Category: Articles

Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Spirituality for 365 Days A Year – Bona Dea

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December 3

Bona Dea

On this day in Ancient Rome, the fertility Goddess, Bona Dea, was once again honored (see 3 and 4 May). In myth, Bona Dea was the wife of Faunus and excelled in the domestic arts. Her temple was on the Aventine Hill, but her rites were conducted by the Vestal Virgins in the home of the leading magistrate, under the supervision of his wife. Men were strictly forbidden bidden from attending or witnessing these rituals. als. Little is known of exactly what took place, but wine (called milk) and honey were blessed, possibly to be used later in fertility rites.

The Witches Correspondences for Thursday, December 3rd

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The Witches Correspondences for Thursday, December 3

 

Thursday (Thor’s day)

Planet: Jupiter

Colors: Purple, Deep Blue

Crystals: Amethyst, Lepidolite, Sugilite, Tin

Aroma: Melissa, Clove, Oakmoss, Jupiter Oil, Cinnamon, Musk, Nutmeg, and Sage

Herb: Cinquefoil

Ruled by the planet Jupiter and dedicated to Thor, god of thunder and agricultural work. His parallels in various European Traditions include Zeus, Taranis, Perun, and Perkunas.

Magical aspects: controlled optimism, energetic growth, physical well-being, material success, expansion, money/wealth, prosperity, leadership, and generosity.

Thursday is the day of Jupiter, the largest of the planets and said to be the most powerful. Spellcasters would be wise to use this day for attempting wealth, success and prosperity spells.

Thursday is also associated (in Greek mythology) to Thor – Thor’s day – and some even say that Jupiter and Thor are one in the same. Both are strong and powerful, yet wise and just. Try a small prayer to Jupiter before commencing any ritual on Thursday as a sign of respect.

This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving luck, happiness, health, legal matters, male fertility, treasure, wealth, honour, riches, clothing, money, desires, business, group pursuits, joy, laughter, and expansion

 

The Witches Almanac for Thursday, December 3

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The Witches Almanac for Thursday, December 3

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

St. Francis Xavier’s Day

 

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).

Fourth Quarter 2: 40 am

Moon Sign: Virgo

Virgo: Favors accomplishment of details and commands from higher up. Focuses on health, hygiene, and daily schedules.

Incense: Nutmeg

Color: Turquoise

 

Thursday’s Witchery

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Thursday’s Witchery

 

Today is the day for prosperity work of all kinds. It can also be used for healing work, whether that is a physical healing of an illness or an emotional healing. Also remember that you have to follow up your healing work and prosperity magick and physical action.

I can’t tell you the number of times I have met new witches who complain to me that their prosperity spell or “I need a better job” spell did not work as they expected. They’ll ramble on and on about how much time and money they spent working their magick….but, alas, they had no glorious manifestation of wealth or fabulous job that suddenly dropped out of the sky and landed in their laps.

Then, when I gently ask them, “Did you enchant your resume or application when you filled it out? Did you do a little confidence-boosting spellwork when you went to apply for the job or went to the interview?” typically they give me a blank, confused stare.

Nine times out of ten, their response is, “You mean I have to go out and actually look for the job too?” Um, yes, my dear, you certainly do. Magick follows the path of least resistance, which means it’s going to manifest along the simplest, quickest route. Get out there and hit the pavement. See what you can find. Times are tough and competition for good jobs is fierce, so you need whatever edge you can get. For folks like us, we’re going to get the edge by using our magick and our spellcraft.

Thursdays have such a rich source of magick for us to draw upon that, honestly, the sky is the limit. This is the day associated with the gods of the sky and heavens, after all. Get to know these deities and add their wisdom and magick into your days

 

 

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

Ellen Dugan

 

Thursday

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Thursday

Jupiter’s (Thor’s) day

The name is derived from Old English and Middle English Thuresday (with loss of -n-, first in northern dialects, from influence of Old Norse Þorsdagr) meaning “Thor’s Day”. Thunor, Donar (German, Donnerstag) and Thor are derived from the name of the Germanic god of thunder, Thunraz, equivalent to Jupiter in the interpretatio romana.

In most Romance languages, the day is named after the Roman god Jupiter, who was the god of sky and thunder. In Latin, the day was known as Iovis Dies, “Jupiter’s Day”. In Latin, the genitive or possessive case of Jupiter was Iovis/Jovis and thus in most Romance languages it became the word for Thursday: Italian giovedì, Spanish jueves, French jeudi, Sardinian jòvia, Catalan dijous, and Romanian joi.

This is also reflected in the p-Celtic Welsh dydd Iau.

The astrological and astronomical sign of the planet Jupiter is sometimes used to represent Thursday.

Since the Roman god Jupiter was identified with Thunor (Norse Thor in northern Europe), most Germanic languages name the day after this god: Torsdag in Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, Hósdagur/Tórsdagur in Faroese, Donnerstag in German or Donderdag in Dutch. Finnish and Northern Sami, both non-Germanic (Uralic) languages, uses the borrowing “Torstai” and “Duorastat”. In the extinct Polabian Slavic language, it was perundan, Perun being the Slavic equivalent of Thor.

There are a number of modern names imitating the naming of Thursday after an equivalent of “Jupiter” in local tradition. In most of the languages of India, the word for Thursday is Guruvar- var meaning day and guru being the style for Bṛhaspati, guru to the gods and regent of the planet Jupiter. In Thai, the word is Wan Pharuehatsabodi—referring to the Hindu deity Bṛhaspati, also associated with Jupiter. En was an old Illyrian deity and in his honor in the Albanian language Thursday is called “Enjte”. In the Nahuatl language, Thursday is Tezcatlipotōnal meaning “day of Tezcatlipoca”.

Sending Our Heart-felt Sympathy, Love & Blessings to the People of San Bernardino

A2-D-2060-AE3K-SY-KS

Longing for One More Day

 

When we lose someone we love it seems

that time stands still.

What moves through us is a silence….

a quiet sadness….

A longing for just one more precious day…

One more word, one more touch.

We may not understand why you left this earth

so soon, or why you left before we were ready

to say good-bye, but little by little,

we begin to remember not just that you died,

but that you lived.

Ans that your life gave us memories too beautiful

and no act of terror can ever wash away.

We will see you again some day, in a more divine place

where there is no parting.

A place where there are no words that mean good-bye,

no pain, no suffering just the love and grace of our

Divine Mother.

What a joyous and blessed day that will be.

So Mote It Be

book95

 

Magickal Goody of the Day for Dec. 2nd – Get Ready for Yule by making Your Own Yule Log

Magickal Goody of the Day

yulelog01

 

Get Ready for Yule by making Your Own Yule Log

As the Wheel of the Year turns once more, the days get shorter, the skies become gray, and it seems as though the sun is dying. In this time of darkness, we pause on the Solstice (usually around December 21st, although not always on the same date) and realize that something wonderful is happening.

On Yule, the sun stops its decline into the south. For a few days, it seems as though it’s rising in exactly the same place… and then the amazing, the wonderful, the miraculous happens.

The light begins to return.

The sun begins its journey back to the north, and once again we are reminded that we have something worth celebrating. In families of all different spiritual paths, the return of the light is celebrated, with Menorahs, Kwanzaa candles, bonfires, and brightly lit Christmas trees. On Yule, many Pagan and Wiccan families celebrate the return of the sun by adding light into their homes. One of our family’s favorite traditions – and one that children can do easily – is to make a Yule log for a family-sized celebration.

A holiday celebration that began in Norway, on the night of the winter solstice it was common to hoist a giant log onto the hearth to celebrate the return of the sun each year. The Norsemen believed that the sun was a giant wheel of fire which rolled away from the earth, and then began rolling back again on the winter solstice.

As Christianity spread through Europe, the tradition became part of Christmas Eve festivities. The father or master of the house would sprinkle the log with libations of mead, oil or salt.

Once the log was burned in the hearth, the ashes were scattered about the house to protect the family within from hostile spirits.

Because each type of wood is associated with various magickal and spiritual properties, logs from different types of trees might be burned to get a variety of effects. Aspen is the wood of choice for spiritual understanding, while the mighty oak is symbolic of strength and wisdom. A family hoping for a year of prosperity might burn a log of pine, while a couple hoping to be blessed with fertility would drag a bough of birch to their hearth.

In our house, we usually make our Yule log out of pine, but you can make yours of any type of wood you choose. You can select one based on its magickal properties, or you can just use whatever’s handy. To make a basic Yule log, you will need the following:

  • A log about 14 – 18” long
  • Pinecones
  • Dried berries, such as cranberries
  • Cuttings of mistletoe, holly, pine needles, and ivy
  • Feathers and cinnamon sticks
  • Some festive ribbon – use paper or cloth ribbon, not the synthetic or wire-lined type
  • A hot glue gun

All of these – except for the ribbon and the hot glue gun — are things you and your children can gather outside. You might wish to start collecting them earlier in the year, and saving them. Encourage your children to only pick up items they find on the ground, and not to take any cuttings from live plants.

Begin by wrapping the log loosely with the ribbon. Leave enough space that you can insert your branches, cuttings and feathers under the ribbon. In our house, we place five feathers on our Yule log – one for each member of the family. Once you’ve gotten your branches and cuttings in place, begin gluing on the pinecones, cinnamon sticks and berries. Add as much or as little as you like. Remember to keep the hot glue gun away from small children.

Once you’ve decorated your Yule log, the question arises of what to do with it. For starters, use it as a centerpiece for your holiday table. A Yule log looks lovely on a table surrounded by candles and holiday greenery.

Another way to use your Yule log is to burn it as our ancestors did so many centuries ago. In our family, before we burn our log we each write down a wish on a piece of paper, and then insert it into the ribbons. It’s our wish for the upcoming year, and we keep it to ourselves in hopes that it will come true.

If you have a fireplace, you can certainly burn your Yule log in it, but we prefer to do ours outside. We have a fire pit in the back yard, and on the night of the winter solstice, we gather out there with blankets, mittens, and mugs full of warm drinks as we burn our log. While we watch the flames consume it, we discuss how thankful we are for the good things that have come our way this year, and how we hope for abundance, good health, and happiness in the next.

Source:

Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article is found on and owned by About.com

Gemstone of the Day for December 2nd is Thomsonite

Gemstone of the Day

Thomsonite


Thomsonite is named after the Scottish chemist, T. Thomson (1773-1852 CE).

Hardness: 5 – 5.5        
Specific Gravity: 2.2 – 2.4                    
Chemistry: 2(Ca, Na2)Al4Si4O16.5H2O Hydrated sodium calcium aluminum silicate
Class: Silicates                             
Crystallography: Orthorhombic                         
Cleavage: perfect
Fracture: uneven                        
Streak: white                        
Luster: vitreous


Healing: Thomsonite is utilized to lower the heat of fevers. It is also used to treat cysts and oral fungus and to stimulate the thymus. Thomsonite is used to induce mental clarity. 

Magical Workings: Thomsonite produces an incentive to realize one’s dreams without restraint. Thomsonite offers protection against treachery and laziness.
Thomsonite is associated with the astrological sign of Gemini and vibrates to the number of 3.

Chakra Applications: Thomsonite promotes a strong connection between the physical and ethereal bodies.

Foot Notes: Thomsonite is the name of a series of tecto-silicate minerals of the zeolite group. Prior to 1997 CE, thomsonite was recognized as a mineral species, but a reclassification in 1997 by the International Mineralogical Association changed it to a series name. Thomsonite occurs with other zeolites in the amygdaloidal cavities of basaltic volcanic rocks, and occasionally in granitic pegmatites. It is one of the rarest zeolites.
Source:
Author: Crick

Herb of the Day for December 2nd is Club Moss

Herb of the Day

Club Moss

Running Pine, Foxtail, Stag’s Horn Moss, Wolf Claw



The spores were once used for gastric and urinary disorders, as an antispasmodic sedative and to coat pills.  
 
Blackfoot Indians knew of the spores’ blood-stanching, wound-healing and moisture-absorbing properties and inhaled them for nosebleeds and dusted them on cuts. They are still used on wounds and eczema.  
                             
The whole plant is used as a cathartic, the spores are used as a diuretic in edema, a drastic (a forceful agent of cure) in diarrhea and dysentery, a nervine for rabies and spasms, a mild laxative in cases of gout and scurvy, and a corroborant (strengthening agent) for rheumatism.

Club Moss can be an active narcotic poison when overused. For this reason it is probably better to use only the spores, which are non-toxic.

Magickal uses: Druids respected the plant to such a degree that it was gathered only under strict ritual guidelines. One of the Ovates would dress in white, bathe both feet in free-running water and offer a sacrifice of bread and spirits, and then with white robe wrapped around the right hand, using a brass hook, would dig up the plant by the roots. When properly gathered, the herb becomes a charm of power and protection. Wear it, add it to incense, and use it to commune with the Gods and Goddesses. Also used in protection and power spells. This herb is feminine and ruled by the Moon. It is associated with the element of Water.

Properties: diuretic, drastic, stomachic, aperient, nervine, and suppression of urine

Growth: Club moss are found in North America, northern Europe, Asia, and the southern hemisphere. The plants are several inches in height and resemble moss. They creep by means of prostrate stems, which branch upward at intervals, with crowded, linear, simple leaves. Large two valved spore cases product the medicinally active spores.
Source:
Author: Crick

Astronomy Picture of the Day – At the Heart of Orion

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2015 December 2

At the Heart of Orion
Image Credit & Copyright: László Francsics

Explanation: Near the center of this sharp cosmic portrait, at the heart of the Orion Nebula, are four hot, massive stars known as the Trapezium. Tightly gathered within a region about 1.5 light-years in radius, they dominate the core of the dense Orion Nebula Star Cluster. Ultraviolet ionizing radiation from the Trapezium stars, mostly from the brightest star Theta-1 Orionis C powers the complex star forming region’s entire visible glow. About three million years old, the Orion Nebula Cluster was even more compact in its younger years and a dynamical study indicates that runaway stellar collisions at an earlier age may have formed a black hole with more than 100 times the mass of the Sun. The presence of a black hole within the cluster could explain the observed high velocities of the Trapezium stars. The Orion Nebula’s distance of some 1,500 light-years would make it the closest known black hole to planet Earth.

EarthSky News for Dec. 2nd: Last quarter moon and Jupiter December 3

Last quarter moon and Jupiter December 3

Tomorrow morning – December 3, 2015 – you can see the moon and the king planet Jupiter quite close together on the great dome of sky. Watch for these two worlds no matter where you live on Earth. They’re up in the wee hours, higher in the sky before dawn. Just look for the brilliant starlike object close to the moon in the predawn sky on December 3, and sure enough, that’ll be the giant planet Jupiter.

The moon on December 3 will be at or near its last quarter phase. The last quarter moon will come to pass on December 3 at 7:40 Universal Time. Although the last quarter moon happens at the same instant worldwide, the clock reads differently according to time zone. At U.S. time zones, the last quarter moon falls on December 3 at 2:40 a.m. EST, 1:40 a.m. CST, 12:40 a.m. MST – and on December 2 at 11:40 p.m. PST. What does it all mean? It only means that – depending on where you live worldwide – the moon might or might not be above the horizon at the instant that it reaches the crest of its last quarter phase.

Meanwhile, all of us will see an approximate last quarter moon, in the shape of half a pie, on the morning of December 3.

By the way, the moon and Jupiter will be even closer together on the sky’s dome on the morning on December 4.

Jupiter is very bright, but another planet up before dawn outshines it. In fact, two celestial bodies – the moon and Venus – outshine Jupiter in the morning sky before sunrise.

But there’s not much chance of mistaking Venus for Jupiter, or vice versa, on the mornings of December 3 and 4.

On these dates, Jupiter shines closer to the moon on the sky’s dome than Venus does.

Later on in the first week of December, 2015, the waning crescent moon will swing by the red planet Mars and then Venus.

What’s more, people in central and eastern Africa can watch the moon occult – cover over – Mars in the December 6 predawn/dawn sky; and people in northwestern North America (Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia, Northwest Territories) can witness the moon occulting Venus in their December 7 predawn/dawn sky.

Bottom line: In the predawn hours on December 3, 2015, the moon will be at or near its last quarter phase and shining close to the planet Jupiter on the sky’s dome.

 

Author:

Holiday Feng Shui

 

 

 

 

Holiday Feng Shui

Use the ancient art of organization to spruce up your gatherings

Stephanie Dempsey

Stephanie Dempsey on the topics of winter, holidays, feng shui

 

The holidays are here, kicking off a whole host of celebrations. If you’re going to throw a festive gathering, think about adding some Feng Shui to the mix. These simple dos and don’ts can ensure your party is the glittering peak of the social season.

DO put an even number of candles in the far right corner of your main gathering space. The far right corner governs relationships. By putting candles in multiples of two in this part of your home, your holiday parties will be loving, harmonious and fun. The best colors for these candles are red, pink, yellow or brown.

DON’T seat your most beloved guest closest to the door. Whoever is seated nearest to the door will be the first one to leave. Keep this in mind if you have any pesky relatives that have plagued past gatherings.

DO make sure that your centerpiece is low enough to ensure easy conversation. A round glass bowl filled with floating white candles will promote sparkling discussion. If someone has been kind enough to present you with a bouquet of flowers, display it on a sideboard or buffet table, where it won’t interfere with socializing.

DON’T let bossy, overbearing types sit at the head of the table. Otherwise, they’ll monopolize the conversation. If you have no other choice but to put such a person at the head of the table, position a round mirror to the left of this person’s eye line so that he or she will be more respectful.

DO enliven your home with enticing aromas. Fill a saucepan with water and then add five cinnamon sticks, some orange peel and a handful of cloves. Keep the saucepan on low heat so its warm, spicy scent will draw your guests into the heart of your home.

DON’T allow fights to break out. If your family is prone to squabbles, keep the yang energy to a minimum. Invite an even number of guests, keep the lights low and soft, and decorate with soothing earth tones like pumpkin, goldenrod, evergreen and chocolate. Round and square throw pillows can soften things up, too. Last but not least, keep shiny surfaces to a minimum and stow sharp knives out of sight.

DO create a feeling of abundance. A plentiful atmosphere will put your guests at ease, encouraging them to eat, drink and be merry. Disperse heaping bowls of nuts, dried fruit and candy throughout your gathering space. Keep pitchers of wine, sparkling cider and mineral water in a central location so that folks can help themselves freely. Place a mirror behind a beautiful bouquet of flowers to symbolically double your bounty.

DON’T let a deafening silence ruin the holidays. Take some time to create a mix of festive music that you can play when guests arrive. This music should be lively enough to keep the energy alive, but soft enough to allow easy conversation. Mix old standards with newer variations for a fun atmosphere.

DO bring nature indoors. A display of evergreen boughs, holly berries or poinsettias will keep winter gloom at bay, encouraging guests to laugh and mingle.

DON’T forget to let the kids join the fun. Enlist children to make place cards, ornaments and decorations. These whimsical additions will encourage guests to loosen up and enjoy the holiday spirit.

 

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Your Daily Influences for December 2

Your Daily Influences
December 2, 2015

 

 

The Empress Reversed
This card represents infertility, instability and the loss of material possessions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jera
Jera denotes positive, recurring cycles, fertility and a time to harvest rewards from your hard work.

 

 

 

 

The Menat
You will find focusing on this aspect difficult, because truths will be obscured by dreaminess and illusion. You will not accomplish much here in the next several weeks, and therefore should focuses your attention elsewhere

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Daily Influences represent events and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for December 2nd is The Beacon

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Beacon


The Beacon symbolizes both guidance to safe harbors and a warning of dangerous waters. The Beacon is represented by a lighthouse atop jagged rocks with its powerful light cutting a path that leads to an adjacent entrance to a calm harbor on a stormy night. The Beacon suggest that if you look for it, there is a general path for you to follow to reach a place of peace and harmony. However, The Beacon itself sets upon rough ground, so you must still step carefully as you follow it to quiet waters.

As a daily card, The Beacon provides guidance away from conflict. It implies that the path to resolving differences is marked and visible to any who look for it. The Beacon also warns that while there is a way to quell strife, you still must move carefully towards a solution.

Your Daily Witches Rune for December 2nd is The Ear of Corn

 

Your Witches Rune

The Ear of Corn

Meaning: This rune represents abundance, success and happiness. This is considered a lucky rune and if leading, it is very positive about your query, whether the query is about finance, business, friendship, partnership or spirituality. In conjunction with the Rings, it indicates a happy and prosperous marriage. With the Sun, it means success in your career, and with Waves, success abroad.