Category: Articles

If You Were Born Today, January 6

happy-birthday-cake

If You Were Born Today, January 6

Exceptionally hard working, your work means the world to you, and if you don’t choose a career path that truly reflects your goals, you are unlikely to be very happy! You are a list maker, an organizer, and a person who loves order, even if you don’t always feel you are orderly enough. You are at your best when you have a goal in mind. You are loyal and somewhat of a perfectionist. As peace-loving and security-minded as you are, there is a decidedly stubborn and argumentative side to your personality.

Famous people born today: Syd Barrett, Carl Sandburg, Loretta Young, Rowan Atkinson, Bonnie Franklin.

Courtesy of Cafe Astrology

 

Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, January 6th

 

 

 

 

Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, January 6th

 

Aries

Aries Horoscope
Aries

There can be a nice feeling of acceptance in your closest relationships today, dear Aries. The Moon is now in your adventure sector, stimulating latent restlessness. You are looking for intellectual challenges now. However, you might feel a little scattered later in the day and into tomorrow. Watch for a tendency to challenge authority or tradition in ways that instigate rather than help bring positive change with the Sun in challenging aspect to Uranus in your sign. Look within for a need to make changes and answer that call, rather than simply react to others and circumstances.

Taurus

Taurus

You may be entertaining your deeper feelings and desires today, dear Taurus, more than usual, and you can be a little introspective as you do so. This is a good time to observe rather than act. There can be surprising new information or circumstances that throw off your schedule or plans later today and into tomorrow with a Sun-Uranus square. The regular routine might seem especially boring or restricting now. Seek to satisfy your cravings for something different by varying your routine, learning something new, or enjoying a new activity, rather than stir up trouble or remain in limbo.

Gemini

Gemini

The Moon moves into your partnership sector early into the day, dear Gemini, and you can be quite focused on your relationships or in restoring balance in your life. You’re more inclined to notice areas of your life that need more attention. This is a good day for connecting with others about work objectives, or with co-workers and associates. There is better understanding. Later today and into tomorrow, however, surprises or changes in plans and moods can point to a need to adjust expectations and attitudes. If you’re feeling especially tense or restless, try to channel excess energy into something productive. Investigating new approaches and experimenting with new methods can satisfy an itch for doing something different and unusual. While it can seem natural to part with things or even people now, wait until you’ve thought or talked things through. There can be uneasy feelings about commitments temporarily.

Cancer

Cancer

Today, you are likely to be putting more energy into activities that leave you with a sense of accomplishment, dear Cancer. You’re inclined to want to be productive, to fix problems, and to help others accomplish their goals. However, with an impending square between the Sun and Uranus, it can be challenging sticking to a schedule or following all of the rules closely. There can be some difficult or erratic energy in a relationship, particularly with a partner, parent, or authority figure. People can seem to demand more of your time and attention, or you might be expecting a lot from others. There can be insensitivity or coarseness to deal with, and this can be frustrating. If a change in approach is needed, try to think of one now.

Leo

Leo

Creative energy is strong now, dear Leo, but finding a channel for it can be a challenge. You want to be noticed, to shine, and to stand out for your unique qualities with the Moon now in your solar fifth house. You may stumble upon a new way to approach an old health or work problem from upset or interrupted plans today and tomorrow, so try to stay positive and centered if your schedule changes at a moment’s notice. There can be a real disdain for routine now, however, and even if you want to stick close to your plans, something can come up that changes them. New interests can distract you from the task at hand. Aim to find ways to fill your need for change, new horizons, and learning new things, but keep your routines going so that you stay grounded.

Virgo

Virgo Symbol/Glyph
Virgo

The Moon moves into your family and home sector, dear Virgo, and you’re inclined to be a little more introspective or self-protective than usual now and in the next couple of days. This is a good day for communicating your understanding of a significant other’s point of view. Later today and into tomorrow, a Sun-Uranus influence challenges you to better understand your feelings and expectations of others. With the “noise” around you rather chaotic, it can be difficult to discern how you feel, but don’t ignore what you’re seeing now, as Uranus is an awakener. You might open your eyes to something very important today, particularly about a love relationship. Alternatively, you can find creative inspiration right now. Expect the unexpected and avoid hanging too tightly to traditions or the past.

Libra

Libra Glyph-Symbol
Libra

The Moon moves into your communications sector early into the day, dear Libra, and you’re especially alert to the things happening around you. You need a little variety in order to be engaged today. Competitive energies with family may prevent you from truly unwinding later today and into tomorrow. Uranus energy is strong and challenging, and while Uranus can be a fickle and rebellious energy, it also has the effect of awakening us to new ways of thinking, and new spins on old traditions. Change, of course, can be unsettling, but if it helps us to move forward and away from bad habits, then it’s beneficial. What’s important now is to work with Uranus instead of resisting it. Think of new ways to relate to others, freshen your mind with alternative possibilities, and open your heart to change. Interruptions to your plans may put you on a detour that ends up feeling right.

Scorpio

Scorpio Symbol Glyph
Scorpio

The Moon moves out of your sign early into the day, dear Scorpio, and some of the urgency of the Moon in your sign subsides. You are interested in acquiring and building, and have a little more patience to fill these needs. Later today and into tomorrow, a Sun-Uranus aspect suggests some unrest or interruptions of plans, but a new perspective on a matter can be the result, and this can lead to good things and possibly happy new directions. Take extra care with directions and instructions as there is a tendency to skip important details or steps. A minor work or scheduling crisis may need managing. It can be difficult to be productive with scattered energy, so do what you can to center and relax yourself. Don’t overschedule.

Sagittarius

Sagittarius Glyph Symbol
Sagittarius

The Moon moves into your sign early today, dear Sagittarius, and the desire to be yourself and assert your individuality is strong. However, it’s also a time when you’re craving feedback and validation of your feelings. As the day advances, you’re under a Sun-Uranus influence that challenges your recent interest in taking control of your practical affairs, such as business and finances. Inconsistencies occurring now remind you that control is never entirely ours, but how you react to changes and problems is something you can manage. Changes in plans can actually stimulate new approaches and ideas, so keep an open mind. Expect some impatience and/or unreliability, particularly in dealings with romantic interests or friends. Extra care should be taken with personal possessions, as you can be a little scatter-brained today and you might lose something.

Capricorn

Capricorn Symbol/Glyph
Capricorn

The Moon moves into your privacy sector early today, dear Capricorn, and you may need to take a little break from the regular pace of everyday life in order to catch your breath on an emotional level. This is a good time for reviewing and processing recent events and feelings. Later today, the Sun and Uranus are moving towards a square aspect, exact tomorrow morning, and if you’ve been burying frustrations, they could come to the surface and disrupt your day. Family relationships can be a little tense or strained, or unexpected events in your personal life have you feeling off schedule. Try to take a break from the routine and find new ways to enjoy yourself if things are feeling too stuffy or stifling, but also seriously consider what you may need to stay stimulated and engaged in the longer term. Remain as open and flexible as possible today and tomorrow for the best results. Changes of plans can sometimes lead to new ways of looking at a matter, which can be helpful.

Aquarius

Aquarius

The Moon moves into your social sector early into the day, dear Aquarius, and you’ll find that you’re a little more interested in happiness goals than material or worldly goals today. There is good energy for connecting with others without limiting expectations, and this suits you well. As the day moves forward, there can be changes of plans to deal with, or possibly news or conversations that touch a nerve. There may also be a tendency to say things out of turn or speak of a matter prematurely now. Follow directions, as much as you’d prefer not to, because the inclination now is to skip important steps, but listen to ideas and instincts even if you don’t act on them just yet. Don’t be afraid to look within for answers. A little self-knowledge now goes a long way, and Uranus, your ruler and a planet known as the awakener, is offering you a chance to see yourself and your inner motives more clearly.

Pisces

Pisces

The Moon moves to the top of your solar chart early into the day, dear Pisces, and you become more strongly aware of what you’re projecting to others, your responsibilities, and your major life goals. While this is typically a time for paying closer attention to rules, a Sun-Uranus aspect challenges that as we move closer to it as the day advances. Others may be a little abrupt now, and schedules may be overturned. You may feel some pressure to come up with ideas for new projects – to plant some seeds, so to speak. Others might be especially motivated to fix a friendship, or could want to break free of someone’s hold on you. Address the need for change and a little more freedom, but aim to make these changes consciously rather than simply reacting to the limits or restrictions you may be feeling.

The Balance of the Signs and the Elements for Wednesday, January 6

 

 

 

 

The Balance of the Signs and the Elements for Wednesday, January 6

 

SAGITTARIUS STRONG
Inspiring, broad vision, enthusiastic, goal seeking, truthful, adventurous. Can be reckless, unrestrained, tactless.
CAPRICORN STRONG
Disciplined, responsible, reliable, industrious, conscientious, practical, achieving. Can be pessimistic, overly conventional, rigid, materialistic, callous.

BALANCE OF ELEMENTS

FIRE STRONG
Fire is enthusiastic, dynamic, and spontaneous, but lacks reflection. We are more courageous and adventurous now, with a tendency to act before thinking. There is little concern about what happened in the past. We are competitive and possibly impatient or bored easily.
AIR WEAK
We may have a difficult time being objective or detached. We may not be especially communicative.

BALANCE OF MODES

The modes are balanced in this chart.

Astrology of Today – January 6, 2016

 

 

 

 

Astrology of Today – January 6, 2016

Summary:

  • The Moon is in Scorpio until 1:55 AM.
  • The Moon is void until 1:55 AM (since yesterday at 12:47 PM).
  • The Moon is in Sagittarius from 1:55 AM forward (until Friday, January 8th, at 10:06 AM).
  • The Moon is waning and in its Last Quarter phase until 2:44 AM / the Moon is waning and in its Waning Crescent phase from 2:44 AM forward.
  • A Last Quarter Moon occurred on the 2nd and a New Moon will occur on the 9th.
  • Mercury is retrograde (Mercury is retrograde from January 5-25).

January 2016 Energy Forecast: Be Bold

January 2016 Energy Forecast: Be Bold

Lee Harris
a message from Lee Harris
To view more of Lee’s insight, please visit his website, Lee Harris Energy

 

Commit to Self-Honesty, Simplicity & Presence

Hello everyone and welcome to the Energy Forecast for January 2016. We made it to 2016, and we got through 2015. So please join me in taking a breath to just be present…

And now a breath to take in and release 2015.

And now a breath to invite 2016 in.

One of the big themes for 2016 will be boldness. This was something that kept coming to me over and over again as I was tuning in on a message for you today. The theme of boldness will show up a great deal in 2016, so this will mean you personally will have both the capacity and the growth lessons to help you become more bold in your life — more bold in your way of living and your way of being present as a conscious, fully functioning being.

It will also mean that boldness will be a theme on the world stage. We are already seeing this happen on the world stage (particularly as we saw in the last few months of 2015) in the sometimes aggressive, destructive actions that are designed to put the collective into chaos, designed to bring chaos and fear to the collective. Often, this is expressed as revenge, where anybody who acts destructively towards another being is taking their own inner pain, inner turmoil, and projecting it outward, whether they are doing that one-on-one in an argument, or whether they are doing that to a group of people as an aggressive or destructive act. But there is also the chaos that comes from rising consciousness on a planet that has a great history of pain, suffering and war that has to be experienced and purged as consciousness rises.

The Solution To The Chaos

Think & Act Locally

It’s not an easy dance, and it’s not a dance that will ever make sense if you look at just one component aspect of your life journey, or if you focus only on what’s going on out in wider the world. But it can start to make sense if you think and act locally.

So this is the bold message and invitation for January: How small, simple and local can you keep your actions, your focus and your way of being?

Stepping Out of Overwhelm

Achieving Balance Inside Our Hyper-Connected World

It’s very overwhelming to those of us in the 21st century who suddenly have this enormous amount of information, stimulation and awareness of what’s going on in other parts of the world — and in a way that our parents and our grandparents did not have. It has become very quickly a globally-connected world, and there is a wonder in that — and there is a horror and a shock in that too. And even though many of you are now getting used to dancing through that and finding your new way of being as you are aware of the multi-dimensionality that’s taking place on the planet, it can still be A LOT for the system to take in. It can be a lot for us as human beings, conscious beings and spiritual beings to allow to settle into ourselves and into our awareness.

So overwhelm is still going to be a theme for many of you.

These are overwhelming times. So finding simple, achievable ways of stepping out of overwhelm are going to be very important. For example, some of you (particularly in the spirit of New Year’s resolutions) may have this idea that you need to do something big, like sign up for a six-month coaching course, throwing $8,000 down on it, or whatever it is you need to do that is dramatic and strong. Just check that in yourself, because for a few of you that might be true, but for most of you that will be you trying to extend too far into something that isn’t that achievable — partly as a reaction to this chaos energy.

The truth is that the best way to deal with chaos energy is to keep it small, keep it simple … one step, one day, at a time.

So, if you are feeling overwhelmed and like you aren’t doing a great job of looking after yourself at the moment, just think: What is the one thing I can add to my daily routine right now that will help?

It could be:

  • Nutritional
  • Exercise
  • Outdoor time
  • A simple spiritual practice
  • Watching a two-minute youtube video that makes you feel better each day
  • Watching comedy

Don’t give-in to judging what it is. In this moment, just ask yourself: What is the one thing I know makes me feel better? Bring it into your mind and your awareness. If you have a pen and paper handy, write it down. Or type it into your computer or smartphone.

Knowing Your Needs… Each & Every Day

It’s important for you to start to know what it is you need on a daily basis because January is a month of really strong energies, but not necessarily strong in a horizontal, explosive way. We had a lot of that in November and the earlier part of December. What January is going to do is give you the chance to truly expand horizontally, if you want to, using your spiritual connection. But where those two meet (the expansion and spiritual connection) is in your daily practice and your daily actions.

So, you may have an exhausting story that you have avoided doing something for four years. “Oh, I never do that thing.” You’ve got two options now: You can either agree to try it this month (to do it), or agree to let it go and stop thinking you need to do it because obviously you don’t. You may be more attached to the story and to the disappointment that you feel when you replay that story than you are invested in actually creating that action in your life. So just acknowledge that.

New Year’s Resolutions 2.0

The End of Self Judgment

It may initially feel a little heavy to admit to yourself that you’re more invested in disappointing yourself or repeatedly judging yourself. But for each of us there is also a liberation that comes when we can be that honest with ourselves about what our addictions are. Whether our addictions are to a certain energy, a certain pattern, a certain substance, or a certain doing.

There is an enormous amount of energy that gets released into your body when you start to be really honest with yourself about why you aren’t doing the things you aren’t doing, and just recognizing that. “Oh, I’m not doing that thing, and I’ve been saying I would be doing it for years.”

I think the reason this is coming to me intuitively is due to all the January New Year resolution energy, which can be a wonderful thing and can be really powerful, but it can also be a real guilt trip for many people. So if you are already noticing that you are already failing at your New Year’s Resolutions, let your New Year’s Resolution be to not mind what you do and to not judge yourself, because that is a really important power for us as human beings.

If we stop judging our behavior—and stop believing that we are right about what we perceive we are doing wrong—an enormous amount of spiritual, psychic and mental energy frees up. So if you make one commitment to yourself this year, agree to be kinder and more loving to yourself. Here’s why: It will affect others in such a beneficial way. There are people who say it’s selfish to practice to self-love. But it’s a kind of idiocy to say that. I’m sorry to be so strong, but I’ve heard that from so many people who are very unloving people to others in their life. And if those people would be more self-loving, not only would they free themselves from a lot of their pain, but they would also be putting a nicer energy out into the world.

Of course we can’t do it every day. We are human: We have our moments; we meet our compressions; we meet our contractions. But we can hold self-love as an aim.

So, if your New Year resolution was “I’m going to be more loving and more kind to myself,” the great bonus of you doing that is that you will naturally want to be that way to the rest of the world in a stronger way than ever before.

Your Body Was Designed To Thrive… Even in Chaos

A part of the theme of the last few years has been the chaos and overwhelm that you can sometimes feel. As consciousness rises, it is very multi-dimensional, which means you can go through so many things in just one day, which wasn’t the case prior to then. This concentration of energy in itself can be quite a lot for a system to take in. The body, the mind, the energy body, your spiritual self—the whole caboodle gets re-worked.

So there’s a lot of chaos. There is chaos outside, there is chaos within. And the way to let chaos settle is to keep breathing, come back to your body, and know that your body was designed to handle this.

It IS a lot to take in, but we were all designed for this period of time that we have incarnated into … we just didn’t realize that it was going to be such a stretch.

Going Off-Script

Discovering Who You Could Be

For those of you who are feeling more balanced than you ever have, January is going to be a wonderful time to really get to play with life, to recognize the synchronicities and the magical connections that can happen when you get into that balanced place. You have the skills now to pay attention to what’s happening and to acknowledge it: “Wow, just last week I was really wanting to have more space in my life, and this week three things got cancelled. Something over here moved out and then this person offered me a great opportunity that I can experience in a spacious way over here on Tuesday night.”

In that same way, you have to get honest about whether you are tracking the improvements that you say you want. Going back to what I said earlier, sometimes we can get attached to wanting improvements and telling everyone we are wanting improvements, but we don’t really because those improvements would create an alchemical change in our body that we are afraid to go through.

Who would you be if you let go of your habitual fear? Your habitual worry? Who would you be with your parents if you didn’t show up at their door and immediately go into the pattern of remaining silent while they moan at you about who you are? Or you moan at them about who you are because that’s what you do with them—that’s the script that you have with them.

Being Supported Through Your Changes

Change is extraordinarily powerful. With an uplifting or inspiring quote from a wise individual, we touch the surface of how attractive change is (the seductive mind really likes this). But actual change takes place in the body—and then the whole of your life becomes quite different because the whole of your inner self is being invited to transformation.

This is quite a strong process to go through, which is why we need support from each other; and why we need support from inside ourselves.

And for those of you who are ready to really go there, the month of January is going to be supercharged for you.

A Time of Internal Power

Self-Mastery Through Honesty

It doesn’t mean that your outer world will explosively change in January. That’s not so much the energy of this month. This month is very much an inner month, a time for you to really consolidate and move new energy into your body so that during the spring months—or in the fall/winter, depending on which hemisphere you live in—you’ll start to notice a change happening for you in what you can create in the outer world.

January is going to be a very strong internal month where you can consolidate and master your relationship to chaos and your relationship to overwhelm. You can also have an experience where you start to live in a freer, more present way inside yourself. And you can look at changing those scripts a little bit. It might not be that you take the action to change certain scripts this month, but using the inner energy of the month of January is the perfect time to get really honest with yourself.

You can get honest about what it is you would really like to leave behind as you enter 2016, something that you recognize in yourself that has kept you staying smaller or more limited than you would like to be moving forward. That recognition and awareness is far more than a New Year’s Resolution

Forget What You Thought You Knew…

I recognize that everything I’ve just said is a little more complex than perhaps I would have liked it to be, but I will tell you that this is about my 12th attempt to record this energy forecast. I tried six times yesterday, and this is the sixth time today. I was actually going to abandon doing it because it wouldn’t come together, and then I stepped back and realized: Everything is so chaotic right now, and there are so many things going on around us. How do you bring all that into the body and simply let it be there?

So, I decided to give myself permission to just record a video for you saying anything. And of course by giving myself that permission, it was easy to give you a more traditional energy forecast than I thought was possible. But first I had to strip away everything that I had perceived and get very simple.

I think January just did that to me, and I think that is what it’s going to be calling for from a lot of us who are aware and sensitive. There are many layers of energy coming in now, and they require us to forget what we thought we knew and approach things in the simplest way possible. Things are quite complex out there in the world at the moment, so there is an opportunity for us to harness the power of simplicity and presence.

So, I hope you all have a great month.

Lots of love everybody. Take care.

Lee x

The Witches Moon Phase for January 6th is Waning Crescent

Wiccan Magic
January 6
Waning Crescent
Illumination: 13%

The Moon today is in a Waning Crescent phase. In this phase the Moon’s illumination is growing smaller each day until the New Moon. During this phase the Moon is getting closer to the Sun as viewed from Earth and the night side of the Moon is facing the Earth with only a small edge of the Moon being illuminated. This phase is best viewed an hour or 2 before the sunrise and can be quite beautiful if you’re willing to get up early. It can also be a great time to see the features of the Moon’s surface. Along the edge where the illuminated portion meets the dark side, the craters and mountains cast long shadows making them easier to observe with a telescope or binoculars.

Phase Details for – Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Phase: Waning Crescent
Illumination: 13%
Moon Age: 26.00 days
Moon Angle: 0.50
Moon Distance: 397,847.92 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 147,100,872.16 km

 

WOTC Extra – Clearing Unwanted Energy

SPELL WEAVING

Clearing Unwanted Energy

Sage is the herb most people think of when it comes to smudging, but adding thyme to the mix really boosts the power to clear away even the most stubborn negativity from a space. This is a good ritual to use after a long winter, or to dispel a feeling of being in a “slump.” Be sure to give the space you’re smudging a good dusting and sweeping first— dust and dirt can interfere with the sage’s ability to completely clear away unwanted energy.

You will need:
1 sprig of dried sage
1 sprig of dried thyme

Instructions:

As you light the herbs, say the following (or similar) words:

“Spirit of sage, spirit of thyme,
thank you for your cleansing,
healing powers. With your
energies I transform this space
into a place of only love and
light. Blessed Be.”

Stand facing north, and move the smoldering herbs throughout the space, walking in a clockwise direction. Be sure to smudge the corners of the room as well as the more central area.

Visualize the space being saturated with white light.

When you’re finished, leave the room for a few moments and then return. Notice how much lighter and easier you feel in the space now that the energy has been cleared!

Lisa Chamberlain, Wicca Herbal Magic: A Beginner’s Guide to Practicing Wiccan Herbal Magic, with Simple Herb Spells

Let’s Talk Witch – Smudging Rituals

GOTHIC WITCH
Smudging Rituals

While burning incense is traditionally associated with Wicca and other forms of contemporary Witchcraft, the practice of smudging has been used in sacred rituals around the globe since ancient times. Both incense and smudging involve the use of dried herbs, but incense is usually made from a more complex blend of powdered herbs, oils, resins, and bark, which creates a richer, more perfume-like scent. Incense is often an ingredient in spellwork, and various types of incense have specific correspondences with particular magical purposes. Smudging, on the other hand, is usually done before spellwork, and generally has a singular purpose: purifying the energy of a space, or a person.

The particular herbs used may depend on the reason for the purification, which can range from healing from a physical illness to eliminating negative, “haunted” energy from a house. (Incense can also be used for purification, but because it doesn’t tend to burn as cleanly as simple dried herbs, many Witches prefer smudging for this purpose.)

These days, you can find smudge sticks— bundles of dried herbs tied with string— at most New Age shops, as well as other places where medicinal herbs are sold.These are easy to handle and tend to last a long time, so they can be used repeatedly.

However, you can also burn loose sprigs of dried herbs for a “single use” smudge, which requires a bit more caution, but allows you to choose exactly which herb( s) you want to burn, depending on your purpose. (The two workings described below make use of loose herbs, but you can substitute a pre-made smudge stick if you prefer.)

The easiest way to approach smudging with loose herbs is to find sprigs of the dried herbs, ideally four inches long at a minimum, that you can hold with your fingertips. However, you can also place the herbs inside a fire-proof dish, and then place the dish in a skillet, using the handle of the skillet to carry the smoldering herbs. Whichever method you choose, be sure to thank the spirits of the herbs before lighting them. Remember that it’s the smoke from the herbs that does the cleansing, so only light them enough to get them smoldering, rather than trying to set them completely on fire. As with anything involving flame, use extreme caution. And if you’re working indoors, be sure to leave at least one window cracked open so that the energy being removed from the space has a way to get out.

When the smudging is finished, you can put out the burning herbs in a pot of soil or leave them to burn out on their own in a heat-proof dish. Many smudging traditions use a feather to fan the smoke around the space, or over the person, being purified. This is symbolic of the element of Air.

Likewise, many use a sea shell to catch the ashes from the smoldering herbs, which honors the element of Water. (Earth and Fire are already represented by the herbs and the flame.)

Whether you incorporate these items is up to you— you can also use your hand to wave the smoke around, and a bowl to catch the ashes, if you like.

Lisa Chamberlain, Wicca Herbal Magic: A Beginner’s Guide to Practicing Wiccan Herbal Magic, with Simple Herb Spells

Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Spirituality 365 Days a Year for Jan. 6 – Twelfth Night, Epiphany of Kore, and Persephone

HALLOWEEN

January 6

Twelfth Night, Epiphany of Kore, and Persephone

Traditionally, on this day the ancient Greeks would carry the statue of Kore around her temple seven times as they prayed for protection and good fortune. Following the temple activities ties a nocturnal rite was held in honor of Kore (daughter of Zeus and Demeter, whose name means “maiden”), an aspect of Persephone before her marriage to Hades.

On this day in Old Europe the ashes from the Yule log were removed, and either stored for magickal purposes or scattered on the fields to insure fertility. Later on in the day the Lord of Misrule, known as the King of the Bean, was selected. Cakes were made, and a bean was baked into one. Whomever found the bean in his cake was then elected king for the day. The king, along with the Queen of the Pea (selected by finding the pea baked into another batch of cakes) ruled over the final Yuletide festivities.

Wednesday Is Ruled By Mercury

Wiccan Magic

Wednesday Is Ruled By Mercury

Wednesdays are wild and wacky days. They are for communication, change, cunning, and the arts. This is a Mercury day, and just its patron god this day is full of contradictions, change, and excitement. Some suggestions for Wednesday enchantments would include:

Pulling a little Wednesday color magic into your life by wearing purples or orange

Carrying a multipurpose agate with you and tapping into its various charms

Working with magical plants such as the fern for protection. This plant will also boost the power of any other magical plants with which it is arranged.

Incorporating lavender into charms and spells for transformation

Using the charming scent of lily of the valley to improve your memory, or working with the aspen tree for communication

Calling on Athena, patron of arts and crafts, for inspiration for a new project

Fanning out a Tarot spell to increase you creativity

Calling on Hermes on a Wednesday night to bring movement and good luck into your life

The Witches Correspondences for Wednesday, January 6th

Wiccan Magic

WEDNESDAY CORRESPONDENCES

Mercury/Neptune/Air/North/West/Southwest/Female/Male/Gemini/Virgo

Magickal Intentions: Communication, Divination, Writing, Knowledge, Business Transactions, Debt, Fear, Loss, Travel, Money Matters

Color: black, light blue, brown, gray, green, magenta, orange, peach, purple, red, silver, turquoise, violet, white, yellow; orange is the primary color

Number: 3, 5

Metal: mercury

Charm: distaff, rod, runes, staff, iridescent garments

Stone: moss agate, amethyst, bloodstone, emerald, hematite, lapis lazuli, lodestone, pearl, ruby, sapphire, sodalite, all blue stones

Animal: bear, dog, fox, magpie, swan, weasel

Plant: almond, bayberry, chamomile, cherry, cinnamon, cinquefoil, clove, coltsfoot, ginger, hazel, hazelnut, jasmine, lavender, millet, oak, peppermint, periwinkle, rosemary, sage, St. John’s wort, sweet pea, tamarind, lemon verbena, violet

Incense: cassia, cedar, cinnamon, clove, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, mastic, mint, rosemary, sage, sandalwood, storax, dried and powdered citrus peel, and all incense made from aromatic bark, wood, and seeds

Goddess: Carmenta, Hecate (Queen of Crossroads), Hel, Ishtar, Ma’at, the Morrigan, Nike

God: Anubis, Bragi, Elath-Iahu. Enki, Garuda, Hermes, Maximon (Black Magician), Mercury, Nebo (Wise God of Wednesday), Odin, Shango, Ullr, Vishnu, Wayland, Woden

Evocation: Agrat Bat Mahalat, Michael, Miel, Raphael, Seraphiel, Tiriel

Courtesy of Moonlight Musings

The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, January 6

Wiccan
The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, January 6

Wednesday (Mercury): The conscious mind, study, travel, divination, and wisdom.

Epiphany Moon

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

Sign: Scorpio
Scorpio: Increases awareness of psychic power. Precipitates psychic crises and ends connections thoroughly. People tend to brood and become secretive.

Moon enters Sagittarius 1: 56 am
Sagittarius: Encourages flights of imagination and confidence. This is an adventurous, philosophical, and athletic Moon sign. Favors expansion and growth.

Incense: Lilac

Color: Yellow

Wednesday Witchery

Wiccan

Wednesday Witchery

Be bold and daring today! Expand your knowledge of the Craft by working with the planetary energies of Mercury on this multifaceted day of the week. Consider the Greco-Roman gods Mercury and Hermes and all of the many lessons they have for you. Embrace change and movement, and work on your communication techniques. Conjure up a little good luck for yourself with that Mercury dime spell. Call on Athena to inspire you to try magickal arts and crafts and to be more creative in your own spellwork and witchery.

Meditate on Odin and see what you can discover about him. I wonder what sort of fabulous and fascinating magickal wisdom you will uncover? Odin is a shaman, after all; he may appear in many guises and faces. I guarantee that he will make you laugh at yourself before he is through with you, but you will learn. It’s up to you what you do with that knowledge. Will you let it shapeshift into wisdom?

Wednesday is the wild and wily day of the week, so try to go with the flow; don’t fight the quirky energies of the day. Most importantly, follow your heart, and always keep a good sense of humor, because of Wednesdays you will really need it.

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

Wednesday

fantasy

Wednesday

Ruler: Wodin, Mercury

Colors: Orange, light blue, and gray

Power Hours: Sunrise and the 8th, 16th, and 24th hours following

Keywords: Success, creativity, communication

The word Wednesday is reminiscent of the Norse wind god Wodin, which is referenced in the popular rhyme verse “Wednesday’s child is full of woe.” This does not mean that those born on this day are full of sorrow or trouble. To be full of Wo (Wodin) means to be full of wind, to be spirited. Woden was such a powerful pagan god that the German church fathers changed the name of his day to Mittwoch, meaning midweek, in an attempt to exorcise his influence.

In the Spanish word for Wednesday, miercoles, we clearly see its connection to Mercury. Under the guidance of Mercury; Wednesday is a day of swift activity, communication, correspondence, and phone calls. This is a good day for journalists, writers, poets, bargaining, hiring employees, and visiting friends.

On Wednesdays, the hour of sunrise and every eight hours after that are also ruled by Mercury, making these times of the day doubly blessed. These are the strongest four hours for ritual work. Check your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine when sunrise occurs.

Source:
Gypsy Magic

Wednesday’s Conjuring

Wiccan magic

Wednesday’s Conjuring

Wednesday – is associated with Mercury

Candle colors – Purple

Spellcrafting to be done: Mastery, Domination Work, Wisdom, Healing, Dealing with Legal problems.
 

—Starr Casas, Old Style Conjure Wisdoms, Workings and Remedies

Good Wednesday Morning To All Our Brothers & Sisters of the Craft!

Gothic

Children of the Goddess

 

You step from the shadows
I have seen you there before
You wait for a sign
I know why you have come here
this night
You have been called
I called you this night
I sent my power to the wind to
summon you this Full Moon
You stand before me and wait
I take my hand and run it over your body
I feel you quiver at my touch
I remove my linen shift, it drops to
the ground I stand naked before you
The Goddess has called her
Witches
She has called us to join in the
great ritual
We will dedicate ourselves to her
this night, as we have done in the
past
You have waited for me, as we have
joined in the past
We are known to each other
Our lives have been intertwined in
the past, now in the present
You take me this night
Your power reaches deep into me,
it fills me with desire
We have joined as Witches do, no
shame just pleasure
The night is filled with the desire of
Witches
As children of the Goddess we
know who we are
And the power we have this night
We rule ourselves and this night
We go into the night as children of
the Goddess
For we are Witches and the earth
belongs to us…..
—JoAnne Spiese, A Witch’s Prayerbook

 

Incense, Asthma and Allergies

Incense, Asthma and Allergies

A reader asks, “Considering the major role that incense plays in rituals, Circles, cleansing and so on; what would be your suggestions for people trying to perform such activities that have asthma or allergies? There is not much that is more distracting then trying to concentrate on the task at hand and having it interrupted because you suddenly can’t breathe and are coughing trying to get oxygen.

In many cases, the smoke from burning incense can exacerbate asthma. You do have a couple of different options, because there are a number of smoke free alternatives to using incense.

Reader RainbowSkittles, who not only has asthma but also has two kids who suffer from breathing issues, says, “What I use instead of commercial incense sticks is the loose grain incense. I can mix it with water, put it in a small bowl, and heat it up over a tealight burner. This produces the scent, without the smoke.”

MyLittleHomie has a radiator in her apartment, and places frankincense crystals in a pie tin, adds a bit of water, and then places the tin on the radiator.

“You can smell it all over the apartment, and there’s no burning charcoal or smoke to cause my asthma to flare up.”

On the other hand, if your situation is that you’re allergic to certain fragrances – and many of the commercially available incense brands contain synthetics that trigger allergic reactions – you may find that using only natural, fragrance-free incenses is the way to go. Some readers report that if they burn dried plant material like smudge sticks – sage or sweetgrass, for instance – they have no reaction, but if they use commercial incense, it has a negative impact on their ability to breathe.

Keep in mind that it may not actually be the fragrance you’re allergic to, though. A 2008 study looked at religious practices in a number of Asian countries, where incense use is routine. The researchers suggest that allergic reactions to fragrance in incense might in fact be a reaction to tiny particulates that are inhaled into the respiratory system during prolonged exposure to incense smoke.

In some cases, allergic reactions to incense can be more complicated than merely a respiratory issue. A few people have such great sensitivity that they break out itching all over, in a true anaphylactic reaction.

If this is the case in your situation, be sure to check with your healthcare professional, who may be able to provide you with an antihistamine to take if you start experiencing symptoms. There are also individuals who suffer from a disorder known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity syndrome, in which various symptoms are believed to stem from chemical exposures in the environment – incense, perfume, fragrant candles, even laundry detergent.

Finally, do keep in mind that if you’re just using the incense as something representative of the element of Air, you can always substitute something else – a fan, feathers, or whatnot. If you’re using incense as a method of cleansing a sacred space, you might want to try one of these other techniques instead.

 

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Incense 101 – How to Make and Use Your Own Incense

Incense 101 – How to Make and Use Your Own Incense

Smoke in the Sky:

For thousands of years, people have used fragrant flowers, plants, and herbs as incense. Using smoke to send prayers out to the gods is one of the oldest known forms of ceremony. From the censers of the Catholic church to the Pagan bonfire rituals, incense is a powerful way to let your intent be known. You can make your own quite easily, using a blend of herbs, flowers, wood bark, resins, and berries.

Most of these are items you can grow yourself, find in the woods, or purchase inexpensively.

Why Incense?

Incense — and other fragrant items, such as oils and perfumes — work on a couple of different levels. The first is the effect on your mood — a certain scent will trigger a particular emotion. Aromatherapists have known for years that smells affect different parts of the senses. Secondly, an aroma may have various associations. You may be walking through a store, catch a whiff of Chantilly, and suddenly be reminded of your grandmother who passed away when you were away at college. The smell of a particular food may evoke memories of the summer you spent at camp.

Finally, we experience scents on a vibrational level. Every living being has energy, and emits its own vibration – plants are no different. When you blend them into incense, these vibrations change in accordance with your intent. This is why, in magic, incense is so popular — in addition to making your ritual space smell nice, you are able to change the vibration in the atmosphere, effecting change in the universe.

Why Make Your Own?:

You can buy commercially produced incense sticks and cones just about anywhere, and they’re not that expensive. However, they’re typically made with synthetic ingredients, and therefore have little to no magical value. While they’re nice to burn, and certainly smell lovely, they serve little purpose in a ritual setting.

Burning Your Incense:

Loose incense, which is what the recipes on these pages are for, is burned on a charcoal disc or tossed into a fire. The charcoal discs are sold in packages by most metaphysical supply shops, as well as church supply stores (if you have a Hispanic Marketa near you, that’s a good place to look too).

Apply a match to the disc, and you’ll know it’s lit when it begins to spark and glow red. After it’s glowing, place a pinch of your loose incense on the top — and make sure you’ve got it on a fireproof surface. If you’re holding your ceremony outside with large fire, simply toss handfuls into the flames.

How to Read the Recipes:

Any good cook knows that the first step is to always gather your goodies together. Collect your ingredients, your mixing and measuring spoons, jars and lids, labels (don’t forget a pen to write with), and your mortar and pestle.

Each incense recipe is presented in “parts.” This means that whatever unit of measurement you’re using — a cup, a tablespoon, a handful — is one part. If a recipe calls for two parts, use two of whatever you’ve chosen. One half part is a half cup, if you’re using a cup to measure, or half a tablespoon if you’re using a tablespoon.

When making your own incense, if you’re using resins or essential oils, combine these first. Use your mortar and pestle to mash these until they get a bit gummy, before you add any bark or berries. Dried herbs, flowers, or powdery items should go in last.

A Note on Allergies:

Many people suffer from allergic reactions to incense smoke. In many cases, this is caused by a reaction to synthetic materials in commercially-produced incense. Some people find that they have less of a reaction if they use incense made only from natural materials. However, if you have an allergy or some other condition that can be triggered by incense smoke or fragrance, you should consult your physician before using any incense, whether it’s commercially bought or home-made and organic. You may find that the best solution for you is to just avoid the use of incense altogether.

 

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Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by About.com