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Please Note: On-going series will be interrupted from time to time to present posts related to unexpected events, or celebrations occurring within the Turning of the Wheel of the Wiccan Year.
May
May represents the rebirth of the Earth in the saga celebrated within the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. Once April's rains and winds have subsided, the sun begins to warm up the earth so gardens and crops are planted. Followers enjoy getting out in their gardens under the Flower Moon and putting their hands into the rich soil of Mother Earth.
Spring is a time of fertility, and May is a fiery month indeed – full of lust and passion! It's sometimes called the month of the Hare Moon – and it’s known what hares are busy doing in the spring.
Moon Phases – North America
New Moon: May 14; 01 hour, 04 minutes
First Quarter: May 20; 23 hours, 43 minutes
Full Moon: May 27; 23 hours, 07minutes
Last Quarter: Jun 04; 22 hours, 13 minutes
Correspondences
In Wicca, followers honor or attune to the energy/power of a goal or seasonal occurrence by selecting natural objects and deities to better bring that target goal or occurrence into clearer focus prior to meditation, or for use when working with them in magick. These are referred to as “Correspondences,” and they generally have been linked by practitioners to that goal’s energy/power or seasonal occurrence since antiquity.
Thus, the following have been shown to “correspond” or be linked with May:
Colors: Red, Orange, Yellow
Gemstones: Ruby, Garnet, Amber, Apache Tear
Trees: Hawthorn, Rowan
Gods: Kali, Priapus, Cernunnos, Flora
Herbs: Cinnamon, Members of the Mint Family
Element: Fire
May 01 – Beltane
Beltane, May 01, 2010, is one of the eight Sabbats (Holy Days) celebrated by Wiccans and other Pagans in the Wheel of the Year.
Beltane is a celebration of the union of the union of the Goddess and the God – a celebration of fertility and new life.
Beltane is one of the four "fire festivals" or "greater sabbats". Although the holiday may use features of the Gaelic Bealtaine, such as the bonfire, it bears more relation to the Germanic May Day festival, both in its significance (focusing on fertility) and its rituals (such as maypole dancing). Some Wiccans celebrate 'High Beltaine' by enacting a ritual union of the May Lord and Lady.
Even some of the folk traditions which are still followed today can find their roots in the ancient celebration of love, sex and fertility. The May Pole was originally designed for Beltane, the Pagan fire festival that celebrated the abundance of spring. The pole and ribbons of the May Pole represented the phallus and semen and maidens danced about the maypole to evoke fertility and prosperity for the summer. This festival, which was celebrated on May 1st, was named after the Celtic God, Bel, a fire God of fertility, love and passion but was eventually dissolved into folk custom and renamed May Day.
The May Pole, an ancient pagan phallic symbol representing the king and spirt of vegetation (in Celtic lands referred to as The Greenman, or Oak King), is planted into Mother Earth to symbolize union and balance.
It was on May Eve that the Tuatha Dé Danann (Tribe of the Goddess Danu) arrived in Ireland. They are masters of enchantment, and in May their magic is the strongest.
Brigid (Brighid), known in Ireland as the Goddess of fire and inspiration, also represents THE GREAT GODDESS, Danu. Brigid is also known as Queen of the Faeries.
To celebrate Beltane with the Spirits, say:
Star light, star bright,
I call the faeries forth tonight,
Come and celebrate with me,
Dance and sing, so mote it be.
May 05 – Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is a date of great importance for the Mexican and Chicano communities. It was on May 5th in 1862 that 2,000 poorly trained Mexican peasants, under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza, fiercely fought and won the Battle at Puebla against a regiment of 6,000 French soldiers under the command of Napoleon III.
In modern times on the Fifth of May, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated by native Mexican (and American) people everywhere. In Mexico, several towns elaborately reenact the Battle of Puebla in a day-long dramatization that includes acting and speeches. In America, Cinco de Mayo is an opportunity to celebrate Chicano culture in general, and is celebrated with huge fairs that include Mexican singing, dancing, feasting, costumes, sports activities, fireworks, and entertainment. Mariachi bands play while dancers perform native Mexican dances such as the Mexican Hat Dance and the Raspa. Speeches and parades encompass a large part of the celebration too. These events are one way in which people celebrate the friendship of the United States and Mexico.
This observance of the Cinco de Mayo victory is a special symbol for all Mexican people who celebrate their rights of freedom and liberty, honoring those who fought and won against greater odds. Although the Mexican army was eventually defeated, the "Batalla de Puebla" has come to represent a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. With this victory, Mexico demonstrated to the world that Mexico and all of Latin America were willing to defend themselves of any foreign intervention. Especially those from imperialist states bent on world conquest.
May 21– Gemini
Moon moves into Gemini, the sign of the Twins. Its power stone is citrine, and its birth stone is the beautiful diamond.
The ruling planet is Mercury. In mythology, Mercury was the messenger between the gods and men. He is depicted wearing a winged helmet, and has wings at his ankles, enabling him to deliver messages with great speed. Ironically, it is because of his swiftness that he was also adopted by the god of thieves!
May 27: Full Moon – Hare Moon or Flower Moon
In most areas, flowers are abundant everywhere during this time. Thus, the name of this Moon. Other names include the Full Corn Planting Moon, or the Milk Moon.
May is rebirth of life upon the Earth. With its reputation for being prolific, no creature is more suited than the hare as this month’s symbol.
This is a good time to work on magic related to careers and jobs. Thinking about switching to a new position, or perhaps trying a new field altogether? Want to take a class or get your degree? Take the seeds you've planted last month, and allow them to bloom and grow in your favor. Do some fire divination this month to help guide you on your way. This would also be a good time to plan a ritual to reaffirm your goals.
From me to you: May the peace of Danu remain in your hearts, now and forevermore. Tod Estu.
— Danu’s Daughter
To truly understand Neo-Paganism, the best place to begin is to appreciate how followers perceive everyday life.
For Wiccans and Neo-Pagans, life provides constant opportunities to “remember the Divinity within ourselves and all things; to manifest our God and Goddess all the time, every day, every moment; to love as They love, to give as They give; to serve Them in perfect trust; and thus bring Their grace more fully into the world; to understand that we are the embodiment of the Divine love and nurture, and to express that love in the world; to walk as God and Goddess,” says Dianne Sylvan in The Circle Within.
To Wiccans, anything and everything is possible. Wiccans try to look at the world with the eyes of a child, fully open to wonder and the magic that is all around. Yet, they also believe in taking responsibility for choices that are made along the path without judgment, and learning from them.
They see existence as presenting a cosmic cause and effect relationship, believing that everything that exists, including themselves, is comprised of energy from the Divine. Many Wiccans, and some other Neo-Pagans, seek to work with this sacred energy to improve their lives and also to return energy back to the sacred Earth. Practitioners call this important work, “magick.”
To them, walking with the Goddess and God daily means that these Deities are actually and truly present. One important way for Wiccans and other Neo-Pagans to celebrate this vital connection is to reflect on the changes of the seasons, to watch the days “turn” until life ages and turns to death, and death gives way and turns to rebirth.
As a result, they have developed the Wheel of the Year, a term for the annual cycle of the Earth's seasons. It consists of eight festivals, spaced at approximately even intervals throughout the year. These festivals are referred by Wiccans as Sabbats.
In many forms of Neo-Paganism, natural processes are seen as following this continuous cycle. The passing of time is also seen as cyclical, and is represented by a circle or wheel. The progression of birth, life, decline and death, as experienced in human lives, is echoed in the progression of the seasons. Wiccans also see this cycle as echoing the life, death and rebirth of their Horned God and the fertility of their Goddess.
While most of the Sabbat names derive from historical Celtic and Germanic festivals, the non-traditional names Litha and Mabon, which have become popular in North American Wicca, were introduced by Aidan Kelly in the 1970s. The word "sabbat" itself comes from the witches' sabbath or sabbat attested to in Early Modern witch trials.
All of the Sabbats are agrarian, four relate more to plants (planting, harvest, etc.) and four relate more to animal husbandry (cycles of fertility).
Among most Wiccans, the common Wheel of the Year narrative is that of the God/Goddess duality. In this cycle, the God is born from the Goddess at Yule, grows in power at Vernal Equinox (along with the Goddess who has now returned to her maiden aspect), courts and impregnates the Goddess at Beltane, wanes in power at Lammas, passes into the underworld at Samhain, then is once again born from Her mother/crone aspect at Yule.
The Goddess, in turn, ages and rejuvenates endlessly with the seasons, being courted by and giving birth to the Horned God. Versions of this myth vary from coven to coven, shifting the birth, conception, or death of the God to different sabbats.
Another, more solar, narrative is of the Holly King and the Oak King, with one ruling the winter, the other the summer. These two figures battle with each other endlessly as the seasons turn. At Midsummer the Oak King is at the height of his strength, while the Holly King is at his weakest. The Holly King begins to regain his power, and at the Autumn Equinox, the tables finally turn in the Holly King's favor; he vanquishes the Oak King at Yule. Then over the next months, as the sun waxes in power, the Oak King slowly regains his strength; at the Spring Equinox he begins to triumph until he once again defeats the Holly King at Midsummer.
Wicca and the Wheel of the Year
The following details the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. Four of the Sabbats, the cross-quarter days, are referred to as the Greater Sabbats, coinciding with Celtic fire festivals, and these were initially the only four sabbats. The other four are known as Lesser Sabbats, and comprise of the solstices and the equinoxes, and were only adopted in 1958 by the Bricket Wood coven. The names of these holidays are often taken from Germanic pagan and Celtic polytheistic holidays. However, the festivals are not reconstructive in nature nor do they often resemble their historical counterparts, instead exhibiting a form of universalism. Ritual observations may display cultural influence from the holidays from which they take their name as well as influence from other unrelated cultures. The eight sabbats, beginning with Samhain, which has long been thought of as Celtic new year:
• Samhain – Greater Sabbat of the Dead (Oct. 31, Nov. 1)
The first festival is known as Samhain is celebrated on October 31st. This is also known as Witch's New Year. This festival celebrates the death of the God and waiting for his rebirth at Yule. Usually, this is a festival of remembering your loved ones who have gone on. According to Celtic tradition the New Year began at sunset on this day. This holiday is also known as the Feast of the dead. Divination magic is said to be strongest on this day as the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest.
• Yule – Lesser Sabbat, the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21 or Dec. 22)
This celebration is for the birth of the God. It is usually a celebration with family and friends. Candles are a huge part of this festival as the god is associated with light and the sun.
• Imbolc (Candlemas) – Greater Sabbat (Feb. 02)
The God is now a child growing and playing. The celebration is also to acknowledge the returning sunlight to the Earth. The first seeds are usually planted at this time. Some people light candles to honor this and others still wake up in the dead of night and stay up and watch the sunrise.
• Ostara – Lesser Sabbat, the Spring Equinox (March 20-23)
Ostara celebrates the beginning courtship between the God and Goddess. The Christian tradition of decorating Easter eggs was borrowed from this holiday. This is celebrated on the vernal equinox where daylight and night are equal. This festival is another planting holiday. The eggs symbolize fertility and it is said by decorating the eggs with desires for the upcoming year and burying them in the ground will help bring these desires to fruition.
• Beltane or May Eve – Greater Sabbat (May 01)
This is a significant celebration as the union of the God and the Goddess is made known. Large bale fires are usually lit and this is a well-known and practiced fertility ritual.
• Litha – Lesser Sabbat, the Summer Solstice (June 21)
Also known as Midsummer Night's Eve. This holiday is usually celebrated on the summer solstice; the longest day of the year. This festival is also fertility holiday. Many men would jump bonfires to aid in the fertility of the land and their livestock. This is a favorite time to perform hand-fasting, meaning commitment or pagan wedding ceremonies.
• Lughnasadh, or Lammas – Greater Sabbat of the Harvest (Aug. 01)
This is the first dedication to the god and goddess of the harvest. Traditionally, bread is baked and served at the celebrations as wheat is a harvest symbol. It is a time to give thanks for the start of a bountiful harvest season.
• Mabon – Lesser Sabbat, the Autumn Equinox (Sept. 23)
It is another harvest holiday. Usually vegetables make a star appearance at this festival. It is the waning of the god's years as the goddess starts to prepare to give rebirth to the god at Yule. This is a time for preparation for the winter and giving thanks again to the god and goddess for a good harvest season.
Wiccan founder Gerald Gardner made use of the English names of these holidays; "The four great Sabbats are Candlemass, May Eve, Lammas, and Halloween; the equinoxes and solstices are celebrated also," but the other names are now also commonly found.
Most of the holidays of the Wheel of the Year are named after Christian, Pre-Christian Celtic and Pre-Christian Germanic religious festivals, but depart largely in form and meaning from the traditional observances of those festivals. Historian Ronald Hutton ascribes this to the influence of turn of the century romanticism as well as the eclectic elements introduced by Wicca. The similarities between these holidays generally end at the shared names, as Wicca makes no effort to reconstruct the ancient practices. Hutton has described the merging of culturally diverse festivals into a unified set of eight as a form of universalism not corroborated by any historical continuity.
There is no region in Europe where all eight festivals have been observed as a set, and the complete eightfold Wheel of the Year was unknown prior to modern Wicca. In early forms of Wicca only the cross-quarter days were observed. However, in 1958 the members of Bricket Wood Coven added the solstices and equinoxes to their original calendar, as they desired more frequent celebrations. Their High Priest was Gardner who was away visiting the Isle of Man at the time. He did not object when he returned, since they were now more in line with the Neo-druidism of Ross Nichols, a friend of Gardner's who founded of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.
In Wicca and similar Pagan faiths, each full moon and sometimes its phases are also celebrated. These are called Esbats and are different from Sabbats. While Sabbats generally honor the life of the God, Esbats are dedicated to the Goddess.
Generally, there are 13 Esbats every years. Actually, any moon phase can be used for an Esbat. They are considered to many as important as the Sabbats. An Esbat is an excellent time to honor the Goddess – a natural connection considering the female manifestation of the Moon, although the God is often honored as well.
It is often a time of gathering for members of a coven, but can effectively be kept by followers who are Solitary Practitioners.
Most try to celebrate outside if possible to allow the Moon to drench them with its cooling, soothing and inspiring rays. But, Esbats are often held inside too, providing opportunities to share energy with each other and the universe, or to do so alone.
During an Esbat, participants honor the Goddess, in whatever form they choose, in ritual forms. They thank her for her presence in their lives, and for the guidance she provides. To some, it is also a time to perform structured rituals and to cast “spells” according to the phase of the moon.
The Full Moon is the time in the lunar cycle when the moon is complete. This happens for three days in succession – the day before the astrological Full Moon, the astrological Full Moon itself, and the day after the astrological Full Moon. Participants believe it is then that all the magickal qualities of the Moon are their peak, thus is the time of greatest power.
A common practice during the Esbat is to “Draw Down the Moon.” This can be done as a group or as an individual. When this is done, participants call upon the moon’s magical powers to fill them with its power and inspiration. The energy gathered is used either in spells or to send back out to the universe to heal, while any that is unused is returned to Mother Earth as the ritual ends.
To each Lunar month, ancestral follower’s of Paganism assigned an Esbat name in accordance with the nature of the activity that took place at that time. Depending upon the path followed, these names often differ. Thus, the Full Moons have been named by many cultures, and can also be known by tree names, astrological names, American Indian names – the list is virtually endless. This blog will be using the most common names for the Esbat Moons, which appear below along with their matching Celtic tree correspondences:
• January – Wolf Moon or Snow Moon (Alder)
Amid the zero cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages. It was also known as the Old Moon or the “Moon After Yule.” In some tribes this was the Full Snow Moon; most applied that name to the next Moon.
• February – Storm Moon or Death Moon (Willow)
It occurs at a time of long nights and dark days, making it a good time of year to do magick for accepting challenges and perseverance.
• March – Chaste Moon (Ash)
This moon occurs at the beginning of spring, a time of purity and newness, making it the perfect time to do magick for planting the seeds for success and hope.
• April – Seed Moon (Hawthorn)
The energies around this moon are ones of fertility, growth and inner wisdom. Followers are encouraged to be bold at this time; to take action.
• May – Hare Moon or Flower Moon (Oak)
The energies around this moon are ones of health, romance, love and wisdom. Followers are encouraged to begin to take action on the things we’ve recently been planning.
• June – Dyad (Pair) Moon or Lover’s Moon (Holly)
The energies around this moon are ones of love, marriage and success. It is a time to acknowledge and celebrate our “garden” – our life, loved ones and accomplishments.
• July – Mead Moon or Blessing Moon (Hazel)
The energies around this moon surround success, appreciation of what’s been worked hard to achieve, reaping the first harvests and celebrating all successes. Followers are encouraged to appreciate accomplishments, and to begin to put new energies into building on them.
• August – Wyrt (Green Plant) Moon or Corn Moon (Vine)
The energies around this moon are abundance, in all areas of life and marriage. Followers work to begin harvesting and collecting herbs that will be used over the next year, and storing them. Magic done at this time of year can be help themselves or someone else (who has asked for help) to reap the benefits of hard work done.
• September – Barley Moon or Corn Moon (Ivy)
Named for the corn harvest and the threshing of ripened barley. For native Americans, it has been the Nut (Cherokee), Mulberry (Choctaw) and Moon When the Calves Grow Hair (Dakota Sioux). It's the last Full Moon before the autumnal equinox. The full light allows harvest chores to go into the night.
• October – Blood Moon or Hunter’s Moon (Reed)
With the leaves falling and the deer fattened, it is time to hunt (symbolically.) Since the fields have been reaped, hunters can ride over the stubble, and can more easily see the fox, also other animals that have come out to glean and can be caught for a thanksgiving banquet after the harvest. Thus, it is a time to give thanks for the hunt, all food, regardless of type. Participants give thanks for all they’ve received: body, mind and spiritual sustenance.
• November – Snow Moon or Beaver Moon (Birch)
This was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name comes from the fact that the beavers are now actively preparing for winter. Rituals generally focus on preparation in body, mind and spirit as Mother earth is now at peace, she has given all food and warmth during the past year and now needs to rest under a blanket of whitest snow. Participants should take time to finish projects, and since nights are longer, to spend more time in the house and we should be preparing for the coldest months.
• December – Oak Moon or Cold Moon (Rowan)
Though we think of December as a dark month, it is also the time of the returning of the sun. A very special month in many ways, participants are asked to remember all they have as well as those who have less. They might organize a meal with loved ones, or for those less fortunate. To spend time alone or with loved ones reflecting on the year’s end in gratitude.
• Blue Moon – Variable (Second Full Moon in a Month)
When two full moons occur in a single month, the second full moon is called a "Blue Moon." Another definition of the blue moon is the third full moon that occurs in a season of the year which has four full moons (usually each season has only three full moons.) Because of its rarity, it is considered a very powerful Full Moon and should be used for important goals.
— Danu’s Daughter
“You will meet the God you know.”
I never believed that there was only one path to deity, but as many as there are people who seek with an open heart. What I have found is that unless the spiritual path you have chosen is the right one for you, there is little chance that you will find deity, God, Allah, Jesus, Buddha, or whatever name you apply to the Creator.
I have always been a spiritual seeker. I love theology and studying comparative religions across the globe. Ironically, I had not been looking for a new faith path when I first read about Paganism. But, as soon as I processed the information, that’s exactly what happened. It was the first time that everything fit, made sense in profound ways that are still difficult to explain. It was the first time that I met the God that I know – I was home.
After I became Pagan, I realized just how precious the U.S. protection of religious freedom is. Before then, I didn’t understand the fear of religious persecution in a truly personal way. But, as a Pagan, I know that had I lived in another era, or country, my life could easily have been forfeit because of my beliefs. Thankfully, I live in a time and in a country that I am free to practice my religion and to freely discuss it without fear.
In launching this blog, I wanted to begin by a providing a brief overview of Paganism. In later posts, I will delve much deeper into other Pagan paths. Each of these are so rich that there is just no way to go into much depth in an introductory post.
Basically, Neopagans are a community of faiths bringing ancient Pagan and magickal traditions to the modern age – including mostly Wicca but also Druidism, Hellenics, Asatru, Shamanism, neo-Native American, and even more. Neopagan is an umbrella term for the various and diverse beliefs with many elements in common.
Many Neopagans, especially Wiccans, strive to revive authentic pantheons and rituals of ancient cultures, though often in deliberately eclectic and reconstructionist ways, and by embracing particularly contemplative and celebratory attitudes.
Generally, Paganism is any religious path not under the Abrahamic umbrella: Judeo-Christian-Islamic. Thus, in addition to Wicca, etc., Buddhism and Hinduism are also examples of Pagan paths. While many of these are founded upon earth-based beliefs, not all center around "Mother Earth." Pagan History predates Christianity by thousands of years.
Interestingly, it is important to note that some Neopagans find no incongruency practicing Neopaganism along with adherence to another faith, such as Christianity or Judaism.
Neopaganism is not an organized religion and has no official doctrine. Pagans follow a wide variety of paths and often have a variety of beliefs regarding the divine, human nature, and the afterlife. However, there are some common beliefs that are held by most Neopagans.
Neopaganism is characterized by its revival of ancient polytheistic religions. Pagans are especially interested in the pantheons of northern Europe (Norse) and Britain (Celtic) but also may incorporate gods and beliefs of ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian paganism.
Some Pagans regard one particular god (or the God and Goddess pair) as the Supreme Principle, worshiping that divinity above all others. Some regard all gods as aspects of the Great God and all goddesses as aspects of the Great Goddess. But nearly all Neopagans recognize the existence and true divinity of other gods; a very few Neopagans are monotheists.
In addition to gods and goddesses, Neopagans usually honor ancestral and locational spirits. These might include deceased relatives (honored especially at Samhain, known by non-pagans as Halloween), local and national heroes, Elves, the Spirit of the Hearth, and more.
In additon to some commonly-held beliefs, Neopagans who follow a particular path usually have their own distinctive religious beliefs. Most revere a Goddess as more primary than the God, partly in response to the male-dominated religions of the past millennium.
Perhaps the most fundamental belief of most Neopagans is the recognition of the divine in nature. Most Pagans honor the cycle of the seasons and all of nature as a direct expression of the divine, and a model for spiritual growth and renewal. The Earth herself is regarded as sacred by many Pagans, and deep ecological concerns are characteristic by most followers.
Different deities are often connected with different times of the year and worshiped in seasonal festivals, and practices like astrology and divination are rooted in the belief in nature's divinity. The Neopagan seasonal cycle, called the Wheel of the Year, consists of eight Sabbats. These Sabbats are joyous occasions of celebration and communion.
The eight Wiccan Sabbats are spaced roughly about 45 days apart throughout the year. There are four major and four minor Sabbats. The major Sabbats occur approximately midway between the minor Sabbats, typically at the end of a month.
Different Wiccan traditions have various names and dates for these festivals. The most common names for the major Sabbats are Celtic in origin and they are: Samhain (Oct. 31), Imbolc (Feb. 1), Beltane (May 1), and Lammas (Aug. 1).
The four minor Sabbats consist of the two equinoxes in March and September when day and night are balanced, and the two solstices in December (the longest night of the year) and June (the longest day of the year). The exact date for each of these Sabbats varies from year to year occurring on or between the 19th to the 22nd of the month.
It is believed that the Sabbats originated from the cycles that were associated with farming, hunting and fertility. Like Jewish Shabbats, Neopagan Sabbats begin at sunset the day before the holiday.
The phases of the moon, including the 13 full moons in every year, are also celebrated. These monthly celebrations are called Esbats. Magickal work and more solemn rituals are normally done on the Esbats. (Much more about Magick in the next post.)
The most important Esbat is on the full moon, but some groups also recognize Esbats of the new moon and the two quarters. Magickal power is believed to be especially strong on the night of a full moon, which is why important rituals are undertaken on such nights.
While Esbats involve rituals or ceremonies dedicated to the Moon, and the Goddess, Sabbats involve rituals and ceremonies dedicated to the Sun, the seasons, and the God. Sabbats trace the birth, life, death, and rebirth of the God as symbolized through the changing seasons.
To Be Continued...Next: Beliefs and Magick
— Danu’s Daughter
