Witchvox Article

Author: CatDancing
Posted: September 20th. 2009
Times Viewed: 1,861

Here in the mountains the mists of these first early autumn mornings seep through the hollows and seem to send out chilly fingers which reach to drag summer away. The sun grows lazy and makes its appearance over the hilltops a little later each morning, slipping out of sight more quickly as evening comes. Being my favorite time of year, autumn always seems all too brief – all the more reason to begin planning now so that we can enjoy and experience it in all its glory!

September's sabbat, Mabon, has its roots in the old Anglo-Celtic festival of Harvest Home when the bringing in of crops was much cause for celebration. It was actually the Norse invaders who placed this as the “second harvest” between Lughnassadh and Samhain – the time at the autumnal equinox when all things are equal for one brief moment.

Today we still mark the occasion with many of the same activities as our ancient ancestors – the time of year when grain is threshed, fruits and berries are turned into cider and wine, we harvest late summer crops and adorn our homes with the bounty of nature.

Mabon is a time for joy, but also one in which to pause and give reverence to that which is passing – to give thanks for abundance, but also for the experiences of the year and lessons learned from them. As the wheel turns, endings are always new beginnings!

As days begin to cool down, the much anticipated and appreciated relief from the scorching days of summer begins to turn our thoughts more inward. Suddenly, the idea of turning on the stove and pulling out the old familiar recipes for slow simmering soups and stews, root vegetables and squashes roasting in the oven, and golden loaves of bread baking, seems much more appealing! The Earth whispers to us in the voices of the autumn winds – words unheard by human ears, but which our Spirit remembers well – ones which call us ever closer to home and hearth.

I think more than at any other season, fall entertaining is filled with the special joy of giving to others. Perhaps that is because as we gather with friends and loved ones, we are made acutely aware of the abundance of blessings in our lives. What better time to make plans for special gatherings, decorating your home with the vibrant colors of nature and setting a wonderful table, than in this bountiful season?

These days most of us have busy lives and hectic schedules that don’t usually allow a great deal of free time for elaborate plans and preparations in anticipation of celebrations! However, with just a few minutes here and there and the recipes and tips below, you can make the upcoming sabbat one which will renew your Spirit and will be remembered by all for a long time to come.

Making home and hearth look especially festive is never a problem during the harvest season. Roadside stands, groceries, flea markets and other stores abound with colorful pumpkins, squash, apples and assorted autumn favorites. Combining purchased items with ones from your own garden and those which can be gathered on a walk through your yard or along a country road will provide plenty of inspiration for bringing the spirit and magick of Mabon into your home.

Warm and cozy settings for inside and out can be created without great expense with a little imagination and making use of items already on hand, those provided by nature and possibly a trip or two to a local thrift or dollar store. Look for items such as grapevine wreaths and garlands (or make your own if you have access to the vines) , bunches of raffia for tying bows, ribbons in rustic fall colors for adding to arrangements, bundles of Indian corn, candles and sheets of colored paper. Take a good look around the house, garden and garage for things like old garden tools, rakes, shovels, clay pots, and other containers that can be put to use in inventive ways.

Here are some ideas that can be easily executed with a minimum of time, effort and expense that will give dramatic results and help you to plan for an extra special Mabon from beginning to end.

OUTDOORS:

* Pumpkins, gourds and squashes seem to be everywhere we look at this time of year. More colors, varieties, shapes, sizes and textures can be found than ever before and merely grouping them together creates an instant feeling of autumn in any location. Sometimes imperfect specimens can be bought for less and they're just as good for decorating. Place them in graduated sizes around clay pots or other containers of brightly colored mums, on porch steps, beside a rustic bench, at the base of a tree or in beds where summer annuals have finished blooming. Add a simple shaggy bow of raffia by tying it to the end of a length of wooden dowel and sticking into the pot, push in a few interesting bare twigs or some bunches of dried grasses for height and you'll be asked if it came from a florist! Varieties of winter squash such as Hubbard, turban, acorn and others keep well for long periods of time. If not allowed to freeze you'll be able to cook them up later on for a delicious seasonal dish!

* Doors are an obvious spot for hanging wreaths, but don't forget places like fences and gates. The latter are also great areas for arrangements made in an old basket or metal pail – anything you can gather will work as filler, from fall foliage, bare twigs, rose hips, and grasses to late blooming flowers such as dahlias and sunflowers. If you want your arrangements to last until time for the winter season tuck in a few silk flowers with the dried items.

* Garlands to trim mantles, porch railings or your altar can be made from miniature ears of Indian corn, small apples and small gourds. Tie them together with raffia or jute twine. Add clusters of pine cones, acorns, dried seed pods, etc. at intervals by tying on or hot gluing once the garland is the length you want.

* A rustic yet dramatic accent is the addition of a large unembellished grapevine wreath in empty spaces such as the peak of a garage or home roof. Such unadorned wreaths became symbolic of Mabon in many parts of Europe - the vine was a symbol of the season and its emptiness represented the completed harvest.

INDOORS:

Slip quart size jars or other suitable sized containers into small brown paper bags. Fold down a “cuff” at the top of the bag, scrunch the bag in around the lip of the jar and tie with raffia, or lengths of torn fabric. Add a bow and fill with dried or fresh flowers, etc. Draw symbols for abundance, protection or to represent the season on the bags with a felt tip pen. This is a great project to get the kids involved in and the jars can be prepared ahead and the arrangements added on the day they are to be used. Sit them around the house, on your altar, etc. and send one home with each guest at the end of the evening! Other ideas would be to tie cornhusks around jars and tie with raffia or paint tin cans in fall colors and embellish with symbols.

Make a simple table runner by cutting a length of solid color fabric to the width and length desired. Add flat stemless silk leaves (these can be found by the package in craft departments) , all around the edges by overlapping slightly and attaching with hot glue or fabric glue. You can also trim the edges of a tablecloth in this same manner.

Cut placemats from heavyweight brown paper (use paper bags or purchase a roll of paper for wrapping packages) . Cut with pinking shears or scissors that make a decorative edge and add a border of symbols suitable to the season with paint or a felt tip pen – another great project to keep the kids busy while you're busy in the kitchen!

Small vine wreaths can be purchased inexpensively and make great napkin rings, or you can make your own by simply tying a length of vine into a circle. Attach a single real or silk leaf, a cluster of berries, an acorn, or a mini ear of Indian corn with hot glue.

Make place cards from card stock or brown paper by cutting a rectangle to the desired size and folding in half. Attach a leaf or other small decoration with glue. Add the names in fancy lettering or let the kids do the writing for a special personal touch. Stand beside or in the center of plates.

A quick and easy centerpiece for the table can be made by filling a grapevine wreath with pumpkins, gourds, apples, bunches of grapes, etc. Place an empty plastic bowl or other container upside-down in the center to give a little height in the middle and cover it with a colorful napkin. Place a small pumpkin on top and heap the other additions around it. Any gaps can be filled in with clumps of dried grasses, dried moss, or leaves.

Other centerpiece ideas are to use a pedestal cake stand and heap it with mini pumpkins, gourds and fruit, or hollow out a medium-size pumpkin or gourd and fill with a bouquet of herbs from the garden, or lay real or silk leaves under a clear glass plate and place a jar candle in the center with a single mini-pumpkin and a cluster of leaves alongside – simple but elegant.

Votive candles in individual containers can be placed at each place setting if desired and will add extra magick to the table. If you have access to a supply of baby food jars they'll work just fine! Add symbols with a permanent marker or paint pen to further enhance the magick!

When the table is set, scatter stones that correspond to Mabon around the other arrangements. Some suitable choices would be yellow topaz, carnelian, sapphire, yellow agate, lapis lazuli, and amethyst. Or you can use river stones or those from a stream that have been submerged for the summer.

THE MENU:

Turkey is a traditional food for the autumn holidays and this recipe is a delicious alternative to roasting a whole bird.

Herbed Turkey Breast

½ cup butter
¼ cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
1 tablespoon rubbed sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 teaspoon dried chives
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 bone-in turkey breast (5 ½ – 6 pounds)

In a small saucepan, combine the first eight ingredients; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Place turkey in a shallow roasting pan; baste with butter mixture. Bake, uncovered at 325 degrees F. for 1 ½ – 2 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 170 degrees F, basting every 30 minutes.
Yield: 10 – 12 servings.

The magick: turkey – family gatherings: onions and chives – protection: lemon – longevity and joy: pepper – cleansing and purification: thyme – health, healing, psychic powers, purification: marjoram – love, happiness, health, money:
sage – immortality, longevity, wisdom, wishes, purification

Herbed Mashed Potatoes

6 ½ cups cubed peeled potatoes
2 garlic cloves, peeled and halved or 1 teaspoon minced garlic from a jar
½ cup milk
½ cup sour cream
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons minced fresh oregano
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
1 tablespoon butter
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

Place potatoes and garlic in a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender; drain. Place potatoes and garlic in a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients; mash.
Yield: 6 servings

The magick: potatoes – health, grounding, earth magick: garlic – protection: milk – goddess energy, nurturing: parsley – luck, protection from accidents: oregano - healing: thyme – health, healing, psychic powers, purification, courage: chives – protection: salt – purification, protection: pepper – cleansing and purification

Sweet Potato Biscuits

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
1 can (15 ¾ ounces) sweet potatoes
¾ cup milk

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In another bowl, mash the sweet potatoes and milk. Add to the crumb mixture just until combined.
Turn onto a floured surface: knead 8-10 times. Roll to ½-inch thickness; cut with a 2 ½-inch biscuit cutter. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake at 425 degrees F. for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Serve warm.
Yield: 1 ½ dozen

The magick: flour (wheat) – earth magick, fertility, money, grounding: salt – purification, protection: baking powder – raising energy or expectations: sweet potatoes – gentle well founded love: milk – goddess energy, nurturing

Harvest Stuffing

1 ½ cups water, divided
1 cup each chopped carrots, celery and onion
10 dried plums (prunes) , halved
1 teaspoon salt-free herb seasoning blend
½ teaspoon salt
8 slices cinnamon-raisin bread, cubed
¼ cup unsweetened apple juice

In a large saucepan, combine 1 cup water, carrots, celery, onion, plums, apricots, seasoning blend and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until fruit and vegetables are tender.
Meanwhile, place bread cubes in a single layer on baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 8-10 minutes or until lightly toasted. Transfer vegetable mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the bread cubes, apple juice and remaining water; toss gently to combine.
Transfer to a greased 1 ½ quart baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F. for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until heated through.
Yield: 6 servings

The magick: carrots – vision: plums - healing: cinnamon – spirituality, success, healing: raisins (grapes) – dreams, vision, fertility: juice – rejuvenation, vitality, energy

Cranberry Fruit Mold

This pretty gelatin salad takes the place of cranberry sauce and is deliciously different.

1 package (3 ounces) cranberry gelatin
1 package (3 ounces) raspberry gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1 ½ cups ginger ale, chilled
2 cups halved seedless red or green grapes
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained

In a bowl, dissolve gelatins in boiling water. Gently stir in ginger ale. Refrigerate until slightly thickened, about 1 ½ hours. Stir in grapes and oranges. Transfer to a 5-cup mold coated with nonstick cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate until firm. Invert onto a serving plate.
Yield: 10-12 servings

The magick: cranberries – energy for security and protection: raspberries – protection, love: ginger – health, cleansing, vibrant energy: grapes – dreams, vision, fertility: oranges – health, fidelity and love

Cranberry Pear Apple Crisp

8 medium pears, peeled and sliced
4 medium tart apples peeled and sliced
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
1 cup sugar
¾ cup all-purpose flour

Topping:
1 cup packed brown sugar
¾ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup quick-cooking oats
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup butter

In a large bowl, toss the fruit, sugar and flour. Pour into a greased 13x9x2-inch baking dish. For topping: in a bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, oats and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over fruit mixture.
Bake at 350 degrees F. for 60-65 minutes until fruit is tender and topping is golden brown. Top servings with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.
Yield: 12-14 servings

The magick: pears – longevity, luck: apples - peace, health, love, earth magick: cranberries – energy for security and protection: flour (wheat) – earth magick, fertility, money, grounding: oats – life of the land, prosperity, sustenance; cinnamon – spirituality, success, healing: butter – tenacity, smoothing relationships

THE BLESSING:
Bountiful Mother Earth,
whose dark womb has brought forth
the abundance we now share,
we humbly thank You for Your gifts.
Sacred is this space decreed,
in this bountiful harvesttime.

CLOSING AFTER MEAL:
In this sacred circle's fading light,
Through the stillness of the night.
Blessings here on home and hearth
and to those from us apart.
This we ask by power of three,
In faith and unity, blessed be!

Many of the decorations suggested in this article can carry right over into the Samhain sabbat with a few additions befitting that season. Autumn brings a sense of fulfillment and peace. Until we meet again I wish you abundant blessings and the joy of time spent in the company of those you love.

CatDancing

ABOUT...

CatDancing

Location: Mayking, Kentucky

Bio: CatDancing is a solitary eclectic green/hedge witch practicing in the mountains of eastern Kentucky where she shares a mostly quiet lifestyle with her husband, 5 cats, 4 dogs, 1 ornery goat, and a small flock of hens and noisy roosters! When she is not tending hearth,
home and herb garden she enjoys reading, writing, designing pagan-themed needlework, painting and photography. She is currently the
owner of the 'Mountain Witch's Cottage' group on Yahoo, co-owner
of 'The Mother's Magickal Herb Garden' and moderator of 'Stormy's Book of Shadows', also both on Yahoo. She can be reached at catdancing@fastmail.fm.

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