This is a three Rune cast intended to shed light on what is, what was, and what will be.
The Past Ansuz
Ansuz represents mankind’s spiritual connection to God and the universe. It is often referred to as the “God Rune.” This Rune embodies reason, truth and justice. It denotes the coming of knowledge and true counsel from a higher authority.
The Present Sowilo
The Sun Rune, denotes power and strength. That which you want may be attained. Sowilo also denotes mental clarity and added warmth to your relationships.
The Future Laguz
Laguz is the feminine Rune. It denotes a deep sexuality and fertility. Laguz also represents that which is ever changing and renewal. You may be in a tremendous spiritual growth period.
Jera denotes positive, recurring cycles, fertility and a time to harvest rewards from your hard work.
Additional information about Today’s Rune, Jera, courtesy of The Runic Journey
jera : year, harvest
Phonetic equivalent:y (but may be used in place of ‘j’)
DIVINATORY MEANINGS: change, cycle turning, reward, motion, productivity, inevitable development
MAGICAL USES: to bring change; for fertility and growth
ASSOCIATED MYTHS & DEITIES: Sif, Thor, Freyr, Granni
ANALYSIS: In this modern age of central heating and oranges in February, it is difficult to imagine the close ties that people once had with the cycles of the year, particularly in the more Northern climes. The changing seasons affected not only the weather, but also the day to day activities and even the diets of ancient peoples. Constant change was the norm, and the object was to become attuned with those changes, not to fight against them. An ancient farmer (or even some modern ones) wouldn’t need to look at a calendar to tell him when to plant, or read a weather forecast to know when the snows were coming. The changing seasons were a part of his blood and bones, and his very existence depended on adapting to change.
Jera follows Isa just as spring follows winter. The frozen stagnancy of ice is broken by the turning of the wheel, and things are once again moving along as they should. In fact, we have now broken out of the entire set ‘negative’ runes with which we began this aett. This has been accomplished not by fighting to escape the ice or railing against the unfairness of fate, but by learning from those experiences and simply waiting for the inevitable thaw. Jera is the communion wine – the product of the joining of opposites bringing life. Storms may come and go, but the sun is always there and life is generally pretty good. Enjoy it while you can.
First and foremost Death does not specifically pertain to our physical death. The Death card marks ends and beginnings. Although most illustrations of the Death card tend to be morbid, the forces behind the Death card are actually quite exciting. Yes Death does mark the end of something. But ends are often brought about by completion and not loss. Most endings are actually good, and make room for us to begin new adventures.
When The Tower is among your personal cards, the influence of Death may be increased. Having The Fool or The Empress in your personal cards may diminish the influence of Death.
The Emperor
The Emperor is gifted with the skills to successfully lead others. He can turn chaos into order, 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 he may well become a tyrant.
When The Hierophant or Justice are among your personal cards, the influence of The Emperor may be increased. Having The Empress in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The Emperor.
The Moon represents those forces which remain largely hidden to us. The light of the moon provides some illumination down a path into the unknown, but not enough to brighten the landscape like The Sun, or cut through the dark shadows from which the unexpected may leap. However, The Moon is not without gifts we can use. She spurs our imagination and creativity. She can be a portal to knowledge and experience beyond the realm of our everyday lives. But Her offerings are not available to the feint of heart. To receive what The Moon offers one must have the courage to follow uncharted paths and the intelligence to find truths hidden in a bewildering setting rife with illusion. For those who can make this journey the reward may be finding the key to making their dreams come true.
The Moon has been in your adventure sector for a couple of days, dear Aries, but you haven’t felt especially free to explore and discover with influences that pulled you into rather serious tasks and activities. Take the opportunity for freeform exploration today and let your mind wander, if possible. As you let go, interesting ideas can come to you more intuitively, as well as possible solutions to recent dilemmas. At the very least, you are more able to rise above the mundane elements of your life and tune in to something higher. The Moon moves into your career and reputation sector tonight, where it will spend a couple of days reminding you of your goals and ambitions.
Taurus
Taurus
The Moon continues its transit of your solar eighth house until this evening, dear Taurus, and you’re inclined to prefer observing than taking concrete action. This is a good thing, because entirely new endeavors may not get off the ground with the more carefree energies of the day. Let your mind lead the way and avoid too-heavy thinking for now. You might come up with an inventive way for dealing with a tricky matter that you may not discover if you focus on trying to find the answers. Stepping back from a matter can be the best thing you can do right now. The Moon’s move into your sector of spirit and learning this evening awakens your need for a new focus.
Gemini
Gemini
Your ruler, Mercury, forms a parallel with Saturn today, dear Gemini, and while it’s not an ideal time for locking yourself into a new plan, you have a distinctly practical and matter of fact approach to your world today. You’re also inclined to want to pair up in some way as you go about your business. You may feel a little more dependent on others than usual, and you can be quite relationship-focused now. This can mean you prefer running ideas past others before finalizing decisions. You’re likely to do some deeper thinking tomorrow, so it might be wise to keep things light today.
Cancer
Cancer
With the Moon in your particular solar sixth house until this evening, dear Cancer, if something is out of place and left undone, you’re sure to feel it now. Honing in on the flaws and inconsistencies in your life doesn’t have to be a negative thing. In fact, it’s a good time for seeing problems for what they are and finding solutions. However, keep things light now. Take on activities that help you add a little more order to your daily life. With the Moon’s move into your partnership sector tonight, your need for companionship is stimulated.
Leo
Leo
While your interactions for most of the day may not be especially fruitful, dear Leo, this is a fine time for freeform activities and relatively carefree moments. Any relationships that have become a little too serious or heavy recently can benefit from playful energy. You’re inclined not to think too far ahead of yourself just for the time being, and this kind of breather from serious thought can be exactly what you need to come back at things later more refreshed. You’ll feel a little more productive tonight.
Virgo
Virgo
After some heavy thinking and doing, dear Virgo, today’s more freeform energies can be welcome. You may be a little less adventurous with the Moon in your familiar, secure solar fourth house until tonight. You are inclined to stick close to home, if not literally, also figuratively speaking, as you may not venture far from familiar settings, people, and mindsets. Tonight, the Moon moves into your creative sector, and this can pull up your need for more interaction with others and channels for self-expression.
Libra
Libra
While there have been some productive days behind you, dear Libra, you may feel the need for a bit of a break from heavy thinking and planning. Today’s energies favor a breather of sorts. You’re more inclined to dabble than to focus, and this can work well for you at the moment. You can learn a lot today from the people you connect with. Even if it’s not substantial, it’s about discovering some of the little things about people that get you a little closer. Novelty and changes of scenery are in focus. By tonight, you’re likely to be craving a little more structure and security.
Scorpio
Scorpio
Much of the day favors a freeform approach rather than new endeavors, dear Scorpio. You’re drawn to comforting, earthy, and sensual activities as your attention is drawn to the world of the five senses. However, ideas are especially progressive for work and health matters. You may be bringing different approaches and methods to the table now. Tonight, you’re inclined to seek out a little more structure, and to begin locking things down and taking care of business.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
The Moon in your sign most of the day, dear Sagittarius, gives you license to focus on yourself and your needs. This can be refreshing after a couple of days of heavier emotional investment and thinking. You’re not especially geared towards tight schedules and rules right now, so it would be wise to avoid taking on too much now. Give your mind a rest and seek out good company or undemanding activities. Tonight, emotions tend to steady and you may begin to think about more practical matters.
Capricorn
Capricorn
Some time spent in the background can suit you well for much of the day, dear Capricorn. Going about your business under the radar can help refresh you now. Be sure to say no to extra time and energy commitments if possible. Keep things as light as possible in preparation for busier days ahead, particularly with Venus and Pluto heading towards a conjunction in your own sign tomorrow. The Moon moves into your sign tonight, and you’ll begin to feel the need for external reinforcement, as well as a new focus or plan.
Aquarius
Aquarius
While it’s not an ideal time to begin a brand new endeavor, dear Aquarius, you’re in a great position to dream up interesting new ideas and connect with your personal interests in a new way. Ideas can’t be pushed or structured today, and are best come by when you aren’t trying too hard. Grab any opportunity to take a load off and avoid, if possible, activities that have you chained to a desk. The Moon moves into your privacy sector for a couple of days tonight, and this inclines you to need a little more personal time and space.
Pisces
Pisces
You’ve done some heavy thinking and planning, dear Pisces, and there’s some more of that on the way, but for now, try to let go a little. The day’s energies do require you to be accountable, but the fewer rules and structures to deal with, the better. However, do pay attention to any ideas that surface about money and business, because they can be quite progressive and worthwhile. Tonight, you may feel a burst of motivation, but you’re still inclined to want to unwind and let things flow.
You are inspired, flexible, and able to bounce back quickly from any setback. Your imagination is wild, your expectations sometimes unrealistic, and your compassion boundless. There is certainly an artistic streak in you, and whether or not you can turn this into a career, you do see the world through an artist’s eyes. You are a true giver, but should be careful not to take on more than you can handle–and this is true not only in career and day-to-day life, but in your interpersonal relationships as well.
Famous people born today: Nathan Lane, James Michener, Gertrude Stein, Morgan Fairchild.
Making deep, long-lasting changes is favored today, and especially this morning, dear Aries. Organizing a group endeavor may figure strongly now, and can be quite successful. People in your life tend to be showing their support through their actions and help you to feel more secure. A realistic approach to your relationships wins favor right now – expectations are strong but reasonable. There may be a need to cut something out, particularly when it comes to friendship matters or group activities, and possibly also superfluous goals. You are more able to see what is tripping you up, and from there you can take the necessary steps to make improvements. Gaining power or advancing your interests on professional levels can be in focus. It’s an excellent time for getting support.
Taurus
Taurus
This can be a good time for gaining others’ support and for activities with a partner, dear Taurus. Your ambition to get things done is stimulated today, and you are very willing to handle the necessary details that will make you feel more in charge and on top of things. All types of “pruning” activities are favored, as it’s easier than usual to identify the truly frivolous time wasters and energy drainers. You are learning how to make the best of what you have. Business benefits from using strategy in your planning. This is also a powerful time for bonding with a partner or furthering a forming relationship. Cooperation comes in the areas of joint finances or assets.
Gemini
Gemini
Saturn in your partnership zone can sometimes show you the more challenging side of relationships, dear Gemini, but today’s Sun-Saturn influence can spotlight one of the positive sides to this transit. You may be benefiting from entertaining fewer (not lower) expectations of others. Patience with others has strong rewards for you. There can be positive steps taken towards becoming healthier or obtaining better health care. A determination to take care of areas you’ve neglected can be behind this. This is also a strong time for broaching tricky topics, getting a load off your chest, and resolving emotional conflicts and problems. You’re coming across well, and people are finding you relatable.
Cancer
Cancer
This can be a fabulous time for stirring up passion in a relationship, dear Cancer, and for taking a connection to the next level. Conversations and admissions may stir up some deep matter, but there is excellent energy with you for moving beyond a problem and growing in the process. Address problem areas. This can also be a practically productive time. Research and digging for answers can be appealing and rewarding now. Saturn’s transit has been placing more demands on you for effort in your work and accomplishing daily goals. This is a good time for meeting these responsibilities and working on building your health, both mental and physical. A mature approach is required now. Take things step by step. Make incremental changes to your routines that bring more structure to your day.
Leo
Leo
Your ruler, the Sun, is forming a harmonious aspect with Saturn today, dear Leo, and with other supportive, productive energies with you now, this can be a strong day for advancing a personal interest or accomplishing something important to you. A partner may be involved with this. For example, you may be partnering up with someone and organizing an area of your life, coming to a decision, or editing a project. Strengthening a love relationship or creative partnership can be in focus for some of you. Demonstrating yourself as reliable and prudent can bring rewards and score you brownie points as well. There can be bravery about facing problem areas with health, home life, or work, and the will to make improvements can take you places.
Virgo
Virgo
You can be especially focused on making improvements today, dear Virgo, and strong, supportive aspects nudge you along the way. If you need to put something unhealthy or negative behind you, this is a great time to do so. Generally speaking with Saturn in your sector of family and home, you’re challenged to put your domestic life into order, and while this is a long process, you can take some positive steps towards this end today. Your sense of tomorrow is strong, and your instincts are likely to tell you that working on making today more secure will help you down the road. Taking responsibility can feel good now. Relationships with children, a lover, and even a creative project can improve as you explore ways to get to the bottom of problem areas.
Libra
Libra
There is strong, investigative power in the energies of the day, dear Libra, and for you, this can be applied to financial and domestic matters quite successfully. This is a time for bravely facing areas that on a typical day you might pass on. Think in terms of overhauling, recycling, and redoing for best results now. Saturn’s transit of your communications sector does sometimes feel heavy, but the challenges it brings are useful for long-term success. Today, you may be seeing the benefits of discipline and taking more responsibility for your communications. A sense of better organization and order can be empowering now. Good energy is with you for applying yourself to creative pursuits and hobbies, and possibly for productive types of recreation.
Scorpio
Scorpio
Look for opportunities to advance your personal interests today, dear Scorpio, if they don’t find you first. Your powers of influence and persuasion are strong now. You’re able to get to the bottom of a problem or you may solve a mystery. You are very perceptive on a regular day, and your perceptions are even sharper now. There is also good energy for your practical affairs. You may discover a way to boost your sense of security or safeguard your possessions. The desire to feel secure and grounded is with you these days with Saturn challenging you to better understand and manage your finances. Today, this theme is highlighted in a positive way. Small efforts to connect with family can go a long way towards strengthening ties. Slowing down can improve the quality of your work, and also your appreciation of the simpler things in life.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
You can feel pleasantly productive today, dear Sagittarius, and any efforts, however big or small, to get yourself better organized can go a long way now. This is a time for simplifying, getting down to basics, and focusing your energies into priorities. With Saturn in your sign, you are experiencing a greater need to be personally responsible. If you feel overwhelmed, your best bet is to direct your attention to small but important tasks one by one – those things that have been neglected but now demand your focus. Do what you can to avoid over-committing yourself to others when you truly need to pay more attention to what needs fixing on a personal level. There is also strong energy for making more of what you have and solving problems related to money and valuables.
Capricorn
Capricorn
This is a strong time for advancing projects and pursuing your goals, dear Capricorn, and you’ll find that you easily gain the cooperation of others. There can be a strong desire to be part of something important that benefits people, to make a difference, and to help transform others’ lives in some way. A project or goal that is dear to your heart may be in strong focus. There is also steady, productive energy to the day. A strong sense of order and organization can please you now. You might receive good feedback or appreciation. You may be looking into ways to improve your finances, business, or practical affairs. Think in terms of recycling and reworking, as well as safeguarding and preserving, what you already have.
Aquarius
Aquarius
Your ambitions are strongly stimulated now, dear Aquarius. With Mars in your solar tenth house, your ambitions are stimulated and at times challenged. Today, you can very successfully draw upon your past experiences in order to make good decisions about your career or life direction. You can be focused on making long-term improvements now. You seem to be attracting the right resources or people, and a new and improved game plan or strategy for taking charge of your life may come to you now. As well, people can be quite helpful in practical ways today. Group or team work can be successful now. It may also be quite beneficial to share some of your expertise and know-how with others.
Pisces
Pisces
Any project or endeavor that requires both practicality and bravery or focus can benefit today, dear Pisces. You can experience determination to improve, win, and accomplish now. Competitive activities, including business and sport, are favored. Eliminating waste in your professional life can be especially helpful to you with Saturn transiting your solar tenth house these days, and while you can sometimes feel quite a bit of pressure to perform, there are distinct long-term benefits to taking care of business day to day. The Sun helps illuminate the positive side to this transit today, and you’re in a great position to spot problem areas and to take steps towards fixing them. You are being realistic about what you can accomplish, and this helps you to hit the mark.
To view more of Emmanuel’s insight, please visit his site, Emmanuel Dagher
Hi my friend,
If the start of 2016 has been much more intense than you anticipated, you are not alone.
In fact, many people noticed that the first four weeks of January were some of the toughest they have experienced in years.
Why is this happening?
To the human part of ourselves, it can feel frustrating to try and figure out why things happen the way they do.
Closure
Although everyone has their own unique and individual ability to shape their own reality, sometimes an overall blanket effect occurs that impacts many of us at the same time.
In this case, the blanket effect many of us dealt with in the first month of 2016 is closure.
When closure happens, a combination of things come to the forefront in a big way.
This combination may include:
Tying up our loose ends
Reevaluating our priorities
Making good on any debts owed
Clearing out old energy that is no longer aligned with our greatest vision (which can be experienced as a type of physical or emotional purging, if we are not consciously clearing out the energies we’ve outgrown)
The mind believing it has lost something (a person, place, experience, or thing it had some kind of attachment to)
The first month of 2016 was all about closing a chapter to the year before. If 2015 was a rough year for you—and I’ve gathered from speaking to many people that that seems to be the general consensus—then the closure period to that year is amplified manyfold, so that everything that still needs to be resolved is taken care of in time for a new cycle to begin.
If you had a smooth, easy, and enjoyable 2015, then you would have experienced an amplified version of that in the first month of 2016, and what a blessing that is.
The great news is, that the blanket of closure for 2015 is coming to an end, and soon the energies will be lifting.
The Lightness Returns
We’ve already started seeing small glimpses of the lightness, joy, and ease return.
However, the second week of February is when many of us will start to clearly notice a greater influx of these energies, as they make themselves more at home in our day-to-day lives.
As mentioned in my last Energy Forecast, 2016 is the year where we will have the opportunity to accept, love, and embrace ourselves more than we’ve ever done before.
Through this deep appreciation and honoring of ourselves, the greatest miracles will begin to unfold.
If you are someone who finds it challenging to truly accept, love, and honor yourself fully—again, know that you are not alone.
However, the days of blaming our parents, teachers, society, government, and the media for how we are choosing to treat ourselves are quickly dwindling.
The light we are receiving daily from the Core of the Universe is just not allowing us to be comfortable in the energy of blame anymore. In fact, we have been nudged often to make peace with our past, learn from it, and accept that we have the power to use all of our previous experiences to heal not only our own personal reality, but also the world.
This is the year to do just that.
February will be a much more enjoyable month, especially with the help of an overall blanket of lightness that will be available to anyone who wants to receive it.
Here are some simple suggestions for connecting more with the blanket of ease and lightness available to us at this time:
Make time to nurture and pamper yourself often.
Make yourself a top priority in your life.
Share your gifts and talents in a fun and creative way.
Be willing to not be attached to the stories the mind likes to create.
Add more play time into your daily schedule.
Express gratitude and appreciation often.
Eat a diet that feels life enhancing and nourishing to your body and mind.
Spend time playing with your pets, or the pets of your friends/family.
Enjoy more deep belly laughs.
There are so many more things we can do to connect with the energy of ease and lightness. So whatever brings you into a state of flow, that is perfect.
As challenging as the beginning of 2016 has been, that is not a reflection on what is coming up for us on the near horizon.
The greatest era of peace, joy, and love is getting closer and closer each day, and all that is asked of us is to be open and willing to anchor that into our very real present reality.
The Moon today is in a Waning Crescent phase. In this phase the Moon’s illumination is growing smaller each day until the New Moon. During this phase the Moon is getting closer to the Sun as viewed from Earth and the night side of the Moon is facing the Earth with only a small edge of the Moon being illuminated. This phase is best viewed an hour or 2 before the sunrise and can be quite beautiful if you’re willing to get up early. It can also be a great time to see the features of the Moon’s surface. Along the edge where the illuminated portion meets the dark side, the craters and mountains cast long shadows making them easier to observe with a telescope or binoculars.
Phase Details for – Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Phase: Waning Crescent
Illumination: 28%
Moon Age: 24.30 days
Moon Angle: 0.50
Moon Distance: 396,509.38 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 147,455,010.67 km
St. Blaise is considered to be one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, a group of saints venerated for the supposed efficacy of their prayers for human necessities. He was a Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia who, on his way to execution, miraculously cured a boy who had a fishbone lodged in his throat. He was thus invoked against throat ailments. An old Armenian folk custom explains that if one ties a knot in a cord while asking for St. Blaise’s blessing, he or she will be protected from throat ailments.
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
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
When the Moon is in Sagittarius, we emerge from clandestine soul searching of Moon in Scorpio, to roam the world go roaming. This lunar mood is adventurous, active and restless to experience life first hand. It puts us in a risk-taking mood. You want to get outdoors, ride your bike, take a brisk walk or ride horses.
There’s a need to be in motion, and you get restless if you’re bogged down with mundane chores.
The Moon relates to instinct, and the Archer inspires a hunger for fresh experiences. It’s time to be on the go!
The truth flows more freely, and sometimes it comes out with blunt force. It’s a great time to ‘tell it like it is.’ You can convey your message matter-of-factly and with enthusiasm. There’s less emotional weight to what’s said, and that frees everyone up to be honest. You want to feel free of heavy duty entanglements today, and keep things light and fun. Big Picture Views
The Moon in Sagittarius heightens curiosity. We’re willing to cross genres and disciplines to “connect the dots” with leaps of logic.
Conversations speed up, and the big picture comes into view. It’s a good time to weave in different elements to expand the scope of your creative projects. The theme is covering a lot of ground, either physically or intellectually. It inspires us to scan the horizon for things that light us up, and can be goals to move toward.
Some power activities now are: philosophizing with friends; making travel plans or traveling; socializing; making new friends; creative improvisation; inspiring yourself and others; watching comedies; riding horses; walking dogs; trying new exotic cuisine; working out vigorously; making love gymnastically; do some strength and endurance training.
The Moon sets the emotional tone as it transits through the Zodiac signs. It changes signs every 2 1/2 days. You can work with this rhythm to “go with the flow” of the Moon. You can use it to know the general feeling tone to expect.
Author
Molly Hall, Astrology Expert
Article published on & owned by About.com
Wednesday (Mercury): The conscious mind, study, travel, divination, and wisdom.
St. Blaise’s Day
Waning Moon The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).
Moon phase: Fourth Quarter
Moon Sign: Sagittarius Sagittarius: Encourages flights of imagination and confidence. This is an adventurous, philosophical, and athletic Moon sign. Favors expansion and growth.
Deity of the Day for Wednesdays – Lugh, Master of Skills
Patron of the Arts:
Similar to the Roman god Mercury, Lugh was known as a god of both skill and the distribution of talent. There are countless inscriptions and statues dedicated to Lugh, and Julius Caesar himself commented on this god’s importance to the Celtic people. Although he was not a war god in the same sense as the Roman Mars, Lugh was considered a warrior because to the Celts, skill on the battlefield was a highly valued ability.
In Ireland, which was never invaded by Roman troops, Lugh is called sam ildanach, meaning he was skilled in many arts simultaneously.
Lugh Enters the Hall of Tara:
In one famous legend, Lugh arrives at Tara, the hall of the high kings of Ireland. The guard at the door tells him that only one person will be admitted with a particular skill — one blacksmith, one wheelwright, one bard, etc. Lugh enumerates all the great things he can do, and each time the guard says, “Sorry, we’ve already got someone here who can do that.” Finally Lugh asks, “Ah, but do you have anyone here who can do them ALL?” At last, Lugh was allowed entrance to Tara.
The Book of Invasions:
Much of the early history of Ireland is recorded in the Book of Invasions, which recounts the many times Ireland was conquered by foreign enemies. According to this chronicle, Lugh was the grandson of one of the Fomorians, a monstrous race that were the enemy of the Tuatha De Danann. Lugh’s grandfather, Balor of the Evil Eye, had been told he would be murdered by a grandson, so he imprisoned his only daughter in a cave.
One of the Tuatha seduced her, and she gave birth to triplets. Balor drowned two of them, but Lugh survived and was raised by a smith. He later led the Tuatha in battle, and indeed killed Balor.
Roman Influence:
Julius Caesar believed that most cultures worshipped the same gods and simply called them by different names. In his Gallic War essays, he enumerates the popular deities of the Gauls and refers to them by what he saw as a corresponding Roman name. Thus, references made to Mercury actually are attributed to a god Caesar also calls Lugus — Lugh. This god’s cult was centered in Lugundum, which later became Lyon, France.
His festival on August 1 was selected as the day of the Feast of Augustus, by Caesar’s successor, Octavian Augustus Caesar, and it was the most important holiday in all of Gaul.
Weapons and War:
Although not specifically a war god, Lugh was known as a skilled warrior. His weapons included a mighty magic spear, which was so bloodthirsty that it often tried to fight without its owner. According to Irish myth, in battle, the spear flashed fire and tore through the enemy ranks unchecked. In parts of Ireland, when a thunderstorm rolls in, the locals say that Lugh and Balor are sparring – thus giving Lugh one more role, as a god of storms.
The Many Aspects of Lugh:
According to Peter Beresford Ellis, the Celts held smithcraft in high regard. War was a way of life, and smiths were considered to have magical gifts — after all, they were able to master the element of Fire, and mold the metals of the earth using their strength and skill. Yet in Caesar’s writings, there are no references to a Celtic equivalent of Vulcan, the Roman smith god.
In early Irish mythology, the smith is called Goibhniu, and is accompanied by two brothers to create a triple god-form. The three craftsmen make weaponry and carry out repairs on Lugh’s behalf as the entire host of the Tuatha De Danann prepares for war. In a later Irish tradition, the smith god is seen as a master mason or a great builder. In some legends, Goibhniu is Lugh’s uncle who saves him from Balor and the monstrous Formorians.
One God, Many Names
The Celts had many gods and goddesses, due in part to the fact that each tribe had its own patron deities, and within a region there might be gods associated with particular locations or landmarks. For example, a god who watched over a particular river or mountain might only be recognized by the tribes who lived in that area. Lugh was fairly versatile, and was honored nearly universally by the Celts. The Gaulish Lugos is connected to the Irish Lugh, who in turn is connected to the Welsh Llew Llaw Gyffes.
Celebrating the Harvest of Grain
The Book of Invasions tells us that Lugh came to be associated with grain in Celtic mythology after he held an harvest fair in honor of his foster mother, Tailtiu. This day became August 1, and that date ties in with the first grain harvest in agricultural societies in the Northern Hemisphere. In fact, in Irish Gaelic, the word for August is lunasa. Lugh is honored with corn, grains, bread, and other symbols of the harvest. This holiday was called Lughnasadh (pronounced Loo-NA-sah). Later, in Christian England the date was called Lammas, after the Saxon phrase hlaf maesse, or “loaf mass.”
An Ancient God for Modern Times
For many Pagans and Wiccans, Lugh is honored as the champion of artistry and skills. Many artisans, musicians, bards, and crafters invoke Lugh when they need assistance with creativity. Today Lugh is still honored at the time of harvest, not only as a god of grain but also as a god of late summer storms.
Even today, in Ireland many people celebrate Lughnasadh with dancing, song, and bonfires. The Catholic church also has set this date aside for a ritual blessing of farmers’ fields.
Author
Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by About.com
Wednesday is named for Woden himself, although the Romans called it dies Mercurii. This is a day associated with the color purple, the planet Mercury, and the metal quicksilver – which is also called mercury. See a pattern here?
When it comes to deities… yes, Mercury! However, there are a few other gods associated with Wednesday, including Odin and Hermes, Athena, and Lugh. Gemstones like adventurine and agate come in handy as well, as do plants such as aspen trees, lilies, lavender and even ferns.
Business and job-related issues, communication, loss and debt, traveling, and journeys are all tied in to Wednesday. This is a good day to do a working to open up lines of communication – especially if your own actions are preventing you from being an effective speaker or listener. Go someplace new or return to an old favorite stomping ground, step up your game, and settle up your accounts.
Author
Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by About.com
Be bold and daring today! Expand your knowledge of the Craft by working with the planetary energies of Mercury on this multifaceted day of the week. Consider the Greco-Roman gods Mercury and Hermes and all of the many lessons they have for you. Embrace change and movement, and work on your communication techniques. Conjure up a little good luck for yourself with that Mercury dime spell. Call on Athena to inspire you to try magickal arts and crafts and to be more creative in your own spellwork and witchery.
Meditate on Odin and see what you can discover about him. I wonder what sort of fabulous and fascinating magickal wisdom you will uncover? Odin is a shaman, after all; he may appear in many guises and faces. I guarantee that he will make you laugh at yourself before he is through with you, but you will learn. It’s up to you what you do with that knowledge. Will you let it shapeshift into wisdom?
Wednesday is the wild and wily day of the week, so try to go with the flow; don’t fight the quirky energies of the day. Most importantly, follow your heart, and always keep a good sense of humor, because of Wednesdays you will really need it.
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan
Power Hours: Sunrise and the 8th, 16th, and 24th hours following
Keywords: Success, creativity, communication
The word Wednesday is reminiscent of the Norse wind god Wodin, which is referenced in the popular rhyme verse “Wednesday’s child is full of woe.” This does not mean that those born on this day are full of sorrow or trouble. To be full of Woden (Wodin) means to be full of wind, to be spirited. Woden was such a powerful pagan god that the German church fathers changed the name of his day to Mittwoch, meaning midweek, in an attempt to exorcise his influence.
In the Spanish word for Wednesday, miercoles, we clearly see its connection to Mercury. Under the guidance of Mercury; Wednesday is a day of swift activity, communication, correspondence, and phone calls. This is a good day for journalists, writers, poets, bargaining, hiring employees, and visiting friends.
On Wednesdays, the hour of sunrise and every eight hours after that are also ruled by Mercury, making these times of the day doubly blessed. These are the strongest four hours for ritual work. Check your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine when sunrise occurs.
Source: Gypsy Magic
The Past 
The Present 
The Future
First and foremost Death does not specifically pertain to our physical death. The Death card marks ends and beginnings. Although most illustrations of the Death card tend to be morbid, the forces behind the Death card are actually quite exciting. Yes Death does mark the end of something. But ends are often brought about by completion and not loss. Most endings are actually good, and make room for us to begin new adventures.
The Emperor is gifted with the skills to successfully lead others. He can turn chaos into order, 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 he may well become a tyrant.
Witches Of The Craft® 
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