#witchy holiday

[spicylove4ever]

Happy Lughnasadh, ancient festival of Middsummer!

[ivyodessa]

Blessed Lammas/Lughnasadh 🪻🥖🌻

[hearthandheathenry]

All About Imbolc

Imbolc, also known as Imbolg, celebrated on February 1st, marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox in early Ireland and Scotland, and also signified the beginning of the first signs of spring after all the harsh winter days. Originally a pagan holdiay in pre-Christian times, there is little in writing about the historic traditions and customs, although many historians believe it revolved around the Celtic Goddess Brigid, lambing season, and cleansing due to observed ancient poetry.

Brigid is a Goddess and daughter of the father-God of Ireland, Dagda. She is associated with quite a few things depending on the sources, but universally associated with wisdom and poetry. Other associations of hers are blacksmithing, protection, domesticated animals, childbirth, fire, and healing. She was also known as a protector of the home and the family.

Once Christianity arose, it is believed that the Goddess was syncretized with the Irish Saint Brigid by Christian monks due to the many overlapping associations. This caused Imbolc to quickly turn into St. Brigids Day and the next day into Candlemas with the rising Christian popularity, enmeshing the holiday associations together.

Today, many people have mixed the traditions and melded many associations from both religious and cultural history to celebrate their own unique way. Common ways to celebrate are making a Brigid's Cross, welcoming Brigid into the home, having a feast in her honor, cleaning the home and oneself, visiting a holy well, and in some parts of the world they still hold festivals and processions carrying a representation of Brigid. Many pagans nowadays are using associations of hers and their connection with nature to create their own ways to celebrate, however, and you can absolutely celebrate however you feel called to do so.

Imbolc Associations:

Colors - white, gold or yellow, green, and blue

Food - milk, butter, cheese, seeds and grains, breads, herbs, blackberries, oat porridge, wild onion and garlic, honey

Animals - sheep and lambs, swans, cows, burrowing and hibernating animals

Items - candles, corn dolls, Brigid's cross, fires, snowdrops and white flowers, crocuses and daffodils, flower crowns

Crystals - amethyst, garnet, ruby, quartz, bloodstone

Other - lactation, birth, feasting, farm preparation, cleansing and cleaning, the sun, poetry and creative endevours, smithing, water

Ways To Celebrate Imbolc:

make a Brigid's cross

light candles

have a feast

bake bread

plan your spring garden

leave an offering for Brigid

make a corn doll

craft a flower crown

clean your home

take a cleansing bath

make something out of metal

have a bonfire

look for the first signs of spring

make your own butter or cheese

do divination work and seek wisdom

write a poem

[snootyfoxfashion]

Witchy Holiday Cards & Art by DuchessofLore

x / x / x / x / x x / x / x / x / x

[thecutestgrotto]

Witches

Spooky Masterlist

[breelandwalker]

Happy Turning Day!

This is the movable holiday in my personal calendar when the approach of autumn is celebrated. Turning Day marks the day when reddening maple leaves are first observed prior to the autumn solstice. In my area, this typically happens in early September.

Maple trees tend to be the first trees to display seasonal changes. They blossom in late winter/early spring, their seeds begin to drop in early summer, they often show the first signs of color change in early autumn, and their sap runs in winter the minute the weather starts to turn toward spring thaw. Thus I look to them in my practice as harbingers of change and the cycles of life, growth, and harvest.

Other personal holidays in my calendar include:

First Robin Day - the day on which the first wild robin is seen following the winter solstice, heralding the spring

First Flowers Day - the day on which early blooms are first observed in local gardens before the spring solstice

Planting Day - the day on which I plant my first round of seeds for the year

Dandelion Day - the day on which the first yellow dandelion appears in my yard in springtime, heralding the summer

Falling Flowers - the period during which blossoms from cherry or myrtle trees start to come loose and drift on the wind or collect in piles

Spirit Day - the day on which the local Spirit Halloween opens

First Frost - the day on which frost is first observed on windows ahead of the winter solstice

(Due to climate change and my local climate zone being different from the one I was raised in, seasonal changes are a bit off-kilter and solstices and equinoxes don't always directly align with the type of weather I grew up knowing. So watching for these little signs helps me to celebrate those changes and have something to look forward to.)

Note: This is my UPG (Unshared Personal Gnosis) and thus is not subject to peer review or approval, nor do I expect it to fit perfectly into or account for the beliefs of others. That being said, the creation of personal holidays and observances is a practice as old as humanity and I happily encourage others to try out the idea themselves if they feel so inclined.

(If you’re enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop. You can also check out my show Hex Positive on the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network and wherever fine podcasts are heard. 😊)

[tears-of-amber]

Witchy Ways To Navigate This Holiday Season

(Regardless of what you celebrate, it’s highly likely that you’ll be meeting with or engaging in some sort of holiday sometime during the year, so you might find this helpful. Reconnecting with family and friends can be a joy, but can also be draining for people who are easily overwhelmed by other people’s energies). THESE IDEAS ARE CUSTOMIZABLE BUT ARE INFLUENCED BY MY PERSONAL BELIEFS.

🌲Enchant your perfume or cologne with a specific intention. (Example: Ward off uncomfortable conversation, ward off nerves, energize your social battery).

🌲When choosing what to wear, include a necklace, jewelry item, or accessories (such as a tie) that you consider protective of your energy. For me, I wear a pentacle bracelet, but for you it might be something different. You can even ask spirits or deities you work with to charge it overnight on the night before with protection.

🌲I like to draw the rune Wunjo or the rune Gebo on every present I gift with invisible ink or just trace it with my finger, so it brings joy to the person receiving it! You could draw a symbol that represents joy in a similar fashion!

🌲Knot magic is an easy way to incorporate love into the gift exchanging. Tie your presents you’re giving with decorative ribbons and charge each one with love or chant over it this short chant “With love I tie thee, may all be merry!”

🌲If you’re making a special drink (hot-chocolate, mulled wine, etc) be mindful of the energy you put into it while stirring it. You can invite or banish (you’ve probably heard that stirring clockwise is inviting energy and stirring counterclockwise is banishing). But you can also stir simple sigils of calm and peace into it!

🌲If you’re into using crystals, I recommend these crystals for navigating the holiday season:

-Strawberry quartz (for enjoyment and extra enthusiasm)

-Smoky Quartz (for gentle protection and comfort)

-Howlite (for calming during chaos and being present)

-Opal (both non precious and precious, for inspiring generosity and equal exchange of energy)

[the-fae-can-have-me]

Yule

[sunnys-aesthetic]

doodles i forgot to post whoopsie

[the-paganwitch]

(Edit added below)

Is there anyone interested in a witchcraft newsletter or something of the like? I'm thinking about maybe starting a once a month newsletter that goes over the moon cycles of said month, correspondences, witchy holidays/days of observation, etc. Maybe even adding a section on crystals or herbs, interviews with other witchy creators. I've got a good amount of spare time on my hands, so it might be pretty fun. I do also want to add beginner friendly sections with tips and tricks for newbies. Let me know if anyone is interested

[blxkstar]

𝔉𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔥𝔞𝔰 𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔳𝔢𝔡

I have made a playlist for all your witchy, spooky, cozy, or crafty fall activities. Hope you like it, please check it out! 🍁🍂🎃

ℑ𝔫 𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔶 𝔩𝔢𝔞𝔣, 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢'𝔰 𝔞 𝔴𝔥𝔦𝔰𝔭𝔢𝔯 𝔬𝔣 𝔞𝔲𝔱𝔲𝔪𝔫'𝔰 𝔪𝔞𝔤𝔦𝔠

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

[hearthandheathenry]

All About Samhain

Samhain, typically pronounced "sow-in", is an ancient Gaelic festival originating from a pagan spiritual tradition. It falls on November 1st in the northern hemisphere, but celebrations start at sunset on October 31st due to old Celtic timekeeping. It falls about halfway between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. The holiday also ushers in the end of the harvest season and the start of the dark months ahead, a.k.a the winter.

Samhain is marked as one of the most important fire festivals of the Celts, and is mentioned even in 9th century Irish literature. It was such an important time of year that neolithic passage tombs in Ireland aligned with the sunrise around this holiday, predating any historical text on it. Samhain was a celebration of large feasts and gatherings and was said to be a time where the portals to the otherworld were open and when spirits were close. However, the festival was not recorded in great detail until more early modern times.

At that time, it was mentioned how cattle were brought down from the summer pastures and slaughtered, special fires were lit for protection and cleansing, and offerings were made to the Fae and to the departed souls thought to visit their loved ones on this liminal holiday. Mumming and guising (wearing costumes and going door to door reciting verses in exchange for food) were recorded at this time. Divination also seemed to be a big part of celebrations at this time, usually involving nuts and apples.

In the 9th century, the western church declared November 1st All Saints Day and later November 2nd All Souls Day. It is believed that modern Halloween is influenced by all of these different holidays and their traditions since most of American Halloween was inherited from Irish and Scottish immigrants.

Samhain played a big role in Irish mythology, and many tales were passed down about this time of year and eventually written down by Christian monks in the Middle Ages. Most tales tell of large feasts, interactions with the Fae and the Otherworld, and of making offerings around this time of year within those tales.

In some Medieval texts, it is said that Samhain at Uliad lasted 3 days before and 3 days after, or a whole week. There were great gatherings where they held meetings, drank, feasted, and held contests. Bonfires were noted in many texts, often being lit by Druids and used to relight hearthfires and for sacrifices to the Gods. By the early modern era, they were most common in the Scottish Highlands, and by the 18th and 19th centuries, the fires, smoke, and ashes were said to have protective and cleansing powers. They were also used for divination and had a ritual involving laying stones around the fire, one for each person, and then left overnight to observe in the morning. It is said that if one of the stones had been mislaid, then that person would not survive the year. Other older customs suggest throwing the stones into the fire itself instead.

Divination on Samhain usually revolved around death or marriage. Apples and hazelnuts were common divination tools for these games and customs, apple bobbing being a common one even way back then. Food and drink were also used for divination, along with animals and dreams people had later that night.

Samhain was also noted to have many traditions involving the Fae and the deceased. People would take extra precautions to protect themselves against the Fae or even give offerings to appease them. It was also thought that the dead would revisit their homes, seeking hospitality in the cold, so places for them were set at the table. Thankful souls were thought to bring blessings, while a wronged person could bring revenge.

Mumming and guising were also recorded in the 16th century, where people would go door to door in costume and recite verses in exchange for food, sometimes for the feast itself. It was suggested that those who disguised themselves as Fae would be protected, but other sources talk about representing the old spirits of winter who demanded reward in exchange for good fortune. However, disguising as Fae led to many young men taking the step to play tricks and pranks on people as well, leading to Samhain being nicknamed "Mischief Night" as far back as the 1700s.

Modern pagans today seem to celebrate Samhain in many different ways, incorporating ancient traditions from a few of the overlapping festivals and ways unique to their own practice. Overall, it's a wonderful and fun time filled with feasting, fires, dressing up, and honoring the dead. Samhain has survived many generations despite the time passed and traditions varying throughout the years.

Samhain Associations:

Colors - orange, red, yellow, black, purple

Food - apples, pomegranates, nuts, squash, alcohol, ciders, breads, sweets

Animals - cattle and other farm animals, nocturnal animals

Items - carved vegetables, treats, protective totems, disguises

Crystals - obsidian, carnelian, bloodstone, citrine, onyx, smokey quartz

Other - bonfires, divination, costumes, mumming, feasts, death, souls, Fae

Ways To Celebrate:

carve a vegetable to represent a spirit (carve a pumpkin)

go mumming and guising (trick-or-treating)

have a bonfire

have a feast

enjoy some cider or mead

dress up in a costume

practice divination

play games like apple bobbing

honor your ancestors

leave offerings to the spirits

prepare your home for the upcoming winter

cleanse and protect your home

make a simmer pot

create an altar

gather with friends and family

give treats to others

[snootyfoxfashion]

Wheel of the Year Art Prints by ofcraftsandcurios

Mabon // Lughnasadh // Litha // Beltane // Ostara // Imbolc

[ivyodessa]

Blessed Beltane 🏵️🌱🌼

[fairy-magick]

❄️☃️🌨🌌

[babysfirstpentagram]

What is Mabon?

MABON is the pagan holiday of the second harvest. It typically falls between September 20th and 23rd, however you can celebrate for as long as you please. This is also called the Autumn Equinox and it is when the days start to get shorter and cooler outside. This is a period of hardwork and change, but also balance as this is when the day and night are equal. Many pagans consider this a time to give thanks to loved ones and the earth for a healthy harvest. In this post, I will discuss how to celebrate, what to expect, spell work, and much more.

What are some symbols of Mabon?

Apples are a huge symbol of Mabon. They represent fertility though the soil and health through the body. Grapes and wine are another big symbol, especially in Greece or with Greek Pagans. There is a harvest festival of grapes around this time in honor of Dionysus. Seeds are another obvious sign as this is when you start to store your seeds for the next spring. Baskets for the harvest and harvesting tools like sickles are also symbols of the holiday. For herbal witches, some herbs you might use are acrons, grains, honeysuckles, rose, and tabacco (be responsible). Kitchen witches might make bread, or foods using apples, nuts, or pomegranates. Stews with potatoes, carrots, and onions are also very popular. Color witches should wear more Earthy tones like deep reds and browns. Gold would be a wonderful enhancement! Crystal witches should stock up on sapphire, lapis, and golden agates.

Some ways to celebrate:

You can celebrate Mabon by drying herbs, making wines and ciders for the cooler months, going on nature walks to respectfully find new decor for your altars, adorning burial sites of loved ones, making bird feeders. This is a time to really remember your loved ones as you celebrate the harvest and thank them for protecting you and your home.

Types of witches that go BONKERS for Mabon:

Hedge witches, cottage witches, garden witches!

Deities that represent the season:

Greek: Demeter, goddess of the harvest. Persephone, Goddess of spring and Queen of the Underworld. Her story of following Hades to the Underworld is the reason we have Autumn and Winter anyway! Dionysus, god of wine. Cronos, Titan of the Harvest. Gaia, Mother Earth.

Celtic (British, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh): Mabon ap Modron, God of Freedom (Welsh). The Green Man, spirit of the woods (British). Modron, Mother Goddess (Welsh). Lugh, god of balance and the harvest (Celtic).

Roman: Pomona, Goddess of Fruit Trees. Bacchus, god of wine. Ceres, goddess of the harvest.

Norse: Freyr, god of farming. Gefjon, god of the harvest.

Slavic (Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian, Latvian, Estonian, Polish, Lithuanian, sometimes Finnish): Žemyna (Lithuanian), mother-goddess of agriculture. Jarilo, god of vegetation and the harvest.

Egyptian: Osiris, god of agriculture. Renenutet, goddess of the harvest.

Christianity: St. Isidore of Farmers.

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