Current Moon Phase for July 29th – Last Quarter Moon

Last Quarter Moon

(waning/90-45 degrees)

The time of reaping is at hand. There is a feeling of completion infused into the atmosphere during the Last Quarter Moon. The opportunity opens to recognize how far you’ve come in various parts of your life. This is not a good time for new beginnings, but rather a reflective period suited to evaluating how you have been using your time and what has been accomplished. Issues of authority may arise. This Moon phase supports taking responsibility for actively tying up the loose ends of projects that are already underway.

To All of Our New Friends & Family, Welcome & Merry Meet!

Lammas/Lugnasadh Comments
“Now is the time of the First Harvest,
when bounties of nature give of themselves
so that we may survive.
O God of the ripening fields, Lord of the Grain,
grant me the understanding of sacrifice as you
prepare to deliver yourself under the sickle of the
goddess and journey to the lands of eternal summer.
O Goddess of the Dark Moon,
teach me the secrets of rebirth
as the Sun loses its strength and the nights grow cold.

I partake of the first harvest, mixing its energies
with mine that I may continue my quest for the starry
wisdom of perfection.
O Lady of the Moon and Lord of the Sun,
gracious ones before Whom the stars halt their courses,
I offer my thanks for the continuing fertility of the Earth.
May the nodding grain loose its seeds to be buried in
the Mothers breast, ensuring rebirth in the warmth
of the coming Spring.”

– Scott Cunningham, Lammas Ritual

Calendar of the Sun for July 26th

Calendar of the Sun

Solstitium

Colors: Green and gold
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon cloth of green and gold set flowers and herbs in pots, a bowl of rainwater, a large pitcher of manure tea, and several empty baskets.
Offerings: Water and fertilizer, to be added to the garden.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian.

Solstitium Invocation

Earth, you begin to give forth your bounty!
Like the maiden blossoming into the mother,
Like the youth growing into the father,
You yield your children up to us
For our sustenance and health,
As we are also your children.
We will not waste your gifts!
We will nurture what you bring forth
With the labor of our hands,
That those gifts shall be sustained
Year after year, and that you shall
Never be exhausted.
We will not be ungrateful, O Earth whose life is ours,
But we will give back as much as we take,
For this is the way of balance.

Chant:
Life harnessed
Call the sun to us
Sacred harvest
You are one with us

(Two who have been chosen to do the work of the ritual take up the rainwater and the manure tea, and carry them out to the garden, where they are ceremonially poured around the roots of the herbs and vegetables. All others follow with the empty baskets, and harvest some thing from the garden, whether a token or a main part of the next meal. After this, each should do some part of the work of further watering, or fertilizing, or mulching, to give back to the earth as much as is taken away.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for July 26th – Waning Gibbous

Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics

Gibbous Moon

(waning /70% illumination)

This is a tremendous time of transmutation. All of the prior elements are coming together for a final burst of creative output. You have seen a clear view of your own needs and the posture of significant others. Now the accumulation of that input is leading to a deep, core change within you. In this phase, you will naturally be inclined to seek higher guidance so that you can emerge from this transformation successfully. The Disseminting Moon favors sharing what you have learned (and are learning) with others.

Current Moon Phase for July 25 – Full Moon

Full Moon

(waning/75% illumination)

A veil of self-absorption is lifted and suddenly you gain access to an unbiased view of others. This is a rare moment when you can see yourself objectively and become aware of whether or not what you want in your heart is actually beginning to manifest in your life. Traditionally, the Full Moon phase stirs emotion, and this is because when you “see” what is happening, you may become upset if you’re experiencing the “same ole, same ole” — rather than the things you would like. If the Full Moon phase is a disappointment, on the next New Moon it’s time to take creative action in the direction of your dreams.

Blessings To All Our Wonderful Friends & Family On This Beautiful Thursday!

Thursday, Thirsty Thursday Images

Bless this gathering of Witches

Brought together this day

In the name of the Goddess and the God

to dedicate themselves to each other

And to the Old Ways that led them here.

Bless this gathering of Witches

That they may work together in harmony

Learning and growing together

As they follow the Wheel of the Year

And bask in the light of the Full Moon

May the Earth grant us strength

May the Air grant us wisdom

May the Fire grant us passion

May the Water grant us flexibility

So we might work together for the good of All.

Bless this gathering of Witches

Brought together this day

In the Name of the Goddess and the God

To dedicate themselves to each other.

So Mote It Be.

To Be A Witch

To Be A Witch

Author: shadowdance 
 

To me, being a witch comes with many responsibilities. It is to be there when a friend or someone we know is in pain, or may need a healing. It is to be that listening ear and that shoulder when someone needs it, to lovingly let someone know when they need to return to the right path when we see them veering off. It is offering the kind word or a smile that sends with it energies of love, strength and compassion.

To be a witch is to be free. Free to feel the elements all around us and encompass the meanings of them all, to feel life as it is, so pure; everything on this earth is a part of the big scheme of things. And being witches, we know this. We feel the pains of Mother Earth as people abuse Her by not putting back what they have taken or have taken without asking. We feel the spirits of the animals that we see, feel their beating heart with ours as we become one. Our spirit soars through the skies with the majestic eagles and travels with the tiny little ant as it labors through its day.

To be a witch is to be able to see the beauty around us and to work with the wonderful energies of it; to shape and form the magic that we do is the best thing of being a witch. We do not take life lightly and we cherish every moment of it as we cherish our sisters with a love that no one could ever put a wedge between, for we are true sisters of spirit and of love. We feel each other’s joys, sorrows, and pains. When someone hurts one of us, we want to defend our sisters with all that we have and we give all that we can in the times of sorrow. Our energies are always for each other: that is so special about being a witch.

There will be times that we will feel someone’s emotions. It can either leave us energized or drained. I know when I used to work for the public, there were times when I went home and I was emotionally and physically drained. I had to learn to put a shield of protection around myself. To do this, I first smudged my area and myself. I then grounded and just breathed in deeply, letting all positive energies flow with in my lungs and my being, and slowly breathed out, seeing all that I let go of were all of those crazy emotions I was feeling. I pictured a beautiful white light covering my head and working its way down. I was in a blanket of white pulsating light. It was warm and inviting and could feel it going throughout my entire body and then down to my feet as it grounded into the earth. I would sit like that for a couple of minutes and let all of that wonderful energy surround me. I would suggest to anyone who works with the public to do this often to protect yourself. For if your spirit is weak, how can you help others? And helping others is one of our responsibilities as a witch.

Another method of protection and release I do when I just feel the weight of the world on my shoulders is: Fill the bathtub with water as hot as you like. Add a bit of Epsom salts to purify the water. Sit in the tub and just relax and let the water completely relax the body. Take a couple of cleansing breaths in and out. Then lie back and think of all the negative emotions and feeling that have been around you. (In my mind’s eye, I see the water sparkle white like facets of diamonds. I feel the energy drawing out the negative vibes.) As the negativity is being drawn out, the sparkling water starts to change color to a shade of grayish blue. When you feel that all the bad emotions are in the water, pull out the plug.

Lying back as the water is draining out, your body feels heavy, but that is okay. It is a normal feeling. You will feel drained and a bit tired. Before you get out of the tub, be sure all the water is gone. Get out of the tub and dry off. Smudge the bathroom and yourself. Turn on the faucet and clean the surface of the tub. Your spirit will feel lighter now, but possibly still tired. So if you can, lie down and put on some soft music and take a nap.

When you wake up, you will feel refreshed and ready to go. You will not only feel clean in body but clean in spirit also. Then thank the Goddess and God for watching over us all and helping you with your daily routine. Whenever you start feeling haggard and just off kilter, do this. And do not forget to put a protective shield afterward and bring positive energies into your body. You need to replace what left you, so be sure it is positive energies coming in and blocking out the negative.

As witches, it is our duty to teach our children and younger people the path. Teach it in love and light; let them know that there are always consequences for actions. They need to be taught control. And to never to lash out in anger. I admit that I have problems with that still and I am in my crone years. I take a couple of breaths before I react and sometimes sleep on it. Most of the time I send the people that have caused the problem love energies: that they may have love of self and that they may see love whenever they look in the mirror. I feel once you have love in your heart for self, then there is love left over for others. And to me the biggest part about being a witch is the word LOVE.

I love my dear family here and am so glad that the Goddess has led me to this time of my life and she has shown me the way. I am forever grateful… for she has blessed me abundantly with my family here, with my family in the forests and the oceans, and has reconnected me to Mother Earth, and Grandmother Moon. For that, I shall always be grateful.

My love, to my coven family.

Current Moon Phase for July 23 – Full Moon

Full Moon

(waning/92% illumination)

A veil of self-absorption is lifted and suddenly you gain access to an unbiased view of others. This is a rare moment when you can see yourself objectively and become aware of whether or not what you want in your heart is actually beginning to manifest in your life. Traditionally, the Full Moon phase stirs emotion, and this is because when you “see” what is happening, you may become upset if you’re experiencing the “same ole, same ole” — rather than the things you would like. If the Full Moon phase is a disappointment, on the next New Moon it’s time to take creative action in the direction of your dreams.

May The Goddess Bless You On This Glorious Tuesday!

Goddess Comments & Graphics
Dearest Goddess,

Anything that is evil to us,

Or that may witness against us

Where we shall longest be,

Illume it to us,

Obscure it to us.

Banish it from us,

Root it out of our hearts,

Ever, evermore, everlastingly.

Ever, evermore, everlastingly.

So Mote It Be.

Ancient Celtic Prayer

Author Unknown

A Vacation Spell

A Vacation Spell

For a change of pace you may want to try using some magic to decide the best destination for a quick get away. You will need a pendulum and a map. Narrow down your choices to between three and five destinations and spread the map in front of you. First, as the pendulum to show you a “no” answer and a “yes” answer. When you have determined which way it swings for yes and no, hold it over each sight. Ask aloud if this would be a good place for your vacation. The pendulum will swing giving you a yes or no answer. If the pendulum swings in circles or vibrates wildy, avoid that location. When the pendulum answers yes to one or more locations you have your destinations!

Full Moon Scrying Ritual

Full Moon Scrying Ritual

The upcoming summer months are the perfect time for Full Moon Scrying and I’d like to pass on an old, time honored scrying ritual originally written by D.J. Conway that I have used many times during the long summer nights:

Items Needed:

1 bright, shiny silver coin

1 small, black cauldron or scrying bowl filled with water

Perform this ritual outside where the rays of the Moon can fall directly onto the water in the cauldron. If you cannot go outside, stay in a darkened room near a window that the Moon shines through. Place the coin in the water and take the cauldron in both hands. Gaze up at the Moon and say:

“Lovely Lady of the night,  
Mysteries old and futures bright,  
Give me a glimpse of that to be  
And as I will so mote it be.”

Look down at the coin shimmering in the cauldrons water. With your eyes half closed, adjust your vision as if you were looking into and through the coin. Don’t try to analuze anything you might see or that might come into your mind. Just accept it. Some people, rathar than seeing actual pictures within the cauldron, will have mental impressions, feelings or pictures. When you have finished, bow to the Moon and say thank you. Pour the water out on the ground. You’re done!

Current Moon Phase for July 22 – Full Moon

Full Moon

(waning/100% Illumination)

A veil of self-absorption is lifted and suddenly you gain access to an unbiased view of others. This is a rare moment when you can see yourself objectively and become aware of whether or not what you want in your heart is actually beginning to manifest in your life. Traditionally, the Full Moon phase stirs emotion, and this is because when you “see” what is happening, you may become upset if you’re experiencing the “same ole, same ole” — rather than the things you would like. If the Full Moon phase is a disappointment, on the next New Moon it’s time to take creative action in the direction of your dreams.

The Witches Almanac for Monday, July 22

Witchy Comments

The Witches Almanac for Monday, July 22

Monday (Moon): Peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friends, psychic awareness, purification and fertility.

St. Mary Magdalene s Day

Waxing Moon

The Waxing Moon is the ideal time for magick to draw things toward you.

Moon Phase: Full Moon 2:18 pm

Moon Sign: Capricorn

Capricorn: Develops strong structure. Focus on traditions, responsibilities and obligations. A good time to set boundaries and rules.

Sun enters Leo 11:56 pm

Leo: Draws emphasis to the self, central ideas, or institutions, away from connections with others and other emotional needs. People tend to be melodramatic.

Incense:  Rosemary

Color: Lavender

Moon enter Aquarius 2:01 am

Aquarius: Rebellious energy. Time to break habits and make abrupt changes. Personal freedom and individuality is the focus.

You Are Being Guided

You Are Being Guided

We human beings are instinctively being guided to evolve. As with all creatures, we must adapt to changes in our environment to survive and flourish. We can see evidence of this evolutionary trend in our physiology, our society, and in our technology. Our brains continue to develop, an increasingly large percentage of humanity is becoming literate and educated, and technology has provided immediate access to billions of people’s minds through phone cells and chip sets. Satellite and Internet infrastructure is providing a “global mind” where we see and think the same thing at the same time, as one consciousness. The critical mass of what we think shifts the consciousness of individuals on a global scale. How we think affects the quality of our life, and even our survival.

Each day of your life you are provided experiences where you have to make choices in how you think and behave. The more conscious you are the more those choices bring greater happiness and peace into your life. You have learned from your life experiences what brings greater pleasure or pain into your existence, and have adapted your ways of thinking, feeling and behaving to increase the pleasure in your life and reduce the pain. The more conscious you have become, the greater clarity, happiness and peace you have gained by evolving your conscious awareness.

Your instinct has guided you to learn, and grow, and evolve to your highest potential, and it still is. You have been guided to these words to reflect on them. The more conscious you become of how you are being guided, the more you will see how you are being guided. The more conscious you become of the consciousness that is guiding you, the more conscious you become. Your consciousness evolves the more conscious you become of your consciousness. As you become more conscious you gain greater clarity, happiness and peace. It is only when we become unconscious that we think, say or do things that hurt ourselves or others. Only unconscious people hurt others, lie, cheat, steel, abuse or hate. Only an unconscious society disrespect others rights, destroy its natural resources, overpopulates or wages war.

We evolve through the tests and trials of daily living, both individually and collectively as a society. Lessons learned help to evolve us, but when we are not conscious of what we are being tested in we fail the test and get tested again and again until we learn and either further evolve, or perish. You have been guided to this moment of introspection in order to reflect upon your own place in the evolution of your own consciousness, and the role you might play in awakening the collective consciousness of humanity so that we might all live together in happiness and peace. You are part of a rapidly growing segment of the population that is awakening to full consciousness. Your individual awakening is contributing to the critical mass that is shifting the consciousness of the planet; you are preparing the way for an evolutionary leap in human consciousness. You are building the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.

From the heart, Steven S. Sadleir

Your Year & A Day Studies Should Include….

Your Year & A Day Studies Should Include….

  • Know what magick is.

  • Know different ways to raise, direct and ground energy.

  • Know how to cast a magick circle.

  • Know how to open a circle.

  • Know the basic outline of a spell.

  • Know the Intent or Purpose

  • What is it you are trying to do? Heal an illness? Increase your concentration? Bring love into your life? Sell a house? Celebrate a Sabbat? Before you begin any magickal working, you should have a firm grasp on what outcome you are seeking.

  • Know the Best Time to Work the Spell

  • Do you know what type of magick should be worked during the waning moon and what type during the waxing moon?

  • What type of magick is best worked on the full moon? The new moon?

  • What days of the week are best for what types of magick?

  • Learn how the moon phases and days of the week affect magickal workings so you will know when to work your spell.

  • Know Correspondences

  • Learn which colors will bring what results.

  • Learn a little about herbalism, which herbs can be used for what magickal purposes.

  • Learn about image magick and how it works.

  • Learn about elemental magick, which elements can be used for what types of magick.

Your Tarot Card for July 17th is The Moon

The Moon

Wednesday, Jul 17th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What has traditionally been known as the Moon card refers to a deep state of sensitivity and imaginative impressionability, developed within a womb of deep relaxation. Here we dream and go into trance, have visions and receive insights, wash in and out with the psychic tides, and experience deep mystical and/or terrifying realities beyond our ordinary senses. The full moon and/or eclipse cycle charted by the Magi (as in some of the earliest Moon card images) exemplify this as a mechanism that Nature uses to expand consciousness.

The variants of the courtly lovers (representing skillful use of the sex force) or the man sleeping it off under the tree (use of drugs to alter consciousness) are also traditional avenues for tapping this primal force. Human interest in higher states propels us to the frontiers of consciousness, where we cannot always control what happens. The Moon card represents the ultimate test of a soul’s integrity, where the membrane between self and the Unknown is removed, and the drop of individuality reenters the Ocean of Being. What transpires next is between a soul and its Maker.

Calendar of the Sun for July 17th

Calendar of the Sun

Solstitium

Colors: Green and gold
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon cloth of green and gold set flowers and herbs in pots, a bowl of rainwater, a large pitcher of manure tea, and several empty baskets.
Offerings: Water and fertilizer, to be added to the garden.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian.

Solstitium Invocation

Earth, you begin to give forth your bounty!
Like the maiden blossoming into the mother,
Like the youth growing into the father,
You yield your children up to us
For our sustenance and health,
As we are also your children.
We will not waste your gifts!
We will nurture what you bring forth
With the labor of our hands,
That those gifts shall be sustained
Year after year, and that you shall
Never be exhausted.
We will not be ungrateful, O Earth whose life is ours,
But we will give back as much as we take,
For this is the way of balance.

Chant:
Life harnessed
Call the sun to us
Sacred harvest
You are one with us

(Two who have been chosen to do the work of the ritual take up the rainwater and the manure tea, and carry them out to the garden, where they are ceremonially poured around the roots of the herbs and vegetables. All others follow with the empty baskets, and harvest some thing from the garden, whether a token or a main part of the next meal. After this, each should do some part of the work of further watering, or fertilizing, or mulching, to give back to the earth as much as is taken away.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for July 17th – First Quarter Moon

First Quarter Moon

(waxing/90-135 degrees)

Emotions begin to stir coupled with recognizing that the new beginnings you are making must also increase personal security to be worthwhile over the long haul. This is a time when it’s appropriate to get in touch with your gut instincts and begin to guide your life more deliberately, with an awareness of using your “sixth sense” as well as your enthusiasm. Obstacles may emerge that require you to reevaluate how to better integrate yourself into your immediate environment.

The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, July 17th

Gothic Comments


The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, July 17th

Wednesday (Mercury): The conscious mind, study, travel, divination and wisdom.

Rivera Day (Puerto Rican)

Waxing Moon

The Waxing Moon is the ideal time for magick to draw things toward you.

Moon phase: Second Quarter

Moon Sign: Scorpio

Scorpio: Increases awareness of psychic power. Precipitates psychic crises and ends connections thoroughly. People tend to brood and become secretive.

Incense: Marjoram

Color:  Green