Birch

Associated with Thor, probably in recognition of his role as an agricultural and fertility deity. Used in Purification rites. With the exception of the mysterious elder, the Birch is the earliest of the forest trees. The Birch is used extensively in cleansing rituals. Throughout europe, Birch twigs are used to expel evil spirits. Birch rods are also used in rustic rituals to drive out the spirits of the old year. Long associated with fertility and healing magic, birch twigs were used to bestow fertility on cattle and newlyweds, and children’s cradles were made from its wood.

Mid Summer Sabbat Ritual by Rhiana Moonstar

This Sabbat celebrates the Goddess. She is now with child, as is nature with the bounty of the coming harvest. This is a time when energies abound, & is a good time for magick/purification rites. The altar can be decorated with summer herbs, greenery, & flowers. The cup should be filled with milk. If you have made a protective amulet previous to the ritual, you will want to place this on the altar. Before the ritual begins, make a small pouch out of white cloth and fill it with any combination of midsummer herbs that you wish & be sure to add them in threes. Tie pouch with red string & place it on the altar. The altar cloth & candles should be white.

Hina-Uri

Moon goddess. Polynesian. Also known as HINA, Ina or SINA, she is the sister of MAUI and the consort of Irewaru. Tradition has it that she can manifest herself in two forms according to the lunar phases. Her role is associated with fertility and her cult may have been imported from Asia, since SIN is the name of a western Asiatic moon god also closely associated with fertility rites.

Dionysus

by Rachel Gross and Dale Grote

 
Dionysus, also commonly known by his Roman name Bacchus, appears to be a god who has two distinct origins.
On the one hand, Dionysus was the god of wine, agriculture, and fertility of nature, who is also the patron god of the Greek stage. On the other hand, Dionysus also represents the outstanding features of mystery religions, such as those practiced at Eleusis: ecstasy, personal delivery from the daily world through physical or spiritual intoxication, and initiation into secret rites. Scholars have long suspected that the god known as Dionysus is in fact a fusion of a local Greek nature god, and another more potent god imported rather late in Greek pre-history from Phrygia (the central area of modern day Turkey) or Thrace.

A Rite of Passage

by Rev. Cheryl Sulyma-Masson

A Memorial Service
With the coming of Samhain, my thoughts often turn to those friends, family members, and pets who have crossed the bridge and no longer walk this earth plane with me. During this season, I once again take comfort in their companionship and love as I invite them to join in my rites. These things often lead my thoughts to ponder my own mortality. As a Witch, I have definite beliefs as to how my own transition should be. I shudder at the thought that non-sympathetic family members may be left to plan for this transition time without regards to my desires . Even well meaning friends and family members, without sincere knowledge of my ways, may be left uncertain of how to best fulfill my desires.