Vine Month:
Although associated with warm climes the Vine will grow quite successfully in cooler places, although you may have to shelter it in a greenhouse if you actually want grapes you can eat. Properly cared for, Vines live a very long time, some in Frane being said to be 400 years old.
To the anceint Celts the Vine was a tree of strength, growth and unity. It was called the 'highest of beauty' and the 'strongest of effort' for its ability to grow higher than any plant which supported it, and to grow from one tree to another. Whilst the fruit is used to make wine, the vine has many other uses. The roots wre plaited and twisted to make fine string and strong rope. The leaves can be eaten in salads, and are strong in vitamins and minerals, ensuring a clear skin. They are also good for the blood and calm the nerves. Boiled , they can be used as a lotion for sore mouths or as a poultice on wounds and swellings. Grapes were recommended in speeding the healing process. The tradition of giving grapes to someone recovering from illness goes back a very long time indeed.
The fermented vruit of the Vine was considerd to bring divine inspiration, although only in moderate quantities. In addition it was thought to be a tree of teaching and knowledge. Meditation under or by a Vine gives access to the inner mind and is especially useful when seeking answers about the self. Place grapes on the ALtar in Rituals to Bacchus, Dionysus and Hathor.
[From: "The Real Witches' Year" by Kate West]
New Moon Ritual from http://apagantapestry.blogspot.com/2009/09/repeating-new-moon-ritual.html
This is a recurring ritual that I am going to do for a few months. New Moon is on September 18 @ 2:44pm EDT.
You will need:
One candle to honor the Goddess in her new moon, blue or white is nice, any color is fine. I have a large pale blue/green candle that I use for all moon rituals.
Incense or sage for cleansing the area.
A small unused notebook and a pen.
Four items to honor the elements.
I sometimes use:
a small bottle of sand for the element of earth
a feather for the element of air
a red candle for the element of fire
a small cup of water for the element of water
When I am in a candle mood I use candles for the elements:
brown or green for earth
yellow or pink for air
red or orange for fire
blue or white for water
Cleanse the area with incense or sage. I create sacred space by simply grounding and centering and visualizing an area around myself filled with energy, closed to random or chaotic spirits and open only to those I invite.
Call the Elements.
I start with Earth. If you are using candles, light them as you call each Element.
Calling them can be as simple as 'I call the Element of Earth to attend and add energy to this sacred space' or as elaborate as you wish.
After calling the Elements, take a moment to honor Goddess, ask her to look favorably on this ritual that you offer up to her and light the candle for her.
Take a few minutes to sit quietly. Reach out to the Elements for additional energy and power. Fill the space around you with their power and energy and reflect on the new moon as an opportunity for new beginnings. An opportunity that we are offered over and over again.
Take your notebook and write something along the lines of:
I will manifest these things that I desire and need in my life and I will do so without harm to anyone else.
Then begin to write down what you need to create in your life. It can be a few things or many. Large or small, tangible or not.
Concentrate on manifesting these things in your life without harming anyone else.
Release the energy that you have created with this work and send it out into the universe to do your bidding.
Thank the Goddess for her presence in your life and put out her candle.
Thank the Elements for loaning you their energy and ask them to return to their own realms, putting out their candles (if any).
Bring yourself back to normal time/space, ground the energy creating your sacred space.
_____________________________
On the full moon take your notebook and cross off any items that have manifested in your life since the new moon. On the next new moon create a new list, leaving off the things that have already arrived. Do not just cross off and add to the old list, each new moon write down the new list.
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