“Those old hypocrites. They talk about killing witches but the Good Book’s full of magic. Turning the Nile to blood and parting the Red Sea. What’s that if it’s not good old-fashioned magic? Want a little water into wine? No trouble! How about raising the dead man Lazarus? Just say the word!”

― Clive Barker, Days of Magic, Nights of War

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE SECTION

Moon Dance

Dance under the moon.
Rise to her gifts.
Watch the flames increase.
Feel the Earth beneath.
Know the wind is yours.
Catch the rain.
Dance under the Moon.

–A Witch’s Prayerbook
JoAnne Spiese

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The Witches Affirmation for Monday, December 24th

Today I stop taking the easy way out by being miserable; I’ll do the work to find happiness!

–Old Style Conjure Wisdoms, Workings and Remedies
Starr Casas

Custom Planetary Positions

December 24, 2018
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun: 03 Capricorn 05
Moon: 03 Leo 51
Mercury: 13 Sagittarius 52
Venus: 16 Scorpio 49
Mars: 25 Pisces 13
Jupiter: 10 Sagittarius 16
Saturn: 10 Capricorn 33
Uranus: 28 Aries 40 Rx
Neptune: 13 Pisces 57
Pluto: 20 Capricorn 22

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Planetary aspects for the Month of December

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 Solar Almanac for Monday, December 24th

Sun Direction: 114.21° ESE↑
Sun Altitude: -6.92°
Sun Distance: 91.424 million mi
Next Equinox: Mar 20, 2019 4:58 pm (Vernal)
Sunrise Today: 7:05 am↑ 119° Southeast
Sunset Today: 4:42 pm↑ 241° Southwest
Length of Daylight: 9 hours, 37 minutes

–timeanddate.com

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Interesting facts you may want to know, or not….

One day the Sun will consume the Earth. The Sun will continue to burn for about 130 million years after it burns through all of its hydrogen, instead burning helium. During this time it will expand to such a size that it will engulf Mercury, Venus, and Earth. When it reaches this point, it will have become a red giant star.

The energy created by the Sun’s core is nuclear fusion. This huge amount of energy is produced when four hydrogen nuclei are combined into one helium nucleus.

The Sun will eventually be about the size of Earth. Once the Sun has completed its red giant phase, it will collapse. It’s huge mass will be retained, but it will have a volume similar to that of Earth. When that happens, it will be known as a white dwarf.

The Sun is halfway through its life. At 4.5 billion years old, the Sun has burned off around half of its hydrogen stores and has enough left to continue burning hydrogen for another 5 billion years. Currently the Sun is a yellow dwarf star.

Temperatures inside the Sun can reach 15 million degrees Celsius. Energy is generated through nuclear fusion in the Sun’s core – this is when hydrogen converts to helium – and because objects generally expand, the Sun would explode like an enormous bomb if it wasn’t for it’s tremendous gravitational pull.

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The Lunar Almanac for Monday, December 24th

Moon Direction: 277.72° W↑
Moon Altitude: 24.36°
Moon Distance: 224360 mi
Next New Moon: Jan 5, 20197:28 pm
Next Full Moon: Jan 20, 201911:16 pm
Next Moonset: Today8:50 am
Current Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous
Ilumination: 95.5%

–timeanddate.com

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The full moon brings enlightenment. The face of the truth is exposed – the truth whose light bursts forth fully now through the darkness.

This is the time to look inward, to survey your actions, feelings, and emotions of the preceding days, and discover the irrelevant subjects or criticisms you allowed to distract you and divert you from your main aim.

Focus and muster your full strength.

This is the time to make wishes for peace, prosperity, growth, love, success, harmony…

Speak to the big moon and bring the realization of your wishes down to earth with the help of its light.

–Day-by-Day Wicca: A complete guide to Wicca from Beliefs and Rituals to Magic and Witchcraft (Astrolog Complete Guides)
Tabatha Jennings

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The Sky This Week from December 24 to December 30

Winter nights begin with great views of the brightest star and two fine star clusters, and wrap up with the brilliant planets Venus and Jupiter.

By Richard Talcott

Monday, December 24
The solar system’s two outer planets both have close encounters with stars this evening. Look for Uranus some 60° above the southern horizon around 7:30 p.m. local time. The magnitude 5.7 world lies in southeastern Pisces, 1.3° north of 4th-magnitude Omicron (ο) Piscium. Although Uranus shines brightly enough to glimpse with the naked eye under a dark sky, use binoculars to locate it initially. A telescope reveals the planet’s 3.6″-diameter disk and striking blue-green color as well as a neighboring point of light that looks a bit like a moon. But this is actually a 9th-magnitude field star that slides 1′ south of Uranus this evening. Once you’ve finished viewing Uranus, turn your scope toward Neptune. The magnitude 7.9 world lies 2.2° east of 4th-magnitude Lambda (λ) Aquarii, an area that appears 30° high in the southwest at 7 p.m. local time. This evening, Neptune lies 15′ (half the Full Moon’s diameter) due south of 6th-magnitude 81 Aqr. Higher magnifications reveal Neptune’s blue-gray disk, which spans 2.3″.

The Moon reaches perigee, the closest point in its orbit around Earth, at 4:49 a.m. EST. It then lies 224,353 miles (361,062 kilometers) away from us.

Tuesday, December 25
If you’re looking for a Christmas star to mark the holiday, you can’t go wrong with brilliant Sirius. The brightest star in the sky (after the Sun, of course) gleams at magnitude –1.5. This makes it nearly four times brighter than the next brightest star visible from mid-northern latitudes: Arcturus in the constellation Boötes. Sirius currently rises before 8 p.m. local time and ascends in the southeast throughout the evening hours.

The variable star Algol in Perseus reaches minimum brightness around 8:26 p.m. EST, when it shines at magnitude 3.4. If you start watching it after darkness falls, you can see it more than triple in brightness, to magnitude 2.1, over the course of about five hours. This eclipsing binary star runs through a cycle from minimum to maximum and back every 2.87 days. Algol appears in the eastern sky after sunset and passes nearly overhead around 9 p.m. local time.

Wednesday, December 26
Although Jupiter passed behind the Sun from our perspective just one month ago, it has already grown to prominence in the predawn sky. The giant planet rises nearly two hours before our star and climbs 10° high in the southeast 45 minutes before sunup. Gleaming at magnitude –1.8, it stands out nicely in the gathering dawn. A telescope shows Jupiter’s 32″-diameter disk, but you likely won’t see much detail because the light has to travel through thick layers of turbulent air near the horizon.

Thursday, December 27
Two of the finest deep-sky objects shine prominently on evenings in late December. The Pleiades and Hyades star clusters climb highest in the south during midevening but remain conspicuous nearly all night. The Pleiades, also known at the Seven Sisters and M45, appears like a small dipper to naked eyes. The larger Hyades forms the V-shaped head of Taurus the Bull. Although both look nice with naked eyes, binoculars show them best.

Friday, December 28
Mars continues to put on a nice show these December evenings. Look for the Red Planet halfway to the zenith in the southern sky as darkness falls. The world shines at magnitude 0.4 against the much dimmer stars of Aquarius the Water-bearer. A telescope reveals a disk that spans 8″ and should show a few subtle surface features during moments of good seeing.

Saturday, December 29
Last Quarter Moon occurs at 4:34 a.m. EST. You will see it poking above the eastern horizon around midnight local time and climbing highest in the south as twilight starts to paint the sky. The half-lit Moon spends the morning hours in the constellation Virgo the Maiden.

Sunday, December 30
Venus appears brilliant from the time it rises a little after 3:30 a.m. local time until close to sunrise more than three hours later. It stands about 25° above the southeastern horizon an hour before the Sun comes up. Gleaming at magnitude –4.6, the planet shines far brighter than all the other objects in the predawn sky except for the waning crescent Moon. When viewed through a telescope, Venus spans 27″ and appears nearly halflit.

–The Astronomy Magazine

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In the Sky This Month

The smallest and largest of the Sun’s major planets will stage a relatively rare encounter this month as they pass each other in the dawn twilight. Jupiter should be easy to see, but Mercury could take some work. The great Winter Circle climbs higher each night, and is in good view by 8 p.m. by month’s end. It consists of seven bright stars encircling orange Betelgeuse, the shoulder of Orion.

December 23: Wise Stars
Orion, the hunter, stands well up in the east and southeast by about 8 p.m. Its most prominent feature is a row of three stars known as Orion’s Belt. Early Christians associated those stars with the Three Magi, the wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus.

December 24: Messier 34
The star cluster Messier 34 sits on the border between the constellations Perseus and Andromeda. It is high overhead during the evening, between two bright stars. Under a clear, dark sky, M34 is just visible to the unaided eye as a fuzzy patch of light.

December 25: Moon and Regulus
The gibbous Moon climbs into good view late this evening. The bright star Regulus, the heart of Leo, the lion, follows it across the sky.

December 26: Sirius
Sirius is the leading light of Canis Major, the big dog, so it is known as the Dog Star. It is the brightest star in the night sky. Sirius is much brighter than the Sun, and it’s also a close neighbor at a distance of less than nine light-years.

December 27: Stellar Steeds
Three steeds gallop across the sky tonight: Pegasus, the flying horse; Equuleus, the little horse; and Monoceros, the unicorn. Pegasus is the brightest. Look for its Great Square high in the sky: four fairly bright stars that outline the horse’s body

December 28: Phoenix
Phoenix, the mythical bird that represents rebirth, stands just above the southeastern horizon at sunset and drops from view by midnight for skywatchers in the southern United States. The constellation’s brightest star, Ankaa, is at its northern tip.

December 29: Moon and Spica
The star Spica poses near the Moon at first light tomorrow. They climb into good view by 2 or 3 a.m., with Spica to the lower right of the Moon. Spica is the brightest star of the constellation Virgo and one of the 20 brightest stars in the entire night sky.

–StarDate

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Moon Phase Calendar

Monday – 24th December 2018

Current Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous

Moon Currently in the Sign of Cancer

Moon in Cancer:
Your feeling of safety is now related to your home, family and related activities such as cooking and gardening. You may be prone to emotional fluctuations; you should learn to forgive and forget in order to avoid depression from thinking too much about things. Your perception of the world can be very subjective; try to create a certain distance without being bitter. Due to your rich emotional manifestation you can create a real sense of belonging in the world.

Organs influenced by Cancer Moon Sign:
Organs: Stomach, mucosa, ovary, womb, vagina, breast, pleura, peritoneum, lymph system, sternal bone

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.

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Moon In Cancer

The Moon is traveling through Cancer today. Beware of mood swings. Cook some soul food. Cuddle up with someone.

The restlessness of the Gemini Moon gives way to an instinctive need for peace and quiet. Feelings of belonging and safety are what motivate us under this influence. The Moon feels right at home in the sign of Cancer, as it rules the sign. This Moon position has much healing potential. Although insular by nature, our feelings run deep, making it an ideal time to get in touch with what motivates us.

The Moon in Cancer generally favors the following activities: Domestic activities, those that involve awareness of personal needs. Home decor, family get-togethers.

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Today is Monday, December 24, 2018

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)

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

The Runic Half Month of Jara (December 13 – December 27)

Goddess of the Month of Cailleach Bhuer

–The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

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About the Celtic Tree Month of Beth (Birch)

December 24 – January 20: The Birch Moon is a time of rebirth and regeneration. As the Solstice passes, it is time to look towards the light once more. When a forested area burns, Birch is the first tree to grow back. The Celtic name for this month is Beth, pronounced beh. Workings done in this month add momentum and a bit of extra “oomph” to new endeavors. The Birch is also associated with magic done for creativity and fertility, as well as healing and protection. Tie a red ribbon around the trunk of a Birch tree to ward off negative energy. Hang Birch twigs over a cradle to protect a newborn from psychic harm. Use Birch bark as magical parchment to keep writings safe.

BIRCH LORE
1st Moon of the Celtic Year – (Dec 24 – Jan 21)
Latin name: Yellow birch – betula alleghaniensis; black birch – betula lenta; canoe or common birch – betula papyrifea.
Celtic name: Beth (pronounced: beh)
Folk or Common names: Beithe, Bereza, Berke, Beth, Bouleau, Lady of the Woods, Birth, Canoe Tree, Paper Tree, Silver Birch, White Birch. “Birch” is derived from the meaning “Bright” or “Shining” in Indo-European and Sanskrit terminology. Quite possibly it came from the Anglo-Saxon term “Beorgan” meaning “to protect or shelter”
Parts Used: Leaves, bark, wood, sap, branches.
Herbal usage: Birch leaves can be used to make an infusion that is good for breaking up kidney or bladder stones. Birch bark is an astringent and can be used to treat non-hereditary baldness. Birch tea can be made from the inner bark and leaves and this is good for rheumatism or as a sedative to aid sleep. Birch sap can be harvested the same way maple sap is, and then boiled down into birch syrup.

Magical History & Associations
The bird associated with the Month of the Birch is the pheasant. Birch’s color is white, its day is Sunday and its gemstone is red chard. The Celtic symbol of Birch is the White Stag with a rack with seven tines. Birch is associated with the element of water, is a tree of the sun and the planet Venus, and its Herbal Gender is feminine. The Birch tree is sacred to the God Thor and the Goddesses Diana and Cerridwen. Birch is considered to be a Goddess tree, the symbol of summer ever-returning. The Birch is also a special tree to the Celts (“On a switch of birch was written the first Ogham inscription in Ireland, namely seven B’s, as a warning to Lug son of Ethliu, to wit, ‘Thy wife will be seven times carried away from you into fairyland or elsewhere, unless birch be her overseer.” – Robert Graves (The White Goddess).

Birch wood is one of the nine traditional firewoods to be added to the Belfire that is burned at Beltane. It is one of the three pillars of Wisdom (Oak, Yew, Birch) and often symbolizes the first level of Druid working. Birch trees often have Otherkin spirits attached to them and the “Lieschi” or “Genii of the Forest” are said to dwell in their tree tops. The Ghillie Dhu (pronounced “Gillee Doo or Yoo”) are guardian tree spirits who are disguised as foliage and dislike human beings. They prefer birch trees to all others, and jealously guard them from humans. If the spirit of the Birch tree touches a head it leaves a white mark and the person turns insane. If it touches a heart, the person will die.

Magickal Usage
The month of Birch is a good time to do magick associated with new beginnings. Magickal work done in this moon adds strength and momentum to any new choices made. The Birch has applications in magick done for protection, creativity, exorcism, fertility, birth, healing, Forest Magic, Inner Authority/Self-Discipline, Lunar workings, love, and purification. Magickal protective uses of Birch include tying a red ribbon around the trunk of a birch to ward off the evil eye. Also, gently whapping someone with a Birch twig drives out negative energy, and Birch branches hung near a cradle will protect the newborn from psychic harm. In fact, cradles can be made from Birch wood to further protect a newborn. Many farmers plant Birch around their houses to protect against lightning. For magical parchment, gather Birch bark from a tree that has been struck by lightning (chosen by Thor) – and the Birch paper will keep the writings safe. Because Birch wood has the qualities of exorcism and protection, its twigs are traditionally used to make witches’ brooms. Brooms made of a mixture of Ash, Birch and Willow are said to be especially powerful in magick.

Birch rods are also used in rustic rituals to drive out the spirits of the old year. Birch is also perfect to use to make a ‘Goddess’ wand, since Birch is the tree known as ‘the Lady of the Woods’ and a grove of Birch trees is an excellent place to communicate with the Goddess. Birch wood is also a good choice for making rune sets to use for divination. Be sure to harvest your branch for the rune set during the waxing moon, and make sure you ask Odin or Byarka to inspire your work. Also ask the tree if it will allow you to take a branch and be sure to leave the tree an offering of thanks when you are done. Birch trees especially appreciate gifts such as pretty stones, sea shells, flowers or herbs. (Please note: never take bark off a living Birch tree, since this will kill it.)

THE MONTH OF BIRCH

Names: BETH, Birch, Beath, Bethi, Bedw, Beithe, Bedwen, Beithi, Betula pendula
Celtic Symbol : The White Stag
Zodiac Degrees : 2º00` – 29º59` Capricorn
Ruling Planet : The Sun – Sul
Ancient Gods Associated With The Sun
Greek : Helios, Apollo ( Alson Known As Phoebus), Cynthius And Pytheus
Celtic : Hu, Beli, Taliesin, Arthur
Full Moon: Birch Moon; Moon of Inception, Moon of Beginning
Magickal Properties include Protection of children; purification; creativity
Tarot Key: The Magician

The birch is the tree of inception, representing birth, initiation, discipline and sacrifice. The time is ruled by the force of wild, un-tamed nature, and is reflected in the unconscious (inner) self and the rebirth of the Sun from winter’s solstice. This is the first tree that takes away the decay of the mysterious elder. Both the Birch and the Elder stand on either sides of The One Nameless Day. They both represent a link between life and death, with the Birch being the beginning of all things. It is also associated with the training of Druids, the birth of new life and is both energetic and spontaneous.Children’s cradles were made of Birch. Axe handles were also made from Birch. On the Isle of Man, off the west coast of Scotland, criminals were ‘birched’ to purify them and to drive out evil influences.

The silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) is the most common tree birch in much of Europe. It grows up to 30 m (100 feet) high, but is more often found in spreading clumps on sandy soils. It is one of the first trees to colonize an area after a mature forest is cut; this is probably a large part of its symbolic connection with new beginnings. It is cultivated in North America, often under the name of weeping birch.

Its symbols are the horned animals, especially goats and stags. Connected to pentagrams and mountains. The Magician tarot card. Symbolized by Cernunnos – the horned one, said to be the Soul of Lugh, and the Dagda – Celtic Earth god. Archetypically related to other horned gods such as Pan, the Hircocervus (sacred Goat-Stag), the Egyptian horned god Asar (Osiris), and Shiva who is lord of the animals.

Birch trees have been long associated with fertility and healing magic, and the twigs were used to bestow fertility on cattle and newlyweds. Birch is most useful for fertility and healing spells. The birch has a multitude of uses: it yields a sap similar to maple syrup; its bark can be used as flour and also make birch beer; and birch tea is said to ease rheumatism and gout. The inner bark provides a pain reliever while the leaves can be used to treat arthritis.

Originally Published On SpiritBlogger’s Blog

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The Goddess Book of Days for Monday, December 24

In Egypt, the day of the Burning of the Lamps at Sais, for Isis and Neith/Nut/Mut. (Star Girl, Vega, Sothis, Sirius, Arianrhod, Anatha, Athena, Io, Ishtar, Sarasvati, Sophia, Minerva.) In Puerto Rico and Spanish America, San Juan Day, from Inti Raymi, the Feast of the Sun, dedicated to Quetzalcoatl (Christ, St. John, Apollo, Pan, Dionysus, Bacchus, Adonis, Attis, Heme, Izanagi, the Sun Father, Tammuz, Damuzi, Osiris, Ra, Lugh, Damballah, Yoko-Hoo).

Goddesses Associated with Monday, the Day of the Moon

Luna, Selene, Diana, Re, Gealach, Ida, Artemis, the Witches, Yemaya, Erzulie

–The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

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~ The Goddess Days of the Moon ~

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 their 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 Monday, December 24, We Honor….

Mother Night (Europe)
EGUSKI

Themes: Femininity; Birth; Renewal

Symbols: Dawn; Daylight

About Eguski: In Basque tradition, this daughter of the earth is the solar disk and the eye of God, being beautiful, warm, and welcoming. Eguski continues to embrace her mother in golden arms each day, gathering us in the glow

To Do Today: The night before Christmas was Mother Night, when the goddess prepares once more to give birth to Eguski and growing daylight. It is traditionally a time to enjoy the goddess’s energy for personal renewal and to show appreciation to mothers everywhere with their life-giving power. Take a moment out of your day to call your mom and say thanks—thanks for giving you life, for nurturing you, for passing on family traditions, for the important lessons she taught. Also take a moment to thank Eguski for her blessings in some way that suits your vision and path. Pray, chant, sing, meditate, light a candle. Ask her for another year filled with goddess magic and miracles!

To encourage Eguski’s renewal and warmth every day, rise early this morning and wait for sunrise. As the first beams of light caress the horizon, open your arms and hug the goddess. Feel the energy and power in those rays to transform and overcome anything you may face. Gather the goddess into your heart for now and always.

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

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Monday’s Magick

Monday – Is associated with the Moon

Colours – White, Silver, Grey and Pearl.

Monday is the best time to deal with such matters as: Psychic Pursuits, Psychology, Dreams, Astral Travel, Imagination, Women’s Mysteries, Reincarnation, Short Trips, Women, Children, Public, Domestic Concerns, Emotions, Fluids, Magick, Spirituality, Nursing, Full moon magic, Purity, Protection, Truth, Meditation, Peace, Sincerity, Justice, Warding off Doubts and Fears, Anything to do with Water and Bodies of Water, Antiques, Trip Planning, Household Activities, Initiation, Astrology, New-Age Pursuits, Archetypes, Totem Animals, Shape-shifting and Religious Experiences.

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Ritual Work Associated with Monday The Day of the Moon

Perfume: White Poppy, White Rose, Wallflower

Incense: Myrtle

Wood: Willow

Color: Silver, Grey-white

Influences: Agriculture, Domestic, Longlife, Medicine, Travels, Visions, Theft (new moon)

–A Book of Pagan Rituals
Herman Slater

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Monday’s Witchery

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

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

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The Witches Almanac for Monday, December 24

Christmas Eve

Waning Moon

Moon phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Cancer

Moon enters Leo 11: 59 am

Incense: Neroli

Color: Gray

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Hints & Tips for Monday

To incorporate this day’s energy work spells for intuition, peace, fertility, and inspiring your inner muse.

This is a wonderful day to connect to your inner self.

Intuition and inspiration are both enhanced when imbued with moon energy.

Use today’s energy for psychic work, (intuition, divination and clairvoyance), Goddess rituals and faerie magick.

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Correspondences for Monday

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.

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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

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The Witches Magick for Monday, December 24 – 13 Moons Blessing Chain

Approximate Hands-on Time: 45 minutes

This is the perfect spell that harnesses the power of the full moon while lending beauty (and a little magick) to your home!

What You’ll Need:
-String or ribbon (about 2-3 feet depending on desired length)
-13 twigs (cut to any desired size)
-An attractive stone

How to Conjure:

★You’ll want to take a few moments to decide which blessings you want to include in your Blessing Chain. You can write them on your twigs with a marker if desired, or keep a list handy for your assembly and visualizations. If you’re not sure what blessings you desire, here are thirteen suggestions:

Health
Abundance
Protection
Success
Happiness
Peace
Love
Friendship
Spiritual
Enrichment
Courage
Inspiration
Creativity

Intuition Note: If you have need for one blessing over another, say you’re in a financial struggle and desire abundance, assign that blessing to a larger twig. Otherwise, randomly draw the twigs from a pile and let your Blessing Chain find its own balance.

★Once you have your thirteen blessings chosen, draw a twig from your pile and take a moment to visualize the first blessing manifesting in your life. For example, if you’ve chosen creativity as a blessing, imagine yourself painting, sewing, or crafting with renewed zeal. Picture the creative inspiration physically flowing into your mind from the earth around you as you channel that idea into your chosen artistic outlet. Once you have visualized the blessing manifesting, tie the twig into your chain with a simple knot or adhere with a dot of hot glue. Continue this until all thirteen blessings are knotted into the chain, allowing a bit of space between each twig.

★Once all thirteen twigs are knotted into the chain, you’re ready to attach your stone. Make sure to choose a rock that speaks to you. If you happen to have a witches’ rock (a stone with naturally-occurring holes) a Blessing Chain is a good spell in which to use it! To attach the rock, you’ll need to tie the string or ribbon around the stone in a criss-cross pattern, much in the way you wrap a package.

★After attaching your stone, hold your chain before you and simply say: So Mote It Be!

★Hang the chain in a moonlit window and know the moon’s energy is blessing your home with your thirteen chosen blessings! This spell is meant to be hung indefinitely, collecting more moon energy with every full moon!

–By the Light of the Moon: 13 Simple & Affordable Pagan Spells & Rituals for a Year of Full Moon Celebrations
Penniless Pagan

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE SECTION

The Witches Affirmation for Tuesday, December 25th

Today I push the door to abundance and success open; I choose to walk through it!

–Old Style Conjure Wisdoms, Workings and Remedies
Starr Casas

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Custom Planetary Positions

December 25, 2018
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun: 04 Capricorn 07
Moon: 18 Leo 46
Mercury: 15 Sagittarius 16
Venus: 17 Scorpio 45
Mars: 25 Pisces 54
Jupiter: 10 Sagittarius 29
Saturn: 10 Capricorn 40
Uranus: 28 Aries 40 Rx
Neptune: 13 Pisces 58
Pluto: 20 Capricorn 24

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Planetary aspects for the Month of December

December 28, 04:30 pm – Venus sextile Pluto
December 29, 04:34 am – 3rd Quarter Moon 07 36

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The Solar Almanac for Tuesday, December 25th

Sun Direction: 200.77° SSW↑
Sun Altitude: -29.77°
Sun Distance: 91.424 million mi
Next Equinox: Mar 21, 2019 8:58 am (Autumnal)
Sunrise Today: 5:42 am↑ 119° Southeast
Sunset Today: 8:06 pm↑ 241° Southwest
Length of Daylight: 14 hours, 24 minutes

–timeanddate.com

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DO IMPORTANT THINGS FIRST

Think about how you want to spend your lifetime and then, as you can, spend your days accordingly.

Many writers on time management advise using the morning for things that are important (meaningful) but not urgent (demanding of your attention right then). President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first person to point out that “urgent” and “important” are not the same and that urgent things can take up all of your time, if you let them.

Your schedule may not allow you to use the mornings this way or your chronotype may not favor the early hours. But if you can set aside any time daily to do things that are important but not urgent, you will be fighting against “the tyranny of the urgent,” which otherwise can consume all waking hours.

Now, when you hear the question “Where does the time go?,” you have a few answers.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac 2015
Old Farmer’s Almanac

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The Lunar Almanac for Tuesday, December 25th

Moon Direction: 45.35° NE↑
Moon Altitude: 19.39°
Moon Distance: 224360 mi
Next New Moon: Jan 6, 201912:28 pm
Next Full Moon: Jan 21, 20194:16 pm
Next Moonset: Tomorrow8:03 am
Current Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 95.4%

–timeanddate.com

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Moon Phase Calendar

Tuesday – 25th December 2018

Current Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous

Moon Currently in the Sign of Leo

Moon in Leo:
You feel safe in moments when you can impress others and get praise and admiration. Yet, when you get into the spotlight, you may find yourself at a loss. Maybe you should admit your fear of criticism and your inability to accept criticism. It is very important to accept feedback and use it for improvement.

Organs influenced by Leo Moon Sign:
Organs: Heart, aorta, blood circulation, blood pressure, heart rate.

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.

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Moon in Leo

The Moon is traveling through Leo today. Shine and be proud! You rule right now!

The Moon in Leo speaks to our “inner child”. It’s a warm, generous, whole-heartedly loving position. Pride keeps us from pettiness, but it can also prevent us from opening up and revealing how we are truly feeling. We are on stage, our feelings are grand, and we appreciate some drama in our lives. We are easily threatened by anything that seems to be impersonal. This is a time when we seek attention–when we want to stand out for our special qualities. It’s a strong time for romance and any creative activity as well.

The Moon in Leo generally favors the following activities: Creative activities, activities involving children, generous undertakings, undertakings in which personal recognition is desired, and risk-taking.

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Today is Tuesday, December 25th

Tuesday is dedicated to the powers of the planet Mars, personified in Ares, Tiwaz, Tiw, Tuisco and Tyr. Tuesday rules controlled power, energy and endurance.

Deity: Tiwaz

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Planet: Mars

Tree: Holly

Herb: Plantain

Stone: Agate

Animal: Crab

Element: Fire

Color: White

Number: 2

Rune: Tyr (T)

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

The Runic Half Month of Jara (December 13 – December 27)

Goddess of the Month of Cailleach Bhuer

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

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The Goddess Book of Days for Tuesday, December 25th

In India Teej, the day of praise to the Goddess Parvati, a festival for women and girls. Parvati is Maya, Durga, Shakti, Ishtar, Astarte, Venus, Ashtoreth, Anahit, Tonantzin, Chalchiuhtlique, Kwan Yin, Changing Woman, Kali, Kali-Ma, Cerridwen, Oddudua, and Mawu.

Goddesses Associated With Tuesday

Soorejnaree, Pinga1la, Anna, Aine, Danu, Yngona, Bellona, Aida Wedo, Sun Woman

–The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

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~ The Goddess Days of the Moon ~

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 Tuesday, December 25, We Celebrate…

Christmas/Yule (Various Locations)

HERTHA

Themes: Rebirth; Kinship; Health; Longevity; Tradition

Symbols: Dormant Trees; Snow

About Hertha: In ancient times, on this day people venerated Hertha, the Teutonic goddess of fertility, domesticated animals, magic, and nature. In Germanic tradition, Hertha descended through the smoke of any fire today and brought gifts, much like an early Santa Claus figure (giving her solar associations, too). Her connection to nature has survived in the name for our planet: earth.

To Do Today: Yule takes its designation from a Gaelic word meaning “wheel” representing the turning of time’s wheel back toward the sun. In early times, this festival included parties for various sun gods and goddesses; it eventually was translated into the celebration of Christ’s birth. Any light source or burning incense can symbolize Hertha’s presence today. Besides this, look to the world’s traditions for magical ways of making your celebration special. For example, Swedes eat a rice pudding with one lucky almond; whoever gets the nut receives good fortune. Russians toss grain into people’s homes for providence as they carol. Armenians make a wish on the Yule log when it’s ignited and sometimes make divinations by the cinder patterns made afterward. Bohemians cut apples in half. If there’s a perfect star in the center and it has plump seeds, it portends joy and good health. Finally, kiss someone under the mistletoe for a long, happy relationship.

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

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The Magick of Tuesday

Magickal Intent:
Courage
Binding
Protection
Achievement
Power
Initiation
Protection
Passion

Planet: Mars

Colors: Red, Orange

Crystal: Garnet, Ruby

Incense: Myrrh, Ginger, Cardamom

Plant: Cardamom

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Magickal Days of the Week – Tuesday

Named for the Norse god Tyr, who was a deity of heroism and combat, Tuesday is a very martial sort of day – color associations include bright red and oranges, as well as warrior-like metals such as iron and steel.

The ancient Romans called this day Martis, after the warrior god Mars – other deities associated with Tuesday include Ares, the Morrighan, and other gods of battle and glory. Red gemstones like rubies and garnets come into play on Tuesdays, as do herbs and plants such as thistles, holly, coneflowers and cacti – you’ll notice these are all sharp, prickly plants!

One of the interesting – and more than a little amusing – aspects of Tuesday magic is that in addition to war and conflict against your enemies, this is a day also associated with marriage. You can also use this day of the week for magical workings connected to protection and initiation. Use Tuesday to assert yourself, make a mark and stake your claims.

–Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article originally published on ThoughtCo.

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Tuesday’s Witchery

Tuesday is the day to work any magick that falls in the category of increasing strength, courage, bravery, and passion. All of these intense emotions are linked to this day’s energies, and spells designed around these themes will have extra punch when performed on this magickal day.

So, let’s add a little passion and conviction into your life! Break out the daring red pieces of your wardrobe, and put a little pizzazz into your day. Work with Lilith, and see what she has to teach you about personal power and sexuality. Meditate on Tiw/Tyr and Mars, and see what those ancient warrior gods will show you about new tactics, strategies, and claiming personal victories in your life. Practice conjuring up that astral weapon from the meditation and use it wisely for protection and for courage.

Create a philter for courage and protection or handcraft your own Witch’s jar to remove negativity from your home. See what other Witch crafts you can conjure up with Tuesday’s magick. Create some kitchen magick on this Tuesday by whipping up a spicy stew-add in a few Mars-associated ingredients such as carrots, peppers, and garlic. Empower the stew for success, and then treat yourself and your family to a good, hearty meal. Try working with a little aromatherapy and burn some spicy or coffee-scented candles to increase your energy level.

Check the sky at night, and see if you can find the reddish planet Mars up in the heavens. Not sure where to look? Check an astronomy magazine or search the Web for more information. Become a magickal warrior and move forward in your life with strength, courage, and compassion. Embrace the side of yourself that loves a good challenge and that is passionate and daring! Banish fear, and face your future with strength and conviction. Believe in yourself and in your dreams, work hard, and you will win every time.

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

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The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, December 25th

Christmas Day

Waning Moon

Moon phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Leo

Incense: Ginger

Color: Red

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Correspondences for Tuesday

Tuesday (Tiw’s-day)

Planet: Mars

Colors: Red and Autumn Shades

Crystals: Bloodstone, Ruby, Garnet, Flint, Rhodonite, Iron and Steel

Aroma: Basil, Ginger, Black Pepper, Mars Oil, Dragon’s blood and patchouli

Herb: Basil

The day of Mars. This day could only ever symbolize the sheer power of the god of war! The ideal spells to be cast on this day are that of force, power war and protection.

Dedicated to the powers of the planet Mars, personified as Ares, Tiwaz, Tiw, and Tyr.

Magical aspects: controlled power, energy, and endurance, passion, sex, courage, aggression, and protection.

This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving courage, physical strength, revenge, military honors, surgery, the breaking of negative spells, dynamic energy, matrimony, war, enemies, prison, hunting, politics, contests, protection, victory, and athletics.

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Tuesday is Ruled by Mars

Tuesday is a Mars day, and just like the god of war, this is the time to tap into magicks to call for strength and courage. This day of the week is for rebels and warriors. If you are facing a challenge of any kind, need a boost to your courage, or want to enhance your passions, Tuesday is the day of the week for you. Some suggestions for Tuesday enchantments would include:

*Wearing the fiery colors associated with this day: scarlet, red, black, and orange. Don some of the more daring and bewitching colors of your wardrobe on Tuesdays and turn a few heads

*Carrying a bloodstone in your pocket or wearing garnet-studded jewelry to reinforce your convictions

*Working with protective and fire-associated plants such as the snapdragon, thistle, and holly to boost your shields and bravery

*Burning spicy-scented energy-enhancing candles to add a little magical aromatherapy to your home

*Cooking up a hearty meal featuring carrots, peppers, and garlic (all Mars foods and spices) to empower yourself for victory and success

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The Witches Folk Magick for Tuesday, December 25th – Relieve Tension {Healing Tea}

Ingredients:
Dried Valerian Root

Valerian Root, mentioned previously for insomnia, is also a wonderful tension reliever. You can drink down a glass of Valerian Tea before bedtime, or during extremely stressful situations for relaxation.  To do this, boil approximately 1 cup of water, and remove from the heat. Then add about two teaspoons of dried Valerian Root into the water.  Cover the pot, and let sit for about 15 minutes. Strain the tea, and discard the used herbs.  Sweeten your tea with honey or sugar to your preference.  Again, please note, if you have cats or dogs, please use caution when preparing and drinking this tea, as they both are strongly drawn to the smell of Valerian. You should not let your pets digest this tea. This tea should not be given to babies, toddlers, or children, and should also be avoided by pregnant or nursing women. Valerian Root can also be purchased in pill or capsule form at health or department stores, if you find the taste of the tea intolerable, as it is certainly not pleasant tasting. Valerian was originally the key ingredient used in making Valium, so you can imagine the benefits of Valerian Tea.

–The Spell Book of Wiccan Shadows
Dawn Flowers

Twelve Christmas Traditions With Pagan Origins

Expat Mamasita, Author

Which Modern Christmas Traditions Have Their Origins in Pagan Festivals?
Do you celebrate Pagan Christmas traditions? Your first instinct would probably be to say “No!”, but I think you might be surprised.

Christmas is a time of year that is steeped in traditions, from the actual day itself to the tree we decorate and the presents we place under it.

Even those people who are not overly religious know that Christmas is a Christian festival, so you would think that it would follow that all the modern Christmas traditions developed as part of early Christian celebrations?

Wrong!

There are lots of Pagan customs in Christianity because early Christians adapted their Pagan customs to fit their new Christian beliefs, hiding their original meanings and giving them new ones.

We can thank the Romans and Celts for most of our modern day Christmas traditions.

The festival of Saturnalia, an ancient pagan holiday which honoured the Roman God Saturn, took place every year between the 17th and 24th December. This was basically a week of eating, drinking and giving presents during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice.

Likewise, the Celts celebrated the fact that the winter solstice had arrived and rejoiced at the fact that the nights were once more getting lighter and spring was only just around the corner.

The early Christian church tried very hard to ban Pagan customs and encourage its converts to follow Christ, but the people were not to be convinced. Winter was a dark and depressing time, and they were keen to keep their winter solstice festivities. Eventually the church realised that they were not going to able to ban all festivities, so they provided their followers with an alternative option, a festival which honoured the birth of Jesus Christ and eventually gave us the Pagan Christmas traditions that we celebrate today.

1) Holly Has Pagan Links
In Roman mythology, holly was the sacred plant of the god Saturn, and to honor him at the Saturnalia festival, the Romans gave each other gifts of holly wreaths.

When Christians began to celebrate the birth of Jesus, they risked being persecuted for their new religion, and to avoid detection, they would place holly wreaths in their houses. As far as passers by were concerned they were celebrating Saturnalia, not Christmas.

Gradually, Christian popularity increased, their customs became commonplace, and holly lost its links to Paganism and became a traditional symbol of Christmas.

Over the centuries, holly has become a symbol for peace and joy, and people often settled disputes under a holly tree.

In Germany, a sprig of holly that was used in church decorations is believed to protect homes from lightning, and in England farmers decorated their beehives with holly because they believed that at the first Christmas bees hummed in honor of the baby Jesus.

These beliefs all contributed towards “decking the halls with boughs of holly” being popular at Christmas.

2) Mistletoe Was Used by the Druids
Mistletoe was revered as a sacred plant by the Celts, the Norse, and the North American Native Americans.

Druids believed that mistletoe could protect against thunder and lightning. Priests would use a golden sickle to cut a piece of mistletoe from an oak tree, catching the branches before they reached the ground. The mistletoe would then be cut into small pieces and distributed amongst the people.

Mistletoe was also a recognized as a druidic symbol of joy and peace. If enemies met each other underneath the woodland mistletoe, they were obliged to put down their weapons and form a truce until the following day.

This is where the custom of hanging sprig ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and kissing under it originates from.

3) The Roman God Bacchus Wore Ivy
In Roman times, ivy was the symbol of Bacchus, who was the the god of wine and revelry. He wore it in his crown, and Pagans believed ivy to be a symbol of eternal life.

Because of the pagan connotations surrounding ivy, early Christians did not use ivy to decorate the inside of their churches, preferring to use it as an outdoor decoration.

It also plays an important part in a traditional English Christmas, but is not so popular in the U.S. The popularity of the Christmas hymn “The Holly and the Ivy” has helped ivy to become synonymous with Christmas time.

4) The Roman’s Made Laurel Wreaths
Laurel or bay leaves were popular with the pagan Romans because the leaves were sacred to Apollo, the sun god.

The ancient Romans used decorative wreaths, made from laurel wreaths as a sign of victory, and it is believed that this is where the seasonal hanging of wreaths on doors came from.

In northern Europe, laurel leaves were not commonplace, and instead evergreen branches were gathered and used to decorate houses at Christmas, either as swags or shaped into wreaths.

Probably the most common evergreen used today is the Christmas tree, whose origins are more Victorian than Pagan, but wreaths and swags still play an important part of our decorating, even though they are nowadays often made from artificial materials.

5) The Pagan God Odin
Despite the fact that our modern day image of Father Christmas has largely been shaped by a 1930s Coca-Cola advertising campaign, he most definitely has Pagan roots.

Children all over the world are told that Father Christmas developed from St. Nicholas, but those people that follow Paganism know there is more to the story than that. There was a Pagan god named Odin, often depicted as a chubby old man with a white beard who wore a long flowing cloak.

It is therefore a combination of these two characters, and a liberal sprinkling of Coca Cola advertising that has resulted in who we now call Father Christmas or Santa Claus.

6) The Romans Gave Gifts at Saturnalia
Despite the fact that our modern day image of Father Christmas has largely been shaped by a 1930s Coca-Cola advertising campaign, he most definitely has Pagan roots.

Children all over the world are told that Father Christmas developed from St. Nicholas, but those people that follow Paganism know there is more to the story than that. There was a Pagan god named Odin, often depicted as a chubby old man with a white beard who wore a long flowing cloak.

It is therefore a combination of these two characters, and a liberal sprinkling of Coca Cola advertising that has resulted in who we now call Father Christmas or Santa Claus.

6) The Romans Gave Gifts at Saturnalia
Wassailing is an ancient custom that is not seen very often today.

The word derives from the Anglo-Saxon phrase “waes hael,” which translates as “good health.”

The wassail drink was originally made from mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, spices, and sugar, and was served from large silver bowls, maybe holding as much as ten gallons.

A modern day alternative to this would be mulled wine, red wine, and spices that is served hot.

8) Pagans Loved Green Leaves and Red Berries
Wassailing is an ancient custom that is not seen very often today.

The word derives from the Anglo-Saxon phrase “waes hael,” which translates as “good health.”

The wassail drink was originally made from mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, spices, and sugar, and was served from large silver bowls, maybe holding as much as ten gallons.

A modern day alternative to this would be mulled wine, red wine, and spices that is served hot.

8) Pagans Loved Green Leaves and Red Berries
Wassailing is an ancient custom that is not seen very often today.

The word derives from the Anglo-Saxon phrase “waes hael,” which translates as “good health.”

The wassail drink was originally made from mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, spices, and sugar, and was served from large silver bowls, maybe holding as much as ten gallons.

A modern day alternative to this would be mulled wine, red wine, and spices that is served hot.

8) Pagans Loved Green Leaves and Red Berries
The yule log is a reminder of the times when European pagans would have bonfires at the time of the winter solstice, thereby symbolising the return of the sun with the days starting to get longer again.

The Yule log played a major role in the Yule festivities, with a piece of the previous year’s log being saved to start the fire the following year.

Traditionally, it was considered unlucky to buy a log and instead it was harvested from the householder’s land, or received as a gift.

Once brought into the house and placed ceremoniously in the fireplace it was decorated with greenery, smothered with alcohol, and dusted with flour before being set on fire. The log would then burn all night, before smouldering for twelve days.

Celtic mythology told the stories of the Oak King and Holly King, with the Oak representing the time from the Winter Solstice to Summer Solstice, and the Holly representing the time from the Summer Solstice to Winter Solstice.

Today, yule logs are often represented by a chocolate covered swiss roll cake, sprinkled with icing sugar to represent the flour that was dusted onto the log before burning, and decorated with small plastic sprigs of holly.

11) A Pagan Holiday Adapted to Christianity
This time around the Winter Solstice was celebrated all over Europe, and as nobody was really sure when Jesus was actually born, early Christians altered their existing Pagan festivities to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

In December the sun appears to rise at the same point on the horizon for the three consecutive days beginning on the 22nd and then miraculously on the 25th it appears to move.

Our ancient ancestors watched this and celebrated the fact that the days were now beginnig to get longer and the dark nights shorter.

It is hard for us to understand how important sunlight was to our ancestors, and how it affected their quality of life. Typically people would live and work during daylight hours, so the long and dark winter months must have seemed never ending.

Also, they would have been relying on their store of grains and crops from the previous summer to tide them over until the following year and would be eager to plant new crops and receive some fresh food to eat.

12) Candles Were Used During Saturnalia
Throughout history, candles have been used to ward off darkness and evil.

The first use of candles in December was during the Roman Saturnalia festival, where tall tapers of wax were offered to Saturn as a symbol of his light and also given as a gift to guests.

The Pagans also used candles during their Yule festivities, with candlelight and bonfires being used to welcome the nights beginning to get lighter.

As Christianity became more widespread, candles were put in the front windows of houses in order to guide Jesus as he went from house to house on Christmas Eve.

Published on Holidappy

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Spirit Message of the Moment – A Winter Freeze

THE SEASON OF WINTER

“Winter is the perfect time for reflection, transition, and release. This card is asking you to take a moment to retreat inside to discover a truth about the matter at hand and discover what steps you need to take. Do not move into action at this time. It is time to draw your energies inward for introspection and reflection. Keep any plans or projects you are thinking about on the shelf.

Winter heralds the dying off of that which does not serve you. The leaves of a tree are shed in order to make room for spring’s buds. You, too, need this time to rest and release the old. With this release, you allow the new to bloom when the timing is right.

Incubate your plans, ideas, and energy until it’s the best moment to share them with others. Work with the crone sage aspect of yourself in order to impart wisdom, compassion, and truth. Enjoy a life review. Reflect back on your past to appreciate the lessons you’ve gained this year.”

Today’s guidance is from Doreen Virtue & Melissa Virtue: Angel Dreams: Oracle Cards

Published On SpiritBlogger’s Blog

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Daily Incantations & Enchantments for December 24 & 25

To Be Left Alone

For those days when you just need a little peace and quiet.

Peace and quiet and solitude I need,
To be left alone, I have decreed.
To be a recluse, just for a day
A barrier surrounds me and keeps
others at bay.

–The Power of Positive Witchcraft: Daily Incantations & Enchantments: A Spell a Day for 30 Days
Garden Summerland

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Witch Tip #139 for December 24 & 25

Many Witches believe that turning or stirring things clockwise (Deasil) will bring positivity, luck, and success. Using the counterclockwise (Widdershins) motion, however, can bring chaos and misfortune. These two are often reversed when practicing in the Southern Hemisphere.

–Witch Tips : The Essential Guide to Contemporary Witchcraft
A. Rayne

“Walk barefoot, listen to the wind, drink in the moon…. BE MAGICK”