity 

Sage - Excellent for cleansing a place with negative energy, protection, wisdom mental clarity, attracts money. 

Sandlewood - Protection, spiritual communication, conjuring good spirits, healing

Skullcap - Relaxation before magickal practice 

Thyme - helps focus energy preparing for magic 

Var-vain - Cleanses negative vibes, protection, boost to spirits, attracts riches, creativity divination and aphrodisiac  

Willow - love, protection, conjuring spirits, healing 

Wormwood - POISONS IF BURNED, SO DO NOT BURN: Facilitation spirit communication, love, used in charms, enhance psychic ability 

Yarrow - divination, love, protection, enhance psychic ability

If you deiced to go off and kill someone with the 2 poisons I listed I will not be heal responsible for you stupidity. You may have got the list from me, but I did not help in the plaining or buying of it. BTW Killing people is wrong, so maybe you should rethink doing stuff like that. 

The Beginning.

If you have found your way here then take a moment to think about what you are getting into. My name is Shadow and I am a Pagan. I don't follow my religion to the T. I am experimental with each part of my religion. I have many beliefs and I think it is time I write them down. I have a book of shadows. I right everything in it. I have recipes and brews. I have songs and chants. I have all the stuff you would find in a Pagan's Book of Shadows. I am going to put it all down here. I am going to start from the first page of my book of shadows and go to my last, then keep going. This is going to be my new book of shadows.
 I start now.