We have finally come to the place of being able to experience the energy of each of the Sabbats and begin our preparations for the next up in the Turning of the Great Wheel. I have formatted this lesson as an introduction to each of the Sabbats through a poem-which can be used as a meditative tool, as well.

The next step is a page of posting for each that contains articles I have written over the years that capture the essence of the particular Sabbat. I have them separated in this way for easy referral back to at anytime in your progress with this online study and as we approach an upcoming Sabbat. Now, of course these are my own perceptions and choices about how I would celebrate that particular Sabbat. And, if you have been following the previous lessons and posts, you will know that these are but one of many ways to enliven and draw deeper meaning to that particular cycle.

Although many consider Samhain to be the Witch’s New Year, I have chosen to begin in accord with the Waxing of the Year and the Winter Solstice. Enjoy your blessed journey!

The Winter Solstice
aka. Yule

Move slowly and
speak not a word
And we may catch
a glimpse of HIM yet.

The night is dark
but I have seen the
icy thread of HER cloak.
Crystal blue eyes and
hair black as the midnight sky
grace a face of pale beauty
poised on a body that is tall and lithe.

She has etched the night sky with
fingers long and fair painting starlight and
holding the breath of new dawn
in HER hands’ cupped embrace.
SHE has embraced the world
in the longest of nights.
HER Promise held deep within.

The forest is hushed and white with snow.
Ice crystals glisten round and all of life
patiently holds strong in stillness
and pause with anticipation of
newly born hope and renewal.

We watch and wait in silence.
The cold penetrating and deep
in its reminder that we are vibrant, alive, aware.
It is for us that this night returns as the
Wheel comes to rest in imbalance.
It is our yearning that calls us from our
warmth and comfort to offer up
adoration and honor to the Light that
sustains and answers with flame.

We watch and we wait in silence.
The time is almost near
and our hearts beat in excitement,
attuned to the cycles that are eternal.
Stillness hangs heavy.

Softly, softly…
Crimson lips gently part and
SHE breathes an exhale of gentle release
as sun light stretches from its inner sleep.
The fiery fingers of new child’s grasp
reaching out to experience, explore
and warm all within its reach.
The returning Light of the Solstice
cries out anew, its sounds inaudible
to all but those who have silently
waited in the darkness.

The Mother of Winter’s long cold night
has called forth Her Child as the world
awakens to the Promise of Sun King’s return.

Imbolc

Take my hand and
come stand at my well
Stare deeply into waters
like no others that are
rarified and pure of flow.
They have been blessed by my
words and cool the fires of
the forge that burn deeply
within you.

Breathe deeply as I exhale
and feel the flame of desire
rise and expand to fill your being.
I quicken and feed the desire towards
action that is tempered by wisdom.

Look into my eyes that are star light.
I will heal all that you offer to me
but you must come to me pure of intent.
Your wounds are of your
own making and it is you alone who
holds the power to call me forth to
transmute and release them.

Come Sit in my presence.
I will craft for you the blade of truth
forged by the heat of your heart’s grace.
Be warned that this is the blade that
can destroy as quickly as it can defend.
Think carefully and fully upon how
you will wield such power.

I come to you in the darkest of nights
and the radiant knowing of my face
shines forth with the fires and
intensity of solar light.
I illuminate all that you have created
by your fearful will and desire.
These corners of your being hold
great terror, but you have but to ask and
I will show you their flaws and weaknesses
and the illusion of power that they hold over you.

I am the Lady of Inspiration and it is the
embers of my flame that encourage
and uplift you towards your highest potential.
Invoke my presence and I will support your
endeavors that all may be strengthened
and infused with my bounty.

Take my hand and open yourself
to receive what is held therein.
My greatest gift to you is
the Light of Awareness that
YOU and I are one in the same
when you stand in the full power
of your wisdom and courage and
shine forth enlivened by the
Golden Flame of your Divine Light.

The Spring (Vernal) Equinox
aka. Ostara

The sweet song of the birds
calls me from my winter’s sleep
announcing that Spring has arrived.

I stretch and wipe the remnants of sleep
from slowly focusing eyes.
Sunlight streams though spider silk curtains of gauzy
lightness and a soft and gentle breeze
carries the scent of newly awakened earth.

I stand from my soft bed of moss and greenery
the earth below my feet moist with fairy kissed dew
a leafy canopy of roof that shelters over head
filters early morning sunlight like shards
of the finest crystalline prism.

All of nature surrounds me
The call to Spring heard
in the deep roots that
meander through
loamy earth.
I lift my face upwards
towards sun drenched sky
and breathe in the
essence of newness.

Quickened life fills my being
and in harmony with
the eternal cycle
I am clothed
in the fabric
of Gaia’s Spring cloak.

Beltane

Heat rises as passion flows
Red and orange of flame as
Sun-filled waters part and
Round and round the feral
Energy coils and entwines.

Passion seeks its mate and
One becomes duality of pulse
Ebb and tide of hot flow
Courses through and two
Return as One.

Heart opens and longing fills it
With the illusion of completeness
Heart opens and desire spreads
Wantonly, intent upon its action.

The gentle exhale of quiet
Cools the throbbing of an
Unrequited love and words
Spill out quickened by lover’s
Vapid yearning.

Flash of starlit eye and the
Awakening now almost final
In its potent ending.

Flash of starlit eye and
All of the heavens descend as one
Download of glorious splendor
Imprinted on a mind held in the
Rapture of Fire Serpent’s embrace.

Jaws open wide and droplets
Of white hot elixir descend
Sending fire through corporeal
Flesh and ephemeral body.

Serpent bestows its kiss
Of awakening as Spirit and Soul
Meet in a quickened stream of
Dragon’s Fiery breath.

The Summer Solstice
aka. Mid-Summer

You are the heat of the
blazing sun and the cool embers
of the blue flame that lay
concealed within.

Potency of magnetic cohesion
and polarity of electrical
discharge are held within
your vessel of mysteries.

I surrender to your down- pour
I tremble as your force expands
I am blinded by the gnosis
within your core
I willingly give my all to
be filled with the heat of
your luminosity.

Your strength supports each
cell of my fragile being.
I remember the mysteries of sacrifice
and my spirit moves within the
molten core of the many streams
your fiery essence reveals.

All hail to the redemption of
man’s feeble will that makes clear the
way as I open to the flaming star of golden
light and lay claim to the kingship
that becomes my mantle of grace.

Lammas – Lughnasaad

The harvest calls
Time to reap
What you have sown.

Flesh and bone
Tears and blood
All into the making
Of your harvest’s yield.

And, what have you sacrificed
As you stand ready to
Receive your reward?

What have you tended
And nurtured that
Has not produced
Sweet fruit?

What have you neglected
And allowed to wither and fall
Because you did not
See its bounty?

What sunlight and rain
Have you drawn into
Your own being to grow
The harvest of your
Own potential?

The harvest calls
Time to reap
What you have sown!

The Fall (Autumnal) Equinox
aka. Mabon

Leaves are crackling
Fires burning
Forest is alive
With hunter and prey.

Wolves howl and
Night owl screeches
As four-leggeds
Seek the cover of night.

Human is walking
Awestruck at the
Beauty of moonlit
Forest’s silhouette.

Promise of coming
Winter’s chill and
Cloak is wrapped
Tightly around
Two–legged form.

Man calls out to
Furry companion
The rustle of broken
Branches heralds
Panting breath and
Smooth soft fur.

The offering is placed
In crevice of strong rooted tree
Meat and soft bread
Nuts and ripened fruit.

The balance maintained
The World Soul woven stronger still
Animal and Human exchange
In peaceful harmony
As moon arches high above
On Autumnal Equinox night.

Samhain

In shadowy forest of trees
And blackness of night
The call issues forth
To come dance round
Blazing bonfire bright.

Come heed the call
The mysteries of
Samhain night to be taught
By blessed Ancestor and Kin
Their wisdom to be sought.

The veils finally thinned
The Gates open wide
For Kith and for Kin
To walk by your side.

Night wind chills thickened air
Hush now be silent to hear
The soft whispers of gentle
Spirits who linger quite near.

You know the hidden path
Dried leaves crackle underfoot
You walk through the woods
Canopy of tree holds the darkness
Thick and heavy like blackened soot.

A sacred circle of clearing revealed
Carefully scribed and lovingly prepared
You call to the Ancestors
Your intent boldly declared.

Fire blazes full and flames leap high
As words pierce the silence of night
Wisps of smoke flicker here and there
As you surrender and open to true sight.

Cloaked shadowy figures emerge
Near the trunk of each autumn tree
Penetrating and loving eyes look on
Shrouding their deep mystery.

Wispy fingers that beckon
Calling the Beloved to Their side
Listen closely for answers from
Them to silent questions you
Dare not and cannot hide.

Surrender all of your fears
These specters mean you no harm
Through joys, pain and suffering
They have always helped dry your
Tears and offered up their calm.

Part the veils held between
Ancestor Spirit and gentle Human
Their gift on this Samhain night
The call once again to join each as
One in wisdom’s blessed communion.

Foundations of Practice:
Observation: Crafting Your Own Celebrations

Lesson Five begins September 1.2014
Tools of the Craft