Month: August 2015

Harvest Moon (September)

Harvest Moon (September)

 

Also known as: Wine Moon, Singing Moon, Sturgeon Moon, Haligmonath (Holy Month), Witumanoth (Wood Month), Moon When Deer Paw the Earth
Nature Spirits: trooping faeries
Herbs: copal, fennel, rye, wheat, valerian, skullcap
Colors: brown, yellow-green, yellow
Flowers: narcissus, lily
Scents: storax, mastic, gardenia, bergamont
Stones: peridot, olivine, chrysolite, citrine
Trees: hazel, larch, bay
Animals: snake, jackal
Birds: ibis, sparrow
Deities: Demeter, Ceres, Isis, Nephthys, Freyja, Ch’ang-O, Thoth
Power Flow: rest after labor; balance of Light and Dark. Organize. Clean and straighten up physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter.

Corn Moon (August)

Corn Moon (August)

 

Also known as: Barley Moon, Dispute Moon, Weodmonath (Vegetation Month), Harvest Moon, Moon When Cherries Turn Black
Nature Spirits: dryads
Herbs: chamomile, St. John’s wort, bay, angelica, fennel, rue, orange
Colors: yellow, gold
Flowers: sunflower, marigold
Scents: frankincense, heliotrope
Stones: cat’s eye, carnelian, jasper, fire agate
Trees: hazel, alder, cedar
Animals: lion, phoenix, sphinx, dragon
Birds: crane, falcon, eagle
Deities: Ganesha, Thoth, Hathor, Diana, Hecate, Nemesis
Power Flow: energy into harvesting; gathering, appreciating. Vitality, health. Friendships.

Hay Moon (July)

Hay Moon (July)

 

Also known as: Wort Moon, Moon of Claiming, Moon of Blood (because of mosquitoes), Blessing Moon, Maedmonat (Meadow Month), Hewimanoth (Hay Month), Fallow Moon, Buck Moon, Thunder Moon
Nature Spirits: hobgoblins (small, grotesque but friendly brownie-type creatures), faeries of harvested crops
Herbs: honeysuckle, agrimony, lemon balm, hyssop
Colors: silver, blue-gray
Flowers: lotus, water lily, jasmine
Scents: orris, frankincense
Stones: pearl, moonstone, white agate
Trees: oak, acacia, ash
Animals: crab, turtle, dolphin, whale
Birds: starling, ibis, swallow
Deities: Khepera, Athene, Juno, Hel, Holda, Cerridwen, Nephthys, Venus
Power Flow: relaxed energy; preparing; succeeding. Dream-work, divination, and meditation on goals and plans, especially spiritual ones.

Mead Moon (June)

Mead Moon (June)

 

Also known as: Moon of Horses, Lovers’ Moon, Strong Sun Moon, Honey Moon, Aerra Litha (Before Lithia), Brachmanoth (Break Month), Strawberry Moon, Rose Moon, Moon of Making Fat
Nature Spirits: sylphs, zephyrs
Herbs: skullcap, meadowsweet, vervain, tansy, dog grass, parsley, mosses
Colors: orange, golden-green
Flowers: lavender, orchid, yarrow
Scents: lily of the valley, lavender
Stones: topaz, agate, alexandrite, fluorite
Trees: oak
Animals: monkey, butterfly, frog, toad
Birds: wren, peacock
Deities: Aine of Knockaine, Isis, Neith, Green Man, Cerridwen, Bendis, Ishtar
Power Flow: full but restful energy; protect, strengthen, and prevent. A time of Light; Earth tides are turning. Decision-making, taking responsibility for present happenings. Work on personal inconsistencies. Strengthen and reward yourself for your positive traits.

Hare Moon (May)

Hare Moon (May)

 

Also known as: Merry or Dyad Moon, Bright Moon, Flower Moon, Frogs Return Moon, Thrimilcmonath (Thrice-Milk Month), Sproutkale, Winnemanoth (Joy Month), Planting Moon, Moon When the Ponies Shed
Nature Spirits: faeries, elves
Herbs: dittany of Crete, elder, mint, rose, mugwort, thyme, yarrow
Colors: green, brown, pink
Flowers: lily of the valley, foxglove, rose, broom
Scents: rose, sandalwood
Stones: emerald, malachite, amber, carnelian
Trees: hawthorn
Animals: cats, lynx, leopard
Birds: swallow, dove, swan
Deities: Bast, Venus, Aphrodite, Maia, Diana, Artemis, Pan, Horned God
Power Flow: full creating energy; propagation. Intuition, contact with faeries and other supernatural beings. Strengthen connection with supernatural protectors and beings around you. Power flowing from the Greenwood Gods and trees.

Growing Moon (April)

Growing Moon (April)

 

Also known as: Hare Moon, Seed or Planting Moon, Planter’s Moon, Budding Trees Moon, Eastermonath (Eostre Month), Ostarmanoth, Pink Moon, Green Grass Moon
Nature Spirits: plant faeries
Herbs: basil, chives, dragon’s blood, geranium, thistle
Colors: crimson red, gold
Flowers: daisy, sweetpea
Scents: pine, bay, bergamot, patchouli
Stones: ruby, garnet, sard
Trees: pine, bay, hazel
Animals: bear, wolf
Birds: hawk, magpie
Deities: Kali, Hathor, Anahita, Ceres, Ishtar, Venus, Bast
Power Flow: energy into creating and producing; return balance to the nerves. Change, self-confidence, self-reliance, take advantage of opportunities. Work on temper and emotional flare-ups and selfishness.

Storm Moon (March)

Storm Moon (March)

 

Also known as: Seed Moon, Moon of Winds, Plow Moon, Worm Moon, Hrethmonath (Hertha’s Month), Lentzinmanoth (Renewal Month), Lenting Moon, Sap Moon, Crow Moon, Moon of the Snowblind
Nature Spirits: Mer-people, Air and Water beings who are connected with spring rains and storms
Herbs: broom, High John root, yellow dock, wood betony, Irish moss
Colors: pale green, red-violet
Flowers: jonquil, daffodil, violet
Scents: honeysuckle, apple blossom
Stones: aquamarine, bloodstone
Trees: alder, dogwood
Animals: cougar, hedgehog, boar
Birds: sea crow, sea eagle
Deities: Black Isis, the Morrigan, Hecate, Cybele, Astarte, Athene, Minerva, Artemis, Luna
Power Flow: energy breaks into the open; growing, prospering, exploring. New beginnings; balance of Light and Dark. Breaking illusions. Seeing the truth in your life however much it may hurt.

Ice Moon (February)

Ice Moon (February)

 

Also known as: Storm Moon, Horning Moon, Hunger Moon, Wild Moon, Red & Cleansing Moon, Quickening Moon, Solmonath (Sun Month), Big Winter Moon
Nature Spirits: house faeries, both of the home itself and of house plants
Herbs: balm of Gilead, hyssop, myrrh, sage, spikenard Colors: light blue, violet
Flowers: primrose
Scents: wisteria, heliotrope
Stones: amethyst, jasper, rock crystal
Trees: rowan, laurel, cedar
Animals: otter, unicorn
Birds: eagle, chickadee
Deities: Brigit, Juno, Kuan Yin, Diana, Demeter, Persephone, Aphrodite
Power Flow: energy working toward the surface; purification, growth, healing. Loving the self. Accepting responsibility for past errors, forgiving yourself, and making future plans.

Wolf Moon (January)

Wolf Moon (January)

 

Wolf Moon (January)Also known as: Quiet Moon, Snow Moon, Cold Moon, Chaste Moon, Disting Moon, Moon of Little Winter
Nature Spirits: gnomes, brownies
Herbs: marjoram, holy thistle, nuts, cones
Colors: brilliant white, blue-violet, black
Flowers: snowdrop, crocus
Scents: musk, mimosa
Stones: garnet, onyx, jet, chrysoprase
Trees: birch
Animals: fox, coyote
Birds: pheasant, blue jay
Deities: Freyja, Inanna, Sarasvati, Hera, Ch’ang-O, Sinn
Power Flow: sluggish, below the surface; beginning and conceiving. Protection, reversing spells. Conserving energy by working on personal problems that involve no one else. Getting your various bodies to work smoothly together for the same goals.

The Esbats

The Esbats

 

Esbats are a little different from sabbats. Generally, not as much preparation and ritual goes into celebrating them. Some Witchs, like me, consider them to be the rituals held on the nights of the full moon throughout the year, for a total of 13 Esbats in all. Others believe them to be days or nights set aside for magical workings. Here, any moon phase can be used for an Esbat, depending upon your need at the time. Since I generally hold to the full moon definition, I have included below the names, months and correspondences of each full moon throughout the year. The first list of moons, which is found directly below, is from Silver Ravenwolf’s book To Ride A Silver Broomstick, and consists simply of month and moon names. The second list of moons is from D.J. Conway’s book Moon Magick. This list contains names and correspondences for each moon and is therefore much more detailed. I have included both versions to demonstrate the variations and inconsistencies between different sources.
Wolf Moon – January
Storm Moon – February
Chaste Moon – March
Seed Moon – April
Hare Moon – May
Dyad (pair) Moon – June
Mead Moon – July
Wyrt (green plant) Moon – August
Barley Moon – September
Blood Moon – October
Snow Moon – November
Oak Moon – December
Blue Moon – variable

Astronomy Picture of the Day – Comet Dust over Enchanted Rock

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2015 August 14

 

 Comet Dust over Enchanted Rock
Image Credit & Copyright: Jared Tennant

 

Explanation: Dusty debris from periodic Comet Swift-Tuttle was swept up by planet Earth this week. Vaporized by their passage through the dense atmosphere at 59 kilometers per second, the tiny grains produced a stream of Perseid meteors. A bright, colorful Perseid meteor flash was captured during this 20 second exposure. It made its ephemeral appearance after midnight on August 12, in the moonless skies over the broad granite dome of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, central Texas, USA. Below the Perseid meteor, trees stand in silhouette against scattered lights along the horizon and the faint Milky Way, itself cut by dark clouds of interstellar dust.

Daily Planet Tracker: Venus in Leo, Now Until Oct 8, 2015

 

 

 

 

Planet Tracker

Venus in Leo

Now Until Oct 8, 2015

 

When Venus is in Leo, love shouts its name from the rooftops. There’s little subtlety about this combination, since the planet of relationship and beauty is passing through the sign of dramatic expression. Expect your romantic life to be a bit more colorful these days, regardless of your birth chart.

Leo, a fire sign, is about risk. So, Venus’ placement here is a reminder to take some chances with creativity and openings of the heart. Sure, it’s possible that you’ll go overboard and let your imagination turn a mild flirtation into the love affair of the century. But, that’s part of the fun of Venus in Leo.

We’re not here now to play it safe, to carefully monitor and control our feelings, but rather to recapture the hopefulness of childhood. This is a time when wounds may be set aside (at least partially), allowing us to let love flow without restriction or fear. Excesses are possible, even likely, but a truly open heart only leads to greater opportunities to share, connect and create.

Venus in Leo reminds us that we need to be adored now, not just simply liked or appreciated. Pride expands, which can, of course, lead to hurt feelings if one does not receive adequate recognition. Be generous in giving praise, while allowing others to show their appreciation of you, as well. The challenge here is to combine the willfulness of Leo with the responsiveness of Venus. Successful relationships are based on listening, something worth remembering at this time.

The dramatic expression of Venus in Leo can be readily seen through a collection of people who exemplify this combination. The wildly inventive Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi (“gaudy”) personifies the joyous creativity of Venus in Leo. Show biz icons Lauren Bacall, Bob Fosse, Barbara Walters and Tom Cruise are also part of this group.

Gestalt guru Fritz Perls was born with Venus in Leo, as were designers Joshua Logan and Pierre Cardin, author Jacqueline Susann, artist Andy Warhol, financier Michael Milken and magician David Copperfield.

Venus in Leo includes superstar performers Whitney Houston, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Paula Abdul. With Venus in Leo, Amy Fisher, Xaviera Hollander, John Holmes, Jessica Hahn and Pamela Anderson have achieved fame through sex. Yet, the higher side of Venus in Leo love is found in the charts of the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa and Mary Baker Eddy.

 

 

@Tarot.com is a Daily Insight Group Site

Your Daily Influences for August 14th

Your Daily Influences
August 14th, 2015

 

The Page of Swords
Youth if not in age then in spirit. Adept at diplomacy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingwaz
Ingwaz signifies completion, success and fertility. Your present ambitions are about to be met. You are fecund in both mind and body.

 

 

 

The Axe Head
As an axe cutting toward the tree your actions have set into motion a course of events in this aspect of your life that you cannot escape. You will know soon if your aim was precise or reckless.

 

 

 

 

 

Your Daily Influences represent events and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more.

Today’s Witches Rune for August 14th is The Birds

Today’s Witches Rune

The Birds

Keywords: Unexpected news, change.

Meanings: The Birds Rune means some unexpected news that may alter your life completely, especially if this is the leading rune. Generally, the news will lead to a positive change but pay close attention to the nearest runes to determine its nature. It can also mean news of friends or family that you haven’t had contact with in quite a while. Letters and documents should be watched for as they may well bring happiness.

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Aug. 14th is The Hierophant

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

The Hierophant

 

The Hierophant represents the protector of a culture’s heritage and traditions. His purpose is to defend and teach the established ways and beliefs a group embraces. He is inherently conventional and a true believer in the power of the group. He loves the structure of the group and its values. It is the task of The Hierophant to bring new members into the group—to prepare the uninitiated to take their rightful place in his culture. In this sense he is very much like a teacher or a priest. He also acts as the repository of his group’s history. The Hierophant is certainly not one to buck proper authority. However, he is staunch and worthy defender of the tried and true. He represents the positive aspects of tradition and conformity.

Your Daily I Ching Hexagram for August 14th is 56: Traveling

Daily I Ching Hexagram

August 14th, 2015

__________________________

56:Traveling

 

 

 

 
Summary:
Throughout your life cherish those moments most memorable.

Line One of Your Hexagram is a 6:
Do not be stingy, small-minded or mean.

Line Two of Your Hexagram is a 6:
The road before you is a gentle one.

Line Three of Your Hexagram is a 9:
In difficult situations remain composed and be kind.

Line Four of Your Hexagram is a 9:
Your days will get better and better.

Line Five of Your Hexagram is a 6:
Seek out new opportunities.

Line Six of Your Hexagram is a 9:
Do not make fun of other’s misfortunes. Remember, it could have been you.

Your Daily Rune for Friday, August 14th is Wunjo

bw-wunjo

bw-wunjoYour Rune For Today
Wunjo

Wunjo denotes joy and shared bliss. It may also represent a job well done and the satisfaction one feels from completing such a task. Wunjo brings good fortune and harmony.

 

Additional information about Today’s Rune, Wunjo

 

wunjo : glory

 

Phonetic equivalent: w

 

DIVINATORY MEANINGS:
success, recognition of achievements, reward, joy, bliss, achievement of goals, contentment

 

MAGICAL USES:
for success in any endeavor, to motivate, to complete a task.

 

ASSOCIATED MYTHS & DEITIES:
Baldr, Asgard

 

ANALYSIS:
Wunjo is the last rune of the first aett, and thus represents both the end of one cycle and preparation for the next. It is a very positive, stable rune, and is another place where people tend to get stalled along their journey. Christian poets related it to heaven, but in fact it more closely resembles the Pagan Valhalla, since this particular paradise is not a permanent one.Like the wealth of fehu, the glory of wunjo is only an illusion.

 

We have achieved success on one level only, and there are many more lessons to be learned. It is, however, a welcome respite which allows us to rest, re-charge our batteries and prepare ourselves for the rest of the journey. It also gives us some perspective, allowing us to look back and reflect on the road thus far. Wunjo gives us a glimpse of what is possible, but if we try too soon to reach out and grab it, like the Grail it will disappear between our fingers.