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

Waning Half Moon - Moon Day

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

24th Day of the 12th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Medusa
Lunar Tree Cycle of Ngetal/Reed
5th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Ruis/Elder
25th Day of the Cycle of Shamas
- Days of Witch Gods
Moon Phase: waning Half Moon
Moon rises: 12:25AM EST
Moon sets: 12:56PM EST
Moon in the Mutable Earth
Sign of Virgo
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: Journey's end.
Sun in Sagittarius
Sunrise: 7:21AM EST
Sunset: 4:55PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "Which
fear is keeping you in prison?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
November 29th, 2010

This is Moon Day - the Day of Remembering and Feeling. There are Major magickal energies for Clearing Obstacles to Borrowing Money. 

Last Quarter Moon enters Virgo

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


23rd Day of the 12th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Medusa
Lunar Tree Cycle of Ngetal/Reed
4th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Ngetal/Reed
24th Day of the Cycle of Shamas
- Days of Witch Gods
Moon Phase: Last Quarter - 3:36PM EST
Moon rises: 12:27PM EST
Moon sets: 11:56PM EST
Moon in Leo v/c 3:29AM EST
Moon enters the Mutable Earth
Sign of Virgo at 4:34AM EST
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The dormant
life of the seed.
Sun in Sagittarius
Sunrise: 7:20AM EST
Sunset: 4:55PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "What threshold
of attainment waits for you to cross over?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year.
November 28th, 2010

Last Quarter Moon - The Last Quarter Moon (or waning half moon) rises around midnight and sets around noon. Astrologically, the Moon is square to the Sun. She is visible from the time she rises until she sets.  The Last  Quarter Moon is the HARVEST phase, the plant gives her life so that others may continue theirs. Those born during a Last Quarter phase have a powerful internal life of reflection, and transformation. They can assume different roles while balancing their internal and external worlds. Keywords for the Last Quarter phase are: realignment, revision, integration and cleansing. It is the time in a lunar cycle to take closing action, to follow-up and complete the activities begun at the New phase. During this phase you become aware of what is and is not working with respect to the achievement of your goal for the cycle. The movement is toward integration. Open to your successes. MANIFEST YOUR GOAL(S). Be responsible. 

Moon in Virgo - The Moon in Virgo sends us back to work and gives us a to-do list. We become impatiently aware of what needs to be improved, fixed or healed. Our compassion is strong, but we can get irritated at less industrious folk. This is a time weed out, edit, critique, care, exercise, investigate, study and heal but be gentle with others. If you were born under a Virgo Moon sign you are curious, responsible, caring but need to cultivate gentle acceptance of self and others. During Virgo Moon transits women are mentally active, but there is a tendency to excessive criticism both of oneself and others. Emotionally it is an inward time, when we can reflect on personal relationships. Moon in Virgo is the best time to work magick involving employment, intellectual matters, health and dietary concerns. Healing rituals for ailments of the intestines or nervous system are also done during this transit.

Ah, it is Sun Day - the Day of Intent, Creation and Renewal... Creation Day..... There are Major magickal energies today for rites and spells that Clear Root Causes of our Health Issues. 

Body, you must manifest

only what my mind has blest,.

This cannot be too much stressed

for perfect health is my true quest."

[From Seasons of the Witch Datebook, 2010]

    I have another blog I post in almost everyday as I do this one.  It is essays from Caitlin Matthews' book "The Celtic Spirit" which I have found that the words in these daily essays give me as much insight and spiritual wisdom as does what I learn from following daily lunar events.  Today's essay is about Spiraling Prayer or turas and with these closing words in the essay I think you find that this is a act that can benefit your Craft practice.

   "We need to circle, spiraling around the sacred site with our body in tune with our intentions and with the presence of the site. The process of spiraling around builds power, strengthens intention, and brings us into attunement with our soul's thread. It also attunes us in another way: as our planet spins around the circling year, we too simultaneously experience the turning of our soul toward the source of greatest spiritual light. Each season is a mystical gateway of opportunity and understanding, a sacred time of wisdom. If we live with awareness of the year's cycles, we will achieve a direct alignment with those sacred opportunities. "   (Remember how I am always stressing that 'awareness' is one the most practice of the Craft.)

Here is the link to the blog and I strongly urge you to read it and give it thought.

http://inthemistsofavalon.blogspot.com/

Also I think today's Lunar Meditation and Solar Question are good meditations to be done today. You don't know how to meditate or don't make a practice of it?  Well this inward season of Winter is an excellent time to start.  I suggest using Christopher Penczak's book "The Inner Temple of Witchcraft"
to help you get started and become regular at meditating...  This practice is one of the most important aspect of Witchcraft - don't blow it off!

Disseminating Moon in Leo

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


22nd Day of the 12th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hestia
Lunar Tree Cycle of Ngetal/Reed
3rd Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Ruis/Elder
 23rd Day of the Cycle of Shamas
- Days of Witch Gods
Moon Phase: Disseminating
Moon sets:1157AM EST
Moon rises: 11:14PM EST
Moon in the Fixed Fire Sign
of Leo
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The joy of
simplicity
Sun in Sagittarius
Sunrise: 7:19AM EST
Sunset: 4:55PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: ""What new
idea is seeding itself within you this Winter?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
November 27th, 2010

Moon in Leo - The Moon in Leo illuminates our extroverted sides; we brim with generosity but can stuck in our own perspective. Time to: shine, express, dramatize, celebrate, create, appreciate, stage, reach out and be generous with our attention; watch assumptions and do not push the stubborn. One born under a Leo Moon can fill a room with personality and make the most of any situation, but may need to learn to honor the quiet, the mundane or another's reality.  Dramatic happenings, especially concerning emotions, being the center of attention, exuberance, vitality and working with patriarchal issues are all hallmarks of the Leo Moon. You will want to spend money during Moon in Leo. It's hard to recognize limits in the Leo Moon. (this could affect the spending you'll do on this Black Friday weekend) and power issues tend to erupt. As the moon moves towards Virgo on Sunday (tomorrow morning in the AM), the ambitious energy of Leo becomes unassuming. Moon in Leo is the best time to work magick involving authority, power over others, courage, fertility or childbirth. Healing rituals for ailments of the upper back, spine or heart are also done during this transit.

Saturn's Day - the Day of Manifestation and Structure, Assessment and Responsibility

Disseminating Moon phase begins

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


20th Day of the 12th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Demeter
Lunar Tree Cycle of Ngetal/Reed
1st Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Ruis/Elder
21st Day of the Cycle of Shamas
- Days of Witch Gods
Moon Phase: Dissemination - 4:02AM EST
Moon sets: 10:46AM EST
Moon rises: 8:52PM EST
Moon in Cancer v/c 10:44PM EST
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The constellation
that your soul-friends make.
Sun in Sagittarius
Sunrise: 7:16AM EST
Sunset: 4:56PM EST
Solar Question for the Day: "To whom
do you need to show more sensitivity?"
Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter
of the Year
November 25th, 2010

Disseminating Moon - As we go into the darkening phase of the disseminating moon, we get the FRUIT
of the plant's life cycle - the fruits of wisdom and experience. The disseminating moon is the waning full moon getting visibly smaller. She rises midevening and sets midmorning. She is visible from the time she rises almost until she sets. Those who are born under a disseminating moon find that life must have meaning, purpose.  They enjoy sharing their ideas with others. Keywords for the Disseminating phase are: demonstration, distribution, sharing and introspection. It is now the time in a lunar cycle to further process your advancement towards your goals by looking at the results of your adjusting action taken at the Full Moon phase. During this phase you gain clarity by sharing what you've learned through awareness. Demonstrate your power of abundance by giving back to your community. Visit friends. Distribute your knowledg. SHARE. Reach out and touch someone.

As well as this being Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. it is also Thor's Day - Jupiter Day - the Day of Vision, Spiritual Insight and Expansion.  There is Major magickal energies for doing spells/rites regarding Money Owed You.  Maybe during all the chaos of the Thanksgiving preparation and meal you will be able to sneak off and do a rite regarding this.

Celtic Tree Month of Ruis/Elder begins -

     The close of the year is nigh; we end with the Celtic month 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 longer 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 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 2010 

Wasted Food -

     Try to take the time this morning to read Jonathan Bloom's blog about being thankful and not wasteful.. http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/11/24/be-thankful-not-wasteful/