#sabbaths

[lunar-bat]

Witchcraft 101: Wicca & The Wheel of The Year

Paganism - An umbrella term for many nature-based and polytheistic spiritual traditions. Note that not all pagans practice witchcraft. Wicca - A pagan, nature-based religious movement. Wicca blends aspects of witchcraft, nature veneration, and ceremonial magic. It places a strong emphasis on honoring nature and follows a duotheistic belief system often known as the Triple Goddess and Horned God. Wheel of The Year The wheel reflects the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth in the natural world and is central to the rituals, spells, and celebrations of many pagan and witchcraft traditions. The Wheel of the Year is divided into eight significant points, which correspond to the Sabbats or festivals:

Samhain (October 31st): Also known as All Hollow's Eve, marks the beginning of the Wheel of the Year and is associated with the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter. Samhain is a time for honoring ancestors, reflecting on mortality, and recognizing the thinning of the veil between the physical and spirit worlds. Samhain is a time to acknowledge the cyclical nature of life and death and to connect with the spiritual realm. Yule (Winter Solstice, typically around December 21st): Marks the rebirth of the sun, with a focus on light, hope, and renewal during the darkest time of the year. Yule customs include lighting candles or a Yule log, feasting, gift-giving, and spending time with loved ones. It's a significant part of the Wheel of the Year, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and the changing seasons. Imbolc (February 1st): Marks the early signs of spring and the gradual return of light and warmth. Imbolc is associated with the Celtic goddess Brigid and is a time for purification, cleaning, and preparing for the coming season's growth. It's often celebrated with rituals, candle lighting, and dedication to Brigid. Imbolc highlights the theme of renewal and the awakening of life after the winter months. Ostara (Spring Equinox, typically around March 21st): Marks the arrival of spring, where day and night are in balance. Ostara is a time for celebrating fertility, new beginnings, and the growth of life. It is often associated with themes of rebirth, renewal, and the awakening of nature. Common customs include egg decorating, planting seeds, and celebrating the return of warmth and longer days. Beltane (May 1st): Celebration of fertility, love, and the union of the goddess and god. Beltane is often observed with rituals, bonfires, Maypole dancing, and other festivities that emphasize the vitality and growth of life in the natural world. Midsummer (Summer Solstice, typically around June 21st): Also known as Litha, marks the longest day of the year when the sun is at its peak. Midsummer is a time for harnessing the sun's energy, celebrating the abundance of nature, and enjoying outdoor festivities. Common customs include lighting bonfires, dancing, and gathering herbs and flowers for magical and medicinal purposes. Lughnasadh (August 1st): Also known as Lammas, marks the first harvest of the year and is associated with the Celtic god Lugh. Lughnasadh is a festival dedicated to expressing gratitude for the Earth's bountiful harvest and agricultural abundance. Traditional practices during this time involve crafting corn dollies, enjoying meals made from freshly harvested crops, and engaging in various games and competitions. Mabon (Autumn Equinox, typically around September 21st): Marks the second harvest and a time of balance when day and night are equal. Mabon is a festival for reflecting on gratitude, giving thanks for the fruits of the Earth, and preparing for the darker months ahead. Common customs include feasting on seasonal foods, making offerings to the land, and creating altars with symbols of the season.

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

[fairy-magick]

🍞🍄🍮🫒🍾🍯🥚

[merovingian-marvels]

Walpurgisnacht

Walpurgisnacht is a celebration assimilated from Celto-Germanic and Christian beliefs. Although named after the English born saint Walburga, the celebration is known in many pagan versions of the same idea: spring.

One of the most popular versions is that Odin would hunt dark winter spirits in the night of April 30th and May 1st. In more Christian beliefs, the night was filled with magic and witches, which must be scared away with large bonfires.

Although sometimes associated with satanism, partially because of Goethe’s “Faust”, the general idea is to come together and light any kind of fire and welcome spring, glad that winter is over.

“Die Walpurgisnacht. Ein gedicht in drei Gesangen” Johann Friedrich Löwen 1756

[musingmelsuinesmelancholy]

Some post sabbath musings on ritual and altered states of consciousness. Brief mentions of sexuality and rape in the third paragraph. I’m in my head a lot, lately I have been struggling with “letting go” during ritual.i focus too much on saying the right thing, doing the right thing and it takes me out of the moment. It can be hard to loose myself in ritual. Not that proper technique and ritual execution aren’t important.

Engaging my senses more is helping. I’ve found whipping to be great, chanting tends to make me feel a little silly (I think I’ll get over it eventually), repetitive movements (particularly those that limit blood supply or breath- like treading the mill) are phenomenal. Entheogens truly have helped quite a bit, especially paired with the whipping and movement. Though I do worry about using them as a crutch.

Re-enacting myths/folklore or things I’ve dreamed is new to me. So far it’s been pretty helpful but, like with chanting, if I start thinking too much about what I’m doing I feel silly and it takes me out of the moment. Remembering these are things that spirits have shown me or led me to brings me back into the moment.

I used to be completely adverse to the idea of nudity in ritual. (for myself, idc what other folks get up to) started experimenting with that too, I’m liking it so far and honestly it’s pretty helpful in engaging my physical senses more in order to induce ecstatic states. (Nudity + whipping + flying ointment *chefs kiss*) Allowing myself to express sensuality and sexuality in ritual (though these won’t be the focuses of my practice, mine isn’t a fertility or sex based craft) is not only helpful in engaging my senses, but also very healing. Since my assault it’s been a challenge to be comfortable in my body and to allow myself to express myself as a sensual being.

To me the beginnings of flight often feel like that plunge on a roller coaster, or going down a steep hill. A kinda falling sensation. Sometimes it’s the most natural thing for me to just let go, give into it. Other times I fight it. After a few years I’m noticing it’s fear creeping in when I fight it- perhaps I can find I way to use the fear rather than struggle against it? Finding mirrors and water helpful in flight too, esp if I can gaze into still water reflecting moon or starlight. Very eager to see how experimenting with the point at which the sea and horizon blur together goes.

[allseeing-wvtch]

My Litha altar٫

a letter to a friend٫

ft. Sir Stiches of course٫ and

rattlesnake rib-bone earrings from an etsy shop

[lydia-the-lavender-witch]

₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖❁ʚ Wheel of the Year ɞ❁˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊

˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖❁ʚ Samhain ɞ❁˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚

˖˖⁺˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖❁ʚ Yule ɞ❁˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚˖⁺⁺

⁺˖˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖❁ʚ Imbolc ɞ❁˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚⁺˖

‧˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖❁ʚ Ostara ɞ❁˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚⁺‧

❁˚₊˖‧⁺˖˖⁺⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊˖‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖❁ʚ Beltane ɞ❁˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚⁺‧⁺‧

‧⁺❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖❁ʚ Litha ɞ❁˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˖⁺

˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖❁ʚ Lughnasadh ɞ❁˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺

˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖₊⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚˖₊‧⁺˖❁ʚ Mabon ɞ❁˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚⁺‧

[delightintheway]

*Video!* GOD ETERNAL - "There is no other, a just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me!" -> -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoCJZvPFo_g&list=PLE8FlkxQPQkNhyk7QOplwIcW788ErwTRh&index=26 <- <- "Behold, My Word is truth! And that which requires understanding shall be given to those of a contrite heart and a humble spirit. For those who love Me obey My Commandments, and those who remember My Sabbaths honor Me and shall know Wisdom. Therefore, consider these things carefully. For I have indeed prepared a place for those who seek Me, for those who long to know Me as I truly am, a place for all those accepted in The Beloved, in whom My spirit dwells, The Kingdom without end."

~ Says The Lord

Excerpt from: https://www.thevolumesoftruth.com/God_Eternal

[thegoblinwitch]

Frans II Francken, The Witches’ Sabbath, 1607, oil on panel, 56 x 84 cm, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.

[lordgodjehovahsway]

1 Chronicles 23: David Crowns His Son Solomon King Over Israel

1 When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.

2 He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. 

3 The Levites thirty years old or more were counted, and the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand. 

4 David said, “Of these, twenty-four thousand are to be in charge of the work of the temple of the Lord and six thousand are to be officials and judges. 

5 Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.”

6 David separated the Levites into divisions corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

Gershonites

7 Belonging to the Gershonites:

Ladan and Shimei.

8 The sons of Ladan:

Jehiel the first, Zetham and Joel—three in all.

9 The sons of Shimei:

Shelomoth, Haziel and Haran—three in all.

These were the heads of the families of Ladan.

10 And the sons of Shimei:

Jahath, Ziza, Jeush and Beriah.

These were the sons of Shimei—four in all.

11 Jahath was the first and Ziza the second, but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons; so they were counted as one family with one assignment.

Kohathites

12 The sons of Kohath:

Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel—four in all.

13 The sons of Amram:

Aaron and Moses.

Aaron was set apart, he and his descendants forever, to consecrate the most holy things, to offer sacrifices before the Lord, to minister before him and to pronounce blessings in his name forever. 

14 The sons of Moses the man of God were counted as part of the tribe of Levi.

15 The sons of Moses:

Gershom and Eliezer.

16 The descendants of Gershom:

Shubael was the first.

17 The descendants of Eliezer:

Rehabiah was the first.

Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very numerous.

18 The sons of Izhar:

Shelomith was the first.

19 The sons of Hebron:

Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth.

20 The sons of Uzziel:

Micah the first and Ishiah the second.

Merarites

21 The sons of Merari:

Mahli and Mushi.

The sons of Mahli:

Eleazar and Kish.

22 Eleazar died without having sons: he had only daughters. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them.

23 The sons of Mushi:

Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth—three in all.

24 These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families as they were registered under their names and counted individually, that is, the workers twenty years old or more who served in the temple of the Lord. 

25 For David had said, “Since the Lord, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever, 

26 the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.” 

27 According to the last instructions of David, the Levites were counted from those twenty years old or more.

28 The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron’s descendants in the service of the temple of the Lord: to be in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of all sacred things and the performance of other duties at the house of God. 

29 They were in charge of the bread set out on the table, the special flour for the grain offerings, the thin loaves made without yeast, the baking and the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size. 

30 They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening 

31 and whenever burnt offerings were presented to the Lord on the Sabbaths, at the New Moon feasts and at the appointed festivals. They were to serve before the Lord regularly in the proper number and in the way prescribed for them.

32 And so the Levites carried out their responsibilities for the tent of meeting, for the Holy Place and, under their relatives the descendants of Aaron, for the service of the temple of the Lord.

[exploresmallworlds]

A Sabbath for us all: the electric boogaloo

I’ve explored the concept of the sabbath in a way that discusses my history drawn straight from the heart of Judaism by way of Protestant Millerites of the 19th Century.   But drawing on his original heritage - I myself am not Jewish nor a scholar of Judaism. But I can verify that often sabbaths were not just for a day but often for weeks or years. The concept of enforced rest is something that a number of cultural traditions and faiths are familiar with. In Judaism particularly, there was famously the debt sabbath where debts were written off every seven years. Something that seems inconceivable in our modern time where debts often last longer and have more impact.

Of the few debts I have incurred, with the awareness of luxury and frugality, is my HECs debt. My HECs debt with a large number of Australians has been indexed to 7% to match inflation but my wages or my opportunities have not had the same increase. I am angry of course, but resigned because there are more important things to discuss. But a debt sabbath would be nice. If money is made up and only the expression of debt then maybe, maybe I can have a debt sabbath too. I’m not earning enough to gain the benefits of paying it back, although I have previously. I will have to shoulder the burden of something I couldn’t even make decisions over. I wouldn’t call that democracy. 

The proud labour tradition forged in this country and even in this city, has a very special relationship with rest. It's in the eight hour slogan - eight hours to work, to sleep and to rest. If you go to the Trades Hall in Sussex Street - now infested with Labor hacks but once the radical centre of movement that acknowledged work but also the ability for working people to better themselves and rest; with large libraries stocked with updated knowledge and spaces to collaborate. Such is needed again to have a place that is bustling and loud and places for learning so that our rest is life affirming. How far the mighty have fallen when Labor hacks and their MPs refuse to advocate for the same. The same politicians who approved the HECs debt indexation.

The union movement amongst others is the leader in advocating not just the conditions of work but also the conditions of our rest. Our social condition is determined by the momentum of collective action. It is not hard to pitch to most people that we need more rest. We already have a culture of long weekends and long lunches for rich people. But maybe the economy doesn’t need continuous growth, maybe a recession is what we need (even considering the negative harms of a slowdown). If we go where I think we are heading, it will be the second once in a lifetime recession in the last twenty years. Not a stellar record for the status quo. 

The rest is often made in reference to productivity and employment but never in reference to people who actually need it. I think that when we demand rest, it is not because it will improve efficiency or help our economy but because it is fundamental to the wellbeing of communities and their need for regeneration. It is common to hear that laziness and rest are made at the expense of other peoples labour and inconvenience but that also obscures the reality it is needed for our continued existence on this planet. In fact, a slowdown needs to be distributed equitably for best results. 

Douglass remarks that “power never concedes without demand. It never has and it never will.” Some sabbaths are not about stopping, but instead changing up and creating spaces for new ideas. And that is what we need to face in the next crisis prone era. A sabbath for us all is the one that we work for and demand. 

[lettersfromgod]

"Behold, My Word is truth! And that which requires understanding shall be given to those of a contrite heart and a humble spirit. For those who love Me obey My Commandments, and those who remember My Sabbaths honor Me and shall know Wisdom. Therefore, consider these things carefully. For I have indeed prepared a place for those who seek Me, for those who long to know Me as I truly am, a place for all those accepted in The Beloved, in whom My spirit dwells, The Kingdom without end."

~ Says The Lord

📖 Excerpt from "God Eternal": https://www.thevolumesoftruth.com/God_Eternal

▶ Video (Full Letter with voice over): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoCJZvPFo_g&list=PLE8FlkxQPQkNhyk7QOplwIcW788ErwTRh&index=26

▶ Video (excerpt with scenery and music): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIJdHAt16Ak&list=PLSVchFJ22QYLFnEgsgioj_Lej_q1CzyfH&index=5

[musingmelsuinesmelancholy]

Celebrated my first of what I’ll term “stellar holy days” for now, adapted Morgan Daimlers “The Darkening” ritual to fit my paradigm

While nothing particularly “supernatural” happened I’m so excited to go deeper with this. It makes so much sense. I believe, for this year at least, it lined up with the Julian date for walpurigsnatch and/or Beltane- which I enjoyed very much. Couldn’t do quite as much as I would’ve liked; I was at work during the conjunction. I was able to take a moment and recite some prayers & incantations thankfully. I’m lucky in that my work is surrounded by woods and a spring fed stream. Did a little more at home

after the pleaides had set.

Agree with Daimler, everything seemed to “ramp up”. Colors seemed more intense, the world seemed to “sing”. Felt more “in tune” ig with my spirits/myself rather than the Gregorian date. Idk if it’s because I have more connection to this date given the spirits in my court or what. 🤷🏼‍♂️

My practice is turning into an odd but interesting mix of terrestrial and stellar praxis haha.

Added a bit about “the heavens left darker for the Queens departure, the earth, the waters and that fair realm below left ever brighter- renewed for it.”

[bobemajses]

Lighting Candles on Sabbath and Rosh Hashanah, Sao Paolo, Brazil, 1986

[thrivinghigh]

anyways heres me if i was a vampire bat. perhaps a giant vampire bat

her name is sabbath

[yoan-le-grall]