Apple Harvest Full Moon

I was fortunate enough to join the Apple Harvest Full Moon Circle out at Circle Sanctuary this past Monday. It was a gorgeous evening that began with apple pressing and some sweet freshly pressed apple cider. I met some lovely people and before I knew it, it was time to join the circle for the ritual.

Led by Selena Fox, we did a beautiful meditation with an apple, performed a healing circle, and raised our cups of cider to the glorious Goddess as She rose above the trees illuminating the night with Her beautiful white light. The sky was clear and She shone down upon us with Her smiling face and enveloped us in Her loving embrace.

It really was a night to remember. And the thing that I took away with me was the feeling of connectedness with like-minded souls and a connection to the Goddess that you only get when you go out into nature and commune with Her.

Lughnasadh

Lughnasadh is just around the corner on August 1st. This Sabbatt is especially meaningful for me as it completes a full turn of the wheel in my journey as a Wiccan. I've come so far and learned so much and am looking forward to continuing my journey with the turn of the wheel for the coming year.

Lughnasadh is the first of three harvest festivals. It is a time to celebrate the fertility of the Earth and the abundance she provides. It is a time to honor the Sun God in all his glory as he starts now to make his decline.

I spent a considerable amount of time putting together my altar. As I took down my Midsummer altar and put things away, I gave thanks for all the blessings that have come during this time. I spent time contemplating each item I placed on my Lughnasadh altar making it a spiritual journey into the meaning of Lughnasadh and what it means to me personally. Listening to my intuition yielded some great additions, like the Vanadinite crystal I've been working with.

I enjoyed taking the time to set up my altar for Lughnasadh and I'm looking forward to celebrating the Sabbatt with fires blazing!

Have a Blessed Lughnasadh!

Tea Party Under a Halloween Moon

Welcome to a 'Tea Party Under a Halloween Moon' here at the Manor. Many thanks to our lovely hostess 'Anna' from 'Frosted Petunias' for bringing us together to share in the festivities of the season and to delight in the full moon!

Poor Adelaide ~ looks like she missed her landing again . . .

I see the rest of you made it all right though . . .

Please come in . . . the Aunts are out back brewing up some tea and will bring it in shortly.

Well, yes, I have been decorating ~ how kind of you to notice!

Everyone needs their own Witchy doll . . .

Oh, don't mind Aunt Esmeralda ~ she seems to think her candied apples are to die for . . . literally . . . they're to die for . . .

Cousin Penelope is conjuring up some witch's brew in the parlor . . .

Follow me this way into the dining room . . .

Ah, I see some of my guests are making themselves comfortable . . .

Please, pull up a chair and help yourself to some delectables . . .

I picked these fresh this morning . . .

Yes Cousin Esther, Candy Corn does grow on stalks . . .

Anyone care for some hot apple cider?

Ah, I see you're admiring my tarnished silver service . . .

I've got my eyes on you!

My Mabon altar which needs to be changed over for Samhain . . .

I couldn't resist this little pumpkin when I saw it in the store . . .

There's nothing like the warm glow of candles . . .

Anyone care for an apple? I promise they're not poisoned {cackle, cackle} . . .

Thank you all so much for coming! We enjoyed ourselves so much it's gotten dark outside. Enjoy the decorations and be careful of the spiders!