Kali Ma, Vast Voracious Pyre
May You INCINERATE Everything and ALL
That Bars the way
To Fully Manifesting my Path
Towards Complete Abundance
Kali Ma, Limitless Primordial Maw
May You OBLITERATE Everything and ALL
That Blocks my Path
From Breathing my Goals
Into Life
Kali Ma, Eternal Cosmic Evolution
May You Sanctify Everything and ALL
That I strive to accomplish
Shield my Needs from ANY Evil
That might befall or threaten them
Kali Ma, Goddess of Endless Time
Preserve That Which I Cherish
Aid me in Creation of Blessed Abundance
Clear my Path of ALL That Works Against Me
And Yield the Highest Possible Return and Profit
For Me, Those I Love, Those I Protect and Those I Hold Most Dear
Kali Ma, Sentinel of Unsullied Truth & Authenticity
I hold You Sacred as Guardian
Terrible and Mighty in your Ire
Against all who would dare harm
Those who call You MOTHER
© Jayme
Jayme is a Level II Initiate in Moonflower Ministry. She identifies as a HedgeWitch and is primarily fascinated by Divination, Green Witchery and Energy Work of various kinds.
Back to top.
For the Altar:
If you are a circle of several women, let every woman bring something they made themselves.
After the ritual and opening the circle they may give them away to each other.
Ritual
Draw your circle.
Light all candles ‐ but the blue one
Light the incense ‐ or use an incense stick to draw the circle.
Speak:
Come gentle fairies, elves, mother mine
I invite you to join me at this first harvest time
Protect me and guide me
Join this circle and stay
Let joy be the topic
Of this wonderful day
Let us feast and celebrate
This union so gay (refers to the circle gathered or to the wedding of Lugh)
Place your amber stone, flowers, oils, teas… upon the altar
Light the blue candle (representing healing power)
Ask the goddess to bless them and give power to them
Speak:
I thank you for this harvest
Bless goddess your kids (referring to the flowers ‐ the plants)
So they heal once it's needed
Your wonderful gifts!
If there are several women, you can let each woman ask for her own healing.
You can also let everyone in the circle share some memories on a special healing experience.
When you are ready, open the circle.
Speak:
I am thankful and opening this circle so bright
Part in peace now
The light of the mother shall always be our guide
Now it is time to eat and drink
Also now is the right time to share the 'gifts' that each woman has brought with herself.
ENJOY YOUR CELEBRATION!!!!!
© M)0(rrigan
M)0(rrigan is a Priestess of Morrigan, and a practitioner of Shamanism, Runes, Tarot and Usui Reiki. She is a Level III Adept in the Sacred Three Goddess School
Back to top.
Harvest Moon Elemental Blessing Ritual
Items needed
Ritual
Take a Cleansing Bath
Prepare your Altar
Light the Incense
Using your Athame or Wand Cleanse and Bless Your Altar
Cast your Circle and Close it.
Light the candles
Invoke the Elements:
Guardians of the North, East, South and West come to me.
Earth,blessed life giving earth, Mother Earth
Bless me with your Divine Presence.
Air, our life force,
The very breath and inspiration of the Goddess
Be here with me.
Fire, By your Passion and Energy
Light the flame and spark the Power within me.
Water, the Essence that flows through my veins and nourishes me
Bring the Power of the emotions
That I may be strong and humble.
Goddess,
Thank you for the passing of another cycle,
Summer with the warmth and beauty of Mother Earth blooming.
As Autumn has arrived and a new cycle begins,
Thank you for the bountiful Harvest of Mother Earth's gifts to us.
By the power of the Elements and the Goddess
Thank you for these Blessings…
Thank each Elemental Guardian and the Goddess for coming.
Say the following:
The Circle is open but not broken.
So mote it be!
Now enjoy that Apple!
© Lady Zephyr September 16, 2009
HP Lady Zephyr passed away in April, 2015. She remains forever in our hearts.
Back to top.
Knots are a good way to seal magickal intentions in spells. You can physically tie knots in yarn, string or twine, but you can also visualize tying them in your mind's eye, which is just as effective. By knotting, you are tying a piece of yourself into a spell, along with any other ingredients. This proves your belief in the magick you are working.
Knotting goes way back. Ancient Greek and Assyrian texts include rituals with knots to bind the desired outcome into a spell. In late nineteenth century England a witches' ladder knot was found in an attic in Somerset along with a number of brooms and chairs. This was believed to be the location of a Coven. The witches' ladder was made of twine with bird feathers inserted along its length. Ladder spells can be found as far back as ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Many things were woven into the knots such as talismans, amulets, feathers, coins and personal items. These items helped to reinforce desired outcomes.
There are unknotting spells, too. They banish all forms of negativity and help to move on from the past. Tying and then untying knots was thought to first seal or fulfill a magickal intent and then the untying was thought to release positivity all around the knotter.
A witches' ladder is actually a braid. Any number of strands can be used, but I recommend three and its multiples. The more strands used, the more complex the braid. Items that support the magickal intent for the knotting can be woven into the braid. Those items might be herbs, coins, feathers, personal items, and more. Knotting is only limited by the imagination and the skill of the knotter!
A four strand braid doubles the intention behind the spell that the knotwork is for.
There are many types of knots in addition to the witches' ladder:
The Monkey Braid transforms a single strand into an attractive braid.
The Celtic Knot uses two strands to create a beautiful knot.
The Figure Eight braid is a very strong knot that brings great strength to a spell.
The Reef Knot represents harmony, equality, balance and togetherness. It must be tied carefully, and the resulting loop is a good way to attach charms and other items to the knotwork.
Multiple Overhand Knots can be used when it is desired that the knots not be easily undone.
The Surgeon's Knot has incredible holding power. It also produces a loop that is good for adding items to the knotwork.
The Blood Knot is nearly impossible to untie.
There are many instructional diagrams and videos available to the novice knotter. Simply search, using Google or another search tool, on the name of the knot.
Happy knotting!
Click on the link to follow Peace at Witchy Writings
© Peace Whitehorse May 31, 2020
Peace Whitehorse is the author of Witchy Writings. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and her Shetland sheepdogs, and is active in Sheltie Rescue.
Back to top.
Kūki 'Āirani are a collection of 15 Polynesian islands located in the South Pacific Ocean, northeast of New Zealand.
Named for Captain James Cook, who visited the area in the 1770s, the Cook Islands were renamed Kūki 'Āirani, a Māori transliteration of the English name.
The Māori have inhabited the islands for at least a millennium, possibly migrating from Tahiti, more than 700 miles away.
The Polynesians who migrated here brought their traditions and beliefs with them. As a seafaring people, the ocean and its denizens feature prominently in the Māori mythology.
Sharks play an important role in Polynesian culture, as ancestor beings, as guides for fishermen, or even as deities.
Ina and the Shark
Ina was betrothed to the God of the ocean, who lived on a floating island many miles away. Ina longed to be with her beloved and attempted to swim to him, but the ocean waves kept returning her to shore.
Ina sought the help of fish, birds and turtles, but none were large or strong enough to carry the Goddess to the floating islands.
Finally, a shark agreed to take Ina. She collected coconuts to sustain her on the voyage, wove gardenias into her hair and donned a garland about her neck.
Ina stepped on the shark's back and off they went. Eventually, Ina grew thirsty, but realized that in her hadte to depart, she had left her knife behind. She asked the shark for permission to use its fin to slice open the coconut. The shark agreed and Ina slaked her thirst.
Soon, Ina needed to relieve herself. Not thinking the shark would notice, She urinated on its back. The shark, however, did notice, and was not pleased with Ina and threatened to throw her into the ocean. Because of the incident, islanders claim to this day that shark meat smells like urine.
The journey continued, and once again Ina grew thirsty. She asked the shark if she could break open another coconut on his fin. Still angry, the shark said no. But Ina succumbed to her thirst, and went ahead anyway.
She grabbed a coconut and thumped it hard on the shark's head several times. And this is how the hammerhead shark got its shape.
Enraged and in pain, the shark threw Ina off its back and dove deep beneath the waves, leaving Ina to drown.
Tekea the Great, the king of all sharks, took pity on her. Ina was rescued by Tekea and brought safely to the floating island where she was reunited with her beloved.
Ina continues to play a prominent role in Kūki 'Āirani culture and is featured on their currency.
Ina Banknote image courtesy of NagerLB, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
https://www.fijianmermaid.com/ina-and-the-shark-cook-islands.html#:~:text=The%20shark%20dived%20deep%20into,re%2Dunited%20with%20her%20beloved.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Islands_mythology
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Islands
© 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.
Back to top.
I'm thrilled to share with you that the OWM Board of Directors recently held elections to key positions.
Peace has accepted to remain as Treasurer and Maeve has accepted to remain as Secretary. They are both amazing HPs and long‐serving Board Members. I look forward to continuing to work with Peace and Maeve in serving the Order.
I have humbly accepted to remain in the role of President of the Board of Directors for a second term. It is truly a great honour to be nominated and I will strive to do my best to serve the Order and the Sisterhood.
We are always delighted to welcome our new students in Sacred Three, Moonlit Path, Moonflower Ministry 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!
For those who are not currently Sisters of the Order but would like to feel supported, we encourage you to visit OWM's website and submit a Prayer Request. This Public Outreach program is one of the ways that OWM gives back to the community. We offer prayers, distance healing, and loving support to members of public.
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.
Visit and like us! The Twitter feed and Facebook page are available to the public. Feel free to share these links. We appreciate your feedback so please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.
May the Peaceful, Compassionate, and Healing Presence of the Goddess be with you now and always.
Blessed Be
HP Ajna DreamsAwake
Back to top.
From deep within the sea I rise
Ancient knowledge in my eyes,
I am the sea goddess, Ran.
Wearing sea shells in my hair,
Dragging down sailors to my lair
I'm either savior or enemy, to man.
Sea balls carried on the waves
Are scrying crystals for my gaze;
And waters rise to my command.
My waves can lull you into sleep
Or wreck your ship within the deep,
I am the sea goddess, Ran.
The ancient Vikings worshipped me
Left offerings upon the sea,
And I carried them to the New Land.
My fish have sustained many lives
But some have teeth as sharp as knives;
You must respect the goddess Ran.
© Mystic Amazon (Beth Johnson) May 10, 2008
Back to top.
I dreamed once again,
that you were in my arms.
So long ago, and it was like yesterday…
I kissed again your sensuous lips, and laughed
To hear you murmur against mine.
I hear the music that we danced to, humming
Sweetly in my ears. You look into my eyes
With such love and softly smooth my hair back,
While I kiss your hand.
I wish sometimes to sleep forever, let time carry
Me along in slumber until that final rest.
For you are with me in the evenings, with me
And loving, as you used to be.
I do not want to face the present, empty nights
Without you in my bed; and have to wonder
With such aching sadness, where you have gone.
Did you love me, or did you lie, and lie again?
In dream times you are with me, sliding gently
Into love's rhythm; dancing together, or
Walking through the scented gardens of our
Past. In those times we are always young,
And I am beautiful again, I see it in your eyes.
Slender, before childbearing, age, and sorrow
Thickened my waist and etched lines that
Were not there before.
Forever young, forever desirable, and forever
Your love. If only for that time, my heart rejoices.
Then I must once again descend
The stairs, and walk back through life's doorway
Into the present world.
© Mystic Amazon (Beth Johnson) October 22, 2005
Late beloved OWM Sister, HP Mystic Amazon, died February 18, 2021. Mystic Amazon's poetry and rituals keep her memory alive in our hearts.
Back to top.
With alabaster skin
And hair like spun gold,
She is indeed a beauty,
A wonder to behold.
She seems to glide
Over the dry land
Sparks flying here and
There from her wand.
As fire spreads in
Her wake, some view
Her with disdain but
Fire makes way for new
Growth, recycling the old
Underbrush back to the earth.
That which is charred soon turns
Green with vivid rebirth.
Forgive her if she doesn't
Smile at you today,
For her's is a somber task,
The beautiful fire fey.
© Moonwater Ashwood May 2, 2008
(Jennifer Runham‐Stark)
HP Moonwater passed away in February, 2020. She was a prolific writer and we are honoured to share her work What is remembered lives on
Back to top.
Harvest time is now in full swing,
Boughs bend down with apples sweet.
Gardens given up their bounty,
Grapes for wine and pears to eat.
Cucumbers and peppers picked,
Tomato harvest now is done.
Fall is here and winter nearer,
With the waning of the sun.
Light and dark equate again,
Autumn Equinox is here!
Hospitality, forgiveness
Share the food and mead and beer.
Settle your accounts and debts,
Burn tobacco, cedar, hops.
Honor passed as pass the gravesite,
Look out for the great Cyclops!
Grapes and acorns, nuts and wheat,
Dogs and wolves and birds of prey,
The harvest and the aging Gods
Are symbols of this special day.
God prepares now to depart,
And grow from weakness to be strong
Nestled in the Goddess' womb,
The days grow short, the nights grow long.
We celebrate the second harvest,
Cold, long winter closer now,
Put away what will be needed
Until it's time to pull the plow.
Prepare ye now for time to come.
Winter's cold and soup be thin.
Weave for warmth and can the goods,
For 'til the Sun is high again.
© Peace Whitehorse December 2013
Back to top.
Upon the eve of Lammas Day
The Summer of nineteen‐forty
To repel the German invasion
A coven met at Highcliffe‐on‐Sea
In a clearing in Dorset, on England's south coast
Near an old gallows‐tree called Naked Man
The New Forest Coven met skyclad
To serve the war effort was part of their plan
A long tradition of British occultists
Using magic to repel foreign invaders.
The Spanish Armada and Bonaparte.
And now the nazis and Hitler.
According to High Priest Gerald Gardner
A coven leader who could not have been prouder
"… Witches did cast spells, to stop Hitler landing
… Danced to raise the cone… chanted words of power"
"You cannot cross the sea,
You cannot cross the sea,
Not able to come,
Not able to come."
The ancient coven members
Gathered 'neath the gallows tree
Too old to serve, now they stood
In defence of their vulnerable country
Raising the Cone was so intense
Several participants expired
Of exhaustion or of exposure
Their sacrifice unmeasured
A spiral dance of ecstasy
To channel nature's energies
The Cone of Power did soar
The power of witches unleashed
The intention to weaken Hitler's resolve
Through a psychological attack
To cloud his judgment and hasten his downfall.
Those witches were fighting back
I am not saying that the witches stopped Hitler.
But they performed a rite with serious intent
And though all the invasion barges were ready,
Hitler never reached the shores of Great Britain
© 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.
Back to top.
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°
While the oven is preheating, add 2 tablespoons oil to an iron skillet, enough to coat the
bottom and sides.
Mix all the above ingredients, do not overmix.
Heat skillet on top of stove, if a few drops of water sizzle it's hot enough.
Pour mixture in skillet and cook for about a minute or two, long enough to quick fry the bottom.
Put skillet in the oven and finish cooking till top browns about 20‐25 minutes.
Remove and cool for 10‐15 minutes.
Enjoy…
© Lady Zephyr 2009
HP Lady Zephyr passed away in April, 2015. She remains forever in our hearts.
Back to top.
I have been collecting Tarot decks and Oracle cards for ages. It may be the title of the deck, a familiar author, or intriguing images, drawing me in.
Some decks resonate immediately, and become my go‐to decks for personal readings, and for my WTZ contributions. Some decks, as much as I love the artwork, just don't speak to me. These I gift away, hoping that they will resonate with another practitioner.
In recent years, I have tried to whittle down my collection, wanting to keep only those I use regularly. My intent was to hold off purchasing more decks, I had plenty already… and then I came across the We'Moon deck… and I knew I just had to have it.
It was the first thing I saw when I walked into the shop. Without a moment's hesitation it was in my hands.
I've been using the We'Moon day planner for a couple of decades, as a scheduler, a Lunar calendar, a journal… I have been inspired by the poetry, deepened my understanding of Astrology, cut out the artwork for collages and dreamboards. What a thrill to discover yet another treasure from the publisher.
Mother Tongue Ink features creative work by womyn, for womyn. Nature is the first language, the Mother Tongue. As women, we are intertwined with the elements, the basic building blocks from which all life is created. According to Musawa, the founder, We'Moon means "we of the Moon" whose cycles run through our blood.
The We'Moon Tarot has evolved naturally from the publisher's original visions for a changing world, and celebrating earth‐based spirituality.
The deck was initially conceived, and images gathered, in 2019, during the Covid 19 lockdown. It was published in 2022, as the world was beginning to open up to an uncertain future. Now more than ever, we are in need of inspiration, hope, and healing. We'Moon has created a resource with which we can reconnect with Gaia's rhythms and the basic elements of the natural world.
The accompanying guide book was written by Musawa. The booklet is beautiful, with full colour images. Musawa provides a brief overview of the history of Tarot, and shares her own personal experience as a practitioner. She offers brief interpretations of each card, but also encourages the reader to tap into their own intuition or lunar consciousness. She also includes the layout for the Mandala Tarot spread, a variation of the Celtic Cross. As with the We'Moon planner, the tiny booklet contains useful astrological information that may allow a more in‐depth interpretation of the cards.
Unlike traditional Tarot decks, the artwork here is drawn from the We'Moon archives. Spanning 40 years, the deck is both multicultural and multigenerational, offering a unique feminist perspective.
The cards are colour‐coded for easy reference, representing the four Elements (Minor Arcana) and Spirit (Major Arcana):
Red ~ Fire: vitality ‐ activating, energizing
Brown ~ Earth: physical body ‐ materializing
Yellow ~ Air: mental, mindful ‐ thinking
Blue ~ Water: emotional, psychic ‐ feeling
Black ~ Spirit
The four face cards ("Phase Cards") represent the stages of the Life Cycle:
Amazon/Daughter
Mother/Priestess
Matriarch/Clan Mother
Crone/Sage
The cards have a nice feel to them and it's easy to get caught up in the beautiful artwork. I chose to use a Mandala Spread as laid in the booklet. Although I initially referred to the text frequently, I eventually set it aside and relied on my own interpretations. I excitedly dug out my old Natal Chart to determine the astrological influence of the Minor Arcana cards. One can take a really deep dive into the Astrology if one chooses to, especially when pulling only 1‐3 cards.
I look forward to working with the deck on a regular basis, and intend to coordinate it with the We'Moon planner, to set the tone and gain insight into the week ahead.
We'Moon Tarot was used in this week's Weekly Tarot Zodiac. Check it out!
We'Moon Tarot is dedicated to Pamela Coleman Smith, the artist who created the images for the "Rider‐Waite" Tarot deck in 1909.
For more information visit wemoon.ws
© 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.
Back to top.
Ingredients
Directions
Mix all ingredients well.
Use in your ritual bath, to rejuvenate yourself, or as a foot
soak.
© Moonwater Ashwood May 2, 2008
(Jennifer Runham‐Stark)
HP Moonwater passed away in February, 2020. She was a prolific writer and we are honoured to share her work What is remembered lives on
Back to top.
What are charm bags? Well, they are small bags that can hold things for many different purposes. They are also known as medicine bags or mojo bags.
There are different kinds of charm bags. There are drawstring bags, and bags to hang around the neck on a string. There are leather bags, cloth bags, lined and unlined, and even woven bags.
Now, the first thing you need is your intent for what will go into the bag. What will the purpose be for the charm bag you are about to assemble? Express this intent in a spell. Spells that rhyme are generally considered more powerful than those that do not, but rhyming is not necessary.
Based on the purpose, select and gather together the items to go into the bag. You can choose gemstones, herbs, and other small items that correspond to your intent.
You will need a bag. The size will be determined by the items that will go in it. The bag is easy to make if you know how to sew. If you can't sew, there are little drawstring bags that are available at most metaphysical shops. Or you can use sewing glue to make a bag. One note, if your bag is going to hold loose herbs or very small gemstone chips, you will want to choose fabric or a bag made of a solid cloth and not netting.
Here is a link to a site that explains how to sew a simple spell or charm bag: Pagans & Witches Blog
I prefer to make my bags with a drawstring closure, which is a little more complicated but by no means difficult. Sew your basic bag. Then turn down the fabric at the opening/top and sew both sides down, creating a channel large enough for a piece of ribbon or string to be threaded through. Do not sew the channels together at the sides. Then take two pieces of string or ribbon, and a small safety pin. Attach the pin to the end of one piece of the ribbon. Then thread the ribbon through the channel all the way around and back out to the side where you started. Take the second ribbon or string and do the same thing, starting on the opposite side of the bag, through the channel on both sides, and back out to the side where you started with this piece of ribbon. Tie the two ends together on both sides of the bag. Then pull on the knots and the bag should gather nicely to close.
Make your bag, then work your spell and fill the bag with the items you have gathered together.
There are many purposes for a charm bag. Prosperity, good health, protection, fertility, creativity, really just about any purpose at all can be used to make a charm bag. What you put into the bag is determined by what the purpose is.
You can carry the bag on your person, or in your purse if you carry one, or in the bra for women.
As with any magickal working, do not use your spell to mess with anyone's free will. Always remember the Threefold Law!
Click on the link to follow Peace at Witchy Writings
© Peace Whitehorse December 16, 2020
Peace Whitehorse is the author of Witchy Writings. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and her Shetland sheepdogs, and is active in Sheltie Rescue.
Back to top.
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
Get Seasons of the Moon via email! Join the Seasons of the Moon group.