Category: Rituals

Celebrating the Winter Solstice

As the cold winds of December embrace us, we gather to celebrate a turning point in the cycle of life—the Winter Solstice. This sacred day, the longest night of the year, has been honored by cultures around the world as a moment of renewal, reflection, and hope. The Egyptian Celebration of the Rebirth of HorusIn … Continue reading Celebrating the Winter Solstice

Samhain Blessings!

O Samhain, the end of the year;There's spirals on the pumpkin leaves.O Samhain, the start of a year;Bonfire orange dresses the Rowan trees.We reach out a hand, to those from before,We set our table, for family gone.They take our hands, in circles we form,For this eve above most, the spirits we beckon.Our forefathers, foremothers, sisters … Continue reading Samhain Blessings!

Hymn to Ma’at and Cosmic Balance

Ma'at was and IS the Goddess of truth, justice, wisdom, the stars, law, morality, order, harmony, the seasons, and cosmic balance. Some of her Epithets are Beloved Daughter of Ra, She of the beautiful face, Controller of seasons, Food of the Gods, Lady of Heaven and Queen of Earth.  As “The food of the Gods,” … Continue reading Hymn to Ma’at and Cosmic Balance

Sermon – Dedication and Miracles

The Reverend San Aset (Sandra Fawn) was asked to lead a service at the Universalist Church in Orange, Massachusetts this last weekend. Her topic was Dedication, Miracles, and Shelter. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means “dedication,” and the Hanukkah Festival commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. In 164 BC, a band of Jewish … Continue reading Sermon – Dedication and Miracles

Festivals of the Dead: Celebrating Life and Remembering Ancestors

Festivals of the Dead are celebrated by many cultures around the world and offer a poignant, beautiful, and sometimes somewhat disturbing way to honor and remember deceased family and community members. These observances typically occur after the harvest season, falling in the months of August, September, October, or November. The festivals serve as a bridge … Continue reading Festivals of the Dead: Celebrating Life and Remembering Ancestors

Ancient Egyptian Divination – Invoking the Gods and Goddesses

The Ancient Egyptians practiced divination for two main purposes: to inquire about the present and obtain useful information to make changes to a situation; or to beg for assistance from a god to make desired changes to current circumstances. It was the magician who attempted to compel the God(s) to do his or her will. … Continue reading Ancient Egyptian Divination – Invoking the Gods and Goddesses

The Five Gifts of Hathor

The Egyptians believed that the gods were not distant deities in the heavens; the gods lived alongside people and interacted with them daily. Trees were considered the homes of the gods and one of the most popular of the Egyptian deities, Hathor, was known as "The Lady of the Sycamore" because she was thought to … Continue reading The Five Gifts of Hathor

Remembrance, Souls & Cats

For many of us, as the days grow colder and darker it is a time of reflection, remembrance and also respect for those who are on the other side of the veil. We celebrate this time with contemplative walks and decorating our sanctuaries with candlelight, the scents of lavender and rosemary, and fires in the … Continue reading Remembrance, Souls & Cats

Springtime at the Northern California Sanctuary

As the weather grows a little warmer and there is more light during the day, the population of birds swell and their sounds echo throughout our Northern California Sanctuary. With the coming of Spring there is a proliferation of bird species of all types, ranging from blue jays to robins, hawks to owls, ducks to … Continue reading Springtime at the Northern California Sanctuary