Paganism

Making a pumpkin lantern for Samhain

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Samhain or Halloween, is very important to us pagans. In a previous post Pagan Festivals, I said this about Samhain (Halloween to most people):

Samhain – 31st October
The last harvest. When the vails between the worlds are thin. Seen as the pagan ‘New Year’. Also known as Halloween.
The goddess is now the crone. With age coming wisdom.
Colours: Black, orange, purpose, violet, white.
Themes: Ancestors, death, rebirth, banishing & bindings, spirit & guide communication, guidance.
(From: Pagan Festivals @antonysimpson.com, Last Accessed: 26th October 2010)

Rather than the elaborate rituals with lots of people, costumes, dancing, chanting like the previous years, this year I will celebrate it alone quietly as a time of reflection. I decided to get creative and make my own pumpkin lantern. I googled on how to and got this video:

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The video’s good, but the music is somewhat unbearable so heres my written guide to Making a pumpkin latern for Samhain.

What you will need

  • x1 pumpkin
  • A sharp knife
  • A pen (with ink that will wipe off) or pencil

    • Step 1 – Choose a side and draw the outline

    Choose a side of your pumpkin that’s best for the face. Ideally one that’s not got any scuffs on it. Draw an outline like below:

    Step 2 – Cut off the top and scrape out the insides
    Using your guide lines you’ve drawn on, cut carefully around the top off the head and pull it off. You’ll see the pumpkin insides and seeds which you need to scrape out (see photo below). Some of the cooking experts around may choose to keep the insides to make a pumpkin pie, which you can google for a recipe if you want.

    Step 3 – Turn your attention to the face
    Now you’ve scrapped out the insides. Go back to the outline of the face you drew and carefully cut out the eyes, nose and mouth. Once these pieces have been removed, take a tea light candle and place it inside lit. (Please never leave a lit candle unattended.) Replace the lid of your pumkin and switch off the light to admire your handy work. It should look like this:

    I have named him Jacko, I know how original. Hope you found this guide useful. Write soon,

    Antony

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    Karma

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    For those of you who haven’t heard, there’s this theory on how the universe works called Karma.

    Basically karma is the principle that what you send out in to the universe (in terms of your actions, how you treat others, etc.) come back to you threefold. If you send out positive (treating people well, being considerate of your actions) you will receive positive in return. If you send out negative (treat people poorly, be malice in your actions) you shall receive negative in return.

    The universe works in mysterious ways – it isn’t always obvious that something negative that happens in your life are associated with your past negative actions/negative treatment of people. The universe also has to take a lot of other things in to account – such as your life learning lessons, timing, etc. But it does work.

    Karma in a Nut Shell

    Karma
    As part of the universal balance, what you send out you shall receive. What this essentially means is that if you put out positive energy you shall receive positive energy. But if you put out negative energy, treating people wrongly, this will come back to you with you receiving negativity in return.
    (from: http://www.antonysimpson.com/paganism.php, 17th October 09)

    Let you be aware!

    Antony

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    Solstice Pagans have hippie time According to the Sun News Paper

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    Now I don’t like the Sun News Paper. And I see with an article entitled “Solstice Pagans have hippie time”. Here’s the link: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2492806/Solstice-Pagans-have-hippie-time.html.

    The article starts off ok:

    The ancient stone circle was awash with Druids, Pagans, healers, sun-worshippers and hippies beating drums, chanting in celebration.

    “It’s the most magical place on the planet,” said antique salesman Frank Somers, 43, dressed in the robes of his Druid faith.

    “Inside when you touch the stones you feel a warmth like you’re touching a tree, not a stone. There’s a genuine love, you feel called to it,” he said.
    (from: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2492806/Solstice-Pagans-have-hippie-time.html, Accessed online: 21st June 09)

    However the balanced view doesn’t take long to become unbalanced, making pagan’s, druids and the like sound like a group of party-mad drugies:

    …is the site of an annual night-long party …
    (from: same source as above)

    Police arrested about 30 people on charges including drug offenses, assault and drunk and disorderly conduct….
    (from:same source as above)

    I guess as The Sun didn’t report that they were ritually scaraficing children, we got off lightly. What do you think?

    I would quite like to go next year and see the solstice in at Stonehenge (as I’ve never been).

    Take Care,

    Antony

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    Happy Litha

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    Happy Litha, for yesterday of course!

    Litha – 20th June
    The longest day of the year. It is the summer time harvest. I like this blessing:

    As the sun spirals its longest dance,
    Cleanse us
    As nature shows bounty and fertility
    Bless us
    Let all things live with loving intent
    And to fulfil their truest destiny
    Wiccan blessing for Summer
    (from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/summersolstice.shtml, last accessed: 08th February 09)

    The god and goddess reaffirm their relationship and commitment to one another.
    Colours: Blue, green, red and yellow.
    Themes: Fruitful endeavours, child-like play, affirmations, water & emotions.

    (from: http://antonysimpson.com/index.php/2009/pagan-festivals/, Accessed online: 21st June 09)

    To celebrate Litha and because my new apartment needs magically protecting, I shall hopefully get round to cleansing and charging with intention my quartz cluster (see A Lovely Day with Simon:

    Blog soon (got some good posts coming up),

    Antony

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