Many people believe that the eight seasonal Wiccan celebrations should focus purely on the changing cycle of seasons, yet I have always thought Samhain in particular is an appropriate time for certain magicks.
Carve a pink candle with a woman's form, or purchase a pink human female image candle. Fix the candle in a sturdy holder. If you are working with a group, place one pink M&M per person around the candle. (If you are working by yourself, the number that popped in my mind was seven M&M's, but use whatever number feels appropriate to you.)
Celebrate Samhain in your usual fashion, (i.e. cast circle, call elements, invoke deity, seasonal celebration which may include--ring dance, mystery of apple and pomegranate, honoring ancestors, divinations, etc.). Prior to the simple feast of cakes and ale and closing the circle, focus on the candle.
If other particpants are present, explain that according to the American Cancer Society, “1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.” Mammography screenings are a woman's best chance for detecting breast cancer early. Early dection increases the chance of survival; 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer will survive more than 10 years.
If you or your participants are over 45, you ought to get a mammogram. Talk about the mammograms, if you've had them. (Personally, I loathe them, because I hate getting my breasts squashed like pancakes--but I get them anyway). Be sure to also add that men can also be at risk for breast cancer although the chances seem to be smaller.
Anoint the candle with rose oil. Light the candle. Ask everyone to join hands and focus on the goal of eliminating breast cancer as a life threating disease through each person becoming aware of her (or his) own body and taking the initiative to get proper care for her (or his) body including testing like mammograms. Ask people to focus on increased research, and education, and all people getting screening and early treatment as needed. While focusing on this energy, have everyone entone the short vowel a, or "aaahhhh" (If your group has another method for focusing will, please use it instead. If you are working alone, please use whatever method works best for you.)
Remember always--these items and actions are merely tools. The activities you seek to enact outside the circle are as important to raising Breast Cancer Awareness as anything you do within the circle.
Myth, October 2006
[Disclaimer: neither M&M's nor the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation have any direct association with this "spiritual exercise".]
Pink is an October color
You probably already know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
What you may not know is M&M's milk chocolate candies hads put out a special 14oz. bag of pink M&M's in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness month. According to the bag: "*The M&M'S brand proudly supports the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation by donating $0.35 from each 14oz bag and $0.50 from each 21.3 oz bag sold. ... The mission of the Komen Foundation is to eradicate breast cancer as a life threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment. For more information please visit. www.komen.org or call toll-free1-800-I'M AWARE (1-800-462-9373)"
If chocolate annually figures in your feast for Samhain, you may want to pick up a bag of pink M&M's to share. For more than 20 years, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) has educated women about early breast cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment. NBCAM continues reaching out to women with several key messages, most notably, the importance of early detection through annual mammography screening for women over 40, or earlier for women at increased risk.
Mammography screenings are a woman's best chance for detecting breast cancer early. Early detection through mammography screenings , when coupled with new treatment options, can significantly improve a woman's chances of survival.
Be Breast Aware.
Pink ribbon merchandise helps people increase awareness and educate them on breast cancer
Passionately Pink for the Cure.™
Blessings upon our bodies,
Myth October 2006