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Hello my friends!
As most of you know, I am a henotheist who worships only Cernunnos. I call myself a Cern'osian, a term I invented for my path. While I am not Wiccan, I want to incorporate the 8 Wiccan Sabbats into my path. Since Cernunnos is a stag god, I want to base my celebrations around the life cycle of the deer, while still preserving as much of the meaning and symbolism of the Sabbats as I can. Since I am not Wiccan though, I am not completely familiar with the symbolism of the Sabbats. I would really like your input on this. I am by no means finished with this. I just wanted to share what I have so far, and get your thoughts, input and advice on it. If you can help me in this, I would be eternally grateful.
Much love and blessings everyone,
Herne
<b>Cern'osian Sabbats and Minor Holy Days
Dec. 31/ Jan. 1 New Year's Eve/New Year's Day</b>
People around the world observe New Year's Day as a day of new beginnings, of fresh starts, of ridding oneself of bad habits and starting good ones. Beginning around mid-December and ending somewhere around March, male deer begin shedding their antlers one at a time. This is a day for the Cern'osian to shed unwanted traits and habits. Choose a resolution, something that you want to rid yourself of. Write it on a piece of paper and burn it to symbolize its departure from your life.
<b>Feb. 2 Imbolc</b>
February is a time of expectation for the herd. The bellies of the pregnant does are beginning to swell, and after the long, cold winter, the first green buds of spring are beginning to emerge. As the world prepares itself for the long awaited return of spring, so too should we prepare ourselves by rededicating ourselves to the Horned One. Perform the self-dedication ritual annually, not because the god needs us to do so, but to remind ourselves who we are and why we are here.
<b>Mar. 21 Ostara/Vernal Equinox</b>
Spring is now in full bloom. The long, hard famine of winter has ended. Night and day are equal now with long summer days just ahead. Coats begin to change color in preparation for summer. The god emerges from his long sleep, resplendent in his glory. Plant a garden, or maybe an apple or oak tree, in his honor. Decorate with garlands, wreaths and crowns of spring flowers. Recite <i>Hail to the Horned One</i>.
<i>Hail to the Horned One!
By Herne, 3/15/09
Sound the horns loudly and beat on the drums!
The Stag King is waking! See, yonder He comes!
The birds are all singing a chorus of praise,
Their love overflowing in each chirp and phrase!
The fields are all donning their grandest attire,
The brooks are a' babbling, a wonderful choir!
Shout Hail to the Horned One, our Lord and our King!
Crown Him with flowers, the bringer of spring!
The Wheel is still turning, there's nothing to fear!
Sound the horns loudly, the Horned One is here!</i>
<b>May 1 Beltane</b>
Antlers begin to sprout, the first fawns are born, the yearling bucks and second year does begin to exercise their independence from their mothers. As the stag's antlers begin to grow, so too does the desire and lust of the god. Celebrate the masculine on this day, as the virility of the god begins to flow. Purchase or make a deer mask and dance the hunt around the Beltane fire, mimicking a stag prancing and leaping in the wood. Celebrate with drumming and chanting. Try some body painting too!
<b>June 22 Litha/Summer Solstice</b>
During the long hot days of summer, the young fawns, tempted by the summer greenery all around them, are weaned from their mothers. As the fawn leaves off the teat, so too shall I wean myself from my troubles and woes. Use this day to celebrate life in all its glory and wonder. Take a walk in the woods, noticing the variety of life around you. Focus on the good and positive in your life. Count your blessings.
<b>Aug 1 - Lughnasadh</b>
Young fawns begin to lose their spots and the adults' coats begin to change color in preparation for the coming fall and winter. Adult antlers, now full grown, begin to lose their velvet. As the deer begin to prepare for the rigors of the coming winter, so too do people begin to lay away food. Celebrate with the first fruits of the harvest.
<b>Sept 21 Mabon/Autumnal Equinox</b>
The first buttons of the yearling bucks begin to form in preparation for their first rack which will begin to sprout in the spring, and the earth prepares to enter its slumber. The god lays down his life for the harvest and prepares for his trip to the underworld. Honor his passing with a feast.
<b>Oct. 31 Samhain</b>
All living things must die. Such is the way of life. So, too, does the deer. On this night the god begins his underworld journey. Today is a day to honor those who have passed on.
<b>Nov 14 Deer Hunting Season Begins/Nov 28 Deer Hunting Season Ends/Nov ? Thanksgiving Day</b>
Mating season for deer begins in October and extends until December. As the herd is expanding, so it must be thinned to prevent over-population.
On Nov 14, a ritual shall be performed, asking bounty for the hunter, and mercy for the hunted. May the hunters' bullets fly true, and may death be swift and merciful for the deer with little suffering. Pray for a mission accomplished, that the exact number needed will be taken - no more, no less. Also pray the Horned One's blessings on the hunters that there will be no hunting accidents. Celebrate by going on a hunt yourself, whether real or imaginary.
On Nov 28 another ritual is performed to celebrate the ending of the hunting season. Ask for protection for the herd throughout the long winter. Honor the spirits of the slain deer.
On Thanksgiving Day remember to thank the god for the bounty of the hunt and for preserving life in the midst of death.
<b>Dec 22 Yule/Winter Solstice</b>
It is the shortest day of the year, and winter is now full upon the herd. However, hope is in the air. From here on out, the days will get longer. As the sun is reborn, so the lean days of winter will soon end. Celebrate with fire, with gifts for loved ones. Decorate a Yule tree. Decorate your home with pine, holly and mistletoe. As part of the ritual, purchase a bag of apples and take them somewhere that deer are known to live. Hang them from tree limbs where the deer can reach them that the herd may celebrate the season too. If you live in a city, or in a place where there are no deer, decorate your Yule tree with apples and say a prayer for the survival of the herd.
As most of you know, I am a henotheist who worships only Cernunnos. I call myself a Cern'osian, a term I invented for my path. While I am not Wiccan, I want to incorporate the 8 Wiccan Sabbats into my path. Since Cernunnos is a stag god, I want to base my celebrations around the life cycle of the deer, while still preserving as much of the meaning and symbolism of the Sabbats as I can. Since I am not Wiccan though, I am not completely familiar with the symbolism of the Sabbats. I would really like your input on this. I am by no means finished with this. I just wanted to share what I have so far, and get your thoughts, input and advice on it. If you can help me in this, I would be eternally grateful.
Much love and blessings everyone,
Herne
<b>Cern'osian Sabbats and Minor Holy Days
Dec. 31/ Jan. 1 New Year's Eve/New Year's Day</b>
People around the world observe New Year's Day as a day of new beginnings, of fresh starts, of ridding oneself of bad habits and starting good ones. Beginning around mid-December and ending somewhere around March, male deer begin shedding their antlers one at a time. This is a day for the Cern'osian to shed unwanted traits and habits. Choose a resolution, something that you want to rid yourself of. Write it on a piece of paper and burn it to symbolize its departure from your life.
<b>Feb. 2 Imbolc</b>
February is a time of expectation for the herd. The bellies of the pregnant does are beginning to swell, and after the long, cold winter, the first green buds of spring are beginning to emerge. As the world prepares itself for the long awaited return of spring, so too should we prepare ourselves by rededicating ourselves to the Horned One. Perform the self-dedication ritual annually, not because the god needs us to do so, but to remind ourselves who we are and why we are here.
<b>Mar. 21 Ostara/Vernal Equinox</b>
Spring is now in full bloom. The long, hard famine of winter has ended. Night and day are equal now with long summer days just ahead. Coats begin to change color in preparation for summer. The god emerges from his long sleep, resplendent in his glory. Plant a garden, or maybe an apple or oak tree, in his honor. Decorate with garlands, wreaths and crowns of spring flowers. Recite <i>Hail to the Horned One</i>.
<i>Hail to the Horned One!
By Herne, 3/15/09
Sound the horns loudly and beat on the drums!
The Stag King is waking! See, yonder He comes!
The birds are all singing a chorus of praise,
Their love overflowing in each chirp and phrase!
The fields are all donning their grandest attire,
The brooks are a' babbling, a wonderful choir!
Shout Hail to the Horned One, our Lord and our King!
Crown Him with flowers, the bringer of spring!
The Wheel is still turning, there's nothing to fear!
Sound the horns loudly, the Horned One is here!</i>
<b>May 1 Beltane</b>
Antlers begin to sprout, the first fawns are born, the yearling bucks and second year does begin to exercise their independence from their mothers. As the stag's antlers begin to grow, so too does the desire and lust of the god. Celebrate the masculine on this day, as the virility of the god begins to flow. Purchase or make a deer mask and dance the hunt around the Beltane fire, mimicking a stag prancing and leaping in the wood. Celebrate with drumming and chanting. Try some body painting too!
<b>June 22 Litha/Summer Solstice</b>
During the long hot days of summer, the young fawns, tempted by the summer greenery all around them, are weaned from their mothers. As the fawn leaves off the teat, so too shall I wean myself from my troubles and woes. Use this day to celebrate life in all its glory and wonder. Take a walk in the woods, noticing the variety of life around you. Focus on the good and positive in your life. Count your blessings.
<b>Aug 1 - Lughnasadh</b>
Young fawns begin to lose their spots and the adults' coats begin to change color in preparation for the coming fall and winter. Adult antlers, now full grown, begin to lose their velvet. As the deer begin to prepare for the rigors of the coming winter, so too do people begin to lay away food. Celebrate with the first fruits of the harvest.
<b>Sept 21 Mabon/Autumnal Equinox</b>
The first buttons of the yearling bucks begin to form in preparation for their first rack which will begin to sprout in the spring, and the earth prepares to enter its slumber. The god lays down his life for the harvest and prepares for his trip to the underworld. Honor his passing with a feast.
<b>Oct. 31 Samhain</b>
All living things must die. Such is the way of life. So, too, does the deer. On this night the god begins his underworld journey. Today is a day to honor those who have passed on.
<b>Nov 14 Deer Hunting Season Begins/Nov 28 Deer Hunting Season Ends/Nov ? Thanksgiving Day</b>
Mating season for deer begins in October and extends until December. As the herd is expanding, so it must be thinned to prevent over-population.
On Nov 14, a ritual shall be performed, asking bounty for the hunter, and mercy for the hunted. May the hunters' bullets fly true, and may death be swift and merciful for the deer with little suffering. Pray for a mission accomplished, that the exact number needed will be taken - no more, no less. Also pray the Horned One's blessings on the hunters that there will be no hunting accidents. Celebrate by going on a hunt yourself, whether real or imaginary.
On Nov 28 another ritual is performed to celebrate the ending of the hunting season. Ask for protection for the herd throughout the long winter. Honor the spirits of the slain deer.
On Thanksgiving Day remember to thank the god for the bounty of the hunt and for preserving life in the midst of death.
<b>Dec 22 Yule/Winter Solstice</b>
It is the shortest day of the year, and winter is now full upon the herd. However, hope is in the air. From here on out, the days will get longer. As the sun is reborn, so the lean days of winter will soon end. Celebrate with fire, with gifts for loved ones. Decorate a Yule tree. Decorate your home with pine, holly and mistletoe. As part of the ritual, purchase a bag of apples and take them somewhere that deer are known to live. Hang them from tree limbs where the deer can reach them that the herd may celebrate the season too. If you live in a city, or in a place where there are no deer, decorate your Yule tree with apples and say a prayer for the survival of the herd.
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