13 Moons of Samhain
a Hedge Mystic community course
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We are still in the season of Autumn Equinox, aka Mabon; we are deep into the harvest and the waning of the year. As we examine the three harvest festivals on the Celtic wheel of the year, Lughnasadh, Mabon, and Samhain, or if we use the Anglo-Saxon wheel from last week's essay, Lammas, Michaelmas, and All Hallows, we find that each holy day has its unique character and mythology.
Yet the overarching energy is that of harvest time. We move from the first flushes of prosperity and abundance of cultivated cereals and grains to nature's bounty of fruits, nuts, and mushrooms to the final ingathering of sturdy pumpkins that will easily overwinter in root cellars. For our ancestors, these hearty winter squash were the last line of defense against the starving time of late winter.
Once we cross into Samhain, we must confront decay, death, the appearance of Mother Rot, and finally, the Cailleach, who brings wintery blasts of snow and ice.
The actual moment of balance at the autumn equinox is an infinitesimally small amount of real-time, nearly impossible to measure, let alone conceive of, and because the myth of Mabon, while itself old, is a modern insertion into the wheel of the year, this season seems brief, and Samhain usually overshadows it.
Samhain is powerful, and the three days that comprise All Hallows Eve, All Saints, and All Souls, which in other cultures is known as the Day of the Dead or some variation of that, has deep roots. I'll be sharing more about that in an upcoming essay.
Samhain is a portal into the darkness. It is a time when the veil thins and ancestral memories stir. Long-forgotten collective experiences and intuitions bubble up to the surface. They rise out of the collective unconscious, into the personal unconscious, and eventually into our conscious awareness.
As the autumn season waxes, we increasingly encounter darkness. The nights are lengthening. With that increased darkness, we become more aware of the Moon.
Over thousands of years, the Moon has gathered a treasure trove of symbolic and esoteric meaning. There are myths, legends, secret symbols, rituals, and ceremonies associated with the Moon found across time, cultures, and continents. In my recent essay, The Moon is Weird, I wrote about some physical and astronomical anomalies surrounding the Moon. But there's so much more to the Moon and it's meaning to explore.
The Moon calls to many of us, and I'm no exception. I love the Moon for her mystery, wisdom, and the profound comfort she has brought me over the years.
If you're experiencing a longing to go deeper with the Moon to discover your relationship with the powerful imagery and archetypal energy of our loveliest celestial light, I have an invitation for you.
In 2019, I began offering a yearly inner journey and creative experience called 13 Moons of Samhain. A creative community of moon lovers gathers for thirteen guided inner journeys that introduce you to thirteen aspects of the Moon.
Last year, 13 Moons of Samhain got a significant update, and this year, I include new videos and a live Zoom gathering where I'll teach you how to use the MoonCircles Cards you created for personal divination, reflection and the gathering of inner wisdom.
The Hedge Mystic community has grown an astounding 400+% since beginning last November. That means most of you have never worked with me or participated in one of my online offerings.
I'd love to introduce you to the creative, intuitive inner journey work I've found so powerful, illuminating, and satisfying. I'm extending a 60% savings to Hedge Mystic subscribers to create an opportunity so you can easily and affordably experience this kind of deep work for yourself.
Your Invitation
Travel with thirteen different aspects of The Moon as we move towards Samhain, the end of the old year and the beginning of the new on the Celtic Wheel of the Year.
You'll be using:
intuitive art making
found image collage
shamanic style inner journeys
I'll guide you on inner journeys from Invitation through the Threshold to the Pathway and beyond.
Guided by the Moon, you will call forth Memory, Creativity, and Shape-shifting as you gather illumination and vision for the coming year.
Each day, you receive an email with a link to that day's materials
A short video
A theme encompassing one aspect of the Moon
A guided shamanic-style inner journey
An art invitation
Inspiration for the Journey
Invitation to share your art and experiences
Plus, two bonus lessons take you through All Saints and All Souls to round out the season with ancestors.
Feel seen, safe, and witnessed in our private classroom right inside the course.
I'm opening registration for 13 Moons of Samhain today. The Welcome Module contains lots of information and instructional videos, especially useful if you're new to intuitive collage and MoonCircles Cards.
Use this LINK to go directly to the discounted Hedge Mystic enrollment page. (60% savings already applied)
I’m excited to dive into deep moon work once again this year during such a powerful season, which will include a lunar eclipse on October 28th.
I’m looking forward to being your inner journey and creative guide.
Do you love the moon? Have you found special wisdom or insight from working with the moon? Share your moon stories in the comments.
The comments section is a safe and welcoming space to share your insights and experiences.
Comments and conversation are always appreciated and enjoyed, so feel free to let your voice be heard. I read them all and try to respond to each one.
Thank you for reading Hedge Mystic and participating in this vibrant and growing community of creative, spiritual humans. You are always welcome here, appreciated, and loved.
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Discussion is encouraged. Leave your reactions and insights in the comments.