 Note: The information in this section does not necessarily reflect the views of the Covenant of the Goddess and are either the sole creations or submissions of individual members of the MRLC. SamhainIt was a dark night, suddenly the wind blew hard -- leaves flying like Witches -by Oberon “Booo Hoooo”, cried the ghost. Unable to scare anyone, he turned in his sheet. -by Banshee So THIS is Thriller??? Zombie Michael runs amok-- costume from K-Mart. -by Oberon The headless horseman is still looking for his head he’ll take yours instead. -by Banshee Wolfman running fast, looking for a tasty snack. Better hide the cats. -by Oberon & Banshee  The Crone callsa chant by Banshee ShadowWolf, Circle of Wondrous Stories I can hear the old crone call in the dark still nights of fall. Gaze upon her ancient face, feel the winter's cold embrace. Walk across the barren land, Take ahold her icy hand. Walk along through snowdrifts deep, All the earth appears asleep. This is not a time to mourn, All the dead shall be reborn. Winter’s winds will lose their might Thawed with the return of life. As the seasons move ahead, Grandma Spider spins her thread. So, again the light of day, allows the night to have it's way. I can hear the old crone call In the dark, still nights of fall. Gaze upon her ancient face— Feel the winter’s cold embrace. Thanksgiving/HarvestBrussel Sprouts Recipe perfect for Thanksgiving Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts & Sage 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium chicken broth 3/4 cup coarsely chopped chestnuts (about 4 ounces; see Tip) 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage 1/2 teaspoon salt Freshly ground pepper to taste Directions 1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add Brussels sprouts and cook until bright green and just tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well. 2. Melt butter with oil and broth in a large skillet over medium heat. Add Brussels sprouts, chestnuts and sage and cook, stirring often, until heated through, 2 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature. Tip: You don't need to prepare your own chestnuts for this dish. Cooked and peeled chestnuts are available in jars at this time of year. Look for them in the baking aisle or near other seasonal food items. To Make Ahead: Prepare through Step 1, cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. - - submitted by Elaine, WTCW, Chicago Cranberry sauce with horseradish1 bag cranberries (2 c.) Special note: This fascinating recipe is often mentioned by Susan Stamberg, longtime reporter for NPR radio station, but she admits that her mother-in-law's recipe was found in a New York Times article circa 1959. YuleAs The Holidays Grow NearWith the recent changing colors of the trees, and the frosts yet to come, I am reminded once again that life is a cycle, a circle, with no beginning and no end, just continuous change. The nights grow longer, and the weather soon will force us indoors. When the snow flies and green things are covered in white, I like to think of the  I always look forward to the relative quiet this time of the year brings because it is a time when I get the chance to ‘regroup’ and take some well-deserved time for myself that reminds me of our connectedness to the Earth and her cycles. Outwardly, all signs point to life ending at this time of the year. But after a period of rest, life begins again in the spring. So it is with the human spirit. The earth, as always, teaches us about the cycle of our own lives, for we are part of the natural world, even as much as we might believe we have moved away from it. The natural cycles we observe are also our own cycles, and we should never forget this simple truth. How nice it would be this year, once all have gathered together in our dining rooms, sitting together with our families once again, to take a few moments to remember … just for a moment, to turn and look upstream so to speak, and honor our source … before turning and plunging once more into life and remember Our Ancestors and know that Life flows on from our ancestors through us and beyond and that daily we are carried along as life streams on. Let us toast those whom we have loved, and those we knew not, yet all who were our kindred, by blood, marriage, and culture that we do honor and acknowledge them knowing well that ‘We are not the first, We will not be the last, We are not the river’s source, nor are we its’ end. Our Ancestors are Gone but remembered, Left but revered, Away but near our hearts. That which is remembered is still alive speak their names and remember. --Written by Elaine Mavrick Ek Coleman, Wiccan Temple of the Celtic Way, November 24, 2009
Solstice night, longest night(sung to the tune of Silent Night) written by Banshee ShadowWolf, Circle of Wondrous StoriesSolstice night, longest night,  guide us with divine insight. Draw inspiration from deep within. Restore hope, let magick begin. The wheel of life again turns, the wheel of life again turns. Longest night, Solstice night, The coming dawn returns the light. Mother Earth asleep under the snow. Slowly she wakens so all things can grow. Welcome the sun's bright return, Welcome the sun's bright return. Solstice night, longest night, now reborn, Lord of light. All arise, sing his many names. The world is warmed by his splendid flames. Solstice child, bring us peace, Solstice child, bring us peace. It All Turns Toward Yulewritten by Elaine Ek, Wiccan Temple of the Celtic Way The Wheel turns, the year flows, and now, in the darkness of the year, we come to Yule. Yule is one of those names with many layers of meaning. Some define Yule’s meaning as "feast" ‘wheel’ or "winter". The wheel referred to is not only the round shape of the sun, but also the cyclic approach and withdrawal of the sun and his light. Yule is the gate between years. It honors the principle of separation of time. Each year, and indeed, each moment, is its’ own unique entity. There has been no time quite like this one any time in the past, and there will never be another moment quite like this one ever again. The time to deal with the injustices and the virtues of the past is in the past. The only things we can deal with, for good or ill, are those things in the present. Let us plant and tend the harvests of this year, and leave the harvests that lie beyond the gates of Yule to those who must tend them. Although separate, each from the other, each year is still part of a continuous stream of time. That which we harvest now is the fruit of seeds sown in years gone by, and that which we sow now will be our harvest in times to come. This is the law of cause and effect, also known as Karma. We cannot unplant the seeds we have planted, nor harvest the harvests of tomorrow, yet we have the responsibility to keep in mind those moments beyond the present, for we are responsible for our actions. There is also a male cycle tied in to the Wheel of the Year, and to Yule, it is the cycle of the Oak King and the Holly King. The Oak King rules over the waxing year, when the seeds that have been planted grow and thrive. At Midsummer, the Holly King takes the life of the Oak King and inaugurates the waning year, during which life recedes from the world and the harvest is gathered in. At Yule, the Oak King takes the life of the Holly King, and the cycle of growth begins anew. Now "takes the life" is an interesting phrase. But the Oak King and the Holly King take each other's life back and forth throughout the succession of years. It's as if they have but one life between the two of them, and must take turns living it. At the solstices, the two Kings do ritual battle, and the winner takes the life and the power of the other, and the threshold between the halves of the year is inevitably crossed. The burning Yule log is the wintertime reflection of the Midsummer bonfire, releasing the light, which has been stored in the log since the summer. The Yule Log also binds the years together. Traditionally, the Yule Log is not allowed to burn completely, but is extinguished, and the remaining brand saved and used to start the following year’s fire. In this manner, we save the best from the year before and pass it on into the year to come. The years, though separate, are linked and brought together in a continuous flow of time. It is a truth that living things enter the world at birth, they grow in strength to their full power, and then they fade and weaken until finally, death takes them. Life can either be growing or fading, there is no middle path. Stasis is not an option. The Wheel is always turning, and the Lady's dance is never still. One may walk the path of the Oak King, the path of growth and increasing power, or one may walk the path of the Holly King, retreating into the quiet darkness of the harvest of one's life. In all lives, and in all aspects of life, we walk both paths again and again. We build some things up, and we tear some things down. We sow, we reap, and we sow again. References: Karl Lembke Elaine Ek - Hps. Wiccan Temple of the Celtic Way Carnegie Mellon University. History Channel Back to top ImbolcImbolc weather loresubmitted by Elaine Ek, Wiccan Temple of the Celtic WayThe Wheel will once again move to Imbolg/Candlemas as we enter into a new season. Imbolg is the halfway point between winter and spring. It is the time when animals are stirring from their hibernation and plants are beginning to bud, even though much of the earth is still under a blanket of snow. Many will recognize February 2nd as being ‘Groundhog’s Day’. This dates back to the original festival when people sought out signs of the approaching spring. An old Scottish rhyme goes: ‘If Candlemas day be dry and fair, The half o` winter to come and mair (more) If Candlemas day be wet and foul The
half o` winter gane (gone) at Yule.’ This says that if it is nice on Candlemas, expect six more weeks of cold weather, if it isn’t nice on Candlemas, the weather will be a little nicer. (Henes, page 28-30) The
concept of waking, and of being noted as a halfway point is further emphasized
by the USA custom of Groundhog’s Day. Groundhog’s Day tells us that if the
Groundhog, also known as Punxsutawney Phil, sees his shadow we will have six
more weeks of winter, if he doesn’t, spring will be here in six weeks. Thus
connecting this holiday to weather lore. Here are a few other ways that the Weather Lore of Imbolg/Candlemas
is remembered through rhyme: ‘If Candlemas Day be bright and clear, there’ll be two winters in the year’ ‘If
Candlemas day be sunny and bright, winter again will show its might’ This one is by Selena Fox: ‘If Candlemas day be cloudy and grey, Winter soon will pass
away.’
Light the candlesa chant by Banshee Shadowwolf (Circle of Wondrous Stories) Light the candles and feed the flames. Let’s circle around chant sacred names. Beneath the ground wakes sleeping seed. From winter’s slumber it now is freed. Light the candles, welcome rebirth. The Returning sun renews the earth. Ignite the sparka chant by Banshee Shadowwolf (Circle of Wondrous Stories)I light this candle while chanting her name, invoke the Goddess with a sacred flame. I invoke the God with this candle fire. His love and his warmth I truly desire. Ignite that spark deep inside of me— fan the flames, set my spirit free. Burn down barriers melt away my tears. Fuel me with passion incinerate my fears. Imbolc poemwritten by Lady Pythia (2003) I am your Needfire, and candle lit as Hermit's guide Understand that I can be both Seed and Bride! Lay the crystal on my heart, bring the branch of quickening Art In this Triple Circle Burning Bright, I am come to Bring you Light Imbolc chantssubmitted by Elaine Ek (Wiccan Temple of the Celtic Way) With this besom filled with power Sweep away the old and sour Sweep away the chill of death As Winter draws its last cold breath Round, round, round about Sweep the old and useless out! 2. The Maiden comes to bring us light! The Winter dies, and all is bright! The frozen ground shall disappear - And all shall sprout, for Spring is near! Two Imbolc recipes (Colcannon and Imbolc mead recipe)submitted by Elaine Ek (Wiccan Temple of the Celtic Way)ColcannonA bit of information about Colcannon ... Colcannon (from the Irish cal ceann fhionn , or "white-headed cabbage"), is a mashed potato dish flavoured with kale or cabbage. While a true colcannon is made with cooked, finely chopped kale, cabbage may also be used. 1 pound kale, or cabbage, cored, quartered, and shredded 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces 2 small leeks (white and pale green parts only), thoroughly washed and sliced 1 cup milk Salt and pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground mace 1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 2 tablespoons butter In separate saucepans, cook the kale/cabbage and potatoes in boiling salted water until tender, about 12 to15 minutes. Drain the kale/cabbage and chop. Drain the potatoes and mash. Meanwhile, in a saucepan large enough to hold the cooked potatoes and cabbage, combine the leeks and milk and cook over medium heat until leeks are tender, about 8 to10 minutes. Add the potatoes, salt, pepper, and mace to the leeks and milk and stir over low heat until well-blended. Add the cabbage and 1/2 cup of butter and stir again to the consistency of mashed potatoes. Dot with remaining butter. Imbolc mead recipe• 1- cup honey • 1 slice lemon • 1/2 tsp. nutmeg • Dash of cinnamon • 1 quart spring water • Pinch of salt Boil together all the ingredients in a non-metal pan. Remove scum from the top of the boiling liquid. Continue to boil until no more scum rises. Add pinch of salt, 1/2 juice of lemon then strain and cool. Back to top Ostara/Spring EquinoxOstarasubmitted by Elaine Ek, Wiccan Temple of the Celtic WayOstara is a fertility festival celebrating the rebirth of spring and
the reawakening of life from the Earth. The energies of nature subtly shift
from the sluggishness of winter to the exuberant expansion of spring the we
know will lead us to the coming of lushness of summer.
The forces of nature can be seen upon the land as they perforn
the dance of life, tuned to the rhythm of time producing harmony and balance
one with the other. The light of the sun is growing stronger as each day
passes, and gentle rains fall to soften the earths' soil to accept the seeds
that are yet to be sown for the harvest to come.
It is a time when the life giving forces are in balance within us as
well. The energies of the masculine and the feminine are tuned to working in
harmony as our thoughts shift to new beginings.
Just as The Goddess has awakened from her sleep and blankets the earth
with fertility, and as The God stretches and grows to maturity, walking the
greening fields with delight in the abundance of nature, we too have
awakened, as our thoughts shift to our dreams, and aspirations bringing
renewal and vitalitalilty into our lives.
May the Lord of the Greenwood and The Maiden Goddess bless us all with
fertility, abundance, success, and all things new! Back to top Beltane
a chant, by Banshee Shadowwolf (Circle of Wondrous Stories) |
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