Wheel of the Year: The 8 Wiccan Holiday Festivals

For the Northern Hemisphere

For the Southern Hemisphere

In Wicca, we make it a point to honor both feminine and masculine energies, lunar and solar cycles. When we’re practicing our craft according to the lunar cycles, we honor the Moon Goddess with esbats. However, we also have eight solar festivals throughout the year, which are represented by the Wiccan Wheel of the Year.

The Wheel of the Year is a physical representation of the eight pagan festivals that celebrate nature’s life cycles. These eight Sabbats include four solar events — two solstices and two equinoxes — and four cross-quarter events. But how did this calendar come about in the first place?

The Origin of the Wheel of the Year Calendar

Many historians postulate that ancient pagans marked the passing of time by celebrating certain solar events. On top of that, some of their celebrations were a way to mark events that had agricultural significance. Even so, we can’t say that the seasonal festivals we’re about to discuss ever existed in their current forms. So how did we get to the Wheel of the Year we observe today?

Well, believe it or not, the Wiccan Sabbats are a result of decades, if not centuries, of modern interpretations of ancient rites. In fact, some pretty famous scholars unknowingly participated in the…

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August 7, 2022 Current Moon Phase Digest

You can use this link to go forward or backward in time for Moon phase information. If you are curious, you can even find out what phase the Moon was in when you or anyone else was born.

From MoonGiant.com

The Moon’s current phase for today and tonight is a Waxing Gibbous phase. This phase is when the moon is more than 50% illuminated but not yet a Full Moon. The phase lasts about 7 days with the moon becoming more illuminated each day until the Full Moon. During a Waxing Gibbous the moon rises in the east in mid-afternoon and is high in the eastern sky at sunset. The moon is then visible through most of the night sky setting a few hours before sunrise. The word Gibbous first appeared in the 14th century and has its roots in the Latin word “gibbosus” meaning humpbacked.

Visit the August 2022 Moon Phases Calendar to see all the daily moon phase for this month.

Today’s Waxing Gibbous Phase

The Waxing Gibbous on August 7 has an illumination of 72%. This is the percentage of the Moon illuminated by the Sun. The illumination is constantly changing and can vary up to 10% a day. On August 7 the Moon is 9.56 days old. This refers to how many days it has been since the last New Moon. It takes 29.53 days for the Moon to orbit the Earth and go through the lunar cycle of all 8 Moon phases.

The 8 Lunar Phases

There are 8 lunar phases the Moon goes through in its 29.53 days lunar cycle. The 4 major Moon phases are Full Moon, New Moon, First Quarter and Last Quarter. Between these major phases, there are 4 minor ones: the Waxing Crescent, Waxing Gibbous, Waning Gibbous and Waning Crescent. For more info on the Moon Cycle and on each phase check out Wikipedia Lunar Phase page.

Phase Details

Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 72%
Moon Age: 9.56 days
Moon Angle: 0.54
Moon Distance: 365,927.31 km
Sun Angle: 0.53
Sun Distance: 151,698,796.07 km

Useful Moon Resources

August 7, 2022 Northern Hemisphere’s Planetary Positions Digest

If you want to calculate the planetary positions for a specific use and time, click on this link

Currentplanetarypositions.com

To figure out GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) for your local time use this link

For Your Local Time and Date

Northwestern Hemisphere

The time for these Custom Planetary Positions is from the local time in Los Angeles, California, USA

August 07, 2022
07:00 pm GMT 12:00 PM PDT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:15 Leo 16
Moon:15 Sagittarius 37
Mercury:05 Virgo 45
Venus:25 Cancer 09
Mars:22 Taurus 23
Jupiter:08 Aries 33 Rx
Saturn:22 Aquarius 25 Rx
Uranus:18 Taurus 48
Neptune:25 Pisces 01 Rx
Pluto:26 Capricorn 55 Rx

True Lunar Node:18 Taurus 21 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:17 Taurus 57 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):12 Cancer 48

Chiron:16 Aries 17 Rx
Ceres:06 Leo 44
Pallas:16 Gemini 04
Juno:20 Pisces 52 Rx
Vesta:03 Pisces 16 Rx

Eris:25 Aries 00 Rx

Fire:6
Earth:6
Air:2
Water:5
Cardinal:6
Fixed:7
Mutable:6

Northern Hemisphere

The time for these Custom Planetary Positions is from the local time in Chicago, Illinois, USA

August 07, 2022
05:00 pm GMT 12:00 PM CDT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:15 Leo 11
Moon:14 Sagittarius 25
Mercury:05 Virgo 37
Venus:25 Cancer 02
Mars:22 Taurus 20
Jupiter:08 Aries 33 Rx
Saturn:22 Aquarius 25 Rx
Uranus:18 Taurus 48
Neptune:25 Pisces 02 Rx
Pluto:26 Capricorn 55 Rx

True Lunar Node:18 Taurus 21 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:17 Taurus 57 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):12 Cancer 47

Chiron:16 Aries 17 Rx
Ceres:06 Leo 42
Pallas:16 Gemini 02
Juno:20 Pisces 53 Rx
Vesta:03 Pisces 17 Rx

Eris:25 Aries 00 Rx

Fire:6
Earth:6
Air:2
Water:5
Cardinal:6
Fixed:7
Mutable:6

Northeastern Hemisphere 

The time for these Custom Planetary Positions is from the local time in Frankfurt, Germany, Europe

7 August 2022
10:00 am GMT 12:00 PM CEST
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:14 Leo 54
Moon:10 Sagittarius 14
Mercury:05 Virgo 09
Venus:24 Cancer 41
Mars:22 Taurus 09
Jupiter:08 Aries 34 Rx
Saturn:22 Aquarius 27 Rx
Uranus:18 Taurus 48
Neptune:25 Pisces 02 Rx
Pluto:26 Capricorn 56 Rx

True Lunar Node:18 Taurus 21 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:17 Taurus 58 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):12 Cancer 45

Chiron:16 Aries 17 Rx
Ceres:06 Leo 34
Pallas:15 Gemini 53
Juno:20 Pisces 54 Rx
Vesta:03 Pisces 21 Rx

Eris:25 Aries 00 Rx

Fire:6
Earth:6
Air:2
Water:5
Cardinal:6
Fixed:7
Mutable:6

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Axis Mundi

From moonlitpriestess.com

Also referred to as the World Tree, the cosmic axis on which all connected realms are centered.

A Thought for Today

Until we meet again dear sisters, brothers, and honored guests may your life be filled with all things positive!

A Thought for Today

Until we meet again dear sisters, brothers, and honored guests may your life be filled with all things positive!

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Aura

From moonlitpriestess.com

A single or multi-colored light produced by heat energy and electromagnetic energy that emanates from all objects. Some believe the ability to physically see an aura can be developed and used to help in understanding a person’s state of health and personality. Some schools of thought count several layers of auras, though only the one is currently backed by modern science.

June New Moon 2022 Insider – Anne Ribley

New creation timelines are being called forth. Super-charge intentions with a New Moon Ritual.
Currently, a powerful cycle of growth forward is forging a new future. The 7 easy steps to spiritual practice of the Manifesting New Moon Ritual can create the clarity connection to manifest your clear intentions and hold space for the world needs from each of us at this time.
Put pen to paper, antenna to God/Source,/Creation. Set the intentions with your “write it right” list/letter. Allow yourself to name it and claim it. Open yourself to the support ready to step forth in ways beyond what is known at this time.
June Manifesting New Moon Focus:
1. SETTING NEW CREATIONS INTO LIFE
Powerful new creational energy is being activated to catalyze new creations, ways of being. What’s your energizing word that represents your focus and frequency for the new creations calling your life currently?
2. DEEPER DESIRE LINES
The power of the current time is causing a dropping into the deeper desire lines that have been rising to the surface. Listening in. Leaning in. Loving them to be heard, healed, and honored.
What are the deep desire lines in your life ready to be lifted to the surface for love and attention to come more online and alive?
3. GROW GRACEFUL GROUND…

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The June 2022 new moon will bring intense, overwhelming emotions

Let’s get emotional!

A new moon in Cancer will put you in your feels beginning June 28, 2022. New moons open a door to you that had been previously locked, encouraging you to venture forth into new territory.

New moons also offer new beginnings and a chance to look at things from a different perspective, depending on where they fall in the sky. Cancer is a Cardinal Water sign, which means that we are encouraged to assess our emotional stability and security, as well as the foundation our lives stand upon.

We can initiate new emotional journeys now as we also reflect on where we have been and how our ancestors led us to be where we now stand. New moons occur usually once a month and are always tied to fresh starts, new cycles and unique journeys. Depending on where they fall for your Rising and Sun signs, you’ll see an opportunity to seize the day and create actions that will ultimately culminate within the coming year ahead.

Read how your zodiac sign will be affected here and for more information on the new moon, check out the information after the horoscopes. Follow me for daily insight or read 2022 predictions for your zodiac sign or your 2022 love life and relationship horoscopes now!

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Spell – Home Protection Powder: A Simple Spell Recipe

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANY SPELLS POSTED TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER)

Home Protection Powder: A Simple Spell Recipe

From spells8.com

Whether you just moved into a new home or you’ve been living in your home for a while, it is always a good idea to cast a protection spell over your space. This process doesn’t have to be elaborate or complicated. In fact, it generally involves about two steps: cleansing the space and then protecting it. Any other steps in the process are entirely optional and can add to the potency of your spell. If you are in search of a simple protection spell for your home, be sure to read this post to the very end!

Why bother about the energy of your home?

Believe it or not, the energy of your home can have an effect on your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. This energy usually accumulates over time, but certain factors can play a role in how quickly unpleasant energy settles into your spaces. For example, if you spend a lot of time in emotionally charged situations during the day, you may end up bringing some unpleasant energy home with you. This energy may accumulate faster than if you spent your days in more pleasant or neutral situations. Surrounding yourself with unpleasant energies could lead you to feeling drained, grouchy, and generally not spiritually well in your own home.

Energy can also accumulate due to other people in your life. This includes people you let into your home such as family, friends, and even employees, and people that don’t come into your home but still send their energy in your direction. Putting up a magical protective barrier around your home can help to protect against physical damage such as break-ins, storms, or similar. It can also help protect your home against magical or psychic attacks from others or keep a wandering spirit from making itself too comfortable.

Clearing your home of unpleasant energies and protecting it from external energetic forces is very simple. Keep reading for some tips to get you started.

Make a Connection

Whether you are an animist or not, spend some time in your space. Light some incense if you want, play some nice music, and meditate in the heart of your home. Close your eyes and focus on your surroundings. Your home knows what it needs. If you listen well enough, it will tell you.

Clearing it Out

Once you’ve made the decision to clear out the energy from your home, it’s time to get to work. But what does clearing a space even mean? Well, you are going to be removing all energy from the space. This process clears out the energy, both good, bad, and otherwise, to leave room to call in what you want. If it makes it easier, you can think of this as an energetic cleaning rather than a physical one, though the two may look similar and utilize similar tools. This is step one of a good home protection spell.

One of the easiest methods of clearing a space is to clear it as you clean it. Charge your cleaning supplies with your magickal intention. You can do this by holding them firmly or holding your hands over them and speaking your words of intention over them. This could sound something like, “As I physically clean my space, so too do my cleaning supplies clear my home of unwanted energies and entities.” Then you use them to physically clean your space. At the same time, the energy you put forward to charge your supplies will also magickally clear the space.

Another method of clearing your space would be through the use of smoke or sound. You can burn special incense or herbs that have cleansing properties. One popular herb to burn for cleansing is rosemary, but any that you find clearing will work just as well. If you can’t use smoke you can cleanse with sound through clapping or bells. You can also use homemade cleansing sprays, too.

Calling it In

Once you’ve cleared your space, you will want to call something in to fill it. This step is optional, but keep in mind that nature doesn’t like a vacuum and nothing is truly empty for long. Use this step to call in the energy you want in your home. This can be done by playing some calming music, burning some relaxing or joyful incense, or decorating your home with pleasant flowers. Again, this can all be customized to suit your needs and desires for your space.

Choose Your Ingredients

Once your space is cleared and you have called in the energy you want, now it’s time to protect that energy. We are going to be making a salt powder to be used at the thresholds of our home. For this step, be sure to have some salt on hand. Salt is a wonderful protective ingredient to use in your powders, and for this recipe, it is the base ingredient. Salt is good for repelling and absorbing negative energy, keeping the energy that crosses your threshold in line with your intentions.

Along with salt, here are some more ideas of protective herbs you can include in your recipe.

Rosemary

Vervain

Bay Leaf

Aloe

Black Salt

Simple Home Protection Spell

Recipe by Francisco Huanaco

This powder is designed to protect your home with good energy and keep it free from problems. Support the magickal maintenance of your home with this protection powder.

INGREDIENTS

  • Salt – absorbs and repels negative energy

  • Rosemary – for protection (can substitute other protective herbs)

  • Jar or Bowl – for mixing the ingredients together

DIRECTIONS

  • Get your Salt

    Salt is protective and also repels negative energy. It is a good foundational ingredient for any witch to have and makes a simple base for our spell.
  • Get your Rosemary

    Rosemary is an herb that is commonly used for protection. In this case, you can use dried rosemary, fresh rosemary, or even substitute with an essential oil or other protective herb.
  • Mix it Together

    In your bowl, mix the salt and your protective herbs together. As you mix them, you can call on your guides, Gods, or other spirit allies to help you if you want. Stir in a clockwise motion to combine the ingredients as you say the following.
  • Sprinkle it Around

    With your mantra or affirmation in mind, sprinkle the salt mixture along every threshold and entry into your home. Include all doors, windows, and walkways. You can even repeat the above incantation if you’d like, drawing on the energy of the salt mixture as you do so.

Celtic Tree Month – Coll – Hazel Moon August 5 – September 1

 

About the Celtic Tree Month – Coll (Hazel Moon): August 5 – September 1

“The lunar tree calendar of the Celts has long been a source of controversy among Celtic scholars. Some even claim it was never a part of the old Celtic world, but was an invention of author/researcher Robert Graves. The Druids are generally given credit by other researchers for creating this system. There seems to be no scholarly evidence to prove otherwise, yet many Celtic Pagans feel that the system pre-dates the time of Druidic influence over Celtic religious matters. It is probably reasonable to believe that the truth lies somewhere in between these three extremes. It is most likely that the tree system was in place, with minor regional variations before the time of the Druids who experimented with it, discovered the magical properties of each tree, and codified all the information into the system we have today.”

—-Joelles Sacred Grove

The Hazel Moon was known to the Celts as Coll, which translates to “the life force inside you.” This is the time of year when Hazelnuts are appearing on the trees, and are an early part of the harvest. Hazelnuts are also associated with wisdom and protection. Hazel is often associated in Celtic lore with sacred wells and magical springs containing the salmon of knowledge. This is a good month to do workings related to wisdom and knowledge, dowsing and divination, and dream journeys. If you’re a creative type, such as an artist, writer, or musician, this is a good month to get your muse back, and find inspiration for your talents. Even if you normally don’t do so, write a poem or song this month.

Source

Patti Wigington, Author
Published on ThoughtCo

The Witches Almanac for Thursday, March 10th

Wiccan
The Witches Almanac for Thursday, March 10th

Thursday (Jupiter): Expansion, money, prosperity, and generosity.

Tibet Day

Waxing Moon
The Waxing Moon (from the New Moon to the Full) is the ideal time for magic to draw things toward you.

Moon phase: First Quarter

Moon Sign: Aries
Aries: Good for starting things but lack staying power. Things occur rapidly, but quickly pass. People tend to be argumentative and assertive.

Incense: Jasmine

Color: Purple

The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, March 9th

I'll Put A Spell On You!!
The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, March 9th

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

Forty Saints’ Day

Waxing Moon

Moon phase: First Quarter

Moon Sign: Pisces

Moon enters Aries 2: 40 pm

Incense: Lilac

Color: Brown

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, March 1

celtic druids
The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, March 1

Tuesday (Mars): Passion, sex, courage, aggression, and protection.

Matronalia (Roman)

Waning Moon
The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Fourth Quarter 6: 11 pm

Moon Sign: Sagittarius
Sagittarius: Encourages flights of imagination and confidence. This is an adventurous, philosophical, and athletic Moon sign. Favors expansion and growth.

Incense: Cinnamon

Color: Maroon

The Witches Almanac for Monday, February 29th

Cats view :::: Katzenblick
The Witches Almanac for Monday, February 29th

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

Leap Day

Waning Moon
The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Scorpio
Scorpio: Increases awareness of psychic power. Precipitates psychic crises and ends connections thoroughly. People tend to brood and become secretive. Moon sign. Favors expansion and growth.
Moon enters Sagittarius 6: 56 pm

Moon enters Sagittarius 6: 56 pm
Sagittarius: Encourages flights of imagination and confidence. This is an adventurous, philosophical, and athletic

Incense: Hyssop

Color: White

The Witches Almanac for Thursday, February 25th

The Witches Almanac for Thursday, February 25th

Thursday (Jupiter): Expansion, money, prosperity, and generosity.

Saint Walburga’s Day (German)

Waning Moon
The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Libra
Libra: Favors cooperation, social activities, beautification of surroundings, balance, and partnership.

Incense: Myrrh

Color: Purple

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, February 23

c.59 fantasy
The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, February 23

Tuesday (Mars): Passion, sex, courage, aggression, and protection.

Terminalia (Roman)

Waning Moon
The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Virgo
Virgo: Favors accomplishment of details and commands from higher up. Focuses on health, hygiene, and daily schedules.

Incense: Bayberry

Color: Black

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, February 16th

THE MAGIC EYE *
The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, February 16th

Tuesday (Mars): Passion, sex, courage, aggression, and protection.

Fumi-e (Japanese)

Waxing Moon
The Waxing Moon (from the New Moon to the Full) is the ideal time for magic to draw things toward you.

Moon phase: Second Quarter

Moon Sign: Gemini
Gemini: Things begun now are easily changed by outside influence. Time for shortcuts, communication, games, and fun.

Incense: Ginger

Color: Red

The Witches Almanac for Saturday, February 13th

goddess
The Witches Almanac for Saturday, February 13th

Saturday (Saturn): Longevity, exorcism, endings, homes, and houses.

Parentalia (Roman)

Waxing Moon
The Waxing Moon (from the New Moon to the Full) is the ideal time for magic to draw things toward you.

Moon phase: First Quarter

Moon Sign: Aries
Aries: Good for starting things, but lacks staying power. Things occur rapidly, but quickly pass. People tend to be argumentative and assertive.

Moon enters Taurus 6: 36 am
Taurus: Things begun now last the longest, tend to increase in value, and become hard to alter. Brings out appreciation for beauty and sensory experience.

Incense: Rue

Color: Gray

The Witches Current Moon Phase for February 11th is Waxing Crescent


February 11

Waxing Crescent

Illumination: 11%

 

The Moon today is in a Waxing Crescent Phase. A Waxing Crescent is the first Phase after the New Moon and is a great time to see the features of the moon’s surface. During this phase the Moon can be seen in the wester sky after the sun dips below the horizon at sunset. The moon is close to the sun in the sky and mostly dark except for the right edge of the moon which becomes brighter as the days get closer to the next phase which is a First Quarter with a 50% illumination.

Phase Details for – Thursday, February 11, 2016

Phase: Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 11%
Moon Age: 3.21 days
Moon Angle: 0.55
Moon Distance: 364,270.53 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 147,655,054.70 km