Month: March 2014

Ostara Re-dediction Spell

Ostara Re-dediction Spell
Author: Edain McCoy

Re-dedicate yourself to your deities and renew your commitment to the magical life with this ritual. Invite your deities to your circle by lighting candles in their honor. Anoint yourself four times with the following oils: Sandalwood for purity, rosemary for power, lotus for spirituality, and clove for courage. When you are finished say:

Lord and Lady, as you dwell in me,
Make a fit vessel of me;
Give me strength and wisdom to do
All these thing I’ve promised to you.

Ostara Ritual

Ostara Ritual

Flowers should be laid on the altar, placed around the circle and spread on the ground. The cauldron  can be filled with spring water and flowers, buds and blossoms may be worn as well. Arrange the altar, light the candle and incense, and cast the Circle. Say:

“Great goddess, you have freed yourself
From the icy prison of winter.
Now is the greening, when the fragrance of
Flowers drifts on the breeze.
This is the beginning. Life renews itself
By Your magic, Earth Goddess.
The God stretches and rises,
Tiger in His youth, and bursting with
The promise of summer.”

“I walk the earth in friendship, not in dominance.
Mother Goddess and Father god, instil within me
Thorough this plant a warmth for all living things.
Teach me to revere the Earth and all its treasures.
May I never forget.”

Straight from

Raven and Crow

Ostara Seed Spell

Ostara Seed Spell

Small plant pot
Coin
Seed
Soil
Paper
Ink

Write your goals and ambitions for the following year on the paper. Place the paper at the bottom of the pot, and lay the coin on top of it. Fill the pot with soil. Plant the seed into the soil, and water. Hold the pot between both hands and visualise your dreams/wishes growing as the plant does. Place the pot in a sunny spot, and nuture.

A Spell of Reawakening

A Spell of Reawakening

The Spring Equinox, called Ostara by many, is a day of perfect balance between night and day, darkness and light, slumber and awakening. Many craft traditions, covens, and solitaries have devised their own rituals for awakening Mother Earth at this time. Many of these can be traced back to England.

One common practice is to walk through a natural area, tap the earth three times with a staff or , and make a joyful noise to welcome the Goddess’s return. This ritual is performed three times in keeping with the sacred number of many of the Pagan sects from western European countries. Now is not only a good time to awaken Mother Earth, but also to awaken ourselves. We should ask: Are we only going through the motions now? Or are we reawakening our spiritual selves, and seeing anew all the magical possibilities of spring? To awaken your own body, mind, and soul to spring’s rebirth, give back to Mother Earth some of the things we’ve taken from her. Plant a tree, herb garden, or flowers. Feed her animals and birds. As you do any of these things, consecrate your offering by saying:

Mother Earth, Goddess we walk upon,
May my gifts be of value
Even after I’m gone.
Today, while I’m here,
May my offering be,
An act of love
for you from me.

By: Edain McCoy

Ostara Creation Spell

Ostara Creation Spell

This joyous holiday honors the spring goddess, Ostara, whose name means “movement toward the rising Sun.” Just as Imbolc signals the return of light, Ostara signals the awakening of the Earth. Trees are blooming, bulbs are pushing up out of the ground, birds are nesting, and animals are mating. The creative energy is at its strongest during this season. If you haven’t decided what you wish to manifest this year, do so now.

To empower your goal, write it on a hard-boiled egg with a wax crayon. The egg is a powerful symbol representing the universe in embryo. Your goal lives within you in the same way that creation lives within its egg, and like the egg, your goal has everything it needs to manifest. Now, draw two interlocking triangles to form a six-pointed star on your egg. This star symbolizes one of the most important keys in magic: as above, so below. What you can create in your imagination, you can manifest on the physical plane. Dye your egg a deep red to symbolize the goddess and life itself. Using your egg as a focus, work in the days ahead with the interplay of imagination and physical striving to achieve your desire.

By: Lily Gardner

OSTARA- Daffodowndilly Spell

OSTARA- Daffodowndilly Spell

The purpose of this spell is to make wishes concerning all areas of your life.

This is the perfect time of year for planting wishes that will come to fruition in summer and using plant ingredients for magic is a age old custom.

You will need:

one green candle
one yellow candle
matches or lighter
summer flowering bulbs, one to a wish
soil or potting soil in a medium sized indoor planter

As part of your OSTARA ritual and in a properly cast circle, work as follows.

1. Light the green candle saying: By the shoot

2. Light the yellow candle saying: By the flower I invoke OSTARAs power

3. Take each bulb and seperately name it after the wish you seek to acheieve.

4. Hold them in your hands and chant your wish into them with the following words: As the nights shrink down and this bulb goes underground, As the days grow long, so the thing I wish grows strong.

5. Bury the bulbs in the soil, or potting soil. Place your hands palms down on the soil and visualize the growth you have wished for coming to pass.

6. Keep the bulbs inside until the threat of frost has passed, then plant outside next to the spring flowering bulbs.

The idea here is to trade on the fertility of the daffodils by empowering summer flowering bulbs and planting them closely by. The summer bulbs will get the general idea from the flowering daffodown dillies and charged with your wishes hurry to grow and flower.

From Hearth and Home Witchery

Ostara Circle Notes From: Dorothy Morrisons-The Craft

Ostara Circle Notes From: Dorothy Morrisons-The Craft

Use a green altar cloth, pastel colored candles, and decorate with wild flowers or flowers of the season.

Use small baskets of appropriately colored eggs to mark the Quarters.
Cast the Circle with the wand. Alternatively, use a flowering branch, Dogwood, cherry, and pussy willow branches all work well.

Ostara Celebration Ideas:
Serve deviled eggs and milk for libation instead of cakes and wine.
Using a white crayon, label boiled eggs with qualities you’d like to add to your personality or life. For example, you might label one with prosperity, another with kindness, and so on. Dye each egg an appropriate color, bless it during ritual, and eat it. Know that the quality’s spiritual seeds have been planted within you and will flourish throughout the year.

Plant an uncooked egg at each corner of your property to ensure a fruitful home life. As you put each egg in place, say something like:
Fertile egg of ancient life
Bring joy and laughter-ease all strife-
And with your great fertility
Grant perfect love and harmony
To all who live within these bounds
Be they person, thing, wild life, or hound

 

Straight from

Raven and Crone

The Goddess Eostre

Eostre

Eostre is the Germanic Goddess of Spring. Also called Ostara or Eastre, She gave Her name to the Christian festival of Easter (which is an older Pagan festival appropriated by the Church), whose timing is still dictated by the Moon. Modern pagans celebrate Her festival on the Vernal Equinox, usually around March 21, the first day of Spring.

Enjoy Some Humor: Try To Grow Chicken

Try to grow chickens

A New York City yuppie moved to the country and bought a piece of land. He went to the local feed and livestock store and talked to the proprietor about how he was going to take up chicken farming. He then asked to buy 100 chicks.

“That’s a lot of chicks,” commented the proprietor. “I mean business,” the city slicker replied.

A week later the yuppie was back again. “I need another 100 chicks,” he said. “Boy, you are serious about this chicken farming,” the man told him.

“Yeah,” the yuppie replied. “If I can iron out a few problems.” “Problems?” asked the proprietor.

“Yeah,” replied the yuppie, “I think I planted that last batch too close together.”

Feng Shui for Monday, March 17th: ‘Saint Patrick’s Day’

Today’s ‘Saint Patrick’s Day’ energies are closely associated with all things fortune and luck. Feng Shui says that if you want to attract great fortunes and fabulous luck into your life then you should move 27 things around your living space. This philosophy considers 27 to be a key number in and moving 27 objects will create a pathway for a change in fortunes while also attracting some mighty good luck. Be sure to visualize ‘getting lucky’ as you move things around today.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Charm for Monday, March 17th: The Frog

Your Charm for Today

The Frog

Today’s Meaning:

The frog represents good health, physically and emotionally. This aspect shall remain in a good light as long as you maintain good health.

General Description:

This is an old Roman Amulet but the charm dates from prehistoric times. The Frog was the emblem of Hegt, the Egyptian goddess of abundance fruitfulness, fertility and plenty. From Egypt these myths spread and similar goddesses were worshipped under different names — Ishtar in Assyria, Belit in Babylonia, Al-ilat in Arabia, Aphrodite in Greece, Venus in Rome. The Frog, cut in amber, is a popular talisman. In Italy Greece and Turkey, it is still worn to bring good health, prosperity, and abundance of all the good things of this earth.

Your Animal Spirit for Monday, March 17th: The Fox

Your Animal Spirit for Today
March 17, 2014

Fox

Fox medicine represents the ability to blend in. She can change colors to blend with the seasons—becoming almost invisible against a backdrop of snow or foliage. Fox also has an amazing sense of smell that enables her to sniff out dangerous situations. Be like a Fox—street smart and safety savvy—don’t call attention to yourself as today is a day of watch and wait.

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for March 17th: Adjustment

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

Adjustment

Adjustment denotes an inner power, mastery of will and development of inner might. Through mastering one’s emotions and learning from both success and failure the person Adjustment represents has reached a place where they are influential without applying physical force, able to weather the roughest of storms, and not likely to abandon the less fortunate. Adjustment also denotes a large capacity for forgiveness and compassion. Adjustment is not as much about winning as it is about achieving balance, overcoming hardship, and using well crafted persuasion to gain allies. Adjustment suggests the need and ability to make our decisions based on objective perceptions of events, and good or bad, accepting responsibility for our actions.

Today’s Tarot For Monday, March 17th: The Star

The Star

Monday, Mar 17th, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What has traditionally been known as the Star card is about reconnecting one’s Soul with the Divine — the transcending of personality, family, community and reputation. It has to do ultimately with the freedom to be one’s Self. The Soul is responding to celestial influences — forces that can provide the personality with a stronger sense of purpose. The Star card helps us to remember our exalted origins and our attraction to a Higher Union.

This card could also be called the “Celestial Mandate” — that which refers us back to our reason for being, our mission in this lifetime. The Star reminds us that, in a sense, we are agents of Divine Will in our day-to-day lives. If we let go of the idea that we are supposed to be in control, we can more easily notice and appreciate the synchronicities that are nudging us along. In this way, we become more conscious of the invisible Helping Hand, and we better understand our place within — and value to — the larger Cosmos.

Spring Love Horoscopes 2014

Spring Love Horoscopes 2014

Watch as your love life springs back into action!

Jeff Jawer  Jeff Jawer on the topics of spring, love, horoscope, astrology

The fiery passion of the heartwarming Sun’s entry into Aries gets the spring off to an enthusiastic start. We’re ready for action, and we are willing to take risks to make new connections or to rekindle the spark of an ongoing relationship.

Yet there may be some resistance to exposing our softer sides until amorous Venus shifts into dreamy Pisces on April 5, a transit that dissolves intellectual boundaries and a time when reason gives way to romantic urges that have no limits.

It’s easy to fall in love when defenses are down, especially as Venus joins Pisces’ imaginative planet Neptune on April 11. Although fantasy can overcome reality then, the love planet’s move into independent Aries on May 2 will break through emotional illusions.

After some crazy times on May 14-15, partnerships get a positive push when active Mars regains forward motion on May 19. Alliances that have been stuck on old issues and feelings of isolation will be easier to overcome in the weeks ahead.

Just remember to communicate carefully when Mercury the messenger is retrograde from June 7-30, increasing the chances for misunderstandings.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Sure, the Sun blasts into your energetic sign on March 20 this year, which is bound to turn up the heat in relationships. But the harder you push for what you want, the further you might feel from your goals. The cause is Mars, your primarily passionate ruling planet, whose jets have been cooled since entering accommodating Libra last December. It’s been nice to be nicer, but Mars slipped into reverse on March 1, which can put even more obstacles on the road to romance. This period, ending May 19, is useful for working out kinks with a current partner, but it can be more difficult for making progress with someone new.

Fortunately, you should become more appealing to others when alluring Venus enters Aries on May 2. A tendency to let your heart leap ahead of your mind, though, could put you in unsettling situations around May 14-15. But getting through any rough spots then will deepen understanding of your needs and set you up for a smoother ride (and maybe someone new) when Mars corrects its course a week later.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Sweet Venus, your lovable ruling planet, enters magical Pisces and your 11th House of Groups on April 2. Shared interests and ideals are a great starting point for a potential relationship. Friendship could heat up with this transit, too, turning an intellectual attraction into an emotional one. The Sun’s entry into your sensual sign on April 19 should boost your confidence, especially if you’re physically active. Still, if you give too much away to make someone else happy or fail to express your needs, Venus’ shift into independent Aries on May 2 could rattle a relationship.

Steam starts rising with the Scorpio Full Moon in your 7th House of Partners on May 14, while Venus is entering volatile territory. These transits can be good for clearing the air if you have the will to address delicate issues. Hunkering down and resisting change is the least effective way to react, so be flexible and open-minded until the storm passes. You will be more appealing when Venus enters Taurus on May 28, although reality may force a tough romantic decision when the love planet opposes serious Saturn on June 12.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Conversations flow easily from March 22-27, which can help you to connect with someone new or iron out kinks in a current relationship. Falling for someone in a position of authority at work is deliciously tempting when amorous Venus joins dreamy Neptune in your 10th House of Career on April 11. But if you lose sight of reality, it’s going to come back very intensely on April 14-16, when your key planet, Mercury, stirs up surprises and emotionally charged discussions.

Quiet time grows more appealing when the Sun and Mercury enter placid Taurus and your private 12th House on April 19 and April 23. Getting attention is more difficult, but what you do behind closed doors is more important to your love life. You can refresh yourself with a physical and mental makeover when the Sun enters your sign on May 20. It’s a great time to put yourself out there and take the initiative in relationships. Just communicate extra carefully, avoid major commitments, and tie up loose ends from June 7-30, while chatty Mercury is moving retrograde (backwards).

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Taking charge in personal matters is called for when the Sun blasts into your 10th House of Control on March 20. Be bolder in connecting with new people or initiating changes in a current relationship to build your confidence and increase your desirability. Caution is recommended on March 29, though, when lovable Venus runs into barriers and delays from stodgy Saturn. The rambunctious Aries New Moon the following day might put you in a less than cooperative mood, but chilling is wiser than forcing a potentially explosive issue.

There’s romance in the air when Venus joins inspiring Neptune on April 11. Travel, education and a person from a faraway place are possible sources of divine pleasure. Take a break from your usual routine to carve out some time and space to taste this emotional magic. Cuddling in the corners and meeting with people in out of the way places makes sense when the Sun enters your secretive 12th House on May 20.  Keeping things confidential and avoiding gossip are keys to earning and maintaining someone’s trust.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)

The spring begins with the fiery Aries Sun lighting up your 9th House of Higher Mind and Faraway Places, which triggers romance when you get out of town or find intellectual stimulation. If you’re already in a relationship, exploring unfamiliar territory together is a way to restore passion. While you appreciate honesty, it’s wise to be discriminating about what you say when the Sun joins rebellious Uranus on April 2 and clashes with potent Pluto on April 3. Power struggles and impatience can trigger emotional explosions that unsettle partnerships.

Excitement rises again when amorous Venus enters Aries on May 2, motivating you to take more chances in pursuit of love. You may be restless and willing to engage in risky behavior. If you cross the threshold of safety and reason, the consequences are likely to appear around May 14-15. But you can regain your social sense of balance and your sense of humor on May 20. Friends and groups become sources of support and stimulation that help you find fun and pleasure in less stressful situations.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

Relationships are likely to heat up with the Sun blasting into fiery Aries and your 8th House of Intimacy on March 20. You could feel like you’re being pushed by an impatient person, but the point is for you to pick up the pace and push partnerships in a new direction. If you’re single and looking, you may have to take some chances and bring more passion to your pursuit of love. If you have a partner, turn the heat of conflict (or the irritation of boredom) into motivation to take this union in a fresh direction. Standing still is probably the least desirable way to act now.

You should feel more comfortable when the Sun shifts into stabilizing Taurus on April 19, followed there by your key planet Mercury on April 23. These grounding forces increase the confidence needed to seek more rewarding ways to be with someone. Travel is one activity to broaden your horizons and invite romance into your life. Mental Mercury’s retrograde period of June 7-30 complicates communications, requiring more sensitivity in what you say and how you listen and respond to others.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

Your relationship life can be like a high-strung Ferrari that runs great when conditions are ideal, but breaks down with the slightest hiccup. The source of this image is passionate Mars, which has been in your sign since last December. On March 1, this tentative warrior turned retrograde and will continue to backpedal in Libra until May 19. The good news is that it keeps your relationship matters cooking. The bad news is that you may have difficulty getting new partnerships off the ground, or you can stay entangled in the old personal issues you’ve been struggling with for some time.

It’s helpful, then, to think of making a fresh start in how you pursue romance. There are old ideas and methods that could be holding you back, so think about altering your approach, attitude and expectations. On May 20, the Sun flits into sister Air sign Gemini, which will lighten the atmosphere, kick flirting up to a higher level, and — along with Mars getting back into gear — help you turn on the charm with even greater effectiveness.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

You may have been biding your time, dealing with frustration or accepting less than full satisfaction in relationships since your passionate ruling planet Mars entered indecisive Libra and your out-of-the-way 12th House of Privacy last December. Your reasonability and patience, though, should finally be rewarded with a series of romantically favorable patterns that begin on April 19. The Sun enters sensual Taurus and your 7th House of Partners then, inviting greater ease in a current union or helping you to attract an undemanding individual.

If you feel boxed in with the emotionally intense Scorpio Full Moon on May 14, fireworks could explode in the days ahead. Mars finally shifts out of reverse on May 19, freeing up plenty of energy to start a partnership or take your current one in a new direction. Amorous Venus hits your 7th House of Partners on May 28, making you even more appealing to others. Then, sweet words and gentle thoughts come with communicative Mercury’s move into tender Cancer on June 17, allowing you to discuss delicate issues with care.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

Spring is a time to get sassy and playful as the fiery Aries Sun starts the season on March 20 in your 5th House of Romance, Fun and Games. Taking chances in matters of the heart is a way to express your restless emotions, but it could backfire between March 29 and April 2 if you don’t temper enthusiasm with a bit of caution. Amorous Venus’ move into super sensitive Pisces on April 5 is another signal that being gentle and patient could be your keys to relationship success. Fortunately, the love planet’s favorable alignment with your guy Jupiter on April 17 could make you extra lucky in love.

Another boost to your personal life comes when passionate Mars turns forward in your 11th House of Groups on May 19. Friends, colleagues and organizations increase your opportunities for making connections and having fun. The following day the Sun enters Gemini, casting love and light into your 7th House of Partners. This opens more chances for getting attention and attracting mentally stimulating people. Tempering your judgment about yourself and others is the secret on how to benefit from this month long transit.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

You like to take charge of everything in your life, including relationships. Spring begins with the Aries Sun in your 10th House of Responsibility, which should increase your drive to run the show. But it’s wise to go easy and not be impatient at first. Amorous Venus runs into your planet Saturn on March 29, followed by tense solar connections with explosive Uranus on April 2 and provocative Pluto on April 3. These could turn your personal life upside down in a hurry, which might not be your intention.

Your personal life gets more pleasurable when the Sun enters sensual Taurus and your 5th House of Romance on April 20. This is a great time to express yourself in a down-to-earth way that will garner attention and affection. Keep things simple instead of trying too hard to make an impression. Pacing yourself in seeking love is meant to teach you how to enjoy every moment instead of stressing out in pursuit of a goal. Your life becomes more joyful and you become more desirable when you take it easy.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

The Sun blasts into impulsive Aries and your 3rd House of Nearby Places on March 20, and joins your electrifying ruling planet Uranus there on April 2 to trigger spontaneous conversations and make connections close to home. But if there have been any secrets in relationships, they’re likely to be exposed during this potentially volatile period. On the other hand, if you feel stuck in your current situation, there’s a good chance of experiencing some romantic excitement when amorous Venus joins surprising Uranus on May 15.

You get a fresh wave of support for joyous relationships on May 20, when the Sun enters chatty Gemini and your 5th House of Romance. This yummy transit starts 30 days of delight and play, so avoid overloading yourself with work to take advantage of it. You will find it easier to get attention and to express your feelings in a light-hearted way. Don’t let heavy thinking or overly strong opinions take the fun out of connections that can warm your heart. Power struggles are possible around June 12-14, especially if you get locked into an inflexible position.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

It’s appropriate to be a bit more assertive when spring begins on March 20. The Sun blasts into bold Aries then, rewarding you for standing up to yourself as long as you can do it while keeping your cool. You get the benefit of feeling more desirable and, in fact, becoming even more appealing to others when magnetic Venus enters your sign on April 5. Romantic fantasies start to flow, especially when Venus joins your dreamy ruling planet Neptune on April 11. Just be aware that what you’re seeing and sensing might be more of an illusion than reality. Take inspiration from it, but there’s work needed to solidify what you’re experiencing.

Passionate Mars has been slowed down by its retrograde period that finally ends on May 19. It slowly begins moving forward in your 8th House of Intimacy, which is excellent for renegotiating the terms in a current relationship or being more active in pursuing someone new. Verbal Mercury’s shift in watery Cancer on June 17 is another plus, offering tender conversations that lead to deeper emotional understanding.

Your Celtic Astrology Sign

Your Celtic Astrology Sign

Attract the luck of the ancient Irish with your Celtic Astrology

Tarotcom Staff     Tarotcom Staff on the topics of zodiac, st patricks day, astrology

What’s your Celtic tree sign? What about your Celtic color, animal … gemstone? Learn all about your Celtic Astrology now!

While Western Astrology centers around the planet Earth, the 13 signs of Celtic Astrology are based on the cycle of the Moon. Long ago, the Celts imagined the universe as a tree with deep roots and neverending branches. Around 1000 B.C. people began to designate a tree for each Moon phase in the lunar calendar.

Each Celtic tree sign has different powers and meanings, along with corresponding spirit animals, a color, gemstone, and a Celtic “ogham” — a symbolic letter of the Celtic alphabet meant to attract luck, protect from harm, and heighten each tree sign’s unique powers.

Look up your birth date on the infographic below to learn about your Celtic sign, and the lucky talismans that come with it. Click the image to view it full size, and don’t forget to share it with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest!

Birch (Dec. 24 – Jan. 20)

You are renowned for having a fresh and unusual outlook on life. Your ogham is Beithe, which symbolizes beginnings, change, and fresh opportunities, and is therefore quite useful in times of transition. The animals associated with the Birch tree are the golden eagle and the white stag. Your color is white, and your gemstone is rock crystal (clear quartz).  

Rowan (Jan. 21 – Feb. 17)

With the Rowan tree comes excellent taste. Your ogham is Luis, which represents strength in the areas of insight and discernment. The Celts linked the crane and the green dragon to the energy of the Rowan tree. Your color is gray and your gemstone is peridot.

Ash (Feb. 18 – March 17)

The Ash tree represents escape and peaceful solitude in Celtic Astrology. Your ogham is Nuin, which symbolizes peace and tranquility. The animals associated with the Ash tree are the seal, the seahorse, and the seagull. Your color is green and your gemstone is coral.

Alder (March 18 – April 14)

Under the sign of the Alder tree, you are famous for your bravado. The Alder tree’s ogham is Fearn, which represents moral and physical courage, and should be invoked when you need to make a bold move in life. The bear, the fox, and the hawk are the animals the Celts associated with the Alder tree. Your color is red and your gemstone is the ruby.

Willow (April 15 – May 12)

Represented by the Willow tree, you are known for your vivid imagination. Your Celtic ogham is Saille, which embodies the principles of intuition, creativity and artistry to support that imagination. The animals associated with the Willow sign are the adder, the hare and the sea serpent. Your color is yellow and your gemstone is moonstone.

Hawthorn (May 13 – June 9)

People born under the sign of the Hawthorn tree are patient, thoughtful and hopeful. Your ogham is Huathe, which embodies the principle of restraint, providing you with optimism and keeping you from jumping the gun. The animals associated with the Hawthorn tree are the bee and the owl. Your color is purple and gemstone is topaz.

Oak (June 10 – July 7)

Represented by the Oak tree, you stand out for your reliability, diligence and emotional strength. Your ogham is Duir, which holds the powers of protection, ideal when you’re about to undertake a difficult project. The wren, the otter, and the white horse are the animals the Celts associated with the Oak tree sign. Your color is black and your gemstone is the diamond.

Holly (July 8 – Aug. 4)

Under the Holly tree sign, you are celebrated for your physical strength and star power. Your ogham is Tinne, which represents additional strength and brilliance. The Celts associated the cat and the unicorn with the Holly tree. Your color is silver and your gemstone is carnelian.

Hazel (Aug. 5 – Sept. 1)

As a Hazel tree sign, you are prized for your intellect, maturity and perspective. Your ogham is Coll, which represents wisdom, and is therefore strongest when you are feeling tested or when you must put faith in your head over your heart. The crane and the salmon are the animals associated with the Hazel tree sign. Your color is brown and your gemstone is the amethyst.

Vine (Sept. 2 – Sept. 29)

The sign of the Vine carries an uninhibited nature and the strength of foresight. Your ogham is Muin, which symbolizes the power of prophecy and faraway thinking. The Celts linked the lizard, the hound and the white swan to the energy of the Vine. Your colors are pastels and your gemstone is the emerald.

Ivy (Sept. 30 – Oct. 27)

Represented by the Celtic tree sign Ivy, you are famous for your sheer determination and willpower. Your ogham is Gort, which symbolizes progress and aids in overcoming obstacles that stand in your path. The boar, the butterfly and the goose are the animals associated with the Ivy sign. Your color is blue and your gemstone is opal.

Reed (Oct. 28 – Nov. 24)

Under the sign of the Reed you are celebrated for your open-minded attitude and worldly sophistication. Your ogham is Ngetal, which symbolizes unity and is especially beneficial when you venture out of your comfort zone. The animals associated with the Reed sign are the hound and the owl. Your color is orange and your gemstone is jasper.

Elder (Nov. 25 – Dec. 23)

The energy of the Elder sign is wise beyond its years. Your ogham is Ruis, which represents maturity, and is beneficial when you must come to terms with a difficult situation or heal from heavy emotional pain. The Celts linked the badger, the black horse and the raven to the energy of the Elder tree. Your color is gold and your gemstone is jet.

Mercury in Pisces

Mercury in Pisces

Feelings trump facts with mental Mercury in dreamy Pisces

Tarotcom Staff  Tarotcom Staff on the topics of pisces, mercury, astrology

Get ready for some mental meandering! Communication planet Mercury moves into dreamy Pisces on March 17, 2014, and our minds are now likely to go off-course to places words cannot describe.

Managing details will be more difficult with Mercury in Pisces, where it will remain until April 7.  It will be a very creative time, but not so sharp when it comes to thinking and communication.

This transit serves poets, artists, healers, spiritual seekers and all those who don’t rely on objective evidence to shape reality. Facts may grow fuzzy, but conversations grow tender as intuition becomes the most valuable source of information.

This can be a good time to move outside the limits of ordinary perception and speech. The censoring aspects of your mind are looser, allowing a wider, if less precise, picture of reality to emerge. Watch how your intuition and imagination work more easily during this time!

There are some definite cons to Mercury in Pisces, as well. Miscommunication is possible, and you may have trouble staying on track. You might forget critical details, show up late for meetings or say things that don’t quite make sense. This is because we’re speaking from the heart and gut, not the brain, and finding the words to match our feelings can make for some seriously stop-and-start conversations.

But at the same time, Mercury in Pisces has an important lesson for us: we don’t need to depend on verbal communication all the time! Sometimes it’s beneficial to see beyond the literal, read between the lines and hear the unspoken story under this transit.

Primarily, watery Pisces is about instincts and feelings. So this transit is less about grasping facts and more about fusion and the big picture.

Not surprisingly, there are many musicians born with Mercury in Pisces. They range from the tortured: Kurt Cobain, Andy Gibb to the torturing: Yoko Ono, Alice Cooper to the talented: Celine Dion, Elton John.