Celtic Calendar – Birch December 24 – January 20

(I am sorry I did not get this up on December 24 the day it started)

Birch – the tree of birth

The Birch was seen by the Druids as the tree of birth – a symbol of new beginnings. Beth, meaning birch, is the first letter in the Ogham alphabet and the first month in the Celtic Tree Calendar.

From ireland-calling.com – Birch

The birch tree has many uses both medicinal and practical.

Birch wood is durable but quick to rot, making it a good home for insects and birdlife.

It was often used to make May poles and start the fires at Beltane, the festival of new beginnings, due to a highly combustible tar in its bark.

This tar is furthermore believed to be good for the skin and can be used to treat eczema.

Birch is also associated with purification and protection. The leaves of the birch can be brewed into a tea that treats infection, stimulates the gall bladder and kidneys and is said to dissolve gravel and kidney stones.

Birch used to stimulate purification process

In Scandinavia birch is used in saunas to stimulate the purification process and in Russia birch branches are beaten against the skin at steam rooms for the same purpose. This practice was also used as a punishment in old England to purify a criminal of evil.

The Witch Said What?!

Please remember if we want Christians to accept us and our beliefs, we need to do the same for them.

The History of Christmas

Christmas may get buried under the catalogues of holiday cheer, present buying, and a lot of food prep stress, but the 2 thousand-year-old holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus has one of the most complex and interesting timelines of any holiday in the history of the world.

The annual festival celebrated on Dec. 24, Dec. 25, January 7, and Jan 19 depending on denomination, is both a cultural and deeply religious occasion celebrated by billions of people around the world. From the inclusion of the Christmas tree to the annual gift-giving, the feast day that spans through modern history has many traditions, myths, and stories that resonate around the globe.

As a main celebration in the Christian liturgical calendar, it follows the season of Advent and ushers in Christmastide, or The Twelve Days of Christmas. It was first decided to the specific date in the Western calendar by Dionysius Exiguus, a Scythian monk who was an abbot in Rome. With Exiguus’ research and biblical texts, Jesus’s birth was decided to have occurred on December 25, 1 C.E. There have been many disputes over the actual date of Jesus’s birth since, but Exiguus’ date has stuck despite them.

Prior to Christian celebrations, Roman pagans celebrated the holiday of Saturnalia, a week of raucous celebrations from December 17-25, where Roman courts were closed and the law dictated that citizens could not be punished for damaging property or injuring people during the feasting. The Romans believed these celebrations, which chose a community victim and forced them to indulge in food and festivities, destroyed the forces of evil when they murdered this victim at the conclusion of the week, on December 25.

In the 4th century, Christian leaders were successful at converting many pagans to Christianity by allowing them to also continue the celebration of Saturnalia, and this was its first connection to Jesus’s birth. Because the festival of Saturnalia had no connection with Christian teachings, leaders tacked on the holiday of Jesus’s birth onto the last day of the festival. For many years, contemporaries of the time continued to allow the celebration.

Click here to read the rest of this article.

Printable Spell

Color Correspondence Of Color and Hue

Color correspondence is the way that the use of color will affect your magickal workings. From the color of the candles that you use to the color of clothes that you wear

It should be noted that this type of correspondence is not just associated with pagan followings or metaphysics.  There is scientific evidence about the relationship of color to mood, success and growth.  In many penal systems, when an inmate acts out of line (eq. gets in a fight), they are put into a “pink room” for a short time.  This, under short duration, is said to calm the suspect. But long time exposure to pinks or reds can have exactly the opposite effect.

Color table and information…

Click here to read the rest of the article about Color Correspondences from ancientpathway.com

One Opinion on a Practical Spellcasting Guide

I suggest you always cast a spell yourself as you know the intention you have behind wanting it cast. Having someone else cast a spell for you can lead to the intention of the spell being left to their interruption of what you say you want. Through the years I have found the intention is about 90% of how the spell will manifest. Keep your intention upmost in your mind when writing and casting your spells. If using a spell someone has written edit or tweak it, so it becomes your spell with theirs as a baseline for you to build on. – Lady Beltane

Click here to read this rest of this practical Spellcasting Guide from psychicguild.com

BE CAREFUL! We do not recommend casting spells yourself without serious training. But if you are interested in learning about witchcraft basics, then read on!

All witchcraft practices have one thing in common. They require creating a sacred space where you can focus your intention. Wiccans cast a circle using the elements. Other forms of pagan spellcasting or witchcraft spells use the pentagram. Other spells don’t require either, but a gathering of the energies and focusing of your intentions is always necessary for spells to work. Otherwise, there will simply be no effect!

  • Step 1: Define your intention: Refining which effect you intend to create in the physical world is crucial! Make it clear and concise, and be sure to think through the possible consequences and whether you are prepared to take responsibility for them.
  • Step 2: Always follow spellcasting best practices:
  • Get permission from anyone you plan to cast a spell on
  • Clearly state your intention for optimal success
  • Cast a series of spells if your goal is complicated
  • Step 3: Find the right timing for your spell: Remember that privacy is important. Distractions such as other people or pets coming into your space while you are spell casting is a no-no because it will break your energy flow. If you are using the power of the lunar phases, consider casting banishing spells on the new moon. Cast love or abundance spells on the full moon to get them an extra boost, or follow the days of the week that best correspond to the energies:
    • Sunday – for personal achievements
    • Monday – for fertility, pregnancy and feminine moon (moonday) magic
    • Tuesday – for strength and courage
    • Wednesday – for Mercury, the planet of communication
    • Thursday – cast spells for prosperity and abundance. Also for healing
    • Friday – love magick
    • Saturday – cleansing and banishing
  • Step 4: Collect your materials and supplies: Each spell will outline the needed materials and supplies. From candles to crystals or representations of the elements, spells will clearly state what is needed. Be sure to gather them all carefully before you begin your spell! The last thing you want is to be sitting in your circle and realize you are missing something important!
  • Step 5: Raise, direct and release the energy: Once you have set your intention, remember to magnify it by raising the cone of power! You can do this by drumming, dancing, chanting, visualization or even orgasm, as in sex magic. Then, once you have built the energy to a climax, send it to the universe to manifest. Afterward, remember to ground yourself back down. Then you can just await the results!

Tips on casting free magic spells

Stay away from darker magic if you are a beginner. Even white magic spells can have negative consequences if you accidentally cast them wrong, but black magic can be very dangerous. If you’ve already reached out to a professional spellcaster and you are ready to try some white magic basics, then keep these tips in mind:

  • Stick to white magic spells if you are a novice
  • Remember not to affect anyone else’s free will with your spellcasting or you may have negativity come your way
  • Collect all of your materials before you start and make sure you have privacy
  • Keep your intention as precise as you can – confused spells can have unintended consequences.
  • It is a good idea to memorize your spell so you know exactly what to do before you start

Can a free spell backfire?…

The color of magic…

Witchcraft basics…

White magic…

Wicca…

Black magic…

Satanism…

Voodoo and folk magic…

The Law of Threefold Return

As you can see it is very important to know what you are getting into before you go dabbling around with witchcraft and magic spells! But for the sake of learning, I will share a few free spells with you, so that you can begin to understand how spellcasting works. But be sure to get the advice of a professional before trying these out!

How will I know when my free spell has been cast?

Spells take effect immediately, so you should notice the effects of your spellcasting right away. But remember, if your spell was very complicated, it might take some time to manifest fully. Sometimes spells require several steps and take effect gradually over time. Especially if your spell is controlling the actions of others by sending them away, for example. It will probably take some time for them to pack up their belongings and move away.

Frequently Asked Questions…

Pros of Free Spells

  • Many great resources for free spells
  • First three minutes free with a professional on Kasamba
  • You can even write your own spells!

Cons of Free Spells

  • Spellcasting can be risky business
  • Unanticipated consequences can come back threefold!
  • May not work at all

Ready to cast your Free spell? Click below and get what you have been wishing for!…

The Witch Said What?!

Summer Solstice Printable Coloring Pages

Celebrate Summer Solstice and Connect With Nature Through These Rituals

After a long and seriously unforgiving winter, folks in the Northern Hemisphere are finally reaping the benefits of summer, as June 21 marks the official 2021 summer solstice. Many of us are already marking our calendars with beach days, hikes, and picnics galore — but if you’re looking to tap into the spiritual aspect of the seasonal shift, there are several solstice rituals you can do to welcome summer, in all its glory.

From gifting friends with sachets as a natural mosquito deterrent, to enjoying a seasonal feast of locally-grown goodies, there are so many fun ways to welcome and celebrate summer, sustainably.

Happy and Blessed Winter Solstice

Happy and Blessed Summer Solstice

Winter solstice 2021: Why it happens and how we celebrate the first day of winter

For the past six months, the days have grown shorter and the nights have grown longer in the Northern Hemisphere. But that’s about to reverse itself.

Winter solstice 2021, the shortest day of year and the official first day of winter, is on Tuesday, December 21. How it all works has fascinated people for thousands of years.

First we’ll look at the science and precise timing behind the solstice. Then we’ll explore some ancient traditions and celebrations around the world.

From msn.com

Winter Solstice Traditions: How to Celebrate This Holiday Season

For those who are spiritual but not so religious, you may choose to celebrate the December holiday season differently. The winter solstice is a wonderful way to honor your ancestors, the earth and its creatures, and the birth of a new sun during this special time of year.

So what exactly is this ancient holiday, and how do you celebrate the winter solstice? Spoonful of Comfort answers these questions and offers some new-to-you winter solstice traditions that you and your loved ones can embrace.

What Is the Winter Solstice Holiday?

Earth experiences the winter solstice when the shortest and darkest day of the year passes and a new, longer day begins. In 2021, for the Northern Hemisphere, the exact time for this change is December 21 at 10:59 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Why Is the Winter Solstice Celebrated?…

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Litha History – Celebrating the Summer Solstice

An Ancient Solar Celebration

Nearly every agricultural society has marked the high point of summer in some way, shape or form. On this date–usually around June 21 or 22 (or December 21/22 in the southern hemisphere)–the sun reaches its zenith in the sky. It is the longest day of the year, and the point at which the sun seems to just hang there without moving – in fact, the word “solstice” is from the Latin word solstitium, which literally translates to “sun stands still.” The travels of the sun were marked and recorded. Stone circles such as Stonehenge were oriented to highlight the rising of the sun on the day of the summer solstice.

Did You Know?

  • Early European traditions celebrated midsummer by setting large wheels on fire and then rolling them down a hill into a body of water.
  • The Romans honored this time as sacred to Juno, the wife of Jupiter and goddess of women and childbirth; her name gives us the month of June.
  • The word “solstice” is from the Latin word solstitium, which literally translates to “sun stands still.”

Click here to read the rest of this article

Full Moon Release Spell

Simple Full Moon Ritual for Release, Energy, and Cleansing

In this post I’m going to reveal my full moon ritual for manifestation that’s designed to release negative energy and cleanse your soul.

Over the years I have experimented with many different rituals and am excited to share what I’ve learned with you.

A few benefits of performing a full moon ceremony include:

  • Release negativity
  • Increase energy
  • Spiritual cleansing
  • Set intentions that materialize
  • Manifest abundance, love, or money
  • Make your wishes come true

Ready to learn more?

Let’s get started!

What is a Full Moon Ritual?

A full moon ritual is a spiritual ceremony performed on the night of a full moon to release negativity and practice gratitude. The ritual does not need to be completed at the exact moment of a full moon, but should be performed within 48 hours before or after for best results.

When the Moon is completely illuminated by the Sun this is called a full moon. This happens about once per

For more information about full Moon rituals by Ryan Hart

19 December Daily Correspondence Digest for the Southern Hemisphere’s Moon Phase and Planetary Positions

You can use this link to go forward or backward in time for Moon phase information. If you are curious you can even find out what phase the Moon was in when you or anyone else, you know was on the date the person was born.

From Moongiant.com

Today and tonight the Moon will be in a Full Moon phase. During a Full Moon the moon is 100% illuminated as seen from Earth and is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. The Moon will be visible throughout the night sky rising at sunset in the east and setting with the sunrise the next morning. The point at which a Full Moon occurs can be measured down to a fraction of a second. The time it takes between full moons is known as a Synodic month and is 29.530587981 days long. Keep track of all the Full Moons throughout the year on the Full Moon Calendar >

Visit the December 2021 Moon Phases Calendar to see all the daily moon phase for this month.

Today’s Full Moon Phase

The Full Moon on December 19 has an illumination of 100%. This is the percentage of the Moon illuminated by the Sun. The illumination is constantly changing and can vary up to 10% a day. On December 19 the Moon is 15.04 days old. This refers to how many days it has been since the last New Moon. It takes 29.53 days for the Moon to orbit the Earth and go through the lunar cycle of all 8 Moon phases.

The 8 Lunar Phases

There are 8 lunar phases the Moon goes through in its 29.53 days lunar cycle. The 4 major Moon phases are Full Moon, New Moon, First Quarter and Last Quarter. Between these major phases, there are 4 minor ones: the Waxing Crescent, Waxing Gibbous, Waning Gibbous and Waning Crescent. For more info on the Moon Cycle and on each phase check out Wikipedia Lunar Phase page.

Phase Details For – December 19

Phase: Full Moon
Illumination: 100%
Moon Age: 15.04 days
Moon Angle: 0.49
Moon Distance: 404,809.44 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 147,177,418.30 km

Useful Moon Resources

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

Currentplanetarypositions.com

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

For Your Local Time and Date

Southeastern Hemisphere

The time for the Custom Planetary Positions is from the local time in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

19 December 2021
06:00 am GMT 5:00 PM AEDT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:27 Sagittarius 32
Moon:28 Gemini 11
Mercury:08 Capricorn 40
Venus:26 Capricorn 29
Mars:04 Sagittarius 05
Jupiter:28 Aquarius 12
Saturn:10 Aquarius 35
Uranus:11 Taurus 12 Rx
Neptune:20 Pisces 30
Pluto:25 Capricorn 32
True Lunar Node:01 Gemini 39 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:00 Gemini 12 Rx
Lilith (Black Moon):17 Gemini 03
Chiron:08 Aries 26 Rx
Ceres:00 Gemini 22 Rx
Pallas:13 Pisces 34
Juno:12 Capricorn 29
Vesta:17 Sagittarius 39
Eris:23 Aries 44 Rx
Fire:5
Earth:5
Air:7
Water:2
Cardinal:6
Fixed:3
Mutable:10

Southwestern Hemisphere

The time for the Custom Planetary Positions is from the local time in Sao Paulo, Brazil, South America

19 December 2021
08:00 pm GMT 5:00 PM BRT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:28 Sagittarius 08
Moon:05 Cancer 06
Mercury:09 Capricorn 35
Venus:26 Capricorn 29 Rx
Mars:04 Sagittarius 30
Jupiter:28 Aquarius 18
Saturn:10 Aquarius 39
Uranus:11 Taurus 12 Rx
Neptune:20 Pisces 30
Pluto:25 Capricorn 33
True Lunar Node:01 Gemini 37 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:00 Gemini 10 Rx
Lilith (Black Moon):17 Gemini 07
Chiron:08 Aries 26
Ceres:00 Gemini 16 Rx
Pallas:13 Pisces 41
Juno:12 Capricorn 42
Vesta:17 Sagittarius 58
Eris:23 Aries 44 Rx
Fire:5
Earth:5
Air:6
Water:3
Cardinal:7
Fixed:3
Mutable:9

For Your Listening Pleasure – Summer Solstice Song

~Litha~Summer Solstice Song~Lisa Thiel~

For Your Listening Pleasure – Winter Solstice Song

Wyrd Sisters – Solstice Carole

For Your Viewing Pleasure – Winter Solstice

What happens during the winter solstice?