Gibbous Moon today

"I'm one with the Goddess


and open to Her Wisdom."

13th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Gaia
Lunar Tree Cycle ~ Miun/Vine
Moon Phase: Gibbous - 4:07AM EDST
Moon sets: 3:35AM EDST
Moon rises: 5:14PM EDST
Moon in Aquarius v/c 7:33AM
Moon enters the Mutable
Water Sign of Pisces at 7:24PM
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
The First Year of Branwen's Cycle
Lunar Meditation: The song
of the earth.
Sun in Libra
Sunrise: 7:15AM EDST
Sunset: 7:05PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Which
ideas and structures have you
outgrown?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
September30th, 2009

     Last day of September today - the Gibbous Moon will be entering the Mutable Water Sign of Pisces
early this evening.....  in my Seasons of the Witch datebook it says for today that there are Major energies for Psychic Development after the v/c moon period.... and with the moon moving into Pisces which is when psychic energy is at it's height there can be some intense connections made.  And it is Woden's Day (Wednesday), a day of Communication and Connection so there is all sorts of good vibes happening today to develop your psychic development.

It has been raining here in my part of the world going five days now - Saturday thru this morning ... still dark, cloudy and raining outside.  Sigh, but it is autumn what can a witch expect.

Here is information for witches regarding rain:

Witches have always known the special meaning of nature's acts. They are 

warnings, blessings and magic guides to our living in the world around us. Rain 
is a special gift from the sky and its power should be used wisely. Try never
to  shelter yourself from its fall, but
rather accept the rain as we should  accept live with all of its
trials and blessings.

* Rain  while the sun shines is a healing rain. Catch and store it in
blue  glass. Use the water for all manner of healing magic. Place in
the  bath for an overall body cleaning.

* The blessing of fairies  is upon anyone who catches rain in a 
silver spoon after the rain  has bounced off a flat stone. Place some
of this water on any object  that is frequently misplaced. Keys are
always a good choice. 

* Place midnight rain of a New Moon on the third eye to  bring visions and
see future events.

* The first rain  gathered in May is symbolic of May Day dew and holds  much
power.  It  is used when very special favors are needed. Do not gather this
rain in  a metal container or its power will be lost. A
glass or wood container would  do much better.

*When rain runs off a gravestone, gather  carefully and use with
caution.

*Rain gathered  during a thunderstorm holds much energy and can be used to
enhance spells and  potions. But be aware that the energy does not last long and
the spell should be  completed before three days and three nights have passed
or the rain water will  be of little use.

* House plants enjoy the outdoor rain -  this cleanses their leaves
and helps to purify the indoor air when  they are brought back in the
home. This is especially good to do when  you are in need of a clear
mind and strong thought. 

* Jewelry, charms and other objects can be purified by  standing in
the rain, facing west and tossing the object into the air,  three
times, catching it in your hands each time. 

And here is a little rain photo gallery:

It is one of those days: rainy autumn storms, broken umbrellas, wet coats, and taking the tram to work instead of my trusted bike.

             

To Be A Witch

To Be A Witch

You are not a witch because you buy witchy stuff from eBay (much as we all love a bit of witchy stuff). You are not a witch because you wear a pentacle, or get a tattoo, or buy and read books on witchcraft from Amazon.com or from a cute feminist bookstore in your town (much as we all love to read some witchy books). Stop allowing your lust to substitute for a daily practice.

You are not a witch because you wear robes or elven jewelry or because you have black fingernail polish or because you burn incense in your apartment or because you learn to read tarot or palms or tea leaves. Stop allowing your physical image and your fear of death to substitute for a relationship with the divine.

Yes, Younger Child loves all of those things. But Younger Child, alone, cannot make you a witch.

You are not a witch because Lady Something Luna Something Hawk Something Ravensomething Moonglow pronounces you a witch or because you complete some on-line "mystery school" course. You are not a witch because you've been scourged or annointed with oil or because you've said some sacred words. You are not a witch because you've gotten the five-fold kiss. Stop allowing other people to exercise power over.

You can BECOME a witch with no paraphanelia at all, just by going outside under the full, or dark, or quarter or half or three-quarter Moon, or under the sun, or at dawn, or at dusk, or whenever, and saying, with intention, "I am a witch. I am a witch. I am a witch." But in order to BE a witch, you must do more. Otherwise, you, as a witch, will fade, rather quickly, into nothing.

In order to BE a witch, you must help to turn the wheel. You must sit down daily with the Goddess and the gods and develop relationship. How scary is that? You must ground. Also, scary, especially when done daily. You must be present, as a witch, as often and as frequently as possible. Ditto on the scary. You must do the work involved in developing a relationship with the land, the watershed, the trees, the herbs, the wildlife, the rocks -- everything -- in your sacred space. Again, scary. You must change the world with magic, challenge those in power, heal the sick and powerless, provide the imaginal and charged image of the wild woman living at the liminal space between village and wood. You must do what is dangerous, you must see and worship the divine in the mundane, you must be willing to allow magic to creep into the modern world through the temporal port of your own warm human, bloody body. It's all as scary as shit if you actually commit to doing it on a daily basis and not just when you feel like it.

It's neither as easy, nor as "fun!" to be a witch as many modern people imagine. Mostly, to be a witch is work, work, work, not necessarily exciting nor technicolor work, although, Goddess knows, on occassion . . . . To be a witch is to wake up every morning, even the mornings when you need to dash into work, and to do a witch's work of relationship, grounding, physical presence. To be a witch is to stop and turn the wheel, even when a million "mundane" concerns call out to you. To be a witch is not to own stuff nor to read stuff nor to wear stuff nor to go to stuff. Sorry. To be a witch is to commit to work, difficult, repetitive, spiritual work and to do it over, and over, and over and from one season to the next and to the next and to the next.

Are you a witch? I am trying to be.

From:  http://hecatedemetersdatter.blogspot.com/


How true these words and they should be required reading for everyone who contemplates being a witch.

First Quarter Moon for this Lunar Cycle

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

9th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Kore
Lunar Tree Cycle - Muin/Vine 
9th Day of Blodlessing (Days of Harvest Rites) Cycle
Moon Phase: First Quarter - 12:49AM EST or 11:50PM (9-25-) EDST
Moon rise: 3:15PM EDST \
Moon sets: 11:59PM EDST
Moon in the Cardinal Earth Sign of Capricorn
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
The First Year of Branwen's Cycle
Lunar Meditation: The vista through the window
Sun in Libra
Sunrise: 7:11AM EDST
Sunset: 7:11PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What do your appreciate most about your skills?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter of the Year.
September 26th, 2009

    The first quarter is a time of balance, dynamic balance in fact, but it is fleeting. Once the dark half of the moon begins to fill out, the moment will have passed and energies will quicken again, picking up tension and momentum as the full approaches. But the brief pause is one of the most enchanted stages in the moon's cycle, and it can be used in a positive way to help magickal goals along.  The first quarter is a very good time to infuse extra power into the magickal projects begun at the new moon.

  This transit of the moon in Capricorn concerns leadership issues, security, responsibilities, the need to be recognized, desire to create environments, time to take of business, deal with alternative healing for your body and intensification of your powers of concentration. But also Capricorn brings energy that is slowed down.

   After Sagittarius' expansiveness, now we feel contraction and a time time to pay attention to our needs for security, duties, obligations, drives and ambitions. It's good for setting and achieving goals and 'going for it' materially.
  

The Burning Times again

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

8th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Kore
Lunar Tree Cycle ~ Muin/Vine  
The 8th Day of Blodlessing (Days of Harvest Rites) Cycle
Moon Phase: waxing Crescent
Moon rises: 2:32PM EDST
Moon sets: 11:35PM EDST
Moon in Sagittarius v/c 10:14AM
Moon enters the Cardinal Earth
Sign of Capricorn at 6:19PM
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
The First Year of Branwen's Cycle
Lunar Meditaton: The courage
to change
Sun in Libra
Sunrise: 7:10AM EDST
Sunset: 7:13PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
excites your soul?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
September 25th, 2009

   It is sad to see this happening yet again, perhaps still....

At http://hecatedemetersdatter.blogspot.com/

she calls our attention to the that witch hunts and witch killings are now global and spreading.  Another site in which this is posted about is: http://wildhunt.org/blog/2009/09/witch-hunts-are-now-an-international-epidemic.html

  There it says:  Witch Hunts Are Now An International Epidemic

Yesterday a coalition of U.N. officials, NGOs, and representatives from affected countries addressed the United Nations asking for governments to face the full extent of witch hunts across the world. Far from being a localized phenomenon in “primitive” or isolated villages, witch hunts and witch killings are now global in nature and spreading.

“Murder and persecution of women and children accused of being witches is spreading around the world and destroying the lives of millions of people, experts said Wednesday … “This is becoming an international problem — it is a form of persecution and violence that is spreading around the globe,” Jeff Crisp of the U.N.’s refugee agency UNHCR told a seminar organized by human rights officials of the world body.”

"Some religious practitioners make a living from exorcising alleged witches and charging exorbitant fees to those who request the ritual. In Foxcroft’s experience, the most vulnerable members of society – children and the elderly – are often the victims of these accusations.”

“Witchcraft is still widely practiced in many countries in Africa by witchdoctors who often use human body parts in their spells. Some witchdoctors employ gangs of young men to attack and kill victims, often young children, for their body parts, which are frequently removed while the victim is still alive. An estimated 300 people are killed each year in South Africa alone as a result of this practice. But horrific though this practice is, it is only part of the problem. In Nigeria, in both the Muslim North and the Christian South, witch hunts are not uncommon and this has led to a second form of abuse. Some unscrupulous pastors, many linked to Pentecostal churches, have a lucrative trade in making unfounded accusations of witchcraft against young children. [The pastors then agree to “cure” the witches for a substantial fee. Many children are being ostracized and abandoned by their parents as a result of these accusations.]“




These Christian pastors aren’t isolated to Africa, they tour churches in America bragging about their battles with the occult, and have established ministries in Ireland and the UK. Commingling with an increasing anti-occult fervor among some Western Christian groups. Meanwhile, actual modern Pagan communities in places like India and South Africa are facing the possible ramifications of intensifying witch-hunts and witch persecutions.


Hecate's says in her blog: "This is a serious problem and it calls for serious actions. As Jason notes, signing a few internet petitions isn't going to cut it. I'd like to call on the Pagan community to -- in addition to serious political action, donations, and pressure on our own elected officials -- plan to do some magic on this topic at Yule, when we turn from the dark to the light. What can you do --as a solitary, a member of a coven or grove, a worker of magic, a shaman, a worshipper of the old gods, a priestess or priest of a public ritual, as one who moves between the worlds where what you do between them affects them all -- what can you do to put a stop to this modern day slaughter of witches and those labeled "witch"? If you plan an action at Yule, please share it in comments; if we can collect enough ideas, I'll do a separate post on the topic a bit closer to the Sabbat."
 

Sun in Libra

Sun in Libra

Yesterday at the time of the Autumn Equinox the Sun moved into the Sign of Libra - a Cardinal Air Sign.

6th Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Artemis
Lunar Tree Cycle - Muin/Vine
6th Day of Blodlessing (Days of Harvest Rites) Cycle
Moon Phase: waxing Crescent
Moon rises: 12:41PM EDST
Moon sets: 9:52PM EDST
Moon enters the Mutable Fire Sign of Sagittarius
at 7:43AM EDST
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
The First Year of Branwen's Cycle
Lunar Meditation: The creative
power of hope.
Sun in Libra
Sunrise: 7:08AM EDST
Sunset: 7:16PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "How
is truth served in your life?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
September 23rd. 2009

  As the seventh sign of the zodiac, Libra represents the seventh stage in the evolution of man and his place in the universe. The first six signs represent man's attention turned inward to understand and develop his individuality and position in the cosmos. The rest of the signs represent his attention turned outward to humanity as a whole. Libra is not merely the sign of partnership, it is the sign of other people in general. Libra is the balance between the individual and society. To attain the understanding man seeks in Libra, there must be a compromise between the passion and the intellect. The physical world must come to terms with the nonphysical world. The objectivity of judgment needed for these tasks is characteristic of the Libran temperament. Un-evolved Librans can be cold and unemotional or unable to make decisions. But this is not true of mature Librans in whom such traits merely represent attempts to reach true objectivity. To read more of this article go to:




From: http://www.dailyscopes.com/libra-sun.php




And from Kate West's "The Real Witches' Year":


Libra is an AIr sign relating to the world of thought, ideas, communications and humanity. It is also a Cardinal sign briinging eagerness, initiative, action and impatience.

Librans are generally self-expression, communicative, mentally alert, and extrovert.The tend to be charming,m easy-going, diplomatic and compromising. They are happiest in harmonious company, preferring to comform and to avoid conflict and dissension. Librans are typified by the scales; they like to weigh things in the balance. They are intelligent and capable of seeing all sides of an issue, however this can lead to indecisiveness, and sometimes to misunderstandings through doing what they think others expect. Librans enjoy bringing people together and often have a strong artistic or creative streak. They are actuely perceptive about those they love and are often forgiving of faults, whether real or perceived. They tend to bottle up their feelings for fear of 'upsetting the balance.' On the negative side they can lack self-confidence, be fault-finding, indecisive, frivolous and shallow.

While the Sun is in their sign Librans should be particularly wary of their tendency to compare both themselves and others to some kind of ideal, as this is bound to lead to disappointments. It is a good time for them to exprss themselves artistically. Those of other signs will also find this a good time for artistic endeavours, soucial activities and for considering decision which involve many positive and negative components.

Autumn Equinox

AUTUMN EQUINOX


Autumn is well-named Fall, as it is the time when greens give way to a glorious array of yellows, golds, oranges and reds before the wind takes
the leaves to the ground. Autumn is the season of winds, the harbingers of
the storms of Winter. It is the time of harvest and plenty, when the crops
ripen, before the hardship of Winter.

  Even if we do not tend the land to produce our own food it is a time of harvest. This is the time when we should look to what we have achieved: the tasks and projects we have completed, the successes we have had. Even where not all has turned out as hoped for, there is often much which has been achieved.
As the farmer is setting aside seed for next year, so we too can sort out the seeds of ideas for new things to begin. Much like we did in the Spring this is a time for sorting through our lives, discarding that which is finished and preparing to start afresh.

  Take time to consider and sort through your life. Celebrate your own harvest, whether it is a spring of herb grown on the windowsill or a friend you have helped through abad time, and mark every achievement great and small. For each collect a seed or nut and create a string of them. Sunflower seeds are good for this. Paint each in a color which reminds you of the good things in year and place it in a prominent place where you can remind yourself of the positive aspects of life.
[From Kate West's ""The Real Witches' Year"]

FALL EQUINOX - We'Moon essay

   A momentary state of precise equilibrium mirrors the Spring Equinox, but instead of the
exuberance of spring, we experience a melancholy represented by the crescent-shaped harvest sickle, that ancient female symbol marking women's role in agriculture and the cutting of cord after birth. Harvest time warns us to gather in the fruits and nuts, pick the vegetables from gardens and fields, cut grains, and enter into planning for some surplus to get us through the winter. Mother Earth's abundance could be a metaphor for the 'gift economy', and alternative economic model developed by femininist philosopher, Genevieve Vaughn, reflecting ancient matriarchal values that constrast with the 'exchange exonomy' dominating the world today.

Go into nature (or your backyard), and gather things to make a 'fetish' or 'talisman' from fibers, shells, feathers and found objects. Tie the parts together making prayers with each knot, binding energies in and shaping it into the form of an animal spirit or doll. Let this artifact remind you to turn within yourself and give thanks for what you have harvested this year. How about making a contribution of food or cash to yourn local food bank!

By Vicki Noble copyright Mother Tongue Ink, 2008

Mabon is almost here....

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



3rd Day of the 9th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Persephone
Lunar Tree Cycle ~ Muin/Vine
3rd Day of the Blodlessing (Days of Harvest Rites)
Moon Phase: waxing New
Moon rises: 9:17AM EDST
Moon sets: 7:56PM EDST
Moon in Libra v/c 2:43PM EDST
Blodeuwedd's Cycle of the Moon
The First Year of Branwen's Cycle
Lunar Meditation: The blessing
of water
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 7:05AM EDST
Sunset: 7:21PM EDST
Solar Question of the Day: ""What
motivates your lifestyle?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
September 20th, 2009


Phrase of the day: Mabon's Almost Here And The Veil Begins Thinning In Earnest this is the title of an entry at http://hecatedemetersdatter.blogspot.com/

First of all, the veils that began, incrementally, to thin on Litha now get demonstrably thinner every day and you can feel the rapid progress. ....Mabon feels, in very many ways, like the beginning of, or the prequel to, Samhein. http://hecatedemetersdatter.blogspot.com/ From blog entry: Mabon And Living In Relationship With The Land

Water Meditation:

The Equinox marks the start of Autumn. which is associated with the Element of Water, that of our feelings and emotions, and is one of the hardest to come to terms with.

  I (Kate West) frequently find myself reminding people that there is no such thing as 'wrong emotions'.
Your feelings, whatever they are, are yours, and are not easy to control. However, what we can control is how we express our feelings and whether we let them get in the way of our lives. To help us it is often a good idea to take a little time to explore our feelings, to 'wallow' in them as my mother would have said!
  Reserve the bathroom for a quiet time when you will not be distrubed. Decorate it attractively with blue candles, incense or burning oils, and perhaps even flowers. Run a warm bath and add a few sprigs of Lavender, Thyme, Chamomile and Jasmine; tie them into a clean flannel if you don't want bits. Also add about 1/2 teaspoon of blue food coloring to the water. Take with you 2 palm-sized stones, one dark an d one light in color. Completely immerse yourself 3 times. Then take the stones one in each hand. Close your eyes and think through the things you feel strongly about in your life. As you hold the stones, place the negative parts in the dark stone and the positive in the lighter one. After you have filed your emotions in this way immerse yourself 3 more times. Later, place the light stone in a prominentplace, and bury the dark one deep in the ground to take away the negatively.
[From Kate West's "The Real Witches' Year"]

The new lunar cycle has begun

It is the second day of the new lunar cycle which is lunar tree cycle of Muin/Vine. In my Seasons of the Witch datebook this morning it is


noted that there are Major magickal energies for doing spells or rites for Justice. The correspondences are the Element of Air; the color

white; the tarot card Justice and the rune Twaz. A little verse is also written out on today's page:

"White winged Goddess, Daughter of Night

                                                     Powerful judge of strong and right
                                                       Sweet Nemesis of my enemy be
                                                 Restore what has been taken from me."


Also this is season of the Eleusinian Mysteries..... these are one of the greatest rituals of the ancient world and was celebrated annually in Greece at the small town of Eleusis near Athens. This a part of the mystery religion of Demeter and Persphone and drew thousands of participants each
year. Perhaps as many as a million people were initiated into the mysteries over hundreds of years, in ceremonies that would last over many days during the period of the autumnal equinox. What happened at those initiations? We do not know. The ceremonies were secret, and none of the hundreds of thousands of initiates ever broke the vow.

New Moon - Muin/Vine Lunar Cycle

This is first day of the Muin/Vine lunar cycle...

Vine Month:

    Although associated with warm climes the Vine will grow quite successfully in cooler places, although you may have to shelter it in a greenhouse if you actually want grapes you can eat. Properly cared for, Vines live a very long time, some in Frane being said to be 400 years old.

  To the anceint Celts the Vine was a tree of strength, growth and unity. It was called the 'highest of beauty' and the 'strongest of effort' for its ability to grow higher than any plant which supported it, and to grow from one tree to another. Whilst the fruit is used to make wine, the vine has many other uses.  The roots wre plaited and twisted to make fine string and strong rope. The leaves can be eaten in salads, and are strong in vitamins and minerals, ensuring a clear skin. They are also good for the blood and calm the nerves. Boiled , they can be used as a lotion for sore mouths or as a poultice on wounds and swellings. Grapes were recommended in speeding the healing process. The tradition of giving grapes to someone recovering from illness goes back a very long time indeed.

  The fermented vruit of the Vine was considerd to bring divine inspiration, although only in moderate quantities. In addition it was thought to be a tree of teaching and knowledge. Meditation under or by a Vine gives access to the inner mind and is especially useful when seeking answers about the self. Place grapes on the ALtar in Rituals to Bacchus, Dionysus and Hathor.
[From: "The Real Witches' Year" by Kate West]

New Moon Ritual from http://apagantapestry.blogspot.com/2009/09/repeating-new-moon-ritual.html


This is a recurring ritual that I am going to do for a few months. New Moon is on September 18 @ 2:44pm EDT.

You will need:



One candle to honor the Goddess in her new moon, blue or white is nice, any color is fine. I have a large pale blue/green candle that I use for all moon rituals.



Incense or sage for cleansing the area.



A small unused notebook and a pen.



Four items to honor the elements.

I sometimes use:

a small bottle of sand for the element of earth

a feather for the element of air

a red candle for the element of fire

a small cup of water for the element of water



When I am in a candle mood I use candles for the elements:

brown or green for earth

yellow or pink for air

red or orange for fire

blue or white for water





Cleanse the area with incense or sage. I create sacred space by simply grounding and centering and visualizing an area around myself filled with energy, closed to random or chaotic spirits and open only to those I invite.



Call the Elements.

I start with Earth. If you are using candles, light them as you call each Element.

Calling them can be as simple as 'I call the Element of Earth to attend and add energy to this sacred space' or as elaborate as you wish.



After calling the Elements, take a moment to honor Goddess, ask her to look favorably on this ritual that you offer up to her and light the candle for her.



Take a few minutes to sit quietly. Reach out to the Elements for additional energy and power. Fill the space around you with their power and energy and reflect on the new moon as an opportunity for new beginnings. An opportunity that we are offered over and over again.



Take your notebook and write something along the lines of:

I will manifest these things that I desire and need in my life and I will do so without harm to anyone else.



Then begin to write down what you need to create in your life. It can be a few things or many. Large or small, tangible or not.



Concentrate on manifesting these things in your life without harming anyone else.



Release the energy that you have created with this work and send it out into the universe to do your bidding.



Thank the Goddess for her presence in your life and put out her candle.



Thank the Elements for loaning you their energy and ask them to return to their own realms, putting out their candles (if any).



Bring yourself back to normal time/space, ground the energy creating your sacred space.

_____________________________



On the full moon take your notebook and cross off any items that have manifested in your life since the new moon. On the next new moon create a new list, leaving off the things that have already arrived. Do not just cross off and add to the old list, each new moon write down the new list.

Last Day of the Coll/Hazel Lunar Cycle

"I'm one with the Goddess

and open to Her Wisdom."

                                                                                                 
29th Day of the 8th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hecate
Lunar Tree Cycle ~ Coll/Hazel
29th Day of Betz (Days of Fire) Cycle
Moon Phase: Balsamic/Dark
Moon rises: 6:38AM EDST
Moon sets: 6:36PM EDST
Moon in the Mutable Earth
Sign of Virgo
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
The First Year of Branwen's Cycle
Lunar Meditation: The dimensions
of the Universe.
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 7:02AM EDST
Sunset: 7:26PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Which
of your skills needs to be honed at
this time?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
September 17th, 2009



I am  interested in the Dark Moon phase, which a lot of people refer to as being the New Moon phase. I place a difference between them even neither phase is really visible to most of

us in the skies. The New Moon to me is when the Moon 'turns the corner' to becoming a waxing moon and while this is also done at a time when we cannot see the Moon, I do sense there is

a difference in the energies coming from the Moon. This article below is from a book I have, "Mysteries of Dark Moon" by Demetra George, and it gives us some thoughts to be having on

this time of the cycle. There is another book focused on the Dark Moon time, and is one by Gail Wood, "Sisters of the Dark Moon". It is another one I have I in the past I have used it to do

Dark Moon rituals. I believe there is an updated version out now.





Dark of the Moon - The Dark of the Moon (or Dark Moon) is traditionally the last three days of the Lunar cycle, immediately preceding the New Moon, and the time when the night sky is notably absent the presence of the Moon. George [1] notes that: “The earliest peoples understood that the power of life lay in the darkness of the moon.” “The purpose of the dark phase of any cycle is that of transition between the death of the old and the birth of the new. The dark time is a time of retreat, of healing, and of dreaming of the future.” i.e. the fallow times preceding outbursts of creativity and growth.

“Most of us do not realize we all have many dark phase times in our lives, and that these are naturally occurring periods in any life cycle. We fail to understand that endings are the precursors to new beginnings; thus when our life rhythms move us into and through these dark phases, we are ignorant of what is actually happening.” [1] It is the grandeur of Death and Rebirth, not merely an ending with the proverbial ride off into the sunset.



“The dark phase of the cyclical process is a phase of healing and renewal rather than one of fear and unknowing; a time of mystery, wisdom, and healing power -- all gifts of the Dark Moon Goddess.” [1]



“There is less energy available for outer activities and meeting the expectations of others, because the purpose of the dark phase is for focusing on the inner dimensions of our bodies and minds. If we can learn to attune ourselves to the natural rhythms of ebb and flow in our lives, we can use the intrinsic function of the dark times for healing and renewal. When we resist this inward motion in our psyche, then anxiety, stress, and fear are more likely to take hold of our emotions.” [1]



“The Triple Moon Goddess, in her new, full, and dark phases, was a model for the feminine nature in her entirety as maiden, mother, and crone. In her original worship the Dark Goddess, as the third aspect of this lunar trilogy, was honored, loved, and accepted for her wisdom and for her mystery teachings of renewal.” [1]

Spells: Healing, renewal, psychic spells. A good time to meditate on the inner self.



References:



[1] Demetra George, Mysteries of the Dark Moon, The Healing Power of the Dark Goddess, Harper San Francisco, 1992.



And here is a website on the Dark Moon time:



http://www.hecatescauldron.org/Women%20and%20Dark%20Moon%20Magick.htm

Balsamic Moon today -

"I'm one with the Goddess


and open to Her Wisdom."

27thy Day of the 8th Lunar Cycle                                          
Ruled by Hecate
Lunar Tree Cycle ~ Coll/Hazel
27th Day of Betz (Days of Fire) Cycle
Moon Phase: Balsamic Moon - 7:27AM EDST
Moon rises: 3:05AM EDST
Moon sets: 5:37PM EDST
Moon in the Fixed Fire
Sign of Leo
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
The First Year of Branwen's Cycle
Lunar Meditation: The companionship
of animals.
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 7:00AM EDST
Sunset: 7:30PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "When
did you last celebrate or party?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
September 15th, 2009



Balsamic Moon today - this lunar cycle is winding down. Keywords for the Balsamic phase are: transition, release, transformation, renewal, 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 one. 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 meditate.



In my Seasons of the Witch datebook today it says there are magickal energies for doing reversals, banishing enemies and the correspondences are the Element of Fire,of Black and the rune Kenaz. There are a couple of items on today's page about this:



"Magick cast as innocent

Manifested twisted, bemt,                         
Widdershins the pot now stir
Is as if you never were."



And here is a Reversals Wind Powder



1 pinch of Lavendar 1 pinch of Passion Flower

1 pinch of Elecampoane 1 smidgen Lemon Balm

A windy day



Finely grind the powder. Cast on the wind with your
spoken rhyme top reverse Magick that twisted
or went awry.

Mabon is approaching - crossing a threshold

In this time of the waning moon and Mercury Retrograde we reflect on what is no longer serving us, what needs to be discarded and changed.  But we also approaching the threshold into the dark side of the Wheel of the Year.   The Celtic Spirit essay I read this morning is something that many of us should be reading and pondering on..... 

The Seasonal Thresholds


"This has been our way: Spring for plowing and sowing,

Summer for strengthening the crop;

Autumn for grain's ripness and for reaping,

Winter for consuming its goodess."

___ Cath Madge Tuired, from Caitlin Matthews,

"The Celtic Book of Days" (trans. CM)

The gifts of each season create thresholds and doorways of opportunity for us as the year turns. The circuit of the earth about the sun is like the turas (TU'ras), or revolving walk of a pilgrim about a sacred site: at each point of the circumambulation, there arises a different symbology in the changing weather and in the correspondences of the growing world. As we become more sensitive to the annual turas of these changes, we can become attuned.

When the first spring flowers emerge, the winter may still hold sway, but we sense the time of beginning, we struggle, like the young plants, to bring ourselves over the threshold of emergence. When summer's heat encourages us to leave off our warm clothing, we pass through the threshold of confidence and action. When autumn leaves drift from the trees, we look for the threshold of gathering. When winter fastens its grip on the world, we cross the threshold toward reflection and stillness.

Through every station of the earth's revolution, we pass through a kaleidoscipic variety of moods, expectations, and opportunities. Everyone has p0referred seasons, accepting their gifts with pleasure. Those seasons that we actively dislike may be offering us opportunities to come to terms with aspects of our own annual distress - with depression, impatience, anger, or fear. If we can live each moment of the year as it is happening with attention to the seasonal thresholds and their gifts, we may discover a new resourcefulness that will enrich our lives with special joy.

"Consider the gifts and opportunities that you receive from each season."
 

Saturn's Day - 24th Day of the 8th Lunar Cycle - waning quarter moon

  Today the waning quarter moon goes void of course from the sign of Gemini, a Mutable Air sign, at 7:29AM EDST and will enter the Cardinal Water sign of Cancer at 4:18PM EDST.... the ruling deity for this day is Medusa, and the Sun is in Virgo, a mutable Earth sign. 

Waning Moon:  This period in a lunar cycle belongs to the Dark Maiden and occurs when the Moon shrinks from full to dark, but it doesn't mean that Her power is evving. In fact, it's the perfect time to perform efforts that require any sort of shrinkage, elimination, or separation. Good candidates might include  weight loss, poor health, debt relief, a gradual separation from damaging relationships, the termination of a bad habit, or the removal of some annoyance from your life. No matter the problem, getting rid of it is easier when the Moon is going down.
  What some practioners don't realize, thought, is that the Waning Moon really packs a wallop during its first three to seven days. This period, which occurs just after the Full Moon, is commonly known as the Disseminating Moon, and is excellent for problems that require a complete and final ending. Therefore, work that involves divorce, complete eradication of an addiction or serious health problems, or personal closure of some sort is very effective at this time.

Elemental Symbols:   Balance of symbols is one of the keys to the Craft.

   To remind us of this, and to welcome the energies of the Elements into the Circle, we place symbols of them on our Altar. Witches who regularly work magick will often have elemental symbols around the room they work in, or generally around the house.

   Air is usually represented by incense on the Altar, as loose incense burnt on charcoal in a Censer or Thurible, or as cone or stick incense.

  Fire is represented by a light candle..... 

Water is a small dish of water, perhaps with an Asperger to sprinkle it around the Circle. 

  Earth is usually represented by salt, although an Altar Pentagram will also serve...

   Most Witches leave the symbols on the Altar, but in some Coven work each symbol is taken from the Altar as the Element is invoked and carried around the Circle clockwise, before being placed in the appropriate Quarter; Air in the east, Fire in the South, Water in the West, and Earth in the  North, prior to working.

  Many Witches also carry a small portable version of the Altar with its own elemental symbols: a feather for Air, a Crystal for Fire, a shell for Water and a stone or small piece of wood for Earth. All these are wrapped in a small cloth which can then be used as the Altar surface. Of course you can always select other objects which represent the Elements to you. At least one Witch I know has a small bracelet with beads in the elemental colors, which she wears when  working magick.

[From "The Real Witch's Year" by Kate West.

Last Quarter Moon today

"I'm one with the Goddess

and open to Her Wisdom."



23rd Day of the 8th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Medusa
Lunar Tree Cycle ~ Coll/Hazel
23rd Day of the Betz (Days of Fire) Cycle
Moon Phase: Last Quarter - 10:14PM EDST
Moon sets: 2:27PM EDST
Moon rises: 11:33PM EDST
Moon in the Mutable Air
Sign of Gemini
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
The First Year of Branwen's Cycle
Lunar Meditation: Sources of
comfort.
Sun in Virgo
Sunrise: 6:56AM EDST
Sunset: 7:36PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
sorrow is unexpressed with you?"
Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter
of the Year
September 11th, 2009



Today the moon will present her Last Quarter face.... the keywords for this phase are: relaignment, revision, integration, 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 success(s). MANIFEST YOUR GOAL. Be responsible.

  

21st Day of the 8th Lunar Cycle

"I'm one with the Goddess


and open to Her Wisdom."



21st Day of the 8th Lunar Cycle

Ruled by Hestia

Lunar Tree Cycle ~ Coll/Hazel

21st Day of Betz (Days of Fire) Cycle

Moon Phase: Disseminating moon

Moon rises: 9:53PM EDST

Moon sets: 12:12PM EDST

Moon in the Fixed Earth Sign

of Taurus

Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon

The First Year of Branwen's Cycle

Lunar Meditation: Memories of

places distant or no more.

Sun in Virgo

Sunrise: 6:54AM EDST

Sunset: 7:40PM EDST

Solar Question for the Day: "What

harmony is calling you to play?"

Lughnasadh (Gwyl Awst) Quarter

of the Year

September 9th, 2009



09-09-09 - a magickal looking series of numbers isn't. Also today is my youngest son's birthday, he turns 30. I have noticed the theme of Fall is showing up in a number of blogs now but on

a sad note I read where Marion Weinstein passed over yesterday.... September 8th.