Your Animal Spirit for March 18th: The Owl

Your Animal Spirit for Today

Owl

Many cultures associate Owl with death, while others see Owl as the “night eagle”—the bird that embodies shamanism. Owl has exceptional hearing, and his medicine is one of clairaudience—the ability to hear spirit. If Owl has silently glided into your life today, he is asking you to face your own fears, and listen to the messages spirit is sending you.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for March 18th: The Peacock

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Peacock

The iridescent emerald plumage and spectacular broad tail of The Peacock make it the ideal symbol of both justified pride and vanity. It denotes the right for one to be proud of themselves for being who they are and for letting others know. In short, its okay to strut a bit. At the same time The Peacock reminds us that while pride and high self esteem are essential components of a healthy psyche, becoming too full of one’s self makes us vain, and vanity is never attractive in anyone.

As a daily card, The Peacock is reminder that you are inherently valuable, and have a right to be proud of who you are as well as let others know you are proud of yourself. It is also a warning to not allow you pride and sense of self worth grow to such grand proportions that you become vain and conceited.

Today’s Tarot for Tuesday, March 18th: The Sun

The Sun

Tuesday, Mar 18th, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What has traditionally been known as the Sun card is about the self — who you are and how you cultivate your personality and character. The earth revolves around the sun to make up one year of a person’s life, a fact we celebrate on our birthday.

The Sun card could also be titled “Back to Eden.” The Sun’s radiance is where one’s original nature or unconditioned Being can be encountered in health and safety. The limitations of time and space are stripped away; the soul is refreshed and temporarily protected from the chaos outside the garden walls.

Under the light of the Sun, Life reclaims its primordial goodness, truth and beauty. If one person is shown on this card, it is usually signifying a human incarnation of the Divine. When two humans are shown, the image is portraying a resolution of the tension between opposites at all levels. It’s as if this card is saying “You can do no wrong — it’s all to the good!”

The Daily Horoscopes for Tuesday, March 18th

Giving peace a chance requires extra effort today as we seek to express our individuality in the context of a relationship. The accommodating Libra Moon brings a genuine concern for others; we want everyone to be happy. Meanwhile, romantic Venus sweetens eclectic Uranus, attracting us to more unusual expressions of love. However, attempts to make nice can be overridden by our drive to redefine ourselves now that the Moon joins assertive Mars.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Although everyone seems to be doing their best to keep you calm now, you’re not interested in placating anyone else. Unfortunately, sharing your hidden desires can be shocking to others, and certainly more complicated than just telling them what they expect to hear. Sometimes being direct is a good idea, but today it may make sense to take a more gentle approach. There are many ways to express your unconventional nature; however, you might have to do it alone.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

Your nerves are on edge today as electric Uranus cranks up the volume on your key planet Venus. But rather than trying to contain your erratic energy, you can transform an awkward situation into one that brings a smile to your face. This is your chance to make the positive changes you want. Don’t resist the adrenaline rush; ride it for all it’s worth.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

A sudden bolt of lightning turns your workplace upside down today. Even if the commotion adds unsolicited chaos to your life, it might turn out to be the best thing that could happen. Buried tensions are being released now, unblocking your creativity. No matter what occurs, express your inner artist however you can. An unexpected series of circumstances may just magically morph into an opportunity for personal growth.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

New ideas pop into your head today but no matter how much you like them they might not fit into your long-range plans. Although you usually choose safety and security over the unknown experience of an adventure, you are more than ready to take a risk now. The potential payoff seems to justify any discomfort you might encounter along the way. Don’t bother trying to rationalize your desires; just act on them. Follow your bliss and don’t look back.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

If you recently gambled your heart, things might not be working out quite the way you hoped they would. But the energy is shifting and you have reason to believe that your efforts could still pay off. Don’t give up; continue to express your emotions as honestly as possible. You can best take advantage of the current dynamics by exploring your feelings without worrying about where they lead. Happily, you may be pleasantly surprised with where you end up.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

A close friend or romantic partner might catch you off guard today with his or her reckless actions. Or, perhaps you receive an unexpected invitation to participate in something you have never done before. Although you tend to be highly refined in your tastes and cautious in love, this is your opportunity to step beyond your own limitations. You won’t ever know what was possible unless you break the rules, throw away the map and explore uncharted territory.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Your work schedule may be disrupted today and there doesn’t seem to be much you can do other than quickly adapt to the changes as they occur. Remaining flexible now means the difference between experiencing professional satisfaction and facing a temporary setback. If something happens out of the blue, just respond like the resilient willow tree; bend like a branch in the winds of change.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Your creative genius surges today, enabling you to express your originality and brilliance — as long as you don’t try too hard. Paradoxically, the more you attempt to force the process, the less likely you are to succeed at making magic. You are being offered an important lesson in spontaneity; connect with your muse and let your inner child out to play.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You are often the one who starts the party or plans the big adventure, but you might try to focus on more serious endeavors in spite of all the distractions today. Even if you can tame the wild energies that are running rampant, your real nemesis could be your own unexpressed desires. Whatever remains hidden now has the potential to create unexpected conflict, so get past your fears and share what’s in your heart.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You’re doing your best to keep everything at work on a fairly even keel today, but contradictory thoughts and feelings somehow still slip through your defenses and rattle your professional world. Instead of overcompensating by reverting back to a familiar agenda, find comfort in the current ambiguity. Expand your horizons by exploring options you might otherwise pass by. Even if you don’t like the uncertainty at first, being flexible with your plans now increases your chances for success.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

The winds of fate are blowing up a major storm now in your 2nd House of Self-Worth, so prepare for a possible windfall. On the other hand, the upcoming shift could leave you wondering what happened, with less money in your bank account than you prefer. Either way, the changes are likely to be swift as they alter your fiscal condition. Shaking up the energy could ultimately work in your favor if you’re ready to settle down and take of business.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Tell others exactly what you want, even if it’s not what they wish to hear today. In fact, if you blast open the communication channels, you have a better chance of receiving your heart’s true desire. However, you can easily shock someone with your weird ideas. Lay the groundwork carefully while discussing your feelings in order to allow everyone else room to draw their own conclusions. Being true to yourself now encourages others to do the same.

Equinoxes, Solstices and Astrology

Equinoxes, Solstices and Astrology

Learn all about the fresh-start feeling you get with each new season

Maria DeSimone  Maria DeSimone on the topics of solstice, equinox, astrology

Have you ever wondered about the meaning of an equinox or solstice and how they tie into Astrology? Not surprisingly, there’s a major significance to these periods of time and they each have something in common. An equinox or solstice tells us about our relationship here on Earth to the Sun at any given season.

That’s right … the first thing to remember about an equinox or solstice is that they mark the beginning of a new season. There are two equinox points each year (spring and autumn) and two solstice points (summer and winter). They each correspond to one of the four Cardinal signs of the zodiac — also known as the Cardinal axis. This axis is extremely important in Astrology because it is where we find the powerful angles in a birth chart. These angles are points of energy manifestation. They are highly sensitive points in your chart that trigger every major life event. Each of these points on the Cardinal axis will correlate to one of the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west).

Let’s dig into the astronomy and Astrology behind solstices and equinoxes so that you can understand more about their implication for our life and our planet!

The Summer and Winter Solstices

By definition, a solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice a year — once at the beginning of winter and again at the start of summer. During a solstice, the Sun will reach its highest or lowest point relative to the celestial equator. The celestial equator is a fancy term for the giant imaginary circle that’s on the same plane as our equator. The word solstice literally means “Sun stands still,” and that’s exactly what appears to happen during a solstice point from our perspective here on Earth.

During the Summer Solstice, the Sun will appear to stop and then begin declining in the slightest way each day in a southward direction. The date of the Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year because at that point the Sun stops right over the Tropic of Cancer which is the northernmost point. After a few days it will backtrack south towards the equator. The Solstice occurs on June 21 and astrologically, it coincides with the start of the Cardinal sign Cancer.

The Winter Solstice, on the other hand, occurs when the Sun appears to stand still at the southernmost point of the equator (the Tropic of Capricorn) and then slowly begins to trek north again. The Winter Solstice occurs on December 21 and marks the shortest day of the year. Astrologically, it coincides with the start of the Cardinal zodiac sign Capricorn. From a soul perspective, the Winter Solstice is about celebrating the rebirth of life in all forms. From here on out, the days will get longer and the Sun will shine brighter. Hope is renewed.

The Spring and Fall Equinoxes

In contrast, an equinox occurs when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is neither away or towards the Sun. At this time, the center of the Sun is in the plane of the Earth’s equator. What happens as a result is that the Sun is at one of two opposite points on the celestial sphere. The word equinox is translated in Latin to mean “equal night” because during an equinox the day and night will be at equal length.

The Spring Equinox begins on March 21 and marks the start of the new astrological year in the tropical zodiac since the Sun will enter Aries — the first sign in the zodiac. This is typically a time of new beginnings and we have come to associate the Spring Equinox with a “fresh start.”

The Fall Equinox occurs when the Sun reaches the opposite balancing point in its path through the tropical zodiac. Once again, the day and night are of about equal length during this time. This occurs on September 21 and correlates to the sign Libra. This time of year has become connected to “harvest” and reaping the fruits of our labor. At the same time, it brings up a certain respect for the fact that now, nights will become longer and it’s time to conserve energy and resources.

Cardinal signs bring life

An important point to note is that the seasonal relationship to solstices and equinoxes specifically apply to the Northern Hemisphere. Seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are reversed.

Either way, it’s no accident that the zodiac signs correlated to equinoxes and solstices are all Cardinal signs. Cardinal signs begin each season and are associated with qualities of initiative. Whether it’s an equinox or solstice, we’re celebrating the start of something new. Each season has a specific and essential job that we rely on for our very existence. The equinox and solstice points are sacred markers in time that help us connect the dots to the mystery behind the Earth’s never ending circle of life.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for Tuesday, March 18th

Monday’s mixed bag of cosmic influences stays intact for another 24 hours. The early hours appear fairly rosy due to Mercury making a harmonious trine of 120-degrees to Ceres in water signs (3:51AM). The message seems fairly clear that it is smart to be eminently productive in key communications, correspondence, literary and educational pursuits. The upbeat Mercury-Ceres rapport is reinforced 8+ hours later during an emotionally-stimulating, supportive, 60-degree liaison between Venus and Uranus (12:01PM). Soar like an eagle in your favorite fine and graphic arts.  Remember that you are still in the time-frame, within 48 hours after a Full Moon, when your capacity for being an ambassador of goodwill should be growing — not diminishing. However, the Moon parallel Neptune (4:56PM) and the monthly lunar conjunction with Mars in Libra (6:08PM) can add fuel to any relationship fires already ignited or out of control. Avoid confusing interactions with associates, friends or dear ones that can quickly become overly contentious. On the other hand, striving for peace and calm with significant others is the higher approach — especially as the Moon-Mars merger at 6:08PM also begins a void lunar uncertainty zone that continues until 2:14AM tomorrow.  Make sure your residence and business environments are safe and secure as the Moon forms its monthly union with Vesta (11:59PM). Despite the presence of a void-of-course Moon lurking around, the Moon with Vesta each month offers an opportunity to hone your investment planning skills. [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.]

Pagan Studies – Liberalia Spell

Pagan Studies – Liberalia Spell

While many people spent yesterday celebrating St. Patrick by getting drunk on green beer, here’s an alternative option from the Roman calendar: Liberalia. Today is sacred to Liber, the Roman god of passion, wild nature, fertility, and wine. On this day, women sold cakes on small altars in honor of freedom. To tap into this energy, bake bread or make a cake today. Think about what exactly freedom and liberty mean to you. Decide what action you can take to promote liberty and tolerance in your life and in the lives of those around you.

Ruminate on what the concept of

freedom means around the world, and how often people struggle to attain it. Once you have thought enough about these concepts, clean up your altar, rearrange it, and take care to rededicate it. Eat the bread or cake you created to symbolize the embodiment of your commitment to freedom and liberty, and to your growing understanding of the responsibility associated with those privileges.

By: Cerridwen Iris Shea

From: GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast Archives

Seasons of the Witch – Legends and Lore, Ancient Holidays

Seasons of the Witch Legends and Lore, Ancient Holidays

And Some Not So Ancient!

Goddess Month of Moura runs from 2/20 – 3/19

Celtic Tree Month Fearn (Alder) – March 18 to April 14

On this day in the year 1877, psychic and “absent-healer” Edgar Cayce (also known as the Sleeping Prophet) was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. He was renowned for his psychic visions and miraculous ability to accurately diagnose illnesses and prescribe remedies while in a self-induced trance. He prophesied the Second coming of Christ in the year 1998, followed by cataclysmic changes of the planet. Edgar Cayce died on January 3, 1945.

Sheelah’s Day, an annual festival to honor the fertility Goddess known as Sheela-na-gig was held on this date in ancient Ireland. As

Christianity made inroads, the identity of the Goddess was altered to the consort of mother of St. Patrick. Sheela is a very potent fertility

goddess and is depicted in a squatting birthing position, holding her labia wide to allow her fertility to pass out to any who honour her.

The obviousness of her fertility terrified the Church so they scrambled to find a more chaste version of her.

This day is observed with clovers left over from Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations.

In ancient times, the Pagan fertility-goddess known as Sheela-na-gig was honored annually on this date in Ireland. With the advent of Christianity, the identity of the Goddess was altered from heathen deity with oversized genitalia to the consort or mother of Saint Patrick.

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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

 

Source

GrannyMoons Morning Feast

Solar Lore

Solar Lore

If at sunrise the clouds

do not appear to surround the sun,

but to press upon him from above as if they were going to

eclipse him, a wind will arise from the quarter on which the

clouds incline. If this takes place at noon, the wind will

be accompanied by rain.

~Francis Bacon, “Historia Ventorum”.

The Sun in Pisces: Yin, Feminine, Lunar, Negative, Nocturnal, Watery, Mutable, Fruitful, Horary Northern, Wintery, Austral, Obeying, Double, Double-Bodied, Dual, Bicorporeal, Moist, Dumb, Mute, Cold.

 

Straight from My Dear Old Granny

GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast

Full Moon Magick

Full Moon Magick!

Goddess Aspect: Mother

Associated Goddesses: Aphrodite, Arianrhod, Asherah, Danu, Cerridwen, Gaia, Isis,, Selene, Sisters of the Wyrrd, and the Norns

Magickal Attributes: Fruition – Manifesting goals, Nurturing, Passion, Healing, Strength, Power.

From fourteen to seventeen-and-a-half days after the new moon. Prime time for rituals for prophecy. From seven to fourteen days after the New Moon.

Full Moon: Symbolic of the height of power, the peak of clarity, fullness and obtainment of desire.

Full Moon energy is used for banishing unwanted influences in your life, protection magick, and divination.

The Moon travels 1/2 way around to the 6oclock position, and the face of the Moon is fully illuminated. We love full Moon magic, an apt time for fruition, completion and wholeness. Some say the magic can be done the day of the Moon as well as three days on either side of it. It is a good time for all Positive Magic, protection, scrying, love, healing and prosperity. Also a good time to grow closer to the Goddess by Drawing Down the Moon

Waning Gibbous — the Moon is less than fully but more than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing. “Waning Moon: Symbolic of letting go, surrender, release, quiet time, contemplation, and a time of incubation.

Straight from
GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast

Lunar Lore for March 18th

Lunar Lore
May you have  warm words On a Cold eve,
A full moon on  a dark night,
And the road  downhill
All the way to  your door.
~Irish  Blessing
When the moon  passes through the signs of the Zodiac
Which are most  peculiar to the Earth, if you then plant trees,
They will be  strongly rooted in the Earth;
If you plant them when she passes through the signs of the Air,
Then the tree  so planted, will be plentiful in branches and leaves,
And increases  more upward then downward.
            – John  Baptista Porta, “Natural Magick”, book I.
O Moon! the  oldest shades ’mong oldest trees
  Feel  palpitations when thou lookest in:
O Moon! old  boughs lisp forth a holier din
– John Keats,  “Endymion.”
…the Moone  alwaies in her encreasing,
hath the tips  of her hornes turned from the Sunne toward the East:
but in the  waine, contrariwise Westward.
Also that shee  shineth… [increases],
and so riseth  in proportion the second day forward unto the full:
and likewise  decreaseth in the same manner to the change [new moon]
Pliny’s  “Natural History,” Philemon Holland’s trans.|
The Moon in the Sign of Libra:  Yang, Masculine, Solar, Positive,  Diurnal, Airy, Cardinal, Semi-fruitful, Horary Western, Autumnal, Austral,  Obeying, Equinoctial, Moist, Vocal, Sweet,
 
Spells and  rituals involving the  earth element should be performed when the Moon is in an earth sign: Taurus,  Virgo, Capricorn.
Straight from
GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast

Lunabar Moon Almanack for Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Lunabar Moon Almanack for Tuesday, March 18,  2014
 
Waning,  Gibbous Moon          Age: 16 ¾  days.
Moon in Via  Combusta.
Moon in 16th  degree of the Sign Libra, the Balance;
also in 23rd  deg. of the Constellation Virgo, the Virgin.
 
Souths: 2:18  morn.  Moonset: 8:04 morn.  Moonrise: 9:28 eve. 
GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast

Tuesday Is Ruled By Mars

Tuesday Is Ruled By Mars

Archangel: Samael

Candle colour: Red

Incenses: Dragon’s blood or cinnamon

Crystals: Jasper or garnet

Use Tuesdays for spells for courage, change, independence in home or business life, for overcoming seemingly impossible odds and for passion.

Where possible, work near a fire or a bonfire or with a huge red beeswax candle as a focus; alternatively work next to a flowerbed or large vase of red, orange and/or yellow flowers.

Celebrating Other Spirituality 365 Days A Year – Sheila-Na-Gig

Celebrating Other Spirituality 365 Days A Year – Sheila-Na-Gig

Sheila-Na-Gig

The Irish Goddess of fertility, known as Sheila-Na-Gig, was annually honored on this date in ancient times. Many bas-reliefs of this Goddess figure have been found on medieval churches, priories, convents and some castles. Usually depicted as a squatting female figure, displaying exaggerated genitals and yawning vulva, she represents the Great Mother in her most ambiguous form. The Sheila-Na-Gig is associated with the generative principle of Nature. Her image, reproduced in amulet form, is worn for protection—possibly from harm or for safe sex.

The Witches Correspondence for Tuesday, March 18th

The Witches Correspondence for Tuesday, March 18th

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 Tuesday, March 18th

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, March 18th

Tuesday (Mars): Passion, sex, courage, aggression and protection.

Sheelah’s Day (Irish)

Waning Moon

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

Moon Sign: Libra

Libra: Favors cooperation, social activities, beautification of surroundings, balance and partnership.

Moon Phase: Third Quarter

Incense: Cinnamon

Color: White

Today Is: Tiu’s Day or Tyr’s Day!

 Today Is:  Tiu’s Day or Tyr’s Day!
The  day of Mars…also Ares, Tiwaz, Tiw (from whom it is named), Tuisco, and Tyr.  Tuesday is ruled by Mars, whose Magickal influences are: Passion, courage,  aggression, and protection. Tuesday comes under the influence of Mars, the  planet associated with vitality, passion, ambition, and raw, unabashed power. 
Mars  energy makes the mind acute, and the body restless; therefore, on Tuesday we are  likely to exert ourselves physically and take action to achieve goals. This day  is dynamic and high-spirited, and the prevailing energies may include  carelessness and destructiveness as well, so it is good to be  cautious—especially while traveling.
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Tuesday is the proper day of the week for spell work based on  justified wrath, wearing red and using iron or amethyst. Money, enemies,  courage, energy. Wear a ruby, star sapphire, or emerald. Use topaz in  amulets.
Today’s Magickal Influences ~ Destination, War, Courage, Surgery,  Physical Strength
Today’s Goddesses: Aset [Isis], Soorejnaree, Pingalla, Anna, Aine,  Danu, Yngona, Bellona, Aida Wedo, Sun Woman
Perfumes: Hellebore, Carnation, Patchouli
Incense:   Lignum Aloes, Plantain
Color  of The Day: Red
 
Heads  Up For Tomorrow: Green, brown, amethyst, yellow
 
Lucky  Sign: Tuesday Is The Lucky Day For Aries
 
Candle: Red
 
Heads  Up For Tomorrow: Wear Green and Silver
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In many different traditions lighting a candle  is a sacred action. It expresses more than words can express. It has to do with  gratefulness. From time immemorial, people have lit candles in sacred places.  You may want to begin or end your day by the sacred ritual of lighting a candle  on this gratefulness. Or you may want to light a birthday candle for a friend.  One single guideline is all you need: Slow down and do it with full attention.
Straight from
GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast