Your Winter Love Horoscopes 2015-2016

 

 

 

 

Winter Love Horoscopes 2015-2016

Love reaches the heights and depths of the season

Maria DeSimone

Tarot.com is a Daily Insight Group Site

The Balance of the Elements & the Signs for December 8th

 

 

 

 

The Balance of the Elements & the Signs for December 8th

 

SCORPIO STRONG
Intense, magnetic, penetrating perception, power to confront. Can be destructive, vengeful, jealous, overly dramatic.
SAGITTARIUS STRONG
Inspiring, broad vision, enthusiastic, goal seeking, truthful, adventurous. Can be reckless, unrestrained, tactless.

BALANCE OF ELEMENTS

FIRE STRONG
Fire is enthusiastic, dynamic, and spontaneous, but lacks reflection. We are more courageous and adventurous now, with a tendency to act before thinking. There is little concern about what happened in the past. We are competitive and possibly impatient or bored easily.
EARTH WEAK
There can be a lack of desire, interest, or skills regarding practical affairs. We may not be very much in touch with reality. Difficulties concentrating, grounding ourselves.
AIR WEAK
We may have a difficult time being objective or detached. We may not be especially communicative.

BALANCE OF MODES

The modes are balanced.

Astrology of Today – December 8, 2015

 

 

 

 

Astrology of Today – December 8, 2015

Summary:

The Sun forms a trine with Uranus today, and this energy serves to detach us just enough to be able to embrace change or to move forward in some way. There can be a nice feeling of looking forward to the future and a desire to make improvements without pressure.

  • The Moon is in Scorpio all day (until Wednesday, December 9th, at 5:25 PM).
  • The Moon is waning and in its Waning Crescent phase.
  • A Last Quarter Moon occurred on the 3rd, and a New Moon will occur on December 11th.

The Current Moon Phase for December 8th is Waning Crescent

December 8
Waning Crescent
Illumination: 8%

 

The Moon today is in a Waning Crescent phase. In this phase the Moon’s illumination is growing smaller each day until the New Moon. During this phase the Moon is getting closer to the Sun as viewed from Earth and the night side of the Moon is facing the Earth with only a small edge of the Moon being illuminated. This phase is best viewed an hour or 2 before the sunrise and can be quite beautiful if you’re willing to get up early. It can also be a great time to see the features of the Moon’s surface. Along the edge where the illuminated portion meets the dark side, the craters and mountains cast long shadows making them easier to observe with a telescope or binoculars.

Phase Details for – Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Phase: Waning Crescent
Illumination: 8%
Moon Age: 26.76 days
Moon Angle: 0.50
Moon Distance: 402,137.99 km

Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 147,352,243.18 km

The Witches Magick for December 8th – Circle of Security

blessed are the witches

CIRCLE OF SECURITY

Here’s another way to keep your home and everyone in it safe from harm of any kind – acts of nature as well as human menaces.

INGREDIENTS/ TOOLS:

Small clear quartz crystals

A black cloth

A garden trowel or shovel

BEST TIME TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

Begin on Saturday during the waning moon

Collect the listed ingredients. If you live in a house and have a yard, you’ll need enough crystals to completely circle your house. If you live in an apartment, you’ll need one crystal for each window and each door to the outside. Wash the crystals with mild soap and water, then pat them dry. If you have a large area to cover and a lot of crystals, you might need to continue this spell over a period of days.

Draw or find a picture of a pentagram and lay it on your altar, or another surface. Place the crystals on it and visualize them absorbing the protection represented by the pentagram. Lay the black cloth over the crystals, covering them completely. Allow the crystals to sit overnight.

In the morning, remove the cloth. Pick up the crystals, put them in a bowl or other container, and take them outside. Beginning in the east, bury the crystals in your yard one at a time, making a protective circle that surrounds your home. Position them as close together or as far apart as feels right to you. If you live in an apartment, start at the east and place a crystal on each windowsill (inside) of your living space. Then set a crystal in a safe spot near or above each exterior door. As you work repeat this affirmation aloud:

“Crystals wise, crystals strong

Protect my home all day long.

Crystals clear, crystals bright

Keep it safe throughout the night.”

You may also want to hang a pentagram on each door that leads into your home

 

–Skye Alexander, The Modern Guide to Witchcraft: Your Complete Guide to Witches, Covens, and Spells

 

Let’s Talk Witch – The Gods

wiccan in the woods

The Gods

 

Witchy practices often focus on the goddess, especially during lunar rituals such as full moon and new moon. But let us not forget her consort, the god, the masculine half of the deity. Like the goddess, the god comes in many different forms, with many different names, and he changes shape throughout the course of the year.

We draw on the same mythological pantheons for the names we call the gods as we do for our goddesses. Greek and Roman gods are often well known (Neptune, Saturn, Pluto, Mars, and Mercury… now where have I heard those before?), as are some Celtic, Norse, and Egyptian gods (among others). Even the names of the days of the week come from the names of Norse gods, such as Thor (Thor’s day became Thursday) and Woden (Wednesday).

Zeus was the father of the Greek gods and ruled from high atop Mount Olympus. (And when they say he was the father of the gods, they aren’t kidding-the guy seriously got around.) The modern-day Olympics are based on a Greek festival that was held in his honor.

Jupiter was Zeus’s Roman counterpart, and like Zeus, he was known for throwing thunderbolts bolts at those who pissed him off. This was true of Thor as well, who was a god of justice. I guess you can figure out what happened to those who didn’t play nice … (ouch, sizzle).

Many Witches like to call on gods from the Celtic pantheon, especially Cernunnos and Herne, both of whom were usually depicted as the figure of a man with stag’s antlers. It is likely that these gods were the origin, at least in part, of the Green Man and Horned God that play such an important part in Pagan worship. We also call on the sun god Lugh, especially on Lugh- nasadh, the holiday we celebrate in his honor.

Apollo was the Greek sun god who was also a god of healing. Traditionally, the sun tended to be the domain of the gods, while the moon fell under the influence of the goddess. This may explain why the god dies during the darkest time of the year and then is reborn at Yule, when the light is beginning to return.

As with the goddess, some Witches call the god by one particular name, or many, or simply use “the god.” It is worth taking the time to explore the many myths and stories surrounding the Pagan gods. Not only are the stories interesting in their own right, but you never know when some god will pop out and call your name, informing you that from that time on, you may call him-and he will answer.

 

–Deborah Blake, Everyday Witch A to Z: An Amusing, Inspiring & Informative Guide to the Wonderful World of Witchcraft

 

Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Spirituality 365 Days A Year for December 8 & 9 – Ama-terasu

And With A Strand Of My Red Hair, Let  The Magic Begin ~ GP

8 and 9 December

Ama-terasu

 

At this time of the year, the ancient and most important of all the Shinto divinities, Ama-terasu, is honored. Ama-terasu is the daughter of Izanagi and Izanami, the Gods of creation, who gave birth to the islands of Japan. So bright and great was her luster, Ama-terasu was sent to heaven to govern humanity. Later she was joined by her brother Tsuki-Yumi, the Moon God. Ama-terasu is the supreme deity of all the ordinary people and of the royal family. The Emperor is descended from her grandson and is the high priest of her cult.

 

Tuesday Is Ruled By Mars

wiccan

Tuesday Is Ruled By Mars

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

The Witches Correspondences for Tuesday, December 8

Blessed Be

The Witches Correspondences for Tuesday, December 8

 

Tuesday (Tiw’s-day)

Planet: Mars

Colors: Red and Autumn Shades

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

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

Herb: Basil

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

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

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

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

 

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, December 8th

The Student

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, December 8th

Tuesday (Mars): Passion, sex, courage, aggression, and protection.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

 

Waning Moon

The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon phase: Fourth Quarter

Moon Sign: Scorpio

Scorpio: Increases awareness of psychic power. Precipitates psychic crises and ends connections thoroughly. People tend to brood and become secretive.

Incense: Ginger

Color: Black

 

Tuesday’s Witchery

wiccan girl

Tuesday’s Witchery

 

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

 

 

Tuesday

blessed be

Tuesday

 

A god, goddess, or planet governs each day of the week. It is usually easy to spot the ruler of the day by its name. The word Tuesday, however, is not so easy, but if we look at the word in Spanish, Martes, we clearly see its connections to Mars.

Because Tuesday revolves around the energy of Mars, Tuesdays are good for business, mechanical things, buying and selling animals, hunting, beginning studies, gardening, sexual activities, and confrontation. This is a day for sex magick, energy, stamina, and health. As in the old saying, Tuesdays child is full of grace, is also good for success magick and defense against enemies.

Angels of Tuesday are Camael, Samael, Satael, Amabiel, Friagne, and Hyniel. When invoked, Camael takes the form of a leopard. In Druid mythology he is a god of war, which is why we see him associated with Mars. Camael is said to be a member of the “Magnificent Seven” in some circles. Camael is another “terminator” angel.

Samael walks both worlds as a magician and sorcerer. some see him as the angel of death, others as “the bright and poisonous one.” Many consider him more of a demon, and accuse him of being Satan. However, there is reference to the satans (plural) as enforcers of the law, a sort of angelic police, if you will. Supposedly, when Samael is around, dogs howl in the night. On one hand, he is the ruler of the fifth heaven and in charge of two million angels; on the other, he is the one who changed into a serpent and convinced Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit of knowledge.

Satael is an angel of air invoked in magic rites and is the presiding spirit of the planet Mars. Amabiel is another spirit of the planet Mars; however he spends his energy on issues of human sexuality. Friagne, also an angel of this day, is invoked from the east. He is a member of the fifth heaven. Hyniel also belongs to this day and is subject to the east wind.

On Tuesdays the hour of sunrise and every eight hours after that are also ruled by Mars, and that makes these times of the day doubly blessed. These four hours are the strongest ones to do ritual in. Check your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine your local sunrise.

Source: Gypsy Magic

 

May The Goddess Bless You & Yours On This Beautiful Tuesday Morn’!

wiccan

Winter’s Hand

 

Winter’s shroud soon will pass,

The summer sun will come at last,

Plants will reach into the light,

The summer breeze will warm the night,

But we must await the sun to cast,

For Winter’s hand has not yet past.

 

 

The Holly King will hold on fast,

He will make this winter last,

He’ll send the ice, the snow, the rain,

He’ll send the wind to blow again,

Frozen lakes and frozen lands,

He’ll keep us all in Winter’s hand.

But fear ye not, his time is short,

 

The Oak King will soon make him abort,

His mission to bring about misery,

With his icy hands on you and me,

Then we’ll rejoice to see at last,

Winter’s hand, returned to the past.

 

–Alan Faraway, Pagan Ways

Get Ready for Yule, Magickal Goody of the Day, Making Your Own Spell Ornaments

Magickal Goody of the Day

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Yule Spell Ornament

As Yule approaches, the opportunities for spellwork are seemingly endless. If you have a holiday tree this year, why not use ornaments as a way of directing your magical energies? Make a spell ornament to bring prosperity, love, health, or creativity into your life.

You’ll need the following:

  • Clear plastic fillable ornament
  • Filler material associated with your purpose: herbs, small stones, colored paper or glitter, etc.
  • Colored ribbon

Fill the plastic halves of the ornament with items that are associated with your purpose. Try a couple of the following, or come up with your own combinations:

  • For a money spell, add shredded bits of play money, Bay leaf, basil, chamomile, clover, cinquefoil, tonka bean, Buckeye, pennyroyal; stones such as turquoise and amethyst; bits of green, silver or gold glitter.
  • For love magic, use Allspice, apple blossom, bleeding heart, catnip, lavender, periwinkle, peppermint, tulip, violet, daffodil; crystals such as rose quartz or emerald, coral; small heart-shaped cutouts, bits of pink or red glitter.
  • For workings related to creativity and inspiration, add feathers, sage, tobacco leaf, hazelwood or birch, symbols of artistry such as paintbrush tips, crayons, or colored thread. Add diamonds, quartz crystals, also consider colors like yellow and gold.
  • If you’re doing healing magic, use Apple blossom, lavender, barley, comfrey, eucalyptus, fennel, chamomile, allspice, olive, rosemary, rue, sandalwood, wintergreen, peppermint.

As you’re filling your ornament, focus on your intent. Think about what your purpose is in creating such a working. For some people, it helps to chant a small incantation while they work – if you’re one of those folks, you might want to try something like this:

Magic shall come as I order today,
bringing prosperity blessings my way.
Magic to hang on a green Yule tree;
as I will, so it shall be.

Once you’ve filled your ornament, place the two halves together. Tie a colored ribbon around the center to keep the halves from separating (you may need to add a dab of craft glue for stability) and then hang your ornament in a place where you can see it during the Yule season.

Gift-giving tip: Make a whole box of these with different purposes, and share them with your friends at the holidays!

 

 

Source:

Crystal of the Day for December 7th is Dolomite

Crystal of the Day

Dolomite    


(Color: often pink or pinkish and can be colorless, white, yellow, gray or even brown or black when iron is present in the crystal)
Hardness: 3.5-4                    
Specific Gravity: 2.86
Chemistry: (Calcium Magnesium Carbonate) CaMg(CO3)2         
Class: Carbonates           
Crystallography: trigonal; bar 3                       
Cleavage: perfect in three directions forming rhombohedrons              
Fracture: conchoidal                       
Streak: White                  
Luster: pearly to vitreous to dull

Dolomite, is named for the French mineralogist Deodat de Dolomieu.

Healing: Dolomite is used to bolster ones calcium content. Also helps with PMS. Dolomite is used to lift ones spirits and to relieve sorrow. Astrological sign of Aries. Vibrates to the number 3.

Workings: Dolomite is used to enhance the energy of ones spells. Its atrological sign is Ares. Vibrates to the number 3.

Chakra Applications: Used to open and heal the Heart chakra. Also used to align, balance and to remove blockage from the Chakras.

Foot Notes: Dolomite is a very common mineral and can be found in many localities throughout the world, but is well known from sites in Midwestern quarries of the USA; Ontario, Canada; Mexico; Switzerland; and in Pamplona, Spain. The amount of calcium and magnesium in most specimens is equal, but occasionally one element may have a slightly greater presence than the other. Dolomite is used to make magnesia, which has important medicinal applications. Dolomite is also used as an ornamental and structural stone, and for extracting certain metals from their ores. It is useful in the chemical industry in the preparation of magnesium salts. Best field indicators are typical pink color, crystal habit, hardness, slow reaction to acid, density and luster.
Source:
Author: Crick
Website: The Whispering Woods

Herb of the Day for December 7th is Bearberry

Herb of the Day

  Bearberry

Bear Grape, Crowberry, Foxberry, Uva-ursi, Yukon holly


Medicinal Uses: Bearberry was smoked in peace pipes by American Indians to promote calming and mental clarity. People of the Middle Ages believed that since bearberry grew in sandy, gravely soils, it would effectively remove “sand” and “gravel” from the kidneys.
Bearberry is considered to be a kidney herb. Primarily it is used for bladder infection, kidney infection and irritation. The plant is believed to have urinary antiseptic properties. It helps to reduce accumulations of uric acid and to relive the pain of bladder stones and gravel. It is used to alleviate chronic cystitis. The tea or tincture is used for bronchitis, nephritis, and kidney stones.                      
It is used to strengthen the heart muscle.  Also used as a broad-range remedy for diabetes, liver and spleen problems (to cleanse and strengthen), hemorrhoids, and mucous discharges.                                                                   
Used in combination with blueberry for diabetes (20-40 drops tincture of blueberry leaves, 10-20 drops tincture of bearberry; dose is 10-20 drops in water three times daily).

Magickal uses: Uva-ursi is used to increase psychic powers. Used in a shaman smoking mixture. Ruled by the planet Mars and Pluto.

Properties: Diuretic, strongly astringent, tonic. Contains arbutin (a powerful astringent that has antiseptic properties), chorine, ellagic acid, ericolin, gallic acid, hydroquinolone, malic acid, methyl-arbutin, myricetin, volatile oils, quercetin, tannins, ursolic acid, ursone, and a substance similar to quercetin. Tannin is present up to 6% or 7%.

Growth: A sprawling shrub with much-branched irregular stems and evergreen leaves with a single, long, fibrous main root which sends out several prostrate stems from which grow erect, branching stems 4 to 6 inches high; found over most of the northern hemisphere (primarily the mountains of Europe, Asia, and America, it is also common in Scotland on heaths and barren places in hilly terrain (especially the Highlands), and extends as far south as Yorkshire. Also found on hills of northwestern Ireland. In North America it is found throughout Canada and the United States as far south as New Jersey and Wisconsin.    

Infusion: soak the leaves in alcohol (not rubbing alcohol) or brandy, then add 1 tsp. soaked leaves to 1 cup boiling water. Drink 2-3 cups per day, cold. You can let the leaves soak in brandy for a whole week before making the infusion with water and add a tsp. of the brandy to each cup of infusion. Do not boil this herb. Just steep in boiling-hot water.

Dried herb: mix 1 tbsp. in 8 oz. warm water. Drink 1 cup daily.

Tincture: take 10 to 20 drops in water, 3 to 4 times per day.

Not to be taken by pregnant women or those breastfeeding, by children, or those with kidney disease. High doses cause nausea and can actually inflame the lining of the bladder and urinary tract. Overuse can cause symptoms of poisoning. Long term use can cause liver damage, especially in children.
Source:
Author: Crick

Deity of the Day for December 7th is Loki, the Trickster

Deity of the Day

Loki

In Norse mythology, Loki is known as a trickster. He is described in the Prose Edda as a “contriver of fraud.” It’s important to remember that “trickster” does not mean someone who plays fun jokes and pranks – Loki’s trickery is all about mischief and mayhem.

Origins and History

Although he doesn’t appear often in the Eddas, Loki is generally described as a member of the family of Odin.

There is little archaeological reference to Loki (pronounced LOW-key), but in the small village of Kirkby Stephen, England, there is a tenth-century stone with a carving on it.

It is believed that the bound, horned figure carved upon the stone is in fact Loki, who was likely brought to England by Saxon settlers in the area. Also, near Snaptun, Denmark, there is a stone from around the same time as the Kirkby Stephen stone; the carving on this one is identified as Loki as well, due to scarring on the lips. In a story in which he tries to get the better of the dwarf Brokkr, Loki is disfigured and earns the nickname Scar-lip.

Appearance

Although some Norse deities are often associated with symbols – such as Odin and his ravens, or Thor and his mighty hammer – Loki does not appear to have a particular item assigned to him by the Norse eddas or sagas.

While there has been some speculation that he may be associated with particular runes, there is no scholarly or academic evidence to support this. Furthermore, this is an illogical argument in the context of Norse culture – keep in mind that stories and legends were passed down orally, from one generation to the next, and not written down. Runes were used for divination, but not for written storytelling.

As to his physical appearance, Loki was a shapeshifter and could appear any way he liked. In the Gylfaginning, which is one of the Prose eddas, he is described as being “pleasing and handsome,” but there are no details as to what those words describe. Early carvings portray him with horns on his head, but those may be a representation of one of the shapes he adopts, rather than his regular form.

Mythology

A shapeshifter who could appear as any animal, or as a person of either sex, Loki was constantly meddling in the affairs of others, mostly for his own amusement. Disguised as a woman, Loki fools Frigga into telling him about the weakness of her son Baldur.

Just for fun, Loki tricks Baldur’s blind twin, Hod, into killing him with a spear made of mistletoe. At one point, Loki spent eight years disguised as a milkmaid, and got stuck milking cows because his disguise was so convincing.

Loki is typically described as the husband of the goddess Sigyn, but he seems to have procreated with just about anyone and anything that struck his fancy. Because he could take male or female form, at one point Loki turned himself into a mare and mated with a mighty stallion, so he actually was the mother of Odin’s magical eight-legged horse Sleipnir.

Loki is known for bringing about chaos and discord, but by challenging the gods, he also brings about change. Without Loki’s influence, the gods may become complacent, so Loki does actually serve a worthwhile purpose, much as Coyote does in the Native American tales, or Anansi the spider in West African lore.

Worship & Celebration

Despite his divine or demi-god status, there’s little evidence to show that Loki had a following of worshipers of his own; in other words, his job was mostly to make trouble for other gods, men, and the rest of the world.

For an excellent dissertation looking at Loki in his many forms, read Shawn Christopher Krause-Loner’s paper Scar-lip, Sky-walker, and Mischief-Monger: The Norse God Loki as Trickster.

Honoring Loki Today

Loki has seen a resurgence in interest lately, due in no small part to his portrayal by actor Tom Hiddleston (see photo above) in the Avengers films, but just because he’s becoming popular doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to call upon him. If you’ve spent any time reading Norse mythology, you know that Loki is a bit of an outcast, slightly manic, will do sneaky things for his own amusement, and doesn’t seem to have much respect for boundaries. If you invite Loki into your life, there’s a possibility you won’t be getting rid of him until he’s good and ready to leave.

 

Source: