Much of the Wiccan Year Wheel is based on an agricultural lifestyle in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere – in which there are four distinct seasons.
The Sabbats remind us of the cycles of these seasons and of nature itself. They reflect the times to plant and to harvest; the times when livestock are born, weaned, and slaughtered; and the times when we will know plenty or know only want.
They remind us of our our own life cycles as well that we are each born, live, only to ultimately die. They remind us of the simple fact that there will always be times when we will be forced to live off what we have been able to store or starve.
And while Lughnasad and Mabon are fairly obviously harvest festivals, this is not necessarily so with Samhain. In my part of the world, the trees are losing their leaves and growing more bare each day, gardens are essentially bare, the nights are turning cold. Traditionally it is time to remember our beloved dead, to contemplate our pasts and our futures, and to dole out candy offerings to costume bedecked children.
Beyond that though, Samhain is (as I was taught long ago) a blood harvest.
In the times of our ancestors this time of year meant culling ones livestock. Sacrificing these animals was not only as a way to have meat to preserve and last the coming cold season, but was done out of necessity. Most people simply lacked the means to support the animals until spring came again.
Here, North of the Equator, we approach that time in only the span of several days. And while most of us do not keep our own livestock, or slaughter our own animals for meat there is wisdom in reflecting on this practice nonetheless.
Have you done enough to see you through the coming dark season?
Have you put aside enough to sustain you through the coming months?
Are there things that you might need to sacrifice or cut out of your life in order to survive the long Winter ahead?
Just some food for thought
Blessings
Mama Kelly
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By Hibiscus Moon on Oct 26, 2009 |
I’ve got a lot of “blood” harvested in my freezer. But thanks for bringin this up b/c most of us forget this part of Samhain.