Day: August 24, 2012

Calendar of the Moon for August 24

Calendar of the Moon

 

24 Coll/Metageitnion

Rhiannon’s Day

Color: White
Elements: Air and Fire
Altar: Upon cloth of white place many figures of horses, five white candles, a cup of red wine and a cup of white wine.
Offerings: Willingly take on burdens.
Daily Meal: Oats, apples, carrots, honey.

Invocation to Rhiannon

(One steps forward, pours out the white wine as a libation, and says:)

Hail Rhiannon, Lady of the White Horse!
Hail Rhiannon, wife of Pwyll,
Headstrong and proud, you teach us
That nothing is impossible if we believe.
Hail Rhiannon, wife of Manannan,
Older and wiser, you teach us
To seek wisdom as well as courage.
Hail Rhiannon, Lady of Inspiration,
Fiery and passionate, you teach us
That in order to gain one’s dreams
One need not compromise one’s soul.

(One steps forward, pours out the red wine as libation, and says:)

Pounding hoofbeats
Striking sparks
Breath snorts from nostrils
Wind through the mane;
Lady of horses,
Slow for my call.
Seeker of the horizon,
Show me the road.
Bearer of burdens,
Carry me gently.
Aid me in
My race to the goal.

Song: Horse Goddess

 

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for August 24

Calendar of the Sun

24 Weodmonath

Day of Our Lady of Sanity

Color: White and clear
Element: Air
Altar: Upon a white cloth light a single white candle behind a clear glass madonna figure. Place there also a clear glass bowl of clear glass marbles, a second larger clear glass bowl, and a bell with a high, piercing note.
Offerings: Do work for the mentally ill.
Daily Meal: Water fasting until dinner.

Invocation to Our Lady of Sanity

Our Lady who hath no name,
You whose gentle touch brings clarity
To the mist of a fevered brain,
We call upon you for healing.
(One comes forward, places a marble into the larger dish, rings the bell, and speaks a name.)
Our Lady who needeth no name,
You whose feet are firmly planted
In the realm of what is real,
We call upon you for healing.
(One comes forward, places a marble into the larger dish, rings the bell, and speaks a name.)
Our Lady who hath no name,
You whose words strike to the center,
Clearing the way through chaos and confusion,
We call upon you for healing.
(One comes forward, places a marble into the larger dish, rings the bell, and speaks a name.)
Our Lady who needeth no name,
You who do not judge cause or character,
But who firmly guides one back home,
We call upon you for healing.
(One comes forward, places a marble into the larger dish, rings the bell, and speaks a name.)
Our Lady who hath no name,
You who shepherd the lost,
You who hold your lantern for the wanderers,
We call upon you for healing.
(One comes forward, places a marble into the larger dish, rings the bell, and speaks a name.)
Our Lady of Sanity, teach us patience
And compassion for those who live far from themselves,
And have compassion for all drifting souls.
(Repeat as needed, until all marbles are used up.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for August 24: First Quarter

First Quarter Moon

(waxing/52% illumination)

The Moon is in the zodiac sign Scorpio

Emotions begin to stir coupled with recognizing that the new beginnings you are making must also increase personal security to be worthwhile over the long haul. This is a time when it’s appropriate to get in touch with your gut instincts and begin to guide your life more deliberately, with an awareness of using your “sixth sense” as well as your enthusiasm. Obstacles may emerge that require you to reevaluate how to better integrate yourself into your immediate environment.

Spell of the Day for August 24 – Casting Pentacle Wards

Casting Pentacle Wards

Protect Your Home With The Power of the Pentacle

Items You Will Need:

  • Sage Smudge Stick.
  • Sandalwood Incense(one for every room)
  • Ceremonial Robes(optional)

The Spell:

Start by meditating for at least an hour or so. You need to empty your mind of all your negative thoughts and feelings. Place a stick of sandalwood incense in each room of your home. Pray to your deity or who/whatever you worship. Pray for protection of your home and family. Light your smudge stick and start by tracing a pentacle in the air in each room’s windows and doors. Start at the lower left-hand part of the pentacle and imagine a dome forming over of your home. This spell needs to be redone every month because the wards will lose power over time. Finish by thanking who/whatever you prayed to.

The Witches Almanac for Friday, August 24

The Witches Almanac for *Friday, August 24

*Friday (Venus): Love, friendship, reconciliation and beauty.

St. Bartholomew’s Day

Moon Sign:  *Scorpio

*Scorpio:  Increases awareness of psychic power. Precipitates psychic crises and ends connections thoroughly. People tend to brood and become secretive.

*Waxing Moon

*The Waxing Moon is the ideal time for magick to draw things toward you.

Moon enters *Sagittarius 6:50 am

*Sagittarius:  Encourages flights of imagination and confidence. This is an adventurous, philosophical and athletic Moon sign. Favors expansion and growth.

Moon Phase:  Second Quarter 9:54 am

Incense:  Mint

Color:  Coral

Living the Magickal Life of the Witch: Repetition

Repetition: Say It Again, and Again for Meaning and Rhythm

Your goal or intent will help you focus and decide how to structure the repetition of your chant. If something is important, repeat it – this is also the basis for a refrain. A chant leader can say a few lines and a group can repeat the same lines or different ones. Repetition is also a good way to reinforce the purpose of your chant. Here’s an example used by an African tribe:

New Moon, come out, give water for us.
New Moon, thunder down water for us.
New Moon, shake down water for us.

The goal here is apparent:  water from the sky, and the time of action is the New Moon. This chant asks the New Moon to bring rain. In our language, it doesn’t rhyme, but you get the idea. A similar chant may go like this:

Rain will wash us
Rain will cleanse us
Rain renew us
Rain will fall

In the next example, the approach is a tone of asking:

Rain come wash us
Rain come cleanse us
Rain renew us
Rain please fall

Both examples repeat the goal (hoping for rain), and the number of syllables in each line is the same. In addition, repetition of words like “come” or “will” help to recall the words of the chant. And, since “rain” and “renew” both begin with “r” that helps as well. Group members could easily memorize this chant for quick repetition, especially if the chant leader is familiar with it and can serve as a guide.

Always remember to practice your chant before teaching it to others. If you become tongue-tied while trying to speak the words, chances are that others will also have difficulty. Sometimes too much alliteration results in tongue-twisters. Practice chanting it several times to be sure it has even rhythm and the words are easy. Word play is fun, so enjoy it! Think of it as a game or puzzle, especially when trying your hand with complex rhyme schemes and meter. As with any magickal art, crafting your words carefully can add extra personal energy to your work.

When in doubt, try it out. Practice your chant. Repeat it over and over while tapping out the rhythm. You’ll be able to feel it. Chants that have good rhyme and rhythm are easy to repeat and remember, resulting in rituals that leave your hands free with no worries about a script to follow. This way, more attention can be given to focusing energy and reaching a magickal state of mind – and that is the ultimate purpose of a chant.

Reference:

Excerpt from:
The Three R’s of Chant Writing: Rhyme, Rhythm and Repetition
By Ember Grant
Llewellyn’s 2012 Magical Almanac

The Wicca Book of Days for August 24 – Versatile Lavender

The Wicca Book of Days for August 24

Versatile Lavender

 

Like Hermes and Mercury – the Gods to whom the Greeks and Romans dedicated this herb – lavender is thought to have the power to encourage healing, and is extremely versatile, so that its flowers can also be used to provide perfume and to impart a tasty tang to culinary oils, dishes, and salads. The roots of its name lie in the Roman verb lavare, “to wash,” which points to its cleansing properties. It also helps to keep the home hygienic by warding off flies and other disease-spreading insects, which appear to be repelled by its strong smell.

Scented Sachets

If you like fragrant bathwater, simply stuff a few handfuls of dried lavender flowers into the toe of a clean stocking or nylon knee-high and tie a knot in the top. Now place it in the tub while you are running the hot water, and the sachet will release its delicious scent.

TGIF! YAHOO! TGIF! Have You Heard It’s Friday! YAHOO!

 

Good Friday Morning, my dear friends! You can see I am happy for you that it’s Friday, lol! I hope you have a super fantastic day!

 

 

Today’s Affirmation for Friday, August 24

The energy of the universe flows through me, maintaining my well-being. I release energy in ways that are healing myself and the Earth.

Thought for Friday, August 24

Everything is extraordinary clear. I see the whole landscape before me. I see my hands, my feet, my toes, and I smell the rich river mud. I feel a great sense of strangeness and wonder at being alive

The Buddha

(c.563 – c.460BCE)

Today’s Meditation for August 24

The Gift of Energy

Giving positive energy to others while expecting nothing in return invokes spiritual well-being. During your morning meditation, prepare for the day’s giving by imaging the energy of the cosmos flowing into all of your being. Afterwards, reflect on the day ahead. In each interaction imagine giving your energy, attention and appreciation without wishing for anything in return. Plan to take breaks throughout the day in which to recharge your spiritual batteries.

 

 

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