Maroon witchcraft plug refers to the practice of witchcraft among the Maroons, a group of African-descendant communities in the Americas. The term "plug" here refers to a connection or entry point into the spiritual realm, where Maroons communicate with ancestral spirits and employ supernatural forces for various purposes. Maroons, who were enslaved Africans that escaped captivity and formed self-governing communities, developed their own unique blend of spirituality, combining African tribal traditions with elements borrowed from Native American and European spiritual practices. Witchcraft played a significant role in their religious and cultural beliefs. In Maroon witchcraft, the plug serves as a vital tool or technique for establishing contact with the spirit world. This plug can take various forms, such as a physical object or a ritualistic act, that act as a medium to channel the supernatural forces.
Lammas is one of the four “Greater Sabbats,” making it one of the most important days on the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. It is the cross-quarter day between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox, and it marks the beginning of the harvest season. Though it’s often the hottest part of the Summer, this is also the moment when the first hints of Autumn are perceptible—the first grains are ready to be harvested, the trees begin dropping their fruits, and the ever-shortening daylight becomes more apparent with each sunset. At this time we give thanks for the abundance of the past growing season and look forward to the remaining weeks of light and warmth as we continue reaping what we have sown.
Irish legend has it that the festival originated with Lugh himself, when he held a funeral feast and sporting competition to honor his foster mother, Tailtiu. Lammas rituals are related to harvest and gratitude, and recognizing the manifestations of our intentions that have unfolded so far during the course of the year.
This plug can take various forms, such as a physical object or a ritualistic act, that act as a medium to channel the supernatural forces. It can be a personal possession, like a talisman or amulet, or a specific type of ritual, such as trance or spirit possession. Through the plug, Maroons believe they can communicate with ancestral spirits and gain their guidance and protection.
Lughnasa - How to celebrate the ancient Celtic festival
As the exact Lughnasadh date may fall anytime between August 1 and August 12, IrishCentral has your definitive guide for all the best ways to celebrate the Lughnasadh festival.
Lughnasadh date
Lughnasa marks the beginning of autumn (fall). It is the beginning of the harvest season and celebrates the decline of summer into winter. The old Celtic pagan festival lasted a month, with August 1 at its midpoint, but is currently most often celebrated on the Sunday closest to that date.
Celtic festivals and rituals typically center around the assurance of a bountiful harvest and the celebration of the harvest cycle.
There is often much confusion surrounding Lammas/Lughnasa because of the variety of names and the differing dates on which it is celebrated.
When the Gregorian system was adopted in Ireland in 1782, 11 days had to be dropped to make the calendar astronomically correct. This led to the festival being celebrated on either the 1st or the 12th of August, called respectively New Style and Old Style Lughnasa.
To further complicate matters, many Lammas/Lughnasa festivities became appropriated to Christian saints’ days or the nearest Sunday.
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Lughnasadh festival traditions
Folklore survivals of Lughnasa are celebrated under a wide variety of names, such as Bilberry Sunday, Garland Sunday, and Domhnach Crom Dubh (‘Crom Dubh Sunday’), depending on the locality, at various dates between mid-July and mid-August.
The name Bilberry Sunday comes from a tradition of gathering bilberries (blueberries) at this time. If the bilberries were bountiful, the crops would be also. This is also the feast of the first grain harvest. Though the exact date of the festival varies, in the old days it was held anywhere from August 1 to August 14. Often, it began at sundown of the previous evening, or July 31, since the Celts measure their days from sundown to sundown.
Garland Sunday is so-called because garlands of flowers and greenery are usually placed around most of the Holy Wells. These wells are found throughout Ireland and are most often dedicated to the patron saint of the parish. This day also marked the end of the ‘hungry season' as people were now confident there’d be plenty of new potatoes, freshly baked bread, and baskets brimming with berries.
Read more
- The eight sacred Celtic holidays of the year
Lughnasadh recipe
Nothing reminds us more of summer than a freshly baked blueberry pie full of big and plump, sweet and juicy berries. The important thing to remember when making any fruit pie is to start with good-quality fruit. If using cultivated blueberries make sure they are firm, plump, fragrant, and dark blue with a dusty white bloom. The white bloom is the blueberry’s natural protection against the sun and is a sign of freshness.
Blueberry pie recipe for Lughnasadh
Ingredients:
- 5 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 (15 ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Method:
Sprinkle berries with lemon juice; set aside.
Fit half of pastry in a 9-inch pie plate according to package directions.
Combine 1 cup sugar and next 3 ingredients; add to berries, stirring well.
Pour into pastry shell, and dot with butter.
Unfold remaining pastry on a lightly floured surface; roll gently with rolling pin to remove creases in pastry.
Place pastry over filling; seal and crimp edges.
Cut slits in top of crust to allow steam to escape.
Brush top of pastry with beaten egg, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar
Bake at 400° for 35 minutes or until golden.
Cover edges with aluminum foil to prevent over browning, if necessary.
Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
* Originally published in 2015. Updated in 2023.
Wiccan mythology holds that the God’s power begins to wane at this time, as the days grow shorter and the crops are ready to be cut down. In some traditions, the Sun God actually infuses the grain with his power, and so is sacrificed, in a sense, when the grain is harvested. This grain is then used to bake the first bread from the year’s crop, which in earlier times would then be taken to a church and laid on the altar to be blessed. This custom is a good example of how pagan religions and Christianity were able to coexist and even commingle for a time. The name “Lammas” actually comes from this tradition, taken from an old Anglo-Saxon phrase meaning “loaf mass.”
They seek assistance in various aspects of life, including healing, divination, and protection against enemies or negative energies. The plug is seen as a conduit that allows Maroons to tap into the spiritual powers and navigate their daily challenges. **The main idea here is that the Maroon witchcraft plug is a central component of the Maroon spiritual practice, enabling them to connect with ancestral spirits and harness supernatural forces for guidance, protection, and assistance in various aspects of life.** The plug symbolizes the unique blend of African, Native American, and European influences in Maroon culture and spirituality..
Reviews for "Exploring the Rituals and Practices of Maroon Witchcraft Plug"
1. John - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "Maroon Witchcraft Plug". The storyline was confusing and poorly executed. The characters lacked depth and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also all over the place, making it difficult to follow the narrative. Overall, I found the whole experience very underwhelming and would not recommend this book to anyone.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Maroon Witchcraft Plug" considering the intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was slow, and the plot had too many unnecessary subplots that only served to confuse me further. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to engage with the characters and their motivations. The ending also left me unsatisfied, as it failed to tie up loose ends and left several unanswered questions. I'm afraid I cannot say I enjoyed this book.
3. Emily - 2 stars
"Maroon Witchcraft Plug" had all the potential to be a thrilling and captivating read, but it failed to deliver. The world-building was weak, leaving me with more questions than answers about the magical elements in the story. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development, making it difficult to care about their fates. The writing style was also somewhat disjointed, with abrupt shifts in perspective that disrupted the flow of the narrative. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and would not recommend it to others.