~ACTIVITIES~
Things to do during this Sabbat:
Regrets: Think of the things you meant to do this summer or this year that are not coming to fruition.
You can project your regrets onto natural objects like pine cones and throw them into the fire,
releasing them. Or you can write them on dried corn husks or on a piece of paper and burn them.
Farewells: What is passing from your life? What is over? Say goodbye to it. As with regrets, you can
find visual symbols and throw them into the fire, the lake or the ocean. You can also bury them in the
ground, perhaps in the form of bulbs which will manifest in a new form in spring.
Harvest: What have you harvested this year? What seeds have you planted that are sprouting? Find a
visual way to represent these, perhaps creating a decoration in your house or on your altar which
represents the harvest to you. Look for classes in your area where you can learn to weave wheat into
wall pieces. These were made by early grain farmers as a resting place for the harvest spirits.
Preserves: This is also a good time for making preserves, either literally or symbolically. As you turn
the summer's fruit into jams, jellies and chutneys for winter, think about the fruits that you have
gathered this year and how you can hold onto them. How can you keep them sweet in the store of
your memory?
Wheat Weaving
by: Diane Balsamo
A powerful symbol of the Lord of the Grain and the Corn Mother can be found in Wheat Weaving.
These wonderful, natural works of art were often woven by farmers as a prayer for plenty and
blessings, and hung upon doorways, barns and so forth. They have always fascinated me as I try to
visualize the process. Regretfully I have never quite been able to master the technique for the
elaborate ones. A simple, meaningful symbol can, however, be made by anyone who can braid.
What you will need (per weaving) :
3 stalks of wheat or rye or spelt ( if you do not have access to a farm, check out one of the big craft
stores in the floral department)
A piece of ribbon or yarn (maybe green for prosperity)
First, you will need to soak your wheat stalks in water to make them supple. I have found the best
soaking place to be the bath tub. Soak the stalks for about 20 minutes, and then begin to work.
Starting at the grain head, simply braid until you have reached the end. Then tie this off with the
yarn, and bend the finished end to meet the grain heads (forming a loop). Tie these together, and
finish off with a bow tied up from the ribbon or yarn. Simple- and looks like you are very crafty!
I hang these in our doorways, in windows, and all over. They remain up until a little after Mabon,
and are hidden away at Samhain. I place them on our Yule tree as a prayer for plenty in the coming
year, and then at Imbolc they are hung out on our trees - so that the Mother may return (and feed
her very hungry little ones at this time of year).
If you have children wanting to do this with you, you might want to have LOTS of wheat on hand.
(Alas, even my grandchildren are grown so this Crone does all the work herself. Of course with the
help of my furbabies who like to chew them up and spread them around the room.) Kids really get
into making things to be displayed. And while you are braiding away, what better time to talk about
the cycles of seed and grain and fruit- as well as the eternal return.
Things to do during this Sabbat:
Regrets: Think of the things you meant to do this summer or this year that are not coming to fruition.
You can project your regrets onto natural objects like pine cones and throw them into the fire,
releasing them. Or you can write them on dried corn husks or on a piece of paper and burn them.
Farewells: What is passing from your life? What is over? Say goodbye to it. As with regrets, you can
find visual symbols and throw them into the fire, the lake or the ocean. You can also bury them in the
ground, perhaps in the form of bulbs which will manifest in a new form in spring.
Harvest: What have you harvested this year? What seeds have you planted that are sprouting? Find a
visual way to represent these, perhaps creating a decoration in your house or on your altar which
represents the harvest to you. Look for classes in your area where you can learn to weave wheat into
wall pieces. These were made by early grain farmers as a resting place for the harvest spirits.
Preserves: This is also a good time for making preserves, either literally or symbolically. As you turn
the summer's fruit into jams, jellies and chutneys for winter, think about the fruits that you have
gathered this year and how you can hold onto them. How can you keep them sweet in the store of
your memory?
Wheat Weaving
by: Diane Balsamo
A powerful symbol of the Lord of the Grain and the Corn Mother can be found in Wheat Weaving.
These wonderful, natural works of art were often woven by farmers as a prayer for plenty and
blessings, and hung upon doorways, barns and so forth. They have always fascinated me as I try to
visualize the process. Regretfully I have never quite been able to master the technique for the
elaborate ones. A simple, meaningful symbol can, however, be made by anyone who can braid.
What you will need (per weaving) :
3 stalks of wheat or rye or spelt ( if you do not have access to a farm, check out one of the big craft
stores in the floral department)
A piece of ribbon or yarn (maybe green for prosperity)
First, you will need to soak your wheat stalks in water to make them supple. I have found the best
soaking place to be the bath tub. Soak the stalks for about 20 minutes, and then begin to work.
Starting at the grain head, simply braid until you have reached the end. Then tie this off with the
yarn, and bend the finished end to meet the grain heads (forming a loop). Tie these together, and
finish off with a bow tied up from the ribbon or yarn. Simple- and looks like you are very crafty!
I hang these in our doorways, in windows, and all over. They remain up until a little after Mabon,
and are hidden away at Samhain. I place them on our Yule tree as a prayer for plenty in the coming
year, and then at Imbolc they are hung out on our trees - so that the Mother may return (and feed
her very hungry little ones at this time of year).
If you have children wanting to do this with you, you might want to have LOTS of wheat on hand.
(Alas, even my grandchildren are grown so this Crone does all the work herself. Of course with the
help of my furbabies who like to chew them up and spread them around the room.) Kids really get
into making things to be displayed. And while you are braiding away, what better time to talk about
the cycles of seed and grain and fruit- as well as the eternal return.
| This site was established in 2005 and is created with Yahoo! Sitebuilder (2.6-J). Content and Publication is the sole responsibility of Odess Moondragon HP, the Witch of Witchita! Nothing herein is copyrighted and content is free to be downloaded without charge or limitation and does not require acknowledgement or credit of any kind. Everything on this site has been taken from the internet, books, magazines, my imagination and inspiration from the Goddess. If you are owner of any content and can prove copyright, contact me and I will remove it from my site, but you have to have proof of ownership. All information contained within this site is purely for fun and amusement and any rituals or spells you decide to try are at your own risk for the outcome. By entering this site you are agreeing that I will not be held responsible for any magickal backlashes you create in your practice of magick. Last updated 9-9-08. BLESSED BE! |
