SPIRAL BOUND
MABON 2002

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SPECIAL EVENTS
FINAL REMINDER - On September 21, 2002 , Sora Nalani will be performing in her debut concert at the Bow Valley Christian Center. Tickets are free and the concert is in the main sanctuary. The theme of the concert is the 9 Muses and it is the final step in Sora's dedication to the goddess, Selene. Please email Sora or visit http://www.geocities.com/theenchantingmuse for more information.

RITUALS and CIRCLE NIGHTS (Calgary)
September 21 - Lunar Ritual - Twilight Mysteries
September 22 - Mabon Ritual - Grove of Mysteries
September 28 - Circle Night - Calgary Circle of Pagans
October 11 - Circle Night - Calgary Circle of Pagans
October 25 - Circle Night - Calgary Circle of Pagans
October 31 - Samhain Ritual - Grove of Mysteries

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!! MOON INFORMATION !!
contributed by RavenDreamer

All Moon dates and times are in our local Mountain Standard Time.
When you get the dates and times on Calendars, they are in Grenwich mean time, so it is off by at least 7 hours.
Please note that the new and full moons are considered
full for three days with the date given as the fullest (or newest) time.

Full Moon - Sept 21st - -6:58 AM
Autumn Equinox/Mabon - Sept 22 - -9:55 PM
Last Quarter - Sept 29 -- 10:06 AM
New Moon - Oct 6th -- 4:16 AM
First Quarter - Oct 12 -- 10:26 PM
Full Moon - Oct 21 -- 12:19 AM
Last Quarter - Oct 28 -- 10:31 PM
Haloween/Samhain - Oct 31

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Harvest Morning Muffins

Apple Butter

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!! POETRY !!
contributed by Sora

Autumn Pageantry
The ancient earth is spending summer's lore
And turns again to dreaming in the sun.
The orchard is yielding up its rubied store
Of McIntosh and crisp, ripe Jonathan.
The maple is blushing crimson on the hill;
The sumac shares its red and amber flame.
A silver birch outbids, with modest skill,
The bravest star that hangs in autumn's frame.
September is lavish with her Midas hand,
And shock and sheaf return a thousandfold;
And left upon the dreaming stubble land
Is autumn's footprint, etched in harvest gold.

~Neva Carlson

 

Apple Butter
It takes a woman's hands to lock
Such sweetness in an old brown crock-
Cooled in a springhouse made of rock-
Apple butter.

It tastes of clover blossoms fanned
By winds that fell upon the land;
Of pinks and phlox, you understand?
Apple butter.

The apple tree threw out its shade.
Its roots grew deeply in the glade.
From crimson harvest we had made
Apple butter.

And when I eat it now I see
The mellow arms of that old tree
That generously gave to me
Apple butter.

Once more across the table's space
I smile into a lovely face
And share with her, in my old place,
Apple butter.

I guess I'm like the tree that bore
These apples, finding more and more
My roots grown deep in time's rich store.
Pass me-and open childhood's door-
Apple butter.

~Anne Campbell

 

The Dance of Stillness

I sit in stillness on the beach
Heart of fullness within reach
Gritty damp invades my toes
As my lack of patience grows

Ah! But she arrives
In the chariot of night
Contrasted silver luminance
In a veil of misty white

I jump and bow and flourish
As her beauty does inspire
While my feet stamp out a rhythm
Mirrored nurturing desire

Hips shimmer - matching movements
Of her gossamer mist veil
As it twists with sheer seduction
Revealing parts of body pale

Oh, How I long to see her
Beauty - naked, full, and bright
As I jump and spin and dance on
Waves of love upon this night

A glimpse!! of her pure radiance
And I collapse following the dance
I sit in stillness on the shore
As she clouds herself forever more

~ RavenDreamer

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!! CRAFT !!
contributed by Abra

Apple Dolls

You will need:
1 large red apple
1 Ear of DRIED corn
Several ears of fresh corn, preferably from your own garden.
2 Whole Cloves
Patience
Paring Knife
lemon juice or vinegar (white)

With a paring knife peel the apple and carve a face in it making sure to
exaggerate the features somewhat (shrinkage). Insert the cloves where
the eyes will be. The apple will shrink around them. For an old-woman
doll, REALLY exaggerate the features. For a child doll use a mostly flat
face and just slightly cut a mouth-slit. Render the dried corn from the
husk - throwing out the silks and reserving the outer husk. I save the
dried corn for Offerings later. The corn-cob becomes the "body"- you can
shape it (make an indentation for the waist) with your knife. Using the
paring knife shave the narrow end of the cob to a point and impale the
apple head upon it. Paint the "Head" with lemon juice or white vinegar
while you work. You don't want it to get too brown too fast. Now for the
FUN.

The fresh cornsilk can be laid upon the 'head' in layers. It is held in
place by green cornshuck - stripped down to 1/4" widths and wrapped over
the head tightly and bound around the neck and tied to the body in a
figure-8 medical wrap. Makes a bonnet. Arms are fashioned in a similar
manner by rolling the shucks lengthwise and bending in half. The same
figure-8 is used to attach them. (Use a square-knot). Now you can lay
your doll down and begin on the 'Skirt'. Lay layers of shucks under
the"Body" and around to the waist (Pointy side up). Strip several shucks
into thin strips and tie a tight and thin belt to affix the skirt to the
body. Now the dried shucks.

Use a LARGE dry shuck and split evenly in the middle lengthwise - just
big enough for the head to fit through and no larger. Pull this "Apron"
over the "Head" and then tie a large green cummerbund at the waist. I
leave my dolls without panties:) But if you choose to add them you will
add them prior to doing the skirt. Use 1 dried shuck and bind the bottom
of the cob. THEN lie the doll down on the skirt-shucks and begin
layering.

Apple = Symbolic of the Goddess
Clove = Symbolic of the God and His Seed
Shucks tied in thus manner = Symbolic of life's paths
Silk = Symbolic of fertility
Cob = Symbolic of death
Corn for Offering = Symbolic of life
Green vs Dried Shucks = Symbolic of the Cycle

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!! THE DIVINE !!
contributed by Aurora

Mabon and his mother Modron

The history behind the autumnal equinox

The tale of Mabon ap Modron, the Welsh God, the great son of the great mother, also known as the Son of Light, is celebrated on this holiday. The Equinox is the birth of Mabon, from his mother Modron. She was the Guardian of the Outerworld, the Healer, the Protector of the Earth. She was an earthly mother, not a deity in the heavens. She was later made a saint in Catholicism, St. Madrun, and is believed to be the base aspect for the Goddess Morrigan.

Modron loses her son; he was taken from her when he was only 3 days old. Through the wisdom of living animals, stags, salmon, and eagles, Mabon is freed from his mysterious captivity. He is known as the God of Youth, and of the Hunt.

Mabon is soon reborn as his mother's Champion, the Son of Light, with strength and knowledge gained from within the magickal Outerworld. He now wields strength and wisdom, which he acquired during his captivity. This is how the equinox was named after him.

The sabbat has to do with a second harvest, a thanksgiving of sorts, and for Mabon, he was reborn, more powerful and wise. He represents the harvest, from the cycle of his captivity. To grow and celebrate life. To give thanks for the balance of nature, and to honour the circle of life, death, and rebirth.