A Witch for Every Season, by Rachel Patterson

Praise for A Witch for Every Season “In this lovely book, Rachel Patterson guides us through the changing seasons in an insightful and entertaining way. Packed with delicious recipes, cunning work, and rituals for every month of the year, the author’s passion for her native landscape is clear. Reflecting on the benefits of working with regional seasons, traditions, and land spirits, along with sourcing local produce and materials, Rachel Patterson highlights a topic that is perhaps more important now than ever.”

—Vikki Bramshaw, author of Craft of the Wise and New Forest Folklore, Traditions & Charms “I have been a fan of Rachel’s work for many years. Like the hearth fire itself, her writing is warm and welcoming, nourishing, and full of magic and wisdom! And A Witch for Every Season is a delightful guide to help you create, connect, and celebrate with many sumptuous spells, rituals, and recipes! Rachel invites us to follow the year’s rhythms with intuition and mindfulness rather than strict ‘rules.’ And to embrace each season with such delights as sigils for summer, altars for autumn, and magic for midwinter!”

—Sarah Robinson, author of Yoga for Witches, Yin Magic, and Kitchen Witch: Food, Folklore, and Fairy Tale “A Witch for Every Season is sweet, empowering, and humble. Filled with reverence for nature, traditional holidays and customs, and our own hearth magic, Rachel Patterson’s latest book is invitational and personal, encouraging the reader to trust their own magic, finding and relating to it within their own location. It’s spiked with Rachel’s gentle humour as well as being deeply reverent.”

—Jane Meredith, author of Falling Through the Tree of Life

© Elisha Miller

About the Author Rachel Patterson, also known as the “Kitchen Witch,” is a High Priestess of the Kitchen Witch Coven and an Elder at the online Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchcraft. Rachel is a popular contributor to several magazines, including Pagan Dawn, Fate & Fortune, and Witchcraft & Wicca. You will also find her “regular ramblings” on her blog and YouTube channel. Her Craft is a combination of old religion Witchcraft, Wicca, wild Witchcraft, kitchen witchery, green witchery, and folk magic.

Llewellyn Publications Woodbury, Minnesota

A Witch for Every Season: Spells, Rituals, Festivals & Magic © 2022 by Rachel Patterson. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including internet usage, without written permission from Llewellyn Publications, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

First Edition First Printing, 2022 Book design by Samantha Peterson Cover design by Kevin R. Brown Interior art by Llewellyn Art Department Seasonal runes image on page 17 by Peter Patterson Llewellyn Publications is a registered trademark of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data (Pending) ISBN: 978-0-7387-7152-6 Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd. does not participate in, endorse, or have any authority or responsibility concerning private business transactions between our authors and the public.

All mail addressed to the author is forwarded but the publisher cannot, unless specifically instructed by the author, give out an address or phone number.

Any internet references contained in this work are current at publication time, but the publisher cannot guarantee that a specific location will continue to be maintained. Please refer to the publisher’s website for links to authors’ websites and other sources.

Llewellyn Publications A Division of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd. 2143 Wooddale Drive Woodbury, MN 55125-2989 www.llewellyn.com Printed in the United States of America

Other Books by Rachel Patterson Arc of the Goddess The Art of Ritual Beneath the Moon Curative Magic Gods & Goddesses Colouring Book Grimoire of a Kitchen Witch: An Essential Guide to Witchcraft Kitchen Witchcraft: Crystal Magic Kitchen Witchcraft: The Element of Earth Kitchen Witchcraft: The Element of Fire Kitchen Witchcraft: Garden Magic Kitchen Witchcraft: Spells & Charms A Kitchen Witch’s World of Magical Food A Kitchen Witch’s World of Magical Plants & Herbs Pagan Portals: Animal Magic Pagan Portals: The Cailleach Pagan Portals: Hoodoo Folk Magic Pagan Portals: Kitchen Witchcraft Pagan Portals: Meditation Pagan Portals: Moon Magic Pagan Portals: Sun Magic Pagan Portals: The Triple Goddess Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Cooking Witchcraft … Into the Wilds

Forthcoming Books by Rachel Patterson Pagan Portals: Gods & Goddesses of England

Disclaimer If you have ailments or mental health issues, get them diagnosed by a medical professional. If it is advised, work out a course of medication. This book does not in any way replace the need for proper medical treatment, including medication or therapy for mental health issues. Neither the author nor the publisher advocate for self-diagnosis. Always seek professional advice.

In the following pages you will find recommendations for the use of certain herbs, essential oils, incense blends, and ritual items. If you are allergic to any of these items, please refrain from use. Each body reacts differently to herbs, essential oils, and other items, so results may vary person to person.

Essential oils are potent; use care when handling them. Always dilute essential oils before placing them on your skin, and make sure to do a patch test on your skin before use. Perform your own research before using an essential oil.

Never self-medicate, even with herbal remedies. Herbal remedies can be extremely potent; some are toxic. Others can react with prescription or overthe-counter medications in adverse ways. Please do not ingest any herbs if you aren’t sure you have identified them correctly. If you are on medication or have health issues, please do not ingest any herbs without first consulting a qualified practitioner.

Contents

One: What Is the Wheel of the Year?

1

Two: Finding Seasonal Correspondences

•

Spring Three: March Four: April Five: May

23

47 67

•

Summer Six: June Seven: July

93 115

Eight: August

137

•

Autumn Nine: September

161

Ten: October 183 Eleven: November 207

9

xii • Contents

•

Winter Twelve: December 231 Thirteen: January Fourteen: February

255 275

Fifteen: Working with the Seasons

301

Conclusion: And So, to the Seasons’ End Recommended Reading Bibliography

311

309

307

CHAPTER ONE

What Is the Wheel of the Year?

T

he Wheel of the Year is a term used for the Pagan annual cycle and celebrations of the earth’s seasons. It is marked by eight Sabbats, each celebrating the turning of the solar year and the changing of the seasons. It creates a neverending cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

The eight Sabbats are divided into Lesser and Greater Sabbats. The Lesser Sabbats are the solstices and equinoxes. The modern names given in the Wiccan tradition are Ostara (spring equinox), Litha (summer solstice), Mabon (autumn equinox), and Yule (winter solstice).

The Lesser Sabbats form the quarter points of the year and when they are placed on the Wheel, they form a cross. The remaining four Sabbats— Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain—fall on cross-quarter days and are known as the Greater Sabbats or the Fire Festivals.

The idea of a Wheel of the Year was first put forward by the scholar Jacob Grimm in his work Teutonic Mythology, dated 1835 CE.1 The modern Wheel of the Year was devised in the mid-twentieth century and has been attributed to Gerald Gardner, founder of modern Wicca, and Ross Nichols, who founded OBOD (Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids).2 There is evidence that the 1. Mark, “Wheel of the Year.”

2. Damh the Bard, “Wheel of the Year.”

1

2 • Chapter One

ancient Celts celebrated some of the Wheel of the Year festivals, although they were probably called by other names that have been lost over time.

Oc t. 3 1

Fe b

sad

h

M

1

Jun. 20–22

Su m

ne

gh

na

lt a

Au

Lu

g.

ay

1

Spring Equinox

Mar. 20–23

Sept. 20–23

1 ov. /N

Im b

Dec. 20–22

.2

mn Equinox Autu

in ha

olc

Sa m

Winter Solstice

Be

m e r S ol s t i ce

Wheel of the Year The modern wheel was originally based on the Celtic festivals covering Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh. The solstices and equinoxes were added, and some of them were even given new names in the 1970s, creating the Wheel of the Year we know now. The name Mabon was given to the autumn equinox in the 1970s by an author, Aidan Kelly, so it is not ancient.3 I believe you should call the Sabbats whatever feels right for you. If you want to rename them all completely, do it. If you want to use the Wiccan names, go for it. If you prefer to use the descriptive terms such as autumn equinox, then do that. This is about tailoring the year to suit you, so why shouldn’t you call the Sabbats whatever names resonate with you?

3. Kelly, “About Naming Ostara, Litha, and Mabon.”

What Is the Wheel of the Year? • 3

As I am not Wiccan, I tend to use the descriptive terms, because they suit me. For me, the Wheel of the Year has far more reach than just eight dates on the calendar. It covers the whole twelve months of the year. However, the eight Sabbats are a good starting point. The dates for the solstices and equinoxes are set by the position of the earth on its axis, and they can vary by up to three days each year.

The eight Sabbats and their dates are: • Spring Equinox/Ostara: March 20–23 • Beltane: May 1 • Summer Solstice/Litha: June 20–22 • Lughnasadh (sometimes called Lammas): August 1 • Autumn Equinox/Mabon: September 20–23 • Samhain: October 31/November 1 • Winter Solstice/Yule: December 20–22 • Imbolc: February 2

The Wheel of the Year in the Southern Hemisphere Of course, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, the dates of the Sabbats are opposite to the Northern Hemisphere. I say opposite, but I am aware that it isn’t quite that simple, especially with changes in seasons from area to area and climate change. But as such, you may prefer to work with the energies according to the season, and the Sabbats would be shifted by six months to become: • Lughnasadh (sometimes called Lammas): February 2 • Autumn Equinox/Mabon: March 20–23 • Samhain: May 1 • Winter Solstice/Yule: June 20–22 • Imbolc: August 1 • Spring Equinox/Ostara: September 20–23 • Beltane: October 31/November 1 • Summer Solstice/Litha: December 21–22

4 • Chapter One

My Version of the Wheel When I first began my Pagan journey, I was presented with the Wheel of the Year that it seemed most Pagans worked with. I learnt all the dates and correspondences, which took me ages, and I often forgot what was supposed to be where! But I duly decorated my altar for each Sabbat and did the ritual, although I am not sure how much I actually connected with each one. As my journey has deepened and the years have passed, I realised that the Wheel of the Year isn’t about dates on calendars; it’s more about connections. Mother Nature does not keep to a schedule, and perhaps more so in recent years; the seasons seem to be all over the place. The energies will also change depending on where you are in the world and how your seasons work.

The Wheel of the Year you are probably familiar with was created in England, so it follows the seasonal weather pattern of England, although even in our small country, the weather and temperatures vary from area to area.

But not everyone in the world will be able to relate to these calendar dates and their meanings. Some places in the world have four definite seasons as we do in England; others don’t.

I urge you to bend the rules of the Wheel or even change them completely.

Follow your local weather system and landscape. This is one of the reasons why I break down the year into months and why I extend the Sabbats over a series of weeks rather than just one or two days. (I’ll talk more about my personal Wheel of the Year in chapter 2.)

• Spring Equinox/Ostara: I like to start my celebrations for the spring equinox at the beginning of March, and they usually last until the middle of April.

• Beltane: For Beltane, my preparations begin mid-April, following on from the spring equinox and right through until about the third week of May. • Summer Solstice/Litha: Summer solstice celebrations start in my house in the last week of May and run through the whole of June, often until mid-July.

• Lughnasadh (sometimes called Lammas): Once I finish with my summer solstice festivities, I begin setting up for Lughnasadh, usually from mid-July through the third week of August.

What Is the Wheel of the Year? • 5

• Autumn Equinox/Mabon: In the last week of August, I start preparations for the autumn equinox and carry the celebration through until the end of September.

• Samhain: My Samhain celebrations fill the whole of October and the first week or two of November.

• Winter Solstice/Yule: Often beginning in the second week of December, my winter solstice festivities carry on through the rest of December and into the first week of January.

• Imbolc: I usually take a couple of weeks off at the beginning of January to clear space and take a breath. Then I prepare for Imbolc mid-January and run it through until the end of February.

Your path is your own; each person will walk it differently. The same applies to the Wheel of the Year: it must work for you and where you live.

I wholeheartedly believe you should follow the Wheel in your own way.

You can modify the Wheel depending on your culture and any celebrations in your area. I believe it is entirely possible—and, in fact, should be encouraged—to merge these together. Christmas is a good example. I celebrate with my non-Pagan family and just mix up the traditions. I do the same with those who follow another religion or are part of a specific culture; we take the practices and traditions and merge them. If you and your family are Christian or Jewish, for instance, meld those celebration dates and practices together with your Witchcraft or Pagan journey. Make it work for you. Create new ways to celebrate and bring in new family traditions. Or resurrect old ones.

Don’t do things if they don’t feel right to you. Don’t go through the motions just because everyone else is doing it. You shouldn’t feel the need to celebrate the first harvest on a certain date if it hasn’t happened in your area yet. And the harvests in your location will also be specific to produce, which might be wheat or barley, but it could also be mangoes or pineapples. (The latter is unheard of in the south of England, where I am!) Tailor your connection and celebrations to what is going on in your area. And if you miss a Sabbat? Don’t beat yourself up. You won’t be struck down by the gods—really, you won’t.

6 • Chapter One

Make It Yours There are many different Pagan pathways and traditions within. Each one has its own beliefs and guidelines. My own is that of a Pagan Kitchen Witch.

I work with the old gods that hail from the land I live on. As such, I focus primarily on working with deities from ancient Britain, but you should work with gods or nature spirits that have meaning to you in your own journey. I don’t follow rules or guidelines laid out by others—I never have liked being told what to do! What I do is trust my own intuition and tune into the ebb and flow of Mother Nature and the landscape that surrounds me.

Whilst the Sabbats are a wonderful way to separate the year and give us a good excuse to celebrate, my purpose in this book is to show how you can make the year more personal to you and your own journey. Some of the ideas in this book are based on folk traditions, and others are linked to more recent suggestions. I don’t include lots of historical facts or details, but there are plenty of sources for those if that interests you. Instead, what I will do is take you on a journey through the year that is based on a strong connection to Mother Earth. I believe the key to riding the ebb and flow is to connect with the source.

Trust your intuition.

Connect with the land.

Celebrate and enjoy the journey.

Most importantly, make it your own!

I don’t want you to reinvent the Wheel … Actually, that’s exactly what I want you to do!

Tips for Working with the Wheel The celebrations are yours to make as personal as you want. There are, of course, some traditional historical practices, but ultimately, this is your path.

Always trust your intuition when working magic or choosing corresponding items. Your intuition won’t let you down.

There are lots of ways you can celebrate the Sabbats and work with the months, but I encourage you to connect with the energy of each “season” and allow its flow to carry you as you build your own ways of working with each one. The correspondences I have included within these pages relate to the

What Is the Wheel of the Year? • 7

plants and foods that are in season and/or that correspond to the magical energies of each month or Sabbat.

I connect to the magical energy of Mother Nature every morning. I do this when I let the dog out first thing. Whilst he is bounding around and sniffing every plant, stone, and corner of the garden, I take a moment to myself. I encourage you to take a step outside every day. Look at the plants around you; see the leaves and the flowers and the stage of life they are at. Look up to the sky. Feel the sun and the air on your skin. Note the clouds and their patterns.

Listen to the birds and the sounds of life around you. Take a deep breath in and feel the energy of the moment. Sometimes when I am doing this, a word or a feeling will pop into my head. Occasionally, I even get a message about what magic to work or which tasks to take on that day. Most importantly, I am connecting with Mother Nature and the energy she provides, watching, looking, listening, and feeling the moment that nature is in. If you build a regular connection to Mother Nature, this will help you tune in to the turning of the Wheel and the seasons in your locality.

Get to know your area. Don’t just get to know your area in the ordinary sense of going for walks and finding out where everything is—really delve into the history. With so much information available at our fingertips, it is easy to source the history and folklore of any one place. Find out what has happened in your area over the past few centuries. What history does it hold?

What folk stories or myths are associated with it?

Connect with the energy of the land that is below your feet. Interact with the ancestors that came before you. The Romans called it genius loci, which translates to “spirit of place.” Every location has the spirit or energy of the place, whether it is a field, a forest, a shopping mall, or a car park. Even modern buildings and spaces will have a spirit or an energy that you can connect with. It is a feeling, an energy, or perhaps an aura.

I am not talking ghosts or spirits of those long dead, but the energy of a place made up from memories of those that have been there before and the energy of the buildings or land itself. The energy is held within the buildings, the earth, and the space. Not only will it help you understand your local area, it will also help you feel comfortable, connected, and at home with the land.

8 • Chapter One

When I visit a place—or even when I am just in my own garden or house— I connect with that energy. Open yourself up, use your senses, and feel the energy; talk to it. Remember that you don’t need to visit a famous “sacred” place to feel connected. Every place is sacred, and none more so than your own home and yard.

Body, Mind & Spirit / Witchcraft

“Filled with reverence for nature, traditional holidays and customs, and our own hearth magic, Rachel Patterson’s latest book is invitational and personal, encouraging the reader to trust their own magic.”

—Jane Meredith, author of Falling Through the Tree of Life

Enjoy a Month-by-Month Journey of Seasonal Magic

C

reate your own year of celebrations, inspired by the seasons and a wide variety of festivities. Learn how to honour the energies of each month with spells, rituals, meditations, recipes, moon magic, altar decorating, and other activities. Going beyond traditional sabbats, this book introduces you to more than eighty events throughout the year, including those with Pagan, Christian, national, and local roots. Build a large bonfire for Beltane, cast a shell into the ocean on Tynwald Day, carve a beet for Punkie Night, and cook pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. Featuring celebrations like St. David’s Day, Walpurgis Night, Summer Solstice, World Goddess Day, All Soul’s Eve, and Saturnalia, this book ensures that you’ll have a magical journey around the sun.

© Elisha Miller

“A delightful guide to help you create, connect, and celebrate with many sumptuous spells, rituals, and recipes!”

—Sarah Robinson, author of Kitchen Witch Rachel Patterson, also known as the “Kitchen Witch,” is High Priestess of the Kitchen Witch Coven and Elder at the online Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchcraft. She’s the author of more than twenty books on Witchcraft, including Curative Magic. She also speaks at major Pagan events and contributes regularly to Pagan Dawn and Witchcraft & Wicca magazines.

Rachel lives in Hampshire, England.

Visit her online at KitchenWitchHearth.net.

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