I am sorry about taking so long to post today. The weather is bad here and our cable is suffering for it. Please have patience. The storm should pass fairly quickly. Then things will return to normal. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Mystie
Integrity is crucial now that the Moon is visiting hardworking Capricorn. Mountain Goats live at higher altitudes than other mammals, a symbol of the ambitious feelings we tend to have while the Moon is in this practical earth sign. Also, an enthusiastic Mars-Jupiter conjunction fires us up with self-confidence. We yearn to be recognized for the work we do and we aren’t afraid to climb the ladder of success to achieve status and get what we need.
It’s time to fulfill your domestic obligations or professional responsibilities and, if you do your job well, significant rewards are yours. The point is that you must earn them the good old-fashioned way with determination and hard work. It may be tempting to take a shortcut now, but this tactic will only delay your success. However, if you do what is required, good news could be waiting just around the next corner. In the meantime, honoring your commitments leaves you with a lasting feeling of personal satisfaction.
Even if you’re deeply involved with family issues now, you might have to adopt a more cautious approach to what’s going on at home. At first, it seems like you’re choosing the easy way out but this strategy only buys you time, not answers. Eventually you have to take a stand for your beliefs. Nevertheless, it’s still useful to remember that petty conflicts are not worth feeding with negativity. Rather than acting on your fears, visualize the best possible outcome for all involved and then strive to make it happen.
You may wake up on the wrong side of the bed today, thinking about all the responsibilities being piled upon you. There’s no need to be silent; speak up if you don’t think you should be doing what’s being asked of you now. But don’t do the work begrudgingly and then whine about it later. Instead, find a project that makes your heart sing. Doing something you love elevates your self-esteem and is ultimately good for those around you, too.
Feeling stress from a relationship has you questioning your own motives today, along with everything else. You don’t know what to say in order to delay an emotionally disruptive interaction but nearly any action is likely better than doing nothing at all. Don’t waste energy dancing with self-doubt; it’s simply not productive. Instead, use your time to isolate what matters to you before stating your position and then doing what it takes to defend it.
You’re slightly annoyed today because you feel as if you should be working on something even if you don’t know exactly what it is. Thankfully, your dilemma might not even be noticeable to others, but it still can add frustration to your day. An obvious solution is to just jump in and get busy; start by crossing some of the lingering items off your to-do list one at a time. Once your adrenaline kicks in, you’ll quickly develop a better idea of how you want to spend your time.
You are quite aware of your social obligations now and you are resigned to fulfill them, no matter what it takes. This determination may bring up familiar issues about your need to meet the expectations of others and how this can get in the way of your own personal satisfaction. But the good news is that you are on a sensible track to take care of unfinished business. Fortunately, staying focused early in the day leaves you time to pursue your own interests later on.
Applying your energy toward projects around the house is nurturing for your soul today. However, frustration might set in if the good times seem to be a step or two away. Nevertheless, a pragmatic approach makes the most sense now; there are things to be done and you’re the one to do them. Acknowledging the feelings that surface while fulfilling your responsibilities is empowering. Ultimately, you can enjoy yourself if you remain conscious about the choices you make throughout the entire day.
You have places to go and people to see now that the ambitious Capricorn Moon is moving through your 3rd House of Distractions. Unfortunately, your calendar may be so full that you don’t get to do what you want. Instead of keeping your desires to yourself, share them with those around you. It’s difficult to go out on a limb and talk about you own needs when others are relying on you. However, being honest about your wishes is a healthier strategy now than denying your feelings to meet everyone else’s expectations.
You are so smooth at justifying your decisions today that others might think your actions are based upon your strong personal values. You’re adept at keeping your feelings hidden now, making it nearly impossible for anyone to see your real motives. However, your current choices are probably determined by your emotional needs rather than core beliefs or ethical judgments. There’s no need to waste energy covering up what’s in your heart. Fortunately, telling the truth can actually set you free.
It’s a mixed blessing when the Moon activates your sign for a couple of days. Normally, the evocative Moon draws you toward your emotions. However, you may be keeping your feelings to yourself now. Try to hold steady in the practical world instead of letting your fluctuating moods get the upper hand. If you must express what’s in your heart, take your time. A thoughtful disclosure can positively impact your most significant relationships.
Almost anything that isn’t out in the open now can be the source of great stress. For example, someone may be creating trouble behind your back to block your forward movement. The smartest move is to expose whatever is hidden so everyone can see what’s actually going on. However, it’s not wise to force an issue yet because you might not have all the facts at your disposal. It’s best to play the waiting game until others come to the same realization; in the meantime, prepare to swing into action on a moment’s notice.
You may be quite creative today, but it’s challenging to locate an outlet for your bursts of spontaneous expression. Fortunately, you can reveal your current enthusiasm by sharing what’s in your heart. However, you might feel external resistance to what you’re trying to express. Cool your heels if you must, but don’t blame your inhibitions on anyone else. Taking full responsibility for your self-restraint places you in the driver’s seat where you belong.
Today should be easier to handle than yesterday. However, it is always important to remember that the major alignments and cycles from a previous 24-hour time-period don’t simply vanish. Instead, they have ramifications for another day or two — at the minimum. Nevertheless, human beings become severely debilitated if they wallow in self-pity rather than dealing with the Now and working cogently with the cosmic offerings of the moment. Thus, it is helpful to tune into spiritual willpower and mental concentration to turn your life around for the good as the Moon makes its monthly union with Pluto in Capricorn (3:14AM PDT). Utilize your problem-solving skills to enhance your residence and bring estranged relatives back to the bargaining table as Pallas enters Cancer (6:02AM PDT) until September 11. Keep working hard to reach a career milestone with the Moon transiting through the tenth sign of the zodiac. A distinct challenge arises at 8:54AM PDT (during the monthly Moon-Mercury opposition) as the lunar orb starts another long void twilight zone that lasts until 11:08AM PDT tomorrow when the Moon enters Aquarius. The Full Moon is also tomorrow and occurs just 9 minutes after the Moon glides into the universal air sign of Aquarius. In the meantime, do your best to be more loving and considerate to dear ones on the ropes as the Sun forms a subtle and yet still supportive, 30-degree link to Venus (5:12PM PDT) while Ceres is parallel to often benevolent Jupiter (10:34PM PDT) — a favorable aspect that can increase your productive output across the board despite the presence of the void Moon. Get ready for a powerful Mars-Jupiter conjunction at 6 degrees of Cancer at 12:36AM PDT tomorrow.
Goddess with me
Goddess before me
Goddess behind me
Goddess in me Goddess beneath me
Goddess above me Goddess on my right
Goddess on my left
Goddess when I lie down
Goddess when I arrive
Goddess in the heart of everyone who thinks of her
Goddess in the mouth of everyone who speaks of her
Goddess in every eye that sees her
Goddess in every ear that hears her
Indications of White Magic:
Indications of Black Magic:
Indications of Magecraft:
Indications of Nature Magic:
Indications of Necromancy:
Indications of Healing:
Indications of Celestial Magic:
Indications of Satanic Magic:
Indications of Elemental Magic:
Indications of Enchanting:
Indications of Summoning:
Indications of Divination:
Indications of Wizardry:
Indications of Sorcery:
INDICATIONS YOU DO NOT YET FIT INTO A SINGLE ART:
Note: This is not necessarily a reason to panic. There are times when the practitioner is legitimately not prepared to take on the discipline strains of studying through a single caste. At first, in fact, it is recommended that things be taken slowly and that all paths are given a fair trial to ensure that there is no reminiscing or regret in the future. This is not a problem, nor a sign of weakness. It is a reality that many casters face. Using whatever seems appropriate for a situation and recording it in a journal (Book of Shadows) will eventually reveal trends in your casting that will allow you to see where your talent or need lies.
INDICATIONS YOU DO NOT NEED MAGIC AT ALL:
White Magician Expert of Protective and Purifying Spells. Forwarded most notably by the New Age movement, it focusses on the use of the “White Light”, protection, protective auras, stasis, cleansing, suppression of discord, and working on the mystic level to sustain and strengthen ethereal structure.
Black Magician Master of Manipulating Entropy. Grounded in the application of the laws of thermodynamics, the nature of decay, radiation, the effect of emotion on the body, and civil engineering and/or anatomy.
Psi Mage Expert at Psychic and Mental Control. Studying recommendations include telepathy, telekinesis, magnetism, secular and occult empathy, general psychology, emotion, motivation, hypnotism, cognitive processing, consciousness, states of awareness, sleep deprivation, learning, decision making, group dynamics, “Zen” concept, and other aspects of psychological classification and analysis.
Nature Mage Master of Nature and Natural Forces. Stressing the relationship between sound and plant growth, holistic medicine, botany, ley lines, earth spirits, photosynthesis, and astrological, minerological, and magnetic influences on earth.
Enchanter Expert at Enhancing Objects, People, or Areas. Employs a working understanding of vibratory rates, radioactive decay, music, energy impressions, quantum and magnetic resonance, body conductivity, and Ayurvedic philosophy.
Elementalist Expert of Controlling the Four Elements, and Influencing Weather. Studies the nature of natural phenomenon (electricity, heat, cold, wind), biochemistry, composition philosophies (Heraclitus, Anaximenes, Thales, Empedocles, Xenobius, etc), body composition, thermodynamics, natural entropical disarray, and physical laws of attraction and repulsion.
Diviner Expert of Future and Fortune telling. Heavy study in the mathematics of randomization, probability, chance, psychology, deja vu, precognition, instinct, sixth sense, visions, dreams, self-fulfilling prophecy, chaos theory, game theory, sociology, group psychology, identification and interpretation of patterns, and free-energy theory.
Summoner Expert at Summoning Spirits or Entities. Academia for this art includes telemetry, attempts at long-distance telepathic communication, vibrational states, dimensional theory, multiple personalities, schizophrenia, possession, multiversal theory, the Ethereal realm,thought-forms, and the nature of the Mind. There are a great many ritual texts worth reading as well.
Life Mage Expert at Manipulating and Sustaining Life Force. Emphasis on anatomy, biology, kinesiology, alternative healing methods, herbology, theories of life force, chakras, meridians, acupressure, acupuncture, reiki, ethereal body, medicine, Breathism, and chi as vitality.
Necromancer Expert at Manipulating Death Essences. Focussing on dim mak, animal biology, study of chi, toxicology, viriology, bacteriology, immunology, the Kreb cycle, phosphorylation, free radicals, anatomy, psychological effects on the body, the nature of hallucination, auric poisoning, “miasma” concept, acupuncture theory, lou channels, chakras, life meridians, medical biochemistry, and death deities.
Sorcerer Expert Manipulator of the Twilight Realm. Focussing on interpretational abstractions, geometry, Jewish “hell” concept (abyss), pre- and post-Christian “hell” concept (both Greek), the nature of emotion, multiversal theory, lucid dreaming, astral projection, the nature of physical interpretation (the five senses + sixth), Eastern “void” concept, dimensional theory, meditative trances, trance states, and physics related to holographic reality models.
Wizard Expert Manipulator of the Astral Planes. Focussing on non-Euclidian geometry, geometry, mathematics, multiversal theory, astral projection, astral forms, dimensional theory, the nature of perception, meditative trances, trance states, and physics.
Celestial Mage Calls on Deities to Intervene. Relevant studies include history of religion, cultural sociology, historical sociology, anthropology, history of religion, theology, High Magic, the bible, the koran, the Keys of Solomon, the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, John Dee’s Angel studies, Johannes Trithemius, shamanism, Intelligent Design theory (ID), and examinaton of other various holy writs and mythologies.
Satanic Magician Expert of Manipulating and Expressing Internal Forces. Pertains to LaVeyan “Satanic Magic”, Luciferianism, thought-forms, chaos theory, mind over matter, nature of perception, chakras, cause and effect principles in open systems, “crimson” magic as per CoS, self-fulfilling prophecy, and specific emphasis on microcosmic effect on macrocosms.
There are many more self-initiated Wiccans and Witches out there than practically any other variety of Pagan. While a valid and legitimate spiritual path, self-initiation and working solitary pose a few unique challenges to those who would follow this particular path to the Old Gods. By its very nature, the solitary path doesn’t have a lot of guidance available–usually you strike out on your own to discover it all for yourself.
So why self-initiate? Why be a solitary practitioner? These are questions you have to answer for yourself. No one has a monopoly upon wisdom, nor on the Mysteries–these are not things that you can own, only experience on your own terms, and even then they keep moving, changing and growing. Anyone who approaches the Gods with sincerity, respect, and integrity can and will discover their own way to commune with these essential forces of Nature. It means hard work, requires creativity, persistence and determination–it is a challenging path to take.
If you decide to pursue self-initiation and build your own version of spiritual practice based upon the Wiccan model, here are some tips to help make the process go a bit more smoothly:
1) Clarify your intent. Ask yourself “Why am I doing this?” Examine your motivations–pursuing any particular spiritual path is a serious commitment. Setting out to explore things on your own as a solitary practitioner is not something to do on a whim, nor is it a “fun” hobby. It’s work, and plenty of it. It can also be worth it.
2) Gather your resources. You need to establish a set of ground rules for what you want to do. This will require reading everything you can get. Try to read a variety of authors, and don’t read just about Witchcraft. You’re not going to learn very much from restricting your reading to pop-Wicca books that gleefully extol the virtues of playing at mediocre, misinterpreted folk traditions of dubious vintage. You’re setting out to acquire some wisdom, not superstitious twaddle and bogus hokum. Take classes and get calluses–go out and learn something, then put it to use in your life and the community around you. If it dies on the vine unused, it’s a waste.
3) If you find something that you like, adapt it; don’t just lift it out of its context. Once you have a basic framework within/upon which to work, rewrite everything to fit your emerging vision, after you’ve tried it out, tested it, and given it a chance to teach you what it has to reveal on its own terms.
4) Draft a statement of your core beliefs. Sign it, date it, and place it in your journal or Book of Shadows. Forget about it for a while and just work on doing it. Choose a time each year to re- examine it and amend it if desired. Sometimes this is a good thing to do during the winter months, perhaps Candlemas/Imbolc? You decide. When you do check it out, don’t beat yourself up if you’ve gone off in a completely other direction. Spend some time contemplating what you meant when you wrote that piece and look at what you’ve learned in the time since then. What would you change about it, or yourself, now that you know what you know now?
5) If you do happen to fall prey to the social disease of writing, please be sure to make every reasonable attempt to document your sources. Give credit where credit is due. You have nothing to gain by trying to pretend that you invented Gardner’s or Crowley’s books. Keep yourself honest. Given time, and effort, you will develop your own rites. When you do, you don’t want to dilute the meaningfulness of the moment by that nagging little voice that reminds you that you didn’t really do it. Respect your creativity, maintain personal integrity, and let things develop naturally.
6) Remember that within most established traditions of the Craft, the term ‘degree’ generally refers to experience, not rank. As a solitary you don’t have any rank to worry about. If you do, well, then I hope you’re enjoying yourself. As a solitary you get the opportunity to focus upon the personal experience and to drop the distractions. It’s similar to the monastic approach to mysticism, only less ascetic and more fun.
If you do wind up creating or adapting some sort of degree system for your personal Work be sure to take your time working through those degrees. Learn all you can and work with the Gods and Mighty Ones–as you progress, the doors of perception will open, the way will be found. Besides, if you’re going to pursue an experiential approach to an already experiential path, why deny yourself the benefit of having those very experiences that are part and parcel of the whole darn thing in the first place? It’s absolutely about quality, not quantity.
7) Do it for the right reasons. Why are you doing whatever you’re doing, and why alone? If you’re solitary because of some sort of insecurity or negative reaction to past happenstance…be prepared for circumstances to change as you grow and mature. If you’ve withdrawn to focus upon certain aspects of your personal spiritual development, don’t lose track of that, even if you do decide to take a break and go hang out with a group for a while. Your solitary practice should serve as a firm foundation for your day-to-day life. A viable, healthy spiritual practice will offer you a way to recharge your batteries, cope with stress, resolve crises and guide you as you grow. If your solitary path doesn’t offer you these things, what are you doing?
8) Solitary work can be ideal for self-transformation and personal healing. As you progress, as healing occurs, as changes take place, you will find your practice likewise changing. Consider this a form of sympathetic magick. As you become more fully integrated and whole, your rituals will become more balanced and holistic as well. The Craft is a healing path, so why not approach it as such?
9) Keep in mind that the only way to gauge progress is to challenge it in some manner. How you decide to challenge yourself is one thing. How the universe around you, let alone the Gods & Ancestors, will test your progress is another matter. There will come a point where your focus upon the self-chosen, self-directed things will be intruded upon. You are a human being, not an oyster. If you’re going to heal, then heal and get on with life. If you’re going to deal with something, deal with it and move on. Life is in motion. Whatever tries to remain static will encounter friction and eventually will be torn loose by the tides of change or the teeth of the trickster.
10) We all learn at different rates and in different styles. Working alone makes it possible to modify everything to suit your needs. Creativity and sincerity can guide you in making your Craft practice a viable and vital part of your life. Don’t waste time measuring your progress against other people. They do not approach things from your perspective or background, nor do they share your personal circumstances.
11) No matter what disabilities, hindrances, or restrictions you may have in your life, you can practice Wicca–if you honestly desire to do so. Indeed, the only thing holding anyone back from the Craft of the wise is their own sense of self. Sure, you may not be able to jump around a circle waving a letter-opener or perhaps you can’t mumble out a mournful dirge of dubious ecstasy like some of the other folks on the path. So what? As you will and you harm none. Get it?
12) Even solitaries aren’t alone anymore. With all of the resources available on the Internet–go check out http://www.witchvox.com or http://www.circle.org or http://www.avatarsearch.com or http://www.twpt.com or just do a search on Wiccan, Pagan or whatever your heart desires. There’s an incredible amount of information and opportunities to connect with a vast array of fellow seekers out there.
13) Consider sharing the fruits of your labors, but don’t be in a hurry to share the secrets of your success. Solitary work is very personal and what worked for you may not work for another. Respect the freedom of others to pursue their own path into the Silence as you yourself did. If you find that others come to you, or that you are asked to share more details, then you are being confronted by the task of becoming a teacher or guide or mentor.
Congratulations. Hopefully your time spent in solitary practice has garnered you some measure of wisdom that can help you to meet this new challenge with grace and dignity. Or at least with a good head start as you run away.
by James Garrison
By Patti Wigington, About.com
In modern Paganism and Wicca, there are far more people who practice as solitaries than there are people who have joined covens or established traditions. Why is this? It’s partly because most people who want to learn about Paganism develop the interest long before they meet a coven or trad that they’re interested in joining. It’s also because even if you decide you want to be part of a coven or group, it’s not always easy to find one. Wiccan covens and Pagan groups don’t exactly have a listing in the Yellow Pages, so you may have five covens right up the street from you, and you’d never know it.
Certainly, practicing as a solitary can have its rewards. After all, you can make your own guidelines and follow your own set of ethics. Worship can be done at your convenience, rather than according to a schedule dictated by others. As a solitary, you’re really under no obligation to anyone but yourself and your gods. Many people spend their entire lives practicing as solitaries, and never feel a need to join a coven or group.
Occasionally, you may find some drawbacks to practicing as a solitary Pagan or Wiccan. You might sometimes feel alone, like you have no one to network with or share ideas with. You may at some point feel like you’ve stagnated — it’s hard to figure out what the next step is if you don’t have someone to compare notes. Sometimes, it’s nice to just get feedback from like-minded people — someone who can help you when you’re wondering about what to do.
If you’ve decided to practice as a solitary — either temporarily, or in the long-term — here are some tips on how to have a successful experience:
Try to establish a daily routine. It’s easy to let your studies go by the wayside if you’re all by yourself, so establishing a daily routine will help you keep on task. Whether your routine includes meditation, reading, ritual work, or whatever, try to do something each day that helps you work towards achieving your spiritual studies.
Write things down. Many people choose to keep a Book of Shadows, or BOS, to chronicle their magical studies. This is important for a variety of reasons. First, it allows you to document what you’ve tried and done, as well as what works and doesn’t work for you. Secondly, by writing down your rituals, prayers, or spellwork, you’re laying the foundation for your tradition. You can go back and repeat things that you find to be useful later one. Finally, it’s important to keep track of what you do magically and spiritually because as people, we evolve. The person you are now is not the same person you were ten years ago, and it’s healthy for us to be able to look back and see where we were, and how far we’ve come.
Get out and meet people. Just because you’ve chosen to practice as a solitary doesn’t mean you should never come into contact with other Pagans or Wiccans. Most metropolitan areas — and a lot of smaller communities — have informal Pagan groups that get together regularly. This offers solitaries a chance to network and chat with each other, without having to form specific organized groups. Take advantage of resources like Witchvox and Meetup to see what’s in your area. If there’s nothing around you, consider starting a study group of your own for like-minded folks.
Ask questions. Let’s face it, we all need to start somewhere. If your read or hear something and you want to know more about it, ask. If something isn’t clear, or contradicts something you’ve already read, ask. Don’t accept everything at face value, and remember that just because one person had a particular experience doesn’t mean that you’ll have an identical experience. Also, keep in mind that just because you read something in a book doesn’t necessarily mean it’s valid — learn to ask whether a resource is worth using or not. Don’t be afraid to be a skeptic sometimes.
Don’t ever stop learning. Ask other people in the Pagan community — either online, or in real life — for recommendations about books and other resources. If you read a book that you enjoy, check the back for a bibliography and see what other books that author suggests. Remember that learning can take place by reading, but it can also develop from personal experience, and from speaking with other people involved in Paganism.
PROSPERITY SPELL AND THE RITUAL
Do this spell when the Moon is out and shining brightly.
Items you will need:
–poppet made out of green cloth, leave the head open
–chamomile for money
–rosemary for luck
–basil for success needle and thread
–Directional elementals (earth, incense for air, fire, water)
Altar Devotion, Casting the Circle
As you walk around the circle three times, imagine a green, soothing mist trailing
from your fingers, enveloping you and enclosing your magic circle.
“I conjure the magic circle I am safe within the Goddess’ womb A sacred place, a world apart Where enchantment births and magic starts With Air and Fire, Water and Earth I circle round the Mother’s girth This circle is sealed”
Drawing Down the Moon
Stand holding your athame, legs slightly apart, arms at your side. Breathe deeply.
Raise the athame to your lips, holding it with both hands, and then point it toward the moon. Feel the energy of the moon move through the athame, down your arms and into your whole being.
Invocation to the Goddess
“Wondrous Lady of the Moon Mistress of all magic and protectress of all Wicca
Life-giving mother I greet you at the waxing of the moon’s power I invite you to
attend my Full Moon rite”
Invocation to the God
“Radiant King of the Heavens Master of beasts wild and free Horned stag I greet
you at the waxing of the moon’s power I invite you to attend my Full Moon rite”
Meditation and Chant to the Goddess
Sit with your spine straight, legs crossed, hands in your lap. Close your eyes and visualize the Goddess, however she appears to you. Feel her arms around you in a protective embrace. When you have the vision firmly planted, begin chanting softly:
“Starry Goddess, Full of Light I honor you this Full Moon Night”
Repeat, feeling your energy grow. This energy will be used during the following spellworking. Spellworking Cleanse and consecrate poppet for workings of magic.
Stuff it with the herbs. Sew the opening closed.
“Goddess of Opportunity Bring good things in life to me I’ll be alert to all you. Goddess be my helpful friend”
Repeat 3 times, envisioning the opportunities you wish to come to you.
Reverse Lunar Draw
Raise the athame to the moon, then bring it to your lips and back down to your side,
releasing the energy you built during the Drawing. Thank the Goddess and God. Release the Circle. Walk back around the circle, pulling the mist back into your hands. Place the poppet in your closet, your car, your handbag or somewhere else close to you. You can re-work this spell at the next full moon if you feel it’s necessary.
Good things will soon come.
LEARNING ANYTHING
One of the most important skills you will ever learn in your life is learning
which questions to ask and when to ask them.
You will never learn how to do much of anything in your life if you do not learn
how to ask questions, and not only that, but to question the answers you get in
return.
For instance, “I want to learn about wicca,” is not a question. It is a statement.
“Teach me about wicca,” is also not a question. It is a command, even if you add
the word please.
Think about what you really want to ask. “Can you teach me about wicca?”
Ok, you’re getting closer to the question you really want answered. “Will you teach me about wicca?”
Even closer, but the topic at hand is a large one.
Look for where you actually want to start learning.
Good questions to start working with are “What makes wicca different from other paths?” or perhaps, “What is the first thing I should learn to start my journey of learning about wicca?”
These last two questions are good questions because they are specific and and
give the person you are talking with an idea of what you are actually interested
in learning.
Here’s another example.
I want to learn how to bake bread.
First of all I find someone that knows how (the right person).
Then I wait until they have the time to help me and a place ready to show me how to bake bread.
I try to read up a little ahead of time if I can and show up well rested and
ready to learn hopefully without any preconceptions (the right time).
Now I could ask them what the chemical structure of bread is, or why it browns
when it bakes or what type of butter to use on it, but none of these are very
good questions to help me towards my goal of learning how to bake bread.
True it might be useful information, but I can always learn the answers to those
questions later once I have learned the basics.
So my first questions are, “What are the ingredients we use?” and “How do we
start?,” two specific and useful questions.
A good question asked at the right time to the right person helps the person answering it almost as much as it helps the person asking it.
If the person you are asking questions to has no idea of your level of knowledge of the subject or your specific area of interest at the moment they cannot help you nearly as well as they could if they knew these things.
Good questions are one way of helping a person understand what you want to know and what level of difficulty you want it explained at.
Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Heart
Incense: Strawberry, Sandalwood, Rose, Saffron and Vanilla
Planet: Venus
Sign: Libra and Taurus
Angel: Ariel
Colors: Green, Pink, Aqua
Herbs/Plants: Pink Rose, Ivy, Birch, Heather, Clematis, Sage, Violet and Water Lilly Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmrosa, Rose, Yarrow
Friday belongs to Venus, and its energies are warm, sensuous, and fulfilling. Efforts that involve any type of pleasure, comfort, and luxury, as well as the arts, music, or aroma (incense and perfume) works well on this day. As Venus lends its sensuous influences to the energies of this day, use it for any magical work that deals with matters of the heart.
July 19th is Best for……
Cut firewood, mow to increase growth, castrate farm animals,, dig holes, wean, potty train, wash windows, advertise to sell, travel for pleasure.
Gardening Calendar
July 18th – July 19th
Seeds planted now will do poorly and yield little
Fishing Calendar
Fishing is forecasted fair for the morning
The Moon’s Astrological Position & It’s Association with the body
July 19th Sagittarius “Archer” Sign is in the Thighs
Waxing Moon
Moon Phase: Second Quarter
Moon Sign: Sagittarius
Incense: Thyme
Color: Camel
Magick is the mystery that lies in the secret soul of the world. It is the essence of creation. What we imagine, we have the power to create!
Our goals seem tantalizingly close, yet we have enough common sense to keep our feet planted firmly on the ground. Harmonious trines to otherworldly Neptune from optimistic Jupiter and energetic Mars encourages overconfidence, yet today’s exact trine from realistic Saturn requires us to balance expansive plans with methodical follow-through. A commitment to making our dreams come true can move even the most stubborn structures in our lives.
No matter what you face on the road ahead you don’t need to do anything out of the ordinary today except believe in yourself. Naturally, your faith isn’t a guarantee of success; it’s merely your entry ticket. Your upcoming journey could teach you how to be more practical than ever. Exhibiting healthy self-confidence is a good start, but you’ll still have to apply yourself to succeed.
You’re ready to harness your creativity and make it work to your advantage. However, this is not just a one-day project; it could be your main focus for months to come. Even if you are waiting for a more opportune time to put your lofty plans into motion, at least solidify your dreams today. Any idea that receives your current approval is likely worth pursuing to see where it leads.
You are usually on the move, yet paradoxically, it seems as if you make more progress today by staying in one place. The irony is you must sink deeper into your emotions to gain the knowledge that you seek. Possibilities may open up later in the month if you are willing to fulfill your current obligations now. However, it’s crucial to take time and explore the emotional origins of your restlessness so you don’t needlessly waste your valuable energy.
Be ready for someone to enter your life promising you fame, fortune or simply an opportunity to get ahead. Thankfully, you have the mental acuity now to ascertain if this is the real deal or just a passing pipe dream. Listen carefully to what’s being said and then give yourself plenty of time to roll the potential around in your mind. Don’t second guess your intuition today; just do what feels right.
Although you may think that waiting is a smart idea now, don’t turn down an offer just because it doesn’t seem good enough. Even the most amazing opportunities won’t shock and awe you with their potential today; nevertheless, they still could be very promising. Make no mistake; you will have to work harder than you think to get the results you want. Luckily, the outcome should be well worth your effort if your heart is in the right place.
Although you long for a more relaxing schedule today, your efforts may be rewarded beyond your expectations. You might not be able to recognize the upside of a current opportunity because Mercury Retrograde — which ends tomorrow — limits your ability to see what’s around the corner. However, putting your shoulder to the wheel is still your smartest strategy. Thankfully, you can also have some fun in the process. Remember, the more you enjoy yourself along the way, the better your chances for success.
You may feel a distinct contrast between doing what you know needs to be done today and your desire to pass the time lost in pleasant daydreams. Being aware of this dilemma is the first step, but you must remind yourself more than once that this is no time for escapist behavior. You have important foundational work that’s best started now and procrastinating could make for tougher going later on.
You are all about keeping to yourself today, unless you’re required to interact with others to fulfill a previous commitment. It’s not that you are a loner; it’s just that you have important things to do now that can positively impact your future and you don’t want to be distracted by unnecessary noise. Spend time prioritizing old goals or creating new ones. Following your dreams feeds your soul and rejuvenates your entire being.
Honoring your goals in life is a smart idea today, whether or not they are part of your practical career plan. It’s best to widen your visions of the future because a singular focus on getting ahead can have a negative impact on your personal life. Public recognition is something that you want, but it’s not enough to just fulfill your dreams. Make time to cherish the friendships and intimate relationships that enrich your journey along the road to success.
Opportunities may fall out of the sky today, yet you could easily miss them unless you are looking up. If you are absolutely certain about your current long-term goals, you might not recognize other possibilities that drop into your lap. However, this doesn’t suggest you should be any less focused on the work at hand. It only means that widening your horizons can be an act of courage that pays off down the road.
It might appear as if you’ve lost interest in your goals today, but this is certainly not the case. It’s just that you’re in the process of redefining what’s most important in your life and it may differ from other people’s fixed assumptions. For example, instead of climbing the ladder at work, you might be more concerned with pursuing your personal or spiritual growth. Luckily, extracurricular explorations at this time can ultimately increase your earning power in the future to give you the best of both worlds.
You could be ready to surrender if you are in a standoff with someone at work. However, backing down is not advisable today; it’s smarter to persistently express what’s in your heart. While it’s true that compromise usually works best, others will likely come around to your point of view if your intentions are sincere. Don’t settle for receiving the short end of the stick. Hang on to your dreams; cultivating patience makes more sense now than giving up too soon.
Jeff Jawer on the topics of love, horoscopes, astrology
Thinking big and looking forward to a brighter tomorrow begins the weekend with high hopes. The fiery Sagittarius Moon inspires a desire for adventure and a strong attraction to different kinds of people and experiences. But simply wandering into unfamiliar territory is not likely to fulfill romantic potentials now that karmic Saturn trines poetic Neptune.
Ambitious visions of the future have been awakened this week and need to be woven into a strategic plan to fulfill your goals. Make this a special time by creating an environment in which the magic of love can occur. Romancing your current partner with extra effort or engaging deeply with a potential life mate will be more rewarding than simply partying and playing around.
Fun with a purpose, one that’s meant to align you with someone who shares your highest aspirations, is a wonderful way to invest your energy. The Moon’s entry into hardworking and committed Capricorn on Saturday afternoon provides the discipline and dedication to prepare a well-planned romantic experience that can open even the most closed of hearts.
Think of it as putting on a play where a well-written script, the proper setting and colorful costumes are used to captivate the imagination of the audience. You star in the leading role, but understand that the success of this venture depends upon putting your co-star in the best possible light.
Remember how Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune had forged a Grand Trine or Triangle on July 17 — offering great insights in the religious, philosophical and psychological realms of consciousness? That geometric sky pattern remained forceful yesterday and it is still giving us spiritual goose-bumps today as Saturn in Scorpio trines Neptune in Pisces (6:21AM PDT). See this part of the triangular alignment as an opportunity to bring your ideals (Neptune) into the real world (Saturn). Your ability to see into the future is also enhanced — thanks to a trine of 120-degrees from the Moon in Sagittarius to Uranus in Aries (7:32AM PDT). Continue to let the good times roll under the ebullient aegis of Sagittarius Moon. Believe it or not, the red planet Mars is about to create another Grand Trine in the zodiac as it replaces Jupiter in the trio tomorrow by forming 120-degree, harmonious ties with Neptune and Saturn. This will all be happening on the day that Mercury pivots to make its station in Cancer and turn forward. Wisdom dictates that you get plenty of shut-eye overnight in preparation for another great adventure on Spaceship Earth.
It is the subtle enchantment that reminds us not to waste a single moment of this gift that we call life! Magick is not greed or power, or pretense…..It is real. It exists. And it works.
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In order to live a full and successful life as a ‘White Witch’, one must first understand what the rules of the game are. The principles which are put forth below are intended to be a very simple, basic way to remember the way of the White Craft.
The total idea may be visualized as a four legged stool. Each of the Rules can be seen as a leg and The Law may be seen as the seat. The Rules without The Law are uncomfortable and nigh on to useless in their function. The Law without the Rules gives you a comfortable place to be, but it is rather impractical and again, nearly useless. However, when all of these are brought together they make a highly stable, functional, and enjoyable life.
The Four Rules
Live – Live each day as if it were your last, for one day you will be right.
Love – Love yourself first and foremost. For when you truly love yourself, loving those around you will come as easily as breathing – and we all must breathe.
Learn – Learn your life’s lessons – each as it comes – for that is the reason we are here.
Enjoy – Enjoy your life, because if you do not most likely someone else will enjoy it for you… and then your time here will have been wasted.
The Law: Harm None.
Explanations
Live
The first Rule put forth sounds pretty straight forward at first. Then you actually try to live it! 🙂 Living each day as if it were your last means maximizing your potential for every moment that you have been given.
If you are let go from your job… that is an opportunity to face truth and see what you can do to make yourself more marketable and go get a BETTER job. Or, if you are highly motivated, dedicated, and a risk taker you can take that chance to start your own company.
When I first began to follow these principles, my business was not very successful, my marriage was only tolerable, and I often felt depressed about my situation as a whole. Then I began to live each moment.’Carpe Diem’ (Seize the day) became my motto. I began to maximize every moment and live in the moment, not for the moment.
This does not mean that in order to be a good witch that you have to work like a rabid squirrel on ‘speed’… but it does mean that you have to be honest with yourself to see what your situation really is and to make the most of it. I believe that if I can go to bed at night and think to myself that I had done the very best I could that day with the information I had at each moment of opportunity, then the day was a success. But if I go to bed thinking that I had let an opportunity slip away I do not beat myself up over it. I simply say to myself, “Gee Torin, that was one you missed. I’ll get it the next time it comes along.”
Love
What is life without love? Honestly, I can’t imagine what that would be like. Yet many people live their lives without the most important form of love there is – the love of the self. If you truly understand yourself and are willing to take responsibility for your own actions you will suddenly find a great love for yourself.
In order to give free and unconditional love to another person you must first have that kind of feeling for yourself. This is all this means.
Learn
One of the cornerstones of The Craft is the belief that our souls are here on this plane of existence at this point in time to learn lessons. Your lessons are different from (although probably quite similar to) my own. Learn what life teaches you. It is no more difficult than this.
Enjoy
The life of the witch does not require you to live your life in suffering nor poverty. There are no mandates for pain, unhappiness, or unpleasantness. We do not see suffering as the ‘key’ to getting into Heaven (or the Summerlands as some of us call it). Indeed, we see such things as exactly what they are… unpleasant! This does not mean that we never have unpleasant things happen to us, nor that we walk around in a constant state of denial.
We see suffering as either the result of an action we took (i.e. going to jail for robbing a bank) or the way that The Unknown (see “The Deities of Witches” by Torin W.) has chosen to teach us a lesson which we need to learn but have not done anything consciously to bring about the circumstances (i.e. the totally unexpected death of a close friend).
Witch Craft allows you to reap all of the happiness and prosperity from your life that you can muster… so long as you stay within the accepted boundaries. For instance, if you work hard at an honest job you like to do then there is nothing which says you should feel badly for being more successful than others. But if you rob a bank, you may be happy with the things that the money can buy for a short period of time, but eventually you will suffer far greater than if you had simply worked for it. (I know this may sound somewhat like a contradiction to what I said earlier, but I do not believe in keeping a job which does not give me enough pleasure, satisfaction, and money to make up for the difficulties I endure.)
The Law: Harm None
I have been asked to explain this statement more than all of the previous ideas combined. I often describe ‘Harm None’ as “the Law which must remain unbroken, but cannot remain whole at all times.” Think about it, you can’t do it as a human being.
In order to actually harm none you would have to be in total and complete harmony with all things int he Universe at exactly the same time. Your immune system would not kill bacteria and other infections (because that would be harming them). Nor would you allow the bacteria to infect you because that would cause harm to yourself. You would not eat meat, nor vegetables because it would cause the destruction of either. Neither would you not eat because that would harm you. Do you see how this is simply an impossibility?
What I teach my students is to take great pains to Harm None and to think out the results of any act as far as possible ahead of time. I also stress that whenever magics are being worked that the free will of any individual or group should never be infringed.
I have been asked specifically about the use of various types of drugs in witchcraft and their relationship to the ‘Harm None’ principle. I believe that The Bright Ones gave us a sober state of mind for a reason. They also gave our brains some of the most potent chemicals known to man for achieving altered states of consciousness. Therefore i see no reason to alter the chemistry of the brain in order to ‘gain enlightenment’. Ask any recovering drug addict… he/she will tell you that the drugs lie to you.
Because of part of the training I give, I require that no illegal drugs are used while under my tutelage. In fact, if a student becomes sick during training and requires a prescription strength pain reliever, the training schedule is reworked to allow for the purging of the body before training resumes.
One of my students used to do a good deal of psychotropic drugs (i.e. LSD, mushrooms, etc.). Then he and I began to work together. After a few months of training, we worked a circle to allow him to develope his psychic senses (i.e. clairaudience, clairvoyance, etc.) When he left the circle he related to me a feeling such as none he had ever known. His words were, “It was a hundred thousand times better then the best acid trip I had ever taken.”
In short, I personally feel that drugs can be a great hinderance and only cause damage to your soul. But I also recognize the free will of the individual. I can only tell you that in my own perception, drugs do cause harm to you.
Merry Part and Blessed Be
Torin W.
We human beings are instinctively being guided to evolve. As with all creatures, we must adapt to changes in our environment to survive and flourish. We can see evidence of this evolutionary trend in our physiology, our society, and in our technology. Our brains continue to develop, an increasingly large percentage of humanity is becoming literate and educated, and technology has provided immediate access to billions of people’s minds through phone cells and chip sets. Satellite and Internet infrastructure is providing a “global mind” where we see and think the same thing at the same time, as one consciousness. The critical mass of what we think shifts the consciousness of individuals on a global scale. How we think affects the quality of our life, and even our survival.
Each day of your life you are provided experiences where you have to make choices in how you think and behave. The more conscious you are the more those choices bring greater happiness and peace into your life. You have learned from your life experiences what brings greater pleasure or pain into your existence, and have adapted your ways of thinking, feeling and behaving to increase the pleasure in your life and reduce the pain. The more conscious you have become, the greater clarity, happiness and peace you have gained by evolving your conscious awareness.
Your instinct has guided you to learn, and grow, and evolve to your highest potential, and it still is. You have been guided to these words to reflect on them. The more conscious you become of how you are being guided, the more you will see how you are being guided. The more conscious you become of the consciousness that is guiding you, the more conscious you become. Your consciousness evolves the more conscious you become of your consciousness. As you become more conscious you gain greater clarity, happiness and peace. It is only when we become unconscious that we think, say or do things that hurt ourselves or others. Only unconscious people hurt others, lie, cheat, steel, abuse or hate. Only an unconscious society disrespect others rights, destroy its natural resources, overpopulates or wages war.
We evolve through the tests and trials of daily living, both individually and collectively as a society. Lessons learned help to evolve us, but when we are not conscious of what we are being tested in we fail the test and get tested again and again until we learn and either further evolve, or perish. You have been guided to this moment of introspection in order to reflect upon your own place in the evolution of your own consciousness, and the role you might play in awakening the collective consciousness of humanity so that we might all live together in happiness and peace. You are part of a rapidly growing segment of the population that is awakening to full consciousness. Your individual awakening is contributing to the critical mass that is shifting the consciousness of the planet; you are preparing the way for an evolutionary leap in human consciousness. You are building the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.
From the heart, Steven S. Sadleir
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