Month: August 2013

Today's Tarot Card for August 18 is The Hermit

The Hermit

Sunday, Aug 18th, 2013

The challenge of what has traditionally been known as the Hermit card is to be able to recognize a teacher in a humble disguise. This font of mysterious knowledge will not make it easy for the student to acquire his wisdom, as it takes time and long contemplation to fathom what he knows. He often speaks wordlessly, or in ancient and barbaric tongues, communicating with the elements, animals and Nature herself.

While the hourglass was an identifying feature on the earliest Hermit cards, more modern ones have shifted the metaphor, showing more or less light released from his lantern. In either case, the Hermit card reminds us of the value of time away from the hubbub of civic life, to relax the ego in communion with Nature.

Daily Horoscopes for Sunday, August 18

Managing our options can be challenging today because it’s tempting to take our emotions to extremes. The ambitious Capricorn Moon prompts us to stifle our feelings as we offset sensual desires with an unquenchable thirst for success. However, pleasure-seeking Venus is empowered as she moves through her home sign of collaborative Libra until September 11. Nevertheless, it’s difficult now to strike a healthy balance between work and play

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Finding your comfort zone is tricky today because the more you adapt to meet the needs of others, the more you want to break free from the demands being placed upon you now. However, withdrawing emotionally tends to make you resentful. Your smartest strategy is to prevent your energy from stagnating. If you consciously breathe deeply throughout the day, you won’t be as likely to suppress your feelings. Expressing your desires without being tied to the outcome relieves the pressure for everyone around you.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

You might have a difficult time acknowledging the wishes of your friends and family today. Although the Moon is still in earthy Capricorn, your stubborn streak may surface in little ways that prevent you from just walking away from a volatile situation. Explore strategies that include someone who was previously the subject of your criticism or ire. Instead of being a perfectionist now, make the most of your heightened senses by responding in a more practical and enlightened manner.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

You may be feeling a bit out of sorts today, especially if someone is counting on you for something you don’t want to do. You might have other plans, but chances are that not much is going to change yet. Your values are brought into sharp focus as you compare your desires to your current opportunities. But satisfaction is elusive; although having patience can be tough, you need it now more than ever. Waiting may be the hardest part, but it also brings the greatest rewards.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

You are at the beginning of a three-week phase where your needs may be in stark contrast with what is offered to you in the real world. The key is to seek balance between experiencing new pleasures and getting your most basic needs met so you can feel secure. This is not a time to go overboard with indulgences. Nevertheless, you will be surprised how happy you can be if you just take care of the bare minimums and leave the rest up to the universe.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You are eager to discuss your attractions and desires in an objective manner now. Thankfully, you have an even-handed approach to relationships and the more you talk about them, the better your chances are to find the love you’re seeking. However, chores or previous commitments could get in the way of your pursuit of happiness if you put too much emphasis on them. Meet your obligations, but leave time to explore your personal needs, too.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Reevaluating your priorities inspires you to set new relationship goals. Thankfully, it’s easier to express your needs in a more spontaneous manner now that the earthy Capricorn Moon is visiting your 5th House of Love and Play. But you might also feel a bit wistful if you think you missed your chance to have fun today. Don’t worry if sharing your desires with a good friend is currently easier than actually fulfilling them. You’ll have another opportunity to act like a kid in just a few days.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You may be preoccupied with relationship issues as the love planet Venus travels through your sign for the next three weeks. Luckily, you’re more likely to experience sensual pleasure now since your charm factor is soaring. However, you also can get lazy as you soak in the good times that await you. Instead of concentrating all your energy on fleeting moments of physical enjoyment, explore ways to let your creativity take root and flower. Remain open to being surprised because romance is in the air and magic is afoot.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Someone may ask you to play the role of a compassionate caretaker now, and the more love you have for this person, the easier the job will be. You can feel a high level of altruism in relationships these days, but your tendency toward self-denial could become a problem if you are being pressured or coerced. If you’re not feeling it then inaction is better than faking good intentions; do what’s in your heart and you can’t go wrong.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Your mind is working overtime envisioning reliable ways to make money, but your follow-through might not support your big ideas now. Your social needs lure you away from your more practical responsibilities; you may prefer to have a memorable time with friends than to put extra hours in on a project. Fortunately, love can be combined with friendship in a way that makes adventures more possible today, especially when you are participating in group activities. Get out and have some fun while the getting is good.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

It may seem easier to make more money these days, but don’t get sidetracked by any kind of get-rich-quick schemes. Love isn’t full of surprises now; instead, you get what you deserve. This is a great time to reach for your goals because people in power are more inclined to support your ambitions now that attractive Venus is visiting your 10th House of Public Status. Happily, you can count on what you receive as being the real thing in matters of the heart or concerns about the bottom line.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Companionship arrives in unusual forms today and broadens your horizons in ways that you never imagined. These next three weeks may offer you intriguing opportunities to take a trip with someone special, but even if this doesn’t happen, keep in mind that you can still travel within the realms of your imagination. Lighten your approach to love; it’s too important of a journey to take seriously.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You might attempt to maintain your balance in the realm of relationships now, but your sexual appetite could pull you into deeper emotional waters. Nearly any intimate encounter takes on unexpected intensity since you’re more likely to express your passions without restraint today. Your current challenge is to create an emotionally safe space where feelings can flow naturally.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for August 18

[All times are calculated for the Pacific Daylight Zone. If you are living in a different time zone, add or subtract the necessary hours so that any timed alignment will be exact where you live.]  Every month, the two days before a Full Moon constitute a preparation time-period. That is the process beginning now for the enlightening vibrations about to manifest throughout humanity and the Earth on Tuesday August 20.  Keep in mind that yesterday’s Sun-Ceres conjunction still carries a lot of potency concerning your productive output across the board, eating habits, and interaction with maternal figures. Tensions may be rising in the psychic environment due to the monthly Moon-Mars polarity — right now happening between Capricorn and Cancer (11:27AM). An extra hassle here could be that this opposition across the zodiac also starts a void lunar uncertainty zone that lingers until 9:08PM when the Moon enters airy Aquarius. During the 9+ hours when the Moon is void-of-course, it is much better to mellow out completely than to use arm-twisting maneuvers to make someone do your bidding or follow your lead. In other words, relax, have fun, and let sleeping dogs lie.  It is intriguing that Mercury unites with Vesta in Leo (12:27PM) — a conjunction that has a capacity to increase the value of your assets and investments. However, you are advised to utilize this favorable sky pattern after the Moon enters Aquarius (9:08PM). Once the Moon is in the eleventh sign of the zodiac, group projects, team sports, and community activism are reinforced

Calendar of the Moon for August 18

Calendar of the Moon


Coll Invocation

Colors: Blue and Brown
Element: Water and Earth
Altar: Upon cloth of blue place a goblet of spring water, the figure of a leaping salmon, and three blue candles; next to them on cloth of brown place a musical instrument, a pen, and fresh flowers.
Offerings: Poetry, songs, art, writing.
Daily Meal: Either fish (for the Salmon), poultry (for the Duck) or salads.

Coll Invocation:

Call: Hail the month of the Hazel Tree!
Response: Hail the month of the nuts that nourish us.
Call: First tree of the harvest, you give forth wisdom.
Response: Last tree of the summer, you chant our memories.
Call: The fading warmth follows you,
Response: And we feast on the fruits of your knowledge.
Call: This is the month of words and song.
Response: This is the month of the search for the mysteries.
Call: This is the month of the sacred pool,
Response: Wherein swims the Salmon of Knowledge.
Call: We fish for the gleams of divine light on the surface,
Response: We dive for the truths that lie deep in the Well.
Call: Our intuition is the hazel-twig held before us.
Response: We shall search out the underground streams.
Call: We shall find the hidden treasures.
Response: We shall spread them forth in words of power.
Call: We shall bring them forth with our hands in works of art,
Response: We shall gift the Gods and the people with our songs.
Call: Our voices will find their way across the land.
Response: Hear us, O Gods, as we sing your praises!
Call: This is the month of the bard’s silver tongue,
Response: This is the month of the golden door of autumn.
Call: As the Hazel Tree stands with words of peace,
Response: So shall we stand between the warring parties.
Call: So shall our Rule spread Justice and Peace,
Response: So shall our words spread beauty and harmony.

(As this is the month of the Bard, one or more shall stand forth and sing before the others, or read what words they would, to bring gladness and knowledge to the hearts of those who listen.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for August 18

Calendar of the Sun

18 Weodmonath

Shango’s Day

Colors: Red and White
Element: Fire
Altar: Upon a red cloth lay many red candles and torches, a double-sided stone axe, figures of running horses, a jug of beer, spicy food, cayenne peppers, sausage, red beans, and spicy rice.
Offerings: Spicy food and beer.
Daily Meal: Spicy food and beer.

Invocation to Shango

Dance, God of Fire!
Dance, warrior in the coals
Whose axe is of stone
Cut from the bones of earth’s fire!
Spring forth in flaming energy
That washes through our bodies!
Let us feel your electric presence
Dancing along our nerves!
Dance, Lord of Thunder!
Dance for your very life,
Which once you gave away
To pay the price of red-hot rage.
May we always be as willing
To pay for our anger
To give for our wrongs
To dance forward without hesitation
And have only faith
That life will spring anew
From the coals of your dying fire.

Song: All That Burns

(Shango’s Day should be celebrated with a drum circle, and much dancing, until the beginning of Akte.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for August 18th: Crescent Moon

Crescent Moon

(waxing/84% illumination)

Distractions from the outside begin pressing into your world. Analysis is favored, reevaluating all the various factors you are dealing with. It’s a time to process information and effectively integrate your aims with the people in your immediate environment. This is a good time for organizing things. This Moon phase is suited for synthesis: coming up with a practical plan for getting from point A to point B. Adjustment is required.

Witches Spell for August 18: 2 Witch Bottle Spells

tonic bottles

 

Witch bottle to show off

Witch bottles that are intended to be left out in plain sight are not usually made to that much protect their makers, but to bring the one who has cast this bottled spell something she or he wants. The usual reasons are the reasons so common with other types of spell as well: the wish the gain more love, material gains, happiness, creativity. I won’t give any specific instructions, only basic principles:

Select the bottle or jar used according to its color, shape or the simple fact that it is pleasing to the eye. Go through the magical qualities of herbs, colors, essential oils, metals, crystals etc. and choose the ones you’ll use in the bottle according to how well they suit your intended purpose. You won’t normally use any liquids (except for a few drops of essential oils) in bottles left in the open, they are ‘dry bottles’. Aim for a harmonious whole. That means: don’t try to squeeze in your bottle every single herb or crystal associated with, for example, wealth. Too much is too much!

Pick a few suitable herbs or oils, one suitable crystal, one suitable color. To represent the color you can add (silk) ribbon to the bottle or tie a ribbon around it, or paint a symbol representing your goals with the chosen color. You can also make a ‘hat’ to cover the lid of the bottle, making it out of black cloth and painting a symbol on it with fabric paint or magic marker, or use the color of your spell as the color of this ‘hat’. You can use colors as colored sands or salts. Even metals have their own magical correspondences, so you might want to use metal dust or chips.

If you are following the phases of the moon or other celestial objects in your magic, take them into consideration while constructing the bottle. It is up to the bottle’s maker whether to use a formal ritual or not.

As a basic principle, it could be suggested that sands (and metal dust/chips) usually go to the bottom, herbs and oils on the sand and the crystal in with the herbs.

 

Money bottle

What you need:

5 old pennies

5 dimes

5 quarters (or, five each of three denominations of your country’s coin currency, if outside the United States)

5 kernels of dried corn

5 sesame seeds

5 cinnamon sticks

5 cloves

5 whole allspice

5 pecans

Place each item into a thin, tall bottle, such as a spice bottle. Cap it tightly. Shake the bottle with your receptive hand (the one you do not write with) for 5 minutes while chanting these or similar words:

‘Herbs and silver, Copper and grain; Work to increase my money gain’

Place the money spell bottle on a table somewhere in your house. Leave your purse, pocketbook, wallet and/or checkbook near the bottle when at home. Allow money to come into your life. It is done.

Let's Talk Witch – Review Time, My Pretties

Faerie-Guardians

 

Key Elements of Successful Spell Casting

1. Like attracts Like – what you are focusing on is what you wil attract. If you focus on the problem or what you don’t want. Even though you say you don’t want it, because you’re energy is caught up in that negative emotion you will attract more of the same.

2. Faith & Certainty. In order to successfully cast a spell you must have absolute certainty that what you want to have happen will. There is no doubt, hope or longing. You know and so it becomes!

3. YOU are the key ingredient to a spells success. As it is your energy and focus that will determine the outcome of the spell.

4. It is strongly recommended that you cast your own spells. As often people will position themselves as witches and offer to cast a spell for you – and they are not aligned to what it is you want, as they are not true magickal practitioners. As any true white witch would tell you that YOU are the best person to cast your own spell, for the reason your energy is closer to the outcome than anyone elses.

5. And harm ye none. You Never Ever Ever look to go against another’s free will. Meaning you do not try to make them love you, or do anything you desire. We each have the right to choose for ourselves. We also are to never wish revenge or pain or suffering onto another.

6. The Rule of Three is that if you go against the right of another to free will and spell cast to make them do something. Feel something or have something happen to them – you will invoke the wrath of the Rule of Three and encounter something back tha tis three times in magnitude of your wrong doing.

Celebrating Our Spirituality 365 A Day – August 18, Eisteddfod

Pentagram Book of Shadows

August 18th

Eisteddfod

The Eisteddfod is an assembly of Welsh poets and musicians that compete for an “eisteddfa” or bardic chair. This traditional festival is so important that it is announced 13 months in advance. From as early as the sixth century, the bards of Wales–who were the harpers, genealogists, and soothsayers, as well as court poets and story-tellers—are reported engaging in embittered disputes. Their special status was recognized by law so that formal competitions were used to settle differences. It was at Cardigan in 1176 when the Lord Rhys presented chairs to the winning poet and best performers on the harp, pipe, and fiddle. The Eisteddfod became a way to rate bards and thus distinguish them from the non-bardic traveling ministrals or vagabonds. Overseen by modern Druids, the festival attracts thousands of people even today, and though many awards are give for a number of categories, the place of honor is still reserved for original poetry.

The Witches Magickal Correspondence for August 18

Wiccan Book Of Shadows

 

The Witches Magickal Correspondence for August 18

Magickal Intentions: Growth, Advancements, Enlightenment, Rational Thought, Exorcism, Healing, Prosperity, Hope, Exorcism, Money
Incense: Lemon, Frankincense
Planet: Sun
Sign: Leo
Angel: Michael
Colors: Gold, Yellow, Orange and White
Herbs/Plants: Marigold, Heliotrope, Sunflower, Buttercup, Cedar, Beech, Oak
Stones: Carnelian, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, Amber, Clear Quartz and Red Agate
Oil: (Sun) Cedar, Frankincense, Neroli, Rosemary

The first day of the week is ruled by the Sun. It is an excellent time to work efforts involving business partnerships, work promotions, business ventures, and professional success. Spells where friendships, mental or physical health, or bringing joy back into life are an issue work well on this day, too.

Good Sunday Morning! May You Be Having A Blessed Day So Far!

Pentagram Book of Shadows

I know it is a little different for what we normal have as a graphic. I just wanted to share with you the one BOS that I actually love. I know Monday I am going to wrestle our supplier’s catalogue away from her, lol! Good luck on that, right? I love this one because of the pentagram. I am a pentagram freak. If it has a pentagram I have to have it. I guess I should say I am sorry for wasting your time with my wants. I had another motive for doing this. It is to promote the “Raffle for a Cause.” I know Lady A mentioned the lawn mower but the extra money raised will go for food and feed for the critters. I know she was a little bit on the upset side when she did the original post and forgot to mention that. I can tell you from personal experience, every dollar we receive goes to it designated area. If she mentions food, it goes for food. If she mentions hay, it goes for hay. Your money goes where it is suppose to.

Remember there is a minimum of $5.00 for a raffle ticket. The raffle runs through August 25th. I know money is tight, boy, do we know it! But you have to admit you are not going to get a brand new, blank, BOS for that amount anywhere. The books also contain paper. I know Lady A said something about throwing in a bottle of ink and a feather pen (that is still up in the air). She always does throw in something extra so that is a good possibility.

Here is the link to the Raffle.

https://witchesofthecraft.com/raffle-for-a-cause/

 

Look the books over, make a bid and have some fun!

Have a Blessed Weekend,

Mystie

Teachings of Mother Earth

Nature Comments & Graphics

The Teachings of Mother Earth

Mother Earth teaches us to be human. She brings life to life and shares her gifts with us. In return for the gifts of our Mother, it is our responsibility as humans to care for all living beings living upon her.

The rock carries the wisdom of the ages and is known as the oldest teacher and is called “Grandfather”. From the rock we learn inner strength and faith. The rock is slow to move yet when the rock moves, the whole world pays attention.

The tree teaches us about Honesty for the tree is able to move the nutrients from the roots to the uppermost branches. The sap moves through the tree just as we must learn to allow truth to move through us. For each human there is a tree that is just like you. If you are acting as though you carry the whole world upon your shoulders, you will see a tree that is bowed down. Some trees appear to be tall, straight and handsome, yet that same tree may be rotten on the inside. Some people are like that. Crooked people will see crooked trees, just like them. We must strive to be tall, straight and honest and grounded with a “good root system” and to know that just as each tree is an individual and a member of a family, so are we.

Although it gets walked on, grass keeps coming back. As humans we do that to one another, yet even when we get “walked upon” we must show kindness to ourselves and others and keep coming back. We also nurture, fertilize and care for the grass just as we must care for one another. A blade of grass has two sides to it just as we, as humans have a smooth side and a rough side. We must recognize this and be kind to ourselves in order to smooth out the rough edges.

The animals give us the greatest gift of all and that is the lesson of sharing. They give up their lives so that we can live. In the old days, our ancestors would offer a prayer to Creation and ask for an animal to feed the people. When a hunter connected with an animal, that was an indication the animal was ready to die. After the hunter killed the animal, its heart was divided among the hunters and a piece of the heart was offered back to the Mother Earth with a prayer of thanks.

As humans we need to learn to share with one another and give thanks for the gifts of life shared with us.

The FOUR teachings of Faith, Honesty, Caring and Sharing which come with the rock the tree, the grasses, and the animals keep us connected with our Mother Earth.

Laugh Of The Day: Elevator Magick

Elevator Magic

A redneckfamily took a vacation to New York City. One day, the father took his son into a large building. They were amazed by everything they saw, especially the elevator at one end of the lobby. The boy asked, “What’s this, Paw?”
The father responded, “Son, I have never seen anything like this in my life. I don’t know what it is!”
While the boy and his father were watching in wide-eyed astonishment, an old lady in a wheelchair rolled up to the moving walls and pressed a button. The walls opened and the lady rolled between them into a small room. The walls closed and the boy and his father watched small circles of lights above the walls light up. They continued to watch the circles light up in the reverse direction. The walls opened again, and a voluptuous twenty-four-year old woman stepped out.
The father turned to his son and said, “Go get your maw!”

Daily Feng Shui Tip for Aug. 17: "Leo & The Sun"

If you’re an astrology aficionado like me, you know that we are now traveling through Leo, the zodiac sign most associated with the sun. In ancient times the Sun was worshipped as a god and was considered the giver of all life. The sun is said to be able to bring leadership, pride, ambition, confidence and high energy. Feng Shui says that we can enjoy all those blessings simply by representing some symbol of the sun in the ‘Fame’ area of home or office. Particularly powerful for aspiring authors or media professionals, this philosophy says that positioning a sun-shaped (or even a sunflower-shaped) mirror into the ‘Fame’ space can bring publishing contracts as well as recognition and rewards. Shiny!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Today's I Ching Hexagram for August 17 is 7: Discipline

7: Discipline

Saturday, Aug 17th, 2013

hexagram09The most successful general is not the one that triumphs in battle, but the one who is able, through strength of a resolute discipline and the personal power that results from that, to achieve victory without spilling blood. This is why for the effective leadership of any organization the key virtues are clarity, decisiveness and conscientiousness. The most effective team or partnership marches with a single purpose — a dedication to a common goal that is held dear by all. Otherwise, even with an excess of external discipline, unpopular wars are seldom winnable.

Let power be held in check by the acceptance of a common discipline, and submission to a higher authority. Look to the common good. When life is in balance, evil impulses are checked by human decency; parents die before their children; leaders lead and followers follow. If you hold or aspire to a position of leadership, remember that the true leader speaks to and captures the hearts of the people and articulates a clear, simple vision that unites them as a team.

In the realm of government, the relationship between the army and state is critical. Only when the state is economically prosperous can the army be strong. Only when the army is disciplined can the state be protected from disruptive outside forces. For this balance to be preserved, government must be steady, and mild toward its own people. When balancing strong complementary forces, modesty and generosity at the center can be a magnetic force that keeps relationships intact. Coordination of all elements is essential for success at this time.

Your Animal Spirit for August 17 is Beaver

Your Animal Spirit for Today
August 17, 2013

 

Beaver

Beaver may be one of the hardest working animals on the planet. Beaver is attuned to both earth and water medicine, and is strongly attached to home and family. Beaver appears in your reading to remind you that sometimes there’s no substitute for hard work. Make a plan, create a solid foundation, then take  the next indicated step.