Category: Daily Posts

Protection from Harm Ointment

PROTECTION FROM HARM OINTMENT

You will need:

• 2 parts Mallow (not Marshmallow Root)

• 2 parts Rosemary

• 1 part Vervain
For the base of ointment with shortening, follow these directions:

Melt 4 parts shortening over low heat until liquefied.

Watch that it doesn’t burn. Add one part dried herbal mixture (which would be all of the herbs listed above). Blend with a wooden spoon until thoroughly mixed.

Continue heating until the shortening has extracted the scent.

You should be able to smell it in the air.

Strain through a cheesecloth into a heat-proof jar, a canning jar would be perfect for this. Add 1/2 tsp. tincture of benzoin (can be found at an herb store or drug store) to each pint of ointment as a natural preservative. Store in a cool, dark place or in the refrigerator.

Ointments will last for weeks or months. Discard any that turn moldy, and make a fresh batch. Rub onto the body and to drive out negative influences and to keep them far from you.

Protection Oil

PROTECTION OIL

Use a base oil like sweet almond oil, jojoba, sesame, etc. To the oil add any three of the following:
• Rue

• Rosemary

• Angelica

• Bay

• Basil

• Fennel

• Sage

• Mugwort

• Vervain.
Use either the whole herb or a pure essential oil. Allow the herbs to mix and steep in the oil for 1 week. Handle the bottle frequently, projecting protective energy into the mixture. Recommend you make this oil during a waning moon but you can also make your own timing judgment.

Creating a Spell: Animals, Their Association & Correspondences In Spellwork

Creating a Spell: Animals, Their Association & Correspondences In Spellwork

Bat
Blood – Rebirth Navigation – Finding one’s way in the dark.

Bear
Introspection – Mystery – Strength.
Direction: North, element of earth.

Dog
Loyalty – Compassion – Kindness.
Direction: West, element of water.

Dragonfly
Illusion, dreaming.
Direction: East, element of air.

Fox
Camouflage – Stealth – Observation.
Direction: North, element of earth.

Frog
Fecundity – Creativity – Moisture.
Direction: West, element of water.

Hawk
Far-seeing – A messenger.
Direction: East, element of air.

Horse
Power – Beauty – That which can be controlled.
Direction: East or North, elements of air and earth.

Hummingbird
Joy – Brevity – Speed.
Direction: East, element of air.

Jackal
Trickster – Humour – Stealer of fire – Psychopomp.
Direction: South, element of fire.

Lioness
Aggressiveness – Pride – Protection – Healing.
Direction: South, element of fire.

Lynx
Secrets – Silence.
Direction: North, element of earth.

Otter
Woman medicine – Healing – Sensuality.
Direction: West, element of water.

Owl
Deception – Scrutiny.
Direction: North, element of earth.

Raven
Magic – All colour in darkness – Law – Beginnings and endings.
Direction: all directions, all elements.

Racoon
Moving in shadows – Earth-magic – The unerring attainment of desires.
Direction: North, element of earth.

Skunk
Reputation – Protection – Secrecy.
Direction: South, element of fire.

Snake
Transmutation – Rebirth – Sacred spiral.
Direction: South, element of fire.

Spider
Weaving – Hunting – Single-mindedness of purpose.
Direction: East, element of air.

Wolf
Teacher – Leadership – Self-esteem.
Direction: North, element of earth.

Creating a Spell: Moon Phases Associated With Spellwork

Moon Phases Associated With Spellwork

The phases of the Moon influence the power and efficiency of the magick work. Simply, there are two cycles and three phases during each cycle. These are the times used when working magick…

 

Waxing Moon

Times From new moon to full (approx. 14 days)
Godess Asp. : Maiden
Overview : The Moon is called Waxing when it moves from the period of the New Moon to the Full
Moon. The Moon is growing and has a pulling in effect on all things exposed to her energy.
This is the time of great psychic enhancements and effects.
Energies- Abundance wishes – New projects – Expansion – Increasing health and well being –
New love affairs – Increasing knowledge and spirituality – Planting herbs – Fertility –
Beginning long spells for such as mentioned.
Goddesses : Artemis, Branwen, Eriu, Nymph, Epona

 

Waning Moon

Times From full moon to dark moon (approx.14 days)
Godess Asp.Crone
Overview- The Moon is called Waxing when it moves from Full Moon to New Moon. The
psychic vibrations are still there, just lower and has the effect of pulling away on
things. So, this is the best time for getting rid of anything you want nor need in
your life.
Energies & Destructive magick – Remove low vibes in your home or work – Banish negative
thoughts – Eliminate – Separate – Undo – Recede – Let go of the past and guilt –
Start a weight program – Affirmative thinking – Cutting herbs and flowers – Release
hostile or anger situations and emotions.
Goddesses : Callieach, Banshee, Hecate, Kali, Morrigan

Full Moon

Times : Approx. 14 days after new moon
Godess Asp Mother
Energies -Best for the strongest psychic energies and can be used in any magick spells.
Friutition, Manifesting goals, nurturing, passion, healing, strength, power.
Goddesses : Danu, Cerridwen, Gaia, Aphrodite, Isis

New Moon, No Moon or Black Moon

Is time for rest and attainment of desires. This is the best time to prepare for the new wishes and to form your requests very seriously. Take a break and give yourself a rest.

Creating a Spell: Colours and Properties Associated With Spellwork

Creating a Spell

The best type of spell is the one you have created yourself with your own words and rhymes. Remember, as much energy as you put in your magick, is as much energy as you will get out from it. And believe. The key is to believe.

State why you need the spell, what’s the purpose of it. Research what Deities you’ll need to call, determine what tools you need, and decide when to perform the spell, according to the purpose of it.

Colours and Properties

 

A major tool in any magick is colour. The effective use of colour and its meanings is very important for ones success in candle magick. Use all the elements as one and you will have one powerful wish coming up. The colours are… Black, Brown, Gray, Blue, Purple, Yellow, Red, Gold, Pink, Orange and Green.

WHITE
Gender Female
Day Monday
Planet Moon
Sign Cancer
Fragrance Eucalyptus – Jasmine – Myrrh – Sandalwood
Energies Protect – Purify – Heal – Children – Pets – Balance – Birth – Repel – Peace –
Spirituality.
Related Colours Solid white – silvers – pearls – iridescent whites. It can be used in place of any
other colour.

 

BLACK (Caution must be exercised!)
Gender Male – Female
Day Saturday
Planet;  Saturn
Sign Capricorn
Fragrance Iris – Pansy – Black Orchid – Patchouli
Energies Void for all unwanted influences – Repel – Banish – Bind – Flesh out secrets.
Related Colours Dark blues – Black – Dark browns – Most dark colours.

 

BROWN
Gender Female
Day Monday (Tan browns) – Friday (All browns)
Planet Moon – Venus
Sign Libra (Light browns)
Fragrances Iris – Black Orchid
Energies Earth energy – Grounding – Centering consciousness – Success through labour –
Faerie Magick

 

GRAY (Neutraliser)
Gender Female – Male
Day Monday
Planet Moon
Fragrance Eucalyptus – Jasmine – Myrrh – Sandalwood
Energies Erase without repercussions – Aid in balancing.

 

BLUE
Gender Male
Day Saturday (Dark blues) – Friday (Blues) – Thursday (Royal blue)
Planet Saturn – Venus – Jupiter
Sign Aquarius (Dark blues) – Pisces (Royal blue)
Fragrance Nutmeg – Sage – Sandalwood
Energies Wisdom – Sleep – Truth – Loyalty – Dreams – Emotions.
Related Colours Light blue : Peace – Patience – Health.
Dark blue  Banish depression – Justice.

 

PURPLE
Gender Male
Day Thursday
Planet Jupiter
Sign Sagittarius
Fragrance Nutmeg, Sage, Sandalwood
Energies Psychic and spiritual enhancement – Wisdom – Reversal – Law – Power.

 

YELLOW
Gender Male
Day Wednesday
Planet Mercury
Sign Virgo
Fragrance Cedar – Clove – Cinnamon – Frankincense – Rosemary
Energies Knowledge – Concentration – Healing – Study – Memory – Persuasion –
Subtle attraction.

 

RED (Base attributes, Caution!, Stay with the lighter shades)
Gender Male
Day Tuesday
Planet Mars
Sign Scorpio – Aries
Fragrance Carnation – Dragon’s Blood – Ginger – Pine – Peppermint
Energies Physical pleasures – Stimulating – Lust – Anger – Hate – Marriage – Courage –
Strength – Enemies – Peril – Sexual potency.

 

GOLD
Gender Male
Day Sunday
Planet Sun
Fragrance Cedar – Clove – Cinnamon – Frankincense – Rosemary
Energies Heal inner wounds – Money – Quick actions – Obtain knowledge.
Related Colours Can be used with orange and yellow to enhance or bring quick change.

 

PINK
Gender Female
Day Friday
Planet Venus
Sign Taurus
Fragrance Cherry – Rose – Thyme – Vanilla
Energies Emotions from the heart – New relationships – Raise energies – Fiends –
Family – Healing – Raises vibrations – Banishes negative vibrations and hate
Promotes honour, morality, and unselfishness.

 

ORANGE
Gender Male
Day Sunday – Tuesday
Planet Sun – Mars
Sign Leo
Fragrance Bayberry – Lavender – Peppermint
Energies Balance – Neutraliser – Prosperity – Mental and physical action – Success –
Mental agility – Energiser – Stamina.

 

GREEN
Gender Male – Female
Day Friday – Wednesday
Planet Venus – Mercury
Sign Gemini
Fragrance Cherry – Rose – Thyme – Vanilla
Energies Money – Herbal magick – Attracts success – Growth – Healing – Faerie magick.

Astronomy Picture of the Day – Icelandic Legends and Aurora

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.

2015 December 8

Icelandic Legends and Aurora
Image Credit & Copyright: Elizabeth M. Ryan; Rollover Annotation: Judy Schmidt

Explanation: Legends collide in this dramatic vista of land, sea, and sky. The land is Iceland, specifically Vík í Mýrdal, a southern village known for its beautiful black sand beaches. The sea, the Atlantic Ocean, surrounds Reynisdrangar, a sea stack of eroded basaltic rock pillars that Icelandic folklore tells are the petrified remains of trolls once attempting to drag a three-masted ship onto land. Watching from overhead and shining bright on the upper right is the god of the sky, according to Greek mythology: the planet Jupiter. Also visible in the sky are several other Greek legends encapsulated as constellations, including a lion (Leo), a big bear (Ursa Major), and a water snake (Hydra). One might guess that all of this commotion caused the spectacular aurora pictured — but really it was just explosions from the Sun.

Earth Sky News for Dec. 8th: N. Hemisphere? Watch for earliest sunsets

N. Hemisphere? Watch for earliest sunsets

The earliest sunset for 40 degrees N. latitude is on December 8, and the year’s earliest sunset comes around then for everyone near this latitude. The exact date of the Northern Hemisphere’s earliest sunset or the Southern Hemisphere’s earliest sunrise varies by latitude. But, at temperate latitudes, both of these annual hallmarks in our sky come some weeks before the December solstice, not on the solstice as you might expect.

Every year, toward the end of the first week of December – that is, around now – mid-temperate latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere have their earliest sunsets. That would be the latitude of New York City; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Kansas City, Missouri; Denver, Colorado; Reno, Nevada; Beijing, China; Madrid, Spain; Naples, Italy.

Suppose you live at 40o South latitude? Then, you’d be waking up to the earliest sunrises of the year.

What if you’re not at 40o North or 40o South latitude? At latitudes closer to the equator, the earliest sunset or earliest sunrise comes at an earlier date.

Closer to the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, the earliest sunset and earliest sunrise happen nearer the December solstice.

The next solstice in 2015 comes on December 21 or 22 (depending on your time zone) and marks an unofficial beginning for winter in the Northern Hemisphere. For this hemisphere, this upcoming solstice brings the shortest day and longest night of the year. And yet the earliest sunsets for middle latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere happen around December 8.

It seems paradoxical. At middle latitudes in the U.S. – and throughout the Northern Hemisphere – the earliest sunsets of the year come about two weeks before the solstice and the shortest day of the year.

Why isn’t the earliest sunset on the year’s shortest day? It’s because of the discrepancy between the clock and the sun. A clock ticks off exactly 24 hours from one noon to the next. But an actual day – as measured by the spin of the Earth, from what is called one “solar noon” to the next – rarely equals 24 hours exactly.

Solar noon is also called simply midday. It refers to that instant when the sun reaches its highest point for the day. In the month of December, the time period from one solar noon to the next is actually half a minute longer than 24 hours. On December 8, the sun reaches its noontime position at 11:52 a.m. local standard time. Two weeks later – on the winter solstice – the sun will reach its noontime position around 11:59 a.m. That’s 7 minutes later than on December 8.

The later clock time for solar noon also means a later clock time for sunrise and sunset. The table below helps to explain.

For Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Date Sunrise Solar Noon (Midday) Sunset Daylight Hours
December 8 7:09 a.m. 11:52 a.m. 4:35 p.m. 9 hours 26 minutes
December 22 7:19 a.m. 11:59 a.m. 4:39 p.m. 9 hours 20 minutes

Solstice tale of two cities: New York, NY, and St. Augustine, FL

As you might have guessed, the latest sunrises and sunsets aren’t on the day of the solstice either. For middle latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, the latest sunrises come in early January.

So there’s variation in the exact dates, but the sequence is always the same for both hemispheres. First: earliest sunset before the winter solstice, the winter solstice itself, latest sunrise after the winter solstice. Half a year later: earliest sunrise before the summer solstice, the summer solstice itself, latest sunset.

The earliest and latest sunsets and sunrises are lovely phenomena that happen around every solstice. People around the world notice them and often ask about them.

Click here for more details on why the earliest sunset doesn’t fall on the shortest day.

Bottom line: The 2015 solstice comes on December 22, but the earliest sunsets at mid-northern latitudes – say, 40 degrees N. happen on or near December 8. Latitudes closer to the equator had their earliest sunset in late November, or earlier in December. Latitudes closer to the Arctic Circle have their earliest sunset closer to the December solstice.

 

Author’s Bio

 

Your Daily Influences for Tuesday, December 8

Your Daily Influences
December 8, 2015 

 

Tarot Influence

Four of Pentacles
Financial gain, success and worldly power seem assured, but lack any higher meaning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rune Influence

Elhaz
Watch for hidden traps. Look for holes in your defenses and fill them.

 

 

 

 

Charm Influence

Inscribed Amulet
This aspect is affected by a narrowly averted dangerous situation. The dangerous event could be a personal confrontation or even an accident you narrowly miss.

 

 

 

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 Ancient Symbol Card for December 8th is Death

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

Death


Death is definitely not a card to shy away from. It does not foretell your impending doom. However it does suggest a period of change and the turbulence that often comes with it are on the horizon. We may not always welcome change, but invariably we must change to grow. Sometimes we have to shed some of the comfortability of who we are today to embrace the adventure of who we will be tomorrow. Death is the prophecy of such times.

As a daily card, Death tells you that changes need to be made in order for you to move smoothly along your life’s journey. When seen as a daily card, it is likely the changes indicated are on the order of “minor adjustments” in your day to day routine.

Your Witches Rune for December 8th is The Blank Rune

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.

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for December 8th is The Star

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

The Star


The Star represents a strong connection to the Cosmos, an open gateway to understanding “the big picture.” It is an optimistic card that promises peace, harmony, and hope realized. For the full power of the forces behind The Star to be realized one must have faith and accept that in cosmic terms all things balance out; that disturbances are sometimes necessary to ensure overall harmony. The reward for such faith is vision on a Cosmic scale, and sense of well-being that may well radiate to those around you through your warm, untroubled heart.

Your Daily I Ching Hexagram for December 8th is 35: Easy Progress

 

 

 

 

Your Daily I Ching Hexagram of the Day

December 8th, 2015

__________________________________

35: Easy Progress

hexagram09

 

 

 

 

 

The general situation is one of easy, natural progress. That which had been weak is now steadily rising up, and by gaining a prominent position, becomes a stronger force. The image is the light of the rising sun, which at first appears dimly through the mists. But this relatively weak light later radiates with powerful clarity once the sun has reached a high position in the sky.

Progress is made when those in subordinate positions create harmony with those above, and in so doing create a natural means for their collective talents and abilities to blossom. It is by recognizing and riding with the natural course of events — by hitching our wagon to the rising sun, as it were — that we advance our position and earn respect.

Goodness in human nature is like the dim but beautiful early morning light. It can easily be obscured — by greed, hatred and other forms of self-absorption — just as the morning light can be swallowed by fog. Be reminded that progress is achieved most effortlessly when right action is taken without concern for immediate reward, and when the path of the weaker elements aligns with the strong.

 

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Your Daily Rune for Tuesday, December 8th is Perthro

bw-perthro

bw-perthroYour Rune For Today
Perthro

Mysteries will become known to you. You should be able to see your life’s path clearly at this time. Pethro is often thought of as “Gambler’s Rune.” You are in a lucky period right now. Chance is your ally. Take advantage of it.

 

Additional information about Today’s Rune, Perthro

 

perþ: dice-cup? vulva?

 

Phonetic equivalent: p

 

DIVINATORY MEANINGS: rebirth, mystery, magic, divination, fertility, sexuality, new beginning, prophecy

 

MAGICAL USES: fertility, easing childbirth, to aid in divination and magic, enhancing psychic abilities

 

ASSOCIATED MYTHS & DEITIES: Freya, Angrbode

 

ANALYSIS: The actual interpretation of perþ has been the subject of much controversy among runic scholars. The problem lies in the fact that the initial P sound doesn’t occur anywhere else in the old Germanic language, leading to the belief that the word was imported from another language. The Old English rune poem seems to indicate that it had to do with some sort of game, leading many to interpret it as ‘chess pawn’ or ‘dice-cup’. The dice-cup meaning is particularly interesting as it not only fits the shape of rune, but also hints at such an object’s original use as a container for the runes themselves. An alternate interpretation of perþ is derived from the Slavic ‘pizda’, meaning ‘vulva’. This meaning (although obscure and somewhat unlikely) fits quite into the progression of runes up until this point, symbolizing the rebirth that follows death. Viewing it as a symbol of the womb of the Goddess, it represents the same element of the mysterious and hidden as ‘dice-cup’, but taken literally as ‘vulva’, it adds a powerful, feminine, sexual counterpart to uruz that would otherwise be missing from the fuþark.

 

However you choose to interpret the literal meaning of perþ (and again, nobody really knows what that is), the basic symbolism is that of a vessel, nurturing and giving ‘birth’, keeping hidden and secret all those mysteries, which can be uncovered only after the initiation of death. The rune is closely tied in with the idea of fate, that the road we travel, regardless of what we choose to do along the way, is predetermined from the moment of our birth. The very act of being born sets us along a course of cause and effect, action and reaction that we may choose to follow blindly, or try to divine through the runes or other means order that we may better understand the lessons we will learn. Perþ is the beginning of this process, as well as the tool for accomplishing it.
Additional Info:
By Jennifer Smith

Your Tarot Card Reading for the Week of December 7th

 

 

 

 

 

Weekly Tarot Card Reading

A one-card reading gives you a glimpse at what’s coming

Brigit Esselmont

Brigit Esselmont on the topics of tarot reader, tarot cards

 
For the week of December 7, I chose the Temperance card.

With “balance” as the key theme of Temperance, I’d say this is a very important card given we head into the ‘silly season’! We are just weeks away from the end of 2015 and if your life is anything like mine, it gets very busy right about now!

The Temperance card reminds you to find your centre of balance, especially in the midst of chaos. When you centre yourself, you can remain focused on your goals and keep in alignment with your Highest Good. If you find things get out of balance, then bring your focus back within and ground yourself once again.

And, remember, one of the key messages of the Temperance card is, “Everything in moderation!” I know that at this time of the year, it’s hard to keep everything in moderation, but if you want a stress-free December, then make it your mantra. It doesn’t mean you have to be a complete teetotaller … just keep it in balance!

 

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Your Daily Tarot Card for Tuesday, December 8th is The Magician

 

 

 

 

Tarot Card of the Day

December 8th, 2015

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The Magician

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditionally, the Magus is one who can demonstrate hands-on magic — as in healing, transformative rituals, alchemical transmutations, charging of talismans and the like. A modern Magus is any person who completes the circuit between heaven and Earth, one who seeks to bring forth the divine ‘gold’ within her or himself.

At the birth of Tarot, even a gifted healer who was not an ordained clergyman was considered to be in league with the Devil! For obvious reasons, the line between fooling the eye with sleight of hand, and charging the world with magical will was not clearly differentiated in the early Tarot cards.

Waite’s image of the Magus as the solitary ritualist communing with the spirits of the elements — with its formal arrangement of symbols and postures — is a token of the freedom we have in modern times to declare our spiritual politics without fear of reprisal. The older cards were never so explicit about what the Magus was doing. It’s best to keep your imagination open with this card. Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by evolutionary forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul.

 

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