Month: July 2013

Let's Talk Witch – Well are you a good witch or bad witch?

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Are You A Good Witch or Bad?

 

What’s the answer to this classic question Are there “bad” Witches who use their knowledge and power for personal gain and ill will Yes, of course there are as there are “bad” Christians, “bad” Muslims, and so on. If you shake any figurative tree hard enough, a couple of rotten apples are bound to fall. That’s just human nature. The good news is that these rotten apples are the exception, not the rule.

Just like everyone else, Witches confront issues that require them to make ethical choices. For instance, should magick be used as a weapon, even if it’s only to fight back Wiccans and Witches alike see magick as gathered from the life energy in all things. That energy is then turned and directed by the Witch toward a goal. It’s how each person uses magick that makes it white (positive, constructive, helpful), black (negative, destructive, harmful), or gray (not completely black or white). Defining these things in concrete terms isn’t easy, however, because each person’s perception of what constitutes white, black, and gray isn’t always the same.

 

The Only Book of Wiccan Spells You’ll Ever Need (The Only Book You’ll Ever Need).Singer, Marian; MacGregor, Trish

 

Celebrating Spirituality 365 Days A Week – July 26 – Festival of Sleipnir

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July 26th

Festival of Sleipnir

For members of Norse traditions, July 26 honors Sleipnir, the mythical horse of Odin that represents time and permits him to ride between the worlds. In Asatru, the eight-legged steed take Odin between the three worlds: from the upper one of the Gods (Asgard), through our own middle kingdom of Midgard, down into the underworld of shades (Utgard). As the Norse God of War and Poetry and Conductor of the Dead, Odin’s ability to transcent the planes of consciousness is what allows him the ability to oversee the fate of humans and Sleipnir serves as his magickal transportation.

The Witches Correspondence for Friday, July 26th

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The Witches Correspondence for Friday, July 26th

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Heart
Incense: Strawberry, Sandalwood, Rose, Saffron and Vanilla
Planet: Venus
Sign: Libra and Taurus
Angel: Ariel
Colors: Green, Pink, Aqua
Herbs/Plants: Pink Rose, Ivy, Birch, Heather, Clematis, Sage, Violet and Water Lilly Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmrosa, Rose, Yarrow

Friday belongs to Venus, and its energies are warm, sensuous, and fulfilling. Efforts that involve any type of pleasure, comfort, and luxury, as well as the arts, music, or aroma (incense and perfume) works well on this day. As Venus lends its sensuous influences to the energies of this day, use it for any magical work that deals with matters of the heart.

The Witches Almanac for Friday, July 26th

Witchy Comments

The Witches Almanac for Friday, July 26th

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

St. Anne s Day

 

Waning Moon

The Waning Moon is a time for study, meditation and little magickal work (except magick designed to banish harmful energies)

Moon Phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Pisces

Pisces: The focus is on dreaming, nostalgia, intuiition and psychic impression. A good time for spirited or philanthropic activities.

Moon enters Aries 5:29 pm

Aries: Good for starting things, but lacks staying power. Things occur rapidly but quickly pass. People tend to be argumentative and assertive.

Incense: Rose

Color: Pink

-Doreen Valiente

Witchy Comments


The Witches Creed

  Hear now the words of the witches,
The secrets we hid in the night,
When dark was our destiny’s pathway,
That now we bring forth into light

Mysterious water and fire,
The earth and the wide-ranging air,
By hidden quintessense we know them,
And will and keep silent and dare.

The birth and rebirth of all nature,
The passing of winter and spring,
We share with the life universal,
Rejoice in the magical ring.

Four time in the year the Great Sabbat
Returns, and the witches are seen
At Lammas and Candlemas dancing,
On May Eve and old Hallowe’en.

When day-time and night-time are equal,
When the sun is at greatest and least,
The four Lesser Sabbats are summoned,
Again witches gather in feast.

Thirteen siver moons in a year are,
Thirteen is the coven’s array.
Thirteen times as Esbat make merry,
For each golden year and a day.

The power was passed down the ages,
Each time between woman and man,
Each century unto the other,
Ere time and the ages began.

When drawn is the magical circle,
By sword or athame or power,
Its compass between the two worlds lies,
In Land of the Shades for that hour.

This world has no right then to know it,
And world of beyond will tell naught,
The oldest of Gods are invoked there,
The Great Work of magic is wrought.

For two are the mystical pillars,
That stand at the gate of the shrine,
And two are the powers of nature,
The forms and the forces divine.

The dark and the light in succession,
The opposites each unto each,
Shown forth as a God and a Goddess,
Of this did our ancestors teach.

By night he’s the wild wind’s rider,
The Horn’d One, the Lord of the Shades,
By day he’s the King of the Woodland,
The dweller in green forest glades.

She is youthful or old as she pleases,
She sails the torn clouds in her barque,
The bright silver lady of midnight,
The crone who weaves spells in the dark.

The master and mistress of magic,
They dwell in the deeps of the mind,
Immortal and ever-renewing,
With power to free or to bind.

So drink the good wine to the Old Gods,
And dance and make love in their praise,
Til Elphame’s fair land shall receive us
In peace at the end of our days.

An Do What You Will be the challenge,
So be it in Love that harms none,
For this is the only commandment,
By Magic of old, be it done

Eight words the Witches’ Creed fulfill:
If it harms none, do what you will.
-Doreen Valiente

Which Bird Will Help You Today? Quiz

Which Bird Will Help You Today?

Birds can be powerful allies for becoming our truest selves or for simply  helping us to get through our busy and challenging days. Do you need the  sharp-eyed eagle, merry finch, or something else? Take the quiz and find out,  here:

Answer the following questions TRUE or FALSE.

1. I need the ability to wait patiently until the right time comes to  act.

2. I need to get a clear overview of my life right now; I’m too bogged down  in details to have perspective.

3. I feel like I’m operating in the dark and could really use some help  finding my way.

4. I need to feel more cheerful and optimistic.

5. I want my brain to feel sharp and flexible, making the best possible use  of what I know.

6. I want to feel more loving, gentle, and affectionate.

7. I need to feel that my territory is protected and safe.

8. I need help getting rid of outworn things in my life.

If you answered TRUE to:

1, then Crane will be helpful to you.

2, then Eagle is your guide.

3, then Owl is your ally.

4, then Finch will aid you.

5, then Crow is your helper.

6, then Dove will be your companion.

7, then Jay is your friend.

8, then Vulture is your guide.

You may want to put photos or other images of your bird where you can see it  and be reminded of its basic nature, which offers itself to you for help and  guidance. Be sure to put an offering of birdseed outside, if you can, as a  thank-you.

Daily Feng Shui News for July 26th – 'One Voice Day'

There’s no better time than ‘One Voice Day’ to share some ancient wisdom from the Eastern Ayurvedic tradition. This healing modality says that we should spend some time each day intoning each of the vowels in the modern day alphabet. Elongate the vowels for an extended period of time in order to fine tune your brain, balance your breath, reduce your heart rate and infuse yourself with an overall sense of well-being. These A’s, E’s, I’s and O’s are tremendously good for U!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Today's Tarot Card for July 26th is The Lovers

The Lovers

Friday, Jul 26th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Daily Horoscopes for Friday, July 26th

What a fantastic day for a romantic daydream! There’s magic in the air as Venus, the planet of love and desire, moves into a surreal opposition with Neptune, the planet of imagination and spirituality. But a simple misunderstanding can lead to relationship drama. Thankfully, a Venus-Saturn alignment helps us keep it real. The Moon blasts into impetuous Aries at 5:28 pm EDT urging us to act on our feelings without thinking about the consequences

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Your most elusive dreams have a chance now to come true. The current cosmic connection presents an interesting opportunity, although it may not be quite as wonderful as it sounds. Sure, the realization of your fantasies can be exhilarating, but sometimes our visions aren’t the same once they’ve fallen from the blurry clouds of illusion into the real world. Be careful what you want; you might have to live with it.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

You could fall head-over-heels in love with your own shadow today and not even realize that it’s attached to you. Your temporary dreamy state prevents you from seeing the truth as it exists separate from your own desires. The fuzziness between fact and fiction may muck up your love life if you build a relationship on the shifting sands of your own illusions. Fortunately, your current visions can also be put to creative use, inspiring those you work with to reach their goals too.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

It may seem as if all is well on the home front. However, there could be a problem now stemming from confusion over relationship dynamics. Keep your eyes and ears open because even the simplest misunderstanding can take you on a wild goose chase today. Nevertheless, you have tools at your disposal to help you navigate through the interpersonal complexities. Use your imagination to explore the various strategies available to you, and then rely on logic to pick the right one.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

You must choose your words very carefully today because people filter your ideas through their own hopes and dreams. Ironically, you might be misled by your own overactive imagination. Fortunately, your creative juices are flowing and your next great adventure seems to be right around the corner. However, there’s still a potential for miscommunication so think about your message before you speak. Then say exactly what you mean and nothing more.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Although you might be sure of yourself much of the time, you’re not feeling so confident now. It’s challenging to remain clear about your intentions when the world seems enchanted. Colors seem brighter than usual, making it difficult to trust your senses. Even if everything is appears awesome, you’re uncomfortable in this all-too-perfect world. However, retreating into your own dream world will only bring temporary reprieve. Let go of your fears and come out to play; you’ll never know what you can create unless you try.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

No matter how sharp your senses are tuned and how precise your analytical skills may be, reality isn’t what you think. You are living in a bubble of fantasies today and your perceptions are shaded by your own internal processes making it nearly impossible to separate the objective from the subjective. When fact and fiction become intertwined, life can get complicated. Nevertheless, minimizing any drama allows you to have enough time to explore your dreams and choose one of them to pursue.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Your current optimism keeps slipping out of your grasp like a greased watermelon. One moment, you’re absolutely sure your goals are within reach. The next moment they disappear, as if reality was simply a trick of light reflecting your ideal fantasies. However, you quickly tire of feeling like you are in a fun house where reality is mirrored in ways to fool you into wrong conclusions. Thankfully, everything may fall into place at the very last minute as long as you don’t assume you know what is real.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You may sink into a funk if a romantic bubble suddenly fizzles. Or, fairy tales can come true if you spontaneously fall in love with someone. Whichever reaction you have to this surreal planetary transit, you need to be vigilant. Things aren’t as bad as they may seem. But then again, they’re probably not as good, either. What you see now is not what you get. Thankfully, replacing your premature conclusions with a dose of flexibility offers you the chance to create a social life that leads to emotional contentment.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You may be tied up in a dilemma between your innermost needs and the demands of the outer world. Home and family dynamics pull one way while your career goals pull the other. The professional aspects of your life seem to be at odds now with the personal ones. Even when you try to explain yourself, the words just don’t express your intentions clearly. Happily, you don’t need to find an answer today. Instead, use this time to dream about what you really want; your wish can come true.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Your life can seem pretty intense today as you feel the rug pulled out from under you. But you are in a fight-back mood and you’re not going to idly stand by as reality slips from your grip. The problem is that you can’t win this one by using calculated logic. It’s going to take imagination and finesse. Step back from any entanglements and pretend that you are a spiritual master. Once you have visualized a higher path, you’ll know exact what to do next.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Your romantic attraction to someone special may stir up a bit of trouble today. You can still get lost in your own fantasies even if you don’t act on them. This isn’t a bad thing, unless you try to resist the temptation to escape into the mists of your own dreamland. Granted, you like it better when you can see the ground beneath your feet. However, being inspired now is more useful than feeling secure, so make the most of this little vacation from the pressures of the real world.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You may think you know what you want and how you are going to get it, but this certainty isn’t what you are projecting now. Others are currently experiencing a softer and gentler side of you. Perhaps they are even seeing some of your own hidden insecurity coming through the cracks in the walls of your personality. Vulnerability can be the source of power and not a weakness. Sharing your unfulfilled dreams sets the stage for an intimate discussion that deepens a relationship with someone you love.

Your Love Horoscopes for the Weekend of July 26 – 28

Weekend Love Horoscopes

July 26-28: Honesty Is the Best Policy

Jeff Jawer   Jeff Jawer on the topics of love, horoscopes, astrology

Romantic dreams and super-sensitive feelings inspire imagination early on Friday while the Moon is traveling in the gentle waters of tender Pisces. But the courage to act on our ideals strengthens with a lunar entry into rambunctious and impatient Aries in the late afternoon. The desire for instant gratification triggers impulsive behavior and incites hunger for new experiences.

You may feel brave enough now to take the initiative in relationships, yet you can also appear selfish or crude in the eyes of someone more cautious and timid. Fortunately, the Moon’s lovely alignment with the bold Leo Sun that night can attract playful folk who find brash behavior appealing. As long as generosity matches self-interest there’s almost no limit in terms of what you say or do in pursuit of pleasure.

Saturday morning, though, is when the glow of the night before fades away and we’re held accountable for our actions. Relationships could grow testy, but if you’re able to express negative feelings without going too far or can handle constructive criticism, hearts will be healed by this difficult work. Trust is essential to turn hard, cold reality into the warmth of intimacy and affection that makes partnerships worthwhile.

Being honest without falling into guilt, blame or shame invites a glorious Sunday morning that’s ideal for indulging in a sensuous breakfast in bed or an extravagant brunch somewhere special. Showering the one you adore with love and appreciation is a delightful way to spend the day.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for July 26th

Finish old business on a high note this morning. This is particularly emphasized with the Moon void in Pisces — the last sign of the zodiac — until 2:30PM PDT. In addition, confusion and chaos are potentially on the rise due to Venus forming its annual opposition with its higher-guardian planet Neptune (5:09AM PDT). What you believe to be true about a significant other may not be the case. Don’t jump to conclusions without the facts.  In the meantime, Venus moves on to making two aspects with ring-master Saturn — a seemingly supportive, 60-degree contact (11:37AM PDT) and a more caustic contra-parallel (1:52PM PDT). Even with favorable alignments — like the 60-degree sextile aspect — Saturn can rub you the wrong way and increase limits, frustrations or delays. Therefore, be more cautious and careful as the waning hours of the void lunar uncertainty zone come to pass.  Once the Moon enters fiery Aries (2:30PM PDT), the universe encourages you to be more assertive and to accentuate your leadership credentials across the board. This is emphasized several hours later when the Moon trines the Sun in fire signs (10:14PM PDT). However, Aries Moon can also equate with a build-up of stubborn attitudes and since tomorrow offers many disturbing sky patterns, you should strive to be on your best behavior as tonight morphs into Saturday morning.

Calendar of the Sun for July 26th

Calendar of the Sun

Solstitium

Colors: Green and gold
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon cloth of green and gold set flowers and herbs in pots, a bowl of rainwater, a large pitcher of manure tea, and several empty baskets.
Offerings: Water and fertilizer, to be added to the garden.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian.

Solstitium Invocation

Earth, you begin to give forth your bounty!
Like the maiden blossoming into the mother,
Like the youth growing into the father,
You yield your children up to us
For our sustenance and health,
As we are also your children.
We will not waste your gifts!
We will nurture what you bring forth
With the labor of our hands,
That those gifts shall be sustained
Year after year, and that you shall
Never be exhausted.
We will not be ungrateful, O Earth whose life is ours,
But we will give back as much as we take,
For this is the way of balance.

Chant:
Life harnessed
Call the sun to us
Sacred harvest
You are one with us

(Two who have been chosen to do the work of the ritual take up the rainwater and the manure tea, and carry them out to the garden, where they are ceremonially poured around the roots of the herbs and vegetables. All others follow with the empty baskets, and harvest some thing from the garden, whether a token or a main part of the next meal. After this, each should do some part of the work of further watering, or fertilizing, or mulching, to give back to the earth as much as is taken away.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for July 26th – Waning Gibbous

Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics

Gibbous Moon

(waning /70% illumination)

This is a tremendous time of transmutation. All of the prior elements are coming together for a final burst of creative output. You have seen a clear view of your own needs and the posture of significant others. Now the accumulation of that input is leading to a deep, core change within you. In this phase, you will naturally be inclined to seek higher guidance so that you can emerge from this transformation successfully. The Disseminting Moon favors sharing what you have learned (and are learning) with others.

Goddess Grant You Peace & Relaxation This Weekend, Dear Brothers & Sisters!

Wishing you and yours a very Blessed and Relaxing Weekend!

Walk out in the woods or forest and take a mini-retreat. Really you don’t have to go out in the woods, got a quiet place in the house? Use it! You will be amazed how you will feel afterwards. Letting go of all your emotions, anger and anything that has upset you since your last retreat. You need to take one a least every  month. It helps to draw you closer to the Goddess. And being a child of Her’s, She is delighted when we try to make that connection.

Have a very blessed weekend, my brothers and sisters,

Love ya,

Lady A


 

Current Moon Phase for July 25 – Full Moon

Full Moon

(waning/75% illumination)

A veil of self-absorption is lifted and suddenly you gain access to an unbiased view of others. This is a rare moment when you can see yourself objectively and become aware of whether or not what you want in your heart is actually beginning to manifest in your life. Traditionally, the Full Moon phase stirs emotion, and this is because when you “see” what is happening, you may become upset if you’re experiencing the “same ole, same ole” — rather than the things you would like. If the Full Moon phase is a disappointment, on the next New Moon it’s time to take creative action in the direction of your dreams.

The Witches Spell for July 25th – A Spell to Turn Up the Heat

Book & Candle Comments

A Spell to Turn Up the Heat

Has the spark gone out of your relationship This spell uses spices to add spice to your love life, along with fire to heat up things between you and your partner.

Tools:

A fireplace, balefire pit, barbecue grill, hibachi, or other place where you can light a fire safely Matches or a lighter

A piece of paper A pen that writes red ink

Cayenne pepper

Mustard seeds

Ginger

Jasmine

Rosemary

Bay leaves

When: During the waxing moon, preferably on a Tuesday

Safely build a small fire. On the paper, write what you find enticing about your partner and what you desire from him or her. Be as descriptive and explicit as you like— no one but you will read what you’ve written. When you’ve finished, draw the runes Gabon, which looks like an X, and Tiwaz, which looks like an arrow pointing up, around the edges of the paper. These two symbols represent love and passion, respectively.

Place the spices on the piece of paper and fold it to make a packet that contains them. Visualize you and your lover in a passionate embrace. As you hold this image in your mind, toss the packet of spices into the fire. As it burns, your intention is released into the universe.

The Only Book of Wiccan Spells You’ll Ever Need (The Only Book You’ll Ever Need) Singer, Marian; MacGregor, Trish (2012-08-18).

Let’s talk Witch – Wild Magick

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Let’s talk Witch – Wild Magick

Wild Magick The definition of Wild Magick is very broad. Essentially, the Wild Witch seeks to defend nature, deepen her understanding of the wild, use this understanding as a spiritual tool, and then educate others regarding the state of the earth and how to preserve it. That’s a pretty big job, but one that many Witches, Wiccans, and Neo-Pagans embrace. Wild Magick deals specifically with those moments when the “wild” world touches our nine-to-five reality in intimate ways. Animals represent a big part of that picture, especially the Witch’s pets and familiars. Try the following strategy, a type of “wild” divination that relies on reading signs: Observe your pet’s behavior with visitors in your home. It might give you some insights about your visitors you wouldn’t otherwise get on your own, perhaps because animal reactions are based on instinct.

Outside the home, Wild Magick transforms a bit, especially when you’re in a natural environment. For example, if a Witch observes gulls circling above a group of fisherman with their daily catch, he might gather up a stray feather and add it to his power pouch, in order to inspire extended vision, especially when hunting (figuratively). This, too, is Wild Magick: taking a gift from nature and applying it positively to your spiritual life.

The Only Book of Wiccan Spells You’ll Ever Need (The Only Book You’ll Ever Need) Singer, Marian; MacGregor, Trish

The Witches Correspondence for Thursday, July 25th

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The Witches Correspondence for Thursday, July 25th

Magickal Intentions: Luck, Happiness, Health, Legal Matters, Male Fertility, Treasure and Wealth, Honor, Riches, Clothing Desires, Leadership, Public Activity, Power and Success Incense: Cinnamon, Must, Nutmeg and Sage
Planet: Jupiter
Sign: Sagittarius and Pisces
Angel: Sachiel
Colors: Purple, Royal Blue and Indigo
Herbs/Plants: Cinnamon, Beech, Buttercup, Coltsfoot, Oak
Stones: Sugilite, Amethyst, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire
Oil: (Jupiter) Clove, Lemon Balm, Oak moss, Star Anise

Jupiter presides over Thursday. The vibrations of this day attune well to all matters involving material gain. Use them for working rituals that entail general success, accomplishment, honors and awards, or legal issues. These energies are also helpful in matters of luck, gambling, and prosperity.