Tag: Wine tasting descriptors

Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, July 11th

Although there’s still a lot of electricity in the air today, we are subdued by the Moon’s morning opposition to restrictive Saturn. The past couple of days have been very intense with the Moon in excitable Aries, and we begin to slow down in anticipation of her shift into steady Taurus at 7:30 pm EDT. Even if we’re having trouble resisting temptation, a more sensible approach to life enables us to experience pleasure without overdoing it.

 

Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Complex issues continue to weigh on your psyche today, even as the real world pressures appear to ease. Although you’re trying to re-establish balance between your needs and the demands of working with others, you might overstate the importance of a personal preference. Since your strong opinions could instigate an unnecessary meltdown, consider backing down from your supposedly non-negotiable position. Compromise is more stabilizing than conflict.

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

Even if your intent is to come clean, it may be more difficult to put your feelings out in the open with the Moon’s presence in your 12th House of Secrets. It’s best to avoid being drawn into an intense disagreement that’s fueled by fear of the unknown. Shining your light of awareness into the shadows of consciousness is difficult at first, but grows easier when the Moon enters your dependable sign later this evening.

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

You might experience a wide range of feelings that don’t have an acceptable outlet in your current social setting. However, these unexpressed emotions still have a strong influence on what’s occurring in your outer world. It may be difficult to overcome the resistance that you face, but the blockages are easier to handle once you realize that you are the real obstacle to open communication and not anyone else. Overcome your fears with clear intentions and unrelenting persistence.

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

You aren’t as hesitant today about expressing your private feelings and you might not be able to stop yourself from saying what’s on your mind. This isn’t about you suddenly demanding what you want; it’s about honoring your inner voice. Don’t keep your thoughts locked up even if you’re not sure about the consequences of disclosure. Say what you must; just remember to be kind in your approach so others will be more receptive to your words.

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Try not to overcompensate for any emotional insecurity by acting more intensely than you actually feel today. Disguising your vulnerability with an inflated demonstration of passion can trick others into believing that you have more self-confidence than you really do. Find someone you trust and openly discuss your dilemma, knowing that the ensuing conversation could help you figure out your next move.

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Hiding your feelings isn’t a viable option now since everyone seems to be able to read you like an open book. But even when you take the time to explain yourself in great detail, you still aren’t sure that anyone else really understands what you need. Carefully examine your motives so you don’t mislead someone in a way that could be problematic. Once you are clear about your intentions, it will be easier to communicate them to others.

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You don’t need to let anyone push you around, for you have more power than you realize. On the other hand, nothing is gained by obsessing about something that you cannot have now. It may be challenging to manage the intensity of your reactions today. Continue to practice moderating your extreme emotions and seek middle ground wherever possible.

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Sexy Venus flirts with the fine line between delicious and overindulgent today as she stressfully aligns with the Moon. You aren’t in the mood to play games now, unless you believe they will lead somewhere productive. Nevertheless, you still want to do what’s right, even if you already know what you want. Be careful; make sure that everyone is on the same page before reaching a point of no return.

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Logic isn’t necessarily a part of your equation today as you attempt to satisfy your desires. You may be openly communicating with a romantic partner, yet your words can also act as a smoke screen that hides feelings you don’t want to discuss. Avoid coercive tactics since they add power to what’s not being said. Bringing your emotions out into the open can minimize unnecessary confusion later on.

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Even your closest friends have a hard time understanding how deeply your feelings run today. Although you don’t often express your needs using emotionally-charged language, your heart can be just as vulnerable as anyone else’s. Something special may be in the emotional slow cooker, but it’s too soon to declare it done. Don’t hurry the process; good things come to those who wait.

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Your desires could be overridden today by everyone else’s demands. Ultimately, you might decide that it’s a smarter idea to conform instead of rigidly sticking to your own plans. It may be inconvenient to stand up to others right now even if you know what you want; the time and effort required isn’t worth it. But your needs grow in strength if you try to simply ignore them. Avoid the possibility of losing your temper by letting others know your preference without being attached to the outcome.

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Dancing simultaneously in multiple realities can be exciting for you today, but it also produces extra stress. You are tempted to choose one set of emotions to live by, while burying the other. However, you’re being called to do powerful inner work while still keeping up external appearances. Keeping one foot on the ground in each realm helps you face your feelings, even if you cannot fully integrate them into your current life yet.

Crystal Magick

Crystals and stones are gifts of the Goddess and God. They are sacred, magickal tools which can be used to enhance ritual and magick. Here are some of the ways of Earth magick.
PREPARING THE CIRCLE: The magick circle can be laid out with crystals and stones, if desired, rather than with herbs.
Beginning and ending in the North, lay 7, 9, 21 or 40 quarts crystals of any size around the circle, either inside the cord or in place of it.  If the ritual to be conducted within the circle is of a usual spiritual or magickal nature, place the quartz crystals with points outward.  If of a protective nature, place with points facing inward.
If you use candles to mark the four quarters of the magick circle rather than large stones, ring each candle with any or all of the following stones:
North: Moss Agate, Emerald, Jet, Olivine, Salt, Black Tourmaline East: Imperial Topaz, Citrine, Mica, Pumice South: Amber, Obsidian, Rhodochrosite, Ruby, Lava, Garnet West: Aquamarine, Chalcedony, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Sugilite       A Stone Altar:
To make this altar, search through dry riverbeds and seashores for a variety of smoothly-shaped stones. Or check rock shops for appropriate pieces.
Create the altar itself of three large stones. Two smaller ones of even size are used as  the base, while a longer, flat stone is placed on top of these to form the altar itself.  On this place one stone to the left of the altar to represent the Goddess.  This might be a natural, river-rounded stone, a holed stone, a quartz crystal sphere, or any of the stones related  to the Goddess which are listed below.
To the right of the altar, place a stone to represent the God. This might be a piece of lava, a quartz crystal point, a long, thin or club-shaped rock or a God-symbolic stone such as those presented below.
Between these two stones place a smaller stone with a red candle affixed to it to represent the divine energy of the Goddess and God as well as the element of Fire.
Before this, place a flat stone to receive offerings of wine, honey, cakes, semi-precious stones, flowers and fruit.
A small, cupped stone (if one can be found) should be set to the left of the offering stone.   Fill this with water to represent that element. To the right of the offering stone place a flat rock. Pour salt upon this to symbolize the element of Earth.
Additionally, another flat stone can be placed before the offering stone to serve as an incense burner.
Use along, thin, terminated quartz crystal as a wand and a flint or obsidian arrowhead for the Athame.
Any other tools which are needed can simply be placed on the altar. Or, try to find stone alternatives to them.
This can be used for all types of Craft rituals.
Stones Of The Goddesses:
In general, all pink, green and blue stones; those related to the Moon or Venus; Water and Earth-ruled stones, such as peridot, emerald, pink tourmaline, rose quartz,  blue quartz, aquamarine, beryl, kunzite and turquoise.
Stones which are related to specific deities follow.
Aphrodite: salt Ceres: emerald Coatlicue: Jade Cybele: jet Diana: amethyst, moonstone, pearl Freya: pearl The Great Mother: amber, coral, geodes, holed stones Hathor: turquoise Isis: coral, emerald, lapis lazuli, moonstone, pearl Kwan Yin: jade Lakshmi: pearl Maat: jade Mara: beryl, aquamarine Nuit: lapis lazuli Pele: lava, obsidian, peridot, olivine, pumice Selene: moonstone, selenite Tiamat: beryl Venus: emerald, lapis lazuli, pearl
Stones Of The God:
Generally, all orange and red stones; stones related to the Sun and  Mars; Fire and Air-ruled stones, such as carnelian, ruby, garnet, orange calcite, diamond, tiger’s eye, topaz, sunstone, bloodstone and tourmaline.
Stones which are related to specific deities follow. Aesculapius: agate Apollo: sapphire Bacchus: amethyst Cupid: opal Dionysus: amethyst Mars: onyx, sardonyx Neptune: beryl Odin: holed stone Poseidon: beryl, pearl, aquamarine Ra: tiger’s eye Tezcatlipoca: obsidian
[Pearl and coral have been mentioned in these lists as “stones” because they were anciently thought to be such. Our knowledge of them as products of living creatures leaves us with the ethical question of whether or not to use them in ritual.  This must be a  personal decision.  Beach gathered coral and shells (mother of pearl is from shells) can be  used without conflicting with the above statement because the creature has already died by the time the item was found. If you decide not to use them, just remember leather is also a product of a living creature.]
CAIRNS: In earlier times, throughout the world, people built mounds or piles of stones. These were sometimes formed to mark the passage of travelers, or to commemorate some historic even, but such cairns usually had ritual significance.
In magickal thought, cairns are places of power. They concentrate the energies of the stones used to create them. Cairns are rooted in the Earth but lift upward to the sky, symbolically representing the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual realms.
During outdoor circles, a small cairn, composed of no more than nine or eleven rocks, can be fashioned as each point of the Circle of Stones. This can be done prior to creating the circle itself.
The next time you’re in some wild, lonely place with a profusion of stones, clear a place among them and sit.  Visualize a magickal need. As you visualize, grasp a near-by stone.   Feel the energy beating within it  – the power of the Earth, the power of nature. Place it on  the cleared ground. Pick up another stone, still visualizing you need, and set it next to the first.
Still visualizing, continue to add stones, building them into a small pile. Keep adding stones until you feel them vibrating and pulsating before you. Place the last rock on top of  the cairn with firm ritual intent – affirm to yourself, to the cairn and the Earth that with this final magickal act you’re manifesting your need.
Place your hands on either side of the pile. Give it your energy through your visualization.  Nurse it. Feed it strength and see your need as being fulfilled.
Then leave the cairn alone to do its work.A QUARTZ AND CANDLE SPELL: Have a candle of the color symbolic of your magickal need, according to the following list (or as your intuition tells you):
WHITE – Protection, Peace, Purity, Truth, Sincerity, Spirituality
RED – Strength, Health, Vigor, Sexual Love, Passion, Protection, Courage, Danger, Warning, Anger, Element of Fire, God oriented, Male aspects
LIGHT BLUE – Tranquillity, Happiness, Understanding, Patience, Health, Element of Water, Goddess oriented, Feminine aspects
DARK BLUE – Impulsiveness, Depression, Changeability, psychism
GREEN – Finance, Fertility, Luck, Growth, Employment, Element of Earth, Goddess                  oriented, Feminine aspects
GOLD/YELLOW – Attraction, Persuasion, Charm, Confidence, Intellect, Study, Divination, Element of Air, God oriented, Male aspects, (Gold) The Great God, The Sun
BROWN – Hesitation, Uncertainty, Neutrality, Healing Animals, Poverty
PINK – Honor, Love, Morality, Friendship
BLACK – Protection from, absorption Evil, loss, discord & Confusion, Lack of color and vibrations, Neutrality, Element of Akasha, Spirituality, The Divine, The Void
PURPLE – Relief from; Tension, Calming, Healing of severe Disease, Spiritualism, Meditation, Protection, Psychic Power, Element of Akasha, The Divine
SILVER/GRAY – Cancellation, Neutrality, Stalemate,(Silver) The Great Goddess, The Moon
ORANGE – Encouragement, Adaptability, Stimulation, Attraction, Energy
GREENISH YELLOW – Sickness, Cowardice, Anger, Jealousy, Discord
With the tip of a cleansed, terminated quartz crystal, scratch a symbol of your need onto the candle. This might be a heart for love, a dollar sign for money, a fist for strength.   Alternately, use an appropriate rune or write your need on the candle with the crystal.
As you scratch or draw, visualize your need with crystal clarity as if it had already manifested. Place the candle in a holder. Set the crystal near it and light the wick.
As the flame shines, again strongly visualize. The crystal, candle and symbol will do their work.

Your Daily Horoscopes for Saturday, July 7th

Critical thinking falls to the wayside as it’s overpowered by the wonderful possibilities that exist within the imagination. The Moon swims into dreamy Pisces at 12:29 am EDT, luring us further into our fantasies. However, we can be overindulgent with the Moon squaring pleasurable Jupiter and Venus. Unrestrained expression of our feelings can create difficulties as sweet Venus runs into a stressful square with wounded Chiron later in the evening.

 

Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

A fog has descended on your world today, but your lack of clarity can actually produce magic. It seems as if luck is with you and you make the right choices, even if you cannot see what’s happening and you aren’t thinking very clearly. Nevertheless, it’s not wise to push too hard for what you want; a gentle approach is more effective now than a forceful one.

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

Your ruling planet Venus befuddles you today with one tempting diversion after another. It becomes increasingly difficult for you to follow through on what you started until something happens that requires you to pull yourself back on course with a new sense of determination. Ultimately, the outcome is up to you; you can accomplish a lot once you accept that everything will take longer to finish than you originally planned.

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

Your day might not unfold as expected, but you should be able to enjoy yourself anyhow. Unfortunately, you might not be as productive as you wish, but you can catch up on unfinished business next week. Don’t waste time worrying about what others think you should be doing. For now, be mellow and maintain a middle-of-the-road course through the weekend.

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

It’s difficult to know whether or not to share your feelings today. You might inadvertently turn a passing mood into a major event by speaking up when it’s smarter to just remain silent. On the other hand, you could miss an important chance to have a positive impact on your day if you say nothing at all. Be prepared to flow with the currents no matter which course you choose.

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Expressing yourself in a creative way today can leave you with a good feeling, even if you realize that your current satisfaction is short-lived. But it’s not about producing a lasting work of art that everyone else appreciates; it’s about doing something that fills you with a sense of wonder or contentment. Don’t get distracted by waiting for approval from anyone else. Making yourself happy now counts most.

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You might believe that your feet are planted firmly on the ground while everyone else is acting flighty today. But you are standing in the magical Hall of Mirrors now, where it’s impossible to discern the original object from its reflection, or the reflection’s reflection. You can change what’s happening around you once you realize that your own uncertainty is coming back at you through the unpredictable behavior of others.

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You are at a fork in the road and while other people’s needs must be considered, the final decision is ultimately yours alone. Thankfully, you can see the pros and cons of each path, yet it’s still challenging to fully clarify your preferences. Once you make a choice, don’t waste energy continuing to play through an infinite variety of possibilities. Simply move ahead confidently without pondering the road not taken.

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

The floodgates of your subconscious mind open wide today as waves of creative inspiration wash through you. Although this can produce fantastic results, you must be ready to ride the currents that arise from the depths of your inner world. Trust the process of self-expression; if you are uncertain about the outcome, you’re liable to impede the flow without even realizing it.

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You are often challenged to set limits and today it’s even more difficult because your emotions defy definition. You prefer to fly by the seat of your pants now, and you might get away with this tactic unless a situation grows so complex that you are forced to regain control. But if you wait until things have gone too far, it won’t be that easy to tighten the reins. The sooner you think about clarifying your boundaries, the more natural it will be to honor them.

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You have been working hard and you’re ready for relaxation today. Fortunately, you should be able to take it easy now without sacrificing the gains you have already made. But this doesn’t mean you’ll be able to avoid your obligations; instead, you’ll discover that you can get just as much accomplished at a slower pace and enjoy yourself more as you go along.

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You might feel as if you have lost the sharp edge to your intellect today, but this is just another passing phase in your creative process. If you recently had an ingenious idea, now it’s time to relax your grip so it can mature naturally. Trying to force the next step won’t work; it’s smarter to let your plans gel at their own pace. Instead of concentrating on finding the answers, allow them to come to you naturally.

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

The Moon’s return to your visionary sign can free you from the restraints of logic, enabling your imagination to express your brilliance. But it may not be easy to put your ideas into words today. Don’t fret if you cannot describe your vision to anyone else now. Postponing the discussion for another day is a smart strategy because your actions will surely speak louder and clearer than anything you might say.

Calendar of the Moon for July 7

Calendar of the Moon

7 Duir/Skirophorion

Day of the Dagda

Color: Brown
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon a brown cloth lay a wand made of an oak branch, a great cup of ale, a bowl of porridge, and four brown candles.
Offerings: Feed the hungry.
Daily Meal: Soup, stew, or porridge, enough to feed more than just the House. Let the rest be given to those who need it.

Invocation to the Dagda

Hail Eochaid Ollathair, Father of All!
Hail Ruad Ro-fhessa, Lord of Perfect Knowledge!
Lord of the Oak Tree,
Phallus of the summer saplings,
Rough as tree bark is your wisdom,
Yet deep as sunken roots.
You who can call the seasons with your harp,
You are called upon by the common people
For your gift of fair weather.
You whose club is so great
That nine men are required to carry it
And even then it plows a great ditch;
Whose terrible end slays hundreds at a blow
And whose other end can restore them to life;
You stake your life on the fertility of the land
That others may survive the cold winters.
You who build great fortresses,
You know what it is to be the sole protection
Of those you love, and to go forth
In battle to save their lives.
You are a king, yet you go among the people
In the rough clothing of a peasant,
Rejecting the trappings of the wealthy.
Your great cauldron is never empty,
Nourisher of your people, and of all people.

(The ale is passed, and then poured out as a libation. The stew is ceremonially carried into the kitchen, and the day’s chant sung over the kitchen table.)

Chant: May you never hunger, may you never thirst.

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Cauldron of Cerridwen Brew

Cauldron of Cerridwen Brew

(caution)

Items Needed:

Acorns*

Barley

Honey

Ivy*

Hellebore*

Bay

Boil water in a cauldron over an open fire. Place all ingredients into the cauldron. Sit before it and entrance yourself by watching the flames. Smell its mystic scent and receive wisdom. (Do not drink. Why? It’s poisonous, that’s why)

Daily Feng Shui Tip for June 21 – ‘World Handshake Day’

On ‘World Handshake Day’ I want to share a way of making sure that anytime anyone asks you ‘how do you do?’ the answer is always ‘perfectly fine!’ The following is an old Russian exercise that will help to lighten up the vibes of your body while shaking off energetic impurities. Lie on your back and lift your arms and your legs so that they are at a 45-degree angle to your body. At the same time, shake your extremities as if you were a dog shaking water from its coat. Inhale deeply, and as you exhale, clench your fists forcefully so that you hands literally vibrate from the tension. Hold this tension until you are finished exhaling. Do this eight to ten times. Not only will your own anger, negativity and emotional overload diminish, but it could conceivably completely disappear! Wash your hands under cold running water as soon as you are done, allowing the water to pour down from the elbows to your hands before drying them. Hands and shaking both leading to a happier, healthier you!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com