~Magickal Graphics~
Category: Seasons
Veteran’s Day 2017
Transformation: Imbolc 2016
Transformation in keeping with the Season
Imbolc is a time of transformation, How would you like to transform your life? If you want to change something start with a manageable part of the change. Desire to change, move from a true desire to transform a situation in our life to taking action. What are the steps necessary to begin the transformation? Commit to the change you desire. Visualize how your life will be different with that change. Now Commit to the first step you need to take for that transformation to take place. Now you are on your way to creating a change in your life that you desire. If you should lose your momentum then return to the first steps again do that as often as you need. But understand that change does not happen over night. The butterfly must go through some unpleasant stages before it becomes the amazing creature we see. If you are in an area with lots of snow then you know how long the transformation from winter to spring seems. All I am saying is give your self some time to see the results of your commitment.
Still need help with the process? Some encouragement, a bit of guidance? Then look for a spiritual or holistic life coach to help you keep your momentum. Either will be able to guide you and encourage you when you feel overwhelmed or just don’t see the progress you believe should be manifesting.
Yule 2014
~Magickal Graphics~
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive,
And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us – Listen!!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, fest, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!!”
– Susan Cooper, The Shortest Day
“The holly and the ivy, when they were both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown. . .
I am the Holly King, Lord of the Waning Year. You may know me as the Green Man or as the Winter King. I rule from Midsummer to Midwinter, and my reign culminates in the festivities of Yuletide. As the wren dies to make way for the robin, soon I will bow before my brother the Oak King. You will not see me again until the Sun once more begins to wane. As I prepare to withdraw into the deep midwinter, I contemplate the glowing light of the reborn Sun in my cup — and in this holy grail, I see visions and dreams of the year to come.
Carry a sprig of holly with you as my token. It will protect you against fierce winter storms, and will bestow upon you the focus, direction and courage you need to succeed in your own spiritual quest.
Fill your homes with holly this season! Deck the halls! My evergreen leaves and bright red berries, seen against the barren oaks of winter, will remind you of the Life that sustains us during the bitterest time of the year.”
– The Holly King
Litha Blessings 2014
Litha/Summer Solstice
On this day the Sun God is seen at his highest point in the sky, vibrant and strong. Together with the pregnant Mother Goddess he rules the summer season. However, this is also a time of transition, for now the Sun will begin its yearly descent and the days grow shorter until the Winter solstice. The Druids viewed this day as the wedding of Heaven and Earth, Alban Heruin. The Moon of this month was known as “The Honey Moon” in testimonial to the honey mead that was drank at the wedding celebrations so common to this time of year. It is interesting to note that the old calendars had summer beginning on May 1st and ending on Lammas, August 1st.
The joyous rituals of Litha celebrate the verdant Earth in high summer, abundance, fertility, and all the riches of Nature in full bloom. This is a great time of strong magic and empowerment, traditionally the time for handfasting or weddings and for communication with the spirits of Nature.
Ancient lovers believed a kiss would literally unite their souls, because the spirit was said to be carried in one’s breath.
–Eve Glicksman