Sun moves into the sign of Pisces

"I'm one with the Goddess
and open to Her Wisdom."


6th Day of the 3rd Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Artemis
Lunar Tree Cycle ~ Nion/Ash
1st Day of the Celtic Tree
Cycle - Nion/Ash
Moon Phase: waxing Crescent
Moon rises:  8:46AM EST
Moon sets: 10:46PM EST
Moon in Aries v/c 10:52PM EST
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: Meditate upon truth
Sun in Pisces - 1:36PM EST
Sunrise: 7:10AM EST
Sunset: 5:57PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "What do you need
to let go of and how is it impeding you?"
Imbolc (Gwyl Mair) Quarter of the Day
February 18th, 2010


The Sun in Pisces

   The Sun has enters Pisces today, one of the Water signs indicating the intangible world of feelings and emotions. It is also one of the Mutable signs bringing flexibility and problem solving.
   Those born when the Sun is in this sign are generally sensisitive, compassionate and easy going. They are receptive, imaginative, and many have strong intuitive and psychic abilities. A typical Piscean is very unworldly, and will react strongly to suffering, either doing everything to help or by recoiling. They are very fluid, hard to pin down, and do not easily conform. They work best where rational thought and control are not required, being good at caring and things artistic. In relationships they can be very intense and lovable but are less effective on the practical side. On the negative side they can be over-emotional and inclined to think of themselves as being the victim, and their very flexibility can also lead them to changing direction and to extremes of thought. Pisceans can also be submissive, gullible and easily disillusioned.
    At this time Pisceans need to avoid making commitments, taking strangers on trust, and over-reacting to people and events. They should also avoid practical tasks such as DIY. It is however a good time for looking inward and working on deep-seated problems. Others should be aware that emotional swings are problable in this period. It is a good time for lavishing care and attention on the self and also for water-based activities.
[From: Kate West's "A Real Witches' Year"]

Celtic Ash Tree Month

  Today is the first day of the Celtic Tree Cycle (Nion/Ash).  The Ash is one of the most magickal trees.
Yggdrassil, the World Tree, the one from which Odin hung to gain the Runes, is thought to have been an Ash. The Ash was called a check on peace for it was from this tree that spears were made. It is a tree of Initiation and intelligence. It is said that the Ash should never be burnt or cut down, but it is permissible to take wood from the living tree if you make the appropriate offerings first. The Ash is a tree of protection and they were planted to keep Witches at bay, although as with many things thought to ward off Witches it is quite possible that this was invented to cover the magickal uses of the tree.

   As well as being used to spear shafts, it was also used to make the quarterstaff. Ash is a healing tree and a staff would be placed over the door to keep illness at bay. Ash leaves placed in water would be by the bed to prevent sickness from entering overnight, the water and leaves being renewed each evening; a good idea if someone in the house has an illness which you do not others to catch. Ash leave are also carried in the pocket to attract the admiration of the opposite gender. Placed beneath the pillow the leaves will bring on prophetic dreams. Scattered around the house the leaves serve as a protection.

   Note that you should never stand under an Ash during a thunderstorm as they are said to attract lightning.
[From: "The Witches' Real Year" by Kate West]

Ash Lore - from John Matthews' "The Green Man Tree Oracle"

   The dual powers of the ash tree are its strength and its rootedness in wisdom and both of these aspects are clearly reflected in this tree's mythology. Three of the five sacred trees of Ireland are ash trees, for instance, Yggdrasil, the world ash of Scandinavian myth, is the tree that supports the world and wisdom itslef is drawn from its roots, protected by the ancient keepers of destiny called the Norns. It is also seen as the steed of the god Odin, who hung himself on the ash tree in order to discover the runes from all of humanity. It has also been noted that, after the hawthorn, the ash is the second mostly widely used tree for planting beside a holy well. The symbology of this parallel Norse myth, with the ash drawing its wisdom from the water as Yggdrasil does from the well of Urd. The fact that the tree produces seed pods that are roughly key-shaped has also contributed to its association with opening doors to wisdom. Strength itself comes from wisdom, and gives us the necessary ability to use our strength in the correct way. As the novelist T. H. White put it, "Not might is right but might for right."

Affirmation Exercises - "The Inner Temple of Witchcraft" by Peczak

Exercise 11 -

1. Choose at least five affirmations from the previous list (posted in yesterday's blog entry), or create your own. Focus on which qualities you would like to bring to you. Memorize them as best you can, so you will be able to recite them in a meditation.

2. Start exercise 9; Counting Down to a Meditative State to get into your magickal mindset.

3. Once you are at your meditation level, recite each affirmation at least three times.

4. Take note of how you feel when you recite each affirmation. You may not feel anything at first, but you are subtly changing your inner programming. You may see things or think of people or places from your past. Let the ideas flow in and out. Do not hold onto them, but remain aware of them. They can give you clues as to what issues need attention.

5. Return yourself to normal consciousness, counting up, giving yourself clearance and balance, and do any necessary grounding.