Imbolc 2007 Feb 2nd

The Cross Quarter* of Imbolc 2007 occurs at 9:05 pm on Feb 2nd this year. This is a time to acknowledge the "First Spark" and embedded energies that have been sleeping over the winter. The seeds that are underground acknowledge the returning energy and will begin to convert it to life deep within the seed, underground and unseen by man. Even though it is still the dead of winter and feels like winter, the Sun's energy has been returning since the Winter Solstice on Dec 21st. On this day we are 1/2 way between the Winter Solstice (longest night of the year) and the Spring Equinox (equal night and day). Take this time to reflect upon this cycle and appreciate the unseen gifts that exist in your everyday life.

FireHawk

Chart of 2007 Equinox, Solstice and Cross Quarter Moments based on your location

PS. *Cross Quarters are the moments in time that are exactly halfway between Solstices and Equinoxes.

Summer Solstice 2006

The Summer Solstice occurs at 8:26 am EST on Wed, June 21st, 2006. Here is an excellent reference chart that outlines the Wheel of the Year. http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/2006.shtml

If you are in Australia or in the Southern Hemisphere then you would be celebrating YULETIDE at this same moment.

http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/2006.shtml

Litha / Summer Solstice / Mid-Summer's Eve

In the Wiccan world of Earth cycle appreciation,
there are 8 major holy days/holidays
that are used to celebrate the Earth.

There are 2 Solstices, 2 Equinoxes and 4 cross quarter moments
(times exactly midway between each of the 4 Solstices or Equinoxes.)

The next major Wiccan holy day or Sabbat is the Summer Solstice, named Litha in the Wiccan world. This year we celebrate Litha on June 21st. It is the longest day of the year. The sun is regarded as being at its highest power and influence.

Check out The Chart for a complete calendar list and times of occurances of Solstices, Equinoxes or Cross Quarter events for your part of the world.

For more information about Litha or some of its customs you may email me
or look online for more information.

Blessed Be,

FireHawk
Pendleton, Indiana

Mid Summer's Eve \ Summer Solstice

Litha

On June 21st we observe the Summer Solstice. The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year; it is the day on which the northern hemisphere of the Earth is tilted the most TOWARDS the Sun. This is the longest day and shortest night of the year. In ancient times this day was called Litha or Mid Summer's Eve. In neo times our calendars state that it is the FIRST day of Summer although I disagree with this on a fundamental level. To most, Summer has already been here for a while. And it actually marks the HALF WAY point thru summer as in another 1.5 months summer will be overwith. Pagans regard this day as a very powerful and important day. It is the day the Sun or "male/god" aspect is at its highest "power". This is a great day to give thanks to the Sun and the warmth/food it provides all of us. Without the Sun, we would not have all of the life cycles that we all require to exist. There are many websites out there that give more details about this Holy Day... try www.religioustolerance.org
BB,
FireHawk

Origins of Easter

Easter time each year is a perfect time to observe how the Christian religion has massaged old time traditions into something they now claim and call their own. In ancient times, there was a holy day and celebration called OSTARA. Neo-pagan peoples still observe this special day of the year. If you recall in the dead of winter on the longest night of the year, we called it Yuletide. This was the time when we celebrated the returning/birth of the "Sun" since Dec 21st is the longest night of the year. Every day after Yule (aka Christmas) gets more and more daylight,lighter and lighter. The cycle of the Earth and Sun continues and we find ourselves at the Vernal Equinox, the period of EQUAL NIGHT and DAY, on or about March 21st each year. This time of year was the time when early europeans would celebrate the "stirrings of spring". This was the time when the Earth would wake up and become fertile once more. Seeds would open, the first flowers would appear and the true awakening of the Earth could be observed in everyday life. Thus, there were symbols of this fertility, Eggs and Rabbits and such, that would appear in those celebrations.

The Christian Religion in its infancy had a difficult task of CONVERTING old time pagan practises into Christian faith and followers. Easter is a prime example. The very date of Easter was specifically set very carefully by the Christian Church.

Easter was established as the FIRST SUNDAY that occured AFTER the FIRST FULL MOON AFTER the Vernal Equinox (Ostara).

This would ensure that Christian "Easter" would NEVER occur on the old holy day called Ostara; Christian "Easter" would NEVER occur on a FULL MOON, and Christian "Easter" would ALWAYS occur on a SUNDAY.

All of this while still offering the "Pagans" an opportunity to celebrate "similar" family values during that time of the year. Eggs remained, the hidden goddess symbol of the rabbitt remained. The "awakenening" of something sacred (Jesus/Earth) remained.

Due to the horrific Christian Crusades and massacres of the time cast by rulers to "reform" and "convert" non-believers or different-believers, It was just a matter of time before mass conversion to the new Christian beliefs was commonplace.

Now we have arrived at a time in History when the truth can be told without consequences from a Church or Government. The people of the United States and those portions of the "Free" world have a chance to review the history of religions and now decide for themselves what they wish to follow.

FireHawk

Plough Monday

Plough Monday


When and What is Plough Monday?

The first Monday after Twelfth Night is Plough Monday, a day when English ploughmen traditionally blackened their faces and wore white shirts.

Plough Monday was the day when villagers in many agricultural areas dragged a decorated plough thru town and they would knock on doors and ask for money, food and drink. They were accompanied by someone acting the Fool. The fool would often be dressed in skins and a tail, and carry a pig's bladder on the end of a stick.

Farmers return to work on Plough Monday after the 12 days of Yuletide.


FireHawk

A word on Twelfth Night

In a nutshell, Twelfth night is the night when Yuletide/Christmas decorations are taken down. However, Twelfth night has always been open to much debate but it can be summarized with the following:

Pretty much, you can either count 12 days/nights after Christmas or 12 days/nights after Yuletide and that will give you the window for 12th night. Old traditions say that it is very unlucky to take down Decorations later than the 12th night after Yuletide.

Using traditional Yuletide (the actual Winter Solstice or longest night of the year) as a reference then 12th night would have occured on Dec 21st at 1:35 pm EST this year 2005. 12 nights after that day would be January 2nd. However, many people reference the Yuletide SEASON as being 6 days before the new year thru 6 days after the new year,the last six days of the old year (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 December ) and the first six days of the New Year (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 January).

Many strongline conservative Christians disallowed such "partying" on the 25th as it was considered a holy day and not one for partying.

In ancient tradition, especially in the cold dead winter of western medieval europe, this was indeed a time for celebration. This was the time to celebrate the return of the SUN as the days cease to shorten and more sunlight could be observed, giving hope that spring and new life was to come. Indeed a time for mumming the mummers dance.

The twelve days of Yule would have been a most welcome break for the workers on the land, which in Tudor times would have been the majority of the people. All work, except for looking after the animals, would stop, restarting again on Plough Monday, the first Monday after Twelfth Night.

The Yule log, lit on the longest night of the year(solstice), remained burning until Twelfth Night in order to bring good fortune to the house for the coming year. Its charred remains were kept, both to kindle the next year's Yule log, as well as to protect the house from fire and lightning.

Generically, January 6th is marked as the observed day by most of the world. Marked on some calendars as 3 Kings Day...others Boxing Day or Epiphany.

Regardless of what the fine detail of your belief is, now is the time to give thanks to the returning of the sun. It is okay to put away those lights that represented the energy of the sun since the sun has returned with its true energy. Cleanse your space, put the decorations away, and enjoy the new energies of the new year.

FireHawk
http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/2005.shtml
CHART OF SOLSTICES,EQUINOXES and CROSS QUARTER MOMENTS

September's Mabon

MABON - Second Harvest Festival / Autumnal Equinox

When and why the fall equinox happens:

The seasons of the year are caused by the 23.5º tilt of the earth's axis. Because the earth is rotating like a top or gyroscope, it points in a fixed direction continuously -- towards a point in space near the North Star. But the earth is also revolving around the sun. During half of the year, the southern hemisphere is more exposed to the sun than is the northern hemisphere. During the rest of the year, the reverse is true. At noontime in the Northern Hemisphere the sun appears high in the sky during summertime and low in the sky during winter. It is highest at the summer solstice (about June-21) and lowest at the winter solstice (about December-21). The half-way points in the year are called the equinoxes. It is time of the year when the sun rises exactly in the east, travels through the sky for 12 hours, and sets exactly in the west. Everywhere on earth experiences close to 12 hours of daylight, and 12 hours of nighttime equally.

According to THE CHART , this year Mabon/Autumnal Equinox occurs Sept 22nd, 2005 at 5:23 pm Central or 6:23 Eastern time in North America.

The exact date and time of the fall equinox, when the sun moves into the astrological sign of Aries, varies from year to year. Each year, the date/time moves progressively later in September until the year before leap-year is reached. On leap-year, it returns to an earlier date/time. This four-year cycle is then repeated.

The Fall Equinox is also known as: Alban Elfed, Autumn Equinox, Autumnal Equinox, Cornucopia, Feast of Avilon, Festival of Dionysus, Harvest Home, Harvest Tide, Mabon, Night of the Hunter, Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Witch's Thanksgiving, and the first day of autumn.

Religions like Judaism, Christianity and Islam, tend to view time as linear. They say time started with creation; the world as we know it will end at some time in the future. Neopagan religions see time as circular and repetitive, with lunar (monthly) and solar (yearly) cycles. The Rituals guarantee the continuity of nature's cycles, which traditional human societies depend on for survival. Wiccans recognize eight seasonal days of celebration. Four are minor sabbats and occur at the two solstices and the two equinoxes. The other are major sabbats which happen approximately halfway between an equinox and solstice. Wiccans may celebrate Mabon on the evening before, or at sunrise on the morning of the equinox, or at the exact time of fall equinox. Mabon is the second and main Wiccan harvest festival. The Wiccan God has sacrificed the last of Himself to provide us with a final harvest of food before the winter begins. Celebrants gather to mark the turning of the wheel and to give thanks for the ultimate sacrifice of The God, recognizing that He will be reborn at Yule. This holiday has been called 'The Witches' Thanksgiving' and is a time for feasting together with family and friends. While in the past, most all were farmers, this harvest festival traditionally applies to the harvest of foods, yet in this day and age, the 'harvest' may also apply to the 'seeds of dreams and wishes' that were planted many months earlier. Now is the time to see if they have come true. Whether they have come true or not ... a ritual to thank the growing energies of the God and the fertility of the Goddess should be preformed at this time.

The month of September also marks the 'Wine Moon,' the lunar cycle when grapes are harvested from the arbors, pressed and put away to become wine...The full moon closest to the Autumn Equinox is known as the 'Harvest Moon,' since farmers would also harvest their crops during the night with the light of the full moon to aid them_.

Symbols celebrating the season include various types of gourd and melons. Stalk can be tied together symbolizing the Harvest Lord and then set in a circle of gourds. The Harvest Lord is often symbolized by a straw man. The Harvest Queen, or Kern Baby, is made from the last sheaf of the harvest and bundled by the reapers who proclaim, 'We have the Kern!' The sheaf is dressed in a white frock decorated with colorful ribbons depicting spring, and then hung upon a pole (a phallic fertility symbol). In Scotland, the last sheaf of harvest is called the Maiden, and must be cut by the youngest female in attendance.

Lammas is Coming

Lughnasadh (Loo-nah-sah), also known as Lammas, is often defined as a Cross Quarter day midway between the Summer Solstice(june 21st) and the Autumnal Equinox (Sept 21st). Lughnasadh is celebrated generically on August 1st, however this year the actual time of occurance is August 7th. The name Lammas is taken from an Anglo-Saxon and Christianized holiday occurring at the same time, that may or may not have a common origin. As the name (from loaf-mass, "loaves festival") implies, it is a feast of thanksgiving for bread, symbolizing the first fruits of the harvest.

It is the first of the three harvest festivals, the other two being Mabon and Samhain. It commemorates the sacrifice and death of the God; in its cycle of death, nurturing the people, and rebirth.

During medieval times, loaves were baked from the first grains of the harvest and blessed in a church ceremony known as the "loaf mass". Many believe that "lammas" is a shortened form of "loaf mass". Others attribute "lammas" to a combined form of "lamb" and "Mass" which reflects a time when lambs were offered as a tribute to feudal lords.

Lughnasadh (LOO-nah-sah) marks the beginning of the last quarter of the Celtic year. The festival is associated with the Irish god Lugh, or Samildanach, which means "he of many gifts". Lugh held funeral games in honor of his foster-mother Tailtiu, the goddess of agriculture who died while clearing the Irish forests in preparation for planting.

Both festivals celebrate the fruits of the harvest with games and contests and a magnificent feast. In this sense, the celebrations are similar to the American Thanksgiving holiday.

July Earth Happenings

July is a very quiet month for us in the Wiccan world... we embrace the growing season in full and feel the energies of Earth and Sun co-mingle in perfect symbiosis. This is the time when the Earth reaps from the benefits of the Sun's heightened presence. Corn should be "knee high by the 4th of July" and it was waist high this year in Indiana.
Daylight leaves us this month. After the Summer Solstice occured on June 21st, the relative angle between the Sun and Earth has been decreasing at a rapid rate. By July 31st, the relative angle between the Earth and Sun decreases from 23 1/2 degrees to about 18 degrees. The difference in the amount of Daylight between July 1st and July 30th is a LOSS of 45 minutes!
And we prepare for the first of 3 harvests that come to us starting next month. Now is the time that things grow.
Ponder this at the Full Moon on July 21st:
All that will be harvested must first BECOME and this is that time of year.

FireHawk

New Moon Dates

New Moon Dates for the rest of 2005

June: Gemini New Moon on June 6, 2005
July: Cancer New Moon on July 6, 2005
August: Leo New Moon on August 5, 2005
September: Virgo New Moon on September 3, 2005
October: Libra New Moon on October 3, 2005
November: Scorpio New Moon on November 2, 2005
December: Sagittarius New Moon on December 1, 2005
Capricorn New Moon on December 30/31, 2005

Full Moon Dates for 2005

Here is a list of the Full Moon (aka Esbat) Dates for the rest of 2005

May 23rd, 3:18pm
June 21st, 11:14pm
July 21st, 6:00am
August 19th, 12:53pm
September 17th, 9:01pm
October 17th, 7:14am
November 15th, 7:58pm
December 15th, 11:15am

School of Wiccan Persuasion Site

Here is a link back to FireHawk's School of Wiccan Persuasion

Summer Solstice / Litha

In the Wiccan world of Earth cycle appreciation,
there are 8 major holy days/holidays
that are used to celebrate the Earth.

There are 2 Solstices, 2 Equinoxes and 4 cross quarter moments
(times exactly midway between each of the 4 Solstices or Equinoxes.)

The next major Wiccan holy day or Sabbat is the Summer Solstice, named Litha in the Wiccan world. This year we celebrate Litha on June 21st. It is the longest day of the year. The sun is regarded as being at its highest power and influence.

Check out The Chart for a complete calendar list and times of occurances of Solstices, Equinoxes or Cross Quarter events for your part of the world.

For more information about Litha or some of its customs you may email me
or look online for more information.

Blessed Be,

FireHawk
Pendleton, Indiana



*picture of a Wicker Man Ritual performed at a Summer Solstice