Sabbat Reflections: Samhain and Halloween

Here are some photos that the Lunar Gazette received from Halloween and Samhain celebrations. Thank you to those who contributed!

Antonia's Altar Decorations:


Altar Buddies and decorations from Teela:




Halloween with Puck:


Altar Decorations with Kallista:


Fyona's Magickal Hat:


Anitra's Altar Decorations

A Small Psychic Quiz

In celebration of Samhain, I thought it would be fun to post a small quiz. This one examines what kind of magickal and mystical psychic ability you are most tuned in to.
If you answer 'yes' to the question, record the number of the question. Be sure not to overanalyze. Go with your first instinctive answer. If you initially think the answer is yes, then stick with that.

1. Are you aware of other people’s feelings?
2. Do you ever sense you are part of the universe?
3. Do you often know what other people will say before they say it?
4. While walking outdoors, do you sense that something is watching you?
5. While out in the open country, have you felt that something didn’t want you there?
6. Have you been out in a wild space and felt the place protected you?
7. Do you get butterflies in your stomach when someone is near you?
8. Do you get butterflies in your stomach in a certain location?
9. Do you sense the feeling of the atmosphere in a new place?
10. Do you know the world could be a place of peace and love even though there are wars and famine?
11. Have you ever walked into a place and felt a shiver or a sense of a presence?
12. Do you hear people’s thoughts?
13. Are there people that you don’t like physically near you?
14. Ever encounter a spirit of any kind?
15. Have you woken up and felt a weight on you when nothing physical is near?
16. Do you get a sense of wonder and love just from being alive?
17. Do you have vivid dreams that you feel may happened?
18. Do you look into the eyes of someone who is hurting you and see their pain?
19. At night do you close your eyes and see eyes, faces or human-like creatures?
20. Have you ever felt your body has been on a journey without your moving?

If numbers 1, 3, 7, 8, 12 apply to you, you are an EMPATH.
An Empath has the ability to feel for someone else, read a person’s aura, and sense true emotional needs. If you are an Empath you must learn psychic shielding since you are prone to absorbing other people’s problems.

If numbers 2, 10, 16, 18 apply to you, you are a CHANNELER. A Channeler can access information and emotions from a higher source. A Channeler has the ability to tap into universal energies. This person is spiritually insightful and is often considered an “old soul.”

If numbers 11, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20 apply to you, you are a MEDIUM. A Medium can channel earthly and angelic spirits and look into other dimensions. This person is aware of unseen presences. These are the type of people who can conduct séances. This is a rare ability.

If numbers 4, 5, 6, 9, 13 apply to you, you are a SHAMAN. A Shaman has a keen awareness of nature. This person can tap into the spirit of the trees and animals. The Shaman is instinctive and has a sharp intuition. The Shaman should consider working with natural healing abilities.

Please post your results in a comment!



This post originally came from Kiki's Cauldron. Kiki found this quiz in notes from one of her older grimoires, and believes it originated and was crafted while working at Enchantments in Manchester, CT.

Andraste, Warrior Goddess of Celtic Britain

Andraste also known as Andrasta, was a warrior Goddess of ancient Britain. It is said that she was the patron deity of the Iceni tribe, which was lead by Queen Boudicca. She was seen as a Goddess of victory, ravens and battles, and is very similar to the Irish warrior Goddess, Morrighan. Her name was thought to mean "The invincible one" or "She who has not fallen". She was called upon at the eve of battle, for her warrior strength and guidance. She was worshiped in woodland groves throughout Britain, and there is said to be a sacred grove dedicated to her somewhere in the Epping Forest. Her symbol was a hare, and in old Britain people were against hunting hares, for fear that killing one might afflict the hunter with cowardice.

Andraste was invoked by Queen Boudicca while fighting against the Roman invasion of Britain. According to Dio Cassius, these were her words:

"I thank thee, Andraste, and call upon thee as woman speaking to woman... those over whom I rule are Britons, men that know not how to till the soil or ply a trade, but are thoroughly versed in the art of war and hold all things in common, even children and wives, so that the latter possess the same valour as the men. As the queen, then, of such men and of such women, I supplicate and pray thee for victory, preservation of life, and liberty against men insolent, unjust, insatiable, impious."

Queen Boudicca and her army fought the Romans so well, that the Emperor Nero almost decided to withdraw Roman forces from Britain. It is said that Queen Boudicca released a hare to the Romans as an act of appeasement. In The White Goddess by Robert Graves, he speculates that Queen Boudicca may have released the hare in hopes that the Romans would kill it and loose their courage.

Many of the warrior queens people believed that she was a priestess of Andraste or the Goddess incarnate. Her strength and courage as a warrior queen is inspiring , honorable and very impressive, as she almost beat the Romans! To honor Andraste, call on her when you need the strength of the warrior Goddess in your life. When your a fighting a battle of your own. On your altar to Andraste, have a red candle with red or black stones such as garnet or black tourmaline, representation of a hare, and incense made with dragon's blood.

Enjoy working with this fierce warrior Goddess! For more info on Andraste, check out TheWhiteGoddess.co.uk

Blessings )O(



Photo courtesy of AishasBookofShadows

To find this post at the original blog, check out LoveoftheGoddess

Samhain Celebrations on Etsy

Here’s this year’s picks for some fantastic items at Etsy to spice up your Samhain celebrations.


Witches Altar Spirit Board An enchating spirit board with candle holders and a scrying mirror.

Laced Draped Spectre Whipped Soap Described as a “hauntingly feminine blend” of vanilla, carnation and green pepper fragrances.


Hand Forged Cauldron Styled Censer A stunning hand-forged censer that makes incense burning an absolute joy. And, according to the master crafter, “is sure to become an heirloom item, worthy of your bloodline.”

Black Cauldron Herbal Incense A mysterious and dark scent with cinnamon, resins, patchouli, and other Samhain-inspired herbs. Perfect for the Hand Forged Censer.


Day of the Dead Owl Locket A gorgeous locket inspired by Day of the Dead sugar skulls.

Tarot Reader Sling Pouch Baba Studio of Prague highlights their incredible, gothic-inspired art on this bag.


Witch’s Tea Delight A wonderful tea that sounds like the perfect addition to the Samhain feast. It contains cardamon, hawthorn leaf and berry, elderberry, fennel, vervain and apple. It comes with a vial of spirulina if you wish to add a dash for a green color.

All Hallows Eve Ritual Oil for SamhainThe wonderful Moon Lit Herbals have a fantastic oil blend for Samhain.

Samhain Otherworld Tarot Reading Our very own Kiki is offering the best reading of the season! She’ll be drawing the cards on Samhain eve and Samhain, for a stunning divination experience.

Black Mirror Necklace A fine necklace with a black amulet pendant that doubles as a scrying tool.

The Autumn Equinox and Mabon

It’s hard to believe, but summer has already passed as we are now approaching the Autumnal Equinox. The weather begins to get cool and crisp in the evening, leaves turn to reds and golds, and the sun sets earlier in the evening. Our bodies naturally react to these changes, as we begin to collect of summer’s harvest and enjoy the last few weeks of comfortable outdoor weather. On the Autumnal Equinox, the day and night are equal in length, and until Yule the nights will continue to grow longer. For Pagans and witches, Mabon is a Sabbat of giving thanks, preparing to move indoors, and turning inwards.

In England, the Autumn Equinox was known as the feast Harvest Home, in Ireland is it known as Michaelmas. In West Scotland, Cornwall and Ireland, people visited burial mounds. It is believed that Mabon was a time when wands were harvested by druids. Elsewhere in the world, grapes were harvested and wine was drunk in celebration of the holiday. Regardless of location, the Autumn Equinox is a day for harvest and preparation for colder months ahead as well as a time to give thanks for all that has been collected.

The name Mabon was given to this holiday by Aidan Kelly around 1971, and since then many Pagans and witches have embraced it. Mabon is a Welsh God of Harvest, whose tale is featured in the Medieval Welsh book the Mabinogion. The Mabinogion manuscripts date to the 14th century; however, “The Tale of Culhwch and Olwen” where Mabon’s story is told, could possibly date to the 11th century. Mabon’s mother, Modron, is an early Mother Goddess and Mabon is known as her divine son. In “The Tale of Culhwch and Olwen,” Mabon is abducted from his mother when he is three days old. It is Culhwch and his first cousin King Arthur who rescue Mabon from this imprisonment. Mabon then helps the two heroes hunt the magical boar Twrch Trwyth, thus confirming his role as hunter.

On Mabon, many Pagans like to gather for a Thanksgiving-like feast. For some, rituals of abundance and gratitude are performed, while others use magick to bring in more success and growth. Keeping the theme of harvest in mind, ask yourself: what has blossomed and grown over the last year? Have you had successful projects completed? What goals have you completed? Pause for some time to thank the Gods and Goddesses for all the growth and prosperity in your life.



Works Cited
Green, Miranda. Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend. London: Thames & Hudson,
1992.
McCoy, Edain. Sabbats- A Witches Approach to Living the Old Ways. Woodbury, MN:
Llewellyn, 2004.
The Mabinogion, trans. Gwyn Jones and Thomas Jones. London: Everyman Library,
1993.
Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon. “Summer’s End.” Llewellyn’s Sabbats Almanac: Samhain
2009 to Mabon 2010. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn, 2009.

Please visit Kiki's Cauldron for more information on Mabon correspondences. How do you plan to spend Mabon. Thanks for reading, and many blessings!

Discovering your Animal Totem

For many of us witches, discovering and working with our animal totems is a very important part of our magical lives. We all have them, but some of us might not know what they are yet. As followers of the Goddess we need to be connected to nature to truly feel her special power. Connecting with animals is a great way to do that! There are many different ways of finding out what your animal totem is. I found mine in a dream years ago, when I simply asked the Goddess before I fell asleep to "show me my animal totem". The dream I proceeded to have will forever be etched in my mind, and so will the beauty of the black leopard.

While reading my 2011 Magical Almanac, I came across a great ritual for finding your animal totem, and I thought I would share it here!

On your altar have the elements represented, as well as the colors of nature such as green and brown, and a white candle to represent your higher self. On your candle, carve either your name or astrological sign, and dress it with sandalwood oil. Make sure you cleanse yourself and your space with a smudge stick, and make your sacred circle. Now that you are ready to start, you may call on the elements, any deities you like to work with, and your higher self. Recite your statement of purpose:

On this night, I seek a meeting or communion with my true Animal totem. I enter this circle with pure heart, mind, body, and soul. I ask for your assistance and guidance. Please bestow your wisdom and guidance upon me, so that I can be true to myself and to others and pay homage to the earth and all it's creatures. Hail to the elements who keep the balance. Hail to my higher self who watches over me! Hail to (name of deity you chose) who assists me in my communication with my totem! So mote it be!

Now it's time for the meditation:

Focus on imagery regarding a pathway through nature of whatever kind suits you or feels right. Notice any creatures that come forward. Concentrate on just being, dont think too much or ask too many questions. Don't disregard any creature just because you'd prefer a different one. Take note of what happens, what creature (or creatures) you see, colors, shapes, textures and sensations. What memories are being evoked? Whatever creature reveals itself to you, commune with it. Observe it, what it's doing, if it's saying anything to you, or gesturing in a particular manner. Now thank the animal for it's presence and ask that they guide you in your life and dreams. Now thank any deities, the elements and your higher self and close your circle. Write down your experience and all details.

Once you find out what your animal totem is, you can call upon it or them when doing magical workings, or just to guide you through life. Sometimes a particular animal will show up at a certain time in your life, because it's trying to tell you something, or teach you a lesson.

I hope you enjoy working with your animal totems! There are many great books on this subject if you would like to research it further. I happen to like Ted Andrews Animal Speak

Blessings )O(


Find this post on the original blog at LoveoftheGoddess


Photo courtesy of Sodahead.com

Spell to Brigid for Inspiration

This is a great spell to try when you have a project that you need a little inspiration for.



You will need:
*Sunflower Seeds
*Almonds
*Small Flower Pot
*Yellow Paint & Paint Brush
*Yellow Candle (votive or tea light preferable)
*Crystals for adornment- consider citrine, orange or honey calcite, tiger’s eye, or crystal quartz (optional)

To amplify the spell try to:
*complete it on a Wednesday
*or, try to complete it during the first hour after sunrise on a Wednesday.

Begin by thinking about the goal at hand. Do you wish to study for an exam? Do you need to write an essay, or research an entire book? Decide what the goal is, and take a moment to imagine yourself completing the project.

This is a fun project that involves a little painting! On the flower pot, paint symbols associated with study, inspiration and communication. Try using the Ansuz-rune, the symbol for Mercury, or perhaps writing meaningful words, such as “concentration,” “creativity,” “inspiration,” “motivation,” and so on.

Mix the almonds and sunflower seeds together. While doing this, imagine yourself completing the study project you have at hand. Imagine yourself studying, reading, writing, and getting wonderful grades. Imagine the almonds and sunflower seeds glowing yellow, then place them into the pot.

Put the candle into the pot, making sure that it is securely standing in the seeds and almonds. Adorn with crystals around the pot (if you would like).

Light the candle and say,
“Dearest Brighid, Goddess of Inspiration,
Help me find creativity and motivation.
Allow me to be aware and energized,
to be full of knowledge and be wise.
I am a student of yours, kind goddess:
Let this creative spell be blessed!
As I mote to, so will it be!”