Can You Believe it – 16 DAYS TILL YULE – Where has this year gone?

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“And that’s what witches do: we look for magic, for divinity, in everything. What’s more, we allow ourselves to find it, even in the seemingly mundane.”

― Mya Spalter, Enchantments: A Modern Witch’s Guide to Self-Possession

Custom Planetary Positions

December 05, 2018
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun: 12 Sagittarius 53
Moon: 16 Scorpio 54
Mercury: 27 Scorpio 33 Rx
Venus: 01 Scorpio 22
Mars: 12 Pisces 07
Jupiter: 05 Sagittarius 55
Saturn: 08 Capricorn 16
Uranus: 29 Aries 03 Rx
Neptune: 13 Pisces 43
Pluto: 19 Capricorn 45

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Planetary Aspects for the month of December

The planetary aspects listed below are for New York time.

December 05, 05:21 pm – Sun square Neptune
December 06, 04:21 pm – Mercury Direct 27 16
December 07, 02:20 am – New Moon at 15 07
December 07, 09:11 am – Mars conjunct Neptune 13 44
December 15, 06:49 am – 1st Quarter Moon 23 26
December 16, 09:26 am – Venus sextile Saturn
December 17, 01:57 am – Mars sextile Pluto
December 20, 11:21 am – Sun trine Uranus
December 21, 12:11 pm – Venus trine Neptune
December 21, 12:36 pm – Mercury conjunct Jupiter 09 34
December 22, 12:48 pm – Full Moon at 00 49
December 24, 07:31 pm – Mercury square Neptune
December 28, 04:30 pm – Venus sextile Pluto
December 29, 04:34 am – 3rd Quarter Moon 07 36

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The Astronomy Forecast for the Week of December 3 – December 8

Mars and Neptune come together for the first half of the December horoscope. This can be a pleasant conjunction but not so when square the Sun. The December 7 full moon amplifies this challenging configuration and is easily the most significant influence this monthly horoscope

.Friday December 7
The New Moon at 15° Sagittarius is square the Mars Neptune conjunction at 13° Pisces. So the new moon has a sinister influence. Major themes of the December 7 new moon include anger, fear, deception, confusion, immorality and perversion. At 16° Sagittarius, a fixed star in Hercules Constellation will cause irritation from women and a ruthless drive to gain power. You may experience tests of character from your competitors or enemies. Events or other people may cause confusion and disappointment, which may force you to battle against the odds. This may have a weakening effect on your vitality, making you feel paranoid and delusional.

A tendency to over idealize others can leave you open to deception and scandal. Seeing only the best in people increased the likelihood of coming disillusioned. Your good intentions to help others can easily be taken advantage of. If you are very sensitive and scare easily then you need to take precautions. Keep yourself grounded in the real world as much as possible. Stay above-board in all of your dealings. Avoid negative environments where violence, crime and drugs are prevalent. Take a defensive approach. It might be safer to submit to authority, seek a compromise or retreat. The keys to avoiding loss and disappointment from the December 2018 horoscope are honesty and integrity.

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The Solar Almanac for Wednesday, December 5th

Sun Direction: 278.30° W↑
Sun Altitude: -49.07°
Sun Distance: 91.610 million mi
Next Solstice: Dec 21, 2018 4:22 pm (Winter)
Sunrise Today: 6:51 am↑ 118° Southeast
Sunset Today: 4:37 pm↑ 242° Southwest
Length of Daylight: 9 hours, 45 minutes

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The Sun’s Movement

It travels at 20 kilometers per second relative to other stars, and 220 kilometers per second around the Milky Way.

Different parts of the sun rotate at different speeds, the fastest being at its equator.

The sun’s rotation period at the equator is about 27 days while that at the poles is about 36 days.

It completes a revolution around the entire galaxy once every 250 million years.

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The Lunar Almanac for Wednesday, December 5th

Moon Direction: 324.60° NW↑
Moon Altitude: -61.49°
Moon Distance: 240351 mi
Next New Moon: Dec 7, 20181:20 am
Next Full Moon: Dec 22, 201811:48 am
Next Moonrise: Tomorrow 5:01 am
Current Moon Phase: Waning Crescent
Illumination: 5.0%

–timeanddate.com

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Some Mad Myths About the Moon

by Stephanie Pappas

Myth: The Moon Makes Us Crazy
The word lunacy traces its roots to the word “lunar,” and plenty of people, from nurses to police officers, will tell you that things get wild around the full moon

But this non-supernatural equivalent of the werewolf myth doesn’t hold water. A 1985 review of the literature on the timing of mental illness and the moon found that the folklore that links the full moon with mental breakdowns, criminal behavior and other disturbances has no basis in scientific data. Nor has research turned up a link between the moon’s phase and surgery outcomes — though pets are more likely to need a trip to the emergency room during a full moon, likely because owners keep them out and about later on nights when the moon brightens up the sky.

Myth: The Supermoon Can Cause Disasters
The reason we have supermoons is because the moon’s orbit is not perfectly circular. When it swings closer to Earth on its elliptical path, the moon does exert a bit more of a gravitational pull on our planet. But it’s nothing Earth can’t handle.

Tidal forces around the world will be particularly high and low, with the moon exerting 42 percent more force at its closest point to Earth than it does at its farthest, according to Joe Rao, SPACE.com’s skywatching columnist. This extra force doesn’t have an appreciable effect on disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, however.

“A lot of studies have been done on this kind of thing by USGS scientists and others,” John Bellini, a geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey told LiveScience’s sister site Life’s Little Mysteries. “They haven’t found anything significant at all.”

Myth: The Moon Landing Was a Hoax
We’ve got video. We’ve got rocks. We’ve got a dozen astronauts who have proudly returned to Earth to recall walking on our great satellite. But conspiracy theories claiming that the moon landing was faked just won’t die. [Top 10 Conspiracy Theories]

These moon hoax theories are multitudinous and varied, ranging from claims that there was no dust on the Apollo 11 Lander footpads so the Lander must have never left a secret soundstage (In fact, dust on the moon doesn’t hang in the air as it does on Earth due to a lack of gravity, so dust kicked up by the landing would have been hurled away from the Lander) to theories about faked rock specimens (In reality, moon rocks have been researched by NASA scientists and independent researchers alike. They’re unlike any Earth rocks, lacking water-bearing minerals and bearing tiny meteoroid craters from the specks of dust that would have been burned up in Earth’s atmosphere but which landed on the surface of the airless moon.)

As thinly sourced as it is, the hoax theories can be frustrating to those who risked their lives to get to the moon. In 2002, Buzz Aldrin, one of the members of the original 1969 Apollo 11 mission, was dogged by conspiracy theorist Bart Sibrel at an event. When Sibrel blocked Aldrin’s path and called him a “coward” and a “liar,” the then-72-year-old astronaut punched Sibrel in the face.

Myth: The Moon Is Made of Green Cheese
The myth to dispel here isn’t so much about the moon’s makeup — definitely not cheese — but rather the idea that anyone ever believed the old “the moon is green cheese” canard at all. In fact, the cheese myth seemed to have started with a sardonic little couplet by English poet John Heywood (1497-1580), who wrote, “Ye set circumquaques to make me beleue/ Or thinke, that the moone is made of gréene chéese.”

In other words, the first known mention of the moon being green cheese was actually mocking the idea that anyone would believe that the moon was green cheese. Heywood apparently underestimated early 20th-century children: A 1902 study published in the American Journal of Psychology surveyed young children about their beliefs about the moon and found that the most common explanation for what it might be made of was cheese. Other theories included rags, God, yellow paper and “dead people who join hands in a circle of light.”

—-LiveScience

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Did You Know…..

Diana was an ancient Italian goddess of woodland. In Capua and in Aricia, a locality near Rome, there are still shrines dedicated to the old Italian goddess. Diana was the twin sister of the god Apollo. Her father and mother were Jupiter and Latona.

Diana believed her body was very sacred, and so no man was to see her naked. One day a wandering hunter came across Diana bathing. She became very angry, and turned him into a stag.

She was always surrounded by young beautiful attendants, who used to hunt with her. Romans identified Diana with the Greek goddess Artemis. As Artemis, she was also a Moon goddess.

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Moon Phase Calendar for Wednesday, December 5th

Current Moon Phase: Waning Crescent

Moon is currently in the sign of Scorpio

Moon in Scorpio:
Moon in Scorpio creates the need to delve into your feelings as deep as possible. You desire meaningful emotional exchanges now more than at any other time even if it is not easy and you are forced to change many things. Shallow relationships do not satisfy you, because they are not purifying enough.

Organs influenced by Scorpio Moon Sign:
Organs: Genitals, rectum, anus, urethra, genital glands, ovaries, prostate, pubic bone, genes.

These organs are now more sensitive so provide them with extra care.

Surgical operations:
Surgical operations are recommended during the Waning Moon.
However, avoid surgeries of organs under the influence of the Moon Sign.

—ASTROSEEK

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The Sky This Week from December 5 to December 9

Venus dazzles in the predawn sky, and gets a little help from the Moon December 3. Meanwhile, Mars and Neptune appear closer to each other under a dark sky than they will until the 23rd century.

By Richard Talcott

Wednesday, December 5
Although Mercury passed between the Sun and Earth just last week, the innermost planet has already climbed into view during morning twilight. Look low in the southeast about 30 minutes before sunrise, when Mercury stands nearly 9° above the horizon. The planet shines at magnitude 0.7, so you’ll likely need binoculars to pick it out of the twilight this morning. Binoculars also will show a waning crescent Moon hanging 5° above the planet. When viewed through a telescope, Mercury appears 9″ across and sports a slender crescent phase. The inner world will grow brighter and climb higher as it approaches greatest elongation in mid-December.

Thursday, December 6
Mars continues to put on a nice show these December evenings. The Red Planet appears nearly halfway to the zenith in the southern sky as twilight fades to darkness. The ruddy world shines at magnitude 0.1, as bright as any other early evening object, against the faint backdrop of Aquarius the Water-bearer. As you gaze at Mars with your naked eye, you might assume it’s the only object of interest in the area. But target the planet through binoculars or a telescope and you’ll also see the much fainter glow of Neptune. The magnitude 7.9 ice giant lies 23′ east-northeast of Mars this evening. The two switch positions tomorrow night, with Neptune 16′ southwest of Mars. (The magnitude 6.1 star 81 Aquarii then stands 12′ north of Mars.) The actual conjunction between the two planets occurs at 9:08 a.m. EST on the 7th, when Mars passes 2.2′ north of Neptune, but both objects then lie below the horizon from North America. When viewed through a telescope, Mars appears 9″ while Neptune spans 2.3″. The two planets won’t pass closer to each other under a dark sky until October 19, 2210.

Friday, December 7
Although people in the Northern Hemisphere won’t experience the shortest day of the year for another two weeks (at the winter solstice December 21), those at 40° north latitude will see the Sun set earlier today than at any other time this year. Tomorrow’s sunset will arrive about one second later than today’s. The date of earliest sunset depends on latitude — the farther north you live, the closer it occurs to the solstice.
New Moon occurs at 2:20 a.m. EST. At its new phase, the Moon crosses the sky with the Sun and so remains hidden in our star’s glare.

Saturday, December 8
The days of viewing Saturn in the evening sky are just about over. In fact, tonight might be your last, best chance to see it this year. Although the magnitude 0.5 ringed world stands only 7° high in the southwest 45 minutes after sunset, a slender, two-day-old Moon serves as a guide. The two objects lie 3° apart and look beautiful through binoculars.

Sunday, December 9
Head outside in early evening this week and you can see the Big Dipper scraping the northern horizon. For latitudes north of about 40°, this conspicuous asterism never sets (“circumpolar” in astronomical parlance), though December evenings find it at its lowest ebb. This means that the constellation on the opposite side of the North Celestial Pole, the familiar W-shaped Cassiopeia, currently rides highest in the sky.

—The Astronomy Magazine

Today is Wednesday, December 5

Wednesday is the day of the Teutonic deity known as Wodin or Odin, an aspect of the Allfather, god of knowledge, wisdom, enlightenment and combat, the parallel of Hermes, the planet Mercury

Deity: Woden

Zodiac Sign: Gemini & Virgo

Planet: Mercury

Tree: Ash

Herb: Cinquefoil

Stone: Emerald & Sardonyx

Animal: Raven & Cat

Element: Air

Color: Red & Blue

Number: 6

Rune: Odal(O)

 

Celtic Tree Month of Ruis (Elder) (November 25 – December 22)

The Runic Half Month of Is (November 28 – December 12)

Goddess of the Month of Astraea (November 28 – December 23)

—The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

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The Goddess Book of Days for December 5th

First feast of St. Lucia in Italy (second is Dec. 13). She is Birth and Light Goddesses Lucia, Lucina, Luz, Brigit, Bride, Eileathyia, Vesta, Aurora, Eos, Oya, Perchta, Bertha, Befana, Arinna, Amaterasu, Cannen, Cannenta.

Goddesses Associated with Wednesday

For Woden: Isis, Demeter, Ceres, Spider Woman, Bona Dea, Oya, Devi-Kali, Hella, Rhiannon, Coatlique, Maman Brigette

—The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

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~ The Goddess Days of the Moon ~

Days 4-6 Ruled by Artemis/Diana, the independent one of the wilderness, the impetus behind the newly planted seed
Days 7-9 Kore rules these lunar days, and she is seen as the Maiden of Menarche, the link between childhood and adulthood
Days 10-12 Ruled by Hera, Queen of Heaven and creatrix, representing the power of inspiration
Days 13-15 Demeter, the nurturer, rules these
Days 16-18 Dedicated to Gaia, the Earth Goddess
Days 19-21 Hestia, Goddess of Waning Moon, is the matriarchal grandmother, ruling and protecting her family
Days 22-24 Ruled by Medusa, the crone of death and spiritual release, the necessary destruction that allows a new cycle to begin
Days 25-27 Ruled by Hecate, queen of the underworld and the shades, she is seen as the one who allows departed souls to choose thier paths in the next phase of existence and rebirth
The remaining days of the moon – the dark days – are those of the unknowable Masked Goddess, who is present, but invisible.

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On Wednesday, December 5, We Celebrate….

Walt Disney’s Birthday (United States)
CASTALIA

Themes: Art; Creativity; Joy; Children; Inspiration

Symbols: Cartoon Characters; Fountains

About Castalia: In Greek tradition, this goddess embodies the force of artistic inspiration. Her power is so profuse that art often depicts her simply as an ever-flowing fountain from which we can drink when our motivation wanes.

To Do Today: On this day in 1901, the legendary Walt Disney was born. During his life, Disney inspired millions of children with a Castalia-rich imagination and well-beloved cartoon characters. To remember this man and uplift Castalia’s childlike ability to awaken the artist within, watch a favorite Walt Disney film today, reveling in the wonder of it. Then get out and do something creative! Try drawing your own magical cartoon (this is just for you and the goddess, so don’t worry about a lack of skill—the keynote today is having fun with your fancy).

To quaff this goddess’s inspiration for any task you’re undertaking, find a water fountain and drink fully of it. Visualize the water filled with a color of light that, to you, represents creativity. Also fill a small container with a secure top with some of this water and keep it with you. Carry Castalia’s power into the situation in which you need inspiration. Pour a little out before your meeting, artistic effort, or speech to release her power. Or sip a bit of it to wet your whistle and renew the magic.

–365 Goddess: A Daily Guide To the Magic and Inspiration of the goddess
Patricia Telesco

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Wednesday’s Associations

Color: Purple

Planet: Mercury

Metal: Mercury (Quicksilver)

Deities: Odin, Hermes, Lugh

Gemstones: Mercury, Athena

Crystals: Adventurine, Agate

Herbs: Aspen trees, lilies, Lavender, Ferns

Associations: Business, Communication, Loss and Debt, Travel.

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The Magickal Days of the Week: Wednesday

Wednesday is named for Woden himself, although the Romans called it dies Mercurii.This is a day associated with the color purple, the planet Mercury, and the metal quicksilver – which is also called mercury. See a pattern here?

When it comes to deities… yes, Mercury! However, there are a few other gods associated with Wednesday, including Odin and Hermes, Athena, and Lugh. Gemstones like adventurine and agate come in handy as well, as do plants such as aspen trees, lilies, lavender and even ferns.

Business and job-related issues, communication, loss and debt, traveling, and journeys are all tied in to Wednesday. This is a good day to do a working to open up lines of communication – especially if your own actions are preventing you from being an effective speaker or listener. Go someplace new or return to an old favorite stomping ground, step up your game, and settle up your accounts

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

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Wednesday Witchery

Be bold and daring today! Expand your knowledge of the Craft by working with the planetary energies of Mercury on this multifaceted day of the week. Consider the Greco-Roman gods Mercury and Hermes and all of the many lessons they have for you. Embrace change and movement, and work on your communication techniques. Conjure up a little good luck for yourself with that Mercury dime spell. Call on Athena to inspire you to try magickal arts and crafts and to be more creative in your own spellwork and witchery.

Meditate on Odin and see what you can discover about him. I wonder what sort of fabulous and fascinating magickal wisdom you will uncover? Odin is a shaman, after all; he may appear in many guises and faces. I guarantee that he will make you laugh at yourself before he is through with you, but you will learn. It’s up to you what you do with that knowledge. Will you let it shapeshift into wisdom?

Wednesday is the wild and wily day of the week, so try to go with the flow; don’t fight the quirky energies of the day. Most importantly, follow your heart, and always keep a good sense of humor, because of Wednesdays you will really need it.

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

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The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, December 5

Krampus Night (European)

Waning Moon

Moon phase: Fourth Quarter

Moon Sign: Scorpio

Moon enters Sagittarius 9: 49 pm

Incense: Lavender

Color: White

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Who is Krampus?

9 Facts About Krampus, St. Nick’s Demonic Companion

BY JESS ZIMMERMAN

St. Nick brings the gifts, and Krampus brings the pain. Here are some things you might not have known about Santa’s demonic companion.

1. KRAMPUS IS A CHRISTMAS DEMON.
Who is Krampus? In Austria and across the German-speaking Alpine region, the demonic character is a crucial part of the holiday season. He’s a devilish figure, with long horns and a goaty beard, much like typical portrayals of Satan. You might see him posed harmlessly on a greeting card or reproduced in chocolates or figurines. But you might also encounter a procession of Krampuses stalking through the town, laden with bells and chains, intimidating onlookers or whipping them with bundles of sticks.

2. DECEMBER 5 BELONGS TO KRAMPUS. IF YOU SURVIVE, YOU MIGHT GET PRESENTS.
December 5 is Krampusnacht, when Krampus reigns. In the real world, people might attend Krampus balls, or young men from the local Krampusgruppe might don carved wooden masks, cowbells, chains, and elaborate costumes to run through town in a Krampuslauf (Krampus run), frightening and sometimes beating bystanders. According to legend, Krampus will spend the night visiting each house. He might leave bundles of sticks for bad children—or he might just hit them with the sticks instead. He might toss them into a sack or basket on his back and then throw it in a stream, or he might straight-up take them to hell.

The next day, though, is Nikolastaug, St. Nicholas’ Day—the same St. Nicholas whose Dutch name, Sinterklass, evolved into “Santa Claus.” In other words, it’s time for presents for all the little girls and boys … that is, all the ones who haven’t already been beaten, damned, or drowned.

3. KRAMPUS MAY BE A MONSTER, BUT HE PALS AROUND WITH SANTA.
Originally, Krampus was a purely pagan creation, said to be the son of Hel from Norse mythology. But he got grafted onto Christian tradition as a sidekick of St. Nicholas, similar to figures like Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands and Knecht Ruprecht in Germany. Since the 17th century, the two have been linked in a sort of Christmasy yin-yang, with Krampus as St. Nick’s dark companion. Costumed figures of the two traditionally visit houses and businesses together on Krampusnacht: St. Nick brings the gifts, and Krampus brings the pain.

4. KRAMPUS REVELERS WILL HIT, PUSH, AND WHIP SPECTATORS AT THEIR PARADES.
The Krampus of legend whips people with his birch bundle, but he’s a literal demon. Surely the costumed human Krampus partiers wouldn’t engage in such violence, right? Wrong. Here’s a description of the Salzburg Krampuslauf from a tourist who expected mere costumed buffoonery and came home with welts:

The narrow streets in the Old City section of Salzburg were packed with pedestrians as the Krampusse stomped through. Many people were caught unaware and reacted with terror. Some would flee and try to seek refuge in a shop or restaurant, only to be pursued by a determined Krampus. With so many easy targets, we again managed to escape largely unharmed. At times we were chased, jostled and struck, but compared with the brutality we witnessed, it was obvious we had been spared the full brunt of what Krampus could muster.

This writer went to Krampuslaufs in three cities and described “savage beatings” to people’s thighs and shins, as well as a Krampus chasing down and sitting on a teenager. But despite the fear and bruises, it’s all in good fun, and hey—at least they aim for the legs.

5. THE APPEARANCE OF KRAMPUS VARIES, BUT HE OFTEN HAS ONE HUMAN FOOT AND ONE CLOVEN HOOF.

The Krampus costumes at Krampuslaufs are aesthetically varied—they may be reminiscent of devils, bats, goats, Abominable Snowmen, or something out of a Guillermo del Toro movie. There are usually some kind of horns and hides involved, but there’s also a lot of free rein.

Krampus has also been a fixture on Austrian holiday greeting cards since the 1800s, where he’s shown pursuing women or menacing children. On the cards, Krampus traditionally has a long tongue that sometimes lolls halfway down his chest, and sports one human foot and one cloven hoof—no one is entirely sure why.

6. SOME AUSTRIAN HOUSEHOLDS HAD YEAR-ROUND DÉCOR MEANT TO REMIND KIDS TO STAY GOOD OR KRAMPUS WOULD GET THEM.
A 1958 article about the Krampus legend in Styria (a state in southeast Austria) reports that Krampus would deliver gold-painted bundles of birch sticks to children, small versions of the bundle of twigs he would use to beat people. The families would hang the birch twigs on the wall for the rest of the year as decoration—and to remind kids to stay in line. The article rather primly notes that the twigs are hung “particularly in those houses where the behaviour of the children merits the application of corporal correction.”

7. KRAMPUS WAS ONCE BANNED BY FASCISTS.

Between 1934 and 1938, when Austria was under Fascist rule, Krampus was seen as a symbol of (variously) sin, anti-Christian ideals, and Social Democrats. The newspaper of the Austrian Catholic Union called for a Krampus boycott, and the government of Lienz, the capital of East Tyrol, forbade Krampus dances, and further mandated that all aspiring St. Nicholases must be licensed by the city. They also pledged to arrest Krampus whenever they saw him. Though it didn’t rise to the level of a ban, in 1953 the head of Vienna’s kindergarten system also published a pamphlet calling Krampus “an evil man” and warning parents that celebrating him could scar their children for life.

8. KRAMPUS MASKS ARE VALUABLE PIECES OF FOLK ART.
Sure, you could probably pick up some plastic horns at Tyrolian Target, but that’s not really in the right spirit. Traditionally, the masks worn in a Krampus procession are made of wood, hand-carved by specialist artisans. For instance, Ludwig Schnegg makes the masks for all 80 members of the Haiming Krampusgruppe—and he’s been making them since 1981. Antique masks often wind up in museums; either folklore museums, or ones explicitly devoted to the Krampus. The towns of Kitzbühel and Stallhofen both feature Krampus museums that collect old costumes and masks, and until recently, there was a museum in Suetschach as well.

9. YOU CAN CELEBRATE KRAMPUS EVEN IF YOU’RE IN THE U.S.

Krampus has become increasingly popular on this side of the pond—he’s shown up on Venture Brothers, Grimm, Supernatural, The Colbert Report, and American Dad, and there’s a Krampus-inspired horror movie. And in an increasing number of American cities, you can go to a Krampus party, Krampus costume contest, or even a traditional Krampuslauf. Los Angeles in particular has a burgeoning Krampus scene, and the Morbid Anatomy Museum in Brooklyn hosts a yearly costume party. You can also get down with Krampus in Chicago, D.C., Philadelphia, Richmond, Orlando, and other cities in the U.S. and Canada.

Of course, for some people the holidays are scary enough without throwing a demon beast with a penchant for physical assault into the mix. But if you’re the kind of person who goes to extra-scary haunted houses at Halloween, take heart: That terror doesn’t have to stop just because we’ve entered a season of togetherness and joy.

—Mental Floss

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Wednesday & The Perfect Corresponding Spell

Wednesday is a good day to focus on getting over any slumps you may have. This day is considered the middle of the work week; and many people find themselves very tired by this point. That is why this day is a great day to do refresh, refrain, return, wake-up, and concentration spells. It is, also, another good day for meditation.

Refresh the Soul Spell

Items you will need for this spell:
1 bottle of peppermint oil
1 white candle
1 lighter or match

Dress the candle with the peppermint oil, being careful about contact with the skin. Place the candle on a fire-safe surface and light it. Close your eyes for about a minute and just allow yourself to breathe in the peppermint aroma. Open your eyes and say this chant nine times:

“Breathe in, breathe out.

I’m refreshing.

I’m restoring.

I’m feeling revived.

My energy’s soaring.”

Keep breathing in the aroma and close your eyes again. When you are ready, open your eyes and blow out the candle. This should give you a feeling of being refreshed.

—A Witch’s Week of Spells and Activities
Helga C. Loueen

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Circles, why use them?

They say that the longest journey begins with a single step. So, too, the exploration of Magickal studies begins with a single step. Though the first step in a physical journey is often self-evident, the First Step on a Magickal journey is often not quite so clear. While formally organized groups often have a path of lessons to instruct newcomers, the solitary or isolated student is often left standing in perplexity on this broad plain of knowledge, wondering just where in the heck to begin. And wondering, too, if it’s “okay” to start just anywhere.

While it’s true that studies can begin in any direction that attracts you, the necessary first step must be learning to make psychic shields. There are “Things of the Dark” out there. There are any number of explanations for what these things might be — ghosts, demons, or simply uncontrolled urges of the subconscious mind. In truth, it doesn’t matter what they are. What does matter is that their effect is very real and unless they are put under your control, they will drag you over the borders of sanity into psychosis. You are most vulnerable to them while you’re in an “open” trance or meditative state. That’s why the wise practitioner always begins by taking steps to define exactly what will be permitted through the portals of their “psychic shields” — no matter how simple the ritual. And this, in a nutshell, is what “protective magic” is about.

There are a number of ways to do this. The most common is to begin by drawing a circle (around a group or yourself) and invoking the one or more protective powers. Generally, this is done by candlelight, in front of an altar that holds certain magical objects. The circle may be further “secured” and “cleared” by using salt, salt water, rum, incense, or some other method. You may be wearing a special robe and will have taken a bath (or performed a cleansing ritual) earlier. The powers that protect you will be called on and then you will begin your ritual.

Is it psychological? Absolutely! Is there a reason why protection rituals always take this form? Positively! Let’s take a step back and see what you’re actually doing and how the process works — from a psychological standpoint — and how to use this knowledge to help you refine your circles to enhance your rituals.

Psychologists and psychics alike view the mind’s structure as a three-part entity: The Ego (that which you think of as yourself), the Superego (the “higher self”) and the Id (the child within). The Id is, in a sense, a computer. Like most computers, it operates on the GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out) principle. There’s an old superstition: “As you name something, so will it become.” Tell yourself that you’re very unlucky and your Id will obligingly give you bad days by enhancing any negatives in your environment. Tell yourself that you are clumsy, and your Id-computer will obligingly arrange for you to break a leg while stepping off the sidewalk. The bad news is that the Id can’t make a judgment as to whether or not this is a good idea. It only knows that it’s received these “instructions” and must carry them out. The good news is that you can actually program/reprogram this portion of your mind.

You begin programming this Internal Servant of yours by first drawing its attention to what you want done and then explaining what you need done in a simple and clear manner. Repeating the instructions in a chant help fix the goals for the Id — rhymed chants seem to be easier for it to process. Each time you perform the ritual and repeat the chant, the programming is strengthened. Never mind that your ego and superego understand that you’re going to program the child-like Id. It works just the same.

To direct the Id’s attention to the process, you first have to impress it. Using special tools and clothing alert it that something unusual is going on and that it must pay attention. Acquiring hard-to-obtain items, drawing symbols, performing a symbolic sacrifice (donating money, say, to a good cause) are all ways of reinforcing the Id’s impression that this ceremony is very special and that the result will be very powerful. Organized, meaningful symbols, speak to your subconscious mind in ways it understands, reinforcing the goals you have set.

Drawing the circle itself establishes boundaries within your environment (“The rest of the world can do what it likes Out There. All within this circle is in my control!”). Purifying the circle and consecrating it (sprinkling water which has been blessed and salt added) further enforce your territory, defining the borders where you are “safe”. Nothing can enter this area except what you invite inside. You further tighten these borders by calling on certain Powers.

You can call on any powers you like. Some use traditional Christian images. Others call up deities from the religion they are most comfortable with. And many people use the thought/image of a beam of light that represents either God/Goddess (whichever one they like) or the power of light and life and goodness in the Universe.

The number of powers called as guardians varies. You may choose to invoke one powerful being to protect your circle. Or you might call on the Universal Being/Light and four guardians (one for each quarter of the compass). A third approach is to use a guardian for the four quarters of the compass and no higher being. There is no “absolutely correct” system; the correct system is the one that you are comfortable with.

Take time to choose the guardians of your circle carefully. You should select guardians (gods or animals or some form of life) which have a deeper meaning to you and whose qualities are in harmony with your goals. For the new student, it’s best to have all your Powers and Guardians from the same belief system/religion/mythic universe so that the symbols will be consistent and not confuse the Id.

You can use people — saints, movie actors, figures from favorite books as guardians. Do, however, pick someone who’s dead or non-existent. The dead can’t argue with your interpretation of them, whereas the living may be highly offended to be approached as gods/guardians.

As your studies continue, you will find that your totems or guardians change. This is to be expected; as you explore new realms in your studies, you may find you need guardians who deal with very specific areas to strengthen and guide you in these new fields.

But don’t make the mistake of assuming that you’ll become so powerful that you will never need the protection of the psychic shielding circle in some form. And don’t assume that you will not need a circle for “positive” magicks such as healing. Open is open — and open is vulnerable. And circles strengthen and protect you by defining what psychological influences will be allowed to work with you.

–Mel White, Author
Published on Sacred Text

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Spirit Message of the Day – A Sacred Act of Love; A Wild and Pure Heart

A MESSAGE FROM WU WANG
“In times of olde, they said that only those who were pure could connect with those like myself. That the virgin could connect with Unicorn. That the child could see the meaning of God. That the Fae would truly see into your heart, and finding it corrupt, would never appear to you. I am here to tell you that your heart is pure and wild and innocent. It is that you have forgotten how to see us, that you have been told that in order to see us, you must be perfect. That in order to see us, you must be mad, unclean, broken, and if you say you have seen us, you face being shunned.”

“I am here to say to you that we appear to those who have looked into the hearts and have seen beyond the woundings…because within you there is a wild and untrammelled heart space which is free of any taint. In that space we can enter and therefore, we can and will be seen again. You were not born into this world wrong or sinful. There may be karmic markings, but you are no sinner, nor are you corrupt or unworthy. Foster that which is wild and pure and good within you, and we will begin to appear and come forth. You will feel us on the wind, in the water, see us in the fire and hear our voices emanating from the heart of our mother, the Earth. You are a child of the Mother, call her what you will, and at your core you are a one of the wild ones. That is my message for you.”

ABOUT WU-WANG
“Wu-Wang is a Dragonfae Lord who has been both a dynastic ruler in human form and whose energy has entered the Chinese system of philosophy and divination known as the I-Ching. His mind is very natural and honest; he has an innately good nature and encourages us to be the same, and to know we can be the same, no matter how we have behaved in the past. Truth and innocence of nature can be reclaimed and furthermore, these traits bring about good fortune personally, and for Gaia, Dana and our Mother.”

A MESSAGE FOR YOU
“Know you are innocent and cultivate that aspect of yourself. Know that your innocence and goodness lies within you no matter what actions you have taken in the past: This present moment is a chance to reclaim that pure and wild heart. When you do that, you will be able to see, feel and sense clearly the presence of magickal beings, including the Dragonfae and particularly the Unicorn. Wu-Wang will also help you to eat organically, well and healthfully. Take nothing into your body without contemplating whether it will erode or grow that wild pure heart and act accordingly. Dance, sing, play music, and make love…all of these acts, done with innocent, wild joy, are healing and part of the sacred act of Love.”

WORKING WITH WU-WANG
“Stay pure and wild and innocent. Devote part of your daily life to the development of the pure wild part of you. Let something be beyond your control. Do not attempt to control and predict the outcome of all. Know that innocent also means that you have not known all; and come from that place, which is noble and humble. When we do so, our expectations and controlling behaviors depart, as does the drama. In their place come insights and much communication with the magickal web of life, including mermaids, unicorns, centaurs, and the Dragonfae, dryads and other innerworld beings that may have yet been unseen by your eyes.”

Today’s message is from Oracle of the Dragonfae by Lucy Cavendish.
—Spiritblogger’s Blog

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Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Other Spirituality 365 Days a Year for December 5 & 6

Walt Disney’s Birthday, St. Nicholas’s Day

It was on December 5,1901, that the legendary Walt Disney was born. During his life, his magickal imagination inspired and uplifted the hearts of people all over the world. Walt’s Disneyland was the product of a dream he had one night, and Disney World his crowning achievement. His Florida theme park is truly a kingdom, complete with its own police force, fire departments, transportation systems,and major Disney highways and hotels. And who says magick doesn’t work?

Today, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas mas and heralds the coming of Christ. In the past, Advent began on December 6, St. Nicholas’s Day. Very little is known of Nicholas, who was the bishop of Myra in Turkey, but he was very popular in the Middle Ages. One legend tells how he revived three small boys that an innkeeper keeper had murdered and salted down so he could make them into pies, and another tells how he threw three bags of gold through the window of a poor man’s house so his daughters would have dowries. St. Nicholas is linked with children, and in England on this night they receive presents in his honor. This was also the date on which “Boy Bishops” were chosen by the Church to oversee the choir and rule over the Christmas celebrations.

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Witch Tip #120 for December 5

If you have trouble falling asleep try to do your spell work right before bed. Doing rituals and spells will drain your energy if done properly and therefore make it easier to fall asleep.

End 2018 on a High Note – Clearing Out, Updating Your Energy

 

 

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Your Past Life Tarot Card for December 5th is The Moon

The Moon

Your inner philosopher past life awakens only when you have the time to ponder deep ideas. While you are busy working it is difficult to find the time for deep thought. When your daily life gives you extra time to think, the philosopher in you can take center stage with new concepts about who you are and where you are going. Your hectic lifestyle can block the dormant philosopher inside, but healthy change can’t happen without this deep thinker.

 

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Your Daily Rune for Wednesday, December 5th is Jera

Woman

Meaning: The first meaning of this rune is quite obvious: it represents women. Any woman that is important in the question, whether you know her or not, will be represented by this rune. Mother, sister, aunt, grandma, a female boss, friend, lover or even enemy… all can be symbolized by the appearance of this rune.

In a more general sense, this rune is related to traditional female abilities and characteristics, such as giving birth, nurturing, comforting and healing. When this rune appears, you can count on the sympathy of others towards you or your situation. In its most negative aspects, the Woman rune can show over-protectiveness, a patronizing attitude or co-dependency. It often strives to maintain the status quo, refusing to change even if the situation is bad.

The Woman rune is connected to nurturing – nurturing a relationship, a person or a project. Like the Moon rune, it can be related to finding a safe place to rest and heal, but while the Moon implies a solitary retreat, the Woman often shows that you need to go back to the people you trust, the people you feel safe with.

Healing is another strong aspect of this symbol, as well as teaching. You can be both the patient/student or the healer/teacher when this rune appears. This rune is also connected to creativity, but in a way that is different from the Romance rune. While the latter is about the conception of a project – the initial stages of creation – the Woman is about the birth of this project. When your creation is brought out into the world, fully manifested.

In relationship readings, this rune isn’t bad, but rather weak. While it can indicate subtle ties between people, these are usually so, so subtle that the partners can easily drift away from each other. It can show that one of the partners sees the other as someone who needs to be protected and healed, rather than an equal. Usually, the romance is a bit stagnated when this rune appears, or very close to becoming a friendship.

Your Animal Spirit Guide for December 5 is The Dragonfly

Dragonfly is the power of light. The dragonfly inhabits two realms: air and water and the influence of both these elements will be felt by Dragonfly people. Dragonfly is the essence of the winds of change, the messages of wisdom and enlightenment; and the communication fro the elemental world. Dragonfly medicine beckons you to seek out the parts of your habits that need changing. Call on Dragonfly to guide you through the mists of illusion to the pathway of transformation. Dragonfly brings the light and color of transformation into your life.

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Your Daily Karmic Number for December 5 is One

Hansel and Gretel dropped breadcrumbs in the woods to find their way back home. But the crumbs got eaten up and they ended up lost – and almost fell victim to a witch. What does this have to do with your 1 result today? You have lost your way because you are following too much of other people’s advice. This is a time to turn a deaf ear to any guidance not coming from your inner self. Meditate or just do nothing for five minutes. The answers will come to you, from within. Listen carefully and be confident in their advice.

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Crack the Cookie

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

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The Wisdom of Buddha

The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.

Your Daily Planet Tracker for December 5: Venus in Scorpio

Intense, Passionate, Committed

Now – January 7, 2019

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