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REFERENCE GUIDE FOR HERBS

REFERENCE GUIDE FOR HERBS

Overview

Herbs are a gift from nature. They include leaves, bark, berries, roots, gums,
seeds, stems and flowers. They have been used for thousands of years to help
maintain good health.

ALFALFA

Aids in healing allergies, arthritis, morning sickness, peptic ulcers, stomach
ailments & bad breath; cleanses the kidneys & removes poisons from the body;
neutralizes acids; is an excellent blood purifier & blood thinner; improves the
appetite and aids in the assimilation of protein, calcium & other nutrients.

ALOE VERA

Helps alleviate constipation, aids in healing burns & wounds, canker sores, cold
sores, ulcers, acne and digestive disorders.

BLESSED THISTLE

Helps strengthen the heart & lungs; aids in healing urinary, pulmonary & liver
disorders; increases circulation to the brain; aids digestion, reduces fever,
expels worms, helps alleviate menstrual cramps.

BURDOCK ROOT

Is an excellent blood purifier and cleanser; aids in healing skin blemishes,
arthritis & rheumatism; promotes healthy kidney function.

CAPSICUM

Promotes cleansing of the circulatory & digestive system; reduces fever,
purifies the blood; helps prevent muscle aches, tiredness, skin blemishes,
headaches, rheumatism, ulcers & sore throats; helps in regulating your blood
pressure and pulse rate.
CASCARA SAGRADA

Stimulates the secretions of the entire digestive system; helps prevent nervous
disorders, colon & constipation problems.

CHAMOMILE

An excellent cleanser & toner of the digestive tract; aids in calming the
nerves; expels worms & parasites; Improves the appetite & helps eliminate
dandruff.

CHAPPARAL

Aids in healing skin blemishes, acne, arthritis & allergies; promotes hair
growth; acts as a natural antibiotic within the body with no side effects.

COMFREY

Aids in healing respiratory ailments, anemia, arthritis, fractures, mucous
membranes, lungs & wounds; it is soothing to the gastrointestinal tract; aids in
cell proliferation; helps the pancreas in regulating blood sugar level; helps
promote the secretion of pepsin & is a general aid to digestion.

ECHINACEA

Is the most effective blood & lymphatic cleanser in the botanical kingdom; its
acts as a natural antibiotic and works like penicillin in the body with no side
effects; aids in reducing fever, infections, bad breath & mucous buildup.

EUPHRASIA

Aids in reducing skin blemishes, clears bloodshot eyes, and helps with
impotence.

GARLIC

Is extremely effective in dissolving and cleansing cholesterol from the blood
stream; it stimulates the digestive tract; it kills worms, parasites and harmful
bacteria; it normalizes blood pressure and reduces fever, gas & cramps; it used
by athletes for increasing physical strength & energy.

GINGER

Aids in fighting colds, colitis, digestive disorders, flu & gas; it helps
increase the secretion of saliva; is excellent for the circulatory system and
helps increase stamina.

GINSENG

Aids in increasing endurance, longevity & vitality; aids in balancing hormonal
activity; acts as a sexual stimulant, mental & physical stimulant; normalizes
blood pressure levels; helps protect the body against stress; strengthens the
endocrine glands; stimulates the activity of RNA & DNA in your cells, thus
helping retard the aging process.

GOTU KOLA

Is an excellent “brain food” which promotes memory & helps alleviate mental
fatigue; excellent for the eyes, impotence, endurance, energy & normalizing
blood pressure; considered to be an excellent nerve tonic.

HAWTHORN BERRIES

Strengthens the muscles and nerves to the heart; aids in relieving emotional
stress; regulates high & low blood pressure; helps combat arteriosclerosis,
hypoglycemia and heart disease.

HYSSOP

Regulates blood pressure, purifies the blood & promotes circulation, excellent
aid for the eyes, hoarseness, lungs, mucous buildup, nervous disorders and skin
problems.

LICORICE

Expels mucous from the respiratory tract aids in healing hoarseness,
hypoglycemia, coughs & constipation; promotes healthy adrenal glands; acts as a
sexual stimulant; helps increase endurance & vitality; helps in reducing skin
blemishes (age spots).

MA HAUNG

A stimulant of the adrenal glands; helps increase energy level; aids in healing
asthma, bronchitis, lung, coughs & congestive disorders.

MULLEIN

A bone, flesh and cartilage builder; aids in healing respiratory ailments,
asthma, bronchitis, diarrhea, sinus congestion; soothing to any inflammation and
relieves pain; acts to relieve spasms & clears the lungs.

ROSE HIPS

Used to fight infection & curb stress. it is the highest herb in Vitamin C
content and contains the entire C-Complex.

SARSAPARILLA

Helps cure impotence; relieves inflammation & gas and will increase the flow of
urine; an excellent blood purifier; aids rheumatism, heartburn, hormones, gout,
fever ad mucous buildup; also used to promote perspiration.

SPIRULINA

Is an algae containing 65 – 70% protein; it contains 26 times the Calcium of
milk; also contains phosphorous & niacin and is far more nutritious than any
known food; used for rejuvenation & weight reduction; an excellent blood and
colon cleanser; very high in Vitamin B12 content.

YELLOW DOCK

A nutritive tonic, high in Iron and useful in treating anemia; also nourishes
the spleen and liver, thus, being effective for the treatment of Jaundice,
Lymphatic problems & skin eruptions; strengthens, cleanses & tones the entire
body; excellent for boils, ulcers, wounds, and cleansing

The Witches Magick for October 29th – Conjuring Spirits Spell

magick21

To Conjure Spirits

Waxing Moon or Full Moon: Waning or New Moon

Two tall purple candles

Two tall green candles

A purple Amethyst Green Jade or Agate – in center of altar

Sandalwood & Lavender Incense or Sandalwood & Willow Bark Incense

Spirit Candle

Cast a triple circle. Conjuring of Spirits is always done in hours of darkness, not necessary to be midnight, but preferred. After you have performed your primary ritual, cast the incense into your burner, Place the Spirit Candle into the center of the altar and say:

“Spirit of good will, I bid thee enter
The Outer Circle.
The Second Circle.
The Inner Circle.
I am protected by this Pentacle upon my breast.
Which bears the name of (your Spirit Guide)
I bid thee, Spirit, Reveal thy Earthly name!

(turn slowly deosil as you speak)

Repeat this conjuration three times.

Perform a nine card Tarot Divination for the Spirit’s name, unless the Spirit replies in some other manner.

Ask:

Have you a message for me?

Perform A Tarot Divination or use the Witches’ Bowl to ask questions.

Spirit, is it true that….?

Deal gently with the friendly Spirits and they will lead you to the Greater Mysteries.

During your questioning, observe the Spirit Candle. If it wavers or rises and falls, or flickers unevenly, use the Tarot to see if the Spirit has a message.

You may ask 3 questions, after that you must ask:

May I seek further guidance?

Ask only 3 more questions.

Bid the Spirit depart, saying:

(Name), Good Spirit,
Thou hast diligently answered my questions and I do thank thee. I
hereby give thee license to depart. Depart, thrice – blessed Spirit, and be
thou willing to return when next I conjure thee. By the sound of this bell

(Use your Witches’ Bell),

I bid thee leave. Depart, Depart. Depart!

*Witches’ Bowl

Three casting stones, a bowl or tray 13″ or more in diameter, marked for divination.

Today’s Tarot Card for October 28th is The Fool

The Fool

Monday, Oct 28th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pamela Coleman-Smith’s artful rendition of an “innocent Fool” archetype (Rider-Waite deck) is often used to represent Tarot in general. Early classical versions of the Fool card, however, portray quite a different character — a person driven by base needs and urges, who has fallen into a state of poverty and deprivation.

In some instances, he is made out to be a carnival entertainer or a huckster. In others, he is portrayed as decrepit and vulnerable — as the cumulative result of his delusions and failures. Not until the 20th century do you see the popular Rider-Waite image of the Fool arise — that of an innocent Soul before its Fall into Matter, as yet untainted by contact with society and all its ills.

Modern decks usually borrow from the Rider-Waite imagery. Most Fool cards copy the bucolic mountainside scene, the butterfly, the potential misplaced step that will send the Fool tumbling into the unknown. Don’t forget, however, that the earlier versions of this card represented already-fallen humanity, over-identified with the material plane of existence, and beginning a pilgrimage towards self-knowledge, and eventually, wisdom. The Fool reminds us to recognize the path of personal development within ourselves — and the stage upon that path where we find ourselves — in order to energize our

Preparing for Summerland During Samhain

Preparing for Summerland During Samhain

Author:   Crystal T.  

During the Sabbat of Samhain, many of us think it is the time when we need to remember our ancestors. Many of us set out photos of our relatives, friends and other loved ones that have passed. Some of us may set the table one night this month for a “Dumb Supper”. The veil is considered to be at its thinnest, and yet during this time one topic is rarely ever discussed:
Death. Yes, you read it correctly, death. More importantly, this is about your death!

Remembering the past is indeed a beautiful thing, but what about a topic that not a lot of people think about during this time… how would YOU want to be remembered when your time comes?

No matter if you want to be buried, cremated, or otherwise, one thing will most likely happen: An obituary will be written in your name. In some cases, someone who has never met you writes it. Your local newspaper editor is simply putting together words about you from a standardized form that was supplied to them by the funeral home that handled the processing of your physical body. I don’t mean to seem cold; it is something I don’t want to happen to me. I want to be remembered for what I accomplished in my lifetime, the things I loved, as well as the people I loved. Granted, the paper may not always honor final your wishes, but there are some things you can do to insure that your directives are followed.

Back in 2008, my father passed away. This motivated me to start researching on what I wanted when my time came. I began to research various things from “Pagan funeral” to “Green Burial”. I met a wonderful woman and Death Midwife, Nora Cedarwind Young as a result of my research. Throughout the past few years, she has become a mentor and friend. I have also learned from Nora to be pro-active in planning what I want to happen when my time comes to return to Gaia. Nora has taught me that there are six essential documents a person should have prepared and ready for when their time comes. They are:

1. A Will: A will is a legal document that states what you want to happen after you die. It includes naming a person or persons in charge of handling your estate, distribution of any property, and naming care for any minor children such as guardianship.

2. A Living Will: A Living Will is the document that will distinguish your wishes regarding medical treatments in prolonging your life when you are unable to do so for yourself. This may also be called a Health Care Directive or Advance Directive. A Living Will is also only good when your medical prognosis is deemed unrecoverable such in cases of a terminal illness.

3. Power of Attorney – Health: This paper names a person who would be in charge of your health and make decisions for you in the case you are not able to make them for yourself. This is also known as a Health Care Proxy.

4. Power of Attorney – Finance: This is the document where you would name someone to take charge of your finances when you are unable to do so yourself. Normally it will be your spouse, parent, adult child, or person you deem worthy of the responsibility.

5.Disposition of Body: This is the paper where you state your desire for burial, cremation, organ donation, etc. Please note that in some states, your spouse or next of kin has more rights to determine what is done with your body after you die more so than you do. This is where communication of your desires and wishes are discussed with your family.

6.HIPAA: This form is not to be confused with a HIPPA, which is something else. For a HIPAA you will need to complete and sign a HIPAA Privacy Authorization Form if you want a person beside yourself to have access to your medical records while you are competent.

If you are financially able, prepare these forms as soon as you can. I personally update my records every Samhain just in case something has changed. If you are not able to prepare these forms with a lawyer, there are some computer software applications available for a small amount available at your local office supply store, Best Buy, or available on the internet. Dependent on which state you live in, you might need to determine if the computer software “do it yourself” versions are legal.

Recently this past year, I was diagnosed with kidney disease. This began a journey for me into the many cases of “what if”. I am in no way ready to use any of these six essential documents, but I do however want my husband to be prepared on what I want to happen should something happen to me. I have everything written down in a notebook. We are in the process of drafting paperwork with a lawyer after saving up to prepare it for the welfare of our children should something happen to the both of us for guardianship of our minor children. I want him to know what I want as regarding funeral rites right down to the articles of clothing I want to wear. I have certain items that I wish passed on to (or returned to original person that gifted them to me) others that I have purchased or received over the years.

All these items are very important. One last thing you might want to consider writing during this time of year is your own obituary. Now your version may not make it to the newspapers, but it could be a valuable gift to those you love. This document would be the story of your life.

What do you want to be remembered for? What accomplishments did you achieve over your lifetime? What were your favorite foods, songs, television show, movies, etc? Give them the details that you want them to have. Throw in a fact or two they may not even know. Make them laugh; make them cry.

They will be glad that you gave them this last gift. In essence, this would be writing your own biography. Give them a piece of your history with this document. By simply writing the story of your life and then updating it each and every Samhain as our lives change and grow, it will make it easier on your family in the long run… knowing what your final wishes are and how you want to be remembered.

If you need more information about any of these things, I urge you pay a visit to Nora Cedarwind Young’s website. It is called Thresholds of Life (www.thresholdsoflife.org) and contains much valuable information.

I wish each and every one of you a “Spellbound Samhain”!

Sincerely,
Crystal LunaRouge

_____________________________________

Footnotes:
http://www.thresholdsoflife.org

A Little Humor For Your Day – ‘Mirror, Mirror’

Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Do you have to tell it all?

Where do you get the glaring right

To make my clothes look too darn tight?

I think I’m fine but I can see

You won’t cooperate with me,

The way you let the shadows play

You’d think my hair was getting gray.

What’s that, you say? A double chin?

No, that’s the way the light comes in,

If you persist in peering so

You’ll confiscate my facial glow,

And then if you’re not hanging straight

You’ll tell me next I’m gaining weight,

I’m really quite upset with you

For giving this distorted view;

I hate you being smug and wise

O, look what’s happened to my thighs!

I warn you now, O mirrored wall,

Since we’re not on speaking terms at all,

If I look like this in my new jeans

You’ll find yourself in smithereens!!

 

Turok’s Cabana

Daily Feng Shui News for Oct. 27th – ‘Mother-In-Law Day’

Because I hope to be a great one someday, I’d like to share an excellent gift to give your own on this ‘Mother-In-Law Day.’ Actually, this Feng Shui tip is a great gift for any woman. This philosophy says that giving a woman three fresh rosemary plants (that she should keep on a window ledge or any place in the kitchen) will also gift her with financial stability and independence. And if that doesn’t make you her favorite son or daughter-in-law, then I don’t know what will.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Calendar of the Moon for October 27th

Calendar of the Moon

27 Gort/Puanepsion

Khalkeia: Weaving Athena’s Cloak

Color: Blue and white
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of white set up a table loom which will be used over the next nine months to weave Athena’s cloak. The warp should be strung, and the shuttles loaded.
Offerings: Weave a line or two.
Daily Meal: Anything served with olives.

Khalkeia Invocation:

Call: Hail Athena, Weaver and Craftswoman!
Response: Hail Athena, Giver of Civilization!
Call: On this day we begin to weave our gift to you.
Response: On this day we begin to weave our worship.
Call: We weave into it the high flight of birds.
Response: We weave into it the firm earth beneath us.
Call: We weave into it clear-eyed vision.
Response: We weave into it skillful hands.
Call: We weave into it the grim struggle of battle.
Response: We weave into it the focus of strategy.
Call: We weave into it the spiral twirl of the spindle.
Response: We weave into it the clashing of swords.
Call: We weave into it the beating of owl’s wings.
Response: We weave into it the glare of the Gorgon.
Call: We weave into it the soft counsel of wisdom.
Response: We weave into it the draught that cools hot heads.
Call: We weave into it the ancient knowledge.
Response: We weave into it the new discovery.
Call: We weave into it study and seeking.
Response: We weave into it manifestation.
Call: We weave into it our hopes and fears.
Response: We weave into it the cry to heaven.
Call: Hail Athena, Weaver and Craftswoman! May you bless the work of our hands.
Response: Hail Athena, Giver of Civilization! May you bless all that we do.

(The one who is the House weaver should weave the first three lines with the shuttle, saying “Hail Athena!” each time the reed swings back and forth. All should come forth and weave a line or two, also saying, “Hail Athena!” Then the loom is carried to its place of honor for the rest of the year, where the cloak for her statue will be woven with pictures and symbols in her honor, to be presented to her at the Panathenaea.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Let’s Talk Witch – The People and Pets In Your Home

pagan19

The People and Pets In Your Home

The people and pets who share your living space contribute to the overall feeling texture of your home. If you have a roommate or someone else in your home with whom you don’t get along or who is mostly negative, then you need to take measures to rid the rooms of that negativity. This may call for a sage smudging at a regular intervals: Do so once a week for a month, then once a month after. Other remedial adjustments might be in order. You can include a piece of onyx or burn a black candle in or near the person’s room to absorb the negative energy. If you burn a black candle, let it burn all the way down, then toss it out. You don’t have to throw out the onyx; just bathe it in sea water (or water with some sea salt in it if you don’t live near an ocean) and then set it in the sun for a few minutes to charge it.

If you have a pet who is hostile toward you or other people, you might try a little feng shui magick. Locate the family area of your home. This area lies in the eastern part of the house or, in the Western feng shui, the farthest left-hand side of your home when you stand inside your front door. Add a tabletop fountain to the family area, a couple of jade plants and something black. Don’t forget to give your pet plenty of love.

If you have children, the best area in feng shui lies in the western part of the house or, if you’re standing in the front door, directly opposite the family area. If your kids are hostile or angry, use anything yellow in that area–flowers(with round leaves), curtains, linen, quilts, whatever feels right. Symbols for children and creativity are also good here, as are music, bells, and lights.

Once the negativity in the children’s area is purged, put a white crystal and white flowers somewhere in the room. It helps to balance emotions.

 

Samhain Spirit Incense

Samhain Spirit Incense

By , About.com

Spirits In The Smoke

By the time Samhain rolls around, your herb garden is probably looking pretty sad. Now’s the time to take all those goodies you harvested and dried in September, and put them to good use. This incense blend is perfect for a Samhain séance, divination session, or for any other autumn working.

This recipe is for loose incense, but you can adapt it for stick or cone recipes. As you mix and blend your incense, focus on the goal of your work. Do you wish to contact the spirit of a long-dead ancestor? Are you hoping to bring some visions your way in a dream? Or are you maybe looking to enhance your own meditative abilities? Focus your intent as you blend your ingredients.

You’ll need:

 

  • 2 parts Cinnamon
  • 1 part ground cloves
  • 1 part Dragon’s Blood resin
  • 1 part Hyssop
  • 1 part Patchouli
  • 2 parts Rosemary
  • 1 part Sage
  • A dash of sea salt

Add your ingredients to your mixing bowl one at a time. Measure carefully, and if the leaves or blossoms need to be crushed, use your mortar and pestle to do so. As you blend the herbs together, state your intent. You may find it helpful to charge your incense with an incantation. For example, if you were going to use your incense during a seance, you could use this:

The veil has thinned, the moon is bright and I blend this magic on Samhain night. Celebrating life and death and rebirth with these herbs I’ve harvested from the earth. I send my intent by smoke in the air and call on those whose blood I share. I ask my ancestors to guide and watch over me, As I will, so it shall be.

Store your incense in a tightly sealed jar. Make sure you label it with its intent and name, as well as the date you created it. Use within three months, so that it remains charged and fresh.

Crone Chant for Good Judgment

Goddess Comments & Graphics
Ancient Hag, Wise Grandmother,

You of Wisdom, like no other,

Help me weigh choices with precision,

To make a good and fair decision

Show me what I need to see,

Shed some light on what should be.

And should I turn a deafened ear

Open it so I can hear

Help me feel what I should know.

Show me now which way to go.

Guide me in what I just do.

This, Old Crone, I ask of You.

So Mote It Be

A Little Humor for Your Day – Spells Guaranteed to Work

Spells Guaranteed to Work

 

Ancient Spell to Kill a Beast    

Get a spear.         
Aim the spear.         
Throw the spear.         
Repeat until the beast is dead.     
          

Spell to Make Money  

Put on some tight attractive clothing.         
Go to a busy street corner.         
Dance as well as you can for passing cars and pedestrians.               
 

Spell to Get Measles 

Find someone who has measles.         
Lick them.               
 

Spell to Turn Day Into Night    

Stand facing a large tree or wall.         
Close eyes tightly.         
Keeping eyes closed, run straight ahead as fast as you can.               

 

Spell to Turn Night Into Day   

Lay down when it is nighttime.         
Close your eyes.         
Wait 8 hours.         
Open your eyes.               

 

Spell to Breathe Under-Water 

Attach concrete block to your feet.         
Jump into water.         
Breathe normally and sing the tune to “Flipper”.         
Takes about 5 minutes for lungs to adjust.             
 
  

Spell to Commune With Pink Elephants    

Pour glass of vodka or alcoholic drink of choice.         
Drink.         
Repeat steps 1-2.               

 

Spell to Attract Lightning  

Cover yourself in metal: jewelry, chains, golf clubs, nails, nuts & bolts, hubcaps, etc.         
Go out into a thunderstorm and hold a long TV antenna high in the air.  
Wait.          
     

Spell to Stop a Runny Nose    

Get two cotton balls.         
Shove one up each nostril.         
Tape them there.          
     

Spell to Make a Person Fall In Love With You   

 Call person at least thirty times a day.         
Park outside their house and shut your headlights off.         
Leave sweet tokens on doorstep (i.e., roses without petals, a nice headless            Barbie doll, etc.).         
Follow them everywhere they go… careful, they’ll try to lose you!         
Don’t worry if they get that silly restraining order, that means the           
spell is working!     
          

Spell to Make a Person Fall Out of Love With You  

Forget getting a restraining order.         
Get a gun or other weapon of choice.         
Wound or maim person with weapon.         
Throw person in an area with lots of wild carnivores         
Wait.               

 

Spell to Make Your Computer Fast       

Open a window.         
Defenestrate the computer.         
If the computer hits the ground really fast, the spell worked.               

 

Alternate Spell to Make Your Computer Fast 

Turn on your computer         
Deny it food.               

 

Spell to Save on Gas   

Cut holes in floorboards of car.         
Remove shoes.         
While still seated, pedal feet really, really fast.         
Scream “Yabba Dabba Do!”         
(Optional) Invite passengers to join in the fun!               

 

Spell to Go to the Bathroom   

Drink so much water that you think you will burst.         
Drink another glass anyway.         
Wait ten minutes, then guzzle a can of soda.         
Repeat step 3 as often as desired to increase the spell’s effect.               

 

Alternate Spell to Go to the Bathroom 

Eat a bushel of prunes.         
Take a dose of ExLax.         
Wait.               

 

Spell to Make Something Disappear  

Open a window         
Grab the object you want to make disappear.         
Defenestrate the object.         
Close the window. 
              

Spell to Make Yourself Fly   

Open a window         
Defenestrate yourself.         
Flap your arms vigorously and repeatedly say “I’m flying!”         
If you don’t hit the ground, the spell worked.               

 

Spell to Get a New Car   

Get off the computer.         
Go to a car dealership.         
Chose a care.
Take a test drive.
Repeat until a satisfactory choice is made.         
Make arrangements to trade in your old car for the new one chosen.         
Drive home and wait.         
When the new car arrives, go back to the dealer.         
Drive home.            
   

Spell to Go Through A Wall    

Get a sledgehammer.           
Hit a wall continuously until a large enough hole appears.         
Go through the hole.                

 

Spell to Change Your Eye Color    

Visit ophthalmologist.         
Get prescription for contact lenses.         
Fill prescription with colored contact lenses.         
Put in colored contact lenses.

 

Turok’s Cabana

Your Ancient Symbol Card for October 25th is Futility

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

Futility

Sadly sometimes our desires lead us down paths which have no end and offer us no chance of achieving the results we want. If we persist we end up like Sisyphus: forever rolling a boulder uphill only to have it roll back downhill before we ever get to the top. Futility suggest the existence of just such a situation–we are chasing a prize that will never be ours. Futility indicates a need to rethink our ambitions and direct our energies towards a goal or goals that can be attained.

As a daily card, Futility implies that you are putting energy into goals that cannot be met. It suggest the need to rethink your desires and possibly find a new goal or goals to chase.

Calendar of the Sun for October 25th

Calendar of the Sun

25 Winterfyllith

Selket’s Day

Colors: Bronze and Black
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of black place a bronze figurine of a scorpion, and four black candles.
Offerings: Help someone who is a troublemaker.
Daily Meal: Lentils, flatbread, millet, pomegranates.

Invocation to Selket

Lady of the Scorpion’s Whip,
Implacable one, hardest of the Four Deaths,
Sun of the unforgiving desert at high noon,
You blast down upon all wrongdoing
And show those wrongs in their true light.
Lady of the Poison Tail,
You are entrusted with those souls
Who have not done what they should do,
Who have spurned the path they were meant to walk,
Who have struggled and lashed out,
Who have caused hurt and pain to others.
Your firm hand takes them in, guides them
To see what they have done through eyes
Unclouded by their own pain,
And leads them to a place of understanding
And perhaps repentance. And yet,
There is something of this is all of us,
Some part of each that needs your guiding hand
Lest we think ourselves too perfect
And become uncompassionate in our pride.
Lady of the Scorpion’s Whip,
Sting us to the heart, and show us
That poison still within us,
That we may better learn to ride its strike,
That we may better learn to heal its wounds.

(Each comes forward, one at a time, and touches the tail of the Scorpion, which should be sharp. Each tells Selket, aloud or silently, where the poison is in them which makes them hurt others, and asks for her help in controlling it.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for October 25th – Waning Gibbous

Gibbous Moon

(waning /56% illumination)

This is a tremendous time of transmutation. All of the prior elements are coming together for a final burst of creative output. You have seen a clear view of your own needs and the posture of significant others. Now the accumulation of that input is leading to a deep, core change within you. In this phase, you will naturally be inclined to seek higher guidance so that you can emerge from this transformation successfully. The Disseminting Moon favors sharing what you have learned (and are learning) with others.

Calendar of the Moon for October 24th

Calendar of the Moon

24 Gort/Puanepsion

Apaturia Day 3: Koureotis

Color: White
Element: Air
Altar: Upon a white cloth set the carved root of a tree, the leafy branch of a tree, scattered seeds, a bowl of water, a loaf of bread, and either fresh milk or nourishing herbal tea.
Offerings: Oneself, to the Order.
Daily Meal: A feast of any correct foods of the harvest, prepared for all.

Koureotis Invocation

Hail to those who have come together today!
Hail to those who live outside the Houses,
Yet follow the Rule as best they can,
Spreading the seeds of our Light beyond our walls.
(One comes forth with a handful of seeds, and gives them out to the lay members who have come to the House on this day, and says, “Take these with you, and plant them well.”)
Hail to those who are like the branches of a tree,
Reaching for the light, seeking for grace,
Who come to us like birds alighting,
Perhaps to stay and nest, perhaps to fly away.
Hail to you, and may you touch that Light
With your outstretched arms.
(The tree branch is carried around, and all Branch members brushed with the water.)
Hail to those who are rooted here,
Flesh and bone, heart and soul,
Giving up their lives for this our Life.
Hail to those who are the ground beneath our feet,
The stone beneath the field, the mountain
Beneath the path that climbs. Hail!
(The carved root is carried around, and all Root members are touched with water via the root.)
Bring forth those who would enter,
Who would come further, who would go deeper!
Bring them forth and hear their vows!
(All cry, “Bring them forth!” and those who would enter the Order as lay members are brought forward, and then those who would enter the Houses as Branch members, and then those who would take Root vows. Each in turn makes their vows before all.)

Song: Blessing Song

 

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for October 24th

Calendar of the Sun

24 Winterfyllith

Feast of the Spirits of the Air

Colors: White, light blue, lavender, pale yellow, grey
Element: Air
Altar: This rite is to be done outdoors, and the altar consist of many flags, banners, ribbons, and windchimes on poles.
Offerings: Grain or papers thrown to the winds.
Daily Meal: Cold, light food.

Invocation to the Spirits of the Air

Hail to the Spirits of the Winds!
Hail to the Powers of the East,
The Morning and the Spring Equinox,
The cool breeze that awakens!
Hail to the bird that rides the skies,
Hail to the bat that swoops in the night,
Hail to the fragile butterfly on the flower,
Hail to the bee that sings her song,
Viewing the world from high above our heads!
Hail to the Power of Mind that we focus,
Hail to the Wings of Memory that we write,
Hail to the Beak of Thought that uses it.
Hail to the breath in our bodies,
Every one reminding us that we still live.
Hail to the gentle breath that moves the pollen
From green stem to green stem, bringing the fruit,
Hail to the strong wind that tosses the windmill’s arms,
Driving the clouds across the sky,
Hail to the tornado that writhes in the air,
Causing awe and terror in our hearts!
Hail to the Power of Words that we speak,
Of communication, of transmission of ideas,
Without which we would all be fumbling in silence.

(All then toss into the air whatever offerings they have for the spirits. Words written on small pieces of paper are most common, and can be wishes or blessings as well. Divination via the winds is then done, either with slips of paper or with arrows or from watching the omens of the flights of birds.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Seedy Spellwork

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Seedy Spellwork

After carving up those pumpkins, don’t just throw the seeds away or eat them all. In each little pumpkin seed lies a large store of natural energy. Save seeds to bring magick to your life year-round. They’re great for increasing strength, promoting prosperity, encouraging health, and enhancing growth and expansion. Grind them to include in incense and magickal powders, carry one in your pock for a good luck talisman, or tie a few inside a small square of fabric to make a charm to promote peace and balance in the home. You can even use pumpkin seeds to create your own set of biodegradable runes—just use a pen and some natural ink to make the glyphs.

—-Melanie Marquis

Daily Motivator for Oct. 23 – Something for something

Something for something

Plenty of people will promise you something for nothing, yet those are always  empty promises. Even when you can manage to get something for nothing, it does  not bring any real joy to your life.

The point of life is not to figure out how to get something for nothing. The  real fulfillment in life comes not from merely consuming, but from creating.

You cannot be truly rich simply by having a certain set of material  possessions. The richness that matters is genuine inner richness, and the  satisfaction that comes from knowing that you’re making a positive difference in  life.

Don’t waste your time wishing, hoping, demanding or begging to get something  for nothing. Joyfully put your energy into creating new, useful and beautiful  value out of the unique abundance with which you’ve been blessed.

The great thing about being alive is that you can, through your creative  endeavors, transform whatever you have into whatever you desire. That amazing,  limitless opportunity presents itself every moment of every day.

If you wish to have something of value, then work to create something of even  greater value. That’s the reliable way to be truly rich in all matters small and  large.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Daily OM for October 23 – Unveiling The Soul’s Vision

Unveiling The Soul’s Vision

Medicine Wheels

Though stone structures have been a dominant element of human history, few have done as much to bridge the gap between the physical and spiritual realms as the Native American medicine wheel. Wholly non-intrusive, these simple configurations of stone blend into their environments, becoming objects of ritual, meditative, and ceremonial importance to those who perceive their deeper meaning. An outer ring is linked to the center of the medicine wheel by spokes that echo the four sacred directions (north, south, east, and west) and their corresponding colors (white, red, yellow, and black).

Creating our own medicine wheel can be just as profound an experience as visiting the site of an ancient wheel, for the mere presence of it changes our relationship to the universe, opening us to new depths of insight.

No matter what the configuration, the wheel represents the circular path of being. It illustrates the journey of all Mother Nature’s children, encompassing cycles of life, death, and that which lies beyond. When we walk the outer edges of a medicine wheel, sleep in its spokes, or lay our hands upon the center cairn, our inner vision is enhanced. We recognize ourselves as a vital part of a larger whole—a product of the universe as well as a force acting upon it. Peering through the lens of the medicine wheel, the harmony that unites disparate elements of the universe reveals itself to us. Each living entity will visit every spoke of the wheel in its lifetime, honoring the sacred directions and colors. However different we may be, there is no reason we cannot find peaceful concordance in our similarities.

Whether your goal is to internalize the wisdom of the self, nature, society, or soul, the transformative energy of the medicine wheel will help you attune yourself to the interconnectivity of all reality. It can consequently serve as a powerful communication tool for groups in need of channels of understanding, for the universality of the wheel’s significance facilitates bonding without asking disparate peoples to sacrifice their individuality. Your energy and that of those who accompany you will mingle with the universal flow at the focal point of the medicine wheel, reminding you that all beings are equal, and all are fated to travel round the great loop of existence until the end of time.

The Daily OM

A Little Humor for Your Day – Top Reason Trick-or-Treat is Better Than Sex

The Top 10 Reasons Why Trick-or-Treating Is Better Than Sex

10. You are guaranteed to get at least a little something in the sack.

9.  If you get tired, you can wait 10 minutes and go at it again.

8.  The uglier you look, the easier it is to get some.

7.  You don’t have to compliment the person who gives it to you.

6.  It’s OK if the person you’re with fantasizes that you are someone else because, well…, you are.

5.  Forty years from now, you’ll still enjoy candy.

4.  If you don’t like what you get, you can always go next door.

3.  It doesn’t matter if the kids hear ya moaning and groaning.

2.  Less guilt the morning after.

AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON IS….

You can do the whole neighborhood!

 

Turok’s Cabana