New Moon - Saille/Willow Cycle

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

1st Day of the 5th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Persephone
Lunar Tree Cycle of Saille/Willow
19th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Saille/Willow
1st Day of the Cycle of Mab -
Days of Faeries
Moon Phase: New - 2:50AM EDST
Moon rises: 6:10AM EDST
Moon sets: 9:04PM EDST
Moon in void of course till
tomorrow at 1:09PM
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The support of
friendship
Sun in Taurus
Sunrise: 6:17AM EDST
Sunset: 8:16PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
do you need to allow growth in
your life?"
 Beltane (Calan Mai) Quarter
of the Year
May 3rd., 2011

New Moon - (or Dark Moon) rises at sunrise and sets sunset. Astrologically, the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction. Because the Sun's light overpowers the nearby Moon in the day, and the Moon is on the other side of the Earth with the Sun at night, She is not visible in the sky at all.
    As above, so below. Look into the sky and observe which phase the Moon is in. Then you will know where you are in the growth cycle of each lunar month. The phase that the moon was in when you were born reflects your purpose, personality and preferences. 
     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 new journey. Those who born during the new moon phase are impulsive, passionate and intuitive. They are the risk takers and pioneers. Keywords for the New Moon 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 by your vision, inner and outer. Engage in physical activity. Spend time alone. VISUALIZE your goals for the 29.6-day cycle ahead.

Tiu's Day - Mars Day, the Day of Activity and Physicality, Passion and Desire.....  In the Seasons of the Witch Datebook this day has the notation of 'No Spells'.  What this means simply is the Moon is void of course (v/c) for the entire day. This happens two or three times a year. In summary, do not cast when the moon is void of course.

Willow - From the Pracownik-Baggott Ogham: The Celtic Oracle

    Meaning: Willow teaches us the lesson of life in death. Endings are just beginnings and with new growth comes change. Willow helps us to integrate change into our lives and reminds us to allow inspiration to enter our lives at such times. Inspiration can come from the smallest or most unlikely sources to keep an open mind at all times. Willow is strongly linked with the moon and you would do well to co-ordinate your spiritual practice with the phases of the moon. Start new projects on the new moon, seek inspiration by the light of the full moon and bring matters to a close at the dark moon. Go with the flow and all will be well.

    Commentary:  The Willow tree favors damp or watery places and is prolific in its growth. A cut branch, if planted into the ground, will easily root and grow into a new tree. For this reason, the willow is strongly linked to new growth, regeneration and inspiration. Willow was used in the annual purification ritual of 'beatint the bounds' (defining the parish boundary) and the birch twigs a witch's broom were traditionally bound with willow thongs. It is also sacred to the moon with willow wands being favored for lunar magick and ritual. It is also thought that placing willow under one's pillow, especially around the full moon, helps promote night visions.
     The willow is sacred to poets and bards as a tree of inspiration. It is also a favorite tree for dowsers to use for divining water. A tea or incense of willow bark can be used to help connect with the divine feminine energy within each of us as willow is a strongly feminine tree. Medicinally it is most well known for its pain-relieving properties but it has also been used to treat fevers, rheumatism, mouth and throat infections and as an external wash for sores, wounds, burns and other skin disorders.
     The Celtic willow, the pussy willow, was known in Ireland as one of the 'seven noble trees of the land' and was honored for its wide range of craft uses including basket weaving, thatching spars, wattles for houses and fencing. The corresponding bird, the hawk is noted for its swiftness and agility in flight and is considered a visionary of the air likewise linking it to flexibility and inspiration.