Berkano is the Rune of birth and rebirth. This may symbolize a time when you are capable of great personal growth. Love may be in the air as well.
Additional information about Today’s Rune, Berkano
berkana : birch
Phonetic equivalent:b
DIVINATORY MEANINGS:
fertility, health, new beginnings, growth, conception, plenty, clearance
MAGICAL USES:
healing (especially infections), achieving conception, making a fresh start
ASSOCIATED MYTHS & DEITIES:
Frigg, Idunna
ANALYSIS:
The birch is fundamentally a symbol of fertility. There are numerous instances in European folk tradition where birch twigs are used to bring prosperity and encourage conception. They were fixed above a sweetheart’s door on May Day in Cheshire, England, and were placed in stables and houses to promote fertility. On the continent, young men, women and cattle were struck with birch twigs for this same purpose, and young boys would be sent out to “beat the bounds of the parish” with branches of birch to ensure prosperity in the coming year. Witches were said to ride broomsticks made from birch, an image which probably originated with fertility rituals where dancers would ‘ride’ brooms through the fields, the height of their jumping indicating how high the grain should grow.
If teiwaz is the fundamental male mystery, then berkana certainly belongs to the women, for it represents the path of the mother, the healer and the midwife, bringing new life after death just as the birch puts out the first leaves after winter. While Tyr’s wound is acquired through his encounter with death, berkana’s wound is that of menstruation, and her ordeal is that of childbirth. The birch is abundant and all providing, and heals through nourishment, cleansing and empathy.
This reading represents strengths you were born with.
The Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune represents that aspect of life that is directed by forces and events we may not understand or even be aware of. In short, The Wheel deals with chance—those occurrences that manage to alter even the most structured of lives, usurp man’s “best laid plans.” While the effects of The Wheel are unpredictable, the outcome is always change; sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Our path through life is never a ride down a perfectly straight highway. Sometimes we may even experience hairpin turns or complete reversals of direction. The Wheel of Fortune is strong reminder that despite our plans, the Universe has its own agenda from which we cannot escape participation.
When The World or The Fool are among your personal cards, the influence of The Wheel of Fortune may be increased. Having The Hierophant or The Emperor in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The Wheel of Fortune.
The Magus
The Magus is the physical embodiment of decisive action based upon knowledge and aimed squarely at specific goals. While firmly set in the material world, he none-the-less has a powerful spiritual connection as well. His knowledge, wisdom and skill are all encompassing. He is complete. His power as a creator is unmatched on our earthly plane. He is self-aware and unafraid to act. His enormous strength gives him the freedom to act as he chooses. However, responsibility comes with that freedom. Because he is not bound to the restraints of others he must choose how to act. The question that always lies before him is should he act morally, or forsake ethics for personal gain.
When The Chariot is among your personal cards, the influence of The Magus may be increased. Having The Empress or Hanged Man in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The Magus.
Only The World card of the Tarot can match the blessings that come with The Sun. While it certainly doesn’t promise a life’s path without some bumps in the road, The Sun indicates all will be well. The Sun is our Cosmic Nurturer. Life flourishes under its radiant beams. It provides the illumination to find Truths and lights one’s path so they do not get lost. To stand in the rays of The Sun is to shine. To absorb its energy promotes growth, exceptional physical and mental health, and good fortune. The Sun is empowering, elevating and fills those who bask in it with confidence and sense of self-worth.
Saturn has moved back into your solar eighth house until September 17th, dear Aries, and you’re likely to revisit some unfinished business, possibly related to debts and money owed, your attitude towards intimacy, and relationships. This is a time for crystallizing some of the lessons you’ve learned while Saturn transited this area of your chart from October 2012 to December 2014. There can be some restlessness to get through later today, and possibly a disappointment. You may not be feeling in harmony with the desires or intentions of those close to you, leaving you to feel subtly out of step. Doubts about a partner may not be warranted, so try to take your time before voicing them. This is not the best time to force your will. Take the time to review your feelings, but don’t let them distract you from your current path. With a New Moon occurring tomorrow, it’s especially appropriate today to think about attitudes, things, and ideas that you may be better off leaving behind you.
Taurus
Taurus
Saturn has moved back into your partnership sector for a period of three months, dear Taurus, and it’s time to take care of unfinished business in a relationship, and/or to crystallize the lessons that came with Saturn’s transit here from October 2012 to December 2014. It’s a good period for finding closure and dealing with relationship matters that were left dangling. Saturn is about commitment, structure, reality, and maturation, and is influencing your partnerships. Today, there can be some feeling that you’re being upstaged or overlooked. There can be mild disappointments with friends or family, or you could feel that you have to make a choice between the two, which is awkward at best. Because it’s a Balsamic Moon today, it’s best to think about ways of letting go and moving on so that you can feel freer when the New Moon occurs tomorrow, turning your attention to new approaches and paths.
Gemini
Gemini
Saturn has moved back into your solar sixth house, dear Gemini, for three months before it moves out permanently (or at least not for another 28-29 years). This is a time for taking care of unfinished business related to work, daily routines, and health. With Saturn here, it’s about cleaning up, simplifying, organizing, and getting things into order. This can be an important summer for finishing up a long-term project or for getting your daily affairs into better order. Today, try not to misrepresent yourself with your words. There’s a tendency to say things that are not truly coming from your heart. The Moon is in your sign all day and is Balsamic. A New Moon occurs tomorrow in your sign, pointing to an important new beginning. Today, identify those attitudes and situations that you are hanging on to that may be preventing you from moving forward in the best way possible.
Cancer
Cancer
Saturn is dipping back into your solar fifth house for three months, dear Cancer, and this can mean returning to an unfinished project, dealing with a matter of the heart, or finalizing an important project. Take care of loose ends, consider ways to improve and structure your time in order to better represent your needs for both play and work. There can be serious decisions to make, but they’re vital to your progress. Today, it can be a little difficult to judge the value of something, making it best not to make impulsive purchases. It can also be difficult to totally trust what others are saying to you. A New Moon occurs tomorrow, and today, you can feel a greater need to rest and detox.
Leo
Saturn has dipped back into your home and family sector, dear Leo, where it will transit for the coming three months. This is a time for taking care of unfinished business, particularly related to home and family matters, as well as psychological issues. There can be more inner “re-working” going on, as well as restructuring of home and family life. This is a time for facing issues surrounding your attachments to the past, doing a little more “spring cleaning” inside and possibly more literally as well. You’ll be getting yourself to a state of feeling in charge of your home, family, and support system. Today, there can be some confusion about whether or not to trust someone, or about your feelings for someone. Interactions can be hard to read at the moment. A New Moon occurs tomorrow, making today a good time for clearing out the cobwebs and letting go of those things that are cluttering your mind or keeping you from growing and improving.
Virgo
Virgo
With Saturn moving back into your solar third house for a three-month return visit, dear Virgo, it’s time to finish up an important project or go back to studies/work you need to complete. You could be quite preoccupied with serious work or a rather heavy schedule, and you may be a little less communicative with friends and family in the process. A project may be wrapping up now. Ideally, by the end of this period, you will have gained a greater depth of understanding, having focused on information and communication that you can really use to feel more effective in the world. This is an excellent period for really cleaning up your daily schedule or completing a project that will benefit you for years to come. Today, you may not know your next step or real feelings on a matter in a relationship. Today’s Balsamic Moon points to a need to let go rather than take on. The New Moon occurring tomorrow will redirect your interests.
Libra
Libra
Saturn is on its last leg of its journey through your sector of values and finances, dear Libra. This first began in October 2012, ended in December 2014, and is now active again until September of this year. This has been a period for becoming stronger in your position with money and honing or refining your talents and skills. You continue to work on your effectiveness in the world, and learning exactly what has been holding you back from achieving the results you want. This summer, your expectations are likely to be more “real” than they have ever been, and you’re likely to feel more confident about your ability to provide for yourself. You may be tying up loose ends and completing projects, or returning to money matters that have been left unfinished. Today, you may feel a little disoriented with divided loyalties between friends and responsibilites. Be especially sensitive about others’ values and opinions today, as you may inadvertently undermine them. The Balsamic Moon today points to a general need to rest, reflect, or close projects rather than beginning something entirely new.
Scorpio
Scorpio
From now and until mid-September, Saturn returns to finish its transit of your sign, dear Scorpio. During this transit that first occurred from October 2012 to December 2014, very little has been handed to you – most of the accomplishments you’ve made have been well-earned. This is a time for processing the lessons you’ve learned before going forward with a lighter load and less personal pressure. You might revisit certain health issues, but it’s a strong time for strengthening the structures and routines in your life. Today, it may be difficult to understand your relationships, and there could be a feeling that you can either work or play, and nothing in between. Keep things real today, but don’t push for answers because they are unlikely to be forthcoming, or even true, just for now. Tomorrow’s New Moon is likely to bring clearer signals and possibly new interests.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
Since December, you’ve hosted Saturn in your sign, dear Sagittarius, and this transit asks you to firm up structures and routines in your life. Now and until mid-September, Saturn temporarily leaves your sign and dips back into the sign behind yours. You’re getting the chance to tie up loose ends from your past that may have been tripping you up. This is a time for discerning between fact and fancy, ending projects that have outworn their use or completing unfinished ones, and dealing with past grievances, guilt, and other uncomfortable matters once and for all. You have some more work to do, identifying the weak areas of your life – those attitudes and circumstances that undermine your progress and don’t allow you to move on with confidence. Today, watch for errors made from ignoring or glossing over details. Tomorrow’s New Moon will energize and motivate you to take charge of your relationships. Today, reflect on how you’d like to redesign your life in the relationship department.
Capricorn
Capricorn
Saturn has returned to your sector of friendships, networking, business income, and goal-setting for the coming three months, dear Capricorn. This transit is not new to you – it was active from October 2012 to December 2014, and it may have helped you to face some realities, and brought tests and challenges to these areas of life at times. More paring down is necessary now, as well as the chance to process and crystallize some of the lessons you’ve learned about the groups you align with, friends, and “happiness” goals. This is your chance to reassess a friendship or your involvement with a group or team. It’s also a time for firming up long-term plans and business ventures, as well as making sure you’re taking good care of business income. Today, what your head and heart are telling you can be so different that you feel in limbo. Routine matters may suffer a little from emotional concerns and distractions. The New Moon tomorrow tends to bring clearer signals and may very well reignite motivation levels, particularly regarding work and health matters.
Aquarius
Aquarius
From October 2012 to December 2014, Saturn transited your sector of career, reputation, and responsibility, dear Aquarius, and has now returned to this area of your solar chart for a final three-month period. New responsibilities may have emerged during this transit, but you may have also reaped the rewards of past long-term efforts. This has been a time when others have been more aware of your accomplishments and possibly of your “failures” as well. This summer, you may be revisiting a work project or tying up loose ends in order to firm up your professional life or the major structures of your life. It’s a good time for processing the lessons and attitude changes that have occurred, and for coming to a stronger feeling of responsibility and accomplishment. Today, instincts for financial matters may be out of step. You might also be a little unsure of someone’s feelings for you. The New Moon occurring tomorrow launches a cycle in which strong energy is available for taking charge of your life. You’ll also enjoy far clearer signals both from others and from within.
Pisces
Pisces
Saturn has begun its last leg of its journey through your solar ninth house, dear Pisces, after spending some months in your career sector. This gives you the chance to brush up on skills and boost your knowledge, as well as complete projects, that will help support your work in the future. It’s also a time for processing recent experiences and coming to a clearer understanding of your place in the world. This helps to further prepare you for career assessment, changes, or redefinitions. Take every opportunity you can to learn new things, and also to adhere to some kind of schedule that helps you to beat the procrastination demon. Tonight, you could be feeling a little restless and possibly unhappy with what you already have, thinking that there is more out there for you. If this inspires you to take action, then it’s a productive energy; but if it leaves you hanging and listless, you might want to muster up patience. There may not be clarity today, but with a New Moon occurring tomorrow, the coming week can be especially strong for feeling in charge and for working on new projects.
You are quick-witted and versatile. Your nature is a tad contradictory, as you crave change and adventure, yet need stability and security. At times impulsive, and other times very deliberate, your dual nature can be both intriguing and frustrating! You are a person who enjoys building and accumulating, and you can be very resourceful. Famous people born today: Yasmine Bleeth, Steffi Graf, Che Guevara, Donald Trump, Burl Ives.
This can be a wonderfully motivating day, dear Aries, as your ruler, action-oriented Mars, aligns with the Sun and come together in your communications sector. You might receive an ego boost of sorts, or feel acknowledged or validated today, which motivates you to succeed all the more. Watch for impatient or even haughty communications, as you have a tendency to speak before thinking, as well as to come across as a tad impatient or even aggressive. Before voicing your unsatisfied desires, see if the feeling passes, particularly if the desires come on very suddenly. Also be cautious en route, as impatience can lead to tricky situations. Otherwise, this can be a fabulous day for the energy to work towards a goal or pet project, taking the lead, and mustering up the courage to make a connection or follow through on a missed connection. A love relationship may be animated now as well.
Taurus
Taurus
You can accomplish much today, dear Taurus, as long as you are self-aware and avoid giving in to impatience or unhealthy risk-taking. Business matters can suddenly move forward or require action. You’re not afraid of taking charge. Avoid defensiveness, particularly revolving around money or income, but stand up for yourself if the need arises. You are very protective by nature, and this trait may come to the fore now. You might have the courage to ask for a raise or pursue a business deal. Impulses today can be powerful, but also a little misleading. See if they have long-term viability before rushing to indulge them. In fact, while this is a great time to work tirelessly towards a goal, important new launches or new beginnings are best left for after the New Moon on the 16th.
Gemini
Gemini
Fiery, action-oriented Mars aligns with the powerful Sun in your sign today, Gemini, and this can bring great energy into your life. While it can be an excellent day for pushing forward with personal plans, do watch for impatience and even aggressiveness. Be honest, straightforward, and direct in your dealings, but use some sensitivity as well. Confidence is attractive; impatience leads to poor choices. This can be a strong day for working on personal plans and doing independent work with increased motivation, expressing yourself more creatively and assertively, and going your own way where you’ve previously felt less than confident. While this is a strong time for solo efforts, you can also benefit greatly now from teamwork, even if you are at the head of it.
Cancer
Cancer
Where there may have been complicated feelings about a past or private matter recently, dear Cancer, today there can be a sudden surge of desire to take care of things once and for all. You are more courageous and bold now, and you may find yourself acting on impulse. Because the Sun and Mars align in your sector of secrets, anonymity, privacy, service to others, and endings, you might boldly pursue a secret relationship or desire, gain the courage to end a frustrating problem, drawing upon your considerable inner strength as you do, or experience anger or resentment that you’ve previously buried, and that you now want to deal with. You have little tolerance for things you may have put up with for a long time. Because this house of your chart is also connected with self-undoing, be careful that you don’t act too quickly on matters that may need more processing.
Leo
With fiery Mars and the powerful Sun in alignment in your friendship and goals sector today, Leo, your social life can be quite animated. This configuration can stimulate ambitions and competitiveness, but it occurs in a cooperative area of your solar chart, so that the need to lead is strong, but you might also depend on others to reach your goals or teamwork is essential to your success. You might assume a leadership role in a group, encounter aggressiveness in a group setting, or take a courageous step in your social life. Collaborations can work, but there is strong need for more than just talk – you need activity and movement and a say about how to achieve your goals. Alternatively, you might have a sudden rush of gumption and motivation to work on an ambitious project or ready a project for a launch. If there’s a friend or group goal that you want to pursue, this can be a time that you do so with more vigor. This can also be an important time for developing skills and gaining knowledge.
Virgo
Virgo
There is a strong need today to take action on a matter that might involve career, reputation, or relationships with parents and authority figures, dear Virgo. This can be a time when you’re sticking up for someone or for yourself, asking for a better position or raise, and other activities that call for more confidence or boldness than usual. Be confident, courageous, and commanding, and avoid being blindly impulsive, especially with authority. You have a desire to do things your way, but watch for a runaway ego. Clear the air honestly but respectfully, too. This can be a wonderful time for tackling ambitious projects, for working almost tirelessly towards a project launch, and for showing a braver or bolder face to others.
Libra
Libra
Today, you might feel the need or desire to stand up for yourself or your beliefs, dear Libra. You certainly have a lot of courage and energy at your disposal today. You may be reworking a project or going after something you’ve been wanting for some time. Travel or education may be part of the story now. Competitive activities can thrive. Some of you might enjoy a new adventure of sorts, or otherwise experience a sudden detour from the regular routine. There is a strong tendency towards impatience and a desire for instant gratification, which should be watched. Try to avoid bringing your ego into any debates arising now. While this can be a great time for competitive activities and enjoying more personal bravery and a pleasing drop of inhibitions, launches of all-new projects may be a little premature, and could fare better after the New Moon on the 16th.
Scorpio
Scorpio
You can feel inspired or motivated to take action today, dear Scorpio. The Sun and Mars are aligning, and when these two bodies come together they stimulate courage and impulse, and sometimes recklessness. This activity is happening in your solar eighth house, which rules a number of things, including intimacy, sharing, finances shared with others or received through others, and self-empowerment. You may suddenly get a push or impulse to pursue these things, or there can be an argument stimulated now revolving around power dynamics. The Sun rules your career sector, and Mars rules your work sector, so the impulses you experience now may be work-related. There can be a strong desire to research a matter. You are especially persuasive with others. You can be in an especially passionate mood today, and it may be best to channel this into positive activities, as you are quite hungry for emotional stimulation.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
The Sun, the powerful leader, and Mars, the planet of action, aligns in your relationship house today, dear Sagittarius. This can bring stimulation to a relationship and can manifest in a variety of ways. Someone may be trying to take the lead in your life, and possibly attempting to strong-arm you, for example. While the affected sector of your chart can represent others’ influences on you, it’s nevertheless YOUR chart, so if you are self-aware enough, you can own this energy and use it to fuel your own courage to pursue a relationship, for example, or to take the lead. Either way, it’s likely to be an animated day in which impulses rule over the head. Follow your instincts, but avoid throwing all caution to the wind. This is a potentially excellent day for asserting yourself and going after what (or who!) you want.
Capricorn
Capricorn
Your daily routine or work environment is unlikely to be calm or static today, Capricorn, with two powerful, action-oriented bodies aligning in your work, health, and routine sector. Things to avoid are impatience, needless arguments, and shortness with others. Things to nurture, on the other hand, are courage and initiative. Take charge of your life today in some way, and take advantage of the motivation you feel now. While launching new work projects or health programs may be best left for after the New Moon on the 16th, this is a good time to take important steps. Being active or taking on an active role today is best. Otherwise, excess energy can lead to impatience or brusqueness with others and unnecessary stress.
Aquarius
Aquarius
This can be a highly-charged and animated day, dear Aquarius, particularly related to matters ruled by the solar fifth house where the Sun and Mars join today in your chart. Fifth house matters include romance, relationships with children, recreation, sports, and creative self-expression. You can be impatient and impulsive now, but preferably confident and in charge rather than reckless. Inner stores of courage are readily accessible, and you are likely feeling free of guilt or inhibition at the moment. Tune into your energy and motivation, but tune out of any egocentric or reckless inclinations now, as the former can bring you to the finishing line a winner, and the latter can lead to regret.
Pisces
Pisces
Abundant energy is available to us today, Pisces, but we need to know what to do with it and how to channel it in order to make the most of it. With your sector of home and family stimulated, and occurring in a sign in conflict with yours, this may be a challenge. Avoid getting into who’s right and who’s wrong arguments or games. Be direct but also sensitive to others’ feelings – this can be difficult but it is far from impossible. Take charge, but if someone wants to take the lead more than you do, know when to step aside. Egos can be difficult to satisfy right now. Some of you could come to the defense of a loved one today. Put energy into a constructive project for best results today.
t’s a simple, clean week ahead with straightforward Astrology and a gorgeous Summer Solstice. Read all about it!
Tuesday, June 16: New Moon in Gemini conjunct Mars
On Tuesday the New Moon in Gemini will cozy up to Mars and will stimulate your mind in the most extraordinary way. This lunation is all about planting seeds of a bright new idea and fleshing it out over the coming weeks. You will have a cosmic “green light” to initiate an important conversation, make a life changing decision, negotiate a contract or other agreement, or simply flesh out an idea that excites you.
This New Moon has plenty of pep in her step thanks to Mars, so you can expect communication matters to be put into action in the blink of an eye. You won’t second guess yourself and you’ll have extra confidence to talk to others.
Sunday, June 21: Summer Solstice; Sun enters Cancer
On Sunday the Sun enters Cancer and we celebrate the Summer Solstice. There’s a bright light shining on matters of home and hearth, so pay attention to what’s happening right in your own backyard. A family BBQ might be the perfect way to kick off the season. Then, put on your swimsuit and go have some much awaited fun in the Sun!
The Balance of the Elements & the Signs for Sunday, June 14th
TAURUS STRONG
Stable and enduring, strong values, unyielding, earthy, acquisitive, strong desires. Can be stuck, stubborn, overly possessive, self-indulgent.
GEMINI STRONG
Agile, versatile, inquisitive, flowing, conversational, airy, many ideas. Can be volatile, superficial, changeable, restless and inconsistent.
LEO STRONG
Self-confident, generous, warm-hearted, powerful leader, dramatic. Can be overly proud, vain, extravagant, arrogant.
AIR STRONG
We tend to favor rational, objective thought over emotions, impulses, and feelings at this time. We are more intellectual, fair-minded, and logical in our approach, Ideas flow easily and quickly, we are more communicative and guided by principles, and also somewhat dispassionate or impersonal.
WATER WEAK
There may be some insensitivity or lack of empathy now. We may be out of touch with what we’re feeling or with our emotional needs. We may be tougher than usual now, and more inclined to follow mental or practical considerations than we are to listen to our intuition.
CARDINAL WEAK
This is not a time that we tend to naturally initiate actions. We may be stronger at following up than starting anew. Survival mechanisms may be weaker now.
MUTABLE STRONG
We are flexible, adaptable, willing, open to change, and possibly flighty or nervous.
The Sun and Mars join in the sign of Gemini today. Passions can run high, but remember that sudden urges and desires may be more about inner unrest than inner truth. Otherwise, this combination can give us a nice shot of energy and courage.
The Moon is in Taurus until 1:50 PM.
The Moon is void until 1:50 PM (since yesterday at 6:06 PM).
The Moon is in Gemini from 1:50 PM forward (until Tuesday, June 16th, at 6:50 PM).
The Moon is waning and in its Waning Crescent phase.
Mercury is direct and in its shadow until it reaches 13 Gemini 09 on June 27th.
Saturn retrogrades back into the sign of Scorpio today, where it will transit until September 17th, when it re-enters Sagittarius.
The Moon today is in a Waning Crescent phase. In this phase the Moon’s illumination in growing smaller each day until the New Moon. During this phase the Moon is getting closer to the Sun as viewed from Earth and the night side of the Moon is facing the Earth with only a small edge of the Moon being illuminated. This phase is best viewed an hour or 2 before the sunrise and can be quite beautiful if you’re willing to get up early. It can also be a great time to see the features of the Moon’s surface. Along the edge where the illuminated portion meets the dark side, the craters and mountains cast long shadows making them easier to observe with a telescope or binoculars.
Phase Details for – Sunday, June 14, 2015
Phase: Waning Crescent
Illumination: 5%
Moon Age: 27.36 days
Moon Angle: 0.53
Moon Distance: 374,504.60 km
Sun Angle: 0.52
Sun Distance: 151,951,656.45 km
Cast this spell to draw the healing powers of the four directions to you.
You will need sandalwood incense, salt, a bowl of water, a white votive candle, and a green votive candle (in candle holders).
After dark, gather everything together on your altar. Light the incense. Wave the incense carefully back and forth in front of you three times. Say:
May the powers of air heal my body, mind, and spirit.
Rub salt on your hands, and say:
May the power of earth heal my body, mind, and spirit.
Put your hands in the bowl of water, and say:
May the powers of water heal my body, mind, and spirit.
Hold the unlit white candle in your power hand and the unlit green candle in your receptive hand. Say:
Dear Goddess and God, bless me tonight So be it! Blessed Be!
Now light the candles, and say:
Dear Lord and Lady, bless me with your loving light I ask the Goddess and God to please help me be aware and safe I ask the Goddess and God to please help me let go of fear I ask the Goddess and God to fill me with healing light. In the Lady and Lord’s name, so be it! Blessed be!
Gaze at the candlelight and turn your mind toward a more healthy, joyful you. Let your imagination run wild for a few minutes. When you are finished, wash the salt and water down the drain with cool water. Allow the incense and candles to safely burn down.
Wiccan Spell A Night: Spells, Charms, And Potions For The Whole Year
Sirona Knight
Decorate your home and altar with fragrant blooms, and light candles to represent the sun.
Connect with the fairies by leaving an offering of milk, honey, or sweet bread under a bramble bush. Sit in the quiet of sunrise and sunset to see the Fae folk.
Spell for purification by creating a Midsummer fire and making a protective talisman of summer herbs. Cast illness aside by throwing a pouch of herbs into the cleansing flames.
Come together with others, either in person or online, to celebrate the longest day. Make a connection.
Get out and about, and find both an oak and a holly tree. Bow in respect to both at this time of their yearly battle.
Hedgewitch Book of Days: Spells, Rituals, and Recipes for the Magical
Mandy Mitchell
With all this time spent outside and with the garden at its height, all the beautiful blooms around you are practically screaming to be picked. It’s hard not to gather them all and plonk them in a vase. They can brighten up any room in your home and make a gorgeous gift for a friend when you pop round for coffee. But there is so much more you can do with your flowers than just display them. Here are some ideas that you can use at home with your beautiful blooms:
Eat them.
Now, I do not suggest that you go around munching on any old flower. But some are edible and delicious. Get a good book on edible blooms and have a go at introducing one or two of them into your cooking. Some of my favorites are rose petals, herbs like chives and thyme, violets, pansies, marigolds, borage, chamomile, and (my all time favorite) lavender.
Drink them.
Add them to drinks or ice cubes before freezing, or try them in cakes and salads.
Dry them.
Hang small bunches of flowers in a warm, dark place, making sure the stems are secured so they don’t fall as they shrink and dry. You can use these dried flowers to make all sorts of things, from a simple arrangement to a pretty decoration or picture. This is a wonderful way to preserve a special bouquet.
Bathe in them.
Add a couple of handsful to your bath to bathe in the essences of the plant. You will feel like a princess or prince, and the water will be infused with the properties of the flower you choose. If you don’t fancy scooping out loose petals, tie them loosely in a muslin square and drop this into your bath instead.
Press them.
Place small blooms carefully in a flower press or under heavy books between tissue paper, and leave them to press for a couple of weeks. Use them to decorate lampshades or picture frames, or place them in your Book of Shadows.
Strew them.
Mix together a few beautiful petals and strew them around your home. They will impart a delicate fragrance and magically charge the air with their properties. I like to use rose petals and lavender in the bedroom for romance and peace.
Repel pests.
Some flowers repel flies, mosquitoes, and rodents, so they are well worth using in the home. Hang bunches of lavender, basil, marigolds, or mint over your door to help prevent flies, and sprinkle dried lavender flowers at access points for mice to repel them.
Bask in them.
Simmer a couple of handsful of rose petals in pure water, strain, and use as a tonic for your skin after cleansing to ease redness and skin irritations. Always do a patch test first.
Speak their language.
Most flowers have a language attached to them— red roses are for love, lavender for peace, dandelions for happiness, etc. Learn about a new flower every time one comes into your life. Then start to send messages to your loved ones with them.
Spell with them.
Include flowers in your spells or sachets to add a soft energy to your magic and bring their properties to aid your goal. Place them on your altar as an offering.
Cure with them.
So many flowers have medicinal uses, from St. John’s wort for depression to chamomile for stress. Research how flowers can help you with some simple remedies at home, or use flower essences already infused with the flower’s energy.
Hedgewitch Book of Days: Spells, Rituals, and Recipes for the Magical
Mandy Mitchell
In modern Asatru, this day is sacred to Vidar, son of Odin who survives the destruction of Ragnarok. Patron of leatherworkers, Vidar has a stout boot that he puts in the mouth of the demonic Fenris-wolf to kill it. On this day, it is customary for Nordic leatherworkers to put aside all their scraps and then bury them in a pit for Vidar to ward off evil and bad luck.
Finally, it’s Sunday, the official day of rest. Not only do Christians acknowledge this day, but I’m sure many Pagans appreciate this day, as well. Everyone needs rest and lot of people need a good day to worship their creator (whomever or whatever that may be), however they deem fit to do so. With the Sun being the central theme of many ancient rituals, Sunday just seems to fit, in name and theory. Not only is it a good day to worship, it seems good to do more relaxed spells, such as, sleep, dream and rebirth.
Sunday Sunrise Spell for Illumination
Here is a spell that invokes the aid of the triple goddess Brigid. This spell is meant to warm you up from the inside out. This will cause you to have a magickal sparkle and for your lovely personality to shine right through. If you don’t feel particularly lovely at the moment, then maybe it’s time for a change. This should help you to improve your outlook and cheer you up. Brigid is probably one of the more popular goddesses that modern Witches work with. I think it is because she is so welcoming, strong, and feminine, all at once.
For this spell, try working outside at sunrise. You can also beef this up by adding some natural correspondences, such as stones or flowers, to the spoken verse to help tie the energy together. You could include tiger’s-eye, amber, and carnelian. Set these stones around your candles. Slip a few stems of a sun-associated flower into a vase. Try draping the workspace with a gold-colored cloth-celestial fabrics that feature bright yellow suns would be a smart choice. Or just set up in view of a sunny window and let the sunshine illuminate the workspace naturally.
Repeat the spell below three times:
Sunday starts off the week with its bright golden glow This day brings fame, wealth and causes friendships to grow Light a gold and yellow candle to ensure success I call on the Goddess Brigid, my spell she will bless Her light glows inside me from within my soul will shine Leadership, health, and growth will all appear in good time.
Close the spell by saying:
With all the power of three times three As I will it, then so shall it be.
You can work this spell whenever you feel the need for a little extra personal power. As before, you may keep the stones in your pocket for a few days, or tuck the flowers from the spell into your hair or pin them onto your jacket like a tiny corsage. This will ensure that you carry a bit of Brigid’s magick throughout your day.
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan
The Latin term for Sunday, our first day of the week, is Dies Solis (“sun’s day”). In ancient Greek, it was called Hemera Heliou. In the Old English language, it was known as Sunnandaeg; in Middle English, Sonenday. All of these titles mean the same thing: the day of the sun.
What do you think of when you feel the sun shine down on you? What sorts of enchantments and energies do you think would be complementary to a day named after our closest star? Sunday brings those bright solar energies into your life and has the magickal correspondences of success, promotion, leadership, pride, light, generosity, warmth, fitness, and personal growth. Astrologically, the sun symbolizes the conscious self and rules the zodiac sign of Leo.
The charms and spells that would complement this magickal day of the sun are ones for personal achievements of any kind-such as if you are seeking fame and wealth, working for that much-deserved promotion at work, or being acknowledged for a job well done. Health issues, increasing personal power, or simply sticking to your diet and being proud of what you have accomplished all fall under the sun’s golden influence.
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan
Sunday corresponds to the sun, our closest star. This day is full of wonder and all sorts of magical potential for success, wealth, and fame. Sundays are for personal achievements of any kind such as working towards a promotion at your job, seeking fame and wealth, or being acknowledged for a job well done. All of these goals fall under the golden influence of the sun. Some suggestions for Sunday enchantments would include:
Sitting outside at sunrise and calling on the goddess Brigid for illumination and inspiration
Wearing gold jewelry or clothing that is gold or sunshine yellow to pull some color magic into your life
Arranging a few sunflowers in a vase and empowering these “flowers of the sun” for fame and ambition
Gathering up the common marigold flower and scattering it’s petals about to encourage prosperity
Baking up a batch of cinnamon rolls for the family and enchanting them for health and success
Snacking on a solar fruit, the orange, and enjoying the magical boost it brings to your life
Herbs/Plants: Marigold, Heliotrope, Sunflower, Buttercup, Cedar, Beech, Oak
Stones: Carnelian, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, Amber, Clear Quartz and Red Agate
Oil: (Sun) Cedar, Frankincense, Neroli, Rosemary
The first day of the week is ruled by the Sun. It is an excellent time to work efforts involving business partnerships, work promotions, business ventures, and professional success. Spells where friendships, mental or physical health, or bringing joy back into life are an issue work well on this day, too.
Sunday (Sun): Healing, spirituality, success, strength and protection.
Flag Day
Waning Moon The Waning Moon is a time for study, meditation and little magickal work (except magick designed to banish harmful energies).
Moon Phase: Fourth Quarter
Moon Sign: Taurus Taurus: Things begun now last the longest, tend to increase in value, and become hard to alter. Brings out appreciation for beauty and sensory experience.
Moon enters Gemini 1:15 pm Gemini: Things begun now are easily changed by outside influence. Time for shortcuts, communication, games, and fun.
The Wheel of Fortune represents that aspect of life that is directed by forces and events we may not understand or even be aware of. In short, The Wheel deals with chance—those occurrences that manage to alter even the most structured of lives, usurp man’s “best laid plans.” While the effects of The Wheel are unpredictable, the outcome is always change; sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Our path through life is never a ride down a perfectly straight highway. Sometimes we may even experience hairpin turns or complete reversals of direction. The Wheel of Fortune is strong reminder that despite our plans, the Universe has its own agenda from which we cannot escape participation.
The Magus is the physical embodiment of decisive action based upon knowledge and aimed squarely at specific goals. While firmly set in the material world, he none-the-less has a powerful spiritual connection as well. His knowledge, wisdom and skill are all encompassing. He is complete. His power as a creator is unmatched on our earthly plane. He is self-aware and unafraid to act. His enormous strength gives him the freedom to act as he chooses. However, responsibility comes with that freedom. Because he is not bound to the restraints of others he must choose how to act. The question that always lies before him is should he act morally, or forsake ethics for personal gain.
Maria DeSimone on the topics of summer solstice, summer, new moon, astrology
Witches Of The Craft® 
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