Witches Of New York

Everything about witches and witchcraft in New York City from modern pagan perspective

February 4, 2016

Rituals

Imbolc at LGBT Community Center

Last week I was sick. Bronchitis, pink eye, cold – you name it. Even got excused from jury duty  – that’s how bad it was. So, naturally, missed most of Imbolc rituals happening over the weekend.  Mid-winter darkness… what else can I say.

But not all was wasted – have at least one to write about and well, some memories of the past to dwell in.

On February 2nd WFT had a small circle on this occasion at LGBT community center in West Village. The altar was decorated with wreath holding 8 white candles and bed of greens prepared for God and Goddess. The cauldron to banish, almond seeds as promise of new life and plenty of candles as fires of inspiration.DSCF1580

Any remaining past (and present) year’s troubles were banished with burning sage. Almond seeds of new intents were planted in the bed. An songs were sung as our problems whooshed way from smoking cauldron.

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And now the dwelling:) While working on the photos for this post I wondered through year 2015 archives and found this photo taken after Imbolc ritual at LATEA last year and decided that is a perfect mood setter for a mid-winter post.

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The evening snowfall colored by the city lights and my friend standing in a lonely room with her face lit by the phone screen. The coziness of the room even though it’s dark and empty opposed to the raging mother nature outside. Does it ever happens to you that sometimes you just remember that one little half-second feeling from the whole day or even the whole month? Can’t find the logical reason for sharing it here, just something emotional I wanted to come back to on this gloomy winter afternoon.

Let’s light candles as an act of magick to embrace the growing light and help it to grow. And while we banish all the bad and send intentions for all the good, let’s be also grateful for the good we already have: be it a warm home, delicious supper, the blessing of good health or a beautiful love. And all the other good you wished for will seem closer:)

Blessed be!

January 9, 2016

Rituals

Yule in Midtown Manhattan and Thelemic Winter Solstice.

Winter is always hard on city pagans as chilly weather forces them out of the parks and squares into tiny studios rented per hour around the city. Last and first Sabbaths of the year are the toughest ones, as they are, well, in winter. Although, here is the photo I took last year on my way to the Ostara ritual (end of March)– remember that unusually cold NYC Spring 2015 we had?

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But back to Yule: Winter Solstice, the celebration of the rebirth of the Sun, Saulė, Sól as she brings back the light and warmth to the world by shining longer a couple minutes each day. Or in the Wiccan tradition: honoring the Shining God’s birth and recounting his tale on this eve of the re-birth of light and anticipation the coming warmth. Light, love, laughter…and of course gifts – would not be the celebration without them!

This Yule I went to as many rituals as I could. All 4 of them! Three of them were held in small midtown studio spaces as bigger must have been all rented out for holiday performances. And as we know, midtown is always buzzing with tourists and locals looking for last minute gifts during this time.

First one was Greenwood Coven’s Yule at Producer’s Club where Lord of Misrule was invoked by making fun or so called “Deity Roasting” of Thor and Skadi or any other god you have good standing with (enough to make fun). Oh poor Thor! He probably got roasted the most! Even “moving meditation” was more like being silly and making fun out your own body or the norms of how your body should perform. The ritual was full of laughter, humor and marry-making and it truly felt like a little ray of sunlight during midst of winter in your heart. This was my first visit to this coven so I was a little shy of pulling out my camera and taking photos as nobody else wasn’t, although, I am sure those joyful folks wouldn’t have minded. Next time…

The second ritual was hosted by Wiccan Family Temple where I took my daughter to give her some Yule celebration experience as well. Michael and Mandy brought their own gang so it has been much fun for her. The space they rented, from what appears to be immigration help office by day, was also located in midtown.

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The altar also had a huge wreath for everyone to pass through during the ritual, as a gateway from the old cycle to the new. Here you can see kids made a use of it as well.

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Also who doesn’t like to hold a burning candle and make a wish for the new year!

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And of course photo session with the Yule log!

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And when gift were given and unwrapped the real party started!

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Next day I went to Yulebløt by Kenaz Wicca at Champion Dance studios. I always enjoy their rituals, because there is a lot of singing, although, I can’t sing as well as the most, it is still very uplifting.

Follow me in merry measure
Falala lalala lalala
While I tell of Yuletide treasure
Falala lalala lalala

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The room was really small but got very cozy as soon as lights went out and candles were lit from the Yule log. The bløt part followed shortly with Amanda’s orange glazed ham as a centerpiece. Also here is the Yule log close-up.

DSCF1152The best thing that happened that night was that I met an amazing person/witch/occult bookstore Elemental Books owner Dominique – she came form Winnipeg, Canada to explore covens, rituals and witchcraft stores in NYC. And because of her got to go to the next and fourth Winter Solstice ritual hosted by Temple of Thelema.

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Thelemic ritual was something entirely different! It is initiatory order so they don’t do too much public rituals, but hopefully I will have a chance to attend another one someday and take some photos. Risking to seem not very educated on the matter will try to summarize what I experienced.

Thelemic tradition is based on Aleister Crowley high magic teachings. So it was more invoking of the five elements to bring back the Sun rather than a typical Wiccan ritual. Five performers representing 5 elements led the crowd of spectators through it. In the end everyone could approach each element one by one and light the candle for their own intentions. The performance appeared ideally rehearsed with music, steps and speeches. Afterwards, speaking to Dominique about it, I realized how much symbolism and other meanings I did not catch, because performance alone was mesmerizing. But vibrations were raised, Sun was greeted and I learned something new!

Stay warm, folks! Blessed be!

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