Tag: Moon

The Current Moon Phase For April 25 – Waxing

Moon Phases: New Moon

(waxing/0-45 degrees)

by Jan Spiller

The New Moon is a time best suited to making new beginnings! For the first 48 hours following the exact time of the New Moon each month, a window of opportunity opens for making wishes that, if written down, come true in the days and months ahead. There is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm in the atmosphere and a feeling of Springtime. This is a great time to go forward and begin projects that you feel instinctively attracted to initiating. Follow your impulses and let yourself make new starts in areas that are important to you.

About The Celtic Month Of The Willow Tree

The Willow Tree

Lunar Energies

by Imré K. Rainey

At this point in the Wheel of the Year, we have experienced the rejuvenation and rebirth of Birch, the rise of energy and the sowing of seeds and goals in Rowan, the premature urgings for movement in Ash, and the burst of life in Alder. Now, we stand before our kindred, the Willow, which has long been associated with the Crone, or death, aspect of the Triple Goddess.

The time of protected learning ended in Alder. Willow symbolizes the virtues of learning through experience. In order to fully assimilate the experiences to come in the moons ahead, it is necessary to release burdens from the past which will hinder our growth in the future. The rules and opinions which governed the past may no longer hold for the future: past convictions often become obstacles impeding progress. In this way, the Willow represents the death, or release, of the past in order to wholly integrate experiences and lessons in the future. This does not mean, however, that the fruits of past achievements should be forgotten. Those achievements got you here and will provide the foundation for the experiences to come.

 
Willow also brings with it the desire to abandon the past and the present in search of new beginnings. Look carefully at where you are standing physically, emotionally, and experientially. Survey your environment and the people whom you affect. The glyph for this moon is, “I am a hawk on a cliff.” If the time is right and the possible outcomes have been sufficiently examined, spread your wings and fly off into new horizons of experience.

Be aware, however, that this may not be the right time for flight. If so, sit back and wait; do not act hastily. The lessons needed for growth may lie within your reach now, and later, as the Wheel of the Year turns, you will know the appropriate time to move. In the meantime, you may want use the energies of this moon for rebirth, or rededication to your goals.

Willow’s “stay or go,” “do or don’t” energies can lead to indecision and confusion. Also, if our desire for flight is not satisfied, we may begin to resent others whom we perceive are doing things we can’t. Yet, most often during this month, resentment surfaces without reason or provocation. The Willow itself can be a remedy for these feelings.
Allow yourself to quietly sit with a Willow. Listen to the voice of the wind as it rustles through the Willow’s leaves. Watch the images that form within your mind. Talk to the Willow and accept her guidance. Allow the energies of the Willow to guide you through the movements of the moons to come.

Pagan Book Of Hours for April 24th

Calendar of the Sun
24 Eostremonath

Walpurgisnacht Day II

Color: Black
Element: Air
Altar: Upon a black cloth set the candle from the previous day plus a second one (each day of Walpurgisnacht adds another candle), a broom, a sheaf of grain, and the figure of a dog.
Offerings: The exercise for Gymnastika shall be running.
Daily Meal: Grain and greens.

Walpurgisnacht Invocation II

On this night the White Lady runs.
On this day she flees the Wild Hunt
In the guise of a white deer,
Her hoofprints flee along the track,
For she is Spring’s creature, and the Winter
Is far behind, chasing her, trying to bring her down.
But we will not let her fall,
We will not let her be caught,
We will not let ourselves be trapped
In the winter’s sadness,
For all things must come to an end,
And the green season is upon us.
Sheaf of grain in her hand,
She rides her broom like a steed,
Sweeping the winter away before her,
While the Wild Hunt bays at her heels,
Until the very dogs of the Hunt turn aside
And run instead at her side,
Whining for her attention,
Putting their noses into her hand,
And she has conquered them
As she will conquer the year.
Hail, Lady of the unknown name,
Waelbyrga, Waluburg, Holda’s child,
We who have run from our foes
And yet found that the best defense
Is to turn them into friends,
We salute you!

(The broom should be passed from person to person, and every room of the house should be swept with it, as a purification. Each chants wordlessly, or with any simple chant, during this.)

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]

Calendar of the Moon for April 23rd

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]

Marvelous Monday To Ya’! Your Correspondences for April 23rd

Monday Images, Pics, Comments, Graphics
Correspondences for Monday, April 23rd

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

New Moon Report for April 21 – New Moon in Taurus

New Moon in Taurus

Saturday, April 21, 12:18 am PDT, 3:18 am EDT

The New Moon in earthy Taurus starts a slow-cooking fire, creating opportunities to increase income and discover fresh sources of pleasure. Investing in a solid foundation of training, tools and developing personal resources with patience establishes a base from which future success will grow. Taurus likes a steady pace, so don’t be in a hurry to get where you want to go. Sticking to a practical plan is a surer way to achieve your goals than trying to beat the clock. Long-range strategic thinking will pay dividends, while get-rich-quick schemes are likely to fail. Skillful Mars in Virgo and potent Pluto in Capricorn form favorable aspects to this Sun-Moon conjunction, producing a Grand Earth Trine that favors pragmatism and productivity. Yet a lovely slice of imagination is blended into this cosmic dish with a supportive sextile from dreamy Neptune to the New Moon. This spiritual planet softens Taurean stubbornness with compassion and faith, bringing a higher purpose to even the most mundane tasks.

The Taurus New Moon is like a fertile garden where healthy seeds can take root and grow. Nurturing the soil of ourselves with constructive thoughts and healthy behavior may seem boring to some, yet the results are worth the effort. The ground upon which a positive future is built requires appreciation for oneself, so acknowledging our abilities and accomplishments is essential for feeding our ambitions. Taking time to enjoy life’s simple and sensual pleasures provides joy that makes the journey worthwhile.

Calendar of the Moon for April 21st

Calendar of the Moon
21 Saille/Mounukhion

Aphrodite Urania’s Night

Colors: Blue-green and blue-violet
Element: Water and Earth
Altar: Upon a cloth of blue-green and blue-violet, set forth a bowl of henna mixed with water, wreaths of flowers, and a chalice of mixed fruit juice and tea.
Offerings: Flowers in water. This is an appropriate night for ritual sex, although the emphasis should be on exploring sexuality that is different, or with someone different, than one’s normal mode, provided that it does not violate vows and strictures. If this is not possible, then meditate on what it is to have a love for another human being that is not accepted.
Daily Meal: Fish/seafood and meat together. Fruit.

Invocation to Aphrodite Urania

Hail, Aphrodite Urania, Lady of Unconventional Love!
You who are the patron of love in all its forms,
Love between too young and too old, beautiful and plain,
Rich and poor, men or women or the sacred third,
Healing and codependence, joy and obsession,
The love that plays havoc with family and society,
The love that breaks down boundaries.
No act of love and pleasure is less than sacred to you.
Hail, Builder of Bridges, who will bear us up!
You are the slender line of love across the deepest of abysses.
When we leap off that cliff, holding our breath,
Knowing nothing is certain but our feelings,
We find ourselves not tumbling terror-stricken as we had feared
But walking safely on the great span of your heart
Where we meet each other on the sacred middle ground
And cross to a more joyous land.
Bearded Aphrodite of Cyprus,
Who moved to the sacred ground of the Third
In order to love Hermes,
Whose child is Hermaphroditus,
You are the bridge between the sweet waters of the heart
And the earthy depths of the body,
The mud that we first crawled from,
The love we will always turn back to,
The quicksand that mires us,
Our tears crashing against the rocks like tides.

(One who has been chosen to do the work of the ritual, and who is closest to the Sacred Third, goes about with the henna, marking the hands of each in turn, and saying, “Love and be loved.”)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Moon for April 20th

Calendar of the Moon
20 Fearn/Elaphebolion

Day of Nuada of the Silver Hand

Color: Silver and red
Element: Fire
Altar: Upon a red cloth place the figure of a silver hand, crossed with a sword, two white candles, and incense of musk and ambergris.
Offerings: Give aid to those with physical handicaps.
Daily Meal: Soup or stews. Bread.

Invocation to Nuada of the Silver Hand

Once there was a great warrior
In a land where the custom dictated
That the king must always be perfect,
So that the land would remain perfect.
The great warrior, Nuada,
Was made king, and fought many battles,
And fine and brave was his figure
As he lay about him with his sword.
But during one battle he was wounded
Near to the death, and his left hand
Was cut off, and it was thought that he would die.
Instead, he lived, surprising all,
And had a hand of silver crafted
To replace the one of flesh,
And said, Here I am, your king,
Made no less than I was before
For all that I suffered pain and loss.
Indeed, I am more your king than ever
Now that I know what it is to touch death.
Yet the people rejected him, fearing
That his imperfection would taint the perfect land,
And the land withered indeed, and they did starve,
But not because the imperfection
Was in the king that they had driven out,
But because it was in them, for believing
That any man could be other than imperfect,
For flaws and scars and marks of wear
Are gifts of the Gods, to wear with pride
That we are made in their image,
Which is perfect in its imperfection.
(The candle is put out, and all leave silently, and meditate on perfection and imperfection.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Moon for April 19th

Calendar of the Moon
4 Fearn/Elaphebolion

Alder Tree Month

Color: Crimson
Element: Fire
Altar: Upon cloth of crimson set a flaming brazier filled with charcoal and incense.
Offerings: Purification. Write what has been dragging your down, and place it in the fire.
Daily Meal: Hot, nourishing food.

Fearn Invocation

Call: Now is the time of the warming of Earth.
Response: Now is the time of the Sun’s first warmth.
Call: Now is the time when the waters of Spring are banished.
Response: Now is the time when fire dries the flood.
Call: Now is the time when the heat rises within us.
Response: Now is the time when our tears are dried.
Call: Now is the time when our inner floods give way.
Response: Now is the time when our inner fields are greening.
Call: Like the birds who build their nests in the Spring….
Response: Like the creatures of the woods who brave the open fields…
Call: As they brave the world….
Response: So we now brave the world.
Call: As they seek sustenance of the body….
Response: So we seek sustenance of the soul.
Call: As they are driven forth by need and the cycle of life…..
Response: So we are driven forth by need and the cycle of life.
Call: No house can contain our souls….
Response: As no house contains the foundation on which it is built.
Call: We will be the piles that lift the house from the water….
Response: And we will lift our spirits from the winter’s flood.
Call: We will be the island in the river….
Response: The islands where the future is told…
Call: And we will see that future running like the current….
Response: Knowing not where it will lead….
Call: Save by the grace of the gods.
Response: Save by the grace of the Gods.

Chant:
We gather at the river
We bring fire to the water
Our fire burns within us
The river parts before us

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Your Cosmic Calendar for Thursday, April 19th

On the second day of April, Ceres formed a fairly rare polarity with Saturn. These two celestial bodies – in combination – have a lot to do with childhood issues, parental figures, and overall family dynamics. Yesterday, Ceres formed a contra-parallel to Saturn and now the Moon is contra-parallel Saturn (2:13AM PDT) and parallel to Ceres (2:47AM PDT) while Mars trines Ceres (3:29AM PDT). Make sure troubled relatives and dear ones have your full support and are out of harm’s way. Communication channels and travel plans are more up-in-the-air than stable as Mercury makes a frictional, 45-degree link to giant Jupiter (6:45AM PDT). It may not help matters that Mercury forms a 30-degree contact with dreamy and yet often confusing Neptune (8:06AM PDT). The Sun shifts gears from fiery Aries to earthy Taurus (9:13AM PDT) for a new 30-day experience in the second sign of the zodiac. Take some of your best ideas and start planting them in fertile soil in the hope of harvesting financial rewards. Your creative artistic expression has a promising glow as the Moon makes a supportive, 60-degree rapport with Venus (11:41AM PDT). Worries and doubts may be temporarily in the driver’s seat overnight as the dark-of-the-moon monthly cycle – where the Sun-Moon phase is at its extreme waning point – is gathering momentum.

New Moon Report for April 18th – Mercury in Aries

Mercury in Aries

Monday, April 16, 3:42 pm PDT, 6:42 pm EDT

Mercury’s encore visit to rambunctious Aries emboldens speech and heats up ideas that cooled off when it backed out of this Fire sign on March 23. Now is the time to open channels of communication and pursue fresh fields of study. Patience could be lacking but the excitement of new perspectives provides enthusiasm and the motivation to put our words into action.

Your Cosmic Calendar for April 18th

Racing out of the starting gate this morning is not a priority when the Moon continues its movement being void in Pisces until 9:00AM PDT. Revelations lift your consciousness to new heights as Pallas forms an inspirational, 72-degree tie to distant Pluto (5:26AM PDT). Problem-solving and strategy sessions are energized even though the Moon is out-of-sorts at the tail end of the last sign of the zodiac. Watch out for a rising tide of confusion on the relationship front as the Sun is contra-parallel Neptune (6:45AM PDT). It is better to meditate for guidance than allow an overly-eager temperament to lead you into unnecessary hot water in affairs of the heart. Once the Moon enters fiery Aries (9:00AM PDT), be more assertive and dynamic across the board. Show off your communication and business skills as the Moon unites with Mercury (12:29PM PDT). Check in with family members and focus on your parental responsibilities as Ceres makes a contra-parallel with Saturn (1:36PM PDT). Don’t let this Ceres-Saturn tussle throw a monkey-wrench into your daily tasks and chores. Dive headlong into advances on the cutting edge of science, medicine and metaphysics during the monthly Moon-Uranus union (8:46PM PDT). Today’s lunar conjunctions with Mercury and Uranus are a reminder that these two important planets already merged together on March 5 and 18, and are gearing up for a third rendezvous on Sunday April 22.

Calendar of the Moon for April 18th

Calendar of the Moon
4 Fearn/Elaphebolion

Alder Tree Month

Color: Crimson
Element: Fire
Altar: Upon cloth of crimson set a flaming brazier filled with charcoal and incense.
Offerings: Purification. Write what has been dragging your down, and place it in the fire.
Daily Meal: Hot, nourishing food.

Fearn Invocation

Call: Now is the time of the warming of Earth.
Response: Now is the time of the Sun’s first warmth.
Call: Now is the time when the waters of Spring are banished.
Response: Now is the time when fire dries the flood.
Call: Now is the time when the heat rises within us.
Response: Now is the time when our tears are dried.
Call: Now is the time when our inner floods give way.
Response: Now is the time when our inner fields are greening.
Call: Like the birds who build their nests in the Spring….
Response: Like the creatures of the woods who brave the open fields…
Call: As they brave the world….
Response: So we now brave the world.
Call: As they seek sustenance of the body….
Response: So we seek sustenance of the soul.
Call: As they are driven forth by need and the cycle of life…..
Response: So we are driven forth by need and the cycle of life.
Call: No house can contain our souls….
Response: As no house contains the foundation on which it is built.
Call: We will be the piles that lift the house from the water….
Response: And we will lift our spirits from the winter’s flood.
Call: We will be the island in the river….
Response: The islands where the future is told…
Call: And we will see that future running like the current….
Response: Knowing not where it will lead….
Call: Save by the grace of the gods.
Response: Save by the grace of the Gods.

Chant:
We gather at the river
We bring fire to the water
Our fire burns within us
The river parts before us

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Freeing Yourself From Enchantment (Seed Moon)

Free Yourself From Enchantment

(Seed Moon)

Sometimes people come into your life who have a mesmerizing or enchanting effect on you. This spell is intended to help you move past this enchantment so that you see situations for what they are.

You will need a small piece of topaz o a piece of jewelry with a topaz in it. Derived from the Sankrit word tapas, meaning “fire,” topaz was thought by the Egyptians to have the golden glow of the mighty Sun God Ra, and for the Romans it had the fire of their Sun God Jupiter. Because of this topaz traditionally made for a very powerful amulet against harm. Magickally, topaz protects against enchantment and helps you to see things for what they are.

Begin by clearing the topaz by placing your hand over it and pulsing with your breath the image of a clear mountain stream. Lie down somewhere comfortable and place the topaz on your third eye (area between and above your eyebrows), and say:

Fire stone so bright

Shine your light

So I can see

Everything clearly

So Mote It Be! Blessed Be!

Place the topaz near your head as you sleep. When drifting to sleep, give yourself the suggestion that in your dreams all enchantment will be lifted and you see everything clearly for what it is. Write down all you recall from your dreams in your journal.

Your Daily Cosmic Calendar for April 17th

Every so often the universe goes on a 24-hour siesta and this can happen especially during an extended void-of-course lunar cycle. As the Moon forms a supportive, 60-degree tie to Jupiter (7:35AM PDT) – stimulating what appears to be an optimistic trend of thinking – the Moon also starts a long void uncertainty zone that lasts until 9:00AM PDT tomorrow. Under these questionable circumstances, pushing your personal agenda too far too fast can backfire against you. It is much wiser to mellow out completely for a change of pace. Enjoy playing board, card or word games – particularly as the Moon unites with Pallas (4:00PM PDT). Weaving, needlepoint, painting, and working with clay are other ways to tune into the celestial gifts coming from Pallas. Don’t be surprised if revelatory ideas soar into your consciousness like meteors lighting up the night sky as Mercury makes a contra-parallel with its higher-octave planet Uranus (7:49PM PDT). Spiritual studies, yoga, tai chi, sacred dance, chanting and visualization exercises make a perfect fit into the vacuum created by the Moon being void and located in other-worldly Pisces.

New Moon Report for April 16th – Mercury in Aries

Mercury in Aries

Monday, April 16, 3:42 pm PDT, 6:42 pm EDT

Mercury’s encore visit to rambunctious Aries emboldens speech and heats up ideas that cooled off when it backed out of this Fire sign on March 23. Now is the time to open channels of communication and pursue fresh fields of study. Patience could be lacking but the excitement of new perspectives provides enthusiasm and the motivation to put our words into action.

Calendar of the Moon for Monday, April 16th

Calendar of the Moon
4 Fearn/Elaphebolion

Alder Tree Month

Color: Crimson
Element: Fire
Altar: Upon cloth of crimson set a flaming brazier filled with charcoal and incense.
Offerings: Purification. Write what has been dragging your down, and place it in the fire.
Daily Meal: Hot, nourishing food.

Fearn Invocation

Call: Now is the time of the warming of Earth.
Response: Now is the time of the Sun’s first warmth.
Call: Now is the time when the waters of Spring are banished.
Response: Now is the time when fire dries the flood.
Call: Now is the time when the heat rises within us.
Response: Now is the time when our tears are dried.
Call: Now is the time when our inner floods give way.
Response: Now is the time when our inner fields are greening.
Call: Like the birds who build their nests in the Spring….
Response: Like the creatures of the woods who brave the open fields…
Call: As they brave the world….
Response: So we now brave the world.
Call: As they seek sustenance of the body….
Response: So we seek sustenance of the soul.
Call: As they are driven forth by need and the cycle of life…..
Response: So we are driven forth by need and the cycle of life.
Call: No house can contain our souls….
Response: As no house contains the foundation on which it is built.
Call: We will be the piles that lift the house from the water….
Response: And we will lift our spirits from the winter’s flood.
Call: We will be the island in the river….
Response: The islands where the future is told…
Call: And we will see that future running like the current….
Response: Knowing not where it will lead….
Call: Save by the grace of the gods.
Response: Save by the grace of the Gods.

Chant:
We gather at the river
We bring fire to the water
Our fire burns within us
The river parts before us

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Your Correspondences for Monday, April 16th

Have a Great Day Images, Pics, Comments, Graphics
Correspondences for Monday, April 16th

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.