Wicca is a modern pagan witchcraft tradition that celebrates nature and the cycles of the year. One of the most significant events in the Wiccan calendar is the harvest festival, also known as Mabon or the autumnal equinox. The harvest festival is typically celebrated around September 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the official beginning of autumn. It is a time when the day and night are of equal length, symbolizing balance and harmony. Wiccans believe that during this time, the strength of the sun god wanes as he prepares for his descent into the underworld, while the goddess enters her crone phase, representing wisdom and transformation. The harvest festival is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the earth and to celebrate the harvest of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Jim and I met in London in1942. I was stationed there, part of the Women’s Army Corps. She laughs and her brown eyes sparkle like something lit them from the inside. Drove ambulances and smuggled supplies.
Overstuffed chairs in deep blue and sofas in soft greys and greens fill the space, occupied by lots of seniors, but most of them stare into the distance, looking lost against the warm sand-colored walls trimmed with white crown molding. Overstuffed chairs in deep blue and sofas in soft greys and greens fill the space, occupied by lots of seniors, but most of them stare into the distance, looking lost against the warm sand-colored walls trimmed with white crown molding.
The harvest festival is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the earth and to celebrate the harvest of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Wiccans may create an altar adorned with autumnal decorations, such as leaves, flowers, and gourds. They might also incorporate symbols of the harvest, such as cornucopias and apples.
The magic of doing ordinary things.
There was a labourer in a village in India. One day he decided to do something fairly ordinary. He decided to start digging a hole in a mountain. 22 years later, when he finally stopped digging, he had finished carving a path through the hills so that his village could have easier access to medical attention. Dashrath Manjhi had accomplished an extra ordinary task by doing something fairly ordinary, digging. The "mountain man" had moved a mountain.
Planting a tree/sapling I think is a fairly ordinary/easy thing to do. I grow several in my balcony. A man by the name Jadev Payeng, decided that he wants to plant trees. He kept doing that every day. Planting all types of trees and tending to them. Today 30 years later, he is called the “Forest Man” of India. A forest of 1,360 acres with many wild animals, is a result of this one man doing the ordinary task of planting a tree everyday.
Everyone is looking for and wanting to do extra ordinary things, to get ahead in life. Parents want their children to be super achievers. When we interview candidates for jobs, we are looking for someone who has done something extra ordinary.
Everyone of us are not extra ordinary achievers.
Not all of us came first in class. Not all of us are Olympians. Not all of us have flown to space. Not all of us are CEOs of companies. Not all of us are Steve Jobs, Indra Nooyi, Mark Zuckerberg, Richard Branson, Barrack Obama etc.
But each & everyone of us can do ordinary things.
Doing ordinary things is under rated. But there is a certain magic in doing ordinary things and doing them well. And if we can do many many ordinary things really really well, it automatically becomes an extra ordinary feat.
When I think of a typical work day, there are many many ordinary & easy things that come to mind. Showing up on time, making a job list, asking others for help, helping others, being polite & respectful to people, being friendly, having a good work ethic, being patient, having the right attitude, being willing to learn, trying to do extra, making an effort, being prepared, learning to say no, listening, having a laugh. The list goes on…..
These are ordinary things that do not require an incredible IQ. It just needs to be done. Now imagine if each & everyone of us did this and did this well, everyday. Wouldn’t it be an extraordinary office & working environment?
I strive to be the ordinary guy who can do many many ordinary things really really well. Because doing ordinary things well, is quite extra ordinary. 😊
During the festival, rituals and ceremonies are performed to honor the changing seasons and to reflect on the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. Wiccans may gather in groups or perform individual rituals in nature. They may conduct rituals to honor the gods and goddesses associated with the harvest, and to give thanks for the blessings of the earth. The harvest festival is also a time for introspection and personal growth. Wiccans may reflect on their own harvest, both the physical fruits of their labor and the personal development they have achieved throughout the year. They may set new goals and intentions for the upcoming year, symbolizing the seeds they will sow for future growth and abundance. Overall, the harvest festival in Wicca is a time of gratitude, reflection, and celebration. It is a time to honor the earth and all that it provides, as well as to embrace the changing seasons and the cycles of nature. Through rituals and ceremonies, Wiccans connect with the divine and find meaning in the harvest and the cycles of life..
Reviews for "Harvest Rituals for Soulful Wiccan Celebrations"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I attended the Wicca harvest festival with high expectations, but I left incredibly disappointed. The event lacked organization and structure, and it felt like a chaotic mess. The workshops were poorly planned, and the presenters didn't seem knowledgeable or experienced. The vendors were limited, and most of them were selling cheap trinkets that had nothing to do with Wicca. Overall, it was a waste of time and money, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone serious about Wicca.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - As someone who has been practicing Wicca for several years, I was excited to attend the harvest festival. However, it fell short of my expectations. The event felt more like a commercial gathering rather than a spiritual celebration. The focus was on selling products and making profit, rather than fostering a sense of community and growth. The workshops were too basic, and I didn't feel like I learned anything new. I hope the organizers can reevaluate their approach and create a more meaningful experience for dedicated Wiccans in the future.
3. Michael - 1/5 stars - I regret attending the Wicca harvest festival. The entire event seemed like a marketing scheme. I expected to find a sacred space to connect with like-minded individuals and deepen my understanding of Wiccan practices. Instead, I encountered pushy vendors trying to sell me unnecessary items, cheesy performances, and a complete lack of authenticity. It was disappointing to see such a beautiful and spiritual tradition being reduced to a tourist attraction. I left feeling frustrated and disillusioned.