Category: Sabbat

Improvise! Adapt! Overcome! Ostara during CoVid-19

3/31/2020

Improvise! Adapt! Overcome! has long been a motto of Inner Circle Sanctuary. That motto was put to the test recently with the viral outbreak of COVID19.

As state and federal officials were calling for self-isolation, many events locally, as well as throughout the country were cancelled. Non-essential businesses were closing doors, people were asked to go home and if you didn’t have to go out, then #stayhome.

Inner Circle Sanctuary is very good at keeping up with local and world events and the Elders were watching with a careful eye, to see how all of this would unfold. Our coven members’ safety is our first priority and with the implementation of social distancing for the next 30 days as ordered by our governor, our Ostara sabbat fell smack dab in the middle.

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Winter Solstice 2019

12/15/2019

Here in Las Vegas, the Winter Solstice will occur at 8:19 PM on Saturday, December 21. The Solstice is an astronomical event occurring when the earth’s North Pole reaches its furthermost tilt away from the Sun. The day marks the lowest possible maximum elevation of the sun.
The shortest days & longest nights here in Las Vegas will occur from December 16th - 27th (daylight will only last for 7 hours & 42 minutes).

MabonMabonMabon!

9/19/2019

Mabon very well may be my favorite Sabbat on the Wheel of the Years. If the summer heat has not broken yet, it surely will soon, and that is something to be thankful for. This year, 2019, the temperatures were in the 70s the two weeks before Sabbat when I left for work, and it cheered my heart.

Ostara 2018

3/17/2018

Ga: Lady Anwyn
Gi: Lord Tanys
Jf: Lady Byathynne
V: Lord Gwendolen

Equilux

3/15/2018

2019 Update
Sunday, March 17 is the day of the Equilux here in Las Vegas
The Vernal Equinox is on Wednesday, March 20 at 2:58 PM.

The Autumnal Equinox is on Monday, September 23 at 12:50 AM.
The Equilux is on Thursday, September 26.

2018 Update
Friday, March 16 is the day of the EQUILUX here in Las Vegas (As close as it can be, at least). Day and Night are mere seconds away from being equal! Midday is at 12:49 p.m.

The Vernal EQUINOX will occur on Mar. 20, 2018 at exactly 9:15 am.

2017 Update
In Las Vegas the EQUINOX is at September 22 Sat 6:54 PM PT
The EQUILUX occurs on Sep 26 - Wednesday ALL DAY with midday at 12:31 PM PT

2016 UPDATE
In Las Vegas the EQUINOX is at Sep 22 7:21 AM PDT
The Equilux occurs on Sep 25 - ALL DAY with midday at 12:32 PM

Sun and Moon, Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493

Sun and Moon 1493

The equinox is not really when the day and night are equal. We know that "equinox" derives from the Latin: aequinoctium - "aequi" or "equi" + noct (nox) or night or "equal night"... but No, not equal by a few minutes of the day

At the precise moment of the equinox there are three things happening:

1.) the sun is at zenith over the equator
2.) where the sun rises, it does so exactly in the east and where it sets it does so exactly in the west and
3.) both northern & southern hemispheres are EQUALLY illuminated on the side of the planet that the sun is shining on.

For us, here in Las Vegas, the EXACT moment of the equinox happened at 1:22 AM, earlier today. That's it. That one precise moment in time at 1:22 AM was the equinox.

Here in Las Vegas, dawn was at 6:29 AM and sunset was at 6:36 PM; giving us 12 hours and 6 minutes of daylight. Not equal. (But it's only six minutes... you can't forgive 6 minutes?!) No.

There are two reasons for this inequality: First, the sun is not a point in the sky. It is a disk. The apparent size of the sun (it's BIG & CLOSE) matters. Second, the atmospheric refraction of the sunlight in relation to the latitude of your location. The earth's atmosphere bends the light adding or subtracting how much actual daylight you have. Check this site for a more thorough explanation: Day and night exactly equal at equinoxes? By Bruce McClure)

Somewhere in the early 2000's, someone (probably my soul twin), usurped the word "Equilux" to mean 'equal day and night'... taken from a lighting term meaning 'equal illumination' or 'equal light'.

The equilux for Las Vegas will occur on September 26.... and guess what? It's the whole day!

Screenshot from http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/las-vegas

Happy Thanksgiving by Faith Goble https://www.flickr.com/photos/grafixer/5189263412

But despite that most don't exactly know the astronomical details, the Autumnal Equinox is a time to give "Thanks" for the success of our harvests, whether literal or metaphorically, and to prepare and look to the future return of that bounty.

We pay respects to the coming forces of night and Winter and learn from them as we ourselves prepare for the dark season ahead. The night starts waxing and the day begins waning and we are reminded that nothing ever remains without change.

The Inner Circle Sanctuary celebrates all these aspects of the Autumn Equinox in it's ritual. We honor the Old Ones and pay respects to our ancestors by doing as they did in this season; by giving offerings from the harvest back to Mother Earth and to mark the season.

We hope your Autumnal Equinox was filled with love, laughter, family, and friendship... and a deep and loving connection with all that envelops us.

~Lady Atheona

Click on the photo for more pictures from the ICS Mabon 2015 Sabbat

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If you are interested in learning more about us,
please don't hesitate to Contact Us.

If you are interested in Joining our classes,
please start with our questionnaire here.

Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equinox
http://www.weather.com/science/nature/news/fall-autumnal-september-equinox
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/09/150922-equinox-autumn-seasons-sun-moon-space-science/ >> Great movie here 2:44 min
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/equinox
Why aren't there exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness on the fall equinox? http://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-fall-autumnal-equinox
Day and night exactly equal at equinoxes? By Bruce McClure http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/why-arent-day-and-night-equal-on-the-day-of-the-equinox
The Witches Bible by Janet and Stewart Farrar
ICS Sabbat packet

The Sun God in the Wiccan Mythos

11/19/2017

THE SUN GOD
in the Wiccan Mythos
Presented by Inner Circle Sanctuary

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018
at 2pm
at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum
900 Las Vegas Blvd. North
Las Vegas, NV 89101

$12.00 Adults
$10.00 Seniors, Military and Students
$6.00 Children (3-11)
FREE Children (2 and younger),
Las Vegas Natural History Museum Members
ASTC Travel Passport Program (Two Adults & Two Children FREE)

https://www.facebook.com/LasVegasNaturalHistoryMuseum/

Midsummer 2017 Newsletter

6/19/2017

Midsummer - Summer Solstice
Estival Solstice
Tuesday, June 20, 2017 @ 9:24 PM PT

The Solstice is a celestial event that occurs when our planet's rotational axis, in either the northern or southern hemisphere, is most inclined towards the sun. The Earth is actually farthest from the Sun during this time of the year. The exact instant of time when the Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer marks the exact day and time of the solstice in June.

Isn't the Summer Solstice
the 'Beginning' of Summer?

When you look at your modern calendar, the Estival solstice is labeled as the beginning of Summer, so why do we call it Midsummer?

If we were to actually begin the seasons with the cross-quarter days of

Imbolg, the very beginning of spring,
Bealtaine, the very beginning of Summer.
Lughnasadh, the very beginning of the Autumn harvesting season, and
Samhain, the early beginning of Winter

then it's easy to see why the Summer Solstice is known as "Midsummer". (and why Yule is oft called "Midwinter".)

LITHA

Venerable Bede

Litha is a name often heard bandied about as another name for the Summer Solstice. Litha first came into use as a result of research by Aiden Kelly from a treatise called 'The Reckoning of Time' (De temporum ratione) written by a Northumbrian monk, Bede in 725 AD. The scholarly Bede described a variety of ancient calendars, including the Anglo-Saxon calendar that named the month of June (se Ærra Liþa, early Litha month) and July, (Æfterra Liþa, later Litha month). "It may have helped that it had been appropriated, as “Lithe,” for the Midsummer festival in the hobbits’ calendar in J. R. R. Tolkien’s fantasy masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings (Tolkien 1966)." Aiden Kelly also brought the names of Mabon and Ostara into the neopagan vernacular so that all the sabbats could have traditional names.

Ancient Celebrations of the Solstice

Epona - a Vestal Virgin - Kupala See below for links

Celebrations of the Summer solstice occurs in history around the world, much like that of all the quarter days.

"In ancient China, the summer solstice was observed by a ceremony to celebrate the Earth, femininity, and the “yin” forces."
"In ancient Gaul, the Midsummer celebration was called Feast of Epona.
"Some Native American tribes held ritual dances to honor the Sun.
"For the Greeks, it would, according to some calendars, mark the start of the new year and the month-long countdown toward the Olympics.
"For the Romans, the solstice was the occasion for another unique exception to everyday life: on the first day of the festival of Vestalia, married women could, for one day only, enter the temples of the vestal virgins to make offerings to Vesta, goddess of the hearth and home.
"Mayas and Aztecs used the day as a marker by which to build many of their central structures, so that the buildings would align perfectly with the shadows of the two solstices, summer and winter.
"In Jewish tradition, it’s known as Tekufat Tammuz, the solstice of the month Tammuz.
"Eastern Europe celebrates the solstice with Kupala, a Slavic holiday with pagan roots. Named for the Slavic goddess Kupala, it was originally conceived as a fertility rite.
"Throughout Austria (and especially in the mountains of the Wilder Kaiser region of Tyrol), fires dot the countryside to celebrate the solstice."

Quoted from The Scientific American

How You Can Celebrate Midsummer

Osterfeuer TK on the beach of Binz, Rügen island, Germany by Tom Küpper - See below for link

Honor the longest day of the year. Wake at dawn. Stay up the entire day & night to greet the next day's sunrise.
Celebrate the power of the sun. Light candles specifically for the Sun when indoors or host a get-together around a bonfire.
Have a Midsummer's Night Bonfire Ritual. Include a barbecue feast to follow. Don't forget the Goddess! Supply a kiddie pool, squirt guns, water balloons and other water features.
Celebrate Fathers: Litha falls near Father's Day, so take some time and honor dads and the sacred masculine.
Use the day to recharge your magical tools by the light of the sun and the glow of the moon.
Attune with the God of the Green. Visit a nearby forest. Hike a trail. Meditate about and ground with your surroundings.
Head to the beach to soak in the heat of the Sun God but remember to cool off with the Ocean Goddess. Spend the evening there as well, with a bonfire to fight the chill coming off the water.
Light your bonfire by drawing down the sun and use a bit of the flame to light a brand new everlasting altar candle or lamp.

The God Face Surreal by Kyle Pearce - See below for link

Midsummer Folklore & Magic

Jumping a bonfire safely would guarantee good luck for the coming year.
Make an amulet of protection from the ashes of your Midsummer bonfire.
Create a stone circle and sit up all night on Midsummer's eve to see the fae. Carry rue in your pocket for protection or turn your jacket inside out to confuse them.
Whisper a wish to a pebble, circle the Midsummer bonfire three times and then toss the stone in to fulfill your wish.
Write your prayer (wish) on a paper boat, fill it with flowers, set it on fire, and let the boat travel down a stream.
Raise a tall, leafy Maypole to dance around.

'Fairy Islands' from the book Elves and Fairies 1916 by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite - See Link Below

Sun Gods

Ra aboard the Atet, his solar barge - See link below

Ra - Horus - Apollo - Helios -
Freyr - Huitzilopochtli - Lugh - Hvar Khshaita -
Inti - Liza - Mithras - Sol Invictus -
Surya - Tonatiuh - Utu (Shamash)

Apollo in his chariot with the hours by John Singer Sargent in the Museum of Fine Arts - See link below

Latest Blog Posts from
Inner Circle Sanctuary

Your Holy Day (Birthday)
Bealtaine 2017
June 2017 Newsletter
Origins of Inner Circle Sanctuary
The Pentagram for Inner Circle Sanctuary

Upcoming Events with
Inner Circle Sanctuary

July 15 - Pagan Bread Making
Aug 19 - What You Need To Know About Tarot
Sep 9 - My So Called Magical Life
Oct 21 - Samhain: Winter Has Come

Follow our events on Facebook to get notified when they are listed. Mark interested to get informational tidbits leading up to the event.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Midsummer Information gathered from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsummer
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/literally-psyched/why-we-celebrate-the-summer-solstice/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Reckoning_of_Time
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bede
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00155870802352178
Photo credits:
Globe Photo from http://www.michaelquinton.org/summer-solstice.html
Epona ~ The Celtic Horse Goddess By Emily Balivet, 2009 http://www.emilybalivet.com/Epona.html
Vestal Virgin by Jean Raoux (1677–1734) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jean_Raoux_-_Vestal_Virgin_-_WGA18999.jpg
Kupala (aka Festivities on Midsummer Night) by Wojciech Gerson (1831–1901) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gerson-Kupala.jpg
Osterfeuer TK on the beach of Binz, Rügen island, Germany by Tom Küpper
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Osterfeuer_TK.jpg
The God Face Surreal by Kyle Pearce
https://www.flickr.com/photos/keepitsurreal/1794450683
'Fairy Islands' from the book Elves and Fairies 1916 by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%27Fairy_Islands%27_from_the_book_Elves_and_Fairies_1916_by_Ida_Rentoul_Outhwaite.jpg
Ra aboard the Atet, his solar barge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_deity#/media/File:Ra_Barque.jpg
Apollo in his chariot with the hours by John Singer Sargent Museum of Fine Arts
http://www.mfa.org/collections/publications/john-singer-sargent-murals-museum-fine-arts-boston
Copyright © 2017 Inner Circle Sanctuary, All rights reserved.

Bealtaine 2017

6/11/2017

The Elders of Inner Circle Sanctuary (ICS) are made up of second and third degree initiates of the ICS, or previous TOTIC, program. The job of the Elders, as administrators, is to resolve issues, plan extracurricular events, review the teaching programs, discuss the advancements and well-being of our members, and plan, assign, and execute the sabbat holidays. When needed or desired, an Elder will step in and perform the sabbat ritual.

Being a student of ICS means you never stop learning. Our 1st year students learn the basic sabbat ring and perform as High Priestess or High Priest when they want to and are able. It is the only ring we ask our students to use whenever they do any work. It is chock full of every basic ritual a new and burgeoning witch needs.

Our second year students learn a whole new ring to add to their repertoire; a different way of creating sacred space. Just as in the first year, it is a ring they must commit to memory while maintaining the first year sabbat ring.

Third year students learn several rings. The rings for the third year program cover the gamut of priesthood duties: Wiccanings, Handfastings, Requiems, Initiations, and more involved sabbat rings, or as we call them: Greater Ritual Rings.

When an ICS Elder fulfills the role of a High Priestess or High Priest of a sabbat, they can institute something we call "Elder Options." An Elder Option is when an Elder adds particular parts of a Greater Ritual Ring to the first year sabbat ring. It is a change-up and quite the treat (or scare tactic) for those students looking to attain their second degree initiation. On rare occasion, both roles of High Priestess and High Priest are filled with an elder and when this happens, those elders can decide to blow the socks off their younger, up & coming, brethren. This was the occasion at our Bealtaine sabbat.

Lady Sistterwolf, 2nd degree initiate, Elder, & Guardian was the High Priestess and Lord Tanys, 3rd degree initiate, Guardian, and High Priest of ICS led our coven in the Bealtaine sabbat and fully populated it with Elder Options. The younger members of the coven were able to see the entirety of the opening ritual from a wholly different viewpoint.

Because we wanted it to be a surprise, there was a bit of discombobulation when they realized none of them had been assigned to call quarters, sprinkle, or cense. When the huge bag of salt was uncovered by a first year student, their thought was, "Holy Cow, was it really necessary to bring this gargantuan bag [of salt] to fill up the little bowl for the altar!?” And then there was more "hubbub and confusion" when the members were asked to line up their chairs outside the ring in a spot where that is not normally done. Thankfully, our group is a curious bunch so the irregularities were more in wonderment that chaos, as if the fun and endearing Lord of Misrule had come to share the night.

We remind our members every single sabbat to dress in layers because here in the high desert of the Mohave, it gets quite cold at night... no matter how hot it gets during the day. The relief from the cold of being outside the ring was collectively felt when they were finally allowed to enter. Immediately, the Witches' Rune helped to bring the temperature higher so that the cold was all but forgotten. The ritual for Bealtaine itself was filled with mirth and rejoicing. The Great Rite was a beautiful and poignant display of our reverence for all life, and the closing ritual was filled with toasts and love. The sabbat was incredible for elders and younger members alike.

But the after party though... So. Much. Food. So. Much. Our beloved guests entertained us with stories and the members themselves provided us with poems and songs and jokes to delight.

Last word concerning this sabbat for all of us at ICS: Unforgettable.

-Lady Atheona
Elder & Guardian
Inner Circle Sanctuary

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Samhain: Winter Has Come

6/8/2017

Samhain: Winter Has Come
with Lady Atheona
from Inner Circle Sanctuary
SATURDAY, October 21, 2017 at 6pm

This event is RSVP only.
Please email us at innercirclesanctuary@gmail.com
or message us here for location details.

$10 donation
or bring what you can afford.
100% of donations are given to charity.

“Samhain is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year. Samhain is believed to have Celtic pagan origins and there is evidence it has been an important date since ancient times. Samhain was seen as a liminal time, when the boundary between this world and the Otherworld could more easily be crossed. While Bealtaine was a summer festival for the living, Samhain "was essentially a festival for the dead." Traditionally, Samhain was a time to take stock of the herds and food supplies. Samhain is seen by some Wiccans as a time to celebrate the lives of those who have died, and it often involves paying respect to ancestors, family members, elders of the faith, friends, pets and
other loved ones who have died."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain
Join us on our Facebook invite for magical tidbits until the event. Click here.

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Ostara Sabbat 2017

4/19/2017

Ostara 2017
Inner Circle Sanctuary
High Priestess - Lady Nashoba
High Priest - Lord Tanys
Maiden - Lady Ravenfeather
Summoner - Lord Anwyn

Did you know that the observance of the 'New Year' was once dictated by the outbreak of Spring which 'seemingly' happened to coincide with the moment the Sun crossed the celestial equator from south to north? For many cultures, the Spring Equinox is the start of a new year; a fresh start; a new beginning.

The advent of two new members joining our small congregation allowed us to experience the newness of a sabbat again. The nervousness, the ceaseless smiles, the frenzied excitation... it hearkened us back to our own first times with this new group. Sometimes the emotional tension is not displayed so readily, which is why we love being able to read the journal experiences our members are required to write after every sabbat.

The newness of the season, the new students, the sightings of new gorgeous growth and the abundance of fauna in our desert gladdened our many hearts. Our ring was set up quickly and deftly and the members were able to relax and commune before the ritual began. Many explored the sights, nooks, and crannies of our sabbat site. Some napped, some were swept up with family and friend fellowships, and others enjoyed the quietness of the escape from the Las Vegas urban landscape.

As the sun set, the announcement of the approach of our High Priestess Lady Joyanna and High Priest Lord Tanys rang through the air starting the ceremony. Lady Ravenfeather swept the ring and Lady Nashoba and Lord Tanys took their places as the leaders of the ritual. Everyone gave their blessings for the potted seeds and a new, fresh poem from Lady Sistterwolf debuted. After the magical ring was taken down, we crowned Lady Ravenfeather as the Spring Queen and were delighted with all the attending males giving her the five-fold kiss to honor her. We ate the decorated eggs and drank the wondrous mead in celebration. After ring festivities graced us with a haunting song, a fire dance, poetry, stories, and jokes lending to another exceptional sabbat celebrated.

One of the great things about being in touch with the wheel of the year is that with every revolution we can start anew and afresh; every single season can be a marker to start again; and every dawn can bring a new perspective and beginning. We hope your new year, starting today, was great, and that your new day tomorrow is just as lovely.

A note about sacrifice...

The High Priestess for our sabbat spent a few weeks creating a wheel of the year for her sabbat altar. It was remarkable and everyone took their time in admiring it.

At sabbat's end, Lady Nashoba placed the piece into the holy fire and gave it to the Gods. There was a bit of shock from some of our younger (and older) members.

The concept of sacrifice is something we cover during our sabbat chapters for there are many. The Bridhe's Bed at Imbolg, the Maypole and flower crown at Bealtaine, the best (first) fruits at harvest, etc.

On a personal note, this kind of offering is my favorite: a hand wrought gift with the deities in mind as they are being made.

Here are a couple of article on Offerings to the Gods. The second one is my favorite.

What You Need To Know When Offering To Your Deities

Offerings to Gods in Hellenismos

Blessed Be,
Lady Atheona

Imbolg Sabbat 2017

2/18/2017

Imbolg 2017
Inner Circle Sanctuary

High Priestess - Lady Isaadora
High Priest - Lord Tanys

Maiden - Lady Diamondsage
Summoner - Lord Nashoba

We, as American witches and Wiccans, while thoroughly moved by the rituals we perform or are performed by our brethren, are never more impressed when someone gets to 'Draw Down the Sun' or declaim 'The Charge' with a foreign accent. And while a British accent, that of our Wiccan fore-mothers and forefathers, is no doubt pretty impressive, there is nothing, NOTHING like hearing Drawing Down the Sun when performed by a thickly accented, Puerto Rican High Priestess. Every. Single. Attendee. Had. Goosebumps.

The night was definitely warmer than it was at Yule. Someone had remarked last sabbat that the only blessing about doing their sabbat outdoors at Yule would be that there would be no bugs. LOL. The bugs must have been out during the dusk hour approaching ritual because we were visited by a few low sweeping bats. Yep... spring would soon be on its way.

While setting up the ring and center fire a few of the students decorated the wood pile with the corn dollies from the previous year that wouldn't fit into the fire pit. We make new corn dollies every year and burn the old ones at Imbolg. While sorting through the photos and after binge watching the Walking Dead as I am wont to do, I created the Wicker Man Corn Dolly Carnage picture.

Lady Diamondsage's besom was a gorgeous beast, an appearance of "I'm a little teapot" delighted us, and one brand new member said taking part in the ritual was like being in a movie. I sure do hope it wasn't one of those creepy, horror movies where the witches win in the end (The Wicker Man, Spellbinder.... who am I kidding. Yes I do. We win!)

I'm kidding!!!! Or am I?

~Lady Atheona

The First Year

12/30/2016

The First Year

The first year seemed so long
All the questions we got wrong
"When will we finally initiate?
All this waiting is something we hate"
"When you are ready", the elders said
"When we have crammed all this in your head.
The Witch’s Rune and every Sabbat date
When you come on time and are not late"

"We can do this!" Our hearts cried
But some of those hearts lied
Some left for this or that
Some just did not ever come back
But finally the time did arrive
The day for which we all strive
And then it seemed that time went too fast
We could not believe a year and one had passed.

All the laughter and the fun
Learning of the moon and the sun.
The bonds and friendships made
Holding on to those who stayed
I beseech you all in robes of white
Enjoy this rare delight
Never again will it be this way
Most will go but some will stay
Don’t be bothered by the changing faces
Don’t be balked by the changing paces
Let that universal bell ring
Lift your voice higher. Sing!

Go with the flow, and ride the tide
Know your lessons and do not hide
For at the end of a year and a day
Most will have gone and you will have stayed.

Written by our poet Elder Lady Sisterwolf c.2002

Temple of the Inner Circle sabbat setup c. 2000's

Temple of the Inner Circle Bealtaine c. 2000's

Temple of the Inner Circle sabbat camp c. 2000's

Yule Sabbat 2016

12/18/2016

Summoner, High Priestess, High Priest, Maiden

Yule 2016
Inner Circle Sanctuary

High Priestess - Lady Gwendolyn
High Priest - Lord Redhawk

Maiden - Lady Rosimari
Summoner - Lord Zaiaa

The Inner Circle, in whatever incarnation, has always, always, always, celebrated it's sabbats outside and in nature. We look for places that are somewhat remote (yet accessible by vehicle for those physically disabled) in the wonder of Nature, herself. If that place can show the changes in the season, the better suited. I can count on one set of hands how many times our sabbat rituals had to be taken indoors because of rain.

Here in the Mohave desert, it gets c-c-c-cold at night in the winter. But what gladdens my heart every winter sabbat is the commentary on how no one notices the cold until after the magical ring is picked up by the High Priestess. Not that this is a new phenomenon, however anecdotal. The observation serves to remind me that we're doing things right. When a young witchling can break their focus from the trials and tribulations of the week and the bitter, bitter cold of a desert winter to spotlight on the joy, ritual, reverie, and comradery in a sabbat ring.... it suffuses me with warmth.

Of course, while in the ring, there are reminders at how cold it is: the water to sprinkle the ring growing a layer of ice that needs to be physically cracked to perform that aspect to the sight of half frozen propane bottles on the lanterns at each quarter; small reminders and usually quickly forgotten.

After the ring, we exchanged gifts and the consideration, ingenuity, and craftsmanship was nothing short of marvelous. We had a visitor to our ring and she was regaled with stories with how we all found our way to our coven family by our Lady Joyanna's direction. (We're not quite sure if she wanted to hear the stories, but she was kind, stayed, and listened.)

We retired indoors where there were songs, stories, jokes, and a marvelous amount of delicious food. It was reflected upon that for quite a few people, 2016 was pretty bad. Losses and major life changes seemed to have affected everyone, but everyone also had a bright and shining center to keep their focus... our coven family. Yeah... we're doing it right.

~Lady Atheona

Celebration of the Wheel Event 2016

12/5/2016

Sunday, December 18 at 1 PM

Celebration of the Wheel
by Lady Rowyn

A brief introduction to Yule and each of the Eight Sabbats that make up the Wiccan Wheel of the Year
at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum for their 'A December to Remember' cultural celebration
http://www.lvnhm.org/

900 Las Vegas Blvd North, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Cross streets are Las Vegas Blvd. and Washington Ave.

Museum Entrance Fees:
$10.00 Adults
$8.00 Seniors, Military and Students
$5.00 Children (3–11)
FREE Children (2 and younger)

Facebook Event Link

The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper

11/10/2016

"So the shortest day came, and the year died,
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.

They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;

They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive,

And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.

Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us - Listen!!

All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:

They carol, fest, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.

And so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!!"

- Susan Cooper, The Shortest Day
Music: Cold - Jorge Méndez

Samhain 2016

11/6/2016

1 Comment

Inner Circle Sanctuary - Samhain 2016

High Priestess - Lady Nashoba
High Priest - Lord Rand

Maiden - Lady Gwendolyn
Summoner - Lord Sissterwolf

It's November in Vegas, and even here in the Mohave Desert the temperatures usually cool during daylight hours.... usually; but not this day. It was unseemingly hot, however, we were grateful it was not as unbearable as Vegas summer days are wont to get. The majority of us arrived nice and early to help set-up the area.

We always include a lot of photos of set-up. It is during this time that we joke, laugh, and build bonds between us. The building of the ring allows for a flawless ritual to follow. The in-depth preparation prevents mishaps later when you want the focus to be on the magic and ritual of the sabbat. Meticulously, using an actual compass, we find the four quarters and hammer in the beautifully hand-forged quarter markers that Lord Rdhawk made for us. For Samhain, our quarters are also marked by the carved pumpkins whose 'noses' reflected their guardianship. The building of the firepit (which almost always turns into a class) ensures that when the High Priest is ready to light it for ritual, it is immediately aflame. The circle is drawn using the tools we bring to rake and shovel the rocks and then the rope is laid with an entrance in the northeast. Once the rope is planted, and even though there isn't any energy commited yet, the doorway to the ring is the marker by which we enter. The ring space is sacred once the rope is down. There is no stepping over the rope to retrieve a item from the altar or to take an item there. All that is left is for the maiden to clear the province with her besom, the High Priestess / Goddess incarnate to cast the ring, and for it to be consecrated with the elements; all parts of the ritual itself. There are many levels and layers to constructing a magical sabbat ring which means many hands. It is this working together for the festivities ahead that help to build our comradery and closeness. You can see the reflection of this bonding in the friendships that are forged.

BFFs Lady Nashoba and Lord Rand were ecstatic for finally being able to work together. Their love, care, and devotion to one another was emulated by all who attended. Sometimes though, in the excitement of it all, and in the nervousness and stress that comes with being the leaders of a celebration, the meticulous preparations of SELF are forgotten. Self preparation for ritual is just as important. One must take care to eat and drink and rest, especially on an abnormally hot November day. During the ritual, directly after casting the ring, Lady Nashoba grew lightheaded and in a display of proper coven etiquette, the maiden, Lady Gwendolyn stepped in as the assistant to the High Priestess. (In my 19 years with Inner Circle Temple and with Inner Circle Sanctuary, it was the very first time we have ever had to do this that I had witnessed. It was unsettling in the most wonderful way. ~Atheona) Lady Nashoba was able to recover quickly and reclaim her leadership role to finish the night.

Everyone wore masks and some dressed in beautiful regalia. From paying respects to the honoring of the Lord of Misrule, the remainer of the sabbat was delightful. There was giggling as the members did the Dance of Going and Returnings and shrieks of delight as they spun back into life. There were of course, sad moments. The reading of the names of those who have made our coven what it is today brought scattered tears and the toasts to our loved ones choked up more than a few of us. After the circle there was birthday cake for our lovely Lady Joyanna, leader of our crew, along with some delicious wassail, punny pagan jokes, songs, stories, and dancing. The Sanderson Sisters even honored us with a visit and a wonderful performance.

As we move into the winter season (hopefully the days here in Vegas cool quickly), we will huddle even closer to one another for the warmth and love that comes from being a family. We will plan and prepare; we will eat and drink; and we will work and celebrate each other. In the dead season, LIFE is always appreciated much, much more.

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That Which Is Remembered Lives

10/18/2016

That Which Is Remembered Lives
DINING WITH THE DEAD

In our tradition, the word 'tradition', means so much. Whence we camest is very important.... both the positive and the negative. From the positive we are emboldened to be the best, and from the negative we learn and change, which is why we often add the word "living" with tradition. What we have is a living tradition.

In our tradition for Samhain we honor those who have passed who were a part of us. Our members are encouraged to bring a 'Dumb Supper' for their loved ones; purchase or cook the favorite meal of your loved one(s) to set upon the 'Dumb Supper ' altar just outside our ritual area. When the ritual is done and we gather, the food is moved to around the fire with us and we exchange stories of those loved ones, if wished.

During the ritual for the coven, we incorporate the names of those who have passed among us, lest we ever forget. The single peal of the summoner's bell emphasizes the pointed and poignant effect their lives and deaths have upon us.

Personal remembrances at this time are varied and just as effective. Personal anecdote: a few years ago, my very young niece asked about Halloween and why it was a holiday. "Many people believe that at this time, the curtain between the world of the dead and the world of the living stands open. So many people welcome home all those people they loved with food and drink and fires and love."

Some people will make a photo display on a table, burn some candles, and put a plate of food for the deceased on it, like an altar.

Others will set places at the table and serve their loved ones food that they will take out into the yard afterwards as an offering or feed to the dogs.

Some will set the table with just an empty plate and a photo of the loved one.

Others will adorn the dinner table with photographs and serve and eat dinner in silence - hence the term 'Dumb Supper.'

Some will visit a temple, shrine, or the graveyard and spend the day eating and talking around their loved ones graves.

Some tips:
If you do decide to serve your deceased love ones food, don't let anyone else eat it.

Try to serve foods they liked... when I pass, if someone pours some beer for me, just imagine the wrinkly face I will make from it.... coffee, on the other hand, well...

Many cultures honor their ancestors / loved ones throughout the year... not just at Samhain. Big holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's, and their birthdays are great days to have your passed love ones rejoin you for the day!

Whatever you do, however you honor your loved ones and/or ancestors, just remember them.
Say their names.
Tell their stories.

As our Lord Tanys likes to say, "That Which Is Remembered; lives."

-Lady Atheona

Food is offered to the ancestors during the annual Hungry Ghost festival prayers. Thailand. by Sampuna
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Festival
public domain

Altar tradicional de día de muertos en Milpa Alta, México DF by Eneas de Troya
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead#/media/File:Altardediademuertos.jpg
CC BY 2.0

A Ryukyuan butsudan - This photo was taken at a birthday celebration and the ancestors were included in the celebration by presenting them with dinner and birthday cake.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryukyuan_religion#/media/File:Ryukyu_Butsudan.jpg
public domain

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Lughnasadh 2016

10/12/2016

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Lughnasadh Sabbat 2016

High Priestess: Lady Nashoba
Summoner: Lord Rand

High Priest: Lord Tanys
Maiden: Lady Satthel

As the author of the sabbat posts, I try to keep them separate from my being an instructor with the Inner Circle Sanctuary. Unfortunately, at times, it is too difficult, as it will be with this one.

The leader of our ritual was Lady Nashoba. Lady Nashoba Is Inner Circle Sanctuary's oldest first-year student. She is my oldest student. This was her first time leading a sabbat ritual. My heart swelled in love for her (and with a little pride). She is beloved by all of her peers and by her elders. Lady Nashoba has surpassed the standards we expect from students and shines a positive light on all the work we do as instructors.

So many of our members helped with the setup of the ring and were finished early enough so we could all relax and visit and revel in each others company before the ritual would start. Sitting in a round, there were stories and jokes, and great conversations. We were visited by the forestry service before the ritual was to begin and the visit was pleasant and informative. Our Lady Morgana had developed such a rapport with the rangers that we are always made to feel welcome. I am glad we continue the tradition to this day.

After the officer left, the familiar cry of "Robe Up!" rang through the air. The sea of white robes of our first years and the pepper of black and greens robes of those well on their way to second year prepared for ritual, helping each other get dressed, get belted, and with chaplet straightening.

After respects were paid, Lady Satthel swept the ring and cleared it of negative energy. I'm almost sure, in this environment, it was neglible, but she did an earnest and wonderful job. This was Lady Satthel's first leading role in a ritual. As a maiden, not only is she responsible for helping to make a sacred space, but for assisting the High Priestess in anything she may need. I'm sure Lady Nashoba truly appreciated having her friend as her maiden. (Lady Satthel is also one of my students and again, I was riddled with pride.)

The opening ritual was beautifully performed by Lady Nashoba and Lord Tanys. The quarter callers summoned the elementals, the Goddess and God were invoked and then the rest of the coven joined them so the ring could be erected. The Summoner, Lord Rand, in his role as leader and director did his job with excellence, as always, and served as another pillar of strength and comfort to his High Priestess and peer. (Lord Rand is also one of my students and again, pride crept in.) The triple ring was cast and then the Witches' Rune chant echoed through the dark. The energy built was electric and vibrated the walls of the ring by the time they finished. The High Priestess remarked that she felt like she 'had all this light coming out of every pore.'

The ritual ensued and after a tantalizing Love Chase and the sacrifice of the Holly King, the High Priestess' enchanting dance with her Bread of Life resurrected him fully, allowing him to sing the Song of Amergin with great depth and bravado. The Holly King took his rightful place as leader of the waning year.

Celebration afterwards consisted of songs, dancing, poetry and stories.

Our brethren are required to write a journal entry reflecting their sabbat experience, for their books of shadows mainly, but we elders get to read them.

"I remember starting the Charge, “Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full…….” and then….I have no idea what I said, or if I said anything at all until the end when “my love is poured out upon the earth.” I hope I said it correctly, because I seriously, have no idea. It’s like I wasn’t even there during that part."
~Lady Nashoba

"...my friend, my peer, my rock, the student I look up to and try to emulate the most was our High Priestess. I wish that Lady Nashoba could see herself through my and her fellow students’ eyes. There has not been anyone in our class, or in our group since I joined that has done any more for the group as a whole, for our craft and for her own growth as Lady Nashoba. I treasure her advice and friendship dearly and am proud to have been the summoner for her first sabbat as High Priestess. She is an amazing witch, full of empathy and an inner-strength ..we all knew she was going to kill it."
~Lord Rand

" I felt a part of this Sabbat, even though I did not participate in the ring. Being in or out of the ring is uplifting and food for my soul and I hope to be a part of many more. "
~Lady Ravenfeather

"Every sabbat I attend just reinforces my commitment to the Gods and this religion."
~Lady Isaadora

As an instructor and an elder of Inner Circle Sanctuary, I am wont to congratulate each and every student in their progress to becoming witches. In weekly classes we see that they comprehend the base material and their progress, academically, is visible and lauded. But it is at these sabbats, these celebrations, these close connections to the universe where we can measure the depth of their love of the Craft, their love of the Gods, and their spiritual growth. It is all their doing... we do not make them spiritual, and I know my 'pride' is unwarranted. The pride is theirs, for they have accomplished or are in the midst of becoming what they have longed for... I just carry it for now. Right up to their initiations.

~Lady Atheona

Lughnasadh 2016 - Inner Circle Sanctuary

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Autumn Equinox 2016

10/12/2016

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Autumn Equinox 2016

High Priestess: Lady Sive
Summoner: Lord Zaiaa

High Priest; Lord Rand
Maiden: Lady Gwendolyn

Despite several hiccups this ritual, the sabbat was beautiful. The energy conveyed by the High Priestess and High Priest sustained throughout despite two rounds of dancing and chanting in the thinness of the high mountain air.

Our group follows the strict rule that once a ring is erected, it should never be broken, or the High Priestess or High Priest must recast it to put us again, in that place that is not a place and in that time that is not a time. When it does happen, the energy of the group can skitter about the area and throw everyone off of their game, sometimes dissolving the ritual space into one of unfocused haphazard emotions. It takes a strong High Priestess and High Priest to steer the course. If the invocations of the Goddess and God were applied correctly, it is rare that this discombobulation occurs. The Goddess, channeled by Lady Sive, took strength and grace with her as she recast the ring and the frenzied energies were quickly dissipated. The God, as channeled through Lord Rand, lent all his strength to support to Her and the remainder of the ritual went off without a hitch.

Whether it was the two separate dances or the need to recast the ring, or perhaps both, it seemed to energize the Goddess thoroughly for it compelled the chopping of the harvest vegetables with much zeal and glee, which was shared by all. Delightful rings of laughter drifted to the trees.

After the ring, we played a round of the Candle Game... something I personally, hadn't done in a long, long time... Whee!! So, SO much fun. Thank you to our guests for participating, as well.

We gather with the Gods eight times a year at these celebrations and never know what to expect when they grace us with their company. One thing we know for sure is that they will bring out the very best in us and if that is not something beautiful to be grateful for, then I don't know what is.

~Lady Atheona

Autumn Equinox / Mabon 2016 - Inner Circle Sanctuary

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Litha 2016

6/26/2016

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Litha Sabbat 2016

High Priestess: Lady Sistterwolf High Priest: Lord Rand

It is not so often anymore that we are able to have our sabbats in the Spring Mountains. There was a time when we were there even in the snowy, bone-chilling cold of the Yule and Imbolg seasons. However, having been driven off the mountain by blizzards and having the amount of snowfall prevent braving the location, we still try to utilize our favorite site whenever possible during the Spring and Summer months. And though we are restricted to a propane firepit, we revelled in the respite from the 113 degree Las Vegas valley.

Lady Sistterwolf and Lord Rand led the ring and group wonderfully, despite the blood loss suffered by the High Priest right at the beginning of the ring; a quick tape up and he was ready to go. Our Lord Summoner for the ritual was the lovely (and stern) Lady Earnelian who instructed the coveners where to be and what to expect next. Lady Bearkasl swept the ring with grace and quarter callers, Lady Nashoba, Lady Sive, and Lady Rosmari invited the elementals in with love and strength. The celebration of the Golden Season looked amazing with the remnant of the setting sun illuminating the night sky.

Individually, we take away the best memories for ourselves with everyone’s being different. The few I heard from loved the camping, others the ritual, and others the comradery. An unprecedented amount of guests joined us in our festivities and they made the merry-making even more joyous. Many were very curious as it was their first time at a Wiccan sabbat and questions abounded. Hopefully, the memories they took away are as enchanting and diverse as they were for the rest of us.

Atheona

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