Southern Sabbats

Comment

Comment by Frances on May 25, 2009 at 2:16pm

I am in the process of finalising the draft for my book that I am endeavouring to have available around the Spring Equinox or at least a mock up copy that people can pre-order from.

I still have room for a couple of sabbat orientated poems if anyone has any original work that they would like to contribute - full acknowledgement etc of course.

BB - Frances

Comment by Frances on February 11, 2009 at 1:22pm

Thanks very muchly for that, Chris. I left my notes at home today and have been having telephone line issues with my telecommunication provider (sigh). Yes, I agree that those interested can certainly take some ideas from Starhawk's ritual.

I would also recommend this book - although she is American, where she lives (or lived at the time of writing the book) seemed to suffer extreme heat and bush fire threats as well. Very interesting also her ideas on more environmentally and sustainable living ..

Comment by Frances on February 10, 2009 at 2:34pm

Welcome Heather and all those other newbies.

I personally have been having a few "issues" with Telstra of late so can only get online at work (which is limited). In light of the recent/current bush fires, I was hoping to post a little snippet from Starhawk's "The Earth Path" about a ritual they did during the bush fire season .. but haven't had time yet - but I will .. unless anyone else has that book and would like to post that section.

BB - Frances

Comment by Frances on January 16, 2009 at 8:00am

Ooops - "One of the few tasks ... " should have been "One of the first tasks ..." - sorry about that

Comment by Frances on January 16, 2009 at 7:58am

I know what you mean, Angela, with respect to more "distinct" changes as I am originally from NZ and we actually had "seasons". Okay, we still do here in Adelaide, but a couple of weeks around March/April when the leaves change colour and you don't get sunburn before needing to put on a jumper doesn't constitute as Autumn to me :)

Where abouts in QLD are you cos I would have assumed that there would be seaonal differences - albeit not strictly like the four NH seasons but possibly more along Aboriginal culture or even a mixture of both.

One of the few tasks I was made to due many years ago when I started learning the Craft was to observe nature - this something I get my students to do and still make notes in my diary for reference .. and even comparing this year to last, there have been a number of differences.

To me, the changing seasons etc also effect us on a psychological level and the more out of touch of the seasons/Sabbats we allow ourselves to be, the more out of touch with our own inner self we become. This is why, to me, observing my local seasonal changes and adapting the Wheel to align with the environment I am in as opposed to that of my ancestors or Craft lineage is important to me.

And with Australia being so large in size and diverse in micro-climates, again looking at this on a more individual basis is important (at least in my view).

Comment by Aradia on January 15, 2009 at 6:23pm

I am lucky enough to own a copy of Lynne Hume's book :) It is truly a magnificent piece of work and I love her version of the Wheel. I feel the most difficult part for me in combining such a version is whether or not to adhere to "traditional" dates and realign their meanings, or create an entirely new system of dates that reflect the Wheel more appropriately. What this may be easier with the Greater Sabbats, the astrological "Lesser" Sabbats would be harder to deal with.

I've just read your website and even though I have glanced at it in passing over the years I haven't made the time to read it. I'm quite amazed at the astounding similiarities between what is presented on your page and what I have discovered on my own through my own research! It is refreshing and empowering to discover that I'm not the only one coming to these kind of conclusions!

Comment by Frances on January 15, 2009 at 9:10am

Greetings Aradia

I couldn't agree with you more. With respect of finding a more local "mythos" about the Southern Wheel, just wondering whether you have read Lynne Hume's book, "Witchcraft and Paganism in Australia" for in it she has an alterative version of the Wheel - an adaptation of which is on the Temple of the Dark Moon's web site - http://www.templedarkmoon.com/auspros.htm

Comment by Aradia on January 14, 2009 at 4:10pm

I personally find "southern sabbats" to be of utmost importance. Seeing as the Wheel is a part of attuning our practices with the cycles and seasons, it only makes sense to celebrate say, Samhain during the time of darkness. I'm particularly interested in developing sabbat celebrations that work around a mythos that perhaps may work better in Melbourne. The solstices and equinoxes for example mark the BEGINNING of the true seasons here rather than the height of them. Never mind that summer is supposed to start 1st December, I always find it begins with Litha, as the last couple of weeks will attest to!

Comment by Frances on January 14, 2009 at 3:16pm

Welcome Angela - why the "song and dance" about the Sabbats? Simply put, that due to the relevance and mythos attached to the Wheel (probably more noticeable from a Craft perspective as opposed to a general Pagan perspective), there is actually more than just simply moving a few dates ... with you residing in QLD you may have noticed that the standardised 8 Sabbat Wheel and its associated myths does not exactly fit into the Australian climate. The Wheel also doesn't reflect simply static "excuses to party" - they also contribute to the psyche on various levels - hence their importance.

Comment by Frances on January 13, 2009 at 10:07am

Welcome Aradia, I look forward to you sharing whatever you have discovered.

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