The Witches Digest for Monday, December 25th

(Part 4)

Tarot Card of the Day

Four of Swords

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

Psychic Tip of the Day

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

Your Daily Rune for Today

Isa

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

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

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

Energy: stillness, contraction, stasis

Mundane: cold, self-preservation, harsh reality

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

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

Your Animal Spirit Guide for Today

Crack the Cookie

The Wisdom of the Buddha

To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.

Cosmic Weather Forecast for Monday, December 25th

Jane Lyle, Astrologer

The Astrology Room

Monday 25th December: Happy Christmas!

We’re drawn to tales of the past, and the romance of wild places this Christmas.

Venus enters earthy Capricorn today, joining the Sun, Saturn, and Pluto in this dynamic cardinal sign. The Moon is in mystical, musical Pisces. In many ways, it’s a sentimental Yuletide holiday this year with a strong feeling for tradition and ritual.
2018 has much positive potential for quiet achievements and massively important changes in finance and politics. It will be a very tough year for those who resist restructuring and rebuilding – what needs reforming is already obvious, so if we can work with that, then changes can be made more constructively and have lasting value. As ever, we can always hope. Wishing you a very happy, fulfilling 2018!

1st quarter moon is December 25-26

We call this moon a quarter and not a half because it is one quarter of the way around in its orbit of Earth, as measured from one new moon to the next. Also, although a first quarter moon appears half-lit to us, the illuminated portion we see of a first quarter moon truly is just a quarter. We’re now seeing half the moon’s day side, that is. Another lighted quarter of the moon shines just as brightly in the direction opposite Earth!

And what about the term half moon? That’s a beloved term, but not an official one.

A first quarter moon rises at noon and is highest in the sky at sunset. It sets around midnight. First quarter moon comes a week after new moon. Now, as seen from above, the moon in its orbit around Earth is at right angles to a line between the Earth and sun.

A Little Humor for Your Day

A Little Problem with your lawn?

From All The WOTC Staff,

Happy Holidays!

The Witches Digest for Monday, December 25th

(Part 3)

FOR THE WEEK OF MONDAY, DEC 25TH, 2017

• • 

    General Horoscope

    Matters of the heart become tempered with caution and sobriety this week. Venus will edge into Capricorn on Monday, a sign known for insecurity but also major commitment and durability when it comes to love. Venus remains here until February 10, 2018, reminding us of how important it is to take your relationship seriously, to value it and to not take it for granted. We’ll also focus more on the responsibilities that come with partnership, as well as shared burdens rather than carefree, easy breezy romantic bliss. In fact, on the same day Venus moves into Capricorn, she’ll immediately link up to Saturn, the planet of karma and lessons. If a romantic attachment is too weighty, it might crumble under this pressure. But if the commitment and love is durable enough, that pressure will turn your connection into a beautiful diamond. Either way, you’ll be seriously schooled in your love life.

• • 

    Aries Horoscope MAR 21 – APR 19

    Well, hello there you sexy, charismatic thing! Yes, that’s exactly what others will be thinking when you’re around them this week, Aries. You can count on it. Mars, your ruling planet, will make a glamourous link to mystical Neptune on Thursday, casting a spell of absolute movie-star sex appeal all over you. If you’re single, someone with emotional depths might become quite enamored with your vibe. If you’re in a relationship, then this will be a week of literal dream-come-true sexual experiences with your mate. What could be better?

• • 

    Taurus Horoscope APR 20 – MAY 20

    You’ll have a deeper yearning to explore the things that really matter with your sweetheart this week. Venus, your ruling planet, will move into the part of your chart concerned with broad perspectives about areas such as spirituality, philosophy, and morality. You’re serious about making sure that you and your love are on the same page concerning these areas, and that will be strikingly clear on Monday. If there’s a divide between you on core areas you feel you should be in agreement on, then there might be a problem. Alternatively, you and your sweetheart might take on a serious course of study together.

• • 

    Gemini Horoscope MAY 21 – JUN 20

    The erotic connection between you and your partner will come up this week — but not in the way you might think. Although Venus will move into your 8th House of Shared Intimacy on Monday, she will immediately crash into Saturn, the planet of limitation and fear. Saturn just moved into this part of your chart last week, prompting a significant new lesson about facing any fears or insecurities connected to sex and intimacy. The most productive way to use this conjunction between Venus and Saturn would be to open up to your partner about any issue you might be having in this regard. You might be surprised to learn that you had nothing to fear in telling him or her. In fact, it’s a problem that, with conscious effort, can not only be resolved, but can lead to the most fulfilling intimate relationship you ever imagined.

• • 

    Cancer Horoscope JUN 21 – JUL 22

    Mars, the planet of sex and libido, moved into your romance sector on December 9, and is definitely waking you up in that department. Mars will be at a perfect angle to dreamy Neptune on Thursday, making it certain that romantic sexual fantasies are yours for the taking. If you’re not romantically attached, it’s possible that you’ll meet someone with whom you feel an instant physical and spiritual connection. Explore it! If you’re in a relationship, Venus will help smooth over some of the recent shock that Saturn might have put into you and your partner last week when he moved into your commitment sector. Yes, there is still work to do, but with Venus connected to Saturn on Monday, it’s likely that both of you are willing to share the responsibility.

• • 

    Leo Horoscope JUL 23 – AUG 22

    You might have a romantic dilemma this week that’s connected to your work environment. One of your colleagues might let you know that he or she has a crush on you. Although you’ll be flattered, you’ll be even more conflicted about what to do next. Are you violating office policy in any way? Will there be water cooler gossip? Is this person going to be able to handle it if you go out once or twice and then it fizzles out? So many questions, Leo. Because of this, you’re likely to do absolutely nothing. As a result, you may lose out on an opportunity for real love. Weigh the pros and cons but don’t get lost in them.

• • 

    Virgo Horoscope AUG 23 – SEP 22

    Your love life became a vital karmic focus for you last week when Saturn moved into your romance sector for the first time in nearly 29 years. Lessons in love will leave an imprint on your heart for years to come as a result of what Saturn will teach you from now through December 2020. Love planet Venus moves into the same area of your chart on Monday, immediately connecting to Saturn. If you’re single, it’s very possible that you’ll meet someone with whom you have a past life love connection to. You’ll know it because you will feel immediately at ease with this person, as if you’ve known and loved each other before. You have, and now you’ll have an opportunity to get it right.

• • 

    Libra Horoscope SEP 23 – OCT 22

    If you’ve been dating someone for a while, you and your love will make a vital decision this week: moving in together. You won’t reach it lightly, though, and there will be many strategy sessions where you’ll want to plan everything about this transition. This includes whether or not you’ll get a place of your own, move to your sweetheart’s place, or have him or her live with you. Don’t allow the planning to stress you out too much. Remember to celebrate this very important milestone in your partnership. Already living with your love? Then this week will be more about the loving distribution of chores around your home than hot passionate romance. It is what it is.

• • 

    Scorpio Horoscope OCT 23 – NOV 21

    Oh, Scorpio, we all know how deeply intense you are and how your mind can go the most extreme depths when it comes to love and sex. You’re in overdrive in this department this week, but it won’t get you into any dark trouble. In fact, it appears as if you’re in for a sexual and romantic reward. On Thursday, Mars, currently in your sign, will link up beautifully to enchanting Neptune, which is now in your true love sector. This can help you make a sexual fantasy a reality with your lover if you’re attached. If you’re single, it can bring a new dream lover your way. Enjoy!

• • 

    Sagittarius Horoscope NOV 22 – DEC 21

    There aren’t any grand bells and whistles going off in your love life this week, but if you’re in a relationship, you might feel extra support from your partner as you develop your talents and make a serious attempt to improve your cash flow. Another possibility, however, is that you are wondering if someone you’re dating is really into you, or if they’re using you for money or other resources that you can provide him or her. You’ll become keenly aware that this is a possibility based on the actions of your sweetheart this week. If any red flag does surface, you won’t be able to ignore it.

• • 

    Capricorn Horoscope DEC 22 – JAN 19

    Although Saturn recently moved into your sign prompting you to get serious about life in all possible ways, this week it’s going to focus decidedly on your love life. That’s because Venus will also move into your sign on Monday, the same day it aligns perfectly to Saturn. If you’re single, this might bring in a significant new soul mate relationship, and you’ll be doing a delicate dance with this person for quite some time. If you’re in a relationship, this connection might leave you feeling ready for the most serious commitment possible together: marriage.

• • 

    Aquarius Horoscope JAN 20 – FEB 18

    If your sweetheart is going through any health crisis, you’ll be there to fully support him or her. This might involve a short hospital stay or procedure, but it will also result in healing. So don’t waver in your optimism — even if you begin to feel a little insecure. If you’re single, it’s possible that you’ll be speaking to a counselor or trusted friend about what has been holding you back from fully loving someone. Much to your surprise, a new soulmate is likely waiting for you in the wings. Open your eyes so you can see the potential.

• 

  Pisces Horoscope FEB 19 – MAR 20

  You might feel extremely frustrated and torn this week about whether or not to pursue a romantic relationship with someone in your social circle. It’s complicated, and you’ll weigh the pros and cons incessantly only to wind up doing nothing at all. Another possibility is that you are currently in a “friends with benefits” situation and will begin to realize that it’s not fulfilling your heart one bit. In fact, having a casual lover situation is leaving you feeling more lonely and isolated than ever. You crave something more, something with depth. Have the courage to look for it.

   

Tarot.com is Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

Daring Dating Horoscopes for the Week of December 25th

David Wells, Astrologer

From the Astrology Room

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)

Time to get serious about a lot of things and nobody is talking turkey, well maybe a bit. Venus suggests you have a few love matters that need outing, showing up for or finally admitting to. Who is it you’re passionate about, what’s not working in a new romance? Get serious or get stuffed?

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)

Ambitious vibes could be tempting you to punch a little above your weight, to go for that ten when you’re a six at most? Hang on? Who’s telling you that? Who’s the ruler of ratings and compatibility? Nothing, nobody, is out of your reach, in fact if someone feels as if they are; that’s who Venus wants for you.
GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)

It’s never an easy time if you’re on your own, but you’re not on your own Gemini? You have friends, family and maybe a cat, so what’s the issue? Ah, the old someone special myth. Don’t tell your family and friends they’re not special, definitely keep it secret from the cat. A slow few weeks; so what.
CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)

Hubbalicious, loveadelic, cuddletopia, go on, make up a few more stupid words if you like, but you won’t be making up the feels that have you wishing there was some way of letting folks know how someone lights up your heart. Scrumpshalistic vibes a-plenty.
LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)

Mercury continues to offer you the gift of the gab, the wonderful ability to turn buying a coffee into the biggest flirt of your life. Handy. Uranus goes forward from the 2nd of January, a combination that says at last your flirting begins to pay off. Get that coffee to go.
VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)

Single Virgo’s are experiencing a bit of a renaissance, suddenly you’re in vogue, suddenly everyone wants to know what goes on behind your kagool. They will have to form a queue, an orderly one at that, you won’t be forced into making a choice without first checking everyone’s credentials. At least twice. Busy.
LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)

Things may have been changeable, not going the way you wanted them to, but you’re ok with that, at least it’s not been dull! So now you get a little more stability, not much to be honest, but you do at least get to see who is interested and who was only here for the cheer.
SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)

Don’t make yourself to available for those who would like to get you under the mistletoe, in fact stay in at least one night and let them spend the night trying to figure out just where you are who you’re with. Especially someone you really, really like. Worst advice ever. Follow your heart, not your mate’s advice.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)

Mercury in your sign is chatty and usually that’s a good thing, encouraging you to flirt, to say hello to folks who are just your type. But, he’s gone into overdrive, he’s gone a bit off grid and you’re talking to folks who are as far from your type as you can get. Good.
CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)

Venus is in your sign, what more do you need to know? Sure, there are other things going on that are demanding your time, gift wrapping and traditions to uphold, but what about giving Venus a present by being present with someone who clearly wants to get to know you better? Focus Capricorn.
AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)

Until you let go of old energy nothing changes, nothing new can get through the old. You’re asked to make like Elsa and let it go, not altogether difficult for you Aquarius given your coolness. Or is that a myth? Are you anything but cool over and ex? Find a way to release the old and welcome the new.
PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)

Jupiter and Mars are beaming in extra energy, they’re combining their forces and putting some optimistic, fun loving vibes your way. Venus and her mates are all pushing for a new group, a new tribe, new faces to tempt you. All you have to do is show up.

Your General Horoscopes for the Week of December 25th

Claire Petulengro, Astrologer

From The Astrology Room

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)

You enter this Christmas week on a high, as you discover how much a certain sign really thinks of you. You’ll have no reason not to enjoy this festive month better than ever before. Buy an extra gift. You’re going to need it when you see who’s turning up. Talks you have socially about your career show you a new opening you had not previously noticed.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)

Confrontations you have been dreading can and will actually turn out to be a good thing. You realise that you were in control all along, even though you thought you weren’t. Those involved were just waiting for the chance to show you this fact. Christmas Eve promises to put you in the path of someone you’ve really missed.

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)

If close ones are asking you for promises and commitments you don’t really want, then talk to them Gemini. You have spent far too long in recent weeks and months worrying about things, but not actually doing anything about them. Freedom is yours if you ask for it. You’ve just forgotten how to take control.,

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)

Stop worrying about what has happened in the past and instead take control over what is going on in the here and now. Try to sit down and do your sums before Christmas day, as offers will be coming your way you’re going to want to take, but you are going to need to know your financial status to accept them.

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)

You are so much stronger than you think Leo. This festive week will prove this fact as you begin to take the lead in areas of your life you usually give others control in. Your ruling planet the Sun, helps you to get back on track over Christmas with those you have grown distant from. Phone calls bring you an apology boxing day.

VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)

You don’t mean to offend those you love, but if someone buys you a gift you don’t really want, then your disapproval is likely to be written all over your face. Try to deal with what is really on your mind before Monday, so you can make this Christmas one worth really celebrating.

LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)

There is a really naughty feel to your chart, which could see you doing the opposite of what people ask just to make a statement. Know how far is too far to go my friend, or you will only end up undoing all of the repair work you did in November. I know you miss someone who is not around and this seems to be the source of your behaviour.

SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)

Problems which you think have got the better of you this Christmas are actually nothing more than a storm in a teacup. You finally start to focus on having fun from Sunday. You realise that others can’t control your decisions and actions this week, but you can and you will. Last minute changes to Christmas day bring relief and pleasure.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)

The hard times you went through in recent months have only served to make you stronger Sagittarius. You use this Christmas to show thanks and to feel grateful for all that is now going right with your life. Don’t be afraid to say no to those who invite you out if you don’t want to spend time with them. This is your week to relax and not just for others to enjoy.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)

You gave so much loyalty to those who gave you nothing but disrespect in return. It has taken you a long time to make sense of what happened over the last three months, but I know and you will soon, that you have come out of everything a better person. You’re emotionally richer and decisions you make Christmas and Boxing Day prove this.

AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)

You want to back out of something you committed to, but you are not quite sure how to do so, are you Aquarius. Luckily for you, those involved have already picked up on your feelings and will be making such decisions easy for you. The need to tell others’ secrets on Boxing day must be resisted.

PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)

Advice you both give and take in the week ahead can help you to shape your life so it is more suited to your needs. It may be Christmas week, but you still seem to have your professional head on and you will be taking steps to shape your career ideas ready for the New Year. A delay on a legal dealing is actually a blessing.

Your Daily Horoscopes for Monday, December 25th

Claire Petulengro, Astrologer

From The Astrology Room

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)
Happy Christmas my friend! I know you enjoy this time of year, but I also know it sends thoughts of your past flooding back to you. Remember please that you are here to make fresh memories. Unbreakable ties will be made if you do.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)
Well, you’ve finally made it to Christmas day! For a while, you weren’t sure if plans could come to fruition, or if you could trust in the promises, but you could and you did.

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)
There is a lot for you to learn this Christmas about how others think and if they can commit to what you want and need in the year ahead. What you need to know from the stars is fate will ensure decisions are for the best.

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)
I think you have done so well this year. You’ve spent so much time listening to others needs and trying to accommodate their plans and ideas. Today you get thanks for this emotionally and verbally.

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)
Someone is on your mind more than they should be this Christmas. This tells me that you have unfinished business with them and it should tell you that you do care, even though you say and think you don’t.

VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)
All of the hard work you have done in trying to make this Christmas day a good one, can and will pay off if only you will finally relax. Knowing who you need to give space to is important. Listen to your instincts.

LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)
Are you as good at lying as you think this Christmas? I don’t think so! Why not come clean and admit what you really desire. Let’s face it, it’s the only way you’ll stand a chance of getting what and who you want.

SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)
A sense of humour will serve you well this Christmas Day as some of the signs decide to do what they want when they want, no matter what arrangements they have committed to. Continue with your own plans. Better company awaits.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)
Trust yourself this Christmas day. You really do know more than you think Sagittarius. Spending time with those who have been through major changes helps you see what dramatic changes we can make once our heart commits.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)
Be patient. Those you will be seeing may be slightly slower to come round to your plans than you had hoped this Christmas day. Timings may be off, but good times will be had if you can all allow each other to be who you are. Ring for a glimpse at your new year.

AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)
You’ve worked hard and although you may not have had the thanks you hoped for, your efforts will have been noted. Taking time out today to remember someone from your past will help you realise what their advice to you would be now.

PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)
Today you think of those who are no longer with you, but you also focus on those who have just entered your life. I hope you realise that others would approve if you are happy. Are you Pisces? Honest answers come from the stars today.

If You Were Born Today, December 25

You are a highly intuitive yet grounded and earthy person. You hear the unspoken and see the unseen with your very strong powers of perception, yet you tend to prefer to remain quiet much of the time. You do have a knowing look that can intimidate some and appeal to most. You are fair-minded and essentially a peacemaker, although you have tremendous backbone that you can call upon when needed. Famous people born today: Humphrey Bogart, Sissy Spacek, Annie Lennox, Anwar Sadat, Jimmy Buffett, Barbara Mandrell, Clara Barton.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

The Sun in a waxing sextile to the Moon in your Solar Return chart has a fortunate influence on your year ahead. You can be especially productive this year, as in many ways you are starting fresh, but you have a rather clear vision of what you want to accomplish. Your inner needs tend to be mirrored by external events, and vice versa, which helps to boost your confidence and happiness levels. You more readily accept that challenges are part of the natural cycle in life, which in turn helps you to meet them with confidence and to worry less. You are likely to be on top of your game this year for the most part, and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. A comfortable level of personal popularity helps keep conflict to a minimum. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there will be less stress on both your mind and body.

Saturn transits your Sun this year, and this is stabilizing. You are practical in your choices (for the most part), keeping your feet on the ground and honoring tradition as well as tried-and-true methods. You have the power of practicality, realism, and caution on your side. Work you have done in the past begins to pay off this year–not necessarily in dramatic ways, but in small, measurable ways. You may be recognized or rewarded in some way for the efforts you put forth. Because you project a more responsible and credible “you,” people in authority are more inclined to appreciate you and recognize your work.

This is a year in which you put your life in order in some significant manner. Improved concentration, a more realistic outlook, and a practical awareness of the limits of time all help you to make steady progress, particularly in your career. Your concern for your future this year is stronger than usual, and you may find that projects you start, or investments you make, will benefit you for years to come. One of the keys to success this year is adopting a realistic, practical, disciplined, and orderly approach to your life.

The need to “get serious” about areas of your life where you’ve been slacking is likely now as Saturn passes over your Sun this year. New responsibilities are likely to present themselves this year, or you are likely to take them more seriously. Gone are the “rose-colored glasses.” You are required to put in the effort to clean up areas of your life that need some order. With your ability to accurately assess your life, you can make real headway. The kind of progress you make now may not seem significant for the time being, but you will look back on this period of your life as one in which you truly made REAL progress towards your goals.

Relationships may be stabilized and steady this year, or there can be a new sense of realism in existing partnerships. A sense of duty may lead you to sacrifice a personal pleasure for a cause or for a loved one; thus there could be times when you have to abstain from personal gratification for the time being. Financial discipline, realism, and maturity are possible during this period of your life. You are more conservative when it comes to spending, whether this is because circumstances are such that you need to penny pinch, or you are simply more realistic about your finances.

However, you’re also in a great position to creatively combine traditional and progressive approaches to relationships this year. For example, relationships that are on-off may stabilize or alternative setups can thrive. This is also the case in other key areas of your life, including career and finances.

Renewed ties to old friends are possible, or you could enjoy a new sense of responsibility in existing friendships.

Err on the side of caution if offers arrive that seem too good to be true. Some confusion or possibly deception could arise in communications this year, and you may be skipping important details without even realizing it.

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

While there is certainly a practical focus in the year ahead, this is a strong year for spirituality and commitment to spiritual or metaphysical goals as well. Higher learning, mind expansion, or travel can also be in focus and very rewarding.

You’re in a good position for social meetings and events. You have a taste for the offbeat this year, and there may be sudden or unexpected romance in your life.

Making connections with others from a different background is likely to figure in the year ahead, or widening your mind through unusual or different experiences can be part of the picture. Generosity and compassion increase and your faith is boosted. You more easily make personal sacrifices for what you believe to be the better good.

This is a powerful year for getting your life in order in a significant way. It’s also strong for new ideas and projects. You’re in good shape for staying on track and meeting your responsibilities, but also for tuning into new and progressive ideas and balancing your time between work and play. This is also a great period for a more mature approach to finances or relationships.

2017 is a Number Two year for you. Ruled by the Moon. This is a year of potential companionship. It is a quiet, gentle, and mostly harmonious year that is generally not as active than other years. Instead, you are more responsive to the needs of others. If you are patient and open yourself up in a gentle manner, you will attract what–and who–you want into your life now. This is an excellent year in which to build and develop for the future. Advice – be patient, be receptive, enjoy the peace, collect, develop, build, and attract.

2018 will be a Number Three year for you. Ruled by Jupiter. This is a year of sociability. It is a friendly time when you find it natural and easy to enjoy life and other people. The focus is on personal freedom, reaching out to others, making new friends, and exploration. You are more enthusiastic and ready for adventure than you are in other years. It’s likely to be a rather lighthearted year when opportunities for “play” time are greater than usual. It’s also a favorable year for expressing your creativity. Advice – reach out and connect but avoid scattering your energies.

Get A Jump On Tomorrow…..

Your Daily Horoscopes for Tuesday, December 26th

Claire Petulengro, Astrologer

From The Astrology Room

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)
I know family have been hard for you to handle of late, but you need to know that you’ve done a really good job of making the most out of some big changes. You’ll see this by what surprise offers are made tonight. .

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)
The reward of a thing done well is to have done it. You see this by the pleasure you feel in the little everyday things you do today. Look out for a new admirer who is linked to your past.

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)
A chapter has closed. Now you can make the decision to control things differently. You can focus on what’s wrong with your life, or you can focus on what’s right.

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)
You hold the power of persuasion today so use it well. In fact, it can help you make out for the missed time the run up to Christmas saw you experience.

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)
This festive season makes it possible for you to catch up with faces you have not seen in an age. The good news is they hold the power to bring exciting travel your way by offers they make today. Ring now to see what else your future holds.

VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)
You seem to have been running into a bit of trouble here and there haven’t you Virgo. The lucky thing about the current line up though, is that you can and will talk your way out of anything. Know how far is too far to go please.

LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)
Saturn gives you the gift of the gab and if anyone is experiencing any problems this boxing day, then you will be the sign they turn to in order to mend broken bridges.

SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)
The planets line up to bring out your naughty side and if someone tells you not to do something, then chances are you will be trying your best to do it anyway. Geminis link to a surprise announcement coming.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)
Travel plans are strong and even though they may not be immediate you will be getting news that you are set for some exciting travel. Life cannot stay the same as it was and why should it. You’re about to start living again!

CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)
Every day in every way, you are getting better and better. Someone you thought was not on your side in family issues is about to prove otherwise. Make sure you dress well. There’s someone you’re going to want to look nice for.
AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)
Never leave it to anyone else to decide what you’re all about. If you can stand tall for what you believe in, then others will back you. Trying to bend in ways you aren’t meant to is not an option.

PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)
Be careful with your phone this Boxing day. I don’t want people to read texts or words that you don’t want them to see. You’re keeping a secret but bear in mind it will eventually be better out than in.

By Stephanie Dempsey

Winter, Love, Horoscopes, Astrology

This winter invites us to get cozy, cuddle up, and reconnect. Two short days before Winter Solstice on December 21, serious Saturn enters structured Capricorn. Even the most independent among us may feel a strong desire to form lasting romantic bonds this season.

For single people, finding a soul mate could become more important than playing the field. Attached couples may grow closer, feeling a renewed determination to build a happy, healthy life together.

Two eclipses will inject magic into this winter season. The first occurs on January 31, when a Lunar Eclipse in Leo invites us to either make up or break up. Many couples will decide to take casual relationships to the next level. Unhappy alliances will go by the wayside, making room for the passion and excitement of true love. On February 15, the Solar Eclipse in Aquarius helps us to radiate love outward to the entire world. Treating strangers with the same kind of care and consideration as our loved ones may be the greatest gift this winter brings.

The stars are poised to bring love, romance, and affection to everyone this season. Our only job is to receive these blessings with joy and gratitude. To discover how your sign will be specifically blessed, read on..

Aries Horoscope (March 21 – April 19)

Ambitious Saturn moves into your career sector on December 19, shortly before the Winter Solstice. While achieving new professional heights will become increasingly important, you shouldn’t neglect your personal life during your climb to the top.

If you’re looking for love, you could find it at a glamorous party on or around January 16 when the New Moon in Capricorn helps you make a fabulous entrance. All eyes will be on you during this magical day. If you’re in a relationship, you’ll be very proud of your partner’s appearance; the two of you can establish your reputation as a power couple at this event.

The Lunar Eclipse on January 31 may mark a turning point in your relationship. Getting engaged or married is a distinct possibility. Alluring Venus enters your sign on March 6, helping you to turn heads wherever you go as winter melts into spring.

Taurus Horoscope (April 20 – May 20)

Winter can be a season of tremendous personal accomplishment for you. Determined Saturn moves into your higher education sector on December 19, right before the Winter Solstice. Earning an advanced degree, landing a teaching job at an impressive learning institution, or publishing a book are among the possibilities.

Your willingness to expand your horizons could put you on the path to romance. Venus, your ruling planet, enters accomplished Capricorn on December 25, making you attractive to those who admire your impressive creative talent. Do you already have a partner? Your other half may give you a beautiful token of their esteem over the holidays, drawing you closer together than ever before.

Expansive Jupiter goes retrograde in your partnership sector on March 8, inviting attached couples to return to the early days of courtship. If you’re single, a lost love could make their way back into your life, ending winter happily.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – June 20)

This winter invites you to get serious about your love life. The action begins a few days before the Winter Solstice, when dedicated Saturn moves into your intimacy sector on December 19. Instead of looking to hook up, you might give serious thought to settling down. Are you in a relationship? Things that once irritated you about your partner may become endearing. By the time Venus enters sensual Capricorn on December 25, it may be impossible to keep your hands off each other.

If you’re looking for love, you could find it on January 16, when the New Moon in Capricorn may cause you to cross paths with an accomplished individual. You’ll admit their dry wit, style, and old-world manners, while they’ll appreciate your humorous repartee.

On January 26, passionate Mars enters your partnership sector, making it easy to go after who you want. Be crystal clear about your desires this winter.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – July 22)

Your love life will assume an increasing importance this winter, when dedicated Saturn moves into your partnership sector on December 19, a few days before Winter Solstice. If you have a partner, you could grow closer than ever, serving as each other’s support system. Are you single? You could meet your soul mate, possibly through a professional organization or work-related event.

A Full Moon in your sign on January 1 kicks off 2018 in a romantic way, showing off your tender heart, goofy sense of humor, and fabulous creativity in an incredible way. If you don’t have a partner, you could find one at a cultural, religious, or artistic event. Are you dating someone special? The New Moon in Capricorn on January 16 is perfect for getting engaged or married.

February 15 could mark an exciting turning point in an intimate relationship. That’s when the Solar Eclipse allows you to express heartfelt desires to your partner.

Leo Horoscope (July 23 – Aug. 22)

This winter beckons you to make some big changes to your personal life, starting with your health. Strict Saturn moves into your health sector on December 19, a few days before the Winter Solstice. Nourishing food, a regular exercise routine, and plenty of sleep will make you look and feel terrific, helping you attract the love you desire.

Pay special attention to the days surrounding January 31, when a Lunar Eclipse in your sign allows you to break a habit that no longer serves you. If you’re in a relationship, the desire for your partner could come soaring back. Are you single? You might be inspired to court an adventurous love interest who makes you laugh.

The Solar Eclipse on February 15 is the romantic highlight of the season. Getting engaged or married is a distinct possibility. Do you have a partner? The two of you could enjoy an unusual trip together.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

This winter, serious Saturn begins its journey through your romance sector. If you’re single, you may become much more discerning about your love life, choosing only to spend your time with people who truly excite you. Do you have a partner? You might decide to spend more quality time on your relationship, rather than pouring all your energy into work.

The New Moon in Capricorn on January 16 could prompt you to embark on a romance with an accomplished person who is tasteful, gracious, and attractive. On February 18, the Sun moves into your partnership sector, turning you into a virtual love magnet.

The romantic trend continues through the following month, when a Full Moon in your sign illuminates your finest qualities on March 1. An admirer should be very attentive on this magical day. Getting engaged or married is a distinct possibility on March 17, when the New Moon in Pisces energizes your partnership sector.

Libra Horoscope (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

Establishing a happy home life may be your first order of business this winter, when secure Saturn moves into your domestic sector on December 19, shortly before Winter Solstice. If you’re in a relationship, you and your partner may put a down payment on your dream home near December 25, when gracious Venus helps you find a place you both adore.

If you’re looking for love, you could fall head over heels for someone who is unlike anyone you’ve ever dated before on February 15. That’s when a Solar Eclipse electrifies your romance sector. Anyone who has a partner might feel like they’re enjoying a second honeymoon on this day of exciting surprises.

Alluring Venus moves into your partnership sector on March 6, drawing you close to someone who seems to complete you. Obey an impulse to do something special for the object of your affection on this day.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

This winter finds you adopting a serious outlook due to somber Saturn’s move into your communication sector on December 19, shortly before Winter Solstice. Instead of joking around with potential love interests, you’ll seek to make a meaningful connection with someone special. If you already have a partner, look to them to remind you of the sunny side of life.

The Full Moon in Cancer on January 1 could find you returning from a romantic trip that gives you a new lease on life. A conjunction between passionate Mars and expansive Jupiter on January 6 may prompt you to win someone’s heart or heat up your love life. Let yourself be guided by your sensual side on this powerful day.

Loving Venus moves into your romance sector from February 10 through March 6, prompting you to spend lots of time with a tender-hearted person who brings out your protective side.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

This winter invites you to get serious about what and whom you prize. Dedicated Saturn moves into your values sectors on December 19, just two days before the Winter Solstice. Instead of treating love as a game, you’ll begin viewing it as a building block to happiness.

Embarking on a relationship with someone who shares your principles will be gratifying, not confining. If you already have a partner, it’s time to come together and discuss your mutual goals. Working toward a dream together will strengthen your bond as the season continues.

Astonishing Uranus will move direct in your romance sector on January 2, creating exciting surprises in your love life. You might completely fall for someone you just met or find a renewed passion for your partner. Alluring Venus moves into your romance sector on March 6, turning you into a virtual love magnet.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Your life will undergo a big change this winter when Saturn, your ruling planet, moves into your image sector on December 19, just before the Winter Solstice. It will be easy to command respect this season, attracting romantic prospects who admire your accomplishments. If you’re looking for love, you could find it with someone who shares your interest in building a prosperous life together. Do you already have a partner? You’ll rededicate yourselves to realizing your mutual dreams.

On January 1, the Full Moon in Cancer could find you returning from a wonderfully romantic trip. Visiting a beautiful seaside resort will have either put you on the path of love or reignite your passion for your soul mate.

A New Moon in your sign on January 16 is perfect for undergoing a makeover that will attract admiring glances wherever you go. Because of your new look, your popularity could soar during the remaining weeks of winter.

Aquarius Horoscope (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Instead of putting so much emphasis on your social life, you may decide to embark on an intimate relationship with someone who understands you. If you already have a partner, you and your other half may decide to adopt a lower profile from now until spring, spending quiet evenings at home instead of making the round of parties.

Between January 17 and February 10, attractive Venus will tour your image house, luring admirers like a flower draws bees. On January 31, a Lunar Eclipse in Leo may prompt you to end a relationship that no longer works. Alternately, it could be the catalyst to take a romance to the next level by getting engaged or married.

The Solar Eclipse on February 15 gives you an added dose of charisma, allowing you to win the heart of anyone you desire.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb. 19 – March 20)

Ambitious Saturn enters your friendship sector on December 19, a short time before the Winter Solstice. Your social circle could be a great source of comfort and strength this season. If you’ve been thinking about steering a platonic relationship into romantic waters, follow this instinct. Do you have a partner? You’ll come together to realize a lofty dream you’ve had for a long time.

On January 1, the Full Moon in Cancer could find you getting engaged or married. Taking a romance to the next level will make you feel like you’re walking on air. Enticing Venus moves through your sign from February 10 through March 6, allowing you to twist a love interest around your little finger.

A New Moon rises in your sign on March 17, emphasizing all your strengths and downplaying your faults. If you’re looking for love, you’ll easily find it with someone who admires your creative work.

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

By Sabra Ricci

Winter Solstice, Winter, Videos, Holidays, Astrology

The Sun moved into Capricorn on December 21, which also marks the Winter Solstice — the shortest day/longest night of the year, and a night when we’re most certainly hungrier than usual. Good thing we’ve got some Astrology-inspired foods just perfect for this time of year!

Celebrations to honor Gods and Goddesses have been held since ancient times, and still continue today in one form or another in Japan, China, India, Pakistan, and countless other places. It is also during this time that High Holy days for many of the world’s religions are celebrated, including Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrian and Islam.

Another festival, Saturnalia, in honor of Saturn, originated in Greece and became highly popular in the Roman Empire. The weeklong celebration culminated on December 23, after the Sun had moved into Capricorn. This is significant and a fortuitous time as Saturn is the ruler of Capricorn. Saturn may just be responsible for the original Winter Solstice festivities.

Some believe the Winter Solstice to be the “dark night of the soul.” On this longest night, the ancients thought the veil between the worlds was the thinnest. If the night was spent in meditation and reflection, one could gain insight to their past, present and future. This tradition and philosophy is still practiced by many cultures throughout the world.

Capricorn rules the bones and the entire skeletal system. The foods chosen for the Sun’s reign in Capricorn help strengthen and protect bones from calcium loss in all zodiac signs, but especially Goats. Any sign will benefit from eating the chosen foods, and can delight in including these scrumptious foods in any celebration during this emphasis on Capricorn and Saturn.

Beef (prime rib)

Beef is high in vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorous and zinc, all of which help maintain bone density, making it beneficial for Capricorn natives and all other zodiac signs, as everyone is in need of healthy bones. Beyond the health benefits, a beautifully cooked prime rib is the perfect entree to serve to friends and family when celebrating the season.

Satsuma Tangerines

These sweet, juicy citrus gems are loaded with vitamins A, C and potassium, all good for the bones and immune system. If you find a bright orange Satsuma in your Christmas stocking, don’t think Santa is being chintzy. Not only will it be delicious and excellent for you, it is a gift of good fortune in many cultures.

Black-eyed peas

These peas, or beans as some call them, are very high in zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, with trace amounts of B vitamins and vitamin C, making them just what the doctor ordered to keep your bones healthy and strong. They have long been considered lucky to eat on New Year’s Eve, a theory dating back to ancient Babylonia. All signs wanting a prosperous year ahead should fix a big pot of these healthy legumes.

Collard Greens

These dark greens are rich in vitamins A, C, K, manganese, calcium and trace amounts of B vitamins. They look like folded greenbacks, which is the reason they are considered lucky! It is said if you want to ensure a wealthy and successful year, eat lots of these tasty greens. Have a big dish with your black-eyed peas for double the luck and double the boost to your bones!

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

The Witches Digest for Monday, December 25th

(Part 4)

Special Holidays

We’re thinking of you this time of year,
Wishing you happiness, joy, and cheer.
May all your days be warm and bright,
And your nights enhanced by holiday light.

Enjoy your delectable holiday foods,
As parties and gifts create holiday moods.
Favorite people play a meaningful part,
While treasured rituals warm your heart.

You are special to us in many ways,
So we wish you Happy Holidays!

By Joanna Fuchs
Published on Poem Source

Your Daily Sun & Moon Information for Monday, December 25th

The Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 91.91° E
Sun Altitude: -38.57°
Sun Distance: 91.425 million mi
Next Equinox: Mar 20, 2018 11:15 am (Vernal)
Sunrise Today: 7:06 am↑ 119° Southeast
Sunset Today: 4:43 pm↑ 241° Southwest
Length of Daylight: 9 hours, 37 minutes

The Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 323.01° NW
Moon Altitude: -53.88°
Moon Distance: 242932 mi
Next Full Moon: Jan 1, 20188:24 pm
Next New Moon: Jan 16, 20188:17 pm
Next Moonrise: Today11:43 am
Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 40.1%

The Lunar Calendar
Moon Phase Tonight: Waxing Crescent
First Quarter: Dec 26, 2017 at 3:20 am
(Next Phase)
New Moon: Dec 18, 2017 at 12:30 am
(Previous Phase)

Source

timeandate.com

The Astrology for Monday, December 25th

The Moon is in Pisces until 7:26 PM, after which the Moon is in Aries.
The Moon is void from 12:25 AM to 7:26 PM.
The Moon is waxing and in its Waxing Crescent phase.
The New Moon occurred on the 18th in the sign of Sagittarius, and the First Quarter Moon will occur tomorrow.
Mercury is in its post-retrograde shadow until January 10, 2018.
Venus enters Capricorn today (Venus transits Capricorn December 25, 2017, to January 17, 2018).

Moon in Pisces

The Moon is traveling through Pisces today. You may feel disconnected. Serve others. Listen to music. Paint a picture. Daydream.

We are not inclined to want to face reality while the Moon is in dreamy, impressionable Pisces. It can be a wistful, sensitive, intuitive, and compassionate time. We are especially imaginative, and our intuition reigns under this influence. Boundaries and walls come down, as Pisces energy merges and blends. It’s a time when details are overlooked and feelings defy description.

The Moon in Pisces generally favors the following activities: Imaginative undertakings, mystical or spiritual pursuits, inner development, music and drama, going on a retreat, activities involving water.

Overview of the Day

Venus enters the sign of Capricorn shortly into the day and will transit the sign until January 17th. Getting serious about our finances and boosting our relations with business partners and/or co-workers will be easier than usual under this influence. Our talents for creating artistic structure and form are enhanced, and our ability to form connections with people who support our ambitions increases. We value enduring relationships and connections, reliability, and faithfulness. We take expressing our feelings seriously, and we take our time to warm up to others. We generally keep our “cool” in relationships during this cycle.
Venus meets Saturn shortly after it enters Capricorn since Saturn just recently began its longer-term transit of the sign. Venus also forms a semi-square to Jupiter today. We may be viewing or taking our attachments and affections a little more seriously. When it comes to finances and relationships, we may need to limit a pleasure or indulgence, or sacrifice a material benefit for a spiritual one (or vice versa). Extravagances have a way of catching up with us and buckling down is necessary, but we generally feel good about making a mature choice now. We may be experiencing a new sense of realism in our relationships. A sense of duty may lead us to sacrifice a personal pleasure for a cause or a loved one, or we may have to abstain from personal gratification for the time being. This can be a time for bonding more strongly with loved ones through the sharing of a responsibility, concern, or dilemma.
The Moon continues its transit of compassionate Pisces until 7:28 PM EST, after which we’re more likely to want to take action, make a change, or start fresh with the Moon in Aries.
The Moon ends its void period when the Moon enters Aries at 7:28 PM EST.

In the Sky This Month

The year ends as it began, with the brilliant stars of winter climbing into the evening sky. By the end of December, dazzling Orion will be in good view by the time the sky gets dark. Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, will rise below Orion a bit later. The twins of Gemini stand to the left of the hunter, with Taurus, the celestial bull, above, continuing the never-ending cycle of stars and planets across the night sky.

December 25: (Summer) Christmas Skies
The Summer Triangle is in the western sky as night falls. Its three points are Vega, the brightest member of the group, which forms the right point of the triangle; Altair, the left point; and Deneb, the top of the triangle.

December 26: Aries
Aries, the ram, is high in the east as night falls and stands due south a few hours later. Despite its fame as a member of the zodiac, Aries includes only three bright stars. A fainter star is added to create a figure that resembles a lopsided boomerang.

December 27: More Aries
Hamal, the brightest star in Aries, the ram, arcs high across the south this evening, almost directly above the Moon. The star is expanding to become a giant. It is orbited by a giant planet that is being evaporated by the star’s intense energy.

December 28: Cancer
The constellation Cancer rises in the east by around 9 p.m. and climbs high across the sky later on. Its stars aren’t all that prominent, although binoculars reveal a sparkly group of stars known as the Beehive Cluster.

December 29: Balancing Planets
The planet Jupiter looks like a brilliant star in the southeast at dawn, with fainter Mars to its upper right. Just below Mars is Zubenelgenubi, in Libra. Its name means “southern claw,” indicating that it once was considered a claw of the celestial scorpion.

December 30: Moon and Aldebaran
The Moon has a close companion tonight: Aldebaran, the eye of Taurus. Skywatchers across much of the U.S. won’t see the star for part of the evening, though, because it will be hidden behind the Moon. The best view of the vanishing act comes from the northeast.

December 31: Holiday Lights
Some of the brightest stars in the night sky encircle the Moon tonight. The entire array is in great view by about three hours after sunset, and remains in view all night. The stars are so bright that they are visible even from light-polluted cities.

Source

StarDate.com

Current Moon Phase for Monday, December 25th

Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 41%

Tommorow the Moon will be in a Waxing Crescent Phase. A Waxing Crescent is the first Phase after the New Moon and is a great time to see the features of the moon’s surface. During this phase the Moon can be seen in the wester sky after the sun dips below the horizon at sunset. The moon is close to the sun in the sky and mostly dark except for the right edge of the moon which becomes brighter as the days get closer to the next phase which is a First Quarter with a 50% illumination.

PHASE DETAILS FOR – MONDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2017

Phase: Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 41%
Moon Age: 6.54 days
Moon Angle: 0.51
Moon Distance: 387,528.51 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 147,125,250.04 km

Source

MoonGiant.com

(Part 2)

The Witches Digest for Monday, December 25th

The Witches Digest for December 20

(Part 2)

Holy Tidings for the Yule

Holy Yuletide has begun
The Mother night arrives

Time to celebrate the hunt
The bounty of the gods

Stoke the fires spread their warmth
Gods and Kinsman come to the mead hall

Raise a horn to the year that’s past
Celebrate the promise of rebirth

Serve the feast and savory mead
Serve ancestral spirits too

Hail the Odin All Father
Join us at this tide

Hail Thor friend of men
Join us for some mead

Hail Frigga The nurturing Mother
Who bears the promise of new birth

Hail the ancestors gone before
Join us from Valhalla this tide

Hail Kinsman honored guests
Join the feast and raise your horns

Boast we now of challenges met
The success we had this Year

Toast the year that now will come
And the challenges to face

Gods bestow blessings on our folk
Gods keep them safe from harm

To those whose time in Midgard ends
See them safe into Valhalla

Valkyries guide the slain to Valhalla
Let the honored dead feast in that hallowed hall

Aesir Vanir Ancestors and Kin
The feasting time now ends

Spread the furs around this hall
Sleep safe here this night

To all a blessed Yuletide
May the year new blessings bring

Hold the gods and Kinsman dear
In frith we will endure

—-Steve Sherill
Published on Odin’s Gifts

Today is Wednesday, December 20th

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)

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

Runic Half Month of Jara (December 13 – 27)

Goddess of the Month of Astraea (November 28th – December 25th)

Reference

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

On December 20, We Honor the Greek Goddess Alcyone

Alcyone is the Kingfisher goddess. She nests every winter for two weeks, and while she does, the wild seas become calm and peaceful. Here is her story:

Once upon a time there was a princess of the winds, named Alcyone. And she was married to the prince of light, Ceyx. They were a passionate couple and their famed love was known throughout the lands. One day, after war broke out in the land, Ceyx felt the need to seek the Oracle’s help in restoring peace. So he set sail on a long voyage to the island of the Oracle. Alcyone waited everyday on the shores for his return. What she did not know was there was a terrible storm and the boat and crew were lost at sea. The Oracle saw this with her third eye and sent Alcyone a vision to let her know of the shipwreck.

Alcyone refused to believe Ceyx was dead and was determined to swim the sea to find him. Just as she was about to dive into the water, she turned into a beautiful bird, the mythical kingfisher Halcyon. She flew over the sea, calming the winds and waves in search of Ceyx. She found him adrift on some wreckage and when she landed, he too became a kingfisher. And together they flew over the sea for the rest of eternity.

The kingfisher became known as the symbol of the winter solstice. She brings the Halcyon Days, fourteen days of calm seas which allow for easy sailing. The bird was only seen during the summer and winter solstices and became associated with goddess of life and death. She appeared at the setting of the Pleiades and is known as the bird called by kings for a peaceful death.

Tuesday is the first day of the week which is named after a god of the Angles and Saxons–Tiu, the God of War. The Angles and Saxons, like the Greeks and Romans, worshiped many gods, and though these gods were in a great number of ways similar to those of the Greeks and Romans, we also find very great differences. These differences are due to the fact that the Angles and Saxons lived in a very different kind of country, led a very different kind of life, and consequently had different ideas. Their chief enemies were frost and cold, and they imagined the freezing winds to be caused by frost-giants who lived in a land of ice and waged continual warfare with the gods who befriended man and protected him as far as they could against the frost-giants and all the suffering which they caused. The chief of these gods was Woden or Odin, the All-father, of whom we read in the following chapter, and next to him in importance came Thor, the God of Thunder, the bitterest enemy of the giants. The god after whom Tuesday is named was known as Tiu among the Angles and Saxons, and as Tyr among the Norsemen. He was the God of War, and corresponds to Mars among the Romans, whose name for this day was Dies Martis, the day of Mars. The French have kept the Roman name in the form mardi.

Tiu was a great fighter and knew no fear, and was naturally always called upon in time of battle. He was usually represented as having no right hand, owing to a misfortune which befell him in the following way. From his lofty throne Odin, the chief of the gods, one day saw in the land of the giants three terrible monsters, which grew so rapidly that he was filled with fear lest they should invade the home of the gods. Accordingly he determined to get rid of them before they became any stronger. One Hel, an enormous giantess, he flung into the Underworld, where, as the Goddess of Death, she ruled over the kingdom of the dead. Another, Iormungandr, a serpent, he cast into the sea, where it grew so huge that it encircled the whole earth. The third was Fenrir, a wolf, whom Odin brought to Asgard, the home of the gods, hoping that he might eventually tame him. Fenrir, however, grew stronger and fiercer each day, until the gods, of whom Tiu alone was brave enough to go near him, decided at last to bind him in such a way that he could do no harm. A very strong chain was obtained, and the gods suggested to Fenrir, who often boasted of his great strength, that he should allow himself to be bound with it in order to prove whether he was really as strong as he claimed to be. Fenrir agreed, and then by merely stretching himself easily brohe his bonds. Again the gods put him to the test with a still stronger chain, but as before he succeeded in breaking it. Seeing that no ordinary chain would be strong enough to bind Fenrir, the gods sent one of their servants to the home of the dwarfs, a race of little people who lived underground, and who were very clever workers in metal. They also possessed great powers of magic, as we shall see in a later story. At the bidding of the gods, the dwarfs made a silken rope out of the voice of fishes, a woman’s beard, the roots of a mountain, and the footsteps of a cat, which was so strong that no power could break it! A third time the gods challenged Fenrir to show his strength by allowing himself to be bound with this new cord, but Fenrir became suspicious, and at last consented only on condition that one of the gods should put his hand in his mouth, and hold it there as a pledge that the gods were not deceiving him. This condition greatly alarmed the gods, who began to fear that their trick was not going to succeed, but the bold war-god Tiu stepped forward and, without any hesitation, placed his right hand in the wolf’s mouth. The gods at once bound Fenrir with the magic cord made by the dwarfs, and, in spite of all his struggles, the wolf was unable to free himself. Great was the delight of the gods at their success, a delight shared by all but Tiu, who had little cause to be pleased with the result of the trick, for Fenrir, finding he was trapped, immediately bit off the hand of the god. Thus Tiu was deprived of his sword hand, but so clever was he that he wielded his sword equally well with his left hand, and still remained invincible in battle.

On one occasion Tiu and Thor, the God of Thunder, set out for the land of the giants to obtain an enormous kettle, which the gods required for a feast. They came at last to the home of a giant, Hymir, who possessed a kettle a mile deep and a mile wide, and were hospitably received by the giant’s wife. When she learned the errand on which they had come, she warned them that her husband was very fierce and hot-tempered, and advised them to hide themselves when Hymir returned, lest he should kill them with a glance. No sooner had the gods taken refuge behind some kettles, which were kept on a beam at the end of the hall, than Hymir came in. When he heard that visitors had called, he flashed his eyes round the hall so fiercely that, as his glance lighted on the gods’ hiding-place, the beam split in two, the kettles came crashing to the ground, and Tiu and Thor were discovered. Hymir, however, was persuaded by his wife to receive the gods kindly; he prepared a meal of three oxen in their honour, but was astonished and dismayed to see Thor eat two of them himself. The next day the gods gave the giant many proofs of their great strength and skill, and Hymir consented to give them the kettle they were seeking. Tiu at once tried to lift it but failed; then Thor, after a mighty struggle, raised it from the ground, and, as he gave the final pull, his feet broke through the floor of the giant’s house. As soon as the gods had departed, Thor carrying the kettle on his head, Hymir called his brothers together, and pursued after them. Thor, however, attacked them with his famous hammer, and killed them one by one. Tiu and Thor then continued their journey, and brought the huge kettle safely to their own land.

There are few stories told of Tiu, yet he held a high place among the gods, as the name Tuesday shows. He is most famous for his share in the binding of Fenrir, whereby was put off the dreaded Ragnarok, the day of the final battle between the gods and the giants.

The First Yule

Author: Serenity Starbright Dilsworth (Owl)

Once upon a time … before your mother was born … and before her mother was born …and even before your mother’s mother was born …. when the world was new and the Earth and the Sun gave birth to the first beings …the very first people … the very first animals … and the very first plants.

It was the season of Spring, which celebrates new life, and the Sun shone warm and smiled down upon the world from his lofty perch in the sky while Earth took pride in all her newborns and nurtured them tenderly and with love. It was a time of great joy!

The Moon waxed and waned and traveled the night skies and Earth’s Children grew healthy and strong through the warm Summer season. They laughed and worked, played and danced and The Earth and Sun watched over them lovingly.

Then came the Autumn season …and the Earth began to sleep longer with every passing day. She grew so tired and was not able to feed her children any longer. She did not have enough strength to bring forth new life. High overhead … the Sun grew distant … and took longer and longer to return each morning. The nights grew longer and cold winds replaced the gentle breezes of the Summer.

Then …one very cold day …the Earth went to sleep. She laid her head down upon a pile of fallen leaves and nestled under a pure white blanket of snow. And she slept … and she slept … and she slept and nothing the Children could do would disturb her Winter slumber. The children called and called to her, but she did not wake up.

The children looked to the skies for advice and comfort from the Sun … but he was so distant that he could no longer be seen at all …and the children were frightened and sad … it was the Longest Night they had ever known.

The people wept and wondered what would happen to them now for it was bitterly cold and the bounty from Spring and Summer was depleting. They were afraid that they would starve and freeze with Father Sun so far away and Mother Earth sleeping.

They went to the Moon … sister to the Sun … with all their concerns and worries … entreating her to have the Sun return and Moon listened quietly.

The Moon gazed upon the children and advised them gently:” Do not fear little ones … go climb the tallest of trees and the highest of mountains … turn your voices to the sky and yule a mighty song to reach the Sun.”

The children had never heard of a yule or a song. (In the Ancient Tongue, to yule means to yell or yodel … to call out loudly in song.) And they asked Moon to explain what it is because they very much wanted to reach the Sun in hopes he could wake the Earth.

The Moon smiled gently. “Look deep within yourselves and find your magick …find that thing that makes you the special person you are … find the thing that brings you joy …take your dreams and your desires … your hopes and your love … and weave all of that together into sound.”

So the children climbed the tallest trees and the highest mountains and closed their eyes to find the magick within them …they brought forth their hopes, their dreams, their joys and their love and when they opened their mouths … their voices rang across the skies in a symphony or harmony and the Sun heard them …he turned and began his journey back … the better to hear this glorious sound.

The closer he came … the more his warmth spread across the Earth … and the Earth smiled in her sleep and dreamt of Spring… The Wheel turned and hope and joy spread amongst the children.

And that …dear children …is the story of the first Yule.

This is an old story that has been told and retold many times. It is one I used to tell at Winter Solstice in the coven I belonged to when I lived in New England. I put it into writing so that the story may be preserved and enjoyed by others and it is my hope that folks will tell the tale to their children who in turn will eventually tell it to their children.

Yule is a time of joy, of hope, of dreams and wishes. On the Longest Night, it is good to gather with those that we love and cherish and stand upon the Earth as she slumbers and call out to the Sun in mighty song to herald his return and the fulfillment of dreams and wishes.

Rowan Pendragon explains: The winter solstice occurs when the Earth is tilted on its axis farthest away from the sun. This means that when the northern half of the Earth is pointed away from the sun at winter solstice then the southern part of the Earth is going to be tilted closest to the sun. This is why when we are celebrating winter solstice in the northern hemispheres our Pagan friends “down under” are celebrating summer solstice. We often celebrate Yule and the solstice on either December 20th or 21st but the fact is the date varies each year since the holiday is based on an astronomical event; when the event occurs is when the holiday takes place.

When the winter solstice comes we experiences the longest night of the year and the shortest day of light. On the night of Yule we first honor the death of the God and the decline of the sun, something that has been slowly happening from the day after the summer solstice. After we make this honoring we then begin to work acts of sympathetic magick to encourage the sun’s return and to aid the Goddess in her long night of labor as she prepares to birth the Son, the Child of Light, the Young God.

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Footnotes:
Day 1 of Yule – Preparing for Yule 2011 by Rowan Pendragon
Day 7 of Yule – The Return of The Light by Rowan Pendragon

The Witches Celebration of Yule

A Celebration of Light and Warmth (Holiday Series)

Yule is celebrated at the Midwinter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. The word Yule comes from the Germanic “Jul” and means “Wheel.” At Yule we celebrate winter, and the rebirth of the Sun. At Samhain the Goddess followed the God into the Underworld and the Earth began its long winter slumber. As the Wheel turns to Yule, the Goddess is with child and gives birth to the tiny Oak King, God of the waxing Sun. The Old God or Holly King is defeated and returns to the Underworld to rest until Summer Solstice when he will again be reborn as Lord of the waning Sun.

At Yule we mourn the passing of the Old God who is the Lord of Winter. This ancient God has many names beside the Holly King, including Cernunnos, Odin, Harlequin, and of course Santa Claus. This God is portrayed as an old man, majestic and often jolly. Sometimes He is shown as a King in ermine trimmed robes, other times He is shown as a Jester and called the King of Fools. The Old God is the Lord of Death and of the Spirit World and magic. He is the God of the forest, of animals, and of the hunt. Often He is shown with antlers or horns.

Yule is also a celebration of the birth of the Sun King and nature’s renewal. We practice sympathetic magick by lighting fires or candles to encourage the sun to grow stronger. This is a time of new beginnings both physically and spiritually, the wheel of the year has made a complete circle. The darkest night of winter is a good time for self-examination and discovering the “seeds” of spiritual growth or hindrance which are lying dormant within us. The Winter Solstice is the turning point in the natural cycle of the year, this darkest night in all the year is followed by a day that will dawn just a little earlier!

Altar and ritual space decorations include evergreen wreaths and boughs, pine cones, red and green candles, pine scented incense and essential oils of myrrh and frankincense. Peppermint leaf and mistletoe are the herbs of Yule. The color scheme of white and gold and Solar images are also very appropriate.

Sacred Wicca

Yule Traditions and Symbols

Frau Holle

Bells – ancient pagans would ring bells to drive away demons that surfaced during the cold dark winter.

Candles – burned to help melt winter’s chill and to encourage the sun to shine.

Peppermint leaf and tea – the coolness of peppermint symbolizes winter and the heat of peppermint symbolizes the Sun.

Elves – Alfaheimr the land of Elves was inhabited by spirits who created the Sun. Including Elves in Yule ritual encourages them to rejuvenate the Sun and make it shine again.

Evergreens – because evergreen trees remained green throughout the winter they were thought to have power over death and could defeat winter demons roaming the earth and urge the coming of the Sun.

Holly – the vibrant green leaves and bright red berries that appear during the winter symbolizes rebirth.

Lights – homes and holiday trees were decorated with candles to frighten away unwanted spirits and to encourage the Sun to shine.

Mistletoe – To the Druids the white berries symbolized semen of the Gods and was used to bring fertility and abundance. Hung over the doorway it protects from thunder, lightning and malicious evil.

The Norse Goddess Frigg loved Her son Baldur so much that She couldn’t bear the thought of any harm coming to Him. She made a pact with the four Elements that nothing in Their realms would do Him harm. Loki fashioned an arrow from mistletoe and the arrow killed Baldur. Frigg’s tears restored her Son to life, and She was so happy that She declared mistletoe a plant of luck, love and promise. To kiss under the mistletoe is to receive Frigg’s blessing.

Ornaments – Germanic people originally decorated their trees with fruit, candy, cookies and flowers to symbolize the abundance to come when the Sun begins to warm the Earth once again.

Plum Pudding – was prepared as a form of divination, rather than a dish to be eaten. As the pudding was prepared each family member stirred the pot and made a wish. Then a ring, a coin, a button and a thimble were added to the pot. The ring stood for marriage, the coin for wealth, the button and the thimble were symbols of the eternal bachelor or spinster. If one of these items turned up in your serving of pudding it foretold your personal status during the coming year.

Reindeer – May represent the stags that drew the chariot of the Norse Goddess Freya. Stags also represent the Celtic horned God Cernunnos.

Santa Claus – May have originated from legends of Odin the Lord of Winds who was capable of flying through the stormiest nights or with the Norse Sun-God Kris Kringle.

Sleigh – Freya spent the twelve days after Solstice being transported in a sleigh, giving gifts to the nice and misery offerings to the naughty.

Snowflake – the snowflake was formed from the tears that Demeter cried after Persephone’s descent into the Underworld. Snowflakes have 6 sides and six is the numerological number associated with love.

Tree – Saint Boniface, during the 8th century was trying to convert a group of Druids to Christianity. He could not convince them that the oak tree was neither sacred nor invincible, so he cut one down and when it fell it crushed everything in its path but a single evergreen sapling. Boniface declared it a miracle, and then proclaimed that the fir tree belonged to the Christ-child. After that they were brought into homes as holiday decorations.

Twelve Days of Christmas – Began with the ancient Egyptian Sun celebration and is thought that the twelve day celebration may have be designed to honor the zodiacal wheel.

Wassail – is the original name of an apple orchard fertility ritual and means hail or salute. Apple trees were saluted then sprinkled with a mixture of eggs, apples and wine, ale or cider. Consecrating the trees in this way ensured a good harvest for the coming year.

Wreath – the circular shape of a wreath symbolizes life everlasting, the never ending cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

Yule Log – to the Celts the Yule Log was symbolic of the Oak King and was adorned with evergreens symbolic of the Holly King.

Sacred Wicca

Let’s Talk Witch – Christmas and Yule Customs

The “Let’s Talk Witch” is a little longer than most. I don’t know about most of you but when the mainstream Religious holidays roll around, I have to stop and shake my head. For our Religion to have been so hated, what in the hell would the rest of the religions did without us? I can see all the similarities between our Religion and their religions. But we didn’t come up with those practices or beliefs they stole from us, they did. We are nothing but Evil, we have never had a good idea even come in our head.

I know the older I get it makes me angry. I just want to climb to the highest mountain and scream, “TELL THE TRUTH WOULD YOU, YOU DAMN THIEVES!” Wouldn’t do any good but it would make me feel much better. I have leaders of other faiths write me and want to know, “why are so many people turning to Witchcraft?” Perhaps they are finally learning the truth and coming to the realization of what they have been really following for so many years.

The following article is one of my favorites. It drives this point home and then some, I hope you enjoy it.

Christmas and Yule Customs

by Rick Hayward

Now that Christmas is fast approaching and the year has once more come full circle, most of us will soon be busy adorning the house with brightly coloured decorations, a Christmas tree and all the other paraphernalia that goes to create a festive atmosphere.

Holly and mistletoe will almost certainly be included in our decorations as evergreens have been used in the winter festivities from very ancient times and definitely long before Christianity appeared on the scene.

What Christians celebrate as the birthday of Christ is really something that was superimposed on to a much earlier pagan festival–that which celebrated the Winter Solstice or the time when the Sun reaches its lowest point south and is reborn at the beginning of a new cycle of seasons.

In Northern Europe and Scandinavia it was noted by the early Christian scholar, Bede, that the heathens began the year on December 25th which they called Mother’s Night in honour of the great Earth Mother. Their celebrations were held in order to ensure fertility and abundance during the coming year, and these included much feasting, burning of lamps, lighting of great fires (the Yule fires) and exchanges of gifts.

The Romans, too, held their great celebrations–Saturnalia– from December 17th to 25th and it was the latter date which they honoured as the birthday of the Unconquered Sun. The Saturnalia was characterised by much merry-making, sometimes going to riotous extremes, with masters and slaves temporarily exchanging roles. The use of evergreens to decorate the streets and houses was also very much in evidence at this great winter festival.

That we now celebrate the birth of Christ at the same time is largely due to the early Church Fathers who found it was much easier to win converts to the faith by making Christ’s birthday coincide with an already long established pagan festival. In fact, it wasn’t until the 4th century that Pope Julius I finally established the 25th as the official birthday of Christ; earlier Christians differed widely as to this date– some choosing September 29th, while others held that January 6th or March 29th were the correct dates.

As we have seen, the pagan element in Christmas lives on in the festival at the Winter Solstice. But these elements are also very much alive in our use of evergreens as decorations at this time of year.

Like most evergreens, the holly and mistletoe have long been held to symbolize eternal life, regeneration and rebirth.

Holly, with its bright red berries and dark spiky foliage, has been revered from ancient times as a symbol of life everlasting. It was associated with strength and masculinity and was considered useful in the treatment of various ailments which were seen to lower the vital spirits.

In old England, a decoction of holly leaves was considered a cure for worms; but most of all this prickly evergreen was looked upon as a luck bringer–particularly in rural areas where a bunch of holly hung in the cow shed or stable was thought to favour the animals if placed there on Christmas Eve. Many people used to take a piece of holly from the church decorations at Christmas as a charm against bad luck in the coming year. Holly was also considered a very protective tree which, if planted outside the house, was believed to avert lightning, fire and the evil spells of witches.

An old holly spell describes how to know one’s future spouse. At midnight on a Friday, nine holly leaves must be plucked and tied with nine knots in a three-cornered cloth. This is then placed under the pillow and, provided silence is observed from the time of plucking until dawn the next day, your future spouse will come to you in your dreams.

In certain areas of Wales, it was thought extremely unlucky to bring holly into the house before December 24th and if you did so there would be family quarrels and domestic upheavals. You would also be inviting disaster if you burned green holly or squashed the red berries.

Turning now to mistletoe, it seems that this is by far the most mystical of the plants associated with Christmas and has, from very ancient times, been treated as magical or sacred. It is often included in modern Christmas decorations simply for the fun of kissing beneath it and, though this seems to be a peculiarly English custom, it probably harks back to the mistletoe’s association with fertility.

The real reason why mistletoe is now associated with Christmas is very much a carry-over from ancient practices, when it was considered as somehow belonging to the gods. The Roman historian, Pliny, gives an early account of how the Druids would hold a very solemn ceremony at the Winter Solstice when the mistletoe had to be gathered, for the Druids looked upon this unusual plant, which has no roots in the earth, as being of divine origin or produced by lightning. Mistletoe which grew on the oak was considered especially potent in magical virtues, for it was the oak that the Druids held as sacred to the gods.

At the Winter Solstice, the Druids would lead a procession into the forest and, on finding the sacred plant growing on an oak, the chief priest, dressed all in white, would climb the tree and cut the mistletoe with a knife or sickle made of gold. The mistletoe was not allowed to touch the ground and was therefore caught in a white linen cloth

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On securing the sacred mistletoe, the Druids would then carry it to their temple where it would be laid beneath the altar stone for three days. Early on the fourth day, which would correspond to our Christmas Day, it was taken out, chopped into pieces and handed out among the worshippers. The berries were used by the priests to heal various diseases.

Mistletoe was considered something of a universal panacea, as can be gleaned from the ancient Celtic word for it–uile, which literally translated means ‘all-healer’. A widespread belief was that mistletoe could cure anything from headaches to epilepsy; and indeed modern research has shown that the drug guipsine which is used in the treatment of nervous illnesses and high blood pressure is contained in mistletoe.

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Until quite recently the rural folk of Sweden and Switzerland believed that the mistletoe could only be picked at certain times and in a special way if its full potency as healer and protector was to be secured. The Sun must be in Sagittarius (close to the Winter Solstice) and the Moon must be on the wane and, following ancient practices, the mistletoe must not be just picked but shot or knocked down and caught before reaching the ground.

Not only was mistletoe looked upon as a healer of all ills, but if hung around the house was believed to protect the home against fire and other hazards. As the mistletoe was supposed to have been produced by lightning, it had the power to protect the home against thunder bolts by a kind of sympathetic magic.

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Of great importance, however, was the power of mistletoe to protect against witchcraft and sorcery. This is evident in an old superstition which holds that a sprig of mistletoe placed beneath the pillow will avert nightmares (once considered to be the product of evil demons).

In the north of England, it used to be the practice of farmers to give mistletoe to the first cow that calved after New Year’s Day. This was believed to ensure health to the stock and a good milk yield throughout the year. Underlying this old belief is the fear of witches or mischievous fairy folk who could play havoc with dairy produce, so here mistletoe was used as a counter magic against such evil influences. In Sweden, too, a bunch of this magical plant hung from the living room ceiling or in the stable or cow-shed was thought to render trolls powerless to work mischief.

With such a tremendous array of myth, magic and folklore associated with it, reaching far back into the pagan past, it is understandable that even today this favourite Christmas plant is forbidden in many churches. Yet even the holly and the ivy, much celebrated in a popular carol of that title, were once revered as sacred and magical by our pre-Christian ancestors.

In view of what has been said, one could speculate that even if Christianity had never emerged it is more than likely that we would still be getting ready for the late-December festivities, putting up decorations, including holly and mistletoe, in order to celebrate the rebirth of the Sun, the great giver and sustainer of all earthly life.

Yule Oil

2 drops Cinnamon oil
2 drops Clove oil
1 drop Mandarin oil
1 drop Pine oil
2 drops Frankincense
2 drops Myrrh oil.

Yule Incense 1

3 parts Frankincense
2 parts Sandalwood
2 part Chamomile
1 part Ginger
1/2 part Sage
A few drops of Cinnamon oil

Yule Incense 2

3 parts frankincense
A few drops orange oil
A few drops juniper oil
1 part crushed juniper berries
½ part mistletoe

Method Blend together and burn on charcoal

Winter Prosperity Spell

Gather your supplies:

A piece of ribbon from Yule in your favorite color at least 12 inches long.
A green candle
A bit of Myrrh oil

Ritual:
Rub a few drops of Myrrh oil into the candle and light it.
Tie nine knots in the ribbon while reciting this rhyme:

“By the count of one, this spell’s begun,
By the count of two, prosperity’s due,
By the count of three, I’ll have no more need,
By the count of four, abundance galor,
By the count of five, this spell’s alive,
By the count of six, prosperity’s fixed,
By the count of seven, blessings given,
By the count of eight, I seal my fate,
By the count of nine, praise the Goddess divine!”

Pass the tied ribbon through the smoke from the candle three times. Put the ribbon in a safe place for the next year looking and meditating on it if you need extra strength throughout the year. As the next year commences, burn the old ribbon and empower a new one!

Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Legends for December 19, 20 and 21st

Winter Solstice, Midwinter

The Solstice, taken from the Latin for “the Sun stands still,” is considered to be the true New Year—astronomically as well as spirituality. At this time, we see the simultaneous death and rebirth of the Sun-God, represented in the shortest day and longest night of the year. From this time forward, the Sun grows in strength and power as the hours of daylight increase.

Midwinter, or Winter Solstice, marked the end of the first half of the Celtic year. As with Samhain, which was the Roman festival of Pomona and the Christian All Souls grafted on to it, the Celtic Winter Solstice was subsequently confused with the Roman Saturnalia, and later the Christian Christmas. Mythologically, most of the Midwinter celebrations focused on the symbology of a new or younger God, overthrowing the older or Father God, which would then bring forth a new and more potent life to the people and the land.

Although the Solstice takes place on December 21, Midwinter(renamed Yule by the Anglo Saxons) covers several weeks on either side of the Solstice. In medieval times, Yule began around St. Nicholas’s Day and ran until Candlemas. Eventually, Yule was redefined to mean either the Nativity (December 25) or the 12 days of celebration beginning on this date. The word Christmas then replaced Yule in most English-speaking countries. However, the Danish preserved Yule as a way of maintaining their old style of festivities that incorporated several weeks of celebration.

In Wicca and modern Paganism, the Winter Solstice is the time of new beginnings, a time to reflect on the past and project for the future. Magickally, the Winter Solstice affords us a perfect time to formulate a plan of action, a goal we can work towards during the coming year.

Grandma Got Run Over By A Broomstick
Author Unknown

Grandma got ran over by a broomstick
Walking home from our house Yule Eve.
Now you can say there’s no such thing as witch’s.
But as for me and grandpa, we believe.

She’d consumed too many spirits.
And we begged her not to go.
But she’d forgot her Belladonna,
So she sacheted out the door, we didn’t know.

When they found her the next morning
At the scene of the attack.
She had bristles on her forehead,
And incriminating brush marks on her back.

Grandma got ran over by a broomstick.
Walking home from our house Yule Eve..
You can say there’s no such thing as witch’s,
But as for me and grandpa, we believe.

Now we’re all so proud of grandpa.
He’s been taking it so well.
See him in there watching wrestling,
Drinking wine and dancing skyclad with cousin Nell.

It’s not Yule without grandma.
She’s the one with the big hat.
And we just can’t help but wonder,
Should we divvy up her Gifts, or simply send them back.

Grandma got ran over by a broomstick,
Walking home from our house Yule Eve..
You can say there’s no such thing as witch’s.
But as for me and grandpa, we believe.

Now the punch is on the table,
And the pumpkin, it’s so big.
And the black and silver candles
That would just have matched the hair in grandma’s wig.

I’ve warned all my friends and neighbors,
Better watch out for yourselves.
They should never give a license,
To a gal who flies a broomstick deosil.

Grandma got ran over by a broomstick,
Walking home from our house Yule Eve..
You can say there’s no such thing as witch’s,
But as for me and grandpa, we believe

Have a very blessed and joyous Yule Eve.

The WOTC Staff

(Lady A’s escape proof bed)

Jacob thought it would be nice to add a little humor to this difficult situation. And I am listening to a kid, what the hell is wrong with me? As you know, we promised you an up-date on Lady A yesterday, which didn’t happen. We were all exhausted by the end of the day. They came and got Lady A about 9 something to take her to surgery. We were going to walk with her part of the way to surgery but we were told no we weren’t. They told us we could wait in the room or the waiting area. I decided to wait in the room. After you wait for so long the walls start to close in on you. I waited in that room for about 3 1/2 hours, sitting, walking, sitting, walking. I finally decided to go find Lord M. He had went to the surgery waiting room. The doctor had already came out and talked to him. The surgery went fine and she was in recovery. He did say he repaired another spot while he had her on the table. He said she would be sore for a few days but not in the pain she was in.

Lord Myst said we should go back to the room. The room, really. It wasn’t a room it was a cage. By the time we got back to the room, they were bringing Lady A back to it. She was asleep. After they got her situated, they told us to try and keep her awake for a bit.The first thing she said was when can I go home? Her speech was slurred and I couldn’t understand her. I really did but I pretended not too because I knew what her reaction was going to be when she found out. Lord M told her probably by this weekend. That woke her up. He told her the doctor wanted to keep her in the hospital a little longer to make sure her back was going to do the way it was suppose to. I don’t understand the medical community. They do surgery on you to fix a problem, then they have to wait and see if it does what it is suppose too. They are doctors and they are suppose to fix the problem the first time, right?

The surgery went fine. I hope we didn’t worry anybody since we didn’t do an up-date yesterday. We were just give out. We all walked the halls, up and down stairs, anything to make the time go a little faster. I thought Lady A was suppose to only be in surgery for about 45 minutes. The doctor said he took longer because he saw a few minor things that he might as well fix. I guess that is the signs of a good doctor.

Lord M called and Lady A got on the phone. She said her back was tender but there wasn’t the ripping pain that was there. She is feeling better. She told me to get up in the morning and go to the office and go to work. She is upset because she is going to miss Yule. We are planning on having a little Yule celebration in a Catholic hospital. Ought to go over well. She did tell me that this site had been down too long and if I was going to stay out here instead of the hospital, I could go to work. I have been getting a taste of what she does this morning and I don’t know how she does it. She took nothing and turned it into an organization and a business. She is one hell of a witch and one hell of a business woman. I have met many witches over my life times and I must say, she is the only one I have stuck with and admire. You might get tired of hearing me speak of her but you have never met her. I know you can feel her presence through the computer. Their have been many who say they can feel her power coming through the computer when she is on here. In person, she expresses herself as confident, in control, hard but loving and caring. I have never seen her afraid in my life. I wonder what she thought when she woke up to see the bottom of her cabin in flames. I can see her calmly walking over to the window, busting it out and pick up Kade and jumping. I would like to think that was the way it was but I would imagine she was scared just like anyone else. She did have the good sense about her to go through the window and get out. I don’t know if I would have been able to think that clearly. I am glad she was.

I have to go. It is time for the 8 pound ball of furry terror’s medicine. We will honor Lady A’s wishes and resume operations tomorrow. Think you can put up with me, cackle, cackle, cackle!

Eleanor

Don’t forget to spread the Go Fund Me Campaign that Lynette Baker started for Lady A. Please spread it around the internet.

https://www.gofundme.com/the-kit-steels-campaign

Don’t forget the store is open

Magickal Necessities

PayPal address:

thewotcstrustfund@yahoo.com

Mailing address:

THE WOTC

Attention: Kit

P. O. Box 331

Kevil, KY 42053

I believe that is it. Thank you.

It is your favorite wicked witch Eleanor with an up-date on Lady A, otherwise now known as the Grizzly Bear. As you know, we were told that Lady A would be getting out of the hospital this weekend. We were mis-informed by the neurologist. The neurologist assured us that she was perfectly fine to go home. The orthopedic specialist said no, she wasn’t. You can imagine how that news went over with Lady A and the rest of us, not good at all. The neurologist should have consulted with the main doctor in charge before he ever gave us false hopes. The orthopedic doctor told us he had done two scans on Lady A’s old fusion. I believe most of you know she has a three-level fusion in her back. Screws, rods, cages, and probably a few things I have forgotten over time. The scans showed she has a fracture in that fusion. She had been complaining about unusual back pain. The neurologist would just up her pain medicine to stop her from hurting. The other doctor said no matter how much pain medicine she is given, it will not stop the pain. The fracture has to be fixed. He is planning on doing that surgery tomorrow. He said she is now strong enough to hold up to a second surgery. He won’t have to open her back up that much. He said she should have a scar about 3 to 4 inches long after he is done. He is going to glue the fracture. Yes, I said glue. I had never heard of it before but I know Lady A said she had. Her sister had it done on her back when she had a small fracture in hers. I am not a nurse nor do I know all the medical procedures but I guess if Lady A knows it has been done before it is alright then. I know we were both disappointed when we heard the news she wasn’t getting out of the hospital this weekend. I tried to lighten her spirits by telling her I was going to start calling her Elmer, after the glue. You can imagine how that went over.

We don’t have any idea when she will be out of the hospital now. I have stopped listening to the neurologist. As far as I am concerned he is out of the picture. If I want to know anything anymore I will ask the orthopedic doctor. I know the reason Lady A has to stay in the hospital is not a good thing. But it does give us more time to furnish the house before she comes home. We still have several pieces of furniture to get, mainly a bed for Lady A.  I want to go down to the cabin and see if there is anything left that is salvageable. Lord M told me no. That is all I have been hearing from him recently, no! I am not use to being told no. I know Lady A had a brass bed in the guest room downstairs. I don’t know if brass would burn or what shape the bed might even be in. I am going to find out. If it is able to be saved, I am going to try to save it. It was a family heirloom. Lots of heirlooms went up in that fire.

I haven’t been up close to the cabin. I have only seen it from a distance and it breaks my heart. I stood and cried. Jacob, Mystie’s son, was with me. He put his arm around me and cried. I told him that cabin held a lot of memories for me. Even though it wasn’t my home, Lady A always made everyone there feel like it was. I told Jacob I could remember his mother, Lady A, myself and a few other staying up late, talking, doing rituals and just having a big sleep over. I could see Mystie walking the hall, sleeping in the guest room or in the kitchen. I could see Lady A chasing the bobcat around the cabin trying to catch her and put her up when we came over. I could see us sitting around the fire place telling tales and spinning yarns. It is strange you never stop to think how a place is much more than a home till it is gone. All the fond and loving memories I had of Lady A’s home went up in the flames that horrible night.

I do have a heart after all. I don’t like to admit it but it does occasionally emerge. I also wanted to thank you for your donations. I was wrong about the people here. You do care and you do love Lady A as she loves you. I know she misses you and asks daily how the site is doing. I never actually knew what a tight knit group had formed here. Lady A is very fortunate to have each of you. You know as well as I do, we are very fortunate to have her. To think we almost lost her because of sick son of a bitch. But we have a long way to go and we still need donations. If you would like to give, I will put the email addy to our PayPal account below. I will also include the address to our Post Office Box.

I do want you to do one thing for me tomorrow. Light a candle and say a prayer tomorrow for Lady A as she undergoes this surgery to fix the fracture in her back. The doctor told us the surgery is due to start or scheduled for 10:00 in the morning. If you could say your prayers and light your candles at that time, I would appreciate it. I will admit I am scared and I don’t know why. I don’t want her to have this surgery but I don’t want her to suffer either. I am scared because I have no control over this situation instead I have to put my trust in a mundane doctor. Please remember our dear Lady, sister and friend tomorrow morning at 10:00. After she is out of surgery, we will up-date you sometime tomorrow.

Eleanor

PayPal address: thewotcstrustfund@yahoo.com

Jacob just informed me there is a donation button on the right hand side of the site. He also told me to remind you that the store is open and doing business. I am sure you know the store by now but to get him off my back, here is the link to it:

Magickal Necessities

Regular mail:

The WOTC

Attn: Kit

P. O. Box 331

Kevil, KY 42053

Thank you.