On the Winter Solstice, the Goddess gives birth to the God, the Sun.
This is a time of promise and hope. The Winter Solstice is the first day
of Winter, and the daylight hours begin to increase after this day. This
can be marked by lighting candles or a fire, and putting up strings of
lights. Decorate a Yule tree, make a wreath, decorate your space with
ivy, holly, and mistletoe.

On Imbolc, February 2, the Goddess recovers from giving birth. The God
is now a young boy. We can see at this time the first early signs of
Spring. It is a time of purification and inspiration, and for fresh
change. Place a broom by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the
old and welcoming the new, make a Brighid's Cross and Bride's Bed, do
some Spring cleaning. This is also a perfect time to do an initiation or
dedication ritual.

The Spring Equinox is the first day of Spring. The Goddess enfolds the
earth with fertility. The Spring Equinox is about beginnings and putting
plans into action for growth in your life. Traditional activities
include dyeing eggs, planting seeds, ringing bells, and buying a new
besom.

Beltane, on May 1, marks the God emerging from adolescence into manhood.
The earth and sun have an abundance of energy. The God and Goddess fall
in love and unite, and the Goddess becomes pregnant. Beltane celebrates
vitality, fertility, passion, love, and desires consummated. Gather
flowers, make a Maybasket, enact the Great Rite. Collect river water or
spring water and wash your face with it for health, luck, and beauty.
Decorate with flowers, ribbons, and a maypole.

The Summer Solstice has the longest daylight hours of the year, being
the first day of Summer. Nature is at its peak. It is marked with
festivals of fire, celebrating fertility, health, and love. Spend time
outdoors by going on a picnic, leaving food out for the Fae, and
gathering herbs. The Summer Solstice is a classic day to practice all
kinds of magick for various goals.

Lammas, on August 1, is the middle of summer and the beginning of the
harvest, a time to reap the fruits. Summer is waning, and the God begins
to lose his strength. Lammas is a time to give thanks for all we've been
given and is a reminder that nothing is constant. You could visit
fields, bake bread, make a corn dolly, offer thanks through a ritual.

On the Autumn Equinox, Fall begins. The harvest is completed, and
Nature, the God, and the Goddess, ready for their time of rest. This is
also a day of rest after our hard work. Try your hand at making wine,
take a walk in the woods, scatter offerings in harvested fields.
Decorate with acorns, pine cones, and vines.

Samhain, October 31, is the Pagan's New Year's Eve. The God is slain,
yet lives on inside the Goddess as her unborn son. Samhain is a time for
reflection, looking back over the past year, and coming to terms with
death. Practice a form of divination, honor your ancestors, roast nuts
and pop some popcorn. Decorate with hazelnuts, seeds, apples, and
pumpkins.

Also, certain foods and beverages are traditionally associated with the
Sabbats, so it's always fun and gives a feeling of connectedness to
partake in those. To practice rituals in a tight space like a bedroom,
move furniture out of the way and spice up the place with seasonal
decorations.



Invocation Of The Horned God


By the flame that burneth bright,
O Horned One!
We call thy name into the night,
O Ancient One!
Thee we invoke, by moon-led sea,
By the standing stone and the twisted tree.
Thee we invoke, where gather thine own,
By the nameless shrine forgotten and alone.
Come where the round of the dance is trod,
Horn and hoof of the goatfoot god!
By moonlit meadow on dusky hill,
When the haunted wood is hushed and still,
Come to the charm of the chanted prayer,
As the moon bewitches the midnight air.
Evoke thy powers, that potent bide
In shining stream and the secret tide,
In fiery flame by starlight pale,
In shadowy host that rides the gale,
And by the fern-brakes fairy haunted
Of forests wild and woods enchanted.
Come! O come!
To the heart-beat's drum!
Come to us who gather below
When the broad white moon is climbing slow
Through the stars to the heaven's height.
We hear thy hoofs on the wind of night!
As black tree-branches shake and sigh,
By joy and terror we know thee nigh.
We speak the spell thy power unlocks
At solstice, Sabbat, and equinox,
Word of virtue the veil to rend,
From primal dawn to the wide world's end,
Since time began--
The blessing of Pan!
Blessed be all in hearth and hold,
Blessed in all worth more than gold.
Blessed be in strength and love,
Blessed be wher'er we rove.
Vision fade not from our eyes
Of the pagan paradise
Past the gates of death and birth,
Our inheritance of the earth.
From our soul the song of spring
Fade not in our wandering.
Our life with all life is one,
By blackest night or noonday sun.
Eldest of gods, on thee we call,
Blessing be on thy creatures all."