Imbolc takes place Monday/Tuesday, February 1st– 2nd. There are many traditions surrounding this Sabbat, but at its heart this Sabbat is all about the mid-point of Winter and the promise Spring. Those trapped indoors are getting really restless and the need for fresh food is becoming critical. The Earth is waking up and because of that much is […]
Winter begins this year on December 21st, Monday, the Moon’s Day, the Mother’s Day. The Moon itself will be waxing on that day. It’s been a long year since last Winter began and now a whole new cycle begins, blessed by the Holy Mother Goddess as She gives birth to the Sun/Son. No matter which religious tradition you
I have been thinking of posting this blog for a couple of weeks, ever since Thanksgiving, because it bothers me a lot that in the spiritual/religious worlds many of us can not currently do what we have traditionally done to exchange loving energy. Touching each other, eating together have become things that are not safe in
Nights are long and cold. We are all indoors, huddling around the source of heat and light. In today’s world that means heaters and televisions, but in the past it was a fire. The fire provided heat and light, and the people provided entertainment. They made music and told stories. Recently a cousin of mine reminded me that we come
Samhain is almost here and this year it is falling on a Saturday and the Moon will be full, the second Full Moon of the month, a Blue Moon. An especially powerful Samhain indeed. The veil between realities is extremely thin already. As if that is not enough, three days afterwards is a critical election here in the
and The History of a Familiar October 4this traditionally the day when many groups celebrate the Blessing of the Animals in honor of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis’s love for animals is well known, so it makes sense to celebrate the animals in our lives on his feast day. Here at 4Winds
The Autumnal Equinox is upon us, The Great Harvest, the Witch’s Thanksgiving. This is the time when we see the results of a year’s worth of work and reap what we have sowed. It is a time to give thanks for that Harvest, no matter how hard the work or the crop is. It is also a moment
This blog comes more from my academic background than my magickal background. It is also a highly personal story about something that happened to me recently on Facebook. About a week ago I shared a post that called into question some of the attitudes about things happening in our society today, the violence that is occurring
Shut Up and Listen: the Power of Human Discourse Read More »
We are on the verge of yet another turn of Life’s Wheel, Lughnasa. In most Wiccan traditions this is celebrated as the First Harvest. It is very much that in many ways. For Humanity as a whole, this particular First Harvest has quite a few very dark aspects to it. Blood has been spilled and Death has ruled the
and the First Harvest Summer is currently in complete control. I’ve always thought of July as the Weed, Water, and Wait month. I’ve been weeding, watering, and waiting, and the Harvest is coming to fruition. We are fast approaching the celebration of the First Harvest, Lughnasa. In truth, harvesting has already begun. As I write this I have herbal tinctures