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ToWalkPaganPath.indd1

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ToWalka

Pagan

Path

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AbouttheAuthor(tocome)

ToWalka

Pagan

Path

PracticalSpiritualityforEveryDayALARICALBERTSSON

LlewellynPublicationsWoodbury,MinnesotaToWalkaPaganPath:Practical
SpiritualityforEveryDay©2013byAlaricAlbertsson.

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybeusedorreproducedinany
mannerwhatsoever,includingInternetusage,withoutwrittenpermissionfrom

mannerwhatsoever,includingInternetusage,withoutwrittenpermissionfrom
LlewellynPublications,exceptinthecaseofbriefquotationsembodiedin
criticalarticlesandreviews.

FirstEditionFirstPrinting,2013

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Contents

Introduction...1

Chapter1:SevenStepstoaNewWayofLiving...5

Chapter2:TheSacralCalendar...37

Chapter3:DailyDevotions...61

Chapter4:FamiliarSpirits...81

Chapter5:LeafAndFruit...119

Chapter6:BarkAndBranch...145

Chapter7:TheBirdsAndTheBees...163

Chapter8:MakingFood...191

Chapter9:PaganCrafts...215

CandleMaking215

JohnBarleycorn225

SolsticeWheels230

MakingScents232

CornDolls239

Mirror,MirrorOnTheWall242

Chapter10:Yule...245

Glossary...261

Bibliography...265

Index...269

INTRODUCTION

ThisisabookaboutsomethingmostPagansaspiretodo;

itisabouthowtoexpressourspiritualityinourdailylives.

Afteryourcovenmeetingcomestoaclose,oryourgroveritualends,howdo
youcontinuetoliveasaPaganfromdaytoday?

Yearsagoanon-Paganfriendoncesaidtome,“Iknowwhyyou’realwaysso
happy,Alaric.It’salltheholidaysyouPaganshave.YouhaveChristmasallyear
long!”

Therewasakerneloftruthinthatthought.ForthemajorityofusPagans,those
whoobservetheWheeloftheYear,anotherholidaycelebrationcomes
approximatelyeverysixweeks.WebarelyhavetimetoputawaytheSpring
EquinoxdecorationsbeforewestartplanningforourBelt-anecelebrations,and
thenMidsummerandthenLammas.

Dependingonyourpathortraditionsomeoftheseholidayswillhavemore
significancethanothers,butthecelebratoryf1

f

2

1

introduction

spiritflowsthroughourliveslikeaspiralingstreamwithout

end.

Wecanfindevenmorefulfillmentbyexpandingourspiritualexpressionbeyond
theseseasonalobservancesandintoourdailylives.ButtolivefullyasaPagan
requiresintentionaleffort,andusuallyalittleplanning.Thegoodnewsisthat
therewardsfaroutweightheeffort.

ThinkofthisbookasatoolkitforbuildingaPaganlife.

Thebookprovidessometools,butthedesignofyourlifewilldependonyour
pathortradition,yourpersonalneedsandallofthemanyfactorsthathavemade
youauniqueindi-vidual.Someoftheideasyoufindhereinwillbemoreuseful
thanothers.Someyoumayeschewaltogether.

Forexample,inthebookIsuggestbeekeepingasone

meansofbuildingaconnectionwiththeearth,butthismaybeinappropriateif
youareallergictobeevenom,sufferfromentomophobia(fearofinsects)ordo
nothavethefundsfortheinitialstart-upexpense.Beekeepingisnotfor
everybody.

Dependingonyourlifedesign,someoftheideaspresent-edheremaybeuseful,
butonlyaftertheyhavebeenalteredforyourownuse.AsfaraspossibleIhave
triedtobeinclu-siveofthevastdiversityofPaganbelief,traditionand
experience,butfeelfreetoadaptanythinggivenwithinthesepagestofityour
ownneeds.ToWalkaPaganPathisaboutexpressingYOURspiritualityin
yourdailylife!

MyownpathisSaxon,asyoualreadyknowifyouhavereadotherbooksthatI
havewritten.Theinspirationthatshapesmyspiritualitycomesfromtheculture
andtraditionsofpre-ChristianEngland,andsothisbookhasalotofexamples
fromaSaxonviewpoint.Howevertheideasbehindthosef22

introduction

examplescanandshouldbepersonalizedtoreflectyourown

tradition.WhetheryourpathisWiccan,Saxon,Celtic,Hel-lenic,Kemetic,
Ásatrúorsomeothertradition,thisbookwillhelpyouexpandyourspirituality
intoamorefulfillinglifestyle.

ThefirstchapterI’lltellyouaboutseventhingsyoucandotoreallyintegrate
Paganismintoyoureverydaylifeinameaningfulway.Youverylikelydosome
ofthesethingsalready.Mostarestepsyoucantakeoverthenextcoupleof
weekstoexpandyourspiritualexperience.Aswithevery-thingelseinthisbook,
allsevenstepscanbeeasilypersonalizedforyourownspiritualtradition.

Mostofthesevenstepsrequirelittleexplanation,buttwofollowingchapters
willexplorethepurposeandmethodsofcreatingsacredtime.Inthesecond
chapterwewilllookatpersonalizingthesacralcalendar,andinthethirdchapter
Idiscussexpressingyourspiritualitythroughyourdailyrituals.

Throughtheremainderofthebookwewillexploredif-ferentactivitiestohelp
strengthenyourconnectionwiththeearth.Again,someoftheseactivitiesmay
beinappropriateforyourlifestyle,somemayneedtobetweakedor
personalized,butsomemayeventuallybecomecherishedtradi-tionsforyou
exactlyastheyarepresentedhere.Theselaterchaptersexplorethepossibilities
ofexpandingyourspiritualexperiencebyworkingwithcompanionanimals,
growingsomeofyourownfood,connectingwithtreesandwildlife,keeping
hensorhoneybees,bakingbread,makingyourownincensesandcandles,and
more.

Youmayfindthatyouderiveenjoymentandspiritualenrichmentfrommostof
theactivitiesinToWalkaPaganf32

introduction

Path.Manyofthesecanbeintegratedintoyourlifeasseasonalprojectseither
foryoualoneorforgroupactivities.

YourcovenmaydecidetomakeritualcandleseveryImbolc(assomeofmy
Wiccanfriendsdo),blendincensesatMid-summerandbakebreadat

Wiccanfriendsdo),blendincensesatMid-summerandbakebreadat
Lughnasadh.Inthiswayyoucanenjoyalotoftheseprojectswithoutthem
overwhelmingyourlife.

Oryoumayfindyourselfdrawntoonespecificactivity,andthatisokaytoo.
MorethanonePaganhasdiscoveredalifelonginterestinherbmagicafter
growingafewpotsofbasilandsage!Developingyourpersonalsacralcalendar
anddailydevotionscouldleadyoutoexploreyourspiritualityinwaysyouhave
notyetimagined.ThatisthewonderfulthingaboutwalkingaPaganpath;we
areneverquitesurewhereitwilltakeus,butthejourneyisalwaysinteresting.

f42

CHAPTERONE

SEVENSTEPSTOA

NEWWAYOFLIVING

Howdoyouexpressyourspiritualityfromdaytoday?

Thecustomsandspiritualpracticesoftheearly,pre-ChristianPagancultures
werepasseddownfromonegenerationtothenext.Theseoldwayswere
traditionsforrespect-ingandinteractingwiththegodsandotherspiritdenizens,
andtheyvariedfromoneculturetoanother.TheAnglo-Saxon,forexample,
gavedueofferingsbeforeawéoh,whichwasanimageorsymbolofthehonored
deity.TheearlyRomanhonoredhisfamily’snumina(guardianspirits)ata
householdlararium,anobjectoftenresemblingasmallcupboard,whichserved
asahomeforthosespirits.TheearlyGreekbeganeveryritualwithanoffering
tothegoddessHestia.Eachculturehaditsowncustoms.ManyPaleo-Pagans—
whetherGreekorRomanorSaxon—wereundoubtedlypassionatef5

f

2

5

sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

andsincereintheirpiety,buttheirspiritualpathswerelarge-lyamatterof
circumstanceratherthanchoice.TheCeltandtheEgyptian,theSaxonandthe
Greek,theyobservedtheirrespectivecustomsbecausethoseweretheonly
customstheywerefamiliarandcomfortablewith.

Bycontrast,contemporaryPagans—almostwithout

exception—intentionallychoosethepathswefollow.Thisisnecessarilytruefor
the“firstgenerationPagan”whowasnotraisedasaPagan,butintoday’s
multiculturalenviron-mentevenchildrenbornintopolytheisthouseholdsare
usuallyencouragedtoexploreandappreciateotherspiritualpaths,andtochoose
theirownpathswithknowledgeandintention.Today’sPagan—whetherornot

theirownpathswithknowledgeandintention.Today’sPagan—whetherornot
raisedinaPaganhome—makesaconsciousdecisionabouthisorherpersonal
spiritualjourney.

Thisintentionalchoicemaybeoneofthemostsignifi-cantdistinctionsbetween
contemporaryPagansandourPaleo-Paganancestors.Wehaveexpectationsof
ourspiritualpaths.Forthemajorityoftoday’sPagansthisincludesthe
expectationofaconnectionbetweenusandtheearth,somuchsothatPagan
spiritualityhasoftenbeenlabeled“earthreligion”,or“earthbasedreligion”.Our
ancestorshadnoneedtoreconnectwiththeearth;theywereimmersedinits
whimsandtides.Inthepre-industrialworld,theruralpopulationwasmuch
greaterthanitistoday.UrbancenterslikeRomeandAthenswerefewandfar
between,andeveninthoseancientcitiestheresidentswerefarmoredirectly
affectedbytheearth’smoodswings.

Today,indevelopednationsatleast,weneednotfearstarvationifthelocal
graincropfails.Forthemajorityofus,f62

sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

severewinterweatheronlymeansahigherthanusualutilitybill.Wearestill
dependantontheearth,butnotasdirectlyasourancestorswere,andforthe
mostpartthisisagoodthing.

Neverthelesswehavelostsomethingintheprocess,anditisthisdisconnection
fromthenaturalworldthathasinspiredmanypeopletoexplore“earthbased”
Paganspirituality.

Becauseofthisintentionalspirituality,Paganstodayoftenattempttofollow
whattheearlySaxonsmighthavecalledHalSidu,meaninghealthyorholistic
traditions.HalSiduengagesandintegratesallpartsoftheSelf.Exactlyhow
manypartstherearedependonone’sspiritualparadigm.

AsaSaxonPagan,IexpectHalSidutoengagemyrationalthought,stimulate
mymemoriesandemotion,arousemysourceofinspiration,balancemyphysical
bodyandfor-tifymyidentity.IntheSaxontraditiontheseareallequally
importantpartsofthe“Self”.Paganswhofollowotherpathswillhaveother
definitionsoftheSelf,ofcourse.Forthesakeofsimplicityletusmakeuseofa
popularcontemporaryparadigmanddefineHalSiduastheintegrationofBody,
MindandSpirit.

IusetheOldEnglishtermHalSiduforintentionalPaganspiritualitybecauseI
followaSaxonpath,butaRomanPaganmightcallittheVeteraValens
(“worthytraditions”).AnIce-landicPagancouldcallitHeildrænVenjur
(“holistichabits”).

Thenameisnotimportant.Byanyname,intentionalPaganspiritualityhelpsus
reconnectwiththeearthandintegrateallpartsoftheSelfintoonewholebeing.

HalSidu—orwhatevertermyouprefer—isnotamatterofbelief.Infact“belief
”isrelativelyunimportantinpolytheistreligions.Yes,thePaleo-Pagans
believedintheirgods,f72

sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

butitwasinthewaymodernpeoplebelieveingravityorelectricity,notinthe
wayachildbelievesintheToothFairy.

Whenweapplythelogicthatweapplytoeveryotheraspectofthehuman
experiencetoourperceptionsthedivine,itispatentlyobviousthatthegodsare
real.WecanconcludethatthegoddessAthenaisreal,forexample,becauseshe
hasspo-kentoandinteractedwiththousandsofpeopleoverthousandsofyears
—andsheisno“lessreal”justbecauseBobdecides,forwhateverreason,tonot
believeinherexistence.

EarlyPagansknewthegodsarereal;forthemitwasnotanissueofpersonal
belief.

Whatmatterstothepolytheistarenotpeople’sbeliefs,butpeople’sactions;their
wordsanddeeds.TraditionalPaganspiritualityisorthopraxic,focusingon
sharedpracticesandtraditionsratherthanbeliefs.Thisremainstrueeventoday
inPaganpathssuchasBritishTraditionalWitchcraft,inmostformsof
polytheisticReconstructionismandfortheinternationalNeo-Paganfellowship
ÁrnDraíochtFéin.Itisyouractionsthatdefineyouandshapetheworldaround
you.Andaswithallotherthings,itisbyyouractionsthatyouintegrateBody,
MindandSpirit.Notbythinkingaboutit.Notbytalkingaboutit.Itissomething
youdo.

WhenwetakenoactiontowardsdevelopinganintentionalPaganspirituality,it
isoftenbecausewedonotknowwheretobeginratherthanfromalackof
desire.Fewbooksaddressthisissue;howtoliveasaPaganafterclosingthe
ritualandwashingupthechaliceormeadhorn.ManyPagans,especiallythose

ritualandwashingupthechaliceormeadhorn.ManyPagans,especiallythose
newtopolytheism,areunsurehowtoreachoutandtouchtheearthboth
physicallyandspiritually.

f82

sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

HalSidu—holisticcustom—demandsthatwedothis

verything;thatwetouchtheearth,takingactiontobuildapersonalPagan
lifestyleforeachofus.Howyouaccomplishthiswillbeareflectionofyour
owninterests,needsandcircumstances.Theimportantthingisnotwhatyoudo,
whichwillvaryfromonepersontoanother,butthatyoudosomething,some
littlethingeachdaytoconnectwithyourgodsandwiththeworldaroundyou.

Therearemanywaystodothis.Youmightfindaconnectionthroughritualsthat
sacralizeyourdailyactivities,orbymindfullyworkingwithafamiliar.You
mightfinditbyliterallytouchingtheearth,armedwithaspadeandahoe,rais-
ingsomeofyourownfoodandactivelyparticipatingintheeternalcycleof
receivingandgivingback.Ormaybeyouwillfindmoreinspirationincrafting
yourownritualcandlesandincense.Whateverthemeans,buildingan
intentional,personalPaganlifestylewillhelpyouintegrateBody,Mindand
Spiritintosomethingwholeandcomplete.

DEDICATIONRITE

Whenmakinganylongtermchangeinyourlifeitcanhelp

tobeginbyformallydedicatingyourselftothework.Thisistrueforalmostany
change:beginningadiet,givingupabadhabit,orlearninganewlanguageor
skill.ItistruealsoforthosewhowoulddevelopanintentionalPaganlifestyle.

WehavediscussedhowHalSidudemandsaction,sowhynottakeactionright
now?IfyouwouldliketomakechangesinyourlifetointegrateBody,Mindand
Spirit,readoverthefollowingdescriptionoftheDedicationRiteandthen
performtheritualyourself.

f92

sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

No,really.Doitnow.

Ofcoursethisassumesthatyouareinornearsomeprivateplacewhereyoucan
performaritewithoutattractingundueattention.Ifyouarereadingthisatthe
publiclibraryorwhileridingacitybus,youshouldprobablywaitforamore
opportunetime.Otherwise,ifyouhavereasonablepri-vacy,whatareyou
waitingfor?YoumaynotknowyetexactlyhowyouwanttopracticeHalSidu,
butyoucantakethisinitialaction,dedicatingyourselftothework,nevertheless.

Thinkofitasyourfirststeptowardsanewwayofliving.

Theriteisshortandsimple,andrequiresminimalequip-ment.Allyouneedisa
candleandsomethingtogiveasanoffering,whichcanbeincense,wineormead
topourasalibation,oralmostanythingelsethatseemsappropriatetoyou.The
candlecanbeparaffinorbeeswax,andcanbeanycoloryouhappentohave
readilyavailable.

OfcourseyoumaytweakorexpandtheDedicationRitetosuityourspiritual
needs.Ifyouhaveapersonalrelationshipwithaparticulardeity,youmight
placeastatueorsymbolofthatdeitynexttothecandle.IfyouareWiccan,you
mightwanttocastacircleasapartoftherite.Yourchoiceofanofferingwill
likelybeinfluencedbyyourspiritualorientation.AsaSaxonPagan,myfirst

likelybeinfluencedbyyourspiritualorientation.AsaSaxonPagan,myfirst
choicewouldbetopouralibationofmead.ARomanPaganmightinsteadoffer
alibationofoliveoil,whileaGreekPaganmightchoosetoburnsweetherbson
acharcoaldisk.

Thewordingoftheritemayalsobealteredtoreflectyourneedsandspiritual
orientation.Whatisgivenhereshouldbetakenasasuggestion;itisnota
magicalformula.

f102

sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

Setyourcandleandanythingelseyoumightneedonyourmyse,orworking
surface.IfyouhavebeenPaganforverylongthiswillverylikelybeyour
householdaltar.Ifyoudonothaveanaltarorotherconsecratedworking
surface,anyclean,levelsurfacewillsuffice.Fornow,atleast.Laterinthis
chapterwewilldiscusswhyitisimportanttohavesacredspace—analtar,by
whatevernameyoucallit—atsomeplaceinyourhome.

Takeafewslow,deepbreathstorelaxandprepareyourselfmentally.Thenlight
thecandleasyousay:“Spiritswholiveinthisplace,Ancestorswhohave
broughtmetothisplace,GodsandGoddesseswhoblessthisplace,knowthat
youarerememberedandbearwitnesstothisrite.”

Again,takeafewslow,deepbreaths.Trytofeelthepres-enceofthespirits
aroundyou.Itdoesnotmatterwhetheryoufeel,seeorhearanything.Veryoften
theadage“nonewsisgoodnews”holdstruewheninteractingwiththespirit
world.OurcontemporaryPaganculturetendstooveremphasizemagic,andI
haveknownsomepeoplewhofelttherewassomethingwrongbecausethey
werenotreceivingvividpsychicimpressionswhenevertheypausedtolistenfor
theirgods,theirancestorsorlocalspirits.Howeverthiswasmorelikelybecause
theyweredoingfine;therewasnoreasonforspiritstoadviseoradmonishthem.
Youmayormaynotreceiveanyimpressions,butgivethespiritstheopportunity
torespondbeforeproceeding.

f112

sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

Nowgiveyouroffering.Youmayuseanofferingbowlifyouareholdingthe

Nowgiveyouroffering.Youmayuseanofferingbowlifyouareholdingthe
riteindoorsandhavealibationorafoodoffering.Suchanofferingshouldbe
pouredorplacedontheearthattheearliestopportunityaftertheconclusionof
therite.Offeringsofincenseshouldbeburned.Aftermakingtheoffering,say:

“Acceptthisoffering,freelygivenwithmyloveandrespect.

IcomebeforeyouanddeclaremyintentiontolivemorefullyasaPagan,totake
actioneachdaythatwillattunemetotheuniverse.

Iaskforyourguidanceinmychoices,thatthroughmywordsanddeedsImight
bringhonortotheoldgods,bringpridetomyancestorsandbringbeautyand
wellbeingintotheworldaroundme.

Letmyactionskeepmemindfuloftheearth,fromwhichIwasbornandtowhich
Iwillsomedayreturn.

SoshallIthankyouwithjoyandgratitude.”

Sinceyouhaveaskedfortheirguidance,afewmoremomentsofsilencewhile
youlistentothespiritsisappropriate.Thenendtheritebyextinguishingthe
candleandsaying“SoMoteItBe”,or“Icbeddeéownu”orwhateveryouwould
ordinarilysaywhenconcludingarite.IfyouarenewtoPaganwaysandhave
notyetchosenapath,“SoMoteItBe”willdofine.

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sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

SEVENSTEPS

TOAPAGANPRACTICE

FormanypeoplewhoarenewtoPaganways,thevarietyofpathsandpractices
canbeoverwhelming.Itcanbedifficulttoknowwhereyoushouldevenbegin.
AfewyearsagoIattendedapresentationgivenbyIanCorriganondevelopinga
personalPaganpractice.CorriganisaformerArch-Druidoftheinternational
PaganorganizationÁrnDraíochtFéin.

Inspiredbyhisideas,Idevelopedmyown“sevenstepprogram”tohelpthenew
Pagangethisorherbearings.Thesevenstepsarenotintendedtoleadyouto
anyparticularPaganpath,butrathertohelpyoufindwhateverpathisrightfor

anyparticularPaganpath,butrathertohelpyoufindwhateverpathisrightfor
you.EvenifyouwerebornintoaPaganfamilyorchoseaPaganpathyearsago,
youmayfindsomethingofvalueinthesesevensteps.

Step1:ConnectingwithSpiritYouhavemadeatleastoneephemeralconnection
withSpiritalready,assumingyouhaveperformedtheDedicationRite.

WeconnectwithSpiritwheneverweaskforguidanceorbringgifts(offerings).

ThisfirststepiswherepeoplenewtoPagantraditionscanfindthemselves
bewilderedbytheseeminglyendlesspossiblepathstochoosefrom.Thereareso
manygodsandgoddesses,fromsomanypantheons!Wheredoesaperson
begin?Itmaybethatadeityhasalreadyconnectedwithyou.

Peoplewhohavehadthisexperiencewilloftensay,“Shecalledme”,or,“He
tappedmeontheshoulder”,butthisistheexceptionratherthantherule.Itisfar
morelikelythatyouwillneedtomaketheinitialgesture.Firstyoumustf132

sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

decidewhichgodorgoddessyouwouldliketomakeaconnectionwith,andto
dothisyoushouldfindapantheonthatfeelscomfortabletoyou.

Apantheonisacultural“family”ofgodsandgoddesses.

TheHellenic(Greek)pantheonincludesthegodsandgoddessesofthe
Dodekatheon:Zeus,Hera,Apollo,Athenaandsoon.TheSaxonpantheon
includesWoden,Frige,ThunorandEostre,amongothers.TheIrishpantheon
includesdeitiessuchasBrigidandManannánmacLir.Thegodsandgoddesses
withinanygivenpantheonhavewelldefinedrelationshipswitheachother.

Noonepantheonisbetterthananother,sohowdoyoudecide?Onethingto
considerisyourownlineage.IfyoucomefromanItalianbackground,the
Romanpantheonmightbeagoodchoice.IfyournameisO’Reilly,theIrish
pantheoncouldbetherightpantheonforyou.Ofcourseyouarenotconstrained
byyourbackgroundinanyway,whichisagoodthingsinceveryfewofusin
Americatodayaredescendedfromasingleculturallineage.

Ifaparticularpantheonjust“feelsright”toyou,thenbyallmeansgowiththat
feeling.MaybeyouwereinspiredbyGreekmythologywhenyouwereinschool.
MaybethecomicbookversionofThor(whoshareslittleotherthanhisname

MaybethecomicbookversionofThor(whoshareslittleotherthanhisname
withtherealThor)haskindledyourinterestintheNorsegodsofAsgard.There
areinfinitereasonswhyyoumightbedrawntoapantheon.Mostofthose
reasonsmayseemtobenothingmorethanrandomchance,butIhavefoundthat
randomchanceveryoftenhassomeunderlyingpurpose.

f142

sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

Ifneitheryourlineagenoryourheartleadyoutoapath,gotoyourlocallibrary
andcheckoutbooksonseveralmythologies.Idislikethewordmythology
becauseofitssecondarydefinitionmeaningsomethinguntrue.MythisaGreek
wordthatsimplymeans“story”,andmythologiesarecollectionsofancient
storiesexplainingtheorderoftheuniverseorasociety’sidealsandcustoms.
Withthisinmind,lookthroughthemythologybooksyouhavecheckedoutand
familiarizeyourselfwiththem.

Thenpicksomething.

Whenitcomestochoosingapantheon,aswithallotherthings,takeaction.Do
notworrywhetherornotyouhavechosentherightpantheon,becausethereis
norightorwronganswertothis.Whicheverpantheonappealstoyouthemost
rightnowisthebestpantheonforyourightnow.Justasatentativefirstdate
couldeventuallyleadtomarriage,yourinitialchoiceofapantheonmayleadtoa
lifetimecommitment,butyoucanchangepantheonslaterifyoufindthatyour
firstchoicewasnotthebestchoiceforyou.

Afterchoosingapantheon,yournextactionshouldbetodecideonagodor
goddesstoconnectwith.Thischoiceusuallydependsonyourownpersonal
interests,asyouaremorelikelytoestablishagoodconnectionwithadeitywho
sharesthoseinterests.AKemetic(Egyptian)Paganwhohasfivecatsandan
extensivecollectionofcatstatuetteswoulddowelltoconnectwiththecat-
headedgoddessBast.ASaxonPaganworkinginthefieldoflawenforcement
mightconnectwithTiw,agodoforderandjustice.ARomanPaganwho
appreciatesfinewinescouldestablishaninitialconnectionwithBacchus.Butif
youfindthatagodorgoddessinf152

sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

thepantheonjust“feelsright”toyou,evenifyouarenotsurewhy,gowiththe
feeling.

feeling.

Findaprivate,safeplacewhereyoucanconnectwiththedeity.Thiswill
probablybeatyourhouseholdaltar,ifyouhaveone,buttheimportantthingis
thatyoufindalocationwhereyouwillbeundisturbed.Bringagift,anoffering,
withyoutoestablishacycleofreciprocitywiththedeity.Thechoiceofan
offeringwilldependonthepantheonandthedeity.Ifyouareunsureofwhatto
offer,mead(honeywine)isusuallyappreciatedbymostnorthernEuropean
deities,whileoliveoilisusuallyappreciatedbythegodsandgoddessesof
southernEurope.Othercultureshavetheirownprefer-ences,butbesuretobring
something.Anygiftisbetterthannogiftatall!

Ifyouareindoors,youwillneedanofferingbowl.Pouralibation(liquid
offering)intothebowlasyouaddressthedeity.Afterwards,whenitis
convenient,takethebowlout-sideandpourthelibationoutdirectlyontothe
earth.Solidofferings,especiallyfood,mayalsobesymbolicallyplacedinthe
offeringbowlandthenlatersetoutonorburiedintheearth.

SomebodyonceaskedmewhyIshouldbotherwithanoffering,sinceagodcan
presumablyobtainalmostanythinghedesires.Thisislikebelittlingahand-
craftedpresentthatachildmakesforaparent.Ofcoursetheparentcouldhave
madeorpurchasedsomethingmuchnicer,butheorshewillbedelightedwith
thegiftnevertheless.Itistheactofgivingthatisappreciated,andtheworthof
thegiftisdirectlyproportionatetotheeffortputintoit.

f162

sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

Whenyouarereadytoapproachthedeityandgiveyouroffering,thewords
shouldbeyourown,comingfromyourheartratherthanfromthepagesofa
book.First,greetthedeitybyname,giveyourofferingandaskthatitbe
accepted.Ifyouareindoors,pourorplacetheofferingintoyourofferingbowl.
Ifyouareoutdoors,placetheofferingdirectlyontotheearth.Theexceptionto
thisistheofferingthatisburned;usuallyapleasantincense.Youcanuse
incenseconesorsticks,butIthinkapersonalblendofaromaticherbsismore
meaningful.Theseareburnedinacenserovercharcoaldisksthatcanbe
purchasedatalmostanynewageorreligioussupplyshop.

Aftergivingyouroffering,introduceyourselfandaskforthedeity’sguidance
andblessing.Thisisnotthetimetomakeanyspecificrequests.Lateronyou

andblessing.Thisisnotthetimetomakeanyspecificrequests.Lateronyou
mayaskforfavors,afteryouhaveestablishedamutualrelationship,butatthis
pointyouaresimplyacknowledgingawillingnesstoacceptwhateverblessings
thedeitymayoffer.

Nextcomesthemostimportantpart—listening.Quietyourselfasmuchas
possibleandbemindfulofanyimpressionsyoumayhave.Theresponseofthe
godorgoddessrarelymanifestsasanaudiblevoice,althoughthatcanocca-
sionallyhappen.Youmayhaveafleetingvision,orsmellanodorthatevokesa
longforgottenmemory.Oryoumayexperiencea“knowing”,asudden
awarenessofthedeity’spres-enceandmessagetoyou.

Oryoumayexperiencenothingatall.

Donotbediscouragedifthisisthecase.Youarenotgoingtohaveasupernal
experienceeverytimeyoureachouttothegodsandspirits.Ingivinganoffering
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havetakenanactionandmadeaconnection.Ifyoustillfeelnoreciprocal
connectionsaftertwoorthreemore“visits”

withthedeity,politelymoveontoanothergodorgoddess.

TherearemanyPaganstodaywhotakeamorescattered,eclecticapproachto
connectingwithSpirit,leapingfromonepantheontoanother,collecting
“patron”deitiesasiftheywereHummelfigurines.Imagineyourselfwalking
downasidewalkinManhattan,greetingeveryonewhoyoupass.

Howdeepisyourrelationshipwiththesepassersby?Youarenotinvestinga
significantamountoftimewithanyindividualperson.Youdonotreallyknow
anyofthem.Inthesameway,itcanbedifficulttodeveloptrulymeaningful
relationshipswithadozengodsandgoddessesgatheredfromunrelated
pantheons.Idonotrecommendthisapproachatall.Ifyouwanttobecomegood
friendswithsomebody,youspendalotoftimewiththatperson.Youmeethisor
herfamilyandfriends.Likewise,ifyouwantagoodrelationshipwithagodor
goddess,youshoulddevotealotoftimetothatdeity.

OfcoursethegodsarenottheonlymanifestationsofSpirit.Youmayalsowish
toconnectwithyourancestralspirits,followingasimilarprocessofgivingan

toconnectwithyourancestralspirits,followingasimilarprocessofgivingan
offeringandthenopeningyourselftotheblessingsofyourancestors.By
ancestorsImeannotonlybloodancestors,butalsothosewhohaveinspiredyou
insomeway.InSaxontradition,aswithallGermanicpaths,reverenceforone’s
ancestorsisveryimportant.Indeed,ancestorreverenceisanimportantaspectof
mostPagantraditions.Ancestralspiritshaveavest-edinterestinyou—youare
theirheritage—andsotheyaremoredisposedtoofferaidandcounsel.

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Anotherconnectiontomakeiswiththelocalspirits.

Dependingonyourspiritualfocus,youmayknowtheseasfaeries,elves,
nymphs,orbysomeothername.Thesespiritsareyourneighborsand,like
mortalneighbors,theycanaidorhinderyou.Thusitistoyourbenefittofoster
goodrelationshipswiththem.IfyoupracticeHalSidu,youwillalmostcertainly
findyourselfinteractingwithyourspiritneighbors.

Whenyouengageinactivitiesthattouchtheearthinsomeway—plantinga
seed,trimmingbackanunrulybush,weed-ingthegarden—remembertooffera
bitofcornmealorwinetothelocalspirits.Andthenpauseforamomentand
listen.

Theymighthavesomethingtosharewithyou.

Whateveryourapproach—whetheryouaremorecomfortableapproachinga
deity,oryourancestorsorlocalentities—thefirstandmostessentialstep
towardslivingasaPaganistoconnectinsomewaywithSpirit.

Step2:CreatingSacredSpace“Eitherthegodshaveaplaceinone’shome,or
theydonot.”

SosaysMarcusCassiusIulianus,acontemporaryRomanPaganandfounderof
thereconstructionistorganizationNovaRoma.Hewasspeakingofthe
householdaltar,andIcompletelyagree.

OnceyouhavemadeaconnectionwithSpirit,yournextactionshouldbeto
establishaplacewhereyoucanmaintainandcontinuetobuildthatconnection.
Thiscanbeassimpleoraselaborateasyouwish,butthereshouldbesome

Thiscanbeassimpleoraselaborateasyouwish,butthereshouldbesome
placeinyourhomethatissacredandsetasideforyourgods.

Thedesignofthissacredspacewilldependonseveralfactors.Thefirstfactorto
considerisyourspiritualfocus.Af192

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Greekaltarwillalwayshaveaflame,evenifthisisonlyasinglecandle.A
Saxonaltar(wéofod)willalwayshaveastatueorsymbolicimage(wéoh)ofthe
honoreddeity.Whateverpathyouhavechosen,youraltarshouldbeareflection
ofitsaesthetics.Thesacredspaceyoureserveforyourgodsshouldbeaspace
wheretheycanrestcomfortably.

Whereyoulivewillalsoinfluencethedesignofyoursacredspace.SomePagans
devoteentireroomstotheirworship,furnishedwithappropriatewallhangings,
cabinetsforincenseandregalia,andthealtaritself.Thisobviouslyisnotan
optionifyouarerentingastudioapartment.Norisitnecessarilythebestchoice
evenifyoudohavethatoption.Foronepersonaseparateroommaybeaplace
ofwonderandenchantment;foranotheritmaybearoomthatiseasilyforgotten
amidstthedistractionsofdailylife.

Myownhouseholdaltarisinthelivingroom,whereIpassbyconstantly.This
worksbestforme.Thealtaritselfisalibrarytable.Thisgivesmeplentyof
spaceandfitstheroom,whichisfairlylarge.Intheory,Icouldhavethesame
altarinastudioapartment,butitwouldbeoverwhelmingandunattractive.
Considerthesurroundingenvironment,andkeepinmindthatbiggerisnot
alwaysbetter.

Anotherfactorishow“out”youareasaPagan.Nobodylookingatmy
householdaltar—withitsidolsandrunesandofferingbowl—isgoingtomistake
meforaSouthernBap-tist.Butmanypeople,becauseoffearorcircumstance,
donothavethisfreedom.Sadly,eveninthe21stcentury,someofuscouldlose
ourjobsifourspiritualitybecamecommonknowledgeduetotheignoranceand
prejudiceofothers.

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Othersaresimplyafraidofcensurebyfriends,neighborsorrelatives.

Ifthispresentsaproblemforyou,therearetwopossiblesolutions.Thefirstisto
locateyouraltarwhereitwillnotbeseenbyothers.Youcouldsetupthealtarin
yourbed-room,oreveninabasement.Thisiswhereaseparateroombecomes
practicalifyouhavealargehouse.Keepinmindthatsomebodymaydiscover
youraltarnomatterhowcare-fulyouare.Andthisreallyisaproblem,then,
becausethealtarwashidden,whichimpliesthatyouhavesomethingtobe
ashamedabout.

Abettersolutionisto“hide”thealtarinplainsight.Youraltarcanbesubtleand
unassuming,appearingtotheuninitiatedasnothingmorethanatablewitha
coupleofknick-knacks.ASaxonPagan,forexample,couldarrangeasmall
tablewithasingle,attractivecandle,alargequartzcrystal(representingthegod
Thunor)andaceramic(offering)bowl.

Whileitisbetter,ofcourse,ifyoucanbeoutandopenaboutyourspirituality,
theimportantthingisthatyouhavesacredspacewhereyoucanconnectwith
Spiritundisturbed.

Yourprimaryhouseholdaltarshouldbeindoorssoyoucanapproachyourgods
eveninthemostinclementweath-er.Butifyouhavetheresources,byall
means,touchtheearth!Asecondary,outdooraltarwillgiveyoutheopportunity
tolistentothewind,toenjoythewarmthofthesunagainstyourskinandtofeel
therichsoilbeneathyou.Likeyourprimaryaltar,anoutdooraltarcanbeas
simpleorelaborateasyouwish.WhenImovedtoPennsylvania,Iboughta
housewithagazebointhebackgarden.FromthebeginningIknewtherewould
beverylittle“sitinthegazebo”time.

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Doesanybodytodayreallyspendmuchtimeinagazebo?

Ratherthanletitsitemptyanduseless,Iconvertedthegazebointoa
wéofodsteall,aSaxonshrine,dedicatedtothegodIngFréa.FollowingAnglo-
Saxontradition,IplacedanimagerepresentingIngFréainsidethegazebo.(The
OldEnglishwordforanaltar,wéofod,literallymeanstheplacewheretheimage
ofthedeitystands.)Iplacedafewdecorativestonesaroundthisimagejustto
makeitattractive.ThenIplantedherbsandflowersaroundthegazebo,because
IngistheLordoftheElvesandgovernsgreengrowingthings.

Butanoutdooraltarcanbeassimpleasaflatstonesetinaplacewhereyoufeel
especiallyclosetoyourgods,alongwiththeminimalrequirements,ifany,of
yourspiritualpath.

Sofarwehavelookedatthealtarassacredspaceforourgods.Somepeople,
myselfincluded,liketomaintainaseparatealtartohonortheirancestors.Thisis
notstrictlynecessary;howeverwetendtoapproachourancestorsinadifferent
waythanweapproachdeities.AsonePaganrecent-lydescribedittome,going
toyourdeitieswithaproblemislikeseekinganaudiencewiththeking,whereas
goingtoyourancestorsislikeaskinghelpfromyourfamily.

Anancestralaltarcanincludephotographsofancestorswhoyouknewinlife,as
wellassymbolicrepresentationsofmoredistantancestors.Ihaveknownsome
Paganswhomadeancestor“dolls”sculptedfromclayorsewnasstuffed
poppets.Someofthesedollswereintendedtorepresentspecificancestors,while
othersweremoresymbolic.Theancestralaltarmightalsoholditemsthatwere
significanttooneormoreofyourancestors.Mygrandfather’sfishingkniferests
onmyownancestralaltar,nexttoaphotographofhim.Anf222

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incenseburnerandofferingbowlonthealtarwillservetoreceivethegiftsyou
bringtoyourancestors.

AsImentionedearlier,ancestorsarenotnecessarilylimitedonlytoyour
biologicallineage.Idefineancestorsasthosewhohave,insomewayoranother,
shapedusandbroughtustowherewearetoday.Anadoptedparent(andthat
person’sparents)isanancestor.Ifyouarewidowed,yourspouseisanancestor.
Ateacherorolderneighborwhoinspiredyouasachildisanancestor.Aclose
friendwhoshapedyourlifesignificantlybeforeheorshepassedawaycouldbe
consideredanancestor.Evenabelovedpetmightbeanancestor,forwerelyon
ourcompanionanimalstodaytoadegreethatpeoplepreviouslydidnot.

IdohonorthecompanionanimalswhoIhavesharedmylifewith,butnotatthe
samealtarwhereIhonormyhumanancestors.Again,thisisbecauseIhavea
differentrelationshipwiththem.ImightcommunewithmydogSheenafor
comfort,butIamnotlikelytogotoherforadvice,asbrilliantasshewas.

Noteveryonehasthespaceformultiplealtars,andnoteveryonefeelstheneed
forthis.Howeveryoushouldhaveatleastonesacredspacesomewhereinyour
homewhereyoucanconnectwithSpirit.Dothegodsandancestorshaveaplace

homewhereyoucanconnectwithSpirit.Dothegodsandancestorshaveaplace
inyourhome,ordotheynot?

Step3:CreatingSacredTimeIfyoudonothingwithyouraltar,itisnottrulyan
altar;itismerelyatableorshelfholdinganincenseburner,acoupleofcandles
andperhapstwoorthreeinterestingstatuettes.Theactivitiesthattakeplaceat
thattableorshelf—thereverence,f232

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theofferingsandthemeditation—arewhatgivemeaningtoyoursacredspace.
Thereforeyournextactionshouldbetosetasidesacredtimetoconnectwith
Spiritconsistently.

Thevalueofthisstepcannotbeoveremphasized.Lifehappenstoallofus.You
mayhaveanimportanttestcomingup,oryourbosshasaskedyoutowork
overtime,orthebabyhaskeptyouupallnight.Thesethingshappen,andwhen
theydoitiseasytoputyourspiritualneedsandobligationsaside“until
tomorrow”.Theproblemis,tomorrowisalwaysadayaway,becauselife
continuestohappenconstantly.Nextweekyoumayhavetheflu,orasurprise
visitfromanoldfriend.Theweekfollowingthatwillbringitsowndemands.

Thoseperfect,serenemomentswhenyoucanconnectwithSpiritwithout
interruptionarerareunlessyoutakeactiontocreatethemyourself.

Consistencyisthekey.Peoplewhoaresuccessfulinanyendeavorhavemadea
habitofactionsthatleadtotheirsuccess.Theyactconsistently.Acrashdietwill
notleadtolongtermweightcontrol.Peoplewhosucceedinweightlosshave
developedconsistent,healthyeatinghabits.Likewise,youcannothaveawell
traineddogsimplybytakingittoaseriesoftenobedienceclasses.Wellbehaved
dogshaveownerswhoconsistentlyrewardtheirgoodchoicesandignoretheir
badchoices.Successfulartistspaintordrawconsistently,successfulwriters
writeconsistentlyandsuccessfulathletesexerciseconsistently.Habitual
behaviorkeepsusfocusedonourgoals.

TodevelopahabitofconnectingwithSpirit,setasideaspecifictimefordoing
this.Youaresettingasidesacredtimeforyourself,yourgodsandyour
ancestors.Findatimeinf242

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yourschedulethatyoucandevotetothis.Youdevotetimeeverydaytoyour
physicalbody:bathingorshowering,brushingyourteeth,preparingmeals.You
performtheseactionsconsistently,anditisnomoredifficulttosetasidea
consistenttimedevotedtoyourspiritualbody.Whenyoucreatesacredtime,you
begindevelopingahabitual,empow-eringbehaviorthatwillnurtureyour
relationshipwithyourgodsandancestors.

Consistencyrequiresarealisticgoalonyourpart.Let’sgobacktotheexample
oftrainingadog.MyowndogsarerelativelywellbehavedbecauseIworkwith
them,consistently,everyday.Dowehaveanhourlongsessionofobedience
work?Ofcoursenot.Professionaltrainersofanimalactorscandevote
themselvestolong,dailylessons,butmostofus,includingme,cannot
consistentlyhavedaily,hourlongtrainingsessions.InsteadLuckyandCaesar
waitpatientlywhileIfilltheirfoodbowls,sitatthebackdooruntilItellthem
theycangooutand,onceaday,everyday,wequicklyrunthroughasetof
activities:sit,down,stay,givemeyourpaw,stand,godothedishes.(Okay,
neitherLuckynorCaesarwillwashthedishes.Iamstillworkingonthat.)They
practicewhattheyknowinshortintervals.IcanbeconsistentbecauseIkeepit
short.

IfyourgoalistogiveanofferingtoWodenandthenmeditateforthirtyminutes
everyevening,youwillalmostsurelyfail.Yoursacredtimeshoulddefinethe
minimaltimeyouwillinvestinconnectingwithSpirit.Youarenotlimitedto
this.Whenthecircumstancesarerightandyoufeeltheneed,youabsolutelycan
giveanofferingtoWodeneveryeveningandthenmeditateforthirtyminutes.
Butbehon-f252

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estwithyourselfandacknowledgethatthisisnotsomethingthatyoucando
indefinitely.Yoursacredtimeisalongtermhabit,somethingthatwill
eventuallybeasessentialandnaturalasputtingonyourunderwearinthe
morning.Assumingitisyourhabittowearunderwear.

Howmuchtimecanyougivetoyourgodsandancestorsconsistently?How
muchtimecanyoufitintoyourlife,notjusttodayorthisweek,butforyearsto
come?

Acommitmentoffifteenminuteseveryweekisnotunreasonable.Doesthis
soundridiculouslysimple?Itshould,becausearidiculouslysimplecommitment

soundridiculouslysimple?Itshould,becausearidiculouslysimplecommitment
isacommitmentyouarelikelytostickwith.Chooseadayandatimewhenyou
willspendatleastfifteenminutesatyouraltar,givingofferingstoSpiritand
listeningtowhatyourgodsandancestorsmayhavetosay.Thedayandtime
shouldfityourlifestyle.Onepersonmayfinditeasiestandmostnaturalto
committofifteenminuteseveryTuesdayevening,whileSat-urdaymornings
maybemoresuitableforanother.

Exactlywhatyoudoduringthesefifteenminutesshouldreflectyourspirituality.
SomeofferingshouldbegiventoSpirittonurturetheprocessofreciprocity.We
givetoourgodsandourancestorssothattheymightgivetousinreturn.The
offeringmaybeassimpleasapinchofincense.

NorseandSaxonPaganswillprobablyofferlibationsofmeadorale.ARoman
Paganmayofferspelt,agrainrelatedtowheatthatisoftensoldinhealthfood
stores.Tradition-alofferingsfortheEgyptianPaganincludebreadandbeer.

Aftergivingtheoffering,theremainderofyourfifteenminutescanbespentin
prayer,insingingorchanting,inmeditationorinanyotheractivitythatconnects
youwithSpirit.

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Youmightfindyourselfdoingthiseveryday,andspendinghalfanhourormore
atyouraltarratherthanjustfifteenminutes.Howeverwhenlifebecomes
complicated,youshouldstrivetothebestofyourabilitytohonorthesacred
time—thosefifteenminuteseachweek—thatyouhavesetasideforyourgods
andyourancestors.Bycreatingsacredtimeyouensurethatyourspirituality
remainsapartofyourroutinethroughoutthemostchaoticperiodsofyourlife.

Howeversimplethiscommitmentmayseem,theremaybeanoccasionalweek
wheneventhatisimpossible.Youhavetomakeasuddentriptotheemergency
room,eitherforyourselforforsomebodyelse.Oryoudiscoverthatyour
basementhasflooded.Therearethingsthatcandisrupteventheeasiest
commitment.Whensomethinglikethishappens,attendtotheproblembutmake
yoursacredtimethenexthighestpriority.Ifyouputitoffanylongerthan
absolutelynecessary,youdiminishitsworth.

Step4:SacralizeDailyActivitiesYouhaveconnectedwithyourgodsandyour

ancestors.

Youhavecreatedasacredspace—analtar—whereyoucanapproachthem,and
havesetasidesacredtimetodoso.Whenyouhavedoneallofthis,thetimehas
comeforyournextaction,whichistoexpandyourspiritualawarenessbeyond
thealtarandmorefullyintoyourlife.

ThisisthegoalofHalSidu.Holistictraditionentreatsustointegrateour
spiritualitywiththerestofourlives.Justasyourphysicalbodyissustainedby
theairyoutakeintoyourlungsthroughouttheday,yourspiritualbodyis
sustainedbythemindfulactionsyoutaketosacralizeyourdailyactivities.

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ThesesimpleactionswillhelpyouconnectwithSpiritfromthemomentyou
awakenuntilyougotosleepintheevening.

ThethirdchapterofthisbookisdevotedtothedailyritualsthateveryPagancan
usetointegratehisorherspiritualityintoadailyroutine.Yourpersonalroutine,
however,isuniquetoyourself,andforthisreasonyoushouldstrivetodevelop
uniquewaystosacralizetheactivitiesinyourownlife.Hopefullythe
suggestionsinthethirdchapterwillinspireyoutodojustthat.

Asawriter,forexample,Ispendmuchofmydaysittingatmycomputer.More
oftenthannotthisroutinebeginswithafreshcupofcoffee.Thecoffeehelps
wakeupmybody,andtheactofwritingitselfstimulatesmymind,butwhatof
myspirit?Iwanttobringmyentirebeingintotheprocessofwriting;to
integratemybody,mindandspirit.Todothis,Isetasideamomentforprayer,
saying:“Woden,WorldWanderer,Letmywordsbetrue,

Thattheymightbringhonortomyfolkandtotheelderways.

Icbiddethenu.”

Thelastlineispronounced“eechbiddehtheynoo”andisOldEnglishfor“Iask
younow.”Woden,ifyouarenotfamiliarwithSaxontradition,isagodof
inspirationandmagic.

Hisnamegaveusourwordforthefourthdayoftheweek,Wednesday

Hisnamegaveusourwordforthefourthdayoftheweek,Wednesday
(Woden’sDay).

Youcanseeherehowthislittleritualisuniquetomyowndailyroutine.Ittakes
theformofaprayerbecausethatf282

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reflectsmyspirituality.AWiccanauthormightdosomethingsimilarbycasting
aquick,simplespell.IdirecttheprayertoWodenandfinishthiswithanOld
EnglishexpressionbecauseIamaSaxonPagan.AGallicPaganwriterwould
morelikelydirecthisorherownprayertoOgmios,aCelt-icgodofeloquence
whowasworshippedthroughoutGaul.

Andofcoursethepurposeoftheritualitselfisdirectlyrelatedtomyprofession
asawriter.SaxonPaganswhoworkassalespeople,ornursesorresearch
scientistswoulddeviseentirelydifferentritualsmoreappropriatefortheir
respectivelifestyles.

Youruniqueritestosacralizedailyactivitiesneednotbelimitedtoyourwork.
Inthefollowingchapterswewillexploreavarietyofwaystore-connectwith
theearth,andalloftheminvolveimbuingotherwisemundaneactivitieswitha
sacredmindfulness.Whateverhobbiesyoumighthave—jogging,playinga
musicalinstrument,art,keepingtropicalfish—canbesacralized.

Tropicalfish,yousay?Well,whynot?Wheneverweinteractwithother
creaturesweconnectmorewiththeearth,sosacralizeyourtropicalfishhobby!
ForaHellenicPagan,anaquariumcanbeaplacetocommuneandspeakwith
thenaiads(waternymphs).ARomanPaganmightofferaprayertoVolturnus,
godofthewaters,ashefeedshisfish.AWelshPaganwithasaltwateraquarium
coulddothesame,pray-inginsteadtoDylanEilTon.Exactlywhatyoudoand
whichspiritsyouconnectwithwillofcoursedependonyourspiritualfocus.
Youcouldgosofarastodecorateyouraquariumwithathemethatreflectsyour
spiritualpath.

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Ordoyouplayamusicalinstrument?Beforeyouplay,askApolloorHathoror

theMusesforinspiration.Giveanofferingasyouaskforinspiration.Integrate
yourpassionformusicwithyourspirituallife.Letyourprivateperformancebe
yourofferingwhenyoucomebeforeyourgods.Theeffortyouinvestina
musicalperformanceisasworthyastheeffortyouwouldinvestinanyother
offering.

Anyworthwhilepursuitcanbeasacredact.

Step5:ObserveRegularHúslesAsaSaxonPagan,Iobserveahúselonceeach
monthnearthefullofthemoon.HúselisanOldEnglishwordmeaning
“sacrifice”,andissimplyamoreformalofferingusuallygiventoaspecific
spirit.SomeSaxonscallthisafaining,whichsimplymeansacelebration.
Whateveryourpath,thereisprobablyasimilarcustomofformalworship,
althoughitwillhaveadifferentnameandbeobservedinadifferentway.Forthe
Wiccanthistimeofworshipisknownasanesbat.ForanÁsatrúaritisablót.
Onthedayafterthenewmoon,HellenicPagansgiveofferingstotheAgathos
Daemon,aspiritofgoodfortune.

Itmightbearguedthatthesearealldifferentkindsofritual,andthatistrue,but
theyshareseveraldefiningtraits.Theyaremoreformalthanaperson’sordinary
devotionals,theyrecuratspecifictimes(oftenmonthly)andtheyareoftenmore
likelytobeobservedwithagroupratherthanbyyourself.

Húsles,esbats,blótsandothersimilarlyrecurringobservancesfurtherensureour
connectionwithSpirit.(ForthesakeofconvenienceIamgoingtousetheterm
húselhere,becausehúslesarewhatIcelebrateanditisthetermIamf302

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mostcomfortablewith.Feelfreetosubstitutewhateverrecurringobservanceis
appropriateforyourownspiritualpath.)Tounderstandtheimportanceofthis
deeperconnection,thinkofhowyouinteractwithyourfriendsandclose
relatives.Onadailybasisyoumayonlyconnectwithfriendsbyanoccasional
phonecalloremail,butperiodicallyyougettogethertosharequalitytime.The
húselisthequalitytimeyouspendwithyourgods,yourancestorsandwiththe
indig-enousspiritsaroundyou.

Thehúselalsotakesmuchlongerthanapersonaldevotion.Ifcelebratedwitha
group—and,atleastforSaxonPagans,thisisthedesiredwaytodoit—theritual
itselfisusuallyprecededorfollowedbyfeastingandfellowship.Itisnot
unusualforahúseltogoonforhours,throughoutthedayandwellintothe

unusualforahúseltogoonforhours,throughoutthedayandwellintothe
evening.TherecurringobservancesofsomeotherPaganpathsmaynotbequite
asextensive,buttheyalmostalwaysrequiremoretimethantheaverageperson
spendsathisorheraltaronatypicalday.

Observingregularhúsles(oresbatsorblótsordruidmoons)issimilartothe
otherstepsyouhavetakentothispointinthatyouareestablishinganewhabit.
Settingasidetimeforourgodsisnotaninstinctivebehavior.Settingasidetime
isapatternwemustdevelopandnurture,whetheritisthesacredtimeweare
creatingforourdailydevotions,orwhetheritisthetimewedevotetoahúsel.

Step6:ObservetheHolyTidesThemajorityofPaganstodaycelebrateorat
leastrecognizeeightseasonalholidaysspacedequidistant,ornearlyso,
throughouttheyear.ThisNeo-Pagancalendaroriginatedf312

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withthereligionofWicca,butisnowacceptedbyPagansfrommanydifferent
paths.Inthenextchapterwewillexam-inetheNeo-Pagancalendarandhowyou
canadaptittoyourownneedsandenvironment.

Alsocalledthe“wheeloftheyear”,thehighdaysorholytidesoftheNeo-Pagan
calendarareImbolc(February1st),theSpringEquinox(March21st),Beltane
(May1st),theSummerSolstice(June21st),Lughnasadh(August1st),the
AutumnEquinox(September21st),Halloween(October31st)andtheWinter
Solstice(December21st).Thenamesanddatesoftenvaryfromonegroupof
Paganstoanother.

YoumaybeamongthosePaganswhoobserveadifferentannualcalendar.There
iscertainlynothingwrongwiththis.

NoneofthePaleo-Paganreligionscelebratedalleightoftheholidaysrecognized
bycontemporaryPagans,andthereisnoreasonwhyyouneedtodoso.Ifyou
arecomfortablewiththeNeo-Paganwheeloftheyear,thenofcoursestickwith
that,butthereisnothinginherentlywrongwithfollowingadifferentsacred
calendar.

Theimportantthingisnotwhatcalendaryoufollow,butthatyouconsistently
observetheholytides—theholidays—ofthatcalendar.Bydoingsoyoutouch
theearth,attuningyourselftotheseasonalchangesoccurringaroundyou.

Inthenextchapterwewilllookathowyoucanadaptasacredcalendartoyour
ownenvironment,andhowyoucanmaketheholytidesmoremeaningfuland
fulfilling.

Step7:FindYourFolkEverystepyouhavetakensofarhasbeenorcouldbea
solitaryaction.Youhavehadcompletecontrolovereachone.

Youdecidedwhereandwhenyouwouldmaketheefforttof322

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connectwithSpirit.Youalonedesignedyoursacredspace,anddesignateda
sacredtimetoconsistentlymaintainyourconnectionwithyourgodsand
ancestors.Youhavesacralizedyourdailyactions,observedconsistenthúsles(or
esbats,ordruidmoons)andholytides.Youmayhavedonesomeofthiswith
otherpeople,butitwasentirelyyourchoicetotakeaction.Forthisseventhstep,
however,thereisanelementofchance.Dependingonyourcircumstances,
monthsorevenafewyearsmightpassbeforeyoucrosspathswithpeoplewho
youwouldwanttoweaveyourdestinywith.

TherearePaganswhoremain“solitary”throughouttheirlives,eschewingany
outward,communalspiritualexpression.Humans,however,aresocial,tribal
creatures,andtheoverwhelmingmajorityofusarehappierwhenwecanshare
ourlifeexperienceswithothers.ItisararepersonwhoenjoysspendingNew
Year’sEvealone,orlooksforwardtoeatingaCornishgamehenbyhimselfon
ThanksgivingDay.

Ourcelebrations,whethersecularorspiritual,aremorefulfillingwhenweare
joinedwithothersoflikemind.

ForSaxonPagans,thissocialcollectiveisoftencalledaninhíred,whichisan
OldEnglishwordmeaning“household”.

FollowersofÁsatrúhavesimilartribalunitsknownaskindreds.AHellenic
Paganismorelikelytocallhisorhergroupademos.Justaswiththehúselor
esbat,whetheryoucallitaninhíredorademosisnotimportanthere.These
Pagantribesvaryalotsuperficially,buttheyall(ideally)providesocialsupport
fortheirindividualmembers.

Thetribemayevenbeanuclearfamily:mom,dadandthekids.Moreoften,
however,itwillbeanextended“familyofchoice”,comprisedofpeoplewhoare

however,itwillbeanextended“familyofchoice”,comprisedofpeoplewhoare
notallgeneticallyrelated.Onesuchgroupmayconsistoftwonuclearfamiliesf
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sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

andseveralotheradultmembers,whileanothergroupmayconsistoffive
unrelatedpersons.Whatallofthemembersdoshareisacommonworldview.

Icannotoveremphasizethevalueofthetribe.Paganholytidesarenodifferent
thananyotherholidays;theycanbelone-lytimesifwehavenobodytoshare
themwith.WhenIamunsureofacourseofaction,Icanrelyonmyfellow
gesithas(theoathedmembersofmyinhíred)togivehonestbutgentleadvice.
Whenoneofusneedshelp,therestofusarethereforhimorher.Wecelebratea
húseltogethereverymonth,andgatherforholidaycelebrationslikeanyother
family.

Becausethetribecanbecomesoveryimportantinyourlife,itisequally
importantthatyoufindtherightpeopletoenterintosucharelationshipwith.
Thisiswheretheelementofchancecomesin.Aswithfindingalifepartner,
findingyourfolkisnotasimplematteroflookingthroughtheYel-lowPages.

Itcanbetemptingtojointhefirstgroupyouencounter,especiallyifyouhave
beenlookingforotherlikemindedpeopleforalongtime.Beforeagreeingto
joinwithanyPagangroup,youshouldaskyourselfthefollowingquestions:•
Doesthegroupshareyourpersonalworldview?Ifnot,howfarareyouwilling
tocompromiseyourspiritualidentity?Whatconnectsyoutothistribe?

•Whatarethetribe’sexpectationsofitsmembers?Aretheseexpectations
clearlydefined?

•Whatisrequiredtoleavethetribeifyoulaterchoosetodoso?Ifa
membershipoathisinvolved,isthereaprovisionintheoathallowingyouto
leavethegrouphon-orably?(Thewordingofsomeoathsdonotrequirethis,f34
2

sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

butbesurethatyouunderstandexactlywhatyouarepromising.)

•Doesthegrouporitsleaderstakeanundueinterestinrecruitingnewmembers?

•Doesthegrouporitsleaderstakeanundueinterestinrecruitingnewmembers?
Thisshouldraisearedflag.

Pagangroupsdonotnormallyrecruit.

•Dotheothermembersofthegroupsharealifestylecompatiblewithyourown?
Ifyouareasingleandinyourtwenties,youmaynotfitwellwithagroup
comprisedofretiredcouples.Ormaybeyouwould,butitisafactortoconsider.

Ifyouarenotcompletelysatisfiedwiththeanswerstoanyofthesequestions,it
isbettertowaituntilyouhavefoundagroupthatyouaresureof.Aninhíredor
demosorcovenisnot,orshouldnotbe,merelyasocialclub.Membershipinthe
groupisanemotionalcontractthatyoushouldnotenterintolightly.

Thisiswhythereisanelementofchance.WiththefirstsixstepsthatIhave
outlined,youhavecompletecontrol.Youdecidetotakethoseactions.Youdo
nothavecompletecontroloverthisseventhstep.SowhileIhavesaid“findyour
folk”,itmaybemoreaccuratetodescribethisasleavingyourselfopento
findingyourfolk.Tosomeextent,theprocessisinthehandsofthegods.

Ishouldaddherethatthesetribescananddosometimesoverlap.Itisnevera
goodideato“collect”covensorkindreds,butaPaganmaybelongtomorethan
onetribewhenthegroupshavedifferentobjectivesandnon-conflicting
schedules.TheoathedmembersofmyinhíredareallSaxonPagans.

Wehonorthesamegodsandsharesimilarvalues.HoweverIalsobelongtoan
ÁrnDraíochtFéingrove.Thegrove’spur-f352

sevenstepstoanewwayofliving

poseistofosterspiritualcommunityinourimmediatearea.

Noteveryoneinmyinhíredbelongstothegrove.Converse-ly,membersofmy
grovedonothavetobeSaxonPagans.

Thesearetwoseparatetribes,withdifferentparametersandobjectives.However
itisnotagoodideatobelongtotwogroupswithsimilarobjectives—two
Wiccancovens,forexample—becausetherewillalmostinevitablybe
competitionforyourtimeandenergy.Thisisanotherreasonyoushouldonly
becomeamemberofagroupthatyouarecompletelycomfortablewith.Once
youhaveyourtribeyoucannotreasonablyparticipateinothergroupsofthe
sametype.

sametype.

*

Nowyouhavereadaboutallsevensteps.Howmanyofthesehaveyoutaken?If
theansweris“none”,gobacknowandstartwithStep1.Ratherthansimply
readingaboutPaganism,takethatfirststepandbegintowalkthewalk.

Inthefollowingchapterswewillexplorevariousactivitiesthatcantakeyour
personalPaganpracticetoevendeeperlevels,butthe“sevenstepprogram”will
leadyoutoanewwayoflivingalmostimmediately.Thestepsareverysimple.
Eventuallyyouwillprobablyelaborateonsomeofthem—establishinga
secondaryaltar,orsacralizingmoreofyourdailyschedule—buttheinitialsteps
areeasyactionsanyonecantake.

Theonlythingyoumightfinddifficult,especiallyifyouarenewtoPaganism,is
observingtheholytides.Dependingonyourlifestyleandenvironment,someof
thehighdaysmaynotseemrelevanttoyou.Inthenextchapterwewilllookat
thesacralcalendarandhowyoucanadaptittoyourownlife.

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CHAPTERTWO

THESACRAL

CALENDAR

Acalendarisasystemforreckoningtimebydefiningthebeginningand
divisionsofayear.Thesecularcalendarweallsharetodaydividestheyearinto
twelvemonthsof28–31

days,andbeginstheyearonthefirstdayofJanuary.Mostcalendarsdefinea
yearasthelengthoftimeittakesforourplanettoorbitthesun,butthereare
exceptions.TheIslamicsacralcalendarispurelylunar,soeachIslamicNew
Yearbegins11–12daysearlierthantheyearbefore.Mostcalendarsdividethe
yearintotwelveorthirteenmonths,basedonthemoon’sorbitaroundourplanet.

Thesedivisionsdefinethepassageoftimeinawaythatgivesitmeaning.For
thoseofuswholiveinthetemperatenorthernhemisphere,Januaryevokes
memoriesoficeandsnow,Juneofwarmafternoons,andOctoberofcrispf37

f

2

37

thesacralcalendar

autumnleaves.Asacralcalendarshouldcreateanevendeepermeaning
reflectingourspirituality.Itshoulddothis,butveryoftenthecalendarfailsinits
purposebecauseofthetendencymanyofushavetoacceptandfollowageneric
sacralcalendarregardlessofhowappropriateitmayormaynotbeforourselves.

Asasacralcalendar,theNeo-Pagan“wheeloftheyear”

isaniceconstructthatallcontemporaryPaganpeoplecanacknowledgewhen
wegettogetherwithothersofdisparatepaths.Iliketothinkofitasthe
EsperantoofPagancalendars;itdoesnotbelongtoanyoneculture,butitis
neverthelessasimpleyetexpressivewayforallPaganstomeasurethepassage

neverthelessasimpleyetexpressivewayforallPaganstomeasurethepassage
oftheseasons.FortheeclecticPagan,theNeo-Paganwheeloftheyearisas
goodachoiceasanyotherforaprimarysacralcalendar.

TheNeo-Pagancalendarobserveseightholydays.Thiscalendarcanjustas
accuratelybecalledtheWiccansacralcalendar,becauseitoriginatedwiththe
Wiccanreligionintheearlytomiddle20thCentury.Thecalendarcombines
CelticfirefestivalslikeSamhainandBeltanewithAnglo-Saxonsolstice
celebrations.Thisamalgamationwashammeredintoacalendarofeight
“sabbats”spacedfivetosevenweeksapart.Todayitisusedasasacralcalendar
notonlybyWiccans,butbymanycontemporaryPagangroupssuchasthe
ChurchofAllWorldsandÁrnDraíochtFéin.

HoweverusefultheNeo-Pagancalendarmaybe,yourownpersonalsacral
calendarwillbemoremeaningfultoyouifitreflectsyourspiritualpath.Unless
youfollowtheWiccanreligion,assumingyoufollowaspecificpath,your
spiritualculturewillhaveacalendarwithuniqueemphases.

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AsaSaxonPagan,IobserveaSaxoncalendar.Theearly,pre-ChristianSaxons
hadalunarbasedcalendar,but,unliketheIslamiccalendar,thesolaryearwas
alsotakenintoconsideration.Mostyearshavetwelvemonths,or“moons”,but
everyfewyearstherewillbeathrilithe,whichhasthirteenmonths.Thethrilithe
adjuststhelunarcalendarsothemonthofSolmonathalwaysoccursaround
February,HrethmonathalwaysoccursaroundMarch,andsoon.Fortheearly
Saxons,anew“monath”beganatthefullofthemoon.

InsouthernEurope—inRomeandGreece—amonthbeganatthenewmoon,but
inthenorthernEuropeanculturesitseemsthemonthswerereckonedbythefull
moons.

Myinhíredgathersonceamonthtoobserveahúsel,givingofferingstoour
gods,butthese“months”arenotGregorian(secular)months.Theyaretrue
monthas,ormoons.

Becauseofthis,wearekeenlyawareofthemoon’scycles.

RememberthatHalSiduisallaboutintegratingyourbody,mindandspirit.By
followingalunarbasedcalendar,myhíredmennandIattuneourselvestothe

followingalunarbasedcalendar,myhíredmennandIattuneourselvestothe
rhythmofthenaturalworldand,ofequalimportance,withthewaysofour
Saxonpredecessors.

ThelunarmonthshelpusconnectwiththeworldviewoftheearlySaxons,and
thusexpressourspiritualitymorefully.Solmonath,whichfallsinJanuaryand
February,liter-allymeans“mud-month”inOldEnglish.ThehistorianBede
recordedthattheSaxonsgaveofferingsofcakesduringthismonth.Bycakehe
meantabakedproductthatwasprobablymorelikeourmodernbread.Whenthe
Solmonathmoongrowsfull,Ileavealoaforcakeontilledsoilasanoffering.

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Thetwomonthsfollowing,HrethmonathandEostremon-ath,arenamedforthe
earthgoddessHertheandthevernalgoddessEostre.AfterthiscomesThrimilci,
“three-milkings”,sonamedbecausethecattlecouldbemilkedthreetimesaday.

ThenexttwomonthsareÆrraLithaandÆfterraLitha.

TheOldEnglishwordlithmeansapointormoment,andinthiscontextitisa
referencetothesummersolstice,thatpointintimewhenthedaysceaseto
increaseinlengthandbegintodecrease.Thenamesofthesetwomonths,Ærra
LithaandÆfterraLitha,meanBeforetheSolsticeandAftertheSolstice.
Incidentally,duringathrilithethethirteenthmonthisinsertedbetweenthese
two,andisknownsimplyasLitha.

NextcomesWeodmonath,or“weed-month”,and,ifyouhaveeverhadany
connectionwiththeearth,youunderstandwhyithasthisname.Weodmonath
occursaroundAugust,whenweedsgrowlike…well,likeweeds…inthe
summer’sheatinthetemperatenorthernhemisphere.ThencomesHaligmonath,
the“holy-month”,whenofferingsaregiveninthanksforasuccessfulharvest.

ItisalmostalwayssometimeinOctoberwhentheWinterfyllethmoongrows
full.Thismonth,asitsnamesuggests,signalsthebeginningofwinter.Atthis
time,SaxonPaganscelebrateWinterFinding.Itisnottheendoftheyear,butit
isanimportanttransitionalmonththatleadsintoBlodmona-th,orthe“blood-
month”.WinterbeganfortheearlySaxonswithafinalharvest—theharvestof
meat.Onlythebestlivestockwouldbewinteredover,andtheexcesswas
butchered,smokedandsalted.

butchered,smokedandsalted.

ThefinaltwomonthsareÆrraGeolaandÆfterraGeola,meaningBeforeYule
andAfterYule.Themeaningof“Yule”

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isuncertain,butitmaymean“wheel”.BothofthesemonthscomprisetheYule
season.ÆrraGeolamarkstheendoftheoldyear,whileÆfterraGeolaisthe
beginningofthenew.

Observingthelunarmonthsisanimportantaspectofmypersonalspiritual
practice,buttheSaxoncalendaralsoacknowledgesholytides—holidays—at
varioustimesoftheyear.TheseholytidescorrespondmorecloselytotheNeo-
PagancalendarthanthoseofsomeotherPaganpaths.

ThisisbecauseGeraldGardner,thefounderofWicca,wasanEnglishman.
WhiletheNeo-PagancalendarisoftenthoughttobeCelticinorigin,thefactis
thatitissimplyEnglish,blendingbothCelticandAnglo-Saxonholydays.

BeltaneandSamhainareCelticfirefestivalswelcominginthesummerand
winter.YuleandMidsummerareAnglo-Saxonfestivalsmarkingthesummer
andwintersolstice.LughnasadhisasummerfestivalcommemoratingtheCeltic
godLughandhisfostermother;theAnglo-Saxonscelebratedagrainfestival
calledHláfmæsseatthesametimeofyear.ThefeastoftheAnglo-Saxon
goddessEostrewascelebratedatthefullmoonfollowingthespringequinox,but
hasbecomeequat-edwiththeequinoxintheNeo-Pagancalendar.Ofcoursethe
pre-ChristianSaxonsandCeltslivedtogetheronanislandroughlythesizeof
Missouri,soculturalexchangewasinevi-table,andPaganstodaywhofollowa
WelshorScottishpathwillalsofindthattheirpersonalspiritualityblendsvery
wellwiththeNeo-Paganwheeloftheyear.

FortheWelshorScottishPagan,theholytidesofBeltaneandSamhainarethe
mostimportantcelebrations.ButitisYulethattakesprecedenceontheSaxon
calendar.ItincludesbothmonthsofÆrraGeolaandÆfterraGeola,andcelebra-
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thesacralcalendar

tionsmighttakeplaceatanytimeduringthesetwomonths.

ThemostimportantpartofYuleisMothers’Night,thenightofthewinter
solstice,whenpraiseandofferingsaregiventoourfemaleancestors,the
mothersofourmothers.Today’sSaxonPagansusuallyfocustheircelebrations
onMothers’

Nightandthetwelvenightsthatfollow,endingonorjustafterNewYear’s.In
myhomewelightonecandleonMothers’Night,twocandlesthefollowing
night,threethenightafterthat,andsoonuntiltwelvecandlesareburning
brightlyonthetwelfthnightofourcelebrating.WewilldiscussYuletide
activitiesinmoredepthinthefinalchapterofthisbook.

ByobservingthelunarcyclesandtraditionalSaxonholydays,Ihonornotonly
mygodsbutalsothewaysofmyancestors.BythisImeanmyspiritual
ancestors.Idohap-pentohaveagoodmeasureofEnglishblood,withfamily
nameslikePotter,OakandTauntoninmypedigree,butthepre-ChristianAnglo-
SaxonsarethespiritualancestorsofanySaxonPaganregardlessofhisorher
biologicalancestry.ItistheworldviewoftheearlyAnglo-Saxonsandtheir
reverencefortheearththathasinspiredtoday’sSaxonPagansandshapedus,in
part,tobewhoweare.

Inadditiontothemonthsandseasons,aSaxoncanincorporatethedaysofthe
weekintohissacralcalendar.Itcanbearguedthatthesevendayweek
originatedwiththeRomans,butthisconstructwasadoptedveryearlyinSaxon
society.

TheEnglishnamesforthedaysoftheweekareaveritableparadeofSaxon
divinity:Sunne,Mona,Tiw,Woden,ThunorandFrige.Theonlyexceptionis
Saturday,whichretainedinitsnamethereferencetotheRomangodSaturnus.
Wemayneverknowthereasonforthis,but,sinceSaturnuswasagodf422

thesacralcalendar

ofsowing,IthinkofSaturdayasadaysacredtothegodIngandthegoddess
Fréo,divinesiblingscloselyassociatedwiththewealthoftheearth.

MySaxonsacralcalendarisapartofmypersonalpracticeofHalSidu.Itisa
holisticcalendar.Ratherthanacceptageneric,“onesizefitsall”wheelofthe
year,itisareflectionofmyspirituality.IfyouareaPaganwhofollowsa

differentpath,youwillwanttotweakthecalendarinadifferentway,butthe
principleremainsthesame.Yourwheeloftheyearshouldberelevanttoyour
spirituality.

ThenamesoftheSaxonmonths(three-milkings,weed-month)showthatthe
calendarispredominantlyagrarian.

ThisisnotunusualfortraditionalPaganmethodsofreckoningthepassageof
time.TolearnsomethingabouttheIrishsacralcalendar,Ispokewithmyfriend
DianeDahm,anIrishPagan,whoassertsthatherownsacralcalendarhasa
similarfocus.“Keepinmindthatthesignificanceoftheseholidayshadmuchto
dowithsurvival,andwerenotalwaysthecelebrationsweviewthemastoday,”
shesays.“Whenpeopleweredependentontheearthandontheanimalsfortheir
sourceoffood,acknowledgingtheturningofthewheelwasverymuchlinkedto
wheretheirfoodsupplywasgoingtobecomingfrom.”

DianeisawarethatthetraditionalIrishsacralcalendarisnotthesameasthe
Neo-Pagancalendar.“InsteadoftheeightNeo-Paganholidays,theIrishpeople
observefourmajorfestivalsthroughouttheyear:Samhain,Imbolc,Beltaneand
Lughnasadh.”AsanactivememberofherlocalPagancom-munity,Diane
participatesingroupsolsticeandequinoxrites,f432

thesacralcalendar

butherpersonalsacralcalendaremphasizesthefourholytidesthatreflecther
spirituality.

Shealsoknowsthatthepopular,moderninterpretationsofthosefourholidays
arenotnecessarilytraditionalIrishPaganinterpretations.Dianebelievesthat
today’sPaganssometimesmissthedeepersignificanceofholytideslikeBeltane
andImbolc.Inherownwords,“BeltaneisseenbyPaganstodayasbeinga
fertilityrite,butimaginethesignificanceofthefertileearth…whenyour
survivaldependsuponit.(Beltane)isn’tasmuchaboutsexasitisaboutthe
poten-tialforlifetogrowonceagain.”Sheaddsthat,“animalswereoftenled
betweentwofirestobestowblessingsuponthemfortheupcomingyear,”a
customrarelyseenincontemporaryBeltanerites.OfImbolc,thewinterfestival,
Dianesays,“Imbolciscommonlyassociatedwiththelactatingoftheewes.In
Irishsociety,woolwasanimportantpartoftheeconomysoitseemsnaturalthat
thiswouldbeobservedinsomeway.OntheChristiancalendar,February1stis
theFeastofSt.Brigid.Presently,manyPaganshonortheGoddessBrigidin

theFeastofSt.Brigid.Presently,manyPaganshonortheGoddessBrigidin
somewayonthisholiday,althoughitisunclearwhetherthisisanancientPagan
practice.”

TheIrishsacralcalendarandtheSaxoncalendararesimilarintheiragricultural
focus,butDianemakesitclearthattherearealsodistinctdifferencesbetween
thetwo.TheWinterfyllethmooninOctobermarksthebeginningofwinterfor
SaxonPagans,butfortheIrishPaganthistimeofyear,knownasSamhain,
meansmuchmore.“TheIrishmarkedthestartoftheNewYearwithSamhain,
observedontheeveofNovember1standthroughoutthefollowingday,”says
Diane,“Samhainisneitheradayofthisyearornext.Itstandsf442

thesacralcalendar

onitsownasatimebetweentimes.TheIrishthoughtittobeneithersummer
norwinterandtheboundariesbetweenthespiritworldofthesidheandthe
worldofmenwereeasilycrossed.”

DianeandIhavedifferentsacralcalendarsbecausewefollowdifferentspiritual
paths.WecanbothrelatetotheNeo-Pagancalendar,butweeachdosoina
slightlydifferentway.SpiritualculturesthatevolvedfartherawayfromEngland
willhavesacralcalendarsthatvarymorefromtheNeo-Pagancalendar.

Hellenismos,alsoknownasHellenismorHellenicreligion,isGreekPaganism.
WorshipisdirectedtotheGreekgods:Zeus,Hera,Apollo,Aphroditeandsoon.
WithaspiritualcultureoriginatinginsouthernEurope,HellenicPaganshavea
sacralcalendarthatbearslittleresemblancetotheNeo-Pagancalendar.Irisa
MacKenzie,aHellenicPaganlivinginOhio,says,“TheHelleniccalendarwas
basedonalunarcycle.Assuch,thisaffectedtheirworship.”Hereweseea
similaritybetweentheHellenesandtheSaxons.LiketheSaxons,theHellenic
peopleinsertedathirteenthmonthintotheircalendareveryfewyearssothe
lunarmonthswouldfallintoplacewiththesolaryear.Thisthirteenthmonth
usually(butnotalways)followedtheirmonthofPoseideion,whichfallsin
DecemberandJanuary.IrisaechoesDianeDahm’scommentabouttheIrish
sacralcalendar,saying,“TheHelleniccalendardoesnotmirrorthetraditional
Neo-Paganwheeloftheyear.Asidefrom(someHellenicfestivals)being
celebratedduringasimilartimeframe,thereislittleincommonwiththemodern
wheeloftheyear.”

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OnesignificantdifferencebetweentheHellenicsacralcalendarandthatofthe
Saxons,asIrisahaspointedouttome,isthattheHellenicmonthisreckoned
fromthedarkofthemoon,whichisknownastheHekateDephinion.Thistime
wassacredtothegoddessHecate.Thefollowingday,whenthemooncanfirst
beseenasaslendercrescentintheeveningsky,isknownastheNoumenia,
whenofferingsaregiventoalloftheHellenicgods,butinparticulartoSelene,
Apollo,Hera,Hermesandtothehousehold’sancestors.

ThedayfollowingthisisthedaysacredtotheAgathosDaemon.Irisadescribes
thisas,“Thespiritthatresidesinyourhome,mostcommonlyviewedasasnake,
theancientsymbolofhealing.TypicallyalibationisgiventotheAgathos
Daemonhonoringitsplaceinthehome.”ThenameAgathosDaemonsimply
means“noblespirit”.

ThethirddayafterthenewmoonissacredtothegoddessAthena,andtheday
afterthattobothAphroditeandHermes.Dayssixandsevenaresacredto
Artemis,thenApollo.

TheeighthdayafterthenewmoonissacredtothegodPoseidon.

Atthefullmoon,thegoddessSeleneisagainhonored.

EachoftheHellenicmonthsissacredtoanOlympiangodorgoddess.Atthe
beginningofthemonth,attheNoumenia,Irisagivesalibationtothatmonth’s
honoreddeity.

InAthenstheyearbeganwhenthenewmoonwasfirstseenafterthesummer
solstice.ThissignaledthemonthofHeka-tombaion,whichissacredtoAthena.
DuringthismonththepeopleofAthenscelebratedthePanathenaia,afestival
honoringthegoddessoftheircitythatusuallycameneartheendf462

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ofJuly.IrisadescribesthePanathenaiaas“atimeoflibationsgamesand
feasting”.

ThenextmonthisMetageitnion,themonthsacredtothegodHermes.Aminor
festivalknownastheHeraThelchiniafallsonthetwentiethdayofthemonth.
ThisiscelebratedbyHellenicPaganstodaywithincense,hymnsandlibationsto

ThisiscelebratedbyHellenicPaganstodaywithincense,hymnsandlibationsto
thegoddessHera.

FollowingthisisBoedromion,amonthsacredtobothDemeterandPersephone.
FivedaysafterthenewmoonduringthismonthistheGenesia,adaytohonor
thedead,especiallythosewhodiedinbattle.

ThemonthofPyanopsionbringsafestivalcalledtheThesmophoriawhich
beginsontheeleventhdayofthemonth.ThisisusuallycelebratedbyHellenic
womenasathreedayfestival,althoughIrisatellsmethatsomesourc-es
describeitasoriginallybeingafivedayfestival.Whetherthreedaysorfive,itis
awomen’sfestival.Theritesinvolvefasting(exceptforpomegranateseeds),a
torchceremonyandafeastattheend.

Maimakterionisamonthwherenothingmuchseemstotakeplaceinthewayof
festivities.Historically,therewasafeastduringthelatterpartofthemonth
calledthePompaia,dedicatedtoZeus,butlittleisknownaboutit,anditisnot
widelyobservedbycontemporaryHellenes.

ThesixthmonthisPoseideion,which,despiteitsname,issacredtoDionysus.
YouwouldthinkthatamonthcalledPoseideionwouldbesacredtoPoseidon,
butthosecrazyGreekssometimeshadinscrutableideas.Onthetwentysixthday
ofthemonthisafestivalcalledtheHaloa,sacredtobothDemeterandDionysus,
andcelebratedwithmuchrevelry.

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ThepeopleinAthenshadaminorcelebrationatthistimecalledthe“Rural
Dionysus”,todistinguishitfromtheGreaterDionysusfestivalthattakesplace
inthemonthofElaphebolion.DuringtheRuralDionysusastatueofthegodwas
symbolicallycarriedintothecity.Thiseventwasfollowedbyfeastingand
singing.

ThemonthofGamelionfallsinJanuaryandFebruary,andissacredtothe
goddessHera.OnthetwentysixthdayofthemonthafestivalcalledtheGamelia
celebratesthemar-riageofHeraandZeus,aswellasthecomingofspringand
newbeginnings.

ThisisfollowedbyAnthesterion,amonthsacredtoAphrodite.Itisnotablefor

ThisisfollowedbyAnthesterion,amonthsacredtoAphrodite.Itisnotablefor
itsAnthesteria,or“FestivalofFlowers”,athreedaycelebrationwhichdoesnot
seemtoactuallyhavemuchtodowithflowers.ForHelleneslivinginanorthern
temperateclimatethisisprobablyagoodthing,becausetheAnthesteriausually
comesatsometimearoundtheendofFebruarywhenthereisnotverymuchin
bloom.ThefestivalbeginsontheeleventhdayofthemonthwithPithio-gia,or
“openingofjars”.Newbottlesofwineareopened,andlibationspouredto
Dionysus.ThenextdayisKhoes,the“dayofcups”,whenalotofthatwineis
consumedindrink-ingcontests.Irisadescribesthefestivitiesashaving“an
eroticatmosphere”.ThethreedayAnthesteriaendswithKhytrai,the“dayof
pots”,whenpotsoffoodaresetoutasofferingsforthedead.

AfterAnthesterioncomesthemonthofElaphebolion,whichissacredto
Hephaestos.ThisisthemonthoftheGreaterDionysusfestival.TheGreater
Dionysusiscelebratedwiththeatrical,poeticandartisticcompetitions.Irisasays
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itisalso“atimeforthefolktolettheirinhibitionsdown”.

Shementionsthatimagesofphallusesweretraditional-lycarriedaboutin
processions,sothefestivalprobablyhadmoreoftheeroticatmospherethat
peoplehadatasteofinthemonthofAnthesterionduringtheKhoescelebration.

(AnthesterionandElaphebolionseemtobegoodmonthstobeaHellenic
Pagan.)

ThemonthofMounykhionissacredtothegoddessArtemis,andoneitherthe
sixthdayorthesixteenthcomestheMounykhiafestivaldevotedtoher.The
discrepancyisbecausetheGreeksdidnothaveastandard,unifiedcalendar.

EitherdatecanbecelebratedastheMounykhiabyaHellenicPagan,however
youshouldprobablypickonedayortheotherandsticktoit.

ItisfittingthatArtemis’monthisfollowedbyThargelion,whichissacredtoher
brother,Apollo.Thesixthandseventhdaysofthismonthareatwodayfestival
calledtheThargelia.Traditionally,inAthens,twopeoplewereselectedto
representtheentirecity.Thesepeoplewerefedandthenbeatentopurifythe
city.SoThargelionmaynotbesuchagreatmonthtobeaHellenicPagan,at
leastnotifyouareofferedapartinthelocalThargeliarites.Iamkidding,of

leastnotifyouareofferedapartinthelocalThargeliarites.Iamkidding,of
course;suchapracticeisunacceptabletoday,butsomeactofpurification—
perhapsritualbathingorcensing—isappropriateforaThargeliariteintheearly
summer.

FinallytheHellenicyearcomestoanendintheearlysummerwiththemonthof
Skirophorion.

AverydevoutHellenicPaganmaygototheefforttoworkoutasacrallunar
calendarfromoneyeartothenext,butanunderstandingoftheHellenicmonths
willbenefitf492

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anyonewhofollowsthispath.Evenifyouarenotcertainwhenthetwentiethday
ofMetageitnionis,youcanneverthelessholdaThelchiniariteinAugustand
offerincenseandlibationstothegoddessHera.Hellenicwomencangather
togetherinOctobertocelebratetheThesmophoriawithafeast.Whilethismay
seemhaphazard,wehaveseenthateventhePaleo-PaganHellenesdidnothave
oneuniversal,standardcalendar.

Toenjoyamoreholisticspirituality,IrisaincorporatestheHelleniccalendarin
herpersonalPaganpractice,justasDianeDahmdoeswiththeIrishcalendarand
IdowithaSaxoncalendar.Thus,foreachofus,thecalendarbecomesmore
relevanttoourworkasPaganpeople.Yourcalendarshouldbeequallyrelevant
toyourownspiritualpath.Whatholidayswerehistoricallyobservedinyour
culturaltradition?

Howdidthosepeopledefinethepassageoftime?

Anotherimportantconsiderationwhendevelopingapersonalsacralcalendaris
yourlocalclimateandeco-system.

TheNeo-PaganwheeloftheyearassumesthatyouliveintheUnitedKingdom.
ThemoreyourclimatevariesfromthatofGreatBritain,thelessrelevantthe
traditionalwheeloftheyearwillbeforyou.Thesamesacralcalendarcannot
serveboththeneedsofPaganslivinginTorontoandtheneedsofPagansinNew
Orleans;evenifthosePagansfollowthesamespiritualpath,theylivein
completelydifferentclimates.

Itwilltakeatleastonefullyearforyoutodevelopasacralcalendarthatistruly
relevantforyourlocalenvironment.Todothisyouwillneedtoputdownthe

relevantforyourlocalenvironment.Todothisyouwillneedtoputdownthe
book,stepawayfromthecomputerkeyboard,turnoffthetelevision,go
outdoorsandreallylookattheworldaroundyou.Therewardswillbef502

thesacralcalendar

wellworththeeffort.Duringthecomingyear,trytodiscovertheanswerstothe
followingquestions:

•Whattreesgrowinyourimmediatevicinity(meaningwithintenmilesofyour
home)?Aretheydeciduousorevergreen?Ifdeciduous,atwhattimeoftheyear
dotheirleavesbegintochangecolor?Whendotheydroptheirleaves?Be
specific;knowtheexactmonth,andwhetheritisearlyorlateinthemonth.We
allknowthattheydroptheirleavesintheautumn.

•Whendoesthefirsthardfrostcome?Assumingyouexperienceahardfrostat
all,whichyouwillnotifyouliveinMiamiorSanDiego.

•Whendoesthelastfrostcomeinthespring?Againassumingyouliveina
temperateclimate.

•Whendoesthefirstsnowfall?Howlateinthespringdoyouhavesnow?Do
youhavesnowatall?

•Whatflowersbloominyourregion?Whendotheyfirstcomeintobloom?
Howlongdotheybloom?

•Whatbirdsliveinyourimmediatevicinity?Aretheymigratory,ordotheylive
thereallyear?Iftheymigrate,whendotheyleave?Whendotheyreturn?

•Whatmammalsliveinyourimmediatevicinity?Doestheirbehaviorchangeat
differenttimesoftheyear?

How?

•Ifyouliveinanagriculturalregion,whatcropsaregrownandharvested?
Whenaretheseplanted?Whenistheproducecollectedanddistributed?

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Asyouanswerthesequestions,youwillappreciatetheimportanceofthe
environmentalfactorindevelopingapersonalsacralcalendar.Youwillnurture
yourownunderstandingofyourenvironment,whichyoucanthenincorporate
intoyourspiritualandmagicalwork.

Youmayoccasionallyneedtostrikeacompromisebetweenyourspiritualpath
andyourenvironment,whileatothertimestheseissuesmaycometogetherto
formauniquesynthesisinyoursacralcalendar.Forexample,ifyouarea
HellenicPaganlivinginMinneapolis,itcanbedifficulttoreconcilethefestival
ofHaloawiththefrigidMinnesotawinters.FortheGreeks,Haloawasaharvest
festivalwhererecentlygatheredfruitsweregratefullyofferedtoDemeterand
Dionysus,butHaloausuallyfallsintheGregorianmonthofDecember,afterthe
harvestseasonhascomeandgoneinthenorthernUnitedStates.Ofcoursewe
cangivethanksforthegods’blessingsatanytimeofyear,andfreshfruitis
availableatoursupermarketsregardlessoftheseason.ThenorthernHellenic
PagancouldcelebrateHaloabyofferingfruitstoDemeterandDionysus,but
thinkabouthowthisGreekfestivalcouldbeincorporatedmorefullyintoa
personalsacralcalendar.MostofthePagansIknowenjoytheseculartrappings
ofChristmas.InaHellenichousehold,thesolsticetreecouldbedecoratedwith
small,artificialfruitsasareminderofDemeter’sbounty.An“angel”treetopper
couldbemodifiedasanimageofDionysusbyanyonewithevenmoderate
artisticskills.Ornamentsshapedlikepigsorbullsareappropriate,iftheycanbe
found,astheseanimalsaresacredtoDemeterandDionysusrespectively.Ivyis
alsof522

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sacredtoDionysus,sogarlandsofartificialivycouldalsobeusedtodecorate
thetreeandelsewhereinthehome.

ThesolsticealmostalwayscomesafterHaloa,butthetwodaysarenotfarapart,
soitwouldbeveryeasytoincorporatetheHellenicfestivalintoone’sseasonal
“Christmas”

activities.

Ofnecessity,Paganslivingsouthoftheequatorhaveadaptedasacralcalendar
totheirownenvironment.ThePagansofAustralia,SouthAfricaandArgentina
havereversedtheNeo-Paganholidays.TheycelebrateMidsummerinDecember
because,forthem,Juneismid-winterratherthanmid-summer.Theirspring

because,forthem,Juneismid-winterratherthanmid-summer.Theirspring
equinoxcomesinSeptember,andtheautumnequinoxinMarch.Onthesur-face
thisseemssimpleandstraightforward,butreversingthecalendarchangesthe
toneoftheNeo-Paganholidays.ForPaganssouthoftheequator,itisatthe
summersolstice,notthewinter,whenmostoftheirneighborsarecelebratingthe
birthofChrist!

APaganlivinginthesouthernhemispherealsoneedstodeterminewhetheror
noteachPaganholidayistrulyseasonal.ManytraditionalPaganholidays—
perhapsthemajority—areseasonalbecausetheproductionandacquisitionof
foodwassoveryimportantinpre-industrialcultures.InnorthernEurope,
especially,mostholidayswererelatedinsomewaytoplantingcrops,harvesting,
thebirthoflivestockorsomeotheraspectofagriculture.Butthisisnota
universalquality.LookingagainattheHelleniccalendar,thereisnodiscernable
reasonwhyitwouldmakeanydifferencetoobservethePanathenaiafestivalin
thewinterinsteadofthesummer.NeverthelesssomePagansinthesouthern
hemi-f532

thesacralcalendar

spheremaychoosetoreversethisholiday,too,holdingitaftertheirDecember
summersolstice.Thereisno“correct”

answerunlessaholidayisobviouslyandundeniablyseasonal.Twohundred
yearsfromnow,Pagansmaylookbacktoseehowandwhenpeopleinthe21st
centuryobservedtheseholidays,buttoday,ifyouliveinanywhereinthe
southernhemisphere,youmustrelyonyourownintuitionandgoodjudgment
forguidance.

ButwhataboutPaganswholiveontheequator?WhilewritingthischapterI
begantowonderaboutthis,soIaskedmyfriendMarioMuniveAvendaño.
MariolivesinBogotá,Colombia,where“winter”and“summer”arealmost
abstractconcepts.“HereinColombiawedon’tspeakaboutwintersolsticeor
summersolstice,”hetoldme.“Herewehavetwoseasonsonly:thedryseason
andtherainseason….TherainseasonisApriltoOctober,anditrainssomuch.
Theriversgrowandthetemperaturefallsalittle,andtheairiswetthemajority
ofthetime.”Thisclimatecanbeeasilyincorporatedintothepersonalsacral
calendarsofColombianPagansbycelebratingtheadventoftherainyseason
eachyearattheMarchequinox.WhetherMarch21stisconsideredthe“spring”
equinoxorthe“autumn”equinoxislargelyirrele-vant;itisthe“rain”equinox!

Mario,whoisaWiccan,tellsmethat“manyWiccansinColombiadotheir
practiceasiflivingintheNorthHemisphere.”Thisseemstobethedefault,
sincethereisnorealreasonforColombianstoreversetheNeo-Paganholidays.

ThesamenorthernhemispheredefaultfavoredbyColombianWiccanswould
workequallywellforRoman,Slavic,HellenicorSaxonPagansinColombia,
butatrulyrelevantsacralf542

thesacralcalendar

calendarshouldalsoobservethedryandrainyseasonsattheappropriatetimes,
sincethesearesuchprevalentforcesinthatequatorialclimate.

WhatColombialacksinseasonalchangeitmakesupforwithitsnumerous
nationalholidays.ThemonthofFebruaryisespeciallynotableforits
celebrations,withannualcarnivalsheldincitieslikeBarranquilla,SantaMarta
andRiohacha.

MariosaystherearefestivalsheldinColombiathroughouttheyear,including
“somesobizarre,likeadonkeyfestivalinsomelittletowninColombia,Icannot
remember(where)now.”Whichleadsustoanotherconsiderationwhencreating
apersonalsacralcalendar.Whetheryouliveneartheequator,likeMario,ornear
thepolaricecap,regionalcelebrationsoftencanandshouldbeacknowledgedas
spokesinyourown“wheeloftheyear”.

Atfirstitmayseemthatthereisavastdifferencebetweenaholydaylike
BeltaneandanationalsecularholidaylikeVeterans’Day,butthatdifference
diminishesforthosewhoseektofollowHalSidu.Whyshouldonemomentin
yourlifebeanylesssacredthananother?Forsomepeopleasecularholidaylike
Veterans’Daymaymeannothingmorethanthebanksclosing.Butanysecular
holidaycanreflectyourspirituality,andinfactmanyAmericanAsatrúar
observeVeterans’DayasaholydaytheycallEinherjar,ortheFeastofthe
Einherjar.BydoingsotheyhaveincorporatedVeterans’

Dayintotheirsacralcalendars.TheEinherjararethespiritsofwarriorswho
havefalleninbattle;thosewhohavebeentakenuptoValhalla.TheEinherjar
aretypicallyreverencedwithablót,aritualinwhichmead(honeywine)is
offeredtothehonoredspirits.

f552

thesacralcalendar

Anysecularholidaycanbesacralizedinthiswayandgivenaspecialplacein
yourpersonalcalendar.Valentine’sDay?AHellenicPagancouldgivelibations
toAphrodite(theHellenicgoddessoflove),whileaNorsePagancouldoffer
meadtothegoddessFreya.OrifArborDayismeaningfultoyou,incorporateit
inyoursacralcalendarasadaytohonordryads,woodelvesorhoweverelseyou
perceivethespiritsofthetrees.ThanksgivingDayisselfexplanatory.For
AmericanPagans,Thanksgivingisessentiallyafourthharvestfestival,
followinginthewakeofLammas,theautumnequinoxandAllHallowsEve.

Since1970,EarthDayhasbeenobservedintheUnitedStateseveryyearon
April22ndtoinspireagreateraware-nessoftheenvironment.Ihavesacralized
theobservancewiththefollowingritualtotheearthgoddessHerthe.The
wordingisbasedonaprayerfroman11thcenturybookofAnglo-Saxonherbal
charms(althoughitisprobablymucholder),whiletheofferingsareinspiredby
another11thcenturycharmknownastheÆcerbot,or“FieldRemedy”.Asa
celebrationoftheearth,theritualisintendedtobeheldoutside.Ifheldindoors
becauseofinclementweatheroranyotherreason,theremustbeabowlto
receivetheofferings.

Theseofferingsshouldlaterbepouredoutontotheearth.Inanoutdoorritualthe
offeringsareindividuallypouredontotheearthaslibations.

Uptosevengebedmenn(prayer-leaders)canhaveactiverolesintheritual.If
therearefewerthansevenparticipants,individualgebedmennmaytakemore
thanonepart.Forthatmatter,onepersoncanperformthisdevotionalritual
alone.

Youwillneed:

f562

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•Afireor(ifindoors)acharcoalandaburnertoholdit.

•Fennelseeds.

•Asmallquantityofnaturalpressedvegetableoil.

•Asmallquantityofhoney.

•Asmallquantityofwholemilk.

*

Thefinolgebedmann(fennelprayer-leader)sprinklesapinchoffennelseeds
intothefire(orontotheburningcoal),saying:Herthe,DivineGoddess,Mother
Nature,WhogeneratesallthingsAndbringsforthanewtheSun,whichyouhave
giventothenations.

*

Nowthesceadugebedmann(shadowprayer-leader)says:Guardianofskyand
sea,ofallGodsandpowers;ThroughyourpowerallNaturefallssilent,and
thensinksintosleep.

Andagainyoubringbackthelight,andchaseawaythenight,Andyoucoverus
yetmostsecurelywithyourshadows.

*

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thesacralcalendar

Thestormgebedmann(stormprayer-leader)comesforwardandsays:You
containchaosinfinite,yes,andwindandshowersandstorms.

Yousendthemoutwhenyouwillandcausetheseatoroar;Youchaseawaythe
Sunandarousethestorm.

*

Followingthis,thelifgebedmann(lifeprayer-leader)says:Again,whenyouwill,
yousendforththejoyousdayAndgivethenourishmentofLifewithyoureternal
surety.

Andwhenthesouldeparts,toyouwereturn.

*

Theelegebedmann(oilprayer-leader)poursalibationofoilwhilesaying:You
aredulycalledtheGreatMotheroftheGods;Youconquerbyyourdivinename.

Youarethesourceofstrengthofnationsandofgods.

*

Thehuniggebedmann(honeyprayer-leader)stepsforwardandpoursalibation
ofhoney,saying:f582

thesacralcalendar

Withoutyounothingcanbebroughttoperfectionofbeborn;Youaregreat,
QueenoftheGods.

*

Themeolcgebedmann(milkprayer-leader)poursalibationofwholemilkand
says:Goddess,Iadoreyouasdivine;Icalluponyourname

Andgivethankstoyou,withduefaith.

*

Atthistimethefinolgebedmannmayinviteanywhowishtodosotospeak
theirownpersonalwordsofpraise,ortomakeoathstohonororprotecttheearth
insomeway.ThisisagoodtimetoreaffirmacommitmenttoHalSiduby
oathingtomakesomespecificchangeinyourlifestylethatwillleadtoamore
holistic,positiveexistence.

Finallythemeolcgebedmannconcludestheritualbysaying:

HailtoyouHerthe,MotherofMenandGods.

Towhichallparticipantsrespondwithahearty“Wassail!”

IamaSaxonPagan,somyEarthDayritualincludesAnglo-Saxonwordsand
drawsitsinspirationfromOldEnglishwritings,butanyone,whateverthesource
ofhisorf592

thesacralcalendar

herspiritualinspiration,candeviseasimilarritetohonortheeartheveryyearon
April22nd.

*

Ideally,whenyouhavemetthechallengeofdevisingasacralcalendarthatis
truetoyourself,yourswillnotlookexactlylikeeveryoneelse’sbecauseour
individualrelationshipswiththeworldaroundusareshapedbyavarietyof
factors.Yourownsacralcalendarshouldreflectyourspiritualorientation,your
physicalenvironmentandthegreatersocietyinwhichyouparticipate.

f602

CHAPTERTHREE

DAILYDEVOTIONS

Havingasacralcalendarthatreflectsyourenvironmentandyourspiritualfocus
ismoremeaningfulthanfollowinga“onesizefitsall”wheeloftheyear,but
everydayoftheyear—nomatterhowordinary—canbeinvestedwithyour
spirituality.TheholisticPaganlivesfullyinthemoment.Ratherthanwaitingfor
aspecialcalendardatetogivepraisetothegodsandancestors,eachdayis
embracedasanewopportunityforspiritualexpression.

Perhapsyoualreadydothis.How,ifatall,haveyouexpressedyourspirituality
today?Isitsomethingyoudoeveryday,orwasitaspecialorsporadicactivity?
Likeyoursacralcalendar,youshouldapproacheachdayinawaythatis
appropriateforyourownspiritualfocusandcircumstances.Almostanymoment
ofyourlifecanhaveadeeperspiritualmeaning,butthosemomentsareunique
toyourself.Myday—influencedbymyhouseholdandmymeansofsupport—is
differentfromf61

f

2

61

dailydevotions

yours,justasyourdayisatleastslightlydifferentfromthatofmostofyour
friends.

Whetherwedashofftoanoffice,ortoschool,orenjoyaleisurelycupofcoffee,
ortakethedogforawalk,theonethingmostofusdoeachmorningisariseto
faceanewday.Somepeoplebeginthedayatanoddhourduetotheir
occupationalschedule,butthemajorityofusawakeninthemorning.Thisevent,
socommonandsimple,isagreatopportunitytoaffirmyourspirituality.Some
Pagansliketomeditateinthemorning,believingitbetterpreparesthemforthe
comingday.Itneednotbealengthymeditation;tenminutescanbemorethan
enough.Iftimeisanissue,setyouralarmfifteenminutesearlier,meditatefor
tenminutesandthenenjoytheextrafiveminutesoffreetimethatyouhave

tenminutesandthenenjoytheextrafiveminutesoffreetimethatyouhave
givenyourself.

Amorningmeditationisagreatwaytostarttheday—forsomepeople.Itdoes
notworkforeveryone.Youmaybeoneofthosepeoplewhoaremorelikelyto
fallbackasleepifyouattempttomeditatethatearlyintheday.Ifso,youcan
stillsacralizethefirstmomentsofyourdaybyconnectingwithSpiritwitha
shortbutsincereprayer.

Iprefertomeditatelaterintheday,andinsteadgreetthemorningwithaprayer.
AndIreadilyconfessthatIamnota“morningperson”,soitisbest,formyself,
ifthewordsarepreparedandreadytocomefrommylips.Iamnotverygoodat
extemporaneousspeakingwhenIfirstwakeup.Forthisreason,Ihaveaset
prayerthatIliketouseinthemorning.TheprayeristothegoddessSunne,
sovereignspiritofthesun.AsIaddressher,Iusuallymarkthesigelruneinthef
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dailydevotions

airwithmyrighthand.SigelistheAnglo-Saxonrunethatrepresentsthesun.

S

Thewordingoftheprayeris:

Hailtoyou,Sunne,

JeweloftheHeavens,

RightlyareyoucalledtheGloryofElves!

Brightandfair,

Sailors’prayer,

Love’slightwoventhroughyourhair.

Giveroflife,toyouIpray,Guidemystepsthroughoutthisday.

MyspiritualpathisSaxon,andthewordsreflectthisverywell.Thephrase
“sailors’prayer”isinspiredbythepassageintheAnglo-SaxonRunePoemthat
tellsus“thesun,forsailors,isalwayshopedforwhentheydepartoverthe

tellsus“thesun,forsailors,isalwayshopedforwhentheydepartoverthe
fishes’bath”

(sigelsæmannumsimblebiþonhihte,þonnehíehinefériaþoferfiscesbæþ).
Theexpressions“GloryofElves”and“JeweloftheHeavens”areoldGermanic
kenningsforthesun.

AmorningprayertoSunneisappropriateformeasaSaxonPagan,butthe
spiritualityofaHellenic(Greek)Paganwouldbebetterreflectedinaprayerto
Helios,theGreekgodofthesun,whileaKemetic(Egyptian)Paganmightdirect
hisorhermorningprayertoRa.TheIrishPagancouldpraytothegoddess
Éadaoin.TheSlavicPagantoDazhbog.Thesef632

dailydevotions

areall,ofcourse,sundeitieswithintheirrespectivecultures.

Theformoftheprayerandanygesturesassociatedwithitshouldalsobe
culturallyappropriate.ObviouslyaKemeticPaganisnotgoingtomarkthesigel
runewhileprayingtoRa,sincetheAnglo-SaxonrunesdonotexpressKemetic
spirituality,butanakhet(theEgyptiansymbolofthehorizonwherethesun
rises)mightbewornorheldduringtheprayer.

Whileitisimportantthatyourmorningprayerreflectyourspiritualpath,the
deityyoupraytodoesnotnecessar-ilyneedtobeasolarordawndeity.AnIrish
PagancanofferamorningprayertoÉadaoin,buttheprayercanaseasilybe
directedtoBrigidortheDagdaifthatpersonhasastrongconnectiontoeitherof
thedeities.AKemeticdevoteeofIsismightchoosetodirectaprayertothat
goddessratherthantothesungodRa.Hereagain,theimportantthingisthat
yourprayerbetruetoyourspiritualpath.Asolardeityfromyourcultural
pantheonisanobviouschoicetoaddressinamorningprayer,butyouare
essentiallygivingthanksforanewdayandallthatitmaybring,andthatprayer
canbedirectedtowhatevergodorgoddessyoufeelaconnectionwith.

SINGINGINTHESHOWER

Earlymorningisjustoneofmanymomentsthroughoutthedaythatcanbe
investedwithmeaningthroughprayer.Ifyoufindthatprayingjustafteryou
wakeupislittlemorethananexerciseinsomnambulism,ifyourmorningprayer
soundsmorelikeadiscordantgrowl,itmightbemoreeffectiveforyoutogreet
thedayalittlelater.

thedayalittlelater.

Youmayfinditeasierandmoremeaningfultoprayafteryouhavehadacupof
coffeeandhaverubbedthecrustybitsf642

dailydevotions

ofsleepfromthecornersofyoureyes.Ifso,themorningshowerisanothergood
timetogreettheday.Whileshoweringisaveryphysical,materialact,ona
spirituallevelyouarealsowashingawaythepreviousdayandpreparing
yourselfforwhatawaitsinyourimmediatefuture.Ifyouinvesttheactof
showeringwithyourspirituality,itbecomesasortofritualinitself.Youmight
useaprayertoyourancestors,suchasthis:Belovedancestors,

Motherswhogavebirthtomymothers,fatherswhosiredmyfathers,Washaway
allthatwouldimpedeme;diminishallthatmightpolluteme.

Asthelife-givingwaterflowsoverme,refreshandrenewmyspiritThatImight
throughmyactionsgiveyouduehonorThroughoutthecomingday.

Orinsteadofaspokenprayer,youmaybeinspiredtogreetthedaywithsong.
Doit!Thereisareasonwhysomanypeopleliketosingastheyshower.The
designofashowerstalloftengivesanacousticeffectthatenhancesthehuman
voice.TherearemanyPagansongswrittenbyvar-iousartiststoday.Yourown
songofpraisecouldevenbeasecularsonglike“OhWhataBeautifulMorning”
fromRod-gersandHammerstein’sOklahoma.Whatmattersisthatthesong
expressesinsomewayyourjoyandgratitudeforthenewday.

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dailydevotions

Ifyouhaveanytalentforitatall,trycreatingyourownwordsandmelodyfora
songofpraise.Peopledoitallthetime.ThatiswherenewPagansongscome
from.

Transformingyourdailyshowerintoaritualshowercanenhanceyourpersonal
Paganpractice,butthissamecon-cept—spiritualcleansing—canbeextendedto
smallritesofpurificationthroughouttheday.Washyourhandswithashort
prayerjustbeforebeginninganyproject.Thisisespe-ciallyappropriatefor
PaganswhofollowaHellenicpath.Ritualcleansingandchangingintoclean

PaganswhofollowaHellenicpath.Ritualcleansingandchangingintoclean
clothingistraditionalforHellenicritualsofanykind(Burkert,page55).Doyou
needtowriteatermpaper?Washyourhandsinariteofpurificationbefore
sittingdownatthewordprocessor.Preparingameal?Washoffthemiasmafrom
yourhandsbeforeyoubegincuttingandstirring.

BLESSINGTHEMEAL

Speakingoffood,ifyousitdowntothreesquaremealsaday(andyoushould)
youhavethreemoreopportunitiestobringyourspiritualityintoyourdailylife.
Veryoftentodaypeopleapproachtheirfoodalmostasanafterthought,withno
realawarenessofwhattheyareeating,howitwaspreparedorwhereitcame
from.Laterinthisbookwewilllookdeeperintohowyoucanreclaimyour
connectionwiththefoodthatsustainsyou,butasafirststepwhynot
acknowledgeeachmealwithgratitude?

Whowillyouexpressyourgratitudeto,andhow?Asimpleversewillcome
moreeasilytothelipsthanalengthyorextemporaneousprayer.Youmayprefer
tosaysomethingthoughtfulandveryspecificataformalfeast,suchasthef662

dailydevotions

AmericancelebrationofThanksgiving,butfordailypracticetheprayershould
beundemanding.Itcanbeasuncompli-catedasthetraditionalChristian
children’sprayer,“Godisgreat,Godisgood,andwethankhimforourfood.”

Indeed,thisprayercanbereadilyadaptedtopolytheisticworshipbychanging
thewordingfromsingulartoplural.

“Thegodsaregreat,thegodsaregood,andwethankthemforourfood.”

Iuseanadaptationofaprayerdirectedtothesunandtheearth.Myversion
addressestheseassentientbeings:asSunne,goddessofthesun,andHerthe,
goddessoftheearth.

Herthe,whogivestousthisfoodSunne,whomakesitripeandgoodSunne
above,HerthebelowMylovingthankstoyouIshowOfcoursewhenIamoutat
arestaurant,Idonotstandup,wavemyarmsintheairandloudlychantthis
prayer.Inapublicsettingitisonlyciviltoconsiderthesensibilitiesofothers.I
amnotatallapologeticaboutmybeliefsandpractices(whyshouldIbe?),but
thosebeliefsdonotrequiremetoactlikeanoaf.Whenadisplayofpersonal

beliefwouldbeinconsiderate,everyPaganpathhasatleastafewsymbolsthat
canbefaintlytracedonthetableoroveradishbeforeeating.Nobodywillhave
duecausetotakeoffenseifyourgestureissubtle.Mypreferenceisthesymbol
ofThunor’shammer,markedlikethis:

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dailydevotions

AnIrishPaganmighttracetheimageofaBrigid’scross.

AWiccancantracethepentagram.Aswitheverythingelseinyourpersonal
practice,thesymbolshouldbeareflectionofyourownspirituality.

NOWILAYMEDOWNTOSLEEP

ThusbeganthebedtimeprayerIwastaughttoreciteasachild.Onelineofthe
prayermentionedthatImight“diebeforeIwake”,whichwasarealpossibility,
butwasneverthelessmorethanalittlecreepyformypre-schoolimagination.
Myparentsweremonotheists,asweretheirparentsbeforethem,sotheprayer
wasdirectedtotheBiblicalgod.

ButjustbecauseapracticeortraditionisChristiandoesnotmeanthatitisnot
alsoPagan.

Likemorning,themomentsbeforeyougotosleepareagoodtimetoconnect
withandexpressyourspirituality,buttherearedifferences.Inthemorningmany
ofusarebarelycoherent,andtheeventsofthedayhaveyettounfold.Thisis
whyabrief,preparedprayeroftenworksbetter.Theevening,though,isatime
toreflectonwhattookplaceduringf682

dailydevotions

theday.Therewillinevitablybespecificthingstogivethanksfor,ortoaskfor
guidanceabout.Amemorizedprayermightbesuitableforasmallchild,butI
havefoundthatextemporaneousprayerisusuallymoreappropriateinthe
evening.

Mentallylisteverythinggoodthathappenedtoyouoverthecourseoftheday.

Ifyoucannotthinkofanygoodevents,youprobablyneedtodigdeeper.Itis
highlyunlikelythatyouareamongtheveryfewpeoplewhoneverhave
anythinggoodhappentothem.Inmyexperience,themajorityofthosewhofeel
thatwaydosobecausetheytakethegoodthingsintheirlivesforgranted.
Friends,family,yourhealth,asourceofincome(evenifthisismodest),your
home:theseareallthingstobethankfulfor.Today’sPagansallenjoythe
blessingsofthe21stcentury.Comparedtomostofourforebearswelivein
luxury.Wehavelightand,inthewinter,heatatthetouchofaswitch.Foodis
readilyavailableatthenearestsupermarketregardlessofanylocaldroughtor
pestilence.Thesearewon-derfulblessings.

Happypeoplearethosewhonoticethattheircupsare,indeed,halffull.By
reflectingonthegoodthingsthathavehappenedthroughouttheday,andthen
givingthanksforthoseblessings,youcanjointheranksofthehappypeople.

Conversely,aprayerbeforegoingtobedisalsoagoodtimetoacknowledgethe
halfemptyportionofyourcup.

Lookbackontheday’schallenges,andonthemistakesyoumade,andaskfor
guidance.Whoexactlyyouaskguidancefromisyourownchoice.Youmight
seekguidancefromagodorgoddesswhoyouhaveapersonalconnectionwith,
butyoumayaseasilyaskyourancestorsforadvice.Putaf692

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sprigofrosemaryunderyourpillowsoyouwillrememberanyguidancethey
giveyouduringthenightwhenyouawakenthefollowingmorning.

Sinceeveningisatimeforreflection,thebedtimeprayerisalsoagoodplacein
thedaytoofferprayersforthoseinneed.Thesewillusually,probably,bethe
peopleofyourowntribe,whetheryoucallthisaninhíredoracovenorakin-
dred,butyoumayofcourseprayforanyone.Prayingforothersintheeveningis
anotherwayofacknowledgingyourownblessings.Itismoredifficulttothrow
yourselfalittlepitypartyafteryouhaveofferedaprayerforthoseconfront-ing
trulydifficultchallengesintheirlives.

Childrencanbeencouragedtothinkofothersbyhav-ingthemsend“moon
wishes”intheeveningbeforegoingtobed.Aftertuckingyourchildintobed,
askwhoheorshewouldliketosendmoonwishesto.Youmayneedtoprompta
veryyoungchildwithseveralsuggestions,butchildrenveryquicklycatchon
andenjoythis,namingsiblingsandotherrelatives,aswellasschoolfriends,

andenjoythis,namingsiblingsandotherrelatives,aswellasschoolfriends,
whotheywouldliketobless.Afterthechildhasnamedallwhowouldreceive
themoonblessings,thelistofnamescanbefollowedwithaprayersuchasthis:

Monawhoshineshislightonme,Onfieldandmeadow,onhillandtree,Mona
whoshinessobrightabove,BlessthefolkIknowandlove.

IdirectthemoonwishprayertoMona,theSaxonsovereignspiritofthemoon,
butitshouldnotbedifficulttoalterf702

dailydevotions

thewordstoreflectyourownspiritualpath.Allyouneedtodoischangethe
nameofthemoondeity,andperhapsthegenderifyourpathperceivesthemoon
asafemininespirit.

AneclecticPagan(someonewhodoesnotfollowaspecificpath,butinstead
borrowsfromdifferentcultures)couldevendirectthisinamoregenericway,
saying“Moonthatshinesitslightonme”,andsoon.

DAILYOFFERINGS

Sofarwehavelookedateventsthatarepartofyourdailyroutine—awakening,
bathing,mealsandbedtime—andtheseareonlyafewexampleschosenfrom
thoseactivitiesweallshare.Iamsurethatyoucanthinkofotherdailyevents,
uniquetoyourownroutineandlifestyle,thatcanbesacralizedinwayssimilar
towhathasbeendescribedhere.Whenweevokethesacredinournormal
activitiesourlifestylesbecomeholistic,andeverydayistransformedintoa
spiritualexperience.

Beyondthis,thereareactionswecantaketoextendthisexperienceevenfurther
intoourlives.Wicca’sfundamen-taltenetsareembodiedinthe“Chargeofthe
Goddess”,aninspirationaltextattributedtobothGeraldGardnerandDoreen
Valiente,inwhichworshippersarecalledupontomeet“onceinthemonth,and
betteritbewhenthemoonisfull”.Butthisisminimalparticipation;nowherein
theshorttextdoesitsaythatWiccanscannotorshouldnot“dance,sing,feast,
makemusicandlove”atothertimesofthemonth.Whateverpathyoufollow,
youdonotneedtowaitforaspecialphaseofthemoon,asabbatorahighdayto
f712

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honorthespiritrealm.Youareaspiritualbeingeverydayoftheyear!

Onewaytoacknowledgethespiritrealmonadailybasisistomakeanoffering
toyourhouseelves.ManyPaganculturestraditionallyprayedandgaveofferings
tohouseholdspirits.TheSaxonscalledthesespiritscofgodas.TheRomans
calledthemlares.Europeanfolkloreaboundswithtalesofsmall,fairy-like
beingshelpingthosemortalswhoshowthemhonorandrespect.

Fromthosesametalesweknowthathouseelvesusuallyappreciateofferingsof
eithermilkorbakedgoods,orboth.

Ipourafewouncesofmilkintoacupintheeveningandsetthisonthemantel
overthefireplace.InthemorningIpourwhateverisleft(houseelvesdrink
surprisinglylittle)downthedrain.Thisisforanordinarydailyoffering.Ifthe
gifttothehouseelvesispartofamoreextensiveritual,themilkismorelikely
tobeleftovernightonourhouseholdaltar.Further,theofferingissometimesa
foodordrinkotherthanmilk,althoughmilkismyusualchoiceforadaily
offering.

Ifyouintendtodothiseveryday,keepitbrief.Thewordsyouspeak,ifyousay
anythingatall,canbeassimpleas,“Knowthatyouarerememberedbymeand
myhousehold.”

That,infact,isexactlywhatIsaywhenIleavetheofferingforourhouseelves.

Somepeoplehavetoldmethattheirhouseelveslikewhiskey,aleoranother
non-dairybeverage;theseareusuallyalcoholic.Ifyousensethatyourown
houseelveswouldlikesomethingbesidesmilkorcake,tryotherthings.Folklore
warnsusthattheonethingyoushouldnevergivethemisclothing.Thestoryof
theShoemakerandtheElves,re-toldf722

dailydevotions

withavarietyofdifferenttitlesovertheyears,canbetracedbackatleastasfar
astheearly1800’swhenitwaspublishedbyJacobandWilhelmGrimm,but
elementsofthetaleareundoubtedlymucholder.IntheGrimmversion,apoor
shoemakerandhiswifefindtheirfortunesbegintochangeforthebetterwhena
pairofelvesbeginsecretlyassemblingshoesintheshoplateatnight.Tothank
theelves,theshoemakerandhiswifemaketwosmallshirts,twovests,twopairs

theelves,theshoemakerandhiswifemaketwosmallshirts,twovests,twopairs
ofpantsandtwosmallpairsofshoes,andthenleavetheseoutasgiftsfortheir
benefactors.Theelvesaredelightedwhentheyfindthegifts,whichthey
immediatelyputon.Thentheydanceoutthedoorandareneverseenagain.

That’sgratitudeforyou.

Whytheelvesleftafterbeinggiftedwithclothingisneverexplained,andany
hypothesiscanbenomorethanspecula-tion.Thepointisthatyoushould
probablysticktofoodsandbeverageswhengivingofferingstoyourownhouse
elves.

Anotherapproachtodailyofferings,againdependingonyourspiritualfocus,is
offeringstoyourancestors.Reverencefortheancestorsisveryimportantto
manyPagans.OtherPaganshaveadifficulttimewiththeideaofhonoringtheir
ancestors,usuallybecausetheyhavehadafallingoutwithaparentor
grandparentwhohaspassedon,butthisshouldbeirrelevantbecauseyouhave
neveractuallymet—inlife—themajorityofyourpersonalancestors.The
dictionarydefinesancestorasaforebearmoreremotethanagrandparent;in
otherwords,adistantforbear.Soifyouhaveadeceasedgrandfatherwhoonce
treatedyoushamefully,keepinmindthatheprobablyhadtoexplainhis
behaviortohisowngreatgrandmotherwhenshemethimOverThere.

f732

dailydevotions

Onenicethingaboutancestralspiritsisthattheyarepredisposedtocareabout
yourwellbeing.You,afterall,aretheirlegacytothisworld.Becauseofthis
predisposition,yourofferingcanbealmostanythingyouchoose.Asadaily
offering,however,itneedstoberelativelysimple.Thevalueisinthe
consistencyoftheofferingratherthantheworthofthegiftonanyparticularday.
Adailyofferingtoone’sancestorscanbeabitofincenseorasmalllibationof
wineorbeer.Aswithanofferingtoyourhouseelves,thewordsyouspeakwhen
givingadailyofferingtoyourancestorsshouldbebrief.

Canyoudoboth?Absolutely!Iliketogiveanofferingofincensetomy
ancestorsinthemid-morning.Thereisnoprofoundreasonforthis;itjustfitsmy
schedulewell.Thenintheeveningmyhouseelvesreceivetheiroffering.

Or,ifyoufeelthatyouhaveaclosepersonalrelation-shipwithagodor

Or,ifyoufeelthatyouhaveaclosepersonalrelation-shipwithagodor
goddess,youmightwanttogiveadailyofferingtothatdeity.Theappropriate
offeringandhowitispresentedwillvaryfromonedeitytoanotherandfrom
oneculturalpracticetothenext,butingeneraltherulesforadailyofferinghold
truehereaswell.Ifyouapproachitasalengthy,complexritual,yousimplywill
notdoiteveryday.

Youmightforaweekorso,perhapsforamonth,buteven-tuallylife’sincessant
demandswillinterfere.Youaremuchmorelikelytoremainconsistentwith
dailyofferingsifthesetakeonlyafewmomentsofyourtime.Ifyouhavethe
luxuryofbeingabletolingeratyouraltarforanextratwentyminutes,thatis
great,buttheadditionaltimeshouldnotbescheduledintoadailyritual.

f742

dailydevotions

Consider,too,howmanyofthesesmallritualsyoucanreasonablyand
consistentlyfitintoyourroutine.Ifyoupackintoomuch,thesewillceasetobe
specialmomentsinyourdayandbegintoseemmorelikearduouschores.Ido
notadvisegivingseparatedailyofferingstoyourhouseelves,yourancestors
andadeity.Pickoneoftheseor,atthemost,two.Donottakeonmorethanyou
canhandleinanenjoy-ableandmeaningfulway.

WHATTHISDAYHOLDSFORYOU

AnotherthingIliketodoeachmorningisseewhatthedayhasinstoreforme.
Whetherornotyouwouldbenefitfromthisdependsonhowyoufeelabout
divination,andhowpro-ficientyouarewithit.Iliketoknowwhattoexpectof
thecomingday.AttimesIhavechangedmyday’splansbecauseofsomethingI
sawinmymorningdivination.

BecauseofmyspiritualpathIuserunesfordivination,andspecificallytherunes
oftheAnglo-SaxonFuthorc.Thestudyofrunesisanextensivesubjectandfar
beyondthescopeofthisbook.Ifyouareinterestedinruneloreforeither
divinationormagic,IrecommendmybookWyrdwork-ing:ThePathofaSaxon
Sorcerer.

Ifthereisonethingyouhavelearnedfromthischapter,itisthatanythingyou
hopetodoonadailybasismustbesimpleandbrief.Thisisequallytruefora
dailydivination.WhenseekinganomenforthedayIdonotlayoutacomplex
SevenWorldsreading,andIcertainlydonotcastalltwentyninerunesona

SevenWorldsreading,andIcertainlydonotcastalltwentyninerunesona
cloth.Thesearetechniquestousewhenlookingforadetailedvisionofhowthe
futureisunfolding.FormydailydivinationIsimplydrawasinglerune.Itgives
meaf752

dailydevotions

generalideaofwhatthecomingdaywillbelike,andthatisallIamlookingfor.

Thismorning,forexample,Idrewtheruneos,whichlookslikethis:

Therunepoemdescribesthemysteryoftherune;“Thegodisthecreatorofall
language,wisdom’sfoundationandconsolationofsages,andeveryman’sjoy
andtrust.”

Asyoucansee,thismysteryisopentointerpretation,whichiswhatthestudyof
runeloreisallabout.(Thewordrune,rúninOldEnglish,meansmysteryor
counsel.)Thesesymbolsdonothaveeasy,finitemeanings.Osisaruneof
communication.Exactlywhatthatmeansdependsonwhoisreadingtherunes,
andwhoheorsheisreadingthemfor.

WheneverIdrawosinadailydivinationIknowitisagoodday,forme,tosit
downatthewordprocessorandgetsomeworkdone.ThatiswhatIdid,andmy
dayhasbeenamazing-lyproductive.

OndayswhenIdrawtheruneethel,forexample,Iamgoingtogetmoredoneif
Ifocusonhouseholdchoresratherthanwriting.Idonotalwayshavetheluxury
ofadjustingmyscheduleinthisway,butovertheyearsIhavelearnedtoheed
theadviceoftheruneswhenIcan.

Runes,ofcourse,areonlyoneofmanysymbolsetsusedfordivination,and
thesemaynotbeappropriateifyoufollowanon-Germanicpath.IhaveCeltic
PaganfriendswhoprefertousethesymbolsoftheBeith-luis-nin,becausethese
f762

dailydevotions

aredirectlyrelatedtotheirspirituality.ASlavicfriendofmineusesacompletely
differentsetofsymbolsthatreflecthisownspiritualfocus.Thesymbolsare
calledZnaki(awordthatsimplymeans“symbols”),andarederivedfromthe
designsusedonUkranianEasterEggs(Pysanki).

designsusedonUkranianEasterEggs(Pysanki).

TheTarotoriginatedinnorthernItalyinthe15thcentury,butmanyPagans
enjoyusingthesecards,andifyouhavestudiedthesymbolismthenthereisno
reasonyoucouldnotutilizeadeckforyourdailydivination.Youshouldstill
keepthisverysimple.InsteadofplacingcardsinaCelticCrossorsomeother
Tarotarrangement,simplydrawasinglecardtoseewhatthedayholdsforyou.
Youcaneitherusetheentiredeckforthis,orjustthetwentytwotrumpcards
(sometimescalledthecardsofthe“majorarcana”).

*

InthefirstchapterofthisbookIadvisedagainstsettingagoalofmeditating
everydaysimplybecauseyouarenotgoingtodoit.Yes,Irealizethat
somebodyoutthereisgoingtoprovemewrong,meditatingeverysingledayfor
yearsonend,buttheoverwhelmingmajorityofpeoplewhoreadthisbookwill
notbeabletomaintainsuchagoalnomatterhowsinceretheirintentions.Some
interruptionwillintrudeinyourlife,whichcanbefrustratinganddiscouragingif
youhaveastatedgoalofmeditatingdaily.

Thatsaid,IdothinkeveryPagancanbenefitfrommeditatingasoftenas
reasonablypossible.Ifthatisnomoreoftenthanonceamonthorso,thenoncea
monthiswhatis“reaf772

dailydevotions

sonablypossible”foryou.Setaschedulethatyoucankeepupwith.

Tomeditate,findatimewhenyoucanbeundisturbed.

Sitbeforeyouraltar.Ifyoufindithelps,offersomeincensetothespirits.Quiet
yourmindaswellasyouareable.Mostpeoplefindthatthisiseasiestifthey
focusontheirbreathing.Inhaletoaslowcountoffour,holdthebreathforan
equalcount,thenexhaleforanequalcount.Continuewiththisuntilyouare
fullyrelaxed.Beawareofanysensationsorimpressionsyoumayreceive.
Fifteenminutesisagoodlengthoftimetoinvestinthis,butthereisnosetrule.

Duringyourmeditationyoumayreceivementalimpressions,orevenhave
visionsorhearvoices.Simplyacceptwhatcomestoyou.Afterthemeditation
youmaywanttorecordtheseperceptionsinajournal.

Ormaybenothingatallwillhappen.Thatisperfect-lyallright.Noteveryoneis
exceptionallypsychicand,evenifyouare,therewillbetimeswhenthespirits
justdonothavemuchtosay.Infactifyouarereceivingprofoundpsychic
impressionsduringeverymeditation,youmightwanttostepbackandmakesure
yourimaginationisnotworkingexcessively.Iamnotunreasonablyskeptical,
butIalsodonotbelieveanyofusaresoimportantthatspiritsanddeitiesare
hoveringnearbyateverymomentoftheday,eagerlywaitingtoimparttidbitsof
wisdom.Nomatterwhoyouare,therearetimes—moreoftenthannot—when
yourmeditationwillbenothingmorethanabriefrespitefromthepressuresof
theworld.

*

f782

dailydevotions

Yourdailydevotionswillbemuchmoremeaningfulifyourentirehouseholdis
involved.Sadly,thisisnotalwayspossible,andifothersinyourhousehold
followapathdifferentfromyourownthenthatmustbeaccepted.Ideally,
though,thewholefamilywilljointogetheratasacredhearth,sharingintheir
spirituality.

IhaveheardquiteafewPaganparentsexpressconcernabout“forcing”their
beliefsandpracticesontheirchildren.

Thissentimentinevitablyoriginateswiththeirownchild-hoodexperiences.I
wouldneversuggestforcinganyonetobelieveasIbelieve,ortopracticeasI
practice,butthereisaworldofdifferencebetweensharingsomethingand
forcingitonanotherperson.

Ilovebroiledlobstertailswithasideofmeltedbutter.Ascrazyasitseemsto
me,Iknowtherearepeopleouttherewhodonotcareforlobster,andIwould
nevertrytoforceanyonetoeatit.Butgiventheopportunity,Iwillalmost
alwaystrytosharethisepicureandelicacywithfriendswhoareunfamiliarwith
itjustbecause,inmyopinion,itisincrediblydelicious.WhywouldIdo
anythinglesswithmyspirituality?Ifyourchildgagsonlobster,donotmake
himfinishitbut,forgods’sakes,atleastlethimtryit!

Itistruethatchildrencansufferprejudiceandbigotryifotherslearnoftheir
family’sPaganbeliefs,butthisisusuallynotaproblemifyouavoid,around

family’sPaganbeliefs,butthisisusuallynotaproblemifyouavoid,around
youngerchildren,the“hot”wordslikelytoinflametheignorant.Itisveryeasy
tobefullyanddevoutlyPaganwithoutactuallysayingthewordPaganinfront
ofyourchildren.Definitelyavoidthewordwitch,evenifsomeoneinyour
familypracticesmagic.(ItseemsoddtomethatIshouldevenneedtomen-f79
2

dailydevotions

tionthis,butyouwouldbesurprisedathowmanypeopleopenlyannouncethat
theyarewitchesandarethenamazedwhensmall-mindedcoworkersor
neighborsreactwithfearandanger.)Childrenhavetheirowncodeofbehavior,
andnobodyunderstandstheimportanceofconformitymorethanatenyearold.
Bythetimeyourchildisoldenoughtocoherentlydiscussyourfamily’sbeliefs
andpractices,heorshewillmostlikelycomprehendthepotentialrepercussions
ofdoingso.Ifyouareworriednevertheless,thentalkwithyourchild,butdonot
hideyourbeliefsandpracticesasiftheyaresomethingtobeashamedof.

Bythesametoken,Idonotthinkitisagoodideatoshieldchildrenfrom
Christianity.EveryPaganchildshouldbegivenabookofchildren’sBible
stories.Whateverpathyouandyourfamilymayfollow,theBiblehasshaped
ourlanguageandexpressions,andyourchildshouldunderstandwhatismeant
whensomebodyreferencesAdamandEve,theFloodandNoah’sArk,orthe
TowerofBabel.

Youshouldneverforceyourbeliefsonyourchildren(oranyoneelse,forthat
matter).Pagansarepolytheists,believinginmanydifferentdeitiesand,by
extension,respectingmanydifferentspiritualpaths.Todemandthatachild
conformtoonespecificpathisasun-Paganasademandcanpossiblybe.Butif
youloveyourgodsandfindbeautyinyourspiritualpath,thenthesearethings
youshouldsharewithyourchildrentowhateverextenttheywouldliketojoinin
withyourowndailydevotions.

f802

CHAPTERFOUR

FAMILIARSPIRITS

Intheconfessionsobtainedfrommedievalheresytrialswecanfindrepeated
descriptionsofthewitch’sfamiliarspirit.

Accordingtothoseconfessions,thefamiliarcouldtaketheformofahuman
being,butmoreoftenittooktheformofabeast,suchasadog,cat,bird,rator
toad.Eventodayablackcatisasmuchapartofthe“witch”stereotypeasa
broom-stickoracauldron.

MargaretMurray(whosescholarshipisadmittedlyques-tionable)divided
familiarsintotwocategories:DiviningFamiliarsandDomesticFamiliars.The
formerweresimplyanimalsthatwereobservedinthehopeofperceivingomens.

Murraytellsofa16thcenturywomannamedAgnesSamp-sonwatchingalarge
blackdogtodeterminetheeventu-aloutcomeofanotherwoman’sillness(p.
82).Whethertheterm“familiar”isdescriptiveforthiscategoryofbeastatallis
debatable,fortherewasnothingespeciallyfamiliaraboutf81

f

2

81

familiarspirits

theanimals.AccordingtoMurray,theDiviningFamiliarwasnotaspecific
animalthatbelongedtothewitch;anyanimalofagivenspeciescouldbeused
fordiviningthefuture.ThiswascompletelydifferentfromtheDomestic
Familiar,a(usually)smalleranimalthatwastamedandfedbythewitch.

AlthoughMargaretMurray’sconclusionsaboutawidespread,organized
medievalwitchculthavebeenlargelydis-credited,thereisnoquestionthat
peoplewereoftenaccusedduringthewitchtrialsofharboringanimalsmatching
Murray’sdescriptionofDomesticFamiliars.Therearedetailedreportsofthese
familiarspirits.Theanimalswereinevitablygivennames;sometimesquite

familiarspirits.Theanimalswereinevitablygivennames;sometimesquite
ordinary,andatothertimeswhimsical.Smalleranimalsliketoadsandmice
wereoftenhousedinboxes,potsandsimilarcontainers.Somethingdev-ilish
wasobviouslygoingon,becausethewitchesactuallyfedtheirfamiliarspirits.
Evenmore,thewitchsupposedlyspoketotheanimalasifitwereaperson.

AsIwritethis,mydogCaesarlayscurledupatmyfeet.

Hedoesnotalwaysstaythere;Caesarisjustaslikelytoretiretohiscratewhen
hedoesnotwanttobedisturbed.OfcourseIfeedhim—twiceeachday,
morningandnight.SofarasIknowhedoesnotunderstandmorethanacouple
dozenwords,butItalktohimallthetime.

Fivehundredyearsagopeopleweremurderedforexhibitingsuchoutlandish
behaviorasthis.

There’snoquestionaboutit,mydogCaesarisafamiliarspirit!Hefitsallofthe
criteria.Whenwelookatthedescriptionsofthewitches’familiars,itcanbe
seenthatthedogs,cats,toadsandmicewhichwerekeptbythepoor,unfortunate
victimsofthewitchtrialswerewhatwenowcallcomf822

familiarspirits

panionanimals.Notonlyistherenolongeranysuperstitiousstigmaattachedto
animalcompanionship,thementalandphysiologicalbenefitsofinteractions
withanimalsarewide-lyaccepted.OrganizationslikeTherapyDogs
InternationalandCanineAssistedTherapy,Inc.bringthebenefitsofanimal
companionshiptopeoplewhoareunabletokeeptheirownpetsforvarious
reasons.Themagicoffamiliarspiritshasindeedbecomewidespreadinour
time!

Afamiliarspiritisapet,butnoteverypetisafamiliarspirit.Thekeywordhere,
ofcourse,is“familiar”.Somespecies—notablydogsandcats—lendthemselves
tothisrolebetterthanothers.Weliketothinkthatmankinddomesticatedthese
species,butanargumentcanbemadethatitisthehumanracewhichhasbeen
domesticated.True,wehumansdonotalwaysplaywellwithothers.Avisitto
anyanimalshelterwillrevealthecold,harshtruthabouthumancompassion.But
thereisnoquestionthatdomesticatedanimalshave,asentirespecies,benefited
significantlythroughtheirrelationshipswithus.TheBengaltigerisonthebrink
ofextinction,whileitssmallcousin,Feliscatus,hasspreadacrosstheglobeby

partneringwithourspecies.Likewise,themostsuccessfulsubspeciesofCanis
lupus,thesubspeciesthatovershadowsallothersinbothrangeandpopulation,is
Canislupusfamiliaris—thewolfthatdecidedtobecomemankind’sfamiliar
spirit,thedomesticdog.

Someanimalsaresovastlydifferentfromusthatwecannotdevelopanykindof
familiarrelationshipwiththem.Itisdifficulttoimaginehavingarelationship
withaclam!Someinvertebratesdomakeinterestingpets,butitistheiralien
natureratherthantheirfamiliaritythatprovidesmuchofthef832

familiarspirits

interest.Dogs,ontheotherhand,demandafamiliarinteractionwithus.

Betweentheseextremes—thedogandtheinvertebrates—whetherapetofany
speciesisafamiliarspiritislargelydependentonwhetherornotyouchooseto
developapersonalrelationshipwiththeanimal.Again,thisiseasi-ertodowith
somespeciesthanwithothers.Catsareusuallyveryacceptingofanaffectionate
relationship,althoughtheycertainlydonotrequireit.Thedog,however,
especiallyifacquiredasayoungpuppy,needsthatfamiliarrelationshipifitisto
integrateitselfintothehumanhousehold.

DOGS

Itseemsfittingthatfamiliarisispartofthedog’sscientificname,beingthe
speciesthatalmostdemandsafamiliarrelationship.Withadog,youcannotjust
dumpsomefoodintoabowlorinacageonceadayandthenforgetaboutthe
animal.Notifyouhaveanythingvaguelyresemblingasoul.

Tothebestofmyknowledge,amixedbreedbitchnamedSashawasthefirst
non-humantohaveanactiveroleinanÁrnDraíochtFéin(ADF)ritual.Itwas
notanofficialADFritual,whichisalwaysopentothepublic;thiswasaprivate
wedding,butboththebrideandthegroomwereADFdruidsandthewedding
closelyfollowedADF’scoreorderofritual.

Duringthewedding,thebrideandgroomaskedfortheblessingsofthethree
spiritkindred:thegods,theancestorsandtheworldlyspirits.Firsttheytook
turnsaddressingtheirrespectivepatrondeities,eachgivinganofferingatthe
altarastheydidso.Afterthistheyaskedfortheblessingsoftheirancestors.In
turn,thebrideandgroomapproachedtheirf842

familiarspirits

families,thankedthemforalltheyhadreceivedandthenaskedtheirancestorsto
guidethemastheyenteredintoaunionwithoneanother.

Theofficiantthenaskediftherewasanyonewhocouldspeakforthespiritsof
thisworld.Ayoungmancamefor-wardwiththegroom’sdog,Sasha,athisside.
Sashaworeagarlandofrosesaroundherneck,andshesatpolitelyafterthe
youngmanledheruptothegroomandhisbride.Shehadbeenpreparedforthis
momentoverthepastseveralmonths.Whentheofficiantaskedforablessing,
Sashawassupposedtoliftupherpaw.

Theofficiantlookeddownatthedogandsaid,“Sasha,onbehalfofthosewho
havenovoice,whatsayyounow?”

Sashanotonlyliftedherpaw,sheaccompaniedthegesturewithaquickand
enthusiasticbark!Fiftyyearsfromnowfewpeoplewhoattendedthewedding
aregoingtorememberthevowsthatthecoupleexchangedthatafternoon,but
theywillalmostsurelyrememberthedogwhogaveitsblessing!

*

DidSashaknowwhatwasgoingonaroundher?Somepeoplewillsayshedid
not,butIbegtodiffer.Sure,thesubtlenuancesoftheritualheldnomeaningfor
her,butinherowndoggywaySashaknewthatsomethingspecialwas
happening;somethingthatfocusedeveryone’sattentiononhermasterandthe
femalewhohewassoveryfondof.Sashaknewthatshewasbeingincludedin
thisspecialmoment.Sheknewwhatwasexpected(liftingherpaw)andshe
performedf852

familiarspirits

thegesturesogracefully,withsuchpracticedperfection,thatshecouldnothold
intheproudbark.Shetrulydidconveytheblessingsoftheworldlyspirits,
becauseSasha,likeeveryanimal,isverymuchaspiritofthisworld.

Folkloredescribesavarietyofdogspirits,fromtheCelt-iccusithtogrims,yeth
houndsandGally-trots(Briggs,140).

These“fairydogs”havedifferentcoatcolorsandgeneralappearance,butthey
arenevertoybreeds;mostaredescribedinsteadasexceptionallylarge.Someof

arenevertoybreeds;mostaredescribedinsteadasexceptionallylarge.Someof
themarebenevolentandsomemalevolent,but,nomattertheirintentions,they
arealmostalwaysintimidatinginsomeway.

Mostfairydogsareeithersolidblackorpurewhite,although,aswithmortal
dogs,thecoatcolordoesnotseemtohaveanyrelationshiptotheirbehavior.A
notableexceptionisthecusith(pronounced“coo-shee”)oftheScottish
Highlands,whichhasashaggy,darkgreencoat.Folkloretellsofthecusith
accompanyingScottishfairiesontheirhunts,andguardingtheirhomes.They
aresometimesallowedbythefairiestowanderloose,andtheselargegreendogs
canbedangerousifencountered.

Thegrimtakestheformofalargeblackdog.“Grim”isanothernameforthe
godWoden,andIdonotthinkittoomuchofastretchtosurmisethatgrims
answertohim.Thegrimisoften,butnotalways,thespiritguardianofaburi-al
ground.InChristiantimestheseblackfairydogsbecameknownaschurchgrims
fortheirhabitofguardingthegravesinchurchyards.InSwedenthesamebeast
isknownastheKirkegrimm.AgrimknownastheBlackDogofNewgatewas
saidtogotothewindowofadyingpersonandhowltoindicatethattheperson
wouldsoondie.Grimsareusu-f862

familiarspirits

allyassociatedwiththedeadinsomeway,sotheyareoftenfearedalthoughthey
arenotreallyevil.InYorkshire,thegrimwouldleavethechurchyardand
wanderaroundthecountrysideinstormyweather(SimpsonandRoud,p.156).

Yethhounds,oryellhounds,areanotherbreedofspiritdogthatmayhaveclose
tieswithWoden.Theseheadlessdogstravelinpackswithahuntsmanwhois
said,intheChristianera,tobetheDevil.AsBriggspointsout(p.314),itwas
notuncommonforChristianfolkloretoportrayPagangodsas“devils”.Inthis
casethegodwouldbeWoden.Yethhoundsareunusualinthattheyare
headless.ElsewhereinfolklorethedogsinWoden’swildhuntaredescribedas
having“hideouseyes”(whichstronglysuggeststhat,unlikeyethhounds,they
alsohaveheads).Thedogs’headsinthewildhunt,orlackthereof,seemtobe
theirmostvariablefeature.

InLancashirethesedogswerecalledGabrielHounds,andwerenotablefortheir
humanheads.

TheGally-trotisahuge,shaggywhitedog.ItissaidthattheGally-trotwill

TheGally-trotisahuge,shaggywhitedog.ItissaidthattheGally-trotwill
chaseafteranyonewhorunsfromit,whichwouldbemoreastoundingwereit
notforthefactthatalmosteverymortaldogwilldotheexactsamething!Itisa
factoflifethatdogschasethings.Tobefair,theGally-trotisaslargeasasteer,
sobeingchasedbyonewouldbeconsiderablymorefrighteningthanbeing
chasedbyyouraverageterrier.

Asatotemanimal,thedogrepresentsbothprotectionandfaithfulness(Andrews,
p.264).Itshouldcomeasnosur-prise,then,thatdogsareoftenassociatedwith
godsofhealingsuchasNodensandAsclepius.

f872

familiarspirits

Noanimalisbetterthanthedogatestablishingafamiliarrelationshipwithus.
Likeus,thedogisatribalcreature.

Ithasastrongdesiretohaveasafeandsecurepositioninapack,evenifthat
packconsistsofnobodybutthedogandyou.Butlikeothertribalcommitments,
thisisnotarelationshiptoenterintofrivolously.Anewpuppycanbeas
demandingasachild.Ithasalottolearn,andnoonebutyourselftoteachit.
Furthermore,itrepresentsacommitmentthatwillconsumethenexttento
fifteenyearsofyourlife.Ifyoudonotthinkthisisalongtime,considerwhere
youweretenyearsagotoday.

Dogsarebrilliantanimals,butIamconsistentlyamazedbypeoplewhoseemto
thinkapuppyisvastlymoreintelligentthanahumanbeing.TimeandagainI
hearofsomebodywhohasbroughthomeanewpuppy,thrownsome
newspapersonthefloorandthenleftforworkorschool.

Thestoryalwaysendsthesameway.Thispersonreturnshomeandisstartledto
discoverthatthepuppyhadnoideawhatthenewspaperwasfor.Thisisakinto
expectingahumanchildtoinstinctivelyknowhowtouseapottychairwithout
anytraining!

Ifyouthinkyouwantadogforafamiliar,youneedtofirstmakesurethatyou
understanditsneeds.Askyourselfthefollowingquestions:

•Canyoudevotemostofyourtimetothedogforthefirstweekafteryouhave
broughtitintoyourhome?

broughtitintoyourhome?

Thisisespeciallyimportantforpuppies,butadogofanyageneedshelp
learningthehouseholdrules.

•Afterthatfirstweek,canyoudevotesometimeeverysingledaytothedog?I
amnottalkingaboutdumpingf882

familiarspirits

somefoodintoabowl;thedogneedstointeractwithyou.Thiscanbeawalk,a
gameoffetchorjustaboutanyotheractivity,solongasbothyouandthedog
areinvolvedwitheachother.

•Doyouhavesufficientlivingaccommodationsforthedog?Adogofmedium
sizeorlargerneedsafencedyardunlessyouintendtotakeitonseverallong
walkseachday.

•Canyouaffordthemedicalbills?Therewillbeshotsandpreventativepills,not
tomentionthepossibilityofamedicalemergencythatcouldcosthundredsor
eventhousandsofdollars.

•Doyouhaveexperiencewithdogs,and,ifnot,areyouwillingtoattend
obedienceclasseswithyourdog?Agoodobedienceclassisforthebenefitofthe
ownerasmuchasforthedog,andyoushouldattendoneifyouhavenotalready
keptdogsinyourhouseholdsuccessfully.

Ifyouanswernotoanyofthesequestions,youshouldprobablyconsideran
animalotherthanadog.Adogwillbethoroughlycommittedtoyou—whichis
whytheymakesuchgreatfamiliars—butthismeansyouneedtobeequally
committedtothedog,andthatisnotalifestylethatworksforeverybody.

Decidingthatyoudowantadogimmediatelyleadstomorequestions,andto
answerthemyouneedtobehonestwithyourself.Doyoucarewhatotherpeople
think?Whenitcomestodogs,everyonehasanopinionand90%ofthose
opinionsarefoundedfirmlyonignorance.Forsomereasonf892

familiarspirits

alotofpeopleequatethevalueofadogwithitsbulk;largedogslike
RottweilersandGreatDanesare“cool”,whilethetoybreedsare“notcool”.
Youmaynotclingtothisprejudice,butyoushouldbeawarethatotherpeople

Youmaynotclingtothisprejudice,butyoushouldbeawarethatotherpeople
do.Inotherwords,ifyouareinsecureaboutyourmasculinity,aPomeranian
probablyisnotthebreedforyou.Onlysecure,confi-dentmenshouldown
Pomeranians.(Thisisrarelyanissueforwomen.)

Thereismuchtobesaidforchoosingatoybreed.Theyaregreatforurban
dwellers.Icantellyoufrompersonalexperiencethatitisfareasiertorentan
apartmentifyouhaveaneightpounddogthanifyouhaveaneightypounddog.
Asmallerdogislessexpensivetofeed,lessexpensivetomedicateandmuch
easiertocarrytothecarifithasaseizureandyouneedtorushittothe
emergencyveterinaryofficeatthreeinthemorning.Anyproblemyoucanhave
withadogisdirectlyproportionatetoitssize,whichiswhymanytoydogsare
poorlytrained.IflittleFifitinklesonthelivingroomcarpetitisprobably
becauseher“mommy”reallydoesnotmindallthatmuch.Thatsortofthing
wouldsimplynotbetoleratedifFifiwereaSaintBernard!Thetruthis,atoy
dogcanbetaughttobehaveaswellasanylargerbreed.

Ifyoudonotbelieveme,attendanobedienceshowwhereyoucansee
Chihuahuas,YorkiesandToyPoodlesdoamazingthingsinthering.

Whatabouthair?Doyouenjoycombingandprimpingandgrooming?Ifnot,
avoidabreedthatrequiresthis.AwellgroomedYorkshireTerrierisabeautiful
animal,butitsbeau-tyistheresultofconstantcare.Professionalgroomingisan
f902

familiarspirits

option,butitisalsoanadditionalexpense,whichmayormaynotbeanissuefor
you.

Activitylevelisanotherimportantconsideration.Ifyouarenotanathletic
person,avoidathleticbreedsliketheSiberianHusky,theAustralianShepherdor
theWhippet.Thesearewonderfulanimals,buttheyarenotgoingtobecontent
lyinginfrontofthetelevisionallday.(Iknowsomebodyisgoingtoprotestthat
hisWhippetdoesnothingbutwatchsoapoperas.Thereisalwaysanexceptionto
therule.)Ifyouwantthedogtobeyourfamiliarspirit—ifyouhonestlywantto
developandnurturethatfamiliarrelationship—yourbestchoiceisananimal
withapersonalityandneedssimilartoyourown.Whatthedoglookslikeshould
beyourverylastconsideration.Itdoesnotmatterthatyouliketheappearanceof
aBullmastiffifthatbreedisnotcompat-iblewithyourneeds.Doyourresearch,

andletappearanceenterintotheequationonlyafteryouhavenarroweddown
yoursearchtotwoorthreebreeds.

Likewise,Paganscanbetemptedtoselectdogsbasedonculturalorigin,butthis
isamistake.ASalukiisnotthebestdogforeveryKemeticPagan,noristhe
IrishWolfhoundagoodchoiceforeveryCelt.Culturaloriginrankswaydown
therewithappearancewhenitcomestochoosingabreed.

Whataboutamixedbreed?Theadvantageofamixedbreedisthatthedogwill
be(orshouldbe)muchlessexpensivethanapurebreddog.Thedisadvantageis
thatyoudonotknowwhatyouaregetting.Evenaso-called“designerdog”

isprettymuchageneticgrabbag.ALabradoodleispartLab-radorRetrieverand
partPoodle,butwhichpartsdidyouget?

f912

familiarspirits

Thedogmayhavereceivedthebestqualitiesofbothbreeds,butitisjustas
possibleitmayhavereceivedtheworst.

Unlikethedesignerdog,whichistheintentionalcrossoftwoknownbreeds,
mostmixedbreeddogsareofdubiousparentage.Thisisevenmoreofagrab
bag.ThedogmightbereferredtoasaCollie-mixoraBeagle-mix,andthe
“mix”

suffixmeansthatnobodyhasanyideawhothefatherwas.

Itisextremelyimportanttoknowexactlywhatyouwantinadogifyouare
consideringamixedbreed,becausethephysicalandtemperamentaltraitswill
notbeclearlylaidoutforyouthewaytheyarewithapurebreddog.Tryto
spendsometimewiththeanimal,alone,awayfromanylittermatesand
preferablyfromanydistractions.Doestheanimalfeellikeafamiliarspirit?Does
thedogpayattentiontoyou?Ifitisapuppy,pickitupandholditonitsback,as
youwouldababy.Puppieswillalmostalwaysobjecttothisatfirst,butitshould
calmdownafterafewsecondsifittrustsyouasafamiliarshould.

Ihighlyrecommendthatyouobtainyourdogfromabreeder(ifapurebred)ora
shelter(ifamixedbreed).Theworstplaceyoucangetadogisfromapetshop.
Thebestpetshopsareawareofthisandnolongersellpuppiesatall.Instores

Thebestpetshopsareawareofthisandnolongersellpuppiesatall.Instores
wherepuppiesarestillsold,nomatterwhatthesales-mantellsyou,itishighly
unlikelythatthepuppyinthewindowcamefromareputablebreeder.
Responsiblebreederswhocareabouttheirdogssimplydonotpermittheir
puppiestobedisplayedinshopcagesforpassersbytogawkat.

Thepuppyinthewindowprobablycamefromapuppymillwhereadultdogsare
keptinmiserableconditionsforthesolepurposeofproducinglive
“merchandise”.

f922

familiarspirits

Whenyougodirectlytoabreeder,youhavetheopportunitytomeetthepuppy’s
mother.(Ifthemotherisnotonthepremises,leaveimmediately.Somethingis
amiss.)Thefathermayormaynotbepresent,butyourpuppyshouldstillbe
withitsmom.Thebreedershouldbewillingtoansweranyquestionsyoumay
have,andideallywillaskyouafewquestions.Goodbreederswanttoknow
somethingaboutwhoistakingtheirpuppies.Donotbeoffendedifthebreeder
asksaboutyourhome,howmanyhoursadayyouwillbegoneandsoon.These
questionsareevidencethatthebreederhasthepuppy’sbestinterestatheart.It
meansyourpuppywasbredbysomeonewhocaredverymuchaboutit.

Ifyougotoashelteryoushouldalsoaskquestionsandexpectreasonable
answers.Agoodshelterwilltellyoueverythingknownaboutthedog’shistory,
andshouldletyouspendsometimealonewiththeanimalbeforeyoumakea
decision.Afterall,theydonotwantyoutobringthedogbacksoitisintheir
ownbestinteresttomatchyouwithananimalthatyouwillenjoylivingwith.

Itisacompassionategesturetoadoptashelterdog,butyoumustbeevenmore
carefulinyourchoiceifyouintendtheanimaltobecomeyourfamiliarspirit.
Withtheexceptionofnewbornpuppies,everyshelterdoghasahistory,andit
maytakemonthsorevenyearsforadogthathasbeentor-mentedandabusedto
enterintoafamiliarrelationshipwithanyhumanbeing.Itisnotmyintentionto
discourageanyonefromadoptingadogfromashelter.Ashelterdogcanand
shouldbecomeagreatcompanion,buttheoddsofthishappeningwillbegreater
ifyouchoosetheanimalcareful-f932

familiarspirits

lyandlearnasmuchasyoucanaboutitbeforebringingithome.

The16thcenturywitch’sfamiliar,regardlessofspecies,wastamedbyfeedingit
milk,chickenorbread(Murray,p.

84).Iquestionhoweffectivethisiswithtoads,which,inmyexperience,take
verylittleinterestinbread,butitiscertainlythebestwaytoinitiateafamiliar
relationshipwithyourdog!Foodisauniversallanguage,signifyingcomfort.
Professionaldogtrainersalwaysusefoodasapartoftheirprocess.

Foodisameansofcommunicatingtoyourdogthatyouareasourceofsecurity
andfulfillment.

Unfortunatelymostpeoplefeedtheirdogswiththesamedisinterestthatthey
refueltheirautomobiles.Thetypicaldogownerfillsabowlwithdrykibbleand
leavesitonthefloorallday.Thusthefoodhasnomeaning.

Beginfeedingyourdogimmediatelywhenyoufirstbringithome,butnotina
bowl.Sitbeforeyourhouseholdaltarwithyourdognexttoyou.Takeabitof
foodandofferittothedogwithyourfingers.Speakitsname,praisethedog
whenittakesthefood,andthengiveitanothersmallpiece.Ifthedogsnapsat
yourfingers,donotscoldit;simplyremovethefood.Onlyallowthedogtohave
thefoodwhentakingitgentlyfromyourhand.

Lookateverythingthatishappeningasyoudothis.Thedogislearningits
name.Itislearningthatsittingquietlybesideyouatthealtarisagoodthing.Itis
learningthatyouarethesourceofgoodthings(food).Itislearningthatgood
thingsaremoreaccessiblewhentakenpolitely.Inessence,itislearningtohave
acomfortable,familiarrelationshipwithyou.

f942

familiarspirits

Afterafewdaysofthis,yourdogshouldbereadyforitsfirstshortritual.Havea
smallpieceoffoodthatcanbeeasi-lydivided,andthatbothyouandyourdog
willenjoy.Apieceofchickenorcheeseworkswellforthis,orasmallpieceof
breadifyouarevegan.

Inthisritualyouwillbepresentingyournewfamiliartoadeity.Ifyoualready
haveacloseconnectionwithagodorgoddess,addressingthatdeityisentirely

haveacloseconnectionwithagodorgoddess,addressingthatdeityisentirely
appropriate.

Otherwise,directyourwordstoadeitywithinyourculturalpantheonwhohasan
affinityforthecaninespirit.Someexamples:

Culture

Deity(ies)

Anglo-Saxon

Woden

British

Nodens

Egyptian

Anubis

Hellenic(Greek)

ArtemisorAsclepius

Irish

Lugh

Norse

Odin

Roman

Diana

Sumerian

Bau

Welsh

Welsh

GwynapNudd

Ofcourseyoushouldembellishtheritualwiththewords,symbols,gesturesand
actionsthatareculturallyappropriateforyourspiritualorientation.AsaSaxon
Pagan,Iwouldbeginbycarryingfirearoundtheperimeteroftheritualarea
whileaskingThunortoblessandsanctifyeverythingf952

familiarspirits

withinthatspace.ThenIwouldoffersomealeormeadtoWoden,pouringitasa
libation.

AHellenicPaganwouldbeginbywashinghisorherhands,kindlingafireon
thealtarandofferinganopeningprayertothegoddessHestiabeforedirectly
addressingArtemis(orAsclepius).

Onceyouhavecreatedasacredspacethatreflectsyourspiritualparadigm,and
haveyourdogsittingorlyingcalmlyatyourside,saytothedeity:

(NameofDeity),beholdthisfamiliarspirit.

LookwelluponthisfaircreaturewhoIname(NameofFamiliar).

Grantmethewisdomtoknowhismind,andthecompassiontoknowhisspirit,
ThatImighthonoryouwithgreaterstrengthandunderstanding.

Nowtakethefoodyouhavebroughttotheritualandtearitintotwopieces.Say:

Furandskin,

Thesamewithin,

Bymoonandbysun

Thetwoaremadeone.

Giveonepieceofthefoodtoyourdogandeattheotherpieceatthesametime.
Trytolookintoyourdog’seyesasbothofyoutakeinthesamefood;asyou
takeinthesameessence.Eyecontactisgoodifitisnaturalandvoluntary,butf
962

962

familiarspirits

donotforcethedogtomeetyourgaze.Foradog,forcedeyecontactisa
threateningaction.

Youmayspendafewminutesinquietcontemplationwithyourfamiliar,butdo
notextendthistoolong.Thisshouldbeapositiveexperienceforbothofyou,so
bringtheritualtoitsconclusionbeforetheanimallosesinterest.Finishby
closingthecircle,orthankingthekindredorgivingapiac-ularoffering;
whateverisappropriateforyourspiritualpath.

Justasyouestablishacycleofreciprocitywhengivinganofferingtothegods,
youcannurtureasimilarcyclewithacaninefamiliareverytimeyouofferit
food.Afteryourdoghaslearned“sit”,askittodosowhenyouarepreparingits
meal.Thedogshouldsitandremainsittinguntilyouhaveplacedthebowlon
thefloor(orinitsstand).Thereisnothingcruelorevenparticularlydemanding
inexpectingyourdogtowaitpolitely.Ifthedoggetsoutofthesittingposition,
immediatelystoppreparingitsfood.Ifitdoesnotimmediatelysitagain(and
mostdogsdocatchontothisquiterap-idly)gentlysay“sit”asareminder.The
dogwillverylikelyleavethesittingpositionasyoubegintoplaceitsbowlon
thefloor.Whenthishappens,juststandupagainwiththebowlandwaituntilthe
dogreturnstoasit.Withinseveraldays—ifnotsooner—yourdogwillwait
patientlyuntilyousayitisallrighttobegineating.

Thisisnotanidleexercise.Again,lookatwhatishappening.Thedogis
learningthatlungingandgrabbingisnotnecessarilyaneffectivewayofgetting
whatitwants.Itislearningthatpleasingyou(bysitting)willberewarded.Itis
learningtopayattentiontoyou,whichisafundamentaltothedeep,familiar
relationshipthatyoucanbuildwithadog.

f972

familiarspirits

Whileweareonthesubjectoffood,Ishouldmentiontheimportanceof
providingyourcaninefamiliarwithahealthydiet.Theleastexpensivekibbleis
notnecessarilyabargainifitleadstoexpensiveveterinarycarelaterinthedog’s
life.Anddonottrusttheblurbonthebagsayinghowgreatthestuffisforyour
dog.Lookupanddowntheaislewherethesebagsaredisplayed;thereareno

dog.Lookupanddowntheaislewherethesebagsaredisplayed;thereareno
bagsany-wherewithalabelsaying“ContainsanUnhealthyBlendofCheap
Filler.”Thefrontofthebagalwayssuggestsaproductthatwilldelivergreat
tasteandnutrition.Youhavetoreadthetinyprinttofindoutwhatisactually
inside,andeventhenitmayremainamystery.Givespecialattentiontothefirst
threeorfouringredientslisted,asthesearetheprimaryingredientsinthefood.

Manydogshaveormaydevelopanallergytograinslikecorn,wheatandsoy.If
yourdoghaschronicskinorearinfec-tions,checktoseeifthesegrainsarein
thefoodyoubuy.

Inolongerfeedcommercialfoodstomydogs.Bypreparingtheirfoodmyself,I
knowexactlywhattheyareeating.Idonotneedtoscrutinizeingredientlabels
orworryaboutthequalityofthoseingredients.

Ifyouwanttoprovidewhole,naturalfoodstoyourcaninefamiliar,besureto
educateyourselfaboutthefoodsthataretoxicfortheirspecies.Themost
commonofthesearechocolate,grapes(includingraisins),onions,garlic,
uncookeddoughandraweggs.Alsobeawarethatyourdogislikelyto
temporarilyexperiencegasordiarrheawhenyoufirstofferrealfoodifthe
animalisaccustomedtoadietofkibbleorcanneddogfood.Thisreactionis
entirelynatural.

f982

familiarspirits

Ifyouweretoeatnothingbutfastfoodformonthsonend,yourownbody
wouldreacttothechangeofahealthysalad.

`Therearecookbookswrittenspecificallyfordogs,anditcanbefuntotry
differentrecipes.OvertheyearsIhavecomeupwithmyownrecipethatisboth
healthfulandeasytoprepare.

ALARIC’SCANINECUISINE

•3poundsofturkey,chickenorleanbeef(varieswithwhateverisonsale)

•2poundscarrots

•3–5yams

•1cuporganicbrownrice

•1–2zucchinioryellowsquash

•2canspeas(preferablylowsaltorsaltfree)•½cupvegetableoil.

Cookthemeat.Howyoudothisdependsonwhatyouhavebought.Cook
groundturkeyorgroundbeefinaskillet.

Cookchickenbreastsintheoven.(Therearemanypeoplewhorecommendraw
foods.Theraw-versus-cookedargumenthaspersistedforyears.Icookthemeats
thatIfeedmydogs,andthishasworkedverywellforme.)Whilethemeatis
cooking,chopthecarrotsandyamsintobitesizedpieces.Howbigtheseare
dependsonyourdog.AGreatDane’sbitesizeisconsiderablylargerthanaShih
Tzu’sbitesize.

Puttwocupsofwaterinalargepot.Addthechoppedcarrotsandyams,andthe
rice.Cookthisovermediumheatfor45minutes,stirringoccasionally.

f992

familiarspirits

Whiletheveggiesarecooking,cutupthemeatintobitesizedpieces.Obviously
youdonotneedtodothisifyouhaveusedgroundmeat.

Cutupthezucchinioryellowsquash,andaddthistotheveggiesaftertheyhave
cooked45minutes.Alsoaddthetwocansofpeas.Letthiscookanother15
minutes,stirringmorefrequentlytoavoidscorching.

Mixtogethertheveggie-mixandthecookedmeats.Thisismucheasiertodoif
youletbothcooldownalittle.Aftermixingthesetogether,addthevegetable
oil.

Howmuchtofeedyourdogdependsonhowlargeandactiveitis.Asavery
roughguideline,startoutfeeding½cupdailyforeveryfivepoundsofbody
weightupto25pounds.

Forlargerdogsreducethisto1cupdailyforevery15poundsofbodyweight.
Thenkeepaneyeonyourdog(whichyoushouldbedoinganyway).Ifthedog

Thenkeepaneyeonyourdog(whichyoushouldbedoinganyway).Ifthedog
losesweighttoapointwhereyoubegintoseeitsribs,thenincreasetheamount
offood.Ifthedogbeginstogetfat,decreasetheamount.

*

Thisisabookaboutgettingintouchwithyourspirituality,notaboutanimal
care,sowedonothaveroomheretodis-cusshousebreaking,cratetraining,
problembehaviorsandotherissuesthatarebetteraddressedelsewhere.Ihighly
recommendobedienceclasses,especiallyifyouhaveneverhadadogbefore,but
alsoifsharingyourlifewithacaninefamiliarissecondnaturetoyou.Group
obedienceclassesareexcellentopportunitiestoenjoyqualitytimewithyour
newcompanion.

f1002

familiarspirits

CATS

Butwhatifyouarenotuptomeetingthedemandsthatadogwillpresent?What
ifyouwantafamiliarthatisreasonablyresponsive,butrequiresaminimumof
fuss?Ifyoudonotcarewhetherthefamiliarwillcomewhenyoucallit,ortake
awalkwithyouthroughthewoods,youmightbebetteroffwithacat.

Asafamiliar,thewitch’scathasbecomeacliché,althoughnotwithoutgood
reason.Thereisamystiqueaboutthecatthathasgivenrisetoallsortsofbeliefs
andsuperstitions,oftencontradictory.IntheUnitedStatesablackcatis
supposedtobeaportentofbadfortune,howeverinEnglanditisabringerof
luck(Simpson&Roud,p.49).Goodluckandmisfortunearebothassociated
withalmosteverythingaboutthecat:itscolor,itsbehavior,eventhemonthis
wasborn.

Historically,thecathasoftensufferedunfairlyfromhumanprejudice.They
weretreatedbrutallyduringthewitchhunts,andatothertimeswerebelievedto
benaturalthieves(Hartley,p.125).Thelattermayhavesometruthtoit,but
almostanyanimal—includinghumans—willsometimesstealgiventheright
circumstances.

Therearenotmanyreferencestofairycatsinfolklore,butperhapsthisis
becauseeverycathassomefairyconnectionwithmysteryandmagic.Instead,in
theloreofthecat,thisanimalismorelikelytobeassociatedwithadeity,such

theloreofthecat,thisanimalismorelikelytobeassociatedwithadeity,such
astheEgyptiangoddessBast,theScandinavians’FreyaortheHindugoddess
Shashthi(Andrews,p.258).

CatsfirstattainedtheirplaceasfamiliarspiritsinEgypt,wheretheywerevalued
fortheirabilitytocontrolmiceandrats.Theyweregreatlyloved,andthosewho
couldaffordtof1012

familiarspirits

dosowouldhavetheircatsembalmedandmummifiedaftertheydied.More
than300,000mummifiedcatswerefoundinonetempletoBastwhenitwas
excavatedandexplored.

Asafamiliar,thecathasoneenormousadvantageoverthedog,andthatisits
easeofcare.Itisnotatribalorpackanimal.Instead,thecatisasolitaryhunter,
andforthisreasonitcangetalongverywellwithoutourimmediatepresence.
Leaveoutenoughfood,andthecatcanusuallybeleftaloneforaweekend
withoutsufferinganyilleffects.MostofthePagansI’veknownwhohavecats
arecomfortableleavingtheiranimalsaloneforacoupleofdays.

Most,butnotall.LaiseyHahn,aPaganwomanfromMinnesota,believesher
catsshouldhavemoreconstantattention.“Iwouldneverleavecatfoodoutfora
wholeweekendandleavethem—atmostanovernighttrip,”shesays.“AndI
wouldn’tleaveoutfood.Kibbleisverybadforkitties;catsneedmorewaterin
theirdietthantheynaturallyhavetheinclinationtodrink.Adietofdryfood
onlycanleadtosignificantkidneyproblems.”

Trainingisnotasmuchofanissueforcatsasitisfordogs.Thecat,descended
fromdeserthunters,hasaninstincttoburyitsstronglyscentedwasteinsand,so
“housebreaking”usuallyconsistsofnothingmorethanshowingthecatwhere
thelitterboxislocated.Andfurthertrainingisrarelyanoptionthatmostpeople
consider.Again,thisisnotuniversal.Laiseyalsotellsme,“Mostpeoplehave
thisideathatcatscan’tbetrainedandthereforetheydon’ttry.Iboughtacat
trainingbooklastyearandhavebeentrainingFridatodosimplethingslike
standup,jumpfromchairtochair,etcet-era.OfcourseitonlyworksifIbribe
herwithtreats!”

f1022

familiarspirits

familiarspirits

Aswithdogs,trainingacatismorethananexerciseincontrol.Itisameansof
bondingwiththeanimalanddevelopingadeeper,morefamiliarrelationship.
Thegoodnews,forcatowners,isthattrainingisanoptionratherthana
necessity.Anuntrainedcatisnotaslikelytoeatyourfavoritepairofshoes
whenyouleavetheanimalalonefortheafternoon.

Catsdocomeinagreatvarietyofbreeds,butthis,too,isalessimportant
considerationthanitisforadog.Differentfelinebreedsvarylessinbothsize
andtemperamentthandogbreeds.Ifyouchooseakittenforyourfamiliar,most
likelytheanimalwillnotbepurebredsimplybecauseselectivebreedingisless
commonforcats.Theownerofthekitten’smotherprobablywillnotknowwhat
malecatsiredthelitter.Thisonlymattersifyoupersonallywantapurebred
animal.Unlikedogbreeds,mostcatbreedswerenotdevelopedtofillspecific
taskssuchasherdingcattleorhuntingvermin.Withafewexceptions,the
behaviorofonebreedofcatissimilartothatofmostothers.

Still,whenconsideringaspecificbreed,educateyourselfaboutitstypical
personalityandneeds.TheSiamese,forexample,tendstobeaveryvocalcat
withagreaterthanaverageneedforattention.Thisbreedisusuallynotagood
choiceifyouaregonemostoftheday,orifyouwantaquietfamiliar.Keepin
mind,too,thatlonghairedbreedslikethePersianorBalineserequirefrequent
groomingtomaintainthoseluxuriouscoats.

Also,justaswithadog,itisalwaysbettertoadoptacatoracquireonedirectly
fromthebreederratherthanpurchas-ingitatapetshop.Ifyouarenotparticular
aboutthebreed,f1032

familiarspirits

yournewcatmaycostyounothingatall.Duetoirrespon-siblebreedingthere
arealwaysmorekittensavailablethanhomestoadoptthem.Ontheotherhand,
thenominaladop-tionfeechargedbymostno-killshelterssupportthesewor-thy
organizationsandshouldnotdissuadeyoufromadoptingasheltercat.

Asarule,foodrewardsoftenmeanlesstoacatthantoadog.Ifyourcatfamiliar
ismotivatedbytreats,countyourselflucky.Ifnot,donotforcetheissue.In
exchangefornotmakingnearlysomanydemandsasadog,thecatwilloftenbe
uncooperativeinrespondingtoyourowndemands.Catpeoplecallthis
“independence”.

“independence”.

Youcan,however,establishamorefamiliarrelationshipwithacatthanwith
manyotheranimals.Ifyouandyourcatenjoyanysimilarfood(tunafishoften
works),youcanpresentyournewfamiliartoeitheryourpatrondeityortoa
deitywithinyourculturalpantheonwhohasanaffinityforthefelinespirit.
Someexamples:

Culture

Deity

Anglo-Saxon

Fréo

British

Britannia

Egyptian

Bast

Hellenic(Greek)

Artemis

Norse

Freya

Roman

Diana

IamnotawareofanyIrish,WelshorSumeriandeitiesassociatedspecifically
withcats.Ifyoufollowoneofthesespiritualpaths,addresswhicheverdeityyou
havetheclosestf1042

familiarspirits

relationshipwith.Theritualitselfisexactlyasyouwoulddowithadog.

Youcanacknowledgeyourcatasyourfamiliarwiththisritualevenifitdoesnot
respondespeciallywelltotreats.

Insteadofofferingfood,simplyholdthecatcloseasyousitbeforethealtarand
addressthedeity.Holditagainstyourchestandfeelyourownauramergewith
yourcat’sasyousaythewords,“Furandskin,thesamewithin.”Thisbodyaura
wasknowntotheSaxonsasthehama.Letthatpartofyou,theprotectivefield
thatsurroundsyourphysicalbody,flowintothecat’shama.

Itisnicerifyoucanincludethesharingoffoodasapartoftheritual,butof
coursewithcatsyouarenevercompletelyincontrol.

MostPagansincorporatemeditationaspartoftheirspiritualpractice,anda
felinefamiliarcanbeanexcellenthelpinthisrespect.Ofcoursetoreceiveany
realbenefityouwillneedtofirstdevelopthatessential“familiar”relationship
withtheanimal.Yourbondwiththecatmustbestrongenoughthatitwill
consenttositonyourlaporbesideyouthroughoutthemeditation.(Awell
manneredcaninefamiliar,ifyouhaveone,canalsodothiswithonlyalittle
training.)Therearedifferenttechniquesformeditating,butwhateveryou
ordinarilywoulddoisfineaslongasyoucandoitwithyourfamiliarsitting
close.

Ifyouaregoingtolightcandles,burnincense,castamagiccircleoranything
similar,dothisearlytogiveyourcatplentyoftimetoacceptthechangesinits
environment.

Fromthecat’sperspective,itownseverythinginitsimmediatevicinity,
includingyou.Acatwilloftenwanttoinvesti-f1052

familiarspirits

gateanyalterationsinitssurroundingsbeforeitiswillingtosettledownand
assistwithyourmeditation.

Asyoubeginmeditating,slowlystrokethecat(ordog)withgentle,relaxed
motions.Beawareofthecat,butdonotallowyourawarenesstodistractyou
fromyourmeditation.

Pettingorstrokingacompanionanimalcanhelplowerbloodpressureand

Pettingorstrokingacompanionanimalcanhelplowerbloodpressureand
reducestress.Thesesamemeasurableeffectsareinducedthroughmeditation,so
itiseasytoseehowoneactivitynurturestheother.Theintentionalinteraction
withyourfamiliarwillhelpbringyouintoameditativestateofbeing.

Itshouldgowithoutsayingthatyoumustneverattempttoforceyourfamiliar
intoparticipatinginmeditationsoranykindofdailydevotions.Nobodyhasever
enteredameditativestatewhilewrestlingacat.Thisiswhyitisimperativethat
youaccustomyourcattosittingquietlynexttoyouasyoustrokeitbefore
makinganyattemptatmeditatingwiththeanimal.

Cooperationonlygoessofarwithananimalthatevolvedasasolitaryhunter.No
matterhowwellbehavedyourfelinefamiliar,therewillprobablybetimeswhen
itdecideshalfwaythroughyourmeditationthatitisfinishedfortheday.Thecat
willdropdownfromthechairorsofa,andwalkofftoinvestigatesomethingit
findsfarmoreinterestingthanyou.

Acknowledgethis,andcontinuewithyourmeditation.Ifyouhavedeveloped
evenamoderatelevelofmentaldiscipline,thisshouldnotbedifficultforyou.
Partofworkingwithacatasafamiliarisacceptingitsindependentnature.

PaganauthorDeborahBlake(EverydayWitchBookofRituals)says,“Ihave
foundwithcatsthattheyparticipateonf1062

familiarspirits

theirownterms.Mostofmycatsshowverylittleinterestinmymagicalwork.”
Deborahhasfivecats,andtheexceptiontothisgeneralruleisablackcat
named,appropriatelyenough,Magic.“Whenmycovenispracticinginsidein
mylivingroom(mycatsdon’tgooutside)wehaveanaltartablethatweall
standaround,”saysDeborah.“Assoonaswegetstarted,Magicstrollsintothe
roomandwalksaroundthecircledeosil(clockwise)everysingletime.Thenshe
eithersitsunderthetable,continuestomeanderthecircleorperchesherselfon
thesofaandsupervisesfromthere.”

Deborah’scatMagicalsojoinsheratothertimes.“Ialsohaveadailypracticeof
greetingthegodsfirstthinginthemorningandaskingfortheirhelpwithmy
day,andsayingthankyouattheendoftheday,”shetellsme.“Idobothofthese
whilelyinginbed.MagicalmostalwayscomesandliesbymyheadwhileIdo
this,purringmadly.”

Whenitcomestomagicalandspiritualwork,Deborahsaysofhercat,“Ibelieve
thatherpresenceaddssomethingimportant.”ThisissomethingIhaveheard
timeandagainwhentalkingwithpeoplewhohavecatfamiliars.Althoughthe
catismorealoof,itseemstooffersomething—someinfluence—tothoseinits
proximitywhoshareafamiliarrelationshipwithit.

JoyBennettsharesherMidwesternhomewithfourcats,andalsobelievesthecat
canaddsomethingimportantifintangibletorituals.“Theyhaveacalming,
soothinginfluence,”saysJoy.“Ifindthemespeciallyeffectiveforhealing.

WhenIamsickIgetPyewackett—he’sthebestforthis—andholdhimcloseto
me.”AllofJoy’scatsarerescues,homelesscatswhoneeded,andfound,a
lovingenvironment.Theheal-f1072

familiarspirits

ingrelationshipbetweencatandhumanflowsbothwaysattheBennetthouse.
Joy’shusbandJackcollectsthecats’shedclawsheathswheneverhefindsthem.
Why?Forasortofveterinarymagic.“Acat’ssheathisnodifferentthana
humanfingernail,”Jacksays.“It’salinkwiththeanimal.Whenoneofthecats
issick(althoughitalsogetsavisittotheveterinarian’soffice)Iusethesheaths
toworkhealingmagic.Idon’tknowwhichsheathscamefromwhichcats,but
it’sjustageneralvitalityspell,soallofthecatsbenefit,includingtheonemost
needingthatenergy.”

AsIsaidearlier,acatusuallywillnotrespondtofoodrewardswiththesame
enthusiasmadogwill.Adogwillalmostalwaystakeaninterestintreats
(althoughsomearemoreresponsivetofoodthanothers),butacathasadifferent
metabolism.Itisnaturalforthecattoeatlessfrequently,andsoitmay
sometimesrefusenotonlytreatsbutevenitsdinner(Pitcairn,p.47).
Nevertheless,ahealthydietisjustasessentialforacatifyouhopetodevelopa
strong,familiarrelationshipwiththeanimal.Yourcatwillrespondbettertoyou.
Thecat’sdietaryneedsaredifferentthanadog’s.Wetendtolumpanimalsinto
generalcategoriesofcarnivore,herbivoreandomnivore,butlifeisfarmore
diversethanthis.

Whiledogsareindeedcarnivores,mostofthemwillenjoyanoccasionalfruitor
vegetabletidbit,andmyownrecipeforChienCuisinegivenearlierinthis
chapterincludesyams,squash,carrots,peasandrice.Catsrequireahigher
percent-ageofprotein,andhavedietaryneedsrequiringmeatsormeatby-

percent-ageofprotein,andhavedietaryneedsrequiringmeatsormeatby-
products(Pitcairn,p.52).Ifyoufeedyourfamiliaracommercialcatfood,read
theingredientslabelcareful-lyandmakesuretheprimaryingredients—those
listedfirstf1082

familiarspirits

onthelabel—aremeatsandorgans.Andaswithcommercialdogfood,themeat
shouldbespecified:chicken,turkey,beeforwhatever.Listinganingredient
genericallyas“meat”

isasmeaninglessassayingthereis“food”inthefood.LaiseyHahnpointsout
that“realmeatisalwaysbetterthanthemysterious‘meatby-product’andthere
arenowevengrain-freecannedfoodsonthemarketwhicharealsobetterfor
theirhealth.”

Youcanofcoursepreparefoodyourselfforthecatfamiliar.Althoughmore
difficulttofindthanthecanineequiva-lent,therearecookbooksspecificallyfor
cats.Pitcairngivesavarietyofrecipesfordishes.Althoughacatfamiliarisless
likelythanadogtoovereat,itisalwaysagoodideatokeepaneyeonitsweight
(pp.38–39).

OTHERFAMILIARS

Partoftheappealofadogoracatasafamiliaristhattheanimalcanroamabout
thehousefreely,withminimalsupervision.

Murraymentionspeopleinthe16thcenturykeepingsmallerfamiliarsinpots
andboxes(p.84),buttodayitiscus-tomarytokeeptheminspeciallydesigned
cages.Smallmammals,birdsandreptilesmustbeconfinedfortheirownsafety
iffornootherreason.Whentheseanimalscanbesuperviseditispossibleto
releasethemfromtheirquartersforlimitedperiodsoftime,andsomecan
becomesuitablefamiliarsforpeoplewithenoughpatiencetoworkwiththem.

Someofthesmallanimalssuitableasfamiliarsarerodents,anorderof
mammalsthatwehumanshave,his-torically,hadapredominantlyadversarial
relationshipwith.

f1092

familiarspirits

Rodentsenjoythesamefoodsthatweenjoy,andwillstealourstoredfoodas
casuallyaswestealhoneyfrombeesandmilkfromcattle.Worse,wildrodents
havethecapabilityoftransmittingabewilderingarrayofhumandiseases.They
donotspreadthesediseasesintentionally,butthatwasnocomforttothe
millionsofmen,womenandchildrenwhodiedfromtheBlackPlaguein14th
centuryEurope.

Thegoodnewsisthatadomesticated,captivebornrodentisnomorelikelyto
carryadeadlydiseasethanyournextdoorneighboris.Thefoodthingisanother
issuealto-gether;henceoneveryrealneedforacage.

Whenpeoplethinkofrodentsascompanionanimalsthefirstspeciesthatcome
tomindareusuallyhamstersandgerbils.Iwouldnotdissuadeyoufromtrying
todevelopafamiliarrelationshipwithoneofthesesmallcreaturesifyoufeel
somespecialaffinityforthem.Ihavekeptbothhamstersandgerbils,andhave
lovedboth,butinmyopiniontheyarepoorlysuitedasfamiliarsasageneral
rule.Bothhamstersandgerbilstendtobeskittishevenwhentamed.The
hamsterisnocturnal,whichmeansitwillwanttosleepwhenyouwantto
interactwithit,unlessyouworkanightshift.Andasleepy,annoyedhamsteris
liabletobite.IfIhadtochoosebetweenahamsteroragerbil,mychoicewould
bethelatter,butamongtheorderofrodentsbothofthesewouldbenearthe
bottomofmylist.

Whatwouldbeatthetop?Thedomesticrat.

EWWWWW!!!

Ifthisisyourinitialreaction,Iunderstandcompletely.Ioncesharedthis
commonprejudice.Eventhewordrat,whenappliedtoahumanbeing,means
theworstsortoff1102

familiarspirits

scoundrel.RatswereaprimaryfactorinthespreadoftheaforementionedBlack
Plague,andtheyhavecausedunimaginabledamagetomankind’sfoodsupplies
forcenturies.Thewildblackrat(Rattusrattus)andNorwegianorbrownrat(
Rattusnorvegicus)areaggressiveandpotentiallydangerous,especiallyforsmall
childrenandtheelderly,andthesearethespeciesthatlivewithornearus
humansintheirwildstate.

Itislittlewonderthatsomanypeoplehaveastrongaversionnotonlytoblack

Itislittlewonderthatsomanypeoplehaveastrongaversionnotonlytoblack
andNorwegianrats,butalsototheirdomesticcousins.

Myownprejudicemeltedawaylongago,backwhenIwasstillahighschool
student.ToearnextraspendingmoneyIwouldoftenhousesitforneighboring
familieswhentheywentonvacation.Afamilydownthestreethadaskedmeto
comebytheirhousetwoorthreetimeseverydaytocheckontheirpets.WhenI
stoppedintofindoutexactlywhatmydutieswouldbe,Ilearnedthatthere
wouldbethreepetsinmycare:amixed-breeddognamedMoby,aparakeet
namedFletcher…andalargemaleratnamedHenry.

WhileIwastalkingtothewife,IglancedoveratHenry’scage.Henryyawned.
Henryhadenormousteeth.IcameveryclosetotellingthewomanthatIwould
notbeabletolookinonthesefamilypets,butthenherdaughter,agirlofno
morethansixorseven,wentovertoHenry’scageandtookhimout.Sheheld
thebig,nastyratclosetoherchestandstrokedhisback.Watchingthelittlegirl,
IrealizedthatIcouldnotbackoutonthisjob.NotifIwantedtoretainevena
traceofselfrespect.

DuringtheweekthatMoby,FletcherandHenrywereinmycare,myprejudice
towardstheratgraduallytransformedf1112

familiarspirits

intotrust,andevenintoasmalldegreeofaffection.Henrywasagentlecreature
whoneveronceattemptedtobiteme.

Domesticrats,alsocalled“fancyrats”,werebredfromtheNorwegianbrown
rat,butsharelittleincommonwiththeirancestorsotherthantheirgeneralform.
Whentreatedwell,thefancyratusuallyhasasweetdispositionandcanreadily
becomeattachedtoaspecifichumanorhumans.

Theyreactlesstosuddenlightsandsoundsthanwildratsdo.

Andtheyareindeed“fancy”,withdifferentcolorsandmarkings.TheDumbo
breedhaslarge,roundearsthatsitatthesidesofitshead.TheManxbreedis
tailless.Himalayanratsarewhite,withmarkingssimilartothoseonSiamese
cats.

ItwassomeyearslaterwhenIhadaratofmyown,whichbecamemyfamiliar.
HewasablackhoodedratwhoInamedDemetrius.By“hooded”Imeanthathis

HewasablackhoodedratwhoInamedDemetrius.By“hooded”Imeanthathis
coatwaswhite,withablackheadandpatchthatextendeddownhisback.
DemetriusstayedinacagewhenIhadtoleavehimalone,butotherwisehe
wouldusuallysithappilyonmyshoulderasIwentaboutmybusiness.Heeven
wenttoafewpartieswithme,ridingonmyshoulder,enjoyingcornchipsand
similarsnacksthattheotherguestswouldofferhim.

IfIcouldnothaveadog,mysecondchoicewouldalmostcertainlybearat.Few
animalsareasresponsiveasthisunder-appreciatedspecies.Theyareamazingly
intelligent.

Asafamiliar,theratisneverthelessarodent.Itwillnotinteractascompletelyor
asreliablyasawellbehaveddog,ofcourse,but,oncetamed,itcanparticipatein
themeditationexercisedescribedearlier.Ihavefounditeasiertodevelopa
familiarrelationshipwiththemaleratthanwiththefemale,butthatcouldbea
personalquirkofmine.

f1122

familiarspirits

Nomedievalwitcheverhadaguineapigasafamiliarbecausethespecieswas
notevenintroducedtoEuropeuntilthe16thcentury,butthisisanother
relativelycalmrodenttoconsiderifyouwantasmallmammal.Liketherat,the
guineapigisanintelligentcreature.Itsworsttraits,inmyopinion,arehow
easilyitisstartledandtheamountofnoiseitmakes;thelatteronlybeinga
problemifyouliveinanapartmentorpreferaquietenvironment.Guineapigs
aremuchmorevocalthanotherrodents,communicatingwitheachother(and
you)bywhistling,chirping,squealingandpurring.Theyarehappierifkeptin
pairsorsmallgroups.

Domesticatedguineapigscomeindifferentbreedswithbothlongandshort
coats.Unlessyouactuallywantafamiliarthatrequiresconstantbrushing,I
recommendtheshortcoatbreeds.

Whensocializedcorrectly,aguineapigenjoysbeingpickedupandheld,soit
canbecomejustassuitableafamiliarasadog,catorrat.

Justastherearefancyrats,therearealsofancymice,andthesedomesticated
animalssharenomoreincommonwiththeirancestor,thecommonhousemouse

(Musmusculus).

thanthedomesticratshareswiththeNorwegianbrownrat.

Comparedtoadomesticrat,themousetendstobemoreskittishand,inmy
opinion,lessintelligent.Theyarealsorelativelyshortlived,rarelyenjoyinga
lifespanofmorethantwoyears.Theadvantageofmiceistheirsmallsize,
whichcanbeasignificantconsiderationforpeoplewithextremelylimited
personalspace.Malestendtohaveastrongodoranddonotusuallyco-existwell
withothermales,buttheirpersonalitiescanbemoreentertaining.

f1132

familiarspirits

Itisunderstandablethatacreatureastinyasamouseisinnatelyterrifiedof
beinghandledbyanenormoushuman.

Tamingthemousecanbemoredifficultthanwithotherrodents.Itisnot
impossiblebut,evenso,aratwillprovetobemuchmoretractableasafamiliar.

Rabbitsarenotrodents,theyarelagomorphs,butpeopleoftenlumptheminthe
samecategory,andtheycancertainlybeaspotentiallydestructiveaswild
rodents.RabbitsthathavebeenintroducedintoAustraliaandNewZealand,
wheretheyhavefewnaturalpredatorsotherthanourownspecies,havebecome
seriouspests.Butfewpeoplehavetheaversiontorabbitsthatsomanyofus
exhibittowardsratsandmice.Perhapsthisisdueinparttofictionalcharacters
likePeterRabbit,theWhiteRabbitofLewisCarroll’sWon-derlandorthe
animatedBugsBunny.Inthepopularimagina-tion,rabbitsarecute.

Idonotknowanyonepersonallywhoincludesarabbitactivelyinspiritualor
magicalwork,butIsuspecttheseanimalscouldmakeverygoodfamiliarsfor
therightpeople.Inthe1980’sand1990’smorefamiliesbegankeepingrabbits
indoors,wheretheycanbetrainedtousealitterbox.Therabbit’sneedtochew
shouldbetakenintoconsideration,andIdonotthinkitisagoodideatoleave
oneoftheseanimalsunsupervisedforlongperiodsoftime.Rabbitscanalso
delivernasty,potentiallydangerouskickswiththeirhindlegs.

Yourchoiceofafamiliarisnotrestrictedtomammals.

DevinHunter,hostoftheinternetradio’sModernWitch,livesinSanFrancisco

DevinHunter,hostoftheinternetradio’sModernWitch,livesinSanFrancisco
andhasafeatheredfamiliarbythenameofSophia.Sheisaring-neckeddove.
Asafamiliar,Sophiahasproventobeasourceofspiritualstrengthforf1142

familiarspirits

Devin.Hesaysthat“intimesofgreatstressIwillsimplyholdher,meditate,
trance,orchantandconnecttomyformofdivinity.Sophiais…aGreekwordfor
Wisdom,anditissaidthatSophia(Wisdom)cametoearthintheformofa
dove.Assuch,Iconnectwiththehigherselfanditswisdomwhileworkingwith
mydoveinmeditativeforms.”

Hereweseeanavianfamiliar,adove,beingusedinmeditationinasimilarway
asanytameandwellbehavedmammalmightbe.Devinisamalewitch,and
Sophiaalsohelpshimwithhismagicalworkings.Hetellsme,“Ihaveusedher
tosendmessagesto…lovedones;messagesoflove,hope,peaceandfreedom.I
generallywillholdherand,whileincircle,talktoher,enchantingherwitheach
whisperorstroke,andthenwillletherflyaroundincircleabit.Iplaceherback
inhercagewhentheworkhasbeendone.”

SophiasuppliesDevinwithfeathersforhisspells.Heusesthesofterandsmaller
feathersthatcomefromherchestforspellsinvolvingpeaceorenlightenment.
Thewingfeathersalsoproveusefulforhim,aswiththefollowingspellthatI
foundparticularlyinteresting:

“Iwilluseherwingfeathersinspellstohelpwithcreativ-ity,especiallyinterms
ofthewrittenarts,”Devinexplained.

(Youcanseewhythiscaughtmyinterest.)“AsaPaganwriterandjournalistthis
comesinhandyoften!Agreatspellforwriter’sblockistotakeawingfeather,
dipitinink,andthenwritewriter’sblockbackwardsonapieceofparchment,
thenputtheparchmentinyourBookofShadowsoronyouraltar!

Workseverytime!”

Devindoesnotbelieveananimal,whetherabirdorsomeothercreature,can
trulybeafamiliarifyoudonottreatitf1152

familiarspirits

likeone,andhehasverydefiniteideasofhowtogoaboutthis.“Youhaveto

likeone,andhehasverydefiniteideasofhowtogoaboutthis.“Youhaveto
spendtimebondingwithyourfamiliar,”hesays.“Singingtoit,chantingsongs
ofpowertoit—orwithit—andgivingititsownnameofpowergoalongway.”

Anyspeciesofbirdcanbetamedasafamiliarspirit,althoughwhattheyhaveto
offerinthiscontextwillvaryconsiderablydependingonthekindofbirdyouare
workingwith.Thereisaworldofdifferencebetweenamacawandacanary,not
onlyinsizebutalsoinpersonality.Whatallbirdsrequire,though,isa
commitmenttotheirdailycare.Ifthebirdistobeafamiliar,asDevinpoints
out,itwillalsorequireadditionaltimeforbonding.

Ouravianfamiliarswillusuallybecagedhousebirds.

Atrulytamebirdmaynotneedtoremaininitscageconstantly—Sophiahasher
outingswhereshecanstretchherwings—butforthemostparttheyliveinlittle
homesthatwekeepinourmuchlargerhomes.InalaterchapterIwilldis-cuss
keepingchickensasameansofparticipatingmorefullyinthefoodcycle.Ifyou
decidetopursuethis,yourchickenscouldbecomefamiliars,assumingyou
spendalotofyourtimeoutdoorswiththem.Usually,though,abirdkeptasa
familiarisabirdthatlivesindoors.

Thischapterwouldbeincompletewithoutmention-ingreptilesandamphibians
asfamiliars.Nexttothecat,themoststereotypicalfamiliarspiritmightbethe
witch’stoad.

Herptiles(acollectivewordforbothreptilesandamphibians)areoftenbelieved
tobestupid,butitisperhapsmoreaccu-ratetosaythattheyhaveaveryalien
intelligence.Assuch,theycanbefascinatingfamiliars,openingourspiritstoa
verydifferentworld.

f1162

familiarspirits

AndthatisallIamgoingtosayaboutthem.

Why?Because,quitehonestly,mostpeoplehavenobusinesskeepingherptiles
inconfinement.AsIsaid,theyhaveaveryalienintelligence.Theirmindsand
bodiesarebothsodifferentfromourown.Withadog,acatorarabbitor,toa
lesserextent,evenabird,youcantelljustbylookingattheanimalifitis
distressed.Notsowithherptiles.Thereisnothingatallintuitiveabouttheircare.
Fartoomanyreptilesandamphibiansdieinagonywhileinthecareofwell

Fartoomanyreptilesandamphibiansdieinagonywhileinthecareofwell
meaningbutuneducatedhumans.

Ifyoumusthaveaherptileasyourfamiliar,Isuggestthecornsnake.These
inoffensivecreaturesareeasiertocareforthanmostothercold-blooded
creatures.Butwhateverreptileoramphibianyouchoose,learneverythingyou
canaboutitsneedsbeforeyoupurchasetheanimal.Anddon’ttrustthe“expert
advice”ofapetshopemployee.Dosomerealresearchonyourown.Priortothe
1970’s,petshopsacrossAmericaroutinelysoldpetturtles—redearedsliders—
alongwithcuteplasticbowlstohousethem,andboxesofwhatwasallegedly
turtlefood.Whattheshopemployeesfailedtotelltheircustomerswasthatthe
petswerenewlyhatchedbabyturtleswhich(iftheylived)wouldgrowtobeup
toafootinlength.Thelittleturtlebowlswerewoefullyinade-quate,butthis
rarelymatteredbecausethebabyturtleshadnoideathatthebrownjunk
sprinkledintotheirbowlswassupposedtobe“food”,andalmostallofthem
diedmiserablybeforethesizeoftheirhousingactuallybecameanissue.

Ifatallpossible,talktosomebodywhobreedswhateverreptileoramphibian
youareinterestedin.Mostherptileswillnotreadilyreproduceifmaintained
underlessthanoptimalf1172

familiarspirits

conditions,soyoucanusuallysafelyassumethatabreederunderstandsthebasic
needsofthespeciesinquestion.

Anddonotthinkyoucancutcorners.Ifthebreedersaystheherptilerequiresa
temperaturerangeof73–80degrees,“roomtemperature”isnotanacceptable
alternative.

Almostanylanddwellingoramphibiousspeciescanbeafamiliar,andeachhas
itsownwisdomtoofferus;eachbringsitsownlessonstoshare.Whenwe
connectwithfamiliars—withanimalcompanions—weconnectmoredeeply
withthegreatweboflife.

f1182

CHAPTERFIVE

LEAFANDFRUIT

FromtheabundanceoftraditionslikePlowMonday,was-sailingfruittreesand
JohnBarleycorn,fromritualsliketheAnglo-SaxonÆcerbotcharmtoensurethe
fertilityofafield,orthewomen-onlyfertilityritesoftheGreekThesmophoria,
itisapparentthattheprimaryquestionoriginallyaddressedbyPaganreligionsis
thesamequestionthathasbeenaskedbyeveryheterotrophicorganismsincethe
dawnoflife.

What’sfordinner?

Thisquestionistypicallyansweredtodaywithatriptothesupermarketora
localrestaurant.Wehumansarelessimmediatelyinvolvedwiththesourceof
oursustenance,andforthemostpartthisisagoodthing.Modernpeopleliving
inanydevelopednationarenotgoingtostarveifthereisalocaldroughtorifa
fieldofcornisruinedbyinsectsorafungus.

ForourPaganancestors,however,thequestionofwhat’sfordinnerwasanever-
presentconcern.Whateveryourculturalorf119

f

2

119

leafandfruit

biologicalheritagemaybe,mostofyourancestorsweredirectlyinvolvedwith
foodacquisition;farming,huntingorfishing.

Theyweredirectlydependentontheearth’sbountyinawaythatwecanonly
imaginetoday.Itwasthiscontinualdependenceontheearththatgaverisetothe
earliestexpressionsofPaganspirituality.

EveryonewithanelementaryunderstandingofRomanreligionknowsthatMars
isa“wargod”.Whatisoftenover-lookedisthatMarswasoriginallyaprotector

isa“wargod”.Whatisoftenover-lookedisthatMarswasoriginallyaprotector
ofthefields,awarriorwhodroveawaytheinsectandfungalinfestationsthat
couldruinlocalcrops.TheoldestfestivaltoVenus,theRomangoddessoflove
andbeauty,wastheVinaliaRusticawhenvegetablegrowthandfertilitywere
celebrated.Likewise,theNorsegodThorisknownasagodofthunderand
storms(hisAnglo-Saxonname,Thunor,istheOldEnglishwordforthunder),
butitislesswellknownthatheisalsoagodoffertility.TheGreekgod
Dionysusisagodofwine,buthehasanequallyimportantroleasthegodwho
ensuresthefertilityandabundanceofthegrapeharvest.TheGallo-Roman
Epona,notableasahorsegoddess,isalsoagoddessoffertility.Aclose
examinationofPagangodsandgoddessesrevealsagainandagainhowmanyof
themhavesomeassoci-ationwiththeearth’sbounty.

Thesimpleactofgrowingsomeportionofyourownfoodcanhelpintegrate
yourPaganspiritualityintoaholisticlifestyle.Iamnotsuggestingyoubuya
tractorandplowupthebackforty.Inthefirstplace,itishighlyimprobablethat
youevenhaveaccesstofortyacres.Andifyoudo,Iwoulddiscourageyoufrom
takingonaprojectofthatsize!

Myrecommendationtopeoplewhohavedonelittlegarden-f1202

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ingontheirownistostartoutonaverysmallscale.Themostcommonmistake
newgardenersmakeistoputinbig-gergardensthantheycanmaintain.The
samevegetablegardenthatlookedmanageableintheearlyspringcanbecome
enormousbythemiddleofsummer.Theresultisoftenanovergrown,weedy
mess.

Youdonotneedalotofspacetoproducesomehealthy,homegrownfood.Even
ifyouonlyhavethetimeandresourcesforatiny,postagestampgarden,you
willbereclaimingaplaceintheeternalcycleofgivingtoandreceivingfromthe
earth.

Howmuchspaceisrequired?Onlyasmuchasyoucangive,andasmuchasyou
havethetimeandenthusiasmtocarefor.Considerwhatcanbeproducedonone
squareyard.

Inatemperateclimateyoucanbeginbyplantingspinachearlyinthespring.
Spinachdoesbestincoolweatherandcanbeplantedacoupleofweeksbefore
thelastspringfrost.Ifyouplantyourspinachseedsfourinchesapart,whichis

thelastspringfrost.Ifyouplantyourspinachseedsfourinchesapart,whichis
plentyofroomforspinach,youcangrowabouteightyspinachplantsonthat
squareyardplotofground.

Harvestthespinach.Itisearlyintheseasonandyoursquareyardplotisready
foranewcrop.Soplantradishesthistime.Radishescanbeharvestedinaslittle
asthreeweeksaftertheseedsareplanted.Theycanbespacedmorecloselythan
spinach,soplantyourradishseedsthreeinchesapart.

Withthisspacingyoucangrowmorethan140radishes!

Harvesttheradishes.Itisnowprobablytoolateintheyearforcoolweather
cropslikelettuceorspinach,butyoursquareyardplotisreadyforseedsagain.
Thistimeplantbushbeans.Likespinach,bushbeanseedswillhaveplentyf121
2

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ofroomtogrowifyouplantthemfourinchesapart;givingyouuptoeighty
bushbeanplantsonyoursquareyard.Icannottellyouexactlyhowmanybeans
youwillharvest,buttheroughestimateis“alot”.

Afteryouhaveharvestedyourbeansitwillbelateenoughintheyear,orclose
toit,forplantinglettuce.(Oryoucouldplantlettuceinthespringandspinachin
theautumn;thepointisthatneitherdoesverywellinhotweather.)Thebest
varietiesforahomegardenareeitherbibblettuceorleaflettuce.Eithercanbe
plantedabouttwomonthsbeforethefirstautumnfrostisexpectedinyourarea.
Lettuceseedsneedtobespacedsixinchesapart,butevengiventhisgenerous
spacingyoucanplantaboutthirtyfivelettuceonyoursquareyard.Harvestthis
justbeforethefirstfrost.

Ifyouhavebeenkeepingtrack,youcanseethatonesquareyardofearthcan
potentiallyyieldeightyspinachplants,140radishes,alotofbushbeanson
eightyplants,andthirtyfivelettuceplants.Inoneyear.

Tobefair,thisisaveryintensiveusageofthatsquareyardplot.Andyou
probablydonotlikeatleastoneofthefourvegetablesplantedinmy
hypotheticaltinygarden.(Iloatheradishes,whichisashamebecausetheyare
oneoftheeasiestfoodstogrow.)Youcansee,though,howproducingsomeof
yourownfooddoesnotdemandanexcessiveamountofspace.

Doesthissoundtedious?Ifyouhaveboughtorarerent-ingahomewithevena
smallyard,youarealreadygrowingthings.Thesethingsarecalled“grass”;
perennialplantsthatwecutdowneveryweekortwothroughoutthegrowing
season.Wehumanshave,inaway,becomeslavestograss.Wef1222

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feedthegrassandwaterthegrass,andcarefullyeliminate—withourincessant
mowing—thetreesandshrubsthatwouldotherwiseinvadeandcompetewith
ourgrassoverlords.Andwhatdoesthegrassgiveusinreturn?Notmuch.

Itwouldtakealotofworktoreplaceyourentirelawnwithaproductivegarden,
andyouprobablywouldnotbeallowedtodosoanyway.Citiesandtownsnow
usuallyhaveordinancesthatrequireyoutodevotemostofyourfrontyardtoa
fieldofclosecutgrass.(Yes,itseemsthatthegrassoverlordshaveeventaken
controlofourgovernment!)Evenwithouttheseordinancesyouprobablywould
notwanttodoanythingthatdrastic,norwouldIencourageyouto.Remember
whatIsaidaboutstartingsmall!

Also,thereisnoneedorreasontoplanagardenasasquareorrectangularplot
inthemiddleofyourbackyard.

Myownvegetablegardenbordersmypatio.Thisyeartwovarietiesofsummer
squashgrowateachendofthepatioborder.Corniscomingupnexttotheholly
bushes,whicharetheonlypurely“decorative”plantsallowed.Betweenthecorn
andoneofthevarietiesofsquasharemypotatoes.

Threedozentomatoplantscircledelightfullyaroundthescarecrowwehave
standingjustoffthesouthwestcornerofthepatio.

Yourgardencanbeattractiveandpleasant,aswellasproductive.

Ialsoadviseagainstplantingin“rows”.Thisisonlybeneficialifyouaregoing
tostartupthetractorandcultivatelargetractsofland.Forasimplehome
garden,rowsleaveexcessivegapsbetweenplants.Anyopenspaceinyour
gardenisspaceforweedstoinvadeandtakeover.Obviouslyyouf1232

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willneedpathwaysallowingyoutoreachalloftheplants,buttheseshouldbe
minimal.

minimal.

CHARMINGTHEPLOW

Alltoooftenpeople’sthoughtsturntogardeninginthespring,whenthe
forsythiaandvioletsareinbloom,and(inNorthAmerica)thefirstrobinisseen.
Experiencedgardenersbeginplanningandpreparinglongbeforethen,andithas
everbeenso.TheAnglo-Saxonsgave“sol-cakes”asofferingstotheEarth
MotherinearlyFebruary.Butpreparationsforthegrowingseasonbeganeven
earlierthanthat.Eventoday,inEngland,thefirstMondayfollowingTwelfth
Day(January6th)isknownasPlowMonday.Therewereoncetradition-al
customsthatvariedfromoneregiontoanotherinvolvingceremoniesinwhich
plowswere“charmed”orblessed.Aplowwasoftendecoratedandprocessed
throughthevillage.

Thechurchabolishedboththeblessingsandprocessionsinthe16thcentury,but
thetraditionoftheplowprocessionwaslaterrevivedinsomeareas(Simpson
andRoud,page281).

Whilecharmingtheplowmayseemlikelittlemorethanaquaintcustom,itcan
haveverypracticalconsequenc-es.Fewofustodayhaveaplowthatwewill
hitchuptoadrafthorseorapairofoxen,butwedohavegardeningtools.

EveryyearIparticipateinaCharmingrite,butformyowngroupthisisamore
contemporaryCharmingoftheRotaryTiller.Ifyourgardenistoosmallto
botherwitharotarytiller,nottoworry,anygardeningtoolcanbe“charmed”:
hoes,shovels,forks,trowels.Thepracticalconsequencecomesintoplaywhen
yougatherupthesetoolsandreallylookatf1242

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themforthefirsttimesinceyouputthemawaythepreviousautumn.Ifthe
shovel’sbladeisbent,youwillhavetimetorepairorreplaceitbeforeyoureally
needashovel.Ifthehandleonyourtillerisloose,youcantightenitnow.Your
gardeningtoolswillbecleanedupandreadytouseinpreparationforthe
growingseason.

ACharmingritualalsohonorsthespiritswithinthepar-ticipants’tillersand
othergardeningtools.Somereadersmayfinditstrangetothinkofnon-living
thingsofhavingspirits,butpeoplewhoworkwiththespiritrealmveryoften
reportinteractionswiththeseentities.TheFindhornGardenwasestablishedin

reportinteractionswiththeseentities.TheFindhornGardenwasestablishedin
the1960’sbyanintentionalcommunityinScotland.Membersofthis
communitynurturedlushandproductivegardenswiththeguidancethey
receivedfromentitiestheyreferredtoas“devas”.Mostofthesewerethespirits
oflivingthings—aspinachdeva,apeardeva,atomatodevaandsoon—butthe
Findhorncommunitywasalsocon-tactedbyamachinedevainformingthem
thatmachinesandtoolsrespondtoloveandcarejustaslivingthingsdo(The
FindhornGarden,page162).

ContemporaryPagans,intheUnitedStatesatleast,whoholdCharmingthe
PlowritualsmostoftendotheseneartheendofJanuaryorinearlyFebruary
neartheholytideknownvariouslyasCandlemas,Imbolc,Ewemeolcandby
othernames.IfyouaredevelopingHalSidu—evolv-ingyourownholistic
traditions—thetimetoblessyourgardeningtoolsshouldbeappropriatetoyour
localenvironment.PlowMondayfallsinJanuarybecauseEngland,warmedby
theGulfStream,hasarelativelymildclimate.

Thesoilcanbetilledthereearlierthaninmanytemper-f1252

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ateregions.Yourowncharmingritualshouldtakeplaceaboutamonthorso
beforeyouintendtobegingardening.

WhenIlivedinMissouri,myritualofCharmingtheRotaryTillertookplacein
earlyFebruarybecauseIbeganpreparingmygardeninMarch,andthenwould
beginplantinginApril.

ThenImovedtowesternPennsylvania.Althoughthesummersandwintersare
bothmilderthanthesevereseasonsexperiencedintheheartland,Pennsylvania
hasasignificant-lyshortergrowingseason.AfterputtinginmyfirstgardenI
watchedmytomatoplantsastheysufferedunderthreeheavysnowfalls.
(Amazingly,someoftheplantssurvived.)Iknewtheseasonsandcyclesofthe
earthinMissouri,butIwasignorantofPennsylvania’snaturalcycles.My
spiritualtraditionswerenotalignedwiththeforcesaroundme.

Now,knowingthatPennsylvaniacanhavesnowaslateasMay,Iholdmy
Charmingritualatornearthespringequi-nox.Icouldstilldoitinearly
February,buttheritualwouldlosemuchofitssignificance.Yourownritual
shouldlikewisebeheldamonthorsobeforeyouwillbeginworkingwiththe
earth.CharmingthePlowpreparesusmentallyforthecomingyearevenaswe

earth.CharmingthePlowpreparesusmentallyforthecomingyearevenaswe
organizeourgardeningimplements.

ForyourCharmingthePlowritualallyouwillneedisapleasingessentialoil
and,naturally,whatevergardeningtoolsyouintendtobless.Thiscanbe
includedaspartofanotherritualifthatworksforyou.Thefirstthingyouneed
todo,beforetheritualbegins,iscleanseeachgardeningtool.Literally.Washoff
anydirtand,whiledoingthis,seeifanypartoftheimplementhasbrokenor
becomeloose.Youmaywanttodecoratethetoolwithabitofribbon.Afterthis,
smalltrowelsandsimilarimplementscanbeplacedonthealtar,f1262

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whileshovels,hoesand(ifyouuseone)arotarytillercanbeplacednearthe
altarandtooneside.

Whenyouarereadyforthecharming,anointeachgardeningimplementwith
youressentialoilasyouaddressit,saying:

Hailtoyou,andtothespiritwithinyou!

MayyougreettheEarth,MotherofAllLife,Letherbefullofgrowthand
abundantwithnourishment.

Finishwithafinalexpressionofaffirmation.AsaSaxonPagan,Iwouldsay,“Ic
biddethénu”(eechbiddatheynoo),whichmeans“Iaskyounow”inOld
English.Yourownaffirmationshouldbeappropriateexpressionofyour
spirituality.

Wiccans,forexample,mightsay“SoMoteItBe”.

Havingblessedorcharmedyourgardeningtools,keeptheminaclean,dryplace
untilyouarereadytoprepareyourgarden.

BIDDINGTHELAND

Hereweareusingtheword“bid”inthesenseofprayingorentreating,a
meaningthatcomesfromtheOldEnglishverbbiddan.Ifyouareplantinga
gardentohelpintegrateyourspiritualitywithyourdailyactivities,yourfirststep
istoentreatthelanditselfanddevelopapositiverelationshipwiththespirit
beingsthatresideinthatvicinity.Thisisimportantevenifyouaretakingover

someoneelse’svegetablegarden,orconvertingaformerflowergarden.The
landisnotjustathing;ithasalifeofitsown.

f1272

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Youwillneedeithercornmealoroatmeal(realoatmeal,nottheprocessed
instantstuff);enoughtoscoopupfivehandfuls.Youwillalsoneedaspadeor
shovel.Decidewhereandhowlargeyourgardenwillbe.Ifthisisyourfirst
garden,Irecommendthatyoulimitthesizetonomorethan100

squarefeet.Thiscanbeatenfootsquare,afivefootbytwen-tyfootrectangle,
oranyothershapeyoucanimagine.Ofcourseitcanbemuchsmallerifyou
prefer.Whatmattersisthatitnotbetoolarge.Yourgardenshouldcontinueto
beasourceofprideandpleasurethroughoutthegrowingseason,andthiswill
nothappenifitistoolargetoeasilymaintain.

Gototheeasternedgeofthegarden.Useyourspadeorshoveltodigasmall
hole.Itneednotbemorethanafewinchesdeep.Facingtheeast,sprinklea
handfulofmealintothisholeasyousay:

EastwardIstand,

ForfavorsIpray.

Iaskthespiritswhodanceinthisplace,Iasktheancestorswhowatchoverthis
place,IaskofMotherEarthandFatherSky,Acceptnowthisofferingofgrain,
Andevertherebepeacebetweenus.

Fillintheholewithsoilasyouexpressafinalaffirmation,justasyoudidinthe
CharmingthePlowrite.

Nowgotothesouthernedgeofthegardenanddigasecondholethere.Facing
south,sprinkleahandfulofmealintotheholeandsaythesamepray,
substituting“Southwardf1282

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standI”for“EastwardstandI”.Fillthisholeinwithsoil,speakingyour
affirmation,asyoudidwiththeeasternhole.

affirmation,asyoudidwiththeeasternhole.

Repeatthisagainatthewesternedgeofthegarden,andthenagainatthe
northernedge.Ifyourgardenhasanirregularshapethesefourholesmaynotbe
equidistantfromeachother,butthatdoesnotmatter.

Gototheverycenterofthegarden—ortowhatseemsmostlikethecenterif
yourgardenhasanirregularshape,anddigafifthhole.Sprinkleonelasthandful
ofmealintothisholeasyousay:

HolyMotherEarth,

Maytheyouandthespiritshereinletthislandgrowandthrive,Increaseand
strengthen,Withtallstemsandfinecrops.

Maythissacredlandbeprotectedfromharm,andwardedagainstallills.

Fillinthislastholeasyouspeakyourwordsofaffirmation.Havinggivenyour
offeringsofmeal,theriteisnowcomplete.

Thewordingandprocedureofthisriteareonlysuggestions.Ifyourspirituality
demandsadifferentapproachtobiddingtheland,byallmeansbetruetoyour
godsandyourchosenpath!IconfessthattheriteIhavegivenhasanAnglo-
Saxonbias.Thewordingoftheprayersisborrowedandmodifiedfromthe11th
centuryÆcerbot,or“landceremoniescharm”(Griffiths,pp.173–175).These
prayershadbeenheavilyChristianizedbythetimethecharmwaswrit-f1292

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tendown—withnumerousreferencestosaints,theLord’sPrayer,crucifixesand
soon—buttheEarthMotherwasstilladdressedasaliving,sentiententity.

Sinceyourgardenisintendedtostrengthenyourconnectionwiththeearthand
attuneyoutonature’scycles,planyourgardeningactivities“bythemoon”.This
involvestwodifferentfactors.Thefirst(andinmyopinionthemostimportant)
oftheseisthemoon’sphase;whetherthemoonisgrowinglargerorsmaller,and
whichphaseofthiscycleitisin.Everyonewhogardensbythemoonplanshis
orheractivitiesaccordingthemoon’sphase.Thesecondfactoriswhichsignof
thezodiacthemoonisinonanygivenday.

Likethesunandtheplanets,themoontravelsthroughalltwelvesignsofthe
zodiac,twelveequaldivisionsoftheskynamedafterconstellationsofthe

zodiac,twelveequaldivisionsoftheskynamedafterconstellationsofthe
Classicalworld.Butwhileittakesthesunaboutamonthtomovethroughasign
ofthezodiac,themoonmovesfromonesigntothenexteverytwoorthreedays.

Determiningthemoon’sphaseisveryeasy;justlookupintheskyatnight!If
youhavenotbeenpayingattentionprevioustothis,itmaytaketwoorthree
monthstobesureexactlywherethemoonisinitscycle.Thegeneralrulesfor
plantingbythemoon’sphaseareequallyeasy:•Whenthemooniswaxing
(growinglarger,fromnewtofull)plantvegetablesandfruitsthatbearabove
ground.

Thisincludesmostofwhatyouwillprobablybegrowing.

•Whenthemooniswaning(growingsmaller,fromfulltonew)plantvegetables
thatbearbelowground:potatoes,carrots,radishesandsoon.Ideallythese
shouldbef1302

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plantedwhilethemoonisstillinitsthirdquarter(growingsmaller,butstillhalf
fullorlarger).

•Whenthemoonisinitsfourthquarter(growingsmaller,andlessthanhalffull)
weedthegardenanddestroypests.

Ifyouwanttoincludethemoon’szodiacsigninyourgardenplanningyouwill
needacurrentalmanac.TheOldFarmer’sAlmanacissoldinbookstores,
drugstoresandsupermarketsacrosstheUnitedStates.Thisannualpublication
alwaysincludesofthemoon’sastrologicalpositionthroughouttheyear,aswell
asapageormoreofadviceaboutplantinganddoingotheractivitiesbythe
moon.Althoughnotaswidelyavailable,anevenbetterresourceisLlewellyn’s
MoonSignBook.Ipreferthispublicationbecauseitgivesthetimeofdaythat
themoonchangesfromonesigntothenext,whichtheformerpublicationlacks.
Llewellyn’sguideisfilledwithinterestinginformationaboutthemoonand
astrologicalinfluences.

Thegeneralrulesforplantingbythemoon’ssignsare:•Plantseedsortransplant
youngplantswhenthemoonisineitherawatersign(Cancer,Scorpio,Pisces)
oranearthsign(Taurus,Virgo,Capricorn).

•Weedandcontrolpestswhenthemoonisineitherafiresign(Aries,Leo,

•Weedandcontrolpestswhenthemoonisineitherafiresign(Aries,Leo,
Sagittarius)oranairsignotherthanLibra(Gemini,Aquarius).

•PlantflowerswhenthemoonisinLibra.

Asyoucansee,anidealtimetoplantmostvegetableseedswouldbewhenthe
mooniswaxingandinthesignoff1312

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eitherCancer,ScorpioorPisces.Intherealworld,forpeoplewhoholdregular
jobsandjuggletheirfreetimebetweenfamily,housecleaningandother
obligations,the“idealtime”

maynotcomeatareasonabletime.Whenthishappens,findthebest
compromiseavailable.Whencircumstancespreventyoufromplantingwhilethe
moonisinanearthorwatersign,justbesuretodoitwhilethemooniswaxing
(orinitsthirdquarterifyouareplantingpotatoesorcarrots).Ifinsteadyou
cannotplantduringthebestphaseofthemoon,plantwhenthemoonisinthe
rightzodiacsign.

*

Youmaydecidethatyouwouldliketogrowherbsinsteadofvegetables.This
maybeespeciallyappealingifyouhavelimitedspaceforyourgarden.Although
asmallplotcanyieldasubstantialquantityofvegetables,itwillnotproduce
morethanaminisculeportionofthefoodyouandyourfamilywillconsume.
Howeverthatsamesmallplot,withcarefulplanning,couldeasilysupplyyou
withseveralvarietiesofculinaryherbs,andthatmaybemoresatisfyingforyou.

Ofcourseherbshavemanyuses,andthereisnoreasonwhyyoucouldnotplant
agardenofremedial(medicinal)herbsorcosmeticherbs.Youcouldevenplant
aromaticherbsformakingyourownincenseandpotpourri,whichwewill
discussinalaterchapter.ThereasonIemphasizeculinaryherbshereisbecause
ofthatadage,“Youarewhatyoueat.”

Byplantingherbs,vegetablesorfruitsthatyouwilllatereat,youwillparticipate
morecompletelyinthateternalcycleoff1322

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takingandgivingbacktotheearth;thecyclewhichgaverisetohumankind’s

takingandgivingbacktotheearth;thecyclewhichgaverisetohumankind’s
earliestandmostpersistentPaganrites.

Therearenodefiningboundariesbetweenremedial,culinaryorcosmeticherbs
otherthantheusesweputthemto.

Someofyourculinaryherbswillhaveremedialuses,somewillhavecosmeticor
aromaticuses,butsomemayhavenopurposeotherthantotastegoodwhen
addedtorecipes.Ifyouhavethespaceandinclinationthereisnoreasonwhy
youcannotgrowbothvegetablesandherbsinyourgarden.

FRIGE’SGARDEN

Inthe5thcentury,inEurope,MarywasproclaimedtobetheMotherofGod,
andintheyearsthatfollowed“Mary’sgardens”becamepopularfeaturesbothin
monasteriesandonprivateestates.Thesegardenswereplantedwithflowersand
herbs.Theyprovidedaprivateplaceforprayerandcontemplation.TheMary’s
gardenwasusuallyaverysmallgarden,especiallyinovercrowdedmedieval
townsandcities.MostfeaturedasmallstatueoftheVirginMaryasafocalpoint
ofthegarden.

TheMary’sgardenisaChristiantradition,butyoucancreateasimilargarden
dedicatedtoagoddessfromyourpantheonasanexpressionofyourownPagan
spirituality.Thisworksespeciallywellifyouwouldrathergrowherbsrather
thanvegetables.Sinceagardenofthiskindisintendedforcontemplationand
prayer,avarietyofattractiveandaromaticherbswillcreatetheappropriate
ambience.

ForaSaxonPagan,thiswouldmostlikelybeaFrige’sgarden,dedicatedto
Woden’sconsort.Frigegavehernametothesixdayoftheweek,Friday
(Frigesdæg).Sheissover-f1332

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eignovermarriages,familiesandhouseholdarts.Inamod-erncontextFrigeis
alsosovereignoverbusinessenterprises,because“householdarts”,forthe
Anglo-Saxons,includedclothmaking,soapmaking,dyeing,medicine,weaving
andprettymuchanyoccupationotherthanhunting,fishingandwarfare.

AFrige’sgardencanbeplantedwithrosemary,sage,chamomile,fennel,alecost
andfeverfew.AlloftheseherbswereknowntotheAnglo-Saxons,either

andfeverfew.AlloftheseherbswereknowntotheAnglo-Saxons,either
becausetheyareindigenoustoEnglandorbecausetheywerebroughtthereby
theRomans.Addingafewmarigoldstothegardenwilladddecorativecolor,
andwilldiscouragerabbitsthatmightotherwisebetemptedtomunchonyour
herbs.OutdoorstatuesofFrigearenotreadilyavailable,butthereareotherways
torepresentthegoddess.SomepeoplebelievethegooseissacredtoFrige.I
knowofnohistoricalmentionofthis,butthegooseisamonogamousbird,
whichisappropriateforanyanimalthatwouldbesacredtoagoddessof
marriage.Ifyoucannotfindordonotcareforastatueofagoose,findalarge
stoneandengraveorpaintFrige’snameonitusingAnglo-Saxonrunes:

frige

Aseatorsmallbenchwillprovidearestfulplacetoenjoythegardenand
communewithFrige.

Ifyoufollowadifferentspiritualpath,youwillofcoursewanttodedicateyour
gardentoanothergoddess.Everyf1342

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Paganpantheonhasatleastacoupleofgoddesseswhocouldbehonoredina
gardensuchasthis.

TheRomanPagancancreateaJuno’sgardenusingRomanherbssuchasbasil,
catnip,dill,oregano,rueandwormwood.TheJuno’sgardenmightincludea
smallbaylaureltree,whichincoolerclimateswouldneedtocomeinsideinthe
autumn.TerracottapotscanbeusedtocreateaMediterraneanatmosphere.

HellenicPaganscandedicateHera’sgardensorAphro-dite’sgardensandplant
themwithwildcelery,borage,ele-campane,thyme,calendulaandhorehound.
StatuesofGreekorRomangoddessescansometimesbefoundingardenshops.
AbasicDoriccolumnisanotherstatuarydesignthatwouldenhanceagarden
dedicatedtoanyGreekgoddess.

ABrigid’sgardenwouldbeappropriateforanIrishPagan.Thisgardencouldbe
plantedwithyarrow,vervain,self-healandcomfrey.Includeeithersomewhite
orredclover,bothconsideredshamrocksbytheIrish.Avoidthelargeleafed
“luckyshamrocks”soldaroundSt.Patrick’sDay.

Despitetheirvisualappeal,theseareactuallytropicalplantsnativetoSouth

Despitetheirvisualappeal,theseareactuallytropicalplantsnativetoSouth
America.

Whichevergoddessyouhonorinyourgarden,besuretoalsoplantaselectionof
culinaryherbs—herbsthatyouwilllaterconsume—toensurethatyousharein
thecycleoftakingandgivingback.

BALCONYGARDENS

Butwhatifyouhavenolandatall?Howcantheapartmentdwellerconnectwith
thefoodcycle?

f1352

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Connectingwiththeearthisobviouslygoingtobemorechallengingunderthese
circumstances,buttheproblemisnotinsurmountable.Anapartmentbalconycan
betransformedintoasmallgardenforeitherherbsorvegetables.

Plantslikecomfreyorpotatoesthathaveadeeporextensiverootsystemdonot
workwellinbalconygardens,butmanyherbsandvegetablescanthrivejust
outsideyourthirdstoryapartment.

Lettuceandradishesbothgroweasilyinjustafewinchesofsoil.Afivegallon
picklebarrel,withdrainageholesdrilledorpunchedinthebottom,cansupporta
cherrytomatoplant.Youcanevenpurchaselargepotsdesignedspecificallyfor
growingstrawberries!Mostculinaryherbscanbegrowninbalconypots.

Youwillhavetoworkhardertomaintainabalconygarden,becauseMother
Earthisnottheretohelpyou.Pottedplantsaremoresusceptibletotemperature
changesanddrought.Youwillneedtocheckyourplantsatleasteveryotherday
tomakesuretheirsoilisnottoodry,andperennialherbs(plantsthatlivefor
morethantwoyears)usuallywillnotsurvivethewinteroutsideinpots.

Thereisnopointinbiddingthelandwhencreatingabalconygarden,sinceyou
arenotworkingdirectlywiththelanditself.Nevertheless,rememberthatthesoil
youhavecarrieduptoyourbalconyinbagsorbucketscamefromthebodyof
MotherEarth.Afteryouhavefilledyourpotsorothergrowingcontainerswith
soil,burnsomeincenseandsay:Iaskthespiritswhodanceinthisplace,Iask
theancestorswhowatchoverthisplace,f1362

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IaskofMotherEarthandFatherSky,Acceptnowthisofferingofsweetincense,
Andevertherebepeacebetweenus.

Ifyoudonothaveayardorabalcony,tryawindowsillgarden.Thiswillbe
evenmorechallenging,buttherearesomeculinaryherbsthatwillgrowindoors.
Chivesandbasilbothworkwell.

Chives,infact,worksbestasapottedplant.Evenifyouhavethreeacresatyour
disposal,considerkeepingapotofchivesonyourpatioorinsidenearasunny
window.When-everyouareservingdinnerwithadishthatcanbeenhanced
withfreshchives—suchassteakorbakedpotatoes—setyourpotofchivesinthe
centerofthetableasyouwouldaflowerarrangement,andplaceacleanpairof
kitchenshearsnexttothepot.Inviteyourfamilymembersorgueststocliptheir
ownfreshchivesrightofftheplant!

Whetheryourgardenislargeortiny,whetheryouwanttogrowmostly
vegetablesormostlyherbs,onlyplantwhatyouwillactuallyuse.Ionceplanted
alotofrueinmyherbgardenbecauseitsoundedmagicalandintriguing.The
ruegrewverywell,butIhadnoideaofwhattodowithit.Thisdoesnotmean
thatruehasnousefulpurpose.IhaveafriendwhoisaRomanPagan,andshe
usesrueallthetime.ButitisnotsomethingIuse.Asaresult,mygardenrue
wasveryprettybutittookupgardenspacewhereIcouldhaveplanted
somethingmorepractical.

Thatshouldhavebeentheendofthestory,butIamaslowlearner.Several
yearslaterIplantedradishesinmyvegetablegardenbecauseIhadheardthey
areeasytogrowandf1372

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canbeharvestedinjustafewweeks.And,yes,theygrewabundantly.As
promised,withinafewweeksIhadabumpercropofradishes.Abumpercrop
ofsomethingIcannotstandthetasteof.(Ievenpickoutthelittleradishslivers
theyinevitablyputintosaladsatrestaurants.)Fortunatelytheradishesonlytook
upspaceinmygardenforafewweeks,buttheywereweekswhenIcouldhave
beengrowingsomethingthatIactuallyliketoeat.

Togrowasuccessfulgarden,then,yourfirstpriorityistoplantthingsthatyou
willhappilyconsume.Thepurposeofthegarden,afterall,istohelpyouconnect

willhappilyconsume.Thepurposeofthegarden,afterall,istohelpyouconnect
withtheearthbyproducingsomesmallportionofyourownfood.

*

Thusfarourfocushasbeenonplantsthatproducefood,andforgoodreason.
MostPagansdescribeourmanypathsas“earthfocused”spiritualityandagree
thatPaganismimpliesalovefortheearth.Buthowcanweclaimtoloveoreven
understandtheearth’srhythmsifwenevertouchtheearth?

Howcanweclaimanyconnectionwiththelandwheneverybiteofourfoodis
shippedtousfromdistantplaces?Throughgardeningwegainanappreciation
forwhat“fertility”meanttoourancestors.Furthermore,weliterallybecomea
partofthelanditself.Asweworkthesoil,ourskincellssloughaway,fallingto
theearthandbecomingpartofit.Wenurturetheland,andfoodcomesforth,and
thelandbecomesapartofusaswetakethatfoodintoourbodies.

Ifyoufindthatyoureallyenjoygardening,youcantakeitevenfurtherandplant
herbsandshrubstobenefitthewildf1382

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folkwholivearoundyou.Paganpeoplewithholistictraditionsliveintheworld,
notapartfromit.Ourneighborsarenotonlythehumanswholivetoeitherside
ofus;theyincludethemammals,birds,reptiles,amphibians,arthropodsand
otherlifeformsinourimmediatevicinity.Likeeverycreature,wehumansmust
sometimesprotectourterritory,but,asawhole,Pagansusuallywanttolive
peacefullywiththefurred,featheredandscaledchildrenofMotherEarth.

Wecanhelpournon-humanneighborsbycreatingbeneficialhabitatsforthem.

Thesehabitatsareforliving,incarnatecreatures,butIbelievethisisalso
pleasingtothenaturespirits.AsaSaxon,Icallthesespiritselves,butother
cultureshavegiventhemothernames.Theelves(orwhateveryouchoosetocall
them)nurturethenaturalworldaroundus,andsoitmakessensethattheywould
behappywithanyefforttohelpcreateahealthyanddiverseenvironment.

Honeybeesarekepteverywherebybothamateurandprofessionalbeekeepers.A
hiveproducesbothhoneyandbeeswax.Honeybeesalsoplayanimportantrole
inpollinat-ingfruittrees.Themostdifficulttimeoftheyearforhoneybeesis
earlyspring,whenthehive’ssupplyofpollenandhoneyisdepleted.Beekeepers

earlyspring,whenthehive’ssupplyofpollenandhoneyisdepleted.Beekeepers
helpouttheirlittlefriendsbyfeedingthemsugarwater,butyoucandoyour
part,too.

Pussywillowsandredbudtreesareattractive,andbothareexcellentsourcesof
pollenandnectarintheearlyspring.

Laterintheyear,whitecloverprovidesnectar.Whiteclovercanbeseeded
directlyintoyourlawn,andbenefitsthegrass-esalreadygrowingtherebyfixing
nitrogenintothesoil.Veryfewplantsprovideenoughnectarforbeestoproduce
excessf1392

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honeyforouruse.Inanygivenvicinitytherewillonlybeoneortwoplantsthat
producethatmuchnectar.Cloverisoneofthoseplants.Thehoneybeescollect
nectarfromwhiteandyellowclovers.Itisdifficultforthemtogathernectar
fromtheblossomsofredclover,butthisvarietyisverybeneficialto
bumblebees.Evenifyouliveinaregionthatproducesanon-cloverhoney
(buckwheat,mesquite,andsoon)yourwhitecloverwillbenefitlocalhives.

Ifyougrowavarietyofherbs,someofthosewillprovidenectarforlocal
honeybeesandenjoyvisitsfromtheselittleinsectsthroughoutthesummer.
Honeybeesareespeciallyattractedtosage,buttheywillalsogathernectarfrom
marjoram,wintersavory,lemonbalm,thyme,mintandotherherbs.

Intentionalplantingcanalsoprovidefoodsourcesforbirds.Youcanhangouta
birdfeeder—andIdo—butideal-lythisonlysupplementsfoodsthatthebirds
cangatherfromnaturalsources.Oneofthebestshrubsforwinterfeedingisthe
pyrocantha,orfirethornbush.Thisbushproducesscar-letororange-redberries,
dependingonthespecies,whichapparentlydonottasteverygoodtobirds.For
thisreasonpyrocanthaberriesareavailabletothebirdsthatremainwithusall
winterlongafterothernaturalfoodshavebeeneaten.

Hollyalsoservesthesamepurpose.Ifhollygrowswellinyourareathereisan
additionalbenefit;youcancutandbringinboughsofitinsidethehousetodeck
yourYuletidehalls!

Othergoodshrubsthatprovidefoodforwinterbirdsincludebarberry,privetand
coralberry.

Whenspringarrivesmanybirdswilleattheblossomsofforsythia,lilacand
honeysuckle.Butatthispointthebirdsf1402

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haveaneedotherthanfood.Theyneedhousing;specifically,nestingsites.The
housingconditionsforbirdsfallintothreegeneralcategories:groundnests,
cavitynestsandtreenests.

Wecannotintentionallyprepareaplaceforground-nestingbirds,andthecavity-
nestingbirdsarebestservedwithbirdhouses.Mygrandfatherprovidedhousing
foradiversevarietyofbirdsbysettingoutdifferenthousesforpurplemartins,
wrens,titmiceandchickadees.

Tree-nestingbirdsrequiretreesandshrubsforbuildingtheirnests.Nosingle
treeorshrubwillsatisfytheneedsofalltree-nestingspecies.Someofthese
birdswillonlybuildnestsattheendsoftreebranches.Othersbuildtheirnestsin
the“V”oftwolimbs.Stillothershidetheirnestsdeepwithinthickshrubs.The
bestwaytoprovidenestingsitesforthesespeciesistogivethemaswidea
varietyofwoodygrowth—treesandshrubs—asyoureasonablycan.Someof
thebesttreesfortree-nestingbirdsareapples,hawthorns,maples,oaks,pines
andwillows.Forbushes,goodchoicesincludeblackberry,juniper,pyrocantha
andraspberry.

Allwildcreatures,regardlessofspeciesorphylum,shareonecommonneed.
Whetherhoneybeeorgraysquir-rel,goldfinchorgartersnake,everylivingthing
musthavewatertosurvive.Theeasiestwaytoofferwatertoyourwild
neighborsisbysettingoutabirdbath.Despitethename,the“bath”provides
waterfordrinkingasmuchasormorethanforbathing.Norisitonlyusableby
birds;indryweathersomeinsects—includinghoneybees—willtakewaterfrom
abirdbath.

Ifyouaremoreambitious,asmallpondwillsupplywatertoagreaterrangeof
wildlife.Thepondneednotbemoref1412

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thanafewfeetindiameter.Itshouldbedeepenoughtoleavesomewater
beneaththeiceduringthecoldestdaysofwinter.Atonetimebuildingasmall
pondwasasignificantundertaking,buttodayyoucanpurchasepondlinersat
yourlocalgardenshop.Allyouneedtodoisdigahole,putinthelinerandfill

yourlocalgardenshop.Allyouneedtodoisdigahole,putinthelinerandfill
thethingwithwater.Youcanadddecorativerocksaroundtheborderorputin
anornamentalfountain,butthatisjusticingonthecake.

Putafewfishinthepondtoeliminateanyproblemwithmosquitos,butletthe
watersetforafewdaysfirst.Tapwateristreatedwithchlorine,whichwillkill
yourfishifyouputtheminjustafterfillingthepond.Youcanpurchase
expensivekoiifyouwant,butafew“feeder”goldfishwillkeepyourpondfree
ofmosquitolarvaejustaseffectively.

Pondssuchastheseareoftencalled“lilyponds”,anditreallyisagoodideato
putinoneormorelilyplants.Theleaveswillfloatonthesurface,helpingto
stabilizethetemperatureofthewaterwhilesimultaneouslydiscouragingthe
growthofexcessivealgae.

Thisiswhyyouwanttheponddeepenoughsothewaterwillnotfreezeallthe
waytothebottom.Youcanleavethefishandlilybulbsinthepondthroughout
theyear.Thewateratthebottomofthepondmaygetverycold,butthefishand
lilyplantswillsurvive.Inaddition,youmayattractafewnewwildneighbors
thatyouwerenotexpecting—frogs!Myownpondhasbecomehometosome
leopardfrogs,whichIconsiderablessing.Thereissomethingverymagical
aboutfrogs,livinginaliminalplacebetweenthelandandthewater.Infolklore,
themagicoffrogsisthemagicoftransformation.

Thisundoubtedlycomesfromtheirchangefromaquatictad-f1422

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polestoamphibiousairbreathers,andhasinspiredfolktalessuchasthestoryof
theFrogPrince.

ThroughoutthisbookwehaveanassumptionthatmostreadersarePaganpeople
livinginurbanorsuburbanenvironmentswithlimitedspace.Youmaybethe
exceptionwithalargeexpanseofpropertytocallyourown.Ifso,consider,
settingsomeofyourlandasideassacredspaceforyourgodsandthelocal
naturespirits.Wehumansaresoquicktograbupeverybitofavailablespace,
cuttingacrossnaturalterritorieswithourroadsandhighways,clearingout
habitatstomakewayformorestripmalls.Whatgreateractofdevotioncanthere
bethantogiveoversomepartofyourlandtothewild?

Buttodothiswithanyrealmeaning,youhavetobesin-cere.Ifyougivesome

Buttodothiswithanyrealmeaning,youhavetobesin-cere.Ifyougivesome
landtoyourgodsandthenaturespiritsthenitisnolongeryourstouse;it’s
theirs.Thiscanbeadifficultideaforsomepeopletoembrace.Wetendto
presumeeminentdomainoveralltheearth.

Athirdof“my”propertyhasbeensetasidefortheelves.

WhenImentionedthistoagroupofPagans,onemanimmediatelyresponded
enthusiastically,saying,“Weshouldholdaritualtheresomeday!”Ittooksome
timetoexplaintohimthatthelandisnotmine—exceptwithinthecontextof
humanlaw—andsowewouldbetrespassing.

Backthere,onthatsacredlandIhavesetaside,oaksandivygrowundisturbed.
Smallmammalsscurryaboutwithoutfearofhumaninterference.Birdsnestin
thetreesandshrubs.Thatistheouterrealm,anditisnotminetouse.Itisthe
homeofelves,hobsandmoss-wives.ItiswithinmyinnerrealmwhereIgrow
corn,squash,pumpkinsandtoma-f1432

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toes;wherefrogsgreetmeinthemorningandred-breastedrobinssearchfor
bugsinthegarden.

Whenwereallytouchtheearth,ourPaganspiritualitycomesalive.

f1442

CHAPTERsix

BARKANDBRANCH

Inthelastchapterwementionedtreesasnestingsitesforsomebirds,buttrees
aremuchmorethanhabitatsforwildlife.Whetherduetotheirlongevityorsize,
treesareoftenaccordedastatushigherthanotherbotanicalspecies.“Savea
Tree”istheenvironmentalbattlecry.Youareunlikelytohearanyonesaying
“SaveaDandelion”,eventhoughdande-lionsprovidefoodforhoneybees,
discouragearmywormsandhelpbreakuphardenedsoil.Dandelionsandmost
otherplantsjustdonotcommandthesamedegreeofrespectthatwehavefor
trees.

Admittedly,ittakeslongertoreplaceatreethanadande-lion,butourarboreal
venerationarisesfromadeeper,spiritualassociationwehavewithtreesthatis
oftenreflectedinPaganmythsandfolklore.FromaSaxonperspective,every
woodedgroveisthedomainofthewudu-elfen,thespiritswhonurtureand
sustainforestecology.Largerwoodlandsf145

f

2

145

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arehometosatyr-likespiritbeingsknownaswoodwoses.Tosenselesslypollute
ordestroythesewildplacesisnolessanoffensethanvandalizinganeighbor’s
house.Thetreesthem-selves,fortheSaxonPagan,embodysacredmysteries.No
lessthanfiveofthesetrees—theoak,ash,hawthorn,yewandbirch—are
describedintheOldEnglishRunePoem,atenthcenturydocumentrecordingthe
mysticloreassociatedwithtwentyninerunicsymbolsknownastheFuthorc
(Albertsson,pp.89–107).

TheSaxons’venerationoftreeswaspassedfromonegenerationtothenext,
longafterChristianitybecamethedominantreligioninEngland.Perhapsthe
mostreveredoftreesistheoak.SimpsonandRoudsaythattheoaktree
represents“steadfastcourage,royaltyandEngland”(p.264).InPagantimes,the

represents“steadfastcourage,royaltyandEngland”(p.264).InPagantimes,the
oakwassacredtoThunor,agodofthun-derandfertility.Forthisreasonitwas
commonlybelieved(althoughthisisnottrue)thatoaktreescanneverbestruck
bylightning.

TherestorationoftheEnglishmonarchyiscelebratedonMay29th,whichis
knownasRoyalOakDay.KingCharlesIIissaidtohavehiddentohavehidden
inthehollowofanoaktree,thusevadingcaptureduringtheBattleofWorces-
ter.AfterhisreturntoLondonin1660itbecameacustomtowearanoakleaf
everyMay29th.Theoriginaloakthatshel-teredKingCharlesisnowgone,buta
descendantcalled“SonofOak”stillstandsinBoscobelWood.

SonofOakisthetreemostassociatedwithCharles’

escapeduringtheEnglishCivilWar,butothertreesalongtherouteofhis
exodusarealsosaidtohavehiddenhimfromtheRoundheads:anoaktreein
Gloucestershire,anelminSus-f1462

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sex.CharlesIIseemstohavehadaverygoodrelationshipwiththewoodspirits!

TheParliamentOakinNottinghamshireissocalledbecauseKingJohn(orKing
Edward,dependingonwhoyouask)issaidtohaveconvenedaParliamentthere.

ThegrandestofEngland’snotableoaksmustsurelybetheMajorOak,in
SherwoodForest.Accordingtolegend,thistreeiswhereRobinHoodconvened
hisMerryMen.TheMajorOakiscertainlyoldenoughforthisdistinction.
Havingstoodformorethanathousandyears,itnowhasatrunkcircumference
of35feet.TheMajorOak’sheavierlimbsareheldinplacebywoodenpoles
installedbydedicatedcaretak-erstoensurethatthelimbsdonotcollapseunder
theirownweight.

Thehawthorn,inEngland,isatreewithamixedrepu-tation.Bringinghawthorn
blossomsintothehousesuppos-edlyinvitesillfortune.Ontheotherhand,the
HolyThornofGlastonburywasconsideredasacredtree.Itwasbelievedthatthe
treehadgrownfromasinglethorntakenfromChrist’s“crownofthorns”.You
wouldthinkthatwouldhavenegativeconnotationsratherthanpositive;and
appar-entlythePuritansthoughtthewholestorywasevil,becauseaRoundhead
(oneofthePuritanrebelswhoopposedthemonarchy)eventuallydestroyedthe
tree.HoweverbythattimemanycuttingshadbeentakenfromtheGlastonbury

tree.HoweverbythattimemanycuttingshadbeentakenfromtheGlastonbury
Thorn,anditsdescendantsareheldinrespecttothisday.

InsomepartsofEnglandthehawthornwasbelievedtohaveprotectivepowers.
HawthornbranchesweretraditionallyburnedinHerefordshireonNewYear’s
Daytoprotectf1472

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thefuturecropfromevilspiritsaswellasfromadiseaseknownas“smut”.

Therowan,ormountainash,wascreditedasaprotectionagainstnegative
magic.InYorkshirerowantwigswerehungoverdoorsandbeds,andreplaced
withfreshtwigseveryyeartoreplenishtheprotection.InLancashirerowan
twigswerehungoverbedsspecificallytorepelthemare(MAR-eh),amalicious
spiritthatattacksapersonwhileheorsheissleeping.Insomeplacesthestaffof
abutterchurnwasmadeofrowantowardagainstspellsintendedtospoilthe
butter.

SpecifictoGermanicculturesisthebeliefinmultipleplanesofexistence
connectedthroughtherootsandbranchesofavastWorldTreethatwasknown
totheNorseasYgg-drasil.ThisWorldTreewasoftendescribedasanashtree,
butoccasionallyasanelm.Itsrootsdescendeddowntotherealmofthedead,
whileitshighestbranchestouchedthecelestialworldofthegods.

TheMaypoleismostlikelyarepresentationoftheWorldTree.Thepoleisoften
saidtobeaphallicsymbol,butIthinkthisisapost-Freudianbelief.The
traditionalEurope-anMaypoleoftendisplayedsymbolsofavillage’stradeson
side“branches”,andwouldbeceremoniouslydecoratedatthetopwithgarlands
andaleafytreebranch(JonesandPen-nick,p.113).Noneoftheseadornments
suggestaphallus,buttheydosuggesttheimageofagreattree.Thetrade
symbolsandgarlandswouldinterferewiththeplaitedribbonsweassociatewith
modernMaypoledances,butribbonsdidnotcomeintousewithMaypole
dancinguntilthe1830’s(SimpsonandRoud,p.230).Beforethen—andinsome
partsoff1482

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Europetoday—peopleeitherjoinedhandsastheydancedaroundtheMaypoleor
dancedsolo.

TreevenerationisnotuniquetonorthernEurope.TheGreekstoldataleofthe
goddessAthenaandthegodPosei-donhavinganargumentaboutthepossession
ofAttica.Bothdeitieswantedtobesovereignovertheregion.Tosettlethe
issue,theyeachproducedagiftandaskedamortalking,Cecrops,tojudge
whichofthegiftswasmostworthy.Pose-idonstruckarockwithhistridentand
asaltwaterspringappeared.(Orahorse,dependingonwhichversionofthe
storyyouhear.Ithinkthehorsemakesmoresense.Whatuseisasaltwater
spring?)CleverAthenacreatedanolivetree.KingCecropsjudgedtheolivetree
tobethemoreworthygift,andsoAthenabecamethepatronofAttica.

FromaHellenicperspective,forestsandwoodlandsarethehomeofdryads,or
woodnymphs.Thewoodlandsarealsohometothesatyr,awildspiritsimilarto
theAnglo-Saxonwoodwose.

TheReligioRomana,thereligionofPaganRome,hasagodnamedSilvanus
whopresidesspecificallyoverforestsandtrees.Thisforestgodisapatronnot
onlyofwildwoodlands,butofallarboriculture,includingorchards.

Kemetic(Egyptian)PagansarefamiliarwiththestoryofthegodSetmurdering
hisbrotherOsiris.SettrickedOsirisintolyingdowninsideachest.Setandhis
accomplic-esthennailedthechestclosedandthrewitintotheNile.Thechest
floateddowntheriverandouttoseauntiliteventuallyreachedPhoenicia.There
itrestedagainstatamarisktreewhichgrewrapidlyandenclosedtheentirechest
untilthef1492

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goddessIsis(whoisOsiris’wife)laterclaimedherhusband’scorpse.

SlavicPaganshavetheLeshy,agreen-beardedspiritofthewoodlandswho
standsastallasthetallesttreesinthedepthsofaforest,butbecomesatiny
creatureattheforest’sedge.TheLeshyisamischievousspiritwhooftenleads
mortalsastrayiftheyventuretoofarintoaforest,howeverheisgenerally
consideredtobegood-natured.

ForestgodsandwoodlandspiritsarecommontomanyPaganpaths.Thereare
differentwaysacontemporaryPagancanintegratethisintohisorherspiritual
practice.Inallprob-abilityyoualreadydo!ManyPaganstodaysetupand
decorateevergreentreesatthewintersolstice.Youmayevenhaveheardthat
thisisanAncientPaganTraditionthatwaslaterstolenbytheChristians,butthis
isnottrue.In575CE

isnottrue.In575CE

aPortuguesebishopcomplainedaboutthePagancustomofbringing“laureland
greenbranches”insideatChristmas,butpeopledidnotcarryentiretreesinto
theirhomesuntilthe15thcentury,andthenonlyinGermany.Another400years
wouldpassbeforethecustomstartedtobecomepopularinothernations.

ThisdoesnotmakethetraditionofthemodernYuleTreeanylessvalid.Every
tradition—whetherfiveyearsold,fivehundredyearsoldorfivethousandyears
old—hadtobeginsometime!TheYuleTreeisabeautifulcustomforPagan
families,andwewilllookatthisinmoredepthinthisbook’sfinalchapter.

f1502

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THEMIDSUMMERTREE

Whynottakethistreevenerationfurther,andaddaMidsummerTreetoyour
summersolsticecelebration?OnereasonsomanyPaganslovetheYuleseason
isbecausetheyassociateitwithjoyfulactivities.AholisticPaganlifestyle
shouldcelebrateeachholidayinasimilarway,butalltoooftenMidsummeror
theequinoxesareacknowledgedwithlittlemorethananobligatoryritual.

ChildrenlovedecoratingaMidsummerTree,butitisfunforadultsalso.
Midsummer,thesummersolstice,isoppositetheYuleseason,soitmakessense
todecorateaMidsummerTreethatisoppositetotheYuleTree.

Thismeansyouwillbedecoratingatreeoutsideratherthanbringingatreeinto
thehouse.Italsomeansthatyouwillbedecoratingadeciduoustree(onethat
dropsitsleavesintheautumn)ratherthananevergreen.Ifyouliveinawarm
climatewheretreesdonotdroptheirleavesseasonal-ly,justpickatreethatis
pleasingtoyou.Thereisnoactualruleaboutleafdropping,butitisimportant
thatthetreebegrowingnaturallyoutdoors.Thischangesthegeneralambience
ofthetreeveneration.WhentheYuleTreeisbroughtindoorswearecelebrating
homeandcommunity.Wemayderiveamuchdeepermeaningfromthis,but
essentiallywearegathering“atthehearth”.TheMidsummerTree,bycon-trast
isacelebrationofthenaturalworld;ofthegreaterplacethatsurroundsour
homes.

ChooseadaynearthesummersolsticefordecoratingyourMidsummerTree.If

ChooseadaynearthesummersolsticefordecoratingyourMidsummerTree.If
yourwholefamilyistoparticipate,thiswillprobablyneedtobeontheweekend.
Alsochooseatreethatwillreceivethishonor.Thehonoredtreeneedstof1512

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beatreewithlowgrowinglimbs.Youwillalsoneedsomeorallofthe
following:

•Drypinecones

•Peanutbutter

•Millet,oramixof“birdseed”

•Assortedfruits

•String

•Scissors

•Severalknives

TheMidsummerTreeisacelebrationofthenaturalworld,soyoudonotwantto
coveritwithglassandplas-ticornaments!Youwillbemakingyourown
ornaments,andthesewillnotonlybenatural,theyareyourofferingstothe
wudu-elfenorthedryads,ortoSilvanusortheLeshy,orwhatevergodsor
entitiesyourspiritualpathassociateswiththewoodlands.

Smallchildrenwillrequiresupervisionwithknivesandscissors,butotherwise
letyourimaginationrunfree!Eachornamentshouldbemadewiththeintention
ofsupportingandsustainingthewildneighbors—thebirdsandmammalsand
butterflies—thatlivearoundus.(Somemunicipalitiesdiscourageleavingfood
outforwildlife,duetoaconcernaboutratsandothervermin.Besurethatyou
arenotbreak-inganylocalordinances.)Cutanapple,orangeorotherfruitinto
wedgesandrunastringthrougheachwedgetohangitfromatreebranch.You
haveyourfirstornaments!

Usingtheflatsideofaknife,presspeanutbutterintothegapsinapinecone.
Thenrollthepineconeinmillet(orbirdf1522

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seed),pressingitdownsothattheseedsadheretothepeanutbutter.Putastring
throughthisandyouhaveacompletelydifferentornament.

Ifyoudonothaveanypinecones,cutanapple,pearorsimilarsolidfruitinto
wedges.“Paint”onesideofawedgewithpeanutbutter,thenpressthisintoa
bowlofmillet.Addthestringandyouhaveyetanotherornament.

Useyourimagination.Youmaydecidetopopsomecornandstringitin
garlands,ortostringgrapesorripenedber-ries.Partofthefunofthe
MidsummerTreeiscomingupwithnewandcreativeofferingstohangfromthe
tree.

Afteryouhaveagoodassortmentofnaturalornaments,processoutsidetoyour
chosentree.Atthispointhowyouhonorthetreewithyourornamentsshould
reflectyourownspiritualpath,andcanbeassimpleoraselaborateasyoulike.
Afterhangingthefruitsandconesfromthetreelimbs,youmightconcludewith
ashortprayer.Yourprayercouldbesomethinglike:

Goodneighbors—youspiritsofthelandandairandwater—acceptthesegifts,
andmayweevermeetandlivetogetherinpeace.

Theremaybeamuchlongerprayerthatyoufindmoreappropriate.Ormaybe
youwouldratherhaveamorecele-bratorytradition,singingasyouhangthe
offeringsfromthetree.Ontheotherhand,ifyoulivewithinearshotofyour
neighborstheymightthinkyouareabitoddwhentheyhearyousingingtothe
mapletreeinyourbackyard.

Ontheotherhand,maybeyoudonotcare.

f1532

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TheMidsummerTreecanevolveintoabeautifultraditionforyouandyour
familyifyoudothiseveryyear.Irememberreturningtoahickorytreeonthe
dayafterthesummersolstice,whenwehadearlierdecorateditwithnatural
ornaments.Afinchflewaway,startledbymyarrival,andbutterflieshovered
overtheorangeandredfruitsthathungfromthebranches.Thetreelooked
beautiful,anditseemedtomethatthewoodelveswerequitehappywithour

beautiful,anditseemedtomethatthewoodelveswerequitehappywithour
gifts.

After(orbefore)yourcovenorkindreddecoratestheMidsummerTreeyoucan
extendthecelebrationbyidenti-fyingthedifferenttreesgrowingaroundyour
neighborhood.

Manypeopletodaycannotdistinguishbetweenahickoryandanash,butthisis
primarilybecausetheyhaveneverbotheredtoreallylookatthebotanicalbeings
thatlivearoundus.Obtainatreeidentificationguidefromyourbookstoreor
library,andgeteveryoneinvolved!Iftherearechildreninyourtribe,letthem
gatherleavesandpastethemintoscrap-booksalongwiththenameofthetree
thateachleafcamefrom.

THEURBANORCHARD

Ifyouhaveyourownland,yourtreevenerationcanincludesomearboriculture
thatwillcomplementyourgarden.Youcanplantafew“decorative”trees
aroundtheoutsideofyourhome,butkeepinmindthatalltreesaredecorative!
Whynotplanttreesthatwillincreaseyourparticipationinthenaturalcycleby
producingdeliciousfruitsornuts?Fewtreesaremorebeautifulthanapearwhen
itblossomsinearlyspring.

Anorchardisanyareaoflanddevotedtothecultivationoftreesthatbearedible
fruitsornuts.Itdoesnotneedtof1542

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havetheregimentedlookofaruralfruitorchard,nordoesitneedtofeatureonly
onekindoftree.Infactyourneighborsareunlikelytonoticeanorchardatall
whentheyseeyourplumtreegrowingatthecornerofyourhouse,thepeartree
inthebackyardandtheChinesechestnutonthenorthsideofyourgarage.

Thedisadvantageofgrowingyourownfruitandnuttreesisthatitwilltakeat
leastacoupleofyearsbeforeyouwillseeanyproduce,andusuallylonger.The
advantageisthatoncetheystartproducing,theykeepproducing!Asyouwatch
yourfruittreesdroptheirleavesintheautumn,beartinynewleavesinthe
spring,followedbybeautifulblossomsandthenheavy,ripefruit,youwillcome
toadeeperinnerappreciationoftheeternalcycleoflife.Then,aswiththe
vegetablesyougrow,youwilltakethatfruitintoyourownbodyandliterally
becomeonewiththelandaroundyou.

becomeonewiththelandaroundyou.

Manyfruittreesarenowsoldinstandard,dwarfandevenminiatureversions.
Fortheurbanorchard,dwarftreesareoftenthebestchoice.Youwillbeableto
reachmoreofthefruitsincethetreewillnotgrowastall,anditwillnottakeup
asmuchspaceonyourproperty.Ifyouhaveanespeciallysmalllot,considera
miniaturefruittree.

Sincebothfruittreesandnuttreesproducetheirboun-tyabovegroundyouwill
wanttoplantnewtreeswhenthemooniswaxing;thatis,whenitisgrowing
fromnewtofull.

Ifyouareplantingbytheastrologicalmoonsign,thesetreesshouldbeplanted
whenthemoonisinthesignofTaurus(Riotte,page130).Youngtrees
purchasedfromalocalnurserywillbeleafed,buttreesorderedthroughthemail
orpar-celservicemaylooklikelittlemorethanstickswhentheyf1552

barkandbranch

arrive.Donotbediscouragedbytheappearanceofthese“sticks”,andcertainly
donotassumethatyournewlydeliv-eredtreesaredead.Themostimportantpart
ofthetree—whatyoumightthinkofasitsheartandsoul—isitsroots.

Ifasaplingisshippedwithleaves,thoseleavesarejustmoremassthattheroot
systemneedstosupportduringthejourney.Afteryouhaveplantedyourlittle
tree(whichshouldbedoneassoonaspossibleafteritarrives)therootswill
begintogatherinnourishmentandwaterfromthesoil,andleavesshouldsoon
emerge.

Whenyouplantyourtree,besuretowelcomeitswood-spirittoyourland.Offer
itwater.Youcandothisbysimplypouringwateraroundthenewlyplantedtree,
butsinceyouandthetreewillpresumablybeneighborsforafairlylongtime
youmightwanttoputmoreintentionintotheact.Fillacleanandattractive
pitcherorurnwithwaterandtakeitouttothetree.Firsttakeasipofthewater
yourself,saying:WaterisLife.

BloodofMotherEarth,flowingthroughHerarteries—riversandstreams—on
ajourneytotheoceanwhereallLifebegan.

Nowslowly,gentlypourtheremainingwateraroundthebaseofthenewly
plantedtreeasyousay:IgiveyouthisblessingofLife.

AstheLifeflowsthroughme,mayLifeflowthroughyou.

f1562

barkandbranch

Finishwithyourexpressionofaffirmation,asdescribedinthepreviouschapter.
Ifitfeelsmoreappropriateandnaturaltoyou,substitutetheactualnameofthe
EarthMotherasyouknowher:GaiaforHellenicPagans,HertheforSaxon
Pagans,andsoon.AsIemphasizethroughoutthisbook,yourpersonalrites
shouldberelevanttoyouandtruetothepathyoufollow.

SomeofthefruitandnuttreesthatgrowwellthroughoutmuchofNorth
Americainclude:•Apples

•Cherries(youwillprobablyneedatleasttwotreesofdifferentvarietiesto
producefruit;Ihavebeentoldthatself-pollinatingvarietiesofcherryhavebeen
developed,butIhavenopersonalexperiencewiththese)•Pears

•Plums(youwillneedtwovarietiesofthesealso)•Chinesechestnuts

•Hazelnuts

•Carpathianwalnuts

Beforeorderingtreesorpurchasingthemfromalocalnursery,findoutwhat
fruitsandnutsgrowwellinyourregion.Anygiventypeoffruittreemaythrive
inoneareaandstruggleinanother.Thisdoesnotmeanyoucannottryatreethat
isnotknownforproducingwellinyourregion,butyoushouldbeawareofthis
inadvance.Asarule,youwillderivemoresatisfactionfromfruitornuttrees
thatgrowwellinyourarea.

f1572

barkandbranch

ATREEFORYOURALTAR

ManyPaganstodayliketokeepsymbolsrepresentingatreeontheiraltars.This
isespeciallytrueforsomedruids,andforPagansfollowingaSaxonorNorse
pathforwhomthesymbolrepresentstheWorldTree.Thesymbolcanbealmost

pathforwhomthesymbolrepresentstheWorldTree.Thesymbolcanbealmost
anything:apainting,perhapsanironoranaluminumsculp-ture.Butwhatcould
youplaceonyouraltarthatbetterrepresentsatreethan…atree?

WhenIwasayoungboy,mygrandfatherintroducedmetotheEarthMotherand
herwonders.PapawasaChristian,buthehadaprofoundappreciationforthe
naturalworld.HeandIwouldspendhoursfishingonanox-bowlakeincen-tral
Arkansas,wherehewouldtellmeabout“MotherEarth”

ashepointedoutthehabitsofturtlesandwoodpeckersandgar.Later,whenwe
returnedtohishome,hewouldletmehelphiminhisbackgarden,andthereI
wouldhavemoreles-sonsabouttheEarthMotherandherways.

Papaalwayshadanassortmentofgardencatalogs,andIwouldperusethese
indoorswhileavoidingtheheatoftheArkansassummerafternoons.OnethingI
oftensawinthecatalogsthatwouldcapturemyimaginationwerethebonsai
treesmarketed(then)as“Mingtrees”.Thesewerethesameminiaturetreesthat
aresoldingardencenterstoday;smalljunipers,withtheirbranchesprunedand
shapedingracefulcurvesandtheirrootsconfinedtoashallowpot.Theideaofa
tinytreefascinatedme,andthatfascinationdidnotdimin-ishappreciablyover
time.

Manyyearslater,asanadult,Ieventuallyfedmyfascinationandpurchasedan
evergreenbonsai.Iwouldliketosayf1582

barkandbranch

thatmybonsaiandIlivedhappilyeverafter,butthatisnotwhathappened.

Thebonsaidied.

SoIwentoutandboughtasecondbonsai.Anditdiedalmostasquicklyasthe
firstone.Determined,Iboughtathird.Itdied.Ibegantonoticeapattern.

Afterthisexperience,Igaveuptryingtokeepaminiaturetreeforyears.
Obviously,Ithought,theremustbesomethingfundamentallywrongwithme,
sinceIhadkilledonepoorlittletreeafteranother.Distancingmyselffromthe
ideaofhavinga“Mingtree”gavemesomeperspective.IrealizedthatIdidnot
reallycareaboutbonsaiasanartform;IjustlikedtheideaofatinytreethatI
couldkeepinapot.AsaPagan,IespeciallylikedtheideaofatreethatIcould
haveonmyaltar.

EventuallyIdidsomemoreresearchandfoundoutthattherewasnothingreally
wrongwithmeatall.Theproblemhadbeenwiththetinytrees.Junipersarenot
indoorplants.

Iamsuretherearesomepeoplewhohavehadsmallpottedjunipersthrivingin
theirlivingroomsfordecades,butformostofusajunipercannotbekept
indoors,alive,forverylong.Thejuniperbonsaikeptbyatruebonsaienthusiast
isusuallykeptoutside,andrequiressomeskilltomaintain.

Ifoundsomebooksaboutindoorbonsaiandtriedsomeofthesuggestedspecies.
Alas,myeffortsagainresultedinsomeaccidentalarboricides.Surelytherewas
sometreethatcouldeasilybekeptindoorsinapot!(Icanbeverystubbornat
times.)Iwaslookingforatree—aplant—thatcouldbekeptinthehouse
throughouttheyear.

f1592

barkandbranch

Atree—aplant—thatcouldbekeptinthehouse.Aplantinsidethehouse.Of
course!Iwaslookingforahouseplant!

OnceIrealizedwhatIwaslookingfor,Iwasabletonar-rowmysearchdownto
twospecies,bothofthemtropicaltreesthatfarewellinsidethehouse:theFicus
(Ficusbenjami-na)andtheScheffleraor“UmbrellaTree”(Schefflera
arborico-la).Eitherspeciesadaptswellasasmall,indoortreesuitablefor
representingtheWorldTreeonyouraltarorinanysunnylocationinyourhome.
ThesetinytreesalsomakeinterestingandunusualgiftsforyourPaganfriends!

TocreateatinyrepresentationoftheWorldTreeyouwillneedasmall,young
FicusorSchefflera.Youwillalsoneedashallowbonsaibowl.Thesebowlsare
sometimessoldatgardencenters,orcanbepurchasedonline.Theshallowbowl
willlimitthedepthoftheroots.Treesgrowinginshallowsoilnaturallyremain
small.Theshallowbowldoesnothurtyourtreeinanymeasurableway.Thetree
doesnotcaremuchwhetheritistallorshort.

Trimtherootsasneededtofitthemintothebowl.Thetreewilllookmore
attractiveifyoupositionitslightlytoonesideofthebowlratherthaninthe
exactcenter.Packgoodqualitypottingsoilaroundtherootsandwaterthepot
thor-oughly.Alayerofaquariumgraveloverthetopofthesoilwillhelpkeep
thesoilinplacewhenyouarewateringyourtinytree.

thesoilinplacewhenyouarewateringyourtinytree.

Donothesitatetotrimoffanybranchesthatlookoutofplace.Beyondthat,
thereisnoneedtocreatea“bonsai”formunlessyouhaveapersonaldesireto
pursuethatart.Ifso,therearemanybooksaboutbonsaiavailable.Otherwiselet
yourtinytreegrowintoitsownnaturallook.

f1602

barkandbranch

IfyourtreeisaFicusitwillverylikelynowdropallofitsleaves.Donotpanic.
Thenewleavesthatcomeinwillbesmallerandmoresuitabletothesizeofyour
tree.Afterthis,yourFicuswillperiodicallydropitsleavesforanynumberof
reasons:ifyoumoveherpot,ifthelightingchangesorifsheisjusthavingabad
leafday.Usuallyafewleaveswillremainthroughthismoultingprocess.
AlwayskeepaneyeonyourFicustomakesureithasenoughwaterandisnot
botheredbyinsectpestsorfungi,butdonotassumethatfallingleavesmeans
yourtreeisgettingreadytodie.

Scheffleradoesnotdropleavesinthisway.Personally,Ilikethefallenleaves;it
seemsmore“treelike”.

Themostimportantthingtodofromhereonistomakesurethatthepotnever
completelydriesout.Thisisespeciallycriticalduringthefirstweekorso,when
yourtreeisadjustingtoitsnew“home”.Ashallowpotcandryoutveryquickly,
sobesuretocheckyourtreeatleasteveryotherday.

Thetreeshouldnotbestandinginmud,butneithershouldthesoilbecompletely
dry.

Sinceyourtreeisinaconfinedpot,youwillneedtoreplenishthesoileverytwo
orthreeyears.Carefullyremovethetreefromitspot.Therootswillprobablyfill
theentireinterior,leavingverylittleroomforsoil.Trimbacknomorethana
thirdoftherootsystemandrepotthetreewithfresh,newgardensoil.Besureto
tendyourtreeascareful-lyaswhenyoufirstpottedit,andbesuretokeepthe
newlytrimmedrootsystemmoist.

Thejadeplant(Crassulaovate)isasucculentratherthanatree,butifthisdetail
doesnotbotheryouitcanbegrownasabeautifullivingrepresentativeofthe

WorldTree.Aboutf1612

barkandbranch

twentyyearsagoIhadalargepottedjade“tree”thatelicit-edcomplimentsfrom
everyonewhosawit.YouwillneedtopotyourjadeplantasyouwouldaFicus
orSchefflera,andthentrimoffextraneouslimbsuntiltheplantresemblesatree
withatrunk.Keepthe“tree”relativelydryatalltimes,andgiveitasmuch
outsidetimeasyoucanduringthesummer.Withoutsomedirectexposuretothe
sunajadeplantcanquicklybecome“leggy”inappearance.

Regardlessofspecies,yourtreewillneedalotofsun-lighttokeepithappyand
healthy.Onlykeepitonyouraltarwhenyouwantittheretoenhancearitual;
thenreturnitsoonafterwardstoasunnylocationinyourhome.Mytinytrees
spendmostoftheirtimeonalowtableunderalargewindowsotheywillbeat
theirbestwhentheirpresenceisrequiredonthealtar.

f1622

CHAPTERSEVEN

THEBIRDS

ANDTHEBEES

ItiscelebratedontheSundayfollowingthefirstfullmoonafterthevernal
equinox.InLatintheholidayiscalledPas-cha,theFrenchcallitPâques,the
SpanishsayPascuaandtheSwedessayPåsk.Theonlylanguagesthathave
preservedthenameofthegoddesswhowasoncepraisedandhonoredinmid-
springareGerman,whichnamesthisholidayOstern,andtheEnglishlanguage,
whereitisknownasEaster.

VerylittlesolidinformationaboutthegoddessEastre(orEostre)hassurvived.
Hernameiscognatewithourword“east”,andsowecansurmisethatsheisa
goddessofthedawnand,becauseofherfeastdate,ofthespring;agoddessof
beginnings.HermoonmarkedthebeginningofEostre’smonth(Eostremonað),
whichlatercametobeknownbyitsRomanname,April.Inthepre-Christian
era,Eostre’sfeastf163

f

2

163

thebirdsandthebees

wasoneofthethreegreatfestivalsoftheGermanicworld(Jones&Pennick,p.
122).

PopularsymbolsofEastersuchasflowersandnewlyhatchedchicksare
essentiallysymbolsofspring.Thevernalseasonmusthavebeenverysignificant
fortheAnglo-SaxonsbecauseEnglishspeakingChristiansstillusetheword
Lent(OldEnglishlencten,springtime)inreferencetotheweeksleadingupto
Easter.Otherlanguagesuseawordthattranslatesas“thetimeoffasting”:
Fastenzeit(German),Carême(French),Cuaresma(Spanish),Fastetiden
(Norwegian),Gavênia(Lithuanian).ButduringtheMiddleAges,whenEnglish

sermonsbegantobedeliveredinthelanguageofthepeople,thewordchosenfor
theChristians’timeoffastingwaslente,fromtheOldEnglishlencten.

Springtime.

ThereisnosymbolmorecloselyassociatedwiththeEasterseasonthantheegg.
Theofficialexplanationisthateggsrepresentnewlife,butanequallyimportant
andperhapsmoreimmediatereasonwhyourPaganancestorswouldhave
associatedeggswithspringtimeistheirrelativeabundanceatthattimeofyear
(SimpsonandRoud,p.105).Theamountoflightthatchickensareexposedto
directlyaffectseggproduction.Intoday’segg“factories”hensaresubject-edto
nearlyconstantartificiallightingtoensuremaximumeggproduction,butthe
availabilityofeggsvariedseasonal-lyinearliersocieties.Inanatural
environment,hensbegintolayfewereggsintheautumn.Bythewintersolstice
theirproductionhasreacheditslowestpoint.Asthedaysbegintogrowlonger,
thesesamehensstartlayingmoreeggsuntil,byf1642

thebirdsandthebees

mid-springeachhenmaybeproducinganeweggeverysingleday.

ImaginewhatthismeanttoearlyPaganpeople,especiallyinnorthernclimates.
Freshfoodwasaluxuryreservedforthesummerandautumn.Bylatewinterthe
villagewassub-sistingonrootcrops—parsnipsandturnips—andoldcabbag-es.
Anyexcesslivestockhadbeenbutcheredinlateautumnwhiletherewasstill
grassandenoughsunlightforgrazing,andmeatpreservationtechniquesatthat
timewerelessthanideal.

Thencamespring’spromise.Firstcamethelambingseason,whichmeantfresh
milkastheewesbegantolactate.

Andbythistimethechickenswereproducingmorethananoccasionalegg.
Someeggshadtobereservedforhatching,toensureanothergenerationof
chickens,andthesewouldbeplacedwithbroodinghens(whichdonotlaywhile
theyarebroodingaclutchofeggs).Butthereweremoreeggsleftoverafter
enoughhadbeenplacedunderbroodinghens,andtheadditionaleggsmeant
freshfoodonthetable.Symbolsofnewlife,indeed!ForearlyPaganpeople,the
springeggswerelife;theyweremuchneededsustenanceandnourishmentafter
thehardshipofwinter.

AlthoughEostre’sfeastisatthefirstfullmoonafterthespringequinox,many

AlthoughEostre’sfeastisatthefirstfullmoonafterthespringequinox,many
peopletodaycelebrate“PaganEaster”

ontheequinoxitself.Wheneveryoucelebratespring,youcanconnectwithyour
ancestorsandexpressanappreciationforthemiraclethatsustainedthem
throughtheyearsbydec-oratingyourowneggs.Thisisanactivitythatyour
wholetribe—yourcovenorkindred—canparticipateintogether,f1652

thebirdsandthebees

perhapsonthesamedaythatyougiveofferingsorcastacir-cleordowhatever
itisthatyourpathleadsyoutodo.

Iftherearechildreninyourgroup,haveasleepover.Theadultscancolorthe
eggsatnightandthenhidethemthenextmorningforthechildrentofind,justas
Christianfamiliesdo.Butdonotlimityourselftopopularcustom.Hereare
someotherideasforyoureggsafteryouhavecoloredthem:Inmanypartsof
EnglandbeforeWorldWarII,childrenwouldrolleggsdownaslopedpathora
hillsideuntiltheybroke.Theywouldtheneatthecrackedeggs.Thiscanbe
revivedasafunlittlecontestforchildren.Youwillneedaslopewhereeggswill
easilyroll.Eachchildcanselectaneggandthentaketurnsrollingthesedown
theslope.Thewinneristhelastchildwithanuncrackedegg.

IfyouareaSaxonPagan,color29eggs,usingacrayontomarkeacheggwitha
Futhorcrunebeforedyingit.Thewaxwillrepelthedye,leavingtheimageof
theruneontheegg.Placealloftheeggsinabasketorlargebowlandcoverthis
withacloth.Inviteeachpersoninyourinhíredtoreachundertheclothand
claimoneegg.Thenreadtheappropriatepassageoftherunepoemdescribing
thatsymbol.Ifthepersondesires,heorsheacceptsthismysterybypeelingand
consumingtheegg.IfyouarenotaSaxonPaganyoucandosomethingsimilar
usingtherunesoftheElderFutharkorwhateverdivinatorysymbolsetis
appropriateforyourpath.

Youcouldalsocoloroneeggforeachofyourancestorswhoyouwouldliketo
honor.Asyoubeginyourspringritual,placeeachcoloredeggonthealtar,one
atatime,namingtheancestoritrepresents.Afteryourritual,taketheeggsto
someprivateplaceoutdoorsandburythemaspersonaloffer-f1662

thebirdsandthebees

ingstoyourhonoredancestors.Thisobviouslyisonlyappropriateifyouhave

ingstoyourhonoredancestors.Thisobviouslyisonlyappropriateifyouhave
yourownland.Neverburyofferingslikethisinparksorotherpublicproperty.

Theeasiestwaytocoloryoureggsiswithcommercial,chemicaldyes.Butinthe
spiritofholisticliving,whynottrynaturaldyes?Thisisnotverydifficult,andit
canbemoremeaningfulthandissolvingbrightlycoloredtabletstakenfroma
boxwithacartoonbunnyonthecover.

NATURALEGGDYING

Youwillneedtheuseofastove,apanforeachcoloryouwanttocreate,some
vinegar,eggsandwhateverfruitsorvegetablesyouwillbeusingforcolors.
Whiteeggs,ofcourse,arebetterforcoloringthanbrowneggs.

Herearesomecommonbotanicalstochoosefrom:Ingredient

Color

Violets

Blue-Violet

RedCabbage,chopped

Blue

SpinachLeaves

Green

OrangePeels

Yellow

GroundCoffeeBeans

Brown

YellowOnionSkins

Orange

Beets

Pink

Raspberries

PinkorRed

Therearetwoprimarydifferenceswhenyoudyeeggsnaturallyusingthe
methodIgivehere.First,donotboiltheeggsfirst.Youwillbeboilingtheeggs
atthesametimeyouarecoloringthem,souseuncookedeggs.Second,youf
1672

thebirdsandthebees

willdyealleggsofthesamecoloratthesametime.Thatis,insteadofdipping
oneegginacupofgreendyeandoneegginacupofpinkdye,youwillcolorall
ofyourgreeneggsatthesametimeandallofyourpinkeggsatthesametime.

Placetheeggsyouwanttodyeaparticularcolorinapan,inasinglelayer.
Coverthemwithwaterandaddateaspoonofvinegar.Addyourcoloring
ingredient.Thereisnotsetquantity.Morecoloringingredientwillcreatea
deepercolor.

Putthepanonthestoveandbringthewatertoaboil.

Thenturnthisdowntoasimmerandlettheeggscookforfifteenminutes.Ifyou
cookthemmuchlongerthanthis,theywillbetough.

Ifyouarepleasedwiththecolor,youmaynowremovetheeggswithaslotted
spoonandletthemdry.Ifnot,removethepanfromthestovebutlettheeggssit
init.Ifthecoloroftheeggsisstillnotdeepenoughafterthewaterhasreached
roomtemperature,placetheentirepanintherefrigeratorandlettheeggssit
thereinthepanovernight.

Yournaturallydyedeggswillnotbeshiny.Ifshineisimportanttoyou,rubeach
eggwithsomevegetableoil.

*

Idothinkseasonaltraditionsaregreatfunandaddmeaningtoourlives.Butjust

Idothinkseasonaltraditionsaregreatfunandaddmeaningtoourlives.Butjust
asIdonotwantmyspiritualitytoendatthecompletionofamonthlyritual,Ido
notwanttoexpressit—toliveit—onlyonholidays.Andthereisnoreasonwhy
anyofusshould.Anotherwayyoucanconnectwiththeearth’snaturalcycles
andbecomemorefullyinvolvedwiththecycleoflifeisbykeepingyourown
chickens.

f1682

thebirdsandthebees

Evenifyouliveinacity,manymunicipalitiestodayallowafamilytokeep
severalhens.Thereareusuallyrestrictionsastohowmanybirdsyoucankeep
andwheretheymustbelocated,socheckyourlocalordinances.Those
ordinancesalmostalwaysforbidkeepingroosters,becauseofthenoisethey
make.Apparentlysomepeoplefindthepastoralsoundofaroostercrowingtobe
moreannoyingthandistantgun-shots,wailingsirensandscreamingneighbors.

Otherthantheroosterthing,mostordinancesarequitereasonableandreflectthe
decentrespectanybodyshouldhaveforhisorherneighbors.Butthereare
exceptions.OneMidwesterncitycurrentlyhasanordinancerequiringaresident
toobtainwrittenpermissionfromeveryneighborwithin100feetofhisproperty
ifheorshewantstokeepafewhens.Otherordinancesinthissamecityaddress
everypossibleoffense—excessivenoise,sanitationandsoon—sowhythe
neighbors’permissionisrequiredisanybody’sguess.

Similarwrittenpermissionsarenotrequiredforkeepingamacawora
Rottweiler.Itisbecauseofrestrictionslikethisthatyoumusteducateyourself
aboutthelocallawsconcerningpoultry.

Beyondthis,chickenkeepingisridiculouslyeasy.Ahenhousefortwoorthree
hensneedbenolargerthanagoodsizeddoghouse.Thehenswillalsoneed
someroomtorunaroundandstretchtheirlegs,andthisareamustbesecurely
fenced.Buildingorbuyingthehenhouseandrunwillbethemostdifficulttask
involved.

And,no,youdonotneedarooster.Henslayeggswhetherornotthereare
roostersstruttingaround.Infactyoudonotwantaroosterunlessyouhavea
dozenormorehensf1692

thebirdsandthebees

tokeephimdistracted.Almosteveryroosterisinsanelyamorousandhasthe
nuptialtechniqueofabulldozer.Oneroosterwillquicklyweardownthreeor
fourhenstothedet-rimentoftheirhealth.

Youmaybewonderinghowtimeconsumingitistokeepafewhens.Ihavea
parakeetinacageinmylivingroomandthreeRhodeIslandRedhensinacoop
inmybackyard.

Caringformyhenstakesupnomoretimethancaringfortheparakeet.Both
needfoodandfreshwatereveryday.Bothneedtheirenclosurescleanedout
onceaweek,aprocessthattakesmeabouttenminutesforeitherthehenhouse
orforthebirdcage.Thereisonesignificantdifference,though.

Thechickensfeedme.

Morethanthat,theyhelpmeconnectwiththeland.

TheyaretrulyapartofmyspiritualexperienceasaPagan.Iexperience,first
hand,whatmyancestorsexperiencedwhenthelengtheningdaysofspring
broughtanabundanceoffresheggs.Ifeedmythreehenscommerciallyprepared
layerpellets,buttheysupplementtheirfeedwithgrassandwiththebugsinthe
yard,andsowhenIeattheireggsIliterallybecomeapartoftheworldaround
me.

Ifyouwouldkeepacouplehens,housingwillbeyourprimarychallenge.There
arewebsitesgivingdetaileddescriptionsforbuildingahenhouse,andifyou
havesomereasonableskillwithahammerandsawthiswillsaveyoua
considerableamountofmoney.I,unfortunately,donothavethatskill.Ibought
myhenhouse.Someassemblywillstillberequiredifyouchoosethisoption,but
noneofitisverychallenging.Thedisadvantageofpurchasingapre-builthen-f
1702

thebirdsandthebees

houseisthatthecostofthestructureiscomparabletothatofapurebredpuppy.

Asforthesizeofthestructure,thestandardruleofthumbistwosquarefeetper
hen.Thecommonsenserule(whichIprefer)is“enoughroomforeachhentobe
com-fortable”.Youshouldbeabletoclosethehenhousesecurelyatnight.
Ideallythehenhouseshouldhaveatleastonesmallwindowforventilationand

Ideallythehenhouseshouldhaveatleastonesmallwindowforventilationand
light,andthisneedstobecoveredwithscreening.Thehenswillneedasturdy
roost,2”

thick,setatleasttwofeetabovethefloor.Theroostiswheretheywillsleep.

Youdonotabsolutelyneednestboxesinyourhenhouse,butwithoutthemthe
henswilllaytheireggsanyoldplace.

TheegghuntthatwassofunonEastermorningrapidlylosesitscharmwhen
youhavetodoiteveryday.Anestboxshouldbe12"to14"inwidthanddepth,
andshouldhavewallsonallsidesexceptthefront.Assumingyouarekeeping
nomorethantwoorthreehens,twonestboxesaresufficient.Ifyoupurchasea
pre-constructedhenhouseitwillalmostalwaysincludearoostandnestboxes.

Localordinancesmaydemandthatthechickenrun,thefencedinareawhere
yourhenscanrunaround,belocatedacertaindistancefromyourneighbor’s
property.Inanyevent,youwillwanttokeepyourhensfencedfromyour
garden,atleastwhenyouhaveseedlingscomingup.Chickensarenotthemost
gracefulcreatures.Theywillscratchanddigandtearuptenderyoungplants.
Oncethoseplantsareestablishedthough,thehenscanbebeneficial,nibbling
awayatinsectsthatwouldotherwisebenibblingawayatyourplants.

f1712

thebirdsandthebees

Thehenhouseandthechickenruntogetherarereferredtoasacoop.Likethe
henhouse,thechickenrunshouldbeasecureenvironment.Thefencingmustbe
sturdy.Somepeopleliketohavearooforscreeningovertherun.Why?

Becausealmosteverybodylovesthegreattasteofchicken.

Dogs,raccoons,opposums,hawks,foxes;ifiteatsmeat,itprobablylikes
chicken.Building(orbuying)thecoopisthemostdifficultpartofkeepinghens,
butgiveyourbirdsthemostsecureshelteryoupossiblycan.

Forthesamereason,itisagoodideatoworkprotectivemagicoverthecoop
beforeorjustafterintroducingyourbirds.Exactlyhowyoudothiswillof
coursevaryaccordingtoyourspiritualpath.ASaxonPagancouldcarryfire—
usingaoillanternoracandleprotectedfromdrafts—aroundthecoop,saying,

usingaoillanternoracandleprotectedfromdrafts—aroundthecoop,saying,

“Thunor,Red-beardedGuardian,Letnothingbetakenorlost,Keepwellthe
creaturesthatdwellwithin;letthembenotharmed,Cherishthem,andletthem
benotsnatchedaway.”

Thunorisagodofprotection,andthewordingistakenfromanOldEnglish
charmtoprotectlivestock.SincethepersonisaskingforThunor’shelp,heor
shewouldfollowthisbypouringalibationofmeadorale.

ThestarsknowntousnowasthePleiadeswerecalled“Freya’shens”bythe
Vikings,soPaganswhofollowaNorsepathsuchasÁsatrúorFornSedmight
invokeFreya’sprotectiononaclear,starrynight.RomanPagansmightaskMars
f1722

thebirdsandthebees

towatchovertheirhens,evenastheancientRomanscalledonMarstoprotect
fieldsofgrain.

Planonkeepingtwoorthreehens.Chickensaresocialcreatures.Asolitaryhen
willbelonelyanddiscontent,unlessyouplantospendeverywakingminute
withher.Twoormorehenswillkeepeachothercompany,andwillamuseyou
withtheirantics.Andtwoorthreehenswillprobablylayenougheggsforyou
andyourfamily,unlessyouhaveverypoorlayersoraverylargefamily.

Inanearlierchapterwediscussedcompanionanimalsasfamiliarspirits.Your
hensprobablywillnotfulfillthisrole.

Theyareverysocial,butnotverysmart,andtheyarenotinsideanimals.Ifyour
hensareallthesamebreeditmaybedifficultforyoutoevendistinguishone
fromanother.

Somepeopledevelopverycloserelationshipswiththeirhens,howeverifyou
arenotoneofthesepeople,youwillstillenjoyyourbirdsmuchmoreifyou
relatetothemaspetsratherthanas“farmanimals”.Youwillnotproduceeggs
moreefficientlythanprofessionalcommercialproducers.

Youwillnotsavemoneybyproducingyourowneggs.Youwill,however,
producemoreflavorfuleggsandderiveotherbenefits,bothtangibleand
intangible,fromyourpets.

Youmaydiscoverthatthechickenisyourpersonaltotem.

Chickens,andhensinparticular,areassociatedwithbothfertilityandsacrifice
(Andrews,pp.126–127).Roostershavebeenconsideredsolarcreaturesbecause
oftheirhabitofcrowingatsunrise,butyouwillalsoseeasolarconnectionwith
yourhensasyouobservehowthehoursofsunlightaffecttheiregglaying.

f1732

thebirdsandthebees

Isuggestyouprovidenoadditionalartificiallightingtostimulateegg
production.AsIsaid,youarenotgoingtoproduceeggsmoreefficientlythan
theprofessionals.Ifallyouwantareeggs,justrundowntothesupermarketand
pickupadozen.Ontheotherhand,ifyouwanttoconnectwithworld,letyour
hensexperiencethenaturalcycleofseasons;thelengtheningdaysinthespring
anddiminishingdaylightintheautumn.Personally,Ithinkthisisbetterforthe
chickens.IdonotmindthatmyhensgoafewdaysinJanuarywithout
producinganegg.Theydeserveabreakafterfeedingmeallyear!

Soyouhavesetupahenhouseandchickenrun;bothofthesetogetherareyour
coop.Nowthefunbegins!Doyouwanttogetchicksoryounglayers?Thereare
fewthingscuterthanababychick,andchicksareusuallyeasiertoobtainthan
pullets(hensunderayearold).Feedstoresveryoftensellbabychicksinthe
spring.Youdonotwantroosters,soonlypurchasechicksthathavebeensexed
(examinedtodetermineiftheyaremaleorfemale).Eventhen,oneofyour
sexedfemalechickscouldmatureintoayoungcock-erel!Sexingchicksisnot
anexactscience.Theexceptionsareacoupleofhybrids—theRedSexLinkand
theBlackSexLink—thathavedifferentcoloredmaleandfemalechicks,and
thesemaybeyourbestchoiceifyouwanttobeginwithchicks.

Babychicksaredelicate.Youwillneedextraequipment,andtheywillneed
extracaretogetthemthroughchildhood.

Youwillneedabrooder,whichisasmallcageorenclosurewherethechicks
canbekeptfreefromdrafts.Youwillalsoneedaheatlampoverthecage,anda
thermometer.Placef1742

thebirdsandthebees

thethermometeronthefloorofthebrooderandraiseorlowertheheatlamp

thethermometeronthefloorofthebrooderandraiseorlowertheheatlamp
untilthetemperatureis90–95degreesFahrenheit,fornewlyhatchedchicks.
Eachweek,forthenextfourorfiveweeks,youwillneedtodecreasethe
temperaturefivedegreesuntilthetemperatureinthebrooderisthesameasthe
surroundingtemperature.

Yourchickswillneedconstantaccesstowater,whichshouldbeplacedasfaras
possiblefromtheheatlamp.Theywillnotdrinkthewaterifitbecomestoo
warm,andayoungchickdehydratesveryquickly.Theywillalsoneeda
commercialchickfeed.Thisisusuallysoldinbothmedicatedandnon-
medicatedvarieties.Ifyouareonlyraisingafewchicksthenon-medicatedfeed
shouldbefine,asthediseasesthatoccurinlargefarmflocksarelesslikelyto
affectyourlittlefamilyofchicks(Kilarski,p.81).

Inmyopinion,rearingyourownchicksisalotofworkforthatlittlebitofcute
youwillgetinreturn.Maybeeverybodyshouldtryitonceintheirlives,but
keepingasmallhomeflockisfareasierifyoustartoutwithpullets.The
problemhereisfindingsomeonewhowillsellafewtoyou.

Farmersareunderstandablylessthaneagertosellfivemontholdbirdsthatare
justbeginningtolay.Unlessyoujusthap-pentoknowofsomeonewillingtodo
this,lookontheinternetforlocalfarmerswithhenstheyarewillingtopartwith.
Youdowanttolookforsomebodywhoseemsreliable,becauseathreeyearold
henlooksprettymuchthesameasasixmontholdpullettotheuntrainedeye.
Youwillalsopayapremiumpriceforayounglayer.

Farmersareoftenhappytogetridofolderhensthathavestartedtoproduce
fewereggs.Achickenlaysbestforthefirstf1752

thebirdsandthebees

coupleofyears,andthenbeginstoslowdown.Thegoodnewsisthatahen
continuestolaythroughoutherlife,soanolderhenmaysuityouifyoudonot
carehowmanyeggssheisgivingyou.

Theadvantageofbeginningwithpulletsorhensare(1)theyaremuchmore
hardythanchicks,(2)youdonotneedtoinvestinabrooderandheatlamp,(3)
theywillbeginlayingeggsnowinsteadofmonthsfromnow,and(4)youcanbe
absolutelysurethattheyarefemales.

Afteryou’vedecidedwhetheryouwantchicksorpullets,youwillneedto

Afteryou’vedecidedwhetheryouwantchicksorpullets,youwillneedto
decideonwhatbreedorbreedsyouareinterestedin.Yourselectionwillbe
limitedbywhatisavailablenearyou,soitisagoodideatohavemorethanone
breedinmind.Ifthereareseveralbreedsyoulike,andallareavailablenearyou,
thereisnoreasonwhyyoucannothavemorethanonebreedofchicken.The
hensdonotreallycare;toachickeneverychickenisjustanotherchicken.

Ifyouliveinawarmormildclimate,nothingbeatstheLeghornforegg
production.Thesearesmall,lightbirds,sotheyconsumelessfeed-per-eggthan
otherbreeds.Thosewhiteeggsyoubuyatthesupermarketalmostalwayscome
fromLeghorns.Becausetheyarelightbirds,Leghornsaremorelikelytofly
overafencethanheavierbreeds,soaroofedenclosureisadvised.Leghornsalso
donotfareaswellasotherbreedsincolderclimates.

Forbrowneggs,someofthebestlayersareRhodeIslandRedsandtheRocks:
PlymouthRocks,BarredRocks,Par-tridgeRocks.TheRocksaredifferentiated
bythecoloroftheirplumage.Alloftheseareverygoodlayersandtendtobe
friendlybirds.ThehensthatInowhaveinmybackyardf1762

thebirdsandthebees

arethreeRhodeIslandRedswhoIhavenamedHenny,PennyandJenny.They
arealwaysexcitedtoseeme,andthisspringtheywereeachgivingmealmost
oneeggeverysingleday.

IhavementionedtheSexLinkhens,whichcomeinbothRedandBlack
varieties.Thesearealsosaidtobegoodlayersofbrowneggs.TheBlackSex
Linklaysaslightlydarkeregg.

Ifyoucanfindone,anAraucanahenisasomewhatcau-tiousbird,butagood
layer.Theinterestingthingaboutthisbreedisthatitproducesblue-green
“Eastereggs”.

Thereareseeminglycountlessbreedstochoosefrom,buttheonesIhave
mentionedaresomeofthebestforasmallbackyardflock.Inadditionto
standardsizedchickenstherearebantamchickens,whicharesmallerand
lighter.Ihavenotmentionedthemherebecausetheircareisalmostiden-ticalto
thatoflargerhens.Becauseoftheirsizeandlightweight,aroofedenclosureis
veryimportantandtheywillfarebetterinmildorwarmclimates.

Onceyouhaveyourpullets—whetheryouraisedthemfromchicksorpurchased

Onceyouhaveyourpullets—whetheryouraisedthemfromchicksorpurchased
younglayers—caringforthemissimple.Likeanyanimal,theyneedfresh,clean
watereveryday.Feedingandwateringyourhensisnomorebothersomethan
feedingandwateringacoupleofcanariesorfinches.

ForfoodIrecommendhighproteinlayerpellets.Iaddalittlecrackedcorn,but
thisisnotnecessary.Theimportantthingisthatyourchickenshaveaccessto
freshgrassandbugstosupplementthefeedyougivethem.Whenyourbirdseat
grassandbugs,andlayeggs,andyoueatthoseeggs,youtaketheessenceofthe
landaroundyouintoyourownbody.Youbecomeonewiththeworld.

Asanaddedbonus,thegrassandbugsarefree.

f1772

thebirdsandthebees

Otherthanfeedingandwateringyourchickens,theonlyotherroutinetaskyou
willhaveiscleaningoutthehenhouse.

Thisneedstobedoneonceaweekandwilltakeaboutaslongascleaningabird
cage.Apairofrubbergloveswillmakethismuchmorepleasant.Beforefirst
releasingyourbirdsintothecoop,youwillwanttoputabsorbentbeddinginthe
nestboxesandonthefloorofthehenhouse.Thiscanbeeitherstraworshredded
woodchips.Eachweekyouwillneedtoremoveallofthis(nowmixedwith
chickenpoop)andreplaceitwithcleanbedding.

Ifyoualsohaveagardenforherbsorvegetables,cleaningthechickencoopwill
beataskyouwillnotmindatall.

TheEarthMotherlovespoop,andyouwillcometoloveit,too.Well,maybe
youwillnotloveit,butyouwillappreciateit.Thedirtybeddingyouremove
fromthehenhouseistherawmaterialthatcantransformyourgardenintoafer-
tileparadise.

Firstthedirtybeddingmustbecomposted.Chickenpoophasahighnitrogen
contentandwillburnyourplantsifapplieddirectlytothesoil.Compostingis
justapolitewayofsaying“makingthingsrot”.Acompostpilecanbeassimple
asamoundoforganicmaterial.Mygrandfatherusedtocomposthisgrass
clippingsinthisway,buthehadplentyofspaceforpilesofgrassclippingsand
wasnotinanyhurry.

wasnotinanyhurry.

Therottingtakesplaceatthecenterofthepile,socompostinggoesmuchfaster
ifyoucanturnitoccasionallyandgetallofthematerialintothecenter.

Iuseacompostingdrum.Theseareveryconvenient,buttheyareexpensiveto
purchase.Ifmoneyisanissue,itwillcostmuchlesstobuildasquare3’by3’
binoutofusedlum-f1782

thebirdsandthebees

ber.Thebindoesnotneedabottom;fourwallstocontainthecompostis
sufficient.Everyweekorsoyouwillneedtoturnthecompostwithagardening
fork.(Withacompostingdrumyoujustturnthecrankandthewholedrumrolls
over.)Putallofthedirtybeddingintothecompostbin.Thestraworshredded
woodwillrotalongwiththepoop.Alsoaddanyweedsyoupullfromyour
gardenandanyvegetablescrapsfromthekitchen.Allofthiswilldecompose
andblendtogethertobecomethemagicalingredientthatwillcauseyourgarden
toflourish.Spreadthecompostoveryourgardenintheautumn,tillingor
diggingitintothesoil.Asecondapplicationcanbeaddedinthespringbefore
youbeginplanting.

Beginningaroundtheageoffivemonths,yourpulletswillbeginlayingeggs.If
yourbirdshaveaccesstograssandbugs,youwillprobablynoticethattheireggs
tastesignificantlybetterthan“storebought”eggs.

Ihavebeenaskedatwhatageahenstopslaying.Theansweristhatshedoes
not.Afterafewyearsanolderhenwilllaynoticeablyfewereggs,butshewill
continuetoproducethroughoutherlife.

EGGDIVINATION

Withyourowneggs,youcanpracticeoneoftheoldestformsofdivination.Itis
apracticeknownvariouslyasoomantia,ovamancy,oloscopyoroomancy;
divinationwitheggs.Somepeopletrythiswitheggspurchasedfromthe
supermarket,butwhatsignificancedoesanegglikethathave?Youdonotknow
whenitwaslaid,orwhereitcamefrom.Itisratherliketryingtoconstructan
astrologicalchartwithoutknow-f1792

thebirdsandthebees

ingaperson’sdateorplaceofbirth.Whenyoucollectaneggfromanestbox,

ingaperson’sdateorplaceofbirth.Whenyoucollectaneggfromanestbox,
youknowexactlywhenandwhereitwaslaid.Whenyouholdtheegglaidby
oneofyourownchickens,youholdthatmomentintimeandspacewhenitcame
intotheworld.

Theancientshaddifferenttechniquesforpracticingdivinationwitheggs,butthe
methodmostcommonlyusedtodayinvolvestheinterpretationoftheshapethat
thewhiteoftheeggtakeswhenpouredintowater.Todothis,heatacauldron
withfreshwater.Ifyoudonothaveacauldron,anycontemporarycookingpot
willsuffice.Thatiswhatacauldronis,afterall;amedievalpot.

Selectanegglaidthatsameday,andpraytoagodorgoddessofyourspiritual
pathforguidance.IpraytoWodenwhoisamasterofdivinationandmagic
amongtheSaxondeities.Afteryourprayer,carefullybreakopentheeggand
separatethewhitefromtheyolk.

Removethecauldronfromthefireorstove.Thewatershouldbehot,butnot
boiling.Slowlypourtheeggwhiteintothewater.Thewhitewillofcoursebe
clearwhenyoupourit,butwillquicklybecomewhite(whichiswhyitiscalled
the“white”)andtakeonshapesasitcooksinthehotwater.Likecumulusclouds
onasummer’sday,someoftheshapeswillremindyouofobjectsorcreatures.
Ignoremean-inglesswispsofeggwhiteandnoteonlythoseshapesthatseemto
resemblesomething.

Eggdivinationislikecrystalgazinginthatitisextremelysubjective.Ashape
maymeanonethingtoyouandsomethingentirelyelsetoanotherperson,and
thesameshapemaymeandifferentthingstoyouatdifferenttimes.Thef1802

thebirdsandthebees

shapeofaserpent,forexample,couldmeandanger(ifyouareafraidofsnakes),
orrenewal(becauseasnakeemerg-esfromitsoldskin)orgoodhealth
(especiallyforHellenicPagans,forwhomthesnakeisasymbolofhealing).The
shapeofahammercouldequallyrepresenteitherconstructionordestruction,
becauseahammercanbeusedtobuildsomethingortobreaksomethingapart.
Whenyounoteasignificantshape,considerwhatthatshapemeanstoyouat
thatverymoment.

Whatyoudowiththeleftoveryolkisyourownbusiness.

Iftheomenwasgood,youmaywanttocooktheyolkandeatit,takingthe

Iftheomenwasgood,youmaywanttocooktheyolkandeatit,takingthe
blessingintoyourself.Obviouslyyoudonotwanttodothisiftheomenwasnot
sogood.

NECTAROFTHEGODS

Keepingtwoorthreechickensiseasy,butitdoesrequireafewminutesfrom
youeachday.Ifyouwanttogooutoftown,evenforaweekend,youwillneed
tomakearrange-mentsforsomebodytofeedandwateryourchickens,and
collecttheeggs.Ifthisismorethanwhatyouwanttocom-mityourselfto,there
isanotheranimaleveneasiertokeepthatcanconnectyouwiththeearth’s
cycles.No“livestock”

ofanykinddemandslessattentionthanthehoneybee!

Aswithchickens,manymunicipalitiespermitresidentstokeepahiveof
honeybees.Amateurbeekeeperscanbefoundinsomeofourlargestcities.

Youmightbethinking,“Buttheyarecreepybugs!”Yes,andtheyarecreepy
bugsthatcanstingyou.Forthisreasonifnoother,itisagoodideatotakea
beekeepingclassbeforegettingactivelyinvolvedinthishobby.Thereisnothing
intui-f1812

thebirdsandthebees

tive(fromourhumanperspective)aboutinsectbehavior.Youknowwhatit
meanswhenadogsnarls,butcanyoutellwhatahoneybeeislikelytodo?When
achickenissickyouwillusuallynoticethatsomethingiswrong,however,
withoutsomebasiceducation,youcanstareatanentirehiveofdyingbeesand
thinktheyaredoingfine.

Whykeepbees?Thereareafewexcellentreasons:•Honey.(Wemightaswell
startwiththeobvious.)Ifyoubrewmead—afermentedhoneywine—thereis
nothingsoniceasusingyourownhoney.Jarsofyourhoneyalsomakegreat
Yuletidepresentsforcovenmembers,co-workersandfriends.

•Beeswax.Thecapsfromyourhoneycombcanbesavedwhenyoucollectyour
honey.Thesecanbemelteddownandmadeintoritualcandles(asubjectwewill
bediscussinginalaterchapter).

•Toconnectwiththeearth’scycles.Beekeepingisyetanotherwaytosharpen
yourawarenessoftheworldaroundyou.Althoughbeesareverylow

yourawarenessoftheworldaroundyou.Althoughbeesareverylow
maintenance,youmayneedtoprovidethemwithwaterduringadrought.You
willlookforwardtowarm,sunnydayswhenitiseasiesttoapproachthehive.
Everychangeintheenvironmentwilltakeondeepersignificanceforyou.

•Pollination.Fruittreesandmanyotherfloweringplantsneedbeestohelpcarry
theirpollenfromflowertoflower.

•Entertainment.Keepingahiveofbeesismuchlikeowningaminiaturecity!
Themoreyoulearnaboutf1822

thebirdsandthebees

yourbees,themoreyouwillcometoappreciatethem.

Eachbeeinyour“city”willhaveherownduties.Somewillberesponsiblefor
combconstruction,whileotherswillmanufacturebeeswax.Somewillair
conditionthehiveinthesummer,otherswillcarefortheyoungandstillothers
willstandguarddutyatthehiveentrance.

Althoughbeesneedverylittleattention,youmayfindyourself“checkingthe
hive”justforthefunofseeingwhatyourbeesareupto.

•Abeekeepercanbethelifeofanyparty.Formostpeople,beekeepingisan
exoticandinterestingsubject.Itissortoflikebeinganastronautorarockstar,
butwithfarlesswork.

Bykeepingahiveofbeesyoucanhaveacomplexandthrivingmatriarchyin
yourownbackyard.Yourmini-me-tropoliscanhaveapopulationexceeding
fiftythousandhoneybees,butultimatelyonlyoneofthem—thequeen—isreally
importantinthegrandschemeofthings.Foryourhive,yourqueentrulyisthe
GreatMother.Alloftheotherbeesarequiteliterallyherchildren.Themajority
ofthesearehardworkingdaughterswhoraiseyoungersiblingsforthegoodof
thehive,andwhostorehoneybothforthemselvesandforyou.(Tobeperfectly
honest,though,theyarenotreallydoinganythingforyou.Domesticbeesstore
farmorehoneythantheyactuallyneed,buttheonlyreasonyouarenotbreaking
thelawwhenyoustealthatextrahoneyisbecauseitiswehumanswhomake
thelaw.)Aminorityofthebeesinyourhivewillbesons,malebees,whodonot
domuchofanything.Itisnotbecausetheyarelazy;theyarenotequippedtodo
anything.Malebeesf1832

thebirdsandthebees

(drones)cannotevensting.Intheautumntheirsistersdrivethemfromthehive,
afterwhichtheysoondie.Thereisprobablysomekindofmorallessonhere.

Beekeepingisoneofmankind’soldestindustries,datingbackto2000B.C.or
earlier.Thefirsthiveswereprobablymadeoflogs(Ambrose,p.4).Early
beekeepersapproachedhoneybeesassentientandresponsivebeings,andthis
atti-tudecontinuedwellintotheChristianera.Inan11thcentu-ryAnglo-Saxon
manuscript,acharmtocaptureaswarmofbeesinstructsthebeekeepertosay:
Sittege,sigewif,sigaðtoeorðan!

Næfregewildetowudafleogan.

Inthischarmthebeekeeperaddressestheswarmingbeesas“war-women”(
sigewif),andcommandsthemtosettletotheground.Thebeekeeperdoesnot
calluponadeityorsomeothersupernaturalentitytocontrolthebees.Insteadhe
speakstothebeesdirectly,saying,“Settleye,war-women,sinktotheground!
Nevershouldyou,wild,tothewoodfly”

(Griffiths,pp.195–196).

Folktraditioncalledforthebeekeepertosharethenewsofanyimportantfamily
events—births,deaths,marriages—withhisbees.Tofailtodosowastoinvite
badfortune.Thebeehive,whichisitselfacomplexcommunity,wasconsidered
anintegralpartofthegreatercommunity.

Asatotemanimal,thehoneybeeissymbolicofbothfertilityandproductivity
(Andrews,p.337).BeesaresacredtobothArtemisandDemeter,toApolloand
totheEgyptiangodRa.Honeybeesmayhaveexceptionaltotemicsignifi-f1842

thebirdsandthebees

canceforPaganswhofollowastrongMotherGoddesstradition.Thehoneybee’s
stingerissometimesconsideredaphallicsymbol,whichisironicsinceonlythe
females—workersandqueens—havethisaccessory.

Oneofthebestwaystofindabeekeepingclassistocontactoneofthemany
beekeepers’associationsfoundthroughouttheUnitedStates.Iftheassociation
doesnotofferclasses,theycanverylikelydirectyoutosomebodywhodoes.
Theymayalsohaveotheractivities(workshops,lectures)thatyoucan

Theymayalsohaveotheractivities(workshops,lectures)thatyoucan
participatein.

Gettingsetupinitiallywillbeyourbiggestinvestmentinbothtimeandmoney.
Obviouslyyouwillneedahive.IrecommendthetraditionalLangstroth
moveable-framehive.

Proponentssaythatsomenew,innovativehivedesignsaresuperioralternatives
totheLangstrothhive,andtheremaybesomemerittotheseclaims,butthere
arecertainlydisadvantagestousinganexperimentaldesign.TheLangstrothhive
hasbeenincommonusesince1861,andhasbeenintroducedtoallpartsofthe
world(Ambrose,p.13).Themajorityofbeekeepersyoumeetwillbefamiliar
onlywiththeLangstrothhive,andsuppliesforrepairingandmaintainingthis
designarereadilyavailablefrombeekeepingsupplycompanies.

Youwillprobablyhavetoorderyourhive,andwhenitarrivesyouwillneedto
assembleit.Thewoodenpieceswillbepre-cutandonlyneedbenailedtogether.
Thisisnotespeciallydifficult;ifyoucanassembleaplasticmodel,youcanput
ahivetogether.

TheLangstrothhiveconsistsofbox-shapedcompo-nentscalled“supers”.Your
kitwillprobablyincludetwof1852

thebirdsandthebees

largesupers,alsoknownashivebodies,whichwilleventuallyhousethequeen,
workersanddronesofyourcolony.(Insomeregionsasinglehivebodyis
consideredsufficient.Thiswillbeaddressedinyourlocalbeekeepingclass.)
Moreshal-lowsupersareforyourbeestostoretheirexcesshoneyin.

Thesewillbeaddedtoyourhiveasneeded.Inadditiontothesupers,thehive
shouldhaveabottomboard,aqueenexclud-er,aninnercoverandanouter
cover.Hivekitsoftenincludeasmallwoodenstand.

Inyourbeekeepingclassyouwilllearnaboutothernecessaryequipment:the
hivetool(asortofminiaturecrow-bar),thesmoker,protectiveclothing,thebee
brush,afeederandextractingequipment.Mostofthisyouwillbuy,buttryto
findsomebodywhowillletyourentanextractorandanuncappingknife.You
willonlyneedtheseonedayeachyear,soitdoesnotmakesensetopurchase
them.Conversely,aprofessionalbeekeeperwillhaveextractingequipmentsit-
tingarounduselessformostoftheyearandcanmakealittleextracashby

tingarounduselessformostoftheyearandcanmakealittleextracashby
rentingittothehobbybeekeeper.Ifyoudofindabeekeeperwhowillrentyou
theextractingequipmentyouneed,besuretoreturnitinpristinecondition!

Ideallyyourbeekeepingclasswillhaveatleastonehands-onsessionwhereyou
canworkdirectlywithlivebeesandgetpastthe“creepybugs”prejudicethatso
manypeoplesufferfrom.Thisisextremelyimportanttodobeforeapackageof
tenthousandhoneybeesarrivesatyourpostoffice.Yourinstructor,an
experiencedbeekeeper,willshowyouhowtoapproachthehive,useasmoker
andhandleframeswithoutfreakingout.

f1862

thebirdsandthebees

Youwillorderyourbeesfromasupplier.Ifthevarietyofbreedsconfusesyou,
justorderItalianbees.Itisaverypopularbreed,andthebeesarerelatively
docile.IalsolikeBuckfastbees,butIthinkeverybeekeeperhashisorher
favoritevariety.Thebeeswilltypicallycomeasa“package”,andyouwillneed
aqueenofthesamevariety.Infact,asIsaidearlier,thequeenisreallytheonly
beewhomatters.IfHerRoyalMajestyisaBuckfast,itdoesnotmatterthatyou
orderedapackageofItalians;inacoupleofmonthsyouwillhaveahive
populatedentirelywithBuckfastbees.

Yourbeeswillarriveinthespringwhenthetemperaturesarewarmenoughto
shipthemsafely.Whilewaitingforthelittleladiestomaketheirdebut,youcan
workprotectivemagicoverthehiveitself.Besuretoapproachthisinawaythat
willexertacalminginfluenceoverthebeesthatwillberesidingwithinthehive.

Youmaywanttoaskfortheprotectionofagodorgoddessofyourtradition
whotakesaspecialinterestinbeesorhoney.AsaSaxonPagan,Iwouldaskthis
ofIngFréa.TheHellenicPaganwouldpraytoeitherArtemisorDemeter,
dependingonwhoheorshehasacloserrelationshipwith.AKemetic
(Egyptian)PagancouldappealtoRa.

Whetherusingmagicorprayer—oracombinationofboth—donotburnincense
insideorclosetothehive.Thescentthatyoufindpleasantlyappealingcouldbe
asourceofacuteirritationtothehoneybeeswhowilleventuallyinhabitthehive.

Whenyourbeesfinallydoarrive,youwillprobablyneedtopickthemupatthe
postoffice.Theywillbeinaboxwithscreeningontwosidestoprovide

postoffice.Theywillbeinaboxwithscreeningontwosidestoprovide
ventilation.Thequeenf1872

thebirdsandthebees

isusuallypackagedintheboxinaspeciallittlecageofherown.Bythistime
youwillhavesetyourhiveupoutsideandfinishedyourbeekeepingclasses.
Youshouldknowhowtoinstallthebeesintheirnewhome.

Letmeshareasecretwithyouhere.Yourbeesdidnottakethesamebeekeeping
classthatyoudid,nordidtheybothertoreadanybooksaboutbeekeeping.They
aregoingtodowhatevertheyplease,withoutacareforwhathumanswriteor
teachaboutthem.Sodonotbecaughtbysurprisewhenyourbeesdonotfollow
aprescribedbehavior.

IlearnedthiswhenIsetupmyfirsthivebackinthe1990’s.Ihungthequeenin
hercagebetweentwoframesinthehivebody,asIhadbeeninstructed.ThenI
mixedwaterandhoney,andsprayedtheboxofbeeswiththismixturesothey
would“easilypour”intothehive.Uptothatpoint,everythinghadgone
accordingtotheplan.ThenIverycarefullypriedopenthebox,andtheplanwas
discarded.Therewasnopouringinvolved.InsteadIsuddenlyhadaswarmof
thousandsofbeesflyingaroundmeinadark,hummingcloud.Ithinkabout
twentybeesactuallymanagedtopourintothehive.Their9,980sistersdecided
toflyabouttheyardinstead.ButIhadthequeensafelyinthehiveand,asIhave
said,sheistheonebeewhoreallymatters.Bynightfallall(oratleastmost)of
thebeeshadenteredthehiveandwerebusyorganizingthemselves.

Yourexperiencewillverylikelybesimilar.Aftertheinitialperiodofpanic—
bothforyouandyourbees—whileyougetthemestablished,theywillsettle
downandeventuallyyouwilltoo.Alwaysrememberthatyourqueenisthehive.

Ifsheisdoingwell,thenthehiveisprobablydoingokay.Andf1882

thebirdsandthebees

oncethelittleladieshavesettledin,theyprettymuchtakecareofthemselves.
Youwillneedtomedicatethemforthefewdiseasesthatafflicthoneybees(your
beekeepinginstructorwillgooverthiswithyou),andyouwillprobablywantto
feedthemintheearlyspringandoccasionallychecktomakesurethatHerRoyal
Majestyisattendingtoherper-petualegg-layingduties.Youwillhavetocare
forthehiveabitinthespring,andthenharvestthehoneyinthefall,but

forthehiveabitinthespring,andthenharvestthehoneyinthefall,but
betweenthesetwoperiodstherereallyisnotmuchtodo.

Thebeeswillfeedthemselvesthroughoutmostoftheyear,andtakecareoftheir
ownsanitationneeds.

Whatmorecouldyouask?

*

Evenifyoudonotwanttocareforyourownbirdsorbees,youcanstillconnect
withthecreaturesthatlivearoundyou.

Planttoprovidefoodandhabitatsforthebirds.Pyrocantha,holly,barberry,
privetandcoralberryareallgoodchoices.

Plantpussywilloworaredbudtreetoprovideearlyspringfoodforthe
honeybees;orseedyourlawnwithwhiteclover.

InrecentyearsthehoneybeesofNorthAmericahavesufferedfromColony
CollapseDisorder,sotheycanuseallthehelpyoucangive.Itisverylikelythat
anyhoneybeeswhovisityourgardenareinfactdomesticbeesbelongingtoa
beekeeperwholiveswithinacouplemiles,soyouwillalsobehelpingouta
humanneighbor.

Butwhetherthebeesyouprovidewithpollenandnectararedomesticorferal,
thenaturespiritswillundoubtedlybepleasedandthelandaroundyouwillmore
readilyflourish.

f1892

CHAPTEREIGHT

MAKINGFOOD

QuiteafewPagansincludingWiccans,CelticPagans,SaxonPagansandADF
DruidsobserveahighsummerholidayattheendofJulyorinearlyAugust(in
thenorthernhemisphere)celebratinginonewayoranotherthefirstgrain
harvests.TheGaelicnameforthisholidayisLughnasadh,andithonorsthe
memoryofTailtiu,thefoster-motheroftheIrishgodLugh.Lughnasadhisthe
namefavoredbyPaganswhofollowmostCelticpaths,althoughaWelshPagan
mayprefertheWelshnameCalanAwst(“theAugustgathering”).TheSaxon
namefortheholidayisLammas,fromtheOldEnglishhláfmæsse,meaning“loaf
festival”.ThisnameisfavoredbyPaganswhofollowGermanic-inspiredpaths
suchasFyrnSiduorSeaxWicca.

ThenameLammastellsussomethingaboutthisholiday.

Itwasacelebrationnotsomuchofgrain,butofthebreadthatcanbemadefrom
grain.Fruitsandvegetablescanbef191

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pickedandeatenastheycomeofftheplants,butthefactisthatmuchofour
foodhastobemade.Butter,cheese,bread,wineandjamdonotgrowontrees.
Eventhefoodsthatdonotneedtobemade,foodsthatcomereadytoeatright
offofthevine,oftenneedtobepreservedinsomeway.Vegetablecropsdonot
delivertheirgoodsinprecise,meal-sizedproportions;thevegetablesripenallat
onceoverarelative-lyshortperiodoftime.AsIwritethis,mykitchencounteris
piledwithzucchiniandyellowsquashwhichwillhavetobepreservedto
preventitfromrotting.

Bymakingandpreservingfood,youcanconnectwithyourPaleo-Pagan
ancestorsanddevelopadeeperapprecia-tionforthemiracleofthesustenance

ancestorsanddevelopadeeperapprecia-tionforthemiracleofthesustenance
wereceivefromthesoilbeneathourfeet.ForPaganpeople,activitieslikethis
becomeevenmoremeaningfulwhentheyaresacralizedandincorporatedinto
ourritualcalendars.

Traditionally,innorthernEurope,breadwasbakedwithacombinationofgrains;
butwheatflourwasalwaysincludedtosupplyglutentothedough,andwheat
washarvestedearlierthanthe“poorersorts”ofgrain(Hartley,pp.184–185).

Wheatistypicallyreadytoharvestaroundthesummersol-stice,althoughthe
exacttimedependsontheweathercon-ditionsinanygivenyear.Butripened
wheatisnotreadytobeconsumed.Onceitwasharvested,thewheatwas
allowedtodry.Thewheatwasthenthreshedtoseparatethegrainsfromthe
chaff,andthenwinnowedtoactuallyremovethechaff,andfinallyground
betweenstonestoproduceause-ableflour.

Allofthistooktimeinpre-industrialsocieties.Whenthewheatcornshadfinally
becomewheatflour,peopleweref1922

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readytocelebrateLammas,orCalanAwstorwhateverlatesummerholidaywas
observedintheirrespectivecultures.

Iamnotsuggestingthatyoureenactthisentireprocessfromplantingthewheat
tobakingthebread,althoughyoucertainlycouldifyouweresoinspired.Two
PagansinMis-souri,abrotherandsister,dojustthis.Thebrother(withthe
supportofhislovelywife)plantsthewheatandharvestsit,andthesistergrinds
someoftheharvestedwheatandbakesitintoloavesofbread.Througheach
annualcycleofsow-ingandreapingthesetwosiblingsandtheirfamilies
experience,handson,theEarthMother’sdivinemysteriesofdeathandrebirth.
TogethertheyintentionallyfollowaHalSidu;aholistictradition.

EASY-PEASYLAMMASLOAVES

FormostAmericanstoday,takingwheatonitsjourneyfromseedtoloafwould
bequiteanadventure.Formany,justtransformingflourtobreadisachallenge.
Butinourmodernworldofconveniencesyoucanstillcelebratea“loaffestival”
evenifyouhavenoideahowtobakebreadandlessdesiretolearn.Inthe
freezersectionatmostsupermarketsyoucanfindpre-made,unbakedfrozen
breaddough.Thisisportionedinto“loaves”soeventhemostunskilledcookcan

breaddough.Thisisportionedinto“loaves”soeventhemostunskilledcookcan
placealoafinapan,putitintheovenattheprescribedtemperatureandremove
abeautiful,freshloafofbreadtwentytothirtyminuteslater.Butyouarenot
goingtofollowthedirections;atleastnotexactlyasgivenonthepackage.

WhenLammasapproaches—neartheendofJulyforthoseofusinthenorthern
hemisphere,ortheendofJan-uarysouthoftheequator—purchaseenough
frozenbreadf1932

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doughforyourentirecovenorkindred,keepinginmindthatalittledoughwill
riseintoasurprisingamountofbread.Setthedoughinyourrefrigeratorthe
nightbeforeyourpeoplewillgatherfortheirlatesummercelebration.

Bythefollowingdaythedoughshouldbethawed.Nowthefunbegins.Youcan
cuta“loaf”inhalforinthirds,ortwisttwotogethertocreateasuper-sizedloaf.
YouarenotgoingtobakeyourLammasloavesinstandardbreadpans,sothe
sizesandshapesarealmostlimitless.Tryslicingaloafintothreeequalsized
stripsandbraidingthemtogether.

Shapealoaftoresembleapersonorsomekindofanimal.

(Hint:Whenmoldinghumanandanimalshapes,makethemveryskinny.The
breadbodieswillthickenconsiderablyasthedoughrises.)Yourloavescantake
theshapeofsuns,cres-centmoonsorspirals—whateveryouareinspiredto
fashion.

Furthermore,yourLammasloavesdonotneedtobeplainwheatbread.Before
shapingaloafyoucankneadinchoppednuts,orcinnamonorraisins.Here
againyouarelimitedonlybyyourimagination.

Insteadofusingbreadpans,bakeyourLammasloavesoncookiesheets.Spray
orwipethecookiesheetwithoilbeforeputtingthedoughonit.Ifinditiseasier
toprepareandshapethedoughbeforeplacingitonthecookiesheet.

Nowyouwillneedtowaitforthedoughtorise.Sinceithasalreadythawed,this
shouldtakenomorethantwoorthreehours.Preheatyouroventothe
temperaturegivenonthepackage.Whentheloavesstoprising,putthecookie
sheetsintheoven.Thetimegivenonthepackagepresumesyouarebakingpre-
portionedloavesofdough.Ifyouhavecreatedlargerorsmallerloavesyouwill
needtoadjustthef1942

needtoadjustthef1942

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timeaccordingly.Checkthebakingloavesfrequentlyafterthefirstfifteen
minutes.Whentheoutsideofaloafisbrownandcrusty,itisdone.

YoucanbaketheseeasyLammasloavesyourself,butthisisanactivitythat
everyoneinyourkindredwillenjoy.Evenchildrencanjoininthefunmaking
smallLammasloavesinanarrayofshapesandflavors.Haveacontesttosee
whocancreatethemostinterestingorattractiveloaf.Theresultsofyourlabor
canbepartofaLammasfeast,orgivenasofferingstoyourgods,orboth.

FROMFLOURTOLOAF:

ASIMPLEQUICKBREAD

Ifyouwanttheexperienceofmakingbreadfrom“scratch”

buthavelittleornobakingexperience,tryaquickbread.

Thisisbreadthatrisesasitbakeswithoutusingyeast.Comparedtoyeastbread,
aquickbreadisveryeasytomake.

Youwillneedself-risingflour,sugarandatwelveouncecanofbeer.Besure
youhaveself-risingflour;itwillbedescribedthiswayonthepackaging.Asfor
thebeer,anyvarietywilldo,butafullflavoredbeerwillresultintastierbread.
Formakingquickbread,avoidanybeerwiththeword“Lite”initsname.

Preheatyouroventothreehundredandfiftydegrees.

Whiletheovenisheating,sifttogetherthreecupsofself-risingflourwithone
eighthcupofsugar.Openthecanofbeerandpouritintothedryingredients,
stirringitinthoroughly.

(Thereisnoreasonyoucannotusebottledbeer.Whatmattersisthequantity;
twelveliquidounces,nomore,noless.)f1952

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Putthemixtureinabreadpanoronacookiesheetandbakeforthirtyfive

Putthemixtureinabreadpanoronacookiesheetandbakeforthirtyfive
minutes.

Thatisallthereistoit.Quickbreadsaresoeasy;youmightwonderwhyanyone
wouldresorttousingfrozendoughfortheirLammasloaves.Therearetwo
reasons.Noteveryonelikesquickbread.Itisconsiderablyheavierthanyeast
bread.Thesecondreasonisthatitcannotbereadilyshapedthewayfrozen
dough(afteritisthawed)can.Neverthelessthereisasatisfactionofbakingyour
ownloafofbreadfromscratch,evenwhentherecipeisassimpleasaquick
bread.

Eventuallyyoumayevenwanttotryyourhandatbakingyeastbreads.Forthe
novice,learninghowtomakebreadcanseemliketheequivalentofearninga
fouryearcollegedegree,butitreallyisnotallthatdifficultafteryouhavehada
littlepractice.

*

Lammasseemsthemostobvioustimetobakebreadasanexpressionofyour
spiritualitybut,dependingonyourpath,theremaybeotherseasonswherethis
canbeequallyorevenmoremeaningful.Ialsobakeatleastoneloafatthe
oppo-siteseasonoftheyear;duringthelatewinterfestivalknownvariouslyas
Imbolc,CandlemasorEwemeolc.TheearlySaxonsoffered“sol-cakes”,ormud-
cakes.Thecakesthemselveswerenotmadeofmud,ofcourse;theywereburied
ortilledintothemuddyearthasofferings.Iusuallymakeaquickbreadusing
oatmealformysol-cakeoffering.(SolisanOldEnglishwordmeaningmudor
wetsand.SinceearlyEnglishf1962

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scribeswereChristiantheLatinword“sol”,meaningsun,oftenappearsin
Anglo-Saxonmanuscripts.Inthecontextofsol-cakes,however,itismuchmore
likelythattheearlyEnglishpeoplewouldhaveusedtheirnativewordsunneif
theyhadthoughtoftheseofferingsas“sun-cakes”.)SOL-CAKES

WedonotknowhowtheearlyPaganSaxonsmadetheirsol-cakes,andthe
followingrecipeisobviouslyquitemodern.

Afterall,theearlyEnglishpeoplehadneitherquickcookingoatsnorbrown
sugar!Thisisalsomorecomplicatedthanthepreviousquickbreadrecipe,but
thecombinationofoatmealandwheatflourmaymorecloselyapproximatethe
multi-grainbreadsofpre-ChristianEurope.

multi-grainbreadsofpre-ChristianEurope.

Youwillneedthefollowingingredients:1cupmilk

1¼cupsquickcookingoats(uncooked)2eggs,beaten

1stickbutter,melted

½cuplightbrownsugar

2cupsallpurposeflour

2¼teaspoonsbakingpowder

½teaspoonsalt

Preheatyourovento350degreesandgreaseabreadpan.

Combinethemilkandonecupoatsinalargebowl,stirringthesetogether
thoroughly.Addthebeateneggs,meltedbutterandbrownsugar.Inaseparate
bowlcombinetheflour,f1972

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bakingpowderandsalt.Addthisdrymixturetothefirstbowlandmixwell.

Pourtheresultingbatterintothepreparedbreadpan.

Sprinkletheremaining¼cupofoatsoverthetopofthebatter.Bakeforone
hour.

ThiscakecanbeusedasanofferingbypeoplewhofollowalmostanyPagan
path.Wiccanscanuseitasadelicioussab-batcake.

PUTTINGFOODBY

Ifyouhaveproducedaportionofyourownfoodinevenamoderatevegetable
garden,youhavealreadydevelopedanawarenessofachallengethatourPaleo-
Paganancestorswerecontinuallyconfrontedwith.TheEarthMotherdoesnot
deliverherbountyindailyportions.AtthebeginningofthischapterImentioned
thepileofzucchiniandyellowsquashinmykitchen.InoneafternoonIchopped
andfrozetwentyquarts,andthenwentoutsidetobringinalmostasmanynew

andfrozetwentyquarts,andthenwentoutsidetobringinalmostasmanynew
squash.Basketsofcornhavealsocomeinfromthegarden,andthereisalimitto
howmuchcornIcaneatatonemeal.Nowwearewaitingforthetomatoes.

Howmuchsimpleritwouldbeifaheadoflettuce,twotomatoes,azucchiniand
twoearsofcorn—andnothingmore—wouldbereadytopickonagivenday!
Alas,ifwearetohaveanintimateconnectionwiththeearth,wemustaccept
thatweareonlyonesmallpartinthegrandschemeoflife.MotherEarthisnot
ourservant.Herbountyisdeliveredtousinitsowntime,anditisuptousto
preservewhatwecannotconsume.Otherwisewecanonlywatchhelplesslyas
theexcessrotsaway.

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Evenifyoudonothavethetimeordesiretogrowyourownvegetables,
preservingfoodisausefultoolfornurturingyourconnectionwiththeearth.
Farmersofferlocallygrownproducethroughoutthesummermonthsatfarmers’
marketsandroadsidestandsacrossmostoftheUnitedStates.

Whenyoueatlocallygrownfood,youliterallybecomeapartofyour
environmentbytakingthebountyofthelandaroundyouintoyourbody.Ona
lessesotericlevel,youalsosupportyourlocaleconomy!Theonlyproblemisthe
samethatconfrontsPaganswhoaregrowingfoodintheirownbackyards;any
givenfoodbecomesripeandavailableallatonceatthesametimeofyear.

Whenshoppingatafarmers’market,donotassumethattheproduceislocally
grown.Askquestions,andbespecificinphrasingthosequestions.“Fresh”isa
vagueterm.Forthatmatter,sois“local”.Whereexactlywastheproduce
grown?

Whenwasitpicked?Educateyourselfsothatyouareawareofwhenspecific
cropsareinseasoninyourregion.Thepeoplewhosellproduceatfarmers’
marketsarelikeanyotherbusinessmen;somearehighlyethical,othersnotso
much.

Tosomeextentyouwillneedtotrusttheseller,butitisgoodtoknowsomething
aboutthevegetablesyouintendtopurchase.

Therearealsonoethicalprerequisitesforoperatingaroadsidestand,butyoucan

Therearealsonoethicalprerequisitesforoperatingaroadsidestand,butyoucan
generallyassumethatthevegetablessoldreallyarelocallygrown.Still,askthe
sellerwhereandwhentheproductwasharvested.Mostfarmerswillappreciate
yourinterest,andyouwilllearnmoreaboutwhereyourfoodhascomefrom.

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Perhapstheeasiestwayforthe21stcenturyPagantopreservefoodissimplyby
freezingit.Thisisadmittedlynotanancienttradition,butitcertainlywould
havebeenifourancestorshadpossessedthetechnologytobuildelectric
poweredfreezers.Cryogenicallystoringfoodisthebestwaytopreserve
nutrientsthatmightotherwisebelost.

Enzymesinfrozenvegetablescancausethecolor,textureandflavortobreak
down.Thisisavoidedbyblanchingthevegetablesbeforefreezingthem.
Blanchingisaneasyprocessofboilingorsteamingthevegetablesforafew
minutes.

Whetherornotyouchoosetodothiswilldependonhowandwhenyouintend
tousethevegetable.IneverblanchmysummersquashbecauseIuseitinchili
andcasseroleswherethecolorandflavordisappearsinthedishanyway.
Howeveriftheappearanceandtextureofthevegetableisimportant,orifitwill
bekeptfrozenformorethantwomonths,blanchingisrecommended.

Beforeblanchingandfreezing—forthatmatter,beforebeginninganyprocess
forpreservingyourfood—youmightwanttoaskfortheaidandguidanceofa
protectivedeity.Aswithallthings,whichdeitythisisvariesaccordingtoyour
spiritualpath.Forme,thegodThunoristhemostlogicalchoice.Ibelievethat
prayershouldcomefromtheheart,andnotberecitedlikeamagicalincantation,
butmywordsusuallygosomethinglikethis:“Thunor,strongestofgods,Ward
thisfoodandkeepitsafe.

Letnohobnorpúcafoulthesegiftsoftheearth.

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Asthefareremainshale,soIshalleverhonoryouwithduefaith.”

Blancheachvarietyofvegetableseparately.Cutthevegetablesintoevensized
piecesnomorethanoneortwoinch-esacross.Useaboutonegallonofwaterfor
everypoundofvegetables.Bringthewatertoaboilbeforeputtingthe
vegetablesin.Theeasiestwaytoblanchyourvegetablesistoplacethemina
metalbasketandthenlowerthisintotheboilingwater.Startcountingblanching
timeassoonasthewaterbeginsboilingagain.

Thelengthofblanchingtimevariesdependingonthevegetable:

GreenBeans.Threeminutes.Youcanblanchthewholebeansorcuttheminto
pieces,whicheveryouprefer.

Broccoli.Threeminutes.Cuttheseinto1½inchpieces.

Carrots.Twominutes.Thesecanbediced,cutintoslicesorinto“sticks”,
dependingonyourpreference.

Corn.Fourminutes.Blanchtheentireears,andthencutthekernelsoff
afterwards.Ifyouwanttopreserveitintactas“cornonthecob”,blanchmedium
sizedearsforaboutnineminutes.Addorsubtracttwominutesfromthisifthe
earsareespeciallylargeorsmall.

Okra.Fourminutes.

SweetPeppers.Twominutes.Cutintostrips.

SummerSquash.Threeminutes.

Youwillalsoneedasecondpotofcoldwater(sixtydegreesorless)toplunge
thevegetablesintojustafteryouf2012

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havepulledthemfromtheboilingwater.Thisisdonetostopthecooking
processimmediately.Putahandfuloficecubesinapotofwatertomakesureit
iscoldenough.Thecoolingtimeisthesameasavegetable’sblanchingtime.

Aftercooling,letthevegetablesdrainthoroughlybeforesealingtheminplastic
freezerbags.

Notallvegetableslendthemselvestofreezing.Thisincludesanythingthatisnot

Notallvegetableslendthemselvestofreezing.Thisincludesanythingthatisnot
cookedbeforeconsuming.Lettuceisagoodexampleofthis.Evenwithout
blanching,frozenlettucewillbewiltedandmushywhenitthawsout.

Thebesttimetopreserveanyvegetables,whetherbyfreezingorcanning,is
whenthemooniswaning(decreasingfromafullmoontothedarkofthemoon).

CANNING

Althoughmorecomplicatedthanfreezing,canninghasitsownadvantagesasa
methodoffoodpreservation.Cannedfoodscanbestoredliterallyforyears.And
thereisnodangeroflosingtherewardsofyourlaborduetoalengthypower
outage.

Therearetwocanningprocesses:pressurecanningandwaterbathcanning.
Pressurecanningrequiresaspecialpieceofequipment—apressurecanner—and
ismoredifficult.Ifyoufindthatyouenjoycanning,thenpressurecanningis
somethingyoumightwanttoexplore,butwaterbathcanningisbetterfor
beginners.Thedisadvantageofwaterbathcanningisthatitisonlysuitablefor
vegetableswithahighacidcontent.Thegoodnewsisthatahighacidvegetable
isoneofthemostpopularfoodsgrowninAmericangardens;thetomato!

f2022

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Tocantomatoesyouwillneedthefollowingitems:•Awaterbathcanner.This
isbasicallyalargepotwithametalrackinsertforholdingjars.

•Alarge,ordinarypot.Forscaldingandthencookingyourtomatoes.

•Canningjars.Theseareavailableatmostsupermarkets.

Theycomeinpintandquartsizes.Thequartjarsaremoreeconomical.Besure
togetWIDEMOUTHjars.

Yourcanningjarscanbeusedoverandover.

•Canninglids.Theseareflatlidswitharubberyrim.

Theycanonlybeusedonce,buttheyareveryinexpen-sive.

•Canningrings.Likethejars,themetalbandsthatsecurethelidsinplacecanbe
usedoverandover.

•Ajargrabber.Thislookssortoflikeawidesetoftongs.

Itisusedtoliftthejarsoutoftheboilingwater.Youshouldbeabletogetthisat
thesupermarketalso.

•Aladle.

•Lotsoftomatoes.Youshouldhavetwentypoundsormore.(Ifyoudonothave
enoughfromyourowngarden,buymorefromlocalfarmers.)Thefirstthingyou
willneedtodoispeelyourtomatoes.

Fillthelarge(ordinary)pothalfwaywithwaterandbringthistoaboil.Addas
manytomatoesasyoucanandboilthemforthreeminutes.Draintheboiled
tomatoes;thenputthemincoldwater.Youcanuseanotherpotforthis,butIjust
fillacleankitchensinkwithwaterandaddafewicecubes.

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Peelthetomatoes.Scaldingthemwillhaveloosenedtheskin,sothisiseasier
thanitsounds.Asyoupeelthetomatoes,cutthemintoquartersandputthe
piecesbackintothepotthatyouboiledthemin,butthistimewithoutanywater.

Savethepeelsforyourcompost!

Whiledoingthis,youcanalsobesterilizingyourcanningjars.Yourdishwasher
mayhaveasterilizationcycle.Thisworksfine,butalternatelyyoucanfillthe
cannerwithwater,bringittoaboil,andsterilizeyourjarsinthat.Theyshould
remainintheboilingwaterforabouttenminutes.

Afteryouhavepeeledthetomatoes,takeamomenttoprayforaidandguidance
fromaprotectivedeity,asdescribedearlierforfreezingvegetables.

Nowbringthepotoftomatopiecestoasimmer,stirringfrequently.The
tomatoesshouldsimmerfortenminutes.Itisveryimportanttostirthetomatoes
ortheywillsticktothebottomandburn.

Yourtomatoesarenowreadytocan!Usingaladle,filleachjarcarefully.Here
youwilldiscoverwhyIrecommendonlyusingwidemouthjars.Nomatterhow
carefulyouare,atleastsomeofthetomatoeswillspill.(Acanningfunnelisnot
absolutelynecessary,butitwillmakethispartoftheprocessmucheasier.)Wipe
thetopandsidesofeachjarwithacleantowel.Afterthis,put½teaspoonsaltin
eachquartjar(¼teaspoonifyouareusingpintjars).Putthelidonthejarand
screwthisdownlooselywithacanningring.

Putasmanyjarsinthecannerasitwillholdandcoverthesecompletelywith
water.Bringthistoaboil.Letitboilforafulltenminutes.

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Usingthejargrabber,verycarefullylifteachjaroutofthecannerandplaceiton
atableorcounter.Letthesecooldownatroomtemperature.Duringthecooling
processyouwillhearpoppingsoundsasthejarssealthemselves.Whenyouput
thelidsonthejars,youwillhavenoticedthateachlidhasaslighthump(called
adome)inthecenter.Afterthelid“pops”,thishumpdisappearsandthelid
becomesflatandsmooth.

Thepoppingmeansthatthejarsareproperlysealed.

Aftertheyhavecooled,feelthelidstomakesurethateachonehasflattenedand
sealed.Ifalidstillhasitshump,thejardidnotseal.Thisdoesnotmeanthereis
anythingwrongwiththetomatoes;itonlymeansthattheymustberefriger-ated
andeatensoon,justasifyouhadopenedthatjar.Nowscrewthecanningring
downtightlyoneachsealedjar.

Cannedtomatoesaregreatformakingmarinarasauce,chiliorsalsa.Bestofall,
thetomatoescamefromyourownland(oratleastfromlandnearyour
residence).

MAKINGJAM

Ifyouaregrowinganysoftfruits(strawberries,blueberries,andsoon),itiseasy
tomakeyourownhomemadejam.Ifyouarenotgrowinganysoftfruits,maybe
localfarmersaresellingthem.Youwillneed:

•Awaterbathcanner.

•Awaterbathcanner.

•Alargepot.

•Alarge,solid(notslotted)metalspoon.

•Canningjars,lidsandrings.ForjamIrecommendsmallerjars.Aquartofjam
goesalongway!

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•Ajargrabber.

•Aladle.

•Softfruit.

•Sugar.

•LemonJuice.

Aswithcanning,thebesttimetomakejamiswhenthemooniswaning.

First,crushthefruit.Youcanuseablenderorfoodpro-cessor,butsomepeople
believethislessenstheflavor.

Crushingthefruitwithapotatomasherworksjustfine.

Meanwhile,sterilizeyourjars.

StironecupofcrushedfruittogetherwithonecupofsugarandoneTablespoon
lemonjuice.Putthisintothelargepot.Thepotwillseemoversized,butthejam
isgoingtofrothasitcooks.Ifyouareusingsomethingextremelylarge,likea
goodsizedstockpot,youcandoubletheamountoffruit,sugarandlemonjuice.

Bringthisslowlytoaboil.Useamediumheat,andstirfrequently.Afterit
comestoaboil,reducetheheattomain-taina“gentle”boil.Inotherwords,
bubblesshouldbecom-ingup,butitshouldn’tlooklikethethingisgoingto
explode.

Stiroccasionallytoensurethatitdoesnotburn.Runthespoonthroughthejam
andliftit,lettingthejamdripoff.

Noticehowitdripsoffthespoon.

Itisimportanttofamiliarizeyourselfwithhowthejamdrips,becauseyouare
goingtomonitoritasitcookstoseehowitisthickening.Periodicallyrunthe
spoonthroughthejamandletitdripoff.Whenthejamisreadyitwillstarttof
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thicken,andthedropswillcometogethertopouroffofthespoonasasolid
sheetorasinglebiggob.

Removethejamfromthestoveanduseyourspoontoskimoffthefoam.The
foamcanbediscarded.

Putenoughwaterinyourbathcannertocompletelycoverthejars(butdonot
putthejarsinyet)andbringthistoaboil.Ladlethehotjamintoeachjar,puton
thecanninglidsandscrewthesedownwiththerings.Whenthewaterinthe
cannerisboiling,putthejarsinthemetalrackandlowerthisintothecanner.Let
thejarsboilforafullfifteenminutes.

Finally,usethejargrabbertolifteachjaroutofthecanner.Letthemcoolat
roomtemperature.Aswithcanningtomatoes,listenforthepoppingsoundsas
thejarssealthemselves,andmakesureeachjarisfullyandproperlysealed.

MEADMAKING

Whileweareonthesubjectoffoodrelatedcrafts,Ishouldmentionmead
making.Meadisafermentedhoneybeveragethatwasonceapopulardrink
throughoutEurope,especiallyinnorthernclimates.Saxons,Ásatrúarandother
Paganswhofollownortherntraditions(includingmanyCelticPagans)offer
meadasalibationinourrites.InmybookTravelsThroughMiddleEarth:The
PathofaSaxonPagan,Idevotedanentirechaptertotheprocessofmead
making.Yourlocalwinemakingsupplyshopprobablyoffersotherexcel-lent
booksonmead,andcanofferpersonalizedadvice.

Makingmeadcanbeafunandrewardingexperienceforanyone,butforthe
Paganwhokeepsahiveofbeesitisalmostanimperative!Asinglehivecan

Paganwhokeepsahiveofbeesitisalmostanimperative!Asinglehivecan
easilyproduce50-100

poundsofhoneyinoneyear.Inagoodyearthebeekeep-f2072

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ermightpull150ormorepoundsofhoneyfromhisorherhive.Thatisgoingto
sweetenalotofbiscuits.Aftereatingasmuchhoneyastheycan,usingitin
bakedgoods,sweeteningenoughteatofillanOlympicsizedpoolandgiving
awayjarsofhoneyasYuletidepresents,mostPaganbeekeeperswillstillhave
plentyofhoneyleftovertoexperimentwithmeadmaking.

Whetherusingyourownhoneyorbuyingitfromasupplier,beginbrewing
whenthemooniswaning.Ifyouobserveastrological(zodiac)signs,thebest
timeiswhenthemoonisinoneoftheWatersigns:Cancer,ScorpioorPisces.

BUTTERFORIMBOLC

ManyPaganscelebrateaholidayatthefirstofFebruary.ForSaxonPagansthis
holidayiscalledEwemeolc,IrishPaganscallitImbolcandstillothersknowit
asCandlemas.Whateverthename,thecelebrationtakesplaceonornear
February2nd(orforthoselivinginthesouthernhemisphere,August2nd),and
isoneoftheeightseasonalfestivalsinthe“wheeloftheyear”observedbymost
Paganstoday.

Theholidaymeansdifferentthingstodifferentpeople.IntheIrishcalendarthe
seconddayofFebruaryistheFeastofSaintBrigid,oneoftheChristianpatron
saintsofIreland.ManyPaganswhofollowIrishandotherCeltictraditions
believethatSaintBrigidisoneandthesameastheolder,indigenousnorthern
goddessknownvariouslyasBrigid,Bride,Brighid,BrigantiaandBrigindona.
Theassump-tionisthatsinceSaintBrigidisreveredbyGaelicChristiansin
earlyFebruary,thenthegoddessBrigidmusthavebeenreveredduringthissame
season.Whetherornotthisistruef2082

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doesnotdiminishthemeaningofImbolcforthePaganswhomakeofferingsto
thisgoddess.

ThenameCandlemasisalsoChristianinorigin,andunrelatedtotheFeastof

ThenameCandlemasisalsoChristianinorigin,andunrelatedtotheFeastof
SaintBrigid.CandlemascelebratesthepresentationofthechildJesusatthe
TempleofJerusa-lem.AccordingtotheBible,JosephandMarytooktheirsonto
theTemplefortydaysafterhisbirthinaccordancewiththeLawofMoses(Luke
2:22–40).Becauseofitsname,CandlemasissometimesconfusedwithSaint
Lucia’sDay,whichistraditionallyassociatedwithaprocessionledbyagirl
wearingacrownofcandles.ButSaintLucia’sDayoccursinDecember,not
earlyFebruary.Nevertheless,formanyPaganstodayCandlemasisacelebration
ofcandles,representingthe“returninglight”asthedaysgrowlonger.

EwemeolcandImbolcarenamesmeaning“ewe’smilk”,inreferencetothe
lactationoffemalesheepthatbeginsshortlybeforethelambingseason.
EwemeolcisaSaxonname,whileImbolcisGaelicinorigin.(Dependingon
yoursource,Imbolcisalsosometimesinterpretedasmeaning“inthebelly”,still
inreferencetothegestationofewes.)Forourpre-Christianancestorsinnorthern
Europe,ewe’smilkwasthefirstfreshfoodavailableafterlongweeksof
subsistingonoldcabbages,rootcropsandheavilysaltedmeats.More-over,
lactationheraldedthebirthofthenewlambsthatweresoimportanttothe
northerneconomy.Sheepweretheveryfoundationofprosperityfortheearly
Englishpeople(Hartley,p.129).Sheepprovidednotonlywoolandmutton,but
alsoleatherhides,ram’shornsforelaboratedrinkingcups,lanolinsecreted
aroundtheewe’sneckandudder,andtallowfromfatwhichwasusedasa
lubricantandlaterformakingf2092

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candles.Andofcoursesheepprovidedmilkanditsbyprod-ucts,cheeseand
butter.

IhaveheardsomePaganssaythatthelactationofsheephasnomeaningor
significancetothem,sincewecannowpurchasefreshmilkandanendlessarray
ofotherfoodsatoursupermarketsthroughouttheyear.Butthesamecanbesaid
forthe“returninglight”inanerawhentheflickofaswitchcanfillaroomwith
artificialdaylightinthemid-dleofthenight.Thelengtheningdaysare
important,butthethemeoflactationisjustasmeaningfultotheseasonal
celebrationofImbolc.IfyouhaveanynorthernEuropeanancestryinyour
pedigree,youmightnotbehereatalltoreadthesewordsifitwerenotforthe
lactationofewes.Thismiracle—anditreallyisnothingshortofamiracle—
helpedourancestorssurvivelongenoughtoproduceanothergenerationofmen
andwomentocarryon,andthenanother,untilatlastyouandIwerebrought
intothisworld.Andthat,Ithink,iscauseenoughinitselfforcelebration.

intothisworld.Andthat,Ithink,iscauseenoughinitselfforcelebration.

Imbolc(orEwemeolcorCandlemas)isatraditionaltimetoseekomens,
especiallyinrelationtotheweather.TheAmericantraditionofGroundhogDay
—waitingtoobserveifthegroundhogseesitsshadow,whichsupposedly
foretellswhethertherewillbesixmoreweeksofwinter—camefromolder,
Europeancustomsofwatchingotheranimalssuchasbadgersorsnakes.
Celebrationsofteninvolvedspecificfoods:butter,milkandaflat,scone-like
breadcalledabannock.

Thesesamefoodscanbeincorporatedintoyourownseasonalcelebration.We
SaxonPagansusuallyhonorourgodsandancestorswithofferingsofmead(a
fermentedhoneydrink),butatthistimeofyearmyinhíredgivesanofferingf
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ofwholemilk.ItistheSaxoncustomtosharewhatisbeingoffered,muchas
youmightshareamealwithclosefriends,andsoweeachdrinkaswegive
thanksforthemiraclethatallowedourancestorstosurvive.Theremainderof
themilkisthensharedwithourgodsasalibation.

IsayweusewholemilkinourEwemeolcrites,buteventhisisnotas“whole”
asmilkwhenitcomesfromthecow;mostofthebutterfathasalreadybeen
removed.Wholemilkhasafatcontentofonly3.2%(incontrastto2%milk
which,ofcourse,hasafatcontentof2%).Theremainingbutterfatisseparated
intocreamwhichcanhavea20%orbetterfatcontent.Heavywhippingcream
hasa36%butterfatcontent.

Butterfat,asyouprobablysurmise,istheprimarycon-stituentofbutter.Butter
canbemadefromsheep’smilkorgoat’smilk,butalmostallbutterconsumedin
theUnitedStatesismadefromthebutterfatproducedbycattle.

Makingyourownbutterathomeisagreatprojecttoengageinwithyour
childrenduringtheImbolcseason.

Thewondrous,almostmysticaltransformationfromliquidcreamtoasemi-solid
butterfascinatesmostchildren,andcanbeusedasacatalystforfamily
conversationsaddressingthetransformativeeventsthatcananddoaffecteachof
us.Thedeathofalovedone,theendofafriendship,eventheawk-wardsubject
ofpuberty;anyofthesetransformationsmaybeeasiertodiscusswhilechanging

ofpuberty;anyofthesetransformationsmaybeeasiertodiscusswhilechanging
creamintobutter.Thechangecanbeametaphorforthemanytransformations
weexperiencethroughoutlife.

Notthatyouneedanyspecialissuestoaddress!Butterisjustplainfuntomake,
andsurprisinglyeasy.Evenifyoudonothaveanychildreninyourinhíredor
covenorkindred,f2112

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makingbutteratImbolcwillengagethechildwithinyou.

Makingbutterisarewardingexperienceforpeopleofallages.

TomakeyourImbolcbutteryouwillneedapintofheavywhippingcream,a
quartjarwithalid,amixingbowlandaspatulaorlargespoon.Iuseanempty,
cleanmayonnaisejar,butaleftovercanningjarwithitslidandrimwillwork
justaswell.

Pourtheheavycreamintothejar.Youcanaddapinchortwoofsalt,butthisis
notreallynecessary.Ineveraddsalt.

Putthelidonthejarandmakesureitisscrewedontight.Ifyouaredoingthis
alone,gowhereveryoukeepyourtelevisionandputinaDVDthatyouenjoy.
Makingbutteriseasy,butitcanbesortofboringifyoudonothavefriendsor
familytointeractwith.

Nowshakethejar.Useasteadyupanddownmotion,butdonotworrywhether
ornotyouaredoingit“correct-ly”.Thereisnoeasywaytodothiswrong.
Shakethejar,andthenshakeitsomemore,andthenkeepshakingit.Asteady,
rhythmicmovementwillbelesstiringforyouthanfranticallyshakingitlikea
lionesstryingtokillherprey.

Youmightthinkthisisamoderninnovationcomparedtothewoodenplunge
churnusedintheMiddleAges,howeverthemethodIdescribehereisactually
theoldertechniqueformakingbutter.Theearliestbutterchurnsweredevised
1500

yearsago,butpeoplehadbeenmakingbutterfortwentyfivecenturiesbefore
that!Earlybuttermakingwasoftenaccom-plishedbyplacingsheep’smilkor
goat’smilkinaskinbagandthenshakingit.Isupposetobecompletely
authenticyoucouldtrytomakeaskinbag,butIrecommendthequartjar.

authenticyoucouldtrytomakeaskinbag,butIrecommendthequartjar.

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Inadditiontokeepingasteadymotion,shakethejarwithonlyonehand,
becausethishandissuretobecomeexhaust-edandyouwillneedyourother
handreadytotakeoverthetask.

Keepshaking.Isaidthiswaseasy;Ididnotsayitwasquick.

Afterawhilesolidbitswillbegintoforminthecream.

Theseareagoodsign,butkeeponshaking.Donotstoptoexaminethecreamy
bits.

Whenyouthinknothingisevergoingtohappen(andpossiblyevenalittlewhile
afterthisthoughthascrossedyourmind)thecreamwillsuddenlyandalmost
miraculouslyseparateintoasolidlumpofbuttersittingintheremainingliquid.

Pourofftheliquidandputthelumpofbutterinthemixingbowl.Usingyour
spatulaorlargespoon,bringthelumpupthesideofthebowlandpressoutany
liquidthatisstillinit.Afterpressingouttheliquidyourfreshbutterisreadyto
eat.ThiscanbeusedaspartofanImbolcfeast,oraportioncanbeofferedto
yourgodsandancestors.

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CHAPTERNINE

PAGANCRAFTS

InthelastchapterwelookedatexpressingPaganspiritualitythroughfood-
relatedcrafts.Theactivitiesdiscussedinthisnextchapterare,atbest,only
indirectlyrelatedtofood.Mostofthesehomeactivitiesareseasonalandfitvery
wellintothecontemporaryPagan“wheeloftheyear”.

CANDLEMAKING

CandleshavebecomeanintegralpartofcontemporaryPaganrites.WePagans
routinelyusecandlestoilluminateouraltars.Wiccansplacecandlesatthefour
cardinalpointsaroundtheperimeteroftheirritualareas.ADFDruidswilllighta
candleasasymbolicrepresentationofthecelestialrealm.Pagansorcerersofall
traditions—whetherdrýmennormágoiorstreghe—veryoftenusecandlesas
theyworktheirmagic.

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2

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Youcanpurchasecandlesforwhateverpurposeyouintend,ofcourse,butritual
andmagicaltoolsaresomuchmorepotentwhenweputalittleofourown
energyintotheircreation.Candlemakingissomethingyoucandoalone,orasa
covenorinhíredactivity.Olderchildrenoftenenjoymakingritualcandleswith
adultsupervision.Thisactivityisagreattraditiontobringintoyourlife,and
thereisnobettertimeformakingcandlesthanatCandlemas.

ThereisapracticalsidetomakingcandlesatCandlemas,sincethisisusuallythe
coldesttimeoftheyearforthoseofuswholiveintemperateclimates.(Of
courseifyouareusingaCatholiccalendarandliveinthesouthernhemi-sphere,
Candlemaswillbethewarmesttimeoftheyear,butthisbookisintendedfor

Candlemaswillbethewarmesttimeoftheyear,butthisbookisintendedfor
Paganswhowillpresumablyinverttheirholidayswhenlivingorvisitingsouth
oftheequator.)Candlemakinginvolvesahotstoveandhotwax,andcan
continueforhoursonendifyouhavethesuppliesandenthu-siasmtokeep
going.Ifyoudonotmindpayinganexorbitantelectricbillforairconditioning
youcanmakecandlesonthehottestdayofsummer,butitjustmakesmoresense
tomeltwaxandpourcandleswhentheheatthisgenerateswillhelpwarmyour
home,loweryourfurnacebillandhaveaminimalnegativeimpactonthe
environment.

Ifyoupracticecandlemagic,whateveryourspiritualpathmaybe,thereisavery
goodreasonformakingyourowncandlesbeyondputtingyourownenergyinto
creatingthem.Ioftencomeacrossspellsinstructingmetocontinuemeditating
orchantingoratleastcontinuesittinginfrontofacandleuntilithasburned
completelydown.Thiscanbeimpractical,tosaytheleast,whenusinganything
largerthanf2162

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ateacandle,anditcanoftenbedifficulttofindteacandlesinanycolorother
thanbasicwhite.

Unlessyoumakeyourown.

Whenmakingyourowncandlesyoualsohavecompletecontroloverwhatgoes
intothem.Youcontroltheexactcolor.Youcontrolthescent,ifany.Makea
candlewithacon-tagiouslinktoyourselforanotherpersonbycuttingalittlebit
ofthatperson’shair(oryourown)intotinypiecesandmixingitwiththewax.
Makeaprotectivecandlebysprinklingapinchofironfilingsintothemelted
wax.(Magicallyspeaking,ironisaprotectivemetal,whichisonereasonwhy
ironhorseshoesareconsidered“lucky”.)Therearecountlessbooksandwebsites
withinstructionsformakingallsortsofcandles,plainorfancy,butthebasic
processisreallyquitesimple.Youwillneedthefollowingequipmentand
suppliestomakecandles.Dependingonyourexpertiseandpersonaldesiresyou
maywantalotmore,butthisisanessentiallistformakingsimplecandles:•A
heatsource.Usuallyastove,butahotplatewillsuf-fice.

•Alarge,lowpotforboilingwater.

•Asmallerpotthatwilleasilyfitintothelargepotforadoubleboiler
arrangement.Forthesmallpot,checkoutthriftstores.Youwillbemeltingwax

arrangement.Forthesmallpot,checkoutthriftstores.Youwillbemeltingwax
inthis,whichwilllikelyruinitforotherpurposes.

•Paraffinwax.Youcanbuythelittleboxessoldingro-cerystoresforcanning,
butthisisnotthebestvarietyformakingcandlesandthecostperpoundofwax
isrel-ativelyhigh.Lookathobbyshopsoronlineforparaffinf2172

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waxsoldin11poundslabs.(Ifyoukeepbees,thewaxcappingsremovedfrom
yourhoneyframescanbemeltedtomakebeautifulbeeswaxcandles.)•Wicks.
Thesesometimescomewithathinzincortin“core”runningthroughthewickto
helpkeepitstraightwhileyouaremakingcandles.Themetalcoreburnsaway
asthecandleburns.Coredwickmaybealittleeasierforthenovicetowork
with,butitisnotessentialbyanymeans.

•Acontainerormoldtopourthewaxinto.Containercandlesarebyfarthe
easiestcandlestomakewhenyouarefirststartingout.Small,ordinaryjellyjars
canbeusedtomakeprettycontainercandles.

Thefirstthingtodoistosetyouwickinthemoldorcontainer.Itisimportant
thatthewickbecentered.Tiethetopofthewickaroundasmallrodofsome
kind(Ihaveevenusedpencilstoholdthewicksinplace),clipthewicktothe
depthofthecontainer,andthenlowerthewickintothecontainerormolduntil
therodrestsonitsrim.Shopsthatsellcandlemakingsuppliesoftenhaveclayor
specialtabstoholdthebottomofthewickinplace.Thesearenotabsolutely
necessary,buttheycanbehelpful.

Putacoupleinchesofwaterinthelarge,lowpotthatwillserveasthebottomof
yourdoubleboilerarrangement.Heatthisonthestove.Meanwhile,break
chunksofwaxfromyourparaffinwaxslabandputtheseintothesmallerpot.
Whenthewateronthestove(orhotplate)beginstoboil,placethissmallerpot
intothelargepot.DoNOTattempttomeltyourwaxdirectlyonastoveorhot
plate.Thisisextremelydan-gerous,asparaffinwaxcanburstintoflameifitgets
toohot.

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Alwaysmeltyourwaxwiththedoubleboilerarrangement.

Thebottompotofwaterensuresthatyourwaxwillnotbeheatedabove212
degreesFahrenheit,theboilingpointofwater.

Whentheparaffinwaxmeltsitwillbecomeacrystalclearliquid.Atthistime
youcanaddcolororfragranceifyouwish.Thisisalsowhenyoushouldadd
anymagicenhancements,suchastheaforementionedhairorironfilings.Use
onlyaminimalamountofthesesubstances,astheycanaffecthowthecandle
burns,andnotalwaysinagoodway.Somesubstancescanevenbetoxicwhen
burned.Usecommonsenseandknowwhatyouareburninginyourcandles!

Candlemakingsupplyshopssellbothcolorsandfragrancesembeddedinsmall
waxchipsthatcanbeaddedtoyourmeltedparaffin.Asanalternative,youcan
addcolorsimplybyremovingthepaperwrapfromacrayonandthendropping
thecrayon,orapartofit,intotheparaffin.Theadvantageisthewiderrangeof
colorsyoucanfindinalargeboxofcrayons.Thedisadvantageistheclarityof
color,whichisoftenpaleincomparisontotherich,deepcolorsachievedwith
colorchips.

Ifyoudonotwanttousescentchips,usingessentialoilsisanotherwaytoadd
fragrancetoyourcandles.Anessentialoilisextracteddirectlyfromanherbor
sometimesfromananimalgland(aswithcivetoil,forexample).Incontrastto
this,afragranceoilisasyntheticproduct.Unliketrueessentialoils,fragrance
oilsdonotalwayshavethesamescentwhenburned,soIdonotrecommend
themforcandlemaking.Usingessentialoilstoaddscentistrickierthanusingf
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acrayontoaddcolor.Theproblemisthattheoilsevapo-rateanddisperse
quicklywhenheated.Ifyouwanttotrythistechnique,addsomeoiltoyour
meltedwaxjustbeforeyoupouritintothecontainerormold.Soakingthewick
inthesameessentialoilbeforesettingitintothemoldwillalsohelppreservethe
scentinyourcandle.

Whenthewaxismeltedandyouhaveaddedanycolororfragranceyouhave
chosen,youarereadytopouryourcandle.Beverycarefulwhiledoingthis.The
waxishot!Itisunlikelythatyouwillsufferanypermanentinjuryifyouspill
waxonyourself,butIguaranteeitwillnotbeapleas-antexperience.Itisalsoa
goodideatospreadnewspapersoratarpoveranysurfacewhereyouwillbe
pouringwax.Nomatterhowcarefulyouare,someofitwillprobablydribble,

pouringwax.Nomatterhowcarefulyouare,someofitwillprobablydribble,
andgettinghardenedwaxoutofcarpetingisnopicnic.

Pourthemeltedwaxintoyourcontainerormold,reserv-ingaportionofitfora
secondpouring.Donotoverfillthecontainer.Afterpouringthewax,checkto
seethatthewickisstillcentered.Ifitisnot,movethewickuntilitiscentered
again,beingcarefulnottospillanyhotwaxonyou.

Nowletthewaxslowlycool.Asitcools,thewaxwillcontract,leavingadimple
inthecenterofthecandle.Inalargecandlethisdimplecanbequitedeep.This
iswhyyouhavereservedsomeofyourwaxforasecondpouring.Afterthe
candlehasfullycooled,reheatyourreservewaxandpourthisintothedimple.
Youmayevenneedathirdpouring.Thisislessimportantforcandlespoured
intomoldsbecausethedimplewillbeatthebottomofthecandlewhereyou
cannotseeit.Neverthelessyoumaywanttofillinalargedim-f2202

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pleratherthanhaveamoldedcandlewithagapinghollowinthebase.

Afterthesecond(orthird)pouring,letthecandlecompletelycoolforseveral
hoursorevenovernight.Ifyouhaveusedamold,besuretowaituntilthewaxis
fullysolidbeforeattemptingtoremovethecandle.Itisdishearteningtohavea
candlecomeapartasyoupullitfromamoldbecausetheinnerportionwasstill
warmandsoft.

Thefinalstep,whetheryouhaveusedamoldoracontainer,istotrimthewick
toabout¼”inlength.Younowhaveacandlesuitableforuseinaritualorspell.

Thereisnoreasonwhyyoucannotmakejustonecandle,butyouwillfindthatit
ismuchmoreefficienttomakealargernumberofcandlesatthesametime.In
factyoumaydecidetomakeallofyourannualritualandmagiccandlesat
Candlemas!

Thecompletecontrolyouhaveoveryourchoiceofcolors,sizes,scents,shapes
andotherfactorsmightbeover-whelmingwhenyoufirstattempttomake
candles.Firstconsiderthepurposeofthecandles.Willtheybeusedforworship,
ordoyouwantcandlesprimarilyforcastingspells?

Candlesusedforworshipcanbeusedagainandagain.

Repeatedusecanevenimbueyourritualcandleswithdeep-ermeaning.Ifyou

Repeatedusecanevenimbueyourritualcandleswithdeep-ermeaning.Ifyou
aremakingritualcandlesforyouraltaror,ifyouareWiccan,directionalcandles
toplaceatthecardinalpointsofyourcircle,largercandleswilllastformonths
andpossiblythroughouttheentireyear.

Candlessuchasthesecanevenbe“eternal”.Afterafullyear’suse,mostofthe
altarcandle(orquartercandle)willhavemeltedaway.Breakuptheremaining
waxintochunks,f2212

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beingcarefultoremoveanywicking,andthenmeltthesepieceswhileadding
freshwaxtomakeupforthelostvol-ume.Youcanthenpourarenewedcandle
thatcontainstheessenceofthepreviousyear’scandle.Ifthecandlewasdyedor
scentedyouwillofcoursewanttoaddmorecolororscenttothemeltedwax
beforepouringit.

Ifyouareusingbeeswax—andawarm,burningbeeswaxcandleisasensory
delight—itwillbemoredifficulttoaddcolororscentbecausethewaxalready
hasitsownnaturalcolorandaroma.Beeswaxisbestforritualcandleswhich
neednocolororscentenhancement.Likeparaffinritualcandles,alarge
beeswaxcandlecanlastmostoralloftheyear.

Ontheotherhand,ifthecandlesareintendedforspellcastingthensmaller
candlesusuallymakemoresense.Mostsorcerers,Paganornot,donotwantto
usecandlesthatcarryaresonancefromearlierspellwork.Forthisreason,a
candlethatisusedformagicisusuallya“oneshot”item.Thereisnopointin
pouringatall,thickcandleifyouaregoingtothrowitoutafterasingleuse.It
evenmakeslesssenseifthespellrequiresyoutobepresentuntilthecandle
completelyburnsout.

Whethermakingcandlesforworshiporforspellwork,consideryourspiritual
pathwhenchoosingcolorsandscents.

FormyselfandotherSaxonPagans,redisacolorofpower.

Inthepracticeofmagic,theLawofSympathystatesthattwothingswhich
resembleeachothersharesimilarproper-ties.Redisthecolorofblood,and
bloodrepresentslifeandvitality;ergothecolorredrepresentslifeandvitality.
ForthisreasonredobjectsareoftenusedinSaxonandotherGermanicmagic.
Asyoumightexpect,Ialwayskeepasupplyoff2222

Asyoumightexpect,Ialwayskeepasupplyoff2222

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smallredcandlesonhandforspellwork.HoweverifyoufollowaHellenic,
KemeticorCelticpath,yourowntraditionmayfavorothercolors.

Sometriedandtruespellsrequirecandlesofparticularcolors.Ofcourseyoucan
neveranticipateallofyourneeds,butifyouknowthatyouhaveafavoritespell
requiringthreeyellowcandlesthenitmakessensetopoursomesmallyellow
candlesforfutureuse.

Whendesigningyourownspells,herearesomecolorsthattendtobeassociated
withspecificintentions:•Red,asIhavesaid,isacoloroflifeandvitality
becauseitisthecolorofblood.Inmagicitcanbethoughtofasthecolorof
physical(animal)lifeandallthingsassociatedwiththat,suchasstrengthand
health.Thisisthecolorforsexmagic,althoughsomepeopleclaimthatred-
orangeorpinkcandlesaremoreeffective.Pinkisessentiallyjustalightershade
ofred.

•Yellowisoftenassociatedwithknowledge,mentalclarityandcommunication.
Yellowcandlescanbeusedinspellsintendedtohelpapersonstudyandretain
knowledge.Yellowisalsoacoloroffriendship,per-hapsbecausegood
communicationisessentialbetweenfriends.

•Goldcandlesaregoodforprosperityspellsbecause(ofcourse)theyarethe
colorofgold.ThisisanotherexampleoftheLawofSympathy.

•Silvercandles,too,aregoodforprosperity,forthesamereasonasgold
candles.

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•Green,beingthecolorofchlorophyll,isthecolorofplantlife.Greencandles
areusefulforhorticulturalspells.IntheUnitedStatesagreencandleisjustas
likelytobeusedinaprosperityspell,sincegreenisthecolorofAmericanpaper
currency.

•Blueisacoloroftheemotionsandthesubconscious.

Bluecandlescanbeusedinspellsdirectedtowardsspirituality,emotional
balanceordevelopingpsychicskills.

•Whiterepresentspurityandcleanliness.Becauseofthesequalitieswhite
candlesareoftenusedinspellsforhealingorprotection.

Thesecolorassociationsareofcoursegeneralizations.

Asalways,consideryourspiritualpath.KemeticPagans,forexample,shouldbe
awarethattheancientEgyptiansassociatedthecolorwhitewithdeath.Likewise,
insomeculturesthecolorgreenisassociatedwithsicknessandmisfortune.

Justaswedonotallcommunicateverballyinthesamelanguage,wedonotall
sharethesamemagicallanguage!

Forritualcandlesusedinworshipthechoiceofcolorwillusuallybeentirely
subjectivesinceyouarenotusingthecandlestoevokespecificenergies.For
altarcandles,unlessyourspiritualpathdecreesotherwise,itisbesttoletyour
heartbeyourguide.Wehavethreeritualcandlesonourhouseholdaltar:oneto
honorourgodsandgoddesses,onetohonorourancestorsandonetohonorthe
elves(naturalorworldlyspirits).Thecolorsofthesecandleschangefromone
yeartothenext;theonlycriterionbeingwhatappealstomyhíredmennandme
atthetime.Thismayworkforyou,too,oryoumaypreferspecificcolorsfor
youraltarcandles.Wiccansveryoftenusespecificcolorstorepresentthe
elementsf2242

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aroundtheperimeteroftheritualarea:greenforearth,blueforwater,yellowfor
airandredforfire.

JOHNBARLEYCORN

Hestandsinourgarden,leaningslightlybackwithhisgazeliftedtotheheavens,
hisarmsjoyfullyoutstretched.Itlooksasifhemightburstintosongatany
moment.Hisshirtisfadedandthereisaholeinhisjeans.Iamconsciousofhim
standingnearasIgatherabasketofsquashandgoldenearsofcorn.Hehas
stoodinthatsamepositionsinceMayDay,andwillcontinuetoholdvigilthere
throughouttherestofthesummerandautumn.

IamtalkingabouttheeffigyofJohnBarleycorn,ascarecrowthatmyinhíred

IamtalkingabouttheeffigyofJohnBarleycorn,ascarecrowthatmyinhíred
buildseachyearasarepresentationofthelifeofthefield.Ihavebeendoingthis
fortwentyyearsnow.IwasbuildingscarecrowsbeforeEarendelInhíredexisted;
beforeImovedeasttoPennsylvania.ThetraditionofJohnBarleycornhasbeen
apartofmylifeforalongtime.

Today,formeandmyfolk,thattraditionhasbecomewelldefinedthroughyears
ofrepetition.WhenwefirstgatherforMayDay,webuildascarecrowasapart
ofourritewelcom-ingthebeginningofsummer.OneofussewsupJohn
Barleycorn’shead,whilesomebodyelsebringsandassemblesthewood
frameworkforhisbody.Everyonehelps,andeveryonecritiquesourcollective
progressaswefilloutJohn’sgluts,thighsandbicepswithhandfulsofstraw.
Afterthescarecrowisbuilt,eachpersoncomesforwardwithasmallpieceof
cloththatheorshehasembroideredoneormoreruneson.

Therunesconveywhatthatpersonhopestobringintohisorherownlife
throughthecomingsummer.Youcouldsayf2252

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thattherunesrepresentwhatthatpersonhopesto“harvest”.

TheseruneclothsarethencarefullystitchedtoJohnBarleycorn’sgarments.
Afterthisthescarecrowisparadedtoagardenwherehewillstanduntil
October’smoongrowsfull.

LastyearJohnBarleycornstoodinthebackgardenatthehomeoftwoofmy
híredmenn.ThisyearIamfortunatetohavehimhere.

Scarecrowshavebeenaroundforalongtime,andhavebeenassociatedwith
Paganspiritualityforalmostaslong.

2500yearsagoGreekfarmerscarvedwoodenscarecrowsintheimageofthe
godPriapus,thesonofDionysusandAph-rodite.Thescarecrowthatmytribe
buildsrepresentsJohnBarleycorn,whoisnotactuallyagod,buta
personificationoftheharvest.HeisalsothesubjectofanoldEnglishfolksong.

Asummerscarecrowisinexpensivetobuild.Youwillneed:

•Asevenoreightfootlongwoodenpole•Asecond,shorterpole,aboutthree
feetinlength•Nails

feetinlength•Nails

•Anoldshirtandpairoflongpants•Ahat(discountstoresoftensellcheap
wickerhatsinthespring)

•Anoldpillowcase,sheetorsomeotherscrapcloth•Needleandsturdythread
(quiltingthreadworkswell)•Scissors

•Baleofstraw

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Thetrickiestpartofthisismakingthehead.Cuttwopiecesofclothintheshape
ofaheadfromthepillowcaseorsheet.Makethisalittlelargerthanyourown
head,andleavealong“neck”atthebottom.Theneckcanbeunnaturallylong,
asanyexcesslengthwillbehiddeninthescarecrow’schest.

Stitchthetwoclothstogether,leavingthebottomoftheneckopentostuffstraw
in.Afteryouhavedonethis,turnthe“head”insideout.Thiswillhidethe
stitching.Atthispointitwilllooklesslikeaheadandmorelikealimpsack.If
youwish,youcanpaintorembroidereyesorotherfacialfeaturesonthehead
piece.

Next,assembletheframeworkforthebody.Usingacoupleofnails,fastenyour
polestogetherinacruciformarrangement.Theshorterpolewillbethe“arms”of
yourscarecrow,whilethelongpolewillsupporttheneck,bodyandoneofthe
legs.Theextralengthofthelongerpoleistoallowyoutoburythebottominthe
ground.YouwantJohnBarleycorntostandup,ofcourse!

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Pullthepantsontotheframework,drawingthebottomofthelongerpole
throughonepantsleg.Afterthis,puttheshirtonovertheframeworkarms.Now,
usingyoursturdythread,putastitchthroughthebackofthepantsandshirt
wheretheycometogetheratthewaist.Thebackoftheshirtshouldbeinsidethe
pantsasyoudothis.Thisstitchisjusttohelpholdtheclothinginplace.

Pullthe“head”overthetopofthelongerpole.Tucktheneckinsidetheshirt,

Pullthe“head”overthetopofthelongerpole.Tucktheneckinsidetheshirt,
andthenputastitchthroughthebackoftheshirtandneck.Leavethefrontof
theshirtopenfornow.

Youarenowreadytobeginstuffingyourscarecrow.Onebaleofstrawismuch
morethanyouwillneed,butthatishowitissold.Usetheleftoverstrawto
mulchyourgarden.

Beginbystuffingtheextremities:thelegs,thearmsandthehead.Severalpeople
canbedoingthisatthesametime,withonepersonfillinguptheheadwhile
somebodyelsestuffsstrawdownthepantslegs,andstillanotherpersonstuffs
theshirtarms.Youmaywanttotieofftheanklesofthepantsandwristsofthe
shirtwithlengthsoftwinetohelpholdthestrawinsidetheclothing.

Whentheextremitiesarepackedwithstrawandwellshaped,fillthechest
cavity.Buttonuptheshirt,leavingonlythetoptwoorthreebuttonsunfastened.
Closetheseoffafteryouhavestuffedthechest.

Finally,giveJohnBarleycornhishat.Youwillwanttofastenthistothehead
withacouplemorestitches.Evenifthehatseemssecure,itcandisappearwith
thefirsthighwindsifitisnotstitchedtothehead.

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Ifyoudonotyethaveaninhíredorcoven,ifthereisnotribetocelebratewith,
buildingasixfoottallstrawmanmightbealittletooambitious.Asmaller
scarecrowcanbemadeusingchildren’sclothingorevendollclothing.

Doesyourgardenconsistofafewpotsofherbsandleaflettuceonyour
apartmentbalcony?Buyashirtandpantsensemblefora12”malefashiondoll
andmakeamicro-scarecrow.Insteadofbuyingabaleofstraw,stuffthelittle
guywithafewhandfulsofdriedgrass.

Imentionedearlierthatmyhíredmennaffixrunestoourscarecroweveryspring.
Thisisourowncustom.Anycustomsorpracticesinvolvingyourscarecrow
shouldbemeaningfultoyouandrelevanttoyourspiritualtradition.Wealsolet
JohnBarleycornstandindifferentgardenssoeveryonehasachancetohavehim
forasummer,butyourgroupmaynotwanttodothis.Youmayhaveaspecial
siteconsideredbeholyandsacredforallofyourkinsmen,andprefertosetup

siteconsideredbeholyandsacredforallofyourkinsmen,andprefertosetup
thescarecrowatthatsamesiteeveryyear.

Attheendoftheyearwealsohaveacustomfordispos-ingofthescarecrow.
Weusealunarcalendar,soourend-of-summerritetakesplacewhenthe
Winterfyllethmoongrowsfull,whichisalmostalwaysinOctober.Celtic
PagansmightwanttodothisatSamhain.

Justasourscarecrowis“born”atthebeginningofsummer,he“dies”atthe
beginningofwinter.Wesetupasmallpyreinafirepit,andJohnBarleycornis
placedinastandingpositionoverthis.Followingaritualinwhichwehonorand
praiseourancestors,wesetthepyreablazeandofferJohnBarleycorntoour
gods.

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Inmanyurbanareas,burningastrawmaninyourback-yardislikelytobringthe
policetoyourhouse.Makesureyouarenotbreakinganylaws.

SOLSTICEWHEELS

CelebrateMidsummerbymakingasunwheel!ThisisanorthernEuropean
symbolofgoodfortune,relatedtothefylfotandtheBrigid’scross.Theswastika
isaformofthissymbolthatfelloutoffavorafteritwasconscriptedbythe
Nazisandusedasanemblemfortheirregime.

Thesunwheelisanequal-armedcrossinsideacircle:Justasthescarecrowcan
becreatedanddisplayedindifferentways,socanthissolarimage.Haveyour
covenorkin-dredbuildalargesunwheelandburnitasanofferingona
Midsummerbonfire.(Aswiththescarecrow,besureitislegaltodothisinyour
neighborhood.)Orhaveeverybodycreatepersonalsunwheelstokeepon
householdaltars.Orhaveacontesttoseewhocancraftthemostattractivesun
wheel.Or,byyourself,makesunwheelstogivetoyourfriendsandfamilyas
Midsummergifts.

Icouldgoonandonlikethis,butyougetthegeneralidea.

Ifyouhaveatalentforcraftsmanship,youcangathervinesandbuildyoursun
wheelfromscratch.Butnotalloff2302

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ushavethatdegreeoftalent,soinsteadIamgoingtotellyoutheeasywayto
makeasunwheel.

Beginwithagrapevinewreaththatcanbepurchasedatanywellstockedcraft
store.Thiswillbethecircleofyoursunwheel.Thatistheeasypart.Nowyou
havetogooutandfindsomewildvines.

Ormaybenot.Whileyouareatthecraftstorebuyingyourwickerwreath,look
aroundtoseeiftheyhaveanythingthatcanbeusedfortheequal-armedcross.
Wehaveusedgrapevineribbon,oryoucantwistseverallengthsofroundbasket
weavingreedstogether.Thematerialusedforthecrossofyoursunwheelneeds
tobemoderatelyflexiblebutstiffenoughtoholditsshape.

Ifyourlocalcraftstoredoesnothaveanythingsuitable,wildvinesworkvery
well.Weusuallyusewildvinesbecause(1)theyarefree,and(2)theygrowlike
weedsinwesternPennsylvania.Ontheotherhand,purchasingreedsorribbons
fromyourcraftsupplystoremaybeeasierthanforag-ingforvinesifyoulivein
adesertregionorindowntownManhattan.

Whateverthecentralcrosswillbemadeof,usenarrowclothribbontotiethe
verticalandhorizontalpiecestogether.Thenweavethefourendsofthecross
intothegrapevinewreathatequidistantpoints,andtietheseinplacewithmore
ribbon.

Ifyouwish,youcandecorateyoursunwheelwithevenmoreribbons,feathers
andcolorfuldriedflowers.

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MAKINGSCENTS

MostPaganpeopleuseincenseintheirrites,andthosewhopracticemagicmay
alsomakeuseofotherformsofaromatics.Thewordincensecomesfromthe
Latinincendere,meaning“toburn”,forincenseisablendofaromatic
substancesintendedtoreleaseafragranceasitsmolders.Thesearomaticsare
herbsandotherplantmaterials,oftenblendedwithasmallamountofessential

oil.

Commercialincensesoldintheformofconesorstickshavebeencombined
withabindingagenttoholditsshape,andusuallywithanothersubstanceto
ensurethatitburnseasily.Thenameofacommercialincensemaydescribeits
dominantaromatic(lavenderincense,patchouliincense),butjustasoftenitwill
bemarketedwithanexoticnamelikeJun-gleLoveorAprilRain.

ThepopularIndianincenseknownasNagChampaisacombinationof
frangipaniandsandalwood.

Theoneadvantageofcommercialconesandsticksaretheirconvenience.Strike
amatchtotheendoftheincenseandyourpartisdone.Butwhenweputlittle
effortorthoughtintoouractionstherewardisequallymeager.Makingyour
ownincensealsoplacesyouingreatercontrolofwhataromaticsyouare
burning.

Inmyopinionthebestwaytomakeyourownincenseistoprepareitasloose
incense.Looseincenseisnothingmoreorlessthanconeorstickincensewithout
theextraneousbindingandburningingredientsadded.Itconsistsentirelyofthe
aromatics,finelygroundandblendedtogetherhoweveryouchoose.Youdonot
needtodoanythingspecialtoitbecausethelooseincenseisburnedovera
charcoalsoldf2322

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insmallpackagesatalmosteverynewageshopintheUnitedStates.These
charcoalscanalsobepurchasedatChristianreligioussupplystores.

Bynowyouknowthatthearomaticsyouchoosetoburninvotiveritesshouldbe
appropriateforyourspiritualpath.

SaxonPagans,forexample,mightburnmugwortbecausethisherbissacredto
Woden.Roman,HellenicorKemeticPagansmightchoosetoburnfrankincense,
whichwaspopularthroughouttheMediterraneanareainearlyEuropefor
thousandsofyears.

RosemaryisanappropriatearomaticforalmostanyEuropeanspiritualtradition.
NativetotheMediterraneanregion,rosemarywasintroducedacrossEuropeby
theRomans.

Whenmakingincense,alwaysgrindyouraromaticstoafinepowder.In
powderedformtheycanbeblendedwithotheraromaticsmoreeasilyandwill
burnmoreevenly.Ifusingaresinsuchasfrankincenseitisagoodideato
purchaseitinpowderedform.Resinsarehardenedtreesapandareextremely
difficulttogrindintopowder.Ifyoumustpowderresinputitinthefreezerfor
halfanhourfirst,andgrinditwithamor-tarandpestle,neverinamechanical
grinder.

Usedbyitself,aresinneednotbepowdered.Resingrainswillmeltandrelease
theirodorastheywarmonthecharcoal.

Butmuchoftheenjoymentofmakingincenseisincreatingyourownunique
blends.Aftermixingtogetherwhateverpowderedherbsorflowersyouwantin
yourincense,youcanaddafewdropsofacompatibleessentialoil.Thisis
option-al.Ifyouaddoilbesurethatitisatrueessentialoilandnotf2332

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asyntheticfragranceoil.Thelatterdonotalwayssmellthesamewhenthey
burn.Theessentialoilshouldbeusedverysparingly;donotletitoverpowerthe
scentoftheotheraromatics.

Awordofcautionhere:Somebotanicalsaretoxicwhenburned.Youaresafe
usingaromaticsfoundinanykitchenspicecabinet(rosemary,cinnamon,sweet
basil),orthatarecommonlyusedforincense(sandalwood,frankincense).Ifyou
areunsureaboutaleaforflower,researchitinacom-prehensiveherbalsuchas
LesleyBremness’TheCompleteBookofHerbs(NewYork:VikingStudio
Books,1988)orPaulBeyerl’sexcellentTheMasterBookofHerbalism(Custer,
WA:Phoenix,1984).

Therearemanybooksavailablewithincenserecipesyoumightliketotry.Inmy
opinion,thebestbookeverwrittenforbeginnersisScottCunningham’sMagical
Herbalism(St.

Paul:LewellynPublications,1982).Evenifyouonlywanttomakeincensefor
votiveritualsandhaveabsolutelynointer-estinmagic,thebookisavaluable
resource.IespeciallylikehissimpleMeditationIncense(p.120).

AfterdecadesofworkingwithherbsandincensesIhavecollectedand
developedquiteafewrecipes.Mostaremagicalblends,buttherecipesIgive
herecanbeusedequallywellforvotiverituals.

herecanbeusedequallywellforvotiverituals.

*

SuccessIncense

Fourpartscinnamon

Twopartspowderedsandalwood

f2342

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Twopartspowderedfrankincense

Onepartpowderedorrisroot

Thiscanbeusedwhenworkinganyspelltobringsuccessorprosperityintoyour
life.Becauseofitsnature,itisalsoasuitableincensetoburnasapraiseoffering
toyourgods.

*

Frith(Peace)IncenseTwopartslavenderblossoms

Twopartsvioletblossoms

Onepartpowderedorrisroot

Onepartfinelygratedlemonpeel

Onepartcrushedcardamompods

Asamagicalincense,usethiswhenworkingspellstocreatepeacefulconditions
anddispelchaos.

*

HealingIncense

Fourpartspowderedsandalwood

Fourpartspowderedsandalwood

Fourpartscarnationpetals

Twopartsbayberryleaves

Twopartsrosepetals

Onepartsaltpeter

Thepurposeoftheincenseisimplicitinitsname,butrefrainfromburningthis
oranyotherincensedirectlyinthepres-f2352

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enceofasickperson,especiallyifthatperson’srespiratorysystemis
compromised.

*

UncrossingIncenseTwopartslavenderblossoms

Twopartsrosepetals

Twopartsverbena

Onepartbayleaves

Burnthisincensetoremoveanyspellthathasbeencastagainstyou.Ihonestly
donotthinkthishappensveryoften;inmyexperience,mostsorcererswho
wastealotoftime“cursing”peoplearenotcompetentenoughtoconcern
yourselfwith.Nevertheless,thisisagoodblendtohaveonhandifyoubelieve
thatsomethinglikethatmayhaveoccurred.

Becauseoftheintentofthisincenseitcanbeasuitablevotiveofferingtogods
orspiritsassociatedwithprotection.

*

AttractionIncenseEightpartspowderedolibanum

Fourpartspowderedsandalwood

Fourpartscinnamon

Twopartspowderedmyrrh

Twopartspowderedorrisroot

Onepartsaltpeter

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Usethisinlovespellsintendedtoattractpotentialpartners(ratherthanone
specificperson).ThisblendcomesfromaBookofShadows(abookofspells
andrituals)thatIinherit-edfromawitchwhopassedfromthisworldmany
yearsago.

Ihavefoundtheincensealsoworkswellasavotiveofferingforgodsorspirits
associatedwithloveandsensuality.

*

Afterpowderingandblendingyourchosenaromatics,thelooseincenseisready
toburn.Todothis,takeasmallmetalorceramicbowlandfillitpartiallywith
eithersaltorsandtoinsulatethebottom.TheAnglo-Saxonscalledabowlsuch
asthisarecelsfæt,or“incensevessel”.

Unlessyourritualroomisthesizeofacathedralyouwillnotneedtousean
entirecharcoal.Breakthecharcoalinhalf,orevenquarterit,anduseonlya
portion.Lightthecharcoalandsetitintothebowl.

Nowsprinkleyourlooseincenseontothecoal.Anyincenseyouwanttokeep
forlateruseshouldbestoredinanairtightcontainerinacool,darkplace.

Ifyouwanttotrymakingyourblendintoincenseconesyouwillalsoneedgum
arabicandsaltpeter(potassiumnitrate).Makingincenseconescanbemessy.I
personallyprefertoblendanduselooseincense.Withthatdisclaimer,hereis
whatyouneedtodo:

•Mixateaspoonofthegumarabicineightouncesofwater.Thisshouldforma
thickpaste.Ifitisdry,addalittlemorewater.Thencoverthiswithawarm,

thickpaste.Ifitisdry,addalittlemorewater.Thencoverthiswithawarm,
dampclothandsetitaside.

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•Siftyourlooseincense,usingonlythefinestpowder.Ifnecessary,grinditup
somemore.

•Weighthesiftedincense.Agoodkitchenscaleisaccu-rateenoughforthis.

•Add10%(byweight)saltpetertoyoursiftedincense.

Mixthesaltpeterinthoroughly.

•Nowbeginaddingthegumarabicmixturetoyourincensealittlebitatatime.
Blenditincompletelybeforeaddingmore.Continueaddingthisin,slowly,until
yourincensedoughhastheconsistencyofmodel-ingclay.Squeezesomeinyour
handtoseeifitwillholditsshape.

•Moldthedoughbyhandintothesamesizeandshapeofincenseconessold
commercially.Iftheconesaretoothicktheywillnotburnproperly.

•Placetheshapedconesonwaxedpaperandletthemdryforaweekinadry,
warmroom.

POTPOURRI

Youdonothavetoburnyouraromaticstoenjoythem.

Giftshopsandbathshopsoftensellaromaticsintheformofpotpourri,whichis
eveneasiertomake.Apotpourriofchoppedcedartwigs,piecesofrosemary,
orangerind,cinnamonsticks,allspiceandalittlevanillaoilcanaddafragrance
dimensiontoyourYuletidealtar.Orsetoutapotpourriofsweetwoodruff,
violetsanddriedrosepetalsforMayDay.

Foreitherone,addingalittlesaltwillhelppreservethemixture.Orrisroot
powderisalsoagoodfixative.

Makingapotpourriisverysimilartomakingincense,onlyeasier.Sincethe
aromaticsdonothavetoburneven-f2382

aromaticsdonothavetoburneven-f2382

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lythereisnoreasontopowderthem.Driedflowers,herbs,spicesandevenfruits
canbeusedforpotpourri.Anyattractivebowlorsniftercanbeusedtoholdthe
finishedproduct.

Putpotpourriintoalittleclothbagandthatbagbecomesasachet.Theseare
oftenusedtoscentclosetsanddrawers,buttheyarealsousefulforthePagan
sorcerer.Sachetscanholdprotectiveherbs,healingherbs,loveherbs,orherbal
blendsforalmostanyotherpurpose.Tuckasachetofprotectiveherbsunderthe
seatofyourcartohelpkeepyousafeontheroad.Placeasachetoflavender
blossomsandmintleavesinsideyourpillowcasetopromotepeacefuldreams.

Ifyouareamerchant,keepasachetstuffedwithmint,thymeandchamomilein
yourcashboxtohelpyouenjoythesweetsmellofsuccess.

CORNDOLLS

AfteryouhavecelebratedLammas(orLughnasadhorCalanAwst),whenyou
areharvestingthebountyofyourgarden,youcanhonorthespiritsofthelandby
makingacorndoll.

Inprinciple,corndollsaresimilartotheJohnBarleycornscarecrow,only
smallerandmadeentirelyofplantmaterialratherthanbeingstuffedwithstraw.
Thecorndollcanbethoughtofanidolrepresentingthelifeoftheland.

TraditionalEnglishcorn“dolls”werenotalwaysdolls.

Theywereoftencraftedinnon-humanoidforms,suchasabell(Essexand
Cambridgeshire),alantern(Norfolk),apret-zel-shapedknot(Stafford),a
horseshoe(Suffolk)oraspiral(Yorkshire).InScandinaviatheywereoften
shapedtoresemblestarsorcrowns.

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Furthermore,theywerenevermadefromthehusksofwhatweAmericanscall
corn,becausethisisaNewWorldgrainthatwasunknowninEuropeuntilthe
16thcentury.

16thcentury.

AlthoughintheUnitedStatesthewordcornhascometobeasynonymfor
maize,itactuallymeansanykindofseed.

Thustheseedoftheoaktreeiscalledanacorn(oak-corn).

InEnglandthewordcornreferstoanygrain:wheat,barley,rye,oats.

Nevertheless,thehusksofcorn(maize)aregreatformakingcorndolls.The
instructionsIamgivinghereareformakingahumanoidcorndollusingcorn
husks.Youwillneedstring,scissorsandofcoursethecornhusks.

Thiswillbeamuchmoremeaningfulactivityifthecorncameoutofyourown
soil,butifyoudidn’tplantcornyoucanpickupafewearsatyourfarmers’
market.Forthatmatter,youcanevenbuythosedriedhuskssoldatcraftstores,
butyouwillhavetosoaktheseinwatertomakethempli-able.Theother
disadvantageofdriedcrafthusksisthattheyprobablywerenotgrowninyour
area,andthushavenocon-nectionwiththelocallandspirits.

Youwillneedatleastsixhuskstomakeadoll.Holdfourorfivehuskstogether
inabundleandtieoneendofthistogethertightlywithapieceofstring.Cutoff
anyexcessstring.

Nowturnthebundleupsidedownandgentlypullthelongendsofthehusks
downoverthetiedoffshorterends.

Pullthemdownonallsides:front,back,leftandright.Becarefulnottobreak
anyofthehusksasyoudothis.Whenyouhavepulledthelongendsdown,tie
themwithastringtof2402

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forma“head”and“neck”,withtherestofthehuskshangingdownasasortof
loose,yetunformed“body”.

Nowtakeoneortwootherhusksandrollthemastightlyasyoucanlengthwise.
Tietheendswithstring(youmayneedtotiethemiddlealso).Thispiecewillbe
the“arms”ofyourdoll.

Fitthearmpiecethroughthelonghusks,justbelowtheneckofthedoll,soit
protrudesfromeachsidelikeapairofarms.Tieanotherstringaroundthebody

protrudesfromeachsidelikeapairofarms.Tieanotherstringaroundthebody
belowthearmstocreatea“waist”.

Youcanstophereifyouwish,oryoucanembellishthedollfurther.Ifyou
wouldlikeafullerskirt,tieanotherfourorfivehusksfromthewaistofthedoll.
Alternately,youcangivethedolllegsbydividingthehusksbelowthewaistinto
twobundles,tyingthematthe“knees”and“ankles”.

Thecorndollcansitproudlyonyourharvestaltar.Keepitsomewhereinyour
homethroughthewinter,andthenreturnittotheearthinthespringeitherby
buryingitinyourgardenorbyburningitandscatteringtheashesovertheearth.

Thebestcorndollsarethosemadefromplantsthathaveasignificantplacein
yourlife.Ifyouarenotgrowingcorn,seeifthereissomeotherplantinyour
gardenthatcanbemadeintoacorndoll.AfriendofmineinMissouriearnspart
ofherincomebygrowingherbsandsellingherbalproducts.Shemakesbeautiful
“corndolls”outofsouthernwood,aspeciesofArtemisia.Manyplants,including
thetraditionalgrainplants,canbeshaped,tiedandwovenintodolls.

f2412

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MIRROR,MIRRORONTHEWALL

Ifyouenjoytrancework,makeyourownscryingmirror.Amirrorofthissortis
usedlikeanyotherreflectivesurface,andiseasiertoworkwith(andmuchless
ofacliché)thanacrystalball.ManyPagansassociateHallowmasorSamhain
withtheartofdivination,makingthatseasonaperfecttimeofyearforputting
togetherascryingmirror.

Theproblemwithordinarymirrorsisthattheyaretooreflective.Whenyougaze
intoanordinarymirroryouseeyourselfandyoursurroundingsinaperfect,but
reversed,reflection.Thatperfectreflectionisusuallyadistraction,although
thereareplentyofanecdotalstoriesofpeople“see-ingthings”innormal
mirrors.Thethemeisoftenusedasaplotdeviceinhorrorandfantasystories.

Foreffectivescrying,however,alessreflectivemirrorismoreuseful.Aneasy
waytomakeascryingmirroristobeginwithanempty,off-the-rackpicture
framelikethosesoldatanydiscountorhousewaresstore.

Removetheglassfromtheframeasifyouwereprepar-ingtoputapictureinit.
Settingtheframeasidetemporarily,paintonesideoftheglassblack.Applythe
blackpaintevenlyovertheentiresurfaceoftheglass,leavingnovisiblestreaks.

Allowthepainttodryovernight.

Thefollowingday,placetheglassbackintheframewiththeunpaintedside
facingout.Younowhaveascryingmirror!

Scryingissomethingapersonexperiences,notsomethingapersonlearns
intellectually.Sitinfrontofyourmirrorandtrytoclearyourmind.Itmayhelp
toturnoffanyelectriclightsandrelyononeortwocandlesforillumination.

f2422

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Donottrytoforceanything;justgazeintothemirrorandbeopentoany
impressionsyoumayreceive.Somepeopledescribea“clouding”effectjust
beforetheyseeimages,soifthemirrorcloudsoveritprobablymeansthatyou
arestartingtomasterthisart.

Ifthemirrordoesnotcloudover,donotworry,itmaystillworkforyouina
differentway.Psychicimpressionsdonotalwaysmanifestasvisions
(clairvoyance).Beopentoanythingthatoccursasyougazeintothemirror.You
mayhearvoices(clairaudience),orsenseodors(clairalience).Youmaysimply
“know”thingsyoudidnotknowbefore(claircogni-zance).

ScryingmirrorsmakegreatpresentsforyourPaganfriends.Infactmanyofthe
thingsdescribedinthischapter—scryingmirrors,personalizedritualcandles,
solarwreaths,sachetsandpotpourri—canbeassembledthroughouttheyearas
Yuletidepresents,greatlyreducingyourshoppingstresswhenDecemberrolls
around.

f2432

CHAPTERTEN

YULE

Yuleisoftenconfusedwiththewintersolstice,butthefor-merisaseasonwhile
thelatterisaprecisemomentintime.

YulebeginswiththeÆrraGeolamoon,whichgrowsfullinlateNovemberor
December,andtheseasonthencontinuesfortwolunarmonths.

ForSaxonPagans(aswellasPagansfrommanyotherpaths)thecelebrationof
theYuletideusuallydoesnotactuallybeginuntilMothers’Night,thesolstice,
andcontinuesforaweekortwoafterthis.Icelebratefortwelvedays,from
Mother’sNighttoNewYear’sDay,butIhavebeeninvitedtoYulefeastsheld
aslateasmid-January.Forthatmatter,IhaveattendedYulefeaststhattook
placetendaysormorebeforethesolstice.Andthiswasentirelyappropriate,for
Yuleisaseason.

IlovetheYule,partlybecauseitisthemostimportantholytideintheSaxon
sacralcalendar,butalsoforthesamef245

f

2

245

yule

reasonthatmanynon-GermanicPagansloveit.Wiccanshavenoreasontobe
exceptionallyexcitedaboutthewintersolstice,asitisa“minorsabbat”
secondarytothebigholidayslikeBeltaneandSamhain.Ihaveneverknowna
HellenicPagantomakeabigdealoutoftheHaloa,theDecemberfestivalsacred
tobothDemeterandDionysus,atleastnotmoresothananyotherGreek
festival.AndyetYuleseemstohaveaspecialplaceintheheartsofmost
Pagans,regardlessoftheirspiritualpaths,simplybecauseitissoprevalentin
ourcultureduetotheinfluenceofChristianity.Themajorityoffirstgeneration
Pagans(thoseofuswhowereraisedbynon-Paganfamilies)grewupin
ChristianhouseholdswherewewereintroducedtoSantaClaus,cinnamon

ChristianhouseholdswherewewereintroducedtoSantaClaus,cinnamon
cookies,egg-nogandjinglebellsaschildren,andtheoldestofushavepassed
thesethingsontoourownchildren,thesecondandthirdgenerationPagansof
thiscentury.

AlthoughPagansdonotactuallycelebrateChristmas(asin“thebirthof
Christ”),wehavenodesiretorelinquishthepleasantriesofChristmas.Some
Pagansclaimthatthesetraditionsareours,butanyclaimwemayhaveto
ownershipisindirectatbest.

WhileChristmastraditionsmaynotliterallybeours,theseculartrappingsof
ChristmasalsohavenothingtodowiththebirthofJesus,andmostofthem
sufferlittleornotatallwhentranslatedintoaPaganlifestyle.Thisisespecially
trueforPaganswhofollowGermanicpaths,sincesomanyoftheChristmas
customswearefamiliarwithoriginatedinnorthernEurope.Inmyhomewe
decorateaYuletreeeachyear.

ForusitrepresentstheWorldTreethatconnectsalloftheSevenWorlds.We
enjoymunchingonYulecookiesandwef2462

yule

haveourfavoriteYulesongs.Wedoallofthesecularthingsthatourneighbors
do,prettymuchsubstitutingthewordYuleforthewordChristmas.

Somepeoplecallthis“stealingback”,butIdonotseewhereanytheftis
involvedatall.Thesearethetraditionsofmyancestors,andwhileIfollowa
differentreligiouspath,myancestorsalsochosetofollowapaththatdiffered
fromthatoftheirownforebears;andnoneofthischangesthefactthattheseare
familytraditionshavinglittletododirectlywitheitherJesusorWoden.

ThisiswhyIseenothingwrongorstrangewhennon-GermanicPagansalso
choosetocelebrateYulewithevergreentrees,tinselandho-ho-ho.Thesethings
havemeaningtoPagansofallpaths,andrightlyso,becausetheyarethewaysof
ourancestors.

Itisinourspiritualexpressionwherethediversityofthisseasonmanifests.Asa
SaxonPagan,thebirthofaJewishboymorethantwomillenniaagohasno
specialmeaningforme.

NordoIbelievethatthesunisbeing“reborn”.Idonotcelebratetheritesof

NordoIbelievethatthesunisbeing“reborn”.Idonotcelebratetheritesof
DemeterandDionysus.Inshort,IcelebratetheseasonasaSaxon.

Thewintersolstice,forSaxons,isknownasMódraniht,orMothers’Night.This
isthelongestnightoftheyear,anditisthenightthatmykinsmengathertooffer
ahúseltoourfemaleancestors.Itisbelievedthatsomemothersareverylikely
tocareabouttheirchildren,andtheirchildren’schildren,evenafterdeath.As
thecentralpartoftherite,adrinkinghornisfilledwithmead,andwetaketurns
drinkingtothememoryofourgrandmothers,greatgrandmothers,andgreat
greatgrandmothers,backtothedawnofhumankind.

f2472

yule

Manyofushonorspecificfemaleancestorsbyname.Forus,itisthesinglemost
importantnightoftheyear,anditpre-cedesatwelvedaycelebrationofthe
Yule.

YourYuletideritualsshouldexpressyourownspirituality.Howevermuchwe
maylove“Christmas”traditions,itisimportanttorememberthattheseare
secularcustomsandnotallowthemtoovershadowwhattheseasonmeansto
youasaPaganperson.

WassailingisoneYuletidetraditionwithalegitimateclaimtoapre-Christian
lineage(Simpson&Roud,p.380).

ThewordwassailcomesfromtheOldEnglishweshal,meaning“behealthy”or
“bewhole”,andisstilloftenusedeventodayasasalutationbySaxonPagans.
Thereweretwotraditionalwassailingcustoms.Onewassailingcustomwas
associatedwithwomenandtheotherwithmen.Bothincludedawarm,alcoholic
drinkoftenjustcalledwassail.

Thewassailingassociatedwithwomeninvolvedvisitingneighbors’homes.A
groupofyoungwomenwouldcarryabowlofwassailfromhousetohouse.At
eachhousetheywouldofferwassailtotheresidentsandsingasong.Thiswas
believedtobringlucktothehousehold.Theconnectionbetweenthiscustomand
thePaganbeliefinfemaleancestorsblessingtheirpeopleonMothers’Nightis
readilyappar-ent.

Thistraditionisdifficulttorecreatetoday,sincemostifnotallofyourneighbors
nolongerhonortheirancestorsortheoldgods.Buttheunderlyingpurposeof

nolongerhonortheirancestorsortheoldgods.Buttheunderlyingpurposeof
wassailinglikethiswastocelebratethecommunityortribe,andthatisveryeasy
torecreate.Whenyourcovenorkindredispreparingtogatherforasolstice
celebration,findaselectionofappropri-f2482

yule

atesongsandprintoffthelyricssoeveryonecansingalong.

ThesesongsmightbePagansongs,buttheycanaseasilybesecularcarols.Set
outabowlofwassail,encourageeveryonetotakeacup,andthenturnoffthe
television.InsteadofwatchingonemorererunofaVerySpecialSugarCoated
HolidaySpecial,geteveryonesingingtogether,meldingtheirvoicesandspirits
inPagancelebration.

Thewassailingthatwasassociatedwithmen,alsocalledAppleHowling,was
quitedifferent.Themenofthevillagewouldgotothelocalorchardsand
“wassail”thetrees.Thisincludedsingingtothetreesandsplashingthetrunks
withthewassailbeverage.Specificpracticesvariedfromonevillagetothenext.
Toastsoakedwithwassailwassometimesplacedinthetreebranches.Herewe
haveanothertraditionintendedtobringluck,butthisisluckfortheorchardsin
thehopeofabountifulharvestinthecomingyear.

Thisisagreattraditiontoresurrectifyouhaveplantedevenasinglefruitornut
bearingtreeinyouryard.Poursomewassailaroundtherootsofyourtree(or
trees),orputasliceofwassailsoakedtoastinthebranches.Singtothetree.
Hereagainthechoiceofsongisentirelyuptoyou.

TheremightbeaPagansongyoulike.(“TheTreesofAnnw-fn”fromGwydion
Pendderwen’s1982albumTheFaerieSha-manwouldcertainlybeappropriate.)
Otherwiseyoumightchooseasecularcarol.Idonotthinkthetreespiritsreally
carewhatyousing,itistheattentiontheyenjoy.

Thetraditionalwassailbeveragewasaspicedaleorcider,andby“cider”Imean
hard(alcoholic)cider.ItwasoftendescribedasLamb’sWoolbecauseofthe
whitefrothonthesurfaceofthedrink.Thefollowingrecipeissimilartof2492

yule

whatmighthavebeenusedaswassaillongago.Isaysimilarbecausethe
averagePaganinnorthernEuropeobviouslydidnothaveaccesstosugar,ginger

averagePaganinnorthernEuropeobviouslydidnothaveaccesstosugar,ginger
ornutmeg.

TRADITIONALWASSAIL

Youwillneed:

1½quartsaleorhardcider

6smallapples

1tspgratednutmeg

1tspgroundginger

¼cupsugar

Preheatyourovento120degreesFahrenheit.Coretheapplesandthenplace
themonalightlygreasedbakingtray.

Theappleswillswellslightlyastheybake,sospacethemacoupleinchesapart
fromeachother.Baketheapplesforonehour.

Meanwhile,putonecupoftheale(orcider)andallofthesugarinatallpan.
Warmthisoveralowheat,stirringcontin-uouslytodissolvethesugar.Afterthe
sugarhasdissolvedaddthegratednutmegandginger.Continuetosimmerthis,
stirringitasyouslowlyaddtheremainingaleorcider.

Aftertheapplesaredonebaking,removethemfromtheovenandallowthemto
coolfor10–12minutes.Thencuteachappleinhalfandscoopoutthebaked
“flesh”intoabowl.Discardtheskins.(Ideallytheseappleskinsshouldgointo
yourcompost!)Usingaforkorpotatomasher,mashtheapplesuntiltheyare
smooth.

Slowlyaddthesmooth,mashedapplesintothewarmaleorcider,mixingitin
vigorouslywithawhisk.Continuetof2502

yule

warmthewassailoveraverylowheatforabouthalfanhour.

Whiskitagainjustbeforeserving.

Whiskitagainjustbeforeserving.

THOROUGHLYMODERNWASSAIL

Oneconcernwithatraditionalwassailisthatitisalcoholic.Muchofthealcohol
willdissipateasthewassailisheated,butitmaystillbeunsuitableforsome
people.Thisnextrecipeisforanon-alcoholicwassailthatallofyourkinsmen
canenjoy.Youwillneed:

2quartsapplejuiceorsoftapplecider

2¼cupspineapplejuice

2cupsorangejuice

1cuplemonjuice

½cupsugar

1stickcinnamon

1teaspoonwholecloves

Puttheclovesinateaballandmixalloftheseingredientstogetherinapot.
Warmthewassailoveralowheat.Whenitisheatedthrough,removethetea
ballandservethewassailincups.

*

TheYuletreeisusuallyafocalpointinanysolsticecelebrationiffornoother
reasonthanitsphysicalsize.Bringinganevergreentreeintothehomeatthe
solsticeisarelative-lymoderncustom,butthereisnothingexplicitlyChristian
aboutit(Israelisnotnotableforitsvastpineforests),andasaGermanic
traditionitfitsinverywellwithmySaxonf2512

yule

spirituality.Forme,theYuletreerepresentstheEormensyl,thegreatAxis
MundithattoucheseachoftheSevenWorlds.

NorsePagansseethetreeinasimilarway;asYggdrasil,connectingeachofthe
NorseNineWorlds.

NorseNineWorlds.

Thetreecanbecomeanexpressionofyourspiritualityevenifyoudonotfollow
anorthernpath.TheHellenic(Greek)Paganmaywanttodecoratethetreewith
artificialgrapesandeitherrealorartificialvinesinhonoroftheHaloafeastto
Dionysus.TheRomanPaganwithevenmar-ginalhandicraftskillscan
incorporatethetreeinacelebrationoftheSaturnalia.Makeminiaturescythesto
hangfromthetreebranches(Saturnusissometimesdepictedholdingascythe),
andincludesomesolarornamentsinhonorofSolInvictus.

AssumingyoualreadysetupaYuleTreeeverywinter,orwouldliketodosoin
future,letuslookattheessentialnatureofthispractice.Thosewhopurchase
realtreescanselectfromavarietyofspecies,butallofthechoicesareevergreen
trees.Theotheressentialfactoristhatthetree,whetherrealorartificial,is
alwayssetupinside.Wemayalsodecidetoputlightsonevergreentreesoutside
thehome,buttheYuleTreeitselfisanindoorphenomenon.

Whetheryousetuparealtree(Ihesitatetosay“livetree”

sincetechnicallyitisdeadassoonasitiscut)oranartificialtreeisamatterof
personalpreference.Somepeoplearguethatitisbettertobuyanartificialtree
thantokillalivetree,but,aswithsomanythings,therearetwosidestothis
issue.

Veryfewtreesbroughtintoourhomesatthesolsticearewildtreespillagedfrom
theforest.Almostallofthemwereplanted,grownandharvestedfortheexpress
purposeofdec-f2522

yule

oratingourhomesduringtheholidays.Whiletheyaregrow-ing,theydowhatall
treesdo,purifyingandoxygenatingtheatmosphere.Aftertheholidays,more
than90%ofthesetreesarerecycledthroughliterallythousandsofrecyclingpro-
grams.Incontrasttothis,artificialtreesarenon-recyclableandnon-
biodegradable.Andtheycontributeabsolutelynothingtowardsrenewingour
atmosphere.

Iamnotsayingyouareabadpersonifyouhavedecidedtobuyanartificialtree.
WhatIamsayingisthatyouarenotabadpersonifyouhavechosenarealtree.

Therealtreehasoneotherbenefit—itsneedles.Thismaysoundoddifyouhave

Therealtreehasoneotherbenefit—itsneedles.Thismaysoundoddifyouhave
evercursedunderyourbreathwhilepickingdozensofstubbornevergreen
needlesoutofacar-pet,butthoseneedlesarewonderfulasanaromatic
ingredientforpotpourriorincenses!Aftertheholidays,beforetakingyourtree
outtoberecycled,stripoffthedryneedlesandstoretheminairtightcontainers
awayfromlight.Laynewspaperunderthetreeasyoustripofftheneedlesto
catcheverythingthatfalls.

FORESTINCENSE

Fourpartstreeneedles,brokenupassmallaspossibleTwopartscedarshavings

Onepartjuniperberries,crushed

Blendthesetogetherforadelightfulincenseevokingtheambienceofdeep
woodlands.Itisespeciallyappropriateasincenseforuseinritualshonoring
ruralorforestdeities.Thescentwillvaryslightlydependingonwhatspeciesof
treeyoubought,buttheresultisalwayspleasant.

f2532

yule

Tousethisasapotpourriaddseveraldropsofpineoilorjuniperoil,andsetthe
mixtureoutinanattractivebowl.Theneedlesdonotneedtobebrokenupas
finely.

*

AtsomepointwhileshoppingforYuletidegreeneryyouwillundoubtedlycome
acrossthosecutelittlerosemaryherbtopiariesshapedtoresembleholidaytrees.
Theyareasirre-sistibleaskittens,butIrecommendyouresisttheurgeto
purchaseoneanyway.Rosemaryisnotahouseplant.Rosemarycravesfreshair!
Itcan(andmust)bebroughtindoorsbeforethefirsthardfrost,butunderthebest
conditionsitcanbedifficulttokeepalivethroughthewinter.Therosemary
topiarythatlookssoappealingatthestoreisnotenjoy-inganythingremotely
resembling“bestconditions”.Ithasbeenstressedbytrimmingandhasalmost
certainlyreceivedlessthanoptimumcarewhilewaitingforsomeonetopurchase
it.

Ifawellmeaningfriendgivesyouoneoftheseherbs,thebestyoucandois
hopetokeepitaliveuntilspring.Puttheplantinacoollocationthatreceivesa

hopetokeepitaliveuntilspring.Puttheplantinacoollocationthatreceivesa
lotofsunlight(yes,thisisacontradiction,thatisonereasonwhyitisdifficultto
keeprosemaryaliveoverthewinter).Watertheherbsparingly,keepingthesoil
fairlydry.Finally,misttheneedlesatleastthreeorfourtimesaweek.

Thenpraytowhateverdeityinyourspiritualpantheonissovereignovertender
perennials.Ifyourrosemarysurvivesintothespring,getitoutsideassoonasthe
dangerofahardfrosthaspassed.

f2542

yule

Ifyouliveinaregionthatdoesnotexperiencehardfrosts,ignoreeverythingI
havejustsaid.Enjoyyourrosemary“tree”forafewdaysandthenplantit
outsidewhereitcanthrive.

Whatshouldyoudowithadeadrosemaryplant?Maybeyoucouldnotresistthe
urgeandboughtarosemarytopiarydespitemywarning.Maybeafriendgave
youaplantandyouwere(notsurprisingly)unabletokeepitaliveuntilspring.
Dothesamethingaswithanevergreentreeaftertheholidays;stripoffthe
needlesandusethemasanaromatic.

Rosemaryneedlesmakeawonderfulincense,eitheraloneorblendedwithother
herbs.

WhatdoyoudoonDecember25th?Formanypeople,

thereisnoquestionaboutthis.Ifyouliveinthesamehouseorwithinafew
milesofChristianrelativesitisverylikelythattheywillwantyoutobewith
themastheycommemoratethebirthoftheirdeity,andthereisnothingwrong
withthat.Youmayhaveajobthatrequiresyoutoworkonthe25th,andof
coursethereisnothingwrongwiththateither.

ButsomeofyoumaybeinthesamepositionIfoundmyselfinmanyyearsago
asIsatinmyapartmentwithabsolutelynothingtodo.MyChristianrelativesall
livedquiteadistancefromme,sothatwasnotanobligation.Myplaceof
employ-mentwasclosed,sogoingtoworkwasnotevenanoption.

Cabletelevisiondidnotyetexist,nordidpersonalcomput-ers(toanyextent),
andIquicklydiscoveredthatmyoptionsinelectronicentertainmentwere

andIquicklydiscoveredthatmyoptionsinelectronicentertainmentwere
limitedtoafootballgameononetelevisionchannelandthePopedoing
somethingorotheronanotherchannel.

f2552

yule

Afterthat,andforeveryyearsincethen,December25thatmyhomehasbeen
knownasGiftingDay.

MyhíredmennarealwaysinvitedtoGiftingDay,ofcourse,althoughthereare
nohardfeelingsiftheyhaveotherobligations.Inaddition,otherPaganfriends
whodonothaveobligationstotheircareersortobloodkinarewelcometojoin
usforadayofmerrimentandgiftexchanging.ThereisanAnglo-Saxonstyleto
ourcelebration.Wealwayssetoutalargeham,fortheboarwasasacredanimal
forourSaxonancestors.Thethemeofthedayistribeandcommunity;we
alreadygavepraisetoourancestorsseveraldaysearlier,atthesolstice.

IcouldleaveDecember25thtobeanordinaryday,likeanyotherdayofthe
year,butwhypassupanopportunitytomakethemostofadaywhenalmost
everyoneIknowhasthedayoffwork,andmanyhavenothingelserequiring
theirattention?AndsoIcelebrateDecember25thasGiftingDay,adayto
celebratemyfolk.Thedaybecomespartofmysacralcalendar.Formeitisalso
atimetogivethanksforallofmyfriendsandmyhíredmenn.

EarlierImentionedthatIcelebratetheYulefortwelvedays,butobviously
Mothers’NightandGiftingDayareonlytwoofthosedays.NewYears’Eveisa
thirdcelebration.

Whatabouttheotherninedays?

Formyinhíredthisvariesfromoneyeartothenext.Toaskwhatwedoto
celebratetheYuleislikeaskingwhereweeachwentonvacation;itisneverthe
samethingfromoneyeartothenext.Ilikethisflexibility,becauseeveryyear
ourextendedfamilyisalittledifferent.Workscheduleschange.

Somebodyenrollsincollege,orgraduatesfromcollege.If2562

yule

maygainanewhíredmannthroughmarriage,orwemaylosesomeonewho

maygainanewhíredmannthroughmarriage,orwemaylosesomeonewho
movesaway.Onechallengeforthe21stcenturytribeisadaptingtothedemands
of21stcenturylife!

Wemightgatherforwassailingononeevening,orbuildagingerbreadhouseor
holdafeastinhonorofSunne(thesovereignspiritofthesun),butwhatdaywe
doanyofthisisdifferenteachyear.Onadaywhenmostorallofusdonothave
toworkwewillplanlonger,moreinvolvedfestivities.

OtherPagans,however,preferamorestructuredschedule.NickEgelhoffisa
NorsePaganwhoobservesthetwelvedaysofYulewithaseriesofdevotionals.
HishouseholdhonorsadifferentNorsedeityorsetofspiritseachevening:•
December20th:Mothers’Night.Offeringsaregiventothefemaleancestors,
justasIwoulddo.TheNorseandtheSaxonsarebothGermanicculturessowe
sharequiteabitincommon,althoughtherearealsomanydif-ferences.InNick’s
householdalibationofwineisalsogiventotheNorsegoddessFriggaonthis
solsticenight.

•December21st:HonoringMániandtheWildHunt.

Máni,theNorsegodofthemoon,ispraisedand

addressedasBrotheroftheShiningSun.Offeringsofbeer,oatmeal,breadand
milkaregivenbothtoMániandtoOðinn(Woden),wholeadstheWildHuntat
thistimeofyear.

•December22nd:Sunna’sDay.Offeringsofincenseandmeadorwineare
giventoSunna,theNorsegoddessofthesun.

•December23rd:Twins’Day.Offeringsofbeer,breadandmilkaregivento
FreyrandFreya,twodeitiesf2572

yule

knowntoSaxonPagansasIngandFréo.Thisgodandgoddessaresiblings
associatedwiththeprosperityorbountyoftheearth.

•December24th:Alfar’sNight.TheAlfarareaclassofmaleancestorsthat
guardorwatchovertheinheritedlandoftheirdescendants.Nicktellsmethat
theAlfar“becameconflatedandconnectedwithothertypesofspirits”inNorse
culture,sotheyareatthesametimeancestralspiritsandlandspirits.InNick’s

culture,sotheyareatthesametimeancestralspiritsandlandspirits.InNick’s
householdtheAlfararegivenofferingsofbeer,bread,milkor“anythingthat
one’smaleancestorsmighthaveenjoyed”.

•December25th:Children’sDay.Nickandhiswifedonotyethaveany
children,buttheybelieveitisimportanttohonorchildrenneverthelessonthis
day.“Werememberandcelebratetheinnocenceandjoyofchildren,”saysNick.
Children’sDayinhishouseholdisalsoatimetohonorthespiritsofhearthand
home.Offerings—usuallymilkandcookies—areleftoutforthehausvættir
(houseelves).

•December26th:Dvergar’sNight.ThedvergarareNorsedwarves.Thesespirits
arebelievedtobeexcellentcrafts-men.Nickhonorsthemwithofferingsof
jewelry,metalsandmead.

•December27th:Forefathers’Day.Specificclassesofancestorsarehonoredon
Mothers’NightandAlfar’sNight,butthisdayisdevotedtoallancestorsina
moregeneralsense.AsNickputsit,thedayisatimetohonorthe“nameless
thousandswhoseblood,deedsandluckflowwithinus.”Theofferingscanbe
anythingthosef2582

yule

ancestorsmightenjoy,butNickoftengivesalibationofmeadorsomeother
fermenteddrink.

•December28th:Hel’sNight.InGermanictraditions,Helisbothaplaceand
thegoddesswhoreignsoverthatplace.Itisnotaparticularlybadplace,noris
thegoddessHel(orHella)aparticularlybadgoddess.Nickgivesherofferings
ofmead,breadandmeat.

•December29th:Ygg’sNight.YggisanothernameforthegodOðinn,andthis
nightisdedicatedtohim.

Thevotiveofferingisalwaysmeadorsomesimilarfermenteddrink,andYggis
praisedasthegodwhowontherunicMysteries.

•December30th:Thunderer’sDay.ThisdayisdedicatedtothegodThor,who
isknowntoSaxonPagansasThunor.InNick’sdevotionalliturgyheis
addressedas“YouwhodefendtheMidgard,whoareFriendto

AllMen,whoselaughtersoundsliketherollofthun-der.”Beeristheusual

AllMen,whoselaughtersoundsliketherollofthun-der.”Beeristheusual
offering,butNicktellsmethathemightalso(orinstead)givethisgodmeator
bread.

•December31st:TwelfthNight.OnthelastnightoftheyearNickandhis
householdhonortheNorns,threepowerfulspiritswhoshapethefateofmen.
Fermenteddrinkistheusualoffering.

Obviouslythisisamuchmorestructuredapproachtocelebratingtwelvedaysof
Yule,andNickadmitsitrequiresawillingnesstoadapttoworldlydemandsat
times.Thispastyear,hetellsme,“Wehadtobeflexibleononeortwonights
duetogeographyandtiming.WetraveledbacktoColumbus(Ohio)on
ChristmasEvetobewithmyfamily,andthuswef2592

yule

couldn’treallydothedevotionalsasoriginallyplanned;butwemadeitwork.”

Ifyouunderstandthatplansmayneedtobechanged,astructuredtwelveday
celebrationmayappealmoretoyou.

Thiscouldbeaseriesoftwelverituals,asNickhasdone,oryourtribemaywant
toalternateritualswithwassailing,feastingorotherYuletideactivities.The
rightwaytodothisiswhateverwayisbothtruetoyourspiritualtraditionand
fulfillingtoyouandyourfolk.WhencelebratingthetwelvedaysofYulethe
importantthingisnotwhatyoudoorwhenyoudoit,solongasyoudo
somethingthroughoutthistwelvedayperiodoftransitionfromoneyeartothe
next.

Forthoseofuslivinginthenorthernhemisphere,theYuletidebringsanother
yeartoanend.Andthenanewyearbegins,unfoldingbeforeusaswewalka
Paganpath.

f2602

GLOSSARY

Alfar:Aclassofmaleancestorsthatguardorwatchovertheinheritedlandof
theirdescendants.(Norse)Ásatrú:IcelandicPaganism.Thistermissometimes
usedinamoregeneralwaytoincludeallGermanicpaths,especially
Scandinavianpaths.

Beltane:AfestivalcelebratedonornearthefirstofMay,markingthebeginning
ofsummer.(IrishCeltic,Wiccan)Blót:Asacrificetothegodsorancestors.The
wordliterallymeans“blood”,butNorsePagansgenerallyusethetermforany
offering.(Norse,Saxon)

CalanAwst:AfestivalcelebratedonornearthefirstofAugust,markingthe
beginningoftheharvestseason.

(WelshCeltic)

Demos:AnameusedbymanyHellenicPagansforthetribeorspiritualfamily.
Plural,demoi.(Hellenic)f261

f

2

261

glossary

Dodekatheon:ThetwelveOlympicgodsandgoddessesoftheHellenic
Pantheon.(Hellenic)Dvergar:AnOldNorsewordfordwarves,subterranean
spiritsassociatedwithmetalsandgems,craftsmanshipandwisdom.(Norse)

Eormensyl:TheAxisMundithatconnectstheSevenWorldsofAnglo-Saxon
cosmology.Sometimescalledthe“WorldTree”.(Saxon)

Esbat:Acovenmeetingthattakesplaceatsometimeotherthanoneofthe
sabbats.Esbatsareusuallyheldonornearthefullmoon.(Wiccan)

Gallic:ComingfromororiginatinginGaul,aregionofEuropethatroughly
correspondstothemodernnationofFrance.GallicPagansreverecontinental
CelticdeitiessuchasTaranis,OgmiosandLugus.

Gesith:Anoathedmemberofaninhíred,sworntobrother-hood.Theword
literallymeanscomradeorcompanion.

Plural,gesithas.(Saxon)HalSidu:OldEnglishfor“healthy(hale)custom”.
Holistictraditionsthatbringtogetherthebody,mindandspirit.

Hama:Theastralbodythatsurroundsandprotectsthephysicalself.Asaproper
nounthisisalsothenameofthegodknowntotheNorseasHeimdall.(Saxon)

Hausvættir:Anothertermforhouseelves.(Norse)Hellenic:Relatingtothe
ancientGreeks.HellenicPagansreverethedeitiesoftheDodekatheonwith
reconstructionsofancientGreekritual.

Híredmann:Anymemberofaninhíred,oathedornot.Plural,híredmenn.
(Saxon)f2622

glossary

Húsel:Asacrificetothegodsorancestors.(Saxon)Imbolc:Afestival
celebratedonornearthefirstofFebruary,markingthebeginningofspring.Itis
associatedwiththelactationofewesinearlyspring.(IrishCeltic,Wiccan)
Inhíred:Thetribeorextendedfamily.Thenamemeanshousehold.Plural,
inhírdas.(Saxon)

Kemetic:RelatingtotheancientEgyptians.KemeticPagansreveredeitiessuch
asIsis,OsirisandHoruswithreconstructionsofEgyptianritual.

Kindred:Thetribeorextendedfamily.(Norse)Lammas:Afestivalcelebrated
onornearthefirstofAugust,celebratingthebreadbakedfromthefirstwheat
harvest.

(Saxon,Wiccan)

Lararium:Ahouseholdaltar.Literally,thedwellingplaceofthehousehold
guardianspirits.(Roman)Lughnasadh:Afestivalcelebratedonornearthefirst
ofAugusttocommemoratethegoddessTailtiu,foster-motherofLugh.Like
LammasandCalanAwst,thisisaharvestfestival.(IrishCeltic,Wiccan)

Midgard:Thephysicalworld.MiddleEarth,incontrasttotheextradimensional
worldsthatsurroundthephysicaluniverseinGermaniccosmology.(Norse)
Midsummer:Thesummersolstice.(Saxon,Wiccan)Módraniht:Mothers’Night,
thewintersolstice.Thelongestnightoftheyearisatimetohonorone’sfemale
ancestors(foremothers)withlibationsandpraise.(Saxon)

Myse:Theworkingsurfaceformagicalorspiritualrituals.

ThenamemeanstableinOldEnglish.(Saxon)

f2632

glossary

Neo-Pagans:Atermreferringtocontemporary,livingPaganpeople.Neo-
Pagansfollowawidearrayofspiritualpaths.

Numina:Awordmeaning“powers”,sometimesusedinreferencetoguardian
spirits.(Roman)Paleo-Pagans:AtermreferringtoPaganpeoplewholivedin
pre-Christiancultures,incontrasttomodernNeo-Pagans.

Recelsfæt:Acenser.Anycontainerforholdingburningincense.(Saxon)

Saxon:RelatingtotheGermanictribeswhosettledinEnglandfromthe3rd
Centuryonward.SaxonPagans

reveredeitiessuchasWoden,FrigeandThunorwithreconstructionsofAnglo-
Saxonritual.

Spelt:AvarietyofwheatthatwasastaplecropfromtheBronzeAgetothe
MiddleAges.OftenfavoredbyRomanandHellenicPagansforuseasan
offering.

Wéofod:Analtar.Literally,theplacewheretheimageofthedeitystands.
(Saxon)Wéofodsteall:Shrineorsacredritualspace.Literally,theplacewhere
thealtaris.(Saxon)Wéoh:Animageorsymbolofadeity.Anidol.(Saxon)Ygg:
OneofthemanynamesofthegodOðinn.(Norse)f2642

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Albertsson,Alaric.Wyrdworking:ThePathofaSaxonSorcerer.

Woodbury,MN:Llewellyn

Worldwide,2011.

Ambrose,J.T.,etal.TheHiveandtheHoneybee,rev.ed.Hamil-ton,IL:Dadant
&Sons,1992.

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