The Origin of Thanksgiving

 

 

Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is as pagan as they come.  Read on.  If we are going to observe holidays, national or otherwise, it would be well to make sure that they have a pure origin.  If we wish to honor the Creator then we need to make sure that we do not create our own ways of doing so.  Are you interested in learning the historical facts about Thanksgiving?  Let’s not assume that we have no need for further enlightenment or no need to advance beyond our present condition.  
When we first began observing the Creators feasts (appointed times), it was easy to see the pagan underpinnings of Easter, Halloween and Christmas.  We figured that our National holidays (July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, etc.) were all safe.  Were we ever wrong!  After learning the truth behind Thanksgiving, it too has been jettisoned along with the other pagan holidays.  The following information is an excerpt from a chapter in an up-and-coming book of our friend, Catherine Sinclair.   
Thanksgiving for the annual harvest is one of the oldest holidays known to man though celebrated on different dates.  The Chinese and Hindus are said to have celebrated harvest feasts thousands of years ago.  The Israelites were instructed to keep the feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth) a celebration, a holy convocation that was to last eight days.  The Old Testament is replete with commands to gather harvest and rejoice.  The most well known are found in Deut. 16:14 and Lev. 23:10. 
The ancient Greek harvest festival was called Thesmophora and celebrated Demeter, the founder and goddess of the harvests.  The symbols of Demeter were poppies and ears of corn, a basket of fruit and a little pig.  The Roman goddess of the harvest, Ceres (from whom we get our word cereal) had a festival, which occurred on October 4th and was called the Cerelia.

This is the shops most famous witch

 

 

Happy Halloween!

 

from

 

 

Kim and Della

October Correspondences

 

1. Stone:  Opal, Tourmaline
2. Animal:  Crow or Raven, Dove
3. Flower:  Calendula (Marigold)
4. Ruling planet:  Venus

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   

October

Have you ever thought about Halloween from a ghost's perspective? From skeptical and sometimes hostile nonbelievers to holiday industries that profit through sensationalism, the weirdness factor of Halloween when viewed from a Witch's perspective is likely similar to the experience of our wandering ghost friends, as well.  Just look at the popular-disembodied souls on display like captive monkeys at the zoo. Consider also the abundance of Halloween events in which a "genuine," green-faced, warty-nosed Witch puts in an appearance as if she's a Santa Claus, the star of the hour.

 

This state of affairs isn't necessary something to fret about-one can expect a bit of weirdness to ensue whenever ignorance and fear are in the mix. In a way, ill-conceived popular notions about ghosts and Witches serve us. We're remind of the fact that Witches serve us. We're reminded of the fact that Witches and spirits are meant to walk hand in hand, as ambassadors for the living and the dead, and as friends.  As Witches, we're sensitive to the spirits. We're aware of them and we're able to connect with them. We're able to remain calm and coolheaded instead of running away in fright.

 

These abilities give us a duty to be there for our spirit friends when they need us.  If it's indeed true that the dead wander in great numbers on Halloween night, then there are definitely going to be plenty of ghosts out there that could use a helping hand, whether it's in the form of communicating 

 a message to or from a loved one, or finding liberation from spiritually hindering earthly bonds. Why not use your special statue as a spirit liaison to make this Samhain a night to remember? Here's a magickal formula to try:

 

Helping Hand Powder

 

 

3 parts marigold blossoms, dried and crushed

2 parts white sage, dried and crushed

1 part graveyard dirt taken from around the roots of a large tree

 

Mix this blend on Halloween night in the proximity of a graveyard or haunted dwelling.  Place a round mirror in the bottom of a bowl.  Light a candle and hold the bowl so that the flame is reflected in the mirror.  With your wand, trace a circle around the bowl, making thirteen complete rotations.  As you do so, chant:

 

Life has gone out, flame of spirit burns bright,

All can shine on this Samhain night.

Spirits around, come play, if you can,

Come dance through this mirror I hold in my hand.

 

 

Next, put the herbs and the dirt in the bowl on top of the mirror.  Using your fingertips, crush the mixture into a finely textured powder.  As you do so, chant:

 

 

Magickal marigold, sage, and earth,

Embody the dead and give them birth.

By the light of the Moon, I charge this powder

To invite the ghosts and lend them my power.

 

Rub the powder on your palms or face, then hold out a friendly hand to welcome any wandering ghosts to join you.  This powder attracts the attention of spirits and helps facilitate cooperative interactions between the living and the dead.

-Melanie Marquis