Disseminating Moon moves into Gemini

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


23rd Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Medusa
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
27th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: Disseminating
Moon sets: 1:37PM EDST
Moon rises: 11:08PM EDST
Moon in Taurus v/c 7:13PM EDST
Moon enters the Mutable Air
Sign of Gemini at 8:19PM EDST
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: Sources of comfort
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 6:45AM EDST
Sunset: 7:55PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
needs liberating in your life?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 31st, 2010

As the Moon enters Gemini later on tonight, there will be Major magickal energies for doing a rite or spell to boost your education abilities in the coming year.  Perhaps you might like to create a small rite or ritual to ask for help in the educational tonight. Tomorrow I will post more about Moon in Gemini,
a Mutable Air Sign. As you finish up the moon transit of Taurus today, you might to use Mars Day's Physicality, Passions and Desires coupled with Taurus sensuality to have a beautiful evening.

Moon Day - Disseminating Moon in Taurus

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

22nd Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hestia
Lunar Tree Cycle ~ Coll/Hazel
26th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: Disseminating
Moon sets: 12:34PM EDST
Moon rises: 10:27PM EDST
Moon in the Fixed Earth Sign
of Taurus
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: Memories of places
distant or no more.
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 6:44AM EDST
Sunset: 7:56PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Which
ideas and structures have you
outgrown?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 30th, 2010

Moon Day - the Day of Remembering and Feeling.  Today there are minor magickal energies for releasing unwanted emotion... have emotions from the powerful Pisces Full Moon from last week?
Here is a day to release them.

Disseminating Moon enters Taurus

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

21st Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hestia
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
25th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: Disseminating Moon
Moon sets: 11:32AM EDST
Moon rises: 9:52PM EDST
Moon in Aries v/c 4:47AM EDST
Moon enters the Fixed Earth
Sign of Taurus at 10:35AM EDST
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditaton: The restoration
of sleep.
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 6:43AM EDST
Sunset: 7:58PM EDST
Solar Question For the Day:  "What unacknowledged needs
are eating holes in you?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 29th, 2010

Moon in Taurus - ask us to discover what nurtures us and how to grow deeper roots. We can almost feel the mud oozing between our toes, awakening our senses and sensuality and growing out stubbornness. It is time to cultivate our material resources, our homes and our body. The forceful movement of Aries becomes solid, calm and patient during Taurus. This lunar transit concerns money, work, property, the body, home and family, sensuality, building cautiously and slowly, being conscientious, sensitivity, planting and emotional patterns based on security. There is a desire to protect material goods and a strong need for financial security. Taurus gives attention to order and detail. Emotionally there is stubbornness, but great sensitivity to others. This sensual sign is a good time to appreciate the wonders of the beautiful earth.  As your landscape moves deeper into the Fall season, take a walk or drive to views the harvesting in process, to take note of the changes in plants, the feeling in the air and different slant to the sun's rays across the landscape. Moon in Taurus is the best time to work magick for love, real estate, material acquisitions, and money. Healing rituals for ailments of the throat, neck, and ears are also done during this period of time. Do some healing chakra work and concentrate on the throat chakra in particular.

Today is Sun Day - the Day of Intent, Creation and Renewal.... there are Major magickal energies about doing rites for Investments after the Moon enters Taurus.

Five Years after Katrina

   As I am sure many of you have heard that today marks five years since the devastating storm Katrina
hit New Orleans.  There are many stories and pictures online about what to a lot of the people who went through the horrible events afterwards and pictures of how areas (particularly the Ninth Ward)
looked right afterwards and how they look today.
   But I have noticed there are no stories about suffering of the pets who people were forced to leave behind or had disappeared during the storm... I search and found a few sites where people have posted information on their beloved pets and are still seeking information on them.  I know, this heartbreaking to read and see but there is no reason to ignore the plights of the owners and their missing pets.  Here are some links to pets who were found either dead or alive.....
http://lostkatrinapets.com/cleo/index.html
Cleo
http://noanimalleftbehind.blogspot.com/2005/11/reunion-photos-of-candys-reunion-with.html
http://lostkatrinapets.com/dominovallie/index.html
http://lostkatrinapets.com/sugar/index.html
http://lostkatrinapets.com/nemo_emelle-temple/index.html
http://noanimalleftbehind.blogspot.com/2006/11/update-lilbit-lisa-reunion-photo.html

Because of this happening there has been finally laws and such past to make sure these tragic events don't occur again...
NOW
Recommend Evacuation of pets a priority after Katrinats 

By MARY FOSTER Associated Press Writer © 2010 The Associated Press

Aug. 24, 2010, 3:36PM

NEW ORLEANS — The moment cut sharply through the chaos, suffering and fear of Hurricane Katrina — a small boy sobbed hysterically as he was separated from his dog Snowball while departing the wretched Louisiana Superdome.
Snowball was one of thousands of pets split up from their owners after the storm struck Aug. 29, 2005, and the story triggered an outpouring of help to save stranded animals and reunite them with their families.
The heart-wrenching tale also spawned new state and federal laws allowing evacuees to take their pets with them.
"For the first time, there was the realization of the strength of the human-animal bond," said Ana Zorrilla, CEO of the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "That sparked incredible changes on state and federal levels requiring that pets be included in all evacuation plans."
Congress passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act in 2006, requiring plans for the evacuation of pets, as well as people.
The act was tested in 2008 during Hurricane Gustav, and it worked.
Crates for pets were placed at evacuation pickup points. Animals and their owners were banded with matching computer codes, and the animals were taken to the same locations as their owners, allowing them to spend time together.
But things didn't go as smoothly three years earlier as the dirty water rose in New Orleans streets. People were rescued, but countless times they had to leave their pets behind as helicopters plucked them from rooftops or boats drove them to safety.
Sandra Henry, 58, floated with her black lab, Tasha, to a rescue point where helicopters were ferrying victims to dry land. Along with an 87-year-old disabled woman and about a dozen relatives, Henry was rescued, but had to leave Tasha.
"I took Tasha home, crying all the way," Henry said. "I left all the food I had out and opened the doors and windows. Leaving her here was so hard, but what else could I do?"
It took almost two years for Henry and Tasha to be reunited. The dog had been adopted and living in Colorado.
"I thought about her every day," Henry said. "When she got home she knew me right away."
It wasn't long before the poignant pictures and stories of abandoned pets had volunteer animal rescuers joining the search for stranded people. Houses were spray-painted with information about bodies found and pets rescued.
The SPCA and 200 other organizations saved more than 8,000 pets after the hurricane. MuttShack, which was formed because of Katrina, rescued more than 3,000. SPCA supporters also donated more than $15 million to assist animal rescue efforts and to rebuild Gulf Coast shelters following Hurricane Katrina.
But some of the pets weren't so lucky.
Glenda Smith left her dogs, Max, a Jack Russell terrier, and Zack, a Chesapeake retriever, at home. Her neighbors were riding out the storm and were to take care of them, she said. Her dogs were rescued, but when she got to the facility where they were being held, only Zack was waiting.
"I can't believe after all this time it's still so painful," Smith said. "I just hope whoever has him loves him as much as I do."
Snowball was also lost.
He was taken from his family as they scrambled through a long line for a bus that would take them away from the heat, stench and misery of the Superdrome where thousands of those who couldn't make it out of the city were stranded. As the little boy wept and called his dog's name, his father swept him up in his arms and moved on in the line, unwilling to sacrifice a spot on the bus.

Disseminating Moon

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

20th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Demeter
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
24th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: Disseminating - 3:36PM EDST
Moon sets: 10:31AM EDST
Moon rises: 9:23PM EDST
Moon in the Cardinal Fire Sign
of Aries
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: "The freedom
of letting go.
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 6:43AM EDST
Sunset: 7:59PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Are
you in touch with your emotions?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 28th, 2010

Disseminating Moon- Keywords for the Disseminating phase are: demonstration, distribution, sharing and introspection. It is the time time in a cycle to further process your advancement toward your goal(s) by looking at the results of your adjusting action taken at the Full phase. During this phase you gain clarity by sharing what you've learned through awareness. Demonstrate your power of abundance by giving back to your community. Visit friends. Distribute your knowledge. SHARE. Reach out and touch someone.  As we go into the darkening phase of the dissemination moon, we get the FRUIT of the plant's life cycle - the fruits of wisdom and experience.

Waning Gibbous Moon in Aries

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

19th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Demeter
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
23rd Day of the Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: waning Gibbous
Moon sets: 9:31AM EDST
Moon rises: 8:57PM EDST
Moon in the Cardinal Fire
Sign of Aries
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The tranquillity
of gardens.
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 6:42AM EDST
Sunset: 8:01PM EDST
Solar Question of the Day: "Which
old habits do you need to change?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 27th, 2010

Moon in Aries is a time of new beginnings, intense activity, pioneering in any field, reaching out with emotional surges, impulsiveness.  Of course since the moon is waning this is not necessarily a time of new beginnings like it is at the New moon - but it is the time in a lunar cycle when you will to start considering what you wish to get rid of.  Intense activity - at this time of the year it there can intense
activity in harvesting and storing away the harvest - the intense activity of fairs and of returning to school is also happening now.  And when it comes to experiencing emotional surges and impulsiveness we experience during any Aries moon transit no matter phase the moon is in.  This moon is a great tester of limits. You may find yourself being impatient now or want to initiate new things.  Sometimes snap decisions are made during an Aries moon transit only to be regretted later. 

To make a 'Hazelman.'


Find some hazel nuts before all the squirrels have eaten them .Gather leaves and dried grass.You will need a plain piece of card and some glue.

1.Use a nut with a leafy cap as head. draw in face.

2.Use a hazel leaf for the body.

3.Willow leaves for the legs

4.Dried grass for the arms

5.Hawthorn leaves for the hands

6.Round seeds for the feet.

Waning Gibbous Moon

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

18th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Demeter
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
22nd Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: waning Gibbous
Moon sets: 8:32AM EDST
Moon rises: 8:34PM EDST
Moon in Pisces v/c 9:59PM
Moon enters the Cardinal Fire
Sign of Aries at 10:49PM EDST
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The grail
of your search.
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 6:41AM EDST
Sunset: 8:02PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What do
you appreciate most about your
skills?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 26th, 2010

Today is Thor's Day - Jupiter Day - the Day of Vision, Spiritual Insight and Expansion.  The Moon finally moving out of Pisces tonight will be bring me some relief for all the emotional turmoil I seem to be experiencing since the Full Moon.  For many of us this was surely a very strong emotional time.  But having worked through our trials of experiencing these strong emotions we will be ready for Aries Moon transit. We will find ourselves tomorrow acting on feelings of the moment rather than the result of reason. Watch out.

Full Moon

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

16th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Gaia
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
20th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: Full - 1:04PM EDST
Moon sets: 6:36AM EDST
Moon rises: 7:48PM EDST
Moon in Aquarius v/c 6:01AM EDST
Moon enters the Mutable Water Sign
of Pisces at 10:11AM EDST
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The alchemy of Autumn
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 6:39AM EDST
Sunset: 8:05PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Do you
abuse or respect obligations?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 24th, 2010

Full Moon - Keywords for the Full Moon phase are: fulfilment, illumination, realization, and experience. It is the time in a lunar cycle that you given a clear view so that you can make adjustments to put you back on the track to manifesting the goals you set at the New Moon phase. Go to a public place. Do something with a friend. LISTEN. Receive awareness. Understand others. The Moon opens and blossoms during the Full Moon into the FLOWER, with the desire to share her beauty with others.

Moon in Pisces - During Moon in Pisces emotional life is more introverted. Intuition is at its height and psychic energy is powerful. You are now able to get in touch with your deepest self, but it can also be a time of vagueness, unclarity, and uncertainty. Pisces is about endings as a result of internal processing. During this moon transit you may notice a moodiness in others around you.  A Full Moon in Pisces is a powerful psychic/spiritual moon and a great opportunity for oracles and divinations: reading tarot, interpreting astrology charts or throwing the I Ching or scrying (particularly water scrying).  The psychic and spiritual forces are so strong that a Full Moon ritual will be sensitive and magickal.  However, Pisces is an inner energy, so a solitary ritual will be most appropriate. There is an awareness and appreciation of beauty and art, as well as strong, heightened creativity. With intuition being at its peak, realization of life's lessons or truth sometimes are unveiled.  During this moon transit it's easy to swim around and lose yourself in emotions now, or to escape in books or other entertainment of a fantastic nature.

Sun enters the Sign of Virgo

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

15th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Gaia
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
19th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: Gibbous
Moon sets: 5:36AM EDST
Moon rises: 7:25PM EDST
Moon in the Fixed Air Sign
of Aquarius
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The harvest
of your soul.
Sun enters the Mutable
Earth Sign of Virgo at 1:27AM EDST
Sunrise: 6:38AM EDST
Sunset: 8:07PMM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Are you
appropriating someone else's
resources or time?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 23rd., 2010

Today is Moon Day - the Day of Remembering and Feeling - Impression Day

The Sun in Virgo - Virgo is an Earth sign bringing qualities of resourcefulness, practicality and skill. It is also a Mutable sign which brings flexibility, problem-solving and skills as an intermediary.  Virgo is symbolized as a female holding an ear of wheat and is identified as the Earth Goddess: Isis, Ishtar, Persephone or Ceres. Virgos are usually analytical, critical and seek efficiency and perfection, although they are also practical, adaptable and variable. They tend to be restrained, passive and prefer to avoid confontation. Intelligent and discerning, they can appear to be critical. Their attention to detail is often seen as fussiness and fault finding, but makes them effective where precision is needful. In relationships and love they tend to be reserved, conventional and even-tempered. Although they can sometimes seem quite cool, they do need the reassurance which they rarely seek. They are self-analytical, often self-critical and apt to worry. Virgos often find themselves counseliung and advising others, sometimes to the detriment of those close to them, as their ability to unravel problems, analyze information and get to the root of the matter is much sought after.
   At this time of the year Virgoans should take care to slow down, remembering to ask for, rather than give advice. In relationships they should by all means seek the reassurance they crave, but be wary of appearing too needy. Non-Virgoans will find this a good time for understanding any kind of self-analysis and personal exploration. Work involving attention to detail, numbers and memorizing things will be enhanced.
[From: Kate West's "The Real Witches' Year"]

Moon in the Sign of Aquarius

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

14th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Gaia
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
18th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hall
Moon Phase: Gibbous
Moon sets: 4:36AM EDST
Moon rises: 7:25PM EDST
Moon in the Fixed Air Sign
of Aquarius
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The silent
accord of true love.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:37AM EDST
Sunset: 7:58PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "How is truth
served in your life?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 22nd., 2010

Moon in Aquarius - This is a transit of dealing with facts, organizing, politics, issues desire to save the world through social action and connecting with others in social situations, scientific pursuits, detachment, and the need to come and go without restrictions.  Aquarius Moon's monthly transit is a dramatic mood change. Where Capricorn values tradition and caution, Aquarius indicates anything new, innovative, different or unconventional. Extremes of behavior can occur during this moon, especially extremes of optimism and pessimism.  Moon in Aquarius is the best time to work magick involving science, freedom, creative expression, problem-solving, extrasensory abilities, friendship and the breaking of bad habits or unhealthy addictions. Healing rituals for ailments of the calves, ankles or blood are also done at this time.

This is Sun Day - the Day of Intent, Creation and Renewal - Creation Day. There are Major magickal energies today for rites/spells about Adventure, New Projects and Opportunity.  Take advantage of these energies.

Full Moon in Pisces this Tuesday - read this article: http://astrology.about.com/od/sacredastrology/qt/FullMoon.htm

Gibbous Moon enters Aquarius

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

13th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Gaia
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
17th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: Gibbous
Moon sets: 3:36AM EDST
Moon rises: 6:29PM EDST
Moon in Capricorn v/c 9:08PM
Moon enters the Fixed Air Sign
of Aquarius at 9:37PM EDST
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The song
of the earth.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:36AM EDST
Sunset: 8:10PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Do you over
consume the world's resources?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
for the Year
August 21st, 2010

The Cyberwitch

   The cyberwitch is the modern witch. She e-mails rather than writes her Grimore with a quill - or, at least, participates in both. She composes letter to be sent etherically, much as the ancient magickians formulated Words of Power and chanted them with intent during ritual. She knows her messages will directly affect the recipient - this is a type of immediate modern magick. Therefore, she selects her words and their readers carefully, and is capable of influencing another being from a great distance at the press of 'Send.' She networks and chats with kindred spirits, a scenario that was only possible astrally until not so long ago. The modern era is a great gift to the witch as well as to her non-esoteric peers, and she takes advantage of it.
   Now there are entire covens and gatherings who meet only over the Internet. This is far from unnatural - it is astral communication clarified. She is also able to pop in on sites belonging to like - or un-like-minded persone with similar interests, and to share her views, often anonymously. The Internet in many ways takes the danger out of magickal empathy - for, if the person with whom one is communicating is not physically present, and knows not one's physical specifics, the interaction can only be intellectual, psychic and honest.
   There are some excellent sites with many members available to the cyberwitch. For the neophyte, the Children of Artemis website is highly recommended  (http://www.witchcraft.org/). There are many young members on this site, as well as knowledgeable Elders. The more advanced occulist is advised to surf for topics of specific - Yahoo.co.uk and Yahoo.com are particularly good search engines for witchy topics. American readers are directed to http://www.witchvox.com/ , which contains a comprehensive guide to relevant sites, as well as many contacts.
[This essay comes from Kala Trobe's book "The Witch's Guide to Life"]

Gibbous Moon

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

12th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hera
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
16th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: Gibbous - 10:24AM EDST
Moon sets: 2:35AM EDST
Moon rises: 6:29PM EDST
Moon in the Cardinal Earth
Sign of Capricorn
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The tides of
the moon and sea.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:35AM EDST
Sunset: 8:11PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
motivates your lifestyle?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
for the Year
Mercury Retrograde - 3:59PM
August 20th, 2010

Gibbous Moon phase - Keywords for the Gibbous phase are: analyze, prepare, trust. In the Gibbous phase of a moon cycle, this is when you process the results of the actions taken during the First Quarter. During this phase you are gathering information. Give up making judgments, it will only lead to worry. Your knowledge is incomplete. Laugh, Analyze and filer. LOOK WITHIN.  The Gibbous moon is the BUD of the plant, the pulse of life tightly wrapped, wanting to expand.

Freya's Day - This is Venus Day, the Day of Sharing and Relationships.

What does Mercury affect?


In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce, education and transportation. By extension, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially those who work with their minds or their wits: writers and orators, commentators and critics, gossips and spin doctors, teachers, travellers, tricksters and thieves.

Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings; flawed, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray or awry.

It is not exactly wise to make important decisions while Mercury is retrograde, since it is likely that such decisions will be clouded by misinformation, poor communication and careless thinking. Mercury is all about mental clarity and the power of the mind, so when Mercury is retrograde these intellectual characteristics tend to be less acute than usual, as the critical faculties are dimmed. Make sure you pay attention to the small print!
[From: http://www.astrologycom.com/mercret.html ]

Waxing Half Moon enters Capricorn

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

11th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hera
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
15th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: waxing Half
Moon sets: 1:34PM EDST
Moon rises: 5:14PM EDST
Moon in Sagittarius v/c 9:58AM
Moon enters the Cardinal Earth
Sign of Capricorn at 10:17AM EDST
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The glory
of sunset
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:34AM EDST
Sunset: 8:13PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
areas of your life need hard or steady
work right now?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 19th, 2010

Moon in Capricorn - After Sagittarius expansiveness, now we feel contraction and a time to pay attention to our needs for security, duties, obligations, drives and ambitions. This is a good transit for setting and achieving goals, 'going for it' materially because we feel persistent and ambitious. Be careful to avoid insensitivity to others, and stay out of negative and pessimistic mind sets that will only drag you down. Take this moon transit to deal with your material plane, especially if you have neglected it too long. Do non-traditional healing as Capricorn is the sign of the medicine womon.
Capricorn moon transits are the best time to work magick for organization, ambition, recognition, career, and political matters. Healing rituals for knees, bones, teeth, and skin are also done at this time.

This is Thor's Day - Jupiter Day - the Day of Vision, Spiritual Insight and Expansion. There are Major magickal energies for working spells/rites for Money, Status, Material Needs and there are minor magickal energies for spells to bring good fortune.

Waxing Half Moon enters Sagittarius

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

9th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Kore
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
13th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: waxing Half
Moon sets: 12:10AM EDST
Moon rises: 3:29PM EDST
Moon in Scorpio v/c 1:23AM
Moon enters the Mutable Fire
Sign of Sagittarius at 1:34AM EDST
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The vista through
the window.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:32AM EDST
Sunset: 8:16PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Which of
your skills needs to be honed at this time?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
 August 17th, 2010

Moon in Sagittarius - Restless, enthusiastic Sagittarius loves adventure, change, and motion. The moon in this sign is a time for philosophy, metaphysics, traveling, studying and freedom from responsibility. This is a transit when we feel the need to be free of restrictions and to be spontaneous. This can be good time for seeing new places, meeting different people and relating to a changing environment. There are tendencies to open, honest exchanges. Moon in Sagittarius is the best time to work magick for publications, legal matters, travel and truth. Healing rituals for ailments of the liver, thighs, or hips are also done at this time.

Today - Tiu's Day - is Mars Day - the day of Activity and Physicality, Passion and Desire. There is Major magickal energy for spells/rites of Independence and minor magical energies for warrior energy and courage.

Mercury Retrograde

    This Friday, August 20th, Mercury Retrograde begins and will last til September 12th.  Be aware of it.

Forst Quarter Moon

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

8th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Kore
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
12th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: First Quarter - 2:14PM EDST
Moon rises: 2:25PM EDST
Moon sets: 11:56PM EDST
Moon in the Fixed Water
Sign of Scorpio
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The courage
to change.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:31AM EDST
Sunset: 8:17PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Do you
practice hospitality pf spirit?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 16th, 2010

First Quarter Moon - Keywords for the First Quarter phase are: action, expression, growth, and breaking away. It is the time in a cycle to take the initial action necessary to achieve your goal by expressing your needs and desires. FEEL& MOVE. Make phone calls. Write letters. Act now.
The first quarter Moon is the GROWTH phase. Roots go deeper, stems shoot up and leaves form as she creates a strong new body.

Working With First Quarter Energies

   It's perfectly okay to work ritual on this part of the moon's cycle, but often it's better to use the special power it brings to review work already in progress, or to gain insights into the way spells are unfolding. If you are lighting a spell candle daily, pause in the process of igniting the wick and tune in to how the spell is forming. Does the energy feel right? Do any new factors occur to you that might improve the end result: for example, you may gain a sudden feeling about the way the goal should manifest, or some details may become clearer and would profit from added visualization. Another beneficial use for the first quarter is to quietly go within in contemplation or meditation and see what needs to be done when the full moon arrives, what magick might be appropriate then, or which area of your life could benefit from focus and attention.
   The moon's quarters are not widely used in magick and ritual, and yet they are valuable stations on the cycle when loose ends can be tied up and impetus gathered before entering the next stage.
[From: Elen Hawke's "Praise to the Moon"]

Waxing Crescent Moon in Scorpio

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

7th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Kore
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
11th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: waxing Crescent
Moon rises: 1:17PM EDST
Moon sets: 11:14PM EDST
Moon in the Fixed Water
Sign of Scorpio
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The urgency of
vocation.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:37AM EDST
Sunset: 8:18PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: ""When
did you last celebrate or party?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Aswt) Quarter
of the Year
August 15th, 2010


The Moon is in emotionally intense Scorpio today, giving us the desire to keep our strongest feelings to ourselves. This secretive aspect of Scorpion is a way of holding power, but also assists in the internal processes of change. Although Scorpio is a fixed sign, it is really about metamorphosis - the most profound kind of change. Nothing can stop Scorpionic transformation once started. Emotional resentments from the past can surface, and block your heightened creative energy, so fight urges to be suspicious, secretive and moody. This is a time of regeneration and cleaning out of emotional debris from the previous month. There could be great energy to complete things and focus on certain areas that you have found yourself too scattered to deal with in the previous cycle.  Moon in Scorpio is the best time to work magick involving sexual matters, power, psychic growth, secrets, and fundamental transformation. Healing rituals for ailments of the reproductive organs are also done during this period of time. 

This is Sun Day - the Day of Intent, Creation and Renewal.  There are Major magickal energies to work spells for Vigor and minor magickal energies for working rites/spells to work with animals.

Working on Psychic Growth - Tips from Scott Cunningham's "Magical Herbalism"

   For centuries, Witches have been reknowned for their ability to see into the future. They do this through two different means, divination and clairvoyance.
   Divination is the art of finding things out through the use of other than normal means. Crystal balls, drowsing rods, pendulums, the tarot, I Ching, and so on are tools of divination.
   Clairvoyance is the capability to 'see clearly' to be consciously psychic and to be able to attain this state without the use of aid (such as those mention in the previous paragraph). Clairvoyants or psychics who can be consciously clairvoyant don't need to use divination For those who cannot tap into their psychic powers, divination serves as a means of awakening the Sight, as it is known.
   Some methods of divination enable to practitioner to focus the mind so that clairvoyance can be coaxed to the surface. Others simply hone psychic powers to a find point. Still other methods of divination do not call on clairvoyance at all, but work through totally different means.
   Those who are clairvoyant don't need divination; those who aren't do. Everyone is born psychic, but during early childhood training we learn to suppress this talent, and it is only when an interest is taken in the subject that most of us re-learn its use. Fortunately, herbs can help in lifting the veil that separates tomorrow from today.
   There are no hard and fast rules about divinatory rituals. Many herbs work best while the user in asleep, with the answers to question coming in the form of dreams. Some help promote a restful meditation, which stills the conscious mind to the point that psychic messages may become known.
   There is no basic altar set-up for these rituals. Yellow candles are sometimes burned, but white ones work just as well.
   Add a bit of anise oil to the bath water to attune yourself psychically before divining. A little bit of nutmeg oil rubbed on the forehead helps the clairvoyant powers.
    If you wish to anoint yourself with a special oil, blend equal parts of anise, acacia and cassia oils and use this 'Witches' Sight' oil.

PS - I edited my August 13th blog post - I forgot to write about the Crescent Moon phase.
S.

Waxing Crescent Moon

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

6th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Artemis
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
10th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: waxing Crescent
Moon rises: 12:05PM EDST
Moon sets: 10:37PM EDST
Moon in Libra v/c 4:05PM EDST
Moon enters the Fixed Water Sign
of Scorpio at 8:26PM EDST
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The creative
power of hope.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:29AM EDST
Sunset: 8:20PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
is transforming within you?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 14th, 2010

Saturn's Day - the Day of Manifestation and Structure, Assessment and Responsibility - Foundation Day.  There are Major magickal energies today for spells/rites for Justice before the void of course time. There are Major magickal energies for spells/rites for Shapeshifiting after the Moon enters the sign of Scorpio in the evening.

"Seek me, Justice, as I seek you

Righteous judgment quick and true.

Not from vengeance comes this plea

Restore that which is mine to me."

{From the 2010 Seasons of the Witch datebook}

Crescent Moon phase

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

5th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Artemis
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
9th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: Crescent - 3:34AM
Moon rises: 10:51AM EDST
Moon sets: 10:05PM EDST
Moon in the Cardinal Air
Sign of Libra
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The lessons
of illness.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:28AM EDST
Sunset: 8:21PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
is your spiritual goal?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 13th, 2010

Crescent Moon - Keywords for the Crescent phase are: expansion, growth, struggle, and opportunity. It is the time in a cycle that you gather the wisdom learned i the New phase and communicate your intention(s) to move foreward. Light a cande. Write or read an affirmation. LISTEN & ABSORB. Commit to your goal. The Crescent Moon is the SPROUT. The Seed has broken through the earth and reaches up as she ventures from the dark, moist earth she has known.

Freya's Day - Venus Day, Day of Sharing and Relationships...  Also this is Diana's Feast Day.  There are Major magickal energies today for rites/spells regarding Beauty, Partnerships and Assistance.

Festival of Diana & Hecate (Roman)

    On this day, women of Rome whose prayers had been answered held a torchlight procession to the temples of Diana and Hecate, the triple goddess in her bountiful aspect. The harvest ripens earlier in these warmer countries, and this was the crucial time when farmers would either gather in a good harvest or lose it all to hail and early storms. This was such an important holiday that the Christians had to rename it, dedicate it to the Assumption of Mary, and continue the festivities as usual.
    While Diana was the soul of nature who protected the living and the young, Hecate also protected the dead souls, or those who were about to enter the realms of the dead. Hecate was worshipped at the crossroads. Hecate was pictured with two torches in her hand, one pointing to the earth and the other to the heavens. The meaning of this was, as above so below - the ancient wisdom of reality. This is what transforms the practice of religion into a political act. As we imagine heaven to be, so we will try to arrange earthly affairs. If we accept a wrathful father as God, we will accept wars and punishments from men on earth. If we insist that God is a mother, we will mother the world we live in.
   Give a party honoring your friendships with women today. Light fires of loyalty in the form of candles. Discuss your lives; maybe use the evening to read fortunes (Tarot, runes, I Ching, and so on) for each other. On your altar, offer apples to Diane and a garlic bulb to Hecate, the Witch Queen.
[From: "The Grandmother of Time" by Z. Budapest]

Waxing New Moon moves into Libra

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

4th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Artemis
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
8th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: waxing New Moon
Moon rises: 9:36AM EDST
Moon sets: 9:34PM EDST
Moon in Virgo v/c 12:38PM
Moon enters the Cardinal
Air Sign of Libra at 6:43PM EDST
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: A tree of
your choice.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:27AM EDST
Sunset: 8:22PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Where
do you need to invest trust at
this time?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 12th, 2010

Moon in Libra - This evening (around 6:43PM) the moon enters its journey through the Cardinal Air
Sign of Libra - this is a transit that concerns cooperation, harmony, focusing on relationships, and fine artistic pursuits...  After the analytical time we spent in Virgo's Earth sign, we might begin to feel a lightening of our emotions - we become less serious minded and start to feel like relating to others around us.  I think a Virgo transit tends to make us focus inward while Libra brings us more mind expanding emotions.  The moon will enter the Crescent phase early tomorrow morning (3:34AMEDST)
and we should our list of goals and intentions for this lunar cycle set by then.  Maybe if you have not
yet decided on what to focus on this lunar cycle - you can take a little time to make a commitment, plant your seed(s) this evening with a little candle lighting rite.  It doesn't take much time to do.  I notice that the moon rises and sets today in almost an exact 12 hour cycle.  Moon in Libra highlights the magick of the dance of inter-relatedness - friendly, romantic, and searching for ways to connect. Libra asks us to treat those around us as equals and make sure our politics and art, our lovemaking and our networks integrate.    Today there are minor magickal energies for networking and I am sure that is because of
the moon moving in Libra.

Today is Thor's Day - Jupiter Day - the Day of Vision, Spiritual Insight and Expansion..... see there is that word 'expansion' that describes Libra's energy.

Bringing Ritual Into Your Everyday

I received this e-mail in my mailbox this morning from a Yahoo group I'm in.  I could find a link to the article so I am going cut and paste it here.  As many who know me this is a favorite subject of mine. I am always seeking to find ways to bring the Magick and the Goddess into my everyday life.

Bringing Ritual Into Your Everyday

By Lyon ©June 2004

Many people are drawn to the neoPagan paths because of the images of pop culture. TV shows like ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘Charmed’ have put a new face on magic and witches. Gone are the days of ‘Bewitched’ and ‘I Dream Of Jeannie’ when magic was a wiggle of a nose or a blink of an eye. The new Hollywood witch actually has to work at her magic. While these new TV images are closer to real people than the characters from shows in the past, you and I both know we don’t spend our days fighting demons and monsters. I doubt very much whether any of us has actually met a demon much less vanquished one.

After some study and conversations with more experienced witches, it becomes apparent that being Pagan isn’t about casting love spells and warding off evil beings. Seeing beyond the Hollywood glamour, you begin to realize you’ve stumbled onto a way of life.

To many who choose a neoPagan path, it is their religion.

If you live in an area where there are other Pagans, you’ve been lucky and met some of them. You’ve attended public rituals. Many witches and Pagans frequent on-line forums, bulletin boards and chat rooms. The more experienced people that you’ve met generally take their chosen paths very seriously. They are full time Pagans. You’ve seen them at open ritual or on-line and you want what they have. The only problem is you’re not sure how to get there.

You’ve read a few recommended books. Maybe you’ve even read a few books that weren’t recommended. Through those books you’ve learned about the Sabbats and esbats. You’ve learned about circle casting and ritual tools. You feel great about your first Solstice celebration but that was ages ago. It’s weeks yet until a Full Moon. You want more.

There are 365 days in a year. Even if you celebrate all eight Sabbats and all 13 esbats, you’re still left with 344 days that aren’t holy days. Let’s say you add in all the New Moons and the quarter moons as well. That would take care of a few more days. What about all the normal days which remain? Do you stop being Pagan just because it isn’t a holiday? I don’t think so.

Being a Pagan isn’t something you take on and off with your ritual robes. Once you start to follow a Pagan path, it becomes part of you. It becomes part of your viewpoint into the world around you. I know for me, when I started to seriously follow my Pagan lifestyle, I started seeing things Pagan all around me. It was funny. Sometimes I would see a rune or a Pagan symbol in the most obscure places, like the corner Quickie Mart!

The purpose of ritual is to bring us closer to the Divine. Many religions and philosophies recommend daily prayer and meditation. There is no real reason why we cannot borrow the good ideas from other spiritual paths and make them our own. The idea of daily prayer and meditations are excellent places to start increasing your daily connection to the Goddess and God. After all, the very idea of having a spiritual life is to deepen that connection and understanding.

I think the best place to start is in the beginning. I begin my days every morning with a prayer to Goddess. I ask for Her care and protection throughout the day. I also ask that She help me to be the best me I can be for the day. Sometimes, I add to my morning prayer if I have something on my mind. I’ll ask for guidance to help solve a problem that I have been struggling with. Or if I have an unusual activity like a job interview or a speech to give, I’ll ask Goddess to give me the strength needed for that. I thank Her and get up and start my day.

Another way to reach out to the Divine is with gratitude. When was the last time you gave a prayer of thanks? Think how lucky you are to have three meals a day. What a perfect opportunity to connect with Goddess and God! You can make a blessing over each meal. It doesn’t need to be anything elaborate. It doesn’t even need to be out loud. In less than the time you need to prepare a meal, you can connect with your Gods on a regular basis during the day. It can be a simple as saying “Thank you for feeding me today, Goddess.”

The act of giving back can also strengthen your connection to the Gods. There are many ways of giving back. If you have a yard you can create a compost pile. My daughter loves to do her special chore of ‘feeding Mother Nature’. Every evening she takes the vegetable trimmings and table scraps out to the compost pile. She enjoys her evening conversations with Goddess.

Other ways of giving back include putting out birdseed and recycling. Giving of your self to the community is another. These actions can include donating time or material possessions to local charities, participating in blood drives or becoming active in community organizations that promote a cause you care about. The list of options is as endless as your imagination. What makes these things Pagan is how you approach them. Make them special by adding a sense of ceremony to them. Bless them the same way you would the cakes and ale on a Full Moon. (You share those with the Goddess after circle, don’t you?)

At the end of the day, an additional opportunity presents itself as bedtime prayers. Thank the Goddess for seeing you safely through another day. I use this time before sleep to review my day’s activities. I make a note of where I am proud of my behavior and where I’d like to improve how I interact with my fellows. After years of doing this, I can happily say, I am becoming better at the things I can be proud of. There are fewer days where I feel like I caused harm to others with my words or actions.

Many Pagans keep a daily journal with their private thoughts and ideas. They use it as a kind of mini ritual each day. Personally, I have never been able to keep a daily log of conversations with the Goddess, after my morning prayer, I usually jump in to my day with both feet.

I have developed my daily ritual behaviors over years of trial and error. Some actions have been added and some taken away over that time. In the long run the result is that thoughts of Goddess and God are never far from my heart and mind. I am a Pagan all day, everyday. I don’t need to wait until the next holy day or Full Moon to experience the joy being a child of the Gods brings to me. It is part of my every day.

***
Lyon is an Eclectic Pagan living in Eastern Missouri. She has been following a Pagan lifestyle since the mid 1980s. An accomplished watercolor artist, she wrote and illustrated “An Ordinary Girl, A Magical Child”; a Pagan children’s book for young readers, available soon.

Waxing new moon - Woden's Day

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

3rd Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Persephone
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
7th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: waxing New
Moon rises: 8:20AM EDST
Moon sets: 9:05PM EDST
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The blessing
of water.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:26AM EDST
Sunset: 8:24PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: ""What
sorrow is unexpressed within you?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year.
August 11th, 2010


Woden's Day - Mercury Day - the Day of Communication and Connection. 

Developing the Senses:

   In order to develop our sixth sense we first need to maximize and balance the use of the other 5; sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing.  Our senses are constantly bombarded by sights, sounds, and smells which can lead to confusion, if not actual overload. To test this for yourself, sit quietly and listen. What can you hear? You will probably start identify more sounds; perhaps passing traffic, people in the distance, aircraft passing overhead and the wind in the trees. Underlying this you may also detect the hum of the refrigerator, the tick of a clock, and other sounds.
    To understand and improve our senses it is often best to try limiting the amount input they receive. As sight is, for humans, the dominant sense, try closing your eyes to allow you to focus on another. Close your eyes and listen, and after a few minutes you will find that you are hearing sound you would otherwise have missed. Take a selection of items, perhaps flowers or herbs, close your eyes and spend a few minutes smelling each; you will find that there is a greater depth to the scents. This is especially useful when choosing ingredients for incense. Do likewise with things you can taste and with different textures to examine the sense of feeling. Sight can often be enhanced by blocking off hearing, so try watching people at a distance to see what you can learn about them. If you practice really using each of your five senses regularly you will soon find that your sixth sense is enhanced.
[From: "The Real Witches' Year" by Kate West]

New Moon in Leo moves into Virgo

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

2nd Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Blodeuwedd
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
6th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: waxing New Moon
Moon rises: 7:03AM EDST
Moon sets: 8:34PM EDST
Moon in Leo v/c 3:09PM EDST
Moon enters the Mutable Earth
Sign of Virgo at 7:01PM EDST
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: An absent friend
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:25AM EDST
Sunset: 8:25PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: ""Who
needs to be gratefully acknowledged
in your life?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 10th, 2010

As the moon moves to Virgo this evening you may notice a very diminished 'drama queen' attitude of Leo fades away and we return to the practical way of thinking - perhaps making resolutions to get up tomorrow and clean the house, wash the dog, harvest those vegetables and set things in order.  The Monday in Leo was kind of like an extended weekend and now we truly return to the more practical side of our lives. Virgo reminds us that it is time to take responsibility and clean up the messes we've been leaving, A Virgo transit brings painstaking attention to details.
   As this the time in our new lunar cycle that we make a list of goals to be achieved in this cycle, as we 'plant the seeds of intention', Virgo energies will give us some practical thoughts towards what our goals should be.  Tiu's Day - Mars Day, is the Day of Activity and Physicality, Passion and Desire - an Action Day.  The lingering emotional energies of Leo today will be stroked by Tiu's energy so these practical thoughts won't occur until later this evening. There are Major magickal energies for Office Spells before the moon goes void of course mid-afternoon and minor magickal energies for job hunting.

  So this evening light some white or pastel candles on your altar or in a place quiet and sacred to you and plant these seeds.  They can be seeds of fresh wishes and goals, or new stages in project already underway. Start working towards putting energy into starting each project, but ask for some staying power to prevent things from petering out again. Perhaps reading through Inanna's richly symbolic myth will give you some stirring inspiration of accomplishing what you are setting out to do this lunar cycle. There is a great meditation for Moon in Leo, Sun in Leo at http://www.mooncircles.com/newmoon_pythia.html    -  Pythia Peay says in her meditation: "If there is an astrologically-appointed time to discovering and incarnating the glory of who you were born to be, the Leo New Moon is it. Leo is ruled by the Sun, and as it is taught in many wisdom traditions, your true self is a ray of light descended from the Sun of Suns, the Divine source. During the course of your journey on earth, however, the core of light within you may have become veiled, eclipsed by the darkness of forgetfulness and ignorance. The Leo New Moon, therefore, is an especially important time to reconnect with your purpose and heritage as a being of light. "  This afternoon would be a good time to do this meditation before the moon leaves the sign of Leo. Do it this morning after reading this meditation....

New Moon - Coll/Hazel Lunar Cycle

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

1st Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Persephone
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
5th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: New- 11:08PM EDST
Moon rises: 5:44AM EDST
Moon sets: 8: 8:01PM EDST
Moon in the Fixed Fire Sign
of Leo
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The freedom of
a decisive action you must take.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:24AM EDST
Sunset: 8:26PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: ""What
harmony is calling you to play?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 9th, 2010

New Moon - The beginnings of a new cycle. Keywords for the New phase are: beginning, birth, emergence, projection and clarity. It is the time in a lunar cycle that you are stimulated to take a new action. During this phase the new cycle is being seeded by your vision, inner and outer. Engage in physical activity. Spend time alone. VISUALIZE your goals for the 29.6-day cycle ahead.  The New
Moon is like a SEED planted in the earth. We cannot see her but she is ready to grow, full of potential and energy for her own journey. Those who are born during the New Moon are impulsive, passionate,
and intuitive. They are risk takers and pioneers.

Moon in Leo - This is the moon transit for experiencing dramatic happenings, especially concerning emotions, being the center of attention, exuberance, and vitality. This is a good to be dealing with people who are in positions of authority and power. You may feel you want to act out the 'drama queen' part of yourself, or maybe just romantic. This is a time of vital energy, affection and romance. It's hard to recognize limits with Moon in Leo - you will want to spend money during this time. Power issues may erupt and ambition and leadership are important issues. With Moon in Leo we have the guts to be visible and bring culture to life. Moon in Leo is the best time to work magick involving authority, power over others, courage, fertility or childbirth. Healing rituals for ailments of the upper back, spine, or heart are also done during this time.

Moon Day - the Day of Remembering and Feeling - Impression Day. There are minor magickal energies for rites and/or spells dealing with the feminine and domestic issues.

Hazel Moon - Coll - C  --  Over the Well of Connla the Poet grew the magical Hazel tree, whose nuts contained all wisdom. As these fell into the water, they are fed upon by the great Salmon who lived there, and was consulted for insight and prophecy. The year becomes wise as she grows with experience and cycles toward her darkening time. Hazel is the moon of wisdom, numbered nine and sacred to the Muse.
[From: "Ariadme's Thread" by Shekhinah Mountainwater]

Hazel Lore - For the Celts, the hazel is deeply connected with wisdom, and the fruit of the tree (known as 'the food of the gods') has an important place in the iconography of learning. Irish tradition speaks of the sacred salmon who swim in a pool surrounded by nine hazel trees. When those trees dropped their nuts into the water below, the salmon ate them and then carried them to the sea and back in their annual spawning run. This endless cycle was seen as a metaphor for the passing of wisdom from age to age and from person to person. Salmon were already regarded as sacred in their own right, and their ingesting the fruit of wisdom made them doubly precious. Celtic literature contains many descriptions of heroes who, when they ate of the flesh of the salmon, thereby imbibed wisdom, and so set them apart from the rest of humanity.
[From: John Matthews' "The Green Man Tree Oracle]

Dark Moon enters Leo tonight

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

29th Day of the 8th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hecate
Lunar Tree Cycle of Tinne/Holly
4th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: Dark moon
Moon rises: 4:27AM EDST
Moon sets: 7:23PM EDST
Moon enters the Fixed Fire
Sign of Leo at 7:23PM EDST
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The dimensions of the
universe.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:23AM EDST
Sunset: 8:27PM EDST
Solar Question of the Day: ""What
traditional framework supports you?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 8th, 2010

The Dark Moon enters the Fixed Fire Sign of Leo tonight in preparation for the New Moon tomorrow at 11:08PM EDST.  The New Moon and the Sun are always in the same zodiac sign each month. Today is Sun Day - the Day of Intent, Creation and Renewal - and there Major magickal energies for rites and spells regarding Ambition and Success.  Do these tonight after the Moon enters the Fire Sign of Leo.

Balsamic Moon

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

27th Day of the 8th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hecate
Lunar Tree Cycle of Tinne/Holly
2nd Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Tinne/Holly
Moon Phase: Balsamic - 4:35PM
Moon rises: 2:08AM EDST
Moon sets: 5:49PM EDST
Moon in Gemini v/c 5:21PM EDST
Moon enters the Cardinal Water
Sign of Cancer at 5:50PM EDST
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The companionship
of animals.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:21AM EDST
Sunset: 8:30PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Where do
you need to conserve your resources?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 6th, 2010

Balsamic Moon - The end of one cycle and the beginning of another.  Keywords for the Balsamic phase are: transition, release, transformation, renewal and purity. It is the phase in a cycle when you must let go of everything you have been working on that does not deal with current cycle issues. During this phase you reflect on the passing cycle and prepare for the new. Trust in renewal. It is important to separate from others now so that you can clear the intellect of negativity. LET GO. Become still and meditate. 

Moon in Cancer - Late this afternoon the moon will enter the Cardinal Water Sign of Cancer bringing us its strong emotional needs for security. This moon transit brings heightened sensitivity and the need to create a home and nurture. There will be feelings of a greater interest in food and food preparation.
This could easily lead to a food-indulgence time. Cancer is the home of the moon, that sensitive planet of emotions, so feelings are easily hurt, especially by personal criticism. Handle with care. Be careful to avoid a conflict as a grudge formed now will take a long time to heal. Moon in Cancer is the best time to work magick for home and domestic life. Healing rituals for ailments of the chest or stomach are also done during this period of time.

This is Freya's Day - Venus Day - the Day of Sharing and Relationship.  This is a day for spells of love, friendship, beauty, sensuality, healing, peace and harmony.  Also a good day for spells for artistic ability and creativity generally.  Today there are minor magickal energies for resolving quarrels with friends/lovers.

Thor's Day - 1st Day of Coll Celtic Tree Month

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

26th Day of the 8th Lunar Tree Cycle
Ruled Hecate
Lunar Tree Cycle of Tinne/Holly
1st Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
Moon Phase: waning half
Moon rises: 1:13AM EDST
Moon sets: 4:52PM EDST
Moon in the Mutable Air
Sign of Gemini
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The blessing
of twilight.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:20AM EDST
Sunset: 8:31PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
needs to be fulfilled or accomplished
right now?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 5th, 2010

Thor's Day - Jupiter Day - the Day of Vision, Spiritual Insight and Expansion.  This is also the first day of the Celtic Tree Month of Coll - Hazel.

Hazel/Coll

  The hazel corresponds to the Ogham letter coll (cull) and is the bringer of enlightenment and inspiration. The legendary Salmon of Wisdom lived at the foot of the hazel and gained its powers from eating nine hazelnuts. Finn MacColl, in turn, gained gifts of insight from eating the salmon. To open the door for creative inspiration, why not enlist the help of the hazel tree during its month? Gather nine hazel nuts, a hazel-nut scented candle, and small fabric bag. Carve the coll/hazel symbol on the candle and paint one on the bag. Light the candle and recite the following charm nine times, each time dropping a hazel nut in the bag. When you're done, tie the bag closed with nine knots, and keep it nearby when you are working on any project that could benefit from some added inspiration.

"Hazel fair and blessed tree,

Hazel nuts smooth and lovely,

Awaken within me inspiration,

Creativity from life's cauldron."

by Mickie Mueller in Llewellyn's Witches' Datebook 2010

Hazel Month

   In Celtic lore Hazel is referred to as Fair Wood and Sweet Wood. It is coppiced and used in much the same way as Willow, and has been so since ancient times. Hazel wood is much favored for dowsing, and the nuts are mineral rich and highly nutritious. The nuts can be ground and used as flour, and the whole shell, husk, and skin were powdered and added to a drink to ease heavy menstruation.

   The Hazel features in the tales of many of the Gods. It is said that when Lugh severed Balor's head, he placed it in a Hazel but the dripping blood poisoned the tree until Mananna felled it. Later Fionn used the wood to make his shield Dripping Ancient Hazel. It was said to be a tree of keening (a form of weeping) over death and sacred to Brighid, the Goddess who first used this form of grief over the death of her son, Ruadhan. The Hazel is also sacred to her in her role of Goddess of Wisdom and Inspiration, as some of the nuts are said to contain her wisdom. It also features in the tales of Artemis, Diana, Mercury, and Thor.

   Today we use the Hazel in spells for luck, protection, wishes and fertility. Eat the fresh nuts in season prior to Rituals for divination and burn them in a fire when seeking the knowledge of Brighid. Weave Hazel wood around your hat to make your wishes come true. Hazel wands Wands were also the symbol of the herald, and sometimes used in Covens to mark the office of Summoner.

[From: "The Real Witches' Year" by Kate West]

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It is going to be such fun!!

Waning last quarter moon moves into Gemini

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

25th Day of the 8th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Medusa
Lunar Tree Cycle of Tinne/Holly
28th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Tinne/Holly
Moon Phase: waning half
Moon rises: 12:28AM EDST
Moon sets: 3:49PM EDST
Moon in Taurus v/c8:44AM EDST
Moon enters the Mutable Air
Sign of Gemini at 12:54PM EDST
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: A poem of
your choice
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:19AM EDST
Sunset: 8:32PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Are
you abusing or respecting
other's boundaries?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 4th, 2010

Moon in Gemini - After Taurus' stodginess, we enter a time of communication and other means of expression, freedom and adaptability.  And just in time for Woden's Day - Mercury Day - the Day of Communication and Connection.  During this moon transit of Gemini you feel talkative and might want to work with your hands.  During a Gemini Moon women are more adaptable and changeable. So take all statements and promises with a grain of salt, especially if the person has proven fickle in the past.
This can be a hard time to make decisions, but it will be a good time to use your wit and cleverness in conversation. There is a strong desire for variety and freedom, in emotional matters and in your environment.  Issues of the practical world are set aside. Moon in Gemini is the best time to work magick for good communication, change of residence, writing, 'public relations' and travel. Healing rituals for ailments of the shoulders, arms, hands, or lungs are also done during this period of time.

There are Major magickal energies for spells/rites for Favorable Negotiation after the Moon enters Gemini and minor magickal energies for honoring ancestors.

Binding and Banishing con.

   To banish is to send something away, whether that be illness, negative energy, or nasty people. When you create sacred space, cleanse any item for ritual or magickal use or release negativity from your mind or body, you are practicing banishment. You are ridding yourself or an object of negative vibrations. 
    To bind (the most volatile of the magickal workings) renders an energy or person ineffective for a varied length of time. There are ethical questions in regard to using this on people, but if you keep the four rules posted in yesterday's message you shouldn't have a problem.
     Of the two, binding is the trickiest, for two reasons. First of all if you don't handle the root of the problem, binding something or someone is worthless; and second, binding a person holds that individual or energy to you (which is not a good idea).  If witches bind at all, it is usually an emergency measure followed by a complete banishing. Although little used in the modern Craft, the word for a binding of this kind is defixiones, which means 'bind down'.  Another word for binding used by historical scholars when speaking of magickal bindings application is execretion.
    Binding can also be used in healing by binding positive, recuperative energy to the person or more specifically to an open wound. Other bindings in the Craft included one's binding oath of service upon dedication or initiation and various forms of knot or cord magick in which magick is bound for a specific length of time. This timing is stated within the spell.
[excerpts from Silver Ravenwolf's "Solitary Witch"]