Season of the Witch
Chat conducted by Dr. Charlotte Pipes
October 16, 2008
T-Debbora6450: Hilde talk to us about the season of the witch and which witch is which!
T_Brunhilde: Well, that phrase "Season of the Witch" can mean many things.
T_Brunhilde: For witches, we call it that because this is our busiest time of year.
T-Debbora6450: No she said she would TRY to make it and it might be late.
T_Brunhilde: Oh, okay.
Cosmicflame: Busiest?
T_Brunhilde: Speaking personally, this is the time of year when we are busy physically, psychically.
T_Brunhilde: We are planning for Samhain night ceremonies.
Cosmicflame: ok
T_Brunhilde: We are deciding what spell work to employ.
T_Brunhilde: We are assembling magical tools for the spell work.
T_Brunhilde: For example if we are using fruit or herbs in ceremony, we are picking them, drying them, etc.
T_Brunhilde: We are making or purchasing incense and oils if we need them for our ritual.
T_Brunhilde: If we will use visualizations, we are working on formulating those.
T_Brunhilde: If we are planning to use prayers or chanting, we are composing those.
T_Brunhilde: If we are going to perform divinations, we are choosing what tools we will use.
T_Brunhilde: Scrying mirrors, or tarot or runes, etc.
T_Brunhilde: And we are formulating our questions so that we ask precisely what we need to know.
T_Brunhilde: If we are going to try to contact people who have crossed over, we are planning that.
T_Brunhilde: Speaking for myself, I always set up an ancestor altar.
T-Debbora6450: Yes, the veil is very thin this time of the year - very thin.
Draks: I've always thought that was a good idea myself
T_Brunhilde: It is up now. I pray at it every day, in preparation for Samhain night.
Cosmicflame: what kind of altar?
T_Brunhilde: Yes, Draks, it's something everyone could enjoy.
T-Debbora6450: I get a great occurance of Crossed Over people drifting into my yard.
T_Brunhilde: It can be any space in your home, a table top, a fireplace mantle, or even a window sill.
T_Brunhilde: Deb, do you experience more of that activity on Samhain?
T-Debbora6450: I decorate my table - with little "apple people" and pumpkins and apples
T-Debbora6450: Oh yeah!
T_Brunhilde: I put out photos and mementos of my family and friends and pets.
T-Debbora6450: I had a crossed over man ping me tonight at my koi pool.
T_Brunhilde: What did he say?
Cosmicflame: Who was it?
T-Debbora6450: Richard, and old friend that Crossed Over about 6 months ago.
Cosmicflame: I see
T_Brunhilde: Is he alright?
T-Debbora6450: I was watching my koi and he said, they sure are beautiful.
T_Brunhilde: Was he just "checking in" with you?
T-Debbora6450: His deep voice and tone. I knew him instantly.
T-Debbora6450: I said he raised big fish too. He said he never raised any that weighted
T-Debbora6450: 4 pounds each. I heard him laugh and then he drifted away.
T_Brunhilde: I'm glad he came to see you.
T_Brunhilde: I'm sure it was comforting to him.
T-Debbora6450: Yes, it's just the kind of thing we all get around Samhain
TerriGIT has joined.
Draks: I love this time of year, especially if it gets cooler
Draks: Hey Terri
T-Debbora6450: I never have a doubt about the immortality of people.
TerriGIT: Good evening
Cosmicflame: HI Terri
T_Brunhilde: I usually have some encounter with departed family or pets when I have my private Samhain ritual.
TerriGIT: Hey Cosmic
T_Brunhilde: Heh Gal! Glad you made it.
TerriGIT: Thanks
T_Brunhilde: Hows the car?
TerriGIT: The car?
T-Debbora6450: I think at this time of year the Crossed Over don't have to work as hard
T-Debbora6450: to make contact with is. That is what makes this time of year special
T_Brunhilde: Terri, we were talking about the kinds of things that proliferate at this time of year.
T_Brunhilde: One of those things being contacts with the dead.
Cosmicflame: Do you invoke some Goddess energy at this time
Cosmicflame: ??
T_Brunhilde: Yes, specifically we invoke the Crone. We celebrate her at this time of year.
TerriGIT: I do. I feel closer to her this time of year.
Cosmicflame: What does she represent?
T_Brunhilde: Wisdom, dignity, immortality.
Cosmicflame: That is all we aspire for
T_Brunhilde: Unfortunately, modern representations of her in the media make her out to be evil.
Cosmicflame: ANy special ceremony or offering?
T_Brunhilde: She is the all-knowing, all-wise ancient mother.
Cosmicflame: I see
T-Debbora6450: Yes, instead of the age of wisdom that comes with great age.
T_Brunhilde: I have two little crone dolls on my altar right now.
TerriGIT: I give acorns and things that I find on my walks.
Cosmicflame: ok
Cosmicflame: produce of nature
T_Brunhilde: On Samhain night, I anoint my altar candle with sage oil.
TerriGIT: Why sage?
T_Brunhilde: Makes a wonderful smell as it burns.
T_Brunhilde: Just one on the scents that are appropriate to the season.
T_Brunhilde: but you can use other things.
T-Debbora6450: Acorns! I have a tree over my koi pool - the acorns at hitting the roof every two minutes! LOL
Cosmicflame: Like?
T_Brunhilde: Frankinsence and myrrh.
T_Brunhilde: Right now?
Cosmicflame: All fragrances’ for the divine
T-Debbora6450: Yes, and they have been for the last 5 days.
T_Brunhilde: I burn some of those fragrances as incense.
T-Debbora6450: What me to gather you some up?
TerriGIT: LOL
T-Debbora6450: We have TONS of them in our yard!
T_Brunhilde: No thanks, I have a big tree out front.
TerriGIT: I have frankincense and sandalwood powders
T-Debbora6450: No Squirrels to eat them here
T_Brunhilde: I always shield before I begin my ritual.
TerriGIT: I just burned some full moon incense that I made Tues. night
T_Brunhilde: ooh, that must have been lovely.
Cosmicflame: What is the ritual?
T_Brunhilde: Start my purifying yourself, salt water bath.
TerriGIT: It was. I have some Egyptian resin mix that I burn as an offering a lot too
T_Brunhilde: Then purify the site of your ritual, use smoke or salt water or bells.
T_Brunhilde: Light your candles and incense. Concentrate on your breathing.
T_Brunhilde: block everything else out, go into a meditative state.
TerriGIT: Do you do a circle of protection first or just shield?
T_Brunhilde: If it is just me, I shield. If there are others present, I draw a circle.
TerriGIT: Shield yourself I mean
T_Brunhilde: It's kind of funny. When I celebrate with my niece, we both shield, then draw a circle.
TerriGIT: I feel better with a circle on Samhain
T_Brunhilde: Ain't nuthin' gettin' through that!
T-Debbora6450: LOL
TerriGIT: hehe
T_Brunhilde: I taught her how to shield, as per Deb's instructions. She loves it.
TerriGIT: Great!
T_Brunhilde: Once you reach a meditative state, you can call the spirits of the four directions.
T-Debbora6450: Very good tool - would that we could teach every child that!
T_Brunhilde: Then you call the Crone. She has different names in different cultures.
T_Brunhilde: I call her by the old British name, the Cailleagh.
T_Brunhilde: But every culture has a crone goddess, so call the name you are comfortable with.
T_Brunhilde: I call out to her and welcome her to my circle. Then I concentrate on my breathing and wait.
T_Brunhilde: I usually feel her arrival as a sudden rush of emotion.
T_Brunhilde: There are many emotions, but the predominant one is always love.
T_Brunhilde: It's the only time I ever get "warm and fuzzy." When I feel her enter.
T_Brunhilde: Her instant communication of love and nurturing is overwhelming.
T_Brunhilde: It still surprises me after all these years.
T_Brunhilde: Then, I sing to her. Something I have written.
T_Brunhilde: Usually one of the three songs that are in the Samhain section of my course.
T_Brunhilde: But you can say a poem, that would be great, too.
T_Brunhilde: Just some little tribute to her.
T_Brunhilde: Then I ask her to assist me in connecting to my crossed-over family.
T_Brunhilde: I know you guys have done similar things. I usually smell a familiar smell.
T_Brunhilde: Or hear a familiar noise, when loved ones approach.
T_Brunhilde: What do you guys usually experience?
Cosmicflame: sensations
T_Brunhilde: Yes.
Cosmicflame: vibrations
TerriGIT: I send messages. I haven't done any the last couple of years. I had a lot going on
Cosmicflame: instantly connects to the person you know
Draks: A peacefullness
T-Debbora6450: I get a lot of crossed over people dropping in for a chat.
T_Brunhilde: Yes, peaceful.
TerriGIT: This is true. I get visitors off and on
TerriGIT: Not just Samhain
T_Brunhilde: Do they speak to you in words in your mind?
T-Debbora6450: I think they like it when someone still in the flesh and chat with them.
Cosmicflame: not all of them chat
TerriGIT: More visual stuff, not words.
TerriGIT: I'm more visual
Cosmicflame: just drifting in and checking out I suppose
T_Brunhilde: Okay, that makes sense.
T-Debbora6450: It's mostly empathic - a language I hear in my head - but not my voice.
TerriGIT: Yeah, I get emotion sometimes
T-Debbora6450: But many times before they get to that point, they do something else
TerriGIT: Happy and fun-loving sorts visit me. LOL
T_Brunhilde: Like?
T-Debbora6450: to draw my attention, a smell, a movement, a burst of breeze.
T_Brunhilde: With me, it usually smells and sounds.
T_Brunhilde: Like my little dogs collar jingling or the smell of my dad's cigars.
T_Brunhilde: Or the lavendar mints my mom use to like.
T-Debbora6450: Yes, a smell is very easy for them to create out of air and it pegs a person to a T
T_Brunhilde: Once I smell or hear them, I welcome them and tell them what I want to say.
TerriGIT: I don't usually get smells but then I don't usually associate people to smells
T-Debbora6450: I do all the time.
T_Brunhilde: If I am going to scry, I usually do it then, asking them to assist me.
T-Debbora6450: But each entity will have their own calling card.
T_Brunhilde: Absolutely.
T-Debbora6450: My crossed over Booger Bear walks on my bed - like an Elephant.
TerriGIT: LOL
T-Debbora6450: My Mother comes with the foul smell of the hospital she was in.
T-Debbora6450: My father comes with train whistles and laughter.
T_Brunhilde: LOL! When I am ready to end the ritual, then I thank them for visiting.
T-Debbora6450: Each are different and are very distinct!
T_Brunhilde: They usually leave quickly.
T_Brunhilde: Then I thank the Crone for all her love and constancy.
T_Brunhilde: Then I bid her to "return to your place of power, for the world is much in need of your wisdom."
T_Brunhilde: She also departs quickly, I feel her energy leave the room.
T-Debbora6450: Yes, it takes a LOT of energy from them to make contact with us.
T_Brunhilde: Then I also bid the spirits of the four directions to return to their places of power.
T-Debbora6450: The four angels?
T_Brunhilde: I have a special phrase for each of them.
TerriGIT: For me, Earth, Air, Fire and Water
T_Brunhilde: I call the "spirits" of the North, East, South and West.
T_Brunhilde: Some people call them four elements, some call the four Archangels.
Cosmicflame: What about spells cast at this time?
T_Brunhilde: If I cast any spell work, I do it while the Crone is still there.
TerriGIT: I've done some strong ones this time of year.
T_Brunhilde: I ask her to guard and "police" my spellwork.
Cosmicflame: ok
TerriGIT: Kind of setting goals and putting energy out. I did one like that with a friend
TerriGIT: one year.
T-Debbora6450: Yes, in Ghostology the TOP director for each element is an angel
TerriGIT: Both of ours worked really well.
T_Brunhilde: That is good spellwork to do, Terri, since Samhain is our New Year's Eve.
TerriGIT: Yes. I was like making resolutions.
T_Brunhilde: Great time for spellwork regarding the coming year.
TerriGIT: He called on the God and I the Goddess. It was powerful.
T_Brunhilde: There is a branch of witchcraft called Strega or Streghiera. Italian witchcraft.
TerriGIT: I have heard of it.
T-Debbora6450: I'll bet - together you were getting both poles! Good job!
T_Brunhilde: They call the Archangels Uriel, Raphael, Michael, and Gabriel.
T-Debbora6450: Yes, the 4 angels associated with the elements.
T_Brunhilde: Correct. North/Uriel, East/Raphael, South/Michael, West/Gabriel.
T-Debbora6450: Yes
T_Brunhilde: At least, that is what I have read about them, I have never participated in their rituals.
T-Debbora6450: I can hardly wait to talk about the angels in Ghostology 3!
T_Brunhilde: They call "Watchtowers." And they mean it quite literally. The call in the Archangels to witness the
T_Brunhilde: they call in the Angels to witness their ritual.
T_Brunhilde: The rule is, if the Angel doesn't sanction the spellwork, the Angel nixes it.
T_Brunhilde: The angel stops the spell from going forward.
T_Brunhilde: It's a type of fail-safe mechanism the Stregas us.
T_Brunhilde: Use.
T-Debbora6450: It's also adds power and energy to reason behind the ritual.
T_Brunhilde: There words are "Guardians of the Watchtowers I do invite.."
T_Brunhilde: "guard my ritual and witness my rite."
T_Brunhilde: By asking the Angel to "witness" the rite, the witches are giving control on the spell to the Angels
TerriGIT: Interesting
T_Brunhilde: The witches are recognizing the Angels higher authority.
T_Brunhilde: Yes, Terri, I find it interesting, too.
Draks: Cool
T-Debbora6450: And the flow of the direction of Dynamic Energy.
T_Brunhilde: Strega comes from the time of pagan Italy, before the Roman Empire.
T_Brunhilde: Kind of like using the angels as an "Advisory Board" like movie censors.
T-Debbora6450: LOL!
TerriGIT: hehe
T_Brunhilde: Anyway, once the spirits leave, my ritual is over.
T_Brunhilde: I retract my shield and put the candles and incense outside to burn through the night.
Cosmicflame: Do you do anything for your personal life or issues for the next year?
T_Brunhilde: Sometimes. I usually scry. I find that this is a powerful time of year for divination of any kind.
Cosmicflame: Ok
T_Brunhilde: Another thing that some witches take part in on Samhain is called a "Dumb Supper."
T_Brunhilde: It's a very old tradition of setting the dinner table for the deceased.
TerriGIT: Yes!
TerriGIT: I'd love to do one of those someday.
Cosmicflame: The custom of honoring the dead
Draks: Seen that
T_Brunhilde: We usually do a public one here in town at a local restaurant.
T-Debbora6450: That goes all the way back to the "death eaters"
TerriGIT: Death eater or sin eater?
T_Brunhilde: I know it is an ancient custom. We all bring some food.
T-Debbora6450: It's started with the sin eaters, and went on to "death" eaters.
T-Debbora6450: It is they reason people still bring food when someone crosses over.
T_Brunhilde: It was believed that if a deceased person's soul was not released from its sins
TerriGIT: I just thought that was a Southern thing. LOL
T_Brunhilde: before the corpse was laid to rest in the earth, it would not pass into the glory of paradise
Draks: Hmmm
T_Brunhilde: but would instead be doomed to roam the earth each Halloween as one of the walking dead.
T-Debbora6450: I think that was engineered a long time ago by a very wise woman who
T_Brunhilde: To remedy this, a man or woman known as a "sin-eater" would be employed
T_Brunhilde: to ritually absorb the sins of the deceased by consuming food and drink
T-Debbora6450: devised a way to feed all the out-of-town company that comes to call.
T_Brunhilde: place upon the dead person's body.
T_Brunhilde: LOL! Deb, you may be right.
T-Debbora6450: Yes, I think is started out as a good thing and went to a bad situation
Cosmicflame: It is still a custom here to feed the poor
Draks: Deb have you ever read the book about How to Host a Wake?
T-Debbora6450: I once saw a documentary on it.
T_Brunhilde: After the food was eaten, the sin-eater was paid a fee and sent on his way.
TerriGIT: I think that was in the movie, The Order.
Cosmicflame: at least they get a good meal now and then when someone
Cosmicflame: kicks the bucket
T-Debbora6450: But it evolved into a very bad "taboo" to touch the poor who were the
TerriGIT: Yes, because they were tainted
T-Debbora6450: sin eaters. They were unclean and many of them starved to death.
T-Debbora6450: Because they were deemed so "unclean"
T_Brunhilde: How sad.
T_Brunhilde: After all they did to help.
Cosmicflame: But some truth is the offerings of food
Cosmicflame: for the crossed over people
T-Debbora6450: They would not house or shelter them - no unemployment for them!
Cosmicflame: they is a lot of energy given to them
T_Brunhilde: Cosmic, do they have a similar custom where you live?
Cosmicflame: Yes . a lot more
T_Brunhilde: What do you do?
Cosmicflame: because more are needy and hungry here
Cosmicflame: Well feeding poor persons is one essential
Cosmicflame: almost everyday for 40 days
Cosmicflame: then every year
Cosmicflame: depends of what anyone could afford
Cosmicflame: but it is essential in terms of feeding in the name of the crossed over person
T_Brunhilde: Oh, I see.
Cosmicflame: I have found a lot of energy is indeed passed to the crossed over person
Cosmicflame: I have also seen some entities requiring this
T_Brunhilde: How?
Cosmicflame: those who have had no one to offer food for them when they
T_Brunhilde: Oh, how sad...
Cosmicflame: crossed over have remained hungry for that energy
Cosmicflame: I have had a few asking me to for some help on thatr
T_Brunhilde: What did you do?
Cosmicflame: Just like we have strenght they do require it
Cosmicflame: They were a couple who were close to me
Cosmicflame: so I had given them energy from the Universe and drew it to them
Cosmicflame: then some who I did not know
Cosmicflame: I offered food in their name and that energy did indeed reach them
Cosmicflame: they came to thank me in turn
T_Brunhilde: Wonderful!
Cosmicflame: But as I find out old customs are not rubbish always
T-Debbora6450: I think it is very sad that a crossed over entity would get so low in energy
Cosmicflame: they make some sense
T-Debbora6450: They must have been slipping into the negative side of reality.
T_Brunhilde: These spirits were very fortunate to find Cosmic.
Cosmicflame: Yes being low is like being starved for decades or centuries
Cosmicflame: I am honored that I could help
T-Debbora6450: Would it not have been easier to just lead them into the light?
Cosmicflame: Yes only when their time comes
Cosmicflame: till then they will have to be here for what ever reason
Cosmicflame: They cannot go anywhere until the appointed hour
T-Debbora6450: To experiance negative energy.
Cosmicflame: or because they have slided down the energy plane by their actions
Cosmicflame: of choice in life
T-Debbora6450: Yes, that too.
T-Debbora6450: So is their anything else we need to know about the Season of the Witch?
Cosmicflame: Not everyone does everything above board
Cosmicflame: what happens to the negative spells cast now?
T-Debbora6450: Amen to that!
T_Brunhilde: If you want to do something less magickal, we also do a "cemetery sweep."
TerriGIT: It is the most wonderful time of the year.
Draks: I agree
Cosmicflame: how powerful are they?
Cosmicflame: What is the best way to negate?
T_Brunhilde: We pick a neglected cemetery here in town and clean it up.
T-Debbora6450: I love most cemeteries, so quiet. Oh good show!
TerriGIT: I found a nice quiet one near the Unto These Hills Theater in NC. It was up a steep hill off the road
TerriGIT: It was up a steep hill off the road.
T_Brunhilde: Some cemeteries have a timeless feel to them, as those we too have stepped through the veil.
T-Debbora6450: Yes, they do.
T_Brunhilde: Well guys, I really enjoyed talking with you all again.
Cosmicflame: our pleasure
T_Brunhilde: It's after 10PM and this witch has got to get up early.
TerriGIT: Is it time for you to turn into a pumpkin Brunhilde?
T-Debbora6450: We loved the chat! Great job Hilde!
T_Brunhilde: Hope not!
TerriGIT: LOL
TerriGIT: Yes, I enjoyed it
TerriGIT: thank you
T-Debbora6450: Thank you!
Cosmicflame: Great job. thank you
Draks: Me too
Draks: Thanks
T_Brunhilde: Speaking of spellwork, Deb your website is awesome.
Cosmicflame: twice for the great job at the convention too
T_Brunhilde: Thanks, it was wonderful.
T_Brunhilde: Talk to you all again on the 30th?
T-Debbora6450: Thanks! I'll be sending out links to the new catalog...you are all beta testers!
Cosmicflame: I may not be here--traveling
T-Debbora6450: Test and check before I make to go live.
Draks: I should be here.
T_Brunhilde: Sure, I'd love to help out.
TerriGIT: LOL
T_Brunhilde: Sorry we will miss you Cosmic. Take care.
Cosmicflame: the honour is all mine
T-Debbora6450: you can test the links, check the sample pages etc.
Cosmicflame: You too Hilde
TerriGIT: Yes, take care Cosmic
TerriGIT: We will see you again soon maybe?
T_Brunhilde: Merry Meet and Merry Part and Merry Meet Again!
Cosmicflame: Have a great vacation Terri
Cosmicflame: Terri
Cosmicflame: Mountains I suppose?
T-Debbora6450: Sending love Hilde!
T_Brunhilde: Terri, have a wonderful trip.
TerriGIT: Thank you. Yes, the Ozarks
TerriGIT: Thank you
TerriGIT: I will be gone next week at this time.
Cosmicflame: have a great time
Draks: Hey Deb, this is what is in my living room floor.
T_Brunhilde: Oh, how beautiful.
T-Debbora6450: Great dreams!
T_Brunhilde: Blessed Be.
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