Tag: Middle Ages

Gemstone of the Day for August 4th is Azurite

Azurite

A popular crystal for its beautiful deep blue colour; this stone has a startling blue edge, which is the key to its healing powers. Azurite forms when copper ones oxidize. It is associated with the green mineral malachite, with which it shares a similar chemical structure. In the Middle Ages, powdered azurite was used as a blue pigment in paints and dyes. As it absorbed atmospheric moisture, it used to oxidize to malachite, which explains why the sky is green in some early Renaissance paintings. The two minerals can be found in a form called azurite-malachite, which is excellent, for “cleaning out” deep-rooted emotions. The finest large azurite crystals come from Namibia.

Identification and care

  • Small crystals appear a powdery blue and are often small, round nodules.
  • Large crystals are often very dark and shiny, with an electric blue edge.
  • Crystals are soft, so need careful handling.
  • Do not clean nodules in water.

Magick

  • Helps you to achieve swift, results
  • Reveals mysteries
  • Transmits messages from the unknown

Healing functions

  • Accesses deep levels of body-consciousness
  • Draws out memories or old stress, allowing them to be released in healing
  • Improves communication and creative flow

Practical ideas

  • To encourage expansion of consciousness, place four pieces of azurite on and around the body; one above the crown, one either side of the head and one at the solar plexus.

 

Your Animal Spirit for August 1st is The Cardinal

Your Animal Spirit for Today
August 1, 2011
your daily animal spirit for today

Cardinal

Wake up! Cardinal is chirping at you—bringing a message of personal power. Stop shrinking from your destiny. Stop pretending that you are less than. If you are unsure of your path, ask Cardinal to fly with you—it’s certain he will help you focus, gain clarity, formulate a plan, become self-assured, and step out into the world with the confidence befitting a person of your power.

Today’s Runes for August 1st is Ger

Today’s Runes

Stone Runes are most commonly used for questions about the natural world and things beyond human control. Ger is one of the runes that touches on the cycles of the year, in this case the fall harvest. These cycles are eternal, which is represented in the rune by the fact that it is unchanged by reversal. Ger can represent pregnancy or other forms of fruitfulness, and is especially indicative of the cycles of providence and karma – that which has been sown is now being reaped. This rune can also represent the cycles of wealth, for crops were frequently a sign of wealth.

Familiar Consecration Spell

To cement and/or formalize the psychic bonds between you and your familiar:

  1. Cast a circle large enough to hold you, your familiar and any magickal tools that you wish to consecrate (these may include leashes, collars or similar pet paraphernalia, as well as spell components or ritual tools).

  2. Burn frankincense on the periphery of the circle.

  3. Sit within the circle, with your familiar, until you feel that it’s time to come out.

  4. Repeat as needed.

Live dangerously! If your familiar is a cat, cast your circle with dried catnip and instead of frankincense, burn diviner’s sage to enhance your powers of prophesy. Let the cat play, while you allow yourself sudden bursts of inspiration.

Today’s Runes for July 29th is Tyr

Today’s Runes

Stone Runes are most commonly used for questions about the natural world and things beyond human control. Tyr is the symbol of the warrior. This rune most represents masculine force and potency, and frequently victory in battle. Beware though, for this rune represents directly the Norse god whose name it bears – Tyr stands out in legend for having sacrificed his hand that he might bind Fenrir, a monstrous wolf that threatens to swallow the world. As such, this rune is known to portend a great victory that can be bought with a terrible sacrifice. Tyr is also the god of law, frequently placed in such position above Odin. In this aspect, protection of justice may be had by this rune.

Today’s Runes for July 27th is Hagalaz

Today’s Runes

Stone Runes are most commonly used for questions about the natural world and things beyond human control. Hagalaz is the rune of hail. Hail is a destructive and elemental force, so one can expect this rune to represent the disruption of one’s life. In the harsh northern winter there is a halt to activity, and so delay or hindrance is frequently associated with this rune. The opposite of chaos is yet more chaos, as illustrated by the fact that this rune cannot be reversed.

Today’s Runes for July 26th is Tyr

Today’s Runes

Spirit Runes are most commonly used for questions about mysticism, spirituality, and religion. Tyr is the symbol of the warrior. This rune most represents masculine force and potency, and frequently victory in battle. Beware though, for this rune represents directly the Norse god whose name it bears – Tyr stands out in legend for having sacrificed his hand that he might bind Fenrir, a monstrous wolf that threatens to swallow the world. As such, this rune is known to portend a great victory that can be bought with a terrible sacrifice. Tyr is also the god of law, frequently placed in such position above Odin. In this aspect, protection of justice may be had by this rune.

Today’s Tarot Card for July 24 is The Emperor

The Emperor

This Tarot Deck: Dragon

General Meaning: In the most practical terms, what has traditionally been called the Emperor card represents the highest leadership, a head of state or the most exemplary and powerful person in the realm. This archetypal ruler is responsible for the positive working out of affairs of a society or community, which are directly proportional to his well being and happiness.

The more enlightenment and cosmic perspective this energy brings, the better life is for all. The Emperor archetype masters the world of matter and physical manifestation. When you apply this card to your situation, acknowledge your potentials for mastery. Reinforce a sense of sovereignty within yourself, despite any self-limiting beliefs, habits or appearances to the contrary.

Today’s Runes for Saturday, July 23 is Nyd

Today’s Runes

Gold Runes are most commonly used for questions about business, career, and property. Nyd represents many things, most of them unpleasant – heed it well. Constraint, delay, loss, need, and sorrow are all frequently seen in this rune. Nyd speaks most strongly of pause, the hallmark of the both the timid and the patient, and is often interpreted as foretelling a delay in the effect of other runes that it accompanies. Fortunately, even where there is misery and danger there are valuable lessons to be learned – the trick is to learn them before you are overtaken by despair.

Today’s Tarot Card for July 23 is The Empress

The Empress

This Tarot Deck: Crowley

General Meaning: Traditionally entitled “Empress,” this major arcana or “trump” card portrays the energy of the Great Mother. She is Nature, around us but also within us, the ever-unfolding Source of life-giving power. She is often pictured as a pre-Christian Goddess, as the one whom the High Priestess is channeling down to earth for the rest of us.

In medieval Europe, the Empress card was painted to represent whatever Queen currently ruled the land, probably to satisfy the Inquisitors. But the scholars of the Renaissance and beyond had no doubt of her true identity, although she could not be fully revealed on Tarot cards as the “woman clothed with the sun” until after the French Revolution.

This supreme archetype of femininity also symbolizes fertility. It is She who provides us nourishment and security. She is also sometimes seen as delighting us with flowers and fruit. A potentially terrifying aspect of this archetype manifests itself whenever karmic mood swings wipe out our plans, like a storm that has come upon us. Whatever happens, the Empress is the Source of our Embodiment and of Natural Law. She might even be called “the Great Recycler.”