EARTHCRAFTYR'S  
NEWSLETTER
UPDATES, NEWS,  LINKS,ETC
New York Witches Voice
Church of Earth Healing


The Church of Earth Healing has provided   teaching,
healing and spiritual counseling within a shamanic
framework in Athens County, Ohio since 1990, under the
guidence of its founding ministers.


Crow Swimsaway, PhD and Bekki Shining Bearheart, LMT, are
experienced shamanic healers, teachers and spiritual
counselors. We offer energy healing and bodywork,
shamanic journeying, ally retrieval, shamanic extraction,
soul retrieval, and psychopomp. We provide divination as a
source of guidance. As licensed ministers, we can perform
legal weddings (handfasting) as well as other ceremonies
and rituals based in pagan and shamanic traditions.

We are located at Dragon Waters, our home as well as
teaching and healing center:
6560 State Route 356, New Marshfield, Ohio, 45766
Phone: (740) 664-5050
Email: info@church-of-earth-healing.org

WebPATH CENTER
Pagan Academy Of Teaching And Healing

Merry Meet! The Web is a magical,
teaching non-profit organization;
a Wiccan coven without walls.
Please feel free to share stories,
make announcements or
ask questions here.
All events listed on the calendar
are open invitation
unless otherwise noted. Blessed Be!

Because we are not for profit and unmoderated,
we ask each of you to keep in mind, the
opinions expressed here belong to the
individuals posting on this list.
The Web PATH Center makes no
political endorsements and does not involve
itself in political issues
by reason of its 501 (c) (3) status.
We also support free expression and
assembly under the U. S. Constitution and
urge every one to follow their bliss,
as well as be smart about their
politics and spirituality.
"An ye harm none, do what ye will."
 
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OUR SACRED HOLY DAYS & TRADITIONS :
WINTER!
*********
We have celebrated the Yule,the Winter Solstice; longest of nights,and shortest of days! We are gradually and with surety
seeing each hour of daylight grow minute by minute. Imbolc is coming! The plants and animals around us can feel it,as do
we! It's a growing,a sense of "becoming" that tells us that although it is technically just past Midwinter,the Spring is on its
way. The Lady is getting ready to shine forth in all Her splendor.
Here is some Imbolc lore for you:

Imbolc Lore
(February 2nd)


Imbolc, (pronounced "IM-bulk" or "EM-bowlk"), also called Oimealg, ("IM-mol'g), by the Druids, is the festival of the lactating
sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic word "oimelc" which means "ewes milk". Herd animals have either given birth to the
first offspring of the year or their wombs are swollen and the milk of life is flowing into their teats and udders. It is the time
of Blessing of the seeds and consecration of agricultural tools. It marks the center point of the dark half of the year. It is the
festival of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is her season to prepare for growth and renewal. Brighid's snake
emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (the origin of Ground Hog Day), and in many places the
first Crocus flowers began to spring forth from the frozen earth.

The Maiden is honored, as the Bride, on this Sabbat. Straw Brideo'gas (corn dollies) are created from oat or wheat straw
and placed in baskets with white flower bedding. Young girls then carry the Brideo'gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed
upon the image from each household. Afterwards at the traditional feast, the older women make special acorn wands for
the dollies to hold, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth are examined to see if the magic wands left marks as a good
omen. Brighid's Crosses are fashioned from wheat stalks and exchanged as symbols of protection and prosperity in the
coming year. Home hearth fires are put out and re-lit, and a besom is place by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the
old and welcoming the new. Candles are lit and placed in each room of the house to honor the re-birth of the Sun.

Another traditional symbol of Imbolc is the plough. In some areas, this is the first day of ploughing in preparation of the first
planting of crops. A decorated plough is dragged from door to door, with costumed children following asking for food,
drinks, or money. Should they be refused, the household is paid back by having its front garden ploughed up. In other areas,
the plough is decorated and then Whiskey, the "water of life" is poured over it. Pieces of cheese and bread are left by the
plough and in the newly turned furrows as offerings to the nature spirits. It is considered taboo to cut or pick plants during
this time.

Various other names for this Greater Sabbat are Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonni), Imbolic (Celtic), Disting (Teutonic, Feb 14th),
Lupercus (Strega), St. Bridget's Day (Christian), Candlemas, Candlelaria (Mexican), the Snowdrop Festival. The Festival of
Lights, or the Feast of the Virgin. All Virgin and Maiden Goddesses are honored at this time.

Deities of Imbolc:
All Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, Brighid, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and Februa, and Gods of Love and Fertility, Aengus Og,
Eros, and Februus.

Symbolism of Imbolc:
Purity, Growth and Re-Newal, The Re-Union of the Goddess and the God, Fertility, and dispensing of the old and making way
for the new.

Symbols of Imbolc:
Brideo'gas, Besoms, White Flowers, Candle Wheels, Brighid's Crosses, Priapic Wands (acorn-tipped), and Ploughs.

Herbs of Imbolc:
Angelica, Basil, Bay Laurel, Blackberry, Celandine, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy, Violets, and all white or yellow
flowers.

Foods of Imbolc:
Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, Poppyseed Cakes, muffins, scones, and breads, all dairy products, Peppers, Onions,
Garlic, Raisins, Spiced Wines and Herbal Teas.

Incense of Imbolc:
Basil, Bay, Wisteria, Cinnamon, Violet, Vanilla, Myrrh.

Colors of Imbolc:
White, Pink, Red, Yellow, lt. Green, Brown.

Stones of Imbolc:
Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, Turquoise.

Activities of Imbolc:
Candle Lighting, Stone Gatherings, Snow Hiking and Searching for Signs of Spring, Making of Brideo'gas and Bride's Beds,
Making Priapic Wands, Decorating Ploughs, Feasting, and Bon Fires maybe lit.



--Adapted by Akasha Ap Emrys For all her friends and those of like mind--
Copyright © 1997-99 Akasha
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