A Thought for Today – Daily Zen Thought c. 2011

If you want to perceive
And understand objectively,
Just don’t allow yourself
To be confused by people.
Detach from whatever you
Find inside or outside yourself.
Detach from religion,
Tradition, and society,
And only then will you
Attain liberation.
When you are not
Entangled in things,
You pass through
Freely to autonomy.

– Linji (d. 867)

Happy and Blessed Lughnasadh/Lammas

Happy and Blessed Imbolc

To Those Of Your Celebrating Imbolc Today, May The Goddess Bless You On This Glorious Imbolc Morn’! c. 2019

It depends on your Tradition which day you celebrate Imbolc. We celebrated it yesterday and I know some of you might celebrate it today. We generally celebrate our Sabbats the day before for a reason. For instance, we celebrate Imbolc last night. We did our rituals, lit our fires, run out the old stale Winter air and the season, hopefully. We did some cleansing and we have a lot more to do today. We had a good feast and in spite of being so sleepy, we managed to stay up to greet the morning’s first light. The joy of celebrating the night before, it just unbelievable. You get to stay up and greet the new born Sun on one of the most glorious mornings of all, Imbolc. You can feel the freshness as the new born Sun comes over the horizon. As He rises His head and proclaims victory and Spring will return to us shortly. The magick courses through your veins and it seems you are recharged and ready to take on anything that comes your way. As the warmth of the Sun courses through your veins, you feel your magick grow and grow, till you feel like you are the most powerful witch on the face of Mother Earth.

We have made celebrating the Sabbats the night before a habit. If you have never done it, you need to try it. Just go outside and wait for the Sun to come up. You can feel the magick in the air as you welcome Him back. It is so magickal that you can actually hear the Sun talk back to you with His warm rays of light shining down upon you. I cannot explain it fully. It is something you have to experience for yourself. It re-generates your spirit and your soul. You feel the darkest of the Winter months fall off of you. You know when you see the Sun on this special day, it is a fresh start, a new season, a season of rebirth. It is truly a season for us to celebrate, the Sun has returned to us and with this we are promised the season of renewal and birth. Mother Earth is going to come back to life. The birds will sing, the grass will turn green, the flowers will bloom once again, life has come out of hibernation, it is awakening. Awakening to a new start, a new season, what a beautiful time of year this is. I can imagine you have figured out by now Imbolc is one of my favorite Sabbats.

Imbolc is a time for truly rejoicing. Go outside today and let the warmth of the Sun renew your spirit and fill your soul with the hope and joy the new season ahead holds for us.

Wishing You & Yours A Very Joyous & Beautiful Imbolc,

Lady of the Abyss

Spell – Home Protection Powder: A Simple Spell Recipe

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANY SPELLS POSTED TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER)

Home Protection Powder: A Simple Spell Recipe

From spells8.com

Whether you just moved into a new home or you’ve been living in your home for a while, it is always a good idea to cast a protection spell over your space. This process doesn’t have to be elaborate or complicated. In fact, it generally involves about two steps: cleansing the space and then protecting it. Any other steps in the process are entirely optional and can add to the potency of your spell. If you are in search of a simple protection spell for your home, be sure to read this post to the very end!

Why bother about the energy of your home?

Believe it or not, the energy of your home can have an effect on your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. This energy usually accumulates over time, but certain factors can play a role in how quickly unpleasant energy settles into your spaces. For example, if you spend a lot of time in emotionally charged situations during the day, you may end up bringing some unpleasant energy home with you. This energy may accumulate faster than if you spent your days in more pleasant or neutral situations. Surrounding yourself with unpleasant energies could lead you to feeling drained, grouchy, and generally not spiritually well in your own home.

Energy can also accumulate due to other people in your life. This includes people you let into your home such as family, friends, and even employees, and people that don’t come into your home but still send their energy in your direction. Putting up a magical protective barrier around your home can help to protect against physical damage such as break-ins, storms, or similar. It can also help protect your home against magical or psychic attacks from others or keep a wandering spirit from making itself too comfortable.

Clearing your home of unpleasant energies and protecting it from external energetic forces is very simple. Keep reading for some tips to get you started.

Make a Connection

Whether you are an animist or not, spend some time in your space. Light some incense if you want, play some nice music, and meditate in the heart of your home. Close your eyes and focus on your surroundings. Your home knows what it needs. If you listen well enough, it will tell you.

Clearing it Out

Once you’ve made the decision to clear out the energy from your home, it’s time to get to work. But what does clearing a space even mean? Well, you are going to be removing all energy from the space. This process clears out the energy, both good, bad, and otherwise, to leave room to call in what you want. If it makes it easier, you can think of this as an energetic cleaning rather than a physical one, though the two may look similar and utilize similar tools. This is step one of a good home protection spell.

One of the easiest methods of clearing a space is to clear it as you clean it. Charge your cleaning supplies with your magickal intention. You can do this by holding them firmly or holding your hands over them and speaking your words of intention over them. This could sound something like, “As I physically clean my space, so too do my cleaning supplies clear my home of unwanted energies and entities.” Then you use them to physically clean your space. At the same time, the energy you put forward to charge your supplies will also magickally clear the space.

Another method of clearing your space would be through the use of smoke or sound. You can burn special incense or herbs that have cleansing properties. One popular herb to burn for cleansing is rosemary, but any that you find clearing will work just as well. If you can’t use smoke you can cleanse with sound through clapping or bells. You can also use homemade cleansing sprays, too.

Calling it In

Once you’ve cleared your space, you will want to call something in to fill it. This step is optional, but keep in mind that nature doesn’t like a vacuum and nothing is truly empty for long. Use this step to call in the energy you want in your home. This can be done by playing some calming music, burning some relaxing or joyful incense, or decorating your home with pleasant flowers. Again, this can all be customized to suit your needs and desires for your space.

Choose Your Ingredients

Once your space is cleared and you have called in the energy you want, now it’s time to protect that energy. We are going to be making a salt powder to be used at the thresholds of our home. For this step, be sure to have some salt on hand. Salt is a wonderful protective ingredient to use in your powders, and for this recipe, it is the base ingredient. Salt is good for repelling and absorbing negative energy, keeping the energy that crosses your threshold in line with your intentions.

Along with salt, here are some more ideas of protective herbs you can include in your recipe.

Rosemary

Vervain

Bay Leaf

Aloe

Black Salt

Simple Home Protection Spell

Recipe by Francisco Huanaco

This powder is designed to protect your home with good energy and keep it free from problems. Support the magickal maintenance of your home with this protection powder.

INGREDIENTS

  • Salt – absorbs and repels negative energy

  • Rosemary – for protection (can substitute other protective herbs)

  • Jar or Bowl – for mixing the ingredients together

DIRECTIONS

  • Get your Salt

    Salt is protective and also repels negative energy. It is a good foundational ingredient for any witch to have and makes a simple base for our spell.
  • Get your Rosemary

    Rosemary is an herb that is commonly used for protection. In this case, you can use dried rosemary, fresh rosemary, or even substitute with an essential oil or other protective herb.
  • Mix it Together

    In your bowl, mix the salt and your protective herbs together. As you mix them, you can call on your guides, Gods, or other spirit allies to help you if you want. Stir in a clockwise motion to combine the ingredients as you say the following.
  • Sprinkle it Around

    With your mantra or affirmation in mind, sprinkle the salt mixture along every threshold and entry into your home. Include all doors, windows, and walkways. You can even repeat the above incantation if you’d like, drawing on the energy of the salt mixture as you do so.

Celtic Tree Month – Coll – Hazel Moon August 5 – September 1

 

About the Celtic Tree Month – Coll (Hazel Moon): August 5 – September 1

“The lunar tree calendar of the Celts has long been a source of controversy among Celtic scholars. Some even claim it was never a part of the old Celtic world, but was an invention of author/researcher Robert Graves. The Druids are generally given credit by other researchers for creating this system. There seems to be no scholarly evidence to prove otherwise, yet many Celtic Pagans feel that the system pre-dates the time of Druidic influence over Celtic religious matters. It is probably reasonable to believe that the truth lies somewhere in between these three extremes. It is most likely that the tree system was in place, with minor regional variations before the time of the Druids who experimented with it, discovered the magical properties of each tree, and codified all the information into the system we have today.”

—-Joelles Sacred Grove

The Hazel Moon was known to the Celts as Coll, which translates to “the life force inside you.” This is the time of year when Hazelnuts are appearing on the trees, and are an early part of the harvest. Hazelnuts are also associated with wisdom and protection. Hazel is often associated in Celtic lore with sacred wells and magical springs containing the salmon of knowledge. This is a good month to do workings related to wisdom and knowledge, dowsing and divination, and dream journeys. If you’re a creative type, such as an artist, writer, or musician, this is a good month to get your muse back, and find inspiration for your talents. Even if you normally don’t do so, write a poem or song this month.

Source

Patti Wigington, Author
Published on ThoughtCo

Gods – OgmaCeltic God c.2015

 

Ogma

Celtic God

 

In Irish-Celtic myth, Ogma is the god of eloquence and learning. He is the son of the goddess Danu and the god Dagda, and one of the foremost members of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He is the reputed inventor of the ancient Ogham alphabet which is used in the earliest Irish writings.

In the final battle at Mag Tuireadh he managed to take away the sword of the king of the Fomorians, but had to pay with his life for this feat. His Celtic equivalent is Ogmios.

Ogma or Oghma is a character from Irish mythology. A member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, he is often considered a deity and may be related to the Gaulish god Ogmios.

He fights in the first battle of Mag Tuired, when the Tuatha Dé take Ireland from the Fir Bolg. Under the reign of Bres, when the Tuatha Dé are reduced to servitude, Ogma is forced to carry firewood, but nonetheless is the only one of the Tuatha Dé who proves his athletic and martial prowess in contests before the king. When Bres is overthrown and Nuadu restored, Ogma is his champion. His position is threatened by the arrival of Lugh at the court, so Ogma challenges him by lifting and hurling a great flagstone, which normally required eighty oxen to move it, out of Tara, but Lugh answers the challenge by hurling it back. When Nuadu hands command of the Battle of Mag Tuired to Lugh, Ogma becomes Lugh’s champion, and promises to repel the Fomorian king, Indech, and his bodyguard, and to defeat a third of the enemy. During the battle he finds Orna, the sword of the Fomorian king Tethra, which recounts the deeds done with it when unsheathed. During the battle Ogma and Indech fall in single combat, although there is some confusion in the texts as in Cath Maige Tuired Ogma, Lugh and the Dagda pursue the Fomorians after the battle to recover the harp of Uaitne, the Dagda’s harper.

He often appears as a triad with Lugh and the Dagda, who are sometimes collectively known as the trí dée dána or three gods of skill, although that designation is elsewhere applied to other groups of characters. His father is Elatha and his mother is usually given as Ethliu, sometimes as Étaín. His sons include Delbaeth and Tuireann. He is said to have invented the Ogham alphabet, which is named after him.

Scholars of Celtic mythology have proposed that Ogma represents the vestiges of an ancient Celtic god. By virtue of his battle prowess and invention of Ogham, he is compared with Ogmios, a Gaulish deity associated with eloquence and equated with Herakles. J. A. MacCulloch compares Ogma’s epithet grianainech (sun-face) with Lucian’s description of the “smiling face” of Ogmios, and suggests Ogma’s position as champion of the Tuatha Dé Danann may derive “from the primitive custom of rousing the warriors’ emotions by eloquent speeches before a battle”, although this is hardly supported by the texts. Scholars such Rudolf Thurneysen and Anton van Hamel dispute any link between Ogma and Ogmios.

*
A Proto-Indo-European root *og-mo– ‘furrow, track, incised line’ may be the origin of the stem of the name. In addition, Proto-Celtic had a causative verbal suffix *-ej– ~ *-īj-. A hypothetical Proto-Celtic *Ogm-īj-o-sogm-. This agent noun would therefore mean ‘furrow-maker, incisor’ and may have had a metaphorical sense of ‘impresser.’ therefore looks very much like an agent noun derived from a verb formed by the addition of this causative suffix to the stem *

The Irish god of writing, eloquence and poetry. Ogma was credited of being inventor of the Celtic writing systems that the Druids used for their magic. These scripts were known as Ogham.

Ogma was the son of Dagda and the goddess Danu. Some other writers say that Ogma and Dagda were brothers; in this version they were the sons of Eithne. Ogma had also being called the son of Elatha, the king of the Fomorians.

Ogma was one the seven champions in the First Battle of Moytura (Mag Tuired), but when Bres became the king of Tuatha dé Danann, Ogma was degraded into working on humiliating manual job of gathering firewood.
When Lugh went to Nuada, asking for a place to serve the king, Ogma seemed to be Nuada’s foremost fighter. During the second battle of Moytura, Ogma had killed one of the Fomorian leaders, named Indech, the son of Domnu.

Ogma had married Etain, the daughter of Dian Cécht. Ogma had a son named Caipre. Some say that he was the father of MacCuill, MacCecht and MacGrené (MacGrene), the three Danann kings who ruled Ireland, during the Milesian invasion, though other say that Neit was their father.
To the Celtic Gauls he was called Ogmios. According to both Gallic and Irish myths Ogma was a warrior god, depicted as a wrinkled old man, wearing lion’s skin cloak, carrying a bow and club. The Romans considered Ogmios as the Celtic equivalent of Hercules (Greek Heracles). They also depicting Ogimos as holding people chained to his tongue by their ears, to indicate he was the god of eloquence and poetry.

Author: Agaliha

BIRTHSTONES

BIRTHSTONES

There are twelve signs of the zodiac; Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.

I am constantly being asked – during the course of  my workshops and seminars – to recommend an appropriate stone which corresponds to a particular birth sign.

In my experience the only accurate way in which to ascertain the correct birthstone  for any individual is for that person to visit a properly qualified astrologist and for a detailed chart to be constructed based on the person’s place of birth, date of birth and the exact time of birth.

Any other method is too vague and generalized; and most certainly cannot possibly be considered seriously!

A few years ago, to prove my theory, I carefully read as many books as I could lay  my hands on which contained information relating to the astrological use of gemstones.

From all the information available I then compiled my own comprehensive list, birthsign by birthsign, encompassing all the ‘recommended’ birthstones which each book suggested would be appropriate for each sign of the zodiac.

When my task was completed I discovered that every birth-sign had at least nine gemstones which, according to all the books, would be suitable for people being born under that particular sign of  the zodiac…..

However, using my own intuition, logic and a little common-sense, I managed to produce the following chart which I find useful as a guide (and a guide only!) when I am asked to recommend a particular gemstone for someone’s birth-sign:

Aries
– jasper, ruby

Taurus
– rose quartz, lapis lazuli, carnelian, sapphire

Gemini
– citrine, rock crystal, tigers eye, agate, rutile quartz.

Cancer
– olivine, emerald, moonstone

Leo
– quartz crystal, diamond, agate

Virgo
– carnelian, agate, jasper, sapphire

Libra
– emerald, aventurine, jade, sapphire

Scorpio
– garnet, bloodstone, ruby, jasper, beryl

Sagittarius
– topaz, jacinth, obsidian snowflake

Capricorn
– smoky quartz, ruby, onyx, jet

Aquarius
– turquoise, malachite, aquamarine, moonstone

Pisces
– amethyst, opal, moonstone

Whilst it is always acceptable to give a friend – or your loved one –  a birthstone  pendant or necklace, please remember that the stones that will work best for you – or your friends – are the ones whose ‘vibrational energies’ are most closely compatible with the person who is going to wear it!

Daily Feng Shui News for Dec. 16th – ‘Blue Topaz’

One of the birthstones associated with the month of December is blue topaz, a stone that has long been linked with aiding physical health. It’s believed that wearing this stone will help to steady and regulate the action of the heart while also stabilizing the body’s glandular systems. It has even been known to help treat tonsillitis, whooping cough and mumps. Just remember that if you give this stone to someone and tell them to ‘wear it in good health,’ the odds are pretty high they will.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Daily Feng Shui News for Oct. 25th – ‘Tourmaline’

 

The birthstone most associated with October is the tourmaline. An old Egyptian legend tells how this stone, when making the trip from the heart of the earth up to the sun, traveled along a rainbow, collecting all the colors along the way. No matter the color, all tourmaline are said to increase self-confidence while neutralizing negative energies as well. Tourmaline is also believed to dispel fear, relieve grief and aid in concentration and communications. I think that you’ll agree that this surely is one precious gem!

 

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

 

Daily Feng Shui News for July 16th – 'The Ruby'

It’s long been believed that those born in July who wear their ruby birthstone close to their skin will never suffer from lover’s doubts or any other romantic anxieties. This could be because so many cultures and traditions associate the color red with passion, sensual sexuality and true, everlasting love. So, if someone you know is celebrating a birthday this month, give them the gift that literally keeps on giving — a little red stone with a lot of loving and fire energy attached. Not only is this gift hot, but now they will be too.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Gardnerian Traditional Witchcraft –B.14. Skyclad (1953) c.2013

Gardnerian Traditional Witchcraft –B.14. Skyclad (1953)

B.14. Skyclad (1953)
It is important to work naked from the start, so it becometh as second nature, and no thought of “I have no clothes” shall ever intrude and take your attention from the work.  Also, your skin being so accustomed to unconfinement, when power is given off the flow is more easy and regular.  Also, when dancing you are free and unconfined. . . .
And the greatest of all, the touch of the body of your beloved thrills your inmost soul, and so your body gives out its utmost power; and then it is most important of all that there is not the slightest thing to divert the attention, for then the mind must seize and mold the power generated, and redirect it to the desired end with all the force and frenzy of the imagination.
It has been said that no real knowledge may be gained our way, that our practices are such that they can only lead to lust; but this is not really so.  Our aim is to gain the inner sight, and we do it the most natural and easy way.  Our opponents’ aim is ever to prevent man and woman from loving, thinking that everything that helps or even permits them to love is wicked and vile.  To us it is natural, and if it aids the Great Work it is good.
‘Tis true that a couple burning with a frenzy for knowledge may go straight to their goal, but the average couple have not this fire.  We show them the way, our system of props and aids (i.e., magic ritual).  A couple working with nothing but lust will never attain in any case; but a couple who love each other dearly should already be sleeping together, and the first frenzy of love will have passed, and their souls will already be in sympathy.  If the first time or two they do stay a while to worship Aphrodite, ’tis only a day or two lost, and the intense pleasure they obtain only leads them again to the mysteries of Hermes, their souls more attuned to the great search.  Once they have pierced the veil they will not look back.
This rite may be used as the greatest of magics if it be done with both partners firmly fixing their minds on the object and not thinking of sex at all.  That is, you must so firmly fix your mind on your object that sex and all else are naught.  You inflame your will to such an extent that you may create a strain on the astral such that events happen.

 

The Effects the Full Moon Has On Us

Your Daily Feng Shui For Jan. 7th – ‘Old Rock Day’

Get ready to roll on ‘Old Rock Day,’ especially if you celebrate a January birthday! That’s because the ‘rock’ that you will wear will bring music to your ears, especially if you wear your birthstone as earrings. Anyone who celebrates a January birthday should know that their special birthstone is the garnet, the same gemstone that can bring big fortune and lots of luck. Long considered a regenerative and healing stone, the garnet is said to also bring strength and stamina. It is also believed to be super supportive as it invites opportunities for you to go deep within. Wearing it can also clear your mind while initiating clarity and compassion. The garnet is also believed to have the amazing ability to dissolve feelings of isolation and alienation, replacing them with intimate encounters that inspire and motivate. A true jewel, the garnet is a stabilizing old stone that is strong and sincere. Celebrate the garnet on a day devoted to special rocks because, as I mentioned earlier, that’s just how we roll!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com