Each of the Sabbats hold a festive feel for me. The two most sacred to me are Samhain and Beltaine.
Samhain is my most favorite of the Sabbats. I love the colors (those brilliant fall colors), the smells (cinnamon, pumpkin pie), the laughter of the children (and the adults too) dressing up in costume, and all the decorations (both fun and scary). But I also hold it sacred and honor my ancestors. We take a time to reflect on those recently deceased and to remember those who have been gone some time. We also start prepping for the winter and our time of "hibernation". We hold public ritual for the community and look forward to the fellowship with other Pagans in the community. At this time we raise funds for a charity we have selected for the season. This year it is Operation Circle Care.
Imbolc is fairly low key and I look to taking my Yuletide decor down if I have not already. We celebrate that winter is soon to be over. We have a tradition to always have a Brigid fire. We look for the first signs of spring. Here in Ohio, it gets a little crazy. Sometimes, it looks like we are going to start to have an early spring; others winter just seems to have a hold with no sign of spring whatsoever. Workings usually focus on rebirth.
Beltaine is another favorite. We have a blast and celebrate a time of fertilizing our hopes and dreams (and yes, some on making babies). We usually have a public ritual for beltaine as well and act out the May King and May Queen rites with dance and festivities. And of course, decorating the Maypole. What a blast! Sometimes we camp overnight. We hold a raffle and raise monies for local charities to give back to the community.
Lugnassad is another time of celebration. We usually celebrate by going to the Dublin Irish Festival for the Lugnassad Rite during the Religious Services time on Sunday morning. There are several different service going on to include a Catholic Mass, Traditional Christian, and Modern Christian. There was so much work trying to get a Pagan organization into the Dublin Irish Festival that many of us go regardless of what tradition we practice just to show our support so that we can have Pagan groups represented as far as our religion and spirituality. We take food items to donate which goes back to the community. I love the atmosphere and since I am of Celtic descent (Irish and German) and my husband is of Irish and Scottish descent, it is a way for us to celebrate our heritage.
Until next time,
Blessed Be!
Rev. Candy S. Lacey-Partlow (aka HPS RavenMoon)
Rose Oak Interfaith Ministries/Coven of the Three-Fold Path
Samhain is my most favorite of the Sabbats. I love the colors (those brilliant fall colors), the smells (cinnamon, pumpkin pie), the laughter of the children (and the adults too) dressing up in costume, and all the decorations (both fun and scary). But I also hold it sacred and honor my ancestors. We take a time to reflect on those recently deceased and to remember those who have been gone some time. We also start prepping for the winter and our time of "hibernation". We hold public ritual for the community and look forward to the fellowship with other Pagans in the community. At this time we raise funds for a charity we have selected for the season. This year it is Operation Circle Care.
Imbolc is fairly low key and I look to taking my Yuletide decor down if I have not already. We celebrate that winter is soon to be over. We have a tradition to always have a Brigid fire. We look for the first signs of spring. Here in Ohio, it gets a little crazy. Sometimes, it looks like we are going to start to have an early spring; others winter just seems to have a hold with no sign of spring whatsoever. Workings usually focus on rebirth.
Beltaine is another favorite. We have a blast and celebrate a time of fertilizing our hopes and dreams (and yes, some on making babies). We usually have a public ritual for beltaine as well and act out the May King and May Queen rites with dance and festivities. And of course, decorating the Maypole. What a blast! Sometimes we camp overnight. We hold a raffle and raise monies for local charities to give back to the community.
Lugnassad is another time of celebration. We usually celebrate by going to the Dublin Irish Festival for the Lugnassad Rite during the Religious Services time on Sunday morning. There are several different service going on to include a Catholic Mass, Traditional Christian, and Modern Christian. There was so much work trying to get a Pagan organization into the Dublin Irish Festival that many of us go regardless of what tradition we practice just to show our support so that we can have Pagan groups represented as far as our religion and spirituality. We take food items to donate which goes back to the community. I love the atmosphere and since I am of Celtic descent (Irish and German) and my husband is of Irish and Scottish descent, it is a way for us to celebrate our heritage.
Until next time,
Blessed Be!
Rev. Candy S. Lacey-Partlow (aka HPS RavenMoon)
Rose Oak Interfaith Ministries/Coven of the Three-Fold Path
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