Waxing New Moon in Libra on Woden's Day

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


4th Day of the 10th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Artemis
Lunar Tree Cycle of Muin/Vine
27th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
4th Day of the Cycle of Beiz -
Days of Fire
Moon Phase: waxing New Moon
Moon rises: 9:52AM EDST
Moon sets: 9:04PM EDST
Moon in the Cardinal Air Sign of Libra
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: A tree of your choice.
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 6:46AM 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, 2011

Woden's Day - Mercury Day - the Day Communication and Connection ..... There are Major magickal energies for Fair Deals.

One form of 'communication' can be using Runes.......

Using the Runes - There are many ways of using Runes for divination, from simply selecting one at random in answer to a specific question to layouts which involve them all.

    One of the most effective is to place all the Runes in a bag, focus on your question and mix them with your fingers until they feel 'right'. Then draw out four Runes. As you draw the first say, "This is seed from which the thing grew."  This is about the root cause of your issue. Draw the second and say, "This is the tree which grew from the seed." Here are the effects of that root. For the third say, "This is my branch upon the tree."  This is your part in the issue, or action you may need to take. For the last,
say, "This is the fruit, born of the branch." This will tell you what the results may be. Interpret the Runes incorporating the aspect of the reading to which they refer and their action upon one another.
     When using Runes in magick, they are read from right to left, or from bottom to top. A Runic spell
usually consists of three characters and rarely more than five. You are using the symbolism of the Runes, rather than spelling out a word or words. The spell should always be created in a natural medium, like wood, stone, or parchment. You can even write them in the sand and let the sea take them if that is appropriate.
      Runes can also be used for meditation. Select three Runes at random and create a setting and story from their meanings.
[From: The Real Witches' Year by Kate West]

Waxing New Moon enters Libra

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

3rd Day of the 10th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Persephone
Lunar Tree Cycle of Muin/Vine
26th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
3rd Day of the Cycle of Beiz -
Days of Fire
Moon Phase - waxing New
Moon rises: 8:37AM EDST
Moon sets: 8:30PM EDST
Moon v/c from Virgo at 11:23AM EDST
Moon enters the Cardinal Air of
Libra at 2:25PM EDST
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The blessing of
water.
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 6:45AM EDST
Sunset: 7:57PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Which
ideas and structures have you neglected?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 30th, 2011

Moon in Libra - The Moon in Libra opens our sociability, brings a friendly egalitarian vibe and encourages us to connect. This is a time to seek justice, romance, meet approach, create, beautify,
find our core balance, and balance our need with others. Moon in Libra highlights the magick of the dance of inter-relatedness - friendly, romantic and searching for a way 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. This transit concerns cooperation, harmony, focus on relationships, fine artistic pursuits. When the Moon is in Libra all partnership activity will be heightened during this moon transit. But women who are not in a relationship may crave a partnership or feel alone and lonely. Be aware of bonding just to ease the pain of aloneness. Yet Moon in Libra is a nice time to throw a party. Everyone will be extremely social and try to please and flatter others.   Moon in Libra is the best time to work magick involving artistic work, justice, court cases, partnerships and unions, mental stimulation and karmic, spiritual or emotional balance. Healing rituals for ailments of the lower back or kidneys are also done during this period of time. Those born under a Libra Moon are peacemakers, but need to remember to keep themselves in the equation. They see the beauty and seek fairness, help us understand one another.

Tiu's Day - Mars Day - the Day of Activity and Physicality, Passion and Desire - Action Day ... there are minor magickal energies for job hunting.

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 confrontation. 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 counselling 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 be all means seek the reassurance they crave, but be wary of appearing too needy. Non-Virgoans will find this a good time for undertaking any kind of self-analysis and personal exploration. Work involving attention to detail, numbers and memorizing  things will be enhanced.
[From: The Real Witches' Year by Kate West]

Remember - Mercury Retrograde ended last Friday, August 26th, in the evening hours.  We should be moving steadily forward in a positive direction.  Usually it takes a couple of days after the ending of Mercury Retrograde to lose the effects of a Retrograde cycle. The next Mercury Retrograde cycle will be from November 23rd to December 13th.

New Moon in Virgo - 10th Lunar Cycle of Muin

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

1day of the 10th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Persephone
Lunar Tree Cycle of Muin/Vine
24th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
1st Day of the Cycle of Beiz -
Days of Fire
Moon Phase: New Moon - 11:04PM EDST
Moon rises: 6:08AM EDST
Moon sets: 7:26PM EDST
Moon in Leo v/c 1:11PM EDST
Moon enters the Mutable Earth
Sign of Virgo at 2:13PM EDST
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The freedom of a
decisive action you must take.
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 6:43AM EDST
Sunset: 8:00PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Are you
in touch with your emotions?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 28th, 2011

New Moon - The New Moon (or dark moon)rises at sunrise and sets at sunset. Astrologically, the Sun and 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. 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. This is the beginnings of a new lunar cycle. Keywords for the New Moon phase are: beginning, birth, emergence, projection, and clarity. This is a time in a lunar cycle 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.
For those who were born during a New Moon phase - they are impulsive, passionate and intuitive. They are risk takers and pioneers.

Moon in Virgo - The Moon in Virgo sends us back to work and gives us a to-do list. We become impatiently aware of what needs to be improved, fixed or healed. Our compassion is strong, but we can get irritated at less industrious folk. This transit is a time to edit, critique, care, exercise, investigate, study, heal but be gentle with others.  During this transit important issues are practicality, organization, cleaning up your diet or your house, healing your body or offering healing to others and attending to loose ends. It is a time of taking responsibility and cleaning up the messes we've been leaving. Virgo brings painstaking attention to detail; housecleaning is a good way to work through a Virgo transit.
Those born under a Virgo Moon sign are curious, responsible, caring but need to cultivate gentle acceptance of self and others. Moon in Virgo is the best time to work magick involving employment, intellectual matters, health and dietary concerns. Healing rituals for ailments of the intestines or nervous system are also done during this period of time.  The moon will be in Virgo until 11:23AM EDST Tuesday. 

Sun Day - is the Day of Intent, Creation and Renewal - Creation Day .....  there are Major Magickal energies today for doing Health and Healing spells/rites... there minor magickal energies for self-improvement and beauty spells/rituals...

Balsamic Moon phase begins

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


27th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hecate
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
20th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
27th Day of the Cycle of Lughnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon phase: Balsamic - 1:44PM EDST
Moon rises: 2:38AM EDST
Moon sets: 5:38PM EDST
Moon in Cardinal Water
Sign of Cancer until 10:29PM EDST
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The companionship
of animals.
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 6:40AM EDST
Sunset: 8:05PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
excites your soul?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 25th, 2011

Balsamic Moon - The Balsamic Moon (or waning crescent moon) rises before dawn and sets in late afternoon. She is the last sliver of Moon seen in the eastern sky in the dawn and in the very early morning. The Balsamic Moon is the COMPOST phase of a lunar cycle, when the nutrients remain in the soil, providing nourishment for the next new seed. This the end of one cycle and 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 the current cycle issues. During this phase you reflect on the passing cycle and prepare for the new one coming up. 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.  Those born during a Balsamic moon phase possess the potential to be wise, insightful, understanding and patient. They are prophetic and unique.

Thor's Day - Jupiter Day - the Day of Vision, Spiritual Insight, and Expansion...... 

Tomorrow Mercury Retrograde ends at 6:02PM EDST and the moon will enter the Fixed Fire Sign of Leo at 12:09PM EDST.  

Waning Crescent Moon enters Cancer

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

26th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hecate
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
20th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
26th Day of the Cycle of Lughnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon Phase: waning Crescent
Moon rises: 1:37AM EDST
Moon sets: 4:54PM EDST
Moon v/c from Gemini at 5:33AM EDST
Moon enters the Cardinal Water
Sign of Cancer at 6:31AM EDST
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The blessing
of twilight.
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 6:39AM EDST
Sunset: 8:06PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Do you
abuse or respect obligations?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 24th, 2011

Moon in Cancer - The Moon in Cancer deepens our feelings, our moods are stormy and vast, our hunger and desire to feed others sharpen. We protect and our own, nest in our cave, need to know we're safe. Hunger grows, but for more than food. This is a time to: water, plant, feed, nest, comfort, secure, dive deep into feelings. With the Moon in Cancer our feelings take the lead. Cancer encourages the wisdom rising out of our oceanic unconsciousness through moods and feelings. This transit concerns desires about a home, emotions, security, entertaining friends, cooking, security issues, nostalgia and the desire to nurture. Prepare a feast in your home ask your friends over, or do psychic work together. Women are emotionally and psychically sensitive at this time, and due to these strong emotions this is a 'crybaby' moon.
     Moon in Cancer brings heightened sensitivity, the desire to nurture, and the need to create a home. Because of the home orientation coming from a deep-seated need for security, there is a greater interest in food and its preparation. This can easily lead to self-indulgence so health-conscious women should be aware of the tendency to food binge. Cancer is the home of the moon, sensitive planet of emotions, so feelings are easily hurt, especially by personal criticism. Handle with care.
     Nostalgia reigns supreme. As the moon moves towards Leo (Friday, August 26th at noon time) it is a time of great personal warmth and friendship. Be careful to avoid conflict, as a grudge formed now will take a long time to heal. If you want your hair to grow quickly, have it cut in a Cancer Moon.  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. Those born under a Cancer Moon can be wonderfully nurturing to our culture, body and soul when they feel safe. Early mother/home issues can be compounded into empathic understanding.

Woden's Day - Mercury Day - the Day of Communication and Connection .... there are minor magickal energies for spells to achieve clarity and to do rituals for honoring ancestors.

Waning Crescent Moon in Gemini - Sun in Virgo

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

25th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Medusa
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
19th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
25th Day of the Cycle of Lughnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon Phase: waning Crescent
Moon rises: 12:43 AM EDST
Moon sets: 4:04PM EDST
Moon in the Mutable Air
Sign of Gemini
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: A poem
of your choice
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 6:38AM EDST
Sunset: 8:08PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "How
is truth served in your life?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 23rd, 2011

Tiu's Day - Mars Day, the Day of  Activity and Physicality, Passion and Desire - Action Day ....

Sun in Virgo - The Sun Virgo is a time of solar waning, with shorter days. And that kicks us into gear, to get more done, and prepare for the winter months of darkness. Traditionally, it's a time of preparation -- getting ducks in a row.   And good preparation comes from anticipating your needs based on commonsense. Virgo is an earth sign that pays close attention to what's happening right here, right now. With the vitality of the Sun here, we can take stock of our situation, in a realistic way. Virgo has a unique prescience or foresight that comes from knowing how things are likely to play out. Rather than accepting anyone else's word as gospel, Virgo the analyzer prods us to see for ourself. We observe, listen to first-hand accounts and use the physical senses, to discern the situation on the ground.

    Sun Virgo, with Mercury in retrograde, are allies to consider practical ways to adapt to the erratic and unstable economic conditions. It's timely for simplifying further, where possible, and making sure essential needs are met. Watching what's going on there, and using the Virgo powers of thinking it through, you can anticipate changes in your field, or possible job insecurity. It's a good time to consider a Plan B, or C, that can be a transition step if necessary.


      Virgo Sun Themes:



•Consider changes in your diet for lightness, greater mental clarity, more calm.


•Clear out, clean up, downsize, weed the garden.


•Finishing touches, editing, research, citizen journalism.


•Creating solid neighborhood ties or friend/family groups that can help each other through hard times.


•Taking mental notes on what's going on, and taking steps to prepare yourself.


Excerpts from http://astrology.about.com/b/2010/08/23/sun-in-virgo-4.htm




The Sun in Virgo: tends to shun attention. Sure there are plenty of extroverted people with Virgo Sun-Signs, but if you check their horoscopes, you will find strong placements in Leo, or the Sun at an angle. The Virgo game plan is to work quietly behind the scenes, to be the power behind the throne. Did you ever see the "Colombo" series on TV? Now there is a perfect Virgo type, solving cases by noticing tiny details. The positive side of Virgo? Always helpful. Always doing things for you. The perfect servant. The negative side? Criticism and self-criticism too ("Oh my God. It’s an eighth of an inch off! This is terrible"! "But" you tell them "it’s a highway from the Earth to the Moon. What difference does an eighth of an inch make"? "But I made it a whole eighth of an inch off" they complain. I’m humiliated"!) Nothing is ever good enough. There are always tiny flaws. Don’t argue. The only way to stop this is to tell them "OK, discussion is over! This is what we’re going to do". And frequently, the Virgos will do it. Like I said, the perfect servants.
From: http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/PlanetsignVirgo.htm

Last Quarter in Gemini

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

24th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Medusa
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
18th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
24th Day of the Cycle of Lughnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon Phase: Last Quarter
Moon rises: 12:15AM EDST
Moon sets: 3:11PM EDST
Moon in the Mutable Air
Sign of Gemini
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The relief of
problem's dissolution.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:37AM EDST
Sunset: 8:09PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Are
you appropriating someone else's
resource or time?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 22nd, 2011

Last Quarter phase - The moon entered its Last Quarter phase yesterday, August 21st, at 5:54PM EDST.  The Last Quarter (or waning half moon) rises around midnight and sets in the afternoon. Astrologically the Moon is square to the Sun. She is visible from the time she rises until she sets. The Last Quarter Moon is the HARVEST phase - the moon plant gives her life so that others may continue theirs. Keywords for the Last Quarter phase are: realignment, revision, integration, and cleansing. It is the time in a cycle to take closing action, to follow-up and complete the activities begun at the New phase. During this phase you become aware of what is and is not working with respect to the achievement of your goal for this cycle.  The movement is toward integration. Open to your success. MANIFEST YOUR GOAL. Be responsible.   For those of us who were born during a Last Quarter moon phase you have a powerful internal life of reflection and transformation. You can assume different roles while balancing your internal and external worlds.

Moon in Gemini - The Moon in Gemini wakes us up; we lose our concentration, but quicken our communication. Conversations will sparkle, our thinking broadens but doesn't deepen. This is a time to network, investigate, translate, brainstorm, meditate, prune, edit, explain and broadcast. The Moon in Gemini quickens our nervous system. Build a web of understanding - absorb new information.  This is a time of communication and other means of expression, freedom, adaptability, short journeys, reading or writing, there is a desire for variety and having more than one thing going at once. You might feel talkative and might to work with your hands during this moon's transit in Gemini. 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. Those born under a Gemini Moon sign can talk to anyone, think fast, multi-task, shift moods with grace, but need to choose depth and focus.

Moon Day - the Day of Remembering and Feeling ...Impression Day

  Tomorrow the Sun moves in the zodiac sign of Virgo at 7:21AM EDST. 

Disseminating Moon enters Taurus

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

21st Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hestia
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
15th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
21st Day of the Cycle of Lughnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon Phase: Disseminating moon
Moon sets: 12:28PM EDST
Moon rises: 10:42PM EDST
Moon in Aries v/c 7:49AM EDST
Moon enters the Fixed Earth Sign
of Taurus at 8:36AM EDST
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The restoration
of sleep
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 634AM EDST
Sunset: 8:14PM 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, 2011

Moon in Taurus - The Moon in Taurus grounds us; it slows us down and wakes our sensual nature and stubbornness, helps us dig deeper roots. This is transit to garden, plant, cultivate seeds, relationships and ideas, make love, nurture, take a stand, and embody.  This lunar transit concerns money, work, property, the body, home and family, sensuality, building cautiously and slowly, patterns based security. The energy flow is even and a time for us to experience the sensual.  The forceful forward movement of Aries becomes solid, calm and patient during Taurus. There is a desire to protect material goods and a strong need for financial security. It is a poor time for change or getting a loan, as people are very cautious and reserved about money, especially during the first part of the transit. [This transit will last until 7:30PM, August 21st, Sunday]
     The middle of a Taurus transit is a good time to continue or finish projects. Taurus gives attention to order and detail. Emotionally there is a good time to appreciate the wonders of the beautiful earth. 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. Those born under Taurus moon sign take root deeply and changes slowly; they collect, touch, support, see the sacred in the world of matter. Being steady they can loan their strength to others but may need to learn the beauty in change.

Freya's Day - Venus Day, the Day of Sharing and Relationship - Relation Day.... there are minor magickal for amicable divorce or partings...

Disseminating Moon phase

"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
13th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
19th Day of the Cycle of Lughnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon Phase: Disseminating - 3:11PM EDST
Moon sets: 10:21AM EDST
Moon rises: 9:44PM RDST
Moon in the Cardinal Fire
Sign of Aries
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The tranquillity
of gardens.
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, 2011


Disseminating Moon - The Disseminating Moon is the waning full moon getting visibly smaller. She rises midevening and sets midmorning. She is visible from the time she rises almost until she sets. As we go into the darkening phase of the Disseminating Moon, we get the FRUIT of the moon plant's life cycle - the fruits of wisdom and experience. Keywords for the Disseminating phase are: demonstration, distribution, sharing and retrospection. It is the time in a lunar cycle to further process your advancement toward your goal 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. For those born during a Disseminating phase, life must have meaning, purpose.  They enjoy sharing their ideas with others.

Woden's Day - Mercury's Day - the Day of Communication and Connection ... there are minor magickal
energies for gaining clarity for decisions.

Waning Gibbous Moon enters Aries

"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
12th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
18th Day of the Cycle of Lughnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon Phase: waning Gibbous Moon
Moon sets: 9:22AM EDST
Moon rises: 9:19PM EDST
Moon in Pisces v/c 1:07PM EDST
Moon enters the Cardinal Fire
Sign of Aries at 8:01PM EDST
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The grail of
your search.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:31AM EDST
Sunset: 8:18PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: Do you
practice hospitality of spirit?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 16th, 2011

Moon in Aries -   So the moon leaves the watery sign of Pisces early this afternoon and enters the fiery sign of Aries tonight. The Moon in Aries lights a fire under our tails; it wakes us up, strips away our complications and our patience. We can make a fresh start but will tend to shoot from the hip, move fast, argue quickly - remember we are still in Mercury Retrograde and our judgments may be cloudy.
This can be a time to initiate, to speak up, and honor independence. The Moon in Aries asks us to wake and remember who we truly are, even if bothers those we love or work for. Tempers, tears and passions run hot. Moon in Aries is a time of new beginnings, intense activity, pioneering in any field, reaching out with emotional surges, impulsiveness. This moon can be the great tester of the limits. When the moon is in Aries you may want to depend on yourself, as there is also a certain amount of ego involvement. You might feel impatient now or want to initiate new things. Moon in Aries is the best time to work magick involving leadership, authority, rebirth, spiritual conversion or willpower. Healing rituals for ailments of the face, head or brain are also done during this period of time.  Those who are born under a Moon in Aries are passionate, honest and fierce, and big-hearted but intensely self-directed. They are happy to loan their fire to inspire others, just don't tell them what to do.

Tiu's Day - Mars Day - the Day of Activity and Physicality, Passion and Desire - Action Day....

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 to identify many 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 of 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 sounds you would otherwise have missed. Take a selection of items, perhaps flowers or herbs, close you 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 5 senses regularly you will soon find that your sixth sense is enhanced.
[From: The Real Witches' Year by Kate West]

Waning Full Moon in Pisces

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

17th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Gaia
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
11th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
17th Day of the Cycle of Lughnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon Phase: waning Full Moon
Moon sets: 8:23AM EDST
Moon rises: 8:54PM EDST
Moon in the Mutable Water
Sign of Pisces
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: A song of
your choice
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 8:30AM EDST
Sunset: 8:19PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "When did
you last celebrate or party?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 15th, 2011

Moon in Pisces - I did not post the past couple of days and over that time period the Moon reached it fullest point in this lunar cycle and then moved into the zodiac sign of Pisces.  The Moon in Pisces reveals our permeability. We dream, and need to ground our dreams. We care, but can become overwhelmed by our awareness unless we feel spirit working though us. This transit is a time to: imagine4, share, sense, meditate, nurture, soak, and find constructive ways to be sensitive. During the 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 uncertainity.  Pisces is about endings as a result of internal processing. With moon transit you may notice a moodiness in others around me, but transit is also an opportunity to fully appreciate art and beauty. Many women have a good cry with Moon in Pisces, washing away troubles. Or you can be the compassionate friend for a sister who needs her troubles. We cry during Moon in Pisces because it's the most watery of all signs. Pisces Moon brings a retreat into the self to do internal processing and contemplation necessary at least once during the lunar cycle. The outer world 'busyness' becomes fuzzy and vague. Issues are clouded and cold, hard facts slide through your fingers like slippery fish. Things are not what they seem, so don't be confused by this transit. Moon in Pisces is the best time to work magick involving dreamwork, clairvoyance, telepathy, music and the creative arts.
Healing rituals for ailments of the feet or lymph glands are also done at this time. Those born under a Moon in Pisces sign have extra perceptions and need to build the strength (not defense) to match. They are sensitive, intuitive, responsive and compassionate; your dreams are a gift.

Moon Day - the Day of Remembering and Feeling - Impression Day..... 

Lugh, The Sun God of the Ending Summer -

    Named for the Celtic deity, Lugh, the sabbat of Lughnasadh is a tribute to the first harvest and the beginning of the end of the summer. Most legends attribute Lugh's parentage to the Dagda, the supreme god of the land. As a father-god, the status of Dagda was grand indeed. His titles include  "the Mighty One of Great Knowledge" and "the Good God."  Although often described as a primitive deity, the Dagda was the High King of the Tuatha De Danaan. It was believed that the Dagda controlled the weather and was responsible for the life of the harvest. His attributes include the cauldron of transformation and a mighty weapon, his club.
    Lugh's ancestry portrays him as the grandson of Balor, a Fomorian king with terrible powers. It was revealed to Balor in a prophecy that he would be killed by his own grandson. Attempting to avoid this fate, he imprisoned his daughter Eithne and held her captive so that no man  could ever touch her. His strategy was subverted by her lover, Cian, who was able to gain access to Eithne by disguising himself as a woman. Eithne gave birth to triplets, and of the three, only Lugh survived.
    Fostered by Manannan and Tailtiu, Lugh approached the Tuatha De Danaan at Tara, the high court of the ancient pagan kings, and offered his services. Nuada was hesitant to accept him at first, for there was no skill that Lugh possessed that was not already fulfilled by an individual member of his court. When Lugh challenged the court to consider that he was the only person to have such a diverse mastery of carpentry, smithcraft, weaponry, music, magic, and history, the Tuatha De Danaan conceded that Lugh was a most rare and noteworthy individual. They gave him the name Samildanch, meaning 'the one of many skills.' Here was the hero that would lead them to victory against the Fomorians. One of his epithets was "Lamfhoda, or long arms" which referred to his prowess on the battlefield. It was said that no enemy could escape the reach of his weapons and that his spear would wield itself. He ultimately faced his grandfather on the battle field and fulfilled the prophecy, driving Balor's evil eye through the back of his head, killing him.
    Lugh has been compared to Mercury in the Roman pantheon, in that he is considered a master of arts and a binder of oaths. He is called the 'Shining One' and is distinguished his myriad skills. Some Celtic myths claim that he created the sabbat of Lughansadh as a means of honoring his foster mother, the goddess Tailtiu, who died on that day. It has also been suggested that Lugh initiated the festival as a tribute to his two wives. He is considered a guardian of promises and the god of oaths; most likely for this reason his feast day has been associated with vows between lovers and temporary marriages.
    In Irish folklore. Lugh is directly linked to the prosperity of the land through his allegorical marriage to Eriu. Eriu, depicted as a hag, represented the land of Ireland. By her marriage to Lugh, she was transformed into a great beauty. As a personification of the land, her transformation established the power of the god and the sovereignty of Ireland.
[From: The Wiccan Year by Judy Ann Nock]

Waxing Gibbous Moon - Perseids Meteor Showers

"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
8th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
14th Day of the Cycle of Lughnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon Phase: waxing Gibbous moon
Moon sets: 5:18AM EDST
Moon rises: 7:33PM 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: 6:27AM EDST
Sunset: 8:23PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
is transforming within you?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
for the Year
August 12th, 2011

Freya's Day - Venus Day, the Day of Sharing and Relationship - Relation Day....  there are Major magickal energies today for spells for Popularity....

Perseids Metor Showers - An amazing celestial event coincides with the season of Lughnasad. Radiating from the constellation Perseus, a spectacular metor shower known as the Perseid metor shower the night sky beginning around July 17th and peaking on August 12th, continuing to put on an impressive show until August 24th, With its theme of hope, there is perhaps no season better suited to wishing upon a shooting star, and the night skies on Lughnasad will be full of them. You can expect sightings of between fifty and 100 metors each hour.
   The Perseid metors are often referred to as 'the Children of Perseus.'  Look for the constellation Perseus along the northern horizon. Although the metors can appear in any part of the sky, they will originate from the radiant constellation. The metor show is best viewed after midnight, for at this time the rotation of the earth will allow you to be facing the metors head on, as opposed to viewing them from behind. A bright full moon and even a quarter moon can greatly interfere with the numbers you of metors that you will be able to see if any as well as the glare of city lights. Think of all the things you are hoping will come to pass in the near future as you witness the falling fires from the heaven.

Links for Perseid Metor Showers: 


http://www.space.com/12298-perseids-meteor-shower-2011-full-moon.html


http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/08/2011-perseid-meteor-shower-is-best-seen-tonight.html

Waxing 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
7th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
13th Day of the Cycle of Lughnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon Phase: waxing Gibbous Moon
Moon sets:4:14AM EDST
Moon rises: 7:00PM EDST
Moon in Capricorn v/c 10:12am edst
Moon enters the Fixed Air
Sign of Aquarius at 11:47PM EDST
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The song of
the Earth
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, 2011

Moon in Aquarius - The Moon in Aquarius connects us to our community, reminds us that we are in this together. It asks us to make sure we walk our talk and integrate our philosophy with our politics. We abstract, communicate and work the crowd, but may be less intimate. The Moon in Aquarius expands our circles and offers the magick of collaboration; spirit and politics weave together. We can get too farsighted now and need to stay aware of others' feelings. Let go of assumptions and find new, unusual allies. This is a transit of dealing with facts, organizing, political issues, desire to save the world through social action, connecting with others in social situations, scientific pursuits, detachment and the need to come and go without restriction.
    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 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 calves, ankles, or blood are also done at this time.  Those who were born under an Aquarius Moon sign is far sighted with a gentle stubbornness; they understand group dynamics and may be more aware in the family, tribe, community than she is in her most intimate relations.

Thor's Day - Jupiter Day, the Day of Vision, Spiritual Insight and Expansion.....  there are Major magickal energies for Networking.

Waxing Gibbous Moon on Woden's Day

"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
6th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
12th Day of the Cycle of Lughnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon Phase: waxing Gibbous
Moon sets: 3:10AM EDST
Moon rises: 6:21PM 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: 6:25AM EDST
Sunset: 8:26PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Who needs
to be gratefully acknowledged in your life?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 10th, 2011

Gibbous Moon - The Moon entered its Gibbous phase last night at 8:22PM EDST....  A Gibbous Moon rises midafternoon and sets before dawn. She is the bulging Moon getting ready to be full, visible soon after she rises until she sets in early morning hours. The Gibbous Moon is the BUD of the moon plant, the pulse of life tightly wrapped, wanting to expand.  For those who were born during a Gibbous moon phase, their talents lie in the ability to refine, organize and purify. They are seekers, utilizing spiritual tools as guides on their path.

Woden's Day - Mercury Day - the Day of Communication and Connection ..... there are Major magickal energies today for Politics and Negotiations...  being we are in the middle of a Mercury Retrograde passage the communications and connections of this day could be snarled up unless we flow with 'energy' of this retrograde.  So remember these 'magick words' when you working in communication and connection areas of your life.....   Re-call; re-visit; re-new; re-store; re-work; re-think; re-view; re-member; re-turn; re-pair; re-enter; re-convene......   have you any to add?

Gibbous Moon phase in 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
5th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
11th Day of the Cycle of Lughnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon Phase: Gibbous - 8:23PM EDST
Moon sets: 2:09AM EDST
Moon rises: 5:35PM EDST
Moon in Sagittarius v/c 4:24PM EDST
Moon enters the Cardinal Earth
Sign of Capricorn at 4:38PM EDST
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The glory of
the sunset
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:24AM EDST
Sunset: 8:27PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
harmony is calling you to play?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 9th, 2011


Moon in Capricorn - The Moon in Capricorn inspires our ambitions for good or ill, we just have to be gentle on our souls if we're not there yet. Lead and manage, but do not manipulate or control. This is a time to build, dig, organize, exercise, discipline, work on foundations, make practical progress on a dream. Moon in Capricorn brings planning magick and takes your ideas, giving them form and hope. We can tap into the inner wisewoman - ask how form, ritual, organization or tradition can serve. This transit concerns leadership issues, security, responsibilities, the need to be recognized, desire to create environments, time to take care of business deal with alternative healing for your body and intensification of your powers of concentration. 
    After Sagittarius' expansiveness, now we feel contraction and a time to pay attention to our needs for security, duties, obligations, drives and ambitions. It's good for setting and achieving goals, 'going for it' materially; as now we feel persistent and ambitious.
    Capricorn brings a desire to create environments and energy is slowed down. 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. Moon in Capricorn is the best time to work magick for organization, ambition, recognition, career and political matters. Healing rituals for the knees, bones, teeth and skin are also done at this time.  Those who were born under a Capricorn Moon sign have a strong work ethic, competence, and leadership capacity, but may need to learn to love themselves holding still.

Tiu's Day - Mars Day - the Day of Activity and Physicality, Passion and Desire - Action Day... there are strong Magickal energies for rituals/spells for Career......

First Quarter Moon in Sagittarius

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


10th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hera
Lunar Tree Cycle of Coll/Hazel
3rd Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Coll/Hazel
10th Day of the Cycle of Lughnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon Phase: waxing First Quarter
Moon sets: 1:13AM EDST
Moon rises: 4:41PM EDST
Moon in the Mutable Fire
Sign of Sagittarius
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The message
of the blood.
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:23AM EDST
Sunset: 8:28PM EDST
Solar Question of the Day: "What
traditional frameworks support you?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year.
August 8th, 2011

Moon in Sagittarius - Moon in Sagittarius gets us moving; it brings cheerful impatience and refreshing
honesty. We need wide open minds, souls, and attitudes, but can't sit still. This is a time to: get honest, forgive, dance, hike, explore and connect to the natural world. Those who were born under a Sagittarius moon sign are funny, restless, freedom-loving, and direct; they are natural global citizens but need also to look for answers at home. They accept the wild in all sentient beings.

Coll/Hazel Month - In Celtic lore Hazel is referred to as Fair Wood and Sweet Wood. 

    Hazel is coppiced and used 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 feature 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 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 fresh wood around your hat to make your wishes come true. Hazel wands were also the symbol of the herald, and sometimes used in Covens to mark the office of Summoner.

Waxing Crescent Moon phase in Libra - Mercury Retrograde

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
25th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Tinne.Holly
5th Day of the Cycle of Lugnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon Phase: waxing Crescent
Moon rises: 10:57AM EDST
Moon sets: 10:31PM EDST
Moon enters the Cardinal Air
Sign of Libra at 6:04AM EDST
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The lessons
of illness
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:18AM EDST
Sunset: 8:3PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Are you
doing too much and which areas can
be pruned?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 3rd, 2011

Crescent Moon - The Moon entered its Crescent phase last night (Aug. 2nd) at 10:35PM EDEST. The waxing Crescent Moon rises midmorning and sets after sunset. She is the first visible sliver of Moon seen in the western sky in the late afternoon and early evening. The Crescent Moon is SPROUT. The seed has broken through the earth and reaches up as she ventures from the dark moist earth she has know. Keywords for the Crescent phase are: expansion, growth, struggle, and opportunity. It is the time in a lunar cycle when you gather the wisdom learned in the new phase and communicate your intention to move forward. Light a candle. Write or read an affirmation. LISTEN & ABSORB. Commit to your goal(s) for this lunar cycle.  Those who are born in a Crescent Moon phase feel they must break from the past to create their own destiny.

Moon in Libra - The Moon in Libra opens our sociability, brings a friendly egalitarian vibe and encourages us to connect. This transit concerns cooperation, harmony, focus on relationships, find artistic pursuits. Moon in Libra highlights the magick of the dance of inter-relatedness - friendly, romantic and searching for a way to connect.  Libra asks us to treat those around us as equals and make sure our politics and art, our love making and our networks integrate. Moon in Libra is the best time to work magick involving artistic work, justice, court cases, partnerships and unions, mental stimulation, and karmic, spiritual or emotional balance. Healing rituals for ailments of the lower back or kidneys are also done during this period of time. Those born born under a Libra Moon sign are peacemakers, but need to remember to keep themselves in the equation. They see the beauty and seek fairness, help us understand one another.

Mercury Retrograde -[From this website: http://www.elsaelsa.com/astrology/2011/07/22/mercury-retrograde-august-2-2011/]   Mercury turns retrograde late in the evening on August 2nd, 2011. I don’t get too excited about Mercury retrograde periods but this event takes place with the rest of the planets stressed beyond belief so it merits special attention.



Mercury itself turns retrograde in Virgo, in tight opposition to Neptune in Pisces. Where there can be misunderstandings with Mercury retrograde, with Neptune involved the misunderstanding may be created deliberately. Another word for that is LIE or you can use, ”misrepresent”, “mislead”, “trick”, etc.


We also have a terrifically harsh grand cross to contend with; it is as bad as we have seen this summer. It involves, Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto, all squared off. None of these are characters you’d want to bet against.


On August 2nd and 3rd, just as Mercury turns retrograde, the Moon is also involved in the grand cross so we’ve got pressure, pain, anger, sensitivity, confusion… I think you get the idea. This is not something to play with with, that’s for sure.

Now I am talking about these first couple days (August 2nd and 3rd)as being the most intense, not the entire Mercury retrograde period. Tension will ease as days pass but the essential ingredients will still be lying around and if you feel wary, you’ve probably got cause.


As for a bright spot, the Sun and Venus are conjunct Leo on these days and very well aspected. This gives creative types all kinds of juice.


As for how to handle this, the usual Mercury retrograde advice applies. Don’t sign if you don’t have too, don’t shop if you don’t have to. Expect communication / transportation delays.


Because Neptune is involved, I’d also advise you don’t take any wooden nickles and beware slick talkers offering deals you know damned well are too good to be true.


And from this website: http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/07/2011-new-moon-in-leo-and-mercury-retrograde  ---  ..."our creativity, self-expression, playfulness, and primary child-like needs to be appreciated, heard, and honored will be highlighted. Mercury will  be backtracking until August 26th, so advices that all of you planning some summer travels should double check your desires, and make sure your self-worth is fully fed so that you may generously flaunt your gorgeous expressive heart for all to behold. With Mercury retrograde Techie difficulties happen, travel plans remind you that planning is not a guarantee that things will happen the way you want them, and communication fizzles, Verdarluz tells us to expect frustrations with tech gear and bring compassion to our interpersonal connections…very important to not forget right speech!"   

And is yet another view: 

Astrology and Mercury Retrograde August 2011 in Virgo and Leo - What Is Mercury Retrograde?


by Robert Wilkinson

Mercury goes retrograde at 2 Virgo on August 2, 8:50 pm PDT, 11:50 pm EDT, 4:50 am Greenwich August 3. Over the next few days we'll examine the meaning of this phenomenon and how we can make best use of these recurring periods.

Usually, Mercury goes retrograde 3 times each year, but this year, like last year, we have a 4th Mercury retrograde period, making this a somewhat unusual time. When Mercury is retrograde, it seems to throw people and situations into a whirlwind of over, under, sideways and down. But does it really? Just what is Mercury retrograde? In the next few weeks we'll discover many things about how Mercury Retrograde in Virgo and Leo affects us.

Mercury retrograde is one of the most misunderstood parts of astrology. Many have heard about it, but don't know what it really is. I've given an introduction about the general meaning of the phenomenon known as Mercury Retrograde in the article, Mercury Retrograde - A New Look at the Guide of Souls. It was written to assist readers to pierce through many of the superstitions and suppositions concerning this repeating phenomenon, and how it works in our lives.

There's too much to recap here, so if you're not familiar with the technical elements and basic meanings of this Mercurial phenomenon happening 3 times a year, please read that article so you can understand better what this coming period is about, and how best to approach its challenges and potentialities.

I'll be composing more about what the coming retrograde period is about in future articles. For now, I'll just mention that we'll get new insights about our work, health, effective service, and ability to discriminate what's important and what's not, as well as our creativity, enthusiasms, ability to play, and our heart's natural expression. We'll get a new look at all of these so that we can become more joyous and free in our interactions, which will heavily influence our lives and how we're living from late October through late November.

Since Mercury is ahead of all the other inner planets, it's natural "herald" function will be prominent, showing us things to come when the other planets move through early Virgo. This period we'll review (mostly) Leo things in our lives, so keep an eye to the house where this retrograde falls since that's where returns, reviews, new insights, and new understanding of past things will be found. More on that to come in another article.

In Virgo, we rework the method. In Leo, we rework our buy-in to those things in our lives that stimulate our hearts. Sometimes it's a period of returns and/or rediscoveries; other times it's a period of looking back to change some things so that we can "get it right" when Mercury again goes direct. In any case, we can understand the challenges and opportunities by looking at the sign(s) and house(s) where the retrograde is happening.

As noted in the article before this one, this Mercury retrograde will feature a Cardinal T-square of some major importance. During the days that T-square is exact around August 8-12, Mercury retrograde will be making a very important septile to Mars, marking a major point of change for everyone. The themes are curbing recklessness and letting the past feed the future. I'll elaborate on all of this in the next article in this series.

Throughout the retrograde period, we'll get many insights, returns, and renewals. It's already begun for me!! Mercury retrograde is always good for looking back to see what we didn't in earlier times. However, also remember that there also may be delays, misunderstandings can occur and/or be resolved, and that much may come in roundabout or even apparently contradictory ways.

So the coming weeks will give us a new look at recent Leonine developments, as well as herald important developments that will show up between late August through mid-September. By the time Mercury and Venus again closely conjunct in early Sagittarius trine Uranus, our Leo heart energies will be stabilized in a new humor, intensity, and playfulness.

So finish getting your affairs in order as soon as possible and continue adjusting to the different pace symbolized by Mercury slowing down very quickly during the past week. Get ready to take an unusual view, do your research, rehearsals, and examine peripherals since they may be more important than we initially thought. More on all of this, plus how it affects individual signs, in future articles.
Copyright © 2011 Robert Wilkinson

http://www.aquariuspapers.com/astrology/2011/08/astrology-and-mercury-retrograde-august-2011-in-virgo-and-leo-what-is-mercury-retrograde.html

Laammas/Lughnasadh - waxing New Moon

"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
23rd Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Tinne/Holly
3rd Day of the Cycle of Lughnasadh -
Days of Lugh
Moon Phase: waxing New
Moon rises: 8:32AM EDST
Moon sets: 9:29PM EDST
Moon in Leo v/c 2:19AM EDST
Moon enters the Mutable Earth
Sign of Virgo at 4:41AM EDST
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The blessing of water
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:17AM EDST
Sunset: 8:36PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
soul food nourishes you?"
Lughnasadh ( Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
August 1st, 2011


Moon in Virgo - The Moon in Virgo sends us back to work and gives us a to-do list. We become impatiently aware of what needs to be improved, fixed or healed. Our compassion is strong, but we can get irritated at less industrious folk. This transit is a time to edit, critique, care, exercise, investigae, study, and heal but be gentle with others. The Moon in Virgo asks us to consider what needs healing and what needs composting. It's time to study, learn, train, organize and turn our compassion into pragmatic action. Don't get stuck in your head. During this transit important issues are practicality, organization, cleaning up your diet and/or house, healing your body and/or offering healing to others and attending to loose ends. After the Leo party it's time to clean up our act and turn our attentions to the matters of our health and hygiene. Practical Virgo cleans the house, sets things in order, washes the dogt and harvests the vegetables. She purifies and organizes our diet, setting us on the healthy road for the month. It is a time of taking responsibility and cleaning up the messes we've been leaving. Virgo brings painstaking attention to detail: housecleaning is a good way to work through a Virgo transit. During a Virgo Moon transit women are mentally active but there is a tendency to excessive criticism both of oneself and others. Emotionally it's an inward time, when we can reflect on personal relationships.  The moon speaks directly to our spirit. It describes the daily pulse and the emotional matrix we walk through. As the moon changes signs every 2 1/2 days, the filters on our inner world changes. Let the garden be a metaphor for any project you want to nourish. Our own moon sign indicates our personal spiritual lineage and our emotional prime-directive. Moon in Virgo is the best time to work magick involving employment, intellectual matters, health, and dietary concerns. Healing rituals for ailments of the intestines or nervous system are also done during this period of time.  Those born under a Moon in Virgo moon sign are curious, responsible and caring but need to cultivate acceptance of self and others.

Moon Day - the Day of Remembering and Feeling - Impression Day ......There are Major magickal energies today for Borrowing or Lending Money; there are minor magickal energies for doing rites/spells dealing feminine or domestic issues.

Lammas - Lughnasadh - older alternate for Lammas. Pronounced Loo-naz - August Eve - August 1st. Also known as Cornucopia (Stega tradition) Thingtide (Teutonic tradition), Lammas and Lammastide (old Christian). Witches' calendar beginning of Autumn, first of the three harvest festivals. Lammas was the Christian name given the holy day. The term literally means 'loaf mass' for a feast of bread to celebrate the wheat harvest.
   The grain god was molded into an edible figure and passed around. Everyone broke off a piece and ate it thereby becoming one with the deity in symbol. This is clearly the predecessor to the Christian rite of communion. In Ireland this holy day was traditionally a festival of the dead, a mourning ritual.
    Wheat may have been regarded with awe as it was what made civilization (loosely defined) possible in Western Europe. This festival was called Lammastide in medieval times and was observed with craft fairs, parades, dances, ceremonial plays and the usual warm weather revels. Baking bread is a tradition as is the making of a corn dolly to guard your home for the coming season. This is the celebration of the first fruits of the harvest. The Sun King gives his energy to the crops to ensure life. Now is the time to teach the young what you have learned so that the fruits of your accomplishments may endure. Altars are common decorated with Baked Breads, Grains, Fruits and Vegetables.
[From the 2011 Season of the Witch Datebook.]

At this blog site Beth has created a beautiful Laughnasadh posting that everyone should view and listen to...... http://www.owlsdaughter.com/2011/07/on-the-threshold-of-lughnasadhlammas/