“The Druids call this celebration, Mea’n Fo’mhair, and honor the Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time…. Mabon is considered a time of the Mysteries. It is a time to honor Aging Deities and the Spirit World….”
– Mabon by Akasha
Happy Mabon To Everyone! I could say “Happy Mabon September 21st to September 23!” Before we get into my thinking I must apologize for running so late. You see, I am an old-school Witch. I celebrate Mabon on September 21st. When I grew up (and it wasn’t that long ago either, lol!) All the Equinoxes were on the 21st. You had Spring Equinox, March 21st, Summer Equinox on June 21st and so on. They all fell on the 21st. Now whoever was the smart individual who decided to change everything, Who Knows? I wonder, people change the calendar dates, they also change the dates we celebrate certain holidays, they change the time schedule for daylight savings time, what next? The changes don’t necessary benefit us but are for more our comfort and convenience than anything else. Don’t get me wrong at all, I have no problem with change and I sure don’t have a problem with comfort and convenience. But I have to stop and think, with all these changes do we lose a part of ourselves. Do we forget the significance of a date or time when it is changed? Do we remember why that date was so important to us to begin with? In other words, do we lose our heritage and a little bit of who we are when we tamper with things. I guess that is just human nature though, by changing this and changing that, we are striving to improve things, make’em better. That is all fine and dandy but what happens when the older generation dies out. And there is no one left to tell the tales or history associated with these dates. The dates suddenly become meaningless and our beliefs and rituals are tossed aside and the day becomes another ho-hum day. Think about, are some changes really good for us?
Didn’t mean to preach there, it was just something I was thinking about last night as I celebrated Mabon. Yes, like I said I am an old-school Witch and grew up September 21st was Mabon for me. When it is possible I love to do all my rituals and spellcrafting outside. Last night, started out rather “iffy.” When I first went out there, you couldn’t see anything but clouds. I came back in for a little bit and mixed up my incense recipe. I finished that I decide to give Mother Nature one more look and I was glad I did. The clouds had parted where you could see a wonderful set of stars. My, they were beautiful. I just sit down on the porch and stared up at them. On any Sabbat, there is magick in the air. It engulfs you and takes you to a new high. The feeling or sensation is unbelievable. But looking up at the stars, it was like the first time I had ever seen them. They were simply breath-taking. While taking in the beauty of the stars, a thought hit me. We are the most blessed people on this planet. We have the opportunity to celebrate Mabon four times (Sept. 20 – 23). Who else has the opportunity to celebrate and thank their Gods and Goddesses, four days, for all the bountiful harvest we reap. NO ONE!!!!! Personally, I think some sort of token of our appreciation and gratitude should be expressed every day. Even though, I had my main celebration of Mabon last night, I will continue to express my gratitude and love to the night of the 23rd. Who knows, on the night of the 23rd I might throw a big bash then, lol! But seriously, now is the time to thank the God and Goddess for our bountiful harvest. Make Mabon a good celebration for yourself. The Harvest now comes to an end and the long, dark days are quickly approaching as the Wheel turns to Winter.
May you have a Very Blessed and Prosperous Harvest this year,
Lady A
MABON (circa September 21)
Decorate the altar with acorns, oak sprigs, pine and cypress cones, ears of
corn, wheat stalks and other fruits and nuts. Also place there a small rustic
basket filled with dried leaves of various colors and kinds.
Arrange the altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the Circle of Stones.
Recite the Blessing Chant.
Invoke the Goddess and God.
Stand before the altar, holding aloft the basket of leaves, and slowly scatter
them so that they cascade to the ground within the circle. Say such words as
these:
Leaves fall,
the days grow cold.
The Goddess pulls Her mantle of the Earth around Her as You,
O Great Sun God,
sail toward the West to the lands of
Eternal Enchantment.,
wrapped in the coolness of night.
Fruits ripen,
seeds drop,
the hours of day and night are balanced.
Chill winds blow in from the North wailing laments.
In this seeming extinction of nature’s power,
O Blessed Goddess,
I know that life continues.
For spring is impossible without the second harvest,
as surely as life is impossible without death.
Blessings upon You,
O Fallen God,
as You journey into the lands of winter
and into the Goddess’ loving arms.
Place the basket down and say:
O Gracious Goddess of all fertility,
I have sown and reaped the fruits of my actions, good and bane.
Grant me the courage to plant seeds of joy and love in the coming year,
banishing misery and hate.
Teach me the secrets of wise existence upon this planet,
O Luminous One of the Night!
Works of magick, if necessary, may follow.
Celebrate the Simple Feast.
The circle is released.
a guide to the Sabbat’s symbolism
by Arwynn MacFeylynnd
Date: September 20-23 (usually, the date of the calendar autumn equinox).
Alternative names: The Autumn Equinox, the Second Harvest Festival, the Feast of Avalon, Equizio di Autunoo and Alban Elfed.
Primary meanings: The Fall Equinox falls exactly opposite the Spring Equinox of March 20 to 23. Both are times of equal night and equal day. The Equinox is the time of equality between the God and Goddess–the God represented by the Sun, the Goddess by the Moon; fruitfulness of the land results from their connection, and now the harvest’s bounty is brought in and stored against winter and dark times. The key action at Mabon is giving thanks. At the Autumn Equinox, the Sun’s strength also begins markedly to diminish, even disappear, until Winter Solstice in December.
Symbols: Garlands, corn, apples, pinecones, gourds, acorns, wheat, dried leaves and horns of plenty (cornucopias). Foods include corn, beans, squash, nuts, apples and root vegetables; drink includes cider, wine and beer.
Colors: Red, orange, yellow, deep gold, brown, russet, maroon, indigo and violet.
Gemstones: Amethyst, carnelian, lapis lazuli, sapphire, yellow agate and yellow topaz.
Herbs: Acorns, aloe’s wood, asters, benzoin, cedar, chrysanthemums, cinnamon, cloves, ferns, frankincense, hazel, honeysuckle, hops, ivy, jasmine, marigold, milkweed, musk, myrrh, oak leaves, passionflower, pine, pomegranate, roses, sage, Solomon’s seal, thistles, tobacco and vines.
Goddesses and gods: Goddesses include Morgon, Snake Woman, Epona, the Muses and Demeter; gods include Thoth, Hermes, Thor, Dionysus, Bacchus and Herne. The Sabbat is named for a god, the Mabon ap Modron, who symbolizes the male fertilizing principle in Welsh myths. His full name (depending on the translation) means Great Son of the Great Mother, Young Son, Divine Youth or Son of Light. Modron, his mother, is the Great Goddess, Guardian of the Otherworld, Protector and Healer. She is Earth itself.
Customs and myths: In the myth of Mabon, the god disappears, taken from his mother, Modron, when only three nights old. Mabon is freed with the help of the wisdom and memory of the most ancient living animals — the blackbird, stag, owl, eagle and salmon. All along, Mabon has been quite happy, dwelling in Modron’s magickal Otherworld — Modron’s womb — to be reborn as his mother’s champion, the Son of Light. Mabon’s light has been drawn into the Earth, gathering strength and wisdom to become a new seed. In a Greek myth associated with the season, autumn begins when Persephone leaves her mother, the earth goddess Demeter, to return to the Underworld to live with her husband, Hades, lord of the dead.
Mabon is rather like Thanksgiving for pagans. The foods of Mabon consist of the second harvest’s gleanings, so grains, fruit and vegetables predominate. Pagan activities for the Sabbat include the making of wine and the adorning of graves. It is considered taboo to pass burial sites and not honor the dead. Another traditional practice is to walk wild places and forests, gathering seedpods and dried plants to decorate home or altar or to save for future herbal magick. The sounds of baying hounds passing through the sky, the “Hounds of Annwn” in the Welsh mythos, are associated with fall and winter.
Spell-work for protection, wealth and prosperity, security and self-confidence are appropriate for Mabon, as are spells that bring into balance and harmony the energies in a room, home or situation. Ritual actions might include the praising or honoring of fruit as proof of the love of the Goddess and God. River and stream stones gathered over the summer can be empowered now for various purposes.
a guide to the Sabbat’s symbolism
by Arwynn MacFeylynnd
Date: September 20-23 (usually, the date of the calendar autumn equinox).
Alternative names: The Autumn Equinox, the Second Harvest Festival, the Feast of Avalon, Equizio di Autunoo and Alban Elfed.
Primary meanings: The Fall Equinox falls exactly opposite the Spring Equinox of March 20 to 23. Both are times of equal night and equal day. The Equinox is the time of equality between the God and Goddess–the God represented by the Sun, the Goddess by the Moon; fruitfulness of the land results from their connection, and now the harvest’s bounty is brought in and stored against winter and dark times. The key action at Mabon is giving thanks. At the Autumn Equinox, the Sun’s strength also begins markedly to diminish, even disappear, until Winter Solstice in December.
Symbols: Garlands, corn, apples, pinecones, gourds, acorns, wheat, dried leaves and horns of plenty (cornucopias). Foods include corn, beans, squash, nuts, apples and root vegetables; drink includes cider, wine and beer.
Colors: Red, orange, yellow, deep gold, brown, russet, maroon, indigo and violet.
Gemstones: Amethyst, carnelian, lapis lazuli, sapphire, yellow agate and yellow topaz.
Herbs: Acorns, aloe’s wood, asters, benzoin, cedar, chrysanthemums, cinnamon, cloves, ferns, frankincense, hazel, honeysuckle, hops, ivy, jasmine, marigold, milkweed, musk, myrrh, oak leaves, passionflower, pine, pomegranate, roses, sage, Solomon’s seal, thistles, tobacco and vines.
Goddesses and gods: Goddesses include Morgon, Snake Woman, Epona, the Muses and Demeter; gods include Thoth, Hermes, Thor, Dionysus, Bacchus and Herne. The Sabbat is named for a god, the Mabon ap Modron, who symbolizes the male fertilizing principle in Welsh myths. His full name (depending on the translation) means Great Son of the Great Mother, Young Son, Divine Youth or Son of Light. Modron, his mother, is the Great Goddess, Guardian of the Otherworld, Protector and Healer. She is Earth itself.
Customs and myths: In the myth of Mabon, the god disappears, taken from his mother, Modron, when only three nights old. Mabon is freed with the help of the wisdom and memory of the most ancient living animals — the blackbird, stag, owl, eagle and salmon. All along, Mabon has been quite happy, dwelling in Modron’s magickal Otherworld — Modron’s womb — to be reborn as his mother’s champion, the Son of Light. Mabon’s light has been drawn into the Earth, gathering strength and wisdom to become a new seed. In a Greek myth associated with the season, autumn begins when Persephone leaves her mother, the earth goddess Demeter, to return to the Underworld to live with her husband, Hades, lord of the dead.
Mabon is rather like Thanksgiving for pagans. The foods of Mabon consist of the second harvest’s gleanings, so grains, fruit and vegetables predominate. Pagan activities for the Sabbat include the making of wine and the adorning of graves. It is considered taboo to pass burial sites and not honor the dead. Another traditional practice is to walk wild places and forests, gathering seedpods and dried plants to decorate home or altar or to save for future herbal magick. The sounds of baying hounds passing through the sky, the “Hounds of Annwn” in the Welsh mythos, are associated with fall and winter.
Spell-work for protection, wealth and prosperity, security and self-confidence are appropriate for Mabon, as are spells that bring into balance and harmony the energies in a room, home or situation. Ritual actions might include the praising or honoring of fruit as proof of the love of the Goddess and God. River and stream stones gathered over the summer can be empowered now for various purposes.
To understand the concept of Goddess requires more than the
One of the oldest recognized Goddess forms is the first Greek
Goddess – Gaia, the Earth Mother; the Universal Womb; Mother of All.
The most ancient Goddesses were most often Earth and Mother Goddesses.
The were worshipped and revered as bearers of life … fat, healthy,
pregnant and fruitful. As the Goddess concept developed, then came the
Harvest Goddesses, who were also Earth Goddesses. Understand that
this was a time when people did not even understand the basic
mechanics of procreation. Life was very sacred and mystical indeed!
Gradually, myth and mystery developed and revealed themselves,
creating the legend which we honor in the modern Wiccan Craft.
We recognize the Goddess as the mother of all, including her
Mighty Consort, the God. To Her he is Lover and Son, and together
they form the Ultimate, the Omniverse, the Dragon, the Mystery.
Now that is a pretty tough concept all things considered.
Especially in our society as it sounds rather incestuous. From a
mundane perspective, it gets worse as the Wheel of the Year Turns, and
the Oak and Holly Kings battle … eternal rivals and
sacrificial mates.
In the pages that follow, we will explore the Goddess foundation
concepts and try to reach an understanding of the basis of the
Mystery.
I don’t want to get off into all the names of all the Goddesses
in all the mythology in all of history. While that is certainly a
noble endeavor, it is not the objective here. What I do want to do is
look at the Goddess, in whole and in part, and see just who and what
she is.
First and foremost, the Goddess is the symbol of the Cycle of
Everlasting. She is constant, ever present, ever changing, and yet
always the same. She could be compared in that respect to the oceans.
As a part of that, she is that from which we have come, and to
which we will return. She is the Universal Mother, the Cosmic Womb.
While those are largely symbolic images, as opposed to literal ones,
they are important to bear in mind about any aspect of the Goddess.
She never harms, she is Mother.
One of the most difficult throwback mentalities to dispell in a
student is the difference between “dark and light” and “bad and good”.
Societally, and often religiously, we are trained to see bad and dark
and evil as being the same. Hence, we are also taught to hate and
fear our own mortality. All too often I see practicing Wiccans, who
ought to *know* better, fall back on these concepts when trying to
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explain or understand a concept.
The Goddess is dark, she is light, she is birth, she is death,
and she rejoices in all things. With death comes joy, for with death
comes renewal. With life comes joy, for with life comes promise.
With growth comes joy for with growth comes wisdom. Sorrow and fear
are not a part of her, not the way we feel those emotions. She is
incapable of sorrow without joy, she fears nothing, because fear is
not real. It is a creation of the mind.
Whether you see the Goddess as a Warrior Queen, or like the Good
Witch of the North in the Wizard of Oz, she is the Goddess. And she
has many parts and facets which defy comprehension as “One”. She
simply IS, and in that, can be whatever you need her to be in order to
establish a relationship with her. But none of that changes what she
IS.
“I greet thee in the many names of the Threefold Goddess and her
Mighty Consort. Athe, malkuth, ve-guburah, ve-gedulah, le-olam, Amen.
Blessed Be.”
So here, at the Circle Door, greeted by the High Priest or
Priestess we first see mentioned the Threefold Goddess. Full-sized
covens have three priestesses who take the specific roles of Maiden,
Mother and Crone, the High Priestess being Mother.
The Threefold Goddess however is NOT three entities, she is one.
Her aspects represent Enchantment, Ripeness and Wisdom.
Taking first things first is usually best, so we shall start
with a look at one side of the Maiden.
Quoting “The Myth of the Goddess” as found in Gardenarian Wicca
(Gerald B. Gardner, The Meaning of Witchcraft, Aquarian Press, London,
1959.):
Now Aradia had never loved, but she would solve all the
Mysteries, even the Mystery of Death; and so she journeyed to the
Nether Lands.
The Guardians of the Portals challenged her, “Strip off thy
garments, lay aside thy jewels; for naught may ye bring with ye into
this our land.”
So she laid down her garments and her jewels and was bound, as
were all who enter the Realms of Death the Mighty One. Such was her
beauty that Death himself knelt and kissed her feet, saying, “Blessed by
thy feet that have brought thee in these ways. Abide with me, let me
place my cold hand on thy heart.” She replied “I love thee not.
Why dost thou cause all things that I love and take delight in to fade
and die?”
“Lady,” replied Death, “it is Age and Fate, against which I am
helpless. Age causes all things to wither, but when men die at the
end of time I give them rest and peace, and strength so that they may
return. But thou, thou art lovely. Return not; abide with me.”
But she answered, “I love thee not.”
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Then said Death, “An’ thou receive not my hand on thy heart
thou must receive Death’s scourge.”
“It is Fate; better so”, she said, and she knelt, and Death
scourged her and she cried “I feel the pangs of love.”
And Death said, “Blessed be” and gave her the Fivefold Kiss,
saying “Thus only may ye attain joy and knowledge.”
And he taught her all the Mysteries. And they loved and were
one, and he taught her all the Magicks.
For there are three great events in the life of Man: Love,
Death and Resurrection in a new body, and Magick controls them all.
For to fulfill love you must return again at the same time and place
as the loved one, and you must remember and love them again. But to
be reborn you must die, and be ready for a new body; and to die you
must be born; and without love you may not be born. And these be all
the Magicks.
So there in the Gardnerian Myth of the Goddess we have her
Maiden aspect, seeking, searching and opening herself to the
mysteries. But it is well to remember that the Goddess herself is a
mystery, and the primary gift of the Goddess is intuitive Wisdom.
Beltaine (Bealtain) is the only Sabbat where the Goddess is
entirely devoted to the Maiden. Here, she revels in the enchantment,
in the joy of coming into fullness and mating with the God. Here, she
is maiden bride and we can most easily understand that facet of the
Maiden aspect. I should probably note here that some see this
festival as maiden turning into mother, with the maiden being in full at
Candlemas, but I do not agree with that.
Youth, newness, innocence and beauty are fundamental facets of
the Maiden aspect. But beneath those are seeking, and love, and love of
seeking. There is more to understand of the Maiden though.
Enchantment does not end with maidenhood, it is simply the beginning
of the Mystery of Life, for that, above all, is what the Goddess
stands for.
In Circle, in the Balanced Universe, the Maiden takes her place
in the East. In examining this most comfortable quarter, you learn
more about the Maiden Aspect. East (Air) rules the free mind and
intellect. It is the place to seek the ability to learn and to open
spiritually, to open your mind and find answers. It is a masculine
quarter, ruled by intellect, and analytical logic, but she brings to
it an intuition which is required to use these to best advantage.
“The river is flowing, flowing and growing, the river is flowing
back to the sea. Mother carry me, a child I will always be. Mother
carry me, back to the sea.”
This Circle chant, sung in joy, sung in sorrow, is a cry to the
Mother Aspect for comfort and warmth, a power chant calling upon the
steady power and fullness of the Mother and a plea for guidance.
While the Earth Mother, and the fully aspected Goddess are placed
North in the Earth quarter, the Mother aspect alone belongs in the
west.
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Comfort and love rule here. Emotions, sorrow, joy, tears, these
belong to the ripeness of the Mother. Caring and loving for all her
children, watching in pain and pride as they struggle to gain their
own, knowing full well she could reach out and do it for them, but
being both bound and desirous to let them do it for themselves.
There is a considerable difference, as you might have interpreted
from the above, between the Earth Mother and the Mother Aspect of the
Goddess. That is why we’ve started with her quarter, because it
reveals the limitations of the Aspect.
The Mother aspect is ripeness, the ancient bearing of fruit,
child and grain. She represents emotion and sexuality. The Goddess
in that aspect is most of the altar (as discussed in the Great Rite
lesson.) It is interesting to note the practice in numerous ancient
cultures of lovemaking or outright sex magick in cornfields to help
make the corn grow.
The Dark Mother should also be placed here, although culturally, I
have a tendancy to think of the Dark Mother as more in keeping the
Crone Aspect. It is a bit of work to see the Dark Mother in the West,
to separate Dark Mother from Crone, but it is worthwile. If you have
any background with the tarot I would suggest you take it in that
context, it is beyond the scope of this text.
Our exploration of the Goddess and her Aspects brings us now to
the Crone. For me, the Crone is the most fascinating of the Aspects
of the Goddess. Partly I suppose because she is the most mysterious
and paradoxical.
“Blessed Goddess, old and wise, open mine, thy child’s, eyes.
Speak to me in whispered tones that I may know the rune of Crones.”
With life and growth comes age and wisdom, and the Crone is this
in part. She holds fire and power, which wisely used can be of great
benefit, but hold great danger for the unaware. Hers are the secrets of
death and of life, and the mystery beyond the mystery.
Part of the pleasure in knowing the Crone aspect is that while,
unlike the fully aspected Goddess, she is not also Maiden and Mother,
she does retain the experiences of both those Aspects in order to be
Crone. The Crone, wizened though she is, must still be able to reach
into herself and recall the innocent joys and high passions of the
Maiden and the love and warmth of the Mother. To be Crone and to not
have forgotten, to still be able to experience Maiden and Mother is,
to me, very appealing. More importantly, to be comfortable in that
Aspect, where you have truth and knowledge but have left youth and
physical beauty behind, and to still _feel_ youth and beauty without
being desirous of them is an admirable quality.
Crone is the least paralleled Aspect of the Goddess to our human
society. We discard our old and wise, not understanding their value
as teachers and models, and fearing their appearance as a reminder of
our own mortality.
Knowing Crone is a door we much each open for ourselves for to know
and love her is to cast aside a great many of our cultural and societal
malteachings.
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While the individual Aspects of Threefold Goddess are certainly
valid concepts and paths to knowing Goddess, I should caution that most
mythological Goddess figures are composite Goddesses. Earth Mother
Goddess figures are fully aspected Goddess by definition because they
represent the full cycle of the Wheel. Most other Goddess figures can
be classified as having a dominant (or operative) aspect and recessive
(promised, or in some cases past) aspect. Future and past should not be
taken literally, mythological Goddess figures are always whatever they
are eternally, they do not tend to change (ie age).
Maiden Goddesses possessing their operative in the Huntress or
Warrior aspects most often have a promise of Crone. Maiden Goddesses
expressing their dominance in beauty and/or love usually have their
recessive aspect as Mother. For example, Athena is a Maiden Goddess
with Crone attributes (the combination produces many Mother-type
qualities, and this results in the Crone aspected Maiden being the
most complete of the Mythological Goddesses, with the exception of
Earth Mother Goddesses.) Aphrodite is of course a Maiden Goddess with
Mother attributes.
Similarly, Dark Mother Goddess figures mostly find their promise in
Crone and Light Mother figures their recessive in Maiden. Crone
recessives work the same way, although sometimes it takes a bit of
close examination to find the “hidden” aspect.
One should note that this is not a formula, rather a tool to
assist in examining and understanding Goddess figures and creating
one’s own personal spiritual link with Goddess. It is also a useful
consideration when invoking a specific Goddess with purpose in ritual.
The purpose of this course has been to open avenues of approach
in discovering and developing a relationship with Goddess. For me
personally, I do not “believe” in the reality of mythological Goddess
figures as they were presented, but I do believe they are a valid way to
establish communication with Goddess. I also believe Goddess will
appear in whatever form we are most ready to accept. The real
Goddess, by my belief (and this is personal, not trad) is an entity
beyond my comprehension, perhaps composed of light (could 5000 sci-fi
films be wrong?), most assuredly unlike anything I could ever imagine in
true form. However, I do find mythological Goddess figures highly
useful for ritual, and of some help in my personal relationship with
Goddess. I hope you will too.
General Mabon info to start with, set the mood &c…
Mabon, sometimes known as the Harvest/Thanksgiving ritual of the Autumn Equinox, is one of the Spokes of the Wheel of the Year. In the many Earth or Pagan Religions, a special kinship with the passing of the seasons is felt… this is usually due to the history of said traditions, most of which stem from agrarian cultures where the seasons marked the way of life. From planting to reaping to winter to summer… the seasons were of great importance to our ancestors, for their very existence depended upon good harvests, mild winters, enough rainfall, and the like.
So… having shown the importance of the seasons, we shall turn to Mabon itself. Autumn… harvest time… the reaping of what was sown and cared thru during the year. A time of thankfulness and rejoicing. So, of course, someone at some point in time must have said… “Now that the work is over… LET’S PARTY!!!”
This is the essence of Mabon. Rejoicing in a bountiful harvest, thanking the Gods for being so kind during the year, and, hopefully, helping in winning over the Gods’ favor for the coming year.
Now, this will be a very Discordian ritual in that each participant will be (more or less) writing his/her own part. This outline is provided to sorta nudge (nudge, wink, wink, say no more, sir, say no more!) people into making their individual pieces able to fit into the whole thing… (I feel like the Green Ball outta “Heavy Metal”, the movie, something which ties things together).
Back to the rite itself.
Basically, 6 personages will be represented: Callers or Watchers of the East, South, West and North, High Priest (HP) and High Priestess (HPS).
Of course, since this is a generic rite, the terms “Lord” and “Lady” will be used when referring to the Male and Female aspects of divinity/godhood/whatever… individuals may use which ever names they wish, for a Rose, by any other name, would still smell as sweet.
Wiccan Ethics
1. Harm none through your actions, words, or decisions (including yourself).
2. Do not cast magick to harm another. Do not cast magick on another without their consent.
3. Heal the Earth, for she is our mother.
4. Whatever energy you send out returns to you threefold. Therefore, attempt to always do positive things or your actions will cause you great problems.
5. Celebrate the Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year and the Esbats at the New and Full moon to honor the gods.
6. Never berate another’s religion, for it is not our place to question how a deity may show itself to another.
7. Never reveal who is a witch without their permission.
8. Do not take Wicca lightly. To “dabble” is to show dishonor to the beliefs of Wicca and to show the public that the religion is worthless.
9. Honor the Elders of the Craft, for they possess knowledge far beyond yours.
10. Treat knowledge as a sacred gift. Look for it in all things, both good and bad. Learn from mistakes as well as successes.
11. Keep within your Book of Shadows your magickal learnings.
12. Never speak ill of those who are witches, for they are your brethren at all times.
13. Work magick where you will be undisturbed by others who do not know of it. Do not teach magick to those who would not treat it respectfully.
A Hearth Goddess Charm
Before You Call Yourself A Witch
Author: Alorer
“When can I call myself a Witch? What are the basics everyone is telling me to learn first?” In this essay I will try to provide you with some answers to these questions. Please note that this is by no means the “end-all, be-all” of such views; it’s simply my own answer to a seeker’s aforementioned questions. Take it with a grain of salt people; this is the Internet after all!
So, you found a path that seems to fit you and satiate your spiritual hunger. You have probably read a couple of books, skimmed through a couple of sites, talked with a couple of people and feel a genuine, honest and strong pull towards religious Witchcraft. Thus you proceed to call yourself a Witch. Right?
No!
Before you pause in disbelief and stare the screen calling me all sorts have… names (mehehehe) for my apparent “bigotry” stop and think. What does calling yourself a Witch entails? Is it just a name for this spirituality that anyone delving into can take up? Or does it mean something more, something deeper?
Well, I’d say the second. Why you ask? Because any name or title of any empirical, practical and knowledge-filled system has specific connotations and denotes an understanding and a form of capability in the name’s/title’s fields. For our own example, what does one profess, even unknowingly, when taking up the name of a Witch? Well, you’ll find that views differ on this (just as they do on any other subject) , so I’ll present my own view here.
I believe that by calling one’s self a Witch, that person professes a level of mastery, understanding and experience in a variety of fields. Specifically, it denotes a range of various experiences, a degree of mastery over various arts of Witchcraft, a developed and well-grounded spirituality and an effective relationship with deity. I doubt any newbie that starts studying or is at the first few months of their studies have attained or reached any of those things.
I’ll provide a list of requirements that one should meet before they can take the name Witch for their path.
1. Sabbats: One should have acquired an understanding and comprehension of what the Wheel of the Year and its Sabbats deal with as well as have observed it wholly (without having missed any of the sacred days) at least once (meaning, throughout at least a year) .
2. Seats: One should have acquired an understanding and comprehension of what an Esbat deals with as well as have observed any number of Esbats between 4-7 or more within a year.
3. Arts and Crafts: One should have acquired an understanding and comprehension of a number of arts of Witchcraft of their choice and preference as well as have attained a level of mastery in those.
4. Deities: One should have acquired an understanding and comprehension of the deities of their choice and preference or calling as well as have built a working relationship with them.
5. Organization and Structure: One should have formed and follow a standard, stabilized and concrete path, with regular observances, rites and practices.
Of course, those apply on a specific form of religious Witchcraft, one that is influenced heavily by outer court Wiccan material (known as Neo-Wicca or Dedicatory Religious Witchcraft) or has Celtic influences. If you find yourself drawn to another form of religious Witchcraft, simply replace the sacred days, the requirements etc with the appropriate ones. In addition, this is geared mostly towards solitaries and not people under training with a traditional coven. If you happen to fall under the latter, please consult with your uplines/High Priest/ess regarding the requirements that specific Tradition has set.
Why do I say all this? What does it matter whether you meet certain requirements or not? I say all this and it matters because to call yourself something you have not yet attained, have not yet fully understood and have not yet fully realized will cause issues.
First of all, it will deceive and trouble those that seek you out for help be it practical or spiritual. Second of all, it will confuse you since you’ll find yourself unable to neither meet the expectations of the community nor help those in need. You’ll say, “But I don’t intend doing so!” I know you probably don’t wish to deceive others or find yourself in a tough position.
I’ll give you an example: let’s say you have a medical issue and want to find what it is and how to treat it. What will you do? You’ll probably seek out a doctor. Now, think for a moment how you will feel if the person you found calls him/herself a doctor but in all actuality is still only a sophomore of medical school. Won’t it cause you problems? It’s something similar with calling one’s self a Witch.
After reading all this you’ll most probably feel confused, lost and wondering, “What the heck do I call myself then?” Call yourself a Seeker. Call yourself a Student. Or find another term that fits your case better. However, I ask that you do not mislead others and burden yourself by calling your path something it isn’t yet or something it might never be.
NOTE: Due to the fact people might overlook this part of the essay: this refers only to Wiccan-influenced paths. If your path is different, more power to you. I am not Wiccan-influenced either. I simply understand that the majority of people are indeed on such a path, at least while in their Pagan “infancy”. These are completely my own views of the “basics” of such a path. I am in no way an authority on a subject. My word is not law; it’s not written on stone.
THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR
NE – It is the time of the Spring Equinox. Day and night are of equal length.
Our energy begins to build as we begin to come out of the contemplative time of
winter.
EAST – As spring swings into full bloom you feel full of energy and promise. It
is easy to create wonderful plans for the future at this time of year.
SE – It is the time of the Summer Solstice. The days are long and nights are
short. We enjoy the outdoors feeling alive, active and whole. Nature blesses us
with her radiance.
SOUTH – In mid summer we are more active because of the wonderful outdoor
activities available to us. Our gardens are bursting with the earth’s bounty.
SW – It is the time of the Autumn Equinox. Night and day are of equal length
creating a balance point between our active life of summer and our quieter more
inward time of winter.
WEST – As days get shorter and nights longer, we begin to retreat more into the
darkness for introspection. We think about what is and is not working in our
lives.
NW – The Winter Solstice comes. Nights are very long and we find ourselves to be
more receptive to dreams and intuition. We spend more time indoors, our winter
cave of the dreamtime.
NORTH – We find that we sleep longer at night. The quiet evenings offer rest as
well. We may even feel a bit depressed, our body’s way of telling us to take
inward time for ourselves.
What is Druidry to Me?
Author: Ashley Rose
I started down the Druid path a few years ago. Since then I have spent most of my free time reading through articles, websites, and books. I have also spent lots of time out in nature, or my outdoor sanctuary. I took a lot of time to figure out who I was and just how I was going to wonder down the Druid path.
I had started a binder of interesting things I found and of things I wrote. I started to split them up into sections. There is a Druid/Christianity section that has helped me out a lot to defend my religion against my evil step-mom and my father. I put in here anything that I could find about Christo-Druidry or stuff that used bible verses to help prove my points. There is also a HUGE section on the history of Druidry and breakdowns of Bards, Ovates, and Druids.
Over the past few years I have been working on reports for each of the eight Sabbats; they have their own divider. Along with these are sections on: sacred sites, pantheons, and other interesting articles. There are also two other ‘volumes’ that I have made.
My first binder (listed above) has a lot of 101/history/‘what is Druidry’ things in it. I decided that I needed to know the basics and really find out if this was the path that I wanted to go down. Then my second binder has a little harder/more complex things in it. Some of these are like: astrology, mythical creatures, tarot, runes, and other types of divination.
Then there comes my last binder. I do not know if I will even use some of this information; but it is there if I need it. Here you can find: spell work, herbology, and articles on magical healing. All of these come together to form the coarse work that I thought would help me out on my path the most.
I have now come to believe that some of these sections are coming to a close. I have lots of information to help me on my path or to reference things if I need to. So, I have set a goal that on Samhain this year (2009) I will dedicate myself to the Lord and Lady. And yes, I will be doing it in my own way. The way that feels right to me.
Now that I am ending my first phase of my studies, I wanted to put into my own words just what Druidry is to me. I have had lots of people ask me, “What is Druidry?” Sadly, I could never really put into words just what this religion is. It is more than a religion; it is a way of life for me. I could tell them just how much I was at peace and this is where I belonged. I also knew that I loved the freedom and diversity of the religion.
Druidry does not have a solid set of rules that one has to follow ‘or else they are going to hell’. I can practice the way I feel is right for me. It is also a religion that promotes creativity, allows divination, and encourages people to learn about their ancestors. Some of these things I have been doing and not even realizing that they fall into a religion that I would later follow.
I was raised catholic and never really felt like I fit in. Many Christians are taught to fear the Druid way of life. This is funny considering that their religion was formed from ours. Also, they are the ones who created the devil and sin, not Druids. The Christians tend to bash people because of their beliefs. They think that everyone should follow their religion or go to hell. Centuries ago Christians converted people over to their religion out of fear. The especially pried on the fear of things that people did not know. Christians box themselves into buildings when worshiping their divine. We seek ours outside in nature. Why not go out to what the divine has created instead of a manmade creation?
One of the biggest things in Druidry is the worship of nature. All Druids see nature as divine and something that is sacred (along with animals) . Many feel at home when in nature or even an oneness with it. Druids thrive to live with nature and not just on it. We are not superior to this planet; we are a part of it. Druidry encourages people to go out in nature and observe all that the divine has made.
Druids honor those who came before them. Life does continue after a person leaves this world. A strong understanding of each stage of life is common in this religion. This is important to me because my family has always been one to share stories of those who have come before. It is something I enjoy.
There are a few major things that Druids believe in. One of the biggest things is that all things are one and was created by a divine being. They also believe in other worlds, planes of life, and realms. The concept of reincarnation, and immortality of a soul, is a huge part of what Druids believe of the afterlife. Along with this comes karma. One thing that Druids do not believe in is sacrifices. One will not find a Druid standing over a virgin waiting to offer it to the gods. Druids are people of wisdom, creativity, and love.
The path of enlightenment is another strong focus. Druidry allows people to have free thought and to seek their own personal goals. This is a path that may change from person to person. One must also experience the nature of this religion first hand. It cannot be found in a book. Many use meditation to help them find this enlightenment. Druidry can be a path of self-transformation. It is one that encourages people to see the truth. Druidry works more on focusing internally and finding out who you are.
Another reason why I enjoy Druidry is because there is a “holiday” about every six weeks. This helps me to keep my life in check. Every six weeks I reflect on what has happened since the last Sabbat. I take time to contemplate what this Sabbat means to me, how the season has changed, and make plans/goals for the next six weeks. These practices help keep me whole. It is something I need for my soul.
In the practice of Druidry (as stated above) there are three different grades: Bards, Ovates, and Druids. These grades also go along with my studies. A person can receive help walking the path of these grades. However, it is something that one must experience for themselves. The practice of Druidry is not just something you can learn in a book. One must live it. These three grades help one accomplish this.
The first level is that of a bard. A bard is someone who studies literature; they are the storytellers of Druidry. We have learned a lot about ancient Druidry from what the bards learned and passed on. They learn songs, stories, and traditions of their people. This includes the bloodline of a tribe. Knowing about the gods, sacred lands, and our ancestors is another aspect of this grade. Bards are trained to use words as magick. Bards are encouraged to be creative and learn through some form of art. This can be through music, poetry, or even in an everyday aspect like raising a family. The use of elements (earth, air, fire, and water) is focused on by Bards. They use these to try and find enlightenment on a physical plane.
Next comes the Ovate grade. The Ovates are the prophets, seers, and healers of Druidry. They learn to work with the past, present, and future. They focus more on an unseen plane; not the physical one like a Bard. An Ovate will use the elements for: healing, divination, and tree lore. They also learn about different creatures such as: familiars, fairies, and totem animals. Along with this an Ovate may learn herbology, tree Ogham, an understanding of reincarnation, and how to walk between the worlds. They focus a lot on meditation to help accomplish these tasks. They also use what they learned as a bard to help heal people and to be councilors. Ovates help people keep their heart, mind, and body in tune with nature.
The last grade is that of a Druid. Druids are sometimes seen as a wise one. This could be due to the fact that it takes a long time to walk the path of a Bard and an Ovate. A Druid is known to possess great wisdom and to be a peace bringer. They are spiritual advisors, teachers, and judges. A Druid understands the gift of walking between worlds, shape shifting, and manipulating reality. They are well versed in: astronomy, mathematics, philosophy, and the power of the gods. A Druid should have a broad understanding of all aspects of this religion.
One of the last things I would like to say that even though I do practice some forms of Witchcraft along with Druidry, I do not call myself a witch. I am a Druid. One walking the path of enlightenment.
In conclusion I would like to sum up what Druidry is to me in just one hundred words. Druidry is more than just a religion; it is a way of life. One that allows people to practice the way that feels right to them alone. We worship this planet and try to live with nature, not just on it. Druids do not believe in the devil. We celebrate a holiday about every six weeks. These help us to observe the changes of the seasons and reflect back on our lives. It is also a religion that promotes creativity, allows divination, and encourages people to learn about their ancestors. We believe in reincarnation. And many druids seek enlightenment through meditation. This is how I see Druidry.
This issue’s topic, Lammas, is the first Sabbat of the harvest season, focusing on the first cut of the first crop ready to harvest, often a grain such as wheat or barley. The harvest reaches its peak at Mabon and concludes with the final reap at Samhain. Because of the association with the grain Lammas is traditionally a beer Sabbat.
While most circles and Sabbats have wine or juice as the traditional libation, this time of year is dedicated to beer. Beer making is usually most associated with Germany, however the Irish will tell you that their brews are their life’s blood. Ireland has built an entire culture out of the brewing and consumption of beer.
The most famous brewery in Ireland is the Guinness brewery, located on the banks of the River Liffey in Dublin. Two lesser known stouts are brewed in the southern city of Cork, Murphy’s and Beamish. Breweries are open to the public and offer tours as well as tasting, but the experience can feel a bit too touristy at times, especially at the Guinness brewery, which includes a souvenir store next door.
For a more authentic Irish experience, it is best to visit the local pub. In smaller Irish towns, the pub is the center of all evening activities, offering food, live music, lively conversation and, of course, pint after pint of beers, ales and stouts. In the larger cities, pubs can number into the hundreds. James Joyce once wrote, “Good puzzle would be cross Dublin without passing a pub,” and of course, the answer to that is don’t pass them, just go in each one. Dublin’s oldest pub is the Brazen Head, first established in 1198, and much of it is exactly the same as it was 800 years ago. You may even suspect that some of the more colorful occupants are left over from opening day.
Here in Seattle we are fortunate enough to have several “authentic” Irish pubs. Downtown in Post Alley is the Owl and Thistle, a spacious tavern which combines Irish decor with a waterfront atmosphere. Live music is the major attraction here, with the best nights belonging to the Owl and Thistle Band, a trio which performs Irish folk tunes alongside original music and the requisite rendition of “Danny Boy.” The Owl and Thistle has a great menu too, with fish and chips and the best brown bread outside the Emerald Isle.
In Fremont there is the Dubliner Pub, a smaller, more cozy venue which offers Guinness, a number of microbrews on tap and not just one but twodart boards (and real dart-boards, too, with score kept on an old fashioned chalkboard, not one of those electronic facsimiles). They serve meals as well, including delicious lamb stew, but be warned, the kitchen closes early.
In addition to the numerous breweries in the area, you can actually try your hand at brewing your own at U-Brew Seattle in the Greenlake area. U-Brew Seattle offers recipes which imitate all the most popular brands on the market, including Guinness of course. They provide all materials and tools necessary for the process, they sell bottles or you can bring your own to recycle, and, best of all, they do all the cleanup. Brewing your own can be a time consuming process, and two sessions are required, one for the actual brewing and another a few weeks later for the bottling.
For those of you who wish to imbibe without waiting, might I suggest that you check out the specialty brews of Samuel Adams? Much like the traditional European brewers, Sam Adams offers seasonal beers, which at this time of year include a light Summer Ale and a Cream Stout which has a sweet, almost chocolaty taste.
Of course, you may wish to be a part of the harvest process from start to finish, and later this month there is a unique opportunity to do just that in Eastern Washington. The town of Colfax in Palouse County holds the Palouse Empire Fair on Labor Day Weekend. The entire town, along with several hundred tourists, gather for a traditional county fair which culminates in the harvest of the barley fields. The cutting is done the old fashioned way, with swinging scythes and horse drawn wagons. The fields, which could be cut in a manner of hours with modern machinery, take two or three days to complete, and visitors are left with a rare glimpse of the bounty the Gods provide to us, as well as the serious amount of work it takes to bring this bounty to fruition.
About Lammas
a guide to the Sabbat’s symbolism
by Arwynn MacFeylynnd
Date: August 1 or 2.
Alternative names: Lughnassadh, Lammastide, August Eve, Harvest Home, Ceresalia (Roman, in honor of the grain goddess Ceres), First Fruits, Festival of Green Corn (Native American), Feast of Cardenas, Cornucopia (Strega), Thingtide and Elembiuos. Lammas, an Anglo-Saxon word, means “loaf mass.” Lughnassadh is named for the Irish sun god Lugh (pronounced Loo), and variant spellings are Lughnasadh, Lughnasad, Lughnassad, Lughnasa and Lunasa.
Primary meanings: This festival has two aspects. First, it is one of the Celtic fire festivals, honoring the Celtic culture-bringer Lugh (Lleu to the Welsh, Lugus to the Gauls). In Ireland, races and games were held in his name and that of his mother, Tailtiu (these may have been funeral games). Second, the holiday is the Saxon Feast of Bread, at which the first of the grain harvest is consumed in ritual loaves. These aspects are not too dissimilar, as the shamanic death and transformation of Lleu can be compared to that of the Barley God, known from the folksong “John Barleycorn.”
Lammas celebrates the first of three harvest celebrations in the Craft. It marks the beginning of autumn, the start of the harvest cycle, and relies on the early crops of ripening grain and any fruits and vegetables ready to be harvested. It is associated with bread because grain is one of the first crops harvested. Those in the Craft often give thanks and honor now to gods and goddesses of the harvest, as well as those who represent death and resurrection.
Symbols: All grains, especially corn and wheat, corn dollies, sun wheels, bread, harvesting and threshing tools and the harvest full moon. Altar decorations might include corn dollies or kirn babies (corncob dolls) to symbolize the Mother Goddess of the Harvest. Other appropriate decorations include summer flowers and grains. You might also wish to have a loaf of whole cracked wheat or multigrain bread upon the altar, baked in the shape of the sun.
Colors: Red, orange, gold, yellow, citrine, green, grey and light brown.
Gemstones: Yellow diamonds, aventurine, sardonyx, peridot and citrine.
Herbs: Acacia flowers, aloes, chamomile, cornstalks, cyclamen, fenugreek, frankincense, heather, hollyhock, myrtle, oak leaves, passionflower, rose, rose hips, rosemary, sandalwood, sunflowers and wheat.
Gods and goddesses: Lugh, Thor, John Barleycorn (the personification of malt liquor), Demeter, Danu, Ceres, sun gods, corn mothers, all grain and agriculture deities, mother goddesses and father gods.
Customs and myths: Spellwork for prosperity, abundance and good fortune are especially appropriate now, as well as spells for connectedness, career, health and financial gain. Sacrifice is often associated with this holiday. Visits to fields, orchards, lakes and wells are also traditional. It is considered taboo not to share your food with others now.
Activities appropriate for this time of the year are baking bread, wheat weaving and making corn dollies or other god and goddess symbols. You may want to string Indian corn on black thread to make a necklace, or bake cornbread sticks shaped like little ears of corn for your Sabbat cakes. The corn dolly may be used both as a fertility amulet and as an altar centerpiece.
Some pagans bake Lammas bread in the form of a god-figure or sun wheel — if you do this, be sure to use this bread in your Lammas ritual’s cakes and ale ceremony, if you have one. During the Lammas ritual, some consume bread or something from the first harvest. Some gather first fruits; others symbolically throw pieces of bread into a fire.
The Lion King Explains the Wheel of the Year
Author: Sevati Pari
For reference though the Wiccan Goddess is a triple goddess. She is Maiden, Mother, and Crone separate and simultaneously. The Maiden is when she’s a youth still young and virginal, the Mother is after she gives birth to the Sun God who becomes the Horned God at Beltane, and the Crone is the wise woman she becomes in her elder years when the cycles of her life are done.
There are two different myths that follow the wheel of the year. One being the Goddess/God duality where the Sun God is born to the Mother/Crone at Yule, The Mother becomes the Maiden at Imbolc as the God grows in power and courts the Goddess in her Maiden aspect during Ostara, He impregnates the Goddess Beltane during the height of his power becoming the Horned God, he begins to wane in power during Lammas, and passes away at Samhain becoming the Sacred King who dies so that the land might be reborn, to be born again to the Mother/Crone at Yule (Healing Happens, Sherri Maddon) .
Another myth is that of the Holly King and the Oak King. One rules winter the other rules summer. The Holly King fights and defeats the Oak King at Litha only to have the tables turned at Yule when the Oak King comes back to challenge and defeat the Holly King (About.com) .
Samhain begins our calendar as the beginning of the Pagan New Year. It falls on October thirty-first and corresponds with the Christian’s Halloween. It’s a celebration of the final harvest and a day to honor those that have passed before us. Samhain is not a mournful holiday in which we mourn their passing but more a celebration of their life. It is on this Sabbat that the Horned God passes on to the Summerland (Wiccan afterlife) .
The wheel continues on to Yule which falls anywhere from December twenty-first to December twenty-fifth depending on when the Winter Solstice (the longest night of the year is) . It is a celebration that even in the dark there is light, of the hope that spring will come again and winter soon will be over.
It is on this night that the God is born to the Goddess in her Crone aspect. Imbolc is the next Sabbat on the wheel’s cycle. It’s celebrated on February second and is one of the first spring festivals. It’s also a time for purification as the Goddess moves from her Crone state to that of the Maiden.
Following Imbolc is Ostara, which lands on the Spring Equinox usually around March twenty-first. It corresponds with the Christian’s Easter. It’s a celebration of Spring. Then comes Beltane celebrated on May first.
Beltane is a celebration of the fertility of the land and would usually end up in more than one woman walking away from the Beltane fires carrying a baby in her belly. The Sun God mates with the Maiden and she walks away a Mother while he walks away as the Horned God. The days grow longer till we reach Midsummer, which falls on June twenty-first, or the Summer Solstice (the longest day of the year) .
Midsummer is a celebration life in general. Next on the wheel is Lammas celebrated on August first. It’s one of the first harvest festivals. It is a time to celebrate the fruit of our yearly labors.
The days progressively decline till we reach Mabon, which actually just passed on September twenty-first. Mabon celebrates the Fall Equinox and is a day of Thanksgiving. It’s a day to be thankful for what you have and for those you have to share it with, much like the American holiday of Thanksgiving that falls in November.
As the day’s decline we swing back around to Samhain where the Horned God becomes the Sacred King and dies so that the land may be reborn (Healing Happens, Sherri Madden) .
I know I went a little off topic here telling about all the Sabbats but I wanted to give you some basic knowledge so you could understand the two I chose for my pop culture reference example, which was that of Walt Disney’s “The Lion King.”
The story was actually based off of Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Disney’s movie Bambi but I doubt Walt even knew of the story of the Holly King and Oak King or the Wheel of the Year when he set about making this Disney Classic and created the “Circle of Life.” At the beginning of the movie you see Simba being presented to the kingdom as heir, much as the Goddess presents the Sun God at Yule.
Then later on Mufasa gives Simba a tour of the lands he will one day rule teaching about the “Circle of Life” and how everything is born and dies but even in death nurtures the land (i.e. the wildebeest eat the grass, the lions eat the wildebeest, and when a lion dies his body becomes nourishment for the grass which keeps the circle going) , a clear reference to the Wheel of the Year.
Scar (Simba’s uncle) leads him into the gorge for a “surprise” for Mufasa that turns out to be a stampede that Mufasa tries to save Simba from. He saves him only to be pushed off a cliff by Scar a clear example of the fight of the Holly King vs. the Oak King, Scar being the Holly King and the Winter of Pride Rock.
Simba runs away and grows up meeting Nala (a childhood friend) , they fall in love, and she convinces him to come back to save Pride Rock an example of Ostara and Beltane when the God courts and mates the Goddess. Simba returns and exiles Scar but Scar attacks him forcing Simba to push him off a cliff like Scar did to Mufasa.
Again this is a reference to the battle between the Holly King and the Oak King, this time with Simba being the Oak King and the Summer of Pride Rock. Scar survives the fall but finds himself surrounded by Hyenas who attack him (Wikipedia) .
I didn’t even think of this till I got further into my studies as a first-year initiate in Wicca and I started this class. I just happened to be watching the movie with my little sister and it all fell into place. It was one of those Ah Ha/Eureka moments where the light bulb goes off in your head. But now the movie makes perfect sense to me.
Then I started thinking about how Lion King has affected pop culture. Snippets of the movies have shown up in other movies, TV shows, and books. It’s shown on Home Improvement multiple times since Jonathan Taylor Thomas played Simba voice one clear example was: “I found another Lion King reference on Home Improvement [episode titled “Say Goodnight, Gracie”– 7th season, 15th episode].
In one scene, Tim and a little girl named Gracie are playing with some Lion King animals. Randy gets a chance to tell Gracie about “his” experiences impersonating a lion cub. Tim says, “Oh sorry, I’ve never been a lion cub before, ”
Then Randy replies, “Well, I have. And let me tell you. It’s a tough gig. Everybody expects you to be king.” (Lion King Sightings) .
There’s also a scene in Aladdin and the King of Thieves where Genie turns to Pumbaa and says “Hakuna Mattata” Then turns back and goes “Whoops, I just had an out of movie experience, ” (Lion King Sightings) .
Healing Happens. 23 September 2008. http://www.healinghappens.com/wheel.htm
Lion King Sightings. 4 August 2008. Brian Tiermann. 24 September 2008.
http://www.lionking.org/sightings/
Madden, Sherri. Personal Interview. No specific date (classes)
Wikipedia. 25 August 2008. Wikimedia Foundation Inc. 23 September 2008.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_of_the_Year
Wikipedia. 25 August 2008. Wikimedia Foundation Inc. 23 September 2008.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion_King
The Changing Role of Men in Wicca
Author: Morgan Ravenwood
It is unfortunate but too often true that male Wiccans find themselves relegated to a passive, almost non-existent role in Wicca and many other Pagan traditions, thereby depriving their female counterparts of some potentially useful interaction, observations and teachings.
While many Wiccan women would defend this stance by pointing out that the Abrahamic faiths are male-centered and that they came to Paganism to avoid being forced to submit to male authority, they fail to realize that any faith that places emphasis on one gender over another is simply out of balance and deprives its members of both spiritual satisfaction and education.
We Wiccans must remember that it was a man, Gerald Gardiner, who originally gave birth and identity to the faith we practice today. However, he didn’t do so all by himself—he a lot of help and encouragement from women such as Doreen Valiente. Perhaps that is why the Gardnerian tradition has always promoted gender equality. Since then there have been some notable male Pagans such as Stuart Farrar, Oberon Zell, Isaac Bonewits, and more recently, Kerr Cuhulain and Christopher Penczak (who has written a great deal about gay Wiccans, whose numbers continue to grow) whose knowledge and experience have benefited us all.
A quick overview of some of the major Wiccan traditions certainly doesn’t inspire a man to want to join most of them unless he is willing to play a subordinate—and submissive- –role. While ones such as the various Druid groups and the Alexandrian and Gardnerian traditions seem to be more welcoming to the male practitioner, others such as the Dianic and Avalonian traditions are strictly matrifocal with no male participation at all. There are endless lists of Wiccan female-only groups on the web as opposed to barely a handful for men. All of this amounts to the same kind of sexism practiced by the mainstream religions, and is just as counter-productive.
We are all familiar with the concept of the Triple Goddess, which is of course worshiped by male and female Wiccans alike. While most female Wiccans relate the phases of the Goddess to our own lives, how do we apply this to the God, and in so doing, contemplate how this concept can be applied to men?
In my long years of study and correspondence with other practitioners, I have learned quite a bit from some very wise male Pagans. I recently asked some of them their opinions on this, and actually got some pretty similar answers, though one male friend said, “I hadn’t really ever thought about it!”
I can’t help but feeling that that is a very great shame indeed.
Equal gender identification really isn’t that difficult when you think about it. When we see the young Goddess as the Maiden, we could see her male counterpart as the Youth/Warrior/Student. As She reaches Her Mother stage, Her consort matures into the Father/Warrior/Hunter.
Opinions vary on when a woman has aged sufficiently to regard herself (and be regarded by others) as a “Crone, ” but on the other side of the coin, we again have her consort becoming an Elder/Sage/Grandfather. Though male Wiccans revere and venerate the Goddess in these various incarnations, might they not feel a little more comfortable if the God was given equal consideration?
Those female Wiccans who may belong to covens who worship the Goddess to the exclusion of the God might feel a little more in balance also.
When we look at the history of Paganism we find a large number of male deities such as Cernunnos, Dagda, Lugh, Cuchulainn, Pan, Osiris, Zeus, Apollo, and so many more. In ritual, particularly when petitioning for a special purpose, it is wise to aim such petitions towards a deity who may have certain characteristics particular to the object of the petition.
Male Wiccans especially may have certain issues that they feel more comfortable sharing with a male deity as opposed to a female one. That doesn’t mean, however, that they would (or should) eliminate worship of the Goddess in Her many forms—on the contrary, the male Wiccans of my acquaintance are very devoted to Her.
As in everything, balance and moderation are the keys.
We need look no further than our own Wheel of the Year to understand how important the God is to our religion. From Yule, when we celebrate the birth of the God, to Samhain, when He dies and prepares to be born yet again at Yule, our Sabbats are ironically centered on the God, with the Goddess both assisting and participating in a supporting (but no less important) role.
Consequently, it seems illogical and counter-productive to relegate the God along with male practitioners to a minor role in other Wiccan rites. While I am certainly not advocating the dissolution of all female-only covens, I DO encourage them to give some serious consideration to allowing serious male practitioners to participate in their rites. This would present many opportunities for fellowship and the sharing of knowledge, which would surely outweigh any perceived disadvantages.
The Religioustolerance.org website contains Edain McCoy’s description of the worship of Wiccan deities thusly: “We worship a deity that is both male and female, a mother Goddess and father God, who together created all that is, was, or will be. We respect life, cherish the free will of sentient beings, and accept the sacredness of all creation.” And yet, the same article also says, “Wiccans celebrate the sexual polarity of nature.
For example, the fertilizing rain is one manifestation of the male principle; the nurturing earth symbolizes the female. Females are respected as equal (and sometimes at a slightly higher rank) to males. A priestess is often the most senior person among covens — a local group of Wiccans. They aim for a female-male balance in most of their covens (local groups), although men are typically in the minority.”
The last sentence really reinforces the imbalance that exists in Wiccan practice and brings up a salient point: perhaps if more men chose to become involved in Wicca, it would drive up the numbers of Wiccan adherents and consequently make us more of a force to be reckoned with. The days of “broom closet” Wicca are coming to a close and we are already seeing the benefits such as the V.A. approval of the pentacle on the headstones of Wiccan veterans.
However, we must keep in mind that in order for more men to become interested in Wicca, they must be allowed equal consideration and status.
It’s a concept whose time has come.
Being a Pisces born on March 20th, you are all about change and new experiences. You are relentless and get annoyed by too much calm.
Active and bold during your young years, you eventually decide to settle. In time, you become more and more practical and oriented towards finding solutions to the problems of those around. Prepare to read a special personality report below.
The zodiac sign for March 20 is Pisces.
Astrological symbol: Fish. The sign of the Fish is influential for those born February 19 – March 20, when the Sun is considered to be in Pisces. It signifies Divine Consciousness and ambivalence.
The Pisces Constellation with the brightest star being Van Maanen’s is spread on 889 sq degrees between Aquarius to the West and Aries to the East. Its visible latitudes are +90° to -65°, this being just one of the twelve zodiac constellations.
In Greece it is called Ihthis and in France goes by the name Poissons but the Latin origin of the March 3 zodiac sign, the Fish is in the name Pisces.
Opposite sign: Virgo. This means that this sign and Pisces are a straight line across each other on the zodiac wheel and can create an opposition aspect. This suggests compassion and diligence as well as an interesting cooperation between the two sun signs.
Modality: Mobile. The modality proposes the creative nature of those born on March 20 and their optimism and modesty in tackling most life events.
Ruling house: The twelfth house. This zodiac placement suggests the starting over after a success or a pitfall and rising each and every time more powerful and with more experience to learn from.
Ruling body: Neptune. This connection suggests intuition and pleasure. It also suggest the creativity surrounding the lives of these natives. The glyph of Neptune combines the cross with three crescents directed above.
Element: Water. This element represents transformation and continuous growth and is considered to determine the mood swings of those associated with March 20 as they tend to support their actions on feelings and less on reason. Water boils things in association with fire, it’s vaporized by air and shapes things in combination with earth.
Lucky day: Thursday. This is a day ruled by Jupiter, therefore deals with domination and seduction. It suggests the intuitive nature of Pisces natives.
Lucky numbers: 5, 9, 18, 19, 23.
Motto: “I believe!”
People born on March 20 are original and intuitive and love when they are surrounded by others who are as talented as they are. They also take time to observe what is going with those around them, be it at a human personality level or beyond that. They are easily annoyed by materialistic and selfish individuals and are amongst the first to point them out. They enjoy being par of fancy enterprises that allow them to showcase their potential and they are often quite accepting.
Positive Traits: Energetic and quick learners, these Pisces natives have their own lifestyle in many regards. They make faithful and romantic lovers and also insightful and altruistic companions. They are active and bold in their early years but then with age they smooth things with their knowledge and become more confident in themselves.
Negative Traits: Capricious and often stubborn, quick to dramatize and rapid to exaggerate what is going on in their lives, these natives want the whole attention to be on them. Unfortunately they are often victims of their own ideals and life principles and rarely know when to temper their behavior and smooth their impulses. They rely on instinct but often prioritize other things ahead. They try to make logical and rational arrangements but their feelings get caught along the way.
Love and Compatibility: Lovers born on March 20 are creative and adventurous. They love dating and meeting new and exciting persons but when it comes to commitment they avoid any kind of attachment. However, if they ever get struck by love they start acting like fools and their whole world starts revolving around the object of their affection. They are attracted to energetic and fun persons who can keep up with their active and unpredictable lifestyle.
Lucky Color: The preferred color for Pisces zodiac is Turquoise.
This ever changing mix, ranging and changing shades appeals and stimulates the creative and visionary Pisces. This combination of watery colors is not only inspiring but surprisingly soothing for Pisces.
Other hues that appeal to people born on March 20 are purple, pink and sea-green.
Representative Birthstone: The sign stone for Pisces zodiac is the irresistible Aquamarine.
This precious stone is said to ease communication and humanitarian endeavors. Aquamarine also symbolizes increased awareness and quick response.
Other sign stones that are thought to bring luck to people born on March 20 are Amethyst and Opal.
Characteristic Flower: The representative flower for Pisces zodiac is Water Lily.
Water Lily also symbolizes a sincere and warm hearted nature. This is a flower said to influence emotional responses. The multiple petals focused around the golden center suggest a complex and focused nature.
Other flowers suggestive for Pisces are Jonquil and Violet.
Symbolic Metal: Aluminum is the characteristic metal for Pisces zodiac.
Aluminum suggests invention and innovation. This light weight original metal relates to travel and also has a few connections with spirituality and prosperity.
Another metal considered beneficial for people born on March 20 is Zinc.
Characteristics: March 20 Zodiac belongs to the third decan of PISCES (March 11-March 20). This decan is strongly influenced by the planet Pluto. This is representative for people who are creative and idealistic just like Pisces and focused just like Pluto. This period tempers the positive and negative characteristics of the Pisces zodiac sign, slightly enhancing the negative ones.
What Statistics Say: March 20 is counted in the Gregorian Calendar as the 79th day of the year or the 80th day in leap years, while until the end of the year there are 286 days left. The twentieth day of spring, this is the International Day of the Francophonie, the International Day of Happiness and the World Sparrow Day.
If you were born on March 20, you are so sensitive and compassionate toward others that it may overwhelm you sometimes. While you are naturally optimistic, you are also so empathetic that seeing others in pain hurts you personally. Embrace this beautiful gift of sensitivity but practice a modicum of detachment to protect your own feelings and ward off depression. Your sense of loyalty is admirable, but you’ve got to learn to make yourself and your own needs a priority, too!
March 20 Pisces at Their Best: Insightful, compassionate, versatile
March 20 Pisces at Their Worst: Depressed, hyper-sensitive, weak
What to Wear: Soft pastels and relaxed-looking shirts, pants and skirts. Fairy godmother and knight in shining armor outfits are optional.
What to Eat: Clam chowder, shrimp cocktail, baked fish and sea scallops.
Who to Invite: All the millions of people who find their way into sentimental Pisces’ humongous heart.
Where to Go: Any water lover’s paradise like a river, pool, or the beach.
IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS March 20, you are original. Your adaptable personality is suited well for party-goers. You can interact with anyone from any background. You are most attracted to nontraditional places, things, and people.
In social situations, you love to amuse people or to showcase your many talents. People are often attracted to you for your ability to set everyone at ease.
If you are a Piscean born on this day, your birthday personality characteristics show you to be inquisitive. You tend to develop a unique way of thinking that people may sometimes view as being odd.
Pisces, do not worry about that… keep on doing what you do. It is what makes you, You! Those with March 20 birthday, love their freedom and along with that, is your right to have your own experiences.
You are somewhat like the air we breathe. You can be high one day and low the next. When you are at your low, you can be reclusive and withdrawn.
There is a positive side to this, however. Yes… Pisceans will use this time to regroup or to reinvent themselves. You are on the right road to success. You have a great understanding of how you want your life to be.
On the negative side of Pisces zodiac birthday, 20 March people can be stubborn and competitive. You can get an idea in your head, and it is hard to get you to see otherwise.
Those born on this day would like to keep conflict to a minimum so this Piscean will not have many friends at all. Lessons learned from previous experience, it is easier that way and less drama is involved. You like to keep a positive attitude and avoid destructive influences.
Your birthday astrology predicts that your imagination needs fuel. You get your inspiration from others and your surroundings. Sometimes, Pisces, you get a gut feeling about something and it turns out to have favorable results.
This could be your inner self, leading you in the direction in which you should go. Listen to it especially regarding your financial affairs. It may be beneficial to you.
As the March 20 birthday horoscope foretells, you can excel at anything you do when it comes to your profession. However, you probably would be happiest in creative fields such as careers in writing or music.
Nature has a way of speaking to you when you involve yourself in spiritual things. In addition, Pisces, you would do well in the medical practice or social interaction since you love people and they love you as well.
As a Piscean, you are subject to illnesses relating to allergies or common ailments of the feet. It is also possible that you will have mental challenges. This could be due to a certain trauma in your life or something that is hereditary. Either way, you should seek professional help.
You cannot do some things on your own. It is human to reach for a drink of some kind when we are upset, but you, Pisces born on March 20, should avoid doing this. This kind of behavior can lead to a pattern of excessiveness. Pisceans are also at risk for eating disorders as well.
20 March Pisceans love to dress in free-flowing clothes while they are lounging at home. Often times, you can be in your bare feet. You do not shop at the major department stores for your bargains.
Pisces’ love to bargain hop visiting garage sales and thrift stores. You know you can find many interesting and unique things there. It is also a great way to give back to the community by using the local stores instead of those franchises and chains. You love a good buy and have a distinctive way of dressing.
You love yourself, Pisces. Self-love is a wonderful thing but you let other people’s opinion influence your decisions or and how you feel. You need to have a plan and order in your life.
The March 20 birthday meaning shows that you know exactly how you want things done and how they should turn out. Some of you born on this day are suited for most any profession but you will do well in the music field or something that can use your writing skills.
See: Famous Celebrities Born On March 20
1760 – Boston’s Great Fire destroys 349 buildings
1896 – In order to protect US citizens, Marine forces arrive in Nicaragua
1952 – Peace treaty with Japan is ratified
1976 – Patty Hearst is convicted on an armed robbery charge
March 20 Meen Rashi (Vedic Moon Sign)
March 20 Chinese Zodiac RABBIT
Your ruling planet is Neptune that symbolizes spirituality healing, feelings, emotions and mercy.
The Two Fishes Are The Symbol For The Pisces Zodiac Sign
Your Birth Day Tarot Card is The Moon. This card symbolizes psychic strengths, feelings, confusion, and doubts. The Minor Arcana cards are Ten of Cups and Queen of Wands
You are most compatible with people born under Zodiac Sign Cancer: This is an enchanting match that can be quite interesting.
You are not compatible with people born under Zodiac Sign Sagittarius: A relationship will be full of problems, fights, difficulties.
See Also:
Number 2 – This number stands for caring, nurturing, sensitivity and tenderness.
Number 5 – This number symbolizes enthusiasm, innovation, experimentation and adventure.
Read about: Birthday Numerology
Turquoise: This is a stable color that symbolizes psychic powers, sophistication, grounding, and optimism.
Silver: This color stands for elegance, mysticism, caring and wealth.
Thursday – This day is ruled by planet Jupiter. It symbolizes positive emotions, enthusiasm and wish to accomplish your goals.
Monday – This day is ruled by the Moon. It stands for nurturing, feelings, love, and emotions.
Aquamarine gemstone can help you connect to your spiritual inner self through meditation.
An iPad for the man and a handmade jewelry box for the woman.
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.
The Moon’s current phase for today and tonight is 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.
Visit the June 2022 Moon Phases Calendar to see all the daily moon phase for this month.
The Waxing Crescent on June 30 has an illumination of 2%. 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 June 30 the Moon is 1.25 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.
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.
Check the weather before a night of Moon gazing at weather.com
For a list of all the current meteor showers visit American Meteor Society
Being a Leo born on August 9th, you are creative and energetic. You don’t hesitate to show anyone when you are ready for something and often take a lot of chances.
You are sincere and fun to be around, even if at times you are quite direct and not everyone’s cup of tea. You are reliable and quite punctual. Prepare to read a detailed horoscope profile below.
The zodiac sign for August 9 is Leo.
Astrological symbol: Lion. The sign of the Lion represents people born July 23 – August 22, when the Sun is placed in Leo. It symbolizes an emotionally strong individual who is also courageous and loyal.
The Leo Constellation is located between Cancer to the West and Virgo to the East and has Alpha Leonis as the brightest star. It is spread on an area of 947 sq degrees and its visible latitudes are +90° to -65°.
The Lion is named from the Latin Leo, the zodiac sign for August 9. In Italy it is named Leone while the French call it Leo.
Opposite sign: Aquarius. On the horoscope chart, this and the Leo sun sign are on opposite sides, reflecting affection and creativity and some sort of balancing act between the two with a creation of opposite aspects at times.
Modality: Fixed. The modality proposes the determined nature of those born on August 9 and their persistence and amicability in regard to most life events.
Ruling house: The fifth house. This zodiac placement represents life pleasures that come from simple things up to social contact. It reveals the areas that attract the most the attention of Leos.
Ruling body: Sun. This association reveals support and help. The Sun’s position at one’s birthday determines the zodiac sign. The Sun also shares an insight on pride.
Element: Fire. This is the element of those who confidently pursue their plans and who are quick to reveal their fiery nature. It works so to the benefit of those born on August 9.
Lucky day: Sunday. This day is representative for the fun nature of Leo, is ruled by the Sun and suggests vision and strength.
Lucky numbers: 5, 8, 10, 17, 26.
Motto: “I want!”
People born on August 9 benefit from being driven, convincing and even romantic. Just like a true Leo, they are direct and brave when faced with any life matter. They love to win at everything, whether it is a competition or simply the achievement of a simple task. They dislike coward people and can’t stand to lose anything. Those born under this sign enjoy situations where they can control and lead everything.
Positive traits: These natives are revolutionary and avant-garde and make some of the best visionaries of times. They are the men of action of the future and when this couples with a bit of impulse and kind heart they tend to help others be more assured and overcome their fears. They are known to be emotionally forceful and they rarely show their deficiencies.
Negative traits: Acknowledging that they can’t behave all possessive and vain is the way to go for these natives who are too controlling and too inflexible. They want to have it their way but they need to learn that compromise would often do them more good then the perpetual stubbornness they are displaying when other people are trying to get a bit of the spotlight that is always on them. They can exaggerate certain things just for the sake of the argument.
Love and Compatibility: Lovers born on August 9 are passionate and sensual. They like to take time and invest both emotionally and materially in the dating ritual. They are attracted to exciting and adventurous persons who are also very ambitious and can keep up with them. You can conquer the heart of Leo if you know how to balance the moments when you recognize their merits and celebrate them for who they are with the moments where you temper their risky impulses.
August 9 Zodiac people are very attracted to the other fire signs: Aries and Sagittarius as they tend to share the same vision of life. In life, Leo is constantly seeking for a curious and passionate partner who can expand their horizon and the most suitable to offer this is the native from Aquarius. Leo is thought to be least compatible with Cancer. As for the rest of compatibilities between the other star signs and Leo, you know what they say, stars predispose but people dispose.
Lucky Color: The lucky color for those born under the August 9 is orange.
Orange is a hue that indicates enthusiasm and vitality mixed with endurance. The zodiac color should be used in items of clothing or objects in the house.
Those with orange as sign color are creative, optimistic persons for whom the world is a stage and they have so many things to show. They need to socialize, be accepted and respected as part of a group. This rich hue can bring a boost of energy and power to the charismatic Leo.
Other colors indicated for Leo are red and purple.
Representative Birthstone: The fiery Ruby is the birthstone defined for August 9 and in general for Leo natives.
Ruby is a precious material that denotes faithfulness and passion. This zodiac birthstone should be used in all kinds of jewelry items that are to be worn frequently.
It is thought to relax and open the mind of the wearer in social situations therefore helping communication and understanding. There are also many legends from different historic times involving the special properties of the Ruby.
Another gemstone considered beneficial for Leo natives is Peridot. It represents vitality and enthusiasm.
Characteristic Flower: Sunflower is the flower said to be representative for Leo people born with August 9.
Sunflower is a known symbol of warmth and happiness. The zodiac flower could be used in gifts and decorative items.
This is a fertile and happy flower, always searching for the sun just as Leo is in a permanent search for success. This flower is to be found during midsummer.
Other plants that suit Leo natives are Narcissus and Marigold.
Symbolic Metal: The metal for Leo natives born with the August 9 is Gold.
Gold symbolizes elegance, power and bravery. The zodiac metal could be used in accessories and jewelry items.
Gold is a precious metal with many benefic properties and also meanings related to healing and knowledge. A gold leaf may be only 0.19 microns thick.
Another metal considered lucky for Leo natives is Bronze.
Characteristics: August 9 Zodiac belongs to the second decan of LEO (August 2-August 12). This decan is under the supervision of the planet Jupiter. Those born in this period are enterprising and ambitious just like a true Leo and opportunists full of luck just as Jupiter makes them be. This period tempers the positive and negative characteristics of the Leo zodiac sign with a great accent on the positive ones.
August is the eight month of the year, bringing holidays and very hot, tense days. Those born in August are adventurous and romantic. August 9 Zodiac people are attractive and rebellious. August has as representative symbols the Gladiolus and Poppy as plants and the Peridot and Sardonyx as gemstones. The name comes from Augustus Caesar, the roman emperor.
What Statistics Say: In the Gregorian Calendar, August 9 is the 221st day of the year or the 222nd day in leap years, while until the end of the year there are 144 days left. The seventieth day of summer, this is also the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People as recognized by the UN.
Famous people born on August 9 under the Leo zodiac sign: Amedeo Avogadro, Whitney Houston, Gillian Anderson and Anna Kendrick.
If you were born on August 9, you are the shining star of any team you might find yourself on! Whether it’s sports, work, or family, you are a well-liked, hardworking teammate. You know how to bring people together and make them feel like they’re a part of something important. This is an incredibly admirable trait that will make you a great leader and influencer. Make sure to carve out time for yourself! You can only prioritize everyone else for so long. Take care of number one!
August 09 Leo at Their Best: Inspirational, dedicated, caring
August 09 Leo at Their Worst: Righteous, bossy, prodding
What to Wear: Nothing that could possibly out-class the guest of honor. Arrange to fade into the background when the “star“ makes a grand entrance.
What to Eat: Caviar, foie gras, Chateaubriand and, of course, truffles!
Who to Invite: If heads of state can’t make themselves available, check if Beyonce, Brad Pitt, or a Kardashian might squeeze the soiree into their schedules.
Where to Go: A palace (or a diner that can be decorated like one) would be rather appropriate.
AUGUST 9 birthday horoscope says that your zodiac sign is Leo – The Lion. The Lion is strong and has a potential to be extremely creative. Your desire to be a success is great and so is the likelihood. You are charismatic and pleasant.
In order for the person born today to provide a comfortable life for the family, a stable career is necessary. Although stability is sought after, there may be some blockage due to this drive. It may be a good idea to let the lion roam so that creativity is restored. All eyes are watching your every move but you love it.
As an employer, the August 9th birthday personality has excellent leadership ability. Those in management positions usually go all the way up the chain. While you may have the enthusiasm for life, others may not.
It is your wish that you provide another avenue for them. You believe prosperity is for all and not just a limited few. It could be that you disapprove of poverty. However, occasionally, you can be somewhat of a snob.
The August 9th astrology analysis also predicts that on the other hand, your attitude can be infectious. Seeing others enjoying themselves does your heart good. You like being a part of that, and that is what keeps you grounded.
If today is your birthday, you inspire others to give their all in life. Personally and professionally, you are constantly growing. If you are not helping someone to do better, then those born on August 9 are unhappy. Inactivity can diminish this Leo’s capabilities.
Your friends and family love you. In spite of this, you need constant praise. As a young lion, you were impressionable and would crave praise as a means of affection. The Leo birthday horoscope for August 9 predicts that you do not take criticisms very well. Your self-confidence could have been crushed as a child so as an adult you are super sensitive.
To effectively communicate with a Leo born on this day, you could use a little wit. Laughter goes a long way with the person born under this zodiac sun sign. Many problems could be solved with a smile.
As a negative August 9 horoscope characteristic, you can be stubborn. You certainly willpower, as the optimist would say. Depending on how you look at it, it could be a good thing. It could be said that when you make up your mind about something, you stick with it until it has lost its usefulness.
A Leo in love will usually take the lead. You would think that the Lion would be strong, but you are just the opposite. You are likely to be a temperamental individual. Those with the birthday of August 9 mostly have idealistic notions when it comes to romance. It could be the reason why your feelings are so easily hurt.
However, the August 9 birthday meaning rightly predicts that you are supportive of your lovers and friends. Additionally, as you love to be seen or noticed, this could cause you conflict with your love interest. This in turn can lead to disappointments in the relationship department.
While dating, this August 9 zodiac birthday person, will generally treat his or her partner with loving kindness. You like to do it big with expensive hotel rooms and fine food. The person you would most like to share your experiences with should be independent and equally as smart as you are.
The August 9 zodiac analysis predicts that those born on this day, could be a sculptor, you have an eye for the unusual. Now, your imagination is not limited to work involving the hands. You are quite an actor. You love live music and could play an instrument.
It is possible that you have thought of auditioning for a few parts, but nothing ever came out of it. Maybe you have put the thought off until later in life. The child of a Leo is likely to be pampered and is an essential part of his or her life. Mostly as an occupation, you may look to recognizing your hobbies as being worthwhile and profitable.
A person with an August 9 birthday personality is capable of occupationally doing almost anything. You are extraordinarily gifted, and you possess a great deal of will-power. Being idle means to stifle your creativity. Characteristically, you may not handle criticisms very well, but you are likely a leader who is smart and inspiring.
Mahesh Babu, Sam Elliott, Derek Fisher, Melanie Griffith, Whitney Houston, Michael Kors, Deion Sanders
See: Famous Celebrities Born On August 9
1803 – First-time horses are brought to Hawaii
1841 – 242 people died as a result of an Erie boat fire in Buffalo, NY
1923 – First NY State Golf Association is formed
1964 – The Rolling Stone’s first concert in the Netherlands
August 9 Simha Rashi (Vedic Moon Sign)
August 9 Chinese Zodiac MONKEY
Your ruling planet is Sun that symbolizes your present feelings, thoughts, and actions.
The Lion Is The Symbol For The Leo Star Sign
Your Birthday Tarot Card is The Hermit. This card symbolizes a period of contemplation, aloofness, solitude, and deliberation. The Minor Arcana cards are Six of Wands and Knight of Wands
You are most compatible with people born under Zodiac Sign Leo: This match can be a battle of wits.
You are not compatible with people born under Zodiac Sign Pisces: There is no love in this match only sparks.
See Also:
Number 8 – This number signifies your Karmic and materialistic goals in life.
Number 9 – This number signifies the charitable and humanitarian aspect of your personality.
Read about: Birthday Numerology
Red: This color stands for love, action, enthusiasm, and revenge
Orange: This is an energizing color that stands for success, joy, trust, and balance.
Sunday – This is the day of the Sun that helps you plan your future and gives you the determination to fulfill your dreams.
Tuesday – This is the day of the planet Mars and is symbolic of ability to come out a winner if you avoid getting into useless arguments.
Ruby gemstone gives you courage and strength and makes you more passionate and energetic.
A dinner suit for the man and an evening gown for the woman. The August 9 birthday horoscope predicts that you will love formal gifts.
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