Month: September 2015

Your Current Moon Phase for Tuesday, September 15th is Waxing Crescent

September 15
Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 4%

 

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 – Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Phase: Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 4%
Moon Age: 1.98 days
Moon Angle: 0.49
Moon Distance: 404,820.53 km
Sun Angle: 0.53
Sun Distance: 150,427,634.67 km

Source:
MoonGiant.com

The Witches Magick for the 15th day of the Barley Moon – Marigold and Sunflower Faery Magick

Marigold and Sunflower Faery Magick

 

This is the time when flowers are in bloom and the energy of faeries is everywhere. In this spell you are creating a faery circle as a way of bringing this fluorescent energy into your life.

You will need a pot of marigolds and thirteen sunflower seeds.

Place the pot of marigolds in a sunny location. Call to Mari, Queen of the Faeries to protect and give life to the flowers:

Queen Mari, give life to this flower
That bears your name and glows with
your divine fluorescence.

Place the thirteen sunflower seeds in a circle around the marigolds. As you do so, call out to the faeries:

Marigolds and sunflowers,
Spread the magick of faery powers.

Care for the flowers during the month of the barley moon, making sure to give them the care and attention they need to thrive.
 

Wiccan Spell A Night, Spells, Charms, and Potions for the Whole Year
Sirona Knight

Let’s Talk Witch – Touching the Earth

Touching the Earth

 

The moon glows mystically in the star-scattered sky as a lone figure moves down a deserted beach.

The figure stops, bends, and grasps a gray stick washed up on the shore by the restless sea. Pushing the stick’s blunt end into the wet sand, the figure sketches a symbol.

A wave crashes. The figure moves back, and just as the oncoming water sweeps over the symbol, a gust of wind rises, blowing back the tightly wrapped scarf. A woman’s face appears in the soft moonlight.

She smiles, confident that the spell has worked, and sits listening to the crashing music of the sea. Why did the woman go to the ocean that night? Why did she draw a symbol on the sand? And how did these simple acts constitute magic?

Natural magic— rather, the magic of nature— is an uncomplicated, direct branch of the magical arts, one derived from eons of experimentation by peoples scattered over the globe. It is perhaps a response to the limitless powers of nature, the power visible in the ever-changing seasons, the blossoming of a bud, the birth of young.

The ways of nature magic are almost universally intended to work with the forces and energies of nature to bring about necessary changes. Though the techniques may seem to be oversimplified, even juvenile, they are effective.

The woman described above performed an act of nature magic. She worked with the ocean, a timeless source of energy revered and worshipped for hundreds of thousands of years. To direct the energies of the sea, she used a symbol. Symbolism— the language of magic and the subconscious mind— is a sort of magical shorthand. Though the symbols and runes have powers in themselves, they also, in effect, direct energies to specific ends. In other words, they tell the magic what to do.

So this woman went to the ocean on a moonlit night to tap into oceanic energies and drew a symbol on the sand to focus powers. When the wave washed the symbol away, it released its own powers and, thusly, the magic had begun.

Though it may take several days for the fruits of the night’s work to appear, they will undoubtedly do so. Time and experience will have proved this.
Natural magic is direct and to the point. Despite what you may have heard, magic is nothing supernatural, unnatural, or even alien. It is in our own backyards, our homes; in the very essence of our beings. The forces of nature empower magic, not demons and imps, “Satan,” or fallen angels.

One of the greatest mysteries of magic is that there are no mysteries. Instead, the mysteries are constantly revealed around us. The study of a simple rose blossom, blade of grass, veined leaf, or whistle of wind through leafy trees will reveal as much, if not more, concerning the true nature of magic than will a hundred dusty Renaissance tomes.

Nature is the universe itself. Not only its powers but also its manifestations. Some of these manifestations, such as mirrors, are artificially produced, but they are linked with and tap into the powers of nature by their symbolism. In our increasingly mechanized age, many people are finding themselves isolated from the planet that sustains and supports their very lives.

Forgotten is the very real dependency we have on the earth. Many people unconsciously sever their natural connections with the earth. As a result, a time of great turmoil exists today on an individual and global level.

Earth magic can help to sort out, work through, and solve many of the minor crises and problems facing us as individuals today. True, earth magic is not a simple solution to the world’s problems, but it can bring order into our lives, and that’s a good start.
Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magic
Scott Cunningham

365 Days of Legends, Folklore and Spirituality for September 15th – Birthday of the Moon

 September 15th

Birthday of the Moon

In Japan, the Birthday of the Moon is an annual event of great importance. To many Eastern cultures the moon represents the supreme feminine aspect (Yin) of the universe – Yang being the supreme masculine counterpart.

Legend has it that the emperor Ming Wond and his dedicated monk were strolling one night in the palace gardens. Ming, gazing upon the moon, questioned his friend as to what the moon was made of. Rather than trying to explain, he magickally transported Ming to the moon. The emperor was so overwhelmed by the experience that upon his return, he showered his people with gold. When questioned about the event, Ming Wong explained that the miracle had happened because it was the moon’s birthday.

Tuesday Is Ruled By Mars

Tuesday Is Ruled By Mars

Tuesday is a Mars day, and just like the god of war, this is the time to tap into magicks to call for strength and courage. This day of the week is for rebels and warriors. If you are facing a challenge of any kind, need a boost to your courage, or want to enhance your passions, Tuesday is the day of the week for you. Some suggestions for Tuesday enchantments would include:

*Wearing the fiery colors associated with this day: scarlet, red, black, and orange. Don some of the more daring and bewitching colors of your wardrobe on Tuesdays and turn a few heads

*Carrying a bloodstone in your pocket or wearing garnet-studded jewelry to reinforce your convictions

*Working with protective and fire-associated plants such as the snapdragon, thistle, and holly to boost your shields and bravery

*Burning spicy-scented energy-enhancing candles to add a little magical aromatherapy to your home

*Cooking up a hearty meal featuring carrots, peppers, and garlic (all Mars foods and spices) to empower yourself for victory and success

The Witches Correspondences for Tuesday, September 15th

The Witches Correspondences for Tuesday, September 15th

 

Tuesday (Tiw’s-day)

Planet: Mars

Colors: Red and Autumn Shades

Crystals: Bloodstone, Ruby, Garnet, Flint, Rhodonite, Iron and Steel

Aroma: Basil, Ginger, Black Pepper, Mars Oil, Dragon’s blood and patchouli

Herb: Basil

The day of Mars. This day could only ever symbolize the sheer power of the god of war! The ideal spells to be cast on this day are that of force, power war and protection.

Dedicated to the powers of the planet Mars, personified as Ares, Tiwaz, Tiw, and Tyr.

Magical aspects: controlled power, energy, and endurance, passion, sex, courage, aggression, and protection.

This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving courage, physical strength, revenge, military honors, surgery, the breaking of negative spells, dynamic energy, matrimony, war, enemies, prison, hunting, politics, contests, protection, victory, and athletics.

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, September 15th

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, September 15th

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

Birthday of the Moon (Chinese)

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

Moon phase: First Quarter

Moon Sign: Libra
Libra: Favors cooperation, social activities, beautification of surroundings, balance, and partnership

Incense: Ginger

Color: White

Tuesday’s Witchery

Tuesday’s Witchery

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday

Tuesday

A god, goddess, or planet governs each day of the week. It is usually easy to spot the ruler of the day by its name. The word Tuesday, however, is not so easy, but if we look at the word in Spanish, Martes, we clearly see its connections to Mars.

Because Tuesday revolves around the energy of Mars, Tuesdays are good for business, mechanical things, buying and selling animals, hunting, beginning studies, gardening, sexual activities, and confrontation. This is a day for sex magick, energy, stamina, and health. As in the old saying, Tuesdays child is full of grace, is also good for success magick and defense against enemies.

Angels of Tuesday are Camael, Samael, Satael, Amabiel, Friagne, and Hyniel. When invoked, Camael takes the form of a leopard. In Druid mythology he is a god of war, which is why we see him associated with Mars. Camael is said to be a member of the “Magnificent Seven” in some circles. Camael is another “terminator” angel.

Samael walks both worlds as a magician and sorcerer. some see him as the angel of death, others as “the bright and poisonous one.” Many consider him more of a demon, and accuse him of being Satan. However, there is reference to the satans (plural) as enforcers of the law, a sort of angelic police, if you will. Supposedly, when Samael is around, dogs howl in the night. On one hand, he is the ruler of the fifth heaven and in charge of two million angels; on the other, he is the one who changed into a serpent and convinced Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit of knowledge.

Satael is an angel of air invoked in magic rites and is the presiding spirit of the planet Mars. Amabiel is another spirit of the planet Mars; however he spends his energy on issues of human sexuality. Friagne, also an angel of this day, is invoked from the east. He is a member of the fifth heaven. Hyniel also belongs to this day and is subject to the east wind.

On Tuesdays the hour of sunrise and every eight hours after that are also ruled by Mars, and that makes these times of the day doubly blessed. These four hours are the strongest ones to do ritual in. Check your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine your local sunrise.

Source:
Gypsy Magic

Remain

Remain

One day you’ll look for me
You will not find me
For I have returned to the earth
From dust we are made
Dust we will return
Only one thing shall remain
My love for the things I cared most about
Even with time that can fade
Make wise what you pour your heart into
So you will have a everlasting flame
That will burn for all to see
For all that you love
To always remain
You can never be too sure
Just how much time one is given
Let love in
Let love live
You don’t want to be one who misses out
The best way to learn
Is by what life deals you
No it’s not a game
It is what you make of what you been dealt
Don’t give in
Don’t give up
Keep going to get that flame a blaze
Make your everlasting flame seen
Than a part of you shall always remain

Author: T. J. WhiteWolf

May the Goddess Bless You & Keep You In Her Love & Grace On This Tuesday Morn’!

We are not starting out our day as normal. It is a very solemn morning for all of us here as well as across the state of Kentucky. A young State Trooper was murdered over the weekend. It has hit home here for several reason. The KSP Post is not to far from us, there are several of the officers we know that work there and it is a horrible, horrible waste of life. When an incident like this hits home, it leaves one to wonder many things. Most of all what has happened to the human race, no respect for life. We are taught life is one of the most precious gift we are given. It is to be treasured always. The world has to change, not tomorrow or the next day, but now. We have to return to return to our core beliefs, we have to stop the senseless murders, violence and all other acts that violate the sanctity of life.

As you go throughout your day, please remember this fine trooper and the family he leaves behind in your prayers.

 

In Memory Of

PonderJoseph Cameron Ponder
Kentucky State Trooper

Trooper Ponder had been out of the academy for nine months. According to KSP Trooper Jay Thomas, “Ponder was new and he was eager. He absolutely loved his job.” Before coming to the State Police, Ponder was a navy diver and was honored with several awards including: Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Expert Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon and Expert Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.

He was discharged from the Navy in July 2013.

In January 2015, Ponder graduated from the KSP Training Academy. After graduation, he was stationed at Post 1 in Mayfield, Ky. He was assigned to the Trigg County area. He was always willing to help those who needed, kind and most of all eager to serve the people of this Commonwealth. Unfortunately, he life and career was tragically cut short Sunday night, September 13th.

According to Kentucky State Police, the incident started Sunday evening around 10:20 p.m. when Trooper Ponder stopped a car on I-24 near mile marker 58.

 

After making contact with the driver, the car sped off.

 

As Trooper Ponder gave chase, the vehicle suddenly stopped in front of him causing his police cruiser to hit the back of the suspect’s vehicle.

 

The suspect then fired several shots back at the cruiser, hitting the hood of the car, windshield, and Trooper Ponder.

 

Trooper Ponder was taken to Caldwell Medical Center in Princeton where he died of his injuries.

 

Trooper Ponder was a native of Rineyville, Kentucky and graduated from KSP training academy in January 2015.

 

He was stationed to Post 1, Mayfield and assigned to Trigg County
Trooper Ponder was 31 years old and leaves behind a mother, step-father, fiancee, a sister, two brothers, grandmother, a niece, a host of family & friends and a state that deeply mourns his death.

 

book95

May the Goddess Bless Officer Ponder,

May he find peace at last.

Till tomorrow, my sweets……

Goddess Bless PicturesWe leave you with one of our favorites and I know some of yours, Amazing Grace by Verna Knapp. Let the words burn through your heart and mind, because sometimes we forget what a very fortunate people we are!

Amazing grace, how sweet the Earth
that bore a witch like me!
I once was burned, now I survive,
was hung and now I sing.

T’was grace that drew down the moon
and grace that raised the seas.
The magic in the people’s will
will set our Mother free.

We face the East and breathe the winds
that move across this earth.
From gentle breeze to hurricane
our breath will bring forth the change.

Turn towards the South and feel the fire
that burns in you and me.
The spirit’s flame will rise again
and burn eternally.

We greet the West, our souls awash
in tides of primal birth.
Our tears and blood, our pain and love
will cleanse and heal the earth.

Reach into the North and know your roots
down deep ancestral caves.
We find the wisdom of the Crone,
Of circles we are made.

Amazing earth, enduring life,
from death into rebirth.
T’is earth I am and earth I love
and earth I’ll always be.

Amazing grace, how sweet the Earth
that bore witches like we.
We once were burned, now we survive,
were hung and now we sing.

Goddess bless, so mote it be,
Our magic spirals on.
Merry meet and merry part
and merry meet again.

Magickal Goody of the Day for September 14th – Magic Stress Eraser Mist

Magickal Goody of the Day

witch potion 001

Magic Stress Eraser Mist

 

Simple. It erases stress magickally. If stress is a challenge for you, it might be a good idea to keep a travel mister of this in your purse or at your desk.

You will need:

Bach Rescue Remedy

Essential oil of lavender

Essential oil of peppermint

Rose water in a mister

Put 4 drops of Rescue Remedy, 6 drops of lavender, and 4 drops of peppermint in the mister. Shake. Hold the bottle in both hands, and empower it with your intention to erase stress and create a peaceful, uplifting, and serene atmosphere. Visualize very bright white light filling the bottle.

Now you have the perfect way to ease all your stress away! Enjoy!

 

Magical Housekeeping

Tess Whitehurst

Crystal of the Day for September 14th is Malachite

Crystal of the Day

Malachite


Named for the Greek word for “mallow”, a green herb.

(Color: banded light and dark green or (if crystalline), just dark green)

Hardness: 3.5-4                
Specific Gravity: 3.9+                
Chemistry: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2, Copper Carbonate Hydroxide.        
Class: Carbonates              
Crystallography: monoclinic; 2/m                    
Cleavage: good in one direction                   
Fracture: conchoidal to splintery              
Streak: green                                
Luster: dull to silky

Healing: Malachite is known as a powerful healing stone. Use it to relieve stress and depression. It is also used in cases of rheumatism, asthma, Parkinson’s, MS, cholera, as well as some heart problems. Malachite is used for deep emotional healing. Malachite is useful for treating cramps such as menstrual cramps and is used to faciliate child birth. It is also used to lower ones blood pressure.

Workings: Malachite is used for money and love spells. Also for grounding and centering. Use it to absorb negative energies. Use malachite to enhance ones psychic abilities. It is used in protective magic (especially concerning children) and guards against negative influences and physical dangers. Ancient cultures believed that by drinking from malachite vessels we would be able to learn to communicate with the animal kingdom. Malachite is sometimes used for scrying purposes. It is often used for deep introspection. Its astrological signs are Capricorn and Scorpio. It vibrates to the number 9. Its energy is receptive, its planet is Venus and its associated Element is Earth.

Chakra Applications: Malachite is used to clear and activate all of the Chakras. Use it to stimulate the Throat and Heart chakras.

Foot Notes: Malachite was used as an eye paint in the Badarian age, circa 4000 BCE. Malachite dust is toxic, avoid breathing this dust.

Source:
Author: Crick
Website: The Whispering Woods

Herb of the Day for September 14th is Thyme

Herb of the Day

Thyme

(Thymus vulgaris)

Around 3000 BCE the Sumerians were using it as a medicinal ingredient, and the Egyptians included it among the herbs and spices used in mummification.

Medicinal Uses: Thyme is a powerful antiseptic. It is used in cases of anemia, bronchial ailments, and intestinal disturbances. It is used as an antiseptic against tooth decay, and destroys fungal infections as in athlete’s foot and skin parasites such as crabs and lice. It is good for colic, flatulence, and colds.It is used for sinusitis and asthma. Eliminates gas and reduces fever, mucus, and headaches. Good for chronic respiratory problems, colds, flu, bronchitis, whooping cough, and sore throat. Lowers cholesterol levels. Good to relieve coughs, and whooping cough. Externally, helps sprains and strains.

A poultice can be made from the leaves of thyme that will combat all forms of inflammation and infection. Effective against hookworms. Rub the extract between the toes daily for athlete’s foot. Used externally, the extract can be used daily for crabs, lice, and scabies.

Taken internally by standard infusion, thyme is a first-rate digestive, febrifuge and liver tonic. Anti-spasmodic and nervine, it is held to cure a wide range of psychological disorders, even insanity. Hysteria, halitosis and assorted female ailments, especially mastitis, loss of appetite. Thyme baths are said to be helpful for neurastenia, rheumatic problems,, paralysis, bruises, swellings, and sprains. The salve made from thyme can be used for shingles.

Thyme is an excellent lung cleanser. Use it to dry up and clear out moist phlegm and to treat whooping cough. It makes a good tea for the mother after childbirth, as it helps expel the placenta. Steep one-half teaspoon fresh herb or one teaspoon dried herb in one-half cup of hot water for five minutes. Take up to one and a half cups a day in quarter-cup doses. A natural antiseptic, thyme is often used in salves for wounds, swellings, sciatica, and failing eyes. The tea relives gas and colic (as does the oil, taken in one- to five-drop doses). The tincture can be used in ten- to twenty-drop doses, taken three times a day. Use thyme for headaches and hangovers.

Thyme oil should be reserved for topical use, as internally it may lead to dizziness, vomiting, and breathing difficulties

Magickal uses: The Greeks burned thyme in their temples to purify them as we do today to purify an area. Add it to the magickal, cleansing bath of springtime, along with marjoram, to remove all sorrows and ills of winter. It is worn or added to the ritual cup to aid in communicating with the deceased. (It also helps one see Otherworldly entities.) To ensure a restful night’s sleep free from nightmares, sleep with it beneath your pillow. When worn it will help psychic powers develop, and if worn be a woman in her hair, it will make her irresistible. The aroma will revitalize your strength and courage. A place where wild thyme grows will be a particularly powerful energy center on the Earth.

Properties: Anthelmitic, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant, sedative. Contains borneol, cavacrol, fluorine, gum, trace minerals, bitter principle, saponins, flavonoids, essential oils, tannins, triterpenic acids, and vitamins B-complex, C, and D.

Growth: Thyme is a perennial that loves warm, sunny fields, and is found throughout North America. Thyme has numerous woody stems 6-10 inches high, covered in fine hair, and flattish round leaves, growing in pairs. The flowers, small bluish-purple, two-lipped, are borne in whorled in dense, head-like clusters, blooming fro May to September, like the rest of the plant, are heavily scented. Thyme requires full sun and fairly dry, light, well-drained soil. Trim it back after flowering to prevent it from becoming woody.

Infusion: steep 1/2 tsp. fresh herb or 1 tsp. dried herb in 1/2 cup water for 3 to 5 minutes. Take 1 to 1 1/2 cups per day, a mouthful at a time.

Oil: take 10-20 drops, 3 times per day.

Bath additive: make a strong decoction and add to the bath water.

 

 

Source:
Author: Crick
Website: The Whispering Woods

Deity of the Day for September 14th – Njord, Norse God of the Sea

Deity of the Day

Njord

Norse God of the Sea

 

In Norse Paganism, Njörðr is a god among the Vanir. Njörðr, father of the deities Freyr and Freyja by his unnamed Vanir sister, was in an ill-fated marriage with the goddess Skaði, lives in Nóatún and is associated with sea, seafaring, wind, fishing, wealth, and crop fertility.

Njörðr is attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson, in euhemerized form as a beloved mythological early king of Sweden in Heimskringla, also written by Snorri Sturluson in the 13th century, as one of three gods invoked in the 14th century Hauksbók ring oath, and in numerous Scandinavian place names. Veneration of Njörðr survived into 18th or 19th century Norwegian folk practice, where the god is recorded as Njor and thanked for a bountiful catch of fish.

Njörðr has been the subject of an amount of scholarly discourse and theory, often connecting him with the figure of the much earlier attested Germanic goddess Nerthus, the hero Hadingus, and theorizing on his formerly more prominent place in Norse paganism due to the appearance of his name in numerous place names. Njörðr is sometimes modernly anglicized as Njord, Njoerd, or Njorth.

The name Njörðr corresponds to that of the older Germanic fertility goddess Nerthus, and both derive from the Proto-Germanic *Nerþuz. The original meaning of the name is contested, but it may be related to the Irish word nert which means “force” and “power”. It has been suggested that the change of sex from the female Nerthus to the male Njörðr is due to the fact that feminine nouns with u-stems disappeared early in Germanic language while the masculine nouns with u-stems prevailed. However, other scholars hold the change to be based not on grammatical gender but on the evolution of religious beliefs; that *Nerþuz and Njörðr appear as different genders because they are to be considered separate beings. The name Njörðr may be related to the name of the Norse goddess Njörun.

Njörðr’s name appears in various place names in Scandinavia, such as Nærdhæwi (now Nalavi), Njærdhavi (now Mjärdevi), Nærdhælunda (now Närlunda), Nierdhatunum (now Närtuna) in Sweden, Njarðvík in southwest Iceland, Njarðarlög and Njarðey (now Nærøy) in Norway. Njörðr’s name appears in a word for sponge; Njarðarvöttr (Old Norse “Njörðr’s glove”). Additionally, in Old Icelandic translations of Classical mythology the Roman god Saturn’s name is glossed as “Njörðr.

 

Theories about Njord

Nerthus

Njörðr is often identified with the goddess Nerthus, whose reverence by various Germanic tribes is described by Roman historian Tacitus in his 1st CE century work Germania. The connection between the two is due to the linguistic relationship between Njörðr and the reconstructed *Nerþuz” “Nerthus” being the feminine, Latinized form of what Njörðr would have looked like around 1 CE. This has led to theories about the relation of the two, including that Njörðr may have once been a hermaphroditic god or, generally considered more likely, that the name may indicate an otherwise unattested divine brother and sister pair such as Freyr and Freyja. Consequently, Nerthus has been identified with Njörðr’s unnamed sister with whom he had Freyja and Freyr, which is mentioned in Lokasenna.

Bieka-Galles

In Saami mythology, Bieka-Galles (or Biega-, Biegga-Galles, depending on dialect; “The Old Man of the Winds”) is a deity who rules over rain and wind, and is the subject of boat and wooden shovel (or, rather, oar) offerings. Due to similarities in between descriptions of Njörðr in Gylfaginning and descriptions of Bieka-Galles in 18th century missionary reports, Axel Olrik identified this deity as the result of influence from the seafaring North Germanic peoples on the landbound Saami.

Hadingus

Parallels have been pointed out between Njörðr and the figure of Hadingus, attested in book I of Saxo Grammaticus’ 13th century work Gesta Danorum. Some of these similarities include that, in parallel to Skaði and Njörðr in Skáldskaparmál, Hadingus is chosen by his wife Regnhild after selecting him from other men at a banquet by his lower legs, and, in parallel to Skaði and Njörðr in Gylfaginning, Hadingus complains in verse of his displeasure at his life away from the sea and how he is disturbed by the howls of wolves, while his wife Regnhild complains of life at the shore and states her annoyance at the screeching sea birds. Georges Dumézil theorized that in the tale Hadingus passes through all three functions of his trifunctional hypothesis, before ending as an Odinic hero, paralleling Njörðr’s passing from the Vanir to the Æsir in the Æsir-Vanir War.

Svafrþorinn

In stanza 8 of the poem Fjölsvinnsmál, Svafrþorinn is stated as the father of Menglöð by an unnamed mother, who the hero Svipdagr seeks. Menglöð has often been theorized as the goddess Freyja, and according to this theory, Svafrþorinn would therefore be Njörðr. The theory is complicated by the etymology of the name Svafrþorinn (þorinn meaning “brave” and svafr means “gossip”) (or possibly connects to sofa “sleep”), which Rudolf Simek says makes little sense when attempting to connect it to Njörðr.

 

Source:
Wikipedia

Astronomy Picture of the Day – Pluto from above Cthulhu Regio

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 September 14

Pluto from above Cthulhu Regio
Image Credit: NASA, Johns Hopkins Univ./APL, Southwest Research Inst.

 

Explanation: New high resolution images of Pluto are starting to arrive from the outer Solar System. The robotic New Horizons spacecraft, which zoomed by Pluto in July, has finished sending back some needed engineering data and is now transmitting selections from its tremendous storehouse of images of Pluto and its moons. The featured image, a digital composite, details a surprising terrain filled with craters, plains, landscape of unknown character, and landforms that resemble something on Earth but are quite unexpected on Pluto. The light area sprawling across the upper right has been dubbed Sputnik Planum and is being studied for its unusual smoothness, while the dark cratered area just under the spacecraft is known as Cthulhu Regio. So far, New Horizons has only shared a few percent of the images and data it took during its Pluto flyby, but will continue to send back new views of the dwarf planet even as it glides outward toward even more distant explorations.

Daily Planet Tracker: Saturn in Scorpio, Now Until Sep 17, 2015

Planet Tracker

Saturn in Scorpio

Now Until Sep 17, 2015

Saturn is the last planet visible to the naked eye. For millennia, it represented the limits of the solar system and came to symbolize time, structure and order. Saturn takes about 29 years to orbit the Sun, spending about two and a half years in each sign of the zodiac.

Saturn is the planet that says “no” but means “yes.” The no comes from Saturn showing us what isn’t working, sometimes in the form of frustrating blockages or delays. But these help us see where we need to put in effort to make concrete changes. Saturn says “yes” as the planet of crystallization that brings energy into matter. Saturn’s presence in a sign of the zodiac shows us where we are likely to meet limits and how to construct something useful.

Serious Saturn in survivalist Scorpio forces us to face the bottom line. Life and death, sex, power and our economic well being can be pushed to the limits during this two-year transit. Concentrating our efforts where they are most needed may require eliminating ideas, activities, objects or individuals that distract us from these essential tasks.

Take account of your desires, even the inappropriate ones. Knowing what you want helps you become a better negotiator in relationships. Being nice is, well, nice but doesn’t touch the depth of emotion associated with Scorpio. Partnerships grow when they are rooted in honesty, especially with ourselves. We can compromise in pursuit of our desires but if we don’t even know what they are, all we’re left with are manipulation and chance.

Getting the most out of our resources is another expression of Saturn in Scorpio. Scarcity could be a collective problem but, ideally, will lead to more efficient systems of production and distribution. Cleaning up toxins in the environment and within our bodies and minds are other healthy expressions of this transit.

How money is handled, especially involving insurance and debt, grows in importance with Saturn in Scorpio. There may be even more abuses in the financial world but that could be what it takes to make some significant reforms. Borrowing for well-defined purposes and with a realistic repayment schedule is an appropriate way to use this cycle.

Sexual repression is a dark side of Saturn in Scorpio. The AIDS epidemic was at a very high level in the early 80s, the last time this transit occurred. Responsiblity for erotic inclinations doesn’t mean that they should be suppressed but rather that we deepen our understanding of them. Tantra, a form of sacred sexuality, teaches us about intimacy that is not possible when we deny this essential part of ourselves.

 

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