Learning your ABC’s for Witches and Pagans

 

To learn your letters you must start
With a clever mind and a willing heart
Each one is special, just like you
And you will learn them all by the time we are through!

• A is Athame, the knife that we use
• B is for Beltaine, when partners we choose
• C is for Circle where we all are one.
• D is for Deosil, path of the Sun.
• E is for Esbat, when we gather round
• F is for Fire and its crackling sound
• G is the Goddess in beauty and love.
• H is the Horned One, our Father above.
• I is for Imbolg, candles light the way,
• J is for June when it’s Midsummer’s Day
• K is for Karma, the things that we do
• L is for Lammas, harvest’s almost through!
• M is for Moon, riding way up so high,
• N is for Nighttime, which darkens the sky
• O is for Ostara, when we hunt for eggs,
• P is for Pan, with hairy goat legs
• Q is the Quarters and there are just four,
• R for the Rites when we open the Door
• S is for Samhain, end of the year,
• T is for Tarot cards, futures to hear
• U is Undines from the watery West
• V is Vervain for protection and rest
• W’s Widdershins, the path of the moon.
• X is the sign that’s the sign of the God
• Y is for Yule and the sun’s return
• Z is the Zodiac, 12 signs to learn

To learn them all you will have to try
And now it is time to say goodbye
Merry have we met, and Merry have we been
Merry shall we part and Merry meet again!

 

Author Unknown

Article published on Pagan Library

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2016 January 15

Wright Mons in Color
Image Credit: NASA, Johns Hopkins Univ./APL, Southwest Research Institute

 

Explanation: Informally named Wright Mons, a broad mountain about 150 kilometers across and 4 kilometers high with a wide, deep summit depression is featured in this inset image captured during the New Horizons flyby of Pluto in July 2015. Of course, broad mountains with summit craters are found elsewhere in the Solar System, like the large shield volcano Mauna Loa on planet Earth or giant Olympus Mons on Mars. New Horizons scientists note the striking similarity ofPluto’s Wright Mons, and nearby Piccard Mons, to large shield volcanoes suggests the two could be giant cryovolcanoes that once erupted molten ice from the interior of the cold, distant world. In fact, found on a frozen dwarf planet Wright Mons could be the largest volcano in the outer Solar System. Since only one impact crater has been identified on its slopes, Wright Mons may well have been active late in Pluto’s history. This highest resolution color image also reveals red material sparsely scattered around the region.

How to locate Uranus on sky’s dome

Tonight and tomorrow night – January 15 and 16, 2016 – Uranus, the seventh planet outward from the sun, is near the waxing moon and floating in front of the constellation Pisces the Fishes. Although Uranus will remain within Pisces’ borders for the rest of this year, the moon will leave Pisces after a few more days.

With the moon waxing to full now, you’re not likely to glimpse Uranus with the unaided eye. But keep reading. We give you an idea of its location, and links to detailed charts, in this post.

Uranus was the first planet to be discovered by the telescope, by William Hershel on March 13, 1781. At a distance of 20 astronomical units from Earth at present, this world is pretty easy to see through binoculars – that is, if you know right where to look.

People with good vision – and good charts, like this one – do see Uranus with the unaided eye on dark, moonless nights.

But, with the moon waxing to full now, unaided eye glimpses of Uranus won’t be likely in the coming nights.

Still, you can imagine the location of Uranus on the sky’s dome. And maybe doing so will help you find Uranus later.

You can also star-hop to Uranus via the 4th-magnitude stars Delta Piscium and Epsilon Piscium, and possibly even view Uranus through binoculars on this moonlit night.

Or try your luck after the moon leaves the evening sky, starting in late January 2016.

Bottom line: As darkness falls on January 15 and 16, 2016, the moon and planet Uranus both reside in front of the constellation Pisces the Fishes.

 

Author

Bruce McClure

Article published on Earth Sky

The Wisdom of Buddha

In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves.

Query:

How will our day be?

 

Your Daily Influences
January 15, 2016 

 

The Star Reversed
The Reversed Star represents pessimism, doubt and obstinacy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berkano
Berkano is the Rune of birth and rebirth. This may symbolize a time when you are capable of great personal growth. Love may be in the air as well.

 

 

 

 

The Frog
The reversed frog represents poor health– physically or emotionally. This aspect shall remain ill fated so long as your physical or emotional state remain low.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Daily Influences represent events and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more.

Your Charm for Today

 

Today’s Meaning:
There are papers in your near future. This aspect is affect by legal papers of some kind–a contract, a deed or a liscense of some kind. These papers will bring improvement to your life.

General Description:
The people of Tibet are most superstitious. It is the custom for almost everyone to wear charms. The Amulet-box illustrated contains small inscribed scrolls covered with magical characters. These magical formulae are written and blessed by their Lamas. The scrolls are believed to be all powerful spells for appeasing evil spirits, keeping the wearers from all physical harm, safeguarding them from every kind of danger, and protecting them from the blighting effects of the evil eye. Many of these charm boxes are of gold elaborately chased, and encrusted with turquoise.

Your Three Dragon Reading for Today

 

The Red Dragon represents success, achievement and fulfillment. The three tiles under the Red Dragon tile will influence the power your Red Dragon currently has in your life

 

 

 

 

Wan 2
Symbol: Sword
The Sword tile indicates a decision must be made before attainment of your goals can be reached.

 

 

 

 

Wan 9
Symbol: Heaven
The Heaven tile suggests completion. This tile denotes a time for you to consider moving on to your next goal.

 

 

 

 

Circles 7
Symbol: Insect
The Insect tile indicates short-term gain through a short flurry of hectic work. It is important to realize that the gains the Insect tile offers are not lasting, or of long-term importance. At best they are a stopgap until more substantial goals come along.

Your Daily Tile
January 15, 2016

White Dragon
Symbol: The Unknown
The White Dragon tile denotes unknown factors in your reading. Exactly what these factors are is beyond our vision, but they will have an impact on your life.

Your Animal Spirit for Today
January 15, 2016 

Magpie

Ancient culture associate Magpies with excellent fortune—so it looks like you’ve got something really terrific coming into your life today. However, you may need to search a little to understand the true gift that’s being presented. Pay attention to omens, messages, the clouds, feathers, bird song—your fortune is hidden in those subtle messages. Opportunity is knocking at your door—will you answer?

Shuffling the Cards

Your Past, Present & Future Reading for the Day

 

 

Past Influence whose impact on your life is waning.

The Swan

The elegant Swan is an ideal symbol of beauty and grace. Its flowing curves and fluid movement give an ethereal air of perfection realized. The Swan’s beauty embodies the feminine (Yin) qualities of intuition and sensitivity. But The Swan does not begin life as a creature who appears to be the creation of divine inspiration. Indeed at birth The Swan is an ungainly creature that lacks any indications of the magnificent being it is destined to become. The Swan’s transformation from ordinary to extraordinary have made it an emblem of discovering the beauty and power of your true self.

 

 

 

 

Present Influence whose impact on your life is very strong.

The Beacon

The Beacon symbolizes both guidance to safe harbors and a warning of dangerous waters. The Beacon is represented by a lighthouse atop jagged rocks with its powerful light cutting a path that leads to an adjacent entrance to a calm harbor on a stormy night. The Beacon suggest that if you look for it, there is a general path for you to follow to reach a place of peace and harmony. However, The Beacon itself sets upon rough ground, so you must still step carefully as you follow it to quiet waters.

 

 

 

 

 

Future influence whose impact on your life is growing and will be very strong in the future.

The Open Door

The Open Door signifies the presence of new opportunities. However, to reap the benefits of these prospects you will have to move beyond where you are now–forsake the comforts and safety of your current life and head out in new directions. Moves like those symbolized by The Open Door require courage, because fresh opportunities signify the chance of gain, but do not guarantee they will be realized. Regardless of the benefits that may be reaped, with the transitions like those required to explore these new found opportunities, something is always lost. Before launching on a voyage down new paths it is a good idea to objectively assess your current state of being and decide whether what you have now is worth jeopardizing.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Western Dragon

Unlike the beneficent Easter Dragon, The Western Dragon is a symbol of totally unleashed destructive power that is set upon anyone who crosses the Dragon’s path. The Western Dragon also hordes treasures that should rightfully be ours, and whose absence deprives us from being complete. The challenges set before us by the Western Dragon are truly prodigious, because they denote a force whose sole intent is not simply to keep us from moving forward in our lives, but to usurp all that we have previously gained as well. What is even more disturbing about the force behind the Western Dragon is that it may well indicate primal forces in ourselves so powerful that they do in fact turn us into our own worst enemy.

As a daily card, The Western Dragon is a powerful negative force intent upon thwarting your progress. In such a short time frame it is most likely you’re being undermined by an external force–someone who wants what you have gained or gains your are near realizing. While formidable, this bellicose entity does have vulnerabilities. First, there is nothing subtle about the forces represented by The Western Dragon, so the source will be easy for you to identify. Secondly, The Western Dragon represents undisciplined, primal energies that aren’t easy to control, so they are susceptible to logical responses steeped in self control. In short, don’t panic, act deliberately and decisively, and you will weather this storm

Witches Rune for the Day

The Blank Rune

Meaning: This is a rune of difficulty and negative influences will rule your life for a time, but as all difficulties are a learning experience it will lead to improved personal perspective and progress on your life’s path. Always consult the surrounding runes with this stone. If it lies with a positive stone, it indicates that the pain of this experience will lead to a beneficial change in circumstances

Casting the Stones

Your Reading for Friday, January 15th

 

The Past

Ansuz

Ansuz represents mankind’s spiritual connection to God and the universe. It is often referred to as the “God Rune.” This Rune embodies reason, truth and justice. It denotes the coming of knowledge and true counsel from a higher authority.

 

 

The Present
Sowilo

The Sun Rune, denotes power and strength. That which you want may be attained. Sowilo also denotes mental clarity and added warmth to your relationships.

 

 

The Future
Fehu

Fehu is the Rune of prosperity, good luck and unbridled creative energies. Being associated with Frey, this Rune is also a powerful omen of fertility. Fehu is one of the three Mother Stones and should never be taken lightly.

Your Rune for Today

Ehwaz

Ehwaz represents movement. You may be closing in on reaching your current goals. Your life may be changing for the better. Harmony with others should come easy for you at this time.

 

Additional information about Today’s Rune, Ehwaz…..

 

ehwaz : horse

Phonetic equivalent: e (as in ‘egg’)

DIVINATORY MEANINGS: transportation, motion, assistance, energy, power, communication, will, recklessness

MAGICAL USES: power, aiding in communication, transportation; to ‘send’ a spell

ASSOCIATED MYTHS & DEITIES:Sleipnir, Freya’s feathered cloak

 

ANALYSIS: The horse has been a powerful symbol in nearly every culture and every age. They were often believed to draw the sun about the heavens. Strong, swift and loyal, their relationship with humankind is unique. They allow us to perform tasks that would normally be beyond our strength, and to travel distances that would normally be beyond our reach. The mare symbolizes fertility and fecundity, and the stallion is the epitome of virility and raw energy. It is an animal that never lost its power by being domesticated.Like the sun which is its counterpart, ehwaz represents energy and motion. In this case, however, there is also respect for the source of the power to be considered. This is not merely an impersonal energy source – it is a living, breathing thing whose needs and desires must be taken into consideration, rather than be simply used as a slave. This is the power that was given by the God at algiz, and this rune reminds us of our oath to only use it to help, never to harm. Like the two-edged sword, the horse is a powerful tool, but must be carefully controlled to avoid harming yourself or other. It is tempting to just go barrelling along recklessly, but to do so is to risk loosing that power forever. This is the balance that must be achieved on the path of pure magic.