Samhain poetry. Harvest and Harvest Moon by Ruth Calder Murphy

This is a fabulous poem from Ruth Calder Murphy, describing the wonderful transition from summer to autumn. The beautiful painting is 'Transformed' by Ruth Calder Murphy

Harvest
As the days shrink
and the nights invade the space where
they should be,
I will reach back to the heart of Summer
and bring,
cradled to my heart,
a single Solstice Sunbeam.
I will grow it,
nurture it,
feed it with candles 
and fragrant oils from tropical flowers,
Yoga-stretch it
and clothe it in colour
until,
in the depths
of Winter's ink-black gaze,
I reach my arms wide,
laugh aloud
and with the power
of equatorial days,
blaze;
my spirit bright,
defy the night
and with Spring in my heart
and Summer in my belly,
remove the season's bushel
and shine my light.
It has grown fat
and blooms happy
and will bear me
all the way to Beltane-
to dandelions
and daisy chains.
Before the days shrink
too far into the night
I will harvest the light.

And another beautiful one on the wonderful harvest moon that shines during October.

Harvest Moon

What will I harvest,
harvest moon
I'll gather Summer
into my barns-
Sunbeams that catch in my lashes-
To be shaken out at Solstice
sprinkling golden memories
like glitter
onto the disbelieving dark
Your perfect face
returns my gaze
and acknowledges my intent.
You who harvest sunshine
every time
you shine

More examples of Ruth's fabulous work may be found here: http://www.ruthmathews.net/ruth.htm

October's full moon names: hunter's moon, blood moon

October’s Full moon

October’s full moon is often referred to as the hunter’s moon. October was traditionally a very good time for hunting meat to store during the cold days ahead. The last of the harvest had been gathered so our hunter-gatherer ancestors could turn their full attention to hunting. With all the crops cut down and the laves falling from the trees, hunting was much easier at this time of year as the prey had less places to hide.

Like the September full moon the hunter’s moon is a particularly bright one and lingers in the sky for longer. When a full moon occurs close to the autumnal equinox, the moon rises only about 30 minutes later daily for several days before and after the full Harvest moon. This is because the elliptic, or orbital path, makes a narrow angle with the evening horizon around the time of the autumn equinox. The narrow angle of the ecliptic results in a shorter than normal rising time between sunset and moonrise. This meant that there was a longer time for the hunter’s to make the most of the brightness and catch the food that would be needed.

The Blood Moon may take it’s name from hunting or harvest sacrifices. In fact, October or Octem, was the eighth month in the oldest Roman calendar. It marked the of the custom of killing and salting down livestock before the winter months made it impossible to feed all of them. Only the best stock was saved for next year and for breeding thus there would have been a lot of killing at this time on the full moon calendar.

This Moon has also been known as the Blood Moon, Sanguine Moon, Travel Moon, Dying Grass Moon, Moon of Falling Leaves, Moon When the Water Freezes, Blood Moon, Leaf Fall Moon, Basket Moon, Big Wind Moon, Blood Moon, Shedding Moon, Winterfelleth (Winter Coming), Windermanoth (Vintage Month), Ten Colds Moon and the Moon of the Changing Seasons.

The Cherokee name for the October full Moon was Dunin(i)di. This is the time of the “Harvest Festival” Nowatequa. The tribes give thanks to all the living things of the fields and earth that helped them live, and to the “Apportioner”  Unethlana. Cheno i-equa or “Great New Moon” Festival is customarily held at this time. Ritual fasting would be observed seven days prior to the festival and then a feast would take place with friends and family to celebrate this full moon.

Other names for the October full moon concentrate on events happening in the natural world at this time. Thus we see names such as leaf fall moon as the trees lose their leaves, and Moon when the water freezes as this is often the first moon in the year that sees temperatures drop below freezing.

The Pagan Wheel of the Year; starting out on your own journey.

The cycle of seasons a lot of Pagans follow is commonly called the wheel of the year. Special events are often described using the Wiccan terms Esbat and Sabbat. Esbats are ritual celebrations of the moon phases. These are often performed on the nights of the full and the new moon. Sabbats are celebrations of the changing of the seasons. They occur approximately every six weeks, with every celebration a noting of the change in the seasons and celebrating all that we can give thanks for.

One of the practices followed by Pagans is adhering to the Wheel of the Year. The year is divided into eight seasons called Sabbats and the beginning of each Sabbat is celebrated. I believe that following the seasons in this way brings us closer to nature, more in touch with our earth’s natural rythyms and thus more in touch with our inner selves. Every six weeks there is a reason for celebration and giving thanks. Doing this helps us keep in touch with the changing year and allows us to celebrate the good in every change. This wheel of the year is based upon ancient Celtic Druid practices; the continuous cycle lends itself to the image of a wheel. The ancient Celts saw time as a wheel or spiral divided by eight festivals.

The Wheel of the year is split into four major sabbats or Fire festivals and four minor sabbats or Solar festivals. The major sabbats represent the peak of the season whereas the minor sabbats represent the beginning of each turning point on the wheel. The minor sabbats are marked by the two equinoxes, spring and autumn, when day and night are of equal length, and the longest and shortest days, Litha and Yule. The major sabbats are smahin, imbolc, Beltane and Lammas.

Below are the dates of each point in the wheel of the year and a very brief description. More detail on each Sabbat is given in the appropriate blog posts for that season.

  

October 31, Samhain (Halloween, Witches new year)

Samhain (pronounced -sow-wen) is midway between the fall equinox and the winter solstice, this is a major Sabbat. Samhain is the third harvest festival. It is a time for honouring and remembering our deceased loved ones.

December 21/22, Yule

Yule is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year, and the birthday of the sun. This is a time for looking forward to the return of the light and a time to remember the importance of family and friends.

February 2, Imbolc (Brigid’s day Imbolc, Candlemas, Oimelc)

Imbolc is the midpoint between Yule and Spring Equinox. We celebrate the gentle signs of early spring, and of light returning after the darkness of winter. Imolc reminds us that spring is on its way and it is a festival of preparation, this is a time to prepare for any major projects in our lives.

March 22, Oestara (Spring Equinox, Ostara, Eostre)

At the spring equinox day and light are of equal length, this this is a festival of balance. Oestara is a time to look at any imbalances in our lives and correct them if needed. It is a time to celebrate the Spring and is a fabulous fertile time for new ideas to be sown.

May 1, Beltane (May Day)

Beltane is the midpoint between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. Beltane is a fire festival and is a time for fertility and creativity of all kinds.

June 21, Litha (Summer Solstice)

Litha is the time of the longest day and shortest night of the year. This is a time of strength and fertility when the sun is at it’s strongest.

August 2, Lammas (Lughnasad pronounced loo-noss'-sad)

Lammas is the midpoint between Summer Solstice and Fall Equinox. This is the first harvest, when we rejoice in the first fruits of the season. This is a celebration of all that we are grateful for.

September 21/22, Mabon (Autumn/Fall Equinox)

Mabon is the major harvest or thanksgiving festival, It is again a time when day and night are in balance, a time for creating balance in our lives and finishing any un completed projects.

You may like to meditate on which particular point on the wheel of the year calls to you? Which season is your favourite and which is your least favourite? By getting more in touch with each festival you may learn to love a time of the year that has traditionally been harder for you. If for example the shorter days are a struggle, concentrate upon the beauty that the turning leaves of autumn bring and allow yourself the time to look inward and nurture yourself.  

Below is a lovely pictorial representation of the Pagan Wheel of the Year from paganspoonie.blogspot. A wonderful way to start you on your own wheel of the year journey is to make your own. It doesn’t have to be a work of art by any means, you can draw simple images of what each festival represents to you. Another idea is to cut out pictures from magazines to represent each wheel of the year point, or write words that embody the season’s properties for you. I would love to see examples of your creations. 

Happy Mabon to you all- One Lovely blog award.

Hi everyone hope you are enjoying our wonderful full moon and getting ready to celebrate a wonderful Mabon/Equinox weekend.

The lovely Kim at http://thewiccalife.blogspot.co.uk/ nominated me me for the One Lovely Blogger Award, thank-you so much!

The rules are I to say  tell you all seven things about myself that you don't already know and nominate seven blogs to receive the award. They should be seven blogs that haven't already received it which is hard  as many of my favs already have it (!)so I've tried to pick blogs that I don't think have received it!

So the seven things are:
My main job is a mum to 2 wonderful teenage girls.
I live in Buckingham- not the palace lol- in England
I've met Kit Berry author of the Stonewylde Series 
I have electrodes fitted in my head to try and help with migraine!
My fav place to visit is Glastonbury tor.
I've watched Gilmore girls end to end four times now!
I spend a lot of my free time making pentacle bracelets!

So here are my seven:

http://octobersnovember.blogspot.co.uk/
http://branawen.blogspot.com
http://cynthiasfairiesandme.blogspot.co.uk
http://stonehousecottage.blogspot.co.uk/
http://spellsofinfinity.blogspot.co.uk/
http://alloveday.blogspot.co.uk/
http://lightwalkersgathering.blogspot.co.uk/

blessings to you, Alison

Mabon/Autumn Equinox Home Balancing Blessing

Equinox Balancing Blessing

This is a wonderful balancing exercise that can be performed if you feel that your house, or a particular room in your home is feeling out of balance. If you feel that your family is out of kilter it may be worth performing this simple blessing as it may be the house itself or the rooms in it that are causing the imbalance.

Start off with a simple cleansing exercise. First clear away the clutter in your home as much as you are able. Smudge with white sage or incense in all the corners of your home.

When you feel you have sufficiently cleansed you home, take two red apples and slice them in half so that you can see the pentacle inside. The apple signifies new beginnings and is a perfect symbol to use with its natural pentagram. Place a half apple at each of the cardinal points of your home, north, south, east and west. If you are just working in one room then place them as needed in the room you have chosen.  Along with each half apple place a white candle in a holder.

This exercise may be performed at any time of the year but it is perfect completed at the time of the equinox when day and night are of equal length. This is an ideal time to bring your home and your family life into perfect balance too.

Starting in the east, light each candle in turn. As you do so, imagine a white balancing light pouring down into the rooms or room as you work.

When you have finished come into the centre of the room and light a fifth white candle. Imagine a set of old fashioned brass scales sitting in perfect balance in the centre of the room. Sit in front of the scales and watch them as they tip just slightly and then gently rest exactly horizontal. You feel the stillness descend on the room and the house as the exact point of balance is achieved. Sit there for a while enjoying the silence and balance.

When you are ready, snuff out your candles or if you are able, allow them to burn down completely.

Equinox blessings to you, Alison

Full Moon names for September: harvest moon, barley moon, corn moon

The moon closest to the autumnal equinox or Mabon is often called the Harvest Moon due to its obvious connection with this harvest celebration. Mabon is the celebration of the harvesting of the grain and the point on the wheel of the year when day and night are in perfect balance.

The September equinox moon is particularly special due to it’s timing co-inciding with this point of balance. Usually the moon rises about 50 minutes later than the time of the sunset. However when a full moon occurs close to the autumnal equinox, the moon rises only about 30 minutes later daily for several days before and after the full Harvest moon. This is because the elliptic, or orbital path, makes a narrow angle with the evening horizon around the time of the autumn equinox. The narrow angle of the ecliptic results in a shorter than normal rising time between sunset and moonrise.

Because there is relatively little time of darkness between sunset and moonrise this was perfect for the farmers so a lot of harvesting of the crops was achieved around the time of the full harvest moon. The corn moon and barley moon were other popular names for this September moon that were also based around the harvest theme.

In China the moon nearest the autumn equinox is called the kindly moon or Chrysanthemum moon. In China, Taiwan and Vietnam the equinox/ Mabon is celebrated with the Moon festival also known as Mooncake festival or Zhongqui Festival.  This festival honours Chang’e the lunar Goddess and it commemorates the only day in the year that she can visit her husband Houyi who lives on the sun. Because of this it is seen as a celebration of the balance of yin and yang. The mooncake festival is a time of giving gratitude and being with family and friends. In Japan, people gather at lakes or in special moon- viewing pavilions and eat "moon-viewing noodles": thick white noodles in broth with an egg yolk floating on top.  This moon is seen as a moon of peace and family re-union similar to thanksgiving traditions, hence the term ‘Kindly moon’

The September equinox full moon is all about balance. Day and night are of equal length and we are at the beginning of autumn, balancing on the edge before we tip into that time when the nights become longer than the days. Try and take some time during the Mabon full moon to think about anything in your life that is out of balance. How can you change that? Maybe there is something that you need to let go of during the waning moon weeks that follow?

Below is a list of full moon names from around the world.

Mabon harvest moon blessings to you, Alison

Soaproot (Pomo).

Corn Moon (Pueblo).

Harvest moon (Hopi).

Singing Moon (Celtic).

Leaf fall Moon (Kiowa).

Ripe Moon (San Juan).

Maize Moon (Natchez).

Acorns Moon (Wishram).

Rice Moon (Anishnaabe).

Hay Cutting Moon (Yuchi).

Mulberry Moon (Choctaw).

Deer Paw Moon (Omaha).

Snow Goose Moon (Cree).

Freshness Moon (Mohawk).

Harvest Moon (Pagan).

Little Chestnut Moon (Creek).

Corn Maker Moon (Abernaki).

Drying Grass Moon (Arapaho).

Yellow Leaf Moon (Assiniboine).

Drying Grass Moon (Cheyenne).

Autumn Moon (Passamaquoddy).

Barley Moon (Medieval English).

Moon when the calves grow hair (Dakota).

 

Mabon blessings Sunshine Harvest by Ruth Calder Murphy

Mabon, the Autumnal equinox brings a lot of changes with it. We see nature changing all around us and we re-act to that often by changing emotionally within ourselves. This is a beautiful poem written by the very talented Ruth Calder Murphy reminding us to keep the sunshine in our hearts throughout the colder, darker days of winter. However much the temperature drops and however short the days are after we pass the autumn equinox we must always remember that those warm sunny days will return again and before we know it we will be celebrating Beltane! I love the last line of this wonderful poem, I will harvest the sunshine and breathe summer into winter dreams. That is going to be one of my goals this Mabon, I am going to harvest lots of sunshine and keep it in my heart for when I need it most!

Mabon blessings to you, Alison

Sunburst by Ruth Calder Murphy

On the fire-flame
I inhale
light
and warmth
and the energy of
the Sunshine Times
Dew-drenched dawn,
rainbow-wrapped,
swallows like nectar
and swells
warm in my heart.
I will hold it there
as the days shrink
and the nights freeze.
I will harvest the sunshine
and breathe Summer
into Winter dreams.
Sunshine Harvest by Ruth Calder Murphy

More of Ruth's wonderful poetry and fabulous artwork can be found on her website http://www.ruthmathews.net/ruth.htm

Chinese Equinox Celebrations-Mooncake festival.

Chinese Equinox Celebrations-Mooncake festival.

In China, Taiwan and Vietnam the equinox/ Mabon is celebrated with the Moon festival also known as Mooncake festival or Zhongqui Festival. This festival honours Chang’e the lunar Goddess and it commemorates the only day in the year that she can visit her husband Houyi who lives on the sun. Because of this it is seen as a celebration of the balance of yin and yang. Traditions associated with the Mooncake festival include eating mooncakes(not surprisingly!) lighting lanterns, matchmaking, and Fire Dragon Dances. Farmers celebrate the end of the fall harvesting season on this date in the same way as we celebrate the harvest at Mabon.

Chinese people believe a full moon is a symbol of peace, prosperity, and family reunion. The festival is also therefore known as ‘ the day of re-union’. It has been compared to the Chinese equivalent of the American tradition of thanksgiving. At the Mooncake festival the moon is supposed to be the brightest and fullest.

Traditional mooncakes

I searched around for mooncake recipes for you but a lot of them were very complicated using ingredients that I think would be very hard to find like lotus paste so I have gone for these two. The first one is nice and easy and the children will enjoy making. The second is maybe a bit more challenging but will probably be a bit more authentic.

Enjoy making these and sharing with family and friends at Mabon. As you make them think of the energy of the bright Mabon moon being stirred into the mixture. You can then share that wonderful Mabon moon energy with family and friends at your Mabon feast. Blessings, Alison

Easy Mooncakes

Easy mooncakes

Ingredients:

1/4 cup sugar

2 egg yolks

1/2 cup salted butter

1 cup all-purpose flour

 1 cup strawberry (or your favorite) jam (traditionally red bean paste is used so if you want a more authentic version, you can use a can of red bean paste instead of the jam).

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Combine the butter, sugar and 1 egg yolk and stir.

Mix in the flour.

Form the dough into one large ball and wrap it in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate dough for half an hour.

Unwrap the chilled dough and form small balls in the palms of your hand.

Make a hole with your thumb  in the center of each mooncake and fill with about half a teaspoon of jam.

Brush each cake with the other beaten egg yolk and place on a cookie sheet.  (We didn't have a brush to do this, so skipped the brushing step)

Bake for about 20 minutes or just until the outside edges are slightly brown.

Recipe from http://www.dltk-holidays.com/china/easy_chinese_mooncakes.htm 

Sweet Potato Mooncakes

You will need a special mould to make these look like the ones in the picture but I'm sure you could just fashion them into simple rolls or triangle shapes with the filling in the middle, time to get creative!

ingredients:

filling

5 lbs sweet potatoes
1.5 stick butter, at room temperature
400 grams granulated sugar
1 tbsp freshly ground cinnamon
1 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
1 tsp kosher salt

dough

600 grams brown sugar
2 c water
130 grams oil
1850 grams ap flour
12 egg yolks
3 tbsp freshly grated ginger

directions:

sweet potato filling

1. roast sweet potatoes until they are tender and can be easily pierced
with knife.
2. peel and discard skins and mash potatoes.
3. mix together butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. add to
mashed sweet potatoes. let cool.

dough

1. combine brown sugar and water in a pot and cook over medium heat
until sugar dissolves. cool and transfer to standing mixer with whisk
attachment.
2. add oil and ginger, and egg yolks.
3. slowly add flour. At some point, the dough will be too stiff for the whisk
attachment. replace with a paddle attachment and continue to add the
rest of the flour.
4. transfer dough to a worktable, for rolling.

assembly

1. form filling into balls. the size will depend on the size of your
mooncake mold.
2. take a bit of dough and roll out until it forms a sheet about 1/8 inch
thick.
3. Enrobe the filling with the dough. pinch the seams to seal. Place on
silpat-lined baking sheets.

baking

1. pre-heat oven to 350.
2. spray mooncakes with some water, then apply an eggwash for a glossy
sheen afterwards
3. bake for 15 mins.
4. spray mooncakes again. Turn down oven to 300 and bake until crust is
golden.

Diep from Good Girl Dinette http://www.theravenouscouple.com/2012/09/banh-trung-thu-moon-cakes.html

Correspondances and Symbols for Mabon/Autumn Equinox

Correspondances and Symbols for Mabon/Autumn Equinox

Colours:                           Red,orange,gold. Use these wonderful colour as an autumnal display around your home to welcome in the new season.

Symbols:                           Acorns. Acorns are a perfect symbol for Maborn by representing the seed of life and being associated with fertility. Apples associated with strength and the renewal of life. Cornucopias, Fallen leaves, red fruits.

Animals:                           Wolves, eagle, blackbird, owl, salmon, stag. The stag, blackbird, owl eagle and salmon are the animals that helped Mabon find his way out of his ‘captivity’ in the womb of his mother and out into the light.

Mythical beings:                  Minataur, Cyclops

Herbs:                           Myrrh, basil, fennel, hops, marigold.

Hop flowers are abundant in September as they grow over the hedgerows so this is the time to gather them. You can hang them up to dry as part of your Mabon decorations. Once they are dried, mixed with lavender flowers they make a wonderful cure for insomnia sown into a cotton pillow.

Plants and Trees:         Ivy, Morning glory, Autumn glory, sedum, Sycamore, Birch, Dogwood, Hazel. Marigold.

The marigold with it’s lovely orange/yellow flowers will take your from summer into autumn with ease. The petals can be gathered and dried for use as a fabulous herb tea for building up the immune system during those winter months.

Hazel is the ninth tree of the Celtic Ogham and is linked to inner wisdom so is perfect for this Mabon time of looking inward. Hazel will help us tap into our intuition and find inspired solutions to problems that may be bothering us.

Incense/oils                  Frankinsense, myrrh, patchouli

Mabon Incense
By Scott Cunningham

2 parts Frankincense


1 part Sandalwood


1 part Cypress


1 part Juniper


1 part Pine


2 part Oakmoss


1 pinch pulverized Oak Leaf

Gemstones                  Yellow agate, carnelian, yellow topaz, lapis lazuli.

A stabilising stone, Carnelian restores vitality and motivation, and stimulates creativity.  It gives courage, promotes positive life choices, dispels apathy and motivates for success.  Carnelian is useful for overcoming abuse of any kind.  It helps in trusting yourself and your perceptions.  It overcomes negative conditioning and encourages steadfastness. 

Foods:                           Wheat bread, blackberries, squashes, pumpkin, apples, wine, cider, apple juice, pomegranates, apples

Goddesses;                   Ceres (Roman), Demeter (Greek), Harmonia (Greek), Ma’at (Egyptian), Modron (Welsh), Nikkal (Canaanite), Pomona (Greek), Persephone (Greek), Prosperpina (Roman), Rennutet (Egyptian)

Gods:                            Bacchus (Roman), Dionysus (Greek), The Great Horned God (European), Hauran (Canaanite), Hermes (Greek), Iacchus (Greek), Mabon (Welsh), Shai (Egyptian), Vertumnus (Roman), Yerikh (Canaanite)