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.
Last updated
April 8, 2012
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