L’institucionalisme de l’elecció racional

Midsummer’s Day/Summer Solstice: June 21 This festival of fire and water was likely first celebrated by the Romans. Generally fires are lit today, and wreaths are tossed into the ritual flames along with the participants’ wishes. You can then carry the ashes with you as a charm for abundance or scatter them in your garden to improve its yield. Decorate your altar with traditional touches, such as birch, fennel, and lily, and watch out for fairy folk who might take up residence in a nearby rose bush! Consider casting spells that focus on mental clarity or physical strength.

Day of the Seven Sleepers: June 27

An old Muslim story tells us that six people went into a cave to test their faith in God. A dog guarded the cave’s entrance, and the people fell asleep inside and remained there for more than 300 years. For his devotion, the dog is now in paradise over-seeing matters of communication.

Because of this tale, Muslims never say they’ll do some-thing tomorrow unless it’s followed by the phrase “if God pleases!”

I think this is a good example to follow. If you’re a procrastina-tor, cast spells for motivation today. Carry a statue of a dog to remind you to stay focused.

Independence Day (United States): July 4 While the nation celebrates its freedom from England, this is a good time for Witches to celebrate religious freedom and pray that it continues. It’s also an effective time to cast spells or work rituals that will help liberate you from anything that binds and holds you back.

Panathenaea (Greece): July 10

This five-day festival honored Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Races, regattas, and musical exhibitions were followed on the sixth day by an offering of a new robe to the goddess.

This, along with fruit, grain, and bread was thought to ensure her blessings. If Athena is your patroness, definitely take time to honor her today. For others, this might be a good day to look for a new ritual robe or work magick directed toward personal wisdom.

Binding of the Wreaths (Lithuania): July 20 On this day young lovers go to the forest gathering flowers for wreaths, under which they kiss. Once this is done the couple

“dates” for at least a year. For modern Witches this is a suitable alternative to May Day festivities and for timing any type of love and commitment magick. Notably, July is the traditional Roman month for marriage. If you choose to wed on this day, have some flower wreaths or birch branch decorations to con-nect you to the positive energy of this lovely ancient rite.

Lammas: August 1

One of the four major Druidic festivals, Lammas is a cel-ebration of early harvested food. Literally, Lammas means “loaf mass,” and it is still traditional to bake bread today for ongoing providence. If you’re not a great cook (or are pressed for time), buy frozen bread dough and knead in some herbs that represent

maintaining good health, such as a teaspoon of rosemary, or other pressing needs in your life. Give a little of this bread to the birds before you partake. They will carry your wishes across the land.

Festival of the Minstrel: August 16

This holiday dates back to 13th-century Medieval Europe, when Bardic tradition was very important to maintaining histo-ries. On this day, elaborate feasts, stories, and songs filled the land, and one artisan was chosen above the rest for his or her talents. Following suit, you might want to practice your own talents today and ask for blessings upon them. Additionally, pray for the ongoing creativity of the New Age/magickal artists who fill our lives with beauty and inspiration.

Festival of the Green Corn: August 25 This lovely festival, celebrated in New York state, honors Native Americans, their lore, and their traditions. If you’re a Witch with strong shamanic leanings, today’s the perfect time to study further. Meditate on the world tree and its meaning in your life. Go to a natural setting and get closer to the land, as our native ancestors tried to teach us.

Festival of Durga (Bengal): September 7 Durga is the Hindu goddess of Earth and power, and the wise wife of Shiva. This date marks the start of a five-day celebra-tion in her honor, dedicated mostly to family reunions and bury-ing any old “axes” one bears against family members. This can have tremendous merit in a magickal setting as a forgiveness ritual, where we try and make amends with those from whom we’ve been estranged. Even if you can’t get together with those people, cast a welcoming spell in their direction to open the path for healing to begin.

Birthday of the Moon (China): September 15 This is a perfect day that can substitute for any missed lunar ritual. In Chinese tradition, the moon represents the Goddess, and

this is her birthday. On this day it’s customary to bathe in moon-light and eat moon-shaped cakes to connect with the universe’s powerful Yin energies. We can follow suit, adding spells for in-sight, fertility, and any other lunar-related magickal themes.

Fall

Fall sits with quiet grace between Summer and Winter, life and death. It is a season suited to magick that focuses on endings, facing personal shadows, emotional healing, reaping the rewards of honest labors, prudence, and careful consideration of one’s goals. Potential decorations for your altar and sacred space include a moonstone, pearly hues, fall leaves, late-blooming flow-ers, braided corn husks, and harvest foods. Don robes of a darker hue, and fill the ritual cup with apple cider, a traditional Fall favorite.

Fall Holidays, Festivals, and