The theme of this Sabbat can be summed up with the following occult law: “The Law of Compensation.”
To many of us, this Law of Compensation can also be described as part of the Tenet of Reincarnation or simply the Law of Cause and Effect.
The idea that you reap that which you sow is a theme that I think we can all understand on some level. Even if you don’t know what to think just yet about the subject of Reincarnation, or even the idea of Compensation in your current philosophy.
During the Candlemas Sabbat, we had sown our wishes into fresh soil for all sorts of petitions. A bulb was then planted in that soil to draw forth the seed-thoughts of our desires as part of its spiritual nourishment. You could even sum this idea up with a little incantation if you need some ideas of what to think on:
“As this flower grows higher and higher, so too does our seed-thoughts grow and blossom in Summer and turn to ripened fruit in the Autumn…….”
I believe the way our religion fully teaches its mysteries is by the practice of group ritual in small covens sharing in those practices. These mysteries can’t be fully understand by reading alone, though that is one important part of it – they are not fully grasped until they are experienced in the physical world with the coven.
This means that the full understanding of the mysteries must be practiced in order to be fully understood and carried out in the real world. Initiation is only a beginning – it is the group practice in the real world that makes an adept in the art.
Also, I believe that each Sabbat has an important theme or message(s) to teach us. Here is just but a quick glance at what this Sabbat has taught me and some interesting lore to go along with it….
At the time of the Autumnal Equinox, we should see the end results of the seed-thoughts planted at Candlemas, which will either have come into complete fruition by this time, have been weeded out of our “gardens” or maybe even have not come into fruition. For we all must eventually accept the fruits of our labours, whether for good or for ill, which is an accurate statement to describe what the Law of Compensation is to us.
Another theme at this Sabbat is on attending to the basic affairs of the coven. If the coven collects monetary donations that go into the coven piggy-bank to buy disposable items needed by the coven, this is the time these donations would be offered up for the betterment of the coven. We are a simple and natural religion that has very few expenses, but we know at the same time that everything in life does cost a little something. Most of the time, the cost of coven operation is just the time it takes to set up for the ceremony. Though the costs are in making the tools of the Craft, or for incense, candles and a bottle of wine or two which are practical items used within a circle. Some covens may have dues to cover these kinds of costs. Some covens also provide space such as buildings to house circles or provide training in and those coven dues or donations help to keep the space going. Even in instances where a coven meets at a particular property or home, repairs and wear and tear occurs because of its use and must be mended.
At this Sabbat, we enjoy a feast within the circle. Food is carried into circle and we eat in the circle at this Sabbat. It is a time of accepting our just rewards for the work we’ve done – some might even call this a “Thanksgiving” if you like.
Another curious custom of the coven is the creation of the artifact known as the “Autumn Hen” which represents the Old Hag of Winter. After the ceremony, it is hidden away over Winter and later used by the ladies of the coven after Candlemas and before the Vernal Equinox Sabbat to awaken Spring during the Rites of Cybele as part of the women’s mysteries.
So what are the external lessons-learned from this Sabbat? A couple things you can find stated in the book:
- If we sought abundance, did we sow joy?
- If we sought justice, did we act fair?
- If we sought blessings, did we plant love?
We hope that many Autumnal Blessings come to all our Brothers and Sisters of the Wicca this season!
If you wish to know more about a full Sabbat cycle, more info can be found in The Sacred Pentagraph book that is available for purchase.
