The Celtic Year - Heather

There is something very magickal about this herb, which even if you do not study the magickal arts, can be sensed or witnessed. The various colours of red, white, purple and yellow almost give the impression that this wonderous herb can change its mood and it’s properties. It is the bringer of passion and a gateway to the realms of the fae – what other reason in required to love it.

Associations

Polarity:     Feminine

Element:     Water

Sabbat:     Litha

Symbols:    Unbridled passion (and the consequences of it); Protection; Luck

Deities:       Isis; Venus-Erycina; Uroica; Garbh Ogh; Cybele; Osiris; Venus; Guinevere and Butes

Planet:        The Sun; Venus

Animals:      Lark; Honey Bee,; Red Grouse

Colour:       Resin colours; Red; White

Crystals:     Amethyst, Peridot, Amertine, Garnet   

    

Medicinal & Herbal Uses:

   ·        The flowering shots can be used to treat insomnia, stomach aches, coughs and skin ailments.

   ·        As fresh or dried, Heather can strengthen the heart and raises her blood pressure.

    ·        A decoction of flowering tips, when added to your bath can addist in toning muscles and soothing rheumatic pain.

    ·        Made into a tea, this marvellous plant can aid in healing both constipation and urinary infections.

    ·        Use Heather as a solitary to go within and help heal yourself.

   ·        In conjunction with mistletoe, heather can create a powerful healing medicine both physically and spiritually.

Magickal Uses:

·        Charms made with Heather will protect against danger, rape and other violent crimes when worn or carried.

·        Lucky charms made of Heather are particularly potent – White heather is said to be lucky for both the giver and receiver; red heather, however, is said to be dyed by the blood of heathens killed in battle with the Christians.

·        Use in weather magick: burn outside with ferns so the herbal smoke can attract the rain. Also, bouquets of Heather and Fern can also be dipped in water to call rain.

·        Wearing blossoms sacred to the month of your birth is said to bring wonderful good luck – therefore those born during the month associated with Heather (August) should wear it as a charm.

·        Heather is connected to the Otherworld. A sprig of White Heather in a place of a sacred meditation will help you to manifest beings from the spiritual planes.

·        Lore explains that Heather ignites the passions of the fey and opens portals between their world and ours.

·        Carry red heather for passion or white heather to cool the passions of unwanted suitors.

·        A charm bag of heather can be carried to decrease egotism or self-involvement.

Other Information:

·        The Latin name of Heather is calluna vulgaris.

·        Folk names: Common Heather; Lyng, Scottish Heather; Heath

·        White Heather was often considered unlucky by Scottish loyalists due to its connection with banishment of Bonny Prince Charles.

·        Home to a type of Fey called Heather Pixies – beings with a golden aura, delicate, translucent wings and a pranksterish nature. Attracted to moors and the Heather which covers them. They do not avoid human contact but neither do they seek it out.

Imbolc Plans

As the wheel turns towards the spring, Imbolc has arrived and we banish winter’s frosty fingers by bringing in the light and warmth of the vernal approach. Snowdrops are beginning to bloom, showing the promise of the earth and Mother Nature to increase her display of bounty as the light returns. So, to mark the Sabbat of newness and increment, a festoon of frolicking festivities will ensue tomorrow. I am sharing Imbolc this year with +Shiann Raven Moon  and we have several things planned:

·       Offering to the God – with milk

Purpose: To aid the God in his ascent to manhood

·       Brighid Prayer – with red candle (Celebrating Wiccan Spirituality, by Lady Sabrina)

Purpose: Wish spell with Brighid in mind

·       Home Cleansing (Shiann’s home) – with a sage smudge

Purpose: to banish negative energy and unwanted influences

·       Water Winter Walk – with bottle of spring/rain/moon water

Purpose: to assist Mother Nature as she renews life into the warmer months

·       Banishing Winter – with paper snowflakes & cauldron

Purpose: To banish situations/habits/negativities from your life and them fall away with Winter

·       Evergreen Luck Rite – evergreens & cauldron

Purpose: To bring luck to the coming year

To be posted at a later date

The Element of Water - Correspondence

Water represents emotions, absorption, subconscious, purification, eternal movement, wisdom, the soul, emotional aspects of love and femininity. In rituals, it is represented in the forms of pouring water over objects, brew making, healing spells, ritual bathing, and tossing objects into water.

Gender:

Feminine

Direction:

West

Energy:

Receptive

Pentagram:

Upper Right

Time:

Twilight, Dusk

Cycle of Life:

Maturity

Season:

Autumn

Colours:

Blue, Turquoise, Green,

Grey, Indigo, Black

Zodiac Signs:

Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Sense:

Taste

Symbols:

Ocean, River, Shell, Spring, Lake,

Well, Rain, Fog, Cup

Goddesses:

Aphrodite, Isis, Marianne, Mari,

Tiamat, Yemaha

Gods:

Dylan, Ea, Manannan, Osiris,

Neptune, Poseidon,

Stones/Gems:

Aquamarine, Amethyst, Blue Tourmaline,

Pearl, Coral, Blue Topaz, Fluorite

Spirits:

Undines, Nymphs, Fairies of Ponds,

Fairies of Lakes, Fairies of Streams

Magick Tools:

Cup, Cauldron, Goblet, Mirror

Metals:

Mercury, Silver, Copper

Herbal:

Ferns, Lotus, Mosses,

Bushes, Water Lilies, Gardenia

Trees:

Apple, Apricot, Birch, Cherries,

Elder, Elm, Rose, Willow

Animals:

Dragon, Water Snakes, Dolphin, Fish,

Cat, Frog, Turtle, Swan, Crab

Instruments:

Anything Resonant, Harmonica, Cymbals,

Reed Flute, Willow Bark Flute

Magick:

Mirror Divinations, Magnet Work, Love Magick,

Lucid Dreaming, Cleansing, Protection Spells

Ritual Work:

Bathing, Dilution, Washing,

Sprinkling, Cold herb infusions