Your Daily Cosmic Calendar for January 18th

COSMIC CALENDAR

The two days before any solar-lunar crescendo constitute a 48-hour preparation time-period for the descent of highly illuminating spiritual vibrations. Getting through today’s unusual array of sky cycles is no easy task. Assisting your valiant efforts are a flowing Venus-Mars trine in fire signs (8:51 a.m.) along with a variety of healing benefits emanating from a supportive, 60-degree link between the sun and Chiron (4:58 p.m.).

However, celestial outlaws run amuck as Mercury makes its annual conjunction with Pluto at 22 degrees of Capricorn (12:05 p.m.), goddess asteroids Juno in Taurus and Vesta in Aquarius square off (12:58 p.m.), and then, to add insult to injury, the sun squares rebel-leader Uranus (5:32 p.m.). Be aware of a 2 hour void lunar zone that starts at 5:34 p.m. and lasts until the moon enters its natural abode of watery Cancer (7:45 p.m.). Strive for serenity and be a rock for loved ones on the edge.

[Note to readers: All times are calculated as Pacific Standard Time. Be sure to adjust all times according to your own local time so the alignments noted above will be exact for your location.]

Copyright 2018 Mark Lerner & Great Bear Enterprises, Ltd. 

Astrology.com

Let’s Talk Witch: The Male Witch – A Guide to Wicca for Men

The Male Witch – A Guide to Wicca for Men

Wicca can sometimes feel like a religion that is only practiced by women. By being one of the few religions which celebrates female deities, it does attract a higher proportion of women than other religions. However that does not mean it is a women only religion. In this article you will discover an introduction to Wicca, written specifically for men who want to learn more.

Introduction to Wicca

If you are new to Wicca, then you may be questioning exactly what Wicca is. Wicca is a form of modern paganism, which worships both a God and Goddess. For a brief introduction to Wicca, read this. If you are unclear of the definitions of Wicca, paganism and witchcraft read this article.

Most religions are patriarchal, but Wicca is different as there is a duality. Wicca is a religion that celebrates a female divinity as an equal and perhaps greater primary to the god. Traditionally the Goddess and the Horned God were seen as equals, however in newer Wiccan traditions the Goddess is often thought of as the greater god.

However both forms of divinity are celebrated and it celebrates the link between the God and the Goddess. Wicca exists because of the Goddess and the God, so who can bring the God energy better than men?

The Horned God

The Horned God is the other half of the divine couple. He is the masculine side of divinity. His horns or antlers can represent fertility or the hunt. He can represent courage, sacrifice or protection. He is also represented as the Sun God, the Sacrificed God or the Vegetation God. He is the god of fertility and fields, and has a more grounded, practical energy than the Triple Goddess.

The Divine Masculine

The divine masculine represents an ideal of masculine energy. Divine masculine doesn’t just refer to the male gender, it refers to masculine qualities which anyone can celebrate. The divine masculine comprises of a group of archetypal energies; the God, King, Priest, Warrior, Lover and Sage.

If I am a male witch, does that make me a warlock? No. A male witch is still called a witch. The term Warlock refers to an oath breaker and is a disrespectful term.

Why are many LGBT men into Wicca? Wicca is a religion which attracts LGBT men. This could be as they do not feel as welcome in male-divinity focused or Christian religions.

Should I join a Coven? That is your personal choice. Men are the minority in Wicca. If you are looking for a coven to join, then find one where you feel welcome as a man. Speak to the priestess of the coven and ask them how they worship the God and Goddess.

There are many covens who see themselves as a goddess tradition and celebrate the goddess, or an aspect of the triple Goddess as the maiden, mother and crone. However there are some groups who worship the sacred masculine God. As with the sacred feminine, the masculine relies on a series of archetypes. Some groups only honour the Goddess, some honour multiple deities of both sexes.

If you are practising as a solitary practitioner, this is less of an issue as you can make your own decisions regarding worshiping. If you don’t want to join a coven you can still connect with other Wiccans. There are many online forums and social media groups and many social gatherings. Look out for festivals and events celebrating the sabbats. There are many online websites especially for male witches.

What shall I tell my family?

Not everyone will understand or want to understand Wicca. As a religion it is often mistaken for being devil worship, and conjures up in peoples minds the image of a wart covered woman putting animal parts in a cauldron. You can choose to keep your practice and beliefs to yourself for as long as you want. When you tell people, it is best to think about explaining to them what Wicca is and what a Witch is. Tell them about what you belief in and why, and how you practice. Make sure to tell them what Wicca isn’t as well, to help them learn and to overcome any concerns.

Famous Male Witches in History

There are several famous male witches throughout history. Below is an introduction to a few of them:

Gerald Gardner also known as Scire, was an English Wiccan and squire who founded the tradition of Gardenerian Wicca. Gardenerian Wiccans organise into covens which are led by a Wiccan High Priestess and Priest of their choice. They honour both male and female deities.

Orrel Alexander Sanders was an English occultist and High Priest who founded the Alexandrian Wicca during the 1960’s. He has been nicknamed the King of the Witches. Alexandrian Wicca places an emphasis on the Sabbat rituals and emphasises gender polarity.

There are many well known male witches who are alive today including Raven Grimassi who has written over a dozen books on witchcraft and Neopaganism, Gavin Bone who is an author and lecturer in the fields of Wicca and magic, and Raymond Buckland who is an author and Wiccan priest.

 

Read more: https://wiccanspells.info/wiccan-pagan-articles/the-male-witch-a-guide-to-wicca-for-men/

 

The Witches Magick for Friday, January 18th (perfect for the Full Moon) – 13 Moons Blessing Chain

13 Moons Blessing Chain

Approximate Hands-on Time: 45 minutes

Humans are funny. We tend to over complicate things, making a simple situation a harrowing ordeal. Paganism is not removed from this phenomenon.

Having spent over a decade in Phoenix, Arizona, I sought Sedona—the iconic Red Rocks— as a refuge from the city life. Sedona is a self-proclaimed spiritual mecca, and if you’ve ever visited it’s easy to see why. The landscape is breathtaking, the surrounding mountains carved from rich crimson rock. But it’s not all nature and tree-hugging. There is a plethora of metaphysical stores, some more kitschy than others. Visiting several times a year, I became a fan of one in particular, tucked away at the end of the main drag, somewhat removed from the bustle of tourists. The funny thing was, I mostly patronized them for incense.

As a witch, I definitely went to Sedona for supplies, but I wasn’t all that interested in the crystals and knick-knacks that the countless New Age stores provided. I went to Sedona because the nature was beautiful. It was the natural enchantment I was seeking. So I did what any natural witch would do— I collected loose Red Rock pebbles (where permitted), fallen evergreen boughs, and woody-scented pine cones.

Don’t get me wrong, gemstones and other metaphysical store treasures have their purpose, and I do use such products on occasion. But Penniless Pagan’s purpose is to show you how to worship nature without spending a dime! Therefore, the spell below is completed with supplies provided by nature. If you’re a glitter witch and enjoy the sparkly side of Paganism, simply use crystals instead of rocks and beads instead of twigs. Magick is personal. It’s all about what resonates with YOU.

Below is my simple but effective spell for a 13 Moons Blessing Chain. It’s a perfect spell that harnesses the power of the full moon while lending beauty (and a little magick) to your home!

What You’ll Need:
-String or ribbon (about 2-3 feet depending on desired length)
-13 twigs (cut to any desired size)
-An attractive stone

How to Conjure:
★You’ll want to take a few moments to decide which blessings you want to include in your Blessing Chain. You can write them on your twigs with a marker if desired, or keep a list handy for your assembly and visualizations. If you’re not sure what blessings you desire, here are thirteen suggestions:

Health
Abundance
Protection
Success
Happiness
Peace
Love
Friendship
Spiritual Enrichment
Courage
Inspiration

 

Creativity Intuition Note: If you have need for one blessing over another, say you’re in a financial struggle and desire abundance, assign that blessing to a larger twig. Otherwise, randomly draw the twigs from a pile and let your Blessing Chain find its own balance.

★Once you have your thirteen blessings chosen, draw a twig from your pile and take a moment to visualize the first blessing manifesting in your life. For example, if you’ve chosen creativity as a blessing, imagine yourself painting, sewing, or crafting with renewed zeal. Picture the creative inspiration physically flowing into your mind from the earth around you as you channel that idea into your chosen artistic outlet. Once you have visualized the blessing manifesting, tie the twig into your chain with a simple knot or adhere with a dot of hot glue. Continue this until all thirteen blessings are knotted into the chain, allowing a bit of space between each twig.

★Once all thirteen twigs are knotted into the chain, you’re ready to attach your stone. Make sure to choose a rock that speaks to you. If you happen to have a witches’ rock (a stone with naturally-occurring holes) a Blessing Chain is a good spell in which to use it! To attach the rock, you’ll need to tie the string or ribbon around the stone in a criss-cross pattern, much in the way you wrap a package.

★After attaching your stone, hold your chain before you and simply say:

So Mote It Be!

★Hang the chain in a moonlit window and know the moon’s energy is blessing your home with your thirteen chosen blessings! This spell is meant to be hung indefinitely, collecting more moon energy with every full moon!

–By the Light of the Moon: 13 Simple & Affordable Pagan Spells & Rituals for a Year of Full Moon Celebrations

Penniless Pagan

Friday’s Witchery

Friday’s Witchery

 

Love magick is a perennial popular topic. However, there is more to this topic than meets the eye. There are many enchanting layers here for us to explore on this day of the week. What about creating a loving home, or producing a loving and nurturing family? What about keeping your intimate relationships vital and on track? How about promoting happy, healthy, and enduring friendships? See, there is more to be considered than just the “You shall be mine…” type of fictional love spell.

Don’t forget that many of the deities associated with Fridays are also parents. So, yes, while this is the day to work on romance, sex, and love spells, there is additional magick to be considered here, which makes Fridays a more well-rounded and bigger opportunity for witchery than many folks ever truly realize. The truest, strongest magick always comes from the heart.

Source

Book of Witchery – Spells, Charms & Correspondences For Every Day of the Week
–Ellen Dugan

 

The Magickal Day of Friday

The Magickal Day of Friday

 

Friday falls at the end of the work week for many of us, and that means we get a chance to relax for a little bit! Mark your Fridays with colors like pink and aqua, and metals such as copper. This is a day ruled by the planet Venus, so it should be no surprise that Venus and Aphrodite – goddesses of love and beauty – are associated with Fridays. This is a day named for the Norse goddess Freyja, so be sure to take a moment to honor her as well.

Gemstones associated with Friday include coral, emerald and rose quartz, and plants like strawberries, apple blossoms and feverfew are also related. This is a good day to do spellwork associated with family life and fertility, sexuality, harmony, friendship, growth. Take advantage of Friday’s correspondences and plant a seed, make something grow, and enjoy your blessings

*Note: There are a lot of disputes as to the origins of the word Friday, because there is still a great deal of discussion as to whether it was named for Freyja or Frigga, and whether they were the same deity or two separate ones. Some scholars believe that while they may have eventually become two distinctly different goddesses, they could have had their origins in a single, common Proto-Germanic deity.

Author

Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by ThoughtCo.com

Friday’s Magick & Conjuring for January 18th

Friday’s Conjuring

 

Friday – is associated with Venus

 

Candle colors – Green, Red, Blue, White, Purple

 

Spellcrafting Associations: Love, Marriage, Money, Attraction, Luck, Healing, Prosperity, Change, Road Opening work, Bring Peace, Relationships.

Reference:

Old Style Conjure Wisdoms, Workings and Remedies
Starr Casas

Friday’s Magick

Magickal Intent:
Lust
Romance
Happiness
Travel
Friends
Beauty
Sexuality
Harmony
Growth

Planet: Venus

Colors: Pink, Aqua, Seafoam

Crystals: Coral, Emerald, Rose Quartz

The Goddess Book of Days for Friday, January 18th

The Goddess Book of Days for Friday, January 18th

Sûrya in India for Sun God and Goddess Sûrya and Sûryâ. They are also Apollo and Artemis, Mercury and Diana, Izanagi and lzanami. In Rome, the Theogamia of Hera, women’s festival for Hera (Juno, Hathor, Mawu, Gaia, Rhiannon, Cybele, Isis, Mary, Freya, Ishtar,Astarte, Coatlique, and Ashtoreth).

 

Goddesses Associated with Friday

Friday For Freya: Astarte, Aphrodite, Erzulie, Aida Wooo, Eve, Venus, Diana, Isis, the Witch of Gaeta, Chalchiuhtlique

Source

The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

Today is Friday, January 18th

Today is Friday, January 18th

Friday is the day of Venus. It takes it name from Frigg, the Goddess of love and transformation. She rules the spiritual side of a person that manifests in the physical. Because of this, Friday is often thought of as dangerously unpredictable. This is expressed in an old East Anglian adage:

Friday’s day will have its trick
The fairest or foulest day of the week.

Deity: Frigg

 

Zodiac Sign: Taurus/Libra

 

Planet: Venus

 

Tree: Apple

 

Herb: Vervain

 

Stone: Sapphire/Chrsolite

 

Animal: Bull/Serpent

 

Element: Earth

 

Color: Yellow/Violet

 

Number: 7

 

Rune: Peorth(P)

 

The Celtic Tree Month of Beth (Birch) (December 24 – January 20)

 

The Runic Half Month Peorth (January 13 – January 27

 

Goddess of the Month for January:  Freya

 

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

Your Moon Phase Calendar for Friday, January 18th

Moon Phase Calendar

Friday – 18th January 2019

Current Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous

The Moon is Currently in the Sign of Gemini

Moon in GeminiGemini:

Moon in Gemini manifests itself by the need for changes and spontaneity. Safety lies in thinking about your feelings and sharing them with others. You can be more talkative and speak with ease these days. You might have a better ability to keep a cool head, but beware, cold heart can discourage others. Harmony of thinking and feeling is important.

Organs influenced by GeminiGemini Moon Sign:

Organs: Shoulders, arms, hands, respiratory system, bronchial tubes, lungs, nervous connections for Sensor and motor skills, blood capillaries (exchange system).

These organs are now more sensitive so provide them with extra care.

Surgical operations:

Surgical operations are not recommended during the Waxing Moon.

The Lunar Almanac for Friday, January 18th (Plus Moon Lore)

The Lunar Almanac for Friday, January 18th

Moon Direction: 18.32° NNE↑
Moon Altitude: -31.27°
Moon Distance: 227667 mi
Next Full Moon: Jan 20, 201911:16 pm
Next New Moon: Feb 4, 20193:03 pm
Next Moonrise: Today2:38 pm
Moon Direction: 18.32° NNE↑
Current Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 91.0%

–timeanddate.com

Going Moon-Mad

People once believed that moonlight had a powerful effect on human behavior. Those who acted strangely were said to be “moonstruck,” and lunacy, a term for madness, comes from Luna, the Latin name for the moon goddess. The Japanese believed that the moon was a god with powers to foretell the future. Priests would study the moon’s reflection in a mirror, believing that if they gazed directly at the moon, it might drive them mad. Superstitions about the moon’s evil influence made some people refuse to sleep in a place where moonbeams could touch them. In the 1200s, the English philosopher Roger Bacon wrote, “Many have died from not protecting themselves from the rays of the moon.”

Published on Myth Encyclopedia