Lughnassadh – Lammas – Lunasa
It used to be that the lord of a given land was seen as its caretaker and protector, just as the sacred kings guard the goddess, so the lord was the guardian of his land in matters of food and safety from other tribes. It was expected that he would make sacrifices for the good of the land and its people when called upon. It was also believed that sacrificing the body of the lord in truth would bring blessings upon the land and yield a greater harvest in times of need.
Summer Solstice – Midsummer – Litha – Alban Hefin
At this point in the Wheel, the goddess in her aspect of Heather presides over the testing and choosing of her mate, and in this choice she demonstrates her Sovereignty; the ability to choose is the ability to be free. The Oak king, the god, ultimately concedes and chooses to honor the balance for the good of the land; a willing sacrifice. There is magic in sovereignty; be sovereign to yourself and you will find yourself more able to allow and honor it in others. Oak and Holly are the guardians of the goddess who embodies Sovereignty; self-governance, choice, freedom, authenticity. We carry both of these feminine and masculine energetic aspects within us as well, regardless of physical gender. The feminine aspect should be presiding over helping to choose what is best for you; what lights you up, the things that you are passionate about and are here to express. The masculine aspect guards; not competing or controlling, but supporting and protecting as the feminine in you creates and births whatever it is you are here to do. They work together in balance, as all things do. As above, so below.
Beltane - Bealtaine - May Day
This Sabbat celebrates the tipping point of awakening of this creative energy in the Earth and ourselves. Traditionally this creative sexual energy is celebrated by some form of enactment of the Great Rite, which is a coupling of the archetypal energies of the god and goddess – or of masculine and feminine energy. We are talking about energy here, not gender, or even sex for that matter. This type of Magick occurs when any being or beings bring their power together for the sake of creation of any kind, including pleasure. So yes, that includes all types and forms of sex. It can also include a garden, a business, a community, art – anything. We already contain both energies within us – and we need them – they are the alchemical ingredients required to create the friction necessary for creation, and we all express it differently. This is where the power of authenticity comes in. When we tap into what we feel called to create and follow that flow to find others who resonate, the power of authenticity can move mountains. It can change the world. The world needs that right now.
