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The Winter Tradition

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  • The Winter Tradition

    I was asked to explain the Tradition I am a part of (Which is also my display name), so... Here we go!

    The Winter Tradition was specifically formed due to the fact that our coven is located in not only Canada, but the province dubbed as "The Land of Living Skies". In other words, our weather is constantly changing. One day it's raining and +15c, the next day it is blizzarding at -10c. The weather is unpredictable, and the snow is our natural disaster. There are no worries of hurricanes or earthquakes, and tornados (though we do have them) rarely touch down. The cold and snow is what we live through for six months of the year.

    In Wicca, there are eight Sabbats that correspond with eight astrological dates. Two are Solstices. Two are Equinoxes, and the other Four are periods between the Solstices and Equinoxes. Each tell a story on the God and Goddess, and the changing of the seasons... For the Winter Tradition, we feel that there is no point to the astrological significance, if it does not reflect what is happening in nature.

    Traditional Wicca:

    Yule (December 21st): The Sun God is born on the longest night of the year, and afterwards the sun shows itself more and more, and warms the Earth

    Imbolc (February 2nd): The Goddess has recovered from the birthing, and raises the Sun God as her child. The snow melts and sprouts pop up.

    Ostara (March 21st): The God is an older child, and around him the plants grow and bloom with the help of the Goddess.

    Beltane (May 1st): The God has grown up, and lays with the Goddess after their marriage. Fertility everywhere!

    Litha (June 21st): The longest day of the year. The God's strength is at its peak, and warmth fills the land.

    Lughnasadh (August 1st): The First Harvest. The God's strength is weakening.

    Mabon (September 21st): The Second Harvest. The God is growing even weaker, and the leaves are changing color. Everything is getting ready for hibernation.

    Samhain (October 31st): The Last Harvest. The Sun God dies, and goes to the underworld.

    Winter Tradition Wicca:

    Yule (February 2nd): Around the end of January and beginning of February, is the coldest time of the year. After February, things do start to warm up.

    Imbolc (March 30th): There is still snow on the ground, but there may be some grass beginning to show.

    Ostara (First Monday of May): The snow is finally gone, and we should have our first rain of the season. It's finally spring!

    Beltane (Date depends on how long the Tradition has been practiced. For example, this year Beltane was June 4th. Next year it will be June 5th. After the 10th year, it goes back to June 1st.) The grass is greener, and people are gardening outside.

    Litha (July 21st) This is around the hottest time of the year for us.

    Lughnasadh (August 25th) The warm is starting to subside. Crops are beginning to be harvested.

    Mabon (September 21st): This is one of only two Sabbats that kept its original date. Autumn is here, and the leaves are changing color. Farmers are wrapping up the harvest.

    Samhain (October 31st): If you haven't harvested by now, you're out of luck. Around the week of Halloween, we have our first snow fall and temperatures dip to -5 or even -10.

    These are all considered Major Sabbats in our tradition. Each is equally important. We do have two unique Sabbats, however, that we add to the wheel. These are called the Minor Sabbats, and they take place between November and January. We're still working on official dates and whatnot, but the two Minors follow the God and Goddess through their separate journeys as they are a part.

    ~~~~

    When it comes to the idea of Deity, the Winter Tradition believes that any supernatural entity that is unique and can control a specific aspect of life or nature, is a deity. Faeries and Djinn are not considered deities, as there are more than one of them, and they are not powerful enough to control full aspects; only what is around them. Archangels, specific demons (Dukes/Duchesses and higher in title), etc... Are all considered deities respectfully, if only lesser deities in comparison to the main entity of their pantheon (Yahweh and Lucifer/Satan). Each are unique, and control a specific aspect of life. There are not two Archangel Michaels, and there is only one Archangel who controls animals (Ariel, for instance).

    The rest of our differences are minor. But yeah, those are the major things that are unique to the Winter Tradition.



  • #2
    Re: The Winter Tradition

    Very interesting. Thank you for elaborating

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    • #3
      Re: The Winter Tradition

      Interesting, it seems most of the Sabbats are moved to the date of the next Sabbat, except a few. I do think changing particular features of a tradition based on location to fit the local flow of nature is essential to performing magic in tune with what is all around you, even if the tradition is an old or not so old one like Wicca.

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      • #4
        Re: The Winter Tradition

        Good reading, thanks.
        Amarres de Amor

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