Kyridwen – Page 10 – Pagan Roots

Imbolc

Date: February 2

Other Names: Candlemas, Oimelc, Brigid’s Day

Goddesses: Arachne, Arianrhod, Athena, Attar, Brigid, Februa, Gaia, Selene, Vesta

Gods: Braggi, Cupid, Diancecht, Dainichi, Essus, Februus, Pax

Yule

Date: December 21

Other Names: Winter Solstice

Goddesses: Brigid, Isis, Demeter, Gaia, Diana

Samhain

Date: October 31

Other Names: Halloween, New Years, Feast of the Dead, Shadowfest, Martinmas

Goddesses: Hecate, Alcyone, Ereshkigal, Hel, Nepthys, White Lady

Gods: Carneios, Cel, Dagda, Hades, Odin, Osiris, Tuoni

The Esbats are the celebrations of the thirteen full moons in a year, traditionally a time for Wiccans to gather and work magic – compared to the Sabbats which are usually more celebration than magical working. While the Sabbats are fire festivals, the Esbats are also a time for attuning with the energies of the Moon and her cycles. While the phases of the moon are important, the month the full moon falls in can also affect magical workings.

Storing Herbs

Why dry and store herbs?

You may have collected more herbs than you’ve been able to use, or you might have plants in your own garden which you wish to harvest before Autumn. Whatever your reason, it is better to be able to store these herbs rather than letting them go to waste.

Collecting Herbs

Identifying your herbs

Warning! Some herbs and other plants can be poisonous! Do not harvest any plants that you are not familiar with. At the very least take a field guide with you when you go to harvest wild plants, and pay attention to what you are doing, as some plants which are dangerous can look very similar to, and grow in the same places as safe plants.

Growing Herbs

Why grow your own herbs

Herbs are wonderfully easy to grow, and cultivating them in your own garden is a far cheaper option that buying them. As well as saving money, they can make a very attractive addition to your garden, whether grown in window boxes, pots or in beds.

Herbal Encyclopedia

Welcome to the encyclopedia of herbs. You can view detailed information for each herb, including associations with elements, deities, Sabbats and more, different names for the plant, a description of its physical characteristics, a general overview of it and lengthy descriptions of its magical and medicinal properties as well as any lore and legend surrounding it.

To view this information, simply click on a herb name which has a picture below. Any names without pictures are works in progress, and you can check back soon to view more information on those herbs.

Roman Gods & Goddesses

Welcome to the encyclopedia of Roman Gods and Goddesses. You can view detailed information for each deity, including associations with elements, Sabbats, other gods and more, different names they may have been known by, a description of their origins, stories and lore surrounding them and much more information.

Norse Gods & Goddesses

Welcome to the encyclopedia of Norse Gods and Goddesses. You can view detailed information for each deity, including associations with elements, Sabbats, other gods and more, different names they may have been known by, a description of their origins, stories and lore surrounding them and much more information.