HOW CRYSTALS GROW

Generally, quartz crystals grow in a hexagonal (six sided) structure, with additional faces sloping towards a point at one end. A crystal with these characteristics is itself also called a POINT. Points may be totally clear and transparent, or they may contain streaks, lines, rainbows, water bubbles or other inclusions. They may also appear cloudy if they have grown in a place where it freezes in the winter. Optical clarity usually has little to do with
a crystal’s quality and its ability to amplify the subtle energies.

Correspondences & Spellcrafting for Thursday, Jan. 19th

Days Of The Week Comments

Correspondences for Thursday

Magickal Intentions: Luck, Happiness, Health, Legal Matters, Male Fertility, Treasure and Wealth, Honor, Riches, Clothing Desires, Leadership, Public Activity, Power and Success

Incense: Cinnamon, Must, Nutmeg and Sage

Planet: Jupiter

Sign: Sagittarius and Pisces

Angel: Sachiel

Colors: Purple, Royal Blue and Indigo

Herbs/Plants: Cinnamon, Beech, Buttercup, Coltsfoot, Oak

Stones: Sugilite, Amethyst, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire

Oil: (Jupiter) Clove, Lemon Balm, Oakmoss, Star Anise

Jupiter presides over Thursday. The vibrations of this day attune well to all matters involving material gain. Use them for working rituals that entail general success, accomplishment, honors and awards, or legal issues. These energies are also helpful in matters of luck, gambling, and prosperity.

Spellcrafting for Thursday

EGG WISH SPELL FOR FERTILITY

“On an egg whose shell is brown or pink,
Sign these signs in grass-green ink.
[a simple sun, a male symbol, an encircled equilateral cross, a female sign,
then an upside-down 5-pointed star]
Bury it deep in an earth-filled pot,
Let this stand where the sun is hot;
Sow on its surface seeds of grass,
Water them well while nine weeks pass
Gather the crop, bind it with thread
Let it hang always above your bed

SACHET FOR THE EXPECTANT WITCH

To be used in the bath or as a dream pillow to soothe away the discomforts of pregnancy.

1/2 tablespoon lemon balm 1 teaspoon lemon verbena 3 tablespoons lavender
2 tablespoons rose petals 1 teaspoon mugwort 7 drops of pure jasmine oil

Mix together all of the ingredients in your cauldron or a wooden bowl.

Cut a three-inch square piece of light blue cloth (a natural fiber always works best).Place some of the herbal mixture in the center and tie up the loose ends with some matching yarn. While doing this, visualize the discomforts being soothed away. When you’re ready, either toss it into a warm bath or hide it in the batting of your favorite pillow (or, if you want it to stay your favorite pillow for very long, put it in your pillowcase) and you’ve got a special dream pillow. Pleasant dreams!

Magickal Graphics

The Daily Motivator for January 15th – The miracle that is today

The miracle that is today

Open your eyes, open your heart, and see the miracle that is today. Feel how good and powerful it feels to be alive.

You don’t have to wait for some distant, imagined time before you can relish the sweet, profound experience of being fully alive. Because right now, today, in this place, in this situation, the miracle of your life is here for you to live.

No day is really ordinary, because each day comes with its own bundle of unique treasures. No moment is useless or pointless, because every moment is filled with priceless possibilities.

Remind yourself how truly fortunate you are to be you. Look beyond all the distractions of superficial things that come and go, and feel the awesome power of life that exists within you.

Imagine the most amazing, fulfilling thing you can imagine. And realize that you have the ability to make it real, through the power of your life.

Today there is more hope, and there are more possibilities for fulfillment, than ever before. Because today you are here to bring the best of life to life.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Friday! Friday! Friday! Thank Goodness The Weekend Is Almost Here!

Days Of The Week Comments

Hello, my dear friends! I hope you are having a fantastic Friday the 13th. Are you superstition and believe bad things happen on this day? Personally I don’t even think a thing about it. There are even occasions when I realize it was Friday the 13th after the day was over with. I know my little pup, Kiki, will think it is a very unlucky day. I have to take her to the Vet today. She was playing with Stinker and Razzy and rounded a corner and ran into the leg of a cabinet. She has hurt her shoulder. I took her to our regular Vet and he told me she just pulled a muscle and she was a drama queen. That pissed me off. He didn’t do a damn thing for her except give me four pain pills and shove us out the door. He kept talking about how she needed her shots. I told him I agreed completely and I knew she needed her shots. But first, I wanted her shoulder taken care of. He acted like he didn’t hear me. He was more concern with giving her the shots because he would make about $100.00. More concerned with a dollar than the health of an animal, some Vet. So I found another Vet, I am going to take her today. Hopefully this Vet will do something to make her better. I know you are going to think this is strange but I have heard others ask what I am getting ready to ask you. Kiki is my family. I love her to pieces and it kills me to see her in pain. I have been able to take the pain away when she hurts but it always comes back in a few days. Would you please send some healing energy to her. With you and me together perhaps we can permanently heal her shoulder and she will never be in pain again. I would appreciate it so much and I know Kiki will also.

Enough with my troubles. Have a great weekend!

Now on with the magick…..

Correspondences for Friday

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Heart
Incense: Strawberry, Sandalwood, Rose, Saffron and Vanilla
Planet: Venus
Sign: Libra and Taurus
Angel: Ariel
Colors: Green, Pink, Aqua
Herbs/Plants: Pink Rose, Ivy, Birch, Heather, Clematis, Sage, Violet and Water Lilly Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmrosa, Rose, Yarrow
Friday belongs to Venus, and its energies are warm, sensuous, and fulfilling. Efforts that involve any type of pleasure, comfort, and luxury, as well as the arts, music, or aroma (incense and perfume) works well on this day. As Venus lends its sensuous influences to the energies of this day, use it for any magical work that deals with matters of the heart.

Spellcrafting for Friday

CAST A WITCH’S LUCKY CANDLE SPELL

Take an orange candle anointed with cinnamon oil, clove, or lotus oil.
Light the candle and say 3 times:
“brimstone, moon, and witch’s fire,
candlelights bright spell,
good luck shall I now acquire,
work thy magic well.
Midnight twelve, the witching hour,
bring the luck I seek.
By wax and wick now work thy power
as these words I speak.
Harming none, this spell is done.
By law of three, so mote it be!”
Do this spell at midnight.

CHANT FOR GOOD LUCK AND WELL BEING

To the moon. To the sun.
To the skies. To the waters.
Stars, let your fire burn.
Winds let your strength grow.
Let us unite. Let me shine bright.

SPELL FOR LUCK

A small package of Alfalfa kept in a cupboard to bring good luck to the home.

LUCK JAR

If you are unlucky enough to break a mirror, collect all the pieces, put in a glass jar and stand on you window sill, the shards deflect all the bad luck away from the house.

CHARMS FOR LUCK

Place dried seaweed under the busiest portion of the house to draw luck and prosperity to you.
To change your luck, add one tablespoon of nutmeg to six cups of boiling water.
Steep for three hours. Use for body anointing or add to a ritual bath.

LUCK AND WISHES CHARM

Supplies: a Tiger’s eye (gemstone), nutmeg, allspice, and a charm (e.g. rabbits foot)
Cast the circle. Hold the tiger’s eye in one hand and the charm in your other hand.
Meditate for a few moments, see yourself and see what your luck could bring.
Now sprinkle the nutmeg and the allspice on the charm.
Say these words, filling the blanks with what your charm is:
“_________, _________ bring me good luck.
May my luck change from this day forward.
_________, _________ bring me good luck.”
Close the circle. Now be sure to keep your charm on you at all times.
If your luck doesn’t change after a few weeks, recharge the charm again with this spell.

Magickal Graphics

An Earth Wand

For an earth-oriented magickal wand, it is best to use a fallen branch from a maple, ash or rowan tree. Take the branch, strip the bark, and lightly sand the surface. Carve the alchemical symbol for earth into it. Add any other personal carvings you would like. Use a malachite stone for the tip. Anoint the wand with cypress oil and bless it under a full moon. Allow it to charge under the moon all night. When not in use, store it in a green silk wrapping cloth to which you have added a teaspoon of dirt.

Daily Horoscopes for Sunday, Jan. 8th

Exciting interactions complicate the day as communicator Mercury takes center stage. The messenger planet’s shift into earthy Capricorn helps us be more practical, but its fluid trine to philosophical Jupiter expands our ideas past the normal constraints of reality. Mercury’s unstable square with shocking Uranus provokes radical honesty, whatever the cost. However, the Moon’s visit to cautious Cancer makes us wary about revealing everything.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You’re trying to catch up on chores and your unrestrained optimism tempts you to take on more work than you can possibly finish. Unfortunately, your exuberance may be stymied if you reach too far. Instead of believing that you need to convert every intellectual breakthrough into tangible results, just allow your thoughts to rise and fall like the tides. Visualize yourself standing on the shores of awareness, but remember that you don’t have to capture every individual wave to make your mark.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You feel as if you’re waiting for something big to happen, yet it remains out of reach. You want to settle down, but your restlessness lingers until you accept that the resistance comes from your own attitude. Fortunately, when you begin to let go of control, the tension begins to disperse. Forget about adjusting specific details of your day; instead consider changing your long-term goals. Ironically, aiming your attention at the distant horizon has a positive impact on the present moment.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

It’s challenging to follow through on anything that you start now, but you won’t likely be bothered about it for too long. You forget about what you were doing as soon as you get another idea and become immersed in the next activity. Your behavior might be upsetting to others today, yet you’ll probably continue scattering your energy until you can no longer keep up with everything. Ultimately, obtaining closure on unfinished business improves your reputation and raises your confidence.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

Although you may wish things were simpler today, it feels as if you built your relationships on shifting sands. Thankfully, you might be able to change the energy faster than you thought possible by just telling the truth. Don’t hold back; even if your life is turned upside down for a while, it will settle back on the solid foundation that you seek. Have the courage to throw caution to the wind when it comes to following your heart.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You think you know what you want today, but the circumstances keep changing. Just as you become comfortable with one perspective, everything shifts and you need to readjust your expectations. Your willingness to be flexible could prevent a serious headache. Pay constant attention to the interpersonal dynamics and respond with your heart, not your head. Too much thinking now can get in the way of your best interests.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Your key planet Mercury is totally buzzing today, yet it may be too much for you to easily integrate, especially if you believe you already have the answers. The more rigid you are in your thinking, the louder the static is from electrical Uranus. But your readiness for change empowers you to explore the outer limits of your imagination. However, remember that you don’t have to push your thought process over the edge; your evolving perspective is all you need.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Your mind is operating at an incredibly high speed today, yet you’re wondering if you’re capable of keeping it up throughout the entire day. You might assume that things will eventually slow down, but other people keep introducing more complications. The hectic pace is fun at first, but might become more exhausting as the day goes on. Don’t try to do everything all at once. Extending your thinking into the future can help you remain calmer in the present.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You are possessed with self-confidence today, especially if someone you trust is expressing his or her approval of your performance. Although unpredictable Uranus can set off a strike of lighting that upsets your current routine, lucky Jupiter is standing by with cosmic assistance. As long as you’re willing to change your mind quickly, you should be able to make good use of the new information that comes to you now. Letting go of old assumptions clears the way for an exciting new direction.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Your key planet Jupiter encourages you to take on more than you would on another day. Fortunately, you’re able to accomplish so much today that others might think you are a superhero. However, there’s a price to pay for your action-packed day. So many events are interrelated now that one unexpected blip can bring down the entire house of cards. But even a crisis or two won’t stop you if you’re open to starting over again and shifting your course as needed.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You may think that everything is going to calm down, but you probably won’t have time to catch your breath for a couple of days. You’re being called back into action today and you must show up ready to work or you might lose valuable ground. Fortunately, mental Mercury’s shift into your ambitious sign indicates that you’re up for the task. Accept the current challenges with a fierce determination and get started immediately; you don’t have any time to waste.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Although your thoughts are tied to your future, today’s tenacious Cancer Moon reveals your desire to stay exactly where you are now. Unfortunately, you must let go of the past as electric Uranus zaps you out of your nostalgic fantasies. Overcome your fears and face the brave new world that’s right around the next corner. You might not be able to see what’s coming, but if you’re willing to take a calculated risk the rewards will follow.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You don’t have to convince anyone that your plan is the right one today; you only need to communicate with honesty and integrity. There are no correct or incorrect points of view now, just differing ones. Even if your opinions are unconventional, others will respect you for clearly stating exactly where you stand. Nevertheless, you will appear more sincere if you are also sensitive to other people’s positions. Having an open mind is the key to making the best choices.

Your Daily Horoscopes for January 7th

Our dreams may seem real today, and making plans now can actually help us manifest them as the fast-thinking Gemini Moon trines realistic Saturn and nebulous Neptune. Additionally, clever Mercury activates this long-lasting Saturn-Neptune trine, making this a perfect day to map out your future. But a Venus-Pluto alignment lures us into a dance with desire. Our emotions may overpower logic when the Moon enters sensitive Cancer at 4:05 pm EST.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You may set your hopes on a lofty goal today because your enthusiasm can counteract a discouraging mood. Although your thinking may be inspired now, you’re still able to remain pragmatic about what you can actually accomplish. Later in the day you might wonder if you extended your reach too far. Don’t worry; you didn’t. It just going to take time for you to put it all together.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

Although your self-confidence should pull you through a bout with uncertainty, your moods swing widely throughout the day. It’s not like you to put blind faith into a vision or a fantasy, but it really seems possible to reach for the stars today and grab one. Unfortunately, you may not be as ready for prime time as you think. Don’t be too hard on yourself when you realize how much more work is still in front of you. Thankfully, you can rely on your legendary patience now that you need it.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

Your day begins as an intellectual curiosity; you wonder if your dreams are worth pursuing. But as the day wears on, you become more involved with your fantasy until you’re hooked by the heat of your desires. You may worry that you’ve lost your objectivity, but you bravely push into unknown territory as you’re tempted by your irrational feelings. Just remember to take it slowly; if you suddenly find yourself in emotional deep water you might be tempted to run back the safety of dry land.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

As long as you can stay connected with your inner world, the path ahead should remain clear enough to let you continue on your way. It doesn’t matter if you run into an unexpected obstacle if you know that you’re doing the best you can do. But don’t convince yourself that you know what’s going to happen. Although your fate can shift several times, staying focused on your goal remains your best strategy.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You can appear to be quite an enigma today, especially if you consciously choose to keep your emotions hidden from others. Although you might feel thin-skinned, you’re probably more secure if your friends and co-workers can’t ask revealing questions because they don’t even know something is wrong. Ironically, someone’s eager support may annoy you as much as the resistance you face. Thankfully, your troubles fade once you become confident enough to reveal your vulnerability to someone you trust.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You are a fount of inspirational vision and strength for your friends today. If you are participating on a team effort or project, others in the group or your family will look up to you for guidance. But there’s no need to be authoritarian; just share your feelings as you respond to what’s happening around you. Your instincts will naturally reveal the most logical steps to take next.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Sharing your dreams with someone you trust enables you to stay emotionally balanced today. But this isn’t an open invitation to float away into Fantasyland. Instead, this is an opportunity express your vision of an ideal future realistic enough to be possible. However, your feelings may be harder to reveal later in the day if you didn’t begin the dialogue when you had the chance. Getting a previously hidden secret out into the open enables you to delve deeper toward the evening.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Your perspective grows more intense throughout the day as magnetic Venus forms a dynamic aspect with your key planet Pluto. If your intentions are altruistic, you can convince others to join you in your cause. Your ability to reframe an unpleasant situation allows you to make it attractive while still adhering to the truth. Take your time to explain exactly what you see now because you can widen people’s horizons and help them see possibilities they might have missed.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You might appear to be spacey to others at first, but once they hear you explain your idea further it begins to make more sense to them. Your imagination enables you to extend your thoughts well into the future, yet you’re able to back up your observations with sound thinking. Ultimately, this is a great day to share your dreams if you’re willing to keep one foot firmly planted on the ground.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Your communication is so clear today that you can hold your audience’s attention as you talk about the future. However, you’re also in touch with your imagination, so you’re not limited to a logical perspective. There’s no need to hold on to previous plans as current circumstances continue to change. Letting go of an old agenda helps to make more room for a newer one that is more meaningful to your current state of mind and more interesting to everyone else.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Your day may start off smoothly enough, but you could be brought right to the edge of your comfort zone before it’s over. Although you seem to have a healthy balance between reality and fantasy, you grow increasingly uncomfortable as an emotional drama sidetracks you from your dreaming and planning. Don’t fight against the currents pulling you out of your rational world; be patient and remain open to the process of transformation. You can learn a valuable lesson from this experience.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You may feel as if the pressures are easing so you can breathe easily again. You’re enthused by the intriguing possibilities you see everywhere you look. Happily, you believe your goals to be within reach. Nevertheless, you can also sense a growing disturbance in your peaceful energy field, and although you can’t recognize its source, this disharmony bothers you. Trusting your sixth sense is wise now, but don’t let your fear of the unknown overpower the comfort you know.

Daily Horoscopes for Thursday, January 5

It’s challenging to keep focused on any one task when the Moon enters restless Gemini at 5:44 am EST. No matter what path we take, we also wish that we were doing something else because the sign of the Twin symbolizes mutual desires. Even if we set aside an opportunity, we still may want to explore it. The Moon’s supportive sextile to erratic Uranus adds uncertainty to our day while an anxious quincunx to suspicious Pluto brings self-doubt.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You may actually enjoy yourself today, even if you don’t get very much accomplished. You might be more interested in learning something new than you are in finishing your work. Unfortunately, this can stir up the ire of a co-worker who wishes that you would hold up your end of the deal. Avoid causing unnecessary trouble now by attending to your responsibilities before going off on your intellectual exploration.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You may feel as if you are caught between two opposing forces, yet you’re limited in how you can respond. It would be ideal if you could accept a wonderful invitation that is offered to you today, but previous work obligations don’t give you enough time. You would love to jump at a chance to make more money, but it probably isn’t time yet. Keep plugging away for now; your opportunity to shine will come soon enough.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

The Moon’s return to your sign is exciting because you see wonderful possibilities everywhere you look. However, too many choices can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to follow through on a task that you started earlier in the week. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you aren’t able to concentrate on your work. Just make certain that you return to it later so you don’t let anyone down.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

The Moon’s shift into your 12th House of Privacy reinforces your tendency to withdraw emotionally if circumstances become too confusing or intense. But taking defensive action and retreating behind a wall of secrecy won’t necessarily make you feel any more secure. Your smartest strategy now is to talk about your concerns. Getting your feelings out into the open saves you from having to pull into your fantasies in order to feel safe.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Although there may be pressure on you to fulfill promises you made at work, you might rather be socializing with your friends or associates. Unfortunately, it’s so easy to distract yourself today, you could forget to return to your chores. Instead of avoiding your responsibilities by pursuing one thing after another, make a commitment to finish what you start before rewarding yourself with the pleasurable company of others.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You are standing at a fork in the road and have a choice to make now that could have a significant impact on the direction of your career. Although you can clearly see the pros and cons of taking either direction, you must decide based on what you know today, rather than what might happen in the future. Your dreams are important, but it’s smarter to be practical and stick with the facts when making major decisions.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Your current ideas are not limited by reality, yet thinking big may lead you in an entirely new direction. Unfortunately, placing too much importance on your imagination can be disorienting if you don’t balance your dreams with your actual circumstances. It’s better to give yourself permission to let your mind wander than attempting to stop your natural creative flow. Just remember that you don’t have to act on every whim or share every thought.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

It may be annoying at first if something happens to distract you from your agenda today. You won’t likely change your mind easily, but your unwillingness to be flexible isn’t helpful now. Having to let go of your plans may seem like a setback, but it could be a blessing in disguise. This is not about your failure to reach your goals; rather, it’s a temporary break in your progress that allows you to recharge your batteries so your energy is there when you need it most.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

It’s all about relationships today with the Moon’s presence in your 7th House of Companions. Other people can either be a source of exciting fun or irritating distraction. Or, more likely, someone is both pleasant and bothersome at the same time. You don’t want to be alone so you enjoy the company, yet it’s difficult to maintain a steady pace when another person keeps pulling you off track. There’s no simple solution to your current dilemma, but being adaptable enables you to keep a positive attitude all day.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You are confused about what to do at work today. Even if you’ve been assigned a specific task, there are several ways for you to approach it. The dualistic Gemini Moon’s visit to your 6th House of Details can bog you down in minutiae or red tape unless you keep reminding yourself of your goal. Ultimately, it’s better to jump in and get busy than to continue analyzing the various possibilities. The sooner you start, the sooner you finish.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Losing yourself in fantasies becomes more attractive day by day, but the longer you can remain focused on the real world, the better off you’ll be today. Your dreams can be a significant source of inspiration if you also keep your feet on the ground. There will be time to float off into your imaginary world in the days ahead, but for now, keep bringing your thoughts back to the present moment so you can make good use of your original ideas.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Although your life may be filled with things to do and people to see, you might prefer the idea of amusing yourself on your own. Or, perhaps, you like the idea of friends coming over to your place so you don’t have to go out to enjoy yourself. Even at work, you may be torn between your desire to keep to yourself and the need to interact with your co-workers. However, there’s no urgency to resolve this dilemma today, for it will take care of itself soon enough.

Your Daily Horoscopes for January 3rd

This is a great time to get our heads out of the clouds and get down to business. The sensible Taurus Moon motivates us to produce tangible results while her fluid trines to powerful Pluto and the Sun in ambitious Capricorn give us the necessary endurance to reach our goals. Instead of wasting energy and resources on trying to manifest unrealistic dreams, we are now reminded of how important it is to keep our feet planted firmly on the ground.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You’re known for your ability to be spontaneous rather than planning ahead, yet you can also be very patient when you want something badly enough. Although your current desires may be strong, you are not in a hurry now. In fact, you might even be feeling a bit lazy, luxuriating in the status quo. But don’t get too comfortable with the way things are because your efforts today can have positive consequences in the future.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

People may lean on you because you seem as steady as the Rock of Gibraltar. You are clear about what you want and how you’re going to get it — and there isn’t much that can alter your course today. Others believe that they could find security in the strength of your convictions. But your stability depends on you sticking close to the facts, so don’t waste brainpower attempting to understand the mysteries of the universe. Keep things simple and save the philosophizing and dreaming for another time.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

You can find a simple kind of pleasure in being serious now because you want everyone to recognize how stable you are. You are often the one who speaks up with a provocative question or a witty comeback. However, you aren’t interested in showing others how clever you are today. Taking a few deep breaths instead of replying quickly is an effective tactic to demonstrate that you’re contemplating your answers before you speak.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

Although you like the idea of working closely with others today, participating in group activities is complicated by dynamic emotional entanglements. Nevertheless, your profound sense of loyalty to your friends and colleagues makes it difficult to do anything that creates tension between you and anyone else. Don’t go silent simply to avoid conflict. You can still be a team player, even while standing up for your individual point of view.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You’re feeling more confident about your job today, even if you’re not receiving much feedback. Instead of riding on an emotional rollercoaster, your moods begin to stabilize, allowing you to maintain an overall sense of calmness. Integrate the wild ups and downs you recently experienced rather than stirring up new excitement now. Although this may be a mellow day, there will still be more thrills before your ride is over.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You may be anxious if your day doesn’t unfold according to your schedule. Even if there’s still plenty of time to finish your work, a fear continues to gnaw away in the back of your mind. It’s frustrating because you realize that whatever’s bugging you won’t be solved in a day. However, it’s pointless to spend time being self-critical or judgmental. Although you strive for perfection, remember that you’re human and must accept your shortcomings just like everyone else.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You’re tempted to let someone know that you’re annoyed today when working with others who believe they know it all. Unfortunately, expressing your frustration probably won’t improve your day. To make matters worse, you could unconsciously provoke someone to act even more stubbornly. If a friend or co-worker digs in his or her heels, remember that it’s not your job to change anyone’s mind. It’s a smarter strategy now to work on your own issues and let your actions speak for you instead.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You could benefit from setting a steady pace to your routine today, one that will enable you to reach your short-term goals in the days and weeks ahead. Hopefully, you realize that you can’t force anyone to move any faster than they’re already going — even if it would simplify your life. But don’t worry about things that are out of your control; instead, do whatever you can to positively affect your own behavior. Your unwavering persistence will be rewarded.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You may feel very content with your accomplishments today, but true satisfaction requires that you finish whatever projects you start. This means that you must establish realistic objectives, make a workable plan for the day and then follow through with consistent effort. Relying on your common sense supports your dreams, giving you a better chance of success.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Although this is a propitious day, it might not seem out of the ordinary as it unfolds. The steadfast Taurus Moon is harmonizing with the Sun and potent Pluto in your ambitious sign, indicating that you can accomplish nearly anything you set your mind to now. However, keep in mind that the results of your current work may take weeks to manifest. Just do the best you can and the rewards will follow.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You might appear less responsible than you actually are today, but you may keep the more serious issues to yourself. You are more practical than sentimental now, empowering you to set your emotions aside and just get down to work. Fortunately, applying yourself extra diligently will be worth it in the long run. Instead of frittering away your opportunity, do something that actually matters.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

It’s challenging to know if you should take a bit of downtime when you’re offered the chance, or if it’s smarter to be practical and just keep working. The truth is that your best strategy combines hard work with a little escape. However, the sequence of events is critical. Meet your responsibilities first, and then indulge in your fantasies later on.

Your Daily Horoscopes for Monday, Jan. 2nd

The day begins with a bang, but we run into obstacles quickly because the Moon’s midday opposition to constraining Saturn is like a wet blanket. The enterprising Aries Moon encourages us to accelerate while a thrill-seeking Venus-Uranus alignment tempts us to take a risk in the name of pleasure. We may grow complacent as the Moon shifts into steady Taurus at 5:15 pm EST, but her hook-up with expansive Jupiter prevents us from narrowing our minds.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You may be experiencing a high level of mental and physical activity today because the initiating Aries Moon encourages you to engage the day with zest. However, events are unfolding according to their own natural rhythm, demanding that you slow down. You won’t be able to bolt ahead at your own pace now, so take your time and respond to delays as gracefully as possible. In the meantime, enjoy the present moment for the opportunities it holds.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You’re attracted to new and different kinds of pleasure today as wild Uranus shocks your key planet Venus. Although you are hot to trot, you realize that waiting for the right moment can make the difference between failure and success. You may feel frustrated because you’re close to reaching satisfaction, yet it’s still just out of reach. Rest assured that the outcome will be worth the wait.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

You may feel bored with the idea of going back to work today, even before you get there. Although you might have had a fun-filled holiday, you’re already looking for more excitement. Unfortunately, finishing your tasks early won’t help because you still need to wait for the clock. Don’t frustrate yourself by focusing on what you want to do; instead, bring your awareness back to the present moment and seek happiness there.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

Your friends and associates may be depending on you today, possibly leading you to resent them for having unreasonable expectations. Naturally, you enjoy nurturing those close to you, but you don’t particularly like it when your personal needs are overlooked in the process. Stop trying to place the blame on anyone else; take charge of your life and do what you must to fulfill your own desires.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You may have something sweet to smile about today because it seems as if your life is moving in the right direction. Although you might not have everything you want, it’s wonderful to believe that your patience will finally pay off. But blindly pinning your hopes onto a pipedream isn’t such a smart strategy. You don’t have to get crazy and turn your world upside down; just start making concrete plans while luck is on your side.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Having lots to do can put you in a good mood today, especially if you’re satisfied with the quality of your work. You might not even care if others don’t acknowledge how much you contribute because peer recognition isn’t as important as meeting your own personal standards of quality. Ironically, your understated approach will work in your favor, leading others to express their appreciation for your extra effort.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You can be so fair-minded in your dealings with others that your greatest challenge is acknowledging what you need for yourself. However, there’s currently no doubt in your mind; you know what you want and would be wise to ask for it today while your intentions are clear. Just remember that you still may have to wait for satisfaction. Fortunately, your chances for success are likely now as long as you express your needs honestly.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You’re looking for new and different ways to resolve nagging old problems. You aren’t interested in doing your job the same way as before because a radical approach enables you to gain a fresh perspective on your routine. However, there’s no value in shaking up everything at once. Working quietly behind the scenes allows you to make steady progress toward re-establishing your job security.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You might wish you could delay going back to work today, but luckily you have the opportunity to derive profound satisfaction from working with people you like. You can experience a wonderful camaraderie that comes from being on a winning team. However, you could struggle as you try to downplay your need for independence. Instead of withdrawing to do your own thing now, bring your innovative spirit and unique point of view to the group process.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

The Moon harmonizes with your key planet Saturn today, empowering you to stand up to a bully or to defend your integrity. Fortunately, if you can stay focused on your objectives, everything should improve as the day unfolds. You may end up making some extra money or seizing a chance to kindle a romantic interest. However, you must be patient; success won’t happen overnight.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

This could be a very hectic day, especially if you must handle work that piled up prior to the holidays. Keep in mind that you may not be able to finish everything that’s on your plate. Don’t take it personally; you really don’t need to waste time now reflecting on your past failures. Acknowledging that some things are beyond your control leads to being content with simply doing the best job you can.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You may grow tired with the thought of returning to the daily grind and want to retreat into your own private space instead. Even if you need to be around others now, you’re still likely to feel a bit withdrawn. Fortunately, this isn’t a problem because you can still do your job while letting your imagination wander. Just continue to do your work while keeping your personal thoughts to yourself.

Your Daily Horoscopes for December 30th

It may feel as if the year is ending today rather than tomorrow because the imaginative Pisces Moon coaxes us out of the real world and into our dreams. The Moon’s creative square to mental Mercury allows us to bend the facts based upon our needs while her tense opposition to feisty Mars increases our impatience. Meanwhile, an eccentric Mercury-Uranus alignment fills our fantasies with unconventional ideas that encourage us toward radical action.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You probably have a clear set of objectives and understand why it’s important to tie up loose ends today. However, your mind is on everything except work because you’re eager for the weekend to begin. The Moon’s presence in your 12th House of Escapism opposes action-hero Mars in your 6th House of Employment, enticing you to find ways to avoid doing much of anything. Unfortunately, you’ll pay the price for procrastinating, so bite the bullet and get your chores done before it’s too late.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You are in a creative mood today, but you might not have time for artistic pursuits. Responsibilities at work have piled up or there are chores yet to finish at home. Nevertheless, a bit of concentrated effort can go a long way now if you don’t allow yourself to be distracted by everything interesting thing that comes to your attention. Narrow your focus so you have time to explore playful self-expression later in the day.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

You may be uncertain about what you need to do in order to live up to other people’s expectations. For example, your boss might give you unclear directions and then be unavailable to answer your questions. Or, you might have previous obligations that distract you from a current assignment. In any case, accepting the impossibility of pleasing everyone frees you to simply do the best you can and then let go until the confusion clears.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

Your head is filled with such big ideas now that it’s unrealistic to make any of them come true. Even if you create a prioritized list of things to do, your wandering mind scatters your thoughts and actions. Instead of biting off more that you can chew, use the day to review the previous year and think about the next one. Don’t judge yourself harshly if you aren’t very productive today. Some days are just meant for dreaming.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You want to stretch your boundaries today by talking about your feelings with someone special. However, your words may seem vague, even if you have very specific things you want to say. Ironically, using fewer words helps you to be more concise in your thinking. Save the long rambling conversations for another day; instead, let your actions speak for you.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You may be stressed out by someone close to you because you cannot figure out what he or she wants. Even if you’re asked for something very specific, you could be confused when you deliver the goods only to have your partner or friend tell you that you got it wrong. You might begin to think that you’re in a no-win situation, but your frustration is temporary. Thankfully, you’re able to change the dynamics when you stop trying so hard and just treat your loved ones with kindness.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You have high hopes for improving your daily health regimen now and may try to put your goals into the form of resolutions for the New Year. However, the dreamy Pisces Moon in your 6th House of Details makes it hard to put your desires into an executable plan. Instead of writing a list of vague generalities based upon unrealistic goals, be specific as possible. It’s better to have two or three concrete items than lots of good ideas that remain unrealized.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Although you might talk about how you’re going to increase your income or change your spending habits, your actions today don’t necessarily support your goals. You may be tempted to spend money on something for the sheer enjoyment of it. Unfortunately, you could become self-critical very quickly, preventing you from having the pleasurable experience you expected. Cut yourself some slack so you can have a little well-earned fun.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Although you continue to apply yourself toward specific professional goals, you might choose to leave work early today. You’re tempted to retreat into the hidden recesses of your own mind and leave some responsibilities unfulfilled. Instead of participating in social activities later on, consider staying home and escaping by watching a movie, playing video games or reading a book.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

This can be a good planning day as long as you remember to pay attention to the details. You’re tempted to dream big, while still understanding the need to maintain a practical outlook on your future. Even if you are thinking about taking a vacation to an exotic location, you’re able to keep yourself on track and within your budget. Research your options, take good notes, and don’t be afraid to do something you have never done before.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Your friends and associates can be a source of good times today, but participating in social activities might end up costing you more than expected. It’s not that you’re stingy; it’s just than you would prefer to know in advance how much something will cost. Although you may want to blame others for misleading you, your eagerness to be involved might have inhibited you from asking too many questions up front. Let go of any resentment; for now, just enjoy yourself while you can.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

It seems as if others are picking on you today for no reason at all. But the hypersensitive Pisces Moon is opposite Mars in critical Virgo, suggesting that you are more vulnerable now than usual. Don’t assume that everyone is on your case just because you’re feeling insecure. You could miss out on some very good advice if you’re afraid of hearing the truth.

Elemental Meditation

Elemental Meditation

Author: Mike

I wrote the meditation scripts featured below and have used them many times with wonderful results. Feel free to use them if you wish, for whatever situation seems best to you, whether it’s a working or just pure meditation. They are not long, but work best when read slowly with enough time between lines for the subconscious to do its job.

Fire Meditation

(Light a candle or a bonfire, whichever works best for you)

Breathe in.
Breathe deeply of the hot energy of life.
See the life in the flames, and the dance.
Nothing else exists but the fire in front of you.
Breathe in.
Close your eyes, and know that the fire is not just outside of you, but burning within your soul as well.
Feel the flickering dance of heat and feverish delight burning there.
Feed it.
You are not on fire; you are fire.
You are not burning up; you burn, and your fuel is the limitless energy of the universe.
Know that you cannot contain it, because this fire burns through all creation, bringing passion and light to all life.
Breathe in.
Let your fiery soul dance in a consuming whirlwind of divine flame.
Feel the boundless energy and joy that burning brings.
Laugh and burn, and share the fire with everything and everyone else.
It is a part of you, and you are a part of it.
Spin through the timeless ether in the ecstasy of eternal combustion…

Breathe in.
Let your soul fire die down a little, no longer the wild inferno, but a comfortable blaze, warming and soothing.
Breathe in.
Let it burn a little lower, still dancing; for fire always dances, but now it is a candle again, and sways and flickers with the drafts of time.
Breathe in, and open your eyes again to see the flame in front of you, and smile because the fire still burns in your soul…

Earth Meditation

(Find a stone that feels right and fits well in your palm)

Close your eyes.
Take a slow, deep breath, and let it out.
Relax.
Let your muscles all go limp so that you are only supported by your bones.
Enjoy this feeling.
Feel the weight of the stone in your hand, its shape, its size, and its texture.
Now forget all of these.
Understand the stone.
It is ancient, and it is the framework of the Earth.
Earth does not hear. Earth does not see. Earth does not feel.
Earth is not bothered by the petty scurrying of creatures that run around on its surface.
Let it communicate to you of serenity, and solidity, and strength, and the wisdom of age, and perseverance.
Know that you are of the Earth.
You have within you the strength of granite, and the serenity of an oak, and the ancient power of life.
You hold the primeval vastness of creation within you.
The cycle of birth and death and rebirth is cradled in your psyche, the violent force of a volcano, and the soft innocence of a fresh flower blooming.
Earth effortlessly serves it’s perfect purpose in the dance of the universe.
Understand your place in the universe, and realize the magnitude of potential you have within you to create.
Rest in the knowledge that you can perfectly fill your place in the Cosmos…

Now take a slow, deep breath, and let it out.
Feel the Earth beneath your feet, supporting you in everything you do.
Feel all of creation around you.
Feel the Earth holding you to her breast.
Open your eyes like the petals of a flower in the morning dew…

Air Meditation

(Sit somewhere outside so you can feel the wind on your face)

Close your eyes.
Pull the sweet Air deep into your lungs.
Breathe in the life of the Wind.
Feel the Air caress your skin.
Take another breath and begin to rise.
Feel the weightlessness of your spirit as it ascends and entwines itself in the Wind.
Leave your body relaxed on the ground, and send your mind and your spirit upwards.
The Air dances and flows around your spirit, bringing refreshment and enlightenment.
Cast off the weight of the physical world, and join your spirit as it dances with the Air.
Send out your thoughts through the sky, unencumbered by your body, totally free to go where you want them to.
Let your mind taste the colors as it floats through the Air.
Spread wings of light and soar over everything else, leaving the burden of consciousness heavy on the ground.
Ride the wafting updrafts, circling higher and higher, closer and closer to divine enlightenment.
Let your imagination leap through the clouds and embrace the eternal blue, and feel the freedom of the Air.
Float here in the ever-expanding sky…

Now take a deep breath, pulling in the power of the Wind, feeling it swirling around you.
Breathe it back out and send forth your will into the universe.
Take hold of that power, drawing it in and making it a part of you, there to use whenever you need it.
Slowly float back down, feeling solidity and substance in your body beneath you.
Feel the weight of the physical world again as you begin to regain consciousness, but bring with you the drifting freedom and enlightenment of the Wind.
Take a deep breath, and feel your body around you, the physical manifestation of your spirit and your soul.
Take a deep breath and open your eyes again, and remember your flight…

Water Meditation

(Gaze into a bowl of water, or immerse yourself in a bath, a pool, or a pond)

Gaze into the Water.
Look through the water, not to the bottom, but into the element itself.
Feel its cool refreshing flow around you.
Let it soak in to your body, mingling with the Water that is already there.
Take a deep breath, and plunge your soul in to the water.
Let the surface close above you, so that you are completely engulfed in pure liquid blue.
Feel the gentle healing eddies swirl around and through you, easing the tension in your mind and body and spirit.
Feel the currents pulling you back and forth, like the pulse of the planet, rocking you gently to and fro.
Continue to breathe in this bliss as your pain and stress are dissolved and washed away from you.
Feel the cleansing of your entire being.
Now catch a current that flows by you, swirl in to it and become the Water, coursing out to join the ocean of the universe.
Join with other flowing souls, until you are all a rushing river, racing towards the sea.
Leap over rocks and sand, splashing and eroding and playing in fluid joy.
Dive off the edge of time, cascading down into the infinite ocean of cosmic life.
Feel the ebb and surge of creation as your waves crash and spray and foam…

Now wash back up in to your body.
Soak in through your skin, all the way in to your soul.
Feel the purity and refreshment like a cool drink on a hot day.
Saturate your self with the healing essence of Water.
Feel it coursing through your body, from your feet, up your legs, into your chest and your arms, and up in to your head.
Open your eyes, and feel the healing calm still running throughout your body

Slipping Off the Bed: Get Out of Your Comfort Zone!

Slipping Off the Bed: Get Out of Your Comfort Zone!

Author: Sage Runepaw

I’m looking out my window and there’s no air conditioner in it, having been taken down as of half an hour ago. I admire the amount of light in my room again, and gaze out at the big tall maple across the street, the quiet setting, my butterscotch-gold car sitting next to the walkway and blending in with the golden oak leaves over the carpet of dry olive-green grass that’s sticking its scraggly self out, and enjoying the airy, autumnal energy. I’ve been practicing at attuning to the Four Winds, and I’ve been enjoying the energy that the not-Mabon-anymore, not-yet-Samhain time brings. I always like the “in between” spaces- they fascinate me. Anywho…

My across-the-street neighbor’s son comes out from the driveway and comes with a ball. He kicks the ball. It goes away, rolls up his incline driveway, and rolls back to him. This got me thinking, as I’m watching him pick it up, kick at it, go after it to retrieve it in the ubercute manner tiny toddlers do this in.

We kick things we want to ‘go somewhere’, but they come back, or we retrieve them. Do we ever really let them go? Do we keep them solely because they are “ours”? Do they bring anything back with them that wasn’t originally there… just adding on and ‘snowballing’ back at us? This is much like the way of the universe, isn’t it? – Seeing our intent go “out there”, sending it out, then later on, it comes back to us in the form of karma, be it good, bad, or whatever shade of grey in between. I’m not even going into spellcraft here- I’m sure that if you take a couple minutes to think about it, you’ll find a proverbial or metaphorical ‘ball’ in your life somewhere.

For all intents and purposes, I got up this morning, got breakfast and plopped my butt down back in bed to enjoy it and to journal down some things I’ve been discovering through my 303 studies and recent dreamwork. So I sit there, turn on my beloved new Zune (I’m not one for new technological toys unless my current, older ones which did the job broke- about 5 discmen and 2 boomboxes breaking and I’m ready!) , and start writing.

My vision suddenly becoming lower and lower to the aqua bedsheets should have warned me, but as I’d been snapped out of my own personal world- that of The Word Being Written As I Think It and the Mystery of Ink Capturing It in Time, coupled with the Beauty of Ink Manifesting on Paper- I felt my butt slide, though I wore long jeans and a t-shirt.

Now normally butt-sliding is usually designated for the loose toilet seat in the bathroom that Mom and I have been too lazy to fix (which usually results on saying hello to the cold ceramic floor or the cold porcelain, whichever comes first, and at the risk of giving TMI for the readers of this article) , but this time it was a fabric, soft, warmer butt-slide thing going on. And in the meantime I’m too stunned to react (as well as being a zombie because come on, I got up at 9:00 am on a week-day after a late night of work, and caffeine doesn’t work on me) – and so the next thing I see is me sitting on the floor staring at my heap of Stuff (capitalized due to the nature of the random objects in question never quite leaving the floor, getting relocated every time I clean) next to the bed.

So I’m sitting here a little longer than others might normally do, or the “Durrrrh?” moment, which consisted of many more long moments. And I’m staring, wondering why on earth I’m on the floor. And it occurs to me, again belatedly, that my perspective is not of the journal page I was writing in. My train of thought was entirely derailed (and rightly so) when I fell on my butt.

Then the proverbial lightning bolt struck- and it occurred to me that “This is not the perspective you’re used to”. Of course not, on a mundane level- it’s been years since I fell on my butt on the floor from the bed, even though I sit in the same exact spot on the floor when I’m drawing. On a spiritual level- and a synchronicity in my life, as I’d just been journaling about perspective itself and new realizations in my life- falling on my butt reminded me of three important things.

1) It reinforced that (this is my own personal truth talking) perspective can be everything, and all we have to do is quit the mental yammering inside our heads, or the “us” factor, or stopping our emotions and/or thoughts cold-turkey, open our eyes, and really -see-. Sometimes, detachment is better than letting something ride itself out to the end with a healthy outlet, or refusing point-blank to deal with something (remember that ball? it’ll come back with crap all over it for you to wipe off!) , or worse, twisting it- among many other things people can do.

2) It doesn’t matter if you’ve fallen off your proverbial comfort zone- you can always choose to get right back up. How long it takes you or the manner in which you get back up, however, is up to you. It’s also up to you whether or not you want to go back to the comfortable position you were in before- but whether or not you can actually attain that (and whether or not you’re actually comfortable if you do attain said comfy position) is up to the Gods of Comfortable Positions.

3) No matter how well you think you made that bed, you can and probably will fall out of it from the sheets suddenly gaining a mind of their own and ejecting you forcibly from them.

So what do we -do- with that proverbial ball? No matter which angle we view it from, we’ll still have a ball. It is what it is. Its purpose is open for interpretation, but it’s that interpretation that will affect how we interact with it. And like the sphere that it is, it’ll roll into our lives some way or other.

For me, it rolled into my life by my decision to break with a slow-morning tradition of getting back in bed and parking my butt on the desk chair to look out the window and admire the autumn weather. If I tried to go back to my comfort zone, I’d have missed out.

And no matter how I look at it, something that’s round and rolls in any direction is pretty freaking cool. 🙂

What’s the ball like in your life? How are you interacting with it?

Correspondences for Friday, December 23rd

Friday’s Correspondences

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Heart
Incense: Strawberry, Sandalwood, Rose, Saffron and Vanilla
Planet: Venus
Sign: Libra and Taurus
Angel: Ariel
Colors: Green, Pink, Aqua
Herbs/Plants: Pink Rose, Ivy, Birch, Heather, Clematis, Sage, Violet and Water Lilly Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmrosa, Rose, Yarrow Friday belongs to Venus, and its energies are warm, sensuous, and fulfilling. Efforts that involve any type of pleasure, comfort, and luxury, as well as the arts, music, or aroma (incense and perfume) works well on this day. As Venus lends its sensuous influences to the energies of this day, use it for any magical work that deals with matters of the heart.

Spellcrafting for Friday

A SPELL TO HELP LIFT HARD FEELINGS AND HEAL EMOTIONAL RIFTS

Item needed: 1 Quartz crystal
Find a nice quiet place where you can lay down, place the quartz crystal on you third eye and say:
“I call upon Gula, great goddess of Healing,
Guide the help to direct any bad feelings,
See this dark specters reeling.
By the grace of your power I ask you to heal them.
Teach each to feel what the other feels,
By the power of three, I wish it to be.”
If you focus on one person the spell will affect that person a little better than just doing in general.

Magickal Graphics

A Yule Story for Children ~ The Tiniest Fairy ~

A Yule Story for Children ~ The Tiniest Fairy ~

Author: Lady Abigail

In a time before time had been named, when life danced as a dazzling rainbow upon the mystical Earth, magick lived inside each earthen creature. Some, the big ones, were having a harder time seeing the magick now, than in the past. They were starting to forget that magick is all around you, if only you believed.

Alicia was a small and tiny earthen spirit with sparkling blue eyes and a pinched up nose; even in the fairy world, where all things are small, she was the smallest of them all.

Her home was deep inside the strong and twisting roots of a big Oak. It was safe and none of the winter cold snows could find their way in.

She loved playing around her cozy and warm home with her mom and dad. They would play hide and seek and she could easily hide in the corners or under the furniture. They would read books by the firelight and sing songs that only the fairies knew.

Alicia was frightened of the other earthen creatures, as well as of what might be outside her cozy home under the big Oak. She had never been out before and saw no reason to go into the “outside.”

When company came over Alicia would not come out of her tiny seedpod bed. When the Bunny family who lived next door came to visit, she was frightened that being so small, one of the many bunny babies might accidentally hop on her. She would only peek over the beds edge with her tiny pinched nose when the Gloends, a family of glowworms came to visit, because she wanted to see where the warm yellow glow was coming from.

At dinner one evening, Alicia’s mom and dad told her that soon winter’s hold would be ending. That frightened Alicia since she only knew the winter and could not imagine what might happen if it was to end.

They explained to her that in the entire magickal world, it was her magick that would call in the changing of seasons and the turning of the great wheel. On the eve of the next night Alicia, her mom and her dad would go on a journey into the forest. Here, there would be a great gathering and all the mystical creatures of Earth would see her gift of magick.

But Alicia shivered with fear — what was this wheel and how can she stop this magick and changing? She liked things just as they were and didn’t want anything to change at all. She didn’t want to go to a gathering where so many would be. She didn’t know what this gift was that she was to give. What if she got lost and no one could find her? Or maybe the others would see her. Maybe they would not like her or make fun of her or laugh at her being so small.

Her greatest fear was that maybe she had no magick. She had not seen it. She couldn’t fly like her mom and dad; she kept falling on her elbows. She couldn’t make things like flowers or snowflakes like her mom and dad; all she ended up with some ice that melted. She couldn’t even make light with her wand. How would her parents feel when they found out, what would she do?

Even as frightened as Alicia was of going into the “outside, ” she was more frightened of what others might think of her. She didn’t want to disappoint her mom and dad, so she decided it would be best if she hid. She would go into the “outside;” no one would look for her there. She would not go very far. Just far enough away where she could hide until the gathering was over, and then the change would not happen.

Alicia’s mom was roasting acorns for the great gathering’s feast and her dad was busy polishing up his ice wand. Alicia knew no one would see her leave, or think she would go into the “outside” alone, since she never had before.

With her wand in a small bag tied to her waist, Alicia carefully opened the door of her house and stepped into the “outside.” She closed the door quickly and quietly so her mom and dad would not hear it creak. Then, she turned to see what was here in this “outdoors.” It was white everywhere. She walked along for a little while when all of a sudden “crunch” she sunk into the snow up to her wing tips. It took a bit of work but she wriggled her way up and out of the snow. Now she was really cold and she could see it was getting darker. The bright bluish color of the sky was now turning a purple hue with streaks of red and yellow.

She wasn’t sure, but if night was coming she had to hide quickly. If she could fly just to the edge of the forest she would find a place to stay until the gathering was over and then she could go home again. Then it would be safe because nothing would change. That is what she wanted.

Alicia was frighten and getting colder, but she had made up her mind. She had to do this, or everything she knew was going to change forever. She shook herself off and looked toward the forest edge. With all her will and might she jumped up and began flying forward. Then back a little, then up, then down, then around in some circles and then slower and then faster and then it happened. Bang! She flew right into a tree branch hanging low weighted heavy by the snow.

Alicia did not know what exactly had happened as she rubbed her head, but when she rose up again out of the snow it had gotten very dark. She could see tiny lights twinkling above her now. She looked around trying to figure out what direction to go. By now the gathering must be over and she could go home. Everything would stay the same. But which way was home?

Alicia couldn’t see where to go, so she didn’t want to try to fly. What if she hit another tree, it was dark now and she couldn’t make anything out, plus her head still hurt from before. She had to be very careful deciding what way to go now.

All of a sudden, she heard someone calling her. “Alicia, Alicia.” She felt her body begin to shake so hard that the tiny ice cycles that had formed on the tips of her wings, tinkled like little bells. As she turned around to look behind her, she saw a woman lying on a big pile of fur blankets. She was not a fairy, but she was beautiful, dressed in a green, red and white gown. Hundreds of earthen creatures stood all around her, many Alicia had never seen before, but none were scared or frightened at all. Although Alicia didn’t understand it, she wasn’t frightened either.

There seemed to peace about this woman, it was something calming. “Alicia, I have been waiting for you. I need your help.” the Lady said.
“Waiting for me?” Alicia asked.
“Yes, Alicia, ” she said. “Its dark now and we need your light to light the way, so that we can see what lies before us.”
“My light?” Alicia asked, remembering she had not been able to make her wand light before.
“It’s your magick Alicia, your magick that will call the light from within me.” the Lady said.
Alicia slowly began to walk toward the woman. That’s when she saw that this quiet lady was going to have a baby, and she was going to have it any moment.

All the fears and worries Alicia carried with her were beginning to melt away, just like the ice on her wing tips. As she looked into the meadow green eyes of this lady she wanted more than anything else in her small life to make a light for her.

Alicia, still trembling, took her wand from its little bag, and raised it up. With every magickal hope she had ever had, she put her energy into lighting her wand.

The lady smiled gently at her and in that instance there was a great flash of light, which came from the tip of that tiny wand. It was a brilliant luminous light, which filled every corner of the night.

As Alicia held her wand high she looked over to see that now the lady was holding in her arms a baby; a wonderful little baby boy. Suddenly, she understood it all, everything her mom and dad had been telling her.

This was the magick; this was her special gift. Alicia, the tiniest of all fairies, she was the one who carried the spark, the spark which released the light of the world and the turning of the wheel of life.

In her tiny being she had carried that magick, the magick to unlock the power of love and understanding for the world to share. Standing in that brilliant light, Alicia understood who the Lady was and the importance of this baby. She was a part of the rebirth of the Light. This baby was the Light again reborn of the Goddess. The beautiful Lady was the Goddess of life, and Alicia was that spark of magick which survives all time and through which we find boundless possibilities.

Soon the edge of the forest was filled with earthen creatures and spirits from all over the mystical world. Alicia’s mom and dad watched their fairy child as she beamed with joy. The Lady holding her baby boy blessed all those who shared in this time of magick as the feast was served and great happiness was shared by all.

Alicia didn’t even notice that she was floating on the air. She was no longer weighted down by all her silly worries or fears. She knew that even though she was tiny she had the power to light the world. Now she understood, magick is all around you if you only believe, and trust in yourself.

So each year as you light a candle to call the light, remember the tiniest fairy, for it only takes one tiny spark to give light unto the whole world.

Blessed be our Lady the Mother of Light.

CRYSTAL WANDS – The Making & Using

CRYSTAL WANDS

Crystal Wands are one of the most powerful forms of ‘light tools’ presently known to mankind.

The wand itself consists of a hollow copper tube of about one foot in length. The copper tube should be around three-quarters of an inch in diameter.

A quartz crystal of at least three inches in length and around three-quarter of an inch wide, clear and with reasonably unchipped facets, should be affixed to one end of the copper tube. At the other end of the copper tube is either a copper cap or another quartz crystal.

Either single – or double terminated quartz crystals may be used. The whole copper tube is insulated by a leather strip wound completely around the wand.

The very best way to discover exactly how a crystal wand functions – and its tremendous potentialities as an ‘energizer’ – is to make one for yourself. By
constructing your very own crystal wand you will soon find that it then becomes much easier to merge your own vibrations with that of your wand………

To make your own personal crystal wand first take your hollow copper tube and, with a hacksaw, cut two lengthwise strips at one end of the tube, about three inches deep. Then, with a pair of pliers, bend the sides outwards so as to allow your quartz crystal to slide into place.

Before doing so, however, you must glue the sides of your quartz crystal and then gently slide the crystal into its place within the copper tube. You must now bend the sides back into place and ensure that at least one inch of your crystal protrudes at the end.

At the other end of the copper tube, either glue the copper cap into position or affix another quartz crystal.

Finally, take your leather strip (any color will do) which needs to be about three feet in length and place a small amount of glue at intervals along one side. Then tightly wrap the leather, in spiral fashion, around the copper
tubing. Your crystal wand is now ready to be used!

When your crystal wand is lying by itself without you holding it, it is in what I would describe as the ‘passive’ mode but as soon as you pick up your crystal wand it becomes operational and is in an ‘active’ mode.

Crystal wands are extremely simple to operate. All that you need to do is to pick up your wand, focus the crystalline energy by visualizing a blue/white
light of energy radiating from the apex of the quartz crystal in your wand, and you have now created your own powerful ray of energy and power.

You must, however, be very sure that you use your new ‘tool’ and crystal friend very wisely!

At my very first crystal healing workshop, when I had only just constructed my very first crystal wand, I was holding my wand in my right hand whilst I was
talking and, without thinking, I must have directed the wand at the third eye chakra of one of the students present.

With a ‘yell’ the student nearly toppled back on his chair. Apparently he had experienced a tremendous burst of energy and power emanating from my wand which
had almost thrown him back into his seat!

It is therefore very important that you are extremely careful where you point your crystal wand when you are holding it.

For ordinary crystal healing purposes I use my wand in much the same way as if I were using a normal quartz crystal. I take my wand in my right hand and I move
the wand around the perimeter of the patient’s body, in a clock-wise direction – for a few moments.

I then focus the crystalline energies of my wand through the apex of the quartz crystal and direct these energies into the body of the person whom I am treating. I find that about fifteen minutes is sufficient at any one treatment session.

After directing the crystal healing energy into the patient I finish the treatment session by once again moving the wand around the perimeter of the patient’s body, again in a clock-wise direction, for a few moments.

Using this technique the patient’s body becomes surrounded by a ‘sea’ of crystalline energy and this energy penetrates every fiber of the patient’s inner and outer being; and, in most cases, deep, lasting, healing occurs.

As soon as I pick up my crystal wand I can feel the whole wand begin to vibrate and pulsate. My hands start to tingle and I feel alive with crystalline energy and power. I channel my own healing energies into the wand which then becomes even more powerful and thus by the time the healing rays are projected through the quartz crystal at the end of the wand I can sense that I have managed to create a wonderful source of power and energy.

I am often asked at my workshops and seminars why it is necessary to insulate the wand with leather. Insulation is essential for your own personal protection as I have found out myself from painful experience.

When you are working with your crystal wand for any length of time a great many subatomic particles accumulate within the copper tube and, on occasions, if you were to touch the actual copper you may receive an electrical type shock. This has happened to me on more than one occasion in my experimental work. So be
warned!

The results that you are able to obtain by using a crystal wand depend very much upon your own ability in being able to attune yourself at a high enough level with all the vibrational energies at your disposal. Like everything else in our earthly life, the more you practice, the more you achieve!

As your energies become stronger, your wand will grow more potent too! Crystal wands never ever breakdown, never need an external power source (eg batteries or
electricity) and may be used twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

The possibilities are unlimited. Experiment with your crystal wand. Stretch your imagination and inventiveness beyond their normal range. Allow yourself to become at one with your crystal wand. Establish a complete rapport and empathy with it.

Crystal wands may, from time to time, be used for purposes other than for healing. For example, one evening I had to give a talk at a town some 50 miles
from where I live. I was running late!! I had been unavoidably delayed and I knew that time was short. I came off the motorway and found myself engulfed in
traffic being delayed by a continuous stream of red traffic lights.

By a strange coincidence my crystal wand was lying on the front passenger seat next to me. Without really thinking about what I was doing I idly picked the wand up with my left hand and focused it on the next red traffic light that I came across. It turned to green immediately!

And so it went on. Every red traffic light, virtually instantaneously, turned to green as soon as I directed the crystal wand in its direction. I thus managed to
arrive at my meeting dead on time. Strange, but true!

Why not construct your very own crystal wand now – and discover for yourself all that it can do?

Daily Feng Shui Tip for December 18th

I guess we can go whole hog on ‘Roast Suckling Pig Day’ as we take a look at how the lowly pig holds a powerful place of high honor in the Feng Shui pantheon. In fact, according to this philosophy, pigs and prosperity are synonymous with one another. If you want to be a glutton for more prosperity then let’s explore the why and how of filling a silk purse by correcting positioning a sow’s ear, and the rest of that little piggy body as well. According to this modality, the pig symbolizes plenty and abundance as in food, material goods, joy, wealth, fertility and success. In ancient China pigs were actually more man’s best friend than Fido, and this symbol says it will increase all business affairs while also bringing a big boost to your bottom line. Place an image of a fat pig in the Wealth area of your main floor if you’re looking to bring more money into the house. Display an image next to your bed if you’re trying to conceive, or put one on your desk to find important support and smooth success for all of your professional endeavors. With all that success and prosperity promised, I guess that’s why that little piggy was always going to market.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for December 17th is 56: The Wanderer

56: The Wanderer

Hexagram 56

General Meaning: A seasoned traveler knows that a special kind of decorum is called for when one ventures far from home. He or she must develop a yielding nature outwardly, so that the ‘local contact’ or host can open doors and prevent unseemly errors. But inwardly, the wanderer knows that it is sometimes impossible to discern the true intentions of strangers — are they hostile, friendly or merely opportunistic?

The twin houses of mystery and discovery rule any journey. Each new day is launched on a fresh landscape, one that reaches out to grab our full attention. Though new adventures are a great teacher — and often a great equalizer — there is an art to living lightly in a strange land. Mindfulness and discernment become the keys not only to success, but also to survival.

If you are entering a new environment of any sort attempt to be sincere, flexible and undemanding, rather than obstinate. Let go of old attitudes and habits that could encumber you, or make you overly conspicuous. The onset of a great journey is not a favorable time to enter into binding agreements, or to start new enterprises.

Beat Holiday Blues with Feng Shui

Erica Sofrina

One of my favorite fall rituals is to fill my trunk with an abundance of the multicolored, unusually shaped pumpkins and gourds that richly grace the Half Moon Bay, N. California coast side where I reside. I especially love the lime- green and tangerine ones with exotic curly handles. I throw in handfuls of dry, crackly autumn-colored corn and drive happily home where I arrange them artfully around a haystack on my front porch.

Inside I arrange a bountiful ‘horn of plenty’ with the smaller multicolored gourds and mini-pumpkins along with the acorns, dry corn and colorful autumn leaves I have collected.

This is my celebration into fall. I don’t really feel it has arrived until I greedily scoop up nature and feature it prominently in my home.

The Chinese art of Feng Shui emphasizes the importance of bringing nature into our living space, which is called the Five Elements Theory. This is the part of Feng Shui that I have found the most powerful when working with my clients, and the part that I most enjoy teaching to my students. I think it must be because this teaching is so intuitive and simple, yet transformational.

As human beings we are connected to 100,000 generations of ancestors who lived in the natural world. It is embedded into our DNA to feel a deep sense of balance and well being in nature. Studies have shown that people become depressed, lethargic and unproductive when deprived of it. We don’t need science to prove the joyousness we feel sinking our feet into white sands while watching a magnificent sunset. We experience it healing our soul and nurturing our spirit.

One powerful way to remedy winter blues is to work with balancing the elements that begin to diminish during the fall and winter seasons. In working with the Feng Shui five elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood, we work with the controlling and the nurturing cycles. When we have too much of an element we control it by bringing in the element that is stronger. An example would be the element of earth which we would enhance in order to control the element of water. When we have too little of an element we can nurture it with the element that feeds it, such as the element of wood which will strengthen and feed the element of fire.

By bringing into our homes more of the elements of fire (red), wood (green) and earth (gold) during the colder months, we overcome the abundance of the water element and bring them back into balance. Because we are deeply affected by our physical surroundings, our physical bodies come back into balance as well. As a result depression and lethargy often naturally lifts.

It was no surprise to me to discover that our ancestors had been decorating in this same fashion for centuries. As creatures of comfort we will always try to bring our environment into alignment. In so doing they were naturally balancing these seasonal imbalances.

My favorite winter ritual is to fill my trunk with large branches from the unclaimed fir trees and berry bushes around my home. I give them their seasonal ‘haircut’ and into my trunk they go. That evening, I put on my favorite holiday music and immerse myself in the creative process of adorning my home with these bountiful earthy treasures.

Always preferring to save a Christmas tree, I create my own ‘greener’ recycled version and adorn a tall vase with pine boughs with twinkly white lights, shiny gold balls, strings of red cranberries and my collection of small unique ornaments. I cover the mantle with pungent greens, red poinsettias, strands of magical white lights and shimmering silver and gold ribbons. A cherished Angel holds the place of honor at the center Every tabletop gets a unique variation on this theme creating a sense of interest and visual surprise everywhere the eye rests.

I encourage you to play, create, feel and experience the objects, textures, smells and magic of nature. Bring it into your homes in abundance during this time and especially emphasize the more earthy, woody and fiery aspects. It will replenish your soul and create a deep sense of joy and well being within you, making the fall and winter a magical cozy and happy time to be in your home.

Your comments are always welcome. Tell me how you bring nature into your home during the holidays.

Enjoy!

Your Daily Horoscopes for Friday, December 16th

It’s difficult to exercise caution today because optimistic Jupiter tempts us to take unnecessary risks when it forms an uneasy sesquisquare with energetic Mars. Nevertheless, we’re a bit skittish as Mars in critical Virgo motivates us to refine our plans rather than pursuing our goals. Meanwhile, the Moon’s visit to Virgo encourages us to limit our options. We may think that we’re playing it smart, but inaction only increases our frustration.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

If you have been thinking about purchasing something special for yourself, you might impulsively decide to buy it today. However, your standards are rigid now, so it’s necessary to convince yourself that your current acquisition is not frivolous. It’s better to spend your money on tools for work than on something you don’t really need. Ultimately, it’s wiser to conserve your resources, so don’t be afraid to buck the tide and say no.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

Although you want to put your life back in order, you probably can’t regain control over everything today. Your pragmatic common sense tells you to be cautious, but friends are encouraging you to make commitments without worrying about fulfilling them until later on. You might be able to improve your production pace by squeezing out a little more effort every day; however the possible negative impact on your life isn’t worth the tradeoff. Once you choose your priorities, establish clear boundaries so that everyone knows exactly what to expect.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

You may believe that staying in motion keeps you relatively safe, as if instant karma can’t hit you while you’re moving. Even if you are enthused about living in such a dynamic time, you can grow tired of having to always be on the run. You might notice today that you’re longing for more relaxing times. Fortunately, you have the power to make the choice to wean yourself from high-adrenaline situations so you are able to live a longer and happier life. Be proactive and start now.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

You might be tempted to jump into a project at work today if you have already created a detailed plan to ensure your success. You can manage your resources well, even if your friends pull you in several directions. It’s extremely difficult to pass by an opportunity that looks too good to ignore. However, following your instincts could lead to trouble if you wander too far off track. Avoid the disappointment that comes from overindulging your fantasies by buckling down and following your agenda, instead.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You may be able to visualize the finished results on a big project today, yet any attempts to take a shortcut could be met with swift retribution. It’s a smart strategy to move past the flush of excitement about a new career direction so you can get down to serious business now. Don’t dilly-dally; it’s time to build a solid foundation in order to reach your impressive goals.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You’re rejuvenated by the Moon’s return to practical Virgo and can now create a strategy for living defensively. Although green lights seem to appear at every intersection today, you are wise to tap the brakes and look each way before continuing on. Don’t be distracted by good news; even if your future is looking fantastic, stop to check your map before blindly driving forward.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Your extravagant behavior today may be an overreaction to hide your fears about what’s ahead. Fortunately, you could realize the extraordinary effect that your thoughts have on the future, leading you to choose fun and games over doom and gloom. Nevertheless, your attention is also required on matters of deeper concern, so don’t go off and bury your head in the sand. Balance optimism with realism for optimum results.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You may think that you would be better off training for the marathon of your life that you believe is just ahead. But you might also conclude that it’s a good idea to enjoy yourself while you can, for you don’t really know what’s around the next corner. While considering these opposite perspectives, remember that your point of view continues to change, too, so every decision needs to stand on its own merits.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Your optimistic outlook is encouraged by eager Mars’ aspect to your key planet Jupiter. Although you want more facts today, you might not have time to properly integrate them into your plan. However, you also want to establish new priorities to reduce the stress of having too much data. Instead of reaching out even further, limit your field of possibilities and take steps to utilize what you already know.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You may believe that you’re regaining your stability now, just as a wave of big ideas washes in to sweep you off your feet. Ironically, you’re optimistic about your future, even if the current circumstances feel unsettling. Be careful about what you believe, for you could be influenced by those who seek blind support for the party line. Instead of following the herd, think for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Although your future is looking better all the time, it’s wise to tread carefully since you could be building your strategy on incomplete data. Receiving praise from a powerful person is wonderful, but others may have their own reasons for giving you positive feedback now. Maintain a healthy attitude about your work, but don’t allow your strong desire for success to cast a rosy glow over reality. A practical approach will serve you much better than running from the truth.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Your friend or co-worker may be overly critical of your actions today, but you might disregard other people’s negative comments because you think they’re being unrealistic or judgmental. Instead of learning from constructive feedback, you’re tempted to discredit anyone who doesn’t support your efforts. Keep in mind that your apparent adversaries could be much more helpful than you realize, so listen to the advice you receive and use it to make your position even stronger.

	Rev. Lady Carla Belt… on January 11, 2026 Current South…
	Jennifer Logan on January 11, 2026 Current South…
	Rev. Lady Carla Belt… on 2026 Moon Phase Calendar
	creationbeautiful12a… on 2026 Moon Phase Calendar
	Rev. Lady Carla Belt… on A Little Humor for Your D…
	zorropioneeringdcdcc… on A Little Humor for Your D…
	Rev. Lady Carla Belt… on A Little Humor for Your D…