The Witches Digest for Tuesday, August 15th
Time and Again
Time goes by,
So fast, so slow;
Just as the phases
Of the bright moon’s glow.
Time goes by,
So fast, so slow;
We plant a seed,
And watch it grow.
Time goes by,
So fast, so slow;
The magic moves
Through energy’s flow.
Time goes by,
So fast, so slow;
The Goddess is alive
As we all know.
Time goes by,
So fast, so slow;
Love warms our hearts
As the cool winds blow.
Time goes by,
So fast, so slow;
The Priestess chants
“As above, so below”.
Time goes by…
—By The Light Of The Crystal Moon: A Book of Pagan Poetry and Short Stories
Elizabeth Gardiepy
Your Daily Sun & Moon Data for Tuesday, August 15
The Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 88.01° E
Sun Altitude: 20.83°
Sun Distance: 94.139 million mi
Next Equinox: Sep 22, 2017 3:01 pm (Autumnal)
Sunrise Today: 6:11 am↑ 72° East
Sunset Today: 7:45 pm↑ 288° West
Length of Daylight: 13 hours, 34 minutes
The Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 211.56° SSW
Moon Altitude: 64.42°
Moon Distance: 230005 mi
Next New Moon: Aug 21, 20171:30 pm
Next Full Moon: Sep 6, 20172:02 am
Next Moonset: Today2:13 pm
Current Moon Phase: Waning Crescent
Illumination: 44.4%
Lunar Calendar
Moon Phase Tonight: Waning Crescent
New Moon: Aug 21, 2017 at 1:30 pm
(Next Phase)
Third Quarter: Aug 14, 2017 at 8:14 pm
(Previous Phase)
Source
timeanddate.com
The Sky This Week for August 15 to 20
Comet PANSTARRS, the Perseid meteor shower, and other beautiful things to look for in the sky this week.
By Richard Talcott
Tuesday, August 15
Comet PANSTARRS (C/2015 ER61) currently hovers around 10th or 11th magnitude, bright enough to see through most small telescopes. But its main claim to fame this week is its convenient location just south of the Pleiades star cluster (M45). From August 14 to 21, the solar system object appears as a fuzzy patch of light passing less than 1° south of the dipper-shaped cluster.
Wednesday, August 16
Look for the waning crescent Moon this morning as it hovers just east of the Hyades star cluster in Taurus the Bull. The two objects clear the horizon by 1 a.m. local daylight time and climb halfway to the zenith by the time morning twilight begins. The Moon appears 35 percent lit and easily outshines the stars of the V-shaped Hyades. First-magnitude Aldebaran, which marks one tip of the V, appears brighter than the rest of the cluster’s stars because it actually lies in the foreground.
Thursday, August 17
Jupiter appears low in the west-southwest an hour after sunset this week. The brilliant planet shines at magnitude –1.8 and dominates the evening sky. It appears against the backdrop of Virgo, some 6° to the right of the Maiden’s brightest star, 1st-magnitude Spica. When viewed through a telescope, Jupiter’s disk spans 33″ and shows a wealth of atmospheric detail.
Friday, August 18
Look overhead around 10 p.m. anytime 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.
The Moon reaches perigee, the closest point in its orbit around Earth, at 9:18 a.m. EDT. It then lies 227,497 miles (366,121 kilometers) from Earth’s center.
Saturday, August 19
By the time morning twilight starts to paint the sky, your eyes will be drawn to the eastern sky for a meeting of the night sky’s two brightest objects. Brilliant Venus rises first, clearing the horizon shortly before 3:30 a.m. local daylight time. Less than a half-hour later, the waning crescent Moon joins the planet. The two make a stunning pair as they climb higher in the twilight sky. Venus, which shines at magnitude –3.9, appears 20° above the horizon an hour before sunrise.
Sunday, August 20
Distant Neptune reaches opposition and peak visibility in just two weeks, but the view now is essentially the same. The ice giant planet rises during evening twilight and climbs nearly halfway to the zenith in the southern sky by 2 a.m. local daylight time. The magnitude 7.8 planet lies in Aquarius, 1.5° east 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″.
Source
Astronomy Magazine
Your Astrology for Tuesday, August 15th
The Moon is in Taurus until 10:05 AM, after which it’s in Gemini.
The Moon is void until 10:05 AM (since yesterday at 9:14 PM).
The Moon is waning and in its Last Quarter phase.
The Last Quarter Moon occurred yesterday, and the New Moon (Solar Eclipse) occurs on August 21st.
Mercury is retrograde (Mercury is retrograde from August 12-September 5).
Moon in Taurus
The Moon is traveling through comfy Taurus today. Eat something you love. Have a second serving.
We are motivated by the desire for serenity, security, peace, and comfort. The Moon is at her most sensual and constant in Taurus. Our basic impulses are to relax, resist change, and “stop to smell the roses”. Life slows down a little, and we get comfortable. We may also be inclined to stubbornness and materialism under this influence.
The Moon in Taurus generally favors the following activities: Substantial and material actions that yield solid results. Financial activities, and those involving personal possessions, applying for a loan, beginning a potentially long-term relationship, music, home decor.
Ritual Influences for Tuesday, August 15th
Planet: Mars
Perfume: Hellebore, Carnation, Patchouli
Incense: Lignum Aloes, Plantain
Color: Red
Influences: Destination, War, Courage, Surgery, Physical Strength
Source
A Book of Pagan Rituals
Slater, Herman.
Today is Tuesday, August 15
Tuesday is dedicated to the powers of the planet Mars, personified in Ares, Tiwaz, Tiw, Tuisco and Tyr. Tuesday rules controlled power, energy and endurance.
Deity: Tiwaz
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Planet: Mars
Tree: Holly
Herb: Plantain
Stone: Agate
Animal: Crab
Element: Fire
Color: White
Number: 2
Rune: Tyr (T)
Celtic Tree Month of Coll (Hazel) – August 5 – September 1
Runic Half-Month of As (gods) – August 13 – August 28
Goddess of the Month of Hesperia – August 9 – September 5
Source
The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick
The Pagan Book of Days for Tuesday, August 15
Day of St. Mary, the continuation of the Great Mother Goddess in her fertile aspect, when she is invoked to ensure a good vintage:
On St. Mary’s Day, sunshine
Brings much good wine.
This is the Christian festival of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It also marks the end of the dog days, the hottest period of the year.
Source
The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick
On Tuesday, August 15th, We Honor The Hesperides
The Hesperides , Daughters of the Evening
“…amidst the gardens fair
Of Hesperus and his daughters three,
That sing about the golden tree.” (“Comus” by Milton)
The Hesperides are Daughters of Nyx, the Mother Night – although later mythology has Them as daughters of Atlas or of Hesperus. The three sisters – Aegle (the luminous one), Erytheia (the crimson one) and Hesperia (the evening one) – are nymphs who live in a beautiful garden, situated in the Arcadian Mountains (Greece) or, alternatively, at the western extreme of the Mediterranean, near Mt. Atlas. In this garden grows the tree with the golden apples of immortality. This garden is guarded by Ladon, a dragon with a hundred heads and who has the gift of human speech. The Hesperides are known for Their sweet singing voices and also have the ability to change Their shapes and become trees – Aegle into a willow, Erytheia into an elm and Hesperia into a poplar.
The only person who ever succeeded in obtaining some of the immortal golden apples from the garden of the Hesperides was Hercules, who tricked the God Atlas to get the apples for him. The apples were later returned to the garden by Athena because the sacred fruit were not to remain outside the garden.
The Hesperides have as associations: the apple; the color gold; immortality; gardens; and the trees poplar, elm and willow.
The Magickal Day of Tuesday
Named for the Norse god Tyr, who was a deity of heroism and combat, Tuesday is a very martial sort of day – color associations include bright red and oranges, as well as warrior-like metals such as iron and steel.
The ancient Romans called this day Martis, after the warrior god Mars – other deities associated with Tuesday include Ares, the Morrighan, and other gods of battle and glory. Red gemstones like rubies and garnets come into play on Tuesdays, as do herbs and plants such as thistles, holly, coneflowers and cacti – you’ll notice these are all sharp, prickly plants!
One of the interesting – and more than a little amusing – aspects of Tuesday magic is that in addition to war and conflict against your enemies, this is a day also associated with marriage. You can also use this day of the week for magical workings connected to protection and initiation. Use Tuesday to assert yourself, make a mark and stake your claims
Source
Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article originally published on & owned by ThoughtCo.
The Witches Guide to Tuesdays
A god, goddess, or planet governs each day of the week. It is usually easy to spot the ruler of the day by its name. The word Tuesday, however, is not so easy, but if we look at the word in Spanish, Martes, we clearly see its connections to Mars.
Because Tuesday revolves around the energy of Mars, Tuesdays are good for business, mechanical things, buying and selling animals, hunting, beginning studies, gardening, sexual activities, and confrontation. This is a day for sex magick, energy, stamina, and health. As in the old saying, Tuesdays child is full of grace, is also good for success magick and defense against enemies.
Angels of Tuesday are Camael, Samael, Satael, Amabiel, Friagne, and Hyniel. When invoked, Camael takes the form of a leopard. In Druid mythology he is a god of war, which is why we see him associated with Mars. Camael is said to be a member of the “Magnificent Seven” in some circles. Camael is another “terminator” angel.
Samael walks both worlds as a magician and sorcerer. some see him as the angel of death, others as “the bright and poisonous one.” Many consider him more of a demon, and accuse him of being Satan. However, there is reference to the satans (plural) as enforcers of the law, a sort of angelic police, if you will. Supposedly, when Samael is around, dogs howl in the night. On one hand, he is the ruler of the fifth heaven and in charge of two million angels; on the other, he is the one who changed into a serpent and convinced Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit of knowledge.
Satael is an angel of air invoked in magic rites and is the presiding spirit of the planet Mars. Amabiel is another spirit of the planet Mars; however he spends his energy on issues of human sexuality. Friagne, also an angel of this day, is invoked from the east. He is a member of the fifth heaven. Hyniel also belongs to this day and is subject to the east wind.
On Tuesdays the hour of sunrise and every eight hours after that are also ruled by Mars, and that makes these times of the day doubly blessed. These four hours are the strongest ones to do ritual in. Check your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine your local sunrise.
Source
Gypsy Magic
A Little Witchery for Your Tuesdays
Tuesday is the day to work any magick that falls in the category of increasing strength, courage, bravery, and passion. All of these intense emotions are linked to this day’s energies, and spells designed around these themes will have extra punch when performed on this magickal day.
So, let’s add a little passion and conviction into your life! Break out the daring red pieces of your wardrobe, and put a little pizzazz into your day. Work with Lilith, and see what she has to teach you about personal power and sexuality. Meditate on Tiw/Tyr and Mars, and see what those ancient warrior gods will show you about new tactics, strategies, and claiming personal victories in your life. Practice conjuring up that astral weapon from the meditation and use it wisely for protection and for courage.
Create a philter for courage and protection or handcraft your own Witch’s jar to remove negativity from your home. See what other Witch crafts you can conjure up with Tuesday’s magick. Create some kitchen magick on this Tuesday by whipping up a spicy stew-add in a few Mars-associated ingredients such as carrots, peppers, and garlic. Empower the stew for success, and then treat yourself and your family to a good, hearty meal. Try working with a little aromatherapy and burn some spicy or coffee-scented candles to increase your energy level.
Check the sky at night, and see if you can find the reddish planet Mars up in the heavens. Not sure where to look? Check an astronomy magazine or search the Web for more information. Become a magickal warrior and move forward in your life with strength, courage, and compassion. Embrace the side of yourself that loves a good challenge and that is passionate and daring! Banish fear, and face your future with strength and conviction. Believe in yourself and in your dreams, work hard, and you will win every time.
Source
—-Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan
The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, August 15th
Bon Festival (Japanese)
Waning Moon
Moon phase: Fourth Quarter
Moon Sign: Taurus
Moon enters Gemini 10: 06 am
Incense: Cinnamon
Color: Maroon
Aspects of the Moon in Gemini
Gemini is a mutable sign that is a speedy and bright messenger. And your Moon sign (and House position) shows your deepest needs, the recipe for feeling “at home.”
So picture Gemini Moon at home when their curiosity is piqued, and they’re tracking that novel idea. It may be a flash moment, and it’s on to the next thing. You could call them capricious and superficially engaged, but you’ll never call them boring!
That changeable nature is at the heart of who they are. And it’s why Gemini Moons have an easy way with people of all stripes.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t have a soulful side, or they’re always light. Gemini is a sign of both light and dark, and everything in between.
It takes time to see all the dimensions, since Gemini Moon leads with the thinking mind, even when talking about feelings.
They drive themselves crazy thinking too much, and this can lead to spiky emotional states.
When Gemini Moons are overwrought, they show different faces, which can take even those close to them by surprise. Gemini’s dark side comes out in cynical humor and sometimes playing the conniving trickster.
“You’d have to spend a lot of time with me, before I’d be comfortable enough to show my dark side.” Julianne Moore (Sun Sagittarius with Moon in Gemini).
Social Butterfly
The Moon in Gemini person has a light touch socially, and has an instinct for putting others at ease. Air sign Moons have a way of relating that’s spacious, with lots of room for fresh ideas.
Those with the Moon in Gemini have brightly lit up minds in which the wheels are always turning.
For them the world is full of interesting topics to learn and think about, and of course, chat about with others. They’re lively conversationalists, and usually able to find the hilarity in any situation.
They take in everything that people share, and can become notorious gossips if they pass it on. It’s usually not out of malice, but out of a genuine fascination with the spectacle of life and people.
Whirled View
The Gemini Moon can find it hard to relax, and even when winding down in the evening may have several conduits of information on at once, such as the TV and radio, all the while surfing the Net. Today’s technology is tailor-made for them, with its short, snippet-style and quick turnaround.
The Moon in Gemini mind needs constant stimulation, and this is how it finds emotional comfort. Mercury rules the Moon here, so messages of comfort and inspiration are nourishing.
Ideally, all this information is filtered through, and then redistributed out to the world through their unique gifts. Many are fine writers, artists and comedians, since they’re so tuned in to the peculiarities of their social surroundings.
In romance, the Gemini Moon is an enchanting mate that is also like a fun, child-like friend. Their ideal mate is someone with an adaptable outlook who helps sooth their nervous temperament. In return they offer a relationship that is fresh and always evolving because of their endless search for variety.
Keywords:
witty, social, flexible, curious, interesting, light-hearted
The Shadow Side:
nervous, distracted, fickle, superficial, manipulative
Mutable and Air
Reference
Molly Hall, Astrology Expert
Article originally published on & owned by ThoughtCo
The Witches Correspondences for Tuesday, August 15
Dedicated to the powers of the planet Mars, personified as Ares, Tiwaz, Tiw, and Tyr.
Element : Water
Planet : Mars
Zodiac Sign : Aries / Scorpio
Angel : Samuel
Metal : Iron, Steel
Incense / Perfumes : Dragon’s Blood, Patchouli
Oil : Basil, Coriander, Ginger
Color : Red, Orange
Stones : Bloodstone, Garnet, Carnelian,
Plants/Herbs : Allspice, Blessed Thistle, Cayenne, Daisy, Garlic, Ginger, Pepper, Pine, Red Rose, Thyme, Tobacco, Wormwood
Magick to work: self-assertion, energy, and courage, victory, endurance, passion, masculine goals in general, sex, aggression, protection, controlled power, ambition, arguments, competition, conflict, destruction, lust, male sexuality, sports, strife, struggle, surgery, medical issues, upheaval, war
Tuesday Is Ruled By Mars
Tuesday is a Mars day, and just like the god of war, this is the time to tap into magicks to call for strength and courage. This day of the week is for rebels and warriors. If you are facing a challenge of any kind, need a boost to your courage, or want to enhance your passions, Tuesday is the day of the week for you.
Some suggestions for Tuesday enchantments would include:
*Wearing the fiery colors associated with this day: scarlet, red, black, and orange. Don some of the more daring and bewitching colors of your wardrobe on Tuesdays and turn a few heads
*Carrying a bloodstone in your pocket or wearing garnet-studded jewelry to reinforce your convictions
*Working with protective and fire-associated plants such as the snapdragon, thistle, and holly to boost your shields and bravery
*Burning spicy-scented energy-enhancing candles to add a little magical aromatherapy to your home
*Cooking up a hearty meal featuring carrots, peppers, and garlic (all Mars foods and spices) to empower yourself for victory and success
The Energy of Mars
Weekday ruled by Mars: Tuesday
Stones:
Bloodstone
Garnet
Carnelian
Pink Tourmaline
Herbs and Plants:
Red Rose
Cock’ comb
Mugwort
Mullien
Nettle
Thistle
Wormwood
Magickal Intention: Courage, physical strength, revenge, military honors, surgery, breaking negative cycles, war, viltality, Assertiveness.
Let’s Talk Witch – Rites of Passage
We have several rites of passage, the most common of which is initiation. Others include the marking of important phases of life such as birth (wiccaning), coming of age, marriage (handfasting) and death. A rite of passage unique to Witchcraft is Eldering or the honoring of The Elders.
Witchcraft is a religion by choice. For this reason, initiation takes on great importance since it marks a formal entrance of a free-willed individual into The Craft. Some Witches have a collective, celebratory ceremony, whereas others are happy with a simple, solitary meditation. Whichever way it is marked, it is a greatly spiritual moment, marking the beginning of a religious journey.
Various traditions and individuals have different ways of performing a Wiccan/Witchcraft initiation ritual. Under British Traditional Wicca and other similar traditions, there are usually three degrees of initiation. There is also a prescribed period of dedication before the first initiation.
During the dedication period of a year and a day, a person promises to make an effort to study Witchcraft as much as possible. After that, the first degree initiation may be held. For coven initiates, there is usually a ceremony in which an individual is granted entrance into the Wiccan community. A first-degree Wiccan initiate then becomes responsible for his or her own spiritual well-being. The second and third degrees in Wicca mean an increase in the level of responsibility.
Another interesting, commonly performed Witchcraft ceremony is handfasting. This rite is performed to join together two individuals in the eyes of the God and Goddess. Wiccan handfasting ceremonies are as varied as regular wedding ceremonies. They are usually performed in a circle like other Wiccan rituals. The hands of the couple are tied together for symbolic value. A common wedding vow amongst Wiccans is a variation of the beautiful phrase “for as long as love lasts.”
Wiccans have a naming or wiccaning ceremony upon the birth of a child. Although this child may not choose to be a Wiccan when he or she grows up, his Wiccan parents wish to keep him or her under the protection of the God and Goddess.
A fairly newer rite in Wicca is to honor those who have been on this religious path for more than 20 years. It is called eldering, and is a sort of a retirement for a senior Wiccan from a position of power. In the ceremony, the elder tells stories about his or her journey of Wicca. He or she shares experiences and gives advice to younger Wiccans.
A passing away or death rite is also observed by many Wiccans. Usually this custom is started before the Wiccan’s actual death so that he or she may take part in it as well. The practices vary with each individual but are designed to make the dying Wiccan’s passage easier.
Reference
Wicca Made Easy: Simple Spells for Love, Money, Luck, Success, Weight Loss & More!
Sarah M. Lancaster
The Witches Magick for Tuesday, August 15th – To Break the Powers of a Spell (against you)
Items that you will need in order to perform this spell:
1 large black candle
Cauldron or large black bowl
Ritual: Place the candle in the large black bowl or cauldron, affixing it with droppings of another black candle. The candle should be tall enough to extend a few inches above the rim.
Fill the cauldron to the rim with fresh water, without welling the candle’s wick. Deep breathe meditate, clear your mind and light the candle. Visualize the suspected spell’s power as residing within the candles flame. Sit in quiet contemplation of the candle and visualize the power flowing and growing within the candle’s flame. As the candle burns down, its flame will eventually sputter and go out as it contacts the water. As soon as the water has extinguished the flame, the spell will be dispersed. See the spell power explode into dust. Pour water in a hole in the ground and bury the candle.
Source
The Modern Day Spellbook: A Collection of Spells for the Modern Day Witch
R. Marten
Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Spirituality 365 Days a Year – Assumption of the Virgin Mary
August 15
Assumption of the Virgin Mary
This is the major feast of Mary in the Roman Catholic Church, the “Feast of Mary in Harvest” in the Irish Church, and the major feast of all churches that bear her name. As the Assumption is commonly depicted with Mary ascending through the clouds, she has become the patron of aircraft pilots and crew.
Formerly on this day, women were admitted to the Sistine Chapel between first and second vespers, being excluded the rest of the year lest they should disturb devotions with their chatter.
Prayer
Almighty, ever-living God, You raised to
eternal glory the body and soul of the
immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother os your
Son. Grand that our minds may always be
directed heavenward and that we may deserve
to share in her glory. Amen.
A Brief Commentary
I don’t have to tell you that our world is in a horrible state, we all know that. Throughout history our great country has survived many tragic circumstances and times. The times we now face, our generation has never had to confront. It seems something has been unleashed in our great country, a force that seems determined to divide us and tear us apart. I can’t tell you what to do or what to say or how to think but I will remind you of one thing,
WE ARE WITCHES
and
“LOVE IS OUR LAW”
May the Goddess Shine Her Love & Goodness Down Upon Us All,
Lady of the Abyss
Witches Of The Craft® 
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