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http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1062/1150777603_78725b6ffd_z.jpg,
accessed September
12,2013
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It is said in our origin of myth that
Mother Willow was born on the night of the Harvest Moon from the boughs of the
White Willow Tree. She is known as the Mother and first of us Witches; and who
possessed great and unimaginable power. In all the land there are three great
covens. Each coven is like our family and our community. It was once said that
a long time ago we were all one. The legend goes that Mother Willow had only
three children named Luna, Sol and Stella—each also had their own unique power.
Luna had the magic of the natural world; she could use the power of the
elements. Sol had the power to travel, freeze and stop time, along with the
power to move objects with only his mind. The youngest of the three was Stella
who had the power of the spiritual world. She could call on the spirits to do
her bidding along with her psychic ability. It’s said that when Mother Willow
had her three children and they grew up, they began to argue on who would be
the most powerful of the three. So for their punishment Mother Willow
transported each child to another far off region to rule their own land as they
saw fit. That’s how the story goes anyway. So till this day the different
covens only gather once every year on the day of the Harvest Moon to celebrate
Mother Willows birth and the beginning of our magic. Now, each coven has their
own White Willow tree in which small ceremonies and rituals take place but,
when the time comes for the celebration of Mother Willow’s anniversary we will
gather at the old White Willow tree there is in all the land. There the Elder’s
and the covens all gather to pray for a better harvest, more water, better
spells, power and not to mention give thanks for all that Mother Willow has
done.
Each land region where each coven is
from has its own unique qualities. I am part of the coven in which Luna was its
founder and all of us in it have the same type of power as the elements or have
dominion over the natural world. The land that surrounds this coven is forest
and mountains. The climate changes along with the seasons and is very wet
during the rainy season. We are best known for our rare plants that are used in
spells and potions. This is the commodity that we trade for other goods and
services from the other regions of the land. Another use of currency are
spells, which can only be used once because the words can be so difficult to
find. In the region where the coven of Sol, their rare commodity is the water
from the oasis which can make any spell more powerful. The legend from this
enchanted Oasis is that one day Mother Willow was traveling the lands in search
of knowledge. She was tired and thirsty from the hot blazing sun of the dessert
heat and made an oasis appear from nowhere. On the other hand Stella’s region
is best known for their livestock and rare animals that possess magical
capabilities. For example the Lechusa—which is a white owl that will grant you
a wish when it gives you a feather. Plus, this feather is extremely power when
used in the right spell or potion. You might be asking but how do you survive
in ways of sustenance? Spell aren’t the only way to survive, so we must grow
our own food. In my region the forest is a great place for foraging and
gathering. The soil is not particularly fertile so we grow what we can like vegetables,
nuts and berries. We trade our commodities for food that the other regions
grow. For example Sol is best known for its rice and grain and Stella’s land is
very fertile which grows the staple crops of corn, potatoes and other various
fruits and vegetables that are in season.
Even though in the past there has been
bickering--we are at a time of peace because of the Elders. The Elders are
chosen through their power and their age. In the times of the annual festival
of Mother Willow not only is it a celebration of our magic but the times where
the Elders meet with the other covens Elders and discuss important decisions
that need to be made.
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| NASA 2012 Total Solar Eclipse Viewed From Australia http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth /news/totaleclipse-20121113.html, accessed September 12,2013 |
On the image to the right the symbol of
the solar eclipse is of a significant one. This image is the joining of two
separate souls becoming one. This is a widely used symbol for the marriage
ceremony. During the solar eclipse the wedding ceremony will take place in
which the partners will join hands and vow to be one for all eternity in front
of all the coven--or covens is there is a joining of the two. The presiding
Elder will cast a spell in which the coven will join in while encircling the
couple to be wed. This symbol not only represents the two souls becoming into
one, but also the light and darkness. Man and woman--polar opposites. It is said Mother Willow married
Father Aurelius under the solar eclipse--in which it is said why our lineage is
so powerful. Every birth consummated under the eclipse is said to be the birth
of a powerful witch.
The
image above is the symbol that represents the Elders. The symbol on each corner
represents each separate coven: Luna, Sol and Stella. Yet, each is connected
and still separate. We are independent and we rely on each other. This triangle
is the connection and peace we rely within each coven. The moon rises above and
the sun rises in the east and the stars light all throughout the night
sky.
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Snowy Willow Tree
September 15,2013
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The
image you see above is the legendary White Willow tree where it is said Mother
Willow was born from. This tree is the symbol of our magic and our life. This
also represents the coming together of all the communities where we
pray,sing,dance and chant together to give thanks. This old tree is sacred and
this is where we meet annually to celebrate.
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The
symbols above represent each coven. Similar to the governance of the Elders
however, here each one is its own separate entity. Only symbolizing each
different coven and its family. The gazing star is for the house of Stella in
which its founder was the one with the all-seeing, all- knowing psychic
abilities. The cool crescent moon for the House of Luna (which is mine) meaning
the natural powers of elemental magic. The hot fiery sun representing the House
of Sol, which is with the powers of time and space.
Wallpaper source:
Dr. Jean I. Tsao
2009 Notes of Ecosysytems: Energy Flow
and Trophic Structure.
https://www.msu.edu/course/isb/202/tsao/notes/inotes/10_02_09_Ecosystems.html,
accessed Septermber 16,2013
