The autumn equinox is celebrated by many pagans around the world as a time to honor the changing seasons and embrace the balance of light and dark. This festival, also known as Mabon, is a time of gratitude for the harvest and a chance to prepare for the colder months ahead. One of the main practices for the autumn equinox festival is the creation of an altar. This altar is often adorned with items such as leaves, acorns, and pinecones to symbolize the bounty of the harvest. Candles, especially in shades of orange and brown, are also common additions to the altar to represent the changing colors of the season. The act of creating an altar serves as a visual reminder of the abundance and beauty of the natural world during this time of year.
High-concept pitch or no, the movie doesn't really work. They were shooting for sort of a witch-hunting "Zombieland," an F-bomb-riddled "Van Helsing" packed with comical anachronisms ? a Bavarian forest past with witch trials, pump shotguns and primitive stun guns, where bottles of milk have woodcut pictures of "missing children" on the labels.
Michael Anderle is the internationally bestselling author of more than forty urban fantasy and science fiction novels, including the Kutherian Gambit, Opus X, Federal Histories, and Exceptional S. In Charles Upham s two volume book, Salem Witchcraft; With an Account of Salem Village, and a History of Opinions on Witchcraft and Kindred Subjects, he talks about how it could have been fraud.
The act of creating an altar serves as a visual reminder of the abundance and beauty of the natural world during this time of year. Another common practice during the autumn equinox festival is the giving of offerings. These offerings can take many forms, such as food, drink, or even a song or prayer.
Grutch the qitch
Of all the possible causes of the Trials, this seems the most ridiculous and the most possible. Could these girls have been so bored to just start accusing their neighbors of witchcraft? Did they do it out of fear of being punished for playing with folk magic? Was there that much of a grudge between families that they would use their children to bring others down? Whatever the reason, it is absolutely horrible.
In Linnda Caporael's article about ergotism, she talks a little about other possibilities and fraud is one of them. Caporael has a hard time accepting it because she believes the symptoms are so severe. In Charles Upham's two volume book, Salem Witchcraft; With an Account of Salem Village, and a History of Opinions on Witchcraft and Kindred Subjects, he talks about how it could have been fraud. He suggests that they were very good actresses. The girls could have practiced a long time on bring blood to their face and sending it back again (Upham, 395). He also tells of an incident where the court burned a puppet in front of the afflicted girls. The outcome was this: "A bit of one of the rags being set on fire (the afflicted) cried out dreadfully (that they were burned)" (Upham, 216). In the examinations and trials, the afflicted would convulse or cry out when the accused would perform certain behavior. This suggests that they were doing it on cue. It is suggested that the girls would take socials cues from each other, as well. One girl would say that she saw the specter of a witch and another girl would start having a fit. The fits would cease whenever a Biblical passage was read or the accused touched them (Spanos, 1391).
The possibility that this was based on grudges between families is possible, but hard to determine. There were pro-Parris and anti-Parris groups in Salem. I was under the impression that the Putnam's were in the anti-Parris group, but that has been questioned. Caporael states, "The difficulty with linking factionalism to the witch trials is that supporters of Parris were also prosecuted while some non-supporters were among the most vociferous accusers" (Caporael, 23). This is a topic that I will have to research further.
In Linnda Caporael's article about ergotism, she talks a little about other possibilities and fraud is one of them. Caporael has a hard time accepting it because she believes the symptoms are so severe. In Charles Upham's two volume book, Salem Witchcraft; With an Account of Salem Village, and a History of Opinions on Witchcraft and Kindred Subjects, he talks about how it could have been fraud. He suggests that they were very good actresses. The girls could have practiced a long time on bring blood to their face and sending it back again (Upham, 395). He also tells of an incident where the court burned a puppet in front of the afflicted girls. The outcome was this: "A bit of one of the rags being set on fire (the afflicted) cried out dreadfully (that they were burned)" (Upham, 216). In the examinations and trials, the afflicted would convulse or cry out when the accused would perform certain behavior. This suggests that they were doing it on cue. It is suggested that the girls would take socials cues from each other, as well. One girl would say that she saw the specter of a witch and another girl would start having a fit. The fits would cease whenever a Biblical passage was read or the accused touched them (Spanos, 1391).
The purpose of these offerings is to show gratitude for the harvest and to give back to the Earth in return for her abundance. It is believed that by giving offerings, pagans are able to strengthen their connection to the natural world and honor the cycles of life and death that are embodied in the changing seasons. Ritual and ceremony are also important aspects of the autumn equinox festival. Many pagans will gather in groups or individually to perform rituals and ceremonies that honor the changing seasons. These rituals may involve the lighting of candles, the recitation of prayers or invocations, and the offering of blessings or intentions for the coming winter months. The purpose of these rituals is to bring a sense of mindfulness and intention to the changing of the seasons and to embrace the balance of light and dark that is inherent in the equinox. Overall, the autumn equinox is a time for pagans to celebrate and honor the changing of the seasons. Through the practices of creating altars, giving offerings, and performing rituals, pagans are able to connect with the natural world and embrace the balance of light and dark that is reflected in the changing seasons. This festival serves as a reminder of the abundance of the harvest and a chance to prepare for the colder months ahead..
Reviews for "Celebrating harvest abundance during the autumn equinox"
1. Amanda - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Pagan practices for the autumn equinox festival". The book seemed to focus more on historical background than actual practices and rituals. I was hoping for a guide that would help me connect with nature and celebrate the equinox in a meaningful way, but instead, I got a dry history lesson. The content was also poorly organized and lacked clear instructions. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and would not recommend it to anyone looking for practical guidance for the autumn equinox festival.
2. Mark - 2 stars - As someone interested in exploring pagan practices, I was excited to find a book specifically targeting the autumn equinox festival. However, "Pagan practices for the autumn equinox festival" failed to meet my expectations. The information was too basic and lacked depth. It felt like the content was rushed and lacked in-depth research. I was hoping for more specific rituals and guidance, but the book only scratched the surface. It felt more like an introduction to pagan practices rather than a comprehensive guide. I wouldn't recommend this book to individuals looking for detailed information and practical advice for celebrating the autumn equinox.
3. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Pagan practices for the autumn equinox festival" to be poorly written and unorganized. The author seemed to jump from one topic to another without clear transitions. Additionally, the information provided was generic and lacked originality. It felt like a regurgitation of well-known facts about the autumn equinox rather than a fresh perspective or unique practices. The lack of depth and insight made it difficult to connect with the content. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others interested in pagan practices or celebrating the autumn equinox.