Lughnasadh Is Coming

The names that are generally used to denote the Wiccan sabbats (as well as festivals of many pagan traditions) come from Gaelic (both Scots and Irish), Welsh, Norse, and Anglo-Saxon. 

There are variations of pronunciations for each one. 

We are not trying to say that if you don't say it like we tell you to, that you'll be wrong or anything like that. But since so many people have asked, here is a list that can give you a good start in trying to sound like the languages from which these words came.

Just remember, this is not some kind of Sekrit Pagan Language (TM); many of these words are in use in Europe today by pagans and non-pagans alike to denote these days. 

And yes, this shows a European bias, but then so do the commonly-used names for Wiccan holy days. These seem to be the names most frequently asked about in alt.pagan.

Samhain (31 Oct) -- Irish Gaelic for "summer's end." The standard Irish pronunciation is "sow-in" with the "ow" like in "cow." Other pronunciations that follow with the many Gaelic dialects include "sow-een" "shahvin" "sowin" (with "ow" like in "glow"). The Scots Gaelic spelling is "Samhuin" or "Samhuinn." There is no linguistic foundation for saying this word "samhane" the way it might look if it were English. When in doubt, just say "Hallows" or even "Hallowe'en."

Yule (21 Dec) -- Norse for "wheel." It's pretty much pronounced just like it looks, although if you want to make a stab at a Scandinavian sound, it'll be more like "yool" and less like "yewl." This is the winter solstice.

Imbolg/Imbolc (1 Feb) -- Irish Gaelic for "in the belly." Pronounce this one "IM-bullug" or "IM-bulk" with a guttural "k" on the end. Other names include Candlemas; Brighid (pronounced "breed"), who is the Irish goddess whose festival this is; and Oimelc (pronounced EE-mulk), which means "ewe's milk" in Scots Gaelic.

Ostara (21 Mar) -- Saxon name for a maiden goddess of spring, loosely connected to Astarte and Ishtar. This one's easy -- "o-STAHR-uh." Other names include Eostre (say "OHS-truh" or "EST-truh"). This is the spring equinox.

Beltane/Bealtaine (30 April) -- Irish Gaelic for either "fires of Bel" or "bright fires." If you want to try it in Gaelic, you can say "bee-YAWL-tinnuh" or "BELL-tinnuh." Unlike Samhain, this word can within the linguistic structure of its language of origin be pronounced like it looks -- "BELL-tane" -- without totally abandoning its original construction. Other names are Walpurgisnacht (vawl-PUR-gis-nahkt) and May Day.

Litha (21 Jun) -- Norse or Anglo-Saxon for "longest day." You can say this one just like it looks, or you can try for a Scandinavian sound and say "leetha" with the "th" more like a "t." This is the summer solstice.

Lughnasadh/Lunasa or Lammas (1 Aug) -- The first is Irish Gaelic for "festival of Lugh" (a major Irish deity); the second is Anglo-Saxon for "festival of the loaves" ("hlaf-mass"). Don't panic at that spelling; the second (which is modern Irish as opposed to old Irish) tells you all you need to know. Say "LOO-nah-sah." (Some people maintain that the Scots dialect says it "LOO-nah-soo.") Lammas is just like it looks, "LAH-mus." 

Mabon (21 Sep) -- This is believed to be a form of the Welsh word for "son." Therefore, it would probably be pronounced "MA-bon" with the "a" like in "mass." However, most Wiccans and pagans say "MAY-bon." This is the autumn equinox.

The Witch Trials of Scotland

Historians have uncovered evidence that the chapel, built during the 15th century, was a prison for accused witches while they faced trial and before they were taken away to be executed.

Many historians believe that Aberdeen buried more witches than any other city. 

An iron ring in the north wall of the chapel is all that's left of it's murderous past.

Records have been discovered from Aberdeen's city archives revealing that this ring was installed to chain the witches up while they were being held in the prison.

Aberdeen has meticulous records of their witch trials. These records include payments to the black smith for installing the iron rings that were used to imprison the accused. 

They discovered that 23 women and one man were tried and executed for witchcraft in the city during the Great Scottish Witch Hunt of 1597.

This ring was installed specially to secure those who had been accused of committing witchcraft.

This was the last place these people saw before they were taken off to be killed and their bodies burned.

In 1597 Scotland was in the middle of it's great Witch Hunt under the order of King James VI of Scotland. (that's the King below)

They had everything needed for witchhunting – peat for burning, tar barrels, rope and stakes.

The city’s records include a detailed cost of materials that were used to tar and burn the accused women.

Like so many other stories of accusations of witchcraft, they were often made by people in the community who just maybe perhaps had a motive to see the accused convicted.

The names and crimes of each ‘witch’ are recorded in the city’s records and signed by the provost of the time. There's even a plaque with Alexander's name still in the church. (See below)

Each of those found guilty of witchcraft were taken from St Mary’s chapel, strangled and then their bodies were burned.

No remains of the witches have been found at the site, but excavations at the church have found the remains of more than 2,000 individuals buried at the site.

The remains of the accused “witches” would have been buried somewhere else near or on “unhallowed ground.”

Witchcraft in the Philippines

In the Philippines, this folk medicine woman is reading candles, also known as candle wax or candle drip reading. 

It's a form of scrying where the candle wax is either dripped or dropped into water where it forms a shape that's interpreted by the Witch.

This Filipino medicine woman has been reading candles as a living and is visited by locals for all kinds of reasons - sometimes it's about dwarves and other beings which have been disturbed by people. 

The psychic rituals are meant to satisfy the dwarves or whoever, so that they may forgive the human victim and reverse the punishment.

There are several methods practitioners use in TAWAS:

The Egg

A raw egg is cracked into a glass of water and gently shaken, the egg white starts taking on different forms. The egg-

white is examined for any change in shape that might suggest the nature of the illness.

The Paper

A piece of blank paper, about 4- by 4-inch square, whispered with prayers (bulong), is "crossed" over the body of the patients area of affliction then examined for an shadows or shades for clues to determine the cause of the illness.

Cigarette rolling paper

The paper is smudged with coconut oil; then the healer breathes on it while whispering his prayers chosen. The paper is then brought up to a light to "read" the shapes that have formed that will suggest the diagnosis or cause of the condition.

Candles

A piece of candle is heated and melted on a spoon, then placed in water. 

The shape taken by the candle on the water will suggest the nature of the medical issue to the healer. 

Very often. shapes of dwarfs or elves are seen, and treatments are prescribed.

There is an awareness of Witchcraft and Voodoo in the Philippines that has brought the craft into the mainstream.

Although these practices have been considered taboo since Catholicism was introduced in the 15th century, many Filipino witches are still practicing their ancient customs.

Richard Quezon, the mayor of Siquijor town, the capital of the province, remembers being terrified by stories of evil witches in the mountains that rise from the middle of the island.

“Before, everyone went to healers for things like liver problems or cancer,” he said. “But now, with modern medicine, only those who can’t afford to go to the hospital seek out healers.”

Quezon defends witchcraft. Last month he went to a witch because of a skin condition that wouldn’t go away.

“The medicine from the pharmacy didn’t work, but the herbs and spells from the healer worked right away,” he said. “Some things science can’t explain.”

We Believe In Cactus

We really love cactus…so we keep reposting this.

We have a large indoor cactus garden and we continue to make it larger.

Why?

It’s because we believe that cacti can redirect the negative energy and balance the house energy flow, bringing positive changes into your home.

Cactus Symbolism – What is the Spiritual Meaning of a Cactus?

The spiritual meaning of a cactus is one of endurance. It symbolizes the ability to see beyond what is visible with our naked eyes.

Cacti represent the need to trust that you are protected from danger and threats, and that the biggest threat comes from the armour you shroud yourself in everyday.

The beauty of a cactus lies deep within itself – a vast system of water, nutrients and healing properties. A true self contained marvel.

Cactus make great gifts.

Native American cultures, cacti represent warmth, protection, and (motherly) love. 

Giving someone a cactus is kind of like saying, “hey, I love you!”

In addition, they are not only synonymous with strength but also help to absorb radiation and negative energies, promoting a climate of harmony. 

Cactus may not be appealing for some.

But beneath all the sticklers and rough skin, cacti are one of the most incredible of nature’s wonders you could have ever seen.

They are the ultimate plant for survival as they keep water resources deep within their body and tolerate even the harshest heat.

Cacti are the embodiment of endurance and strength.

Let’s be like Cactus…