Category: Articles

The Balance of the Signs & the Elements for Thursday, Aug. 25th

 

 

 

 

 

The Balance of the Signs & the Elements for Thursday, Aug. 25th

 

GEMINI STRONG
Agile, versatile, inquisitive, flowing, conversational, airy, many ideas. Can be volatile, superficial, changeable, restless and inconsistent.
VIRGO STRONG
Meticulous, discriminating, pure, practical, health conscious, hard working. Can be hyper-critical, petty and perfectionistic.
SAGITTARIUS STRONG
Inspiring, broad vision, enthusiastic, goal seeking, truthful, adventurous. Can be reckless, unrestrained, tactless.

BALANCE OF ELEMENTS

EARTH STRONG
We are especially in touch with the physical world. We consider what we’ve learned and experienced in the past in order to make the most of the present. We can be cautious, practical, and possibly unimaginative. We are deliberate and can pace ourselves well. We need hands-on experience and are not impressed with theory as much as we are with results. Routines are tolerable and comforting.
WATER WEAK
There may be some insensitivity or lack of empathy now. We may be out of touch with what we’re feeling or with our emotional needs. We may be tougher than usual now, and more inclined to follow mental or practical considerations than we are to listen to our intuition.

BALANCE OF MODES

CARDINAL WEAK
This is not a time that we tend to naturally initiate actions. We may be stronger at following up than starting anew. Survival mechanisms may be weaker now.
FIXED WEAK
We may be open to change but may not have much follow-through.
MUTABLE STRONG
We are flexible, adaptable, willing, open to change, and possibly flighty or nervous.

Astrology of Today – August 25, 2016

 

 

Astrology of Today – August 25, 2016

  • The Moon is in Gemini all day (until Friday, August 26th, at 11:06 PM).
  • The Moon is waning and in its Last Quarter phase.
  • A Last Quarter Moon occurred last night, and a New Moon (solar eclipse) will occur on September 1st.
  • Mercury is in its pre-retrograde shadow (Mercury will be retrograde from August 30-September 22).

The Witches Current Moon Phase for Thursday, August 25th is The Last Quarter

Drawing Down the Moon
August 25
Last Quarter
Illumination: 46%

The Moon today is in a Third Quarter phase. Sometimes called a Last Quarter Moon, this phase occurs roughly 3 weeks after the New Moon when the Moon is three quarters of the way through it’s orbit around the earth. If you live in the northern hemisphere the Moons left side will be illuminated and the right side dark. For thoughts of you in the southern hemisphere it will be the opposite with the right side illuminated. On the day of the Third Quarter phase the Moon will rise around midnight on the eastern horizon and set in the west around noon the next day. In the days following the Third Quarter Phase the Moon’s illumination will decrees each day until the New Moon.

PHASE DETAILS FOR – THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2016

Phase: Last Quarter
Illumination: 46%
Moon Age: 22.52 days
Moon Angle: 0.55
Moon Distance: 365,313.86 km
Sun Angle: 0.53
Sun Distance: 151,177,573.56 km

Source

Wonder

Spellcaster

Wonder

Belief in the unseen,
The foundation of life,
The wind that moves leaves,
The invisible knife

There are feelings you know,
But can’t physically touch,
Things not understood,
But experienced much

Blessed are the ones,
Who dare to ask why,
Those that search for answers
In the rivers and sky.

Blessed Be: A Collection of Witchcraft Poetry
Chastity Skye

Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Spirituality 365 Days A Year for August 25th

THE MYSTICAL NIGHT by fuzzywuzzy1
August 25th

Opiconsivia, Festival of Ops

On this day in ancient Rome, the festival. of Opiconsivia was held in honors of Ops, the Goddess of abundance. She was associated with Saturn and the Greek Rhea. Her festival was overseen by the Vestal Virgins, who honored her as the bringer of help. It was the custom for all who attended her rituals to sit on the ground in order to absorb some of her qualities. Possibly, this festival was designed to give energy and fortitude to those who worked the harvest.

The Witches Extra – The Ritual Outline

The summoning
The Ritual Outline

There are many methods of working ritual and the methods depend upon the type of work to be done. However, there is a simple outline that one can follow in constructing one’s own ritual. It is easily followed and complete enough to become the form for almost any ritual.

Establish intention

Construct ritual outline.

Set up temple.

Cast Circle.

Invoke Higher Forces.

Invoke God and Goddess.

Perform work.

Thanksgiving.

Close Circle.

Reconstruct Temple.

1. One must have a reason for any ritual work. This reason can be simple worship, but there must be purpose in everything that one does when contacting the divine forces. The first step must be to establish the reason for the intended work. The intention must be clearcut, with a beginning and ending point.

2. The next step after deciding the work of what you are going to do is to establish the HOW. You must know what beings and forces are to be invoked or evoked. The tables of correspondences listing God names, incense, mantrams, etc., must be used as part of the routine exercises. The color scale of the operation must be determined from the table of correspondences and efficiently used. All of these steps are necessary to contact the desired points within the reference of western occultism.

3. The temple is set up next. This includes vestments, tools, candles, altar, in fact the entire temple. Even if the ritual is to be performed in a closet or the mind, the temple must be prepared. Robing is included in the preparation of the temple.

4. The Circle is next, cast in whatever manner is selected. For sample and deeper explanation see ‘The Circle.”

5. It is necessary to open channels to the Lord God of all the unmanifest existence. Even if we do not comprehend its existence, we must recognize its existence. At the beginning of ritual this is an invocation to the higher self or greater god forces existing in man

6. Next we invoke the God and Goddess, the manifested Godhead.

7. Work is defined as the project to be accomplished by the ritual.

8. We must return that which we have taken. We must balance the forces with which we work. Thanksgiving can be simple “Thank You,” or can establish eucharistic ritual.

9. Close the Circle.

10. Reconstruct the temple by removing the tools used for special work to their usual place of rest. Then unrobe.

There are many variations from this sample, but the basic pattern must remain the same. The Universe exists as a balanced polarity and we who tamper with its existence and use its natural laws, must maintain that balance. The results of unbalanced forces are far reaching, and as students of the occult we must be ever dedicated to their maintenance.

Source

A Book of Pagan Rituals
Herman Slater

Let’s Talk Witch – A Look At Rituals & Their Basic Points

The summoning
A Look At Rituals & Their Basic Points

Ritual is the systematic working procedure dedicated to achieve a particular aim or effect on individuals or groups. It is usually a practice that when repeated, with the same intention, dedication, working methods, time and sacramental techniques produce the effects or affects. Ritual is learned by practice and observation, but it has become increasingly necessary to list methods for building a ritual, plus samples of ritual and hopefully, to construct practical operations for themselves in a private capacity and perhaps they will leave something for those who follow.

Basic Points

A ritual must have intention. That is, there must be a purpose for the ceremony, even if it be simple devotion. The purpose must be understood ahead of the time of working and not change during the course of the work. Next, there must be method. Any work must not be performed haphazardly. This does not mean perfection of performance, but simply no flouncing around. The Priest, Priestess, or ritual leader must know what he or she is doing, and move steadily toward that purpose using whatever method has been agreed upon, not changing that method in the middle of the stream.

Mood is also very important. One works on many levels in ritual, for we live on all planes
simultaneously. It is the inner reponse to the outer action that affects the changes caused by what we term magic. This inner or subconscious change reflects directly upon our outer physical plane self and directly and indirectly upon the self that exists on the other planes. Therefore it is necessary for emotional control so that concentration and meditation can effectively be worked. It is necessary to hold attention for long periods of time on one subject, and mixed emotions hinder this. In methods such as healing,

it is necessary to direct your feelings to the person you are working for, and if these feelings do not produce the proper or desired result, harm rather than healing results. Also, when directing powers from other levels, the wrong mood can call adverse vibrations to you, or your inner self will interpret the result in the wrong fashion and damage could occur. Therefore, it is necessary to approach ritual in a frame of mind that will help, not hinder your work. It is best to begin thinking about the ceremony days before the actual working. It is necessary to avoid people a few hours before the ritual. Immerse yourself in the emotion that is to accompany your work. Walking out of doors helps to open oneself to the vastness of the universe. Taking a bath helps to effect the feeling of purity. Music certainly helps to calm the emotions, or excite them if that is the way of the ritual. Music is one of the prime factors that can be an aid to ritual construction. Music can change or create mood. Music is the method we can use to adequately instruct the innerself of the attitudes we wish to obtain in ritual worship.

The approach to all these methods is, of course, through the mind. We are psychological beings. It must be recognized that all of our realizations, all of our perceptions, are based upon the action and reaction of the inner and outer minds. In the methods described above, all of the action occurs through the mental channels.

All of these methods use in some way the same methods of repetetive wordage. The idea is to implant the emotion through the use of sound, color and through vibration into the inner mind, affecting the symbols there, effecting the results desired. Other tools, such as smell (incense), feel (tools), and the interaction of mind to mind response used in groups are useful to help the individual more easily perform the task he sets for himself.

Source

A Book of Pagan Rituals
Herman Slater

Philters & Potions for Your Thursday – Abundance & Prosperity Philter

wiccan's inner sanctum(sp)~GP

Abundance and Prosperity Philter

 

This recipe is designed to increase your cash flow and to bring abundance and prosperity to you in a beneficial way. This is great for adding to sachet or charm bags, or to dress prosperity spell candles with. You could even dab a tiny amount on your business cards, resume, or a job application. When you use this philter, don’t be surprised if you find yourself suddenly being offered more hours at work. This is practical magick; expect practical solutions to manifest. Basically what I am reminding you of is this: nothing is free; you have to work for your success.

• 1 small decorative glass bottle (green or royal blue)
• Base oil, approximately 1/2 cup
• Clean dropper
• 3 drops honeysuckle oil
• 3 drops mint oil i pinch dried sage or a fresh sage leaf from the garden
• Small turquoise chip
• 6 inches thin green or royal blue satin ribbon
• 1 small metal magickal charm or talisman that you feel coordinates with the prosperity of your choosing
• A label and a pen (to list the ingredients and to decorate and mark the bottle)

Pour the base oil into the bottle, enough to fill it three quarters of the way full. Add the essential oils one at a time. Next, add the crystal and the sage. Close up the bottle with the lid, place your fingers over the lid, and carefully shake up the mixture. Hold the mixture up to the sunlight and allow the light of Thursday’s sun to illuminate the philter.

Wipe off the outside of the bottle. Use the label to list the ingredients and the use of this potion. Decorate the bottle by drawing the sigil of Jupiter or even a currency symbol. If you have other magickal symbols you would like to use for abundance and prosperity, then add those on the label. Attach the label to the glass bottle, and finish up by threading the metal charm onto the ribbon and then tying the green or royal blue ribbon around the neck of the bottle.

As you finish tying on the bow, hold the bottle in your hands and concentrate on the visualization that the aura around your heart is glowing with a brilliant emerald green color. See prosperity arriving in your life in the best possible way. Now send all that energy from your visualization into the philter bottle that you hold in your hands. Take a deep breath, hold it for three counts, and then blow it out slowly. Now, repeat the charm below:

Potions and philters that are crafted on Jupiter’s day
Will bless me with abundance in many positive ways
Sweet woodbine and mint now combine their enchanting scents
White turquoise and the herb sage lend their bewitching strengths
By Juno, Jupiter, Zeus, and Thor, this spell is spun
To me success and prosperity will surely come.
Use a bit of Thursday’s witchery
As I do will it, then so must it be!

Set aside the philter bottle, and clean up the supplies. Ground and center yourself. Eat a few crackers or do something physical. Make sure to store the philter in a dark, dry place out of the reach of children.

Source

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

The Witches Magick for August 25th: Cauldron of Plenty

Wicca/ landscape GP challenge #1

Cauldron of Plenty

Items you will need:
Living water
Silver coin
Copper coin
Rosemary
Cinnamon
Fern frond
Maple leaf inscribed with need

Drop ingredients into cauldron reserving maple leave and set to flame; when steam starts rising, drop in the maple leaf. As the leaf softens with the moisture of the cauldron visualize the steam carrying the words of your need to the Goddess and chant:

Cauldron of Bounty,
You know my need,
Bring to me aplenty,
By root and seed.

As always remain by the cauldron as long as you can and visualize that your need has been fulfilled.

 

Source

The Green Mother’s Book of Shadows
Gwenyfur Draigtanllwyth

Jupiter’s Energy

Wiccan GP entry

Jupiter’s Energy

Weekday ruled by Jupiter: Thursday

Stones: Sugilite, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire

Herbs & 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 Correspondences for Thursday, August 25th

SpellCaster

The Witches Correspondences for Thursday, August 25th

 

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.

Element : Water / Fire

Planet: Jupiter

Zodiac Sign : Sagittarrius / Pisces

Angel : Sachiel

Metal : Tin

Incense / Perfumes : Cinnamon, Musk, Nutmeg and Sage

Oils : Clove, Lemon Balm, Oakmoss, Star Anise

Color : Blue, Purple, Green

Stones : Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, Turquoise, Sapphire

Plants/Herbs : Agrimony, Anise, Beech, Buttercup, Cedar, Cinnamon, Cinquefoil, Coltsfoot, Dandelion, Honeysuckle, Hyssop, Linden, Mint, Nutmeg, Oak, Sage

Magick to Work: prosperity, business, buying, selling, abundance, business, fame, gambling, greed, growth, expansion, honor, leadership, money, parties, politics, power, responsibility, royalty, success, visions, wealth, political power, influencing people in high places, law, courts

The Witches Almanac for Thursday, August 25th

Wiccan Priestess
The Witches Almanac for Thursday, August 25th

Thursday (Jupiter): Expansion, money, prosperity, and generosity.

Feast of the Green Corn (Native American)

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

Moon Phase: Fourth Quarter

Moon Sign: Gemini
Gemini: Things begun now are easily changed by outside influence. Time for shortcuts, communication, games, and fun.

Incense: Clove

Color: White