Tag: Lunar phase

The Witches Almanac for Samhain 2012

The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, October 31

*Wednesday (Mercury): The conscious mind, study, travel, divination, and wisdom.

Halloween * Samhain

Moon Sign: *Taurus

*Taurus: Things begun now last the longest, tend to increase in value, and become hard to alter. Brings out appreciation for beauty and sensory experience.

*Waning Moon

*Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New): is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon enters *Gemini 2:40 pm

*Gemini: Things begun now are easily changed by outside influence. Time for shortcuts, communication, games and fun.

Moon Phase: Third Quarter

Incense: Bay laurel

Color: White

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, October 30

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, October 30

*Tuesday (Mars): Passion, sex, courage, aggression and protection.

Meiji Festival (Japanese)

Moon Sign: *Taurus

*Taurus:  Things begun now last the longest, tend to increase in value and become hard to alter. Brings out appreciation for beauty and sensory experience.

*Waning Moon

*The Waning Moon is a time for study, meditation and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Incense:  Ylang-ylang

Moon Phase: Third Quarter

Color: Red

PRINCIPLES OF WICCAN BELIEF OF THE COUNCIL OF AMERICAN WITCHES

PRINCIPLES OF WICCAN BELIEF OF THE COUNCIL OF AMERICAN WITCHES

In April 1974, the Council of American Witches adopted a set of Principles which we personally believe in.

1) We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces
marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters.

2) We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward
our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.

3) We acknowledge a depth of power far greater that that apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called
“supernatural”, but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential
to all.

4) We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through
polarity–as masculine and feminine–and that this same Creative Power lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.

5) We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc.– and we see in the inter-action of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.

6) We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who
teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and
acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.

7) We see religion, magick and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it–a world view and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft–the Wiccan Way.

8) Calling oneself “Witch” does not make a Witch–but neither does heredity
itself, nor the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to
control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live
wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.

9) We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of
evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.

10) Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion or
philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be
‘the only way’ and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.

11) As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of
different traditions. We are concerned with our present and future.

12) We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as ‘Satan’ or ‘the Devil’ as defined by the Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.

13) We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.

 

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The Witches Almanac for Sunday, October 28th

The Witches Almanac for *Sunday, October 28th

*Sunday (Sun): Healing, spirituality, success, strength and protection.

Ochi Day (Greek)

Moon Sign: *Aries

*Aries: Good for starting things, but lacks staying power. Things occur rapidly, but quickly pass. People tend to be argumentative and assertive.

*Waxing Moon

*Waxing Moon is the ideal time for magick to draw things toward you.

Incense: Eucalyptus

Moon Phase: Second Quarter

Color: Gold

 

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Moon Magick

Moon Magick      

 

  
WAXING MOON:  
the waxing Moon is the best time to do a spell for growth, beginning new projects, initiation    and enhancement.  
WANING MOON:  
during the waning Moon, do spells to banish evil influences, lessen or remove obstacles and    illness, neutralize enemies, and to remove harm.  
NEW MOON:  
three days after the New Moon are the most powerful times to work spells for growth and    beginnings which should manifest at the Full Moon  
FULL MOON:  
the days just before the Full Moon are the most powerful times for fruition and completion.    Remember that even though the Moon looks Full Moon in the sky for two or three nights, it is only EXACT at the time posted on your calendar. Anything after    that time is a waning influence. Do your Full Moon spell before the exact time listed.

LUNAR PHASES AND MAGICKAL WORK

LUNAR PHASES AND MAGICKAL WORK  

  
Moon Myths
When people lived with Nature, the changing seasons had a great impact on religious    ceremonies. The Moon was seen as a symbol of the Goddess. Because of this, the light of the Moon was considered magical, and a source of energy. Wiccans    often practice magic at a Full Moon to tap into this energy thought to exist at this time. Plutarch once said “Egyptian priests called the Moon the    “Mother of the Universe,” because the moon, “having the light which makes moist and pregnant, is promotive of the generation of living    beings..” The Gnostic sect of Naassians believed in a primordial being known a “the heavenly horn of the moon.” The Moon was the Great Mother. Menos meant “Moon” and “power” to the Greeks. To the Romans, the morality of the Moon Goddess was above that of the Sun God. In many cultures the Moon Goddess and the Creatress were the same. Polynesians called the Creatress Hina, “Moon.” She was the first woman, and every    woman is a wahine, made in the image of Hina. Scandinavians sometimes called the Creatress Mardoll, “Moon Shining Over the Sea. Ashanti people had a    generic term used for all their deities, Boshun, meaning Moon. Sioux Native Americans call the moon The Old Woman Who Never Dies. Iroquois call her    “Eternal One.” Rulers in the Eritrean zone of South Africa held the Goddesses name “Moon.” The Gaelic name of the Moon, gealach, came    form Gala or Galata, the original Moon-Mother of Gaelic and Gaulish tribes. Britain used to be called Albion, the milk-white Moon-Goddess. The Moon was    called Metra, which means Mother , “whose love penetrated everywhere.” In the Basque language, the words for deity and moon are the same. The    root word for both “moon” and “mind” was the Indo-European manas, mana, or men, representing the Great Mother’s “wise    blood” in women, governed by the Moon. The derivative mania used to mean ecstatic revelation, like lunacy used to mean possession by spirit of Luna, the Moon.
To be Moon-Touched or Moon-Struck meant to be chosen by the Goddess. When patriarchal thinkers belittled the Goddess, these words came to mean    craziness. Orphic and Pythagorean sect viewed the Moon as the home of the dead, a female gate known as Yoni. Souls passed through on the way to the    paradise fields of the stars. Greeks often located the Elysian Fields, home of the blessed dead, in the moon. The shoes of Toman senators were decorated    with ivory crescents to show that after death they would inhabit the Moon. Roman religion taught that “the souls of the just are purified in the Moon.” Wearing the crescent was “visual worship” of the Goddess. That was why the prophet Isaiah denounced the women of Zion for wearing    lunar amulets. Because the moon was the holder of souls between reincarnations, it sheltered both the dead and unborn, who were one in the same. If a man    dreams of his own image in the Moon, he would become the father of a son. If a woman dreamed of her own image in the Moon, she would have a daughter. The    Moon Goddess created time, with all its cycles of creation, growth, decline, and destruction. This is why ancient calendars were based on phases of the    moon and menstrual cycles. The Moon still determines agricultural work in some parts of India. Indonesian moon priestesses were responsible for finding the    right phase of the moon for every undertaking. The Moon was to have been the receptacle of menstrual blood by which each mother forme the life of her    child. This sacer, taboo moon-fluid kept even the Gods alive. The moon was “the cup of the fluid of life immortal, quickening the vegetable realm and    whatsoever grows in the sub-lunar sphere, quickening also the immortals on high.” The Moon was supposed to rule life and death as well as the tides. People living on the shores were convinced that a baby could only be born on an incoming tide and a person could not die until the tide went out. It was often said birth at a full tide or a full moon means a lucky life. Girls in Scotland refused to wed on anything but a Full Moon. Witches invoked their    Goddess by “drawing down the Moon.” It is said to be a rite dating back to moon worship in Thessaly, centuries before the Christian era.
Esbats   
Lunar holidays are also known as Esbats, but any Wiccan ritual held at any time other than a Sabbat is an Esbat. Due to the rotation of the earth, the Wiccan calendar contains 13 Full Moons and 8 Sabbats, also known as Days of Power. A full moon happens every 28 1/4 days. Full Moon energy is used for banishing unwanted influences, protection and divination. A Full Moon is also a good time for planning, releasing and working backwards in time. Full Moon Magic can be done for seven days, three days before the full moon and three days after the full moon.
There are thirteen Full Moons. Each has a traditional name.
Wolf Moon January
Storm Moon February
Chaste Moon March
Seed Moon April
Hare Moon May
Dyad Moon June
Mead Moon July
Wyrt Moon August
Barley Moon   
September Blood Moon
October Snow Moon
November Oak Moon
December Blue Moon variable
The New Moon is used for personal growth, healing, the blessing of a new project etc. Between the New Moon and Full Moon is the phase called Waxing Moon. Magic for this phase includes attraction magic, increasing, growth, and gain. Between the Full Moon and New Moon is the phase called the Waning Moon. Magic for this phase includes banishing magic, such a loosing negative emotions, bad habits etc. Three days before the New Moon is known as the Dark Moon, as it is not visible in the sky. Traditionally, no magic is performed    at this time. It is a time for rest.

CREATE YOUR OWN MOON SPELLS

CREATE YOUR OWN MOON SPELLS       

  
Because of the very nature of Magick, each working should be highly individualized and    personal. Even if following a traditional spell, it should be tailored to your specific needs to be most effective for you. Understanding the basics of  Spell Construction will enable you to formulate your own specific effective spells for any purpose you desire. Preliminary planning is necessary. The very first step is to decide precisely what your desired end result is to be.
Before you can start, you must decide where you are going. You must be very explicit. It is important, also, that you choose your time carefully. You should take into consideration all Astrological implications, energy currents and    Moon phases. The Moon is the astronomical body closest to us and, therefore, has a profound influence upon us, it is very important to choose a time when the Moon is in an astrological sign which is appropriate for your working.
For example:
Aries/Action – Enthusiasm, Taurus/ Renewal – Sensuality,    Gemini/Communication – Curiosity, Cancer/ Emotion – Nurturing, Leo/Vitality – Determined, Virgo/Organizing – Studious, Libra/Balance -Cooperation,    Scorpio/Sexual – Philosophical, Capricorn/Authority – Ambitious, Aquarius/Innovation – Social, Pisces/Sensitivity – Idealistic.
Bear in mind that magickal workings for gain, increase or bringing things to you, should be initiated when the Moon is Waxing (from Dark to Full) when the Moon is Waning (from Full    to Dark), it is time for magical workings of decrease or sending away. The highest energy occurs at the Full Moon and, therefore, this is the most powerful time for magical workings. The New Moon is the next most powerful time for Magick.

The Witches Almanac for Saturday, October 27th

 

The Witches Almanac for *Saturday, October 27th

*Saturday(Saturn):  Longevity, exorcism, endings, homes and houses.

Feast of the Holy Souls

Moon Sign: *Aries

*Aries: Good for starting things, but lacks staying power. Things occur rapidly, but quickly pass. People tend to be argumentative and assertive.

*Waxing Moon

* The Waxing Moon (from the New Moon to the Full): is the ideal time for magick to draw things toward you.

Incense: Magnolia

Moon Phase:  Second Quarter

Color:  Blue

The Witches Almanac for Friday, October 26th

The Witches Almanac for *Friday, October 26th

*Friday (Venus): Love, friendship, reconciliation and beauty.

Quit Rent Ceremony (English)

 

Moon Sign: *Pisces

*Pisces: The focus is on dreaming, nostalgia, intuition and psychic impressions. A good time for spiritual or philanthropic activities.

*Waxing Moon

*Waxing Moon (From the New Moon to the Full): is the ideal time for magic to draw things toward you.)

Moon enters *Aries 3:31 p.m.

*Aries: Good for starting things, but lacks staying power. Things occur rapidly, but quickly pass. People tend to be argumentative and assertive.

Moon phase:  Second Quarter

Incense:  Orchid

Color: Pink

 

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Casting Your Spells – Working by the Moon

Casting Your Spells

Working By The Moon

Moon time is the oldest measurement of time used by humans and it accords with our natural rhythms in the lives of men as well as women. In magick, we primarily look to the moon for timings.

The waxing or increasing moon from the crescent to the night before the full moon is potent for all forms of attracting magick, for the gradual increase of money, love, happiness or health and for fertility spells. These powers will grow daily as the physical moon size increases, to reach their height on the full moon.

The full moon represents a surge of power that can be plugged into for fertility, that consummation of love or commitment, a major money gain or for launching a creative venture. Also, because the full moon is unstable, this day and night is good for initiating change.

The waning moon helps us to let go of what we no longer need or wish for in our lives and banish pain, sorrow or a destructive influence; a perfect phase for starting diet spells. As the moon decreases in size so the pull that holds negative people or factors in your life likewise weakens.