A favorite autumn activity for many is making jack-o'-lanterns.
The original jack-o'-lantern came about as a Celtic tradition where people would carve faces in turnips and put them in their windows and by their doors to ward off evil spirits at Halloween.
As these people immigrated to North America,
They found pumpkins to be more plentiful and easier to carve,
So pumpkins were chosen for this seasonal celebration.
Pumpkins are ruled by the moon and are associated with the element of water.
The magical properties of pumpkins include prosperity,
Protection,
Divination,
And harmony.
For this workshop,
I'll be focusing on charging a pumpkin for protection during the season of Samhain or Halloween.
So before getting started with just one pumpkin,
I'd like to suggest that you first bless or hallow all of your pumpkins right after bringing them home.
You can do so by gathering your pumpkins together and washing each of them with moon water.
Then,
You can place one of your hands on the pumpkins or above them while saying something like the following.
Wondrous pumpkins,
Beautiful and bright,
I charge thee to protect me,
Both day and night.
I hallow you and welcome you in.
May security and blessings in this home begin.
So mote it be.
Once you choose one of your pumpkins for the protective working,
You will need to gather the following.
A tea light or a chime candle,
And a bowl filled with chamomile,
Salt,
Powdered cinnamon,
Powdered ginger,
Cloves,
Nutmeg,
And dried white sage.
If you don't have each of these ingredients individually,
You can always pick up a bottle of pumpkin spice mix,
As these blends usually have everything you'll need.
You'll also need a sharp knife for carving.
Salt is for purification.
Cinnamon and cloves are for high vibrations.
Ginger is for strength.
Nutmeg is for protection.
And white sage and chamomile are for purification and protection.
I begin this working by lighting some incense or sage in my cauldron.
I carefully slice the top of the pumpkin to create a lid.
Then I lift the top section and scoop out the seeds,
Setting them out to dry.
Taking the herbs in my hands,
I will charge them by saying,
I call upon the power of these herbs to bring prosperity,
Abundance,
And protection to this home and all who dwell herein.
Grant health to body,
Mind,
And spirit.
Strengthen our foundation,
As well as this home's,
As you build with us a layer of protection against all ill will aimed at us,
Be it intentional or unintentional.
We welcome the dark half of the year.
We welcome salad.
So mote it be.
I will then sprinkle the herbs inside the pumpkin,
Add in the candle,
And light it.
Not only is this a very effective working,
But it makes the room smell wonderful.
If you want your protective pumpkin to be outside,
I recommend placing it next to your front door.
Just don't leave the burning candle unattended.
Once the seeds have dried completely,
I take some of them on a walk with me,
And leave them out for the birds to enjoy.
The rest I will enjoy as a snack later.
Only a small percentage of pumpkins grown each year are actually consumed.
The rest are used purely for decoration.
I would like to encourage everyone to make good use of any leftover pumpkins by eating the seeds or feeding them to the birds,
Cooking any uncarved pumpkins,
Composting them,
Or making them into bird feeders.
Alternatively,
You can bury them to allow them to go back into the earth,
Or call around to find if there are any local farms looking for donations.
I wish all of you a very happy autumn season,
And a very blessed Samhain.
Blessed be.
