Seasonal thoughts

Hardy Hibiscus...fading away

Molting American Goldfinch, containers of bedraggled and leggy annuals, and perennials that were the glory of summer are now sad and done.  That is how the seasons go, and the visible signs of the lessening light and cooling temperatures let us know preparations should begin for the coming season. The turning of the Wheel of the Year is almost complete. But first we shall enjoy the brilliance of trees in their fancy dress, crisp autumn nights, the new smell of wood smoke in the air, pumpkins and winter squashes, and the first crocks of hot stews and homemade soups; perhaps also some apple cakes and pumpkin bread, too.

Raise your hands if Autumn is your favorite season!

A little Autumn Shopping

Saturday, early Autumn. What to do? Shopping with a friend, that's what.

Like bees to honey!

 

 

What a charming shop! Look at those painted pumpkins.

Talented owner creates great displays. One of everything, please.

Autumn lends itself to inspired decorating.

Two of my purchases

A closer look at this great witchy pin

Tiny pumpkins and cinnamon scented little tapers purchased at another shop

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.  ~Albert Camus

Autumn on the Front Porch

Welcome!

Chrysanthemums

And more mums

Please come in and sit a spell

A full moon task

A full moon is a glorious sight to a Wiccan. It is also sacred, and there are many beautiful ways to honor the Goddess during full moon rituals. The moon is a symbol of the Goddess. Phases of the moon represent aspects of the Goddess: Maiden, the new moon, Mother, the full moon and Crone, the waning moon. In ritual Wiccans can appeal to these various aspects of the Goddess for assistance with various needs, problems, celebrations, meditations....whatever workings are at hand during whatever phase of the Moon.

Last night was a perfect time for me to take advantage of the clear sky and beautiful full moon shining down on my garden. Water, one of the Four Elements (earth, air and fire, the other 3) is crucial for purifications spells, protection spells, and other tasks. The energy and power from a Full Moon is just what I wanted to "charge" a pitcher full of water for use in ritual and spells. I simply set it out on a table on my deck, said a few words to the Goddess, and left the pitcher there all night. This morning I have a pitcher of water that I will use for cleansing and consecrating some tools I have recently acquired, as well as renewing protection spells around the house and garden.

Wiccan Rites: Bless-ed Mabon

Marigolds

 
Ahhhhh, the first day of Autumn....the Autumnal Equinox. For Wiccans, and other Pagans, this is Mabon, the Second Harvest. A time to give thanks for the Summer, the gifts we received from the Earth, and to observe and take note of the shortening of days, the light fading earlier and earlier. Actually, because I live in Central New York, a very cold and snowy place in winter, this is really Last Harvest. There won't be much in the garden after our first frost. We do have Brussels Sprouts still growing, but voles did away with our winter squashes.

Apples are the fruit for Mabon, crisp, juicy and freshly picked from nearby orchards. Apple crisp, apple pie, apple bread, apple cake, apple fritters, apple muffins......the list goes on!! 

I will decorate my altar for tonite's Mabon ritual with apples and acorns...still a little early for colorful fall leaves around my yard.  If my son and daughter were home, we would light a fire in our back yard fireplace and sing and perhaps, do some drumming and chanting. It is a fun and great way to build up energy for the ritual. Writing our hopes or wishes on bay leaves, and giving them to the fire, so they rise up through the smoke to the Universe of Infinite Solutions.

And then inside to drink apple cider, or hot tea, and a delicious apple dessert.

I am going to be adding some "stuff" (to use the technical term!) to my blog. For one, I received an email from someone asking  "What the Heck is Wicca?" So I will be taking care of that, plus some other facts and info. It takes me a little while, but I am learning the ways of the Blog-o-Sphere.   And I will be changing to an autumn background. Hopefully, I wont delete myself out of the blog all together!!!!

My witchy broom for cleansing and re-organizing

Autumn in the Garden

The leaves on our blueberry bushes are turning a deep red

It was 38 degrees fahrenheit this morning when we got up (cue the chattering teeth)! I am ready for Autumn, but not for the chilly temperatures....because they are going to get a lot chillier soon.

Mabon is almost here, and I am looking forward to a nice fire to celebrate. The Autumn Equinox focuses on finding balance in your life.

Lexie-Girl might need to find some balance in her life!

CNY Pagan Pride Festival 2010

Well, as a blogger, I blew it!! I spent a lot of time wandering around and looking at everything, and totally forgot to take pictures. It was a beautiful day, and there were a lot of vendors.  I did enjoy the belly dancers, and I watched the Circle Ritual to celebrate Autumn Equinox. There were also interesting workshops. It seemed to me to be a good turn-out, with people of all ages and backgrounds.  How great to go to an event like this.

Autumn Equinox Circle Ritual

Festival Purchases: Amulet bags, nature-inspired ceramics and a mini cauldron