Witches Of New York – Page 69 – Everything about witches and witchcraft in New York City from modern pagan perspective

I love fall. Something calming about it. In spring I constantly have this feeling of missing out: this tree outside my window just got all green overnight and I missed it, Sakuras at Brooklyn botanical gardens just bloomed in a flash and I forgot to go there. As if we need the constant reminders of how temporary our stay is on this realm… But autumn is completely the opposite – the time when the world finally starts to slow down. At least according to my internal pagan clock, of course, because NYC just gets busier with their fashion shows and pumpkin spice lattes:)

So Autumn equinox or Wiccan Mabon is always a reminder for me to take a breather and reflect. It’s a second harvest festival, thanksgiving of sorts, as well super topsy-turvy in energies because it falls right in between of the three fall super-moons. And this year we even had an eclipse! Personally, I felt like Alice in wonderland:)

First Mabon celebration was with Wiccan Family Temple in lower east side, NYC. The altar came out huge, because of the long tables that were prepared for the potluck later. Horn of plenty as centerpiece and all the beautiful mess around it:)

The best part of the ritual was reenactment of Persephone and Hades meeting and falling in love. Although, I am not a big fan of Hellenic pantheon, this theatrical moment kind of lightened things up, made it more playful and celebratory then usual wiccan rites.
Potluck dinner followed shortly after the ritual.

Another Mabon/Oktoberfest Sabbat/Blót celebration in Forest Park, Queens, was hosted by Kenaz Wicca. This was slightly different from WFT, because they are more Nordic Asatru-Seax pantheon worshipers with strong emphasis on ancestry. Plus everything happened outdoors in the midst of Forest park wilderness. The real leaves were used to mark the circle and the weakening fall sun was there to remind us of approaching winter. Cornbread and mead were served. The singing parts were especially beautiful mostly due to Amanda’s angelic voice. My daughter appreciated the space for movement and even did her own loud ancestor prayer mentioning her fraternal grandfather that had just passed this year.

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun…
-John Keats

Around this time last year, I took part in the Wiccan full moon ritual in Tompkins Square park, East Village for the first time. I stumbled upon this particular coven during my search (mostly online) of pagan rites in New York City. It was Wiccan Family Temple, led by the Starr RavenHawk. Witches, you say? Since that day the unsettling curiosity to see how do witches look like, how they go about their daily lives and celebrations and who are they in general was born.

Sure, in between other pagans, I have met some witches and shamans living somewhere in the outskirts in their ethical habitat, be it Mongolia, Lithuania or Mexico. But NYC…Whaaat?

So after spending some time around and participating in several rituals and celebrations, exploring different covens (the word is there are 4-5 of those in only in NYC) and meeting some most amazing people I decided to put all my experiences into the journal. Through the past year, I have already accumulated some material about people and rituals, so from time to time I will go back and post some stuff together from new events and findings.

Blessed be!

Mabon: Lower East Side to Forest Park

Merry Meet!