The Witches Digest for Thursday, August 3, 2017
Besom Chant
Besom, besom long and lithe
Made from ash and willow withe
Tied with thongs of willow bark
In running stream at moonset dark.
With a pentagram indighted
As the ritual fire is lighted;
Sweep ye circle, deosil,
Sweep out evil, sweep out ill,
Make the round of the ground
Where we do the Lady’s will.
Besom, besom, Lady’s broom
Sweep out darkness, sweep out doom
Rid ye Lady’s hallowed ground
Of demons, imps and Hell’s red hound;
Then set ye down on Her green earth
By running stream or Mistress’ hearth,
‘Till called once more on Sabbath night
To cleans once more the dancing site.
—Author Unknown
Your Daily Sun & Moon Data for Thursday, August 3rd
The Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 88.32° E
Sun Altitude: 27.42°
Sun Distance: 94.315 million mi
Next Equinox: Sep 22, 2017 3:01 pm (Autumnal)
Sunrise Today: 6:01 am↑ 67° East
Sunset Today: 7:59 pm↑ 292° Northwest
Length of Daylight: 13 hours, 57 minutes
The Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 313.84° NW
Moon Altitude: -66.03°
Moon Distance: 251451 mi
Next Full Moon: Aug 7, 20171:10 pm
Next New Moon: Aug 21, 20171:30 pm
Next Moonrise: Today4:59 pm
Current Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 84.1%
Lunar Calendar
Moon Phase Tonight: Waxing Gibbous
Full Moon: Aug 7, 2017 at 1:10 pm
(Next Phase)
First Quarter: Jul 30, 2017 at 10:23 am
(Previous Phase)
Source
timeanddate.com
Your Astronomy for Thursday, August 3rd
The Moon is in Sagittarius until 8:36 PM, after which the Moon is in Capricorn.
The Moon is void from 5:38 PM to 8:36 PM.
The Moon is waxing and in its First Quarter phase until 1:43 PM, after which the Moon is waxing and in its Waxing Gibbous phase.
The First Quarter Moon occurred on July 30th, and a Full Moon (Lunar Eclipse) will occur in Aquarius on August 7.
Mercury is in its pre-retrograde shadow (Mercury will retrograde from August 12-September 5).
Uranus turns retrograde (until January 2, 2018).
Moon in Sagittarius
The Moon is traveling through Sagittarius. The grass looks greener on the other side during this time. Jump ship. Learn a new language. Tell it like it is. Make people laugh.
The Moon is at her most optimistic and upbeat in Sagittarius. We are motivated by a need to seek the truth, and we are ready to pursue a new vision. We are not interested in details just now. Instead, we focus on the big picture. New experiences and adventures satisfy a deep emotional need. Spontaneity is the key. We may also be inclined toward overdoing and overstating. We don’t want to plan ahead, and prefer to “wing it”.
The Moon in Sagittarius generally favors the following activities: Adventurous activities that involve “winging it”, travel, higher education, starting publishing projects, advertising, sports, physical activity.
The Sky This Week for August 3 to August 6
The Southern Delta Aquarid meteor shower, Asteroid 89 Julia, and other cool things to look for in the sky this week.
By Richard Talcott
Thursday, August 3
Uranus’ eastward motion against the background stars comes to a halt at 6 a.m. EDT. This so-called stationary point marks the beginning of the best period to observe the outer planet. Uranus rises before midnight local daylight time and appears more than halfway to the zenith in the southeastern sky as morning twilight commences. The magnitude 5.8 planet lies in Pisces, 1.2° north of magnitude 4.3 Omicron (o) Piscium. A telescope reveals Uranus’ blue-green disk, which spans 3.6″.
Friday, August 4
Look overhead around 11 p.m. local daylight time any day this week and your eyes will fall on the brilliant star Vega in the constellation Lyra the Harp. At magnitude 0.0, Vega is the brightest member of the prominent Summer Triangle asterism. The Triangle’s second-brightest star, magnitude 0.8 Altair in Aquila the Eagle, lies some 35° southeast of Vega. The asterism’s dimmest member, magnitude 1.3 Deneb in Cygnus the Swan, stands about 25° east-northeast of Vega. Although the waxing gibbous Moon diminishes the luster of stars this week, the Summer Triangle remains conspicuous.
Saturday, August 5
Distant Neptune reaches opposition and peak visibility in just a month, but the view now is essentially the same. The ice giant planet rises around 9:30 p.m. local daylight time and climbs nearly halfway to the zenith in the southern sky by 3 a.m. The magnitude 7.8 planet lies in Aquarius, 2° east of 4th-magnitude Lambda (l) Aquarii. You’ll need binoculars to spy Neptune and a telescope to see its blue-gray disk, which spans 2.4″.
Sunday, August 6
Asteroid 89 Julia should be relatively easy to find through small telescopes south of the Great Square of Pegasus. Your signpost for finding this magnitude 9.6 space rock is a squashed box of four 5th-magnitude stars: 55, 57, 58, and 59 Pegasi. The box lies 6° south of magnitude 2.5 Markab (Alpha [a] Peg), the star that marks the Great Square’s southwestern corner. Tonight, Julia stands 1.5° south of 59 Peg. If you sketch the field and then return to the same area a night or two later, you should be able to detect the asteroid’s movement relative to the stellar background.
Source
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 positve, 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 Tinne (Holly) – July 8 – August 4
Runic Half-Month of Thorn (defense) – July 29 – August 12
Goddess of the Month of Kerea – July 11 – August 8
Source
The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick
On Thursday, August 3rd, We Celebrate…
Aomori Nebuta (Japan)
HUCHI
Themes: Harvest; Energy; Cleansing; Health
Symbols: Fire; Light; Energy Sources
About Huchi:
This Japanese fire goddess keeps our internal fires burning to give us the energy necessary for completing whatever projects are at hand. She also uses her fires to cleanse the human body and protect it from disease
To Do Today:
This ritual in Japan is designed to help farmers stay awake for longer intervals in order to complete their harvesting duties. By making an effigy of the sand figurine, they hope to appease the spirit of sleep and finish their tasks. So, when you need to keep a fire under a project or be a little more alert for the tasks at hand, turn on a light or ignite a candle. This activates Huchi’s power in your living space.
Alternatively, get a little sand from a beach or a child’s sandbox and empower it, saying,
Each pinch I take keep me awake.
Keep this handy when you’re working. Whenever you feel a little weary, release a pinch of the sand to the winds or the earth to refresh your energy.
For health-related matters, I suggest dressing warmly or taking a warm bath. As you do, meditate and visualize yourself in white, purifying flames that collect all your tensions or sickness and burn them away painlessly. Huchi lives in both the warmth and the fires of your vision.
Source
365 Goddess: A Daily Guide To the Magic and Inspiration of the goddess
Patricia Telesco
On Thursday, August 3rd, We Honor the Goddess Cybele
Early Worship of Cybele
Cybele, a mother goddess of Rome was at the center of a rather bloody Phrygian cult, and was sometimes known as Magna Mater, or “great goddess.” As part of their worship, priests performed mysterious rites in her honor. Of particular note was the sacrifice of a bull performed as part of an initiation into Cybele’s cult. This ritual was known as the , and during the rite a candidate for initiation stood in a pit under a floor with a wooden grate.
The bull was sacrificed above the grate, and the blood ran through holes in the wood, showering the initiate. This was a form of ritual purification and rebirth. For an idea of what this probably looked like, there’s an amazing scene in the HBO series Rome in which the character Atia makes a sacrifice to Cybele to protect her son Octavian, who later becomes the emperor Augustus.
Cybele’s lover was Attis, and her jealousy caused him to castrate and kill himself. His blood was the source of the first violets, and divine intervention allowed Attis to be resurrected by Cybele, with some help from Zeus. Thanks to this resurrection story, Cybele came to be associated with the endless cycle of life, death and rebirth. In some areas, there is still an annual three-day celebration of Attis’ rebirth and Cybele’s power around the time of the spring equinox, called the Hilaria.
The Cult of Cybele in the Ancient World
Like Attis, it is said that Cybele’s followers would work themselves into orgiastic frenzies and then ritually castrate themselves.
After this, these priests donned women’s clothing, and assumed female identities. They became known as the Gallai. In some regions, female priestesses led Cybele’s dedicants in rituals involving ecstatic music, drumming and dancing. Under the leadership of Augustus Caesar, Cybele became extremely popular.
Augustus erected a giant temple in her honor on the Palatine Hill, and the statue of Cybele that is in the temple bears the face of Augustus’ wife, Livia.
During an excavation of a temple site at Çatalhöyük, in modern-day Turkey, a statue of a very pregnant Cybele was unearthed in what was once a granary, which indicates her importance as a deity of fertility and fecundity. As the Roman Empire spread, deities of other cultures found themselves absorbed into Roman religion. In the case of Cybele, she later took on many aspects of the Egyptian goddess Isis.
Donald Wasson of Ancient History Encyclopedia says, “Due to its agricultural nature, her cult had tremendous appeal to the average Roman citizen, more so women than men. She was responsible for every aspect of an individual’s life. She was the mistress of wild nature, symbolized by her constant companion, the lion. Not only was she was a healer (she both cured and caused disease) but also the goddess of fertility and protectress in time of war (although, interestingly, not a favorite among soldiers), even offering immortality to her adherents. She is depicted in statues either on a chariot pulled by lions or enthroned carrying a bowl and drum, wearing a mural crown, flanked by lions.
Followers of her cult would work themselves into an emotional frenzy and self-mutilate, symbolic of her lover’s self-castration.”
Honoring Cybele Today
Today, Cybele has taken on a new role, and it’s one that has nothing to do with sacrificial bulls. She has become the deity honored by a number of members of the transgender community, and an icon for many Pagan feminists. Perhaps the best known Cybeline group is the Maetreum of Cybele in upstate New York.
Founder Cathryn Platine says on the group’s website, “Our theology starts from the simplest basis: That the Divine Feminine principle is the basis of the universe. That all of us, all that we encounter is Her in the aggregate. We are all the Great Mother learning about Herself. From this simple beginning springs our organizational models, our rituals, the principles of what we call Wholistic Feminism, our mission of charitable outreach and indeed the way we, as Cybelines, live our lives.
We are sometimes called the “scholarly Cybelines” because we have invested many years of strict historical research in order to embrace the essence of what proved to be literally the oldest surviving religion in the world. We embraced the essence and then stepped away from “Pagan Reconstructionism” by bringing those essences into the modern world.”
Author
Patti Wigington
Published on ThoughtCo
Thursday’s Magick
Thursday – is associated with Jupiter, dedicated to Thunor (Thor), God of thunder and agricultural work.
Candle colors – Green, Purple, Orange, or Blue
Thursday rules controlled optimism, energetic growth, physical well-being and material success.
Thursday Adages
“Sneeze on Thursday, something better”
“Cut nails on Thursday for wealth”
“Thursday’s child has far to go.”
The Magickal Day of Thursday
Thursday is a day of royal blues and greens, associated with the planet Jupiter and metals like tin. When it comes to deities, look at leader type gods like Thor, Zeus, and Jupiter. Gemstone correspondences for Thursday include turquoise, amethyst and lapis lazuli, and plant associations can be found in honeysuckle, cinquefoil, and even oak trees.
This is a day for honor, fealty and family loyalty, as well as harvesting, success, and prosperity. Take advantage of Thursday’s different aspects and do spellwork that brings abundance to you, declares your allegiance, and embraces prosperity.
Author
Patti Wigington
Published on ThoughtCo
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
Source
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan
The Witches Musts 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!
Source
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan
The Witches Almanac for Thursday, August 3rd
Flag Day (Venezuelan)
Waxing Moon
Moon phase: Second Quarter
Moon Sign: Sagittarius
Moon enters Capricorn 8: 37 pm
Incense: Nutmeg
Color: Crimson
The Waxing Moon
The Waxing Crescent Moon occurs 3 ½ to 7 days after the New Moon. She rises in the mid-morning and sets in the evening. The Moon’s light is quickening. As the Moon has dropped back until she is about ?th of the way behind the Sun, we see her lumination as a crescent shape.
You will see the first quarter Moon from 7 to 10 ½ days after the New Moon. She will rise around noon and set around midnight.
As the Moon is at a right angle to the Sun the difference between high and low tide is minimized. Because light and dark are in balance, the Moon will appear to be a Half Moon, but the area of light will continue to grow each day.
The Waxing Gibbous Moon occurs between 10 ½ and 14 days after the New Moon. She rises sometime in the mid-afternoon and sets in the early dark hours of the morning.
As the Moon has fallen back around ? of the way behind the Sun, one side of the Moon is seen fully and the light on the other side bulges out, but does not yet fill all of the Moon’s face.
Now your projects can get into their stride. Be aware, however, that overstrains are more likely at this time and that the body takes things in and absorbs them more readily with a Waxing Moon.
It is also a good time to build yourself up if you have been unwell or otherwise off-colour. Absorbing, boosting your energy and taking up supplies are crucial now. Go on an active holiday, get in touch with friends, plan a party, arrange meetings and increase communication.
As Full Moon approaches, notice what isn’t working and shed it in order to focus your energies more effectively. Remind yourself to slow down a little and conserve your strength. This is a time of regeneration and to gather information and resources.
Source
Pagan Portals – Moon Magic
Rachel Patterson
Corrrespondences for the Waxing Moon
Time: From New Moon to Full Moon( Approx14 days)
Goddess Aspect: Maiden.
Associated Goddesses: Artemis, Branwen, Eriu, Nymph, and Epona.
Magickal Attributes: Invoking, Beginnings, New projects, Ideas, Inspirations, Energy, Vitality, Freedom.
Source
Correspondences for the Pagan Practitioner: A short guide to common correspondences used in daily workings
Jennifer Weiner
The Witches Correspondences for Thursday, August 3rd
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
Thursday Is Ruled By Jupiter
Thursday is a Jupiter day. Here is the day of the week for prosperity, abundance, and good health. Thursday is “Thor’s day.” This Norse god gave the day his name and many of his attributes, including strength and abundance. Some suggestions for Thursday enchantments would include: Wearing a regal and royal shade of blue to see how it affects your mood and your magic. Other colors for the day include purple and green
Carrying a turquoise tumbled stone in your pocket to draw a little protective and healing energy your way
Incorporating honeysuckle blossoms and cinquefoil foliage into prosperity charms
Calling on Thor for abundance, or on the Roman god Jupiter for the ability to peacefully referee a fight
Adding a few oak leaves—which are sacred to these Thursday gods—to your charms to see how much better your spell works out
Casting a charm with wheat stalks for prosperity, and calling on Juno Moneta to bring wealth into your life
Baking up some whole wheat bread and blessing it for abundance. Be sure to thank the gods for your family and your good health.
Jupiter’s Energy
Weekday ruled by Jupiter: Thursday
Stones:
Sugilite
Amethyst
Turquoise
Lapis Lazuli
Sapphire
Herbs and Plants:
Cinnamon
Beech
Buttercup
Coltsfoot
Oak
Magickal Intentions: Happiness, luck, health, legal matters, male fertility, treasure and wealth, honor, riches, leadership, public activity, power and success.
The Witches Magick for Thursday, August 3rd
Spell To Banish Debt
Best do this spell on Days of either Thursday day of Jupiter which brings money, careers, and luck in financial matters.
Or do the spell on a day of Saturn a.k.a Saturday. And done on a waning moon or a new moon to banish, and to bring positivity.
You will need:
1) Green Candle, or try 1 Gold Candle
1) Black Candle to Banish Negativity off Debt.
Money attracting Herb/Herbs of the following: Allspice, Basil, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Ginger, Mandrake, Marjoram, Mint, Patchouli, Pine, or sage.
Money attracting oil: Basil, Cinnamon, Patchouli, or Pine.
One copy of your bills will be needed, or the actual bills. If you can’t get to the bills write out each bill of what you owe debt on parchment or clean white paper.
Money Attracting Incense/or other Money attracting type incense if you don’t have Money attracting incense.
A Pen
Something to carve with
To start this spell:
1) Ask the universe to rid you of negativity, and remove obstacles over your bath. As well as ask for blessings in your life.
2) Take a Cleansing bath with a few drops of cinnamon oil or pine oil.
3) Dry off, and go set up your ritual area.
4) Meditate, and cast your circle.
5) The god to call upon to join your circle is the god of Juno, of money.
6) Cleanse, and consecrate your candle/candles, carve the banishing pentacle on the candles. Cleanse, and bless other items you will use, and dash a hint of money attracting herb on the candles.
7) Dash a hint of the money attracting herb, and place the bills or written form of the bills under the lit candles.
8)Ask Juno for what you need. Here’s a simple spell I wrote for this. As well as meditate on you paying your bills in full, and walls of what is stopping them from being paid in full breaking down one by one. Envision this money coming to you, and your debt vanishing instantly.
9) Spell Chant:
“O Great God Juno, who knows of my need, please bring this at full spell. May this be brought in the most correct way for the money I need on this day. I ask of you bring positivity, and banish negativity. Banish this great debt, rid this poverty, and bring prosperity. Bring none of harm as well as myself. This I ask humbly, so it shall be. So mote it be!”
Finally place the bills dashed with herbs in a safe spot so it may not be touched, and meditate further on the issues. Then when you feel drained suddenly snuff the candle out, and thank Juno himself.
Close your circle.
Light the candles once again everyday for 7 minutes or longer until they are burned out, and meditate on the debts banishing from your life, and bringing happiness to yourself. You may chant a spell or prayer of your own words. Once the candles are finally burned out bury them away from your home, or throwing them into a moving source of water.
One last advice about this spell Do good onto others, like help others out when needed, or donate. Good will be brought onto. Finally thank the universe and Juno when your debt is paid off.
Beginning Your Journey and Choosing a Wiccan Name
‘Blessed be’ is a Wiccan greeting. It implies giving the other person, Wiccan or non-Wiccan alike, a harmonious message. However, to Wiccans it may hold a greater significance since they are encouraged to remain in the blessing of the God and Goddess. This would involve thorough and regular immersion in the traditions and practices of Wicca.
A prerequisite to becoming a Wiccan involves a study and training period of a year and a day. This rule is important before an individual is initiated into a coven. Many eclectic Wiccans observe it too. Someone who sets out to complete this period makes a conscious decision to understand Wicca to the best of their abilities.
To prepare for your study period, gather as many resources on Wicca as you can find. If you are planning to join a coven, usually its members will be able to guide you in the right direction, for their specific tradition. Do not worry if you are choosing the eclectic way; there are many books and websites dedicated to Wicca and Witchcraft. Wiccans like Janet Farrar and Stewart Farrar have written extensive books on various aspects of Witchcraft and Wicca. You may wish to have these in your beginner’s collection in order to help you along your way.
At first, you may be overwhelmed by the variety of information available to you. In addition, you may be confused by some contradictions inherent in Wicca itself. However, do not lose your motivation and keep to the path that best appeals to you. Remember, there is no compulsion on this path. As long as you stick to the moral code, there is no right or wrong way in Wicca.
You may choose to start your own Book of Shadows during your dedication period. Not only will it help you keep a record and note experiences, it may actually help you delve deeper into the reasons for accepting Wicca as your religion.
After the initial study period, an individual may go through a first-degree Wiccan initiation rite of passage. In this ceremonial ritual, he or she is formally accepted into the fold of Wicca, with the God and Goddess as witnesses. It is usually a very emotional rite of passage for the initiate since it formalizes his or her choice to make Wicca a way of life. The first-degree initiation is not an end to studying Wicca. Basically, a person becomes responsible for their growth as a Wiccan. They can start practicing their own Wiccan rituals and casting spells.
Similarly, when a Wiccan has gone through a second-degree initiation, they become responsible for their coven. The third-degree Wiccan has the highest level of responsibility towards the entire community.
Having a Wiccan or craft name is certainly not a precondition to becoming a Wiccan. Yet many feel the need to have a true name during sacred Wiccan rituals and spell casting. There is special significance attached to a Wiccan name, as it is one’s true or spiritual name. Because of this, it also has great power and should be held in high esteem. The search for a Wiccan name is a conscious yet instinctive process.
It is not advised to take up a Wiccan name at random. A lot of soul searching is required before one can choose their Wiccan name. There is a prescribed method of meditation to help a person who is having trouble finding their true name. You should keep up the process until it gives the required result.
A standard procedure for intuitively figuring out your Wiccan name is meditation. Searching for your true name within yourself is somewhat like looking for a needle in a haystack. Throughout your life, you have unconsciously piled so many impurities around your true self that unless you go through a thorough spiritual cleansing, you will have difficulty finding a Wiccan name that sticks and works.
A Wiccan name is only shared with close and trusted people, which are usually fellow coven members. Coven members actually get to know your Wiccan name because it is used in Witchcraft rituals.
Once you are acquainted with the method of soul-searching meditation, you can even use it with the intention of finding your familiar or a spirit animal. This is an animal, like the stereotypical black cat, that is spiritually close to an individual Wiccan. It is believed to be a previous body your spirit occupied. The familiar may fulfill a purpose similar to that of your Wiccan name.
Remember, your name and familiar will become part of your overall power as a Wiccan. So, be careful you are choosing the right ones. Also, whatever stage of the journey you are at, send out positive energy daily to help you through periods of spiritual doubt and difficulty.
Source
Wicca Made Easy: Simple Spells for Love, Money, Luck, Success, Weight Loss & More
Sarah M. Lancaster
The Witches Current Moon Phase for Thursday, August 3
Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 84%
The Moon today is in a Waxing Gibbous phase. This phase is when the moon is more than 50% illuminated but not yet a Full Moon. The phase lasts round 7 days with the moon becoming more illuminated each day until the Full Moon. During a Waxing Gibbous the moon will rise in the east in mid-afternoon and will be high in the eastern sky at sunset. The moon is then visible though most of the night sky setting a few hour before sunrise. The word Gibbous first appeared in the 14th century and has it’s roots in the Latin word “gibbosus” meaning humpbacked.
Phase Details for – Thursday, August 3, 2017
Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 84%
Moon Age: 10.85 days
Moon Angle: 0.49
Moon Distance: 405,402.28 km
Sun Angle: 0.53
Sun Distance: 151,781,656.40 km
Source
MoonGiant.com
The Heat Is On – August 2017 Forecast
It’s a blessing for me to be able to connect with you this way my friend. We have so much energy talk to catch up on, so let’s get right to it!
We are currently moving through a highly active energy cycle that began at the end of July, and will continue until early September.
During highly active energy cycles, there’s often a great deal of electricity in the air, which is felt most powerfully by those who are sensitive to energy.
When this much electricity is in the air, it offers us an excellent opportunity to take action towards creating the reality of our choice.
This is not the time to sit on the sidelines, watching as life passes us by!
Just like the seasons, energy goes through different cycles. Sometimes the energy is in a dormant cycle, and at other times, the energy is in a highly active cycle.
Right now, we are in a highly active cycle.
Turning Up the Heat
When the energetic heat is turned up as it is right now, it often manifests itself in the following ways in our personal lives:
• Beginning a new project, job, or creative venture
• Cleaning up and resolving past debts (personal, financial, etc.)
• Deciding to move to a new home or location
• Changes in appetite and eating habits
• Being more social and making new friends
• Giving ourselves a healthy outlet to express our creativity
• Starting a new relationship or rekindling a past or current one
• Feelings of being motivated and action-oriented
• Taking a trip
• Exercising and being more physically active
• Taking a new class or course
• Cleaning our house or living space
If any of these examples sound good to you, now is the time to explore them!
Two Kinds of Action
There are two kinds of action: inspired action and forced action.
When we try to take forced action, we usually come up against a great deal of resistance.
Making or forcing something to happen often requires that we spend lots of time and energy on something that may not be natural to us. It often feels hard, and requires a great deal of outer control.
Many of us grew up being taught that making or forcing something to happen is what brings it to us. We were taught that if we were assertive about making our dreams a reality, we would be rewarded with positive results.
We were taught that the harder we worked, the more things we could acquire to make us happy. Even though this method may work temporarily, most of the time it comes with a hefty price, like the disruption of our wellbeing.
When we operate from a space of always trying to make or force something to happen, that usually puts a great deal of pressure and stress on our emotional and mental bodies.
Over time, this shows up as an imbalance in our emotional, mental, or physical body.
But there is a kind of action that doesn’t require us to push so hard, and that is inspired action.
When we take inspired action, we do so from a place of awareness, ease, and grace.
We become so present to the opportunities and blessings the Universe is offering us, that we easily step into them from a place of gratitude. There’s no force, control, or pressure needed.
With inspired action comes a trust that the Universe/Our Spirit is taking care of us fully.
With that trust, we no longer need to oversee or control every specific detail in our lives. We move out of any survival or victim patterns.
Taking inspired action is not to be confused with sitting around and waiting for life to make things happen for us.
It does, however, mean that we are intentionally choosing to be present and open to the opportunities that come our way.
The Universe/Our Spirit is constantly gifting us with new opportunities and blessings that will help us create the kind of life we truly desire.
However, when we are focused on the future or dwelling in the past, which most people have been taught to do, we tend to miss what’s being presented to us in the present moment.
It’s in this present moment that we are the most effective deliberate creator of our lives.
Special note: Because of the highly active energies right now, it has become very challenging and almost uncomfortable for us to procrastinate—to resist being active.
Even if it’s as simple as going for a walk outside or moving our body through dance or any kind of aerobic exercise, these inspired actions will serve us greatly during this time.
Physical Shifts
When we are in a highly active energy cycle, our body can experience any of the following:
Our vision sharpens.
Our sense of hearing, taste, touch, and smell become more refined.
We might feel a bit dizzy at times, or spaced out.
Our skin may feel a bit more itchy than usual—a confirmation that we are energetically “shedding our old skin,” and letting healthy new skin to emerge.
Our weight fluctuates.
Our sleeping patterns change.
We tend to lose track of time.
However these energy shifts show up for you, just know that it’s normal, and part of the process.
The Power of the August 21 Total Solar Eclipse
The pinnacle of these highly active energies will be reached on August 21 at 2:30 pm Eastern Time, when we will experience a total solar eclipse.
Eclipses are some of the most powerful astrological occurrences because they often usher in major changes.
During an eclipse, humanity is upgraded energetically, so the energies will feel very high as they move through us.
It might be a good idea to write down whatever inspirations, ideas, and insights we receive at this time, so we have them available for easy access later on, to integrate into our lives.
An eclipse is also a great time for healing because it brings to the surface deeply buried patterns that are no longer aligned with our highest potential.
If you find yourself and others feeling a bit more emotional or sensitive than usual during this time … be gentle with yourself and them, as this will allow the healing to be a much smoother experience.
As we use this time for healing, it’s also a great opportunity to let go of the illusions of separation and to remember that we have always been One with all of Life, including each other.
This particular total solar eclipse is asking us to be fully transparent, open, and honest when it comes to how we live our lives.
Anything or anyone operating covertly or without integrity during a time of this total solar eclipse, and for several months afterwards, will struggle Big Time.
Keep an eye out for how this shows up, both in our immediate reality and also on the global stage.
One of the greatest ways to work with this solar eclipse is to be clear about what our intentions are, and to be willing to follow through on them when the opportunity to do so presents itself.
During a total solar eclipse, meditating on the Sun energy strengthens our internal Sun (located in the solar plexus/stomach region), which is another way of saying our Divine power.
This helps us to express ourselves and our gifts more openly and freely, without holding back. It also helps us build confidence in ourselves, including our gifts, talents, and overall presence in this world.
This total solar eclipse is going to shake up a lot of things, which will open the door for many new blessings to enter our reality.
As always, it has been such an honor to connect with you in this way.
Have a wonderful August, and I will look forward to catching up with you again soon!
Till next time,
Miraculously yours,
Emmanuel
Your Cosmic Weather Forecast for Friday, August 4
by Jane Lyle
From The Astrology Room
Friday 4th August:
It’s all about power, money, plutocrats and games playing as Jupiter in Libra squares off with Pluto in Capricorn for the final time. Strategy, legal matters, and secrets are all around us in the atmosphere – and as this is the final time these big boys challenge one another from these dynamic signs, much is likely to come to a rolling boil now. Processes that began last November are very much in focus. We can look afresh at what happened then, or see what’s been brewing up since that time and make some provisional decisions about what’s next.
If you have planets or points at around 17 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn in your natal horoscope then here’s an opportunity to reform, regenerate or recycle. Money, love, alliances and relationships are meaningful areas to consider. Do try and avoid control-freak behaviour if at all possible!
Your Dark Stars Horoscope for August 2017
by Jane Lyle
From The Astrology Room
ARIES
You can fall in love in August. It could be a fine romance, or – just as easily – you could feel a surge of love for an adorable pet, a new creative passion, or a beautiful landscape. Imagination plus a willingness to open up mind, body, and spirit are all you need to take with you on your journey. It’s helpful to allow for interruptions and disruptions to both journeys and your daily routine – Mercury will be backtracking through Virgo from the 13th August onwards. You’ll hear hot gossip and news that might not be all it seems, so try not to jump to conclusions. Otherwise, why not make the most of Mars in Leo? From 15th – 23rd August is a high-energy phase, with a few surprises courtesy of a dramatic Leo solar eclipse. It’s a wonderful time to get out and about, inspiration and exciting encounters are just waiting for you to enjoy them.
TAURUS
Beautiful Venus in sensuous Cancer is whispering in your ear – ‘relax, relax…’. Do listen to her beguiling pleas this August. There are plenty of distractions, so you’ll need to muster all your determination if you want to check out and leave the world behind for a while. Action and desire planet, Mars, is stirring things up with extra visitors, home improvements, or neighbourhood activities. And then August’s eclipses in Aquarius and Leo herald changes to both home and career matters now, and over the next six months. More is revealed towards the end of August and beginning of September – you’ll understand your situation more clearly and can mull over what steps you’d like to take, and what choices you want to make. Don’t stress about love either, for by October you’ll be feeling so much more receptive. A past relationship could fill your thoughts this summer, but it’s wise to let things unfold at their own pace. Meanwhile, just listen to Venus and make time for your dreams.
GEMINI
Your home, family, and close partnerships need all your famous flexibility and agile thinking this month. You’re in a phase that lasts until the end of September, with your ruler Mercury emphasising all things Virgo until then. This highlights a phase of paying attention to important details, health, writing, travelling and probably some paperwork too. It’s a great time to do research and communicate, but you may have to repeat yourself or make absolutely certain you’ve been understood. Mercury backtracks from the 13th August – 5th September, so try not to take anything for granted during that time, or get slapdash about your finances. If long standing partnerships in love or at work have seemed stuck in some way, these will begin to shift later in August. Talking to each other and exploring what’s been going on brings enlightenment, and you can resolve things further come September. It will feel like going back to school then in so many ways. Good ways.
CANCER
Your lunar allure is buffed to a silvery sheen by Venus in Cancer this month. So if you need to charm the birds from the trees, cast your spells. Your partner or longstanding workmates are likely targets for your sorcery – there may be disagreements to resolve about home renovations, guests, or the basis of a working alliance. A power struggle early in the month may seem impossible, but if you exercise patience and cunning you’ll see a way around things – potentially as early as mid-month. Remember, when Mercury is retrograde it’s a helpful time to review what’s going on. Pushing hard for firm decisions may not serve you too well – exploring options and chatting about possibilities is a more helpful way to proceed. And August’s set of eclipses will also be stirring everyone up, and making nailing things down extra tricky. Whether you’re thinking about money, love, or your autumn plans, you’d be wise to grab a summer break, radiate gorgeousness, and take it easy for now.
LEO
A month with both Sun and Mars in Leo boosts your fiery charm and playful energy. Find a few creative or romantic outlets for it, and there’s no stopping you. Indeed, intuition, instinct, and imagination are key, for August’s two eclipses take place in your opposite sign, Aquarius (7th), and your own sign of Leo (21st). The cosmic kaleidoscope is shaking up endless new patterns relating to your own self-expression, and how you relate to others in your world. When you begin to think about it, you’ll see how the past has shaped your present circumstances and relationships in countless ways. What’s valuable to you emerges clearly in your thoughts and dreams, and some of it may truly surprise you. Here’s a wonderful opportunity to learn from the past, escape from what’s holding you back, and strengthen what matters most to you. Yours is the sign of the loving heart – keep that in mind, and revel in the sunshine.
VIRGO
Your astrological new year begins on 22nd August. The weeks just before your birthday month are a useful time to review what’s happened over the year, and ponder plans for the months ahead. This year, your ruling planet Mercury is in Virgo – sharpening up your wit, taste, and style. When Mercury rewinds between the 13th August and 5th September you’ve got a brilliant opportunity to reinvent something, or dig about in the archives for that amazing idea, outfit, or love affair you seem to have mislaid. Friends are very supportive now too – there’s great pleasure to be had from enjoying music, movies, or family get-togethers in August. Shared projects bring fulfilment, or even some flirty frissons – just be aware that clandestine romance or finance could seduce you when you’re not paying attention, and be sure to check out anyone new with your usual forensic skills. But if you feel too summery to focus much, relax. Mercury is in Virgo throughout September too – any great ideas you have now can be taken further then.
LIBRA
It may be holiday time, but it’s also a time when you can make a wonderful impression on others. So if your social life feels a bit flat, or you’d like to get people together to support one of your pet projects, August and September’s planets favour your plans. There’s a general creative shake-up going on anyway, thanks to eclipses on the 7th and 21st. For some of you, this spells new love and attractions. For others, it prompts people to get in touch with you – there may be invitations to go on a little trip, or some surprising news revolving around the children in your life. Do make the most of this outgoing phase, and the final helpful months of Jupiter in your sign. Things can flow more easily for you now if you focus your efforts on what you’d like to improve. Your charisma may need a bit of polish, but it’s there for you – and everyone else – to enjoy.
SCORPIO
You’re usually prepared to watch and wait, but Mars in Leo means you’ll find it hard to hold off on impulsive acts this month. Try to take it easy, for the eclipses in Aquarius (7th) and Leo (21st) bring an unstable and changeable atmosphere. As things shake up, and shake down, you could realise that some decisions are pointless – especially ones you make about your career or your home. Further hidden information comes to light with Jupiter and Pluto’s connection – meaning that this is definitely a time to be very cautious about money, and think twice before you lend cash or invest in any kind of speculative scheme. It’s more fruitful to allow Venus in watery Cancer to show you some beautiful places, or open your mind to music and movies. Between the 10th – 13th August could be very dreamy or romantic – either way you can discover your more spiritual side, feel psychic, or blissfully lose track of time, date, and place.
SAGITTARIUS
You should be feeling pretty good this month, and well able to cope with any delays or confusion that crop up in your career, or with family members. Anything that does appear to go wrong will right itself come September, so there’s not much point in wasting energy on worrying about it now. You simply don’t have all the facts, and decisions may need to change later anyway. Your ruler, Jupiter, makes two important aspects this August – both highlight what you share with others, and what you’d like to share too. Something that’s been floating about in your mind for months is suddenly clear – the fog lifts and you experience an ‘aha!’ moment. Relationships benefit from such freshly-minted insights, and you could suddenly desire more commitment or realise that a partner really is ‘the one’. Working partnerships benefit too, and can change or develop in positive ways. A very surprising encounter towards the end of August enhances your gut feeling that something fresh is on the way. You’re right.
CAPRICORN
Getting other people to do what you want is one of your best tricks. So what might happen if you loosened up a bit? It’s sensible to play it by ear early this month, and hold off on telling others what to do. Why not step back? You’ll realise just how much you’re loved and admired, and see that others mostly have your best interests at heart. If you want support, just ask. As the weeks pass, a dynamic ongoing meeting between Saturn and Jupiter flags up a fertile time for exploring – either by seeing new places, learning new skills, or simply changing your daily routines. Admittedly, things could get a bit disruptive towards the end of the month, particularly at home and around your neighbourhood. But by consciously choosing a more relaxed, flexible attitude you’ll be well placed to deal with any unplanned events or expenses with aplomb. Overall, hidden or confused information is a major August theme for most of us. Wise Sea Goats will refrain from pushing too hard, and wait until September to firm up plans.
AQUARIUS
Is this the dawning of the Age of Aquarius? Maybe. What we do know is that 2017’s first (and last) eclipse in Aquarius rocks up on 7th August, energising your inventive spirit and unsettling many of you in exciting ways. The big solar eclipse in Leo follows on 21st August – and around this time you’ll gain all manner of new perspectives on partnerships, alliances, and professional associations. There’s a lot of talking to be done in August, and some of it could be very lively indeed. You may not agree with others’ plans and ideas, and they may find it hard to see your point of view. But with both Mercury and Uranus turning retrograde, the planets are encouraging you to review matters before signing on the dotted line. So do keep communicating and don’t be scared of passionate feelings. You’re clearing a path ahead, and preparing for some fascinating and fortunate opportunities that are coming your way in the autumn months.
PISCES
An opportunity you’ve been waiting for could be delayed or held up in some way. But no need to lose heart, just accept that things are fluid and take the time to tune in to your impressive intuition. Some of you are currently concerned about someone who’s unwell, acting strangely, or who owes you money. You’ll understand much more about this soon, as more information emerges and you begin to see the bigger picture. Meanwhile, both love and creativity are boosted by magnetic Venus this month, so you’ve got a wonderful outlet for your glorious imagination – particularly in the days following that potent lunar eclipse on the 7th. A retrograde Mercury in your opposite sign, Virgo, suggests that the past is rich and juicy territory if you’re looking for a relationship, or if you’d like to do some networking to liven up your working prospects. Feelers you put out now should bring interesting results by the time of a full Pisces Moon in early September. Tread lightly, and go into your dance.
Your Daily Horoscopes for Thursday, August 3rd
Claire Petulengro
From the Astrology Room
ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)
Why are you trying to start new things when you haven’t even tied up what you began last month? You think you don’t have what it takes to finalise what needs to be done, but you’re wrong. Try today for success and closure.
TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)
If you don’t have faith in what you want to do, then how do you expect others to? You can do what’s ahead. In fact I know you can excel. A forced change in the workplace turns out to be a blessing.
GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)
Don’t be afraid of paying for a professional opinion to get what needs to be done quickly and proficiently finished. You have been listening to the advice of those who don’t really know anything. Change this.
CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)
Your ruling planet the Moon, brings out your confessional side. You find yourself wanting to admit what went wrong and what has been eating away inside of you. Closure and peace awaits.
LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)
Very little is needed to make a happy life, it is all within you Leo and within your very powerful way of thinking. Don’t stick up for those who may not be the honest character they first seemed.
VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)
There are many new avenues opening up in your work which can help you to enjoy your day to day life more. Someone you didn’t expect to cross paths with again holds the key to finalising a contract of financial matter.
LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)
Beauty is when you begin to appreciate yourself. I see from your stars that this year has forced you to take a very honest look at both your good and bad qualities. You come out of this experience with self-respect and new ambition.
SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)
Believe in yourself and have faith in your abilities. If you show those around you that you can commit to what you are asking for then they will have the faith to meet you half way.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)
Your surprise yourself with the way you react to those trying to force your hand. You’ve grown in so many ways this year and you should be as proud of yourself as I am. You really have moved mountains.
CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)
Don’t just listen to your friends, listen to your soul. It will give you all the answers you need and more. It would be worth your while to re-do your figures and sums, especially if it’s to do with a property deal. Call now to find acceptance of the past.
AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)
Close ones are asking far too many questions and you need to be strong enough to say no to what they are pushing you for. Don’t let a recent embarrassing situation force you to continue to eat humble pie.
PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)
The things you say today will be taken far more literally than you think. Don’t talk about things which are not your business, or you could be responsible for a split in your circle.
Please proceed to section 2 of Day’s Witches’ Digest.
We are having a very strong vibe from someone that they need today’s horoscopes urgenly, so please humor us. You will find the rest of Daily’s Divination plus more in the next section……………….
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You may be turning your back on a relationship, job, career, living arrangement or project that was once a source of great happiness to you. You have come to realize that you are no longer getting anything out of this situation and it is causing more harm than good.
Queen of Swords
Taurus Reversed
Fire
Witches Of The Craft® 
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