Cosmic Weather Horoscope (Thursday 25th May)

Jane Lyle’s Cosmic Weather horoscope

Thursday, 25th May:

Seeing Double: The new Moon rises at 4 degrees of airy Gemini, the Twins

A Gemini new Moon communicates about more or less anything and everything.

There’s much mental energy and some emotion stirred up by news media, talks, negotiations, and short journeys during the whole month ahead.

Mars is in Gemini until 4th June, and Mercury is entering Gemini on 6th June.  They join the Sun, which travels through Gemini from 20th May – 21st June. Thoughts and ideas are flying around us.

During the next month, we’ll talk endlessly about choices. But it could be fiendishly difficult to make them.

Source

The Astrology Room

Festival of Fortuna

Fortuna was probably originally a fertility Goddess, and rites to her would have reflected this concept. However, as she became associated with the Greek Tyche, her persona changed to that of a Goddess of fate, chance, and luck.

Fortuna’s main symbol is the wheel upon which she stands, implying the instability of human fortune. Her most recognized nized symbols are those of the cornucopia and rudder, indicating her ability to steer the destiny tiny of people. At this time of year, her temples would have been decorated with fresh flowers. Offerings would have been made to her for the purpose of bringing good fortune and luck to those who followed her ways.

Hecate Incense

3 parts Sandalwood
2 parts Cypress (can be substituted with pine, ground)
1 part Spearmint or Peppermint.
Grind on the new moon.

Hecate Oil

3 drops Myrrh
2 drops Cypress (again can sub. pine oil, not Pine Sol)
1 drop Patchouli
1 dried Mint leaf.
Start on the new moon and finish on the next one.

Celebrate the New Moon (Simple New Moon Ritual)

In early societies, the reappearance of the moon was often a cause for celebration — after all, it meant that the dark had passed, and the full moon was on its way back.

The following rite is one which welcomes the moon back at the beginning of her cycle. If you’re raising children in a Pagan or Wiccan tradition, this can be a lot of fun. It’s also a simple ritual that can be performed by a solitary practitioner.

A Simple Ritual

First, if your tradition requires you to cast a circle, do so at this time. If you don’t normally cast a circle, take the time to ritually purify the area by smudging or asperging. This will establish the space as sacred.

Perform this ceremony outside if at all possible — it’s the best way to get a good look at the sliver of new moon. You’ll need a moon candle, wrapped in a black cloth, to place on your altar. This is traditionally a white unscented pillar-style candle. You’ll also need a hand-held mirror.

Tie some silver and white ribbons on it if you wish. Finally, have a small bowl of Blessing Oil handy.

Hold this ceremony at sunset if you can. Turn to the west, and watch as the sun goes down (without looking directly at it). Once the sun has dropped below the horizon, you’ll be able to see where the new moon is rising – and the location is going to vary from month to month, depending on the time of year and where you live.

If the sun sets before you began, you’ll need to look a bit higher in the sky, but you should still be able to find it as long as the night is a clear one.

If you’re doing this rite with children, have them each try to be the first one to spot the new moon.
Once you see the moon in the sky, unwrap the candle.

Hold it up high and say:

Welcome back, Moon!
We’re glad to see you again.
Another cycle has passed
another month gone by
and our lives have moved forward.

Place the candle on the altar and light it, still facing the moon. Say:

Today is a new day,
and a new month begins.
As the tides flow, and the moon rises above,
we are thankful that She has returned.
She watches over us, ever constant,
yet always changing,
and we are thankful for her light.

If you have children present, have them wave to the moon and thank her for returning — you’d be amazed how silly and fun this simple task can become!

Next, turn to face east, where the sun will rise in the morning. Pick up the mirror and hold it so you can see the new moon behind you. Say:

Bring us your wisdom, your guidance,
your protection, in the coming month.
You are behind me at every step,
watching and guiding me,
and I am thankful.

Place the mirror back on the altar, beside the moon candle. Take a moment to reflect on your goals. After all, this is a time of new beginnings and a good time for new commitments and vows.

Warm the Blessing Oil over the candle for just a moment, and then anoint each others’ foreheads. As you do so, say:

May the blessings of the moon be with you.

If you are working alone, anoint your own forehead, and grant yourself the blessings of the moon.

When you are ready, close the circle and end the ritual. If you choose, you can move into healing rites or magical workings, or a Cakes & Ale ceremony.

Tips:
⦁ Decorate your altar with silvers and whites to celebrate the return of the moon
⦁ If you’re doing this rite as a family, the eldest female relative present should light the moon candle.
 

Blessing Oil

This oil can be blended together in advance and used for any ritual requiring blessing, anointing or consecration oil. Use this blend of sandalwood, patchouli, and other scents when welcoming guests into a ritual circle, for anointing a new baby, consecrating magical tools, or any number of other magical purposes.

To make Blessing Oil, use 1/8 Cup base oil of your choice. Add the following:
⦁ 5 drops Sandalwood
⦁ 2 drops Camphor
⦁ 1 drop Orange
⦁ 1 drop Patchouli

As you blend the oils, visualize your intent, and take in the aroma. Know that this oil is sacred and magical. Label, date, and store in a cool, dark place.

Author

Patti Wigington
Article published on ThoughtCo

New Moon Rituals

A Portal of Change

Rituals are a way to mark turning points in your life. The symbolic actions you take help to create the right atmosphere.
They can be used to symbolically welcome changes in your life. They can be simple candle rituals or elaborate ones. The most important thing is your full presence in the moment.
Magic is Simply Change
The New Moon is a magical time of beginnings, when you can recharge goals, or set new ones.

Rituals bring meaning to our lives by “charging” an intention with power. We’re always setting intentions, and this is a way to do it in a more conscious way. There is power in coming up with visions for your life, and keeping them in your sights as they come into being.

But even as you fully commit to those visions, stay flexible, since new doors may open that you didn’t expect. At the New Moon, goals and wishes take root, as you reach out for spiritual wisdom, draw on unseen allies and open the door to magical change.

You might get what you ask for, or something even better that you can’t imagine yet.

It’s important to come up with a ritual that has meaning for you, instead of trying to follow any set guidelines (unless you’re part of an established ritual group).

You’re the one that knows your personal story best, and what to lift out of that narrative, what will infuse your ritual with power.
Here are some general guidelines to shape your rituals using the unique symbols and totems from your life.
Gathering your Sacred Supplies
Your altar is where you collect your sacred objects — pictures, found objects and the like. Using herbs with healing or symbolic properties adds to your ritual.

Stones and crystals are another powerful ally.

Candles are magical, and in its form contains all four of the elements. A small journal on hand allows you to keep a record of your intentions.

Preparing for the Ritual
This is the most important part of ritual, since your commitment is the key. Take a ritual bath with sea salt to clear your field of any negative energies.

Sage is an herb used by the Native Americans to clear a space, and make it sacred for ritual. It’s available in most health food stores these days, and easiest to use in its wand form. Light the end and blow on it until there is a smoldering glow.

Use it around your own body, and in the space of your ritual. Clear your mind with meditation, using music or just quieting down in your cleared, sacred area.

Grounding
This is something that’s important anytime, for staying connected to earth energy. Signs that you’re not grounded are mania, nervousness, racing thoughts and the like. Too often we forget to feel the earth under our feet.

A straightforward grounding exercise is to visualize your roots going down into the Earth, through the layers, into the core, and then drawing that energy back up through your feet again.

It moves through each chakra, coming out the top and down around you.

Try this or another variation of grounding before you set New Moon intentions.

Your New Moon Wishes
After you’ve cleared a sacred space and settled your energy, you’re ready to set your intentions. Make a list of what you’d like to draw into your life, and Dream Big!

The New Moon is a moment to conjure what seems out of reach, and creating the vision is the first step to making it a reality. But these are not just words on paper.

As you write them down as intentions, you are committing to doing your part to make them real. Some call it co-creating, since you’re opening to universal energies to set dreams in motion.

Dreams of the Soul
Your intentions come from the longings that keep coming up. In the days leading up to the new Moon, give some thought to those longings, and see what images, dreams and streams of thought come up.

Use symbolic associations to go along with your intentions. Weave in the element for the New Moon, and think about the astrological Houses and planets that are affected by it.

For an earth element new Moon, for example, you might plant seeds that represent your intention. Rituals are a way to work with universal energies, and draw attention to the particular life lessons, or arena (house, planet, etc) that it illuminates for you.
Symbolic Acts
Here’s where you get to be creative. If your intentions are to write a book, or broadcast your ideas out to the world, tie them to a helium balloon and send them off.

Write them on a stick and offer it to the fire. To open to love, put lavender and a rose quartz in a small pouch, along with the qualities you’re seeking. If you’re inspired, add a symbolic act to your intention-setting ritual.
Keep them Alive
A big part of success with new Moon intentions is what comes after. Find ways to keep them in the front of your awareness. Put them in a visible spot, or keep them in your wallet.

Make notes in your journal about your progress. At the Full Moon , find ways to take action on those intentions, and celebrate any signs of change.

Author

Molly Hall

Article originally published on ThoughtCo

Home & Hearth Magick for Thursday, May 25

Thursday increase prosperity on this day, work toward expansion and moving up in the world.

Planetary Influences: Jupiter

Household Symbols: A dollar bill, coins, a paycheck stub, a picture of your home.

Color: Green and royal blue

Kitchen Spices: Sage and nutmeg

Source:

Cottage Witchery
Natural Magick for Hearth and Home
Author Ellen Dugan

Aspects of Jupiter

Notes: Perform on a Thursday and/or during the waxing moon, with the Full moon being strongest. A purple or blue candle.

Color: Thursday

Color: Blue, purple

Metal: Tin

Stones: Lapis lazuli, amethyst, turquoise, sapphire.

Plants: Anise, betony, cinquefoil, jasmine, lavender, oak sage, yerba santa.

Rules: Sagittarius, Pisces

Oils: Anise, beramot, cedar, fir honeysuckle, jasmine, laveder, ntmet, orris, strawberry.

Rules Involving: honor, riches, health, friendships, the heart’s desires, luck, accomplishment, religion, trade and employment, treasure, legal matters.

The Witches Correspondences for Thursday, May 25

Thursday (Thor’s day)

Planet: Jupiter

Colors: Purple, Deep Blue

Crystals: Amethyst, Lepidolite, Sugilite, Tin

Aroma: Melissa, Clove, Oakmoss, Jupiter Oil, Cinnamon, Musk, Nutmeg, and Sage

Herb: Cinquefoil

Ruled by the planet Jupiter and dedicated to Thor, god of thunder and agricultural work. His parallels in various European Traditions include Zeus, Taranis, Perun, and Perkunas.

Magical aspects: controlled optimism, energetic growth, physical well-being, material success, expansion, money/wealth, prosperity, leadership, and generosity.

Thursday is the day of Jupiter, the largest of the planets and said to be the most powerful. Spellcasters would be wise to use this day for attempting wealth, success and prosperity spells.

Thursday is also associated (in Greek mythology) to Thor – Thor’s day – and some even say that Jupiter and Thor are one in the same. Both are strong and powerful, yet wise and just. Try a small prayer to Jupiter before commencing any ritual on Thursday as a sign of respect.

This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving luck, happiness, health, legal matters, male fertility, treasure, wealth, honour, riches, clothing, money, desires, business, group pursuits, joy, laughter, and expansion