Category: All Regular Daily Posts

Your Horoscope Guardian Trees

Your Horoscope Guardian Trees

  • Annie B. Bond

 

The grounded grace and benign presence of trees have both awed and comforted  humans since our earliest beginnings. In both Native American and Celtic  tradition, every season has its tree-spirits. In astrology, too, each sun-sign  has special trees standing guard over it, sharing their healing energy.

Find out which trees hold a magical healing key for your sun-sign here:

Aries, March 21-April 19:  Holly, thorn, chestnut

Taurus, April 20-May 21:  Almond, apple, walnut, ash, sycamore, cherry,  myrtle

Gemini, May 22-June 20:  Elder, filbert

Cancer, June 21-July 22:  Willow, sycamore

Leo, July 23- Aug 22:  Palm, laurel, pine, oak

Virgo, Aug 23-Sept 22:  Hazel, elder

Libra, Sept 23-Oct 22:  Almond, walnut, plum, myrtle, apple

Scorpio, Oct 23-Nov 21:  Holly, blackthorn

Sagittarius, Nov 22-Dec 21:  Mulberry, chestnut

Capricorn, Dec 22-Jan 19:  Pine, cypress, yew, spruce, holly

Aquarius, Jan 20-Feb 18:  Pine

Pisces, Feb 19-March 20:  Willow, elm, linden

 

 

Weather Lore for the Month of February

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February Weather Lore

A wet February, a wet Spring.

Winter either bites with its teeth or lashes with its tail.

If Candlemas be fair and clear, there’ll be two winters in the year.

If a hedgehog casts a shadow at noon, Winter will return.

“Février l’pu court éd chés moés, ch’est l’pire chint foés”.
February is the shortest month and by far the worst.

Calendar of the Moon for Thursday, February 7th

Calendar of the Moon

 

7 Luis/Gamelion

Hearth Blessing

Color: Red
Element: Fire
Altar: On this day the altar is built in the kitchen, spread before the hearth with a red cloth and a single red candle on which is carved the Rune of Fire.
Offerings: Ashes smeared on the forehead. Kitchen cleaning and duty.
Daily Meal: Cooked all together as a group.

Invocation to the Hearth Goddess

Hertha of the warm hearthstone
Hestia of the naked flame
Vesta of the rising smoke
Lady who warms us
As you warmed our ancestors,
Lady whose touch cooks our food,
Lady around whom we gather
On the coldest nights,
Fire that draws us in,
Fire tamed, fire who is our friend,
Never let us forget your care
Lest you become wild and strike back.
Stay here in your hearth
And protect our home from your anger.
Speak truth to us
And let us bear your truth on our tongues.
Never leave us for long
Lest we forget to whom we owe
The next winter’s comfort
And salvation.

Chant: Ken Ken Ken

(As everyone chants, each steps forward and draws the rune of Fire, Ken, on the hearth with their finger. Then the hearth is ceremonially relit with the candle and dinner-making commences.)

 

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for February 7th

Calendar of the Sun

Ancestor Day

Color: Black and grey
Element: Earth
Altar: Spread a black cloth, and lay it with photographs, paintings, and other depictions of our ancestors. Add also symbols of their old tools, and statues of ancestral deities, a bowl of seeds for the future garden, pots of soil, a pitcher of water, and many candles of black and white and grey.
Offerings: Things they would have liked to eat, drink, smoke, or smell. Tend a cemetery and clean up the graves.
Daily Meal: Food from an earlier era, using authentic recipes.

Invocation to the Ancestors

Our ancestors got up at dawn,
Slaved in the dirt,
Sweated in the sun,
Chilled in the cold,
Numbed in the snow,
Scattering each seed with a :
that there be enough,
That no one starve this winter.
Pray that no bird nor beast
Steal the food I have struggled for.
And most of all,
Pray that each seed I save
Of this harvest
Shall next year
Bring forth a hundred more.
We live today
Because they worked
Because they sowed
Because they harvested
Because they prayed.

Chant:
Those who came before
We are your children
Those who came before
We honor your names

(Each person takes seeds from the bowl and plants them in the pots of soil, speaking the name of one of their ancestors as they do so, as in: “In honor of _______.” The pots are watered, and the candles put out one by one.)

 

 

[Pagan Book of Hours]

 

Current Moon Phase for February 7th: Waning Crescent

Crescent Moon

(waning /18% illumination)

This is a time to rest, reevaluate and reflect, pulling back into yourself to reconnect with inner sources of strength. Now is not a time to initiate anything new. It’s a phase suited to spending time with friends and getting in touch with the “big picture.” A window of opportunity exists for seeing your life objectively and becoming aware of what is important to you. At this point, what are your dreams and aspirations? What larger goals can you aspire to that will bring vitality and excitement into your life? This is a time for resting and gaining inner strength to prepare for a new cycle.

For The New Craft Members – Finding A Teacher, Mentor or Guide

Finding a Teacher, Mentor or Guide


When your comfort level with the concepts of the Pagan path have grown to the point where you are certain that this is the lifestyle you wish to follow, you will undoubtedly wish to share that fellowship and comradely with others of like mind and spirit.  To avoid being drawn into a group where the intent is less than honorable, there are a couple of things that may assist you in avoiding contact with the nuts out there.

The first and most important thing is to listen to your Spirit Twin, Guide, Little Voice, Gut Feeling or whatever you choose to call it.  Most of us have found that this inner voice is rarely wrong and you “WILL” know when something simply does not feel right.  If you get that uneasy feeling about someone or a group, back or run away as quickly as possible.

When you initially make contact with someone, especially here on the internet, you have a great advantage in that you can limit your contact to relatively anonymous contact through e-mail.  While this is not always fool proof, and there are some great deceivers out there.  This does offer you some protection.  Exchange mail withholding all personal information until you are absolutely certain there are no safety risks.  If someone keeps pressuring you for personal information, break off all contact with them immediately.  If they persist in bothering you after you politely tell them you no longer wish contact with them, contact your ISP and lodge a formal complaint giving this persons e-mail address and their host name.  There are federal laws regarding electronic stalking and harassment, something of this nature would qualify for assistance from various federal agencies in getting that person to leave you alone.

Finally, Issac Bonewits developed a small questionnaire in 1979 (Advanced Bonewits Cult Danger Evaluation Frame) that you can use which will help your inner voice when determining if an individual or group poses above average risk.

The Advanced Bonewits Cult Danger Evaluation Frame

(version 2.0)

 

Factors:   Low  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  High


 1. INTERNAL CONTROL: Amount of internal political power exercised by leader(s) over members._____


2. WISDOM CLAIMED; by leader(s) amount of infallibility declared or implied about decisions or doctrinal/scriptural interpretations._____


3. WISDOM CREDITED to leader(s) by members; amount of trust in decisions or doctrinal/scriptural interpretations made by leader(s)._____


4. DOGMA: Rigidity of reality concepts taught; amount of doctrinal inflexibility or “fundamentalism.”_____


5. RECRUITING: Emphasis put on attracting new members; amount of proselytizing._____


6. FRONT GROUPS: Number of subsidiary groups using different names from that of main group._____


7. WEALTH: Amount of money and/or property desired or obtained by group; emphasis on members’ donations; economic lifestyle of leader(s) compared to ordinary members._____


8. POLITICAL POWER: Amount of external political influence desired or obtained; emphasis on directing members’ secular votes._____


9. SEXUAL MANIPULATION: of members by leader(s); amount of control exercised over sexuality of members; advancement dependent upon sexual favors or specific lifestyle._____


10. CENSORSHIP: Amount of control over members’ access to outside opinions on group, its doctrines or leader(s)._____


11. DROPOUT CONTROL: Intensity of efforts directed at preventing or returning dropouts._____


12. VIOLENCE: Amount of approval when used by or for the group, its doctrines or leader(s)._____


13. PARANOIA: Amount of fear concerning real or imagined enemies; perceived power of opponents; prevalence of conspiracy theories._____


14. GRIMNESS: Amount of disapproval concerning jokes about the group, its doctrines or its leader(s)._____


15. SURRENDER OF WILL: Amount of emphasis on members not having to be responsible for personal decisions; degree of individual  dis empowerment created by the group, its doctrines or its leader(s)._____


16. HYPOCRISY: Amount of approval for other actions (not included above) which the group officially considers immoral or unethical, when done by or for the group, its doctrines or leader(s); willingness to violate group’s declared principles for political, psychological, economic, or other gain._____

Low   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  High


Copyright© 1979-1998 c.e.,  Isaac Bonewits.  This text file may be freely distributed on the net provided no editing is done, the version number (if any) is retained and this notice is included.

The Celtic Connection

http://wicca.com/celtic/cc002.htm

The Witches Correspondence for Thursday, February 7th, 2013

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The Witches Correspondence for February 7th, 2013

 

Magickal Intentions: Luck, Happiness, Health, Legal Matters, Male Fertility, Treasure and Wealth, Honor, Riches, Clothing Desires, Leadership, Public Activity, Power and Success Incense: Cinnamon, Must, Nutmeg and Sage
Planet: Jupiter
Sign: Sagittarius and Pisces
Angel: Sachiel
Colors: Purple, Royal Blue and Indigo
Herbs/Plants: Cinnamon, Beech, Buttercup, Coltsfoot, Oak
Stones: Sugilite, Amethyst, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire
Oil: (Jupiter) Clove, Lemon Balm, Oak moss, Star Anise

 

Jupiter presides over Thursday. The vibrations of this day attune well to all matters involving material gain. Use them for working rituals that entail general success, accomplishment, honors and awards, or legal issues. These energies are also helpful in matters of luck, gambling, and prosperity.

Brightest Blessings To All The Witches Of The Craft This Thursday Morn’!

Blessed Be Comments
Thou art the King who reigns within,
The jester and the Friar,
The maiden child, innocent and bold,
The mother, crone and liar.

Thou art the meaning of success,
The flash that doeth inspire,
The holy beam of golden light,
The flickering of the fire.

Thou are the glory of the day,
The beautiful song of birds,
The light that glowest in the dark,
The poet, and the words.

And every single day I see,
In every star that shines,
With fear and wonder, joy and love,
That thee and me combines.

For in the end we are one,
The Lady and the Lord,
The spirit and the great God,
The truth I’m moving toward.

So in the day that lies ahead,
To every man and tree,
To members of the fairy lands
Bright blessing be to we.

Goddess Speak To Me

Celtic Comments & Graphics

Goddess Speak to Me

A man whispered
“Goddess, speak to me”    
And a meadowlark sang
but the man did not hear.  
So the man yelled
“Goddess speak to me!”  
And the thunder rolled across the sky.    
But the man did not listen.  
The man looked around and said
“Goddess let me see you”  
And a star shone brightly.
     But the man did not notice.  
And the man shouted
“Goddess show me a miracle”    
And a life was born.    
But the man did not know.    
So, the man cried out in despair.    
“Touch me Goddess and let me know
that you are here!”
Whereupon Goddess reached down
and touched the man.
But the man brushed the butterfly away
and walked on.
 
                 — Author Unknown—

Early Spring Cleaning

Early Spring Cleaning

For an extra dose of spiritual cleansing at this time of year, during early February when the weather
first begins to get warm take some fresh lavender buds, and spread them from left to right on the
windowsills and door thresholds of your home as you chant:
 
Spring is near,    
The light returns.    
Bring blessings upon
all that enter here.
 
By: Therese Francis, Llewellyn and GrannyMoon’s Morning  Feast

~ Cleansing in the Shower ~

~ Cleansing in the Shower ~

When we awaken for the day, our energies are ethereal and our minds saturated with the energy of the dreaming. Begin your day  by hopping into the shower or bath, yet don’t let it be a physical or bodily cleansing alone. We are blessed to have access to clean and purifying water and  should pay attention to this, honor this, and utilize it for the most spiritual purposes possible. As the bathwater is draining, or as the water from the  showerhead cleanses you for the day, meditate on water and what it represents as an element. Water is attuned to emotions, the psychic body, and the astral  plane. Allow the morning routine to be a profoundly cleansing, spiritual process to prepare you for the day. While cleansing, say something like:  

  I connect to the undines and the element of water. May this cleansing purify my body and mind, preparing me to dance with the spirals of reality throughout  the day. I honor water, and this cleansing ritual between the dreaming and waking life. So mote it be.

  
  by….. Raven Digitalis

A Little Humor for Your Day – What’s Your “Southern” Sign?

What’s Your “Southern” Sign? Some of us (especially Southerners) are
pretty skeptical of horoscopes, and it has become obvious that what we
need are “Southern” symbols:

OKRA (Dec 22 – Jan 20) Although you appear crude, you are actually very
slick on the inside. Okras have tremendous influence. An older Okra can
look back over his life and see the seeds of his influence everywhere.
Stay away from Moon Pies.

CHITLIN (Jan 21 – Feb 19) Chitlins come from humble backgrounds. A
chitlin, however, can make something of himself if he’s motivated and
has lots of seasoning. In dealing with Chitlins, be careful. They can
erupt like Vesuvius. Chitlins are best with Catfish and Okra.

BOLL WEEVIL (Feb 20 – Mar 20) You have an overwhelming curiosity. You’re
unsatisfied with the surface of things, and you feel the need to bore
deep into the interior of everything. Needless to say, you are very
intense and driven as if you had some inner hunger. Nobody in their
right mind is going to marry you, so don’t worry about it.

MOON PIE (Mar 21 – Apr 20) You’re the type that spends a lot of time on
the front porch. It’s a cinch to recognize the physical appearance of
Moon Pies. Big and round are the key words here. This might be the year
to think about aerobics. Or – maybe not.

POSSUM (Apr 21 – May 21) When confronted with life’s difficulties,
possums have a marked tendency to withdraw and develop a
don’t-bother-me-about-it attitude. Sometimes you become so withdrawn,
people actually think you’re dead. This strategy is probably not really
healthy, but seems to work for you. One day, however, it won’t work and
you may find your problems actually running you over.

CRAWFISH (May 22 – June 21) Crawfish is a water sign. If you work in an
office, you’re always hanging around the water cooler. Crawfish prefer
the beach to the mountains, the pool to the golf course, the bathtub to
the living room. You tend to be not particularly attractive physically,
but you have a very, very good head.

COLLARDS (June 22 – July 23) Collards have a genius for communication.
They love to get in the “melting pot” of life and share their essence
with the essence of those around them.. Collards make good social
workers, psychologists, and baseball managers. As far as your personal
life goes, if you are Collards, stay away from Moon Pies. It just won’t
work. Save yourself a lot of heartache.

CATFISH (July 24 – Aug 23) Catfish are traditionalists in matters of the
heart, although one’s whiskers may cause problems for loved ones. You
catfish are never easy people to understand. You prefer the muddy
bottoms to the clear surface of life. Above all else, Catfish should
stay away from Moon Pies.

GRITS (Aug 24 – Sept 23) Your highest aim is to be with others like
yourself. You like to huddle together with a big crowd of other Grits.
You love to travel though, so maybe you should think about joining a
club. Where do you like to go? Anywhere they have cheese or gravy or
bacon or butter or eggs. If you can go somewhere where they have all
these things, that serves you well.

BOILED PEANUTS (Sept 24 – Oct 23) You have a passionate desire to help
your fellow man. Unfortunately, those who know you best – your friends
and loved ones – may find that your personality is much too salty, and
their criticism will probably affect you deeply because you are really
much softer than you appear. You should go right ahead and marry anybody
you want to because in a certain way, yours is a charmed life. On the
road of life, you can be sure that people will always pull over and stop
for you.

BUTTER BEAN (Oct 24 – Nov 22) Always invite a Butter Bean because Butter
Beans get along well with everybody. You, as a Butter Bean, should be
proud. You’ve grown on the vine of life and you feel at home no matter
what the setting. You can sit next to anybody. However, you, too,
shouldn’t have anything to do with Moon Pies.

ARMADILLO (Nov 23 – Dec 21) You have a tendency to develop a tough
exterior, but you are actually quite gentle. A good evening for you? Old
friends, a fire, some roots, fruit, worms and insects. You are a
throwback. You’re not concerned with today’s fashions and trends. You’re
not concerned with anything about today. You’re really almost
prehistoric in your interests and behavior patterns. You probably want
to marry another Armadillo, but Possum is another possibility

Feng Shui Tip for February 6th – “Digital Learning Day”

In this world of pads and apps it makes sense that we would celebrate ‘Digital Learning Day.’ But when trying to educate yourself about anything, energizing the ‘Knowledge/Cultivation’ area of your main floor or bedroom is very important. Looking into the room from the main entryway, put a bell in the upper left hand corner. Feng Shui believes bells can symbolize ideas, clarity and mental acuity. Positioned in this arena, the bell also allows you to cope with changes and be optimistic about new projects, however you choose to learn them.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Guiding Animal Spirit for Feb. 6th is The Mockingbird

Your Animal Spirit for Today
    February 6, 2013 

mockingbird

 

Mockingbird

Mockingbirds are master imitators, and can mimic the calls of many other birds. They’re also fearless protectors of their nest, and will attack any bird (no matter how large) to protect their young. Mockingbird’s lesson for you today is twofold: to listen to how you might be mimicking others—instead of listening to your own true voice; and to examine the value of what you defend. Hmmm?

Daily Cosmic Calendar for February 6th

Rushing out of the starting gate as a jittery jockey on horseback is not advised — when Sagittarius Moon is still in a void twilight zone until 9:56AM PST. Once the clock strikes that moment, the Moon leaves void status and enters earthy, industrious Capricorn for the next two days. Hard work and determination are your dynamic duo leading to the professional Promised Land.  Add a little eccentricity and innovation to your daily routines as Venus forms a supportive, 60-degree liaison with revolutionary Uranus (11:09AM PST). Tap into your creative imagination in the arts, photography, film-video production, music and dance improvisation when Mercury unites with Neptune at 3 degrees of Pisces (3:01PM PST). This latter conjunction also encourages soul-searching and meditation.  One of the best evenings in a long time greets you with fanfare since lovely Venus trines auspicious Jupiter (9:59PM PST) — paving the way with a rainbow essence toward early tomorrow’s Moon-Venus parallel (1:22AM PST). Be a pleasure-seeker for a change of pace.

Calendar of the Moon for February 6th

Calendar of the Moon

Ash Tree Month

Color: Pale Blue
Elements: Water and air
Altar: On a cloth of pale blue set a great bowl of salt water in which are set many shells and stones, a shell full of salt, incense, and the figures of sea-birds and fishes.
Offerings: Wash something clean, or air it out.
Daily Meal: Either fish or seafood, or poultry.

Nion/Anthesterion Invocation

Call: Now is the time of wind and water.
Response: Now is the time of sea and sky.
Call: Now is the time of the Gods of weather.
Response: Now is the time of the great waves.
Call: Now is the time of terrible flooding.
Response: Now is the time of needed rain.
Call: Now is the time of battering gales.
Response: Now is the time of winds of change.
Call: Now is the time of fear of change.
Response: Now, and always, change will win.
Call: The wild winds disturb our dreams.
Response: The wild winds awake our minds.
Call: The heavy rains flood our hearts.
Response: The heavy rains water our future.
Call: The sea will sweep us away.
Response: The sea will bear us up.
Call: The sea is cold and unending.
Response: The sea is the source of life.
Call: We are ships on the lost expanse of the ocean.
Response: We are winds that call to one another.
Call: We will brave the wind and water.
Response: We will bring together mind and heart.
Call: We will come home safely after wandering.
Response: We will anchor safely after our journeys.
Call: We will come through wind and water!
Response: We will come through wind and water!
(Repeat last two lines twice more.)

Chant:
We will come through wind and water
We will come through sea and sky

 

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for February 6th

Calendar of the Sun

6 Solmonath

Day of Aphrodite Genetrix

Colors: Sea green and white
Element: Water
Altar: Lay with a cloth of sea green, strings of pearls, white lace, many scallop shells, colored glass sea floats, abalone, small shells with hearts and fishes painted on them, and a large chalice of Greek wine with frothy sugared  floating in it.
Offerings: Shells. Fishes. Promises to aid expectant parents.
Daily Meal: . Shellfish. Sweet things, especially desserts. Whipped cream.

Invocation to Aphrodite Genetrix

Lady of Sea-Foam,
Green as the ocean from which
You sprang, with pearls
Of whitest foam,
Aphrodite Genetrix
Love that creates all Life,
We thank you for the Love
That sparked our existence.
We remember that we were all born of love
Whether it was brief and poignant
As a firefly’s courtship
Or solid and lasting
For half a century,
Whether it sprang from the body
Or the heart, or the soul.
You who bind the proton to the electron
And so bind the world together,
May we never forget your gift of attraction
That makes us all human
Even as you are divine.

Chant: Amor Invictus Amor Invictus

(The ritual for this day is the Great Rite, performed by one man and one woman, as Aphrodite Genetrix is the matron of procreative sexuality. If done symbolically, the man plunges a blade into the chalice held by the woman, and then it is poured as a libation. Ideally, it should be done literally, either by members of the house or by two who have come in for this purpose. If outsiders, it would be an auspicious time to conceive a child. All sit facing outwards in a circle and chant as the couple are wrapped in a red cloth and lay together in the center, and when it is done all repair to their rooms and either contemplate love or have ritual sex, alone or together.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

The Current Moon Phase for Feb. 6th – Waning Crescent Moon

Crescent Moon

(waning /26% illumination)

This is a time to rest, reevaluate and reflect, pulling back into yourself to reconnect with inner sources of strength. Now is not a time to initiate anything new. It’s a phase suited to spending time with friends and getting in touch with the “big picture.” A window of opportunity exists for seeing your life objectively and becoming aware of what is important to you. At this point, what are your dreams and aspirations? What larger goals can you aspire to that will bring vitality and excitement into your life? This is a time for resting and gaining inner strength to prepare for a new cycle.