Volume 15 Issue 1
Samhain 2017
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 2017
Contents
- Holy Days
The Veil Thins, Ajna DreamsAwake - Ritual Work
Ritual to Welcome in the Morrigan, Mystic Amazon
Living in Dark Times, Ajna DreamsAwake - Sacred Sites
Salem, Ajna DreamsAwake - OWM Awareness
OWM Happenings, Ka Wahine Ahi - The Bardic Soul: Poetry and Song for the Spirit
Candles in the Dark, Mystic Amazon
Witches Brew: Alcohol, Soup, or Stew?, Mystic Amazon
Samhain, Peace Whitehorse
A New Year Resolution, Peace Whitehorse
Holy Days
The Wheel turns at Samhain and our thoughts journey to inner realms. Our focus leans toward death and dying, in harmony with the environment.
Death surrounds us, the foliage, a riot of colours but a week ago, have now fallen to earth. The naked branches of the trees play haunting songs, accompanied by the cold north winds.
We may find ourselves remembering our loved ones, or feel their presence near. They may come to us in dreams, as a faint whispering in our ear, or an aetheric hand upon our shoulder.
I have been thinking a lot about loved ones who have crossed over, as the veil between the worlds has thinned. I recall precious memories, I hear their laughter, and, with tears in my eyes, I smile.
I will light a candle for my ancestors this night and share stories of my life. I will have intimate conversations with them that I never could when they were alive, and I know that they will listen. I will offer thanks and gratitude for their love and guidance, for their presence in my life helped shape me into the woman I am today.
The Veil Thins
The veil thins at Samhain and our Ancestors come to call.
We honour the memories of our dearest loved ones
Who have passed on, one and all
With candles lit, in silence we sit
We remember and we praise
As Hekate beckons, we step through the gate
In the Underworld, our loved ones, we face
They've much to tell us, if we but listen
Their whispered voices speak
Wisdom and guidance and stories to share
They offer us the advice that we seek
We commune with the dead for as long as we dare
Until it is time we must go
Hekate guides us back to our own world
But we no longer feel deep sorrow
For we know death is not final
Death is not the end
Death is but a transition
We will all go through my friends
The veil thins at Samhain and our Ancestors come to call.
We honour the memories of our dearest loved ones
Who have passed on one and all
© 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.
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Ritual Work
Ritual to Welcome in the Morrigan
- You will need:
- 1 White candle for Spirit
- 1 Candle to represent yourself in a color you like (if you are sending healing to a specific person afterward,
you can use the color of your choice for them).
- 1 Black candle to represent power, protection, and letting go
of negativity
- Something to carve candles with
- Oils for the candles, if there aren't specific ones, Virgin Olive Oil
is always a good choice.
(I bought a candlelabra that has 4 places and put candles to represent earth, air, fire, and water. But this is optional. I also sprayed the glass containers with candle mold releasant spray so it will be easy to get them out when they are burned down. PAM cooking spray will work just as well.)
- A statue, stones, pictures, totems, or anything to represent the Morrigan that you might like to put on your altar. I use my kitchen counter as my altar. If you want to put some ground beef or meat on a container that you plan to use later for your supper, that would be good. After all, it is definitely the color red. This is also optional, but if you want to prick your finger a tiny bit and put some blood on a cotton square, this is also okay.
Welcoming in the Morrigan
Cast the Circle.
Dress your candles, if there is something you want to carve on them,
go ahead before you use the oils.
- On the red Morrigan candle,
I carved Morrigan, Badb, and Macha.I used Hecate oil on that candle.
- On the white candle, I used ritual oil and carved Spirit.
- I used
an orange candle for myself since I am a Leo, and carved my name
on it plus the names of two people I was going to do a specific
healing for after the ritual and used Goddess oil on it.
- On the black candle, I carved Power, Protection, and Letting Go of Negativity on it, and used High John the Conqueror Oil on it. I used Sandlewood incense.
I read each of these poem/prayers that I wrote, three times.
That helps build up the power and three is one of the sacred numbers.
You can chant them if you wish.
A Call to Morrigan
Morrigan you Raven, you,
Loving and protective
But so fierce, too!
Morrigan and your aspects,
With our enemies
You'll "clear the decks"!
Morrigan, come talk with me
Show me what I need
To know and "see".
Morrigan with your two spears,
Teach me the courage
To face my fears.
Morrigan with your tattoos,
Teach me all the Mysteries
That I can use.
Morrigan you Raven, you,
Loving and protective
But so fierce, too!
Blood‐Red Triple Queen
Morrigan, Oh Mighteous One
Brighter, Redder, than the sun;
Hold me in your strong, fierce arms
And teach me to sing your battle charms.
Blood‐Red Queen of the live and dead
Annoint your sigils on my forehead;
Help me protect the innocent ones
Calling ahead, "Lo! The Goddess comes!"
Your Ravens and wolves on the battle field,
Skulls carved on your mighty shield;
Nude but for tattoos, you're an fearsome sight…
Morrigan, Badb, and Macha rule the Night!
After saying or chanting the poem/prayers three times, just relax
and talk to the Morrigan. Welcome her and ask if you can work
with her and if She will be in your life, and anything else
that you feel that you want to talk over with her. Then
thank her and say, "The Circle is open, but not broken."
Then open a door and say, "SO MOTE IT BE!", and visualize what
you have asked for and the wonderful energy going out into the
world to manifest your wishes and prayers.
Then if you need
to ground the energy, clap real loud.
Send extra energy
to the work. If there is any healing work you want to do
after that or divination, there should be wonderful energy
to help you with it.
Blesssed Be!
© Beth Clare Johnson February 28, 2008
(Mystic Raven)
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.
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Living in Dark Times
We are living in dark times. It is not just that this is the dark time of the year, but the world around us appears to be a reflection of bleak hopelessness and despair. Misogyny, bigotry, and hatred for "other" have become normalized and legitimized. Those who stand against fascists are attacked. Those who take a knee against systemic racism are harassed and vilified. Threats of war from petulant leaders keep us all in a state of perpetual angst. Children are dying.
There is so much to be outraged about, and yet, if we choose to remain in a state of anger and fear, reacting rather than responding, blaming rather than offering compassion, we will lose a precious part of ourselves. Yes, we must stand against tyranny, we must speak out against injustices, but we must ever be mindful of the fact that love will always trump hate. We cannot remain silent, but we can speak and act from a place of love and compassion.
We are living in dark times, but Yule offers a promise, a promise of light's return, a promise of hope. Yule is a reminder that the dark times are ending, new life is emerging. We can make of this new life what we choose.
Ritual to Release Anger and Negativity
Close your eyes and breathe deeply, each breath taking you deeper and deeper within yourself.
Visualize yourself walking along a forest path. The frost and snow twinkle, a reflection of the dark sky above. It may be night time but the Moon and stars shine so brightly, the path is easy to follow.
In the distance, you hear the call of wild geese as they herald the presence of the Ancient Crone known as the Cailleach, Goddess of Winter.
You come to an outcropping of stone, and see, sitting upon it, an old woman. She is the Cailleach, blue‐skinned and wearing a robe of purest white. She invites you to join her and asks you what it is that you are needing to release in your life right now. These may be long‐held beliefs, recurring patterns, old habits, unhealthy emotional attachments…
Take as much time as you need to list all the things you feel are taking up valuable space within you, the things you would like to release. When you feel ready to leave, thank the Cailleach and slowly come back into your body. Write down all the things that you are wanting to let go of.
Place your paper in a cauldron or firepit and set the paper alight. As the paper burns, feel yourself growing lighter, feel the void left behind from this release. You have now created sacred space within, to be filled with love, light, compassion, or anything else which ignites your passion.
With this newly‐born lightness of being, go into the world and share your love, your light, your compassion with those who may need it the most.
© 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.
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Sacred Sites
Salem, built on the site of an indigenous village, was first settled by Europeans in 1626, when a company of fishermen arrived from Cape Ann, led by Roger Conant. He was later replaced by John Endecott. This peaceful transition led to the settlement's name of Salem, a Greek form of the Hebrew word for "peace".
Puritans had come to Massachusetts to obtain religious freedom for themselves, however, they were less inclined to allow this same freedom for those who followed other faiths. Religions that did not follow the Holy Book were considered heresy. Cotton Mather wrote the first criminal code for the state, and witchcraft was second only to idolatry in the list of capital crimes. The law stated that "If any man or woman be a witch, that is, has or consults with a familiar spirit, they shall be put to death."
A witch, as the Puritans perceived her, was someone who engaged in both sorcery and heresy against the church. The Inquisition, created in the 12th century to combat heresy, soon turned its focus to witchcraft. Not surprisingly, the accused were predominately female. The belief was that women were inherently evil and therefore more susceptible to temptation. In a text from the 15th century it states that "When a woman thinks alone, she thinks evil." If a woman was not dependent on a man, if she spoke her mind or demonstrated strength, wit or wisdom, she was liable to be branded a witch and persecuted. Across Europe, witch trials grew in frequency and sensationalism. Witches were accused of engaging in orgies with Satan and his minions, they had the ability to fly, they stole babies and penises, they messed up barns and terrorized livestock, and they cast enchantments with charms, ointments, and poppets.
And so, it was not surprising that the people of Salem were caught up in the mass panic that led to the infamous Witch Trials in 1692. In January of that year, eight young girls began to display bizarre behaviours. Their symptoms included hallucinations, violent convulsions, incomprehensible speech, and trance‐like states. Unable to determine a cause, physicians reasoned that it must be the work of Satan. When pressed, the girls began to name names. The first to be accused were Tituba, a Caribbean‐born slave, Sarah Good and Sarah Osburn. More than 150 accused were taken into custody and formally charged with having "wickedly, maliciously, and feloniously" engaged in sorcery. When the madness finally ended, nine months later, the colony had executed twenty women and men, and two dogs, for witchcraft. Four accused died in jail as well as the infant daughter of Sarah Good. Those who were executed maintained their innocence to the end, not one of them confessed to practicing witchcraft.
Salem's reputation was established as a result of its fear of witches, and it is likely that a horrified nation's response may have led to the constitutionally protected right to religious freedom and to the separation of church and state. Salem has become a national symbol for tolerance and religious freedoms. Salem has become a haven for those who follow the Craft and it is home to a thriving pagan community. There are several Wiccan and Pagan organizations which provide invaluable information to the public, including the Pagan Resource and Network Council of Educators (PRANCE), the Witche's League for Public Awareness, the Witches Education Bureau, and the Witches' Voice.
The Witch Trials Memorial on Charter Street commemorates the 300th anniversary of the trial, and honours the memory of those killed. The monument consists of twenty benches set along a stone wall, each inscribed with a victim's name, date, and method of execution. Phrases carved into the stonework are direct quotes from their trials "I am wholly innocent of such wickedness." "I am no witch." "God knows I am innocent." Created to inspire respect toward people of all paths, the memorial serves as a reminder that though we have come a long way with regards to acceptance, we still have a long way to go.
Naturally, the Witch city is the place to be during the month of October. Special events include ghost tours, haunted harbor cruises and theater performances. The highlight is, of course, a spectacular Halloween celebration with parades, live music, dancing in the streets, and a Witches' Halloween Ball. But despite the pageantry, there remains an aura of melancholy to Salem, a solemn reminder; "never again, the burning".
Let us remember now the names of the innocent victims murdered in Salem.
Those who were hanged on Gallows Hill in 1692:
Bridget Bishop, Rebecca Nurse, Sarah Good, Susannah Martin, Elizabeth Howe, Sarah Wildes, George Burroughs, Martha Carrier, John Willard, George Jacobs Sr., John Proctor, Martha Corey, Mary Eastey, Ann Pudeator, Alice Parker, Mary Parker, Wilmott Redd, Margaret Scott, and Samuel Wardwell.
Giles Corey who was pressed to death.
Those who died in prison: Sarah Osborn, Roger Toothaker, Lydia Dustin, Ann Foster and Mercy Good.
We honour their memory as we do the memory of all women and men who have been accused of witchcraft, persecuted, tortured and murdered.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem,_Massachusetts
http://www.spiritualtravels.info/articles-2/north-america/salem-massachusetts-americas-witch-city/salems-witch-trials-landmarks/
http://www.spiritualtravels.info/articles-2/north-america/salem-massachusetts-americas-witch-city/
http://www.spiritualtravels.info/articles-2/north-america/salem-massachusetts-americas-witch-city/the-witches-of-salem-today/
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/salem.htm
© 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.
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OWM Awareness
Sherry the Mystical Goddess has completed Level 2 and is now an Adept in OWM. Please take some time and look at her lovely project on Beautiful Sedna in the Goddess Gallery.
Ashera, formerly Ayssa, has completed Level 1 and is an Initiate in the Order of the White Moon. You can see her inspired project on Nyx in the Goddess Gallery.
Aurora Silverspiritus Amadahy has completed Level 2 and is now an Adept in OWM.
We are delighted to welcome each and every one of our new students. 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.
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.
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.
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The Bardic Soul: Poetry and Song for the Spirit
She was so afraid of the dark!
When her husband was on a trip,
She would look under the bed
And in the closets.
She was afraid for her hand to fall
Out from the covers,
For fear a panther or tiger
Would bite it right off.
When she was little she was braver
And would go sit in the closet
And talk to the monsters
To make friends of them.
Sometimes she saw ghosts travel
Across the ceiling and walls
And would hear them call her.
She didn't know what was worse,
The ghosts that could come in,
Or the ones that were already in.
Her fears created more and more
Monsters in the house.
Her fears were getting worse
And she was afraid to leave the house
Because the ghosts would come too.
She couldn't leave them.
One night she had enough.
She put on her prettiest floaty gown,
And lit white candles.
Then she meditated for awhile,
And then she prayed,
Pouring out her heart and soul
And everything she was scared of
And worried about.
She felt a sense of serenity,
And that she was in a safe place.
When she would get afraid,
She would come back,
Come back to that space,
Lighting her candles
And speaking prayers
From her heart and her spirit.
Then she was able to let
The monsters go and dissolve;
And whenever fears started,
She knew what she needed to do.
© Beth Clare Johnson September 30, 2005
(Mystic Amazon)
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.
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Witches Brew: Alcohol, Soup, or Stew?
An Explanatory Essay
The best of witches brews depend on the soup base,
which in turn represents the magickal purpose of
the brew. However, sometimes "Witches Brew" is just
another name for an alcoholic drink. But for many of
the witches in our town of Salem‐
Turnopia, "to whip up
a witches brew" can mean to make up a magickal soup or
stew for a particular purpose.
Now, my cousin Norman Turnippe's mother (my aunt Agnys
Raddishe‐Turnippe) gave him some witches brew soup to
help him get over a cold. It worked, but he was
unconscious for three days. When he woke up, his cold
was gone and the hook in his nose had straightened out.
The plastic surgeons in Salem‐Turnopia were very
interested in experimenting with her formula.
Unfortunately, she could never remember the exact
measurements of her ingredients, so there were some pretty
appalling results. This caused the experiments to be
stopped by the Witches Board of Health and Public
Relations.
The base of her brew was a very strong split‐pea soup.
What she added to that, I don't know. And considering
what happened to the poor volunteers in the clinical trials
(shudder), I don't want to know!
Signed,
Yours magickally and respectfully,
Joanie Lynn Raddishe
Reporter, Salem‐Turnopia Herald
© Beth Clare Johnson 2005
(Mystic Amazon)
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.
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All Hallow's Eve, or Halloween,
The highest day of all the year,
Samhain comes on sacred feet,
And Spirits unto us appear.
The veil is at its thinnest now,
As in between the Worlds we stand.
With our dead we now commune,
Light the path and take the hand.
Jack‐o‐lantern's ghoulish glow,
Trick‐or‐treaters in the night,
Mundane now is magickal,
And many things give us a fright!
Bring the last of produce in,
Fill the cellars, seal the jars.
Winter now around the corner,
Cold clear nights are filled with stars.
Feast of the Dead or a Dumb Supper,
Welcome spirits to our homes,
Passing through to Summerland,
A place to rest their weary bones.
Light the bonfires, warm the night,
Dance a jig to celebrate.
Spread the ashes, bless the land,
That next year's harvest may be great.
Set a place at the harvest table
For your loved ones who have passed,
The final harvest is now gathered,
Earth and people rest, at last.
© Peace Whitehorse December 2013
Peace Whitehorse is a graduate of The Sacred Three Goddess School and a High Priestess in the Order of the White Moon. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and her Shetland sheepdogs, and is active in Sheltie Rescue.
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A new year is upon us now,
These things resolve to do:
Take care of those less fortunate
Who have much less than you.
Many folks are suffering
Pain, illness, loss and fear
Be strong for the poor and weak,
And hold your loved ones near.
Give as much as you can,
To help the ones in need,
For in the act of giving, you
Plant prosperity's seed.
Guard your thoughts carefully,
Keep them positive, and should
Banish negativity,
So drawn to you is good.
Concentrate on bettering
Yourself, your life. Unfurled
The flag of love and peace,
Make a better place the world.
It is up to you to make
The world a better place,
Power is yours to make a change
In this new time and space.
Practice being humble,
To all respect and love,
Have a sense of humor
And take guidance from above.
These things, if you will do them,
Will better things for all.
Remember them throughout the year,
Not just when falls the ball.
© Peace Whitehorse New Years, 2014
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.
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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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