• The Three Harvests!

    The Three Harvests and Witches!

    In the enchanting realm of folklore and mysticism, there exists a captivating link between the Three Harvests and witchcraft. As autumn's golden hues paint the landscape, the Three Harvests—Lughnasadh, Mabon, and Samhain—play a significant role in both agricultural traditions and the mystical world of witches of all kinds. This delightful connection transcends time and geography, revealing a tapestry of interconnected beliefs and practices.

    To begin our journey, let's delve into the first harvest, Lughnasadh. Celebrated in early August, this Celtic festival marks the beginning of the harvest season. It's a time when the fields are ripe with grain, and the earth offers her bounty. Witches, often seen as guardians of nature's cycles, harness the energy of Lughnasadh to honor the Earth's generosity and to manifest their intentions. It's a period when spells for abundance and prosperity are cast, and the echoes of the harvest's first fruits resonate with the rituals of the natural world.

    Moving forward to Mabon, the second harvest celebrated during the autumn equinox, we find another layer of connection between the Three Harvests and witchcraft. As day and night achieve perfect balance, witches recognize this equilibrium as an opportunity for reflection and gratitude. Mabon serves as a time to honor the autumnal harvest, with crafting elaborate altars adorned with symbols of abundance, like apples and gourds. We use this period to give thanks for the bounty of nature and to attune themselves to the changing energies of the season.

    The final harvest, Samhain, is perhaps the most famous, as it coincides with modern Halloween celebrations. For Vodouisants, it is a time for Ancestor service and more!  This sacred time, observed at the end of October, marks the end of the agricultural year and the beginning of winter's slumber. Witches and practitioners of all kinds view Samhain as a liminal space when the veil between the physical world and the spirit realm is thin. It's a time for divination, honoring ancestors, and seeking wisdom from the other side. Many may perform rituals to communicate with departed loved ones or to harness the potent energies of this time for their magical endeavors.

    As we contemplate the harmonious dance between the Three Harvests and witchcraft, we find a delightful interplay of nature, spirituality, and tradition. These celebrations, rooted in the agricultural cycles of our ancestors, have evolved into a modern enchantment that weaves its way through the tapestry of life. Whether you are a practitioner or simply a lover of folklore, the Three Harvests offer a bewitching connection to the rhythms of the natural world and the mystical realms beyond.

    In conclusion, the Three Harvests and witchcraft share a charming and symbiotic relationship, as we draw inspiration from the bounty and magic of each seasonal celebration. These ancient traditions continue to resonate with those who seek a deeper connection with nature and the mysteries of the universe. So, as we revel in the beauty of autumn's colors and the warmth of the hearth, let us also celebrate the rich tapestry of traditions that connect us to the past, the present, and the enchanting world of nature.

  • Autumn Glimmers!

    Fall-foliage

    Autumn Glimmers
    by Khouzhan Morgan
     
    Hello there Spellmaker readers and a welcome to the month of September!

    As the days grow cooler and the nights grow longer, our mother earth has begun to shed her gown of luscious green to showcase her cloak of crimson, gold and sienna. Everywhere we are surrounded by the energy of harvest, change and transformation. Fall has always been my favorite time of year, and it simply fills my heart with warmth and my soul with glimmers of joy.

    Glimmers are the direct opposite of negative triggers; instead of imparting negative feelings, glimmers gift us with hope, happiness and a feeling that every little thing is gonna be alright. (In the words of the late great Bob Marley).

    With this season of change, we can reflect upon those little sparks that make life worth living. What glimmers light up your world, dear reader? What are the things that ensnare your senses just for a moment and give you a perfect sense of awe? In a world where we are bombarded with bad news on television, the internet and social media, it is crucial to take some moments every day just to breathe, find some wonder and just BE.

     The arrival of fall is what allows me to embrace those little moments of happiness. The trees are awash with flame hued colors, the spooky glow of candles illuminates ripe picked pumpkins, and the scent and aromatic spices permeates the air. The warm sunshine juxtaposed with the crisp chilly nights leading up to the autumn equinox, shows us that balance is lovely, and yet just a season, in the great circle of life.

    Back to school vibes are everywhere, including our Spellmaker home office! Mambo Sam is preparing to teach some very valuable magical lessons once again on Patreon. Get out your wands and parchments, folks, and get ready for “witch school” 2.0!!

    I hope you are all as excited as I am to do some learning, find more glimmers in every day life, and enjoy all of the wonders that Autumn has in store for each and every one of us!! Our Spellmaker family sends you jubilation, inspiration and transformation this lovely fall season!!

    “ As long as Autumn lasts I shall not have canvas, colors or hands enough to paint the colors I see”~ Vincent van Gogh

    In Service,
    Khouzhan Morgan

  • Imbolc, Maman Brigitte, and St. Brigid – Oh My!

    Imbolc, Maman Brigitte, and St. Brigid – Oh My!

    Greetings one and all!

    As many of you may already know – tomorrow, February 2, is St. Brigid's day, Imbolc, Candlemas,
    and the Feast of St. Brigid.  To Vodouisants, Catholics, Pagans, and more, this is a wonderful day anticipating spring, looking for new love, and being ready to shed off the cold of winter.

    A popular prayer for this day is:

    "Blessed be the earth, and all who dwell upon it.

    We give thanks for the season now departing from us,
    For the blessings it has bestowed upon us,
    And upon those with whom we share this world.

    Blessed be the new season.
    We pray that it will be a time filled with peace,
    With abundance, with prosperity,
    With wisdom,
    With love."

    For Vodouisants, tonight, the eve of  St. Brigid's Day, is when we put a piece of clothing outside for Maman Brigitte to bless with her healing powers.  Take any piece of clothing, or even a scarf to tie your head with, and put it outside tonight.  Ask Maman Brigitte to walk your way tonight and bless that piece of clothing.  Light a small fire outside for a little while, even if you just burn a candle. Before you go to bed, burn the veve of Maman Brigitte in the fire. Then put that fire or candle out.  Make sure the wax is smoothed down  or that the ashes are smoothed down if you lit a small fire.  Any kind of mark or disturbance of the wax or ashes the next day is considered a sign that Maman was there and blessed your piece of clothing!

    Now you can wear that piece of clothing any time you aren't feeling well or you doing healing work or healing prayers for someone else.

     

    Veve for Maman BrigitteVevemamanbrigitte

     

    In Service, 

    Mambo Sam