The Emperor is blessed with the skills to successfully lead others. He can turn chaos into order and provide structure to that which is unbound. He is quick of mind and confident in his power and right to rule, and does so in a just manner. Although stern by nature, he truly is the ultimate father figure. He will provide as needed, teach those with unanswered questions, protect the vulnerable, set and maintain boundaries. His perfect world runs on schedule and is free of any disturbances. What the Emperor must be wary of is setting boundaries and rules where none are needed. If he isn’t careful not to over use his powers he may well become a tyrant.
Mysteries will become known to you. You should be able to see your life’s path clearly at this time. Pethro is often thought of as “Gambler’s Rune.” You are in a lucky period right now. Chance is your ally. Take advantage of it.
Additional information about Today’s Rune, Perthro
MAGICAL USES: fertility, easing childbirth, to aid in divination and magic, enhancing psychic abilities
ASSOCIATED MYTHS & DEITIES: Freya, Angrbode
ANALYSIS: The actual interpretation of perþ has been the subject of much controversy among runic scholars. The problem lies in the fact that the initial P sound doesn’t occur anywhere else in the old Germanic language, leading to the belief that the word was imported from another language. The Old English rune poem seems to indicate that it had to do with some sort of game, leading many to interpret it as ‘chess pawn’ or ‘dice-cup’. The dice-cup meaning is particularly interesting as it not only fits the shape of rune, but also hints at such an object’s original use as a container for the runes themselves. An alternate interpretation of perþ is derived from the Slavic ‘pizda’, meaning ‘vulva’. This meaning (although obscure and somewhat unlikely) fits quite into the progression of runes up until this point, symbolizing the rebirth that follows death. Viewing it as a symbol of the womb of the Goddess, it represents the same element of the mysterious and hidden as ‘dice-cup’, but taken literally as ‘vulva’, it adds a powerful, feminine, sexual counterpart to uruz that would otherwise be missing from the fuþark.
However you choose to interpret the literal meaning of perþ (and again, nobody really knows what that is), the basic symbolism is that of a vessel, nurturing and giving ‘birth’, keeping hidden and secret all those mysteries, which can be uncovered only after the initiation of death. The rune is closely tied in with the idea of fate, that the road we travel, regardless of what we choose to do along the way, is predetermined from the moment of our birth. The very act of being born sets us along a course of cause and effect, action and reaction that we may choose to follow blindly, or try to divine through the runes or other means order that we may better understand the lessons we will learn. Perþ is the beginning of this process, as well as the tool for accomplishing it.
This reading represents influences you will need to take advantage of over the next year to weave your way through life optimally.
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.
The Hermit denotes a need to have some space between you and the everyday hustle and bustle of our busy world. The Hermit needs to retreat. Indeed, happiness for The Hermit requires seclusion, freedom from material wants, and time for intense introspection. The answers The Hermit needs cannot be found in our physical world. The truths he seeks are internal, spiritual, and the distraction of a well developed social life can only impede his quest for his personal truths. Still, although not anything remotely resembling extroversion, The Hermit does sometimes need to share time with others; so he can both learn and teach, guide and be guided. The Hermit’s time spent amongst people depletes his energy rapidly. To avoid mental and physical overload he has to retreat from social settings quickly.
This is another good day for feeling a strong sense that you’re moving forward, for enthusiasm, and for energy, Aries. Ideas are easy to come by, and for some of you, a useful connection may be made now that helps you put ideas into action. Even with your mind engaged today, a strong part of you needs to settle in, put your feet up, relax, and enjoy the familiarity of people you love or home surroundings.
Taurus
Taurus
This is another day for keeping busy, but not necessarily concentrating, dear Taurus. This morning, try not to take on too much or speak too soon, as your nerves could be a touch frazzled now and this compromises judgment. After this, you remain energetic, but it’s not nervous energy. Today is strong for making financial connections, finding good advice, and emotional support from a partner or friend.
Gemini
Gemini
You have a strong sense that you need to take care of details and do preparation work today, dear Gemini, and this can be quite satisfying at the end of the day, as you’re emotionally geared towards feeling more secure in the practical world just for now. Even so, the day holds much promise when it comes to making connections with others, particularly creative ones. For some, there can be inspiration from a romantic interest. You are communicating in a far more positive, certain manner, and others are taking note of what you say.
Cancer
Cancer
You can be especially sensitive to what you believe others are thinking about you this morning, dear Cancer, after which you tend to come into your own. You could be feeling inspired and encouraged by your own thoughts of future plans related to travel, educational, or spiritual affairs. These things soothe and center you, and you’re able to tune out the negative distractions. You can have wonderful ideas about how to make your living conditions or relationships with family more enjoyable and supportive.
Leo
Leo
You may be a little more sensitive to the demands of life today, dear Leo, with the Moon in a part of your solar chart that encourages some level of solitude that allows for emotional renewal and healing. This is a time for taking a timeout of sorts in order to pull yourself together so that when you do emerge, you’re in a state of better understanding of your needs. You’ve been giving a lot of yourself to others these days, and it’s important now to reclaim your emotional center. Even so, today holds promise of potentially very useful information through friends, so keep yourself connected, but on your own terms.
Virgo
Virgo
You may be taking in a lot of diverse information today, dear Virgo, and the pace can be a little hectic as a result. However, as the day progresses, things seem to be falling into place, and in fact, you can come to some important conclusions and possibly make helpful connections along the way. You’re able to sort through what ideas or projects are worth your time and energy, and which of them may need to wait or fall behind. Today, you have a greater need to feel that your future is relatively secure, and that what you’re working towards will make you happy in the long run.
Libra
Libra
Your heart is in your work, responsibilities, and performance again today, dear Libra, and if you’re feeling on top of these things, there is likely to be a nice feeling of satisfaction now. If not, then go out of your way to be productive, but avoid setting expectations of yourself too high. Chances are, you’re doing a lot more than you recognize. You’re more inclined to look for appreciation for what you do, so it makes sense to be creative or mix things up a little in order to earn some positive feedback. Today is strong for communicating in warm, positive ways. Show off your ability to take charge and handle things maturely.
Scorpio
Scorpio
You are in need of some level of escape from the ordinary, the routine, and the mundane today, dear Scorpio, as these things could make you feel a little claustrophobic or limited. While there is some tendency to speak a little too soon or too frankly this morning, the day progresses in such a way that things naturally smooth over. There is a need to reach, stretch, and go beyond the usual today, as your tastes for experiences, people, and things runs somewhat towards the exotic now. While your disposition is rather outgoing today, you’re nevertheless especially observant, and can make a nice connection with someone through your understanding manner.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
While this is a generally sociable period in your life, dear Sagittarius, today you’re a little more introspective, and likely especially interested in getting to a place of better understanding, about yourself, close relationships, and your current path. It’s a good day for doing so, particularly as this understanding relates to your past. There is a little more patience at your disposal today, after the rebelliousness or mental tension of the early morning has passed, as you have a sense that you’ll get your turn soon. While you’re inclined to live inside yourself today, you’re nevertheless quite capable of being around others, and learning something important by observation.
Capricorn
Capricorn
With the Moon in your opposite sign all day, dear Capricorn, you’re inclined to seek out balance in your life. This likely involves giving special attention the needs or agendas of important people in your life. While your charm is definitely a big asset today, it’s important to not go overboard with pleasing others, even if you are in greater need of peace and harmony now. It might “work” in the moment, but could lead to resentment later on. Today can bring you the right information at the right time, particularly related to work or health matters.
Aquarius
Aquarius
You may be a little detached emotionally today, dear Aquarius, not necessarily because you aren’t feeling attached, but more because you are keeping your emotional distance because you are driven to take care of business. Perhaps as well you are more inclined to analyze your feelings than just let go and feel them. Even so, prioritizing practical matters is a rather useful thing from time to time, and it may very well be that you need to handle important details in order to feel that you’re making progress. Today does stimulate good, creative ideas, so take note of some of the information coming your way.
Pisces
Pisces
Today is likely to feel steadier than it has been, dear Pisces. There is a good sense that you’re making progress. This week is good for getting new plans related to home and family into motion. Aim to keep your focus as you go forward, considering ways to improve your feeling of security and emotional comfort. Connections (or improved connections) to people who are reassuring and who make you feel comfortable may be made now.
You are wise, intelligent, and communicative, always desirous of increasing your knowledge and staying informed. Many of you are authorities on a particular subject. You can also be quite driven once you’ve found a goal to focus on. You tend to loosen up and enjoy life more as you grow older, and you age well. While you can be sociable when you are around others, you often choose relative solitude and don’t always seek out social events. Others admire you for your dry sense of humor and intelligence. Famous people born today: Barry Manilow, Venus Williams, Joe Piscopo, Jason Patric.
Today and tomorrow are strong for family activities, home life, and endeavors that remind you of the need for comfort and familiarity, dear Aries. This can be a nice change after busy days. Even so, there is great energy with you today for creative vision. You can more easily envision what you want to create, and you can feel very inspired and motivated as a result. It’s a good day for setting goals and thinking about the future. Plans may not be meticulous and detail-oriented now, but they’re broad and intelligent.
Taurus
Taurus
Emotional satisfaction today and tomorrow tends to come from keeping yourself busy, mental stimulation, reaching out and connecting with others, and learning new things, dear Taurus. This may not be the best day for concentration, as you’re so curious that it’s very easy to get distracted, but right now you seem to need the change, movement, and variety involved. There is one area that grabs your attention more than others, and that is family or home matters, as you can be feeling quite inspired as you make plans for the future in these areas.
Gemini
Gemini
In some ways, you are riding on the energy of the New Moon in your sign that occurred yesterday, dear Gemini. You can be feeling especially alive, vital, and inspired. Your ideas right now may very well be golden, and you seem to have the cooperation and support of important people in your life. Even so, there is a stronger emotional desire to settle in just for now with the Moon in your resources sector nudging your attention towards some of the more practical details of your recent plans.
Cancer
Cancer
The Moon is in your sign all day today and tomorrow, dear Cancer, and this brings your emotions out of hiding and into the light. You’re a little more vulnerable emotionally, as you crave a feeling of connectedness with others. Put your stamp on the day as you begin a new lunar cycle. Today, plans may come together with finances, work, or other practical matters. Good energy is with you for identifying redundancies in spending as well.
Leo
Leo
The Moon in your privacy sector all day today and tomorrow suggests some need for down time or solitude, dear Leo. This is a strong day for creative pursuits, so that tuning out distractions is even more productive. Plans seem to be coming together, and you’re especially able to see the bigger picture and the larger design. You might also have a strong sense that you have the support of friends or a team, even if you are taking more time to yourself. It’s a fine time to help guide others.
Virgo
Virgo
Your need to feel connected to a group, friend, or a cause is strong today and tomorrow, dear Virgo, but a lot is going on in your domestic and personal life. You are able to draw upon your intuition in order to draw up plans, frameworks, or designs, and you might be especially creative when it comes to domestic affairs, although all areas of life can benefit from your ideas and insight now. You might be supporting others with helpful advice, logic, and knowledge, and thoroughly enjoying the process.
Libra
Libra
You are more emotionally invested in your career, responsibilities, or reputation today and tomorrow, dear Libra, and this can either boost or undermine your performance, depending on how secure you’re feeling today. Try not to let fear of failure interfere with setting goals. There is strong energy for teaming up with a friend or group and for networking, communicating and sharing ideas, and learning today. This is a better day for seeing the broader plans than it is for filling in the details. You have a vision today, and this can be exciting.
Scorpio
Scorpio
The Moon in your idealistic ninth house today and tomorrow inspires you to think in bigger terms, dream, and make plans. Fortunately, there is good energy for seeing the bigger picture now, and plans seem to fall into place in your mind. While your idealism is emphasized today, you can also be quite practical, and your optimism now motivates you even further. People in high places may be looking on you especially favorably today. You seem to have their support.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
Your wisdom and intelligence are plainly seen today, dear Sagittarius, and you might have the chance to apply yourself to an important project. You are more confident about your talents and ideas, and you can be quite determined to put them into action. The only danger here is that you may take on a little too much, which sometimes happens when you’re feeling especially enthusiastic. You are even shrewder than usual today, and your powers of observation are strong.
Capricorn
Capricorn
With so much focus on the details of your life these days, dear Capricorn, today’s broader vision can be felt as a wonderful release. You are more able to see the bigger picture, particularly when it comes to the connection between mind and body, patterns of behavior, and recent life experiences. You can come to better conclusions now. Self-understanding improves as you pan out a little and focus less on the smaller problems and more on your life as a whole. Today and tomorrow, the Moon moves through your solar seventh house, making it a generally good time for socializing, recognizing your need for others, and in business, making deals and sales.
Aquarius
Aquarius
There has been quite a strong focus on getting your creative and playful needs met recently, dear Aquarius, and while this will continue for a while longer, your emotional focus today and tomorrow tends to be on more practical matters. The practical details of your life, the routines that keep you active and healthy, and your work or services you provide are in need of your attention. Emotionally, you’re invested in these things more than usual. Even so, this can also be a strong time for collaborating with others and making very effective plans. Partnering up can be very productive now.
Pisces
Pisces
Today and tomorrow, the Moon harmonizes with your own sign, dear Pisces, providing gentle support for your emotions and easier channels for expressing them. It’s a good day for creating, sharing, and enjoying yourself. There is also strong energy with you for work and health matters, as plans seem to be coming together at the very least in your mind. You are more able to see both the details and the bigger vision so that your judgment is more sound than on a regular day. Perhaps more importantly, you have more faith in your ideas, designs, and plans.
The Balance of the Signs & the Elements for Wednesday, May 17
GEMINI STRONG
Agile, versatile, inquisitive, flowing, conversational, airy, many ideas. Can be volatile, superficial, changeable, restless and inconsistent.
CANCER STRONG
Nurturing, protective, tenacious, emotional sensitive, watery, strong roots. Can be overly protective, unwilling to let go, timid, reclusive.
LEO STRONG
Self-confident, generous, warm-hearted, powerful leader, dramatic. Can be overly proud, vain, extravagant, arrogant.
EARTH WEAK
There can be a lack of desire, interest, or skills regarding practical affairs. We may not be very much in touch with reality. Difficulties concentrating, grounding ourselves.
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.
The Moon is in Cancer all day (until Friday, June 19th, at 2:22 AM).
The Moon is waxing and in its New phase.
A New Moon occurred in the sign of Gemini yesterday.
Mercury is direct and in its shadow until it reaches 13 Gemini 09 on June 27th.
a message from Gillian MacBeth-Louthan
To read more of Gillian’s insight, visit her website, The Quantum Awakening
Lately we have all walked thru many layers of fear as we come into more of our unearthed selves. Just like the shifting earth we do not remain the same for very long. We stand face to face with every inch of ourselves, knowing that our bodies are storage devices of unspent energies and unopened truths.
Energies are now being asked to be dissolved. Like jello sitting out on a hot day, we are all letting go and most of that has been liquid! Parts of ourselves surface like shifting sands and we come face to face with parts of our selves we have not known. We gasp as we see shades of our other selves making themselves seen. Even if you have released and released every darn lifetime/ past present an future, parts of our unknown selves surface, like we are releasing multidimensional lives not just one. The very matrix has shifted and humanities thoughts have risen in accordance with their desires.
Thoughts are living entities that seek themselves out, like to like. They gather and form into patterns of similarity. Some of these thoughts will take the form of virtual interference, technical glitches, others will form as unusual weather patterns. Do you ever notice that people that expect it to rain on their picnic can plan for it?
Many energies rise to the surface within self and others that are not very pretty to look at. Parts of ourselves and others are now seen in living color as well as black and white with no gray area. Part of the ‘ongoing Initiation’ demands that we stand and straddle the river of emotions and thoughts that have surged as of late. People we love gone in a blink, animals we had forever leave us alone and empty, marriages stretched to the braking point, everyone feels this force no exceptions.
Humanity runs so fast from anything and everything that hurts, they do anything to numb their emotions. Life is hard, and we are very soft. Many seek virtual soothing in the words of someone they never met. While in their very world no words are said. People 1000 miles away know you better than your own family.
The summer will reunite many parts of self that do not make sense now. As if being prepared for an important event you do not even know about, you will move thru the many stages of self, like an experienced caterpillar, knowing one day its true colors will shine.
The Moon today is in a Waxing Crescent Phase. A Waxing Crescent is the first Phase after the New Moon and is a great time to see the features of the moon’s surface. During this phase the Moon can be seen in the wester sky after the sun dips below the horizon at sunset. The moon is close to the sun in the sky and mostly dark except for the right edge of the moon which becomes brighter as the days get closer to the next phase which is a First Quarter with a 50% illumination.
Phase Details for – Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Phase: Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 1%
Moon Age: 0.93 days
Moon Angle: 0.51
Moon Distance: 388,653.68 km
Sun Angle: 0.52
Sun Distance: 151,991,637.10 km
Spread over the surface of your aura or energy field are various power points. These points are areas where your energy field varies. When you direct energy such as white light at these power points, you can shift the aura in positive ways so you can experience healing, love, and spiritual awakening. You do this intuitively, sensing with your heart rather than your mind.
You will need sage smudge, a partner, and a lawn chair. At midnight, go outdoors where you will not be disturbed. Don’t forget the matches. Light the smudge, and smudge yourself and your love, as well as the chair. Bathe everything in the smudge smoke for a few minutes with the intention of clearing all the unwanted energy. Thoroughly extinguish the smudge when you are done smudging.
Have your partner sit comfortably in the chair. Stand behind your partner, and take three deep, complete breaths to center your awareness. Relax your mind and body. Next, slowly move your hands about two inches above the surface of your partner’s body. Focus on the area between your hands and your partner’s skin. Continue doing this for a few minutes. Pay attention to how his or her body feels.
Close your eyes if it helps you sense the differences in the areas of the body. Feel the area with your being. Is the area hot or cool, for example? Remember to keep breathing deeply and remain in a relaxed state of mind as you continue to sense your partner’s energy field. When you come in contact with a power point, you may feel a definite tugging or pulling at your hands. Or you may feel a temperature shift, with the power point generally being warmer. The power point may feel sticky to your hands, or you may feel static electricity or a small spark-like sensation.
When you locate a power point, send white loving light from your hands and heart into the area. Do this by rubbing your hands briskly together for a minute and turning your mind to loving thoughts. Then place your hands, palms down, about one inch from the surface of the power point, and imagine directing white light energy into the spot. After you send light into about three power points, change places and have your partner find your power points. Keep in mind that each person’s power points are different and can shift from night to night.
Wiccan Spell A Night: Spells, Charms, And Potions For The Whole Year
Sirona Knight
The next essential element of spellcasting is to decide on your magickal goal. It is a good idea to write this down (unless it is very simple) and get as specific as possible. One of the trickiest parts of spellcasting is the balance between being as specific as you can on the one hand (so you are intensely focused on the purpose of your spell) while leaving an opening for the gods to grant your request in ways that you might not even consider (since in my experience, this is the way things happen, more often than not).
So if you are looking for that perfect job, you might want to specify that you want something that allows you to spend more time with your child, but not say “working out of my house,” in case there is an option that would allow you to work elsewhere but still have your child with you. See what I mean?
One way that is very helpful in crafting the perfect spell is to write down your goal and then look for the spell that mostly closely matches it. If there are elements in more than one spell that could be combined to create the perfect spell for your needs, by all means go ahead and take the bits and pieces you think will work the best. It’s all about creating the exact right tool for the job at hand.
Once you have your goal set, you can gather a few additional tools to boost the spell. I like Elizabeth Barrette’s explanation of why we use “extras” when casting a spell. She says, “Most spells combine words, actions, and objects to create a kind of `handle’ for the will to grasp, rather like using a wrench to tighten or loosen a nut that wouldn’t yield to fingers alone.”‘ In other words, the addition of specific items and actions can help to rev up our magickal engines, giving us even more power for the spell than we would get from using words alone.
This is because the addition of each extra element helps us to focus just a little bit more by reinforcing our intention to create a magickal result. So if you look for items that match the goal you have set, you will be adding another layer of intent to the energy you put out into the universe with your words.
How you choose the additional items is up to you. Some people look in books for spell correspondences-colors, moon phases, days of the week, herbs, oils, and more-that are often used for a specific task. For instance, when doing prosperity magick, many people use the color green, work their magick on a Thursday, and use basil or peppermint and maybe a piece of malachite or jade. On the other hand, there are many folks who simply use whatever items feel right to them. It is more a matter of style than anything else, and you can use whichever approach you prefer.
Working magick is not about following someone else’s instincts, after all; it is about listening to your own.
And sometimes you just have to make do with whatever you have on hand. If a spell needs to be done right away and you only have a white candle, by all means use that, and it will be fine. Remember that your will and intent are what truly matter here.
Everyday Witch A to Z Spellbook: Wonderfully Witchy Blessings, Charms & Spells
Deborah Blake
Almost all Witches use magick in one form or another. And almost everyone who practices magick will eventually cast a spell. Spells are written or spoken words, often accompanied by actions and equipement of some sort, that are intended to bring about a specific result. You could think of them as tools. You could think of them as tools. Specifically power tools–but with the energy supplied by our will rather than by electricity.
Like regular tools, spells are only as good as the skills of those who wield them, and if used incorrectly, can even backfire and cause unintended harm. And like regular tools, the better the quality of the spell, the better the end result you are likely to achieve.
1. To Cast Or Not To Cast, That Is The Question
The first essential element of spellcasting is deciding whether or not to use a spell at all. After all, you don’t always need a power tool; some jobs are just as easily done with a simple screwdriver. driver. So before you get started, you need to decide if a spell is really the right tool to deal with the problem at hand. Take a long, honest look at the situation, and see which one of these categories fits the best.
a)When to cast a spell:
• When you have exhausted all the mundane options but still need to achieve a goal (the spell not only puts your intention out into the universe but is also a way of asking for help).
• When the spell will affect only you (such as casting a spell to open yourself to love).
• When you know what you want and are willing to do the work required to get it (like putting in applications at appropriate places after asking for the perfect job).
• When only good can come from the spell.
b) When not to cast a spell:
• When there is a simple solution that doesn’t require magick (you need to lose five pounds, haven’t tried a diet yet, and have plenty of time).
• When casting a spell would interfere with free will (casting a love spell to get a particular person, for instance).
• When you aren’t sure what you really want to achieve (if you are uncertain of the end results you want, it is hard to truly focus enough will to make a spell work).
• When there is the possibility of causing harm to yourself or to others (remember, harm none).
If you are certain the best solution for the situation is casting a spell, then it is time to get down to work and craft yourself the perfect spell to get the job done.
Everyday Witch A to Z Spellbook: Wonderfully Witchy Blessings, Charms & Spells
Deborah Blake
Healing Arts and Pagan Studies – Summer Solstice Celebrations
All week long, pagans will be celebrating the annual cyclical climax where the Sun achieves it’s glorious domination over Night. The veil between life death is at its least permeable at the Solstice; daylight hours of warmth, abundance, safety begin inevitably waning from this time on until Night Moon assume rule after the Equinox , so we celebrate now, at the height of Day’s power, giving thanks for summer’s blessings. praying for protection as the Sun’s vitality diminishes in the months ahead.
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GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast Archives
Courtesy of GrannyMoonsMorningFeast
The ancient Shinto festival of the Cleansing Lily originated from the need to dispel early summer downpours that would invariably lead to flooding. The lily stalks were gathered at dawn by seven maidens wearing white robes. The stalks were taken to local shrines for blessing. The flowers stayed in these temples overnight, during which time they were prayed over by the priests. Early the next morning, ing, a procession led by the maidens walked through the town’s streets, waving the lilies to attract moisture-free weather.
Wednesdays are wild and wacky days. They are for communication, change, cunning, and the arts. This is a Mercury day, and just its patron god this day is full of contradictions, change, and excitement. Some suggestions for Wednesday enchantments would include:
Pulling a little Wednesday color magic into your life by wearing purples or orange
Carrying a multipurpose agate with you and tapping into its various charms
Working with magical plants such as the fern for protection. This plant will also boost the power of any other magical plants with which it is arranged.
Incorporating lavender into charms and spells for transformation
Using the charming scent of lily of the valley to improve your memory, or working with the aspen tree for communication
Calling on Athena, patron of arts and crafts, for inspiration for a new project
Fanning out a Tarot spell to increase you creativity
Calling on Hermes on a Wednesday night to bring movement and good luck into your life
Seasons of the Witch – Legends and Lore, Ancient Holidays
And Some Not So Ancient!
Today Is …
Ancient Rome: Lundi Piscateri, the Festival of Fishermen, is celebrated in the Roman traditions with a ritual and blessing of the boats of fishermen.
Greece: Festival of Eurydice, a tree nymph who was transformed into an underworld goddess after dying from a serpent bite was honored annually in ancient Greece.
Ask Her for a dream or vision!
Ancient Egyptian: Day of the procession of Sopdu, the Warrior.
1873 – US: Susan B. Anthony arrested for voting
The Cleansing Lily ~ Annual purification ritual to drive away the evil spirits of the rainy season takes place on this date in Nara, Japan. Lily stalks are blessed by seven white-robed priestesses, and a traditional dance is performed.
Incense: cassia, cedar, cinnamon, clove, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, mastic, mint, rosemary, sage, sandalwood, storax, dried and powdered citrus peel, and all incense made from aromatic bark, wood, and seeds
Goddess: Carmenta, Hecate (Queen of Crossroads), Hel, Ishtar, Ma’at, the Morrigan, Nike
God: Anubis, Bragi, Elath-Iahu. Enki, Garuda, Hermes, Maximon (Black Magician), Mercury, Nebo (Wise God of Wednesday), Odin, Shango, Ullr, Vishnu, Wayland, Woden
Evocation: Agrat Bat Mahalat, Michael, Miel, Raphael, Seraphiel, Tiriel
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.
Witches Of The Craft® 
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