musingsbyserena

[musingsbyserena]

Trinities

When I was younger, all of the women in my family, myself included, were obsessed with the show Charmed on the WB. Witches, demons, spells, magical creatures. Who didn’t love it? That’s when I was introduced to the Triquetra. It’s famously emblazoned on the cover of their “Book of Shadows”. What I didn’t realize was how aggressively Irish it is. And I mean that in the best possible way. I guess it’s because the Halliwells didn’t seem all that Irish, I just assumed that it was a more universal symbol. 

Now, don’t misunderstand. Thanks to doing the research, I know that the triquetra has been found in multiple cultures, but it is most important to the ancient Celts. Due to the fact that most ancient cultures didn’t really record much of their lives, the actual age of the symbol is dubious, but it’s definitely Iron Age old. It’s been found all over the northern half of Europe on runestones and Germanic coins, and even on Persian pottery and coins from Lycia. Lots of areas of post-Roman occupation. The triquetra is a celtic knot, which just means that it’s drawn in one line, with no beginning or end. It’s also known as the Trinity knot, Celtic triangle, or Celtic trinity. 

Now the Celts, like many cultures, believed that 3 was an important, natural number. For them; it was earth, sea, and sky. When it was co-opted by the Christians, it was their Father, Son, Holy Spirit. For Pagans, it was air, water, earth, or life, death, rebirth, or even maiden, mother, crone. However, it’s really a symbol to identify with any 3 part concept. The triquetra could also be a representative for marriage - love, honor, protect, family- father, mother, child, or time - past, present, future. 

Essentially, the Irish came up with a symbol that could be used by any culture, because they all understand the solidity of 3. In pop culture, we’ve seen it used not only on Charmed, but in Marvel properties, like on Thor’s hammer. People use them to decorate wedding rings, and get them as tattoos. At this point, the triquetra isn’t really a pagan symbol, but a universal one. I look at it and see balance. Not duality, but balance. I see the triple moon, the maiden, mother, crone. I see time balanced in nature. I respect it.

[musingsbyserena]

God of Thunder🌩️

If I were a jewelry maker, and my specialty was jewelry made of God symbols, anything from the Norse pantheon would probably be my favorite thing to make. When it comes to symbols, their specific ornamentation style would be the easiest to do I would suspect. Yeah, there may be a bit of intricate knotwork, but with most of it being straight lines and hard corners, the designs really lend themselves to line art. The point is, it makes drawing symbols really easy and clean. 

In Norse culture, the most popular, and arguably the most powerful, symbol would be Mjolnir. Mjolnir is the hammer, and primary weapon, of Thor, the god of thunder. Everyone knows Thor. Maybe you’re really into paganism, or maybe you’re a comic fan, or maybe you’ve just been alive for the last ten years, but everyone has heard of Thor. His symbol is just the drawn version of Mjolnir, which sort of looks like a cross or an anchor depending on which way is up. It is nearly indistinguishable from the God himself, as he is thunder, and lightning is created when he hits his hammer against something. In most instances, the image of Mjolnir is engraved with a triquetra, which is three vesica piscis overlapping each other. This represents three of the nine realms (Asgard, Midgard, and Utgard) which are guarded by Thor. 

With Thor being essentially the main god that the Norse people worshipped, he covered a lot of ground. He was the god of the storm, but also protection from that storm, so Mjolnir was used as an amulet or necklace as protection from negativity or danger. Thor was also the agriculture god, and subsequently, a bit of a fertility god. Mjolnir amulets were used to bless births and funerals, but mostly weddings because it was a symbol of strength for the couple and a blessing of many children. Generally speaking, it’s a real shame that it’s being co-opted by NeoNazis.

[musingsbyserena]

Pomegranate Queen

When it comes to symbols for specific goddesses, they aren’t so much things that could be doodled, like the female gender symbol or the triple goddess symbol, as they are objects that represent that goddess. Those objects could be turned into a 2D image that could easily be tattooed or carved onto something, but it’s not a set image. It doesn't matter which goddess from which pantheon you choose, there will be something or even multiple somethings, that speaks to that deity.

Persephone really speaks to me. I guess you could say I’m digging her vibes. She has a handful of symbols, but if you had to choose the one that would really be her icon, it would be the pomegranate. One of the most well known stories from Greek mythology is the story of Hades kidnapping (allegedly) Persephone, feeding her pomegranate seeds to ensure her stay, Demeter going into a depression from the loss of her daughter, and finally, Zeus intervening with a deal that Persephone split the year between them. 

In so many cultures around the world, the pomegranate is a symbol of life, beauty, marriage, and regeneration, as well as power, blood, and death. To Jewish people it was used to represent the promised land. The Koran calls it the apple of paradise. Maybe it’s just my opinion, but I don’t think there is a Goddess more aptly described by this duality. Persephone is both the goddess of Spring, with its beauty, fertility, newness, and a goddess of death and the underworld. Maybe it looks a bit like an onion, but the outline of a pomegranate, with a number of seeds detailed in the inside of that outline, seems like a perfect symbol that could be tattooed, carved, or stitched onto anything as a representation of the Goddess.

[musingsbyserena]

Horned God 🫎

Maybe I’m just a little jaded, but I do find it a little frustrating that you have to basically be an archeologist to dig past all of the Christian God stuff to get to anything resembling a pagan God symbol. Even then, to find a “general” god symbol is harder than you’d think considering the patriarchal world we live in. But maybe that just says something about paganism, that they don’t place the “male” on such a much higher pedestal. Really the only symbol that I could find enough information on was the Horned God symbol. 

The Horned God symbol is a circle topped by a curve. Some would call it a crescent moon sort of sideways, which ties into its relation to the triple moon goddess symbol, as a male counterpart. However, most people would refer to the curve atop the circle as the horns, hence the “Horned God” moniker. I always assumed that it was a representation of the one Celtic God, Cernunnos, or maybe even of the Green Man from the Old English traditions. I was really pleasantly surprised to find that it actually represented more than that. In fact, it dates back to 13,000 BC, to a cave painting in France of all places. In the cave called the Three Brothers (Trois-Freres), the circle with horns symbol is drawn on the wall, and there, it’s called The Sorcerer. It’s also a symbol for Osiris, Caerwiden, Herne the Hunter, Pashaputi, Pan and the satyrs, Puck, and Robin Goodfellow. Clearly, I was just ill-informed, and it’s more  than just a Celtic, or Green Man symbol. 

However, I suppose the argument could be made that it’s a symbol for a certain TYPE of God, if not all gods. At its most basic, it represents the male aspect of nature; virility and power. It’s a hunter type of energy, a god of wild animals. There’s something to be said about the association between strong hunters and the strength of seed to impregnate and further the population. It’s protection, and the giving and taking of life. The horns on top of the circle evokes the image of a great stag, king of the forest, and an equal balance to the feminine energy. 

[musingsbyserena]

Goddess Symbol ♀️

This is where I am finally confronted with the first thing about paganism/wicca/etc that I don’t particularly like. When trying to find symbols for the "Goddess" in general, I was hard pressed to find one that didn’t link directly back to a specific goddess. I came to the conclusion that there are only two types of symbols for the Goddess in general. There are the symbols that link back to the Moon, and there are symbols that link back to the vagina. 

The Vesica Piscis is something I was completely unfamiliar with, so I figured it was the perfect symbol to research. It has its origins in sacred geometry, which in itself is an interesting concept. Everything, every shape, can be found in the Flower of Life, a set of circles overlapping each other over and over. One of the shapes to be found comes from two equal circles overlapping so that their outermost edges run through the center of the circle next to it. This creates a sort of cat-eye shape, some refer to as an almond shape, which is the Vesica Piscis. 

The idea behind the importance of the Vesica Piscis is that, in addition to being a part of the “building blocks of life”, this specific shape is the origin of life. As in it is the literal origin of life. Like how babies come from the vagina. It’s the womb, birth, creation at its most basic form. I suppose I can see the importance of that. How this would be revered and worshipped as a sign of the Goddess Divine. After all, for the majority of history, a woman’s role was to birth children, to further the population, to create a workforce for the family farm, to ensure that the family lineage continues on. For some women this would be seen as noble. The creation of life would be considered a Godly power. Personally, I have my own issues with pregnancy and birth, and am not a fan of the idea that it is our duty to birth children because we have that power. I can respect the idea of the Vesica Piscis, but I’ll be sticking to using the Moon symbols to symbolize the Goddess. 

[musingsbyserena]

That 6th Stroke 💫

This is not the first time that I’ve encountered the pentacle vs pentagram discussion. I've gotten the two of them confused more often than I'd like to admit. I just didn’t know the difference between the two, and thought they were interchangeable. But, as I am coming to really understand, the key is in the details, and I learned my lesson.

The concept of the pentagram is as old as Ancient Sumeria and Babylon. The name itself comes from the Greeks. “Pente” is in reference to the five points, or lines, and “gram” means to write, so it translates to the five lines you can draw in one motion. The pentagram was used in nearly all religions all over the world. To Sumerians, it was a compass representing the five planets they could see with their naked eyes. The Pagans see it as the five elements; from the top, clockwise, Spirit/Akasha, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Pythagoras and Da Vinci and the rest of the “non-religious” saw a golden ratio. A pentagram showed the five limbs of a human, a la the Vitruvian Man. Even the Christians used the pentagram for a time as a symbol of the five wounds of a Crucified Christ. 

If I hadn’t emphasized the word “five” enough, allow me to take this time to really point it out. By adding a sixth line, in this case, a circle enclosing the star, it is now a different thing. The pentagram becomes the pentacle. The circle acts as a sort of protection for the five elements of the star inside. It has its roots in an amulet that hangs from the neck. It sort of brings the magical manifestation into the real world. Though, I suppose the easier way to remember the difference is that pentacle and circle both end in CLE. However, it’s this circle that seems to bring along all the bad press. Once they put a circle around a pentagram, sometime between the Medieval Ages and the Renaissance, it was hitched to the Evil Wagon™. Somewhere around when they were burning witches, the pentacle got flipped upside down, and it became associated with the goat-headed Baphomet, Satanists, and other general evil. 

Now, the difference between a pentagram and a pentacle is firmly cemented in my head. I see, very clearly, a star representing Nature, Earth, and the world around me. If I’m being honest though, I will more than likely still use them interchangeably. The pentagram really is the important part to me, and adding that extra line, that circle, would be just adding a little extra protection. I’ll more often add the circle to complete the doodle, only sometimes to intentionally add protection. It’s all good information to know, but I’m just being real with myself.

[musingsbyserena]

Fleur de lis ⚜️

Maybe my upbringing put me closer to a lot of secret occult motifs than I realized, because I’m also very familiar with a symbol called the Fleur-de-lis. It was on LITERALLY EVERYTHING in Louisiana. Of course, we knew it because of Louisiana’s deep French history. It’s a symbol of French royalty, and the French kings and queens put their emblem on everything they owned, including territories in the New World. Digging a little deeper, you learn that it also included slaves that were owned in the French territories. Slaves were marked on their cheeks by the fleur-de-lis, which makes it a wee bit of a painful symbol for them. Understandably. 

The stylized lily, just like the majority of European culture, was stolen from pagans, and reincorporated by the Catholic Church. It is a modification of the Gaulish lily, which was originally a symbolic representation of the Virgin Juno. Some pagans used it to represent the triple goddess due to the three “leaves”. It’s probably due to the virginal, feminine aspects so ingrained in the fleur-de-lis symbol that also attributed itself to figures like Mary and Mary Magdalene, and then eventually French royalty.

[musingsbyserena]

Ya know, that staff with the snake for hospitals

The Caduceus, also known as the staff of Hermes, certainly had me fooled. Thankfully, it also had most of the United States fooled too. For my whole life, and for a while before that, this symbol was easily recognized as a medical symbol. In fact, I’m almost certain my transplant recipient father had a silver medical bracelet with the caduceus symbol in red engraved on it. The original symbol was a rod, or more likely an olive branch that ended in two sprouts, and was decorated with ribbons and garland. This eventually transformed into two coiled snakes, and was topped with a pair of wings. These elements were to symbolize Hermes’ speed, communication, and commerce. 

Hermes’ staff was eventually confused with the “Rod of Asclepius”. Asclepius was a god of healing and medicine, and his rod was a staff with a single snake coiled around it. I suppose it’s easy to see how people got confused. The caduceus symbol went from being used on coins in the Roman Empire around the 1st century, to being put on the chevrons of US Army hospital stewards in the 1850s. It became more and more official after the use in the Civil War and up to WWI. The American Medical Association even used the symbol of Hermes for a while. Thankfully, people have begun to see the error in the last few decades, and the improper use is slowly fading out of popular culture.

[musingsbyserena]

The Evil Eye🧿

Time puts into perspective all things. This is why symbols change meaning over the course of generations.

As a born and raised Catholic in the American South, I was exposed to a lot of symbolic beliefs that I’ve had to unlearn and/or change my relationship to. I’m always learning as a result. One of the most recent examples to come under my radar would be the Evil Eye. This bright blue bauble synonymous with the people derogatorily known as “g*psies” was a wicked warning that you’ve been cursed by one of them. Of course, Catholicism comes with a lot of dangerous stereotypes, and I know I’m not the only one who was under the impression that Eyes were wicked because Catholic forums are still asking questions about it.

After doing a little thinking for myself, it wasn’t a deep dive to find research on the real meaning behind the Evil Eye. It’s not a curse, but in fact a talisman against the curse. The curse of the Evil Eye comes from the Mediterranean, and is bad luck wished on those who become too proud of themselves. The amulet image of a blue eye is protection from that dangerous gaze.

[musingsbyserena]

Yule 🎄

In the Northern Hemisphere, Yule is December 21st. In the Southern Hemisphere, Yule is June 21st.

Like Samhain, Yule, also known as the winter solstice, is a rather large holiday in the Pagan calendar, but it is also has a large presence across the world. The biggest shadow looming over Yule is, of course, Christmas and Christmas Eve. It's the Christian celebration of Jesus’s birth, but we all know that it’s the Catholic church’s way of shoehorning pagans into celebrating Christmas. Those who are blatantly against the celebration of Christmas celebrate Newtonmas, which is the same basic idea, but in honor of Sir Isaac Newton and science instead. Alternatively, you could join the Festivus gang for people who are fans of Seinfeld. Other holidays include the Jewish Hanukkah, which honors the miracle of lasting oil, the Ancient Saturnalia, a festival for Saturn and the coming of longer days, and Kwanzaa, which is actually a holiday started in America to celebrate African culture and family in much the way Christmas does. There are also a number of other holidays of varying names, and religious backgrounds that all celebrate the same core idea of family, beliefs, the coming of summer, and giving back.

At its heart, the Solstice signals the coming of longer days and shorter nights. In the midst of the dark days of winter, Yule is the promise that it won't last forever  The God has been reborn, and as a symbol of the Sun, he brings a stronger one. A sun that will melt the snow and bring new animal and plant life. Now that the Goddess has ensured the survival of nature, she can rest for the rest of the season. It is a time to celebrate hope and the power of community in surviving the hard times.

Traditional decorations really take the concept of the new sunrise and run with it. Bonfires, candles, Yule logs, and even Christmas lights all come from the same idea of bringing light back into the darkness. You could even be as obvious as hanging sun symbols and using citrus fruit in decor pieces. Pinecones and evergreens are included for the symbolization of being “ever green” and the hope of new life. We’re just looking for the general feeling of life going on through the winter, and bringing the sun back into our lives, also incorporating the standard “Christmas” colors like red, green, gold, silver, or even blue if you want to bring in the cold and snowy element.

[musingsbyserena]

Samhain 🎃

In the Northern Hemisphere, Samhain is Oct 31st. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s on May 1st.

As it turns out, there are a shocking number of celebrations that happen around Samhain. For the Trick-or-Treater at heart, we have Beggar's Night, Books for Treats Day, and National Doorbell Day. The day before is National Candy Corn Day, though I’m not sure why there is a whole day for that mess. Two days before is National Cat Day, which is much more appreciated personally, and still fitting with the classic Halloween theme. During, and continuing for two days after, are the celebrations of Dia de los Muertos, and the Catholic All Soul’s Day. Samhain also shares its day with Magic Day, which falls during International Magic Week. Ironically, this has absolutely nothing to do with witchcraft or paganism, and instead is meant to celebrate Harry Houdini and like magicians.

Samhain is, at its core, a celebration of death and reflection. While some believe it to be the Pagan New Year, it really feels like a time to gather, prepare for the stillness of winter, and look back on how far you’ve come with all of your strengths and weaknesses. It has the spirit of, if not an ending, then a long, deep sleep. As the last of the harvest festivals, it symbolizes preparing for the “Death” in nature. The Earth goes into hibernation. Our ancestors had to have harvested and stored their crops and meats before winter. In this end stage the Goddess has become the crone, she is wise and helps us reflect to move on. The God dies with the rest of nature, and symbolizes the animals that must die to keep us alive. It’s beautiful.

I get the feeling that, as a general rule, the best decoration ideas are the seasonal ones. For Samhain, traditional Halloween decor fits really well. Pumpkins and apples are seasonal fare, for both the table and door displays. Skeletons and ghosts are more than appropriate, as it ties in with the heavy concept of death and reconnecting with your ancestors. Lamps, jack o’ lanterns, lighted pathways are all different takes on the idea of guiding the souls back from the dead. I suppose you could make the same case for the cheesy zombie decorations, but it might be a stretch. Of course, I would not be any sort of self-respecting pagan if I didn’t also include witch and magic related decor that is so popular at the time. 

[musingsbyserena]

Mabon 🍎

In the Northern Hemisphere, Mabon is around September 21st. In the Southern Hemisphere, Mabon is around March 21st.

Due to the school year being dictated by the growing seasons, Mabon falls around the time that schools would typically start their year. For this reason, this equinox doesn’t have as many other holidays that occur around the same time. However, we notice that the celebrations that do are all very similar in vibe. Mabon is usually also National Tradesman Day, and occurs during National Fall Foliage Week, Clean Up the World Weekend, and Balance Awareness Week. The month-long observances either focus on the harvest (like Apple Month, National Honey Month, National Mushroom Month, National Organic Harvest Month, and National Potato Month) or health (like ADHD Month and Healthy Aging Month). Then there’s National Disaster Preparedness Month, which is super helpful, but comes a little out of left field. 

As all things in nature have a balance, Mabon is the yang to Ostara’s yin. It is the other day in the year that light and dark, day and night, are equal. From this point on, nights will be getting longer and days will be shorter. We are halfway between Lammas and Samhain, making this the 2nd harvest festival. It is a celebration of what we have already collected, and begun storing for winter, in between all of the hard days of work that goes into harvest season. The God is on his way to his death with the last of the crops cut from the ground. The Goddess is transitioning to her crone phase, and yet, is pregnant and gestating with the new God.

With Mabon being another harvest festival, traditional harvest symbols like baskets and scythes are perfect decor. Don’t be afraid to use the seasonal nature, like acorns, pine cones, and the first colored leaves to fall. You could also use grapes, vines, apples, and corn because they are also plentiful at this time of year. To prepare for the coming of colder nights, candles and blankets in red, gold, orange, and brown, really help to set the atmosphere of the end of summer and the beginning of fall. It also makes sense to represent the balance occurring in nature at this time by sprinkling black and white, or the sun and moon throughout. 

[musingsbyserena]

Lammas🌾

In the Northern Hemisphere, Lammas is on August 1st. In the Southern Hemisphere, Lammas is on February 2nd.

With Lammas, aka Lughnasad, falling at the end of Summer, and marking the first harvest, the most common themes for the holidays around it are family, crops, enjoying the last of the heat, and staying well for the coming cold. August 1st is not only Lammas, but we also observe it as Mead Day, National Play Outside Day, Sandcastle Day, and National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. August is National Back to School Month, and there are a number of little celebrations that honor family, including Respect for Parents day and American Family Day. It is also National Sister’s Day, with National Brother’s day only a few days later. This is perfect timing because in India, the Hindu religion is going through the Raksha Bandhan festival, which is literally where they celebrate brotherly bonds. Looking outside of just that specific day, you can see how it falls during Air Conditioning Appreciation Week, Simplify Your Life Week, International Tree Climbing Week, National Farmer’s Market Week, National Parks Month, Family Meals Month, and National Wellness Month.

The Summer will be coming to an end, and the crops that were planted in the Spring are ready for a first harvest. Lammas is a fire festival meant to honor the corn and grain that are beginning to be collected. It’s a time to make bread, and store the leftovers for the coming winter. The God, called Lugh in Celtic traditions, now sacrifices himself for the good of the crops, and the survival of his followers through the harsh days ahead. The Goddess, now called the Grain Mother, watches her lover die, but is also pregnant with the new Sun God. This cycle of rebirth is mirrored in the seedlings stored in the ground through winter to come back in Spring. Enjoy the last few days of warmth. 

The nice thing about Lammas is that it is simple and uncomplicated. Since it is a harvest festival, you should be using the harvest in your decorating. The most important crop right now is wheat, so it should be just scattered around your whole house. Put the stalks in vases, or tie them together to make a pentagram. Corn is also plentiful at this time, and makes perfect corn dollies for altars. Grains are really important now and it’s perfect for making breads. Of course, we are also harvesting other fruits, veggies, and herbs, and it is more than appropriate to incorporate those elements. In honor of the sun, bring in Sunflowers, and don’t forget to drink lots of beer. 

[musingsbyserena]

Litha ☀️

In the Northern Hemisphere, this year Litha is on June 24th. In the Southern Hemisphere, Litha is on December 21st.

This season’s holiday theme centers around the summertime, the ocean, and mostly masculine energies. Probably the most recognized holiday that shares this time would be Father’s Day. It also falls during National Men’s Health Week and International Men’s Month. This is also known as Finally Summer Day, which doesn’t always fall on the first day of Summer, but the spirit is felt. In Nome, Alaska, they have a Polar Bear Swim, which also coincides with International Surfing Day, Mermaid Day, and Aquarium Month. In honor of the God and Goddess becoming parents, it is Prepare Tomorrow’s Parents Month. We also celebrate Tall Girl Appreciation Day because it is the Longest Day of the year. Once you get the feeling of the season, all of the holidays seem more than just appropriate.

It is now Summer, and Litha brings all the beauty and warmth that comes with the season change. Nature is bursting with life. Animals and plants are flourishing. In a very appropriate fashion, we celebrate the strength of the Sun, and with it the Sun King, with fire. This life and heat beckons a plentiful harvest and meat for the winter that will come. The God is at his strongest, but so is the Goddess. They have been married, and are now expecting. As her pregnancy grows, so does the natural world around her, and it all feeds from the light of the Sun. 

Decorating for Litha is all about being bright and warm. There should be suns and symbols for the sun everywhere. It’s summer, so everything is sunshiney and beachy. Don’t be afraid to go crazy with colors like green (for nature), yellow, orange, and red (for the sun), and blue (for the sky). Think of strong animals like bulls and lions, but also bees and butterflies that you’d see in your garden. Bring the ocean into your home with mermaids, seashells, and sand if you aren’t afraid of getting it everywhere. Then at night, don’t forget to light a big bonfire to honor the heat from the Sun God.

[musingsbyserena]

Beltane💐

In the Northern Hemisphere, Beltane is May 1st. In the Southern Hemisphere, Beltane is October 31st.

What I’m beginning to realize is that most holidays all fall into groups. Samhain, Yule, Ostara, they all fell in the middle of a horde of other holidays, and Beltane is more proof for my point. The thing about Beltane, though, is that about half of the other holidays that share the same day have nothing to do with the vibe of Beltane itself, like Batman Day or Tuba Day. On the other hand, it gives us things like Global Love Day, National Dandelion Day, National Wildflower Day, National Herb Day, World Naked Gardening Day, and International Sunflower Guerilla Gardening Day. Besides the flower aspect, it is also time to celebrate International Midwives Day, International Clitoris Awareness Week, National Family Week, and in that same vein, Women’s Health Care Month, and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. But it wouldn’t be a May holiday without celebrating Egg Month, Duckling Month, and the very Springy BBQ Month.

The old adage of “April showers bring May flowers” is completely accurate. It is now almost Summer, and nature is thriving, bursting with new life. Beltane is all about fertility. The fertility of the Earth, and the promise of abundant crops for the harvest. For the God and Goddess, that theme of fertility continues. He is maturing into a man, and she is old enough now to bring in new life. We celebrate marriages at this time, because it is the time the God and Goddess unite. They become one, and the Maiden becomes pregnant to symbolize the growing animal and plant life. It’s a celebration of love, and the future in nature.

The best way to decorate is with traditional Springtime adornment. Use animals like bees, birds (also synonymous with the “birds and the bees”), rabbits, sheep, and cows. Spread flowers around; any flowers, all the flowers. Nothing says Beltane like an abundance of flowers. In addition, flower crowns are perfect for the decorating of a person. As a Maypole is a traditional centerpiece of holiday celebrations, red and white are good symbols of the God and Goddess. Other colors to use are Springy colors like green, yellow, pink, and even brown for the earth. Something to symbolize the marriage aspect could be gingerbread, and for the home it could be a thimble. However, if you’re looking for a more active way to celebrate it’s the perfect time for a handfasting and some dancing.

[musingsbyserena]

Ostara

In the Northern Hemisphere, Ostara is on March 21st. In the Southern Hemisphere, Ostara is on September 21st.

Ostara actually falls around a number of different celebrations that range from a single day, up to forty days. It is the day of the Spring equinox, when day and night are at their most equal internationally, not to be confused with American Earth Day, and International Astrology Day. It also falls during the week of the Cherry Blossom Festival, which is probably the most “Spring-like” mental image you could imagine. Ostara will always fall somewhere during the time of Lent for the Catholics. However the most interesting one, in my opinion, would be the Indian/Hindu festival of Holi, which also falls somewhere around the same time. I had no previous knowledge of this amazing holiday, and now, with the emphasis on color and the positivity it brings, and the spirit of coming together leaving resentment behind, it might be my favorite.

Named for a Goddess of fertility, Ostara is here to celebrate the fertility of nature. Day and Night are equal, and from now on it looks like clear skies and warmer days. It has been progressively getting warmer, melting the snow away, and waking up the entire earth. The Goddess is back to her full strength, and spreading fertility to plants and animals alike. The God is growing up, and spends his time hunting and flirting with girls. The lethargy of winter is literally melting away, leaving behind a fresh earth growing more and more active. It is a renewal.

With the Christian Easter coming up, traditional Ostara decorations are everywhere. Really, all that’s needed is to take that spirit of newness and the bursting of nature, and follow that instinct. Use the colorful eggs and rabbits you can find at every single store around this time. The truth in the multiplying like bunnies metaphor is so real. Flowers and greenery are blooming, so get colorful when decorating with flowers. They’re new and bright. They also bring around a lot of bees, so working with bees and honey would be a fun addition. Ostara is also a celebration for the equaling of night and day, so a theme of balance would also be appropriate. For that, you could incorporate the feminine and masculine, light and dark, sun and moon, basically the yin-yangs of nature.

[musingsbyserena]

Imbolc 🕯️

In the Northern Hemisphere, Imbolc is February 2nd. In the Southern Hemisphere, Imbolc is August 1st.

In all honesty, Imbolc is one of the sabbats that never grabbed my attention. Yeah, I had heard of it, and knew when it was, but I was never quite drawn to it. As it turns out, there are a few different celebrations that happen around that time that I also wasn’t quite familiar with before. Imbolc is a mostly Celtic-based sabbat, and goes by the name of St. Brigid’s Day in Northern Europe. The Christian’s are celebrating Candlemas, which honors the purification of the Virgin Mary, and the presentation of Jesus. Over in China, they are taking the whole week for the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival where they build giant, intricate snow castles. And, as everyone knows, February 2nd is Groundhog Day for the American masses. For the most part, all the celebrations going on at this time honor the same principles in nature.

We are at the halfway point of Winter, and as we look forward to Spring and the awakening of the Earth, we celebrate Imbolc to remind us of that hope. The God, having just been born, is growing up into a young man ready to plant seeds. The Goddess has been resting, and as light returns to the world, she begins to wake up bringing the beginning of Spring with her. It’s all in direct relation to the goings on in the natural world. Snow is beginning to melt, and green grass is peeking out. Seeds that fell in the fall, and were covered by Winter, are finally getting warmth from the sun, and will be sprouting.

The theme, as always, is this time in Nature. Decorate with white, for the snow, red, for the sun, and a little green, for the new growth. You could even incorporate a little bit of a pastel color palette to remind yourself of what isn’t too far in the future. Candles are NEVER a bad idea, especially when honoring the returning of the sun. If new flowers are starting to sprout outside, then it would be nice to use flower bulbs like daffodils and snowdrops. To go a more traditional Celtic route to honor Brigid, use her things that represent her like, Brigid’s crown, anvils, and knotwork. All you have to do is keep in mind that Winter doesn’t last forever, and will be over soon. Warm days will be here again.