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April - Esbat of the Seed Moon
The month of March has now roared in and gambolled out, and the fragrant month
of April is upon us. April is such a beautiful month - branches and boughs are
blossomed and the air is fragrant. Fertility is all around us and we are blessed
with warm (if a little wet) days. The month of April is so fresh and green, and
the rainfall only enhances the beauty of this month. Nothing looks greener and
more vibrant than grass sweetened by rainfall. This is a month of hope, birth
and abundance. It is now that the daisies and buttercups appear, as do carpets
of bluebells in the wooded areas. It is truly a magickal time to visit
woodlands, to be refreshed and renewed by their beauty. Thus this is the month
in which we are uplifted – a time to celebrate the fertility of the earth and
it’s first gifts to us.
April Folklore
The tree most commonly associated with April is the Willow. A most magical of
trees, the willow has much folklore surrounding it. In Celtic lore, the willow
is the tree that housed in its boughs the eggs from which the universe was
hatched. Originally, the eggs were that of a serpent, crimson in colour, which
contained the sun and the moon. Serpents eggs were later replaced by hens eggs,
and were eaten during Beltane feasting (April 30th). Eventually this ritual
became the celebration of Easter in the Christian calendar, with the eggs
becoming Easter eggs.
The Willow is also a symbol for the female and the moon. Staves cut from the
willow tree were often used as lunar wands. Pregnant women were known to lay
cloths beneath the tree in order to catch the leaves, which were believed to
ease the birthing process. The Willow was also sacred to the Cailleach – the
crone aspect of the Celtic Triple Goddess. In addition, it is believed that the
willow bestowed upon Orpheus the gift of eloquence, in the grove of Persephone
at the Temple of Delphi. The Willow is thus utterly female and as such its
celestial body, as mentioned is the moon, symbolising the mother, the
unconscious mind and the realm of dreams.
May – Esbat of the Hare Moon
“There's not a budding boy or girl this day
But is got up, and gone to bring in May.
A deal of youth, ere this, is come
Back, and with white-thorn laden home.
Some have despatch'd their cakes and cream
Before that we have left to dream :
And some have wept, and woo'd, and plighted troth,
And chose their priest, ere we can cast off sloth :
Many a green-gown has been given ;
Many a kiss, both odd and even :
Many a glance too has been sent
From out the eye, love's firmament ;
Many a jest told of the keys betraying
This night, and locks pick'd, yet we're not a-Maying.”
Extract from “CORINNA'S GOING A-MAYING”, by Robert Herrick
May is a month of powerful magick, and it begins with the Sabbat of Beltane. A
month of happiness and celebration follows; may poles, crowning of the May
Queen, parades and morris dancing. The summer is now only a breath away, and its
promise is so tempting that people have an extra spring in their step. Now is
the time of a-Maying, a great British tradition!
May folklore
In the British Isles young men and maidens would go a-Maying on the eve of May
Day, to return at day-break, "bringing in the May," adorning villages with
spring boughs and blossoms. In later generations, people would dance around the
may pole, phallic symbol of the earth as participants in the fertility rituals.
The celebration was for the regeneration of life and the celebration of
increased sunlight that is so noticeable between vernal equinox and summer
solstice. The tree sacred to the month of May is the Hawthorn. The “white-thorn
laden” mentioned by Robert Herrick above, is that of the Hawthorn, as it is
especially significant during this time. For Wiccans, the Hawthorn is known as
the Goddess tree, because of the wonderfully frothy-white blossoms that crown it
in May (hence the common folk-name for the hawthorn, “May Blossom”). We see the
first of these blossoms in April, a tempting and heartening promise of what is
yet to come.
The magickal associations of the hawthorn are those of protection, patience and
strength. The Hawthorn was sacred to the ancient Celts; to such a degree that
anyone found felling a Hawthorn was condemned to death. The Hawthorn is also
associated with the Fae, and it is said that if you find a ring of mushrooms or
toadstools around a solitary hawthorn tree, you have come across a faery ring, a
sure sign of faery activity, and possibly a gateway to the Otherworld!
Deities
April and May are both months of the Goddess. It is now that the earth begins to
bear fruit. She is beautiful, bountiful and blossoming. We see the Goddess in
all her wonderful glory with every breath and step we take. Because of this, now
is the time to truly celebrate her. As we know the Goddess has many guises, but
it is possible to see her as a whole, the Triple Aspect Goddess. It is as the
Triple Aspect that she is most powerful, and bestows the greatest of blessings.
Elaine- Guinevere -Cerridwen/Morgan le Fay (Goddess of Creativity, Inspiration,
Vision)
This Triple Goddess presides over innovation, intuition and the ways in which we
experience inspiration in the midst of life’s spiral patterns, celebrating its
challenges and changes. Thus this particular triple Goddess has been chosen for
this time of the year. The earth is in a state of flux. It has died and been
reborn, and the months of April and May display the biggest changes – life is
erupting everywhere!
Elaine (Lily Maid of Astolat, or the Lady of Shalot).
Elaine, (the Lily-Maid), in Celtic mythology, was a virgin goddess of beauty and
the moon. She is often identified as the Fair Maid of Astolat, or more commonly
as the woman who falls in love with Lancelot and dies of grief when her love is
unreciprocated. She was said to have given Lancelot her sexual charm (and in
tamer stories, a piece of her sleeve) to make him undefeatable in battle.
In one version of her story, it is said that she endeavours to trick Sir
Lancelot with her charm/sleeve, and then boldly declares her love. This version
of the story is favourable to Lancelot as Elaine is depicted as wilful and
stubborn, this being the reason for her rejection. In another it claims that
Lancelot is aware of her infatuation, and by way of comforting her he agrees to
wear her sleeve as a consolation prize. In yet another it is claimed that
Lancelot is ignorant of Elaine's passion and only agrees to wear the sleeve
because he believes it will fool his brothers and cousins during the tournament.
However, the tragedy of Elaine is the same no matter which version. Elaine loved
Lancelot with all of her heart and soul. A pure love that some believe Lancelot
did not deserve. When Elaine was made aware of the affair between Guinevere and
Lancelot, she died of a broken heart. Elaine is a potent and passionate woman,
who makes an awe-inspiring declaration of her love on her deathbed, leaving a
farewell letter to Lancelot asking him to pray for her -an acknowledgment of an
equal rather than the complaint of a victim as she has previously been
portrayed.
Guinevere - was originally more than just a mythological figure. She was and
still is a Goddess - the beautiful Goddess of the Land. In myth, Arthur, (the
Holly king in the wheel of the year), battles with Lancelot (the Oak King), for
Guinevere and dominion of the land. Goddess of love, growth and fertility, her
dazzling, intoxicating charms cause chaos amongst men! She is the symbol of the
giving and receiving of love, both physically and spiritually. Her role is also
that of a Celtic Triple Goddess in her own right. As maiden, her name means
‘Whit One’ - Faerie Goddess of the Old Ones. In her role as Flower Maiden she
brings fertility to the Earth initiating the regeneration cycle. Growth, bearing
fruit and harvesting fruit thus added the Mother Goddess role. This is built
upon by her position as she overlooks the court and inspires the Round Table
Knights to greater heights. Lastly completing the triad, she is as Crone in her
actions bringing down the round table, however she is mainly celebrated in the
Mother aspect, potent, fertile and passionate.
Cerridwen - The Goddess most closely related to the willow tree is that of
Cerridwen, the Moon Goddess. She is the Great Mother, the Grain Goddess and the
Goddess of Nature. Cerridwen, wife of Tegid Voeland was the mother of two sons,
Morfan and Afagddu, and a daughter Creidwy. Her daughter Creidwy was beautiful,
yet her sons Morfan and Afagddu were said to be terribly ugly - Afagddu being
the most ill favoured man in the world. Ceridwen, wishing Afagddu’s acceptance,
made a potion in accordance with the books of the Fferyllt – Druid Alchemists,
of Science and Inspiration (known as "greal”) for her son. For a year and a day,
six herbs simmered in her cauldron, known as an "Amen", under the care of Gwion
Bach, who was to stir the potion, and a blind man named Morda tended to the
cauldron’s fire. However, three drops from the cauldron splashed Gwion Bach’s
hand, which he instinctively sucked. Suddenly he understood the secrets of the
past and future. With his magickal foresight, Gwion knew how angry Cerridwen
would be, as he had been blessed with the powers meant for her son. Realising
his danger he fled. Cerridwen pursued him, and they both underwent a series of
transformations until finally, as a grain of wheat Gwion was eaten by Cerridwen
in the form of a hen. Cerridwen then bore him for nine months. Yet when he was
(re) born he was so beautiful she couldn’t bear to kill him. Cerridwen then
sewed him into a leather bag and threw him into rushing water on the 29th day of
April. He was found by Elphin, who proclaimed, “Behold the radiant brow” on
seeing his forehead, and thus he was named Taliesin (“Shining Brow”). Taliesin
went on to become an important Bard and magician, and at the age of thirteen,
his knowledge and power surpassed all of the bards of Arthur’s court.
Through her cauldron of wisdom, inspiration, rebirth and transformation,
Cerridwen is most associated with the crone aspect. The cauldron has an intimate
association with femininity, and the association of femininity with justice,
wisdom and intelligence goes back to very ancient times.
Morgan le Fay - Queen of Avalon - According to medieval Christianity Morgan le
Fay was a lunar sorceress and half-sister to King Arthur. It was her power
working against Arthur that eventually destroyed the unity of the Order of the
Knights of the Round Table. However the motivation behind her actions was
revenge, for it was Arthur’s father, Uther Pendragon who was responsible for the
treacherous death of her own father, Gorlois, the Duke of Cornwall. Thus Morgan
le Fay symbolizes the darker forces of the psyche. She was a highly gifted
sorceress, and was said to use her powers to manipulate and thwart Arthur at
each turn. However, at a deeper level, she is a winter Goddess of darkness and
death.
The redeeming qualities of Morgan le Fay are demonstrated in her role as keeper,
guardian and healer of the realm of Avalon, and protector of Arthur in his
death. It was she who carried the mortally wounded Arthur in a boat back to
Avalon, as it was also she who healed his wounds, making her ultimately
benevolent.
However, traditional Celtic lore describes Morgan as a benevolent fairy Queen,
who assists Arthur throughout his life, rather than thwarts it. She is then
humanized over time, with various additions to the story until we reach the
above account. There are many reasons why Morgan became portryed as evil, only
to redeem herself at the eleventh hour, but it is said that the late Christain
movement was unable to incorporate a powerful, yet free female deity into their
structure without giving her a dark agenda. In their teachings, female icons
were not equal to male. Yet in Celtic lore females were equal to, if not more
powerful than males, and as such were expected to be free and therefore powerful
sexual creatures. This was a truth which was unacceptable to the late Christian
movement.
The Seed Moon
The Moon of April is known as the Seed Moon (also known as the Hare Moon or
Planting Moon) is, as its name suggests the perfect time in which to plant the
beginnings of your seasonal garden, including your herbs. This is an especially
good time to plant out your magickal and healing herbs for the blessing of two
very powerful Goddesses.
Because of the Arthurian influences of the Goddesses mentioned, a wonderful
ritual for this time of year is one based upon Arthurian magick. The following
ritual is a wonderful one to plant your personal seeds of magick. Whatever you
wish may be, now is the time to ask for the blessing of your desire from the
Goddess in her Triple aspect, i.e. Maiden, Mother and Crone. The Goddess (es)
above exemplify power and wisdom, and also femininity, passion and fertility.
Seed Moon Magick - A ritual to invoke the blessing of the Triple Goddess
For the purposes of the following ritual, you will need:
1 red candle,
1 white candle,
1 black candle,
3 small paintbrushes,
Essential oils of Lily of the Valley, Rosemary and Cedarwood,
A small object that you associate with Arthurian legend or New Age music.
Take everything you need to your sacred space, or to your altar. Place your
Arthurian item in your space, or alternatively, play your music quietly.
Now take your white candle (representing the Maiden, Elaine). Using one of your
brushes, anoint it with Lily oil, lightly coating the surface evenly, and then
place it at a 12 o’clock position. Lighting it say:
“I light this candle for Elaine, the fair Lily maid, may she bless me with her
love”.
Now, take the red candle (representing the Mother, Guinevere), anointing it with
rosemary oil. Place it at the 8 o’clock position, and lighting it say:
“I light this candle for Guinevere, Queen, Wife, Lover. May she bless me with
her gifts of courage and conviction”.
Now take the black candle (representing the Crone, Cerridwen or Morgan le Fay –
whomever resonates with you), and anoint it with Cedarwood oil. Place it at the
4 o’clock position, and lighting it, say:
“I light this candle for Cerridwen/Morgan – weaver of magick, keeper of
mysteries. May she bless me with knowledge”.
Allow the candle to burn, whilst letting the fragrances unite. When you are
ready extinguish them. You can the relight your candles whenever you need help
or inspiration from each or all of the Goddesses.
Hare Moon Magick – A Devotional Ritual to the Goddess
Having performed your Triple Goddess ritual during the Seed Moon Esbat, The Hare
Moon Esbat is the perfect time to reaffirm your devotion to the Goddess and give
thanks.
For this ritual you will need:
2 white or silver candles,
2 pewter or silver candlesticks,
A white or silver cloth (preferably circular to represent the moon), or a large
circular mirror,
A chalice or goblet,
Wine or grape juice,
Representations of maiden, mother and crone (perhaps your candles from the
previous Esbat ritual),
Hawthorn blossom or a posy of white blooms.
Firstly, place all your items in your sacred space or upon your altar as you see
fit. Now, fill your chalice with wine or grape juice – this represents the
Mother Goddess, as the full moon is her phase. Light your white or silver
candles first, as these are illuminator candles, and serve to send your message
to the Goddess more powerfully. Now, if you are using your Goddess candles from
the previous Esbat, place them in the same positions, and light them.
Now, settling peacefully, focus on clearing your mind. When you are ready,
repeat the following (or words of your choice):
“Gentle Goddess, Mother of all, I give you honour and thanks.
Thank you for all the wonderful things I have in my life,
And thank you for all that is to come.
Thank you for the love and friendship I receive, and the protection you offer.
I honour your divine presence in all that surrounds me, in nature that abounds.
May you continue to shower me with your love and blessings that I may grow and
continue on your path with peace and wisdom. So mote it be!”
Now sit and enjoy the peace, filling yourself with the Goddesses blessings and
power of the Esbat moon.
If you wish to partake more fully of the Moon’s power, fill a chalice or goblet
with fresh water from a natural source if possible. Sitting comfortably,
position it so that you can see the Moon reflected in the surface of the water.
Hold the chalice and meditate on the power of the Moon. As you meditate, hold
the reflection of the Moon. Lean over the chalice, and inhale air from near the
surface of the water so to imbibe the Moon’s light and power symbolically. Feel
her power flowing into you when you inhale. Blessed Be.
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