A to Z Challenge -- M -- HUNTER, CRESCENT, AND FULL

MABON -- This Sabbat falls on the Autumn Equinox.  It is the second harvest.  The God grows old and is preparing for his death at Samhain.

The stories of Mabon ap Modron, the Welsh God, and of Demeter and Persephone are associated with this time.

Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, is also a fertility god and of the the harvest.  One myth about him, tells how he was destroyed by the Titans, except his heart, and was resurrected when Zeus gave the heart to Semele to eat, whereupon she gave birth to him anew.  This reflects the same cycle seen in the Wheel of the Year.


MAIDEN --  The first aspect of the Triple Goddess in Wicca.  She is represented by the waxing crescent moon.  She is fresh and youthful and in the first blush of womanhood.  Associated with Spring, the Maiden is beginnings and ideas, potential, and newness.

MALLEUS MALEFICARUM -- Translated it means the The Witches' Hammer.  Written in 1484 by Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger, two Inquisitors.  Under the Bull of Pope Innocent VIII, this document was a guide to questioning, when torturing was necessary, trying, and sentencing those accused of witchcraft.  It also included how to spot signs of witchcraft and demon possession, how to cure those inflicted with spells, how to protect themselves from spells, and a host of other information for the professional witch hunter, Inquisitor, or magistrate.  It was in use for three centuries or so in the persecution of those falling within their grasp.


MARCH -- March began the Roman year.  It was when military campaigns renewed after the break in winter.  Martius translates to (month of) Mars.  Mars being the Roman god of war.


MAY -- Named after the Roman goddess Maia, who is the goddess of spring growth.

MOTHER --  She is the second aspect of the Triple Goddess.  She is in her prime in all things: fertility, ripeness, sexually, and power.  Most times, She is pictured pregnant to symbolize this richness.  The full moon represents Her.

Diana

MOON --  The moon has been studied, worshiped, and used as a means of time telling for just about every ancient culture. Many used/still use the lunar calender, including Ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Greeks to name a few.  Others used or changed to a lunisolar calender.

The varying gods and goddess for the moon run across all the mythological pantheons: the Egyptian Thoth, the Roman Diana, the Greek Selene, and the Japanese/Shinto Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto.

Many modern day Wiccans have the Triple Goddess or the Maiden, Mother, and Crone.  The Maiden is the waxing moon, the Mother is the full moon, and the Crone is the waning moon.


MONDAY --  The name of this day comes from the Old English monandaeg from the Latin dies Lunae,which translates to day of the moon.


Disclaimer: None of these pictures belong to me.  I found them on Google.

A to Z Challenge -- L -- SOLSTICE, AXE, AND HARVEST

LABRYS -- The double-head axe that symbolizes the Goddess in some modern practices, but the labrys has a much older history.

In ancient Crete, the labrys was one of the holiest symbols.  It's surmised that in the Minoan culture it was a symbol of the Great Goddess. In depictions of the labrys, a woman always held them until the decline of the culture.  Then it was taken over by the Greek god Zeus.

The word labyrinth has etymological roots to the labrys as well.  The labyrinth may have a religious significance to the Minoans.  As does the bull.

The story of Theseus and the Minotaur in the labyrinth comes from these things being corrupted by the Greeks.

We may never know the full history Minoan culture and its influence on other peoples since much of their civilization is lost to time.


LADY/LORD --  Generic salutations for the Goddess and God.

LITHA -- A Sabbat that takes place on the Summer Solstice.  It is also known by the names Midsummer and Alban Heruin.  It is when the God is at his full power.  It is a turning point in the Wheel of the Year because He will lose his strength as darkness begins to return.  The Goddess blooms in pregnancy.

The land is at its greatest fertility, so marriages and magic rites are prevalent during this time.  Flowers and greenery are decorations. Bonfires are plentiful since this sabbat is connected with the God. Some leap over them to encourage fertility, purification and such.

We get the word honeymoon from marriage celebrations during this time.  The honey moon, or mead moon, where a newly married couple would drink mead everyday for a month.

The Romans celebrated Vestalia around this time.  It honored the goddess Vesta, the patron goddess and protector of virgins and the of the hearth.  She was Hestia to the Greeks.

She was not usually portrayed by statuary but was symbolized by a sacred fire. Bakers and millers honored this day by dressing their tools and animals with garlands.  The ass, Vesta's animal, was also honored.  Only women were allowed into the temple at this time to worship.  They made offerings to Vesta.

A Corn Doll

LUGHNASADH -- This sabbat is the celebration of the first harvest, taking place around July 31 or August 1.  It is when the God has aged.  The sun wanes and the fields give up their bounty.

Lughnashadh (pronounced ) was named after the sun god, Lugh.  In Irish mythology, he created a festival to honor his dead foster mother Tailtiu.  The funeral feast and games inclued match making and trade.

In later times, corn dollies were made (and still are) made of the last sheaves of corn or whatever grain was harvested.  They represented the spirit of the grain.

Also called Lammas, which translates to 'loaf mass'.  It was the medieval celebration of first harvest.

Grain has been a key worshiping tool for all ancient cultures.  They may vary in traditions, but they all knew the importance of their harvests and wanted to keep the local gods/goddess appeased and the land fruitful.



Disclaimer: None of these pictures belong to me.  I found them on Google.

A to Z Challenge -- K -- CAUSE, EFFECT, AND, KISS

Endless Knot Symbolizing Karma

KARMA --  One of the most influential concepts for not only Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, but for Wicca and Christianity as well.

Karma is the concept that (and I'm paraphrasing here) actions, thoughts, deeds, and words have either a good or negative effect on a person.  Basically it is cause and effect.  Do good and receive good; do bad and receive bad.  In Buddhism, karma takes this and has the effects going from the next life to even many lifetimes after.

We've all heard 'reap what one sows', right?  Also the phrase 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you'.  Or  'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.'  They are all similar to the concept of karma.

Wiccans also have a version as well.  (See I did work it in there, didn't I?  Had ya worried, huh?)  It's called the Threefold Law, which I will talk about in T.  (Sorry to keep you hanging, but I can't give away the goods yet! Muhahahaha!)


KISS, FIVEFOLD -- This is a sacred rite performed in a coven circle.  The High Priest and Priestess are usually the ones to perform it.  It is a series of eight kisses altogether.  Beginning with the right foot, both feet are kissed.  The knees are next, again starting on the right.  Next, the lower belly above the genitals. The breasts, then the lips.

The ritual words are spoken as the kisses are placed:

Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways.
Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar.
Blessed be thy womb/phallus, without which we would not be.
Blessed be thy breasts, formed in beauty.
Blessed be thy lips, that shall utter the Sacred Names.

This is where the phrase "Blessed be" comes from.

The Fivefold Kiss is Not Sexual in anyway.  It symbolizes the Goddess and God paying homage to one another.  It's up to the individual covens if they wish to perform it or not.



Disclaimer: None of these pictures belong to me.  I found them on Google.

A to Z Challenge -- J -- NEW YEAR, MARRIAGE, AND MONEY

JANUARY --  Named after Janus, the god of doors, gates, transitions, beginnings and endings.  He is a god with two faces; one looked back while the other looks forward.

He was the beginning and end of conflict for the Romans.  His major temple in Rome was a key indicator if they were at war or peace.  At war, the doors of the temple were open, while the doors would be closed when they were at peace.  Let's just say that those doors didn't close very often.

His image came in different ways.  Sometimes one face would have a beard while the other did not, or they could both be bearded.  In some places he had four faces.  Plus, his image is on coins because in some stories, he introduced money.


JUMPING THE BROOM -- This tradition has been carried out for many centuries.  It may have been before even handfasting.  The Welsh tradition of priodas coes ysgub (broomstick wedding) might have come from the Romany (gypies) of Wales before it spread to a country-wide tradition.  The broomstick would be set in the doorway at an angle.  The couple would jump over the broom together, but if the broomstick was touched the marriage was considered invalid.

The besom is used for the modern tradition.  It's a way to star a marriage with a clean slate.  In other words, to jump the broom is a meaningful way of starting life together with the past swept away.  Usually it takes place after the wedding ceremony.

Historically, in Antebellum America, plantation slaves used this as a way to marry since they had no legal means of taking their vows.  Whether it came from their white masters or from their own countries of origin is still debated.

JUNE -- Named for the goddess, Juno (aka Hera).  She was the wife/sister of Jupiter (aka Zeus).  She was the patron goddess of marriage and women.  She is one of the principle goddesses of the Roman pantheon.

The protecting guardian spirit of females was called a juno, which was a genius (aka family ancestor from the underworld originally). There were different ones for virgins, married women, marriage, and brides.


Disclaimer: None of these pictures belong to me.  I found them on Google.

A to Z Challenge -- I -- CLEANING, CANDLEMAS, AND CALLING

The Triple Brigid

IMBOLC --  (Pronounced immehlk, also Imbolg)  This is Sabbat takes place around February 1st or 2nd.  It is a celebration that honors the coming spring.  It is a time when the Crone becomes the Maiden once more, while recovering from the birth of the God.

Brigid's Cross

It is a time of sweeping away the old and heralding the new.  Think of it as spring cleaning. It is also the time when animals are pregnant or ready to drop young.

Imbolc etymological roots in Irish means 'in the belly'.

It is also called Brigid's Day (Pronounced breed)  She is one of the Major Irish goddesses.  She is considered a triple (or threefold) goddess, but not in the aspect of maiden, mother, crone.  Instead, it's morely likely she was three sisters of the same name.

 She is associated with Poetry, Childbirth, and Smithcraft.  She had Brigid's crosses are made as symbols of protection and prosperity for the coming year.


INVOCATION --  This is to invite power or a deity within you or it is to ask for something.  For example, drawing down the moon is to take in the Goddess or Her power into yourself or performing a invoking chant to want the gods to aid you in protection.

This is opposed to evocation.


Disclaimer: None of these pictures belong to me.  I found them on Google.

BOOK CHALLENGE 2015 #8 -- A BOOK BASED ENTIRELY ON ITS COVER

It's so hard for me to pick up a book and not read the inner jacket.  It's nearly impossible.  After that initial love-fest with the cover, I have to see what a book is about.  Only I finally did it.  The book was called Beastkeeper.

As you can tell by the cover, it's stunning orange and black silhouette style draws the eye.  Then the white accents pulls the eye deeper into it and then you notice the intricate details throughout.

The story was good.  It was a interesting fairy tale.  I won't share any details about it.  Sorry.

A to Z Challenge -- H -- CORD, HUNT, AND CROSSROADS

HANDFASTING -- A traditional trial marriage or engagement ceremony dating back to the ancient Celts.  Some believe that it lasted a 'year and a day'.  After the predetermined time, the couple could separate in a handparting, if they wished, or make the match permanent.  

The couple's hands were tied by a cord to symbolize their unity.  Many modern couples use the cord to signify what they wish from the relationship and to reflect their vows.  Colors like red, pink, and green are used to represent passion, love, and fertility respectively in the cord.    

Now, a handfasting is more akin to a wedding in truth. 

HAWTHORN --  One of the sacred trees.  It is one of the triumvirate of trees said to be the gateway to the fae land or to see fairies; Oak, Ash, and Thorn.

Hawthorns legends have that fairy live within them and that to cut one down was bad luck.

Parts of the tree were used as medicinal and edible substances, including the leaves and berries.

Magically, the hawthorn is used as protection and banishing evil spirits.  It's used to draw luck into your home at the new year.

Beltane and May Day are two of the prevalent celebrations where hawthorn is used.

The Greeks and Romans also used hawthorn in rites of marriage and as protection of virgin purity.

HECATE -- (Pronounced hek-uh-tee, also Hekate)  Let's just say She is one powerful goddess and is associated with many, many different things.  She is the 'Queen of Ghosts'; goddess of the cross roads, sorcery, childbirth, witchcraft, and others.  She is associated with the dark of the moon.

Pre-Olympian, Hecate came from Thrace and maybe even Egypt.  In the pantheon of Greek Gods, She was powerful in her own right.  Zeus gave her unprecedented powers to give and take away from mankind as she saw fit.  No other had that kind of power besides him.  She also had access to all three realms, Heavens, Earth, and Underworld.

Hecate's appearance has changed as time and cultures adopted her.  She went from young maiden (her associations to them) to the haggard crone (Medieval Church demonization).  Her statues were sometimes depicted with three heads as to signify she was ever vigilant.

Her origins are all over the place, depending on which place it was associated.  Some called her one of the last Titans, others had her as a Fury.

 At three-way crossroads, travelers traveling at night would leave offerings to her shrines for safe passage.  Hecate Trivia (Roman tri-via) was celebrated on November 30th.

Herne the Hunter

HORNED GOD --  This is an archetype to represent the God's masculine energy.

Cerunnos is one such version of this god; only he is antlered not horned.  Many times depicted surrounded by animals, he is assumed to be the Lord of Forest and Wild Things.

Herne the Hunter is another and could be considered one version of Cerunnos.  He may be a different god altogether. He is the leader of the Wild Hunt in some of the legends.  Herne may have been heavily influenced by the Anglo-Saxon.



Disclaimer: None of these pictures belong to me.  I found them on Google.