This is a fascinating time. On an energetic level, there is great change anchoring. On the physical or collective level, it can seem as if not much is changing for the better. But it is happening.
For great insight from Jamye, please visit her website, Jamye Price, Soul Progression for Ascension
The Moon today is in a First Quarter phase. This phase occurs roughly 7 days after the New Moon when the Moon is one quarter of the way through it’s orbit around the earth. Exactly half the moon will be illuminated and half dark. On the day of the First Quarter phase the moon is high overhead at sunset and is visible until mid-night when it sets in the west. The First Quarter phase is a one day event and in the following days enters a Waxing Gibbous phase becoming more illuminated each day until the Full Moon.
I am many things,
I am a Daughter, a Lover, and a Friend.
I am a Teacher, a Student, and a Woman.
I am many things,
Wear many costumes,
And act in many ways.
Yet beneath each mask I wear,
I am a Witch.
I am a Priestess,
I follow the Path,
I follow the Old Tradition,
I follow the Ways of the Wise Ones.
I seek to know the God
I seek to know the Goddess,
I seek to know myself.
I am a Witch.
Though I may only dress up,
For eight sabbats a year,
And thirteen esbats in turn,
I am always a Witch.
Though I may not always dress in black,
Or leave my hair wild and free,
I am still a Witch.
I do not worship Satan,
I’ve never even met him,
Yet many see me as evil
And magick as a sin.
I do what comes natural,
What the Gods have taught me,
And although it does not conform,
I am still a Witch.
The Goddess shows me beauty,
The God has shown me life,
And Earth, and Air,
And Fire, and Water,
Teach me what is right.
And Spirit in its mystic ways,
Teaches me about myself.
That I am a Witch.
By: Lady Amhranai
St. Lawrence (Latin, Laurentius), one of the seven deacons cons of Rome and instructed by the city to prefect to surrender the church treasures, is said to have assembled the beggars who fed off its charity instead. For this insolence, he was sentenced to death by grilling over a slow fire. It is recounted that his face was surrounded by a beautiful glow and he gave a sweet smile while saying:
This side is toasted, so turn me, tyrant, eat and see
whether raw or roasted I make the better meat.
St. Lawrence, with his somewhat dark humor, is the patron saint of cooks and bakers.
Go to a grove of pines, when the moon is new, and in the earth beneath their boughs inscribe a circle, wide as you are tall. Lie down within it, your arms extended to meet the circle’s rim, and saying these words:
The ancient pine
Is evergreen
The crescent moon
May never wane
The circle bound
Is ever round
And so my life
As light and leaf
Pluck three needles of pine from a green branch, take them home, and wind them tightly round about with a hair from your head and a long green thread. Keep this charm beside your bed, that you may dream of eternity, and each night before you sleep, repeat the words that have conjured youth from the enchanted grove. Ever after, you should wear some token of green-jade, emerald, or other stone, ornament, or article of clothing-in honor of this fair spell now threaded through your life.
Dedicated to the Teutonic god Woden or Odin, an aspect of the “All-Father” god of knowledge wisdom enlightenment and combat, the parallel of Hermes.
Element : Air
Planet: Mercury
Zodiac Sign : Virgo / Gemini
Angel : Raphael
Metal : Mercury
Incense / Perfumes : Jasmine, Lavender, Sweet Pea
Oil: Benzoin, Clary Sage, Eucalytus, Lavender
Color : Red, Orange, Light Blue
Stones : Bloodstone,Garnet, Aventurine, Hematite, Moss Agate and Sodalite
Plants/Herbs : Almond, Anise, Cherry, Clover, Dandelion, Dill, Fern, Hazel, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemongrass, Lilac, Mace, Peppermint, Rosemary, Vervain
Magick to Work: the conscious mind, study, travel, divination, consulting oracles, wisdom, communication ,cleverness, contracts, creativity, information, intellect, memory, erception, science, wisdom, writing
Wednesday (Mercury): The conscious mind, study, travel, divination, and wisdom.
Waxing Moon
The Waxing Moon (from the New Moon to the Full) is the ideal time for magic to draw things toward you.
Second Quarter 2:21 pm
Moon Sign: Scorpio
Scorpio: Increases awareness of psychic power. Precipitates psychic crises and ends connections thoroughly. People tend to brood and become secretive.
Incense: Bay laurel
Color: Yellow
Saint Lawrence Day (Spain/Italy)
AUGE
Themes: Fire; Fertility
Symbols: Hearth; Fire; Stove; Cooking Utensils
About Auge: This Spanish goddess of heat and fertility helps us celebrate today’s festivities by providing our cooking fire! Auge also inspires the warmth of passion so that fertility will flow in the relationship and on a physical level if desired.
To Do Today: In an odd turn of events, the same saint who was roasted alive because of his wit became the patron saint of the kitchen and cookery in Spain and Italy. In keeping with this theme, prepare grilled or roasted food today, invoking Auge simply by lighting the flames!
If weather permits, have a fire festival in your yard over the barbecue or hibachi, and bless your cooking utensils by placing them momentarily in the flames. As you do, add an incantation like this one:
By the forge, by the fire, Auge build the power higher.
Within these tools let there be an abundance of fertility!
Use these tools outside or in your kitchen whenever you need extra productivity. Should the weather not cooperate, this spell works perfectly on a gas stove, which gives off a flame in which Auge can dwell.
Finally, wear red or orange hues today (the colors of fire), and remember to light a candle to honor this goddess. Consider dabbing on some fiery aromas, too, like mint, orange, or ginger, for a little extra energy and affection.
365 Goddess: A Daily Guide To the Magic and Inspiration of the goddess
Patricia Telesco
Wednesday is the day of the Teutonic deity known as Wodin or Odin, an aspect of the Allfather, god of knowledge, wisdom, enlightenment and combat, the parallel of Hermes, the planet Mercury.
Deity: Woden
Zodiac Sign: Gemini & Virgo
Planet: Mercury
Tree: Ash
Herb: Cinquefoil
Stone: Emerald & Sardonyx
Animal: Raven & Cat
Element: Air
Color: Red & Blue
Number: 6
Rune: Odal(O)
Celtic Tree Month of Coll (Hazel) – August 4 – September 1
Runic Half-Month of Thorn (defense) – July 29 – August 12
Goddess of the Month of Hesperis – August 9 – September 5
The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick
Plenty of bright planets and stars, plus a few asteroid cameos, but this week, nothing will beat the Perseids.
By Richard Talcott
Wednesday, August 10
First Quarter Moon occurs at 2:21 p.m. EDT. By the time the Sun sets this evening for North American observers, the Moon appears in the south-southwest and more than one-third of the way from the horizon to the zenith. As darkness descends, our satellite grows more prominent and the background stars of Libra the Scales come into view.
Thursday, August 11
The annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak tonight. In a typical year, observers under a clear dark sky can expect to see up to 100 meteors per hour. But astronomers think we may be in for an even better show this year because Jupiter recently nudged the debris stream from the Perseids’ parent comet, 109P/Swift-Tuttle, closer to Earth’s orbit. If predictions hold true, we could see up to 150 meteors per hour overnight. The best views will come in the predawn hours of Friday morning, after the waxing gibbous Moon sets around 1 a.m. local daylight time. The spectacle continues to improve as dawn approaches because the shower’s radiant — the spot on the border between Perseus and Cassiopeia where the meteors appear to emanate — climbs higher.
If you’re looking for something to do while waiting for the Perseids to peak after midnight, watch this evening’s gibbous Moon as it forms a pretty and nearly equilateral triangle with Mars and Saturn. Our satellite stands 8° north of Mars and 7° northwest of Saturn, while 7° separate the two planets. The trio becomes prominent during twilight and remains on view until nearly midnight local daylight time.
Friday, August 12
Assuming you watch the Perseid show this morning, don’t pack up when twilight starts to paint the sky. About 45 minutes before the Sun comes up, look for a bright object hovering just above the horizon in the east-southeast. This is the night sky’s brightest star, magnitude –1.5 Sirius in the constellation Canis Major. From mid-northern latitudes, the luminary climbs some 4° high a half-hour before sunrise and should stand out if you have a clear and unobstructed horizon. The return of Sirius to the predawn sky was an occasion for celebration in ancient Egypt. Around 3000 b.c., this so-called heliacal rising of Sirius heralded the coming flood of the Nile River, an event upon which agriculture — and all life in Egypt — depended.
Saturday, August 13
Look overhead around 10 p.m. local daylight time any day this week and your eyes will fall on the brilliant star Vega in the constellation Lyra the Harp. At magnitude 0.0, Vega is the brightest member of the prominent Summer Triangle asterism. The Triangle’s second-brightest star, magnitude 0.8 Altair in Aquila the Eagle, lies some 35° southeast of Vega. The asterism’s dimmest member, magnitude 1.3 Deneb in Cygnus the Swan, stands about 25° east-northeast of Vega. Although the brightening Moon diminishes the luster of stars this week, the Summer Triangle remains conspicuous.
Sunday, August 14
The two inner planets lurk low in the western sky shortly after sunset this week. If you scan the horizon through binoculars 30 minutes after sundown, you should pick up Venus standing just 4° high. It shows up only because in shines so brightly, at magnitude –3.8. Mercury appears at nearly the same altitude but will be much harder to see because it glows more dimly, at magnitude 0.2. This morning, the innermost planet lies 9° to Venus’ left and 6° to Jupiter’s lower right.
The Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 117.46° ESE
Sun Altitude: 53.33°
Sun Distance: 94.215 million mi
Next Equinox: Sep 22, 2016 9:21 AM (Autumnal)
Sunrise Today: 6:07 AM↑ 70° East
Sunset Today: 7:51 PM↑ 290° West
Length of Daylight: 13 hours, 44 minutes
The Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 82.86° E
Moon Altitude: -30.76°
Moon Distance: 251025 mi
Next Full Moon: Aug 18, 20164:26 AM
Next New Moon: Sep 1, 20164:03 AM
Next Moonrise: Today1:25 PM
Current Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 49.1%
(You might notice I occasionally reuse a poem over and over. This one in particular is one of my favorites. I hope you come to think of it the same way).
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.
—-Verna Knapp, Author
Originally published on Pagan Library
You will need a package of Oreo Cookies … the cheap imitation sandwich cookies are an insult to the Goddess! … enough for everyone to have at least three. Milk is good, but optional.
You can also interpret the creme as moon phases: The full creme on right side is full moon, left side new moon….different phases can be interpreted by different splits in the creme. There are many other possible ways to interpret these cookies. Go with what feels right for you.
Of course, you must eat the cookie afterward to honor the Goddess. If you want to dunk your cookie, do so after the divination. Mushy cookies don’t separate well.
For more great Pagan Humor, visit Turok’s Cabana
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.
2016 August 9
Mars at Closest Approach 2016
Video Credit & Copyright: Jesús Santos Garzás
Explanation: When does Mars appear the largest? This occurs when Earth sweeps past Mars in their respective orbits around the Sun, creating a momentary Sun-Earth-Mars alignment called opposition. The featured video shows the Mars opposition that occurred earlier this year. All of the images were taken from Earth with a small telescope. Mars actually changes its size continuously — the monthly jumps in size are an editing effect. During the first month in video, March, Earth’s view toward Mars is from relatively far away and from a relatively sideways angle — making Mars appear small and at less than full phase (gibbous). As months progress, Mars appears increasingly larger and fuller. The day Earth andMars were closest together — opposition — was on May 22. By June, Earth had passed Mars, and part of the other side of Mars appeared shadowed. Mars will now appear increasingly smaller during 2016. Even if you watch Mars from Earth all along its orbit, though, Mars will never show a crescent phase.
Today’s Meaning:
What you need in this aspect is a bit of understanding. You can find happiness in abundance if you understand and accept the differences of those with whom you share your life within this aspect.
General Description:
This is an Egyptian group of amulets. The center ornament is the Lotus, from which hangs the emblem of Millions of years — Thou shalt never perish, never, never come to an end. The Lotus bestowed upon the wearer Light and Understanding, the gifts of the god Ra, their sun god, king of gods and of men. The Fish, the symbol of the Egyptian goddess who controlled the rising of the Nile brought Abundance and Riches. The other pendant is in the form of a lock of hair, the meaning of which is obscure.
The Red Dragon represents success, achievement and fulfillment. The three tiles under the Red Dragon tile will influence the power your Red Dragon currently has in your life.
Wan 7
Symbol: Seven Stars
The Seven Stars tile signifies creative growth and power. Creativity should be applied to the area this tile appears. This is a place to let your imagination run free. The Seven Stars tile also indicates hope for the future.
Chrysanthemum
Symbol: Pleasure
The Chrysanthemum tile indicates you will enjoy a happy time filled with social activities and leisurely moments untainted by the demands of everyday life.
Bamboo 5
Symbol: Lotus Flower
The Lotus Flower tile represents birth or rebirth. On a spiritual level it may indicate you are about to reach new heights in your understanding of your place in the cosmos. Physically it may suggest a child is coming, or a new project is about to emerge. The Lotus Flower tile also speaks of regeneration, and may indicate a time of recovery from hardship—a new beginning.
Witches Of The Craft® 
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