A Short Autumn Ritual...

Autumn Blessings, Friends!

The Wheel of the Year has turned, and we welcome the cooler and darker months ahead.

You can read more about Autumn Equinox, often called Mabon, on a previous Borne Blog here.

This year my offering to you is a short and simple Autumn Equinox ritual and chant that you might like to use to honour this transitional time.

Autumn Equinox Ritual

1. Prepare a small altar or space with autumn symbols: a candle (gold, orange, red, brown), a bowl of water, an apple, and something that represents balance (like two stones of different colors).

2. Ground yourself with a few deep breaths.

3. Light the candle, saying:

“I welcome the turning of the year. Light and dark, day and night, now stand as equals.”

4. Hold the apple, and reflect on gratitude for your harvest (what you’ve achieved or received this year).

5. Place the two stones side by side, saying:

“Balance within, balance without. I walk the path of harmony.”

6. Close the ritual by eating a piece of the apple or pouring water to the earth as an offering.

Autumn Equinox Chant

(Repeat softly, three times or as many as you feel right):

“Sun to shadow, light to dark,

Balance strikes a sacred mark.

Harvest gathered, spirits near,

I honor the turning of the year.”

Time to slow down?

Autumn Equinox beckons us to find a moment to pause, and Autumn itself is a time to start to slow down.

This Sunday 28th September we are offering a special 75 minute extended practice “Slowdown Sunday” which will be a Yang to Yin, Flow to Slow approach. Ending in a lovely snuggly relaxation.

This is available to join in the studio and LIVE online via Zoom.

For more information click here.

Need some deep rest?

Yoga Nidra, often known as “Yogic Sleep” is a type of meditation practice offering the body deep rest.

It is accessible and inclusive, as there is little to no movement involved.

This class is available online weekly, and once a month we will be bringing it into the studio.

This is your opportunity to join us in our serene Stirchley Studio, with all equipment provided, including blankets, cushions, eye pillows.

Practiced in a candlelit room, lie down and simply relax. (The class will also be available online).

You deserve a Sunday evening of rest and recuperation once a month, minimum!

So why not join us for both Slowdown Sunday and Yoga Nidra?

As a thank you, Yoga Nidra is 50% off if you join Slowdown Sunday - just email us to get your discount!

(Please don’t book and then ask for a discount as we won’t be able to offer you a refund).

Book the September in studio class here.

Book the online class (and all other classes) here.

The studio is sooo cosy in Autumn - fairy lights, Autumn wreaths, candlelit classes, and of course herbal teas on tap and a fully equipped as always.

For slower paced classes you might like to wear extra layers, and a fluffy pair of socks is always a great idea!

We recommend balancing your class schedule with a mix of Yin and Yang - punchier paced, flow or Hatha style classes mixed with slower flows, and of course our dreamy Yin-spired STRETCH and STRETCH & REST classes (the latter of which includes a short Yoga Nidra to end.

Stay warm, stay well, and we look forward to guiding you through the next season!

More about... Samhain (Halloween)

What is Samhain?

Samhain (pronounced "Sow-in") is an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, traditionally celebrated on the night of October 31st through November 1st.

It is considered the Celtic New Year and represents a time when the veil between the physical world and the spiritual realm is believed to be at its thinnest, allowing for communication with ancestors and spirits.

When is it celebrated?

Samhain is typically celebrated from the evening of October 31st until sunset on November 1st.

This date marks the halfway point between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice.

Why is it called Halloween too?

Samhain influenced the Christian festival of All Hallows' Eve, which eventually became Halloween.

When Christianity spread, church authorities aimed to replace pagan holidays with Christian ones.

They designated November 1st as All Saints’ Day (or All Hallows’ Day), making October 31st All Hallows’ Eve, which later evolved into Halloween.

Many of the customs associated with Halloween, like wearing costumes and carving pumpkins, have their roots in the traditions of Samhain.

History of Samhain

Samhain has its origins in ancient Celtic society, particularly among the Gaels of Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man.

It was a key part of the agricultural cycle, marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year.

During this time, livestock were brought in from pastures, crops were harvested, and preparations were made for the long winter months.

In addition to its agricultural significance, Samhain was seen as a time when the boundary between the living and the dead became thinner.

People would light bonfires to guide spirits and protect against harmful entities, candles to light the way of those past. It was also a time for divination and rituals.

Who Celebrates Samhain?

Samhain is celebrated by modern Pagans, especially Wiccans and Druids, as well as people of Celtic descent who wish to honor their ancestral traditions.

While it originated in Celtic culture, it has been embraced by a wider groups of people interested in the spiritual and historical significance of the holiday, the lunar cycle, and cyclical living.

What is the Symbolism of Samhain?

Endings and New Beginnings: Samhain is a time to reflect on the past year, acknowledge any endings or losses, and prepare for new beginnings.

Death and Rebirth: The dying of the light (shorter days) symbolizes death, while the return of the sun after winter represents rebirth.

The Veil Between Worlds: The thinning of the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds allows for connection with ancestors and spirits.

Harvest and Survival: Symbolically, it represents gathering resources (physical, emotional, and spiritual) for the challenges of the winter season ahead.

Rituals of Samhain

Bonfires: Traditionally, large bonfires were lit to ward off evil spirits and to cleanse and purify the community.

Feasts: Families would prepare large meals, often leaving an empty place at the table for deceased loved ones to symbolically invite their presence.

Divination: Samhain is associated with fortune-telling practices such as reading tarot cards, casting runes, or scrying.

Offerings: People often leave offerings of food, drink, or small tokens at altars or outdoors to honor ancestors and nature spirits.

Costumes and Masks: Historically, people wore costumes to disguise themselves from malevolent spirits, a tradition that evolved into modern Halloween costumes.

Mantras for Samhain

Mantras or chants can help create a focused atmosphere during Samhain rituals. Some examples include:

“I honor the cycle of death and rebirth.”

“As the veil thins, I invite guidance from my ancestors.”

“I release what no longer serves me, and embrace transformation.”

“I welcome the wisdom of the dark and the light.”

Endings and New Beginnings and Samhain

Samhain is a powerful time to recognize endings and celebrate the potential of new beginnings.

As the old year dies, we can release old habits, relationships, or mindsets that no longer serve us.

It's a time to reflect on the lessons learned from the past year and to set intentions for renewal and transformation in the coming year.

Honouring Our Ancestors

Honoring ancestors is a central part of Samhain celebrations.

This can be done by setting up an ancestral altar with photographs, personal items, or symbolic offerings. You might light a candle in their honour, speak their names, and tell their stories.

Rituals of gratitude and remembrance help to connect with their wisdom and guidance.

Rest During Samhain

As the days grow shorter and nature prepares for winter, Samhain invites us to slow down and rest.

This period of introspection allows for personal growth and the integration of lessons from the past.

Rest is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual.

Meditation During Samhain

Meditation during Samhain can focus on connecting with the ancestors, exploring the themes of life and death, or simply resting in stillness.

You might meditate in front of an altar, visualize a loved one or ancestor offering guidance, or use breathwork to calm the mind and tune in to the energy of the season.

Visualization exercises, such as imagining a thinning veil or a journey into the underworld, can also be a powerful way to engage with Samhain’s spiritual depth.

Samhain Sunday

On Sunday 27th October, we held a special Samhain Sunday workshop at the studio, exploring ritual and rest. Thank you so much to everyone who joined us.

You might like to listen to the Samhain Sunday playlist from the workshop. Just click here.

Samhain Blessings, Friends!

LEARN ABOUT LAMMAS

What is Lammas?

Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is a traditional festival marking the beginning of the harvest season. It is a time to celebrate the first fruits of the harvest, particularly grains like wheat and barley.

Alternative Names for Lammas:

- Lughnasadh (Celtic name)

- Loaf Mass Day

Origin of Lammas

Lammas originates from ancient Celtic and Anglo-Saxon traditions. It is named after the Celtic god Lugh, who was associated with skill, craftsmanship, and the harvest. The term "Lammas" is derived from the Old English "loaf mass," signifying the first loaf of bread made from the new harvest.

When is Lammas?

Lammas is celebrated on August 1st, marking the midpoint between the Summer solstice and the Autumn Equinox.

How is Lammas Celebrated?

Lammas celebrations often include:

- Baking bread from the first grain harvest.

- Feasting on seasonal produce.

- Holding fairs and markets.

- Performing rituals to thank the gods for the harvest and ask for continued blessings.

Where is Lammas Celebrated?

Lammas is primarily celebrated in the British Isles, particularly in Ireland, Scotland, and England. It is also observed by modern Pagans and Wiccans worldwide.

Rituals for Lammas

• Baking bread - baking a loaf of bread and sharing it with family and friends.

• Offerings - leaving offerings of grains, fruits, and vegetables to the earth or deities.

• Bonfires - lighting bonfires to honour the sun and the harvest.

• Crafts - making corn dollies or wheat weavings as symbols of the harvest.

Yoga Asana for Lammas

A lovely Yoga asana for Lammas is Tree Pose (Vrksasana). This pose symbolizes growth, grounding, and stability, resonating with the themes of harvest and gratitude.

Summary

Lammas, or Lughnasadh, is an ancient festival celebrated on August 1st to mark the beginning of the harvest season.

Originating from Celtic and Anglo-Saxon traditions, it is named after the Celtic god Lugh.

Celebrations typically include baking bread, feasting, fairs, and rituals of gratitude.

It is observed in the British Isles and by modern Pagans globally.

Rituals for Lammas involve bread baking, offerings, bonfires, and crafts, while Tree Pose (Vrksasana) in Yoga embodies the festival's themes of growth and stability.

Celebrate Lammas with Yoga Borne

Let the past months settle and integrate, and welcome the coming cycle in a restful state.

Sound Healing / Sunday 4th August / 6-7pm

Full information and booking click here.

Join us to ground in nature with our Yoga in the Park offerings.

Monday 6-7pm

Sunday (bi-weekly) 11:15am-12pm

Connect to the abundance of nature and it’s beauty with our outdoor swimming group. Next swim Saturday 17th August.

https://www.facebook.com/share/9DuAoKsMiBCRzWYi/

Let your inner sun shine with a gorgeous Solar Plexus Workshop hosted by Black Rose Yogini.

Sunday 11th August / 1-2:30pm

Full information and booking here.

August Soulful Sunday is a Lammas Edition, and will be an hour of nourishing and nurturing movement, mindfulness and meditation with a focus on abundance and gratitude.

Sunday 11th August / 6:15-7:15pm

Full information and booking here.

Wishing you a month filled with health, wealth, and happiness!