A Laugh for Today

Thought for the Day

395bbdb80099b2cb62916d4a367b20c0

Astronomy Picture of the Day February 27th to March 5th

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 March 05: Jupiter and Venus over Italy
2023 March 04: 10 Days of Venus and Jupiter
2023 March 03: RCW 86: Historical Supernova Remnant
2023 March 02: Unraveling NGC 3169
2023 March 01: The Flaming Star Nebula
2023 February 28: Crescent Moon Beyond Greek Temple
2023 February 27: Zodiacal Ray with Venus and Jupiter

Let’s Have Some Fun – Printable Coloring Page

It is small but I enjoyed coloring it with one of my grandchildren.

Let’s Have Some More Fun – Printable Coloring Page

Meet Your Moon Sign C. 2011

Meet Your Moon Sign

What do you need to feel happy, safe
and fulfilled?

by Emily Trinkaus

Everyone wants to feel good but how to get there varies significantly depending on your unique needs. While your Sun sign shows how you express your identity and shine your light out in the world, your Moon sign gives insight into your inner world, revealing what you need to feel safe, happy and comfortable.

The Moon moves so quickly — changing signs every two and a quarter days — that you need to know your time of birth in order to be sure about your Moon sign. Once you know your Moon sign, read below to discover your path to emotional fulfillment. Learning about a friend or loved one’s Moon sign is a great way to get deeper understanding into their needs and desires.

Moon in Aries
Aries is the warrior, and you need to express your fiery, creative and pioneering spirit. Ideally, you have a place in your life where you can take the lead and be number one, possibly within your home or family. To feel safe in relationships, you require honesty and directness — you prefer to experience conflict and get your emotions out in the open rather than gloss over unpleasantness for the sake of harmony.

Moon in Taurus
Your earthy, sensual and peace-loving temperament requires frequent communion with nature, and you appreciate having plants and animals in your home. You feel best when you have a stable routine, are surrounded by creature comforts and can indulge in the pleasures of the physical world. In relationships, you need loyalty, reliability and sensuality. Naturally grounded, you have the ability to remain calm even in the midst of crisis.

Moon in Gemini

With your Moon in the airy and mentally active sign of the Twins, staying connected with others through various forms of communication brings a feeling of security. You’re happiest when your ever-curious mind is being fed with new ideas and perspectives, and when you’re sharing the knowledge you’ve acquired. You need a steady flow of communication in relationships, and subscribe to the theory that variety is the spice of life.

Moon in Cancer

The Moon is strong in its home sign of Cancer, so lunar themes are prominent in your life — home, family, food and your inner world. You need plenty of time to devote to these realms. With your strong connection to the past — especially family and ancestors — you feel secure when surrounded by family photos or other mementos. You need nurturing relationships where you can share your deepest feelings and be treated with tenderness and sensitivity.

Moon in Leo

The Lion is the king of the jungle and you need to be treated like royalty — to feel special and be the center of attention. Leo also represents the archetype of the child, and playing and having fun are food for your soul. Expressing your creativity leads to satisfaction and is your best bet for avoiding emotional drama. You have a big heart and need to demonstrate your generosity, perhaps through entertaining in your home.

Moon in Virgo

Above all, you need to feel useful — to know that you’re contributing your skills and talents to a worthy cause. Order, efficiency and simplicity give you a feeling of comfort and ease — otherwise, you can be prone to overwhelm, worry and anxiety. You find security in the little things in life, and feel best when you’re in your own environment. You have high standards in relationships, and require reliability and responsibility from your partners.

Moon in Libra

Your inner world is symbolized by the Scales, giving you a strong need for balance, justice and harmony. You feel secure in peaceful and beautiful surroundings, while discord can throw you off-kilter. You enjoy an active social life, but withdrawing into solitude from time to time is essential to discover what you really want. Expressing your needs leads to genuine harmony — avoid the temptation to suppress your desires to please others.

Moon in Scorpio

With your Moon in the sign associated with the Underworld, you need to dive into the emotional depths. While other Moon signs may feel uncomfortable with emotional intensity, you thrive on it. Scorpio symbolizes the process of transformation and rebirth, and you need to engage with this process in some way — creativity, spirituality and psychology are some possible healthy outlets. In relationships, you require passion, depth and loyalty.

Moon in Sagittarius

You have the soul of a gypsy and need travel, freedom and adventure to feel fulfilled. Most of all, you require a lot of personal space — being tied down by routine or obligations stifles your spirit and dampens your naturally buoyant personality. Being active, including vigorous exercise, healthy competition and time in the wilderness helps you thrive. You’re happiest when you balance your physical activity with philosophical and spiritual exploration.

Moon in Capricorn

Your highly pragmatic Moon finds satisfaction through being productive and competent and by achieving your ambitious goals. You need to feel respected by others and are willing to earn this respect through hard work. Being organized and surrounded by the highest quality material objects gives you a sense of security. In relationships, you seek long-lasting quality, and are willing to wait for the best. You may need to let go of control and show vulnerability.

Moon in Aquarius

In an intellectual Air sign, your Moon requires mental stimulation and social activity. Aquarius is the sign of friendship and your many friends are likely to feel like family. You need an outlet for expressing your uniqueness and unconventional thoughts, perhaps through writing or another form of creativity. A sense of freedom and independence makes you feel secure in relationships while too much clinginess turns you off.

Moon in Pisces

Pisces represents dreams, fantasy, spirit and the imagination. To feel nurtured, you need to take regular time out from ordinary reality to connect with these other-worldly realms, whether through meditation, creative pursuits or daydreaming. Your highly sensitive nature easily picks up on others’ emotions, and you need solitude to identify your own feelings. You feel the urge to merge with others in relationships, but need to be careful not to lose yourself.

Let’s Talk Witch – Sigils and Symbols Used In Magick c. 2014

Let’s Talk Witch – Sigils and Symbols Used In Magick

Sigils, symbols and names are often carved into candles to add to the intent, power and purpose of the spell.

To draw something to you carve your symbol or sigil into the candle by starting from the bottom and make your sigil ‘grow’ moving it upwards. To banish something start your carving from the top of the candle moving downwards.

If you are drawing letters you can stack them, by drawing each letter one over the top of another. Again if you are drawing something to you start to carve at the bottom of the candle and if you are banishing something start at the top.

The spiral method means you start your carving at the bottom of the candle and move to the right, spiralling the letters of your carving upwards to bring something towards you, or start at the top and spiral downwards to banish something.

For a straightforward carving just draw your design in the middle of the candle, it could be a heart for a love spell or a pound/ dollar sign to draw money.

To reverse a spell or when banishing negativity, you could try writing a word backwards on the candle.

If you don’t want anyone to see what you have carved into the candle use a needle as this makes a very fine line and even you probably won’t be able to make out the end result, but the important thing is that spirit will.

Another way of hiding what you are doing is by carving your intent on the base of the candle so that no one can see it.

Source:

Pagan Portals – Hoodoo: Folk Magic
Patterson, Rachel

16 Common Witchcraft Spell Casting Essentials c. 2018

These common witchcraft spell casting essentials are not listed in any particular order. They are listed in the order in which they came to me for the purpose of writing this article.

These are not the only common witchcraft spell casting essentials, however, they are some of the ones that I feel are the main ones.

THE most important witchcraft spell casting essential is intent. Without intent, you have nothing but words and actions, and not really a spell cast at all.

In no particular order, a list of Common Witchcraft Spell Casting Essentials

1. Salt
Used for cleansing and banishing. It is also used for protection during cleansing and banishing spells. Salt is a natural antiseptic. Salt is commonly used for circles for standing or sitting in while casting. It also ensures a clean spell.

2. Broom
Brooms are highly symbolic. Brooms symbolize the sweeping away of anything unwanted. They are used physically, as well as symbolically. You would use a broom to physically sweep away in a cleansing spell, banishing spell, also in some protection spells (ones that would rid unwanted energy from your home to keep it out).

3. Candles
Candles are used for focus and mood. Candles should be readily available in as many colors as you can get a hold of. Different colored candles hold symbolism for a variety of spells. Colors are chosen based on the nature of the spell and what feels right. White can be substituted for any color in the absence of the chosen color.

For example, some people like to use the color Red for love spells, or the colors Green or Gold for money spells, or Blue for healing spells, etc.

You can choose what colors feel right for you for any spell of your choosing. You do not have to go with the commonly used color associations if you feel another color will work better for you in a certain spell or ritual.

4. Crystals and Stones
You should have a variety of stones and crystals for different purposes. Crystals and stones contain a charge for various things so you will want to choose wisely based on your spell. In the absence of the proper crystal, Quartz can be charged with the necessary properties. I find Quartz to be quite powerful and quite generic because of its nature.

Important: You do not want to use crystals or stones of any kind (even wedding rings or other jewelry) when doing banishing spells. When you are working to banish (especially with entities), crystals and stones can absorb the energy of the entity, keeping the entity attached to that stone forever.

Be selective in what spells you use crystals and stones in.

5. Incense
Incense comes in a wide variety of scents /odors. You will always want to choose what suits the spell best and what feels right for you at the time of casting.

Incense can be used to trigger certain emotions or invoke a mindset. Different smells for different purposes.

I prefer vanilla for most spells, as it is very soothing and calming, and helps to set the mood for casting.

6. Anointing Oils and Essential Oils
Oils are used for various purposes. Some are for scent and feeling, and others are for cleansing or blessing. The different oils are chosen based on items they are needed for and for the spell they are being used in.

7. Silence

Silence is optimal for casting any spell. You need to be able to focus on your spell without distraction. If you have children, especially young ones, you need to choose your timing wisely.

8. Isolation

Unless you are with a coven, isolation is a preferable. (If you are with a coven, then the coven should be isolated.) Being alone goes hand-in-hand with silence.

9. Book of Shadows (Spell Book)

A book with your spells written inside it. It is important to always write down your spells that you cast in the event that you want to perform a certain spell again. This is something that you will always have and should keep protected. A notebook can be used, but you should transfer your spells into something more permanent. Spells, although written down in this book can be altered at any time.

10. Intent

THE most important thing you need when casting any spell. Witchcraft is based on intent. Make sure that your intentions are known before you even begin casting your spell. Know what you want to achieve and focus on it.

11. Focus

Focus works alongside intent. You want to focus on your intentions and on what it is that you are doing throughout the spell to make those intentions be your outcome.

12. Confidence

You must have confidence in order for your spells to take effect. The more confident you are, the stronger your casting will be. Know in your heart and in your mind that what you are doing within the spell has worked, is working, and will work. Believe it and so shall it be.

13. Altar

A place where you have all of your essentials gathered together to perform your rituals and castings. Usually a table or desk dedicated to your collection of Witchcraft items. This is also where you would perform offerings to the Gods or Goddesses that you are calling upon to help you. For lack of a table or desk, you can use the top of a dresser or a shelving unit, a shelf, or even a window sill.

14. Herbs and Flowers

You will want to have various herbs and flowers on hand at all times for various spells. Herbs and flowers can be used fresh or dried. If burning the herbs or flowers, you will of course want to use dried. Fragrance from fresh herbs and flowers may be needed depending on the spell to be cast and the ritual to be performed. Also, if being used for symbolism, you would choose fresh or dried accordingly. (eg. dried to symbolize old, and fresh to symbolize new)

15. Cauldron

A fireproof container for burning various objects, incense, images, herbs, etc. When a spell calls for it, you will need to burn certain things, so a cauldron will make the perfect venue for this. A cauldron is not used only for burning; it is also used for mixing. In your cauldron, you can mix any of your “ingredients” that you need to bring together for your spell or ritual. You may want to heat some mixtures in your cauldron, so this is another reason it should be fireproof. It should also be food-safe if you are mixing potions
Go with your instinct no matter what kind of spell you are casting or ritual you are performing. Use your instincts when choosing every element and every word to a spell or ritual. Only you know what is right for your spell or ritual, no one can tell you what should be used and what shouldn’t. Go with your instinct every time, even if you have a spell previously written. If that spell feels like it should be changed, then change it. Instincts will get you very far with witchcraft.

This is not a complete list of everything that you will ever need or that you will ever use in your spells and rituals, and it is not meant to be. It is simply a list of some of the most common witchcraft spell casting essentials that are important to ensure a great spell.

You don’t need all of these things for each spell. You want to use any combination of the essentials (and anything else that you feel is necessary) in each individual spell.
Source
Unhypnotize.com Wicca/Witchcraft

A Little Humor for Your Day – Signs That You Might Be a Pagan c. 2019

Signs That You May Be A Pagan


You Might be Pagan If …

  1. You know the term “fluffy bunny” has nothing to do with Easter.
  2. When you’re sworn in in court, you bring your own grimoire.
  3. You’ve been seen talking to cats. They talk back. You understand what they’re saying.
  4. When asked if you believe in God, you ask, “Which one?”
  5. You know what “widdershins” means. You apply it.
  6. You have an entire spice cabinet and you don’t cook. You know that laurel and bay leaves are the same thing.
  7. You have a frequent buyer card at the local antique bookstore. The proprietor of said bookstore picks out anything to do with the Celts and saves it for you.
  8. You think Mercedes Lackey should be a cultural icon.
  9. You know that there are exceptions to the laws of physics. You’ve caused them.
  10. The first thing your guests say is, “My, that’s a nice… altar… you have there.”
  11. On Halloween, you yell “Happy New Year!” at passers-by.
  12. You know that Christmas trees were originally pagan symbols. That’s why you bought one.
  13. You have friends who say they are elves. You believe them.
  14. You commit blasphemy in the plural.
  15. Upon dying, your first thought is, “Darn it, not AGAIN.”
  16. When you say “Mother Nature,” you don’t mean it in an anthropomorphic way.
  17. Gaia is NOT the lady on Captain Planet.
  18. You think The Mists of Avalon should be a religious text. You use it as such.
  19. In Religion 100, you were disappointed because they didn’t cover YOUR gods.
  20. You know that there is a right way and a wrong way to draw a pentacle. You can explain the difference.
  21. You’ve spent the last year and a half looking for a familiar.
  22. You talk to trees. They talk back.
  23. You know dragons and fae exist. You’ve seen them.
  24. Painting yourself blue, spiking your hair, and dancing naked around a bonfire sounds like large amounts of fun.
  25. You’ve seen “The Craft.” You know where they were making stuff up in “The Craft.” You have explained this to other people. You can do it better than they did it in “The Craft.” You know it’s a load of crap.
  26. You understand the symbolism behind a maypole.
  27. You’ve ever ended a phone call with “so mote it be.”
  28. Your children go around telling people that “the Goddess loves you.”
  29. You consider unicorns to be an endangered species.
  30. You commonly (and frequently accidentally) call the days of the week by alternate names: Sunday, Moonday, Tyr’s Day, Woden’s Day, Thurse Day, Frigga-Day, Satyr Day.
  31. You keep wondering what year this is, as that whole time-travel thing has you confused.
  32. The Futhark or the Theban alphabet (one of them) was the first alphabet you learned to write.
  33. When someone says they have a headache, you pull out White Willow Bark and a Crystal Healing Kit.
  34. You wonder why the Pope doesn’t have any concubines in his position of obvious power.
  35. Your candles outnumber your light bulbs.
  36. Your telephone, computer, radio, television, or other electronic device is in a spot where you can protect the rest of the house from it.
  37. Your telephone, computer, radio, television, or other electronic device is in a spot where you can protect them from the rest of the house.
  38. You feel inclined to dance around and/or jump over a campfire, and keep piling wood on it because it’s not a proper bonfire.
  39. You go on religious pilgrimages that end up in or pass through (with a stop) any of the following: Nepal, the Burning Man festival, the woods (nearby or not), Stonehenge, the Pyramids or any other place with a usable pyramid, Salem (Massachusetts), Eerie (Indiana), Avalon, Atlantis, anywhere where there are standing stones or burial mounds, any cave with drawings older than the nation it’s in, or pretty much any place wild.
  40. You really do wonder why the faeries keep hiding from you… after all, you’re one of them.
  41. You keep getting mistaken by religious zealots for someone Satanic, or you are directly called by these same zealots a “devil-worshipper” or some such.
  42. You like the movie “The Matrix” for its philosophical content more than its technological aspects.
  43. You dislike the Christian Bible because it’s “way too strict for fun-loving people.”
  44. You can accurately quote the Bible better than your Fundie neighbor, relate said scripture to parallel sources in other cultures and religions, and rebut it all from quotes of the Seth books or material you have channeled on your own.
  45. You constantly wonder why all the decent people in the world are in hiding.
  46. You never blow out your candles because you consider it an affront to the element of fire. Your kids have to snuff out their birthday cake.
  47. You don’t keep your hammer in the toolbox.
  48. The last time Jehovah Witnesses came to your house they ran away so fast they forgot to leave any pamphlets behind.
  49. Your friends talk about “WitchCraft” or “The Occult” among themselves and then aren’t surprised when you give them a referenced, coherent, well-formed explanation for whatever they were talking about at the time, from memory.
  50. People who you vaguely recognize ask you to fix deeply personal problems so they don’t have to do it themselves.
  51. You’re reading this page. You understand what it’s talking about.
  52. You have argued for the acceptance of Paganism as a mainstream religion.
  53. You honestly didn’t understand what Jerry Falwell was blaming you for, or why he has such a problem with your beliefs.
  54. You write your philosophy papers comparing the beliefs of Gerald Gardner and Aleister Crowley.
  55. When people ask “What’s Wicca?” you are genuninely shocked that they have never heard of it.
  56. Instead of singing “God Bless America”, you change it to “All the Gods Bless America”.
  57. You can point out exactly where Silver RavenWolf is inaccurate.
  58. Your home doubles as an evergreen wood or rain forest.
  59. You know that Ragnarok is not a heavy metal band.
  60. You keep referring to the Bible as Christian Mythology.
  61. You keep talking about how Jesus had the perfect coven of 13.
  62. You make arguments that you are not a Neo-Pagan but a Reconstructionist Pagan.
  63. You cheer when watching Marilyn Manson say we must “fight the Fascism of Christianity.”
  64. You say, “Yes I have found Christ. I added him to my Pantheon only last week.”
  65. You think that Julian is the greatest Roman Emperor.
  66. You call yourself a Vinelander.
  67. You have to explain that you can’t be a Satanist because Satanism is merely Xian heresy.
  68. You know the difference between a Heathen and a Neo-Pagan.
  69. You try to trace your ancestry back to Odin or Lugh.
  70. You learn Old Norse just to be able to read the Eddas and Sagas easier.
  71. You have multiple translations of the Eddas and Sagas on your book shelves. You’ve read all of them and wrote one of them. You can discuss the finer points of interpretation.
  72. You get tired of explaining the your Hammer necklace is not an upside-down Satanic cross.
  73. You argue that we are in cyclical time and not linear time.
  74. You know that the Swastika was not invented by Hitler.
  75. The phrase “It’s Hammer Time” brings up thoughts of Thor.
  76. When family members here you’re not Christian, they ask if you will still celebrate Christmas and Easter. You reply, “Those were my religious holidays first!”
  77. You refer to your religion as Celtic or Germanic.
  78. When a Christian asks if you’ve found the Lord, you ask “Which one Freyr or Jesus?”
  79. When asked if you’ve found Jesus, you reply: “I wasn’t aware he was lost.”
  80. You don’t want to go to Hel, since it’s such a dark, cold and dreary place. Valhalla is better.
  81. You’ve ever answered “Yes?” when someone said “Oh God” or “Oh Lord”.
  82. You don’t work in a New Age/Occult shop, but you know the inventory better than most of the employees.
  83. … and you know most of the employees
  84. … and they call you when they have questions.
  85. The last time a screaming, proselytizing, evangelist Christian fundie told you that you were going to hell, you just gave him a big hug and told him you hoped you could be roommates when that happened.
  86. Somebody asks you what time it is and you look at the sky, not your watch.
  87. Your entire neighborhood comes to you first when they have a cold, asking for a cup of your special tea.
  88. People look at the way you’re dressed and say “Nice Halloween costume!” but you’re wearing your everyday clothes and jewelry.
  89. You absentmindedly use DragonScript or Theban when taking notes, and you can speak the language it comes from as well. Fluently.
  90. Last time you heard a Pentacostal Christian speak in tongues you winced due to the horrible grammar and weird pronounciations.
  91. You understand what people say when they speak in tongues and have responded, arguing a point just made. (Extra points if you won the argument without using violence or shouting.)
  92. People have introduced you to their friends as a practicing witch. You’ve gotten used to it.
  93. That funny feeling in your stomach whenever you’d go to church as a kid-it wasn’t a breakfast gone bad. It was a sign.
  94. You see people reading various pagan literature and feel compelled to give commentary.
  95. You think there’s something suspiciously pagan about the way Mary Poppins comes and goes with the directions of the wind.
  96. You’re still looking for your ruby slippers.
  97. You think a South Park episode making fun of Wiccans would be really really funny.
  98. … and you’ve written scripts for such an episode, but none of your friends got the humor.
  99. You greatly enjoy explaining your religion to the Mormon missionaries who knock on your door. (Let’s face it, the confused looks on their faces were priceless.)
  100. Every Halloween, news stations and schools call you up asking you to talk about paganism.
  101. … and after talking to them about it, you make the mistake of giving out your email address, and find your inbox stuffed full of love spell requests.
  102. The local church kept asking you to bring in some baked goodies for their bake sale. You brought in cookies made using a pentacle cookie cutter. They stopped calling.
  103. You have close to a dozen (or more) quick, witty and/or cutting remarks at the ready whenever you might be asked if you’re a good witch or an evil one.
  104. After having spent 10 minutes out of doors you can do a week long weather prediction. It’ll be more accurate than what the weather forecasters on TV manages.
  105. If getting wet isn’t an option and you’ve forgotten your raincoat or umbrella, you walk between the raindrops. That is, if the rain won’t hold up a couple of minutes just for your sake.
  106. You’ve been asked by your co-workers to perform a binding spell on your boss, to allow them to slack off, and you’ve considered how to do it without doing harm.
  107. You spend all day trying to get kids not to run away from you whenever you talk about “Spells”.

 

–Turok’s Cabana

Sunday’s Witchery c. 2018 (Correspondences and Spell)

Gna’s Blot

Colors: White and blue
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of white and blue set twelve white candles, one sky-blue candle, a great jug of mead, and a white feather. Throughout the next ten days, the altar stays the same, and one more candle is lit. On this day, light the blue candle and two white candles.
Offering: Take a message of truth to someone. Speak the truth. Do things correctly.
Daily Meal: Soup or stew. Bread with cheese, meat, or jam.

Invocation to Frigga’s Handmaidens

Call: Twelve maidens hold the halls of Asgard!
Response: Twelve virgins hold the pillars of heaven!
Call: Twelve mysteries hold the luck of Asgard!
Response: Twelve virtues hold the Law of heaven!
Call: Twelve words of power resound through Asgard!
Response: Twelve stars light up the dome of heaven!
Call: We call upon the power of Virtue!
Response: We call upon the mysteries of heaven!

Invocation to Gna

Hail, bright messenger of Frigga,
Bringer only of the truth,
Be it joyful or painful.
You whose lips speak only what is true
And whose wings rush the truth to every corner of the world,
Teach us to love that messenger when she comes,
Even when she bears tidings
That wring the heart to sorrow.
Teach us that truth is never unwelcome,
And that its radiance burns through
All confusion, all illusion, and all shadows.
For truth is more than merely our words;
It is every step that we take on the road of life.

Chant:
Cloth of honor from the thread of truth
Weave your heart into all you offer

(A libation of mead is poured out for Gna, and the jug replaced for the next day’s ritual. There should be a House meeting for this day, during which the virtue of Truth is stressed.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Goddess of the Day – Frigg

Frigg

Areas of Influence: Frigg was the Norse Goddess of marriage, childbirth, motherhood, wisdom, household management and weaving and spinning.

She was the Queen of Aesir and the only one permitted to sit on the high seat other than her husband Odin.

This Goddess’s home was Fensalir (Marsh hall) in Asgard. All marshy and boggy ground was sacred to this Goddess.

As Goddess of weaving she was associated with weaving clouds and the threads of fate, known as Wyrd in the Nordic tradition. Despite this and the gift of prophecy she is unable to save her own son from his fate. The Goddess made him invincible to everything other than mistletoe but unfortunately Loki disguised himself and tricked her in to revealing this weakness.

She has more than ten handmaidens who assist her, the most well known of these are Hlin (Goddess of Protection), Gna (a messenger Goddess) and Fulla (a fertility Deity). Some academics have suggested that the attendants represent different faces of this particular Deity.

Barren women would invoke this Goddess and ask her to bless them with children.

Her name means “beloved one.” Other spellings of this Goddesses name include Frea, Fija, Friia, Frig and Friggja.

Origins and Genealogy: She was the daughter of Fjorgynn (the male personification of the earth) and was married to Odin with whom she had two sons, Balder and Hodr.

She was briefly married to Odin’s brother’s Vili and Ve as Odin had been away travelling a long time and was believed to be dead. When he finally returned, the marriage to Odin’s brothers was dissolved and she returned to her husband’s side.

Strengths: A loving mother and home maker.

Weaknesses: Unable to save her son.

Symbolism
Like Freya she wears a ravens clock.

She is associated with constellation the Orion’s Belt which was known as the Frig’s Distaff upon which she winds the threads of fate and weaves the clouds.

Sacred Birds: Ravens, hawks and falcons.

Sacred Plants: Frigg’s grass is a plant was traditionally used as a sedative during birth. Mistletoe is also sacred to her.

Frigg’s Archetype
The Mother
The Mother is a life-giver and the source of nurturing, devotion, patience and unconditional love. The ability to forgive and provide for her children and put them before herself is the essence of a good mother.
In its shadow aspect the Mother can be devouring, abusive and abandoning. The shadow Mother can also make her children feel guilty about becoming independent and leaving her. It is not necessary to be a biological Mother to have this stereotype. It can refer to anyone who has a lifelong pattern of nurturing and devotion to living things.

This Goddess was a devoted mother who was unable to prevent the death of her son. She is also a great domestic Goddess looking after the home.

How to Work With This Archetype
The Mother

You are exhibiting the features of the shadow Mother if you smother your children and are over protective. Encourage independence and allow children to make mistakes but be available to give care and advice when it’s needed.

The other shadow Mother is the one that abandons her children, or is so busy that she has no time for nurturing her young.

Source:

Goddess-Guide.com

Magick Symbols – SUN GOD FACE c. 2018

SUN GOD FACE

The sun face is a symbol that has been central to most major spiritual systems throughout history. Since the sun god usually reigned over a pantheon of lesser gods. His symbol played a vital part in pagan worship (and in the rituals of occult secret societies) around the world. In Inca myths, the sun was worshipped as the divine ancestor of the nation. The sun was worshipped as a personified, life-giving deity in Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and other major civilizations of history. The more common symbol is the familiar face in the center of the sun’s rays. A dot or point in the center of a circle symbolizes the blending of male and female forces. Hindus call the midpoint in a circle the bindu – the spark of masculine life within the cosmic womb.

Witches of the Craft’s Daily Divination Digest c. 2019

Witches of the Craft’s Daily Divination Digest for January 25th

Your Daily Tarot Card for January 25

The Moon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keywords: imagination, dreams, emotion, competition (the dogs), illusion!

Astrological Correspondence: Pisces

The Moon in all its phases represents the world of dreams, illusions, and the subconscious. Traditionally the symbol of the feminine, the card’s meaning encompasses the maternal, the Great Mother, womanhood, and cycles. The Moon is an ambivalent card, and its imagery signifies the difficulty to see things clearly: simultaneously inspiring and lacking courage, enchanting and bewildering, deceptive and receptive – all sides of the same coin. Signaling fluctuating moods and uncertainty we must pay attention to our dreams, confront our subconscious and deal with the issues that come to the surface in order to progress to a higher level of awareness. Being able to put our imagination and creative talents to good use is an added bonus. Negative qualities such as ambiguity, confusion, hidden fears, and deception can be causes for failure.

Your Daily Love Tarot Card

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sun is an invitation to a supportive relationship in which you can be yourself around your significant other. You feel relaxed and loved, with a sense of peace of heart. You’ve struck gold and entered into a new realm. Keep looking if this is not how you feel because it is how things should be. You can’t expect improvement in a long-term union if you do not take effective steps to create it.

Your Erotic Tarot Card

The High Priestess

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The High Priestess card is a sign that you’ve recently made a big decision in your life, and you finally feel like you’ve reached some level ground. Now that you can finally breathe a sigh of relief, your sex life will feel revitalized. Everything isn’t perfect, but the positive factors far outweigh the negative ones, and you’re feeling sexually free to explore new and exciting options. Sexual balance is high on your priority list, so go out there and find the erotic yin to your yang.

 

Your Weekend Influences

Tarot Influence:
Ten of Cups Reversed

Betrayal and failure. The loss of freindship and love

 

Astrological Influence

Virgo

Virgo denotes intelligence and a drive for perfection taking command–the dealing with all aspects of life honorably.

Element Influence

Water Reversed

Water reversed denotes secrets to which you are not privy. Approach all ventures with caution.

 

 

 

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

 

The Dove



Throughout history the Dove has symbolized peace and innocence in nearly all cultures. Dove’s soft cooing and gentle nature bring a calmness to any situation. The Dove appears where peace has been attained or there is a need to bring events to a peaceful ending. It denotes a time to let lose of grievances and settle conflicts in a way that benefits all parties equally.

As a daily card, Dove suggests the need to put an end to conflict in your present life. The conflict may be yours or may be that of people close to you. Regardless of the parties involved, you have been called upon to bring the discord to an impartial end.

Psychic Tip of the Day

NEW FRIENDS

What you lack in intimacy you make up for in the feeling that the world might be conspiring in your favor, finally. Are you looking forward to new friends?

Tarot.com is a Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2019

 

Your Daily Rune

Jera

Rune of harvest and reward for, or reaction to, right actions in a horizontal (naturally ordered) cyclical process. Rune of peace on the land and in the heart.

Psi: psychological time, patience, the measurement of time

Energy: good harvest, orbits, cycles, progress, biorhythms, right effort

Mundane: waiting, gardening, farming, the seasons, harvest

Divinations: Reward for positive action, plenty, peace, proper timing; or repetition, bad timing, poverty, conflict, regression.

Governs:
Fertility, creativity and harmony with the land
Peace, prosperity and plenty
Realization of the cyclical nature of the multiverse, invoking the power of time and cycles
Bringing other concepts gently into material manifestation
Initiating gradual and lasting change in flow of life

 

Your Animal Spirit for Today

Eagle

Eagle soars high enough to see the grand panorama of life, and yet has vision keen enough to spot a fish a mile away. How’s your vision? Are you seeing the big picture or are you only concentrating on the fish? Eagle is asking you to take a step back so you can once again see the whole. You’ve gotten so lost in the trees you’ve forgotten the forest.

 

Crack the Cookie

 

The Wisdom of Buddha

 

You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.

 

 

WHICH WITCH ARE YOU? FIVE WAYS TO HARNESS THE CRAFT c. 2019

WHICH WITCH ARE YOU? FIVE WAYS TO HARNESS THE CRAFT

 

Witchcraft seems like a particularly buzzy topic these days, with books, blogs, and more delivering ancient magic to a modern audience. But while stylized Tarot cards and light-catching crystals have their place, the shift from intrigued observer to practicing pagan can be a daunting one. So why not start the process by determining which brand of witchery resonates with you?

Read on to learn about five specialized takes on witchcraft—and where the variants came from.

 

COSMIC WITCH

A comic witch is a witch who uses planetary and celestial energy in their practice. They study and feel a personal and spiritual connection with not only the main planets in our solar system, but with asteroids, meteors, supernovas, stars, constellations, galaxies, and black holes. Cosmic witches pay particular attention to astrology, horoscopes, and zodiac signs—but that only gives us a picture of how the cosmic forces influence the individual. Cosmic witches are focused on how celestial energy influences the inner self, but also the world.

Cosmic witches have been around since the study of planets. According to the American Federation of Astrologers, the Babylonians are credited with the birth of astrology. They used their astrological charts to predict the “recurrence of seasons and certain celestial events.” Around 2000 B.C., Babylonian astrologers believed that the sun, moon, and the five known planets (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto had yet to be discovered) all had distinct character traits (Mercury representing communication, Venus representing affection, and so on). Cosmic witches use these planetary traits to call upon their energy. For example, many witches choose to perform spells on a full moon because the full illumination can create an extra magical boost and enchantment—and the rock itself is said to align with emotions and the soul.

A present-day cosmic witch may not be using astrology to predict the weather, but rather to predict future events or influences. For example, it’s beneficial for a cosmic witch to know when Mercury is in retrograde, and in which sign, because it will allow them to determine where communication breakdowns will occur, and in what guise. If a cosmic which was planning to perform a love spell, their best chance of having it being successful during a new moon which corresponds with new beginnings and relationships.   

 

 

DIVINATION WITCH

A divination witch uses their magic to try to predict the future, often employing a variety of tools—or one that resonates. There are so many mediums with which to connect into the magic of the world: think Tarot, oracle cards, a pendulum, the I Ching, palmistry, and tasseography, and more.

Divination and divination witches have existed in just about every time period in history. In ancient Greece, divination witches were known as Oracles, and it was believed that deities spoke through them. A famous oracle was high priestess Pythia—known as the Oracle of Delphi—who was thought to be the mouthpiece of the god, Apollo. Every culture has its own form of divination. In ancient China, the diviner would carve out their question onto an ox bone until it cracked, and then the cracks were analyzed.

Today, divination witches don’t claim to be the mouthpiece of the gods, instead using divination predict likely answers to simple queries like, “Am I on the right career path?” or “Does this relationship stand a chance?” And in true modern fashion, divination methods like Tarot can even be found on our phones.

 

 

GREEN WITCH

A green witch works with magical properties found in the natural world. Their craft is based on respecting nature and all living things. Green witches focus on the magical correspondence of herbs, plants, and flowers. This incorporates herbalism, which is the study of botany and use of plants intended for medicinal purposes.

Herbalism is found in many cultures, but Chinese herbal medicine is one of the ancient variations still practiced today. Chinese herbology is based on the concepts of yin, yang, and Qi energy, where the herbs can either cool (yin) or stimulate (yang) certain parts of the body, the concept used for ritual and spiritual practices as well as medicinal. In parts of Africa, an herb known as purslane was used for purification during and after ritual ceremonies, while in some Scandinavian countries, clover was once used to ward off evils spirits and help develop psychic ability. In folk magic tradition, chamomile is said known to bring luck.

Today, green witches still take herbal magic very seriously, using essential oils and creating small physic gardens in their own apartment. Be aware that this is a learned art: it’s extremely important to know the health effects of the herbs you plan to use or ingest as well as the magical benefits.

 

 

KITCHEN WITCH

A kitchen witch practices magic within their own home. Their magic is not based on any divine power or spiritual guidance, but that magic that can be found in the everyday routine. Their craft comes out while cooking, baking, and nesting while tapping into the power of their own intention.

Witchcraft and cooking have always gone hand-in-hand. During the late 15th and mid-18th century many of the 200,000 witches (mostly women) were tortured, hanged, or burned at the stake were accused of poisoning food. Even now, our classic image of a witch persists as a woman stirring her cauldron. There has always been a magical and ritualistic nature surrounding food. Like green witchcraft, kitchen witches use herbalism in their food-based magic—but kitchen witchery isn’t just about food. It can also be making a homemade offering to a deity, cleansing and protection your home, and so on.

 

SEA WITCH

A sea witch, also known as a water witch, works with the element water in order to tap into their magic. They feel a deep, powerful connection to the water—whether it is the ocean, sea, or lake. This powerful pull leads them to be more aware of their own mystical energies.

Sea witches have been found in many cultures throughout history. From the sea nymph Calypso of The Odyssey; Sycorax of Shakespeare’s play The Tempest; even Ursula in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. However, sea witches have a deeper history in mythology. In Norse mythology, sea witches were magical, malevolent feminine spirits who often took the form of mermaidsThese witches believed that their power and bond over the sea and tides was born of their worship for the moon. The triple goddess symbol holds particularly deep meaning for sea witches, as it represents the three phases of the monthly lunar cycle: waxing, full, and waning.

Along with praying to the moon, sea witches have had a long history with practicing dowsing, a method of divination for finding water, metals, even grave sites underground by using a Y-shaped stick made of hazel. Dowsing has been around since the Middle Ages, used frequently in Europe until its association with witchcraft caused the practice to be shunned; its legitimacy as a science is still up for debate. Contemporary sea witches may not be luring sailors to their deaths, but they are still incorporating water, weather, and the moon into their practices, finding their own magical connection with the sea.

 

Astrology.com

A Little Humor for Your Day: You Know Someone Is New To Magick And New Age Ideology When They Think That … c. 2019

You Know Someone Is New
To Magick And New Age Ideology
When They Think That …

An ATHAME is the gas you use for your grill.

A CENSOR is a drink you mix with alcohol.

ASTRAL PROJECTION is a home-made movie viewer.

A SYMPATHITIC LINK is when you feel sorry because your chain broke.

WICCA is that part of the candle that burns.

APHRODITE is a prehistoric bird.

ARCHETYPES is a kind of building structure.

BLESSED BE is the god of insects.

A BOOK OF SHADOWS contains silhouettes of friends or family members.

A BRAZIER is support wear for women.

CASTING is done with a fishing line, or on a set in Hollywood.

CHARGING is done with a credit card or battery.

The only way to get into a CIRCLE is to have the right of way.

Crystal CLEANSING is done with window cleaner.

CYCLES have to do with your washing machine and when to add fabric softener.

DEMETER is where you put your quarter when you park downtown.

A DOLMAN is a new brand of banana.

HANDFASTING is eating without utensils.

LEY LINES happen at the airport in Hawaii.

PAN is something you fry food in.

A QUARTER is 25 cents and still buys a cup of coffee. (Note: This person is not only new to magick, but they also haven’t been out in a while!)

SKYCLAD is a shade of blue clothing.

A TRAD is a type of geometrical figure.

WHEEL OF FORTUNE is the game show with Vanna White.

 

–Turok’s Cabana

The Witches Digest for Sunday c. 2018 (Correspondences and a lot of other information)

I feel like the owl is laughing at me?

The Witches Digest for Sunday

 

A Common Circle

We stand in the circle,
Together in common cause we celebrate,
Sabbath or Esbat it matters not.
We come together to show our love and devotion,
To the God and Goddess this day.
The Circle is cast and the Guardians are called,
We evoke the Lord and Lady to join us,
We dance and sing round and round,
asking for their blessing.
All individuals but for this short time we
come together as one,
Our energy empowers the circle,
Priest and Priestess our focus, they are
the key,
To casting forth the energy we gather.
Together as a community we are strong,
Within the circle our works are great.
The path matters not for when we stand together,
In the circle for we are one.

—A Journey with the Lady
Steven Spears

 

Today is Sunday

 

Traditionally, Sunday is the first day of the week. It is also known as the Lord’s Day from it original association with the Lord, that is, the Sun God, personified as Helios, Apollo, Ogmios, Mithras, and St. Elia. But in the Northern Tradition, the sun is seen as feminine, personified as the goddess known as Phoebe in East Anglia and Saule in eastern Europe. The sun rules the conscious element of the human being, the ego, the real self, and Sunday is the day on which this conscious power is at its most effective.

Deity: Sol

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Planet: Sun

Tree: Birch

Herb: Snakeroot

Stone: Ruby

Animal: Lion

Element: Fire

Color: Gold

Rune: Sigel

 

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

Runic Half Month of Peorth (womb, dice cup) ( January 13 – January 27)

Goddess of the Month of Hestia (December 26th – January 22nd)

 

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

We Honor The Three Fates

The Fates, the Goddesses of Destiny

Ancient Greek Goddesses and Nymphs – The Three Fates aka the Moirae

 

The Three Fates – The Moirae
Discover fascinating information about the sisters who were referred to as the Three Fates. They were also known as the Moirae in Greek mythology or the Parcae in Roman legends and were the goddesses of Destiny. The Ancient Greeks believed that three Fates regulated the duration of human existence and the destinies of mortals. They controlled the metaphorical thread of life, the good and bad moments of every mortal from birth to death.

Definition of the Three Fates (Moirae)
Who were the Three Fates of Ancient Greek mythology? The meaning and definition of Three Fates are as follows: Definition of Three Fates: The Three Fates were the goddesses who were reputed to be the personification of destiny, the weavers of fate who determined when life began, when it ended and all that happened in between. The names of the Three Fates were Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos. Life is woven by Clotho, measured by Lachesis and the thread of life is cut by Atropos.

Genealogy of the Three Fates (Moirae)
According to most sources of Greek Mythology the three Fates were the daughters of Zeus, the king of the gods and and Themis, one of the Titanides. The primordial deities Chaos, the first of all divinities and Nyx, the dark goddess of Night are named in other sources, as are the Titan Cronus with Ananke, the goddess of inevitability and the personification of destiny, necessity and fate. The children of Nyx and Erebus also included Doom (Moros), Old Age (Geras), Divine Retribution (Nemesis), Death and Sleep (Thanatos and Hypnos), Strife (Eris, the goddess of Discord), Charon, the Keres and other personifications. There was a link between the Moirae and the Tyche the goddess of fortune and luck. The family members and genealogy of the Fates are detailed in the following family tree, providing an overview of the relationships between the Fates and some of the principle Greek gods and goddesses of the Underworld.

The Three Fates (Moirae)
The three goddesses accepted as the Fates were the personification of destiny, inevitability and fortune. Each of the three Fates, the weavers of fate, had specific tasks that they were divided between them. Clotho spun the thread, Lachesis measured it and Atropos cut the thread. Their name means “Parts.” “Shares” or “Alottted Portions.” The Three Fates (the Moirae) were believed to appear three nights after a child’s birth to determine the course of its life. As goddesses of birth, they had the power to prophesize the fate of the newly born, as goddesses of fate they clearly knew the future. Zeus was entitled the Leader of the Fates, and the three goddesses sat in attendance of his throne, presiding over the sacred laws of heaven. They were the distributors of good and bad fortune to mortals and to nations. The three Fates were also present at the birth of gods to declare their divine privileges and functions.

The Three Fates (Moirae) and the ‘Death Fates’ (the Keres)
Their was also a belief that a person’s ‘Ker’ or life force developed with his growth, either for good or evil. When the ultimate fate of a mortal was about to be decided, his ‘Ker’ was weighed in the balance by the Death Fates, the hateful goddesses of death called the Keres, and, according to its worth or worthlessness, life or death was awarded to the mortal in question. This concept originated in ancient Egyptian beliefs in which souls, including the ‘Ka’ were judged in the Hall of Two Truths where the heart was weighed against the feather of truth and their fate would be decided – either entrance into the perfect afterlife or to be sent to the Devourer of the Dead. It is therefore evident that according to the belief of the early Greeks, each individual had it in his power, to some extent, to shorten or prolong his own existence and not totally reliant on the judgement of the Fates.

 

The Three Fates (Moirae) – the Underworld and the Furies
As goddesses of death, the Fates appear together with the infernal goddesses called the Furies (Erinnyes) in Hades the Underworld. The Furies, also called the Erinyes, acted as agents of the Fates (Moirai), exacting the punishments decreed by the gods. The Fates spent some of their time in the Underworld, the province of Hades, the god of the Underworld. It was here that they kept the Archives of the Fates that contained the complete records of all mortals and events, on indestructible tablets of brass and iron. The wicked and evil dead were sent to be tormented by the Furies in Tartarus, a dark abyss, below the Underground – the equivalent of Hell. The Fates (Moirai) only allowed the good to pass to Elysium and the Elysian Fields.

 

The Three Fates – Clotho
Clotho was known as the “spinner” spun the thread of life from her distaff (a staff holding the bundle of unspun fibers) before being drawn onto her spindle (a shaft used to twist the yarn in spinning).
Clotho was depicted as a maiden
She was the youngest of the Moirae
Her symbol is a spindle
She had the power to make major decisions not only choosing who was born but also to decide if a mortal should be saved or put to death
Her Roman counterpart was called Nona

The Three Fates – Lachesis
Lachesis was known as the “allotter” measured the thread of life allotted to each person with her measuring rod. She was the ‘caster of lots’. (Casting lots meant throwing dice).
Lachesis was depicted as a matron
Her symbol is a scroll or globe
Her Roman counterpart was called Decuma
The Moirae were credited for creating invented seven of the letters of the Greek alphabet (alfa, vita, ita, taf, iota and ipsilon) because the lots, or dice, contained various symbols which were originally used for the purpose of prophecy and divination

The Three Fates – Atropos
Atropos was known as the “inevitable” and was the cutter of the thread of life and chose the manner of death for every mortal using “her abhorred shears”
Atropos was depicted as an old crone
She was the smallest of the Moirae
She was the most terrible and the most feared of the Fates
She was the oldest of the Moirae
Her symbol is a pair of shears
Her Roman counterpart was called Morta

The Attributes of the Three Fates (Moirae)
The ancient Greek gods and goddesses were associated with special symbols and attributes that were depicted in the pictures, mosaics, statues and images of the deities making them instantly recognisable. The attributes of the Three Fates included:

The Moirae were depicted holding various threads
Staffs or sceptres, the symbols of dominion
Clotho: A spindle
Lachesis: A scroll, the book of fate Scroll or globe representing a horoscope
The Shears (Atropos)
Dice: Dice have been used for gambling but they were also used for divination and prophecy. The throw of a dice was not just considered to be luck, the outcome was believed to be controlled by the Fates (Moirae) and casting dice was a method of prediction
Source
Linda Alchin, Author
Greek Gods Mythology

Sunday’s Conjuring

 

Sunday – is associated with the Sun

 

Candle colors – Red, Gold, and Orange

 

This is a Leo’s power day

 

Conjuring Work Excellent for Sundays: Power, Health, Success, Personal Finances, Prosperity, Home life, Control, Hotfoot work, Shut your mouth conjure, Sunday is good for all hot work.

—Old Style Conjure Wisdoms, Workings and Remedies
Starr Casas

About the Magickal Day of the Week, Sunday

 

In many traditions of Paganism, days of the week are very important aspects of effective spellcasting. For example, spells to do with abundance or prosperity could be done on Thursday, because it is associated with riches and desire. When casting a spell concerning business or communication, one might prefer to work on a Wednesday due to its associations.

 

While not all traditions follow this rule, when you’re doing any sort of magical working, always be sure to document the day of the week you’re performing the spell.

 

You might be surprised later on to see some connections!

Sunday Magical Correspondences

Sunday is associated with the colors yellow and gold, which shouldn’t be surprising – it’s the day of the sun, right? Because of this planetary association, this is a day that’s also connected to solar deities like Helios and Ra. Interestingly, in some Celtic traditions, Brighid’s day is Sunday as well.

 

When it comes to crystal use, Sunday is related to quartz crystals and diamonds, as well as the yellowish hues of carnelian and amber. For herbs and plants in magical workings, use marigolds, sunflowers or cinnamon.

 

What kind of magic is best performed on Sunday? Well, it’s a day that generally has a number of associations – agriculture, beauty, hope, victory, self-expression and creativity are all connected to this particular day. Plant or harvest something new (not just material crops, but metaphysical ones as well), create something from nothing, and prepare to win at everything.

Author

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

Sunday’s Associations

Taking its name from our closet star, the Sun, Sunday is the best day of the week to work magical involving fathers and other authority figures such as your boss. It is also a good day to work on questions regarding leadership, money, prosperity, and power.
Color: Yellow, gold
Planet: Sun
Deities: Brighid, Helios, Ra, Apollo
Crystals: Quartz, diamond, amber, carnelian
Herbs: Marigold, sunflower, cinnamon
Associations: Success, promotion, fame, wealth, prosperity
Source
Flying the Hedge

Sunday–The Day of the Sun

 

Among all peoples in early times the sun was an object of wonder. It was to them a mystery, but although they could never understand it, they imagined many explanations of it. When we remember that in those long-ago days nothing was known of the rotation of the earth or of its movement round the sun, we can readily see how very real the movement of the sun must have seemed. But if it moved across the sky it must be a chariot, for it was in chariots that all men traveled quickly, while none but a god could ride across the sky.

 

The nature of the sun may have been difficult to understand, but the comforts and the benefits which it brought to men were plain to all. It was a kindly god who gave the earth warmth and light, who ripened the crops and the fruit and made them serviceable to man, who clothed the trees with leaves and scattered the fields with flowers. It is little wonder then that in all parts of the world men worshiped the sun, and the god whom they pictured in their imagination was all the more real to them because of the great worth he performed.

 

We have seen how the Greeks and Romans worshiped the sun as Apollo, the god who set out each day when the Gates of the East had been opened by the Goddess of the Dawn, and, driving his chariot across the sky, dipped down into the ocean, where a boat awaited him to bring him back. Apollo was the most beautiful of the gods, as befitted the giver of light and happiness, and was worshiped throughout those sunny lands of the South. On the Island of Rhodes, off the coast of Asia Minor, stood one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a statue of Apollo. It was known as the Colossus of Rhodes on account of its size, for it was 100 feet high, the fingers of the god being as long as a man. It was placed at the entrance to a harbor, and remained in position for nearly sixty years, and was then (224 B.C.) overthrown by an earthquake.

 

The principal temples of Apollo were in the Island of Delos, and at Delphi in Greece, and it was at this town of Delphi that the great Pythian Games were held every four years in honor of the god. The games were so called because Apollo was believed to have slain at Delphi a dragon called Python.

 

The sun’s daily journey, his contest with the darkness, and his final victory at the dawn of the new day are ideas which have led to endless stories, and we find these stories are very similar among different peoples. Ra, the great sun-god of Egypt, was pictured as traveling by day in a ship across the waters of the sky, and returning during the night through the kingdom of the dead. To the Egyptians Ra was a symbol of life, death, and a new birth or resurrection. Through the night Ra fought with the lord of the powers of darkness, a huge serpent, who awaited the sun in the west with a band of demons, and whom he overcame at the approach of dawn. Ra was always represented either as a hawk or as a man with a hawk’s head, with the sun on his head. The hawk was chosen as his symbol, because it was said to fly towards the sun.

 

In India the sun was worshiped as the god Agni, who rode in a shining chariot drawn by blood-red horses. He was golden-haired, and had a double face, seven tongues, and seven arms.

 

Among the gods of the early British who were driven into Ireland was the sun-god Nudd, or Ludd, as he was sometimes called. His name appears in Ludgate, and it is thought that his temple stood on what is now Ludgate Hill in London. At a town called Lydney, in Gloucestershire, the remains of a temple to Ludd have been found, with many inscriptions containing his name.

 

The Angles and Saxons imagined the sun to be carried in a chariot driven by a maiden named Sol, as we shall read later. They had no god whom we can describe exactly as a sun-god, but several of their gods were like the sun in many ways, particularly Frey, whose sword sent out rays of light like the sun, and who caused the crops to ripen, and Balder the Beautiful, the God of Light, who was the favorite son of Odin, father of the gods, and was, as his name shows, the most handsome of the gods, ever happy and light-hearted. His golden hair and his bright, clear eyes shone like the sun, and his radiant smile warmed the hearts of all who met him. He knew no thought of evil, but was “good and pure, and bright, was loved by all, as all love light”.

 

In spite of his lovable nature, however, Balder was destined to misfortune through his twin brother, Hodur, the God of Darkness, who was the exact opposite of his brother, for he was gloomy and silent, and suffered from blindness. Odin, through his great wisdom, knew that disaster was to come to Balder, and spared no effort to stave off the evil day, by making all things in creation swear that they would never harm the God of Light. This they were only too ready to do, and all made a solemn vow, with the one exception of a shoot of mistletoe, which was passed over as being too slight a thing ever to cause harm to anyone. Balder being now free from all possibility of hurt, the gods one day amused themselves by shooting and throwing at him, laughing gaily as the objects they threw fell short or turned aside. Now Loki, the God of Fire, was bitterly jealous of the God of Light, and, as he watched the sport, his evil nature prompted him to a cruel and cowardly deed. Having discovered that the mistletoe alone of all created things had made no promise, Loki hastened to the gate of Valhalla, where the mistletoe was growing and plucking it, by the help of his magical power quickly fashioned from it an arrow. He then returned and sought out Hodur, who, because of his blindness, was standing idly aside and taking no part in the sport. Loki pretended to take pity on him, and fitting the arrow to a bow which he placed in Hodur’s hands, he offered to aim the shaft for the blind god. Aided by Loki, Hodur let fly the fatal arrow, and, to the horror and amazement of the gods, Balder fell dead. The anger of the gods against Hodur knew no bounds, and they would have killed him had it not been for their own law, which forbade the shedding of blood in Asgard, the home of the gods. All Asgard was plunged in the deepest grief, and Hermod, the messenger of the gods, was sent to Hel, the Goddess of the Underworld, praying her to restore Balder to life. Hel consented to do so, on condition that all created things should weep for Balder. Messengers were at once sent out over all the world to bid all things weep for Balder. Living creatures, trees, and flowers, and even the stones shed tears for the god they had loved so well; but at last a giantess was found whose only reply to the messengers was “Let Hel keep what she has”. Thus the evil Loki, for he it was in the disguise of a giantess, showed once again his cruel hatred of Balder, and caused the whole earth to mourn the loss of the radiant God of Light.

 

The gods now prepared for the burial of Balder. As was the custom among the Northmen, fuel was piled on the deck of Balder’s ship Ringhorn, and the body was then laid on the funeral pyre. The sides of the ship were decorated with rich cloth and garlands of flowers, and swords, armour, drinking-vessels, and many other things which the gods valued, were placed beside the hero. A torch was then put to the fuel, and the ship was launched. The funeral pyre floated slowly towards the west, the rising flames lighting up sea and sky, until at last, like the sun itself, it sank slowly into the sea, and all light faded from the sky.

 

Balder’s Funeral Pyre

But when the gods and heroes heard, they brought
The wood to Balder’s ship, and built a pile,
Full the deck’s breadth, and lofty; then the corpse
Of Balder on the highest top they laid.
And they set jars of wine and oil to lean
Against the bodies, and stuck torches near,
Splinters of pine-wood, soak’d with turpentine,
And brought his arms and gold, and all his stuff,
And slew the dogs who at his table fed,
And his horse–Balder’s horse–whom most he loved,
And placed them on the pyre, and Odin threw
A last choice gift thereon, his golden ring.
The mast they fixt, and hoisted up the sails,
Then they put fire to the wood; and Thor
Set his stout shoulder hard against the stern
To push the ship through the thick sands;–sparks flew
From the deep trench she plough’d, so strong a god
Furrow’d it; and the water gurgled in.
And the ship floated on the waves, and rock’d.
But in the hills a strong east wind arose,
And came down moaning to the sea; first squalls
Ran black o’er the sea’s face, then steady rush’d
The breeze, and fill’d the sails, and blew the fire.
And wreathed in smoke the ship stood out to sea.
Soon with a roaring rose the mighty fire,
And the pile crackled; and between the logs
Sharp, quivering tongues of flame shot out, and leapt,
Curling and darting, higher, until they lick’d
The summit of the pile, the dead, the mast,
And ate the shrivelling sails; but still the ship
Drove on, ablaze above her hull with fire.
And the gods stood upon the beach, and gazed.
And while they gazed, the sun went lurid down
Into the smoke-wrapt sea, and night came on.
Then the wind fell with night, and there was calm;
But through the dark they watch’d the burning ship
Still carried o’er the distant waters on,
Farther and farther, like an eye of fire.
And long, in the far dark, blazed Balder’s pile;
But fainter, as the stars rose high, it flared,
The bodies were consumed, ash choked the pile.
And as, in a decaying winter-fire,
A charr’d log, falling, makes a shower of sparks–
So with a shower of sparks the pile fell in,
Reddening the sea around; and all was dark.
MATTHEW ARNOLD–Balder Dead.

 

The Witches Guide to Sunday

Ruler: Sun

Colors: Gold or yellow

Power Hours: Sunrise and sunset.

Key Words: Love, happiness, health, wealth

It is easy to spot the ruler of this day by its name. Sunday is the day of the sun. Community work, volunteer services, exercise, outdoor sports, buying, selling, speculating, meeting people, anything involving groups, running fairs and raffles, growing crops and taking care of all health matters fall under the influence of the Sun. With all this activity and the brightness of the sun, it’s easy to see why the child that is born on the Sabbath day is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.

Michael is the primary angel of Sunday but each hour of this day also has it’s secondary angel. These angels are Michael (first hour), Anael (second hour), Raphael (third hour), Gabril (fourth hour), Cassiel (fifth hour), Sachiel (sixth hour), Samael (seventh hour), Michael (eighth hour), Anael (ninth hour), Raphael (tenth hour), Gabriel (eleventh hour), and Cassiel twelfth hour). Notice some of the angels do double duty this day.

On Sundays, (unless you are invoking a specific angelic energy) the hour of sunrise will be the most powerful time to work, especially if you want to infuse energy into your work. Sunset is the second best time and is favored when you need to calm down a situation. Check the local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine your local sunrise.

Source

Gypsy Magic

Sunday’s Witchery

 

Those ambitious, successful spells and charms will be heightened by working on the day of the week that has the planetary influence of the sun. So light those sunny candles, wear some luminous colors, and break out the gold jewelry! Bake up some cinnamon rolls or low-fat cinnamon muffins for an enchanting family breakfast. Take an orange with you to eat at lunch today. Try using a little magickal aromatherapy and burn some cinnamon-scented incense to encourage success and wealth today. Make the talisman to keep your solar magick with you. Sprinkle some dried marigold petals around your house-or across the threshold-to pull triumph and protection toward you and your family.

 

Get outside and tip up your face to the sun. Take a walk outside, and soak up some sunshine! Acknowledge the power of Sunna or Helios as they blaze across the sky and bring courage and motivation into your life. Sit outside at sunrise on a Sunday morning and bask in its warm, rosy-golden glow Acknowledge Brigid as the inner, creative spark of imagination and inspiration. She can help these gifts burn brightly within your own soul. Use your imagination and create your own brand of witchery and magick. Here comes the sun, and it’s your turn to shine!

Source

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

 

The Witches Correspondences

 

Magickal Intentions: Growth, Advancements, Enlightenment, Rational Thought, Exorcism, Healing, Prosperity, Hope, Exorcism, Money

Incense: Lemon, Frankincense

Planet: Sun

Sign: Leo

Angel: Michael

Colors: Gold, Yellow, Orange and White

Herbs/Plants: Marigold, Heliotrope, Sunflower, Buttercup, Cedar, Beech, Oak

Stones: Carnelian, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, Amber, Clear Quartz and Red Agate

Oil: (Sun) Cedar, Frankincense, Neroli, Rosemary

The first day of the week is ruled by the Sun. It is an excellent time to work efforts involving business partnerships, work promotions, business ventures, and professional success.

Spells where friendships, mental or physical health, or bringing joy back into life are an issue work well on this day, too.

Sunday is Ruled by the Sun

 

Sunday corresponds to the sun, our closest star. This day is full of wonder and all sorts of magical potential for success, wealth, and fame. Sundays are for personal achievements of any kind such as working towards a promotion at your job, seeking fame and wealth, or being acknowledged for a job well done. All of these goals fall under the golden influence of the sun. Some suggestions for Sunday enchantments would include:

Sitting outside at sunrise and calling on the goddess Brigid for illumination and inspiration

Wearing gold jewelry or clothing that is gold or sunshine yellow to pull some color magic into your life

Arranging a few sunflowers in a vase and empowering these “flowers of the sun” for fame and ambition

Gathering up the common marigold flower and scattering it’s petals about to encourage prosperity

Baking up a batch of cinnamon rolls for the family and enchanting them for health and success

Snacking on a solar fruit, the orange, and enjoying the magical boost it brings to your life

The Energy of the Sun

The planetary energy of the Sun is stimulating and warm. It encourages growth and expansion as well as general good feelings all around. It may be used for magick related to the growth of anything; career, family, public influence, wealth, the garden, friendships, love, general abundance, employment opportunities, business. Because the Sun shines down on the whole world, and thus sees everything that happens, the Sun’s planetary energy is occasionally used to find objects as well as protecting us from deception or being “kept in the dark”. Looking at the Sun’s universality in a different way, this energy can be used to find a common thread (we’re all warmed by the same Sun) to encourage new friendships and partnerships and reconciliation where existing ones are threatened.

 

Many things that correspond to the planetary energy of the Sun also correspond to the elemental energy of Fire.
Healing

The sun is associated with the heart, circulatory system, the spinal cord and the thymus gland.

Solar Minerals

Metal Gold

 

Crystals/Stones

Yellow, red and particularly bright, shiny crystals and stones tend to correspond to the energy of the Sun. diamond, ruby, chrysolite, yellow topaz, citrine, red garnet, chrysoprase and amber- fossilized tree sap said to contain the energy of the Sun as metabolized by the tree. Corundum and yellow Tiger’s Eye show sparkling designs that remind one of the sun and of course, there is sunstone.

 

Crystals and metals that correspond to the planetary energy of the Sun can be worn, carried or placed on the body to encourage healing or to draw planetary energies ruled by the sun, such as abundance to the individual. They may also be used to create a gem elixir and ingested, assuming they do not contain toxic materials. Crystals can be placed in a location to draw the desired energies to your home, place of business or vehicle as desired, placed on the altar, held, or gazed upon to enhance energies being raised during spellwork or other focusing and manifesting exercises.

Solar Plants and herbs

Plants that resemble the sun in shape or color, that open during the day and close at night, that follow the sun’s movements during the day, and those plants that are traditionally associated with the winter solstice as well as those that provide winter nourishment when fresh plants are unavailable, such as grains and nuts. Physically, edible Sun plants tend to encourage a feeling of warm satisfaction and medicinal plants affect the heart. sunflower, calendula, marigold, daylily, orange, citron, saffron, pine, mistletoe, rosemary, buttercup, heliotrope, bay laurel, daisy, walnut, acorn, maize, wheat, hops, cloves, cinnamon

 

Herbs can be incorporated into magick by placing them on the altar in the form of fresh flowers or dried potpourri or incorporated into incense to enhance energies raised during spellwork and ritual of a solar nature. They can also be carried or worn in a pouch or placed in an area to attract these energies. An herbal floor wash will infuse an area with the desired energies, or this may be accomplished via fumigation. Edible plants can be consumed as part of a meal or as part of an elixir or other herbal preparation. Those herbs that are skin-safe can be added to massage oils or fragrance sprays and ritual baths. Whole herbs or essential oils may be used.

 

*Incense* cinnamon, clove, pine, citrus, Benzoin, Pine, Frankincense, Labdanum, Olibanum

 

Sun fragrances are generous and, to me, home sweet home types of smells, with the exception of a few, which have “special occasion” feels to me. The sorts of smells that fill a temple, or the house on a day when lots of company is coming. Over at http://www.alchemy-works.com/planets_sun.html this family of scents is described as “glorious” and it suits.

Days and Holidays

The Winter Solstice is the day most strongly associated with Solar Energy, though it peaks at the Summer Solstice, it declines thereafter.

 

Sunday is the Sun’s day.

Zodiac Leo is ruled by the sun.

 

Other Solar Correspondences

Animals Lion, Sparrowhawk, Griffin, hawk

 

While animal parts are used for magick in many traditions, they can be difficult or impossible to obtain and some animals are endangered, though you may find using feathers and fur of local animals to be feasible, using important bits of animals that aren’t already raised and slaughtered for food isn’t within the reach or moral compass of most modern witches. Using live animals subjects animals to discomfort and fear and is also not recommended. However, images of animals have a long history of use in magic and images of animals are quite easy to obtain as 2D pictures and 3D sculptures. If you are artistic, the very act of creating these images can help you more closely attune to their energy.

 

Colors

Orange, amber, gold, yellow, red

Many magic-users bring color into their working through their choice of colored candles, altar cloth and other items placed on the altar. If you wish to bring solar energy into your daily life, you may choose corresponding colors for your clothing or even chose paint, curtains and carpet colors to draw solar energy into your space.

 

Magick Prosperity, wealth, wealth, growth, confidence, clarity, commonality, abundance, truth, harmony, partnerships.
Source
Witchipedia

Magickal Application for Sunday

 

The Latin term for Sunday, our first day of the week, is Dies Solis (“sun’s day”). In ancient Greek, it was called Hemera Heliou. In the Old English language, it was known as Sunnandaeg; in Middle English, Sonenday. All of these titles mean the same thing: the day of the sun.

 

What do you think of when you feel the sun shine down on you? What sorts of enchantments and energies do you think would be complementary to a day named after our closest star? Sunday brings those bright solar energies into your life and has the magickal correspondences of success, promotion, leadership, pride, light, generosity, warmth, fitness, and personal growth. Astrologically, the sun symbolizes the conscious self and rules the zodiac sign of Leo.

 

The charms and spells that would complement this magickal day of the sun are ones for personal achievements of any kind-such as if you are seeking fame and wealth, working for that much-deserved promotion at work, or being acknowledged for a job well done. Health issues, increasing personal power, or simply sticking to your diet and being proud of what you have accomplished all fall under the sun’s golden influence.
Source
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

Sunday and the Perfect Corresponding Spell

 

Finally, it’s Sunday, the official day of rest. Not only do Christians acknowledge this day, but I’m sure many Pagans appreciate this day, as well. Everyone needs rest and lot of people need a good day to worship their creator (whomever or whatever that may be), however they deem fit to do so. With the Sun being the central theme of many ancient rituals, Sunday just seems to fit, in name and theory. Not only is it a good day to worship, it seems good to do more relaxed spells, such as, sleep, dream and rebirth.

 

Sunday Crystal Spell for Success

If you enjoy working with crystals, try this natural magick spell for ambition and success. Carefully look over the spell before performing it. Either set up this spell outside side or facing a sunny window. Opportune times of the day to work this sunny spell are sunrise and noon.

 

Gather one each of the following: a small piece of amber, a tiger’s-eye tumbled stone, and a quartz crystal point. With a safe, flat surface on which to set up the spell, place a yellow candle and a candle holder in the center, and arrange the stones in a ring around the candle. Have a lighter or matches handy to light the candle.

 

Speak the following spell three times:

Around a yellow candle I create a ring
Choose tiger’s-eye, amber, and quartz, it’s just the thing
I call the god Helios for drive and success
Today’s ambitions and career goals he will bless.

 

Close the spell by saying:

For the good of all, with harm to none
By the sun and stones, this spell is done.

 

Allow the candle to burn out on its own. Please remember to not leave your burning ing candle unattended. Pocket the sun-kissed stones and keep them with you in your pocket or purse, for a week.

Source

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

Home & Hearth Magick for Sunday

 

On Sunday, work for success, healing and blessings.

 

Planetary Influence: The Sun

 

Household Symbols: A rooster, a sun, gold jewelry

 

Colors: Yellow and gold

 

Kitchen Spices: Cinnamon and orange peels

Source
Cottage Witchery,Natural Magick for Hearth and Home
Ellen Dugan

To be a witch is to….. c. 2018

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A Laugh for Today – Catalog of Dad Jokes

Now That His Kids Are Grown, This Dad Is Giving Up His Dad Jokes by Gary Rudoren from Reader’s Digest

Once your kid stops laughing at “Why didn’t Han Solo enjoy his steak dinner? It was Chewie!” you know it’s time to move on.

I still remember the first time I told my then-six-year-old son, Lev, that a clam makes calls with its “shell phone.” The laugh of recognition when he first got the joke was a moment I won’t ever forget. When I told it a second time in front of his friends Henry and Amir, I could see how proud he was that I had made his friends laugh. Excuse the bragging, but I was the cool dad.

When the kids outgrow the dad jokes

By Lev’s ninth birthday party, things had begun to change. After the seventh or eighth time I asked him “What do you call someone with no body and no nose?” he dismissively rolled his eyes. “I get it, Dad…”

“…Nobody knows!”

“Stop it, Dad!”

I immediately shifted gears into food puns, reminding him and his friends that melons have weddings because they “cantaloupe,” but I got nothing except head shakes and averted eyes. I’m pretty sure I heard him say “Sorry about my dad” to his friends as they all ran off to play on their phones together.

I used to be the life of every kids party. When I was only an uncle, all the toddlers loved my “got your nose” bit. I was the one who always had a knock-knock joke at the ready. (Knock, knock. Who’s there? Nobel. Nobel who? Nobel, so I knock-knocked.) Other parents loved that I could show up at any event and distract their kids with age-appropriate, groan-worthy wordplay, such as the ever popular “Did you hear about the guy who froze to death at the drive-in? He went to see Closed for the Winter.”

Sure, there were other dads with their bits, but I felt as if no one ever stole my crown. My wife long ago tuned me out, but she knew that my never-ending quest for laughter from kids, no matter how unashamed, was in my blood. I believe as the kids got older, they took their cues to be embarrassed by me from their mom’s head-shaking disdain. We’re working through the issue.

Ready to pass the torch

I tell you all this because after a lot of soul searching, I believe it’s time. My kids aren’t grown and out of the house, but I’ve come to realize that I’ll never be able to compete with my past success. I need our relationship to grow. I need to be able to talk to my children about topics other than how a witch’s car goes “broom, broom.”

Thus, I’m offering my entire catalog of jokes for sale on the open market. Puns, threatening tickling bits, knock-knock jokes, goofy faces, fart noises not from my butt, double takes, and even borderline inappropriate spit-take lines. I’m done with them all, and it feels like the right time to sell my legacy to some deserving new dad.

The catalog includes my most famous work—including my killer aside at my days-old nephew’s bris: “After my bris, I couldn’t walk for like a year!” And my faux-indignant kindergarten-graduation routine: “Well, now he better get himself a job!”

I could go on.

As with all great works of art, my collection is priceless. But I can tell you that the first time you get your toddler to laugh at the line “I don’t trust stairs. They’re always up to something,” you’ll feel it’s worth any price tag.

If you’re looking to make your kids laugh—even if they’re grown—try out some of these dad jokes.

 

Some of the Witchcraft/Magickal Correspondence for Saturday


Magickal Intentions: Spirit Communications, Meditation, Psychic Attack or Defense, Locating Lost Things and Missing Persons, Building, Life, Doctrine, Protection, Knowledge, Authority, Limitations, Boundaries, Time and Death
Incense: Black Poppy Seed and Myrrh
Planet: Saturn
Sign: Capricorn and Aquarius
Angel: Cassiel
Colors: Black, Grey and Indigo
Herbs/Plants: Myrrh, Moss, Hemlock, Wolfsbane, Coltsfoot, Nightshade and Fir
Stones: Jet, Smokey Quartz, Amethyst, Black Onyx, Snowflake Obsidian, Lava, Pumice
Oil: (Saturn) Cypress, Mimosa, Myrrh, Patchouli

Saturn lends its energies to the last day of the week. Because Saturn is the planet of karma, this day is an excellent time for spellwork involving reincarnation, karmic lessons, the Mysteries, wisdom, and long-term projects. It is also a good time to being efforts that deal with the elderly, death, or the eradication of pests and disease.

Goddess Of The Day: IRIS

IRIS

Halcyon Days (Greece)

Themes: Winter; Peace; Protection; Air; Meditation; Promises; Beginnings

Symbols: Rainbow; Water

About Iris:

This Greek messenger to the gods traverse between earth and heavens, appearing as a winged maiden on a shining, hopeful rainbow. In this form she represents the calm after the storm – the end of the year’s activities and the advent of a new beginning. Traditional offerings to her include figs, cakes, wheat, and honey. In some stories it was Iris’s job to gather water from the underworld for use in taking sacred oaths.

To Do Today

The word halcyon comes from a legendary bird that builds its nest on the ocean in the winter, sedating the winds with its song to safeguard its young. Thus, the week before and after the winter solstice are said to bear both the halcyon’s and Iris’s calm ambiance and hopeful demeanor.

To inspire an improved outlook, find a rainbow sun catcher and put it in a window today so that Iris’s radiance can fill your home. Get an extra one for your car (or maybe a rainbow-colored air-freshener). so you can keep the energy with you throughout the day.

For another aromatic approach, open a window briefly today and let Iris fly on the wings of change and refreshment. Burn some violet or lavendar incense as you do. These two aromatics accentuate this goddess’s vibration.

 

By Patricia Telesco