The runic half-month of Algiz (or Eohl) starts on January 28. It is thought to invoke the protection of a higher being, mainly because the appearance of the rune evokes the image of a person standing with his or her arms raised heavenward, as if imploring, or a else a hand whose palm is facing upward or outward, as if warding off an aggressive force. Two alternative meanings are the of “elk” and “elk sedge,” i.e., a prickly type of marsh grass, but even if interpreted as such, the primary meaning of both still implies self-defense or protection.
“A Helping Hand”
Wear a hand of Fatima as a protective amulet today. Available from Islamic outlets, this representation of the hand of the Prophet Muhammad’s daughter (the thumb denotes her father) represents Allah and the Five Pillars of Islam. Its palm often incorporates an eye that is said to deflect the malign energies conveyed by the evil eye.
Good day, my luvs! I am going to make it short and sweet today. I hope everyone is having a very relaxing and enjoyable Saturday. Thanks for stopping by and spending some of your day with me.
Have a great one, sweeties!
“I turn my attention inward to sense the tug of hidden desires. Clear in my self-awareness, I am now free to make my choice.”
“The significance of a man is not in what he attains but rather in what he longs to attain.”
Kahlil Gibran
(1883-1913)
Focus On A Pebble
You can use a pebble as a talisman to act as a focus for your ambitions and goals. Hold the pebble in your hand and focus your attention on it. Look at the smooth grain of its surface and the variations in hue, and feel the cool hardness of th pebble against your skin. Now close your eyes and squeezing the pebble tightly in one hand, wish for the fulfilment of an important dream or goal. As you do so imagine that the stone is glowing in your hand, charged with the energy of your wish. Put the stone in a place where you will see it on a daily basis to remind you of your goal. Whenever you are about to take a step toward achieving your goal and require an extra boost, squeeze the stone in your hand to summon your energies and focus your mind.
As well as pebbles, there are many other things that you can use as talisman – for example a semi-precious stone or crystal, a pendant, or a small toy or doll.
On your altar should be placed a circle of 13 stones and, within the circle of stones, a circle of 13 candles. Within the circle of candles should be spread some maize – i.e. corn meal – and in that a waxen female candle to symbolize the Goddess on your altar. On the eastern side of the altar should be placed a small sheaf of grain with a candle inserted inside it.
You should dress in your usual ceremonial garb for Magickal rites or skyclad, as you prefer.
Retire to bathe in salt-water (use sea salt) before the ritual. As you do so picture the water cleansing the soul and spirit, just as it cleanses the body. When you have dressed, anoint yourself with a holy oil. When you have prepared yourself, sit in a dim quiet place and light a candle – ONE THAT IS NOT BEING USED IN THE RITES – and meditate on how at this time of year the Goddess in her fiery aspect AS LIGHT was welcomed back into the Temples and the Homes of the land.
Take this candle and walk slowly to your altar. Place it in the circle of the 13 candles. Then light the two altar candles, which are separate from the circle of lights also, and the incense. (Incense should be stick or powdered incense on charcoal in a swinging burner.) Then light all the quarter candles in the 4 directions, starting in the east and going clockwise.
Cast your circle in the usual manner, but Invoke the Goddess with the following:
“Sacred womb, giver of the secrets of Life, Mother of all that exists in the Universe, I ask your guardianship of this gathering and your assistance in my work. I am gathered in celebration of your gifts and my work is most holy. SO MOTE IT BE”
And Invoke the God in the following manner:
“Fire of the sky, guardian of all that exists in the Universe, I ask your guardianship of this gathering and your assistance in my work. I am gathered in celebration of your gifts and my work is most holy. SO MOTE IT BE”
(Continue with the circle casting if it is not already finished)
Light the 13 candles and then the Goddess candle in the center and say:
“Warm and quickening Light awaken and bring forth beauty for thou art my pleasure and my bounty LORD and LADY OSiRIS AND ISIS” (or you may substitute whatever names your circle uses for the God and the Goddess – or those you personally prefer)
Reflect a moment on the coming of the light and offer up the incense.
Say
“O ancient Ones Timeless Goddess and Sacred King who art the heralds of springtime and it’s bounties be with me now in celebration
Hail to Osiris and Isis
Harvest giver and blessed Lady
Let this be a time and a place sacred to your power and your beauty
SO MOTE IT BE”
Light the candle in the sheaf of grain and hold it up with the loaf of bread in the other hand and say (or the cakes – whatever you or your tradition uses for the cakes and wine/juice ceremony)
“My Lord and Lady, as the seed becomes the grain, so the grain becomes the bread, Mark the everlasting value of our seasons and their changes. “
Break a piece of the bread or cakes off and burn it as an offering in the central candle.
Then say:
“In the deepest Icy Winter the seed of the Earth lies deep within the womb of the Great Mother. The Spring brings the heat of the Father and with their joining comes new life. The completion of the cycle brings food to the children of the world. As I taste the food I shall know the wisdom of the cycles and be blessed with the food of wisdom throughout my life”
Consecrate cakes and wine/juice in the usual manner and partake of them, but first raise your chalice or drinking horn and say:
“Hail to thee ISIS
Hail to thee Osiris
For thou art blessed”
After this commune in meditation with the Lord and lady for a while, then close the circle in your usual manner.
GOOD IMBOLCSubmitted By: Cogar niMhorrighan
Here is an original meditation for the Imbolc festival (can be used at
any time):
It is a lovely spring day. The air is fresh with the fragrance of green
plants preparing to bloom. The sun’s radiance bathes you in comfort,
perhaps the first warmth you have felt in many months. You sense that
you are in Ireland, because it is green and everything feels clean and
alive. The landscape is timeless and magical. In the distance, you
hear birds singing as they welcome the unexpected warmth of the day.
Inside you, happiness begins to bubble and dance, very quietly at first.
It feels almost like anticipation, but it puts a smile on your lips as
well.
You are walking up a slight hill, not steep enough to tire you but just
enough to sense that something wonderful can be seen from the top. As
you walk, the grass is already tall enough to brush against your lower
legs. You know you are in a wild place where Nature flourishes.
Towards the top of the hill, you see a dolmen – two standing stones and
a large stone across the tops of them, like an arch. You wonder why you
didn’t see this dolmen sooner. It is as if it appeared when you were
just twenty feet from it. Does it mean something? Is it real? You do
not pause to wonder, but keep walking towards it.
As you walk between the stones, you notice carvings and symbols on the
sides of the dolmen. Some of them are lines and hash-marks, which you
suspect are an Ogham message. Others are just symbols, which you will
return to look at, another day.
As you pass through the dolmen, you feel an invisible curtain brush over
you gently. In the space of a blink, it is a clear, crisp night. The
stars are above you, brilliant and twinkling. You know the moon is
behind you, but you do not notice its light because there is a sparkling
fire just ahead. There is no breeze, but the evening is chilly as you
would expect when Winter is still in the air.
You pull your clothing more closely around you, as you continue up the
hill. You are eager to reach the warmth of the fire, which is bigger
than you thought at first. In fact, it is a bonfire and you realize you
have arrived at Imbolc.
You run the last few steps to stand next to the fire pushing your hands
towards it, to capture the heat from a safe distance. Tall yellow and
white flames seem to warm you inside and out. You pause to look at the
sky again, and savor the moment.
Looking across the flames, you suddenly realize that you are not alone.
You can see the top of someone’s head, and you aren’t certain if you
have intruded on a private ceremony. Slowly, you walk around the fire,
and your companion stands up from the rock she was sitting upon. She is
a tall, strong woman, with long hair so light you cannot tell if it is
blonde or white. She looks like the Queen of Pentacles in a way, with
an ageless sense of knowing and accomplishment. She wears a long gown
and an embroidered cape, yet you can see her bare feet peeking out from
under her skirt. You know she is someone noble yet without artifice.
Without a word, she stretches out her hands to take yours in welcome.
You know, as if you’ve known her all your life, that this is Brighid.
This is a special and sacred moment.
She welcomes you to her fire, which will burn tonight and every night,
for Imbolc is her festival and her fire is never extinguished.
You sit down next to her, on large flat rocks that are warm from the
fire, and very comfortable. She begins to explain to you the meaning of
Imbolc, and its promise of a fresh beginning–not just to the plants and
animals, but also to everyone on Earth who chooses to permit Imbolc into
their lives.
She helps you to remember your past dreams, especially the ones from
your childhood which began, “When I grow up…” And as you recall these
fantasies and goals, you realize how many of them were left behind with
your childhood, yet how many are still alive in what you do each day,
today. This is not a sad realization as much as it is a recognition
that you can start afresh now. Every one of those dreams is still with
you.
Brighid reaches to her side and picks up a fallen twig from a nearby yew
tree. It looks like any other twig, in the firelight. However, when
Brighid places it into the fire, the bark on it sparks and flames like a
sparkler, giving enough heat energy to set the twig burning brightly.
Without saying anything, Brighid is showing you how even a small spark
will set alight your oldest and most neglected dreams.
The lesson was simple, but vital. Now it is time to return to your own
world. As you stand, Brighid offers you a cup of clear water, which you
sip. The sensation in your mouth is unique. There is a kind of
life-giving energy, that is Spring itself. You take a large swallow of
the water, and feel your entire body respond to that water with a
vitality that–like your forgotten dreams–you had almost forgotten from
childhood.
After returning the cup to Brighid, and then a quick embrace, you stride
purposefully around the fire and back to the dolmen. Passing under it,
you emerge back into the daylight and the warm air and clear sunshine of
an early spring day. You know you have not merely learned the meaning
of Imbolc, but actually experienced it in your soul. From now on, every
time you sip fresh water, or see twigs and branches burning in a
bonfire, you will feel Brighid’s presence, and be reminded of the
fire–and dreams–that burn within you, too, and will never be
extinguished.
Cleanse and cast the circle. Then call the elements in the manner with which you are most comfortable. We used the corner callings from Spiral Dance, by Starhawk.
The high priestess takes the chalice from the alter and holds it up to the sky.
HPS: Blessed Lady Goddess, we humbly ask your presence at our circle tonight as we honor you at this season.
Coveners: Blessed be the Lady.
The high priest takes the athame from the altar and holds it up to the sky.
HP: Blessed Lord God, we humbly ask your presence at our circle tonight as we honor you at this season.
Coveners: Blessed be the Lord.
The Virgin Goddess leaves the circle. She comes to the edge of the circle with her candle wheel in her hands. She should stand at the West quarter (the doorway to the Land of the Dead). The high priestess will cut a doorway in the circle and allow the Goddess to enter. Everyone should greet her in their own way (verbal, motion, etc). The Goddess should walk three times clockwise around the inside of the circle, and come to a stop before the alter and kneel before it, facing North.
The coveners should walk in single file to the altar starting with the person to the altar’s right. This will make the procession head clockwise. When everyone is back in their places holding their lighted candles, the ritual can continue.
HP: Behold the light. The God has returned for his bride.
Coveners:
Blessed be the light which warms. Blessed be the God.
Blessed be the Wheel which turns. Blessed be the Goddess.
The child God steps out from among the rest and stands before the bride, who is still kneeling. The God bows to the goddess and she to him. Then they do a few flowing dance steps around the circle without touching each other, but conveying the idea of awakening sexuality. When they are finished, they lift the besom from its resting place on the altar. The Goddess should hold the straw part and the God the stick. They should make sure they do not physically come in contact with each other while they do this. The high priestess stands in front of the besom and takes it from them by grasping it firmly with both hands. The Goddess and God step back to take their places with the rest of the coven.
HPS: With Imbolc we sweep away the last vestiges of winter.
The Coveners turn and face outward from the circle. The Priestess moves counterclockwise around the circle behind the covenors, sweeping from the center outward. As the High Priestess passes each covenor he or she should voice either aloud or silently all the things that he or she wishes to have swept from their lives. When this is finished, the Virgin Goddess and the child God step forward again and take the besom fromt he High Priestess in the same manner in which it was given. Then the High Priestess steps back and the Virgin Goddess and child God place the besom back onto the altar, and again take their positions among the covenors around the circle.
HPS: The God has claimed the Goddess bride and the Wheel of the Year turns on. Who is Goddess?
All women: I am Goddess.
HP: Who is God?
All men: I am God.
HP and HPS: Who is Goddess and God?
Coveners: All living beings are Goddess and God.
HP and HPS: And who are we?
Coveners: We are the children of deity. And we are deity. We are part of the creative life forces which move the universe. we are microcosm and macrocosm. We are part of all that is.
Cakes and Ale
HPS: Though we are apart, we are ever together – for we are one in the spirit of our goddess and God. Merry meet. Merry part.
Coveners: And merry meet again.
All: Blessed be!
Ground, take down the circle.
Materials
The place of ritual should be set up, away from the gathered participants. It is more than a good idea to manage bathrooms and such like before the circle is closed. This Mystery is not something any of the participants should miss out on!
The BARD should stand to the WEST, unless otherwise specified in the ritual.
HPS
Go we now to the sacred place
And stand within the sacred space
Turn your minds to sacred things
And dance with me unto the ring!
HP and HPS lead the coven to the place of ritual by a spiral dance, ending in a circle around the altar. The cauldron should be at the south. The Bard/Green Man dances at the end of the line. A good song to sing here is “Lord Of The Dance.”
HPS
Come we forth, with the Spiral Dance
Within the Lady’s radiance
To celebrate the Sun’s rebirth
To renew life, to warm the EarthEarth and Water, Fire and Air
I invoke the Goddess there!
This night we are Between the Worlds
To celebrate the year unfurled!
HP
Earth and Water, Fire and Sky
I invoke the God on high
This night we are Between the Worlds
To celebrate the year unfurled!
The corners shall be called thusly, that all may hear, but shall not be called until the HPS reaches that corner on her circumnabulation.
EAST
O Guardians of the Eastern Tower,
Airy ones of healing power
I do summon, stir and call you
See these rites and guard this circle!Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!
SOUTH
Oh fiery ones of Southern Power
Thus I invite you to this tower
I do summon, stir and call you
See these rites and guard this circle!Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!
WEST
Western ones of water’s flow
Help to guard us here below
I do summon, stir and call you
See these rites and guard this circle!Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!
NORTH
Earthen ones of Northern fame
Bless and guard our Power’s fane
I do summon, stir and call you
See these rites and guard this circle!Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!
The HPS shall move to each corner, and say, following each corner’s crying as she moves to the next:
HPS
So I cast and consecrate
This Circle of the small and great:
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
By Rock and Earth, by Land and Sea,
By Fire and Water, Earth and Air,
By the Lord, and Lady Fair!
By Love and Joy and Work and Play,
All things harmful cast away!
By lightening’s flash, and rain’s soft fall,
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
(Cast the Circle: Blessed be!)
On her return to the first corner she shall change the last line above, and say: “The Circle’s cast; and Blessed Be!”
The callers of the corners shall return their tools to the altar, and then shall join the circle at their corners.
Here begins the Candlemas (Imbolc) Mystery:
The Maiden shall step forth, and say:
MAIDEN:This is the time of Brigid, the Patron of Poets and Fire, and of Healing.
HPSThis is the time of new beginnings, when the Mother has become Maiden.
HPThe days have turned, and grow longer, and the Sun-child is growing to His strength.
BARD/GREEN MAN
I have been a wave upon the sea,
And a spark in the firelight.I have been a fish in the ocean.
I have been a Thought within a Word,
And a Word within a Deed.
I was cast away, and found again.I have been made of flowers
And of cold steel and brass.
Fire and ice are alike unto me.I have been the narrow blade of a sword
That kills without cutting.
And the Void is my homeland.I have been in Caer Sidi
In the Spiral Castle of Glass.
And the letters on the Standing Stones
Are no secret from me.I have been in Annwyn
And Tir na n’Og,
I have danced the Spiral Dance,
And drunk from the Hierlas at daybreak.I have ridden beneath two ravens
And served in the kitchen,
And all places are alike unto me.I have been a child
And now I come into my strength!I invoke the Land, the dear Land,
the Earth our Mother!
MAIDEN
The cycles of the Moon have taken their course, and I am in my Maidenhood.
The stars are kindled, and I dance in their light.
DARK LORD
Thy home is with me thru the long months of Winter,
and the Earth shall lie fallow and bare.
The HPS shall then light the candles of the Crown of Light, and shall approach the Maiden, who is now standing in the East, and place it upon her head. She shall now, in company with the Bard/Green Man, circumnabulate the circle, and the coveners shall light their candles from her crown. The Bard/Green Man shall return to his normal place within the circle and the Maiden shall place the Crown of Light on the altar. The Maiden shall then approach the Dark Lord, and kneel before him, and he shall say:
DARK LORD:As it always is, always was, and always shall be. Come to my Kingdom.
Here he shall place the dark cloak around her, and they shall retire to the West. Here ends the Candlemas Mystery.
A normal cone-of-power may be raised, for growth and healing:
HPS
In a ring we all shall stand
Pass the Power, hand to hand.
HP
As the Sun is given birth
Build the Power; root to Earth
HPS
Pass the Power, hand to hand
Bless the Lady, bless the Land
HP
Bless the Lord, and bless the Skies
Bless the Power that never dies!
The above four verses should be repeated three times, (or as many times as needed) and then the HPS should say:
HPS
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree:
Let the Power flow out and free!
All should release, at this point.
Such coven business as must be transacted may be done here. This is a good time to bless candles for use during the coming year. This is also a good time for initiations.
The Circle is opened.
HPS
Thus I release the East and West
Thanks to them from Host to Guest
Thus I release the South and North
With “Blessed Be’ I send them forth!
The Circle’s open, dance we so
Out and homeward we shall go.
Earth and Water, Air and Fire
Celebrated our desire.
The Sun’s returned to banish dark
The Earth awakes to sunlight’s spark.
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
Our circle’s done; and Blessed Be!
Coven: Blessed Be!
All spiral dance out from the Circle.
GrannyMoon’s Coventry of Healing Arts and Pagan Studies
Daily Aromatherapy – Manuka Oil, New Zealand
Manuka oil gives you a good alternative to Tea tree as an anti- infections oil. The main constituents of Manuka oil are caryophyllene, geraniol, pinene, linalol and humulene
Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2012 January 27
NGC 3239 and SN 2012A
Image Credit & Copyright: Adam Block, Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, University of Arizona
Explanation: About 40,000 light-years across, pretty, irregular galaxy NGC 3239 lies near the center of this lovely field of galaxies in the galaxy rich constellation Leo. At a distance of only 25 million light-years it dominates the frame, sporting a peculiar arrangement of structures, young blue star clusters and star forming regions, suggesting that NGC 3239 (aka Arp 263) is the result of a galaxy merger. Appearing nearly on top of the pretty galaxy is a bright, spiky, foreground star, a nearby member of our own Milky Way galaxy almost directly along our line-of-sight to NGC 3239. Still, NGC 3239 is notable for hosting this year’s first confirmed supernova, designated SN 2012A. It was discovered early this month by supernova hunters Bob Moore, Jack Newton, and Tim Puckett. Indicated in a cropped version of the wider image, SN 2012A is just below and right of the bright foreground star. Of course, based on the light-travel time to NGC 3239, the supernova explosion itself occurred 25 million years ago, triggered by the core collapse of a massive star.
The Witchcraft Chronicles 
You must be logged in to post a comment.