The Use Of Hornets And Wasps In Witchcraft

It’s SO obvious that some of y’all are incredibly mad that my wizard hat is bigger and supremely balanced.

things i love about bees part 2:

🐝 when they groom each other AGH my heart💖💖💖💖

🐝 the lil bouncers that make sure ur not a robber bee from a different hive before ur allowed to go back inside

🐝 the surprising frequency of which they land on each other or summersault or trip when they land on the entrance of the hive

🐝 how stubborn they are trying to build comb where they’re not supposed to, even when we provide them comb to draw out

🐝 how sweet my bees are, we’ve had them for like two years and only one has ever even tried to sting me

🐝 even when my dad and i helped move africanized bees out of their makeshift hive and into a box they didn’t sting us

🐝 they actually gathered in huuuge clumps on us, they all loved my dad especially, but still didn’t sting us

🐝 how confused they get if you move their hive like. five feet away. it takes like half an hour for them to stop looking for their hive in the crack in a wall and turn around to see we just moved it

🐝 how they look when they fly in clouds. i wish i could run my hand through and scoop them all up

🐝 the way queens measure the cells with their legs to figure out which egg to lay

🐝 the fact that she can lay either gender egg at will that’s wild !! her reproductive system is incredible !!

🐝 getting to see the queen during an inspection

🐝 when you break off brace or burr comb between boxes of the hive and suddenly every single bee is there to clean it up

🐝 when you notice a bee on the sidewalk and get to move her somewhere safe or warm her up so she can go back home

🐝 different colors of bees !! i saw a bee in my hive that was so dark she hardly had stripes at all, it was crazy !!!

🐝 when they have that bright orange pollen that looks like cheeto dust

🐝 bee space in the comb where they crawl through, it’s so cute to think of them having little hallways

🐝 their👏honey👏is👏to👏die👏for👏

🐝 how beekeepers talk about their africanized hives as “hot hives” so it’s not such a trigger word, it’s kinda affectionate

🐝 selfless beekeeping where absolutely anyone will pick up africanized bees that moved in near your house, just to keep them from being exterminated (and then the beekeeper requeens them and turns them “domesticated” !!)

🐝 how well they manage their temperatures not only for brood but for the honey, as well

🐝 how dramatic the fight between two queens in one hive is, it’s extremely extra

🐝 one time i saw a camo beekeeping suit online and a question on the listing was “how do the bees like the camo?”. the response was “it put the fear of god in them”.

🐝 how bees know when to bail (i’ve had one attacked by bears and one almost down to colony collapse disorder and they both bailed to preserve themselves)

🐝 bees even know when to take breaks !! they’re programmed to be as efficient as possible and that includes breaks !!!!! they wander around the hive chillin because otherwise you would work yourself to death ! take that, overwork-centric american culture !!

🐝 ultimate structure for comb !! most efficient with least wax !

🐝 as a keeper, figuring out what a good brood pattern is and being able to recognize it

🐝 the way they make wax !!!!!!! is so weird !!!!!!!!! it’s so weird !!!!!!!!!! but it’s amazing !!!!!!

🐝 little mouth that multitasks. eat honey to save for later ? check. make hardened wax workable ? check. feed the babies ? check. bite varroa mites ? check.

🐝 someone’s working on breeding bees that are not only more resistant to varroa, but that have higher and higher tendencies to bite and kill them !!!!! that’s so good and exciting !!!!!!

🐝 when i finally got the hang of the perfect structure for the smoker !! (the secret is the berries/pine needles in the bottom, then some newspaper, then more berries over that, and you light the newspaper

🐝 seeing any bee any time at all. i can have the worst day ever but if i saw a bee at least it wasn’t a total loss !!

🐝 i love how sweet most bees are. even when they’re confused or scared i’ve scooped them up and helped them somewhere safe and they’ve never stung me for it

I’m listening to Florence Scovel Shinn’s book The Game of Life and How to Play it.

There are many lines that impact me in here, but two stood out today.

-The only enemy man has is fear

-”How can I get rid of fear?”  I reply, “By walking up to the thing you are afraid of. The lion takes it’s fierceness from your fear. Walk up to the lion, and he will disappear. Run away and he runs after you.”

Idk about y’all but I sure needed to hear that.  

I didnt dedicate a journal, but I would write "dear _" letters at the start of my encounters. Id like to do so again, I might take this idea up.

🌙 deity devotion journals

if you’re anything like me, the desire to meet and communicate with a new deity might be stunted by the idea of actually, ya know, communicating. whatever the reason (you don’t use divination, cant speak aloud, are afraid of being overheard, can’t meditate easily, etc.), initiating contact with deities can seem intimidating, and might even deter you from following the god or pantheon at all. but rest assured, there are easier and more discreet methods of talking, other than whipping out a dozen tarot decks and chanting pagan prayers

💫Why a Devotional Journal? What Is It?

devotional journals are journals dedicated to a specific deity or pantheon, where you can write messages, prayers, questions, or anything else you’d like to speak with Them about. i like to think of these journals like writing letters to a good friend- except your good friend is also a god!

☀️Beginning a Devotional Journal

depending on personal preference, this can be as intricate or as simple as you please. if you feel inclined to introduce yourself, explain what you’re doing or why you’re keeping a journal, or anything else, then feel free to! when i started mine i kept it as easy as writing “dear Apollo,” in a composition notebook, then explained my reasons and goals for keeping a journal specifically for Him. so honestly? go wild

⚡️What To Put in a Devotional Journal

prayers

Their name written in its orignal language

stories about your day

your relationship goals

tarot spreads for/to Them

song lyrics

poetry

hymns

Their family tree

things like the delphic maxims (hellenic) or 10 commandments (christian)

pressed flowers

printed pictures of what They look like to you

artwork

a list of things you associate with Them

gratitudes

what your altar to Them looks like (or what you wish it could look like)

messages you’ve received from Them

devotional acts

sigils/runes/etc

Their symbols

Their myths and lore

offering ideas

Their sacred animals, plants, cities, etc

famous works about Them

if you can think of anything else to put in a devotion journal, please feel free to add on! no matter how crazily beautiful or inconspicuously simple you make yours, the important thing to remember is your gods appreciate all efforts to strengthen your relationship with Them

-Mason Lane

Wheel of The Year ✧ Yule (December 20th-23rd) ✧ General meanings: winter solstice, new beginnings, rebirth Crystals - Bloodstone, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Ruby, Garnet, Diamond Animals - Bear, Boar, Deer, Eagle, Owl, Tiger, Wren Herbs - Chamomile, Ivy, Mistletoe, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Cedar, Cinnamon, Cloves, Frankincense, Juniper, Myrrh, Orange Deities - Odin, Ra, Isis, Brighid, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, Mithra, Lugh ✧Imbolc (February 2nd✧ General meanings: candlemas, hearth, and home Crystals - Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Onyx, Ruby, Turquoise Animals - Burrowing Animals, Bear, Deer, Groundhog, Lamb, Sheep Herbs - Acorns, Angelica, Basil, Bay, Blackberry, Chamomile, Crocus, Jasmine, Lavender, Rosemary Colors - Green, Brown, Red, White, Pink, Yellow Deities - Brigid, Triple Goddess, Eros, Osiris, Pan, Herne, Aradia, Athena ✧Ostara (March 20th-23rd)✧ General meanings: spring equinox, renewal and duality Crystals - Amethyst, Aquamarine, Clear Quartz, Agate, Jasper, Moonstone, Rose Quartz Animals - Butterfly, Chick, Rabbit, Lamb, Robin, Worm Herbs - Clover, Daffodil, Honeysuckle, Iris, Jasmine, Lemon Balm, Lilac, Lilies, Mint, Peonies, Tulips, Sandalwood, Tangerine, Ylang-Ylang, Geranium Colors - Pastels, Gold, Light Green, Blue, Pink, Yellow Deities - Eostre, Astarte, Aurora, Kore, Osiris, Dionysus, Ares, Adonis, Venus, Aphrodite, and Narcissus ✧Beltane (May 1st)✧ General meanings: may day, love, and fertility Crystals - Emerald, Garnet, Malachite, Rose Quartz, Tourmaline Animals - Bee, Cat, Cattle, Dove, Frog, Goat, Leopard, Rabbit, Swallow, Swan Herbs - Coriander, Crocus, Curry, Daffodil, Dandelion, Dragon’s Blood, Fern, Flaxseed, Hawthorn, Nettle, Paprika, Primrose, Snapdragon, Peach, Rose, Vanilla Colors - Bright Greens and Blues, Purples, Yellow and Red Deities - Bel, Pan, Maeve, Tanit, Flora, Gaia, Danu, Herne, Aphrodite, Artemis, Brigid, and Diana ✧Litha (20th-23rd)✧ General meanings: summer solstice, warmth, and the sun Crystals - Amber, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Tiger’s Eye Animals - Bee, Butterfly, Cattle, Horse, Robin, Sea Creatures, Snake, Bird Herbs - Basil, Calendula, Chamomile, Heather, Heather, Mugwort, Wild Thyme, Peony, Roses, Daisy, Sunflower, St. John’s Wort, Cedar, Clove, Lavender, Mint, Pine, Sage Colors - Blue, Gold, Red, White, Yellow, and Green Deities - Aphrodite, Astarte, Freya, Hathor, Ishtar, Venus, Athena, Artemis, Dana Kali, Isis, Juno, Apollo, Helios, Ra, Sol, Zeus, Prometheus, and Ares ✧Lammas (August 1st)✧ General meanings: first harvest, abundance, and gratefulness Crystals - Citrine, Golden Topaz, Lodestone, Moss Agate, Obsidian, Peridot, Aventurine Animals - Calf, Pig, Rooster, Salmon, Crow Herbs - Apple Leaf, Basil, Clover, Goldenrod, Heather, Ivy, Marigold, Peony, Poppy, Rose, Rosemary, Vervain, Sunflower, Sandalwood, Frankincense Colors - Bronze, Green, Gold, Light Brown, Orange, and Yellow Deities - Lugh, Demeter, Ceres, Corn Mother, and John Barleycorn ✧Mabon (September 20th-23rd)✧ General meanings: autumn equinox, feast, and bounty Crystals - Amber, Citrine, Cat’s Eye, Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire, Yellow Agate Animals - Eagle, Blackbird, Owl, Salmon, Stag, Wild Goose, Wolf Herbs - Bittersweet, Chamomile, Marigold, Rue, Sage, Yarrow, Cinnamon, Myrrh, Frankincense Colors - Brown, Gold, Orange, Red, Yellow, and Green Deities - Mabon, Inanna, Demeter, Persephone, and The Horned God ✧Samhain (October 31st)✧ General meanings: new year, spirit, and potential Crystals - Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Jet, Obsidian, Onyx, Smokey Quartz Animals - Bat, Black Cat, Cat, Owl, Raven, Crow Herbs - Allspice, Calendula, Chrysanthemum, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Mint, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Sage, Thistle, Wormwood, Hazel, Benzoin, Sweetgrass Colors - Black, Gold, Orange, Purple, White, and Silver Deities - Crone Goddesses, Hekate, Hel, Lilith, Kali, Ishtar, Arianrhod, Rhiannon, Persephone, Baba Yaga, and Isis

The Moon; Showing Love/Needing Love

 The Moon is a vital component to our personalities. It can show us how we go about showing love for others (and ourselves) and in what aspects we need love. Within the birth chart, positive interchanges between the Moon and personal planets can demonstrate a healthy and developed Moon sign; this is especially true with positive interchanges to Venus. These individuals hold special value in showing love and comfort for others and themselves. We can see a similar outcome in synastry charts when one individual’s Moon has positive interchanges with the other person’s Sun, Moon, or Venus. A positive interchange between one person’s Sun and another person’s Moon demonstrates the most natural compatibility two people could have. These relationships often have the most ease because one individual’s core or character (Sun) aids and uplifts the other’s needs (Moon). Similarly, compatibility between two Moons represents ease in a relationship as two people share like-minded needs; Positive Moon and Venus interchanges in synastry demonstrate ease in understanding and fulfilling another person’s needs.

Aries Moon

How they show love: An Aries’ innate curiosity is their not-so-subtle way of demonstrating love. Aries will go out of their way to spend time with the people they love and actively display interest in them. They can be very passionate and excitable around those they love, like every friend or loved one is another log in their firepit. Aries can also frustratingly push for activity with their loved ones, such as new experiences. They are very impatient and forceful towards the people they care about, but it is simply because they’d love to see them on the same level of hype as they are. Aries’ also demonstrate their love by confidence boosting or role modeling their energy.

What they need: Aries really need patience from others to feel loved and understood; they know they can be frustrating, but they will appreciate those who bare with them. They also really need someone to match their energy or someone to validate their energy; someone to riot with, or someone who is willing to understand their riot. Calming an Aries storm is a plus in their world too.

Taurus Moon

How they show love: A Taurus’ love language tend to fall in line with physical touch and specific acts of service. While physical touch is more obvious (hugs, kisses, cuddles, etc.), acts of service tends to play out in a very background kind of way. Taurus Moon individual’s can quietly carry an entire family’s burden on their backs and be a sanctuary of security and comfort. All who they love the dearest is their babies in their mind. They go out of their way to nurture the emotional well-being of others. In their network of love, they work the hardest and serve their own plate last.

What they need: Physical touch and outlets to relax. The fixed signs, such as Taurus, are guilty of holding onto emotional tension which then turns into physical tension. They need to be shown that they too can be cradled into someone’s arms and melt away. Taurus love massages, dedicated time to rest, and having some of the workload taken off of them. Good food doesn’t hurt also!

Gemini Moon

How they show love: Geminis are the spending quality time type. They can ease away tensions and anxieties with their ability to distract. Gemini Moons have an abundant presence, so while they can lead conversations, they can also direct comfortable silences too. They are great at reading the room and they are perceptive of the technicalities of others needs. With their cooled approach, they will rationalize and come up with creative ways to aid these needs. Their mental toolbox is chalked-full of ideas; “maybe you need to look at it from this perspective,” “I have just the movie for this,” “let’s go for a walk and talk it out!”

What they need: Their chilled exterior can often hide lots of inner anxieties. They really need someone to listen to their tangents. They also really need someone to tell them not to over rationalize their feelings, “you’re just feeling like this, there doesn’t need to be a because, and that’s okay.” They need people to spend their abundant, emotional energies with; vent about it, joke about it, etc.

Cancer Moon

How they show love: Cancers are very protective of their emotional world, so opening that world up to someone is their way of demonstrating love. Emotional vulnerability portrays their deepest act of sincerity. A Cancer’s innate mothering qualities is another way they demonstrate love. They want to create security for their loved ones as well as encourage personal growth. They reassure loved ones directly that their love is unconditional and uncircumstantial. Cancers are very sentimental about physical togetherness, so quality face-to-face time is an important aspect to how they show love.

What they need: Cancers need that natural nurturing quality returned. As much as they want to create security and comfort for their loved ones, they too need others to shield for them. Cancers need to be shown that they are safe; one can do this by dedicating time spent with a Cancer, perhaps inviting them over to your home or spending time at home in a familiar environment. 

Leo Moon

How they show love: Leos are known for praise and thoughtfulness. Leos like showing love through acknowledging others accomplishments that have been forgotten or overlooked. Leos are great at figuring out what is important to others and demonstrating praise, approval, and confidence building language. Leos can also be very thoughtful; they aren’t the “gift-giving” type, though when they find things that remind them of their dearest companions and loved ones, they will go out of their way to give gifts with special meaning. Similar to how a cat chooses whose lap to curl up in, Leos also show love by making one feel “chosen.”

What they need: Leos need verbal and physical praise. Leos find themselves in situations of self-doubt when without reminders of affirmation. Compliments, advice, pats on the back, and encouragement are a few ways to demonstrate affirmation. When in doubt though, a long hug goes a long way with Leos. 

Virgo Moon

How they show love: Virgos choose their words carefully and eloquently and this is how we can acknowledge their way of showing love. Though they are not one of the outright expressive Moon signs such as Cancer, they’ll know exactly what to say or write to make someone feel loved. Though cliché for a Virgo, acts of service is also their way of demonstrating care. They don’t mind doing the small things just to make someone’s life a little easier. Virgos also love leaving things better than when they first found them; physical improvements equate to mental improvements. Virgos also have a tendency of checking in with their loved ones; “have you eaten the right food today?,” “a shower might make you feel better,” “did you get enough fresh air today?,” etc.

What they need: Virgos need acknowledgement that they are doing enough. There is a major tendency towards inadequacy and guilt when they feel like they aren’t doing the right things or enough things. Virgos need reminders of what they’ve accomplished and improvements they’ve made thus far. Remedy their nerves with tea and quality time; nothing can make a Virgo feel more loved than showing them life can be simple.

Libra Moon

How they show love: Libras really set aside their own emotional needs for others; they would much rather please others than have to deal with their emotional world. They graciously give and bend their energy to their loved ones to promote harmony and contentment in their lives; “how can I make them feel comfortable?,” “how can I make them feel wanted?,” how can I make them feel luxurious?” They can be zealous in their efforts to beautify the world around their loved ones. Libras are absolutely the gift-giving type and they don’t need an occasion for it either. They enjoy surprising their loved ones and spoiling them when they can. 

What they need: Libras need to see gratitude for their efforts. Libra Moons live in an emotional world best described as “I don’t know,” so words of affirmation from their loved ones is very important. They also genuinely like hearing what you want from them as they are eager to please. Give Libras decisiveness and they will feel loved. 

Scorpio Moon

How they show love: A Scorpio demonstrates love with extreme obviousness and intensity. Their love is the smothering kind. Since Scorpios like control over their emotional world, the love they give, and the love they recieve, they use many modes of love languages. Physical and emotional intensity are the most obvious. They have an aggressive neediness for their loved ones; if they need you, they won’t beat around the bush about it, they will go and get you. Scorpios demonstrate the peak of their love when they reveal secrets and create or bond over a secret with another. 

What they need: Scorpios really need vulnerability from others. A lot of that “control-freak” persona Scorpio holds is from fear. By actively creating an environment of trust for them, they will feel loved and like they have a special bond. Scorpios really need emotional intimacy. Scorpios can also feel loved by others who give them a sense of purpose. 

Sagittarius Moon

How they show love: Sagittarius’ best demonstrate love through offering experiences. New experiences, trips, and special outings are a few ways Sagis’ try to ignite the light in another’s eyes. They acknowledge the special bonds formed through experiences or shared learnings. Sagittarius’ will go out of there way to place that booking, whether it be a concert, a campsite, hotel, or a niche workshop. Don’t feel like leaving the house? Sagis’ can get pretty creative around the house too; crafting, new recipes to try, documentaries to stream, new hobbies to take up. Honestly, don’t even be surprised if your Sagittarius brings home a tattoo gun one day. Sagittarius’ love through excitement.

What they need: Sagittarius’ really need mutual excitement and enthusiasm. They find comfort in those who truly listen to their philosophies and laugh at their jokes. Sagittarius’ really need to feel like they are a part of something, so family-like networks are also very important to their well-being despite being considered one of the more “flighty” or independent signs. An ear from many can make a Sagi’ feel truly loved.

Capricorn Moon

How they show love: Capricorns are not always direct in expressing love, but you can really tell one loves you when you are including in their life plans and goals. Capricorns have an innate need to control, so they often express love through being a providing or protective figure in their loved one’s lives. They provide a backbone or structure to their loved ones that would be extremely noticeable if they weren’t around. Capricorns also tend to provide guidance and mentorship to demonstrate care. Capricorns can be quite stingy as well, so if one spends their money on you, it says a lot!

What they need: They need people who can show them the more direct and vulnerable forms of love. They really need intense physical and emotional care; those who can introduce them to these realms of love. Saturn energy can make a person very structured and rigid so they need a good dose of warmth in their life to feel loved.

Aquarius Moon

How they show love: Without trines or sextiles, Aquarius’ showing love can be very subtle, hence why this placement is infamously known for being “unemotional.” However, Aquarius’ are fantastic lovers; they often demonstrate love through validation. Aquarius’ have a keen idea of what it’s like to be misunderstood so they’re the ones who are best at making others feel like they’re not a black sheep. They have a “being weird is okay” mentality when the focus isn’t on themselves, so if an Aquarius validates your off-beatness, it most definitely means they love you.

What they need: Aquarius’ really need validation in return for the validation they’re known for giving. Relatability is one way of demonstrating validity. Similar to Taurus and the other Fixed signs, their emotional tension leads to physical crystallization. Creating outlets to release their emotional tension as well as physical touch to aid the built-up tension are two of Aquarius’ biggest needs.

Pisces Moon

How they show love: Pisces have a large capacity to love and they demonstrate this through empathy and their fully immersed listening. They want to help their loved ones through giving advice, relating, or just lending their ear. Pisces are sensitive and openly vulnerable about how they are feelings and this is in hopes that others will relate and connect to them through this. Pisces are always the ones to step into the uncharted territories of the emotional world, leading others behind them; comforting, helping, teaching. 

What they need: Pisces really need guidance and clarity. They feel loved when someone is guiding them and giving them definitive truth to how they are feeling. Pisces can often get mixed up about their own feelings, so the ones who really look out for them, Pisces will remember and cherish. Those who show a willingness to connect also make Pisces feel loved; Pisces would absolutely be enthralled by a nap buddy or meditation partner.

War Water

What is it?

War Water is a particularly powerful bit of magic stemming from American witchcraft traditions in the South. Contrary to popular belief, war water is not rooted in Hoodoo but in European-influenced folk magic practices. Due to this, debates about which is the most “authentic” recipe for war water are unproductive. Folk magic practices in the early parts of white American history were not well documented and the specifics of these practices were likely kept within close-knit family circles. The result is that spells such as this one have always had quite a bit of variation. This lack of homogenization leaves us with many traditional recipes for spells such as war water and most of them do contain the grain of authenticity that many modern witches crave in their practice.

Tools and Ingredients

2 large glass jars, preferably with glass lids and rubber gaskets.

Distilled white vinegar

Salt, roughly 1/2 of a cup

A railroad spike or iron nails

A carbon steel hunting knife, stripped of its furniture (handles, etc)

Water

Process

Charge each item individually with intent.

Place the iron in one jar. Fill it with water and set it to the side. If the iron already shows signs of rusting that can speed up the process.

Heat the vinegar to just about boiling. Add salt and dissolve.

Stir it clockwise with the knife.

It helps to let this breathe for at least the first 24-48 hours, and then to give them a day or two of air every now and then after. When rust starts to form and tinge the water, give the jars careful swirls just to keep the rust suspended in the water and new oxide layers forming constantly.

Eventually, your railroad spike water will turn muddy looking and the knife-vinegar solution will turn almost black and you will see little flakes of metal swimming around in there if you look closely.

After a year or so you will have some pretty good product and then you can combine the two liquids, refill the jars, and start another batch.

Now, to finish it off, you can add any number of ingredients to augment its power. Black and red pepper, mustard or poppy seeds, devil's snuff, or gunpowder are some examples. The best thing, however, is your own urine.

Tips, Tricks, and Uses

You want to make sure to have a glass lid on this one or to change lids often because this stuff WILL eat through a regular Mason jar lid in no time War Water is often used to place a curse. War Water is a traditional and allegedly potent weapon during psychic warfare and witch wars. It can be used to reverse a curse and send it back to where it came from. War Water is not intended for consumption, rusted nails should be handled with care. These are simple standard recipes, they can be personalized and adapted as necessary to give the water more kick. Should mold or bacteria ever form, discard everything, including the jar, and start again from scratch.

Mental & Emotional Health Protection Spell Jar

D’you ever get those days where enough is ENOUGH and you just have to spell jar the shit out of a protection spell (shuddup that totally makes sense)? Well, that was how I felt his morning.

This here is actually my first spell jar, one to protect my mental and emotional health.

My method and ingredients are mainly based off this protection spell bottle by @greekwitchchild​ with a couple of minor changes.

I don’t have oak leaves to hand, so I used chamomile flowers in their place for protection, peace and happiness.

Instead of writing my sigil on a piece of paper, I wrote it on the bay leaf I used in the jar. Full disclosure - the leaf was brittle and did crumble a bit as I inserted it. So, on the fly, I added though the sigil be broken, my intent remains whole into my “spell” (saying out loud the purpose of each ingredient as I added it to the jar).

The partially burned candle and jasmine incense stick were left from a circle casting I did while meditating a couple of days of ago. So I used them again to cast my circle and purify my space while I worked.

I shall be carrying this little beauty with me as I visit my boyfriend for the next 7 days or so. Negativity can fuck right off <3

Timing: Sabbats

Yuletide:

Beverages: Ale, Eggnog, Spiced Ginger, & Wine. Creatures: Donkey, Doves, Goats, Robins, & Turkey. Deities: Artemis, Brigid, Holly King, Morrigan, & Odin. Flowers: Chamomile, Comfrey, Fir, Holly, & Mistletoe. Herbs: Cinnamon, Frankincense, Myrrh, & Sandalwood. Minerals: Diamond, Garnet, Gold, Pearls, Quartz, & Ruby. Nutrients: Berries, Fruits, Nuts, Pastries, & Poultry. Practices: Hanged Yule Balls, Yule Tree, & Yule Log. Saplings: Birch, Evergreen, Oak, Pine, & Yew. Shades: Gold, Red, Green, Silver, Yellow, & White. Symbols: Candles, Holly, Mistletoe, & Yule-Logs. Timing: December Twenty First till January First.

Imbolc:

Beverages: Cream, Herbal Teas, Milk, & Spiced Wines. Creatures: Cattle, Dragons, Lambs, Phoenix, & Sheep. Deities: Aphrodite, Bastet, Brigid, & Cerridwen. Flowers: Carnation, Chamomile, Iris, Pansy, & Poppy. Herbs: Angelica, Basil, Bay-laurel, Heather, & Myrrh. Minerals: Amethyst, Calcite, Carnelian, & Malachite. Nutrients: Grain, Poppy, Raisins, Seeds, & Tomatoes. Practices: Making Brigid’s Cross or Doll & Feasts. Saplings: Birch, Blackthorn, Rowan, and Sycamore. Shades: Browns, Greens, Whites, and Yellows. Symbols: Candles, Brideogs, Brigid’s Cross, Bonfires. Timing: First through the Second of February.

Ostara:

Beverages: Eggnog, Juices, Lemonade, & Wines. Creatures: Chicks, Dragons, Lambs, Rabbits, & Robins. Deities: Demeter, Eostre, Persephone, & Prosperina. Flowers: Daffodils, Honeysuckle, Lilacs, & Tansies. Herbs: Lavender, Marjoram, Meadowsweet, & Wheat. Minerals: Amazonite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, & Rose Quartz. Nutrients: Beans, Eggs, Grain, Ham, Nuts, & Seeds. Practices: Bake, Cleanse, Feast, Forage, & Manifest. Saplings: Acorn, Dogwood, Elder, Olive, Pine, & Willow. Shades: Pastel Blues, Greens, Pinks, Purples, & Yellows. Symbols: Butterflies, Chicks, Clovers, Eggs, & Hares. Timing: The First and Second of March.

Beltaine:

Beverages: Ales, Honeyed Teas, May Wine, & Meads. Creatures: Bees, Doves, Hares, Lambs, Swallows, & Swans. Deities: Apollo, Bacchus, Cernunnos, Freya, & Odin. Flowers: Daffodils, Lilacs, Lilly of the Valley, & Violets. Herbs: Honeysuckle, Lavender, Meadowsweet, & Mint. Minerals: Bloodstone, Emerald, Rose Quartz, & Sapphire. Nutrients: Aphrodisiacs, Grains, Honey-Cakes, & Poultry. Practices: Bonfires, Visiting Holy Wells, & the May-Pole Ritual. Saplings: Hawthorn, Holly, Rowan, and Sycamore. Shades: Pastel Blues, Greens, Pinks, Whites, & Yellows. Symbols: Bonfires, Faeries, Garlands, Maypoles, & Rabbits. Timing: The First Day through the Second Of May.

Litha:

Beverages: Juices, Lemonade, Nectars, & Sun-Tea. Creatures: Cattle, Eagles, Hares, Hawks, & Horses. Deities: Demeter, Freya, Juno, Lugh, Ra, & Vesta. Flowers: Calendulas, Lavender, Roses, & Sunflowers. Herbs: Meadowsweet, Mint, Mugwort, & Yarrow. Minerals: Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, & Tigers Eye. Nutrients: Apricots, Grapefruit, Lemons, & Oranges. Practices: Baking, Bonfires, Foraging, & Picnics. Saplings: Fir, Elder, Holly, Laurel, Oak, & Rowan. Shades: Browns, Gold, Oranges, Reds, and Yellows. Symbols: Bonfires, The Fae, Oak Trees, & The Sun. Timing: June Nineteenth through the Twenty-Third.

Lughnasadh:

Beverages: Ciders, Meads, Sun-Tea, & Sun-Water. Creatures: Boars, Calves, Corvids, & Roosters. Deities: Ceres, Cernunnos, Cerriddwen, & Lugh. Flowers: Acacia, Honeysuckle, Myrtle, & Sunflower. Herbs: Frankincense, Myrrh, Sandalwood, & Wheat. Minerals: Amber, Carnelian, Citrine, & Tiger’s Eye. Nutrients: Berries, Breads, Corn, Grains, & Poultry. Practices: Baking, Bonfires, Gardening, & Harvesting. Saplings: Apple, Hawthorn, Heather, Myrtle, and Oak. Shades: Bronze, Gold, Oranges, Reds, & Yellows. Symbols: Bonfires, Cornhusks, Cornucopias, & The Sun. Timing: The First of Every August or February annually.

Mabon:

Beverages: Apple Cider, Ginger Tea, or Mulled Wine. Creatures: Blackbirds, Deer, Owls, Salmon, & Wolves. Deities: Cernunnos, Demeter, Persephone, & The Morrigan. Flowers: Chamomile, Marigolds, Rosehips, & Sunflowers. Herbs: Cinnamon, Frankincense, Ginger, Sage, & Thistle. Minerals: Amber, Citrine, Jasper, Obsidian, & Tiger’s Eye. Nutrients: Corn, Gourds, Grains, Pumpkins, & Squash. Practices: Apple Picking, Bonfires, & Dumb Suppers. Saplings: Aspen, Cedar, Maple, Oak, Pine, & Rue. Shades: Browns, Copper, Oranges, Reds, & Yellows. Symbols: Cornucopia, Leaves, Pinecones, & Seeds. Timing: The annual occurrence of the Autumnal Equinox.

Samhain:

Beverages: Apple Cider, Cranberry Juice, & Mulled Wine. Creatures: Bats, Cattle, Crows, Felines, & Ravens. Deities: Hades, Hecate, Hel, The Morrigan, & Rhiannon. Flowers: Chamomile, Marigolds, Rosehips, & Sunflowers. Herbs: Cinnamon, Frankincense, Mugwort, & Valerian. Minerals: Amber, Citrine, Jasper, Obsidian, & Tiger’s Eye. Nutrients: Gourds, Grains, Pumpkins, Poultry, & Squash. Practices: Apple Picking, Bonfires, & Dumb Suppers. Saplings: Aspen, Cedar, Maple, Oak, Pine, & Rue. Shades: Blacks, Browns, Oranges, Purples, & Reds. Symbols: Bats, Coffins , Jack o’ Lanterns, & Ghosts. Timing: October Thirty First.

Iron sword, Scythian, 600-400 BC

from Apollo Galleries