Autumn Equinox Botanicals

Herbs associated with the Autumn Equinox, also known as Mabon:
acorns, apple, asters, benzoin, chamomile, ferns, frankincense, grains,
honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, mistletoe, mums, myrrh, oak leaves,
passionflower, pine, rose hips, rosemary, Rue, sage, Solomon's seal,
thistles, tobacco, saffron, straw, sunflower, walnut, wheat, yarrow,

Full Moon in Pisces

The Full Moon in Pisces is the a double whammy of energy if you want to weave magic relating to psychic powers, divination, dreams or spiritual awakening. The moon is a planet of intuition and mysteries. In her fullness, she brings the full power of the lady who rules that which must be seen without seeing, heard without hearing, and felt, but is beyond reach.

The moon in Pisces is the time to weave magic around divination, dreams, psychic healing, rest and relaxation, fantasy, and spiritual awakening.

To have both together is exemplary for rituals that would:

• expand your powers as a diviner of Tarot, Astrology, Numerology, Dream work and the Tree of Life.



• deepen your understanding of herb magic, stone magic, animal magic, and the alchemy of mixing oils, incense, and any other kinds ingredients for magical use.



• initiation into The Mysteries



• open yourself to greater spiritual awakening



• dedications and thanks to the dark goddess

Keep in mind that Pisces is ruled by Jupiter (primary) and Neptune (secondary). So there is also the opportunity to use this time to weave magic around making your business dreams come true. Of course the day of the week also has influence from it's planetary ruler, so keep in mind how that would add to your ritual. For example, if the full moon in Pisces landed on a Friday, which is ruled by Venus, then you have the additional aspects of love magic or money magic to work with.

As for myself, I took advantage of the new moon in Leo that just passed to weave some business expansion magic and I will use this full moon to give thanks for the fact that it tripled my income!

Away with the Faeries

Been in Ireland over the summer and had a great time with family. I carefully visited a fairy fort near my parents house. I came bearing roses & other garden flowers. Fairy forts are seen as entrances to the world of Tuatha De Danann, peoples of the Goddess Danu, also known as the "Good People".

A neighbor told me a story about a mean landowner, Mrs. Burns, who purposefully disrespected the ring fort to show the superstitious people in the village how foolish they were. She danced in the middle of the ring, stomping and shouting. She was struck down and was in a wheelchair the rest of her life.

Blessed Litha!

May Day

I had the pleasure of attending a public May Day celebration with the coven. It's great to see how Beltane, the beginning of Summer, is celebrated in different places.

In Ireland, bonfires are lit to mark the coming of summer and to banish the long nights of winter.

In Edinburgh Scotland, there is a modern revival the Beltane Fire Festival, which marks and celebrates the blossoming of spring.



In Cornwall, there is 'Obby 'Oss day (dialect for Hobby Horse), where the festivities start May Eve, by singing the Night Song:

Night song

Unite and unite and let us all unite,

For summer is acome unto day,

And whither we are going we will all unite,

In the merry morning of May.

I warn you young men everyone,

For summer is acome unto day,

To go to the green-wood and fetch your May home,

In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Mr. ..... and joy you betide,

For summer is acome unto day,

And bright is your bride that lies by your side,

In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Mrs. ..... and gold be your ring,

For summer is acome unto day,

And give to us a cup of ale the merrier we shall sing,

In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Miss ..... all in your gown of green,

For summer is acome unto day,

You are as fine a lady as wait upon the Queen,

In the merry morning of May.

Now fare you well, and we bid you all good cheer,

For summer is acome unto day,

We call once more unto your house before another year,

In the merry morning of May.

In addition to the pagan holy day of Beltane, May 1st is also International Workers Day. If you are anywhere near Minneapolis next Beltane, check out the MayDay Parade and Festival. In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre puts on the Festival that has been using water, flour, newspaper, paint, and unlimited imagination to tell stories that explore the struggles and celebrations of human existence since 1973. The annual MayDay Parade has always been rooted in two important traditional celebrations—the celebration of the Green Root of Earth’s green energy rising in Spring, and the Red Root of human work energy rising from mind, heart and hand. They marry pagan and political in an eye popping fashion.

The Truth About The Maypole

In ancient Ireland the Bile was a Sacred Tree, the center of the Tuatha, or clan. Seen as a Tree of Life, the Bile Pole, represents the connection between the people and their three worlds.

The three worlds are the heavens or Skyworld, the human or Middleworld, and the Otherworld.

The forgotten Bile pole has survived as the Maypole, a tall pole decorated with long colored ribbons and flowers, around which young lads and lasses dance, interweaving the ribbons.

The dance represents the TRINITY. It can be seen as the intertwining of life, death and rebirth. Reflect on the many levels of the Trinity and you will see a great many secrets revealed to you in the dance.

The day marks the return of nature to a fertile state. The pole is a phallic symbol penetrating the earth, the feminine aspect that receives the seeds which grow into the food that feeds us all.

Love Spell Ritual Bath

The purpose of a ritual bath is to cleanse yourself and prepare yourself for the spell work at hand. A ritual bath is a rite in and of itself. This bath can also be done just prior to casting your spell to lend power to your magic.

The bath water should be infused with salts, herbs oils and colors that are harmonious with your love spell, such as rose, love attracting oils and pink colored salts.

To prepare for the bath, anoint a pink or red candle with love spell oil.
Have a censer and charcoal block ready to burn love spell incense on.
If you have an altar set up in your bathroom there should be a Goddess and God candle present.
A glass of wine, preferably red, is also needed for consumption upon completion of the rite.

Turn out the lights and light the candles and incense, fill the tub with warm water and add herbs, oils, salts. With your Athame, wand or hand, draw and visualize the symbol of Venus over the bath water.

Lower yourself into the water and visualize it cleansing you of all negativity and worries of the mundane world. Know that these energies are releasing into the water. Relax and enjoy the warmth of the water, the scents in the air and the feeling of being cleansed of all negativity, let yourself drift. Now concentrate and visualize attracting love and know that you are truly prepared for it to manifest in the perfect way you envision. After offering a drop of wine to your bath, drink deeply from your chalice. When you feel you are ready, pull the plug and stay in the tub until all the water has drained.