Living The Witches’ Life: Water Magick for Autumn

Water Magick for Autumn

The Wheel of the Year begins to make its final turn and now we enter the twilight of the year. The spirit world is closer to us now. Autumn water magic includes working with spiritual energies, contacting ancestors, scrying and harvest blessings.

Since ancient times, it has been believed that spirits of the deceased make their journey to the Otherside by water. So it would be appropriate to use water to contact a deceased loved one. Begin by writing a letter to your loved one, using white paper and black ink. Either in the early morning or at dusk, go to a quiet body of water such as a pond – if it’s foggy or misty that’s even better. Kneel at the water’s edge, fold your letter, and let it float away. If there are any fallen leaves upon the water, you may place your letter on them instead. Your message has been received.

Scrying at this time of year by using water can be very effective. Fill you cauldron or a dark colored bowl with water, drop a silver coin into the water, and gaze at the ripples. Allow your eyes to focus on the coin and begin to gaze at the water. If you wish, perform this ritual after dark outside during a Full Moon. Using the water and the Moon together will aid your psychic powers.

Since colonial times, as the harvest season came to a close water was used to anoint the last stand of grain to ensure a bountiful crop the following year. You can do this in your own garden. Simply leave on plant standing in your garden. This could be one herb, tomato plant, or a flower. Before a killing frost, sprinkle this plant with water you’ve blessed. Don’t remove this plant until next spring.

Excerpt from

Four Seasons of Water Magic
By James Kambos
Llewellyn’s 2012 Almanac
Practical Magic for Everyday Magic

Today’s Tarot Card for August 16th is Strength

Strength

This Tarot Deck: Angel Tarot

General Meaning: What has traditionally been known as the Strength card represents Nature which, however wild in its primal form, is tamed by our subtler, finer (feminine, interior) self. The will and passion of our instinctive nature does not need to be broken, but refined and brought to consciousness — so that all levels of Creation, inner and outer, may come into harmony.

The feminine soul-force contains a persuasive power that can nurture and induce cooperation from others, stilling disruptive energies by harmonizing differences in the spirit of collective good will.

 

Today’s Tarot Card for August 14th is The Lovers

The Lovers

This Tarot Deck: African Tarot

General Meaning: Although it has taken on a strictly romantic revision of meaning in some modern decks, traditionally the Lovers card of Tarot reflected the challenges of choosing a partner. At a crossroads, one cannot take both paths. The images on this card in different decks have varied more than most, because we have had so many ways of looking at sex and relationships across cultures and centuries.

Classically, the energy of this card reminded us of the real challenges posed by romantic relationships, with the protagonist often shown in the act of making an either-or choice. To partake of a higher ideal often requires sacrificing the lesser option. The path of pleasure eventually leads to distraction from spiritual growth. The gratification of the personality eventually gives way to a call from spirit as the soul matures.

Modern decks tend to portray the feeling of romantic love with this card, showing Adam and Eve at the gates of Eden when everything was still perfect. This interpretation portrays humanity before the Fall, and can be thought to imply a different sort of choice — the choice of evolution over perfection, or the choice of personal growth through relationship — instead of a fantasy where everything falls into place perfectly and is taken care of without effort.

Your Rune For August 13 is Uruz

Your Rune For Today

Uruz        

Uruz is the Rune of harmony, order and inner strength. Often it marks endings and beginnings of periods in our lives. Uruz  also symbolizes your ability to tackle new challenges by confronting them with the powers that lie within you. Opportunities probably abound for you right now.

Today’s Tarot Card for August 13 isThe Hierophant

The Hierophant

This Tarot Deck: Ukiyoe

General Meaning: Traditionally known as the Hierophant, this card refers to a Master and the learning of practical lessons from the study of Natural Law. This energy of this card points to some agent or resource that can reveal the secrets of life, the cycles of the moon and tides, the links between human beings and the heavens.

Because monasteries were the only places a person could learn to read and write in the middle ages, a Hierophant was one to whom a student would petition for entry. He was the one to set the curriculum for the neophyte’s course of study.

Often pictured with the right hand raised in blessing, the Hierophant is linked with the ancient lineage of Melchezidek, initiator of the Hebrew priestly tradition, the one who passes on the teachings. All shamans of any tradition draw upon this archetype.

Your Daily Influences for August 12

Your Daily Influences    

August 12, 2012

Tarot Influence Rune Influence Charm Influence
Two of Swords Reversed     Changes in direction are possible, but they may not always be in the right. Release from old bonds. Compassion for the troubled.
Dagaz     Dagaz represents the fresh light of a new day. You are close to making a breakthrough. You have the will to change whatever you deem necessary. You may see the world with absolute clarity at this time.
The Gnostic Talisman     This aspect will be tested morally. This test is may be well hidden and the solution a mystery to you. Regardless of your decision or the outcome you will feel you have failed and it will disturb your for a short time.
Your Daily Influences represent events    and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you    should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or    lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more.

Today’s Tarot Card for August 12 is The Emperor

The Emperor

This Tarot Deck: Tarot of the Witches

General Meaning: In the most practical terms, what has traditionally been called the Emperor card represents the highest leadership, a head of state or the most exemplary and powerful person in the realm. This archetypal ruler is responsible for the positive working out of affairs of a society or community, which are directly proportional to his well being and happiness.

The more enlightenment and cosmic perspective this energy brings, the better life is for all. The Emperor archetype masters the world of matter and physical manifestation. When you apply this card to your situation, acknowledge your potentials for mastery. Reinforce a sense of sovereignty within yourself, despite any self-limiting beliefs, habits or appearances to the contrary.

Your Runes for August 10 is Gebo

Today’s Runes

Spirit Runes are most commonly used for questions about mysticism, spirituality, and religion. Gebo means gift, and like any gifts, the rune may be understood on many levels. Gifts are generally positive things, for both the giver and the recipient. In many cultures however, gifts and favors carry with them an obligation to respond in kind. It is for this reason that gifts, and hence the rune Gebo, are frequently symbolic of friendships, marriages, alliances, mergers, and other bonds between people or organizations. Gebo is a strong rune and the unions represented are strong as well. Moreover, Gebo is not reversible, as true friendships are not easily undone.

Daily Feng Shui Tip for Aug 9th – ‘Book Lover’s Day’

When I saw that today is ‘Book Lover’s Day’ I remembered an ancient intuitive technique that uses a book as the vehicle to answer important life questions. This meditation was taught to me by a Mayan Shaman who learned it from ancient ancestors who carried the secret of the ages. She told me that if I ever had a question to which I needed an answer that I should sit quietly with both feet firmly on the ground and my back straight. She said to take any book and place it on my lap before putting my left hand, palm down, atop the cover. With left hand in place, I was to think of my question and then ‘send it out into the Universe.’ I should then wait a few minutes, and when completely calm and quieted, open the book to any random page. She told me, ‘The first words you read will hold the answer that you are searching for.’ I have used this sacred way of asking for answers for all these years and it has never failed. Once you try this I’ll bet that you become a book lover too! It can really help you figure out the next chapter of your life!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com