Category: All Regular Daily Posts

The Journey of a Wild Witch

The Journey of a Wild Witch

Author:   Eilan   

It has been eight years since I first discovered Witchcraft in a spiritual context. Prior to this Magick was very much alive in my life as I was lucky enough to have been born into a family that understands the spiritual dimension of life. My family also had the insight and experience to see and live this dimension in their everyday. In truth there is no difference between what is conceived to be ‘spiritual’ and that which is apparent and ‘mundane’. It is all one. This is my truth and my wild way.

I am an initiated Witch and Priest of the WildWood Tradition of Witchcraft. This means a great deal to me, as I am also a ‘co-founder’ of the original Mother Coven, based in Brisbane and initiated at Samhain (April 30th) 2006. Our ‘tradition’ and way of living the Craft is deeply interwoven with what many people call ‘shamanism’; derived from the Siberian Tungus word for their medicine people – saman. Mircea Eliade, the late Romanian historian, described shamanism as a “technique of ecstasy” and my coven has come to define Witchcraft as an “ecstasy-driven, Earth-based, mystery tradition”.

Our (and all Witches’) rituals and methods of practice allow us to transcend the illusion of separation and therefore to dissolve the ego and actualize the freedom that lives in the heart of all things. I often call and relate to this ‘All’ as the Great Mystery. The beauty of being a Wild Witch is that nothing is absolute and I have come to realize that all of Life is a holy continuum, which constantly seeks to express itself through diversity. Through expression comes manifestation, which allows us to experience Beauty through Perfection (the world in which we live) and then once more we come to the Wholeness of Unity and the cycle repeats itself.

We are born into a plural world of many and pass into the One only to yearn to divide ourselves once more to grow, deepen and enrich our understandings and experiences of that subtle/overt thing – the Great Mystery.

My coven’s tradition has developed and evolved around this wild-trance-dance-of-wonder. The only consistency between our covens is that we honor and acknowledge our heartland the WildWood, keep holy our covenant with the Sacred Four (the Weaver, the Green Man, the Crescent-Crowned Goddess and the Stag-Horned God) and that we remain open and receptive to personal/group gnosis and to Awen (the divine flow of inspiration) . Other than this there are some structural similarities regarding dedication and priesthood and inner and outer courts.

Essentially however we are wild Witches who fly in the face of authority and seek the wilderness underlying the apparent ‘civilization’ of things. Nothing can be tamed, for the wild is free and the free is divine! As we say in the WildWood – “we have actualized our radness!”

What do Wild Witches do? First and foremost – we live! We breathe, we sleep, we eat, we drink, we sing, we dance, we make love, we scream and we spend time sharing presence and being with our loved ones. ‘Being’ is an important principle to consider. To be is quite simple but so many people find themselves distracted by the “this and that” that they leave ‘being’ behind and pursue illusion instead.

This isn’t the same concept found in various Christian philosophies which espouses a “Satan’s fault!” message when sheep stray from the flock so to speak. Witches understand self-responsibility and are aware of action, reaction and consequence (the Threefold Law) . Why not exist in euphoric awareness of self as Self – the animate Cosmos? You are not only a cell within a larger body of universal wholeness; you are whole and thus a perfect embodiment, expression and reflection of the Great Mystery whose cause, undercurrent and outcome is Life.

When we free ourselves from the illusion of past, present and future and surrender to the Flow of the Continuum (the spirals, the wayward ins and outs, the labyrinthine, serpentine undulations of fate becoming) we make real for ourselves the state of being known commonly as “here and now”. This seems to constitute location and time, however it simply addresses the emphasis of indwelling consciousness regardless of where you are and what frame of time constrains it.

There are moments in my life, which I refer to as ‘Nostalgic Rites’. They are pure, simple, soothing, knowing moments that are like the punctuation points in a flow of sentences. They are the markers and the thresholds that appear along our paths when it is time to pause, reflect and feel. I have them often enough in my life to understand their imminent message of timelessness, peace and overwhelming Love! For what I have learnt above all else thus far is that dwelling within the chaos in the cosmos is the peace which neither subsumes or overrides it, but embraces it and lets it be. Chaos is what happens naturally when the undifferentiated potential becomes “this and that” and peace is the understanding that this is the way of Life. All of this is wild; we dwell in a far-reaching, limitless wilderness.

In a recent priestess training session with two beautiful women from my coven I asked both of them to divulge their feelings and reflections of the journey toward their priestesshood, as they are nearing to the ‘end’ of the beginning – Initiation. One of the women honestly came out and said to us that she feared for us (the other priestess-in-training and I) because we are on the top of the mountain, but because we are risk-takers it is inevitable that we will fall.

I had to stop and wonder in that moment why anyone would not want to fall. In fact I also wondered whether it had occurred to her that surrounding the mountain were vast forests, plains, rivers, deserts, tundra, bushland, seas, oceans and lakes; not to mention all of the beings who inhabit these places.

For me the mountain is not the point. It is part of the whole Great Mystery, but the journey does not lead to a single place; in fact the journey doesn’t really lead anywhere. There is no aim to my wandering, to my blissful dance through the wilderness – I simply embrace every experience because it is worthy of it and I laugh, smile, cry, choke, rage, relax, love, ***, change, grow, and a million other things that I couldn’t possibly articulate or fathom for the purposes of this article.

The other woman, who knows me very well, and is one of my closest friends, then turned to me smiling and said, “You are so glib!” She then went on to explain that it was the “natural, offhand ease and articulate fluency and flow” of how I expressed my truth that made me glib in her opinion.

It wasn’t a criticism on her part, merely an observation. I think it is actually quite accurate. I have such ease and flow in my expression because I don’t have to think too hard about who I am or how I feel because I am and I feel in the “here and the now”. I live and I am, and in my experience Life itself is glib.

To my fellow journeyers of the wild way who know in their hearts that they are heading nowhere, anywhere and everywhere – may you dance the Wander with all you are. My deepest well of love to you all!

The Wanderer

The sages say that samsara is to wander, to pass through,
I say samsara is to know the way and dance it.
To dance is to live, and to live is never “to pass through”;
Dance doll – dance and light up the stage…

Then they came with their wrought-iron weapons
And they pierced my soul, and looked for the mark.
I sang to them to soothe their battered spirits.
They sunk their swords in harder, my heart is in shreds.

The blood ran dry and the old seas heaved
And there in the darkest hour all was forgotten,
And tattered clothes were left in tatters,
And the ashes were left in mounds at the pyres.

Is it a fact that when we are lost we wander?
Is it true that when we are in love we dance?
Or do we dance when we are lost?
And do we wander when in love?

Samsara, O holy wheel of Life,
Keep turning, I want to stay.
I don’t want nirvana in clouds far away
For I feel it already…here.

The Wanderer – the Fool?
I don’t mind, I don’t mind being;
For all the pain and suffering and the attachment to desire
There is a keenness that is not worth losing.

I want to live,
I want to wander if that’s what it takes,
But through all this I will dance
And I will dance because I love.

– Gede Parma, 2007

The Witch I Am

The Witch I Am

Author:   Eilan  

Witchcraft, the Arte, the Craft, Magick, the Old Religion – what could these names possibly mean to an 18-year-old male living in an age of global warming, rapid deforestation, tyrannical war and occupation, fundamentalist literature and humanist rationalism? They are the faces of a largely spiritual movement, grounded in the sacred powers of Nature, from which the Old Gods themselves draw their strength and mystery.

My name is Gede Parma. I am an 18-year-old male Witch currently residing in Queensland, Australia. I am an initiate and co-founder of the dynamic Pagan wellspring that is the Coven of the WildWood, and I am priest and vessel to my Gods of Blood and of Breath.

My Pagan peers know me as Dobhair (pronounced ‘door’ with a soft accent in the middle), which is the name my ancestors revealed to me during last year’s solar eclipse as I dedicated myself to the Dagda and Morgaine le Fay. In this time of the Greening much will be seen to come to pass and the world will change in a way that none of us could ever have conceived.

I stand as the Rod of Power, as the Menhir, the Tree of Life, to whom my veneration is given in circles with my coven. As I focus inward so does my breath circulate into the outer realms, my consciousness expanding and taking into itself the divinity that is immanent within all of Life. I remember the animating force behind all that is and dance the spiral path of change and transformation into the very heart of the primal womb whose centre is the point of origin.

From the beginning I was Air, from whose new dawn’s breath ‘I’dea was formed. I was then fuelled by the heat of Fire, and light and warmth gave way to the oceanic-matrix that is the Water and blood-ways became rivers and streams in the body of the Goddess.

By Spirit and the Great Mystery I was given form and beauty and Earth’s presence and foundation continued the cycle, and when my thread is cut by the tides of Fate I will fall to the winds once more to decay with the autumn foliage under the slanted glare of a fading king whose sun sets in the realms of Death.

I am resurrected and born again by Love and by Light, and the Two Pillars join the heavens to the broad earth, from whom once more I will spring up as Kore, the sprout. From Death comes Life, and in Life there is Love, and the Mystery knows them all.

These are the mysteries that have been written of and told to others whose minds and hearts are listening, however their far-reaching and infinite truths are not simply grasped by an eloquent intellect or by the ascetics of a world-rejecting discipline.

Witchcraft to a teen in the 21st century has not lost its Great Mystery. We are still as the priests and priestesses of old who stole away to secret orders nestled in ‘tween places. We are still as the seers and shamans whose journeys remain intrinsically-patterned into our wild and unkempt spirits. We are Witches and by solitude or tribe we still raise the Power to celebrate the ecstasies of Life. I have never forgotten this charge and I have made it my oath to the Old Ones to continue to impart this knowledge and wisdom on those who have ears to listen.

There is immense power in the old mythos. They speak of Gods and Goddesses who inspire and protect their own, of ancient magicks whose powers awaken in the hearts of those who embrace the old ways. There is descent into the netherworld, and resurrection in the light of day. There are ancestors who kindle the hearth-fires and who gather us in to be warmed when way-ward our feet have taken us.

There are oceans and seas that speak of death and devotion. There are groves and mounds and stone-circles who whisper of ancient rites and who glisten and vibrate with the dragon-lines that sing through the land. There are wheels that spin and turn, and bring awareness to the cycles of Nature, to the implicit realities and cause us to revel in the wonder that is the blue sky and the green tree.

These things, these memories are not cast out or forgotten by the Witches of today, they are embraced and renewed by those of us who seek to rejoin and reconnect with the Wyrd, whose keepers, though at times stern, remind us to dance and to make Magick in their honor.

When the Pagan community regards its youths and also their influx into the tribes, they often forget that once upon time that was them. There are many who revile and resent the young folk who seek out the ancient wisdom and who practice the rites of the Craft. They seem to think that in doing so we desecrate their sacred power, or playfully twist and manipulate to achieve our own selfish and incorrigible ends.

Anyone who truly kneels at the Altar or draws the Circle of Power knows to what effect their pure Will can achieve. Those who are simply involved for the ‘glamour’ and the ‘prestige’ soon draw back when they discover what perfect love and perfect trust truly means.

So those of us who still remain after the year and a day and whose understanding has strengthened and whose energy has intensified should be known to all others who walk the spiral-ways as honest and humble devotees.

I will never forget the moment when I became a respected member of my community and was taken by my word for my word. It was as if all my potential became actualized and I could evolve and transform into a new identity, into a new persona. But personas are masks and identities fade, and through this time I began to feel again the pulse in the deepest part of me.

The façade had broken.

I didn’t need their recognition, their support, though it helped immensely in times of grief. What I needed was my connection, to awaken the divinity that is indwelling. It didn’t take long before one Goddess chose to love me and to pour into me what was already at my core. She is beauty; she is truth. She is power and she is that quintessential feeling that resonates through all my fragments, and whose veil covers not to hide, but to symbolize the other reality, that is always waiting, on the other side.

My life is enriched through my Craft. I am joined with all of Nature. I breathe on the mountain and I lose all ego-attachment, and it strikes me that all I am doing is breathing and existing, just as all other beings that dance through the cycles are.

My Gods speak to me through my descent and through my spirit. Their names are not written as a list of spiritual acquisitions, but as powers and forces that have revealed themselves to me, and have chosen to become my allies.

To be a Witch is not to forsake the divine bounty that is made apparent when we learn to trust, but to identify and understand the patterns of power that weave through the fibres of Life and manifest as expressions of innate and intimate truths. We celebrate this continuum of divine-play and revel in becoming a part of it.

I am a Witch, not because I was genetically made to be so (though that adds to it), and not because of some deep-set desire to conquer the plain drudgery and live out a fantasy of power and privilege.

I am a Witch because in my heart lives Magick and to deny its passage, its flow, would be to deny the very essence of my purpose here on Earth, and of my many lives before my present that have been sacrificed to continue the charge I was given.

As I dance the Wheel and as I draw the Circle I remember that I am different. It is not merely a contrast I draw between my nature and those of others, or an indulgent delusion I use to place myself higher than the rest. I am different in that the unfeeling, ego-ridden, politically-driven paradigm that our societies are built on rejects or else wholly negates who I am and what I do.

There is no room in this world, they say, for enchantment and Magick. There is no place for story-telling or dancing. Everything I am and everything I stand for is declared non-existent or irrational at best and Witchcraft is made out to be nothing more than a childish game.

Witches were once respected and revered for their skill, insight and power. In a sense this manifests today as the curious intrigue one feels toward the ‘supernatural’. Witches today are feared, maligned or ridiculed.

We are feared by the ignorant, maligned by the ‘pious’, and ridiculed by the so-called rationalists. However there are those among the liberally-minded communities who celebrate us as true visionaries in our right and who are inclined to study our spirituality in a bid to reclaim the lost wisdom.

There are few words that I can conjure that truly define my being. One of these is ‘Witch’. I embrace it wholly, in every way, for in doing so I reclaim the power that was once considered a gift. It is never a curse to realize truth and never a burden to uphold and live by it.

My Magick is a gift that I will pass on to the next generation of Witches, however at this point in time I work to encourage and inspire this generation. In my coven we circle every week and in between the esbats and sabbats we devote our circles to specific topics so that we may expand our knowledge and add to our magickal arsenal.

In the past we have discussed sacred tools, the Elementals, visualization, meditation and divination. Generally I take on the guise of the teacher as it suits me and I have a considerable amount of knowledge and practical experience in these areas.

The Witches of my coven are strong and steadfast spiritual beings, however we are all still human and prone to making mistakes. This is the reality of the Witch, especially as teenagers. We may be able to cast spells, transcend our egos, invoke ancient Gods and project our astral selves, but this does not exempt us from the everyday trials that bombard humanity.

As Witches, however, we make use of our knowledge of the subtle energies within and without and choose to take charge of our destinies accordingly. Perhaps it is this aspect of the Craft, more so than anything else, that truly frightens those who are not privy to the inner mysteries.

I am a Witch, pure and simple. You could tie to me to a stake, throw driftwood at my feet, drench me in gas and light a fire and I would not deny it.

I am a child of Nature, a Pagan and a priest. I dance the spiral-way and as I descend into the holy labyrinth I sing the old songs and chants to the Gods of leaf and bud, hoof and horn. I release tire and stress, exertion and envy to the four winds and I become the glowing scepter, the sword, and the spear. The serpentine force is aroused and it journeys upward along the spine to the crown that is the triangle of manifestation.

There I meet the Great Mystery and kneel to her charge as I feel the edge of her sword cut cleanly along my soul to my beating heart aflame with Magick.

Go in the way of the sacred, Blessed Be~

What Witchcraft Means To Me

What Witchcraft Means To Me

Author: allisjames

So what does witchcraft mean to me? Wow. What a question. Is there an easy answer? No! Witchcraft is beautiful and complicated, mysterious and wonderful. For some it is all about the gods and goddess; for others it is about spell-work and ceremony; and for the rest it is just the flavor-of-the-month religion or practice.

Is Witchcraft a religion, or is it a practice? Is Witchcraft different then Wicca?

Wicca, we know, came into being somewhere between the 1930’s and the 1950’s via Gerard B. Gardner. Yet history blooms with stories of witches, brooms, black cats, and spell-work. People were burned as witches in both England and America. The monotheistic religions had a hard time with anyone who believed in other gods other then their own. Apparently, Jesus dying on a Roman stake was not good enough for the Western church – more blood had to be spelled.

But every society seems to have had some kind of equivalent to the witch. They may have been called Shamans, witch doctors, gypsies, maybe even grandmother herself. Whoever the healers were in society – the psychic, the spiritualist, the herbalists- you had the makings of a witch. And witches were not exactly liked by the church.

Gerard Gardner brought witchcraft back to mainstream society after the last laws banning witchcraft were repelled in England in the 1950’s. He reintroduced ‘The Craft’ to the world with his book ‘Witchcraft Today;’ a book published in 1954.

My initial introduction to the Craft was through a 1960’s TV show called ‘Bewitched, ’ a comedy about an American witch who married a mortal man. Throughout the show we were introduced to covens, rituals, magic, wands, warlocks, Sabbats, and spell-work. Even though a lot of the show was based on false premises (witches being immortal) , the show was on-point with true witchcraft in many ways.

In the 1980’s I came across a book by Erica Jong called ‘Witches.’ This was a coffee table sized book loaded with text, pictures, and poetry explaining Witchcraft. I devoured this book like no other. Erica Jong crafted a very fitting tribute book to a religion she never claimed to be party too. But her involvement in the neo-pagan life style is evident from reading her books and interviews. Erica’s views on sexuality and religion are very close to my own views.

To put it bluntly – I was drawn in.

In 2004 I became a member of Unity Church of Fredericksburg, VA, USA. This church was strong on the Father/Mother God concept, the unity of all things, meditation/yoga, and the divine in all of us. By 2005 I was examining, via the Internet, Wicca or Witchcraft. I started taking a course on Witchcraft through http://www.magickaschool.com. I was also hobnobbing with different witches in the local area where I lived. I did complete one course on the Introduction to Witchcraft through magickaschool.com, and still have a little ways to go on course number two. I am also involved somewhat in the Northern Virginia Witches and Pagans Meetup Group.

After a year of being homeless, I find myself once again drawn to the magick and mystery of this Path. I am reading books on the subject, meditating more, and enjoying the outdoors more. I especially enjoy watching the moon at night going through its many phases. Currently I am reading books by Raymond Buckland and Deborah Lipp. I am also learning The Hidden Path divination cards by Raven Grimassi and Stephanie Taylor, with artwork by Mickie Mueller.

As a pagan/witch/wiccan I am no longer restrained by the shallowness and limitations of the Christian Church. I will put down no religion, but my calling seems to be more metaphysical then revelation based. I believe strongly in the line from the movie ‘Inherit the Wind’ where the defense attorney, played by Spencer Tracey, said regarding the Bible – “The Bible is a good book, but it’s not the only book.”

The path of Witchcraft is an inward path and a mystical path. In a way all spiritually minded people are witches – we all believe in some divine being, we live by some code of law, we believe in the concept of magic/miracles, and we all reach for inner transformation.

I am a Witch because I can be nothing other then a Witch. I can’t twiddle my nose like Samantha in Bewitched and cause magick to happen. It doesn’t work that way. And it’s not about that anyway. Witchcraft is about inner transformation, empowerment, magic, and ultimately LOVE. We love, not by judging and condemning, but by understanding and appreciation. All life is sacred because all life comes from a divine source. That should be the heart and soul of any religious path.

Witchcraft satisfies an inner hunger like nothing else. It is a lifelong study and practice that draws me closer to the god/goddess, keeps me open for all sorts of possibilities, and makes me a channel for light and magick. I feel more at home in this vast universe, and more appreciative of life in general. As I celebrate the Sabbats and esbats, I also celebrate the seasons and learn to adapt to each one. No matter what season, I can follow the moon as it waxes and wanes through each of its cycles.

My spiritual journey began with my introduction and acceptance of the Christian path. But even then I knew there had to be more. And there was: Buddhism, Hinduism, Shamanism, Voodoo, The Golden Dawn, Freemasonry, Gnosticism, and Cabbala, as well as the historical evidence of goddess worship spanning way back into the Old Testament periods.

Witchcraft, in one form or another, has always been here. I embrace it with open arms freely and in sound mind and body. The more I read and study the Craft, the more I am drawn into it. Coming out of the sixties, Witchcraft appeals to me because of its Nature based emphasis, its emphasis on the sacred in everything, its openness to change and its encouragement to grow on whatever Path you are on. Somehow, the idea of celebrating the Goddess out in the openness of nature – singing, chanting, dancing, (skyclad or not) , under an open sky, or under a full moon, appeals to me. Celebrating Nature, and not just theological dogma’s, is what worship is all about.

When I see the full moon in the sky now, I feel like I am walking on sacred ground. The earth is my Cathedral and the Divine is everywhere. I don’t have to worry whether I am theologically sound, or politically correct – it is just me, the goddess, and Mother Nature creating energy and magick through each season, through each rising sun, and through each phase of the moon.

What does it mean to be a Witch? Everything!

So mote it be.

 

Footnotes: My personal journey from Christianity to Witchcraft.

THE GOD

THE GOD

The God of the Wicca is the Horned God, the ancient God of Fertility: the God of forest, flock, and field and also of the hunt. He is Lord of Life, and the Giver of Life, yet He is also Lord of Death and Resurrection. For, like the Goddess, the nature of Her Horned Consort is also dual. For the Horned God is not only the Hunter, He is also the Hunted; He is the Sun by day, but He is also the Sun at Midnight; He is the Lord of Light, but He is also the Lord of Darkness: the darkness of night, the darkness of the Shadows, the darkness of the depths of the forest, the darkness of the depths of the Underworld.

The Horned God is the group soul of the hunted animal, invoked by the primitive shaman and the tribe: and as such, He is the Sacrificial Victim, the beast who is slain that the tribe might live, a gift from that group soul, who was often revered as the tribal totem or ancestral spirit. The Celts believed they were the descendents of the God of the Underworld, who was also the God of Fertility: the Latinized form of His name was Cernunnos, which means simply, the Horned One.

The Horned God is also the spirit of vegetation, of the green and growing things, whether of the vine or of the forest or of the field. Dionysus, Adonis, and many other vegetation and harvest Gods were all often depicted as horned, wearing the horns of the bull, the goat, the ram, or the stag: of whichever of the horned beasts was held sacred in that place and time. This aspect is the Dying and Resurrecting God who dies with the harvest and is rent asunder, as the grain is gathered in the fields; who is buried, as is the seed; who then springs forth anew, fresh and green and young, in the spring, reborn from the Womb of the Great Mother.

The Horned God is Osiris, who was often depicted with the horns of a bull. Osiris was believed to be incarnate in a succession of sacred bulls, and worshipped in that form as the god Apis.  This was yet another form and manifestation of Osiris as the God of Fertility and also of Death and Resurrection. And Osiris bears the marks of a lunar, rather than a solar god, for Set tears the body of Osiris into fourteen pieces, the number of days of the waning moon; and then Isis, the Great Mother, gathers those pieces together and restores Osiris to life again.

The Horned God is the Great God Pan, the Goat-foot God with a human torso and a human but goat-horned head, the God whose ecstatic worship was so hated by the Church that they used His description for their “Devil” and called Him the lord of all evil. Yet, to the ancients who worshipped Him, and to the modern Pagans and Witches that worship Him still, “Pan is greatest, Pan is least. Pan is all, and all is Pan.”

The Horned God is not “the Devil”, except to those who fear and reject Nature, and the Powers of Life and human sexuality, and the ecstasy of the human spirit. The Horned God is the God of the Wicca.

Excerpt from:

Wiccan’s One Universe

THE GODDESS

THE GODDESS

The Goddess is the universal mother. She is fertility, endless wisdom and love. She is all aspects of nature, harmful and helpful. Wiccans acknowledge both aspects of Her nature.   The Goddess has three aspects; The Maiden (Anu, Elaine, Blodeuwedd), The Mother (Badb, Arianrhod, Margawse), and The Crone (Morgan LeFey, Cerridwen, Macha). The Maiden is innocence, Springtime, renewal, youth, dawn and the continuation of all life. The Mother is the richness of life, nurturing, Summer, the day and a teacher. The Crone is darkness, night, the rest before the continuation of life, wisdom, counsel and reincarnation. Each of these aspects shows different stages of a women’s life, and each can be placed with the phases of the moon; The Maiden being the waxing moon, The Mother the full moon and The Crone the waning moon. (2)

The Goddess of the Wicca is the Great Goddess. She is the Ground of Being, the Mother of All Living; the Creatrix, and the Destroyer, for She is ever Dual. She is the Earth Mother, the Lady of the Moon, and the Star Goddess. She is Queen of Heaven, Queen of Earth, and Queen of the Underworld. She is the Triple Goddess: the Virgin, the Bride, and the Hag, called the Three Mothers in Celtic regions.

The three aspects of the Triple Goddess are usually described as the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone; it must be remembered that the connotations of age associated with those titles derive from the experience of humans, who are subject to age and death; the Goddess is eternal: ever-changing and ever self-renewing, She will be young or old as She pleases.

As the Virgin, She is the Creatrix, the Lady of Birth and Death, the Star Goddess, the Queen of Heaven, the Giver of Inspiration, the Initiatrix.

She is Diana, Lady of the Moon and the Wild Things, Ever Virgin unto Pan: virgin unto the All, and therefore wed to None.She is also the Virgin Mother; and Her blue and white colors, and title “Queen of Heaven”, were borrowed by the Catholic Church for the Virgin Mary. Hers are the Waxing Moon, Venus as Morning and Evening Star, and all the vast starry realm; Her sacred color is White.

As the Bride, She is the Preserver, the Lady of Growth and Fertility, the Earth Mother, the Goddess of flocks and herds, Lady of Love and Fruitfulness and the fertility of the land; as Goddess of the Land She is also the Goddess of Sovereignty, and it is only by Sacred Marriage to Her that the King holds the right to the Throne. Hers are the Full Moon, the Earth, fruits and flocks and fields; Her sacred color is Red.

As the Hag, She is the Destroyer, the Lady of Decay and Death, the Goddess of Night and the Underworld, and also the cave and the tomb. For that which is born must also age, and decay, and die; and out of that which is dead and decaying arises new fertility, for life feeds ever on life. She is the Sow who eats Her own young, the “Nightmare Fertility and Death in One”, the Great Necessity by which the food chain and the cycle of life continue. Hence She is also the Goddess of regeneration. Hers is the Waning Moon, the dark night, the silence of the shadows, the midnight crossroads, and the wailing of the widow; Her sacred color is Black.

The Goddess is the Queen of all Witcheries: She is the Enchantress, the Shape-Changer; She is Isis, the “Lady of the Words of Power”; She is Cerridwen, the Sorceress at Her Cauldron; She is Hecate, the Mistress of the Magick of the Dark Moon. She is the Great Lady. She is the Goddess.

Excerpt from:

Wiccan’s One Universe

Before Time Was

Cosmos-01-485x728

Before Time Was

Before time was, there was The One; The One was all & all
was The One
And the vast expanse known as the Universe was The One,
allwise, all-pervading, all-powerful, eternally changing.
And Space moved. The One molded energy into twin forms
equal but opposite, fashioning the Goddess and God from
The One and of The One.
The Goddess & God stretched and gave thanks to The
One, but darkness surrounded them. They were alone,
solitary save for The One.
So they formed energy into gases and gases into suns and
planets and moons; They sprinkled the Universe with
whirling globes and so all was given shape by the hands of
the Goddess and God.
Light arose and the sky was illuminated by a billion suns.
and the Goddess and Gods, satisfied by their works,
rejoiced and loved, and were one.
From their union sprang seeds of life, and of the human
race, so that we might achieve incarnation upon the Earth.
The Goddess chose the Moon as her symbol, and the God
the Sun as his symbol to remind the inhabitants of Earth of
their fashioners.
All are born, live, die and are reborn beneath The Sun and
Moon; all things come to pass thereunder, and all occurs
with the blessings of The One, as has been the way of
existence before time was.

Daily Feng Shui News for Oct. 18th – ‘World Menopause Day’

Where do I even begin on ‘World Menopause Day?’ Let’s start at the beginning. I’m talking about those days of hot flashes and irritability, mood swings and lack of sleep. Native Americans used black cohosh to effectively improve almost all menopausal symptoms, and to this day, studies show that using this flowering plant helps improves physical and psychological symptoms that include anxiety, night sweats and dryness. Of course and as always, check with a qualified professional before beginning any new medicinal protocol. But if you’re a women currently dealing with any of these symptoms, try this amazing herb — you’ll thank me later.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Charm for October 18th is Solomons Seal

Your Charm for Today

Solomons Seal

Today’s Meaning:   

This aspect needs to be lightened up a bit, things are getting to serious. Some humor or even a bit of flirting could lighten the tone greatly.

General Description:  

The use of this, one of the most ancient charms, dates back to the commencement of our present civilization, and was in use previous to the Jewish dispensation. The symbol has been used in almost every religion, and was considered all powerful, efficient, and the perfect sign of the absolute. The triangle with the apex upwards symbolized all that was good and the inverted triangle all that was evil, and the two combined in the device portrays the triumph of good over evil. The seven discs represent the seven then known planets. This charm was worn to protect the wearer from every description of mischief and danger, and was a preserver from all evil.

Your Daily MahJong Tile for October 18th is Wan 5

Your Daily MahJong Tile
October 18, 2013

Wan 5
Symbol: House
The House tile represents a building in which you spend much time. If your reading is positive it may well be that this building has the important function providing you with a stable environment in which you are comfortable. If the reading is negative it may represent a structure in which you are stressed and uncomfortable.

Your Animal Spirit for October 18th is the Buffalo

Your Animal Spirit for Today
October 18, 2013

 

Buffalo

Buffalo has come snorting into your life today to bring a message of great hope. Buffalo sacrificed every part of his physical body to support those who hunted him—but he also gave his spirit. And, it’s that spirit of hope, abundance, and a bright future that he brings to you today. If you are experiencing a troubled journey, help is here.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for October 18th is Mars

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

Mars

Mars represents those qualities we commonly associate with the male/yang persona. Mars traits include raw energy, ambition, aggression, confidence, passion, and a sense of adventure. The occurrence of Mars denotes the dominating presence or need of the qualities listed above. Martian influence may have a negative impact unless it is balanced with an influence that can blunt the brashness and impulsiveness of Mars.

As a daily card, Mars suggests you would be well served by allowing your more aggressive side take control for at least for a short while. Now is a time for you to act with confidence and decisiveness. However, keep in mind that the qualities associated with Mars can do more damage than good if allowed to run free for too long.

Today’s Tarot Card for October 18th is Wheel of Fortune

Wheel of Fortune

Friday, Oct 18th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The central theme of what is traditionally called the Wheel of Fortune card is cyclical change. The Wheel keeps on rolling, churning events in a ceaseless progression of ups and downs, either way freeing us from the past. No one can escape its cyclical action, which can feel somewhat terrifying — no matter whether we are rising or falling. When one is balanced on top there is a moment of crystal clarity, but the only part of the Wheel not going up and down is the hub, which is your eternal Self, the Source of Freedom.

Every one of us will occupy all the points on the wheel at some time or another. The cycle of the wheel is its lesson — and we can learn to take comfort in it (as we do when we celebrate our birthday). If you don’t like the look of things right now, just wait — things will change. Of course, if you do like the look of things right now, enjoy it while it lasts, because that will change too!

Your Daily Horoscopes for Friday, October 18th

We are motivated to take initiative today, especially in the context of relationship issues. A spontaneous Aries Full Moon eclipse occurs at 7:37 pm EDT, precipitating change and escalating the emotional intensity. Although it’s crucial to stay in touch with our dreams, living in the present moment releases us from unrealistic expectations. Our fluctuating moods need plenty of room to roam before we try to channel them in any one direction.

Aries Horoscope

 

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You’re looking forward to the weekend, even if you have to handle complicated relationship dynamics. The Aries Full Moon eclipse stirs emotional change, but it also instills you with a sense of quiet power. Find peace by setting a sustainable pace that gives you time to improvise. Thankfully, you don’t need to stand on your desk and shout; others can tell that you are on to something big. Just remember to keep the energy moving forward no matter what happens

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

Hidden feelings are brought to the surface today and can trigger an uneasy response when they are released. You may actually breathe a sigh of relief that others hear as the energy of the excitable Aries Full Moon eclipse shakes up your 12th House of Privacy. If they ask you what’s going on, go ahead and tell them. But don’t waste too many words, as you have more important things to do now than justifying your emotions.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

Rather weird events involving your friends seem to be veering out of control today. Actually, your calendar may be the furthest thing from your mind with the spontaneous Aries Full Moon eclipse occurring in your 11th House of Social Networking. It’s not that you’re in denial; it’s just that you’re missing the clues that indicate there’s more going on than meets the eye. You could be having too much fun playing the role of a diplomat. Ultimately, it’s better to attend to your own business now than attempting to make things easier for someone else.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

A temporary crisis at work may alter your plans for the weekend. But don’t let big changes stop you from scheduling some fun with your friends or associates. However, circumstances might require you to set firm boundaries. Take care of your own needs for fellowship and make time to hang out with like-minded people. Don’t be overly concerned about whether you can afford the time or the expense to treat yourself nicely. You are certainly worth it.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Normally, you act out your feelings, but it may be better to talk things out now before swinging into action. But don’t get lost in the details; the Aries Full Moon eclipse activates your 9th House of Big Ideas. Be bold in your thinking; leave no stone unturned when considering your current options. There’s no reason to hold back; stretch your mind and reach for new horizons. Today’s dreams can become tomorrow’s reality

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You may be high on life today, but your current confidence about your future is tempered by concerns about the past. You are being drawn into deeper emotional realms, which often makes you uncomfortable. However, you might actually be enthusiastic about exploring the shadows of your own subconscious now since the Aries Full Moon eclipse energizes your 8th House of Intimacy. The passions that rise to the surface will settle back down once you understand how they fit into the larger picture.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Relationship issues that you are avoiding come crashing out of the closet now. And although everything doesn’t necessarily go your way, you can sense that you’ve made it through the thick of it by the end of the day. Today’s Aries Full Moon eclipse falls in your 7th House of Companions, so stay with your emotional process even if you run into resistance from someone else. Don’t retreat if communication is challenging; establishing common ground is possible if you are patient and persistent

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You refuse to be bored today as you navigate your way through your demanding schedule. Although today’s Aries Full Moon eclipse rattles your 6th House of Routine, try to get in some rest and relaxation since next week may even be busier than last week. Don’t be afraid to redefine your boundaries and set new expectations based upon the unfolding events and how they impact your work.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Your enthusiastic intentions are magnified by the Aries Full Moon eclipse that shines in your 5th House of Spontaneity today. Although you are looking toward the future with great anticipation, you’re also grateful to be living in the moment. However, you might be feeling more emotional than usual and may want to address these issues with a close friend or lover. Charm is on your side; just remember to use it wisely.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You may be experiencing unsettling flashes of uncertainty now, but this intense emotional weather might be exactly what you need in this moment. Your reactions are swift and self-protective as the impulsive Aries Full Moon eclipse lands in your 4th House of Inner Security. Meanwhile, others are depending on you in the workplace, and this motivates you to take on even more responsibility. Surprisingly, you become more determined throughout the day to stir up issues that can create positive change

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Tension develops on the home front as you feel real pressure to come through with your end of the deal. Perhaps you promised too much, but you’ll probably be able to get away with pulling back a little at work while you take care of personal matters. Today’s Aries Full Moon eclipse creates static in your 3rd House of Immediate Environment, but don’t make the mistake of withdrawing from communication with others now; staying present is more than half the battle.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Your current priority is to plant your feet more firmly on the ground and claim your authenticity. Take advantage of today’s powerful Aries Full Moon eclipse in your 2nd House of Values by letting others know what really matters most to you these days. Concentrate on clarifying your core beliefs instead of compromising to keep the peace. Say exactly what’s on your mind now and everyone will respect your position and appreciate your honesty.

Your Weekend Love Horoscopes for Oct. 18th – 20th

Weekend Love Horoscopes

October 18-20: Identity Crisis

Maria DeSimone    Maria DeSimone on the topics of love, horoscopes, astrology

This weekend it’s all about the Lunar Eclipse in Aries. On Friday, this Eclipse will crash into your world and force you to confront the all-important theme of “Me versus We.”

You may feel emotionally out of sorts with this Eclipse if you’re not in touch with who you really are. When it comes to love, if you’ve been hiding in a relationship that really doesn’t fit with your deeper self you can expect the covers to come off now.

Alternatively, if you’ve been going out of your way to maintain independence at the cost of relationship, you might feel as if something important is missing. Are you ready to let love in? Or are you still worried that it’ll cost you yourself?

On Saturday, the Moon enters Taurus and throughout Sunday sensual comforts will help take the sting out of this emotionally-charged dilemma. Mars will oppose Neptune on Saturday, helping you to lose yourself in a sexual fantasy. Or fulfilling one.

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Aries Horoscopes

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Aries Horoscopes

Discover the energies at play for your sign during this fiery Full Moon…

Jeff Jawer   Jeff Jawer on the topics of lunar eclipse, horoscopes, full moon, eclipse, astrology, aries

This opposition of the independent Aries Moon and the accommodating Libra Sun on October 18, 2013, at 7:38 p.m. EDT, is a contrast between self-interest and putting others first. But it’s also a Lunar Eclipse that reminds us to let go of habits that keep us isolated from others. Going it alone is often commendable as a signal of individuality and strength, yet the message here is that while engaging with others adds complexity to our lives, there’s much more to be gained than lost.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

This Full Moon in your fiery sign is a Lunar Eclipse that signals the need to take a step back, breathe deeply and turn down the heat of your emotions. Passion is a wonderful thing but pushing too hard and too fast is more likely to produce panic than progress. The counsel and support of an objective individual can help you to let go of an old habit that’s keeping you from heading in an exciting new direction.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

This impulsive Aries Full Moon lands in your 12th House of Secrets to arouse feelings of restlessness and rebellion. You may be in the mood to break some rules, which is both exciting and risky. If you’re going to ride this wave of boldness, do something original and creative that makes you feel stronger. Taking chances in a positive direction will produce less trouble and be more rewarding than being angry.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

The impatient Aries Full Moon eclipse could shake relationships with friends and colleagues. It lands in your 11th House of Groups where pressures could rise within organizations and among teammates. If you’re battling over an old issue, it’s time to change the playing field so that these habitual irritations finally end. Breaking patterns and, perhaps, ending alliances may be the way to do it.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Professional matters could take a sudden turn with this fiery Aries Full Moon eclipse in your 10th House of Career. If you’ve pushed too hard or are burdened by new responsibilities, you may need to seek support in meeting them. Slowing down, changing directions and getting help from others will reduce stress. If you’re initiating a bold business move, making adjustments could be your key to success.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)

Plans for travel could shift with this Full Moon eclipse in your 9th House of Faraway Places. Careful preparation is a good way to avoid complications. This part of your chart is also about learning and beliefs, so you might have to adjust your educational plans to reach your long-term goals. Going faster at this time could simply take you further off course, so slow down and think twice before making a major decision.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

This fiery Aries Full Moon eclipse lands in your 8th House of Deep Sharing where it can shake up a key personal or professional relationship. Don’t let overhyped enthusiasm lead to impulsive behavior because the outcome may be very far from your expectations. Reaching out and making connections is fine as long as you keep a flexible attitude that allows you to make adjustments or back out if it’s not working.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

Keeping the peace in partnerships might not be easy with this fiery Aries Full Moon eclipse in your 7th House of Relationships. It could be that you’re getting bored with a personal or professional alliance that’s just not going anywhere. It’s worth standing and fighting, though, if you can find a fresh perspective on the situation. If not, it might be time to cut your losses and seek alliances with more amenable people.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

Your work life could be altered with this restless Aries Full Moon eclipse in your 6th House of Employment. Pushing harder to get new projects off the ground may not get them going any faster. It’s smarter to develop your skills and refine systems to make them more efficient than to race ahead without building a solid foundation. Brilliant ideas may arise in an instant but turning them into reality takes time.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

Your desire to play and take risks tends to increase with this fiery Aries Full Moon in your 5th House of Romance and Self-Expression. But this Sun-Moon opposition is also a Lunar Eclipse, which can turn what sounds like a fun idea into one you’d rather avoid. The point is to be a little less impulsive in your pursuit of pleasure and in your professional presentations. Be sure to lay a solid foundation before taking a leap.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Domestic issues could heat up with this fiery Aries Full Moon in your 4th House of Home and Family. This event is also a Lunar Eclipse that’s more about cleaning up the past than pushing forward with new projects and plans. Dealing with unfinished personal business requires a fresh approach to be successful. Persistence may be one of your strengths, but innovation and adaptability will be more useful to you now.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

Brilliant ideas could be popping with the innovative Aries Full Moon in your 3rd House of Information. Enthusiastic conversations might assure you that you’re on the right track. However, this event is also a Lunar Eclipse in the communications area of your chart that could lead to sudden changes of mind. Double check data and agreements with others to make sure that what’s been said before still holds true.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

Money matters could change suddenly with this Aries Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in your 2nd House of Assets. This is not the ideal time to make some fast cash so be leery about any get rich quick schemes. On the plus side, this is an opportunity to clean up unfinished financial issues like reducing debt or other economic obligations. Going leaner in spending now will provide you with more resources when you need them later.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for October 18th

Golden opportunities for success and achievement across the board are moving into place as the monthly Full Moon approaches (forming exactly at 4:39PM and activating 26 degrees of Libra and Aries). All the hours before this time provide a build-up of dynamic support for your most important tasks and plans.  A subtle and yet still mentally-expansive, 30-degree liaison from Pallas to Jupiter (3:23PM) gives this month’s solar-lunar high-tide cycle some extra pizzazz. Individual and group meditations are always recommended during a Full Moon — in order to receive and transmit the lofty divine vibrations to humanity hungry for enlightenment.  Once the Full Moon reaches its peak at 4:39PM, a void lunar twilight zone enters the scene and lasts until 12:28AM tomorrow. It is appropriate to keep sending out healing thoughts and prayers to friends, relatives and the kingdoms of nature.  Strive to keep your productivity going strong in favorite arts, crafts or hobbies as the Sun makes a contra-parallel to Ceres (8:20PM) and the Moon parallels Mars (11:36PM). Get ready to put ideas into practice once the Moon shifts from fiery Aries into earthy Taurus at 12:28AM on Saturday. [Note to readers: All times are calculated for Pacific Daylight Time. Be sure to adjust all times according to your own local time so the alignments noted above will be exact for your location.]

Calendar of the Moon for October 18th

Calendar of the Moon

 
Ivy Month

Colors: Light blue and dark green
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of dark green lay pots of ivy twined up around posts of gold with suns, three blue candles, a vine-painted chalice of water, and a feather fan.
Offerings: Pray for enlightenment, and to be lifted up.
Daily Meal: Sheep, goat, or vegetarian using the fruits of the local harvests.

Gort Invocation

Call: Hail the month of the Ivy!
Response: Hail the month of twining for the sky!
Call: Where the vine yielded forth the blood of the earth…
Response: The ivy yields up the winds of the sky!
Call: Where the vine dulls the mind with happiness…
Response: The ivy opens the mind with terror and light!
Call: Hail to the chains of the Maenads!
Response: Hail to Dionysos and his torrent of madness!
Call: Hail to the Lady that mates with the Oak!
Response: She has entwined him, she has wrapped her limbs about him!
Call: Even his great strength is not enough to stay her!
Response: She shows that not all strength is standing tall!
Call: Hail to she who is supported by others….
Response: Yet reaches as high as they themselves!
Call: Show us, sacred Ivy, what it is to rise with the aid of the strong.
Response: Show us what it is to be borne up by branches.
Call: Show us what it is to be borne up by hopes.
Response: Show us what it is to be borne up by the Gods.
Call: We cannot reach the sky without aid…
Response: So we entreat you, Ivy, beg for aid for our earthbound hands.
Call: Teach us that the sky can be gained not only by the straight path…
Response: But also by the path of the spiral!
Call: Dance that spiral for us, Ivy, and we shall follow you!
Response: We shall follow you toward the blessed realms of the Gods.

Chant:
Turn turn turn again
Turn wind turn leaf
Twine o’er the last sheaf
Turn turn turn again

[Pagan Book of Hours]