Rites of Halloween Passages

Halloween/Samhain is without a doubt one of my favorite times of the year.  From the scents of the fall season to the orange and yellows of the dying leaves.  The cool mornings, hot afternoon sun and the chill of the night air.  The should I or shouldn't I take a jacket season!

When I was younger it was really all about the costumes and then as I approached the teen years it became about where I would be going that year and with whom.  Oh the memories I have of the costume parades up ad down the sidewalks outside of the school followed by the classroom parties.  The snacks in their diversity as donated by a handful of parents and supplemented by the teacher.  Never was a shortage of chocolate though!  Then the prizes distributed for the best costumes.  I think I even may have won honorable mention or funniest one year!  I think I was a hobo complete with a plastic cigar.

Earliest outings and festivities aside from school consisted of my dad having a party for me and my friends on Halloween.  He was a cool dad too because he knew about all of the gadgets to make it such a cool experience.  The dry ice in the green punch with the strobe light in the corner.  I visited the local haunted house which turns out was an old stand alone school house.  I never could make it all the way through before it became clear I should be escorted out.  Not too proud of being such a scaredy-cat!  That haunted house inspired me for years to come that not only would I find another equally scary one and master it but also that there was another one in existence that freaked me out.  One year we found the haunted forest.  Only thing really scary about that was the walk through and that there were a few small yet steep hills that were nightmarish in the dark while one is trying to listen and look around for anything deathly waiting to pounce from behind a tree or shrub!

As my friends and I grew up though we did try every couple of years to celebrate but for some of us you loose that initial excitement with the daily grind.  For myself I live in fond memories of good times had.  My son is also at an age I can sit back and watch him have fun and I smile for having the pleasure to relive it again if even in a small way. 

Growing older I have found that my ideas and concepts of Halloween was only the beginning.  I went on to appreciate the beautiful scenery of the season and to learn more about all the tall and spooky tales.  The history and traditions are fascinating to discover.  I have also found that while I am not a Wiccan nor a Pagan the lore associated with Halloween or Samhain is rich and thick.  Also a time of ancestor remembrance and appreciation not just ghouls and goblins.  They say the veil is thinnest  during this time of the year so it is a good time for communication and worship for departed loved ones.

No matter one's age I think Halloween or really any holiday can be a chance to explore and have fun.  Remember and be rich in heart from cherished memories or take the season and look around.  Just cruising around online will open new doors filled with exciting and fun information. 

Have a Blessed Samhain and a Happy Halloween!

September/October Musings

WELCOME To The IN THE DARK Official Blog

This has been around for a bit but I have never had the time to get it off the ground properly.  Being inspired by other communities I thought it high time to give this a go so about every other month I will add fresh material including anything pertinent to the season.

If you would like to write for the IN THE DARK blog or would simply like to have some of your work featured please contact SunKat as soon as possible at: DarknessClosesIn.Ning@gmail.com

In the off chance you are viewing this blog but are not a member of the IN THE DARK community please apply for membership as this blog is just a snippet of ideas reflecting our diverse social networking site.

~In The Dark is a social networking community filled with information for anyone questioning their path. We bring like minded people together to learn, discuss and just be. A gathering place for Pagans, Practitioners of the Craft, Star Seeds or  those leading an alternative lifestyle. Proudly a drama-free adult site for sometimes darker driven subjects.~

All Paths Welcome ☯ 

 

 

 

 

My Personal Favorite Sabbat and Time Of The Year

Mabon - Autumn Equinox

 ****

 

The Meaning and Purpose of Mabon-The Witches Thanksgiving! 

as posted in Confessions of a Kitchen Witch

 http://www.confessionsofakitchenwitch.com/2011/09/mabons-meaning-and-purpose.html

Mabon, the Second Harvest Sabbat, often referred to as The Witches Thanksgiving is often viewed as a time for the celebration of Life, but it is also a celebration of death. The fruits of your labor abounds as you celebrate your bounty from your garden to nourish your family and friends. When you stop to think about it, it is also the death of the plants and vegetables which have been harvested from that garden to feed you. Thus Mabon is a celebration of the cycle of life.

In essence, Mabon represents the time of honoring the dead.Visiting burial sites is often done during this time of year (more of that when Samhain arrives), as well as being thankful for the end of the harvest season and the bounty it provides. Themes of closing, letting go and remembering the gifts given to you within this past year are paramount and focused upon during this holiday. In addition, it is also a time to honor this harvest and for those who may have passed over to Summerland during this past year.

There are many ways of honoring this Second Harvest celebration. Like stated above, visiting burial sites of those who have gone before you and loved ones who have passed on during the last year and placing an apple  as a marker that you were there. This represents the promise of renewed Life (new incarnation).

Of course creating a bountiful meal from your garden and inviting friends and family is often prepared. If not a bountiful meal, then canning, preserving, making homemade wine from grapes you may have grown, or making jellies from blackberries, raspberries and strawberries is yet another option.

If deciding upon cooking a meal for your family and friends, a main course can consist of meats, most often red meats. This is just a suggestion since in this day and age of healthy eating, you should prepare a meal that fits your personal lifestyle. A suggestion may be to have your side dishes consist of late summer and early fall vegetables.

During your meal, you can suggest to share tales and happy stories about those you may have lost during this past year. Another suggestion is to share your experiences and review the lessons you feel you have learned during this past season. Reflect on your deeds and actions and give thanks for the gifts you were given.

After clearing away the dishes from your bountiful meal, you can then perform a Mabon Ritual. There are as many ways and suggestions for conducting such a ceremony as there are people on this planet, so feel free to create what resonates within you and what nourishes your Soul, whether that be a Traditional Mabon Ritual, or something more personal and not as traditional. Either way, it is of Giving Thanks for Everything the Goddess (and God) has bestowed upon us throughout the year and Our Gratitude to All That She/He Does!

 

 

Autumnal Equinox Magic Spell

 

 Now is the time when the Goddess is getting ready to leave us for a while. Most of us today don't harvest our own food, but we can give thanks and prepare for winter. We need to prepare for less sunlight and colder days, which do affect us in ways we are not always aware of. Now is the time to do a ritual to protect our home, health and loved ones before winter is upon us.

The items you will need are:

• The Bag of Autumn Gemstones
• A glass with a little red wine
• Three oak leaves (or the leaves from a tree near your home)
• One green candle and matches
• One apple & a knife to cut the apple

Do this ritual on September 22 after 6PM est and before 11:59PM EST. Bathe before the ritual and wear clean clothes.


Put all the items on your clean altar. Put the green candle in a brass or silver candle holder, have the matches close by. Arrange the oak leaves around the candle. Place the wine to the right of the candle. Place the apple and knife in front of the candle. Place your Bag of Autumn Gemstones in front of the wine glass.
When everything is arranged take a moment of silence to ready yourself. Light the candle and say:

I have a light in the darkness
A light for the coming days
I have a light to follow

Take a sip of the wine and say:

I find joy in all I do
I bring joy to all I love
Joy will flow in my life

Remove each gemstone from the Bag (one at a time) and as you do so, say for each gemstone:

The power of this stone will surround and strengthen me

Place the gemstones on the oak leaves.
Cut a piece from the apple and say for the first cut:

In the North the winds will be gentle

Put the apple piece in the wine.
Cut another piece from the apple and say for the second cut:

In the West the days end will cradle me

Put the apple piece in the wine.
Cut another piece from the apple and say for the third cut:

In the South the warmth be with me

Put the apple piece in the wine.
Cut the remainder of the apple in half say for the fourth cut:

In the East the Sun will shine on me

Put the apple pieces in the wine.
Now, take place each gemstone back in the Bag saying (for each stone):

Your power is now within me!

Pass the oak leaves one at a time just above the candle flame and then add them to the wine.
Let the candle burn out. Leave the wine glass with the apple and leaves overnight. Tomorrow pour the wine with the apple and leaves around a tree close to your house.
Put the Bag of Gemstones in safe place that only you know about. Leave it there until the Vernal Equinox in March. The power of the gemstones will be with you and anyone in your home for the winter. Next March take the gemstones out and cleanse them.

 http://www.amerindea.com/spell-autumnequinox.html


 

 

 

- Personal Darkness -

- Personal Darkness -

Many people do not like to talk about the darkness.  Darkness in one's life and darkness within one's heart.  Darkness is as common as light but it often get's a bad reputation for being scary and brooding.  I do not agree.  I think we have to be able to have a glimpse of the darkness of ourselves and life to be able to shine and project light.  To fully know ourselves and what we are capable of, the darkness is a necessity.  I think our own fears and depression are not the only things that personal darkness consists of.  What about curiosity?  Learning?  Skill and knowledge.  What is dark anyways?

Darkness is in the eye of the beholder.

In recognition of Christmas and Yule Caribou/Reindeer as Totem

~ Connection to home over long distances

~ Power of wandering

~ Protection while travelling

~ Social skills

~ Retention of ones power in group situations

~ Ability to go long periods in the dark


The reindeer is a family-oriented totem, skillful in communication and social activities. This totem is a born-leader and welcomes any opportunity to guide others in his herd into new directions. Reindeer has an innocent demeanor and is helpful to friends and family members. Receptive to the needs of others this totem teaches how to adapt to community concerns. "All for one, and One for all" could easily be the motto for this totem. If a reindeer makes its appearance in your life the lesson may very well be that it is time for you to step up and take an active role in caring for the herd. If you have become isolated it may be asking you to take on a leadership role in getting everyone to work as a team. Or, if you currently have a domineering role, you may need to look and see if you are overshadowing others with your ideals, in that case, step back a bit. Guidance is a key role for this totem. Be a kind and helpful teacher, not a bossy one. It is little wonder that Rudolph (who would be categorized with other mystical totems) with his beacon red-light nose was chosen by Santa to guide his team of reindeer into the foggy Christmas Eve night. Look around you, your help is needed.

Additionally the connection of reindeer to shamanic wisdom is ancient; carvings and cave drawings go back many thousands of years. Indeed, reindeer are known to eat the hallucinogenic fly agaric fungus and their urine, still full of the properties of the fungus has been drunk by shaman to induce trances. Reputedly, this sort of trance has a flying element to it, linking again to the story of flying reindeer. Drums made from the skin of reindeer have been considered highly powerful tools in working with the Otherworld for the purposes of magic and healing in this one.


*Sorces
http://zenandtheartoftightropewalking.wordpress.com/2010/12/24/reindeer-totem-of-enduranceand-winter/
http://totemtalk.ning.com/group/c/forum/topics/caribou-reindeer

Mistletoe Magic

Mistletoe has long been used for protection and for love magic. Burning mistletoe banishes evil. Take a bottle of rubbing alcohol and drop fresh mistletoe sprigs in it. Let this set for a few hours. The longer it rests, the more potent will be the potion. When ready, pour the alcohol in your cauldron and light it. If you do not have time to allow the potion to rest, instead burn some sprigs of mistletoe. As you burn the potion or sprigs, say:

“Evil may not reside or visit this happy and healthy home—not in any form, nor at any time. This home is protected by the Mother Goddess and Father God. Blessed are those who reside here. So it is from this day forward.”

You may also empower a mistletoe wreath for additional protection.

History & Use of Frankincense

Since farther back than anyone can remember Frankincense has been used for medicinal and religious purposes. Early Egyptians used Frankincense as part of their embalming process, the Greeks used it as an antidote to hemlock poisoning, and the Chinese used it for trading as well as for internal and external purposes. Today, Frankincense is used mostly for aroma therapeutics but many have also recognized it as an anti inflammatory, antiseptic, and a diuretic. Some medical research has been done showing a relationship between the possibility of Frankincense and the treatment of osteoarthritis and may have some anti cancer fighting agents.


Frankincense has also been shown to help with anxiety, disappointment, hysteria, emotional fatigue, nervousness, congestion, anti inflammatory, immune deficiency, insomnia, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, aphrodisiac, emollient, indigestion, carminative, antiseptic, expectorant, sedative, tonic, and anti tumor.
Frankincense has been around since ancient times and is even mentioned in the Bible. The Jews offered up Frankincense in ceremonies. It seems that different regions use Frankincense for different reasons; the Chinese use Frankincense to treat leprosy, Egyptians used Frankincense to pain women's eyelids, hair remover, and perfume. The main contribution of Frankincense is for respiratory distress and although it was once taken internally but no longer is but now is rather used as more of incense and when it is infused with vapors it can help laryngitis.


Frankincense comes from a tree called the Boswellia Thurifera which can be found in Africa and Arabia. To get Frankincense, they split the trunk of the tree and allow the resin to harden before it is harvested. Frankincense is commonly used in the practice of Wicca which is a religion that practices witchcraft. They use Frankincense for perfumes and believe that it corresponds well with certain days such as Sundays and Wednesdays. What Wicca's call a solar spell is affiliated with Frankincense in the form of oil or herbs are used for spells and formulas that are related to solar issues.


These spells would be used for such purposes as physical energy, protection, success, and putting an end to specific legal issues. When you refer to Frankincense in the form of essential oils it is very expensive and is usually diluted with other oils or jojoba oil. These combinations are also used by the Wicca's when casting spells. Some people prefer to substitute Rosemary for Frankincense.


Ironically enough never forget that Frankincense was one of the beautiful gifts that were brought to baby Jesus on the night of his birth by one of the three wise men. This is also used to increase menstrual flow, to treat syphilis, for unsightly scars and stretch marks, and breast cysts. Further it is used to treat acne, boils, and skin infections as well. Frankincense is one herb that is not edible and is not known for use in any recipe contrary to those who believe that Frankincense is used in Indian cuisine. It is not known to be used in any cuisine at all but it is extremely helpful for the practice of aromatherapy.

http://shabi-home-remedies.blogspot.com/2008/01/frankincense-history-uses.html

Herbs For Thanksgiving

On September 6, 1620, the Mayflower set sail from England for the New World with 102 passengers. Although the ship's official bill of lading has since been lost, we know it listed tools and agricultural and horticultural seeds (specifically, wheat and "pease"); we can only guess what favorite herb seeds and cuttings were brought from English gardens. Although medicinal herbs would be a priority, basic culinary herbs in use at the time by English "goodwives" included mint, sage, parsely, thyme, marjoram, tansy, pennyroyal, rosemary and chamomile. Rooted cuttings were most likely stuck into root vegetables to help them survive the 66-day trip.


In the spring of 1621, "Meresteads" (farmlands) and "Garden Plotes" (home gardens) were assigned to those who had survived the severe winter. Garden plots were largely tended by women for whom flower gardens would have been an extravagance; however, they did plant lilacs and Eglantine roses by their houses as well as clumps of hollyhocks, tiger lilies, and peonies—all from cuttings and roots brought from England and nurtured over the winter. In the fields, the men planted the wheat and pea seeds they had brought. In addition, the local Native Americans taught the Pilgrims about native vegetables and herbs. Along with many herbs especially valuable for medicinal uses, the settlers learned to use strawberry and blackberry leaves, sassafras root, bee balm, and birch bark for tea.


The native maize produced a very successful harvest that first year. On September 21 or 22, 1621, close to Michaelmas (September 29, the traditional day for harvest feasts in 17th-century England), the 52 surviving colonists and a group of Wampanoag Indians began a 3-day celebration. Although the complete menu is not documented, William Bradford tells us they the colonists supplied wild ducks, geese, turkeys, swans, and passenger pigeons, along with cod and sea bass. The Indians brought venison. The four "goodwives" who had survived the year prepared simple dishes seasoned with European and native herbs. A recipe for Oyster Cornbread Dressing called for "Onyons cut fine and of Parsley, Sage, Time, Savory…"


Sage, Thyme, and Rosemary


Although our Thanksgiving occurs about two months later in the year than the Pilgrims' celebration, we season our dishes with many of the same herbs they used, especially sage, thyme and rosemary. These are all woody perennials which, in late November, are not yet completely dormant in our gardens. Sage and thyme are frost hardy; rosemary is hardy only to about 20 degrees, although it may overwinter in colder temperatures depending on location.


Two varieties of rosemary, Arp and Hill Hardy, are said to be hardy to -10 degrees, although location still seems to be a determinant of survival. Rosemary can be potted up and brought indoors where it needs good drainage (never let it sit in water), at least six hours of sunlight a day, good air circulation, and a cool room. An unheated sunroom is ideal. Since rosemary is a Mediterranean native, some growers feel it benefits from frequent misting. Depending on the size of the plant, it can be clipped throughout the winter.


Thyme needs soil with good drainage in full sun. Mulching thyme plants 6-8 inches helps to keep them from heaving in cold weather; mulch needs to be completely removed in the early spring. French thyme, my favorite for flavor, seems to be a bit less hardy than English thyme. Thyme pairs well with sage in poultry seasoning and is a good seasoning for winter squashes. It can be snipped even under the snow. In the spring, it can be propagated by seeds, cutting, division, or layering.


Heavy harvests of sage should be complete by the first of September, although it can be clipped sparingly all winter. Sage plants tend to decline after about four years and replacements can be started by seed, layering or cuttings. In the garden, both sage and rosemary benefit from a sand mulch.


In addition to adding sage to turkey dressing, the leaves can be placed in the cavity of the Thanksgiving turkey. For a great presentation, slide your hands between the turkey breast meat and skin to loosen the skin. Rub butter or margarine on the breast meat and arrange sage leaves (this can also be done with rosemary) under the skin. Pat the skin down and roast. When finished, the leaves will show through the browned skin.

Thanksgiving Potpourri

By Madeline Wajda

1 C dried sage leaves

2 C goldenrod

1 C dried lovage (or dried celery) leaves

1/2 C sunflower seed

1/2 C pumpkin seeds

1 C evening primrose pods

1/2 C squash seeds

2 C dried basil leaves and flowers

1 C Indian corn

2 C hickory nuts

2 C acorns

Makes a colorful and fresh-scented potpourri for display in open, glass containers. After Thanksgiving, throw out potpourri for the birds; the leaves will blow away, and the birds will take care of the seeds and nuts.