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Article Specs

Article ID: 2201

VoxAcct: 1509

Section: holidays

Age Group: Adult

Days Up: 5,347

Times Read: 17,293

My Samhain - by Mark Sosnowski

Author: Moonspider [a WitchVox Sponsor]
Posted: October 5th. 1998
Times Viewed: 17,293

Ah... . the Witches' New Year. No other time like it. This is our time and we must claim it. Each one to our own preference. But, it is our time unmistakably.

Personally, I prefer to be alone and quiet at this time. Some may find this strange, since it is probably the most widely known of our holidays to both pagans and cowans. Why this strange dichotomy. Most likely the cowan has feared the darkness that we embrace. They must run and create noise from it for they fear it. We, however, understand that the darkness is part of the cycles of our life.

Like a cave, we come from the dark womb, that from which we were conceived. We return now to that cave, to the warm darkness of our ancestors who brought us forth. To sit in wondrous silence at this time is truly glorious. An experience unlike any. That cannot be experienced if we are involved with outer concerns. We must return back to the darkness from which we came.

We can celebrate the joy of this with communal celebration. For as Witches it is our obligation to reclaim our most sacred of holidays. Does this sound conflicting. Not so. It is balance. We can have celebration, but we must have time to reflect. Reflect on the past, reflect on the future. But, that is what holds for the season not just that night. For Samhain leads us to ultimate darkness, Yule--the longest night. Some people like to think of this as the time of the cave. The cave can be dark, warm and comforting. We rejoice in the dark time. For we must turn within to learn. That is, where all is. You can't find it without, for that which you seek outside you shall never find. Remember the line from The Charge of the Goddess,

"And you who seek to know Me, know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the Mystery: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without."

It is time for reflection--to examine the cave of your own being.

Can we be merry at this time? Yes. Every time we Witches join with each other is time for rejoicing. For as we embrace each other we share our combined power. We each gain in strength from our interchange. But, since we strive for balance in our lives. We can be drawn together for celebration, and still need time to be alone.

We must reflect on our ancestors. For like the caves of our lives, it is from whence we came. We must know our heritage, our roots of existence. Like a tree with deep roots we can grow tall and strong. For shallow roots give way to the wind's whims. Reflect and rejoice for this is just part of the cycles of change. And change shall bring us forward on our inward path to be reborn.

Do you know where of the roots lie? Like Yggdrasil, we must sacrifice ourselves unto ourselves. For in this journey we grow. Our Craft is not static. It grows and changes. Love your heritage as a Witch and as a human. Your mortal bloodlines contain the life force that flows through you. Be proud of your make-up. You chose it this lifetime, just as you will chose yours in the next. Know those differences that make us unique, and then discover that we are all alike underneath it all.

Enjoy the journey,

Mark MoonSpider Sosnowski

Bio:: Mark "MoonSpider" Sosnowski, has been on this path most of his life. Life has dealt him many twists and turns, and usually says he came into the Craft through the back door. He loves books and reading and makes his living as a librarian. Numerology is his main form of divination having worked it for over 15 years. But, his Gemini mind, never at rest, has studied astrology, crystals, runes, I ching and whatever else strikes his fancy.




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