The Pagan Calendar for Thursday, August 25th
The Pagan Calendar for Thursday, August 25th
Opiconsivia
Summary: Opiconsivia
Calendar: Roman
Date: Aug 25 Every year
Description: On August 25, the Opiconsivia (or Opeconsiva or Opalia) Roman festival was held in honor of Ops. Opiconsivia was also a surname of Ops herself. And this name was also given to December 19, on which day the Opalia were celebrated, also in her honor (some mention also August 10 and December 9). The Latin word consivia (or consiva) derives from conserere (“to sow”). Hence, the word Opiconsivia may be interpreted as meaning “the sowing of crops”, since Ops ultimately means “crops” in the sense of “riches, goods”. This word is also related to Consus, the male counterpart of Ops as “the seeder”.
Both Ops and Consus were deemed chthonic (underworld) deities which made the vegetation grow. Since her abode was inside the earth, Ops was invoked by her worshippers while sitting, with their hands touching the ground, according to Macrobius (Saturnalia, I:10). Consus seems to be an alias of Saturn in the chthonic aspect, since he is also held to be the husband of Ops. Ops, the Earth Mother, was also considered the Great Mother of the Gods. As such, Ops is an alias of Rhea, Cybele, Demeter, and so on, impersonating the earth as the giver of riches.
The festival of Consus, the Consualia, was celebrated twice a year: once on August 21, after the harvest, and once on December 15, after the sowing of crops was finished. The Consualia was instituted by Romulus, and commemorated the rape (and insemination) of the Sabine women by the Romans. The festival was superintended by the Flamines of Quirinus (Mars), helped by the Vestals. The main priestess at the regia wore a white veil. A chariot race was performed in the Circus Maximus, under the direction of the pontifices. Horses and mules, their heads crowned with chaplets made of flowers, also partook in the celebration. Consus was eventually identified with Neptunus Equester, the alias and counterpart of Poseidon Hippios. Poseidon (Neptune) had been associated with the animal since archaic times.
References
True Witches
On Thursday, August 25th, We Celebrate…
On Thursday, August 25th, We Celebrate…
Opiconsivia (Rome)
OPS
Themes: Opportunity; Wealth; Fertility; Growth
Symbols: Bread; Seeds; Soil
About Ops: This Italic goddess of fertile earth provides us with numerous “opportunities” to make every day more productive. In stories, Ops motivates fruit bearing, not just in plants but also in our spirits. She also controls the wealth of the gods, making her a goddess of opulence! Works of art depict Ops with a loaf of bread in one hand, and the other outstretched, offering aid.
To Do Today: On this day, Ops was evoked by sitting on the earth itself, where she lives in body and spirit. So, weather permitting, take yourself on a picnic lunch today. Sit with Ops and enjoy any sesame or poppy breadstuff (bagel, roll, etc.)—both types of seeds are magically aligned with Ops’s money-bringing power. If possible, keep a few of the seeds from the bread in your pocket or shoe so that after lunch, Ops’s opportunities for financial improvements or personal growth can be with you no matter where you go. And don’t forget to leave a few crumbs for the birds so they can take your magical wishes to the four corners of creation!
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, invoke Ops by getting as close to the earth as you can (sit on your floor, go into the cellar). Alternatively, eat earthy foods like potatoes, root crops, or any fruit that comes from Ops’s abundant storehouse.
Source
365 Goddess: A Daily Guide To the Magic and Inspiration of the goddess
Patricia Telesco
The Solitary Witch
The Goddess Book of Days for August 25th
The Goddess Book of Days for August 25th
In Rome, the day of the Opseconsiva, harvest festival of the Italian Goddess Ops. (Ge, Gaia, Ceres, Demeter, Tellus Mater, Rhea.) Also, in New York State Native America, Canadanaigua, Festival of lights, ritual of harvest and Thanksgiving. (Vesta, Brigid, Oya, Perchta; and Harvest Goddesses Ceres, Demeter, Spider Woman, Ge, Gaia, Rhea, Chicomecoatl, Ops, Igaehindvo, and the Com Mothers.)
Source
The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein
To Be A Witch Is
The Pagan Book of Days for August 25th
The Pagan Book of Days for August 25th
Ops/Odin’s Ordeal(9)/Discovery of the Runes
The Italian Earth Goddess of sowing and reaping, Ops, is remembered in the Opiconsivia, a ceremony at which only vestal virgins were presence. Her worshipers always sat on the Earth.
Source
The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick
Witches Are Wonderful Things
Thursday, August 25th
Thursday, August 25th
Thursday is the day of the planet Jupiter, dedicated to Thunor(Thor), God of thunder and agricultural work. His parallels in various European traditions are Zeus, Taranis, Perun, Perkunas and St. Olaf. The faith of the Northern Tradition holds Thursday sacred, just as Islam reveres Friday, Judaism the Sabbath(calculated from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday), and Christianity, Sunday. This is why almost all adages about Thursday are positive, such as “Thursday’s child has far to go,” “Sneeze on Thursday, something better,” or “Cut nails on Thursday for wealth.” Thursday rules controlled optimism, energetic growth, physical well-being and material success.
Deity: Thor
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn/Pisces/Sagittarius
Planet: Mercury
Tree: Oak
Herb: Henbane
Stone: Turquoise/Bloodstone/Topaz
Animal: Fish/Goat/Aurochs
Element: Fire
Color: Brown/White/Orange
Number: 3
Rune: Thorn
Celtic Tree Month of Coll (Hazel) – August 4 – September 1
The Runic Half Month of As (August 13 – August 28)
Goddess of the Month of Hesperis – August 9 – September 5
Source
The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick
Witches Are. Witches Do.
The Sky This Week for August 25 to August 28
The Sky This Week for August 25 to August 28
Planets, Pallas, and the Big Dipper will all make wonderful viewing this week
By Richard Talcott
Thursday, August 25
• Mars passes 4° due south of Saturn today. The Red Planet shines twice as bright as its ringed companion, and the two make a stunning pair with the naked eye and through binoculars. Both are worth examining through a telescope as well. Mars’ sports an orange-red disk that spans 11″ and shows several subtle dark markings. Saturn measures 17″ across while its dramatic ring system stretches 38″ and tilts 26° to our line of sight.
Friday, August 26
• Distant Neptune reaches opposition and peak visibility one week from today, but the view now is essentially the same. The ice giant planet rises during evening twilight and climbs nearly halfway to the zenith in the southern sky by 1:30 a.m. local daylight time. The magnitude 7.8 planet lies in Aquarius, 1.1° southwest of 4th-magnitude Lambda (l) Aquarii. You’ll need binoculars to spy Neptune and a telescope to see its blue-gray disk, which spans 2.4″.
Saturday, August 27
• Venus and Jupiter lie closer to each other today than at any time since May 2000. At their tightest, just 4.2′ separate them. Unfortunately, this happens in late afternoon from North America. By twilight, the two worlds have pulled slightly apart — 5.5′ from the East Coast and 12.1′ from the West Coast. Still, that’s close enough that many people will see the two merge into one. Binoculars will provide spectacular views, clearly splitting the pair and revealing Mercury 5° to their lower left and just above the horizon. Most telescope-eyepiece combinations will show Venus and Jupiter in the same field, with Jupiter spanning 31″ and Venus 11″.
Sunday, August 28
• Evenings this week are great times to explore the constellation Sagittarius the Archer. This star group lies due south and at peak altitude around 9 p.m. local daylight time, just as the last vestiges of twilight fade away. The brightest stars within the constellation form the shape of a teapot — a distinctive asterism once you’ve found it. The central regions of the Milky Way pass through Sagittarius, so it’s always worth exploring the area through binoculars or a telescope.
Source
The Word “Witch”
Your Daily Sun & Moon Data for Thursday, August 25th
Your Daily Sun & Moon Data for Thursday, August 25th
The Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 101.78° ESE
Sun Altitude: 32.06°
Sun Distance: 93.946 million mi
Next Equinox: Sep 22, 2016 9:21 AM (Autumnal)
Sunrise Today: 6:20 AM↑ 76° East
Sunset Today: 7:32 PM↑ 284° West
Length of Daylight: 13 hours, 12 minutes
The Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 240.09° WSW
Moon Altitude: 56.05°
Moon Distance: 231011 mi
Next New Moon: Sep 1, 20164:03 AM
Next Full Moon: Sep 16, 20162:05 PM
Next Moonset: Today2:12 PM
Current Moon Phase: Waning Crescent
Illumination: 45.1%
Source
Magick Will Happen
A Very Glorious & Blessed Thursday Morn’ To All Our Dear Brothers & Sisters of The Craft!
One
By day i am walking throu’ the sands of time.
Breathing in the sun,warming my soul,
Lighting the sand as if of gold.
I look up towards the sky.
The suns rays reflect down to my naked body,
Shows me the way.
I’m walking,walking towards the castle of life.
I’m walking,forever walking,
Finding my way in this desert.
Finding my way to that castle of life.
That castle,the one which holds the secrets,
The mysteries,the answers to life.
By night i am dancing on the water,
The moon she lights up the darkness,
Shimmers in the water,dances with me.
The misty air surrounds my naked body,
As i breathe it in,
It befriends me,keeps me company.
As i find the chalice by the water,
I lift it towards the moon.
Take a sip of life.
The life force which powers me throu the coming day.
Alone i am in these sands of time.
Yet alone i never am,for she is with me.
She is forever with me and i am One with her.
—-Heather Clarke, Author
Originally published on Pagan Library
A New Day Dear Ones
Yesterday was very bittersweet. Not only was it the day my mom crossed into the Summerland but my oldest granddaughter turned 21 years old.
Through different mediation sessions and dream walks, I received forgiveness from myself as well as my mother for the guilt I had been carrying for the past year thinking I did not visit her often enough and that I gave up on her living too soon. In other words, I felt that maybe the brain swelling and damage it caused her brain would go away if I had just left her on the respirator longer, even though the doctors had told us she would not be herself if she ever did come out of the coma. My mom was very clear to my children and I that she would never want to live as, in her words, “A useless vegetable.” My mom assured me she was very happy to be reunited with my dad that she had loss so many years before and my siblings who did not make it because of miscarriages or being stillborn. She showed me a beautiful feast where ancestors from many, many generations past were sitting to eat, laughter, love and get to know one another. There was an empty chair at the table between her and my dad that she explained was for me in the far future. She told me to embrace life, live it for all it’s worth. Enjoy my grandchildren, love my children even when the were not speaking to me. My mother through example while living and now in the Summerlands saw and taught me what unconditional love really is.
So starting today I will embrace the words she left me with and live my life to its fullest, forgive and love my family even when not forgiven for some type of wrong done to one of them (even if I do not know what I did wrong to the other person). I will not say I have shed my last tear for my mom or dad or other ancestors, but I will do so with joy in my heart knowing they are all together, happy and have not forgotten me. I was assured that some ancestors guide me and my descendants while others protect me and my descendants. In my opinion, no one could ask for anything more. I am not through crossing the veil into the Spirit realm as I am one who can speak for the dead and bring messages back for other families as well and I look forward to visiting with my family from time to time.
The hurt I feel from the loss of my mom and dad won’t magickly disappear ever but I think the hurt will now come down to something I can deal with easier.
If you have lost a loved one and want to talk to someone that has been through it too please email me (ladybeltane@aol.com) I’ll be happy to “listen.”
Blessed be dear ones.
Flower Goddess necklace diffuser design!
Diffuser jewelry is becoming very very popular of late, and why not? Who doesn’t like transporting their favorite essential oils without necessarily having to rub them (some oils are sticky) on skin?
Well, as promised, here is the latest and greatest from Eupterra Foundation’s EF Designs – Flower Goddess Aromatherapy Necklace Diffuser!
In this personally crafted necklace, I strive to portray the Goddess in all her floral beauty. With vibrant 18k gold surrounded by a softer rim of rose-gold all round. Always eco-gift boxed and very durable. Take a look, and tell me what you think!
Talk about carrying spirituality with you. I’ll be coming out with a sterling silver design soon, in the next week, and a yogi inspired one.
So thankful I can write about flowers, and the Goddess and get to incorporate essential oils into it all. Fun times!
Blessed be my brethren and sisters,
Charlene (eupterraen)
Product Review – Moroccanoil Smoothing Conditioner
When it comes to beauty products, essential oils appear to have taken the shelves by storm. From highly acclaimed Aveda products, to Young Living’s combo techniques involving pure essential oils straight up, it is clear essential oils are definitely a big hit in the self-care sphere.
This is not surprising, as essential oils have been used in beauty and hygiene regimes since ancient times. Taking a quick look at old scriptural texts in the Old Testament reveals how hyssop was used to clean one’s body and alabaster bottles crafted simply to contain these precious and hard to produce manually treats. Let’s not forget the three wise men who visited the baby Jesus of Nazareth, born under a star. What did they offer him again – frankincense and myrrh…
Moroccanoil Smoothing Conditioner
Product Analysis
Today, we take a look at a well-known product: Moroccanoil brand’s Smoothing Conditioner for hair.
This hair care conditioner claims to condition and detangle while working to smooth and tame unruly and frizzy hair. Moroccanoil® Smoothing Conditioner apparently features the brand’s proprietary AminoRenew™ ingredient, which supposedly restores depleted amino acids to strengthen and align hair’s natural keratin structure. Strands of hair are nourished with antioxidant argan oil and argan butter, leaving it with a healthy-looking, calm, manageable and smooth appearance. When used in combination with Moroccanoil Smoothing Shampoo, results are supposed to last up to 72 hours.
Well, let’s analyze the ingredients of this product and see if their is tuft to their stuff?
Starting with Argan Oil
Native to Morocco, Argan Oil comes from the Argan Tree. This golden-colored oil is extracted from kernels produced by the tree. Coveted for centuries, Argan Oil is highly prized as both a rich gourmet ingredient for betterment of health, as well as an age-old beauty secret. Studies on the ingesting Argan oil reveal the nutty-flavored oil may have heart-health benefits similar to that of olive oil. As a beauty regime, however, Argan Oil has many benefits. It contains very high levels of Vitamin E and fatty acids, ideal for helping to treat many skin ailments and blemishes.
Argan oil has multiple beauty uses. It can be applied to the face, body, hair and cuticles, and is often added to other products. It helps to treat split ends, treat acne, dry and irritated skin, and prevent scarring from unwanted blemishes. Argan Oil is also touted as an effective anti-aging product, helping to minimize fine lines and wrinkles. With so many benefits, it’s no wonder this oil is highly prized and also said to be highly expensive.
Now Moroccan Oil, if you haven’t already guessed, yes, this is Argan Oil too. The difference here is Moroccan Oil often has additional ingredients already added to it. These additives can include silicones most often, Aloe Vera, and various other components. Made with Argan oil, Moroccan oil is a lesser pure form of Argan Oil, so if you’re looking for the liquid gold and nothing else, be sure to read the beauty label ingredients. That being said, however, Moroccan Oil still has many of the same great benefits as Argan Oil. It can help improve the appearance of dry, damaged hair, rough skin, and delivers brilliant shine to any mane. So are there any real downsides to using either?
Due to the limited supply of Argan Oil, the cost for this natural beauty agent is very high, making price a definite factor in many people’s choice to try it. In addition, the fatty acids found in these oils, while beneficial, can also sometimes cause skin breakouts and acne. This is due to the presence of oleic acid, which can clog pores and cause inflammation.
So, although the name might be slightly confusing in this regard, Moroccanoil’s Smoothing Conditioner containing the key essential oil ingredient Argan Oil can most certainly live up to the hype of giving really great looking hair refreshment. I would have to say, this product is a definite “thumbs up” in performance for the price due to the quality of their ingredients.
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Have you tried Moroccanoil products or Argan Oil directly on your scalp? Let us know in the comments section below.
For more essential oil tidbits and natural remedies, visit our homepage and subscribe to our seasonal newsletter for this fun knowledge!
In Memory of and to Honor My Parents
My Father
3/25/1934 – 03/31/1970
My Mother and BFF (Best Friend Forever)
12/12/1934 – 8/24/2015
I will be taking the day to do a ritual honoring them and to spend time walking down memory lane. My dad crossed one month before my twelfth birthday. My mom crossed not long after my fifty-seventh birthday. I consider every moment I had with them both in good times and bad to now be precious minutes of my life if only I could have seen it this way when they were still in their just past lifetimes I would have spent more time with them.
I hope through different periods of mediation and/or naps to be able to speak with them again and maybe even find myself a sightseer at another family gathering. I did this on my dad’s birthday in a dream.
What I mean by “sightseer” is seeing my family laughing, playing and enjoying…
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