Flashback 2000 Imbolc

Daylight hours are gradually lengthening, and the Earth is beginning to stir. Although she is still in the middle of her winter’s rest, our planet subtly begins to plan. It’s appropriate that this period is represented by Aquarius, an air sign, since all change begins first in the mind. Every new thought or idea is full of raw potential as the Earth is now,nailing for the touch of fire to ignite her new growth period. Uranus is the ruler of Aquarius, and the planet best known for its jurisdiction over the future. This electric energy only looks forward, never back. It is during Imbolc, in fact, as the Sun is passing through Aquarius, that many ideas are born. As we prepare for the upcoming Equinox, then, it’s important to be sure that we’re looking ahead, as Uranus does, with all the electric enthusiasm and genius of Aquarius. Honor the potential of the coming spring by uncovering your gift of prophecy. Whether you use a crystal ball, a dream journal, or another type of predictive tool, prepare for the Equinox in your heart, by understanding how much is possible now.

©️ By Kim Rogers-Gallagher Llewellyn’s Witches’ Datebook 2000 Page 95

Flashback 2000 Lammas

At Lammas, the Sun is at the very peak of Leo, the sign this planet loves above all others. Our star’s warmth is at its most powerful now in the Northern Hemisphere, as it appears directly overhead. At this time, life too, ia at its peak—as are the crops. The ancients celebrated this festival by giving thanks for their first harvest, most especially the grain harvest, even as they accepted the beginning of the God’s descent into the underworld. The myth of the asteroid-Goddess Ceres (Demeter), giver of the grain, also relates to this season. It was now when she would bid her daughter Farwell, since Persephone was obligated to return to the Underworld to rejoin Hades (Pluto). So bereaved was Ceres to see her daughter leave her, she refused to all the Earth to produce grain until her return. At this time,nothing, modern practitioners should be remind of both astrological principles: the fullness of life the Sun brings, and the necessity for rest, as signified by the coming fall.

©️ By Kim Rogers-Gallagher Llewellyn’s Witches’ Datebook 2000 Page 95

Weekly Horoscope Sunday, July 18 to Saturday, July 24, 2021

All Signs

Every year, the Sun travels through all 12 signs. This week the Sun enters Leo to stay for the next four weeks. This energy shift will increase everyone’s desire to party and socialize! Plan vacations, playful times with kids, and put your creative ideas into action. Expect an increased interest in movies, the theatre and flash mob entertainment. However, Leo energy is paradoxical: It’s flamboyant and loves to party; but Leo is also cautious and security conscious. Plan for a fun month ahead — but budget your pennies so you have money left when the Sun enters Virgo. Of course, Oscar Wilde said, “Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination.”

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Twice a year when the Sun is in one of your fellow Fire Signs, (four months before your birthday and afterwards) — you get this lovely boost of energy! You will find your choices are attractive and you’re more likely able to do whatever you want, both at work or socializing. Your life will hum along more smoothly! Romance will shine! Vacations will appeal! Interactions with children will delight! Without question, you are entering a window of enjoyment and fun stimulation. Many options will appear that give you chances to party and socialize and express your creative talents. This is your chance to be yourself! (Lucky you.)

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

For the next four weeks, you might face a crisis of sorts. You might find yourself at cross purposes with others, perhaps not intentionally. Expect to be more involved with a parent and have a stronger focus on home and family. Privately, you want to feel that whatever you’re doing is worthwhile. You might be annoyed with anyone who gets in the way of your ability to do this. You will also welcome a chance to cocoon at home or go off by yourself to enjoy some solitude. Quite likely, something will trigger childhood memories for you, making this a good time to benefit from counselling. (“Just relax. Please tell me about your first bank account.”)

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

The next four weeks are a favourable time for you because this shift of the Sun is helpful to Gemini. (It occurs twice a year, two months before and after your birthday.) When it happens, it sparks your interest in daily contacts, friends, neighbours and siblings as well as groups to which you belong. You will want to socialize more than usual! You might also want to take up a new study or learn something new, which is something you adore doing. This new energy will also accelerate your daily tempo because you will be more active and involved with doing things that are new and different. It’s a great time for a vacation. It’s also great time for heart-to-heart discussions.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

By nature, you are frugal. You like a bargain and get good value you’re never casual about money. In the next four weeks, your focus on money will be much stronger. You will give more thought to cash flow, earnings and budgeting for the future. While doing so, you will also take a more serious look at your possessions and examine whether or not they serve your needs or whether you are a slave to them! (Let’s face it, you’re a packrat. “I might need this one day.”) The bottom line is this: You want to feel that you are exerting more control over your life through what you own and your assets in general. You’re taking stock.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Ta da! For the next four weeks, the Sun will be in your sign giving you a marvellous boost of energy! Because this is the only time all year this occurs, make the most of it. Naturally, this is the beginning of your new year ahead (your personal year). Therefore, it’s the perfect time to think about what you want to accomplish this year. Ideally, last month you might have defined some goals. If not – do this right now because goals help you achieve things. They give you a sense of purpose. They keep you on track. And they make future decision-making easier. Of course, all Leo knows there are two rules for success: (1) Don’t tell everything you know.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

For the next four weeks, you’re in limbo because your personal year is coming to an end, and yet, your new year is not yet ready to begin. The best way to use this time is to cast a glance back over your shoulder. How well are you doing at the art of living? After you make some important observations (and you are a keen observer), ask yourself how you want your year ahead to be different from last year? Where do you want to make improvements? What do you want to avoid? If you want to evaluate yourself, you have to do so with complete honesty. Anything you refuse to face will continue to be part of your unconscious, hence, your future. What does your report card look like?

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Hands-down, you’re the most social sign in the zodiac. Not only do you enjoy the company of others, you need someone on the other end of your teeter-totter. You will love the four weeks ahead because you can expect to be more involved with friends as well as groups and organizations to which you belong. You might be elected to office or thrust in a leadership position. This is also a good time to see how well you have succeeded in doing what you are doing and also where you have not succeeded. In particular, examine your friends. It’s important to have friends who allow you to be exactly who you are. Do you hang out with quality people? Think about this.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

For the next four weeks, the Sun will travel across the top of your chart. This occurs only once a year and is a marvellous opportunity because it means you are cast in a flattering spotlight that makes you look good to others, especially bosses, parents, VIPs and the police. They’re impressed! Even if you don’t do anything special. (Good lighting is everything.) Admittedly, you will encounter challenges and find yourself at cross purposes with some people, especially bosses and parents. Work with this as skilfully as you can. Think about your career and your standing in the community. Are you going in the direction you want to go? Enjoy the support of a good friend.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

You’re entering a delightful four-week window ahead! (This blessing occurs twice a year for you – four months before and four months after your birthday.) It means that life will hum along more easily. Nevertheless, now is the time to firm up affairs and get your ducks in a row. Travel plans will be important. You might be more involved with a foreign country or other cultures. Some of you will also be more involved with higher education, the law and medicine. It’s a good time to take stock and examine what has been working out and what is not working out in order to figure out what it is worth saving for the future. Meanwhile, some will have a romance with a boss.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Two influences are at play in the next month. Travel and a chance to expand your horizons will please you. You will enjoy art exhibits, long pleasurable trips, concerts and anything that is culturally enriching. However, something else will make you more in touch with your personal self. You might notice strong compulsions arising within you. You might be concerned about finances and anything you own jointly with someone else, especially loans and mortgages. A dispute might arise. (Within weeks, this dispute will subside.) Continue to enjoy opportunities to enrich your coffers. Make hay while the Sun shines!

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

For the next four weeks, the Sun will be opposite your sign. (This happens only once a year.) If you look at your chart, symbolically, the Sun is now as far away from you as it can get all year, which means you will need more sleep, because the Sun represents your energy. (Go to bed.) However, this polarized position also means that it’s time to bring your affairs to a climax. Admittedly, you might encounter opposition from others, especially superiors or people in authority. It might be tough to fit all the pieces in place. This is the best time all year to examine your closest relationships and more accurately see your role in them.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Ironically, while many signs are gearing up to play and explore vacations and creative outlets, you are getting ready to work hard and get better organized in the next four weeks. Oh yes! You want to feel that you’re working smart – that you’re getting the results for your efforts. This desire to be on top of things will include not only your work, but also embrace your respect for your own health. Basically, you want to strive to make every action count in your personal and your professional life. This is why you might stop some bad habits and encourage healthier ones. (Hey, this never hurts!) Why not be the best version of yourself that you can possibly be?

Click here for Georgia Nicols’ Daily Horoscopes

Basic Altar Set Up

basicaltar

One example of a simple, basic altar.

This is one way of setting up a simple altar for Spellwork and rituals being done in a sacred circle. Some Witches leave their altars set up at all times and some do not. It is a personal choice whether you do or not. You can set your altar on a table, the floor anywhere you can walk completely around it to make your sacred circle. As you get more comfortable on your path it will reflect in how you do your altar and what you put on it.

We will start at the top or North/element of Earth – here you need a bowl of dirt or regular table salt or stones or a piece of wood or a green candle.

Next going clockwise (dorsal) is East/element of Air – here you need incense or feathers (real ones not store bought ones) or a yellow candle.

Moving to the bottom is South/element of Fire – here you need either a red or orange candle or a lighter or some matches. The above illustration shows a charcoal burner, but you don’t need that yet and it might be you never use one.

Next is West/element of Water – here you need a bowl of water or some sea shells or a statue of some kind of sea or ocean life or a blue candle.

For Spirit, they have a God and Goddess candle. You can also use a statue or something that to you show the element of Spirit and you can put just one thing in either between Water and Earth or Between Earth and Air.

At this point, you might not have a wand or Athame (ceremonial knife) yet which is fine. So do even concern yourself with that part of this above illustration. If you do have one then place them as shown on the altar.

You should have one taper candle that you have inscribed your name on, this is your personal candle. You need to cleanse it before inscribing it of all energy but your own (there is a post up on here about how to do that) If you have an Atheme use that to do the inscription. If not a favorite sharp kitchen knife will work. It sets on the altar one side of Fire or the other. It should be on the side your power hand is on. Your power hand is the one you write with. You will use it to light the incenses and/or other candles on the altar from.

Have your Book of Shadows and something to write with; with you always when doing Spellwork and/or a ritual so you can either read the spell or ritual from it or want to write down something that happened in your circle. This sets on the opposite side of Fire from your personal candle.

Copyright 2015 Lady Beltane

Daily Divination Journal

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 Daily Witches Rune

The Wave

Meaning: This rune symbolizes your friends and family and their influence upon you. Its meaning is usually derived from the other stones closest to it. This rune is also associated with travel. A journey abroad is indicated especially if the Sun rune is nearby, but a journey for someone close to you if the Moon stone is closest. If it is near to the Rings it foretells a holiday or long distance relationship.

Your Daily Tarot Card

STRENGTH

Keywords: inner strength, vision, self control!Astrological Correspondence: LeoThe Strength card, depicting a gracious queen-like figure and a wild lion, shows that real strength has to be combined with graciousness and gentleness to become a force. It symbolizes inner strength, determination to overcome obstacles, self-knowledge and self-discipline, as only when we know ourselves and act in a responsible manner will we be able to deal with challenging situations and overcome difficulties successfully. Yet this card not only represents physical strength; moral and emotional strength are also included in the meaning. Patience, compassion, dealing with frustration, accepting of others, and tolerating imperfection (in oneself and in others) all leads to being a complete person. The negative qualities of Strength include misuse of power, aggressiveness, and intolerance.

Your Daily Ogham Reading

BEITH-BIRCH

The Birch tree is known as a pioneering species, which means it is often first to colonize open ground following a disturbance or fire. Because of this natural fact Beith is the first letter of the Ogham alphabet. It symbolizes birth, renewal, and new beginnings. The Beith symbol appearing is a true sign that a change has occurred or will occur.

Fortune – Drawing this Ogham is a way of telling you to look for a new path, a necessary change is on the way!

Crack the Cookie

Tarot Card for Today


Number 6 in the Major Arcana
The Lovers
Am emotional decision.
A Forest dragon stands on the bank of a lake, its neck outstretched to touch noses with a beautiful Water dragon that rises from the waters. The gaze at each other in love, unconcerned that their attraction  will prove difficult because of their very different lifestyles. For the moment, they are caught up in the power of their emotions. The Forest dragon represents the liner, analytical left brain and the conscious mind, while the Water dragon represents creativity, spiritually connected right mind and the conscious mind. To achieve success and reach goals, both halves of the brain, as well as the conscious and subconscious minds, must live and work together in harmony in order to reach a spiritual balance point. However, because of the vast differences in perceiving life and spirit, this is extremely difficult to maintain on a constant basis.  Thus, we go through life in a kind of dance, approaching, then retreating from the balance point. The heron, representing generation of life, and the butterfly, symbolizing the soul itself, reveal that we must always be aware of the soul and its need to grow, regardless of our emotional side-paths.
Divinatory Meaning
A romantic encounter may come into your life. You may be faced with an attraction or a temptation that may not be good for you. There will be an attraction of opposites that will be difficult to reconcile in the long run. A difficult choice will arise; make your decision on facts, not the emotions.