09/22/2024
Blessed Mabon, Creatures, Cryptids, Shamans and Witches!
As we transition into the cold dark night of winter, remember to harness this time of balance and reflect on the things you are grateful for. The things you are sorrowful over will often have things that we can still be thankful for in hindsight. Life itself is liminal existence after all.
Don't be sad that the that the shorter, colder days and longer nights mean less activity...rather be grateful for the longer nights by the hearth and at the table with our Anam Cara. Reminiscing about treasures and shared moments and strengthening bonds.
Enjoy the harvest of the Spring/Summer effort and keep each other warm and loved goin into the Winter. Spend time preparing for the scarcity of the long dark ahead by making the best use you can of this time. Canning/Preserving/Pickling/Curing food is a wonderful way to spend time with loved ones and children during this time, and who can forget the last chances for backyard fires with friends to share good food, strong drink, and choice smoke during quality time
Celebrate the vivid and beautiful colors of fall, as they are symbolic of how death is but a transition and despite the emptiness left in its wake, it also makes room for new life...and the fallen leaves lend themselves back to the forest to strengthen the future generations. Just as our ancestors fell from the Family Tree long ago and their wisdom and strength flows through our own roots, that future generations might grow and blossom when we too fade from green to brown and eventually come to rest ourselves.
The longer, darker nights we endure as Winters isolation creeps in around us is a perfect time to sit with ourselves and delve into personal shadow work as well.
It's important to remember, the impending dark is only temporary. No matter how cold and unending the season may feel, the sun will return soon and your chance to rest will come to a close, the time to rise and thrive will soon be upon us once again.
Happy Harvesting,
-The Swamp Shaman