Current Moon Phase – Waning

Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics
Current Moon Phase: Waning

 
Waning Moon Magick: The period between the Full Moon and the New Moon, from three-and-a-half to ten-and-a-half days after the Full moon. From the Full Moon to the New is a time for study, meditation,and magic designed to banish harmful energies and habits, for ridding oneself of addictions, illness or negativity. This is a time for banishing and rejecting things in our lives that we no longer wish to carry around with us.

~Magickal Graphics~

Lunabar Moon Almanack for Monday, January 16

Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics

 

        Lunabar Moon Almanack for Monday, January 16, 2012

Last Quarter Moon, at 4h. 9m. morning.

Moon in Via Combusta.

Moon in 23rd degree of the Sign Libra, the Balance;

also in 30th deg. of the Constellation Virgo, the Virgin.

Moonrise: 12:26 morn. Midheaven: 5:59 morn. Moonset: 11:24 morn.

 

~Magickal Graphics~

Happy and Blessed Monday to all my dear friends!

Witchy Comments

 Happy Monday, everyone! I forgot about today being a holiday till I heard it on the News this morning. So Happy Martin Luther King’s Day to you too!  I hope everyone is having a great, long weekend. These long weekends does nothing but spoil us poor folks (speaking for myself, lol!). It would be lovely if the work week only last for four days.  

 

I must apologize for running late today. I had to go to the neurologist this morning. Unfortunately, he only takes morning appointments. It is definitely rough for a night-time Witch, lol!  

 

One more thing, then I will get to posting. I have been getting some comments from some ignorant individuals. They believe witches have green skin and long, pointy, warty noses and just down right ugly, old hags.  Well this is from me and all the other witches in the world…… 

 

“Wake Up and Come to this Century!”

WITCHES ARE BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE!

and apparently a hell of a lot smarter than these people making these comments!!!

 

Now On With The Magick….  

 

Correspondences for Monday

 

Magickal Intentions: Psychic Sensitivity, Women’s Mysteries, Tides, Waters, Emotional Issues, Agriculture, Animals, Female Fertility, Messages, Theft, Reconcilliations, Voyages, Dreams and Merchandise
Incense: African Violet, Honeysuckle, Myrtle, Willow, Wormwood
Planet: Moon
Sign: Cancer
Angel: Gabriel
Colors: Silver, White and Gray
Herbs/Plants: Night Flowers, Willow Root, Orris Root, Birch, Motherwort, Vervain, White Rose and White Iris
Stones: Carnelian, Moonstone, Aquamarine, Pearl, Clear Quartz, Flourite, Geodes
Oil: (Moon) Jasmine, Lemon, Sandalwood
Monday belongs to the Moon. Monday’s energy best aligns itself with efforts that deal with women, home and hearth, the family, the garden, travel, and medicine. It also boosts rituals involving psychic development and prophetic dreaming.

 

Spellcrafting for Monday

  

SPELL TO HEAL OLD WOUNDS AND MAKE A FRESH START

Perform on an incoming tide, when the moon’s new hold a silver coin,
2 seashells, and Vervain leaves in your hand and hold it towards the sea and
ask for the moon’s blessing.
Then drink a toast to the sea and moon. Focus on your purpose and throw 1 shell as far as you can into the ocean (while chanting your wish). With the other, write yourwish and your name in the sand below the tide mark.
Wrap the shell and coin in the Vervain leaves and count seven waves hitting the shore, and bury it in the middle of your message.
As you wait for the tide, chant:
“Tide and time receive my wish
And grant me new beginnings”

 ~Magickal Graphics~

Calendar of the Moon For January 15th

Calendar of the Moon
15 Beth Poseideion

Dionysia Agrous I: Phallikon

Color: Purple
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon a purple cloth set a five purple candles, a wreath of grapevines, a jar of wine, a basket of raisins, the figure of a goat, and the figure of an erect phallus, wound with ivy.
Offerings: Wine libations. Ritual sex is appropriate on this day.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian, with wine and cheese.

Phallikon Invocation

Hail the Phallus of Earth,
Living even beneath the cold ground!
May its joy and excitement spring forth
In all of us, male and female,
May we remember that even
When we are closed to the fire of the loins
It is still the fire that brings forth life,
Sustains life,
Embodies life,
And so we also need that life.
Help us to revere that force,
O Dionysius who sacrificed yours
That the vines might grow,
That fruit might spring from the trees.
Even when the fruit is withered,
It still sustains us.
Even when your manhood was taken,
It still sustains us.
Even when the fire of life is diverted,
It still sustains us.
May we never forget the leaping flame,
The leaping phallus of Earth,
The leaping joy of Life.

Chant: Io Dionysos Io Dionysos

(The basket of raisins is passed, and eaten. The jug of wine is passed, and toasts made to Dionysos. The rest is poured out one by one in libations.)

Calendar of the Moon for Friday, Jan. 13th

Calendar of the Moon
Beth/Poseideion II

Birch Tree Moon

Color: White
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of white set the budded birch branches, a single white candle, the rune Berkana carved onto a piece of birch wood, and a bowl of clear water.
Offerings: White cakes with the Berkana rune carved upon them.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian with dairy and eggs.

Beth Invocation

Call: Now is the beginning of the year.
Response: Now is the time of stillness and cold.
Call: Now all is still and waiting upon the earth.
Response: Now the earth sleeps beneath her many blankets.
Call: Now is the time of patience.
Response: Now is the time of our longest wait.
Call: We are at peace with the Earth and with each other.
Response: We are at peace with the Earth and ready to begin.
Call: This is the month of indrawn breath.
Response: This is the time of all beginnings.
Call: May the year grow strong before us!
Response: May we grow strong before the year!
Call: For as the birch tree steps forth into the burned fields,
Response: So do we step forth into the aftermath of our own burning.
Call: For as the soft branches of the birch beat away the old year,
Response: So do we lower our heads for the strokes of the future.
Call: For as the pheasant hunts the snow for food,
Response: So do we seek through the ruins of the past.
Call: For as Frigga spins the clouds into thread,
Response: So do we circle like the spinning whorl,
Call: So do we take up the fiber of what has been,
Response: So do we bring forth the new year from our very hands.
Call: From our open hands,
Response: From our open hearts,
Call: From our open bodies,
Response: From our open souls.

Chant: Silver tree, in your branches
White of snow, stars are dancing
Tree of clouds, like thread of silver
Time runs through our hands.

Calendar of the Sun for Friday, Jan. 13th

Calendar of the Sun
13 Wolfmonath

Compitalia Mania, Day of the Mother of Ghosts

Colors: White and Black
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of black lay many sheer cloths of white, which each person takes as they enter and places over their heads. Lay out also four white candles, incense of myrrh, many loaves of bread made in the shape of men and women, and many skeins of handspun wool.
Offerings: Woolen effigies, to be made in the ritual. Make offerings in a graveyard.
Daily Meal: Fasting today until the evening meal.

Compitalia Mania Invocation

We call upon thee, Mania, Mother of Ghosts,
On this your day when you arise to admonish us.
Let not the spirits of the Dead torment us,
For we love and remember them.
Let not the spirits of the Dead pursue us,
For we wish them peace and rest.
Let not the spirits of the Dead wail in our ears,
For we cannot give them life, or comfort,
And so we beseech thee, Mother of Ghosts,
To take them into your dark arms
And sing them to sleep until it is time
For them to come once more
Into the world of life and breath and body.
(The bread loaves are passed around. Each is named with the name of someone dead who refuses to be forgotten. They are eaten.)
Hail, Mania, Mother of Ghosts!
We take these your children into our bodies,
We make them part of our lives,
And then return them again to the Earth.
May they live again in our flesh and blood
For these few days, and share our thoughts
And hopes, and dreams, and make themselves ready
To come once again into flesh of their own.

(The wool skeins are passed around, and fashioned into the shape of men and women, the Children of Mania, the Manes. These are hung about the house, over windows and doorways, in order to honor the Manes and keep them from tormenting the living.)

Your Daily Horoscopes for January 12th

 

Another wave of pragmatism ripples through our lives today as the Moon enters efficient Virgo at 4:44 am EST, making a total of six planets in sensible Earth signs. The Moon’s practical Grand Earth Trine with optimistic Jupiter, interactive Mercury and resolute Pluto indicates a very productive day. An energetic Sun-Mars trine empowers us to accomplish even more if we divide significant projects into manageable tasks and do them one at a time.

 

Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Be careful about what you decide on doing today because once you make up your mind, you might do nearly anything that’s necessary in order to accomplish your goal. Your ruling planet Mars is graced by an energetic trine from the Sun, blessing you with all the right moves, along with enough stamina to follow through on whatever you start now. Set your intentions wisely and then proceed confidently toward your new destination.

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

It’s not necessary to overstate your point of view or oversell your plan because your actions tell your story with great clarity today. Everything you do now seems to convey your thoughts, even if you’re not trying to send any particular message. Instead of wasting words by talking about your ideas, take advantage of the power of the current moment and put all your effort into creatively progressing toward your vision of a better life.

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

You might feel unsure of yourself at first today, but once you overcome your own hesitation you will be glad that you took the initiative. Don’t try to convince yourself that inaction is a better strategy than taking a calculated risk, because you may miss out on a very meaningful experience. Being practical is always a smart idea, but you could have regrets later if you restrain from expressing yourself now.

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

Sometimes you’re so patient that it looks like you’re just procrastinating. However, that’s not a problem today because you can see the potential opportunity through a very practical lens. There’s no need to wait for a better time to begin a new project. You may be even more successful than you can imagine if you don’t immediately bite off more than you can chew. Reaching for the stars is fine as long as you take lots of very small steps instead of trying to accomplish the impossible in one giant leap.

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

It’s difficult for reality to measure up to your high expectations now as you take an exciting idea and build it into a concrete plan. Although you’re on the right track, you might become so obsessed about what you want that you may end up dissatisfied no matter what happens. Rather than fixating on the outcome today, let go of your agenda by refocusing your mind on the present moment and not the future. Thankfully, your current flexibility increases your creativity along with your contentment.

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

It’s quite natural to act on your desires today as long as you don’t waste too much time thinking about them first. Although you are often an excellent planner, the current trine from the Sun to impulsive Mars in your hardworking sign indicates that you’re better off making it up as you go along. Usually, you’re wise to analyze all of your options before taking action, but logic only separates you from your feelings now. React directly from your gut without stopping to doubt yourself along the way.

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Your attempts to establish balance today are rewarded if you look at all the alternatives and weigh your options. But don’t wait too long because the window of opportunity won’t remain open forever. Magically, it seems as if time is suspended, giving you the capability to accomplish a lot quickly. But passivity lessens your chances to succeed. Fortunately, nearly anything started now is blessed with a better-than-average chance to get off to a propitious beginning.

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Even if it might seem like a good idea to keep your thoughts to yourself today, it won’t likely happen. You want to involve others in your future plans now that the Sun trines superhero Mars in your 11th House of Social Networking. Fortunately, you don’t have to hold back now. You are poised to make noticeable progress toward your goals without exerting too much effort.

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Others see you as a go-to person to get things done today because you currently won’t take no for an answer. You can untangle knotty problems and overcome seemingly impossible obstacles because you know how important it is to succeed now. Although your optimism might result in performances beyond your own expectations, you could take your enthusiasm too far. It’s a gift to feel so confident, but your self-assuredness might backfire if you act too boldly. Thankfully, toning down your exuberance prevents alienating your allies while still allowing you to make your point.

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Although you’re naturally a hard worker, you might not want to work hard today. However, your disinterest isn’t because you’re lazy. In fact, a trine from energetic Mars to the Sun in your sign increases your drive now. But your motivation isn’t limited to your professional objectives; you are more attracted to finding personal meaning now than career success. Luckily, reducing the emphasis on your job won’t have negative long-term effects. Seeking happiness through emotional and spiritual growth is always worth the effort.

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You may not want to waste time interacting with co-workers today. You have a lot to do and wish that everyone would leave you alone so you can get down to business. Unfortunately, you might not be able to avoid anyone who is already involved with you on a project. Instead of withdrawing, find a healthy balance between being alone and participating in a group. Don’t hang on to your expectations needlessly; you’ll be more successful if you can integrate working with others into your schedule.

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You may believe that you cannot do anything wrong today and whatever you start now will turn out well. Unfortunately, there aren’t any guarantees, but your self-confidence goes a long way toward your current success. Of course, hard work is necessary, but you have a high level of energy and sufficient reserves on which to draw from when needed. Don’t hold back now; you’ll feel at peace later, happy that you did as much as you could when you had the chance.

 

Calendar of the Moon for Jan. 12th

Calendar of the Moon
Beth/Poseideion II

Birch Tree Moon

Color: White
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of white set the budded birch branches, a single white candle, the rune Berkana carved onto a piece of birch wood, and a bowl of clear water.
Offerings: White cakes with the Berkana rune carved upon them.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian with dairy and eggs.

Beth Invocation

Call: Now is the beginning of the year.
Response: Now is the time of stillness and cold.
Call: Now all is still and waiting upon the earth.
Response: Now the earth sleeps beneath her many blankets.
Call: Now is the time of patience.
Response: Now is the time of our longest wait.
Call: We are at peace with the Earth and with each other.
Response: We are at peace with the Earth and ready to begin.
Call: This is the month of indrawn breath.
Response: This is the time of all beginnings.
Call: May the year grow strong before us!
Response: May we grow strong before the year!
Call: For as the birch tree steps forth into the burned fields,
Response: So do we step forth into the aftermath of our own burning.
Call: For as the soft branches of the birch beat away the old year,
Response: So do we lower our heads for the strokes of the future.
Call: For as the pheasant hunts the snow for food,
Response: So do we seek through the ruins of the past.
Call: For as Frigga spins the clouds into thread,
Response: So do we circle like the spinning whorl,
Call: So do we take up the fiber of what has been,
Response: So do we bring forth the new year from our very hands.
Call: From our open hands,
Response: From our open hearts,
Call: From our open bodies,
Response: From our open souls.

Chant: Silver tree, in your branches
White of snow, stars are dancing
Tree of clouds, like thread of silver
Time runs through our hands.

The Importance of Salt (Earth Magick)

The Importance of Salt

(Earth Magick)

 

Salt is a primary tool of any Witch, regardless of the personal path. It is a representation of earth in a mineral form. Salt is used in traditional magical practices for blessing, grounding, protection and cleansing. It is frequently used as a base for other ingredients in powders, floor washes, bathing spells, and charm bags. Salt is seen as a feminine, nurturing mineral, whereas sulphur is thought to be the male, destructive mineral. Salt works in banishing spells for breaking up or splitting apart any negative influences, due to is purity. It is used in holy water and is a staple on most altars.

An Earth Wand

An Earth Wand

 

For an earth-oriented magickal wand, it is best to use a fallen branch from a maple, ash or rowan tree. Take the branch, strip the bark, and lightly sand the surface. Carve the alchemical symbol for earth into it. Add any other personal carvings you would like. Use a malachite stone for the tip. Anoint the wand with cypress oil and bless it under a full moon. Allow it to charge under the moon all night. When not in use, store it in a green silk wrapping cloth to which you have added a teaspoon of dirt.

Tree Magick (Earth Magick)

Tree Magick

 

Since the time of the ancient Druids, trees have been an important resource of the Earth. While they are valuable in monetary ways, they have a decidedly more spiritual history. Trees are believed to have wise spirits residing within them, and forests and groves are considered sacred place of worship.

While not every type of tree possesses the elemental attributes of earth, the practice of tree magick is a natural for the Earth Witch. She draws much of her strength from the spirits of the plant kingdom, of which trees are the largest members.

The most common methods for performing tree magick are simple to do, yet pack a powerful magickal punch. To incorporate the magick of trees into your practice, you can:

1. Soak up the energy of the tree by sitting beneath it.

2. Mark symbols on the leaves and ask the tree for help.

3. Tie items onto the branches.

4. Carry a bit of the wood with you.

5. Make use of a corresponding wood in spell work.

6. Bury things at the root of the tree.

There are many old spells that direct one to harm the tree by stripping bark from it, driving nails into it and breaking off branches. Please do not do any of these things, and always talk to your chosen tree before trying to use if for a magickal purpose. It will often gift you with a branch or bark–if you remember to ask first.

The magickal properties of trees are as follows:

Apple: Healing, love, honor, youth

Beech: Goals, strength, wisdom

Birch: Protection, purification

Cedar: Prosperity

Cypress: Protection, past-life regression

Elder: Healing, protection prosperity

Elm: Protection

Fig: Fertility, strength, energy, health

Hawthorn: Love, protection, cleansing

Hazel: Protection, reconciling

Hickory: Endurance, strength

Juniper: Protection

Maple: Love, divination

Oak: Healing, strength, prosperity

Olive: Peace, security, fidelity

Palm: Strength, abundance

Pecan: Prosperity

Pine: Purification, health, prosperity, spiritual growth

Rowan: Protection, strength

Walnut: Healing, protection

Willow: Healing, protection, wishes, enchantments, gracefulness

Earth Correspondences

Earth Correspondences

 
Earth is considered feminine and receptive.
 
Season: Spring
 
Magickal virtue: To Keep Silent
 
Direction: North
 
Time of day: Midnight
 
Sense: Touch

Fluid: Sweat
 
Power animals: Bears, bulls, lions, rabbits
 
Places of power: Caves, fields, bridges, meadows, gardens, moutains, crossroads, the home

Commonly associated colors: Brown, green rust tones
 
Linking items: Stones, rocks, crystals, dirt, seeds, wood, pentacles, coins

Calendar of the Moon for January 11th

Calendar of the Moon
Beth/Poseideion II

Birch Tree Moon

Color: White
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of white set the budded birch branches, a single white candle, the rune Berkana carved onto a piece of birch wood, and a bowl of clear water.
Offerings: White cakes with the Berkana rune carved upon them.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian with dairy and eggs.

Beth Invocation

Call: Now is the beginning of the year.
Response: Now is the time of stillness and cold.
Call: Now all is still and waiting upon the earth.
Response: Now the earth sleeps beneath her many blankets.
Call: Now is the time of patience.
Response: Now is the time of our longest wait.
Call: We are at peace with the Earth and with each other.
Response: We are at peace with the Earth and ready to begin.
Call: This is the month of indrawn breath.
Response: This is the time of all beginnings.
Call: May the year grow strong before us!
Response: May we grow strong before the year!
Call: For as the birch tree steps forth into the burned fields,
Response: So do we step forth into the aftermath of our own burning.
Call: For as the soft branches of the birch beat away the old year,
Response: So do we lower our heads for the strokes of the future.
Call: For as the pheasant hunts the snow for food,
Response: So do we seek through the ruins of the past.
Call: For as Frigga spins the clouds into thread,
Response: So do we circle like the spinning whorl,
Call: So do we take up the fiber of what has been,
Response: So do we bring forth the new year from our very hands.
Call: From our open hands,
Response: From our open hearts,
Call: From our open bodies,
Response: From our open souls.

Chant: Silver tree, in your branches
White of snow, stars are dancing
Tree of clouds, like thread of silver
Time runs through our hands.

Earth Witch Lore – Mountains and Mounds

Earth Witch Lore – Mountains and Mounds

 

Legendary mountains and mounds fall within the domain of the Earth Witch. While mountains are natural formations, mounds are human-made. Both are considered sacred space. The prevailing argument as to the purpose of the mounds is that they are sacred burial grounds.

The Navajos have an old legend that describes the creation of the six sacred mountains. The First Man and First Woman formed the mountains from a bag of dirt that they carried with them from the third world (spirit realm). They sent Turquoise Boy to one mountain. Abalone Shell Boy to another, Jet Boy to another, and White Bead Boy to another. The mountains were not satisfied with that arrangement and would rumble loudly with displeasure. Only two of the six mountains were happy. First Man and First Woman sent the beautiful Mixed Stones Boy and Girl to those mountains. They then sent the rest of the holy ones, including Grasshopper Girl and Yellow Corn Girl, into the mountains.

First Man and First Woman then fastened the mountains to the land with lightning bolts, stone knives and sunbeams. They decorated them with shells, eggs, mists and rain. They then blessed the mountains with chants and prayers. They believe that keeping the land beautiful pleases the ancestors, and pleasing the ancestors, make for a happy tribe.

The Earth Witch agrees with this philosophy. She makes regular use of eco-magic and often gets involved with environmental issues. She understand the true beauty and blessing of the Earth and does not take them for granted. She considers keeping the land clean a sacred responsibility.

Earth Witch Lore – Bridges

Earth Witch Lore – Bridges

 

Rivers belong to the Water witch, but bridges, and the superstitions that surround them, belong to the Earth Witch. As one who finds solutions and builds foundations, who else could conceive of a way to cross running water while remaining earthbound?

 

There are a few mythical bridges that relate to other elements, such as Bifrost (the rainbow bridge leading from Midgard, the realm of the mortals, to Asgard, the realm of the gods, in Norse mythology), but more often bridges belong to the realm of earth.

 

A bridge is a gateway, because it rests between two bodies of land mass. While crossing it, you are neither in one space nor the other. The bridge transcends the two objects it connects in this manner; hence, it is a very magical and powerful place. It has been said that time does not work the same way on bridges as it does elsewhere. Some say that time moves more slowly when on a bridge, while others say that time ceases to exist all together and does not begin again until one has crossed completely over. Because of the time factor, a bridge has the ability to bring one back to a childlike state.

 

In many myths, a bridge is the path one must take after death to reach the other side. Some of the mythical bridges were treacherous, in order to keep out the living. Native American lore speaks of a shaking bridge one must cross to reach the other side. Often these mythical bridges are said to not tolerate the weight of a sinner and will cast the sinner off the bridge into the water below.

 

There is a tale in modern folklore that relates that you will hear a heartbeat if you stand quietly on a bridge. I have heard about a million variations of this urban legend with one common theme: that of the heartbeat belonging to a deceased person. While it is possible to hear a heart beat-type noise on certain bridges through out the United States, this is normally due to a nearby gas pipes or some other human invention. Yet the tale lives on because of the spooky reputation of bridges.

Because of the association with death, bridges are often said to be haunted. Celtic tradition warns that you should hold your tongue while crossing or passing beneath a bridge. The Isle of Man is home to the famed Fairy Bridge. Local legend says that if you cross the bridge without wishing the little people that live there a good day, you will not have a safe or happy visit. There is also a universal belief that two people who part on a bridge will never meet again.

 

Earth Witches know the lore to be true to this point–there is magic aplenty contained in the bridge. Spell work performed on a bridge tends to take effect immediately. Any type of magic that involves time manipulation will gain a boost by being performed on a bridge.

Earth Witch Lore – Caves

Earth Witch Lore – Caves

 

Most caves have local folklore surrounding them, with one common theme; they are inhabited by spirits or dragons and are forbidding places, desolate and dank. So many legends tell of ghosts haunting caves. These legends were perpetuated by pirates and the like to scare people away from their hiding places and thereby keep their loot hidden. They also stem from ancient days when bears and lions might be found in the caves.

 

For ages, the members of ancient tribes lived their entire lives in caves. In Sweetwater, Tennessee, there is a cavern known as “the Lost Sea,” which features an underground lake with its own variety of plant life (which only grows underground). It is said to be the home of the white jaguar. This cavern is a world within the world. The hauntingly beautiful columns of stalagmite drip healing waters upon those who stand beneath it. Not surprisingly, this cave is also thought to be haunted. It was sacred to the Cherokee tribes.

The Earth Witch knows and understands that caves actually relate to the process of birth. Spirit haunts a cave as a “pregnancy,” or a continuation of life. Therefore, a cave is sacred ground. All that it holds within relates to life and death, as it all stems from the cave. The cave is the birth canal of Mother Earth.