You have strong business sense, but you are also quite wise when it comes to people. You are independent, and although you’re attached to family and loved ones, you need to feel as if you are free in order to function at your best. You are creative and very clever, sometimes in a self-serving way, and have a youthful quality that remains with you throughout life. You need to avoid expecting inhuman things of humans! Many of you have a great fondness for history and research. Famous people born today: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ann Landers, Abigail Van Buren, Eva Marie Saint, Neil Simon, Bill Withers.
Romance, social relations, comfort, and finances are starred for you today, Aries. You are magnetizing good things to you quite naturally now. Interactions tend to be easy, smooth, kind, and helpful. Socially, you may be at the right place at the right time. Complicated problems seem to be easier to understand when you feel supported and approach them in a relaxed manner. You could be expressing your feelings and ideas both with the same ease. This is unlikely to be a productive time for work, but can be wonderful for taking a break and enjoying good company.
Taurus
Taurus
Home and family matters can be quite easy and smooth-running today, Taurus. There can be good news or promising developments with house or financial affairs, an exciting new purchase for the family, or a sense of abundance now. There can be some restlessness today that stems from an unsatisfied or unrecognized need. This type of feeling often leads to self-indulgence, which of course doesn’t resolve things. Get into better touch with what it is you feel is missing. However, this should be a good time for family and relationship matters, as well as helpful, happy conversations.
Gemini
Gemini
You are communicating your needs quite effectively today, dear Gemini, but it’s also a strong time for presenting your ideas. Personal appeal is boosted today, as your ruler, Mercury, is in your sign and forms a nice angle with pleasing Venus. There could be news or a communication that is warm, pleasant, and promising. You can feel understood, cared for, and supported as a result. You might be looking into a new idea or discovering a new interest. The Moon is in your adventure sector all day, supporting and enhancing your curiosity and encouraging you to think in big, happy terms.
Cancer
Cancer
It’s a little easier than usual to discuss private or tricky topics with more rationality and readiness, dear Cancer, as you are seeing emotions from an intellectual perspective. This can also be a good day for bringing intuition and aesthetic sense to practical matters. You might come up with interesting ideas about how you can improve your financial state. You are more inclined to pay attention to unusual signs or symbols, and these can factor into decisions now. There is a playful quality to conversations, and politeness or kindness, which is especially pleasant for you right now. Past love can come to mind or resurface in a significant way.
Leo
Leo
With Venus in your sign these days, dear Leo, you could find that people in general are appreciating the qualities that come very naturally to you. Others are showing interest and seem to be drawn or attracted to you more than usual. You might also be especially in touch with the gentler, more receptive side of your nature. Today is good for sharing ideas, personal thoughts, feelings, and memories. You can be particularly interesting and convincing. You have a stronger sense than usual about what ideas have true potential for success in the long term.
Virgo
Virgo
While you’ve been in a trend of taking stock of your emotional and social life more than pursuing it directly, dear Virgo, this is a good day for spending time with others, sharing your ideas, or simply joining in and doing most of the listening. Today is strong for sharing personal matters with a trusted friend, and for coming to an understanding with someone or with a matter from the past. It’s also a good day for intuition on business and financial matters. There can be a subtle communication of romantic interest from someone today. There can be a sudden impulse to contact someone, or you can be the recipient of surprising contact.
Libra
Libra
You have a stronger desire than usual to bring a spirit of true friendship and acceptance to your relationships, dear Libra, but also a loving, warm quality to your friendships. It’s easier than usual to “win” friends with an easygoing, charming, and open manner. Friends are drawn to you. Today is particularly strong for friendships as well as romance, and mending broken fences. People are showing definite interest in you. You have been discovering your own unique set of truths and beliefs recently, and today you’re especially eager to share them. You can feel very hopeful about the future now.
Scorpio
Scorpio
This can be a good time for enhancing your reputation, learning things that help you in your career, and talking about plans for the future or long-term goals, dear Scorpio. People may be speaking highly of you. It’s a generally good day for making business decisions or for fact-gathering in casual ways. A partner may be especially conversational. You are more aware of public sentiment and what others think of you when you are making decisions. When it comes to private or personal matters, you’re more inclined to discuss them rationally and naturally.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
It’s a strong day for connecting with others, and especially on one-to-one levels and romantically, dear Sagittarius. Even so, good communication skills positively affect all areas of life now. A feeling of camaraderie with a special someone can lift your spirits and make you feel that you’re moving forward. You may be feeling some inner restlessness that, if left unchecked, could lead you to push others’ boundaries. Identify the source of this so that it doesn’t drive your behavior. Otherwise, make extra time for people you care about today.
Capricorn
Capricorn
Love is easily expressed and attracted today, dear Capricorn, although you’re inclined to show your feelings through quiet support rather than through showy means. Your intuition regarding health or work methods is strong now. Perhaps because you may be breaking the routine a little, you are able to see regular things in new ways, and you may even meet someone interesting as you pursue your daily affairs or health goals. There can be a special attraction to mysteries and hidden motives, investigations of some kind, and all that we don’t typically see.
Aquarius
Aquarius
This is a good time for coming to agreements, romantic overtures, expressions of affection, and sharing of good humor, dear Aquarius. The beauty may very well be in how you communicate more than what you are expressing. It’s a good time for getting advice or simply reaching out. You can be eager to start a new creative project, or possibly a new romantic affair or experience. Conversations about love, children, creative arts, hobbies, or entertainment can be pleasing now. With the Moon in your sign all day, you are projecting yourself warmly and others are drawn to you. Others may seem a little indulgent or even irresponsible in your eyes today, however.
Pisces
Pisces
Agreements might come easily right now, dear Pisces, and you can have a stronger desire to find peace in your domestic life or with family now. You are seeking out more harmony on the job and in your daily life. This may not be a day in which a lot gets done in an obvious or explicit way, but it’s good for mending fences, enjoying others, and expressing your feelings. The Moon in the sign just behind yours all day suggests keeping things quiet, and makes it a good time for personal reflection. You may not be in the spotlight, but this can be a good thing as you need to emotionally recharge.
The Balance of the Signs and the Elements for Saturday, July 4th
CANCER STRONG
Nurturing, protective, tenacious, emotional sensitive, watery, strong roots. Can be overly protective, unwilling to let go, timid, reclusive.
LEO STRONG
Self-confident, generous, warm-hearted, powerful leader, dramatic. Can be overly proud, vain, extravagant, arrogant.
AQUARIUS STRONG
Humanitarian, innovative, group conscious, progressive, serving others. Can be rebellious, eccentric, aloof, emotionally superficial, overly extroverted.
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.
WATER STRONG
We are more compassionate, emotional, and intuitive than usual, and we may react emotionally to situations, possibly at the expense of logic or practicality.
This can be a friendly, and possibly a little indulgent, day. Mercury and Venus are moving towards a sextile, exact early tomorrow, and we are more inclined to verbalize or intellectualize our feelings, and soften our language.
The Moon is in Aquarius all day (until Sunday, July 5th at 10:22 AM).
The Moon is waning and in its Full Moon phase.
Venus is direct and is in its pre-retrograde shadow.
The Moon today is in a Waning Gibbous Phase. This is the first phase after the Full Moon occurs. It lasts roughly 7 days with the Moon’s illumination growing smaller each day until the Moon becomes a Last Quarter Moon with a illumination of 50%. The average Moon rise for this phase is between 9am and Midnight depending on the age of the phase. The moon rises later and later each night setting after sunrise in the morning. During this phase the Moon can also be seen in the early morning daylight hours on the western horizon.
Phase Details for – Saturday, July 4, 2015
Phase: Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 92%
Moon Age: 17.38 days
Moon Angle: 0.54
Moon Distance: 367,891.52 km
Sun Angle: 0.52
Sun Distance: 152,099,425.84 km
I had to go outside and run the neighbor out of one of our herbal patches. Just walking down the side of garden helping herself. I have never seen anything like these people out here, gee!
Independence Day is a national holiday marked by patriotic displays. Similar to other summer-themed events, Independence Day celebrations often take place outdoors. Independence Day is a federal holiday, so all non-essential federal institutions (like the postal service and federal courts) are closed on that day. Many politicians make it a point on this day to appear at a public event to praise the nation’s heritage, laws, history, society, and people.
Families often celebrate Independence Day by hosting or attending a picnic or barbecue and take advantage of the day off and, in some years, long weekend to gather with relatives. Decorations (e.g., streamers, balloons, and clothing) are generally colored red, white, and blue, the colors of the American flag. Parades are often in the morning, while fireworks displays occur in the evening at such places as parks, fairgrounds, or town squares.
The night before the Fourth was once the focal point of celebrations, marked by raucous gatherings often incorporating bonfires as their centerpiece. In New England, towns competed to build towering pyramids, assembled from barrels and casks. They were lit at nightfall, to usher in the celebration. The highest were in Salem, Massachusetts (on Gallows Hill, the famous site of the execution of 13 women and 6 men for witchcraft in 1692 during the Salem witch trials, where the tradition of bonfires in celebration had persisted), composed of as many as forty tiers of barrels; these are the tallest bonfires ever recorded. The custom flourished in the 19th and 20th centuries, and is still practiced in some New England towns.
Independence Day fireworks are often accompanied by patriotic songs such as the national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner”, “God Bless America”, “America the Beautiful”, “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”, “This Land Is Your Land”, “Stars and Stripes Forever”, and, regionally, “Yankee Doodle” in northeastern states and “Dixie” in southern states. Some of the lyrics recall images of the Revolutionary War or the War of 1812.
Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C.
Firework shows are held in many states, and many fireworks are sold for personal use or as an alternative to a public show. Safety concerns have led some states to ban fireworks or limit the sizes and types allowed. Illicit traffic transfers many fireworks from less restrictive states.
A salute of one gun for each state in the United States, called a “salute to the union,” is fired on Independence Day at noon by any capable military base.
In 2009, New York City had the largest fireworks display in the country, with over 22 tons of pyrotechnics exploded.[21] Other major displays are in Chicago on Lake Michigan; in San Diego over Mission Bay; in Boston on the Charles River; in St. Louis on the Mississippi River; in San Francisco over the San Francisco Bay; and on the National Mall in Washington, D.C..
During the annual Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival, Detroit, Michigan hosts one of the world’s largest fireworks displays, over the Detroit River, to celebrate Independence Day in conjunction with Windsor, Ontario’s celebration of Canada Day.
While the official observance always falls on July 4, participation levels may vary according to which day of the week the 4th falls on. If the holiday falls in the middle of the week, some fireworks displays and celebrations may take place during the weekend for convenience, again, varying by region.
The first week of July is typically one of the busiest American travel periods of the year, as many people utilize the holiday for extended vacation trips
Observances Throughout History for Saturday, July 4th
In 1777, thirteen gunshots were fired in salute, once at morning and once again as evening fell, on July 4 in Bristol, Rhode Island. Philadelphia celebrated the first anniversary in a manner a modern American would find quite familiar: an official dinner for the Continental Congress, toasts, 13-gun salutes, speeches, prayers, music, parades, troop reviews, and fireworks. Ships were decked with red, white, and blue bunting.
In 1778, from his headquarters at Ross Hall, near New Brunswick, New Jersey, General George Washington marked July 4 with a double ration of rum for his soldiers and an artillery salute (feu de joie). Across the Atlantic Ocean, ambassadors John Adams and Benjamin Franklin held a dinner for their fellow Americans in Paris, France.
In 1779, July 4 fell on a Sunday. The holiday was celebrated on Monday, July 5.
In 1781 the Massachusetts General Court became the first state legislature to recognize July 4 as a state celebration.
In 1783, Moravians in Salem, North Carolina, held a celebration of July 4 with a challenging music program assembled by Johann Friedrich Peter. This work was titled “The Psalm of Joy.” This is recognized as the first recorded celebration and is still celebrated there today.
In 1791 the first recorded use of the name “Independence Day” occurred.
In 1870, the U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees.
In 1938, Congress changed Independence Day to a paid federal holiday.
During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain rule.[5][6] After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.[7]
Adams’s prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.[8]
Historians have long disputed whether Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, even though Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had signed it on that day. Most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.[9][10][11][12][13]
Coincidentally, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, but another Founding Father who became a President, James Monroe, died on July 4, 1831, thus becoming the third President in a row who died on the holiday. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872, and, so far, is the only U.S. President to have been born on Independence Day.
Independence Day of the United States, also referred to as Fourth of July or July Fourth in the U.S., is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress declaring that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and no longer part of the British Empire.[1] Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the National Day of the United States.
Cast this spell in honor of Lorialet, the enchanted son of the Greek goddess Selene and the Greek God Endymion. He is a poet, musician, and sorcerer, who lives on mountain tops, wooded glens, and next to forest lakes, and constantly dreams of the moon. Cats love him, and butterflies and dragonflies travel with him wherever he goes.
For this spell, you will need a body of water and a dragonfly sticker. Magic shops, the Internet, New Age gift, and health food stores are places to find dragonfly stickers.
After dark when the moon has risen, go outdoors and sit next to a body of water such as a creek, river, pond, lake, or ocean. Recite a special poem you have written for Lorialet and the dragonflies, or you can recite one of the following: My favorite is a passage from the song “Dragonfly” by Clutch. Other are a-ha’s “Dragonfly” lyrics and Jimi Hendrix’s “Spanish Castle Magic.” Put a copy of the lyrics where you can read them before you go to sleep to encourage dragonfly dreams. Dragonflies are messengers of the Gods. Affix the sticker on your car, refrigerator, or bathroom mirror to remind you of the dragonfly magic all around you.
Wiccan Spell A Night: Spells, Charms, And Potions For The Whole Year
Sirona Knight
About Thmei: This Egyptian Goddess of Law and Mother of virtue watches over human conduct, looking for right action, wise decisions,
ethical dealings, and just outcomes. On a broader scale, she also tends to matters of universal law, that we might learn its patterns, internalize
its ideals, and then use this awareness throughout the year.
In some instances, Thmei is considered a prophetic Goddess to call on in determining the outcome of any course of action, especially legal ones.
Egyptian art depicts Thmei bearing a single ostrich feather, the symbol of truth with self and others.
To Do Today: Celebrate your personal independence, and break free from any constraints that seem unjust or
unethical, asking Thmei for the power and courage to endure. To make a Thmei charm that draws equity into all
your dealings, find a portable token that, to you, represents balance, harmony, and fairness. Put this on your
bathroom scale, saying, Balance and harmony within this shrine, Thmei, make impartial dealings mine!
Carry this token with you, or leave it in the area where you feel inequity or discord exists.
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By Patricia Telesco ~ From “365 Goddess” and GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast
Place 3 drops of any insect repellent essential oils, Lemongrass or Citronella work well, in a bowl of water. Soak some ribbons in this solution before attaching them to the branches of your trees. This really works!
The twenty-first century is turning out to be much more than a just a number. While our European allies have been dealing with terrorism for decades, we Americans thought the anger and hatred of reactionaries and fundamentalists would never touch our lives. English folklore includes two war legends, probably based on true events, that we can draw on a magical people to help affect a dangerous world for the better. The legends claim that England’s Witches and Druids stirred up the massive storm that wrecked the dreaded Spanish Armada in 1588, and then turned back a planned invasion by the Nazis in 1940.
We can gather, raise power, and send out magic to let the world know that the United States and our allies will not live in fear. To do this, gather as many other Pagans as you can find. If you’re a solitary you can still do this alone. Go outside if you can, and sit on the ground of your own homeland. Raise an impenetrable curtain of safety surrounding the coastlines and borders of your nation. Feel the strength of the cone of power rising around you. When it has reached its peak, release it into the imagery your mind created.
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By: Edain McCoy
It was after the famous midnight ride of Paul Revere in April 1775 that England’s colonies in the New World began their armed conflict against the British Imperial power. By July 2, 1775, the colonies voted for independence from Britain. A document was drawn up stating this intent. On July 4, 1776, what we know as the Declaration of Independence was signed by John Hancock – president of the Continental Congress at Philadelphia – and delegates from the 13 colonies. By the 1880s Independence Day had become a major American holiday.
This day of the week got it’s name from the god of karma and time, Saturn. This day is obviously associated with the planet Saturn and is our last day of the week. Traditionally Saturdays are great days for protection, banishing a negative situation, and generally a good time to clean up any magical messes that you have been ignoring. Some suggestions for Saturday enchantments would include:
◦Wearing the colors of the day, black and deep purple. Here’s your perfect excuse to be dramatic and witchy. Empower these dramatic pieces of your wardrobe for protection and strength.
◦Burning black candles to absorb negativity and burning purple ones to increase your magical wisdom and boost your spirituality
◦Adding a touch of garden witchery to your Saturday spells by working with the pansy (in black or purple of course), the morning glory flowering vine, or the cypress tree.
◦Carrying an obsidian, hematite, or jet tumbled stone in your pocket to reinforce your personal protection and to ward off bad vibes and sour feelings. You can also add these crystals to a candle spell on a Saturday night to really increase the punch of your spellcasting.
◦Cleaning your house and cleansing it while you are at it. Tap into those obstacle-removing vibes and the positive, concluding energies.
◦Closing up the final day of the bewitching week with a bang by calling on Hecate for protection and guidance.
Aroma: Cypress, Myrrh, Patchouli, Saturn Oil, Black Poppy seeds
Herb: Mullein
Dedicated to the shadowy Anglo-Saxon god Saetere, the equivalent to the Roman Saturn, and the Greek Cronos. It is also associated with the Norns, the Norse equivalent of the Three Fates, and the Trickster-god, Loki.
Magical aspects: longevity, exorcism, endings, apprehension, austerity, caution, and limitations.
Not surprisingly, Saturday is ruled by Saturn. The logic and almost sly nature of Saturn is most prominent on Saturday, which is why it is the perfect day for habit breaking and scientific experimentation.
If you have someone that just will not let go of a relationship that you thought was long since dead, give a restriction spell a go next Saturday.
Human manipulation is also a very powerful aspect of Saturn’s power over Saturday.
This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving spirit, communication, meditation, psychic attack or defence, locating lost items or missing persons, self-discipline, life, building, doctrine, protection, freedom, elderly, destroying diseases and pests, crystallization, hidden or obscure matters, limitations, and boundaries
“The American’s Creed” is the title of a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives April 3, 1918. It is a statement written in 1917 by William Tyler Page as an entry into a patriotic contest.
I believe in the United States of America, as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon these principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.
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