The Witches “Witchy” Journal for Saturday, April 14
It is an accurate statement that the followers of Witchcraft do not usually proselytize, which means you aren’t going to find us standing on your local street corner thumping our Books of Shadows. Nor do you have to worry about jumping out of the shower to answer our serene and smiling faces at the door with your clothes stuck to various uncomfortable places on your wet body. But just because we (hopefully) aren’t the forcible type doesn’t mean we don’t exist.
—-SILVER RAVENWOLF, To Ride a Silver Broomstick: New Generation Witchcraft
Saturday: Even the God needs to relax
Here we come to the only day of the English week which brings a Roman god to our heavenly party. The word Saturday is derived from Saturn, the god of harvest and agriculture. Buying all the food in supermarkets, we can hardly imagine how important this guy was for our distant ancestors.
In Latin, the word for Saturday is Sambata Dies, meaning the Day of Sabbath (sábado in Spanish, sabato in Italian, samedi in French). Sabbath is a Hebrew word for the Day of Rest. It was the last day of the all-in-one-week creation run. A day when the God finally had some relax, lying in the Garden of Eden and curiously waiting for what happens next.
Today Is Saturday, April 14
Saturday is dedicated to the shadowy Anglo-Saxon God Saetere or Seater, July 15equivalent to the God Saturn. It is a day also associated with the Norns, the Norse equivalent of Three Fates, and the trickster God Loki. It is connected generally with apprehension, austerity, caution, and excessive self-limitation.
Deity: Saetere
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Planet: Saturn
Tree: Alder
Herb: Daffodil
Stone: Amethyst
Animal: Eagle
Element: Earth
Color: Dark Blue
Number: 4
Rune: Dag(D)
The Celtic Tree Month of Fearn(Alder)(March 18 – April 14)
Runic Half Month of Man(human being) (April 14 – April 28)
Goddess of the Month of Columbina (March 20 – April 17)
Source
The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick
The Pagan Book of Days for Saturday, April 14
Cerealia/Runic half-month of Man commencesSommarsblot/St. Tiburtius/Celtic tree month of Fearn ends
The Norse festival of Sommarsblot is clebrated to welcome the summer. The runic half-month of Man is a time when the archetypal reality of the human condition should be meditated upon.
Source
The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick
A Look At The Alder Tree As It Ends It Cycle WIth us
Alder moon is an in-between Atime, partway between the yin energies of winter and the yang energies of summer. As such, people can feel uncertain and doubtful of themselves. The Bach Flower Remedies most suited for these feelings are Gentian and Larch.
Gentian is the remedy for those who have a negative attitude and outlook, and suffer from depression. This state is seen in the eternal pessimist who takes a perverse satisfaction in how badly things are going for him, and in the persistent doubter, who isn’t able to not worry about something. Gentian types are easily discouraged when things go wrong or when faced with difficulties. Any kind of setback, whether from illness or dily life, causes them to become despondent1. The Gentian types refuse to believe that their own lack of faith and understanding prevents them from overcoming life’s difficulties. They don’t understand that their own negative attitude attracts problems.
Gentian is very useful when depression is brought on by a known circumstance; i.e., the death of a partner, the continuing inability to find a job, etc. It is also good for a student who has become discouraged over hard tests and difficult schoolwork.
Gentian is also related to faith, not necessarily in the religious sense, but faith in the meaning of life, a certain principle, or a philosophy. The Gentian person is someone who would like to believe but cannot. “Spiritually, the Gentian state may be seen as a blockage in the mental plane. Intellectual powers are strong, but on the wrong tack. A healthy skepticism becomes a compulsive need to question everything.”
Gentian helps to build faith; not blind faith, but that of a positive skeptic. The person will be able to see difficulties without despairing over them. The person in the positive state of Gentian knows that there is no failure when one is doing his best, whatever the end result, and is able to see the light in the darkness.
Gentian (Gentianella amarella) is prepared by the sun method. It flowers from August to October in dry hilly pastures. Gather the flowers just below the calyx from as many plants as possible.
Larch is for people who have very little self-confidence, who feel inferior to others. They don’t simply doubt their abilities, but are absolutely convinced they can’t do as well as others. Sure that they can’t do certain things, they don’t even attempt them. Whereas many people have trouble recognizing their own limits, with Larch it is exactly the opposite. From the beginning, the Larch types take for granted specific limits. This keeps them from growing and developing, and leads to a feeling of discouragement and melancholy.
The Larch person may have a very logical-sounding reason why they cannot do something; “I haven’t got any strong points, like other people,” or “I’d really like to, but I know even now that I can’t manage.”
They may praise and admire others for their accomplishments, yet feel no envy or jealousy at all5. These feelings of genuine inferiority usually begin in early childhood or infancy, the child having been exposed to the parent’s negative attitudes. The certainty of failure becomes an inbuilt automatic response, reinforced by each new failure.
People in need of Larch are often rather delicate psychologically, and do not always have the decisiveness and strength to overcome their own negative programming. However, Larch people are usually not only just as capable, but often more capable than others.
Larch helps to dissolve the self-limiting, fixed personality concepts. One is able to take a more relaxed view of things, and to consider alternatives. The positive side of Larch is the person who is willing to truly live; to take risks and never be discouraged by the results. The positive Larch person knows that if he failed, it was not because he didn’t try his best.
Larch (Larix decidua), blooms in April and May, on hills and near woods. Pick about 6″ of the twig from the tree with the young green leaf-tufts and the male and female flowers, and prepare by the boiling method.
Notes:
Muirghein uí Dhún Aonghasa (Linda Kerr), Published on The Hazel Nut (Which is no longer in publication).
1 Chancellor, Dr. Philip M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies. 1971. Keats Publishing,
Inc., New Canaan, CT, pg. 92.
2 Scheffer, Methchild. Bach Flower Therapy: Theory and Practice. 1981. Munchen, West Germany, pg. 87.
3 Weeks, Nora, and Bullen, Victor. The Bach Flower Remedies: Illustrations and Preparation. 1964. C.W. Daniel Co. Ltd., London, England, pg. 46.
4 Scheffer, pg. 116.
5 Chancellor, pg. 126.
6 Ibid, pg. 127.
7 Weeks and Bullen, pg. 70.
A Look At the New Celtic Tree Cycle that Starts April 15th, The Willow
WILLOW
Willow moon brings with it feelings of resentment and jealousy, and also confusion and indecision. The main Bach Flower Remedy for this moon is, appropriately, Willow. The remedies for the uncertainty we feel are Scleranthus, Wild Oat, and Cerato (which is useful for the Alder moon, also).
Wild Oat is for people who are undecided about what they should do. This usually refers to a life’s vocation, but this Remedy can also help the vague unfocused feeling of Willow moon. The Wild Oat person is very talented and ambitious, but is undecided about his true work. A person needing Wild Oat may be at a crossroads in life, unable to decide which path to follow.
Scleranthus is another remedy for the undecided, but unlike the Wild Oat type, the Scleranthus person cannot decide between two distinct things. They are unable to make up their minds, and are swayed between two choices. This back-and-forth indecision can lead to nervousness and an inner imbalance, just when we need to be steadying ourselves for the summer months.
Cerato types are usually very wise and intuitive, and hold definite opinions of their own, yet they doubt their own ability. They tend to follow the advice of others, against their own good judgement, and thus do foolish things. When they learn how poor the advice was, they may say “I knew better. I knew that I should have done so-and-so.”1 When they are ill, they will try one remedy after another, always following the latest recommendation. They may also try one diet after another, always looking for the best one.
Because they ask so many questions, they are very talkative people, and tend to sap the energy of others. Every once in a while the Cerato person will ask advice but then follow their own judgement, but this is very rare. Cerato differs from the Larch person of the previous moon, Alder, in that unlike Larch, he has sufficient confidence in himself to stick by his decision once it is made. They greatly admire those who know their own minds and can make a decision quickly.
Upon taking Cerato, the inner voice will grow stronger again, and one can pay attention to one’s intuition and have more trust in oneself. “You will find, to your pleasure, that suddenly all necessary knowledge is at your fingertips just at the right moment, so that your are able to make rapid decision, diagnoses, interpretations and correlations. A great desire then often arises to share such knowledge with others.” The positive side of Cerato is intuitive, quiet assurance. One is sure of his ability to decide between right and wrong, and he trusts his own judgements.
Cerato (Ceratostigma willmottiana), is a small flowering plant from the Himalayas, which is cultivated in gardens. The pale blue flowers are gathered in August and September, and prepared by the sun method. Pick single blooms just below the calyx from 2 or more plants.
Willow is the primary remedy for this moon, being the remedy for resentment and bitterness. The Willow person blames everyone and everything but himself, and his thoughts are negative and destructive. He can’t understand why some people can be so cheerful and carefree, but begrudges their happiness and feels tempted to ruin their day somehow. He may feel depressed, and tend to sulk about their problems.
This state may be temporary, occurring whenever we have a bad day, or it may become a chronic state. When this happens, it can have a very destructive effect on the person and his whole environment. He will affect others by his attitude of being a wet blanket and a spoilsport. The Willow person considers himself a victim of life, complaining that he doesn’t deserve this unfairness. The Willow type never considers his own behavior when he makes such accusations. He doesn’t feel it is his fault at all. “Willow is a state in which disappointments and resentments are powerfully projected onto the outside world.”
The Willow people believe that their prayers are unanswered and their efforts unrewarded, but they take without giving. They will accept or even demand all kinds of help as their ‘right’ and so have no gratitude towards others; thereby alienating people who would like to help them. When they are ill, nothing can please or satisfy them, and they don’t want to admit any improvement in their condition. They may say something like, “I may look better, but I most certainly don’t feel better,”5 as if to stop any positive feelings from arising in himself.
“A person in the Willow state is a ‘victim,’ and that provides the perfect excuse for not accepting responsibility for his own destiny.” The Willow person judges success in life not by inner experience but mostly by material criteria, and is usually not happy at what he sees or has. In addition to feeling resentful and disappointed by their troubles, the Willow person attempts to block any improvements by their inner self, putting up passive resistance and negative ‘stone-walling.’
“It is easy to fall into a negative Willow state in the course of spiritual development, at a point when one has become aware of much that is negative but the personality is not yet strong enough to integrate this. Annoyance at oneself is then… projected onto the outside world, powerful prejudices develop, and there is a definite lack of cooperation.
The key to overcoming a negative Willow state is to first learn to recognize and accept one’s own bitterness and negativity. The attitudes towards oneself must first be changed before anything can change outwardly. Secondly, one must realize that every grumbling thought adds another brick to the wall, so that the personal ‘sun’ is ever more blotted out. “Everything we experience on the outside is the outcome of our own thoughts being projected outward, and every human being lives in a world he has at some stage or other thought up and created for himself. Anyone feeling himself to be a victim will inevitably sooner or later end up a victim.”
The positive Willow state is seen in the person who realizes they control their own destiny. They have great optimism, faith, and calmness.
Willow (Salix vitellina) flowers in May, and is prepared by the boiling method. Pick the catkins of either sex with about 6″ of the twig and young leaves.
Notes:
Muirghein uí Dhún Aonghasa (Linda Kerr), The Hazel Nut Magazine (No longer in publication)
1 Chancellor, Dr. Philip M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies. 1971. Keats Publishing, Inc., New Canaan, Cr, pg. 56.
2 Scheffer, Methchild. Bach Flower Therapy – Theory and Practice. 1981.
Munchen, West Germany, pg. 56.
3 Weeks, Nora, and Bullen, Victor. The Bach Flower Remedies – Illustrations and Preparation. 1964. C.W. Daniel Co. Ltd., London, England, pg. 44.
4 Scheffer, pg. 197.
5 Chancellor, pg. 229.
6 Scheffer, pg. 199.
7 Ibid, pg. 200.
8 Ibid, pg. 199.
9 Weeks and Bullen, pg 80.
WHAT IS THE CELTIC TREE CALENDAR?
The Celtic tree calendar is based on a lunar year as opposed to a solar one, and begins after the Winter Solstice, There are roughly 13 lunar months, which begin and end with the new moon; each month is represented by a tree. In order, these are: Birch, Rowan, Ash, Alder, Willow, Hawthorn, Oak, Holly, Hazel, Vine, Ivy, Reed, and Elder.
In the Druidic alphabet, each tree also represents a letter. The first letter of the Gaelic names of the trees is a consonant. In order again, they are: Beth, Luis, Nion, Fearn, Saille, Huath, Duir, Tinne, Coll, Muir, Gort, Ngetal, and Ruis, to give us B, L, N, F, S, H, D, T, C, M, G, N, and R.
There are also five vowels, as in any proper alphabet: Ailim, Ohn, Ur, Eadha, and Ioho (A, 0, U, E, and 1). These five vowels are represented by the ‘solar’ trees, which are, respectively, Silver Fir, Gorse, Heather, Aspen, and Yew. The five solar trees are like ‘umbrella’ trees; they cover a larger portion of the year than the lunar trees do; usually about 2-3 months each.
This alphabet, when written, is put down in marks called ‘ogham.’ This is an ancient system of writing, and there are almost as many ogham alphabets as there are rune systems.
This entire system; the lunar months, the solar seasons, the trees in both their English and Gaelic names, and the ogham, is the Celtic Tree Calendar. There seem to be two major Celtic Tree systems; the one that we, the Faerie Faith, use, is called the Beth-Luis-Nion system. Its calendar begins on the Winter Solstice, the months run from new moon to new moon, and the trees are Birch, Rowan, Ash, etc., as listed above. The other system is called the Beth-Luis-Fern. Its calendar begins at Samhain, November 1, the months go from full moon to full moon, and the order of its trees is slightly different: Birch, Rowan, Alder, Willow, Ash, Hawthorn, Oak, etc. There is no one correct system; people just use the one that they feel the most comfortable with. We use the Beth-Luis-Nion because that’s what works for us.
Okay, that was the easy part; now let’s go into the calendar in a little more depth. Each of the 13 lunations has its own mythology and folklore, but most importantly, each has its own special ‘energies’ that affect our moods and physical beings. When we understand the energies that are acting upon us, we can deal with them better, and actually learn from them. For instance, ever notice how crabby people get around the ‘Dog Days’ of summer, July and August? True, you could put it down to the intense heat, but sometimes June is incredibly hot, and people just don’t act quite the same then as they do in the latter months of summer. In the Beth-Luis-Nion system, Holly falls around July and August, and brings with it intense energies of hatred, jealousy, suspicion, and general bitchiness. The remedy for this is the holly tree itself; a branch of holly hung in the house can help us feel calmer, more accepting, even loving. We’ve tried it-it works.
Another system that lends credence to our belief is the Bach Flower Remedies: the Holly remedy, made from the holly tree, is the remedy for hatred, jealousy, suspicion, and envy. Coincidence? Maybe. But when something keeps occurring over a period of time, it stops becoming mere coincidence, and becomes almost … magical. That’s the point we’re at now.
To fully understand the tree calendar, and make it relevant to your life, you should consider yourself a student of the calendar. Study it, research it, learn about it. Most of all, make it an active part of your life. Look into the mysteries and myths attached to each tree. Read Robert Graves’ The White Goddess and Celtic myths and fairy tales. Look at the rituals in Pattalee’s Year of Moons, Season of Trees, and write and perform a lunar ritual for yourself based on her rituals and what you’ve learned from Robert Graves. Make contact with a tree; meet it, talk to it, and especially, listen to it.
Each lunation, each tree, when taken separately, can teach us about ourselves, and help us get more in tune with nature’s cycles. Taken as a whole, a study of the tree system can help us integrate our personalities, broaden our intellectual horizons, and open ourselves spiritually to the cosmos, going beyond the physical world. That is, after all, the point of being on the path in the first place, isn’t it?
Reference
Muirghein uí Dhún Aonghasa (Linda Kerr), The Hazel Nut Magazine (No longer in publication)
The Wicca Book of Days for April 14th – The Rune of Man
The runic half-month of Mannaz (or Man) begins today, and it last day will fall on April 28. As its name indicates, this rune means “man,” and it may be interpreted on the one hand as signifying a male person, and, on the other, as referring to mankind, or humankind. Different interpreters put a different gloss on the meaning of this rune, with some saying that it points to the self, and others, that it highlights how the individual relates to the wider human community. And yet another view is that Mannaz denotes defense, especially of the human race collectively.
Heartening Hyssop
If you are feeling vulnerable to attack, fortify yourself with a herb that grows under mighty Mar’s protection, namely hyssop. Inhaling the essential oil will strengthen your immune system and will life your spirits if you are feeling down.
Source
The Wicca Book of Days
Observances, Traditions, and Lore for Every Day of the Year
Selene Eilidh Ash
The Goddess Book of Days for April 14th
In India, the Maryamma Festival begins, dedicated to Maryamma or Mariamne, Goddess of the Sea. She is Mary, Mari, Stella Maris, Isis, Tara, Tiamat, Aida Wedo, Yemaya, Kwan Yin, Kwannon, Nu Kwa, Mer, Maerin, Marah, Aphrodite, and Atargatis. The fourteenth day
Reference
The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein
Goddesses Associated with Saturday
Saturday For Saturn: Ops, Rhea, Tellus Mater, Gaia, Eartha, Ge, Tonantzin, Ashera, Anath, the Shekinah, the Matronit, Mary, Gula, Herodias, Oddudua, Demeter
Refernce
The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein
Ritual Influences for Saturday, April 14
Planet: Saturn
Perfumes: Hyacinth, Pansy
Incense: Peperwort, Assodilious, Black Poppy Seeds, Henbane, Lodestone, Myrrh
Wood: Oak
Color: Black
Influences: Duties, Respondibilities, Finding Families, Works of Magic, Buildings, Meditation, Life, Doctrines.
Reference
A Book of Pagan Rituals
Herman Slater
Saturday–The Day of Saturn
In the Roman calendar, Saturday was called Dies Saturni in honour of the god Saturn, whom we have already mentioned. He was the father of Jupiter, who finally overthrew him. He then made his way to the earth, and reigned over a kingdom in Italy called Latium. A great festival was held in his honour in December, as we have seen.
The Old-English name Saater-daeg, from which the word Saturday comes, seems to be a translation of the Latin name, and so suggests no god of the Angles and Saxons to us, as do the days Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. We find, however, that the day was sacred to Loki, the God of Fire, and there are some who think that
“Saeter-daeg” means “the day of Saetere”, another name for Loki. The stories told of Loki show him to have been a mixture of good and evil. While willing to help the gods in their difficulties, he also played dangerous tricks on them, and more than once led them into harm. As time went on, he seems to have become the spirit of evil only, and the gods at last banished him from Asgard, and condemned him to a terrible punishment. He was chained to the side of a cave, and a snake was fastened over his head in such a way that the poison from its fangs dropped on his face. His wife, however, remained faithful to him; she made her way to the cave where Loki was imprisoned, and stayed by his side, holding up a cup to catch the poison which fell from the snake, and only leaving him in order to empty the cup when it was full. The poison which fell on Loki’s face while she was absent caused him to twist and writhe with pain till he shook the earth, and thus produced earthquakes.
This punishment of Loki reminds us of the story of Prometheus, but it will be remembered that the latter suffered because he had been a friend to man, and not like Loki a source of evil. As Prometheus was rescued at last by Hercules, so Loki was destined to escape on the great day of Ragnarok, and to appear in his true colours on the side of the giants, soon afterwards meeting his death at the hands of Heimdall. The Northmen, unlike the Greeks and Romans, regarded their gods as mortal, and believed that their rule would one day come to an end. They pictured a final struggle between the gods, the forces of good, and the forces of evil represented by Loki, the frost-giants, and all the terrible monsters which they had created. Odin, in his great wisdom, knew what the future would eventually bring, and spared no effort to prolong his rule and prepare for the fateful day. For this reason he welcomed the great heroes to Valhalla, and kept the tree of life, Yggdrasil, nourished with the water of the sacred spring; for this reason the giants tried to steal Thor’s hammer, the weapon they most dreaded. Many things pointed to the approach of Ragnarok. First the earth suffered from six successive winters more severe and prolonged than had ever been known before. Snow fell without ceasing, freezing winds blew from the north, and the whole earth was covered with ice. In their struggle to live under these terrible conditions, men lost their faith in the gods, and gave themselves up to evil and wrong-doing. Sin and crime were found everywhere, and as the evil-doers passed into the Underworld, they became food for the wolves which were continually pursuing the sun and moon, and endeavouring to swallow them. As their food became more plentiful, the wolves increased in strength and speed, until at last the day came when Sol and Mani found the wolves rapidly gaining on them. In spite of all their efforts, the wolves continued to overtake them, and at length seized them in their enormous jaws, and plunged the earth into darkness. The foundations of the earth shook, the stars fell from the sky, and the mountains came crashing down. As if this were a signal, Loki and the fierce wolf Fenrir put forth new strength and burst their chains, for their day of revenge had come. The dragon which lay at the foot of Yggdrasil gnawed through the root of the sacred tree. The Midgard serpent, Iormungandr, lashed and writhed till the sea rose in mighty waves, and at last breaking its bonds, the terrible monster crawled to the land. Heimdall, the keeper of the bridge, realizing that the twilight of the gods was at hand, blew a blast on his horn that was heard in every corner of the world. The gods hastily donned their armour, and marshalled the army of heroes. Now indeed Odin regretted the loss of his eye, Tin that he had sacrificed his right hand, and Frey that he had lent his sword to his servant, who was away in the lands of the North.
Meanwhile the followers of the goddess Hel were led by Loki to the plain of Vigrid, the scene of the great battle. Here they were joined by Hel herself, Garm, the fierce dog who guarded the entrance to the Underworld, and Fenrir, the monster wolf. From the misty land of the North came the army of the frost-giants, while out of the South, with a burst of light, there dashed on to the plain Surtr, the giant of the Flaming Sword.
Terrible indeed were the forces arrayed against the gods, but they, like the Northmen themselves, knew no fear on the day of battle, and assembled their armies on the plain of Vigrid, prepared to resist the powers of evil to the last.
With shouts and cries, amid fire and smoke, the armies meet. Odin and the wolf Fenrir come together with a crash, which echoes through the whole world, but not even the mighty Odin can withstand this terrible enemy. Fenrir, now fiercer and stronger than ever before, opens his vast jaws till they stretch from heaven to earth, and overwhelms the leader of gods and men. But Odin’s death is quickly avenged. His son Vidar, wearing the iron shoe, which had been kept for this day, now falls upon Fenrir, and, as had been foretold, places his iron-shod foot on the monster’s lower jaw, and then seizing the upper jaw, with a mighty wrench tears Fenrir asunder.
Meanwhile Tiu grapples with Garm, and after a fierce struggle slays him, only to fall dead beside him. Frey attacks the fire-giant Surtr, but soon falls before his flaming onslaught. Heimdall and Loki once again meet in deadly conflict, and this time Heimdall overcomes the God of Evil, but, like Tiu, falls mortally wounded by his enemy. Thor, with his hammer Miolnir, advances against the huge Midgard serpent. The struggle is long and terrible; with a mighty blow of his hammer Thor at last kills the monster, and then, as he staggers back, is overwhelmed by the flood of poison which it outpours. The heroes of Valhalla are all overthrown by the giants and followers of Hel, and there is no longer anyone of Odin’s vast host to withstand the powers of evil.
Surtr then flings his fire over the world, Asgard is consumed in roaring flames, and the earth, scorched and blackened, sinks into a boiling sea. Ragnorak has come, and the old gods have passed away.
But in the minds of the Northmen evil could have no lasting victory. The very flames which had destroyed the home of the gods and had overwhelmed the earth had purged the world of evil. A new earth rose from the sea, lit by a new sun, the daughter of Sol, and life, drawn forth by its warm rays, once more spread over the earth. Trees clothed themselves anew with leaves, and the fields became fair with flowers. From the depth of the forest, where Mimir’s spring had bubbled forth, came Lifthrasir (Desire of Life) and his wife Lif (Life), who in course of time became the rulers of a new race. To the field of Ida, where the gods had been wont to hold their games, came the survivors of the gods: two sons of Odin, Vidar, the slayer of Fenrir, and his brother Vali, who had killed Hodur to avenge the death of Balder; two sons of Thor, Magni (Strength) and Modi (Courage), who had rescued Miolnir from the battle-field and now wielded it in place of their father; and finally, Balder and Hodur, who had been set free from Hel, and who now lived together as brothers, forgetful of the past.
It seems strange to us that the Northmen should have pictured the destruction of their gods, and it is possible that the writers of the wonderful poems from which we obtain these stories knew something of Christianity, and had begun to turn from their heathen beliefs. We find, however, that many heathen peoples had similar beliefs. The idea of eternity was impossible to them; they felt that there must be an end to everything. Accordingly they imagined their gods, after a long period of peace and good rule, being overthrown by the powers of evil and destruction, and being replaced by a new heaven and earth, which in turn would also be destroyed and renewed. Among no other people do we find so complete a description of this world catastrophe as in our ancestors’ story of Ragnarok, the Twilight of the Gods.
The Day of Ragnarok
The generations pass, the ages grow,
And bring us nearer to the final day
When from the south shall march the fiery band,
And cross the bridge of heaven, with Lok for guide,
And Fenrir at his heel with broken chain;
While from the east the giant Rymer steers
His ship, and the great serpent makes to land;
And all are marshall’d in one flaming square
Against the Gods, upon the plains of Heaven.
* * * * * * *
Far to the south, beyond the blue, there spreads
Another Heaven, the boundless–no one yet
Hath reach’d it; there hereafter shall arise
The second Asgard, with another name.
Thither, when o’er this present earth and Heavens
The tempest of the latter days hath swept,
And they from sight have disappear’d, and sunk,
Shall a small remnant of the Gods repair;
There re-assembling we shall see emerge
From the bright Ocean at our feet an earth
More fresh, more verdant than the last, with fruits
Self-springing, and a seed of man preserved,
Who then shall live in peace, as now in war.
But we in Heaven shall find again with joy
The ruin’d palaces of Odin, seats
Familiar, halls where we have supp’d of old;
Re-enter them with wonder, never fill
Our eyes with gazing, and rebuild with tears.
And we shall tread once more the well-knovm plain
Of Ida, and among the grass shall find
The golden dice wherewith we played of yore;
And that will bring to mind the former life
And pastime of the Gods, the wise discourse
Of Odin, the delights of other days.
MATTHEW ARNOLD–Balder Dead.
The Witches Guide to Saturdays
Saturday is a day filled with opportunities to clean up and clear out. So if you are wondering why Hecate is assigned to this day, take another look at what she symbolizes and the magick that is associated with her. That should answer the question.
Hecate was the oldest form of the Greek Triple Goddess, as she presided over heaven, the underworld, and earth. Crossroads where three roads met were especially sacred to Hecate, earning her the title of Hekate of the Three Ways. It’s interesting to note that even after the worship of other goddesses waned, ancient people still worshiped Hecate as the Queen of the Underworld and the Guardian of the Three-Way Crossroad. It was also believed that if you left her an offering of food there, she would grant you her favors. As Hecate Trivia, her triple images were often displayed at these crossroads, where she was petitioned on the full moon for positive magick and on the dark of the moon for cursing and dark magick.
While this last bit of information sounds a little ominous, keep in mind that Hecate/Hekate was known by many titles and is a shapeshifter. Her appearance could and did change often. As a dark moon goddess, her faces are many. To some she may appear as a old crone, hunched over a smoking cauldron and draped in a midnight cape. To others she may appear as a dark beautiful, mysterious, and mature woman wearing a shimmering crown. To some she may be perceived as a maiden priestess. She was called the “most lovely one,” the Great Goddess of Nature, and the Queen of the World of Spirits. This dark goddess knows her way around the earth and the underworld. All the powers of nature, life, and death are at her command.
Source
Book of Witchery, Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan
Saturday’s Witchery
Saturday is a day filled with opportunities to clean up and clear out. So if you are wondering why Hecate is assigned to this day, take another look at what she symbolizes and the magick that is associated with her. That should answer the question.
Hecate was the oldest form of the Greek Triple Goddess, as she presided over heaven, the underworld, and earth. Crossroads where three roads met were especially sacred to Hecate, earning her the title of Hekate of the Three Ways. It’s interesting to note that even after the worship of other goddesses waned, ancient people still worshiped Hecate as the Queen of the Underworld and the Guardian of the Three-Way Crossroad. It was also believed that if you left her an offering of food there, she would grant you her favors. As Hecate Trivia, her triple images were often displayed at these crossroads, where she was petitioned on the full moon for positive magick and on the dark of the moon for cursing and dark magick.
While this last bit of information sounds a little ominous, keep in mind that Hecate/Hekate was known by many titles and is a shapeshifter. Her appearance could and did change often. As a dark moon goddess, her faces are many. To some she may appear as a old crone, hunched over a smoking cauldron and draped in a midnight cape. To others she may appear as a dark beautiful, mysterious, and mature woman wearing a shimmering crown. To some she may be perceived as a maiden priestess. She was called the “most lovely one,” the Great Goddess of Nature, and the Queen of the World of Spirits. This dark goddess knows her way around the earth and the underworld. All the powers of nature, life, and death are at her command.
Source
Book of Witchery
Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan
The Witches Almanac for Saturday, April 14th
Black Day (South Korean)
Waning Moon
Moon phase: Fourth Quarter
Moon Sign: Aries
Incense: Rue
Color: Brown
Correspondences for Saturday, April 14
Magickal Intentions: Spirit Communications, Meditation, Psychic Attack or Defense, Locating Lost Things and Missing Persons, Building, Life, Doctrine, Protection, Knowledge, Authority, Limitations, Boundaries, Time and Death
Incense: Black Poppy Seed and Myrrh
Planet: Saturn
Sign: Capricorn and Aquarius
Angel: Cassel
Colors: Black, Grey and Indigo
Herbs/Plants: Myrrh, Moss, Hemlock, Wolfsbane, Coltsfoot, Nightshade and Fir
Stones: Jet, Smokey Quartz, Amethyst, Black Onyx, Snowflake Obsidian, Lava, Pumice
Oil: (Saturn) Cypress, Mimosa, Myrrh, Patchouli
Saturn lends its energies to the last day of the week. Because Saturn is the planet of karma, this day is an excellent time for spellwork involving reincarnation, karmic lessons, the Mysteries, wisdom, and long-term projects.
It is also a good time to being efforts that deal with the elderly, death, or the eradication of pests and disease.
The Energy of Saturn
SATURN: THE PLANET OF KARMA
Saturn doesn’t make things easy. That’s the role of the taskmaster of the zodiac. Saturn commands us to get to work and to work hard. Discipline and responsibility are important to this planet, yet if we’re eager to conquer the world, that’s okay, too.
Much like Father Time, Saturn implores us to look at the clock (its glyph, after all, is the sickle of Chronos, the God of Time). Is there time for everything we want to do, or are there limits? Those limitations are important to Saturn, and we must learn to manage them. Restrictions are the province of this planet, as is any form of discipline or delay.
In keeping with the passage of time, Saturn governs old age along with the lessons it teaches us. Learning life’s lessons is key to this planet, in keeping with its role as teacher. The majesty of older age also brings with it a certain sense of tradition, conventionality (our learned patterns of behavior) and wisdom, and Saturn is mindful of these characteristics. This planet applauds our perseverance and the fact that we’ve withstood the test of time (yes, time comes up once again). This senior status further brings with it a measure of authority, and Saturn lords over that as well.
Structure, order and the way in which we conduct our affairs are all ruled by this ringed planet. Contraction and the reining in of assets are also important here. Lastly, Saturn, again in its role as teacher, concerns itself with karma and the lessons which past experiences might bring.
It takes Saturn 28-30 years to complete its orbit of the zodiac. It is masculine energy and rules both Capricorn and Aquarius, and the Tenth and Eleventh Houses.
Reference
Astrology.com
How to Do Rituals
SIMPLE RITUAL CONDITIONS
Overtired, stressed, inability to maintain sustained concentration, vacation,
limited privacy (i.e. time or location), new to Wicca, prefer simple formats. If
none of these circumstances apply AND you are looking for more symbolism and
ceremony, choose a complete ritual, otherwise use the simple rituals.
CIRCLE CASTING
In simple rituals, you might want to walk a sunwise (clockwise) circle 3 times
at the beginning of a ritual for good luck. In complex rituals, circle casting
is primarily used to mark the beginning and end of a ritual.
THE MAGIC SITE
Anywhere, but outside is best. Remember oneness with nature is the focus of the
Witch.
CENTERING
Terminology can get a bit confusing when talking about grounding and centering.
Centering is what you do before you begin a ritual or spell and grounding is
what you do after a ritual or spell.
* Face east with feet shoulder width apart.
* Place both hands at the top of the staff and hold it in front of you.
* Lower staff to the ground in front of and between your feet (this should form a triangle).
* Close your eyes and put your forehead on your hands.
* Breathe deeply and feel the earth energy rising up your legs, throughout your
body. Feel it driving out all negativity such as fatigue, pain, sadness, anger,
etc.
* You should feel comfortable and as if your feet are planted on the earth.
* Continue as long as you are comfortable.
* Relax.
* You will now feel fully connected with the cosmos and centered.
Note: Always center before performing rituals or spells.
POWER RAISING
The primary way to raise power is by dancing but power is also raised by tensing
the muscles, chanting and simple visualization.
Do you remember watching westerns as a child? Remember how the Indians used to
dance? That is the type of dancing I am speaking of. You begin by grabbing your
staff and slowly alternating foot taps, steps, heel drops and hops. You can use
these steps or not use them, however you want. Just remember to begin slowly and
find a rhythm. As you dance, increase the speed. Keep increasing speed until you
feel the power has reached its peak. While you are raising power, focus on the
goal, see it, feel it, smell it, taste it, know it.
When you are focused and the power has reached it’s peak, suddenly fall to your
knees, thrust your staff out and shout. I use the word “Go” but you can use any
short word that makes sense to you. Also, instead of power, you may want to try
cupping your hand beneath your mouth and blowing. Both shouting and blowing work
wonderfully but blowing is especially nice when you need to be quiet.
GROUNDING
Once you have released the power, it is time to ground the energy that remains.
To do this, lay on the ground and breathe deeply. You will feel incredibly
alive. Take that energy and direct it through your body and into the earth until
you are at an energy level that feels comfortable.
The Witches Magick for Saturday, April 14 – Stone of Luck Spell
You can use the Stone of Luck spell for anything, love, money, health, wealth, spirit awareness, etc. The key to this empowerment is concentration and belief. When you have completed this spell, carry the stone around with you. Eventually you will start to get what you want.
What you need:
1 Small stone of your choice (any kind)
1 candle (correct color for what you want)
Appropriate herbs
Appropriate incense
Salt
Water
A cloth
Oil (either olive, jasmine, or mint)
Some bowls (glass or crystal)
First you need to meditate on what you want, be it money, love, better health….whatever you want. After you feel you have meditated long enough, you may start the spell. Light the candle and incense. (Be sure you have all of the things you need with you.)
Hold the rock in your power hand. Concentrate on what you want. Run the rock through the flame 3 times. Then put it into the water. Cup your hands over the bowl. Then take the rock out of the water and sprinkle the herbs on it.
After you have done that, put the rock into a dry bowl. Visualize yourself getting what you want. Then anoint the rock with the oil and put the rock back into the dry bowl. Sprinkle some salt onto the rock. Concentrate more.
Then wrap the rock in the cloth and leave it for at least 24 hours. Let the candle and incense burn all the way out. Dispose of the water.
Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Spirituality 365 Days A Year
14 April
First Cuckoo Day
In Sussex, England, April 14 is officially known as First Cuckoo Day and heralds the arrival of Spring. It is believed that those who hear the first cuckoo cry will be blessed with good luck and good fortune for the rest of the year. Over the years, there has been a good deal of light-hearted rivalry surrounding the question of where and when the first cuckoo will be heard. Many omens are drawn from the first call heard: lucky if to your right, unlucky if to your left or behind you or if you have not yet eaten. If you have money in your pocket at the time you will have plenty all year (especially if you turn to the right and jingle it), but if not, you will stay poor. If you are in bed, this foreshadows an illness; if you are standing on grass, you will have good fortune.
One popular custom among 19th-century workmen was to stop work upon hearing the first cuckoo, claim the day as a holiday, and go off to drink ale or beer outdoors to welcome the bird.
The cuckoo’s habit of laying its eggs in the nests of other birds explains why its cry was regarded, in medieval times, as mocking the cuckold husbands-they would have to bring up another man’s child. In some areas, the cuckoo was associated with stupidity and in northern dialects `gowk’ means both cuckoo and fool.
Home & Hearth Magick for Saturday, April 14th
On Saturday work for protection, boundaries, and house rules
Planetary Influence: Saturn
Household Symbols: A gate, a fence, a sprig of ivy from a houseplant
Colors: Black or deep purple
Kitchen spices: Traditionally there are not many herbs associated with Saturn that are not poisonous. However, for banishing and the removal of negative situations, try a clove of garlic or dried minced onion.
Source:
Cottage Witchery
Natural Magick for Hearth and Home
Ellen Dugan
Correspondences Every Witch Should Know – Protection Correspondences
Color:
White for protection.
Silver to reflect negativity.
Black for destroying negativity.
Herbs and trees:
Acorn
Angelica
Ash twigs
Balm of Gilead
Basil
Bay Laurel
Cactus needles
Dill
Fennel
Fern
Flax
Horehound
Hyssop
Lemon peel
Mugwort
Mullien
Periwinkle
Pine needles
Rosemary
Rowan
St. John’s Wort
Tarragon
Vervain
Miscellaneous Items:
Broken glass
Iron nails
Needles
Pepper (repellent)
Porcupine quills
Rusty nails
Salt
Thorns
Stones:
Amber
Amethyst
Apache Tears
Black Moss Agate
Black Onyx
Garnet
Jade
Lapis Lazuli
Leopard Skin Agate
Malachite
Sunstone
Tiger Eye
I am sorry it is taking so long but WordPress is not cooperating with me this morning.
Witches Of The Craft® 
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