Freya's Day

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

11th Day of 1st Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hera
Lunar Tree Cycle of Beith/Birch
22nd Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Beith/Birch
11th Day of the Cycle of Imbolgen -
Days of Reclaiming
Moon Phase: waxing Half Moon
Moon sets: 2:41AM EST
Moon rises: 12:33PM EST
Moon in the Fixed Earth
Sign of Taurus
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The unfolding
vision of your life.
Sun in Capricorn
Sunrise: 7:42AM EST
Sunset: 5:16PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "How
are you respecting or abusing
friendship?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
January 14th, 2011

Freya's Day - Venus Day - the Day of Sharing and Relationship...  This Freya's Day is a quiet regarding the flow of magickal energies.  While this is a day of relationships - and the moon is in the sign of Taurus, it could be a sensual day.  So scent yourself with Apple essential oil or Lilac or Rose geranium or Vanilla and see what it draws your way or create the Attraction Potpourri from the recipe below and carry it on you in a small sachet bag.  Eat an apple, set out a Rose quartz or a piece of Amber and place a rose bud in a small vase.  Fridays classically are days for love, fertility, romance, and beauty magick, as well as working for happiness, harmony in the home, and friendship.

Rose Quartz

    This gorgeous pink stone is a type of quartz, and so it carries the classic correspondences of the sun and the moon and the elemental associations of Fire and Water.  Rose quartz is considered to be receptive in its energies, which means that it helps to 'draw in' and to attract. Rose quartz may be semitransparent or opaque, and it comes in many shades of pink. It is also used to open up the heart center, and it promotes joy, harmony and a comfortable a romantic relationship. The rose quartz crystal encourages a feeling that is best described as the warm fuzzies. The rose quartz is a perfect gift between two friends, and it also encourages the love of self, which is a wonderful thing, as it's hard to have someone love you if you don't even like yourself. So change your outlook! The rose quartz will boost your aura and make you feel more lovable and attractive.
[From Ellen Dugan's "Book of Witchery"]

Attraction Potpourri

     A good witchy craft for Freya's Day is a sachet bag with an attraction potpourri stuffed in it. By creating this recipe and by carrying this mixture, you are sending out a message to the universe that says, "Hey, I'm a fabulous and enchanting individual -- don't you want to get to know me?"  With the idea being that those folks who are intrigued by your sparkle may then be drawn to you of their own will, all you are doing is bumping up the package, so to speak.

* 1 organza favor bag in pink or red
* Fresh red rose petals
* Violet blossoms or leaves
* A crumbled head of dried yarrow flowers (yarrow is an all-purpose herb)
* 1-small rose quartz stone for attraction and warmth
* 1 drop of rose geranium oil
* 1 cotton ball
* A clean dropper

   Stuff the little bag full of rose petals. Put one drop of the oil on top of the cotton ball and tuck it down inside of the herb mixture. Put the rest of the herbal components on top. Add the Rose Quartz stone to the mixture, then tie the bag closed, knot it three times, and say the following verse while tying the knots:             

"By the magick power of three times three

I enchant this sachet for love and beauty."

Hold the sachet in the palms of your hands. Lean close and take a whiff of the fragrance. Visualize a bright pink energy radiating from the sachet bag. Now repeat the spell verse:

"Fresh red rose petals for love and to boost attraction

Rose geranium oil to encourage affection

Witch's herbs bind the magick and keep it true

A rosy quartz will bring warmth and kindness too

The strongest magick does indeed come from the heart

This spell is sealed by a rhyme and a Witch's art."

   Give the sachet bag a little shake and you are good to go. Keep it with you, in your pocket or purse, for one month. You may then either refresh the charm or return the herbal ingredients to nature and dispose of the cotton ball. When finished with this spell, wash the organza sachet bag out by hand and allow it to air-dry. This way, you may reuse the organza bag another time.

[From: "The Book of Witchery" by Ellen Dugan] 

Waxing Half Moon in Taurus - Prosperity Spell

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


10th Day of the 1st Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hera
Lunar Tree Cycle of Beith/Birch
21st Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Beith/Birch
10th Day of the Cycle of Imbolgen -
Days of Reclaiming
Moon Phase: waxing Half Moon
Moon sets: 1:39AM EST
Moon rises: 11:58AM EST
Moon in the Fixed Earth Sign
of Taurus
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The blessing of age
Sun in Capricorn
Sunrise: 7:42AM EST
Sunset: 5:15PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "What is
the source of your inspiration?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
January 13th, 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. During this transit the Taurus Moon asks to discover what nurtures us and how to grow deeper roots. We can almost feel the mud oozing between our toes, awakening our senses and sensuality and growing stubbornness. It is a time to cultivate our material resources, our homes and our body. This lunar transit concerns money, work, property, the body, home and family, sensuality, building cautiously and slowly, being conscientious, growth, sensitivity, planting and emotional patterns based on security. The energy flow is even. The forceful forward movement of Aries becomes solid and calm and patient during Taurus. There is a desire to protect material goods and a strong need for financial security. Those who were born under a Taurus moon roots deeply, and changes slowly; they collect, touch, support, and see the sacred in the world of matter. Steady, they can loan their strength to others, but may need to learn the beauty in change. 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.

Thor's Day - Jupiter Day - the Day of Vision, Spiritual Insight and Expansion...  There are Major magickal energies today for rites/spells about Money Matters and Business Success.

Earthy Prosperity Tarot Spell
[From Ellen Dugan's "Book of Witchery"]

   If possible, work this prosperity spell outdoors. You will be calling on the element of Earth and all of its fertile and abundant energies. If weather prohibits you from being outside, then set this up so your work area faces north, because the northern direction is associated with the element of earth.
* A green votive candle
* 1/2 cup garden soil (you can use potting soil)
* A saucer or small plate to hold the soil
* The following tarot cards: Ace of Pentacles, Nine of Pentacles and Ten of Pentacles
  (please note: the suits of Coins and Pentacles are the same thing.)
* A lighter or matches
* A safe, flat surface on which to set up the spell

  Place the green votive candle inside the cup. Snuggle the votive cup securely down into the soil. Arrange the cards next to the dish that holds the soil and candle. Take a few moments to center yourself. When you feel ready, light the candle, and speak the following spell three times:

"Element of earth, I call, ground and strengthen me tonight!

May the gods now bless this green spell candle that burns so bright

The suit of Pentacles and Coins calls for prosperity

They will help to bring health, and abundance quickly to me

Now together may all of these elements combine

And create opportunity for wealth at this time."

Close the spell by saying:

"For the good of all, bringing harm to none

By the element of earth, this spell is done!"

Allow the candle to burn until it goes out on its own. If necessary, move the candle to a safe location so it can finish burning, such as a shower stall, inside an unlit fireplace, or in the empty kitchen sink. Never leave a burning candle unattended, especially outdoors.

      

First Quarter Moon

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


9th Day of the 1st Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Kore
Lunar Tree Cycle of Beith/Birch
20th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Beith/Birch
9th Day of the Cycle of Imbolgen -
Days of Reclaiming
Moon Phase: First Quarter - 6:31AM EST
Moon sets: 12:39AM EST
Moon rises: 11:28AM EST
Moon in Aries v/c 9:46PM EST
Moon enters the Fixed Earth
Sign of Taurus at 10:37PM EST
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The work of
your hands.
Sun in Capricorn
Sunrise: 7:42AM EST
Sunset: 5:14PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "Where
is the wool being pulled over your
eyes?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
January 12th, 2011

First Quarter Moon - The First Quarter Moon (or waxing half moon) rises around noon and sets around midnight. Astrologically, the Moon is square to the Sun. She is visible from the time she rises until she sets. The First Quarter Moon is the GROWTH phase. Roots go deeper, stems shoot up and leaves form as she creates a new strong body. Keywords for the First Quarter phase are: action, expression, growth, breaking away. It is the time in a cycle to take the initial action necessary to achieve your goal by expressing your needs and desires. FEEL & MOVE. Make phone calls. Write letters. Dance. Act now. Those who born in the First Quarter phase of the moon live a full active life - old structures are cleared away providing room for new development.

Woden's Day - Mercury Day - the Day of Communication and Connection.... there are minor magickal energies today for doing divination and using elemental magick. 

Brief Introduction to the Four Elements:

    In the West, Earth's power is traditionally broken down into four components known as the elements: Air, Earth, Fire and Water. (Okay, in China they count five elements, including metal, but let's not worry about that yet.)  Air and Fire are usually considered masculine energies while earth and water are most typically perceived as feminine. Life springs from earth and water, but air and fire are necessary to spark the process and to provide health and vitality. From a magickal standpoint, the power of each element is unique, specific and alive.
   Each element, separately or in combination, can serve as a vehicle for spiritual and physical healing. Power comes in the interplay of the elements. Power is enhanced when the elements intermingle and form a threshold: Air and Fire, Fire and Water, Earth and Water.  Thus steam, emerging from the marriage of fire and water, is a particularly potent vehicle of healing energy.
   Briefly speaking, magick works when you can harness, balance and focus the elements including the fifth element of Spirit as well as Air, Fire, Water and Earth, both within yourself and from outside. This is a complex ability, which comes more easily with practice, so we usually start by using a number of visual links and cues to help bring all these elements together. The elements exist inside us and outside of us and they have many symbolic representations, visual and mental links, which may be used and which are often termed correspondences.
    Understanding of the five elements is one of the most important concepts of the Craft, and the foundation of working magick. Together with visualization is what makes Magick work. All the candles, incenses, cords, images and other tools are just that: tools that you use to implement and enhance your understanding of the elements and your ability to visualize.  
[This little explanation of the Elements comes from the books "Prue Magic" by Judika Illes and "The Real Witches' Book of Spells and Rituals" ]

Tiu's Day - Waxing Crescent Moon in Aries

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


8th Day of the 1st Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Kore
Lunar Tree Cycle of Beith/Birch
19th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Beith/Birch
8th Day of the Cycle of Imbolgen -
Days of Reclaiming
Moon Phase: waxing Crescent
Moon rises: 11:01AM EST
Moon sets: 11:59PM EST
Moon in the Cardinal Fire Sign
of Aries
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The potency
of dreams enacted.
Sun in Capricorn
Sunrise: 7:43AM EST
Sunset: 5:13PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "Which
old desires do you need to
relinquish?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
January 11th, 2010


Tiu's Day - Mars Day, the Day of Activity and Physicality, Passion, and Desire.  There are Major magickal energies today for rites/spells regarding Competition and Personal Advocacy. 

Rites and Rituals -

      A ritual is a series of thoughts, words, and actions performed to bring about a specific result. A series of Rites can go to make up a Ritual. Rites and Rituals are not confined to Witchcraft or magickal working, although these are the contexts to which we tend to relate these terms. To clarify: your 'Ritual of getting up' could be broken down like this: 'the Rite of Waking', and then 'the Rite of visiting the bathroom', the Rite of making a cup of tea or coffee', and so on. In the Craft we use the term Rites to define pieces of magickal working such as creating the Sacred Space, raising power, working a spell, and so on.  These Rites can then be placed together to form a Ritual for a specific purpose, which could be the working of magick, the celebration of a life event, or maybe a festival.

Magick and Spells -

    Magick is often defined as the ability to create change through the application of will. A spell is defined by the dictionary as a magickal formula, but in the Craft we consider it to be more of a process, as magick is not just the doing or saying of things in a certain order. Many Witches do not use the word 'spell' to describe their magickal working as it tends to conjure up somewhat simplistic images from fiction and mythology rather than expression the true process of harnessing and focusing internal and external energies to create change.

Incantations and Chants -

    Many people expect a 'spell' to be, or at least to include, a few rhyming lines which are repeated or even chanted to make something happen. This would be an incantation, and some Witches do use them as a part of their magickal process. But it is not necessary to have poetic ability to make magick work.
   Chants are verses or songs, usually chanted Witches working in a group. They are most often used in the Craft as technique for raising power, that is the harnessing and focusing of energies of the group. Some Solitary Witches also use chants, but often within their heads rather then out loud.

Charms, Talismans, Totems, Etc...

   These are objects which are magickally charged so that they may be placed where the magick is desired to work or which may be carried on the person.  The definitions between them are often blurred but frequently Talismans are paper or parchment with symbols to represent the magickal intent, whereas Charms are frequently jewelery, stones or other objects. Totems are usually a group of objects which are kept together, often in a Totem Bag, which represent a grouping of things or people. A Totem Bag may contain objects to represent each of your family members with the intent of bonding the family together. You may also come across other terms used to describe these kinds of magickal artifacts, such as Amulet - usually a charm, which is worn with a protective intent. Sometimes you will have to assess
the meaning of a term by the intent and the purpose for which it is intended.

Words of Power -

    From time to time you may hear, or read about 'words of power', and some people do believe that there are, out there somewhere, special words which if said in a special way will create magickal effects. This belief is more appropriate to the realm of the Ritual Magician than that of the Witch. It is true that resonances and vibrations, which are found in many things, can be utilized to help make change. However, their magical 'power' comes from the way in which the practitioner can bring those energies into balance with the elements both within and without.
   Having said that, it is worth remembering that all words can have the power to make change, depending on how you say them and who you say them to!  This is why in the Craft we tend emphasize the need to think before you speak or, for that matter, act.
~~~ these little bits of information come from Kate West's book "The Real Witches' Book of Spells and Rituals" ~~~  

  We frequently feel hesitant to make up 'our own words and actions'.  But often they work best. Think about it - if you voice you own subconscious thoughts aloud then your energies will be more aligned with what you are trying to change.  In a recent book I read by Jodie Picoult ("Salem Falls") there are found teenage girls who experimenting with magick on their own.  One of the ways they would 'purify' themselves for casting a quick spell was to drink salt water.. Think about it - while often we are encouraged to take a 'cleansing ritual bath' before doing magickal workings, don't you think drinking a little salt water can achieve the same results??  And a little chant they came up one time while trailing a ring of cinnamon around themselves was: "Set me apart from the world of man. Set me apart from the world of Spirit. Hold me between the two, so I might work my magick"   So experiment yourself and see what you can come up on the spur of the moment for the change you wish to make.

Waxing Crescent Moon moves into Aries

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

7th Day of the 1st Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Kore
Lunar Tree Cycle of Beith/Birch
18th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Beith/Birch
7th Day of the Cycle of Imbolgen -
Days of Reclaiming
Moon Phase: waxing Crescent
Moon rises: 10:37AM EST
Moon sets: 11:40PM EST
Moon in Pisces v/c 8:21PM EST
Moon enters the Cardinal Fire
Sign of Aries at 10:24AM EST
Bloduewedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: "The courage
to fail and try again.
Sun in Capricorn
Sunrise: 7:43AM EST
Sunset: 5:12PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "In
which areas do you most need
to grow?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
January 10th, 2011

Moon in Aries - 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 tend to shoot from the hip, move fast, argue quickly. Time to: initiate, speak up, weed, honor independence. This transit asks us to remember who we truly are, even it bothers those we love or work for. Tempers. tears and passion run hot. This is a time intense activity, reaching out in emotional surges, impulsiveness. You might feel impatient now and want to initiate new things and we are highly assertive and enthusiastic.  Those who born with their moon in Aries search for fire, fierce Independence and their own voice. They may need to learn patience and cooperation. They can appreciate our fire. 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.

Moon Day - this is the Day of Remembering and Feeling.... there are minor magickal energies for spells/rites for domestic power. 

Waxing Crescent phase

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

6th Day of the 1st Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Artemis
Lunar Tree Cycle of Beith/Birch
17th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Beith/Birch
6th Day of the Cycle of Imbolgen -
Days of Reclaiming
Moon Phase: waxing Crescent
Moon rises: 10:14AM EST
Moon sets: 10:41PM EST
Moon in the Mutable Water
Sign of Pisces
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: Music of
your choice
Sun in Capricorn
Sunrise: 7:43AM EST
Sunset: 5:11PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
skills need to come into play
in your life?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
January 9th, 2011

Sun Day - is the Day of Intent, Creation and Renewal...  there are minor magickal energies for working with animals today.

Animal Healing Spell

   Magickal healing is not just for humans; our pets and other animal friends can also benefit. As with all healing you should still consider whether professional help is needed and you should also be careful not to prolong pain or suffering.
    For this spell you will need to gather a couple of hairs from the animal in question; a gentle brush should provide you with plenty. If the 'patient' in question is a bird collect a feather from its cage, and for a fish take a few drops of water from its aquarium and place them on a small piece of tissue. Take a brown candle and write on it the name of the animal (use an old pencil), then using a little melted wax attach the hairs, feather of tissue about half way down. Place the candle in a secure holder and light it saying: "As the candle burns may sickness depart, as the hairs light let healing come in. Blessed Be."
Watch the candle burn while visualizing and focusing on your animal friend getting better. If you pet is very poorly you may like to repeat this spell at the next Full Moon.

"No-one who deliberately harms

an animal will never be a true Witch."

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

Crescent Moon Phase

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


5th Day of the 1st Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Artemis
Lunar Tree Cycle of Beith/Birch
16th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Beith/Birch
5th Day of the Cycle of Imbolgen-
Days of Reclaiming
Moon Phase: Crescent
Moon rises: 9:50AM EST
Moon sets: 9:43PM EST
Moon in the Mutable Water
Sign of Pisces
Blodeuwedd's Cycle
Lunar Meditation: Thresholds
of light in your life.
Sun in Capricorn
Sunrise: 7:43AM EST
Sunset: 5:10PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
are you homesick for?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
January 8th, 2011

Crescent Moon - The Crescent Moon (or waxing crescent moon) rises midmorning and sets after sunset. She is the first visible sliver of the Moon seen in the western sky in the late afternoon and 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. Keywords for the Crescent phase are: expansion, growth, struggle, opportunity. It is the time in a cycle that 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.  Those who are born in a Crescent Moon phase must break from the past to create their own destiny.

Saturn's Day - the Day of Manifestation and Structure, Assessment and Responsibility - Foundation Day. Saturday, the final featured day of the week, gets its name from the Latin Dies Saturni, or 'Saturn's Day'. In Old English, its was Saeturnesdaeg. The Middle English version was Satenday.  Saturn, a Roman god of agriculture, was believed to have ruled the earth during an age of contentment and virtue. Saturn was a god who symbolized the passage of time and karma. He was not a harsh, judgmental god, either; he was a sower and a harvester. Interestingly enough, there is no Norse god associated with this day. It has remained under the province of Saturn. The goddess associated with Saturn's Day is Hecate. Saturday is a day filled with opportunities to clean up and clear out. So if you are wondering why Hecate is assigned to Saturn, take another look at what she symbolizes and the magick that is associated with her.
   Saturdays are traditionally days to work on protection, remove obstacles, bind troublesome or dangerous individuals, and banish negativity. Saturdays are like a magickal 'let's clean house' day. Any magickal messes left lying around that need to be addressed, or any problems that need to be cleared up, are best dealt with on the day devoted to Saturn.

Obsidian

     Obsidian is connected to the energies of Saturday which are useful for grounding, centering, protection and for absorbing negativity.  Obsidian is a naturally occurring glass. It's lava that cooled so quickly that the minerals inside of it did not have time form. Its elemental association is fire, and its planetary correspondence is Saturn. Sometimes this black, translucent stone is called an apache tear, and you may also find obsidian with white patterns in it - this variety is called snowflake obsidian. No matter what variety you discover, this is a great stone to help you ground and center. An excellent choice to add to any Saturday spell, obsidian is a popular stone to utilize protective spells and magick designed to fight negativity and break bad luck. Check out a few stores that carry inexpensive tumbled stones and pick up a few to have on hand.

This is a very thin slice of obsidian that shows dark flow bands.