Feast of Befana

Merry Meet,

From the book Celebrating Wiccan Spirituality by Lady Sabrina:

Eve of the Feast. of the Epiphany

This the 11th day of Christmas is dedicated to the Italian Faery-Goddess Befana.  Although they are rapidly disappearing, many if the customs associated with this day are still held, especially in rural-Italian farming areas.  At sunset, an effigy of Befana is placed on a stack of brushwood, which is then burned.  If the smoke blows to the east, it is believed that the year will be filled with prosperity and abundance.

Reminiscent of our Christmas Even, Italian children put out stockings on this night in hopes that Befana will fill them with presents while the adults write their wishes on pieces of paper.  The papers are then tossed in the hearth where they catch fire and float up the chimney, granting the petitioners wish.

Hearth Blessing

Items needed:

• A broom
• 3 ft length of natural cord
• One white 3-wick candle

Place the candle on the table near the hearth along with the broom and the piece of cord.  The family should gather around.  The head of the household will step forward, light each candle wick and say:

"I bring light to this home, 

I bring love to this home, 

I bring honour to this home."

Then, one at a time, each family member will tie a knot in the cord, the last person to tie a knot will then tie the cord around the handle of the broom and pass the broom to the mother of the household, who will symbolically sweep all of the negative energies away from the hearth while chanting:

"All that is evil is now swept away

And nothing but good shall come this way."

The broom should then be placed next to the hearth, the candle is left to burn for one hour and extinguished.  Each evening, the head of the household will light the candle in Befana's honour to ensure peace and harmony within the home.

☮ ❤ & ツ