It’s finally that time, magical ones….the Season of the Witch! And what better way to celebrate it than by falling into a spellbinding book? Here are our top recommendations for little witches, all orderable through powells.com.
Mabon is a harvest festival, a celebration of the abundance of late summer. Many know it is a pagan Thanksgiving, and a day to give thanks for all we’ve received. It takes place on the Autumn Equinox, a time when day and night are of equal lengths. It is a celebration of balance between light and dark, summer and winter, life and death. Mabon occurs when the leaves are changing color and the world starts to wind down in preparation for winter. We mark this day as sacred because it represents a key transition in our lives. After this day, we will begin to turn inward and stay indoors more, but on Mabon, we celebrate the last of our external bounty: friends and food.
This year, Mabon takes place on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021.
Because this is a harvest-centric holiday, the best ways to celebrate Mabon all revolve around food and nature’s bounty. With each key fruit, vegetable, crop, or plant, we can create a ritual to celebrate the turning of the Wheel of the Year. Here are six foods to use for your Mabon celebrations, and six ritual activity ideas to do with kids.
Apple:
A key symbol of the bounty of Fall, apples are considered to be sacred and deeply magical by many cultures. In fact, they contain a hidden pentagram inside. They are associated with the underworld, the turning of the Wheel of the Year, and abundance in all forms.
Activity: Go apple picking. If you’re able to pick your own apples, go to an orchard and gather your own! If not, apples from the grocery store or farmer’s market will do just fine.
Perform an apple spell. Cut an apple in half horizontally to expose the concealed star inside. Remove the seeds and place them in a bag, which you can hang as a good luck charm. Eat the apple together, expressing gratitude for its sweetness (and for the love you share with each other).
Corn:
As a crop that ripens in late summer and fall, in many cultures, corn is inextricably tied to the arrival of Autumn. It is hearty and nutritious, and has innumerable uses, both medicinally and magically.
Activity: Make a corn dolly. Corn husk dolls are a craft traditionally made in Autumn, originally made to represent the spirits of the corn and give these harvest deities a body to inhabit until the next harvest season. They are made from corn husks, twisted and tied into the shape of a body. Some corn dollies are very simple, while others made by artisans are intricate and complex. Here is a simple video tutorial for how to make one.
Pumpkin:
A warm, comforting, nutrient-dense fruit, Pumpkin is an ideal food to enjoy as we head into colder and darker days. The Jack-O-Lantern originates from the belief that carved pumpkins can ward off evil spirits on Halloween night. That being said, they can be used for this purpose at any point during the season.
Activity: Perform a pumpkin seed ritual. Cut open a pumpkin and scape out the insides, saving the seeds. Separate them from the stringy flesh and wash them. Lay them out on an oiled baking sheet. Sprinkle them with herbs and magical intentions to keep you warm and happy throughout the darker half of the year. Cinnamon for warmth, salt for protection, brown sugar for kindness. Bake them at 350°F for 25 minutes, stirring once or twice throughout the baking process. Save the seeds to nibble on when you are in need of comfort.
What to do with the body of your pumpkin now? Try carving it with protective symbols or sigils, and lighting a candle in it during your Mabon dinner. Or, you can stuff it with yummy food like stuffing, vegetables, or meat, and bake it for a savory meal.
Maple:
When we think of leaves changing color, maple is usually one of the first that comes to mind. Maple trees are prominent in various folktales and are known to repel evil spirits. Also known as “the giving tree,” Maple generously offers us its sweet syrup, the “blood” of the tree.
Activity: Go for a nature walk in an area where trees change color, taking in all the sensory details of Autumn. What does the crunch of the leaves sound and feel like beneath your feet? What color are the leaves on the trees? When they fall, is it slow or fast? Which trees change color first? Do any trees stay green all year long? Consider leaving an offering of water (or breath) for the trees, and thank them for all they provide.
If you can’t go for a nature walk or you want to work more directly with the magic of maple, try incorporating maple syrup in your spells. To connect with the spirit of the forest, simply eat a teaspoon of maple syrup while intending to take in the wisdom of the tree into your own body. If Kitchen Witchery is your style, you can achieve the same effect by intentionally adding maple syrup to food. You can also add a drop to any spell for protection, or trace some along your front door as a house blessing.
Pomegranate:
A magical fruit associated with the underworld, Pomegranate is an Autumn symbol because of the legends tied to it. After the goddess Persephone was persuaded by Hades to eat six pomegranate seeds, she was forced to stay in the underworld for six months each year (the time period between equinoxes). At Mabon, we eat pomegranate seeds to honor the sacred darkness of the underworld and its associated powers of transformation. As we head into the winter, we know we will be changed by springtime. Thus goes the blessed cycle of life.
Activity: Perform a pomegranate intention-setting spell. Write down six wishes or intentions that you’d like to bring with you into the winter. These can be for friendship, luck, prosperity, health, or whatever you want. Cut open a pomegranate. Pull out a seed as you read each intention, and then chew and swallow each one slowly, letting the sink into you. After you’ve eaten six seeds and read your six intentions, leave the pomegranate as an offering on your altar or at the base of a nearby tree.
Wheat:
No grain is associated more with harvest festivals than wheat. Considered the most sacred of all grains, wheat has long been a staple of many western diets because of its high carbohydrate and protein content. Wheat can be stored for relatively long periods of time, making it an ideal food to stock up on before winter. Magically, it represents abundance in all its forms.
Activity: Bake bread. Make any kind of bread you like, and try kneading it with magical intention. Carve a pentagram of magical symbol onto the top before baking. When finished, leave a small offering of flour on your altar as a symbol of gratitude for the bounty and richness of summer. Note: If gluten-free, substitute grains works well for this ritual too!
Want to introduce your children to the basic concepts of witchcraft and magic? C Is For Coven is a sweet primer for little pagans and witchlings. The perfect way to start ’em young, it introduces key magical concepts in a way that is accessible, positive, and altogether enchanting. An excellent conversation starter for magically curious kiddos, it introduces practices like “Drawing Down The Moon” and lesser-known words like “besom” in short, approachable sentences, making this an ideal entry point into the world of paganism. What elevates this book beyond a typical alphabet board book is the quality of the writing, which is poetic and luminous. This is a book that begs to be read aloud, re-read, and savored at bedtime.
The art is just as enchanting as the writing. The pastel illustrations convey the proper amount of wonder for the luminous world of magic that exists at our fingertips, for all of us to tap into. The illustrations depict a diversity of witches, a reflection of the broader witchcraft community. Witches of all stripes will see themselves in Stein’s empowered, strong witches. The book practically radiates with loving intention and light magic. Each page is a mini love spell of sorts: for kids and the magic they hold. This book is much a gift for children as it is for the adults who will share it with them. A wonderful gift for a witch of any age, C Is For Coven is a must-read for pagan parents and kids, or anyone who wants to tap into the wonder and magic of witchcraft.
C Is For Coven is written by Andrea Stein, founder of Moondust Press, the imprint is dedicated to creating resources for children being raised in homes practicing alternative spiritualities, breaking down stereotypes about witchcraft and Pagan practices in children’s literature, and providing needed diverse representation. Check them out here.
Want to introduce your children to the basic concepts of witchcraft and magic? C Is For Coven is a sweet primer for little pagans and witchlings. The perfect way to start ’em young, it introduces key magical concepts in a way that is accessible, positive, and altogether enchanting. An excellent conversation starter for magically curious kiddos, it introduces practices like “Drawing Down The Moon” and lesser-known words like “besom” in short, approachable sentences, making this an ideal entry point into the world of paganism. What elevates this book beyond a typical alphabet board book is the quality of the writing, which is poetic and luminous. This is a book that begs to be read aloud, re-read, and savored at bedtime.
The art is just as enchanting as the writing. The pastel illustrations convey the proper amount of wonder for the luminous world of magic that exists at our fingertips, for all of us to tap into. The illustrations depict a diversity of witches, a reflection of the broader witchcraft community. Witches of all stripes will see themselves in Stein’s empowered, strong witches. The book practically radiates with loving intention and light magic. Each page is a mini love spell of sorts: for kids and the magic they hold. This book is much a gift for children as it is for the adults who will share it with them. A wonderful gift for a witch of any age, C Is For Coven is a must-read for pagan parents and kids, or anyone who wants to tap into the wonder and magic of witchcraft.
C Is For Coven is written by Andrea Stein, founder of Moondust Press, the imprint is dedicated to creating resources for children being raised in homes practicing alternative spiritualities, breaking down stereotypes about witchcraft and Pagan practices in children’s literature, and providing needed diverse representation. Check them out here.
Ostara is an ideal pagan holiday to celebrate with children. A pagan sabbat that takes place on the Spring Equinox, many of its key symbols and celebrations center around activities that kids love: things like egg decorating, exploring, planting seeds, and connecting with cute baby animals! Here are ten super fun Ostara activities for little witches:
Happy Vernal Equinox, little witches! We hope you have a most magical Ostara.
This post was originally published on the Seagrape Apothecary Blog.
When I think about all the magical tools that support me through the dark season, the most potent ally I can think of is chamomile. A common herb often found in calming tea blends, chamomile is an ideal herb for witches because it is gentle yet powerful. Yes, the tea can certainly be very helpful for anxiety and insomnia, but on a magical level, there is so much more to it.
Chamomile is an herb of the sun. It’s gentle warmth is akin to the sunlight at dawn, or a gentle flame, rather than a raging fire. Magically speaking, chamomile is a guiding light. It has been a popular ingredient in folk magic and spells for centuries, because it nurtures and protects, while also amplifying magical energy and psychic abilities. Paradoxically, because of its association with the sun, it increases vital energy, but because it is also associated with the element of water, it can aid in dreamwork and other intuitive practices.
Chamomile is, according to herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, “a healing wonder” (A Beginner’s Guide To Medicinal Herbs [117]). Used as a treatment for a variety of health issues since ancient times, it also has strong healing associations, which is yet another reason to work with it during cold and flu season (not to mention during the Covid-19 pandemic). That’s not to say that it can necessarily cure or heal any of these things, but when it is incorporated into a spiritual practice, it has the powerful ability to support us on the physical, mental, and spiritual level.
Paul Beyerl writes about Chamomile in The Master Book of Herbalism: “It is found throughout ancient Egyptian medicine where it was dedicated to the Sun god for its curing powers. Much of its lore comes from the position it holds in the garden, for it brings health to the other plants in the gardens and is said to cure nearly any plant that it grows next to” (80).
I started working closely with chamomile when I realized that on a spirit level, it is deeply nurturing and supportive. It was literally begging me to work with it, and once I made conscious efforts to bring it into my daily life, I realized just how powerful it can be. I always keep some close to me, whether it be in a sachet in my pocket, in a dish by my bedside, or in an essential oil blend I apply to my throat before a long day at work.
So, what is the best way to start working with chamomile? When you first decide to form a relationship with any herb, it’s a good idea to do a meditation with it. Chamomile is ideal for tea meditation. Here’s how to do it: As you sip, breathe, and close your eyes. Say hello, either silently or aloud. Then, imagine if the chamomile started talking to you, drifting up through the steam to whisper messages in your ear, what would it say? Do you notice any phrases, images, colors, or feelings coming to you? These things will tell you a lot about the spirit of the plant. Write down any observations in a journal, and do your best not to edit. Just write down anything that comes into your mind.
After you’ve done your meditation, here are some other ways to develop a relationship with chamomile:
Want to try some of Little Witchery’c chamomile-infused products? Head to our Etsy Shop to check out our:
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