Tag: Athena

How Do I Know if a Deity Is Calling Me?

How Do I Know if a Deity Is Calling Me?

By

About.com   Paganism/Wicca

Question: How Do I Know if a Deity Is Calling Me?

A reader writes in, “There’s been some weird stuff going on in my life, and I’m beginning to notice things happening that make me think a god or goddess is trying to contact me. How do I know that this is the case, and that it’s not just my brain making things up?”

Answer: Typically, when someone is “tapped” by a god or goddess, there is a series of messages, rather than a single isolated incident. Many of these messages are symbolic in nature, rather than actual “Hey! I’m Athena! Lookit me!” kind of things.

As an example, you might have a dream or vision in which you are approached by a human figure who has something different about them. You’ll probably know it’s a deity, but they are sometimes evasive when it comes to telling you who they are — so you could do some research, and figure out who it was based upon appearance and characteristics.

In addition to a vision, you might have an experience in which symbols of this god or goddess appear randomly in your daily life. Perhaps you’ve never seen an owl before in your area, and now one has built a nest above your back yard, or someone gives you a gift of an owl statue out of the blue — owls could represent Athena. Pay attention to repeat occurrences, and see if you can determine a pattern. Eventually you may be able to figure out who it is that’s trying to get your attention.

One of the biggest mistakes people tend to make, when they’re being contacted by a deity, is to assume it’s the god or goddess you’re most drawn to — just because you’re interested in them doesn’t mean they have any interest in you. In fact, it may well be someone you’ve never noticed before. Martina, a Celtic Pagan from Indiana, says, “I had done all this research about Brighid, because I was interested in a Celtic path, and she seemed like a hearth and home goddess I could relate to. Then I started getting messages, and I just assumed it was Brighid… but after a while I realized it didn’t quite fit. Once I actually paid attention, and heard was being said instead of just what I wanted to hear, then I discovered it was actually an entirely different goddess reaching out to me — and not even a Celtic one.”

Bear in mind as well that raising magical energy may heighten your awareness of this sort of thing. If you’re someone who raises energy a lot, that may leave you far more open to receiving a message from the Divine than someone who doesn’t do much energy work.

Calendar of the Moon for October 27th

Calendar of the Moon

27 Gort/Puanepsion

Khalkeia: Weaving Athena’s Cloak

Color: Blue and white
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of white set up a table loom which will be used over the next nine months to weave Athena’s cloak. The warp should be strung, and the shuttles loaded.
Offerings: Weave a line or two.
Daily Meal: Anything served with olives.

Khalkeia Invocation:

Call: Hail Athena, Weaver and Craftswoman!
Response: Hail Athena, Giver of Civilization!
Call: On this day we begin to weave our gift to you.
Response: On this day we begin to weave our worship.
Call: We weave into it the high flight of birds.
Response: We weave into it the firm earth beneath us.
Call: We weave into it clear-eyed vision.
Response: We weave into it skillful hands.
Call: We weave into it the grim struggle of battle.
Response: We weave into it the focus of strategy.
Call: We weave into it the spiral twirl of the spindle.
Response: We weave into it the clashing of swords.
Call: We weave into it the beating of owl’s wings.
Response: We weave into it the glare of the Gorgon.
Call: We weave into it the soft counsel of wisdom.
Response: We weave into it the draught that cools hot heads.
Call: We weave into it the ancient knowledge.
Response: We weave into it the new discovery.
Call: We weave into it study and seeking.
Response: We weave into it manifestation.
Call: We weave into it our hopes and fears.
Response: We weave into it the cry to heaven.
Call: Hail Athena, Weaver and Craftswoman! May you bless the work of our hands.
Response: Hail Athena, Giver of Civilization! May you bless all that we do.

(The one who is the House weaver should weave the first three lines with the shuttle, saying “Hail Athena!” each time the reed swings back and forth. All should come forth and weave a line or two, also saying, “Hail Athena!” Then the loom is carried to its place of honor for the rest of the year, where the cloak for her statue will be woven with pictures and symbols in her honor, to be presented to her at the Panathenaea.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Daily OM for October 20th – Penetrating The Darkness

Penetrating The Darkness

Wisdom Of The Owl

 

For as long as humankind has recognized animals as teachers, wise men and women have recognized traits worthy of respect in both wild and domestic creatures. The cultural and spiritual significance of certain animals transcends geographical boundaries, unifying disparate peoples. Not so the majestic and mysterious owl, which has over many millennia served as the focal point of numerous contradictory beliefs. Though owls have been regarded with awe and fascination, they have also inadvertently served as agents of fear. Since owls are nocturnal, human-owl encounters tended to occur at night and likely when the bird was swooping silently down to earth to grapple with prey. Yet even as some shied away from the owl, calling it an agent of darkness, others recognized the depths of awareness in beautiful owl’s eyes.

In the classical Greek tradition, an owl could often be found perched on the shoulder of Athena, goddess of wisdom, while owls could ward off bad luck in Roman lore. It is in Native American mythos, however, that the owl attains its own unique identity. Owls are patient messengers, bringers of information and the holders of wisdom, and they are capable of seeing the unseen. With their keen eyesight, they can glance into the soul to discern meaning and motive, and they are totems of truth. Unlike our distant forebears, we may never encounter an owl in the wild, but we can nonetheless internalize the wisdom of the owl by attuning ourselves to its most venerable qualities. Fully integrating the medicine of the owl into spiritual existence is a matter of considering how we might open ourselves more fully to the wisdom that can be found in the larger universe.

Should you find your efforts blocked as you commune with the owl, remember that it was not always revered as an icon of wisdom. This denizen of the nighttime has overcome many prejudices in its long association with humankind. To reveal those hidden elements of the self that impact your life for better or for worse, you must often make your way through the darkest parts of your soul as if you yourself are the nocturnal hunter. There is indeed darkness both inside the self and outside the self, but like the owl you can transcend it by drawing nourishment from the insights you receive when you penetrate it.

The Daily OM

 

Full Moon Ritual No. 1

Full Moon Ritual No. 1

You will need

-two white candles

-a bell

-Wine or lunar liquid

-Your chalice (or cup)

-spell material if you are doing something afterwards

Cast your circle . Stand before the altar facing North and say:

This is the time of the full moon, a time of great power for positive manifestation, a time of increasing and gaining. The tide of Moon-power is strong. I am of the Goddess. I stand before You at Your altar, in love and adoration. Be with me Goddess. Let me feel your presence here tonight.”

Go to the east with the bell. Ring it once and say:

“Hail Selene. Help me feel the Lady’s power and presence within my mind.”

Go to the South. Ring the bell once and say:

“Hail Cerridwen. Help me feel the Lady’s power and presence within my spirit.”

Go to the West. Ring the bell once and say:

“Hail Athene. Help me feel the Lady’s power and presence within my emotions.”

Go back to the North. Ring the bell once and say:

“Hail Aphrodite. Help me feel the Lady’s power and presence in my body.”

You will probably have an amazing wave of feelings come over you. Let them sink into your body and soul. When you are ready, return the bell to the altar, turn to the North, and raise your arms high above your head. Say:

“Hail Goddess! Moon Mother, Lady of Light, Mistress of Magick and Animals. You are the white light of the Moon upon the Earth, the brillant rays of sun upon life. You are the beginning and ending, the One who creates and takes away. Within You, I see myself and all woman. In this time, You come to me and fill me with your presence.”

Communicate with Her now. Tell Her your problems, wishes and anything you wish to tell her. When you are finished say:

All honor and love to the wonderful Goddess, for She is the power behind all powers, the Goddess behind all gods, the Eternal Life behind death. I see Her loving face within the moon and rejoice. All Hail Queen of the heavens and the earth, the eternal on of Wisdom!”

Raise the chalice to toast her and say:

To Diana and all the Goddesses!”

Now is the time for divination, meditation, and spellwork of any kind.

Close the circle when done.

Calendar of the Moon for October 8th

Calendar of the Moon

8 Gort/Puanepsion

Theseia

Colors: Red
Element: Fire
Altar: Upon cloth of red place crossed swords and spears, two torches, and a labyrinth.
Offerings: Give up something you love for the sake of duty. Gymnastika should, on this day, have competitive games and running.
Daily Meal: Meat and bread and wheat/milk porridge, the food that was given to the departing children by their parents.

Theseia Invocation

Long ago, when the world was younger,
Great Athens gave forth tribute to Crete,
Under Minos, father of the Bull.
The tax was their finest children, to be given
As bull-dancers to the Minotaur,
And Theseus, son of King Aigeus,
Son also of great Poseidon Earth-Shaker,
Traveled there in the tribute-band. He slew
The Minotaur in the center of his labyrinth,
Rescued his companions, and set the city afire
Before Poseidon shattered it with an earthquake.
He took with him also Ariadne, she of the Labyrinth,
Without whom he would not have succeeded,
With whom he planned to be husband and wife.
Yet she was claimed by Dionysos, and he
Was seized by Athena, patroness of heroes,
Patroness of his city, and weeping he forsook
His Cretan love, and weeping fled to Athens.
In his sorrow he did not change the sails
From black to white, as was the code agreed-upon,
And his father, seeing the black sails, killed himself.
So bereft of love and parent, he assumed the throne.
Theseus says to us: There will be times when Duty
Must come before any kind of love, and the Gods know this,
And will guide you away, even if in tears.
Do not be so ashamed to weep, O hero,
Even if no mourning stays your hand.

(All walk the labyrinth in the garden – every House should have one – chanting “Eleleu! Iou! Iou!” the cry of the sacrificing parents.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Moon for September 18th

Calendar of the Moon

18 Muin/Boedromion

Greater Mysteries Day 4: Day of Aesclepias

Colors: White and light blue
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of light blue place a chalice of white wine, a glass cup of oil scented with myrrh, three light blue candles, and all the medical equipment in the House.
Offerings: Donate medical equipment to a worthy organization, or give medical care to someone who needs it.
Daily Meal: Fasting until Mesembria of the next day.

Invocation to Aesclepias

I begin to sing of Aesclepias,
Son of Apollo and healer of sicknesses.
Born on the Dotian plain
By fair Coronis, daughter of King Phlegyas,
A joy to men,
A soother of great pangs,
And so hail to thee my lord,
In our songs we make prayer to thee.
Greatest of doctors,
Taught by the skilled hands of Athena,
Father of Hygeia, Lady of Cleanliness,
Father of Akeso, Lady of the Curing Process,
Father of Panakaia, Lady of Cures,
Father of Telesphoros, Lord of Convalescence,
Father of Iaso, Lady of Recovery,
Your healing hands were so skilled
That Hades himself was angered
At seeing you snatch so many
From his soot-covered hands.
Yet even when your very skill laid low your body,
You were raised to be the divine surgeon,
The healer to the Gods and all below.
Hail Aesclepias, who cares for our bodies.
May you grant us all the healing that we need.

(Those who have need of healing of the body should come forth and kneel before the altar, and one who has been chosen to do the work of the ritual shall anoint them with the blessed oil. Then the white wine shall be poured out as a libation. The medical equipment, thus blessed, should be returned to its place.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Moon for September 3rd

Calendar of the Moon

3 Coll/Metageitnion

Panathenaea Day 1: Athena’s Day

Colors: White and blue
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of white and blue set a great statue of Athena, a spear, a pen, a spindle, a shield with a Gorgon’s head, and a brazier with charcoal that must never be allowed to go out until the Panathenaea is done.
Offerings: A new peplos for Her statue, which has been embroidered by the entire community, and is draped around Her statue after the invocation. The old peplos is given away to some other Pagan group in the community as a gift. Also wine, olives, beef, barley cakes, honeycombs.
Daily Meal: Greek food, including beef, olives, and wine.

(First, all walk in a procession around the property. Four carry the new peplos, four carry the baskets of wine and olives, four carry plates of honey and cakes, and the rest play musical instruments or carry oak or olive branches. The procession stops before the door and all call out: “Hail Athena Polias!” Then it winds inward into the sanctuary, at which point all cry out “Hail Athena Parthenos!” The offerings are placed before Athena’s altar.)

Athena Invocation:

I begin to sing of Pallas Athena,
The dread Protectress of the city,
Who with Ares looks after matters of war,
The plundering of cities, the battle-cry and the fray.
It is She who protects the people,
Wherever they might come or go.
Lady of the olive tree,
Lady of the shield and spear,
Lady of wisdom and strategy,
Cool head which advises the hot ones,
Mentor to princes and heroes,
Gracious grey-eyed daughter of Zeus,
You teach us all due thoughtfulness!
Hail, Goddess, and give us good spirits
And your blessed favor!

(The peplos is draped around her statue. The best of the food and wine is given as libation for her, and then the rest is taken to the dining room to be feasted on.)

 

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for February 6th

Calendar of the Sun

6 Solmonath

Day of Aphrodite Genetrix

Colors: Sea green and white
Element: Water
Altar: Lay with a cloth of sea green, strings of pearls, white lace, many scallop shells, colored glass sea floats, abalone, small shells with hearts and fishes painted on them, and a large chalice of Greek wine with frothy sugared  floating in it.
Offerings: Shells. Fishes. Promises to aid expectant parents.
Daily Meal: . Shellfish. Sweet things, especially desserts. Whipped cream.

Invocation to Aphrodite Genetrix

Lady of Sea-Foam,
Green as the ocean from which
You sprang, with pearls
Of whitest foam,
Aphrodite Genetrix
Love that creates all Life,
We thank you for the Love
That sparked our existence.
We remember that we were all born of love
Whether it was brief and poignant
As a firefly’s courtship
Or solid and lasting
For half a century,
Whether it sprang from the body
Or the heart, or the soul.
You who bind the proton to the electron
And so bind the world together,
May we never forget your gift of attraction
That makes us all human
Even as you are divine.

Chant: Amor Invictus Amor Invictus

(The ritual for this day is the Great Rite, performed by one man and one woman, as Aphrodite Genetrix is the matron of procreative sexuality. If done symbolically, the man plunges a blade into the chalice held by the woman, and then it is poured as a libation. Ideally, it should be done literally, either by members of the house or by two who have come in for this purpose. If outsiders, it would be an auspicious time to conceive a child. All sit facing outwards in a circle and chant as the couple are wrapped in a red cloth and lay together in the center, and when it is done all repair to their rooms and either contemplate love or have ritual sex, alone or together.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

The Witches Magickal Correspondence for Imbolc 2013

Imbolc/Candlemas Comments

The  Witches Magickal Correspondence for Imbolc 2013

Colors: White, Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow, Light Green, Brown.

Food: sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, muffins, diary products, peppers, onions, raisins, garlic, poppyseed breads and cakes, herbal teas, dairy, spiced wines, potatoes, turnips, bread, rabbit and venison. Use up last of winters supply of food.

Incense: basil, bay, cinnamon, violet, vanilla, rosemary, frankincense,  and wisteria.

Candles: brown, pink and red.

Gemstones: amethyst, garnet, onyx, bloodstone, ruby and turquoise

Deities: All Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, Brighid, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and Februa, and Gods of Love and Fertility, Aengus Og, Eros, and Februus.

Symbols: Brideo’gas, Besoms, White , Candle Wheels, , Priapic Wands (acorn-tipped), lamps, yellow flowers and Ploughs.

Herbs: Angelica, basil, bay, blackberry, celandine, coltsfoot, heather, iris, myrrh, tansy, snowdrop, violets, all white or yellow flowers.

Deity of the Day for November 24th is Arachne

Deity of the Day

Arachne

Greek Spider Goddess.

A Lydian girl skilled in weaving, she dared to challenge Athene to compete with her. The contest was held, and Arachne’s work was faultless: impudently, it portrayed some of the Gods’ less reputable deeds, including Athene’s father Zeus abducting Europa. Furious, Athene turned her into a spider, doomed eternally to spin thread drawn from her own body. But the Spider Goddess is more archetypal than this story suggests: spinning and weaving the pattern of destiny like the Moerae or the Norns, and enthroned in the middle of her spiral-pathed stronghold like Arianrhod. Athene here represents Athenian patriarchal thinking, trying to discipline earlier Goddess-concepts.

Goddesses for every occasion

Goddesses for every occasion

——————————————————————————–
Sunday          Sunne, Frau Sonne, Aditi, Amaterasu, Arinna, Izanami, Ochumare

Monday          Luna, Selene, Diana, Re, Gealach, Ida, Artemis, Yemaya, Erzulie

Tuesday         Pingalla, Anna, Aine, Danu, Yngona, Bellona, Aida Wedo, Sun  Woman

Wednesday       Isis, Demeter, Ceres, Spider Woman, Bona Dea, Oya, Devi-Kali, Hella, Rhiannon, Coatlique

Thursday        Juno, Hera, Kwan Yin, Mary, Cybele, Tara, Mawu, Waresa, Ishtar

Friday          Freya, Astarte, Aphrodite, Erzulie, Eve, Venus, Isis, Diana,  Chalchiuhtlique

Saturday        Ops, Rhea, Tellus mater, Gaia, Eartha, Ge, Ashera, the Shekinah, Mary, Demeter, Herodias

Goddesses of the Zodiac:

Aries = Athena, The Morrigan, Minerva
Taurus = Hathor, Isis, Io, Venus, Selene
Gemini = Kali, Parvati, Tefnut, Leda
Cancer = Ix Chel, Ida, Selene, Luna
Leo = Arinna, Cybele, Neshto, Juno
Virgo = Kwan Yin, Bel, Inanna, Diana, Ishtar
Libra = Ishtar, Aphrodite, Dike, Themis
Scorpio = Pele, Tiamat, Ishara, Selket
Sagittarius = Artemis, Diana, Pingala
Capricorn = Awehai, Ida, Amalthea, Vesta
Aquarius = Mawu, Cybele, Sophia, Iris, Juno
Pisces = Nammu, Anuit, Aphrodite, Dione

Goddesses of the Month:

January  = Juno, Hera, Hestia, Brigid
February = Brigid, White Buffalo Woman, Juno Februa
March  = Ra-Nuit, Artemis, Minerva
April  = Aphrodite, Ishtar, Artemis, Astarte, Eostre
Venus, Terra , Erzulie
May  = Maia, Flora, Tanith, Bel, Mary, Hera
June   = Ishtar, Athena, Demeter, Juno, Persephone,
Luna, Hera, Mawu
July   = Ishtar, Apet, Athena, Demeter, Persephone,
Spider Woman.
August  = Ishtar, Ceres, Lakshmi, Hesperus
September= Hathor, Ishtar, Yemaya, Menkhet, Pomona
October  = Hathor, Demeter, Ceres, the Horae
November = Sekhmet, Demeter, Diana, Kali, Astrae
December = Vesta, Hestia, Befana, Sekhmet, Oya

Hestia        26 December   – 22 January
Bridhe        23 January    – 19 February
Moura         20 February   – 19 March
Columbina     20 March      – 17 April
Maia          18 April      – 15 May
Hera          16 May        – 12 June
Rosea         13 June       – 10 July
Kerea         11 July       –  8 August
Hesperis       9 August     –  5 September
Mala           6 September  –  2 October
Hathor         3 October    – 30 October
Cailleach/
Samhain       31 October    – 27 November
Astraea       28 November   – 25 December

Goddesses for the days of the Moon/month:

1       (new moon)  Hathor, Isis, Anahit, Selene, Juno, Lucina, Luna, Re,
Blodeuwedd.

2       Selene, Luna, the Mothers, Gos, Arstat, Saoka

3       Athena, the Witch of Gaeta, Rata

4       Hathor, Isis, Selene, Luna

5       Maat, the Erinyes, Eric, Terra, the Eumenides

6       Artemis, Erzulie, the Mothers

7       the Sabbatu, Leto, Luna, Arstat

8       Selene, Luna, Ata Bey

9       Rhea, Selene, Spider Woman

10      Anahit, Anaitis, White Buffalo Calf Woman

11      Kista, Athena, Minerva, Sophia, Changing Woman

12      Demeter, Oddudua, Dikaiosune

13      The Muses, Diana, Oya, the Corn Mothers

14      Ishtar, Selene, Gos, Aida Wedo, the Lady, the Great Mother

15      Ishtar, Luna, Mene, Anna Perenna, Mary, Hina, Arianrhod, Aradia, Diana, Cybele, Mah

16      Levanah, Selene, Luna, Kwan Yin, Chalchiuhtlique

17      Ashi Vanguhi, Arstat, Kista, Demeter, Luna, Aida Wedo

18      Ochumare, Mawu, Copper Woman

19      The Manes, Ashi Vanguhi, Minerva

20      Selene, Tonantzin, Coatlique, Mary

21      Drvaspa, Hera, Athene, Medusa

22      Re, Gealach, Rhiannon, Selene, Mayauel

23      Venus, Aphrodite, Oshun, Erzulie, Freya, Xochiquetzl

24      Daena, Kista, Ochumare, Maat, Sophia, Chang-O

25      Ashi Vanguhi, Ard, Kista, Athena

26      Arstat, Cerridwen, Copper Woman, Mother Holle

27      Diana, Hecate, Maman Brigette, Oya

28      Zamyad, Tellus Mater, Hemera, Eos

29      Hecate, Tonantzin, Nyx, Rhiannon, Eurydice

30      Hecate, Mene, Hecate Prosmna, the moon Goddess, the Dark Maiden, the Crone.

HECATE BINDING SPELL

HECATE BINDING SPELL

In Hecate’s name we bind ____ to the flame
May she bring nightmares, depression, and pain
We cast ____ to the wind, that all know ____ shame
May Hecate envelope ____ in the threefold law May all forget ____’s shame, their harm, their call
May their ability to raise magic fall on deaf walls
We join our energies fellow friends in the Craft
May Hecate stop ___’s harm in the future, present and past
Only when their deeds are reversed will this binding be uncast
So Mote It Be!

Calendar of the Moon for September 18

Calendar of the Moon

18 Muin/Boedromion

Greater Mysteries Day 4: Day of Aesclepias

Colors: White and light blue
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of light blue place a chalice of white wine, a glass cup of oil scented with myrrh, three light blue candles, and all the medical equipment in the House.
Offerings: Donate medical equipment to a worthy organization, or give medical care to someone who needs it.
Daily Meal: Fasting until Mesembria of the next day.

Invocation to Aesclepias

I begin to sing of Aesclepias,
Son of Apollo and healer of sicknesses.
Born on the Dotian plain
By fair Coronis, daughter of King Phlegyas,
A joy to men,
A soother of great pangs,
And so hail to thee my lord,
In our songs we make prayer to thee.
Greatest of doctors,
Taught by the skilled hands of Athena,
Father of Hygeia, Lady of Cleanliness,
Father of Akeso, Lady of the Curing Process,
Father of Panakaia, Lady of Cures,
Father of Telesphoros, Lord of Convalescence,
Father of Iaso, Lady of Recovery,
Your healing hands were so skilled
That Hades himself was angered
At seeing you snatch so many
From his soot-covered hands.
Yet even when your very skill laid low your body,
You were raised to be the divine surgeon,
The healer to the Gods and all below.
Hail Aesclepias, who cares for our bodies.
May you grant us all the healing that we need.

(Those who have need of healing of the body should come forth and kneel before the altar, and one who has been chosen to do the work of the ritual shall anoint them with the blessed oil. Then the white wine shall be poured out as a libation. The medical equipment, thus blessed, should be returned to its place.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Moon for September 3

Calendar of the Moon

3 Coll/Metageitnion

Panathenaea Day 1: Athena’s Day

Colors: White and blue
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of white and blue set a great statue of Athena, a spear, a pen, a spindle, a shield with a Gorgon’s head, and a brazier with charcoal that must never be allowed to go out until the Panathenaea is done.
Offerings: A new peplos for Her statue, which has been embroidered by the entire community, and is draped around Her statue after the invocation. The old peplos is given away to some other Pagan group in the community as a gift. Also wine, olives, beef, barley cakes, honeycombs.
Daily Meal: Greek food, including beef, olives, and wine.

(First, all walk in a procession around the property. Four carry the new peplos, four carry the baskets of wine and olives, four carry plates of honey and cakes, and the rest play musical instruments or carry oak or olive branches. The procession stops before the door and all call out: “Hail Athena Polias!” Then it winds inward into the sanctuary, at which point all cry out “Hail Athena Parthenos!” The offerings are placed before Athena’s altar.)

Athena Invocation:

I begin to sing of Pallas Athena,
The dread Protectress of the city,
Who with Ares looks after matters of war,
The plundering of cities, the battle-cry and the fray.
It is She who protects the people,
Wherever they might come or go.
Lady of the olive tree,
Lady of the shield and spear,
Lady of wisdom and strategy,
Cool head which advises the hot ones,
Mentor to princes and heroes,
Gracious grey-eyed daughter of Zeus,
You teach us all due thoughtfulness!
Hail, Goddess, and give us good spirits
And your blessed favor!

(The peplos is draped around her statue. The best of the food and wine is given as libation for her, and then the rest is taken to the dining room to be feasted on.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Listeria fears expand N.C. cantaloupe recall; feds find ‘unsanitary conditions’

Listeria fears expand N.C. cantaloupe recall; feds find ‘unsanitary conditions’

By JoNel Aleccia, NBC News

Federal health inspectors have found unsanitary conditions at a North Carolina cantaloupe packing shed, leading to an expanded recall of melons that may be potentially contaminated with listeria.

Burch Equipment LLC of Faison, N.C., is pulling 188,902 melons from store shelves in 10 states because of possible contamination that can cause illness and death, particularly in the very young, the very old, pregnant women and those with health problems.

The company’s voluntary recall comes nearly a year after one of the deadliest foodborne illness outbreaks in U.S. history, in which contaminated Colorado cantaloupes sickened 146 people, including at least 30 who died and one woman who had a miscarriage.

The new recall of 13,888 cases of whole Athena variety cantaloupes follows a recall last week of 580 cases of the summer fruit.

Federal Food and Drug Administration officials and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture are conducting an ongoing inspection at Burch Farms. The FDA warned this week that consumers should not eat the summer melons, which carry a red Burch Farms label and the code PLU #4319.

The melons were shipped between July 15 and July 17 and distributed to retail stores in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.

Consumers should discard the melons, the FDA said.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with the Burch Farms melons, according to a spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Listeria monocytogenes infections can cause symptoms including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

But the possibility of another bout of contaminated cantaloupe has stunned at least one family affected by the listeria outbreak caused by Jensen Farms of Holly, Colo.

“It’s so frustrating. It’s unbelievable,” said Michelle Wakley-Paciorek, mother of Kendall Paciorek, now 10 months, who suffered a life-threatening listeria infection at birth because of the tainted cantaloupe. “I can’t even tell you. It’s making my eyes tear up, after what everybody’s been through.”

Dirty equipment, faulty sanitation and bad storage practices at Jensen Farms led to the deadly infections, federal officials concluded. The firm has filed for bankruptcy.

That outbreak led to industry-wide changes in and attention to cantaloupe safety protocols, said Kathy Means, vice president of public affairs for the Produce Marketing Association. Members of the Rocky Ford Growers Association in Colorado invested between $800,000 and $1 million in safety upgrades, said spokeswoman Diane Mulligan.

Means said she couldn’t speak to conditions at the Burch Farms site, but she said that produce growers take the problem “very seriously.”

“We’re always disappointed when anything leads to consumer concerns,” she said.

However, she noted that the contamination was detected, the affected melons were recalled and that no illnesses have been reported to date.

“We wouldn’t want to see anyone stop eating cantaloupe,” she said. “I am confident that the system is working.”

But Wakley-Paciorek said that she no longer buys any melon. To learn that unsanitary conditions were found at another cantaloupe packing shed less than a year after listeria nearly killed her newborn is dismaying beyond words, she said.

Kendall is developmentally delayed and requires the aid of three physical therapists to help repair the deficits caused by the listeria infection.

“It’s shocking that this could happen again,” she said.

Calendar of the Moon for July 12

Calendar of the Moon

12 Duir/Skirophorion

Skirophoria

Colors: Grey and brown
Element: Earth
Altar: Divide the altar in half, with one grey cloth and one brown cloth. On the grey side place a ship and a fish for Poseidon, and for Athena a stack of books selected for their wisdom, the figure of a small city, and a glass cup of wine. On the brown side lay a sickle, a hoe, a basket full of poppies, many small bowls of grain, a cup of ale, and the figure of a small peasant’s hut. On the line between them, place the figure of a golden sun. Before it should be a bowl containing Pentaploa, a mixture of wine, honey, cheese, grains, and olive oil.
Offerings: If you are rural, visit the city. If you are urban or suburban, visit a farm. Do so in the spirit of discovery and appreciation. Also, the day’s exercise at Gymnastika should be running a race, and the runners should carry grapevines in their arms, in honor of the boughs brought to the temple of Athena by ancient runners. Deposit the grapevines before Athena’s shrine.
Daily Meal: Eat food on your trip, wherever you go.

Skirophoria Invocation

(To be given by five people, one each representing Athena, Poseidon, Demeter, Persephone, and Helios. They should wear white, blue, green, red, and gold respectively. They should come together under a white canopy.)

Athena: On this day, long ago, so tradition says, the first harvest was cut of the first grain that mankind ever sowed. Ever since then, the people have been fed from the land. Those of us whose hearts are in the city do come before you today to honor the givers of our nourishment.
Poseidon: From the metropolises of the coasts to the great gathering places of plateau and mountain we come on this day. For we could not live without you to support us. We feed from you, and give you little in return, save trinkets and trouble.
Demeter: We thank you for your honor, and we promise in turn that our abundance shall never cease, so long as you continue your respect. Our lands must remain clean and unfettered by disease and pollution. So long as you grant us that, and safety, and fair commerce, there will always be an equal exchange.
Persephone: We thank you for your honor, but you are wrong in that you give us nothing. You are the keepers of thought and culture. When darkness rushes across the land, as it sometimes must, it is in your domain that such things are kept. You are the memory of our people, as we in our eternal round of seasons cannot always be.
Helios: I have come before you to hear your oaths. Will you serve and protect each other?
All: We shall be as two hands on one body.
Helios: So it is witnessed by the overarching Sun. So shall it be written, so shall it be done.
All Present: So it is witnessed by the overarching Sun. So shall it be written, so shall it be done.

(The Pentaploa is passed and shared, and the ale and wine are poured as a libation.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Magickal Correspondence for Summer Solstice 2012

Your Magickal Correspondence for Summer Solstice 2012

Incense – Frankincense, myrrh, rose, pine, vanilla, lemon

Herbs and plants – Lavender, carnation, chamomile, mugwort, honeysuckle, oak, fern, yarrow, wild thyme, daisy, sage, mint, heather, St. John’s Wort, pine, rose

Gemstones – Lapis Lazuli, diamonds, all green gemstones, especially emeralds

Traditional foods – Seasonal fruits and vegetables, corn cakes, honey cakes, honey. Other foods depend on a person’s tradition or individual tastes.

Deities – Mother aspect of the Goddess such as Isis, Athena, Brigid, Epona, Juno, Freya and Hestia.  Consort aspect of the God such as Mercury, Thor, Ra, Zeus and Apollo.

Colors – Yellow, gold, orange, blue, green and red

Your Horoscope Helpers

By Annie B. Bond

Every sun sign has spirit-helpers that include ancient gods and goddesses,  mythic figures from many different cultures–including Celtic, Hindu, and Ancient  Greek–angels, saints, and much more.

Find out who your horoscope helpers are, so you can begin a more conscious  relationship with them. This is rich, fascinating, and very helpful information!

Aries, March 21-April 19:  Khamael, Samuel (angels); Huitzilopochtli  (Aztrec); Nergal (Babylonian); Belacadros, Brigantia, Cernunnus, Cocideus,  Morrigan, Teutates (Celtic); St. Barbara, St. Peter (Christian); Amun, Khnum,  Neith (Egyptian); Laran (Etruscan); Ares, Achilles, Amazons, Athena, Dione,  Jason, Hercules, Nike, Phrixus and Helle (greek); Indrea, Agni, Durga (Hindu);  Odin, Tyr, Wodan (Nordic); Mars, Pallas, Minerva, Bellona (Roman); Emperor,  Tower (Tarot).

Taurus, April 20-May 21:  Anaele (Angel); Coatlicue (Aztec); Aine (Celtic);  St. Simon (Christian); Bastet, Geb (Egyptian); Aphrodite, Ariadne, Astarte,  Daedalus, Dionysus, Europa, Hephaestus, Minotaur, Theseus (Greek); Brahma,  Ganesh, Kubera, Lakshmi, Uma (Hindu); Freya (Nordic); Venus, Mithra, Vulcan  (Roman); Ki (Sumerian); Hierophant, Empress (Tarot).

Gemini, May 22-June 20:  Raphael, Ongkanon (Angels); Nabu (Babylonian); St.  Christopher, St. Nicholas, St. Anthony of Pauda (Christian); Anubis, Thoth  (Egyptian); Turms (Etruscan); Hermes, Castor and Pollux, Meti (Greek);  Sarasvati, Hanuman (Hindu); Mercury, Apollo, Romulus and Remus (Roman);  Magician, Lovers (Tarot).

Cancer, June 21-July 22:  Gabriel (Angel); Sin (Babylonian); Arianrhod,  Ceridwen (Celtic); Mary, St. Andrew (Christian); Kwan Yin, Shing-Moo (China);  Isis, Khonsu, Thoth (Egyptian); Losna (Etruscan); Artemis, Atlante, Astarte,  Hecate, Selena (Greek); Parvati, Soma, Subhadra, Tara, Kali (Hindu); Susa-No-O  (Japan); Itzamna (Maya); Freyr, Hurukan, Mani, Nanna (Nordic); Lebhana-Leukothea  (Persian); Diana, Lucina, Ops (Roman); Nanna (Sumerian); High Priestess, Chariot  (Tarot).

Leo, July 23- Aug 22:  Michael (Angel); Quetzalcoatl, Tonatiuh,  Huitzilopochtli (Aztec); Shamash (Babylonian); Belanus, Lugh (Celtic); Jesus,  St. Jerome. St. Mark (Christian); Ammon, Aton, Helius, Mendes, Osiris, Ra,  Sekhmet (Egyptian); Cautha (Etruscan); Asclepios, Apollo, Dianus, Dionysus,  Helios, Heracles, Hyperion, Teia (Greek); Balarama, Indrea, Pushan, Savitri,  Surya, Vishnu, Varuna, Brahma (Hindu); Inti (Inca); Amaterasu (Japan); Itzamna  (Maya); Thor (Nordic); Mithras, Zoroaster (Persian); Apollo, Hercules, Jupiter,  Aesculapius, Sol (Roman); Strength, Sun (Tarot).

Virgo, Aug 23-Sept 22:  Raphael (Angel); Nidaba (Babylonian); St, Anthony of  Egypt, Virgin Mary (Christian); Asclepios, Hermes, Astraea, Demeter, Hestia,  Chiron (Greek); Ganga (Hindu); Mercury, Ceres, Vesta, Aesculapius (Roman);  Hermit (Tarot).

Libra, Sept 23-Oct 22:  Anaele, Lucipher (Angels); Quetzalcoatl (Aztec);  Ishtar (Babylonian); St. Mary Magdalen (Christian); Isis, Maat (Egyptian); Turan  (Etruscan); Aphrodite, Hera, Athena, Adonis, Themis (Greek); Krishna, Shakti,  Lakshmi (Hindu); Freya (Nordic); Venus, Juno, Pallas, Vulcan (Roman); Justice  (Tarot).

Scorpio, Oct 23-Nov 21:  Azrael (Angel); Mitlontecutli, Mictlancihuatl,  Tezcatlipoca, Tlazolteotl (Aztec); Ereshkigal (Babyonian); Don, Epona, Gwydion  (Celtic); St. Thomas, St. Martin (Christian); Anubis, Hosiris, Selket  (Egyptian); Alpanu, Matus (Etruscan); Hades, Hecate, Persephone, Orion, Orpheus  (Greek); Shiva, Kali, Kama, Bali, Yama (Hindu); Yima (Persian); Pluto, Mars,  Vulcan (Roman); Death, Judgement (Tarot).

Sagittarius, Nov 22-Dec 21:  Sachiel (Angel); Marduk (Babylonian);  Bussumarus, Dagda (Celtic); St. James, St. Sebastian (Christia); Tina  (Etruscan); Zeus, Chiron, Ixion, Themis, Artemis (Greek); Ganesha, Indra  (Hindu); Thor, Donar (Nordic); Jupiter, Fortuna, Diana (Roman); Wheel of  Fortune, Temperance (Tarot).

Capricorn, Dec 22-Jan 19:  Kassiel (Angel); Ninurta (Babylonian); St. Matthew  (Christian); Consentes, Min (Egyptian); Cronus, Medusa, Pan, Amalthea, Atlas,  Rhea (Greek); Kali, Shiva (Hindu); Saturn, Janus, Vesta (Roman); World (Tarot).

Aquarius, Jan 20-Feb 18:  Uriel (Angel); Taddheus, St. Francis of Assisi, St.  John the Baptist (Christian); Horus, Nut (Egyptian); Uranus, Deucalion, Hebe,  Ganymede, Hephaestus (Greek); Varuna (Hindu); Itzamma (Maya); Dionysus, Juno  (Roman); Fool, Star (Tarot).

Pisces, Feb 19-March 20:  Asariel (Angel); Bridget, Rhiannon (Celtic); Kwan  Yin, Nu Kwa (China); Matthias, Jonah, St. Brendan the Navigator, St. Joseph of  Cupertino (Christian); Isis, Bes (Egyptian); Nethuns (Etruscan); Poseidon,  Atagartis, Cassiopeia (Greek); Varuna (Hindu); Susanowo (Japanese); Aesgir,  Njord (Nordic); Neptune, Cosus, Dionysus (Roman); Ea (Sumerian); Hanged Man,  Moon (Tarot).