Sabbat Box Blog
Ostara Sabbat Box Theme Release • Emergence 0
• EMERGENCE •
Our theme this Sabbat for Ostara is emergence. As the Northern Hemisphere begins to green again, we can see this emergence over and over before our eyes: rising from the earth, hibernating animals make their way out of their dens; seedlings and bulbs poke out of the dirt and reach for the earlier sunrise; the Goddess has emerged from Her time of shadow and diminishment into a young Spring maiden. This is the time when many feasts and honorariums in ancient times were celebrated, praising and revering the vegetation gods and making sacrifices for a successful sowing of crops and increase in livestock. In a time when every new life, animal or vegetable, was crucial to continued survival, our Pagan ancestors looked to the joy of the baby calf or blooming flower as victory over the long darkness of winter.
Ostara, historically, is also the Sabbat that commemorates the Spring Equinox. The word “East”—a cardinal direction most associated with the rising sun and the sign of air—comes from the German root word of Ostara. The day of the Spring Equinox brings alignment of the sun with due east, the day ending when the sun sets due west. This alignment is the first indication that there will be a time period when the days will now be longer than the night, allowing for increased sunshine and an abundance of light.Ostara also the foundation of another Christian holiday, built on ancient Pagan feasts and traditions: Easter. Like Yule, there are many overlaps in traditions and customs that ancient Pagans practiced that were soon adopted by Christians. The ancient fertility symbol of the egg, for instance, is representation of the new life (and potential for life) that appears in nests at this time of year. Another common Easter symbol is the hare—the “Easter Bunny”—which has long been a representation of new life and reproduction.
For Pagans, this Sabbat can also be described as “hopeful balance.” While it is an equinox, we understand that light and dark are swapping places, and that longer days and more light are our immediate future. This is a powerful time for Pagans to focus their works on increase, rising to the obstacles in life, and taking steps to foster financial and spiritual prosperity.
As you celebrate Ostara this year—however you choose to honor this rising emergence of Nature—we encourage you to face the rising sun and look forward to brighter days ahead. While we may not literally be resurrected or reborn at this time, the Sabbat gives us an opportunity to look at those areas of our lives that we can renew and refurbish.
Emerge from your dens, your caves of stagnation and lack! Throw off the winter coat of darkness and embrace the eastward dawn! Now is the time to allow yourself to be reborn—in your relationships, in your work, in your life. Rub your eyes and awaken! Let the spirit of Ostara help you shine a light on the path ahead. Emerge from the old and dead…awaken to the new!
• Want to join Sabbat Box? Sign up on the waiting list here.
OSTARA SABBAT BOXES ARE SET TO SHIP: MARCH 10, 2016
- Aeden B
- Tags: Emergence Ostara Sabbat Box Theme Spring Vernal Equinox
Discover The Imbolc Sabbat Box - Nature's Renewal 1
• IMBOLC SABBAT BOX • NATURE'S RENEWAL • SABBAT BOX BREAKDOWN •
Hail and Welcome, Sabbat Box Members and Friends!
As winter (finally) wraps its icy grip on most of us here in the United States, we turn our faces toward the rising sun and the new calendar year. We look forward to the coming warmer times, where greenery and growth will once again bring light and life to the earth.
The Sabbat Box for Imbolc marks this facing sunward, and the items inside are carefully curated to add to the celebration of life and light in a meaningful way. We’ve chosen each item to help enrich your ritual, your personal spellwork, and/or observation of Nature’s renewal in a creative and meaningful way.
- As some of you may know, as of now we are currently at our maximum membership capacity at Sabbat Box. We have implemented a waiting list for those interested in joining when membership positions become available. You can join the waiting list here.
- Do you or someone you know make a product that would appeal to the Pagan community? Are you looking to launch a product or get your product in front of a large audience? If so, lets talk! Sabbat Box is always looking for new vendors and suppliers that create unique items to feature inside an upcoming Sabbat Box. Sabbat Box is a great way for people to find out about you, your product or your company. Whether you are looking to advertise inside the box or wish to feature a product within a box, we would love to hear from you. Register to become a Sabbat Box Supplier/Advertiser today.
• IMBOLC-RITUALS, RECIPES & LORE FOR BRIGID'S DAY •
• ITEM 1: IMBOLC BOOK.........$11.99
• WHAT: Imbolc-Rituals, Recipes and Lore for Brigid's Day (part of Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials series)
• WHO MAKES IT?: Llewellyn Worldwide & Authored By Carl F. Neal
• WHERE CAN I GET IT?: You can purchase copies via the Sabbat Box Store or via Llewellyn.
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT?: Llewellyn has been a trusted source for books on Paganism, Magick and New Age topics since 1901. This particular book features spells, recipes, lore, invocations, correspondences, crafts and rituals that will help to inspire you to celebrate Imbolc in your own unique way.
BREAKDOWN:
Part of what we wish to do here at Sabbat Box is to provide further resources for our members pertaining to paganism, witchcraft and the Sabbats. The Sabbat Essentials series are wonderful resource books and will truly help you find inspiration on how to celebrate the Sabbat in your own special way. Some may say that these books are geared more towards those new to the craft, but you would be surprised to read how much information is packed within these books, which is helpful for both seasoned practitioners as well as a novice! We decided to feature Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials books when we started Sabbat Box, as this line of books is brand new to Llewellyn, (making them first edition prints) and they correlate perfectly with what Sabbat Box is all about. In fact, these first edition printings come out only a few weeks before we ship each Sabbat Box, which makes our members some of the first people to actually own and read them.
The author of Imbolc, Carl F. Neal has been a Pagan teacher and writer since the late 1990’s, specifically in the area of incense creation and incense magic. Carl brings his extensive knowledge in writing Imbolc, highlighting a collection of practices and traditions both old and new surrounding the Sabbat of Imbolc, also known as Brigid’s Day. Some of Carl’s other works include Incense, Incense Magick, and The Magic Toolbox.
A brief excerpt from the book—a prayer for healing the heart, mind, and soul:
Goddess Brigid, Keeper of the Flame, Tender of the Well,
I come to you to ask for the healing of an injured soul.
Please look into deepest places within [person’s name]
and find the injuries that lie beneath the surface.
I ask that you ease the pain within my/that soul.
Just as this candle shines, I ask that you
shine a light on a path towards healing.
Shine a light so bright and clear that
the path to healing is unmistakable.
Please send whatever assistance will be
needed to make this soul whole once again.
—Pg. 127, Imbolc-Rituals, Recipes and Lore for Brigid’s Day
Other great books by Carl Neal:
• Incense: Crafting & Use of Magickal Scents
• The Magick Toolbox
• Incense Magick, Creating Inspiring Aromatic Experiences for your Craft
• COSMOPHILIA ASTROLOGICAL HERBALS - LUNAR RENEWAL TEA •
• ITEM 2: RITUAL TEA 1.0oz.......$5.00
• WHAT: Lunar Renewal Tea
• WHO MAKES IT?: Cosmophilia Astrological Herbals
• WHERE CAN I GET IT?: The Cosmophilia Store or the Sabbat Box Store.
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT?: This tea is an excellent way to draw in the renewing energies of Imbolc as well as the planets in a delicious way. Since the last tea we featured inside Sabbat Box was a big hit, we wanted to share another magical tea with our members as well.
BREAKDOWN
We selected this fragrant Lunar Renewal Tea because it is hand blended and made from organic and ethically wild grown herbal ingredients that correspond to the Sabbat of renewal, cleansing, and purification, Imbolc. Lunar Renewal Tea can be used in combination with Imbolc rituals (for cakes and ale, or as an offering), during an esbat or dark moon ritual, or to sip on after mediating or working magick. Each package of tea comes in a resealable bag, which will allow you to keep your tea a fresh as possible. Cosmophilia Astrological Herbals was founded by Jaysen Paulson in Portland, Oregon. Jaysen is a practicing astrologist with over 20 years of experience. Jaysen is also an accomplished herbalist, a teacher at the Portland School of Astrology and hosts the popular podcast “Cosmophilia”.
Ingredients in Lunar Renewal Tea:
• Milky oat tops
• Oat straw
• Raspberry leaf
• Jasmine blossoms
• Vanilla rooibos
• Mugwort.
*All ingredients are certified organic or ethically wildcrafted.
• Portland School of Astrology: http://portlandastrology.org/home/
• Cosmophilia Podcast: http://cosmophilia.us/podcast/
• SUN'S EYE - HAND BLENDED RITUAL OIL •
• ITEM 3: RITUAL OIL.........$12.00
• WHAT: Brigid Deity Ritual Oil
• WHO MAKES IT?: Sun's Eye Oils
• WHERE CAN I GET IT?: The Sun's Eye Store or via the Sabbat Box Store.
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT?: This Brigid deity oil is perfect to use for anointing during Imbolc rituals, working magick, as a fragrance oil or even to use to make incense.
BREAKDOWN
Use your Brigid ritual oil to help banish what no longer serves you and help you to embrace what is to come. Use it for anointing, as a fragrance oil, in offerings or even use to make incense. This ritual oil by Sun's eye is created by fusing essential and fragrant oils with various ingredients, including rowan berry to make the Brigid oil.
• Use to anoint spell candles.
• Use to anoint yourself or others when entering circle or before ritual.
• Use to call forth the Goddess Brigid.
• Use to anoint your altar or objects.
• Use as a fragrance oil.
• Use in an oil warmer.
• PALO SANTO - SACRED WOOD INCENSE •
• ITEM 4: PALO SANTO.........$4.95
• WHAT: Sacred wood incense
• WHO MAKES IT?: Mother Nature
• WHERE CAN I GET IT?: Most metaphysical shops, Sun's Eye Store or the Sabbat Box Store.
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT? Palo Santo is a rare wood from a tree by the same name that has been burned by shamans in ritual and sacred spaces for centuries. This wood carries a strong scent and is said to help purify your space.
BREAKDOWN
Palo Santo in Spanish literally means “holy wood” and comes from the tree that predominately grows in Central and South America bearing the same name (also known etymologically as Bursera Graveolens) and features a sweet, smoky citrus aroma. The Palo Santo tree is actually related to the same trees that bring us fragrant resins like frankincense as well as myrrh. What makes Palo Santo different is it is more common to burn the wood of the tree moreso than resin itself. Due to over-harvesting in South America, palo santo is now grown under government management in order to conserve the sacred wood. This has caused the price of the wood to rise due to its limited availability.
Shamans in Central and South America have been using Palo Santo for hundreds of years, and its use has been adopted by many Pagans around the world as a tool used for purification and cleansing as well as clearing ritual space. Palo Santo is also commonly burned during shamanic journeying and mediating. Use your palo santo by itself or in combination with other sacred herbs and smudges to create your own specially corresponding ritual incense.
How to burn/use palo santo:
• Fetch a small fireproof bowl, cauldron or incense vessel.
• Place a piece of your wood next to a burning flame (a lighter or candle will do).
• Allow the wood to catch fire and burn at one of the ends for a few seconds.
• Once the wood has caught fire and is starting to emit smoke, extinguish the fire.
• After extinguished, you will want to keep the palo santo atop a bowl or ash catcher to catch the smoldered embers and to prevent fire. Use the emitting smoke to sense your space.
• SACRED SABBAT PURIFICATION SPELL CANDLES •
• ITEM 5: SPELL CANDLES.........$5.50
• WHAT IS IT: 6-inch purification white ritual taper spell candles.
• WHO MAKES IT?: Sabbat Box (exclusive item)
• WHERE CAN I GET IT?: The Sabbat Box Store.
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT?: These pure white ritual candles provide the means to purge negativity, and purify your sacred space by means of candle magick.
BREAKDOWN:
White—both at once a lack of color and all colors at once (like a prism)—signifies purity, absence of darkness, as well as “a clean slate”, which for most Pagans is a perfect analogy to the renewal and “restart” that Imbolc represents. We have specially packaged these candles to provide our members and friends a way to signify their intent to start anew and embrace the new life that is to come in the new year.
One of the religious traditions tied to Imbolc is “Candlemas”, which is a hail back to the original intent of this fire festival: “a festival of lights.” It is only appropriate that we include candles in this Sabbat Box. Whether you use these candles to work magic, cast spells of purification, or simply light your home or space, we believe they provide a tangible celebration of all the hope and renewal that Imbolc represents.
Each pair of pure shite ritual taper candles comes wrapped in parchment paper. One could use the inside of the wrapper to write down your intent and burn in upon the fire of the white candles. You could also carve and anoint your candles with the corresponding herbs and oils of your intent to work candle magick, or simply use your candles as a focal point on your altar.
Chant included with your candles:
Element of fire I light your flame,
By burning this candle I speak your name,
Element of fire I call upon your light,
Come forth this sacred sabbat,
To purify, cleanse and shine ever bright.
• PAGAN SYMBOL ALTAR CLOTHS •
• ITEM 6: ALTAR CLOTH.........$14.99
• WHAT IS IT?: Pagan Symbol Altar Cloths 36.00" x 36.00"
• WHO MAKES IT?: Via Eclectic Artisans
• WHERE CAN I GET IT?: You can purchase at the Sabbat Box Store.
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT?: Altar Cloths are a colorful way to decorate and honor a sacred space, altar, or dedicated working space.
BREAKDOWN
We’ve included these cloths as a way to add a renewing accent to whatever area you wish to adorn for the coming sabbats as a way to celebrate the Wheel of the Year while protecting your altar or furniture. Each super soft, lightweight cloth measures in at 36" x 36" making them perfect for altars of any shape or size. Symbolism plays an important role in most Pagan's spiritual practice. The beloved symbols found on each of these altar cloths have various meaning and are considered to be representative of the divine in one way or another. The outsides of each cloth contain various Celtic knot work and beautifully frayed edges.
We’ve included one of the following designs in each Sabbat Box based on member preferences of what symbols they connect with most:
• The Greenman
• Pentacle
• Triple Goddess
• Triple Moon
• Triquetra
• CLEAR QUARTZ GEMSTONE SET W/INFO CARD & BAG •
• ITEM 7: STONE SET.........$1.50
• WHAT: Clear quartz gemstone set
• WHO MAKES IT?: Stones sourced from Azure Green and packaged by Sabbat Box
• WHERE CAN I GET IT?: You can purchase this set via the Sabbat Box Store.
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT?: Quartz, one of the most abundant crystals on Earth, corresponds to and represents the renewal and purification themes of Imbolc.
BREAKDOWN
Quartz and Imbolc are a perfect fit: both represent purity, clarity, and protection. Clear quartz not only is used in altar placement and personal clearing, but also can fill in as a “universal” corresponding stone for other colors and representations, as light through the quartz (like a prism) can split into all colors of the rainbow. Many practitioners also use quartz, both absolutely clear and those with fine cracks or rutilations as a way of divination (in fact, many very expensive crystal balls are created using large polished spheres of quartz) as well as a spellwork tool to enhance clarity of a situation or intent in magickal workings. We’ve included a small informational card and a large organza bag in each set. Each quartz is roughly .5" to 1.5" in size and makes a great addition to any stone collection.
• PACKING & SHIPPING •
PACKING & SHIPPING: Part of the costs of your box include the box and the packing material itself. The items listed below account for a good portion of the overall costs for the Imbolc Sabbat Box. Each Imbolc Sabbat Box is lined with paper padding and wrapping to add to the surprise of what we’ve curated for you. Shipping is included in the total price. The average cost to ship Sabbat Boxes is roughly $8.60. With that being said, we here at Sabbat Box wish to be as environmentally friendly that we can be and do our best to source packing supplies and material from companies that have the same beliefs we do, in that we want to make as little of an impact as possible on the environment.
BOXES: Your boxes where made from high quality corrugated paper and are 100% recyclable. Try to find another use for your box. They are 9x9x3 on the inside. You could decorate your box to hold some magical supplies or use it to again to ship something to someone or save it for another time when you may need it. If you dispose of it, please try to recycle it.
BROCHURE: Your brochures are printed on 100% recyclable 16pt paper, which is sourced from sustainable forests.
TISSUE PAPER & FILLING: The purple tissue paper is made from 100% recycled paper and is recyclable. The ivory colored filler inside each box is made from scraps of recycled colored crinkle paper and is biodegradable.
STICKERS: The stickers found within your boxes where printed on vinyl with a gloss laminate.
• SABBAT BOX SAVINGS & COUPONS •
SAVINGS & COUPONS:
Part of our goal is to provide a number of items to our members at a value far above what individuals can purchase on their own. When you add up all of the items inside your Imbolc Sabbat Box, as well as costs for shipping and packaging, you are saving over $19.00. We believe this to be another good reason to be a member. Also, each box we create helps to support Pagan run businesses and their employees. Sabbat Box looks forward to continuing to stay within our mission to work with other Pagan businesses to supply products for each box.
Coupons are another great feature you will find within Sabbat Boxes. Coupons just add to the overall value of your box and are not included in the "total savings" specified on your information sheet/brochure, but definitely add further value as well as further exclusivity to being a member. Be sure to visit our product suppliers websites and stores to help continue to support their businesses and missions as well.
IMBOLC BOX PRICE BREAKDOWN
• Total MSRP of items inside: $51.48
• Total Savings on this box: $11.93
• Total Shipping Savings: $7.95
• Grand Total In Savings: $19.88
~Our members helped to support 6 Pagan run businesses with their Sabbat Box membership! Unlike some subscription boxes (that only use their own products inside each of their boxes), we work with other Pagans and Pagan owned businesses within the community to purchase and supply the items featured within our boxes. In the end, we want to help the community grow and share our business with companies that share our same values and standards.
TIME:
We take pride in assembling each and every Sabbat Box by hand, no matter the amount of time it takes. We don't just throw your items inside a flat rate priority mail box like some other subscription box companies out there. We want your Sabbat Box to be delivered to you as beautifully as it left us, and it takes a tremendous amount of time to complete this task.
This includes folding the boxes together, individually cutting each sheet of tissue paper by hand, weighing out the crinkle paper for each box, designing the flyers, coupons, stickers and brochures to be printed professionally by commercial printers, individually placing each candle within a bag, individually assembling the boxes, individually packing the tissue paper within each box by hand, putting together and creating product packing. This timeframe doesn't even include the efforts made to manage the Sabbat Box website, the back end billing system, social media management, customer service inquiries, accounting, marketing, purchasing, networking, and so on.
We believe in what it is we are doing and we sincerely hope that each and every one of you can see that the purest of intent and utmost care goes into curating each Sabbat Box.
• OFFICIAL IMBOLC SABBAT BOX UNBOXING VIDEO •
• OTHER RESOURCES, BLOGS AND PODCASTS •
• PAGAN ACTIVIST: Pagan Activist is a blog for liberal Pagans to write their experiences, calls to action, and inform the general Pagan public of what’s going on from a liberal Pagan perspective. Contributors include Shauna Aura, Rev Kess and more.
Website: http://paganactivist.com
• WITCHES BREW HAHA (PODCAST): Witches Brew Ha Ha is a pagan podcast hosted by Velma Nightshade. Started in 2010, Velma shares her personal experiences with Wicca, Witchcraft and Paganism with her listeners. Velma offers different reoccuring segments on her podcast, from book reviews to practical magick, herb lore, stone lore, news bits and more, Velma provides an interesting perspective and point of view regarding the craft. Even though her last show was released on October of 2013, she has released over 40 episodes to keep you busy with.
Website: http://witchesbrewhaha.com
We would like to thank each and every one of our suppliers, vendors, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, our members, for making this possible. This wouldn't even be happening if it wasn't for our members. We hope to continue to serve the Pagan community at large and continue to provide you inspiration to celebrate the wheel of the year! Have a blessed Imbolc~
Blessed Be,
Llyfr & Hugh
Founders of Sabbat Box
- Aeden B
- Tags: Imbolc Imbolc Box Nature's Renewal
Imbolc Sabbat Box Theme Release • Nature's Renewal 0
• NATURE'S RENEWAL •
When winter starts to finally loose its grip, the first signs of spring are not far behind. By the first day of February (in the Northern Hemisphere), the days are lengthening and for many it means to prepare to plant and expect greenery to return... nature's renewal. It also represents a rough center point in time between the darkness of winter solstice and the soon-to-come spring equinox.
That special day—Imbolc—marks another turn on the Wheel of the Year. Its celebration, for many Pagans, is seen as the young Goddess soon ready to blossom into Her womanhood. Many covens and Pagan groups see this time as special for the feminine and all things Goddess. In fact, a number of Dianic Wiccans see Imbolc as the perfect time for initiations; again, turning to “coming of age” as a common theme at this time in the cycle of the seasons.
The history of Imbolc is long and dates back centuries, if not millennia. Ancient Gaelic Irish people saw the day as a time to celebrate Brigid, their goddess (only later becoming part of the Christian tradition, where she became Saint Brigid). They celebrated the day with a fertility festival where some of the last of the prior year’s harvest were laid out as a feast—a celebration that they had survived another turn of the earth, another period of darkness and lack and infertility, agriculturally speaking.
Some other prominent practices for this date was to celebrate home and hearth, particularly by lighting fires and candles, as if to encourage the lengthening sunny days. Of course, not only was fire seen as an important light source, but also could serve as a purification or cleansing force. In fact, this most likely is where the old concept of “spring cleaning” occurred: a chance to clear out the old and welcome the new.
And as much as fire plays a role in Imbolc, water—and its own cleansing powers—also has a large part in practices both ancient and current. As the chalice is the visual representation of the feminine, the water it can hold symbolizes similar importance. Historically for the Gaels and the Irish, this was also a time to make pilgrimages to sacred wells: pools and natural springs the Goddess inhabits. Many seekers would pray for health while walking “sunwise” (clockwise, or deosil) around the sacred “chalice of the earth.”
Weather divination is another practice long associated with Brigid and her festival. Obviously this time of year represented a look forward to the coming growing season; thoughts and intuitions about the future were only natural. Using various signs from the local surroundings by Pagans to predict the near future such as seeing if serpents or badgers would come out of their dens at this time to forecast how soon winter would officially be over. Even non-Pagans today will mark this time in such a way, although its modern manifestation is a groundhog (on February 2nd) instead of a badger or snake.
Brigid is seen by some as the original Goddess. It was believed that she would make the rounds on Imbolc Eve and bless virtuous households with prosperity and fertility in the coming seasons. A common practice at the time in Ireland, for instance, was to invite Brigid into the house and make a bed for her. One of the family members—generally a young woman who has reached childbearing years (or soon will)—would circle the house three times, each time knocking on the door to be let in. On the third attempt, she would be welcomed in, and then there would be a feast meal. After the meal, Brigid’s bed would be made by placing rushes, or reeds, on the floor. In some traditions, it is reported that a white wand made of birch would be placed near the bed, which was an invitation for Brigid to use it in bringing back the spring. Another common practice was to create a Brigid’s Cross, created from more reeds and hung above doorways or windows in the home to protect it from fire or illness.
Many other practices for Imbolc and Brigid’s Day are documented historically, including
its eventual inclusion into Christian practice as well as another commonly celebrated holiday/sabbat known as Candlemas. How do you personally celebrate Imbolc? What traditions or importance do you keep at this hopeful time of year? Whatever your path or observation of Imbolc, all can agree that this time marks when the cold and dark will soon be replaced by the renewal of light and warmth…and in turn, a hope of good life and happiness.
We plan on including some wonderfully magical items inside the Imbolc Sabbat Box to help make aid your sabbat celebrations and welcome nature's renewal.
- Llyfr Glas
- Tags: Candlemas Imbolc Nature's Renewal Sabbat Box Theme
A Letter To A Beloved At Yuletide 25
“This bayberry candle comes from a friend,
so on Christmas Eve* burn it to the end.
For a bayberry candle burned to the socket,
will bring joy to the heart, and gold to the pocket.”
Plymouth, Mass.
14th December, 1715.
My Dearest Margery—
What joy the arrival your latest Correspondence brought to me, only to find that you have struggled to fulfill your goal and are faced with inscrutable Family goings-on. I hope that your visit to England ends more advantageously than how it began. O, I beseech the Spirits that you would not struggle so!
Since your return to our Shores is not scheduled until the bloom of Spring, I went this morning to call upon Mrs. Ramage—the local Cunning-Woman—for her Counsel in assuring your most prosperous return to me. She said little; instead, she bestowed on me the strangest gift.
‘Burn this down to its end on the eve of Christmas hence,’ she said, handing me a small package wrapped in Rag. ‘It will bring ye and your Betrothed much fortune and success to in y’r new Life, it will.’
Upon opening the small bundle, it revealed a green Candle made from the wax of the Bayberry. When I further inquired its significance, the Wise Woman merely cackled and retired to her shack.
While I admit I am somewhat skeptical of the old Crone who lives outside of Town (some have dared whisper gossip of b’witched ways, but I pay them no mind) I must say that she helped Father’s sow last Spring to produce a goodly litter with her Charms and Trinkets, so I will do as she instructs: I will place it in the window facing the sea that stands between you and I and burn it through ’til midnight into the wee hours of the Twenty-Fifth. I understand the necessity of the bush’s Fruits in wax at this the leanest time of the year due to lack of Tallow, but was not aware of its properties to encourage favour.
O, curse the Dark Winter and your prolonged absence! I beseech you reply to my missive at your earliest Convenience and shall breathlessly wait for your next post’s arrival at the harbor. In the meantime, ’tis a small comfort to burn the Bayberry in anticipation of our impending Nuptials in June. I must say the small gift from the Crone warms my heart right now even as the snow continues to gather in the Gate-yard.
’Til the next writing, My Beloved, and the highest hopes that my far-flung Words find you in earnest Yearning for me and your home here in the Colonies. My best to you and yours at this Dark Season--
Your Loving Intended and Humble Servant,
Mr. Thos. Shedrow.
PS I almost forgot to tell you! I have set eyes on the Farm land for our future Hearth and Home. May the Bayberry do its work!
(The above is a fictional letter between a young Massachusetts colonist and his fiancée, but one could imagine that something like this could have happened three centuries ago.)
We at Sabbat Box hope you enjoy all the traditions and activities surrounding the Winter Solstice, and hope you gain success in the new year.
Burn your bayberry through until midnight, either in ritual or as defense against the darkness of winter; let it be a symbol of hope for a better tomorrow and a shining future.
Blessed Yule!—Leafer
- Llyfr Glas
- Tags: A Mystic's Winter Bayberry Candle Lore Winter Solstice Yule
Discover The Yule Sabbat Box - A Mystic's Winter 0
• YULE SABBAT BOX • A MYSTIC'S WINTER • SABBAT BOX BREAKDOWN •
Hail and Welcome, Sabbat Box Members and Friends!
The end of our calendar year seems to come faster every year. Everything and everyone seems to be in a rush: families making plans to come together, shopping and errands become a longer and longer “to-do” list, and sometimes we stop a moment and wonder where 2015 went!
Regardless of the holiday traditions we incorporate into our lives, Pagans and “muggles” alike are swept away by plans made and events planned. But for many Pagans, this time is not only an opportunity to take a pause and reflect on where we have been, but a chance to look forward. Yule itself is in its simplest state, a recognition of the Winter Solstice—the shortest day of the year—and the realization that the days that have been getting shorter and shorter over the past few months will now start getting longer. Yule and hope (and the other corresponding faiths during this time of year) go hand in hand for a reason: the days of warmth and light will once be upon us, the promise of Spring surely right around the corner.
This Sabbat Box is a celebration of that hope. We have offered everything from light to fight the darkness (traditional bayberry candles) to a simple method to divine the coming year (Witches’ Runes) and everything in between. The items we chose for Yule are a varied collection of tools and decor to make your celebration of the Sabbat even better.
• As some of you may know, as of now we are currently at our maximum membership capacity at Sabbat Box. We have implemented a waiting list for those interested in joining when membership positions become available. You can join the waiting list here.
• Do you or someone you know make a product that would appeal to the Pagan community? Are you looking to launch a product or get your product in front of a large audience? If so, lets talk! Sabbat Box is always looking for new vendors and suppliers that create unique items to feature inside an upcoming Sabbat Box. Sabbat Box is a great way for people to find out about you, your product or your company. Whether you are looking to advertise inside the box or wish to feature a product within a box, we would love to hear from you. Become a Sabbat Box Supplier/Advertiser today.
• YULE-RITUALS, RECIPES & LORE FOR THE WINTER SOLSTICE •
• ITEM 1: YULE BOOK.........$11.99
• WHAT: Yule-Rituals, Recipes and Lore for The Winter Solstice (part of Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials series)
• WHO MAKES IT?: Llewellyn Worldwide & Authored By Susan Pesznecker
• WHERE CAN I GET IT?: You can purchase copies via the Sabbat Box Store or via Llewellyn.
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT?: Llewellyn has been a trusted source for books on Paganism, Magick and New Age topics since 1901. This particular book features spells, recipes, lore, invocations, correspondences, crafts and rituals that will help to inspire you to celebrate The Winter Solstice in your own unique way.
BREAKDOWN:
Part of what we wish to do here at Sabbat Box is to provide further resources for our members pertaining to paganism, witchcraft and the Sabbats. The Sabbat Essentials series are wonderful resource books and will truly help you find inspiration on how to celebrate the Sabbat in your own special way. Some may say that these books are geared more towards those new to the craft, but you would be surprised to read how much information is packed within these books, which is helpful for both seasoned practitioners as well as a novice! We decided to feature Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials books when we started Sabbat Box, as this line of books is brand new to Llewellyn, (making them first edition prints) and they correlate perfectly with what Sabbat Box is all about. In fact, these first edition printings come out only a few weeks before we ship each Sabbat Box, which makes our members some of the first people to actually own and read them.
The Author of Yule, Susan Pesznecker (also known as Moonwriter), is a writer, nurse, teacher, hearth Pagan, and Druid living in northwest Oregon, U.S.A. Sue is a college English professor living near Portland, Oregon. She teaches at Clackamas Community College and prior to teaching, was a registered nurse for 25 years. Sue loves anything having to do with the outdoors and natural world. Magickally, she has been involved in Pagan community for a number of decades as a participant and teacher, specializing in nature magicks, herbalism, astronomy, and healing. She is an initiate and Elder in the Order of the White Oak and co-founder of the online Druid Grove of Two Coasts.
An “Invocation to the Life-Giving Sun on the Solstice Vigil” from the book (page 149):
Oh, absent sun,
the earth grows cold as we wait.
Our vigil fire is but a small spark
compared to your brilliance.
Our bones grow cold
awaiting your warmth.
Patiently we await your return
in the eastern sky.
Impatiently we await the first shard of light
piercing the eastern dawn—
the first sign of life’s renewal.
Come to us, oh sun!
For now, we wait.
Other books by the Author:
• Gargoyles (New Page)
• Crafting Magick with Pen and Ink (Llewellyn)
• The Personal Retreat (Llewellyn)
• ANCIENT ALCHEMY FRANKINCENSE, MYRRH & VANILLA • HANDMADE RITUAL SOAP •
• ITEM 2: RITUAL SOAP 6.5oz.......$6.50
• WHAT: Ancient Alchemy Handmade Cold Processed Soap
• WHO MAKES IT?: Alchemy and Ashes
• WHERE CAN I GET IT?: The Alchemy and Ashes Store or the Sabbat Box Store.
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT?: Perfect to use for ritual bathing prior to working magick, meditation or ritual.
BREAKDOWN
This handmade fragrant, cold processed soap, is made with olive, coconut, palm, an caster oil, as well as frankincense, vanilla, myrrh powder, patchouli, cedarwood, benzoin, and clary sage—all herbs of which correspond to purification, protection and consecration. Use your Ancient Alchemy handmade soap for ritual bathing prior to working magick, meditating or ritual. Alchemy & Ashes is located in Land ‘O Lakes, Florida and specializes in vintage decor and antiques as well as witchcraft supplies and apothecary products. The owner of Alchemy and Ashes uses the finest ingredients to craft her apothecary products and also uses traditional methods and techniques, which lead to a superior end product. Each cold processed soap goes through a 30 day "curing process," in which the hand crafted ingredients and components become soap.
Ancient Alchemy soap is one of Alchemy and Ashes best sellers, and for good reason! It smells amazing and it comes in a very large and generous 6.5 ounce bar, which will last you quite some time. Be sure to stop on by their Etsy store and see their other amazing apothecary products available.
• ETSY SHOP: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlchemyAshes
• WEBSITE: http://alchemyandashes-com.webs.com
• AUTHENTIC HAND-DIPPED BAYBERRY SPELL CANDLES •
• ITEM 3: SPELL CANDLES.........$12.00
• WHAT: Hand Dipped Bayberry Wax Spell Candles (Custom Made For Sabbat Box)
• WHO MAKES IT?: Custom made by "The Candle Store" specially for Sabbat Box.
• WHERE CAN I GET IT?: The Sabbat Box Store
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT?: Bayberry Candles have been gifted and burned for centuries as a tradition during the Yule Season.
BREAKDOWN
Since bayberry candles were costly to produce and expensive to purchase, one was considered to be blessed with prosperity and luck if they could afford to spend the money on such a luxury item. Along with this, it was easy to see why bayberry candles quickly became a symbol of prosperity and luck, which ultimately started the tradition of gifting the candles during the winter to family and friends, with the hopes that you would be bestowing luck and prosperity to the recipient.
Even though someone may have received a bayberry candle as a gift, it was common to only burn the candles during the most special of occasions, cherishing the candles for what they where. It is also quite easy to see where the old saying about bayberry candles actually comes from..."For a bayberry candle burned to the socket, brings joy to the heart and gold to the pocket."
Magickal Uses
• Use when working prosperity spells or prosperity candle magick.
• Burn when working magick pertaining to longevity, happiness and family.
• Burn when working luck magick.
• Burn as an offering to the divine when working any type of magick.
• Burn during the Solstice as a symbol of the return of the sun.
• Burn during New Year's Eve or New Year's day to "usher" prosperity into the new year.
• HAND BURNED & HAND STAINED WITCHES' RUNES •
• ITEM 4: WITCHES' RUNES.........$15.99
• WHAT: Handmade Witches' Runes with 5x7 inch black satin bag and info sheet.
• WHO MAKES IT?: Dragon Oak - Dragonoak.com
• WHERE CAN I GET IT?: You can purchase via Dragon Oak or via the Sabbat Box Store.
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT? Witches Runes are a simplified rune system for divination and a good introduction to the practice of casting runes for divination and rune magick.
BREAKDOWN
These beautiful, hand-burned and hand stained Witches’ Runes are a unique tool that any mystic or Pagan can use for divination during the Solstice. Each witches' rune set is cut together from wood of the same contiguous branch to assure continuity with the energy and the spirit of the tree. Each rune is hand stained with all natural linseed oil to seal them and then air-dried, allowing all methods of the elements to take place in their creation. Located in Missouri, Dragon Oak has been making rune sets and divination products for over twenty years. This particular rune set is based on the runes described by Patricia Crowther in her book Lid Off The Cauldron. Each rune set comes with an informational sheet and includes a 5x7 inch black satin bag to hold and protect them.
• HANDMADE CINNAMON BESOM YULE ORNAMENTS •
• ITEM 5: YULE ORNAMENT.........$3.50
• WHAT IS IT: Handmade cinnamon besom Yule tree ornament with pentacle.
• WHO MAKES IT?: Sabbat Box (exclusive item)
• WHERE CAN I GET IT?: The Sabbat Box Store.
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT?: If you have a Yule tree or decorate for the Solstice, this rustic besom will provide a tiny aromatic addition to your home, and add a mystic feel.
BREAKDOWN:
There are many traditions surrounding Yule that have been “borrowed” by other cultures and faiths; one of the most common traditions we tend to share is decorating a tree. We wanted to help bring a “mystic” feel to your Yule tree with these handmade cinnamon broom Yule tree ornaments. Each besom is handmade and dipped in real cinnamon essential oil. Your ornament will surely fill the room with a warm winter scent often recognized as a correspondence to prosperity magick. Don’t have a tree or do you not decorate one? Use your cinnamon besom as a protective talisman for your home. Simply hang it above the inside of your front door for protection and to keep evil from entering. You could also place your besom atop your altar, in a drawer, or in your car as well.
• FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH RESIN INCENSE •
• ITEM 6: RESIN INCENSE.........$3.00
• WHAT IS IT?: Frankincense and Myrrh resin incense 3/4 oz.
• WHO MAKES IT?: Mother Nature
• WHERE CAN I GET IT?: You can purchase at the Sabbat Box Store.
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT?: It’s not a coincidence that in the Bible, the Christian nativity story included mention of these two luxurious substances as kingly gifts. Frankincense and Myrrh resins are ancient forms of incense used for millennia, during this time of the year.
BREAKDOWN
An important part of casting circle, working magick, or even meditating is making sure your ritual space is consecrated and “spiritually cleansed.” One way to cleanse such a space is by burning resins. Frankincense and myrrh have been used for thousands of years by people for purification and its cleansing properties. It was used as far back as the time of the ancient Egyptians, prior to their rites and was even mentioned in the Bible as a gift from the Magi (“wise men”) to Jesus after his birth. Use these ancient resins during your Solstice rituals as a way to connect with the past and purify the present.
CORRESPONDENCES:
• Frankincense: A masculine resin with solar properties and corresponds to the element of fire. Frankincense is used for protection, spirituality, exorcisms and to honor the divine. It is said that when frankincense is burned, it releases strong vibrations that help to "uplift" an area and drive away evil and negativity. Place frankincense inside a sachet for luck and burn on charcoal for spiritual growth.
• Myrrh: A feminine resin with lunar properties and corresponds to the element of water. Myrrh is used for protection, exorcism and spirituality. When burned as incense, myrrh purifies the area and lifts vibration. Usually not burned by itself, myrrh tends to raise the vibration of other incense it is being burned with. Use myrrh to also consecrate, cleanse and bless objects or places.
• MOON CONE INCENSE BY HEM •
• ITEM 7: CONE INCENSE.........$2.00
• WHAT: The Moon hand rolled cone incense by HEM
• WHO MAKES IT?: HEM
• WHERE CAN I GET IT?: Via the Sabbat Box Store, or most metaphysical suppliers
• WHY WOULD I WANT IT?: The moon is a vibrant symbol of the hope of light during the darkest point in the year. This incense will help one to symbolically connect with that light and hope during the Solstice.
BREAKDOWN
Embrace the darkest night of winter by the light of the moon with these handmade cone incense by HEM. Perfect for the Winter Solstice as it adds to the symbolism of the darkest part of the year. Though it may be dark, the light of the moon will always be existent until the longer days come back around.
We chose to feature the moon cone incense by within the Yule Sabbat Box because its scent will help to fill the room with an intoxicating aroma of mystical magick. Each pack of moon cone incense comes with 10 cones and a small metal cone holder, which is more then plenty to facilitate your magical sabbat workings. Warning: always burn incense in a high heat proof vessel. Never leave incense unattended.
• PACKING & SHIPPING •
PACKING & SHIPPING: Part of the costs of your box include the box and the packing material itself. The items listed below account for a good portion of the overall costs for the Yule Sabbat Box. Each Yule Sabbat Box is lined with paper padding and wrapping to add to the surprise of what we’ve curated for you. Shipping is included in the total price. The average cost to ship Sabbat Boxes is roughly $8.00. With that being said, we here at Sabbat Box wish to be as environmentally friendly that we can be and do our best to source packing supplies and material from companies that have the same beliefs we do, in that we want to make as little of an impact as possible on the environment.
BOXES: Your boxes where made from high quality corrugated paper and are 100% recyclable. Try to find another use for your box. They are 9x9x3 on the inside. You could decorate your box to hold some magical supplies or use it to again to ship something to someone or save it for another time when you may need it. If you dispose of it, please try to recycle it.
BROCHURE & COUPONS: Your brochures are printed on 100% recyclable 16pt paper, which is sourced from sustainable forests.
TISSUE PAPER & FILLING: The red tissue paper is made from 100% recycled paper and is recyclable. The filling is made from scraps of recycled colored crinkle paper and is biodegradable.
STICKERS: The stickers found within your boxes where printed on vinyl with a gloss laminate.
• SABBAT BOX COUPONS •
SAVINGS & COUPONS:
Part of our goal is to provide a number of items to our members at a value far above what individuals can purchase on their own. When you add up all of the items inside your Yule Sabbat Box, as well as costs for shipping and packaging, you are saving over $21.00 with your Yule Sabbat Box. We believe this to be another good reason to be a member. Also, each box we create helps to support Pagan run businesses and their employees. Sabbat Box looks forward to continuing to stay within our mission to work with other Pagan businesses to supply products for each box.
Coupons are another great feature you will find within Sabbat Boxes. Coupons just add to the overall value of your box and are not included in the "total savings" specified on your information sheet/brochure, but definitely add further value as well as further exclusivity to being a member. Check out the Pagan run businesses below and see the great discounts our members received inside the Samhain Box. Be sure to visit their online store and help support their businesses. They really do make some magickal pagan products.
YULE BOX PRICE BREAKDOWN
• Total MSRP of items inside: $53.48
• Total Savings on this box: $13.53
• Total Shipping Savings: $7.95
• Grand Total In Savings: $21.48
~Our members helped to support 5 Pagan run businesses with their Sabbat Box membership! Unlike some subscription boxes (that only use their own products inside each of their boxes), we work with other Pagans and Pagan owned businesses within the community to purchase and supply the items featured within our boxes. In the end, we want to help the community grow and share our business with companies that share our same values and standards
• ALCHEMY AND ASHES - A VINTAGE EMPORIUM •
• EXCLUSIVE SABBAT BOX MEMBER COUPON
• COMPANY: ALCHEMY AND ASHES
• EXCLUSIVE MEMBER COUPON VALUE: 10% off next purchase (found in Yule brochure).
• WEBSITE: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlchemyAshes
• FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/Alchemy.Ashes/
• WHAT THEY SELL: Purveyor of unique handcrafted products inspired by history, myth, and magic. Shawnee is a conjurer, creator, and curator of the mystical and the mundane. Their specialty Handcrafted cold process soaps, perfumes, and other magical products ~ Arcana Artis Reincarnated Acquisitions.
TIME:
We take pride in assembling each and every Sabbat Box by hand, no matter the amount of time it takes. We don't just throw your items inside a flat rate priority mail box like some other subscription box companies out there. We want your Sabbat Box to be delivered to you as beautifully as it left us, and it takes a tremendous amount of time to complete this task.
This includes folding the boxes together, individually cutting each sheet of tissue paper by hand, weighing out the crinkle paper for each box, designing the flyers, coupons, stickers and brochures to be printed professionally by commercial printers, individually placing each candle within a bag, individually assembling the boxes, individually packing the tissue paper within each box by hand, putting together and creating product packing, taping each and every box by hand as well as individually printing each and every shipping label and sticking them to your boxes too. This timeframe doesn't even include the efforts made to manage the website, the back end billing system, social media management, customer service inquiries, accounting, marketing, purchasing, networking, and so on.
We really do believe in what it is we are doing and we sincerely hope that each and every one of you can see that the purest of intent and utmost care goes into curating your Sabbat Box.
• OFFICIAL YULE SABBAT BOX UNBOXING VIDEO •
• OTHER RESOURCES, BLOGS AND PODCASTS •
• THE ALLERGIC PAGAN (BLOG): John Halstead is a former Mormon, now Jungian Neo-Pagan with interests in ecology, theology, and ritual. He is the Managing Editor at HumanisticPaganism.com, a community blog for Naturalistic Pagans. He also blogs about Jungian Neo-Paganism at Dreaming the Myth Onward, which is hosted by Witches & Pagans, and is an occasional contributor to Gods & Radicals and The Huffington Post. He is also the administrator of the site Neo-Paganism.com.
Website: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/allergicpagan/
• BETWIXT AND BETWEEN (PODCAST): Not fitting in is a pretty common state of being for most Pagans and Witches, but what do you do when you’re not quite dark enough for the all-Underworld-all-the-time crowd, but you’re definitely not Wiccan enough for the Merry Meet crowd? When you really love coming together in real life with like-minded practitioners, but your schedule is dictated by playdates, laundry loads, and the precious moments of adult conversation or pursuit of some kind of career beyond wiping noses and bums? And when your practice of the Craft itself is at its most fulfilling and powerful when you are in the in-between places–dawn, twilight, midnight, a foggy beach, the edge of a forest, a space in the hedge? It’s hard to describe, but it’s exhilerating: the creative tension when and where you are about to cross over, from one world to the next, one time to the next, one role to the next. Life is constant change and flux, and in this miasma we shape ourselves and our reality. Come explore it all as we have, two modern, down-to-earth, real-life-concerns, practicing Witches, in the conversations of Betwixt and Between.
Website: https://betwixtandbetweennotes.wordpress.com
We would like to thank each and every one of our suppliers, vendors, customers and MOST IMPORTANTLY, our members, for making this possible. This wouldn't even be happening if it wasn't for our members. We really do look forward to shipping out the next boxes for Imbolc. We also have so much more in the works here at Sabbat Box and continue to strive to make Sabbat Box the premier subscription box for Pagans. We hope to continue to serve the Pagan community at large. Happy Solstice and a Happy New Year!
Blessed Be,
Llyfr & Hugh
Founders of Sabbat Box
- Aeden B
- Tags: A Mystic's Winter Winter Solstice Yule Yule Box
Yule Sabbat Box Theme Release • A Mystic's Winter 3
• A MYSTIC'S WINTER •
As the mundane calendar year starts to count down, the Pagan year—beginning at Samhain—is just getting under way. The Winter Solstice, also known as Yule, is the first important milestone of this new Pagan year calendar, and in harsher times, often the most worrisome. The Pagans of old faced the shortest day of the year--the winter solstice--worried if the previous season's crops would last until spring, but came together to remind each other that even the very next day would be longer and the promise of spring was not far off. How? By celebrating the re-birth of the God, the baby who would grow and mature like the bulbs of flowers that would soon emerge from the frozen ground, with feasts and songs and light. Light that shone against the longest night.
So what is a mystic's winter? A mystic's winter is about finding and embracing the magic and beauty of winter season. A mystic may find beauty in the white of the freshly fallen snow, and drawing in the powers that be, on a cold winter's day. A mystic may find beauty within the longer, darker nights, by embracing the shadows cast by the dark of the night and light of the moon. A mystic will embrace the winter and use it to his or her advantage, calling upon all that still manifests during the season to bring about their desires. As mother nature humbles herself before us all, with her trees leafless and naked, the mystic will use this time to contemplate, reflect and heal during this time of transition, much similar to that of the land in which the mystic draws their power from. Our goal with the Yule Sabbat Box is to provide you items that will allow you to capture the magick of the winter season, as well as add a few unique items into your magickal practice that you may not have thought to use before. The items that will be featured inside are also there to help you draw in inspiration from the season and hopefully inspire your inner mystic to work with the season of darkness and change.
- Aeden B
- Tags: Sabbat Box Theme Winter Solstice Yule
