The Wiccan Holidays

Posted June 26, 2008 By admin and has no comments yet.


The Wiccan Holidays, which are also known as the Sabbats are celebrated though out the year. The Sabbats represent the turning of the seasons and are celebrated through rituals and traditions. There are 8 Sabbats during the years and dates vary due to the position of the sun and length of sunlight and also whether you live in the southern hemisphere or northern hemisphere.
During these celebrations symbolic items are collected to be used during the ritual or for decoration. These items can consist of flowers, herbs, crystals, certain colored altar cloths and candles, which represent that particular season.

Yule/Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice is celebrated around the 21st December for the Northern Hemisphere and around June 21st for the Southern Hemisphere. This holiday celebrates the rebirth of the sun to the earth and it is also the longest day of the year.

Imbolc

Imbolc is celebrated on the 2nd of February for the Northern Hemisphere and on the 1st of August for the Southern Hemisphere. This Holiday celebrates growth, strength, light and inspiration.

Spring Equinox

Spring Equinox is celebrated around the 20th of March for the Northern Hemisphere and around the 21st of September for the Southern Hemisphere. This Holiday celebrates the return of life and growth to the earth after a long and cold winter; it is also a time where there is equal light and dark in the day.

Beltane

Beltane is celebrated on the 30th of April for the Northern Hemisphere and on the 1st of November for the Southern Hemisphere. This holiday celebrates the sacred union between the God and Goddess, which form that union comes, creation, growth and harmony.

Lammas/Lughnasad

Lammas, which is also sometimes called the grain holiday, is celebrated on the 1st of August for the Northern Hemisphere and the 1st of February for the Southern Hemisphere. This holiday celebrates the first harvest for the season.

Fall Equinox

Fall Equinox is celebrated around the 22nd of September for the Northern Hemisphere and around the 21st of March. This holiday celebrates the final harvest for the season and the preparation for the long winter ahead.

Samhain

Samhain is celebrated on the 31st of October for the Northern Hemisphere and the 1st of May in the Southern Hemisphere. This holiday is a time to celebrate and remember those who have past. It is also the day where the veil between the two planes of life and death is the thinnest.

Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice is celebrated around the 21st of June for the Northern Hemisphere and around December 21st for the southern Hemisphere. This Holiday celebrates the peak of the sun’s power, and it is also the longest day of the year.

All these Sabbats are apart of the Wiccan tradition and are all part of the growth of the earth, the spirit, the mind and the body. They are also a way in which we give thanks to the God and Goddess for all the gifts, blessings and lessons received during each season.

By: Kylie Sheen

About the Author:
For more information on this topic or any other related topics go to my discussion forum Wicca and Witchcraft at http://wiccaandwitchcraft.110mb.com



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Travel Insurance for Vacation Rentals

Posted June 7, 2008 By admin and has no comments yet.


A family booked a rental cottage last summer, arrived safely and just loved the cottage. However, on the second day of their two week stay, the mom got a call to say her father was seriously ill and not expected to live. The family packed up and returned home, and sadly, her dad died a few days later. After the funeral, the renter called the cottage owner and asked what sort of refund she could expect as they had only used 2 days of their 14 day booking. The owner refused to pay any refund with the explanation that she relied on the cottage rental income to pay the costs of her cottage and it was always fully booked through the season. She was not able to find a replacement rental party at the last minute and as the rental agreement stated; if that was the case no money would be returned. Of course the rental group did not have travel insurance, which would probably have covered trip curtailment due to the illness and/or death of a close relative. The rental cost the family over $4000 and they were not able to recover a penny of that money.

Many people believe that trip insurance is only necessary if there is a flight involved; where delay, lost baggage, and the risk of the airline going bust, is covered; and medical cover is required in a foreign country. It’s not considered important, or not considered at all, to buy insurance to cover a trip taken by road to a self catering property in the same province or the same country.

Think again! Most cottage bookings are made several months in advance and many things could happen after you have booked to change your circumstances. Illnesses of any member of the traveling party, redundancy or a call to jury service are just a few of the situations that would be covered by a travel insurance policy. A few insurance companies also offer a ‘change of mind’ clause, allowing you to cancel for any reason after a booking has been made and paid in full. This normally pays out an amount sufficient to cover any cancellation fee the rental agency or owner may apply.

When you book your vacation rental property, check the property owners or agencies cancellation policies carefully. If it is not clear, ask the question. In general, most private owners and rental agencies will attempt to rebook a property if it is cancelled, and refund your money for the period they have rebooked, less a cancellation fee.

The premium paid for trip insurance becomes less significant, the more you are paying, however it is worthwhile at any price, for your peace of mind.

By: Heather Bayer

About the Author:
Heather Bayer is CEO of CottageLINK Rental Management, specialising in cottage vacations in Ontario and Southern Quebec. http://www.clrm.ca



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