Seasons of the Witch – Legends and Lore, Ancient Holidays And Some Not So Ancient!


Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics

Seasons of the Witch – Legends and Lore, Ancient Holidays And Some Not So Ancient!

 

Today Is …

 

Day of Rauni, Finnish Goddess of the Rowan Tree. Find a Rowan tree (Mountain Ash) or any tree/bush with red berries and ask the tree permission to make yourself a crown of it’s leaves.

The birth of the God Set (or Seth) is celebrated by many pagans. Set is an ancient God of Darkness and the Magickal arts.

In China, this day is sacred to Ti-Tsang, the rule of the dark Underworld. He is honored with an annual Festival of the Dead.

St Swithin’s Day – St Swithin was an early Saxon Bishop of Winchester. On his death bed, he asked to be buried among the poor in the common churchyard, but later, after many miracles at his gravesite, the monks moved his body inside to a splendid shrine, whereupon the saint wept in protest, causing a continuous downpour for forty days. Thus he came to be associated with weather charms like this:

St Swithin’s Day, if it does rain

Full forty days, it will remain

St Swithin’s Day, if it be fair

For forty days, twill rain no more

Rain on St Swithin’s Day blesses the apples which should not be picked or eaten before his feast. All apples growing at this time will ripen. Kightly, Charles, The Perpetual Almanack of Folklore, Thames & Hudson 1987

Gorestnici, Fire Festival – July was called the “hot month” in Bulgaria, partly because the people celebrated a fire festival of three days duration beginning on the 15th. Nilsson, Martin P, Primitive Time Reckoning, Oxford University Press 1920

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Remember The Ancient Ways and Keep Them Holy!

• • • •.

Courtesy of GrannyMoonsMorningFeast

The Witches Correspondences for July 15th


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WEDNESDAY CORRESPONDENCES

Mercury/Neptune/Air/North/West/Southwest/Female/Male/Gemini/Virgo

 

Magickal Intentions: Communication, Divination, Writing, Knowledge, Business Transactions, Debt, Fear, Loss, Travel, Money Matters

Color: black, light blue, brown, gray, green, magenta, orange, peach, purple, red, silver, turquoise, violet, white, yellow; orange is the primary color

Number: 3, 5

Metal: mercury

Charm: distaff, rod, runes, staff, iridescent garments

Stone: moss agate, amethyst, bloodstone, emerald, hematite, lapis lazuli, lodestone, pearl, ruby, sapphire, sodalite, all blue stones

Animal: bear, dog, fox, magpie, swan, weasel

Plant: almond, bayberry, chamomile, cherry, cinnamon, cinquefoil, clove, coltsfoot, ginger, hazel, hazelnut, jasmine, lavender, millet, oak, peppermint, periwinkle, rosemary, sage, St. John’s wort, sweet pea, tamarind, lemon verbena, violet

Incense: cassia, cedar, cinnamon, clove, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, mastic, mint, rosemary, sage, sandalwood, storax, dried and powdered citrus peel, and all incense made from aromatic bark, wood, and seeds

Goddess: Carmenta, Hecate (Queen of Crossroads), Hel, Ishtar, Ma’at, the Morrigan, Nike

God: Anubis, Bragi, Elath-Iahu. Enki, Garuda, Hermes, Maximon (Black Magician), Mercury, Nebo (Wise God of Wednesday), Odin, Shango, Ullr, Vishnu, Wayland, Woden

Evocation: Agrat Bat Mahalat, Michael, Miel, Raphael, Seraphiel, Tiriel

Courtesy of Moonlight Musings

New Moon Lucky Charm


Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics

New Moon Lucky Charm

 

One of the easiest charms to use for luck is a hag stone (stone with a hole in it). These are found on many beaches and river beds. Leave the stone out on the night of a Waxing Moon, then thread a piece of green ribbon or cord through the hole and weat it as a pendant or hand it from your handbag, your altar or in your car to bring you good luck.

Moon Magic – Pagan Portals

Rachel Patterson

New Moon Spell – Write Your Own Check

Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics

New Moon Spell – Write Your Own Check

 

I like to write a check to myself on the New Moon. I make it out to myself and write “paid in full” in the amount box, then sign it from “the law of abundance.” I fold the check into three and add three drops of peppermint essential oil on top after laying it in the bottom of a dish I keep on my altar, and then I sprinkle over it dried mint and lay three sticks of cinnamon on top. This works really well to keep enough money coming in.

At the very first sign of the Moon, just the slightest glimpse of her, stand outside and look up. Turn around deosil (sunwise or clockwise) three times and make a wish on the New Moon.

Moon Magic – Pagan Portals

Rachel Patterson

New Moon Oil Recipe


Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics

New Moon Oil Recipe

 

4 drops patchouli essential oil

3 drops cedar wood essential oil

4 drops sweet orange essential oil

Add to a base oil such as sweet almond or grape seed

(about 15mls of carrier oil should be about right).

 

—-Moon Magic – Pagan Portals

Rachel Patterson

New Moon


Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics

New Moon

 

We consider it to be the New Moon up to 3 1/2 days after the official New Moon. She rises around dawn, sets around sunset. Because she is between the Sun and the Earth nothing or very little is reflected and for a few days the Moon is lost in the brillance of the Sun. When we cannot see any Moon in the sky, after the Waning Moon and before we see the first glimpse of the Crescent it is often referred to as the Dark Moon.

As the Sun and Moon are on the same side of the Earth, the pull on us is the strongest. Because the Sun, Moon and Earth are all in a straight line this creates a time when the high tide is higher and the low tide is lower than usual.

This is a wonderful time to make new beginnings of all types. It is especially good for getting rid of bad habits. Habitual ways of thinking that are harmful and negative can also be abandoned at this time. It is also a good time to start something creative. New projects at work can also be launched.

The first day of the New Moon is really best devoted to the planning stages of ventures. It is good to feel just a little excited and filled with anticipation, although your energy may not be at its highest. A day or two into the cycle is the time to take the initiative, apply for that job, and start house hunting or any similar endeavours. It is also good for attracting positive energies, bringing about change, good luck and growth.

Moon Magic – Pagan Portals

Rachel Patterson

The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, July 15th


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The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, July 15th

Wednesday (Mercury): The conscious mind, study, travel, divination, and wisdom.

St. Swithin’s Day

 

Waning Moon

The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

New Moon 9: 24 pm

Moon Sign: Cancer

Cancer: Stimulates emotional rapport between people. Pinpoints need, supports growth and nurturance. Tends to domestic concerns.

Incense: Honeysuckle

Color: Yellow

Daily Magickal Applications for Wednesday


Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics

Daily Magickal Applications for Wednesday

 

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.

Source:

Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week

Ellen Dugan

Wednesday Witchery


Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics

Wednesday Witchery

 

Be bold and daring today! Expand your knowledge of the Craft by working with the planetary energies of Mercury on this multifaceted day of the week. Consider the Greco-Roman gods Mercury and Hermes and all of the many lessons they have for you. Embrace change and movement, and work on your communication techniques. Conjure up a little good luck for yourself with that Mercury dime spell. Call on Athena to inspire you to try magickal arts and crafts and to be more creative in your own spellwork and witchery.

Meditate on Odin and see what you can discover about him. I wonder what sort of fabulous and fascinating magickal wisdom you will uncover? Odin is a shaman, after all; he may appear in many guises and faces. I guarantee that he will make you laugh at yourself before he is through with you, but you will learn. It’s up to you what you do with that knowledge. Will you let it shapeshift into wisdom?

Wednesday is the wild and wily day of the week, so try to go with the flow; don’t fight the quirky energies of the day. Most importantly, follow your heart, and always keep a good sense of humor, because of Wednesdays you will really need it.

Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week

Ellen Dugan

Wednesday


Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics

Wednesday

 

Ruler: Wodin, Mercury

Colors: Orange, light blue, and gray

Power Hours: Sunrise and the 8th, 16th, and 24th hours following

Keywords: Success, creativity, communication

The word Wednesday is reminiscent of the Norse wind god Wodin, which is referenced in the popular rhyme verse “Wednesday’s child is full of woe.” This does not mean that those born on this day are full of sorrow or trouble. To be full of Wo (Wodin) means to be full of wind, to be spirited. Woden was such a powerful pagan god that the German church fathers changed the name of his day to Mittwoch, meaning midweek, in an attempt to exorcise his influence.

In the Spanish word for Wednesday, miercoles, we clearly see its connection to Mercury. Under the guidance of Mercury; Wednesday is a day of swift activity, communication, correspondence, and phone calls. This is a good day for journalists, writers, poets, bargaining, hiring employees, and visiting friends.

On Wednesdays, the hour of sunrise and every eight hours after that are also ruled by Mercury, making these times of the day doubly blessed. These are the strongest four hours for ritual work. Check your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine when sunrise occurs.

Source:

Gypsy Magic

Tasha’s Day by Day Planner for July 2015


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Tasha’s Day by Day Planner for July 2015

 

Wed. 7/15 Cautious Cancer New Moon hatches home repair or family gatherings. Mars/Pluto intensifies opportunities to clear out and clean up. Mercury/Pluto PM indicates a potential for truth to emerge.

Thu. 7/16 Dramatic Leo Moon shines for performances. Mercury/Mars indicates good timing for action.

Fri. 7/17 Royal Leo Moon promotes expansive feelings today.

Sat. 7/18 Playful Leo Moon suggests having fun. After 6:30 diligent Virgo Moon makes for good organizing. Mars/Uranus says take extra care with machinery and action oriented movement. Use this energy to make a breakthrough.

Sun. 7/19 Tidy Virgo Moon helps get everything in order.

Mon. 7/20 Particular Virgo Moon helps scrub up the surroundings

Contact tashahal@gmail.com

Courtesy of GrannyMoonsMorningFeast

Lunabar Moon Almanack for Wednesday, 15 July, 2015

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Lunabar Moon Almanack for Wednesday, 15 July, 2015

 

New Moon, at 9h. 26m. evening.

Ascending Node is at 4° Libra.

Moon in 12th degree of the Sign Crabba, the Crab fish;

also in 13th deg. of the Constellation Gemini, the Twins.

Moonrise: 5:35 morn. Souths: 12:49 eve. Moonset: 8:07 eve.

• • • •

New Moon

The beginning of a new cycle.

Goddess Aspect: Maiden

Associated Goddesses: Artemis, Branwen, Eriu, Nymph, Epona

Magickal Attributes: Invoking. Workings On This Day Are For Starting New Ventures, New Beginnings, Love, Romance, Health Or Job Hunting.

Keywords for the New phase are: beginning, birth, emergence, projection, clarity. It is the time in a cycle that you are stimulated to take a new action. During this phase the new cycle is being seeded by your vision, inner and outer. Engage in physical activity. Spend time alone. VISUALIZE your goals for the 29.6-day cycle ahead. New Moon workings can be done from the day of the new moon to three-and-a-half days after. The new moon is for starting new ventures, new beginnings. Also love and romance, health or job hunting.

Spells and rituals involving the Water element should be performed when the Moon is in a Water sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.

Aspects of Crabba Yin, Feminine, Lunar, Negative, Nocturnal, Earthy, Fixed, Semi-fruitful, Horary Southern, Vernal, Boreal, Commanding, Feral, Bestial, Animal,

Four-footed, Dry, Cold.

• • • •

Moon Moon, Mother Moon

Lunar Lore

If the full moon rise pale, expect rain.

~Collected in R. Inwards, “Weather Lore”

When changes of the moon occur in the morning,

expect rain.

~Collected in R. Inwards, “Weather Lore”.

• • • •

Courtesy of GrannyMoonsMorningFeast

 

Lunabar Sun Almanack for Wednesday, 15 July, 2015

Sun+Wallpapers

Lunabar Sun Almanack for Wednesday, 15 July, 2015

 

Sunrise: 5:54 morn. Sunset: 8:32 eve.

Length of Day: 14h. 37m.

Dawn: 5:23 morn. Dusk: 9:04 eve.

Length of Twilight: 0h. 31m.

Sun in 22nd degree of the Sign Crabba, the Crab fish;

also in 23rd degree of the Constellation Gemini, the Twins;

Solar Lore

In summer time, when the sun at rising is obscured by a

mist which disperses about three hours afterwards, expect

hot and calm weather for two or three days.

~ C.L. Prince.

• • • •

Aspects of Crabba/Cancer: Yin, Feminine, Lunar, Negative, Nocturnal, Watery, Cardinal, Fruitful, Horary Northern, Summery,

Boreal, Commanding, Solstitial, Tropical, Moist, Dumb, Mute, Cold, Psychic, Sensitive.

• • • •

Courtesy of GrannyMoonsMorningFeast

 

All Right, We Have Our Moon Phases Right Now! A Very Happy & Blessed New Moon To All Our Dear Family & Friends!


Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics

In the darkness there is light

In the silence there is sound

In the pain there is comfort

In fear there is safety

In the distance there is closeness

In the tear there is joy

In the loss we are found

In hate we find love

In the sisterhood we have the Goddess

For all comes from her and all goes to her

Stand strong and all will be well

As it is above so be it below

—–A Witch’s Prayerbook

JoAnne Spiese

Various Teas & Brews

Various Teas & Brews

 

Seven Flower Tea

You can make this fragrant tea with herbs from your garden or dried herbs that you buy. Seven Flower Tea cools you down on a warm summer’s day, helping to keep you calm and soothe your digestion.

1 quart boiling water

2 teaspoons chamomile flower

1 teaspoon linden flower

1 teaspoon calendula flower

1 teaspoon lavender flower

1 teaspoon honeysuckle flower

1 1/2 teaspoon passion flower

1 1/2 teaspoon orange flower or orange peel

Pour boiling water over the flowers. Allow to steep for 20 minutes. Strain. Drink.

 

Headache Tea

Put a pinch of Lavender, Chamomile, Rosemary, and Mint into a coffee filter and make it like you would coffee. Or you can put the herbs in a spice ball and leave in hot water for 15 to 30 minutes.

 

Keep Me Healthy Tea

Prepare this tea when you are already in good health and want to maintain it. As you drink it, visualize yourself in the days to come as healthy, happy, and active.

4 parts calendula flowers

1 part mullein leaves or flowers

1 part marjoram leaves

1 part St. John’s Wort

 

 

Heal Me Tea

Although your potions should never replace a trip to the doctor when you are ill, this tea can give you a magical boost to speed your healing. Focus on ridding your body of whatever ails you. If you are running a fever, add 1 part of Feverfew.

4 parts rose petals

3 parts violet petals

2 parts dried apples

1 part dried blackberries

1 part eucalyptus leaves

1 part ginseng root

 

 

Sip for Success Tea

While sipping this tea, envision yourself succeeding at a current project you are undertaking. Use tangible images such as seeing the project complete. Feel yourseld doing your job successfully. This tea works best when working with specific projects or situations. Don’t just imagine yourself successful—define what success means to you.

4 parts clover flowers

2 parts lemon balm leaves

1 part ginger root

 

 

Cramp Alleviating Tea

To stop menstrual cramps, drink a half cup of the following tea twice a day.

Place one teaspoon of feverfew in the filter cup of the coffee maker and add one cup of water. As the tea brews, chant:

Herb and water, powers thrive,

Bring your magick now to life.

Pour the tea and sweeten with honey, if desired. Before you drink it, chant over the cup:

Feverfew, now herbal tea,

Send painful cramps away from me.

 

 

Desert Sage Third Eye Brew Extra Strength

Brew tea from desert sage, white sage, mugwort, lemon balm, peppermint and orange zest.

 

 

Desert Sage Third Eye Brew

Desert sage is a popular ingredient in commercial psychic-inducing herbal teas. It has a smoky flavor and is less bitter than mugwort or wormwood.

Brew tea from desert sage and white sage. Drink to enhance clairvoyance, psychic vision, and reception. (The Third Eye is the area between the eyes, just above the bridge of the nose, and has long been associated with psychic powers.)

 

Protection Brew

3 parts Rue

2 parts Rosemary

1 part Vetivert

1 part Hyssop

1 part Mistletoe*

Brew as usual, strain and anoint each window and door of the house. Pour the rest down the drain to safeguard them. Do not drink!!

 

Purification Brew

Collect any nine sacred plants, such as vervain, rue, rosemary, oak, pine, acacia, rose, carnation, thyme, basil, jasmine and so on. Place in a nonmetallic pot or bowl. Add rain water (or fresh water) and let the herbs soak, covered and away from light, for three days. Strain. Use for asperging the house, others, or yourself for purification.

 

Purification Brew #2

1 part Lemon Verbena

1 part dried Lemon peel

1 part Chamomile

Brew, drink for purification prior to ritual. If desired, add a splash of lemon juice, a teaspoon of honey or sugar. (Sugar is used by Peruvian shamans in purification ceremonies).

 

 

Rainbow Brew

When it rains, wait for the clouds to break somewhere and look for a rainbow. If you find one, put a saucer or some other nonmetallic pan outside where it can catch rain. If it rains while the rainbow is still present, save the water for ritual uses. It has been blessed by the rainbow’s appearance. Because the rainbow contains all colors, this “brew” is useful for all types of magick. Bottle and label. Add to bathe or anoint the body and hands while visualizing your magickal goal.

 

Sleep Brew

1 part Rose petals

1 part Myrtle leaves

1 part Vervain

Soak rose petals in a pot of water for three days. Add more rose petals each day. On the third day, add myrtle and vervain at sunrise and let soak all day. That night, just before going to bed, bathe your forehead with three handfuls of the brew. Your sleep should be free from nightmares. Use the brew until gone, then make another batch if needed.