March–The Month of Mars

This month, originally the first in the year, is named after Mars, the God of War. He was the son of Jupiter and Juno, the king and queen of the gods, and was generally represented in a shining suit of armour, with a plumed helmet on his head, a spear in one hand, and a shield in the other. His chariot was driven by the Goddess of War, Bellona, who also watched over his safety in battle; for the gods often took part in the battles which were constantly raging on the earth. During the great fight between the gods and the giants to decide who was to rule the world, Mars was captured by two of the giants, who bound him with iron chains and kept watch over him day and night. After over a year of captivity he was freed by the clever god Mercury, who succeeded in loosening the chains so silently that the giants heard no sound. Mars also took part in the Trojan War, when he was actually wounded.

Mars was loved by Venus, the Goddess of Beauty, but wishing to keep their love a secret from the other gods, they met only during the night, and Mars appointed his servant Alectryon to keep watch and to call him before the sun rose as he did not wish Apollo, the Sun God, to see them. One night Alectryon fell asleep, and so was too late to warn Mars of the sun’s approach. Apollo saw them from his chariot as he drove across the sky, and told Vulcan, the God of Fire, who caught them in a net of steel, and thus held them prisoner, while the other gods made fun of them. As soon as he was set free, Mars, who was filled with anger against Alectryon for failing in his duty, changed him into a cock, and driving him into a farmyard, condemned him to give warning every day of the sun’s rising–a fanciful explanation why

“the cock with lively din,
Scatters the rear of darkness thin”.
MILTON–L’Allegro.

The gods, though they themselves were immortal–that is, could never die, nor even grow old–yet sometimes married mortal, the men or women whom they found on the earth, and Mars fell in love with a beautiful girl named Ilia, who had given up her life to serve in the temple of Vesta, the Goddess of Fire. It was the duty of these priestesses of Vesta to guard the fire which continually burned on the altar of the goddess, for the safety of the people was thought to depend on this sacred flame. No Vestal, as these priestesses were called, was allowed to marry, under penalty of death. Ilia, however, in spite of her solemn promise, consented to marry Mars, and keeping her marriage a secret, continued to live in the temple. In course of time she had two sons, Romulus and Remus. Her father and mother, hearing that she had broken her vow, ordered the full punishment of her crime to be carried out; the mother was buried alive, and the children were left in the forest to be killed by the wild beasts.

Thus Ilia perished, but the children were wonderfully saved, so the story tells us, by a wolf, who cared for them as if they had been her own young. They were soon after found by a shepherd, who took them to his home, where they grew up to be strong and brave men. As soon as they had reached manhood they left their home and went out into the world to seek their fortune. Coming to a beautiful country of hills and valleys, they decided to build a great city; but before they had even finished the outer walls, they quarrelled about the name which was to be given to it when it was built. Romulus lost his temper and struck his brother Remus, so that he fell dead to the ground. With the help of a band of wicked and cruel men like himself, Romulus at last succeeded in building a city, which, called Rome, after its founder’s name, was to become one of the most famous cities the world has ever known.

Romulus became the first king of Rome, but he ruled so harshly that the senators, the chief men of the city, determined to rid themselves of him. During an eclipse of the sun, which darkened the city just at the time when Romulus and the senators were assembled in the marketplace, the senators fell on the king with their swords and slew him. They then cut his body into small pieces, which they hid beneath their cloaks. When the light returned and the people found that their king had disappeared, the senators told them that Romulus had been carried off by the gods to Mount Olympus, and ordered a temple to be built in his honour on one of the seven hills of Rome.

Mars took the city of Rome under his special protection, and is said to have sent a shield from heaven, during a time of plague, as a sign that he would always watch over the city. The Romans, afraid lest the shield should be stolen, had eleven other shields made, so like the first that only the priests who guarded them in the temple of Mars could tell which was the one sent from heaven. These priests were called Salii, the Leapers, because they danced war dances when, during the month of March, the shields were carried in a procession through the streets of Rome.

To Mars, as the God of War, the Romans naturally turned for help in war-time, and a Roman general, before setting out, went into the temple of Mars and, touching the sacred shield with the point of his spear, cried “Mars, watch over us!”

The training-ground of the Roman soldiers was called Campus Martius (the Field of Mars), in honour of the God of War, and it was commonly believed that Mars himself led their army into battle and helped to give them the victory. March was named after Mars because of its rough and boisterous weather, and we find the same idea in the minds of the Angles and Saxons, who called it Hlythmonath–the loud or stormy month. Another name for it was Lenctenmonath, the lengthening month, because it is during March that the days rapidly become longer.

It has been a while to say the least. Some of us are still suffering from the flu or a virus that doesn’t know when it has out stayed its welcome. We decided those of us who were not suffering and hopefully well, get back to work. Lady A still has the flu. I will be doing the daily posts till she is feeling better.  If you are lucky, she will be back at the end of the week. If not, you are stuck with me for a bit. I will do my best to behave myself, though sometimes my best is not good enough, lol! Let’s start the day with the Astronomy Digest then we will switch to the individual witchy posts, horoscopes and other divination for the day and month. Lots to look forward too.

Before we get started I would like to introduce you to one of our newest sponsored sites that just joined us. It has nothing to do with witchcraft but a perspective on today’s society and events and their effect on our world. It is worth taking a look at. The man who writes the blog is a well known scholar and academic professor. He is well educated and also brings a fresh look at today’s society. If you have a moment today, check out his site and our new sponsored site……

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The Witches Almanac for Friday, February 23

Mashramani Festival (Guyana)

Waxing Moon

 
Second Quarter 3: 09 am

 
Moon Sign: Gemini

 
Incense: Rose

 
Color: Purple

Friday–The Day of Freya

In the stories of the gods and goddesses of the Angles and Saxons we find two goddesses, Frigga, the wife of Odin and queen of the gods, and Freya, the Goddess of Love. Some people think that Friday was named after Frigga, and others that it was Freya’s day. Since very similar stories are told of each of them, it is quite probable that they were really the same person. The Roman name for the day was Dies Veneris, the day of Venus, who, it will be remembered, was the Goddess of Love, and so corresponded to Freya. The modern French name is taken from the Latin and is vendredi.

Frigga was the Goddess of the Clouds, and, when she was not with her husband Odin, spent her time in spinning clouds. Her spinning-wheel was studded with jewels, and at night could be seen in the sky as the constellation to which the Romans gave the name of Orion’s Belt, as we have seen in the story of Orion.

Frigga was also the Goddess of Spring, and as such was known as Eastre, whom we have already mentioned as giving us the word Easter.

Freya, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, like the Venus of the Romans, received a great welcome when she came to the home of the gods, and was given a special kingdom called Folk Meadow, where was a vast hall known as the Hall of Many Seats. Here she received half of those slain in battle, the other half being entertained by Odin, as we have seen.

Freya is depicted as having blue eyes and golden hair, and often as wearing a robe of feathers, which enabled her to fly through the air like a bird.

The goddess is said to have married Odur, who was probably Odin under another name. Odur once had occasion to leave Freya and travel over the world, and the goddess was broken-hearted at his departure. Her tears fell among the rocks and were changed to gold, while some which fell into the sea were transformed into amber. All nature mourned with her: the trees shed their leaves, the grass withered, and the flowers drooped their heads. At last Freya in her distress set out to find her husband, and, passing through many lands, where her golden tears were afterwards found, came to the sunny south, and there overtook the wandering Odur. As the lovers returned, the fields and the flowers rejoiced with them. The frost and snow fled before them, and the earth became green again as they passed.

“And Freya next came nigh, with golden tears;
The loveliest Goddess she in Heaven, by all
Most honour’d after Frea, Odin’s wife.
Her long ago the wandering Odur took
To mate, but left her to roam distant lands;
Since then she seeks him, and weeps tears of gold.”
MATTHEW ARNOLD–Balder Dead.

This story, of course, reminds us of Ceres and Persephone, and is only another fanciful explanation of summer and winter.

Freya was the proud possessor of a dazzling necklace of gold, which had been made by the dwarfs, and which she wore night and day. On one occasion only did she lend the necklace, when Thor, disguised as Freya, went to the land of the giants to recover his hammer, which had been stolen by the Giant Thrym. Loki, by borrowing Freya’s robe of feathers and flying over the country of the giants, had discovered the thief, but had also found that Thrym would only return the hammer on condition that Freya would become his wife. When Freya heard of the giant’s presumption, she became greatly enraged, and vowed that she would never leave her beloved Odur and go to live in that dreary and desolate land of cold. Heimdall, the guardian of the bridge Bifrost, then suggested that Thor should go to Thrym disguised as Freya, in company with Loki disguised as Freya’s attendant. The gods at last allowed themselves to be persuaded, and Thor, having borrowed Freya’s clothes and necklace and wearing a thick veil, set out with Loki, who was dressed as a handmaiden. On reaching the giant’s palace, they were welcomed by Thrym, who was delighted at the success of his plan, and who led them to the banqueting hall, where a great feast was held. At the end of the feast, Thrym ordered the famous hammer to be brought in, and he himself laid it in his bride’s lap as a marriage gift. Thor’s hand immediately closed over the hammer, and in a few moments Thrym and all the guests invited to the wedding feast lay dead.

Freya was greatly relieved to have her necklace returned in safety, but the evil Loki, attracted by its wonderful beauty, determined to steal it. One night the god, by changing himself into a fly, succeeded in entering Freya’s palace. He then resumed his own shape, and, creeping stealthily to Freya’s bed, gently removed the necklace from the goddess’s neck. The watchful Heimdall, however, had heard Loki’s footsteps, and, looking in the direction of the Folk Meadow, became a witness of the theft. He at once set off in pursuit of Loki, and, overtaking him, drew his sword and was about to kill the thief, when Loki changed himself into a flame. Heimdall immediately changed himself into a cloud, and sent down a shower of rain to put out the fire. Loki then took the form of a bear, and opened his mouth to catch the water. Heimdall also took the form of a bear and attacked Loki, who, finding that he was being overpowered, changed himself yet again, into a seal. Heimdall followed suit, and fought again with Loki, and at length compelled him to give up the necklace, which was returned to Freya.

On another occasion Freya was sought by one of the giants, and it was only by the cunning of Loki and by an act of bad faith on the part of the gods that she was saved. The gods, ever anxious lest the giants should invade Asgard, decided to build a stronghold which would prove impregnable. They received an offer from a stranger, who was willing to undertake the work in return for the sun, the moon, and the goddess Freya. By Loki’s advice they accepted the offer on condition that he should complete the work in one winter, aided only by his horse. To the surprise of the gods the stranger agreed to these conditions, and with the help of his horse, which could haul the heaviest stone, set to work. The gods, who at first felt sure that their conditions had made the task impossible, were alarmed to find as time went on that the stranger was working so quickly that it seemed certain that he would be able to keep his promise. The gods on their side had no intention whatever of keeping their promise, since they could not possibly part with the sun and the moon and the Goddess of Love, and they angrily pointed out to Loki that since it was he who had got them into this difficulty, he must find some way out of it. Loki replied that the gods need have no fear, for with his usual cunning he had thought of a plan whereby the stranger might be made to forfeit his reward. On the last day, when only one stone remained to be dragged into position, Loki changed himself into a horse, and, trotting out from the forest, neighed loudly to attract the attention of the stranger’s horse. Tired of his continual labour and longing for freedom and rest, the horse broke free from its load and galloped after Loki. The stranger, after pursuing it vainly through the forest, at last made his way to Asgard, and, full of anger at the trick which had been played upon him, took on his real shape, for he was a frost-giant, and was about to attack the gods when Thor hurled his hammer at him and killed him.

Frey, the god mentioned in the story of Loki and Sif’s golden hair, was Freya’s brother. He was the God of the Fields, and sacrifices were made to him for the crops. In the early spring his wooden image was driven in a chariot through the countryside, in order that he might bless the fields and bring a fruitful harvest: Frey, as we have seen, became the possessor of a ship which could travel over land and sea, and though large enough to contain all the gods, yet could be folded up like a cloth, and he also possessed a boar with golden bristles. The god often rode on this boar, which was swifter than a horse, and was no doubt a symbol of the sun, which ripened the crops. We find the same idea of sunshine in Frey’s flashing sword, which fought of its own accord as soon as it was drawn from its sheath.

The month of the Angles and Saxons which begins just before our Christmas was sacred to both Frey and Thor, and it was customary at that time, as we have already mentioned, to bind a huge wooden wheel with straw, and, setting fire to it, to roll it down a hill. The wheel was a symbol of the sun, which at that time began to chase away the winter. At this time, too, was held a great feast to all the gods, and the chief meat eaten was a boar’s head, in honour of Frey. The missionaries who first brought Christianity to the Northmen, finding this feast was of great importance and was celebrated by all the people, did not try to do away with it. Instead, they changed it from a heathen to a Christian festival by putting Christ in the place of the Norse gods, and calling it the Feast or Mass of Christ. A similar change was made, it will be remembered, in the case of the Easter festival, held in honour of Eastre or Frigga, the wife of Odin.

Friday’s Magick

Magickal Intent:
Lust
Romance
Happiness
Travel
Friends
Beauty
Sexuality
Harmony
Growth

Planet: Venus

Colors: Pink, Aqua, Seafoam

Crystals: Coral, Emerald, Rose Quartz

On Friday, February 23, We Celebrate….

Terminalia (Rome)
MINERVA

Themes: Earth; Home

 
Symbols: Owl; Geranium

 
About Minerva: This Etruscan/Italic goddess blended the odd attributes of being a patroness of household tasks, including arts and crafts, and also being the patroness of protection and of war. Today she joins in prespring festivities by helping people prepare their lands for sowing and embracing the figurative lands of our hearts, homes, and spirits with her positive energy.

 
To Do Today: In ancient times, this was a day to bless one’s lands and borders. Gifts of corn, honey, and wine were given to the earth and its spirits to keep the property safe and fertile throughout the year. In modern times, this equates to a Minerva-centered house blessing.

 
Begin by putting on some spiritually uplifting music. Burn geranium-scented incense if possible; otherwise, any pantry spice will do. Take this into every room of your home, always moving clockwise to promote positive growing energy. As you get to each room, repeat this incantation:

 
Minerva, protect this sacred space
and all who live within.
By your power and my will,
the magic now begins!

 
Wear a geranium today to commemorate Minerva and welcome her energy into your life.

Reference

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

The Goddess Book of Days for Friday, February 23rd

In Rome, the Terminalia, a day of setting land boundaries, dedicated to Janus or Terminus, God of Endings, Also Elegua, Legba, Mars, Jupiter, Zeus, Osiris, Xipe Totec, Pluto and Heme. Te twenty-third day of the Moon/month belongs to Venus-Aphrodite, Erzulie-Oshun.

Source

The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

The Wicca Book of Days for February 23

Blessing the Boundaries

February 23 was once dedicated to Terminus, the Roman Supreme God of boundary markers, and to the termini, the individual spirits that were associated with each boundary stone. During the Terminalia, as the festival that honored these deities was called, Terminus would be worshiped in Rome at the stone that embodied him in the temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, on the Capitoline Hill, and also at the sixth milestone of the Via Laurentia. The boundary stones that represented the lesser termini, in fields and elsewhere, were anointed with aromatic oil and garlanded with fragrant flowers, and animals were sacrificed to them

Amazing Amethyst

The ancient Greeks – believed that February’s birthstone, amethyst, has the power to prevent intoxication, so if you are attending a function where it would be rude to refuse an alcoholic drink, but want to remain sober, wear a piece of amethyst jewelry.

The Pagan Book of Days for Friday, February 23rd

Summer Finding

This Norse festival acknowledges the light of the sun becoming more powerful than darkness.
Source
The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

The Pagan Calendar for February 20 to March 19th, The Month of Moura

Moura
February 20- March 19

20– Day of Tacita (Roman)
21– Feralia (Roman)
22– Concordia, Carista (Roman)
23– Terminalia (Roman God of Boundaries)
24– Shiva(Hindu God of Destruction and Renewal)
25
26– Pentagram Night
27– Runic Half Month of Tyr(cosmic pillar) Begins
28– Zamyaz(Ancient Percian Diety), Earth Goddesses: Ceres, Demeter, Gaia, Ge, Mauri
29
1– Juno Lucina, Granny March(Bulgarian Witch-Goddess), Matronalia, Roman New Year
2– Ceadda(God of Healing Springs and Sacred Wells)
3– Aegir(Teutonic God of the Sea), All Triple Goddesses)
4– Feast of Rhiannon(Celtic/Welsh Mother Goddess), Anthesteria
5– Navigium Isis, Blessing of the Vessel by Isis
6– Mars, All Roman Household Gods
7– Junonalia
8– Mother Earth Day Festival
9
10
11– Herakles(Hercules)
12– Martyrdom of Hypatia(the Divine Pagan)
13
14– Runic Half Month of Beorc(birch tree) Begins, Goddess of the Birch Tree, Ua, Zit(Egyptian Serpent-Goddess)
15– Rhea(Greek Earth Goddess), Festival of Attis and Cybele
16– Dionysus, Bacchus, Holika(Indian Demon-Goddess)
17– Bacchus, Dionysus, Festival of Astarte
18– Celtic Tree Month of Fearn(alder) Begins, Sheela-Na-Gig(Irish Fertility Goddess)
19– Eyvind Kinnrifi(One of Odin’s martyrs), Birth of Athena/Minerva, Sitala(Indian Goddess)

The Witch

Blessed be! the witch inside,
Look into your minds eye.
Friend of nature, elements and animals.
Down to earth they truly see,
the evil of the tricksters and wannabes.
Should not be punished for their craft,
There is beauty in a witches sacred art.
Witches change with the seasons,
They breath the air of liberation.
Witch is child of light and shadow,
Natures spirit flows within.
A witches roots run deep, their will is strong,
They will stand up for what is right.
Searching and finding, needing and minding,
Wondering when the quest will end.
A witch cannot hide who they are, a pagan child.
All who follow the faith must heed the call.

—-Kelly O’hara, Author
Written 18th June 2014
Published on Hello Poetry

The Words of Confucius

There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.

Your MahJong Tile for the Month of February

February

Bamboo 6
Symbol: Water

The Water tile denotes a need for communication. A trip may be necessary to communicate properly. You may be called upon to present proof of ownership or that an event actually took place.