Silver rays flowing, Full Moon’s power growing.
Coming, going, coming, going, flowing down to me…….
Moonbeams flowing, Goddess power growing.
Coming, going, coming, going, flowing into me!
So Mote It Be!
Daily Archives: January 5, 2012
Full Moon Chant For Strength
Categories: Chants
Tags: Astronomy, Earth, Goddess, Lunar phase, Moon, Planet, Ritual, Solar System
Leave a comment
Daily Aromatherapy Tip – Exercise Tip
Daily Aromatherapy Tip – Exercise Tip
If you’re trying to increase your exercise routine here’s a tip.
Burning a scented candle or spraying the room with your favorite spray just might help you exercise longer. This tip is from the
book Dr. Hirsch’s Scent-sational Weight Loss .Creating a pleasant environment which lifts your mood just might maket easier to slip that tape into the VCR. Why not give it a try Enjoy!
AromaTherapy.com
Categories: Daily Posts
Tags: Articles, Health, Physical exercise, Programs, Scent, Shopping, Supplements, Weight loss
Leave a comment
MOON LORE
MOON LORE
Our mother used to take all the neighborhood young people on a moonlight
hike across the prairies. We always found a haystack that gave reason to
shove and push and throw hay at each other. Then we would stretch out
and our mother would tell us about the stars, pointing out different
ones — and the moon.
hike across the prairies. We always found a haystack that gave reason to
shove and push and throw hay at each other. Then we would stretch out
and our mother would tell us about the stars, pointing out different
ones — and the moon.
We were all quiet, listening to her words until she told us about the
different phases of the moon. Some asked when the moon would be full and
she said, “The moon is always full.” We all contradicted her but she
said, “We see the moon in all its phases but it is always the same.” She
told us there is a lunar moon and a solar moon according to time, and
that the moon is the only satellite that orbits our world.
different phases of the moon. Some asked when the moon would be full and
she said, “The moon is always full.” We all contradicted her but she
said, “We see the moon in all its phases but it is always the same.” She
told us there is a lunar moon and a solar moon according to time, and
that the moon is the only satellite that orbits our world.
The ultimate lesson was things are happening even if we cannot see it.
She said that we were disbelieving because wanted to see and touch
everything — but it takes faith to know what is going on whether we can
see it or not.
She said that we were disbelieving because wanted to see and touch
everything — but it takes faith to know what is going on whether we can
see it or not.
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler
Categories: Daily Posts
Tags: Astronomy, Earth, Lunar phase, Moon, Phases, Planet, Solar System, Sun
Leave a comment
SPELL-A DAY – Astral Doorway Spell
SPELL-A DAY – Astral Doorway Spell
Before you go to sleep tonight, you can carve a doorway in the ether with your mind. Be sure to visualize the approximate scenario you wish to encounter on the other side. Astrological imagery is handy; for example, if you wish to visit a sphere of nature and love, visualize the sign of Venus behind the door. If you want to go somewhere comforting and paternal, visualize the sign of Jupiter. For astral adventures of a fantastical nature, think of the Moon. Ask for a blessing from a deity or angel of your choice, then enter.
By Kala Trobe
Categories: Daily Posts
Tags: art, Jupiter, Magic, Moon, Saturn, Spelling and Grammar, Venus, Writers Resources
Leave a comment
La Befana – The Celebration of Epiphany
La Befana – The Celebration of Epiphany
By GrannyMoon, For The Lunar Monthly
Holidays in Italy are rich in traditions which have,for the most part,a religious history.
A favorite Italian holiday occurs on January 6.It is commonly known as “La Befana “
(Twelfth Night or the Eve of the Epiphany or Little Christmas ). La Befana is a personification of
the “spirit of the Epiphany ” and can almost be considered a nickname for “Epifania,” the proper
Italian word for epiphany.While the Western Christian Church celebrates December 25th,the
Eastern Christian Church to this day recognizes January 6 as the celebration of the nativity.
January 6 was also kept as the physical birthday in Bethlehem.
Tradition depicts La Befana as a kindly old lady with a stereotypical nose with a big red mole on
top of it and a pointy chin.Wearing an old coat mended with carefully with colorful patches and
tattered shoes,she flies around on a broom and carries her black bag filled with sweets and
presents for the children.Entering the houses through the chimney she places her gifts inside
the children ’s stockings hung with care,the night before.The buoni ragazzi (good kids)are very
happy to find their stocking filled with presents.They have been busy writing letters to La Befana,
la buona strega (good witch).But for the children who have not been good,there will not be
presents,but a lump of coal!
The origin of the tradition is veiled in mystery and in all likelihood this poetic figure goes
back to country legends of pre-Christian times.Befana also exists in various other popular
traditions.For instance on the evening of January 5 th ,”The Old Woman ” ((symbolizing the
out going winter),Befana appears in street processions as a masked figure with her consort,
“Befano “,”The Old Man “.Their followers revel as music fills the street,they receive
offerings,the gift of prosperity and blessings from Befana.Then to assure a good year,
the dolls are burned in effigy in the town square,welcoming the returning spring.
Her festival has usurped an ancient pagan feast set celebrated on the Magic Night,the 6th day of
the New Year,chosen by ancient Eastern astronomers according to their complicated calculations.
Epiphany was, therefore, pagan in origin.Only later was the day associated with the life of Christ.
Apparently there was a woman with a broom called Befana found on some Etruscan scratchings.
The people in remote areas of the Emilia still call on her by that version of the name to bestow or
cure malocchio (evil eye).Even la scopa (the broom)is considered a blessing against evil.
In Italy tradition,however,the Christmas holidays ending on 6th January,is quite fitting for a gift-
giver since the Feast of the Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Magi (or 3 Wise Men)to the
infant Jesus,with their gifts of gold,frankincense,and myrrh.The Magi were named Balthazar,
Melchior,and Gaspar,according to tradition.According to legend the three men during their
journey stopped and asked an old woman for food and shelter.She refused and they continued
on their way.Within a few hours the woman had a change of heart but the Magi were long gone.
The Befana is depicted as a witch astride a broom,still searching the world for the Baby Jesus.
Thinking of the opportunity she had missed,Befana stops every child to give them a small treat in
hopes that one was the Christ child.Each year on the eve of the Epiphany she sets out looking
for the baby Jesus.
Many welcome La Befana by laying out a small meal for her.Consisting of sausage and
broccoli and usually accompanied by a glass of wine.After her arrival, it is a time for celebration
and people move from house to house visiting friends and relatives.
This is a song used by some Italian children,a rough translation into English would be:
La Befana comes at night
In tattered shoes
Dressed in the Roman style
Long live la Befana!!
She brings cinders and coals
To the naughty children
To the good children
She brings sweets and lots of gifts.
Take frankincense, both of the best and the inferior kind,also cumin seed.Have ready a
separate scaldino (spirit bowl),which is kept only for this purpose.And should it happen that
affairs of any kind go badly,fill the scaldino with glowing coals,then take three pinches of best
incense and three of the second quality,and put them all ‘in fila ’ (in a row)on the threshold of the
door.Then take the rest of your incense and the cumin,and put it into the burning coal,and
carry it about,and wave it over the bed and in every corner,saying:
.
In nome del cielo!
Delle stelle e della luna!
Mi levo questo mal d ’occhio
Per mia maggior ’ fortuna!
Befana!Befana!Befana!
Che mi date mal d ’occhio maladetta sia
Befana!Befana!Befana!
Chi mi ha dato il maldocchio
Me lo porta via
E maggior fortuna Mi venga in casa mia!
.
Translation:
In the name of heaven
And of the stars and moon,
May this trouble change
Befana!Befana!Befana!
Should this deed be thine;
Befana!Befana!Befana!
Take it away,bring luck,I pray,
Into this house of mine!
Then when all is consumed in the scaldino,light the little piles of incense on the threshold of the
door, and go over it three times, and spit behind you over your shoulder three times,and say:
Befana!Befana!Befana!
Chi me ha dato maldocchio!Me lo porta via
Translation:
Befana!Befana!
Befana!I say,
Since thou gavest this bad luck,
Carry it away!
Then pass thrice backwards and forwards before the fire,spitting over the left shoulder,and
repeating the same incantation.
Looking for a place to celebrate in the typical Italian tradition…here are a few!
Paularo,Italy :La Femenate Bonfire (January 6).
Tarcento,Italy 
ignarul Giant Bonfire Festival (January 6).
ignarul Giant Bonfire Festival (January 6).Cividale,Italy :Historical Pageant and Costume Parade (January 6).
Gemona,Italy :Messa del Tallero Medieval Pageant (January 6).
Milan,Italy :Epiphany Parade of the Three Kings proceeds from the Duomo to the church of
Sant ’Eustorgio (January 6).
The legend of the Befana has had an important role in the imagination of all children of the world.
Those who wish to relive the magic of the first wonders of infancy and understand the meaning
and origins of this extraordinary figure,should be prepared to undertake a long voyage that will
carry them back in time,to the origins of human ’s history.
This little old lady so dear to children has continued to fascinate them for centuries, and they still
await her arrival on the night of her holiday.The gatherings at La Befana are filled with music,
song,traditional foods, sweets and gifts.Celebration reigns supreme, with people opening their
hearts by sharing love and peace in the World.
Source: “The Legend of Old Befana “, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,1980,by Tomie dePaola
“Etruscan Magic &Occult Remedies” by Charles Godfrey Leland,University Books,NY,1963
Befana incantation from “Etruscan Magic &Occult Remedies “, by Charles Godfrey Leland,University Books,NY,1963.
“Befana ” by Fabrisia
Copyright GrandmotherMoon
Categories: Daily Posts
Tags: Befana, Christmas, Epifania, Epiphany, Italy, La Befana, Old Man, Twelfth Night
Leave a comment
Jan 5 – Theodosia/Gift of God
Jan 5 – Theodosia/Gift of God
On this day on the island of Andros in ancient Greece, the water of a spring by the temple of Dionysos tasted like wine. This continued for a week although it only tasted like wine inside the temple.
This was the same day in Alexandria that water was drawn from the Nile as part of the ceremonies of the Koreion (see above). Blackburn notes that Aion (the miraculous child of Kore) was associated with Sarapis and Dionysus which may be why the liturgy for this day commemorates the miracle at the wedding-feast of Cana when Christ turned water into wine.
Source:Blackburn, Bonnie and Holford-Strevens, Leofranc, The Oxford Companion to the Year, Oxford University Press 1999
Categories: Daily Posts
Tags: Andros, Cana, Dionysos, Dionysus, God, Greece, Kore, Nile
Leave a comment
Jan 5 – Epiphany Eve
Jan 5 – Epiphany Eve
During the week before Epiphany, Italian children sometimes dress up and go in groups of three, carrying a pole with a golden star on top, and stopping at houses to sing pasquelle, little songs about the coming of the Magi. Sometimes they are given money, but other places they receive gifts of food sausages, bread, eggs, dried figs and wine.
In some small rustic towns, the Nativity is re-enacted on Epiphany Eve with the newest baby in town taking the part of Jesus.
In Friuli, families gather around the hearth to watch the Christmas log burn. For centuries, bonfires have been lit to light the way for the Three Kings. The fires are called pan e vin, bread and wine, or vecja, old one. Boys run through the fields carrying burning brands, jump across the fires, and roll burning wheels down the hill, shouting out the names of their fiancées as a way to announce their engagements (see Epiphany, Jan 6).
The ashes from the bonfires are used to fertilize the earth and assure a good harvest.
Carol Field describes an Epiphany procession in the town of Tarcento which ascends a hill to where a huge bonfire, made of sheaves of corn, brambles of brushwood and pine branches is set up. The fire is lit by the oldest man and ignites firecrackers and fireworks while bells ring in the town. The way the smoke blows foretells the prospects for the coming year: smoke blowing east predicts a year of abundance while smoke blowing west is a bad omen for the crops. People take home embers to fertilize their fields; the embers are magically said to transform into sacks of wheat.
In some places, a straw effigy of the Befana is placed on the fire and burned as a way of getting rid of the old year. Sometimes chestnuts are thrown on the fire and roasted, as a symbol of fertility.
Traditional foods served in Friuli on Epiphany Eve include mulled wine and pinza, a rustic sweet bread, made with corn flour (or sometimes rye and wheat), filled with raisins and pine nuts and figs, spiced with fennel seeds and shaped like a simple round or a Greek epsilon with three arms of equal length. It was once cooked under the embers. It is considered good luck to eat pinze made by seven different families.
Source: Field, Carol, Celebrating Italy, William Morrow 1990
Categories: Daily Posts
Tags: Biblical Magi, Christmas, Epiphany, Friuli, Jesus, Magi, Tarcento, Twelfth Night
Leave a comment
Herb of the Day for Jan. 5 – SAGE
SAGE
Sage has long been burned to purify and cleanse a space. The ancients burned dried sprigs of sage in temples and during religious rituals. The Greeks and Romans wrote that the smoke imparted wisdom and mental acuity. In the tenth century, Arab physicians said that sage brought about immortality, or at the very least, a long and healthy life. In England, seventeenth-century servants of the royal family scattered a blend of sage and lavender on the floors at court to help disguise the aroma of day to day life.
Medicinally, Dioscorides says a decoction made from sage leaves and branches helps with urination and hair regrowth. He adds that it can help prevent ulcers and sores from festering, as well. In the essential herbal Back to Eden, Jethro Kloss tells us that sage is “one of the best remedies for stomach troubles, dyspepsia, gas in the stomach and bowels… will expel worms in adults and children. Will stop bleeding of wounds, very cleansing to old ulcers and sores… Also in liver and kidney troubles.” He also recommends it in treatment of sexual disorders — either excessive sexual desire or a decreased libido. In other words, sage is pretty much the go-to herb for a number of ailments.
In magic, carry sage leaves in your wallet or purse to promote financial gain. Burn leaves to increase wisdom or gain guidance from your spirit guide (be warned – burning sage does smell similar to marijuana, so keep that in mind if you think the neighbors might be inquisitive). Make a wish and write it on a sage leaf, and then hide it beneath your pillow — if you dream about your wish over the next three nights, your wish will come true.
In addition to its medicinal and magical uses, sage makes a great addition to your kitchen pantry. Use it to season fish or chicken dishes, or toss fresh leaves into a green salad.
Other Names: Garden sage
Gender: Masculine
Element: Air
Planetary Connection: Jupiter
Categories: Daily Posts
Tags: Alternative, England, Health, Herb, Jupiter, Sage, Salvia officinalis, Shopping
Leave a comment
If you would like to make a donation, any and all amounts are gladly appreciated and accepted. Thank you.
Very Inspiring Blogger Award (Silver)
Very Inspiring Blogger Award (Gold)
One Lovely Blog Award
Sunshine Award
Follow Us On Pinterest
Subscribe To Our Feed
Whose On-Line?
Friends Of The WOTC
What’s The WOTC Talkin’ Bout?