The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, May 3rd

Roodmas

Waxing Moon

 
Moon phase: Second Quarter

 
Moon Sign: Leo

 
Incense: Bay laurel

 
Color: Topaz

Magickal Applications for Wednesday

 

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

 

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

 

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.

 

Source

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

 

The Witches Guide to Wednesdays

 

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.

Source

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

 

Today on May 3rd, We Celebrate……

Hakata Dontaku (Japan)
AMATERASU

 

Themes: Sun, tradition, unity, blessings, community, kinship
Symbols: Mirror, gold or yellow items

About Amaterasu: Amaterasu is unique among goddesses, being one of the few women to personify the sun. In Japan she rules over cultural unity, kinship, and the blessings that someone with the name “Illuminating Heave” might be expected to bestow. It is Amaterasu’s sun that nudges the greenery to reach toward her light, just as her gentle enery prods us toward reestablishing harmony in all our relationships.

To Do Today: The first week of May in Japan is called Golden Week, and it’s a time when Amatersasu’s solar geauty really shines. The Hakata festival is a national holiday that includes celebrations for children and a special parade depicting Japan’s legendary deities. Take a moment to join te festivities long-distance. Remember Amaterasu by wearing gold-colored items today and opening as many curtains as possible to let in her glorious light.

Once the curtains are opened, take a hand mirror and reflect the light into every corner of your home. This draws Amaterasu’s unifying energy into your living space and guards against discord among all who dwell therein. Also, to ensure that no malevolence enters from outside the home, put a mirror facing outward in an eastern window. This is a Buddist custom for turning away negativity and evil influences.

365 Goddess, A Daily Guide to the Magic and Inspiration of the Goddess
Patricia Telesco

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The Pagan Book of Days for Wednesday, May 3rd

Floralia/Bona Dea Eve/Egyptian Day

The eye of 3 May is the time sacred to Bona Dea, the Good Goddess in the Roman tradition important in women’s mysteriees, to who offerings were made in secret.

 

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

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Today is Wednesday, May 3rd

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 Huath (Hawthorne) (April 14 – May 12 )

The Runic Half Month of Lgy (flowing water) (April 29 – May 13)

Goddess of the Month of Maia(April 17 – May 15)

 

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

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Wednesday

 

Wednesday: Is associated with Mercury and the colors of Purple, Magenta and Silver

 

Wednesday is the best time to deal with such matters as: Accounting, Advertising, Astrology, Clerks, Communication, Computers, Correspondence, Critics, Editing, Editors, Education, Healing, Hiring Employees, Intelligence, Journalists, Kin, Learning Languages, Legal Appointments, Memory, Merchants, Messages, Music, Neighbors, Phone Calls, Placing Ads, Siblings, Signing Contracts, Students, Visiting Friends, Visual Arts, Wisdom, and Writing

 

Source

Practical Magick for the Penny Pinching Witch
Carol Moyer

 

Wednesday’s Magick

 

Magickal Intentions: Communication, divination, luck, safety, health, wisdom, commerce, business

 
Ruling Planet: Mercury

 
Color: Purple

 
Crystals: Aventurine, Agate

The Sky This Week for May 3 to May 7

The Summer Triangle, Jupiter at opposition, and other beautiful things to look for in the sky this week.
By Richard Talcott

Wednesday, May 3

The Big Dipper’s familiar shape lies nearly overhead on May evenings. The spring sky’s finest binocular double star marks the bend in the Dipper’s handle. Mizar shines at 2nd magnitude, some six times brighter than its 4th-magnitude companion, Alcor. Even though these two are not physically related, they make a fine sight through binoculars. (People with good eyesight often can split the pair without optical aid.) A small telescope reveals Mizar itself as double — and these components do orbit each other.

Thursday, May 4

For those who like to observe during the quiet predawn hours, Saturn offers a visual treat this week. The ringed planet rises shortly before midnight local daylight time and climbs some 30° high in the south by the time morning twilight begins. It shines at magnitude 0.2 against the backdrop of northwestern Sagittarius. Take a look at Saturn through binoculars and you’ll also see the open star clusters M21 and M23 as well as the spectacular Lagoon (M8) and Trifid (M20) nebulae about 4° to the east. When viewed through a telescope, the planet shows an 18″-diameter disk surrounded by a stunning ring system that spans 41″ and tilts 26° to our line of sight.

Friday, May 5

Although the calendar says May, the sky’s Summer Triangle returns to prominence this month. The asterism’s three bright stars — Vega in Lyra, Deneb in Cygnus, and Altair in Aquila — all clear the horizon by midnight local daylight time. An hour later, they rule the eastern sky. Vega shines brightest and appears at the apex of the triangular asterism. Look for Deneb to Vega’s lower left and Altair to the lower right of the other two. The Summer Triangle will grace the Northern Hemisphere’s evening sky from now through the end of the year.

Saturday, May 6

The Eta Aquariid meteor shower reaches its peak before dawn. Although this is typically one of the year’s most prolific showers, a waxing gibbous Moon interferes with the 2017 show. The Moon sets around 4 a.m. local daylight time, just before morning twilight starts to paint the sky. For the best views, head outside an hour or two before then and find a spot where trees or buildings block the Moon’s glow low in the west. Eta Aquariid meteors derive from bits of debris ejected by Comet 1P/Halley during its many trips around the Sun. When Earth crosses this debris stream, our planet’s atmosphere incinerates the tiny dust particles and we see the streaks of light called meteors, or “shooting stars.”

Sunday, May 7

Although Jupiter reached opposition and peak visibility exactly one month ago, it remains a stunning sight nearly all night. It appears about 40° above the southeastern horizon an hour after sunset and climbs highest in the south around 11 p.m. local daylight time. As a bonus this evening, a waxing gibbous Moon appears just a few degrees away. The pair lies among the background stars of Leo, though only 1st-magnitude Spica some 10° below appears conspicuous thanks to the bright Moon nearby. When viewed through a telescope, Jupiter’s disk spans 43″ and shows a wealth of detail in its atmosphere.

Mars passes 6° due north (to the upper right) of Aldebaran today. Use binoculars to pick them out of the evening twilight. Although Aldebaran shines a half-magnitude

 

 

Source

The Astromony Magazine

Your Sun & Moon Data for Wednesday, May 3rd

The Sun
Sun Directioon: ↑ 78.67° ENE
Sun Altitude: 11.43°
Sun Distance: 93.714 million mi
Next Solstice: Jun 20, 2017 11:24 pm (Summer)
Sunrise Today: 5:57 am↑ 69° East
Sunset Today: 7:45 pm↑ 291° Northwest
Length of Daylight: 13 hours, 48 minutes

 

The Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 352.62° N
Moon Altitude: -38.98°
Moon Distance: 236180 mi
Next Full Moon: May 10, 20174:42 pm
Next New Moon: May 25, 20172:44 pm
Next Moonrise: Today12:59 pm
Current Moon: Waxing crescent
Illumination: 65.5%

 

Source

timeanddate.com

 

I am the Creator that Dreams

 

I am the Creator that dreams
I am the Creation
I am the atom, the molecule and the space in between
I am the trees and the forest, the wind and the air
The stars and the twinkle
I dance the cosmic dance , I am the dance
I am you and you are me
There is no separation only oneness
I am thought I am matter
I am love and I am joy
I am sadness and sorrow
I am he and I am she, and I am it
I am the flower and the stone
I am the heartbeat and the rain
The sorrow and the pain
The moon and the stars
I am all and all is me
Life is my thought and my dream
I am all there is and all there is, is me
I am now and becoming
Forever unfolding in the mist of time.
I dream and so it is
You are child of light, I am the Flame of Life
No separation exists, only union
The child lives within the flame
Feel my presence, feel my magic
All is magic, all is life, my beloved flower
Allow the joy and love to flow through you
And out there.
As you touch the word know that it is my hand and my voice
As the world touches you, know that it is I
Feel the exchange folding back into itself
As I touch your mind know that you are transformed
Never to be the same again
Transformed from darkness to light
From sleeping to wakefulness,
And so the world awakes, one cell at a time
One cell in happy awareness of union with the divine
Your time has come daughter of Light arise in your wakefulness and help to create paradise, in love and joy
Be a conscious participant Live in the now.
Not tomorrow or yesterday but in the only time that is real, eternity.

by Mystery School Initiate, Ember Flower
Published on Celtic Prayer Book

We did a special “WOTC’s Beltane Edition” yesterday. You can find the start of it at the link below.

 

The WOTC’s Beltane Edition 2017

 

 

“The new earth quickens as you rise.
The May Queen is waiting.
Feel the pulsing ground call you to journey,
To know the depths of your desire.
The May Queen is waiting.
Moving through the night, the bright moon’s flight.
In green and silver on the plain.
She waits for you to return again.
Do not keep Her waiting.
Her temper stings if you refuse to taste Her honey.
Surrender as enchantment brings
The first light of dawning.
Move with Her in sacred dance, through fear to feeling.
Bringing ecstasy to those who dare.
Living earth is breathing.
Loving through the night in the bright moonlight,
As seedlings open with the rain.
She’ll long for you to return again.
Do not keep Her waiting.”

–  Ruth Barren, The May Queen is Waiting

 

This episode includes

Your Daily Horoscopes for May 1

Get a Jump on Tomorrow, Your Horoscopes for May 2nd

If You were born today…

THE WOTC PODCAST

The Beltane Festival

 

Beltane or Beltane is the Gaelic name for the festival that begins on April the 30th or Beltane’s eve and continues on 1st May and is a celebration of purification and fertility. The name originates from the Celtic god, Bel – the ‘bright one’, and the Gaelic word ‘teine’ meaning fire, giving the name ‘bealttainn’, meaning ‘bright fire’. Marking the beginning of the Summer season with the lighting of two great bon-fires on Beltane’s eve signifies a time of purification and transition, these fires may be made of the nine sacred woods, Alder, Ash, Birch, Hawthorn, Hazel, Holly, Oak, Rowan and Willow.

 

Heralding in the season in the hope of a good harvest later in the year, Beltane festivals were accompanied with ritual acts to protect the people from any harm by Otherworldly spirits.

 

Significantly, as the Goddess (Brigid) moves through her various phases, Beltane sees the womanly aspect of the Summer Goddess banish the Old Crone aspect of the Winter Goddess in readiness for the maternal time and the fruits of nature to follow.

 

As this is one of the magic turning points of the Sacred Seasons, the veil between worlds is thought to be especially thin, and as a result many of the Fairy Host, the Sidhe and the Tuatha De Danann may be seen crossing between the worlds.

Particularly, the Faery Queen is thought to travel about on this night and if you gaze too long on her enchanted beauty she may whisk you away to live in her Other realms outside of time for an eternity.

The Faery Queen also represents the May Queen, although in practice the honor is usually carried out by young women who are soon to be married.

For the May Day is the great day,
Sung along the old straight track.
And those who ancient lines did ley
Will heed this song that calls them back.

co Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull.

 

The May Queen at Beltane

along with her May King, mythically a Jack in The Green, the Green Man or Horned God, is to take part in the Great Rite and so Open the way for the Summer. This is the Sacred Marriage of the God and Goddess, often reenacted by a symbolic union during which the Athame (magical knife symbolizing male energy) is placed by the King of May into the Chalice (Sacred Cup symbolizing female energy) held by the Queen of the May.

Following this union which serves to Open the way to the Summer Lands, festivities ensue, particularly that of dancing around the May Pole. The May Pole itself is a symbol of the union of the God and the Goddess, as the red ribbons represent the fertility of the Goddess, the white represent the fertility of the God. Men begin the weaving by dancing under the upheld ribbon of the first women facing them, accompanied by music, drums beating or chanting. The dancers move forward, stepping alternately over and under each person who’s dancing toward them. The dance continues until the Maypole is completely wrapped, then the ribbons are tied off and the wreath from the top is tossed to the earth to bring its gathered power into the ground.

 

Whilst such public festivals are not as widespread as they once were, famously at Padstow in Cornwall there still is held an annual ‘Obby-Oss’ day, which is believed to be one of the oldest survivng fertility rites in the United Kingdom.

Beltane Lore

During Medieval times, a man might also propose marriage by leaving a hawthorn branch at the door of his beloved on the first day of May. If the branch was allowed to remain at her door, it was a signal that the proposal was accepted. If it was replaced with a cauliflower, the proposal was turned down.

 

The Celtic Moon month of Hawthorn is the time for lovers to attend to matters of the heart, as the Celtic fire festival of Beltane heralds the start of summer.

Crosses of birch and rowan twigs were hung over doors on the May morning as a blessing and protection, and left until next May day.
The dew on the May day morning is believed to have a magical potency – wash your face and body in it and you will remain fair all year.

 

Going ‘A-Maying’ meant staying out all night to gather flowering hawthorn, watching the sunrise and making love in the woods, also known as a ‘greenwood marriage’

Oh, do not tell the Priest our plight,
Or he would call it a sin;
But we have been out in the woods all night,
A-conjuring Summer in!

 

~ Blessed Beltane to You ~

 

—–The Dance of Life

 

This Episode Includes

Your Cosmic Weather for the Week

Your Monthly Horoscopes for May

and much more to come….

 

THE WOTC PODCAST

Shout It To The Highest Rooftops, It’s Beltane, At Last! Oh, what a glorious day to be alive and what a glorious season the Goddess has blessed us with. Can’t you feel the energy of the Earth reemerging, the flowers blooming, the grass growing, the miracle of rebirth and fertility is all around us. Blessed Be!

 

The Beltane Blessing

Bless, O threefold true and bountiful,
Myself, my spouse, my children.
Bless everything within my dwelling and in my possession,
Bless the kine and crops, the flocks and corn,
From Samhain Eve to Beltane Eve,
With goodly progress and gentle blessing,
From sea to sea, and every river mouth,
From wave to wave, and base of waterfall.

Be the Maiden, Mother, and Crone,
Taking possession of all to me belonging.
Be the Horned God, the Wild Spirit of the Forest,
Protecting me in truth and honor.
Satisfy my soul and shield my loved ones,
Blessing every thing and every one,
All my land and my surroundings.
Great gods who create and bring life to all,
I ask for your blessings on this day of fire.

—Patti Wigington
Published on ThoughtCo

 

Celebrating May Day

The Fires of Tara

Beltane kicks off the merry month of May, and has a long history. This fire festival is celebrated on May 1 with bonfires, Maypoles, dancing, and lots of good old fashioned sexual energy. The Celts honored the fertility of the gods with gifts and offerings, sometimes including animal or human sacrifice. Cattle were driven through the smoke of the balefires, and blessed with health and fertility for the coming year…..Listen to more

 

Also included in this broadcast

Your Astronomy for May 1st

In Your Sky Tonight

The Witches Current Moon Phase

Moon in Cancer

Weekly Astrology: May 1-7, 2017

Up Next Your Horoscopes….

THE WOTC PODCAST