Samhain is not just the time of the harvest, but also the time the veil between the living and dead is the thinnest. It is believed to be at this time the dead is able to walk among the living for a time. During this time we honor those who have passed, we do this by making an ancestral tree. The reason that we are so connected to the dead during this time is because the veil is the thinnest now. The reason why our ancestor felt this connection now is because all around them the vegetation was dying. To them it even appear as though the sun God was also dying, only to be reborn at Yule. Ancestral trees are great to make with your family, because you will get to know your family a little better. You start by writing down all the people who have passed over to the other side in your family. Don't write down the people the are still alive, because this is about honoring those who are no longer here. Gather a small branch from the yard so that you can place the names on. Trees have long been a symbol of life and new possibilities, yet a broken branch is a symbol of death. To make a ancestral tree all you need is: Paper Pen A branch string Place the each piece of paper on each branch, trying to make it even. Then say: May this branch be a link to our past Connecting us not just our ancestors but to know ourselves Place the finished piece on somewhere that you will see and be reminded of the connection of the past.
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As the wheel turns again to not only another season, but another Sabbat. During the next 31 days we will be counting down till Samhain. Samhain also known to many as Halloween is celebrated on October 31. This is time marks not just the end of the harvest season, but also the Celtic New Year. On our family altar we set up we have a cauldron out during this time of year. Witches have long been associated with cauldron. This is because in ancient times most of the witches were woman and the woman were the ones who prepared the food for their family, tribe, village. Most meals in history were cooked in cauldrons over open flame, usually in the hearth, the center of the home. Cauldrons are a symbol of knowledge, rebirth and entrance to the underworld. The Celtic Goddess Cerridwen is thought to be the keeper of the cauldron and when working with cauldrons for any magickal purpose it is best to call upon her. We have a tradition every year of writing down the things that we would like to get rid of such as any bad habits, or more serious issues like health concerns. After writing and placing it in the cauldron each day for the entire month on the New Years night, Oct. 31 we have a ritual to burn and banish those things. We gather together and I place some pine needles and I lite a piece of one of the papers and place it in the cauldron and fire and I say: We leave behind all which hold us back. Burning any negativity or pain that we have caused this last year. We bury the ashes of the past so that we may start fresh in the new year. Then I bury it into the ground with the seeds from an apple we each as it burned. The ashes provide nutrients to the seed so that it can grow. This year we will be writing things we would like to bring into our lives this upcoming year. Just like on the New Years on January 1 when you make resolution, but with a big difference. We will be writing the type of things we would like in our life to enhance and better not just ourselves but mankind. Focus more on the positive things we would like to bring into the new year such as; abundance, good health, love, knowledge, etc. Once the 31 days are up and it is time to burn we gather like we did before and say a blessing again. The difference this time is it is we will be focusing on bringing forth the desired energy into our lives instead of out of our lives. As I burn I say: New Year, new beginning, possibilities are endless. We welcome it. Then we will bury it again with the apple seed. To help our manifestation of our magick to get started.
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As a mom of three boys who go to public school I started to notice that some things were not being taught in detail so I decided to create lessons for them. Many of these lessons cover science, history and of information about Paganism. I share crafts for the all different holidays and cultures as ways that they can learn and have fun at the same time.
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