Volume 16 Issue 1
Samhain 2018

Seasons of the Moon is a quarterly online magazine published by students and members of The Order of The White Moon, an eclectic international order of women dedicated to The Goddess. The Order provides personal empowerment and priestess training, and operates local groups. All contributions are original material submitted by our students and members. (We do not accept outside contributions.) Please direct comments and questions to the Ezine Editor.

Samhain 2018

Ritual Work Samhain Scrying, Ajna DreamsAwake

, Peace Whitehorse

Sacred Sites
Denali, Ajna DreamsAwake

OWM Awareness
OWM Happenings, Ka Wahine Ahi

The Bardic Soul: Poetry and Song for the Spirit
A Unicorn Interview for the Salem‐Turnopia Herald , Mystic Amazon
The Wiccan Rede, Peace Whitehorse
Merry Yule and Blessed Solstice, Peace Whitehorse
Yuletide Here, Peace Whitehorse
,
Just For Fun
Samhain Word Search, Ajna DreamsAwake
Yule Wreath Tarot Spread, Ajna DreamsAwake

Ritual Work

Samhain Scrying

Samhain is a time for personal reflection and communing with the ancestors. We look to the past, so that we may be better prepared for the future.

At Samhain, the Goddess has entered her incarnation as Crone. She is Grandmother, Ancient Goddess, the Wise One we turn to for advice. Crone has many names: Baba Yaga, Cailleach, Grandmother Spider, Hekate, Morrígan, Mother Holle, Cerridwen.

She is transition and transformation, acting as a bridge between the end of one cycle and the beginning of a new one. We can work with Crone to assist us in transitioning from one life to the next, or from one realm to another.

Crone is associated with night and darkness, the unconscious realms and shadow work, the underworld, healing, transformation and regeneration.

Crone listens with Her inner ear and sees with Her inner eye, and so She is able to access Her powers of divination and prophecy, to share Her knowledge with us, the wisdom of the ages.

On this Samhain eve, Her Sacred Magick is at its most potent.

Scrying Mirror

In a darkened room, light one small candle and place it behind your scrying mirror. Hold the mirror in your hands or use a stand. Meditate on a question or chant softly until your mind is focused. Call upon Goddesses of Divination to assist you.

Cast doubt from your mind, expect to see images and it will happen.

Gaze into the blackness of the mirror rather than focussing on the glass surface.

Do not blink the eyes more than is necessary. Too much blinking breaks concentration, whereas staring too hard can cause eye strain.

Do not let your gaze wander from the mirror. If you are experiencing some difficulty, try to visualize the blackness as infinite space and project your gaze several feet into the blackness.

It may take some practice to achieve results, but it is worth the effort. Limit your scrying time to 15 minutes until you get results. Scrying is a valuable tool to connect with the inner workings of the sub‐conscious.

Ajna DreamsAwake is a High Priestess and founder of Dark Moon's Heart School. Her personal journey of self‐discovery continues as she supports and guides women along their own healing paths.

Sacred Sites

Denali

denali

Denali, the Crown Jewel of the North, is the highest mountain peak in North America, with a summit elevation of 20,310 feet above sea level. She stands high above the surrounding glaciers and mountains of the Alaska Range. most of which barely reach 7,000 feet. Denali is situated between Fairbanks and Anchorage, and, on a clear day, She is visible for nearly 100 miles in every direction. Denali is the centerpiece of Denali National Park, which covers six million acres of parkland and wilderness preserve.

Indigenous names for Denali are translated as "big mountain", "the high one","the tall one". Humans have been living in the area for more than 13,000 years.Some of the earliest settlements in North America are found in the Denali area. The earliest cultures were mostly hunter‐gatherers, subsisting off the land and trapping. Unfortunately, contact with Russian fur traders exposed the indigenous people to smallpox and other infectious diseases, decimating the population. With the discovery of gold, more people came north from the Lower 48. These encounters also impacted the subsistence lifestyle of the people. The National Park Service was created as a response to the over-hunting of wildlife in the Denali area. Mt. McKinley National Park, was established in 1917 to protect the wildlife as well as the culture of the people who have lived here for millennia.

In 1896, William Dickey, a gold prospector referred to the great mountain as Mt McKinley, in honour of then-presidential nominee William McKinley, who advocated the gold standard. McKinley, who was from Ohio, never visited Alaska. To the Alaskan natives, it has always been Denali, and in 1975, the Alaska Board of Geographic Names changed the name of the mountain to Denali, and petitioned Congress to do the same. But Ohio politicians blocked all attempts to rename the mountain for 40 years, until finally, in 2015, Denali became the official name once more.

The Koyukuk people who live in the valleys to the north of Denali have a myth that tells of an unusual flood that turned Denali into a wave of stone.

A long time ago, Raven assumed the form of a young man. He had heard of a beautiful maiden in a village across the water, so he took a canoe across to ask her to marry him, but she refused him. He was offered a baby girl by another woman, so Raven took the infant and began to paddle away. The beautiful maiden was jealous and came down to the water to confront Raven. Raven, angry at her rejection, caused her to sink into the mud and disappear.

The maiden's mother was furious and tasked two bears to make huge waves in order to drown Raven. Their efforts created a flood that destroyed the village. Raven, growing tired from his efforts to remain afloat, threw a harpoon at a wave and then fell unconscious

When he awoke, he found that the wave he had hit with his harpoon had turned to stone, forming a small mountain, Sultana (Mt Foraker). After glancing off the crest, the harpoon had struck an even larger wave, which had become Denali. Upon looking around, Raven found that the infant was now a grown woman. He took her in his arms, and they repopulated the world.

The Little Witch of Denali

Fannie Quigley was a five-foot-tall frontierswoman who spent almost 40 years homesteading and prospecting in Kantishna, at the foot of Mt Denali. One newspaper described her as "quick on the trigger, she could wrestle a bear, she could outsmart a wolf, and she could outdrink and outcuss just about any man in the north."

Francis Sedlacek was born in 1871, on a Nebraska homestead to Czech‐speaking Bohemian immigrants. She was an independent spirit, leaving home at a young age and travelling across America, working as a cook for construction crews. Eventually, hearing about the Klondike Gold Rush, she made her way up to Dawson City. She worked as a dance hall girl, but soon realized there was better money to be made cooking for the miners. She earned the nickname "Fannie the Hike" by walking hundreds of miles into the wilderness with her sheet‐metal Yukon stove and kitchen gear to set up shop selling meals to the miners.

In 1901 she married Angus McKenzie and together they operated a roadhouse in the Klondike. But after two tumultuous years, Fannie walked out on her abusive mate … and kept walking, all the way to Alaska. In 1905 came the whispers of a gold strike in the Kantishna region and Fannie set off. There were no roads to Kantishna at the time, supplies were carried in or transported by dogsled. Fannie hauled in supplies and opened a roadhouse called Mother McKenzie's.

Fannie met her second husband, "long legged" Joe Quigley in Kantishna. Between 1907 and 11919, they staked 26 claims, but never struck it rich. Joe, injured in a mining accident, eventually moved to Seattle with his nurse, while Fannie chose to remain in Kantishna.

Fannie's claim to fame grew from her reputation as a backcountry cook. She built raised gardens to protect vegetables from the permafrost, she hunted bear, moose, and caribou, and set trap lines for lynx, wolverine, and fox. She used mine shafts for storing food supplies, as well as her home‐made potato beer. Fannie was always prepared if unexpected guests stopped by.

In later years, curious visitors would make the trek to Kantishna solely to meet the infamous Fannie Quigley and partake of the sumptuous meals she cooked, as long as they didn't mind the brusque demeanour and salty language. Fannie lived alone in her little cabin and, in 1944, at 74 years of age, Quigley passed away in her sleep. The cabin is now a historic site on the Kantishna Experience tour in Denali National Park.

https://www.wilderness.net/library/documents/IJWAug05_TWITCHELL.pdf
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/fannie-quigley-alaska-gold-rush
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denali
photo of Denali at dusk by Ajna DreamsAwake

Ajna DreamsAwake is a High Priestess and founder of Dark Moon's Heart School. Her personal journey of self‐discovery continues as she supports and guides women along their own healing paths.

OWM Awareness

White Moon Happenings

We are, of course, delighted to welcome our new students in Pyramid of Light Mystery School , The Sisters of the Rising Moon, Sacred Three and Dark Moon's Heart from all over the world! We are always happy when sisters find their way to OWM!

More About OWM

If you're not an OWM student and you'd like to learn more about the Order of the White Moon, the schools offering Traditional White Moon Studies, or browse the Goddess Gallery, we welcome you to learn about us!

You can connect with OWM on social media! Follow us on Twitter at @OrderWhiteMoon for regular updates on Seasons of the Moon, the Weekly Tarot Zodiac and other OWM public outreach programs. Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/orderwhitemoon.

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May the Peaceful, Compassionate and Healing Presence of the Goddess be with you now and always.

HP Ka Wahine Ahi is the President of the Board of Directors and the Head of the Order. She teaches White Moon lessons to women in the school that she founded, The Sisters of the Rising Moon School of the Feminine Divine.

The Bardic Soul: Poetry and Song for the Spirit

A Unicorn Interview for the Salem‐Turnopia Herald

I was walking through the mall one day,
And I thought I saw a unicorn
Go round the next corner;
So I followed it to say hello.

No one else seemed to notice it, so
I just kept following behind it
Until it stopped suddenly
And I tripped over its hooves.

I invited it (it was a he) for coffee
And so I could interview him
For my hometown paper, The
Salem‐Turnopia Herald.

I'm a graduate of Salem‐Turnopia
U, and my name is Dawn, head
Reporter at the S‐T Herald.
The unicorn's name was Ettinor.

He was very up on current events,
And said that was not unusual
For a unicorn; they are very
Intelligent and caring.

For instance, he did not approve
Of the people running for mayor
Of our town; said at least a few
Magical beasts should be running.

Our candidates for the race are
Wilbur ProudFoot, Jr., the current
Mayor, and Realta SugarBrume,
The current protegeé of the High

Witch, Lady Emeralde and sure
To win I think. I pointed out to
Ettinor the problems if a merperson
Should run for instance;

The water that would need to be
Nearby for them to immerse them‐
Selves in constantly. But he felt
It could be done.

Ettinor said that the magical
Beasts here are more noble than
The humans. I thought back to
The last Salem‐Turnopia Halloween

Witches Brawl… oops, I meant
Ball… and I had to agree; (we all
Love our Witches Brew)!
I decide to hire Ettinor as a

Reporter and sports announcer;
I would be his boss. The only
Problem might be his wonderful
Soothing, hypnotic voice.

It wouldn't do to have people
(And beasts) falling asleep during
Elves' Soccer or the Witches
League Broomstick Formations;

Or the Ogre‐Troll football season,
Which is kinda violent and messy.
They'd get mad if their fans couldn't
Yell, throw things, and have fun
Trashing the stadium.

Well, Ettinor and I are headed to the
Herald so I can introduce him around.
I am sure they will be proud to have
A unicorn on the team; if not, they can
Fake it.

Mystic Amazon is a High Priestess of the Order of the White Moon and an Ordained Minister. Her hobbies include writing, folk art, folk magick, Reiki, and reading.

The Wiccan Rede

Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.
For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.
Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name, let love and light be our guides again.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane, and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.
Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch wood in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest, towers with might in the fire it brings the God's insight.
Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
Hazel ‐ the tree of wisdom and learning ‐ adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
But ‐ Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.
As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows. When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lammas night power is brought to magick rite.
Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.
In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.
Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree By the Lady blessed you'll be.
Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend Lest you be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Three‐fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.
True in love you must ever be unless your love is false to thee.
Eight words the Rede fulfil "An' ye harm none, do what ye will".

Merry Yule and Blessed Solstice

Merry Yule and Blessed Solstice!
Hail the return of the Light and the Sun!
Goddess among us and Goddess within us
Help us remember our work to be done.

In the new year that is coming upon us
Show us the pathway that we should take.
Guide our footsteps, upon earth we walk,
And guide our minds, decisions we make.

Let us remember those less fortunate,
Not just now but the whole year through.
Let us recognize our blessings to count,
Let us remember to sing praise to You.

Goddess among us and Goddess within us,
Help us remember that You are the One!
Merry Yule and Blessed Solstice,
Hail the return of the Light and the Sun!

Peace Whitehorse is a graduate of The Sacred Three Goddess School and a High Priestess in the Order of the White Moon, teacher at the Peace Grove School of the Goddess and facilitator and High Priestess of the Peace Grove Coven. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and her Shetland sheepdogs, and is active in Sheltie Rescue.

Yuletide Here

Yuletide, Yuletide!
Yuletide's here!
Pine and lights up,
Never a fear!

Old Saint Nicholas
Comes a'calling
Leaving boys and girls
A train, a dolly.

Yule log burning
In the hearthfire.
Holly trimmings
And festive attire!

Snow has fallen,
Icicles hang.
Merry the carolers,
Carols they sang.

Magick is seen
In sparkle on snow,
In children's smiles,
In the hearthfire's glow.

Just For Fun

Samhain Word Search

puzzle

To download and print a PDF copy of this puzzle Click here

Thanks to http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com for assistance in creating this Word Search puzzle.

Ajna DreamsAwake is a High Priestess and founder of Dark Moon's Heart School. Her personal journey of self‐discovery continues as she supports and guides women along their own healing paths.

Yule Wreath Tarot Spread

Yule comes from the Norse "iul" and the Anglo‐Saxon "hweol", both meaning wheel. It celebrates the completion of another cycle in the Wheel of the Year. The dark half of the year is at an end and we gather together to honour the light's return.

The Yuletide season begins on the eve of the Winter Solstice and continues into the New Year. As the sun makes its way back to Earth, and the days become noticeably longer, we experience a sense of rebirth and renewal. Hope is awakened once again, and we celebrate, by gathering with family and friends, and by sharing our joy in this season of giving.

One of the traditional symbols of the season is the Yule Wreath. The circular wreath, having no beginning and no ending, is symbolic of the eternal cycle of life‐death‐rebirth. Yule wreaths are usually made from evergreen boughs, whose branches remain green throughout the Winter months. They are symbols of immortality and the victory over darkness and challenge.

Yule Wreath Tarot Spread

yule wreath spread

Yule is an ideal time for introspection, divination and magickal workings, and planning for the future. The Yule Wreath tarot spread follows the twelve‐spoked Wheel of the Year, each day marked as one of the twelve days of Yule. The thirteenth card, at the center, represents the coming year. The spread is adapted from June Kaminski's Sacred Days of Yule Tarot Spread.

Beginning on Yule Eve, draw one card from your tarot deck and lay it on the appropriate spoke of the wheel. Reflect on its meaning and make a note of its position in the spread. Once you have completed your Wreath spread, reflect on the overall meaning of the cards, as a whole, and write down your thoughts. Notice any trends that are likely to arise in the coming year.

December 20th ‐ Yule Eve, the longest night of the year and so an ideal time for dreaming. This card sets the intention for the messages we may receive in our dreams this night.

December 21st ‐ At Yule we celebrate Light's return, and this card shows us how to connect with our own inner light.

December 22nd ‐ This card represents the obstacles we must overcome in order to turn our dreams into reality.

December 23rd ‐ This card teaches us how to nurture our faith and trust in the Universe.

December 24th ‐ This card represents harmony within the family and connection with the Ancestors.

December 25th ‐ This card represents our connection with Spirit.

December 26th ‐ This card represents wealth and prosperity.

December 27th ‐ This card teaches us how to deal with stressful situations.

December 28th ‐ This card shows us our strengths and our skills.

December 29th ‐ This card teaches us how to cultivate trust in our abilities.

December 30th ‐ This card shows us how to reconnect with our Inner Child.

December 31st ‐ This card shows us how to release the old and let in the new.

January 1st ‐ New Beginnings. This card shows us where to focus our energies and intentions in 2018.

Wishing you all the Blessings of Season!

Ajna DreamsAwake is a High Priestess and founder of Dark Moon's Heart School. Her personal journey of self‐discovery continues as she supports and guides women along their own healing paths.

The articles featured in Seasons of the Moon are written and/or submitted by members of the Order of the White Moon and are their own intellectual property. Please feel free to share this publication but do give credit where credit is due and link back to the source.

Thank you for reading, we hope that you have enjoyed it just as much as we have enjoyed presenting it to you.

Many blessings to you and yours,
Seasons of The Moon Staff

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Seasons of the Moon Home

Volume 16 Issue 1 Samhain 2018

Samhain 2018

Ritual Work

Samhain Scrying

Sacred Sites

OWM Awareness

The Bardic Soul: Poetry and Song for the Spirit

Just For Fun

Samhain Word Search

Volume 16 Issue 1
Samhain 2018