Day: December 7, 2015

Get Ready for Yule, Magickal Goody of the Day, Making Your Own Spell Ornaments

Magickal Goody of the Day

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Yule Spell Ornament

As Yule approaches, the opportunities for spellwork are seemingly endless. If you have a holiday tree this year, why not use ornaments as a way of directing your magical energies? Make a spell ornament to bring prosperity, love, health, or creativity into your life.

You’ll need the following:

  • Clear plastic fillable ornament
  • Filler material associated with your purpose: herbs, small stones, colored paper or glitter, etc.
  • Colored ribbon

Fill the plastic halves of the ornament with items that are associated with your purpose. Try a couple of the following, or come up with your own combinations:

  • For a money spell, add shredded bits of play money, Bay leaf, basil, chamomile, clover, cinquefoil, tonka bean, Buckeye, pennyroyal; stones such as turquoise and amethyst; bits of green, silver or gold glitter.
  • For love magic, use Allspice, apple blossom, bleeding heart, catnip, lavender, periwinkle, peppermint, tulip, violet, daffodil; crystals such as rose quartz or emerald, coral; small heart-shaped cutouts, bits of pink or red glitter.
  • For workings related to creativity and inspiration, add feathers, sage, tobacco leaf, hazelwood or birch, symbols of artistry such as paintbrush tips, crayons, or colored thread. Add diamonds, quartz crystals, also consider colors like yellow and gold.
  • If you’re doing healing magic, use Apple blossom, lavender, barley, comfrey, eucalyptus, fennel, chamomile, allspice, olive, rosemary, rue, sandalwood, wintergreen, peppermint.

As you’re filling your ornament, focus on your intent. Think about what your purpose is in creating such a working. For some people, it helps to chant a small incantation while they work – if you’re one of those folks, you might want to try something like this:

Magic shall come as I order today,
bringing prosperity blessings my way.
Magic to hang on a green Yule tree;
as I will, so it shall be.

Once you’ve filled your ornament, place the two halves together. Tie a colored ribbon around the center to keep the halves from separating (you may need to add a dab of craft glue for stability) and then hang your ornament in a place where you can see it during the Yule season.

Gift-giving tip: Make a whole box of these with different purposes, and share them with your friends at the holidays!

 

 

Source:

Crystal of the Day for December 7th is Dolomite

Crystal of the Day

Dolomite    


(Color: often pink or pinkish and can be colorless, white, yellow, gray or even brown or black when iron is present in the crystal)
Hardness: 3.5-4                    
Specific Gravity: 2.86
Chemistry: (Calcium Magnesium Carbonate) CaMg(CO3)2         
Class: Carbonates           
Crystallography: trigonal; bar 3                       
Cleavage: perfect in three directions forming rhombohedrons              
Fracture: conchoidal                       
Streak: White                  
Luster: pearly to vitreous to dull

Dolomite, is named for the French mineralogist Deodat de Dolomieu.

Healing: Dolomite is used to bolster ones calcium content. Also helps with PMS. Dolomite is used to lift ones spirits and to relieve sorrow. Astrological sign of Aries. Vibrates to the number 3.

Workings: Dolomite is used to enhance the energy of ones spells. Its atrological sign is Ares. Vibrates to the number 3.

Chakra Applications: Used to open and heal the Heart chakra. Also used to align, balance and to remove blockage from the Chakras.

Foot Notes: Dolomite is a very common mineral and can be found in many localities throughout the world, but is well known from sites in Midwestern quarries of the USA; Ontario, Canada; Mexico; Switzerland; and in Pamplona, Spain. The amount of calcium and magnesium in most specimens is equal, but occasionally one element may have a slightly greater presence than the other. Dolomite is used to make magnesia, which has important medicinal applications. Dolomite is also used as an ornamental and structural stone, and for extracting certain metals from their ores. It is useful in the chemical industry in the preparation of magnesium salts. Best field indicators are typical pink color, crystal habit, hardness, slow reaction to acid, density and luster.
Source:
Author: Crick
Website: The Whispering Woods

Herb of the Day for December 7th is Bearberry

Herb of the Day

  Bearberry

Bear Grape, Crowberry, Foxberry, Uva-ursi, Yukon holly


Medicinal Uses: Bearberry was smoked in peace pipes by American Indians to promote calming and mental clarity. People of the Middle Ages believed that since bearberry grew in sandy, gravely soils, it would effectively remove “sand” and “gravel” from the kidneys.
Bearberry is considered to be a kidney herb. Primarily it is used for bladder infection, kidney infection and irritation. The plant is believed to have urinary antiseptic properties. It helps to reduce accumulations of uric acid and to relive the pain of bladder stones and gravel. It is used to alleviate chronic cystitis. The tea or tincture is used for bronchitis, nephritis, and kidney stones.                      
It is used to strengthen the heart muscle.  Also used as a broad-range remedy for diabetes, liver and spleen problems (to cleanse and strengthen), hemorrhoids, and mucous discharges.                                                                   
Used in combination with blueberry for diabetes (20-40 drops tincture of blueberry leaves, 10-20 drops tincture of bearberry; dose is 10-20 drops in water three times daily).

Magickal uses: Uva-ursi is used to increase psychic powers. Used in a shaman smoking mixture. Ruled by the planet Mars and Pluto.

Properties: Diuretic, strongly astringent, tonic. Contains arbutin (a powerful astringent that has antiseptic properties), chorine, ellagic acid, ericolin, gallic acid, hydroquinolone, malic acid, methyl-arbutin, myricetin, volatile oils, quercetin, tannins, ursolic acid, ursone, and a substance similar to quercetin. Tannin is present up to 6% or 7%.

Growth: A sprawling shrub with much-branched irregular stems and evergreen leaves with a single, long, fibrous main root which sends out several prostrate stems from which grow erect, branching stems 4 to 6 inches high; found over most of the northern hemisphere (primarily the mountains of Europe, Asia, and America, it is also common in Scotland on heaths and barren places in hilly terrain (especially the Highlands), and extends as far south as Yorkshire. Also found on hills of northwestern Ireland. In North America it is found throughout Canada and the United States as far south as New Jersey and Wisconsin.    

Infusion: soak the leaves in alcohol (not rubbing alcohol) or brandy, then add 1 tsp. soaked leaves to 1 cup boiling water. Drink 2-3 cups per day, cold. You can let the leaves soak in brandy for a whole week before making the infusion with water and add a tsp. of the brandy to each cup of infusion. Do not boil this herb. Just steep in boiling-hot water.

Dried herb: mix 1 tbsp. in 8 oz. warm water. Drink 1 cup daily.

Tincture: take 10 to 20 drops in water, 3 to 4 times per day.

Not to be taken by pregnant women or those breastfeeding, by children, or those with kidney disease. High doses cause nausea and can actually inflame the lining of the bladder and urinary tract. Overuse can cause symptoms of poisoning. Long term use can cause liver damage, especially in children.
Source:
Author: Crick

Deity of the Day for December 7th is Loki, the Trickster

Deity of the Day

Loki

In Norse mythology, Loki is known as a trickster. He is described in the Prose Edda as a “contriver of fraud.” It’s important to remember that “trickster” does not mean someone who plays fun jokes and pranks – Loki’s trickery is all about mischief and mayhem.

Origins and History

Although he doesn’t appear often in the Eddas, Loki is generally described as a member of the family of Odin.

There is little archaeological reference to Loki (pronounced LOW-key), but in the small village of Kirkby Stephen, England, there is a tenth-century stone with a carving on it.

It is believed that the bound, horned figure carved upon the stone is in fact Loki, who was likely brought to England by Saxon settlers in the area. Also, near Snaptun, Denmark, there is a stone from around the same time as the Kirkby Stephen stone; the carving on this one is identified as Loki as well, due to scarring on the lips. In a story in which he tries to get the better of the dwarf Brokkr, Loki is disfigured and earns the nickname Scar-lip.

Appearance

Although some Norse deities are often associated with symbols – such as Odin and his ravens, or Thor and his mighty hammer – Loki does not appear to have a particular item assigned to him by the Norse eddas or sagas.

While there has been some speculation that he may be associated with particular runes, there is no scholarly or academic evidence to support this. Furthermore, this is an illogical argument in the context of Norse culture – keep in mind that stories and legends were passed down orally, from one generation to the next, and not written down. Runes were used for divination, but not for written storytelling.

As to his physical appearance, Loki was a shapeshifter and could appear any way he liked. In the Gylfaginning, which is one of the Prose eddas, he is described as being “pleasing and handsome,” but there are no details as to what those words describe. Early carvings portray him with horns on his head, but those may be a representation of one of the shapes he adopts, rather than his regular form.

Mythology

A shapeshifter who could appear as any animal, or as a person of either sex, Loki was constantly meddling in the affairs of others, mostly for his own amusement. Disguised as a woman, Loki fools Frigga into telling him about the weakness of her son Baldur.

Just for fun, Loki tricks Baldur’s blind twin, Hod, into killing him with a spear made of mistletoe. At one point, Loki spent eight years disguised as a milkmaid, and got stuck milking cows because his disguise was so convincing.

Loki is typically described as the husband of the goddess Sigyn, but he seems to have procreated with just about anyone and anything that struck his fancy. Because he could take male or female form, at one point Loki turned himself into a mare and mated with a mighty stallion, so he actually was the mother of Odin’s magical eight-legged horse Sleipnir.

Loki is known for bringing about chaos and discord, but by challenging the gods, he also brings about change. Without Loki’s influence, the gods may become complacent, so Loki does actually serve a worthwhile purpose, much as Coyote does in the Native American tales, or Anansi the spider in West African lore.

Worship & Celebration

Despite his divine or demi-god status, there’s little evidence to show that Loki had a following of worshipers of his own; in other words, his job was mostly to make trouble for other gods, men, and the rest of the world.

For an excellent dissertation looking at Loki in his many forms, read Shawn Christopher Krause-Loner’s paper Scar-lip, Sky-walker, and Mischief-Monger: The Norse God Loki as Trickster.

Honoring Loki Today

Loki has seen a resurgence in interest lately, due in no small part to his portrayal by actor Tom Hiddleston (see photo above) in the Avengers films, but just because he’s becoming popular doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to call upon him. If you’ve spent any time reading Norse mythology, you know that Loki is a bit of an outcast, slightly manic, will do sneaky things for his own amusement, and doesn’t seem to have much respect for boundaries. If you invite Loki into your life, there’s a possibility you won’t be getting rid of him until he’s good and ready to leave.

 

Source:

Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by About.com

 

Astronomy Picture of the Day – Comet Catalina Emerges

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 December 7

Comet Catalina Emerges
Image Credit & Copyright: Fritz Helmut Hemmerich

 

Explanation: Comet Catalina is ready for its close-up. The giant snowball from the outer Solar System, known formally as C/2013 US10 (Catalina), rounded the Sun last month and is now headed for its closest approach to Earth in January. With the glow of the Moon now also out of the way, morning observers in Earth’s northern hemisphere are getting their best ever view of the new comet. And Comet Catalina is not disappointing. Although not as bright as early predictions, the comet is sporting both dust (lower left) and ion (upper right) tails, making it an impressive object for binoculars and long-exposure cameras. The featured image was taken last week from the Canary Islands, off the northwest coast of Africa. Sky enthusiasts around the world will surely be tracking the comet over the next few months to see how it evolves.

The Night Sky for Dec. 7th, Orion the Hunter and the Milky Way

Orion the Hunter and the Milky Way

Tonight – or any December evening – find the famous constellations Orion the Hunter, and see the Milky Way. Orion is bright and can be seen from inside smaller cities. For the Milky Way, you’ll need a dark sky!

Throughout December, the constellation Orion is up by mid-evening; by that, we mean by midway between sunset and midnight. Like all the starry sky, Orion rises earlier each evening, and, by late December, Orion is seen at nightfall or early evening. That’s true for the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, by the way.

Orion is a summer constellation for the Southern Hemisphere.

For us in the Northern Hemisphere, because this constellation is up on our long December and January nights, we tend to associate Orion with the winter season.

As seen from this hemisphere, after Orion rises, the three stars of Orion’s Belt jut pretty much straight up from the horizon. Look on either side of the Belt stars for two very bright stars. One is the reddish star Betelgeuse. The other is bright, blue-white Rigel.

Because so many people are familiar with Orion, this constellation is a great jumping off spot for finding the pathway of stars known as the Milky Way, assuming you have a dark sky. Given a dark sky, you can see this archway of stars running near Betelgeuse on the sky’s dome, as shown on the chart at the top of this post.

When we look at this band of luminescence, we’re viewing the galactic disk edgewise – the combined glow of billions of stars. You may know that – in the month of August – the Milky Way appears broad and bright during the evening hours. At that time of year, in the evening, all of us on Earth are gazing toward the center of the galaxy.

Now Earth has traveled in its orbit around the sun, and our evening sky is pointing out in a different direction. If you see the Milky Way near the constellation Orion this month, you might think it’s very faint in contrast to the August Milky Way. That’s because now we’re looking toward the galaxy’s outer edge, and there are fewer stars between us and intergalactic space.

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Your Daily Influences for Monday, December 7th

Your Daily Influences
December 7, 2015

 

 

The Hanged Man Reversed
The card of false prophecy and time wasted. The reversed Hanged Man represents a preoccupation with the worldly and wasted energy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

The Tau Cross
A journey that you or someone close to you must make will have a positive influence on this aspect. This trip may be over a great distance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Let’s Shuffle Your Cards for the Day, Your Past, Present & Future Reading for Dec. 7th

Shuffling the Cards, Your Past Present & Future Reading for Today Using the Ancient Symbol Cards

 

 

Past Influence whose impact on your life is waning.

The Believer

The Believer represents Faith and the realization that you have an important place in the workings of the Universe. Although The Believer may not always understand why things are the way they are, they none-the-less feel an underlying cosmic rhythm which is moving events in a direction that is good. The Believer rejoices in their celestial role, because they realize their life has purpose on a grand scale.

 

 

 
Present Influence whose impact on your life is very strong.

Alturism

Altruism denotes the noble act of giving to those in need without the expectation of a return. The act of giving has been seen as one of humankind’s greatest attributes throughout history. It is honored in nearly every culture. To give is a gift to both those who receive and those who give. Giving is usually associated with addressing the material needs of others, but the gift given can take many forms such as wisdom or protection or simply a shoulder to cry on.

 

 

 

Future influence whose impact on your life is growing and will be very strong in the future.

Solitude

Solitude is represented by a single person standing at the end of a boardwalk staring out at a vast, empty panorama. They are truly alone, but may not feel loneliness. They are at a place in their life where the need to withdraw from the our secular world is strong, because their focus should be on their inner self, their morality, and their dreams. The view before them is empty, but it is a canvas on which they may paint their future–a future restricted only by the size of their imagination and courage. For them Solitude is a choice. They chose to take the walkway that distances them from the rest of us. It is also a choice that can be undone. Just as they chose to take a path that leads them away from us, they may choose to turn around and come back at anytime.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for December 7th is The Owl

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Owl


The powerful Owl easily makes its way through the darkest night on muted wings. Often it is only their haunting call echoing across the land that lets us know The Owl is near. Because of its amazing night vision, many cultures have attributed wisdom and the ability to uncover even the deepest secrets to the enigmatic, noble Owl. The Owl’s nocturnal prowess has lead many to see them as a messenger between the material and spirit worlds. Cultures as distinct as the African Zulus and ancient Celtics have ascribed magical powers to The Owl made them a revered companion to shaman and wizards.

As a daily card, The Owl marks a moment when wise decisions and actions must be made based upon information known to only a few, or possibly only you. It marks a time when your vision is likely to be clearer, more acute than of those around you. Spiritual revelations may be made. Secrets may be revealed that demand decisive action.

Your Daily Witches Rune for Dec. 7th is The Eye

 

Today’s Witches Rune

The Eye

Meaning: The eye has always been a powerful symbol for different cultures. Some believe that the soul resides in them, while others think it’s possible to curse a person merely by looking at them. Through our eyes we connect and express emotions and thoughts. Thus, this is one of the most powerful runes in the set, emphasizing the importance of any rune close to it. The Eye symbol is also related to “vision” is all senses, including the physical. This rune can represent our eyes and optic nerves. It can also represent activities such as research, analysis, photography and creative visualization. When it appears, there’s an urge to observe, to explore, to understand deeply what is before you. This rune is usually related to sudden realizations. Not necessarily a ‘shock’ (unless some violent rune is close it, like the Scythe and the Man), but more related to the lifting of veils. Your eyes are suddenly open, and you see things that were unknown to you before. A change of perception and focus in life is to be expected when this rune appears… whatever the situation is, the way you see it will be transformed.

The Eye rune also says that now it’s time for you to go after what you want. Your focus is powerful right now, and everything you concentrate on can become successful.This rune often represents a lonely journey towards a goal… it suggests a calling and a connection to something bigger, a sense of purpose. Your path is clear to you now; you know which way to go, even if you don’t know where exactly it’ll take you. In a spiritual level, This rune can represent a development of one’s psychic skills, or an advancement in one’s spiritual path. As you connect yourself to a deeper source, and learn to trust, you gain wisdom and your eyes see far. A higher power seems to be guiding you in times when the Eye appears. Like the Sun rune, this rune can mean that right now all eyes are on you. But unlike the former symbol, when the Eye appears there’s some discomfort related to such attention. It may be excessive and even unwelcome. In fact, this is one of this rune’s most negative facets: it may show an invasion of privacy, when someone (or even you) pry into another’s life and scrutinize their every move. Beware of flatterers and stalkers. The Eye cautions against obsession and the tendency to spy on other people’s affairs. In a relationship reading, the Eye can symbolize a predestined bond to another person.

Note that this does not promise a happy ending, but simply says that this connection is powerful and will be very important in your life. In fact, because the Eye rune is a solitary one, it is possible that the people in the relationship cannot be together due to difficult circumstances. Still, your bond that person will transform you. In a negative way, this rune can cautions against invading your partner’s personal space or stalking them.

 

 

Additional information about Today’s Witches Rune courtesy of Your Spiritual Journey Australia

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Dec. 7th is The Emperor

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

The Emperor


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.

Casting the Stones, Your Past, Present & Future Reading for Dec. 7th

Casting the Stones, Your Past, Present & Future Reading for Today

 

bw-perthroThe Past
Perthro

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.

 

bw-fehuThe Present
Fehu

Fehu is the Rune of prosperity, good luck and unbridled creative energies. Being associated with Frey, this Rune is also a powerful omen of fertility. Fehu is one of the three Mother Stones and should never be taken lightly.

 

bw-naudhizThe Future
Naudhiz

Naudhiz reversed may tell of needs met and harmonious relationships. Your passions for someone or something may be at their pinnacle.

 

Your Daily Rune for Monday, December 7th is Kenaz

bw-kenaz

bw-kenazYour Rune For Today
Kenaz

Kenaz foretells the coming of clarity and knowledge. It is time for you to grow by exchanging knowledge with others. Opportunities are upon you.

Additional information about Today’s Rune, Kenaz

kenaz : torch

 

Phonetic equivalent: k (can also be used as a hard ‘c’)

 

DIVINATORY MEANINGS:
wisdom, insight, solution to a problem, creativity, inspiration, enlightenment

 

MAGICAL USES:
for creative inspiration, aid in study, fertility, dispelling anxiety and fear

 

ASSOCIATED MYTHS & DEITIES:
Mimir, the Dwarfs, Muspellheim

 

ANALYSIS:
In modern usage, the Scottish ‘ken’ means to know or understand, and this is the sense in which the rune should interpreted. Today, light, inspiration and knowledge are often associated, as in ‘gaining enlightenment’ and ‘shedding light on the problem’, and even in the image of a lightbulb going on over someone’s head when they get an idea. To bring light is to make the invisible visible.Unlike the wisdom gained at þurisaz, kenaz only allows us to take bits and pieces of this knowledge away with us as we need it, usually at the discretion of the Gods. This knowledge will generally come in the form of a sudden inspiration, and we will be able to see clearly the answer that was once hidden from us. This form of wisdom is more closely associated with the right half of the brain than the left, since it does not come through conscious effort but rather through passively opening one’s self to it. Thus, a more feminine element is added to our journeyer’s experience.
 

The act of bringing light into the darkness is also a creative one. Again consider the image of the person carrying a torch , representing the masculine elements of fire and air, entering the cave and penetrating the feminine realm of earth and water. This joining of masculine and feminine elements results in the creation of new ideas. In physical terms, this can be correlated to the application of fire to mold and shape matter – the art of the smith.

 

Your Daily Tarot Power Cards for Monday, December 7th

Your Tarot Power Cards

This reading represents strengths you were born with.

The World

Like The Sun, The World brings good blessings to your set of personal cards. The World appears where all is in balance. It allows you to act effectively not only as an individual but as a member of a group too. The World promises contentment, fulfillment and completeness to those under its influence. It doesn’t guarantee there will not be moments of strife or discord in your life, but it does indicate that your trials and tribulations will be overcome; that ultimately you will know inner-peace and contentment. The World suggests you have found or will find your place in our Universe—that place where all is as it should be.

When Temperance or The Sun are among your personal cards, the influence of The World may be increased. Having The Hermit in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The World.

The Empress

The Empress is “The Earth Mother” of the Tarot. She embodies all that is nurturing, clean and wholesome. Her powers resonate from her drive to create and care for life on a grand scale. She is in tune with Nature’s rhythm and realizes that life’s most pleasurable moments often stem from the simplest things. She is not afraid to enjoy herself–to let loose—to the point of being lavish. Abundance and luxury are important to her. The Empress is completely comfortable with her femininity and her sexuality. She is sensual, earthy, generous, and likes the good life. Still, her driving force is a need to create and nurture, and fulfilling this need overrides everything else.

When The Lover or The Star are among your personal cards, the influence of The Empress may be increased. Having the Emperor or Death in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The Empress.

Your Daily Tarot Card for December 7th is The Fool

 

 

 

 

Tarot Card of the Day

December 7, 2015

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The Fool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pamela Coleman-Smith’s artful rendition of an “innocent Fool” archetype (Rider-Waite deck) is often used to represent Tarot in general. Early classical versions of the Fool card, however, portray quite a different character — a person driven by base needs and urges, who has fallen into a state of poverty and deprivation.

In some instances, he is made out to be a carnival entertainer or a huckster. In others, he is portrayed as decrepit and vulnerable — as the cumulative result of his delusions and failures. Not until the 20th century do you see the popular Rider-Waite image of the Fool arise — that of an innocent Soul before its Fall into Matter, as yet untainted by contact with society and all its ills.

Modern decks usually borrow from the Rider-Waite imagery. Most Fool cards copy the bucolic mountainside scene, the butterfly, the potential misplaced step that will send the Fool tumbling into the unknown. Don’t forget, however, that the earlier versions of this card represented already-fallen humanity, over-identified with the material plane of existence, and beginning a pilgrimage towards self-knowledge, and eventually, wisdom. The Fool reminds us to recognize the path of personal development within ourselves — and the stage upon that path where we find ourselves — in order to energize our movement toward deeper self-realization.

 

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