St. Anne's Shrine Fall River

St. Anne’s Parish was founded in 1869 when there were about 500-600 French families in the city.  The Church was founded in 1894.  In 1900, Fall River had a population of slightly more than 100,000 people, of which nearly 40,000 were French.  The surge of French Canadian immigrants at the turn of the Century came from the agricultural crisis in Quebec.  They had a profound influence in the labor, language and culture.  Even by the 1930′s, Fall River still kept sort of a French flavor, and even today one comes across more French and Portuguese names in its local politics, legal profession, and many of the middle class businesses.

French Canadians rose to prominence in Fall River, including Edmund P. Talbot, Fall River’s Mayor from 1923-1926 and again from 1929-1930.  Ties to church and community is what kept the former mill workers (including the Portuguese and Irish) to remain in Fall River while most of the founding families split when the hard times hit.   Now the French Canadians and those from the Azores are the  tapestry of Fall River’s rich history. their fingerprints are all over what is left and plans for what will be. Today Fall River'/s neighborhood where St, Anne's Stands is a Portuguese  in flavor area.  The sights, smells, and language of the Azores and Portugal permeate this area.  We have family that lives in the heart of this area, and had a wonderful visiting with them during the summer.  We visited St. Anne's Shrine among other historic sites.

"Little known to tourists and passing visitors (mostly because it’s not advertised in city brochures) is the below ground level Shrine to St. Anne within the Church.  One has to know where to enter:  an unmarked outside door on the north side.  According to Fall River “Officer Dave” whom I met at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast, the Church at one time opened up this space for the homeless.  In short order there were thefts, vandalism and even a death.  The space had also become a safe haven for illicit drug use.  So the parishioners had to re-think that whole be-kind-to-those-less-fortunate thing when it came to free and easy 24/7 access to the Shrine of St. Anne."

The subterranean Shrine is open most all hours to the general public.   It is spacious with a number of “exhibits, as I prefer to call them.  The Shrine of Mother Theresa is astonishingly realistic from all angles.

My family I have family in Fall River, and we visited St. Anne's Shrine  it was an amazing place, the energy was so clam and peaceful.

Summer Soltice

Midsummer Celebrations
 MidSummer
Summer Soltice
Litha
Feast of John the Baptist


The Summer Solstice is also known as: Alban Heflin, Alben Heruin, All-couples day, Feast of Epona, Feast of St. John the Baptist, Feill-Sheathain, Gathering Day, Johannistag, Litha, Midsummer, Sonnwend, Thing-Tide, Vestalia and others.

Midsummer is a night of magic and mystery as we celebrate the growth of the earth.   Around the world and across cultures people celebrate this as the first day of Summer, generally on June 21.

"Solstice" is derived from two Latin words: "sol" meaning sun, and "sistere," to cause to stand still. This is because, as the summer solstice approaches, the noonday sun rises higher and higher in the sky on each successive day. On the day of the solstice, it rises an imperceptible amount, compared to the day before. In this sense, it "stands still."

The common Wiccan and Pagan holiday is often called Litha.
Christian celebrations, after the conversion of Europe to Christianity, the feast day of St. John the Baptist was set as JUN-24. It "is one of the oldest feasts, if not the oldest feast, introduced into both the Greek and Latin liturgies to honour a saint."  "Just as John was the forerunner to Jesus, midsummer forecasts the eventual arrival of" the winter solstice  DEC-21.
The person of John Baptist is known for his wild spirit which personifies the energy of the Summer Solstice.
In addition the Essences also celebrated this Midsummer holiday.
Essenes: This was a Jewish religious group active in Palestine during the 1st century CE. It was one of about 24 Jewish groups in the country -- the only one that used a solar calendar. Other Jewish groups at the time included the Sadducees, Pharisees, Zealots, followers of John, and followers of Yeshua (Jesus). Archaeologists have found that the largest room of the ruins at Qumran (location of the Dead Sea Scrolls) appears to be a sun temple. The room had been considered a dining room by earlier investigators, in spite of the presence of two altars at its eastern end. At the time of the summer solstice, the rays of the setting sun shine at 286 degrees along the building's longitudinal axis, and illuminate the eastern wall. The room is oriented at exactly the same angle as the Egyptian shrines dedicated to the sun. Two ancient authorities -- the historian Josephus and the philosopher Filon of Alexandria -- had written that the Essenes were sun worshipers. Until recently, their opinion had been rejected by modern historians.  

For those who celebrate the Christian Craft it is a day of wonder and wild spirit.  Bonfire are lit, and St, John the Baptist is revered.  We celebrate the Summer and the life of John the Baptist.

In the Wheel of the Year (Pagan calendar)  Midsummer is one of the 'lesser sabats' of the 8 major sabats and often one the most favorite for the energy of this time of the year.  We are given no only what we need, but even more.  Midsummer is a holiday of excess and frolic.


My Practice-

I celebrate by adorning my main altar with glorious array of summer flowers and fruits.  I light a 7 day candle in honor of John the Baptist and do energy work to Bless and bring abundance.

My family and I often go the mountains where we honor nature and celebrate this day with a bonfire and feasting.  The energy  of this day is great for positive and love work.

 One of my favorite parts of both Beltane (May 1) and Midsummer are the head wreaths.  These beautiful head arrangements symbolize the female maiden energy and are lovely to wear.

Correspondence:

Litha
Summer HERBS


Lavender, Chamomile, Roses, Daisy, Lily
INCENSE

Frankincense, Lemon, Rose, Wisteria, Lavender

COLORS
Blue, Green, Yellow

DECORATIONS
Dried herbs, Potpourri, Seashells, Summer Flowers, Fruits

FOODS
Summer Fruits, Ale, Mead, Fresh Vegetables

Mary and the Egg

Mary and the Egg

Mary and the Egg




It is a common theory that Easter is nothing more than a recycled Pagan tradition.  Although it is true that eggs and bunnies are Pagan fertility symbols used at Spring celebrations, there is a bit more to the Easter Egg as a Christian icon.  Eggs have been used at Passover feasts since Moses and it was more likely a Passover feast that Mary Magdalene immortalized the modern day Easter Egg at.  Read below to find out why Mary Magdalene is often used by esoteric Christians as Christian goddess energy form and archetype symbol.


According to the ancient tradition of the East, Mary Magdalene was a wealthy woman from whom Christ expelled seven demons. During the three years of Jesus’ ministry she helped support Him and His other disciples with her money. When almost everyone else fled, she stayed with Him at the cross. On Easter morning she was the first to bear witness to His resurrection. She is called “Equal to the Apostles.” The Eastern tradition tells us that after the Ascension she journeyed to Rome where she was admitted to the court of Tuberous Caesar because of her high social standing. After describing how poorly Pilate had administered justice at Jesus’ trial, she told Caesar that Jesus had risen from the dead. To help explain His resurrection she picked up an egg from the dinner table. Caesar responded that a human being could no more rise from the dead than the egg in her hand turn red. The egg turned red immediately, which is why red eggs have been exchanged at Easter for centuries in the Byzantine East.

Mary traveled the Mediterranean preaching the resurrection. Like Peter and Paul, she died a martyr. She bears witness to the important role women once held in the Church.

This icon was commissioned for Grace Cathedral in San Francisco to commemorate the election of Barbara Harris, the first woman bishop in the Anglican communion.

The inscription at the bottom of the icon reads: “Saint Mary Magdalene.” This title is written in Syriac, a dialect of the language spoken by Jesus. The Gospel comes to us most directly, not from Rome or Greece, but from the deserts of the Middle East. We owe our faith to Semitic Christians such as Mary Magdalene.

Christo-Pagan Comparison Chart

Comparison Chart

The Traditional Christian	Common Mystic Craft Ideas	Syncretion
Father = the creator	Mother / God/dess = the creator	God/dess = the creator
Son = the manifestation of the creator and the universal energy in a   temporalform	Maiden / Nature = the manifestation of the creator and the universal energy in a material form	Nature (including humans which includes Christ) = the manifestation of God in physical form
Holy Spirit = the universal energy of the soul and spiritual wisdom	Crone / Life Force = the universal energy of the soul and spiritual wisdom	Holy Spirit seen as female, and possessed by all. The energy of Spirit.
God is the Alpha & Omega, the beginning and the end.   Everything and Nothing.	The God/dess is masculine & feminine, yin & yang, positive & negative. All Energy	The God/dess is dualistic in all ways, including good and evil. Everything  Male/female yet genderless.
The Divine Being is separated from the world.	The Divine Being is a part of the world and the world is a part of it.	The Divine Being in the world and above worlds. In nature and above nature, We exist inside this Divine Being and this Divine Being exists inside of us. Divine is with it's own conscience.
Lesser Spiritual energies  seen as helpers and guardians. Angels,Muses Saints, Ancestors Mary	Elemental sense as energies that aid and asset in spiritual work.Fairies, Gnomes, Elves,Muses, Dragons, Nature Spirits, Ancestors, etc...	Belied in unseen Spiritual begins that aid and a assist when asked. Understanding that things nein present themselves in manner acceptable. Belief that Worship and prayer are not he same. Praying is asking and seeking assistance
Keep the Sabbath Day Holy.	Everyday is Holy.	Each Day is Holy. Certain days held with more regard and celebration. Sabbats, Holidays , specific day for worship and Esabats.
The ritual can be setting up an altar, anointing with oil, water, or earth (ash), using plants (Palm Sunday), lighting candles, incense, communion through consuming wine and bread, kneeling and using body movement, dancing, & singing.	The ritual can be  setting up an altar, anointing with oil, water, or earth (minerals), using plants (herbs), lighting candles, incense, grounding through consuming tea and cakes, using body movements, dancing, & singing.	Combination of any and all Ritual practices which one finds personally gratifying.
Practice your rituals and pray in private to keep humble and not boastful (according to the teachings of Christ on prayer).	Practice is a personal, sacred experience that is often done in small groups or solitary.	Daily private prayer and devotions. Sacred Rituals in private and in small groups. Occasional Festive Days with large or smaller group or family.
Faith can let you do anything; believe and it will manifest:  "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."	Believing that you can direct the flow of energy in the universe allows you to practice magick.	I use both magic and prayer together because Believe that they are the same thing in two different forms.
Everything is the will of God	Your current situation is cause by your own actions & karma	Know the God/dess has loosely outlined plan for personal lives. Yet, understand that your own free will can effect this plan, Use the gift of free will wisely and accept Karma as lessons.
Tenfold Rule:  Whatever you do will come back to you times ten.	Threefold Rule:  Whatever you do will come back to you times three.	Believe that when you send out positive energy, you receive positive energy.  When you send out negative energy, you receive negative energy.
Physical, mental, or spiritual sacrifice is necessary to show devotion to God and become more aware of spirituality.	There is no sacrifice required except for that which occurs naturally as a result of decisions (if you pick one thing, you're giving up another) which is necessary to learn and grow.	Sacrifices occur naturally as a result of making decisions and essential for learning and growth, Giving up something that is physical or mental can help you become more aware of your spirituality.  However,    sacrifice will notbring you "closer to God."  Love will.
After you die you rest in Paradise until you are resurrected and judged then go to Heaven as a reward or Hell as punishment.	After you die you rest in the Summerland and may chose to enter another body when you are ready to learn additional lessons in the school of life.  You are the only one who can pass judgment, reward, and punishment on yourself.	Belief in  life after death, that we may return to the mortal world through another body, that we must repeat our lessons on earth until we've learned what we've needed to learn.  However this is a choice and is our own Judgement on ourselves. Heaven and Hell are a state of being. We judge ourselves according to our Spirit who is infinite in wisdom.

Wheel of the Year and Christian Holidays Corraspondance

Holidays and Sabbats

Wheel of the Year and Christian Holidays


Yule
Christmas
Holly, Mistletoe, Rosemary, Oak, Pine cones Bayberry, Pine, Cedar, Rosemary, Juniper Red, Green, White, Silver, Gold Yule log (oak or pine), Mistletoe, Wreaths, Strings of dried flowers and cinnamon sticks, Apples, Oranges, Yule tree Nuts, Apples, Oranges, Caraway rolls, Mulled wine, Roast turkey

Imbolc
Candlemas
Snowdrop, Bay, Heather, First Flowers of the Year Rosemary, Cinnamon, Wisteria, Frankincense, Myrrh White, Orange, Red Lamps, Besom (witch's broom), Yellow flowers All Dairy products, Curries, Onions, Chives, Garlic, Spiced wines, Seeds, Herbal teas

Spring Equinox
Easter
Honeysuckle,Iris, Peony, Violet All spring flowers Jasmine, Rose, Strawberry Green, Yellow Colored eggs, Green and yellow jellybeans, Rabbit Decorations, Spring Flowers Seeds, Leafy Green Vegetables, Spiced or Flower Cupcakes, Fruits, Hard-boiled eggs

Beltane
May Day
Honeysuckle, St. John's wort, Hawthorn, All flowers Frankincense, Lilac, Rose Green, Soft pink, blue and yellow Maypole, Strings of beads or flowers, Ribbons, Spring flowers Dairy, Oatmeal cakes, Cherries, Strawberries, Wine punches, Green Salads

Litha
Summer & St, John the Baptist
Lavender, Chamomile, Roses, Daisy, Lily Frankincense, Lemon, Rose, Wisteria, Lavender Blue, Green, Yellow Dried herbs, Potpourri, Seashells, Summer Flowers, Fruits Summer Fruits, Ale, Mead, Fresh Vegetables

Lammas
Feast of the Bread
All grains, Grapes, Heather, Blackberries, Sunflowers Sandalwood, Rose, Aloes Yellow, Orange, Green, Brown Corn Dollies, Any Wheat weaving crafts, Shafts of Grain Breads, Cider, Blackberry Pies and jellies, Rice, Meadowsweet tea, Berries

Mabon
MichaelsMas
Hazel, Corn, Acorns, Oak, Wheat Stalks, Cypress cones, Pine cones Myrrh, Sage, Pine Orange, Dark red, Yellow, Brown Acorns, Pomegranates, Pine Cones, Baskets of fallen leaves Breads, Corn, Cornbread, Beans, Squash, Apples, Roots (carrots, potatoes, onions), Cider

Samhain
Hallows Eve & All Souls Day
Pumpkin, Apple, Nuts, Thistle, Chrysanthemum, Broom, Oak leaves, Sage Apple, Nutmeg, Sage, Mint Black, Orange Jack-o-lantern, Photos of deceased loved ones, Apples, Fall leaves, Autumn flowers, Squashes Apples, Corn, Nuts, Cider, Mulled wine, Pumpkin Dishes, Cranberry muffins, Herbal teas