I should mention right off the bat, Jacob isn’t typing this for me, I am. He is standing by in case I get tired or starts hurting.

My sweets, my loves, my family, my sisters, my brothers, guess what? I’m back! Told you it wouldn’t take that long, well it didn’t, did it? It seems like an eternity anyway.

I finally got the wire out of my middle finger Monday. It was an ordeal to say the least. We had already had one snow and the road were looking clear. Keyword “looking.” The weather people, who don’t know their rump from a hole in the ground, had forecasted light flurries for the day. HA! As we started to go to the car, huge and I mean huge flakes started falling. By the time we got me in the car, you couldn’t even see the road. I told Lord M I didn’t think that it was a good idea to even try to get me to the hospital. “Let’s call and cancel.” Nope, he wouldn’t hear of it. By this time, it was snowing so hard the window shield wipers couldn’t keep up with the snow. But we were still going! And going we did, Lordie backed out, did fine till he couldn’t find the road and ended up in a snow bank. My side of the car just disappeared into the snow. He tried and tried, they all tried and tried, even the neighbors came out to help to try to get the car out of the snow bank. No luck, she was buried in the white crap. The funny thing during all of this, they kept telling me not to get out of the car. By this time, I had lost it. I screamed, “Where in the holy hell do you think I am going?” I have a leg in a cast and an arm in a cast, so where am I suppose to go? There was about 10 of them trying to get the car unstuck. I sit in the nice warm car and called my friend with the tow truck. I told him the situation, that I had an out-patient surgery and Lordie had managed to get the car stuck in the snow. Mark (tow truck driver) told me to sit tight he was on his way. Fifteen minutes he was there with their biggest tow truck they own. The people trying to get the car out of the ditch were amazed. A tow truck, where did that come from? I wonder.

When Mark showed up, it was hilarious. He walked and pushed people aside to open the driver’s door. He asked me if I was alright and I told him yes but my operation was due to take place in about an hour and I needed to get to the hospital. I stuck up my finger and he had already seen it and every time he makes the same comment, which I can’t repeat here. But he said if it was to get that damn thing off of me, he would take me in the tow truck. Everyone then got shovels and starting digging the passenger door out of the snow. Boy, was that a deep ditch! Finally the door was open and I was sprung or so they thought. They all stood and looked a me like now what? Finally they decided, if I could slide over a bit toward the door then they would pick me up and put me in the tow truck. I did a little more than slide, I fell out. Thank goodness, Lordie was standing there. He caught me or I landed on him anyway. My leg was killing me and I was cussing like a sailor. Three other men came over and with their help, I got off of Lordie and into the tow truck. Eleanor and Lynette both climbed in because you are suppose to have someone with you after surgery. Mark told Lordie to go back to the house as soon as he got me to the hospital, he would be back to get the car out of the ditch.

We arrived at the hospital and got some very funny looks. Can you imagine a tow truck pulling up to an emergency room entrance? Eleanor and Lynette got out and went in the hospital to get help getting me out of the tow truck. Mean while, Mark and I talked. He told me there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for me. He cared very much about me and I immediately thought, “oh shit, here we go again.” I changed the subject to the car very quickly. I asked him if he did plan on going right back and getting it out of the ditch, he said of course. He did inform me of something I didn’t know. The car has a switch in it that converts it to a 4 wheel drive. Nice time to fine that out. I told him to be sure to tell Jerry that when he got back, unless he wanted to come back and pick me up after the surgery. He told me he would tell him. Finally Eleanor and Lynette showed back up with orderlies and nurses, I was never so glad to see anyone in my life. They didn’t bother bringing a wheelchair instead they brought a stretcher. They were very gentle getting me out of the tow truck and off to surgery I went. Eleanor filled out all the paperwork and Lynette helped me change clothes. It seemed like I had no longer changed into one of those floppy hospital gowns they came and off to surgery I went. I do remember the doctor kidding me about how he has never had a patient come to the hospital in a tow truck before, first time for everything.

Apparently the surgery didn’t take that long, Eleanor told me I hadn’t been gone that long just 2 hours. I remember Jerry standing in the room apologizing for everything that happened. Eleanor told him to shut up, I didn’t need that right now. All I was concerned about was that damn wire being gone and it was. I also had a new cast to boot. Apparently, they had to cut the old cast off and replace it with a new one. The doctor came in finally and told us everything went great, my hand looked liked it was suppose too. Now all I needed to do was to start using the fingers. No problem there! I figure typing has to be the best exercise around. I also work them when I am not trying to type. I still have problems with my little finger and the one next to it. I won’t even mention the one that the wire came out of. Ouch, doesn’t even begin to describe the pain. Eleanor did fix me a pad or cushion for it. So at least I can type now.

I tried Tuesday to type and it was very, very, very painful. Couldn’t do it. Jacob then suggested that I take a pain pill before I tried to exercise my hand. I did that yesterday and it worked. I still have problems hitting the “a” and “s” buttons. I have to stop and peck them out but at least I am making progress. Oops, spoke too soon, middle finger just started acting up. Drugs must be wearing off. My walking and use of my leg is improving daily. I can feel it getting stronger. With the rod out of my hand finally, I don’t see why I can’t try to resume our activity on the WOTC. All I do anyway is sit and look out at the snow. Funny, I use to love snow after the other day, I ain’t that crazy about it.

(Now Jacob is taking over) I did face my biggest demon, what was once my home. I was stunned and I believe shocked when I saw it. I didn’t cry. I thought when I saw it, I would be but I didn’t. I guess I still had the imagine of what it looked like the night I was put into the ambulance. I knew then there would be nothing left. I did a lot of crying in the hospital when no one was around. I have thought and thought about that man. I have tried to figure out how one person could be so evil. He proclaims his love for you, then he tries to burn you alive. What kind of person does something like that? Destroys your life because….that’s the problem, I don’t know the cause. My tears and my sense of loss have turned to rage. Why, oh, why couldn’t I have gotten my hands on him. I don’t know if it would have made me feeling any better or now. But I could have looked him in the eye and asked him why. I am told I can’t do that so I am left to wonder. I know one thing if what happened was because of love, I want no part of it.

You ought to know by now when I do speak, I write a book. Before I close this chapter today, I want to thank everyone of you who prayed for me, sent me healing energy, sent cards,and sent donations. I can never begin to thank you enough. When it was my darkest hour, you were my light and there were some very dark hours. I got depressed, who wouldn’t. Then I realized I had so many people around me that loved me and cared for me that I wasn’t going to let one man destroy me. I will never give him that satisfaction. He might have destroyed everything I owned and held precious but he didn’t destroy me or who I am. That is one of the main reasons I want to get the site back up and running. It will take my mind off of things and I can feel your love.

Material things may come and go but family, brothers and sisters, never do. Thank you so very much for everything you have done for me. I love each and everyone of you and don’t you ever forget it. One more thought while I was in the hospital, I got to wondering if I had told all of you, each day, that I truly love you enough. Some people don’t have the opportunity to ever tell their loved ones how they feel, I do and you are going to hear it every day from now on out, I promise you.

Now let’s see if we can have a little fun after that and get this site up and running.

My dear, sweet, precious family, I love you,

Lady of the Abyss

They have turned me loose again, thanks to Jacob. Jacob is a super sweet kid, well not kid, a young man. I should probably quit talking about him because he is turning bright red and I would imagine he feels a little odd since he is typing this. I have to say he has been terrific. He told me anytime I wanted to convey a message to you, he would type it for me. Eleanor volunteered to do the same but I am afraid she might twist my words around. Something like, “Good morning, I am going to turn all of you into zombies today!” Just kidding. I trust her completely or else she wouldn’t have access to this account.

Everyone else is out gathering up supplies because we are sitting right in the path of an ice storm. The mention of ice they all run around like chickens with their heads chopped off. Maybe it is the drugs but I ain’t really excited about it. I am just wondering how a walker would do on a sheet of black ice, lol! Don’t worry I ain’t that crazy yet. Keyword “yet!” I wouldn’t want to have to have a pin or rod placed in my rump where I fell and cracked it. That would be rough to say the least. While they are all out gathering propane, food and the such, I thought I would drop you a line and let you know, if you don’t hear from us after today, don’t worry. The ice has knocked out all the power and we are in a small house about to go stir crazy. Oh, Goddess, please no! The last ice storm we had that hit us, we were without power for 12 days. Can you imagine that? Somebody got this bright idea to get a huge propane stove, mind you it was a good idea. We could cook on it, make coffee, did about everything you imagine on it. It even heated the house. We had kerosene lamps, candles and flashlights. We were in the Cave man days and bored silly but we survived. I remember a neighbor coming over. They had just got a generator. She wanted to know if we had anything we wanted to put in her refrigerator. She was amazed I was fixing hamburger helper on the stove and sweating. She said she hadn’t had a hot meal in days, could she stay for supper. I told her of course there was enough for everybody. She thought it was nice and cozy and of course, I had been couped up with these people till I was stir crazy and thought something different, lol!

So now you know what is going on today and perhaps tomorrow if they aren’t back on the internet. Real quick, doctor’s report. That was a laugh. I believe the only reason he wanted to do a check up was to see if I still had the casts on. The last time I believe I was out of the casts within probably two or three weeks(thanks to my trusty hammer). I know, I know. I ain’t doing that this time because my leg still hurts like hell. But he did give me good news. I have a rod stuck out my middle finger on my left hand. Never seen anything like it. It is absolutely gross. I told Lady Beltane the other day, if the other fingers would go down, I could pop one heck of a bird. Might as well fine something to laugh about in this situation. But anyway back to the nasty rod, he said if everything keeps healing the way it is, the rod should be able to come out in about two weeks. I looked at him and asked him if I was going to be awake for this and he laughed and said no. The laughter scared me. That is one good sign anyway. He wanted to know if I was able to put any weight on the leg yet and I showed him. That surprised him. My leg is getting stronger every day. He told me I might have to walk with a cane for a bit after my leg came out of the cast. He said he might have been wrong and I might be able to use that leg again after all. I wanted to tell him the leg was getting better so it wouldn’t have to spend an hour a night with Eleanor but I didn’t. Eleanor hasn’t realize it yet but I am getting stronger and healing faster each day. I know when you are sick, a witch isn’t suppose to try to heal herself but….you have one entire side of your body in casts and see what you do. The minute you feel strong enough, I be damned you are going to try and try I have. I can feel my strength, power and health starting to return very quickly now. It is only a matter of time now I know that. I am a hard witch to keep down and especially try to burn alive in a house.

I still have not been back to the cabin. I have imagines of what it was like when I was propped up against the tree. The way the fire was raging, I can’t imagine anything being left. That will be my final test to actually see it. I know I have to for my own peace of mind and some closure. I have tried and tried to sense the man who did it and I can’t. Eleanor and Lord M told me to stop trying. After all this time, they finally told me the truth and I know it is the truth because like I said I can’t sense him. When they told me I don’t know what emotions I felt. There was no regret, no sorrow, no nothing, except thinking, “the bastard got what he deserved.” It still baffles me though, how can someone tell you to your face, “they are in love with you,” then try to kill you. I have had male admirers all my life but this takes the cake. I do blame myself, I let my guard down. I brushed him off, I had my mind on making the boys a home here and a life here. The man was in the way and I didn’t like that. So I just brushed him off and didn’t give him a second thought. I should have known he had a very dark side and I didn’t. I wasn’t focused on him at the time. Funny, I always tell each of you, not to let your guard down, be aware of your surroundings, shield your home, yourselves and I didn’t even take my own advice. Then again I stop to think he got me when I was at a very vulnerable state. I had just lost my very best friend and my emotions and senses were all over the place. Perhaps if not for that I could have seen and felt what kind of person he really was. But it is too late to cry over spilled milk now. Now comes the wonderful task of rebuilding my life.

Which leads me to my final thought and I promise this is it. I received so many wonderful cards from all of you. I wanted to get some thank you notes and write you back personally but apparently that won’t be happening for a while. Your words that you wrote in the cards and on paper, I could feel your emotions and your love. It was overwhelming. With each one I opened and I read, I teared up. I believe the words you wrote in those cards helped more than you will ever know. Not to mention, the ones who wrote notes in the PayPal comments. I have never felt such love and caring in my life. I can never begin to thank you enough for everything you have done. I knew I not only had to get better for myself but for each and everyone of you who cared about me and loved me. I can never, ever thank you enough, never. I have always called you my family, my brothers and my sisters. It is an honor to know that you consider me part of yours.

Got to go for now, starting to cry. Remember, my sweets, I love each and everyone of you dearly and with all my heart. Till next time,

Love,

Lady A

The Witches Digest for Wednesday, January 10th

(Part 1)

Ritual for the Morning

(Sun and Moon both in the Sky)

O’ Lady Moon I greet you and bid you fair sleep,
O’ Lord Sun I greet you and ask that you shine down on us with your warmth.
The Moon sets and the Sun rises and a new cycle of Day and Night begin.
The Lady watches over us in the Night and knows our secrets,
The Lord shines down on us and sees our works upon the Earth.
As the Day cycles into Night, the Year goes through its changes,
as does the Lady and the Lord change through the seasons.
As we grow we change, from birth to death and moving on to the next life.
Know you that Life is change, growth and always learning.
We thank you Lord and Lady for your gifts of life and death, for growth
and learning that we might know you better.
Sleep Lady Moon till its time to rise again,
Welcome Lord Sun and may your light and warmth comfort us.
Blessed Be

—A Journey with the Lady
Steven Spears

Today is Wednesday, January 10th

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

Deity: Woden

Zodiac Sign: Gemini & Virgo

Planet: Mercury

Tree: Ash

Herb: Cinquefoil

Stone: Emerald & Sardonyx

Animal: Raven & Cat

Element: Air

Color: Red & Blue

Number: 6

Rune: Odal(O)

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

Runic Half Month of Eoh (Yew tree) (December 28 – January 12)

Goddess of the Month of Hestia (December 26th – January 22nd)

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

On Wednesday, January 10th, We Celebrate the Celtic Goddess Morrigan

Areas of Influence: The Goddess Morrigan represented the circle of life, she was associated with both birth and death.

Her name means great queen or phantom queen. It is spelt in several different ways including Morrigu, Morgane, Morrighan and Morgan le Fay in the Arthurian legends.

She is one of the triple Goddesses, her different aspects are represented by Anu (the fertility maiden), Badh (the boiling mother cauldron) and either Macha (the death crone) or Nemain.

Morrigan is also a water Goddess, ruling over rivers and lakes. In one myth she appears as an old washer woman at the ford and offering her love to Cu Chulainne. He failed to recognize Morrigan on this occasion and on several others. Enraged she threated to hinder him in battle, when he is killed as a result of this she appears on his shoulder as a crow.

This Goddess also grants monarchs the power of sovereignty.

Origins and Genealogy: I can find no mention of her parentage but in some myths she was said to be the consort of Dadga

Morrigan was also one of the Tuatha de Danann (The tribe of the Goddess Danu). She protected her people by blowing a fog over the land, the lack of visibility discouraged invading armies.

Strengths: Fearsome and strong.

Weaknesses: She is vindictive, killing the person she loves when he fails to recognize her.

Goddess Morrigan’s Symbolism

As a symbol of death the Goddess Morrigan is linked with the festival of Samhain.

Sacred Bird: Crows and ravens.

Sacred Plants: Mugwort, yew and willow.

Morrigan’s Archetypes

The Celtic Goddess Morrigan has several powerful archetypes.

Shape-Shifter:

The Shape Shifter has the ability to change her physical appearance. They are also able to adapt easily to different environments by altering there behavior.

Shadow Shape shifter is fickle, lacking conviction and constantly reinventing themselves, like politicians trying to appeal to more people.

Morrigan is a bird Goddess who shape-shifts into the form of a hooded crow and a washer woman at the ford.

The Crone:

The Crone represents the wise old woman whose child bearing days are behind her. Other associations with this Archetype include: compassion, transformation, healing and bawdiness death and endings. She is the respected older woman or grand-parent at the heart of family who enjoys life and sharing her experience.

Unfortunately the word Crone or Hag often has negative connotations as many wise woman and midwives were persecuted as witches in the middle ages.

Shadow Crone is the bitter, old woman who has failed to learn from her life. She blames all her failings and unhappiness on a society that no longer respects the elders. As a result she becomes increasingly isolated and fearful.

The Warrior:

Warrior represents physical strength, and the ability to protect and fight for your rights and those of of others.

Whilst the shadow side of the Warrior reflects the need to win at all costs, abandoning ethical principals to prove your supremacy.

As the battle Goddess she appeared on the battlefield in the form of a crow and returned later to feed on the dead.

How to Work With This Archetype

The Shape-Shifter: A useful Goddess Archetype to have if you need to be flexible or perform lots of different roles.

The shadow side asks whether your chameleon like tendencies reflect a deep insecurity and inability to commit to any particular path.

The Crone: This maybe one of your Archetypes if you have gained wisdom, learning from your mistakes and showing a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances.

You are experiencing the Crone’s shadow if you have become rigid in your beliefs and have become stuck in a rut having lost all ability to let those areas of your life go that no longer serve you.

The Warrior:

If you are drawn to work with this Goddess you may require her Warrior spirit to help you to stand up for your rights and set firm personnal boundaries. This Goddess can be a great stereotype to work with if you want to take control in your life, and wish to no longer play the role of the victim.

You may also wish to call upon this Goddess to champion the cause of others.

Conversely this Goddess may appeal to you if you have a very strong sense of self and are proud of the victories you have achieved. The shadow side of this Goddess may be asking you to reflect honestly on the cost of these victories. Have they been at the expense of others or your principles?
Source
Goddess-Guide.com

Wednesday’s Conjuring

Wednesday – is associated with Mercury

Candle colors – Purple

Magickal Conjuring for the Day: Mastery, Domination Work, Wisdom, Healing, Dealing with Legal problems.

—Starr Casas, Old Style Conjure Wisdoms, Workings and Remedies

About The Magickal Day of the Week,Wednesday

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

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

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

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

Wednesday’s Associations

Color: Purple
Planet: Mercury
Metal: Mercury (Quicksilver)
Deities: Odin, Hermes, Lugh
Gemstones: Mercury, Athena
Crystals: Adventurine, Agate
Herbs: Aspen trees, lilies, Lavender, Ferns
Associations: Business, Communication, Loss and Debt, Travel.

Wednesday–The Day of Woden

Woden, or Odin as the Norsemen called him, was the chief of the gods of our ancestors, and corresponds to the Jupiter of the Romans. Also, for reasons which we shall read later, he was similar to Mercury, and his name was given to the Roman Dies Mercurii, day of Mercury, which still survives in the French mercredi.

As in the case of Jupiter and the Titans, Odin led the Northern gods in a gigantic struggle with the giants of ice and frost, and finally overthrew them. With the help of the gods, he then fashioned the world from the body of the chief of the giants. From the flesh he made the earth, known as Midgard (middle garden), and from his blood the sea, while from his bones he made the mountains, from his teeth the cliffs, and from his hair the trees. The giant’s skull was then fixed over the earth to form the vault of the sky, and was held in place at the four corners by four dwarfs, Nordri, Sudri, Austri, and Westri, from whom we have obtained the names North, South, East, and West. Next the gods made the sun and moon, which were placed in golden chariots driven by Sol and Mani, the daughter and son of a giant who had named his children after the newly-created sun and moon. The Northmen thought that they could see on the moon the outline of two children carrying a pail, and the story goes that Mani, while travelling across the sky, one night caught up two children, Hiuki and Bil, who were compelled by their cruel father to carry water all night. Hiuki and Bil are still known to us in the familiar story of Jack and Jill. The sun and moon were said to be pursued continually by two fierce wolves, whose shapes could be seen in the clouds, and who, if they caught them up, would swallow them and plunge the world in darkness. Sometimes they nearly succeeded, and thus caused the eclipses.

Having completed the earth and peopled it with men and women, the gods, led by Odin, built magnificent palaces for themselves in Asgard, their home. The most famous of these was Valhalla, to which the bravest and mightiest of the mortals who fell in battle were summoned at their death. The walls of Valhalla were made of spears, and golden shields formed the roof. In the hall stood long tables, at which the dead heroes feasted.

The Northmen honoured a great fighter above all men, and they even thought it a disgrace for him to die in any other way than sword in hand. The great ambition of every fighting man was to be called to Valhalla after his death, there to spend his time in fighting and feasting. The fortunate ones were chosen from among the slain on the battle-fields by the Valkyries, Odin’s battle-maidens, whose horses carried them through the air and over the sea. They rode among the storm-clouds, and the flash of their spears was seen in the lightning.

Odin was often pictured as sitting on a throne from which he could see the whole world, and wearing a suit of armour, covered with a blue mantle, which represented the sky. In his hand he held a famous spear, Gungnir, which never missed its mark. On his shoulders sat two ravens, Thought and Memory, which he sent out into the world every day to obtain news of all that happened. Like Tiu, the God of War, Odin suffered from a disfigurement, having lost one of his eyes. This loss is explained in the following story.

After the creation of the world, Odin wished to obtain great wisdom which would place him far above the other gods. This he could only procure from Mimir’s spring, in whose clear waters the future was mirrored. Odin, therefore, visited Mimir and begged a draught of the wonderful water, but Mimir would only grant the request in return for one of Odin’s eyes. The god was willing to make even this sacrifice for the great knowledge the water would give him, and accordingly he plucked out one of his eyes and gave it to Mimir, who sank it deep in the spring where it could always be seen shining. Odin then drank deep of the water, and thus gained the wisdom for which he was always famous.

All the life of the world, including even the lives of the gods, was said to depend on an enormous ash tree, Yggdrasil, the Tree of Life. This tree was created by Odin, and had three roots, one in the Underworld, another in Midgard, near Mimir’s spring, and the third in Asgard. It grew to such a height that it overtopped the whole world, and in its topmost branches sat an eagle with a falcon between its eyes. The falcon could see all three kingdoms, and reported all that happened in them to the gods. In the Underworld was a dragon, which continually gnawed the roots of Yggdrasil in order to destroy it and so bring about the downfall of the gods. To prevent this disaster, the tree was daily watered from a fountain in Asgard, whose magic waters kept it continually green.

Joining Asgard and the earth was a bridge made of fire, earth, and water, whose colours were those of the rainbow. This bridge was guarded against the giants by a god named Heimdall, whose sight and hearing were so keen that he could see a hundred leagues by night as well as by day, and could hear the grass growing on the earth and the wool on the sheep’s back! He was armed with a flashing sword, and carried a horn with which he was to give warning when the giants should come against Asgard.

Odin was the inventor of Runes, the first alphabet of the Northmen. The letters consisted almost entirely of straight lines placed in different groups and positions, and were thought at first to have a magical meaning. Each god had a special rune or sign, and the use of the sign was supposed to bring help from the god. Thus all fighters carved the rune of Tiu on their swords in order that they might have his aid in battle. Runes were afterwards used in the ordinary way for writing, and very old runes have been found carved on stones in Scandinavia and in England. As the inventor of runes, Odin is like Mercury, who was supposed to have given the Romans their alphabet.

In addition to being the wisest of the gods, the inventor of runes, and the God of Eloquence, Odin was also the God of Poetry. The gift of poetry was guarded very jealously by the gods, and was only granted to mortals in special cases. Odin obtained the gift for himself and the other gods only with great difficulty. Hidden away in a hollow mountain, and carefully watched over by a giantess, were three vessels containing a magic fluid, which gave to anyone who drank of it the gift of poetry and song. Odin, knowing of this magic drink, determined to obtain it. Accordingly he set out for the land of the giants, dressed as a mortal, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat to hide the fact that he had only one eye. He hired himself as a servant to Baugi, the brother of the giant Suttung, to whom the vessels belonged, and asked as payment for his labour one draught of the magic fluid. As soon as his work was finished, Odin demanded payment, but Baugi was afraid to ask his brother for the drink, and suggested they should win it for themselves by trickery. They came to the mountain where the vessels were hidden, and bored a hole right through to the cave inside. Odin then changed himself into a snake and wriggled through the hole, just in time to escape the giant, who tried to kill him as he entered the hole. Having found his way into the cave, Odin again took on the form of a god, and begged the giantess who watched over the vessels to allow him just a sip of the magic drink. The giantess at last consented, but Odin, instead of taking a sip, quickly emptied all the vessels, and then, making his way out of the cave transformed himself into an eagle and flew swiftly towards Asgard. He soon discovered, however, that the giant Suttung was pursuing him, also in the form of an eagle. As he neared Asgard the gods caught sight of him, and, seeing that the giant was gaining on Odin, they gathered together a great quantity of fuel and piled it on the palace walls. Immediately Odin had passed over the wall the gods set fire to the fuel, and the flames rose so high that the wings of the pursuing giant were scorched, and he fell into the fire and was burnt.

Odin seldom used this precious gift of poetry himself, but imparted it to his son Bragi, who became the minstrel of the gods and sang many songs in honour of the gods and the great heroes in Valhalla. All the singers among men, the bards, or scalds, as they were sometimes called, were thought to have received the gift from Odin, and were greatly honoured for that reason.

The Creation of the World

In the beginning, ere the Gods were born,
Before the Heavens were builded, thou didst slay
The giant Ymir, whom the abyss brought forth,
Thou and thy brethren fierce, the sons of Bor,
And cast his trunk to choke the abysmal void.
But of his flesh and members thou didst build
The earth and ocean, and above them Heaven.
And from the flaming world, where Muspel reigns,
Thou sent’st and fetched’st fire, and madest lights,
Sun, moon, and stars, which thou hast hung in Heaven,
Dividing clear the paths of night and day.
And Asgard thou didst build, and Midgard fort.
MATTHEW ARNOLD–Balder Dead

The Heroes of Valhalla

And all the Gods, and all the Heroes, woke.
And from their beds the Heroes rose, and donn’d
Their arms, and led their horses from the stall,
And mounted them, and in Valhalla’s court,
Were ranged; and then the daily fray began.
And all day long they there are hack’d and hewn,
‘Mid dust, and groans, and limbs lopp’d off, and blood;
But all at night returned to Odin’s hall,
Woundless and fresh; such lot is theirs in heaven.
And the Valkyries on their steeds went forth
Tow’rd earth and fights of men; and at their side
Skulda, the youngest of the Normes, rode;
And over Bifrost, where is Heimdall’s watch,
Past Midgard fortress, down to earth they came;
There through some battle-field, where men fall fast,
Their horses fetlock-deep in blood, they ride,
And pick the bravest warriors out for death,
Whom they bring back with them at night to heaven
To glad the Gods, and feast in Odin’s hall.
MATTHEW ARNOLD–Balder Dead.

The Witches Guide to Wednesday

Ruler: Wodin, Mercury

Colors: Orange, light blue, and gray

Power Hours: Sunrise and the 8th, 16th, and 24th hours following

Keywords: Success, creativity, communication

The word Wednesday is reminiscent of the Norse wind god Wodin, which is referenced in the popular rhyme verse “Wednesday’s child is full of woe.” This does not mean that those born on this day are full of sorrow or trouble. To be full of Woden (Wodin) means to be full of wind, to be spirited. Woden was such a powerful pagan god that the German church fathers changed the name of his day to Mittwoch, meaning midweek, in an attempt to exorcise his influence.

In the Spanish word for Wednesday, miercoles, we clearly see its connection to Mercury. Under the guidance of Mercury; Wednesday is a day of swift activity, communication, correspondence, and phone calls. This is a good day for journalists, writers, poets, bargaining, hiring employees, and visiting friends.

On Wednesdays, the hour of sunrise and every eight hours after that are also ruled by Mercury, making these times of the day doubly blessed. These are the strongest four hours for ritual work. Check your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine when sunrise occurs.

Source
Gypsy Magic

Wednesday Witchery

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

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

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

Source

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

The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, January 10th

Feast of St. Leonie Aviat

Waning Moon

Moon phase: Fourth Quarter

Moon Sign: Scorpio

Incense: Honeysuckle

Color: Brown

WEDNESDAY CORRESPONDENCES

Mercury/Neptune/Air/North/West/Southwest/Female/Male/Gemini/Virgo

Magickal Intentions: Communication, Divination, Writing, Knowledge, Business Transactions, Debt, Fear, Loss, Travel, Money Matters

Color: black, light blue, brown, gray, green, magenta, orange, peach, purple, red, silver, turquoise, violet, white, yellow; orange is the primary color

Number: 3, 5

Metal: mercury

Charm: distaff, rod, runes, staff, iridescent garments

Stone: moss agate, amethyst, bloodstone, emerald, hematite, lapis lazuli, lodestone, pearl, ruby, sapphire, sodalite, all blue stones

Animal: bear, dog, fox, magpie, swan, weasel

Plant: almond, bayberry, chamomile, cherry, cinnamon, cinquefoil, clove, coltsfoot, ginger, hazel, hazelnut, jasmine, lavender, millet, oak, peppermint, periwinkle, rosemary, sage, St. John’s wort, sweet pea, tamarind, lemon verbena, violet

Incense: cassia, cedar, cinnamon, clove, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, mastic, mint, rosemary, sage, sandalwood, storax, dried and powdered citrus peel, and all incense made from aromatic bark, wood, and seeds

Goddess: Carmenta, Hecate (Queen of Crossroads), Hel, Ishtar, Ma’at, the Morrigan, Nike

God: Anubis, Bragi, Elath-Iahu. Enki, Garuda, Hermes, Maximon (Black Magician), Mercury, Nebo (Wise God of Wednesday), Odin, Shango, Ullr, Vishnu, Wayland, Woden

Evocation: Agrat Bat Mahalat, Michael, Miel, Raphael, Seraphiel, Tiriel

Courtesy of Moonlight Musings

Wednesday Is Ruled By Mercury

Wednesdays are wild and wacky days. They are for communication, change, cunning, and the arts. This is a Mercury day, and just its patron god this day is full of contradictions, change, and excitement. Some suggestions for Wednesday enchantments would include:

Pulling a little Wednesday color magic into your life by wearing purples or orange

Carrying a multipurpose agate with you and tapping into its various charms

Working with magical plants such as the fern for protection. This plant will also boost the power of any other magical plants with which it is arranged.

Incorporating lavender into charms and spells for transformation

Using the charming scent of lily of the valley to improve your memory, or working with the aspen tree for communication

Calling on Athena, patron of arts and crafts, for inspiration for a new project

Fanning out a Tarot spell to increase you creativity

Calling on Hermes on a Wednesday night to bring movement and good luck into your life

Mercury’s Energy

*Notes: perform on a Wednesday and/or during the waxing Moon with the Full Moon being strongest. An orange or violet candle is associated with any magick cast on this day.

Day: Wednesday

Color: Orange, violet, multicolored, pale yellow

Metal: Quicksilver, alloys.

Stones: Carnelian, fire opal, agate

Plants: Anise, caraway , cassia, club mosss, dittany of Crete, lavender, licorice, parsley, sandalwood, storax

Rules: Gemini, Virgo

Oils: Lavender, lemon, lily of valley, nutmeg, sandalwood, styrax, vervain

Rituals Involving: Intellect, memory, science, creativity, business, magickal conjuration, divination, prediction, eloquence, gift of tongues, speed, speech, writing, poetry, inspiration, improvement of mind power, healing of nervous disorders.

Physical Chant for Mercury:

Magick, the Arts, success on my trade,
Business wisdom and divination,
These gifts I would gain for my physical growth
And to help in my conjurations.

Source
Dancing with Dragons, Invoking Their Ageless Wisdom and Power
D. J. Conway, Author

Magickal Applications for Wednesday

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.

Source

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

Wednesdays & The Perfect Corresponding Spell – Concentrate Candle Spell

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

Concentrate Candle Spell

Items needed:
1 small white candle
1 small blue candle
1 orange candle

Take all three candles and place them on a fire-proof surface in front of you. Light both candles. Take three deep breaths. Lightly tap your forehead with one of your fingers for a minute or so. You should feel a slight tingly sensation on your forehead. Now, look at the three candles and say this chant three times:

“I have the time.
I have the wait.
This should help me concentrate.
When it’s white And it’s blue,
It will start my mind a new.”

After you have finished, blow out the candles. From this point on, when you have problems concentrating, think of those white, blue, and orange candles, and the tingle in your forehead; and your mind should be better able to concentrate.

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

The Care and Feeding of Crystals

Crystals have been in the lime-light ever since celebrities such as Shirley Mcleane and Cher have come out of the closet and admitted they were “New-Agers”. However, along with this public scrutiny, has also been a whole bunch of misconceptions. The most common of which is that a person just wears a crystal like jewelry or carries it and it works like some kind of instant stage-magic or prestidigitation. This, of course, is not the case. To get the full effect of “Crystal Power” in your life means, as with so much else, that you must put into it what you take out of it. So here are a few simple guidelines for those of you who plan on taking this subject seriously.

1. Selecting your Crystal
To select a Crystal is not all that much different from selecting a pet or a work of art. When you go into the store to purchase your crystal – or any other stone used in healing or Psychic work – just pick the one that “calls” to you. Handle the various stones and put them, one by one, in your receptive hand. (the one that is not your dominant hand; if you are right-handed or ambi-dextrous, your receptive hand is your left. If you are completely left-handed your receptive hand is your right.) The stone that is right FOR YOU will “pull” you to it. This may not be the stone that looks the clearest or the most impressive, either. Our societies materialistic values and our conditioning to accept them must not enter into our decision, which is very hard for most of us at first. Our first tendency is to judge the stone -as we always judge ourselves and everything else in a constant stream of thoughts- by what we have been conditioned to believe is “good” or “bad”.

If the piece you are choosing is for a specific purpose; i.e. for healing, or to enhance your psychic abilities, or for meditation; it will help if you keep that purpose in mind while you are selecting the stone. An interesting phenomena often happens to people who are just going into the gem and mineral healing or psychic work. Most people start off with clear quartz, because it has the most applications. They go into a store or a gem show to purchase a clear quartz and find themselves drawn to all kinds of other “rocks” (as the collectors call them) too. Many times they bring a bag of various mineral specimens home with them. Later they look up the stones in one of the many reference books on this subject, only to find the stones they were drawn to are exactly the ones they need to deal with issues or illnesses that they need to work on.

The very first thing you need to do when you first get a crystal is to “clear it” from the imbalanced energies of anyone else who has touched it. Crystals “work” because of their piezoelectrical field. Researchers in Kirlian photography and other subjects have long shown us that the body is surrounded by a field of electro-magnetic energies, which psychics call the AURA. People who have studied this subject tell us that Crystals help us by attuning the piezoelectrical charge to the charge of our auras. So we must first remove the charges from the stone that come from other’s handling of it. This is done by leaving the stone in sea-salt (available at almost any health-food store) for 3 days. The only time you will have to use this technique – which is drastic – to cleanse the stone is when you first buy it. The reason I say the technique is drastic is because it erases ALL of your energy from the stone too, so the stone has to be rebonded. (explained later) This piezoelectrical effect of the stone is the same reason that quartz is useful in making computers, telephones, watches, and in other electronic devices.

2. the regular maintenance of your stone

The regular care and maintenance of your stone is really quite simple. First of all a gentler method of clearing the piece should be used at least once a week and after any uses in either physical or inner (mental/emotional/spiritual) healing work. This can be done in several ways. First of all, you can run it under COOL – no extremes of temperature PLEASE – water in your sink for several minutes, while visualizing (intensely imagining in vivid detail, from a meditative or extremely relaxed state) all imbalanced energies leaving it. You can also leave it in mugwort (an herb) for 2-3 days buried it in carefully. You can also place it in a flowerpot with an african violet plant, but you should know that if it has been used to heal any severe conditions, the plant will die. The stones should also be re-charged about once a month or after every use. For other stones, direct sunlight is not such a good idea as it can fade the colors. You can get the reflected energy of the sun by placing them in the moonlight during the waxing of the moon. (from one day after the new moon through the night of the full moon) They can also be charged by surrounding them in a circle of quartz points that have been charged by the sun, with the points of the crystals facing inward toward then stones being charged. Another method is to purchase an amethyst or quartz cluster and place the stones on it. A cluster is a specimen with several individual crystals on it. Oh, and if you charge the stone by a circle of crystals, be sure they have been cleared and charged themselves before using them to charge anything else. The circle should consist of at least 4 points, but 8 is best. These stones used for charging do NOT have to be large at all.

3. Using your stones
Stones are tools in our psychic work and, as in any other object used, work by focusing the mind’s powers. To get the best use out of them, more than just wearing them or carrying them is required. They should be used from a state of meditation, while visualizing the goals we wish to accomplish with them – such as healing, increased Psychic perception, etc. A good way to do this for to help you focus and a self-hypnosis tape that relates to your goals and use it. And if you are using the crystals in healing, be aware that they are NOT meant replace the care of a competent health professional – but many people find them a useful adjunct to it.

Author

Matrika, Author
co-sysop of PAN – the Psychic Awareness Network

Home & Hearth Magick for Wednesday, January 10th

On Wednesday cast for communication matters and to improve good luck

Planetary Influence: Mercury

Household Symbols: Phones, television, computers, letters, silver coins

Colors: Orange or purple

Kitchen Spices: Dill and celery seed

Source
Cottage Witchery
Natural Magick for Hearth & Home
Ellen Dugan

Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Spirituality 365 Days A Year for Jan. 10th &  11th

Roman Festival of Carmentalia/English Hogmanay

In ancient Rome the festival of Carmentalia was held to honor the nymphs of prophecy who were know as the Camenae. The principle nymph was Carmenta, the Goddess of prophecy who protect women in child birth. Pregnant women would offer Carmenta rice and fresh vegetables in exchange for a safe delivery.

Those women wishing to have children would ask Carmenta to bless wild berries that they would then eat to internalize fertility.

Magickal Activity for January 10th, The Roman Festival of Carmentalia/English Hogmanay

Ring on a String

If you, or someone you are close to, is pregnant this is an auspicious time to predict the sex of the child. Take a gold ring and suspend it from a chain or string and hold it over the mother’s belly. Should the string move in a circular motion it signifies that the baby is a girl. If, on the other hand, it swings back and forth the baby will surely be a boy.

In old English folklore the 11th of January was Hogmanay, the day after Christmas, when Witches were supposed to become active again. The York Castle Trial Records of January 11, 1655, revealed the following charm to ward off bewitchment of cattle:

Put a pair of breeches upon the cow’s head, and beat her out of the pasture with a good cudgel upon a Friday, and she will run to the Witch’s door and strike threat with her horns.

—Reginald Scott
The Discovery of Witchcraft, 1584

Good morning, my precious family. In case you are wondering how I am writing this to you, Jacob is typing and I am telling him what to say. He has been an unbelievable help and I don’t know what I would do without him. We got up early this morning and he brought a laptop to the house so we could do this. The ladies won’t be doing the site today because I have a doctor’s appointment today and another one next week. I know they must get tired of playing babysitter for me but if not for them I wouldn’t know what would become of me. I am very grateful to them and all they have done. I am also very grateful to all of you who sent cards and donations to me. I have never seen such an out pouring of support and I love you for it. I can never, ever to begin to thank you enough.

The reason I decided to let you know I was alive is because I talked to Lady Beltane the other day. I was dopey but that is my life these days. She said she wouldn’t believe I was alive till she heard my voice. Then I got to wondering if there was others who felt the same way. I am very much alive. I have several injuries. My entire left leg is in a cast and also have a cast up to the middle of my life arm. I am recovering from broken ribs. I have a horrible scar on my face. It goes from right beside my eye down to almost my lips. It took 24 stitches to sew it up. So you won’t be seeing any photos of me, I look like the bride of Frankenstein. Eleanor has been putting Vitamin E on it and another mixture she brewed up. It is starting to heal but I can still feel it every time I move my mouth. It might go away on the outside but I have a feeling it will be an inner scar I carry with me for the rest of my life.

I have people ask me what happened. Some of it I remember, some of it I don’t. I know the fire happened late at night. Kade was sleeping with me. I thought I heard a crash or window breaking. Kade got all excited and started jumping up and down on me. I got up to look over the banister and all I saw was flames. It seemed those flames were so high they were reaching the ceiling. I know they probably weren’t but the entire bottom floor was engulfed. There was no way out. I picked up a brass lamp and broke out the top window. It was either go out it or burn up and I would like to live a little longer. After I had knocked the window out, I picked up Kade and cling on to him for dear life. I remember looking back one more time. When I did the flames were almost up the banister. I saw blazes and fire, I was scared to death. I managed to crawl up to the edge of the window and jumped. I didn’t realize how far the jump was till I hit the ground. When I hit all I felt was pain, extreme pain. I tried to get up and walk and that was impossible. I screamed out in pain. I did manage to crawl a bit from the house. The next thing I remember was a neighbor picking me up and his wife grabbing Kade. They took us around front and propped me up against a tree away from the fire. Kade was laying down beside me. The neighbors tried to put the fire out but it was useless. The fire department got there and there was nothing they could do except to stop the fire from spreading to the woods around the cabin. I remember being put in the ambulance but I don’t remember seeing the fire anymore. I was in and out of it the entire time. I do remember one of the paramedics telling me not to touch my leg. Apparently I kept wanting to touch it, I know it hurt like hell. I would come and go, the next thing I remember was being in a hospital room. When everyone finally left I did touch my leg and it was the sickest thing I had ever felt. The big bone in your upper thigh was protruding through the skin. I freaked out. They started a morphine drip and told me they couldn’t reach my orthopedic doctor but they did reach the neurologist and he was the one who ordered the morphine. I don’t remember anything after that except apparently I had had surgery and was back in the room. I know I had a cast all the way up my leg and it was attached to a rope (I guess that is what you call it) and it was alleviated a bit.

No one would tell me of all my injuries. I don’t know if they thought I couldn’t handle the truth or not but I would rather have the truth than be kept in the dark. I know my ribs ached even with the morphine. My hand was a screwed up mess and my back was also aching. I talked to the orthopedic doctor and he finally told me the truth. I had lost a lot of blood. I am anemia to start with and can’t spare that much to start with. I would have to have at least two more surgeries before he would even consider letting me go. I had fractured my fusion and also landed on my hand which had already been put back together from the car wreck a year or two ago. He was going to have to try to glue my fractured fusion and then also readjust all the metal mess in my hand. Would you believe the only bone in that hand that wasn’t damage during the wreck, I broke in the fall. Boy, do I have the luck. He did tell me that with all the damage that had been done to my leg, I might not ever be able to use it again. After he left, I started to cry. Who wouldn’t after such good news? Eleanor came in and I was surprised to see her. I didn’t know she had been there the entire time but she had. See I was doped up. She wanted to know why I was crying and I told her. She came over and put her arms around me and told me I would be able to use that leg again and put weight on it. She said she would make sure my life returned to normal. Like I have always said what is normal?

All of you have done so much for me, with your prayers, your love, your donations, it is overwhelming. I got all the cards and letters after I got out of the hospital. The sentiment that each card and letter held, I could feel. I cried because of that but I was also overjoyed to know that you cared that much. I miss all of you and I miss my daily life. I don’t have a daily life right now except to lay in the bed, get up and try to walk, sit in a chair and look out a window.It is too cold to go outside. I have memories of the fire that are starting to come back now. I have nightmares. I wonder why someone would do such a thing, why? The fire was set, I know that and I know who done it. The neighbors even told the police who done it. It was a local farmer who I had befriended and come to find out he was crazy as a loony bird. He started following the boys and me all over the place every time we would go hunting or fishing. He would show up. I know the day before the fire happened we had gotten into it and I told him to leave us the hell alone. Come to find out he had been following me around for months, he even went as far as to peep in the windows at night. They have classified him as a stalker. I would classify him as a crazy person. I don’t know what illusions or fantasies he had nor do I want too. Apparently they ended that day, I told him to leave us alone. I can’t imagine a person being so evil they actually want to kill a person, burn them alive. I am thankful the boys were with their uncle when it happened. If not, they would have been killed in the fire and I couldn’t stand to live with myself if that had happened. But I sit and wonder and I have no reason for what the man done. He took everything from me, my old, old Book of Shadows, my families’ heirlooms, everything. They told me nothing was able to be salvaged from the fire. Not even the brass bed that was my great aunt’s. Everything gone. I haven’t been back to the cabin since I have been out of the hospital. Part of me wants too and the other part doesn’t. With the memories that have come back to me, I don’t believe I want to see it. I really don’t believe I can stand to see it. The memories that are now all gone. Memories of Mystie, the nights we would stay up all night and just girl talk, gone. The gatherings we held there, gone. Everything gone. That man took more than material possession, he took my life. I don’t know if I can ever begin to recover from this or not.

I know I miss my life but everyone tells me I will have it back in about three to four months. That is when the casts are suppose to come off, I hope. I have wonderful people around me but it still doesn’t take away the pain of loss. Lynette rented a cute little house. Eleanor raises hell because it is too little. Lynette told her that is wasn’t permanent just temporary, so live with it. Those two I love to pieces but…..I know Lynette put up a go fund me page and she informed me the other day it was still active. I believe that was after I told her she forgot to get a few things when shopping. She wanted to know what. Oh, like towels, dishes, cups, a coffee maker (of all things), pans, pots, the basic needs to run a house hold. At least she did remember to get sheets and a blanket for the bed. Her intentions are great it just has been a long time since she had to start housekeeping all over again.

I wanted you to know that I was a live and kicking with one leg. I do thank you so very much for everything that you have done for me. I can’t wait to get back to work, I miss you so. It is strange you take the things you do every day for granted till they are gone. Then you realize how precious and blessed you really were. I guess I better stop dictating to Jacob I know his fingers must be getting tired. I want you to know again, I thank you for everything you have done. I miss you and hopefully in a few months, I will be back. Till then, my sweets…..

Love ya,

Lady A

P. S. Lady A doesn’t know I added this. Lynette walked in and found out what I was doing. She wanted me to mention the go fund me account is up and running. If you can donate, fine. If not, please pass it on because she forgot so much of the daily essentials.====Jacob

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

The Witches Digest for Monday, January 8

(Part 1)

The Coven Spell

O ancient ones of heaven, earth and sea,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!
To music of the night-wind blowing free,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!

The owl hoots within the hollow tree,
The black cat runs by night silently,
The toad beneath the stone dwells secretly,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!

To moon that draws the tides of air and sea,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!
To god that bides beneath the greenwood tree,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!

By witches’ garter bound about the knee,
By staff and cauldron and all powers that be,
We will the thing in our minds we see,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!

The Spell is flowing like the sea,
The spell is growing like the tree,
Like flame that burns and blazes free.
We chant the spell, thus shall it be!
We chant the spell, thus shall it be!
We chant the spell, thus shall it be!
IT IS!

Source
Doreen Valiente
“Witchcraft For Tomorrow” pp. 181-182
Published on PaganLibrary

How Much Do You Really Know About the Month of January–The Month of Janus

The first month was called Januarius by the Romans, after Janus, the god of doors and gates. We see the same word in janua, the Latin for a gate or opening. From the idea that a door is a way in, an entrance, it became a custom among the Romans to pray to Janus whenever they undertook a new work. He was also the god of the beginning of the day, and it was only natural that when a new month was added at the beginning of the year it should be named after him. During this month offerings to the god were made of meal, frankincense, and wine, each of which had to be quite new.

Since a gate opens both ways, Janus was thought to be able to see back into the past, and forward into the future, and he was usually represented in pictures as having a double head that looked both ways. On the earliest Roman coins he is drawn with two bearded faces, with a staff in one hand, and a key in the other, He was also the protector of trade and shipping, and on some coins his head is shown with the prow of a ship. When people wished to picture him as the god of the year, they drew him holding the number 300 in one hand, and 65 in the other.

Janus was worshiped on the Janiculum (Hill of Janus), one of the seven hills on which Rome was built. Since he was the God of Gates, all the gates of Rome were under his care, especially the archway through which the army marched to war, and by which it returned. This archway was afterwards replaced by a temple which was called Janus Quadrifrons–that is, four-sided–because it was square. On each side of the building there were three windows and one door, making twelve windows and four doors, which represented the twelve months and the four seasons. In times of war the temple gates were kept wide open since people were continually making offerings to the god, but whenever there came a time of peace, the gates were at once closed. As we know the Romans were continually fighting, it does not surprise us to find that the gates of the temple were closed only three times in seven hundred years.

Janus was said to be the son of Apollo, the God of the Sun, whose daily task it was to drive across the sky in his chariot of fire. Each morning when Aurora, the Goddess of the Dawn, had opened the gates of the East, Apollo set forth, and when, his task accomplished, he reached the Western Ocean, he returned to his palace in the East.

“And the gilded car of day
His glowing axle doth allay
In the steep Atlantic stream:
And the slope sun his upward beam
Shoots against the dusky pole,
Pacing toward the other goal
Of his chamber in the East.”

MILTON–Comus.

Apollo had another son, named Phaeton, who one day persuaded his father to allow him to drive the sun chariot. All went well for a time, and then Phaeton, being a reckless boy, began to drive too fast. He soon lost control of the horses, which plunged madly along and bore the chariot far from its track. It went so close to the earth that the fields were scorched, the rivers were dried up, and even the people were turned black–and they are black to this day! The cries of the terrified people attracted the attention of Jupiter, the king of the gods, who became enraged when he caught sight of the daring boy in the chariot of the sun. Taking up one of his thunderbolts, he hurled it at Phaeton, who, scorched by its fire, fell headlong to the earth.

Another sad story told of Apollo is that of his friendship with a youth named Hyacinthus, to talk with whom Apollo used often to come down to the earth. Zephyrus, the God of the South Wind, was very fond of Hyacinthus too, and one day as Apollo and Hyacinthus were playing a game of quoits, Zephyrus came by. Filled with jealousy at the sight of Apollo and his friend, he blew Apollo’s quoit aside so that it struck Hyacinthus and killed him. Apollo was greatly distressed at his friend’s death, and in order that he might never be forgotten, changed the fallen blood-drops into clusters of flowers, which we still call Hyacinths.

“For so Apollo, with unweeting hand,
Whilom did slay his dearly loved mate,
Young Hyacinth born on Enrotas’ strand,
Young Hyacinth the pride of Spartanland,
But then transformed him to a purple flower.”

MILTON.

Another flower which should always remind us of Apollo is the sunflower. A story says that there once lived a girl named Clytie, and that each day, with eyes full of love for the fair sun god, she watched him journey across the sky: but Apollo, knowing nothing of her love, took no heed of her as he passed. Clytie watched for him day after day on a river bank, and her heart sank as each evening she saw his chariot dip down into the West. She would not leave the river bank, but stayed all through the cold night, anxiously waiting for the first flash of the sun’s rays from the glowing East. At last the gods took pity on her, and changed her into a sunflower. Her green dress became green leaves, and her golden hair became yellow petals. Now was she happy indeed, for she knew that she could always see Apollo, and you will find that to this day the sunflower turns its head towards the sun as it moves across the sky.

Aurora, the Goddess of the Dawn, whom we have mentioned as opening the gates of the East for the sun god Apollo, married a mortal, Tithonus, a prince of Troy. In order that their happiness might know no end, Aurora begged Jupiter to grant Tithonus immortality. The wish was granted, but in her anxiety that Tithonus should never be taken from her by death, Aurora forgot to ask also for the gift of eternal youth. As the years went on Tithonus grew old and weak and became only a burden to her. At length, tired of his shrill voice and constant complaints, she turned him into a grasshopper, whose shrill complaining note is known to all.

The name for this month among the Angles and Saxons was Wulfmonath (Wolf month), since it was the time of year when the wolves were unable to find food, and their hunger made them bold enough to come into the villages.

Monday, January 8

Monday is the sacred day of the moon, personified as the goddesses Selene, Luna, and Mani. The moon is ruler of flow, affecting the changeable and impressionable aspects of people. If a full moon falls on a Monday, then the powers of the moon are at their most potent.

Deity: Mani

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Planet: Moon

Tree: Willow

Herb: Chickweed

Stone: Agate

Animal: Crab

Element: Water

Color: Green

Rune: Lagu (L)

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

Runic Half Month of Eoh (Yew tree) (December 28 – January 12)

Goddess of the Month of Hestia (December 26th – January 22nd)

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

On Monday, January 8th, We Celebrate The Queen of the Witches, Hecate

Hecate

Believed to have originated outside of Greece—possibly Egypt or southwest Asia—before being assimilated into the Greek culture, Hecate was initially a mother goddess, associated with childbirth and the female reproductive process.
Her name has been given several possible meanings. “Hecate” is said to be a feminine form of “Hekatos,” which was a rarely used name for Apollo. It is also said to mean “most shining one,” which would correlate with portrayals of her wearing a starry headdress and holding a torch.
However, she later became associated with witchcraft, sorcery, ghosts, and the spirit world. Some argue that this was due to the advent of male-dominated societies becoming the norm, with a fear of women’s power. We will probably never know, but we do have an additional meaning for Hecate’s name, which is “she who works her will.” As such, she is a beloved patron goddess of many Wiccans and other magic-practicing Pagans.
In Greek mythology, Hecate tends to be seen as a powerful outsider. She is adopted by the Olympians, but never lives among them. And yet, in the earlier myths, Zeus grants her dominion over the Earth, the seas, and even the heavens, and she appears to be his equal.
Later myths show her as Zeus’ daughter and associate her with the Underworld. In one story, she is sent there to rescue Persephone who has been captured by Hades. Hades is reluctant to give Persephone up, so an arrangement is made to let her spend half of the year with the living and the other half in the Underworld with the dead. Hecate becomes Persephone’s chaperone as she moves between the worlds. As time went on, Hecate became increasingly depicted as a frightening hag, associated with the waning Moon and restless spirits, ultimately becoming known as the Goddess of the Dead.
Crossroads were traditionally associated with Hecate, most likely because of the crossroads that the newly dead would encounter in the Underworld. She could manifest as a black dog, considered a guardian symbol of both houses of the living and of the entrance to the realm of Hades.
She is often portrayed holding a snake—another symbol of the dead—and wearing a belt with the keys to the spirit world. She may be accompanied by a three-headed dog, or have the “triple head” of a dog, snake, and lion. Compared to the earlier representations of her with the torch and headdress of stars, it’s clear that her darker aspects became more prominent as time went on!
Wiccans revere Hecate’s title of “Queen of the Witches,” and many see her as an example of a triple goddess, even though she doesn’t quite fit the description in the classic sense. She is mostly a crone goddess, due to her associations with magic and death, and is called upon for help with transformational magic during the “dark” time of the year, beginning at Samhain. Some traditions worship Hecate and the Celtic goddess Brighid as alternating deities of darkneand light, with Hecate ruling over the waning half of the year, and Brighid ruling the waxing half—something like a feminine version of the Oak King and Holly King.
To honor Hecate, leave her offerings of raw eggs, cheese, or garlic at a crossroads, or decorate your altar with images of snakes, black dogs, owls or ravens.

Source

Wicca Magical Deities: A Guide to the Wiccan God and Goddess, and Choosing a Deity to Work Magic With
Lisa Chamberlain

The Magick of Monday

Spellwork intentions:
Psychic work
Intuition
Dreams
Spirit Work
Female Fertility
Reconciliation
Receptivity
Love
Purity
Healing

Planet: The Moon

Color: Silver

Crystal: Pearl, Opal, Moonstone

Magical Days Of the Week – Monday

Monday is the day of the moon itself, and it’s a day that’s connected to lunar colors like silver, white, or even a pale blue. Metals and gemstones like silver, pearl, opal and moonstone all come into play today.

There are plenty of deities associated with the moon – Thoth and Diana for instance – and herbal correspondences include many members of the mint family. Utilize wintergreen or peppermint, as well as catnip, comfrey, sage and chamomile in your workings.

When it comes to Monday magic, because of that lunar connection, it’s a good time to focus on workings related to childbearing and family life, purity and virginity, healing, wisdom, and intuition. Do a little bit of self exploration and work on developing your intuition – learn to trust your gut. Celebrate birth and life, and make some magic to fix what is broken.

Author

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

Monday–The Day of the Moon

The moon, like the sun, was an object of wonder in the days of old, and was worshiped almost everywhere in some form or other, but it does not play quite so important a part in story as the sun. Since the moon is paler than the sun and its light soft and gentle, it was often regarded as being a chariot driven by a woman, but the course of the moon-goddess across the sky was similar to that of the sun-god.

Diana, the moon-goddess of the Greeks and Romans, known also as Cynthia, Phoebe, and Arterms, was the twin-sister of Apollo, and drove a golden chariot drawn by milk-white horses. Diana and Apollo were children of Jupiter, and were born in the Island of Delos, where a temple to Apollo was afterwards built. Another of the Seven Wonders of the World was the temple to Diana at Ephesus, on the west coast of Asia Minor. The worship of Diana at Ephesus is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles: “And when the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, ‘Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?'” The temple was destroyed in the year A.D. 263, but remains of it may still be seen.

Diana was also the Goddess of Hunting; she was a skilled archer, and spent the day in huuting, as we have seen in the story of Orion.

The most famous story of Diana is that of her love for Endymion, a young shepherd–a story which has been told by the poets many times. One evening as the moon-goddess was driving silently across the sky, she saw sleeping on a hillside a handsome youth, his resting flock scattered over the gentle slope. Attracted by his beauty, Diana stepped from her chariot and gazed long at his face; then softly stooping, she kissed him lightly on the lips. Endymion, half wakened by her touch, caught a fleeting vision of the fair goddess as she hastened to her chariot. Filled with wonder at the sight, he rose quickly and rubbed his eyes, but all he saw was the bright moon floating across the dark sky, and he thought that he had been dreaming. The next night the goddess came to him again, and again he saw her with his half closed eyes. Each night when the bright rays of the moon fell on his upturned face he dreamed this wonderful dream, but he was always sleeping when the goddess came, and nevr saw her in her full and dazzling beauty. The days now seemed long and dreary to Endymion, and he waited anxiously for the night that he might see again the glorious vision.

Diana was filled with dread at the thought that the beautiful youth would lose his beauty as the years went by, and at last she cast a spell over him while he slept, so that he should never wake again, and carried him away to a cave in a mountain-side known only to herself. There the loving Diana paused each night in her journey across the sky, and gazed on the face of the fair Endymion.

Diana, when hunting in the forest, was attended by a band of wood-nymphs who were her faithful followers. One of these nymphs, Arethusa, was one day cooling herself after the chase on the banks of the River Alpheus, when suddenly the God of the River appeared. The startled nymph ran quickly into the woods, but the god Alpheus pursued her, telling her that he loved her and that she need fear no harm. Arethusa was too frightened to listen to the god, and ran on, till at last, worn out, she prayed to Diana for help. The moon-goddess was ever ready to help her faithful nymphs, and in answer to the prayer transformed the girl into a fountain, which she hid in a thick mist. Alpheus, suddenly losing sight of the nymph, wandered sorrowfully about, calling out her name in his distress. Arethusa now thought that she was safe, but the wind-god, Zephyrus, blew aside the mist, and Alpheus saw a fountain where there had not been one before, and guessed what had happened. He quickly changed himself into a river and rushed towards the fountain, but Arethusa sprang from the rocks and hastened away over the stones and grass. Diana now saw her fresh danger, and made an opening in the ground, through which Arethusa slipped, to find herself in the kingdom of Pluto, the God of the Underworld. Here she wandered until she found another opening, by which she escaped once again into the sunshine on the plain of Sicily. Alpheus, however, at last made his way across the sea to Sicily, where he found Arethusa and won her love. The Greeks believed that flowers cast into the River Alpheus in Greece were carried by the river as gifts to his lover, and appeared later in the fountain of Arethusa in Sicily!

Among the Egyptians the moon was regarded as a god, who was named Thoth (The Measurer). He was also the God of Wisdom, Invention, Writing, and Magic. He was one of the earliest of the Egyptian gods, having come into being at the same time as Ra, the sun-god, and it was he who was said to have created the world. The Romans compared him with Mercury because, like Mercury, he invented writing. As the God of the Moon, he was represented as wearing a crescent moon on his head, and holding in his hand a stylus, a pointed instrument used by the Egyptians for writing on their wax tablets.

The Babylonian moon-god was Sin, the Lord of Wisdom. He was the father of the sun-god, and was one of the greatest of the gods, owing to the fact that the Babylonians regulated their calendar by the moon.

The Angles and Saxons believed that the moon was driven across the sky by Mani, the son of a giant, in a golden chariot drawn by a horse named the All Swift. As in the case of the sun, our ancestors had no distinct goddess of the moon; but we shall read of Mani again in a later chapter.

Hymn to Diana

Queen and huntress, chaste and fair,
Now the sun is laid to sleep,
Seated in thy silver chair,
State in wonted manner keep:
Hesperus entreats thy light,
Goddess excellently bright.
Earth, let not thy envious shade
Dare itself to interpose;
Cynthia’s shining orb was made
Heaven to clear when day did close;
Bless us then with wished sight,
Goddess excellently bright.
Lay thy bow of pearl apart,
And thy crystal shining quiver;
Give unto the flying hart
Space to breathe, how short soever,
Thou that mak’st a day of night,
Goddess excellently bright.

BEN JONSON–Cynthia’s Revels.

The Witches Guide to Mondays

In the word Monday, we can see part of the word Moon. In the romance languages such as Italian or Spanish, this day of the week is called Lunes and clearly relates to the word lunar. On Mondays, a variety of magick may be worked. Because Monday centers on the energies of the Moon, things like dreams, feminine energy, health, success in spiritual pursuits, domestic matters, and things of family origin are especially important this day.

Mondays are best for love magick and anything concerning home or family, thus old saying, Mondays child is fair of face, which seems clearly to relate to the themes of love and health.

Angels of Monday are Gabriel, Arcan, Missabu, and Abuzaha. Arcan is known as the king of the angels of air and the “ruler” of Monday. Abuzaha (Abuzohar) serves Monday, and is very responsive to invocations and ritual magick. Missabu is a ministering angel of Arcan.

Check whether the moon is waning or waxing to determine what your spell will be. During waning moons, do spells to rid yourself of obstacles or for wisdom and protection. During waxing moons do magic for increase of any kind or to draw something into your life.

On Mondays, the best hour to work is moonrise. Get this information from your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac.
Source

Gypsy Magic

Monday Is A Day of Witchery, Magick and Enchantment

Think for a moment on all of the witchery, magick and enchantments that you have discovered. Don’t be afraid to adjust spells to suit your own specific needs. Any gentle, illusory, and dreamy charms and spells can be enhanced when you work on the day of the week that is dedicated to the moon. Mondays are a fantastic day to boost your psychic abilities and to tune in to your intuition and empathy. It also gives you the opportunity to work with a different lunar phase each and every Monday, which means in one month you could work four different types of moon magicks on Mondays. How’s that for adding to your repertoire? You are going to have mad skills in no time at all.

So light up those lunar scented candles and add a little mystique to your outfit by wearing an enchanting lunar color. Wear your sparkling silver jewelry and maybe add a pair of dangling silver earrings or a pendant shaped like a crescent moon. Create lunar potions and philters; make a dream catcher and give it as a gift to someone you love. Burn some sandalwood or jasmine-scented incense today to inspire the glamour and magick of the moon. Slice up a favorite variety of fruit that is in season for a snack or share it with your love and enjoy his or her lunar and romantic qualities. Brew up a cup of chamomile tea, enchant it with a little moon magick, and relax and get a good night’s sleep.

Most importantly, get outside tonight and watch the moon for a while. What phase is she in? What color was the moon as she rose? Why not start a journal and write down at what location the moon rises and sets for a few seasons? This is a great way to teach you to tune in and to become more aware of the moon and the influence that she pulls into our lives. Try calling on Selene for her magickal assistance, and call Thoth for wisdom and strength. Get to know the Norse Mani and the Latvian Meness. These gods of the moon have plenty to teach, and if you allow their influence to cycle through your life, you’ll receive many blessings. Be imaginative, and create your own personal lunar magick and witchery. Go on….the moonlight becomes you.

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

The Witches Almanac for Monday, January 8th

Midwives’ Day (Bulgarian)

Waning Moon

 
Fourth Quarter 5: 25 pm

 
Moon Sign: Libra

 
Incense: Hyssop

 
Color: Lavender

Moon in Libra

Creating order is the focus, not necessarily through tidying or organizing as was the case while the Moon was in Virgo, but rather through pleasing interactions with others and aesthetics in our environment. We tend to solve problems through diplomacy, and we are more able to put aside our own emotions in order to achieve the peace we crave. The tendency now is to avoid direct confrontations. Decisions do not come easily. Seeing both sides to any given situation is the main reason for hesitation. Fear of losing others’ approval is another.

The Moon in Libra generally favors the following activities: Relationship and partnership issues, activities involving teamwork and cooperation, activities that involve self-examination, activities related to beauty.

The Witches Correspondences for Monday, January 8th

Day: Monday ( Moon-day)

Planet: Moon

Colors: Silver and White and Grey

Crystals: Moonstone, Pearl, Aquamarine, Silver, Selenite

Aroma: Jasmine, Lemon, Sandalwood, Moon Oil, African violet, Honeysuckle, Myrtle, Willow, and Wormwood

Herb: Moonwart

The sacred day of the Moon, personified by such goddesses as Selene, Luna, Diana, and Artemis. The Moon is ruler of flow affecting the changeable aspects of people. If a full moon falls on a Monday, its powers are at their most potent.

Magical aspects: peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friendships, psychic awareness, purification, and fertility Monday is ruled by the moon – an ancient symbol of mystery and peace. Monday is a special day for mothers as the cycle of the moon has long been associated with the female menstrual cycle. Those wishing to conceive a baby would be wise to try on a Monday as the magic of motherhood is strong and pregnancy is in the air.

This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving agriculture, animals, female fertility, messages, reconciliation’s, theft, voyages, dreams, emotions, clairvoyance, home, family, medicine, cooking, personality, merchandising, psychic work, Faerie magic, and Goddess rituals

Monday Is Ruled By the Moon

This day of the week is dedicated to the moon and all of her magic and mystery. Mondays are for women’s mysteries, illusion, prophetic dreaming, emotions, travel, and fertility.

Some suggestions for Monday enchantments would include:

*Getting outside and looking for the moon in the heavens. Sit under her light and absorb a little glamour. Call on the moon goddess Selene for practical help in magical issues.

*Invoking the god Thoth for wisdom and insight

*Empowering your silver jewelry under the light of the moon. Wear moonstone or pearl jewelry today to add a lunar and magical shimmer to your outfit.

*Be mysterious and subtle and wear moon-associated colors such as white, silver, and blue.

*Working spells for safe travel with a simple moonstone

*Gathering bluebells, jasmine, gardenias, or white roses to create a little garden witchery with the flowers that are associated with the moon

*Setting up a lunar Tarot spell today to increase your psychic powers

*Eating a lunar fruit such as a melon to be healthy, serene, and at peace

*Brewing up a cup of chamomile or mint tea and enchanting it for sweet dreams and restful sleep

The Energy of the Moon

Planet: Moon

Day: Monday

Color: Silver, white, light blue, purple

Metal: Silver

Associations: Childbearing and family life, purity and virginity, healing, wisdom, intuition

MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR MONDAY

Monday is named after the moon. The Latin term for Monday is Dies Lunae (“moon’s day”); in the Old English language, this day was Monandaeg; in Greek, it was Hermera Selenes. All of these different names and languages translate to the same thing: the “day of the moon.”

Working with the different phases of the moon is an important skill that takes a bit of time for Witches to learn. So why not cut to the chase and experiment with the day of the week that is dedicated to the moon in all of its magickal energies and aspects?

Magickally, Monday encourages the lunar energies of inspiration, illusion, prophetic dreams, emotions, psychic abilities, travel, women’s mysteries, and fertility.

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

The Witches Magick for Monday, January 8th – Household Protectors Spell

Everyone has a protector, individual and family collective. If you think you don’t get help from yours, perhaps you need to give them a little more attention and praise. Use statues, bowls of stones, or other focal objects as a habitation for the family protectors.
This ritual is best during the waxing moon. Gather the following objects on your altar. Choose incense that reminds you of herbs, forests, and green growing things. Put a green candle in a holder and lay your wand beside it.
Decorate the immediate area around your symbol with pine cones, small statues of deer or other forest animals, ivy, holly, or something similar. Clean the guardian symbol so it hasn’t any dust or dirt on it. If the symbol is small enough set it on the altar or next to it.
Light the incense and candle. Stand before your altar and say:

Guardian spirits, I invite you to join me here at this altar.
You are my friends, ,and I wish to thank you.

Take the incense and circle the guardian symbol three times, moving clockwise.
I thank you for the atmosphere you help to keep clean and pleasant in this home.
Move the candle clockwise around the symbol three times.
I thank you for the light you send to purify and dispel the darkness.
With the wand in your power hand, encircle the symbol three times clockwise.
I ask for your continued help and protection for me, my family, my pets, and my property. I ask that you drive away trouble-makers, thieves, and other, physical and non-physical, who are bent on evil disruptive purposes. I thank you for your friendship and love.
Stand with your arms raised and say:

Lovely Goddess, Lord of the Greenwood, I present to you the guardian of this house, the special spirit I have invited into my home. I honor this guardian in this symbol of its being. Bless this guardian. And to your blessings, I add my thanks for its protection and friendship.

If you have more than one guardian, change all the its to their and so on. Spend a few moments lovingly caressing the symbol, mentally expressing that the guardian is important to you. If you have provided food and drink, invite your guardian friends to party with you. Talk with them, being sensitive to feathery caresses and mental whispers. When you are finished, thank them for their presence at your ritual.

Celebrating Legends,Folklore & Other Spirituality 365 Days A Year for January 8th

Justitia’s Day (Themis)

In classical Paganism, the spirit of Justice was feminine. It was believed that the quality of justice depended upon the femi- nine principle of Nature, which had a closer kinship with natura justum (that which is by Nature) than the masculine sex had.

 
It was Themis, the daughter of Uranus and Gaea and advisor to Zeus, who personified law and order. She protected the innocent, punished the guilty, and was considered the Goddess of law, peace, justice and righteousness. Themis carried a set of scales and was present at all feasts, social gatherings, and oath-swearing ceremonies

Magickal Activities for January 8th, The Day of Justitia

Prayer for Justice

Gracious Goddess, I beseech thy advocacy on my behalf.

Give to those who judge the spirit of wisdom and

understanding that they may discern the truth.

Allow them to render justice moderated with

compassion and mercy.

The Current Moon Phase for Monday, January 8th

Last Quarter
Illumination: 55%

The Moon today is in a Third Quarter phase. Sometimes called a Last Quarter Moon, this phase occurs roughly 3 weeks after the New Moon when the earth is three quarter of the way through it’s orbit around the earth. If you live in the northern hemisphere the Moons left side will be illuminated and the right side dark. For thoughts of you in the southern hemisphere it will be the opposite with the right side illuminated. On the day of the Third Quarter phase the Moon will rise around midnight on the eastern horizon and set in the west around noon the next day. In the days following the Third Quarter Phase the Moon’s illumination will decrees each day until the New Moon.

PHASE DETAILS FOR – MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2018
Phase: Last Quarter
Illumination: 55%
Moon Age: 21.72 days
Moon Angle: 0.52
Moon Distance: 385,505.10 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 147,108,991.96 km
Source
MoonGiant.com

Ah, come on, Mom, I heard Magickal Necessities is having sales, sales and more sales. Let’s go see!

Magickal Necessities

We are taking off today to go to the hospital and visit with Lady A. Afterwards, we have somethings to get done in the house that we rented for her. It seems Lynette and Lord Myst have my day planned out for me. Lynette hasn’t introduced herself to you yet. She just popped on here and made the statement she has put up a “Go Fund Me” account for Lady A. Lynette is a Solitary Practitioner who also happens to be Celtic. Lady A mentored her for several years and it seems now she thinks she owns the place. As most of you know, Lady A, Mystie and Lord Myst all came out of the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. It was against the wishes of the grove there that Lady A come down here (Western Kentucky). She told them she was coming with or without their consent. The head of the grove told her if she came, she would bring two protectors with her. Not that Lady A needs anyone’s protection. She is a very powerful witch. The protectors would watch her back and detect any negative or evil will, entities, spirits or anything else around. That way Lady A wouldn’t have to stop her work and deal with the matter. Lord Myst and Mystie would take care of that sort of thing. The grove considered Lady A’s work very important and still do. They believe she is blessed by the Goddess to carry our message forward.

Since Mystie’s passing there is now an opening for a protector for Lady A. I was offered the position first. If I refuse the position, Lynette is next in line for the position. I love Lady A as a sister and would defend her with my life if need be. I am considering if I want to leave my home in Louisiana and move to Kentucky. It would be a big change for me but I believe it would be worth it. I honestly don’t believe Lynette is up to the challenge, even though she disagrees. She has been trying to get me to go back to home, she could handle things from now on out. Her wanting me to leave, makes me leery. I told her I would not consider leaving till Kit (Lady A) was out of the hospital. Now, after being offered this new position, I don’t know if I will be leaving or not. The house we rented for Kit, I can move in there after her cabin is rebuilt. More than likely, you will be stuck with me with for a long time to come. I want to know Kit is safe and if I had been here, I would have seen the fire coming. I could have avoided this whole horrible mess by looking into the future and seeing it coming.

I am going to the hospital now. I haven’t spent hardly anytime with her. Lord Myst has been hogging her all to himself. I plan on staying the biggest part of the morning and some of the afternoon. The other ladies are planning on coming this afternoon. I will tell you it is hard to run everything the WOTC is involved in. I don’t know how Lady A does it all. Hopefully she will back with us soon. Please remember her in your daily prayers.

We will return tomorrow to resume the Daily Digest and also update you on Lady A’s condition.

Eleanor

Remember the store is open. You have gifted everyone else, now gift yourself.

The Witches Digest for Friday, December 22

The Witches Guide to Fridays

Today is Friday, November 17th

Friday is the day of Venus. It takes it name from Frigg, the Goddess of love and transformation. She rules the spiritual side of a person that manifests in the physical. Because of this, Friday is often thought of as dangerously unpredictable. This is expressed in an old East Anglian adage:

Friday’s day will have its trick
The fairest or foulest day of the week.

Deity: Frigg

Zodiac Sign: Taurus/Libra

Planet: Venus

Tree: Apple

Herb: Vervain

Stone: Sapphire/Chrsolite

Animal: Bull/Serpent

Element: Earth

Color: Yellow/Violet

Number: 7

Rune: Peorth(P)

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)

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

On Friday, December 22nd, We Celebrate the God Herne

Herne, God of the Wild Hunt

BEHIND THE MYTH
Unlike the majority of deities in the Pagan world, Herne has his origins in a local folktale, and there is virtually no information available to us via primary sources. Although he is seen as an aspect of Cernunnos, the Horned God, the Berkshire region of England is the home to story behind the legend. According to folklore, Herne was a huntsman employed by King Richard II. In one version of the story, other men became jealous of his status and accused him of poaching on the King’s land.

Falsely charged with treason, Herne became an outcast among his former friends. Finally, in despair, he hung himself from an oak tree which later became known as Herne’s Oak.

In another variation of the legend, Herne was fatally wounded while saving King Richard from a charging stag. He was miraculously cured by a magician who tied the antlers of the dead stag to Herne’s head. As payment for bringing him back to life, the magician claimed Herne’s skill in forestry. Doomed to live without his beloved hunt, Herne fled to the forest, and hanged himself, again from the oak tree. However, every night he rides once more leading a spectral hunt, chasing the game of Windsor Forest.

SHAKESPEARE GIVES A NOD
In The Merry Wives of Windsor, the Bard himself pays tribute to the ghost of Herne, wandering Windsor Forest:

There is an old tale goes that Herne the Hunter,
Some time a keeper here in Windsor Forest,
Doth all the winter-time, at still midnight,
Walk round about an oak, with great ragg’d horns;
And there he blasts the tree, and takes the cattle,
And makes milch-kine yield blood, and shakes a chain
In a most hideous and dreadful manner.
You have heard of such a spirit, and well you know
The superstitious idle-headed eld
Receiv’d, and did deliver to our age,
This tale of Herne the Hunter for a truth.

HERNE AS AN ASPECT OF CERNUNNOS
In Margaret Murray’s 1931 book, God of the Witches, she posits that Herne is a manifestation of Cernunnos, the Celtic horned god. Because he is found only in Berkshire, and not in the rest of the Windsor Forest area, Herne is considered a “localized” god — and could indeed be the Berkshire interpretation of Cernunnos.

The Windsor Forest area has a heavy Saxon influence. One of the gods honored by the original settlers of the region was Odin, who also hung at one point from a tree. Odin was also known for riding through the sky on a Wild Hunt of his own.

LORD OF THE FOREST
Around Berkshire, Herne is depicted wearing the antlers of a great stag. He is the god of the wild hunt, of the game in the forest. Herne’s antlers connect him to the deer, which was given a position of great honor — after all, killing a single stag could mean the difference between survival and starvation, so this was a powerful thing indeed.

Herne was considered a divine hunter, and was seen on his wild hunts carrying a great horn and a wooden bow, riding a mighty black horse and accompanied by a pack of baying hounds. Mortals who get in the way of the Wild Hunt are swept up in it, and often taken away by Herne, destined to ride with him for eternity. He’s seen as a harbinger of bad omen, especially to the royal family. According to local legend, Herne only appears in Windsor Forest when needed, such as in times of national crisis.

HERNE TODAY
In the modern era, Herne is often honored side by side with Cernunnos and other horned gods.

Despite his somewhat questionable origins as a ghost story blended with Saxon influence, there are still many Pagans who celebrate him today. Jason Mankey of Patheos writes, “Herne was first used in Modern Pagan Ritual back in 1957, and was referred to as a sun-god listed alongside Lugh, (King) Arthur, and the Arch-Angel Michael (a strange hodgepodge of deities and entities to say the least). He shows up again in Gerald Gardner’s The Meaning of Witchcraft published in 1959 where he is called a “British example par excellence of a surviving tradition of the Old God of the Witches.”

If you’d like to honor Herne in your rituals, you can call upon him as a god of the hunt and of the forest; given his background, you might even want to work with him in cases where you need to right a wrong.

Author

Patti Wigington
Published on ThoughtCo.com

Spellcrafting for Friday, July 29th

 Love
 Peace
 Family
 Marriage
 Beauty
 Growth
 Art
 Social status
 Passion
 Music
 Sexuality

Source

A Spell Crafter’s Compendium
Terri Paajanen

The Magickal Day of Friday

Friday falls at the end of the work week for many of us, and that means we get a chance to relax for a little bit! Mark your Fridays with colors like pink and aqua, and metals such as copper. This is a day ruled by the planet Venus, so it should be no surprise that Venus and Aphrodite – goddesses of love and beauty – are associated with Fridays. This is a day named for the Norse goddess Freyja, so be sure to take a moment to honor her as well.

Gemstones associated with Friday include coral, emerald and rose quartz, and plants like strawberries, apple blossoms and feverfew are also related. This is a good day to do spellwork associated with family life and fertility, sexuality, harmony, friendship, growth. Take advantage of Friday’s correspondences and plant a seed, make something grow, and enjoy your blessings

*Note: There are a lot of disputes as to the origins of the word Friday, because there is still a great deal of discussion as to whether it was named for Freyja or Frigga, and whether they were the same deity or two separate ones. Some scholars believe that while they may have eventually become two distinctly different goddesses, they could have had their origins in a single, common Proto-Germanic deity.

Author

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

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.

The Witches Guide to Fridays

Love magick is a perennial popular topic. However, there is more to this topic than meets the eye. There are many enchanting layers here for us to explore on this day of the week. What about creating a loving home, or producing a loving and nurturing family? What about keeping your intimate relationships vital and on track? How about promoting happy, healthy, and enduring friendships? See, there is more to be considered than just the “You shall be mine…” type of fictional love spell.

Don’t forget that many of the deities associated with Fridays are also parents. So, yes, while this is the day to work on romance, sex, and love spells, there is additional magick to be considered here, which makes Fridays a more well-rounded and bigger opportunity for witchery than many folks ever truly realize. The truest, strongest magick always comes from the heart.

Source

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

The Witches Honey-Do List for Fridays

Fridays are days of loving enchantments and passionate emotions.

See how many ways you could add a little loving enchantment into your life and the lives of your loved ones. If you wish to explore the topic of love and romance witchery even further, then check out my book How to Enchant a Man: Spells to Bewitch, Bedazzle &Beguile. If cat magick has tickled your fancy, then for further study read my book The Enchanted Cat: Feline Fascinations, Spells &Magick.

In the meantime, try sharing red berries with your partner some enchanted evening. Work that meditation, and see what other mysteries Freya has to teach you. Wear a Venus planetary color and call on the Goddess for a little inner sparkle. Burn some floral incense, light up some rosy candles, and set a romantic mood. Try wearing a little copper jewelry, and see how it affects you and your Friday magick. Get those potpourri and philter recipes going, and see what you can conjure up.

Advancing your magickal skills takes drive, ambition, and passion. Work with Eros to discover just how much enthusiasm, inspiration, and drive he can bring into your days, for the imagination is a place where dreams flourish and ideas come to fruition.

Call on these fertile and romantic powers, and create your own unique spells and charms. Just think of all the magickal information that you can now add to your repertoire of witchery. Lastly, remember this: when you combine imagination and a loving heart with magick, you’ll succeed every time.

Source

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

The Witches Almanac for Friday, December 22nd

Feast of SS. Chaeremon and Ischyrion

Waxing Moon

Moon Phase: First Quarter

Incense: Rose

Color: Pink

The Waxing Moon

The Waxing Crescent Moon occurs 3 ½ to 7 days after the New Moon. She rises in the mid-morning and sets in the evening. The Moon’s light is quickening. As the Moon has dropped back until she is about ?th of the way behind the Sun, we see her lumination as a crescent shape.

You will see the first quarter Moon from 7 to 10 ½ days after the New Moon. She will rise around noon and set around midnight.

As the Moon is at a right angle to the Sun the difference between high and low tide is minimized. Because light and dark are in balance, the Moon will appear to be a Half Moon, but the area of light will continue to grow each day.

The Waxing Gibbous Moon occurs between 10 ½ and 14 days after the New Moon. She rises sometime in the mid-afternoon and sets in the early dark hours of the morning.

As the Moon has fallen back around ? of the way behind the Sun, one side of the Moon is seen fully and the light on the other side bulges out, but does not yet fill all of the Moon’s face.

Now your projects can get into their stride. Be aware, however, that overstrains are more likely at this time and that the body takes things in and absorbs them more readily with a Waxing Moon.

It is also a good time to build yourself up if you have been unwell or otherwise off-colour. Absorbing, boosting your energy and taking up supplies are crucial now. Go on an active holiday, get in touch with friends, plan a party, arrange meetings and increase communication.

As Full Moon approaches, notice what isn’t working and shed it in order to focus your energies more effectively. Remind yourself to slow down a little and conserve your strength. This is a time of regeneration and to gather information and resources.

Source

Pagan Portals – Moon Magic
Rachel Patterson

Magickal Workings for The Waxing Moon

The waxing moon is the period during which the moon grows from dark to full. It takes approximately fourteen days for this to happen. In many magical traditions, people use this time of the moon to perform “positive” magic — in other words, magic that draws things to you, or increases things. Some examples would include:

Any magic related to increasing material items

Source:

Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Originally Published on & owned by ThoughtCo.com

FRIDAY CORRESPONDENCES

Venus/Water/East/West/South/Dawn/Female/Libra/Taurus

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers, Heart

Color: aqua, blue, light blue, brown, green, pale green, magenta, peach, pink, rose, white, all pastels

Number: 5, 6

Metal: copper

Charm: green or white garments, scepter

Stone: alexandrite, amethyst, coral, diamond, emerald, jade, jet, black moonstone, peridot, smoky quartz, tiger’s-eye, pink tourmaline

Animal: camel, dove, elephant, goat, horse, pigeon, sparrow

Plant: apple, birch, cherry, clematis, clove, coriander, heather, hemlock, hibiscus, ivy, lotus, moss, myrtle, oats, pepperwort, peppermint, pinecone, quince, raspberry, rose, pink rose, red rose, rose hips, saffron, sage, savin, stephanotis, strawberry, thyme, vanilla, verbena, violet, water lily, yarrow, and all flowers

Incense: ambergris, camphor, mace, musk, myrrh, rose, saffron, sage, sandalwood, sweetgrass, vanilla, violet, all floral scents

Goddess: Aphrodite, Asherah, Baalith, Brigid, Erzulie, Freya (Passionate Queen), Frigg, Gefion, Harbor (Beautiful One), Hestia, Inanna, Ishtar (Lady of Passion and Desire), Lakshmi, Lilith, Mokosh, Nehalennia, Nerthus, Ostara, Pombagira, Sarasvati, Shakti, Shekinah, Sirtur, Al Uzza, Venus (Queen of Pleasure), Vesta

God: Allah, Bacchus, Bes, Cupid, the Dagda, Dionysus, El, Eros (God of Love), Freyr, Frit Ailek, Shukra

Evocation: Agrat Bat Mahalat, Anael, Hagiel, Mokosba, Rasbid, Sachiel, Uriel, Velas

Courtesy of Moonlight Musings

Friday Is Ruled By Venus

Friday belongs to Venus, both the planet and its namesake Roman goddess of love. This day is sacred to many other gods and goddesses of love such as Eros, Venus, Aphrodite, and the Norse goddess that gave the day its name, Freya. This day of the week is for magical topics such as love, birth, fertility, and romance. Colors for today include pink and aqua.

Some suggestions for Friday enchantments would include:

Carrying a rose quartz with you today to send out some gentle and loving vibes to those crabby co-workers

Working a loving Tarot spell to charm a friend’s pregnancy with good health and safetyantic snack with your partner. Feed each other ripe, red strawberries. Those strawberries are love-inducing food, and are sacred to many love goddesses, including today’s patroness, Freya.

Working a little flower magic to enchant a single pink rose for friendship and inner beauty, and setting it on your desk. Or try empowering a red rose for passion and placing it in your bedroom

Burning rose-scented candles to encourage the same effect. Call on Eros to “bring a passion for life” to your days.

Sharing a romantic snack with your partner. Feed each other ripe, red strawberries. Those strawberries are love-inducing food, and are sacred to many love goddesses, including today’s patroness, Freya.

Your Perfect Potions for the Holidays

Love Apple Cocktail

This cocktail is meant to arouse desire. Stir together in a saucepan 2 cups of tomato juice, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon of basil, and a dash each of dill and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer the mixture for three minutes, then chill it in the refrigerator. Strain the beverage before serving. Dill is powerful enough to bring on proposals of marriage, so if you’re not interested in marriage, you substitute with celery salt!

Love Drink

3 cl (~ 0.34 fl oz) of liquor
The thin peel an juice from 1⁄2 lemon
1 dl (~ 3.4 fl oz) of liquid honey
1 dl (~ 3.4 fl oz) of sugar
1 cinnamon stick
5 tbsp of coriander
5 fennel seeds
a pinch of dried sage
A pinch of dried rosemary
A larger pinch of dried basil
A couple of chopped almonds
A few lavender flowers
A bit of saffron for love and color

Let it soak for at least 1 month, taste, strain and let it rest for 6 months. Bring it up on a cold night an pour it carefully into the glass, so that none of the sediment gets in. Offer your partener a glass and enjoy the effect!!

Source

How To Make Potions & Spells That Really Work: The Beginners Guide To Real Witchcraft
Crafty Witch

Friday & The Perfect Corresponding Spell

For many, Friday is the last work day of the week. It’s considered the fifth day of the work week and, also, the “cut loose” day. By Friday night, people are out having a party. That makes Friday the perfect day for lust, banish, fast-grant, and find spells. This day is so powerful (energy wise). That’s why whatever you do on this day will, usually, have a strong effect. If you want things out of your life, the darkness and power, associated with this day, bring the energy you need for that. If you need strong, immediate results, this is your day, as well.

Lust Spell – Hair on Stick Lust Spell

Items you will need:
3 strands of hair
1 comb or brush
1 small stick
1 tube of red paint
1 bottle of glue

Find a small stick and paint it red. While the paint is drying, comb through your hair and take three strands from your comb or brush. After the paint on the stick is dry, cover the stick in glue. Then, wrap the three strands of hair around the stick and let the glue dry.

Now, say this chant:

“I’ve wrapped up my passion.
I’ve wrapped up my lust.
I’m ready for it to come out.
I’m ready to trust
My desires and my will,
So the Universe can make it real.”

Put the stick under your bed, and your desires should could true.

Source

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

Ethics of Love Magic – Is it OK to Perform

Love spells. They’re one of the things that often draws new folks to Wicca and Pagan religions. However, there’s a lot of question within the Pagan community about the ethics of on someone else. After all, if you’re performing magic on someone without their knowledge, aren’t you messing with their free will?

Most Wiccans will tell you that the best way to approach love magic is to avoid focusing on a specific individual as a target. Instead, use your energy and skills to focus on yourself — to draw love your way, or to help you present yourself as a person worthy of love. You could use your magical abilities to feel more confident and attractive, much like a magical makeover. In other words, fix yourself, not someone else.

Bear in mind that many Pagan traditions have no restrictions on the use of magic to change someone else. If you’re part of such a tradition, the use of love magic may well be within the boundaries of . In some traditions of folk magic, love magic is perfectly acceptable. It’s something that’s done as a matter of course, and is no more unethical than wearing a sexy perfume or a cute push-up bra. Magic is viewed as a tool, and can be used in tandem with the mundane to bring you what you want — after all, if you didn’t want to change things, you wouldn’t be doing magic in the first place, right?

Before casting any sort of working that affects another person, though, be sure to think about consequences. How will your actions affect not only you, but other people? Will it ultimately cause harm? Will it cause someone to be hurt, either directly or indirectly? These are all things that should be evaluated before performing any working at all, whether it’s a love spell or some other type of magic. If your tradition or belief system prohibits you from performing magic on someone without their consent or knowledge, then you’d be better of skipping the love magic, and focusing instead on self-improvement and self-empowerment.

Rather than aiming a love spell at someone and expecting them to become your devoted servant and doormat, consider looking at love spells as a method of (a) getting someone to notice you AND (b) getting the person to, once they’ve noticed you, find all the things about you that they like. If you maintain this perspective, you should be able to work love magic and still keep within your ethical boundaries.

By Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Originally published and owned by ThoughtCo.com

Time Has Come

A time has come now for us to remember
to walk the blissful ways of Yule.
Through the snowflakes´ whirling flight
Wandering, wandering,
through the silent winter night.

Under the ice slumber brooklets and lakes,
and the woods are dreaming a deeper dream.
Through the world all wrapped in white
Wandering, wandering,
through the silent winter night.

From the high heavens a luminous silence
is filling all our hearts with joy.
In the starry, gleaming light
Wandering, wandering,
through the silent winter night.

The days grow shorter and darker,
the light of the Gods is growing in our hearts.
Round the Yulefire, side by side,
singing all, singing all,
singing all the long winter´s night.

The year is ending, a new one begins,
and the Aesir always walk with us.
Round the Yuletree shining bright
celebrate, celebrate,
the return of warmth and light.

© 2006 Michaela Macha
Published on Odin’s Gifts

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