Four Fire Festivals of the Coven

There are certain themes that occur in our standard four quarterly rituals. The first ritual, the Spring Festival, has within it the symbolism of planting the seeds of our intentions and desires. These seed-thoughts; or thought-forms are given up through fire and earth in order that these wishes may grow in our lives. This Festival is sometimes called Candlemas or February Eve.

Altar at the Full Moon – Rite of Winter 2019

The Summer Festival, sometimes called May Eve, or today called Beltane by many, is the time of cultivation and growth. The wishes are encouraged and fertilized so that they may grow to flower and eventually to fruit at Harvest. Protection is ensured by the purification of the baalfire or the need-fire, which is the central hub around which we circumambulate widdershins.

Wolfa Coven performing an outdoor Sabbat festival in the stone circle.

At the Autumn Harvest Festival, sometimes called Lammas or Lugnasad by those who study Celtic Witchcraft, is a time where we get to brag a little. At this time we must accept our just desserts for what we have planted. “You must reap what you have sown.” Whether the harvest has been good or bad, libation is indeed offered up to the Great Mother Goddess in thanksgiving for what we have been provided.

Setting up a beautiful outdoor meditation space for each seasonal provides symbolism to reflect and contemplate on the seasonal meanings.

Lastly we arrive at the Winter Festival, which is sometimes called Hallowmass or even by the name Samhain. In Horsa, we release everything that no longer serves us, we release our failures as well. This is a time of purging what no longer serves us so that we can start the cycle again fresh. Also, because we don’t want Winter to come and for the light of the sun to lessen, even though the cycle must be followed, we perform incantations to recharge our psychic batteries to carry us through to the next season. Typically a ritual of prognostication will occur, and on some years, we will perform the High Rites of Necromancy as taught per Sacred Pentagraph and end with a prognostication for the watchword which will carry us through the rest of the year until Spring renews us again.

What could be more simple than that? We are a practical bunch that focuses on simplicity. The wise always find ways to simplify their lives.

Blessed Be!

The Baalfire, representing the Supreme Deity, is the central hub from which our work is performed.

This theme, a symbol of the Harvest, was placed on the outdoor altar to symbolize the Harvest of Lammas or Lugnasad…. the Rite of Autumn. It served to represent the Harvest – as you sow, shall you reap.

Outdoors, the tools are often most simple. A knife, sword, Besom, cup, thurible, Graal…. our rites use quite simple tools to commence the work of the Druid.

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