Tag: Earth

Current Moon Phase for May 7th – Full Moon (Waning)

Moon Phases: Full Moon

(waning/180-135 degrees)

by Jan Spiller

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.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for Monday, April 7th

While Sagittarius Moon usually stimulates goodwill, a happy-go-lucky disposition and the urge for adventure in the great outdoors, these dynamics are present and yet somewhat muted because of the approach of two, highly-charged, challenging sky patterns. Jupiter in Taurus and Uranus in Aries reach a provocative, 45-degree liaison (7:10PM PDT) while Mars makes a contentious, off-kilter 150-degree contact with radical-change agent Uranus (11:46PM PDT). Since these two aspects are far-and-away, the major alignments affecting everyone on Planet Earth today, the early hours may not seem so intense. However, as the hours unfold, unsettled affairs can become more iffy, pressure-filled and volatile. Therefore, it is advisable to keep a low profile across the board for this 24-hour time-period. Have fun in exploring literary and educational pursuits – via the lunar presence in upbeat, goal-oriented Sagittarius – but don’t push a personal agenda with such determination and ego-investment that you wind up alienating colleagues, friends and dear ones during the second half of the day, and especially during the evening hours. If at all possible, avoid everything associated with legal matters, key signings and long-range commitments. At the same time, be as sensitive and nurturing as you can with loved ones on the ropes who need your kindness and support.

Calendar of the Moon for Sunday, May 6th

Calendar of the Moon

Willow Tree Month

Colors: Yellow, silver, and pale willow-green
Element: Water
Altar: Upon cloth of yellow, silver, and pale willow-green place three white candles, wreaths of willow-branches, a large clay bowl of water, flowers if they are available, and a silver moon.
Offerings: Contemplate an emotion, and how you use it, and how it uses you.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian, preferably cold food. Fruits. Only spring water to drink.

Saille Invocation

Call: Now is the time of the Willow Goddess.
Response: Now is the time of the Green Man’s courting.
Call: Now is the time when leaves are full.
Response: Now is the time when gold gives way to silver.
Call: Now is the time when Sun gives way to Moon.
Response: Now is the time when Lord gives way to Lady.
Call: Now is the time of the search and the quest.
Response: Now is the time of magic dew on the fields.
Call: Now is the time of the phallus rising.
Response: He seeks the doorway that is wet with spring rains.
Call: He seeks the moon in the river.
Response: He seeks the fishes in the winnowing basket.
Call: He seeks the fruit of Persephone.
Response: He seeks the mountain of the Muses.
Call: We crown his head with flowers….
Response: That he may reach the sky.
Call: We crown his head with ribbons….
Response: That he may touch the earth.
Call: We bring forth the pole from earth to sky.
Response: We lay the line from earth to sky.
Call: We blow like the wind from earth to sky.
Response: We fall like the rain from sky to earth.
Call: We descend like the sunlight from sky to earth.
Response: We climb like the trees from sky to earth.
Call: We are the children of earth and sky.
Response: We are beloved of sky and earth.

Chant:
We all come from the Goddess, and to Her we shall return,
Like a drop of rain, flowing to the ocean.

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for Sunday, May 6th – Full Moon *Waning*

Moon Phases: Full Moon

(waning/180-135 degrees)

by Jan Spiller

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.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for Sunday, May 6th

The day after a Full Moon can be rough because the vision or revelation of higher reality has now been delivered to earthlings – whether they know it or not. In the meantime, it’s as though the cosmos feels it has done its thing and now may be prepared to focus its attention on other species or planets. However, the 48-hour time-period beginning at this time ought to be a launching pad for spreading the good news that the light, love and wisdom of the universe are ready to work wonders in all of our lives. A particular challenge today is that the Moon in Scorpio appears to be shirking its responsibility by going void at 5:15AM PDT during a somewhat optimistic and illuminating Moon-Jupiter polarity. The lunar orb remains in this weakened void mode until 6:40PM PDT when Sagittarius Moon begins in earnest for the next two days. The lunar shift every month from Scorpio to Sagittarius is one of the most profound changes in the zodiac since there is a miniature death – followed by the need for regeneration, and rebirth of feelings, thoughts and ideals. Nevertheless, it is helpful to be finishing old projects and enterprises on a high note during today’s void limbo cycle. Under the auspices of Sagittarius Moon, let the fun, games and sporting events proceed! Insights about business matters and investment planning can be sharp as Vesta makes a supportive, 60-degree link to Neptune (9:31PM PDT). Strengthen love bonds and partnership ties later on – courtesy of the monthly Moon-Juno union (10:08PM PDT).

May the Force of the Full Moon Be with You

Karen A Kay

Karen A Kay on the topics of astrology, blog

Get ready for a SUPER exciting weekend! The next couple of days are filled with fun and surprises and drama and a few bumps in the road. That’s because we’ve got the worldwide wacky Star Wars Day on May 4, and then on May 5 there’s an intense Full Moon in Scorpio, which is also a “Super Moon,” and it’s also Cinco de Mayo and 5/5.

Enjoy Star Wars Day on Friday, because on Saturday the Full Moon in Scorpio may very well take us over to the dark side. It might rock our relationships and our finances, but the good news is we’ll at least have some fun along the way, as long as your idea of fun includes salsa and margaritas.

Saturday’s Full Moon in Scorpio is definitely forceful. It’s a “Super Moon,” which means it’s the biggest and brightest Full Moon of 2012.

And it’s making an opposition to the Taurus Sun that challenges us to get clear about what we really want and need in our lives, and to let go of things that aren’t cutting the mustard.

Tension is to be expected around this Full Super Moon in Scorpio! Master astrologers Rick Levine and Jeff Jawer are warning us that our powerful feelings might boil over into emotional extremes and drama as we try to get more of what we want from some people, while pushing others away.

But at least we can look to Numerology as a lightsaber in our battle against the dark force. Saturday is also 5/5 in the middle of a 5 year (adding the numbers 2012 = 5), and 5 is a high-energy number. It’s all about being adventurous and daring, so this will help us better handle whatever intensity the Full Moon brings our way.

And remember — whatever you feel at this time is ultimately for the best. Fights and upset can clear the way for positive breakthroughs, and we can finally shrug off bad habits (or people) that need to be broken.

Or as Yoda would say, “Named must your fear be before banish it you can.”

New Moon Report for May 5th – Full Moon in Scorpio

Full Moon in Scorpio

Saturday, May 5, 8:36 pm PDT, 11:36 pm EDT

The hungry Scorpio Moon opposing the contented Taurus Sun challenges us to be clearer about our values. It’s time to let go of objects, people and situations that don’t satisfy our emotional needs. Financial crises are one way in which this tension may be expressed, yet relationships may also teeter on the edge between acceptance of the status quo and a desire for deeper connections. Powerful feelings may boil over in frustration if we’re ignoring unmet needs, leading to provocations meant to extract more from current allies or, in some cases, to push them away. This Full Moon reveals habits that need to be broken. Going to emotional extremes could produce negative behavior, but might be the critical step we need to take before we finally eliminate undesirable patterns.

Calendar of the Moon for Friday, May 4

Calendar of the Moon

Willow Tree Month

Colors: Yellow, silver, and pale willow-green
Element: Water
Altar: Upon cloth of yellow, silver, and pale willow-green place three white candles, wreaths of willow-branches, a large clay bowl of water, flowers if they are available, and a silver moon.
Offerings: Contemplate an emotion, and how you use it, and how it uses you.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian, preferably cold food. Fruits. Only spring water to drink.

Saille Invocation

Call: Now is the time of the Willow Goddess.
Response: Now is the time of the Green Man’s courting.
Call: Now is the time when leaves are full.
Response: Now is the time when gold gives way to silver.
Call: Now is the time when Sun gives way to Moon.
Response: Now is the time when Lord gives way to Lady.
Call: Now is the time of the search and the quest.
Response: Now is the time of magic dew on the fields.
Call: Now is the time of the phallus rising.
Response: He seeks the doorway that is wet with spring rains.
Call: He seeks the moon in the river.
Response: He seeks the fishes in the winnowing basket.
Call: He seeks the fruit of Persephone.
Response: He seeks the mountain of the Muses.
Call: We crown his head with flowers….
Response: That he may reach the sky.
Call: We crown his head with ribbons….
Response: That he may touch the earth.
Call: We bring forth the pole from earth to sky.
Response: We lay the line from earth to sky.
Call: We blow like the wind from earth to sky.
Response: We fall like the rain from sky to earth.
Call: We descend like the sunlight from sky to earth.
Response: We climb like the trees from sky to earth.
Call: We are the children of earth and sky.
Response: We are beloved of sky and earth.

Chant:
We all come from the Goddess, and to Her we shall return,
Like a drop of rain, flowing to the ocean.

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for May 4 – Gibbous Moon (Waxing)

Moon Phases: Gibbous Moon

(waxing 135-180 degrees)

by Jan Spiller

Distractions from the outside begin pressing into your world. Analysis is favored, reevaluating all the various factors you are dealing with. It’s a time to process information and effectively integrate your aims with the people in your immediate environment. This is a good time for organizing things. This Moon Phase is suited to synthesis: coming up with a practical plan for getting from point A to point B. Adjustment is required.

Calendar of the Sun for May 3

Calendar of the Sun
3 Thrimilchimonath

Day of Bona Dea

Color: Green
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon a green cloth set five candles in different colors, a chalice of milk mixed with honey, incense of sandalwood and myrrh, the figure of a snake, a plate of cookies shaped like pigs, a pot of medicinal herbal tea, cups, and pots of dried herbs gathered throughout the year.
Offerings: Leave a pig-shaped cookie out for the wild things.
Daily Meal: Soups or stews, preferably with herbs. Herbal tea.

Invocation to Bona Dea

O Bona Dea,
Good Goddess of the Earth
Whose name is mystery,
Whose name is a hundred names,
Whose spirit lives in us all
And in every goddess who touches the soil,
And in every mortal who sprang from the clay,
Be with us on this day!
You have made the Earth spring forth
With many green goods for us,
Not merely those with which me feed our bellies,
But also those which heal our bodies.
Lady who heals us, godmother of Hygeia,
Daughter of Faunus who tracks in the wild,
We find your gifts both in our gardens
And on the wild paths where you have trodden.
We see the healing herbs springing up
In each of your passing footprints,
And we are grateful for our lives.
O Bona Dea,
Good Goddess of the Earth
Whose name is mystery
But whose gifts are so concrete,
We revere you and ask that you bless this day
Your plants which you have so generously given us,
That we may always be healed
And always help to heal others.

(The names of the herbs are called out one by one, in this manner: “For the power of Rosemary, we are grateful!” All reply in turn, “We are grateful!” Pass the tea and cookies and eat them.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

The Current Moon Phase for May 3 – Gibbous Moon

Moon Phases: Gibbous Moon

(waxing 135-180 degrees)

by Jan Spiller

Distractions from the outside begin pressing into your world. Analysis is favored, reevaluating all the various factors you are dealing with. It’s a time to process information and effectively integrate your aims with the people in your immediate environment. This is a good time for organizing things. This Moon Phase is suited to synthesis: coming up with a practical plan for getting from point A to point B. Adjustment is required.

Calendar of the Moon for May 2

Calendar of the Moon

Willow Tree Month

Colors: Yellow, silver, and pale willow-green
Element: Water
Altar: Upon cloth of yellow, silver, and pale willow-green place three white candles, wreaths of willow-branches, a large clay bowl of water, flowers if they are available, and a silver moon.
Offerings: Contemplate an emotion, and how you use it, and how it uses you.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian, preferably cold food. Fruits. Only spring water to drink.

Saille Invocation

Call: Now is the time of the Willow Goddess.
Response: Now is the time of the Green Man’s courting.
Call: Now is the time when leaves are full.
Response: Now is the time when gold gives way to silver.
Call: Now is the time when Sun gives way to Moon.
Response: Now is the time when Lord gives way to Lady.
Call: Now is the time of the search and the quest.
Response: Now is the time of magic dew on the fields.
Call: Now is the time of the phallus rising.
Response: He seeks the doorway that is wet with spring rains.
Call: He seeks the moon in the river.
Response: He seeks the fishes in the winnowing basket.
Call: He seeks the fruit of Persephone.
Response: He seeks the mountain of the Muses.
Call: We crown his head with flowers….
Response: That he may reach the sky.
Call: We crown his head with ribbons….
Response: That he may touch the earth.
Call: We bring forth the pole from earth to sky.
Response: We lay the line from earth to sky.
Call: We blow like the wind from earth to sky.
Response: We fall like the rain from sky to earth.
Call: We descend like the sunlight from sky to earth.
Response: We climb like the trees from sky to earth.
Call: We are the children of earth and sky.
Response: We are beloved of sky and earth.

Chant:
We all come from the Goddess, and to Her we shall return,
Like a drop of rain, flowing to the ocean.

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for May 2: Gibbous Moon

Moon Phases: Gibbous Moon

(waxing 135-180 degrees)

by Jan Spiller

Distractions from the outside begin pressing into your world. Analysis is favored, reevaluating all the various factors you are dealing with. It’s a time to process information and effectively integrate your aims with the people in your immediate environment. This is a good time for organizing things. This Moon Phase is suited to synthesis: coming up with a practical plan for getting from point A to point B. Adjustment is required.

How To Hold a Beltane Bonfire Rite (Group Ceremony)

How To Hold a Beltane Bonfire Rite (Group Ceremony)

The tradition of the Beltane bonfire goes back hundreds of years ago, and is still celebrated today in many places.

The Beltane bonfire is a tradition that goes back hundreds of years. The fire was more than a big pile of logs and some flame. It was a place where the entire community gathered around — a place of music and magic and dancing and lovemaking. It was customary to light the fire on May Eve (the last night of April) and allow it to burn until the sun went down on May 1. The bonfire was lit with a bundle made from nine different types of wood and wrapped with colorful ribbons. Once the fire was blazing, a piece of smoldering wood was taken to each home in the village, to ensure fertility throughout the summer months.

Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Varied

Here’s How:

  1. This was typically the time of year when fairs and markets were held, and as most country villages had a common or a green of some sort, there was always room for merriment. Depending on where you live, you might not have enough space for a big bonfire or dancing — and that’s okay. Just make do with what you have. An alternative to a large bonfire might be a small fire bowl (they’re usually available at discount stores and home improvement chains) or even a tabletop brazier. If you’re in an apartment and space is at a premium, consider building your fire in a small cauldron or other heat resistant bowl.
  2. Beltane is the spring counterpart to Samhain. While in the autumn, everything is dying, in spring it comes alive, glorious and bursting free from the earth. Beltane is about fertility and sex and passion and life. This ceremony is designed for a group, and includes a symbolic union of the May Queen and the King of the Forest. Depending on the relationship between the people playing these roles, you can get as lusty as you like. If you’re doing a family-oriented Beltane celebration, you may choose instead to keep things fairly tame.
  3. For this ritual you’ll need the following:
    • A bonfire — set it up ahead of time, and designate someone to be in charge of lighting and tending it
    • A May Queen — if possible, select a woman to play this part who is still within her childbearing years
    • A King of the Forest — any adult man can play this role, but it’s even better if he’s someone who is actually partnered with the woman playing the May Queen
    • Drums and other noisemakers
    • Optional: a crown of flowers for each of the females present
    • Optional: a headdress of antlers for each of the males present

     

  4. First, have the group circle around the fire, with the May Queen and the King of the Forest on opposite sides. The High Priest (HP) or High Priestess (HPs) should welcome everyone with something like this:Beltane is here! It is a time when the earth is fertile and full.
    Long ago, our ancestors planted their fields at Beltane.
    The fields that lay fallow for months are now warm and waiting.
    The soil that was dormant for the winter now begs us to plant our seeds.
    The earth is awakening and ripe, and this is a season of love and passion.
    It is a season of fire.     
  5. At this point, the fire starter should begin lighting the bonfire. The HP or HPS continues:As our fires grow, lighting up the night sky, the fire within us grows stronger.
    It is the fire of lust and passion, knowing that like the earth, we too are fertile.
    Tonight, the God emerges from the forest. He is known by many names —
    he is Pan, Herne, Cernunnos, the Green Man. He is the God of the Forest.
    Tonight is the night he will chase and capture the maiden.
    She is the Queen of the May, Aphrodite, Venus, Cerridwen.
    She is the Goddess of fields and flowers, she is Mother Earth herself.     
  6. As the HP introduces the God of the Forest and the May Queen, they should each step forward into the circle. The HP says: Bring fertility to the land! Let the hunt begin! 
  7. At this point, the May Queen and the God of the Forest begin the chase, traveling sunwise around the circle, weaving in and out of the other participants. Remember, the May Queen wants to make love to the God of the Forest. This is a fun chase, a joyful courtship, not a mock rape; make sure both parties understand this and prepare accordingly. She can even allow him to get close to her, pretending she’s ready to join him… and then slipping away at the last second. They should travel the circle three times in the chase, and finally stop at a point in front of the bonfire — hopefully, it will be burning well by now.
  8. While the God of the Forest is pursuing his lady love, everyone else in the circle starts drumming. Start of slowly — after all, a courtship can take some time to get started. As the couple begins to speed up, increase the tempo of the music. If you’d like to chant instead of or in addition to drumming, go ahead. There are many popular traditional chants in Wicca and Paganism, and nearly all sound good when you sing them with a group. When the May Queen and the God of the Forest finally complete their three-times journey of the circle, the drums should stop abruptly.
  9. The HP says:Fire and passion, love and life, brought together as one. 

    At this point, the May Queen says to the God of the Forest:

    I am the earth, the womb of all creation.
    Within me, new life grows each year.
    Water is my blood, air my breath, and fire is my spirit.
    I give you honor, and shall create new life with you.     

    The God of the Forest replies to her, saying:

    I am the rutting stag, the seed, the energy of life.
    I am the mighty oak that grows in the forest.
    I give you honor, and shall create new life with you.     

  10. The couple kisses, long and passionate. If they’re feeling really lusty, they can fall to the ground and roll around for a while — feel free to cover them with a blanket if you like. This kiss (or more) is the symbolic union of the male and female spirit, the great rite between man and woman. Once the embrace is broken, the HP calls out:The earth is once more growing new life within! We shall be blessed with abundance this year! 
  11. Everyone else in the circle claps and cheers — after all, you’ve just guaranteed that your village will have hearty crops and strong livestock this year! Celebrate by dancing around the bonfire, drumming and singing. When you are ready, end the ritual.

Tips:

  1. * Note: if you have a woman in your group who is trying to conceive, she is absolutely the best choice for the role of May Queen. Her partner or lover may act the part of the God of the Forest, or another man may stand in as a symbolic consort.

What You Need

  • A bonfire
  • A couple willing to play the parts of May Queen and God of the Forest
  • Drums and noisemakers

Calendar of the Moon for Tuesday, May 1

Calendar of the Moon
1 Saille/Mounukhion

Day of the Willow Tree

Color: Yellow
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon a yellow cloth set a vase of willow branches collected earlier and forced to bud, a single yellow candle, a pot of soil, seeds, a bowl of water, and a bell.
Offerings: Plant seeds. Stoke fires.
Daily Meal: Vegan

Invocation to the Green Man of the Willow Tree

Hail, Green Man of the Spring!
Willow tree of the silver moon,
Bending with the wind,
You teach us that flexibility
Is a great virtue
As we fall before the hurricane
Of our circumstances.
Mountain of the Nine Muses,
Tree of river and dew,
Tree whose gentle roots
Penetrate all things without trouble,
Cage of the sacrificial king
Whose fire burns every year,
Bending, twisting, making charms,
Persistent one, deadly one,
Beautiful one, magical one,
Hawk on the cliff whose cold eyes
See and swoop upon the prey.
We hail you, sacred willow tree,
Green Man of the Spring,
On this the time of your springing forth.

Chant:
We turn and spin
Come out and in
We twist all time
In this green sign

(Each comes forward and plants a seed in the pot of soil, saying, “Hail Green Man of the Earth!” Water is poured onto the pot, and then the rest is poured out as a libation. Ring bell and dismiss.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for Tuesday, May 1

Calendar of the Sun
1 Thrimilchimonath

BELTANE

Color: Green
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon a green cloth lay flowers, leafy branches, a great bowl of May wine, the figure of the Green Man and the May Queen, green candles, incense of flowers, and pots of herbs.
Offerings: If possible, ritual sex, alone or with others, should be offered up after the ritual. Otherwise, work in the garden among the green things.
Daily Meal: A great feast of fine food.

Ritual Note: Like all the eight high holidays, this day should ideally be spent not enclosed and isolated, but in common with the larger pagan community. This can be done a number of ways, including spending the day elsewhere, at the Beltane ritual of another group or tradition, or by inviting in those pagans who would otherwise not be able to attend a ritual. Either way, the eight holidays should be a time of remembering the place of the house in the greater community. If the choice is made to go elsewhere, then no liturgy is needed for the day. If the choice is made to bring the greater community into the lesser one, the following ritual can be used:

(First four who have been chosen to do the work of the ritual cast the quarters with ribbons or fan, candle, chalice, and salt. They should be dressed as dragons in the four colors of the quarters, masked and winged.)

East Dragon:
Spirits of the East, Powers of Air!
Laughing sylphs that ride the winds,
Faery dancers laughing on the breeze,
Pixies in the morning’s meadow,
Sprites that fly on gossamer wings!
Devas of the Realms of Air,
Be with us!
We come before you with open eyes,
Glorying in the rising sun of spring!
Let this day be a new beginning for all of us!

South Dragon:
Spirits of the South, Powers of Fire!
Flaming phoenix of rebirth,
Salamander walking unharmed through flames,
Dragon sleeping on riches and breathing fire,
Faery horses striking sparks from your hooves!
Devas of the Realms of Fire,
Be with us!
We come before you with open spirits,
Glorying in our freedom from the winter!
Let this day create our future anew!

West Dragon:
Spirits of the West, Powers of Water!
Naiads of the flowing rivers,
Undines of the oceans deep,
Mermaids singing siren’s songs,
Tritons swimming with the dolphins!
Devas of the Realms of Water,
Be with us!
We come before you with open hearts,
Glorying in the circle of community that heals us!
Let this day teach us that we are never alone!

North Dragon:
Spirits of the North, Powers of Earth!
Dryads who safeguard the great trees,
Gnomes who mine the depths underground,
Elves of the forests walking silent trails,
Deep faeries of the hidden caves!
Devas of the Realms of Earth,
Be with us!
We come before you to be at home in our bodies
And glory in the solid truth of our flesh!
Let this day teach us that we are Earth,
And Earth is sacred,
And we are sacred.

All Chant:
Blessed be the Guardians of the world.
Blessed be the Guardians of the world.
Blessed be the East at dawn.
Blessed be the South in fire.
Blessed be the West waters.
Blessed be the Northern earth,
Homeland of our Lady and Lord.
Blessed be the Guardians of the world
For they stand on a barren plain,
Watching, watching all that goes round.
Blessed be the Guardians of the world.

East Dragon:
I am the wisdom of the wind that whispers in your ears.
I am all that knows the secrets of the universe.
I am awakening the earth with my touch.
Now ice and snow have faded away
And we greet the oncoming summer.
Yet we must remember,
Even as we lift our arms to the sky,
That the future is uncertain.
So let this moment stand in our minds
As one perfect memory to be cherished.

South Dragon:
I am the wisdom of the fire that burns in your souls!
I am all that wills manifestation into existence!
I ama awakening the earth with my warmth!
Hear me, O people gathered here today!
Your ancestors burned in fires
Because they would not forswear us!
Your ancestors hid in the dark
And worshiped us in secret.
Your ancestors turned to other faiths
To save their lives and their children
And forgot us, but we never left them!
Will you take up what they lay down?
Will you bring into the open what they hid?
Will you celebrate what they died for?
(All shout, “We will!”)

West Dragon:
I am the wisdom of your blood that flows in your veins.
I am all that dares to love.
I am awakening the silent earth with my gentle rains.
We water you with our joy
We water you with our tears
We nourish you with the hope
Of more than three thousand years.
May we all remember the fountain of ancient wisdom,
May we all come to drink at its waters.
(Pours May wine as libation.)

Earth Dragon:
I am the wisdom of the Earth, which lies hidden.
I am all that knows when to be silent.
I have awakened, and I give thanks for this day.
Receive this sign, this perfect flower,
Token given of this hour,
Though its petals fade and wither,
What we worship lasts forever.
(Lays flowers on altar.)
Officiant:
As withies are yellow the willow shall bring
Gold for the Earth-maiden and for her green king:
A sheaf and a crown and a pledge-bearing ring,
For this is the song that the willow doth sing:
O golden the sun that shall turn him to green,
And golden his fires that burn for his queen,
Green are his branches that wave o’er the twain
Till we weave them a cradle of green leaves and rain.
All chant:
This is the circle of the sun,
This is the circle of the earth,
This is the circle of his flame,
This is the circle of her love,
This is the circle of our faith,
This is the circle that welcomes them in.
Officiant (call and response):
By seeds of all beginnings, may our magic spring skyward.
By roots of all depths, may we stand strong in our convictions.
By stem and trunk that reaches for the sky, may our spirits soar.
By bud that grows, may our dreams never be crushed.
By leaf that kisses the Sun and rain, may we share our joys and sorrows.
By flower that opens to the dawn, may we learn to trust in each other and in the Gods.
By fruit that gives forth sweetness, may we nourish each other.
By seed within the fruit that grows the tree anew,
We shall live, and live again each Spring,
By life and death, by Lord and Lady, by hand and eye, by heart and spirit,
As all green things grow, so shall our faith,
And its memory be carried forever beneath the feet
Of a thousand generations to come.
For the Green Man in all his glory, blessings and praise!
For the May Queen in all her beauty, blessings and praise!
For the new grass beneath our feet, blessings and praise!
For new baby animals, blessings and praise!
For the birds returned from the south, blessings and praise!
For the heat of the Sun, blessings and praise!
For the Lady’s hawthorn, blessings and praise!
For the wisdom of the ancients, blessings and praise!
For fertility of the fields, blessings and praise!

(All may join in with other calls, to which all reply, “Blessings and praise!” Then the rite is ended, the quarters dismissed, and all retire.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for May 1 – First Quarter

Moon Phases: First Quarter Moon

(waxing 90-135 degrees)

by Jan Spiller

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 “6th sense” as well as your enthusiasm. Obstacles may emerge that require you to reevaluate how to better integrate yourself into your immediate environment.

Current Moon Phase for April 30th – Waxing Half Moon

Moon Phases: Waxing Half Moon

First Quarter Moon (waxing/90-135 degrees)

by Jan Spiller

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 “6th sense” as well as your enthusiasm. Obstacles may emerge that require you to reevaluate how to better integrate yourself into your immediate environment.

“22 Commandments” For The New Age

                          “22 Commandments” For The New Age
                                       Ann Waldrum

            1. You shall learn of Honesty  and attempt to heal your fear of  it,
              to use this in daily living.
            2. You  shall learn  to Love  Unconditionally–beginning with  your-
              self.
            3. You shall help all people  in your worlds come to physical  heal-
              ing.
            4. You shall dwell  on things of high and pure  energy in others and
              self to change Earth.
            5. You will  learn and practice  Pure Service  — unconditional  and
              with love energy.
            6. You will release  Judgment into the Void–You will  see, identify
              and choose for yourself Only.
            7. You will  Recognize One God  –the God  that corresponds to  your
              vision.
            8. You will destroy no  one in any way — through  gossip — through
              killing  their gifts  — discouraging  self love  by injuring  the
              physical body by foreign substance — incorrect foods — incorrect
              labor.
            9.  You will  use your  mind in  the way  the Source  prepared — by
              faithfulness of prayer — by study and spiritual growth.
            10. You will learn self discipline so that you respond to  the Earth
              with wisdom.
            11. You will take full  responsibility for your own life  — blaming
              no other.
            12. You will seek  to learn about your God —  seeing the Connection
              clearly.
            13. You  will  be  known for  your  Gentleness, your  Loyalty,  your
              Kindness, according to your beliefs.
            14. You will grow in Peace  by change of attitude and  understanding
              of others.
            15. You  will learn to  respond and act  from the Highest  Center of
              Inner God — the Love Response.
            16.  You will learn to Love All Mankind by seeing the Highest in all
              people without exception.
            17.  You  will promote  the healing  of  Mind, Body,  and  Spirit by
              teaching and living the belief in Man’s Divinity.
            18.  You will show  faithfulness in your study  of yourself and your
              persona (masks) in order to Free All Parts of Self.
            19. You will Live your life as ordained by your faithfulness  to the
              Truth, as you understand the Truth.
            20. You will Speak in Love, Honesty and Wisdom.
            21. You will Think in Love, Honesty and Wisdom.
            22.  You will  live  in Moderation  (Balance) in  All Areas  of your
              life.

April 29 – Daily Feast

April 29 – Daily Feast

Life stirs up our priorities – makes us think beyond our usual knowledge. There are enormously important things basic to all of us such as the family. The family as a whole is important, and so is each individual. Family makes us consider health and spirit and the capacity to take care of ourselves. The invisible circle gathers all we love close to us. But the final arc involves the making of who we are personally. Each person must know contentment, must be in awe, reverent toward the spiritual, recognize truth, and not go strictly by the depths and height of feelings. Searching for happiness leads us far afield when the search is for self, for a divine connection, a knowing that we are indeed divinely centered. We are a part of the earth, part heaven, one with every living thing. For this reason we love. The ga lv quo di, the precious, the dear truth is that we love.

~ It is the command of the Great Spirit, and all nations and people must obey. ~

BIG ELK

‘A Cherokee Feast of Days’, by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

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