The Witches Digest for Monday, January 8

(Part 1)

The Coven Spell

O ancient ones of heaven, earth and sea,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!
To music of the night-wind blowing free,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!

The owl hoots within the hollow tree,
The black cat runs by night silently,
The toad beneath the stone dwells secretly,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!

To moon that draws the tides of air and sea,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!
To god that bides beneath the greenwood tree,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!

By witches’ garter bound about the knee,
By staff and cauldron and all powers that be,
We will the thing in our minds we see,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!

The Spell is flowing like the sea,
The spell is growing like the tree,
Like flame that burns and blazes free.
We chant the spell, thus shall it be!
We chant the spell, thus shall it be!
We chant the spell, thus shall it be!
IT IS!

Source
Doreen Valiente
“Witchcraft For Tomorrow” pp. 181-182
Published on PaganLibrary

How Much Do You Really Know About the Month of January–The Month of Janus

The first month was called Januarius by the Romans, after Janus, the god of doors and gates. We see the same word in janua, the Latin for a gate or opening. From the idea that a door is a way in, an entrance, it became a custom among the Romans to pray to Janus whenever they undertook a new work. He was also the god of the beginning of the day, and it was only natural that when a new month was added at the beginning of the year it should be named after him. During this month offerings to the god were made of meal, frankincense, and wine, each of which had to be quite new.

Since a gate opens both ways, Janus was thought to be able to see back into the past, and forward into the future, and he was usually represented in pictures as having a double head that looked both ways. On the earliest Roman coins he is drawn with two bearded faces, with a staff in one hand, and a key in the other, He was also the protector of trade and shipping, and on some coins his head is shown with the prow of a ship. When people wished to picture him as the god of the year, they drew him holding the number 300 in one hand, and 65 in the other.

Janus was worshiped on the Janiculum (Hill of Janus), one of the seven hills on which Rome was built. Since he was the God of Gates, all the gates of Rome were under his care, especially the archway through which the army marched to war, and by which it returned. This archway was afterwards replaced by a temple which was called Janus Quadrifrons–that is, four-sided–because it was square. On each side of the building there were three windows and one door, making twelve windows and four doors, which represented the twelve months and the four seasons. In times of war the temple gates were kept wide open since people were continually making offerings to the god, but whenever there came a time of peace, the gates were at once closed. As we know the Romans were continually fighting, it does not surprise us to find that the gates of the temple were closed only three times in seven hundred years.

Janus was said to be the son of Apollo, the God of the Sun, whose daily task it was to drive across the sky in his chariot of fire. Each morning when Aurora, the Goddess of the Dawn, had opened the gates of the East, Apollo set forth, and when, his task accomplished, he reached the Western Ocean, he returned to his palace in the East.

“And the gilded car of day
His glowing axle doth allay
In the steep Atlantic stream:
And the slope sun his upward beam
Shoots against the dusky pole,
Pacing toward the other goal
Of his chamber in the East.”

MILTON–Comus.

Apollo had another son, named Phaeton, who one day persuaded his father to allow him to drive the sun chariot. All went well for a time, and then Phaeton, being a reckless boy, began to drive too fast. He soon lost control of the horses, which plunged madly along and bore the chariot far from its track. It went so close to the earth that the fields were scorched, the rivers were dried up, and even the people were turned black–and they are black to this day! The cries of the terrified people attracted the attention of Jupiter, the king of the gods, who became enraged when he caught sight of the daring boy in the chariot of the sun. Taking up one of his thunderbolts, he hurled it at Phaeton, who, scorched by its fire, fell headlong to the earth.

Another sad story told of Apollo is that of his friendship with a youth named Hyacinthus, to talk with whom Apollo used often to come down to the earth. Zephyrus, the God of the South Wind, was very fond of Hyacinthus too, and one day as Apollo and Hyacinthus were playing a game of quoits, Zephyrus came by. Filled with jealousy at the sight of Apollo and his friend, he blew Apollo’s quoit aside so that it struck Hyacinthus and killed him. Apollo was greatly distressed at his friend’s death, and in order that he might never be forgotten, changed the fallen blood-drops into clusters of flowers, which we still call Hyacinths.

“For so Apollo, with unweeting hand,
Whilom did slay his dearly loved mate,
Young Hyacinth born on Enrotas’ strand,
Young Hyacinth the pride of Spartanland,
But then transformed him to a purple flower.”

MILTON.

Another flower which should always remind us of Apollo is the sunflower. A story says that there once lived a girl named Clytie, and that each day, with eyes full of love for the fair sun god, she watched him journey across the sky: but Apollo, knowing nothing of her love, took no heed of her as he passed. Clytie watched for him day after day on a river bank, and her heart sank as each evening she saw his chariot dip down into the West. She would not leave the river bank, but stayed all through the cold night, anxiously waiting for the first flash of the sun’s rays from the glowing East. At last the gods took pity on her, and changed her into a sunflower. Her green dress became green leaves, and her golden hair became yellow petals. Now was she happy indeed, for she knew that she could always see Apollo, and you will find that to this day the sunflower turns its head towards the sun as it moves across the sky.

Aurora, the Goddess of the Dawn, whom we have mentioned as opening the gates of the East for the sun god Apollo, married a mortal, Tithonus, a prince of Troy. In order that their happiness might know no end, Aurora begged Jupiter to grant Tithonus immortality. The wish was granted, but in her anxiety that Tithonus should never be taken from her by death, Aurora forgot to ask also for the gift of eternal youth. As the years went on Tithonus grew old and weak and became only a burden to her. At length, tired of his shrill voice and constant complaints, she turned him into a grasshopper, whose shrill complaining note is known to all.

The name for this month among the Angles and Saxons was Wulfmonath (Wolf month), since it was the time of year when the wolves were unable to find food, and their hunger made them bold enough to come into the villages.

Monday, January 8

Monday is the sacred day of the moon, personified as the goddesses Selene, Luna, and Mani. The moon is ruler of flow, affecting the changeable and impressionable aspects of people. If a full moon falls on a Monday, then the powers of the moon are at their most potent.

Deity: Mani

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Planet: Moon

Tree: Willow

Herb: Chickweed

Stone: Agate

Animal: Crab

Element: Water

Color: Green

Rune: Lagu (L)

The Celtic Tree Month of Beth (Birch) (December 24 – January 20)

Runic Half Month of Eoh (Yew tree) (December 28 – January 12)

Goddess of the Month of Hestia (December 26th – January 22nd)

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

On Monday, January 8th, We Celebrate The Queen of the Witches, Hecate

Hecate

Believed to have originated outside of Greece—possibly Egypt or southwest Asia—before being assimilated into the Greek culture, Hecate was initially a mother goddess, associated with childbirth and the female reproductive process.
Her name has been given several possible meanings. “Hecate” is said to be a feminine form of “Hekatos,” which was a rarely used name for Apollo. It is also said to mean “most shining one,” which would correlate with portrayals of her wearing a starry headdress and holding a torch.
However, she later became associated with witchcraft, sorcery, ghosts, and the spirit world. Some argue that this was due to the advent of male-dominated societies becoming the norm, with a fear of women’s power. We will probably never know, but we do have an additional meaning for Hecate’s name, which is “she who works her will.” As such, she is a beloved patron goddess of many Wiccans and other magic-practicing Pagans.
In Greek mythology, Hecate tends to be seen as a powerful outsider. She is adopted by the Olympians, but never lives among them. And yet, in the earlier myths, Zeus grants her dominion over the Earth, the seas, and even the heavens, and she appears to be his equal.
Later myths show her as Zeus’ daughter and associate her with the Underworld. In one story, she is sent there to rescue Persephone who has been captured by Hades. Hades is reluctant to give Persephone up, so an arrangement is made to let her spend half of the year with the living and the other half in the Underworld with the dead. Hecate becomes Persephone’s chaperone as she moves between the worlds. As time went on, Hecate became increasingly depicted as a frightening hag, associated with the waning Moon and restless spirits, ultimately becoming known as the Goddess of the Dead.
Crossroads were traditionally associated with Hecate, most likely because of the crossroads that the newly dead would encounter in the Underworld. She could manifest as a black dog, considered a guardian symbol of both houses of the living and of the entrance to the realm of Hades.
She is often portrayed holding a snake—another symbol of the dead—and wearing a belt with the keys to the spirit world. She may be accompanied by a three-headed dog, or have the “triple head” of a dog, snake, and lion. Compared to the earlier representations of her with the torch and headdress of stars, it’s clear that her darker aspects became more prominent as time went on!
Wiccans revere Hecate’s title of “Queen of the Witches,” and many see her as an example of a triple goddess, even though she doesn’t quite fit the description in the classic sense. She is mostly a crone goddess, due to her associations with magic and death, and is called upon for help with transformational magic during the “dark” time of the year, beginning at Samhain. Some traditions worship Hecate and the Celtic goddess Brighid as alternating deities of darkneand light, with Hecate ruling over the waning half of the year, and Brighid ruling the waxing half—something like a feminine version of the Oak King and Holly King.
To honor Hecate, leave her offerings of raw eggs, cheese, or garlic at a crossroads, or decorate your altar with images of snakes, black dogs, owls or ravens.

Source

Wicca Magical Deities: A Guide to the Wiccan God and Goddess, and Choosing a Deity to Work Magic With
Lisa Chamberlain

The Magick of Monday

Spellwork intentions:
Psychic work
Intuition
Dreams
Spirit Work
Female Fertility
Reconciliation
Receptivity
Love
Purity
Healing

Planet: The Moon

Color: Silver

Crystal: Pearl, Opal, Moonstone

Magical Days Of the Week – Monday

Monday is the day of the moon itself, and it’s a day that’s connected to lunar colors like silver, white, or even a pale blue. Metals and gemstones like silver, pearl, opal and moonstone all come into play today.

There are plenty of deities associated with the moon – Thoth and Diana for instance – and herbal correspondences include many members of the mint family. Utilize wintergreen or peppermint, as well as catnip, comfrey, sage and chamomile in your workings.

When it comes to Monday magic, because of that lunar connection, it’s a good time to focus on workings related to childbearing and family life, purity and virginity, healing, wisdom, and intuition. Do a little bit of self exploration and work on developing your intuition – learn to trust your gut. Celebrate birth and life, and make some magic to fix what is broken.

Author

Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Originally published on & owned by ThoughtCo.com

Monday–The Day of the Moon

The moon, like the sun, was an object of wonder in the days of old, and was worshiped almost everywhere in some form or other, but it does not play quite so important a part in story as the sun. Since the moon is paler than the sun and its light soft and gentle, it was often regarded as being a chariot driven by a woman, but the course of the moon-goddess across the sky was similar to that of the sun-god.

Diana, the moon-goddess of the Greeks and Romans, known also as Cynthia, Phoebe, and Arterms, was the twin-sister of Apollo, and drove a golden chariot drawn by milk-white horses. Diana and Apollo were children of Jupiter, and were born in the Island of Delos, where a temple to Apollo was afterwards built. Another of the Seven Wonders of the World was the temple to Diana at Ephesus, on the west coast of Asia Minor. The worship of Diana at Ephesus is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles: “And when the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, ‘Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?'” The temple was destroyed in the year A.D. 263, but remains of it may still be seen.

Diana was also the Goddess of Hunting; she was a skilled archer, and spent the day in huuting, as we have seen in the story of Orion.

The most famous story of Diana is that of her love for Endymion, a young shepherd–a story which has been told by the poets many times. One evening as the moon-goddess was driving silently across the sky, she saw sleeping on a hillside a handsome youth, his resting flock scattered over the gentle slope. Attracted by his beauty, Diana stepped from her chariot and gazed long at his face; then softly stooping, she kissed him lightly on the lips. Endymion, half wakened by her touch, caught a fleeting vision of the fair goddess as she hastened to her chariot. Filled with wonder at the sight, he rose quickly and rubbed his eyes, but all he saw was the bright moon floating across the dark sky, and he thought that he had been dreaming. The next night the goddess came to him again, and again he saw her with his half closed eyes. Each night when the bright rays of the moon fell on his upturned face he dreamed this wonderful dream, but he was always sleeping when the goddess came, and nevr saw her in her full and dazzling beauty. The days now seemed long and dreary to Endymion, and he waited anxiously for the night that he might see again the glorious vision.

Diana was filled with dread at the thought that the beautiful youth would lose his beauty as the years went by, and at last she cast a spell over him while he slept, so that he should never wake again, and carried him away to a cave in a mountain-side known only to herself. There the loving Diana paused each night in her journey across the sky, and gazed on the face of the fair Endymion.

Diana, when hunting in the forest, was attended by a band of wood-nymphs who were her faithful followers. One of these nymphs, Arethusa, was one day cooling herself after the chase on the banks of the River Alpheus, when suddenly the God of the River appeared. The startled nymph ran quickly into the woods, but the god Alpheus pursued her, telling her that he loved her and that she need fear no harm. Arethusa was too frightened to listen to the god, and ran on, till at last, worn out, she prayed to Diana for help. The moon-goddess was ever ready to help her faithful nymphs, and in answer to the prayer transformed the girl into a fountain, which she hid in a thick mist. Alpheus, suddenly losing sight of the nymph, wandered sorrowfully about, calling out her name in his distress. Arethusa now thought that she was safe, but the wind-god, Zephyrus, blew aside the mist, and Alpheus saw a fountain where there had not been one before, and guessed what had happened. He quickly changed himself into a river and rushed towards the fountain, but Arethusa sprang from the rocks and hastened away over the stones and grass. Diana now saw her fresh danger, and made an opening in the ground, through which Arethusa slipped, to find herself in the kingdom of Pluto, the God of the Underworld. Here she wandered until she found another opening, by which she escaped once again into the sunshine on the plain of Sicily. Alpheus, however, at last made his way across the sea to Sicily, where he found Arethusa and won her love. The Greeks believed that flowers cast into the River Alpheus in Greece were carried by the river as gifts to his lover, and appeared later in the fountain of Arethusa in Sicily!

Among the Egyptians the moon was regarded as a god, who was named Thoth (The Measurer). He was also the God of Wisdom, Invention, Writing, and Magic. He was one of the earliest of the Egyptian gods, having come into being at the same time as Ra, the sun-god, and it was he who was said to have created the world. The Romans compared him with Mercury because, like Mercury, he invented writing. As the God of the Moon, he was represented as wearing a crescent moon on his head, and holding in his hand a stylus, a pointed instrument used by the Egyptians for writing on their wax tablets.

The Babylonian moon-god was Sin, the Lord of Wisdom. He was the father of the sun-god, and was one of the greatest of the gods, owing to the fact that the Babylonians regulated their calendar by the moon.

The Angles and Saxons believed that the moon was driven across the sky by Mani, the son of a giant, in a golden chariot drawn by a horse named the All Swift. As in the case of the sun, our ancestors had no distinct goddess of the moon; but we shall read of Mani again in a later chapter.

Hymn to Diana

Queen and huntress, chaste and fair,
Now the sun is laid to sleep,
Seated in thy silver chair,
State in wonted manner keep:
Hesperus entreats thy light,
Goddess excellently bright.
Earth, let not thy envious shade
Dare itself to interpose;
Cynthia’s shining orb was made
Heaven to clear when day did close;
Bless us then with wished sight,
Goddess excellently bright.
Lay thy bow of pearl apart,
And thy crystal shining quiver;
Give unto the flying hart
Space to breathe, how short soever,
Thou that mak’st a day of night,
Goddess excellently bright.

BEN JONSON–Cynthia’s Revels.

The Witches Guide to Mondays

In the word Monday, we can see part of the word Moon. In the romance languages such as Italian or Spanish, this day of the week is called Lunes and clearly relates to the word lunar. On Mondays, a variety of magick may be worked. Because Monday centers on the energies of the Moon, things like dreams, feminine energy, health, success in spiritual pursuits, domestic matters, and things of family origin are especially important this day.

Mondays are best for love magick and anything concerning home or family, thus old saying, Mondays child is fair of face, which seems clearly to relate to the themes of love and health.

Angels of Monday are Gabriel, Arcan, Missabu, and Abuzaha. Arcan is known as the king of the angels of air and the “ruler” of Monday. Abuzaha (Abuzohar) serves Monday, and is very responsive to invocations and ritual magick. Missabu is a ministering angel of Arcan.

Check whether the moon is waning or waxing to determine what your spell will be. During waning moons, do spells to rid yourself of obstacles or for wisdom and protection. During waxing moons do magic for increase of any kind or to draw something into your life.

On Mondays, the best hour to work is moonrise. Get this information from your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac.
Source

Gypsy Magic

Monday Is A Day of Witchery, Magick and Enchantment

Think for a moment on all of the witchery, magick and enchantments that you have discovered. Don’t be afraid to adjust spells to suit your own specific needs. Any gentle, illusory, and dreamy charms and spells can be enhanced when you work on the day of the week that is dedicated to the moon. Mondays are a fantastic day to boost your psychic abilities and to tune in to your intuition and empathy. It also gives you the opportunity to work with a different lunar phase each and every Monday, which means in one month you could work four different types of moon magicks on Mondays. How’s that for adding to your repertoire? You are going to have mad skills in no time at all.

So light up those lunar scented candles and add a little mystique to your outfit by wearing an enchanting lunar color. Wear your sparkling silver jewelry and maybe add a pair of dangling silver earrings or a pendant shaped like a crescent moon. Create lunar potions and philters; make a dream catcher and give it as a gift to someone you love. Burn some sandalwood or jasmine-scented incense today to inspire the glamour and magick of the moon. Slice up a favorite variety of fruit that is in season for a snack or share it with your love and enjoy his or her lunar and romantic qualities. Brew up a cup of chamomile tea, enchant it with a little moon magick, and relax and get a good night’s sleep.

Most importantly, get outside tonight and watch the moon for a while. What phase is she in? What color was the moon as she rose? Why not start a journal and write down at what location the moon rises and sets for a few seasons? This is a great way to teach you to tune in and to become more aware of the moon and the influence that she pulls into our lives. Try calling on Selene for her magickal assistance, and call Thoth for wisdom and strength. Get to know the Norse Mani and the Latvian Meness. These gods of the moon have plenty to teach, and if you allow their influence to cycle through your life, you’ll receive many blessings. Be imaginative, and create your own personal lunar magick and witchery. Go on….the moonlight becomes you.

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

The Witches Almanac for Monday, January 8th

Midwives’ Day (Bulgarian)

Waning Moon

 
Fourth Quarter 5: 25 pm

 
Moon Sign: Libra

 
Incense: Hyssop

 
Color: Lavender

Moon in Libra

Creating order is the focus, not necessarily through tidying or organizing as was the case while the Moon was in Virgo, but rather through pleasing interactions with others and aesthetics in our environment. We tend to solve problems through diplomacy, and we are more able to put aside our own emotions in order to achieve the peace we crave. The tendency now is to avoid direct confrontations. Decisions do not come easily. Seeing both sides to any given situation is the main reason for hesitation. Fear of losing others’ approval is another.

The Moon in Libra generally favors the following activities: Relationship and partnership issues, activities involving teamwork and cooperation, activities that involve self-examination, activities related to beauty.

The Witches Correspondences for Monday, January 8th

Day: Monday ( Moon-day)

Planet: Moon

Colors: Silver and White and Grey

Crystals: Moonstone, Pearl, Aquamarine, Silver, Selenite

Aroma: Jasmine, Lemon, Sandalwood, Moon Oil, African violet, Honeysuckle, Myrtle, Willow, and Wormwood

Herb: Moonwart

The sacred day of the Moon, personified by such goddesses as Selene, Luna, Diana, and Artemis. The Moon is ruler of flow affecting the changeable aspects of people. If a full moon falls on a Monday, its powers are at their most potent.

Magical aspects: peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friendships, psychic awareness, purification, and fertility Monday is ruled by the moon – an ancient symbol of mystery and peace. Monday is a special day for mothers as the cycle of the moon has long been associated with the female menstrual cycle. Those wishing to conceive a baby would be wise to try on a Monday as the magic of motherhood is strong and pregnancy is in the air.

This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving agriculture, animals, female fertility, messages, reconciliation’s, theft, voyages, dreams, emotions, clairvoyance, home, family, medicine, cooking, personality, merchandising, psychic work, Faerie magic, and Goddess rituals

Monday Is Ruled By the Moon

This day of the week is dedicated to the moon and all of her magic and mystery. Mondays are for women’s mysteries, illusion, prophetic dreaming, emotions, travel, and fertility.

Some suggestions for Monday enchantments would include:

*Getting outside and looking for the moon in the heavens. Sit under her light and absorb a little glamour. Call on the moon goddess Selene for practical help in magical issues.

*Invoking the god Thoth for wisdom and insight

*Empowering your silver jewelry under the light of the moon. Wear moonstone or pearl jewelry today to add a lunar and magical shimmer to your outfit.

*Be mysterious and subtle and wear moon-associated colors such as white, silver, and blue.

*Working spells for safe travel with a simple moonstone

*Gathering bluebells, jasmine, gardenias, or white roses to create a little garden witchery with the flowers that are associated with the moon

*Setting up a lunar Tarot spell today to increase your psychic powers

*Eating a lunar fruit such as a melon to be healthy, serene, and at peace

*Brewing up a cup of chamomile or mint tea and enchanting it for sweet dreams and restful sleep

The Energy of the Moon

Planet: Moon

Day: Monday

Color: Silver, white, light blue, purple

Metal: Silver

Associations: Childbearing and family life, purity and virginity, healing, wisdom, intuition

MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR MONDAY

Monday is named after the moon. The Latin term for Monday is Dies Lunae (“moon’s day”); in the Old English language, this day was Monandaeg; in Greek, it was Hermera Selenes. All of these different names and languages translate to the same thing: the “day of the moon.”

Working with the different phases of the moon is an important skill that takes a bit of time for Witches to learn. So why not cut to the chase and experiment with the day of the week that is dedicated to the moon in all of its magickal energies and aspects?

Magickally, Monday encourages the lunar energies of inspiration, illusion, prophetic dreams, emotions, psychic abilities, travel, women’s mysteries, and fertility.

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

The Witches Magick for Monday, January 8th – Household Protectors Spell

Everyone has a protector, individual and family collective. If you think you don’t get help from yours, perhaps you need to give them a little more attention and praise. Use statues, bowls of stones, or other focal objects as a habitation for the family protectors.
This ritual is best during the waxing moon. Gather the following objects on your altar. Choose incense that reminds you of herbs, forests, and green growing things. Put a green candle in a holder and lay your wand beside it.
Decorate the immediate area around your symbol with pine cones, small statues of deer or other forest animals, ivy, holly, or something similar. Clean the guardian symbol so it hasn’t any dust or dirt on it. If the symbol is small enough set it on the altar or next to it.
Light the incense and candle. Stand before your altar and say:

Guardian spirits, I invite you to join me here at this altar.
You are my friends, ,and I wish to thank you.

Take the incense and circle the guardian symbol three times, moving clockwise.
I thank you for the atmosphere you help to keep clean and pleasant in this home.
Move the candle clockwise around the symbol three times.
I thank you for the light you send to purify and dispel the darkness.
With the wand in your power hand, encircle the symbol three times clockwise.
I ask for your continued help and protection for me, my family, my pets, and my property. I ask that you drive away trouble-makers, thieves, and other, physical and non-physical, who are bent on evil disruptive purposes. I thank you for your friendship and love.
Stand with your arms raised and say:

Lovely Goddess, Lord of the Greenwood, I present to you the guardian of this house, the special spirit I have invited into my home. I honor this guardian in this symbol of its being. Bless this guardian. And to your blessings, I add my thanks for its protection and friendship.

If you have more than one guardian, change all the its to their and so on. Spend a few moments lovingly caressing the symbol, mentally expressing that the guardian is important to you. If you have provided food and drink, invite your guardian friends to party with you. Talk with them, being sensitive to feathery caresses and mental whispers. When you are finished, thank them for their presence at your ritual.

Celebrating Legends,Folklore & Other Spirituality 365 Days A Year for January 8th

Justitia’s Day (Themis)

In classical Paganism, the spirit of Justice was feminine. It was believed that the quality of justice depended upon the femi- nine principle of Nature, which had a closer kinship with natura justum (that which is by Nature) than the masculine sex had.

 
It was Themis, the daughter of Uranus and Gaea and advisor to Zeus, who personified law and order. She protected the innocent, punished the guilty, and was considered the Goddess of law, peace, justice and righteousness. Themis carried a set of scales and was present at all feasts, social gatherings, and oath-swearing ceremonies

Magickal Activities for January 8th, The Day of Justitia

Prayer for Justice

Gracious Goddess, I beseech thy advocacy on my behalf.

Give to those who judge the spirit of wisdom and

understanding that they may discern the truth.

Allow them to render justice moderated with

compassion and mercy.

The Current Moon Phase for Monday, January 8th

Last Quarter
Illumination: 55%

The Moon today is in a Third Quarter phase. Sometimes called a Last Quarter Moon, this phase occurs roughly 3 weeks after the New Moon when the earth is three quarter of the way through it’s orbit around the earth. If you live in the northern hemisphere the Moons left side will be illuminated and the right side dark. For thoughts of you in the southern hemisphere it will be the opposite with the right side illuminated. On the day of the Third Quarter phase the Moon will rise around midnight on the eastern horizon and set in the west around noon the next day. In the days following the Third Quarter Phase the Moon’s illumination will decrees each day until the New Moon.

PHASE DETAILS FOR – MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2018
Phase: Last Quarter
Illumination: 55%
Moon Age: 21.72 days
Moon Angle: 0.52
Moon Distance: 385,505.10 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 147,108,991.96 km
Source
MoonGiant.com

Ah, come on, Mom, I heard Magickal Necessities is having sales, sales and more sales. Let’s go see!

Magickal Necessities

The Witches Digest for Friday, January 5th

(Part 3)

Your Daring Dating Horoscopes for the Weekend of January 5th

David Wells, Astrologer

From The Astrology Room

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)

You know that thing where you see someone and you just know, you know! Not that. It’s more a case of slowly, slowly catchy fun-times as someone who may not even interest you grows in confidence and in your heart. Ahh, how lovely. Really.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)

When love opportunity knocks don’t have your head in the fridge looking for leftover holiday treats. You’re hiding away T, I get it, I feel the same but you won’t find true love chasing an eat by date. Head out, Mars and Jupiter have some hot love offers on.
GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)

Until Thursday your ruler Mercury is in your relationship sky, there he is, asking you to say hello, to let someone know if you’re in or out of a new relationship perhaps? Be honest about it all Gemini, show your true colours or wear false ones for longer than you wanted to.
CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)

Of all the signs in the zodiac you’re the one most likely to have a week full of relationship goings on. Goings on? What on earth does that mean? It means single sorts inundated with offers, newly hooked up have some choices to make, been in it a while have commitments to commit to. Get on.
LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)

If you like the look of that bloke on the bus, that young lady on the tube or maybe you can’t decide which one appeals most? Travel and romance mix until Thursday, if there is someone who gains your attention of a morning say hi, before it’s bye-bye from Mercury.
VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)

It’s an effective strategy, getting out and about, mixing and mingling with lots of folks and where you’re having fun you’re more likely to meet someone who is interested in the same things as you. Five out of ten planets and luminaries would agree with you.
LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)

What if your mum told you she’d found the perfect partner for you? You’d run a mile, right? What if your sibling suggested it, any better? How about a best mate? Picky aren’t you. Someone close has some golden introductions, don’t dismiss them.
SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)

Can you see out of that fog you’re in? It’s all consuming Scorps but I can promise you it will clear, this week I would guess, and when it does you’ll know if it’s stay or go with someone who may be very nice and all, but is nice what you’re looking for?
SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)

Mercury and Uranus are making a last-ditch attempt to help you see someone who has been under your nose all this time, not literally to be clear. Someone who’s been around, someone who may have been challenging in a conversation of two, someone who’s not your type. Turns out they are.
CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)

Are you sure you want to step out the door? You’re a magnet for many things and in amongst them is the presence of Venus asking around, finding someone who may suit you. Find some space amongst the noise Capricorn, Venus gets what she wants, always.
AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)

Seeing is believing, a good philosophy to live by Aquarius, but what about the unseen, what about believing in forces that are conspiring to bring you and someone closer together; just not this week? Relax, cosmic strings are being pulled.
PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)

Getting to know someone better is a good idea, taking your time, finding out what they like and what they don’t; Facebook is good for that, right? Well, it’s useful for finding out what face they like to show to the world. Your job is to asses if it’s a true on, or not?

If You Were Born Today, January 5

Extremely versatile, you are multi-talented, clever, and imaginative. You are highly compassionate and sensitive, sometimes to the point of despondency, and it can take time in your life to find effective ways to manage this trait. Emotional impulsiveness is something you are likely to struggle with in your lifetime. When focused, you have strong leadership skills and a strong will as well. You are independent and unique, very perceptive, and highly original. Famous people born today: Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Marilyn Manson, Walter Mondale.

Your Birthday Year Forecast

Neptune transits in harmony with your Sun this year, and a higher purpose to your life is something you seek. You rely more heavily on your intuition in order to achieve it. You could find that your intuition is subtly enhanced and that you’re often in the right place at the right time, probably because your hunches are more likely to be correct. This aspect softens your disposition somewhat, as you tune into your imaginative and artistic side.

This is a good year for self-improvement programs or efforts. A more sensitive, even mysterious, persona is projected this year, and this can attract pleasantly unusual circumstances (and people) into your life. Career and life path matters may seem to magically fall into place, taking you in a direction that fits.

With the Sun and Moon in harmony in your Solar Return chart, the year ahead should be satisfying and balanced overall. You are in comfortable demand and personally popular, and you are able to achieve a decent balance between work and play; personal and professional life. For the most part, you are on top of your game this year, and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there is less stress on both your mind and body. Your self-confidence and positive attitude will reward you!

You have tremendous enterprising spirit this year, attracting strong opportunities on both professional and personal levels. You are able to see the “big picture”, which helps you plan effectively. You have significantly more courage and gumption, making the year ahead a standout one in which you are ready to try new things and take on challenges.

You’re also quite driven to make improvements and effect positive change in the year ahead. This positively impacts many areas of your life beyond the personal, including relationships and work.

This can be a good time for updating your electronics and technology in ways that open up new avenues for communication or ease. Wonderfully creative ideas can fill your head this year.

Again this year, powerful energy is with you for exploring various hobbies related to dancing, swimming, photography, arts, and entertainment (as was last year). If you are an artist, this could be an especially inspired, imaginative, and productive year. Pay attention to your gut feelings, which will, more often than not, give you valuable information. If you are involved in sales, you will be able to tune into your client’s inner desires and motivations. Your hunches are often right on target.

You are imaginative, creative, and communicate warmly and considerately. This is a good time for both teaching and learning, and for expressing feelings. Researching cooking, health, and nutrition can be fruitful now. It’s also a strong time for marketing.

You are attuned to the world of beauty and romance in the year ahead. Gentleness with others is a wonderful approach for attracting what you want into your life. There could be truly magical times on a romantic and social level. You are especially romantic or idealistic this year, and you might expand a relationship through sensitive interactions and a giving approach. Benefits come from paying attention to your dreams and intuitions, as well as through creativity.

This is an excellent year for enterprising endeavors and new interests, but equally as potent for relationships and creativity. You’re drawn instinctively to certain projects that have long-term value. It can be an especially creative, tuned-in year for self-expression, not only verbally but through hobbies, games, or sports.

2018 is a Number Eight year for you. Ruled by Saturn. This is a year of power and accomplishment. Actively seeking to expand, taking educated risks, and moving forward are highlighted. This is a year of opportunity, particularly in the material and business world, and opportunities need to be seized. It’s generally not a year to find a new love partner, simply because the focus is on the material world and your place in the world. This is a problem-solving year in which you can expect real, tangible results. Advice – take action, plan ahead, seize opportunities.

2019 will be a Number Nine year for you. Ruled by Mars. This is a year of completion and transition. It is a time when we need to let go of things that no longer serve their purpose, and hold on to things that have a future. It is a time of cleaning out dead wood, not necessarily for new beginnings. It can be a time when a burden has been taken off your shoulders, and it can be a year of giving of yourself. Advice – let go of things that are holding you back, give of yourself and express your sympathetic, compassionate side.

Source

Cafe Astrology.com

Get A Jump on Tomorrow….

Your Daily Horoscopes for Saturday, January 6th

Claire Petulengro, The Astrologer

From The Astrology Room

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)Do the best you can until you know better Aries. And then, when you know more, do more. You have been trying to move to the pace others set for you. Don’t be a follower but be a leader. Ring now so I can tell you your best points.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)
You feel that the atmosphere between you and a close one has changed. You’re no longer so sure you can tell them anything. Follow your instincts as the Sun is filling you with enough psychic energy to solve your own problems.
GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)
There is a feeling of urgency to your chart. Just be careful you are not pushing things which are not yet ready. You’ve done that before remember. Time is your new best friend this month.
CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)
Have you said things you now regret? Do you want to take back your words? You can and should as today gives you the perfect opportunity to do so. Be nice to new faces in business, especially the ones you think don’t hold the power.

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)
Try to take more time when making important decisions. It would be far better for you to think of every aspect that could go wrong as well as right before you commit. Remember last year?
VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)
A scatty mind could see you getting all manner of things wrong. Try to think before you act and before you speak. An important friendship in your life can’t take much more pressure Virgo.
LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)
Having fun is top of your list, but careful you don’t belittle those trying to get the job done. Have respect for those you know have been working hard on projects. There are hidden opportunities for you if you do.
SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)
For once you hold all the aces. You can afford to ask for what you want with confidence. You also see the error of your ways over festive dramas and are willing to take responsibility.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)
Jupiter knocked your confidence last week so you’re feeling a little more sensitive than usual. You want to do what others deem is ‘the right thing’, but you also know you have to follow your heart.
CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)
Try not to speak badly about those you’ve only just met. You may not realise it, but you’re unlikely to have all the facts. If you can allow others to move at their own pace this week, then you’ll find out all not just some of the facts.
AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)
Having goals is what life is all about. Knowing how to achieve those goals is not as easy as you thought, but could be if you can hold your head up high and talk with confidence my friend.
PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)
Why are you saying what others want to hear, rather than what is in your own heart? You of all signs should know that true happiness comes from being one’s true self. News from far away gives you peace over a worry you’ve had.

Psychic Tip of the Day

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2018

Tarot Card of the Day

Ten of Wands

January 5th, 2018

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2018

Tarot Love Card of the Day

The Emperor

The Emperor card has selected you to let you know that you sow seeds of better things and more fulfilling times ahead. Give yourself permission to reach out for more, especially if you are dissatisfied. You create a solid foundation, built on a sense of higher purpose. If your current relationship suffers from stress, today let tender actions reveal what you may be unable to put into words. Rebuild, from the ground up.

Erotic Tarot Card of the Day

The Pope

Your Daily Rune For January 5th, 2018

Isa

“Iss-ah” – Literally: “Ice” – Esoteric: Stasis, Stillness

Rune of concentration of things in a static or frozen state. Rune of stillness and the Ego-Self.

Psi: mental faculties, focus, ego, self-image/self-identity

Energy: stillness, contraction, stasis

Mundane: cold, self-preservation, harsh reality

Divinations: Concentrated self, ego-consciousness, self-control, unity of being; or egomania, dullness, blindness, dissipation, immobility, self-centeredness, lack of change, psychopathy.

Governs:
Development of concentration, will and focus
Halting of unwanted dynamic forces as an act of self-defense (ard against demonic influences)
Basic ego integration within a balanced multiversal system
Power of control and constraint over other wights (entities), emotional outbursts
Focus of the will into single-minded action

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Magus

The Magus is the physical embodiment of decisive action based upon knowledge and aimed squarely at specific goals. Thoroughly Yang by nature and firmly set in the material world, he none-the-less has a powerful spiritual connection as well. His knowledge, wisdom and skill are all encompassing. He is complete. His power as a creator is unmatched on our earthly plane. He is self-aware and unafraid to act. His enormous strength gives him the freedom to act as he chooses. However, responsibility comes with that freedom. Because he is not bound to the restraints of others he must choose how to act. The question that always lies before him is should he act morally, or forsake ethics for personal gain.

As a daily card, The Magus suggest you currently possess a tremendous power and freedom to move your life in any direction you choose. In short, you can make things happen. Your true challenge at the moment is to move forward without trampling the dreams of others. Fortunately your moral fiber is strong as well, and will guide you down the right path.

Your Animal Spirit for Today

Your Karmic Number for Friday, January 5th

You are a natural leader today. People will look to you to clear a path for them to follow. You may be asked to take the reins of a project or situation because of your ability to listen and provide clear communication. Don’t be shy or doubt your abilities – you have unique talent that only your own self-doubt can hide. Abundance flows to you when you step into the role of leading others. If you aren’t offered an opportunity, look for one as a volunteer or even start writing a blog.

Crack the Cookie

The Wisdom of Buddha

It is a man’s own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.

By Stephanie Dempsey

New Year, Feng Shui

The New Year marks a fresh start. Make the most of this auspicious time by implementing a few Feng Shui cures. You can get a Personalized Feng Shuifor tips tailored just for you, too.

The beauty of Feng Shui is that it is quick, simple, and effective. You may not be able to lose 10 pounds overnight, but you can get the scale moving in the right direction with just a few of these simple adjustments.

Clean up your act

Don’t wait until spring to launch a massive cleaning effort. By cleaning your abode from top to bottom in preparation for the New Year, you’ll wash away any negative energy. Be especially attentive to your kitchen, as this room governs your ability to cultivate good health and impressive wealth.

3 is a magic number

Feng shui experts view 3 as a magic number, as it embodies growth and creativity. Squaring the number 3 is even more auspicious. Therefore, if you want to experience a fabulously fortunate New Year, move 27 objects in your home. The objects could be as big as a sofa or as small as a cologne bottle. The important thing is to move 27 items with the intention of improving your luck.

Fill your wallet

Start the year right with a big, fat wallet. Get 27 crisp, new dollar bills from the bank and put them inside. This will set the trend for a prosperous New Year. Spice things up by sprinkling ground ginger on the outside and inside of your billfold. Ginger is a stimulant, and will attract new sources of income to you.

Sweeten the pot

Fill your sugar bowl and canisters to the brim with sweetener on New Year’s Day. This will make it easier to enjoy all of the good fortune that will come your way in the months ahead.

Set the proper tone

The first words you say in the New Year will set the tone for next twelve months. Therefore, you should prepare a little speech to utter at the stroke of midnight. “Health, wealth and happiness for all” is a good choice, as is “Thank you for all the prosperity ahead.”

Make noise

Loud noises are thought to scare away malevolent influences. Therefore, be sure to make a big racket on New Year’s Day, if only for a couple of seconds. Blast the stereo, bang some pots and pans or toot a toy horn. Your neighbors may grumble, but you’ll be sitting pretty!

Orange you glad it’s the New Year?

Because of their resemblance to the Sun, oranges represent prosperity. Put a bowl of 9 oranges on your kitchen table on January 1 as a means to summon all of that positive, life-giving energy.

Soak up negative energy

If you’re getting over a troubled relationship or need to find a new job, sprinkle sea salt around the interior perimeter of your home. Let the salt stand overnight, and then vacuum it up the next day. Imagine yourself beginning a happier, healthier life as you vacuum. When you are finished, throw the vacuum bag into an outdoor garbage can.

Find a new job (and get a new bod)

People often put off job searches until after the New Year. If you’d like to get a head start on the competition, get rid of 27 objects you no longer use or need. You can donate these things to charity, throw them in the trash, or sell them for a profit — it’s up to you. The key is to make room in your home for new energy. There’s an added bonus to getting rid of stuff: weight loss! When you get rid of dead weight in your home, it starts falling off your body, too.

Find a new love

If you’re in the market for love, you can find it in the coming year by absorbing more western energy. Make it a habit to pause and watch the sunset at least three times a week. By maintaining a positive attitude and a hopeful heart, you could be planning your wedding at this time next year!

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2018

CHARMED, I’M SURE
The Ethics of Love Spells
by Mike Nichols

To gain the love of someone:  On a night of the full moon, walk to a spot beneath your beloved’s bedroom window, and whisper his/her name three times to the nightwind.
–Ozark love spell

It seems to be an immutable law of nature.  You are interviewed by a local radio or TV station, or in some local newspaper.  The topic of the interview is Witchcraft or Paganism, and you spend the better part of an hour brilliantly articulating your beliefs, your devotion to Goddess and nature, the difference  between Witchcraft and Satanism, and generally enlightening the public at large.  The next day, you are flooded with calls.  Is it people complimenting you on such a splendid interview?  No.  People wanting to find out more about the religion of Wicca?  Huh-uh.  People who are even vaguely interested in whatyou had to say???  Nope.  Who is it?  It’s people asking you to do a love spell for them!

This used to drive me nuts.  I’d take a deep breath and patiently explain  (for the thousandth time) why I won’t even do love spells for myself, let alone anyone else.  This generally resulted in my caller becoming either angry or defensive, but seldom more enlightened.  ‘But don’t you DO magic?’, they ask.  ‘Only occasionally,’ I answer.  ‘And aren’t most magic spells love spells?’, they persist.  That was the line I really hated, because I knew they were right!  At least, if you look at the table of contents of most books on magic, you’ll find more love spells than any other kind.  This seems as true for the medieval grimoire as for the modern drugstore paperback.

Why?  Why so many books containing so many love spells?  Why such an emphasis on a kind of magic that I, personally, have always considered very negative?  And to make matters even more confusing, the books that do take the trouble of dividing spells between ‘positve’ and ‘negative’ magic invariably list love spells under the first heading.  After all, they would argue, love is a good thing.  There can never be too much of it.  Therefore, any spell that brings about love must be a GOOD spell.  Never mind that the spell puts a straightjacket on another’s free will, and then drops it in cement for good  measure.

And that is why I had always assumed love magic to be negative magic.  Years ago, one of the first things I learned as a novice Witch was something called the Witch’s Rede, a kind of ‘golden rule’ in traditional Witchcraft.  It states, ‘An it harm none, do what thou will.’  One uses this rede as a kind of ethical litmus test for a spell.  If the spell brings harm to someone — anyone (including yourself!) — then don’t do it!  Unfortunately, this rule contains a loophole big enough to fly a broom through.  It’s commonly expressed, ‘Oh, this won’t HARM them; it’s really for their own good.’  When you hear someone say
that, take cover, because something especially nasty is about to happen.

That’s why I had to develop my own version of the Witch’s Rede.  Mine says that if a spell harms anyone, OR LIMITS THEIR FREEDOM OF THOUGHT OR ACTION IN ANY WAY, then consider it negative, and don’t do it.  Pretty strict, you say?  Perhaps.  But there’s another law in Witchcraft called the Law of Threefold Return.  This says that whatever power you send out, eventually comes back to you three times more powerful.  So I take no chances.  And love spells, of the
typical make-Bobby-love-me type, definitely have an impact on another’s free will.

So why are they so common?  It’s taken me years to make peace with this, but I think I finally understand.  The plain truth is that most of us NEED love.  Without it, our lives are empty and miserable.  After our basic survival needs have been met, we must have affection and companionship for a full life. And if it will not come of its own accord, some of us may be tempted to FORCE it to come.  And nothing can be as painful as loving someone who doesn’t love you back.  Consequently, the most common, garden-variety spell in the world is the love spell.

Is there ever a way to do a love spell and yet stay within the parameters of the Witch’s Rede?  Possibly.  Some teachers have argued that if a spell doesn’t attempt to attract a SPECIFIC person into your life, but rather attempts to attract the RIGHT person, whomever that may be, then it is not negative magic.  Even so, one should make sure that the spell finds people who are ‘right’ for each other — so that neither is harmed, and both are made happy.

Is there ever an excuse for the make-Bobby-love-me type of spell?  Without endorsing this viewpoint, I must admit that the most cogent argument in its favor is the following:  Whenever you fall in love with someone, you do everything in your power to impress them.  You dress nicer, are more attentive, witty, and charming.  And at the same time, you unconsciously set in motion some very powerful psychic forces.  If you’ve ever walked into a room where someone has a crush on you, you know what I mean.  You can FEEL it.  Proponents of this school say that a love spell only takes the forces that are ALREADY
there — MUST be there if you’re in love — and channels them more efficiently.  But the energy would be there just the same, whether or not you use a spell to focus it.

I won’t attempt to decide this one for you.  People must arrive at their own set of ethics through their own considerations.  However, I would call to your attention all the cautionary tales in folk magic about love spells gone awry.  Also, if a love spell has been employed to join two people who are not naturally compatible, then one must keep pumping energy into the spell.  And when one finally tires of this (and one will, because it is hard work!) then the spell will unravel amidst an emotional and psychic hurricane that will make the stormiest divorces seem calm by comparison.  Not a pretty picture.

It should be noted that many spells that pass themselves off as love spells are, in reality, sex spells.  Not that there’s anything surprising in that, since our most basic needs usually include sex.  But I think we should be clear from the outset what kind of spell it is.  And the same ethical standards used for love spells can often be applied to sex spells.  Last year, the very
quotable Isaac Bonewits, author of ‘Real Magic’, taught a sex magic class here at the Magick Lantern, and he tossed out the following rule of thumb:  Decide what the mundane equivalent of your spell would be, and ask yourself if you could be arrested for it.  For example, some spells are like sending a letter to your beloved in the mail, whereas other spells are tantamount to abduction. The former is perfectly legal and normal, whereas the latter is felonious.

One mitigating factor in your decisions may be the particular tradition of magic you follow.  For example, I’ve often noticed that practitioners of Voudoun (Voodoo) and Santeria seem much more focused on the wants and needs of day-to-day living than on the abstruse ethical considerations we’ve been examining here.  That’s not a value judgement — just an observation.  For example, most followers of Wicca STILL don’t know how to react when a Santerian priest spills the blood of a chicken during a ritual — other than to feel pretty queasy.  The ethics of one culture is not always the same as another.

And speaking of cultural traditions, another consideration is how a culture views love and sex.  It has often been pointed out that in our predominant culture, love and sex are seen in very possessive terms, where the beloved is regarded as one’s personal property.  If the spell uses this approach, treating a person as an object, jealously attempting to cut off all other relationships, then the ethics are seriously in doubt.  However, if the spell takes a more open approach to love and sex, not attempting to limit a person’s other relationships in any way, then perhaps it is more defensible.  Perhaps.  Still, it might be wise to ask, Is this the kind of spell I’d want someone to cast on me?

Love spells.  Whether to do them or not.  If you are a practitioner of magic, I dare say you will one day be faced with the choice.  If you haven’t yet, it is only a matter of time.  And if the answer is yes, then which spells are ethical and which aren’t?  Then you, and only you, will have to decide whether ‘All’s fair in love and war’, or whether there are other, higher,

Acorn Guild Press

A Little Humor for Your Day

13 Commandments

1. Thou shall not turn thy ex into a frog
2. Thou shall not meddle in the affairs of dragons, thou are crunchy and taste good with ketchup
3. Thou shall not laugh at nekked snow sprites
4. Thou shall not get drunk with thy Goddess’s wine
5. Thou shall not sacrifice thy little sister
6. Thou shall not go running around proclaiming thy witchhood if thy are in times of burning.
7. Thou shall not question the word of thy High Priestess – She is God
8. Thou shall not laugh at being nekked at coven – thou shall be killed
9. Thou shall not commit to signing anything that declares any single person as thy lord and savior
10. Thou shall not invoke thy Watchtowers only to say “never mind”
11. Thou shall not burn enough candles to burn thy house down
12. Thou shall not have the magickal name “Sir Stinky Fartsalot”
13. Thou shall not call coven only for laughs

Willow Blackthorn, Author

Published on Pagan Library

For all your magickal needs, think Magickal Necessities….

Remember the store is still open and running for all your magickal needs. Proceeds from the sales go to Lady A’s recovery fund. Thank you.

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The Witches Digest for Friday, January 5th

(Part 2)

The Witches Current Moon Phase for Friday, January 5th

Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 84% 

The Moon today is in a Waning Gibbous Phase. This is the first phase after the Full Moon occurs. It lasts roughly 7 days with the Moon’s illumination growing smaller each day until the Moon becomes a Last Quarter Moon with a illumination of 50%. The average Moon rise for this phase is between 9am and Midnight depending on the age of the phase. The moon rises later and later each night setting after sunrise in the morning. During this phase the Moon can also be seen in the early morning daylight hours on the western horizon.

PHASE DETAILS FOR – FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2018

Source

Overview of Today’s Sky

The Moon ends its transit of Leo and enters Virgo at 3:13 AM EST. We’re moving into a period of unusually growth-oriented aspects until the 9th as the Sun, Venus, and Pluto head towards an alignment in Capricorn, as do Mars and Jupiter in the sign of Scorpio, and form sextiles to one another. This is set to be a fertile, creative, go-getting period for relationships, business, and new enterprise.

Today, Mars and Jupiter form a parallel and we get in the spirit of things, but a Sun-Saturn parallel reminds us we should take care of other business before we get started and helps us avoid pushing too fast or hard with new initiatives. The Virgo Moon is particular but earnest and encourages us to get organized before exciting days to come.

The Moon ends its void period when the Moon enters Virgo at 3:13 AM EST.

Preview of January 2018 Energies

a message from Selacia

To read more Selacia’s insight, visit her website, Selacia and the Council of 12

Foresight for Success

As the year is winding down, it’s helpful to have a look ahead at January, a pivotal jumping off point for 2018. In chaotic times like these, having foresight about societal and energy cycles can be both comforting and an essential tool for spiritual transformation. Continue reading for highlights of energies unfolding and what they mean.

Background

This has been one of the most unusual years in our recent history. In fact, our collective psyche continues to process the relentless cascade of changes, surprises, and uncertainty. There is much to integrate and heal.

Given this background, it’s essential to regularly connect with a higher view of happenstance. That includes outer-world events and your personal life situation.

Many things are not as they appear. Consider that some of the challenges and craziness may be divinely orchestrated to catalyze mega shifts and awakening. Factor in the potential of blessings in even the direst circumstances.

When you connect with the higher view, it’s easier to discover peace within. This leads to more stability, more hopefulness, and more creativity to manifest your best life.

Here’s another thing – more peace within helps you to see the world in a heart-centered way. This amplifies your ability to make a beneficial impact as a divine changemaker. The world needs your love and inspiration, put into practice daily.

January Planetary Opportunities

January’s planetary energies provide a number of opportunities to create beneficial personal life shifts and see yourself more clearly. Examples are noted below.

Supermoons Jan 1 and 31

January begins the year in a powerful way with two supermoons. These include a Cancer Full Moon on New Years, then another Full Moon with total Lunar Eclipse the last day of the month. Both of these times are energy gateways with illumination that can help you to get resourced in new ways. Relationships and other issues will have a helpful spotlight, which can translate into resolutions and other breakthroughs.

New Moon Jan 16/17

The first New Moon of 2018 can be an opportunity to clarify feelings about key goals. The energies will support getting grounded and tapping a deep knowing within regarding what stirs your passion. Use this time to self-reflect about what your goals will feel like in manifested form. Your heart needs to be involved for success. Doing this assessment before specific intention setting can make a significant difference in outcomes.

Your Personal Preparations

Now is a good time to reflect on goals you previously set to see what needs updating before the new year. These are fast-changing times and you are changing fast too. Factor in your growth and make adjustments so you can soar in 2018!

You have more options than you realize as you’re preparing for next year. Knowing that, make your intentions and plans with a quantum mindset that factors in the unexpected and wonderful you cannot yet see.

 

Apply the same quantum mindset as you focus on your outer world. This mindset, since it is spiritual and big picture, will help you to stay hopeful and resourced in the coming year.

Year of the Feminine – January 2018

a message from Emmanuel Dagher

To read more of Emmanuel’s insight, visit his website, Emmanuel Dagher, Heal, Prosper, Thrive

Hello my friend,

Happy New Year!

2018 is the Year of the Feminine, and this will impact all of us in a big way.

A Definite Shift in Power

In 2017, we saw many seeds planted in regards to the shift in power coming in 2018.

Before we dive further into what 2018 has in store for us, it’s important to get an aerial or expanded view of what’s happened overall in the past decade.

From 2007 to 2016, a quantum leap in consciousness occurred that affected every area of life, from science, innovation, and art to personal and global awakening.

It’s as if the curtains were being pulled back, allowing us to finally see beyond the veils of illusion.

People from all walks of life started noticing their consciousness expanding into new ways of thinking, living, and being. They also noticed that time is speeding up, and that the world is shifting like never before.

Here are some specific examples of the “pulling back of the curtains” that showed up in 2017:

Meditation has become mainstream, and is being used as a powerful tool of healing and transformation. Not only in people’s personal lives, but in the workplace, health-related organizations, schools, and beyond.

A decade or more ago, if you had told someone who wasn’t familiar with the mind/body/spirit community that you were meditating, well—you probably would have seen a blank, glazed look in their eyes, at best.

The demand for organic and non-GMO foods and products is so high, that the supply can barely keep up. New farmer’s markets and health-oriented stores and restaurants are opening up everywhere, creating options for people to take good care of themselves, from the inside out.

People are realizing that they can no longer give their power away to institutions and organizations such as religion, government, or any of the old structures that promote suppressive, fear-based agendas.

Of course, there’s still room for improvement in that area, but the past decade has seen a huge shift in a new direction.

Caring for the environment has become a priority like never before, with people beginning to create new ways of living that are more beneficial for our planet.

The consciousness of humanity as a whole has evolved beyond the old patterns of separating ourselves from one another.

People are looking beyond the color of each other’s skin, gender, sexual orientation, or cultural background, and are connecting through the knowing that we are far more alike than our ancestors may have believed.

Again, there’s always room for improvement. Yet the big strides are taking place, and shifts are happening everywhere.

You may have noticed that people are becoming friendlier to the idea that we are not alone in the Universe(s).

Every few months, we hear about an “Earth-like” planet that has been discovered in a far-off galaxy that “could” be the home of other civilizations.

Of course, our indigenous cultures, and the current Wayshowers and Lightworkers, have known for a long time that these civilizations exist. But it’s nice to see the idea making its way back into the mainstream Western consciousness.

Western medical practices are more and more acknowledging and integrating with natural and holistic approaches and methods of healing than ever before.

There’s also a great deal happening in the areas of technology, creative arts, and personal well-being. But the examples offered above offer a clear picture of how quickly we are evolving.

Two Steps Back, Thousands of Steps Forward

To many, 2017 felt like a year in which much of the progress that was made in the last decade took a backward turn in the direction of the old fear-based paradigm.

Again, from an aerial view, there’s always a blessing in every experience, even if that experience feels challenging or doesn’t seem to make any sense at the time.

In the case of 2017, the entire year served as a “reset” button.

Here’s a simple analogy to describe what happened:

Imagine you have a fairly new computer that you leave on day and night.

During the time you are working on the computer, you create, read about, and save lots of helpful, uplifting, and consciousness-expanding content.

However, at one point you notice that the computer is processing a bit slower than usual, because it has not been shut off for a while.

So, you decide to turn it off to let it rest.

The next day, you turn your computer back on. It now works like it did when you first got it, and … you still have all of the great content you had saved prior.

Now that the computer is working faster again, you can create, learn about, and save even more helpful, uplifting, consciousness-expanding content to enjoy.

2017 was like that. It gave us a needed reset, a time to put into perspective what we truly desire to create or enrich our lives with now—and what we are ready to completely release.

It was an eye-opening, often head-scratching year for many, yet it shined a light on many of the shadow aspects of humanity that still needed healing.

For that, as challenging as it was, we are grateful.

Because what it did was pave the way for something far greater to emerge.

The calls for the Divine Feminine were strong, and She is set to come back in the year 2018, a “2” year.

(Numerologically, 2018 is 2+0+1+8=11. Breaking down the 11 into 1+1, the year reduces to a 2.)

She has heard our calls, and is roaring her way back as the sacred mothering lioness that she is to all of us.

The Divine Feminine is preparing to carry us all the way to our new paradigm on her energetic wings, and nothing can hold her back her anymore!

2017 was two steps back, yet 2018 will be thousands of steps forward.

The Year of the Divine Feminine

In 2018, the Divine Feminine seeds that were planted in the Summer of 2017 will blossom fully, and command our full attention.

The power that comes with this Year of the Feminine will be like none other in our recent history. The closest time this much Feminine energy came in was in the late ’50s. What followed was all of the advancement that took place in the ’60s.

This is the year that the Divine Feminine makes her presence felt more than ever in the heart, mind, and experience of every being.

In 2018, the Divine Feminine will ensure that every living being on the planet will be guided to fully learninghow to embrace, honor, and respect the Feminine within themselves, others, and in the world around them.

For those who resist or intentionally decide not to embrace, honor, and respect the Divine Feminine, 2018 will be a challenging year that will continue to pull them onward, until they are able to embrace, honor, and respect the Feminine energy.

The Divine Feminine is often associated with soft and gentle energy, although that is only one small aspect of the qualities that represent Her. The Feminine energies making their way into our consciousness this year will be bolder, louder, and more powerful than ever, requiring justice, fairness, and freedom in all areas of life.

The idea that the human mind can best associate with the energies of 2018, is the concept of “Enough is enough!”

This is the energy of this new year: Enough is enough, and now something is finally going to be done about it.

2018 will feel more like the beginning of the new era that many thought had started in 2012.

The winds have shifted direction, and the core foundations that our world has been operating on are being rewired to make the Divine Feminine the core foundation of everything, as She was originally meant to be.

The “reset” we recently experienced was an integral part of our journey, and made absolutely clear what needs to be changed.

And 2018 is the year it WILL be changed.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a woman or a man. Give yourself full permission to embrace, honor, and respect the Divine Feminine within yourself and others, and it will be reflected back to you many fold.

Here are some qualities we can implement to help us connect and align with the Divine Feminine energy:

• Integrity
• Respect for everything
• Transparency
• Kindness
• Compassion
• Unconditional love (for self, and all life)
• Child-like wonder
• Justice
• Fairness
• Awareness of karma
• Creativity
• Freedom (releasing adherence to the old structures and conditions, and to feelings of guilt and shame)
• Sacred geometry in Nature, ourselves included
• Spirituality (free of fear-based programming or structures)
• Humility
• Otherworldly strength
• Soul-centered beauty
• Community
• Friendship
• Romance
• Intimacy
• Vulnerability
• Holistic healing and well-being
• Receptivity (the key ingredient to manifesting from the invisible to visible realm)
• Intuition
• Expansiveness
• Change
• Allowing (rather than controlling)
• Ease
• Flow
• Gentleness
• Being (rather doing)
• Abstract (rather than concrete)

Embracing Compassion and Unity

In 2018, we will see many more women and men who are fully embracing, honoring, and respecting the Divine Feminine step into roles and platforms that have them serving as leaders. This can be in local communities, businesses, and all the way up to the global stage.

Many voices around the world will shine a light on the importance of unity, compassion, and healing.

Voices like this, which were once silenced, will continue to take center stage, and will help to usher in a more heart-centered world that benefits everyone, rather than a select few.

Selfishness, control, ignorance, and greed in the collective will find it very hard to survive in 2018 and beyond. The Divine Feminine will be cleaning these qualities up from the heart and mind of humanity. The more love and kindness we choose to embody, the easier this process will be.

This year gives us the opportunity to honor our emotions in a loving way, and to allow them to fully be expressed so that they can heal out in the open, rather than keeping them buried deep inside.

Once our emotions have been expressed in way that is productive and healing, they can be released from our body, where we can be at ease with ourselves.

Dis-ease manifests when someone is not at ease, due to holding stress in their body. The way to be at ease is to pace ourselves, not rush all the time, and to listen to our intuition and body.

This is also the year that we will be given the ability to learn how to release the need to attach ourselves to the seeming global occurrences that are promoting fear and separation.

This will be big, because it will allow us to not get distracted or held back from living our best life in each present moment.

One thing that will help tremendously is to cut back our media time (phone, TV, news, internet) and spend time being in Nature, seeking spiritual enrichment, and spending time with the people we love.

2018 is also a great time to embrace big changes such as having a baby, taking care of a new pet, moving to a new home, traveling, rekindling a relationship or starting a new one, and starting a new business venture.

This year also provides us with the gift of bettering the human experience for all. So kindness will be a big theme, along with anything that promotes the betterment of the human experience for all.

Our educational system, our values and behavior, our relationship with Nature, our health and well-being, and how we are treating one another, are all things that will be focused on and improved this year.

As we continue to connect with the Divine Feminine throughout this new year, we will discover and allow aspects of ourselves that are increasingly empowering and freeing.

These new strengths can include greater kindness toward ourselves and others, more creativity, and spiritual strengths, such as the ability to forgive what we may have resented in the past.

They may include the desire to flow easily with the day’s events, to live more in the present moment, and to see the joy of life, not only the responsibilities of it.

If you have been desiring a flowing, joyful, fulfilling life that allows you to be more fully who you are—2018 will be a life-changing year for you!

The Divine Feminine is calling us up into wholeness, lightness, inner knowing, and a feeling of connection to all Life we never knew was possible.

Until next time!

Miraculously Yours,

Emmanuel

Your Love Horoscopes for the Weekend of January 5th, 2018

Sarah Bartlett, Astrologer

From The Astrology Room

ARIES

There’s a distinct feeling of aloof detachment around you at the moment. Recently, you’ve been fearful of rejection and had to play the ‘free spirited, careless little old me’ game. Luckily, with a rational approach to your moods and a whimsical approach to love and life, you begin to see that someone special is actually in agreement with you.

TAURUS

Whether you want to make it clear that you fancy someone, or just to clear the air with the one you love, it’s time to do the very thing that you aren’t that keen on doing: speaking up. So welcome and embrace the unpredictable. Know that being honest won’t send someone away. In fact, they are there for you, so trust in their integrity.

GEMINI

As usual, you’re in the middle of making a difficult decision. In fact, you’re in the mood to get away for a while to get some ‘space.’ It’s hard to commit yourself to something which a few months ago might have been easy. Mercury is encouraging you to see love from a new angle. Time to reflect on it a little.

CANCER

Thanks to the planetary line-up there’s a renewed sense of being true yourself. At last the light breaks through. Because, in a way, you know if you aren’t true to yourself, then how can you be true to anyone else? So make it clear who you are and what you want, and do so with all your heart.

LEO

So why are you letting someone manipulate you or get away with thinking they’re right?  I’m not saying a partner or lover is emphatically wrong and you’re right. I’m not saying ‘rebel’, but I am saying stand up and fight for your cause. Please look at what you’re giving up to keep the peace. It’s time to stand up for you.

VIRGO

Committed love is important to you, so now is your chance to explain the situation. With hand on heart and a sudden flurry of romantic indulgence, you realise that your independence is sacred too. Soon, you will know the way forward for real, mutual understanding if attached, and if single, the chance to honour your true needs.

LIBRA

New ideas and interesting romance are enticing. But please think carefully before replacing the devil you know for a newer model. Let your partner or current lover enjoy a little battle of wills, and the mental arrows flying between you will be tipped not only with love’s gold, but the power of Eros.

SCORPIO

You’re being slightly led astray by all your friends’ opinions. Could it be you’ve lost touch with your instincts?  Relax.  If you were sure enough to start something (whether a love affair, new beginning, an ending or parting of the ways) then be sure enough to get on with it. Then those who think they know best, will remember next time to think twice before opening their mouths.

SAGITTARIUS

You’re deeply uncertain about whether to make a promise to someone or not. You feel you deserve only what you get, and as that’s not very much right now, it confirms you’re opinion that you’re worth very little. But with the gradual changing influence of the planets, you realise the only promise you need to make, is to please yourself first.

CAPRICORN

We admire, love and nurture our friends, lovers or partners. Often, we import these kind of people into our lives because we believe these qualities to be lacking in ourselves. For example, at the moment you can’t get enough of romantic admirers. However, this week, if you look carefully, you will see the romantic protagonist and the admirer are one and the same. In fact they are both you.

AQUARIUS

This week, if you could have just one beautiful flash forward of how things will be, or just one word from someone, you’d be content forever.  So right now, nurture your own desires and start to take responsibility for the choices you have made, whether good or bad.  Let go of the past, don’t look back, and then you can start to walk free from regrets.

PISCES

You now have the confidence to speak your mind, and to ask for what you truly need. This is the chance to think positively about your own self, take love seriously and pull out the stops to achieve your heart’s desire. ‘Enlightenment’ in its purest essence, is the art of seeing into the nature of one’s own being. You are about to see through the window to your own soul’s desire.

Be right back, we are currently experiencing graphic problems

The Witches Digest for Friday, January 5th

(Part 1)

Free

There is a time and a place,
In it we all stand alone and apart.
We look upon the world and ask why,
We scream at the universe and feel abandoned.
It is not till we can stop the screaming that we can hear,
Finally we hear what the Lord and Lady have to say.
Life will have its ups and downs,
You are not made to receive but to endure.
Take what is given to you and cherish it,
Cherish those around you, who make life special.
Cherish those who not just give you joy but pain as well,
For those are the ones that teach you lessons.
It is then we realize that we are not alone, we are not apart.
Love them, laugh with them, dance with them, live with them.
Some will come, some will go, some will love, and some will hurt.
Know that with pain there is love and with love there is pain.
We were made to be free;
Free to make our own choices,
Free to live our lives.

—A Journey with the Lady
Steven Spears

Today is Friday, January 5th, 2018

Friday is the day of Venus. It takes it name from Frigg, the Goddess of love and transformation. She rules the spiritual side of a person that manifests in the physical. Because of this, Friday is often thought of as dangerously unpredictable. This is expressed in an old East Anglian adage:

Friday’s day will have its trick
The fairest or foulest day of the week.

Deity: Frigg

Zodiac Sign: Taurus/Libra

Planet: Venus

Tree: Apple

Herb: Vervain

Stone: Sapphire/Chrysolite

Animal: Bull/Serpent

Element: Earth

Color: Yellow/Violet

Number: 7

Rune: Peorth(P)

The Celtic Tree Month of Beth (Birch) (December 24 – January 20)

Runic Half Month of Eoh (Yew tree) (December 28 – January 12)

Goddess of the Month of Hestia (December 26th – January 22nd)

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

On Friday, January 5th, We Honor the God Horus

Horus

Another of the oldest and most important deities of the pantheon, Horus existed in several distinctly different forms over the long time span of ancient Egyptian civilization, and eventually became a patron god on a national level.

 
He was known as a sky god, and a god of war, hunting, and protection, and was particularly important to the belief in the link between the Pharaoh and the gods, as he was the one to defeat the evil Set and restore order to the land from the King’s throne.

Over the centuries, the pharaohs would eventually claim direct lineage from Horus, strengthening their image as divine rulers.

 
Horus is the son of Isis and Osiris, who battles with Set—his father’s murderer—in many different stories, and protects Egypt from him according to his mother’s wishes.

Ultimately, Horus and Set come before the Sun god Ra to make their cases for the throne, and Ra rules in Horus’ favor. The various myths and legends around this epic conflict contributed to Horus’ exalted status as a hero.

 
Horus was originally a falcon god, flying through the sky on his hunt, and at festivals honoring him, a live falcon was crowned to represent his sovereignty. He has also been depicted as an infant sitting on a lotus petal, since his childhood was intricately linked with Isis’ mother-protector role in the central myth.

 
As a sky god, Horus was seen to rule both the Sun and the Moon. His powerful eyes reflected these dual domains, with one eye associated with the Moon, and the other with the Sun. (Which eye is which depends on whether you’re looking at an image of Horus or visualizing his actual perspective.)

 
The long-revered symbol known as the Eye of Horus is usually associated with the Moon, while the Eye of Ra symbolizes the Sun. However, the Eye of Horus is more familiar in the present day, perhaps because of Horus’ dominion over both celestial bodies.

 
The eye of Horus is a particularly beloved symbol for many Wiccans, who appreciate the powerful protection it conveys, and its association with reincarnation, a central tenet of Wiccan belief.

 
In a magical context, Horus is the son of the great magician Isis, and so his energy is considered to be especially strong, as well as forceful and even aggressive, given his status as a warrior and king. Though Wiccans reject the use of magic for negative and even overtly manipulative purposes, the assistance of Horus can be channeled for positive intentions, particularly when aimed at problem-solving and helping those in need.

 
You might call on Horus for assistance in navigating an interpersonal conflict, or in “hunting” for needed sustenance. Drawing or painting the Eye of Horus symbol is believed to attract protective energy and good health—in fact, this is a popular design on clothing as well as a common tattoo for Wiccans and other Pagans.

 
Represent him at your altar with images of falcons, hawks, or other birds of prey. Offerings to Horus traditionally include raw meat to honor the falcon aspect, but vegetarians can use bread as an appropriate alternative. Iron and symbols of weaponry honor the warrior aspect, as well.

Source

Wicca Magical Deities: A Guide to the Wiccan God and Goddess, and Choosing a Deity to Work Magic With
Lisa Chamberlain

Friday’s Magick

Magickal Intent:
Lust
Romance
Happiness
Travel
Friends
Beauty
Sexuality
Harmony
Growth

Planet: Venus

Colors: Pink, Aqua, Seafoam

Crystals: Coral, Emerald, Rose Quartz

The Magickal Day of Friday

Friday falls at the end of the work week for many of us, and that means we get a chance to relax for a little bit! Mark your Fridays with colors like pink and aqua, and metals such as copper. This is a day ruled by the planet Venus, so it should be no surprise that Venus and Aphrodite – goddesses of love and beauty – are associated with Fridays. This is a day named for the Norse goddess Freyja, so be sure to take a moment to honor her as well.

Gemstones associated with Friday include coral, emerald and rose quartz, and plants like strawberries, apple blossoms and feverfew are also related. This is a good day to do spellwork associated with family life and fertility, sexuality, harmony, friendship, growth. Take advantage of Friday’s correspondences and plant a seed, make something grow, and enjoy your blessings

*Note: There are a lot of disputes as to the origins of the word Friday, because there is still a great deal of discussion as to whether it was named for Freyja or Frigga, and whether they were the same deity or two separate ones. Some scholars believe that while they may have eventually become two distinctly different goddesses, they could have had their origins in a single, common Proto-Germanic deity.

Source

Author
Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by ThoughtCo.com

Friday–The Day of Freya

In the stories of the gods and goddesses of the Angles and Saxons we find two goddesses, Frigga, the wife of Odin and queen of the gods, and Freya, the Goddess of Love. Some people think that Friday was named after Frigga, and others that it was Freya’s day. Since very similar stories are told of each of them, it is quite probable that they were really the same person. The Roman name for the day was Dies Veneris, the day of Venus, who, it will be remembered, was the Goddess of Love, and so corresponded to Freya. The modern French name is taken from the Latin and is vendredi.

Frigga was the Goddess of the Clouds, and, when she was not with her husband Odin, spent her time in spinning clouds. Her spinning-wheel was studded with jewels, and at night could be seen in the sky as the constellation to which the Romans gave the name of Orion’s Belt, as we have seen in the story of Orion.

Frigga was also the Goddess of Spring, and as such was known as Eastre, whom we have already mentioned as giving us the word Easter.

Freya, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, like the Venus of the Romans, received a great welcome when she came to the home of the gods, and was given a special kingdom called Folk Meadow, where was a vast hall known as the Hall of Many Seats. Here she received half of those slain in battle, the other half being entertained by Odin, as we have seen.

Freya is depicted as having blue eyes and golden hair, and often as wearing a robe of feathers, which enabled her to fly through the air like a bird.

The goddess is said to have married Odur, who was probably Odin under another name. Odur once had occasion to leave Freya and travel over the world, and the goddess was broken-hearted at his departure. Her tears fell among the rocks and were changed to gold, while some which fell into the sea were transformed into amber. All nature mourned with her: the trees shed their leaves, the grass withered, and the flowers drooped their heads. At last Freya in her distress set out to find her husband, and, passing through many lands, where her golden tears were afterwards found, came to the sunny south, and there overtook the wandering Odur. As the lovers returned, the fields and the flowers rejoiced with them. The frost and snow fled before them, and the earth became green again as they passed.

“And Freya next came nigh, with golden tears;
The loveliest Goddess she in Heaven, by all
Most honour’d after Frea, Odin’s wife.
Her long ago the wandering Odur took
To mate, but left her to roam distant lands;
Since then she seeks him, and weeps tears of gold.”

MATTHEW ARNOLD–Balder Dead.

This story, of course, reminds us of Ceres and Persephone, and is only another fanciful explanation of summer and winter.

Freya was the proud possessor of a dazzling necklace of gold, which had been made by the dwarfs, and which she wore night and day. On one occasion only did she lend the necklace, when Thor, disguised as Freya, went to the land of the giants to recover his hammer, which had been stolen by the Giant Thrym. Loki, by borrowing Freya’s robe of feathers and flying over the country of the giants, had discovered the thief, but had also found that Thrym would only return the hammer on condition that Freya would become his wife. When Freya heard of the giant’s presumption, she became greatly enraged, and vowed that she would never leave her beloved Odur and go to live in that dreary and desolate land of cold. Heimdall, the guardian of the bridge Bifrost, then suggested that Thor should go to Thrym disguised as Freya, in company with Loki disguised as Freya’s attendant. The gods at last allowed themselves to be persuaded, and Thor, having borrowed Freya’s clothes and necklace and wearing a thick veil, set out with Loki, who was dressed as a handmaiden. On reaching the giant’s palace, they were welcomed by Thrym, who was delighted at the success of his plan, and who led them to the banqueting hall, where a great feast was held. At the end of the feast, Thrym ordered the famous hammer to be brought in, and he himself laid it in his bride’s lap as a marriage gift. Thor’s hand immediately closed over the hammer, and in a few moments Thrym and all the guests invited to the wedding feast lay dead.

Freya was greatly relieved to have her necklace returned in safety, but the evil Loki, attracted by its wonderful beauty, determined to steal it. One night the god, by changing himself into a fly, succeeded in entering Freya’s palace. He then resumed his own shape, and, creeping stealthily to Freya’s bed, gently removed the necklace from the goddess’s neck. The watchful Heimdall, however, had heard Loki’s footsteps, and, looking in the direction of the Folk Meadow, became a witness of the theft. He at once set off in pursuit of Loki, and, overtaking him, drew his sword and was about to kill the thief, when Loki changed himself into a flame. Heimdall immediately changed himself into a cloud, and sent down a shower of rain to put out the fire. Loki then took the form of a bear, and opened his mouth to catch the water. Heimdall also took the form of a bear and attacked Loki, who, finding that he was being overpowered, changed himself yet again, into a seal. Heimdall followed suit, and fought again with Loki, and at length compelled him to give up the necklace, which was returned to Freya.

On another occasion Freya was sought by one of the giants, and it was only by the cunning of Loki and by an act of bad faith on the part of the gods that she was saved. The gods, ever anxious lest the giants should invade Asgard, decided to build a stronghold which would prove impregnable. They received an offer from a stranger, who was willing to undertake the work in return for the sun, the moon, and the goddess Freya. By Loki’s advice they accepted the offer on condition that he should complete the work in one winter, aided only by his horse. To the surprise of the gods the stranger agreed to these conditions, and with the help of his horse, which could haul the heaviest stone, set to work. The gods, who at first felt sure that their conditions had made the task impossible, were alarmed to find as time went on that the stranger was working so quickly that it seemed certain that he would be able to keep his promise. The gods on their side had no intention whatever of keeping their promise, since they could not possibly part with the sun and the moon and the Goddess of Love, and they angrily pointed out to Loki that since it was he who had got them into this difficulty, he must find some way out of it. Loki replied that the gods need have no fear, for with his usual cunning he had thought of a plan whereby the stranger might be made to forfeit his reward. On the last day, when only one stone remained to be dragged into position, Loki changed himself into a horse, and, trotting out from the forest, neighed loudly to attract the attention of the stranger’s horse. Tired of his continual labour and longing for freedom and rest, the horse broke free from its load and galloped after Loki. The stranger, after pursuing it vainly through the forest, at last made his way to Asgard, and, full of anger at the trick which had been played upon him, took on his real shape, for he was a frost-giant, and was about to attack the gods when Thor hurled his hammer at him and killed him.

Frey, the god mentioned in the story of Loki and Sif’s golden hair, was Freya’s brother. He was the God of the Fields, and sacrifices were made to him for the crops. In the early spring his wooden image was driven in a chariot through the countryside, in order that he might bless the fields and bring a fruitful harvest: Frey, as we have seen, became the possessor of a ship which could travel over land and sea, and though large enough to contain all the gods, yet could be folded up like a cloth, and he also possessed a boar with golden bristles. The god often rode on this boar, which was swifter than a horse, and was no doubt a symbol of the sun, which ripened the crops. We find the same idea of sunshine in Frey’s flashing sword, which fought of its own accord as soon as it was drawn from its sheath.

The month of the Angles and Saxons which begins just before our Christmas was sacred to both Frey and Thor, and it was customary at that time, as we have already mentioned, to bind a huge wooden wheel with straw, and, setting fire to it, to roll it down a hill. The wheel was a symbol of the sun, which at that time began to chase away the winter. At this time, too, was held a great feast to all the gods, and the chief meat eaten was a boar’s head, in honour of Frey. The missionaries who first brought Christianity to the Northmen, finding this feast was of great importance and was celebrated by all the people, did not try to do away with it. Instead, they changed it from a heathen to a Christian festival by putting Christ in the place of the Norse gods, and calling it the Feast or Mass of Christ. A similar change was made, it will be remembered, in the case of the Easter festival, held in honour of Eastre or Frigga, the wife of Odin.

The Witches Guide to Friday

Ruler: Freya, Venus

Colors: Emerald green or pink

Power Hours: Sunrise and the 8th, 16th, and 24th hours following.

Key Words: Love, money, health

It is easy to spot the ruler of this day by its name. In the word Friday, we see the roots of the name of the Norse goddess Freya, a goddess of love and fertility, and the most beautiful and propitious of the goddesses thus the verse “Friday’s child is loving and giving.”

In Spanish this day of the week is called Viernes and is derived from the goddess Venus. Matters of love, human interaction, the fluidity of communication, sewing and the creation of artistic garments, household improvement, shopping, and party planning all fall under the aspects of Friday and its ruling planet, Venus.

Friday’s angels are Ariel/Uriel, Rachiel, and Sachiel. Rachiel also concerns himself with human sexuality and is a presiding spirit of the planet Venus.

On Fridays, the hour of sunrise and every eight hours after that are also ruled by Venus, and that makes these times of the day doubly blessed. These four hours are the strongest four hours for conducting ritual. Check the local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine your local sunrise.

Source

Gypsy Magic

Friday’s Witchery

Love magick is a perennial popular topic. However, there is more to this topic than meets the eye. There are many enchanting layers here for us to explore on this day of the week. What about creating a loving home, or producing a loving and nurturing family? What about keeping your intimate relationships vital and on track? How about promoting happy, healthy, and enduring friendships? See, there is more to be considered than just the “You shall be mine…” type of fictional love spell.

Don’t forget that many of the deities associated with Fridays are also parents. So, yes, while this is the day to work on romance, sex, and love spells, there is additional magick to be considered here, which makes Fridays a more well-rounded and bigger opportunity for witchery than many folks ever truly realize. The truest, strongest magick always comes from the heart.

Source

Book of Witchery – Spells, Charms & Correspondences For Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

The Witches Honey Do List for Fridays

Fridays are days of loving enchantments and passionate emotions.
See how many ways you could add a little loving enchantment into your life and the lives of your loved ones. If you wish to explore the topic of love and romance witchery even further, then check out my book How to Enchant a Man: Spells to Bewitch, Bedazzle &Beguile. If cat magick has tickled your fancy, then for further study read my book The Enchanted Cat: Feline Fascinations, Spells &Magick.

In the meantime, try sharing red berries with your partner some enchanted evening. Work that meditation, and see what other mysteries Freya has to teach you. Wear a Venus planetary color and call on the Goddess for a little inner sparkle. Burn some floral incense, light up some rosy candles, and set a romantic mood. Try wearing a little copper jewelry, and see how it affects you and your Friday magick. Get those potpourri and philter recipes going, and see what you can conjure up.

Advancing your magickal skills takes drive, ambition, and passion. Work with Eros to discover just how much enthusiasm, inspiration, and drive he can bring into your days, for the imagination is a place where dreams flourish and ideas come to fruition.

Call on these fertile and romantic powers, and create your own unique spells and charms. Just think of all the magickal information that you can now add to your repertoire of witchery. Lastly, remember this: when you combine imagination and a loving heart with magick, you’ll succeed every time.

Source

Book of Witchery – Spells, Charms & Correspondences For Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

The Witches Almanac for Friday, January 5th

Bird Day

Waning Moon

 
Moon phase: Third Quarter

 
Moon Sign: Leo

 
Moon enters Virgo 3: 12 am

 
Incense: Vanilla

 
Color: Purple

Moon in Virgo

We instinctively gravitate towards practical activities under the influence of a Virgo Moon. In order to set things right, we might easily find ourselves re-organizing and rethinking plans. Emotional satisfaction comes from solving problems, making order out of confusion, and helping others. Health matters might come into focus. We notice the smaller parts that make up the whole, and instead of letting nagging details bother us, we might work on ironing them out so that we can feel more confident moving ahead.

The Moon in Virgo generally favors the following activities: Mental pursuits, work activities, services, and routines. Activities that would benefit from tending to details.

FRIDAY CORRESPONDENCES

Venus/Water/East/West/South/Dawn/Female/Libra/Taurus

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers, Heart

Color: aqua, blue, light blue, brown, green, pale green, magenta, peach, pink, rose, white, all pastels

Number: 5, 6

Metal: copper

Charm: green or white garments, scepter

Stone: alexandrite, amethyst, coral, diamond, emerald, jade, jet, black moonstone, peridot, smoky quartz, tiger’s-eye, pink tourmaline

Animal: camel, dove, elephant, goat, horse, pigeon, sparrow

Plant: apple, birch, cherry, clematis, clove, coriander, heather, hemlock, hibiscus, ivy, lotus, moss, myrtle, oats, pepperwort, peppermint, pinecone, quince, raspberry, rose, pink rose, red rose, rose hips, saffron, sage, savin, stephanotis, strawberry, thyme, vanilla, verbena, violet, water lily, yarrow, and all flowers

Incense: ambergris, camphor, mace, musk, myrrh, rose, saffron, sage, sandalwood, sweetgrass, vanilla, violet, all floral scents

Goddess: Aphrodite, Asherah, Baalith, Brigid, Erzulie, Freya (Passionate Queen), Frigg, Gefion, Harbor (Beautiful One), Hestia, Inanna, Ishtar (Lady of Passion and Desire), Lakshmi, Lilith, Mokosh, Nehalennia, Nerthus, Ostara, Pombagira, Sarasvati, Shakti, Shekinah, Sirtur, Al Uzza, Venus (Queen of Pleasure), Vesta

God: Allah, Bacchus, Bes, Cupid, the Dagda, Dionysus, El, Eros (God of Love), Freyr, Frit Ailek, Shukra

Evocation: Agrat Bat Mahalat, Anael, Hagiel, Mokosba, Rasbid, Sachiel, Uriel, Velas

Source

Moonlight Musings

Friday Is Ruled By Venus

Friday belongs to Venus, both the planet and its namesake Roman goddess of love. This day is sacred to many other gods and goddesses of love such as Eros, Venus, Aphrodite, and the Norse goddess that gave the day its name, Freya. This day of the week is for magical topics such as love, birth, fertility, and romance. Colors for today include pink and aqua.

Some suggestions for Friday enchantments would include:

Carrying a rose quartz with you today to send out some gentle and loving vibes to those crabby co-workers

Working a loving Tarot spell to charm a friend’s pregnancy with good health and safety

Working a little flower magic to enchant a single pink rose for friendship and inner beauty, and setting it on your desk. Or try empowering a red rose for passion and placing it in your bedroom

Burning rose-scented candles to encourage the same effect. Call on Eros to “bring a passion for life” to your days.

Sharing a romantic snack with your partner. Feed each other ripe, red strawberries. Those strawberries are love-inducing food, and are sacred to many love goddesses, including today’s patroness, Freya.

Magickal Applications for Fridays

Friday is named after the Norse goddesses of love, Freya and Frigga. There seems to be some debate as to whom the day is actually named after, so I thought I would share a little information so you can decide for yourself.

In Latin, this day is known as Dies Veneris, “Venus’s day.” In Greek, it’s Hermera Aphrodites, which translates to the “day of Aphrodite.” In Old English, this day is called Frige- daeg, or “Freya’s day.” This day has the Germanic title of Frije-dagaz, which, once again, could be Freya’s day or Frigga’s day.

Both Freya and Frigga were Norse goddesses of love and were the Teutonic equivalent of the Greco-Roman Venus/Aphrodite. However, Freya was one of the Vanir—the gods of fertility who supervised the land and sea—and she was the leader of the Valkyries. Frigga, Odin’s wife, was the goddess of the heavens and of married love. She was one of the Aesir—the gods associated with battle, magick and the sky. Freya and Frigga could be looked upon as different aspects of the same goddess. They both were called on to assist in childbirth and then in naming of the new baby. Frigga represented the faithful wife and loving mother, while Freya, who really captured the hearts and imagination of the Norse people, was the passionate mistress and lover.

Fridays classically are days for love, fertility, romance, and beauty magick, as well as working for happiness, harmony in the home, and friendship. So let’s take a look at some of the mythology involved with this loving, voluptuous, passionate, and luxurious day of the week, and see where it leads us.

Source

Book of Witchery – Spells, Charms & Correspondences For Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

Friday’s Perfect Corresponding Spell = The Witch Bottle Love Spell

Items needed:

A glass jar

Spring water

Drop of your own blood

Strand of your own hair

Vanilla extract

Rose quartz stone

Other items mentioned are optional

Witch bottles are popular in magic, and, though most often employed for protection, they can be effective talismans for drawing love into your life. In a clean glass jar place some or all of the following while visualizing love being drawn to your dwelling: spring water, a drop of your own blood, a strand of your own hair, vanilla extract, and a rose quartz stone. You may also use any from of coriander, cinnamon, hyacinth, licorice, yerba maté, rue, myrtle, jasmine, lemon, lavender, jasmine, mastic, rose, peppermint, thyme, or plum. Drawings or other love talismans representing your goal of romance can also be included. On a Friday or during a Full Moon, bury the sealed bottle near an entryway to your home. It will work for a year and a day.

Source

Everything Under the Moon

Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Spirituality 365 Days a Year for January 5th

Eve of the Feast of the Epiphany

This 11th day of Christmas is dedicated to the Italian fairy-Goddess Goddess Befana. Although they are rapidly disappearing, many of the customs associated with this day are still held, especially in rural-Italian farming areas. At sunset, an effigy of Befana is placed on a stack of brushwood, which is then burned. If the smoke blows to the east, it is believed that the year will be filled with prosperity and abundance.

Reminiscent of our Christmas Eve, Italian children put out stockings on this night in hopes that Befana will fill them with presents while the adults write their wishes on pieces of paper.

The papers are then tossed in the hearth where they catch fire and float up the chimney, granting the petitioners wish.

Magickal Activity for January 5, The Eve of the Feast of Epiphany

Hearth Blessing

Items needed:
A broom; one
3-foot length of natural cord;
one white 3-wick candle.

Place the candle on a table near the hearth along with the broom and the piece of cord. The entire family should gather around the table. The head of the household will step forward, light each candle wick, and say:

I bring light to this home,
I bring love to this home,
I bring honor to this home.

In turn, each member of the household will then tie a knot in the cord. The last person to tie a knot in the cord will then tie the cord around the handle of the broom. He or she will pass the broom to the mother of the household, who will symbolically cally sweep all of the negative energies away from the hearth while chanting:

All that is evil is now swept away,
And nothing but good shall come this way.

The broom should then be placed next to the hearth. The candle is left to burn for one hour and extinguished. Each evening, the head of the household will light the candle in Befana’s honor to ensure peace and harmony within the home.

Coming Up

The Witches Digest for Friday, January 5th

(Horoscopes, Tarot, Runes & Maybe More?)

First, I had to share this beauty with you. Jacob knows Lady A loves wolves. So he searched the internet and gathered some beauties that he printed out and framed for her. Every time I go to get a graphic from the back this is what I see. He is too cute for me to keep just to myself. Take a look, what a cutie?

The Witches Digest for Thursday, January 4th, 2018

(Part 1)

Amazing Grace

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

Today is Thursday, January 4th

Thursday is the day of the planet Jupiter, dedicated to Thunor(Thor), God of thunder and agricultural work. His parallels in various European traditions are Zeus, Taranis, Perun, Perkunas and St. Olaf. The faith of the Northern Tradition holds Thursday sacred, just as Islam reveres Friday, Judaism the Sabbath(calculated from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday), and Christianity, Sunday. This is why almost all adages about Thursday are positve, such as “Thursday’s child has far to go,” “Sneeze on Thursday, something better,” or “Cut nails on Thursday for wealth.” Thursday rules controlled optimism, energetic growth, physical well-being and material success.

Deity: Thor

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn/Pisces/Sagittarius

Planet: Mercury

Tree: Oak

Herb: Henbane

Stone: Turquoise/Bloodstone/Topaz

Animal: Fish/Goat/Aurochs

Element: Fire

Color: Brown/White/Orange

Number: 3

Rune: Thorn

The Celtic Tree Month of Beth (Birch) (December 24 – January 20)

Runic Half Month of Eoh (Yew tree) (December 28 – January 12)

Goddess of the Month of Hestia (December 26th – January 22nd)

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

On Thursday, January 4th, We Celebrate The Dagda

If there were to be a Celtic equivalent to Zeus or Jupiter, widely considered the “father gods” of the Greeks and Romans, it would have to be the Dagda. Though he likely originated in a pre-Celtic society in central Europe, he eventually became an important figure in Irish mythology as the leader of the Tuatha de Danann.

 
Usually portrayed as a giant, the Dagda was associated with abundance, fertility, and protection, and his name is said to translate to “the good god.” He was also revered by Druid priests as a god of knowledge who granted wisdom to those who were willing to learn.

 
The Dagda is the father of many important deities in the Irish pantheon, including Diancecht, the god of healing, Aengus, the god of love, and Brighid, the goddess of healing, poetry, and smithcraft.

 
The Dagda was said to protect the crops of the land as well as the tribe. He was a fearsome warrior with a giant club that could both kill—up to nine men in one blow—and restore life to the fallen in battle. For this he was also known as a god of life and death.

 
The Dagda possessed other magical items as well, including a bottomless cauldron of that never ran out of food, called the Undry, which had a ladle large enough for two men to lie in it. He also had a lavishly decorated harp made of living oak, known as “the Four Angled Music,” that he would play to put the seasons back in order. For this, he was considered by some to be a god of time and the Earth.

 
Portrayals of the Dagda usually show him with his harp slung over his shoulder and his club being dragged behind him. As a giant with a reputation for insatiability when it came to food and pleasure, he is sometimes represented in a comical light, wearing clothing that is far too small for him and appearing oafish, but this is thought to be the work of the Christian attempt to delegitimize the pagan deities of the Celtic lands.
He may also be seen with two pigs, which were also among his magical possessions. It was said that one pig was always growing while the other was always roasting.

 
Wiccans who work with the Dagda revere his connection to magic, to abundance, and to the seasons. He may be called upon for help with matters of protection, weather, healing, prosperity, and resolving disputes. He is also revered by those who work with music or are pursuing education.

 
If you wish to connect with the Dagda, light a candle for him at an altar decorated with leaves and branches from an oak tree (or any tree), images of fields of bountiful crops, harps, and/or items to represent the four seasons. Listen to music that features the harp, or celebrate a hearty feast in his honor.

 
Because of his power over the seasons, any Earth festival is appropriate for worshipping the Dagda, but his association with life and death make Samhain a particularly good choice.

Reference

Wicca Magical Deities: A Guide to the Wiccan God and Goddess, and Choosing a Deity to Work Magic With
Lisa Chamberlain

Thursday–The Day of Thor

Thor, the Thunderer, is perhaps the most famous of the gods of the Northmen, and was considered by some to be greater even than Odin. He was the God of the Peasants–the poor people, while Odin was thought more of by the rich people and the great fighters. Thor usually rode in a chariot of brass, drawn by two goats, Tooth-cracker and Tooth-gnasher, and it was this chariot which was supposed to make the thunder; hence Thor’s name. Thor, alone of all the gods, was never allowed to cross the bridge joining Asgard and the earth, lest this chariot should break it down.

As the Thunderer, Thor corresponded to Jupiter, who, as we have read, hurled thunderbolts when enraged, and for this reason Thor’s name was given to the Roman Dies Jovis, the day of Jupiter, the modern French jeudi.

Thor was of very great strength, like Hercules among the Greeks and Romans, and possessed a wonderful hammer called Miolnir, the Crusher, which always returned to his hand when he had thrown it at an enemy. He also wore a magic belt which increased his strength the more he pulled it in. The way in which Miolnir came to be made is told in a story of Thor’s wife Sif, who was very proud of her golden hair, which reached down to her feet. One morning Thor woke to find that Sif’s hair had been cruelly cut off during the night. Filled with anger, he set out to find the culprit, whom he rightly guessed to be Loki, the God of Fire. Loki was the spirit of evil and mischief, and was always playing cruel tricks on the gods, who frequently punished him. Thor soon caught Loki, and would have strangled him had he not promised to bring Sif a new head of hair as beautiful as the first. Thor then released Loki, who quickly went to the home of the dwarfs, who lived underground. There he found a dwarf who agreed to make the hair for Loki, and also presents for Odin and Frey, the God of the Fields, whom Loki was afraid would be angry with him. The dwarf made a head of hair of the finest gold thread, which he said would grow on Sif’s head as soon as it touched it. Then he made the spear Gungnir which, as we have seen, Odin always carried with him; while for Frey he made a ship which could sail through the air as well as on the water, and could be folded up like a cloth. Loki was of course delighted with the skill of this clever little smith, and declared that no other dwarf could be as clever. This led to a challenge from another dwarf, who claimed that he could make three still more wonderful things. This dwarf in his turn made a wild boar with golden bristles, which travelled through the air, and gave out a bright light as it passed; a magic ring, out of which came eight more rings exactly like it every ninth night; and lastly an iron hammer, Miolnir, which no one could resist. Loki and the dwarf then gave their presents to the gods: the spear and the ring to Odin, the ship and the golden boar to Frey, and the hair and the hammer to Thor. The gods decided that the contest had been won by the second dwarf, because Miolnir would be of such great use against the frost-giants, with whom the gods were continually fighting.

Thor often journeyed to the land of the giants, and on one occasion, having set out with Loki, he reached the desolate giant-country at nightfall. A thick mist covered the ground, and, after struggling on with some difficulty, the gods came to what seemed to be a house with an open doorway which took up all one side of the building. The gods entered the house, which was cold and dark, and, tired with their journey, lay down to sleep. Their rest, however, was soon disturbed by a loud noise and the trembling of the ground, and, fearing the roof of the house might fall on them, Thor and his companion moved into a smaller room which led out of the main building, and there slept till dawn. On going out into the open the next morning, Thor saw lying near an enormous giant, whose snores shook the ground, and was thus able to account for the noise and the trembling of the earth which had disturbed his sleep. But imagine the astonishment of the gods when the giant woke and picked up the house they had slept in–they had passed the night in the thumb of his glove! Thor and his companion then continued their journey, accompanied now by the giant, whose name was Skrymir. When evening came, they rested beneath a tree, and the giant, before going to sleep, offered them the food which he carried in his wallet. Thor, however, was unable to undo the straps of the huge wallet, so the gods had to go hungry. Angry at this, Thor dealt the giant, who was now asleep, three terrible blows on the head with his hammer Miolnir. But the only effect this had on the giant was to cause him to wake up and complain that three times a leaf or a twig had fallen on his head. The next morning Skrymir showed the gods the way to the castle of Utgard-loki, the giant king, and then left them. Arriving at the palace, the gods entered and presented themselves to the king, who recognized them and asked them to show him their powers of which he had heard so much. Loki, who was very hungry, offered to eat more than anyone, and the king’s cook was matched against him. They each stood at the end of a wooden trough full of meat, and though Loki soon reached the middle of the trough, leaving nothing but bones behind, he found that the giant had eaten the bones and the trough as well. Loki’s defeat made Thor even more anxious to show his powers, and he offered to empty the largest drinking-horn in the palace. A huge drinking-horn was at once brought in, and Thor drank so deep and so long that it seemed as if he would never stop, only to find, however, when he could drink no more, that the horn was still almost full. Nothing daunted by his failure, Thor now offered to show his strength, but when he tried to lift Utgard-loki’s cat, he only succeeded in raising one paw from the ground. Thor tried yet again to show his skill, this time in wrestling, but he was easily beaten by Utgard-loki’s old nurse. The gods were then entertained by the giants till the following day, when they returned. Before they left, however, Utgard-loki explained that he was the giant Skrymir, and that he had used magic against the gods in all their contests. By magic he had placed a mountain between his head and Thor’s hammer and thus saved his life, for the blows had made three huge clefts in the mountain. The cook who had beaten Loki was really Wild Fire; the end of the drinking-horn which Thor had failed to empty had been placed in the sea, which had sunk lower after Thor’s enormous draughts; the cat was really the huge snake Iormungandr, which encircled the earth, and which Thor had nearly lifted out of the sea; the nurse was really Old Age, whom, of course, no one could possibly overcome.

Thor seldom lost an opportunity of making war on the giants, and on a famous occasion challenged to single combat the giant Hrungnir, whose head and heart were of stone. Hrungnir one day matched his horse Golden Mane against Odin’s steed, Sleipnir, and, in the excitement of the race, followed Odin right to the gates of Valhalla. Though, of course, the presence of a giant in Asgard could not be allowed, the gods had no wish to take advantage of Hrungnir’s mistake, and offered him meat and drink in their banqueting hall. Hrungnir, however, drank too freely of the mead of the gods, and began to speak proud words and boast one day that he would overthrow Asgard and kill all the gods. This so enraged Thor that he raised his hammer to kill Hrungnir, but the gods would not allow him to shed blood within their home. He then challenged the giant to a duel, which was arranged to take place three days later on the boundary of Hrungnir’s kingdom. At the appointed time the giant was on the chosen spot awaiting his enemy, and, feeling the earth shaking beneath him, he stood on his shield of stone, lest Thor should come up from the ground. But no sooner had he done this than Thor suddenly came in sight and hurled his hammer straight at the giant’s head. Hrungnir, having no shield, tried to ward off the hammer with his stone club, which was shattered to pieces, thus scattering flint stones over the whole earth, where they may still be found. One piece entered Thor’s forehead, and he dropped fainting to the ground, but as lie fell his hammer struck Hrungnir on the head and killed him. Thor was pinned to the ground by one of the giant’s legs, and, after each of the gods had tried in vain to free him, he was at last rescued by Magni, his little son of three, who easily raised the giant’s leg and released his father, receiving as a reward Hrungnir’s horse, Golden Mane. Magni was one of the few gods destined to survive the terrible Ragnarok, the day of destruction, when, as we shall see, Thor, the Thunderer, fell in mortal combat with the sea-monster Iormungandr.

The Challenge of Thor

I am the God Thor,
I am the War God,
I am the Thunderer!
Here in my Northland,
My fastness and fortress,
Reign I for ever!
Here amid ice-bergs
Rule I the nations;
This is my hammer,
Miolner the mighty;
Giants and sorcerers
Cannot withstand it!
These are the gauntlets
Wherewith I wield it,
And hurl it afar off;
This is my girdle;
Whenever I brace it,
Strength is redoubled!
The light thou beholdest
Stream through the heavens,
In flashes of crimson,
Is but my red beard
Blown by the night-wind,
Affrighting the nations.
Jove is my brother;
Mine eyes are the lightning;
The wheels of my chariot
Roll in the thunder,
The blows of my hammer
Ring in the earthquake!
Force rules the world still,
Has ruled it, shall rule it;
Meekness is weakness,
Strength is triumphant,
Over the whole earth,
Still is it Thor’s-day!

LONGFELLOW--The Saga of King Olaf.

Spellcrafting for Thursday, January 4th

ñ Prosperity
ñ Wealth
ñ Growth
ñ Luck
ñ Male energy
ñ Debts
ñ Finances
ñ Development
ñ Legal issues

Source

A Spell Crafter’s Compendium
Terri Paajanen

The Magickal Day of Thursday

Thursday is a day of royal blues and greens, associated with the planet Jupiter and metals like tin. When it comes to deities, look at leader type gods like Thor, Zeus, and Jupiter. Gemstone correspondences for Thursday include turquoise, amethyst and lapis lazuli, and plant associations can be found in honeysuckle, cinquefoil, and even oak trees.

This is a day for honor, fealty and family loyalty, as well as harvesting, success, and prosperity.

Take advantage of Thursday’s different aspects and do spellwork that brings abundance to you, declares your allegiance, and embraces prosperity.

Author

Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by ThoughtCo.com

The Witches Guide to Thursdays

Today is the day for prosperity work of all kinds. It can also be used for healing work, whether that is a physical healing of an illness or an emotional healing. Also remember that you have to follow up your healing work and prosperity magick and physical action.

I can’t tell you the number of times I have met new witches who complain to me that their prosperity spell or “I need a better job” spell did not work as they expected. They’ll ramble on and on about how much time and money they spent working their magick….but, alas, they had no glorious manifestation of wealth or fabulous job that suddenly dropped out of the sky and landed in their laps.

Then, when I gently ask them, “Did you enchant your resume or application when you filled it out? Did you do a little confidence-boosting spellwork when you went to apply for the job or went to the interview?” typically they give me a blank, confused stare.

Nine times out of ten, their response is, “You mean I have to go out and actually look for the job too?” Um, yes, my dear, you certainly do. Magick follows the path of least resistance, which means it’s going to manifest along the simplest, quickest route. Get out there and hit the pavement. See what you can find. Times are tough and competition for good jobs is fierce, so you need whatever edge you can get. For folks like us, we’re going to get the edge by using our magick and our spellcraft.

Thursdays have such a rich source of magick for us to draw upon that, honestly, the sky is the limit. This is the day associated with the gods of the sky and heavens, after all. Get to know these deities and add their wisdom and magick into your days
Source

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

Witchery for Your Thursdays

Today is the day for prosperity work of all kinds. It can also be used for healing work, whether that is a physical healing of an illness or an emotional healing. Also remember that you have to follow up your healing work and prosperity magick and physical action.

I can’t tell you the number of times I have met new witches who complain to me that their prosperity spell or “I need a better job” spell did not work as they expected. They’ll ramble on and on about how much time and money they spent working their magick….but, alas, they had no glorious manifestation of wealth or fabulous job that suddenly dropped out of the sky and landed in their laps.

Then, when I gently ask them, “Did you enchant your resume or application when you filled it out? Did you do a little confidence-boosting spellwork when you went to apply for the job or went to the interview?” typically they give me a blank, confused stare.

Nine times out of ten, their response is, “You mean I have to go out and actually look for the job too?” Um, yes, my dear, you certainly do. Magick follows the path of least resistance, which means it’s going to manifest along the simplest, quickest route. Get out there and hit the pavement. See what you can find. Times are tough and competition for good jobs is fierce, so you need whatever edge you can get. For folks like us, we’re going to get the edge by using our magick and our spellcraft.

Thursdays have such a rich source of magick for us to draw upon that, honestly, the sky is the limit. This is the day associated with the gods of the sky and heavens, after all. Get to know these deities and add their wisdom and magick into your days

Source

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

The Witches Almanac for Thursday, January 4th

Kamakura Workers’ Festival (Japanese)

Waning Moon

 
Moon Phase: Third Quarter

 
Moon Sign: Leo

 
Incense: Clove

 
Color: Crimson

MoonTip: Charging Tools with Lunar Energy

Of the many methods for infusing your ritual tools and spell ingredients with magical energy, charging them under the light of the Moon is one of the simplest and most effective.
Moonlight is known to have both cleansing and charging properties, so you don’t have to worry about clearing the old energy from your items as a separate step.
For best results, leave your tools out overnight under the Full Moon, or at least in a windowsill where they will receive direct moonlight.
Lunar energy is particularly suited to charging crystals and other mineral stones—particularly those associated with intuitive and psychic abilities. You can really see and feel the effect of the Moon on your crystals the next day—they’ll be shiny and new and feel great in your hand!

Reference

Wicca Moon Magic: A Wiccan’s Guide and Grimoire for Working Magic with Lunar Energies
Lisa Chamberlain

The Witches Correspondences for Thursday, January 4th

Ruled by the planet Jupiter and dedicated to Thor, god of thunder and agricultural work. his parallels in various European Traditions include Zeus, Taranis, Perun, and Perkunas.

Element : Water / Fire

Planet: Jupiter

Zodiac Sign : Sagittarrius / Pisces

Angel : Sachiel

Metal : Tin

Incense / Perfumes : Cinnamon, Musk, Nutmeg and Sage

Oils : Clove, Lemon Balm, Oakmoss, Star Anise

Color : Blue, Purple, Green

Stones : Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, Turquoise, Sapphire

Plants/Herbs : Agrimony, Anise, Beech, Buttercup, Cedar, Cinnamon, Cinquefoil, Coltsfoot, Dandelion, Honeysuckle, Hyssop, Linden, Mint, Nutmeg, Oak, Sage

Magick to Work: prosperity, business, buying, selling, abundance, business, fame, gambling, greed, growth, expansion, honor, leadership, money, parties, politics, power, responsibility, royalty, success, visions, wealth, political power, influencing people in high places, law, courts

Thursday is Ruled By Jupiter

Thursday is a Jupiter day. Here is the day of the week for prosperity, abundance, and good health. Thursday is “Thor’s day.” This Norse god gave the day his name and many of his attributes, including strength and abundance. Some suggestions for Thursday enchantments would include:

Wearing a regal and royal shade of blue to see how it affects your mood and your magic. Other colors for the day include purple and green

Carrying a turquoise tumbled stone in your pocket to draw a little protective and healing energy your way Incorporating honeysuckle blossoms and cinquefoil foliage into prosperity charms

Calling on Thor for abundance, or on the Roman god Jupiter for the ability to peacefully referee a fight

Adding a few oak leaves—which are sacred to these Thursday gods—to your charms to see how much better your spell works out

Casting a charm with wheat stalks for prosperity, and calling on Juno Moneta to bring wealth into your life

Baking up some whole wheat bread and blessing it for abundance. Be sure to thank the gods for your family and your good health.

Jupiter’s Energy

Weekday ruled by Jupiter: Thursday

Stones:
Sugilite
Amethyst
Turquoise
Lapis Lazuli
Sapphire

Herbs and Plants:
Cinnamon
Beech
Buttercup
Coltsfoot
Oak

Magickal Intentions: Happiness, luck, health, legal matters, male fertility, treasure and wealth, honor, riches, leadership, public activity, power and success.

Custom Made Magick for Thursday

Well, let’s see … abundance, prosperity, and good health has been our focus for this day. Now how about a little more information and ideas for working practical magick with one of our fascinating featured deities of the day?

Juno was the Queen of Heaven. As the matriarch of the gods, she guarded over women in every aspect of their lives. Juno was thought to have renewed her virginity every year. Similar to other goddess stories, Juno was a triple goddess-a virgin who belonged to no one; a mother and woman in the prime of her life, sexual and mature; and also a crone, powerful, wise, and sometimes vengeful (as she made her husband’s many mistresses’ lives either fairly unhappy or short).

There are references to an early all-female triad of goddesses known as the Capitoline Triad. This triad consisted of Juventas, Juno, and Minerva. To the Greeks, they would have been known as Hebe, Hera, and Hecate. Ultimately the triad became Juno, Minerva, and the male Jupiter. Jupiter, another of Thursday’s gods, was Juno’s consort.

As mentioned earlier, Juno, in her aspect as Juno Moneta, was the patron and protector of the Roman mint. The coins produced at her temples were blessed by Juno and imbued with her powers of abundance and prosperity. In another of her aspects as Juno Augusta, Juno was the goddess of an abundant harvest.

In addition, another of Juno’s magickal correspondences is the semiprecious stone malachite. Malachite is a beautiful green-banded stone that was also called the “peacock stone” in Italy. The peacock was a sacred animal of Juno’s, and the magickal energies of malachite encourage health and prosperity.

Source

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

Thursday’s Perfect Corresponding Spell – Juno’s Prosperity Elemental Ritual

calls for some natural magick supplies. Try working with affordable tumbled malachite stones. As for the wheat stalks, look at the dried flowers and fillers in the arts and crafts shops. Ditto for the feather, or peruse a fly-tying store; you can usually pick up a package of feathers for a few bucks. As to the green seven-day candle, if you look around, you can find green jar candles. I actually found some at the grocery store for a dollar apiece. They were in the ethnic food aisle and were called novena candles. I simply peeled the saint sticker off of it, and abracadabra! An instant seven-day candle for my witchery.

As mentioned before, all of these magickal supplies listed below correspond with the goddess Juno in two of her prosperity-drawing aspects, Juno Augusta (the harvest mother) and Juno Moneta (patron of the Roman mint).

1 malachite stone (to represent the earth element)

A few peacock feathers (to represent the element of air)

3 small stalks dried wheat

1 green seven-day jar candle for prosperity

3 drops honeysuckle, peppermint, or clove oil (all of these oils encourage prosperity)

A clean dropper (to add the oil to the candle)

A long, thin screwdriver (to put holes in the candle)

A dollar bill or coin

Matches or a lighter

A safe, flat surface on which to set up the spell

Carefully and slowly push the screwdriver straight down into the wax. Now pull it straight back up. Add two more holes for the essential oil. Now set the screwdriver aside; using the dropper, squirt a few drops of honeysuckle oil down into those channel that you just created.

Next, hold the green jar candle in your hands and transfer a little of your personal power and desire for prosperity into the candle. Then place the candle on your work area on top of the currency. Arrange the stone, wheat stalks, and feathers to your liking. Make your work area pretty, and enjoy the process. While you are doing so, you may chant the following (the chanting will help you raise some energy too):

By the power of three times three
Bring prosperity now to me!

When you feel that you are ready, light the candle and repeat the following verse three times:

Juno Moneta, Roman goddess of prosperity
Lend your power to this elemental spell that I weave
Juno Augusta, mother of the harvest, hear my plea
These three golden stalks of wheat are a gift to you from me
A peacock feather for air, and a malachite for earth
Lady, bless me with success, abundance, and rebirth
For the good of all, with harm to none
In Juno’s name, this spell has begun!

Allow the candle to burn until it goes out on its own. It will probably take five to seven days for the jar candle to burn out. When I burn seven-day candles, I tuck them inside of my large cast-iron cauldron, then I place the spell components around the outside of the jar. That way, the candle can continue to safely burn, and even if it gets knocked over, everything stays contained inside of the fireproof cauldron.

Once the jar candle is finished, pocket the malachite stone and the bill or coin. Keep the money with you, tucked in your wallet or in your pocket. Tie up the feathers somewhere where prominent where you will see them every day, like the rearview mirror of your car, your dresser mirror, or a chest of drawers’ handle. Every time you see the feather, tell Juno thank you. Take the dried wheat and crumble the pieces apart. Sprinkle the seeds outside as an offering for Juno. Abundance and prosperity will find their way to you soon.

Please note: If you cannot leave the ritual candle safely burning then snuff it out when you leave and relight it as soon as you are home. It may take a few days longer, but the magick will still turn out, especially since you are taking the time and energy to tend the ritual candle so carefully. As you relight the candle, say:
As this ritual candle relights, so does my magick one more ignite.

Enjoy your ritual work, and may prosperity come to you in the best possible way!

Source

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

Dealing with psychic attack

What to do if you think you are being attacked.

1 – Question if it is really either imagination, or coming from within yourself. Something may be trying to get your attention, but it may not be external, and by focussing on an external “enemy” you may be missing the point.

2 – Check to see if you are yourself inadvertently sending something out; maybe someone is just reflecting some energy back! Nothing is gained if you get into adversarial mode in that case. Many people have been taught that reflecting is the proper response.

3 – Put up a grounding shield. Ground it out, send it to the Mother who can recycle the energy. Grounding is usually taught to every student. If you don’t feel you can be a “conduit” safely, ground it by reflecting it downward to the Earth; that is a big target and easy to hit. By grounding it out, you are protecting yourself, yet not being caught up in it.

What not to do.

1 – Figure out who is sending it and counter attack. You might be wrong, and may be starting a feud. You might be right, but they may not realize that they are “sending” so you may start a feud or cause unnecessary harm. Even if you are right, you are escalating a feud, of which we have too many.This is commonly discussed as a bad idea.

2 – Put up a reflective shield which will return the energy to the sender. This is commonly discussed as a good idea, but we disagree. We think this is unwise.

For one thing, it is not necessary; if you can make an accurate return reflection, you can certainly reflect it to Earth instead (where it can be recycled). There is no reason you should not be able to ground out more energy than you can accurately reflect to the sender, if viewed properly.

For another, your accuracy in returning it may be less than perfect. You might hit close but not close enough; if you can’t reflect it to earth, you are going to have trouble reflecting it to an unknown person.

Sometimes this is discussed as if once you return it, the sender will just stop; because they will awaken to what they are doing, or because the returning energy will be too much to handle. The thing which is seldom mentioned is that if the sender (assuming there is one) was consciously attacking, they will likely already be prepared with their own mirrors, etc. Great, if we put near perfect mirrors at each end and pump in energy, maybe we can get a psychic laser effect; guess who is just on the other side of the mirrors to catch the intensified leak thru?

If they weren’t aware of sending, they will probably just assume they are being attacked and take countermeasures. If they follow the 3 steps above, fine, nothing is damaged. But many of them will immediately think they have to put up a defensive mirror, or maybe worse (see below; they may decide to teach you a lesson for attacking them). Few people naturally respond to perceived attacks positively (especially if they are in such a bad mood already as to be sending without even realizing it).

Another serious concern is getting drawn into a unacknowledged feud by your own weaknesses. It is often agreed that one should reflect back exactly what is received, without adding anything of one’s own. But the same people who advocate that may use terms implying “returning it with enthusiasm”. There appears to be an easily tapped source of self-righteousness in most people feeling attacked, and it is _very hard_ not to get drawn into imagining, at some level, the satisfying effects of the energy going back to the attacker; that draws one into a “counter-attack” even without realizing it. Grounding it does not.

Watch for yourself when people are discussing “returning to sender”; see if there isn’t very often a hidden desire for revenge or retribution lurking there grasping for their “control panel” – and deflecting their normal attempts at staying centered by claiming to do no more than is “justified”. Justified is not the question; self knowledge and balance are.

There is another thread which shows up often in discussions like these; the need to “teach the sender a lesson”. In some cases, I have even heard this justified as “protecting the community”. This way lies many… ….did the goddess give you an “agent of threefold return” marshall’s badge, that exempts you from any consequences “because you are just an agent”? That hubris is gonna teach some hard lessons, but the self appointed marshall maybe the major recipient. It would be a little bit healthier to just shed the self-righteousness and call it an ego driven feud. “Teaching them a lesson” gets filed under the pitfalls of righteousness, the ways that one’s own weaknesses seduce one.

Also consider, what if despite your initial impression, the negative energy is really coming from inside, from part of you? Are you going to be better off “reflecting it back” (maybe with additional conscious or unconscios oomph) or grounding it? “Gee, I returned it but good, and now they have stepped it up; the sender really needs a lesson!”. That may be more true than you know..

Notice that nowhere do we say that one has no “right” to put up a reflective shield; of course one does, and is fully justified. Also, possibly, unwise. There is a distinction between what one has a “right” to do in “self defense”, and what is wise to get drawn into. Reflecting it is neither necessary, nor likely to produce positive results, but if _that itself_ is the lesson to be learned, what can I say? Each chooses their own path, and that is as it should be. At least if one has considered the above, one should know what they are stepping into.

Author

Zhahai Stewart

Home & Hearth Magick for Thursday, January 4th

Thursday increase prosperity on this day, work toward expansion and moving up in the world.

Planetary Influences: Jupiter

Household Symbols: A dollar bill, coins, a paycheck stub, a picture of your home.

Color: Green and royal blue

Kitchen Spices: Sage and nutmeg

Source:

Cottage Witchery, Natural Magick for Hearth and Home
Author Ellen Dugan

Don’t forget Magickal Necessities is open, Great New Look, Great New Deals!

Happy 2018!

We hope everyone survived their New Year’s celebrations last night. If it was anything like it is around here, it was too cold to go outside and do anything. The temperature was negative one and that is cold for Kentucky.

I do have good news Lady of the Abyss did get out of the hospital Saturday. We have been busy getting her situated in her temporary new home. I will give you more details later. Right now, Eleanor and Lynette are cooking black-eye peas and cabbage for our New Year’s Eve dinner. It’s a Southern custom for good luck all year long you eat peas and cabbage. I have ate it all my life and I am still waiting on my fortune and luck to find me.

I have got to go for now, I hear squabbling in the kitchen. With Lynette and Eleanor, if you let them squabble too much, you won’t have a kitchen left. I wanted to give you the good news Lady A is out of the hospital and also we all wanted to wish you a very Happy New Year!

Happy New Years, brothers & sisters,

Lady of the Abyss & The WOTC Staff

Lady A didn’t type this, in case you are wondering. I did, Lord M. Lady A still has a cast on her left hand which the doctors will be there for at least 4 to 6 weeks. All she could do would be hunt and peck and that would drive her crazy. See you tomorrow.