Day: March 22, 2011

March 22 – Daily Feast

March 22 – Daily Feast

Everything in the world cannot be judged by one mistake. When we have fallen short or someone seems to have failed us, we can leave it there where it happened. There is no use in stirring old trouble into every new thing we do. There are things that seem to break our hearts, pain that goes on and on. But we can work through. If we are strong and don’t let our hands grow weak and slack, our work will be rewarded. We grieve for the loss of things, or persons, ache for what we cannot do, but there is a day when the sun finally shines. We can make it. Time heals more quickly when we decide to let it. It is written that any man can make a mistake, but none but a fool will continue in it. This is a new day; live it fully.

~ The Great Spirit Chief who rules above all will smile upon this land….and this time the Indian race is waiting and praying. ~

CHIEF JOSEPH

‘A Cherokee Feast of Days’, by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Crone’s Corner – Artistic Empowerment from Minerva Ritual

Crone’s Corner – Artistic Empowerment from Minerva Ritual

 
The ancient Roman festival of Quinquatria is also known as the Festival of Minerva. Minerva is the Roman Goddess of war and of wisdom, the arts, and the trades. She is the Roman counterpart to the Greek Goddess Athena, who is honored by artisans and students. To enhance your artistic talents at this time, empower your spell with the energies of Minerva. Find a tool that represents your craft or trade and place it on your altar. For example, a person who is creative at sewing might use a needle or some embroidery cotton. For a painter, it could be a brush or paints. With pride in your art, speak this spell:
 
With this tool
I dedicate my art
To nourish the creativity
That flows from my heart.
 
Dedicate your next creative product to Minerva.
 
 ~ Emely Flak

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GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast Archives 

Pagan Studies – Irish End of Day Ritual

Pagan Studies  –  Irish End of Day Ritual

 
Every day when you arrive home, start a daily ritual by leaving your work shoes at the door. As you take off your shoes, think about “taking off” all your work issues and problems along with your shoes, and leaving them at the door. This will allow you to leave any negativity that you may have brought home with you at the door and not into your home or family life. This will increase your personal energy as you focus on happy evenings at home with your family and friends.
  

By: Boudica

Today’s Goddess: BUTTERFLY MAIDEN

Today’s Goddess: BUTTERFLY MAIDEN

Vernal Equinox (Various Locations) 
 
Themes: Rebirth; Beauty; Fertility; Balance; Freedom; Nature
Symbols: Butterflies; Seedlings; Rainwater; Spring Flowers
 
About Butterfly Maiden: In Hopi tradition, the Butterfly Maiden is a kachina (spirit) who rules the springtime and the earth’s fertility. Butterfly Maiden flutters into your life today to reconnect us with nature and to help us rediscover that graceful butterfly within each of us – the one that effortless rises above problems, making the world its flower.
 
To Do Today: In magickal traditions, the equinox celebrates the sun’s journey back to predominance in the sky and the return of fertility to the earth. It is a joyous fire festival when the elements are in balance, giving us the opportunity to likewise balance our lives. If anything has held you back from real spiritual growth, now is the time to banish it and move on. Visualize yourself as the caterpillar who becomes the butterfly, then let the Butterfly Maiden give you wings with which to overcome anything!
 
To inspire Butterfly Maiden’s beauty within and without, wash your face and chakras (near pulse points as well as at the top of the head, in the middle of the forehead, over the heart, near the groin, behind the knees, and at the bottom of the feet) with rainwater first thing in the morning (dawn is best). Go outside afterward and toss some flower petals into a spring breeze, saying:
 
Butterfly Maiden, liberate me;
let my mind and spirit ever be free!
The winds will carry your wish to heaven.

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GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast Archive 

Seasons of the Witch! Ancient Holidays (and some not so ancient!)

    

Seasons of the Witch! Remember the ancient ways and keep them sacred!  (and some not so ancient )       

Live each Season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each. ~Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862)  
 

Slavic Pagan: Maslenitsa – Suhii (March) 21 – Maslenitsa is a very ancient festival, the holiday of the Spring Equinox and the end of the winter frosts.People enjoy themselves, engaging in much feasting, dancing,wearing of masks, playing on traditional musical instruments, and contests of strength, all to enact spring unbridled, in action and fighting. Traditional pastries are also baked, called blini (a type of potato pancake), to symbolize the sun.  
  
Attis – Attis was the lover and grandson of Cybele, the Attic goddess who was known as mother of mountains and depicted flanked by lions. When Attis betrayed her, she hunted him down and drove him insane. He tore off his genitals because they had caused him to betray her.
  
Originally a Phyrgian goddess, Cybele’s worship was imported to Rome, where she was called Magna Mater (Great Mother). Emperor Claudius popularized the Phyrgian tradition of bringing a young pine tree representing Attis into the city like a corpse, swathed in linen and woolen sashes and decked with violets. Members of the Tree Bearer’s Guild (dendrophori) carried it through the city gate and into Cybele’s sanctuary which stood on Vatican Hill, near where St Peter’s stands now.   Rufus, Anneli, The World Holiday Book, Harper San Francisco 1994
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Resources : GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast Archives   
 
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NOTE: Because of the large number of ancient calendars, many in simultaneous use, as well as different ways of computing holy days (marked by the annual inundation, the solar year, the lunar month, the rising of key stars, and other celestial and terrestrial events), you may find these holy days celebrated a few days earlier or later at your local temple .  

Lunar Lore

Lunar Lore  

 

 

Near full moon, a misty sunrise
Bodes fair weather and cloudless skies.
 – Collected in R. Inwards, “Weather Lore”

…
Are you content being so far away
From all the other beings in the universe?
Is it sublime to have an unrestricted view
Of these others?
Do they have their own will? Do you?
And, so, do I?
 – Karen Ley Smith, “Earth’s Moon.”

…
The brown buds thicken on the trees,
  Unbound, the free streams sing,
As March leads forth across the leas
  The wild and windy spring.
   – Elizabeth Akers Allen, in the “Old Farmer’s Almanac” for 1912

Runecast for Monday March 22

This morning Mannaz of Tyr’s Aett came out of the 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, creativity, 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 course 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 www.sunnyway.com/runes/ and used here with her gracious permission**

In the Light…

Tom
 

SoulDiscoveryThruReiki
“Music is a release from the tyranny of conscious thought”
— Kevin Burke
Insanity is inherited, you get it from your kids…
Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:29 am
Tom <be_reiki@…>

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Daily Crystal: Celadonite

Celadonite is one of the extraordinary micas (i.e., Lepidolite, Muscovite) and is lime green in color. Celadonite, specifically Celadonite in Quartz, is an excellent but very gentle healer. It brings oxygen to the body, allowing the blood to do the very basic and extremely important job of keeping our physical bodies healthy.

Manifestation Crystals–if you wish to manifest something, you must wholeheartedly intend that thing that you are wishing for. You must also believe that you deserve this, whatever it is. You must also give yourself permission to receive it. The Quartz is always ahead of us spiritually, and this crystal will know if you are not fully committed to your goal. Meditate daily with your Manifestation Quartz, visualize what you wish to have, and allow yourself to feel what it would be like to have that thing. These crystals will help a great deal with all of the creative endeavors as well.

Melody defines Manifestation Crystals as “a crystal within a crystal” in her new large book*. From Deborah – It has been my experience that generally the outer crystal is Quartz, although it wouldn’t have to be. The inner crystals can be anything. Many of them are Quartz. I have some that have Fluorite crystals or Epidote crystals inside, too

http://www.crystalseen.com/products/celadonite

CELADONITE CRYSTALS tend to be strong promoters of wisdom, peace and harmony in one’s life, and they are an excellent choice for those wishing to communicate with their spirit guides. The tiny Abundance Crystals help us to remember that all that is ours by Divine Right has now been released, and is flowing to us; it is only our own beliefs about what we deserve (or are allowed to have) that keep us from “reaping the harvest” of what is already ours.

http://www.thatcrystalsite.com/guide/properties-glossary.php?init=c

Celadonite in Quartz

Celadonite, specifically Celadonite in Quartz, is an excellent but very gentle healer. It brings oxygen to the body, allowing the blood to do its very basic and extremely important job of keeping our physical bodies healthy. Celadonite crystals allow for wisdom and peace and harmony to be in one’s life. It helps in communication with spirit guides. Aids in remembering that all of life is for us and to realise it is only our own beliefs about what we deserve (or are allowed to have) that keep us from “reaping the harvest” of what is already ours.

Chakras:
Astrological sign: None

‘May we live in peace without weeping. May our joy outline the lives we touch without ceasing. And may our love fill the world, angel wings tenderly beating.’
 
The Universal Heart Center
 

Herb of the Day: ASAFETIDA

Herb of the Day ASAFETIDA: Ferula asafoetida

Also called Stinking Gum.

Parts Used: Resin of the root
…Magical Uses: Use for prophetic dreams, exorcism, and protection. Worn in a bag around the neck, asafetida dispels diseases and evils of all kinds. (It literally repels evil spirits!) Add a clove of garlic to enhance the effect. Asafetida is a classic for exorcism and purification rites. Use it to smudg a ritual space with smoke. Unfortunately, though asafetida is powerful, it also has a horrible odor. Just the slightest whiff of the fragrance has been known to cause vomiting. Use with Care!

The pungent gum is extracted from the living rootstock by notching the plant at soil level. It was a popular Roman condiment. (If you can imagine that!) Research suggests the plant is anticoagulant and lowers blood pressure. Used to treat stomach ailments such as intestinal flu, gas, and bloating. Add a pinch to beans as they cook.

The herb is good in cases of Candida albicans. Has been used for asthma, broncitis, and whooping cough because of it’s antispasmodic properties and is a good herb for croup and colic in babies (newborns should get it through their mother’s milk). Another method is to give it to infants via the rectum – make an emulsion with four parts asafetida to one hundred parts water and insert. It has been used as a sedative for hysteria and convulsion.

Please Note: This herb tastes awful and is perhaps best taken in capsule form, one hundred millegrams to one gram being the dose.

Posted by Lady Abigail

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for 3/22

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for Everyone:

1: Creative Power

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011

Hexagram 1

General Meaning: The atmosphere is ripe with imagination, inspiration and energy, symbolized by the flying dragon. The dragon is an ancient symbol of an electrically charged, dynamic, arousing force that bodes well for creative initiatives. If your goals are in alignment with the greater good, your actions will meet with success, but this can only happen if you apply yang energy in a positive way. This hexagram, which consists of all yang lines, indicates a good time to take a leadership role, because Creative Power is with you now. But be forewarned: success turns to failure if you let strength turn to arrogance.

Believe in your vision and persevere; everything around you will flourish. Call upon Creative Power and let it work through you. Stay focused on your goals. Do not let yourself be distracted, or you may lose the power available to you now. And remember that when taking action, successful results require good timing.

Today’s Tarot Card for Everyone:

Today’s Tarot Card for Everyone:

The Fool

This Tarot Deck: Chinese

General Meaning: Pamela Coleman-Smith’s artful rendition of an “innocent Fool” archetype (Rider-Waite deck) is often used to represent Tarot in general. Early classical versions of the Fool card, however, portray quite a different character — a person driven by base needs and urges, who has fallen into a state of poverty and deprivation.

In some instances, he is made out to be a carnival entertainer or a huckster. In others, he is portrayed as decrepit and vulnerable — as the cumulative result of his delusions and failures. Not until the 20th century do you see the popular Rider-Waite image of the Fool arise — that of an innocent Soul before its Fall into Matter, as yet untainted by contact with society and all its ills.

Modern decks usually borrow from the Rider-Waite imagery. Most Fool cards copy the bucolic mountainside scene, the butterfly, the potential misplaced step that will send the Fool tumbling into the unknown. Don’t forget, however, that the earlier versions of this card represented already-fallen humanity, over-identified with the material plane of existence, and beginning a pilgrimage towards self-knowledge, and eventually, wisdom. The Fool reminds us to recognize the path of personal development within ourselves — and the stage upon that path where we find ourselves — in order to energize our movement toward deeper self-realization.

Daily Horoscopes for 3/22

General Daily Horoscope

The transformational Scorpio Moon reveals the magic that can sometimes only unfold in the shadows. However, we can make the best of it as four planets in fiery Aries help us burn through any difficult emotions. The bright light of the Sun and brilliant Uranus has the power to free us from the paralyzing grip of the unknown. Additionally, clever Mercury forms an otherworldly aspect to passionate Pluto, urging us to talk about intense attractions.
Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You have your own agenda now and won’t be easily distracted from your goals. Your relentless drive could seem obsessive to others, but you should still be able to appear easygoing, even if you’re not. Although your powerful determination works in your favor today, be wise in knowing when to call it a day. Thankfully, time isn’t running out as fast as you think.

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

The Moon’s move into your 7th House of Companions raises the stakes in an intense disagreement. Your stubbornness can help you win an argument today, but the price you must pay could be too severe. Your victory will likely be hollow if the emotional drama drains you of your energy. Make the best case you can for your point of view, but then be willing to shift gears and meet the other person halfway.

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

You are able to manipulate reality now by choosing your words carefully. You are very clever and can easily alter other people’s perceptions without them being conscious of what you are doing. Unfortunately, you might not be fully aware of the impact you can have on those around you, so think about what you need to say before unconsciously hurting someone near to your heart.

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

You are ready to let someone at work know exactly how you feel as you express yourself with power and certainty. But it’s hard to bring these complex emotions out into the open. Your feelings are bouncing all over the place, and no single action can handle all the nuances. Nevertheless, take a risk and communicate your experience to chip away at the walls between you and others.

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You can see the positive side of nearly anything, even in a situation that others would think is very difficult. It’s not that you are in denial; it’s just that you can be optimistic and pessimistic at the same time now. Fortunately, this gives you an advantage when managing co-workers, for they will be more willing to follow your lead when they see that you are being completely honest.

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You are feeling empowered today to apply your intelligence and think your way out of an emotionally intense predicament. You may worry at first that you’re being lured into a situation that could trap you. But upon a more thorough analysis, you realize the power of positive thought. Don’t allow apparent limitations to hold you back; instead, face them and let your adrenaline fuel your growth.

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Although you may be hopeful about a current relationship, your emotions are running on high alert today. You would prefer to minimize all melodramas now, but they seem to follow you wherever you go. Instead of avoiding involvement, remain open to other people’s processes without feeding your own fears into the story. Ultimately, your optimistic attitude can tilt the scales in a positive direction.

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

The Moon’s visit to your sign foretells of a couple of days of heightened emotions, yet the changes you go through now can be of lasting significance. You might be fearful of what you don’t know. You may react defensively by holding on to an old relationship or memory that isn’t serving your best interests. But don’t be reckless; suddenly dropping someone or something can be counterproductive. Take your time to see where the current energy leads.

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You are ready to hide your anger today as the potent Scorpio Moon enters your 12th House of Secrets. Nevertheless, your attraction to someone special could lure your feelings out into the open, driving away any lingering negativity. You may be fearful of going deeper and resist taking a long, hard look at all your options. Just remember, anything that is buried now will likely come back to the surface in a few days.

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Close friends and family can give you strength now without even realizing that they are helping you out. Oddly, it isn’t anything that they do that’s so great. What’s important is that you know you could lean on them if you had to in a pinch. Thankfully, you probably don’t need to be rescued today because your own efforts should pay off if you maintain a positive attitude.

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You appear to be more optimistic than you feel today. Others see you as an inspiration, for your “can do” attitude motivates them to make an extra effort on the job. Although you can get a lot done on your own, you still might think that you missed your mark. Getting stuck in your personal dissatisfaction won’t help anything. Instead, concentrate on the good you can do for everybody else and your confidence will return quickly.

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You may have a few angels watching over you today. It’s as if someone or something is clearing a path for you right through a difficult situation. Rest assured that your choices are being supported, so be bold and take a risk — and if possible, reach out to help someone else. In this manner, you can be a conduit, receiving the blessings and then, in turn, passing them along to others who could use a little magic, too.

Guidelines for Crafting Your Own Spells

  1. Identify your goal or desire.

  2. Examine the context of the situation.

  3. Evaluate the repercussions

  4. Refine the specifies of your need or desire

  5. Decide on a time.

  6. Decide on a method.

  7. Choose correspondences and components.

  8. Creat central symbolic action.

  9. Write the text of the spell.

  10. Write the complete list of materials needed.

Herbal Tips for Your Kitchen

Now that Spring is here, we will be having fresh vegetables and herbs shortly. Knowing how to use the herbs properly will give a new taste sensation to your meals. You can use tried and true recipes or make-up your own. Either way when you cook with herbs, you will have a fantastic meal the whole family will enjoy.

Hints for Using Herbs

  • Serving Rule:  Two teaspoons of minced, fresh herbs will flavor four servings One teaspoon dried herbs or seeds serves four. Delicately flavored herbs, like marjoram can be use more liberally.

  • For soups and stews, add fresh herbs during the last twenty minutes.

  • To develop the flavor of freshly dried herbs, soak them for ten minutes in lemon juice, stock or oil before cooking.

  • Before cooking rub fresh herbs between clean hands to release their unique flavor in the volatile oils. This will accelerate flavoring  as your entrée cooks.

  • Firmly press herbs into the flesh of meats, fish, or poultry before cooking to enhance aroma and taste. No sauce or further preparation will be necessary.

  • Flavor salad dressing by soaking herbs in it for thirty minutes to an hour before serving. Use one teaspoon of herbs to one cup of dressing.

  • Microwave: Whenever possible, saute herbal blends in a small amount of liquid, stock, butter or oil before adding to a microwave dish to assure flavor.

  • Sugar can be flavored by layering twelve to fifteen rose geranium or lemon rose geranium leaves on top of one pound of sugar.  Any flavor of geranium leaves will do. Keep it covered until ready to use. Flavored sugar adds a delicate flavor to biscuits, cookies and muffins,

  • A substitute for lemon peel in baked goods is finely chopped lemon balm, lemon thyme or lemon vervain.