The Divine Warrior Witches 2024 Beltane & Litha Ritual occurred on Sunday, May 19, at Crescent Moon Gifts in Tacoma.
For 2024, we are following the theme of DEITY. In each class, in addition to honoring the turning of the wheel, we plan to also introduce a deity or two associated with the sabbat being celebrated.
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THE CLASS:
The educational portion of our events is now split into three categories: So Below, As Above, and Deity. Here is just some of the information that was presented during class...
So Below | Beltane
Presented by High Priestess Serenity
To celebrate the Greater Sabbat of Beltane, High Priestess Serenity read a poem by Nerqydd Dragonborne (May 2012) to evoke the feeling of this blessed holiday.
BELTANE BRIDE
Harken to the drums of the Beltane fire
Pounding out its rhythm as the flames leap higher
Dancing around it, your senses overcome
Moving with abandon in time with the drum
The longing in your belly starts to rise
Along with the passion that shows in your eyes
Sweat soaks your body, your bloods on fire
You tremble with the force of your raging desire
You start to chant the ancient rhyme
Calling to your lover “come to me, be mine
Come lie with me in the wildwood tonight
In honour of the Ancients, let us unite”
Then through the smoke and dancing flames you see
The one that you yearn for, wild, proud and free
Wearing the antlers of the horned god on his brow
He watches you intently, then gives you a bow
You, are his chosen one, he’ll lie with you this night
Deep in the forest under the stars shinning bright
Like the Lady and her Lord, you two will be as one
As you make love to the rhythm of the distant Beltane drum
The drums are now silent with the dawn of the new day
Your loving now more gentle, for no drum beat now holds sway
Buried deep within you, his fertile seed pours forth
With each powerful ****** of his, you feel its potent warmth
A Blessing was bestowed on you virgins both that night
By the Lady and the Lord, the only witness to your rite
Today is our Hand Fasting, he whispers softly at your side
I will love you for eternity, my beloved Beltane Bride.
So Below - Litha
Presented by High Priestess Heather
The fertile energy of Spring will reach a climax as we arrive at Litha. Also known as Midsummer, this day marks the beginning of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere and will occur this year on Thursday, June 20th.
During this enchanting time, we joyfully celebrate the heat of the season and the abundance of Earth; however, as we're all buzzing with these fertile energies, Litha also brings us a moment of stillness. The word solstice roughly translates to "sun stops" and on this longest day of the year it can truly seem that the sun is indeed standing still in the sky. And then, as every climax comes a falling resolution, we will begin to descend into darkness once more. Our days will grow shorter, our nights longer, and the Wheel of the Year will spin on…
As Above | Astrology
Presented by High Priestess Cawnawyn
MAY 20 - Sun Enters Gemini
MAY 23 - Venus Enters Gemini & Full Moon in Sagittarius
MAY 25 - Jupiter Enters Gemini
JUNE 2 - Jupiter Trine Pluto
JUNE 6 - New Moon in Gemini
JUNE 20 - Sun Enters Cancer
JUNE 21 - Full Moon in Capricorn
High Priestess Cawnawyn discussed the significance of the transition to Gemini Season and how it marks a much larger shift in the collective consciousness towards the goals of Pluto in Aquarius. As a result of the Conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus in April, we, as magical people, are able to make great use of this radical energy to create lasting change that will affect our community. Focus on shifting your actions, energy, and attitude towards the change you desire, and the ripple effect through your relationships is how we begin to affect the world. This is a true opportunity to empower yourself and fortify your bonds with your loved ones.
Deity | Spiral Goddess
Presented by High Priestess Serenity
Excerpt from The Spiral Dance by Starhawk was read by High Priestess Serenity to describe our relationship to the Spiral Goddess.
"According to our legends, Witchcraft began more than thirty-five thousand years ago…gifted shamans could attune themselves to the spirits of the herds, and in so doing, they became aware of the pulsating rhythm that infuses all life, the dance of the double spiral, of whirling into being, and whirling out again. They did not phrase this insight intellectually, but in images; the Mother Goddess, the birth giver, who brings into existence all life…
The spiral dance was seen also in the sky; in the moon, who monthly dies and is reborn. In the sun, whose waxing light brings summer’s warmth and whose waning brings the chill of winter...
The primary symbol for “That-Which-Cannot-Be-Told” is the Goddess. The Goddess has infinite aspects and thousands of names - She is the world, and all things in it…”
To purchase The Spiral Dance by Starhawk: https://bookshop.org/p/books/spiral-dance-the-20th-anniversary-a-rebirth-of-the-ancient-religion-of-the-goddess-20th-anniversary-edition-anniversary-starhawk/6438510?ean=9780062516329
Deity | Horned God
Presented by High Priestess Heather
The Horned God, honored by pagans and witches yet feared by the masses. Though named as horned, it's more common to find antlers atop this deity's head. Invoking a link to the Christian devil, this bony crown actually represents the cycles of life and death, with antlers being shed and regrown each year.
But who is the Horned God, really? Is this a name or a title? We discussed this together as a group and the conversation was riveting. We explored various horned deities (Pan, The Green Man, and Elen of the Ways to name a few) and also discussed the cultural reasons for the Horned God taking a back seat to the goddess during the 1990's when Wicca was on the rise at the same time as the Satanic Panic was spreading fear. It's time to reclaim this powerful deity, release preconceived notions, and embrace this god's powerful protrusions for their connection to Earth's cycles and the power they imply.
For any interested in exploring this deity further, check out The Horned God of the Witches a book by Jason Mankey (bookshop.org): https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-horned-god-of-the-witches-jason-mankey/18074523?ean=9780738763088
THE RITUAL:
Practitioners were invited to listen to an excerpt from A Woman’s Worth by Marianne Williamson, read by High Priestess Serenity:
Each practitioner was given a ball of clay to craft a figure of the Spiral Goddess to take home to their altar.
The group was then invited to participate in a Beltane Meditation performed by High Priestess Serenity.
The group participated in a choreographed dance to High Priestess Cawnawyn’s “Beltane Song,” and a moment of stillness was performed at the end of the track to welcome the Solstice Sun and the Horned God.
Practitioners returned to their seats and crafted figures of the Horned God out of the clay they were given earlier for their altar.
Purchase A Woman’s Worth here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-woman-s-worth-marianne-williamson/9041111?ean=9780345386571
CAKES & ALE:
Everyone enjoyed Lemon Earl Grey cookies graciously provided by practitioners Rowan and Jasper for this ritual.
Recipe (makes approx. 14 cookies)
1 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
5 tablespoons fresh lemon zest (to taste)
2 tablespoons Earl Grey tea (to taste)
2 large eggs, room temperatur
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2/3 cup freeze-dried blueberries
1/2 cup coarse sanding sugar for topping
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Combine butter, sugar, brown sugar, lemon zest, Earl Grey tea, eggs, and vanilla in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.
Combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in another bowl.
Add dry ingredients to wet.
Gently stir in freeze-dried blueberries.
Chill dough for 30 minutes.
Use ice cream scoop to portion out cookies and roll the balls in sanding sugar and lemon zest.
Bake for 10-13 minutes.
Enjoy!
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