Month: August 2016

The Sky This Week for August 19 to August 21

Wiccan

The Sky This Week for August 19 to August 21

The Perseids may slowly fade, but there’s still plenty to see out there this week, including an important Sirius sighting.

By Richard Talcott

 

Friday, August 19

• Distant Neptune reaches opposition and peak visibility two weeks from today, but the view now is essentially the same. The ice giant planet rises around 8:30 p.m. local daylight time and climbs nearly halfway to the zenith in the southern sky by 2 a.m. The magnitude 7.8 planet lies in Aquarius, 1° southwest of 4th-magnitude Lambda (l) Aquarii. You’ll need binoculars to spy Neptune and a telescope to see its blue-gray disk, which spans 2.4″.

Saturday, August 20

• Asteroid 2 Pallas reaches opposition and peak visibility today. The second-biggest object orbiting between Mars and Jupiter glows at magnitude 9.2, bright enough to show up through almost any telescope. You can find it on the border between Pegasus and Equuleus, 4° due west of 2nd-magnitude Enif (Epsilon [e] Pegasi), the star that marks the nose of Pegasus the Winged Horse. The lovely globular star cluster M15 lies 2.5° north and a touch east of Pallas. The three objects lie about halfway to the zenith in the southeastern sky after darkness falls.

Sunday, August 21

• Look toward the south-southwest during evening twilight and you can’t miss Mars. The Red Planet shines brightly at magnitude –0.4 and remains visible until it dips below the horizon around midnight local daylight time. Mars resides on the border between Scorpius and Ophiuchus, crossing from the former to the latter constellation today. When viewed through a telescope, Mars’ orange-red disk spans 11″ and shows several subtle dark markings.
• The Moon reaches perigee, the closest point in its orbit around Earth, at 9:19 p.m. EDT. It then lies 228,074 miles (367,050 kilometers) away from us.

 

Source

Astronomy Magazine

Your Daily Sun & Moon Data for Friday, August 19th

Gothic

Your Daily Sun & Moon Data for Friday, August 19th

The Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 110.29° ESE
Sun Altitude: 43.69°
Sun Distance: 94.060 million mi
Next Equinox: Sep 22, 2016 9:21 AM (Autumnal)
Sunrise Today: 6:15 AM↑ 74° East
Sunset Today: 7:40 PM↑ 286° West
Length of Daylight: 13 hours, 25 minutes

The Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 284.23° WNW
Moon Altitude: -29.38°
Moon Distance: 229993 mi
Next New Moon: Sep 1, 20164:03 AM
Next Full Moon: Sep 16, 20162:05 PM
Next Moonrise: Today8:36 PM
Current Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 98.0%

Source

timeanddate.com

 

Good Friday Morning To All Our Dear Family & Friends! May The Goddess Bless You & Yours!

Merry Meet

Beneath The Full Moon

 

Come, I will sing it in your ear:
Your dancing days are come.
All the feeling you hold dear
Will lift your spirit some;
Dance until the rosey dawn
All in a gay, glad rag.
I carry the Sun in a golden cup,
The Moon in a silver bag.

And I will sing you merrily
Into my ring of dooms,
And I will twine into your hair
A wreath of maiden blooms.
You’ll turn, when dancing days wane low
To Crone, but not to Hag.
I carry the Sun in a golden cup,
The Moon in a silver bag.

As Maiden grows to Mother,
And Mother into Crone,
Dance, My darling daughter,
Beneath My rounded Moon.
Dance in argent splendor
Until your spirits flag.
I carry the Sun in a golden cup,
The Moon in a silver bag.

Sourdough Jackson, Author
Originally published on Pagan Library

THE FULL MOONS OF THE WITCHES

THE FULL MOONS OF THE WITCHES

November: The Wheel of the Year begins anew once more.
December The Holly-King dies, and the Oak-King is born.
January: Bid the past farewell, and receive the year that Web of Days has just been born.
February: Welcome Spring! Now is the time for banishing Winter.
March: Feel the shift of balance from darkness to light growing stronger.
April: The time of fertitily and growth is upon us.
May: The time of the Sacred Marriage of the God and Goddess.
June: Here comes the Sun! The Holly-King replaces the Oak-King.
July: The first harvests begin ; time to give thanks and celebrate.
August: John Barleycorn must die. The harvest begins in earnest.
September: The cycle of growth draws nears its end.
October: The Horned One steps forward bringing darkness, and the end of the year.

November: Snow Moon; the snowy brightness and coolness of Her light is upon us.
December: Cold Moon ; the Sun is at its lowest point, and Lunar Nights the Moon is a little colder.
January: Wolf Moon ; gather close to the hearth, for wolves draw closer now.
February: Ice Moon ; beneath a blanket of snow and ice, Nature rests.
March: Storm Moon ; the boisterous storms of the light half of the year begin.
April: Growing Moon ; seeds are ready to be planted, and growth begins.
May: Hare Moon ; rabbits leap and play in their mating games, and fertility
abounds.
June: Mead Moon ; as in days of old, honey is gathered for fermentation into
mead.
July: Hay Moon ; a potent moon, as tides of psychic energy flow freely.
August: Corn Moon ; a time to contemplate the eternalness of life.
September: Harvest Moon ; time to collect the harvest and seed for new
beginnings.
October: Blood Moon ; spirits of the departed join fhe sacred dance.

By the Light of the Silvery Moon

By the Light of the Silvery Moon
Worshipping the Moon has been practiced since earliest recorded time. It is mentioned in the oldest literatures of Egypt, Africa, Babylonia, India and China, among others. Moon worship is found on the belief that the phases of the Moon and the growth and decline of plant, animal and human life are related. In some societies, food is laid out at night to absorb the rays of the Moon, which are thought to have power to cure disease and prolong life. In some central African tribes it is customary for a mother to bathe her newborn child by the light of the first Full Moon. The Moon is frequently equated with wisdom and justice, as in the worship of the Egyptian god Thoth and the Mesopotamian god Sin. The Moon god Sin is usually depicted as an old man with a long beard. His emblem is the crescent Moon(sometimes represented as a boat or the horns of a bull.) Mount Sinai is named for him.
However, for a time, the Moon was believed to exude evil into the world. One commonly held superstition was that the Full Moon could make a person insane (hence the word lunatic from luna, the Latin word for the Moon). Nights of a Full Moon were supposed to be extremely unlucky because hellish beasts and demons such as werewolves drew their sinister powers from its dark energy. Today, however, she is back in favor, with many Pagans and Wiccans honoring her and asking for her assistance in rituals.
In some cultural traditions, the Moon is considered masculine, which may be where we get our legend of “The Man in the Moon.” In an old Lithuanian legend, when the young maiden is asked about her parents, she replies, “My mother is the beauteous Sun, and my father the bright Moon.” For most Natural Magicians, though the Full Moon is the embodiment of the Goddess; she is Maiden, Mother, and Crone. She is the yin balance of the Source of All.

Full Moon/Chant To Seal A Spell During this Phase

Full Moon
The Moon’s energy is most intense when She reaches abundant fullness. Any magickal effort, especially difficult ones, can benefit greatly from the potency of this phase. Use the full Moon to amplify magickal intent and to give spellworkings additional power.
To seal spells performed during the full Moon, use this chant or one of your own choosing:
Abundant Mother, Moon so bright
Hear my plea upon this night.
Your fertile power lend this spell;
Make it potent, strong and well.

MOON PHASE CORRESPONDENCES FOR MAGICKAL WORKINGS

MOON PHASE CORRESPONDENCES FOR MAGICKAL WORKINGS
Purchase a Magical or Witches’ Almanac to keep up with the moon phases they can be found in the New Age section of almost any large bookstore and are fairly inexpensive.
New Moon Magic:
New Moon workings can be done from the day of the new moon to three-and-a-half days after.The new moon is for starting new ventures, new beginnings. Also love and romance, health or job hunting.
Waxing Moon Magic:
From seven to fourteen days after the new moon.The waxing moon is for constructive magic, such as love, wealth, success, courage, friendship, luck or health.
Full Moon Magic:
From fourteen to seventeen-and-a-half days after the new moon. Prime time for rituals for prophecy, protection, divination. Any working that needs extra power, such as help finding a new job or healings for serious conditions, can be done now. Also, love, knowledge, legal undertakings, money and dreams.
Waning Moon Magic:
From three-and-a-half to ten-and-a-half days after the full moon. The waning moon is used for banishing magic, for ridding oneself of addictions, illness or negativity.
Dark Moon Magic: From ten-and-a-half to fourteen days after the full moon. The dark moon is a time for dealing with attackers, for exploring our darkest recesses and understanding our angers and passions. Also bringing justice to bear.

Ritual To Receive The Protection Of The Moon

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Ritual To Receive The Protection Of The Moon

 

Place a jewel, that you regularly carry on you, in a cup of spring water a day before the full moon. The following day, on the evening of full moon, stir the water three times with your finger in a clockwise motion. Take the cup in your hands and in a clockwise, stirring motion, move the cup in a clockwise, circular, stirring motion three times.

Then, repeat these words aloud:

O LIGHT OF THE MOON,
WRAP ME,
PROTECT ME,
KEEP ME FROM HARM.

Raise the cup towards the sky and drink the water. Remove the jewel from the cup. You must carry it on your person to the next full moon in order to ensure your protection.

Repeat this ritual every month to benefit from its influence.

To Obtain Money During the Full Moon

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To Obtain Money…

Done During the Full Moon…

 

Fill your cauldron half full of water and drop a silver coin into it. Position the cauldron so that the light from the moon shines into the water. Gently sweep your hands just above the surface, symbolically gathering the Moon’s silver.

While doing this say…

“Lovely Lady of the Moon, bring to me your
wealth right soon. Fill my hands with silver
and gold. All you give, my purse can hold.”

Repeat this three times. When finished, pour the water upon the earth.

from Celtic Magic by D. J. Conway

 

Shield To Keep Harm Away

pent

Shield To Keep Harm Away

 

For this spell, you need the following materials:
red cloth and ribbon;
any combination of…
carnelian,
bloodstone,
ruby,
garnet,
jasper,
and obsidian;
a pinch of dried thyme;
rose thorns;
patchouli oil;
and a red or white candle.

 

Carve the protection symbol of your choice into the candle, and anoint it with oil. Combine the stones, herbs, and thorns, and wrap them in the cloth. Visualize being enclosed in a protective shield of white light as you prepare the amulet. Light the candle, and place the amulet nearby. Focus on the energy of the burning candle, and infuse the amulet with power. Allow the candle to burn completely, and carry the amulet with you for protection. Speak this charm when you need extra protection:

Mars, breathe your fire
into these stones and herbs.
Wrap me in the warmth of your protection.
Shield me from harm.

Home or Business Protection Spell

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Home or Business Protection Spell
 
    

To bless your home or business, place a bowl of candy, herbs or stones by your front entrance. Bless then bowl’s contents by speaking aloud the following verse:
   

“As all who enter here are Children of the Great Mother,
May those who pass always walk safely in her steps.
May they feel the guidance of her hand,
And know she is always with us,
From the time we meet till we meet again.”

Invite visitors to take an offering as they enter the premises.

A Working Full Moon Ritual

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A Working Full Moon Ritual

Cleanse, build, and consecrate the Circle area
Position and build the Altar
Include small slips of paper, a cauldron for burning, a quill pen and dragon’s blood ink
Light the Goddess Candle
Call to Circle
Challenge

Call the Quarters and cast the Circle.

At completion, HPS moves to altar and says:

The circle is cast. Feel how the energies have changed. We are between the worlds, now. This is a time that is no time; a place that is no place. Blessed be.

HPS gives the Goddess Invocation

HP gives God Invocation

Ritual Work

HPS says:

The Charge of the Goddess says, Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full, then ye shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of me, who am Queen of all Witcheries.

The Moon is full, and we are assembled here to ____________ (state in detail a need of a group member, absent or present, and why magickal intervention is needed and appropriate).

Each of us will write a wish as we would have it done for ____________ (name of person). Always remember the Rede and the Law of Three.

After all have written, we will release the wishes into the universe by burning them.

Keep silence now and enter into a time of meditation and consider your wish for __________ (name of person).

When all have finished meditating and writing, each person should offer the wish to each quarter (with appropriate wording of her/his choice), starting with East and moving deosil. Then move to the altar and light the paper from the Goddess Candle and drop it in the cauldron saying:

With this flame and smoke I release this wish to the winds of time, that my request be fulfilled.
So Mote it Be.

Chant should continue until last person burns her/his wish. The chant should be about strengthening each person’s wish.

Pause of silence

Blessing of Cakes and Ale

HPS says:

The cakes and the ale are outward symbols, sacraments, of our inward relationship with the Goddess and the God. With these small offerings, we honor both Goddess and God.

We of the Craft believe that our words and our actions shape reality. Tonight, we have called upon the power of Goddess and God to _____________ (re-state what and why we just did).

As we have willed it, so mote it be. Let us honor the gods and remember our tie to them.
Sharing of Cakes and Ale

Give thanks to the Quarters and to the God and Goddess, open Circle as per usual.

Full-Moon Blessing Rite

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Full-Moon Blessing Rite

Items Needed:
A clear glass bowl
One bottle of Spring water
Silver paint
One sprig of jasmine
One moonstone
One white pillar candle
Gardenia incense and oil

Inscribe the symbol(moon symbol with crossed spears on it) on the outside side bottom of the bowl with the silver paint.

Set your altar or small table so the light of the full moon will shine directly on it. Fill the bowl with the spring water. Place the bowl and all the other items called for on the altar. Light the white pillar candle and say:

Lady I now invite thee here,
As the Mother of sacred Earth.
Whose power is beyond compare,
When dreams are given birth.

Hold the moonstone and sprig of Jasmine in offering as you ask this blessing:

Lady of desire, reflection of light,
You are my motion, direction, and second sight.
Mother of creation the original source,
You are potential, power, the ultimate force.
Grandmother of time, wise one from above,
I summon thee here with honor and love.

Gently place the moonstone and sprig of jasmine in the water. Pick up the bowl and hold it in offering to the moon as you say:

I call the brilliant evening star,
The Virgin of celestial light.
The Gracious Goddess from afar,
Great Mother of second sight.

Glorious Queen of the twilight hour,
Wise and vigilant protector.
Thou whose silent power,
Is regal and most splendor.
I beckon thee to now descend,
Great Mystery behind the veil.
She who rises time and again,
The keeper of the Grail.

Set the bowl down. Anoint your forehead with a drop of water. Allow the candle to burn for one hour and then extinguish it. Carefully place the bowl in a window where the light of the moon will continue to shine on it. Just before sunrise, remove the jasmine and stone. Pour the contents of the bowl into a bottle with a lid, and close tightly. Keep the moonstone with your other magickal tools. Take the jasmine to the nearest river or lake and toss it in the water as you make a wish. Use the moon water to anoint candles and other magickal objects.

Full Moon Scrying Ritual

Full Moon Scrying Ritual

    
The upcoming summer months are the perfect time for Full Moon Scrying and I’d like to pass on an old, time honored scrying ritual originally written by D.J. Conway that I have used many times during the long summer nights:
Items Needed:
1 bright, shiny silver coin
1 small, black cauldron or scrying bowl filled with water
Perform this ritual outside where the rays of the Moon can fall directly onto the water in the cauldron. If you cannot go outside, stay in a darkened room near a window that the Moon shines through. Place the coin in the water and take the cauldron in both hands. Gaze up at the Moon and say:
“Lovely Lady of the night,
Mysteries old and futures bright,
Give me a glimpse of that to be
And as I will so mote it be.”
Look down at the coin shimmering in the cauldrons water. With your eyes half closed, adjust your vision as if you were looking into and through the coin. Don’t try to analyze anything you might see or that might come into your mind. Just accept it. Some people, rather than seeing actual pictures within the cauldron, will have mental impressions, feelings or pictures. When you have finished, bow to the Moon and say thank you. Pour the water out on the ground. You’re done!