Witches of the Craft’s Daily Northern & Southern Hemisphere Journal For Dec. 27 & Dec. 28

Viking Prayer

May the Gods of Asgard
Guide your steps towards
Their gates.

In Your journey, may it be
safe and filled with light.
May you find strength
from Thor in your darkest
Hours. May you find
wisdom from Odin in times
of confusion
May you find beauty and
lasting bonds from Freya
and Frey.

May your web be spun
tightly with that which
makes you stronger,
Happy and Wise.

And may the Gods always
look upon you with Good
Grace.

–Author Unknown

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The early Norse people followed a pagan faith, which means they believed in many different gods. Odin, the All father, was the chief god. Odin’s son Thor was the god of thunder and carried a powerful hammer. Loki was a mischievous god who played tricks on the other gods and the people on earth. The stories (called “sagas”) that the Norse told about their gods were full of drama — the gods married, had children, had affairs and sometimes separated and swapped partners. The stories also involved mythical monsters and beasts. The gods would often fight and try to prove their own powers. One example of such a story is when Thor tried to lift a giant cat in an effort to show his strength. He failed, only being able to lift one of the cat’s paws. The gods lived in Asgard, which was connected to the human earth by a rainbow bridge. As the Vikings traveled the world they adopted the Christian religion. They referred to their old beliefs as Forn Sed: The Old Custom.

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE SECTION

 

Current Planetary Positions

December 27, 2018
Tropical Zodiac

Sun: 05 Capricorn 41
Moon: 11 Virgo 08
Mercury: 17 Sagittarius 25
Venus: 19 Scorpio 11
Mars: 26 Pisces 56
Jupiter: 10 Sagittarius 49
Saturn: 10 Capricorn 51
Uranus: 28 Aries 39 Rx
Neptune: 14 Pisces 00
Pluto: 20 Capricorn 27

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Planetary aspects for the Month of December

December 28, 04:30 pm – Venus sextile Pluto
December 29, 04:34 am – 3rd Quarter Moon 07 36

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The Solar Almanac for Thursday, December 27

Sun Direction: 114.08° ESE↑

Sun Altitude: -6.91°

Sun Distance: 91.413 million mi

Next Equinox: Mar 20, 2019 4:58 pm (Vernal)

Sunrise Today: 7:06 am↑ 119° Southeast

Sunset Today: 4:44 pm↑ 241° Southwest

Length of Daylight: 9 hours, 37 minutes

–timeanddate.com

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The Lunar Almanac for Thursday, December 27

Moon Direction: 236.05° SW↑

Moon Altitude: 50.23°

Moon Distance: 228555 mi

Next New Moon: Jan 5, 20197:28 pm

Next Full Moon: Jan 20, 201911:16 pm

Next Moonset: Today11:06 am

Current Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous

Illumination: 70.7%

–timeanddate.com

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Lunar Lore

To Wiccans and Witches, the phases of the moon have special meaning, giving structure to the levels of energy available for magickal workings. The phases are modified by the position of the moon within the lunar and the zodiac years. With all these correspondences it may seem quite confusing as to when you can actually focus on any specific workings. As a general rule the phasing correspondences (Full, Dark, waxing, waning, etc.) are the strongest influences, followed by its placement within the lunar year, and lastly by the astrological month. I tend to think of it like the effects of three magnets upon a metallic pendulum, the Phase being the strongest magnet, followed by the Position within the Lunar Year as a smaller magnet, and the Astrological Correspondence being the weakest one still. All three have their part to play in deciding the position the pendulum will come to rest, but in lessening degrees, though when they all align together then it is portent of very strong energy for the task that is indicated.

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The Sky This Week from December 27 to December 30

Winter nights begin with great views of the brightest star and two fine star clusters, and wrap up with the brilliant planets Venus and Jupiter.

By Richard Talcott

Thursday, December 27
Two of the finest deep-sky objects shine prominently on evenings in late December. The Pleiades and Hyades star clusters climb highest in the south during midevening but remain conspicuous nearly all night. The Pleiades, also known at the Seven Sisters and M45, appears like a small dipper to naked eyes. The larger Hyades forms the V-shaped head of Taurus the Bull. Although both look nice with naked eyes, binoculars show them best.

Friday, December 28
Mars continues to put on a nice show these December evenings. Look for the Red Planet halfway to the zenith in the southern sky as darkness falls. The world shines at magnitude 0.4 against the much dimmer stars of Aquarius the Water-bearer. A telescope reveals a disk that spans 8″ and should show a few subtle surface features during moments of good seeing.

Saturday, December 29
Last Quarter Moon occurs at 4:34 a.m. EST. You will see it poking above the eastern horizon around midnight local time and climbing highest in the south as twilight starts to paint the sky. The half-lit Moon spends the morning hours in the constellation Virgo the Maiden.

Sunday, December 30
Venus appears brilliant from the time it rises a little after 3:30 a.m. local time until close to sunrise more than three hours later. It stands about 25° above the southeastern horizon an hour before the Sun comes up. Gleaming at magnitude –4.6, the planet shines far brighter than all the other objects in the predawn sky except for the waning crescent Moon. When viewed through a telescope, Venus spans 27″ and appears nearly halflit.

–Astronomy Magazine

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Moon Phase Calendar

Thursday – 27th December 2018

Current Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous

Moon is in the sign of Virgo

Moon in Virgo:
Your feeling of safety is now related to order and clarity, even in emotions. You may have the need to organise everything chaotic and disorganized. Try being more tolerant and accept imperfections of life. It is better to trust life and let it run its own way, not everything must be according to our expectations.

Organs influenced by Virgo
Organs: Pancreas, small intestine, cecum, colon, digestive tract, duodenum, rectum, sense organs: eyes and ears.

These organs are now more sensitive so provide them with extra care.

Surgical operations:
Surgical operations are recommended during the Waning Moon.

However, avoid surgeries of organs under the influence of the Moon Sign.

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Today is Thursday, December 27

Thursday is the day of the planet Jupiter, dedicated to Thunor(Thor), God of thunder and agricultural work. His parallels in various European traditions are Zeus, Taranis, Perun, Perkunas and St. Olaf. The faith of the Northern Tradition holds Thursday sacred, just as Islam reveres Friday, Judaism the Sabbath(calculated from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday), and Christianity, Sunday. This is why almost all adages about Thursday are positive, such as “Thursday’s child has far to go,” “Sneeze on Thursday, something better,” or “Cut nails on Thursday for wealth.” Thursday rules controlled optimism, energetic growth, physical well-being and material success.

Deity: Thor

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn/Pisces/Sagittarius

Planet: Mercury

Tree: Oak

Herb: Henbane

Stone: Turquoise/Bloodstone/Topaz

Animal: Fish/Goat/Aurochs

Element: Fire

Color: Brown/White/Orange

Number: 3

Rune: Thorn

Celtic Tree Month of Ruis (Elder) (November 25 – December 22)

The Runic Half Month of Jara (December 13 – December 27)

Goddess of the Month of Astraea (November 28 – December 23)

—The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

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The Goddess Book of Days for December 27th

Arretophoria, nymph festival of Maiden and Amazon Goddesses: Artemis, Diana, Oya, Selene, Luna, Hina, Daphne, the Maenads, Bunzi, Athena, Minerva. Also in Rome, a day of the Lares, the Household Goddesses, Mania, Mana or the Manes who are Maya or Macha, female power.

Goddesses Associated With Thursday, The Day of Thor

Juno, Hera, Kwan Yin, Mary, Cybele, Tara, Mawu, Mbaba Mwana Waresa, Ishtar

–The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

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On Thursday, December 27, We honor…..

Kwanza (African-American)
ODUDUA

Themes: Kinship; Unity; Devotion; Creativity; Community; Love; Fertility

Symbols: Black Items

About Odudua: In the beginning, Odudua created the earth and its people. In Yoruban tradition, she presides over all matters of fertility, love, and community. Her sacred color is black.

To Do Today: This African American festival celebrates family unity and the black culture. It is also a harvest festival whose name means “first fruits.” Every day of the celebration focuses on important themes, including Odudua’s harmony, determination, community responsibility, purpose, creativity, and faith.

One lovely tradition easily adapted is that of candle lighting. Each day of the festival, light one red, green, or black candle (the colors of Africa). Name the candle after one of Odudua’s attributes you wish to develop (try to choose the color that most closely corresponds to your goal). Igniting it gives energy and visual manifestation to that principle. Also try to keep
one black candle lit (in a safe container) to honor the goddess’s presence during this time. To inspire Odudua’s peaceful love in your heart and life today, wear something black. This will absorb the negativity around you and put it to rest.

365 Goddess: A Daily Guide To the Magic and Inspiration of the goddess
Patricia Telesco

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Thursday: When the hammer is smashing up the skies

And we have just arrived to Thursday, named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder. He travels through the heavens in a charriot, wearing a special belt and iron gloves which give him extra strength to lift his giant hammer.

Romance languages based their fifth day’s name upon the Latin Dies Iovis, meaning the Day of Jupiter (jueves in Spanish, jeudi in French, giovedi in Italian). Jupiter was a chief Roman god, the god of laws and social order. His attribute was a thunderbolt.

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Thursday

Thursday: Is associated with Jupiter and the colors of – Blue and Metallic Colors

Thursday is the best time to deal with such matters as: Broadcasting, Business, Charity, College Education, Correspondence Courses, Doctors, Expansion, Forecasting, Foreign Interests, Gambling, Growth, Guardians, Horses, Logic, Long Distance Travel, Luck, Material Wealth, Merchants, Philosophy, Political Power, Psychologists, Publicity, Publishing, Reading, Religion, Researching, Self-improvement, Social Matters, Sports, Studying, and The Law

–Practical Magick for the Penny Pinching Witch
Carol Moyer

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The Magick of Thursday

Planet Ruled: Jupiter

Colors: Blue, purple, green

Crystals: Turquoise, Amethyst, Lapis

Deities: Jupiter, Juno

Magickal Intent: Abundance, protection, prosperity, strength, wealth, healing, male fertility, ambition, expansion

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Thursday’s Witchery

Today is the day for prosperity work of all kinds. It can also be used for healing work, whether that is a physical healing of an illness or an emotional healing. Also remember that you have to follow up your healing work and prosperity magick and physical action.

I can’t tell you the number of times I have met new witches who complain to me that their prosperity spell or “I need a better job” spell did not work as they expected. They’ll ramble on and on about how much time and money they spent working their magick….but, alas, they had no glorious manifestation of wealth or fabulous job that suddenly dropped out of the sky and landed in their laps.

Then, when I gently ask them, “Did you enchant your resume or application when you filled it out? Did you do a little confidence-boosting spellwork when you went to apply for the job or went to the interview?” typically they give me a blank, confused stare.

Nine times out of ten, their response is, “You mean I have to go out and actually look for the job too?” Um, yes, my dear, you certainly do. Magick follows the path of least resistance, which means it’s going to manifest along the simplest, quickest route. Get out there and hit the pavement. See what you can find. Times are tough and competition for good jobs is fierce, so you need whatever edge you can get. For folks like us, we’re going to get the edge by using our magick and our spellcraft.

Thursdays have such a rich source of magick for us to draw upon that, honestly, the sky is the limit. This is the day associated with the gods of the sky and heavens, after all. Get to know these deities and add their wisdom and magick into your days

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

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Honey-Do List for Thursday

Try wearing some honeysuckle-scented perfume to encourage prosperity. Bewitch someone by wearing deep royal blue or brighten up a dreary day by wearing lucky, prosperity-drawing green. Brew up a pot of mint tea to help increase your cash flow. Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon to an unscented candle to encourage some fast cash. Bake up a loaf of wheat bread for the family, and celebrate abundance and be thankful for all that you have.

Conjure up a witchy craft and create a philter or two for your magickal needs. Work with the deities and the magickal plants corresponding with Thursday.

How did the energies of the plants of Jupiter enhance your magick? What did you learn by working with Juno, Jove, or Zeus? The truth is that by adding these new techniques and information into your spellcasting repertoire, you will indeed advance your skills, thereby moving up in the ranks to become a more adept magickal practitioner

Just by believing in yourself and working toward creating abundance, health, and prosperity, you have already begun to transform your outlook on life. Put your game face on; think positively. Work with Thor for perseverance and courage, and apply those qualities to your own prosperity spells and healing witchery. Break out the tarot cards; How could you incorporate that symbolism into other spells of your own design?

Use your imagination, check Thursday’s correspondence list, and see what other bewitching things you can conjure up for prosperity magick all by yourself. Call on the gods and goddess of Thursday and bring some positive change, abundance, health, and prosperity into your life!

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

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The Witches Almanac for Thursday, December 27

St. Stephen’s Day

Waning Moon

Moon phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Virgo

Incense: Myrrh

Color: Purple

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Correspondences for Thursday

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

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Magickal Applications for Thursday

Thursday comes from the Latin Dies Iovis, which means “Jove’s day” Jove, or Jupiter as he was sometimes called, was the supreme god and patron of the ancient Romans. Jove/Jupiter is associated with wealth, leadership, thunder, and lightning. A lord of heaven, Jove/Jupiter was also a god of light, and his sacred color is white. In the Greek mythologies, this deity was known as Zeus. This fifth day of our bewitching week was eventually turned into the Old English Thursdaeg or Thunresdaeg, which translates to “thunder’s day” or, more simply, “Thor’s day.” This day of the week is named after Thor, the popular Norse god of thunder. Thor was the son of Odin. He carried a war hammer called Mjollnir, and it was this that made the thunder and lightning. All of these Thursday gods-Jupiter/Jove, Zeus, and Thor-were wielders of the thunderbolt.

Thursday has the planetary association of Jupiter, and this day of the week is associated with prosperity, abundance, leadership, and good health. Prosperity and abundance are the typical magickal concerns on a Thursday. However, the way people define prosperity can vary greatly between individuals.

Personally, I think prosperity and abundance aren’t about owning the biggest house, fanciest wardrobe, or the newest car. It’s about living within your means and living well. My definition of prosperity is having enough money in the checking account to cover the bills and to pay for the groceries; anything left over is gravy.

But with a family, there is always something. Just about the time you’re feeling confident, something pops up. Somebody has to go to the doctor or the dentist, or someone needs work done on their car. Or my daughter calls from college with the classic “send money” request. It’s enough to drive me bonkers! For instance, just this past month, I got hit up for sorority dues, book fees, dentist bills, a bit of car repair and, lest we forget, living money for my daughter while she is away at school. Ouch!

The aspiration to make your budget stretch and to find ways to cover extra expenses is a real need for just about everybody. So on this bewitching day, let’s look at some practical, magickal ways to increase your prosperity and try out a few enchanting ideas designed to create a little abundance and, last but not least good health.

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

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The Witches Magick for Thursday, December 27 – Psychic Protection Spell

It is best to find a work area that you can leave untouched for 3 days. If you must put away your tools, try to leave the spell candle out in the open.

Prepare your work area by setting up any tools you may be using in addition to your spell candle.

You’ll Need:

Protection Incense (herbs or oils work fine also)
Black 8″ Taper Candle

It is best to find a work area that you can leave untouched for three days. If you must put away your tools, try to at least keep your spell candle out in the open. This spell is used to protect yourself from mental attacks.

Prepare your work area by setting up any tools you may use in addition to your spell candle. Love or protection incense is recommended (herbs or oils can also be used). While setting up your area, CONCENTRATE on the purpose of your work.

Bathe in purification herbs, or with your favorite bath salts. While you are bathing, concentrate again on the purpose of your spell. Do not let negative thoughts enter your mind.

After bathing, go to your work area. Cast a circle and light some incense. Envision a large, white ball of light surrounding you, your work area, and your home. Hold the candle between the palms of your hands and direct all of your positive energy into the candle.

Place the candle in its candle holder. Prior to lighting the candle, say (either aloud, or to yourself):

“This candle represents protection over me in all things”

Light the candle and say (either aloud or to yourself):

“As the light of this flame grows, I can feel the light and positive energy around me. As this candle burns, everything around me is blessed with light and love. I am blessed with light and love. Negative energy is being banished.”

Sit back and watch the candle burn. Keep visualizing the white ball of light and protection around you. Envision your Higher Power blessing you and protecting you from harm. See yourself blessing whoever or whatever it is that brings harm to you. Bless them so that they may be happy and will no longer wish to cause you harm. Feel the peace and love.

When the candle had burned 1/3 of the way, say

“As the flame of the candle is extinguished–evil, negativity, and harm towards me is banished.”

Extinguish the candle- don’t blow it out, though! Just muffle it or pinch the flame out, many believe blowing a candle out diverts the energy and shows disrespect.

Repeat this for two more nights. On the last night, after the candle has burned away and the leftover wax has cooled, discard the wax in the garbage to symbolize throwing away that which causes you harm.

You have been blessed with Light, Love, Peace, and Protection. Whatever was causing you harm will no longer do so.

–Everything Under the Moon

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE SECTION

Custom Planetary Positions

December 28, 2018
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun: 06 Capricorn 42
Moon: 25 Virgo 21
Mercury: 18 Sagittarius 50
Venus: 20 Scorpio 08
Mars: 27 Pisces 36
Jupiter: 11 Sagittarius 02
Saturn: 10 Capricorn 58
Uranus: 28 Aries 38 Rx
Neptune: 14 Pisces 01
Pluto: 20 Capricorn 29

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Planetary aspects for the Month of December

December 28, 04:30 pm – Venus sextile Pluto
December 29, 04:34 am – 3rd Quarter Moon 07 36

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The Solar Almanac for Friday, December 28

Sun Direction: 200.04° SSW↑

Sun Altitude: -30.08°

Sun Distance: 91.413 million mi

Next Equinox: Mar 21, 2019 8:58 am (Autumnal)

Sunrise Today: 5:43 am↑ 119° Southeast

Sunset Today: 8:07 pm↑ 241° Southwest

Length of Daylight: 14 hours, 24 minutes

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Solar Lore

According to Maya mythology, before becoming the celestial objects that we see today, the Moon and the Sun were terrestrial creatures. The Moon was a young lady, while the Sun a brave hunter.

They fell in love. After some events, they fled away together.

The young lady’s grandfather got mad at her and he had her killed. The dragonflys collected her body and her blood, and they put them in thirteen hollow stumps.

Meanwhile, the Sun had been looking for his lover for thirteen days. On the thirteenth day, he found the stumps. Twelve of them gave life to harmful insects and snakes. They started filling in the entire world with their offsprings. From the thirteenth one, the Moon came out: she had come back to life.

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The Lunar Almanac for Friday, December 28

Moon Direction: 78.99° E↑

Moon Altitude: -3.67°

Moon Distance: 228567 mi

Next New Moon: Jan 6, 201912:28 pm

Next Full Moon: Jan 21, 20194:16 pm

Next Moonrise: Today11:58 pm

Moon Direction: 78.99° E↑

Moon Altitude: -3.67°

Moon Distance: 228567 mi

timeanddate.com

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The Lunar Almanac for Friday, December 28

Moon Direction: 73.88° ENE↑

Moon Altitude: 3.94°

Moon Distance: 228631 mi

Next New Moon: Jan 6, 201912:28 pm

Next Full Moon: Jan 21, 20194:16 pm

Next Moonrise: Today11:58 pm

Current Moon Phase:Waning Gibbous

Moon’s Illuminationo: 70.5%

timeanddate.com

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Moon Phase Calendar
Friday – 28th December 2018

Current Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous

Moon is in the sign of Virgo

Moon in Virgo:
Your feeling of safety is now related to order and clarity, even in emotions. You may have the need to organise everything chaotic and disorganized. Try being more tolerant and accept imperfections of life. It is better to trust life and let it run its own way, not everything must be according to our expectations.

Organs influenced by Virgo
Organs: Pancreas, small intestine, cecum, colon, digestive tract, duodenum, rectum, sense organs: eyes and ears.

These organs are now more sensitive so provide them with extra care.

Surgical operations:
Surgical operations are recommended during the Waning Moon.

However, avoid surgeries of organs under the influence of the Moon Sign.

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Today is Friday, December 28

Friday is the day of Venus. It takes it name from Frigg, the Goddess of love and transformation. She rules the spiritual side of a person that manifests in the physical. Because of this, Friday is often thought of as dangerously unpredictable. This is expressed in an old East Anglian adage:

Friday’s day will have its trick
The fairest or foulest day of the week.

Deity: Frigg

 

Zodiac Sign: Taurus/Libra

 

Planet: Venus

 

Tree: Apple

 

Herb: Vervain

 

Stone: Sapphire/Chrsolite

 

Animal: Bull/Serpent

 

Element: Earth

 

Color: Yellow/Violet

 

Number: 7

 

Rune: Peorth(P)

 

Celtic Tree Month of Ruis (Elder) (November 25 – December 22)

 

The Runic Half Month of Jara (December 13 – December 27)

 

Goddess of the Month of Astraea (November 28 – December 23)

 

—The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

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Goddess Book of Days for Friday, December 28

Birthday of Hemera, daughter of Nyx, Night, Greek Goddess. She is the Dawn, and other Dawn Goddesses are: Eos, Aurora, Hesperide, Hekt, Aja, Hebe, Ochumare, Buto, Eileathyia, Changing Woman, Eve. In France, the Festival of the Tarasque, remembering

Goddesses Associated with Friday

Friday For Freya: Astarte, Aphrodite, Erzulie, Aida Wooo, Eve, Venus, Diana, Isis, the Witch of Gaeta, Chalchiuhtlique

The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

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On Friday, December 28th, We Celebrate…..

Feast of Fools (Europe)
THALIA

Themes: Humor; Festivity; Recreation

Symbols: Party Decorations

ABOUT THALIA: Among the Greek muses, Thalia is the goddess of festivity and humor. She inspires today’s celebration with unbridled revelry and joyfulness to round out year on an upbeat, playful note.

To Do Today: During the Middle Ages, around this time of year, a mock religious ritual took place, much like the impious Saturnalia. Normal roles were often reversed, and reverence went by the wayside, replaced by fun and pleasure. I see no reason not to follow the example of our ancestors and give ourselves time to frolic a bit today. Do something that energizes you, inspires you, or makes you laugh out loud. For example, throw yourself a party complete with silly decorations and hats. Watch your favorite comedy flicks with a friend. Or, go out dancing, play video games, socialize with folks who make you feel good, and generally let Thalia live through (and in) your pleasure.

To keep Thalia’s playful, enthusiastic energy with you, bless an amethyst (for joy and luck), saying,

Thalia, inspire my humor and muse;
throughout my life, joy diffuse.

Carry this with you anytime you feel your sense of humor waning.

–365 Goddess: A Daily Guide To the Magic and Inspiration of the goddess
Patricia Telesco

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Friday: The day of beauty

Frigg was the Norse goddess of beauty, love, household, fertility and motherhood. She was Odin’s wife. She wonderfully balances out the dreadfulness of all the masculine gods sitting around our week table.

Derived from Latin Dies Veneris, Friday is viernes in Spanish, vendredi in French and venerdi in Italian. The day belongs to Venus, the Roman goddess of beauty, love and fertility.

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Friday’s Conjuring

Friday – is associated with Venus

Candle colors – Green, Red, Blue, White, Purple

Spellcrafting Associations: Love, Marriage, Money, Attraction, Luck, Healing, Prosperity, Change, Road Opening work, Bring Peace, Relationships.

Old Style Conjure Wisdoms, Workings and Remedies
Starr Casas

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The Magickal Day of Friday

Friday falls at the end of the work week for many of us, and that means we get a chance to relax for a little bit! Mark your Fridays with colors like pink and aqua, and metals such as copper. This is a day ruled by the planet Venus, so it should be no surprise that Venus and Aphrodite – goddesses of love and beauty – are associated with Fridays. This is a day named for the Norse goddess Freyja, so be sure to take a moment to honor her as well.

Gemstones associated with Friday include coral, emerald and rose quartz, and plants like strawberries, apple blossoms and feverfew are also related. This is a good day to do spellwork associated with family life and fertility, sexuality, harmony, friendship, growth. Take advantage of Friday’s correspondences and plant a seed, make something grow, and enjoy your blessings

*Note: There are a lot of disputes as to the origins of the word Friday, because there is still a great deal of discussion as to whether it was named for Freyja or Frigga, and whether they were the same deity or two separate ones. Some scholars believe that while they may have eventually become two distinctly different goddesses, they could have had their origins in a single, common Proto-Germanic deity.

Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by ThoughtCo.com

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Friday’s Witchery

Love magick is a perennial popular topic. However, there is more to this topic than meets the eye. There are many enchanting layers here for us to explore on this day of the week. What about creating a loving home, or producing a loving and nurturing family? What about keeping your intimate relationships vital and on track? How about promoting happy, healthy, and enduring friendships? See, there is more to be considered than just the “You shall be mine…” type of fictional love spell.

Don’t forget that many of the deities associated with Fridays are also parents. So, yes, while this is the day to work on romance, sex, and love spells, there is additional magick to be considered here, which makes Fridays a more well-rounded and bigger opportunity for witchery than many folks ever truly realize. The truest, strongest magick always comes from the heart.

Book of Witchery – Spells, Charms & Correspondences For Every Day of the Week
–Ellen Dugan

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The Witches Almanac for Friday, December 28

Feast of the Holy Innocents

Waning Moon

Moon phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Virgo

Moon enters Libra 3: 23 pm

Incense: Rose

Color: Pink

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FRIDAY CORRESPONDENCES

Venus/Water/East/West/South/Dawn/Female/Libra/Taurus

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers, Heart

Color: aqua, blue, light blue, brown, green, pale green, magenta, peach, pink, rose, white, all pastels

Number: 5, 6

Metal: copper

Charm: green or white garments, scepter

Stone: alexandrite, amethyst, coral, diamond, emerald, jade, jet, black moonstone, peridot, smoky quartz, tiger’s-eye, pink tourmaline

Animal: camel, dove, elephant, goat, horse, pigeon, sparrow

Plant: apple, birch, cherry, clematis, clove, coriander, heather, hemlock, hibiscus, ivy, lotus, moss, myrtle, oats, pepperwort, peppermint, pinecone, quince, raspberry, rose, pink rose, red rose, rose hips, saffron, sage, savin, stephanotis, strawberry, thyme, vanilla, verbena, violet, water lily, yarrow, and all flowers

Incense: ambergris, camphor, mace, musk, myrrh, rose, saffron, sage, sandalwood, sweetgrass, vanilla, violet, all floral scents

Goddess: Aphrodite, Asherah, Baalith, Brigid, Erzulie, Freya (Passionate Queen), Frigg, Gefion, Harbor (Beautiful One), Hestia, Inanna, Ishtar (Lady of Passion and Desire), Lakshmi, Lilith, Mokosh, Nehalennia, Nerthus, Ostara, Pombagira, Sarasvati, Shakti, Shekinah, Sirtur, Al Uzza, Venus (Queen of Pleasure), Vesta

God: Allah, Bacchus, Bes, Cupid, the Dagda, Dionysus, El, Eros (God of Love), Freyr, Frit Ailek, Shukra

Evocation: Agrat Bat Mahalat, Anael, Hagiel, Mokosba, Rasbid, Sachiel, Uriel, Velas

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Magickal Applications for Friday

Friday is named after the Norse goddesses of love, Freya and Frigga. There seems to be some debate as to whom the day is actually named after, so I thought I would share a little information so you can decide for yourself.

In Latin, this day is known as Dies Veneris, “Venus’s day.” In Greek, it’s Hermera Aphrodites, which translates to the “day of Aphrodite.” In Old English, this day is called Frige- daeg, or “Freya’s day.” This day has the Germanic title of Frije-dagaz, which, once again, could be Freya’s day or Frigga’s day.

Both Freya and Frigga were Norse goddesses of love and were the Teutonic equivalent of the Greco-Roman Venus/Aphrodite. However, Freya was one of the Vanir—the gods of fertility who supervised the land and sea—and she was the leader of the Valkyries. Frigga, Odin’s wife, was the goddess of the heavens and of married love. She was one of the Aesir—the gods associated with battle, magick and the sky. Freya and Frigga could be looked upon as different aspects of the same goddess. They both were called on to assist in childbirth and then in naming of the new baby. Frigga represented the faithful wife and loving mother, while Freya, who really captured the hearts and imagination of the Norse people, was the passionate mistress and lover.

Fridays classically are days for love, fertility, romance, and beauty magick, as well as working for happiness, harmony in the home, and friendship. So let’s take a look at some of the mythology involved with this loving, voluptuous, passionate, and luxurious day of the week, and see where it leads us.

Book of Witchery – Spells, Charms & Correspondences For Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

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The Witches Magick for Friday, December 28 – Banish Black Candle Spell

Items you will need:
1 black candle
1 ceramic or glass plate
1 sheet of aluminum foil
1 sheet of paper
1 pen or pencil
1 lighter or match

On a table, lay out a sheet of aluminum foil and place a plate on-top of it. Then write the name of the person or thing you want to banish. Remember not to wish any person harm. Fold the paper in half twice and place it under the plate. Next, put the candle on top of the plate and light it.

Now, say this chant three times:

“Banish __________ away from me.
I do not wish ____________ to remain in my presence.
Of ___________ I want to be freed.
Harm none. Mote it be”

After a few minutes, blow out the candle and throw away the candle, paper and aluminum foil. Your wish should be granted soon.

A Witch’s Week of Spells and Activities
Helga C. Loueen

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Household Magick for Friday, December 28th

Use Friday to cast for love, luxury, pleasure, and entertainment.

Planetary Influence: Venus

Household Symbols: A seashell, a fountain, fresh flowers, your wedding ring or wedding photo, red or pink paper hearts, apples and cherries.

Colors: Pink and aqua green

Kitchen Spices: Thyme and sugar

Let’s Talk Witch – Wiccan Tips

Now, there are certain lessons that you won’t find in any books and must learn from experience. Among those are certain etiquettes that you must keep in mind when it comes to interacting with people within your faith. Whilst most are tolerant when it comes to “newbie” mistakes, some might not be. To help you with that, here’s a list of ethics and proper etiquette as well as a few other tips. These starting out.

–        Every Wiccan knows of the Rede. In it, you’ll find the major laws and ethics that need to be followed. There are no compromises or exceptions, wiccans do have their own rules too. Most sacred circles derive their password from the Rede so add that to the reasons why you need to learn it by heart.

–        Don’t practice black magic. This is a simple etiquette that shouldn’t even be mentioned but certain situations do call for it. Whilst mistakes are not unusual, causing harm to other people by means of a spell or dark magic is forbidden. Remember that anything you put out there can come back to you threefold.

–        Never touch another witch’s magical tools without getting their expression first. If there’s something that you want to see up close, always ask for permission. You can easily
leave an imprint of your energy on what you touch and witches do not appreciate this. After all, if you’re a stranger, then they are unaware of both your intention and energy type. Any negativity that you carry with you can be transferred into these objects so always ask.

–        Do not be lazy about studying. It is called “craft” for a reason and you must continuously hone your skills. Learning the basics is not enough if you wish to advance and practice more complicated forms of magic. It is a lifestyle as much as a continuous education. The more you know, the better you’ll understand the foundations of the faith itself. It isn’t just a matter of learning to cast spells and forgetting everything else that you need to learn. Study the history and work your way up.

–        When it comes to researching, always compare and verify the information you get. If you know of an elder or someone who has been a Wiccan longer than you have, ask them questions. There are plenty of resources out there but not all of them would provide you with proper knowledge. Some can mix up different traditions and for beginners, this can become very confusing.

–        Join a community. Whilst becoming a part of a coven isn’t necessary, becoming acquaintances with people who practice the same faith will be very beneficial to your learning. There numerous forums and websites that should help you get in touch with the right people. Share what you know and gain knowledge from others too.

Wicca: Wicca Beliefs, Spells, Magic, and Rituals, for Beginners! Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Wicca!

Karen Bonderud

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Daily Incantations & Enchantments for Friday, December 28

This is an enchantment that can be used on jewelry, watches, anything that you will wear throughout the day that you can touch often, whenever you need a burst of positive energy.  Hold the item in your left hand and chant over it:

Wearing you all the while,
Every time I touch you I smile.
You are good luck to me,
A blessing I can see.
Positive energy will overflow,
A new attitude I will show.

Wear your item and touch as much as possible throughout the day.

The Power of Positive Witchcraft: Daily Incantations & Enchantments: A Spell a Day for 30 Days . Garden Summerland

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Spirit Message of the Day – Divine Jubilation & Remembrance

A SYSTEM THAT WORKS
“Imagine it. Move towards it. Has to happen. It always works.”

“And then, all of a sudden…you’re on top of the world, an overnight sensation, the cause of intergalactic jubilation. What seemed like unending preparation has now culminated in your delivery. You can do no wrong; your vision is clear; your mission divinely inspired. Smiles, laughter, and accolades surround you. Friends, family, and loved ones salute you. The time is right, the place chosen, and the ultimate test is about to begin. You’re ready.”

“As if struck by lightning, the scene instantly changes. The next thing you know you’re a wee little babe and all the festivities become a distant blur. The images and vibrations of ‘the party to end all parties’ rapidly fade away, while the songs and laughter still ringing in your ears are replaced with harsh voices and loud speakers. Strangers surround you, and what you had felt as an indescribable lightness of being has been replaced with gravity.”

“Nothing, absolutely No Thing, could be worth this. There has to be a mistake. Something must have gone wrong. In total shock and broken-hearted, alone and frightened, you hear a calm voice rising above the ruckus. Warm hands are now drawing you through the air, holding you safely. As the motion gently stops, you hear words that cause every cell of your body to ring with vitality, recalling the preparations that made this all possible; confirming the clarity of your earlier convictions; reminding you of countless agreements, treaties, and rendezvous plans; and instilling within your heart a vision of the perfection, love, and purpose you were born of.”

“‘My dearest, welcome to the world. We’ve been waiting for this day such a long, lo-o-ong time’. Then without logic or rationale you think your reply, in words as alien to you as the artificial light in your room, ‘Me too’. And while this experience passes swiftly and you quickly forget all the calm voice evoked, it imparted a confidence that will never again leave you and a remembrance that all is well, that everything is going to be forever OK, and that you are here because it’s where you most wanted to be, in a world that most wanted to have you.”

Today’s message is from Mike Dooley’s Choose Them Wisely – Thoughts Become Things! book.
Published on SpiritBlog

“Blessed are the Witches”

Wishing All Our Dear Brothers & Sisters, In The North & In the South, A Very Beautiful & Blessed Day!

Winter

Winter’s Hand

Winter’s shroud soon will pass,
The summer sun will come at last,
Plants will reach into the light,
The summer breeze will warm the night,
But we must await the sun to cast,
For Winter’s hand has not yet past.

The Holly King will hold on fast,
He will make this winter last,
He’ll send the ice, the snow, the rain,
He’ll send the wind to blow again,
Frozen lakes and frozen lands,
He’ll keep us all in Winter’s hand.

But fear ye not, his time is short,
The Oak King will soon make him abort,
His mission to bring about misery,
With his icy hands on you and me,
Then we’ll rejoice to see at last,
Winter’s hand, returned to the past.

—Pagan Ways
Alan Faraway

Introduction to Ogham – Second Aicme

Second Aicme

 

hÚath (OO-ah)      Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)

Huath (HOO-ah), hawthorn – Like willows, hawthorns have many species in Europe, and they are not always easy to tell apart. All are thorny shrubs in the Rose family (Rosaceae), and most have whitish or pinkish flowers. The common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
and midland hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) are both widespread.

They are common in abandoned fields and along the edges of forests. Both are cultivated in North America, as are several native and Asiatic hawthorns.

Hawthorn is a druid sacred herb which is associated with the Summer Solstice.

Hawthorn is the classic flower used to decorate a maypole as it is considered to be a herb of
fertility. At one time Beltain was once reckoned as the day the hawthorn first bloomed.

Hawthorn is sacred to the fairies, and is part of the tree fairy triad of Britain “Oak, Ash and Thorn” and where all three trees grow together it is said that one may see fairies.

 

Duir (DOO-r)         Oak (Quercus spp.)

Duir (DOO-r), oak – The oak of myth and legend is the common oak (Quercus robur L.). It is sometimes called the great oak, which is a translation of its Latin name (‘robur’ is the root of the English word “robust”). It grows in the lowland forests, and can reach a height of 150 feet and age of 800 years.

Common oaks are deciduous, losing their leaves before Samhain and growing new leaves in
the spring so that the trees are fully clothed by Beltane. Common oaks are occasionally cultivated in North America. Oaks are members of the Beech family (Fagaceae).

In Scandinavia the oak is considered to be the tree of the Thunder God, Thor”. Pliny writes that the Druids performed all their religious rites in oak-groves, where they gathered mistletoe from the trees with a golden sickle. The word “Druid” means wise man of the oak. Strabo describes three Galatians tribes (Celts living in Asia Minor) as holding their councils at a place called, “Drunemeton”, the “oak grove sanctuary”. Druids of Gaul ate acorns as a way of divining the future.

Kildare, where St. Brighid founded her abbey, derives from “Cill-dara”, the Church of the
Oak. The sacrifice at Nemi took place at Summer Solstice, which brings us to the battle between the Oak King personifying the waxing wear, and the Holly King, who ruled the waning
year. At Midsummer, as the year began its turn towards the dark again, the Holly was victorious, but at Midwinter, the Oak King defeated the forces of darkness once again, revealing himself as a Vegetation God who must die each year so that Life can be renewed. It is not surprising, then, that images of the Green Man carved in wood and stone in medieval churches most frequently show oak leaves growing out of his ears and mouth.

In the Welsh story “Math, son of Mathonwy”. The hero Lleu is betrayed and killed, but after his “death” he turns into an eagle and perches atop a magical oak tree on a plain, where he suffered “nine-score hardships”.

In Cornwall, a nail driven into an oak cured toothache, while in Wales, rubbing the oak with the palm of your left hand on Midsummer’s Day kept you healthy all year.

 

Tinne (CHIN-yuh)       Holly (Ilex aquifolium)

Tinne (CHIN-yuh), holly – The holly is a shrub growing to 35 feet in open woodlands and along clearings in forests. Hollies are evergreen, and stand out in winter among the bare branches of the deciduous forest trees that surround them.

Hollies form red berries before Samhain which last until the birds finish eating them, often after Imbolc.

Hollies are members of the Holly family (Aquifoliaceae).

The common holly is often cultivated in North America, as are hybrids between it and Asiatic holly species The Holly or kerm-oak is the evergreen twin of the Oak and rules the dark or waning part of the year. The Sun-king is called the Holly King or Dark Successor (Tanist) in the Druid Calendar. The Oak and the Holly form the pillars of a bridge that crossed the “Rainbow
River” flowing into the entrance of Gwynvyd.

The Romans, observed the custom of sending holly boughs, along with other gifts, to
celebrate Saturnalia.

In Arthurian legend, Gawain (representing the Oak King of summer) fought the Green
Knight, who was armed with a holly club to represent winter. The holly is the plant badge of the Scottish clans of Drummond, Innes, Maclean, MacNab and Matheson.

Holly has been used throughout the ages as a protection against evil. It was also hung around houses as a protection against lightning.

 

Coll (CULL)        Hazel (Corylus avellana)

Coll (CULL), hazel – The hazel is the source of hazelnuts. The wood of the hazel shrub has been used for centuries in the making of wands. It forms a shrub up to 20 feet tall, inhabiting open woodlands and scrubs, hedgerows, and the edges of forests. The filbert nut in North American is Corylus maxima, a related species.

The European hazelnut is cultivated in North America, primarily as an ornamental.

Hazelnuts are in the Birch family (Betulaceae).

Hazel wood is one of the nine traditional firewood’s that is part of the Balefire, which the Druid’s burned at Beltane. Hazel is known as the tree of Wisdom. Staffs made of Hazel were once considered as a sign of authority among the Druids.

Celtic legend tell of a grove of Hazel trees below which was a well, a pool, where salmon swam. These trees contained all knowledge, and their fruit contained that knowledge and
wisdom in a nutshell. As the hazelnuts ripened, they would fall into the well where they were eaten by the salmon. With each nut eaten, the salmon would gain another spot.

In order to gain the wisdom of the Hazel, the Druids caught and prepared the salmon. But Fionn, the young man stirring the pot in which the salmon were cooking, accidentally burned his thumb with the boiling stew. By reflex, he put his thumb into his mouth and thus ingested the essence of the sacred feast; he instantly gained the wisdom of the universe.

The Hazel is a tree that is considered sacred to the Faeries. A wand of hazel can be used to
call the Fey forth. In Irish folklore, the Hazel tree was the home of “Bile Ratha”, the poetic
fairy.

Forked hazel sticks are used to find water or buried treasure.

 

Quert (KWAIRT)        Apple (Malus spp.)

Quert (KWAIRT), apple – When most of us think of apples, we think of the domestic apple, but the ogham tree was most likely the European crabapple (Malus sylvestris Miller). This tree grows to 30 feet in moist fertile soils in oak woodlands, and has been extensively cultivated. The fruits are small versions of the domestic apple, and also show the pentacle when cut across.

Cultivated crabapples in North America are usually Asian species, but this species is a common rootstock for apple trees. Apples are in the Rose family (Rosaceae).

The Common Apple or Wild Apple (Malus sylvestris) is native to Europe and Western Asia. Petrified remains of apple slices on saucers have been found in tombs dating back over 5,000 years.

In Scotland, the Crabapple is the plant badge of Clan Lamont, whose Highland territories
were around Cornwall and Argyll.

In Norse tradition, the Apple is the tree of immortality. The Goddess Idunn was the keeper
of the apples, which she fed the Norse Gods and Goddesses to keep them forever young.
Apple wands were also used in Norse love rituals.

The Earth Goddess, Gaia, gave Hera, the Queen of Heaven, an apple tree when she married the Chief God, Zeus. That tree was kept in the Garden of the Hesperides, guarded by the dragon, Ladon. One of Hercules’ tasks was to fetch an apple from that tree.

In Celtic tradition, the Otherworldly Avalon was also known as the Avallach, the Isle of Apples, ruled by Fairy Queen, Morgan le Fay. This is the land of fairies and the dead, where King Arthur was taken to be healed by his sister, Morgan. Like their cousins to the North, the Celts attributed the power of healing and youth, or rebirth, to apples.

Apples are sometimes buried in churchyards in an effort to feed the dead.

In the Welsh “Câd Goddeu” (The Battle of the Trees), the Apple is described as the noblest
tree of them all, the tree that symbolized poetic immortality.

In the Irish Druid tradition, the Silver Bough is cut from a magical Apple tree, where silver
apple shaped bells played a mystical tune, which could lull people into a trance state. Druids could make contact with the Otherworld during a trance enhanced by this silver apple bough.

The Druid Merlin was purported to work in a magical Apple Grove guarded by birds, revealed to him by his master, Gwendolleu. He was said to receive the gift of prophecy from the Faerie Queen, conferred through the consumption of one of her magic apples. Merlin was also said to take shelter under anapple tree during his bout with madness.

Bards (poets) and Ovates (shamans) carried apple branches, (with bronze, silver, or gold bells), called the “Craobh Ciuil” (Branch of Reason) as symbols of their office.

Introduction to Ogham – First Aicme

First Aicme

 

The most familiar Ogham system in use today is the Tree Ogham. The Tree Ogham is split up into; eight Chieftain Trees, eight peasant trees and eight shrub trees. In lessons two through five we will take a look at each group of five and their associations. We can develop a deeper understanding of each letter by understanding its connections with each tree.

1st Aicme

Ogham Symbol Sound/Letter Name Associated Tree


Beith – pronounced (BETH)        Birch (Betula pendula Roth)

Beth (BEH), birch – The silver birch is the most common birch in much of Europe. It is one of the first trees to colonize an area after a mature forest is harvested; this is probably a large part of its symbolic connection with new beginnings. It grows up to 100 feet high, but is more often found in spreading clumps on sandy soils. The common birch (B. pubescens Ehrh.) is almost as widespread as the silver birch, but grows primarily on acid or peaty soils; it can reach 65 feet in height.

The word “birch” derives from a root meaning ‘bright’ or ‘shining’ Because of its connection to renewal; the birch has been utilized in many cultures. In Scandinavia, switches of birch are used on the body to stimulate the process of purification in the sauna.

In ancient Britain the birch rod was used as a rod to purify the criminal of their misdeeds,
and in some cases it was used to expel evil spirits from those deemed insane.

In many cultures, including the Shamanic beliefs, the birch is seen as the “Axis Mundi”, (Cosmic World Tree). Often, baby cradles were made out of birch because of its power to drive out evil influences and its association with renewal.

 

Luis – pronounced (LWEESH)      Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)

Luis (LWEESH), rowan – the rowan, or mountain ash is related to serviceberries. The red berries were historically used to lure birds into traps, and the specific epithet “aucupari’a” comes from words meaning “to catch a bird”. Rowans thrive in poor soils and colonize
disturbed areas. In some parts of Europe they are most common around ancient settlements, either because of their weedy nature or because they were introduced by humans. Rowans flower in May. They grow to 50 feet and are members of the Rose family (Rosaceae). They are cultivated in North America, especially in the northeast.

The rowan is sometimes called “the Whispering Tree” because it is thought that the tree held secrets. The rowan is also associated with protection against witchcraft and bad luck.Rowan twigs were placed above doorways and barns to protect the inhabitants against misfortune and evil spirits.

Rowan stakes were driven into corpses to stop their ghosts from visiting, especially when they died from acts of violence. The Druids used rowan fires with incantations to summon spirits to help them portend in forthcoming battles.

Scottish tradition does not allow the use of the Rowan tree’s timber, bark, leaves or flowers, nor the cutting of these trees, except for sacred purposes under extenuating circumstances.

Rowan is also called the Witch Tree, or Wicken Tree, and can be used for divining precious
metals.

 

Fearn – pronounced (FAIR-n)       Alder (Alnus glutinosa Gaertner)

Fearn (FAIR-n), alder – The common alder is often found along lowland rivers, where it grows with aspens and willows. Like willows, alders sprout from stumps–this allows them to regenerate after heavy flooding. In protected sites they may grow to 65 feet tall. Their leaves are more blunt-tipped than most North American alders, which look more like the grey alder (A. incana (L.) Moench). Like ashes, European alders are not widely cultivated in North American (they are often sold as black alders), but several native species are.

Alders are members of the Birch family (Betulaceae).

The old superstition of “whistling up the wind” comes from making a whistle out of Alder.

Alder figures into a couple of ancient mythologies. Scandinavian mythology tells us the first
woman was fashioned from an Alder trunk. In Irish mythology the first man was said to be
made from an Alder.

The Alder is known as the “King of the Fairies”. In Homer’s Odyssey Alder is named the first of the three trees of resurrection. The two other are White Poplar and Cypress. In Denmark and Germany, the spirit of the Alder tree was said to carry children off to the Otherworld. An example of this belief can be found in Goethe’s ballad “The Erl-konig” (The Alder King).

 

Sail – pronounced (SHAiLuh)       Willow (Salix spp.)

Saille (SAHL-yuh), willow – Like North America, Europe is home to a large number of willow species Two common tree willows are the white willow (Salix alba) named for the whitish undersides of its leaves, and the crack willow (Salix fragilis) for the propensity of its
branches to “crack” off (probably another adaptation to flooding).

Both species grow along with poplars and alders along lowland rivers. They can reach 80 feet in height, and they both vigorously sprout from stumps. The white willow is sometimes grown in cultivation in North America. Willows are members of the Willow family (Salicaceae).

The Willow is often the symbol for the Ovate Grade of Druid. According to Druidic mysteries, two scarlet snake eggs were hidden within the Willow. The Universe was hatched from these two eggs, one containing the Sun, the other the Earth, relating to both cosmic birth and the birth of mankind. Traditionally, in spring rituals, these were replaced by hen’s eggs, colored scarlet for the Sun and eaten at Beltane. This rite later became the Christian celebration of Easter.

In Sumer, 4000 BCE, Ishtar’s predecessor, Belili, was known as the Willow Mother. Orpheus, the poet, was said to have received his Gift by touching the Willows in a grove sacred to Persephone.

Brighid has Her Fire festival, Imbolc, or Brigantia, during the Willow month.

The Willow tree has been associated with death, grief and cemeteries, the leaves themselves
symbolizing unrequited love or the loss of a lover. The leaf has also been worn as a charm
to protect against jealousy.

Willow has been used in the Sacred Pipes and the tobacco blends of many Native Americans because it is thought that it is most effective in carrying messages to the Great Spirit.

 

Nion – (NEE-uhn)        Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)

Nion (NEE-uhn), Ash is a major tree of lowland forests in much of Europe, along with oaks and beeches. It grows to 130 feet in open sites, with a broad crown reminiscent of American elm trees. Ash was and still is an important timber tree, and is a traditional material for the handle of a besom; it is also a popular wood for wands. The common ash is occasionally cultivated in North America, and similar native ash species are widely grown as street
trees.

Ashes are members of the Olive family (Oleaceae). The wood of the Ash is thought to be enchanted and was used by the Druids to fashion wands and spears.

At one time, children would be passed through the branches of an Ash in order that they
might be protected and to cure them from illness. Ash leaves were placed under pillows to
induce prophetic dreams or placed in bowls of water to ward off ailments.

The Celts believed that the Ash originated in the Great Deep or the Undersea Land of Tethys. It belongs to the trilogy of sacred Irish trees (the other two being the Oak and Hawthorn) and is said to offer particular protection from death by drowning.

The seeds of the Ash have long been used in love divination. If the seeds did not appear on
a certain tree, then its owner was thought to have been unlucky in love or a future venture
would be unsuccessful.

In Northern England, it was believed that if a woman placed an Ash leaf in her left shoe, then she would be fortunate enough to immediately meet her future spouse. In Greece, the Ash was sacred to the Sea God Poseidon.

In Norse mythology, the Ash is known as “Yggdrasil” (Cosmic World Tree). It was from this tree that Odin hung upside down from for nine days in order to obtain the runes. Also in Norse legend, it was an Ash which spanned the universe, with its roots in Hel and its boughs supporting the Heavens and Earth at its center.

In Celtic lore, the Ash connected the three circles of existence; Abred, Gwynedd and Ceugant.

Introduction to the Celtic Ogham

Introduction to Ogham

Presented by

Cricket & Whispering Woods

 

The Ogham alphabet consists of twenty distinct letters which are known as “feda”. They
are arranged in four series called aicmí (plural of aicme “family”). Each aicme was named after its first character (Aicme Beithe, Aicme hÚatha, Aicme Muine, Aicme Ailme, or “the B Group”, “the H Group”, “the M Group” and “the A Group”).

The Ogham Tract also gives a variety of around 100 variant or secret modes of writing
Ogham (92 in the Book of Ballymote), for example the “Shield Ogham” (ogam airenach,
nr. 73). Even the Younger Futhark is introduced as a kind of “Viking Ogham” (nrs. 91,
92). The Druids of yore were said to be very efficient at Ogham writing and signing.

The Ogham “OH-ehm” alphabet is referred to as “beth luis nion”. The name represents
the names of the first, second, and fifth letters of the Ogham alphabet.

The letters themselves consist of one to five perpendicular or angled strokes, meeting or
crossing a center line. These letters were often inscribed in wood or stone. The alphabet itself consists of twenty letters and five diphthongs.

The first twenty letters are divided into three sets of five consonants and one set of five
vowels.The five diphthongs were thought to have been added later to ease the transition from
Latin to ancient Irish. There is an understanding that the names of the main twenty letters are also the names of 20 trees which are sacred to the druids.

Vowels were sometimes described as a combination of dots. The midline was often, the edge of the object on which the inscription was carved; this is called a “Druim” which means ridge or spine.

The “Eite” (feather) and “Eite thuathail” (reversed feather) symbols are used at the
beginning and end of sentences respectively.

A 15th century treatise on Ogham, “The Book of Ballymote”, confirms that ogham was a
secret, ritualistic language.

According to the Highland Society of Scotland’s Dictionary of the Gaelic Language (1828
CE), Ogham is the “occult” manner of writing used by the ancient Irish.The primary manuscript sources for information on Ogham are “The Scholars Primer”(Auraicept Na nEces), “Values of the Forfeda” (De Duilib Feda na Forfid) and the “Book of Ogham” (Leber Ogam).These sources are quoted in the 12th century Book of Leinster and the 14th century manuscript, the Book of Ballymote.

One legend has it that the Scythian king, Fenius Farsa (or Fenius Farsaidh), visited the Tower of Babel shortly after its destruction, only to find that that the builders of the tower had already dispersed. Fenius stayed at the tower, but sent out seventy-two scholars to study each of the seventytwo languages that were now spoken by the builders of the tower. After ten years the scholars returned, and Fenius took the best parts of each language in order to create a “selected language”, which he named Goidelic after his companion Goídel mac Ethéoir. Fenius is also reputed to have discovered four writing systems, Hebrew, Greek, Latin and Ogham, and as Ogham was the most perfect of the four it was chosen for writing the Goidelic (Gaelic) language.

And others believe that the Ogham may be related to a 13 month lunar calendar. This line
of thought comes from the book “The White Goddess” by Robert Graves. I personally don’t subscribe to this particular concept as put forth by Mr. Graves.

Ogham is used as a source of divination, but I personally believe that this is a rather modern adaption of this ancient alphabet, as there are no documents supporting such a use in ancient times. For the most part, all the Ogham inscriptions that exist are burial monuments, property
divisions, or landmarks.

The Ogham was written from the bottom to top or occasionally from left to right.

The greatest concentration of surviving ogham inscriptions are in southern Ireland. A 1945
survey found 121 in Kerry and 81 in Co. Cork, while others are scattered throughout Ireland, Great Britain, and the Isle of Man, with five in Cornwall, about thirty in Scotland, mainly in ‘Pictish’ areas, and more than forty in Wales.

Similar carvings have been found in the state of West Virginia in the USA. This has led to some speculation that the Celts may have come to the New World as early as 100 BCE. The name Ogham or Ogam was derived from the Celtic God of Literature and Eloquence, “Ogma”. To the Gaul’s, he was known as “Ogmios”. Ogma was also known as Cermait (Honey-Mouthed), and Grianainech (Sunny-Faced).

He was a son of the Daghda and that he created the ogham and presented it to the druids.
He was said to lead his followers around by chains of gold and amber that lead from his
tongue to their ears. He was considered a “strong man” of the Tuatha De Danann and was often compared to the Greek, ‘Hercules”. It is thought that he resides in a Sidhe called “Airceltrai”.

Good Wednesday Morning To All of Our Dear Brothers & Sisters Both North & South!

Winter

How is everyone doing this morning? Short work week for some, others not so much. At this time of the year, by the time you get through celebrating one holiday, here comes the next. Can you believe it is going to be 2019 in a few days? I can’t. It seems this year has flew by. But as a wise old woman once told me, “the older you get, the quicker time flies” and I believe she was right. Oops, forgot to throw in, “I am not that old either, lol!”

I was thinking about the New Year to come and what I really wanted to do this next year. I haven’t talked to anyone around here yet about what I want to do because they would probably try to talk me out of it. But what I really, really want to do is start an animal shelter and sanctuary. There happens to be no such facility out in the sticks and we need one. Right now, they just take the animals out in the woods and shoot them. Cruel I know, but that is what happens. I love animals and some where along the line they make me complete. I know most people make other people complete. Maybe I am an oddball, but animals complete me. I love them and have a special connection with them. So my goal is to put my gift to good work and do something I enjoy and love doing, saving animals. I just have to find a suitable building and a place people can find us and I will be all set to open up. Well, it won’t be that easy. But it is something I want to do before I leave this life. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I ain’t going any place anytime soon if I can help it, lol! But that has been a dream of mine for a while and I plan on seeing if I can make it come true.

But I didn’t want to talk to you about my dream for the New Year, I wanted to tell you what would be going on today. I will be posting the horoscopes over on The Commentary Gazette. That includes the horoscopes for the people down under also, your horoscopes will be there. I have to say since we started doing the Northern and Southern Hemisphere journal each day, we have picked up a few hundred more followers. So that seems like a good venture for us. It is work but if we can give our members what they want, why not? Anyway back to the point, I am posting the horoscopes over there because we are starting our Ogham Staves section here. We have had several individuals who are interested in them and asked us why we don’t have them here. Well, as of today, we will. I don’t know how many we can get on here in one day but we are going to try our best to get as many as possible. The point of posting in the Gazette is to keep from spamming your inbox with unwanted posted. I know, people should know by now, you sign up for this site’s email, you are going to get a ton of info a day. Sorry about that, I told you we started out as a resource center for Pagan sites. I guess old habits just die hard, huh?

The horoscopes and stuff will be over at the Gazette and when we are finished over there, we will start the Ogham posts here. I hate you have to hop around but really posting like this is good for both sites. We have members from the Gazette that come over here to check me out and our members go over there to check out his site. Some stay, some just visit. Whether they visit or stay, is absolutely fine with me. At least they are curious and when they come to visit us and look around, I am hoping they are reading what witches and witchcraft are really about. Hey you got to do what you got to do.

A quick story and then I will get to work, it is in regards to doing what you have to do. I was on Facebook (some place I really don’t care for) a few months ago. I was just curious and was looking for the Jesse Watters’ show. Remember he was the one who had that supposedly “witch” on there. I wanted to see what people had to say about that “witch.” I found the page and I also went to reading some of the comments people had made about this “witch.’ It automatically pissed me off. They had took this person as a true representation of witches. They were saying we were baby killers, there wasn’t any good witches, we were Godless, and so on and so on. Well I guess you know me by now, I jumped in with both feet. I started defending witches, not the witch he had on his show,but witches in general. I guess it probably took a few weeks and a few hundred people to jump me. I had one attack right after another thrown at me. And I had a come back for every insult and nasty thing they had to say. I admit I was fuming, I hadn’t fought a battle like that in a very long time. But I guess when it was all said and done, I must have won the battle because they finally shut up and left me alone. Or else they decided there was no winning with me. Anyway, I was the only witch on there with about 200 to 300 people attacking me. I got to the point I was wondering when they were going to drag out the stake and straw, gee! But after that little free for all, I learned one thing, we have a lots more work to do. These people showed me that. I know there are still ignorant people out there, who know nothing about us. So if I find someone who is willing to let me guest post on their site, I am going to jump on it. At least some people will be curious and follow me back to this site. Maybe they will stick around long enough to find out what we are really like, maybe not. Its a chance but a chance worth taking. Ignorance is still out there and we still have work to do. I will take every opportunity I can to get people back to this site and then perhaps they will want to read and learn about us. We have got to do something besides sit idly by and hope they will find us. We have to get out there and make them find us. Those old stereotypes and myths aren’t dead yet. I wonder if they ever will be. We have been made the villains for so long, can we ever truly dispose of them? I guess time will only tell.

Now you know one of the main reason I guest post on the Gazette. Besides he is a nice guy and I want to see his blog succeed just as ours has. It never hurts to help anyone out. So got a minute come on over an view your horoscopes plus a few other goodies I put on there every day. Then hop back over here for the Ogham posts. Got to get to work now….

Have a very beautiful and blessed day,

Love ya,

Lady A

Your Daily Rune for December 25 & 26

Your Daily Rune for December 25

Wunjo

“Great minds think alike, though fools seldom differ.”
“Be careful what you wish for…”

Wunjo – “Won-joe” – Literally: “Joy” – Esoteric: Hope, Harmony, Perfection

Key Concepts: joy, perfection, the art of correct wishing, correct application of the will, well-being, contentment, hope, expectation, relationship, family, bonding, trusted kinsfolk, shared ideals or aims, group harmony, symbols of shared identity, optimism, cooperative effort, like-mindedness, friendship

Psi: contentment, optimism, like-mindedness, wishful thinking, shared identity

Energy: harmony of like forces, effortless ease, fellowship, fulfillment, wishing, genuine friendship,

Mundane: parties, friendship, family, community

Divinations: 
Joy, harmony, fellowship, accomplishment, prosperity; or stultification, sorrow, strife, alienation, warns of caution, blindness to danger, deception, betrayal.

Governs:
Strengthens links and bonds
Invocation of fellowship and harmony.
Banishes alienation and other inharmonious impediments to trust
Creating joy through the use of true will
Realization of the link and multiplicity of relationship of all things
The art of correct wishing, ‘law of attraction’

Your Daily Rune for December 26

Kenaz

“The student surpasses the teacher.”

Kenaz – Literally: “Torch” – Esoteric ‘Ken’ or Knowledge

Key Concepts: torch as a symbol of knowledge and intellect, illumination, searching for enlightenment, shedding light on matters, quest for truth, skills and abilities, creativity, art, craftsmanship, cunning, acquisition and application of knowledge, occult female secrets, intuition, enthusiasm in teaching/learning, study, kin-fire, opportunity, playfulness

Psi: observation, clarity of thought, cognitive faculties, humility

Energy: Controlled energy, transformation (pheonix fire), teaching/learning dynamic, illumination

Mundane:
 art, technique, improvement of skills, school, the stars

Divinations:
 Artistic or technical ability, craft, transformation, offspring, new information; or disease, decay, breakup, inability, lack of creativity, ignorance, arrogance, elitism, over-conceptualization

Governs:

Illumination (torchlight) when exploring transpersonal pathways
Creative inspiration, enthusiasm for learning
Exploration of paradigms in the search for truth
Exposing the hidden to gain new knowledge, esp. through study, reflection and new information
Strengthening of abilities in all realms
Female occult secrets
The light within, the observer

Your Ancient Symbol Card for December 25 & 26

Your Ancient Symbol Card for December 25

The Hand

Although the exact meaning may vary, The Hand is a symbol of some form of personal power in many cultures and religions. The presence of The Hand is an indication that your personal powers are at or near their zenith. The Hand suggest a time when you should leave your mark on the world.

 

 

 

 

Your Ancient Symbol Card for December 26

The Key

The Key indicates the existence of a powerful tool capable of favorably influencing your future. The Key may be an idea, physical entity, an action, a mentor, or the combination of a number of things. While readily available to you The Key may not be all that obvious. You might have to search for it, and it may take a fair dose of courage and faith to actually use it.

Your Daily Thoth Tarot Card for December 25 & December 26

Your Daily Thoth Tarot Card for December 25

Aeon



]Aeon deals with our journey and constant transformation through time. It denotes both endings and beginnings, our ability to redeem ourselves through action, and hope for the future. Aeon teaches us to accept our past–embrace it as an essential component of our being–but not to allow it to keep our spirits from moving towards the future and finding our personal utopia.

 

 

Your Daily Thoth Tarot Card for December 26

The Empress

The Empress is “The Earth Mother” of the Tarot. She embodies all that is nurturing, clean and wholesome. Her powers resonate from her drive to create and care for life on a grand scale. She is in tune with Nature’s rhythm and realizes that life’s most pleasurable moments often stem from the simplest things. She is not afraid to enjoy herself–to let loose—to the point of being lavish. Abundance and luxury are important to her. The Empress is completely comfortable with her femininity and her sexuality. She is sensual, earthy, generous, and likes the good life. Still, her driving force is a need to create and nurture, and fulfilling this need overrides everything else.

Your Daily Tarot Card for December 25 & December 26

Your Daily Tarot Card for December 25

The Fool

This card represents the dreamer in you, the idealist, the mystic. The Fool desires to do great things, but is often unaware of just how difficult great things are to do. He must always be very careful of the choices he makes, and remember knowledge is his ally. The Fool often symbolizes a new beginning, unrestrained optimism, and curiosity that hasn’t been dulled by time. While The Fool may well indicate a lack of experience or grasp of the pitfalls along the path he is taking, it is equally true that his lack of experience leads him to believe all things are possible, which brings even impossible goals within his grasp.

 

Your Daily Tarot Card for December 26

The Lovers

The Lovers indicates both the most powerful of unions and the most of challenging conflicts humans must face. On one side The Lover’s embodies love and union on a cosmic scale—a love so strong, so inherently good that it actually makes the lovers better, more than they really are. All of the elements are there for the perfect union. The Lovers represent all powerful unions in general, and the elements that create/sustain them. The problem The Lovers face is temptation and the decision to act morally or abandon their ethics to take advantage of other opportunities that would be defined as transgressions.

 

About the Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces

About the Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces

The energy of the Water element, and the traits of Water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces

Maria DeSimone

Water quenches the thirst of every life form whether plant or animal. It cleanses and purifies. Most of our planet consists of water.

Our bodies are primarily water. It’s the stuff tears are made of. Even life giving blood is mostly water. Astrologically, the element of Water exemplifies the variety of bottomless emotion and feeling responses we’re capable of.

The feeling nature is at least partly unconscious, and that’s a vital piece of information to help us understand the Water element. What’s interesting about the Water signs are that all of them have an acute awareness of the potency behind the unconscious while also being primarily driven by what they, themselves, are unconscious of.

Flowing traits

Without a doubt, the Water element is the most sensitive and intuitive. This element is capable of nourishing our soul through a deep, psychic understanding of what makes us operate. The element of Water is in touch with the source of creation and can sense that we, too, are a part of this divine birthplace. Water signs are incredibly empathic and can feel the emotions of others.

Water can also drown in another person’s emotional abyss if not careful because water has no boundaries. It soaks into us. Think about it. The element of Water can conform to the elements around it. When mixed with fire it creates steam, with earth it creates mud and with air it creates rain.

Water has no shape or permanent ability to remain solid. For this reason, water functions at its best when allowed to remain fluid. In fact, the power of water should not be underestimated. Water can extinguish fire, wash away earth and saturate the atmosphere so completely that it stops wind in its tracks.

Putting this into an astrological context, we can see that water has unlimited emotional depth and is self-contained. Water is also self-protective. If provoked, it won’t lose a battle with any other element … it prefers to do whatever it takes to guard itself from outside influences. This guarantees a serene place for personal reflection and insight.

Broken down by sign…

Although each of the three water signs: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, will express the qualities of the Water element in a different way, what they all have in common is emotional depth. Individually however…

Cancer will express the element of water to pursue emotional security and to nurture and protect that which it feels most deeply connected to.

Scorpio will display the element of water in ways that encourage deep saturation of, and comfort with, emotional power.

Pisces will showcase the element of water by extending the deepest empathy and healing to everything that suffers.

 

Tarot.com is Part of the Daily Insight Group © 2018

About the Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius

About the Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius

The energy of the Fire element, and the traits of Fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius

Maria DeSimone

The element of Fire can’t be ignored. Fire gives light and warmth. Without it, there’s no chance at life. Fire signs are excitable, vital and enthusiastic. They command attention, whether they realize it or not.

Let’s keep it real … Fire signs know exactly the effect they’re having on the rest of us. They’re lighting up our lives!

Fire signs are known as the ones who bring joy, color and sass to what would be an otherwise dull world. This is energy that can’t be contained and rightly so. The Fire element is essential to our basic life force. This is the element that’s focused on the creation of self or personal identity.

The idiom “To light a fire under someone” encapsulates the potency of the Fire element. Nothing gets you moving more than fire. Period. The element of Fire is, without a doubt, the most active, self-motivated, high spirited and animated force. If you’re a Fire sign, you’ll never need anyone else to light that fire under you. You’ve got it naturally.

Fiery traits

The element of Fire is responsible for courage, confidence and initiative. Fire has no fear. Quite the contrary, Fire is to be feared. Interestingly enough, the element of Fire is not out to destroy — although it can. Fire may be bold, direct and occasionally reckless or impatient but it’s not vicious. There’s an innocent, honest quality in that the Fire element that yearns to freely express itself. Like a child.

When the element of Fire expresses itself in such a way it can either be endearing or downright irritating — especially to those who are more sensitive to the feelings of others. Fire isn’t trying to hurt, but it can. It can be the bluntly honest remark, the lack of self-control or its hasty nature, hungry for immediate gratification. Fire gives radiant life but it can, of course, burn.

Broken down by sign…

The three Fire signs of the zodiac are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. While they all share the essential nature of the Fire element, they each express it in a slightly different way.

Aries is concerned with the development of a strong ego self. This sign is action oriented and a born leader. As a result, this sign will use its Fire nature in a way that promotes new experiences.

Leo will focus on using the Fire element of light and fire to sustain warmth and joy. Leo is fun loving and dramatic, using the flamboyant nature of fire in a way to promote personal theatrics and to gain respect and recognition.

Sagittarius is a Fire sign that’s eternally seeking the truth in life. This sign will use its Fire energy to bravely assert opinions and ideals and to feed a never ending supply of optimism and inspiration.

 

Tarot.com is Part of the Daily Insight Group © 2018

All About the Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius

All About the Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius

The energy of the Air element, and the traits of Air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius

Maria DeSimone

Breathing. It’s an unconscious part of our existence. However, without the ability to breathe in air we wouldn’t be here. Air is the energy element that we inhale.

Astrologically speaking, the element of Air is focused on inhaling mental energy. Air signs are gifted with the ability to concentrate their dynamism on ideas that have not yet come into the material world so that eventually … they do.

The element of Air has an intellectual idealism attached to it of course — and sometimes also a highbrow superiority complex. Regardless, this is the element that is able to achieve a mental sharpness like no other.

Learn more about the Air signs!

When you think about air you immediately realize a few things. Air is invisible, it cannot be enclosed and it is changeable. Air can be a calm balmy breeze or a ferocious wind storm, but either way, there’s a sense of detachment about it along with an ability to cover extensive ground. Again, let’s apply this astrologically…

Breezy traits

Air signs are known for being more detached and cerebral than others. Air signs aren’t overly emotional, which gives them the ability to think logically and to achieve a broad overview of their idea. Air signs also require extensive freedom of movement in order to express their ideas and individuality. You can never contain an Air sign!

The element of Air is detached from the immediate experience of daily life — never quite touching it — but always flowing around it. This detachment gives air its hallmark ability to be objective and to use its gifts to benefit many.

Ironically, although the element of Air has little emotion or sensitivity, it is the most social element. How is this possible? Air has the ability to objectively appreciate anyone or any group’s thoughts whether or not they agree with them.

The downside of Air is that occasionally, if air remains all “in their head” there’s a chance that it can become mentally imbalanced. That’s when you’ll see an eccentric Air side. If Air overvalues intellect it can become difficult to live in our physical world.

Broken down by sign…

Although the three Air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, share many of these traits in common, each will express the element’s qualities in a unique way.

Gemini will manifest the element of Air as an acute ability to instantly notice and communicate about everything in its environment.

Libra will apply the element of Air as a drive to use its intellect in a way that promotes social harmony.

Aquarius will utilize the element of air to achieve the most remarkably detached ability to connect all people and every concept.

 

Tarot.com is Part of the Daily Insight Group © 2018

About the Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn

About the Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn

The energy of the Earth element, and the traits of Earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn

Maria DeSimone

While each of the four elements is integral to life and survival, Earth is most connected to the physicality of life. Earth isn’t aggressive, it’s receptive.

While each of the four elements is integral to life and survival, Earth is most connected to the physicality of life. Earth isn’t aggressive, it’s receptive.

Without Earth, we would have nothing to hold us up. No foundation. No support. Earth is attuned to form and matter. These assets help to explain why the Earth signs are the most and durable of the zodiac.

What also helps Earth succeed wildly in our corporeal environment is the fact that the element of Earth is intricately connected with the physical senses. This allows Earth an intuitive grasp as to how the material world works — an almost natural understanding. Earth has the ability to use this instinct to ensure physical security is maintained, while also achieving a thorough enjoyment and appreciation of everything the physical world has to offer.

Solid traits

Because of these propensities, Earth is the element of patience, stability, commitment, discipline, permanence and strength. Nothing can grow without these qualities and the end result with Earth is typically prosperity. Earth may be slow and methodical, but it is also ultimately successful.

Earth’s tendencies towards being so practical can have its drawbacks. Imagination may be lacking in Earth since the focus is mostly on what can be proven to exist by virtue of what one sees, tastes, touches, feels or hears. An inability to deal with what cannot be explained in our physical universe can limit Earth’s potency and lead to a rigid, narrow minded, materialistic view of life and our world.

Still, if Earth can open itself up to that which it cannot sink its teeth into then, its potential to achieve prosperity will enhance tenfold.

Broken down by sign…

While all of the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn) will share these qualities of the Earth element, each will express them in a unique manner.

Taurus will convey a deep connection to and appreciation of the physical senses and will often successfully take command of preserving physical security.

Virgo will masterfully volunteer to be of service to others, displaying a humble, flexible demeanor while expertly executing any task they commit to.

Capricorn will climb the most unbearable mountain with perseverance and ambitious determination in order to achieve any goal they set for themselves.

 

Tarot.com is Part of the Daily Insight Group © 2018

Your Daily Horoscope for Wednesday, December 26

Your Daily Horoscope for Wednesday, December 26

by Kelli Fox

Aries

March 21- April 19

If you notice today that people seem especially quiet or reserved, your initial urge might be to draw them out of their shells by any means necessary. But it may be smarter to model your own behaviour after theirs. This is one of those days when focus and hard work are favoured, while boisterous behaviour and inappropriate jokes aren’t. Keep in mind that people are rather easily offended under the current influence.

Taurus

April 20-May 20

A grounded attitude makes your life easy today. Instead of trying to live up to impossible standards, you have a sense of what’s workable and what isn’t. You can move forward with confidence, because you know your projections are well founded. Anyone who might be observing your progress is sure to be impressed, but you aren’t in this for the glory. The satisfaction of a job well done is reward enough.

Gemini

May 21-June 21

Your usual witticisms are likely to fall on deaf ears today, and people may look askance if you’re silly or playful. There’s a focused attitude now, so tap into it if you can. Or at least pretend! Work quietly at the office, or tackle a cleaning or organisational project at home. Get something accomplished and cross it off your task list. At the very least, this will create a welcome sense of achievement.

Cancer

June 22-July 22

Today you’re concerned with real-world issues — work, money and the responsibilities you juggle every day. A thoughtful approach to any task or problem works best now. The current cosmic energy favours a realistic view of your capabilities. Since you’re interested in long-term security, both financial and emotional, it’s a good time to strengthen that foundation in any way that might apply. Attend to details now, so you won’t have to later.

Leo

July 23-August 22

Your usual, energetic demeanour is toned down under today’s cosmic influence. Like many people, you probably have a lot to do. Even if you have a wide-open agenda, a nervous feeling could still hang over you, as if you’re pressed for time. Stay busy, if you want to. But if you’re just creating the illusion of having things to do and places to be, go ahead and take a break.

Virgo

August 23-September 22

Your perspective is almost entirely logical today. You trust your own and others’ perceptions only if they’re grounded in fact. This works well in plenty of situations — attending to mundane business, for example, or constructing a professional or academic project. But when it comes to dealing with people and emotions, a different approach may be needed. Don’t forget that rationality doesn’t apply to feelings. Be open on more than the mental level.

Libra

September 23-October 22

Your friends and coworkers seem a little aloof today. You might prefer a warmer, more sociable atmosphere, but you’re preoccupied with your own responsibilities, too. The current energy is just right for getting a lot accomplished, no matter how tedious or complicated the job might be. A methodical approach works best. It allows you to see any places where the process breaks down, so you can rework or revise, and move on.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 22

You’re an emotional person at your core, and sometimes your feelings get in the way of logic or reason. But that isn’t likely to happen today, because your mind and heart are working smoothly together. You’re able to blend common sense with intuition, reason with compassion, with great results. This holistic perspective makes it easy to tackle whatever you might have on your agenda, whether professional or personal in nature.

Sagittarius

November 23-December 20

The current cosmic energy is logical in nature. This influence could make you feel rather inhibited, since creativity, idealism and exploration — your strengths, your favourite things — now take a back seat to realism. It’s important to stay grounded. Approach your work and other tasks methodically. Set high standards and then focus on attaining them. Most of all, follow through on the goals you set and the promises you make.

Capricorn

December 21-January 19

You’re methodical in your approach to work and other responsibilities today. You’ll find that a logical, step-by-step process works best in almost any situation. You tend to focus naturally on the standard that has been set or the rules that have been established, and under the current influence, that focus pays off. At the very least, your performance will impress your employer or set a good example for others.

Aquarius

January 20-February 18

It’s easy to get absorbed in your duties today, especially if you have a lot on your task list. But this could cause issues in your personal relationships, and even more so if you’re naturally somewhat aloof. The current cosmic energy makes people less emotionally expressive. You might simply forget to treat your friend or sweetheart with warm affection. Fulfilling responsibilities is important, but so is connecting at that human level.

Pisces

February 19-March 20

You may feel pressure today from your employer, professor or some other source to attain impossibly high standards in your efforts. The current cosmic energy does highlight people’s perfectionist streaks. But try not to let others’ expectations cause you too much stress. The important thing now is to do your best, and be satisfied with that. Trying to exceed a reasonable expectation of achievement will just make you feel inadequate.

 

Published on Sydney Morning Herald

Your Karmic Forecast for the Week of December 23 – 29

Weekly Forecast: December 23– 29, 2018

The Karmic Tools Weekly Forecast covers the current planetary transits which affect people in different ways and to various degrees of intensity. Take notice when it is a Personal planet (Sun / Moon / Mercury / Venus / Mars) interacting with a Social (Jupiter/Saturn) or Collective planet (Uranus / Neptune/Pluto). And pay extremely close attention when it is a Social planet interacting with a Collective planet because that means something *big* is brewing that will move large groups of people along their evolutionary paths. Tuning in to the energy and rhythm of the planets can serve as a useful *guide* as you move along your Individual Path. It also helps to understand your place within the context of the larger Social & Collective Story. Below, you will find out how these energies tend to manifest, as well as guidance and direction.

*NOTE*  There are some days when there are NO CONTACTS (besides the Moon), please note that there are no missing entries, we just list the actual Activations of each week + the day they happen.

Weekly Forecast: December 23 – December 29, 2018

12/24 ~ Mercury (communication) ~square~ Neptune (dissolution):

This is a mixed blessing energy. On one hand, it’s good for spiritual study and giving your dreams a little energy (if your schedule permits). On the other hand, it makes for major miscommunications between people. Try to think before speaking, because if it’s possible to misunderstand or not ‘get it’ altogether, it will happen this week. Be careful not to let “longing” for your dreams to come true, distort your judgment and mislead you into believing the illusion. With this energy, some people will deliberately deceive and others have to be careful not to be misled. Stick to the facts or stay quiet, for now. You may even be inclined to withhold information to avoid a confrontation – don’t do it. Communicate with your Self and God today, otherwise plan to be very clear in explaining yourself to others (humans) so there are no misunderstandings.

12/28 ~ Venus (relationships) ~sextile~ Pluto (transformation):

This energy deepens all emotions and strengthens bonds & attachments. Friendships & love relationships become much deeper and, sometimes more intense, not to mention any physical (sexual) experience. Being fake or superficial is never possible when Pluto is involved, and because Venus is involved, we’re talking relationships or how you relate in general, so if you are needing to dig a little deeper with someone, you are supported. This energy can facilitate positive transformation in your relationships, partnerships or collaborations. It will give you added power to help you change what needs changing or at least get it on the table for deeper discussion or a clearing conversation. Your emotional intensity may be at an unusually high level, so be sure to surround yourself with people who love you unconditionally or try to be alone and just reflect on what you’re feeling.