Sun Day - waxing moon in Pisces

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

8th Day of the 13th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Kore
Lunar Tree Cycle of Ruis/Elder
18th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Ruis/Elder
8th Day of the Cycle of Graef -
Days of the Earth Dragon
Moon Phase: waxing Crescent Moon
Moon rises: 11:48AM EST
Moon sets: 11:55PM EST
Moon in the Mutable Water
Sign of Pisces
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The potency
of dreams enacted.
Sun in Sagittarius
Sunrise: 7:38AM EST
Sunset: 4:55PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "Where
is the wool being pulled over your
eyes?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the year?"
December 12th, 2010


So this is Sun Day - the Day of Intent, Creation and Renewal... there are minor magickal energies for doing work with animals.  You can interpret this as doing actual working with animals - helping them or you can interpret this as using your animal allies to help you to 'create' something, to renew yourself
or to help you in setting an intention.

Magical Partners

    Magical Partners are people who work within the Craft together, whether in the same place or on the Astral plane.  Where they belong to a Coven they will also work with the group, and sometimes with others of the Coven. A true magical partnership is made up of two people who are in tune with one another, and who have absolute trust in each other. Ideally, there should be one male and one female to balance the energies. However, it is possible for a man to learn draw on his feminine energies and vice versa, although this generally only comes with experience. Because of the level of trust and honesty necessary, magical partnerships generally work best for people who have known each other for quite some time, and have shared life, as well as Craft experience. When selecting a magical partner you have to ask yourself if you would trust this person with your deepest secrets, as well as with access to your energies; emotional and mental as well as physical.  In turn you should be prepared to drop anything to help them, with the knowledge that they would not call upon you without cause.
    To find out if a potential magical partner will be right for you, the first thing to do is to seek the guidance of the Goddess. At the Full Moon take one silver and one gold candle. Place a pin into each, at the same height, and light the candles at the same time. If the pins drop at the same time it means you should compatible, otherwise you should rethink carefully.
[From Kate West's "The Real Witches Year" ]

Waxing Crescent Moon enters Pisces

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

7th Day of the 13th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Kore
Lunar Tree Cycle of Ruis/Elder
17th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Ruis/Elder
7th Day of the Cycle of Graef -
Days of the Earth Dragon
Moon Phase: waxing Crescent
Moon rises: 11:24AM EST
Moon sets: 10:57PM EST
Moon in Aquarius v/c 6:01AM EST
Moon enters the Mutable Water
Sign of Pisces at 1:41PM EST
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The courage
to fail and try again.
Sun in Sagittarius
Sunrise: 7:32AM EST
Sunset: 4:53PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "Which
old desires do you need to relinquish?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year.
December 11th, 2010

Moon in 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. Time to: imagine, share, sense, meditate, nurture, soak, and find constructive ways to be sensitive. One born under the Moon in Pisces has extra perceptions and needs to build strength (not defense) to match. These people are sensitive, intuitive, responsive and compassionate; their dreams are a gift.
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.

Today is Saturn's Day - the Day of Manifestation and Structure, Assessment and Responsibility - Foundation Day... In the Seasons of the Witch Datebook of 2010 there is a notation of this being a day with Major magickal energies for Stretch Time.  This special time is 'principally for purposes of task completion. You are aware that sometimes time flies and sometimes it drags. Although you can't actually stretch time, you can enjoy the same result by increasing your productivity.  Difficult for the beginner, but worth the effort to learn. This is one those magickal skills which will go 'auto' once perfected, meaning that eventually you can create a shift with little more than a passing thought.'

Mercury Retrograde begins - Freya's Day

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


6th Day of the 13th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Artemis
Lunar Tree Cycle of Ruis/Elder
16th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Ruis/Elder
6th Day of the Cycle of Graef -
Days of the Earth Dragon
Moon Phase: waxing Crescent
Moon rises 10:59AM EST
Moon sets: 9:58PM EST
Moon in the Fixed Air Sign
of Aquarius
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: Music
of your choice
Sun in Sagittarius
Sunrise: 7:31AM EST
Sunset: 4:53PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "In which
areas do you need to grow?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
December 10th, 2010

Freya's Day - Venus Day - the Day of Sharing and Relationship - There are Major magickal energies for Popularity.  Use these energies as you wish.

Mercury Retrograde - Mercury does not actually stop in the heavens and go backward - it just appears that way to those on Earth who are observing its motions. This celestial optical illusion occurs whenever Mercury, the nearest planet to the Sun, begins to round the bend in its orbit and swing closer to Earth. Thus, from Earth's position, Mercury appears to be moving backward against the sky. The retrograde phenomenon is not unique to Mercury, but affects all the other known planets in our solar system including Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto.  A planet always retrogrades when it is closer to the Earth. This close proximity of a planet's orbit to Earth makes it 'louder' than when it is far away.  Thus a retrograde planet is actually more powerful than when it is moving in its normal direct motion.
   So why should a person in the twenty-first century believe that an optical illusion in the skies above influences our activities on earth below?  No one really knows how astrology 'works'. But the simplest explanation of astrology is that it is the symbolic interpretation of the planetary movements in our solar system.  Because Mercury retrograde cycles are shorter and occur more frequently, however, astrologers say their effects are more pronounced than those of other planets. And because astrological tradition gives the planet Mercury 'rulership' over the sphere of life that includes commerce, trade, transportation and communication - activities that affect virtually everyone - its influence is even more enhanced. Like the stick in the spoke of the wheel that throws a cart off course, Mercury's reversal of motion and energy can often mean setbacks, obstructions, misunderstandings and sudden, unexplained 'out of the blue' events.
    Yet for all the confusion that surrounds Mercury retrograde, it contains within it a vein of gold - if only we would mine it for its true worth. By working with the slower pace of Mercury retrograde, rather than going against it, we can allow ourselves to step outside the narrow framework of ordinary reality and see our lives from a wider perspective. Most astrologers, for instance, agree that it is a cosmically times period to undertake any activity with the prefix 're':  for instance redo, reevaluate, revise, rethink, review, reconsider, reassess, etc. Mercury Retrograde is all about loosening the grip of everyday demands and responsibilities in order to experience life more deeply. It is about finding pleasure in the old, familiar and timeless, rather than the new and untried. This can be a time to let things go and savor things just as they are. Thus,  rather than push forward, it is a time to retreat, if possible, and step back from the usual hurried, harried way of doing things (and this season is certainly one of the more hurried, harried times).  It is a time to reflect in solitude on what has gone on in the months preceding Mercury retrograde, and to reconnect with one's soul. Following these steps makes it possible to emerge from the period of Mercury retrograde refreshed and renewed in spirit. 

[A lot of this information comes from Pythia Peay's book "Mercury Retrograde: Its Myth and Meaning".
Thank you Pythia for writing this book.]

   

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"