❦A cold wind blows ☾☀ Discussions - Temple Illuminatus2024-03-28T19:08:56Zhttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/group/acoldwindblows/forum?feed=yes&xn_auth=noCelebrations Around the World Similar to Halloweentag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2020-10-31:6363372:Topic:35497152020-10-31T23:50:25.498ZCarmen Elsa Irarragorri Wylandhttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/CarmenElsaIrarragorriWyland
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>While we typically associate Halloween with costumes and candy these days, the holiday is actually rooted in spiritual beliefs from more than 1,000 years ago. Many trace Halloween back to the Celtic pagan celebration of Samhain, in which observants would </span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/story/why-do-we-celebrate-halloween" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">wear costumes and light fires to ward off the souls</a><span> returning back to their…</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>While we typically associate Halloween with costumes and candy these days, the holiday is actually rooted in spiritual beliefs from more than 1,000 years ago. Many trace Halloween back to the Celtic pagan celebration of Samhain, in which observants would </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/story/why-do-we-celebrate-halloween">wear costumes and light fires to ward off the souls</a><span> returning back to their homes on November 1. As All Saints’ Day became a Christian take on Samhain, along with it came the festivities of the night before, or All Hallow’s Eve, which evolved into Halloween.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>The costume-wearing and trick-or-treating traditions popularized in the U.S. in the 1950s have turned into an annual $2.5 billion industry. But around the world, many other countries have their own sorts of similarly spirited occasions that recall the original intentions of Halloween. Here are 20 such celebrations and the stories behind them.</span></p>
<h2 id="samhain-scotland-and-ireland-" style="text-align: center;">Samhain (Scotland and Ireland)</h2>
<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/10/Samhain_TT.jpg" alt="Samhain celebration in Scotland"/></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>The Celtic pagan celebration of Samhain, or Samhuinn, </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://time.com/5434659/halloween-pagan-origins-in-samhain/">dates back to the Iron Age</a><span> and is often referred to as the predecessor to Halloween. With the Celtic calendar divided into a light and dark half, the </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Samhain">November 1 festival</a><span> ushers in the beginning of the dark part of the year between the autumn equinox and winter solstice — it’s considered one of its fire festivals marking the change. (Samhain means “summer’s end in Gaelic.)</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>During this time, the gods become visible on earth and play tricks on mortals, leading to widespread fear and <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Samhain">supernatural occurrences</a>. Over the course of time, myths about shape-shifting monsters and carved turnips called Jack-o-lanterns emerged, as well the <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/samhain#section_5">tradition of “Dumb Suppers</a>,” where deceased ancestors would join in on meals while children entertained them. The tradition of <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.history.com/news/halloween-trick-or-treating-origins">guising</a>, where kids would go door-to-door in costumes to accept offerings after reciting a poem or joke, eventually developed into trick-or-treating.</span></p>
<h2 id="d-a-de-los-muertos-mexico-" style="text-align: center;">Día de Los Muertos (Mexico)</h2>
<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/09/iStock-153151051.jpg" alt="Graveyard at night with candles, flowers, and other decorations for Dia de Los Muertos"/></p>
<div class="ArticleList__htmlChunk"><p style="text-align: center;">While Mexico’s tradition of Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) has gained popularity in recent years — in part because of its<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/indigenous-festivity-dedicated-to-the-dead-00054">inscription on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list</a><span> </span>in 2008 — its tone is quite the opposite of Halloween, which is rooted in terror. Celebrated over a<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/north-america/mexico/top-ten-day-of-dead-mexico">two-day period<span> </span></a>on November 1 for All Saints’ Day and November 2 for All Souls’ Day, it’s a colorful and lively celebration to honor “the transitory return to Earth of deceased relatives and loved ones,” according to UNESCO.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Day of the Dead is also synced with the end of the maize harvest, and the origins of the holiday date back to the Aztec, Toltec, and other Nahua people several thousand years ago, who “considered mourning the dead disrespectful,” according to<span> </span><em>National Geographic</em>. Nowadays, ofrendas (altars) are set up with offerings to welcome back the dead, including sugar skulls, which originated with 17th century Italian missionaries. Poems poking fun at the living called calaveras (literary skulls) are also read, and revelers often dress up as skeletons with their faces painted.</p>
<h2 id="fet-gede-haiti-" style="text-align: center;">Fet Gede (Haiti)</h2>
<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/10/haiti.jpg" alt="Morning at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de l’Assomption in Cap-Haitien, Haiti."/></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The Haitian take on Day of the Dead, Fet Gede — which translates to Festival of the Dead — is a<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com.es/fotografia/foto-del-dia/fete-gede_14921">voodoo festival</a>, similar to Mardi Gras. One of the biggest celebrations during the November 1-2 festival happens at Grand Cimetière in Port-au-Prince, where dancing, feasting and drumming take place to honor ancestors.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">With black, purple, and white as the celebration’s official colors, offerings are made to spirits, including the god of death Baron Samedi, and a<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com.es/fotografia/foto-del-dia/fete-gede_14921">dance called the Banda</a><span> </span>is performed. While the connotation of voodoo is often misassociated with dark practices, the festival is rooted in the spiritual side of the culture.</p>
<h2 id="hungry-ghost-festival-asia-" style="text-align: center;">Hungry Ghost Festival (Asia)</h2>
<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/10/Hungry-Ghost-Festival--Asia-.jpg" alt="Chinese traditional religious practices, Zhongyuan Purdue, Chinese Ghost Festival."/></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">According to<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/have-you-heard-of-the-hungry-ghost-festival">an ancient Chinese legend</a>, the monk Mulain was worried that his mother was hungry in the afterlife, so he turned to Buddha, who suggested offering food and clothing to the monks. In appreciation, the monks prayed — and since ghosts can’t eat, Mulain’s mother was born again as a human, ending her hunger. Thus the Hungry Ghost Festival began, celebrated as a Buddhist and Taoist tradition during the entirety of the<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/explore/culture/hong-kong-traditional-celebrations-throughout-the-year.html">seventh month of the Lunar calendar</a>, which usually starts<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/taiwan/spirit-festival">around late August to early September</a>. The festivities peak on the 15th day with the Yulan Ji festival.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Nowadays, the offerings<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/hong-kong-hungry-ghost-festival/index.html">include money, dim sum, and iPhones</a>, passed along to the otherworld by burning paper versions of the items. Empty seats are also left at operas and family dinners for the ghosts. The festival is commemorated in many Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and China.</p>
<h2 id="obon-festival-of-the-dead-japan-" style="text-align: center;">Obon Festival of the Dead (Japan)</h2>
<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/10/Obon-Festival--Japan-.jpg" alt="Bon Odori Dancers at the Sugamo Bon Odori Festival in Toshima Ward, Tokyo, Japan."/></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">Japan’s take on the Hungry Ghost Festival is known as the Obon Festival, or Bon Festival. Families return to their hometown for a <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/asia/japan/summer-obon-festival-of-the-dead/">three-day ritual</a> around the 15th day of the Lunar calendar’s seventh month. Specific traditions vary, but most start with lantern lightnings (mukaebi) to lead the spirits home, while others also clean and decorate ancestors’ tombs (ohakamairi) and create altars for both the ancestors and spirits (shōryō-dana).</p>
<div class="ArticleList__adContainer"><div class="PrebidAdPairedMR"><div class="PrebidAd__container PrebidAd__container--MR"><div class="PrebidAd"><div class="PrebidAd__unit PrebidAd__unit--labeled"><div class="ArticleList__htmlChunk"><p style="text-align: center;">The pinnacle of the celebrations comes as revelers dress up as folk characters for folk dances (bon odori) around taiko drummers and then use floating lanterns and bonfires (okuribi) to send the spirits on their way. Dating back to the Asuka period from A.D.<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Asuka-period">552 to 645</a>, the celebration is rooted in Buddhism but<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2006/7/8/obon/">celebrated by all</a>.</p>
<h2 id="pchum-ben-cambodia-" style="text-align: center;">Pchum Ben (Cambodia)</h2>
<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/10/Pchum-Ben-cambodia.jpg" alt="Celebrating the Pchum Ben holiday and to pay their respects to the monks."/></p>
<div class="ArticleList__htmlChunk"><p style="text-align: center;">Cambodia’s 15-day Pchum Ben Festival is also a nod to the hungry ghosts, who direct the king’s servants and soldiers to offer food to the one among who demonstrate morality. The first 14 days of the Khmer month of Pheaktra Bot make up the celebration of Kan Ben, where the Buddhist monks are offered candles and food and recite protective prayers in return.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It all leads up to the 15th day of Pchum Ben. Pchum means “meeting,” and Ben means “a ball of rice or meat” — rice balls known as bay ben, made of sticky rice and sesame,<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/background-history-pchum-ben">are offered to the ghosts</a><span> </span>at dawn on this day. The celebration is also intended as a<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50760193/modern-meets-traditional-in-new-pchum-ben-festival-t-shirt-design/">day to reunite with families to honor ancestors</a>.</p>
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<div class="PrebidAd__container PrebidAd__container--MR"><div class="PrebidAd"><h2 id="fastelavn-denmark-" style="text-align: center;">Fastelavn (Denmark)</h2>
<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/09/shutterstock_1653200164.jpg" alt="Traditional cat decoration for Fastelavn"/></p>
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<div class="ArticleList__adContainer"><div class="PrebidAd__container PrebidAd__container--LB"><div class="PrebidAd"><p style="text-align: center;">Kids<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://people.com/celebrity/halloween-celebrations-around-the-world/">dress up in costumes and go door-to-door</a><span> </span>for Fastelavn — but the similarities to Halloween end there. Celebrated in February, the Carnival festival is the feast before fasting for Lent. Originated in Denmark, the holiday is also celebrated in other Roman Catholic countries, often by eating a bun called a fastelavnsboller. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">While<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.thelocal.dk/20150214/ten-things-to-know-about-fastelavn">past traditions have reportedly</a><span> </span>included riding horseback at full speed to put a lance through a ring, yanking off a goose’s head, and smashing a bat while blindfolded, the only animal antic remaining is having kids knock a cat out of a barrel. While<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.visitdenmark.com/denmark/highlights/history-and-culture/danish-traditions">actual black cats were used in the past</a>, now barrels painted with cats are used, similar to piñatas filled with candy.</p>
<h2 id="guy-fawkes-day-england-" style="text-align: center;">Guy Fawkes Day (England)</h2>
<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/09/iStock-154122005.jpg" alt="Bonfire celebration with Guy Fawkes effigy"/></p>
<div class="ArticleList__htmlChunk"><p style="text-align: center;">If credit went to where it was due, Guy Fawkes Day should actually be called Robert Catesby Day. Now also known as Bonfire Night, the November 5 celebration honors the failed attempt in 1605 to destroy King James I and Parliament, who were intolerant toward Catholics. The effort, known as the<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Gunpowder-Plot">Gunpowder Plot</a>, was led by Catesby — Fawkes was actually just one of four other co-conspirators.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">When the plot was revealed, bonfires were lit in London to celebrate, and<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.history.com/news/guy-fawkes-day-a-brief-history">November 5 became a day to give thanks</a>. Now it’s hailed as a time to reunite with family and friends while lighting bonfires, fireworks and<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.history.com/news/guy-fawkes-day-a-brief-history">effigies of Fawkes</a>. Children often went around with their effigies asking for a “penny for the Guy,” in a tradition similar to trick-or-treating.</p>
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<div class="ArticleList__adContainer"><div class="PrebidAdPairedMR"><div class="PrebidAd__container PrebidAd__container--MR"><div class="PrebidAd"><div class="PrebidAd__unit PrebidAd__unit--labeled"><h2 id="barriletes-gigantes-guatemala-" style="text-align: center;">Barriletes Gigantes (Guatemala)</h2>
<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/10/Giant-kite-festival--Santiago-Sacatepequez.jpg" alt=" Giant kite festival honoring spirits of the dead in town cemetery each year on All Saints Day in Guatemala."/></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rooted in a pre-Colombian tradition, colorful kites fly high in the Guatemalan skies on November 1-2 for Barriletes Gigantes, meaning “giant kites.” Originally, they were flown to show the connection between the otherworld and the human one, but eventually the kites became part of the<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.vogue.com/article/giant-kite-festival-sumpango-guatemala">All Saints’ Day celebrations</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The kites, many which are more than 40 feet wide, are hand-painted and flown over the graves of ancestors in cemeteries in Santiago Sacatepequez and Sumpango. These days, the messages are no longer intended for the deceased, but to show<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/02/world/barriletes-gigantes-guatemala/index.html">peace and companionship for the living</a>.</p>
<h2 id="correfocs-spain-" style="text-align: center;">Correfocs (Spain)</h2>
<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/09/iStock-622971582.jpg" alt="Revelers light torches for Correfocs celebration"/></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Fleeing from the devil carrying fire may sound a bit extreme, but it’s all part of a<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.spain.info/en/calendar/fiestas-santa-tecla/">tradition called correfoc</a>, which translates to “fire-running.”. Held all over the Catalonia region in Spain, the Balls de Diables (devil dances) involve jumping and running over people dressed as dragons and devils; the tradition started as far back as 1150 to show the fight between good and evil.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">In the port city of Tarragona, it’s part of the two-week celebration in late September called the<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.tarragona.cat/cultura/festes-i-cultura-popular/santa-tecla">Santa Tecla Fiesta</a>, which originated in 1321 to honor<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.tarragona.cat/cultura/festes-i-cultura-popular/santa-tecla/descobreix-la-festa/guia">the patron saint</a>. In Barcelona, it’s celebrated at the end of the month for the<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.spain.info/en/calendar/fiestas-nuestra-senora-merced/">Nuestra Señora de La Merced Fiesta</a>, first held in 1871.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span>ZADUSZKI, POLAND</span></p>
<p><span><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/09/iStock-183234689.jpg" alt="Close-up of colorful candles lit for Zaduskzi"/></span></p>
<div class="ArticleList__htmlChunk"><p style="text-align: center;">For the Polish, traveling to see family on Zaduszki, their version of All Souls’ Day on November 2, is just as<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://culture.pl/en/article/all-souls-day-the-tradition-of-zaduszki-in-poland">essential as on Easter and Christmas</a>. Many of the traditions — like baking bread and leaving it at graves for good luck or going to bed early to avoid meddling with the spirits — trace back to Slavic traditions, when they were focused on pleasing the spirits who appear closer to our world during this period. Today, it’s more about family time to honor the deceased.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The preceding day, All Saints’ Day on November 1, has long been an official holiday in the country, with many using the time off to tend to their ancestors’ graves. In<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.polamjournal.com/Library/Holidays/Zaduszki--All_Soul-s_Day/zaduszki--all_soul-s_day.html">some parts of the country</a>, candles are melted into walnut shells and set afloat down rivers to send messages to the deceased.</p>
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<div class="ArticleList__adContainer"><div class="PrebidAd__container PrebidAd__container--LB"><div class="PrebidAd"><h2 id="walpurgis-night-northern-europe-and-scandinavia-" style="text-align: center;">Walpurgis Night (Northern Europe and Scandinavia)</h2>
<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/09/iStock-907652864.jpg" alt="Walpurgis Night celebrations with fireworks, revelers and bonfire in a grassy field at night"/></p>
<div class="ArticleList__htmlChunk"><p style="text-align: center;">The English nun Saint Walburga, who became an abbess at Germany’s Heidenheim monastery, was believed to<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Walpurgis-Night">cure many of the locals</a>, while also<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-devil-walpurgis/walpurga-faust-satan-vie-for-souls-on-german-mountain-idUSKBN0DH2S620140501">converting pagan Germans</a>. She was canonized on May 1, 870, which happened to be the same time as a spring festival that Pope Adrian wanted to Christianize.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">While that didn’t happen, Walpurgis Night is still celebrated on its eve, April 30, in many northern European and Scandinvanian countries. In Sweden, spring folk songs are sung around bonfires, while in Germany, people leave butter-and-honey bread (or ankenschnitt) for “phantom hounds” and dress up and play tricks on one another, since loud noises are thought to fight off evil.</p>
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<div class="ArticleList__adContainer"><div class="PrebidAdPairedMR"><div class="PrebidAd__container PrebidAd__container--MR"><div class="PrebidAd"><div class="PrebidAd__unit PrebidAd__unit--labeled"><h2 id="vappu-finland-" style="text-align: center;">Vappu (Finland)</h2>
<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/09/iStock-640353328.jpg" alt="Close-up of glass jugs of celebratory drink, sima, for Vappu"/></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Finland celebrates a similar tradition as Walpurgis Night, but the festivities coincide with May Day, a holiday similar to Labor Day. Known as Vappu, the<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://finland.fi/life-society/finland-shows-carnival-colours-on-may-day/">two-day celebration on April 30 and May 1</a><span> </span>is one of the nation’s major holidays.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">What<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Walpurgis-Night">started as an upper class celebration</a><span> </span>then became one mostly indulged in by students — now, everyone is involved. On April 30, toasts are made over alcoholic beverages, especially sparkling wine, and then the first day of May is celebrated with park picnics (often decked with balloons) and drinking of a homemade mead called sima, as well as reveling in the streets.</p>
<h2 id="-arod-jnice-czech-republic-" style="text-align: center;">Čarodějnice (Czech Republic)</h2>
<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/10/-arod-jnice--Czech-Republic-.jpg" alt="Walpurgis Night, mayfire, burning of the witches."/></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The Čarodějnice festival, also known as the witch-burning festival, is the Czech version of Walpurgis Night, also held on April 30. As part of the legend, it’s thought that<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-48111094">witches convene on mountaintops</a><span> </span>on this night, so bonfire smoke can get rid of the black magic. But it’s also a time to get bid adieu to the cold and welcome spring.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">These days, the biggest celebration is at<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/carodejnice-czech-witch-bonfire-festival">Prague’s Ladronka Park</a>, where people dress up as witches for costume contests and enjoy live music. But all over the country, Czechs roast burty sausages and witch effigies.</p>
<h2 id="gai-jatra-nepal-" style="text-align: center;">Gai Jatra (Nepal)</h2>
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<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/10/Gai-Jatra-Procession--Nepal-.jpg" alt="Gai Jatra procession in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal."/></p>
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<div class="PrebidAd__container PrebidAd__container--MR"><div class="PrebidAd"><p style="text-align: center;">The people of Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley remember their loved ones in a brightly colored celebration called Gat Jatra, or the Festival of the Cow. Also known as Saya, the festival is usually<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.welcomenepal.com/whats-on/gai-jatra.html">held in July or August</a>. Cows are<a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://rubinmuseum.org/blog/gai-jatra-celebration-life-death-renewal"><span> </span>believed to guide the dead to heaven</a>, so families are meant to send a calf in a procession to guide those who died that year, but many send children dressed as cows instead.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">While it marks a solemn occasion, the atmosphere is light-hearted and fun, with people dressed up in costumes and performing dances, plays, and comedy in the streets. The reason: Back in the<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Malla-era">Malla era</a>, from the 10th to 18th centuries, a queen mourned for her son’s passing for so long that the king asked everyone who had suffered loss to join a procession to show that she wasn’t alone.</p>
<h2 id="up-helly-aa-scotland-" style="text-align: center;">Up Helly Aa (Scotland)</h2>
<p><img src="https://blog.assets.traveltrivia.com/2020/10/Up-Helly-Aa-vikings--Scotland-.jpg" alt="Viking longship burning at Up Helly Aa Viking fire festival. "/></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Imagine Halloween if every single person dressed up like a Viking. To mark the return of the sun after the winter solstice, the town of Shetland, Scotland, celebrates Up Helly Aa on the last Tuesday of January to honor its Viking heritage. Called a “northern Mardi Gras,” the day-long celebration<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.shetland.org/things/events/up-helly-aa/lerwick-up-helly-aa">culminates in a procession</a><span> </span>led by torchlight to a burning of a<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/galley-ship">galley</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">While the celebrations only last one day, the committee starts<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.uphellyaa.org/">planning in February</a><span> </span>for the following year’s celebration, as dozens of squads design their own costumes — much of it in secrecy. One of the biggest secrets each year is which Norse Saga the festival head, the Guizer Jarl, will portray.</p>
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</div> Autumn Wreath :: Ta-dah!tag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2020-03-29:6363372:Topic:35102442020-03-29T08:16:42.401ZArachnifaunahttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/Arachnifauna
<div class="xg_headline xg_headline-img xg_headline-2l"><div class="tb"><p><a class="nolink">Posted by<span> </span></a><a href="https://templeilluminatus.com/profile/LindaMann">Linda M.</a><a class="nolink"><span> </span>on October 24, 2016 at 9:20pm</a><a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01489721970d-popup"><img alt="IMG_7059" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01489721970d-500wi" title="IMG_7059"></img></a></p>
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<div class="xg_module_body"><div class="discussion"><div class="description"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Oh. My. Goodness.…</p>
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<div class="xg_headline xg_headline-img xg_headline-2l"><div class="tb"><p><a class="nolink">Posted by<span> </span></a><a href="https://templeilluminatus.com/profile/LindaMann">Linda M.</a><a class="nolink"><span> </span>on October 24, 2016 at 9:20pm</a><a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01489721970d-popup"><img alt="IMG_7059" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01489721970d-500wi" title="IMG_7059"/></a></p>
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<div class="xg_module_body"><div class="discussion"><div class="description"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Oh. My. Goodness. Me. I am so so so so so so so SO EXCITED to be sharing this wreath with you today. So very, VErY excited. This has been such a tremendously joyful project, and my friends I have to tell you that the finished wreath is waaaaaaaay better than I ever imagined it could be.</p>
<p><a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0148082e970c-popup"><img alt="IMG_7135" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0148082e970c-500wi" title="IMG_7135"/></a></p>
<p>Now please Resist The Temptation to Scroll Down!!!!! Hahahaaaa....do as you're told now, and I'll try and hurry through to the all important Ta-dah moment. I did take a lot of pictures mind you, this is a hugely photogenic project and I've taken full advantage.</p>
<p>I started working on my Autumn wreath about a month ago, in mid October. You may remember a flurry of colourful, leaf-strewn <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2013/10/autumn-colour.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Autumnal posts </a>in the Attic at that time?</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b014877b6970d-popup"><img alt="IMG_7562" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b014877b6970d" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b014877b6970d-500wi" title="IMG_7562"/></a></p>
<p>A few weeks later, I took a break from the leaves, acorns and toadstools and worked up the stripy wreath base, using nine colours of <a href="http://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/yarn/drops-big-merino-allcolours" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Drops Big Merino</a> (colours 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15).</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01480d24970c-popup"><img alt="IMG_7697" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b01480d24970c" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01480d24970c-500wi" title="IMG_7697"/></a></p>
<p>I used a 35cm "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006TZSUYS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B006TZSUYS&linkCode=as2&tag=atti24-21">half round ring</a> " for my wreath base, you can find all the wreath making details <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2013/11/wreath-making.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in this post</a>.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0147ecfd970c-popup"><img alt="IMG_7270" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0147ecfd970c" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0147ecfd970c-500wi" title="IMG_7270"/></a></p>
<p>One of the things I most enjoy about wreath making is getting inspired by so many new ideas and patterns. It's exciting looking for inspiration and I've loved building up the many components that make up the finished design. I've loved thinking about it and planning it, but above all I've loved actually making it. Some of the patterns I used were designed by other talented designer-makers I found on the internet....</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0147f76b970c-popup"><img alt="IMG_7810" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0147f76b970c" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0147f76b970c-500wi" title="IMG_7810"/></a></p>
<p>....and some of them I designed myself.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0148bd06970d-popup"><img alt="IMG_7078" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0148bd06970d" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0148bd06970d-500wi" title="IMG_7078"/></a></p>
<p>I also used one of my favourite books for some of the leaf designs (<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1844484033/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1844484033&linkCode=as2&tag=atti24-21">100 Flowers to Knit and Crochet</a>). This book is a fantastic resource for wreath making, there is a huge amount of inspiration within the pages. The patterns are pretty good, but in all honesty it is the page layouts that I really find inspiring. If you click on the above Amazon link, you can take a peek at some of the pages to see what I mean. The front cover is also pretty fab, look...........</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0155730b970c-popup"><img alt="IMG_7914" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0155730b970c" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0155730b970c-500wi" title="IMG_7914"/></a></p>
<p>WOW!!!! I just adore that cover, isn't it lovely?. It inspired me to take lots of photographs of my own crochet bits n bobs before it all got stitchety-stitched down onto the wreath. I make no apologies for the tonne of photographs I'm about to share with you, I had an absolute ball with my camera yesterday, and I'm excited to show you.</p>
<p>So......................if you're ready.......</p>
<p>.......please let me present to you......the Autumn Wreath</p>
<p>[ d e c o n s t r u c t e d]</p>
<p>Enjoy......................</p>
<p><a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0148380a970b-popup"><img alt="IMG_7895" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0148380a970b-500wi" title="IMG_7895"/></a></p>
<p>ONE Stripy Wreath Base (info in <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2013/11/wreath-making.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this post</a>)</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01486d88970b-popup"><img alt="IMG_7892" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b01486d88970b" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01486d88970b-500wi" title="IMG_7892"/></a></p>
<p>THIRTY TWO Little Leaves (pattern <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/may-roses.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>)</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b015468e3970b-popup"><img alt="IMG_7891crop" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b015468e3970b" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b015468e3970b-500wi" title="IMG_7891crop"/></a></p>
<p>FIVE Double-stranded Leaves (same pattern as above, but using two strands of DK yarn on a 5mm hook)</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0154ed30970d-popup"><img alt="IMG_7890crop" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0154ed30970d" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0154ed30970d-500wi" title="IMG_7890crop"/></a></p>
<p>THREE Irish Leaves, with embroidered detail (pattern from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1844484033/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1844484033&linkCode=as2&tag=atti24-21">this book</a> )</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b014878f8970b-popup"><img alt="IMG_7889" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b014878f8970b" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b014878f8970b-500wi" title="IMG_7889"/></a></p>
<p>THREE Oak Leaves (pattern from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1844484033/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1844484033&linkCode=as2&tag=atti24-21">this book</a>)</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0148e00b970d-popup"><img alt="IMG_7888" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0148e00b970d" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0148e00b970d-500wi" title="IMG_7888"/></a></p>
<p>THREE Twirly Twists (these are SO simple to make, just work a chain of any length, then make 2tr's into each stitch across, it'll twirl all by itself)</p>
<p>TWELVE Weeny Balls (find the pattern somewhere half-way-downish in <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2013/09/funky-lamp-yarnbomb-ta-dah.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this post</a>)</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b015415c2970c-popup"><img alt="IMG_7885crop" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b015415c2970c" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b015415c2970c-500wi" title="IMG_7885crop"/></a></p>
<p>FOUR Spotty Toadstools (the one on the left is from <a href="http://annabooshouse.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/why-did-toadstool-leave-party.html" target="_self">this pattern</a>, the other three are my own experiments)</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b014828ec970c-popup"><img alt="IMG_7883" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b014828ec970c" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b014828ec970c-500wi" title="IMG_7883"/></a></p>
<p>FOUR acorns (my own pattern, similar pattern <a href="http://sonspopkes.com/tag/free-acorn-crochet-pattern/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>)</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0154f307970d-popup"><img alt="IMG_7882crop" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0154f307970d" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0154f307970d-500wi" title="IMG_7882crop"/></a></p>
<p>NINE Michaelmas Daisies (pattern <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/crochet-daisy.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>)</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b015472d6970b-popup"><img alt="IMG_7881crop" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b015472d6970b" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b015472d6970b-500wi" title="IMG_7881crop"/></a></p>
<p>THREE Autumn Flowers (no pattern, sorry, they were experimental one-offs!)</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0154f7c1970d-popup"><img alt="IMG_7880crop" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0154f7c1970d" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0154f7c1970d-500wi" title="IMG_7880crop"/></a></p>
<p>TWO Sunflowers (pattern from <a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2013/09/18/crochet-sunflower/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>, with a slightly different centre)</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0148f34b970d-popup"><img alt="IMG_7893" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0148f34b970d" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0148f34b970d-500wi" title="IMG_7893"/></a></p>
<p>ONE devilishly cute Hollie Hedgehog (more info about her in <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2013/11/hooky-hedgehog.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this post</a>)</p>
<p>So did you add all those numbers up?</p>
<p>1+32+5+3+3+3+12+4+4+9+3+2+1?</p>
<p>That's right.....82.</p>
<p>Eighty Two individual pieces make up my Autumn wreath.</p>
<p>Let me show you..............................</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0148f562970d-popup"><img alt="IMG_7867" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0148f562970d" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0148f562970d-500wi" title="IMG_7867"/></a></p>
<p>Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Want a better look?</p>
<p>Ok! How's about I spread them out a bit for you?</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01484cac970c-popup"><img alt="IMG_7874" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b01484cac970c" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01484cac970c-500wi" title="IMG_7874"/></a></p>
<p>Flowers, leaves and acorns.......</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01484e5d970c-popup"><img alt="IMG_7873" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b01484e5d970c" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01484e5d970c-500wi" title="IMG_7873"/></a></p>
<p>....toadstools, balls, leaves, twirls and one cutey-patooty little critter.</p>
<p><a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0149022a970d-popup"><img alt="IMG_7871" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0149022a970d-500wi" title="IMG_7871"/></a></p>
<p>Oh the Joy of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0148b28b970b-popup"><img alt="IMG_7878" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0148b28b970b" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0148b28b970b-500wi" title="IMG_7878"/></a></p>
<p>HAPPY♥HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>At first, I thought it was madness to unpin it all just to take photographs. But the more I thought about it, the more I knew it would be so worth it. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed doing it, I really had a huge amount of satisfying, heart-skippy fun. The above picture is one of my favourite images EVER.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01542c64970c-popup"><img alt="IMG_7913" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b01542c64970c" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01542c64970c-500wi" title="IMG_7913"/></a></p>
<p>After the joy and the happiness and the prancing around with the camera was over, there came a considerable amount of hard graft. I spent an aaaaaaaaaaage pinning the whole lot back together again. Incidentally, I can highly recommend these pins, they're called T-pins and are especially designed for blocking and crafting activity in general. Find them <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00FEIMKSI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00FEIMKSI&linkCode=as2&tag=atti24-21">here.</a></p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0154ba65970c-popup"><img alt="IMG_7912" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0154ba65970c" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0154ba65970c-500wi" title="IMG_7912"/></a></p>
<p>It has to be said that stitching together 82 pieces of small crochet is a bit of a pain in the back end. It is laborious and tedious, no other way around it. I'm not sure what advice to give about this really, other than grit your teeth, stay positive and crack on. One thing I've learnt is not to stitch things down too thoroughly. If you over-attach, it all ends up looking a bit flat. You need everything to be secure, and you need some very neat, invisible stitching, but you need the bits n bobs to look as if they have only just landed.</p>
<p><a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01559eed970d-popup"><img alt="IMG_7907" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01559eed970d-500wi" title="IMG_7907"/></a></p>
<p>As well as the crochet I made, I also wanted to add in a bit of artificial Autumnal pizzazz. I thought that possibly a few bits of non-crochet would look good, so I searched around and found these wonderfully real looking artificial <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00E8GR8N4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00E8GR8N4&linkCode=as2&tag=atti24-21">berries. </a>Even though the leaves look very plasticky, I was amazed at how real the berries looked.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0154c4aa970c-popup"><img alt="IMG_7929" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0154c4aa970c" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0154c4aa970c-500wi" title="IMG_7929"/></a></p>
<p>In the end, I wasn't too sure about the berries and kept changing my mind about them. Yes or no? Add them in, or leave them out? In the end I went with it, and think they look good. I simply cut the little clumps of berries (five in total) free from the plastic leaves and stuck the wired stalk straight into the polystyrene base. Easy.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0154c682970c-popup"><img alt="IMG_7924" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0154c682970c" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0154c682970c-500wi" title="IMG_7924"/></a></p>
<p>Hollie Hedgehog was the very last thing to be stitched in place. I felt pretty bad sticking a needle into her bottom, but it was a necessary procedure. I am sooooooo pleased with her, she looks wonderful sitting in her wreathy bower.</p>
<p>So.</p>
<p>It's time.</p>
<p>Time for the Grand Ta-dah.</p>
<p>I am Very Thrilled with this creation of mine.</p>
<p>It has made me happy on so many levels. It's been a true pleasure (excepting perhaps the stitching).</p>
<p>Here it is then.................................</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b015528b5970b-popup"><img alt="IMG_7915" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b015528b5970b" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b015528b5970b-500wi" title="IMG_7915"/></a></p>
<p>Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0155af7a970d-popup"><img alt="IMG_7917crop" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0155af7a970d" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0155af7a970d-500wi" title="IMG_7917crop"/></a></p>
<p>Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-daaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Yes, yes, it is so worthy of two rounds of applause. Do you like? Does it make you feel all warm and cosy and fill you with fuzzy-feel-good, or is that just me?!</p>
<p>I am very, very, very pleased with it. In fact, I absolutely love it. I look at it and every single thing about it makes me happy.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0161b883970b-popup"><img alt="IMG_7990" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0161b883970b" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0161b883970b-500wi" title="IMG_7990"/></a></p>
<p>I'm pleased that I could finally take down and dust off my <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2013/03/easter-wreath-ta-dah.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Easter wreath</a>, gosh that was long over due! For a month or so now, my new Autumn wreath will take pride of place before the <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2012/12/christmas-wreath-ta-dah.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christmas wreath</a> comes out to play again.</p>
<p><a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01553838970b-popup"><img alt="IMG_7922" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b01553838970b-500wi" title="IMG_7922"/></a></p>
<p>I just love how this wreath has come together in such a vibrant celebration of Autumn.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b015535ad970b-popup"><img alt="IMG_7923" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b015535ad970b" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b015535ad970b-500wi" title="IMG_7923"/></a></p>
<p>The combination of it all mixed together is very pleasing to look at. Yes, it's <em>full </em>(more is more, right?!), but oh I love it for that. It's exuberant, joyful and bursting with creative, seasonal feel-good.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0154eb74970c-popup"><img alt="IMG_7927" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0154eb74970c" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0154eb74970c-500wi" title="IMG_7927"/></a></p>
<p>That little hedgehog just makes me ridiculously happy. Awwwww, Miss Hollie, you are such a sweet heart!</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0155cda5970d-popup"><img alt="IMG_7918" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551101c548834019b0155cda5970d" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b0155cda5970d-500wi" title="IMG_7918"/></a></p>
<p>I think it's safe to say this has been a hugely successful project. It has been a pleasure to make, and I've really enjoyed how it's made me connect with Autumn and appreciate the goodness of the season this year. That's been pretty special.</p>
<p>So.....what's next? You were wondering that too, weren't you?! I'm already dreaming up some sort of Winter wreath idea, something to fill the gap between Christmas and Easter. I'm thinking icy blues and cool greens, delicate snowdrops and snowflakes and frosty berries. A robin, or perhaps a little mouse? My Creative Mind is alive and kicking it seems.</p>
<p>xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx</p>
<p> <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2013/11/autumn-wreath-ta-dah.html">http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2013/11/autumn-wreath-ta-dah.html</a></p>
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</div> Cut-Away Leaf Arttag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2020-03-29:6363372:Topic:35100582020-03-29T06:22:39.968ZArachnifaunahttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/Arachnifauna
<div class="xg_headline xg_headline-img xg_headline-2l"><div class="tb"><p><a class="nolink">Posted by<span> </span></a><a href="https://templeilluminatus.com/profile/LindaMann">Linda M.</a><a class="nolink"><span> </span>on September 23, 2018 at 6:38pm</a><img src="https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/archive/LKqnbyq5gXwd9TIG2qN7_1082072771.jpeg" width="721"></img></p>
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<div class="xg_headline xg_headline-img xg_headline-2l"><div class="tb"><p><a class="nolink">Posted by<span> </span></a><a href="https://templeilluminatus.com/profile/LindaMann">Linda M.</a><a class="nolink"><span> </span>on September 23, 2018 at 6:38pm</a><img src="https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/archive/LKqnbyq5gXwd9TIG2qN7_1082072771.jpeg" width="721"/></p>
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<p class="first-letter-styles">oesn't that first image look like an oil painting? Artists are becoming more and more inventive with their choice of canvas. Lorenzo Duran's picks the perfect leaf and then washes, dries, molds and gently cuts away at it until he makes beautiful art. It's an interesting technique based on paper-cutting in China, Japan, Germany and Switzerland.</p>
<p>Incredible!</p>
<p><img src="https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/archive/yQNS9WwwJdPoFajWWOiR_1082072804.jpeg" width="721"/><br/><img src="https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/archive/opqH8zoJ1PQRmYXpKMRX_1082072819.jpeg" width="721"/></p>
<p><br/><img src="https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/archive/XgjlbIx9MGTY605zSs9c_1082072878.jpeg" width="721"/><br/><img src="https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/archive/0b-3KMhgh5xRxn6dkPWd_1082072896.jpeg" width="721"/><br/><strong><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://naturayarte.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lorenzo Durn's website</a></strong><br/>via [<a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://illusion.scene360.com/art/19383/deer-in-the-forest-a-leaf-cutout/" target="_blank">Illusion</a>]</p>
<p><a href="https://mymodernmet.com/cutaway-leaf-art/">https://mymodernmet.com/cutaway-leaf-art/</a></p>
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</div> big leaf printingtag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2020-03-29:6363372:Topic:35099802020-03-29T06:21:41.929ZArachnifaunahttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/Arachnifauna
<div class="xg_headline xg_headline-img xg_headline-2l"><div class="tb"><p><a class="nolink">Posted by<span> </span></a><a href="https://templeilluminatus.com/profile/LindaMann">Linda M.</a><a class="nolink"><span> </span>on September 23, 2018 at 6:26pm in<span> </span></a></p>
<p>~I see no reason we as adults can't do this, I think it's pretty.</p>
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<div class="xg_module_body"><div class="discussion"><div class="description"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Here's what we made at…</p>
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<p>~I see no reason we as adults can't do this, I think it's pretty.</p>
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<div class="xg_module_body"><div class="discussion"><div class="description"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Here's what we made at the preschool this week.</p>
<p><a href="http://kleas.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c7afd53ef0133f51973b5970b-pi"><img alt="Leaves" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341c7afd53ef0133f51973b5970b image-full" src="http://kleas.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c7afd53ef0133f51973b5970b-800wi" title="Leaves" border="0"/></a> <br/>It's a project most people are familiar with, but I do want to start documenting our weekly preschool projects here once again. It's been a little rough getting into our handwork this year...we have sixteen new students and of those only one is four years old...the rest are three. And many, a young three. So we've started out slowly...working with beeswax one day a week, drawing another, last week we practiced using scissors. This week we did leaf printing. A perfect project for younger children.</p>
<p>I used the lid of my cake pan to hold the paint (acrylics in a variety of colors). The children were free to add colors as they liked...just a bit, spread around works very well. </p>
<p><a href="http://kleas.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c7afd53ef013488397ce3970c-pi"><img alt="Leaf" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341c7afd53ef013488397ce3970c image-full" src="http://kleas.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c7afd53ef013488397ce3970c-800wi" title="Leaf" border="0"/></a> <br/>Then the children pressed the leaf into the ink...I used a big leafed plant in my garden (I have no idea what it is) but a rhubarb leaf would work very well.</p>
<p>(Edited to add...thank you to<span> </span><a href="http://theolivesparrow.typepad.com/theolivesparrow/" target="_self">Monika</a><span> </span>for pointing out that<span> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhubarb" target="_self">rhubarb leaves are toxic</a><span> </span>and should not be used for this project.)</p>
<p>Then we transfered the leaf to the paper. The children really need to press down all around the leaf...making sure to press all the way to the corners. It takes a minute or two for small hands to be able to do this.</p>
<p>Carefully lift the leaf off the paper.</p>
<p><a href="http://kleas.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c7afd53ef013488397eef970c-pi"><img alt="Leafprint" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341c7afd53ef013488397eef970c image-full" src="http://kleas.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c7afd53ef013488397eef970c-800wi" title="Leafprint" border="0"/></a> <br/>The results of the mixed colors are striking.</p>
<p><a href="http://kleas.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c7afd53ef01348839812a970c-pi"><img alt="Print" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341c7afd53ef01348839812a970c image-full" src="http://kleas.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c7afd53ef01348839812a970c-800wi" title="Print" border="0"/></a> <br/>And each one comes out so differently, despite using the same leaf over and over.</p>
<p>Here is a group shot of them drying on the porch.</p>
<p><a href="http://kleas.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c7afd53ef0133f519812f970b-pi"><img alt="Group" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341c7afd53ef0133f519812f970b" src="http://kleas.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c7afd53ef0133f519812f970b-800wi" title="Group" border="0"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://kleas.typepad.com/kleas/2010/10/leaf-printing.html">http://kleas.typepad.com/kleas/2010/10/leaf-printing.html</a></p>
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</div> Incredibly leaf cutting arttag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2020-03-29:6363372:Topic:35100542020-03-29T06:20:10.053ZArachnifaunahttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/Arachnifauna
<div class="xg_headline xg_headline-img xg_headline-2l"><div class="tb"><p><a class="nolink">Posted by<span> </span></a><a href="https://templeilluminatus.com/profile/CarmenElsaIrarragorriWyland">Carmen Elsa Irarragorri Wyland</a><a class="nolink"><span> </span>on October 2, 2018 at 4:58pm </a>Omid Asadi's creations</p>
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<div class="xg_module_body"><div class="discussion"><div class="description"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p><img alt="Charles Dickens" height="600" id="main_image" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/405151_charles-dickens.jpg" title="Charles Dickens" width="522"></img></p>
<p>Charles Dickens…</p>
<p><img alt="Carriage" height="451" id="main_image" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/472133_carriage.jpg" title="Carriage" width="600"></img></p>
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<div class="xg_headline xg_headline-img xg_headline-2l"><div class="tb"><p><a class="nolink">Posted by<span> </span></a><a href="https://templeilluminatus.com/profile/CarmenElsaIrarragorriWyland">Carmen Elsa Irarragorri Wyland</a><a class="nolink"><span> </span>on October 2, 2018 at 4:58pm </a>Omid Asadi's creations</p>
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<div class="xg_module_body"><div class="discussion"><div class="description"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p><img width="522" height="600" title="Charles Dickens" id="main_image" alt="Charles Dickens" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/405151_charles-dickens.jpg"/></p>
<p>Charles Dickens</p>
<p><img width="600" height="451" title="Carriage" id="main_image" alt="Carriage" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/472133_carriage.jpg"/></p>
<p>Carriage</p>
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<p><img width="438" height="600" title="Persian Cheatah" id="main_image" alt="Persian Cheatah" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/488344_persian-cheatah.jpg"/></p>
<p>Persian Cheatah</p>
<p><img width="600" height="444" title="Solidarity" id="main_image" alt="Solidarity" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/510328_solidarity.jpg"/></p>
<p>Solidarity</p>
<p><img width="588" height="600" title="Freedom" id="main_image" alt="Freedom" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/510339_freedom.jpg"/></p>
<p>Freedom</p>
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<p><img width="600" height="476" title="Journey " id="main_image" alt="Journey " src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/516094_journey-.jpg"/></p>
<p>Journey</p>
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<p><img width="540" height="600" title="Children's world" id="main_image" alt="Children's world" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/548166_childrens-world.jpg"/></p>
<p>Children's world</p>
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<p><img width="600" height="577" title="Autumn" id="main_image" alt="Autumn" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/556793_autumn.jpg"/></p>
<p>Autumn</p>
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<p><img width="510" height="600" title="Dream Bigger, Reach Higher" id="main_image" alt="Dream Bigger, Reach Higher" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/624697_dream-bigger-reach-higher.jpg"/></p>
<p>Dream Bigger, Reach Higher</p>
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<p><img width="438" height="600" title="Scarecrow " id="main_image" alt="Scarecrow " src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/627151_scarecrow-.jpg"/></p>
<p>Scarecrow</p>
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<p><img width="522" height="600" title="Nature's Sream " id="main_image" alt="Nature's Sream " src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/627156_natures-sream-.jpg"/></p>
<p>Nature's Stream</p>
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<p><img width="600" height="395" title="Portrait " id="main_image" alt="Portrait " src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/627157_portrait-.jpg"/></p>
<p>Portrait</p>
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<p><img width="600" height="414" title="Leaf and Gears!" id="main_image" alt="Leaf and Gears!" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/651441_leaf-and-gears.jpg"/></p>
<p>Leaf and Gears!</p>
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<p><img width="378" height="600" title="Shamlou" id="main_image" alt="Shamlou" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/wbstaticfiles/users/19500/376054_shamlou.jpg"/></p>
<p>Shamlou</p>
<p>And many others, a few of which are below</p>
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<p><img width="700" height="705" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-28222" alt="intricate-leaf-cuttings-omid-asadi-2" src="https://www.demilked.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/intricate-leaf-cuttings-omid-asadi-2.jpg"/></p>
<p><img width="700" height="989" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-28233" alt="intricate-leaf-cuttings-omid-asadi-14" src="https://www.demilked.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/intricate-leaf-cuttings-omid-asadi-14.jpg"/></p>
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<p><img width="700" height="659" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-28232" alt="intricate-leaf-cuttings-omid-asadi-13" src="https://www.demilked.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/intricate-leaf-cuttings-omid-asadi-13.jpg"/></p>
<p><img width="700" height="746" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-28235" alt="intricate-leaf-cuttings-omid-asadi-16" src="https://www.demilked.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/intricate-leaf-cuttings-omid-asadi-16.jpg"/></p>
<p><img width="700" height="755" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-28221" id="first-photo" alt="intricate-leaf-cuttings-omid-asadi-1" src="https://www.demilked.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/intricate-leaf-cuttings-omid-asadi-1.jpg"/></p>
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</div> Hekate & October: Hail The Queen of Witches!tag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2020-03-29:6363372:Topic:35099132020-03-29T04:19:26.412ZArachnifaunahttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/Arachnifauna
<div class="xg_headline xg_headline-img xg_headline-2l"><div class="tb"><h1><a class="nolink">Posted by<span> </span></a><a href="https://templeilluminatus.com/profile/SunKat">SunKat</a><a class="nolink"><span> </span>on September 28, 2018 at 5:15pm …</a></h1>
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<div class="xg_module_body"><div class="discussion"><div class="description"><div class="xg_user_generated"><div class="pull-left"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/127251885?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/127251885?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710"/></a></div>
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<div class="pull-left">SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 BY <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/author/cbrannen/">CYNDI BRANNEN</a></div>
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<div class="pull-left"><p><em>The glorious Season of The Witch is here. October is the month when the thinning veil, stockpiles of herbs and longer nights signal the return of Hekate as The Queen of Witches. Casting spells, working with poisons and summoning spirits are all very Hekatean ways to tap into the energy of October. </em></p>
<p>October, my favorite month, is here at last. Modern Halloween and Samhain celebrations are wonderful, but they often omit the Queen of Witchcraft herself, Hekate. While she may not be an overt part of the festivities, her energy runs throughout the month, especially for those of us living where it’s dark, damp and chilly.</p>
<h1><span>The Hekatean Energy of October</span></h1>
<p>The spirit of Samhain is very similar to the ancient intentions of <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/05/simple-ways-to-honor-hekate-on-the-dark-moon/">Hekate’s Suppers</a>. These rituals, performed on the night when the moon went dark, sought to keep evil spirits at bay. Depending on how you view Hekate, this could have been to seek her protection from them or to curry her favor because she was the leader of them. Regardless of interpretation, the idea sounds a lot like some aspects of what we know about how the Celts may have celebrated the end of their year. Hekate’s Suppers were placed at a three-way crossroads where the restless dead were believed to reside. Appeasing Hekate would assure protection against these spirits.</p>
<p>The suppers could also protect against Hekate’s Horde of frightening <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/05/hekates-hounds/">hounds</a> and hobgoblins. As the Mistress of the Night, Hekate was both the evil and it’s averter. Maybe us Modern Hekateans love autumn so much because it’s as though our monthly practice (which some may regard as a tad peculiar) seems downright normal. Late night offerings of rotting food placed at a frightening crossroads by a solitary witch seems perfectly in keeping with October.</p>
<h1><span>October Deipnon</span></h1>
<p>While the spirit of those ancient Hekate’s Suppers lives on in our monthly rituals on the Dark Moon, the emphasis on nasty spirits and restless dead protection is often replaced with more contemporary problems. October reminds us that evil entities exist and that spirits from across the veil can become our cohorts. This is a perfect time to perform a traditional Hekate’s Supper with the intention of protection from those entities that can cause us harm. It’s also a time when these sorts can become attached to us, so I suggest an energetic cleansing along with your other preparations for the Deipnon. Perhaps traditional cleansing with <a class="decorated-link" href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/hearthwitchdownunder/2017/03/all-about-khernips.html">khernips</a> is in order.</p>
<h1><span>Hekate: Goddess of Witchcraft & Spirits</span></h1>
<p>My black witch’s heart wishes I could write about an ancient festival held during October celebrating Hekate as The Queen of Witches, but it simply doesn’t exist. By the time her image had been crafted into a psychopomp wandering the night with her horde, she was so frightening that a monthly ritual was required. Today, Hekate is widely known as a Goddess of Witchcraft. Her association with magick, ghosts and spirits most likely accompanied her when she was adapted by the ancient Greeks.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>Hekate came down into Greece as an earth goddess with the usual interest that such a divinity always had in vegetation and nutrition, in wild and human life, but possessing also certain attractions for the moon, and trailing with her a very pernicious cloud of superstition and sorcery.</em> – from Farnell, L. R. (1902). <em>Cults of the Greek States, Vol. 2</em> Chapter XVI</p>
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<p>The story of how and why Hekate’s diverse roles were honored separately and in different places over time is fascinating, but I’m focusing just on her Goddess of Witchcraft aspects here. You can read more about my understanding of Hekate <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/02/a-witchs-understanding-of-hekate/">here.</a></p>
<p>There are many missing pieces regarding her transformation from an all-purpose goddess to one specializing in witchcraft by the time the Romans got hold of her, but what is known is that this splintering corresponded with the rise of patriarchy, a system in which women’s natural connection to the life and death cycle were subdued. Witchcraft, not surprisingly, since it had been the domain of women, became marginalized. Like all women, witches were seen as mysterious creatures that needed to be controlled. Just to be clear: I am talking about the practice of witchcraft – using botanicals to heal and hex, casting spells, drawing down the moon, etc.</p>
<h1><span>Hekate, Witchcraft & the Moon</span></h1>
<p>Such witchery in ancient times, as today, was often done at night under the moon. Here lies the origins of the triad of Hekate, witchcraft and the moon. With October comes increasing darkness, offering more time to practice “your beloved witchcraft,” as Selene said to Medea. If you’ve never called upon Hekate or her witches, Medea and Kirke are the two most famous ones, for help with your witchery, October is the perfect time to start. This is the season for learning how to work with poisons, blood and bone. Animal spirit magick is also very potent this time of the year.</p>
<p>Read more about <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/07/kirke-the-original-witch-her-story-themes-correspondences-and-more/">Kirke</a> and <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/06/medea-the-eternal-witch/">Medea.</a></p>
<p>Learn a bit about Hekatean animal spirit witchery <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/08/hekates-animals-ancient-creatures-modern-associations-and-ways-to-include-them-in-witchery/">here</a>.</p>
<h1><span>Summoning Spirits</span></h1>
<p>Unlike the ancient Greeks, the Celts (whose practices greatly informed our modern Wheel of the Year) viewed October as the end of the year. For the Greeks, this occurred during what we call the summer. Living where I do, this certainly feels like the end of the natural year. Like my ancestors, I feel the call of death all around me. I rarely work with the dead outside of October and November. They feel close as my beloved herbs these days. Hekate as the Mistress of the Dead can be petitioned for assistance in contacting spirits. This is an ideal time to connect with a new spirit guide, whether it’s a long-dead ancestor or a plant spirit.</p>
<p><a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/09/walking-with-spirits/">Finding and Working With a Spirit Guide.</a></p>
<blockquote><p><em>O Nyx, Mother of Mysteries, and all ye golden Astra . . . and thou, divine three-formed Hecate, who . . . dost fortify the arts of magic, and thou, kindly Tellus, who dost for magic potent herbs provide; ye Venti and Aurae, ye Montes, Lacus, and Amnes, and all ye Forest-Gods and Gods of Night, be with me now! By your enabling power, at my behest . . . I bid the mountains quake, the deep earth groan and ghosts rise from their tombs.</em> – from Ovid’s Metamorphoses (7. 192), translation by Melville</p>
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<p>There are so many ways to work with spirits, you can read some simple techniques to work with them using corn <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ar0ftr8ba5w55gu/Season%20of%20the%20Witch%20Edition.pdf?dl=0">here</a>.</p>
<h1><span>Facing Our Fears</span></h1>
<p>Working with spirits can be intimidating, as can facing our own fears. The deeply emotional energy of October calls upon us to do just that, with Hekate patiently holding her torch, ready to be our guide. Like her guidance of Persephone, she will see us through our own personal Underworlds. Hekate’s deep connection with Demeter and Persephone illustrates her ability to mediate between darkness and light. It’s her enduring contribution to the life cycle, strongly symbolic of her role as a Goddess of Witchcraft. I’ll be leading a New Moon Circle focusing on conquering our fears in <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/897228743782003/">The Witches’ Realm</a>during October.</p>
<p>To learn more about the frightening side of Hekate, including a list of applicable epithets, read <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/07/should-we-fear-hekate/">“Should We Fear Hekate?”</a></p>
<h1><span>Unleashing Your Inner Witch</span></h1>
<p>Witches, like Hekate, reside in liminal spaces. We walk between the world of form and force, life and death, dark and light. No wonder that October speaks to us so strongly. I can’t think of a better time to perform a self-initiation into the magick and mysteries of Hekate. The primal energy of the witch lives within some of us, lying dormant until we unleash it. Hekate holds the keys for us, but they truly are ours to take. Turning to Hekate and her five closest companions, <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/09/demeter-fertility-fury-and-the-fall/">Demeter</a>, <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/06/sovereign-goddesses-ritual/">Persephone,</a> <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/09/6147/">Artemis,</a> <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/06/medea-the-eternal-witch/">Medea</a> and <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/07/kirke-the-original-witch-her-story-themes-correspondences-and-more/">Kirke</a>, to activate our hidden witch powers on the Full Moon in October is, to me, the best way to honor these Great Goddesses during this month. Learn more, including a ritual, in the <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ar0ftr8ba5w55gu/Season%20of%20the%20Witch%20Edition.pdf?dl=0">Fall Edition of Open Circle Magazine</a>.</p>
<h1><span>Costumes, Coolness & Fun</span></h1>
<p>I’ve talked about very serious ways to practice Hekatean Witchcraft during October, but there’s also fun to be had. Every year I get asked whether it’s respectful to dress up as Hekate for <a class="decorated-link" href="https://variety.com/2018/film/box-office/box-office-halloween-tracking-jamie-lee-curtis-1202959796/">Halloween</a>. Personally, I wouldn’t, but if it feels right to you, go for it. I’m more of a Medusa sort of gal. Perhaps dress up like one of her ancient witches or those lovelies from <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/theater-dance/the-radical-new-macbeth-at-the-folger-theatre-is-actually-350-years-old/2018/09/05/3c359c14-ad46-11e8-a8d7-0f63ab8b1370_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.036cc6b95886">Macbeth</a>.</p>
<p>Hekate sometimes appears in horror shows and movies, so check out the pop culture versions of her this month. Penny Dreadful is my favorite show featuring a character named Hekate. Put on your witchiest outfit, light 13 black candles and trance out to <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.wendyrule.com/">Wendy Rule’s</a> or Faun’s songs about our favorite goddess of witches.</p>
<p>Embrace the fun to be had in decorating with skulls and creepy things, letting your Inner Hekatean Witch (hello Medea!) take over. Maybe even have a seance to celebrate the Season of the Witch or joining us in <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/897228743782003/">The Realm</a> for ours.</p>
<p>Interested in participating in events like New Moon: Conquer Your Fears or the Samhain Seance Special? Apply to join <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/897228743782003/">The Witches’ Realm. </a><br/>Connect with me on <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.facebook.com/keepingherkeys/">Facebook for great events, free courses and more.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/127251834?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/127251834?profile=original" width="576"/></a></p>
<h1><span>What’s In That Picture?</span></h1>
<p>In my October altar, I have pumpkins, corn, rosehips, poppy seeds, witherod, blackberry banishing potion, and alder “cones.” Roses, poppies, witherod (it’s part of the honeysuckle family) and alder are proud members of Hekate’s Ancient Garden. Witherod, also known as wild raisin, had an ancient ancestor, known as viburna to the Romans, that was used in witchery. Poppy has been a favorite of Hekate’s witches for millennia. To learn more about the botanicals I use in the altars, just ask.</p>
<h1><span>Hekate & The Harvest Moon</span></h1>
<p>It’s still not too late to celebrate the bright moonlight many of us are blessed with this time of the year. <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/09/6147/">Read more: Hekate and The Harvest Moon. </a></p>
<p>Other Season of The Witch Articles To Date:</p>
<p><a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/09/hekate-and-september/">Hekate And September: Beginnings, Endings And The In-Between (Sugge...</a></p>
<p><a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/09/a-simple-elemental-ritual-welcoming-autumn/">A Simple Elemental Ritual Welcoming Autumn</a></p>
<p><a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/09/6147/">Hekate And The Harvest Moon</a></p>
<p><a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/09/walking-with-spirits/">Walking With The Spirits: Tips For Finding And Working With Spirit ...</a></p>
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<p><span><em><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/09/hekate-october-hail-the-queen-of-the-witches/">http://www.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/09/hekate-october-...</a></em></span></p>
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</div> Honoring Hekate, Queen Of Ghosts And The Restless Dead, At Samhaintag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2020-03-29:6363372:Topic:35099102020-03-29T04:18:16.127ZArachnifaunahttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/Arachnifauna
<div class="xg_headline xg_headline-img xg_headline-2l"><div class="tb"><p>OCTOBER 18, 2018 BY <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/teaaddictedwitch/author/smagdalene/">SCARLET MAGDALENE</a></p>
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<div class="xg_headline xg_headline-img xg_headline-2l"><div class="tb"><p>OCTOBER 18, 2018 BY <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/teaaddictedwitch/author/smagdalene/">SCARLET MAGDALENE</a></p>
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<p><span>Aside from <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/teaaddictedwitch/2018/10/ascent-descent-persephone-samhain/">Persephone</a>, <a class="decorated-link" href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/teaaddictedwitch/2018/06/hekate-magic-in-hellenism/">Hekate</a> is an excellent goddess to honor during Samhain. As a goddess of the crossroads, liminal spaces, ghosts and the dead–especially and particularly the restless dead–and of course of witchcraft, she comes to mind naturally around this time of year.</span></p>
<p><span>But she also is very connected with the ancient myths about Persephone’s descent into the underworld and even more importantly, was <a class="decorated-link" href="http://www.theoi.com/Cult/HekateCult.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of the goddesses honored during the Eleusinian Mysteries</a>. She acted as Demeter’s guide to help find Persephone, lighting her way with her torches. Later she acted as Persephone’s guide as she moved to and from the worlds, also with her torches. She has many titles in honor of her roles during this time of year ncluding “<a class="decorated-link" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hecate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Propolos</a>“, meaning one who attends or leads, and “Dadoukhos”, torchbearer. Dadoukhos is also the name of one of the roles in the <a class="decorated-link" href="http://www.eocto.org/anniversarydetail.html?id=91" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eleusinian Mysteries</a>. Other good ones include “<a class="decorated-link" href="http://www.theoi.com/Cult/HekateCult.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anassa eneroi</a>“, queen of those below, and “<a class="decorated-link" href="http://www.theoi.com/Cult/HekateCult.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">chthonia</a>“, of the underworld.</span></p>
<p><span>Hekate straddles the worlds between the living, the dead, and everything in between. She also, not surprisingly, has strong connections with Hermes who is also known as a psychopomp. A lot of modern Hellenists, witches, and pagans honor her at this time of year due to all of these associations which she has. Samhain as a time of year associated with increasing psychic activity, ancestors and the dead, the thinning veil between the worlds, and magic and witchcraft in general are all things which are also powerfully connected with Hekate.</span></p>
<p><span>Hekate is a goddess I interact with very frequently as a witch. She has been an amazing aid to me in many ways, and I’m very grateful to her and for her help. She tends to get a “dark” reputation, but I’ve found her to be compassionate, straightforward, and very ready and eager to help. One thing I do have to say about her however is that she likes to work with people who put in the work. This isn’t a goddess who will let you skate by or make excuses, but she absolutely will help you when you need it, and will lead you towards the answers on how to get there. And if you’ve been going the other way–too much work, not enough play–she will take the time to remind you that you are human. Just make sure that whatever promises you give, you follow through, and if things come up, to get back on them when you are able. I’ve found her to be amazingly patient and understanding, but she definitely will not put up with your crap either.</span></p>
<p><span>Common offerings for her include fruit, wine, eggs, honey, cheese, and cakes. I burn incense blends dedicated to her as well, but frankincense is a good standby. Calling on her during Samhain to help you with both your magic and your ability to connect with the dead and with your ancestors is one way to honor her on this day. She can be an excellent gate opener for interacting with the dead and with spirits in general. I’ve blogged in the past on how to do a <a class="decorated-link" href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/teaaddictedwitch/2018/06/hekate-magic-in-hellenism/">Deipnon or a Hekate supper</a> in the past, and would encourage this as one way to honor her on Samhain.</span></p>
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<p><span>This is one of a few modern translations of various hymns to Hekate from <a class="decorated-link" href="http://www.hellenicgods.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HellenicGods.org</a>:</span></p>
<p><span><a class="decorated-link" href="http://www.hellenicgods.org/the-orphic-hymn-to-hecate-aekati---hekate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Orphic Hymn to Hekate</strong></a></span></p>
<p><span>I call Hekate of the Crossroads, worshipped at the meeting of three paths, oh lovely one.</span><br/><span>In the sky, earth, and sea, you are venerated in your saffron-colored robes.</span><br/><span>Funereal Daimon, celebrating among the souls of those who have passed.</span><br/><span>Persian, fond of deserted places, you delight in deer.</span><br/><span>Goddess of night, protectress of dogs, invincible Queen.</span><br/><span>Drawn by a yoke of bulls, you are the queen who holds the keys to all the Kózmos.</span><br/><span>Commander, Nýmphi, nurturer of children, you who haunt the mountains.</span><br/><span>Pray, Maiden, attend our hallowed rituals;</span><br/><span>Be forever gracious to your mystic herdsman and rejoice in our gifts of incense.</span></p>
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<p><span><em><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/teaaddictedwitch/2018/10/honoring-hekate-samhain/">http://www.patheos.com/blogs/teaaddictedwitch/2018/10/honoring-heka...</a></em></span></p>
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</div> Hekate & November: The Underworld, Crossroads, Death Walking & Initiationtag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2020-03-29:6363372:Topic:35097132020-03-29T04:16:27.814ZArachnifaunahttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/Arachnifauna
<div class="pull-left">OCTOBER 30, 2018 BY <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/author/cbrannen/">CYNDI BRANNEN</a></div>
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<div class="pull-left"><span><em>November is Hekate’s month. There are two nights honoring her, Night of Hekate of the Underworld and Night of Hekate of the Crossroads. The long nights provide her witches’ with much darkness in which we can work our magick and honor our queen. This is the time of…</em></span></div>
<div class="pull-left">OCTOBER 30, 2018 BY <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/author/cbrannen/">CYNDI BRANNEN</a></div>
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<div class="pull-left"><span><em>November is Hekate’s month. There are two nights honoring her, Night of Hekate of the Underworld and Night of Hekate of the Crossroads. The long nights provide her witches’ with much darkness in which we can work our magick and honor our queen. This is the time of the year for death walking, whether as a guide assisting the restless dead on their way or through exploring the parts of ourselves that long to be let go. The season of her poisons that banish and bless. Gone are the flowers of the sun, herein remain the eternal poisons of aconite, foxglove and more. This is the time for dedicating oneself to Hekate or performing a self-initiation ritual as one of her witches. Hail the Hekate of November!</em></span></div>
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<div class="pull-left"><p>November is the month where I feel the most at home. Here on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, the trees are barren, the ocean moans and the darkness comes early. I roam the night, enveloped in the fog’s velvet embrace. This is where I find my Hekate. At this crossroads between the everyday world and the unknown. To me, November is Hekate’s Holy Month. I know that some of you don’t care much for the word “holy,” but to me this time of enduring darkness is. Not surprisingly, there are two special days dedicated to my favored goddess during November. Hekate’s chosen are her witches and the marginalized. Honor her well by helping those shunned by society during this month or anytime.</p>
<p>Read: <a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2017/11/hekate-guardian-of-the-marginalized/">Hekate: Guardian of the Marginalized</a></p>
<h1>Celebrating Hekate in November: The Underworld and the Crossroads</h1>
<p>Both of the November Hekatean celebrations are modern in origin. Her Underworld aspects are honored on November 16. We can meet her at the crossroads on November 30. Some view Hekate’s Underworld roles as frightening. While they can be intimidating, I have have always taken comfort in some of the more frightening ones. I wrote an article, <a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/07/should-we-fear-hekate/">Should We Fear Hekate?</a>, that discusses this issue. There’s also a table with some of her Underworld epithets to be found in that blog.</p>
<p>The crossroads, a type of threshold, is central to Modern Hekatean Witchcraft. Hekate has been associated with them, especially the three-way version, throughout history. Hekate as Triformis is her three-formed embodiment overlooking the three ways; the past, present and future; and the realms of <a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/10/hekates-origin-story/">land, sea and sky. </a></p>
<p>Read my articles on Hekate and November</p>
<p><a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2017/11/holy-darkness-nigh-november-month-modern-hekatean-witchcraft/">The Holy Darkness is Nigh: Hekate and November</a></p>
<p><a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2017/11/oh-holy-night-celebrating-hekate-of-the-underworld/">Night of Hekate of the Underworld</a></p>
<p><a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2017/11/night-divine-honoring-hekate-crossroads-november-30/">Night of Hekate of the Crossroads</a></p>
<p>Learn more about <a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/06/hekate-21st-century-triple-goddess/">Hekate as a Three-Formed Goddess</a></p>
<h1>Death Walking</h1>
<p>Witchery including mediumship, psychopompery and summoning spirits are all forms of death walking particularly suited for this time of the year. Refer to my article on <a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/10/samhain-death-walking-oil-ritual/">Death Walking</a> for more information. Hekate’s association with crossroads and the underworld really highlight her association with death walking witchery. She is the liminal queen of the spaces between this life and all others, including the dead and <a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/09/walking-with-spirits/">spirit guides.</a> Consider a ritual seeking Hekate’s protection of, or ask her to connect you to, the <a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/10/samhain-healing-my-ancestors-of-place/">spirits of the land connected to your home. </a></p>
<p>Persephone, who is so closely connected to Hekate, sits on her throne as the Queen of the Underworld during November. I have found that Hekate will guide me to <a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/03/persephone-goddess-of-adaptation/">Persephone</a>when I seek the mysteries of the afterlife.</p>
<p>November is also the time to begin preparing for a rebirth at the Winter Solstice. I’ll be writing more about the process of dismemberment and death, as well as soul retrieval with a <a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/07/hekates-modern-witchcraft-a-short-introduction/">Modern Hekatean Witchcraft</a> approach in the weeks ahead. November is ideal for petitioning Hekate to shine her torches on what you need to let go of.</p>
<h1>Poisonous Witchery</h1>
<p>Related to death walking, poisonous magick explores the use of noxious plants for both blessing and bane. Aconite, Hekate’s favored poison, is a complex botanical that would love for you to study her this month. Proceed with caution since this plant, also known as Wolf’s Bane, is extremely toxic. I had a lovely aconite that succumbed to the demands of my climate. According to myth, aconite came from Cerebus’ mouth. I feel that he, along with the rest of <a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/05/hekates-hounds/">Hekate’s hounds</a>, are most present during November. Honor your own hound during this month.</p>
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<p>I use teeny dried bits in oils and potions, such as my Sovereignty Oil and my Blackberry Banishing Potion, both included in the poison altar I created for November. Other poisonous pretties from Hekate’s Garden in my altar are mugwort, foxglove, lavender, and rosemary who have all been recently harvested from my garden. Poppy seed also has a place, for its association with death. These are all safe in small quantities (unlike aconite), larger amounts can be very dangerous. Honoring the plants of Hekate’s Garden is an excellent way to connect with them. I put a partial list in the <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ar0ftr8ba5w55gu/Season%20of%20the%20Witch%20Edition.pdf?dl=0">Fall Equinox Edition of Open Circle Magazine. </a></p>
<h1>Commitment</h1>
<p>November is the ideal time for dedicating oneself to Hekate, although I prefer to call this a commitment ritual. This is a deeply personal experience that is best done using a ritual of your own creation.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/132370973?profile=RESIZE_710x" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/132370973?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="600"/></a></p>
<h1>Initiation</h1>
<blockquote><p>“Initiation is the process through which you acknowledge your proficiency as a witch. It is evidence of a certain level of skill as a practitioner of Modern Hekatean Witchcraft. While you’ve acquired the knowledge necessary to become an initiate through the content of the course, you’ve also gained deep understanding of Hekate, witchcraft and yourself. The two combine to produce wisdom, the true gift of initiation. Initiation also infers a serious personal commitment to practicing Modern Hekatean Witchcraft.” – from <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Her-Keys-Introduction-Witchcraft/dp/1789040752/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540947369&sr=8-1&keywords=keeping+her+keys+an+introduction+to+hekate%27s+modern+witchcraft"><em>Keeping Her Keys: An Introduction to Hekate’s Modern Witchcraft. </em></a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Initiation is a very beautiful process that isn’t to be taken lightly. In <em>Keeping Her Keys: An Introduction to Hekate’s Modern Witchcraft,</em> there’s a chapter dedicated to the self-initiation process. Initiation is a form of rebirth when we let go of our fears and move boldly into our witch power. While the book won’t be released for a few more months, you can use the <a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/10/hekate-and-her-great-goddesses-ritual-for-unleashing-your-inner-witch-on-samhain/">Great Goddesses Ritual for Unleashing Your Inner Witch</a> as an initiation into Hekate’s witchcraft.</p>
<h1>Deipnon and Noumenia</h1>
<p>The darkest night of the darkest month is the ideal time to practice the <a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/05/simple-ways-to-honor-hekate-on-the-dark-moon/">Deipnon</a>, especially for the first time as part of your commitment or initiation process. <a class="decorated-link" href="https://admin.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/04/hekate-and-the-new-moon/">Noumenia</a>is the night when the first sliver of the new moon appears. The perfect time for initiation. On this night, call upon the wisdom of the dead to help activate your intentions for the new lunar month.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/132371009?profile=RESIZE_710x" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/132371009?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="600"/></a></p>
<h1>May Hekate’s Dark Blessings Shine On You During November</h1>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/132371053?profile=RESIZE_930x" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/132371053?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="600"/></a></p>
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<p> </p>
<p><span><em><a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/10/hekate-november-the-underworld-crossroads-death-walking-initiation/">https://www.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/10/hekate-novembe...</a></em></span></p>
</div> Pumpkin Spice Essential Oil Blendtag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2017-11-20:6363372:Topic:33499022017-11-20T01:45:43.715ZSunKathttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/SunKat
<p><a href="https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pumpkin_Spice_Blends_Window.jpg?t=1510872283927&width=632&name=Pumpkin_Spice_Blends_Window.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pumpkin_Spice_Blends_Window.jpg?t=1510872283927&width=632&name=Pumpkin_Spice_Blends_Window.jpg"></img></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Ingredients:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span class="font-size-4">20 drops …</span></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pumpkin_Spice_Blends_Window.jpg?t=1510872283927&width=632&name=Pumpkin_Spice_Blends_Window.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pumpkin_Spice_Blends_Window.jpg?t=1510872283927&width=632&name=Pumpkin_Spice_Blends_Window.jpg" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Ingredients:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span class="font-size-4">20 drops <a title="Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil - Mountain Rose Herbs" href="https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/cinnamon-leaf-essential-oil-organic-and-fair-trade/profile" target="_blank">organic cinnamon essential oil</a></span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-4">20 drops <a title="Ginger Essential Oil - Mountain Rose Herbs" href="https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/ginger-essential-oil/profile" target="_blank">organic ginger essential oil</a></span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-4">20 drops <a title="Nutmeg Essential Oil - Mountain Rose Herbs" href="https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/nutmeg-essential-oil/profile" target="_blank">organic nutmeg essential oil</a></span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-4">15 drops <a title="Clove bud Essential Oil - Mountain Rose Herbs" href="https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/clove-bud-essential-oil/profile" target="_blank">organic clove bud essential oil</a></span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-4">5 drops <a title="Cardamom Essential Oil - Mountain Rose Herbs" href="https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/cardamom-essential-oil/profile" target="_blank">organic cardamom essential oil</a></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Directions:</strong></span></p>
<ol>
<li><span class="font-size-4">Add all essential oils to a <a href="http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/supply/glass_bottles.html" target="_blank">glass bottle</a>. </span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-4">One 1/4 oz. bottle will hold this blend perfectly.</span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-4">Screw cap on tightly and gently roll the bottle in your hands to blend the oils. Do not shake!</span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-4">Follow the use directions of your <a href="https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/catalog/aromatherapy/diffusers" target="_blank">favorite essential oil diffuser</a>.</span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-4">Most will use 5-6 drops of your blend. </span></li>
</ol> Gardens of the Witches..tag:templeilluminatus.ning.com,2017-11-05:6363372:Topic:33473472017-11-05T21:01:23.705Zkysthttps://templeilluminatus.ning.com/profile/kyst
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<div class="reblog-title" style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-7" style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;">Gardens of the Witches</span></div>
<div class="reblog-content"><p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/6b17e0268589f8e7df4c19ee70b73f5b/tumblr_inline_okd2n5COY61tjdnr5_540.png"></img><br />
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-5" style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;">Already starting…</span></p>
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<div class="reblog-title" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-7">Gardens of the Witches</span></div>
<div class="reblog-content"><p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/6b17e0268589f8e7df4c19ee70b73f5b/tumblr_inline_okd2n5COY61tjdnr5_540.png"/><br />
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Already starting to plan this years garden so I thought I should do a post on Witch Gardens</span></p>
<hr/><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Moonlight Garden</span></h2>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">A garden that blooms in the moonlight, a great place to perform night time rituals, meditations, or to just take a midnight stroll. A garden that is full of magick even after the sun sets. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Plants to add in your moonlight garden:</span></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Moonflower: (Ipomoea alba) A nocturnal relative of the morning glory. Has fragrant flowers that open at dusk and close by dawn. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Evening Primrose: (Oenothera biennis) Has beautiful, scented flowers that bloom only at dusk. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Night Flox: (Zaluzianskya capensis) A sweetly fragranced flower that only unfurls its pinwheeled shaped flowers after dusk. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Four O’Clock: (Mirabilis jalapa) Its scented flowers bloom at around 4:00pm (hence its name) and do not close up until morning. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Queen of the Night: (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) A species of cactus whose flowers only open at night. Attracts moths and bats!!!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Night Blooming Jessamine: (Cestrum nocturnum) Strong, sweet scented star shaped flowers that only bloom at night. Attracts moths and bats!!! All parts are toxic, do not ingest!<br/></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Angel’s Trumpet: (Brugmansia) Produces a strong scent on warm summer evenings. All parts are toxic, do not ingest!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Evening Stock: (Matthiola longipetala) Produces lots of small blossoms that produce a perfume described as a mix of vanilla, rose, spice, and cloves only after the sun sets.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Ever-Flowering Gladiolus: (Gladiolus tristis) Release a strong almond fragrance after dusk. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Lilac: (Syringa vulgaris) Although has a perfume during the day, it is said to be a lot stronger after dark. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Flowering Tobacco: (Nicotiana) Open in the late afternoon and have a fragrance that smells of jasmine. All parts are toxic if ingested!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Summer Snapdragon: (Angelonia angustifolia) Preferably in white, to reflect the moonlight. Has a scent apple-scented foliage. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Silvermound: (Artemisia schmidtiana) Has thick foliage that will shimmer under the moonlight.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Jack Frost: (Brunnera macrophylla) Hdeart shaped leaves of silver and green, perfect to add more highlights of silver to your moon lit garden. </span></li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Any plant that blooms after dark or has white, lavender, pale pink, pale yellow on it is a perfect addition to your moonlight garden. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Things to add:</span></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Stepping stones that have the phases of the moon.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Fairy lights</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">A place to sit</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Candles</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">A small fountain to sing along with the insects and birds of the night</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">String charms and bells on tree branches for a soft jingling every time a gentle breeze passes. </span></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Herb Garden</span></h2>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">For witches who need a more practical garden for uses of healing, tea crafting, drying, and growing plants used in their practices.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Plants to add to your herb garden:</span></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Anise: Helps to ward of the evil eye, find happiness, and stimulates psychic abilities. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Basil: Use for anything pertaining with love, exorcism, wealth, sympathy, and protection. Dispels confusion, fears & weakness. Drives off hostile spirits.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Bergamont: Corresponds with money and prosperity. Provides with protection from evil and illness, improves memory, stops interference, and promotes restful sleep.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Borage: Corresponds with courage and psychic powers. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Cat Nip: Is sacred to the Goddess Bast. Brings forth beauty, happiness, good luck, and good spirits.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Chamomile: Corresponds with love, healing, and sleep. Is known to reduce stress.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Chervil: Brings a sense of the higher self, placing you in touch with your divine, immortal spirit.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Coriander: Corresponds with love, health, immortality, and protection.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Dill: Corresponds with money, protection, luck and lust. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Lemon Balm: Corresponds with love, success, healing, and psychic/spiritual development. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Marjoram: Used to cleanse, purify, and to dispel negative energy. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Mint: Promotes energy, communication and vitality.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Oregano: Corresponds with joy, strength, vitality, and added energy </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Parsley: Calms and protects the home.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Rosemary: Protects, cleanses, purifies, and aids memory. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Sage: Used for self purification and dealing with grief and loss.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Thyme: Attracts loyalty, affection, and the good opinion of others.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Things to add:</span></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">A place to dry herbs</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">A place to compost any herb scraps</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Rocks</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">A place to leave offerings before you harvest</span></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Bee Garden</span></h2>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Make yourself a sanctuary to watch bees frolic and thrive</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Plants to add to your bee garden:</span></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Bee balm</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Lavender</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Crocus</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Snow Drop</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Wildflowers/Any native species</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Catmint</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Borage</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Anise hyssop</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Heliotrope</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Sunflower</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Oregano</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Yarrow</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Coneflower</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Black eyed susan</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Asters</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Goldenrod</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Foxglove</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Marigold</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Pansies</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Sweet peas</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Nasturtiums</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Things to add:</span></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Bee houses</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Bee waterers/bee baths</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Bee feeders</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">A place for offerings to the bees</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Some other ideas for your garden:</span></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Hummingbird garden</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Medicinal garden</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">A garden whose plants and decorations represent/correspond with your practice.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Butterfly Garden</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Faerie Garden </span></li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">The options are endless! I hope this gives you some ideas for this years garden.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">Happy planting!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #99cc00; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-5">==Moonlight Academy==</span></p>
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