Month: September 2013

Quiz of the Day: What is Your Place in Nature?

Your Place in Nature? – Quiz

Humanity evolved from the heart of Nature. Day by day, season by season,  generation after generation, human lives were linked inseparably to the cycles  of the living world. Like the heartbeat of a great Mother, the rhythms and  workings of the natural world imprinted themselves into every cell of our  bodies. We knew our place within the whole and developed spiritual beliefs that  honored our independence within the vast network of sibling species.

For eons, the idea that humanity could be separate from the rest of life was  essentially incomprehensible. Only in the past few hundred years have our minds  fully embraced these concepts that tear us from the embrace of our broader  family. The new myth is hard. By keeping us from recognizing the Earth as our  natural means of support, it engenders in us a feeling of abandonment.

How do you perceive the living world around you? How do you view nature? Take  this quiz and find out:

As you consider each question, jot down your responses. Be brief. The point  is not to have everything all polished and exact – it is to get you thinking.

1.  How would you define Nature? What is your personal relationship with it?

2.  What is humanity’s relationship to Nature?

3.  What do you like most about the natural world? Which plants and animals  are most important?

4.  What do you not trust about the natural world? What aspects of it scare  you? Which animals or plants would you consider “bad?”

After taking this quiz step back. Create some distance between yourself and  the mainstream consciousness. Work with your beliefs. As you begin to see the  world more clearly, you’ll have an opportunity to observe your own beliefs with  greater objectivity. Feel your connections. The very best way to demonstrate the  illusion of separation is to gain some first-hand experience of just how  connected you really are. Then, when you hear messages that try to convince you  that you’re isolated, they won’t have any power. You’ll already know the truth  because you’ve felt it in your body.

Daily Feng Shui News for Sept. 3rd – 'Skyscraper Day'

‘Skyscraper Day’ brings up a Feng Shui cure for your living space, especially if you’re sandwiched between two taller structures. The smaller space in the center is often seen as a place that isn’t able to attract healthy, happy and prosperous Chi since the taller buildings around it block that high vibe. One way to correct this conundrum is to position a mirror, reflective side up, on the roof of your building. The mirror will symbolically reflect the height of the surrounding structures, bringing your building up with the big boys. Now everyone will get their fair share of the high vibe and be healthy, happy and prosperous too.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Today's I Ching Hexagram is 1: Creative Power

1: Creative Power

Tuesday, Sep 3rd, 2013

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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.

Your Animal Spirit for September 3rd is Rabbit

Your Animal Spirit for Today
    September 3, 2013 

Rabbit

Poor Rabbit!  No other animal is so associated with fear than Rabbit—that nervous little bunny who hops and leaps at every little sound. Rabbit has come to you today to ask you to have the courage to face whatever difficulties you’re having instead of running away to a safe burrow. Face your fears, examine your old “fight or flight” patterns, and determine once and for all to stop hiding away.

Your Tarot Card for September 3rd is The Hierophant

The Hierophant

Tuesday, Sep 3rd, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditionally known as the Hierophant, this card refers to a Master and the learning of practical lessons from the study of Natural Law. This energy of this card points to some agent or resource that can reveal the secrets of life, the cycles of the moon and tides, the links between human beings and the heavens.

Because monasteries were the only places a person could learn to read and write in the middle ages, a Hierophant was one to whom a student would petition for entry. He was the one to set the curriculum for the neophyte’s course of study.

Often pictured with the right hand raised in blessing, the Hierophant is linked with the ancient lineage of Melchezidek, initiator of the Hebrew priestly tradition, the one who passes on the teachings. All shamans of any tradition draw upon this archetype.

 

Your Horoscopes for Tuesday, September 3rd

An amazing idea inspires us to say what’s on our minds now that the Moon is moving through demonstrative Leo. Although we are feeling courageous, acting too boldly could lead to trouble as the brilliant Sun forms an unruly aspect with rebellious Uranus. It’s wise to think twice before we overreact, but softening our approach isn’t sufficient because there’s still room for misinterpretation. Nevertheless, a bit of common sense goes a long way.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Watch your step today, instead of behaving recklessly. Your good intentions could backfire if you respond so quickly that you do something that offends a coworker or acquaintance. Save your sarcastic repartee and practical jokes for another day when the tensions aren’t so tightly wired. Your rapid-fire reactions have the potential of acting like a lit match on a pile of dried hay. Avoid a difficult situation by taking a deep breath and thinking about the possible consequences before doing anything drastic.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

Your friends might be worried that you will lose your temper today, but you have more than enough self-control to maintain your cool. It’s not a good idea to become unhinged because reacting spontaneously isn’t as effective now as sticking to your original plan. Nevertheless, there’s no need to slip into denial about your feelings. Simply add a little time between the flash of awareness and when you actually jump in and do something about it. Look before you leap.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

Share your ideas with your colleagues today, but don’t take your disclosures too far. You might be tempted to put everything out on the table and then push for a positive response, but it’s smarter to unveil your new plan slowly. Revealing too much information too fast overwhelms others and may cause them to withhold support. It’s to your advantage to build up interest gradually, even if you must delay the big show until after Thursday’s New Moon. In the meantime, fine tune your presentation for the greatest impact.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

You must be very careful on the job today because you might inadvertently stir up resistance to your plans. You’re traveling through some tricky territory and could feel the pressure to relieve your anxiety by setting everything right in one clean swoop. However, overreacting won’t solve anything now. Adopting a positive attitude will ultimately help you accomplish more work than a panicky one; keep calm by breathing through the stress.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

It’s challenging to get anything done today because you might enjoy the attention you receive too much. It’s hard to step out of the spotlight now that irrepressible Mars and the responsive Moon are moving through your dramatic sign. Others can’t help but notice when you swing into motion. Remember, it really doesn’t matter if you are seen or not, so don’t purposefully seek recognition if you really want to finish all your work. Make the most of your current influence to shine your light on something that really matters.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Your analytical approach works well for you these days with the Sun and Mercury visiting your intelligent sign. However, a stressful aspect to unpredictable Uranus generates mental static now, making it impossible to think clearly. Unfortunately, you might not be able to delay an important decision today; just make sure that you separate your personal preferences from the facts so you can remain as objective as possible. Trust your innate ability to cut through the noise and solve the problem at hand.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You don’t always enjoy being the one that everyone relies on to arbitrate a dispute. In fact, you might want to relinquish some of your relationship responsibilities today if you don’t feel up to the job. However, it may take a while for your wish to be granted. Even if you are frustrated and tempted to walk away from something important now, don’t do it yet. Let the dynamics unfold naturally because a surprising change of circumstances later in the day could dramatically shift your thinking in an exciting new direction.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Talking about your feelings today might not bring the exact results you seek. People may be open to hearing your story, but that doesn’t mean they will agree with your conclusions or join in your cause. It’s probably not the most opportune time to gather support for your plan because you don’t know how others will react. Let go of your personal agenda for now and return to it after Thursday’s New Moon when your chances of success improve. In the meantime, continue developing your best ideas because one of them could lead to a significant breakthrough.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Anticipation about a new project may drive you to the edge of a cliff today, but there’s little chance of slipping and falling as long as you watch the ground directly in front of you. However, your excitement might be sufficient to distract you, and danger could sneak in if the adrenaline rush is too strong. Don’t become so enamored with the potential adventure that your judgment becomes sloppy. You won’t likely make any tactical errors if you pay careful attention to every step you take.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Your relationships may seem quite intense today, requiring you to become more emotionally involved than you prefer. You don’t want someone else’s needs to get in the way of your plans now, yet it’s complicated to extricate yourself from the melodrama that appears at your doorstep. Consider if your intended retreat is based on practical matters or if you simply want to avoid your own discomfort with the situation. Don’t withdraw from intimacy because you are scared; show your courage by facing your fears instead.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

If you’re feeling a bit off center today, you might respond inappropriately to a friend or partner unless you take the time to think first. The Sun zaps your key planet Uranus, overloading you with so many ingenious ideas that they may not be of any use in the real world. Nevertheless, brilliant thoughts can open your mind to new horizons. Your smartest strategy is to sit with your altered perspective for a bit instead of reacting so quickly that you turn your world upside down. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You’re acutely tuned into your psychic powers now and may even believe that you know exactly what to do at every unexpected twist in the road. Overall, your instincts should serve you well today. However, you could miss an important fact if you become overconfident, only to discover later that you’re heading down a dead-end street. Fortunately, it’s simple to restore balance by adding a bit of common sense to your intuitive approach. However, it never hurts to bring a map along just in case.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for September 3rd

The dark-of-the-moon or Balsamic Phase of the Sun-Moon energy-field starts coming into play today and tomorrow as the next New Moon occurs on Thursday morning. When the Moon enters its extreme waning phase, physical vitality can decrease and there is a collective vibration that tunes people into completing ventures and enterprises that started around four weeks ago.  Even though confusing, chaotic vibrations were more of the rule rather than the exception last night — due to Mars moving 150-degrees to Neptune — there is some improvement across the board this morning as the Moon in Leo approaches a supportive, 60-degree liaison with Venus in Libra (10:53AM). During the few hours just before this alignment becomes precise, you can soar like an eagle in the fine and graphic arts, on the social horizon or in romance. However, once the Moon and Venus consecrate their 60-degree connection at 10:53AM, the Moon enters a void twilight zone that lasts for 16+ hours until 3:45AM tomorrow.  Despite the presence of the void Moon and the unsettled conditions that often result, the annual Sun-Chiron polarity takes place from Virgo to Pisces (12:15PM). Learn more about advances on the holistic healing and alternative medical fronts. Read up on the esoteric foundations of ancient civilizations and cultures the modern world has conveniently forgotten. Don’t be surprised if hidden feelings about childhood wounds and pains rise to surface. Deja vu experiences and mental telepathy are often on the upswing when the solar orb illuminates Chiron.  Gear up for shocks to the system, surprises or unusual events coming out of left field as the Sun forms an off-kilter, 150-degree tie with radical-change agent Uranus (5:29PM). Stability and peace of mind can disappear when this type of celestial aspect is dominant. Watch out for waves of anxiety that may try to drown you in a fit of nervous tension.  Focus attention on strengthening sisterhood ties as the Moon makes its monthly union with Vesta (10:26PM). Read more about economic markets and investment strategies.  Note to readers: All times are calculated for Pacific Daylight Time. Be sure to adjust all times according to your own local time so the alignments noted above will be exact for your location.

Calendar of the Moon for September 3rd

Calendar of the Moon

3 Coll/Metageitnion

Panathenaea Day 1: Athena’s Day

Colors: White and blue
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of white and blue set a great statue of Athena, a spear, a pen, a spindle, a shield with a Gorgon’s head, and a brazier with charcoal that must never be allowed to go out until the Panathenaea is done.
Offerings: A new peplos for Her statue, which has been embroidered by the entire community, and is draped around Her statue after the invocation. The old peplos is given away to some other Pagan group in the community as a gift. Also wine, olives, beef, barley cakes, honeycombs.
Daily Meal: Greek food, including beef, olives, and wine.

(First, all walk in a procession around the property. Four carry the new peplos, four carry the baskets of wine and olives, four carry plates of honey and cakes, and the rest play musical instruments or carry oak or olive branches. The procession stops before the door and all call out: “Hail Athena Polias!” Then it winds inward into the sanctuary, at which point all cry out “Hail Athena Parthenos!” The offerings are placed before Athena’s altar.)

Athena Invocation:

I begin to sing of Pallas Athena,
The dread Protectress of the city,
Who with Ares looks after matters of war,
The plundering of cities, the battle-cry and the fray.
It is She who protects the people,
Wherever they might come or go.
Lady of the olive tree,
Lady of the shield and spear,
Lady of wisdom and strategy,
Cool head which advises the hot ones,
Mentor to princes and heroes,
Gracious grey-eyed daughter of Zeus,
You teach us all due thoughtfulness!
Hail, Goddess, and give us good spirits
And your blessed favor!

(The peplos is draped around her statue. The best of the food and wine is given as libation for her, and then the rest is taken to the dining room to be feasted on.)

 

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for September 3rd

Calendar of the Sun

3 Halegmonath
Day of Mimir’s Well

Colors: Midnight blue and white
Element: Water
Altar: Upon cloth of midnight blue set three white candles, a bowl of stones and well water, a silver cup of mead, and the figure of a human skull set upon a long tail of spun white hair.
Offerings: Secret offerings, unspoken.
Daily Meal: Soup, in a stone bowl.

Invocation to Mimir’s Well

We stand before the sacred well of dark wisdom
And we ask the Presence deep within
What he would give us, if we desire.
(All call out: “Hail Mimir, Keeper of the Well of the Ancestors!”)
Would you sacrifice an eye for this wisdom,
Forever seeing only from the focus of the archer?
Would you sacrifice both eyes, and live in darkness
In exchange for the light of knowing what will be?
Would you give up your ears, and hear nothing
But the music of the heavenly cycles?
(All call out: “Hail Mimir, Keeper of the Well of the Ancestors!”)
Would you give up your legs, and never walk
That you might follow in a path of silent knowledge?
Would you give up the work of your hands
That you might work only with what lies behind your eyes
And what lies behind the eyes of the universe?
Would you give up your life itself
And live only to be a channel for this truth?
(All call out: “Hail Mimir, Keeper of the Well of the Ancestors!”)
What would you give for knowing the day
Of your death, and that of everyone else’s?
What would you give for the knowledge
That might stop one death, one day of pain, one night of fear?
Hail Mimir, you who see into the heart and mind
From the blind darkness of your depths,
And who giveth nothing without its worthy price.
(All call out: “Hail Mimir, Keeper of the Well of the Ancestors!”)

Chant: We Go Into the well of Silence
(Each comes forth and stares into the bowl of stones and water, and then steps away. The mead is poured into the libation well as an offering to Mimir.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for September 3rd – Waning Crescent

Crescent Moon

(waning /10% illumination)

This is a time to rest, reevaluate and reflect, pulling back into yourself to reconnect with inner sources of strength. Now is not a time to initiate anything new. It’s a phase suited to spending time with friends and getting in touch with the “big picture.” A window of opportunity exists for seeing your life objectively and becoming aware of what is important to you. At this point, what are your dreams and aspirations? What larger goals can you aspire to that will bring vitality and excitement into your life? This is a time for resting and gaining inner strength to prepare for a new cycle.

Let's Talk Witch – A Little Different Witchy Talk Today

I was going to do a “Let’s Talk Witch” section about familiars. But I am fairly certain each of us has  our own familiar and do not need a topic about them.

With the war drums that are starting to beat very loudly from Washington, I think we all need to a ritual for peace.

I know we must have done something right. The Head of Russia Putin now wants to send over a delegation to address our Congress. Certain news anchors have said this is only for show. He wants to act like he is the better person for doing this.  I don’t believe it. I think Putin is very sincere in this gesture. I believe he has the common sense to know how quickly this could escalate out of control and the two super powers end up in a nuclear war. A war that no one wins. I live about 5 to 10 miles away from one of the first strike targets. Comforting, I know.

I asked you yesterday to pray or petition the Divine Being you believe in.  I strongly believe our prays and petitions were carried to Putin’s ear. Because what he suggested is more than anyone could have anticipated. Now it is time to direct all of our power and conviction to our own government.

I believe the perfect Peace Goddess is “Irene.” In case you are unfamiliar with her. Her is a little about her…..

“Eirene, or Irene (Greek for “peace”; the Roman equivalent was Pax), one of the Horae, was the personification of peace, and was depicted In art as a beautiful young woman carrying a cornucopia, sceptre and a torch or rhyton. She is said sometimes to be the daughter of Zeus and Themis.”

The goddess carries a child with her left arm – Ploutos, the god of plenty and son of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture.  Irene  is missing  her right hand once held a sceptre. She gazes maternally at Ploutos, who is looking back at her trustingly. The image depicted is an allegory for Plenty (Ploutos) prospering under the protection of Peace (Eirene); it constituted a public appeal to good sense.“

I think I strongly connect with Irene is because She stand for prosperity in Peace. Which I believe. No one prospers in war especially these day. There is too much at stake. I personally don’t know what has happened to Obama. He has got to the point were he actually scares me. I can say this because I voted for him but if I knew all this was coming, I wouldn’t have. If we don’t take our Goddess given talents and use them for the good of mankind this time, then shame on us. Obama would as soon as drink a glass of water as push a nuclear button.

Are you ready to meet your obligation to mankind once again. If so, let us petition the Goddess Irene for Peace (You can use another Goddess if you like). Below you will find a Peace Ritual.  When we join our voices as one, we become a very strong force that can achieve any goal we set our minds too.

The Ritual

Design this ritual to suit your needs. Choose candle colors that represent the
things you seek peace for (e.g. maybe green and brown for peace on earth).

From out of the dark and into the light
A circular mark, a candle burns bright.
I look towards the sky, my song I do sing
Spirits soar high and gifts do I bring.
I offer my all, my mind I then clear
Harken my call, I fell you are near.
Candle burns higher, my spirits set free
Hotter than fire, the magick will be.
Let magick come ’round, from under the ground
To form with my sound and then to be bound.
Around me I feel the magick so real
Before you I knees, the spell I now seal.
Let all hatred CEASE
And let there be PEACE.
These words that I say
With magick AWAY!
This spell that I send
Is now at an end.
Let the magick I’ve laid
Go forth and not fade.
So Mote It Be!

Please join me in this ritual to bring peace to our country and eventually the world.

 

Blessed Be,

Lady A

The Witches Correspondence for Tuesday, September 3

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The Witches Correspondence for Tuesday, September 3

 

Magickal Intentions: Courage, Physical Strength, Revenge, Military Honors, Surgery and the Breaking of Negative Spells, Matrimony, War, Enemies, Prison, Vitality and Assertiveness
Incense: Dragon’s Blood, Patchouli
Planet: Mars
Sign: Aries and Scorpio
Angel: Samuel
Colors: Red and Orange
Herbs/Plants: Red Rose, Cock’s Comb, Pine, Daisy, Thyme and Pepper
Stones: Carnelian, Bloodstone, Ruby, Garnet and Pink Tourmaline
Oil: (Mars) Basil, Coriander, Ginger

Mars rules Tuesday. The energies of this day best harmonize with efforts of masculine vibration, such as conflict, physical endurance and strength, lust, hunting, sports, and all types of competition. Use them, too, for rituals involving surgical procedures or political ventures.

The Witches Almanac for Monday, September 3rd

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The Witches Almanac for Monday, September 3rd

Monday (Moon): Peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friends, psychic awareness, purification and fertility

Founder’s Day (San Marino)

Waning Moon

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

Moon Phase: Fourth Quarter

Moon Sign: Leo

Leo: Draws emphasis to the self, central ideas, or institutions, away from connections with others and other emotional needs. People tend to be melodramatic.

Moon enter Virgo 6:43 am

Virgo: Favors accomplishment of details and commands from higher up. Focuses on health, hygiene, and daily schedules.

Incense: Hyssop

Color: Topaz

Good Tuesday Morning! May The Goddess' Love Shine Down On All!

Mystic Goddess who  the night

Lend your wisdom to my sight

Fiery God who lights the days

Guide me in your ancient ways

　

Earth and water, Fire and air

Come and lend your powers here

As we gather the circle ’round

Guard us on this holy ground

　

Salt and censor, scourge and knife

Aid us in our magic rite

Stay with us when we must part

Keep the Craft ‘live in our hearts

So Mote It Be

Daily Feng Shui Tip for Sept. 2 – 'Labor Day'

Labor Day is a perfect time to share some positive and powerful job Shui. This tradition maintains that you should never let your files be ‘stepped’ on or put on the floor. According to these ancient rules of order, ‘stepping’ on your files creates a negative energy that will then adversely affect your job ‘luck.’ Important files should be kept in order and positioned to the left of the desk so that your labor will reflect your purpose and your passion.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Animal Spirit for September 2 is the Eagle

Your Animal Spirit for Today
    September 2, 2013 

Eagle

Eagle soars high enough to see the grand panorama of life, and yet has vision keen enough to spot a fish a mile away. How’s your vision? Are you seeing the big picture or are you only concentrating on the fish? Eagle is asking you to take a step back so you can once again see the whole. You’ve gotten so lost in the trees you’ve forgotten the forest.

 

Today's Tarot for September 2 is The Emperor

The Emperor

Monday, Sep 2nd, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the most practical terms, what has traditionally been called the Emperor card represents the highest leadership, a head of state or the most exemplary and powerful person in the realm. This archetypal ruler is responsible for the positive working out of affairs of a society or community, which are directly proportional to his well being and happiness.

The more enlightenment and cosmic perspective this energy brings, the better life is for all. The Emperor archetype masters the world of matter and physical manifestation. When you apply this card to your situation, acknowledge your potentials for mastery. Reinforce a sense of sovereignty within yourself, despite any self-limiting beliefs, habits or appearances to the contrary.