Litha marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.  It is the time to realize and celebrate the power of the God at full strength.  He is the lord of the forest, the Green Man hidden in plain sight in churches all over Europe.  In some traditions, this is the time when the Oak King, ruler of the light half of the year, is defeated in battle by the Holly King.  Though it’s early in the season (June 20-22) and the hottest days of summer still lie ahead, from this point on the hours of light grow ever shorter.

While many of the other Sabbats honour the God in part, the focus seems to shift more towards the Goddess.  By contrast, the focus at Litha is nearly always on paying homage to the power of the sun and masculine energies and rituals should be held at noon, when the sun is highest in the heavens.

Not surprisingly, fire is an important part of Litha celebrations.  Burning balefires were believed to help strengthen the sun.  Torchlight processions were common and burning gorse was carried around the livestock to prevent disease and misfortune.  Folk would dance around the bonfires, or leap through them as a fortifying or cleansing rite.  One of the most interesting practices was that of constructing wheels bound with straw, setting them alight and rolling them down steep hillsides.  In fact, this my be one of the few examples of truly ancient rituals surviving almost unchanged to the present day. 

Sun worship is one of the oldest forms of religion in existence and the most recognized symbol of that worship is the Solar Wheel, representing the motion of the sun.  The wheel has appeared on coins, in statues, pottery and in print for over five thousand years!  The custom is mentioned in a German work that was published in the mid 16th century: The Regnum Papisticum by Thomas Naogeorgus

This seems to have been quite a popular custom in Northern Europe and was practiced right up to modern times.  In 1909, an account was published by a folklorist of a very similar custom in Wales in the 1820s.

Though I don’t recommend setting something on fire and rolling it down a hill, there are plenty of other ways to celebrate Litha.  Use a candle to represent the Midsummer balefires, or have a bonfire if conditions and location permit.

The ashes from the Litha fire can be made into a protective amulet by pouring them into a small pouch or kneading them into soft clay and making a talisman.  Some believe this will protect you from adversity.  You could also sow the ashes into the garden to ensure a good harvest.

Along with Beltane and Samhain, Litha is a night for the Fae.  They caper and dance around the fires, playing tricks on unwary humans.  It is said that you can get a glimpse of the faery folk by peering through a rowan loop or through a hagstone (a stone with a natural hole).  Be quick! If you blink, they will disappear!

With the full heat of summer still looming, place an offering in or near a water source to encourage a continued supply to thirsty crops.  Or float paper boats with blessings down a stream.

Litha is a good time for marriages as well.  Handfasted couples from the previous Beltane have completed their year and a day trial and can make the arrangement permanent if so desired.  It’s also a good time for couples to renew their vows and rekindle their romance. 

Romantic divination is also popular at this time.  Gaze deep into your Litha fire and see what the Sun God has to say…

In this digital age, instructions are easy to find.  And if the pictures are hard to understand, there’s always YouTube!

Celebrate the season by wearing a beautiful flower crown at the Litha festivities!   (If you would prefer to enjoy real flowers in the garden, get the best of both worlds by using imitation flowers from a craft store.) 

Staffs and wands both represent masculine energies, so this is a great time to make them!  The instructions for both are very similar, size is the major difference. 

As a general rule, wands should be the length of your arm from the crook of the elbow to the tip of your middle finger.  They can be as thick or thin as you like, but keep in mind comfort and durability!

Staffs should be between shoulder height to the top of your head and thick enough to be held comfortably in the hand, often between 1-2” (2.5-5 cm).

These measurements are guidelines only, your staff and your wand are personal items; make them whatever size feels right to you!
 
Though I’ve seen staffs and wands made from other materials, they are usually made of wood.  In some traditions, the type of wood is very important as different woods have different magickal qualities.  Oak, willow and ash are popular choices, though any kind of wood will work to direct the flow of energies.

Take a walk in a wooded area to find a suitable branch.  If you can, take one that has already fallen to the ground.  If the branch you want is still on the tree, make sure you ask permission before cutting it, and respect the answer!  Whether you find a branch or cut one, thank the tree that gave it to you and leave an offering of some kind.

Trim the branch to the right size for you and remove any twigs, bark or leaves.  Sand the branch to get a smooth surface.  You now have a functional wand or staff!  Some prefer to leave it as natural as possible, others add meaningful decorative touches. 
 
If you wish, use a sharp knife to whittle a handle.  You can carve or burn runes, sigils or other designs into the wood if you desire.  You could wrap the handle or other portion in wire, ribbon or leather.  Attach a crystal to one end with glue and/or leather wrappings.  For a staff, you might drill a small hole at the top for a leather thong to go around your wrist.  Make it yours!

The crops in the fields are ripe and ready for the first harvest.  The god has given his power to the grain and become a willing sacrifice that ensures the survival of our families over the coming cold season.  At sundown on July 31st the festival of Lughnasadh begins!

Lughnasadh comes from the Irish Gaelic Lugh, a Celtic sun god and násad, meaning assembly.  Together they are frequently interpreted as the funeral games or commemoration of Lugh.  In some traditions, the god Lugh has given his life’s blood to the grain in order to ensure a bountiful harvest and the people celebrate and give thanks to the god for his sacrifice.  In other traditions, the god has given his power, entering old age but not yet departed.  In this case, the funeral is not in his honour, but that of his foster-mother Tailtiu.  She is credited with the clearing of the plains of Ireland to make way for agricultural development, and perished of exhaustion as a result.  Whether the god is growing weaker with age, or already walking the next world, his sacrifice is felt as the nights grow noticeably longer and we recognize that the balmy summer season is giving way to autumn.

Lugh is a sun god, but he is also the god of craft and skill.  It is most appropriate to appreciate the labour and skill that people have contributed to produce the harvest, as well as the gifts of Lugh.  In the modern age, few stop to think of the farmers toiling in their fields in order to put food on our tables.  On this day if no other, remember them and acknowledge their efforts in feeding the rest of the world!  For those who live off the land, those with vegetable gardens or even those who grow a tomato plant or two on your balcony, celebrate yourself and the fruits of your labours!

In many places, the first and last sheaves of grain held special significance.  The first grains would be cut at dawn, processed then baked into a special Harvest Bread loaf.  The loaf was shared with the family/community as thanks for the harvest.  This tradition was continued by the Christians at Lammas, as the first loaves were brought to church as offerings, the church would then bless the fields.

The last sheaf was also ceremonially cut, then often made into a corn dolly*.  This icon was honoured at the Harvest Feast, then would be displayed in the home over the winter, usually near the hearth or above the fireplace.  In the spring it may be buried with the newly sown grain, burnt with the ashes scattered over the fields, or returned to the earth in some other way.  This would allow the power of the harvest god to pass from harvest to harvest.

What would a sabbat festival be without a feast?  Casseroles made with seasonal veggies, pies made with berries you picked yourself, bread made from scratch; there are many so recipes online, explore and enjoy!

Lughnasadh is a celebration of the harvest, but Lugh is also the god of crafts and skills.  With that thought in mind, here are some things you can do to decorate your house and altar for the sabbat.

The bees have been buzzing about all summer long, working to collect pollen, make honey and ensure the survival of their hive.  Make some beeswax candles to remember and honour their efforts, as well as your own. 

Lughnasadh is a harvest festival, specifically the grain harvest.  Popcorn crafts are a great way to appreciate this, plus it’s an easy way to involve the kids.  Make lots of popcorn and make garlands or wreaths or any one of a number of clever ideas. 

Collect items to decorate your altar such as sunflowers, wheat stalks, popcorn, your homemade beeswax candles, a loaf of homemade bread, etc.  

Try canning some of your harvest, or venture down to the farmer’s market and buy some local produce, so you can appreciate it in the winter months when it’s harder to come by. 

* Instructions on how to make a corn dolly can be found here.

With celebrations starting on the eve of April 30th and continuing through May1st, Beltane is one of the four fire festivals held throughout the year. Known by many different names (May Day, Roodmas, Walpurgisnacht, Belotinia, Cyntefyn, Cethsamhain and Nos Galon-Mai, to name but a few) the purpose of the festival is essentially the same. It is a celebration of life and fertility, the starting point of summer and a welcome for the return of the sun.

The word Beltane is thought to originate from the Gaelic words bel or bhel, meaning to shine, and ten or tene, meaning fire. So Beltane literally translates as “bright fire”. Another theory asserts that the word derives from Bel, a Celtic sun god (aka Bile, Beli, Belinus, Belenos), and translates as the “fire of Bel”. The Bel fires or balefires were lit both as a welcome to the Sun God, and as an invocation, inviting his blessings and protection.

​Beltane is the counterpoint to the festival of Samhain. Where Samhain is the start of the season of darkness, sleep and death, Beltane begins the season of light, life and activity. Like Samhain, Beltane is a time when the veil between worlds is thin and magick fills the air.   

According to some, this is the time the faerie folk return from their winter homes and on Beltane Eve, the Queen of the Faeries roves about the land on her white horse, tempting people away to the land of the Fae. Legend says that if you sit beneath a tree on Beltane night, you may hear the bells on the Queen’s horse, or actually see the Queen Herself. If you hide your face, She will pass you by, but if you look at Her, She may spirit you away.

​Like all festivals at this time of year, Beltane is focussed on life, abundance and fertility. One ritual was to drive the herds between two needfires (fein cigin), in order to bring luck, purify the livestock and to ensure their fertility. Hearth fires were extinguished and then rekindled from the balefires. Ashes from the Beltane fires were scattered on the fields to ensure bountiful crops.   

It is at Beltane that the marriage of the God and the Goddess is celebrated. They come together in a sacred union, and the Goddess conceives, ensuring that the Wheel will turn once more. The Great Rite is held at this time, re-enacting and celebrating this union.   

The Great Rite isn’t the only sexual Beltane tradition. Young people, betrothed or not, went "a’maying." They would spend the night in the woods or the fields, making love all the night through, then return with armfuls of the first May blossoms to decorate their homes. The older, married people were allowed, on this one night, to set aside the restrictions of the marriage vows. It would come as no surprise that there would be several new additions to the community nine months hence!

​Dancing around the Maypole is another popular tradition, staged around the world. In many pagan traditions, the maypole is rife with sexual symbolism.   

This may be an accurate description of the symbolism of the modern maypole, but it is hard to believe the ancient Celts had yards of ribbon handy to wrap the pole. In fact, the early Maypole dances were likely simple circle dances held around a living tree. Trees were seen as sacred symbols by the ancient Celts, whether they were seen as phallic symbols, I don’t know. In the Middle Ages, mummers likely added ribbons to the dance to make it more theatrical, and the evolution of the Maypole Dance brought us to the modern performance.

With so much focus on fertility, sex and marriages, it would be astonishing if weddings and handfastings weren’t popular at this time.  However there are two opposing trains of thought on this:

1. By emulating the marriage of the God and Goddess, a couple honours them and their joining would be blessed. 
2. May is the month to celebrate the marriage of the God and Goddess, and all honours should be theirs alone.  So by entering into a legal and permanent marriage at this time, a couple would essentially be stealing their thunder. 

Bonfires, handfastings, couples gone a’maying……what else is there to do on Beltane? Feast of course! Serve some of the first fresh veggies in a savoury stew, make a nice dandelion salad, and enjoy some bannock for your main meal. Fresh fruits and some fried honey cakes make a wonderful dessert. Celebrate the abundance of the season!

Now comes the complicated part; the dance itself. An even number of dancers is easiest, but an odd one out won’t ruin the weave, it’ll just add a little knobbly here and there. If you have an even number of male and female dancers, that’s great. Traditionally, women start on the inside of the circle and move clockwise, men on the outside and move counter clockwise. If there aren’t an equal number of men and women, just have everyone count off in twos.

Group 1 will start in the inner circle, group 2 on the outer. Hold the ribbon in the hand closest to the pole. As you move around the circle, pass first on the left, then the right, then the left again, weaving in and out. If you are passing on the outside, hold the ribbon up so the inner person can pass under it. Keep going around and around until everyone runs out of ribbon, then knot all the ribbons at the bottom.

If you’ve placed a wreath on the top, it will slide down the pole as it is wrapped and will eventually sit on the ground at the base.

Of course any dance isn’t complete without some fancy steps and music! Many dancers wear bells while dancing the Maypole. Using a step between a jog and a skip, come down in time to the music or chant so that the bells mark off the beat. Morris music, or traditional pipe and drum tunes would be appropriate to the occasion.

If you are having a children’s Maypole dance, it’s easiest to have all the dancers go around in the same direction. It may not look as fancy, but that’s not the real point behind it. This way the kids can participate in the festival in a fun and appropriate manner.

Sometime between March 19 and 22, the Spring Equinox is celebrated by many pagans as a season of rebirth and renewal, the triumph of the light over the long darkness of the cold season.  This is the start of the planting season, and a time of fertility and “spring fever”.   Ostara also marks the return of the Maiden Goddess, bringing excitement, vitality and the freshness of youth.

The history of the name Ostara is unclear and more than a little confusing.  Theoretically, Ostara is the name of the Germanic goddess of the dawn, know as Ēostre to the Venerable Bede, an 8th century English monk who briefly mentions her in his work “De temporum ratione” (The Reckoning of Time) 
 
Original Latin:
"Ēostur-monath, qui nunc Paschalis mensis interpretatur, quondam a Dea illorum quæ Ēostre vocabatur, et cui in illo festa celebrabant nomen habuit: a cujus nomine nunc Paschale tempus cognominant, consueto antiquæ observationis vocabulo gaudia novæ solemnitatis vocantes.
 
Modern English translation:
"Ēosturmonath has a name which is now translated "Paschal month", and which was once called after a goddess of theirs named Ēostre, in whose honour feasts were celebrated in that month. Now they designate that Paschal season by her name, calling the joys of the new rite by the time-honoured name of the old observance."

There seems to be little supporting evidence of the existence of the goddess Ēostre.  Some claim this is because the Germanic tribes relied on mostly oral traditions; others claim that Ēostre was an invention of Bede, or the product of a misinterpretation on his part.  Little else is mentioned about her until the 19th century, when Jacob Grimm addresses some of Bede’s detractors, saying “there is nothing improbable in them (goddesses mentioned by Bede), nay the first of them is justified by clear traces in the vocabularies of Germanic tribes." 
Grimm goes on to cite evidence in the old Germanic languages that suggest the existence of Ēostre.  Grimm comments “This Ostarâ, like the [Anglo-Saxon] Eástre, must in heathen religion have denoted a higher being, whose worship was so firmly rooted, that the Christian teachers tolerated the name, and applied it to one of their own grandest anniversaries."

Both Grimm and Bede declare that the Christian observance of Easter takes it’s name directly from the goddess Ēostre.  And while I believe that many modern traditions, both religious and secular, find their roots in ancient pagan practices, there are few similarities between Ostara and the Christian Easter apart from the name.

While Christians honour the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion and his resurrection three days later, for others, Easter evokes images of coloured eggs, the Easter Bunny and lots and lots of chocolate.  What do these things have in common?  As far as I can tell, not a darn thing.  Eggs, rabbits and sweets may have a pagan connection though.

In one popular legend, Ēostre found a wounded bird on the frozen winter ground.  In order to save its life, she turned the bird into a hare.  But the transformation wasn’t complete, the bird looked like a hare, but it kept the ability to lay eggs.  To thank Ēostre for saving its life, the hare would decorate the eggs and leave them as gifts for her.

Another possible explanation:  early Europeans observed that in the wild, hares gave birth in what is known as a form, a rabbit’s nest.  When the hares abandoned a form, plovers would sometimes move in and lay their eggs.  Perhaps those early Europeans would then find eggs in the form and a legend was born!

And the sweets?  One explanation involves those pagans that include faerie traditions in their practice.  Baskets of food and drink are left out for the faerie on certain festival nights.  They will wreak havoc on your life if no such gifts are forthcoming!  The type of food given depends on the festival, and for Ostara, sweets such as honey, mead or candy are the most appropriate.

Though the origins of Ostara are uncertain, and evidence supporting the existence of the goddess Ēostre is sketchy at best; it makes sense that there would be some celebration of the spring equinox.  Why would the ancients celebrate the autumnal equinox and the solstices, but not this one?  As with Mabon, I feel that Ostara should be embraced as a reminder that pagans today are a mix of the old and the new. 

Get a head start on the spring planting!  Set up an indoor greenhouse tray and start your seedlings now.  When it’s time to plant them in the garden, they’ll already be sprouted and thriving!

A festival isn’t complete without a feast.  Gather some of the first spring greens to add to your meal. 

There's a popular urban legend that says at the exact time of the equinox (give or take a few minutes), you can balance an egg upright by just setting it down on a level surface.  Does it work?  No idea!  But it might make for a fun little experiment with the kids!

Decorate eggs!  This is something almost every child has done at least once.  Though there are many kits on the market to colour your eggs, there are many natural products that can be used as dyes, eliminating exposure to possibly toxic chemicals. 

• 1 cup chopped purple cabbage per cup of water — makes blue on white eggs, green on brown eggs
• 1 cup red onion skins per cup of water — makes lavender or red eggs
• 1 cup yellow onion skins per cup of water— makes orange on white eggs, rusty red on brown eggs
• 1 cup shredded beets per cup of water— makes pink on white eggs, maroon on brown eggs
• 2 tablespoons ground turmeric or curry powder per cup of water — makes yellow eggs
• 1 bag Red Zinger tea per cup of water— makes lavender eggs

Other natural dye matter to try:

• Paprika – makes red/pink eggs
• Concentrated grape juice (Welch's works nicely, about half a can) – makes purple eggs
• Coffee grounds – makes beige eggs
• Frozen chopped spinach (1/3 to 1/2 package) – makes light green eggs
• 1 Cup frozen blueberries (with juice) – makes blue eggs

Put the water in a pot, add the dye matter and bring the water to a boil.  Turn the heat down to low, cover and simmer for 15-30 minutes.  When the dye is a few shades darker than you want the egg to be, the dye is ready.  (A few drops on a white dish will help you check the colour.)  Let the dye cool to room temperature.  Pour it through a fine strainer to remove the dye matter.  Stir in 1 tbsp of vinegar per cup of strained dye.  Pour the dye into a jar or container deep enough to hold the eggs. 

Your eggs should be either hard boiled or blown out, and at room temperature.  Submerge the eggs into the dye.  Put them in the fridge and chill until the desired colour is attained.  Remove the eggs, carefully dry them and massage a little oil into each one.  Polish with a paper towel.

You can make designs on your eggs in many ways.  Dip one end in one colour, and the opposite end in another.  Draw a design on the egg with crayons, the dye will colour the surrounding shell, leaving the design free.  Rubber bands or electrical tape will create similar effects.
For fancier eggs, try gluing on a leaf, some blades of grass, or some other botanical object, using egg white as the adhesive.  Put the egg and leaf into a cut off nylon stocking and tie it up, so that the leaf is held to the shell.  Once the egg is dyed, remove the stocking and the leaf, and you have some a gorgeous organic designs.
You can also just use watercolour paint, or some glue and sprinkles or glitter to make some fabulous decorated eggs!

However you choose to observe the spring equinox, do it with joy in your heart!

Imbolc is a fire festival beginning at sunset on January 31st, February 1st or 2nd, depending on the tradition you follow.  It celebrates the earliest stirrings of spring and the recovery of the goddess after the birth of the god.  It is also known as the festival of the Maiden.  In some practices, Imbolc heralds the transformation of the Crone to her Maiden phase.  In others, it is a preparation of this transition, which doesn’t actually occur until Ostara.

There are a couple of different theories on the origin of the name Imbolc.  Some claim it derives from the Old Irish Gaelic i mbolg, meaning “in the belly”, and others believe it comes from the Old Irish Gaelic oimelc, translated as “ewe’s milk”.  Either way, it refers to the same concept, the quickening of spring signified by the fact that most herd animals have either given birth by this time, or are nearing the end of pregnancy and are filled with milk.  This is why Imbolc is also known as the “festival of the lactating sheep”. 

Though all Maiden goddesses are honoured at this time, the one most associated with Imbolc is Brighid (pronounced breed or breet).  She is the Celtic goddess of the forge and hearth, as well as healing, childbirth, poetry and unity.  She is often regarded as the patron goddess of bards, healers and smiths.  Many believe that because Brighid was so widely honoured, the spread of Christianity across Europe could not abolish her worship.  Instead she was “adopted” by the Church as St. Brigid and Imbolc became St. Brigid’s Day and Candlemas. 

This is the time of year to get rid of the old to make way for the new.  In that spirit, a thorough spring cleaning of the house is often done.  Acts of divination are performed, especially concerning the welfare and prosperity of the family.  Naturally, many of the customs and rituals involve ensuring fertility and success in the coming year.  New seeds and agricultural tools are blessed and consecrated, to prepare for the planting season just ahead.

​White flowers, especially snowdrops, are symbols of Imbolc, as they are one of the first signs of spring.  The image of the flowers peeking through the blanket of snow brings assurance that spring is on its way

The fire of the forge, the fire of the hearth and the fire of creativity, all are associated with Brighid, so it comes as no surprise that the flames are an important symbol of Imbolc.  At sunset, or after ritual, all the candles and lamps are lit, even if just for a few moments, to celebrate the returning sun and to welcome Brighid into the home.  

A Brighid’s Cross is often made and then hung above the doorways, for protection throughout the year.  There are many variations of the Brighid’s Cross.  The most common is the 4 armed version, though there is also a 3 armed, triskele type cross.  Some say the 4 armed cross should be hung in the house, while the 3 armed cross is meant for the barn or cowshed.  Others say that the triskele variation is the original, representing Brighid as a triple goddess and the fourth arm was added later to strengthen association with the Christian cross. Other variations include the God’s Eye, which I wrote about in the Mabon post, and an interlaced strand version.

Brighid’s Dolls or Bridie Dolls were made to represent the goddess.  These dolls were often carried from house to house to offer blessings.  To bring good fortune and fertility to the home, they were placed near the hearth in a bed made for especially for them.  After Imbolc, the dolls can be placed in the home to honour Brighid and invoke her protection.  Some traditions will burn the dolls and mix the ashes with the seeds for the spring planting; others call for the doll to be buried with the spring crops.
Bridie Dolls are also known as corn dollies.  Though called “corn dollies”, they’re not all made of corn husks.  Many places in Europe refer to any grain as “corn”.  You may have seen corn dollies that look nothing like a regular type doll.  That’s because the word “dolly” in this case, is actually derived from the word “idol”.  So a “corn dolly” is actually a “grain idol” made in homage to the harvest deities.

To start, you’ll need 12-16 pieces of reed or straw.  (Drinking straws, pipe cleaners, thin willow branches, basket weaving materials, etc can be used as well.) .If they are dry, soak them in cool water for at least ½ hour to soften them up and keep them from breaking.  

The three armed Brighid’s Cross is a variation that starts the same as above, once you get to step 7, you’ve got the basic 4 armed cross shape.  At this point, you need to bend the upright arm and the single straw toward each other to make 3 evenly spaced arms.  It’s a little harder to start, but after adding the next couple of straws, it’s just as easy as the 4 armed version. 

There are many different ways to make corn dollies, and they can be made of a variety of materials.

It may be difficult to find fresh husks at this time of year, the produce section at the grocery store may have some.  Otherwise, you may have to think ahead and save some from the last autumn.  If you are using dried husks, soak them in lukewarm water for a couple of hours to soften them up.  You’ll also need some yarn, twine or ribbon to tie the husks.  Cotton balls, dried flowers or corn silk can be used as stuffing.

Choosing your grain is the first step and there are a couple of important points to make here.  The stalks should be nice and long and straight and able to stand upright (at least 18” from the base of the head to the first joint on the stalk).  The stem of the stalk should be nice and golden; stalks that are green won’t ever ripen to gold once they’ve been cut.
 
Soak the stalks for 30 minutes or so in lukewarm water before you start your doll.  After they’ve soaked, wrap them in a wet bath towel let them sit for about 15 minutes, then they will be ready for weaving.  Leave the stalks you aren’t currently weaving wrapped in the towel to keep them from drying out.

This technique calls for a base to weave around, creating a thick spiral of wheat. The thickness will depend on the size of the base.  You can use a removable core such as a dowel, creating a hollow core.  Or you can use a few wheat stalks as your base, and incorporate them into the dolly.   

Start with five stalks with heads, and 20-30 stalks with stems only.  Tie the five pieces with heads around the base, as close to the wheat heads as you can.   Cut the stalks in slightly different lengths, this will help stagger joins when you need to add another straw.
 
Bend each stem to a 90° angle, so that 4 of heads point north, east, south and west respectively.  The fifth stem should be bent to the right between the south and east stems.  We’ll call the stems A, B, C, D and E, as in the picture. 

When your stems are starting to get short, you can join more stems.  Cut the small end of the new stalk at an angle, and slip it into the larger, hollow end of the woven stem.  Stagger the joins so that there is only one in each circuit around the base or it weakens the spiral.

When your dolly is the size you wish it to be, either remove the base or snip the protruding end of the base close to the weave.  You can finish the dolly by simply tying off the ends with a ribbon, straw or piece of string.  You can also make a “handle” for the dolly by plaiting the five stalks for a few inches, then bending this braid over the top of the dolly.  Secure the ends by threading them through spaces in the weave. 

Making a 5 Strand Braid

I've seen a couple different ways to do this, but the easiest is what I call the “Over 2” technique.

It's the dawn of a new year, the earth is waking from her long sleep. Celebrate the return of light and warmth to the land.

​ Happy Imbolc and Goddess bless!

​Yule is the winter solstice, the longest night and shortest day of the year.  This is a turning point.  A time of birth and renewal.  

The word Yule may have derived from the Old English word géola which was a heathen feast at the solstice.  It may also have come from the Old Norse hjól, meaning wheel and is representative of the Wheel of the Year at its lowest point, ready to turn.  Whatever the etymology may be, the idea of celebrating the solstice is much older than the word.

​
The days begin to lengthen at ​Yule, as this is the time when the Goddess gives birth to the new Sun God, bringing light back to the land.  In some pagan traditions, this is the night when the Oak King, ruler of the light and the Holly King, ruler of darkness, battle for supremacy.  At Yule, the Oak King is victorious, bringing light to the land until they battle once more at Litha, when the Holly King prevails.

Many of the traditions and symbols of Yule will already be familiar as they are still widely practiced today, though you may not have realized how they came to be.

Bells would be rung to drive away any malicious spirits that may be around as well as attract and invite the Goddess.

A carol originally meant a song of praise or joy, or to dance in a ring from the old French carole. Pagans sang and danced carols long before The First Noël was written. You'd be very hard pressed to find any of the original pagan songs (at least I haven't found any yet), but some carols sung today have obvious pagan references and may be Christianized versions of older songs. There are many talented artists writing original music today to celebrate pagan beliefs and in a “turnabout is fair play” sentiment, I have found many Paganized versions of Christmas carols!  

​Candles were burned to help bring warmth to the cold of winter, and to encourage the light to return to the land.

Boughs were cut from evergreen trees and brought into the home.  They were often woven into a wreath, decorated and displayed.  These cuttings of pine, spruce, mistletoe, holly and ivy were thought to hold the magick of life as they stayed green while other plants turned brown and died.  Some pagans decorated trees outside their homes with candles and fruit to honour the gods.  Many believe that the practice of cutting a tree down and bringing it into the home began in Christian Germany in the 16th century.  This practice surely derived from the original pagan tradition, though this would likely have been seen as too destructive of nature for ancient pagans.

The Yule log played an important part in the celebrations.  A large log was brought in and ceremoniously set alight with a brand from the previous year’s Yule log.  This symbolizes the return of the sun and the continuity and connections of life, death and rebirth.  The ashes of the Yule log were kept and used in protective, healing and fertility charms.

Mistletoe was considered sacred by many cultures as it is an evergreen.  The custom of kissing under the mistletoe may have come from the legend of the goddess Frigg and her son Baldur from Norse mythology.  Baldur is killed by an arrow of mistletoe and Frigg proclaims the plant as a symbol of love so that it wouldn’t harm anyone again.  To kiss under the mistletoe is to receive Frigg’s blessing.
Holly was also held sacred as a symbol of rebirth and eternal life due to it being an evergreen.  As the white berries of the mistletoe were thought to symbolize the essence of the God, the red berries of the holly symbolized the blood of the Goddess. 

Santa Claus, Father Christmas, St. Nick, Kris Kringle, whatever you call him now, his origins go far deeper than many realize.  He has evolved into the modern vision of the jolly old man in the red suit and hat, but his origins are likely an amalgamation of many different figures across many cultures.

​St. Nicholas was a 4th century Greek bishop who had a reputation for giving gifts, and eventually became the patron saint of children.

Frau Holle is the Germanic goddess of winter. It is said that she makes snowflakes by plucking her geese, or by shaking out her down pillows and comforters until the feathers fly. Some of the lore has this goddess depicted in red, flying through the night and descending chimneys to leave gifts for children. Leaving food and milk for Frau Holle on December 24 (Mother Night) is also a common practice. Not only is the legend of Holle an obvious part of modern day Santa Claus, she is also thought to be the inspiration for Mother Goose.

​Le Befana is a figure in 13th century Italian legend.  She flies on a broomstick and enters homes through the chimney.  She offers candy and gifts to children, but a naughty child may receive a lump of coal instead.

Burning a Yule log is not an option for many pagans today, especially those living in urban areas. A Yule log candle holder is an excellent alternative that will allow everyone to take part in this lovely tradition.

​You'll need these tools and materials to make your Yule log candle holder:

Once the log is cleaned up, measure out where you want to place your candles and mark the log where you need to drill the holes.
You'll need a spade bit, Forstner bit or a large drill bit that is about the same size as the candles you've chosen. Drill the holes where you've marked them out.
Clean out the holes with the chisel as necessary. You can also use some sandpaper to clean it up.​

Decorate your Yule log with some small pine or spruce branches, pine cones, holly, ivy, mistletoe or whatever else strikes your fancy!  ​Put your candles in and enjoy! 

Whether you say Happy Kwanzaa, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Season's Greetings, or something else, I wish all your lives be filled with joy and peace.

Samhain is a Irish Celtic word believed to mean “summer's end”. (Sorry to all Supernatural fans, there was no god named Samhain!) For the Celts, Samhain marked the new year on November 1st, though celebrations started at sundown on October 31st.  
The ancient Celts would give their homes a good “fall” cleaning and extinguish their fires during the day on the 31st. This allowed them to start the new year fresh and clean.  At sunset, a giant bonfire would be lit and the formal ceremonies would begin. Sacrifices of crops and livestock would be burned for the Celtic deities. The people wore costumes and would dance around the fire, playing out the cycle of life, death and rebirth.  
There were three purposes to the costumes. It was believed that souls were set free from the Land of the Dead during the eve of Samhain and the costumes were worn to honour these souls. The costumes also allowed them to hide from the trickery of malevolent spirits. A third reason for the costumes was as an homage to the Celtic deities.  
​When the celebration was over, each family would take a piece of the sacred bonfire home. Their hearth fires were rekindled using this flame to help protect the home and its occupants during the dark winter months. The families would then place food and drink outside the door, to appease roaming spirits.  

Contrary to popular belief, Samhain and Hallowe'en are not the same thing, though they do share many of the same customs and traditions. Hallowe’en originated as a Catholic Church sanctioned holiday designed to replace the pagan Samhain. Pope Boniface IV designated November 1st as “All Saints Day”, to honour saints and martyrs. October 31st became “All Hallows Eve”, eventually becoming Hallowe'en. A couple of centuries later, November 2nd became “All Souls Day”, a day to honour the dead. All Souls Day is celebrated with big bonfires, costumes and parades, very similar to Samhain.  ​Some of the other traditions of present day Hallowe'en, owe their origins to both pagan and Christian sources. I've already mentioned bonfires, costumes, parades and dancing; but there's also jack'o'lanterns, trick-or-treating, bobbing for apples, black cats, and the colours orange and black

Many believe the church labelled the colour black as being “evil and dangerous” and representational of all things demonic as a way of converting pagans to Christian belief. This stigma has continued to this day, but pagans commonly use the colour black in protection rites. Black is a sacred colour to some of the gods of the underworld, and to the crone goddess. Black can represent death, but most pagans don't perceive death as evil. It also represents darkness, specifically the darkest part of the year until Yule, when the days start to become longer again. In this aspect, blackness means rest, introspection and wisdom.
The colour orange is simpler to explain. At this time of the year, there's a lot of orange to be seen! The leaves on the trees, many of the gourds in the fall harvest, the flames of the Samhain bonfires. It's a colour of transition, from summer to autumn, from life to death, from light to dark.

Black cats became associated with witches in the Middle Ages, and there are many theories on how it came about. Cats were sacred to the ancient Egyptians, often worshipped as gods. The goddess Bast is often depicted as a black cat. The Norse goddess Freya had a chariot pulled by two black cats. The Roman goddess Diana turned herself into a black cat on more than one occasion. In Irish and Scottish folklore, there appears a creature know as the Cat Sidhe, or Cat Sith, an all black cat, with a white spot on its chest. It is described as being as large as a dog and displays itself with its bristles erect and back arched. A watch called Feill Fadalach (Late Wake) was held due to the belief that the Cat Sith would steal the souls of the dead before the gods could claim it unless the body was guarded until burial. Interestingly, many believe cats to be psychopomps, responsible for guiding spirits to the afterlife and acting as messengers between the living and the dead.

When the Romans conquered and ruled the Celtic lands, many of the traditions of both cultures were influenced and mixed with the other. The Roman goddess of fruits and trees, Pomona, had a day of honouring that was combined with the Samhain celebrations. Apples were sacred to Pomona and were used to predict marriages. Young singles would try to bite into an apple floating in water or hanging from a string. The first person to succeed would be the next to marry. The apple is also special to pagans for another reason. When you slice an apple in half, the seeds form a pentagram shape.

Trick-or-treating is actually thought to originate from a Christian custom. During early All Souls Day parades in England, poor citizens would beg for food. Families would give them “soul cakes” in return for prayers for the family's dead relatives. I've also mentioned the custom of leaving food and drink outside the door for roaming spirits. This is another possible origin of the “treat”. In that case, the second portion was an addition of the Christians, who claimed that the dead who didn't receive a treat would play a malicious “trick” on the inhabitants of that house.

Probably the most famous Hallowe'en tradition is the jack-o-lantern, and the origins of this one are unsure. In some cultures, people would light candles for the dead to follow. The candles were placed on the ground in hollowed out gourds. Some say this evolved into the modern day jack-o-lantern. There is also a Christianized Irish myth about a man named “Stingy Jack”.

The Irish and Scottish people began carving scary faces into turnips and potatoes and placing them into windows and doorways to frighten away wandering evil spirits. In England, they used large beets. When immigrants brought the tradition to America, they found the pumpkin, and that became the familiar jack-o-lantern.   The evolution of the jack-o-lantern continues today, from simple faces carved into the pumpkin to incredibly complex artworks done by talented artisans.

Today, Samhain is one of the most sacred of the sabbats and is considered to be the witches New Year. Many believe that the veil between this world and the next is at it's thinnest point on Samhain, so this is the time to honour the dead and to attempt communication. It is also a time to welcome the Goddess as Crone and to honour the God in the Underworld.   

Rituals symbolizing the cycle of life, death and rebirth are common and this is also a good time for a home cleansing.  But most of the traditions and rites surrounding Samhain centre on honouring the dead. Many hold a ritual to remember their ancestors by decorating their altar with family pictures and heirlooms and reciting their genealogy. Others focus on remembering lost loved ones. Some also hold vigil for the forgotten dead, those who are unknown, or have no one left to mourn them. Of course no one says you have to pick, you can do some or all of these things.

One of my own favourite traditions at Samhain is the Dumb Supper. As the name implies, this is a meal held in complete silence. The table should be set formally, preferably all in black, or at least predominantly in black. The head of the table is reserved for the spirits, and the chair should be shrouded with a black or white cloth. Tea light candles should be placed to represent each of the specifically invited spirits, and I also place at least one to represent others that may drop in. Don't light them yet. A small cauldron or other fireproof container should also be placed at the spirit setting. Because no one may speak, items should be placed in easy reach of each guest. Each of the guests that you invite should be asked to bring a note including what they wish to say to their loved one.
I hold the Dumb Supper after all other rituals are done. Once we enter the dining area, no one may speak. As each person enters, they take a moment to stop at the spirit chair to show their respect, light the candle that has been placed for their loved one and offer a silent prayer to the dead. The host/ess sits across from the spirit chair, the others sit where they please. Once everyone is seated and the meal is blessed, the host/ess serves, beginning with the spirit setting and then continuing from oldest to youngest and finally themselves. No one eats until all have been served.   

Once the meal is done, each guest should bring out the note that they brought. Go to the head of the table and burn the note in the flame of the candle that stands for your loved one. (The burning note should be placed in the cauldron/container.) Once the guest returns to their seat, the next guest goes up and so on. As hostess, I usually have a note for the extra candle as well as my own. Once everyone has had a turn, we join hands and offer a silent prayer for the dead. As the guests leave, still in silence, they should stop at the spirit chair one more time and offer their goodbyes. Once everyone is gone from the dining area, I close the Samhain celebrations and open the circle. The meal at the spirit setting is then taken outside and left as an offering.  The ashes of the notes are given to the wind.

Samhain blessings to you and those you love, both in this world and the next. May the turning of the wheel bring you good fortune and great joy!  

Mabon is the second harvest festival and is considered to be the witches thanksgiving. It is celebrated on the autumnal equinox. This is a celebration of the Earth’s bounty, a time to rest after the hard work of harvest and also to recognize the darkness and cold that lies ahead. Reflect on your life over the past year, celebrate your successes, finish up projects that have been waiting and plan for the future. This is a good time to hold a rite for blessings and protection for your hearth and home.

Some of the symbols of Mabon are gourds, squash, corn, apples, etc., the products of the harvest. Also scythes, sickles and baskets. The colours of Mabon are brown, orange, gold and red, the colours of the turning leaves. Because it is the equinox, symbols of balance are also appropriate; a set of scales, yin and yang, black and white, and so on.

Mabon is actually a figure from Welsh folklore, appearing in Arthurian legends. There is no evidence that the tradition of calling this sabbat “Mabon” existed before 1970. Author Aidan Kelley renamed many of the sabbats at this time and “Mabon” was chosen in an effort to give the holiday a more Celtic sounding name. Because of its recent addition, the term is hotly contested and the controversy is shared with some of the other festivals so renamed. Many pagans scorn the use of the word Mabon, preferring the older more traditional names of Second Harvest Festival, Harvest Home, Herfest, Alban Elfed or simply the Autumnal Equinox. I embrace the term Mabon as a symbol of the fluidity and flexibility of pagan belief. I also find it appropriate to use a “new” word as it reminds me that we should embrace the new as well as preserve some of the old traditions.

Mabon is celebrated in a number of ways, but the most common is with a banquet. This is an occasion to dress in your finery and feast in a lavish setting. Apple cider and corn bread are usually served along with the rest of the meal, and the decorations include symbols of the harvest and of the changing season. Gourds, squash, fallen leaves, pine cones, etc. make great centrepieces for the table and the altar.

A traditional besom is constructed completely from trees. A 2.5 cm (1 in) thick and 1.2 m (4 ft) length of ash, oak, hazel or rowan is used for the handle. (Or whatever length is comfortable for you!)  Birch twigs about 1 m (3 ft) long, are usually used for the bristles but you can substitute myrrh, mugwort, thyme or willow branches. Long thin willow branches are used to wrap the bristles to the handle, but you can also use cording or twine. You'll also need a bucket of water and salt to soak the bristles and willow branches for binding. And of course, a tool to cut the twigs and cording.

Your bristles should be soaked overnight in warm, lightly salted water. This will make them more pliable, and they won't just snap when you bend them. If you're using the willow branches for binding, they need to be soaked as well. Let them dry just a little before using them, they need to be damp and flexible, but not dripping wet. If they dry out too much, just soak them again.

While the branches are soaking, get your handle ready. It should be free of twigs, branches, knots and bark. This is a good time to inscribe any symbols, sigils or writings you wish on the handle.

Gather a layer of bristles around the limb, about 8-10 cm (3-4 in) from the bottom of the handle. *The bottom of the bristles should be pointing toward the top of the besom at this point.* Start binding the bristles to the handle with the soaked willow branches, or whatever material you've chosen. Make sure they are tied on securely. You can add as many layers as you like, the more layers, the fuller the brush will be. 
Once you've added all your layers, gently bend the top of the bristles over the bindings so that they are now pointing down. Tie the bristles again just below the bend. Trim the brush to the length you desire and leave the besom to dry overnight. Decorate as you wish and consecrate your new besom!  

Cross the sticks at the center. Loop about 15 cm (6 in) of yarn and hold it against the back of the top stick. Wrap the yarn around the top stick and the loop then around the sticks, in an “X” pattern.
Bring the yarn down and wrap it around the left stick, then the bottom stick, the right stick and then up and around the top stick and loop once more. Keep wrapping the yarn in this fashion, left, bottom, right, top & loop, until the eye is as big as you want it to be.  

If you run out of yarn, or wish to change the colour, cut the piece you have been wrapping and simply tie on the end of the new yarn. Make sure the knot ends up at the back of the eye. Continue wrapping until you're happy with what you've got. To finish, knot the yarn in the back so that it won't unravel. The loop on the top stick is what you'll use to hang the finished God's Eye.   

To make the larger version with five eyes, just start with 2 longer sticks, wrap your central eye, then cross a short stick at the end of each main arm and wrap the smaller eyes there. It's really just one large eye, and 4 smaller ones. Once you've got the technique down, change it up a little by adding more sticks, or play with the weave to produce elaborate, 3D works of art.

Paganism, like any other religion, has days they consider special or sacred. Different traditions will celebrate different days and will have different ceremonies or rituals. Many pagans follow the Wheel of the Year, including myself, so that's what I'll focus on for this post.
In the wheel of the year there are eight holy days called sabbats (SAH-bats).  Four sabbats mark seasonal changes caused by the sun, known as “quarter days”. The other four sabbats fall between the quarter days and are known as “cross quarter days” or “fire festivals”. They are celebrated in honour of the God, as they represent the story of his cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth.  I'll go into more detail for each of the sabbats as it draws near, but for now, here is a brief description.

Samhain (SAH-wen) is a fire festival held on November 1st, though celebrations start at sundown on October 31st. Samhain marks the end of summer and is one of the most sacred days on the wheel. For most pagans, this is the beginning of the new year.

Yule (youl) is a quarter day held on the winter solstice, December 21st or 22nd. This is the shortest day of the year, and it marks the beginning of the return of the sun and the birth of the God.

Imbolc (IM-bulk) is another fire festival held on February 2nd. This day commemorates the longer hours of sunlight and the earliest beginnings of spring.

Ostara (OH-star-ah) occurs on March 21st or 22nd and is one of the quarter days. This is the spring equinox marking the balance of the light and the dark.

Beltane (Bell-tain) is on May 1st, though it officially begins at moonrise the night before. This fire feast is another of the most sacred days as it marks the union of the God and Goddess.

Litha (LEE-tha) marks the summer solstice on June 21st or 22nd. This is the longest day of the year, and the time when the God is most powerful.

Lughnasadh (LOO-nah-sah) is a fire festival on August 1st. Like other fire festivals, celebrations begin at sundown the night before. This sabbat marks the death of the God, his power having been transferred to the crops, and therefore becoming a willing sacrifice as the crops are harvested.

Mabon (MAY-bon) is the autumn equinox, September 21st or 22nd. This quarter day signifies the balance of light and dark just as Ostara did.

While sabbats are solar and represent the God, esbats (ES-bats) are lunar based and represent the power of the Goddess.  Also, where sabbats are often considered days of rest, esbats are more like “working” holidays. These are the days when most magickal workings are done.  While the esbat is actually held on a full moon, some magicks are associated with and performed during different moon phases.

New Moon
A time for personal growth, healing and blessings of new projects. This is a good time to consecrate new tools or objects.

Waxing Moon
Attraction magick is performed at this time, bringing things to us such as a better job, new love, or increased financial security. 

Full Moon
This is a time or cleansing and protection magick and divination.  The full moon represents the Goddess at her most powerful, so this is the time for powerful magicks.

Waning Moon
Banishing and clearing magick is done during this phase.

Dark Moon
The dark moon occurs in the three days prior to the new moon.  This is not a time for magick, but for meditation and replenishing energies.

Sidhe (shee) Moon 
This is the Dark Moon before a Blue Moon. This is the time for deeply personal internal or shadow work.