Autumn Family time

This is my most favourite time of year. Because you have come through the year with a lot on your mind and been busy doing all the promises or things you promised yourself you would complete.

It’s a time to reflect how well the year has gone for you, and what or where you’re at within projects. I feel that people have had new babies or became a new you! Even a new house or job, what ever it is it’s taken a while to complete. Most people take their holidays during July-August-Sept because these are the months that give you the most Joy

I go on holiday and share my love of this Equinox with my family friends and generally everyone I meet, because it’s a time for thanks to everything in our life.

Witches also mark Madron/Autumn Equinox or widely known as Harvest Festival as a release of old regrets, arguments and mistakes, culminated over the past season, which tend to hold people, back. This way the person or people can learn lessons from mistakes and of course put them behind them.
Madron is an occasion of healing, justice and release helping us to move on each cycle.

 Before Madron, gather some leaves. The ones that tend to draw you, you find that you end up with quite a collection of different types and colors of leaves. Put them in a safe place to dry out. Think about regrets and any mistakes you wish to release, and think about it for a while before putting a mark or symbol on each leaf to represent this, for example, a debt that has not been repaid could be a pound or dollar symbol. Consider what you need to do to pay off the debt, settle the argument, and apologize for any harsh words etc so that the healing process can begin. If it was a Family row, you would possibly draw a few people on the leaf, it is up to you what you put upon a leaf, just remember there is no right or wrong way to do this as long as you, try to settle these before the Madron Sabbat although it may not be possible to complete them all.

At the Madron celebration, decorate the alter in autumn colours such as browns oranges and so on. Remember to place food and wine or ale on the altar to give thanks for all the help. Now cast the circle, going to each of the elements. Air (east), Fire (south), Water (west) and Earth (north) to join you and protect you in your rite or ritual. Next, ask the God and Goddess to be present. Again you do not have to call anyone particular God or Goddess, you can also use the coloured paper of each element, or just tea candles.

Take each leaf in turn and think about what lessons you have learnt. Ask the God and Goddess to take the problems away and give you strength for the future, so helping to avoid the same mistakes again. Now crush the leaf in your hand. If any remain not solved then put these to one side for a later date, without crushing them, and think about what you need to do.

Now it is time to take on positive thoughts and new habits to start the healing process. Take a length of white cord and tie a knot in it for each new habit you intend to take on, such as, you could try to think about positive comments when someone tries to criticize you or others. You can also use a candle to inscribe words, such as love, positivity, friends, health, jobs and so on. Do not try to take on too many promises, which you may find difficult to remember, four or five should do. Also this is a time for any Coven work or any other magic you have done for others ready for release, healing or balance, complete with eating and drinking to ground yourself, and thanking the God and Goddess for being with you to help with the process, say your farewell, and go around and thank the elements in the way you did at the start, to close the circle.

Place all left over food and drink outside for nature to do as it wishes, and release the crushed leaves back within the woodlands or place you found them.

© Wendy Binks aka Lady Snake 2011