Soothing Sage

 

Sage not only has many mouth–watering culinary uses, but is valued by herbalists for it antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Astrologically associated with the zodiacal sign of the Bull, which prevails on May 7, sage is often used to soothe a sore throat, and it is thought that its efficacious action is at least partly due to Taurus’s influence over the throat. So if your throat feels scratchy and raw and you are finding swallowing painful, brew a pot of sage tea(use 1 oz of dry sage or 2 oz of fresh leaves, to 1 pint of boiling water) to gargle with or sip.

 

Miraculous Mannka?

If you are prone to sore throats, invest in a pot of Manuka honey–check that it has a UMF rating–and you may find that it’s work its weight in gold. For many people swear that swallowing a teaspoon or two of this New Zealand honey works wonders.

 

Source

The Wicca Book of Days
Selena Eilidh Ash

The Pagan Book of Days for Saturday, May 7th

None of May/Heldon Furry Dance/Egyptian Day

 

The famous Furry or Floral Dance is traditionally performed at Helston in Cornwall. In former times, dancing through towns and villages was commonplace.

 

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

Saturday, May 7th

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 Saille (Willow) – April 15th and runs through May 12

Runic Half Month of Lagu (flowing water) – April 29th -May 13

Goddess of the Month for April 18 to May 15 is Maia
 

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

 

The Sky This Week: May 7 – May 15

A New Moon rises, Comet PANSTARRS makes an appearance, and Mercury crosses in front of the Sun.

Saturday, May 7
With an age of 4.5 billion years, “young” might not seem an appropriate word to describe our Moon. But tonight, you have an exceptional opportunity to see what astronomers call a “young Moon” — a slender crescent visible low in the west some 30 to 45 minutes after sunset. With New Moon having occurred yesterday afternoon, only 2 percent of our satellite’s disk appears illuminated this evening. You should notice an ashen light faintly illuminating the Moon’s dark side. This is “earthshine,” sunlight reflected by Earth that reaches the Moon and then reflects back to our waiting eyes. Use binoculars for the best view. The young Moon will be much easier to see tomorrow evening, when it appears significantly higher and some 7 percent illuminated.

Sunday, May 8
Although the Eta Aquariid meteor shower reached its peak last week (on May 5), it still should put on a show during the predawn hours for the next few nights. According to the International Meteor Organization, the shower’s broad maximum produces up to half the peak rate between May 3 and 10. Eta Aquariid meteors derive from debris ejected by Comet 1P/Halley during its many trips around the Sun. When Earth crosses this debris stream, our planet’s atmosphere incinerates the tiny dust particles and we see the streaks of light called meteors, or “shooting stars.” With the Moon now out of the sky, an observer at a dark site can expect to see 10 to 15 meteors per hour shortly before morning twilight begins. Those living close to the equator and in the Southern Hemisphere should have the best views.

Monday, May 9
Mercury passes directly between the Sun and Earth today for the first time since November 8, 2006. The innermost planet’s dark disk will transit the Sun’s face for 7.5 hours. Observers across most of the world (excluding Australia, New Zealand, eastern Asia, and the adjacent oceans) can view at least some of the transit. This is a morning event for most North Americans. Mercury first touches the solar disk at 7:12 a.m. EDT, lies closest to the Sun’s center at 10:57 a.m., and leaves our star’s limb at 2:39 p.m. You’ll need a telescope equipped with a safe, full-aperture solar filter to see this event. For complete observing details, see “How to view Mercury’s rare transit” in the May issue of Astronomy.

Tuesday, May 10
The Big Dipper’s familiar shape lies nearly overhead on May evenings. The spring sky’s finest binocular double star marks the bend of the Dipper’s handle. Mizar shines at 2nd magnitude, some six times brighter than its 4th-magnitude companion, Alcor. Even though these two are not physically related, they make a fine sight through binoculars. (People with good eyesight often can split the pair without optical aid.) A small telescope reveals Mizar itself as double — and these components do orbit each other.

Wednesday, May 11
Another comet in the growing throng of such objects discovered by the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii makes its appearance it May’s morning sky. Comet PANSTARRS (C/2013 X1) currently glows between 7th and 8th magnitude in northeastern Aquarius. (This morning, it lies 2° northeast of 4th-magnitude Phi [f] Aquarii.) From most of the United States, you’ll need a clear, flat eastern horizon to spot the comet through a telescope just before dawn breaks.

Thursday, May 12
Brilliant Jupiter appears high in the south as darkness falls and remains on display until 3 a.m. local daylight time. The giant planet shines at magnitude –2.2 — brighter than any other point of light in the night sky — against the backdrop of southern Leo the Lion. Jupiter appears equally dazzling through a telescope, which reveals a wealth of atmospheric detail on a disk that spans 40″. Look carefully tonight and you should see a black dot crossing the cloud tops. This is the shadow of Ganymede, Jupiter’s (and the solar system’s) largest moon. This shadow transit takes place from 11:40 p.m. to 2:51 a.m. EDT.

Friday, May 13
First Quarter Moon occurs at 1:02 p.m. EDT. The half-lit orb rises just after noon local daylight time, appears highest in the south shortly before sunset, and sets around 2 a.m. The Moon spends this evening among the background stars of southwestern Leo the Lion, less than 5° from that constellation’s brightest star, Regulus.

Saturday, May 14
The Moon moves approximately 13° eastward relative to the starry background every 24 hours, and its motion carries it near Jupiter this evening. From North America, the two appear within 5° of each other all night. They will be in conjunction at 6 a.m. EDT tomorrow morning, when our satellite passes 2° due south of the planet.

Sunday, May 15
About 45 minutes after Mars rises, Saturn pokes above the southeastern horizon. Although the ringed planet pales in comparison to its neighbor, its yellow color contrasts nicely with the Red Planet’s hue. Throw in the ruddy glow of nearby Antares, the 1st-magnitude luminary of Scorpius, and you have a colorful trio of bright objects to follow throughout the late evening and morning hours. As you might guess, Saturn’s proximity to Mars means it also will reach opposition and peak visibility soon — in fact, it reaches this orbital highlight June 3. The view of Saturn through a telescope never fails to impress. This week, the world appears 18″ across and sports a beautiful ring system that spans 42″ and tilts 26° to our line of sight.
 

Source

Astronomy Magazine

Your Daily Sun & Moon Data for Saturday, May 7th

Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 104.66° ESE
Sun Altitude: 45.98°
Sun Distance: 93.817 million mi
Next Solstice: Jun 20, 2016 5:34 PM (Summer)
Sunrise Today: 5:53 AM↑ 68° East
Sunset Today: 7:49 PM↑ 292° Northwest
Length of Daylight: 13 hours, 56 minutes

 

Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 97.42° E
Moon Altitude: 34.42°
Moon Distance: 223580 mi
Next Full Moon: May 21, 20164:14 PM
Next New Moon: Jun 4, 20169:59 PM
Next Moonset: Today8:59 PM
Current Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 1.2%

 

Source
timeanddate.com

 

New Moon Rituals

A Portal of Change
Rituals are a way to mark turning points in your life. They can be used to symbolically welcome changes in your life. They can be simple candle rituals or elaborate ones. The most important thing is your full presence in the moment.

Magic is Simply Change
The New Moon is a magical time of beginnings, when you can recharge goals, or set new ones.

Rituals bring meaning to our lives by “charging” an intention with power. We’re always setting intentions, and this is a way to do it in a more conscious way. There is power in coming up with visions for your life, and keeping them in your sights as they come into being.

But even as you fully commit to those visions, stay flexible, since new doors may open that you didn’t expect. At the New Moon, goals and wishes take root, as you reach out for spiritual wisdom, draw on unseen allies and open the door to magical change.

You might get what you ask for, or something even better that you can’t imagine yet.

It’s important to come up with a ritual that has meaning for you, instead of trying to follow any set guidelines (unless you’re part of an established ritual group).

You’re the one that knows your personal story best, and what to lift out of that narrative, what will infuse your ritual with power. Here are some general guidelines to shape your rituals using the unique symbols and totems from your life.

Gathering your Sacred Supplies

Your altar is where you collect your sacred objects — pictures, found objects and the like. Using herbs with healing or symbolic properties adds to your ritual.

Stones and crystals are another powerful ally. Candles are magical, and in its form contains all four of the elements. A small journal on hand allows you to keep a record of your intentions.

Preparing for the Ritual
This is the most important part of ritual, since your commitment is the key. Take a ritual bath with sea salt to clear your field of any negative energies.

Sage is an herb used by the Native Americans to clear a space, and make it sacred for ritual. It’s available in most health food stores these days, and easiest to use in its wand form. Light the end and blow on it until there is a smoldering glow.

Use it around your own body, and in the space of your ritual. Clear your mind with meditation, using music or just quieting down in your cleared, sacred area.

Grounding
This is something that’s important anytime, for staying connected to earth energy. Signs that you’re not grounded are mania, nervousness, racing thoughts and the like. Too often we forget to feel the earth under our feet.

A straightforward grounding exercise is to visualize your roots going down into the Earth, through the layers, into the core, and then drawing that energy back up through your feet again.

It moves through each chakra, coming out the top and down around you. Try this or another variation of grounding before you set New Moon intentions.

Your New Moon Wishes
After you’ve cleared a sacred space and settled your energy, you’re ready to set your intentions. Make a list of what you’d like to draw into your life, and Dream Big!

The New Moon is a moment to conjure what seems out of reach, and creating the vision is the first step to making it a reality. But these are not just words on paper.

As you write them down as intentions, you are committing to doing your part to make them real. Some call it co-creating, since you’re opening to universal energies to set dreams in motion.

Dreams of the Soul
Your intentions come from the longings that keep coming up. In the days leading up to the new Moon, give some thought to those longings, and see what images, dreams and streams of thought come up.

Use symbolic associations to go along with your intentions. Weave in the element for the New Moon, and think about the astrological Houses and planets that are affected by it.

For an earth element new Moon, for example, you might plant seeds that represent your intention. Rituals are a way to work with universal energies, and draw attention to the particular life lessons, or arena (house, planet, etc) that it illuminates for you.

Symbolic Acts
Here’s where you get to be creative. If your intentions are to write a book, or broadcast your ideas out to the world, tie them to a helium balloon and send them off.

Write them on a stick and offer it to the fire. To open to love, put lavender and a rose quartz in a small pouch, along with the qualities you’re seeking. If you’re inspired, add a symbolic act to your intention-setting ritual.

Keep them Alive
A big part of success with new Moon intentions is what comes after. Find ways to keep them in the front of your awareness. Put them in a visible spot, or keep them in your wallet.

Make notes in your journal about your progress. At the Full Moon , find ways to take action on those intentions, and celebrate any signs of change.
 

Source

Molly Hall, Astrology Expert
Article published on & owned by About.com

New Moon Magic

New Moons are special, as a time to enfold into your real self, the timeless one.

If it’s true that we rest between lives, in our real home, the New Moon is a time to rest, before the next cycle of happenings.

Because of that, it’s one to get juiced up again, by merging with that renewing, spiritual source. And like other moments of soul searching, like the Sun’s “New Moon” at Winter Solstice, it’s a time to remember who you are, and get guidance on the road ahead.

Sun and Moon
When the Moon is new, the Luminaries — the Sun and Moon — are aligned in the same Zodiac sign. That makes it a charged time with concentrated energies of that sign.

A New Moon is a symbolic point of attention, and a symbolic portal for new beginnings.

New Moons are a great time to set intentions for things you’d like to create, develop, cultivate, make manifest. There are many ways to initiate this communion with the Universe from lighting a candle to elaborate rituals.

What matters is that you’re committing yourself to your vision, and open to receiving guidance, healing, support from Spirit.

Following the Moon
When you tune into the Moon’s phases, it’s reassuring to know that there are many chances during the year to tap into lunar energy. Like the tides, the Moon ebbs and flows, a rhythm that women understand intimately. New Moons are a blank page on which to speak your dreams out loud, and Full Moons are for taking action and celebrating the fruit of your efforts.

In the chaotic and temporal world, looking to something larger that is also part of yourself can fill you with awe and make you feel connected. For whatever path you’re on, opening to working with planetary energies links you to the power of the divine.

Getting Ready
It’s a good idea to spend some time reflecting in the days leading up to the new Moon. Knowing exactly what you want to draw into your life is not always easy. Part of preparing for the new Moon is making sure you are clear about your intentions. Sometimes it’s a quality you’d like to cultivate like forgiveness, courage — other times it’s a more specific request like a promotion at work or new place to live.

What is a New Moon Ritual?
This depends on your personal tastes, the pace of your life and the time you have to devote to it. Some simply light a candle, while others gather objects and pictures for their altar. Lately, I’ve been writing my intentions on a 7-day candle and leaving it in a prominent (and safe) place. With a candle, you can return to it and relight it while meditating on your intentions.

Ritual helps focus your entire being on the quest at hand. In the days leading up to the new Moon, you might gather pictures and totems that symbolize your goal. Creating a New Moon collage gives you a visual reminder of your dreams.

What does it mean in each different Zodiac Sign?:
Every new Moon is different, and this gives you the chance to claim the energies of each different sign. Even if you don’t have planets in the sign for a given month, it falls somewhere in your birth chart. We each have elements of the entire Zodiac in our make-up, with some more emphasized than others. Find out where the new Moon falls in your chart for clues as to what to “call in” that month.

How is it different from the Full Moon:
The new Moon has a more inward feel, has a void or empty quality, and therefore can be frightening to those not comfortable with uncertainty. Can you learn to trust the dark? It’s the moment when the old passes away and the new is not yet here. That’s why it’s a powerful time for sending out your prayer, wishes, desires to the Universe.
 

Source

Molly Hall, Astrology Expert
Article published and owned by About.com