Les normes i la institucionalització de l’acció

Earth Day: late March/early to mid-April While most Witches will tell you that every day should be Earth Day in the way we treat the planet, this rather new holi-day gives everyone a moment to focus our attention on Gaia.

Put some physical and metaphysical energy into helping heal the Earth. Plant a tree with loving care or scatter some wildflower seeds into a field with a wish for wholeness.

Smell the Breeze Day (Egypt): March 27 All sects in Egypt observe this holiday with various tradi-tions. An onion was traditionally broken open and smelled for good fortune. Wearing bright colors and going on picnics is the order of the day—the winds improving the health of all. This tradition is very easy to follow. If you’re not fond of onions, simply leave one on your altar; if you are, make onion soup and eat it to internalize the lucky nature of this day. If weather doesn’t permit taking a walk, just open a window and get a breath of fresh, healthful air instead.

Easter: late March/early April

Easter was named after the ancient Saxon goddess of fertil-ity, Eostre. The symbol of the egg became nearly universal because it represents the Earth’s rebirth after Winter. Tradition-ally the magick circle celebrates this life force today, often with colored eggs and hot cross buns, which represent the solar wheel, for protection. Take time with friends and family to enjoy the warming weather. The sun is now free of Winter’s grasp to shine brightly on all your efforts.

April Fool’s Day: April 1

On this great holiday for the child within all of us, work magick that will improve your sense of humor today. Tickle your

aura happy with a feather. I’d also suggest that this might be the perfect time to contemplate the wisdom of fools by meditating on the Fool Card of the tarot.

National Folk Festival: second weekend in April This festival is held annually in St. Louis, Missouri, com-plete with all manner of folk arts and crafts, from sword dancing to bell ringing and lumber jack competitions. For me, this is a time to go digging through books of folklore and superstition to find the nuggets of magickal gold housed therein. For hundreds of years this is where witchy wisdom was hidden—and it’s still there waiting for us to rediscover and apply in our everyday world.

May Day/Beltane: May 1

This holiday originates with the Romans, who looked for any good excuse for a party. It’s traditional to gather blossoming flowers today and give them anonymously to a kind-hearted person, dance the May pole for fertility (figurative or literal), fire leap for luck, wash in May dew for beauty, purify yourself or your pets by passing through the smoke of a ritual fire, and medi-tate on the power of masculine-feminine energies combining.

Ceremony for Rain (Guatemala): May 11 This ritual is overseen by local priests who pray to the gods and goddesses for aid, beginning in the village center then all around town at each shrine. After five days, the ritual culminates in a community dance complete with rain sticks and maracas that create the sound of rain as a kind of sympathetic magick.

For today’s Witches this might translate into a day to direct weather magick toward areas of the planet where it’s most needed.

Alternatively, perform rituals and spells to turn away emotional storms that might be headed your way.

Feast of Isidro (Philippines): May 15

Isidro, the patron saint of the harvest in this part of the world, trusted in angels to aid needy farmers. After the rice is

gathered, the streets of Manila fill with people carrying yams, flowers, coconut, sugarcane, and nature fruits, all of which are displayed lavishly. For us, this might be a good opportunity to bless our seeds and soil before planting. If you wish, call on Isidro to empower your efforts. Alternatively, consider the metaphoric value in this holiday: What attributes do you wish to cultivate and harvest later in the year (think faith, peace, joy, and so forth)?

Work magick toward those ends.

Well Dressing (Britain): any May Sunday Throughout Britain there are wells dedicated to the saints and various powerful in-dwelling spirits. During the month of May, these wells receive offerings of flowers or coins to inspire healing, guidance, prosperity, or an answer to other wishes. To adapt this, focus on Water-related magick or wishcraft today.

Night of Observation: early June

This is the beginning of Ramadan, a time of fasting in Moslem lands that commemorates Adam’s exile from Eden. For Witches, this could be a time for introspection and pondering the dark side of the soul. Fasting is perfectly apt, as it cleanses the body and hones the spirit.

Night of the Drop (Egypt): June 16

Once a year the Nile drops to reveal the rich soil that sus-tains the region’s entire economy. This is a joyous celebration filled with divinatory efforts and sacred readings. Following suit, you might want to try some new divination tools today, or read over your Book of Shadows looking for new insights.

Summer

Summer is the season during which the fire of vitality flows through the land. The sun prances high in the sky, and every-thing beneath is lively and active. This is also the season for

following magick with tangible efforts, and for spells focused on dramatic transformation, power, and socialization. Study your Craft under a shady tree where the Mother/Father aspect of the Divine can speak directly to your heart, filling it with the light of insight.

Place a few extra candles and a fire agate on your altar to celebrate the Fire Element, and add reds or oranges to the sacred space. By all means, don’t forget to use your candles in divina-tion (pyromancy)! If you have a place for bonfires, make one and dance around it, adding some aromatic fire herbs, such as cinna-mon, to the kindling.

Summer Holidays, Festivals, and