I woke up at 5:55 am, before my 6:00 am alarm. I was so excited, I woke up several times in the night to look at the clock and make sure I didn’t wake up late.
I layered on four skirts, black leggings, two sweaters and my winter coat. When I finally made it outside, it was still dark. I gathered all my magical items on my altar table and set up the candles by the light of my flashlight. Next, the fire was built so that I could light it as soon as the sun rose.
I cast a protective circle, called the elements and sat down to watch the sunrise. My coffee warmed my hands and the steam brushed my face. A plate of cookies sat nearby. Blankets were piled around my shoulders.
The sun touched the tree tops around me. They blazed like a torch. A signal that it was time to light the fire. I lit my yule log that had my hopes and wishes drawn in chalk.
I chanted a passage from my book of shadows. It spoke of the lengthening days and the end of the longest night.
Watching the sunrise was one of the most special moments of my life. I watched the sky turn from light blue, to pink, to orange, to blazing yellow. I felt the power of the rising sun run through my body. It left me feeling tingly and warm.
I cast a future happiness spell and filed my cauldron with pine branches and clear quartz.
I sat, covered in blankets, and watched the world brighten little by little. The fire continued to burn happily. All was beautiful and peaceful. The birds sang. I heard a roosters call in the distance. The cold wind bit at my nose. My outstretched fingers warmed by the fire. The sweet taste of jam cookies lingered in my mouth.
I felt happy and alive. The wheel of the year continued to turn.
Baptism is the ceremony where parents and a priest bless a baby in the name of the Christian God and signifies that the child will be brought up Christian.
Wiccaning, also known as paganing and saining, on the other hand is what happens when a baby is blessed with protection, health, and happiness. There is no obligation or strings attached that bind you to any one religion or practice, and wiccaning can be adapted to any religion.
“The Wiccaning is a magickal ceremony for the parents to seek wisdom and guidance, and set their own intentions as they responsibly guide their child in understanding of our world.“ - Michelle
This ceremony is done like so:
Create a traditional altar, adding items such as a special garment and a special amulet for the child to wear that will grant them protection throughout life. Other than that, add the basics such as tributes to each element, gods and ancestors, and whatever tools you may use to create your sacred space
Create a sort of a temple by casting a circle around the altar. This is around when you would light the candles and incense and whatever else
Next, the parents of the child will carry it to the altar while any attending guests will form a circle around them
There are certain words that should be said here, but it largely varies per group and intent, so just do your research and practice a script beforehand
Finish the ceremony by closing the circle however it is traditionally closed
There is a separate wiccan ceremony of induction called an initiation, and it requires having been studying for a year and a day after declaring ones dedication to the craft. After the initiation, there is more study and practice required of course, but the initiation is a proclaiming to anything and everything that you are a regularly practicing witch.
Wiccanings may also be merged with naming ceremonies, in which the only change would be in the words the parents speak. In this, they will do the ceremony specifically on the tenth day after the baby’s birth.
Being a solitary Wiccan (in study!) can be really difficult sometimes, but today I realized that celebrating holidays alone is maybe the hardest part, especially since my religion is secret to almost everyone I know, especially my family.
No holiday meals together, no harvest parties and celebrations, no coven meetings or special celebrations; just me. But I do what I can to make the holiday special, I prepared a nice Lughnasadh dinner and left offerings for the Horned Hod, and told him I hoped it would give him strength before his death in the upcoming months.
Nothing fancy, just developing my relationship with deity; do what you can!
First cross-quarter day of the year. Halfway between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, celebrates the approaching return of spring (the Earth waking from the slumber of winter). It celebrates the promise of new lives and beginnings.
when it is, ideas to do, the hellenic version and how to celebrate whilst in lockdown
When does it occur?
In the Northern Hemisphere on April 30st to May 1st
In the Southern Hemisphere on October 31st to November 1st
What does it celebrate ?
The peak of spring and the fact that summer is coming
Honours the earth
Fertility, Sexuality and love
Light, life and growth for the coming summer
For Wiccans is the night of the sacred greenwood marriage
What crystals are important ?
rose quartz
emerald
sunstone
What to decorate your alter with?
flowers (daisies and roses in particular)
green cloth or ribbons
hanging or sprinkling seasonal herbs (thyme, rose , fern)
using candles or incense with earthy scents such as wood or rose or jasmine
hawthorn branches
red, green and yellow candles to represent love, fertility, growth and summer
What activities can I do in lockdown?
mediate with the crystals mentioned
make daisy or flower chains and crowns for good luck
braid flowers into your hair
make mayday masks from items in your garden or draw them from paper
make a small mayday pole and dance around it by yourself or with people your isolating with
if in isolation with them, have sex with your partner : it’s a traditional aciticity done today because of the sacred wedding but it’s also a celebration of love and fertility (only if legal and you feel comfortable ofc)
spend time with loved ones you’re in lockdown with or via ft
makebaked goods and give them to friends, family and neighbours
create a wish box and put inside all your hopes and wishes for summer
cleanse your tools
wear red,green and pink and get dressed up even if you can’t go anywhere
practiseself love
have a milk bath
makeamulets for yourself and people you love
give rose quartz as gifts to those you love
send your loved ones handwritten letters
makesigilsandherb pouches for a good summer
Be with nature : go for a walk if safe
Learn about herbs or nature if you are unable to be with it
masturbate and perform sex magic
makefresh juice from summer fruits
leaveofferings of milk,honey, oats, lavender and rose for the fae: it’s their day too!
makeoat based products : they’re sacred to beltane and are good for luck,hope, safety and love
What spells and rituals should i perform?
fertility
growth
love
safety
good luck
protection of the home
What Hellenic Gods are sacred today?
The day honours Lady Maia as it’s about summer and the earth growing
Apollo as it’s the beginning of summer and the days will start to become longer and sunnier
Dionysus as it’s the coming summer and beauty of nature is about to hit its peak : also the rising of Dionysus
Demeter was traditionally worshiped on this day
Aphrodite due to her being a fertility and love goddess
Hestia for cleansing the home and protection
What are some Hellenic things to do?
Do something to take care of the earth
give offerings to Apollo : traditionally fruit and cypress branches decorated with flowers were used or put on temples
cleanse the home : thank Hestia for keeping you safe
Look into all the gods and goddesses celebrated and connect with them
Learn about the rising of Dionysus or even reanact it
Give offerings to Demeter and perform a ritual for banishing poverty in her name
Traditionally there is a greek blessing that says “May you have all the goods of May” along with a curse that says “ May all the hours of may find you” : say these to people with the intention linked to it
I hope you find this helpful! What are your plans for this Beltane in lockdown?
