The Gibbous Moon moves into Cancer

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


13th Day of the 2nd Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Gaia
Lunar Tree Cycle ~ Luis/Rowan
7th Day of the Celtic Tree Cycle
of Luis/Rowan
Moon Phase: Gibbous
Moon sets: 5:19AM EST
Moon rises: 2:36PM EST
Moon in Gemini v/c 1:32AM EST
Moon enters the Cardinal Water
Sign of Cancer 9:01AM EST
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: Your kinship
with the stars.
Sun in Aquarius
Sunrise: 7:34AM EST
Sunset: 5:31PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "What new idea is seeding
itself within you this Winter?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter of the Year
January 27th, 2010

    Today - Woden's Day - brings Major magickal energies for working Magick and minor magickal energies for divination in the AM.  The Cancer Moon transit is a Cardinal Water Sign bringing us
desires about a home, emotional security, entertaining friends, cooking, security issues, nostalgia and the desire to nurture. The keyphrase for Cancer is 'I feel'.  Women are emotionally and psychically sensitive at this time, and due to these strong emotions it is a 'crybaby' moon.
   Moon in Cancer brings heightened sensitivity, the desire to nurture and the need to cvreate 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 personal criticism. 

Wart Charming

    Warts are somehow inextricably linked to Witches. The carticature Witch invariably has a wart on her nose, and it is used to be said that if someone was truly a Witch they would have the power to cure warts.  Warts can be counted away. The suffer should count their warts and give their name and the number to the healer, who would tell them to 'uncount' their warts. The warts should then vanish within two weeks. Kate West says she has 'brought' warts by giving a person a coin for them which they then rub on and retain until the warts go. However, it is said that if someone who is not a true Witch tries then they will gain the warts!  Alternatively, cross each wart nine times with a new pin and cast it away (outdoors please) over your left shoulder.
    Many plants are said to aid the healing of warts: cut a notch for each wart into a piece of Elder, then rub the stick on the warts and burn it on an open fire. Another version says the stick should be placed in the road so that another finds it and takes the warts! An apple cut in half should be rubbed on the wart, sewn together and buried. As the apple rots so the wart will go. This rubbing and burying also applies to meat, pieces of bread pinched from inside a freshly baked loaf, and straw. The juice of a freshly-picked Dandelion is said to speed their removal, as is that of the Spurge, Celandine and Elderberry.

"Ask not what the Craft can do for you

but what have you done for the Craft."

[From: "The Real Witches' Year"]

Shifting Consciousness - continued from "The Inner Temple of Witchcraft"

by Christopher Penczak

   Voluntarily changing from one state of mind to another is not as difficult as it seems, but it does take practice and training. The techniques take one of two paths. They can be inhibitory, slowing down the body and gently entering an altered state, or exhibitory, raising energy and the body's awareness through stimulation to bring on an altered state. Neither is better than the other; they take different paths to the same place. As you practice, one approach or specific technique might suit your personality or tradition more, but it is good to be well versed in multiple techniques.

    Gerald Gardner taught eight ways to raise power and enter a gnosis state for magick. The use of Eastern practices probably influenced his tradition of witchcraft since he worked in the East for many years as a civil servant. Modern witches use a modified version of the Eightfold Path.

Meditation - (inhibitory) -- The main inhibitory technique is meditation. Meditation is clearing your mind and entering a relaxed state. Eastern forms of meditation focus on completely clearing the mind and being one with the moment. Often a chant (mantra), hand gesture (mudra), or posture (asana) is used in various combinations to help the practitioner stay focused. Sometimes a visual force or a special symbol called a yantra or mandala, is used. Western forms of meditation tend to be more task oriented and linked with the powers of creative visualization, but practitioners often use a variation of the Eastern technique, such as prayers and affirmations for mantras.

Breath Control - (usually inhibitory) -- Regulate breathing is called pranayama in the East. It relaxes and lowers body systems by focusing on the movement of the breath. The breath is related to the element of air, and air is linked with the mind. By calming the breath, you can calm the mind. Some types of breath can excite the body and build up energy, while others cool and relax. Breath work is usually used in conjuntion with meditation. Some practioners count their breaths to keep clarity and focus.

Isolation - (inhibitory) -- Aborignal traditions have a rite of passage where one spends time in isolation on a mountain top, cave, or forest to induce a mystical experience, such as the Native American vision quest. Several religious orders impose isolation and silence on members to facilitate contemplation. Fasting is often incorporated into the process, directly altering the brain chemistry through lack of food. Use this method with caution and guidance.

To be continued tomorrow