WITCH IN THE CITY

Mabon or the Autumnal Equinox, falls on or around September 19-22. It marks the time of year when day and night are equal, as they are on the Spring Equinox, Ostara. The difference between the two is that on Mabon, the night will overpower the day, and the Sun will weaken until Yule, the Winter Solstice. Mabon is the second of the three harvest festivals, to include Lammas (Lughnasadh), Mabon, and Samhain. It is the harvest of fruits and vegetables, and metaphorically the harvest of the years trials, tribulations, and hard work. We mourn the weakening of the Sun God, and rejoice in the Goddess' bounty that she has given birth to. Our altars are decorated in the Autumn colors of golds, coppers, reds, and oranges, accented with gourds, oak leaves, acorns, and pumpkins. We cast spells for prosperity, abundance, new beginnings, drawing balance, and strength and protection. Mabon is a time of dramatic change, one from the vibrancy and newness of the Summer, to the impending darkness and...

IMBOLG - CANDLEMAS - FEBRUARY 1-2 On Imbolg (February 1st or 2nd) we become aware that the Sun's energy is slowly growing stronger. The Earth Mother is slowly awakening under the Sun's revitalizing energy. At this time, we call to the Mother to accept this energy and use it to bless us and renew the Earth. We call to the young Sun God to empower him and draw his fertilizing energy back into the Mother. Imbolg marks the welcoming of spring and the festival of the beginning of the end of winter. It is a festival of light and of fertility. Imbolg is the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God.  The lengthening periods of light awaken Her. The God is a young, lusty boy, but His power is felt in the longer days. The Earth begins to feel this warmth, marking a return to the months of spring. It originated in Ireland as a holy day for Brigit (pronounced "breed"), the Great Mother Goddess, who was in the form of a bride for the returned Sun God. The word...

CORNUCOPIA -  LAMMAS - LUGHNASADH - AUGUST 1ST Lammas, or Lughnasadh (pronounced "LOO-nahs-ah"), is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “Loaf-mass” and is one of the Greater Wiccan Sabbats, usually celebrated on August 1st or 2nd, although occasionally on July 31st. The Lughnasadh Sabbat is a time to celebrate the end of Summer and the beginning of the Autumn season, as well as to usher in the first of three harvest celebrations in the Witches Yearly Calendar. It is the time of harvesting corn and grain, grapes and wine, and is therefore greatly associated with bread, as grains are the first crop to be harvested. We as Witches give thanks and honor to all Gods and Goddesses of the Harvest, as well as those who represent Death and Resurrection. This is a time when the Sun God magickally begins to weaken as the Sun rises farther in the South, each day growing shorter as the nights grow longer. The Goddess watches in sorrow, but she realizes that while the God is dying, He lives on ...