Happy, Happy and Merry, Merry! Take some time today to take a walk outside so that the energies from all the food and fire, the bright and shiny and the many visitors will disappear along with your tension and fatigue. This is the gift I share right now, ages-old wisdom that guarantees that you will feel like a brand new you! From my house to yours, I wish you nothing but peace and prosperity on this day, and always.
By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com
Today is a ‘Beautiful Day.’ And here are some suggestions from ancient Taoist dictates that promise inner and outer beauty! It’s recommended that these exercises be performed just once a day in order to build all the beauty your heart can hold. Meditate for five minutes a day. Read at least one chapter from a book each day. Do a good deed. Compliment someone. Walk for thirty minutes. Clean up your home. Then, at the end of the day before sleeping, reflect on all the good you’ve done and all the good things you’ve been blessed with. Beautiful suggestions on a beautiful day for a far more beautiful, happy and fulfilled you.
By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com
Not only is it ‘Mischief Night’ and ‘Haunted Refrigerator Night,’ but it’s also ‘Checklist Day.’ So I want you to take out your paper and red pen and make a checklist of nine goals that you would like to achieve in the next year, starting from now. Read that list every day, three times a day, once upon awakening, again at midday, and lastly right before bed. Research has shown that only three percent of people reading this right now will write this list, but those who do will become leaders who will enjoy tremendous success. Don’t you want to be one of that three percent? Check off creating your very own checklist on this day and let someone else make all the mischief. You’ve got millions to make!
By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com
The Moon Void of Course
The end of the world is near! That’s the word on the street, anyway, and the media frenzy has officially begun, projecting fear that the end of the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012 really is the end of days.
The good news is that the world will not really end in 2012, although you don’t need to be an astrologer to see how quickly things are changing. Civilization as we know it seems to be in a precarious situation, with growing political unrest and financial stresses warning us that we are repeating epic mistakes from our own cultural history. For example, we have just witnessed the sharpest economic downturn since the Great Depression. Differences in political ideologies and spiritual beliefs continue to fuel increasingly destructive wars. Environmental threats make our water and food supplies more and more scarce; meanwhile, we are powering our world with a diminishing reserve of oil and others resources. So it’s no surprise that so many people — experts and laymen alike — are predicting that the fabric of our entire society is dangerously at risk.
But if you look to the skies, you’ll see there’s nothing to fear on that notorious day in 2012.
Astrologers watch the cycles of the Sun, Moon and planets to understand the changing nature of time and to put these shifts into historical perspective. For example, we had a dose of culture-wide panic at the threshold of this century. The start of the year 2000 — or “Y2K” — was as an apocalyptic date; some predicted that it would be the beginning of the “end times.” But astrologers could see then that there were no planetary alignments significant enough to warrant this kind of fear.
2012 is different — there are significant astrological factors that indicate these are truly significant times. But let’s clear one thing up right away: there won’t be a cataclysmic event on December 21, 2012. It’s been claimed that on this first day of winter, the Sun will line up perfectly with the center of the Milky Way Galaxy and that this will confirm the ancient Mayan prophecies. In other words, many claim that the Sun’s change of position will mark the end of time. But there is a scientific problem with this reasoning: the Sun’s alignment to the galactic center on Winter Solstice moves at the rate of one degree every 72 years! Therefore, this cosmic event is so slow-moving that it lasts more than a decade.
As astrologers track the cycles of planets, they pay special attention to the lunation cycle, which is the monthly flow of New Moons and Full Moons. This is how they are able predict the impact these movements will have on the personal and emotional cycles of our daily lives. Meanwhile, astrologers also track the activities of the slower-moving outer planets (the ones with the longest orbits), which create their own rhythms and are more closely related to large historical cycles.
For example, Uranus symbolizes sudden changes that release explosive energy, which is why astrologers refer to it as “The Great Awakener.” Pluto symbolizes total metamorphosis. The deep transformation that’s associated with mysterious Pluto is dramatic and complete, like a caterpillar evolving into a butterfly, which is why the profound cultural shifts of the 1960s corresponded with a conjunction between surprising Uranus and passionate Pluto in 1965-1966.
In the summer of 2012, these two planetary harbingers of change will come into a hard 90-degree alignment — their first since the mid-1960s. This dynamic angle between lightning-like Uranus and intense Pluto recurs seven times from June 24, 2012 through March 16, 2015. This is the period of upheaval we should be looking at, rather than focusing on a single day in 2012.
But there is another player that is involved in this cycle: Karmic Saturn, known in Astrology as “the Tester,” entered the picture in the late summer of 2008 and was exactly opposite Uranus on Election Day when Barack Obama was elected President. Saturn symbolizes the status quo. Saturn is traditional, conservative and fear-based, and it punishes those who do not follow the rules. On the other hand, Uranus symbolizes the new. Uranus is progressive and radical, and it anticipates the future with excitement. The Saturn-Uranus opposition is a struggle between the old and the new, and this phase of political confrontation will continue until Saturn and Uranus’ final contact next summer.
From an astrological perspective, this means we don’t have to wait until 2012 for the action to begin, because we are already in a time of profound change, not unlike the 1960s. Now, however, we communicate in ways that are far more revolutionary, due to our constant interconnection via cell phone, email, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and numerous other social networks. There are new political opportunities for disenfranchised people all over the world to connect with one another, which may explain Barack Obama’s meteoric rise to the Whitehouse over the fearful cries of the old-school American political machine. It is this factor — our ability to communicate more quickly and openly — that will prevent the end of the world.
Astrology is not about predicting fated events; it’s about being aware of cosmic movements so we can get our timing right to make positive changes. The Astrology of 2012 is not about announcing the end of the world. Rather, it’s a call to action. Each and every one of us has a job to do, because as the great psychologist Carl Jung said, “The salvation of the world depends upon the salvation of the individuals living in it.”
Some of us may play larger roles in the current changes by getting involved in community, national or global politics. But each of us adds to the total picture when we live our individual lives responsibly. Astrology reminds us that there is no time to waste — we are each an agent of change and each of us can impact the big picture by replacing doubt with courage, and by conquering fear with love.
In other words, this is truly the time to “think globally and act locally.”
A SPELL FOR BREAKING KARMIC CONTRACTS WITH PEOPLE
Ingredients
(so they don’t continue to play the same detrimental roles in your further incarnations.)
On parchment or some other nice quality paper, write in red ink
(dragon’s blood ink, bat’s blood would be great too):
(Name) I declare our contract broken.
You no longer have power over me.
Never again will I be your servant, in this life or any other.
(you can use your own words, go into detail about how you feel you’ve been wronged
manipulated, whatever.)
Sign your name, burn it with a black candle. Get rid of the ashes.
Although you may be tiring of the current hectic pace, this may not be the best day to get some rest. Slowing down sounds like a good idea now, but reality could still have a surprise or two in store for you today. Instead of attempting to avoid unexpected interactions or to minimize unscheduled events, embrace the interruptions because they can ultimately turn a boring day into an exciting one.
You may be expected to give a lot of yourself today without receiving much in return. Even if you derive personal satisfaction from your service to others, the day still could take its toll. You may feel that you aren’t making much progress now, as if the tides are carrying you backward, but this is just a temporary effect of Mercury retrograde. Fortunately, you know something about patience. Don’t give up; your persistence will be rewarded soon enough.
You may feel a bit frazzled now that the Moon is in your sign, simply because you know something that others don’t and you cannot say a word about it yet. Maybe you made a promise to keep quiet or perhaps you just know that the current timing isn’t quite right. For now, stick to your decision about what you will share and what you won’t. Don’t worry; everything is in the process of change, anyhow.
You may have more data at your fingertips than others realize, but you don’t have to tell everyone everything that you know. Luckily, your current knowledge may be sufficient to answer a question, yet you still might be tempted to push your luck and try to uncover more. Instead of struggling on your own, be brave and ask for help if you need it.
There really isn’t any need to worry about what you must do today, for you are best off just being spontaneous. Although you can quickly become distracted by your friends, forget about entertaining everyone else for now. For once, just follow the course of least resistance, and let the magic of the day take you wherever it does.
Many of your friends and associates are looking to you for guidance during these intense times, even if you aren’t interested in accepting a leadership role today. It’s not that you are incapable of being a good manager; it’s just that you might grow bored of trying to fulfill your obligations before the day is over. For a change of pace, cut yourself some slack and do something special just for you. Honestly, you can always pick up the pieces tomorrow.
You may wonder if something is wrong with you today because the weekend is not even here yet and you’re already planning for the next one. This might sound like a smart idea, but it makes it rather challenging to fully enjoy what is happening right under your nose. Reduce the pressure by acknowledging that there are many different ways to have fun. Relax and take time to smell the flowers.
A thoroughly enjoyable encounter could morph into a romance or a long-lasting friendship as the flirty Gemini Moon aspects sweet Venus and talkative Mercury. But you must be willing to stand up and play your part in order to see where the relationship goes. If you don’t make a concerted effort to connect with others in a deeper way when you’re given the opportunity, then you’ll never know where it might have taken you.
This may be a near perfect day if you’re a fan of sports competition. It doesn’t matter whether you are watching sports on television or actually participating in the games, yourself. However, if your interests are drawn somewhere else now, try to enjoy yourself thoroughly, whatever you choose to do. Keep in mind that you’ll have more fun now if you are with new friends doing something you’ve never done before.
It could be very grounding today to acknowledge a family tradition or a meaningful ritual from the past. You might impulsively decide to visit your parents or take a quick trip to see your kids. No matter what you plan, do things a little differently. You will feel more energetic if you don’t do the same old routine again; instead, break up the drudgery with something that’s a lot more fun.
You may be worried that the weekend will come and go before you can finish what’s already on your plate. Ignoring your ambitious plans by slipping into denial won’t help you avoid what’s ahead. However, it’s probably more important to think about the present moment, instead of continually focusing your attention on the future. Scaling back your expectations now could give you extra time to relax and unwind.
Today’s Gemini Moon complicates your life, yet it could also make your day more interesting. Even if you are sure about what you want, you might not know exactly how to get it. It’s even harder now because your head says one thing while your heart tugs in another direction. Ultimately, you’ll be happier if you let your conscience be your guide and do what feels right.
Can a Christian Practice Magick?
Author: Belenus
For many years, I struggled with a personal conflict. You see, my Christian upbringing didn’t seem to fit in with what I call my “mystic callings, ” that is, my other path of mystery and magick. I kept my magikal pursuits separate from my religious activities. I began my magickal journey more than twenty years ago by studying astrology, because the notion of predicting the future and getting a better handle on my own personality and relationships with others appealed to me. I must admit that my romantic urges were a major driving force in all this investigation and revelation, as were my materialistic ambitions.
So, although I didn’t keep my Astrological studies from my close friends and family, I didn’t advertise it to those in my religious community. When I did divulge to a very select few, it was with a real sense of insecurity and fear that I was being negatively judged. When my Mystic interests branched out into the areas of Magick and Paganism, I did indeed keep it almost exclusively to myself, as I felt that this was even more off the beaten path and frowned upon by society in general and particularly so by my Christian family and community.
Now I am both a mage and a Christian, and I do not feel particularly conflicted about it. Just a fleeting guilt feeling now and again, usually brought about by some external reminder that there are Christians who do indeed condemn such activities. That even sounds funny in the same sentence, you know, Christian and condemning? And although I don’t go shouting my Magickal activities off roof tops, I am comfortable within myself that I am on the right path for me, and have integrated Magick into the other areas of my life, including my religion. I feel actually compelled to follow this duel path and even though I see some inconsistencies, I am confident that this is my calling for now.
I go to Catholic Mass and see many of its rituals and methods to be similar to Magickal rituals and methods. For example, the burning of incense in the Mass parallels Magickal rituals that use incense as a way to carry intentions to higher forces, be they Gods or Goddesses or what ever. The Catholic Mass is full of symbolism and what some would call Magic. Symbols are also a large component in Wicca, Paganism and are used in working Magick. Chanting and singing are other examples of techniques used in both Christian and Pagan rituals and rites.
One major difference I see between Christian prayers and working Magick is that with prayer, a person asks for something and then passively waits and hopes that it is answered in a way that satisfies a need. This is quite different from the Magician who inserts her or his own power and will into the work. Rather than hoping for something to change, the Magician “wills” the change to come about.
I feel that as a Christian Mystic, I have an advantage in many ways. I get to combine both prayer and magick in my rituals. Intuition dictates that with this combination, I should have even better results. I am not too concerned with this for now though. I am just answering the two callings I have in a way that helps me thrive spiritually. I use rituals that incorporate both some standard Wiccan magickal tools, such as a wand and an athame, but also include prayer and a chalice filled with blessed, Holy water from my local parish.
I like to think that I am the kind of person who accepts people from all walks of life and faith, or even no faith. This is not always easy in a world that has people of different faiths and paths, drawing lines and grabbing at power and control, but I think I do it as well as just about anybody. The key has been to nurture an open mind and often examine myself and my motives. Over time, this has lead to a level of self-awareness that allows me to be true to self, and at the same time, let others be as they are.
I remember a small event that took place several years ago, which let me know I was making progress. I realized as I watched a political debate on the television that I wasn’t getting angry with the commentator who was espousing what I felt was the wrong side of the argument. I told my wife that in the past, I would have turned off the T.V. in anger and disgust, unable to handle emotionally my own internal conflict that watching the show produced.
Don’t get me wrong; it wasn’t too long ago that the very sight of a Pentagram made me cringe. In case you don’t know, the sight of a Pentagram can send shivers down the spine of many Christians who don’t know better; that it is not a symbol of evil, but of things that are life affirming and good. I look back on this now, and chuckle at my own built in sense of prejudice, especially now, knowing that much of what the Christians practice, borrow from Pagan traditions.
I personally believe that most religions have it wrong in the sense that they tend to foster a kind of ‘us and them’ attitude among their members. I believe, as did Gandhi and many others, that the idea of being separate from each other and even with the natural world is an illusion. We are all one and need to start acting that way. I look at it such that each being is like an individual cell that is part of a greater living being, and when one of us is deprived, sick or in trouble, we are all effected.
The Catholic Church systematically adopted many of the old ways and gave them a new twist, in order to bring more souls into the Christian fold. I think that after some analysis, one will find more similarities between Paganism and Christianity than differences.
I’ve recently begun investigating Hoodoo traditions and have learned how they are interrelated with the Catholic Church. I am excited to follow that path farther to see where it takes me. It is interesting to me that each Catholic Saint is attributed with special powers to help those who petition them with prayer requests. How is this different from one Wiccan praying to Odin and another praying to Diana?
I subscribe to the tenet that all Gods are one God, and that Love is the highest law. But, while I am here on this good earth, I expect that struggle and conflict, whether from external sources, or from internal issues, will always be a part of life for me, just less so as the years go by.
The Witchcraft Chronicles 
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