Bear represents a time of reflection and stillness—a time of entering the inner cave of Self to contemplate life’s challenges. Bear often appears during times of confusion and unrest—those unsettling moments when you turn to everyone you know for answers—everyone except yourself. Go within, ask the hard questions—then listen.
The Hourglass
The Hourglass is a gentle reminder that time passes and with it goes opportunity. Every moment is a moment we cannot retrieve or relive, and there are no guarantees that what we put off today really can be done tomorrow. The Hourglass urges us to make every second of our lives as rich and fulfilling as we possibly can.
As a daily card, The Hourglass suggest you may be allowing opportunities to pass you by. If you’ve been procrastinating or putting too much of your precious time into activities with no lasting value to you, now is the time for you redirect your energies into actions that will enrich your life.
Your Rune For Today
Jera
Jera denotes positive, recurring cycles, fertility and a time to harvest rewards from your hard work.
What has traditionally been known as the Devil card expresses the realm of the Taboo, the culturally rejected wildness and undigested shadow side that each of us carries in our subconscious. This shadow is actually at the core of our being, which we cannot get rid of and will never succeed in taming. From its earliest versions, which portrayed a vampire-demon, this card evoked the Church-fueled fear that a person could “lose their soul” to wild and passionate forces.
The image which emerged in the mid-1700’s gives us a more sophisticated rendition — that of the “scapegoated Goddess,” whose esoteric name is Baphomet. Volcanic reserves of passion and primal desire empower her efforts to overcome the pressure of stereotyped roles and experience true freedom of soul. Tavaglione’s highly evolved image (Stella deck) portrays the magical formula for harnessing and transmuting primal and obsessive emotions into transformative energies. As a part of the Gnostic message of Tarot, this fearsome passion and power must be reintegrated into the personality, to fuel the soul’s passage from mortal to immortal.
Opening our eyes reveals the world from a new perspective as today’s philosophical Sagittarius Moon widens our horizons and expands our visions beyond the normal boundaries. Additionally, a connection between the radiant Sun and optimistic Jupiter instills us with confidence. However, we still might not be ready to take a leap of faith as a Mercury-Saturn alignment reminds us we can see possibilities now without needing to act on any of them.
Your need for adventure could get the best of you today. Even if you have important responsibilities to fulfill, you still might ignore them to make more time for pleasurable pursuits. Although you may feel invincible now, you probably won’t be able to escape unnoticed. Don’t act surprised if you are held accountable for any impetuous actions. As is often the case, you’re eager to leap into action before thinking about the consequences. However, counting to ten before you make a move makes more sense.
It’s unproductive to spend a lot of time today doubting your own priorities. Nevertheless, your desires may not be as altruistic as someone else’s now. Keep in mind that everyone is different and comparing yourself to others is a pointless exercise. Leave competition on the playing field where it belongs and simply do the best job you can. Being true to yourself is the surest route to success.
Others may encourage you to take on more than you can handle today as the enthusiastic Sagittarius Moon visits your 7th House of Partners. Fortunately, you could be revitalized by your accomplishments if you agree to contribute to someone’s project. However, you might already be busy and turning down an invitation places you in an awkward position. Nevertheless, it’s better to be honest now than sorry later. There’s no point in making promises you can’t keep.
You might surprise yourself with your desire to participate in someone’s plan now, especially if you need to relinquish control in the process. It may even be a relief to be a passenger without having to also play the role of a back-seat driver. It doesn’t matter what kind of activities you already have on your calendar; the thought of doing something different today brings a smile to your face. Oddly enough, sometimes playing a supporting role is more fulfilling than being the star of the show.
You have the green light to put on your party shoes and kick up your heels today as the fun-loving Sagittarius Moon travels through your 5th House of Play. No matter how popular you are now, set aside some time just for yourself. Get outside for a walk, schedule a massage, or do something creative that helps you to unwind. A bit of solace is enough to recharge your batteries. Today, it’s truly all about you.
Your coworkers often rely on you to think critically and calmly analyze the situation at hand. However, you may not be very logical now because you’re seeing the world through a very optimistic lens. Even if your life is in really good shape, you still might be happier if you delay an important decision and simply kick back and enjoy yourself today. The Moon’s visit to your 4th House of Family suggests that you should find some time to relax at home instead of making your imprint on the world.
Your I-can-do-it attitude tempts you to say yes to every good idea and every intriguing invitation that comes your way today. Unfortunately, your eyes may be bigger than your stomach now because pursuing each opportunity takes time and you will run out of room in your day while you’re still adding items to your plate. Scale back your expectations just a bit; you can still partake in pleasurable activities without overdoing it. Moderation is key.
Your idea of a successful day includes a bit of relaxation. Unfortunately, you won’t likely have time to slow down and take a break today. Your willingness to adapt to changing circumstances can be your secret weapon now. Even though you must follow through on your commitments, you know that improving your attitude makes all the difference in the world. It’s even possible to have fun while maintaining your hectic schedule, especially if you understand that you can rest on another day. Whistle while you work and see who joins in.
You may be eagerly lost in your current exploration of all the things you want to accomplish today. Unfortunately, you might not make much progress if you try to do too much. Your energy level is probably quite high now that the Moon is visiting your sign, enabling you to respond to others quickly. However, you can easily burn through your reserves faster than you expect. Even if you think you’re the Energizer bunny, it’s smarter to react slowly and steadily like the tortoise if you want to finish the race.
Your natural tendency is to control your exuberance even when you’re excited. However, your enthusiasm is even more invisible to others today as the inspirational Sagittarius Moon visits your 12th House of Secrets. Nevertheless, there’s a quiet spirituality about you now; others know that more is going on than meets the eye. Let your friends and acquaintances draw whatever conclusion they may. Just remember that you don’t need to waste your energy on maintaining privacy when you have more important things to do.
Playing down your confidence is a clever way to sneak in beneath the radar today. If your coworkers are aware of your positive energy, they will likely expect even more from you. However, if they can’t see the twinkle in your eye, you might be able to get away with a bit of social mischief. Although your strategy may be sound, your plan can still backfire. You have a better shot at achieving satisfaction now by letting the good times roll and not worrying about anyone else.
Your coworkers may be the source of inspiration today as they unexpectedly include you in their adventurous plans. Unfortunately, things can grow complicated if there are overlapping events because you obviously can’t do two things simultaneously. Make smart choices early in the day to lessen the stress that could arise if you try to juggle too many activities. For now, less is definitely better than more.
Excitement rules the hive today as we buzz around in search for new sources of distraction. Our ideals inspire us to take risks once the Moon flies into fiery Sagittarius at 1:43 am EDT. Anything can happen now that social Venus hooks up with wild Uranus, heating up the relationship landscape. Emotional lightning electrifies our desires and we aren’t satisfied with familiar routines. Meanwhile, chatty Mercury has us saying more than is necessary.
Your mind is wired with so many exciting possibilities today that it’s hard to know which way to turn first. However, you might also wish that you had more stability in your life now. These divergent feelings could grow into a real dilemma, especially if you aren’t willing to admit that a part of you is very comfortable to continue with your same old patterns. Once you acknowledge your basic need for security, you can happily return to chasing your dreams.
You aren’t easily satisfied today as your key planet Venus joins unpredictable Uranus, tempting you to reach for something or someone that you cannot have now. Instead of wasting your time trying to fulfill your transitory desires, talk about your dreams with someone you trust. Scaling back your expectations isn’t a sign of defeat but offers an unexpected opportunity to create a practical plan that could actually succeed.
Socializing with your friends sounds quite enticing today, but it may be tricky to actually follow through with your plans. Someone close to you might need your assistance and you can’t ignore a request for your help. It’s critical to process any unexpressed anger or resentment you have over a change of schedule so that it doesn’t get in the way of a meaningful experience. Being adaptable enables you to make the most of a difficult situation. In fact, if you remain open you might be pleasantly surprised with where the unexpected twists and turns take you.
It’s important to put on a happy face today, even if you’re reluctant to let go of your worries. But reflecting your joyful nature is not a license to avoid the pressing issues of the day. Your smartest strategy is to stay consciously aware of the current duality; remember that your inside and outside are following different scripts now and you don’t have to fit everything into a tidy package. As the stress continues to settle down, your temporary smile just might turn into a permanent grin if you let it.
Your mind is not on work today, even if you can’t escape your responsibilities. You’re zooming off into the future, looking forward to a bit of indulgent behavior. Unfortunately, your need for fun and games may be incongruent with your previous commitments. Remember, you don’t have to take an all-or-nothing approach. There’s no need to be overly self-critical just because you’re human. Cut yourself some slack and enjoy the present moment however you can.
Although you can’t shake your natural tendency to be practical, especially as the Sun moves through earthy Taurus, you’re still looking to stir up some mischief today. Thankfully, work and play are not incompatible, but you could run into a problem as you try to juggle the two. Your day becomes more complicated if someone throws you a curve ball by inviting you to do something special. Your pragmatic inclination is to say no, but the cosmos is telling you to take a chance and say yes.
Someone might shock you today by expressing what they want without censoring their words. Luckily, beautiful Venus bumps into radical Uranus, encouraging you to enjoy what you hear even if the disclosure is totally unexpected. Although you are being invited to step outside your comfort zone, you don’t have to accept unless you’re ready. Nevertheless, don’t close down your feelings in fear. At least consider the potential of new and different experiences. Exploring your options in a conversation may feel safer now than actually acting on an impulse.
You’re eager for change and you may become agitated today if you have to do things the same old way. However, if you can’t break out of your current routine, at least you can still talk about your desires. But even if you think you’re being lighthearted, your words might carry sharp hooks. You are a champion of sarcasm now; your dry humor and incisive wit could be more biting than you realize. Don’t water down your ideas but do your best to express your truth with kindness. And then don’t forget to give your audience a fair chance to offer their opinion.
Your current dilemma could pit your desire for fun against a more responsible need to save money. Your financial condition might be a bit unstable now, yet you don’t want a lack of expendable cash to deter an impulsive spending spree. Fortunately, you may discover that it’s easier than you thought to cut back on unnecessary spending without negatively affecting your quality of life. Keep in mind that adding excitement to your day doesn’t necessarily have to cost anything at all. The best things in life are free.
Your private life is anything but boring these days. Unfortunately, tension in your personal world might mean that you don’t have as much stability as you prefer. Oddly enough, the regularity of your job could take some of the pressure off by giving you the daily consistency you crave. Nevertheless, it’s not a good idea to let your professional duties keep you from dealing with the stress at home. Confront the uncertainty by initiating an open dialogue. Resolution may not come right away, but everyone will feel better once you get the conversation started.
You’re on a thrilling joyride today and your creativity is soaring. But just because you’re enjoying the adrenaline rush doesn’t mean that everyone else is on board, too. You’re often captivated by unconventional ideas, but now you’re passionate about anything that’s off the beaten path. Don’t let your attraction to radical thoughts and unusual behavior sidetrack a productive day. The good news is that being responsible doesn’t have to prevent you from going anywhere you dream in your imagination.
You might think that someone’s trying to make you feel guilty today, especially if you’re acting rebelliously and want to do something unusual that fills you with pleasure. However, it’s not your job to keep everyone else happy while you are left out in the cold. This is a great time to experiment and express yourself in radical ways. Stepping outside of the box can lead to surprising satisfaction, and being adventurous also elevates your self-esteem. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Considering the shaky manner in which the last four months have ended, the close of April 2014 occurs in a mild and even upbeat way. This past Monday’s New Moon continues to give you solid, practical aims while Mercury in Taurus and Jupiter in Cancer make amends for their poor behavior on April 14 and 20 by forging a supportive, 60-degree sextile (1:33AM). These two planetsWe were the traditional ruling bodies of all four mutable signs (Gemini; Virgo; Sagittarius; Pisces), and, as such, they still have a lot of control when it comes to the communication, transportation, and education realms. Therefore, working on class papers or lectures, upcoming travel plans, and conference agendas makes total sense. Plus, it helps that the Moon and Venus see eye-to-eye as they also form a constructive, 60-degree rapport from Taurus to Pisces (8:54AM). Love bonds, the creative arts, and social activities have a rosy glow around this time-period. However, the Moon-Venus connection does generate a void-of-course lunar cycle in Taurus that remains in effect until 1:57PM when the Moon dashes into airy Gemini for the next 2+ days. Complete odds and ends during the 5-hour ambiguous lunar cycle and then plunge into your favorite crafts and hobbies once the Moon is roaming along in the flexible, versatile third sign of the zodiac. Although the first few days of May will test you by the arrival of Sun-Mars fireworks and Sun-Saturn and Mercury-Saturn frustrations or delays, April 2014 ends on a note of soothing healing as Mercury in Taurus makes a comforting, 60-degree link to Chiron in Pisces (9:23PM). Soak in a hot tub under the stars, enjoy a relaxing massage or let a trusted partner’s acupressure skills dissipate your tensions. [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
15 Huath/Thargelion
Hermes’s Day
Color: Light blue
Element: Air
Altar: Upon a light blue cloth place a winged hat, a pair of winged sandals, an image of the caduceus, a cup of sparkling alcohol, and incense of lemongrass and mint.
Offerings: Use your intellect for something. Learn something new.
Daily Meal: Light, cold, raw food.
Invocation to Hermes
Sing, O Muse, of the son of Zeus and Maia,
Lord of Arcadia and Cyllene rich in flocks,
Messenger of gods and bringer of luck,
Borne by Maia of the beautiful hair
Who brought forth to the light a remarkable child,
Devious, winning in his cleverness,
A robber, a driver of cattle,
A guide of dreams, a wind of opportunity,
A spy in the night, a watcher at the door,
Born at dawn, inventing the lyre by midday,
Stealing by evening the flocks of far-shooting Apollo.
Thrice-magical Trismegistus, watcher of magicians
And bearer of the serpents who heal,
Father of Aesclepius the great physician
And Hermaphroditos, both woman and man,
Embracer of both woman and man,
Lover of the Bearded Aphrodite,
Lord of Speed in all its forms,
We feel your passing like a breath of wind!
Bring us skill and luck, O God of the Stone Herm,
And may all our roads be marked first with your winged feet.
Chant:
I am word
I am wind
I am breath
I am spinning
On the edge
Of the blade
(The sparkling alcohol is poured out as a libation for Hermes. All breathe deeply and depart.)
Calendar of the Sun
15 Thrimilchimonath
Huldra’s Blot
Colors: White and blue
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of white and blue set twelve white candles, one sky-blue candle, a great jug of mead, and a cow’s horn. Throughout the next four days, the altar stays the same, and one more candle is lit. On this day, light the blue candle and eight white candles.
Offering: Hard work, inside and outside, throughout the day until sleeping. Do things correctly.
Daily Meal: Bread with cheese, meat, or jam, packed and eaten during work.
Invocation to Frigga’s Handmaidens
Call: Twelve maidens hold the halls of Asgard!
Response: Twelve virgins hold the pillars of heaven!
Call: Twelve mysteries hold the luck of Asgard!
Response: Twelve virtues hold the Law of heaven!
Call: Twelve words of power resound through Asgard!
Response: Twelve stars light up the dome of heaven!
Call: We call upon the power of Virtue!
Response: We call upon the mysteries of heaven!
Invocation to Huldra
Hail, Maiden of Industry!
As the shovel goes into the earth,
As the hoe goes into the soil,
As the seed goes into the garden,
As the grain goes into the field,
As the water is carried from the well,
As the home is cleaned and purified,
As the thread is woven on the loom,
So you teach us that nothing comes
Without great labor and terrible work.
For industry is more than merely toil,
It is the means by which the world is changed.
Chant:
Cloth of honor from the thread of truth
Weave your heart into all you offer
(A libation of mead is poured out for Huldra, and the jug replaced for the next day’s ritual. The entire community will take on hard labor today, from after breakfast to Hesperis, to practice the virtue of Industry.)
A veil of self-absorption is lifted and suddenly you gain access to an unbiased view of others. This is a rare moment when you can see yourself objectively and become aware of whether or not what you want in your heart is actually beginning to manifest in your life. Traditionally, the Full Moon phase stirs emotion, and this is because when you “see” what is happening, you may become upset if you’re experiencing the “same ole, same ole” — rather than the things you would like. If the Full Moon phase is a disappointment, on the next New Moon it’s time to take creative action in the direction of your dreams.
Fill a cauldron with water and on the night of a full moon set the cauldron on a drawing of the pentagram (in charcoal) outside in the moonlight and drop a pure silver coin in the cauldron and leave it overnight.
Chant:
‘Laurel leaves of darkness,
their prayer of the night chants,
to thee shall be in good wealth,
and in good prosperity the charm grants;
the charm of the pentagram.’
Author by Juniper
To understand the implications of sacred sounds a little better, consider the sounds that assail you every day. How does sound affect you? A honking horn will make you jump, for example, while the sounds of tinkling bells may inspire a smile. Through the use of sacred sounds, you massage your spirit with joyful noises that are uplifting and positive.
Dr. Alfred Tomatis developed a form of therapy that has been used in the United States and Europe to treat physical and psychological problems ranging from depression to autism. His techniques help patients improve their listening abilities and recapture the restful, sonic environment of the womb.
Chanting shifts consciousness because the vibration of sound has a measurable effect on the nervous system. Sound healers, including Colorado’s Jonathan Goldman, use sound to activate and balance the body’s energy centers, known as the chakras. Each chakra resonates with its own unique tone. Goldman says that the vowel sounds can be used as mantras to open up and “tune” the chakras, thereby enabling them to transmit harmonious, healing energy to the body.
“We can change our vibrational rate through our own self-generating sounds,” sound healer Jonathan Goldman believes. As individuals, we can use our voices to affect our own frequencies and energy levels. As a group, we can “adjust the planet to a new level of consciousness.”
Goldman recommends starting with the deepest “UH” sound you can make while focusing your attention on the root chakra, the energy center at the base of the spine. Then, at a slightly higher pitch, vocalize “OOO” and feel it vibrating in the sacral chakra. Next, direct the sound “OH” to the solar plexus. Continue moving up the body and the register, uttering “AH” in connection with the heart chakra. Let “EYE” resonate in the throat chakra, then “AYE” at the brow chakra or third eye, and finally “EEE” at the crown chakra.
The concept isn’t so strange, really. You’ve probably had the experience of feeling joyful, invigorated, and rejuvenated when singing your favorite music. Sound waves can be focused to produce a range of remarkable effects, from a singer shattering glass with a clear, high note to a doctor using ultrasound to break up kidney stones.
Even the universe sings. Many people describe having heard the voice of the earth as a low, resonating hum. According to the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras, the planets revolving in their orbits around the sun produce sounds that he called “the music of the spheres.” Perhaps by attuning themselves to these universal vibrations, human beings can create harmony on this planet.
Thursday increase prosperity on this day, work toward expansion and moving up in the world.
Planetary Influences: Jupiter
Household Symbols: A dollar bill, coins, a paycheck stub, a picture of your home.
Color: Green and royal blue
Kitchen Spices: Sage and nutmeg
Source:
Cottage Witchery Natural Magick for Hearth and Home Author Ellen Dugan
Archangel: Sachiel
Candle colours: Blue
Incenses: Sandalwood or sage
Crystals: Lapis lazuli or turquoise
Use Thursdays for spells for career, justice, prosperity, leadership, creativity, marriage and all partnerships, whether love or business, and for male potency.
Where possible work on a hillside, moorland or near a natural sacred site.
Magickal Intentions: Luck, Happiness, Health, Legal Matters, Male Fertility, Treasure and Wealth, Honor, Riches, Clothing Desires, Leadership, Public Activity, Power and Success Incense: Cinnamon, Must, Nutmeg and Sage
Planet: Jupiter
Sign: Sagittarius and Pisces
Angel: Sachiel
Colors: Purple, Royal Blue and Indigo
Herbs/Plants: Cinnamon, Beech, Buttercup, Coltsfoot, Oak
Stones: Sugilite, Amethyst, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire
Oil: (Jupiter) Clove, Lemon Balm, Oak moss, Star Anise
Jupiter presides over Thursday. The vibrations of this day attune well to all matters involving material gain. Use them for working rituals that entail general success, accomplishment, honors and awards, or legal issues. These energies are also helpful in matters of luck, gambling, and prosperity.
Thursday(Jupiter): Expansion, money, prosperity and generosity.
Waning Moon
The Waning Moon is a time for study, meditation, and little magickal work (except magick designed to banish harmful energies).
Moon Phase: Third Quarter
Moon Sign: Scorpio
Scorpio: Increases awareness of psychic power. Precipitates psychic crises and ends connections thoroughly. People tend to brood and become secretive.
Moon enters Sagittarius 1:44 am
Sagittarius: Encourages flights of imagination and confidence. This is an adventurous, philosophical and athletic Moon sign. Favors expansion and growth.
Incense: Carnation
Color: Turquoise
Witches Of The Craft® 
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