Thanks Giving

CORNUCOPIA: The Horn of Plenty was a Native American basket shaped in the form of an upside-down tornado, filled with vegetables. This signified the harvest’s abundance to be shared as thanks was given to the deities. The Native American’s brought these to the Pilgrims to alleviate their fear of scarcity. In this time of gratitude and giving, what will you fill your cornucopia with? What are you willing to share this holiday season? What gods & goddesses, friends & teachers, or natural wonders are you going to give thanks to and praise? Whether you have a cornucopia basket or not, fill your altar, mantel or table with symbols of abundance.

Turkey: also called the Ground Eagle by some tribes, is symbolic of harvest and shared blessings of Mother Earth.
Apples: The Celts attributed the powers of rebirth, youth and healing to this fruit.
Cornmeal: Symbolizes fertility, healing and powers of people, animals, rituals and objects.
Pumpkin: Represents Sun and, according to some Native American tribes, symbolic of personal power.
Wheat: Celebrated abundance and was used in rituals to give thanks and pray bounty would last until the next year.
Beans, Maize & Squash: The Three Sisters in Native American legend were Maize or Indian corn, beans and squash. After corn, oldest sister, was planted, beans were next so their vines could grow around cornstalks, then squash, the youngest, which grew close to the earth. The way they grew is symbolic of cooperative community survival and mainstays in the tribes’ diets.

November’s FULL BEAVER MOON!

Traditionally this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now actively preparing for winter. Taking a cue from the Beavers, start thinking about your own preparations for the seasonal shift from “going out” to “going in”.

Resources
http://www.farmersalmanac.com/astronomy/fullmoonnames.html
http://www.astrowisdom.com/thisfullmoon.htm
http://paganismwicca.suite101.com/article.cfm/thanksgiving_pagan_symbolism
http://paganismwicca.suite101.com/article.cfm/thanksgiving_pagan_roots

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