Today Is …

Birthday of Artemis. Spend the day alone in the woods or with women friends and family.

Floralia and Beltane ~ Ancient Roman Floralia (Florales Ludi) was a festival from April 28 – May 2 which began in Rome in 238 B.C. Floralia was originally a Spring Festival which honors Roman Goddess of Flowers, Flora (Chloris) another manifestation of the earth-goddess which includes Fauna, Maia and Ops. The temple of this goddess was founded on this day on the Aventine. Offerings of milk and honey were made on this day and the surrounding five days, which comprise the Florifertum. The city would have been decorated in flowers, and the people would wear floral wreaths or flowers in their hair. Games would be celebrated on this day. The celebration of this day survives in many cultures where it is known as May Day.

The maypole was later added from the Celts’ Druidic tree worship. The maypole with its flower crown representing sexual organs channels the Earth’s energy through the circlet around its top, bringing fertility to all who dance around it. The ribbons were traditionally red and white, the colors of marriage and consummation. The dancers would go under the first person and over the next weaving the ribbons about the tree.

Beltane is the Celtic festival marking the beginning of summer, where the cattle was driven between purifying fires before they were let out to graze the meadows. Also the festival of Belenus, the Celtic God of Fire and the Sun. Beltane” was Bel-fire, or fire of the Celtic God Bel (Beli, Balar, Balor, Belenus), “Bright One,” God of Light and Fire. In the Celtic tradition, Beltane was the beginning of Summer. On this date, the herds were driven to the summer pastures, where they would graze and grow fat for the coming winter.

Hocktide/Binding Monday – Similar to the Monday and Tuesday after Easter, the Monday and Tuesday after Low Sunday were celebrated in England for many years with rowdy games, and sports. Sometimes they were known as Binding Monday and Tuesday because the women went out, caught men, bound them with ropes and only released them when they paid a forfeit (a kiss or a sum of money). The following day the men retaliated. This order was reversed in some places.
Hole, Christina, A Dictionary of British Folk Customs, Paladin 1978

Floralia Begins – The Romans began honored the Sabine Goddess of blossoms and spring with six days of celebrations including games, pantomimes, plays and stripteases, which went on into the night illuminated by torchlight. Everyone wore their most colorful clothes and decked themselves and their animals in flowers. Goats and hares were let loose–they represented fertility and sexuality and Venus in her role as patroness of cultivated nature. Small vegetables (one imagines cucumbers and zucchinis) were distributed as fertility tokens. Flora represented the sexual aspect of plants, the attractiveness of the flowers, and was the matron of prostitutes.

Blackburn, Bonnie and Leofranc Holford-Strevens, Oxford Companion to the Year, Oxford University Press, 1999
Rufus, Anneli, The World Holiday Book, Harper San Francisco 1994

28 – May 3:The three day Festival of Flora and Venus, or the Florialia in Rome; Goddess of Sexuality and Spring flowers.

30: Walpurgisnacht celebrated by German Witches

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Seasons of the Witch – Legends and Lore, Ancient Holidays And Some Not So Ancient!

Remember The Ancient Ways and Keep Them Holy!

• • • •.

Goddess Month of Columbina begins 3/20 – 4/17
Month of Maia begins 4/18 – 5/15
Celtic Tree Month of Willow April 15 – May 12

• • • •

May Moon Phases
Full “Flower” Moon falls on Sunday, 03 May, 2015 at 11:44 PM
Last Quarter falls on Monday, 11 May, 2015 at 6:36 AM
New Moon falls on Monday, 18 May, 2015 at 12:15 AM
First Quarter falls on Monday, 25 May, 2015 at 1:20 PM
• • • •

The Year Is Divided Into Four Seasons:
The first season is of a frigid complexion, and this is “Winter”;
The second is of the complexion of Air, and this is “Spring”;
Then follows the third, which is “Summer”, and is of the complexion of Fire;
Lastly, there is the fourth, wherein fruits are matured, which is “Autumn”.
~The Turba Philosophorum, ca. 12 century

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The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, April 28th

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

Floralia (Roman)

Waxing Moon

The Waxing Moon is the ideal time for magick to draw things toward you.

Moon phase: Second Quarter

Moon Sign: Virgo

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

Incense: Bayberry

Color: Red

Tuesday’s Must Dos

Tuesday is the day to work any magick that falls in the category of increasing strength, courage, bravery, and passion. All of these intense emotions are linked to this day’s energies, and spells designed around these themes will have extra punch when performed on this magickal day.

So, let’s add a little passion and conviction into your life! Break out the daring red pieces of your wardrobe, and put a little pizzazz into your day. Work with Lilith, and see what she has to teach you about personal power and sexuality. Meditate onTiw/Tyr and Mars, and see what those ancient warrior gods will show you about new tactics, strategies, and claiming personal victories in your life. Practice conjuring up that astral weapon from the meditation and use it wisely for protection and for courage.

Create a philter for courage and protection or handcraft your own Witch’s jar to remove negativity from your home. See what other Witch crafts you can conjure up with Tuesday’s magick. Create some kitchen magick on this Tuesday by whipping up a spicy stew-add in a few Mars-associated ingredients such as carrots, peppers, and garlic. Empower the stew for success, and then treat yourself and your family to a good, hearty meal. Try working with a little aromatherapy and burn some spicy or coffee-scented candles to increase your energy level.

Check the sky at night, and see if you can find the reddish planet Mars up in the heavens. Not sure where to look? Check an astronomy magazine or search the Web for more information. Become a magickal warrior and move forward in your life with strength, courage, and compassion. Embrace the side of yourself that loves a good challenge and that is passionate and daring! Banish fear, and face your future with strength and conviction. Believe in yourself and in your dreams, work hard, and you will win every time.

—-Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week

Ellen Dugan

Tuesday

Tuesday: Is associated with Mars and the colors of – Red, Pink and Orange

Tuesday is the best time to deal with such matters as: Action, Aggression, Business, Buying and Selling Animals, Combat, Confrontation, Courage, Cutting, Energy, Gardening, Guns, Hunting, Mechanical Things, Metals, Muscular Activity, New Beginnings, Partnerships, Passion, Physical Energy, Police, Repairs, Sex, Soldiers, Sports, Strife, Surgery, Swift Movement, Tools, Woodworking

—Practical Magick for the Penny Pinching Witch

Carol Moyer

 Tasha’s Day by Day Astro Planner

Tue. 4/28 Efficient Virgo Moon says clean up, clear out,. get it done.

Wed. 4/29 Diligent Virgo Moon says it’s a good day for organizing.

Thu. 4/30 Artistic Libra Moon suggests a trip to a museum. Mercury into Gemini enhances communication for the next several weeks.

Contact tashahal@gmail.com

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