Welcome to Gaia! ::

This is the basic information, I will go over each and every one individually and in order. So check back often because you never know what new information I might have for you.

There are four major (greater) Sabbats and four minor (lesser) Sabbats. The God ruled during the winter half of the year, which is sometimes called the "dark" half, a time when it is not possible to grow food and humankind had to rely on the success in hunting. The Summer months, or "light" half of the year, is ruled over by the Goddess, who looked over crops.

Samhain (sow-en): Witches' New Year
October 31: A Greater Sabbat

Samhain is the Pagan New Year, and marks the coming of winter. It is more commonly recognized, by non-Pagans, as Halloween. This is a date that is often recognized as a time where the barriers between different planes of existence (our mundane plane and the Otherworld, where the spirits of the departed dwell between lives) are at their thinnest. Pagans generally use this as a time of reflection, in memory of departed loved ones. This Sabbat also marks the symbolic death of the God, who awaits his re-birth with the coming of Yule.

Yule: Winter Solstice
December 19-22 (the date varies yearly): A Lesser Sabbat

Yule is celebrated on the Winter Solstice. It is on this, the shortest day of the year, that the God is symbolically reborn, with the days now beginning to get longer as the Sun grows stronger, symbolizing the reborn God now growing. The sun was often recognized as the symbol of the God, in ancient religions. Most Pagans believe in reincarnation, sure in their knowledge that they will be reborn again (as the Sun God is Reborn each Yule) to experience new lessons. Traditional activities include the Yule Tree, Yule Log and the giving and receiving of gifts.

Imbolc: (im-bolk): Candlemas
February 1: A Greater Sabbat

Imbolc (also known as Candlemas) is a celebration of fertility, inspiration and purification, and marks the beginning of Springtime. It symbolizes the awakening of life deep within the earth, although that life is not yet visible. The God is beginning to grow, and his strength (visible in the power of the Sun) is beginning to be noticeable with the continued lengthening of the days. It is traditional at Candlemas to light every lamp in the house for a few minutes in honor of the Sun's rebirth.

Ostara (oh-star-ah): Spring Equinox
March 19-22 (the date varies yearly): A Lesser Sabbat

Ostara (also known as Eostara) occurs on the Spring Equinox, and is considered the first day of true spring. The day and night are equal in length, and the Plants are beginning to bud and sprout. Some ancient Pagan traditions are still practiced on this day, such as colouring eggs (which are a symbol of fertility), collecting wildflowers, walking in nature's beauty and cultivating herb gardens. This is the time to free yourself from anything in the past that is holding you back.

Beltane (bel-tayne): Mayday
May 1: A Greater Sabbat

Beltane is commonly recognized as May Day (the start of Summer), by non-Pagans. It is a celebration of love and desire, symbolizing the Union of the God and Goddess, which honors the fertility of the Earth. Many flowers and plants are often gathered, as decorations, the flowers being symbolic of the Goddess. Celebrations include weaving a web of life around the "May Poles" which were often erected (and sometimes still are), as a symbol of the God (an obvious fertility symbol, some consider Phallic in aspect), and leaping the Beltane fire for luck. Beltane is a choice day for many Pagans to get 'Handfasted' (Pagan Marriage). This is a time of self-discovery, love, union and developing your potential for personal growth.

Litha Sumer Solstice
June 19-22 (the date varies yearly): A Lesser Sabbat

Litha (also known as Midsummer), which is celebrated on the Summer Solstice, is the time of year when nature is at it's peak strength, The God at the Peak of his power, the days being at their longest. This is a time when many Pagans feel it is best for rituals and spells. Bonfires are often made, to symbolize and honour the God.

Lammas: Lughnassadh (loo-nus-uh)
Aug 1 Lamas A Greater Sabbat

Lammas (also known as Lughnasadh) is the first Harvest Festival, observed during the beginning of harvest, at the start of Autumn. Pagans are thankful for the food with which they have been blessed. Plants are withering, but they are also leaving seeds, a promise of their eventual re-birth. The God is beginning to weaken and dim with age, as the days grow shorter, giving his energy his energy to the crops to ensure life while the Mother prepares to give way to her aspect as the Crone. Now is the time to teach what you have learned, to share the fruits of your achievements with the world. Wheat weaving, such as the making of corn dollies, is traditional. Bread is baked and the altar is decorated with fruits and vegetables of the harvest.

Mabon (may-bon): Autumn Equinox
Sept 19-22 (the date varies yearly): A Lesser Sabbat

Mabon (also known as the Autumn Equinox, or Alban Elfed) is the Second Harvest Festival, observed at the end of harvest. The day and night are once again equal in length, another time of balance, but light is giving way to increased darkness. The God is quickly losing strength, and is preparing for his end, and the Goddess is mourning her fallen consort, but the emphasis is on the message of rebirth that can be found in the harvest seeds.. Summer is over, and Winter is quickly approaching. It is a good time to walk the forests, gathering dried plants for use as altar decorations or herbal magick. Cornbread and cider are good additions to festivities and fall leaves make good altar decorations.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/spiritwolf/wheel_of_the_year.htm
Some of the info was found on this site, and some was from my own BOS

The Sabbats that are between dates are those for - 1st day of summer, 1st day of autumn, 1st day of spring, 1st day of winter on the calender for the year.

(the dates are uncertain, there are SO many dates online that I just picked an assumption time period based on what I found)

Quick Apple Spice Cake

1 spice cake mix
1 small package of vanilla pudding
1 can apple pie filling
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1 container of caramel apple dip (optional)
A microwave safe pan or bunt type pan

Mix all of the ingredients together except for the dip, it does not have to be mixed until the mix is smooth. Pour into your pan and cook on 70% for 16-18 minutes or until done (dry on top and pulling away from the sides). Let it cool slightly and pour the caramel apple dip over the top and Enjoy!

Pumpkin Muffins

1 c Unbleached Flour, Sifted
2 t Baking Powder
1/4 t Salt
1/4 t Ground Cinnamon
1/4 c Vegetable Shortening
2/3 c Sugar
1 ea Large Egg
1/2 c Canned, Mashed Pumpkin
2 T Milk

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; set aside. Cream together shortening and sugar in mixing bowl until light and fluffy, using electric mixer at medium speed. Beat in egg. Combine pumpkin and milk in small bowl. Add dry ingredients alternately with pumpkin mixture to creamed mixture, stirring well after each addition. Spoon batter into paper-lined 2 1/2-inch muffin-pan cups, filling 2/3rds full.

Bake in 350 degree F. oven 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot with butter and homemade jam.

Remembrance Cookies

These cookies can be made on Hallow's Eve. They can be shaped like people and the herb rosemary is added to the dough as a symbol of remembrance. Some of the cookies are eaten while telling stories or attributes of special ancestors, reminding us that we still have access to their strengths--or perhaps a predisposition to their weaknesses. The rest of the cookies are left outside by a bonfire as an offering. This can be a solemn ritul, but it need not be.

Ingredients for the cookies:

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. butter or margarine (softened)
1 egg
2 t. vanilla
1 t. almond extract
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cream of tartar
1 1/2 T. chopped rosemary

Heat oven 375 degrees. In a large bowl, beat sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, almond extract, and rosemary until creamy. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Fold flour mixture into sugar mixture. Beat until dough forms and refrigerate for three hours. Divide dough into halves. Roll out one portion to 3/16 of an inch on a floured surface. Cut out with gingerbread women or men cutters and place on an un-greased cookie sheet. Repeat rolling and cutting with second portion. Bake for 5-7 minutes.

(I have many more recipes if you are interested in some of them)

Bread of the Dead

Serve with milk or hot chocolate, and offer some to your departed ancestors, so they may breathe in its essence and be nourished, before you gobble it up yourself!

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/4 t. salt
1 egg
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
10 drops anise extract

Mix all of the above until smooth. Heat the oven to 400 degrees and grease a cookie sheet. With clean hands, mold the dough into a round shape with a knob on the top (which will be a skull) or into smaller round shapes, animals, faces or angels. Place dough on cookie sheet.

1/4 cup brown sugar
1 T. flour
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 T. melted butter

Mix together brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and melted butter for the topping. Sprinkle topping on dough and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. When cool, decorate the skull shaped knobs, animals or faces with icing sugar to make eyes, nose and mouth.

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/7039/AshlinCC.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Jack-O-Latern pinata

Cover a balloon with newspaper strips dipped in a mixture of water and white school glue. Cover in a layer of orange crepe paper. Let dry thoroughly. Glue on eyes, nose and mouth made of construction paper. Cut a hole and fill with candy. Tape shut. Hang the piñata by a rope from a tree and have children break open piñata while blindfolded with a bat. Be very careful that everyone stands far enough back so they don't get hit.

Hazelnut Good Luck Charm

Supplies:
9 hazelnuts (or filberts as they are also called)
black colored twine (hemp is best for the energy)
nut pick

Using the nut pick, bore holes in the nuts. Use whole nuts, don't shell them. String them on the twine, making it just long enough to hold the nine nuts with a little bit of space, then tie off in a circle. On the night of Samhain, consecrate it in the fire, passing it back and forth 3 times, and chanting:

"Hazelnuts nine in a ring
By the smoke of the Samhain Fire bring
To those within our humble home
Form over this a protective cone
Guard for a year, I charge thee
And as I will, so mote it be!"


Then hang it up in your home somewhere as an amulet of protection for the coming year. If you want, make several , and after consecrating them give them to other pagan family and friends as a gift, or hang one in every room if you wish.

Nine is the sacred number of the Hazelnut in the Celtic Tree Calender. Save some of the nuts to bury during the Spring Equinox, to attune yourself with the cycle of birth and death.

http://groups.msn.com/WitchesHollow/witchcrafts.msnw

Make a witch's cord

Witch's cords are beautiful and make great decorations. The Samhain witches cord should be an expression of what you wish or hope for the New Year. Take three strands of ribbon or silk cord in three different colors, each about three feet long. Choose colors that symbolize your hopes for the New Year. Fold one end down about five inches and tie together in a knot to make a loop so the cord can be hung. Braid the strands together, reciting your wishes and hopes and tie at least three knots on the tail. You can add anything you want to the cords - feathers, stones, herbs, little toys, tokens in remembrance of a loved one, etc.

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/pagan_parenting/111525/3

Find a wand

Samhain is a great time to look for a wand. Venture outdoors with your children, to a park perhaps, and look for branches or fallen pieces of wood. When you've found your wand, be sure to thank the tree and leave an offering. Once you've cleaned it up by whittling it and sanding it if necessary, let your child decorate it.

Halloween is a fun time for children, but it's also a celebration of the cycles that bring growth and transformation. With its deep connections to family, our rituals and stories are perfect for sharing with our children, teaching them about the past, and giving us all hope for the future.

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/pagan_parenting/111525/4

I would like to become a student. whee I really like recipies

I will join. I would like to know more about them. The recipes are a good idea. I want to try them.

Hot Spiced Wassail (non alcoholic)

4 cups cranberry juice
6 cinnamon sticks
5 cups apple cider
1 orange, studded with whole cloves
1 cup water
1 apple, cored and sliced
1/2 cup brown sugar

Mix juice, cider, and water in a large saucepan or crock pot. Add cinnamon sticks, clove studded orange, and apple slices. Simmer mixture for 4 hours, serve hot. Makes 12 servings.

Shortest Day Ham Loaf

1 pound ground pork
1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
1 pound ground ham
1 medium tomato, chopped
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk

Mix all ingredients above and shape into 2 individual loaves. In a saucepan combine:

1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup vinegar
1 teaspoon dried mustard
1/2 cup water

Bring sauce to a boil, pour over the loaves, place loaves in a 350 degree oven and bake for 1 hour, basting regularly. Makes 10-12 servings.

Stollen

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
2/3 cup warm milk (110°F / 45°C)
1 large egg
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 cups bread flour
1/3 cup currants
1/3 cup sultana raisins
1/3 cup red candied cherries, quartered
2/3 cup diced candied citron
6 ounces marzipan
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with the egg, white sugar, salt, butter, and 2 cups bread flour; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has begun to pull together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead in the currants, raisins, dried cherries, and citrus peel. Continue kneading until smooth, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Lightly grease a cookie sheet. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the marzipan into a rope and place it in the center of the dough. Fold the dough over to cover it; pinch the seams together to seal. Place the loaf, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C), and bake for a further 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow loaf to cool on a wire rack. Dust the cooled loaf with confectioners' sugar, and sprinkle with the cinnamon.

http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/yule/yule_recipes.shtml

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Yule Log Hike

Materials: Warm clothing, sense of adventure

This is an activity that can be done the weekend before Yule. On a bright crisp morning, dress for the weather, head for a park, the mountains, the forest, the beach. Select a proportionally sized log that will fit easily into your fire place. Adh, oak, or cedar make great Yule logs. Try to find one that has already fallen and is on the ground. On the beach, driftwood can be found and obtained for your log. As you are looking or on your way back home look for natuarl decorations to adorn your Yule log with to make it personalized by each member of the family. Traditional adornments are. pine cones, leaves, holly sprigs, mistletoe sprigs, rosebuds, winter flowers, wheat stalks, and corn husks. If you must cut ajnything from a living plant, remember to ask and thank the plant for its gift. If you don't have a fireplace, select a smaller log, slightly flat on one side so it doesn't roll (or make it flat when you bring it home).

As you adorn the log explain how the Yule log was set ablaze on Solstice night to help vanquish the dark and add strength to the returning sun. Explain how logs used to smolder for 12 days before there was another ceremony to put the log out. Then a part of the log was strapped to the plow the next spring to spread the blessings over the land, and another piece was saved to light the next years Yule log.

Adorning/Creating the Yule Log

Materials:

Holly, mistletoe, rosebuds, pine cones, evergreen sprigs, gold string/cord, gold bows, apple cider, flour (for dusting), ivy, cloves


After cleaning the log let the children decorate it how every they choose. Glue, wire, or small holes in the log will help adhere the decorations. Once the log is decorated "Wassail" (toast and douse) it with a libation of apple cider. Finally, dust the log with.

If you have a fireplace now would be the time to place the log in the fireplace and have parents set it ablaze. But if you DO NOT have a fireplace you would then drill three holes in the top side to hold either: red, green, and white candles to represent the season) OR green, gold, and black to represent the Sun God) OR white, red, and black to represent the Great Goddess).

Dough Art Decorations

Materials:
4 cups flour, 2 cups water, 1 cup salt, Cookie Cutters, Wire Ornament Hangers, Acrylic Paints.

Combine flour, salt, and water in a large bowl. Dough should kneed easily but not be sticky, if so, add more flour. On a flat surface, lay down some waxed paper. Take a handful of the dough and roll out with a rolling pin. Cut dough into shapes with the cookie cutters. Make a hole in top of "cookie" for wire hanger. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and put in oven at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until *slightly* brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool thoroughly. Paint with acrylic paints. Allow to dry, place hanger in hole and adorn tree, packages, or hang in windows. (Allow children to make-up Yule stories to go along with each decoration they are making.)

Sunny Disposition Wreath (For the older kids)

Materials:
1-2 Large Bundles Evergreen Boughs, 1 Bundle Holly, 1 Wreath Frame (Wire or Styrofoam), Garden Clippers, Spool of Fine Green Wire, 2 Yards Red Ribbon, Adornments.

Cut boughs into 6" to 8" pieces. Same with Holly. Cut about 20- 15" pieces of the wire. Gather a bundle of boughs together, thicker at the back and fanning out in the front. Wrap wire around the bundle about 2/3 from the top. Hold bundle in place and wrap wire around the bundle and the frame. Repeat this step, only adding a sprig of holly in front. Repeat steps 1 and 2, adding holly to bundle every other time. Make sure that all the bundles face the same direction. Where the last bundle meets the bottom of the first bundle is usually barer than the rest of the wreath, so that is where you can attach a large yellow, orange, red, or gold bow to symbolize the Sun King. Now you are ready to wire on all sorts of adornments, candies, pine cones, rosebuds, seashells, small bells, or anything to make it more personal. (Tell kids about how evergreen boughs and holly were hung both inside and outside of the homes to extend and invitation to the nature sprites to join in the Yule celebration.)

http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/yulechildren.htm

((I have more where this came from, PM me if you want more information on any of the sabbats))

There are many more that what I have listed, just google Yule Carols and you will find many.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All Hail Ye, Simple Pagans
Tune: "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful"

All hail ye, simple pagans Gather round the Yule fire
Oh come ye Oh come ye To call the Sun!
Fires within us Call the fire above us
Oh come let us adore him! Oh come let us adore him!
Oh come let us adore him! Our Lord, the Sun!

Yea Lord, we greet thee Born again at Yuletide!
Yule fires and candle flames Are lighted for you!
Come to thy children Calling for thy blessing!
Oh come let us adore him! Oh come let us adore him!
Oh come let us adore him! Our Lord, the Sun

We Three Crones
Tune: "We Three Kings"

We three crones of magic-past are, Bearing gifts, we traverse afar,
Fields & fountain, moor & mountain, Following each our star.

Chorus:

Oh, star of wonder, star of might,Star of radiant beauty bright,
Inward leading, still proceeding, Guide us with thy magick light.

Gold I bring, the Earth's hidden gleam, Guards our Mem'ry, draws forth our dream; Weary-curing, strong enduring,
Holding time's circling stream.

Chorus

Frankincense I carry with me. Incense aids the spirit to see;
Analyzing, wize, up-rising, Sense of the Earth, flow free!

Chorus

Myrrh is mine, it's bitter perfume Lifts new life, a magical broom;
Praying, flying, purifying, Away with old lingering gloom.

Chorus

Glorious gifts of magic (wimmin) we praise, Maiden, Mother, Ancient of Days; Strength, and sense, and energy; whence Return to our sacred ways.

Chorus

Christmas is Pagan
Tune: Gloria in Excelsius Deo

Christmas time is here again, Decorations everywhere.
Christmas carols ringing out, Gentle pagans, we don't care.

Chorus:

Glorious! Christmas time is pagan!
Glorious! Christmas time is pagan!

Modern folks all celebrate What they learned in Sunday School.
In December, they don't know They are celebrating Yule!

CHORUS

Let them have their Christmas trees, Decked in red and green and blue.
We rejoice at every one! Christmas trees are pagan, too.

CHORUS

Bowls of bubbly Christmas cheer, Fill your cup and quench your thirst.
They think the tradition's theirs. Wassail bowls were pagan, first.

CHORUS

Every door and window bears Wreaths of holly, wreaths of pine.
Circles represent the Sun. Every wreath is yours and mine.

CHORUS

Christmas lights on Christmas trees, Candle flames burn higher and higher, Let us cheer along, my friends, As they light their Yuletide fire.

CHORUS

There's a possibility That this song is yours and mine
'Cause the tune was known to all Back in A.D. one-two-nine.

Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland
"Alexander & Aarcher"

Pagans sing, are you listenin', Altar's set, candles glisten,
It's a Magickal night, we're having tonight, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland

Blades held high, censer smoking, God and Goddess, we're invoking,
Through Elements Five, we celebrate life, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland

Queen of Heaven, is in Her place, Triple Goddess, now the Crone Face,
Above and Below, She's the Goddess we know, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland

Now the God, is the Provider, Supplying game for our Fire,
Above and Below, He's the Horned One we know, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland

In a Circle we can light a Yule Fire, And await the rising of the Sun,
It's the Great Wheel turning for the New Year, loaded with abundance and great fun.

Later on, by the fire, Cone of Power, gettin' higher
It's a Magickal Night we're having tonight, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland

Look at this site for more carols:
http://www.crystalforest3.homestead.com/Yulechantssongs.html

BOILED CUSTARD

1 quart milk
4 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Scald milk in heavy pan - do not boil. Thoroughly beat eggs, adding salt and sugar. Beat a little of the hot milk into the egg mixture, stirring constantly. Pour egg mixture into hot milk, stirring well. Slowly bring just to a boil until mixture coats a wooden spoon. Remove from heat and beat until cool. Add vanilla and chill well.

http://purplemoongarden.wordpress.com/2007/01/21/imbolc-approaches-facts-and-trivia/
(Site still works)


Imbolc Granary Loaf: Imbolc ritual bread

1/2 cup warm water
1 1/4 cups warm milk
2 pkgs. yeast
1/4/ cup honey
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2/3 cups King Arthur Flour's Harvest Grains Blend
2/3 cup King Arthur Flour's Malted Wheat Flakes
1/2/ cup wheat germ
1 tsp salt

(not sure what you can substitute for the King Aruthur stuff)

Proof yeast in warm water and honey. Mix dry ingredients and cut in oil with pastry knife or two butter knives. Knead and let rise until doubled. Divide into two, then divide again into two unequal parts. Shape larger tow into boules, and make indentation in the middle. Shape smaller two into teardrop shaped boules, and insert into indentations in larger ones, poke finger all the way through center (bashing). Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, with rack on lower 1/3 of oven. Redefine holes, spray with oil, bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes.

The bread is based upon a traditional English "grainery loaf", made with malted mixed-grain flour; each miller's mix was unique. it includes a variety of whole grains and edible seeds, as it is traditional at Imbolc to include a little of the upcoming year's seed stock in the loaf as a blessing upon the upcoming planting, both the fields and in our lives.

www.amysticalgrove
(site no longer works)

These recipes are not for eating:

Brid’s Oil

Don’t know a dram from a donut, worry not, it’s just an eighth of an ounce.

2 drams of almond oil or olive oil…

1 dram of dragon’s blood

1 dram of sage oil

and 1 crushed garnet

Warm slowly on a very low heat in an enamel pan. Let cool and place in small corked bottles or jars. Charge the oil in your Magic Circle, wear it or use it to anoint candles in your rituals and spells.

Imbolc Incense

Heather, Sage, Chamomile, Benzoin, Dragon’s Blood, Storax or Myrrh

Blend all ingredients and keep in a magic bag, bottle or jar.


http://purplemoongarden.wordpress.com/2007/01/21/imbolc-approaches-facts-and-trivia/
(site still works)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



You should have a feast on Imbolc, like with the other Sabbats a feast is one of the best ways to celebrate each and every one.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The table should be set with white candles. Since ewes begin lactating at around the time of Imbolc in many locations in the northern hemisphere, the sabbat is connected with ewe's milk. For this reason, some sort of dairy product - cheese, for example - should be included in the feast. Other than that, there are no specific food requirements, except that food should be plentiful! Something green and fresh, such as a salad, would indicate the coming of spring, but since winter is yet with us, the main fare should be hearty, served with a nice, crusty bread. Mead, ale, spiced wine or non-alcoholic equivalents would all be appropriate beverages.

An evening feast is in order, since Imbolc represents a return to liveliness and all the bounties of Nature. Americans might best grasp the concept of Imbolc by thinking of it as a Thanksgiving celebration for what is about to happen. Celebrants can be happy feasting, knowing that winter is passing and that food will once again be growing and plentiful. The feast begins with a short prayer, or toast:

Blessed be the earth, and all who dwell upon it.
We give thanks for the season now departing from us,
For the blessings it has bestowed upon us,
And upon those with whom we share this world.

Blessed be the new season.
We pray that it will be a time filled with peace,
With abundance, with prosperity,
With wisdom,
With love.

Blessed be all who share this feast.
Let us now prepare for the time ahead
By opening our hearts, and our minds, and our spirits.

Blessed be.

http://www.worldspirituality.org/imbolc.html
(site still works)

Brigid's Cross

Brigid's Cross

-click link for an image-

Materials:
a handful of long wheat stalks
clothespins
thread and needle

Directions:
1. Soak wheat stalks in warm water for about half an hour until they're pliable.
2. Fold one stalk of wheat in half, leaving the kernels sticking out.
3. Fold another one the same way and thread through the first one. (It now looks like a long "L".)
4. Fold the third the same way and insert through the second wheat stalk. (It now looks like an L with a tail.)
5. Fold and insert the fourth stalk through the third.
6. Use the clothespins to help keep the shape as you weave more wheat.
7. Continue folding and threading the wheat stalks until you have several stalks of wheat woven through each "arm".
8. Allow it to dry with the clothespins in place.
9. Using the thread and needle, sew the stalks together.

Kid Friendlier Version of a Brigid's Cross

Materials:
pipe cleaners
string or yarn

Directions:
1. Make a bundle with 6 pipe cleaners and bend them in half. Tie the ends all together with a piece of string.
2. Lay the pipe cleaner bundle on the table in a vertical position, with the tied end on the top.
3. Make a second bundle, again using 6 pipe cleaners, and bend them in half.
4. Before you tie the ends this time though, slip it through the middle of the other bundle so that they're linked.
5. Now tie the ends and lay this second bundle down in a horizontal position with the tied ends pointing to the right. If you did it right your shape should look like the letter "L".
6. Now you're going to repeat the procedure. Make a bundle with 6 pipe cleaners, bend them in half and, before you tie them, slip them through the middle of the horizontal bundle, just to the right of the first bundle. This batch should be in a vertical position, with the tied ends on the bottom.
7. The last step is to make one last bundle, slipping it through the middle of the batch you just laid down, only this one goes horizontally to the left. Now tie the ends. You should now have an upside down "L" linked through your right side up one.

Priapic Wand
-cannot find an image example-

Materials:
small tree branch
acorn
brown thread
yellow, green, and gold 1/4" ribbon
small gold/silver jingle bells

Directions:
1. Select a small branch about 1/2" to 3/4" in diameter. Cut top end flat.
2. Approx. 1/2" below top score a groove with a sharp knife.
3. Take 1' long piece of string/thread and tie in groove.
4. Take another 1' piece of thread and tie in groove on opposite side of branch.
5. Place acorn at top of branch (at the flat end) and adhere with some glue.
6. Now pull the string up over the cap and wind once around acorn. Repeat with all 3 other pieces of string.
7. Pull strings back down to the groove in the branch and tie off. This will hold the acorn in place.
8. Decorate the branch by wrapping it with the ribbons, leaving enough length at top for streamers. Tie gold/silver jingle bells to the ends of the ribbons.

Candle Wheel
-cannot find an image example-

Materials:
craft wreath
eight white candles
ivy leaves or vines
glue gun

1. Either drill thick holes into the wreath so that candles can be placed inside or just secure them with screw-bottom candleholders or using the glue gun.
2. Place the ivy leaves around in a decorative fashion.

The eight candles are symbolic of the eight spokes of the year, and spinning the circle into motion at Imbolc is important. In ritual, the candles can be lit with a cauldron or bowl placed in the middle of the candle wheel.

Brigid's Bed
-cannot find image example-

Materials:
basket, box, doll cradle or similar item
padding to make receptacle like a bed
figure to represent the goddess Brigid
figure to represent the God (optional)

Directions:
1. Dress up the basket, box, cradle or other item you've selected to make a bed. Make it comfortable and decorate it as you wish.
2. Make a figurine to represent Brigit. This can be made with a bundle of oats, rushes, straw, or any grain or craft material fashioned into a loop or slightly human shape. You can even use a doll. It can be simple or ornate, and can even can dressed, preferably in white (to represent the Maiden). If you like, you can make a god figurine as well.

Start a new tradition in your home. Place the Brigid's Bed in the most inviting, warmest place in the house and imagine that Brigid will really visit on Imbolc. Leave an aromatic, hot snack out for her by the bed. Invite the spirit of the Goddess to inhabit the bed and ask for her blessings of fertility and healing. Put the dolly in the bed and if you wish, offer the company of the God. Add nuts to the bed to stimulate fertility. In the morning, surprise your children with a small gift that Brigid has left for them. The Bride can also be placed outside then. There she forms an amulet of prosperity, fertility and protection, which can remain till after Samhain. In her book, Ancient Ways, Pauline Campanelli suggests you return The Bride to earth before Yule.

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/pagan_parenting/113321
(site still works)

More Activities:

~Because of the association with flames and fire this is a good night for candle scrying as well as for making your own ritual candles (or just blessing the ones you buy from the store).

~Clean your house physically or spiritually. Clean out a closet or even just tidy your junk drawer. Bless salted water and spurge the rooms, go around the home with incense letting the smoke enter into each corner.

~Light a candle and utter a prayer rededicating yourself to the Gods.

~Consider leaving a strip of cloth or a ribbon outdoors overnight for the Lady to bless.

~Take a walk and look for any changes in the hold winter has on the earth.

http://purplemoongarden.wordpress.com/2007/01/21/imbolc-approaches-facts-and-trivia/
(site still works)