Working with the Seasons

Autumn Workshop - March 2, 2008

Working with the seasons is a journey of discovery into the magic of the seasons. When you learn to connect to nature, you begin to understand the processes by which you can enhance your own magical and spiritual work.

During these workshops you will be learning to connect to the cycles, the seasons and rhythms of life so that you become 'aware or awakened'. When you become 'aware' you will begin to perceive and understand the patterns and connecting threads that merge and weave and form the tapestry we call your life. When you become 'aware' you start to understand that there is no such thing as coincidence; everything happens for a reason, a purpose, and then you can become conscious of the pathways, and how your life interchanges and connects; and then you can encapsulate an understanding of the bigger picture, the ultimate plan of your spiritual journey...

A collection of photos* from the autumn workshop and a brief outline of the day's activities...







Autumn Honouring Circle
Ceremony of Celebration - Giving Thanks

Autumn, and in particular Mabon, is considered a time of the Mysteries and marks the end of the second of three Pagan Harvest Festivals, when the majority of crops have been gathered. It is considered a time of balance, a time of darkness overtaking light, a time of celebration of the Second Harvest. It is a time to honour the Aging Deities and the Spirit World. The principle key action of Mabon is giving thanks. Pagan activities may include the making of wine and gathering seed pods and dried plants. Some of these can be used to decorate the home or altar, others saved for future herbal magic.

The Autumn Altar - set in the west, with seasonal decorations, including the herbs Marigold (Calendula) and Myrrh (as a resin), and also Yellow Topaz crystals and Pomegranates (for their seeds), which were all used in the charm/talisman bags made on the day.



Meditation on Our Ancestors

The roots of all cultures can be traced back to earth-centred spirituality. The physical, earthly plane and the spiritual, etheric plane were both seen as equal expressions of life. Shamans knew how to travel bewteen these two worlds to gather information and bring healing to their communities. Shamanism offers the tools of ritual and balance, and brings the wisdom of energy awareness and powerful tools for transformation...



An appreciation of nature... tapping in to the life force of trees.

Above left - hugging a eucalypt to connect with it's energy.

Below right - barefoot on the grass while contemplating the ancient wisdom of the paperbark.



During the Autumn Honouring Circle we called on the God of the Greenwood (below, left) and the Dark Mother Goddess (below, right).



A simple ceremony was conducted, making a mulled wine for the purpose of giving thanks for our good fortune. The ingredients were placed into the cauldron with the intent to bring peace, harmony and happiness to our community.


Janine (left) explaining what the group is about to do...



...while each person decides what intentions they wish to add to the wine.


The ingredients and intentions are added...



Then the whole group stirs the pot together!



...and we enjoy the hot drink.
Mulled Cider
2.5 litres fresh cider (or apple juice)
2 to 4 cinnamon sticks

Also add any, or all, of the following:
1/4 cup brown sugar/honey
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
zest of one orange

Preparation direction:
Put ingredients into a large pot.
Heat to a boil.
Reduce to low heat and cook for 1 hour.
Serve piping hot.

Meditation on Persephone

Meditate on Persephone and her journey, and then take a few moment to examine your fears and what may be holding you back from making a rewarding but frightening change in your life. Do your best to let the fears melt away, and when you feel calm and centred, start assembling the ingredients of your charm bag.

Charm/Talisman Bags

Place myrrh, topaz, pomegranate seed and marigold petals in a small charm bag, write on a piece of paper the things that you would like to bring into your life and keep this with you as a talisman during your coming journey of transition and transformation.










* Photos by Jenwytch

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