#sabbaths

[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

[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❁˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚₊‧⁺˖⁺‧₊˚❁˚⁺‧

[samuelcernunnos]

Celebrando as Diferenças: Ostara, Páscoa e Pessach – Datas Próximas, Significados Únicos

Querida comunidade pagã, Nesta época do ano, é comum que várias celebrações sagradas coincidam em datas próximas, mas �� essencial lembrar: cada uma tem sua essência, história e propósito distintos. Enquanto o Hemisfério Norte celebra o despertar da primavera (Ostara), o Sul honra o equilíbrio do outono (Mabon). Paralelamente, cristãos celebram a Páscoa e judeus o Pessach – ambas com raízes…

[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.

[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.”

[bigmsaxon]

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

[prickly-porcupine-memes]

Gut shabbos

[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. 

[helloeverything123]

Sabbath

1.650

[bobemajses]

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

[yoan-le-grall]

[balkanparamo]

Raoof Haghighi: The Witch on a Sabbath

[dionysianivy]

𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐚

⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠄⠄⠂⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁

⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠄⠄⠂⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁

What is Ostara?

Ostara is a lesser sabbat that marks the official arrival of spring and takes place on the spring equinox, around March 20-21 in the Northern Hemisphere and September 20-23 in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s the moment when day and night are of equal length, symbolizing balance before the days begin to grow longer and light overcomes darkness. This is a time of renewal, fertility, and new beginnings, making it perfect for fresh starts and setting intentions for the season ahead.

⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠄⠄⠂⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁

The Legend of Ostara

According to a legend, Ostara is celebrated in honor of the Germanic goddess of the dawn and spring. The story goes that she once found a bird injured by the cold of winter. To save it, she transformed it into a hare, but the hare retained its ability to lay eggs. As a sign of gratitude, the hare painted and gifted eggs to the goddess, which is why eggs remain a central symbol of Ostara today. (1883, H. Krebs)

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Goddess Eostre

Eostre, also known as Ostara, is the Germanic goddess of spring, fertility, and renewal. Her name is linked to the word "east" and the rising dawn, and some believe it means "Radiant Dawn." Eostre represents the spirit of spring and the return of fertility to the earth. Her arrival was traditionally celebrated with flowers, singing, bell ringing, and the lighting of new fires at dawn. She is often described as a beautiful young woman with flowers woven into her hair, accompanied by her consort and also her sacred animal, a hare. Sometimes he appears as a full-grown man, other times as a small rabbit cradled in her arms. Together, they bring eggs, a powerful symbol of the earth’s rebirth and fertility.

There isn’t much information about Eostre, but she is mentioned in the writings of an 8th-century monk, Venerable Bede. He recorded that the pagan Anglo-Saxons of medieval Northumbria held festivals in her honor during the month of April. Other than this, we don’t know much about how she was worshiped in ancient times. However, by the 19th century, she had become an important figure in German folklore, appearing in literature, paintings, and stories. She is often depicted as a youthful maiden adorned with flowers, symbolizing nature’s renewal after winter.

Some ancient festivals are said to have honored her with offerings of flowers, eggs, and feasts, welcoming the warmth and life she brings. Venerable Bede documented these traditions around the year 700 CE while traveling through Europe, recording pagan customs for the Catholic Church. The Church later attempted to shift the focus from Eostre to the resurrection of Jesus, but many ancient traditions remained deeply rooted. Eventually, instead of trying to erase them, the Church adapted and merged the two celebrations, renaming their spring festival “Easter” as a way to unite both traditions.

⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠄⠄⠂⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁

The Symbolism of The Painted Eggs

Eggs have long been a symbol of fertility, renewal, and the emergence of new life. Many cultures have used painted eggs in their spring festivals, from ancient Egyptians and Persians to European pagans. In the context of Ostara, eggs represent the potential for new beginnings and the fertility of the land as it awakens from winter. Decorating eggs is a tradition that has continued for centuries, carrying the magic of transformation and the blessings of abundance for the coming season.

⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠄⠄⠂⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁

Magic Correspondences

Planets: Mars

Season: Spring

Element: Air

Time of the Day: Dawn, Early Morning

Tarot: The High Priestess, The Emperor, Sevend of Wands, Justice

Colors: All pastel colors, yellow, green, pink, blue, brown

Herbs: Sorrel, Mint, Rosemary, Ginger, Irish Moss, Tansy, Woodruff, Wood Betony, Star Anise, Catnip

Fruits: Strawberries, Tangerine, Bananas, Lemon, Grapefruit, Apple, Orange, Mulberries, Kiwi

Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Carrots, Spring Onions, Garlic, Wild Nettles, Mushrooms

Crystals: Aquamarine, Jasper, Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Green Aventurine, Moonstone. Amazonite

Runes: Teiwaz, Ehwaz, Berkana

Trees: Birch, Rowan, Dogwood, Ash, Alder

Godesses: Eostre, Freyja, Aphrodite, Isis, Hecate, Demeter, Gaia, Athena, Astarte, Minerva, Cybele, The Morrigan

Gods: Mars, Ares, Apollo, Pan, Cernunnos, Tyr, Odin, Osiris, Dagda, Adonis

Dragon: Grael, Sairys

Flowers: Daffodil, Hyacinth, Daisy, Tulips, Clover, Crocus, Violet, Rose, Jasmine, Lilac, Honeysuckle

Animals: Hare, Rabbit, Chicks, Lamb, Butterfly, Robin, Bee, Snake. Deer, Wolf

Magical Powers: Balance, Renewal, Action, New Beginnings, Hope, New Possibilities, Fertility, Rebirth

Symbols: Rabbits, Eggs, Flowers, Bees, Birds and Nests, Butterflies, Flower Crowns, Seeds

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Activities to do:

🐰 Decorate your space with Ostara symbols like eggs, bunnies, baby chicks etc.

🐣 Start planting seeds in your garden.

🐰 Buy or pick fresh flowers and place them in your home.

🐣 Paint some eggs. Use simple colors or add sigils, runes, symbols or anything you want to attract.

🐰 If you have a farm or a garden, it's the perfect time to buy and raise baby chicks! <3

🐣 Enjoy a festive meal to celebrate both Ostara and Spring Equinox.

🐰 Do some painting or other creative activities.

🐣 Do a deep spring cleaning, you rearrange your furniture for a fresh start.

🐰 Clean up your garden.

🐣 Leave seeds in your garden for birds.

🐰 Spend time in nature and look for the first signs of spring.

🐣 Make a list of goals to accomplish before spring ends.

🐰 Burn some incense to cleanse your space.

🐣 Make special Ostara candles with seasonal colors or herbs.

🐰 Do a tarot, rune, or pendulum reading in the morning of Ostara.

🐣 Try an Ostara guided meditation to connect with the celebration.

🐰 Honor Goddess Eostre with offerings or prayers.

🐣 Make an Ostara magickal jar

🐰 Wear clothing or jewelry in Ostara colors.

🐣 Try new recipes, especially with eggs and carrots.

🐰 Drink some tea and relax.

🐣 Read about Ostara and its traditions.

🐰 Make a flower crown for yourself or a loved one.

🐣 Try colorful makeup inspired by spring.

🐰 Dye eggs naturally or try flower prints on them.

🐣 Make friendship bracelets and share them with your loved ones.

🐰 Spend time with animals and connect with their energy.

🐣 Host an Ostara picnic or dinner with friends or family.

🐰 Plant your dream garden or buy new flower seeds.

🐣 Try aromatherapy with fresh scents (spring flowers).

🐰 Plan an egg hunt for fun with friends or family.

🐣 Connect with deities associated with Ostara and spring.

🐰 Worship your deities and honor Goddess Eostre.

🐣 Paint your nails in pastel colors.

🐰 Decorate your altar with Ostara symbols and colorful ribbons.

🐣 Try new activities, change routines, and care for yourself!

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Food and Drinks:

Anything that has eggs! omelet, deviled eggs, stuffed eggs, carrot cake, braided bread, honey pastries, lamb, ham, fish, green vegetables, asparagus, goat cheese, sheep cheese, cow milk cheese, goat milk, sheep milk, cow milk, seasonal fruits, orange juice, tangerine juice, homemade carrot juice, dishes garnished with parsley, sweet egg tarts, muffins, carrot muffins, waffles, hot cross buns, herbal tea, mint, salads garnished with edible flowers, lemon, lemon bread, violet flower cake, lavender cake, brownies, preserves from last season, apples, yogurt, mozzarella, chocolate cake.

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useful sources: Wicca: A Modern Guide To Witchcraft & Magick; Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the Entire Magical World by Judika Illes

gifs credit: Pinterest

tips♡🐇🌼

[bigmsaxon]

Almost forgot to draw a bad habit for the Black Sabbath.