Tag: Patricia Telesco

Goddess For Today: Maat

Goddess For Today: Maat

Themes: Freedom; New Beginnings; Justice; Morality; Organization; Promises; Universal Law

Symbols: Ostrich Feather (or any feather)

About Maat: In Egypt, Maat is the ultimate representation of fairness, justice, and truth. As the spirit of orderliness and legislation, she assists us by overseeing any legal matters, hearings, promises, and oaths to ensure harmony and honesty. In some Egyptian stories, a person’s soul was weighed against Maat’s feather to gain entrance to paradise.

To Do Today:

On June 19 in 1865, the slaves in Texas were finally told about the Emancipation Proclamation signed three years previously. While freedom was slow in coming, it finally arrived, likely in part thanks to Maat’s encouragement.

For all of Maat’s spells it’s best to have a feather to use as a component and focal point. Change the color of your feather to suit the goal. Pick blue for true seeing (or to encourage honesty with yourself), white for pure promises, black and white for legal equity, and pale yellow to inspire a new beginning filled with Maat’s keen insight. Bless the feather, using the following incantation (fill in the blank with your goal), then release it to the wind so the magic begins to move!

Maat, on this feather light,

bring to me renewed insight.

To my life _____ impart;

make a home within my heart.

By Patricia Telesco – From “365 Goddess” and GrannyMoon’sMorningFeast

Today’s Goddess: BANBA

Today’s Goddess: BANBA

Burning of the Clavie (Scotland)
 
Theme: Protection
Symbol: Soil
 
About Banba: A Celtic War Goddess, Banba extends safety to those who follow her, wilding magic in their support. In Irish
tradition, she protected the land from invaders. As a reward for her sorcery’s assistance. Banba’s name became linked with
ancient poetic designations for parts of Ireland. Interestingly enough, Baba translates as “unplowed land,”
meaning it is left safe and untouched to grow fertile.
 
To Do Today: Considering crime and other societal problems, a little extra protection from Banba seems like something we
could all use year-round. Think of your home and possessions as the “land” she guards. Gather a pinch of dirt from near your residence, take it inside, and keep it in a special spot. Light a candle (white is good) near this anytime you feel you need
Banba’s diligent sheltering.
 
On this day the Scots burn a pole attached to a barrel of tar (a Clavie) and take it around town to banish evil influences,
especially magical ones. The Clavie’s remaining ashes are gathered by people as an anticurse amulet. In keeping with this
custom, burn a small bit of wood (perhaps oak) on a safe fire source. As it burns, recite this incantation:
 
“Banba, burn away negativity, burn away malintent.
Let the energy return from where it was sent.”
.
Keep the ashes as an anti-negativity talisman.
.
By Patricia Telesco

Deity of the Day for Jan. 5 – BEFANA

BEFANA

Befana Fair (Italy)
 
Themes: Overcoming Evil; Wisdom
Symbols: Broom; Horns; Hag Poppets
 
About Befana: Befana is the Italian crone goddess. Call on her for wisdom and guidance through the other eleven months of the year. Because she has lived a long life, her astute insight will serve you well. Today is her festival day in Italy, celebrated with horns, noise makers, songs, and music. These loud sounds drive out evil and mark the passage of winter’s darkness out of the region.
 
To Do Today: Have any children in your life follow the Italian tradition of leaving Befana a broom to fly on and a gift basket. According to legend, Befana rewards this kindness with little gifts in stockings much like Santa Claus.
 
Find a “kitchen witch” at a gift shop and hang it up near the hearth to welcome Befana’s wisdom into your home.
Or, take a broom clockwise around your house, sweeping inward toward a central spot to gather her beneficent energies.
To protect your home for the rest of the year, use a kazoo or other noise maker (pots with wooden spoons work well). Go into each room and make a loud racket saying,
 
All evil fear! Befana is here! Away, away, only goodness may stay.
 
If your schedule allows, make a poppet that looks like an old woman. Fill it with dried garlic, pearl onions, and any other herbs you associate with safety. Keep this near the stove or hearth to invoke Befana’s ongoing protection.
 
 
By Patricia Telesco

Today’s Goddess:Yellow Woman

Today’s Goddess:Yellow Woman

Tesuque Feast (Southeastern US)
 
Themes: Nature, Providence, Animals
Symbols: Yellow Items, Green Items, Embroidered Items
 
About Yellow Woman: This Pueblo Goddess if magic, agriculture and the hunt is also the heroine of many local
stories having taught humans important sacred ceremonies. Today she helps us remember these rituals and reintegrate
them into our live.
 
Art depicts Yellow Woman wearing an embroidered blanket dress, a green mask (revealing her connection to nature)
and a white mantle. Sometimes she appears as a corn Goddess and other times as a witch, bear or ogress.
 
To Do Today: This is the time of the Buffalo Dance, which honors nature and mimes, an ancient hunting ritual thought
to ensure a successful hunt. This dance is a type of sympathetic magic that also appeases the souls of the animals
about to be captured. For our purposes, this equates to a kind of ritual mime in which we enact our hopes as realized,
asking Yellow Woman to guide our movements so they will manifest in magic. For example, to improve self love give
yourself a hug so you receive that energy. For relationships, open your arms wide so they await the right person
(figuratively receiving a “good catch”, which is in Yellow Woman’s dominion too!)
 
To improve your awareness of the significance of ritual, eat corn today and wear yellow, white and/or green clothing.
Embroidered items also please this Goddess.
..
By Patricia Telesco

Today’s Goddess: Nicneven

Today’s Goddess: Nicneven
Halloween (Various Locations)
 
Themes: Protection; Ghosts; Divination; Peace; Winter
Symbols: Pumpkins; Gourds; Traditional Halloween Fare

 

About Nicneven: In Scotland, Nicneven is the Crone goddess of Samhain, which is the predecessor of modern Halloween festivals. Nicneven governs the realms of magic and witchcraft and also represents the imminent onset of winter.

 

To Do Today: In magic and Celtic traditions, this is the new year – a time when the veil between worlds grows thin and spirits can communicate with the living. Follow the usual customs of carving a pumpkin or turnip for protection and to illuminate the way for family spirits to join you in today’s celebrations.

 

In druidical tradition, Samhain was a time to rectify any matters causing dissent. Nicneven provides the magical glue for this purpose. Take a white piece of paper on which you’ve written the reason for anger in a relationship, then burn it in any hallowed fire source (the pumpkin candle, or ritual fires). As you do, ask Nicneven to empower the spell and destroy the negativity completely.

 

To inspire Nicneven’s wisdom or magical aptitude within, enjoy traditional Halloween fare – apple pie, for example, brings sagacity. Sparkling apple cider tickles magical energy. And root crops provide solid foundations and protection while magical creatures are afoot!.

By Patricia Telesco

Today’s Goddess: Diana

Today’s Goddess: Diana

Festival of Diana (Rome)
 
Themes: Fertility; Children; Providence; Abundance; Harvest
Symbols: Moon; Water; Forest Items; Sun
 
About Diana: This Roman goddess embodies the moon’s fertility and watery aspects,
along with the sun’s protective and nurturing power over the forests and its creatures.
On this day she was celebrated in Rome, and she will be remembered in our hearts
as the huntress who helps us capture the spiritual “food” we need.
 
To Do Today: Starting on August 13, the Romans had a weeklong festival for Diana,
praying to her for the harvest’s bounty, and to turn damaging storms away. The traditional
place to leave an offering of fruit or vines for her is in the forest, or at a crossroads.
 
As you do, if any stone or leaf catches your eye, pick it up and carry it as a charm
that will keep Diana’s power with you that entire day. Come night, release the gift to
flowing water or back to the earth with a prayer of thanks and a wish for one of Diana’s
attributes that you wish to develop in your life.
 
It is also customary to light some fire source to honor her on August 15 or anytime during
the festivities. Afterward, to generate this goddess’s physical or figurative fertility within you,
follow Roman convention and wash your hair with specially prepared water (water to which
just a little milk is added so that it looks white, like the moon). If you have children, doing
this for them incurs Diana’s protection over their lives.
.

By Patricia Telesco~ From “365 Goddess”

Today’s Goddess: Minne

Today’s Goddess: Minne

Linden Festival (Germany)
 
Themes:Protection; Love; Luck; Devotion; Unity
Symbols: Linden Tree; Cup; Beer
 
About Minne: Minne is a German goddess of love and fertility. Her name–meaning “remembrance”–was applied to a special cup for lovers in this part of the world. The cup was filled with specially prepared beer and raised between two people wishing to deepen their love. This gives Minne a strong association with devotion, unity, and fidelity.
 
To Do Today: During the second weekend in July, people in Geisenheim, Germany, gather around an ancient Linden Tree (six hundred plus years old) and celebrate the year’s new wine. All aspects of the festival take place beneath the Linden’s branches, which in magic terms represent safety and good fortune. The Linden flowers portray Minne’s spirit, having been used in all manner of love magic! To protect a relationship, two lovers should carry dried Linden flowers with them always.
When making a promise to each other, a couple may drink a wooden goblet of beer today, linking their destinies. Raise the glass to the sky first, saying, “Minne’s love upon our lips, devotion in each sip.”
 
Drink while looking deeply into each other’s eyes. Or, exchange pieces of Linden wood as a magical bonding that invokes Minne’s blessing. If Linden isn’t native to your area, other trees and bushes that promote Minne’s loving qualities include avens, elm, lemon, orange, peach, pear, primrose, rose, and willow.
.

By Patricia Telesco

Today’s Goddess: Securita Lemuria (Rome)

Today’s Goddess:  Securita

Lemuria (Rome)

 

 Themes:  Protection; Ghosts; Grounding

 

Symbols:  Amulets and Protective Sigils

 

 

 

About Securita:  As the name implies, Securita is a protective Goddess who watches over not only individuals in need but also entire empires.  In the true spirit of security, she also actively promotes stability and firm foundations in our lives.

 

 

 

To Do Today:  In ancient Rome, lemures were considered to be the ghosts of family members who like to pester the living, if given the chance.  So, in all due prudence, the Romans took time once a year to put ghosts back where they belong and invoke Securita’s protection by tossing beans behind them 9 times.  We can use this symbolism today in banishing any ghosts that linger in our figurative closets.  Just name a handful of beans after your “ghost”, toss them behind you in an open area, and walk away.  This appeases the spirits and leaves the troubles behind you in the past, where they belong.

 

 

 

Today is an excellent day to make Securita amulets for protection against mischievous spirits.  Take any one or all of the following and bind them in a white cloth with red wool: sandalwood, sage, violet, or peach pit.  As you tie the wool, say,

 

 

 

“Securita’s power lies inside.

 

Where this amulet sits, no ghosts may abide.”

 

 

 

Put the token wherever you need it.  Eating leek soup keeps away spirits, too.

  )0( 

By Patricia Telesco

Today’s Goddess: Kwan Yin

 

By Patricia Telesco ~ From “365 Goddess” and GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast

Today’s Goddess:  Kwan Yin

Festival of the Goddess of Mercy (China/Japan)
  
Themes:  Children; Kindness; Magic; Health; Fertility
Symbols:  Lotus; Black Tea; Rice; Rainbow
  
About Kwan Yin:  Kwan Yin is the most beloved of all Eastern goddess figures, giving freely of her unending sympathy, fertility, health, and magical insight to all who ask.  It is her sacred duty to relieve suffering and encourage enlightenment among humans.  In Eastern mythology, a rainbow bore Kwan Yin to heaven in human form.  Her name means “regarder of sounds,”  meaning she hears the cries and prayers of the world.
 
To Do Today:  If you hope to have children or wish to invoke Kwan Yin’s blessing and protection on the young ones in your life, you can follow Eastern custom and leave an offering for Kwan Yin of sweet cakes, lotus incense, fresh fruit, and/or flowers.  If you can’t find lotus incense, look for lotus-shaped soaps at novelty or import shops.
 
For literal or figurative fertility, try making this Kwan Yin talisman:  During a waxing-to-full moon, take a pinch of Black Tea and a pinch of rice and put them in a yellow cloth, saying,
 
As a little tea makes a full cup, so may my life be full.
As the rice expands in warm water, so may my heart expand with love and warmth.
The fertility of Kwan Yin, wrapped neatly within.
 
Tie this up and keep it in a spot that corresponds to the type of fertility you want (such as the bedroom for physical fertility).