Category: Daily Posts

Archangel – Gaberial

Archangel Gaberial from ask-angels.com

The “Strong One” and Divine Messenger

Archangel Gabriel is a powerful and loving messenger of Divine love, wisdom, and guidance. Gabriel is the Archangel of communication, new beginnings, and strength.

When you connect with Gabriel, they can assist you in learning to tune into and receive direct messages of Divine love for yourself, and in the opening to allow Divine strength, wisdom and blessings to flow throughout your life.

Who is Archangel Gabriel?

Archangel Gabriel is one of the most well known and popular archangels today, largely due to being mentioned in the Bible in both the New and Old Testament. The most common Bible story featuring Gabriel is the Christmas story!

Gabriel is the angel who guides the three wise men to the birth location of Christ, and is also the angel who appears to Mary telling her that she will give birth to a Son. For this reason, Gabriel is sometimes known or referred to as “the Christmas Angel”, but although the history of Gabriel dates all the way back to Biblical times… It does not mean they are any less active, or able to support and guide us today!

One of the common methods used to gain insight into the unique energy of the different Archangels is to look at the meaning of their name. In Hebrew, the name Gabriel means, “God is my strength”, “The Strong One” or “Hero of God” and this alludes to the incredible strength and power Gabriel embodies and her work in helping humanity to come into our own Divine strength and embodied power.

Yes, I referred to Gabriel as her. There is some controversy as to whether Gabriel is male or female, and this is for good reason! Gender definitely exists, but operates differently in the higher dimensions. Gender is more a quality of energy than defining sex as it does in the physical. Really, when it comes to Archangels they can choose to appear with masculine or feminine energy, or neither, rather showing up as pure light and energy.

Archangel Gabriel does notably have a feminine essence of energy, as she is connected to the forces of the Moon and to the Birth forces.

Whether you experience Gabriel’s presence as being male or female, know that gender is used by the archangels to convey energy. This is why Archangel Michael who is the angel of protection usually appears to be more masculine, and Archangel Gabriel the angel of communication feminine.

Archangel Gabriels divinely feminine presence is very connected to the cycles of the moon, the flow of communication, and the flowing element of water. Gabriel works around the clock (really, outside of time and space) to guide assist and support you in connecting with your inner Truth, and embodying the highest level of Divine awareness and Love available to you in your life.

Archangel Gabriel in the Bible

Gabriel is also intricately connected to the dream world. In the Bible, it was in a dream where Archangel Gabriel told Joseph about the coming birth of Jesus.

Today, Gabriel loves to send those who are open to them messages of love and guidance during dream time. When you’re asleep, you are more receptive to higher guidance of Spirit. If you don’t already, start paying attention to your dreams. If you struggle recalling your dreams, keep a journal closeby and write your dreams down first thing when you wake in the morning.

There is incredible insight and learning that stems from deciphering your dreams and paying attention to them and what they mean for your life. Just by committing to write your dreams down, and then beginning to try to remember each morning you will start to remember more!

Then, take note and become aware of when a dream is outside the norm of what your dreams are typically like. When an angel contacts you in a dream, there will be the energetic signature of golden light and incredibly loving energy that lingers afterwards.

Three Signs Gabriel Is With You

Have you asked Gabriel for guidance or assistance? When you ask Archangel Gabriel for support, healing, inspiration, and guidance, they will respond!

The guidance of Gabriel may not appear in the way you expect, and it may not be in the form of receiving a clear verbal message (especially at first as you need to open your subtle psychic senses for this) …

But know that when you ask for help and guidance, Gabriel will answer… But it’s then up to you to stay present, centered and open to allow the subtle guidance, creative inspiration, and wisdom of Gabriel to appear.

As you practice present moment awareness, staying centered and grounded in the moment and continually returning your awareness to observation, gratitude and love…

In addition to being in a receptive state to access direct inspiration and angel messages, you will also be in the right state of mind to notice the signs of Archangel Gabriels presence that do appear!

There are many things that can signify Gabriels presence, but based on my experience, here are the Top 3 most common signs of Archangel Gabriel:

1. Archangel Gabriel’s White Coppery Angelic Energy

One of the biggest signs Archangel Gabriel is with you is that you begin to sense or notice one of their signature traits, which is that they appear with a beautiful white and golden, coppery angelic light.

You may see this brilliant light with your inner sight by simply drawing your attention inwards.

For example, when you are in a quiet meditative state and ask Gabriel to come forward, something magical happens. You may receive a general sense of their heartfelt warmth and presence or you might actually experience Gabriel stepping forward with or as a glowing coppery light.

The other way this sign could unfold is through seeing coppery white orbs in your peripheral vision. When this happens, don’t be surprised if when you try to focus on the light it goes away! Allowing yourself to find a place of relaxed is required for your experience of Gabriel to deepen.

The key word here is allowing. Allow and sense into Archangel Gabriel’s white, golden coppery energy which open up communication with the angelic realm.

2. Feeling Gabriels Glowing Energy

The second sign of Archangel Gabriel’s presence is that you start to feel the warmth and love that is their energetic signature.
From my experience, Gabriel’s energy is like a warm dip in the ocean, purifying and cleansing for the soul. Their energy is like waking up to the sunrise overlooking a clear Mountain lake. Like nature, Gabriel’s energy is a beautiful reflection of the highest Divine Light. It is gentle, warm, and absolutely blissful to bask in.

When you sense this warm beautiful energy, you are likely sensing Gabriel! And then when you allow yourself to bask in Gabriel’s divine light, you balance your energy, and further open to receiving angelic communication.

The next time you meditate, try inviting Gabriel in, and then when you simply relax and allow, you may notice the blissful energies of warmth and clarity that are a sign of Archangel Gabriel’s presence.

3. Angelic Imagery and Symbolism

The third sign you may experience when Gabriel is with you, is that you begin seeing angelic symbolism around you more often.

Perhaps this comes in the form of seeing a painting of an angel somewhere you’ve often been and yet never noticed that painting before. Alternately you may see a statue of an angel somewhere, or hear angels being sung about in a song. You might see more pictures of angels on your Facebook or Pinterest feed, you might notice an angel hanging above a Nativity scene (in July!) or you might drive by a restaurant named something like “Angel Cafe” or “Gabriel’s Bakery”.

These cute and seemingly coincidental sightings of angelic imagery and symbolism have angelic energy all over them! Seeing angels in artwork, media, or signs like this often increase in frequency when Archangel Gabriel is around and working with you. If this is happening for you it’s not only a clear sign of Gabriel’s presence, but a sign that they’re working to get messages through to you! Be sure you take some time to clear your mind and open your heart to receive more of Gabriel’s Divine messages of healing frequency and love.

Call upon Archangel Gabriel for Love, Strength, Inspiration, and Clear Vision

There is really so much that Gabriel can assist with. When called upon, Gabriel will help you to tap into your inner strength and power and to bring you inspiring messages to assist you in your life, and in finding your highest calling.

If your spiritual vision has been blocked, or you feel disconnected from Divine Guidance, Gabriel can help you to open to and restore this Divine flow so you can clearly receive Divine inspiration and clearly see Divine love.

Just know that some action on your part will likely be required. Gabriel will show you what you need to do to reopen to the flow of Divine

Love, Abundance, or even healing, but it’s then up to you to not only listen and trust… But to then act!

Archangel Gabriel for Healing

While Archangel Raphael is the most well known Archangel of Healing, each of the Archangels carry a healing frequency that can further support and guide you on your healing journey.

The way Gabriel typically supports the healing process is to inspire you with clear knowing as to the steps you can take to improve your situation. Gabriel is the Divine Messenger Archangel, and so their healing energy often involves connecting you with the messages of Healing Love.

Perhaps you simply need to be reminded that you are so loved and supported, or that you are enough! Gabriels messages of love can help remind you of your innate worth and sometimes this is “just what the doctor ordered” in terms of shifting your mental and emotional energy to bring yourself into alignment with healing light.

Additionally, physical healing crisis are often caused by energetic and emotional blockages. In many cases, allowing yourself to creatively express your energy, reignites the Divine energy flow of life force through your being.

So if you’ve been asking for healing energy, and you’re getting the guidance to get back out your paints, or work on writing a book, don’t doubt that this flow of creativity is a part of your healing journey and path.

If you are in healing crisis know that healing energy is available to you from the angelic realms, but more often than not rather than direct intervention or miraculous healing, the angels will inspire you to take action steps yourself to heal your body, and realign with wellness and the most vibrant possibilities for your life.

A Thought for Today

The Wisdom of Buddha

 

The tongue like a sharp knife… Kills without drawing blood.

Easter History and Traditions

Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament of the Bible, the event is said to have occurred three days after Jesus was crucified by the Romans and died in roughly A.D. 30. The holiday concludes the “Passion of Christ,” a series of events and holidays that begins with Lent—a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and sacrifice—and ends with Holy Week, which includes Holy Thursday (the celebration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his 12 Apostles, also known as “Maundy Thursday”), Good Friday (on which Jesus’ crucifixion is observed) and Easter Sunday. Although a holiday of high religious significance in the Christian faith, many traditions associated with Easter date back to pre-Christian, pagan times.

When Is Easter 2023?

Easter 2023 occurs on Sunday, April 9. However, Easter falls on a different date each year.

Easter Sunday and related celebrations, such as Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday, are considered “moveable feasts,” although, in western Christianity, which follows the Gregorian calendar, Easter always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Easter typically falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the spring equinox.

In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which adheres to the Julian calendar, Orthodox Easter falls on a Sunday between April 4 and May 8 each year.

In some denominations of Protestant Christianity, Easter Sunday marks the beginning of Eastertide, or the Easter Season. Eastertide ends on the 50th day after Easter, which is known as Pentecost Sunday.

In Eastern Orthodox branches of Christianity, Easter Sunday serves as the start of the season of Pascha (Greek for “passover”), which ends 40 days later with the holiday known as the Feast of the Ascension.

Why Is Easter Called ‘Easter’?

St. Bede the Venerable, the 6th-century author of Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (“Ecclesiastical History of the English People”), maintains that the English word “Easter” comes from Eostre, or Eostrae, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. Other historians maintain the “Easter” derives from in albis, a Latin phrase that’s plural for alba, or “dawn,” that became eostarum in Old High German, a precursor to the English language of today.

Despite its significance as a Christian holy day, many of the traditions and symbols that play a key role in Easter observances actually have roots in pagan celebrations—particularly the pagan goddess Eostre—and in the Jewish holiday of Passover.

Religious Tradition of Easter

The resurrection of Jesus, as described in the New Testament of the Bible, is essentially the foundation upon which the Christian religions are built. Hence, Easter is a very significant date on the Christian calendar.

According to the New Testament, Jesus was arrested by the Roman authorities, essentially because he claimed to be the “Son of God,” although historians question this motive, with some saying that the Romans may have viewed him as a threat to the empire.

He was sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect in the province of Judea from A.D. 26 to 36 Jesus’ death by crucifixion, marked by the Christian holiday Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), and subsequent resurrection three days later is said, by the authors of the gospels, to prove that he was the living son of God.

In varying ways, all four of the gospels in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) state that those who believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection are given “the gift of eternal life,” meaning that those of faith will be welcomed into the “Kingdom of Heaven” upon their earthly death.

Passover and Easter

Notably, Easter is also associated with the Jewish holiday of Passover, as well as the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, as described in the Old Testament. These links are clearly seen in the Last Supper, which occurred the night before Jesus’ arrest and the sufferings Jesus endured following his arrest.

The Last Supper was essentially a Passover feast. However, the New Testament describes it as being given new significance by Jesus: He identified the matzah (or bread) he shared with his 12 apostles as his “body” and the cup of wine they drank as his “blood.”

These rituals would come to symbolize the sacrifice he was about to make in death, and became the basis for the Christian ritual of Holy Communion, which remains a fundamental part of Christian religious services.

As Jesus’ arrest and execution were said to have occurred during the Jewish observance of Passover, the Easter holiday is often close to the former celebration on the Judeo-Christian calendar.

Easter Traditions

In western Christianity, including Roman Catholicism and Protestant denominations, the period prior to Easter holds special significance.

This period of fasting and penitence is called Lent. It begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days (not including Sundays).

The Sunday immediately prior to Easter is called Palm Sunday, and it commemorates Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, when followers laid palm leaves across the road to greet him.

Many churches begin the Easter observance in the late hours of the day before (Holy Saturday) in a religious service called the Easter Vigil.

In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Easter rituals start with the Great Lent, which begins on Clean Monday (40 days prior to Easter, not including Sundays). The last week of Great Lent is referred to as Palm Week, and it ends with Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, which ends on Easter.

Easter Eggs

Irrespective of denomination, there are many Easter-time traditions with roots that can be traced to non-Christian and even pagan or non-religious celebrations. Many non-Christians choose to observe these traditions while essentially ignoring the religious aspects of the celebration.

Examples of non-religious Easter traditions include Easter eggs, and related games such as egg rolling and egg decorating.

It’s believed that eggs represented fertility and birth in certain pagan traditions that pre-date Christianity. Egg decorating may have become part of the Easter celebration in a nod to the religious significance of Easter, i.e., Jesus’ resurrection or re-birth.

Many people—mostly children—also participate in Easter egg “hunts,” in which decorated eggs are hidden. Perhaps the most famous Easter tradition for children is the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, when children roll Easter eggs down Capitol Hill.

Easter Bunny

In some households, a character known as the Easter Bunny delivers candy and chocolate eggs to children on Easter Sunday morning. These candies often arrive in an Easter basket.

The exact origins of the Easter Bunny tradition are unknown, although some historians believe it arrived in America with German immigrants in the 1700s. Rabbits are, in many cultures, known as enthusiastic procreators, so the arrival of baby bunnies in springtime meadows became associated with birth and renewal.

Notably, several Protestant Christian denominations, including Lutherans and Quakers, have opted to formally abandon many Easter traditions, deeming them too pagan. However, many religious observers of Easter also include them in their celebrations.

Easter foods are steeped in symbolism. An Easter dinner of lamb also has historical roots, since a lamb was often used as a sacrificial animal in Jewish traditions, and lamb is frequently served during Passover. The phrase “lamb of God” is sometimes used to refer to Jesus and the sacrificial nature of his death.

Today, Easter is a commercial event as well as a religious holiday, marked by high sales for greeting cards, candies (such as Peeps, chocolate eggs and chocolate Easter bunnies) and other gifts.

Sources

McDougall, H. (2010). “The pagan roots of Easter.” The Guardian.
Sifferlin, A. (2015). “What’s the origin of the Easter bunny?” Time.com.
Barooah, J. (2012). “Easter eggs: History, Origin, Symbolism and tradition.” Huffington Post.
Chapman, E. and Schreiber, S. (2018). “The history behind your favorite Easter traditions.” Goodhousekeeping.com.

HISTORY.COM EDITORS

HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan and Matt Mullen.

The Ancient Pagan Origins of Easter By Joanna Gillan

Easter is a festival and holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world who honor the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred three days after his crucifixion at Calvary. It is also the day that children excitedly wait for the Easter bunny to arrive and deliver their treats of chocolate eggs.

The date upon which Easter is held varies from year to year, and corresponds with the first Sunday following the full moon after the March equinox. It occurs on different dates around the world since western churches use the Gregorian calendar , while eastern churches use the Julian calendar.

While Easter, as we know it today, was never a  pagan festival, its roots and many of its traditions have associations with ancient pagan customs and beliefs.

According to the New Unger’s Bible Dictionary: “The word Easter is of Saxon origin, Eastra, the goddess of spring, in whose honour sacrifices were offered about Passover time each year. By the eighth century Anglo–Saxons had adopted the name to designate the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.” However, even among those who maintain that Easter has pagan roots, there is some disagreement over which pagan tradition the festival emerged from. Here we will explore some of those perspectives.

Resurrection as a Symbol of Rebirth

One theory that has been put forward is that the Easter story of crucifixion and resurrection is symbolic of rebirth and renewal and retells the cycle of the seasons, the death and return of the sun.

According to some scholars, such as Dr. Tony Nugent, teacher of Theology and Religious Studies at Seattle University, and Presbyterian minister, the Easter story comes from the Sumerian legend of Damuzi ( Tammuz) and his wife Inanna ( Ishtar), an epic myth called “The Descent of Inanna” found inscribed on cuneiform clay tablets dating back to 2100 BC. When Tammuz dies, Ishtar is grief–stricken and follows him to the underworld. In the underworld, she enters through seven gates, and her worldly attire is removed. “Naked and bowed low” she is judged, killed, and then hung on display. In her absence, the earth loses its fertility, crops cease to grow and animals stop reproducing. Unless something is done, all life on earth will end.

After Inanna has been missing for three days her assistant goes to other gods for help. Finally one of them Enki, creates two creatures who carry the plant of life and water of life down to the Underworld, sprinkling them on Inanna and Damuzi, resurrecting them, and giving them the power to return to the earth as the light of the sun for six months. After the six months are up, Tammuz returns to the underworld of the dead, remaining there for another six months, and Ishtar pursues him, prompting the water god to rescue them both. Thus were the cycles of winter death and spring life.

Dr. Nugent is quick to point out that drawing parallels between the story of Jesus and the epic of Inanna “doesn’t necessarily mean that there wasn’t a real person, Jesus, who was crucified, but rather that, if there was, the story about it is structured and embellished in accordance with a pattern that was very ancient and widespread.”

The Sumerian goddess Inanna is known outside of Mesopotamia by her Babylonian name, “Ishtar”. In ancient Canaan Ishtar is known as Astarte, and her counterparts in the Greek and Roman pantheons are known as Aphrodite and Venus. In the 4th Century, when Christians identified the exact site in Jerusalem where the empty tomb of Jesus had been located, they selected the spot where a temple of Aphrodite (Astarte/Ishtar/Inanna) stood. The temple was torn down and so the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built, the holiest church in the Christian world.

Dr. Nugent points out that the story of Inanna and Damuzi is just one of a number of accounts of dying and rising gods that represent the cycle of the seasons and the stars. For example, the resurrection of Egyptian Horus; the story of Mithras, who was worshipped at Springtime; and the tale of Dionysus, resurrected by his grandmother. Among these stories are prevailing themes of fertility, conception, renewal, descent into darkness, and the triumph of light over darkness or good over evil.

Easter as a Celebration of the Goddess of Spring

A related perspective is that, rather than being a representation of the story of Ishtar, Easter was originally a celebration of Eostre, goddess of Spring, otherwise known as Ostara, Austra, and Eastre. One of the most revered aspects of Ostara for both ancient and modern observers is a spirit of renewal.

Celebrated at Spring Equinox on March 21, Ostara marks the day when light is equal to darkness, and will continue to grow. As the bringer of light after a long dark winter, the goddess was often depicted with the hare, an animal that represents the arrival of spring as well as the fertility of the season.

According to Jacob Grimm’s Deutsche Mythologie , the idea of resurrection was ingrained within the celebration of Ostara: “Ostara, Eástre seems therefore to have been the divinity of the radiant dawn, of upspringing light, a spectacle that brings joy and blessing, whose meaning could be easily adapted by the resurrection-day of the christian’s God.”

Most analyses of the origin of the word ‘Easter’ agree that it was named after Eostre, an ancient word meaning ‘spring’, though many European languages use one form or another of the Latin name for Easter, Pascha, which is derived from the Hebrew Pesach, meaning Passover.

Easter and Its Connection to Passover

Easter is associated with the Jewish festival of Passover through its symbolism and meaning, as well as its position in the calendar. Some early Christians chose to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on the same date as Passover, which reflects Easter having entered Christianity during its earliest Jewish period. Evidence of a more developed Christian festival of Easter emerged around the mid-second century.

In 325 AD, Emperor Constantine convened a meeting of Christian leaders to resolve important disputes at the Council of Nicaea. Since the church believed that the resurrection took place on a Sunday, the Council determined that Easter should always fall on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. Easter has since remained without a fixed date but proximate to the full moon, which coincided with the start of Passover.

While there are distinct differences between the celebrations of Pesach and Easter, both festivals celebrate rebirth – in Christianity through the resurrection of Jesus, and in Jewish traditions through the liberation of the Israelites from slavery.

The Origins of Easter customs

The most widely-practiced customs on Easter Sunday relate to the symbol of the rabbit (‘Easter bunny’) and the egg.  As outlined previously, a hare was a symbol associated with Eostre, representing the beginning of Springtime. Likewise, the egg has come to represent Spring, fertility, and renewal. In Germanic mythology, it is said that Ostara healed a wounded bird she found in the woods by changing it into a hare. Still partially a bird, the hare showed its gratitude to the goddess by laying eggs as gifts.

The Encyclopedia Britannica clearly explains the pagan traditions associated with the egg: “The egg as a symbol of fertility and of renewed life goes back to the ancient Egyptians and Persians, who had also the custom of colouring and eating eggs during their spring festival.” In ancient Egypt, an egg symbolised the sun, while for the Babylonians, the egg represents the hatching of the Venus Ishtar, who fell from heaven to the Euphrates.

So where did the tradition of an egg-toting Easter Bunny come from? The first reference can be found in a German text dating to 1572 AD: “Do not worry if the Easter Bunny escapes you; should we miss his eggs, we will cook the nest,” the text reads. But it wasn’t until the tradition made its way to the United States via the arrival of German immigrants, that the custom took on its current form. By the end of the 19th century, shops were selling rabbit-shaped candies, which later became the chocolate bunnies we have today, and children were being told the story of a rabbit that delivers baskets of eggs, chocolate and other candy on Easter morning.

In many Christian traditions, the custom of giving eggs at Easter celebrates new life. Christians remember that Jesus, after dying on the cross, rose from the dead, showing that life could win over death. For Christians, the egg is a symbol of the tomb in which the body of Jesus was placed, while cracking the egg represents Jesus’ resurrection. In the Orthodox tradition, eggs are painted red to symbolize the blood Jesus shed on the cross .

Regardless of the very ancient origins of the symbol of the egg, most people agree that nothing symbolizes renewal more perfectly than the egg – round, endless, and full of the promise of life.

While many of the pagan customs associated with the celebration of Spring were at one stage practised alongside Christian Easter traditions, they eventually came to be absorbed within Christianity, as symbols of the resurrection of Jesus. The First Council of Nicaea (325 AD) established the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the full moon (the Paschal Full Moon) following the March equinox .

Whether it is observed as a religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, or a time for families in the northern hemisphere to enjoy the coming of Spring and celebrate with egg decorating and Easter bunnies, the celebration of Easter still retains the same spirit of rebirth and renewal, as it has for thousands of years.

From ancient-origins.net By Joanna Gillan

A Laugh for Your Day

da264a211e7a29e52e043eeff7a2f83e

A Thought for Today

The Wisdom of Buddha

April 7, 2023 Northern Hemisphere’s Planetary Positions

If you need to calculate the planetary positions for a specific use and time, click on this link

Currentplanetarypositions.com

To figure out GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) to your local time use this link

For Your Local Time and Date

Northwestern Hemisphere

This local time is in Los Angeles, California, USA

April 07, 2023
10:00 pm GMT 3:00 PM PDT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:17 Aries 49
Moon:08 Scorpio 26
Mercury:06 Taurus 25
Venus:26 Taurus 10
Mars:06 Cancer 42
Jupiter:20 Aries 47
Saturn:03 Pisces 25
Uranus:17 Taurus 09
Neptune:25 Pisces 58
Pluto:00 Aquarius 14

True Lunar Node:04 Taurus 00
Mean Lunar Node:05 Taurus 04 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):10 Leo 01

Chiron:15 Aries 59
Ceres:26 Virgo 38 Rx
Pallas:20 Cancer 40
Juno:15 Taurus 43
Vesta:26 Aries 28

Eris:24 Aries 30

Fire:6
Earth:7
Air:1
Water:5
Cardinal:7
Fixed:9
Mutable:3

Northern Hemisphere

This local time is in Chicago, Illinois, USA

April 07, 2023
08:00 pm GMT 3:00 PM CDT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:17 Aries 44
Moon:07 Scorpio 21
Mercury:06 Taurus 18
Venus:26 Taurus 04
Mars:06 Cancer 40
Jupiter:20 Aries 46
Saturn:03 Pisces 25
Uranus:17 Taurus 09
Neptune:25 Pisces 58
Pluto:00 Aquarius 14

True Lunar Node:04 Taurus 00
Mean Lunar Node:05 Taurus 05 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):10 Leo 00

Chiron:15 Aries 59
Ceres:26 Virgo 39 Rx
Pallas:20 Cancer 39
Juno:15 Taurus 40
Vesta:26 Aries 25

Eris:24 Aries 30

Fire:6
Earth:7
Air:1
Water:5
Cardinal:7
Fixed:9
Mutable:3

Northeastern Hemisphere

This local time is in Frankfurt, Germany, Europe

7 April 2023
03:00 pm GMT 4:00 PM CEST
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:17 Aries 32
Moon:04 Scorpio 37
Mercury:06 Taurus 01
Venus:25 Taurus 49
Mars:06 Cancer 33
Jupiter:20 Aries 43
Saturn:03 Pisces 24
Uranus:17 Taurus 08
Neptune:25 Pisces 58
Pluto:00 Aquarius 13

True Lunar Node:04 Taurus 00
Mean Lunar Node:05 Taurus 05 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):09 Leo 59

Chiron:15 Aries 58
Ceres:26 Virgo 41 Rx
Pallas:20 Cancer 34
Juno:15 Taurus 32
Vesta:26 Aries 20

Eris:24 Aries 30

Fire:6
Earth:7
Air:1
Water:5
Cardinal:7
Fixed:9
Mutable:3

April 7, 2023 Daily Horoscopes

Click here to read Georgia Nicols Daily Horoscopes

Moon Alert

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Scorpio.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

A better day! You have lots of energy for home improvements and hustling with family activities. You might also spend money on beautiful things for yourself and loved ones. Nevertheless, you’ll give serious, practical thought to shared property and finances.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

This is a high energy day for you! You’re full of bright ideas! Very likely, you will take the helm and tell others what to do, even though you are also playing things a bit low profile. People will help you because you’re charming and sympathetic. Listen to the advice from someone older.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

A secret love affair is percolating for many of you. (You do love an adoring peanut gallery.) Behind-the-scenes research might trigger financial spending and potential earnings. Meanwhile, you have a lot of energy to work today, which is why you’ll get practical results. (Someone older might help.)

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

You are pumped for action today! For starters, people admire you. This could be one reason that younger people will listen to your orders and directions. Of course, with Mars in your sign, you have lots of energy to put behind your words. You might teach young minds today.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Travel plans are exciting. This is also a strong day to impress the boss or parent or someone in a position of authority because you will speak with confidence and knowledge. (You’ve done your homework.) Meanwhile, you will benefit through your willingness to help with duties at home.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

This is an interesting day because you might discuss travel plans. In fact, many of you will travel for pleasure. Although you are focused on shared property and finances, discussions with someone older could prove fruitful for you. Listen to advice if it is offered.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

You’re pumped for action, and ambitious to make things happen. Discussions about shared property, banking and inheritances will be clear minded and direct. Cards on the table. (That’s because you’ve thought this out ahead of time.) You will use your money and resources in practical ways today.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Today you are willing to pull more than your fair share because you see it needs to be done. (People will appreciate this.) Meanwhile, partners and close friends are warm, friendly and grateful. Someone younger might have something exciting to share with you.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Today is the kind of day where you will work hard and party hard! The work will flow easily because you will be clear minded and focused. Plus, you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and dig in. Fortunately, others are helpful. (Major bonus.) You might help someone older behind the scenes.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Home and family are your focus because you have traditional values when it comes to family. Discussions with young people will be lively and energetic. Romance is supportive. Nevertheless, you are also willing to do whatever is necessary to make things flow easily.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

This is a fast-paced time for you. Relations with family members will be positive and friendly today. This is an excellent day to tweak your digs and entertain. (You want to make things look more attractive.) Someone will admire you because they see you are willing to do what is necessary to get things done.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

You’re particularly charming today, which is why everyone wants to talk to you. Nevertheless, you’re willing to work hard and do what needs to be done. Enjoy relations with young people. Romance will also flourish. It’s a good day! Enjoy!

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actor Ismael Enrique Cruz Cordova (1987) shares your birthday today. You are vibrant, positive and bold and will fight for your beliefs. You are sometimes rebellious. This year is the last year of a nine-year cycle, which means it’s time to let go of anyone or anything that is holding you back. Focus on being compassionate and loving.

A Thought for Today

April 6, 2023 Northern Hemisphere’s Planetary Positions

If you need to calculate the planetary positions for a specific use and time, click on this link

Currentplanetarypositions.com

To figure out GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) to your local time use this link  

For Your Local Time and Date 

Northwestern Hemisphere

This local time is in Los Angeles, California, USA

April 06, 2023
10:01 pm GMT 3:01 PM PDT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:16 Aries 50
Moon:25 Libra 26
Mercury:05 Taurus 02
Venus:24 Taurus 59
Mars:06 Cancer 11
Jupiter:20 Aries 33
Saturn:03 Pisces 19
Uranus:17 Taurus 06
Neptune:25 Pisces 56
Pluto:00 Aquarius 13

True Lunar Node:04 Taurus 00 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:05 Taurus 07 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):09 Leo 54

Chiron:15 Aries 55
Ceres:26 Virgo 49 Rx
Pallas:20 Cancer 20
Juno:15 Taurus 07
Vesta:26 Aries 00

Eris:24 Aries 29

Fire:6
Earth:7
Air:2
Water:4
Cardinal:8
Fixed:8
Mutable:3

Northern Hemisphere

This local time is in Chicago, Illinois, USA

April 06, 2023
08:00 pm GMT 3:00 PM CDT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:16 Aries 45
Moon:24 Libra 21
Mercury:04 Taurus 55
Venus:24 Taurus 53
Mars:06 Cancer 09
Jupiter:20 Aries 32
Saturn:03 Pisces 19
Uranus:17 Taurus 06
Neptune:25 Pisces 56
Pluto:00 Aquarius 13

True Lunar Node:04 Taurus 00 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:05 Taurus 08 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):09 Leo 53

Chiron:15 Aries 55
Ceres:26 Virgo 50 Rx
Pallas:20 Cancer 18
Juno:15 Taurus 05
Vesta:25 Aries 58

Eris:24 Aries 29

Fire:6
Earth:7
Air:2
Water:4
Cardinal:8
Fixed:8
Mutable:3

Northeastern Hemisphere

This local time is in Frankfurt, Germany, Europe

6 April 2023
06:00 pm GMT 7:00 PM CEST
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:16 Aries 40
Moon:23 Libra 17
Mercury:04 Taurus 47
Venus:24 Taurus 48
Mars:06 Cancer 06
Jupiter:20 Aries 30
Saturn:03 Pisces 18
Uranus:17 Taurus 05
Neptune:25 Pisces 56
Pluto:00 Aquarius 13

True Lunar Node:04 Taurus 00 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:05 Taurus 08 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):09 Leo 53

Chiron:15 Aries 55
Ceres:26 Virgo 51 Rx
Pallas:20 Cancer 16
Juno:15 Taurus 02
Vesta:25 Aries 56

Eris:24 Aries 29

Fire:6
Earth:7
Air:2
Water:4
Cardinal:8
Fixed:8
Mutable:3

A Few Laughs for Your Day

From Reader’s Digest

POTATO BAG STRENGTH

An exercise for people who are out of shape: Begin with a five-pound potato bag in each hand. Extend your arms straight out from your sides, hold them there for a full minute, and then relax. After a few weeks, move up to ten-pound potato bags. Then try 50-pound potato bags, and eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-pound potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. Once you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag.

CAN’T COME TO CLASS

My daughter received this e-mail from a prospective student prior to the start of the semester: “Dear Professor, I won’t be able to come to any of your classes or meet for any of the tests. Is this a problem?”

MADE MY OWN GRANDKIDS

Scene: With a patient in my medical exam room Me: How old are your kids? Patient: Forty-four and 39 from my wife who passed away, and from my second wife, 15 and 13. Me: That’s quite the age difference! Patient: Well, the older ones didn’t give me any grandkids, so I made my own.

Full Pink Moon: Spell and Ritual (April 6, 2023)

Full Pink Moon: Spell & Ritual (April 6, 2023) from spells8.com

April’s Full Moon is called the Pink Moon. In North America, this is when the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox blooms in widespread joyfulness. This is also the month when many fish swim upstream to spawn. It is a time of playfulness and youth for Nature, and it can be for you also!

What to do on the Pink Moon? Cast a Full Moon spell. The best time for a Pink Moon ritual is a Friday night, but you may do it on any of the three nights when the Moon is Full in April.

How does this Spell work?

The color pink resonates with compassion, nurturing and love, It is kind and comforting, bursting with pure romance. A pink candle will help nurture and warm you as you work your magic.

A symbol of fertility and abundance, The Moon has been worshiped by different cultures since ancient times. And this one especially, since it is usually the first Full Moon of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the season of love and unions.

Before you begin, make sure you have set an intention for this ritual. This is a great opportunity to cast a love spell, even if it’s just to attract friendly, familial or self-love energies.

Full Pink Moon: Spell & Ritual (April)

Recipe by Francisco Huanaco

Here’s a Pink Moon ritual for manifestations of any kind. Love spells and positive intentions are encouraged in this season. What to do on the Pink Moon? Cast a Full Moon spell!

INGREDIENTS

1 pink candle (or more if you have them)

Candle holder or dish

Rose quartz or Moonstone

Pink flowers

Pen and paper

HOW TO CAST THE PINK MOON SPELL

Optionally, you can dress in pink (or wear a pink garment) to help open your most receptive side and channel the energy of the Pink Moon.

Decorate your room or your altar with pink flowers to set a positive and sensitive mindset for a successful ritual as you focus on your intention.

If you can see the Full Moon from where you are, look at it. Otherwise visualize it with the eye of your mind and allow a feeling of hope to fill your spirit. Take a piece of paper and write your intention on it. This is the goal that your Magic will bring and manifest throughout the coming months. Feel the blooming of your dreams starting to happen.

Place the paper under the candle holder or dish, and set the pink candle on top. Light the candle. 🕯️

Hold your quartz or moonstone in your hands, and as you see the moon in the sky or in your mind, chant the spell:Pink Moon Ritual Chant

Charge your gemstone with lunar energy by placing it outside or on a window sill. As the candle burns, follow a guided meditation for love, or simply empty your mind as you watch the candle burn. You can use this time to say a love spell chant or a prayer to invite love into your life, or do a devotional to the deity of your choosing.

NOTES

Practice candle safety. Never leave candles burning unattended.

What to do with the leftovers of the spell?

Keep the stone and carry it with you to attract more love in your daily activities. Finish burning the candle for the duration of this lunar month (until the next Full Moon).

You can paste the piece of paper on your book of shadows or Book of Mirrors to remind you of when you cast this Pink Moon spell or burn it tonight with the pink candle flame. Dispose of the pink flowers as you see fit.

Moon Water – Part 1

From spells8.com

Moon Water is a very versatile Magical ingredient and one of the easiest to prepare. You will find that many recipes of Wiccan spells use it.

Learn how to make and use Moon Water in any lunar phase. Adding it to your pagan altar at home will help you harness the power of Element Water and the Moon in your ritual practice.

What is Moon Water?

Moon water is simply water that has been exposed to the moonlight and charged with a Magical intention. The water will now embody the properties and energy of that moon phase so we can use it whenever we need it in our craft.

How to Prepare Moon Water

We frequently use this water when for any reason we can’t work during the best Moon phase for a spell. Instead, by charging regular drinking water with the energy of the moon, we preserve that energy until a later time.

A Moon Water Recipe for Every Phase: Boost Your Magic Powers

Recipe by Francisco Huanaco Difficulty: Easy

Moon water is simply regular water that has been blessed under the Moon. You can make it on any lunar phase (not just the Full Moon!) chanting this easy Wiccan spell.

INGREDIENTS

Drinking water (it can be tap/rain water if it’s safe to drink)

1 bowl or a glass container of any size

HOW TO PREPARE MOON WATER

Pour water in the bowl. If it’s your first time, use 3 cups of water. Otherwise, feel free to experiment with the amounts.

Put the bowl in a place where it will be lit by the moonlight, preferably outside, but it could be near a window inside your home. It’s a good idea to use a glass bowl or a transparent bottle to allow the light to reach the water without obstructions. It doesn’t matter if it’s cloudy outside, since moonlight, just like sunlight, can pierce through the clouds easily.

As you place the water in the moonlight, consecrate it by saying out loud:How to prepare Moon Water

Your intention/petition could be attracting more money to your life, healing a part of your body, fixing a relationship, or anything else where you want to focus this sacred energy.

You don’t need to leave the water outside all night. A few hours is enough, but make sure to collect it before dawn, before the sunlight touches it.

Filter out any insects that might have landed on the water and pour it in a bottle or jar. Store it in a dark place such as a kitchen cabinet or refrigerator until you use it.

You can use rain water too. If you’re planning to drink it afterwards, just make sure it’s safe to drink!

Print it: Magic Water Recipe

This PDF version comes with a transparent background so you can print it on printer-friendly parchment paper add it to your own Book of Shadows.

A Thought for Today

We can all grow flowers 98% of the time it’s the other 2% we have to be careful of.

Blessing to help flowers growing in your mind!

March 27th through April 2nd Astronomy Picture of the Day

These are the Astronomy Picture of the Day for the proceeding week starting on the past Monday through this Sunday. Just click on the hyperlink next to the date for the pictures you want to see.

2023 April 02: M57: The Ring Nebula from Hubble
2023 April 01: NGC 2442: Galaxy in Volans
2023 March 31: Seeing Titan
2023 March 30: NGC 4372 and the Dark Doodad
2023 March 29: 308: A Dolphin Shaped Star Bubble
2023 March 28: A Multiple Green Flash Sunset
2023 March 27: Aurora Over Arctic Henge

Herb and Essential Oils Magickal and Medicinal Uses – Sandalwood

(Side Note from Lady Beltane: Sandalwood is an all-purpose oil interchangeable for any other essential oil for anything magickal. Also, one of my favorite scents.)

Disclaimer: No herb should be used for medicinal use until you have check with your health care professional to ask if it safe for you to use it for any reason. WitchesofTheCraft.com, any staff member of WitchesofTheCraft.com, and Lady Carla Beltane are not responsible for any type of a negative reaction when using this herb for any reason.

The content provided on this is website is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.

Sandalwood from Tree Branch, Dried, Powder

The Magic, History, and Folklore of Sandalwood from learnreigions.com

Although not truly an herb, but a wood, sandalwood is an item found often in modern Pagan rituals. In fact, “sandalwood” is an entire class of wood, found in trees that are part of the flowering Santalum family. These aromatic and dense plants are packed full of essential oils, which are often extracted for use in a variety of religious rituals, aromatherapy, and even in medicine.

Did You Know?

  • Sandalwood is full of essential oils, which are often used in religious rituals, aromatherapy, and traditional medicine.
  • Indian sandalwood is an endangered plant, but most product sold in the United States and Europe today comes from the non-endangered Australian sandalwood.
  • In many traditions of modern Paganism, it is associated with healing and purification, as well as business and protection magic.

Sandalwood History

Sandalwood has been used for thousands of years in a ritual context. It appears in Buddhist and Muslim rituals, and was one of several fragrant plants used by the Egyptians in embalming rituals. In China and Tibet, its antiseptic properties make it a valuable part of folk medicine. In India, the wood is used for intricate carvings that adorn shrines and homes; figurines and mala jewelry are also crafted from sandalwood. In addition, a paste is sometimes made that can be used to anoint the forehead of the faithful in Hindu temples.

One particular species, the Indian sandalwood, which grows primarily in Nepal and southern India, is an endangered plant. However, people still harvest the trees for the essential oils, and a single kilogram of true sandalwood oil can sell for up to $2,000. That’s a pretty steep price – but don’t worry, most of the sandalwood essential oil sold in the United States and Europe today actually comes from the Australian sandalwood. This is a non-endangered species, and although it has a lighter concentration than the other varieties of sandalwood, it’s still very fragrant and is popular with many aromatherapists.

Aromatherapist Danièle Ryman says,

“Sandalwood oil is still one of the main remedies used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Asians and Arabs use it in self-treatment for a great number of diseases. In Europe, it mostly features in perfumery and soap, and it once had a major role in aromatherapy.”

While it is is typically the flowers that are harvested and used, many different parts of the sandalwood plant are used for a variety of purposes. For instance, the essential oil is often used in holistic medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties, and some researchers are even testings its impact on cancer and other diseases. The wood can be ground down into a fine powder, and used for beauty treatments — add a bit of rose oil or camphor, and apply it to your skin for cleansing.

In a 2012 issue of Current Science magazine, A. N. Arun Kumar, Geeta Joshi and H. Y. Mohan Ram wrote an article called Sandalwood: History, Uses, Present Status and the Future, in which they discuss spike disease, which has caused many of the species to become endangered. The authors say,

“Sandalwood cannot be equated with other commercial short-rotation or timber-yielding species in which improvement work has been considerably successful. The sandalwood tree has to be viewed from a different perspective. Some of the inherent advantages of sandalwood would certainly help not only in its survival, but also in redeeming its past glory.”

Sandalwood Magic and Folklore

Sandalwood has a number of magical applications, and they tend to vary depending on which religious group you’re looking at. In many traditions of modern Paganism, it is associated with healing and purification. In Hindu rites, sandalwood paste is often used to consecrate ritual tools before ceremonies. Buddhists believe that sandalwood is one of the sacred scents of the lotus, and can be used to keep one connected to the material world while the brain wanders off during meditation. In chakra work, sandalwood is associated with the seventh, or root, chakra at the base of the spine. Burning the incense can help with issues related to self-identity, security and stability, and trust.

In a few Neopagan traditions, the actual wood of the sandalwood is burned as incense — sometimes mixed with other woods or resins, such as myrrh or frankincense. A few forms of folk magic associate it with both business and protection magic. You can also use pieces of the wood in spellwork – write your intent on a chip or stick of sandalwood, and then place it in a brazier to burn. As your sandalwood burns, your intent, or wish, will be carried up to the heavens on the drifting smoke.

Source: Wigington, Patti. “The Magic, History, and Folklore of Sandalwood.” Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/using-sandalwood-in-magic-2562036.

Sandalwood Essential Oil

Sandalwood Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

What is Sandalwood?

Sandalwood is an evergreen tree native to India and Indonesia and grows to 8 to 12 m in height and 2.5 m in girth. The bark is smooth and gray-brown in color, and the small flowers have numerous short stalks.

Scientific Name(s)

Santalum album

Common Name(s)

Sandalwood is also known as santal oil, white saunders oil, white or yellow sandalwood oil, and East Indian sandalwood oil.

What is it used for?

Traditional/Ethnobotanical uses

Sandalwood oil has a warm, woody odor and is commonly used as a fragrance in incense, cosmetics, perfumes, and soaps. It also is used as a flavor for foods and beverages. The wood has been valued in carving because of its dense character.

In traditional medicine, sandalwood oil has been used as an antiseptic and astringent, and for the treatment of headache, stomachache, and urinary and genital disorders. In India, the essential oil, emulsion, or paste of sandalwood is used in the treatment of inflammatory and eruptive skin diseases. The oil has been used in the traditional Ayurvedic medicinal system as a diuretic and mild stimulant, and for smoothing the skin. The leaves and bark were used by early Hawaiians to treat dandruff, lice, skin inflammation, and sexually transmitted diseases. Sandalwood oil has also demonstrated repellency against the crop pest Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite).

General uses

Sandalwood oil has been reported to have diuretic and urinary antiseptic properties, but clinical trial data are lacking. The oil has mainly been used as a fragrance enhancer.

What is the recommended dosage?

For the treatment of urological problems, a dose of 1 to 1.5 g daily is recommended for no more than 6 weeks. Sandalwood oil should be dosed in a resistant coating that protects against stomach secretions. The oil should not be ingested in its natural state.

Contraindications

None well documented.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Side Effects

Sandalwood oil may cause skin inflammation, although it is generally considered to be nonirritating to human skin.

Toxicology

Sandalwood oil has generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status as a flavoring agent in food by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers’ Association, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also recognizes sandalwood oil as a natural flavoring.

References

1. Sandalwood Oil. Review of Natural Products. Facts & Comparisons [database online]. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Health Inc; October 2012.