The Thorn Hedge

This is very inspired by the festival for Psyche that @starry-polytheism created for April. Though it's almost opposite, different sides of the same coin, if you will. Since their festival is more based around the transition from fall to winter as they're in the southern hemisphere. As I'm in the northern hemisphere I wanted to make this more focused on the transition from winter to spring.

Psyche is not necessarily a goddess of spring but a lot of her symbolism is very spring-related. Especially her biggest and most known symbol, butterflies. So having a festival and time to celebrate in spring felt fitting. To me, she is a goddess of transformation and hope and that's what I want the focus of this festival to be. Transformation of yourself and the transformation and hope for the upcoming spring. I will also be bringing Eros into this festival as they are married and closely intertwined for me and my worship. I like to honor him as much as I can.

Ideally, this would take place on the spring equinox but because I've been struggling a bit and just now writing this I will not personally be celebrating on that day. Most likely this upcoming weekend since that's when I have the time.

This will be a two-day festival. Day one is focused on the transformation aspect. Preparing to bring in the new and to celebrate. The focus is on cleaning your space and doing self-care acts in the name and honor of Lady Psyche. Everyone has different levels of spoons so this can be as much or as little as you want. I'm confident she will enjoy and appreciate any of it!

Ideas for day one of the festival

Clean your space spiritually by lighting incense.

Clean your home (as much or as little as you can or want. Even just cleaning your room or altar space or even one section of any room is perfect.)

Listen to a playlist you've made for Psyche while cleaning

Bake to enjoy for day two of the festival.

Journal things you're grateful for in your current season and/or things you're looking forward to in spring.

Journal about how you've grown and changed through the last few months and how Psyche or Eros have helped you with that.

Gather things to donate to those in need.

Perform self-care acts for and in Lady's Psyche name (taking an intentional shower/bath, brushing your teeth with intention, etc.)

Day two focuses on the hope and joy the new season can bring. It's all about celebrating and doing things that bring you joy to honor Psyche. As Eros is the god of passion and love I feel like he can be especially involved in this day.

Ideas for day two of the festival

If the weather permits enjoy nature coming back to life around you. Go for a walk in nature or simply sit outside on your porch/yard.

Bring Psyche in while you spend time on a favorite hobby (coloring, art, reading, knitting, etc.)

Have a dancing and singing session.

Offer a yummy baked good or candy you think Psyche and Eros would enjoy.

Prepare and enjoy a good meal for the two.

Rest in any way you need or see fit.

Literally, anything that makes you happy and brings you joy.

I have never attempted to make a festival so I'm not sure if any of this makes much sense but I'll take any chance to celebrate my beautiful deities any extra amount. If you think something would be better or you have anything to add to what I've written, please feel free to share!

Feel free to do as much or as little of what's in this post, or adapt it any way that would better fit your practice. If you don't have two days for a festival split the day in two or split whatever time you have to celebrate to focus on the two aspects of the festival. As I mentioned before, Psyche and Eros will enjoy any thought put into this, no matter how small it feels.

Disclaimer - While I do not personally agree with using someone else’s specific holiday to worship  different gods (Lughnasadh is for the gaelic god Lugh and *to me* it would be rude to take a lugh festival verbatim, with actions specifically for him and just replacing the god honored etc) However, there are very similar festivals, with similar actions and aligning them to the wheel might be handy (maybe the only other pagan friend you have irl celebrates the wheel and you want to be able to do things together) Or maybe melding the two different traditions is just how you roll. You do you, I’m not here to judge. This is a question i see brought up frequently but seldom answered, how to adapt the wheel of the year to the worship of hellenic gods. So we’re going to be looking at the time points and the concepts that are imbibed in the wheel of the year and try to match their concepts with the appropriate gods OR, align them with similar fesitvals that were held around the same time. Ok, that said, lets go… Wheel Holiday - Imbolc. Feburary 1-2 This is one of the four quater gaelic holidays, typically the goddess Brigid is revered on imbolc. Associations - rebrith, renewal, The promise of coming spring, divinations Hellenic holiday - Lenaia or Anthesteria Lenaia was a Dionysian festival celebrating the aspect of his rebirth after being torn apart by titans. This was held in the month of gamelion which was roughly January/February so you could certainly celebrate this on Feb 1st if you so choose. Historically it was celebrated with theatrical contests. Movie marathon or improv parties would be a great idea here. Anthesteria was also a Dionysian festival (Seeing the theme here?)  It celebrated the beginning of spring, particularly the maturing of the wine stored at the previous vintage. Social order was cast aside for feasts and revelry as wine casks were opened. Everyone joined in the feasts and libations were given to the dead ancestors. There was a solomn aspect to this festival in that regard where after the reverly, respects would be paid to the dead and to Hermes as the guider of souls. offerings of fruit were popular. Hellenic gods -  Dionysus, Hermes  Wheel Holiday - Ostara/ The spring equinox - March 20th Typically associated with the germanic goddess Eostre. Associations - fertiity, new growth, balance, the first of spring Hellenic holiday - Anthesphoria Anthesphoria is a celebration of spring, a festival of flowers. it marked Persephone returning to the land of the living, being returned to her mother Demeter. Flowers are gathered and woven into crowns. Aphrodite and Hera were also honored. It was a celebration of the beauty of spring.  Hellenic gods - Persephone, Demeter, Aphrodite, Hera Wheel Holiday - Beltane/May day - May 1st Another gaelic quarter day, a celebration of the aos sidhe and the sun god Bel Associations - Fertility, the first of summer, fruitfulness, sexuality Hellenic holiday - Thargelia Thargelia was typically celebrated on may 6th or 7th. It was a celebration of  the birth of Apollo and Artemis, largely an agricultural festival. The first fruits of the season were offered to Artemis and Apollo for a bountiful and mild summer. Offerings were given to Demeter as well as the seeds were sew. olive branches, wrapped in wool were hung over doors for prosperity and to ward off evil. Festivals and singing were held to honor the gods. historically sacrifices were made on thargelia. In modern times I feel this would be a good time to cast the darkest part of you (symboloically) into a fire, pick something about yourself you want to change or cast away, write it out and cast it to the fire to cleanse yourself of it.  Bonfires are a Beltane staple so honoring Hestia and Hephaestus would also be appropriate. A fertility day, dancing and fruit could also be offered to Pan, dionysus and the nymphs of the land.  Considering the fertility aspect of may day along with it being close to the northern american celebration of Mothers day, I would argue that Leto would also be good to honor. Hellenic gods - Artemis, Apollo, Demeter, Hestia, Hephaestus, Pan, Dionysus, Leto nymphs and spirits of the land.

Updated: March 30th 2016

GENERAL INFORMATION

[Collecting Storm Water] (an ask)

[Combining Storm Craft and Knot Craft] (an ask)

[Creating or Moving Weather] (an ask)

[Drawing Energy From Storms] (an ask)

[An Intro to Weather Magic]

[A Little Weather Witchery]

[Magic for a Snow Storm]

[Resources: Rain Water]

[Resources: Storm Water]

[Snow Magic]

[Storm Catching - Cyclone Stopper]

[Storm Craft Basics]

[Storm Crystals : Banded Amethyst | Chrysocolla in Quartz | Snowflake Obsidian]

[Storm Scrying]

[Storm Water]

[Storm Water vs Rain Water] (an ask)

[Stormcraft]

[Summoning Wind Without Whistling] (an ask)

[Tentative Steps: Beginning Storm Witchery]

[Tips for Starting Storm Craft]

[Tools of a Storm/Weather Witch] (an ask)

[Traditional Storm Raising Methods]

[Weather]

[Weather Magic] (tw: gif)

[Weather Magic for the Sailor]

[Weather Magic - Storm Casting]

[Weather Station Symbols for Sigils]

[Weather Symbols for Sigils]

[Whistling Up a Wind]

SPELLS AND SIGILS

(Note: spells that involve storm water are included)

[Air Lock Spell] (to help drive away bad weather)

[To Bring a Storm]

[Calm After the Storm Elixir]

[Charm to Seal Up a Storm]

[A Chant to Bring in a Storm and Strengthen Witches’ Power]

[Chant to Make It Windy] (tw: gif)

[“Clouds produce rain”] (tw: sigil)

[Cold Weather Box]

[A Colorful Sunny Day Spell]

[Cottage Crafts: Elemental Magic Storm Ward] (a home protection charm that draws its power from the energy of passing storm systems)

[Drought Spell] (to work with the element of air to bring a storm / fix a drought) (tw: sigil)

[Electric Charge Spell] (to increase one’s energy, motivation, and focus) (tw: gif)

[Forget Me Spell]

[Glamour Jar for Intimidating Looks]

[“Grey Cloud” Curse]

[Heavy Rain Spell]

[Holiday Ornament Snow Spell]

[Hurricane Curse]

[“I direct rain towards the places that need it”] (tw: sigil)

[“I influence the weather around me with ease”] (tw: sigil)

[To Lessen a Storm]

[Let It Snow]

[A let it snow sigil] (tw: sigil)

[Let’s Try a Spell: When It Rains] (for a better perspective)

[A Light in the Storm] (to aid in the healing of seasonal depression)

[Protection From Storm]

[“Protection from storms”] (tw: sigil)

[Protective Storm Ward]

[Rain-Banishing Spell]

[Rain-Calling Chant]

[Rain Spell / Storm Spell / Sigils for Rain / Sigils for Thunder / Sigils for Lightning] (tw: sigil)

[Rain Summoning Spell]

[Rainy Day Anxiety Spell]

[Rainy Day Spell to Clear Negative Energy]

[To Raise a Storm] (tw: gif)

[Sea Witch Rain Spell]

[Sigil for Bringing Clouds / Rain] (tw: sigil)

[Snow Spell] (tw: gif)

[Snow-Summoning Sigils] (tw: sigil)

[A Song of Storms]

[“Song of Storms” Enchantment] (for whistling up rain/storms) (tw: gif)

[Spell for Sunshine]

[Spell to Attract Rain]

[A Spell to Ward Off Rain] (tw: sigil)

[Spells for Weather]

[Spells to End a Storm]

[“Stop Rain” Sigil] (tw: sigil)

[Storm-Calling Spell]

[A Storm Chant]

[Storm of Tears and Nightmares Curse]

[Storm Spell] (to summon a storm)

[Storm Witch’s Transformation Spell]

[Summon a Storm]

[Summon a Storm Spell]

[Summoning rain and storms sigil] (tw: sigil)

[“Sun to cloud, cloud to rain, rain freezes and turns to snow”] (tw: sigil)

[Sunshine Spell]

[Teru Teru Bouzu] (a sunny day spell)

[Thunder Cake] (to help connect with the storm’s energy; to honor the storm; to ask for protection)

[Thunderstorm in a Jar]

[Untie the Wind] (to increase and decrease wind)

[Ward Water]

[Warm Weather Chant]

[The weather is cool and pleasant] (tw: sigil)

[“The weather is in favor of snow”] (tw: sigil)

[Wind Spell for Inspiration & Creativity]

[Winter (Snow) Spell for Anxiety]

STORM / WEATHER MAGIC BLOGS

[rainy-day-witchcraft]

[stormbornwitch]

[stormsorceress]

[stormwaterwitch]

🔮 Witchy Shop 🔮

Ingredients Yield: One 9-inch loaf ½ cup/115 grams unsalted butter 2 tablespoons/6 grams chamomile tea (from 4 to 6 tea bags), crushed fine if coarse 1 cup/240 milliliters whole milk Nonstick cooking spray 1 cup/200 grams granulated sugar ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt 2 large eggs 1 large lemon 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1½ cups/192 grams all-purpose flour 1 cup/124 grams confectioners’ sugar ½ cup/8 grams freeze-dried strawberries

Blessing to all who worship Lord Apollon

"Persephone is the goddess queen of the underworld, wife of the god Hades, and the goddess of spring growth along with her mother, Demeter."

Large Altars:

Pomegranates

Pomegranate juice or wine

Honey or honey infused wine

Honey made from flowers

Spring water

Floral tea

Flower or herb infused water

Breads, grains, cakes, sweets, etc.

Sweet fruits

Flower crowns

Flower arrangements

Potted plants

Floral scented incense

Almond, vanilla, bergamot, or pomegranate scented incense

Purple, magenta, indigo, green, and black candles

Crowns

Statues or paintings of bats, rams, and/or deer

Small/hidden Altars:

Pomegranate seeds

Pomegranate candies

Dark chocolate

Spring flowers

Wild flowers

Fake flowers

Crushed mint

Small animal bones

Fake or animal skulls

Toy coffins

Floral scented perfumes

Almond, vanilla, bergamot, or pomegranate scented perfumes

Jewlery

Gems such as crystal, quartz, agate, black onyx, pink tourmaline, obsidian, coral, and jasper

Artwork

Poetry

Seeds

Plush toys of bats, rams, and deer

Devotional Acts:

Tend to a garden or keep a plant

Learn herbalism

Learn about flowers, try baking with them, using them in bath spells, etc.

Make a playlist of songs that remind you of Her

Meditate outside

Go on nature walks

Clean up nature trails

Smell the flowers

Celebrate the coming of spring and Her return

Likewise, celebrate the coming of fall and Her departure to the underworld

Honor the dead

Visit graveyards

Clean up graveyards

Donate to those who can't afford a funeral service

Honor the fae and work with them

Honor Hades

Honor Demeter

Sources:

Artwork from Smite

https://vocal.media/futurism/ways-of-worship-persephone

https://occult-world.com/persephone/

For larger altars:

Round cakes decorated with candles

Fish (red mullet and salmon) and cured meats

Red wine and mead

Garlic

Honey

Milk

Breads

Crescent shaped sweets

Pomegranates

Raw eggs

Mushrooms

Dandelion tea

Large candles

A cauldron

Imagery of dogs such as statues, toy dogs, paintings, etc.

Incense (lavendar and myrrh are great)

Graveyard dirt (ask before taking! Do your research before gathering please.)

Snake skin

Animal bones

Mugwort

Wands

For smaller/hidden altars:

Almonds

Foxglove

Mint

Sage

Yew

Rose petals

Lavendar

Cypress and willow leaves

Frankensince

Obsidian

Quartz

Seashells

Black dog fur

Dog nail clippings

Images of dogs (pictures, personal drawings, dog plushies, etc.)

Keys

Personal offerings (nail clippings, hair)

Anything relating to the moon (pictures, keychains, personal drawings, etc.)

Crow, raven, and/or owl feathers.

Actions:

Helping and being friendly to dogs

Donating blankets, food, toys to animal shelters in her name

Volunteering at an animal shelter

Devoting time at night to her (meditate, talk to her, just have some silence for her, etc.)

Sharing your expierences, especially painful ones and your anger or sorrow with her

Study herbs and planting herbs in your garden

Having rituals or casting spells during a dark moon and invoking her

Taking care of graveyards and keeping them clean

Holding a feast for her and having all her favorite foods and drinks

"Apollon (Apollo) is the Olympian God of prophecy and oracles, music, song and poetry, archery, healing, plague and disease, and the protection of the young."

Large Altars:

Sun water

Wine diluted with pure water

Milk

Olive oil

Herbal teas

Honey and honey cakes

Orange or lemon pastries

Lamb or goat meat

Fruits

Cheeses

Wheat

Breads

Golden objects such as gold bowls, gold wine cups, flakes of gold, etc.

Bows and arrows, real, toys, or art

Images or art of the sun

All musical instruments, especially stringed instruments

Wolf and/or dolphin imagery

Any images of birds, especially crows and swans

Yellow, gold, and white candles

Incense such as frankincense or myrrh

Small/Hidden Altars:

Chocolates with orange or lemon flavors

Laurel wreaths

Gems such as amber, sunstone, and yellow sapphires

Laurel tree branches or leaves

Lily of the valley

Sunflowers

Aloe vera

Anise

Bandaids

Poetry you've written

Music you've written

Art you've drawn

Photos you've taken

Concert tickets

Golden jewelry or jewelry of the sun or arrows

LGBT+ flags

Divination items (tarot cards, pendulums, etc.)

Wolf and/or dolphin art, toys, or photos

All bird feathers, but especially swan and crow feathers

Devotional Acts:

Donate to medical charities

Support up-and-coming/indie artists and musicians

Sing to Him

Play musical instruments for Him

Hold dance parties

Make a playlist for Him and listen to it daily

Read poetry to Him

Take care of your mental health and remember to take your medicine, if you have any

Try archery

Try different types of divination

Try and wake up early and watch the sun rise

Go for a walk and feel the warmth from the sun

Let more sunlight into your home/room

Learn a musical instrument or how to sing

Learn simple medical care, like CPR

Learn about His history, His mother's history, and His sister's history

Learn about His lovers

Attend pride

Support LGBT+ rights

Wear yellow or orange clothing

Honor Leto and Artemis

Pray to Him and speak to Him often, things to consider praying for are guidance, healing/good health, inspiration, a prophecy or truth

Sources:

Official artwork from Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson

https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Apollon.html

https://vocal.media/futurism/ways-of-worship-apollo

As the Deipnon is coming up, I figured I should finally post my Deipnon and Dark Moon ritual!

Deipnon Ritual:

Since the dark moon is a day of cleansing, during the day I recommend cleansing your home with incense and your shrine to Hekate if you have one. Keep the ashes from this cleansing because you’ll be leaving them at the crossroads during the Deipnon. Before the ritual starts collect the offerings you are going to leave at the crossroads. I recommend using paper plates and cups for the ritual because the items used for the Deipnon are not supposed to return  to the home. Offerings can include wine, honey, garlic, meat, eggs, fruit, and pastries. Feel free to also include things like flowers, candles, and incense if you feel so inclined. 

Just before sunset, gather your things and go to a crossroads. If you do not have a crossroad, you can leave your offerings before the threshold of your home or at the end of the driveway if you have one. Once you arrive at the crossroads, place your offerings on the ground and say:

“Hekate Anassa Eneroi, you who roam tonight with the Restless Dead, please accept these offerings which I place before you. I ask that you protect my home on this night, and that you cleanse me of all miasma from this past month. Please look upon your devoted follower with favor and may I be renewed in your name!”

Leave your offerings at the crossroads, pouring any libations you may have directly onto the ground and leaving your ashes at the crossroads. Turn around to walk back into your home, bringing nothing, and do not look back.

Once inside, cleanse yourself with either smoke or with khernips. 

Dark Moon Ritual:

After the Deipnon, I like to also do a cleansing ritual and a devotional to Hekate. For this you will need two red candles, motherwort, mayapple, rosemary, rue, lavender, cinnamon, lemongrass, and a Hekate oil. Dress both candles in the oil, sprinkling the motherwort, rosemary, rue, and lemongrass on one, and the mayapple, lavender, and cinnamon on the other. Begin the ritual by lighting all the candles on your Hekate shrine, altar, or whatever sacred space you have. Light some incense as an offering to Hekate. Then, light the first candle and say:

“Hekate Apotropaia, I offer this flame to you. Please cleanse me of all negativity and miasma, and clear my paths of all obstacles. Protector, savior, grant to me your favor so that I may go into the new lunar cycle with safety, prosperity, and good fortune.”

Light the second candle and say:

“Hekate Nyktipolos, I offer this flame to you. May this candle offering show my devotion to you. Please grant to me your blessings as this lunar cycle ends and the next one begins. I offer my dedication and worship and ask that you guide me and guard me into the next month.”

Once both candles are lit, say:

“Goddess Hekate, as these two candles are lit just as your ever-burning torches brighten the night, please accept my offerings and prayers unto you. On this night that is most sacred to you, I honor you and give to you my full devotion. Hekate, Bright One, who lights up the darkest night of the month, may your torches shine upon me and bless me.”

Leave the candles to burn on the shrine and the ritual is done. 

greek mythology: hekate