Seasons of the Witch

Seasons of the Witch 
  
Feast of Sticky Buns
Auld Deer (Cattle Fair; Scotland)
St. Valentine’s Day (Greek)
Bumper Car Day
Mule Day
Annual Sit and Spit Contest
St. Flavian’s Day (Eastern)
National Almond Day
Imperial Valley Lettuce Ball (El Centro, California @)
Lithuania Independence Day
St. Pamphilius’ Day (Eastern)
Do A Grouch A Favor Day
St. Juliana’s Day
Respectable Tales of Kelp-Koli (5 minutes only; Fairy)
World Championship Crab Races (Crescent City, California)
  
Various Sources, see Festivals and Holidays:
Fellow Ship of the Earth, Moon and Sky, School Of The Seasons 
http://secondsightresearch.tripod.com/bodyandsoul/id2.html
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From GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast Archives

Remember the ancient ways and keep them sacred!

Lunar Lore

Lunar Lore

~~~

And when fair Cynthia her full orb displays,
Or when unveiled to sight are half her rays,
Then mark the various hues that paint her face,
And thus the fickle weather’s changes trace.
 – Lamb’s trans. of the “Phainomena” of Aratos.
If the Moon be in Aries, Cancer, Virgo, Libra, or
Capricorn she is in places fit for Sowing; but if she
is placed in Aries or Taurus, she is then fit for planting only.
~Leovitius.
 The Moon
Clean,clear rainwater puddle, bend down and bathe both hands in the water.
Hold both moistened hands to your temples and ‘breathe in’ the moon in your mind,
filling your senses with silvery cleansing light.
Kiss the last of the water from your fingertips wishing meanwhile that to anyone who would
wish to kiss you, you will be perceived as beautiful and enchanting!

~~~

Today Is: Woden’s Day

Today Is: Woden’s Day – Energy: Male Ruler: Mercury – Rules healings, the mind – Use for magick involving mental issues, learning, higher education, addictions, communications, travel, young people, messages, perception, self-expression, artists, poets, and writers  

  • Today’s Magickal Influences: Conjurations, Predictions, Knowledge, Writing, Eloquence
  • Today’s Goddesses: Aset [Isis], Demeter, Ceres, Spider Woman, Bona Dea, Oya, Devi-Kali, Hella, Rhiannon, Coatlique, Maman Brigette, Sekhmet, Het Heret [Hathor]
  • Incense:   Cinnamon, Cinquefoil
  • Perfumes: Sweetpea, Lavender, Mastic, Frankincense, Cloves
  • Color of The Day:  Yellow, Gray, Violet
  • Colors for Tomorrow: Purple, Indigo, Blue
  • Lucky Sign: Wednesday Is The Lucky Day For Gemini  And Virgo 
  • Candle: Purple Violet

Herb of the Day: Carnation

Herb of the Day: Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus):

Local name: Clove Pink.
“The clove gilloflower is most used in physiche… and is accounted to be very cordiall.” John Parkinson.
Folk Names:
jove’s flower, gillies, gilliflower, sops-in-wine
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Powers: Protection, Strength, Healing

When made into a syrup (5 pints boiling water to 3 pounds flower heads; 2 pounds sugar per pint), Parkinson claimed it to be “good for disorders of the brain.” Gerard said that it help ease heart sickness.
CAUTION!! Commercial Carnations are often “DYED”. Not knowing what the dyes used are, I would NOT ADVISE you to use Commercial Carnations!!
Magickally associated with: Sun, Fire. Was once worn by Witches to prevent capture and hanging. A sachet stuffed with the flowers and inhaled deeply, is said to help you to get over heartaches. Said to produce added energy in ritual when used in incense. Use in all-purpose protection spells. Gives strength and energy to the sick. Place fresh carnation on the altar during healing spells and add dried flowers to healing sachets and incenses.
“Carnations and streaked gillyflowers, the fairest flowers of the season…” William Shakespeare, A Winter’s Tale
Blessings,
Lady Becky

Runecast for Wednesday February 16

Mannaz of Tyr’s Aett popped out of my pouch Mannaz pronounced “mawn-nawz” (M: Man, mankind) The Self; the individual or the human race. Your attitude toward others and their attitudes towards you. Friends and enemies, social order. Intelligence, forethought, create, skill, ability. Divine structure, intelligence, awareness. Expect to receive some sort of aid or cooperation now.

Someone who frightens you is your own image in the mirror. Find the roots of problems in yourself. Pay attention now to yourself because the reasons for both your joys and your difficulties come out of your own nature. You need to be modest in your approach because any excess in one part of your life imbalances another. By being more objective, you can balance your strengths and weaknesses and by doing so, the right way of action will come to you. There is no need to be over-assertive because if you are dedicated in your approach, all that is yours will come to you by itself.

Mannaz Reversed or Merkstave: Depression, mortality, blindness, self-delusion. Cunning, slyness, manipulation, craftiness, calculation. Expect no help now. (Note: the reversed or merkstave definitions are included only for reference as they apply to a multi-rune cast and not to a single rune that’s drawn blind from the pouch)

As with all, take only what feels right to you and disregard the rest.

**a portion of today’s rune meaning/description was kindly provided by Ingrid Halvorsen at sunnyway.com and used here with her gracious permission**

Today’s Tarot Card for 2/16

Today’s Tarot Card for Everyone:

The Lovers

This Tarot Deck: African Tarot

General Meaning: Although it has taken on a strictly romantic revision of meaning in some modern decks, traditionally the Lovers card of Tarot reflected the challenges of choosing a partner. At a crossroads, one cannot take both paths. The images on this card in different decks have varied more than most, because we have had so many ways of looking at sex and relationships across cultures and centuries.

Classically, the energy of this card reminded us of the real challenges posed by romantic relationships, with the protagonist often shown in the act of making an either-or choice. To partake of a higher ideal often requires sacrificing the lesser option. The path of pleasure eventually leads to distraction from spiritual growth. The gratification of the personality eventually gives way to a call from spirit as the soul matures.

Modern decks tend to portray the feeling of romantic love with this card, showing Adam and Eve at the gates of Eden when everything was still perfect. This interpretation portrays humanity before the Fall, and can be thought to imply a different sort of choice — the choice of evolution over perfection, or the choice of personal growth through relationship — instead of a fantasy where everything falls into place perfectly and is taken care of without effort.

General Horoscopes for 2/16

 
General Daily Horoscope

 

The Moon moves into fiery Leo at 4:14 am EST, encouraging us to express our generosity and demonstrate a more spontaneous type of love that pits individual needs with those of the community. It’s hard to know how much we should get involved as logical Mercury’s anxious semisquare to passionate Pluto adds subjectivity to reason. Meanwhile, we may feel more upbeat now as the Moon forms a harmonious trine to exuberant Jupiter in enthusiastic Aries.

 

Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You think you’re ready for almost anything today, but still may have doubts after you say yes to an intriguing offer. Perhaps your uncertainty stems from your awareness of the consequences of your actions. Or maybe you have been reminded of a past situation when your quick reaction created more trouble than it was worth. Even just a little bit of self-restraint now could be enough to help your day run more smoothly.

 

 

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You may need to pay attention to a tricky domestic situation, now that the Moon is visiting your 4th House of Home and Family. Perhaps you have so much happening at work that you aren’t spending enough quality time with your loved ones. Express your feelings to those who are special to you or they may begin to think that they don’t matter that much to you anymore. A little bit of appreciation goes a long way.

 

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

You may have totally unrealistic expectations about your schedule, yet still think that you can make time for your own pleasure today. But it’s easy to set yourself up for failure by wanting too much. Big ideas need to be pared back over the days ahead or you will hit a wall of resistance. It’s better to constrain yourself voluntarily than waiting for unpleasant circumstances to suddenly stop you in your tracks.

 

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

It’s usually easier to show your love with tender care than with grandiose gestures. But today you might do things differently and try to snag someone’s attention by overplaying a drama. Later, you may feel embarrassed, wishing you hadn’t made a scene. Although there’s no need to overstate your feelings now, you don’t have to apologize if you do. Just being yourself is all that is required.

 

 

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Avoid the temptation to express yourself in a melodramatic way today, for you could overwhelm someone you love if you say too much. Although things feel urgent now, you would be wise to tone down your intensity. Fortunately, the drama will begin to subside after the Leo Full Moon on Friday, and you may end up wishing you had kept some of your secrets to yourself. Remember, you are not obliged to share all of your fantasies.

 

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You might have an “aha!” moment today about breaking free from an old pattern in your life. The problem is that logical analysis isn’t a substitute for action. Although you may know what to do now, you’re still limited by how you see yourself in relation to others. Be outrageous and imagine possibilities you haven’t yet considered. Believing in magic can make amazing things happen.

 

 

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Demonstrating how to have a memorable time is your gift to your friends today. Step into your leadership role and lead by example. This is the smartest way to give others an idea of what they can do. If you practice self-restraint, then that’s what you’ll pass along to everyone else, diluting the shared experience. Seize the moment and your co-workers will happily follow along.

 

 

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Your need for solitude is very intense now, but you cannot justify a retreat until you first fulfill your obligations. Of course you may feel responsible to honor the promises you made to help others, instead of just taking care of yourself. Fortunately, there’s time to be involved first and then spend time alone later. Don’t hold back; you can have it both ways today.

 

 

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Although you acknowledge that rules are necessary to maintain order, it’s still easy for you to dream about possibilities far beyond the accepted norm. You may not feel restrained by the same laws that govern your peers. You are so enthused by the potential of the moment that you don’t even think about what’s right and what’s wrong. Luckily, taking a calculated risk is a good idea now; you can always philosophize about it after the fact.

 

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You are eager to show others how intuitive you are now and might go out of your way just to let them see you in action. Sharing your inner process with those closest to you can be exhilarating, but the interpersonal dynamics will become complicated if you are insecure about your current approach. It’s not time to worry about anyone’s reaction to your quirky behavior. Just trust your hunches today; they won’t steer you wrong.

 

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You don’t have a lot of patience for those who want your attention so badly today that they put on a performance to get it. You can’t understand why anyone would vie for recognition since you are usually so good at accepting that you’re not the only person in the game. It’s challenging for you to ignore someone’s selfish behavior. Nevertheless, you are better off indulging others now for the sake of group harmony.

 

 

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

There’s a lot on your plate today, but others might not be aware of your strong commitment to get things done. Naturally, there’s nothing wrong with working extra hard, but don’t let your need for recognition be your only motivation. Still, receiving acknowledgment is very helpful as long as you don’t quit before your tasks are completely finished. Satisfaction from a job well done can be surprisingly sweet.

Meditation Thought for 2/16

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Anything that is connected with fear,
a mature person should disconnect
himself from. That’s how maturity comes.
Just watch all your acts, all your beliefs,
and find out whether they are based in reality, in experience, or based in fear.
And anything based in fear has to be dropped immediately without a second thought.
It is your armor.

Osho

Seax Wiccan-Psalm

Seax-Wiccan Psalm

by Raymond Buckland

Ever as I pass through the ways do I feel the presence of the Gods. I know that in aught I do they are  with. They abide in me and I in them, forever.

No evil shall be entertained, for purity is the dweller within me and about me. For good do I strive and for good do I live.

Love unto alll things.

So be it forever

The Goddess Companion

The Goddess Companion       
  
Juno is our queen, the most important

of the Goddesses, the one who holds
the golden staff of sovereignty.
She is the light each child beholds
at birth; she is the mother who gives birth.
At her command girls are made safe
from the labors of childbed, in this way:
an old man sacrifices a male goat;
and from the goatskins, strips are cut;
and those strips are used to strike
the backs of fertile girls, a magic charm
to make them and their children safe.
~Roman Poet Ovid, Fasti
  
In ancient Rome, this was the day of Lupercalia, the Feast of Juno Februa – she who gives our month its name. Queen of the Goddesses, Juno represented the inner essence of femininity found in every woman. Part of this power was the great gift of motherhood which, throughout human history, has been a dangerous occupation for women. Such rituals as the one the Roman poet Ovid describes here emphasized the risk women took with their lives in bringing forth their children.
  
Whenever we enact the creative power of the goddess, we open ourselves to risk and potential loss. This deep truth is often hidden today, when creativity is diminished to entertainment. But to truly create something new, we must encounter our fears and our despairs, as well as our hopes and great dreams. Queenly Juno reminds us of the power and risk of the creative imperative.

  )0( 

By Patricia Monaghan

Crone’s Corner – Yes! Another Love Spell

Crone’s Corner  

  )0(
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 Yes! Another Love Spell
 
It all starts with two red candles and a small piece of chocolate. Light   the candles and eat the chocolate just before reciting this verse: 

“Candles glow and love grow, Fill my heart with sacred play. Love be
near and love be clear, Open hearts so they can hear. Expressions of
love, joy, and trust, Not confused by want and lust, Magnify my love to
see, The heart whose love is meant for me. Love’s great beauty, Love’s
great truth Is in my heart and spirit too. Open my heart to the one for
me; Open my eyes so I can see. If another heart yet waits for me, Reveal
my soul mate, whe’er he may be. Make me wise to love as you. Reveal my
soul mate, loving and true. Fill my true love’s mind with thoughts of
me. Happy, caring, loving, and free. Keep me happy, cheerful and true,
Patiently awaiting my lover new. True love will come when time is right,
May it be this very night. If time be right, and I be prepared, Speed my
love’s journey with no time spared. So mote it be.”   
  
 ~Abby Willowroot 

Pagan Studies – Singing with Wolves Spell

Pagan Studies  – Singing with Wolves Spell

  

An unusual park can be found in north-central Indiana. It exists not for the people of the state, but as a preserve for wolves and other wild canines that still roam this industrialized state. On Friday evenings, just before sundown, a guide takes parties out to small hill. There is no light except the Moon’s. Everyone stands in silence waiting for the ancient song of the wolves to begin. You may feel you’ve been holding your breath when finally the first howl of the night is heard echoing from another hilltop. Soon the chorus is picked up by the other wolves, a discordant yet beautiful song. As you raise your head to join the chorus, you may feel a primal stirring inside you. You know without being told that this is an ancient magic. Wolves mate for life, and often will remain in their birth packs unless dominance issues force part of the pack out of the area. In honor of this love and loyalty, the Romans instituted the festival of Lupercalia, or the Festival of the Wolf. Later on the church would rename this festival in honor of St. Valentine. If you want to call out for a mate, or you wish to strengthen your bonds with your present partner or coven, go outside on Lupercalia Eve and raise your voice high in the ancient wolf song. This will help bond you with your partner, and bond all who participate to beautiful Mother Earth.  ~ Edain McCoy 
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Today’s Goddess: SHAKTI

Today’s Goddess: SHAKTI

Losar (Tibet) 
  
Themes: Protection; Banishing; Communication
Symbols: The Number Six; Magic Charms; Lotus
  
About Shakti: The Tibetan supreme feminine power, Shakti does not stand by idly when we are in distress. She is an active, loving force for change. When called upon, Shakti manifests within us as intelligence, instinct, willpower, energy, action, and ultimately, magick. Shakti especially energizes communication skills, so that our words will be heard clearly and understood.
  
To Do Today: Losar is the Tibetan new year celebration, highlighted by monks casting out negative influences using brilliantly colored costumes, masks, and joyful dancing. Burn lotus incense (or any sweet, floral scent) to remember Shakti today, and fill your living space with her abundant power for postitive transformation. Alternatively, boil some pleasant-smelling cooking spices in water to release their aroma and energy throughout the sacred space of your home.
  
If possible, make a mask or a token that represents what you want Shakti to banish. Put it on (or carry it) early in the day, and remove it vigorously sometime during your festivities. Bury this with six stones (to represent Shakti’s control) to symbolically bury the bad habit or situation, giving it into Shakti’s care.
 
In keeping with today’s celebrations, wear bright-colored clothing to chase away evil influences, which cannot bear the sight of radiant beauty.

 
 
 

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