All Witches and Pagans are invited to join the Heart’s Spirit Coven as we celebrate Ostara in the Northern Hemisphere and Mabon in the Southern Hemisphere

WHEN:

Sunday, March 22nd, 2020 NH

Monday, March 23rd, 2020 SH

At 6:00 PM CDT NH/ 10.00 AM AEDT SH

Circle starts at 7:00 PM CDT NH/ 11.00 AM AEDT SH- SHARP.

45 minutes will be allocated for a chance to talk to our Brothers and Sisters. Please do not enter the chat room once the circle has started. Thank you!

WHERE:

Heart’s Spirit Coven Chatroom

Beginning the Sabbat with a Universal Prayer

Just before we begin our Sabbat, I would like to acknowledge all that has happened and is happening in 2020, before and beyond. It is a significant time of much change and challenges for both humanity and the Great Earth Mother and all within her. Let us take a minute to pray for the universal healing in this time of need.

“May the Great Mother and Great Father give us strength and refuge in our time of need. Help us to remain calm and strong in the face of uncertainty, help us find compassion without the overwhelming feeling of empathy. Great Mother and Father teach me humility, acceptance and to remember my kindness”

So mote it be……..

Ostara in the NH

Ying Yang Drawing for OSTARA

You will need (aside from your altar usual set up)

See how to set up basic elemental altar below:

https://covenlife.co/2017/07/06/simple-basic-altar-set-up/

Green Candle

White candle

Yin/Yang Symbol- cut out the wholes specified once printed, or you can draw or paint the symbol.

2 eggs colored one darker one lighter

Mabon in the SH

You will need (aside from your altar usual set up)

See how to set up basic elemental altar below:

https://covenlife.co/2017/07/06/simple-basic-altar-set-up/

A wicker basket

Red Apple

Fallen Branch

Seasonal fruit and vegetables

Incense of your choice

Knife to cut apple

Picture of a large pentacle (I use a pentacle disk or you can draw or print one on a piece of paper)

A candle-(the larger the better, one to re-light, whenever you wish to contemplate during the winter months over your magickal and mystical path. If your candle runs low transfer the light to another large candle with love and intent of the energy of the first. Contemplations are done for short periods of time so candle needs to burn for only a couple of minutes at a time, longer if you wish it is purely up to you. Note; DO NOT BLOW OUT CANDLE, SNUFF THE CANDLE INSTEAD)

See how to snuffing candle

Set up for Ritual:

Mabon SH

Sweep your circle with a broom clockwise (use whatever you have on hand, it’s about physically cleaning your space)

Place the wicker basket with seasonal fruit and vegetables in the center of alter

Tree branch to the right of the wicker basket

Ostara NH

Sweep your circle with a broom clockwise (use whatever you have on hand, it’s about physically cleaning your space)

Have your Yin/Yang symbol prepared, holes cut out as indicated on diagram provided ready for ritual

Hard boil your eggs, colour one darker than the other ready to place on symbol

Purify the self and the Environment NH & SH:

Take a shower or bath with your favorite oils

Play your favorite music

Burn your favorite incense

Meditate and ground yourself

Ostara is the beginning of spring, the season for new beginnings and the renewal of life through planting. This is the time we can now plant seeds and nurture them throughout the coming months to bare their fruit. What is it that you would like to plant in your life? What are you willing to nurture throughout the growing season? For this ritual as this season is also a time for re-birth, new life and fertility we will be concentrating on the symbology of the egg. Think of the dark and light as the feminine and the masculine. The Goddess and the God resorting your outer and inner balance.

Mabon is the second of 3 harvest festivals celebrating the equinox and the harvest of apples. On the day of the equinox, day and night is of equal length. For the next 6 months the nights will be longer than the days. This is such a great time of abundance. All the hard work that it takes to collect the harvest, it is now a time to rest, reap what you have sown and take the time to look at you hopes and aspirations and reflect how they have manifested. Most importantly spend it with the people you love. This is a time of giving, sharing and loving.

Cast the Circle:

Hypatia Casting the circle-

To the Guardians of the North:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

To the Guardians of the East:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

To the Guardians of the South:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

To the Guardians of the West:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

I cast this circle three times three with the assistance of the Great Mother and the Great God.

I call Upon the Guardians of spirit to protect us from above and below. As is above so is below, as is below so is above. May the power of The Great God and The great Goddess join us within this circle now, to protect us and to work with us and allow us to see beyond the veil.

Protect us Great Mother and Great Father for all gathered here and those afar who are unable to be with us. Allow no negative energy to touch us, to harm us and that nothing we call upon will harm us and others. We come together in perfect love and perfect trust.

Greeting:

Hypatia – Merry meet brothers and sisters and honored guests.

Everyone – Respond Merry Greet. Please tell us your first name and state or country you are from.

Ceremony:

Please ALL light your main altar candles (not the Mabon or Ostara candles as yet)

Ritual begins:

Ostara

Place green candle to your left and the white candle to your right. Leaving enough room in the middle to place your Yin/Yang symbol.

Place the Yin/Yang symbol in between the lit candles. Place the darker egg into the hole in the lighter colored side of the Yin/Yang and the lighter colored egg into the hole in the darker side.

When done type in “Ready.”

We offer these eggs to Ostara as all new life grows from an eggs or a seed.

Ostara we ask you to bless these eggs to help us renew ourselves as Mother Earth wakens from her slumber. That we may find new life coursing through us as cleansing energy.

Oak King we ask that your fertilize the hopes and wishes we have written here so they may grow and come to fruition as the year progresses.

As the Spring Equinox is the balance of day and night as equals so is the relationship of all males and females. We ask Hecate and her Consort to bless our relationships with others be they men or women. That we feel equal to them and not above or below them.

Take the eggs and set them on the side. Tape the circle of opposite color into the now empty holes. (Before breaking the eggs to eat them write the same runes on to the circles now in the Yin/Yang symbol. The side you write them on should be the same color as the egg they are written on.

We will take a 2 minutes to complete the Yin/Yang symbol. When you are done type in “Blessed be”.

Mabon

Your wand in right hand, facing your alter, arms stretched out above head……….

“Autumn Queen and Harvest God I honor Thee. As the change of seasons begins the Wheel has turned once more. A time to reflect, a time to come together in the here and now in this sacred space where all time becomes one. The second harvest has been reaped, now take the time to rest and feel the change as the season passes from one to the next.

My Mother, go now and slumber

My Father go now and dream of re-birth”

Arms outstretched, lower your head and close your eyes, sit in contemplation for 30 seconds.

When ready open your eyes and lower your arms

Pick up the apple and place it on the pentacle

Cut the apple crosswise to reveal the pentagram bringing the elements into your life

Lift the half apple up as in offering and say….

“The year gives way to the next as the season passes and the Great Wheel turns. Ancestors, Guardians and Wise ones guide me. Every begging has an ending and every ending a new beginning”.

Light your Mabon candle now

Take a bite of the apple, put aside to share with nature later

Take the tree branch and shake in each direction, starting with the North, then West, South, East and say…….

“Allow me to remember the summer past as the days grow longer and the days shorter. Memories will warm my soul as the sunlight fades and hearth becomes inviting through this divine light of the candle dedicated to the Mother and Father.

Great Mother calls me forward to rest and lull myself to sleep with her songs as I cling myself to her bosom”.

Face the altar and branch held out in front of you and say……

“May I never forget the summer memories and continue to strive during the colder months. May I take this time to go within and reflect on the Mysteries that lead me to a better understanding of myself, of others and all that is in life and death”.

Put the tree branch back on the altar, take 30 seconds to contemplate about :

The symbols that you have mentally attached to this ritual,

The various projects that you will put in action over the winter months, no matter how small or insignificant they may feel.

After the ceremony please feel free to share the consecrated fruit and vegetables in a beautiful meal with family and friends. Make a beautiful dinner for all to enjoy and be thankful for what is.

CLOSING

Dismiss the circle:

To the Guardians of the North:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

To the Guardians of the West:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

To the Guardians of the South:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

To the Guardians of the East:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

As you leave here tonight may the Lady and Lord bless you with all that you need.

I bid you Blessings and great Joy Brothers and sisters of the Craft

Thank you and farewell

N.H Ostara / S.H Mabon- Gathering on 20th, March 2018. Circle starts at 7:15 PM CT SHARP.

Our Ostara/ Mabon gathering was written by Hypatia who will be leading this gathering.

Tuesday, March 20th, 2018

At 6.45 PM CT

Circle starts at 7:15 PM CT SHARP.

30 minutes will be allocated for a chance to talk to our Brothers and Sisters. Please do not enter the chat room once the circle has started. Thank you!

WHERE:

Coven Life’s Chatroom

WHAT YOU NEED:

Preparation for the Northern hemisphere- Ostara:

We are going to be painting eggs…….

As this is a time for a clean start– consider taking a bath or a shower with your favorite essential oil or other aromatics. You could also infuse fresh herbs like a tea or use your favorite soap. If a whole body wash is not possible please just wash your hands, face or even just change into clean clothes. What will encourage your new growth?

Hard-boiled egg for decorating. You could do more than one if you like. No more than 3, mainly for time purposes. If allergic please refer to suggestions below.

Permanent marker pens or small stickers to decorate the eggs. Practice your patters beforehand if you wish, it might make it easier and quicker on the day. Keep it simple, not to thick or elaborate as we will be cracking and eating the egg.

If you have an egg allergy than please use gloves when handling the egg, crack the egg and place in the nest. You could place it in the earth or just give to a loved one that doesn’t have an egg allergy to consume.

Freshly picked flowers or herbs to place on you alter.

Green and Yellow candle. If you don’t have these colours please just use what is on hand. It is the spirit of the Goddess and the God created by the light that we will be using as inspiration.

A little bowl, egg holder or just a little nest made from cotton wool to hold you egg once finished. Be as creative as you wish. Egg baskets are also great.

A glass of water to help with the feasting.

Simple flower or leaf motifs will do. Anything that inspires the artist within and brings images of fresh beginnings. Remember to keep it simple as we will be cracking and eat the egg (avoid eating and handling without gloves if allergic, please see above suggestions). In this case please have a glass of whatever beverage you prefer and a piece of simple whole grain bread to feast on. If you have another preference than please do so. Your health is in your hands.

Here are some examples below.

It doesn’t have to be drawn all over the egg.

easter-eggs-in-a-basket--538133314-5a4c14a7ec2f6400377a8ab9

If you choose to do a Goddess symbols than please do. This is a time for you to connect with the Goddess, the Earth Mother and all the possibilities that she brings.

Simple spirals will even do.

images

You may even have your own symbol that brings forth the Great Goddess called by Persephone, Brigid, and Eostre.

Preparation for the Southern hemisphere- Mabon:

We are going to be preparing a feast………..

As this is the time of the fruit harvest we will be using an apple to represent the cornucopia of life.

Green and red candle. If you don’t have these colors please just use what is on hand. It is the spirit of the Goddess and the God created by the light that we will be using as inspiration.

A knife to cut your apple, horizontal across the middle to reveal the pentagram within. You can even practice this beforehand if you wish. (Please be careful not to cut yourself, your safety is in your hands).

A platter for offering and cutting board to cut your apple and other fruits.

Example below.

1437559472-mabon-7

A bowl filled with fresh seasonal fruits such as apples, pears and seasonal berries and even dried nuts, depending on their availability, your imagination and of course you budget. Whatever you can get your hands on. Remember it’s your feast dedication to the Great Goddess and God! The remainder of the fruit and nuts could be shared with family, friends or even acquaintances after the ceremony.

Apple cider or just a glass of water will do.

Don’t forget:

Athame’ or wand
Salt
Water
Bell

Candles for the God and Goddess the colors specified above, otherwise any color available (don’t forget you candle holders if needed). , use matches (with safety) or you could use a single pillar candle that you have blessed, anointed and inscribed. You use this to light your God and Goddess candles. The choice is yours as it is in the intention.

If you prefer an alter cloth
If you prefer a statue pf you Idol/ s

Remember to keep it simple. If you wish to add more depending on you practice and worship than please do so. Just remember to add each magical item in reverence.

So let’s begin:

Ostara is the beginning of spring, the season for new beginnings and the renewal of life through planting. This is the time we can now plant seeds and nurture them throughout the coming months to bare their fruit. What is it that you would like to plant in your life? What are you willing to nurture throughout the growing season? For this ritual as this season is also a time for re-birth, new life and fertility we will be concentrating on the symbology of the egg. The ritual will be dedicated to the Great Goddess, Persephone, Brigid, and Eostre.

Think of the dark and light as the feminine and the masculine. The Goddess and the God resorting your outer and inner balance.

Ritual:

So let’s begin our Ostara/ Mabon Ritual

Hypatia Casting the circle-

To the Guardians of the East:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

To the Guardians of the South:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

To the Guardians of the West:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

To the Guardians of the North:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

I cast this circle three times three with the assistance of the Great Mother and the Great God.

Protect us Great Mother and Great God for all gathered here and those afar who are unable to be with us. Allow no negative energy to touch us, to harm us and that nothing we call upon will harm us and others. We come together in perfect love and perfect trust.

Greeting:

Hypatia – Merry meet brothers and sisters and honored guests.

Everyone – Respond Merry Greet. Please tell us your first name and state or country you are from.

Ceremony:

Please ALL light your candles

INVOCATIONS

Ostara in the N.H-

Now say-

“Hallowed be the Goddess, Our Mother and provider. The bleak winter storms leaving life to flourish outward. It peeps out quietly, refreshed by the God and Goddess’s power. We feel you. We thank you for all your gifts. “

Mabon in the S.H-

Now say-

Manannan son of Lir, Ruler of the Other world, You who gave the Silver Branch and the Golden Cup to King Cormac, I ask your blessings on this celebration of harvest. May it sustain me through the coming winter. Manannan, please accept this offering of food and drink, given in hospitality and in love.”

MAIN WORKING

Ostara in the N.H-

Now do-

Concentrate on the beautiful flowers you have picked, smell, and touch and appreciate this glorious gift from the Great Mother and Father. Take your hardboiled egg in your hands, feel its contours and acknowledge the gift and nourishment that it holds.

Understand that this is a time of regeneration and transformation. This is a time of re-birth and new beginnings. Visualize the creation of all and everything from a single seed a single egg.

Mabon in the S.H-

Now do-

Pick up the apple and hold it in both hands. Feel its smoothness. See its colour. Smell its fragrance.

Think about where the apple came from. Not where you bought it, but where it grew from bud to fruit: a particular tree in a particular orchard in a particular location. Can you see it? Can you feel it?

Visualize the growth of the apple from bud to flower to tiny apple to large apple, compressing the months from spring to autumn into a few moments. Meditate on its growth, and what that growth means to you.

Ostara in the N.H-

Now say-

“May we carry within us a total understanding of all living creatures, both great and small. Mother Goddess, father God, and show us how to worship the earth and all it holds.”

Mabon in the S.H

Now say-

“Lord of the Sun that rides the westerly wild wind. As the seeds flourish and the fall into the waiting earth. I know this to be a time of equals allowing natures scales to come into balance. As the dark winter shadows reveal the wheel-a-turning it unveils life’s glory through a deathly silence.

O Great Goddess, watcher of sacred magic and long gone myths, show me the way to great wisdom. Show me the way Great Goddess!”

Ostara in the N.H-

Now do-

Now prepare your tools to decorate.

As you decorate your eggs meditate on creation, on rebirth and the wonder of life.

Appreciate and acknowledge that this is the place where everything starts from.

Be spontaneous and draw whatever mandala comes to your mind or something that you have already chosen.

Allow yourself to enjoy the energy of creation.

Visualize what you would like to bring into your life.

What you would like to bring into fruition, what you would like to give birth to.

This is a time of great fertility, you hold the egg in your hand, the egg that will give life to your desires.

In your own words give thanks to the great Goddess for her gift of regeneration, rebirth and rejuvenation.

Once finished decorating your egg/s

If allergic- you can place the egg/s in your nest, bowl or holder and give to a loved one after the ceremony or bury in the ground. I will leave that up to you.

Otherwise– crack the egg on the surface, peel the egg and consume as much as you like and with every bite appreciate the gift of regeneration and rebirth. The glory of new beginnings that is gifted from the Great Mother Herself. Keep a glass of water on hand.

Mabon in the S.H-

Now do-

Place the apple on your chopping board and cut across the middle (horizontally) exposing the pentagram.

The pentagram is connected to the 5 elements. Allow yourself time to connect to water, fire, earth, air and spirit as without these we would not exist.

Breathe in the scent. Understand that the apple is a simple reminder of the healing powers of the earth and the restorative energies of the Other world’s.

Slice a portion of the apple and say-

“Manannan mac Lir, please accept this offering.”
Now place in the offering platter

Slice a second portion and say-

“Mighty Ancestors, please accept this offering.”

Now place in the offering platter

Slice a third portion and say-

“Spirits of this place, please accept this offering.”
Now place in the offering platter

Now take a bite of the apple and allow it to nourish you. Feel how refreshing it is and how it is filling you with its nourishment.

Now prepare the rest of you platter by adding from your fruit bowl. This is a dedication to your God and Goddess. Take your time to enjoy and savior the feast that you have prepared. Drink your apple cider, water or what other beverage you have chosen.

In your own words give thanks to the great God and Goddess to this second harvest and all it has brought you.

FAREWELLS

Ostara in the N.H-

Now say-

Mother Goddess, Lady of the Waters, I thank you for your presence and your blessings. May there be peace and honor between us now and forever. Hail and farewell.”

“Ancestors of blood and ancestors of spirit, I thank you for your presence and your blessings. May there be peace and honor between us now and forever. Hail and farewell.”
“Spirits of the land, spirits of this place, I thank you for your presence and your blessings. May there be peace and honor between us now and forever. Hail and farewell.”
Mabon in the S.H-

Now say-

“Manannan mac Lir, I thank you for your presence and your blessings. May there be peace and honour between us now and forever. Hail and farewell.
“Ancestors of blood and ancestors of spirit, I thank you for your presence and your blessings. May there be peace and honor between us now and forever. Hail and farewell.
“Spirits of the land, spirits of this place, I thank you for your presence and your blessings. May there be peace and honor between us now and forever. Hail and farewell.
And Now before closing the circle.

Lady Beltane-

I would ask that all non-members leave the circle at this time please. You are welcome to return in about 15 minutes to socialize. Thank you.

We will be introducing the newcomer Elders and this is a private initiation.

CLOSING

Dismiss the circle:

To the Guardians of the East:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

To the Guardians of the South:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

To the Guardians of the West:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

To the Guardians of the North:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

As you leave here tonight may the Lady and Lord bless you with all that you need and want.

I bid you Blessings and great Joy Brothers and sisters of the Craft

Thank you

Merry part until we merry meet again.

Mabon – A Solitary Ritual

Holidays and holy days are better with friends and family. But many Pagans maintain solitary practices. Even if you work with a group, sometimes you can’t be with them for one reason or another. And sometimes your group meets on a convenient day but you feel the need to celebrate on the exact day. Whatever the reason, many Pagans will be celebrating the Autumn Equinox by themselves.
Mabon is the second of the three Celtic harvest festivals. It’s the apple harvest and the celebration of the equinox, the time of equal day and night. The actual equinox is Wednesday, September 23 at 3:22 AM CDT. For the next six months, the nights will be longer than the days.

Mabon Lore

Autumn Equinox, one of the Lesser Wiccan Sabbats is celebrated on or around September 20th to 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere and from on or around March 19 to 20th for the Southern Hemisphere. Autumn Equinox is also known as Mabon, Fall Equinox, Wine Harvest and Second Harvest. This is a time of balance and harmony, when our days and nights are equally divided as the days grow shorter and the Wheel of Year turns towards Samhain and Yule.

Traditionally, Second Harvest was celebrated when fruits were picked for jams, jellies, juices, ciders and wines. Our days grow shorter, veggies, fruits and herbs are at the peak for harvesting and preserving. Celebrate the prosperity of harvests whether from your garden or local farmers/gardeners as well as the harvest of spells you have been working. At this time of balance, include in your spells and rituals balance and harmony for your home and work. Decorate your sacred space, altar and home with grapes, vines, squash, leaves, wheat, barley, pine cones, corn, horns of plenty, and acorns.
For continue reading, click here:

https://www.13moons.com/mabon-lore

Mabon Correspondances

The plate I painted for Mabon.

This is a recipe for Mabon Anointing Oil that I made a few years ago (I reference the Super Moon). I don’t recall where I found the ritual itself. If you know please let me know so I may credit them properly.

Mabon Anointing Oil

I used Reiki on all ingredients before I started each step.

During the Super Moon in August, I put three small Tiger Eye stones in a crystal grid surrounded by 6 Carnelian stones with an Agate in the middle. Tigers Eye to be used in bottle of oil for Mabon.

I mixed up a sacred smudging blend of sweetgrass braid, tobacco, juniper, and sage. I put the blend in the sea shell that looks like the spiral of life.

Right before I started to blend the oil, I said the Full Moon ritual.

On this night of the Full Moon

I call on fire to set the mood

The perfect style and attitude

To serve my purpose and meet my goal

And cast me in the perfect role

On this night of the Full Moon

I call on air to set the pace

All obstacles shall it erase

Wafting in the perfect breeze

So I might play my role with ease

On this night of the Full Moon

I call on earth to set the scene

And ground me so I stay serene

No matter what might come my way

Supporting me through night and day

On this night of the Full Moon

I call on water to set me free

To be the best, most perfect me

Smoothly flowing through the hour

All aspects of my self empower

On this night of the Full Moon

For confidence and lack of stress

On this occasion let me shine

And touch me with a gift divine

So mote it be

Mabon Oil

Drop the three Tiger Eye stones in the bottle.

1 drop of Palo Santo-Top to middle

5 drops Black Spruce-Middle

1 drop Cajeput-Top

1 drop Mandarin-Top

2 drops Myrrh-Base

1 ½ t Grapeseed oil

The intention set was to allow the abundance of the season to flow and to feel the Love of the season.

5 Ways to Celebrate Mabon

I really like this blog post with ideas of how to celebrate Mabon. Here is an excerpt from the blog post:

“Looking for specific ideas on how to celebrate Mabon without spending a dime? You’ve come to the right place! Here are 5 wonderfully fall-ish ways to celebrate the Autumn Equinox!….”

You can read the blog post at the following link:

http://www.pennilesspagan.com/2016/09/5-ways-to-celebrate-mabon-without.html

Autumn Meditation

My friend Tamilia has written a very nice meditation for Autumn. She states you are welcome to use it in your own ritual if you would like! You can read her post at The Agora at the following link:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/agora/2016/09/wayfaring-woman-gifts-from-the-heart-an-autumn-spiced-guided-meditation/

Category: Fall Equinox/Mabon

Wheel of the Year

Sabbat: NH Ostara Sunday, March 22nd, SH Mabon Monday, March 23rd

WHEN:

WHERE:

Ostara in the NH

Mabon in the SH

Mabon SH

Ostara NH

Ostara

Mabon

N.H Ostara / S.H Mabon- Gathering on 20th, March 2018. Circle starts at 7:15 PM CT SHARP.

Mabon – A Solitary Ritual

Mabon Lore

Mabon Correspondances

5 Ways to Celebrate Mabon

Autumn Meditation