The Seax-Wica tradition, inspired by the rich Saxon heritage and the teachings of its founder Raymond Buckland, follows the core Wheel of the Year celebrations. However, within the freedom allowed in Seax-Wica, some initiated members have chosen to integrate additional dates that resonate with both historical Germanic folklore and events commemorating figures who contributed to the development of Seax-Wica. These celebrations provide an expanded framework that honors the tradition’s roots and its influential personalities, both in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
This essay outlines these extra dates as they are observed by some Progressive Seax-Wicans, detailing their historical significance and the meanings attributed to them within the context of Seax-Wica.
A. Germanic Folklore Celebrations
In the Seax-Wica Progressive practice, several traditional dates from Germanic and Saxon culture, as chronicled by historical sources like Bede, have been incorporated into the Wheel of the Year. These dates reflect the seasonal cycles and mythological beliefs of the ancient Germanic peoples and offer a way for Seax-Wicans to deepen their connection to these ancestral traditions.
Krampusnacht
- Date: December 5 (Northern Hemisphere) / June 5 (Southern Hemisphere)
- Meaning: Known as the Night of Krampus, this celebration honors the mischievous figure Krampus, who was believed to accompany Saint Nicholas in Alpine folklore. Within Seax-Wica, Krampusnacht may serve as a reminder of the dual aspects of nature—both nurturing and fearsome.
Modraniht
- Date: December 25 (Northern Hemisphere) / June 25 (Southern Hemisphere)
- Meaning: Modraniht, or the Night of the Mothers (Disir), is dedicated to female ancestral spirits and protective goddesses. Seax-Wicans use this night to honor Frigg and the protective, nurturing energies of the female divine.
JulFaeder / JulBuck
- Date: December 24 (Northern Hemisphere) / June 24 (Southern Hemisphere)
- Meaning: Celebrated with gift-giving, this event recognizes Woden and Julbocken (Krampus) as bringers of abundance and protection during the winter. It reflects themes of generosity and the protection offered by the gods.
LiðaModor
- Date: December 24 (Southern Hemisphere) / June 24 (Northern Hemisphere)
- Meaning: This celebration focuses on Frigg, the goddess of peace and abundance, marking a time to honor her and seek harmony within the community and oneself.
Ingvi-Frea & Freo
- Date: Full Moon of Solmonath, typically around February 14 (Northern Hemisphere) / August 14 (Southern Hemisphere)
- Meaning: Known as the celebration of passionate love and offerings to the gods, this day is associated with both fertility and personal relationships, akin to a sacred observance of love’s transformative power.
Earða / Rheða / Erca / Nerthus
- Date: Day 2 of Hreðmonath
- Meaning: This celebration of the Earth goddesses symbolizes victory and the strength of the land. It honors the life-giving aspects of the earth as well as her power to protect and renew.
Ostara / Oestre
- Date: Day 2 of Eostremonath
- Meaning: This week-long festival of abundance and growth celebrates the return of light and life to the land. Seax-Wicans honor this time with offerings and joy, symbolizing the renewal of nature and spiritual abundance.
B. Commemorative Dates
In addition to these folklore-based celebrations, Seax-Wica Progressive practitioners have included certain dates to commemorate significant figures in the tradition’s history and the Saxon culture that inspired it. These dates are fixed and are celebrated worldwide, transcending hemispherical distinctions.
February 12, 1964 – The Passing of Gerald Gardner
- A day of remembrance for Gerald Gardner, who is credited with bringing Wicca to public consciousness. Gardner’s legacy is celebrated for paving the way for modern witchcraft traditions.
April 22 – Arwald Day
- Arwald, the last pagan king of Anglo-Saxon England, is commemorated for his defense of paganism before the invasion of Christianity. This date honors his courage and dedication to the old ways, serving as a reminder of resistance and heritage.
June 13, 1884 – Birth of Gerald Gardner
- Gardner’s birthday is a day of celebration, reflecting on his contributions to Wicca and his influence on practitioners worldwide.
August 2 – Foundation of Seax-Wica
- This date marks the anniversary of Seax-Wica’s creation, celebrating the tradition’s unique path of self-dedication, autonomy, and devotion to Saxon deities.
August 31, 1934 – Birth of Raymond Buckland
- Celebrating the life and legacy of Raymond Buckland, founder of Seax-Wica, whose vision and teachings have left a lasting impact on practitioners.
September 27, 2017 – Passing of Raymond Buckland
- On this day, Seax-Wicans remember Buckland’s influence, expressing gratitude for his contributions to the tradition and honoring his memory.
October 4 – Pagan Seax Day
- This date commemorates the fallen Saxons of Verden and honors the legacy of Seax-Wicans. It marks the tragic event of the Massacre of Verden, where many Saxons were executed for practicing their native rites. It serves as a reminder of resilience and the strength of pagan beliefs through adversity.
October 15, 1925 – Birth of Monique Wilson
- Monique Wilson, a key figure in the spread of Gardnerian Wicca, is celebrated for her role in bringing Gardner’s teachings to a wider audience.
December 15, 1984 – Passing of Monique Wilson
- A day of remembrance for Wilson’s dedication and contributions, her legacy is honored for her devotion to the craft and her influence on practitioners.
Reflections on These Additional Celebrations
In embracing these extra dates, Seax-Wica Progressive practitioners enrich their connection to the past, honoring both the ancestors and the founders who paved the way for contemporary practice. The inclusion of these dates allows practitioners to bridge the gap between ancient and modern, historical and spiritual, creating a uniquely layered experience within Seax-Wica.
These additional celebrations, while not mandatory, offer a deepened spiritual practice that honors Seax-Wica’s roots and its guiding figures. Through such observances, Seax-Wicans can cultivate a rich, ongoing relationship with their gods, ancestors, and historical forebears, enhancing both their personal growth and community bonds within the tradition.
EXTRACT WITH PERMISSION- ©The Forest – A further guide for the Experienced Seax-Wica Practitioner: Insights After a Decade of Practice(2019) by Juan Manuel Espinoza Guzmán.
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NOTE 1:
Arwald (died in 686) was the last Jutish king of the Isle of Wight and the last pagan king in Anglo-Saxon England until the arrival of the Vikings in the 9th century. Nearly everything we know about him comes from Bede’s Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, which describes the invasion of the Isle of Wight by Caedwalla, king of Wessex, who ruthlessly massacred all the island’s inhabitants to replace them with his own followers. Caedwalla had also vowed to give a quarter of the island to Saint Wilfrid and his Church. Arwald died in battle.
There were other pagan kings in England, including Sweyn Forkbeard (Danish, known in his language as Sveinn Haraldsson tjúguskegg). He was King of Denmark and invaded England, being crowned on December 25, 1013, but died five weeks later in 1014, succeeded by his son Cnut Sweynsson, known as Cnut the Great. Cnut sought coexistence between Christians and Nordic pagans, who found many similarities in Saxon pagan folklore, introducing their beliefs into literature (poetry). Cnut died on November 12, 1035, and was succeeded by his son Cnut III, who abandoned his father’s paganism and died in 1042 by poisoning. He was finally succeeded by Saint Edward the Confessor, who advocated for continued Christian settlement during his reign.
** Charlemagne, having won the battle of Lippspringe and the battle of Süntel, according to the Annales Regni Francorum, ordered on October 4, 782, in Verden, Lower Saxony, the beheading and hanging of 4,500 Saxons who had been discovered and captured practicing their native pagan rites after having been converted to Christianity. This fact is also confirmed in the Annales qui dicuntur Einhardi, the Annales Laubacenses, the Annales sancti Amandi, and the Annales Sangalienses Baluzii. This event became known as the “Massacre of Verden.”
There were other centers of resistance that fell in battle or through execution, with the final struggle occurring in the year 804 AD. The Nordalbingians, the most indomitable of all the Germanic tribes, rose in arms. Charlemagne won that battle, expelling approximately 10,000 families from the territory to Neustria and ceded their lands to the King of the Abodrites.
NOTE 2:
HN – December 25 /HS – June 25 – MODRANIHT
In the Northern Hemisphere, on December 25, the Pagan Saxons (Germanic and Norse) celebrated Modraniht, or the “Night of the Mothers of Fate.”
Beyond the gods known as the AEsir (Ése) and Vanir (Wen), there are the Disir—female spirits who govern the fate of all beings in the universe. Among the Anglo-Saxons, these Disir include:
- The Norns (Weavers of Fate)
- The Valkyries (Collectors of Departed Spirits)
- The Fylgia (Companion Spirits that often appear as animals)
- The Vættir (Earth Spirits connected to land, sea, rivers, lakes, wells, and the home)
This night specifically honors the Norns for their role in determining the fate of every soul that enters the physical world. To ensure prosperity and favorable fortune during winter and the coming year, the Norns are honored and thanked.
For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, Seax-Wicans and Seax-Treows might observe this tradition on June 25 to align with the winter season. However, given the influence of Northern Hemisphere customs—especially those widely celebrated and commercialized worldwide—December 25 can be an opportune time for Seax-Wicans in the South to also honor the Norns. This way, we infuse this festive season with their energy and return again on June 25 to further honor their connection to winter.
