Crescent Moon Phase in Aquarius

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

5th Day of the 13th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Artemis
Lunar Tree Cycle of Ruis/Elder
15th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Ruis/Elder
5th Day of the Cycle of Graef -
Days of the Earth Dragon
Moon Phase: Crescent phase - 6:56AM EST
Moon rises: 10:30AM EST
Moon sets: 8:47PM EST
Moon enters the Fixed Air Sign
of Aquarius at 2:30AM EST
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: Thresholds of
light in your life.
Sun in Sagittarius
Sunrise: 7:30AM EST
Sunset: 4:53PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
skills need to come into play in
your life?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
December 9th, 2010

Crescent Moon phase - The Crescent Moon (or 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 or early evening. 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.  From those who born in the Crescent Moon Phase must break from the past to create their own destiny. 

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. 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.
   This transit is a dramatic mood change. Where Capricorn values tradition and caution, the Aquarius transit indicates anything new, innovative, different or unconventional. Extremes of behavior occur during this moon, especially extremes of optimism and pessimism.  Women feel the need to be friendly and social but don't want to be too personal or go too deep. Aquarius moon can be detached or rational rather than emotional, and will change only if it's logical to do so. 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 ailment of the calves, ankles or blood are also done at this time.  Those who are born with the Moon in Aquarius in their natal chart are far sighted with a gentle stubbornness; they understand group dynamic and may be more aware in the family tribe, community then they are in their most imitate relations. (The moon's placement at our birth describes our relation to our home, soul, family and emotional lineage; it symbolizes our inner spiritual river and our lifetime mode of operation. - from "We'Moon datebook)

So today is Thor's Day - Jupiter Day - the Day of Vision, Spiritual Insight and Expansion... There are Major magickal energies today for Networking and particular in the PM there are minor magickal energies for working spells/rites for business success. 

Today are in 'Shadow' of Mercury Retrograde which begins tomorrow at 7:04AM EST.  Mercury will be retrograding in Capricorn from December 10th through the 29th; advice from We'Moon 2010 is to re-visit your goals for the to cull any excuses or excesses, and then re-invent your promise(s) for the year ahead. Please note the 're-' words in this advice.    Tomorrow the moon remains in Aquarius.

   Oh and another bit of advice from an online astrology column - if you haven't finished your electronic gift buying before tomorrow - you are screwed on having the gifts work out.  Remember Mercury rules communication.  The precise words from the column are: Mercury goes retrograde on Friday so hopefully you'll have most your holiday shopping in the bag by then. This is especially recommended for the buying of Mercury-ruled things like phones, gadgets and anything that has to be mailed or delivered.

Capricorn waxing moon void of course

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


4th Day of the 13th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Artemis
Lunar Tree Cycle of Ruis/Elder
14th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Ruis/Elder
4th Day of the Cycle of Graef -
Days of the Earth Dragon
Moon Phase: waxing New Moon
Moon rises: 9:56AM EST
Moon sets: 7:54PM EST
Moon in Capricorn v/c 8:07PM EST
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The wonder
of life
Sun in Sagittarius
Sunrise: 7:29AM EST
Sunset: 4:53PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: ""What
are you homesick for?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year.
December 8th, 2010

This is Woden's Day - Mercury Day - the Day of Communication and Connection -  There are Major magickal energies today for spells/rites about Politics and Negotiations.

Waxing New Moon in Capricorn

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

3rd Day of the 13th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Persephone
Lunar Tree Cycle of Ruis/Elder
13th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Ruis/Elder
3rd Day of the Cycle of Grael -
Days of the Earth Dragon
Moon Phase: waxing New Moon
Moon rises: 9:15AM EST
Moon sets: 6:50PM EST
Moon in the Cardinal Earth
Sign of Capricorn
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: Service to
the universe
Sun in Sagittarius
Sunrise: 7:29AM EST
Sunset: 4:53PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "Which
of your plans needs better motivaton?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
December 7th, 2010

Moon in Capricorn - Yesterday evening the moon entered the Cardinal Earth Sign of Capricorn. 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 and obligations, drives and ambitions.  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. Time to: build, dig, organize,
exercise discipline, work on foundations and make practical progress on a dream. 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 and tradition can serve. The keyphase for a Capricorn moon transit is 'I permit'.  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. Do non-traditional healing as Capricorn is the sign of the medicine woman. 
    Those of us born under a Capricorn moon sign have a strong work ethic, competence and leadership capacity but need to love themselves and not just what they do. They offer us constructive determination and practical support.  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.

This is Tiu's Day - Mars Day - the Day of Activity and Physicality, Passion and Desire, Action Day - and with the Moon being in a Capricorn transit - it is no wonder there are Major magickal energies for working on your Career and Job Hunting.  Good Luck!

Elder:  The Elder Mother; The Queen of Herbs

    Ruis: the thirteenth consonant of the Ogham alphabet - thirteenth month of the Celtic Tree Calendar

  The Elder is a small tree, rarely reaching more than 30 feet although in legend it is said to have grown much taller. More of a compact shrub when young, it becomes a straggling and unruly tree in old age. The Elder prefers lime-rich soil, but it is not fussy, growing almost anywhere and able to produce a mass of flowers and fruit even in dense shade. By June the elder is covered by creamy, flat-topped flowers containing hundreds of tiny five-petalled flowers. They have a delicious smell and a flavor like Muscat grapes.  Small green berries form and ripen, plumb with juice, to a purple-black color, the fruit hanging down in dense bunches known as drupes.

Elder's Mystical Associations:

    Numerically the elder is the ultimate tree of the White Goddess, whose prime sacred number is five (the other being three). Each creamy elderflower has five petals, five yellow stamens and five sepals, which form a tiny green star on the back of each flower. Elderflower clusters hang from five stalks at the end of each branch, which each divide again into five stalklets.
   The Elder is under the protection of the Old Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess, who guards the door to the Underworld, to death and to the dark inner mysteries. Elder is especially associated with the goddess of the waning moon and the waning year, in particular Hela, Queen of the Dead.
     Throughout northern Europe the Elder is associated with death and regeneration and with magick and it is the tree most often used to undo spells of intent. As the tree of the thirteenth month of the Celtic year, the Elder is linked with all superstitions that surround the supposed unluckiness of this particular number.

The Elder Mother was believed to dwell in the Elder tree. She worked a strong earth magick and punished those who used her tree selfishly.


Below - The Jew's Ear fungus grows on moribund elder - said to be the ears of Judas forever hearing the wind whisper the guilt of his betrayal of Jesus.

New Moon in Sagittarius - 13th Lunar Cycle of Ruis/Elder

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

1st Day of the 13th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Persephone
Lunar Tree Cycle of Ruis/Elder
11th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Ruis/Elder
1st Day of the Cycle of Grael -
Days of the Earth dragon
Moon Phase: New - 12:35PM EST
Moon rises: 7:27AM EST
Moon sets: 4:48PM EST
Moon in the Mutable Fire
Sign of Sagittarius
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The gifts of
mortality.
Sun in Sagittarius
Sunrise: 7:27AM EST
Sunset: 4:53PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "What is
the source of your creativity?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
December 5th, 2010

New Moon - The beginning of a new cycle.  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. Keywords for the New phase are: beginning, birth, emergence, projection, and clarity. It is the time in a 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 (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 others side of the Earth with the Sun at night, she is not visible in the sky at all. Those who are born during the new moon are impulsive, passionate and intuitive. They are risk takers and pioneers.

Today is Sun Day - the Day of Intent, Creation and Renewal.  There are Major magickal energies today for spells and/or rituals regarding Self-Improvement...  The New Moon energies will help to give your workings for self-improvement an extra boost. 

Ruis/Elder Tree Cycle

     The close of the year is nigh; we end with the Celtic month and the Lunar Tree cycle of Elder. Elder corresponds to the Ogham letter ruis (roo-ish), which allows us to examine all the things we may regret, properly view the consequences, and heal our heart from the hurt. Elder ushers in a new phase of life and reminds us of the need to let  go of what no longers serves you. To release past errors and go forward with joy in your heart, light a red candle and surround it with elderberries or a picture of an elder tree. You may wish to sip some elderberry wine or tea. Write down the things that didn't go as planned this year and what you learned from each one. Draw the elder/Ruis Ogham symbol on top of the paper. Bury the paper in the earth - as the paper becomes one with the earth, your regrets will dissipate
and your heart will heal.

"Elder tree, berries of red,

Remove these worries from my head.

Wiser now I do remain,

I banish regret and send it away!"

by Mickie Mueller

From "Llewellyn's Witches' Datebook of 2010"



Dark/Balsamic Moon enters Sagittarius

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

29th Day of the 12th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hecate
Lunar Tree Cycle of Ngetal/Reed
10th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Ruis/Elder
30th Day of the Cycle of Shamas
- Days of Witch Gods
Moon Phase: Balsamic
Moon rises: 6:22AM EST
Moon sets: 3:55PM EST
Moon in Scorpio v/c 7:13AM EST
Moon enters the Mutable Fire
Sign of Sagittarius at 12:59PM EST
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The legacy of
wisdom you would bequeath to
your descendants.
Sun in Sagittarius
Sunrise: 7:26AM EST
Sunset: 4:53PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "Where
do you need to exercise self-control?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
December 4th, 2010


Moon in Sagittarius - The moon moves into the sign of Sagittarius today in preparation for the New Moon tomorrow at 12:53PM EST. The Moon in Sagittarius gets us moving; it brings cheerful impatience and refreshing honesty. We need wide open minds, souls, attitudes but can't sit still. Time to get honest, forgive, dance, hike, explore and connect to the natural world. Those born under a Sagittarius moon are funny, restless, freedom-loving, and direct; they are a natural global citizen but need to also look for answers at home. They accept the wild in all sentient beings. 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. 

Saturn's Day - the Day of Manifestation and Structure, Assessment and Responsibility.  Dream interpretation meditations are most productive in the days of the Dark Moon.

Jet

     Jet, which is also called Witches' Amber and Black Amber, is actually a form of bituminous coal, millions of years old.  It is frequently copied in jet black glass, but it is very easy to detect the difference for true Jet becomes charged with static when rubbed, so that tissue will stick to it. It is much sought after for Wiccan Ritual jewelery, and a necklace made of Amber and Jet is often worn by the High Priestess. Jet is associated with the fifth Element, Spirit. It is sacred to the Goddess Cybele and the God Pan, and is associated with the Goddess as Crone. Wear it to enhance intelligence, and knowledge of the spirit world.
   Jet has a long association with magick, ritual and with death. It has been found in pre-historic burial mounds and the Victorians made much use of it for mourning jewelery. It has long been used to protect and defend, particularly against spells and spirits. When Jet is worn or carried continuously it takes on something of the owner, so for this reason it is not a good idea to lend this stone. Should you buy it second-hand it should be thoroughly cleansed before use. Jet  has long been thought to have properties of curing toothache, and was boiled in wine to create a healing elixir. Like Amber, Jet can be ground and added to incense to break even the strongest of curses. Jet incense is also burnt to increase psychic
abilities. Jet absorbs all negative influences and should be thoroughly cleansed if you have been wearing it in negative company.

"Why dwell on the past, when the

future's got so much more promise."

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

Ellen Dugan has this to say about Jet in her "Book of Witchery" - Jet is ancient fossilized wood, which explains its compatibility with amber. Jet has links to many crone goddesses, such as Hecate. Its elemental associations are earth, and Spirit. This black stone claims the planetary correspondence of Saturn. The jet will clear your aura, boost your psychic abilities and allow you to see things as they truly are.   It is a sympathetic stone and will absorb pessimistic or negative energies. It can be placed in a heavily trafficked room in your home to absorb bad vibes or to absorb anger. If jet is placed in the bedroom, it promises a good night's sleep and guards against nightmares. Try placing jet around a candle and then focus your intentions on creating a happy and argument-free zone in your home. Set the candle and the stone somewhere in the most-used room in the house and silently let them do their work. On an interesting note, today some magicians suggest that female Witches work with jet for issues regarding menopause and perimenopause.

The image here of the Jet rune stones is from Bestcrystals.com.  This look quite interesting to me and when they have them back in stock I think I might order a set.   

Balsamic Moon enters Scorpio

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


27th Day of the 12th Lunar Tree Cycle
Ruled by Hecate
Lunar Tree Cycle of Ngetal/Reed
8th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Ruis/Elder
28th Day of the Cycle of Shamas
- Days of Witch Gods
Moon Phase: Balsamic - 1:12AM EST
Moon rises: 3:59AM EST
Moon sets: 2:30PM EST
Moon in Libra v/c  3:07AM EST
Moon enters the Fixed Water Sign
of Scorpio at 9:44AM EST
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The wandering
path of the soul.
Sun in Sagittarius
Sunrise: 7:24AM EST
Sunset: 4:54PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "Do
you appreciate the other side
of the argument?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
December 2nd, 2010

Balsamic Moon - The Balsamic Moon (or waning crescent moon) rises before dawn and sets midafternoon. 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, when the nutrients remain in the soil, providing nourishment for the next new seed. Those who are born in the Balsamic phase possess the potential to be wise, insightful, understanding and patient. They are prophetic and unique. This 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 mediate. 

Moon in Scorpio - The Moon in Scorpio gives us attitude, and brings out our primal side; it sharpens our curiosity and our edges, our focus to the point of obsession. Fluff doesn't cut it; get real or let it go; honor privacy, don't crowd. Time to: dig deep, weed, investigate, do surgery, keep secrets, and love each other up.  Those born under a Scorpio Moon is intense, fiercely curious, and needs to create solitude with healthy boundaries rather than isolation.  Scorpio weaves the visible and invisible worlds together. We can see through and into the roots.  Direct this energy away from obsession and towards creation. When the Moon enters the emotional intense Scorpio today, giving us the desire to keep our strongest feeling to ourselves.  The secretive aspect of Scorpion's a way of holding power, but also assist in the internal processes of change. Although Scorpio is a fixed sign, it is really about metamorphosis - the most profound kind of change.  Think how appropriate this Scorpio moon transit is for this Balsamic phase.  Nothing can stop Scorpionic transformation one started. Emotional resentments from the past can surface and block your heightened creative energy, so fight urges to be suspicious and secretive and moody. This is a time cleaning out of emotional debris from the previous cycle. There is great energy to complete things and focus on certain areas that you have found yourself too scattered to deal with previously.  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 transit.

This is Thor's Day - Jupiter Day, the Day of Vision, Spiritual Insight, and Expansion... There are minor magickal energies for eliminating obstacles to wealth, power, and fame. 

Waning Half Moon in Libra

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


26th Day of the 12th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hecate
Lunar Tree Cycle of Ngetal/Reed
7th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Ruis/Elder
27th Day of the Cycle of Shamas
- Days of Witch Gods
Moon Phase: waning Half Moon
Moon rises: 2:47AM EST
Moon sets: 1:56PM EST
Moon in the Cardinal Air
Sign of Libra
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The magic
of snow
Sun in Sagittarius
Sunrise: 7:23AM EST
Sunset: 4:54PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
are you attempting to manifest now?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
December 1st, 2010

It is Woden's Day - Mercury Day - the Day of Communication and Connection. There are minor magickal energies to work in your Book of Shadows today and in the PM to work on defense against psychic attack.   The Moon is in Libra so our sociability is open this transit brings a friendly egalitarian vibe and encourages us to connect.

Making a Sabbat Wheel

      One of the additions you can put on your Altar is the Sabbat Wheel. This is a stone or wooden disc inscribed, or otherwise decorated, with images to represent the Sabbats. If made of a soft stone, such as slate, then the images can be sketched on with pencil and then carved into the surface. A circular wheel is easy to make, and a simple plain breadboard can form your basis. First, divide it into eight equal segments, like the spokes of a wheel. Symbols can then be burnt or carved into each of the segments, drawn or painted, or even created from gemstone chips, seeds, etc. Alternatively you could press plants which represent each Sabbat and glue them into place, sealing it with a coat of clear varnish. Some ideas for the decorations are: Imbolc, candles, Snowdrops; Oestara, eggs, the Hare, Primroses; Beltane, Maypole, Besom, Chalice and Athame, Hawthorn blossoms, Bluebells; Litha, the Sun, Green Man, Oak Leaves, Sunflowers; Lughnasadh, a single stem or a sheaf of wheat, harvest loaf; Mabon, scales; Samhain, apples, pumpkins, stalks of corn; Yule. The Sun, Holly.  For flowers and plants it is more meaningful to actually collect them in season in your garden or locality.  So you can begin your Wheel now and add to it around the turning ahead.
   Another version of this is to embroider illustrations of the Sabbats, placing each in an eighth segment of a circular tablecloth.  This can then become an altar cloth.  If you have doubts about your ability to sew directly onto the cloth, then embroider pieces of cloth which are then sewn in place.  This also allows several members of the group to contribute and means that each illustration can be placed on a cloth of an appropriate color if desired.

Here are some links to information about Sabbat Wheels -  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_of_the_year

http://www.mindspring.com/~stardancer/

http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/paganchildrenc_scuv.htm