The Witches Guide to Wednesday, October 25th

(The Witches Guide to Wednesdays)

Today is Wednesday, October 25th

 

Wednesday is the day of the Teutonic deity known as Wodin or Odin, an aspect of the Allfather, god of knowledge, wisdom, enlightenment and combat, the parallel of Hermes, the planet Mercury.

Deity: Woden

Zodiac Sign: Gemini & Virgo

Planet: Mercury

Tree: Ash

Herb: Cinquefoil

Stone: Emerald & Sardonyx

Animal: Raven & Cat

Element: Air

Color: Red & Blue

Number: 6

Rune: Odal(O)

 

Celtic Tree Month of Gort(Ivy) – September 30 – October 27

Runic Half-Month of Wyn(joy) – October 13 – October 27

Goddess of the Month of Hathor – October 3 – October 30

 

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

On Wednesday, October 25th, We Celebrate the Goddess Freyja

Freyja

Goddess of Abundance, Fertility and War

Freya was the sister of the god Freyr, and was one of the Vanir, the Norse deities of earth and water that lived in Asgard. Venerated by women, heroes and rulers alike, she was the Scandinavian goddess of fertility and abundance. Freyja could be called upon for assistance in childbirth and conception, to aid with marital problems, or to bestow fruitfulness upon the land and sea.

In some traditions, she is known not only as Freyr’s sister but his wife as well.

Like Freyr, she is associated with material wealth. She was known to wear a magnificent necklace called Brisingamen, which represents the fire of the sun, and was said to weep tears of gold. In the Norse Eddas, Freyja is not only a goddess of fertility and wealth, but also of war and battle. In fact, she is the lady of the hall of the battle-fallen in Valhalla. While some have theorized that she was the leader of the Valkyries, the Eddas don’t specifically identify her as such. She also has connections to magic and divination.

 

Daniel McCoy, who runs the excellent Norse Mythology for Smart People website, says Freyja is “considered to be something of the “party girl” of the Aesir. In one of the Eddic poems, for example, Loki accuses Freya (probably accurately) of having slept with all of the gods and elves, including her brother. She’s certainly a passionate seeker after pleasures and thrills, but she’s a lot more than only that.

 

Freya is the archetype of the völva, a professional or semiprofessional practitioner of seidr, the most organized form of Norse magic. It was she who first brought this art to the gods, and, by extension, to humans as well. Given her expertise in controlling and manipulating the desires, health, and prosperity of others, she’s a being whose knowledge and power are almost without equal.”

 

Freyja was similar to Frigg, the chief goddess of the Aesir, which was the Norse race of sky deities. Both were connected with childrearing, and could take on the aspect of a bird. Freyja owned a magical cloak of hawk’s feathers, which allowed her to transform at will. This cloak is given to Frigg in some of the Eddas.

 

In The Lost Beliefs of Northern Europe, Dr. Hilda Ellis Davidson says, “Most of the goddesses who became the wives of the gods came from the underworld, and were said to be the daughters of giants. The greatest of the goddesses was Freyja, sister of Freyr and daughter of Njord; she is a goddess of many names, and may originally have been the same as Frigg, the wife of Odin, since elsewhere in Germanic tradition we hear only of one goddess, Frigga, who was the wife of the sky god.”

Honoring Freyja Today

You may want to make offerings to Freyja if you’re doing workings related to your love life – especially if it has a sexual component. Honey, chocolate, and other sexy foods are a good start, but you also can include a song, prayer, or poem in her honor.

 

In some traditions, Freyja is called upon for protection – especially if you’ve been in a domestic violence situation. Qarinth is a Pagan from Tucson who says, “I was in a relationship with someone who hurt me, not just physically, but emotionally.

 

I connected rather unexpectedly with Freyja when I was trying to work through it all, and she’s really the one who gave me the strength and courage to get out and move forward with my life. I made an offering of blood to her, and while I don’t know if that’s what she specifically wanted, it felt right at the time and she accepted it, and looked after me when I needed her the most.”

 

Finally, you can set up a shrine to Freyja in your home – decorate your altar with symbols of femininity and strength, in whatever manner resonates with you.

Author

Patti Wigington
PUblished on ThoughtCo

Wednesday’s Conjuring

 

Wednesday – is associated with Mercury

Candle colors – Purple

Magickal Conjuring for the Day: Mastery, Domination Work, Wisdom, Healing, Dealing with Legal problems.

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

The Magickal Day of Wednesday

 

Wednesday is named for Woden himself, although the Romans called it dies Mercurii. This is a day associated with the color purple, the planet Mercury, and the metal quicksilver – which is also called mercury. See a pattern here?

When it comes to deities… yes, Mercury! However, there are a few other gods associated with Wednesday, including Odin and Hermes, Athena, and Lugh. Gemstones like adventurine and agate come in handy as well, as do plants such as aspen trees, lilies, lavender and even ferns.

Business and job-related issues, communication, loss and debt, traveling, and journeys are all tied in to Wednesday. This is a good day to do a working to open up lines of communication – especially if your own actions are preventing you from being an effective speaker or listener. Go someplace new or return to an old favorite stomping ground, step up your game, and settle up your accounts.

The Witches Guide to Wednesday

 

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.

Source

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

Daily Magickal Applications for Wednesday

 

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.

Source

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

The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, October 25th

St. Crispin’s Day

Waxing Moon

Moon Phase: First Quarter

Moon Sign: Capricorn

Incense: Lavender

Color: Yellow

Correspondences for Wednesday, January 25th

Dedicated to the Teutonic god Woden or Odin, an aspect of the “All-Father” god of knowledge wisdom enlightenment and combat, the parallel of Hermes.

Element : Air

Planet: Mercury

Zodiac Sign : Virgo / Gemini

Angel : Raphael

Metal : Mercury

Incense / Perfumes : Jasmine, Lavender, Sweet Pea

Oil: Benzoin, Clary Sage, Eucalytus, Lavender

Color : Red, Orange, Light Blue

Stones : Bloodstone,Garnet, Aventurine, Hematite, Moss Agate and Sodalite

Plants/Herbs : Almond, Anise, Cherry, Clover, Dandelion, Dill, Fern, Hazel, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemongrass, Lilac, Mace, Peppermint, Rosemary, Vervain

Magick to Work: the conscious mind, study, travel, divination, consulting oracles, wisdom, communication ,cleverness, contracts, creativity, information, intellect, memory, erception, science, wisdom, writing

Mercury’s Energy

 

*Notes: perform on a Wednesday and/or during the waxing Moon with the Full Moon being strongest. An orange or violet candle is associated with any magick cast on this day.

Day: Wednesday

Color: Orange, violet, multicolored, pale yellow

Metal: Quicksilver, alloys.

Stones: Carnelian, fire opal, agate

Plants: Anise, caraway , cassia, club mosss, dittany of Crete, lavender, licorice, parsley, sandalwood, storax

Rules: Gemini, Virgo

Oils: Lavender, lemon, lily of valley, nutmeg, sandalwood, styrax, vervain

Rituals Involving: Intellect, memory, science, creativity, business, magickal conjuration, divination, prediction, eloquence, gift of tongues, speed, speech, writing, poetry, inspiration, improvement of mind power, healing of nervous disorders.

Physical Chant for Mercury:

Magick, the Arts, success on my trade,
Business wisdom and divination,
These gifts I would gain for my physical growth
And to help in my conjurations.

Source

Dancing with Dragons, Invoking Their Ageless Wisdom and Power
D. J. Conway, Author

The Witches Magick for October 25th – A Spell that is Bittersweet

This spell is made to help you pick up the pieces and get on with life after love has died, however hard this may be. Cast when the moon is waning, or in the first day or two of a new moon. The spell calls for a root of bittersweet, or woody nightshade. This is toxic and should be treated with great care. Spellcasters who do not wish to use it, may prefer to use a substitute.

You will need:
A photograph of your former lover
A fireproof dish
A root of bittersweet
A red velvet bag (velvet is best, but another cloth can be used)

 

Put the photograph in the fireproof dish and set it alight. As it burns, see all the pain you have experienced flowing from you, marrying with the
smoke and vanishing into the ether. As they drift off say some suitable words, such as:

Leave my heart and set me free.
Please take all pain away from me.
As my love now burns to dust,
Help me make the moves I must.
And let it be done, that it harm no one.

Continue repeating the words until the picture has burned to ashes. Now, very carefully take the bittersweet in your hands and hold it against your solar plexus. Visualize your residual negative feelings flowing into the root. When you feel that it now contains all these emotions, very gently touch your forehead with the charged root as a way of indicating that bad feelings have gone and have been replaced by good ones.

Finish by wrapping the root and the ashes of the paper in the red bag, and next time you are going to be a distance away from home, take it with you and bury it. As you do so, bring a picture of your old lover to mind and take a minute or two to send thoughts of friendship and peace to him or her.

Ritual To Celebrate the Cycle of Life and Death

Samhain is a time like no other, in that we can watch as the earth literally dies for the season. Leaves fall from the trees, the crops have gone brown, and the land once more becomes a desolate place. However, at Samhain, when we take the time to remember the dead, we can take time to contemplate this endless cycle of life, death, and eventual rebirth.

For this ritual, you’ll want to decorate your altar with symbols of life and death.

You’ll want to have on hand a white candle and a black one, as well as black, red, and white ribbon in equal lengths (one set for each participant). Finally, you’ll need a few sprigs of rosemary.

Perform this rite outside if at all possible. If you normally cast a circle, do so now. Say:

Samhain is here, and it is a time of transitions.
The winter approaches, and the summer dies.
This is the time of the Dark Mother,
a time of death and of dying.
This is the night of our ancestors
and of the Ancient Ones.

Place the rosemary on the altar. If you are doing this as a group ceremony, pass it around the circle before placing on the altar. Say:

Rosemary is for remembrance,
and tonight we remember those who have
lived and died before us,
those who have crossed through the veil,
those who are no longer with us.
We will remember.

Turn to the north, and say:

The north is a place of cold,
and the earth is silent and dark.
Spirits of the earth, we welcome you,
knowing you will envelope us in death.

Turn to face the east, and say:

The east is a land of new beginnings,
the place where breath begins.
Spirits of air, we call upon you,
knowing you will be with us as we depart life.

Face south, saying:

The south is a land of sunlight and fire,
and your flames guide us through the cycles of life.
Spirits of fire, we welcome you,
knowing you will transform us in death.

Finally, turn to face the west, and say:

The west is a place of underground rivers,
and the sea is a never-ending, rolling tide.
Spirits of water, we welcome you,
knowing you will carry us
through the ebbs and flows of our life.

Light the black candle, saying:

The Wheel of the Year turns once more,
and we cycle into darkness.

Next, light the white candle, and say:

At the end of that darkness comes light.
And when it arrives, we will celebrate once more.

Each person takes a set of ribbons — one white, one black, and one red. Say:

White for life, black for death,
red for rebirth.
We bind these strands together
remembering those we have lost.

Each person should then braid or knot their three ribbons together. As you do so, focus on the memories of those you have lost in your life.

While everyone is braiding or knotting, say:

Please join me in chanting as you work your energy and love into your cords:

As the corn will come from grain,
All that dies will rise again.
As the seeds grow from the earth,
We celebrate life, death and rebirth.

Finally, ask everyone to take their knotted ribbons home with them and place them on their personal altar if they have one. That way, they can be reminded of their loved ones each time they pass by.

Note: Rosemary is used in this rite because although it seems to go dormant over the winter, if you keep it in a pot you’ll get new growth in the spring. If there’s another plant you’d rather use, feel free.

Author

Patti Wigington
Published on ThoughtCo

Samhain Ritual to Honor the Forgotten Dead

As Samhain rolls around and the veil grows thin each year, many people in the Pagan community take the opportunity to hold rituals honoring the dead. This may take the form of setting up an altar to honor the ancestors, or to hold a vigil for those who have crossed over in the past year. In general, we’re pretty good about remembering those who have touched us, whether they were family of the blood or of the spirit.

However, there’s one group that is typically overlooked at this time of year. It’s the people who passed through the veil with no one to mourn them, no one to remember their names, no loved ones left behind to sing their names with honor.

Think of the people out there, not just in your community, but around the country who are buried with no headstone, because there was no one to pay for a marker. Consider the old woman in a nursing home or care center, who died with no children or nieces and nephews to bid her farewell in the final moments. What about the homeless veteran who used to panhandle on your city’s streets, who one day just stopped showing up at the corner, and is now buried in an unmarked plot with dozens of others just like him? How about the children who are lost, for whatever reasons, in our world, and die alone, whether by violence or neglect or illness? What about those who were once remembered, but now their gravestones lie untended and ignored?

These are the people that this ritual honors. These are the ones whose spirits we honor, even when we do not know their names. This ritual can be performed by a solitary practitioner or a group. Keep in mind that while you can perform this rite as a standalone ritual, it also works well being incorporated in at the end of your other Samhain rituals.

You will need a collection of candles in colors and sizes of your choice – each will represent a group of forgotten people. If there’s someone specific you know of, who died alone, choose a candle to represent that person as well. For this sample ritual, we’ll use a candle for men, one for women, and another for children, but you can group people in any way that works for you.

If your tradition requires you to cast a circle, do so now. Even if your tradition doesn’t require it, it’s a good idea to have designated sacred space of some sort for this ritual, because you’re going to be inviting the dead to stand outside and watch you. You can do a simple delineation of the circle with string, birdseed, salt, or other markers. Another alternative is to simply create sacred space around the participants. Or, you can do a full-on circle casting like this one: How to Cast a Circle

Decorate your altar as you normally would for Samhain, and include the collection of unlit candles in a prominent position. Safety tip: put the smaller ones at the front, and the taller ones behind them, so there’s less chance of you setting your own sleeve on fire as you light them.

Particularly if you’re doing this during the Samhain season, there’s a lot of activity crossing back and forth over the veil, so it’s a good idea to take a moment to meditate and get grounded before you begin.

When you’re ready to start, say:

Now is the season of Samhain. It is the season of our ancestors, of our glorious dead, of those who have fallen and crossed over the veil from this world to the next. This is a time for us to honor them and pay tribute.
Tonight, in the darkness, under this starry sky, we remember those who were forgotten. Tonight we memorialize you, the unknown, the unloved, the unwanted of our world. Whoever you may have been in life, tonight, now, in death, you are ours as you watch from the other side, at least for a little while.

Light the first candle, representing the group of your choice. Again, for purposes of this ritual, we’ll assign this candle to the women:

Women who were lost to us, how did you pass? Were you old and alone, crossing over with no one but your own ghosts to keep you company? Were you young and healthy, taken from us unexpectedly, your crossing as much a surprise to you as to anyone else? Does your body lie in a cold office somewhere, waiting to be claimed? Or do you lie under the stars tonight, in a field or a forest where you’ll never be seen? Forgotten women, your spirits are with us tonight, watching us from outside the circle. We remember you, and want you to know you are honored. You are remembered.

Light the second candle, for the second group you are honoring:

Men who were lost to us, how did you pass? Did you die in a strange place, far from your family and friends, lost to everyone but your own demons? Were you in the prime of your life, or creeping along against the ravages of old age, watching as disease and neglect took their toll upon you? Are you buried in an unmarked plot in a potter’s field somewhere, or do you lie under these glorious stars tonight? Forgotten men, your spirits are with us tonight, watching us from outside the circle. We remember you, and want you to know you are honored. You are remembered.

Light the next candle, for additional groups you may be honoring:

Sweet children, crossed over from this world to the next. Your lives were far too short, for whatever reason, and you left us before you grew. On the other side, perhaps there is a mother to hold you when you need to feel loved, a father to comfort you when you are afraid, a big brother or sister to guide you on your journey. Wherever you may lie, and whether you were big or very, very small, your spirits are with us tonight, watching us from outside the circle. We remember you, and want you to know you are honored. You are remembered.

All of you, women, men, children… you may have crossed over unnoticed when you left this world, but for now, you are remembered. You are unforgotten. You are honored by us this night of Samhain, and if it helps you along your journey, then so may it be. Know that this night, you are with us in memory and spirit. Know that you are no longer the lost and unreachable dead.

Take a moment to meditate on what you have just said. See if you can feel the presence of the lost ones as you stand at your altar. You may notice a distinct shift in the energy you’re feeling, and that’s normal. It’s also why this next part of the ritual is very important: you’ve invited them to watch you, and now you need to send them on their way.

Spirits, guests from the place beyond, it is time. We have honored you and celebrated your names, though we may not have known you in life. Now is the time for you to move on. Go back to the places from which you came, to the places in which you belong as one of our beloved dead. Go back, knowing that this night, you were honored and remembered. Go back across the veil, and remain in that world. You will not be forgotten again, and we will honor you with our memories. Farewell, rest easy, and may the coming parts of your journey be worthy of you.

Take a few minutes to get yourself centered. End the ritual in whichever way you normally do, breaking down the sacred space. Extinguish the candles, and offer a quick final blessing of farewell to each group as the smoke drifts away into the night.

Author

Patti Wigington
Published on ThoughtCo

A Pagan Blessing for the Dead

Choose four participants. One carries a rock, representing the earth, and stands to the North. One carries a feather, representing Air, and stands to the East. Another stands to the South, carrying a candle or some incense to represent Fire. A fourth can hold a cup of Water to the West — if you’re fortunate enough to hold your ritual near an ocean or river, use that to represent Water. On your altar, in the center of the circle, place a picture or some other memento of the person you are saying goodbye to.

Form a circle, and call upon the elements. Invite the powers of the four directions to come watch over you. Stand in the center and say:

Take me now, take me now
for to face the Summerlands*.
By the earth and wind and the fire and rain
I’m on my way,remember me.

Turn to the North and say:

Take me now back to the earth
from which we spring and then return.
I shall cross over, now it is my turn.
I am not afraid Remember me.

Repeat this verse, turning to each of the four directions. Substitute the different elements where appropriate.

Finally, touch each family member with your athame as you say the following:

Blood of my blood
Bone of my bone
Flesh of my flesh
Keep my soul alive
I will live on
Within your hearts
I am not afraid
Remember me

If you have ashes for the deceased, you may wish to scatter them at this time. Take a moment to reflect on the good memories you have of your departed friend or family member.

*If your particular tradition believes we go to some other place after death, feel free to substitute the appropriate place name for “Summerlands.” If you’re not sure where we end up, you can simply say “the other side.”

Author

Patti Wigington
Published on ThoughtCo

Up Next…..

Daily Horoscopes & Other Divination for the Day

The Witches Digest for Wednesday, October 25th

(Astronomy)

Your Daily Sun & Moon Data for Wednesday, October 25th

The Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 90.91° E
Sun Altitude: -19.38°
Sun Distance: 92.427 million mi
Next Solstice: Dec 21, 2017 10:27 am (Winter)
Sunrise Today: 7:11 am↑ 105° East
Sunset Today: 6:04 pm↑ 255° West
Length of Daylight: 10 hours, 52 minutes

 

The Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 29.40° NNE
Moon Altitude: -70.83°
Moon Distance: 251708 mi
Next Full Moon: Nov 4, 201712:22 am
Next New Moon: Nov 18, 20175:42 am
Next Moonrise: Today12:16 pm
Current Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 27.5%

 

The Lunar Calendar
Moon Phase Tonight: Waxing Crescent
First Quarter: Oct 27, 2017 at 5:22 pm
(Next Phase)
New Moon: Oct 19, 2017 at 2:12 pm
(Previous Phase)

Source

timeanddate.com

Overview of Your Daily Astronomy for Wednesday, October 25th

The Moon is in Capricorn all day, harmonizing with the Sun, Jupiter, and Neptune. With the emotional Moon in this practical sign, we look for ways to make us feel more secure and in control of our lives. While we may be focusing on practical affairs, we also have opportunities to draw upon our inner wisdom and intuition to understand what’s happening around us. Previously hidden or unacknowledged talents may emerge now because we need them. This combination encourages our ambitions and resourcefulness.

The Sun and Jupiter are moving towards a conjunction, exact tomorrow afternoon, stimulating positive visions of the future and a sense of new hope.

Moon in Capricorn

 

The Moon is traveling through Capricorn today. Make a list of goals. Work overtime. Climb higher. Don’t sulk.

We become aware of the need for structure and planning ahead with a Capricorn Moon. We are instinctively aware of the limitations of time and motivated by a desire for success. Achievement and manifestation are more important to us now. We are resourceful and don’t want to waste time, energy, or resources. This can be a somewhat sober influence, but it can also be a productive time when we look reality in the eye.

The Moon in Capricorn generally favors the following activities: Long-term activities that yield slow but steady results, practical undertakings, career issues, making a business plan, practical investments.

The Sky This Week for October 25 to 29

A great horse, a bright asteroid, and more grace the sky overhead this week.
By Michael E. Bakich

Wednesday, October 25
The Moon reaches apogee, the farthest point in its orbit around Earth, at 10:24 a.m. EDT. It then lies 251,751 miles (405,154 kilometers) from Earth’s center.

Thursday, October 26

Jupiter is in conjunction with the Sun. It now lies on the opposite side of our daytime star from our perspective. It will become visible in morning twilight in mid-November.

Friday, October 27

First Quarter Moon arrives at 6:22 p.m. EDT. Our satellite rises in the southeast around 2 p.m. local daylight time, but it doesn’t become prominent until the Sun sets shortly after 6 p.m. (The Moon then lies due south and about one-third of the way to the zenith.) After darkness falls, the Moon’s half-lit orb appears in northeastern Sagittarius, to the upper left of that constellation’s conspicuous Teapot asterism.

Saturday, October 28

If you live in the southern tier of states, you might be able to glimpse Mercury as October ends. The innermost planet shines brightly enough — magnitude –0.4. The problem is that it rises only a couple degrees above the west-southwestern horizon 30 minutes after sunset. Use binoculars first, then, if you observe Mercury, see if you also can spot it with your naked eyes.

Sunday, October 29

Asteroid 7 Iris glows at magnitude 6.9 as it reaches opposition and peak visibility tonight. Iris lies within one binocular field of Aries the Ram’s brightest star, magnitude 2.0 Hamal (Alpha Arietis). This area stands high in the east by midevening. The best way to find Iris is to look 1.5° south of Hamal and 1° south of the star Kappa Arietis, which glows at magnitude 5.0. To confirm a sighting, sketch the star field with Alpha, Kappa, and several stars south of them. Return a night or two later and identify the point of light that changed position. That “star” is Iris.

Source

Astronomy Magazine

The Witches Current Moon Phase for Wednesday, October 25th

Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 28%

The 5 days young Moon is in ♑ Capricorn.

The Moon today is in a Waxing Crescent Phase. A Waxing Crescent is the first Phase after the New Moon and is a great time to see the features of the moon’s surface. During this phase the Moon can be seen in the wester sky after the sun dips below the horizon at sunset. The moon is close to the sun in the sky and mostly dark except for the right edge of the moon which becomes brighter as the days get closer to the next phase which is a First Quarter with a 50% illumination.

Phase Details for – Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Phase: Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 28%
Moon Age: 5.22 days
Moon Angle: 0.49
Moon Distance: 405,309.42 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 148,719,373.11 km

Source

MoonGiant.com

The Waxing Crescent Moon

Magick performed on the waxing crescent moon is very similar to the waxing gibbous moon (they are both in the waxing or increase phase) and indeed you don’t have to pay attention to the distinction between them if you choose not to, but you should be aware that the closer the moon comes to being full, the more powerful it’s increasing potency becomes. This can be useful to know because sometimes we all have the luxury to wait a few days until after the half gibbous moon has passed into the more powerful phase, the waxing gibbous phase. With rituals that require less lunar potency or are the first in a line of several consecutive rituals that lead up to the full moon, you can confidently use this phase of the moon. For example, a healing performed to ease a cold or mild chronic illness can easily be started during the waxing crescent phase of the moon. However, a more serious illness would be better served during the waxing gibbous phase.

Ideally, with some minor examples, nearly all magick would be best divided out between the full or new moon, but this is such a short period of time each month, that we delegate certain phases to certain less important tasks. However, remember two things. For very serious illnesses the full (for healing the illness) or black (for banishing the illness) moons are the best choices, but they are not always necessary for more minor problems. Also the time does come sometimes when we have no choice but to do ritual work during incompatible times. In emergency cases, don’t let bad timing stop you. Use other Nature Correspondences or the other types of magick (Mental or Spiritual Magick) to offset your lack of timing.

 

Don’t change that “witchy” channel……

The Witches Guide to Wednesdays Is Up Next!

 

Start a Daily Tarot Ritual

Learn what a daily Tarot reading ritual can do for you!

---

 

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

Save

Get A Jump On Tomorrow….

Your Horoscopes for Wednesday, October 24th

Claire Petulengro, Astrologer

From The Astrology Room

 

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)
Current aspects tell me that you are disappointed close ones are not supporting you as they said they would. Talking not shouting is the best way to deal with them. You’ll feel the bigger person if you stick to this tact.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)
This week you have not just one, but several pieces of important news coming your way. You start to see that you have been doing what others told you to and not what was in your own heart and head.

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)
Resist the temptation to make changes for the sake of it. You would be far better to stick to what you had planned and to tie up loose ends, than you would starting new projects.

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)
You feel as if you’re running out of time, but certain close ones still need time to get used to the ideas you’re pushing upon them. A great week to take tests or to build bridges.

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)
Sometimes you need to take a departure from what you’re doing in order to get inspiration. Today is such a day, but you may have trouble trying to get out of a family commitment. Meet them halfway for a happy medium.

VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)
You feel the urge to make changes, but careful you’re not making them for the sake of it. Wouldn’t it be better for you to make a mental list of your priorities before you start getting rid of the good with the bad?

LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)
Last week you could not see the wood for the trees so to speak. However today Saturn offers you the gift of clear thinking and you begin to feel like a better version of you.

SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)
Something which didn’t work out last year is given a second chance by someone you didn’t even think was on your side. Relax, you’ve worked hard over the last few months and those who watched have noticed this fact.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)
Close ones have not been as supportive as you had hoped they would be, but with the delicate line up which has affected us all this month, they are likely to have been more involved in their own dramatics.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)
You’re pushing away the very person you wanted to get closer to. If you keep testing them then they may decide to test you, so careful what games you decide to play Capricorn.

AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)
Legal dealings or official worries can be turned around in your favour, if you keep honesty to the fore. We both know that you prefer to have all cards laid out on the table anyway.

PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)
You know what needs to be done, you just don’t seem to know how to go about it. Taking time out this week for reflection makes you realise you have to do things your way.

If You Were Born Today, October 24

Although you don’t intend to be, there is something mysterious about you that adds fuel to your considerable, yet quiet, personal magnetism. Your will is quite strong, and you easily hone in on what motivates people. A natural born psychologist, you readily pick up on what makes people “tick.” You are not a combative sort, unless you absolutely have to be. You have a strong sense of the “here and now” and where you are in life. Your sense of direction is also remarkable. Your intuition is powerful, and your dedication to the people you love is notable. Impulsiveness is a trait that you may need to tame. Famous people born today: Kevin Kline, Bill Wyman, Ann Edson Taylor, Bob Kane, Melvin Purvis.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

The Sun in a waxing sextile to the Moon in your Solar Return chart has a fortunate influence on your year ahead. You can be especially productive this year, as in many ways you are starting fresh, but you have a rather clear vision of what you want to accomplish. Your inner needs tend to be mirrored by external events, and vice versa, which helps to boost your confidence and happiness levels. You more readily accept that challenges are part of the natural cycle in life, which in turn helps you to meet them with confidence and to worry less. You are likely to be on top of your game this year for the most part, and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. A comfortable level of personal popularity helps keep conflict to a minimum. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there will be less stress on both your mind and body.

You have a stronger than usual desire to improve and learn this year. Optimism and confidence are with you, and you are able to attract fortunate circumstances into your life as a result. Problems are easier to resolve. Your broader perspective on matters keeps you from getting lost in details or overly frustrated by everyday stresses and strains. Even so, you can be exceptionally busy this year. At times, you may feel like the pace of your life is running ahead of you. You can be especially productive, however, in all types of communications–writing, speaking, learning, teaching, and so forth.

Intuition runs exceptionally high this year. You are more sensitive artistically, your imagination is stirred, and you have an increased appreciation for subtleties. You are inspired and could even inspire others with your words. Some of your hunches could be prophetic. You are thinking more creatively, and express yourself with more sensitivity, compassion, and warmth.

This is a good time to team up with someone to generate ideas or solve problems, or simply to listen to and be heard. Mental rapport can be experienced now.

There can be some intensity in your personal relationships and romantic attachments at times this year. Passions, feelings of jealousy, and possessiveness may be things you experience in others or yourself this year. You might also experience compulsive attractions and attachments, or attraction to complicated love relationships. Something tiny can trigger all sorts of buried emotions, and this can be very revealing! There can be some tension over your personal finances, and/or need to make a large payment that necessitates changes in your spending habits, but you also benefit from the new lifestyle or purchase.

There can be helpful interactions with superiors or with older or more experienced people during this period, and benefits can come as a result. There can be a choice to structure, limit, or simplify your life in a significant way that leads to major improvements in your life.

Uranus transits opposite to your Sun from June 2018 forward, and life seems to be keeping you on your toes!  Personal freedom issues are in strong focus. Others may seem to be introducing changes into your life, whether you feel ready for them or not. In truth, you are readier than you think! Changes in how you relate to others on a one-to-one level are essential to your personal growth, even if it feels a bit unstable for the time being. Something you have had to give up might now be available to you again, and you need to decide whether you still want it.

This is a year of new experiences and changes as well as a focus on personal growth. You may feel as if you are beginning a new chapter in your life story. There can be some turnarounds and surprises in your relationships. The period ahead is excellent for communications, studies, projects, travel, or publishing. Useful contacts can be made during this period.

2017 is a Number Eight year for you. Ruled by Saturn. This is a year of power and accomplishment. Actively seeking to expand, taking educated risks, and moving forward are highlighted. This is a year of opportunity, particularly in the material and business world, and opportunities need to be seized. It’s generally not a year to find a new love partner, simply because the focus is on the material world and your place in the world. This is a problem-solving year in which you can expect real, tangible results. Advice – take action, plan ahead, seize opportunities.

2018 will be a Number Nine year for you. Ruled by Mars. This is a year of completion and transition. It is a time when we need to let go of things that no longer serve their purpose, and hold on to things that have a future. It is a time of cleaning out dead wood, not necessarily for new beginnings. It can be a time when a burden has been taken off your shoulders, and it can be a year of giving of yourself. Advice – let go of things that are holding you back, give of yourself and express your sympathetic, compassionate side.

Source

Astrology Cafe

 Your Daily Horoscopes for Tuesday, October 24th

Claire Petulengro, Astrologer

From the Astrology Room

 

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)
I know you’ve said things you regret, but don’t forget that your close ones know you’re an Aries, so this won’t be the first time you’ve talked out of turn. Admitting what you said or did wrong can help you get closer than ever today.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)
It’s make your mind up time Taurus. You may think you don’t know what you want, but I see clearly from your stars that you most definitely know what you don’t want. Travel plans are laid which prove very exciting.

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)
This is the day to deal with those financial issues you’ve done such a good job of ignoring lately. In actual fact Gemini, you’re about to discover that you hold more control that you thought possible.

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)
Use the power of the Moon to see through lies told. Your instincts are strong and you see with ease, who has been lying to you and who actually had your best interests at heart. Today also sees you finding peace over an ex.

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)
Family are going to have to be a priority as what is going on in their lives seems to affect you more than you first thought. Long distance travel is the name of work has the makings of success.

VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)
Don’t be lazy, make the effort to do some more research and lay a better base for your future. Energy levels improve and you begin to see who and what was responsible for draining your spirit.

LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)
There is a slow pace to your chart which must be making it very difficult for you nor to feel frustrated. Try to focus on the fact that today’s aspects offer you the chance to convince those who were not on your side, that they should be.

SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)
You now know who’s good for your life and who has been responsible for the anxiety you’ve been feeling in recent weeks. Everything seems to have a new meaning and you make decisions today which will affect the rest of your life.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)
Your ruling planet Jupiter helps you to rise above jealous comments and work out what you need to give up in order to find peace in your life. Visiting new places at this time can help you to find a better personal life.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)
It doesn’t matter how slowly you walk, as long as you keep on going. Mars shows you a new side to an older family member, which helps you to both find some common ground to build on.

AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)
Anyone can see you’ve had a lot to juggle and cope with, but you seem to keep pushing yourself harder and harder. Try to think of something which you know relaxes you. Making yourself a priority will ensure others do too.

PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)
With this new day comes new thoughts and ideas. Sometimes it takes time to work out what to do and you have not allowed yourself space for this to happen. Time spent at home with those you love offers you a confession.

Your Horoscopes for the Week of October 23rd

Claire Petulengro

From The Astrology Room

 

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)

We are what we do, so this week you should do what makes you happy. That low mood you experienced earlier in the year was due to the faces you were surrounding yourself with. Think positive and life will be positive my friend. New ways to battle financial negotiations comes via phone calls.

 

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)

I know you feel like you are running out of time but I have to tell you that you are not Taurus. You have been taking far too much advice lately from people whose lives you would not like for your own. Travel plans are discussed, which give you the confidence to look forward to the future and to stop focusing on the past.

 

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)

Fact and fiction become hard to differentiate between this week. Give yourself more time. Don’t allow others to push you into what they want just for an easier life. You will get the exact opposite if you let people control your actions my friend. News from old friends gives you reason to want to ignite a union with someone who used to mean a lot to you but who you lost contact with.

 

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)

Education is well starred and you begin to find ways of making your career prospects more enjoyable ones to look forward to. You were stuck in a rut and you found it hard to know what the right choices were. From Monday onwards you meet with those who can help you shape your future to be all you desired and more.

 

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)

You may never know what the outcome of your actions will be, but if you do nothing you will get no results. Your stars tell me that what you want will take time, however time is on your side so don’t be afraid to commit yourself to what needs to be done. Money you put into furthering your knowledge can only be a good thing.

 

VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)

If you can have confidence in all you do this week then you will gain the trust of others. It was your lack of action last week which led to others losing faith in you. Plans you make for travel see you mixing with faces you do not know that well, but those faces can and will form the basis of a friendship for life.

 

LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)

You and a close one don’t seem to be able to see eye to eye, but you would if you spoke from the heart instead of telling them what you think they want to hear. Truth be told, with the clarity the Sun has been shining on you recently, they probably know you better than you know yourself.

 

SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)

A worry which saw you losing much sleep earlier in the month turns out to be nothing more than a storm in a teacup. You start to feel more confident about who you are and where you are going with your life. Stress in the workplace needs to be nipped in the bud while you still have control of the situation. Say out loud what you are not willing to do.

 

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)

Take your time when making decisions about your personal life. Friends and family appear to have done a very good job of talking you into what they think you want. Follow what is actually in your heart. Geminis and Librans link to a better social life which is on offer, but you seem conflicted about accepting this change.

 

CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)

Finally you start to get your energy levels back and you stop worrying about things which are not in your control. Know how far is too far to go when asking for favours from those you work with. Some stressful aspects in recent weeks could see them holding a grudge if you ask for more than they think you deserve.

 

AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)

You begin to feel more at ease with your past and in turn, this helps you to feel more comfortable with your present situation too. You’ve had to do a lot of growing up in recent days and weeks and it shows in how you present yourself to all around you. Watch out for finances slipping out of your control on Thursday. Sleep on any expensive outlay.

 

PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)

Try not to cast the finger of blame without proof, or you will only end up putting a further barrier between you and a close one whom you have only just managed to find some common ground with. The home comes under the spotlight and you start to find ways to make your abode a happier place to be. Wear blue for luck in important confrontations. Ring now so we can talk about your long-term happiness.

Your Love Horoscopes for the Week of October 23rd

by Sarah Bartlett

From The Astrology Room

 

With the sun joining Jupiter in transformative Scorpio this week, we can now see before us the things we have lost and how they can be found again.

Whether through re-inventing your love life, or through changing your perception of life, this is a week to think carefully about what you have and don’t have, and what needs to be rediscovered.

 

ARIES

With your ruler, Mars, moving into compromising Libra this week, and with so much focus on making new decisions, you’re ready to be more expressive to loved ones than you’ve ever been before. One minute you want to give more of your time to your career, then, the next minute, you feel ready to settle down in suburbia. It’s time to be true to your desires and make the right choice.

 

TAURUS

Dreaming about what you can achieve in a love relationship is one thing, but you’ve also realised you have to communicate it all too. You may feel regrets from the past washing over you again, and you may feel as if you just don’t seem to get your message across. But from the end of this week, you can. Then it’s time to be a bit of a brave heart and discuss your feelings openly.

 

GEMINI

Thanks to Saturn in your opposite sign of Sagittarius, it’s hardly surprising you’re fired up for all kinds of impulsive action. Just take care you don’t miss out on new love, or the revival of an extraordinary affair. Re-open the intuitive channels, tune into the moods around you, and make a very life-enhancing choice.

 

CANCER

Deep down in your soul, you know that if your life gets too routine, you’ll only end up rebelling. So get out and about with your lover or partner, plan future changes, travel or new projects. Now’s the time to get out of a rut fast, especially when the wild and sensual side of you seeks liberation.

 

LEO

Think carefully about what you are feeling now. Are you ready to leap into new action, or to take a romantic opportunity that comes you way? And if so, are you happy to pay the price? It could be an expensive few months ahead, but the investment will soon be worthwhile.

 

VIRGO

There is a side to you which yearns for an unconventional love life, or maybe total independence. But there is also a part of you which needs to live like others too. Whether single or attached, this is giving you much food for thought. Drop the ideals, it’s time to trust in the kind of love that brings you back to reality.

 

LIBRA

With hot-headed Mars now cruising through your sign, it’s hardly surprising the passionate side of you hungers for romance. Use this empowering creative force to strengthen your own sense of identity and make something real. Then you can be loved for the adventurous person you actually are.

 

SCORPIO

How can you maintain a love relationship and still honour your personal freedom? Living together makes sense financially, and, of course, there are many other benefits. But the desire for a little more independence is eating at your soul. This week, you will be tested in your loyalty and desires, but in the weeks to come, you will know where your true path lies.

 

SAGITTARIUS

Right now, anything can be sorted out, within reason, particularly personal goals. So for once, don’t compromise just to prevent an argument. Thanks to Saturn plundering on through your sign, it’s hardly surprising you feel you’re being torn apart by the stress of others. But with such an enterprising attitude to your own lifestyle and the way you’re going to live it from now on, focus on your love goals, say no to regrets, and say yes to revitalised self-worth.

 

CAPRICORN

You have a renewed passion for all you’re about to achieve. Remember, whoever we are, whatever we think ourselves to be, we can never escape ourselves. Right now, the cosmic energy is giving you a very clear mirror of who you really are. Polish that image well.

 

AQUARIUS

For a long time now, a part of you has been saying, ‘anything for an easy life,’ but there’s a teeny bit of you which longs for more excitement or just someone to smile at you in ’that way’.  So this week, it’s time to make a wish. Remember, what comes true, is usually what we truly believe in.

 

PISCES

Those things we long for are actually the very things we can learn to develop in our own love life. For example, if you envy those who appear to have stable relationships, it’s likely that deep down inside, you need to unleash your sensible side. Time to bravely change your attitude and you change your relationship for the better.

Weekly Forecast: October 22 – 28, 2017

The Witches Digest for Tuesday, October 24th

(The Witches Guide to Tuesday)

Today is Tuesday, October 24th

 

Tuesday is dedicated to the powers of the planet Mars, personified in Ares, Tiwaz, Tiw, Tuisco and Tyr. Tuesday rules controlled power, energy and endurance.

Deity: Tiwaz

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Planet: Mars

Tree: Holly

Herb: Plantain

Stone: Agate

Animal: Crab

Element: Fire

Color: White

Number: 2

Rune: Tyr (T)

 

Celtic Tree Month of Gort(Ivy) – September 30 – October 27

Runic Half-Month of Wyn(joy) – October 13 – October 27

Goddess of the Month of Hathor – October 3 – October 30

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

On Tuesday, October 24th, We Honor the Goddess Hella

 

Hella

Areas of Influence: Hella and her siblings were banished from Asgard by Odin, to the remotest lands. He gave her dominion over the nine worlds of the dead that make up Helheim. Here the Goddess decides the fate of all the people who have died from sickness and old age.

Helheim is not the Hell of the Christian world, where the sins of man are punished. Instead it represents the nine different stages of the transition the soul goes through after death. It was here that the ancestors resided in village like settings. Seers and shamans would journey to these realms to consult with them.

This Goddess is Queen of the underworld and despite her banishment the other Gods have to respect her judgement as shown when she refuses to let Baldr return to the living.

Other spellings of her name include Hell, Hel, Hela and Halja. Her name means one who covers up.

Her hall was called Elivdnir (Sleet Cold).

She represents the Crone aspect of the Goddess in the Pagan tradition.

Origins and Genealogy: She was the youngest child of Loki and the giantess Angurboda. She had two siblings Fenri and Jormungand. There are no surviving accounts that suggest she had any children of her own.

Strengths: Strong, powerful and fierce.

Weaknesses: Her loneliness makes her hard and vindictive.

 

Hella’s Symbolism

Hella is often depicted as being one half beautiful woman and the other side a blue black rotting corpse.She is sometimes depicted with bones growing on the outside of her body.

She therefore represents both the ugliness and peacefulness of death.

Sacred Animal: Dogs, as the gates to her realm are guarded by Garnr the watch dog.

Sacred Plants: Several plants and trees are associated with this Goddess including holly, yew and elder.

 

Hella’s Archetype

The Crone

In the Pagan tradition the Goddess is often split into three to depict the different stages of a woman’s life: mother, maiden and Crone.

The Crone represents the wise old woman whose child bearing days are behind her. Other associations with this Archetype include: compassion, transformation, healing and bawdiness death and endings. She is the respected older woman or grand parent at the heart of family who enjoys life and sharing her experience.

Unfortunately the word Crone or Hag often has negative connotations as many wise woman and midwives were persecuted as witches in the middle ages.

Shadow Crone is the bitter, old woman who has failed to learn from her life. She blames all her failings and unhappiness on a society that no longer respects the elders. As a result she becomes increasingly isolated and fearful.

Hella is a Crone as she is Goddess of the underworld. Despite her role and her appearance she is still a powerful woman who is respected by the Other Gods.

 

How to Recognize This Archetype

The Crone:

The Crone maybe one of your Archetypes if you have gained wisdom, leart from your mistakes and showed a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances.

You are experiencing the Crone’s shadow if you are rigid in your beliefs, stuck in a rut, and lost all ability to let go of those areas of your life which no longer serve you.

Source

Goddess-Guide.com

Spell Work for Tuesday, the Day of Mars

 Strength
 Anger
 Independence
 Motivation
 Conquest
 Action
 Education
 Force
 Handling conflict

Source

A Spell Crafter’s Compendium
Terri Paajanen

Magical Days Of the Week – Tuesday

Named for the Norse god Tyr, who was a deity of heroism and combat, Tuesday is a very martial sort of day – color associations include bright red and oranges, as well as warrior-like metals such as iron and steel.

The ancient Romans called this day Martis, after the warrior god Mars – other deities associated with Tuesday include Ares, the Morrighan, and other gods of battle and glory. Red gemstones like rubies and garnets come into play on Tuesdays, as do herbs and plants such as thistles, holly, coneflowers and cacti – you’ll notice these are all sharp, prickly plants!

One of the interesting – and more than a little amusing – aspects of Tuesday magic is that in addition to war and conflict against your enemies, this is a day also associated with marriage. You can also use this day of the week for magical workings connected to protection and initiation. Use Tuesday to assert yourself, make a mark and stake your claims.

Author

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

The Witches Guide to Tuesday

A god, goddess, or planet governs each day of the week. It is usually easy to spot the ruler of the day by its name. The word Tuesday, however, is not so easy, but if we look at the word in Spanish, Martes, we clearly see its connections to Mars.

Because Tuesday revolves around the energy of Mars, Tuesdays are good for business, mechanical things, buying and selling animals, hunting, beginning studies, gardening, sexual activities, and confrontation. This is a day for sex magick, energy, stamina, and health. As in the old saying, Tuesdays child is full of grace, is also good for success magick and defense against enemies

Angels of Tuesday are Camael, Samael, Satael, Amabiel, Friagne, and Hyniel. When invoked, Camael takes the form of a leopard. In Druid mythology he is a god of war, which is why we see him associated with Mars. Camael is said to be a member of the “Magnificent Seven” in some circles. Camael is another “terminator” angel.

Samael walks both worlds as a magician and sorcerer. some see him as the angel of death, others as “the bright and poisonous one.” Many consider him more of a demon, and accuse him of being Satan. However, there is reference to the satans (plural) as enforcers of the law, a sort of angelic police, if you will. Supposedly, when Samael is around, dogs howl in the night. On one hand, he is the ruler of the fifth heaven and in charge of two million angels; on the other, he is the one who changed into a serpent and convinced Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit of knowledge.

Satael is an angel of air invoked in magic rites and is the presiding spirit of the planet Mars. Amabiel is another spirit of the planet Mars; however he spends his energy on issues of human sexuality. Friagne, also an angel of this day, is invoked from the east. He is a member of the fifth heaven. Hyniel also belongs to this day and is subject to the east wind.

On Tuesdays the hour of sunrise and every eight hours after that are also ruled by Mars, and that makes these times of the day doubly blessed. These four hours are the strongest ones to do ritual in. Check your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine your local sunrise.

Source

Gypsy Magic

Tuesday’s Witchery

Tuesday is the day to work any magick that falls in the category of increasing strength, courage, bravery, and passion. All of these intense emotions are linked to this day’s energies, and spells designed around these themes will have extra punch when performed on this magickal day.

So, let’s add a little passion and conviction into your life! Break out the daring red pieces of your wardrobe, and put a little pizzazz into your day. Work with Lilith, and see what she has to teach you about personal power and sexuality. Meditate on Tiw/Tyr and Mars, and see what those ancient warrior gods will show you about new tactics, strategies, and claiming personal victories in your life. Practice conjuring up that astral weapon from the meditation and use it wisely for protection and for courage.

Create a philter for courage and protection or handcraft your own Witch’s jar to remove negativity from your home. See what other Witch crafts you can conjure up with Tuesday’s magick. Create some kitchen magick on this Tuesday by whipping up a spicy stew-add in a few Mars-associated ingredients such as carrots, peppers, and garlic. Empower the stew for success, and then treat yourself and your family to a good, hearty meal. Try working with a little aromatherapy and burn some spicy or coffee-scented candles to increase your energy level.

Check the sky at night, and see if you can find the reddish planet Mars up in the heavens. Not sure where to look? Check an astronomy magazine or search the Web for more information. Become a magickal warrior and move forward in your life with strength, courage, and compassion. Embrace the side of yourself that loves a good challenge and that is passionate and daring! Banish fear, and face your future with strength and conviction. Believe in yourself and in your dreams, work hard, and you will win every time.

Source

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

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, October 24th

United Nations Day

Waxing Moon

Moon Phase: First Quarter

Moon Sign: Sagittarius

Moon enters Capricorn 8:12 pm

Incense: Ginger

Color: Maroon

Magickal Workings for The Waxing Moon

The waxing moon is the period during which the moon grows from dark to full. It takes approximately fourteen days for this to happen. In many magical traditions, people use this time of the moon to perform “positive” magic — in other words, magic that draws things to you, or increases things. Some examples would include:

Any magic related to increasing material items

Janie Doodle is a reader who lives in North Carolina, and follows a practical magic belief system based in the folklore of her mountain ancestors. “This is the moon phase where stuff gets done,” she says. “Anything I need or am lacking in, I bring it right to me during the waxing moon. As the moon gets closer to full, so does my wallet, my larder, and my garden.”

The waxing moon is the period during which the moon grows from dark to full. It takes approximately fourteen days for this to happen. In many magical traditions, people use this time of the moon to perform “positive” magic — in other words, magic that draws things to you, or increases things. Some examples would include:

Any magic related to increasing material items

Janie Doodle is a reader who lives in North Carolina, and follows a practical magic belief system based in the folklore of her mountain ancestors. “This is the moon phase where stuff gets done,” she says. “Anything I need or am lacking in, I bring it right to me during the waxing moon. As the moon gets closer to full, so does my wallet, my larder, and my garden.”

Source:

Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Originally Published on & owned by ThoughtCo

Waxing Moon Meditation to Meet Your Night Totem/Guardian

 

Relax and make yourself comfortable. Close your eyes. Focus on your breathing, deep breaths in … and out … Visualise the real world disappearing.

As your world dissipates you find yourself in a field, it is dusk and you smell the scent of the night air.

As you turn around and take in your surroundings the scene takes your breath away. On the horizon ahead of you is the ancient sacred site of Stonehenge, the stones penetrating the sky line.

You make your way towards the stones …

As you reach the outer stones you reach up and place your hands on one of them.

Feel the deep, powerful Earth energy …

When you are ready, head to the centre of the stone circle and sit yourself down on the ground. Ask for your night totem to make itself known to you …

Sit quietly and watch the land, the stones and the sky … see what animal comes to you …

When a creature appears, see if you can communicate with them (don’t worry if you don’t meet an animal this time, sometimes it can take several attempts).

When you are ready, thank your night guide and know that when you need to connect with its energies again, it will come to you.

Make your way back out of the stone circle and back across the field.

Slowly come back to this reality, stamp your feet ad wriggle your fingers.

Source

Pagan Portals – Moon Magic
Rachel Patterson

Tuesday’s Correspondence

Dedicated to the powers of the planet Mars, personified as Ares, Tiwaz, Tiw, and Tyr.

Element : Water

Planet : Mars

Zodiac Sign : Aries / Scorpio

Angel : Samuel

Metal : Iron, Steel

Incense / Perfumes : Dragon’s Blood, Patchouli

Oil : Basil, Coriander, Ginger

Color : Red, Orange

Stones : Bloodstone, Garnet, Carnelian,

Plants/Herbs : Allspice, Blessed Thistle, Cayenne, Daisy, Garlic, Ginger, Pepper, Pine, Red Rose, Thyme, Tobacco, Wormwood

Magick to work: self-assertion, energy, and courage, victory, endurance, passion, masculine goals in general, sex, aggression, protection, controlled power, ambition, arguments, competition, conflict, destruction, lust, male sexuality, sports, strife, struggle, surgery, medical issues, upheaval, war

“The Veil Is Getting Thinner”

“As I went out walking this fall afternoon,
I heard a whisper whispering.
I heard a whisper whispering,
Upon this fine fall day…

As I went out walking this fall afternoon,
I heard a laugh a’ laughing.
I heard a laugh a’ laughing,
Upon this fine fall day…

I heard this whisper and I wondered,
I heard this laugh and then I knew.
The time is getting near my friends,
The time that I hold dear my friends,
The veil is getting thin my friends,
And strange things will pass through.”

– The Veil is Getting Thinner

The Story of Halloween and Samhain

What’s the real history of Halloween and Samhain? Though some things remain mysterious, we find in what’s known themes of honoring our ancestors and rituals protecting against the dark arts.

Samhain is a threshold time, when the Sun begins to wane mirroring the rhythm of the Dark Moon. It’s celebrated on October 31st, with the Sun in soulful, primordial Scorpio.

One of the most profound times in the solar year is Lunar Samhain, when Sun and Moon are both in Scorpio at the New Moon.

This ancient seasonal celebration has Celtic and Nordic roots across Europe as a time to acknowledge the beginning and end of all things. It may come as a surprise that what we call

What we know (and don’t really know) about the origin of All Hallows Eve

Halloween is a secular holiday combining vestiges of traditional harvest festival celebrations with customs more peculiar to the occasion such as costume wearing, trick-or-treating, pranksterism and decorative imagery based on the changing of the seasons, death, and the supernatural.

Halloween takes place on October 31.

Though it was regarded up until the last few decades of the 20th century as primarily a children’s holiday, in more recent years activities such as costume parties, themed decorations, and even trick-or-treating have grown increasingly popular with adults as well, making Halloween a celebration for all ages.
What does the name “Halloween” mean?

The name Halloween (originally spelled Hallowe’en) is a contraction of All Hallows Even, meaning the day before All Hallows Day (better known today as All Saints Day), a Catholic holiday commemorating Christian saints and martyrs observed since the early Middle Ages on November 1.
How and when did the holiday originate?

According to the best available evidence, Halloween originated as a Catholic vigil observed on the eve of All Saints Day, November 1, in the early Middle Ages.

It has become commonplace to trace its roots even further back in time to a pagan festival of ancient Ireland known as Samhain (pronounced sow’-en or sow’-een), about which little is actually known. The prehistoric observance is said to have marked the end of summer and the onset of winter, and was celebrated with feasting, bonfires, sacrificial offerings, and homage to the dead.

Despite thematic similarities, there’s scant evidence of any real historical continuity linking Samhain to the medieval observance of Halloween, however.

Some modern historians, notably Ronald Hutton (The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain, 1996) and Steve Roud (The English Year, 2008, and A Dictionary of English Folklore, 2005), flatly reject the popular notion that the Church designated November 1st All Saints Day to “Christianize” the pagan Celtic holiday.

Citing a lack of historical documentation, Roud goes so far as to dismiss the Samhain theory of origin altogether.

“Certainly the festival of Samhain, meaning Summer’s End, was by far the most important of the four quarter days in the medieval Irish calendar, and there was a sense that this was the time of year when the physical and supernatural worlds were closest and magical things could happen,” Roud notes, “but however strong the evidence in Ireland, in Wales it was May 1 and New Year which took precedence, in Scotland there is hardly any mention of it until much later, and in Anglo-Saxon England even less.”

It seems reasonable to conclude that the connection between Halloween and Samhain has, at the very least, been overstated in most modern accounts of the holiday’s origin.
Earliest Halloween customs

The earliest documented customs attributable to Halloween proper grew out of the tandem observances of All Saints Day (November 1), a day of prayer for saints and martyrs of the Church, and All Souls Day (November 2), a day of prayer for the souls of all the dead. Among the practices associated with Halloween during the Medieval period were the lighting of bonfires, evidently to symbolize the plight of souls lost in purgatory, and souling, which consisted of going door-to-door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for “soul cakes” and other treats.

Mumming, a custom originally associated with Christmas consisting of parading in costume, chanting rhymes, and play-acting, was a somewhat later addition to Halloween.

Again, however, despite the obvious similarities between old and new, it may be an exaggeration to say these medieval customs “survived” to the present day, or even that they “evolved” into modern Halloween practices such as trick-or-treating. By the time Irish immigrants brought the holiday to North America in the mid-1800s, mumming and souling were all but forgotten in Ireland itself, where the known Halloween customs of the time consisted of praying, communal feasting, and playing divination games such as bobbing for apples.

The secular, commercialized holiday we know in America today would be barely recognizable to Halloween celebrants of even just a century ago.

Urban Legends
• Is Halloween Candy Tampering a Myth?

Halloween Frights
• The Scariest Stories Ever Told

Sources

Adams, W. H. Davenport. Curiosities of Superstition and Sketches of Some Unrevealed Religions. London: J. Masters & Co., 1882.

Aveni, Anthony. The Book of the Year: A Brief History of Our Seasonal Holidays. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.

Hutton, Ronald. The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.

Opie, Iona and Tatem, Moira. A Dictionary of Superstitions. New York: Oxford University Press, 1990.

Rogers, Nicholas. Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.

Roud, Steve. The English Year. London: Penguin Books, 2008.

Roud, Steve and Simpson, Jacqueline. A Dictionary of English Folklore. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.

Skal, David J. Death Makes a Holiday: A Cultural History of Halloween. New York: Bloomsbury, 2002.

by David Emery
Published on ThoughtCo

Here’s what we know about the origin of trick-or-treating on Halloween

Given the obvious similarities, there is probably a link between the present-day Halloween custom of wearing costumes and trick-or-treating on Oct. 31 and the Medieval practices of “mumming” and “going a-souling” on the eves of All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls Day (Nov. 2).

Mumming took the form of parading about in costume, chanting, singing, play-acting and general mischief making, while souling entailed going door to door and offering prayers for the dead in exchange for treats, particularly “soul cakes.”

In its present form, trick-or-treating consists of wearing a costume and going door to door saying “Trick or treat!” in exchange for hand-outs of candy and other treats.

Pennies for the Guy

Another likely antecedent dates from the 1600s, when British youths would take to the streets wearing masks and carrying effigies (including jack-o-‘lanterns carved from turnips) while begging for pennies on Bonfire Night (also known as Guy Fawkes Night), the Nov. 5 commemoration of the so-called Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament in 1605. While not an official holiday, Bonfire Night is still celebrated in parts of England today.

By the mid-1800s when Irish immigrants brought Halloween to North America, however, the customs of mumming and souling were all but forgotten in Ireland and England (though a modern variant of mumming known as “guising” still survived in Scotland), and Americans, for the most part, had no idea who Guy Fawkes was, much less why anyone should go begging for “pennies for the Guy.”

So, while it seems evident that mumming, souling and Bonfire Night were in some sense precursors to trick-or-treating, there’s no evidence of a historical continuity between them. And despite Halloween being permanently ensconced on the American calendar by the turn of the 20th century, there’s no mention in published sources of “trick-or-treating” or anything resembling it prior to the late 1920s.
Mischief solution

One does find mention — many mentions, in fact — of unrestrained pranksterism and vandalism on Halloween night dating from the late 1800s on. Thus, one recent theory of origin holds that trick-or-treating was an early-20th-century contrivance meant to provide an orderly alternative to juvenile mischief — the idea being, essentially, to bribe any would-be tricksters with treats.

Following Anglo-Irish tradition, Halloween parties featuring fortune-telling games (such as bobbing for apples) and other supernatural trappings were common practice in the U.S. by the turn of the 20th century, and these morphed into costume parties with children dressing as witches, ghosts, and goblins. Perhaps the simplest explanation for the emergence of trick-or-treating is that someone was inspired to take the Halloween costume party door-to-door.

Whatever the precise details of its origin and lineage (which we may never know with any certainty), by the 1940s costumed trick-or-treating had become a Halloween fixture throughout the United States, and remains so to this day.

by David Emery
PUblished on ThoughtCo

Make Some Pagan Trick or Treat Bags for Your Little Goblins

Do you have Pagan kids coming over for a Samhain event? You can have a kid-friendly celebration by putting together a goodie bag that’s representative of your Pagan spirituality. The key here is to do some creative, outside the box thinking. Sure, there are a ton of Halloween decorations in the store at this time of year, but not all of those are really connected with Pagan religious belief systems. They’re really more about the secular celebration of Halloween, which is fine, unless you’re looking for kid-friendly stuff that honors Pagan spirituality.

Here are a few things to try:

Decorate the bags themselves with symbols that are meaningful to you – depending on the pantheon your group honors, you might include designs that are associated with Greek, Roman, Celtic, or Norse mythology.
Small herbal sachets: make a miniature version of the Lavender Dream Pillow, sewing herbs into a sachet.
Crystals and gemstones: As long as the kids attending your event are beyond the put-everything-in-your-mouth stage, you could include rose quartz for love, hematite for protection, and more.

A Portable Altar Kit: Depending on how old the kids are, think about making an altar box that fits in a backpack or pocket. This might not be useful or safe for really young children – we don’t want to be handing sharp things to preschoolers – but older tweens and teens could probably use it responsibly.

Divination tools: You can make a simple pendulum with a stone wrapped in wire and attached to the end of a chain. You can also make a simple divination set by painting symbols on stones or wooden discs.
Wands: Make a simple wand with a stick and a crystal wrapped in wire.
Deity symbols: Does your tradition honor a particular god or goddess? Consider adding representative symbols – owls for Athena, cats for Bastet, or an antler for Cernunnos. Another option could be to print out a wallet-size image of the deity on heavy cardstock, add a prayer to your god/dess on the reverse side, and laminate it.

Finally, remember, Samhain is the same day as Halloween, so never underestimate the power of a few strategically placed pieces of delicious candy!

by Patti Wigington
Published on ThoughtCo

“I love fall! Fall is exciting.
It’s apples and cider.
It’s an airborne spider.
It’s pumpkins in bins.
It’s burrs on dog’s chins.
It’s wind blowing leaves.
It’s chilly red knees.
It’s nuts on the ground.
It’s a crisp dry sound.
It’s green leaves turning
And the smell of them burning.
It’s clouds in the sky.
It’s fall. That’s why…
I love fall.”

– Author Unknown

Next Up…….

Horoscopes

(Old School Style)

The Witches Digest for Tuesday, October 24th

(Astronomy for the Day)

Your Daily Sun & Moon Data for Tuesday, October 24th

The Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 123.10° ESE
Sun Altitude: 19.74°
Sun Distance: 92.449 million mi
Next Solstice: Dec 21, 2017 10:27 am (Winter)
Sunrise Today: 7:11 am↑ 104° East
Sunset Today: 6:05 pm↑ 255° West
Length of Daylight: 10 hours, 54 minutes

 

The Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 94.94° E
Moon Altitude: -27.01°
Moon Distance: 251658 mi
Next Full Moon: Nov 4, 201712:22 am
Next New Moon: Nov 18, 20175:42 am
Next Moonrise: Today11:26 am
Moon Illumination: 20.5%
Current Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent

 

The Lunar Calendar
Moon Phase Tonight: Waxing Crescent
First Quarter: Oct 27, 2017 at 5:22 pm
(Next Phase)
New Moon: Oct 19, 2017 at 2:12 pm
(Previous Phase)

Source

timeanddate.com

Overview of Your Daily Astronomy

With Mercury forming a trine to Neptune today, our words and thoughts can be more imaginative and colorful, subtle, or creative. We experience a sense of knowing and understanding with minimal explanation or instruction. Intuition is highlighted or awakened now. This is a good influence for photography, the arts, poetry, fiction, spirituality, advertising, and promotion. This is an excellent time for understanding one another and for feeling good about giving others the benefit of the doubt. We can feel empowered by our charitable qualities. We might choose to team up to generate ideas and solve problems. Today is strong for mental rapport.

 

The Moon spends much of the day in truth-seeking, courageous Sagittarius. At 8:13 PM EDT, the Moon enters Capricorn and our focus turns to our goals and performance.

 

A void of course Moon occurs from 12:46 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a trine to Uranus), until the Moon enters Capricorn at 8:13 PM EDT.

Moon in Sagittarius

The Moon is traveling through Sagittarius. The grass looks greener on the other side during this time. Jump ship. Learn a new language. Tell it like it is. Make people laugh.

 

The Moon is at her most optimistic and upbeat in Sagittarius. We are motivated by a need to seek the truth, and we are ready to pursue a new vision. We are not interested in details just now. Instead, we focus on the big picture. New experiences and adventures satisfy a deep emotional need. Spontaneity is the key. We may also be inclined toward overdoing and overstating. We don’t want to plan ahead, and prefer to “wing it”.

 

The Moon in Sagittarius generally favors the following activities: Adventurous activities that involve “winging it”, travel, higher education, starting publishing projects, advertising, sports, physical activity.

 

The Sky This Week for October 24 to 29

A great horse, a bright asteroid, and more grace the sky overhead this week.
By Michael E. Bakich

Tuesday, October 24

Go out around 9:30 p.m. local time tonight, look toward the northeast, and find the W-shaped asterism that marks the main part of the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen. Then, using binoculars, scan about 10° to the east for the famed Double Cluster (NGC 869 and NGC 884). This pair of open star clusters lies in the constellation Perseus. From a dark site, they appear as fuzzy patches to the naked eye. Any optics, especially 10-power binoculars, really bring out their glory.

Wednesday, October 25
The Moon reaches apogee, the farthest point in its orbit around Earth, at 10:24 a.m. EDT. It then lies 251,751 miles (405,154 kilometers) from Earth’s center.

Thursday, October 26

Jupiter is in conjunction with the Sun. It now lies on the opposite side of our daytime star from our perspective. It will become visible in morning twilight in mid-November.

Friday, October 27

First Quarter Moon arrives at 6:22 p.m. EDT. Our satellite rises in the southeast around 2 p.m. local daylight time, but it doesn’t become prominent until the Sun sets shortly after 6 p.m. (The Moon then lies due south and about one-third of the way to the zenith.) After darkness falls, the Moon’s half-lit orb appears in northeastern Sagittarius, to the upper left of that constellation’s conspicuous Teapot asterism.

Saturday, October 28

If you live in the southern tier of states, you might be able to glimpse Mercury as October ends. The innermost planet shines brightly enough — magnitude –0.4. The problem is that it rises only a couple degrees above the west-southwestern horizon 30 minutes after sunset. Use binoculars first, then, if you observe Mercury, see if you also can spot it with your naked eyes.

Sunday, October 29

Asteroid 7 Iris glows at magnitude 6.9 as it reaches opposition and peak visibility tonight. Iris lies within one binocular field of Aries the Ram’s brightest star, magnitude 2.0 Hamal (Alpha Arietis). This area stands high in the east by midevening. The best way to find Iris is to look 1.5° south of Hamal and 1° south of the star Kappa Arietis, which glows at magnitude 5.0. To confirm a sighting, sketch the star field with Alpha, Kappa, and several stars south of them. Return a night or two later and identify the point of light that changed position. That “star” is Iris.

Source

Astronomy Magazine

The Witches Current Moon Phase for Tuesday, October 24th

Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 20%
The 4 days young Moon is in ♐ Sagittarius.

The Moon today is in a Waxing Crescent Phase. A Waxing Crescent is the first Phase after the New Moon and is a great time to see the features of the moon’s surface. During this phase the Moon can be seen in the wester sky after the sun dips below the horizon at sunset. The moon is close to the sun in the sky and mostly dark except for the right edge of the moon which becomes brighter as the days get closer to the next phase which is a First Quarter with a 50% illumination.

Phase Details for – Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Phase: Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 20%
Moon Age: 4.33 days
Moon Angle: 0.49
Moon Distance: 405,436.97 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 148,760,013.57 km

Source

MoonGiant.com

Cosmic Weather Report for October 23rd thru 26th

by Jane Lyle
From The Astrology Room

Thought for October:

“After the keen still days of September, the October sun filled the world with mellow warmth…The maple tree in front of the doorstep burned like a gigantic red torch. The oaks along the roadway glowed yellow and bronze. The fields stretched like a carpet of jewels, emerald and topaz and garnet. Everywhere she walked the color shouted and sang around her…In October any wonderful unexpected thing might be possible.”

 

Between the 23rd – 26th there’s an intense burst of expansive energy when the Sun aligns with Jupiter, newly in Scorpio. Money, sex, and the unconscious mind are all highlighted – with Jupiter asking us to learn, widen our horizons, and question our philosophies at this time. A Sun-Jupiter conjunction is a potent and often fortunate time for new beginnings.

Some lively, sensitive degrees to look out for in your own natal horoscope this month are:

*Jupiter in Libra opposition Uranus in Aries: 27 – 29 degrees between 1st – 10th October.

*Saturn in Sagittarius, 22 – 24 degrees, trine Uranus in Aries, 27- 26 degrees during October. This dynamic fiery partnership is exact on 11th November at 25 degrees.

*Venus is conjunct Mars in Virgo, 18-19 degrees on 5th-6th October.

*Sun in Libra sextiles Saturn in Sagittarius, 23 degrees on 16th October. Constructive.

*Sun in Scorpio conjunct Jupiter in Scorpio, 3 degrees. Their exact alliance happens on 26th October, but is pulsing away, intensely, from Monday, 23rd October.

Calendar of the Sun
24 Winterfyllith

Feast of the Spirits of the Air

Colors: White, light blue, lavender, pale yellow, grey
Element: Air
Altar: This rite is to be done outdoors, and the altar consist of many flags, banners, ribbons, and windchimes on poles.
Offerings: Grain or papers thrown to the winds.
Daily Meal: Cold, light food.

Invocation to the Spirits of the Air

Hail to the Spirits of the Winds!
Hail to the Powers of the East,
The Morning and the Spring Equinox,
The cool breeze that awakens!
Hail to the bird that rides the skies,
Hail to the bat that swoops in the night,
Hail to the fragile butterfly on the flower,
Hail to the bee that sings her song,
Viewing the world from high above our heads!
Hail to the Power of Mind that we focus,
Hail to the Wings of Memory that we write,
Hail to the Beak of Thought that uses it.
Hail to the breath in our bodies,
Every one reminding us that we still live.
Hail to the gentle breath that moves the pollen
From green stem to green stem, bringing the fruit,
Hail to the strong wind that tosses the windmill’s arms,
Driving the clouds across the sky,
Hail to the tornado that writhes in the air,
Causing awe and terror in our hearts!
Hail to the Power of Words that we speak,
Of communication, of transmission of ideas,
Without which we would all be fumbling in silence.

(All then toss into the air whatever offerings they have for the spirits. Words written on small pieces of paper are most common, and can be wishes or blessings as well. Divination via the winds is then done, either with slips of paper or with arrows or from watching the omens of the flights of birds.)
[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Moon
24 Gort/Puanepsion

Apaturia Day 3: Koureotis

Color: White
Element: Air
Altar: Upon a white cloth set the carved root of a tree, the leafy branch of a tree, scattered seeds, a bowl of water, a loaf of bread, and either fresh milk or nourishing herbal tea.
Offerings: Oneself, to the Order.
Daily Meal: A feast of any correct foods of the harvest, prepared for all.

Koureotis Invocation

Hail to those who have come together today!
Hail to those who live outside the Houses,
Yet follow the Rule as best they can,
Spreading the seeds of our Light beyond our walls.
(One comes forth with a handful of seeds, and gives them out to the lay members who have come to the House on this day, and says, “Take these with you, and plant them well.”)
Hail to those who are like the branches of a tree,
Reaching for the light, seeking for grace,
Who come to us like birds alighting,
Perhaps to stay and nest, perhaps to fly away.
Hail to you, and may you touch that Light
With your outstretched arms.
(The tree branch is carried around, and all Branch members brushed with the water.)
Hail to those who are rooted here,
Flesh and bone, heart and soul,
Giving up their lives for this our Life.
Hail to those who are the ground beneath our feet,
The stone beneath the field, the mountain
Beneath the path that climbs. Hail!
(The carved root is carried around, and all Root members are touched with water via the root.)
Bring forth those who would enter,
Who would come further, who would go deeper!
Bring them forth and hear their vows!
(All cry, “Bring them forth!” and those who would enter the Order as lay members are brought forward, and then those who would enter the Houses as Branch members, and then those who would take Root vows. Each in turn makes their vows before all.)

Song: Blessing Song

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Up Next…..

The Witches Guide to Tuesdays