Here in the North, in the time of the Autumn Equinox and Mabon, the second harvest, we are glowing with gratitude and invoking the spirits of darkness who will drift through the thinning veil and the shift of the seasons. Spindled tree branches reach into the longer hours of moonlight, and we reflect on the year and pray to the Dark Mother in the glory of her Crone phase. This time of year is especially golden for practices that cultivate intuition, deep inner knowing and quiet transformation.
One way that I honor the movement through the Wheel of the Year is through Ritual Making. You'll see the qualities of the adornments change to embody the power of the season. While all Wild Bone Alchemy pieces confront death and honor the transition from one state of being to another, I'm currently drawn to using materials that represent that natural loss. Other than scavenged bones, I've been interested in using antler sheds, snakeskin, fallen sticks, mushrooms, sea holly, dried ferns, and walnut stain.
I'll share this bread offering and prayer of sacrifice from Cei Serith’s The Pagan Book of Prayer:
The sacrificial fires of maple trees burn the summer offering, The gray sky accepting the smoke offering it in honor. We place this sacrifice before you, gods of the year. May each death on the point of the cold’s sharp sword Be considered an offering on the altar of Earth. May each plant harvested be granted the status of sacrifice. May each loss to the end of the year be an addition to your power, A thread in the pattern woven by you in the secret places.
Meán Fómhair
Photo: Fin
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