Day: October 19, 2024

Hereditary Witchcraft c. 2015

Hereditary Witchcraft

A reader says, “I met a woman who tells me she’s a hereditary born witch who has been Wiccan from birth. What in the world does that actually mean?”

Well, it could mean a variety of things, but for me personally, it generally sends up a red flag when someone uses the phrase “born witch” or “Wiccan from birth.” I realize I’ll get some hatey emails over this, but let me explain why I say that.

You’re not born Christian or Muslim or Hindu.

There’s no “Wiccan DNA” that makes any one person more genetically witchy than someone who begins practicing in their fifties. You simply cannot be a Wiccan since birth because Wicca is an orthopraxic religious system that generally involves you doing and believing certain things that make you Wiccan. You can be raised by Wiccans – and many children are – but that doesn’t make you Wiccan from the moment you pop out of the womb, it simply means you were born to Wiccan parents.

That said, certainly, there seem to some people who may be more adept at Witchy Things at some point in their life, but there’s no chromosomal or biological difference in these folks as compared to the general population. You’ll obviously meet people that are psychically gifted, and whose parent or grandparent or child also displays these same traits. But if you operate on the assumption that everyone has some latent psychic ability anyway, it may be that these individuals were encouraged to use their talents while growing up, rather than repressing them like the majority of other people.

You may also encounter people in the Pagan community who claim “born witch” status because of some ancestral link to an individual in the past who was accused of witchcraft. We get regular emails here from people who want to know if Salem ancestry makes them special. It doesn’t (for a variety of reasons).

Also, there are certainly hereditary traditions of witchcraft, but by “hereditary” we don’t mean that the practices are biologically inherited. These are typically small, familial traditions in which beliefs and practices are handed down from one generation to the next, and outsiders are rarely included. PolyAna identifies as a hereditary witch, and her family hails from Appalachia.

She says, “In our family, what we do is more of a folk magic tradition. My son and I and my granddaughter – who is adopted – practice the same folk magic as my mother and grandmother did. We’ve done it as far back as anyone can remember. We follow the Celtic gods, and my Granny was nominally Catholic but brought a belief in the old gods with her from Ireland. She found a way to make it work, and we’ve carried on those traditions.”

PolyAna’s family practices aren’t typical, but there are certainly other hereditary traditions like hers out there – and it’s hard to even estimate how many there are, because the information is generally kept within the family and not shared with the general public. Again, this is a family tradition based on practices and beliefs, rather than any documentable genetic link. For families with an Italian background, Stregheria is sometimes practiced in the United States and other countries.

For many modern Pagans – including those in hereditary family traditions – witchcraft is either a skill set that is developed and honed over years of practice, or it’s a belief system that is seen as a religion that one spends a lifetime working towards. For some people, it’s a combination of the two.

So, after all that – could this person be part of a hereditary familial tradition? Absolutely, she certainly could. But if what she’s claiming is some sort of biological superiority that makes her witchier than everyone else, I’d consider it suspect at best.

Source: Patti Wigington,Paganism/Wicca Expert Article found on & owned by About.com

Spell for Saturday – Two Spells to Get Money that is Owed to You

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANY SPELLS POSTED TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY)

To Make Someone Pay You What They Owe You

Items you need:
-3 needles

– piece of paper
-Honey
-Rose Honey
-a Candle

Write the name of the debtor on a piece of paper. Pierce the paper with the 3 needles. Place it in a glass containing equal parts of the two honeys. Place a green candle on the top of the jar and petition Elegua to help you get your money back.

To influence someone to repay a debt

Candles–Seven green (material gain) candles. You can use votives or tapers, it doesn’t matter but with cats, it may be safer to use the votives. You also need 4 yellow candles (gentle persuasion).
Oil–Jasmine
Herbs–Clove or cinnamon.
Incense-Ginger, jasmine, or allspice
Stones-Hematite and tiger’s eye

Timing to do spell–On the full moon or the waxing moon cycle, which is on the 16th of this month for the full moon.

Day-Saturday (which works out perfect this month.

Advice–be certain the debt is actually owed to you before doing this spell. If you think someone owes you a debt but it is not true, you will find yourself being forced to pay back any debts you owe. The spell also works for people who borrow things and don’t bother to return them.

Spellwork–Light the altar candles (altar candles are candles that represent the god and goddess, you can use two white votives or if you can get a hold of them, one gold and one silver candles each to represent them) and the incense. Inscribe the name of the person or people that owe you the debt on the green candles. Anoint the candles from the wick to the end. Set the green candles in the center of your working space. Set the yellow candles around the green ones, with the stones inside the circle. Light the green candles first, then the others. Say the chant 7 times. Leave the yellow candles to burn out completely. Dispose of the wax afterward. Burn only the 7 green candles each night. If you wish, you can burn new yellow candles each night until the 7 green candles are gone.

Chant–

“What was given in trust shall be freely returned
What was mine shall be mine again.”

Some of the Witchcraft/Magickal Correspondence for Saturday

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANY COROSPONDENCES POSTED TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER)

Saturday Source: modernwellnesswitch.com

Saturdays are best for hard work such as chores around the house, yard or garden work, or work towards other long-term projects and goals. Use this day for any type of cleansing and progress towards discipline practices.

Planet: Saturn

Element: Earth

Tarot Card: Hierophant

Rune: Jera

Colors: Black, Purple

Plants*: Amaranth, Beech, Beet, Belladonna, Buckthorn, Comfrey, Cypress, Datura, Elm, Hemlock, Hemp, Ivy, Kava-Kava, Morning Glory, Mullein, Pansy, Quince, Scullcap, Skunk Cabbage, Slippery Elm, Solomon’s Seal, Tamarind, Wolf’s Bane, Yew

Stones: Sapphire, Yellow Jasper, Orange Aragonite, Petrified Wood, Fossils, Holey Stones, Smokey Quartz, Obsidian, Jet, Black Onyx, Snowflake Obsidian, Black Opal, Lodestone, Zinc

Magical Uses: Banishing, Protection, Control, Order, Self-Discipline, Cleansing, Boundaries

Saturday Source: thewitchandwand.com

Saturday is “Saturn Day”, a day of duty, discipline, wisdom, protection, purification, and banishing.

Metal: Lead

Colors: Black

Gems and Stones: Onyx, Obsidian, Pewter, Hematite, Smoky Quartz, Dark Garnet

Botanicals: Patchouli, Moss, Myrrh, Cypress

Spellwork: Protection, Cleansing, Banishing

20 October 2024 Current Moon Phase and Planetary Positions for the Southern Hemisphere

Source: nineplanets.org

The current moon phase for October 20th, 2024 is the Waning Gibbous phase.

On this day, the moon is 16.92 days old and 91.35% illuminated with a tilt of -64.905°. The approximate distance from Earth to the moon is 364,925.75 km and the moon sign is Gemini.

The Moon phase for October 20th, 2024 is a Waning Gibbous phase. This is the first phase after the Full Moon where the illumination of the moon decreases each day until it reaches 50% (the Last Quarter phase).

The waning (shrinking) gibbous Moon will rise after sunset in the east, transit the meridian after midnight, before setting after sunrise in the west.

During this phase, the illumination of the moon will go down from 99.% to 50.1%. Technically, the phase starts as soon as the Full Moon has passed, but it can be difficult to calculate and differentiate the first stage of a Waning Gibbous Moon from a Full Moon when 98-99% of the Moon’s surface is illuminated.

Fun fact: the word Gibbous was first used in the 14th century and comes from the latin word gibbosus which means humpbacked.

Phase Details

Phase: Waning Gibbous

Moon age: 16.92 days

Moon illumination: 91.35%

Moon tilt: -64.905°

Moon angle: 0.55

Moon distance: 364,925.75 km

Moon sign: Gemini

Source: currentplanetarypositions.com

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

20 October 2024
02:00 am GMT 12:00 PM AEST
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:27 Libra 10
Moon:03 Gemini 35
Mercury:09 Scorpio 51
Venus:02 Sagittarius 45
Mars:24 Cancer 05
Jupiter:21 Gemini 09 Rx
Saturn:13 Pisces 18 Rx
Uranus:26 Taurus 21 Rx
Neptune:27 Pisces 45 Rx
Pluto:29 Capricorn 39

True Lunar Node:06 Aries 31 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:05 Aries 21 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):12 Libra 29

Chiron:20 Aries 58 Rx
Ceres:15 Capricorn 06
Pallas:13 Sagittarius 56
Juno:24 Libra 58
Vesta:26 Virgo 36

Eris:24 Aries 55 Rx

Fire:6
Earth:4
Air:5
Water:4
Cardinal:10
Fixed:2
Mutable:7

Cape Town, South Africa

20 October 2024
10:00 am GMT 12:00 PM SAST
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:27 Libra 30
Moon:08 Gemini 25
Mercury:10 Scorpio 22
Venus:03 Sagittarius 09
Mars:24 Cancer 13
Jupiter:21 Gemini 08 Rx
Saturn:13 Pisces 17 Rx
Uranus:26 Taurus 20 Rx
Neptune:27 Pisces 45 Rx
Pluto:29 Capricorn 40

True Lunar Node:06 Aries 30 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:05 Aries 20 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):12 Libra 31

Chiron:20 Aries 57 Rx
Ceres:15 Capricorn 11
Pallas:14 Sagittarius 03
Juno:25 Libra 05
Vesta:26 Virgo 46

Eris:24 Aries 55 Rx

Fire:6
Earth:4
Air:5
Water:4
Cardinal:10
Fixed:2
Mutable:7

Easter Island, Chile

October 20, 2024
06:00 pm GMT 12:00 PM EAST
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:27 Libra 50
Moon:13 Gemini 12
Mercury:10 Scorpio 53
Venus:03 Sagittarius 33
Mars:24 Cancer 22
Jupiter:21 Gemini 07 Rx
Saturn:13 Pisces 16 Rx
Uranus:26 Taurus 19 Rx
Neptune:27 Pisces 44 Rx
Pluto:29 Capricorn 40

True Lunar Node:06 Aries 29 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:05 Aries 19 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):12 Libra 33

Chiron:20 Aries 56 Rx
Ceres:15 Capricorn 16
Pallas:14 Sagittarius 10
Juno:25 Libra 13
Vesta:26 Virgo 55

Eris:24 Aries 54 Rx

Fire:6
Earth:4
Air:5
Water:4
Cardinal:10
Fixed:2
Mutable:7

October 19, 2024 Current Moon Phase and Planetary Positions for the Northern Hemispheres

Source: nineplanets.org

The current moon phase for October 19th, 2024 is the Waning Gibbous phase.

On this day, the moon is 15.88 days old and 97.06% illuminated with a tilt of -72.569°. The approximate distance from Earth to the moon is 360,490.91 km and the moon sign is Taurus.

The Moon phase for October 19th, 2024 is a Waning Gibbous phase. This is the first phase after the Full Moon where the illumination of the moon decreases each day until it reaches 50% (the Last Quarter phase).

The waning (shrinking) gibbous Moon will rise after sunset in the east, transit the meridian after midnight, before setting after sunrise in the west.

During this phase, the illumination of the moon will go down from 99.% to 50.1%. Technically, the phase starts as soon as the Full Moon has passed, but it can be difficult to calculate and differentiate the first stage of a Waning Gibbous Moon from a Full Moon when 98-99% of the Moon’s surface is illuminated.

Fun fact: the word Gibbous was first used in the 14th century and comes from the latin word gibbosus which means humpbacked.

 Phase Details

Phase: Waning Gibbous

Moon age: 15.88 days

Moon illumination: 97.06%

Moon tilt: -72.569°

Moon angle: 0.55

Moon distance: 360,490.91 km

Moon sign: Taurus

Source: currentplanetarypositions.com

London, England

19 October 2024
11:00 am GMT 12:00 PM BST
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:26 Libra 33
Moon:24 Taurus 25
Mercury:08 Scorpio 54
Venus:01 Sagittarius 59
Mars:23 Cancer 48
Jupiter:21 Gemini 10 Rx
Saturn:13 Pisces 19 Rx
Uranus:26 Taurus 22 Rx
Neptune:27 Pisces 46 Rx
Pluto:29 Capricorn 39

True Lunar Node:06 Aries 33 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:05 Aries 23 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):12 Libra 25

Chiron:21 Aries 00 Rx
Ceres:14 Capricorn 57
Pallas:13 Sagittarius 42
Juno:24 Libra 45
Vesta:26 Virgo 19

Eris:24 Aries 55 Rx

Fire:6
Earth:5
Air:4
Water:4
Cardinal:10
Fixed:3
Mutable:6

Chicago, Illinois

October 19, 2024
05:00 pm GMT 12:00 PM CDT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:26 Libra 48
Moon:28 Taurus 06
Mercury:09 Scorpio 17
Venus:02 Sagittarius 18
Mars:23 Cancer 55
Jupiter:21 Gemini 09 Rx
Saturn:13 Pisces 18 Rx
Uranus:26 Taurus 21 Rx
Neptune:27 Pisces 46 Rx
Pluto:29 Capricorn 39

True Lunar Node:06 Aries 32 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:05 Aries 23 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):12 Libra 26

Chiron:20 Aries 59 Rx
Ceres:15 Capricorn 01
Pallas:13 Sagittarius 48
Juno:24 Libra 50
Vesta:26 Virgo 26

Eris:24 Aries 55 Rx

Fire:6
Earth:5
Air:4
Water:4
Cardinal:10
Fixed:3
Mutable:6

Los Angels, California

October 19, 2024
07:00 pm GMT 12:00 PM PDT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:26 Libra 53
Moon:29 Taurus 19
Mercury:09 Scorpio 24
Venus:02 Sagittarius 24
Mars:23 Cancer 57
Jupiter:21 Gemini 09 Rx
Saturn:13 Pisces 18 Rx
Uranus:26 Taurus 21 Rx
Neptune:27 Pisces 46 Rx
Pluto:29 Capricorn 39

True Lunar Node:06 Aries 32 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:05 Aries 22 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):12 Libra 27

Chiron:20 Aries 59 Rx
Ceres:15 Capricorn 02
Pallas:13 Sagittarius 49
Juno:24 Libra 52
Vesta:26 Virgo 28

Eris:24 Aries 55 Rx

Fire:6
Earth:5
Air:4
Water:4
Cardinal:10
Fixed:3
Mutable:6

October 19, 2024 Daily Horoscopes

Click here to read Georgia Nicols Daily, Weekly and Monthly Horoscopes

Click here for Anyone’s Birthday or Daily or Monthly Horoscopes Source: thehoroscope.co

Moon Alert

Avoid shopping or important decisions from 3 PM to 4:30 PM EDT today (12 noon to 1:30 PM PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Taurus into Gemini.

The Stars Rate Your Day

5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult

Aries (March 21-April 19)

**** Discussions with partners and close friends will be lively today because you have lots of energy! In particular, you might have fresh, new ideas about how to make money or how to use something that you already own in a clever, new way. Oh yes, you’re resourceful!

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

**** Today begins with the Moon in your sign lined up with unpredictable Uranus and dancing with big daddy Pluto. This means you are restless, impulsive and excited about new ideas. Whatever you decide to go after – you will do with great determination! This is why you will get a lot done. “Ten-shun!”

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

*** Today has so many creative possibilities for you! It’s a wonderful day for artists, musicians and writers because you will see new applications for things, or new uses and new ways to express your ideas. Your mind will be free from its usual restrictions, which is why you’re thinking outside of the box.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

*** A friend or a member of a group might surprise you today. You might have an intense discussion with someone. Meanwhile, your focus on home and family continues to be primary. Either way, you’ll get a lot done today because Mars in your sign boosts your energy!

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

*** Stay light on your feet because dealings with parents, bosses and the police are unpredictable today. Things could go either way. But whatever happens, people will be direct and forceful. (Oh yeah.) Family discussions, home repairs and redecorating projects look good.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

*** Travel plans will likely change today. They might be delayed or cancelled; or you might suddenly have to travel when you didn’t expect to do so. Be careful of controversial discussions because they’ll be intense. Meanwhile, enlist the help of others, especially groups, to get things done.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

*** Intense discussions about shared property, taxes, debt and inheritances might take place today. If so, check all details, including banking matters, because something unexpected could impact these areas. Meanwhile, you have moneymaking ideas today! Plus, you might shop for pretty things. (Check Moon Alert above.)

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

*** Discussions with others are intense today. For starters, Mercury is in your sign, which means you have something to say. However, a close friend, partner or spouse might surprise you. (Looks like they have something to say, as well.)

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

*** Today some kind of surprise could impact your job, your health or even your pet. (Be vigilant.) One possibility is that you might learn or discover a way to improve your health – or possibly, improve your job. Whatever the case, keep an open mind.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

**** Parents should be extra vigilant today because this is a potentially accident-prone day for your kids. Therefore, keep your eyes open. Incidentally, this same accident-prone influence will apply to sports. However, this is also a wonderful, creative productive day – so many possibilities!

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

*** Your home routine will be interrupted today. A small appliance might break down or a minor breakage could occur. Someone unexpected could knock on your door. Be smart. Stock the fridge so that you’re ready for anything. Stay focused and be productive.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

*** Pay attention to everything you say and do because this is an accident-prone day for your sign. Having said this, it’s a mentally bright, clever and original day for you because your mind is free-floating. You can see new ways of doing things!

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actor John Lithgow (1945) shares your birthday today. You are naturally curious and you have an excellent memory. You are expressive and convincing. You always charm. This is the beginning of a new nine-year cycle bringing new beginnings, adventure and major changes in your life. Keep alert for new opportunities! Prepare for leadership.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

It seems that today you will have the occasion to hear news from afar and those will leave you with a sense of nostalgia for what’s been and a sense of wanting more in certain other situations.

Make sure you are aware though of the message you are sending and don’t be too conceit in the details you are giving because it will only create trouble.

You can also read this special Aries Daily Horoscope.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Your interests range widely and this is what they will do during this whole day. You are energized by someone’s words or something that you see but it only takes you a few moments or hours before you change your focus.

You crave for something to motivate you but maybe you are not settling over the right things.

You can also read this special Taurus Daily Horoscope.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

The current disposition announces to be beneficial in terms of finances, whether you are receiving money for something you did or you are trying to borrow some.

It also appears that these are going to be casual enterprises, so don’t expect anything too official and they surely can’t get you a stable job if this is what you are searching for.

You can also read this special Gemini Daily Horoscope.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

If you are involved in a serious relationship this weekend is the one to make or break everything. Whether the pressure has amounted or you are just ready to make real changes in your life, you will tend to react as your heart asks you to and not really look at the consequences.

Interesting to see which way you go.

You can also read this special Cancer Daily Horoscope.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

It appears that you should think things through better this Saturday if you don’t want any unpleasant surprises to creep on you.

This might also translate into better care at the promises you are making and the people you are set to spend time with. Don’t succumb to social pressure if all you want is to spend some time on your own.

You can also read this special Leo Daily Horoscope.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

You will have to count your actions better and to put things in order this Saturday, because not only you will be offered enough time to do that but will also make you feel a lot more clear.

You tend to sleep on certain things and prefer to postpone them forever but it seems that this is not the right solution for this day and it’s best that you figure this quickly.

You can also read this special Virgo Daily Horoscope.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

You are trying to make your dreams come true but maybe you are not exactly on the right track with that. It seems that the stars prefer you to be grounded today and want to see real plans from you and actions.

The more you put brick on brick the easier it is going to appear to you. But good luck if you just want to spend time day dreaming.

You can also read this special Libra Daily Horoscope.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

This Saturday might be marked by some business like meetings and maybe the words of investment might be mentioned.

Whether you are thinking about a business or acquiring a certain asset maybe you should take a closer look to whether that is suitable for you or not as you seem more focused on the terms of the agreement that you lose track of this.

You can also read this special Scorpio Daily Horoscope.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Money seems to be in and out of your pocket in the same rhythm this Saturday and by definition this will end up making you feel quite anxious about your own decisions.

This won’t be bad in terms of sending your mind towards revelries and spiritual matters but might create a bit of a whole in your practical budget though.

You can also read this special Sagittarius Daily Horoscope.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

You are going to show exactly how much of a dreamer you are today and exactly how far your ideas can go.

Unfortunately you are in no way planning on putting these into action which is such a shame, given that you might accomplish interesting things with them. Your thoughts are a mixture of innovation and courage coupled with too much caution and wisdom.

You can also read this special Capricorn Daily Horoscope.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Quite a happy day ahead for most natives, even with heaps of productivity for the ones who are willing to put an effort this weekend.

No real challenges or threats in store for the day but this doesn’t necessarily mean you should sleep on it either. The stars might push your mind towards change and innovation so why not follow that.

You can also read this special Aquarius Daily Horoscope.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

This is going to be a dynamic day for those natives who are used to waking up early in the morning as they will tend to make themselves busy with a lot of things and not even feel how quickly the day goes by.

On the other hand, the lazy ones will feel the whole day as if there is no point to start anything as there is not enough time to do it.

You can also read this special Pisces Daily Horoscope.

Merry Meet Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends, Welcome to WOTC! A Thought for Today

Another beautiful day is just starting the weekend!

If you want to see some information on any tradition of witchcraft, please put it in the comment section or email Lady Carla Beltane at ladybeltane@witchesofthecraft.com. I will try to find some information to post about it.

May your and your family’s lives be filled with all things positive!

Blessed be.