We would like to share with you some of the writings by people whom have come to us as students. Some of the most beautiful homework you will ever read.

 

Brigid's Fire
Celebrations - How to Remember the Harvest Time
Connecting With the Sun
First Year's Journey
My Dedication to the Lord and Lady

Poem
Swamp Witch Notes
Touched by Moonlight

 

Brigid's Fire
By Shoshana Silvermoon, January 2002

Dancing round fair Brigid's Fire
Dreams of romance to inspire
Dancing to our heart's delight
Round the circle, round the light.

Celebrating rites of Spring
Circle now to growing thing.
Searching, seeking in the snow
Seeking for the plants that grow.

Goddess clad in flowing silk
Weans the Oak King from the milk.
Grow in power, grow in might,
Guide us ever toward the light.

Learn the secrets yet to flower,
Share with us your mighty power.
As we dance round Brigid's fire,
Dreaming of our heart's desire.

 

Celebrations - How to Remember the Harvest Time
By S. Ranea Wright, October 2002

Reaping what we sow...it is a theme that permeates the history of civilizations. Yet, it's one we very often forget to employ as we go through the business of life. This time of year...the time following midsummer, as the sun's power wanes and the power of the night grows...is my favorite time of year. It's a time to gather my family around me...clower...and remember what is important. It's a time that we enjoy the seasonal fruits and vegetables and grains and try to put ourselves more in tune with the earth's cycles. Our rituals revolve around acknowledging where we are and how far we've come through the year and what "fruits" have been harvested.

This time of year is the season that hearths are warmed by fires lit and the air is filled with the scent of chimney smoke and spices. When tables are filled with abundance of the year's harvesting, and families gather to reconnect and be thankful for what has been given. Mostly how we remember and celebrate the harvest time from Lugh through Samhain is to remember our mortality...that who we are is built upon who we were yesterday, and upon the lives that went before us. These we remember as Samhain approaches and the veil between this world and the other is most thin. Soon enough will the Holly King be dethroned and the Oak King again rule as the sun grows once more in strength and the Goddess rests and renews Her strengths.

The harvest season is a time to be thankful ...a time to reflect...and a time to remember how far we've come as well as how much we've yet to attain. It is my favorite time of year.

 

Connecting With the Sun
By Sheryl S. aka SunMoonStarrs, June 2002

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year. I'm all for the cooler weather; in fact, I usually avoid the sun because of how easily I burn. But over this last year, we've learned to connect with each element and now in turn learning to connect with the Sun. The sun's energy to me resonates fire ...which means strength, courage, tenacity, passion, constant energy (go-go-go) and leadership. It is male...god-like. On the downside, it also means to me destructive behavior, a quickness to anger, obsessions and tendency to overpower or take to extremes...to act first, think consequences later. As a fire sign, I tend to emulate one or more of these qualities as well as some on the downside.

At this time of year when the sun is at its greatest strength, I can feel the god's energy about. People are out playing sports, relaxing at the par, sunbathing...just being outside. It is a very active time of year. Plants are at their peak, flowers are in full bloom. For me this time of year is when business is at its best...I feel on top of my game. My relationships with others are stronger. I tend to communicate better and I feel more confident. Usually, I'm content to be at home but during this time of year, I want to go, get out and travel, do things.

As far as connecting with the sun, I've done more outdoor activities, traveled and gardened. I also believe I may have drawn down the sun or at least connected with its energies. I have done it before when I needed a surge of energy or strength/courage on a difficult day, but not quiet to this extent. This particular time I was sitting outside, lightly meditating. I liked feeling the warmth around me. I wasn't concentrating on how hot it was outside or trying to get a tan... just on the energy emanating from the sun. It was a warm glow that surrounded me... I drew it in and felt the energy coursing through my body. It became one with my blood flow. The colors changed from red to dark golden color. I could see an image of a man bathed in golden light... I don't know a name... just that he was strong, had grain in one hand and a bow and arrow in the other. His face changed from that of a man to a lion. I felt a surge of power but it also felt safe, like a father hugging a child. His face was kind yet strong, powerful and in control. The energy was amazing!! Afterwards, I thought about how I felt and what I was to learn from the experience. For me, balance is difficult.. it's all or nothing. I'm quick to battle and set extremely high expectations for myself. Yet with all that power and energy, the sun god that I connected with had a balance of kindness with responsibility of protecting and providing for the earth/us. I can relate my need for this balance in my work place and at home raising 2 sun gods. Their energy overwhelms me sometimes, but they have yet to learn balance. I can benefit from drawing on the sun/god's power to draw strength, to understand male energy and take it in for balance. This may help me in my business in dealing with men each day... and with my boys in understanding their growth to man-hood. And for me, balancing the male and female energies from within. Not just focusing on the goddess energy which is nurturing, motherly. But to take in the god's energy of strength, wisdom, and courage.

 

 

First Year's Journey
By Sheryl S. aka SunMoonStarrs

I've learned so much over this last year. As a solitary practitioner sporadically over the last 8 or 9 years, there was always a part of me that wondered if I was doing things correctly and yearned to be with others of like mind.

I had a dream of meeting a group and was told by my guides at that time that a group format was the next step in my progression. When meeting you and who would later become part of our class, I felt comfortable like coming home to my family. Perhaps I have met some group members or you before.

The information given as well as the group environment has helped me grow in many ways. It was great to have buddy time with each member of the group to get to know them individually. I've formed new friendships and feel a stronger bond in the group. I've learned to stop questioning every move wondering if it's right/wrong. You've taught me the beauty and the simplicity of ritual, that intent is more important than the tool. We've read an array of books. I will admit that there are a few of them I need to go back over cover to cover. But I liked being given the choices of books as well as getting instruction from you. A balance of book knowledge and live instruction. Book knowledge alone is overwhelming because of the varying of opinions and teachings relayed from author to author, book to book. I especially liked connecting with the elements through the turn of the wheel. I learned to connect and learn about each element and make an altar and develop a calling. I've learned about herbs, stones, divination tools, gods and goddesses, Celtic trees. I've learned sabbats/esbats, planetary correspondences and moon phases. I've learned of ethics and history. I appreciate participating in other groups' circles and sabbat events as well as putting on our own events...giving me hands on training.

At the end of my year's journey, my head is filled with a number of thoughts and questions. I'm surprised at how quickly time flew! I feel a bit overwhelmed by the knowledge I've obtained and not sure what to do with it all...a bit disconnected like I should understand more or it should click easier. That's probably normal for a first year seeker. How to practice it all so I don't blow it... How to use the knowledge in everyday life. That's a tough one...that I'm still trying to figure out. What will the next year bring?

How can I use this knowledge to help others...or to be ready to pass on the knowledge to others? What are my responsibilities to the craft for myself, my family and the community? I know this is my first step of many on my journey. What I've learned thus far feels right, feels true. I am eager to learn more...to perfect skills, to gain more knowledge to practice, practice, practice. I'd like to see where I am a year and a day from now...to see how I've grown!

 

 

My Dedication to the Lord and Lady
By M. Mayo aka Rainbow Spirit 2001/2002

Sprig of Sage and Dragon's Blood
I cast all spells for only good
Earth and Fire, Water and Air
Please Free my house from all despair
Lord and Lady shine your Light
Dispel the darkness from my sight
As Above and So Below
Guide my Spirit and Let it Flow
As it was in the beginning and always shall be
The Power, It comes from The Lord and Lady
In Perfect Trust and in Perfect Love
I ask for Thy blessings to come from above
I give my Thanks and Loyal Oath
To God and Goddess, I love them Both
I am the Rainbow that has no end
With One and All I joyfully blend
Please hear my words, this is my goal
I AM YOURS, body-mind-spirit and soul
I Am A Witch, I do decree
I Dedicate myself to the Lord and Lady
SO MOTE IT BE!

 

Poem
By Ali Elston Chinnow

There was always the light
Sometimes bright
Often not
The Lady stands waiting
Her children distraught

Their world has been raped
Their rituals defaced
Her children are dying
In Man/Gods embrace

The Lady stands waiting
In Light from the Moon
The world that she nursed
Now destruction and ruin

For the crimes of his passions
Man/God must alone
The Lady stands waiting with us
Mother, Maiden and Crone

The blood of our sisters
Made rivers run red
Our hearts felt the pain
Of their anguish, their dread

His story's echo, still sounds its alarm
Be silent, be hidden
From Man/Gods harsh arm

He hides in his Nightmare
Of fires below
But our Lady stands with us
What he reaps, so shall he sow

 

Swamp Witch Notes
By Kim Welton, January 2002

*Note: the song lyrics are at the end.

I picked this song because it has long been a favorite of mine, since my youth. Sung by Jim Stafford this is legend on the internet that he based it on a local folk legend that he had heard .

It's connection to Witches and Witchcraft is obvious:

"Swamp Witch Hattie lived back in the swamp..." is the opening line. It deals with a feared and much maligned and rumored about a woman who lives out in the swamp with nature. She has been ostracized and made an object of fear, which has happened to many witches and wise women over the years; people feared what they didn't understand...

"Some said the plague was brought by Hattie, there was talk of a hanging too..." People who are believed to be witches were often just the local wise woman learned in the way of healing with natural herbs and other items. The vat to me has always been a big, black cauldron, something else also associated with witches and what they use to brew in and create in.

"Well, the fever went away and the very next day the skies again were blue...Swamp Witch magick is useful and good..." here the witches healing "brew" has cured the people and there was a time when witches or the old wise woman was thought of as useful and good and revered by the locals.

So, at the end Hattie doesn't seem to follow the rede; Harm None and do as thou wilt...she has more in common with the Blair Witch than Glenda at this point. But there are also stories of vengeful witches...I prefer to think that she was just a dedicated solitary ;)

Swamp Witch

Black water Hattie lived back in the swamp
Where the strange green reptiles crawl
Snakes hang thick from the cypress trees
Like sausage on a smokehouse wall
Where the swamp is alive with a thousand eyes
An' all of them watching you
Stay off the track to Hattie's Shack in the back of the Black Bayou

Way up the road from Hattie's Shack
Lies a sleepy little Okeechobee town
Talk of swamp witch Hattie lock you in when the sun go down
Rumors of what she'd done, rumors of what she'd do
Kept folks off the track of Hattie's shack
In the back of the Black Bayou

One day brought the rain and the rain stayed on
And the swamp water overflowed
'skeeters and the fever grabbed the town like a fist
Doctor Jackson was the first to go
Some say the plague was brought by Hattie
There was talk of a hang'n too
But the talk got shackled by the howls and the cackles
From the bowels of the Black bayou

Early one morn 'tween dark and dawn when shadows filled the sky
There came an unseen caller on a town where road run dry
You'd swear there was found a big black round
Vat full of gurgling brew

Whispering sounds as the folk gathered round
"It came from the Black Bayou"
There ain't much pride when you're trapped inside
A slowly sink'n ship
Scooped up the liquid deep and green
And the whole town took a sip
Fever went away and the very next day the skies again were blue
Let's thank old Hattie for sav'n our town
We'll fetch her from the Black Bayou

Party of ten of the town's best men headed for Hattie's Shack
Said Swamp Witch magic was useful and good
And they're gonna bring Hattie back
Never found Hattie and they never found the shack
Never made the trip back in
There was a parchment note they found tacked to a stump
Said don't come look'n again

 

Touched by Moonlight
By S. Ranea Wright, October 2002

It's funny, but the moon has always attracted me, and much more so than the sun. When I was young, I used to look up at the moon, and once I realized that this same moon had shone down on Jesus and the apostles...on Herod and Peter the Great...and as far back as there had ever been anyone to gaze up at it in wonder. It gave me a sense of connection to my world and the people that had lived on it throughout history.

Even now, the phases of the moon are a reassuring constant in a world that is sometimes upside down with uncertainties. The full moon is a time of strength for me...I will feel stronger, more confident, and better able to deal with uncertainties. When the moon wanes, so do my emotional reserves. As the new moon passes and the waxing phase begins, I notice a change in my mood and disposition. I have noticed its same pattern throughout most of society - crime is higher during the full moon, for instance.

Since I have a great many demands on my time, it is important for me to understand my strengths and be sure they are not depleted. The phases of the moon are not only important for me to continue functioning in daily life, but also on a spiritual level. I spend time each evening in meditation and sometimes in personal rituals or divination, and find that the closer to the full moon it is the more intense these experiences are for me. Dark moon and new moon are times of quiet introspection, and a time for renewal.

The moon continues to be powerfully influential in my life, and I still enjoy just going out at night and looking up, or greeting not only the sun in the morning, but also the moon as it disappears over the horizon. Out of sight, but never out of touch.

 

 

 

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Last updated April 8, 2012

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