Goddesses Associated with Saturdays

Ops, Rhea, Tellus Mater, Gaia, Eartha, Ge, Tonantzin, Ashera, Anath, the Shekinah, the Matronit, Mary, Gula, Herodias, Oddudua, Demeter

The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

The Goddess Book of Days for July 9th

The Panathenaea in Greece, for six days every fourth year, dedicated to Athena. (Athena, Minerva, Sophia, Sarasvati, Maat, Oya.) The ninth day of the Moon/month is the birthday of the Goddess Rhea and God Dionysus (the Earth and the Sun).

The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

The Celtic Tree Month of Tinne – Holly Lore

8th Moon of the Celtic Year – (July 8 – Aug 4)

Latin name: English Holly (also called Scarlet Oak) – ilex aquilfolium; American holly – ilex opaca. The Holly is an evergreen tree.

Celtic name: Tinne (pronounced: chihn’ uh)

Folk or Common names: Holly, Scarlet Oak, Kerm-Oak, Holy Tree. Holly actually means “holy”.

Parts Used: Leaf, berry, wood.

Herbal usage: The leaf of the Holly can be dried and used as teas for fevers, bladder problems and bronchitis. The juice of the fresh leaf is helpful in jaundice treatment. Holly can be used homeopathically as a substitute for quinine. Note: Holly berries are poisonous!

Magical History & Associations: The Holly, a masculine herb, is associated with the element of fire, and is an herb of Saturn and Mars. The bird associated with this month is the starling, the color is green-gray, the gemstone is yellow caingorm, and the day of the week association is Tuesday. Holly is the first moon of the dark half of the year, and the Holly is sacred to both the Winter and Summer Solstices. Summer Solstice is the time when in mythology, the Oak King is slain by his twin, or tanist, the Holly King, who rules until the Winter Solstice, when he in turn is slain by his tanist, the Oak King. Tanist is related to the tannin found in an Oak tree; Oak and Holly are two sides of the same coin, the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next. The Holly is also sacred to the deities of Lugh, Habondia, Tina Etruscan and Tannus. There are special spirits that dwell within Holly trees: the Holly Man lives in the tree that bears prickly Holly, and the Holly Woman dwells within that which give forth smooth and variegated leaves. Holly is also associated with unicorns, since the unicorn is one of the Celtic symbols for this tree – the other symbol is the Flaming Spear.

Magickal usage: The month of Holly is a good time to do magick designed to help bring about a successful harvest. The Holly has applications in magick done for protection, prophesy, healing, magick for animals, sex magick, invulnerability, watchfulness, good luck, death, rebirth, Holiness, consecration, material gain, physical revenge, beauty and travel. Holly also has the ability to enhance other forms of magic. As a symbol of firmness and masculine energy, Hollywood was used by the ancients in the construction of spear shafts, which were thought to then have magickal powers.

Uses of Holly in protective magick includes hanging a sprig of Holly in the home all year to insure protection and good luck. Holly is also an excellent charm to wear for protection. ‘Holly Water’ can be made by soaking Holly overnight in spring water under a full moon. This water can then be sprinkled over infants to keep them happy and safe. Holly Water can also be used to sprinkle around the house for psychic cleansing and protection. Holly leaves can be cast around outside to repel unwanted spirits or animals and a Holly bush can be planted close to houses to protect against lightning. Ensure that the Holly has a place in your garden because its presence wards off unfriendly spirits. Do not burn Holly branches unless they are well and truly dead, for this is unlucky. Holly, intertwined with ivy, is traditionally made into crowns for the bride and groom at weddings/handfastings. Holly and Ivy also make excellent decorations for altars. Holy is also a traditional decoration for Yuletide as in sung in the traditional Yuletide song:

“Deck the halls with boughs of Holly, fa la la la la, la la la la.”

If you gather nine Holly leaves in complete silence on a Friday after midnight, wrap them up in a white cloth, use nine knots to bind the cloth, and then place them under your pillow, your dreams will come true. When harvesting the leaves from the Holly, remember to ask the tree if it will allow you to take the parts and be sure to leave the tree an offering of thanks when you are done. Holly favors red and yellow stones as gifts.

Saturday, July 9th

Saturday is dedicated to the shadowy Anglo-Saxon God Saetere or Seater, equivalent to the God Saturn. It is a day also associated with the Norns, the Norse equivalent of Three Fates, and the trickster God Loki. It is connected generally with apprehension, austerity, caution, and excessive self-limitation.

Deity: Saetere

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Planet: Saturn

Tree: Alder

Herb: Daffodil

Stone: Amethyst

Animal: Eagle

Element: Earth

Color: Dark Blue

Number: 4

Rune: Dag(D)

Celtic Tree Month of Tinne(Holly) – July 8 – August 4. Holly, an evergreen plant reminds us all year long about the immortality of nature. A symbol of masculine energy and firmness.

Runic Half-Month of Ur (primal strength) – July 4 – July 28

Goddess of the Month of Rosea – June 13 – July 10

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

Do You Really Know Saturday?

Saturday is the most awaited day in a week by everyone as we all temporarily disembark from our five day long official journey, only to continue after a couple of days on Monday, which could be possibly the most dreaded day of the week, for similar reasons.

Thus Saturday becomes the day for fun and recreation where most of the people indulge themselves in abandoned gay especially during the night, popularly called across various cultures as ‘Saturday Night’.

Memes can be found in plenty trolling Mondays and celebrating Saturdays and are mostly created as emotions out pour on a Monday lamenting its arrival and on Fridays when everyone is set ready to enter the weekend through a joyous Saturday.

This is what one can summarize about the Saturdays that we spend, which is routine in our lives, like everyone’s’. There are more interesting facts both fun and historical, about Saturdays that are worth knowing.

Birthday of Vampire Hunters
Traditionally, in olden days it was believed that Saturdays are the appropriated days to hunt down Vampires as they are restricted only to their coffins and are not allowed to get out on that day. In the Balkans tradition, those who are born on Saturdays are entitled to become vampire hunters as they can see vampires but not by others.

Swedish Saturday Candy
Children are allowed to have candies only on Saturdays, every week in Sweden. This is termed as Saturday Candy. The reason behind this practice of allowing children to have candies on Saturdays is to prevent tooth decays, yet it has an historical reason that was considered controversial in medical ethics.

Known as Vipeholm experiments, during 1945-55, mentally challenged people at the Vipeholm mental hospital in Lund, Sweden, are fed too much of sweets to study dental health. This was the result of an experiment sponsored by both the sugar industry personals and the doctor community to know if carbohydrates have a direct impact in the formation of dental cavities.

The only weekly off in Nepal
Saturdays are the only official weekly holidays in Nepal and not Sunday. Also, it is the last day of the week in Nepal. Even though there is no factual information about how long this is in practice, it is said that for a century Nepal follows the one weekly holiday procedure. It is even said that the idea to improve efficiency by making both Saturdays and Sundays as offs didn’t work. Strange? Very!

Election Day
In many countries Saturday is the preferred day for election of public representatives. In Australia, elections are held usually on Saturdays and in New Zealand, Saturdays are the only days in which elections can be conducted. It is also preferred by the State of Louisiana, in the United States.

Why the name Saturday?
The seven day week came into the practice of Roman Culture in 321 AD, after being originated in Mesopotamia. These seven days are based on the seven planets that were then believed to revolve around the Earth and thus control the events happening. Saturday is named after the planet Saturn, which is the god of agriculture in Roman mythology. The astronomical symbol of the planet resembles the sickle carried by the god of agriculture.

Saturday as the Seventh day

The calendar that we follow considers Saturday as the sixth day of the week and is the idea of the international standard ISO 8601 that was created to represent date and time in a seamless way, so that they are not confused as they differ to a great degree across various geographical locations of the world.

But the Abrahamic religions including Christianity, Islam and Judaism consider Saturday as the seventh day of the week.

The day of rest

As Genesis sums up the creation f world in seven days, it considers the seventh day, when God took rest after creating the whole universe during the previous six days. Thus the seventh day is considered to be a Sabbath or day of rest.

As religions consider Saturday as the seventh day, they also make it as a day of rest or worship, calling it as Sabbath. There is a lot of controversy around changing the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday, which just to mention and not go into the details, is the purpose of this article.

Saturday is no day for controversy! Sit back, relax and chill!

Author

readnlove
Published on the website ReadnLove

The Sky This Week: July 9 – July 17

Asteroid 7 Iris makes an appearance, Pluto still shines, and the Delta Aquarid meteor shower begins to fall.
By Richard Talcott

Saturday, July 9
Look toward the south as darkness falls and you can’t help but see Mars. The Red Planet shines brilliantly at magnitude –1.2 — trailing only the Moon and Jupiter after dusk — against the much fainter background stars of Libra. And it remains visible until it dips below the southwestern horizon around 2 a.m. local daylight time. When viewed through a telescope, Mars’ orange-red disk spans 15″ and shows a number of subtle dark markings. You also might glimpse the white north polar cap, which should be near its minimum extent now because summer ended in the planet’s northern hemisphere just last week.

Sunday, July 10
This should be a good night to hunt down asteroid 7 Iris through a small telescope. The 10th-magnitude object lies nearly due south and at its highest position in the sky as darkness falls. Even better, there’s a reasonably bright guide star to point you in the right direction. This evening, look for Iris 0.5° due south of the magnitude 5.0 star Lambda (l) Librae.

Monday, July 11
You can find the First Quarter Moon in the southwest as darkness falls, then watch as it sinks toward the western horizon, where it sets shortly before 1 a.m. local daylight time. Our satellite officially reaches its First Quarter phase at 8:52 p.m. EDT. The half-lit Moon spends the night among the background stars of Virgo the Maiden, some 5° north of that constellation’s brightest star, 1st-magnitude Spica.

Saturn lies nearly due south and at its peak altitude as darkness falls this week. Shining at magnitude 0.2, it is easily the brightest object in its host constellation, Ophiuchus the Serpent-bearer. When viewed through a telescope, the planet measures 18″ across while its dramatic ring system spans 41″ and tilts 26° to our line of sight. You also should keep an eye out for its brighter moons. A 4-inch scope easily shows 8th-magnitude Titan and the 10th-magnitude trio of Tethys, Dione, and Rhea. An 8-incher will bring in two more satellites that are well-placed this evening. Look for 11th-magnitude Iapetus 2.2′ north of Saturn and 12th-magnitude Enceladus 35″ west of the planet.

Tuesday, July 12
Pluto reached opposition and peak visibility last week, and it remains a tempting target all night. It glows dimly at magnitude 14.1, however, so you’ll need an 8-inch or larger telescope with good optics to spot it visually. Pluto currently lies in northeastern Sagittarius, some 0.4° west-southwest of the 3rd-magnitude star Pi (p) Sagittarii. See “The quest for distant Pluto” in the July Astronomy for complete details on finding this world.

Wednesday, July 13
The Southern Delta Aquarid meteor shower gets underway this week. Although the shower doesn’t peak until the end of July, you should start to see some meteors in the hours before dawn. The best time to look is between 3 and 4 a.m. local daylight time, after the Moon has set and before twilight intrudes. To tell a Southern Delta Aquarid meteor from a random dust particle burning up in Earth’s atmosphere, trace the streak of light’s path backward. A shower meteor will appear to originate from the constellation Aquarius the Water-bearer.

The Moon reaches apogee, the farthest point in its orbit around Earth, at 1:24 a.m. EDT. It then lies 251,201 miles (404,269 kilometers) from Earth’s center.

Thursday, July 14
The waxing gibbous Moon forms a flat triangle with Mars and Saturn tonight. The Moon stands highest and about 8° to Mars’s upper left once darkness falls; Saturn lies approximately 16° to the Red Planet’s left.

Friday, July 15
For observers in North America, the Moon appears 3° above Saturn this evening. The ruddy 1st-magnitude star Antares in Scorpius the Scorpion lies 10° below the Moon while Mars blazes well to the trio’s right.

Saturday, July 16
If you like observing challenges, tonight is your night. Mercury passes just 0.5° (the diameter of a Full Moon) north of Venus in the early evening sky. From 40° north latitude, the two lie less than 4° high in the west-northwest 20 minutes after sunset. With a flat horizon and pristine skies, you might just glimpse the pair through binoculars. At magnitude –3.9, Venus will be the easier of the two to spot (Mercury glows at magnitude –1.0).

Sunday, July 17
Observers of the outer solar system should target Uranus this week before the Moon sheds its unwanted light into the predawn sky. The best time to look for it is shortly before twilight begins around 4 a.m. local daylight time. Uranus then lies 40° high in the northeast among the background stars of Pisces the Fish. This morning, use binoculars to find the magnitude 5.8 planet about 4° west of 4th-magnitude Omicron (o) Piscium and 3° north of 5th-magnitude Mu (m) Psc. A telescope reveals Uranus’ blue-green disk, which spans 3.5″.

Astronomy Magazine

Your Daily Sun & Moon Data for Saturday, July 9th

The Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 93.64° E
Sun Altitude: 43.55°
Sun Distance: 94.506 million mi
Next Equinox: Sep 22, 2016 9:21 AM (Autumnal)
Sunrise Today: 5:43 AM↑ 61° Northeast
Sunset Today: 8:16 PM↑ 299° Northwest
Current Length of Daylight: 14 hours, 33 minutes

The Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 71.94° ENE
Moon Altitude: -16.79°
Moon Distance: 246228 mi
Next Full Moon: Jul 19, 20165:56 PM
Next New Moon: Aug 2, 20163:44 PM
Next Moonrise: Today11:01 AM
Current Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 27.5%

 
timeanddate.com

Your Ancient Symbol Card for the Upcoming Weekend

Venus

Venus represents those qualities we commonly associate with the female/yin persona. Venus traits include fertility and the drive to create, unblemished beauty, love, passion, and togetherness. The occurrence of Venus denotes the dominating presence or need of the qualities listed above. While often very subtle, Venetian influences may have a negative impact unless they are balanced with an influence that can temper the drive of Venus.

As a daily card, Venus suggest you should allow your more feminine traits to guide your actions through this period. Subtlety, efforts to bring people together and allowing your creativity to run free are likely to serve you well at this time. However, like Mars, the powers of Venus are very strong and can do more damage than good if not balanced by other influences.

Get A Jump On Tomorrow…
Your Horoscopes for Saturday, July 9th

Part of the Daily Insight Group

Your Daily Horoscopes for Friday, July 8th

Aries

There can be a nice feeling of contentment early today, dear Aries. You might very well enjoy handling work and household details today, and you are likely to come up with some great ideas about either or both of these matters. Health can also be a focus and an area for problem solving and fresh, new thinking. Family and/or co-workers can be cooperative and possibly quite helpful in terms of bringing new insight into your life. Cooperation with others helps fuel your motivation. We tend to be quite open today to learning from others and finding solutions rather than harping on the past early today. It’s a decent time unburden or unload, as well. As the day advances, we’re inclined to close up or withdraw, making it a better time to work on your own.

Taurus

The first half of the day is great for discussing something dear to your heart, making a presentation, or winning someone’s favor, dear Taurus. Personal magnetism is super. There can also be good energy for communicating, spreading good word, word of mouth benefits, interesting offers, and good news or reviews. This is a potentially nice time for feeling a connection with someone special, and there can be a good sense of growth and faith in a relationship. It’s easier to verbalize exactly what you want, and this kind of positive communication can truly benefit you. Your ideas and opinions are received exactly as you intend them. While later today there can be some tensions to deal with revolving around relationships and/or finances, this can also serve to balance out your thinking as you consider realistic and practical angles.

Gemini

Early today is useful for identifying those things of true value to you, dear Gemini. This makes purchases easy, but it can also extend to non-material realms – you may be seeing exactly what you want and need in a friend or partner, for example. Communicating with sensitivity comes quite naturally now. Feedback from family can be helpful. It’s a good time to make financial plans and to discuss strategies for reaching your goals, as well as for coming to a nice agreement with a partner or someone important to you. A problem that has bothered you might resolve itself or an accurate diagnosis is made. Your vision of an issue is big and broad, and this helps you to put things into perspective. Details of plans may need further attention, and fortunately, later today you are in the right frame of mind to consider them.

Cancer

You may be excited about an idea or a particular topic of study today, dear Cancer. You can be making positive changes to the ways you communicate. The day is good for personal charm. Mercury in your sign is in good relationship with lucky Jupiter, and Venus in your sign connects well with healing Chiron. People may be enjoying your ideas and wisdom, and you’re communicating in positive ways. You are generous with your time and energy. It’s easier than usual to rise above problems and make the best of circumstances. Communications, learning, publishing, and transportation are favorable today. There may be a minor disconnect with a partner or co-worker this afternoon, but whatever conflict that emerges now can ultimately get you to a better, more realistic place.

Leo

Personal magnetism is on the quiet side, but it’s certainly there today, dear Leo. Quiet charm can be powerful and exactly what’s needed at times like these! Relationships tend to fare well with your increased sensitivity. An approach that’s modest and sincere tends to be the most successful for the time being. This is a time for setting some trends and making it easy for others to follow along. Dreams and intuition are fertile for ideas today. You may be in a supportive role and enjoying taking care of someone now. Private time is helpful, although you are likely to feel quite connected with others. While the first half of the day is strong for big ideas and plans, you’re more inclined to concern yourself with practical details later today.

Virgo

Your ability to tap into patience today is admirable, dear Virgo, and can bring rewards. You’re thinking in big terms, but you’re comfortable enough to understand the value of making long-term plans. This is a strong day for sorting out problems. Others tend to listen to what you have to say, or you are drawing in opportunities as you communicate more openly and positively with your ruler, Mercury, in easy aspect to Jupiter in your sign. Your more easygoing and likable qualities are pronounced and attractive. Your advice is useful and appreciated. You can inspire or be inspired by friends and connections. The Moon continues to transit your sign and this puts you in the forefront. Emotions run on the high side, but you are in control.

Libra

The morning can be very good for personal appeal and matters of the heart, dear Libra, largely due to open hearts and minds. As well, you have a good head for practical matters. Making plans for your money, business deals, and problem solving are all favored now. The power of positive thinking makes anything seem possible right now. You are well-aspected for commercial activity, negotiation, and settling contracts, as long as you’ve done your homework. Sensitive topics can be handled with more ease than usual. If you’re inclined to go over the top this morning, as the day advances you tend to come back down to earth. This can have a nice balancing effect on your day.

Scorpio

When it comes to love and partnership in the first half of the day, dear Scorpio, you’re in a particularly generous, open frame of mind. There is more patience to draw upon, and acceptance comes easily. It’s a good time to present ideas, make plans, and to think in big terms, particularly related to social and happiness goals, friendships, and group projects. Communications are in good form. Your sense for future trends is very sound right now. Opportunities open up to you as you share your ideas and make an effort to reach out to others. For some of you, a financial boost or gift can be part of the picture. While you should certainly think big this morning, there is good energy for slimming things down later today.

Sagittarius

Self-improvement endeavors are highly favored right now, dear Sagittarius. This morning is particularly strong for motivation levels and for coming to a mutually beneficial agreement. Cooperation comes easily. It can be a decent time for striking up a conversation about a private or personal matter if this can help you. People tend to give you good and useful feedback or advice now. Professional matters are positive, and for some of you, glowing. Be generous with your time and open to possibilities today for best results. Even so, as the day advances, it makes more sense to you to look after details and practicalities.

Capricorn

Early today is strong for personal appeal, dear Capricorn. There can be a wonderful sense of stability and faithfulness in love and friendship, and in small ways, you may be getting closer to someone. Your ability to put things into perspective can open up doors that were previously closed, not only because you’re entertaining new ideas, but also because others are more willing to consider your viewpoint. There may be a discovery of a new way to share your ideas that can be rewarding. It is also a good time to forgive and forget old hurts from the past, and to open up the lines of communication. Putting your head together with a partner can be fruitful. As the day advances, there can be some feeling of being on your own or unappreciated, however. This is temporary and may very well lead to something positive as you discover inner resources you never knew you had.

Aquarius

This morning, you have a sharper sense for what’s valuable, dear Aquarius. You can be quite pleased with work and the little things that you’ve accomplished. Good energy is with you in the first half of the day for optimistic feelings, sharing ideas with others, and solving problems quite happily. Your approach to practical matters is positive and creative. You may be tackling duties that you don’t typically feel motivated to complete. You can get much done now, and there is bound to be quite a bit of relief as you reduce the clutter in your mind and conscience. There is an easygoing way about how you express yourself now that is especially appealing to others. As the day advances, you’re more interested in the details than the big ideas.

Pisces

Minds are open this morning, dear Pisces, so that making changes feels natural. Personal magnetism is good and matters of the heart can thrive. Thoughts flow, and so does the creative process. Consider expressing yourself through creative mediums. You are certainly recognizing a need for more creative and expressive outlets these days, and today, you are steering in the right direction. There can be a lot of activity today with regards to the exchange of ideas, communications with friends, and a flood of thoughts. A rewarding conversation can figure strongly. While the morning is good for big ideas, the afternoon is better for seeing the practical angles. Don’t let this comparatively more serious energy bring you down – use it to make refinements and edits.

Weekend Love Horoscope

July 8-10: Open and honest

By Maria DeSimone

Videos, Love, Horoscopes, Astrology

Part of the Daily Insight Group

Calendar of the Moon
8 Tinne/Hekatombaion

Cuchulain’s Day

Color: Red
Element: Fire
Altar: Upon a red cloth set a large mug of beer, four torches, and as many weapons as are to be found in the House.
Offerings: Confront one’s hidden rage.
Daily Meal: Spicy food.

Invocation to Cuchulain

(Those who would aid in the ritual should take up weapons and clash them together after every line spoken. At the end, clash them three times and lower them to the ground, them return them to the altar.)
Hail, chosen warrior of the Morrigan!
Hail, bringer of battle rage!
Hail, Hound of Culain!
You who slew the Hound
And became one in his stead,
You who were defeated only by treachery,
Greatest in battle
But faithful to woman,
Greatest in slaughter
But undone by a naked breast,
Greatest in victory
But defeated by thoughtlessness,
Coming youngest to glory
And youngest to death,
Embody for us the courage of youth
That we may call upon it
Throughout our lives.
Hail, Cuchulain, shooting like a fiery arrow,
Brave and foolish,
Strong and ephemeral
As a shooting star in the sky.

(As the weapons are clashed for the final time, all let forth a battle-cry; “Cuchulain!”. The beer is poured as a libation, and the torches doused in the well.)
[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun
8 Haymonath

Justicia II: Day of Dike

Color: Dark Blue
Element: Air
Altar: Upon a cloth of dark blue set a flaming torch, a sword, and a set of scales.
Offerings: Right an injustice, or give aid to those who do.
Daily Meal: Fasting. Instead, give readings on justice.

Invocation to Dike

High on your mountain,
Waiting for the world to turn around,
What do you see in that high view
That we do not see, here on the ground?
Lady of Justice, once a maiden
Wreathed in flowers and beauty,
Dancing with your sisters
Marking out the hours
You are now weathered and alone
Waiting out the years.
What right do we have to ask for justice
When we are not ourselves perfect?
The right of every imperfect being.
For if no one asks,
no one receives,
and then no one has an example for which to strive.
Please Lady, have patience
With our folly
Do not give up on us
And do not bend your scales
For we must learn to feel
Justice from within
For it will never come from without.
Have no mercy on our souls,
For only in this way can we learn.

Chant:
Dike Dike
Hora of the Even Hand

[Pagan Book of Hours]

The Witches Almanac for Friday, July 8th

St. Elizabeth’s Day (Portuguese)

Waxing Moon

Moon Phase: First Quarter

Moon Sign: Virgo

Incense: Rose

Color: Pink