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.

Love Spells: Magical Properties of Rose

Roses are primarily used in Love Spells to attract love or passion. Rose petals can be used in love spell incense or you can make a magic love attracting bath. The rose is sacred to both Venus and Aphrodite

"The Rose is the flower of love. It was created by Chloris, the Greek goddess of flowers, but of a lifeless body of a nymph which she found one day in a clearing in the woods. She asked the help of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who gave her beauty; Dionysus, the god of wine, added nectar to give her a sweet scent, and the three Graces gave her charm, brightness and joy. Then Zephyr, the West Wind, blew away the clouds so that Apollo, the sun god, could shine and make the flower bloom. And so the Rose was born and was immediately crowned Queen of the Flowers." Quoted from Pickles, Sheila. The Language of Flowers (New York: Harmony Books, 1989).

In addition to love spells, roses are also used in beauty/glamor magic, harmony & peace spells and for good luck/fortune spells. Plant roses in your garden to attract faeries, to protect the house and those that live there.

Beltane Recipe: Faery Cakes

Elder is long regarded as sacred and is intimately connected with magic. It is a tree of Venus and is associated with the element of air. In its branches was supposed to dwell a dryad, Hylde-Moer, the Elder-tree Mother, who lived in the tree and watched over it. Many people would not cut down the tree to make furniture or to burn the wood for fear of upsetting the elder-mother.

Thought to ward off evil spirits, it was considered good luck to plant elder near one’s home for protection. The word elder probably comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “aeld” meaning fire.

The secret to anything made with elderflowers is to pick them on a hot sunny day. If you are using wild elder, make sure you correctly identify the tree with the help of a knowledgeable friend and/or an excellent identification book. Do not use elder that grows along a heavily traveled road/highway, and be sure the area has not been treated or sprayed.

Elder Flower Faery Cakes

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted

1. In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, vanilla, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.
2. Heat a lightly oiled (I use coconut oil) griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Sprinkle roughly half an elderflower head into the cooking pancake, snipping or hand stripping the flowerletts off the green stalks. Once bubbles have formed in the cake, flip over and brown on the other side. Serve hot with honey, syrup or jam.
   

Beltane Herbs

All flowers, especially Marigold, Elder flowers (pictured above) , Rose, and Primrose and the following botanicals: Agrimony, St Johns Wort, Frankincense, Hawthorn, Ivy, Meadowsweet, Orchid Root, Rowan, Sorrel, and Woodruff

Libra Full Moon

April 9, 2009. 12:56am GMT

Use the Libra energies to add an extra boost to your spells involving themes of organization, , justice, education, communication and restoring balance. In terms of balance, readjusting the polarities in your life (male/female, yin/yang, disease/wellness, poverty/abundance) can be done on a full moon in Libra. It is a good time to use opposing color magic in your ritual.

Astrology

There are a couple great astrology sites I check on a regular basis:

Susan Miller writes a great monthly forecast at Astrologyzone . She is consistently uncannily accurate. Her forecast are substantial in length and full of real advice, not superstitious speculation. The specific dates and windows of opportunity are particularly useful.

Lisa Dale Miller at Astrowidom writes great detailed reports, called Moon Messages, in the full moon and new moon phases.

Stephanie Azaria at Cosmicpath provides a daily weather report (retrogrades, moon transits etc) and a weekly sign horoscope.

The folks at Astro offer an amazing assortment of personalized free charts & reports, using your birth data. The astrocartography is one of the features that makes this site stand out from the others.

All of these sites offer great information at no charge. Detailed personal readings are usually available for a fee.

Spring Garden blessing

When you have your garden ready for planting, hard boil a brown fertilized egg.
Using a brown or green marker, draw symbols of growth, earth and fertility on the egg.
On the East side of your garden, dig a small hole with your bare hands.
Say a prayer to the Goddess over the hole, asking her to bless you garden.
Place the adorned egg in the hole and cover it.
Walk clockwise nine times around the perimeter of your garden, and say:
"Eostre, make my garden green this Spring.
I offer this egg to the giver of all things."

Magical Properties of Alder Trees

The Alder Tree is the third tree in the Celtic lunar year. It's name comes from the Old English ealdoer, which means "chief,"as in alderman. The tree is known for helping those who must resolve disputes see the truth from falsehood and so be able to grant justice.

The Greek word for Alder is clethera, which means "I confine" speaking to the Alders' protective qualities. It is also a tree associated with "the sight"as it is considered to posses psychic qualities. The tree is a favorite of Bran The Blessed and his raven.

Alder wood is used effectively in weather magick. Wands of Alder wood may only be gathered as fallen branches, for to cut an Alder returns all of it's power to the ground. The Alder wand may be used to summon the winds, rain and storms to nourish the land or return balance to the area. You can make a whistle of Alder to summon the four winds.

Alder wood wands also help supplement the inner strength needed to overcome adversaries when challenged and frightened. It bestows courage and represents the evolving spirit.

A Wand or Staff of Alder is for the Warrior. In the Celtic Story Cad Goddau, the Battle Of The Trees, the Alder tooks it's position on the front lines. Since it is the tree of fire, it is the hottest in a fight. The Alder is also known as the "Battle Witch" of all woods.

Photo by halifaxlight

Fertility Spell with egg

The egg is a symbol of Springtime and represents abundance, life and birth. The egg is such a universal symbol of life potential, that it lends itself well to fertility magic.

You will need:
A piece of green cotton cloth (10x10)
sewing needle
green thread
a piece of paper
an image baby(s)
egg shells from fertilized egg
3 (or nine) fertility plants - wheat, myrtle, rice, nuts of all kinds, carrots, rye, barley, pine cones, acorns, juniper, pine, cedar, lemons grass, honeysuckle, turnips, apple seeds
Stones such as geodes and jade

Cut cloth in to a circle
Write goal (baby girl, twins etc) on piece of paper
On a new moon, meditate over your ingredients, infusing them with your desire to have a baby(s)
Continue to meditate for at least 15 minutes everyday, until the full moon.
On the full moon, combine all the ingredients int he green cloth and and sew it up.
Hold the talisman over your belly and say,
"Goddess, grant me fertility.
A healthy child, life to be.
The sacred egg, seed in my womb
From my blessed body, a baby will bloom.
A child whose blood comes from mine
A child I shall birth in nine months time."

Eostre

In honor of the Anglo-Saxon Goddess Eostre (say ESS-trah), the Spring/vernal equinox was named Ostara. When the Saxons invaded Britain, they introduced Eostre and the traditions that honor her to the Celts, who later adopted her into their own pantheon. Her name means "moving with the waxing sun."

Around the time of the Spring Equinox, animals would start to give birth or going into their "estrus" cycle, so named after the goddess. The ancient Celts, who lived in a close symbiotic relationship with their livestock, celebrated the return of life with a festival in her name. Eostre is seen as Spring personified. To the Celts, she is the goddess of rebirth, new beginnings and fertility. Her symbols include the "sun cross," the egg, the rabbit, flowers and baskets. The legend of the Easter bunny originally started as a story of offerings in her name. A small rabbit came across and egg at the beginning of Spring. He was hungry after the long winter and wanted very badly to eat the egg. But instead, he decorated the egg and gave it to Eostre as an offering.

Alder Moon

In the lunar tree calender of the Celts, the Alder tree is the 4th moon/month. The full moon of the month, is masculine in energy and works with the magical properties of spirituality, teaching, duty, and mental prowess. It's also the moon that controls weather magic. The full moon in the month of Alder, has been called the moon of utility, efficacy, and self guidance.

The energy of the Alder moon will boost you personal growth and self determination, enabling you to overcome obstacles and fears. It it also an appropriate time to reacquaint yourself with arcane knowledge, the seasons and shifting weather. The Alder moon has similar qualities to the Roman God Saturn, who is known as "the Teacher."

Photo By Charles Harkins

New Moon in Aries

Aries is a young and and fiery sign.
This new moon, on the heals of the Spring Equinox is a perfect time to turn over a new leaf or start a new phase. Have you considered a fast or internal cleanse?
Aries rules sports and exercise, so if you have been indoors on the couch all winter, get a move on. Especially, if you can go for a hike or nature walk to appreciate the unfurling Spring greenery.

Spring has Sprung!

After a hectic month, we are rededicating ourselves to blogging & sharing.
For Ostara, the coven gathered for brunch & egg decorating.
Did you know you can dye eggs with food coloring and vinegar?
Here is the currant scone recipe from our Spring brunch:

2 Cups flour
2 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dried currants

Preheat the oven 450 degrees F
Place the dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder and sugar) in bowl.
Rub in butter with your fingers.
Mix in currants and stir.
Mix in milk with fork until dough forms.
Turn dough out onto a floured surface.
Sprinkle with a little flour and lightly knead.
Flatten it into round circle 1/2-inch thick.
Cut into 8 triangles.
Lightly flour cookie sheet.
Put on cookie sheet 2 to 3-inches apart.
Bake at 450 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Imbolc Altar

Brighid and Imbolc: The Goddess Story

Imbolc is celebrated as the return of the light. It marks the halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. In Irish, Imbolc (pronounced im'olk) from the Old Irish, meaning "in the belly" (i mbolg), referring to the pregnancy of ewes, and is also a Celtic term for spring. Another name is Oimelc, meaning "ewe's milk". In Scotland the festival is also known as Là Fhèill Brìghde, in Ireland as Lá Fhéile Bríde, and in Wales as Gŵyl Fair.

Bridghid (exalted one), in her triple aspect, is the honored Goddess. She has been reborn from the hag Callieach when she drinks from the sacred well. Now in her youth, Bridghid fans the flames of the sacred fire to purify the land and make way for Spring. Brighid was associated sacred flames, such as the one maintained by 19 nuns at her sanctuary in Kildare, Ireland. The tradition of female priestesses tending sacred, naturally-occurring "eternal flames" is a feature of ancient Indo-European pre-Christian spirituality.

She is the goddess of smithcraft, healing, and poetry. In addition, Brighid was also connected to holy wells, at Kildare and many other sites in the Celtic lands. Well dressing, the tying of clooties to the trees next to healing wells, and other methods of petitioning or honoring Brighid still take place in some of the Celtic lands and the diaspora.

She well known for her powers of divination.

She is identified in Lebor Gabála Érenn as a daughter of the Dagda and a poet. As the daughter of Dagda, she is also the half sister of Cermait, Aengus, Midir and Bodb Derg.

Imbolc Bannock Bread

The Scots made an unleavened oat cake cooked in a skillet called a bannock. For each holy day (holiday) they had a different recipe. Here is one for Imbolc - the festival of light.

1 1/2 C Flour

2 C Rolled oats

1/2 C Sugar

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 C raisins

1 egg

1/2 C butter, melted

1/3 C buttermilk

Mix flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, salt and raisins together. Make a well in the center. In a separate bowl whip eggs, butter and buttermilk. Add to the dry ingredients and stir until a batter is formed. Scrape onto a well floured surface and knead lightly. Shape into a ball, then place on a greased baking sheet. Mark a Bridget's cross in the center using a sharp knife. Bake @ 425 for 15 minutes.

Druid Wands

The Ash is one of the sacred Druidic trees. The Ash tree is associated with positive enchantment and application of will to destiny. Ash is used in spell craft for sea power, ocean rituals, karmic laws, magical potency, healing, protection from drowning, love, rain making, women's mysteries, prophetic dreams, general protection, Prosperity, and health. Special guardian spirits reside in the Ash; This makes it excellent for absorbing sickness. In Greek legend, the nymphs of ash trees were called the Meliai. Rhea gave birth to the Meliai and the ash-tree sister nymphs tended the infant Zeus in her cave.

Ash is often used for making both mundane and magical tools. Tools with handles of Ash are more productive than tools made with other types of wood. Witches besoms are often made from Ash for the handle, Birch twigs for the brush and Willow for bindings.

Ash wands are good for healing, general and solar magic. Druid wands were often made of ash because of all of the magical properties and its straight grain. The spirally carved Druidic wand was made of Ash for this healing purpose. Such wands have been found in archaelogical sites in Wales which evidences indeed the powers of the Ash were reverenced and employed by the Druids.

Pagan Wiccan Wheel of the Year Calendar Dates 2009

Pagan and Wiccan Holy Days of the Year.

February 1st - Imbolc. Moonrise @ 9:53am

March 20th - Spring Equinox or Vernal Equinox @ 5:44am

May 1st - Beltane. Moonrise @ 12:12pm

June 20th - Summer Solstice @ 11:43am

August 1st - Lughnasah . Moonrise @ 4:32pm

September 22nd - Fall Equinox or Autmnal Equinox @ 3:23pm

October 31st - Samhain. Moonrise @ 4:32pm

December 21st - Winter Solstice @ 10:46am

New Moon Calendar Dates 2009

2009 Esbats. New Moon Calendar Dates. Time is Greenwich Meantime.

January 26th - 12:55am. Note: Annual Solar Eclipse occurs at 12:57am and it the Chinese New Year.

February 24th - 6:35pm. Note: It's also Mardigras

March 26th - 10:07am

April 24th - 9:23am

May 24th - 6:11am

June 22nd - 1:35pm

July 21st - 8:35pm Note: Total Solar Eclispe 8:37pm and the moon is Perigee 2:00pm

Aug 20th - 4:01pm

Sept 18th - 12:44pm

Oct 17th - 11:33pm

Nov 16th - 12:14pm

Dec 16th - 5:03

The Celtic Tree Calendar

Tree: Birch

Month:December 24th - January 20th

Tree: Rowan

Month: January 21st - February 17th

Tree: Ash

Month: February 18th - March 17th

Tree: Alder

Month: March 18th - April 14th

Tree: Willow

Month: April 15th - May 12th

Tree: Hawthorn

May 13th - June 9th

Tree: Oak

Month: June 10th - July 17th

Tree: Holly

Month: July 18th - August 4th

Tree: Hazel

Month: August 5th - September 1st

Tree: Apple

Month: September 2nd - September 29th

Tree: Ivy

Month: September 30th - October 27th

Tree: Broom

Month: October 28th - November 24th

Tree: Elder

November 25th - December 21st

Wolf Moon

Have you ever thought about the Wolf Moon?

January 10th is the full moon this month. As the full moon is always in the sign opposite the of the sun, the full moon is in Cancer, (while the sun is in Capricorn). So it's a great Sabbat to create ritual around hearth, home, family, and anything sensual. Cancer is also ruled by the breast, so a health ritual for anyone suffering from breast cancer would be appropriate.

It is also known as the Wolf Moon. Wolves, Jackals and Dogs have been associated with death, reincarnation, and funerary customs and often guarded the gates to the underworld. Dormarth the wolf was the Celtic guardian of Death's Door. In Ireland, two dogs guarded the gate of Death, the Moonland Emania. Since so many died in the dead of winter when survival depended on your hearth fire and your food stored from the harvest, naming this full moon the Wolf Moon makes sense.

So, honor the wolf. Howl at the moon. And give thanks for your family, home and all that you have. You have survived the winter, the days are getting longer and spring is on it's way.

Full Moon Calendar Dates 2009

Full Moon Dates 2009

Year Month Day Time Day of week
2009 Jan 11 03:28 Sun
2009 Feb 9 14:51 Mon
2009 Mar 11 02:40 Wed
2009 Apr 9 14:58 Thu
2009 May 9 04:03 Sat
2009 Jun 7 18:13 Sun
2009 Jul 7 09:23 Tue
2009 Aug 6 00:57 Thu
2009 Sep 4 16:05 Fri
2009 Oct 4 06:11 Sun
2009 Nov 2 19:15 Mon
2009 Dec 2 07:33 Wed
2009 Dec 31 19:15 Thu

Dedication in the new year

While we celebrate the new year as Nov 1 according to the Celtic Year, I still observe the Roman New Year as so much psychic energy is created by the masses who recognize this as the time of new beginnings.

I think the Romans chose January 1st because it follows so soon after the Winter Solstice and instinctively people knew the winter was coming to an end. The shortest day of the year passes as the Mother Goddess gives birth to her Sun (son) when it's first rays touched the altar stone at Stonehenge. It felt as though there was hope to get through the rest of the winter and a time to start over.

While the Sun is just a babe, the winter belongs to the Crone or Cailleach. Hers is the power of death, the dark, secrets, seeds, and all that is wild and unborn. Nothing is beyond her reach. The three moons that occur in this season (Jan-Mar) take us from Winter into Spring, but it's the Esbats, the dark moons, that are for dedicating yourself to your magical universe. Use these new moons to carry out a dedication ritual, stretching it into all three months. Recognize what you have been and are choosing to be. What will you dedicate yourself to this year? To what will you give birth this spring?

The most powerful among us take responsibility for what we create and do so with intent. Be aware of what you create for it effects us all.